The Standard’s ten most commented on posts in 2018

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, December 31st, 2018 - 62 comments
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The ten most commented posts of 2018 were …

Tenth with 339 comments was this post analysing how badly National wanted and needed Kiwibuild to fail.

National badly wants Kiwibuild to crash

Ninth was this post announcing the end of Bill English’s parliamentary career.

Bill is gone. Free for all spectator time

Eighth was this post on Lauren Southern.  There was a vigorous debate about how far freedom of speech should stretch.

The extent of the right to free speech

Seventh was this post speculating on who actually leaked Simon Bridges’ travel expenses.  This was probably the most talked about topic in New Zealand political circles this year and a number of posts on the subject engaged considerable discussion.

Which National MP leaked Bridges’ expense details?

Sixth was a post by a new writer Koreropono on pulling teeth for poverty.  It was strongly written and deserved the attention it received.

Pulling Teeth For Poverty

Fifth was this post on Paula Bennett’s opening up of the use of personal dirt on MPs for political advantage.  Her decision potentially sets a very damaging precedent that she and others hope is not followed.

Mutually assured destruction

And we still do not know what happened about the $100,000 donation to National to apparently get someone associated with the Chinese Government selected as a National MP.

Fourth was this post about the decision of a Warkworth cake maker to refuse to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.  The post simply presented both arguments, did not express a view and invited people to express their own opinions.  Many did.

Cake makers and fascists

Third was this post on how National was trying to suggest that everything was awesome in their party. The title was inspired by the recent Lego movie with the thought of National’s cheer squad singing at the top of their voices the theme song.

Everything is awesome

Second was this post Russian to Judgment suggesting that the conclusion that Russia had poisoned dissident Sergei Skripal had all the hallmarks of a false flag operation.

Russian to Judgment

The winner was this post analysing the media treatment of Clare Curran’s problems with news that there was raw sewerage coming out of the wall of a Middlemore Hospital building and that Kim Dotcom has been awarded damages against the Government for a breach of his rights.

The manufacturing of a narrative

62 comments on “The Standard’s ten most commented on posts in 2018 ”

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  1. Pete George 1
    31 December 2018 at 7:45 am

    Interesting to see most interest has been on an out of power Opposition party. None of these most commented posts are on Government successes or proposed Government policies.

    Perhaps that just reflects what largely left-leaning people with political inclinations are most interested in – dumping on their opponents. Or it could be due to the focus of authors and their posts.

    Unfortunately it seems that most talked about politics is negative.

    Perhaps a challenge for 2019 is to explore and thrash over policies and issues that may change the way we do things.

    There should at least be more focus on cannabis law and euthanasia – things that should be of genuine public interest, that could change our society for the better through public engagement and ultimately public vote.

    • Ad 1.1
      31 December 2018 at 8:18 am

      i do tonnes of policy ones. they are more for specialists in those fields.

      We’re generally really happy with the government and its leadership and its policies.

      Cannabis and euthenasia have been well covered, often in general debate.

    • mickysavage 1.2
      31 December 2018 at 8:32 am

      it is a reflection on social media. You get to see the waves building up and then choose to take part or not.

      The post “the manufacturing of a narrative” goes into this in some detail and analysis why and I note was one of the most popular posts.

      Also take off with twitter and facebook guarantees popularity, and you guess it the breaking news of a scandal tends to be more popular.

      And there are plenty of policy posts as pointed out by Ad.

      • mickysavage 1.2.1
        31 December 2018 at 8:45 am

        Adding onto my earlier comment the ten most popular posts list were just published. Three were about National and Ross, two about the unfounded attacks on Clarke Gayford, one on Fonterra, one on Louisa Wall and Rachel Stewart and TERF rights, two on rape culture and one on how narratives in media are formed.

    • te reo putake 1.3
      31 December 2018 at 9:24 am

      One of the nice things about Pete’s blog is that it has word cloud plugin that shows the most posted about terms in various font sizes. The more posts about a subject, the bigger the word is.

      The biggest word of them all?

      Labour.

      So the takeaway is that Pete spent the last decade or so writing negative posts about a party in opposition, while hypocritically moaning today that the Standard has been doing the same thing to the Nats for just 12 months.

