And um, carry the one...
We'll admit to just a soupçon of geekiness here at LawsWatch HQ (in a cave somewhere behind the water tower), so we find stuff this like this fascinating:
What is it, you ask? It's a mathematical formula which calculates exactly how much it costs to buy a vote.
Now we're not certain that the Diva's grasp of algebraic notation is any better than that possessed by LawsWatch, but we're sure he's figured it out instinctually as we head towards the lolly scramble that's known as Buy-election day.
No candidates have yet come out of the woodwork – hardly surprising given nominations don’t close for a month.
So far talk about town has been of Phillipa Baker-Hogan and Allan Anderson as possible Vision contenders, and John Martin, Margaret Campion and Carla Donson as challengers. Jodie Dalgliesh is frequently mentioned but is thought to be unlikely to be interested.
Obviously it’s no coincidence that GK Taylor’s resignation was withheld till September 30 because that meant the election could not be scheduled till after the Christmas/New Year holiday period. And that the first available date would be February 10.
So, that means that nominations don’t close till practically Christmas Eve – when everyone’s mind is on other things, if indeed they’re even in Wanganui. We’ll be hearing a lot of Laws-fuelled Bread and Circuses propaganda for the referendumb items and for the Boxing Day Jimmy Barnes Concert, the January 24 River Queen Premiere, and last but not least the Mayoral Mile to be held on February 11, the last day for voting.
Then of course the Diva has announced that the candidates will be listed on the same tick-the-box form as the referendumb issues, just so there will be no doubt that this is the pork-barrel buy-election of the century.
Here are the by-election dates:25 November 2005 Nominations open 23 December 2005 Nominations close/roll closes 20-25 January 2006 Delivery of voting documents 11 February 2006 Noon, voting closes
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18 comments:
A large field of candidates would be exactly what Vision wants.
In a straight contest between John Martin and a Vision candidate, John would win comfortably, but in a split vote anything could happen.
So, what can we do to prevent that split field effect?
Oh, Michael, please don't come back with your well iterated (on this blog) views on Jodie's suitability as a candidate.
We're all adults here and we don't get sucked in by your bullshit.
Yes, let's discuss our tactics where Michael can read them, shall we. That'll work.
With the damage Laws has done to the Vision brand, any candidate they put up will lose. In a field of 10 I'd expect them to come 9th, just in front of Frog.
And all the smart candidates will avoid Laws like a disease. He's a jonah to any candidate he endorses.
as anyone heard anything of Phillip Bunke-Once-Was-Sports-Star since she slid onto the DHB with a Vision ticket?
Have I missed something, or is the Chron not interested in DHB meetings?
anon - Anonymous said...
And all the smart candidates will avoid Laws like a disease. He's a jonah to any candidate he endorses.
6:12 PM, October 25, 2005
So how smart is Allan Anderson, do we think?
And we must of course be prepared for Michael to remind us here that Margaret Campion is the widow of his old mate Cam and blah blah blah. I particualr anonymickey post with the contempt it deserves.
Yeah, along with his inevitable and transparent comments on Jodie.
Sorry that should read:
And we must of course be prepared for Michael to remind us here that Margaret Campion is the widow of his old mate Cam and blah blah blah. I vote we treat that particular anonymickey post with the contempt it deserves.
Mickey says his cheerleader banner's going to stay outside his office, so it looks like Ray gets his stand-off after all. And once again Dotty looks completely irrelevant.
Why wouldn't the banner stay there. Why would Dot want to move it because one person didn't like it. Haven't we got more important things to think about. Pretty quiet in here.
Uh huh - looks like Mickey's back and in here amongst the good folk of Wanga.
Why don't you piss off back across the ditch, arsehole.
Obviously we don't have a reformist deputy mare with a reformist agenda endorsed by the good folk of Wanganui. Pity about that, eh Mickey?
The cat's been away but now it's back, spraying all over the diVision porch.
Now, Dotty, where is that bucket of soapy water?
Helpful tips for deputy mares from www.catclub.net:
How do I stop my cat for spraying around the house?
Spraying is usually a territorial thing. There may be a reason why your cat feels the need to spray? e.g any other animals that visit? First you need to clean the area with biological detergent e.g washing powder followed by sugical spirit. Dont use bleach, it contains ammonia also found in cat urine. This might help to deter him returning to the scent. You could try putting some cat food on the ground where he sprays, this could make him feel more secure and they tend not to spray around their food. Dry would be good, if he eats it. Don't punish him, this can increase anxieties which could result in an increase of spraying. There is a vaporisor callled feliway which you can plug-in. It releases cat hormones called pheromones which are supposed to relax the cat and reduce this sort of behaviour. It can be purchased from the vet.
Finally, neutering of a tom cat can help stop spraying.
Check the photo in the Chron. Notice what Mickey's banner is leaning against. Is this guy for real? In any event, there's a simple solution: if you leave your junk lying around on Whanganui public property, Mickey, it's going to get thrown away.
Hey thanks - I'm not Michael Laws and I haven't been across the ditch. Phew, there are some foul-mouthed bloggers in here. Why are you angry? Life is good in Wangas.
If you want to see anger, Michael, you drop in at 101 Guyton St sometime - other engagements permitting, of course.
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