tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post5644067900455047641..comments2024-03-29T00:44:42.046+13:00Comments on Bowalley Road: Princess Stardust versus The Crusher Queen.Chris Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-27728876302904541432018-02-26T23:23:34.199+13:002018-02-26T23:23:34.199+13:00Collins would be great fun -- images of Muldoon an...Collins would be great fun -- images of Muldoon and , Don Brash suggests ,Thatcher. But didn't we pay for 'that' fun.<br /><br />She's one of those arrow-tip toothed people you are warning us about taking over the National Party after the relative moderatism of Key and English?<br /><br />Muldoon, despite his social-democratism , was a disaster for us. I would have much preferred Marshall to deliver the medicine that Douglas subsequently cack-handed at us. Tho' I agree with Holyoake's disapproval of Marshall for his purist free-market ideals. Unlike an all-over -the-place John Kirk like Douglas, Marshall was a deep, steeped NZer. And that 9 year delay made those changes the scar we haven't recovered from. (Also, Marshall was 100% Scots Highlander--allow me my prejudices )<br /><br />Yes Grey Warbler, Labour is half owned by the elite, which is to say, wholly diabolical.<br /><br />Guerilla Surgeon, apart from Peters talking about the betrayal of social democracy in 1984, unlike any other politician (!), I have absolutely no time for his populism. Despise him really.<br /><br />sumsuchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-73727881974865224302018-02-20T16:23:28.179+13:002018-02-20T16:23:28.179+13:00GS
Did you see those rather good pre-election pro...GS<br /><br />Did you see those rather good pre-election programmes, called "Face the Classroom"?<br /><br />Not only were the kids brilliant but all the party leaders (yes, even Gareth Morgan) managed to show their respective best sides, with the exception of Winston, in his role of grumpy old great-uncle, keen to get back to his drinking buddies and/or his mirror. <br /><br />At that point, I knew that he'd lost his sparkle. And I write as a fellow septuagenarian.Victornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-41881542272060638012018-02-20T12:18:11.579+13:002018-02-20T12:18:11.579+13:00David. I was thinking more about my reputation for...David. I was thinking more about my reputation for being correct – such as it is. :) I'd hate to end up like Charles who makes these predictions to find them biting him in the arse a bit later. Such as:<br /><br />1.China's emissions are falling. <br />2. Women Don't have any more problems in Western society.<br /><br />Which is why I try not to be ABSOLUTELY convinced of almost anything.<br /><br />Victor. You may well be correct, I haven't seen or heard much of him lately. You might have guessed I have a bit of a soft spot for Winston, not just because of the gold card. I thought he made a very good Minister of Maori affairs under national, and would have gone on to be maybe a decent enough national Prime Minister, except that he was treated quite badly by those who thought "Not good under the high ball." Oh well, I suppose you could get away with racism in those days a lot more.Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-49374640267169680652018-02-19T16:49:50.231+13:002018-02-19T16:49:50.231+13:00I wouldn't worry too much about your reputatio...I wouldn't worry too much about your reputation GS. After years of commenting on Bowalley Rd anyone who's interested knows what you think and who you are. Relax your fine.<br />D J SDavid Stonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-39658357235640559322018-02-19T16:31:06.889+13:002018-02-19T16:31:06.889+13:00I agree he's still got plenty of tricks up his...I agree he's still got plenty of tricks up his sleeve. But seems to have lost his ability to charm or, if not his ability, then his willingness to do so.Victornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-13041533980795458492018-02-18T18:46:31.683+13:002018-02-18T18:46:31.683+13:00So Winston is losing it eh? Unless somebody can pr...So Winston is losing it eh? Unless somebody can provide me with some sort of evidence of that I'll believe it when I it. Winston was a student of Muldoon, and you should never underestimate the man. He has years of experience of dodging questions, attacking the questioner and the question, and running roughshod over other parliamentarians. He may well surprise you yet. I admit I'm putting my reputation (such as it is) on the line here, but I'm not writing him off, I think the old dog's got a few tricks left in him. On the other hand, I think he's learned his lesson about trying to wag the dog – hopefully.Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-77144241985584695222018-02-18T15:45:47.985+13:002018-02-18T15:45:47.985+13:00GS