      To misquote the beige badger, perhaps that just reflects what largely right-leaning people with political inclinations are most interested in – dumping on their opponents.

      Ps, other ‘big’ words over at Yawn NZ include Andrew Little, Jacinda Ardern and er, the Standard. Whatever can it mean?

      • veutoviper 1.3.1
        31 December 2018 at 9:49 am

        LOLOL!

        A few other interesting comparisons:

        National, Andrew Little, The Standard, and Winston Peters seem to be the same font size …

        Ditto Donald Trump and John Key …

        Jacinda Ardern and Whale Oil?

        Had to get out a magnifying glass to find Simon Bridges and Judith Collins, and Paula Bennett is nowhere to be found. Yet Meteria Turei, James Shaw, Colin Craig pop out at you, with David Cunliffe and David Shearer slightly bigger again.

        WOW – the edit function is working again! Thanks lprent.

        Seriously, I am very tempted to go and comment on the beige blog – and tell Pete what I think he should be focusing on there in 2019. I wonder how he would like that?

      • fender 1.3.2
        31 December 2018 at 11:56 am

        Thanks for shinning a light through PG’s (once again) weak attempt. I have visited his toilet blog years ago but won’t return, so thanks TRP and VV for the info.

      • OnceWasTim 1.3.3
        31 December 2018 at 1:20 pm

        “To misquote the beige badger, perhaps that just reflects what largely right-leaning people with political inclinations are most interested in – dumping on their opponents.” and point scoring using any mechanism in order to derail and feign offence
        As was the case yesterday

      • Pete George 1.3.4
        31 December 2018 at 2:56 pm

        @TRP

        “So the takeaway is that Pete spent the last decade or so writing negative posts about a party in opposition”

        That’s a poor comment from you. You’re making it up (presumably), based on no evidence. The word cloud does not judge negative or positive or neutral content.

        I have written positive and informational as well as critical posts about Labour (and all other parties).

        I’ve probably posted more informational or positive posts about Labour than have been posted at The Standard over the last few years.

        But you may be happy to have precipitated a petty wee trumped up pile on. Some things don’t seem to change here.

        • Robert Guyton 1.3.4.1
          31 December 2018 at 3:28 pm

          I can’t comment over at Badger Hall, as Mr George has consigned me to the “moderation” bin, for fear that I’ll say something upsetting.

          • Pete George 1.3.4.1.1
            31 December 2018 at 3:36 pm

            You can comment at Your NZ if you comply with basic standards of behaviour. You kept ignoring requests, so should have no complaints. You had ample warnings.

            And since then here you have made false claims and incorrectly linked me to a quote (and tried a lame excuse when called on it), presumably because you know you can get away with dirty smears here.

            • Robert Guyton 1.3.4.1.1.1
              31 December 2018 at 3:59 pm

              Pete: at risk of provoking a silly tit-for-tat with you 🙂 isn’t this what happened?
              Jum said:

              Blah, blah, blah…
              ” But I certainly won’t forget your greed, your self-interest, your self-interested membership of global fiscal tentacles.

              You and your greedy philosophy to benefit the monied destroyed these people’s lives and every word you type is tainted with selfishness.”

              And you replied:
              “You’re a long way of target here. I have had nothing to do with any of what you claim.”

              Didn’t you address what you thought was a comment about you from Jum?

              If you did, you’ll understand why I teased you. I reckon you’re not great with reading “tone”, especially from me 🙂
              And yeah, the eel videos are cool!

          • veutoviper 1.3.4.1.2
            31 December 2018 at 3:40 pm

            The best things there are Gezza’ s Pukeko and Eel feeding videos.

            Actually to be fair, as I have said here before, to give credit where credit is due, PG is an early riser and I find a quick trip there is worth it for getting a quick update on what is in the early news each day.

        • te reo putake 1.3.4.2
          31 December 2018 at 3:48 pm

          Just pointing out the contradiction between your advice to TS and the actuality of your own blog, Pete. I thought it was a bit rich.

          As always, I see your place as the best of the conservative blogs in tone, content and commentary. And, yes, I’m sure I’ve occasionally read posts that compliment Labour to a degree. But not often, and not enough to indicate impartiality.

          Anyhoo, all the best to you, Pete. I hope you, yours, and Your NZ have a terrific 2019.

