Vote for me, but you're too dumb to understand why

[Tazz]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11395177


Prime Minister John Key has dismissed Eleanor Catton's criticisms of his government, saying they should not be given any more credence than those of the Mad Butcher or Richie McCaw.

The Luminaries author and Man Booker Prize winner attracted controversy last week after comments she made at the Jaipur Literary Festival in India were published on the Live Mint news website.

She said she was angry with the Government's treatment of the arts and the country's "neoliberal, profit-obsessed, very shallow, very money-hungry politicians".

"I feel uncomfortable being an ambassador for my country when my country is not doing as much as it could, especially for the intellectual world," she said.

Appearing on TVNZ's Breakfast show this morning, Mr Key said Catton's views on politics shouldn't be taken any differently than those of any other New Zealander.

"She has no particular great insights into politics, she is a fictional writer. I have great respect for her as a fictional writer [sic]."

Mr Key conceded he had read some, but not all of the Luminaries.

What a crock. How is he an expert on politics then? Wasn't he a commerce major!?!

How can someone whose profession is in 'the arts' not be in a position to comment on her on experience? She'd know a damn sight more about it than our dear leader that's for sure.
So he blabs a shit attempt to discredit someone with a negative viewpoint of his government, and puts a cherry on top by contradicting himself by saying he has great respect for her as a writer, having never read any off her books. He's like Bush junior with an NZ accent or something.

Usually give politics a wide berth as a rule because you can watch a better run circus when Cirque du Soleil is in town, but this struck a bit of a nerve. If she had positive things to say they would be lapping up her 'knowledgeable insights' no doubt.

[SPman]

Mr Key conceded he had read some, but not all of the Luminaries.Didn't he say something along the lines of "The Luminaries is OK, but the Lord of the Rings is a better New Zealand novel".......:brick:

[unstuck]

I think finally people are beginning to see just what an arse the dude is. About time.:niceone:

[mashman]

She deals in fiction.

[Tazz]

She deals in fiction.

I didn't realize life experience is fiction, and that you're not entitled to voice your own opinion on politics relevant to those experiences unless you are a political correspondent.


I think finally people are beginning to see just what an arse the dude is. About time.:niceone:

Can't say I've ever been a fan, but saying the voice of the people you're leading holds no weight is pretty low even for him.
Not an eye opening event by any means, just hit a nerve so cashed in my KB rant quota for the day :laugh:.

[mashman]

I didn't realize life experience is fiction, and that you're not entitled to voice your own opinion on politics relevant to those experiences unless you are a political correspondent.

One should never mix the two as it causes obvious confusion.

[Tazz]

Oh, the irony in the thread title.

:facepalm:

Thankfully you're here to point it out. It would be difficult to eat soup without any spoons around.

[James Deuce]

John Key said Eleanor Catton doesn't exist. Anything to keep Sabin out of the news.

[oldrider]

John Key said Eleanor Catton doesn't exist. Anything to keep Sabin out of the news.
True - but:-

John Key might not exist after the next election - three terms up and media dwelling on every "little" word - we (NZ electorate) only ever vote people and parties OUT!

I feel a change coming on! :yes:

Key will of course become Sir John as a sweetener on the way out! :first:

[Banditbandit]

She deals in fiction.

She has a lot in common with DonKey then ...

[mashman]

She has a lot in common with DonKey then ...

heh... wouldn't that be futures ;)

[Tazz]

http://www.metromag.co.nz/metro-archive/key-pledges-36m-eleanor-catton-defend-booker-prize/

http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/1768140/81261988.jpg

[bluninja]

Has anyone read what Richie McCaw or the Mad Butcher have to say about the government?

[Tazz]

Has anyone read what Richie McCaw or the Mad Butcher have to say about the government?

Sorry, but you're not actually entitled to an opinion on any of this because you're not a political correspondent or a politician, so you don't know what you're talking about and your opinion on anything is worthless. But thanks for voting! :bleh:

Haven't seen anything around from either of them being critical of the government, but even so if they wished to comment on the it in relation to their field then so be it, they're both successful in their chosen professions to boot so would no doubt have some interesting insights.

