When things look black

60 comments on “When things look black ”

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1. Rijab 1

   4 October 2011 at 1:09 pm

   Haha great stuff!

   Can you believe Farrar has been getting his panties in a twist over this … I mean what an outrage that Labour might SPEND money supporting our national team in a lighthearted way…

   What on earth was he thinking when he wrote that …
   • Bazar 1.1

     4 October 2011 at 2:25 pm

     “I mean what an outrage that Labour might SPEND money supporting our national team in a lighthearted way…”

     Notice how it makes no references to the rugby world cup, or the all blacks.
     That’s because they aren’t supporting them, they are riding them for free association.

     I’d be surprised if labour have paid a single dollar towards the all blacks, or purchased any all blacks merchandise for the office or give-aways.

     As for the billboard being electioneering material, i think its horrible. But i’ll add i think the normal billboards that just have a face and party name are also horrible, but at least they seem more honest then this “Unofficial all black supporter”
     • felix 1.1.1

       4 October 2011 at 2:48 pm

       “Notice how it makes no references to the rugby world cup, or the all blacks.”

       Really? Then what’s your frickin problem with it?
     • chris 1.1.2

       4 October 2011 at 3:59 pm

       Typical, a National supporter who knows nothing about business.

       They can’t say go the all blacks because of the NZRFU’s over-zealous trademark protection. l2life.
       • Bazar 1.1.2.1

         4 October 2011 at 4:18 pm

         “They can’t say go the all blacks because of the NZRFU’s over-zealous trademark protection. l2life”

         …Because they aren’t paying the NZRFU money for the right to use it.
         L2Read

         That makes them at best, unofficial supporters.
         But since i doubt labour put a single dollar towards supporting the AB, they are just associating themselves with the all blacks. Not actually supporting them.

         Its easy to call yourself a supporter, but when you use the all blacks to drive revenue or in this case votes, and give nothing in return, can you truly call that supporting?

         In the end its subjective, but for me personally, i feel this is bad billboard.
         • george the awesome 1.1.2.1.1

           4 October 2011 at 4:32 pm

           who the fuck cares its a billboard
           • felix 1.1.2.1.1.1

             4 October 2011 at 4:42 pm

             No it’s the second most important thing in the world, after what MPs say on Facebook about celebrity butchers.
             • Rijab …

               4 October 2011 at 4:49 pm

               Well, cats are pretty important too…
         • Lanthanide 1.1.2.1.2

           4 October 2011 at 4:51 pm

           “But since i doubt labour put a single dollar towards supporting the AB, they are just associating themselves with the all blacks. Not actually supporting them.”

           So you’re saying that Key paid money to get his spot standing along side the ABs when they sang the NZ anthem in their game vs Japan?

           No?
           • Bazar 1.1.2.1.2.1

             4 October 2011 at 6:40 pm

             Are you implying that standing next to the all blacks singing an anthem is supporting them?
             • McFlock …

               4 October 2011 at 6:59 pm

               Lol – dumbest comment I’ve seen in a while.
               • Puddleglum …

                 4 October 2011 at 7:07 pm

                 Although, to be fair to Bazar, I think it’s probably quite true that -from National and John Key’s perspective – that photo-op was all about giving the impression that the All Blacks support Key and National.

                 Not the other way around. 
             • Lanthanide …

               4 October 2011 at 9:09 pm

               I’m not “implying” it.
         • Rich 1.1.2.1.3

           4 October 2011 at 6:21 pm

           they aren’t paying the NZRFU money

           Oh, they are. We all are. $500mln and counting in world cup losses and expenses.

           (and I have a sneaking feeling that seeing NZ spending up big on party centra has contributed to the credit rating downgrade).
   • Deadly_NZ 1.2

     4 October 2011 at 3:18 pm

     That he was pissed the NACTS didn’t think of it first…
   • mik e 1.3

     4 October 2011 at 8:17 pm

     Maybe farrar could have a word to the national spin team not to use the feelers in case the allblacks don’t win .Nat brat
2. Peter Rabbit 2

   4 October 2011 at 1:12 pm

   It seems like all the fuss is just the usual noise between political opponents, however I do wonder how effective these signs will actually be.

