Former ACT Party leader Dr Don Brash has confirmed he is seeking to replace Santa Claus as the bringer of joy to children around the world.
Persistent rumours of a move into the world of Christmas cheer have dogged Dr Brash since he resigned from the ACT Party on election night.
Last night Dr Brash confirmed he had been in discussions with a number of Santa’s elves about the leadership of their organisation. He said he was confident he had the numbers to replace Santa at the next board meeting at the North Pole this Wednesday.
“I have spoken to a number of people in the team, including Mrs Claus, the elves, and some of the reindeer. The decision is theirs to make, but I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think I had a shot at winning”, said Dr Brash.
Dr Brash says the organisation needs a new direction, and is promising big things if he wins the leadership battle.
"Frankly, the current direction Christmas is being taken in is unsustainable,” said Dr Brash. “I believe I can make a real difference. Under my leadership we can look forward to many more years of strong and stable Christmas celebrations.”
Santa’s leadership has been in question for several months, and recent polls have shown that fewer children than ever before now believe he exists.
The troubles began after Santa was caught out in 2009 taking Mrs Claus to Disneyland to see his friend Mickey Mouse, using money that had been allocated for the purchase of children’s toys.
Concerns have also been raised about some of the practices of Santa’s organisation, with some critics claiming that the elves have been sourcing low quality products from China in an effort to cut costs.
And in 2010 a Campbell Live investigation revealed that a number of men claiming to be the real Santa were in fact impostors, and that Santa knew about the fraud.
Secret footage taken for the show revealed that in shopping malls around the country children were being duped into thinking they were talking to the real Santa, when very often the lap they were sitting on belonged to an impostor.
When confronted with the footage Santa Claus said he knew about the fraud but kept it to himself because he did not think it was an issue.
Details of some of the vicious and ugly infighting within the organisation have been leaked to the public, further destabilising the current Santa’s leadership.
A large group of the reindeer were believed to be bitter over Santa’s decision to let Rudolph guide the sleigh this year, and this was confirmed last month when a series of emails between the reindeer Donder and Blitzen were leaked.
The emails reveal that the pair have been plotting to have Rudolph demoted to the back of the pack. The emails reveal a concern among the reindeer about Rudolph’s shiny red nose being an unnecessary distraction to the serious business of spreading Christmas joy.
Dr Brash said he was keen to make a break from the problems of the past, and breathe new life into an ailing organisation.
He said there was a need to return Santa and his jolly crew to the basic fundamentals of Christmas, which included slashing red Christmas tape and ribbon, and responsible gift-giving.
“Santa has grown fat and bloated, thanks to a culture of dependency upon Christmas pies, cakes and biscuits left out by children on Christmas Eve,” said Dr Brash.
“I can promise you that if I step into that red suit you will see a leaner and meaner Father Christmas.”
Dr Brash said that some of the policies he would pursue might not be popular in the short term, but were essential for the long-term survival of Christmas.
“Frankly, it makes no economic sense to be rewarding the children of the poor with any gifts at all, when surely the message we ought be instilling in them is that if their mummies and daddies work hard, get ahead and grow rich, then they can have the best new electronic gadgets and want for nothing.”
Dr Brash confirmed that he favoured further moves to make Christmas fully user-pays by the year 2025.
“We’ve made some progress in the last 30 years in this country, so that from late October every year we are bombarded with commercial messages about Christmas. But we need to go further.
“It isn’t enough that parents are being forced to pay exorbitant prices just so their kids can be photographed with Santa at the local mall. We should be encouraging kids to give cash directly to Santa.
“If Little Johnny wants a Transformer toy, then he can damn well pay Santa for it.”
This morning Santa Claus responded dismissively to Dr Brash’s leadership bid.
“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas to one and all!” said Santa.
Showing posts with label Don Brash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Don Brash. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Point Taken
Labour leader Phil Goff today launched a scathing attack on the National Party’s management of the country, after National yesterday released a 120 point economic plan.
In contrast to National’s plan, Labour plan for jobs growth comprises a mere six points.
Speaking to a rally of supporters in his Mt Roskill electorate, Mr Goff accused National’s leader John Key of being addicted to points.
“National’s overuse of policy points in the current economic climate is reckless and irresponsible,” said Mr Goff.
“My first act as Prime Minister will be to end this gross waste,” said the Labour leader. “Someone has to be held accountable for this outrageous spend-up on page after page of action points.”
Mr Goff explained that cuts would be achieved through reform of the public sector, to adopt clear procedures within government departments on the use of bullet-points in policy documents.
But National’s leader John Key said the reason why Labour could only come up with six points was because they lacked ideas.
“Actually, this just shows that for every one idea Labour has, National has twenty,” Mr Key said.
“Who is really the party of ideas?”
Mr Goff has responded by saying it is more important to look at the quality of the ideas than the quantity.
“In any event, National’s figures are suspect,” said Mr Goff.
“Most of the 120 points are things that have already been done. They’re effectively counting them twice. They can’t even do their sums properly, so if they can’t manage basic accountancy why should we trust them to run the country?
“It’s obscene that some people don’t have enough to live on and are struggling to put food on the table for their kids, while National is going on a policy points binge for its rich mates. Where’s the justice in that?”
Meanwhile, the ACT Party has committed to abolish all policy points as part of any deal with National after the election.
“We don’t need them,” said ACT’s leader Dr Don Brash. “And why would we? Frankly we have no idea.”
In contrast to National’s plan, Labour plan for jobs growth comprises a mere six points.
Speaking to a rally of supporters in his Mt Roskill electorate, Mr Goff accused National’s leader John Key of being addicted to points.
“National’s overuse of policy points in the current economic climate is reckless and irresponsible,” said Mr Goff.
“My first act as Prime Minister will be to end this gross waste,” said the Labour leader. “Someone has to be held accountable for this outrageous spend-up on page after page of action points.”
Mr Goff explained that cuts would be achieved through reform of the public sector, to adopt clear procedures within government departments on the use of bullet-points in policy documents.
But National’s leader John Key said the reason why Labour could only come up with six points was because they lacked ideas.
“Actually, this just shows that for every one idea Labour has, National has twenty,” Mr Key said.
“Who is really the party of ideas?”
Mr Goff has responded by saying it is more important to look at the quality of the ideas than the quantity.
“In any event, National’s figures are suspect,” said Mr Goff.
“Most of the 120 points are things that have already been done. They’re effectively counting them twice. They can’t even do their sums properly, so if they can’t manage basic accountancy why should we trust them to run the country?
“It’s obscene that some people don’t have enough to live on and are struggling to put food on the table for their kids, while National is going on a policy points binge for its rich mates. Where’s the justice in that?”
Meanwhile, the ACT Party has committed to abolish all policy points as part of any deal with National after the election.
“We don’t need them,” said ACT’s leader Dr Don Brash. “And why would we? Frankly we have no idea.”
Friday, October 7, 2011
Banks To Roll Brash?
Fairfax NZ reports:
I'm no fan of the party, but even its (mostly former) supporters should be able to acknowledge that Brash's involvement with ACT has been a total failure, with the party sliding even more into irrelevancy and farce.
ACT's current polling is as dire as when Brash took over, and there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel for the party. The move to recruit John Banks was a cynical one, because Banks is not a "real" ACT man, and is only there because he has value as an electoral lifeline. So it would serve Brash right if Banks ended up running the show.
