Manu Caddie, about whom I have blogged previously, wants to change the name of the region he lives in from Poverty Bay to Oneroa.
Names make all the difference in the world. Let's have the name changed.
Split Enz - True Colours, 1980
Monday, 30 April 2012
I Am The Resurrection
Who? Well, first, Christianity has a strangled-hold on the use of the term "resurrection" and unfairly so because it can be applied quite generally.
David Cunliffe could be the next great Prime Minister. He's made several good speeches over the last couple of years about the fundamental flaws in the neo-liberal approach to money and the management of the economy, as below:
He's realised that Labour is too far right*. And he's not afraid to say so.
Is he Jesus? No. Is he like Jesus? No more so than anyone else. Am I suggesting some association? No.
*Labour, before it was infiltrated and overtaken by ACT in the mid-1980s, regularly received more votes than (a much more left-wing than they are today) National party, foiled only by the vagaries (and that's the nice word for it) of FPP. A swing to the left could have the dual benefits for Labour and NZ of (a) actually getting Labour into government, now we have MMP, not FPP, and (b) forcing National to abandon some of their radical right-wing agenda.
The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses, 1989
David Cunliffe could be the next great Prime Minister. He's made several good speeches over the last couple of years about the fundamental flaws in the neo-liberal approach to money and the management of the economy, as below:
[I argue] that, post GFC, the “invisible hand” of neoliberal economics has failed, that New Zealand cannot cut or sell our way out of a hole, and that Labour must therefore present a clear alternative economic approach to the current government based on our own enduring valuesHell Yeah!
He's realised that Labour is too far right*. And he's not afraid to say so.
Is he Jesus? No. Is he like Jesus? No more so than anyone else. Am I suggesting some association? No.
*Labour, before it was infiltrated and overtaken by ACT in the mid-1980s, regularly received more votes than (a much more left-wing than they are today) National party, foiled only by the vagaries (and that's the nice word for it) of FPP. A swing to the left could have the dual benefits for Labour and NZ of (a) actually getting Labour into government, now we have MMP, not FPP, and (b) forcing National to abandon some of their radical right-wing agenda.
The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses, 1989
Others Way
Love this song.
One of the mysteries I've been contemplating is the relevance of the seventh of May. I expect it will remain a mystery.
Double Happys - Double B-Side, 1984
One of the mysteries I've been contemplating is the relevance of the seventh of May. I expect it will remain a mystery.
Double Happys - Double B-Side, 1984
More Than This
Goodness me, a weekend is a long time in politics. It was only Thursday last week I was asking about John Banks's suitability to be a cabinet minister. Over the weekend he has provided more than sufficient evidence to prove he should not be a Member of Parliament, much less a Minister for the Crown.
I'd like to say I approach the issue from an unbiased perspective. But I don't. John Banks comes with a long track record of poor judgement and policy based on whim.
As Minister of Police, back in the early 1990s, he succeeded only in fostering a culture of thuggery and misogyny that had brought us thugs and criminals like Ross Meurant, and Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum.
As mayor of Auckland he did two notable things. One was to direct public resources to modifying a carpark to suit his car. The other was to unite the right behind him in the 2010 election. The latter was a good thing.
Over the weekend the notorious Kim Dotcom entered the fray. I'm not sure what to think about Mr Dotcom. The way in which the government has cowered before the US authorities in detaining Mr Dotcom is another shameful episode visited upon us by National, so in that respect I have to give him some benefit of the doubt. But his taste in housing, and making donations to John Banks...
The meltdown on Q+A was extraordinary. Mr Banks's failure to provide straight answers to simple questions is unacceptable.
Then tonight there is audio of a conversation with Mr Banks where he denies (a) going to the casino with Kim Dotcom and (b) having a sexual relationship with Mr Dotcom. I find it very difficult to believe the host genuinely was speaking to John Banks. My best reason for this is that Banks is not famed for his liberal views on sexuality, and the leap from "relationship = sexual" to "it would be immoral to have a homosexual affair with a man who is married to a woman" happened too quickly for me to avoid suspecting it is a hoax. If it turns out the conversation was with Banks, it is one of the most extra-ordinary pieces of radio in recent history.