   To me they look very similar to the recent “Bloody Idiot” drink drive campaign which had a number of billboards which looked like this (http://tiny.cc/hp6ai). Driving past one of these signs I suspect many drivers will subconsciously think it is one of these and visually move on without paying it much attention.
3. thejackal 3

   4 October 2011 at 1:14 pm

   The RWNJ’s are foaming at the mouth with vexation. Lol
4. Kaplan 4

   4 October 2011 at 1:16 pm

   David’s well pissed off because as a shys… I mean Pollster… he knows damn well that the chances of a left coalition forming the government after election day are a whole hell of a lot more realistic than the media are making out.
   If these ‘Occupy Xxxxxx’ protests take off, as looks likely, the chances get higher still.
5. vto 5

   4 October 2011 at 1:31 pm

   I can’t believe that Farrar claims its not fair because these billboards about the All Blacks are about politics not sports.

   What a hypocrite.

   Does that thinking not get applied to radio shows?

   Ha Ha. Government by talkback radio – brought to you first here by … drumroll … Jooooohn Key !
   • felix 5.1

     4 October 2011 at 2:47 pm

     Indeed v, let me see if I can pinpoint the moment in the election campaign when the All Blacks officially became a political football (sorry).

     It’s coming to me… not long ago… there’s singing… an extra man on the field… who is that…?

     Can’t quite make it out, sorry, all dressed in black… who IS it?
   • Ianupnorth 5.2

     4 October 2011 at 4:47 pm

     And Matthew Ridge’s billboard would have been acceptable to Farrar?
6. Jim in Tokyo 6

   4 October 2011 at 1:35 pm

   So, Labour’s election strategy this week is to lodge high profile complaints with the Electoral Commission and BSA over Key’s radio fluff fest whilst simultaneously rolling out a new policy free campaign based on ambiguous jingoistic drivel? Colour me unimpressed.
   • Rijab 6.1

     4 October 2011 at 1:46 pm

     Due process mate.

     The crazed ideologues on the right would be screaming (as they are with a few PAID hoardings haha) if Phil Goff was given an hour on the radio to promote his personality … don’t you think? Or are you really that blind to the politics of an election campaign?
   • Blighty 6.2

     4 October 2011 at 2:03 pm

     Labour’s policy can be found here: http://www.ownourfuture.co.nz/

     where’s National’s?
     • Jim in Tokyo 6.2.1

       4 October 2011 at 2:14 pm

       I’m not accusing Labour of having no policy. Nor am I saying they’ve lost the high ground over the Cats and Coro debacle. I am saying that as a communications strategy, it seems … less than strategic.
       • alex 6.2.1.1

         4 October 2011 at 2:19 pm

         A pity that the RWC circle jerk has been allowed to be used as a pre election distraction, I agree. We really needed an election based on substance over style, given the problems facing the country, but instead all the majors are jockeying to be seen as the biggest rugby fans.
       • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.2

         4 October 2011 at 4:37 pm

         I’m not accusing Labour of having no policy.

         Yes you are, right here:

         So, Labour’s election strategy this week is to lodge high profile complaints with the Electoral Commission and BSA over Key’s radio fluff fest whilst simultaneously rolling out a new policy free campaign based on ambiguous jingoistic drivel?
         • Jim in Tokyo 6.2.1.2.1

           4 October 2011 at 4:52 pm

           So, Labour’s election strategy this week is to lodge high profile complaints with the Electoral Commission and BSA over Key’s radio fluff fest whilst simultaneously rolling out a new policy free campaign based on ambiguous jingoistic drivel? Colour me unimpressed.
           • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.2.1.1

             4 October 2011 at 4:55 pm

             http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2011/10/04/respect-for-our-seniors/

             See, new policy this week from Labour.
             • Ianupnorth …

               4 October 2011 at 5:01 pm

               I have seen the National party political manifesto – it is a cliche that goes like this
                

               Building a brighter future

               And the face of a smiley wavy man – no policy, no dialogue, just a cliche and a smile. The sad thing is that seems to appeal to the masses
               • Jim in Tokyo …

                 4 October 2011 at 5:23 pm

                 new policy this week from Labour

                 But this week they chose to lead with “GO THE BOYS” over “Respect for our seniors”.