It would probably also spell the end of ACT in the medium term, though the party might limp on for a year or two. I really cannot see how a moral conservative like John Banks could run and sustain a party founded on libertarian principles.
ACT leader Don Brash is rejecting speculation he is about to be rolled.
Reports yesterday suggested the party's board was about to dump the former National leader in favour of Epsom candidate John Banks.The chances of any party dumping its leader this close to an election seem slight, even if Dr Brash's leadership of ACT has been an unmitigated disaster. On the other hand, with ACT nothing would be a surprise.
Dr Brash has clashed with the board in recent weeks over a speech in which he backed decriminalising cannabis.
Insiders also brushed off the suggestion that Dr Brash would be deposed, saying the board would be "crazy" to throw the party into turmoil so close to the election.
Dr Brash said: " It's the biggest beat-up I've ever heard in my life."
I'm no fan of the party, but even its (mostly former) supporters should be able to acknowledge that Brash's involvement with ACT has been a total failure, with the party sliding even more into irrelevancy and farce.
ACT's current polling is as dire as when Brash took over, and there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel for the party. The move to recruit John Banks was a cynical one, because Banks is not a "real" ACT man, and is only there because he has value as an electoral lifeline. So it would serve Brash right if Banks ended up running the show.
It would probably also spell the end of ACT in the medium term, though the party might limp on for a year or two. I really cannot see how a moral conservative like John Banks could run and sustain a party founded on libertarian principles.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Brash On Law And Order: The Good And The Bad
Don Brash has been criticised for his musings on marijuana and the right to self defence, but they are consistent with libertarianism, which values personal liberty and the protection of property.
Brash's observations on drug use might have been better received if he did not lead such a dysfunctional party that has for years pursued the vote of the authoritarian right and allowed the likes of the Sensible Sentencing Trust to hijack its law and order policies.
And some people will never accept that any idea Brash has could be a good one because, well, he's Don Brash. The Evil One.
The proposal to decriminalise marijuana use is a sensible one, but already politicians from most of the major parties are lining up to shoot it down. They continue to argue that pot should be banned because it causes harm, even though far more toxic substances continue to be sold over the counter and contribute substantially to Crown revenues.
The call to give people a greater right to self-defence is less sensible, and looks more like another bone being thrown to law and order types: people who will be appalled at the thought of long-haired potheads not having the shit kicked out of them by police. It is entirely unclear how exactly Brash wants the law to be changed. He has quoted in the media the case of a shopkeeper charged with injuring with intent, after the man used a hockey stick to defend himself against an armed mob of youths. But those charges were thrown out. How is that evidence that the law is not working?
A right to self defence or defence of another already exists, provided reasonable force is used. But the Crimes Act does not give anyone the right to use reasonable force in defence of property, if it will involve striking or doing bodily harm to the attacker or intruder. Perhaps this is the area of law Brash is interested in. The trouble with allowing people to attack those who are either harming or pinching your stuff is that things can get out of hand. Would Bruce Emery, the man who stabbed to death a teenage boy for tagging his fence, have gone to jail if such a "defence of property" statutory defence had existed? How would we feel about that as a society?
Human life is more valuable than mere stuff, and possessions can always be replaced. But if we want to live in a more brutal and violent society, allowing people to wound or kill others who offer no threat of violence would be a good place to start.
Brash's observations on drug use might have been better received if he did not lead such a dysfunctional party that has for years pursued the vote of the authoritarian right and allowed the likes of the Sensible Sentencing Trust to hijack its law and order policies.
And some people will never accept that any idea Brash has could be a good one because, well, he's Don Brash. The Evil One.
The proposal to decriminalise marijuana use is a sensible one, but already politicians from most of the major parties are lining up to shoot it down. They continue to argue that pot should be banned because it causes harm, even though far more toxic substances continue to be sold over the counter and contribute substantially to Crown revenues.
The call to give people a greater right to self-defence is less sensible, and looks more like another bone being thrown to law and order types: people who will be appalled at the thought of long-haired potheads not having the shit kicked out of them by police. It is entirely unclear how exactly Brash wants the law to be changed. He has quoted in the media the case of a shopkeeper charged with injuring with intent, after the man used a hockey stick to defend himself against an armed mob of youths. But those charges were thrown out. How is that evidence that the law is not working?
A right to self defence or defence of another already exists, provided reasonable force is used. But the Crimes Act does not give anyone the right to use reasonable force in defence of property, if it will involve striking or doing bodily harm to the attacker or intruder. Perhaps this is the area of law Brash is interested in. The trouble with allowing people to attack those who are either harming or pinching your stuff is that things can get out of hand. Would Bruce Emery, the man who stabbed to death a teenage boy for tagging his fence, have gone to jail if such a "defence of property" statutory defence had existed? How would we feel about that as a society?
Human life is more valuable than mere stuff, and possessions can always be replaced. But if we want to live in a more brutal and violent society, allowing people to wound or kill others who offer no threat of violence would be a good place to start.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Of Mice And All Blacks
Labour Party leader Phil Goff is today the subject of renewed questions about his leadership, after blogger Campbell Slug released a recording of a Labour MP contradicting an earlier statement by Goff.
Mr Goff told listeners on Paul Henry's Radio Live show on Monday that his favourite All Black player was Richie McCaw.
However, this morning blogger Campbell Slug released on his blogsite FishMeat a recording of Labour's Dunedin South MP Clare Curran stating that Dan Carter was "the man."
This disagreement between Labour MPs adds further fuel to suggestions that Labour's caucus is disunited and that the party lacks discipline.
"If Labour's MPs can't even agree on basic issues, like who their favourite player is, then it's clear they're just not fit to govern us," said prominent media commentator and blogger David Farrar.
Prime Minister John Key was later asked at a press conference what he thought of Labour's latest blunder.
Mr Key did not respond directly, but instead just smiled, and most of the journalists in the front row of the gathered media scrum collapsed.
Once they had recovered somewhat and taken some air, Mr Key was asked who his favourite All Black was.
"They're all wonderful," said Mr Key.
Political insiders praised Mr Key's masterstroke, and most are predicting that he will live a long and prosperous life.
However, ACT leader Don Brash has slammed the media's obsession with rugby players and rugby stories.
"Frankly, I don't understand why this matter was even reported, when our economy is in such dire trouble," said Dr Brash.
"ACT has been talking about the issues that matter for months, but nobody's listening. It seems as if nowadays only the most trivial and nonsensical of news gets front-page treatment, while the stories that matter go untold.
"I have a whole collection of homosexual-mice stories, but the news media just aren't interested."
Mr Goff told listeners on Paul Henry's Radio Live show on Monday that his favourite All Black player was Richie McCaw.
However, this morning blogger Campbell Slug released on his blogsite FishMeat a recording of Labour's Dunedin South MP Clare Curran stating that Dan Carter was "the man."
This disagreement between Labour MPs adds further fuel to suggestions that Labour's caucus is disunited and that the party lacks discipline.
"If Labour's MPs can't even agree on basic issues, like who their favourite player is, then it's clear they're just not fit to govern us," said prominent media commentator and blogger David Farrar.
Prime Minister John Key was later asked at a press conference what he thought of Labour's latest blunder.
Mr Key did not respond directly, but instead just smiled, and most of the journalists in the front row of the gathered media scrum collapsed.
Once they had recovered somewhat and taken some air, Mr Key was asked who his favourite All Black was.
