Nicky Hager

[Katman]

A valid response IMHO is that the Left politicians and bloggers are equally nasty and vindictive.

Are you including the Green Party in that observation?

I would be surprised if the Greens conducted themselves in anything like the manner that the two major parties do. The worst I can think of off-hand was a Green candidate describing Judith Collins as 'Muldoon in make-up'.

I thought it was a rather amusing comparison but the candidate was still censured by their party for the statement.

[Woodman]

Are you including the Green Party in that observation?

I would be surprised if the Greens conducted themselves in anything like the manner that the two major parties do. The worst I can think of off-hand was a Green candidate describing Judith Collins as 'Muldoon in make-up'.

I thought it was a rather amusing comparison but the candidate was still censured by their party for the statement.

A bloody good reason to not vote for the Greens. They got no fight in them.

Just imagine them running a country. Good lobby group and thats about it.

[SPman]

As for caring about your fellow man, you make the mistake typical of the left in claiming that anyone of a different persuasion cares less than you do.

Not at all - there used to be a tradition of caring for your fellow man among many conservative supporters - there undoubtedly still is - but it's become drowned out in a wave of... ideological extremism? that seems to cast aside the welfare of the general population in favour of vested interest groups. This is happening to both major parties - it's not an exclusively right thing - the left are becoming more authoritarian right as well - witness UK's "new labour" - more right wing than the old tory party, and the US Democrats - more right than the old republican party.
Party politics could be seen to be a toxic miasma hanging over most "political" actions and beliefs.

[scott411]

Are you including the Green Party in that observation?

I would be surprised if the Greens conducted themselves in anything like the manner that the two major parties do. The worst I can think of off-hand was a Green candidate describing Judith Collins as 'Muldoon in make-up'.

I thought it was a rather amusing comparison but the candidate was still censured by their party for the statement.

They admitted last election their supporters were burning and defacing election signs, would not be a big leap to see them doing this as well,

[Katman]

They admitted last election their supporters were burning and defacing election signs, would not be a big leap to see them doing this as well,

If they condoned or endorsed the actions of their supporters in burning and defacing those election signs you might have a point Scott.

Admitting and endorsing are two totally different things though.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11301417

[Yow Ling]

either's good with me :. I think he is in a committed relationship though. How about you though? Wanna get it on?

Are you going to leave your Bhurka on ?

[MisterD]

Admitting and endorsing are two totally different things though.

Funny we never see anything like this from them, then. Plausible deniability and all that...

https://www.facebook.com/davidseymou...54380331293384

[oldrider]

Not at all - there used to be a tradition of caring for your fellow man among many conservative supporters - there undoubtedly still is - but it's become drowned out in a wave of... ideological extremism? that seems to cast aside the welfare of the general population in favour of vested interest groups. This is happening to both major parties - it's not an exclusively right thing - the left are becoming more authoritarian right as well - witness UK's "new labour" - more right wing than the old tory party, and the US Democrats - more right than the old republican party.
Party politics could be seen to be a toxic miasma hanging over most "political" actions and beliefs.

There used to be a tradition ... absolutely correct ... there used to be!

In NZ Rob Muldoon led the charge to the opposite side of the spectrum and since that time the political mix and match has gradually gone burserk!

There is no tradition any more and voters are beginning to realise this!

NZ politicians loyalties are now largely interchangeable! (flexible?)

The final outcome of any MMP election is never obvious until the parties and politicians with the most ticks of approval form an alliance to govern!

Pre election promises to constituents become meaningless as they trade agreements and loyalties with each other in order to form power groups!

When majority power groups are forming a government the last thing on their mind would be traditional allegiances with their electorates.

They are too busy building allegiances and loyalties within the new ruling alliance to be held back by traditional loyalties to voters, well for three more years anyway!

The outcome of all of this is what Hager et al are now calling "dirty politics"! .... Well hello, welcome to MMP!

[Katman]

Funny we never see anything like this from them, then. Plausible deniability and all that...

What, are you upset that the Greens haven't posted a statement on Facebook?

Is that fact that they haven't, supposed to confirm some sort of admission of guilt?

[MisterD]

What, are you upset that the Greens haven't posted a statement on Facebook?

Is that fact that they haven't, supposed to confirm some sort of admission of guilt?

That they've made no attempt to influence their supporters on that front? Yep. Plus when you get the leader's Brother-in-law glorifying the defacement of National billboards and add it to the usual Green sanctimonious hypocrisy...

[Katman]

That they've made no attempt to influence their supporters on that front? Yep. Plus when you get the leader's Brother-in-law glorifying the defacement of National billboards and add it to the usual Green sanctimonious hypocrisy...

Dude, defacing billboards has been occurring since before the Green party even existed.

To suggest that political parties have the ability to police the actions of their supporters is rather naive.

[Oscar]

Dude, defacing billboards has been occurring since before the Green party even existed.

To suggest that political parties have the ability to police the actions of their supporters is rather naive.

+1 I was doing it in 1978.

[MisterD]

To suggest that political parties have the ability to police the actions of their supporters is rather naive.

There's a vast gulf between "policing the actions" of supporters and attempting to show a bit of leadership, which they seem incredibly disinclined to try.

[mada]

So how do we all stand on Judith Collins as a Minister of the Crown (now of Justice, Acc etc) leaking a public servants name and details such as phone numbers to Whale Oil who then published an attack rant on the person (that was false) that resulted in that person receiving death threats?

How often does that occur?

[mada]

There's a vast gulf between "policing the actions" of supporters and attempting to show a bit of leadership, which they seem incredibly disinclined to try.

How about policing the actions of your own Ministers?