Whether their views hold any weight is up to yourself.

[bluninja]

Sorry, but you're not actually entitled to an opinion on any of this because you're not a political correspondent or a politician, so you don't know what you're talking about and your opinion on anything is worthless. But thanks for voting! :bleh:

Haven't seen anything around from either of them being critical of the government, but even so if they wished to comment on the it in relation to their field then so be it, they're both successful in their chosen professions to boot so would no doubt have some interesting insights.

Whether their views hold any weight is up to yourself.

I wonder if John Key has read their books?

[mashman]

[CENTER]http://www.metromag.co.nz/metro-archive/key-pledges-36m-eleanor-catton-defend-booker-prize/

That's a lot of money for a book.

[mashman]

Has anyone read what Richie McCaw or the Mad Butcher have to say about the government?

One was reported as saying: "Bro, government is easy as, as it's all crouch, touch, pause and engage.".

The other was reported as saying: "Bro, government is easy as, as I'm used to handling meat once I've removed my hand from its arse.".

2 strong candidates there.

[Oscar]

"Consumerism, requiring its products to be both endlessly desirable and endlessly disposable, cannot make sense of art, which is neither.”

[Banditbandit]

I wonder if John Key can read their books?

Fixed that for you

[Banditbandit]

"Consumerism, requiring its products to be both endlessly desirable and endlessly disposable, cannot make sense of art, which is neither.”

OSCAR .. my favourite grouch .. happy new year .. where you been ???

[Oscar]

OSCAR .. my favourite grouch .. happy new year .. where you been ???

I did a lap around the South Island, mainly on tracks and gravel roads, only fell off once...

[Banditbandit]

I did a lap around the South Island, mainly on tracks and gravel roads, only fell off once...

Awesome ... obviously you and the bike survived the fall

[Oscar]

Awesome ... obviously you and the bike survived the fall

Oh yeah, both me and my long suffering KTM are used to going flat side up...

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Gentlemans-Adventure-2010/i-zD2CcJr/0/L/P1010129-L.jpg

There was a picture of me in Kiwi Rider a coupla years ago underneath the 950...

[Banditbandit]

Oh yeah, both me and my long suffering KTM are used to going flat side up...


Awesome pic ...



There was a picture of me in Kiwi Rider a coupla years ago underneath the 950...

Sorry - I don't subscribe ..

[Oscar]

Sorry - I don't subscribe ..

That's OK, they never pay me.

What have you been up to?

[Banditbandit]

That's OK, they never pay me.

What have you been up to?

Same shit different day at work ... did a bit of cruising (well, maybe a little fast to be called cruising) over the Xmas break .. gone fishing ... started to cut the winter firewood ... beat my flower garden into some kind of shape ...

Nothing hugely exciting.

[Oscar]

Same shit different day at work ... did a bit of cruising (well, maybe a little fast to be called cruising) over the Xmas break .. gone fishing ... started to cut the winter firewood ... beat my flower garden into some kind of shape ...

Nothing hugely exciting.

When we got back from Pig Island, we went up norf for a few days.
Dargaville, you gotta love it.

[Banditbandit]

When we got back from Pig Island, we went up norf for a few days.
Dargaville, you gotta love it.

Aargh .. you're making me jealous .. I'm stuck at work .. I'd rather be riding into Dargaville ..

[Oscar]

Aargh .. you're making me jealous .. I'm stuck at work .. I'd rather be riding into Dargaville ..

What a great place.

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/GA-ii-2015/i-mtV7MS5/0/L/IMG_2250-L.jpg
Need to do more riding up there.
Stayed at the Northern Wairoa Hotel - cheap and cheerful, with "interesting" locals...

[Woodman]

When we got back from Pig Island, we went up norf for a few days.
Dargaville, you gotta love it.

Where I grew up, pig Island is the North Island. Funny that.

[unstuck]

Funny, I always thought pig island was in lake Wakatipu.:niceone:

[Banditbandit]

What a great place.

Need to do more riding up there.
Stayed at the Northern Wairoa Hotel - cheap and cheerful, with "interesting" locals...

At work again .. and even more jealous now ..