"They're all wonderful," said Mr Key.
Political insiders praised Mr Key's masterstroke, and most are predicting that he will live a long and prosperous life.
However, ACT leader Don Brash has slammed the media's obsession with rugby players and rugby stories.
"Frankly, I don't understand why this matter was even reported, when our economy is in such dire trouble," said Dr Brash.
"ACT has been talking about the issues that matter for months, but nobody's listening. It seems as if nowadays only the most trivial and nonsensical of news gets front-page treatment, while the stories that matter go untold.
"I have a whole collection of homosexual-mice stories, but the news media just aren't interested."
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Baby-Eating Nats Tumble To Election Defeat
Saturday 26 November 2011 - The Labour Party, led by Phil Goff, tonight completed a crushing victory over the National Party in the General Election.
With over 98% of the votes counted, Labour were ahead of National in the party vote by over 22%, and were set to capture around 54% of the vote.
Prime Minister Judith Collins rang Phil Goff shortly after 9pm tonight to concede defeat.
"I wish you well," Ms Collins told Mr Goff. "But you can be sure we will be an active opposition, and that we'll be nipping at your heels 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
While pundits had predicted the easy victory, Labour Party supporters who had been in despair only four months earlier were still struggling to come to terms with the win.
As recently as July this year political polls showed that Labour was in the doldrums. A Fairfax poll taken in mid-July, after Labour's tax package was announced, showed the party with only 29% of the vote.
Those moves prompted soul-searching within Labour, but Labour's big opportunity came in September, when photographs of then Prime Minister John Key surfaced on the internet.
In the photograph Mr Key appeared to be eating a baby. In one picture Mr Key was shown gnawing on what appeared to be the arm of a small child.
Mr Key denounced the images as obvious fakes, and his staff pointed out that the images showed obvious signs of being photoshopped.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English also pointed to previous posts on Imperator Fish, the website where the images first appeared, as evidence to support his claim of photo doctoring. In a post written just after the July Fairfax poll the enigmatic but talented blogger behind the award-winning site stated that the only thing that would save Labour from electoral defeat would be if John Key were caught eating a baby.
In spite of Mr Key's protestations, the calls for him to step down grew louder, until in late October Key and his deputy, Bill English, were forced to resign.
Even with the elevation of a popular and hardline new leader, it was too much for many National supporters to cope with. Labour's election slogan "We won't eat any babies" was devastatingly successful, and support for National collapsed overnight.
Phil Goff has promised that his first move as Prime Minister, after appointing his cabinet, will be to hold a full public enquiry into the baby-eating allegations. It is understood that a number of baby-eating allegation have been made against other National MPs on various reputable and non-partisan websites, such as The Standard and Tumeke.
Meanwhile, ACT leader Dr Don Brash has already denounced the proposed enquiry, claiming it to be a witch-hunt against decent law-abiding baby-eaters by "interfering nanny state do-gooders".
"The non-baby eaters are once again getting preferential treatment," said Dr Brash. "Frankly, er, I'm appalled."
With over 98% of the votes counted, Labour were ahead of National in the party vote by over 22%, and were set to capture around 54% of the vote.
Prime Minister Judith Collins rang Phil Goff shortly after 9pm tonight to concede defeat.
"I wish you well," Ms Collins told Mr Goff. "But you can be sure we will be an active opposition, and that we'll be nipping at your heels 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
While pundits had predicted the easy victory, Labour Party supporters who had been in despair only four months earlier were still struggling to come to terms with the win.
As recently as July this year political polls showed that Labour was in the doldrums. A Fairfax poll taken in mid-July, after Labour's tax package was announced, showed the party with only 29% of the vote.
Those moves prompted soul-searching within Labour, but Labour's big opportunity came in September, when photographs of then Prime Minister John Key surfaced on the internet.
In the photograph Mr Key appeared to be eating a baby. In one picture Mr Key was shown gnawing on what appeared to be the arm of a small child.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English also pointed to previous posts on Imperator Fish, the website where the images first appeared, as evidence to support his claim of photo doctoring. In a post written just after the July Fairfax poll the enigmatic but talented blogger behind the award-winning site stated that the only thing that would save Labour from electoral defeat would be if John Key were caught eating a baby.
In spite of Mr Key's protestations, the calls for him to step down grew louder, until in late October Key and his deputy, Bill English, were forced to resign.
Phil Goff has promised that his first move as Prime Minister, after appointing his cabinet, will be to hold a full public enquiry into the baby-eating allegations. It is understood that a number of baby-eating allegation have been made against other National MPs on various reputable and non-partisan websites, such as The Standard and Tumeke.
Meanwhile, ACT leader Dr Don Brash has already denounced the proposed enquiry, claiming it to be a witch-hunt against decent law-abiding baby-eaters by "interfering nanny state do-gooders".
"The non-baby eaters are once again getting preferential treatment," said Dr Brash. "Frankly, er, I'm appalled."
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Game On
It looks like ACT and the Nats are considering a deal so that in some key marginal electorates the right’s candidate vote goes to the National candidate.
ACT leader Don Brash has indicated that ACT may not push for the electorate vote in marginal electorates like New Plymouth and Waimakariri.
It seems to be further evidence that Don Brash is at heart a National man, who only took over ACT because he saw an opportunity to drag National further to the right.
An accommodation has also been reached in Epsom between National and ACT to ensure that, barring a major backlash by Epsom voters, John Banks will win the seat for ACT.
Labour is talking about selecting a strong candidate to contest the Epsom seat, but I would have thought Labour’s best bet was to tell people on the left to give their electorate vote to the National candidate. On current polling I really don’t fancy Labour’s chances of winning there, even if the right vote ends up split between National and ACT.
Brash may also be thinking that if he can game the system so blatantly in this way then the MMP system he so dislikes will be thoroughly discredited. It’s ironic that without an MMP system Brash may never have had a parliamentary career, and that if November’s election were being held under a first-past-the-post system Brash would certainly not be an MP by the end of it.
But if the left also wants to create havoc, then there’s nothing stopping Labour and the Greens from reach a wide-ranging accommodation such as the one Brash proposes.
For example, if the Green Party candidate for Ohariu told people to give their electorate vote to Charles Chauvel, the future would start looking bleak for Peter Dunne.
A deal between Labour and the Greens would also almost certainly deliver Auckland Central back to Labour. Nikki Kaye’s majority is 1497, and the Green Party candidate in 2008 got over 4500 votes.
In my own electorate, Te Atatu, which some regard as being potentially a marginal one (with Chris Carter moving on and with all the grief that went with that), the endorsement of Labour’s Phil Twyford by the Green candidate could be enough to secure the seat for Labour and potentially end Tau Henare’s career. I’m assuming Henare will get a fairly low list ranking, judging from his performances this parliamentary term (on the other hand, any party that can have Paul Quinn as one of its MPs probably isn’t that bothered by mediocrity).
And, of course, if Brash thinks giving the ACT vote to the National candidates in New Plymouth and Waimakariri is a good idea, there’s no reason why Green voters in those same electorates couldn’t do something similar with Labour (although I note the Greens didn’t run a candidate in New Plymouth in 2008. I’m not sure if they will this year).
So trying to game the system could end up biting National.
(Update: I'm told the Greens candidate in Ohariu has already told voters in the electorate to give their candidate vote to Chauvel. This kind of dealmaking may be more widespread than I thought)
ACT leader Don Brash has indicated that ACT may not push for the electorate vote in marginal electorates like New Plymouth and Waimakariri.
