Monday, September 18, 2006

Mickey makes an ass of himself

LawsWatch got it wrong.

We'd always held that the Mayor's lycra-clad pavement-pounding was due to to nothing more than simple vanity - the typical response of an aging roue to the vicissitudes of age. We were wrong.

Clearly, the hours spent negotiating the often cracked footpaths of Wanganui (who needs to walk safely when we'll all soon be able to swim further?!) have but one purpose - the reduction in size of the Mayoral derriere, thus facilitating more effective ass-covering.

After all, when one is as prone to bouts of discursive dysentry as is Michael Laws, then protecting the source of the outbreak becomes critical. Hence the "small target" strategy.

If we may be forgiven for extending the analogy for one more paragraph as Watchers gag over their evening gruel, Mickey has spent the past week digging himself an ever-deeper latrine while at the same time filling it.

First, he attempted to
cite everyone from the CIA to... well, himself... to justify his "fat brown slug" comments. Apparently half a day pretending to be a "celebrity" on a TV show makes one an authority on the region in which the show took place. On that basis, winner of the first "Survivor" Richard Hatch ought to be being cited as an expert on Malaysia rather than cited in multiple counts of charity fraud.

When that didn't work, there was the
usual spray in the Sunday Star Times in which he accuses Tonga of practising:

"...institutionalised sexism..."
What, like the regular abuse of female staff, to the extent of allegedly calling one a "useless c___"?

"...the cowering of the independent media..."
As opposed, say, to the fiercely independent River City Press and the Chron?

"...and the domination of the cabinet by royal appointees."
Step forward, Sir Nigelwho, Spin Fairly Mk II et al.

No, that wasn't going to wash either. So the
latest Mayoral e-coli is classic Lawsian spin, claiming to have "learned a few lessons" while making it plain he's done no such thing. "Some places are so insular, that if you criticise their leader then you insult the whole country", Mickey marvels. Well, duhhh. Remember the time your mentor and role model Rob Muldoon called US President Jimmy Carter a "peanut farmer", Mickey? And all those "insular" Americans - including those opposed to Carter - took umbrage?

It's basic human nature - we rally round our leaders in times of crisis, and while we may delight in insulting them ourselves, woe betide the "outsider" who does so. Which explains why Bush's approval ratings stayed as high as they did for as long as they did and why Joe Lieberman no longer has political career. But so much of people's basic humanity seems to escape Mickey's understanding, for reasons we will leave it to the experts to speculate upon.


The fact that Michael Laws, Mayor-of-someplace-most-people-have-never-heard-of, draws parallels between himself and Pope Benedict might be something else they could take into account.

Mickey's second, implied, defence - that he's merely standing up for his oppressed Tongan brothers and sisters - doesn't stand up to much scrutiny either. Yes, Tongans are generally poor, and the distribution of income shows much greater disparity than amongst New Zealanders. But it's
not that different to all Pacific Islanders. We await his attacks on the leaders of the Samoan, Cook Islands, Tokelaun, Fijian and Niuean peoples. Or his efforts to redress these inequities. Guess which road he's most likely to take.

Important as it is, don't let the Tongan tizz distract you (as it's possibly meant to) from the rest of the e-coli. Wanganui Gas - and today's top secret meeting thereon - gets a passing mention. It is, Mickey regally informs us, a "very important meeting and will have a great deal of influence upon the financial future of our district".

Although these machinations are of "of some commercial delicacy", we can presumably rest assured that Dotty and the Dwarves are more than capable of grasping the full long-term fiscal ramifications of whatever secret proposal they're being asked to consider. And that the King of Tonga will make a posthumous visit to Wanganui to promote the benefits of Xenical.

As the gas leaks, we'll be sure and keep you posted.

Comments on this post are now closed.

103 comments:

Anonymous said...

'Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr Scullion has been asked by the High Commissioner of Canada to attend the funeral of the late His Majesty King Tarfa'ahau Tupoa IV in Tonga on Tuesday as the representative of the Canadian Government.'


Now the High Commissioner was suppose to meet with 'business' people in Wanganui ... I wonder what they will chat about when he reschedules.?

Anonymous said...

Democracy?? Where??


What's the difference between the King of Tonga and Michael Laws?


Michael jogs.

Anonymous said...

As a response to the current shameless exercise in self-promotion undertaken by mayor mickey I was moved to think of purchasing a suitable item from the LawsWatch store-- a pair of boxer shorts, say.
And I would do so providing the logo were suitably placed, placed that is in the lower middle of the back, permitting the wearer to put one's anatomy to good use whenever seated.

Anonymous said...

Just heard TV1 commentator say it's not a good time to be a pig in Tonga right now.

He could have added it's not a good time to be a Mickey Mouse Mayor or his supporters in Tonga, Wanganui or anywhere else right now.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to reopen a comment from the previous item but how I laughed when I read this...