John Key is backing Mr Banks and will not suspend his warrants because Mr Key will only judge him on the legality of his actions, not the morality of them. Because as PM, he is not in the position to judge morality. Right? Honestly, I shook my head in amazement and wonder at how far we have fallen, to have a PM who thinks this is only a legal matter.
Truth is, this is about one of the things I cherish. Democracy. Writing rules around democratic process is difficult, because morality and ethics are difficult to convert to processes. When viewing alleged transgressions, the people we elect to assess those alleged transgressions must take the conservative view and back the people who democracy is meant to protect - the citizens. In returning to the "legal wrong" line that he ran with Mr English and his housing allowance, Mr Key has clearly backed his mates ahead of New Zealand. As the most important person in the highest court in the land, anti-democratic behaviour like that is a good reason for resignation.
So, has John Banks done anything wrong in not declaring his donations from Kim Dotcom? The whole theory that he received more than two donations for the amount he colluded with Kim Dotcom for, so he can't be sure which were from Mr Dotcom is bunk. And the latest stories that Mr Banks did not call Mr Dotcom to thank him for his donations are (a) confused and (b) irrelevant and (c) only serve to make Mr Banks look ungrateful. The correct thing to do was first check that Mr Dotcom did make the donations that were discussed - a phonecall would have done it, and (b) declared the donations. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
There is is, then. Mr Banks is not suitable to hold a ministerial warrant. He should resign his seat in parliament. And Mr Key, in supporting Mr Banks's immoral behaviour, has crapped on democracy and shown himself to be unsuitable to be Prime Minister. He too should resign as an MP.
The longer Mr Banks try to hold on to his warrants and electorate seat, the more this foetid mess will corrode the whole government. In some ways I'm quite keen to see it go on. How are the Maori Party and Peter Dunne feeling about supporting this circus, these days?
What will question time bring tomorrow? I'm expecting something quite unhinged.
Roxy Music - Avalon, 1982
I'd like to say I approach the issue from an unbiased perspective. But I don't. John Banks comes with a long track record of poor judgement and policy based on whim.
As Minister of Police, back in the early 1990s, he succeeded only in fostering a culture of thuggery and misogyny that had brought us thugs and criminals like Ross Meurant, and Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum.
As mayor of Auckland he did two notable things. One was to direct public resources to modifying a carpark to suit his car. The other was to unite the right behind him in the 2010 election. The latter was a good thing.
Over the weekend the notorious Kim Dotcom entered the fray. I'm not sure what to think about Mr Dotcom. The way in which the government has cowered before the US authorities in detaining Mr Dotcom is another shameful episode visited upon us by National, so in that respect I have to give him some benefit of the doubt. But his taste in housing, and making donations to John Banks...
The meltdown on Q+A was extraordinary. Mr Banks's failure to provide straight answers to simple questions is unacceptable.
Then tonight there is audio of a conversation with Mr Banks where he denies (a) going to the casino with Kim Dotcom and (b) having a sexual relationship with Mr Dotcom. I find it very difficult to believe the host genuinely was speaking to John Banks. My best reason for this is that Banks is not famed for his liberal views on sexuality, and the leap from "relationship = sexual" to "it would be immoral to have a homosexual affair with a man who is married to a woman" happened too quickly for me to avoid suspecting it is a hoax. If it turns out the conversation was with Banks, it is one of the most extra-ordinary pieces of radio in recent history.
John Key is backing Mr Banks and will not suspend his warrants because Mr Key will only judge him on the legality of his actions, not the morality of them. Because as PM, he is not in the position to judge morality. Right? Honestly, I shook my head in amazement and wonder at how far we have fallen, to have a PM who thinks this is only a legal matter.
Truth is, this is about one of the things I cherish. Democracy. Writing rules around democratic process is difficult, because morality and ethics are difficult to convert to processes. When viewing alleged transgressions, the people we elect to assess those alleged transgressions must take the conservative view and back the people who democracy is meant to protect - the citizens. In returning to the "legal wrong" line that he ran with Mr English and his housing allowance, Mr Key has clearly backed his mates ahead of New Zealand. As the most important person in the highest court in the land, anti-democratic behaviour like that is a good reason for resignation.