                 I have seen the National party political manifesto

                 The devastating “but teacher, he started it” defense.
                 • mik e …

                   4 October 2011 at 8:24 pm

                   Jim from tokyo fallout must be affecting your thinking there is a Rugby world cup going on here. releasing policy to early would allow National to steal it as they only have one policy thats borrow and hope there are no further downgrades.
                   • Jim in Tokyo …

                     5 October 2011 at 12:52 am

                     Jim from tokyo fallout must be affecting your thinking there is a Rugby world cup going on here

                     “It’s game on for election as credit ratings cut” – John Armstrong

                     “Downgrade gives Key’s foes great ammunition” – Fran O’Sullivan

                     ”This was to support the All Blacks and at the same time poke a little bit of light hearted fun at ourselves,” – Phil Goff
   • ianmac 6.3

     4 October 2011 at 3:06 pm

     Jim. If the complaint is declined so be it. However if the complaint is ruled admissable what you be able to say from Tokyo?
   • Draco T Bastard 6.4

     4 October 2011 at 3:37 pm

     The policy-free campaign is, like the last election, only coming from National. Labour has been launching quite a bit and has promised far more.

     As this is true and you believe the exact opposite then it becomes obvious that you’re not connected to reality in any way, shape or form.
     • Jim in Tokyo 6.4.1

       4 October 2011 at 4:13 pm

       This billboard is the equivalent of Phil Goff stripping off, painting a fern on his wang and streaking across the field while Key stands with the ABs singing the national anthem, then complaining the next morning that Fairfax ‘didn’t even mention the capital gains tax’.

       If you think this billboard campaign helps advance Labour’s policy platform, or contributes anything toward the rehabilitation of informed political discourse in New Zealand, then it becomes obvious that you’re not connected to reality in any way, shape or form.
       • Draco T Bastard 6.4.1.1

         4 October 2011 at 4:40 pm

         The billboard does what billboards do – get a name/brand in front of people and gets them thinking.

         BTW, repeating an insult back to the person who just insulted you doesn’t work – especially when everything you say proves the original insult.
         • Jim in Tokyo 6.4.1.1.1

           4 October 2011 at 5:01 pm

           The billboard does what billboards do – get a name/brand in front of people and gets them thinking

           Ok, understood, but gets them thinking about what?

           If I remember correctly, the previous campaign / ‘branding exercise’ was quite specifically about Labour’s position on asset sales (the “lets not” hoardings).
           • McFlock 6.4.1.1.1.1

             4 October 2011 at 5:13 pm

             “When things look black, we’re at our best”.
             You really don’t see anything beyond rugby in that?
             • Jim in Tokyo …

               5 October 2011 at 1:01 am

               You really don’t see anything beyond rugby in that?

               You are right, it works on so many levels!

               Labour leader Phil Goff said this morning the campaign showed Labour could laugh at itself and its dire poll ratings
               • McFlock …

                 5 October 2011 at 1:18 am

                 Anything else?
               • bbfloyd …

                 5 October 2011 at 2:33 am

                 you’ve done rather well to have stuck this out for so long tokyo rose, considering the intellectual vacuum you seem to be operating in…..note the elegance with which these billboards have reminded those of us with longer memories than the average tory goldfish impersonator of just how many times now the labour party has had to pull our economy, and the fabric of our society back from the brink of the abyss well enough to at least counter the debilitating effects of repeated reactionary, elitist, land and money grabs…..simple… and veeerrry easy to grasp…..

                 indeed, if it wasn’t for the labour party, this country would never have achieved anything like it has….. there is not ONE example of a national government actions that have led to decades of advancement, and social development on a scale that allowed new zealand to take it’s place among the leading thinkers, and make meaningful contributions to events around the world……

                 every single policy in the twentieth century that has seen this kind of intergenerational flow on effect was introduced by labour governments…. every…… single….. one….

                 so…. if the goldfish out there need reminding of who it is that your great grandchildren will thank for their quality of life…. consider yourself worded up little fishies..
       • happynz 6.4.1.2

         5 October 2011 at 5:41 am

         This billboard is the equivalent of Phil Goff stripping off, painting a fern on his wang and streaking across the field while Key stands with the ABs singing the national anthem, then complaining the next morning that Fairfax ‘didn’t even mention the capital gains tax’.

