1 Dec with Kanwaljit Bakshi National Papatoetoe

[dpex]

Although English scurried away before I got to have a go at him...not that such would have achieved a great deal.... it was actually a most informative evening; at least for me.

I got the opportunity for some quite lengthy one-on-ones with Cam Calder, Melissa Lee, Kanwaljit himself, and sundry hanger-on bureaucrats.

I was amazed at how little thought the back-benchers (mentioned above) have put into the ramifications of the ACC issue. I suspect that after a few minutes of me bending their ears, they were similarly surprised at their lack of understanding of the wider picture.

Also got a chance for a bit of a laugh. I was standing at the front of the circle surrounding English. He had two DPS guys in tow. One looked fairly relaxed and a little bored. But the other was a picture of committed restlessness, ready to leap in front of English to "take the bullet" so to speak.

Anyway, I gained eye-contact with him on several occasions and did a wee stare-down competition. The first-to-look-away score was fairly even.

But in my leathers I was getting atrociously hot and a rather malicious thought crossed my mind. I gained eye-contact with the guy again, then slowly slipped my hand into my jacket as I stared at him. In his imagination my hand could have been going for anything and he started to look very concerned.

Holding his stare my hand returned with my fags and lighter, prior to shucking off my jacket.

Bugger me! He almost smiled at the little poke.

Although there were but ONLY 12 of us, committed protesters, we made our presence felt.

However, the main things I learned tonight was were two. First, the back-benchers have way more to lose from public approbrium than do cabinet ministers. Thus it is they upon whom we should mount a veritable tidal wave of complaint and information. It would be most helpful to keep reminding the back-benchers exactly how tenuous is their position, and that their failure to help their electorates over-turn the whole ACC debacle could cost them their seat come the next election.

Second; I got the distinct impression they recognised their tenuous positions.

And so, please feel free to write to Cam and Melissa. They assert they await your communications. cam.caldermp@govt.co.nz. Melissa.lee@Govt.co.nz bakshi.mp@govt.co.nz.

Sadly, Kanjalit's English is not that hot, so keep the words simple.

Interestingly, he is a significant target in whom to instill electoral fear. The place was wall-to-wall Indians, and one speaker proudly asserted that the entire population of Mainland India would be proud of their son who is first-ever Sikh MP in New Zealand. So he has a shit-load more than just his fancy income to lose should he lose the next elections.

[mikeey01]

He had two DPS guys in tow. One looked fairly relaxed and a little bored. But the other was a picture of committed restlessness, ready to leap in front of English to "take the bullet" so to speak.
I gained eye-contact with the guy again, then slowly slipped my hand into my jacket as I stared at him. In his imagination my hand could have been going for anything and he started to look very concerned.

Holding his stare my hand returned with my fags and lighter, prior to shucking off my jacket.

Bugger me! He almost smiled at the little poke.

lol, stop it I'm jealous!

dpex, tops marks for being there though man.

[Pedrostt500]

I am certain that there is a training manual for all politicians, it says somewhere in it, " If some one tries to tell you something you don't realy want to hear, seem interested, and surprised, that you havn't heard any thing about it, Promis to look into it when you get back to your office", then promptly forget anything about it.
Keep in mind that Politicians regardless of party are Profesional BULL SHIT ARTISTS.

[Ixion]

Cam Calder was there , he's definately genuine.

Melissa Lee *seemed* receptive to argument.

However, they're both only (fairly low ranking) list MPs.

We need to get a Cabinet minister onside.

[short-circuit]

We need to get a Cabinet minister onside.

Was that a serious comment?

[325rocket]

Melissa Lee *seemed* receptive to argument.

but do you really want her on your side???

[Ixion]

Was that a serious comment?

Yes. But the only possibility I can think of is Peter Dunne. Have we been neglecting this resource?

[short-circuit]

Have we been neglecting this resource?

