Interlude as I reconsider my silence all these years.....
Isn't it curious that when Helen took over and came out swinging at Winz, it was all about the culture of extravagance with the department's management, and since John picked up the reins it's all about the culture of extravagance by the benes.....
Just sayin'....
PB.
Showing posts with label Helen Clark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helen Clark. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Friday, 1 May 2009
I have nothing to declare but my genius
I'm going to miss Michael Cullen.
As numerous commentators have already mentioned, his wit was brutal - something I enjoyed when listening to the wireless or traipsing down to Parliament to watch the fun in the Chamber.
So it's obvious that I strolled up to watch his valedictory on Wednesday eager to watch his final set-piece.
If you've bothered to read any of the columns about his speech, you may have noted that the public gallery was full - unfortunately, it wasn't with the public.
When I arrived at 3.50pm (learning from experience having tried to watch Helen Clark's valedictory), I was kindly informed by security that they'd be closing it off at 4pm so friends and family of the good doctor could watch the event.
That's a lot of family and friends.
I can't begrudge the clearing of the gallery so our outgoing MPs can ensure their nearest and dearest can attend their final moment of glory, but I do take umbrage at the prospect the public can't attend what could potentially be historic moments in our Parliament.
I like the fact that we have such unfettered access to our elected representatives; I like the fact that entry to Parliament is so easy; I don't like the fact that attendance, if not participation, isn't encouraged.
I think events like the valedictory speeches of some of our leading Parliamentarians, the Budget, maiden speeches, and opening addresses should be public occasions - people should gather together in Parliament, in front of big screens, or huddle around the wireless to see our politicians at their best, rather than accept the sound-bites of them at their worst.
Ahh, who am I kidding? I'm just bitter that I was thwarted from observing history twice in a month..... enjoy the Herald's cut....
PB.
(Big ups to the Herald for continuing to lead Stuff in the "using cool interweb gadgets" stakes)
As numerous commentators have already mentioned, his wit was brutal - something I enjoyed when listening to the wireless or traipsing down to Parliament to watch the fun in the Chamber.
So it's obvious that I strolled up to watch his valedictory on Wednesday eager to watch his final set-piece.
If you've bothered to read any of the columns about his speech, you may have noted that the public gallery was full - unfortunately, it wasn't with the public.
When I arrived at 3.50pm (learning from experience having tried to watch Helen Clark's valedictory), I was kindly informed by security that they'd be closing it off at 4pm so friends and family of the good doctor could watch the event.
That's a lot of family and friends.
I can't begrudge the clearing of the gallery so our outgoing MPs can ensure their nearest and dearest can attend their final moment of glory, but I do take umbrage at the prospect the public can't attend what could potentially be historic moments in our Parliament.
I like the fact that we have such unfettered access to our elected representatives; I like the fact that entry to Parliament is so easy; I don't like the fact that attendance, if not participation, isn't encouraged.
I think events like the valedictory speeches of some of our leading Parliamentarians, the Budget, maiden speeches, and opening addresses should be public occasions - people should gather together in Parliament, in front of big screens, or huddle around the wireless to see our politicians at their best, rather than accept the sound-bites of them at their worst.
Ahh, who am I kidding? I'm just bitter that I was thwarted from observing history twice in a month..... enjoy the Herald's cut....
PB.
(Big ups to the Herald for continuing to lead Stuff in the "using cool interweb gadgets" stakes)
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
The Day in Review Oct 31
- The Cabinet reshuffle dominated the news tonight, with the big winner being Darren Hughes, a new Minister outside Cabinet, who managed to get interviewed on One, 3, and Prime. Not bad for the new Deputy Leader of the House. Everyone decided it was fairly cautious, although TV One pulled out all of the stops, sending Simon Dallow down to Wellington to chat to Guyon Espiner face-to-face in the Debating Chamber. Quite sad really.
- The tougher dog control laws got a fair amount of coverage - a good start for Nanaia Mahuta, but Auckland International Airport's decision to turn down the Canadians only managed to see the light on Prime (and Checkpoint).
- The big story of the night that snuck into the Prime and 3 bulletins (and a few ZB ones), was the fact that dead didymo cells were found in the Tongariro. This is the end?
- While Campbell had a nice chat with an Austarlian consumer advocate over multi-nationals and their shoddy goods, Sainsbury chewed the fat with the PM over her Cabinet reshuffle, before moving on to his hard-hitting story on curry.
Good night.
- The tougher dog control laws got a fair amount of coverage - a good start for Nanaia Mahuta, but Auckland International Airport's decision to turn down the Canadians only managed to see the light on Prime (and Checkpoint).
- The big story of the night that snuck into the Prime and 3 bulletins (and a few ZB ones), was the fact that dead didymo cells were found in the Tongariro. This is the end?
