Posts by Don Christie

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  • Hard News: Because I am weak,

    Come on Aucklanders, time to stop behaving like a bunch of petulant school kids. Just 'cause the Herald gives you a line it does not mean you need to slavishly follow. The rest of us are not making a hell of a lot of noise about the fact that large dollops tax payer money will be pumped into this project. We can, on the whole, see the great long term value it could bring.

    I heard one of your councillors on the radio this morning saying what Auckland needs is a 50 year plan for its waterfront not a 10 to 15 year plan. Well fine, give it to us, now, in time for the RWC that 95% of the country (including, I thought, Aucklanders) was so pleased about winning the rights to. Don't say you haven't had enough time, Auckland's been a big boy for over 100 years and if you still don't have your bleeding 50 year plan I for one would like to call time on you.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Because I am weak,

    Forget the stadium. The real issue that should be concerning us right now is whether the ABs can take out the cup in 2007.

    How well I remember the very last test played at Athletic Park. The French were run ragged in a freezing cold Southerly and it seemed as though the 1999 cup was in the bag.

    There were a couple of naysayers, my visiting Dad pointed out that he thought our backs were running pretty flat angles, that evening a Welshman warned that we had not seen the French play. He said (in best Gollum tones) "they're sneaky, the French". Then there was a report of a rather too merry French team on the flight back to Auckland.

    We now know the semi-final result of 1999. I'm with RB on this one and I sure hope that Henry has another 70 plays up his sleeve that the rest of the world have never seen and will not be revealed until the closing stages of 2007.

    Oh, and Aucklanders, get a bloody stadium built and get it built quick. Stop blaming everyone else for your procrastination, if you stuff it up now, you stuff it up for all New Zealand!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    Yeah. Montana, on which the Senate control hangs seems to have had about 400,000 voters. New York has about 5 million. Same representation.

    As I said many posts ago it explains a lot about agricultural subsidies, pork barrel politics, the mythologising of "how the west was won (tm)" and why a FT agreement with NZ is *never* going to be a US priority, no matter what McCain says. If 2000 sheep farmers in Montana can swing the Senate...

    It has been pleasing to see more scrutiny of the voting process. Lawyers, hotlines and observers for both parties *everywhere*. Anything which enhances the integrity of the system is good for democracy, participation and turnout.

    I am sure this is one reason why turnout is so high in NZ, we really do have confidence that our vote will be counted.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    Just heard Howard Dean talking about the need for election reform in terms of re-districting and and the running of elections.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    Whilst the national results will have an obvious impact on the Bush administration over the next couple of years the state election results look much more profound for the next presidential election and even for issues like global warming.

    Look at California, on the face of things they still have a Rep Governator, but look at the team he has to work with...

    Lt. Gov - Democrat
    Secretary of State - Democrate (runs elections there)
    Controller, Treasurer, just go down the list.

    http://vote.ss.ca.gov/

    This is bad news for the Reps who have done very well on the margins by controlling the levers of the elections.

    I must say, I really think it is time the USA removed the powers of running of elections from elected officials and perhaps now that those levers are more evenly spread there is a chance this will happen.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    Webb's just over taken Allen. Wite Ins my be the deciding factor.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    Alastair - control yourself. Not every sudden swing is the result of corruption! If a precinct heavily in favour of one candidate comes in then there will be a big shift.

    Looks like the Maryland result is not going to increase your readership, it's going back to the dems :-)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    I do like elections. In VA there is a 5000 margin with (I think) about 100,000 votes to count.

    Amazing stuff, whoever you support.

    Alistair, those exit polls are pretty suspect given all the early voting that took place, even if they do try and account for that.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    Ok, that's why VA wasn't called. Allen's lead of 30,000 just got halfed on a couple of precincts reporting....

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    The dems are claiming the House.

    http://www.dccc.org/results/index.html

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

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