Good old "common-sense"...can't think of a better candidate....to neglect

[gijoe1313]

Yes, rather a nice sedate gathering of motorsickling enthusaniasists ... like dpex, was rather bemused with the praetorian bodyguard and I had my fun ... scratching my nose ... pause ... reach down ... reach up ... scratch nose ... beady eyes wondering if I had WMDs at my disposal

I was impressed with the unity that the different religions and races had reached and their accord to try and get representation.

Other than that, just the usual pressing of the flesh and talking to a few more polis ...

Need more bikers people! Need more bikers at these things!

Kudos to those who turned up!

[Conquiztador]

Yes, rather a nice sedate gathering of motorsickling enthusaniasists ...

Need more bikers people! Need more bikers at these things!

The solution is simple: Provide a "I was there" badge and we will come in droves. And give T-shirts with date, place and occasion a consideration too...

And add a band or two and throw in a wet T comp and we won't leave.

[gijoe1313]

The solution is simple: Provide a "I was there" badge and we will come in droves. And give T-shirts with date, place and occasion a consideration too...

And add a band or two and throw in a wet T comp and we won't leave.

Shizen! I missed out on that? Screw protesting at silly poli back slapping meets! :slap:

[scissorhands]

Finding out when and where these protests occur, isnt always easy on this site.

A resource page that looks like a diary would make it easier for people to get along to them.

[FastBikeGear]

Great comments already from the guys that were there.

When Les pointed out to Melissa how the ACC changes could affect the voting of a major block of voters she looked shocked and suprised (she visibly blanched) and suddenly started taking a lot more interest in the discussion. Well done Les!

As Dpex says the marginal MP's are definitely a worthy pressure point. Some of them can be made to see that they could well loose their seats over teh ACC issue.

Cam and Melissa were very generous with their time. Talking and listening to each of us in turn. We each got the chance to put well reasoned arguments to them.

Cam seemed to have some knowledge of what was going on, but hasn't looked into any of the numbers being quoted. (He claims to be a motorcycle nut and apparently once had an AJS in his lounge).

Melissa didn't seem to know anything other than what you might read in the papers. She's definitely hasn't been posing any questions to herself over the ACC issues.

I wondered if their job was to talk to us and keep us occupied so that we didn't upset the proceedings.

The Indian community showed us great hospitality and were very concerned that we might do something to disrupt their event. Several of them came over to speak to me. One of them asked that I do nothing to upset the procedings. (I was almost flattered that they could think I would be a likely troublemaker). Several owned motorcycles but were not up on the play. We all showed great respect for their event no shouting, etc. I was really impressed with how they treated us.

In fact their was a lot of respect all around.

I was a bit amused that the police asked all of us to produce our licenses (which we all willingly complied with) and wrote down our details. Dpex asked if they would be asking everyone else there to produce their licenses. They asked me to move away from the entrance as it was only for registered guests. I pointed out that I was a registered guest and they let me be.

[klingon]

...

I was a bit amused that the police asked all of us to produce our licenses (which we all willingly complied with) and wrote down our details. Dpex asked if they would be asking everyone else there to produce their licenses. They asked me to move away from the entrance as it was only for registered guests. I pointed out that I was a registered guest and they let me be.

Interesting! Surely they had no grounds for requesting your details! You should have said, "yes, I will give you my license details when you request the same from every other guest in this room."

Definitely sounds like "pick on bikers" day to me.

[FastBikeGear]

Interesting! Surely they had no grounds for requesting your details! You should have said, "yes, I will give you my license details when you request the same from every other guest in this room."

Definitely sounds like "pick on bikers" day to me.

Yes I could have refused legally as in NZ we are not required to cover proof of identity and I could have easily said I arrived as a pillion and they wouldn't have been any the wiser. However I could see no reason why not to.

I guess that they felt it was prudent policing to ask in case I suddenly acted criminally. They asked nicely and besides the female police officer present just had one of those smiles I couldn't say no to!