By James Wood | 14 Jul, 2008
A maiden speech is much more than the first speech a Member of Parliament delivers to the House of Representatives. It is a mission statement, an introduction and a generally a tribute to the people from their electorate and to past Members who have held the seat they now sit in. More
By Jackson and Conrad |
Looks like we got ourselves a convoy
This week truckies around the country took to their rigs to protest a $200 increase in their road user charges, the second since 1989. Truckies indiscriminately burnt over $200 of precious diesel fuel in protest driving around main centres clogging the streets, tooting their fucking horns and making me late for brunch and Conrad angry (He wants a free ride too). More
By Conrad Reyners |
Political Reporter Conrad Reyners sat down with Labour Party hopeful Jordan Carter. They discussed economics, homosexual politics, blogging, and other interesting things. For the full interview see www.Salient.org.nz/blog
More
By Guy Armstrong |
One group of people I am totally sick of is: You guessed it: racist white people. I can’t stand them, them and their dirty racism. So for all you non-whites, just to balance things up, and make up for the years of torment, I’ve got a joke for you: More
By Salient | 7 Jul, 2008
uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Bjork
“Sömetimes, when I put öranges in a circle, I think öf my thöughts and they make me laugh.” ~ Björk ön herself More
By Guy Armstrong |
Now we all know the importance of being politically correct, or P(ersonal) C(omputer), as it is called in slang terminology, but the deeper questions need answering:
Which minorities is it still okay to discriminate against? Which sexist jokes are funny in the new millenium? What is the best racist joke? Which minorities annoy us the most with their constant whiney complaining bollocks? Which ethnicities, sexualities and disabilities are the best ones to laugh at? Which belief system should we all mock for being the dumbest? More
By Jackson Wood |
The group are sitting in Pravda cafe, inner city Wellington. Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Brown, Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. White, Joe Cabot and his son, “Nice Guy” Eddie are gathered around a table.
Mr. Brown discusses his comparative analysis on Kelis’ “Milkshake” being all about the dick. More
By Matthew Cunningham |
Evil global corporations. Trashy tabloid magazines. The dreaded ‘McJob’. These are just some of the many responses I have heard lately to the question of the American signature on the modern world. And what do they all have in common? Well, unless you enjoy reading about the latest scandalous exploits of Lindsay Lohan and the Hilton gang, they all paint the United States in an unwaveringly negative light. This ‘negative light’ represents a very distinct trend in popular opinion these days – a trend that paints America as the evil big brother of the global community. More
By Haimona Peretini Gray |
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” - Benjamin Franklin
Mighty Mighty is often the butt of harsh remarks (even by this magazine), it’s been called “a hideous reminder of how Wellington can turn something like indie rock’n’roll into a pretentious activity”, but to these I must ask… so what? More
By Jackson Wood |
ACC = Australian Cash Cow
This week National revealed one of their post-election plans to open up workplace accident insurance to private competition. Merrill Lynch, a company Key used to work for, released a report that suggests around about $200 million would go to Australian insurance companies if this happened. Key says they have no plans to privatise ACC, to which Helen Clark said that his promise is “not worth the paper it is written on.” More
By Matthew Proctor | 26 May, 2008
On 16 May, Finance Minister Michael Cullen declared that lower interest rates would be of greater help to families than tax cuts. This column was going to be called “No, Dr Cullen, you’re wrong”. I stand by that; tax cuts mean more cash in pocket than a slight reduction in interest rates. More
By Jackson Wood |
My eyes glaze over as the treasury official hands me about two KG’s of paper thick with numbers, pie charts and line graphs. I am informed that the budget is embargoed till 2:45pm and that the Cullenator will be talking at 12ish. More
By Emma Daken |
When did you first become interested in politics, and was there someone, or something that inspired you?
“I was brought up in a family that has always argued, and debated politics, and been involved in the fringes of the parties. So I was always very conscience of politics, but hadn’t been an active participant, or an active party member. Farming politics to a large extent, and then general politics. My father comes from a big family, mostly farming but with a number of Labour supporters, but dad was a National party supporter, so it was just good healthy, political debate.”
What has been your most memorable moment as a Member of Parliament so far?
“Being able to negotiate with my colleagues, through the difficult period of the end to indigenous logging on the West Coast. To be able to negotiate a package that has been hugely beneficial to the region and then encourage them to get on and make use of the opportunities in front of them.”
What is the hardest part about being a politician?
