Posts by 81stcolumn
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FWIW - I would like to underline the subtle point that Geoff made earlier.
my university gives me a lump sum every three years, which allows for around one overseas conference a year. Some of my colleagues regard such funding as a right; I regard it as a privilege (I know many school teachers who would benefit from such opportunities).
We do need to justify such funding in terms of delivering conference papers and subsequent publication but it is certainly a great aspect of academic life.I occupy much the same role as Geoff in a different institution - I don’t get a lump sum. I do get to apply for conference travel from a fixed fund set at the start of the year. Successful applications are determined entirely on the basis of their value to my institution. Over promising and under-delivering by applicants is viewed very poorly indeed these days.
My point (in the spirit of Russ's own view), is that I too see no problem with travel overseas and the associated benefits to NZ. However in a culture where responsible intent/behaviour cannot be assumed, then suitable audit procedures should be applied. Therefore I see it as entirely fair to fix the parliamentary travel fund and require both current and past MP's to justify why they should be allowed to draw from it. -
I am definitely enjoying hte site much more this morning having gotten over the shock. I still don't get what is so important about Typekit.
@danielle Mr 2.5 haz toy call Erniecorn
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Oh er um er....I kind of like this one but I was kind of familiar with the old one. I suspect I will have to do something with my gravatar, which is probably no bad thing. So ! on with progress and well done on the upgrade.
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<frowns>
Hmmm Warner executives in a meeting with the NZ Prime Minister, I wonder if anyone used the word copyright in the conversation ?
Aplogoes if:
Mentioned earlier
Way too conspiracy
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I'm having a media moment...
Are LA and Sydney the two towers ?
Has anyone noticed that the Herald on-line has put up an article by Graham on Dublin ?
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@Rich
Thanks for the extras - I particularly like the quote from Kiley.
Nevertheless, we will do everything within our power to hold the infrastructure companies to account on those Tube improvements they have promised to deliver.
Substitute water, other infrastructure etc. A litany perhaps ?
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I figured this was worth a proper post....
So in other words, doing the Greater London Council thing would do the Govt no favours? Then again, Len Brown doesn't seem to come across as the bolshie 'Red Ken' Livingstone type.
If it were only that simple....
Ken Livingstone in the days of “Red Ken” probably had a role to play in the downfall of the GLC. This piece of history is still an interesting message for the “New Auckland”.
Ken Livingstone has recently received the Labour nomination to run against “Boris the bicycle Johnson” in the next GLA election. It is worth noting that the GLA is a rather different beast to the old GLC. The nominations are highly politicised and I do wonder if the same will come about in Auckland over time.
Joyce (roads) vs Brown (Public Transport) is an interesting standoff indeed – but I agree not on the scale of the old GLC vs. the Tories.
But here’s the bit I really wanted to get to.
How many of Auckland’s mayoral candidates were willing or capable of putting their name to a policy document such as this. Which comes from a man who charges cars to drive into central London; making many "proper" politicians look gutless by comparison.
Where does New Zealand find such a mayor ?
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An ethnic group (or ethnicity) is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, consisting of a common language, a common culture (often including a shared religion) and a tradition of common ancestry (corresponding to a history of endogamy)
Is Bogan or Westie an ethnicity ?
How long before Geek or Aspie can be regarded as an ethinicity ?
There is something about the term and the question that continues to offend me - and not because I have any particular desire to be a "New Zealander". Surely there are btter ways of understanding the needs of groups within a community/nation ?
Will probably end up apologising for this tomorrow.......
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If talent and hard work were the criteria they’d both top the poll (I should disclose that Cathy Casey is an ex-partner of mine - but I wouldn't hold that against her - she's still a good candidate).
For info: Page modified:Monday, 27 September 2010 3:08:45 p.m.
Note: I have no connection with Matt at all, I just happened to be reading the page later than everyone else (as usual).
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i) Am I the only one who goes weak when they hear Cerys talk ?
ii) Tom got a whole lot more authetic for me - hmmm perhaps it's just a Welsh thing...
Thanks anyway Don.
I've gotta say - long before I got my ihate on, the first thing I would uninstall on a PC was quicktime; it came second only to AOL software, anyone remember that ?