          • Pete George 1.3.4.2.1
            31 December 2018 at 4:06 pm

            Just pointing out that what you claimed is based on false assumptions at best.

            No blogger is ‘impartial’ – and especially, no blogger looks impartial to those further to the left or right whose own biases taint their view of partiality.

            One of “the conservative blogs”? That’s very funny, but maybe you didn’t intend it as a joke.

            Ardern and Labour look more conservative than me. Certainly less progressive.

            Have you seen this?
            https://thekiwifirewalker.blogspot.com/2018/12/politics-2019-year-of-fukyoo-in-nz.html

            I am increasingly seeing disappointment in the Labour led Government from the left and from those who want significant change.

            • Robert Guyton 1.3.4.2.1.1
              31 December 2018 at 4:18 pm

              TRP is on the button with his assessments of you and your blog, Pete. I used to visit YourNZ and provide valuable counters to the partiality TRP describes, till you set the “moderation” dogs onto me 🙂 and so have had plenty of time to form a view and test your waters.
              I wonder why, if as you say, you are subject to “petty wee trumped up pile ons”, you come here at all? You inevitably get your knickers in a twist over responses here that tell you straight how it is you are coming across (tone deaf is my pick) and get all huffy when people make light of your failings/flailings – do you enjoy a good stropping?

              • marty mars …
                31 December 2018 at 4:36 pm

                Yes Pete abused me when I tried to offer advice to him via a comment on his blog many moons ago. I couldn’t go back after that.

              • Blazer …
                31 December 2018 at 6:39 pm

                Be honest Robert…alot of your posts were well received and appreciated on YNZ.
                You know very well you did not maintain the same standards you do here and were purposely..provocative and quite trivial at times.

                • Robert Guyton …
                  31 December 2018 at 7:11 pm

                  Yes, Blazer, that’s true! I was provocative there. Provocative and trivial though, necessitating moderation??
                  Really?
                  That’s what irks me 🙂
                  There are provocative and irksome commenters here that don’t get moderated, yet Pete proclaims his liking for free speech!
                  Twisted, that.

                  • Blazer …
                    31 December 2018 at 7:27 pm

                    Dream on Robert..you are a protected species here.

                    The main actor on this blog suffers from the same affliction as WO..the smartest guy in the room syndrome.
                    ..vindictive and unpredictable..
                    but all the same ,it is still my favourite blog for real incisive opinion and robust discussion.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      31 December 2018 at 7:30 pm

                      Well, that’s provocative and unkind, Blazer! The “main actor on this blog” might put you in moderation…hang on..he/she hasn’t!
                      You’ve an issue here, right?
                      Badger Hall’s your “safe place”?
                      That said, I like your work (over there).

                    • Blazer …
                      31 December 2018 at 7:42 pm

                      Been banned from W.O and TS ..the most spurious rationale=how dare you show me up as someone who can’t back up what I say!

                      Have no issues..c’est la vie..small shyte.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      31 December 2018 at 10:18 pm

                      It’s perilously easy to cross someone’s invisible line, isn’t it!
                      I like your style, keep on keeping on!
                      (Blaze on you shining star etc…)

            • Sacha 1.3.4.2.1.2
              31 December 2018 at 5:15 pm

              “I am increasingly seeing disappointment” – from one minor blogger I’ve never heard of. No more persuasive than those here who castigate this government for not rolling out revolutionary socialism.

              • Robert Guyton …
                31 December 2018 at 5:28 pm

                When Pete George is disappointed , all must tremble (trains screech to a halt, children call for their mamas, birds, from the sky, must fall!)

              • Pete George …
                31 December 2018 at 9:41 pm

                The Daily Blog has also expressed disappointments with the Government for some time. Also Chris Trotter.

                I see it increasingly on Twitter – here’s a thread from today disappointed with the Greens:
                https://twitter.com/Tweetsintoabyss/status/1079551152599908352

                • Robert Guyton …
                  31 December 2018 at 10:19 pm

                  It’s called “confirmation bias”, Pete – look it up.

                • lprent …
                  31 December 2018 at 11:59 pm

                  Pretty normal.