         It is? Sounds like a bit of a case of too much caffeine on your part. Settle down.
7. Adrian 7

   4 October 2011 at 2:18 pm

   It’s not about things appearing black for the Labour Party, it’s a comment on National’s handling of the economy.
   • bbfloyd 7.1

     5 October 2011 at 2:35 am

     if you like, it could have been written “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”…. but that would be trite….

     the way they have framed this jog to the memory is more elegant..
8. shorts 8

   4 October 2011 at 2:27 pm

   any political party not hitching their chances on those of a sports team?

   Cause thats the sort of party I could support

    
   • alex 8.1

     4 October 2011 at 3:26 pm

     The Greens, unless you nationwide surge of joy after Ireland beat the Aussies.
     • DavidW 8.1.1

       4 October 2011 at 3:31 pm

       Shorts – nah, have you seen the size of the carbon footprint of a pint of Guiness?
   • DavidW 8.2

     4 October 2011 at 3:30 pm

     You don’t see the Greens associated with frivolous activities like sport. Just a thought.
9. Irascible 9

   4 October 2011 at 3:01 pm

   I like the ambiguity of the billboard. Those focused on the RWC will read it as support for Team Adidas while those with some nounce will read it for what it is – a criticism of the NACTional government and the solution to vote Labour.
   In that the RWNJs are upset over the apparent tie to the RWC we are merely seeing how shallow their thinking really is.
10. Afewknowthetruth 10

    4 October 2011 at 3:01 pm

    If you think things are black now you’d better take a look at these.

    http://au.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=%5EDJI

    http://au.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=%5EAORD

    http://au.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=%5EN225

    http://au.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=%5EHSI

    And it’s only just begun.
    • Lanthanide 10.1

      4 October 2011 at 4:53 pm

      Switching all those charts to 5 years gives a better context for the wobbles of the last few weeks.
11. Dot Bauld 11

    4 October 2011 at 3:03 pm

    It’s timely enjoy,
    policy will come later.
    Red & Back
12. Afewknowthetruth 12

    4 October 2011 at 3:44 pm

    By the way, anyone who thinks they can hop across ‘the ditch’ to get a better life had better check this out first.

    http://au.pfinance.yahoo.com/money-manager/real-estate/article/-/10376600/which-aussie-city-is-becoming-a-playground-for-the-rich/

    You’ll need half a million NZ to buy a house in Aussie’s cheapest city. Or become a debt slave to that figure. Elsewhere much more.
13. jaymam 13

    6 October 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Can somebody from Labour print some more of those stickers that say “Vote Banks and get two dopes”? Somebody is peeling off the stickers, probably ACT members who have not decided what to put on their own billboards. They are also smashing down the Labour billboards.
    • Colonial Viper 13.1

      8 October 2011 at 10:17 pm

      Every time you see a billboard freshly down, please phone email or txt the nearest Labour campaign office. Cheers.
      • jaymam 13.1.1

        12 October 2011 at 8:04 pm

        I’d like to phone, but on the Labour website I can see only a Wellington phone number. And I’m in Auckland.
        • jaymam 13.1.1.1

          13 October 2011 at 8:23 pm

          So, Labour are not going to fight this election then?
          No phone numbers, no reply to emails.
          Is there something more important that Labour is doing?
          Hassling John Key for not having a rescue ship ready a year ago? No, not that.

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1. National: Building a blighted future « The Standard: posted on 8 October 2011 at 10:23 am

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