- While Campbell had a nice chat with an Austarlian consumer advocate over multi-nationals and their shoddy goods, Sainsbury chewed the fat with the PM over her Cabinet reshuffle, before moving on to his hard-hitting story on curry.
Good night.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
The Day in Review Oct 11
- Rugby and energy were today's hot topics on the telly. 3 led with the obvious one - the Government's energy policy, with Sia Aston giving us a blow-by-blow account of what's good for us. They backed it up with a nice piece on Genesis Energy's ongoing battle with Greenpeace in the Court of Appeal over its Rodney plant that was to use fossil fuels (a no-no under the new strategy). When One got around to talking about it, Guyon Espiner gave us his third rendition of the strategy, letting Kris Faafoi run through how it was going to miprove the quality of NZ's substandard housing (something every student post-2030 will appreciate).
- One gave us Dougie first. His web-address (it didn't have much on Narm Hewitt); the $30k bar tab (explained away by numerous All Blacks); management's knowledge of the incident prior to landing and their umming and ahhing over what to do. 3 did the same really. You can't go wrong when an All Black does.
- The crackdown on motorists in South Auckland got a nice piece of coverage on both channels, with One asking the pointed question "is this a revenue gathering exercise?"
- 3 had a nice little piece on the Yellow Pages Group blocking internet access to the White Pages for some groups for fear they are using it for direct marketing. The AA was one of these groups, and our man Doug Wilson was none too pleased.
- 3 also had a good piece on a new study that found people will be willing to pay higher prices for their BZP when it's made illegal, forgoing the BZP-free party pills that will be readily available to the public... oh, they didn't take that into account. Hmmm. Well, there's going to be a black market for BZP, and these pills will probably be laced with things harder than sheep drench. So parents beware.
- One had a brief run on research finding that while police recruits did require some babysitting before graduation, once they were on the beat, they performed their jobs adequately. Maybe they had been listening to Mary Wilson grill the Minister, Annette King earlier in the day.
- The rest of our news was mainly international. Absolutely bizarre.
- The Wireless continued to go with the real estate agent furore, the police graduate research, and a little on A1 milk. Nandor had a good spot on Larry Williams branding John Howard as a racist over his stance against the Bali Bombers' pending execution. I'm sure he could have found a better example than that.
- Close Up went with a woman who was still waiting for breast reconstruction surgery after being bumped off the list three times; Campbell had a wonderful piece on budgeting that I caught the first 20 seconds of before flipping back.
- Insipid brilliance of the evening goes to Barry Soper, Political Editor Extraordinaire, who on Prime News interviewed (separately) the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition on their understanding of what the game of rugby means to New Zealanders. Inspired.
Good night.
- One gave us Dougie first. His web-address (it didn't have much on Narm Hewitt); the $30k bar tab (explained away by numerous All Blacks); management's knowledge of the incident prior to landing and their umming and ahhing over what to do. 3 did the same really. You can't go wrong when an All Black does.
- The crackdown on motorists in South Auckland got a nice piece of coverage on both channels, with One asking the pointed question "is this a revenue gathering exercise?"
- 3 had a nice little piece on the Yellow Pages Group blocking internet access to the White Pages for some groups for fear they are using it for direct marketing. The AA was one of these groups, and our man Doug Wilson was none too pleased.
- 3 also had a good piece on a new study that found people will be willing to pay higher prices for their BZP when it's made illegal, forgoing the BZP-free party pills that will be readily available to the public... oh, they didn't take that into account. Hmmm. Well, there's going to be a black market for BZP, and these pills will probably be laced with things harder than sheep drench. So parents beware.
- One had a brief run on research finding that while police recruits did require some babysitting before graduation, once they were on the beat, they performed their jobs adequately. Maybe they had been listening to Mary Wilson grill the Minister, Annette King earlier in the day.
- The rest of our news was mainly international. Absolutely bizarre.
- The Wireless continued to go with the real estate agent furore, the police graduate research, and a little on A1 milk. Nandor had a good spot on Larry Williams branding John Howard as a racist over his stance against the Bali Bombers' pending execution. I'm sure he could have found a better example than that.
- Close Up went with a woman who was still waiting for breast reconstruction surgery after being bumped off the list three times; Campbell had a wonderful piece on budgeting that I caught the first 20 seconds of before flipping back.
- Insipid brilliance of the evening goes to Barry Soper, Political Editor Extraordinaire, who on Prime News interviewed (separately) the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition on their understanding of what the game of rugby means to New Zealanders. Inspired.
Good night.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
The Day in Review Sept 19
- Pumpkin and her mum led the way, with the discovery of the body of an Asian woman taking hold of every anchors' lips. So much so, that TV3 devoted its entire opening segment to Pumpkin, her family, the investigation, and how Chinese New Zealanders like to use Skykiwi to talk to the authorities as it's less daunting than anything else. 'Nuff said I say.