                  Throughout the 5th Labour government there were people disappointed in what they did because they did it incrementally as well. Both Chris and Bomber were. Why would you think that they’d be happier this time?

                  For that matter the nutters on the right were always severely disappointed with the last National government as well.

                  There are a lot of people who don’t want incremental change towards a general political direction even if it is the direction that they approve of. They want faster change or they want any changes to emphasise what they are interested in. The aren’t interested in compromise or to understand the constraints of government.

                  This is called human nature. I suspect that all of the people on the left or supporters of the green movement

                  The trick is listening to not just hear the loudest moaning, the trick is to listen to see if there is significiant support shifting. On the left, that seldom means listening to Chris or Bomber or any number of other self-appointed spokespeople for the left or the greens or NZ First. And yes that probably does include me now that I’ve detached myself so far from direct support over the years.

                  The trick is to see if the people who really do voluntary work for them or directly support them are starting to desert. That shows absolutely no real signs of happening. There is some inevitable action from those who’d like more budget flung in their direction.

                  You’ve really got to learn to distinguish the voices worth listening to on the left somewhat better.

                  • Chris …
                    1 January 2019 at 2:22 am

                    Key very deliberately attempted inceremental change because he believed the government in the 1990s failed to effect enough change quickly enough. A new strategy was therefore required. Key saw how public resistance to some things, because attempts at a change were so rapid, put the brakes on changes he would’ve dearly loved to see happen. So, instead, consistent with Crosby-Textor advice, he adopted a by-stealth approach aimed slipping things through unnoticed.

                  • Pete George …
                    1 January 2019 at 6:28 am

                    “You’ve really got to learn to distinguish the voices worth listening to on the left somewhat better.”

                    But if I selected who I thought were worth listening to Robert might accuse me of “confirmation bias”.

                    I listen to a wide range of voices.

                    While party volunteer numbers may mean something to party insiders, what matters in politics is wider public perceptions, and ultimately public support via polls (a rough indicator) and elections.

                    I’m surprised that despite the easy run and sometimes open lauding and PR promotion of Jacinda Ardern in media, and the failure of Simon Bridges to enthuse stalwart and potential National supporters, that National continues to usually do better (slightly) than Labour in polls.

                    • marty mars …
                      1 January 2019 at 7:43 am

                      The fact your surprised shows that you don’t know politics as well as you think.

                      I don’t either btw – I’m often surprised by what happens and think wtf and then it works out and I realise it is a changing game and other brains are doing it.

                      All the best for 2019.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      1 January 2019 at 7:57 am

                      One thing you might have to do is get over your bitterness that Jacinda Ardern is popular with the public and media.

                    • Psycho Milt …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:10 am

                      I’m surprised that despite the easy run and sometimes open lauding and PR promotion of Jacinda Ardern in media, and the failure of Simon Bridges to enthuse stalwart and potential National supporters, that National continues to usually do better (slightly) than Labour in polls.

                      Marty Mars is right – that comment displays a poor understanding of politics.

                      I’ll ignore your own bias leading you to refer to an “easy run and sometimes open lauding and PR promotion of Jacinda Ardern in the media,” terms I don’t recall you ever using about its treatment of John Key.

                      The point here is that the right-leaning vote is pretty much always above 40%, as is the left-leaning vote. That’s why it’s difficult for either side to win and retain power.

                      At the moment, there are no parties attractive to the right other than National, so National’s consistently above 40%. However, there are two parties attractive to the left, so Labour should be struggling to even reach 40%. But it isn’t struggling to reach 40%, it’s consistently over 40 and has the left’s second party also drawing 5 – 7% support. In some polls the two have made it over 50% between them, which is why National is currently screwed, and why your claims of a lack of popular support for Labour are laughable.

                    • veutoviper …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:11 am

                      I’m surprised that despite the easy run and sometimes open lauding and PR promotion of Jacinda Ardern in media, and the failure of Simon Bridges to enthuse stalwart and potential National supporters, that National continues to usually do better (slightly) than Labour in polls.

                      My bolding of “than Labour” is the crux of your surprise, imo.

                      You appear to still be viewing things through the prism of a FPP lens, rather than a MMP one – in other words, a two horse race.

                      The current Government is the first real MMP government in many people’s opinion, bringing together three different political parties with some overlapping policies and principles, and also others where negotiation and compromise is necessary. Much like life and community is in general.