It seems to be further evidence that Don Brash is at heart a National man, who only took over ACT because he saw an opportunity to drag National further to the right.
An accommodation has also been reached in Epsom between National and ACT to ensure that, barring a major backlash by Epsom voters, John Banks will win the seat for ACT.
Labour is talking about selecting a strong candidate to contest the Epsom seat, but I would have thought Labour’s best bet was to tell people on the left to give their electorate vote to the National candidate. On current polling I really don’t fancy Labour’s chances of winning there, even if the right vote ends up split between National and ACT.
Brash may also be thinking that if he can game the system so blatantly in this way then the MMP system he so dislikes will be thoroughly discredited. It’s ironic that without an MMP system Brash may never have had a parliamentary career, and that if November’s election were being held under a first-past-the-post system Brash would certainly not be an MP by the end of it.
But if the left also wants to create havoc, then there’s nothing stopping Labour and the Greens from reach a wide-ranging accommodation such as the one Brash proposes.
For example, if the Green Party candidate for Ohariu told people to give their electorate vote to Charles Chauvel, the future would start looking bleak for Peter Dunne.
A deal between Labour and the Greens would also almost certainly deliver Auckland Central back to Labour. Nikki Kaye’s majority is 1497, and the Green Party candidate in 2008 got over 4500 votes.
In my own electorate, Te Atatu, which some regard as being potentially a marginal one (with Chris Carter moving on and with all the grief that went with that), the endorsement of Labour’s Phil Twyford by the Green candidate could be enough to secure the seat for Labour and potentially end Tau Henare’s career. I’m assuming Henare will get a fairly low list ranking, judging from his performances this parliamentary term (on the other hand, any party that can have Paul Quinn as one of its MPs probably isn’t that bothered by mediocrity).
And, of course, if Brash thinks giving the ACT vote to the National candidates in New Plymouth and Waimakariri is a good idea, there’s no reason why Green voters in those same electorates couldn’t do something similar with Labour (although I note the Greens didn’t run a candidate in New Plymouth in 2008. I’m not sure if they will this year).
So trying to game the system could end up biting National.
(Update: I'm told the Greens candidate in Ohariu has already told voters in the electorate to give their candidate vote to Chauvel. This kind of dealmaking may be more widespread than I thought)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Broken Clock
I love it when I'm proven right. It's probably no big deal for you, because to you it seems as if I'm always right.
Let me tell you the secret to my success. It's all about intuition. And deleting inconvenient blogposts.
To what specifically do I refer? This blogpost from last week, in which I counselled Don Brash to give Don Nicolson a call and offer him a job. Then what happens? Nicolson gets the nod.
So it turns out that Don Brash reads my blog and follows my advice. Well some of it. The "go back to the pits of Hell from whence you sprang and never bother this fair nation again!" counsel doesn't appear to have struck home yet. But I'm still hopeful.
Let me tell you the secret to my success. It's all about intuition. And deleting inconvenient blogposts.
To what specifically do I refer? This blogpost from last week, in which I counselled Don Brash to give Don Nicolson a call and offer him a job. Then what happens? Nicolson gets the nod.
So it turns out that Don Brash reads my blog and follows my advice. Well some of it. The "go back to the pits of Hell from whence you sprang and never bother this fair nation again!" counsel doesn't appear to have struck home yet. But I'm still hopeful.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Don Gone?
Is ACT having buyer's remorse?
Will Don Brash survive the next couple of weeks?
He was brought into ACT to boost its flagging poll numbers, but under his inept and clumsy leadership things have got even worse.
And the move towards race-war policies must surely piss off many of the more socially liberal members of the party.
So is this the end of Don Brash. And if so, who will take over? Rodney Hide?
Will Don Brash survive the next couple of weeks?
He was brought into ACT to boost its flagging poll numbers, but under his inept and clumsy leadership things have got even worse.
And the move towards race-war policies must surely piss off many of the more socially liberal members of the party.
So is this the end of Don Brash. And if so, who will take over? Rodney Hide?
Sunday, July 10, 2011
I Am Missing Rodney Hide
It is slightly disappointing to discover that the man depicted by many over the last six years as a diabolical genius should turn out to be such a dull garden-variety bigot.
John Ansell must be wondering what he did wrong. What aspect of his virulent anti-Maori sentiment was not in line with ACT policy?
Perhaps Ansell's offence was to undress ACT's policy so that the world could see what was really behind the attacks on Maori: a cynical and desperate attempt to scapegoat and attack an already disadvantaged group in the hope of getting a lift in the polls. Ansell's unhinged views on Maori no doubt made it easier to run this line of attack, but when he finally flipped out the whole thing blew up magnificently.
Still, it's not exactly as if Ansell's views on race were unknown.
The ACT Party race-war message will appeal to some, and it may attract some voters. But the problem they have is that such intolerance runs completely counter to the socially liberal beliefs of many within ACT. It's hard to imagine that the likes of Roger Douglas and Heather Roy (who have never struck me as bigots, whatever I may think of their views on economics) can be happy with what the party has become. It's no wonder they're leaving.
And I wonder if Rodney Hide isn't quietly smirking right now.
The next few polls will be intriguing. Will the pernicious influence of Don Brash and oddballs such as Lindsay Perigo spell the end of ACT? Or can the party hang on after November to provide a further three years of solid entertainment?
John Ansell must be wondering what he did wrong. What aspect of his virulent anti-Maori sentiment was not in line with ACT policy?
Perhaps Ansell's offence was to undress ACT's policy so that the world could see what was really behind the attacks on Maori: a cynical and desperate attempt to scapegoat and attack an already disadvantaged group in the hope of getting a lift in the polls. Ansell's unhinged views on Maori no doubt made it easier to run this line of attack, but when he finally flipped out the whole thing blew up magnificently.
Still, it's not exactly as if Ansell's views on race were unknown.
One of Ansell's Coastal Coalition billboards
The ACT Party race-war message will appeal to some, and it may attract some voters. But the problem they have is that such intolerance runs completely counter to the socially liberal beliefs of many within ACT. It's hard to imagine that the likes of Roger Douglas and Heather Roy (who have never struck me as bigots, whatever I may think of their views on economics) can be happy with what the party has become. It's no wonder they're leaving.
And I wonder if Rodney Hide isn't quietly smirking right now.
The next few polls will be intriguing. Will the pernicious influence of Don Brash and oddballs such as Lindsay Perigo spell the end of ACT? Or can the party hang on after November to provide a further three years of solid entertainment?
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Council Officials Respond To Brash Claims
Local government officials have objected to being called 'Little Hitlers" by ACT leader Don Brash.
Dr Brash made the comment during a speech at the Federated Farmers Annual Conference yesterday.
Dr Brash claimed that officials have used the Resource Management Act to prevent legitimate activity from taking place, and are behaving like tyrants.
Auckland Council planning officer Obergruppenfuhrer Jurgen von Ribbonspiel said the claim was outrageous and offensive.
"How dare he! I vill haff him keeled!", said the Obergruppenfurher.
"Lies! All lies! I am not a little Hitler. I am six foot three tall, not some tiiny little untermenschen zwerg!"
However, Chairman of the National Socialist Resource Management Final Solution Committee, Gerd Heydrich, said the wording chosen by Dr Brash was unfortunate.
