Comments on: So: the End of an Era http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/ A wide-angle view of architecture, urban design and life in Wellington Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:14:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: M-D http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4064 M-D Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:02:54 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4064 Trotter's epiphany: http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4760830a28480.html Trotter’s epiphany: http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4760830a28480.html

]]> By: Maximus http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4057 Maximus Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:38:25 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4057 yes, dimples, that had me curious too. I think it was just to get through the media scrum - to stop John and Bronagh getting lanced by a stray boom mike - and the media wouldn't stop questioning him, asking him what he was going to say - jeez people, just wait 2 minutes and you'll have the whole story.... ...did Obama have a similar situation, despite some 100,000 more people gathering to hear his speech than did the Nat crowd for Key? No - they had just thought ahead, and organised a side entrance. BUT - the thing that freaked me was hearing the goon squad saying "Move Move Move" in a manner (so i'm told) not un-akin to Ross Meurant and the Red Squad, shortly before they battened your head in ... yes, dimples, that had me curious too. I think it was just to get through the media scrum – to stop John and Bronagh getting lanced by a stray boom mike – and the media wouldn’t stop questioning him, asking him what he was going to say – jeez people, just wait 2 minutes and you’ll have the whole story….

…did Obama have a similar situation, despite some 100,000 more people gathering to hear his speech than did the Nat crowd for Key? No – they had just thought ahead, and organised a side entrance.

BUT – the thing that freaked me was hearing the goon squad saying “Move Move Move” in a manner (so i’m told) not un-akin to Ross Meurant and the Red Squad, shortly before they battened your head in …

]]> By: dimples http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4053 dimples Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:53:07 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4053 I was just curious, if a little amazed, about the very noticeable ring of diplomatic protection squad around John Key and his wife. I dont think I've ever seen anything like it. What was the purpose? Was John afraid of what his Nat supporters would do - crush him or something - overwhelm him with love and affection ???? Or was it the Diplomatic Protection Squad reminding us they still exist? Anyway, why force your way through the throng - surely they could have found a quieter way in? All I can surmise is that is must have been for the PR value - the longer the pleasure of the journey to the podium, the better - Ho, ho. I am sure that this high profile, linked hands protection squad has not been seen before on TV in such a revealing way. That was my only reaction to the election (apart from the 'fin du monde' feeling). Cheers I was just curious, if a little amazed, about the very noticeable ring of diplomatic protection squad around John Key and his wife. I dont think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

What was the purpose? Was John afraid of what his Nat supporters would do – crush him or something – overwhelm him with love and affection ???? Or was it the Diplomatic Protection Squad reminding us they still exist? Anyway, why force your way through the throng – surely they could have found a quieter way in? All I can surmise is that is must have been for the PR value – the longer the pleasure of the journey to the podium, the better – Ho, ho.

I am sure that this high profile, linked hands protection squad has not been seen before on TV in such a revealing way.

That was my only reaction to the election (apart from the ‘fin du monde’ feeling).

Cheers

]]> By: M-D http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4031 M-D Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:27:46 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4031 Either everyone is being overly polite to the new regime, or perhaps they just aren't as terrifying as the more paranoid among us trying to give the impression of: when you have platitudinal press releases from the National Council of Women of NZ (who knew there was such a thing?), and from the PSA, it can't be all that bad... http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00164.htm http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00148.htm Either everyone is being overly polite to the new regime, or perhaps they just aren’t as terrifying as the more paranoid among us trying to give the impression of: when you have platitudinal press releases from the National Council of Women of NZ (who knew there was such a thing?), and from the PSA, it can’t be all that bad…

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00164.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00148.htm

]]> By: M-D http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4029 M-D Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:57:34 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4029 LibertyScott is as rabid as Trotter, only LS's is an online forum rather than a column for a major mainstream newspaper - this is why I find Trotter's keyboardmanship so disturbing. Trotter ends up insulting those who thought about where to cast their votes on principle rather than voting a mindless adherence to 'his' party. I know he would support the left no matter how disgusting it might become, and I have less than no respect for that. It may have been his last column, as he has now "hung up his keyboard", but I would say that, with such an insulting and bitter last commentary, he might as well have hung himself on any last shreds of respect that he might have retained after a long career of left-wing activism... The thing is though, the left need intelligent and insightful commentary now more than ever - Trotter's childish little fit of pique completely rules him out, even if he did decide to stay writing. LibertyScott is as rabid as Trotter, only LS’s is an online forum rather than a column for a major mainstream newspaper – this is why I find Trotter’s keyboardmanship so disturbing. Trotter ends up insulting those who thought about where to cast their votes on principle rather than voting a mindless adherence to ‘his’ party. I know he would support the left no matter how disgusting it might become, and I have less than no respect for that. It may have been his last column, as he has now “hung up his keyboard”, but I would say that, with such an insulting and bitter last commentary, he might as well have hung himself on any last shreds of respect that he might have retained after a long career of left-wing activism…

The thing is though, the left need intelligent and insightful commentary now more than ever – Trotter’s childish little fit of pique completely rules him out, even if he did decide to stay writing.

]]> By: Seamonkey Madness http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4028 Seamonkey Madness Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:29:05 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4028 Electric,

You think that is bad, I know someone who is is paid circa $70 to take bi-weekly board meeting minutes (which takes maybe a day or two to sew up) and then for the rest of the time studies for her degree.

I echo M-D’s opinion: “…but that isn’t really a bad thing is it – having our money spent efficiently?”
I could think of far worse things (that have actually been happening for the last 9 years).