                      In such an environment, support for National (together with any of its supporting minor parties, currently only ACT) needs to be viewed against the total of support for not just Labour, but also the Green Party and NZF as a block.

                      To just compare National and Labour is a distortion of reality.

                      EDIT – Well, seems lots of us are up and about early despite it being New Year’s Day – including Psycho Milt !!!!

                      While PM and I are saying pretty much the same, I will leave mine anyway.

                      Happy 2019 to all.

                    • Pete George …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:38 am

                      Muttonbird: “One thing you might have to do is get over your bitterness that Jacinda Ardern is popular with the public and media.”

                      I’m not bitter at all. It’s just an observation, one shared by others quite commonly.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:50 am

                      ” It’s just an observation, one shared by others quite commonly.”
                      My observation is that Pete consistently denies his rightward political leanings; bias that sticks out like the proverbial canine bolas whenever he comments here on TS. This view is shared by others quite commonly.
                      Plus, you’re tone deaf: calling Psycho Milt’s observation, stupid (“A stupid comment from you.”) is, well, either you’re deaf to the tone or just plain rude.

                    • Pete George …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:50 am

                      Psycho Milt: ” I don’t recall you ever using about its treatment of John Key.”

                      A stupid comment from you. I’ve commented quote a bit over the years about media treatment of different politicians, but that’s a diversion from what they are doing for Ardern.

                      Ardern knows how to manipulate and use media to promote her PR – as did key.

                      The media tend to favour some party leaders, until they sense political blood – as per Metiria Turei. Winston Peters has been given an easy ride by journalists for a long time. In contrast James Shaw seems to be largely ignored – perhaps his staff focus more on the work he needs to do rather than the image some politicians seem obsessed with presenting.

                      “In some polls the two have made it over 50% between them, which is why National is currently screwed”

                      National certainly has challenges under MMP, but there are different ways they could address that.

                      Stuff 2019 prediction:

                      Attempts to find friends for National will see two new parties emerge as contenders – a Vernon Tava-led environment party and a party targeting the Christian and Pasifika vote to leverage off the Christian vote mobilised by the euthanasia, cannabis and abortion reform debates.

                      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/109350536/2019-political-predictions-big-calls-for-the-year-ahead

                      Those parties are very unlikely to threaten the ridiculously high 5% threshold, but if a Tava type party tool a percent or two off the Greens they could be in jeopardy, especially if Marama Davidson keeps alienating some Greeen support.

                      And percent or two off the Pasifika vote (presumably from Labour) could give National a chance in a two party race.

                      I don’t like how the number of parties keeps reducing, and I really don’t want to see a one party Government, but it’s a credible possibility.

                    • Pete George …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:52 am

                      marty mars: “The fact your surprised shows that you don’t know politics as well as you think.”

                      I have never made any claim about how well I think I know politics. I’m just giving my perspective as an independent hobby observer from a distance.

                    • Pete George …
                      1 January 2019 at 8:58 am

                      veuto viper: “The current Government is the first real MMP government in many people’s opinion”

                      Some people’s opinion perhaps. It implies that every other MMP Government since 1996 is not a ‘real MMP government’, which seems absurd to me.

                      I think that the “the first real MMP government” can be translated a more accurately as ‘the first MMP government that I like’.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      1 January 2019 at 9:06 am

                      This from yourself on 29 Dec on your own blog:

                      Ardern has been given an easy ride by journalists so far, even to the extent that some fawn over her, but they need to put aside liking the Prime Minister and her baby and looking seriously into whether Ardern and her Government are going to live up to their PR hype.

                      That’s twice in two days you’ve brought up imagined media bias in favour of Ardern so it’s a theme which is on your mind and which you are promoting right now.

                      In addition to having a poor understanding of politics you appear to have a poor understanding of the media. The “fawning” (perjorative) you claim is not by political journalists. The tabloid, lifestyle and entertainment media might glamorise the prime minister in order to sell copy, and attract listeners and viewers but theirs is not a critical platform. Most of what I’ve seen from political journalists have rightly congratulated Ardern for her international performance and also highlighted domestic difficulties, going so far as to call her dodgy – a chorus you yourself couldn’t help join.