Taken as read. If I seem to have romanticised ...GS<br /><br />Taken as read. If I seem to have romanticised Muldoon, that was not my intention.<br /><br />Gerrit<br /><br />I agree with you that Winston seems to have lost his sparkle. I'm also getting a bit peeved by his excessive praise for despots and would-be despots. That's not how NZ should conduct its foreign policy.<br /><br />But, frankly, the whole of New Zealand First is one of the coalition's weak links. It's not just who they are or what they do, although I confess to an inability to see Shane Jones as anything other than a very expensive joke.<br /><br />It's also the negative vibe the tie-up will be giving the government in immigrant communities, which are not, these days, without electoral significance. <br /><br />Last year, Labour's vote failed to impress in one of its traditional stamping grounds, viz the less affluent inner Auckland suburbs, with a more or less inverse proportionality between that vote and the density of newcomers. <br /><br />Winston may be an essential and integral part of the government. But his being there is an electoral liability in such areas.<br /><br />Kat<br /><br />I actually think it's an overall branding advantage for New Zealand to have a celebrity PM. But, just as with "Clean 'n Green", it raises the ante on delivering.<br /><br />Moreover, no political leader is likely to gain from excessive praise and expectation early in their term of office. A case to point was the (to my mind) largely admirable President Obama, whose performance could never live up to that absurd Nobel Prize.Victornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-20735478549735232042018-02-18T14:55:56.309+13:002018-02-18T14:55:56.309+13:00I didn't read right to the end Anonymous - Ron...I didn't read right to the end Anonymous - Ron of your gleeful hit over Labour in favour of Collins. So I should not have said that you hadn't put an identifier, so sucks to me. Next time I'll suffer your pieces right through to the last letter.greywarblernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-42335961308120394182018-02-17T18:10:34.981+13:002018-02-17T18:10:34.981+13:00Likewise, Ron. I hope she gets the job. She'...Likewise, Ron. I hope she gets the job. She's a lot of fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-91560960632899468362018-02-17T17:20:31.131+13:002018-02-17T17:20:31.131+13:00Anony -
avoir du mou. You say a lot but can't...Anony -<br />avoir du mou. You say a lot but can't find time to place an identifier,<br />so no Mou.<br /><br />Loz<br />Hangs together. But makes my heart sick - they called Tony Abbott 'The Mad Monk' for good reason. Both Australia and USA are using a confrontational doctrine that destroys the effectiveness of a liberal democracy, and respect for the concept. Also practised here by John Key and in Toronto by Rob Ford, was the element of farce introduced so that democracy was aligned with entertainment in the popular mind. The conventional limits and organisation is being circumvented and the Speaker is hard pressed to control proceedings. In this link the business of the Toronto City is affected by the Mayor and his brother with more of an air of a roustabout than a serious politician, and further on the civil servant being castigated draws my sympathy.<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P183mGLvkIgreywarblernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-18631303328738472592018-02-17T11:10:16.331+13:002018-02-17T11:10:16.331+13:00The weakest link in the government coalition is Wi...The weakest link in the government coalition is Winston Peters. His health and demeanor does not seem to be up to it anymore. Question is what will the NZFirst caucus do after Peters has gone (or slipped so far down in the polls he is forced out by his caucus)? Will they keep the coalition together?<br /><br />One can see the National opposition primary target not being Ardern but Peters.<br /><br />In the next election they need as many of the NZFirst votes as they can reap. Lopping off Peters from NZFirst and throwing the NZFirst caucus into disarray could be the primary strategy, leaving Ardern alone till the public is weaned from the glamour of the Vogue cover girl. <br /><br />Ardern has a small window to get herself seen as a PM. She started well with her speech at the business breakfast the other morning. Question is, will she rise up to the challenge Collins will no doubt provide her PM stewardship after Peters has gone. <br /><br />Ardern also needs to be careful and shepherd her Maori caucus better. Davis and Jackson are swallowing some mighty big rats over charter schools. The fresh water ownership will be next Maori issue to be dealt with by Ardern. <br /><br />New Maori party in the making if Ardern becomes like did Clark did in regards the Foreshore and Seabed? Gerritnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-24685206074242821562018-02-17T10:51:38.562+13:002018-02-17T10:51:38.562+13:00Good commentary Chris, I guess the one overriding ...Good commentary Chris, I guess the one overriding consideration for the Nat caucus would be who would Jacinda least like to be up against. Judith Collins it is then. David Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04883628159193125307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-62435699618443321502018-02-17T09:10:52.533+13:002018-02-17T09:10:52.533+13:00"Does either politician possess that twinkle ..."Does either politician possess that twinkle in the eye; that infuriatingly knowing smirk; which betrays the leader’s intimate acquaintance with..." their own ego & self-importance. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-87569923824198023202018-02-17T08:58:56.569+13:002018-02-17T08:58:56.569+13:00Appears the main "attack line" from the ...Appears the main "attack line" from the grieving right is that the PM is to much of a "celebrity". Well my message to them after enduring nine years of the "mincing" John Key is choke on it. And from the way the PM is handling affairs of state at the moment, including the business community, you will be choking in vain. Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-34851077484917569232018-02-17T08:37:51.740+13:002018-02-17T08:37:51.740+13:00"being female, she will not be accused of ..."being female, she will not be accused of 'bullying' Jacinda when she holds her very much to account".<br />Which planet are you living on, Anonymous? If she doesn't tread very carefully she will be seen as the wicked old witch jealously attacking the beautiful fairy princess. "Hell hath no fury.." etc.JanMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-1044052936921948972018-02-17T07:22:21.033+13:002018-02-17T07:22:21.033+13:00Victor. Let's not romanticise Muldoon :). He w...Victor. Let's not romanticise Muldoon :). He was all those things, but he was also a malignant poison dwarf, who would do his best to ruin anyone who crossed him in any minor way. In this sense he was like any petty dictator.Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-33772839262122557182018-02-17T06:49:39.657+13:002018-02-17T06:49:39.657+13:00"Actually Cbris, English received a lot more ..."Actually Cbris, English received a lot more votes than Jacinda did, just not quite enough for a majority on their own. "<br /><br />That's the way the system works – again. For Christ's sake, just suck it up.<br /><br />Anyway, according to the news this morning Collins has minimal support.Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-57372063045766332752018-02-16T20:28:35.088+13:002018-02-16T20:28:35.088+13:00Actually Cbris, English received a lot more votes ...Actually Cbris, English received a lot more votes than Jacinda did, just not quite enough for a majority on their own. Jacinda is only PM at the whim of Peters, not because more people voted for her than English, or for Labour instead of National.<br />Jacinda was given a very safe seat, a seat no candidate for Labour would lose.<br />And yes, she lost against Nikki Kaye twice in Auckland Central. Outside of her Parliamentary career, she has achieved little.<br /><br /> Collins on the other hand, won her electorate seat first time, did not have to be given a safe seat, and is a trained lawyer. She will be refreshing in contrast to fairydust Jacinda (endless photoshoots are starting to annoy the public, yep, she's gorgeous in them,but she is supposed to be running the country). We want a PM, not a model. Not a 'hey look at me' all the time celebrity.<br /><br />Go Judith, hope she wins, and makes this govt a one-term govt, she will also have the grit to take the fight to Winston, and being female, she will not be accused of 'bullying' Jacinda when she holds her very much to account. Bring it on. If National goes for Amy Adams or Simon Bridges, then nah, all bets are off.<br /><br />RonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-27561229289399852802018-02-16T18:04:18.075+13:002018-02-16T18:04:18.075+13:00National has been absolutely consistent at receivi...National has been absolutely consistent at receiving the vote of between 35%-37% of registered electors in the last 4 elections. Labour's fortunes have never rested on turning blue voters red, it's purely been dependent on getting an increased turnout.<br /><br />If Labour has any hope of retaining the government benches it has to maintain or increase the level of turnout - which means motivating those who have been despondent about politics. <br /><br />The strategy used by the Republicans in the US was to oppose Obama on everything - no matter what it was. That was enough for a section of the working class to believe that his presidency was a disaster. All National has to do is to be persistent enough in its attacks for 3%-4% of registered voters to stay away and Labour can't win.<br /><br />The last election was decided on a turnout of 80%. At a 77% turnout, National's reliable support base is enough for the party to take half of all seats on its own.<br /><br />The example of Tony Abbott taking down both Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd with persistent & at times unfair attacks was highly effective. With Labour off to a great start of doing nothing of significance at all it could become very easy pickings for an aggressive opposition leader.Lozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12064567381918975446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-27705737893427782022018-02-16T16:34:31.026+13:002018-02-16T16:34:31.026+13:00 The latter must be a demolition agent: someone wh... The latter must be a demolition agent: someone who can smash to pieces the dangerous installations of left-wing radicalism; a living rebuke to socialism in all its forms: a crusher.