"There is a lot of bluecollar support in Wanganui for his views if my plumber is any indication."

Classic! We may as well all give up now! The plumber has spoken!

A few more call outs to unblock your 3-ply blocked orific... office and your mate may change his mind Flaws.

Anonymous said...

Here's an article from the Listener that brought 2 questions to mind.

1. Why did Michael boast about his new fab council and their piercings and tattos if he thinks like this (below)
2. Is country-bashing the best way to get noticed?

So tell us Michael... where is she pierced? ooh oooh go on!!!
--------------------------
Body piercing and skin decoration: “It’s ‘slut-fashion’, isn’t it? You’d have to call it slut fashion. I mean, these girls are saying, ‘I’m available’ … aren’t they? ‘I’m raunchy … I’m promiscuous. I’ll do it.’” A caller doesn’t quite agree. “I had a girlfriend with quite a few body-piercings in unusual places …” A breathless pause from Laws … “Where were they? Where was she pierced?” The caller doesn’t respond. “No, I was trying to say she was a lovely person and …” Laws interrupts: “No, where were they? Where was the most unusual one? Tell me.” I could almost hear the sound of salivation behind the microphone. Oh yes, this stuff will pull an audience, I suppose. But advertisers may do well to ponder what sort of audience.

The following day, Laws cast his net wider and went international. He wished that he had never been to Johannesburg, he told a South African caller. It was the worst, most disgusting place on Earth. Did you know that 2000 babies and toddlers are raped every year in that god-awful country, because these men – these animals – think it’s a cure for the AIDS virus. “This is their culture. Yeah, culture. It’s ‘trash

culture’. I’m not having a bar of these trash cultures.”

Good luck, Michael. Is it just me, or is this the sort of radio that prompts the desire for a shower?
------------------------------
continues....
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3332/tvradio/1638/laws_of_the_jungle.html;jsessionid=ACB783E58EE887AEB550B6502AE0DE27

Anonymous said...

A little birdie tells me there could be some interesting happenings in Guyton St on Tues.

Anonymous said...

Q. What's the difference between MickeyMayor and the Pope?

A. The Pope doesn't get to spread his crap on the WDC website at Wanganui ratepayers expense.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like it’s bye-bye to a chunk of Wanganui Gas … and the start of a new campaign against anyone who disagrees.

“‘But I can assure the public of Wanganui that it’s a decision that virtually will be in the best interests of every ratepayer in our city and that when the public information is made known no-one will disagree.’

Mr Laws said he couldn’t confirm or deny if the sale of Wanganui Gas was one of the decisions.:

Is that the same sort of “public information” that the suckers were fed on Councillor Numbers cost savings … swimming pool extension costs … river walkway developments … etc etc ?

Anonymous said...

Wonder how the AGM at the Vision camp went last night? Sounds like Mr Bob might of got a spanking!

Anonymous said...

Go the Plumber. My mother-in-law tells me the elderly members of her large card group all agree with the Mayor over the flag business. Most people do.

Anonymous said...

Michael Laws is a dick

Anonymous said...

That’s a nice cartoon Lawswatch but shouldn’t it be Mickey’s “celebrity” career as well as his political career that’s being buried in this most ignominious couple of weeks?

It’s safe to assume Julie Christie (of Touchdown) won’t be best pleased with Mickey’s latest foot-in-mouth episode. No doubt thanks to him she and her stable of minor-celebs will be persona non grata right round the Pacific … apart from the fact that he’s such a national embarrassment (the Herald said so) that he’d be a liability even at Prime HQ in the wilds of Albania.

So it’s a safe bet that she won’t be in any hurry to feed him any more taxpayer money to spray his the contents of his potty mind on our tv screens, even with the seven-second button at hand

Anonymous said...

Has anyone else seen the flyers up in the cafe's?

Anonymous said...

Nygllhuw just couldn't handle the pressure! I understand he has left the Vision coven for pastures greener. Gone gone ...... Gone......

Anonymous said...

Mickey, the self aggradising loon and part time mayor of wanganui, said:

"One of the great sins of this country is its unyielding political correctness."

So, our sin is that we have taken offense at the plop of a racist clown.

Then, "But onto more relevant and, frankly, more important issues"

Mickey wants us all to move on.

I have an observation. We lower the flag to honour and express solidarity with other nations in their time of need, not necessarily to honour whatever government (or lack of it) they might have.

Loony lying Laws, on the other hand, would have it that it is done purely to honour the dead.

Is he stupid, do you suppose, or just trying desperately to get people to believe his lies?

Anonymous said...

Didn't Mickey make a complete dick of himself today in Council?

"Anyone who calls me a racist is off their trolley"

It's not the racism, that's expected of you. It's the lunacy.

