New Zealand - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

[intern]

Problem is voters like that. Looks good, feels good, put the cross.

 

This is exactly the problem. As Winston Churchill actually never really said, the best argument against Democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. Most voters do not look past the slogans and the headlines, which means they are easily won over by a slick PR campaign (WP please don't imagine me saying this about you because I am not...you clearly take a lot more interest than the average voter does, or you would not have raised the topic).

[intern]

And even more so, most voters will vote for the nicest looking candidate, too, rather than the most competent! Fortunately, though, it is us old boring quiet people who are most often encountered at the ballot box, with the noisy social media types too deep in Twitter and the couch to translate their loud mouths into votes!

[intern]

Oh, hey, being as it is that I have pretty much chucked in the bicycles for moto bikes, is anyone here interested in a lightly used Specialized S-Works Epic, 2018 model, done around 2000km? It's carbon black with yellow decals. PM me if interested.

[intern]

Also applicable to the discussion on kindness vs results, Churchill also famously never said "However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results."

[GrahamS2]

The greatest time for new bikes was when my sons grew tall enough to take my hand-me-downs! For road bikes I've now used up all those easy tickets, but still have one mtb one to use!   

My son, who is 7, took my size large Intense for a spin up and down the driveway  I was shocked that he could even pedal the thing, and obviously he can't get on or off without assistance.

I've now taken to locking my bike up He's also eyeing my girlfriend's bike now...

[Wayne Potgieter]

This is exactly why I brought this up - I am caught up in the PR movement but want to balance that with policy and effectiveness. I admit I don't know enough and that is quite scary because I believe a vote is a powerful thing.

 

If I had to summarise my position right now, its Leaning towards ACT with a fondness for Labour.

 

Personally, I think Judith Collins is a dangerous person mired in controversy, but not having a personal history in the country to go on, I am basing this opinion on other peoples reporting and that too is dangerous. 

 

Anyone know what David Seymours stance is on the Marijuana vote? Given his time spent in Canada, I would assume he is pro (I found an article from 2018 where he seemed to come across as for the bill) but not much newer material. I guess I am being lazy by asking Intern, but who cares amiright?

[Wayne Potgieter]

Oh, hey, being as it is that I have pretty much chucked in the bicycles for moto bikes, is anyone here interested in a lightly used Specialized S-Works Epic, 2018 model, done around 2000km? It's carbon black with yellow decals. PM me if interested.

Size?

[intern]

This is exactly why I brought this up - I am caught up in the PR movement but want to balance that with policy and effectiveness. I admit I don't know enough and that is quite scary because I believe a vote is a powerful thing.

 

If I had to summarise my position right now, its Leaning towards ACT with a fondness for Labour.

 

Personally, I think Judith Collins is a dangerous person mired in controversy, but not having a personal history in the country to go on, I am basing this opinion on other peoples reporting and that too is dangerous. 

 

Anyone know what David Seymours stance is on the Marijuana vote? Given his time spent in Canada, I would assume he is pro (I found an article from 2018 where he seemed to come across as for the bill) but not much newer material. I guess I am being lazy by asking Intern, but who cares amiright?

 

Haha, Wayne, that is such an odd position, but it beautifully represents an open mind. ACT and Labour are diametrically opposed, policy-wise.

 

Seymour/ACT is in favour of cannabis reform, but it isn't a major focus for the party which I somehow find endearing. Because it is neither here nor there, in the greater scheme of things - in other words, schmoke it up if you're into that sort of thing, because you probably are anyway, whether legal or not. There are bigger fish to fry and they relate to the economy, health and education.

 

BTW JC is a hugely accomplished individual. Like anyone who has ever achieved anything, she has made missteps along the way - none of them fatal. The biggest card played against her is the 'Oravida scandal' (look that up), when she visited a factory or offices of Oravida, of which her husband David Wong-Tung is a director/owner, in an 'official-looking' capacity as a National party government minister. A subsequent inquiry found there was no wrong-doing. It was, by all accounts, a very bad look though.

[intern]

Size?

 

Medium.

[Wayne Potgieter]

Medium.

Too big China. Looking for an XS for the boy - probably also too much bike for him anyway.

[NotSoBigBen]

Too big China. Looking for an XS for the boy - probably also too much bike for him anyway.

I am disappoint Wayne ????

 

'Too much bike' is akin to 'too skinny' or 'too rich' mate!

[Spurs]

Been lurking on this thread for a while now, as my fiance and I have been looking at making the move ourselves.  In a tricky situation now with a "shoe in" job offer waiting, but can't be done due to the borders being shut.  Still have my job and life continuing this side, so very fortunately in that regard.  I've pretty much accepted the fact that the move is unlikely to happen this year.

 

On another note, really appreciating the political talk going on, especially the opposing views.  I have firmly been in the "outsiders" camp when considering the NZ government, and what I mean by that is the non-NZ view and how highly regarded they are internationally.  Certainly the PR machine working very well, but as mentioned somewhere earlier in the thread, different league to what we deal with here in SA.  Hopefully soon I'll have my own vote to consider in NZ!

[Wayne Potgieter]

Been lurking on this thread for a while now, as my fiance and I have been looking at making the move ourselves. In a tricky situation now with a "shoe in" job offer waiting, but can't be done due to the borders being shut. Still have my job and life continuing this side, so very fortunately in that regard. I've pretty much accepted the fact that the move is unlikely to happen this year.

 

On another note, really appreciating the political talk going on, especially the opposing views. I have firmly been in the "outsiders" camp when considering the NZ government, and what I mean by that is the non-NZ view and how highly regarded they are internationally. Certainly the PR machine working very well, but as mentioned somewhere earlier in the thread, different league to what we deal with here in SA. Hopefully soon I'll have my own vote to consider in NZ!

yeah, even our bad politicians are pretty good compared to some of the other muppets in the wide world.

[Wayne Potgieter]

I am disappoint Wayne

 

'Too much bike' is akin to 'too skinny' or 'too rich' mate

 

 

I would normally agree with you but an Sworks Epic for an 11 year old is pushing the boundaries a bit.

[intern]

I would normally agree with you but an Sworks Epic for an 11 year old is pushing the boundaries a bit.

 

No it's not. Buy it for him and he will love you, especially when he's 13 

[Wayne Potgieter]

No it's not. Buy it for him and he will love you, especially when he's 13 

Out of curiosity, what do you want for it?

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BTW!!!!