"It is a shame that this person of interest to us has chosen to use such an unfortunate turn of phrase. Let me assure the good Doktor that he has nothing to fear from our members."
Herr Heydrich said he welcomed the opportunity to discuss Brash's concerns personally.
"Doktor Brash, I say this to you. We are very alike, you and I. Let us cease this incessant squabbling over who is right and who is wrong.
"I would very much enjoy the opportunity to discuss the matter in the comfort of our offices. I am certain we can come to a suitable arrangement regarding this most unfortunate misunderstanding that has arisen between us. Once we have interviewed you I am confident you will be more understanding of our point of view.
"To faciliate these discussions I am sending a carload of my best men to your house this moment. Yes, I know it is three in the morning, but we council people are dedicated to our jobs and never sleep. Please pack a small suitcase with a change of clothes, as our discussions may take some time.
"Now please excuse me, but this media interview is at an end, as I have work to do. Do you think the train system runs by itself?
Dr Brash made the comment during a speech at the Federated Farmers Annual Conference yesterday.
Dr Brash claimed that officials have used the Resource Management Act to prevent legitimate activity from taking place, and are behaving like tyrants.
Auckland Council planning officer Obergruppenfuhrer Jurgen von Ribbonspiel said the claim was outrageous and offensive.
"How dare he! I vill haff him keeled!", said the Obergruppenfurher.
"Lies! All lies! I am not a little Hitler. I am six foot three tall, not some tiiny little untermenschen zwerg!"
However, Chairman of the National Socialist Resource Management Final Solution Committee, Gerd Heydrich, said the wording chosen by Dr Brash was unfortunate.
"It is a shame that this person of interest to us has chosen to use such an unfortunate turn of phrase. Let me assure the good Doktor that he has nothing to fear from our members."
Herr Heydrich said he welcomed the opportunity to discuss Brash's concerns personally.
"Doktor Brash, I say this to you. We are very alike, you and I. Let us cease this incessant squabbling over who is right and who is wrong.
"I would very much enjoy the opportunity to discuss the matter in the comfort of our offices. I am certain we can come to a suitable arrangement regarding this most unfortunate misunderstanding that has arisen between us. Once we have interviewed you I am confident you will be more understanding of our point of view.
"To faciliate these discussions I am sending a carload of my best men to your house this moment. Yes, I know it is three in the morning, but we council people are dedicated to our jobs and never sleep. Please pack a small suitcase with a change of clothes, as our discussions may take some time.
"Now please excuse me, but this media interview is at an end, as I have work to do. Do you think the train system runs by itself?
Monday, May 30, 2011
Right Thinking: It’s All Just A Coincidence
People have been attributing all sorts of mischievous motives to the decision by a group of ACT and National-linked people to organise opposition to MMP.
The fact that some of the people behind the campaign have close ties to ACT leader Dr Don Brash is entirely coincidental. That’s why Brash has denied knowing who is behind the campaign.
In case you are wondering whether Brash should be taken at his word, bear in mind that one of the people identified as being involved, Simon Lusk, was also instrumental in 2005 in introducing the Exclusive Brethren to National. Dr Brash also denied any knowledge of the Exclusive Brethren’s campaign for National in 2005.
This just proves that Brash is a serial truth-teller, who doesn’t know what his supporters are up to. Why would such a man lie to us? What would he have to gain? The fact that many of the rich-listers who bankrolled Brash’s National in 2005 (e.g. Shirtcliffe and Deane) remain implacably opposed to MMP means nothing. I’m sure they gave all that money to National out of a desire to help the community, and not because they wanted a political environment that allowed people with big money to do as they please, free from the need to consult with and listen to others, and free from regulation and taxes.
And even if a shadowy group devoted to getting rid of MMP does exist, why would that be a bad thing? Consensus politics have been a disaster for this country, preventing us from enjoying the fruits of the revolution that began in 1984. With so many political parties in the mix and capable of influencing the course of government, the task of lobbying parties has become increasingly burdensome and expensive. Under First Past the Post a large cheque to the National Party would have once ensured a favourable outcome for the philanthropists who seek to influence the course of events for the good of humanity, but now they must donate to multiple parties to cover all potential combinations. Consider the plight of the weary lobbyist.
So let’s get rid of MMP and replace it with a system that rewards success and freedom. Electoral reform is long overdue, and the sooner we get back to the notion of one dollar one vote the better.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Brash Calls For End To Racist Fruit Policies
ACT leader Dr Don Brash this afternoon launched a scathing attack on the New Zealand kiwifruit industry, saying it was separatist and racist.
In a speech given to the Orewa Rotary Club, Dr Brash accused Zespri and kiwifruit growers of fostering Maori privilege.
"The kiwifruit industry has been set up in a way that ensures only the fruit with brown skin makes the grade," said Brash.
"Frankly, it's racist."
Dr Brash said that the name of the fruit was offensive to mainstream New Zealanders.
"One of the first things ACT will demand in a coalition government is an end to the culture of entitlement that sees this product being labelled 'kiwifruit', when if we were being brutally honest we would call it 'iwifruit'", said Brash.
"We don't believe in special privileges for iwi, because the Treaty of Waitangi guarantees equal rights for all. That's why we will be demanding a return to the name 'Chinese gooseberry'".
Dr Brash said that renaming the fruit would be a sign of goodwill towards the Chinese, and would encourage more Chinese investors to buy our critical strategic assets.
"We should welcome investment by the Chinese with open arms. They are a low wage economy with a self-serving and corrupt leadership. We can learn much from our Chinese overlords."
The audience responded warmly to the speech.
Barry Gidgers, a car dealer from Silverdale, said he was impressed with the speech, and had become fed up with racist kiwifruit policies.
"Where are the white kiwifruit? Even the golden kiwifruit variety has a brown skin," said Mr Gidgers.
Dr Brash rejected claims by opponents that he was stirring up anti-fruit sentiment.
"I totally reject those allegations. I want fruit to grow up in this country knowing that they won't be discriminated against because of the colour of their skin.
"ACT supports one law for all fruit. We want a society where fruits of all descriptions can live together in harmony, without one species being favoured over another. It takes a lot of different fruits to make the perfect fruitcake.
"So if you want more fruitcakes, vote ACT. this November."
In a speech given to the Orewa Rotary Club, Dr Brash accused Zespri and kiwifruit growers of fostering Maori privilege.
"The kiwifruit industry has been set up in a way that ensures only the fruit with brown skin makes the grade," said Brash.
"Frankly, it's racist."
Dr Brash said that the name of the fruit was offensive to mainstream New Zealanders.
"One of the first things ACT will demand in a coalition government is an end to the culture of entitlement that sees this product being labelled 'kiwifruit', when if we were being brutally honest we would call it 'iwifruit'", said Brash.
 |
| Are kiwifruit hatemongering racists? |
"We don't believe in special privileges for iwi, because the Treaty of Waitangi guarantees equal rights for all. That's why we will be demanding a return to the name 'Chinese gooseberry'".
Dr Brash said that renaming the fruit would be a sign of goodwill towards the Chinese, and would encourage more Chinese investors to buy our critical strategic assets.
"We should welcome investment by the Chinese with open arms. They are a low wage economy with a self-serving and corrupt leadership. We can learn much from our Chinese overlords."
The audience responded warmly to the speech.
Barry Gidgers, a car dealer from Silverdale, said he was impressed with the speech, and had become fed up with racist kiwifruit policies.
