Rules of engagement for the upcoming elections

[ManDownUnder]

Politicians.
1) Don't shoot at each other. It's an obvious, childish and cheap ploy. Tell us what you're offering - not what the other's aren't/didn't/should have.

Direct comparisons are fine ("They're offering this, we're offering that") but 15 year old conversations and tidbits from person lives and sexual orientation are irrelevant and will be treated accordingly.

2) Answer the questions asked of you. None of this "I just want to say", or 'Let me just tell you this". Answer the question.

If you can't answer a question admit it, and arrange a time when you will have conducted appropriate research to answer the damned question. Don't answer a question poorly, or attempt to waffle your way through...we know you're terrified that no one's fed you the correct answer. Be a grownup and admit it. (thanks Eurygnomes)

3) Keep it orderly. I don't care how you conduct yourselves while Parliament is sitting, you need to act like grown ups out here in the real world.

Speak, one at a time, don't shout each other down, and don't lord over the rest of us like some smug all knowing Demigod. You're not, we know it, and it's time you did too.

4) Don't make promises "If you get into government" or "To be implemented in 4 years". State what your aims and policies are and back them - all the time. Even if you're not in government you should still be pushing for your goals.

Journalists.
1) Ask straight questions. If the questions are loaded in a manner that trap politicians into something they don't intend, expect evasive answers. I don't want evasing answers, so please don't ask leading questions. It starts with you.

2) Repeat the question as often as necessary in order to press point 2 in the Politician section above.
===

If I have missed anything, let me know - I'm sending this to all the major papers on Wednesday. I'm sick of the crap we're being mis fed...

MDU

[Eurygnomes]

If you CAN'T answer a question: admit it, and arrange a time when you will have conducted appropriate research TO answer the damned question. Don't answer a question poorly, or attempt to waffle your way through...we know you're terrified that no one's fed you the correct answer. Be a grownup and admit it.

Otherwise...sounds pretty good MDU.

[Wolf]

Bugger, can't rep MDU til I've spread it about a bit.

Can we organise for those rules to be tattooed on certain foreheads in reversed writing?

[ManDownUnder]

Bugger, can't rep MDU til I've spread it about a bit.

Can we organise for those rules to be tattooed on certain foreheads in reversed writing?

No worries re rep - I'm just sick of the Pollies spinning shit at our expense.. and not SAYING anything... again - at our expense.

[MSTRS:Me]

Politicians.


If I have missed anything, let me know - I'm sending this to all the major papers on Wednesday. I'm sick of the crap we're being mis fed...

MDU

Make sure Winnie gets a copy....he's almost the worst

[ManDownUnder]

Make sure Winnie gets a copy....he's almost the worst

I have to admit, when I wrote the "Let me just tell you this" - it's HIS voice that rings in my head.

I won't disagree with you, but he's not the only culprit...

[Lou Girardin]

You're asking for the very basis of their existence to be changed.
Good Luck!

[ManDownUnder]

You're asking for the very basis of their existence to be changed.
Good Luck!

I hear ya. Isn't it somewhat ironic that we all know this is the case, and yet we accept it?

All I want are straight talking people in charge. I get it here at work, I hope others do too. But put them in charge of a country and they go all "secret squirrel" on you.

Bloody mad - they're all bloody mad - and they're rapidly driving me in that direction too!

edit - I'm actually asking the voting public to be AWARE of their very basis of the Politicians existance... and then to question it.

[SPman]

- Put all politicians, aspirants, wannbes and journalists in large crate and ship to the Auckland Islands
- Allow one press release each per week until the elections
- Let the populace decide and vote without ANY interference from the media et al
- after elections, allow them all to return , by boat
- tragically have boat sink leaving island.

[idb]

Make sure Winnie gets a copy....he's almost the worst

Well that's just what I would come to expect from the likes of you signwriters.
You turn up here unprepared, with only second, third or fourth-hand information that you accept as gospel and start telling me what I'm really trying to say!
When will you people realise that these news conferences aren't about you and your personal, pre-prepared agendas? They should be about informing the people of New Zealand of the choices they need to consider in an impartial and erudite manner.
Now, how about you get back to me when you have a question that just might contain a kernel of independent thought.



(PT, I don't think he really has anything against signwriters)

[mstriumph]

It should be a condition of employment that, should a polly not keep an election promise within a reasonable time frame when s/he gets into power, then the employment contract is void and s/he has to hand back his/her lurks/perks/keys to the golden trough and depart from thence forthwith ........... yeah - i'd like to see that ....

[scumdog]

Politicians.
1) Don't shoot at each other. It's an obvious, childish and cheap ploy. Tell us what you're offering - not what the other's aren't/didn't/should have.

Direct comparisons are fine ("They're offering this, we're offering that") but 15 year old conversations and tidbits from person lives and sexual orientation are irrelevant and will be treated accordingly.

2) Answer the questions asked of you. None of this "I just want to say", or 'Let me just tell you this". Answer the question.

If you can't answer a question admit it, and arrange a time when you will have conducted appropriate research to answer the damned question. Don't answer a question poorly, or attempt to waffle your way through...we know you're terrified that no one's fed you the correct answer. Be a grownup and admit it. (thanks Eurygnomes)

3) Keep it orderly. I don't care how you conduct yourselves while Parliament is sitting, you need to act like grown ups out here in the real world.

Speak, one at a time, don't shout each other down, and don't lord over the rest of us like some smug all knowing Demigod. You're not, we know it, and it's time you did too.

4) Don't make promises "If you get into government" or "To be implemented in 4 years". State what your aims and policies are and back them - all the time. Even if you're not in government you should still be pushing for your goals.

Journalists.
1) Ask straight questions. If the questions are loaded in a manner that trap politicians into something they don't intend, expect evasive answers. I don't want evasing answers, so please don't ask leading questions. It starts with you.

2) Repeat the question as often as necessary in order to press point 2 in the Politician section above.
===

If I have missed anything, let me know - I'm sending this to all the major papers on Wednesday. I'm sick of the crap we're being mis fed...

MDU

"Tell 'em 'es dreamin'" (The Castle".

It's what WE want but exactly NOT what they want..

[forty two]

It should be a condition of employment that, should a polly not keep an election promise within a reasonable time frame when s/he gets into power, then the employment contract is void and s/he has to hand back his/her lurks/perks/keys to the golden trough and depart from thence forthwith ........... yeah - i'd like to see that ....

or.... if by some accidental miscalulation, a Politician actually does what he/she promises in an election campaign, we coul........... oh hang on, what's the precedent here? um, er, um not sure what we could do

[parsley]

Politicians.
1) Don't shoot at each other.

Actually, I'd quite like to see that - with real guns, of course.

[myvice]

Actually, I'd quite like to see that - with real guns, of course.

Bloody great big guns! And bayonets when they run out of ammo!
And mines! Lots and lots of them! Stuck on the Beehive doors!
Grenades too! Phosphorus ones!
Mmmmmm, flame-throwers!