<br /><br />So Collins is an NZ Tony Abbott?Andrew Nicholsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-18197884164837976272018-02-16T14:58:08.646+13:002018-02-16T14:58:08.646+13:00I wouldn't vote for her but Crusher probably w...I wouldn't vote for her but Crusher probably would make a good PM.<br /><br />She's tough enough; when the big things were presented to her she wouldn't shit herself.<br /><br />I haven't seen Jacinda do anything tough yet or been put to a real test as PM or an MP for that matter.<br /><br />Photo shoots in Vogue and selfies with school kids is hardly a test of character.Pingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-84664882194223633402018-02-16T14:30:25.504+13:002018-02-16T14:30:25.504+13:00GS and DJS
I agree with you both on the differenc...GS and DJS<br /><br />I agree with you both on the differences twixt Muldoon and Trump. Another significant difference is that Muldoon was a professional politician who'd done his apprenticeship at the Despatch Box, whilst Trump's just a guy who ran a TV show about 'apprentices'.<br /><br />Chris<br /><br />Crusher might be the inevitable choice and, I'd agree that she's the one of the three most likely to keep National ahead of Labour in the next General Election.<br /><br />But the whole point of last year's election result was that being the biggest single party ain't sufficient, unless you have a coalition partner or partners. And, apart from Act, which of the current mainstream parties would be willing to become Crusher's running dog? <br /><br />So the best and perhaps only chance I see of a Crusher-led party breaking through to a majority would be with the assistance of Auckland's immigrant communities and particularly those from East Asia, perhaps through the medium of a new ethnic-based (Beijing aligned?) party, which might just get over the 5% mark.<br /><br />Labour would be well-advised to pay the same attention to these communities as it is rightly paying to Maori. <br /><br />But, if I was (weird thought)a National MP, I'd probably opt for one of the other candidates, in the hope that, with or without more of its own seats, National would be able to lure the Greens into a new alignment. <br /> <br />In fact, my money would be on Ms Adams, who shares Jacinda's inherent "niceness", is infinitely less charismatic but might be seen by conservative voters as a bit more weighty, in a lawyerly sort of way.<br /><br />Yet, of course, whoever gets the leadership now may not be the person to lead the party in 2020. So I'd be keeping an eye on Paula Bennett, who's sailed less close to ignominy than has Crusher. If the latter can make a comeback, so can the "loyal deputy".Victornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-28158164423194434962018-02-16T13:47:37.117+13:002018-02-16T13:47:37.117+13:00Well we can leave Trump out of this. He might be...Well we can leave Trump out of this. He might be a force of nature, but not from the same crucible as Muldoon. David Stone says he was basically Keynesian, and for that we can thank him. There was sterling stuff there despite being a cocky sort and if he did choose well from other's lines, that shows practical intelligence going for the right psychological jab.<br /><br />Collins could annoy and harrass Jacinda et al very well for National and leave the others to be supporters. It would be a chance for them to show their chops, serve an apprenticeship, if another leader was eventually wanted. I think Jacinda might be made to retreat from many of her half-spawned ideas and go for the old-maid approach of semi-retired Labour pollies you mentioned Chris; Robertson, Clark and Cullen. Labour used to be Red but it's drifted. I am sorry to say it, but I have a feeling in my waters that we will be lucky if we can maintain enough vibrancy of the left to just get a show of Shocking Pink.greywarblernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-34906871997508820502018-02-16T13:36:39.391+13:002018-02-16T13:36:39.391+13:00"But then he can't possibly be as he seem..."But then he can't possibly be as he seems."<br />I think he can unfortunately. The man is almost certainly suffering from dementia. And apparently dementia exacerbates the worst facets of your character I was just reading. And his character was bad enough to begin with. But at least he puts the lie to the idea that a businessman running the country would be a good thing. Mind you, that having been said he's not a great businessman is he? :) Anyone who can lose money running casinos must be dumb as a stump.Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-4075603655109033982018-02-16T12:28:51.602+13:002018-02-16T12:28:51.602+13:00I agree with you there G S
Piggy was an intell...I agree with you there G S<br /> Piggy was an intelligent able Keynesian economist in a belligerent offensive personality. Quite different to Trump unless Trump is very different from how he seems. But then he can't possibly be as he seems.<br />D J S<br />David Stonenoreply@blogger.com