"Where are the white kiwifruit? Even the golden kiwifruit variety has a brown skin," said Mr Gidgers.
Dr Brash rejected claims by opponents that he was stirring up anti-fruit sentiment.
"I totally reject those allegations. I want fruit to grow up in this country knowing that they won't be discriminated against because of the colour of their skin.
"ACT supports one law for all fruit. We want a society where fruits of all descriptions can live together in harmony, without one species being favoured over another. It takes a lot of different fruits to make the perfect fruitcake.
"So if you want more fruitcakes, vote ACT. this November."
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Is Don Brash Jesus?
This question has been troubling me for days.
Let’s examine the evidence:
Next week: Is Don Brash Hitler?
Let’s examine the evidence:
Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified. Brash has returned from political oblivion after being crucified in the media over his secret links to religious and business groups.
When Jesus came into this world three wise men visited him. When Brash came into Act… actually, good luck finding three wise men within ACT.
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Brash's version is slightly different: “I came that they may have money, and have it abundantly.”
Jesus expelled the money changers from the temple. A money changer expelled Brash from the National Party temple.
Jesus died so that we may be saved. Brash is planning to kill our economy so that we may be saved.
The Bible is a collection of fantasy stories. So is the last 2025 Taskforce report.
Jesus wanted to help the poor. Brash... not so much.
They didn't serve corned beef or Big Ben pies at the Last Supper.
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. We don't know what Brash was offered to betray his friend Rodney Hide.
One of them is responsible for a collection of beliefs that has encouraged the spread of intolerance and bigotry across society. The other was just a Jewish guy in a robe.Perhaps not then.
Next week: Is Don Brash Hitler?
Monday, May 9, 2011
Playing The Game To Win
The contrasts between Don Brash and Hone Harawira are becoming clearer by the day. And I’m not talking about their policies or political beliefs.
Brash has many friends in high places, and does not lack for advice. He is a seasoned politician who understands how the media works and how it can be manipulated, and is used to the relentless scrutiny that comes with being a party leader.
Brash is also quite capable of keeping his mouth shut, of not telling the public what he really thinks and what his real agenda is. He managed this well as leader of National, and will probably continue to do so as ACT leader. If Brash truly wants ACT to get a good slice of the party vote then he will need to be careful how he sells ACT’s policies, because the only people who will benefit from ACT’s influence are the affluent. Don Brash’s problem (and ACT’s problem generally) is that there just aren’t enough ageing white male millionaires to sway the popular vote.
That is why Brash is trying to whip up racial tension. There are always votes to be had attacking Maori, and the notion that Maori are lazy freeloaders also fits nicely with the message that people who work hard should be allowed to keep their money, and that there shouldn’t he handouts for those who can’t be bothered to make an effort. Never mind that the only people who get to keep their money in a society such as the one Brash wants are the wealthy.
Brash will be doing everything he can to understate the fact that he’s the darling of the Business Roundtable and its members, and that the only people he wants tax cuts for are his wealthy friends. “One law for all” is a catchy phrase, but it’s just a tactic to get votes and Brash’s main purpose in returning to politics is to continue the economic reforms that his friends Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson started. That pair didn’t quite manage to destroy the New Zealand economy, so Brash sees there is work to be done still. He will know from experience that he can’t trust the general public to understand the need for sweeping reform, because every time a return to ‘80s style reform has been suggested the public have recoiled in horror.
Hence the need for diversions and scapegoats. Brash plays this game well. Some people have described Brash as an outsider, and I’ve even heard him referred to as being a “non-politician” type, because of the unorthodox way in which he despatched Rodney Hide. But that’s far from the truth: Brash knows the game and plays it well.
Hone Harawira, by contrast, wears his heart on his sleeve. He knows his people are suffering, and that the alliance between National and the Maori Party offers little to most Maori, apart from a few symbolic victories.
Unlike Brash, Harawira is a genuine outsider. His supporters are mostly the poor and the disenfranchised. He will have few if any wealthy backers, and his supporters within the political system will be few. Unlike Brash, Harawira cannot call upon a coterie of advisers who have themselves worked at the highest levels of politics. In Matt McCarten he has a useful ally and strategist, but McCarten has only ever been involved in smaller parties and with limited success. Brash’s circle of friends and advisers includes former Labour and National finance ministers.
So it’s no wonder that the Mana Party is already looking doomed. If Hone Harawira really wants to survive in politics as the leader of a party with influence then he will have the play the political game. That means learning your lines, banging on again and again with the same talking points, and not letting yourself be caught out saying stupid things. Avoiding idiotic utterances (e.g. Brash is Hitler, Osama was a freedom fighter etc), and controlling his family members would be a good start.
Another useful tactic would be to not announce policies or decisions without thinking them through. It is quite clear that Harawira decided to hold a by-election without finding out what was involved. He has still not resigned, and nobody seems to know when this might happen, or indeed if it will. It makes him look at best indecisive, at worst untruthful.
A party leader needs to be consistent and on-message if he/she is to be taken seriously. That means thinking through the political ramifications of their actions. Most successful politicians are cautious and careful about how they engage with the media and public. The ones who don’t aren’t generally around very long and don’t achieve very much.
Don Brash may be an old man, but because he knows how to play the game and has smart people around him he may end up outlasting Harawira.
Brash has many friends in high places, and does not lack for advice. He is a seasoned politician who understands how the media works and how it can be manipulated, and is used to the relentless scrutiny that comes with being a party leader.
Brash is also quite capable of keeping his mouth shut, of not telling the public what he really thinks and what his real agenda is. He managed this well as leader of National, and will probably continue to do so as ACT leader. If Brash truly wants ACT to get a good slice of the party vote then he will need to be careful how he sells ACT’s policies, because the only people who will benefit from ACT’s influence are the affluent. Don Brash’s problem (and ACT’s problem generally) is that there just aren’t enough ageing white male millionaires to sway the popular vote.
That is why Brash is trying to whip up racial tension. There are always votes to be had attacking Maori, and the notion that Maori are lazy freeloaders also fits nicely with the message that people who work hard should be allowed to keep their money, and that there shouldn’t he handouts for those who can’t be bothered to make an effort. Never mind that the only people who get to keep their money in a society such as the one Brash wants are the wealthy.
Brash will be doing everything he can to understate the fact that he’s the darling of the Business Roundtable and its members, and that the only people he wants tax cuts for are his wealthy friends. “One law for all” is a catchy phrase, but it’s just a tactic to get votes and Brash’s main purpose in returning to politics is to continue the economic reforms that his friends Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson started. That pair didn’t quite manage to destroy the New Zealand economy, so Brash sees there is work to be done still. He will know from experience that he can’t trust the general public to understand the need for sweeping reform, because every time a return to ‘80s style reform has been suggested the public have recoiled in horror.
Hence the need for diversions and scapegoats. Brash plays this game well. Some people have described Brash as an outsider, and I’ve even heard him referred to as being a “non-politician” type, because of the unorthodox way in which he despatched Rodney Hide. But that’s far from the truth: Brash knows the game and plays it well.
Hone Harawira, by contrast, wears his heart on his sleeve. He knows his people are suffering, and that the alliance between National and the Maori Party offers little to most Maori, apart from a few symbolic victories.