“I think it is trying to get 25 hours work into 24 hours of the day. There is so much to do, and so many great things that you can get involved with and influence. Prioritisation is always an ongoing challenge. Making sure that you don’t dwell on mistakes, just get on and look at the next challenge, rather than procrastinate, or reflect on some sort of bad decisions.”
In your opinion, what is the biggest issue currently facing tertiary students?
“I think it is ensuring that the New Zealand that they look to participate in, in the future, is one that they have control over, in terms of ownership, and direction. One that they are enthusiastic about, so that they can commit to a career, in the knowledge that they will get reward, satisfaction, and not end up being frustrated – either from a career perspective, from a family perspective, or general community. We have to build a nation that shares in basic values, that retains as much ownership in key strategic assets, a community that knows it has a real say over its future direction. Students have to know that the skills they are acquiring, have a place within New Zealand”.
Do you think the Government should play a role in solving the problem of student debt?
“It has participated by providing the opportunities for education, for providing opportunities to acquire the debt. But shared responsibility, shared efforts, are probably the best way to do that. A whole lot more people now have acquired tertiary education because of the structure that has been laid down and it is very hard to turn that around over night. We have to make sure that students don’t acquire a debt that they see as insurmountable, and that it suppresses their… I guess enthusiasm, for their career choice”.
What do you see yourself doing upon exiting politics?
“It’s hard for most people to consider life beyond politics while you are in it. When you are on the very interesting and fascinating merry-go-round, no one wants to step off, and stand still. So I think there are a number of areas that I would see as very challenging. I guess I would have to find something as challenging, as stimulating.
What is the best advice you have ever been given, and who gave it to you?
“My father has always told me, that you can always get on, and do whatever you want. You’ve just got to be determined to set your mind on something. I have never been very good at organised planning, and strategic planning, but in the back of my mind I always set goals, that usually I never express, but they are there, and I have usually got there maybe through good luck, but probably through determination.”
Who are 3 people you would most like to meet?
“Bill Clinton: I think he has achieved some amazing Mana within international politics and it would be interesting to try and analyze. Michael Schumacher; as someone who is an incredibly talented athlete, and I guess from a petrol heads perspective, someone who has achieved incredible outcomes. I meet so many interesting people, and they come in all shapes and sizes. I picked up a hitchhiker the other day who was from the Czech Republic – he was about 50, he is a professional musician, he has gone through the changes in the Czech Republic from East to Western Europe. Been allowed to escape. Been to New Zealand 8 times, is just in love with the country. He has a fascinating history, in terms of his determination to get on, he is still a professional musician. People like that are so inspiring.
Week on the Blogs
This week Jackson bogged about Joel’s t-shirt antics and like totally dominated all the weasels that tried to drag his personal life into their argument. The record was broken for comments on the website with the post hitting 147 comments in five days.
Conrad wrote about the latest polls and posted a hilarious vid of the family party.
Comment of the Week
No one was actually funny enough to get it this week and I self indulged last week by giving it to myself, so this week no one get it. Sukkas.
By Sarah Rose | 19 May, 2008
After being harassed yet again for “spare change or cigarettes” by the broke, and asked to sponsor poor children’s causes, I decided what to write about this week. More
By Emma Daken |
You have been a main proponent of the anti Electoral Finance Act. How would you change the Electoral Finance Act?
The most important change would be to shrink the regulated period, to about 3 months before the election. That has worked for the last 50 or 60 years. More
By Jackson Wood |
Dear [EXPLETIVE DELETED] people,
[EXPLETIVE DELETED] you. I’m sick and tired of you and your [EXPLETIVE DELETED] [EXPLETIVE DELETED]. Seriously. New Zealand is a [EXPLETIVE DELETED] infuriating place. More
By Conrad Reyners |
Someone really fucked off god over the last two weeks. Showing a childish, immature and misanthropic nature he/ she/it wrecked havoc upon two incredibly heavily populated regions of the world. Both areas happened to be in Asia. What a racist. More
By Emma Daken | 12 May, 2008
Tell me something about you that not many people know.
In my spare time I like to go surfing, I’ve got a 7ft 8 board. I like to go surfing at different places around Hawkes Bay, so I guess that’s something that not many people know”. More
By Jackson Wood |
I must preface this by saying that as a person who is deeply physically attracted to Helen Clark, obsessed almost, this book painted a new picture for me: a dirty picture, a Helen who was doomed to the eighth circle of hell. More
By Jackson Wood |
Thank you Michael Cullen for buying back the trains! Since my youth I have always dreamed of owning a train set. You have finally fulfilled my dream, although I am only one owner out of 4.2 million I relish the idea that I own one four millionth of the rail system of NZ. More