                      You also claim Labour policy and ambition is nothing more than “PR hype” which, I presume, they must live up to immediately. Good governance precludes dramatic change as you well know, or at least you should.

                    • Pete George …
                      1 January 2019 at 9:16 am

                      “You also claim Labour policy and ambition is nothing more than “PR hype””

                      I haven’t claimed that at all.

                      That I have said a similar thing twice in a few days is not a major scandal is it?

                      But I have seen media increasingly criticise Ardern and her Government for more talk (PR) than action. This from The Listener in August:

                      It’s about time the Government moved beyond Labour’s campaign slogan of “Let’s Do This” and adopted Nike’s rather more urgent one: “Just Do It.” Yet, instead, it’s sliding into “To-Do List Limbo”.
                      The growing perception that Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens are hopelessly mired in internal bickering and ministerial dithering isn’t entirely fair. But after several intra-coalition skirmishes, it’s now urgent for this administration to reveal more than “12 priorities”. Voters want to see action with immediate and tangible benefits. The Government has already spent almost a year putting up new goal posts. It’s time to take some goal kicks.

                      Instead, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern crystallised the all-talk-no-action trope when she led a rally of the faithful last weekend, announcing still more goals.

                      https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/politics/is-the-government-all-talk-no-action/

                    • marty mars …
                      1 January 2019 at 9:32 am

                      Yes Pete you are a “hobby observer” as you say. Good you know your limits.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      1 January 2019 at 9:33 am

                      Both Pete George and The Chairman clothe their dislike for Labour, NZ1st and The Greens with faux concern about their performance: “We really support these guys, but, it hurts me to say this, they’re just not doing as they promised ! ” Both Mr George and Chairy will argue black and blue that they’re right (and they are), Right that is.

                    • Pete George …
                      1 January 2019 at 10:09 am

                      “will argue black and blue that they’re right”

                      I don’t think you could substantiate that at all Robert. You’re just making things up again.

                      I acknowledge being to the right of you on some things, but that doesn’t mean much at all.

                      If the Greens split as a Shaw led environmental party and a Davidson led social reform party, which do you think would get the most support? Do you think either would get enough support to make the threshold?

                      A think that a Shaw led environment focused party could increase support over the current Greens. It’s impossible to measure how much, but there are ex green supporters and potential green supporters who would prefer this.

                    • marty mars …
                      1 January 2019 at 10:14 am

                      Pete you and Robert should do a debate and video it. Could add value to your blog and give you two real people a platform to duke it out verbally. Have you guys ever met?

                    • greywarshark …
                      1 January 2019 at 10:30 am

                      The Chairman and Pete George are indeed ‘chary’ to give any real thought about what it is possible for the Labour Coalition to do, and that they are doing that, as fast as they can.

                      Good idea marty mars about a video, it would have to limit rejoinders with a time keeper and moderator who kept the flow of discussion on or near the supposed subject. And working through a preconceived agenda.

                    • lprent …
                      1 January 2019 at 2:01 pm

                      Frankly after being around our local politics for a long time, “leadership” is a much overrated political nuance here.

                      It is mainly of interest to media because it makes running two person head to head stories easier – those can be shorter and lot fuller of human interest. Which incidentally is why our media hate MMP. But the media isn’t politics here. It is essentially and increasingly a bit of side show.

                      Where it becomes politically interesting is when there is public uncertainty about the political party and its ability to keep their internal coalitions in concert. Then you find that comes to a discussion in public about if voters feel that certainty or not – often expressed as questions about the parliamentary leader being able to do that. If you want a case in point, the Theresa May is providing it in the UK at present.

                      In politics “divided we fall” isn’t a metaphor for hanging in politics – it is a statement of fact.

                      Politics in a healthy Westminster system is far more like what Bryan Gould describes in:-
                      http://www.bryangould.com/no-more-one-man-bands/

                      Polls, especially the single public poll running in NZ at present, are kind of irrelevant in an MMP environment in the way that you are using them.

                      There is literally not a single viable party for National to go into coalition with because they ate them all into the internal coalitions that are the National party. That get them a low to mid-40’s polling, but that is all that they can muster for an election – so they are screwed for taking the political benches.