Unlike Brash, Harawira is a genuine outsider. His supporters are mostly the poor and the disenfranchised. He will have few if any wealthy backers, and his supporters within the political system will be few. Unlike Brash, Harawira cannot call upon a coterie of advisers who have themselves worked at the highest levels of politics. In Matt McCarten he has a useful ally and strategist, but McCarten has only ever been involved in smaller parties and with limited success. Brash’s circle of friends and advisers includes former Labour and National finance ministers.
So it’s no wonder that the Mana Party is already looking doomed. If Hone Harawira really wants to survive in politics as the leader of a party with influence then he will have the play the political game. That means learning your lines, banging on again and again with the same talking points, and not letting yourself be caught out saying stupid things. Avoiding idiotic utterances (e.g. Brash is Hitler, Osama was a freedom fighter etc), and controlling his family members would be a good start.
Another useful tactic would be to not announce policies or decisions without thinking them through. It is quite clear that Harawira decided to hold a by-election without finding out what was involved. He has still not resigned, and nobody seems to know when this might happen, or indeed if it will. It makes him look at best indecisive, at worst untruthful.
A party leader needs to be consistent and on-message if he/she is to be taken seriously. That means thinking through the political ramifications of their actions. Most successful politicians are cautious and careful about how they engage with the media and public. The ones who don’t aren’t generally around very long and don’t achieve very much.
Don Brash may be an old man, but because he knows how to play the game and has smart people around him he may end up outlasting Harawira.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
One Law Is My Law, Not Yours
Lew over at Kiwipolitico has a typically well-reasoned post about the role of the Treaty of Waitangi as our foundation document. You should read it, and then if you remain unconvinced you should go and read what the Treaty says. Don’t take Don Brash’s word on what it says. It also pays to remember that most tribes signed the Maori version, not the English one.
There’s another aspect to the issues raised by Brash’s shit-stirring over race that I want to discuss, and that is his claim that the Treaty guarantees one law for all, and that anything other than one law for all fosters Maori privilege.
Firstly, the Treaty says no such thing, and when Dr Brash talks about Article Three of the Treaty, it’s clear he’s conveniently ignored Articles One and Two. As well as the Maori version, which most tribes signed.
But the “one law for all” argument also ignores a rather obvious problem: that the one law Dr Brash and others refer to was largely an alien law imposed by the British on the locals, and based on Western European values and notions of individualism and liberty.
These values and notions have a lesser prominence in many indigenous societies, where the welfare and needs of the collective are more important than of the individual.
It is no surprise, then, that the radical individualism espoused by economic libertarians such as Dr Brash very often clashes head-on with Maori values and customs.
When cultures clash there is very often no discernible right or wrong–just difference. Who are we to say that our western model of jurisprudence and political thinking is superior? If we are to allow different cultures to flourish in our country then we must give them respect and understand that they may see things in a different way and have different needs. This sometimes means allowing some groups to do things in a different way.
“One law” advocates don’t seek equality. How can there be any equality when the rules you want the parties to abide by were written by your side? It is like playing a game of football and being told by the referee at halftime that the rules of the game have been changed to allow teams wearing red to handle the ball. Guess what colour your opponents’ shirts are?
That is what makes Dr Brash’s “One Law For All” so pernicious. It is unfair and discriminatory, and favours one culture over another.
“One law” policies have been used for decades in this country to deprive Maori of their customary structures, language, lands and economic livelihoods. They ensure that rates of poverty, crime, family breakdown, ill health and illiteracy are higher within the Maori community, because they don’t take into account Maori culture and values, and don’t allow for Maori solutions to these problems.
Every targeted attempt to lift Maori out of this dire state is attacked by “one law” advocates as being unfair. But the playing field has been tilted for years, which is one reason why proportionately Maori do so badly in the statistics.
Dr Brash may not think his policies are racist, but then who ever admits to being a racist or espousing racist policies?
Treating all New Zealanders as equal under the law may sound eminently sensible, but it’s a simplistic view, and it fails to recognise where that law came from.
One law advocates may be well-meaning (I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt), but the success of their cause will only worsen the already dire conditions facing many within Maoridom.
And another thing: if the move away from one law policies in the last decade has created a Maori elite with privileges the rest of us don’t share, who are these people and where is their wealth? If such people exist they sure are hiding their money well. The vast majority of people I see driving flash cars and living in fancy houses are non-Maori.
People like Don Brash, for example.
There’s another aspect to the issues raised by Brash’s shit-stirring over race that I want to discuss, and that is his claim that the Treaty guarantees one law for all, and that anything other than one law for all fosters Maori privilege.
Firstly, the Treaty says no such thing, and when Dr Brash talks about Article Three of the Treaty, it’s clear he’s conveniently ignored Articles One and Two. As well as the Maori version, which most tribes signed.
But the “one law for all” argument also ignores a rather obvious problem: that the one law Dr Brash and others refer to was largely an alien law imposed by the British on the locals, and based on Western European values and notions of individualism and liberty.
These values and notions have a lesser prominence in many indigenous societies, where the welfare and needs of the collective are more important than of the individual.
It is no surprise, then, that the radical individualism espoused by economic libertarians such as Dr Brash very often clashes head-on with Maori values and customs.
When cultures clash there is very often no discernible right or wrong–just difference. Who are we to say that our western model of jurisprudence and political thinking is superior? If we are to allow different cultures to flourish in our country then we must give them respect and understand that they may see things in a different way and have different needs. This sometimes means allowing some groups to do things in a different way.
“One law” advocates don’t seek equality. How can there be any equality when the rules you want the parties to abide by were written by your side? It is like playing a game of football and being told by the referee at halftime that the rules of the game have been changed to allow teams wearing red to handle the ball. Guess what colour your opponents’ shirts are?
That is what makes Dr Brash’s “One Law For All” so pernicious. It is unfair and discriminatory, and favours one culture over another.
“One law” policies have been used for decades in this country to deprive Maori of their customary structures, language, lands and economic livelihoods. They ensure that rates of poverty, crime, family breakdown, ill health and illiteracy are higher within the Maori community, because they don’t take into account Maori culture and values, and don’t allow for Maori solutions to these problems.
Every targeted attempt to lift Maori out of this dire state is attacked by “one law” advocates as being unfair. But the playing field has been tilted for years, which is one reason why proportionately Maori do so badly in the statistics.
Dr Brash may not think his policies are racist, but then who ever admits to being a racist or espousing racist policies?
Treating all New Zealanders as equal under the law may sound eminently sensible, but it’s a simplistic view, and it fails to recognise where that law came from.
One law advocates may be well-meaning (I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt), but the success of their cause will only worsen the already dire conditions facing many within Maoridom.
And another thing: if the move away from one law policies in the last decade has created a Maori elite with privileges the rest of us don’t share, who are these people and where is their wealth? If such people exist they sure are hiding their money well. The vast majority of people I see driving flash cars and living in fancy houses are non-Maori.
People like Don Brash, for example.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
ACT 2.0: Just Like ACT 1.0
It's pleasing to know that no matter how much some things change, they really stay the same.
The ongoing farce that is the ACT Party continues to dominate news headline. Any genuine supporter of ACT (if there are more than four or five of you left) must be wishing by now they had been sucked away in today's tornado.
Today we saw the new leader of ACT being humiliated by the old leader. Don Brash claims the Hide brand is "toxic" and yet still professes to be happy for Hide to remain as minister.