]]> By: Maximus http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4027 Maximus Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:53:15 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4027 M-D: seems you're not alone in your views. Liberty Scott ("Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and private property") has blogged in : http://libertyscott.blogspot.com/2008/11/chris-trotters-bitter-and-nasty.html "Sober up Chris, you're talking about the working class you love so much. See if I thought you really believed that, I'd call you a petty vindictive mindless little prick. However, if a world of mixing with the left means you think successful people who want less government don't include intelligent, idealistic, free-spirited women and men who like them, who don't include men and women of courage, wit and passion, you're a sad little man. The Labour Party isn't the repositary of the values of a generation, it's the values of trade unionists and others who think they know best for everyone else. So to take the words of Michael Cullen - we won, you lost, eat that (well near enough). Now fuck off, grow up and meet some people who don't think the end of the Soviet Union's murderous empire was a tragedy." M-D: seems you’re not alone in your views. Liberty Scott (“Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and private property”) has blogged in :
http://libertyscott.blogspot.com/2008/11/chris-trotters-bitter-and-nasty.html

“Sober up Chris, you’re talking about the working class you love so much.

See if I thought you really believed that, I’d call you a petty vindictive mindless little prick. However, if a world of mixing with the left means you think successful people who want less government don’t include intelligent, idealistic, free-spirited women and men who like them, who don’t include men and women of courage, wit and passion, you’re a sad little man.

The Labour Party isn’t the repositary of the values of a generation, it’s the values of trade unionists and others who think they know best for everyone else. So to take the words of Michael Cullen – we won, you lost, eat that (well near enough). Now fuck off, grow up and meet some people who don’t think the end of the Soviet Union’s murderous empire was a tragedy.”

]]> By: KLK http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4026 KLK Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:34:35 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4026 Thanks Maximus. I also find it funny how we vote for a women leader for 3 consecutive terms, have no problem with female Governor Generals, Supreme Court head judges etc, etc and then when we vote a white middle class male in after almost a decade, suddenly the NZ public is "anti-women". Can't win. Thanks Maximus.

I also find it funny how we vote for a women leader for 3 consecutive terms, have no problem with female Governor Generals, Supreme Court head judges etc, etc and then when we vote a white middle class male in after almost a decade, suddenly the NZ public is “anti-women”.

Can’t win.

]]> By: electric http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4025 electric Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:01:32 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4025 There does need to be a shakeup of bureaucrats- I've met people who are part of marketing teams flying up and down the country organising meetings and action items for "community" organisations. Each team member was on $100K plus for this completely unproductive activity. I have personally seen government agencies move into some of the most expensive high quality office space available, with no rationale behind this except they could grow their empires. As far as buildings go, I hope that the revitalisation of the Vogel building happens, the Bowen Precinct happens, but the National Library gets a reprieve from being turned into a suburban multiplex. IMHO the Vogel building and Bowen complex are well located office buildings that are reasonably easy to update into economical green star office space, and will be highly functional office space once revamped. The National Library needs some updating and repair, but the massive price tag for destroying this distinctive building won't deliver a damn thing for taxpayers. There does need to be a shakeup of bureaucrats- I’ve met people who are part of marketing teams flying up and down the country organising meetings and action items for “community” organisations. Each team member was on $100K plus for this completely unproductive activity.

I have personally seen government agencies move into some of the most expensive high quality office space available, with no rationale behind this except they could grow their empires.

As far as buildings go, I hope that the revitalisation of the Vogel building happens, the Bowen Precinct happens, but the National Library gets a reprieve from being turned into a suburban multiplex. IMHO the Vogel building and Bowen complex are well located office buildings that are reasonably easy to update into economical green star office space, and will be highly functional office space once revamped. The National Library needs some updating and repair, but the massive price tag for destroying this distinctive building won’t deliver a damn thing for taxpayers.

]]> By: M-D http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4019 M-D Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:22:11 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/so-the-end-of-an-era/#comment-4019 Glad to please... Actually, the dog-whistling I was referring to was the misogynist and racist inferences that preceded the DBH discussion... And if JK actually follows his election policy, he is only capping public sector numbers at existing levels, not cutting per se. All departments are having to review expenditure nevertheless - but that isn't really a bad thing is it - having our money spent efficiently? Most commentators (including those on the left) agree that there is a certain amount of bloat there anyway... If he does end up with widespread sackings, I suggest it will only be a one-term govt. anyway... As for letters to the editor - you read them? I would suggest that they are not an accurate cross-section of anything but itself, and that it wasn't these people that saw Helen ousted (they would be voting Kiwi/Christian Values as they do every year anyway), but those that usually vote Labour but this time decided not to (or stayed at home as seems to have been the case in Central Auckland). Labour lost voters who had previously supported it - it is as simple as that. Glad to please…

Actually, the dog-whistling I was referring to was the misogynist and racist inferences that preceded the DBH discussion…

And if JK actually follows his election policy, he is only capping public sector numbers at existing levels, not cutting per se. All departments are having to review expenditure nevertheless – but that isn’t really a bad thing is it – having our money spent efficiently? Most commentators (including those on the left) agree that there is a certain amount of bloat there anyway…

If he does end up with widespread sackings, I suggest it will only be a one-term govt. anyway…

As for letters to the editor – you read them? I would suggest that they are not an accurate cross-section of anything but itself, and that it wasn’t these people that saw Helen ousted (they would be voting Kiwi/Christian Values as they do every year anyway), but those that usually vote Labour but this time decided not to (or stayed at home as seems to have been the case in Central Auckland). Labour lost voters who had previously supported it – it is as simple as that.

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