- John Key's call to give Clint Rickards a nice Golden Handshake got considerable coverage, with 3 focusing on Key wanting the matter dealt with (and Peter Dunne sidling up to John Boy), while One took the Prime Minister's dismissal of Mr. Key's political naiveity and complete disregard for legal process. Odd seeing the State broadcaster backing the State on this one.
- One also had the only coverage previewing tomorrow's big climate change/carbon trading announcement, with Guyon Espiner waxing lyrically about how the agricultural sector was going to be given (another) break. They followed that up with a piece on Qantas accepting that NZers liked the idea of carbon neutrality.
- 3 jumped on the opportunity to stick it to Sky following its victory in the High Court, banning Sky from using RWC coverage on its lifestyle programmes. There's nothing like a good winner I say.
- The Fed Reserve's decisison to lower interest rates in the States saw some traction, as did the fall-out from the new Christian party. But all-in-all, it was a fairly quiet night (again).
- Campbell gushed over a poor woman who had to stay indoors because she developed an intolerance to sunlight, poor old gal. While Sainsbury had us feel sorry for the family of a special needs kid who drowned on a school outing.
- Not much else to say, other than Go OJ Go.
Good night.
- John Key's call to give Clint Rickards a nice Golden Handshake got considerable coverage, with 3 focusing on Key wanting the matter dealt with (and Peter Dunne sidling up to John Boy), while One took the Prime Minister's dismissal of Mr. Key's political naiveity and complete disregard for legal process. Odd seeing the State broadcaster backing the State on this one.
- One also had the only coverage previewing tomorrow's big climate change/carbon trading announcement, with Guyon Espiner waxing lyrically about how the agricultural sector was going to be given (another) break. They followed that up with a piece on Qantas accepting that NZers liked the idea of carbon neutrality.
- 3 jumped on the opportunity to stick it to Sky following its victory in the High Court, banning Sky from using RWC coverage on its lifestyle programmes. There's nothing like a good winner I say.
- The Fed Reserve's decisison to lower interest rates in the States saw some traction, as did the fall-out from the new Christian party. But all-in-all, it was a fairly quiet night (again).
- Campbell gushed over a poor woman who had to stay indoors because she developed an intolerance to sunlight, poor old gal. While Sainsbury had us feel sorry for the family of a special needs kid who drowned on a school outing.
- Not much else to say, other than Go OJ Go.
Good night.
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
Hermes is a better name
Mercury Energy, the gift that keeps on giving. By now, you will all know that Folole Muliaga's funeral was held today, and our PM made an appearance, paying tribute to the family for daring to forgive. Not something done too regularly in New Zealand. Well the media continued, well and truly, to dig deep in this story. There are still things to come out, and it is with baited breath that we wait.
Paul Holmes continued his stream of consciousness on the issue, tapping the spirit that is NewstalkZB's political editor, Barry Soper, to update the issue. Barry's a good Labour man, so obviously Helen was looking after the issue well (he is loathe to condemn her), and he gave us a quick rundown of how the Government plans to stop their heartless SOEs from squeezing the bejeezus out of us. I actually thought Fran O'Sullivan's column on the issue (thank you Mr. Farrar) summed up the dichotomy of trying to run an efficient business while being socially responsible fairly well (it surprised me too). Next up the gnome on the hill had Shane Jones and Katherine Rich punch out their predictable party lines. Nothing new for the punters to read there.
Leighton (and the thought does make me a little ill) held his line that there were a number of factors in the death of Folole Muliaga, although he did have the tact not to criticise her obesity in light of the fact that her funeral was held today. Credit's always given when it's due. The Government, of course, was making the wrong decision in regulating. Why can't they just privatise everything and be done with it. The market is a much better decider than any kind of socially responsible collective. Oh, and local government's no better with the ratcheting of water rates, and rates in general. Just in case you couldn't figure that one out.
Willie and JT over on RadioLive roused their usual rabble. JT managed to get the first half hour by himself, as Willie was at the funeral, and managed to dish out a salient ramble on how Ms. Clark had no other choice under the current realpolitik but appear and speak at the funeral, but man it's sad that she has to do so. Willie, when he finally stormed in, roundly condemned JT and his sycophantic callers, all heartless bastards the lot of them, before standing up and saying Helen really does care for us all. And she's doing good things for his underprivileged Samoan brothers. Bit of a headtrip listening to the Brown Brothers. One works for the evil forces of the Right, the other for the extreme forces of the Left. What's a simple media monitor to do?