The fact of the matter is he's deeply unhappy, but faced with the prospect of Hide becoming the party's own Fukushima, Brash has relented and decided to let Rodders stay on as minister. Hide probably needs the money, now his political career is in terminal decline, although it seems that the Business Roundtable may have need of his services. If that doesn't pan out then Hide will need to start job hunting. I wonder if the Nazgul are recruiting?
The biggest joke in today's ACT reshuffle is the elevation of Hilary Calvert, who has been in Parliament approximately three and a half minutes, to party whip, while former deputy leader Heather Roy is demoted. Even though Roy was supposedly one of the MPs most in favour of the leadership change. If this is how Brash rewards his supporters he may be gone by lunchtime.
Roy may have to swallow her pride, but swallowing pride isn't something ACT MPs seem to be very good at. There may be no "I" in "team, but there is a "me". So we can expect more recriminations, plotting and backstabbing within the party we all love to mock, especially if their Anointed One doesn't make an impact in the political polls.
Pass the popcorn.
The ongoing farce that is the ACT Party continues to dominate news headline. Any genuine supporter of ACT (if there are more than four or five of you left) must be wishing by now they had been sucked away in today's tornado.
Today we saw the new leader of ACT being humiliated by the old leader. Don Brash claims the Hide brand is "toxic" and yet still professes to be happy for Hide to remain as minister.
The fact of the matter is he's deeply unhappy, but faced with the prospect of Hide becoming the party's own Fukushima, Brash has relented and decided to let Rodders stay on as minister. Hide probably needs the money, now his political career is in terminal decline, although it seems that the Business Roundtable may have need of his services. If that doesn't pan out then Hide will need to start job hunting. I wonder if the Nazgul are recruiting?
The biggest joke in today's ACT reshuffle is the elevation of Hilary Calvert, who has been in Parliament approximately three and a half minutes, to party whip, while former deputy leader Heather Roy is demoted. Even though Roy was supposedly one of the MPs most in favour of the leadership change. If this is how Brash rewards his supporters he may be gone by lunchtime.
Roy may have to swallow her pride, but swallowing pride isn't something ACT MPs seem to be very good at. There may be no "I" in "team, but there is a "me". So we can expect more recriminations, plotting and backstabbing within the party we all love to mock, especially if their Anointed One doesn't make an impact in the political polls.
Pass the popcorn.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Dr Brash: Evidence Shmevidence
Gareth at Hot Topic reports that Don Brash’s recent utterances put him firmly in the climate change denial camp.
Brash told Lindsay Perigo, just before launching his coup against the ACT leadership, that he didn’t believe the case had been established that human activity was warming the climate.
This is in spite of the mass of scientific data to the contrary.
What qualifications does Dr Brash have to make an assessment of the data? Brash has qualifications in economics, political science and history. Note the absence of any actual scientific qualifications.
On what basis, then, does Brash now seek to question the mass of scientific evidence?
We should not really be surprised by Brash’s refusal to face the facts. Dr Brash appears totally unable to view the world other than through a very narrow lens, and this is abundantly clear when he talks about Maori privilege, as if such a thing actually exists. It is a myth.
So if a man in Brash’s position can convince himself that fairies do really exist at the bottom of the garden, it can’t be a surprise that he rejects the proposition that mankind is responsible for global warming.
Scientific method doesn’t matter when your opinions are shaped by which argument you like best, rather than by which arguments are supported by the evidence.
If your entire world view is shaped by what is good for business today, and to hell with tomorrow, then of course global warming is a lie, tax is evil and the state should sell every one of its assets in a fire sale ASAP.
Brash told Lindsay Perigo, just before launching his coup against the ACT leadership, that he didn’t believe the case had been established that human activity was warming the climate.
This is in spite of the mass of scientific data to the contrary.
What qualifications does Dr Brash have to make an assessment of the data? Brash has qualifications in economics, political science and history. Note the absence of any actual scientific qualifications.
On what basis, then, does Brash now seek to question the mass of scientific evidence?
We should not really be surprised by Brash’s refusal to face the facts. Dr Brash appears totally unable to view the world other than through a very narrow lens, and this is abundantly clear when he talks about Maori privilege, as if such a thing actually exists. It is a myth.
So if a man in Brash’s position can convince himself that fairies do really exist at the bottom of the garden, it can’t be a surprise that he rejects the proposition that mankind is responsible for global warming.
Scientific method doesn’t matter when your opinions are shaped by which argument you like best, rather than by which arguments are supported by the evidence.
If your entire world view is shaped by what is good for business today, and to hell with tomorrow, then of course global warming is a lie, tax is evil and the state should sell every one of its assets in a fire sale ASAP.
Right Thinking: The Good Doctor
I had a dream last night that left me shaken. I was minding my own business in my own home when I heard a knock on the door. Standing there were two gentlemen. I asked them what they wanted and they said they were here to immunise me. When I tried to slam the door on them one of them wedged their foot in the doorway, and the other fellow grabbed my arm. It was a miracle that I escaped, but I did, and I fled out the back door, leaping over the fence and crying for my neighbour to call the police.
Then my neighbour came out. He's a decent enough fellow, and he's always happy to lend a pot of custard when my late night urges become unbearable. But this time he was wearing a grass skirt and had a facial tattoo, and was chanting some mumbo jumbo at me. So I kept on running, but everywhere I turned I found some new trouble: socialists waving placards, angry lesbians with clubs, and DPB mothers chasing behind throwing their unwanted babies in my path in the hope of tripping me up.
It was just as well I awoke when I did, because the rainbow crowd had just captured me, and God only knows what indignities they might have subjected me to.
So overwrought was I that I didn't sleep a wink after that, even though I was exhausted after a terribly long day, especially with all the gardening I'd done. Not that I regret my labours, because it's good to finally see the roses taking off, thanks to all the blood and bone I've been feeding them. And for once I can't blame my neighbours for my lack of sleep, because the street's been so quiet since those noisy socialists next door went missing.
But all this anxiety has a clear cause, and it will serve me right for watching the TV news. It was Harawira who ruined my sleep, talking about his new political party and how he wanted to stick it to the rich. The things I saw in my dream may well come to pass if come November Harawira holds the balance of power. So that's why we need to stop him.
Thankfully this week has seen the return of one of my great heroes, Don Brash. And he's a doctor too! But not like those quacks who specialise in pedalling bogus treatments, like penicillin and CPR. No, this man knows all there is to know about economics. If there's an economic problem you can bet that he's modelled it - in an entirely theoretical manner, completely devoid of real-life participants who don't always function as rational and predictable actors.
The great thing about Dr Brash is his determination to ensure all people are treated equally under our white man's laws. And the fact that if you cross this guy you had better look out. Did you see what he did to Rodney Hide? That man was meant to be his friend. Hone Harawira is in for a world of hurt.
Those who accuse Brash of racism should be ashamed of themselves. Let's not forget that he was married to a Singaporean lady, before he left her for a white woman, so that accusation just won't stick. I say good on Brash. I'm a fellow admirer of all that Asia has to offer, and I buy most of my women from that part of the world. I have a basement full of them.
And we ought to dismiss claims that Brash is past it because of his advanced age. History is replete with examples of men who achieved greatness at an advanced age, like Franz Joseph I, Yuri Andropov and George III, all of whom were in power into their seventies or eighties. And Brash is only a year or two older than Colonel Gaddafi.
So pretty soon the only people running through the streets in fear will be the socialists. Their time is up.
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