So, has John Banks done anything wrong in not declaring his donations from Kim Dotcom? The whole theory that he received more than two donations for the amount he colluded with Kim Dotcom for, so he can't be sure which were from Mr Dotcom is bunk. And the latest stories that Mr Banks did not call Mr Dotcom to thank him for his donations are (a) confused and (b) irrelevant and (c) only serve to make Mr Banks look ungrateful. The correct thing to do was first check that Mr Dotcom did make the donations that were discussed - a phonecall would have done it, and (b) declared the donations. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
There is is, then. Mr Banks is not suitable to hold a ministerial warrant. He should resign his seat in parliament. And Mr Key, in supporting Mr Banks's immoral behaviour, has crapped on democracy and shown himself to be unsuitable to be Prime Minister. He too should resign as an MP.
The longer Mr Banks try to hold on to his warrants and electorate seat, the more this foetid mess will corrode the whole government. In some ways I'm quite keen to see it go on. How are the Maori Party and Peter Dunne feeling about supporting this circus, these days?
What will question time bring tomorrow? I'm expecting something quite unhinged.
Roxy Music - Avalon, 1982
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Quiet on tha Set
In case you missed it, here is video of a bizarre discussion between John Ansell, Morgan Godfery and Hone Harawira, notionally on the subject of race relations in New Zealand.
John Ansell well and truly jumped the shark. His views on race relations are cringe inducing; I have more time for the JW's when they come around door knocking. And his fervour for some theory about a powerless government commission is plotting to "Maorify everything" (whatever that means) took the cake. I thought 9/11 conspiracy theorists, the self-styled "truthers", were bad. John Ansell just didn't know when to shut up, and headed straight off to la-la land. I'd feel sorry for him, but since he's bound to be a big believer in personal responsibility, nah.
Meanwhile, full respect to Hone Harawira for not taking the bait and wrestling with the proverbial pig in the mud. Apart from a spot of finger pointing, he came across with some significant gravitas and has the makings of a very good politician. With the right circumstances, he could be one of New Zealand's most famous politicians, amongst the likes of Vogel, Seddon, Savage and Kirk.
And thumbs down to Mark Sainsbury for trying to provoke a fight. Very poor.
N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton, 1988
John Ansell well and truly jumped the shark. His views on race relations are cringe inducing; I have more time for the JW's when they come around door knocking. And his fervour for some theory about a powerless government commission is plotting to "Maorify everything" (whatever that means) took the cake. I thought 9/11 conspiracy theorists, the self-styled "truthers", were bad. John Ansell just didn't know when to shut up, and headed straight off to la-la land. I'd feel sorry for him, but since he's bound to be a big believer in personal responsibility, nah.
Meanwhile, full respect to Hone Harawira for not taking the bait and wrestling with the proverbial pig in the mud. Apart from a spot of finger pointing, he came across with some significant gravitas and has the makings of a very good politician. With the right circumstances, he could be one of New Zealand's most famous politicians, amongst the likes of Vogel, Seddon, Savage and Kirk.
And thumbs down to Mark Sainsbury for trying to provoke a fight. Very poor.
N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton, 1988
Honesty's Not Enough
Seems like John Banks can, at important times, be a stranger to the truth. His public comments on most subjects he cares to air are characterised by being flawed and incoherent, but there are times that straight answers must, under the law, be answered with straight answers.
Signing financial statements, for example.
Or returns on election donations.
How many strikes was it that ACT, the party that Mr Banks is the sole MP for, advocate? Three.
For the leader of a party, honesty's not enough should be a minimum standard. For ACT's leader, it seems like a lofty, aspirational goal.
Chris Knox - Seizure, 1988
Signing financial statements, for example.
Or returns on election donations.
How many strikes was it that ACT, the party that Mr Banks is the sole MP for, advocate? Three.
For the leader of a party, honesty's not enough should be a minimum standard. For ACT's leader, it seems like a lofty, aspirational goal.
Chris Knox - Seizure, 1988
Tell It Like It Is
vto, a regular commenter on a number of NZ political blogs, nails my problems with the Labour Party in abut 20 words with this comment at The Standard.
Aaron Neville - 7" single, 1966
Where are the politicians to stand up to this? Shearer, stop listening to your goons and get stuck in like a mongrel. Slacker.Emphasis is mine. That's exactly what is needed.
Aaron Neville - 7" single, 1966
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