Paul Holmes continued his stream of consciousness on the issue, tapping the spirit that is NewstalkZB's political editor, Barry Soper, to update the issue. Barry's a good Labour man, so obviously Helen was looking after the issue well (he is loathe to condemn her), and he gave us a quick rundown of how the Government plans to stop their heartless SOEs from squeezing the bejeezus out of us. I actually thought Fran O'Sullivan's column on the issue (thank you Mr. Farrar) summed up the dichotomy of trying to run an efficient business while being socially responsible fairly well (it surprised me too). Next up the gnome on the hill had Shane Jones and Katherine Rich punch out their predictable party lines. Nothing new for the punters to read there.
Leighton (and the thought does make me a little ill) held his line that there were a number of factors in the death of Folole Muliaga, although he did have the tact not to criticise her obesity in light of the fact that her funeral was held today. Credit's always given when it's due. The Government, of course, was making the wrong decision in regulating. Why can't they just privatise everything and be done with it. The market is a much better decider than any kind of socially responsible collective. Oh, and local government's no better with the ratcheting of water rates, and rates in general. Just in case you couldn't figure that one out.
Willie and JT over on RadioLive roused their usual rabble. JT managed to get the first half hour by himself, as Willie was at the funeral, and managed to dish out a salient ramble on how Ms. Clark had no other choice under the current realpolitik but appear and speak at the funeral, but man it's sad that she has to do so. Willie, when he finally stormed in, roundly condemned JT and his sycophantic callers, all heartless bastards the lot of them, before standing up and saying Helen really does care for us all. And she's doing good things for his underprivileged Samoan brothers. Bit of a headtrip listening to the Brown Brothers. One works for the evil forces of the Right, the other for the extreme forces of the Left. What's a simple media monitor to do?
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
The little guy's still standing
The long weekend meant I didn't have to man the station for three whole days, and while I do like to have a good read of the papers on the weekend, I try not to delve into the media too much. Everyone needs a break every now and then.
The Muliaga case continued to drag on. And on. And on.
The papers (The Dominion Post and the Sunday Star-Times (yes, I'm a Fairfax ho)) lapped up the coverage of Mighty River's mighty powers acting fairly humbly in going to the Muliaga family to take back all those hurtful things they had said. You, too, got to have a feeling of superiority over those nasty electricos that everyone loves to hate.
In his interview with the Prime Minister, John Dunne, down in Christchurch, continued to defend his view that no-one could really have a strong opinion either way, and it was too soon to lay the blame. Ms. Clark wasn't so sure, and Mr. Dunne was roundly treated to a stern telling off. I suppose, given his audience (apologies, but Christchurch has a seedy underbelly) the listener was supposed to lap up his defiance in the face of our nation's supreme being, but being Wellingtoncentric, I couldn't help but laugh at his little tirade against the Man.
Phil Wallington on National Radio's Nine 'til Noon, a slot which everyone should listen, wasn't too unhappy with the media's coverage of the story, but he was disappointed (along with you dear listener) that the media didn't ask the right questions. He did approve of the all-round disappointment shown at the power guy's actions, and (with glee I write) he was disgusted, like Radio NZ's listeners, at the condemnation of the Muliaga family. Shame on you. Feel some white liberal guilt, then go back to your lattes people.
Gerry Brownlee and Judith Collins got some good soundbites on NewstalkZB's news bulletins roundly criticising the Government's moves to link social welfare with power disconnection policies. Always looking out to save your tax dollars people.
And, touch wood, that will be that. Until tomorrow.
The Muliaga case continued to drag on. And on. And on.
The papers (The Dominion Post and the Sunday Star-Times (yes, I'm a Fairfax ho)) lapped up the coverage of Mighty River's mighty powers acting fairly humbly in going to the Muliaga family to take back all those hurtful things they had said. You, too, got to have a feeling of superiority over those nasty electricos that everyone loves to hate.
In his interview with the Prime Minister, John Dunne, down in Christchurch, continued to defend his view that no-one could really have a strong opinion either way, and it was too soon to lay the blame. Ms. Clark wasn't so sure, and Mr. Dunne was roundly treated to a stern telling off. I suppose, given his audience (apologies, but Christchurch has a seedy underbelly) the listener was supposed to lap up his defiance in the face of our nation's supreme being, but being Wellingtoncentric, I couldn't help but laugh at his little tirade against the Man.
Phil Wallington on National Radio's Nine 'til Noon, a slot which everyone should listen, wasn't too unhappy with the media's coverage of the story, but he was disappointed (along with you dear listener) that the media didn't ask the right questions. He did approve of the all-round disappointment shown at the power guy's actions, and (with glee I write) he was disgusted, like Radio NZ's listeners, at the condemnation of the Muliaga family. Shame on you. Feel some white liberal guilt, then go back to your lattes people.
Gerry Brownlee and Judith Collins got some good soundbites on NewstalkZB's news bulletins roundly criticising the Government's moves to link social welfare with power disconnection policies. Always looking out to save your tax dollars people.
And, touch wood, that will be that. Until tomorrow.
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