                      They have screwed over all possible external coalition parties to point that I can’t see a move amongst any to get into bed with them to get screwed over like the extinct parties.

                      So National simply cannot win the government benches from where they currently are. They are in an invidious static position. They have garnered all of the right support together in an uneasy coalition.

                      Taking almost any policy that are designed to gain the policy benches will cause public dissension within other factions of National’s ranks and lose them support to NZ First or Labour. And National hangs divided.

                      On the government side, it is a lot clearer. Policies that would cause issues will also cause people to support to one of the other parties of the coalition. That is how MMP is meant to work and how it does at present. It gives a lot more stable government

    • Pete 1.4
      31 December 2018 at 9:52 am

      Maybe there should be more focus on cannabis law and euthanasia – things that should be of genuine public interest, that could change our society for the better through public engagement and ultimately public vote.

      Those were the issues that the most popular Prime Minister of New Zealand ever didn’t want on the agenda. You know, the guy who wanted us to be aspirational.

      Maybe there should be focus on housing. I believe since the end of 2017 we’ve got ourselves a housing crisis we didn’t have before then. Now how about that for a topic to be negative? Those who didn’t see a crisis pre-September 2017 will be into the crazy pills attacking any and every move which looks in any way an effort to do something about it.

    • Philj 1.5
      2 January 2019 at 8:23 pm

      PG. I’m out.

  2. veutoviper 2
    31 December 2018 at 8:56 am

    In addition to the list of the ten most commented on posts for 2018, perhaps special mention/recognition could also be made of what might be at least one of the longest, if not the longest, threads on TS which still seems to be ongoing …

    [Drumroll]

    McFlock and Shadrach for their perseverance in ‘discussing’ transgender people, the law, and their imprisonment in the thread at 1.6 on Open Mike 28 Nov 2018.

    OM 28 November is currently standing at 408 comments – possibly also a bit of a record?

    By a very rough count, McFlock and Shadrach’s conversation has continued for a staggering 165 comments (approx) with a small smattering of comments from some others such as Solkta and Antoine. Latest exchanges were just a few days ago on 27 December.

    And no, I have not read all the comments but kept noticing the back and forths on OM 28 Nov popping up on the side bar!

    • mickysavage 2.1
      31 December 2018 at 8:59 am

      Haha stamina …

      Open Mikes were excluded because they are generic posts rather than having a subject matter but yes they do often get hundreds of comments.

    • lprent 2.2
      31 December 2018 at 9:02 am

      Interesting. I can remember a similar conversation between r0b and one of the right leaners about one of the persistent kiwiblog myths back around 2012 (?) that would have been longer. I think that tracked for several hundred in a thread.

      • RedLogix 2.2.1
        1 January 2019 at 2:50 pm

        That would have been dear old Burt and his obsession with Labour’s pledge card spending and subsequent events around the Auditor General’s decisions.

        I have to give him credit for making his case with both sincerity and endurance.

    • te reo putake 2.3
      31 December 2018 at 9:06 am

      Good shout out! I’ve been watching this discussion unfold with some fascination. But who had the last word?

    • shadrach 2.4
      31 December 2018 at 2:11 pm

      It’s just as well the mods have some kind of cut off point where comments close!

      • veutoviper 2.4.1
        31 December 2018 at 3:32 pm

        You both have my admiration for your perseverance. My comments were not meant as criticism and my apologies for not reading them all in detail.

        Very best wishes for 2019.

    • McFlock 2.5
      31 December 2018 at 3:10 pm

      yeah, fair call VV. It’s surprising how far things can go, one comment at a time.

      • veutoviper 2.5.1
        31 December 2018 at 3:32 pm

        You both have my admiration for your perseverance. My comments were not meant as criticism and my apologies for not reading them all in detail.

        Very best wishes for 2019.

  3. Jenny - How to get there? 3
    1 January 2019 at 7:01 am

    Second was this post Russian to Judgment suggesting that the conclusion that Russia had poisoned dissident Sergei Skripal had all the hallmarks of a false flag operation.

    Russian to Judgment

    Yes, the conspiracy nuts had a field day on this one.

    I notice that they weren’t so vociferous on the denouement.

    https://thestandard.org.nz/second-kremlin-killer-unmasked-putin-untroubled/

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