NZ Herald columnist Deborah Hill Cone lets John Key and Steven Joyce have it with both barrels in her piece today: Govt’s event-veto powers in SkyCity deal bizarre relating to a ‘bizarre‘ clause in the just-inked SkyCity convention-centre-for-casino-licence-extension-and-hundreds-of-extra-poker-machines deal with the National-led government.
‘GURU FOR THE UNSOPHISTICATED’
I’m a fan of Hill Cone’s writing, as we have discussed before. When she was writing for The National Business Review, she certainly saw Richmastery spruiker Phil Jones for what he was straight away. (That’s her exposé, right.)
Deborah Hill Cone doesn’t suit all tastes. (So what?) It’s worth reading her whole column. But here’s her [scathing] conclusion, if you’re pressed for time:
Just to recap: the Government did a backroom deal with a private casino operator and is now demanding the right to tell the private operator what events it can run there. Talk about the worst of both worlds. You can’t really blame profit-driven SkyCity for trying to get as much as they can out of the Government in this deal – although it was quite absurd for the major listed corporation to describe itself as being “victimised” by the process, the poor petal.
But you can expect the Government to abide by broad principles of transparency and freedom of expression. Sneer all you like at the left-wing devotion to notions of consultation and hand-holding, but that is starting to sound downright appealing in contrast to the Orwellian arrogance of Big Brother, oops Steven Joyce.
Key and Joyce seem to have started to believe their own hype and think they have a divine cult-like power invested in them which they are entitled to exercise without restraint.
It is the principle throwing aside freedom of expression that disturbs me most, but even in practical terms the censorship clause seems bizarre. What kind of events does National think might be held in the multimillion-dollar convention centre that it needs to scupper: “The Secret Terrorists’ Ball”?This clause seems one step away from banning the public’s right to gather and protest. This censorship clause is the classic kind of despotic manoeuvre Muldoon would have tried to pull off at his most power-drunk. The domineering subtext to this is “We run this country and you will do as we tell you”. Well, I won’t.
Right, my Two Minutes’ Hate on John Key is starting now. Care to join?
What’s another word for a belief in “a divine cult-like power invested in them which they are entitled to exercise without restraint.” ??
Wait, it’ll come to me.
– P
I think she’s right … and i dont even like her particularly … most importantly … what do you think Peter …
“Most importantly”??
{snort} As if!
This is an obscure corner of the interwebs, Ivan, frequented by only a few citizens, I’m pretty sure.
Let me just say this: I immediately grasped what Green Party co-leader Russel Norman was referring to when he cited Sir Robert Muldoon’s style and approach in a comparison to how Barbecue John Key has come to operate.
Deborah Hill Cone’s comments, likewise, are plain and easy to comprehend.
Mr Norman seems to me, as I have said before, to be absolutely sincere in his criticism of the Prime Minister’s political style and nakedly partisan behaviour.
Fair enough.
Mr Key will no doubt be familiar with the saying “You can’t please everyone” … and perhaps its corollary, attributed to Abraham Lincoln:
I also thought this headline on a recent Audrey Young article: Key defaults to arrogance in handling of bill criticism was quite reminescent of Rob Muldoon.
There is no taking away from Mr Key’s superb salesman’s skills. He really is a very good communicator — whether he has the intellect for the role of a statesman, or legislator … or not.
As I’ve said, I think the job of National Party leader, even perhaps Prime Minister, is his as long as he wants it.
-P
It pains me to admit … i think Key will be pm for a while longer yet … and it doesnt say much for the voting public .. but its a fair comment on human nature at the racetrack on a summers eve looking at all the pretty horses … and gambling (the future)
Most importantly … snort …. you wound me sir … but yes its true i fibbed …