Anonymous said...

No one likes a racist Michael.

Anonymous said...

Don't like your chances getting onto dancing with stars now Mickey.
Perhaps it's time to "come out" and shave your head and wear a nice shiny black pair of doc martins.

Anonymous said...

I understand that there was a protest at the council today or yesterday that developed into a bit of a stoush between Cr Stevens and Mickey-boy. Stevens told Radio Live (of all people) later: "I was hoping he'd take a swing at me and I owuld have decked the little prat."
Great to see democracy in action in Wanganui.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanganui, heard all about your Mad Mayor again on the National Radio, I really feel for you guys this time, branded with that racist kind of smart/ass talk he loves SO much. Get rid of him! Your city and country needs YOU to put a stop to his crap. When's the next election?

Anonymous said...

What's the difference between the King of Tonga and Michael Laws?

Adequate potty training.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the mayor is feeling the pressure.

Anonymous said...

What's the difference between the Pope and Michael Laws?

The Pope knows how to say sorry - in a whole lot of languages.

Anonymous said...

Am I alone in thinking there is a deafening silence from the other diVisionites around the council table over Mickey's outburst? Not one has even supported him that I could see. I mean I was never expecting any dissent, but I thought there would at least be a bit of weak defending going on....

Anonymous said...

Not a good day for Wanganui or the mayor.

Anonymous said...

Can anyone tell me if Laws had a hand in the writing of the New Zealand First immigration policy?

Anonymous said...

Where is Nickie, Dot and Pep in all this? They came out in support of his racist comments, lets hear it from them I say.....

Anonymous said...

I think for this poor student the NZ government might have to get involved and apologise.

Anonymous said...

Bearhunter said...

Am I alone in thinking there is a deafening silence from the other diVisionites around the council table over Mickey's outburst?
--------

No, Bearhunter, Mickey's handpicked twits did a good job of learning their lines and putting their dainty little feet in it ... again ... from last Wednesday's chron:

Cr Lindsay, Cr Murray Hughes, and Cr Sue Westwood all described Mr Laws’ comments as inappropriate, with the potential to hurt Wanganui’s image, but said Mr Laws was entitled to voice his own individual opinion.

Neither deputy mayor Dot McKinnon or Crs Nicki Higgie and Sue Pepperell had any concerns with Mr Laws’ stance or comments.

“I congratulate Michael on having the intelligence to make people aware of the grief and turmoil the people of Tonga have experienced for many years. If people don’t like what Michael has said, it is their responsibility to go out and make themselves aware of the situation before they berate him as a rogue mayor,” Cr Pepperell said.

Cr Higgie said Mr Laws was never one to hide from a problem.
“He always tackles it head-on, and I admire him for that.”

“At the end of the day, it is a matter of balancing respect for people’s grief and the need to discuss questions as to the New Zealand Government’s spending in relation to the king’s death and to instigate discussions on the political and social issues in Tonga,” Cr Higgie said.

Cr McKinnon said she accepted Mr Laws’ reasons for not flying the flag at half-mast and that he had strong opinions on a number of issues.

Anonymous said...

The letter this morning by a former mayoress suggests Mickey read a passage from the Bible which includes gems like this (about small members):

"So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!"

As for the question earlier about whether the diVisionites had stuck their necks out, to follow up on the DJ Lindsay's little letter, they just seem to be singing Stand by Your Man.

Anonymous said...

It was good to see such a wide cross section of our community at the council protest today, from nuns to councillors.

However the best Mickey could do was drag along the mayoress, and that won't have won him any brownie points. Couldn't even get his mother in law or plumber, let alone any of his patsy councillors or Bob Walker to show up in solidarity and "fly the flag for Mickey".

Anonymous said...

Was that really the mayor on RadioNZ just now being all offended about people not showing things like civility and courtesy towards him?

Ws that REALLY him?

Anonymous said...

Laws on TV3 outside council building tonight being exposed as a mad dickhead liar by a reporter ... Laws on TV1 last year outside gallery being exposed as a mad dickhead liar by a reporter ...

Michael Laws = mad dickhead liar

Anonymous said...

"Go the Plumber. My mother-in-law tells me the elderly members of her large card group all agree with the Mayor over the flag business. Most people do."

It's about the abuse and self promotion NOT the flag. Interesting to note that a large portion of those gathered outside WDC were "elderly"

Is your mother in law a plumber?

Anonymous said...

Was that Cr Stevens hanging around outside council all day today. Pity he can't spare that sort of time to attend meetings. And no, before you start, I'm not ML.

Anonymous said...

My mother knew Michael's parents when they lived in Wanganui and just rang and said she feels so sorry for them, having a son who has "turned out like that". And I know she's not alone.

Anonymous said...

Matangi Tonga:

No more Laws

Lau, Fiji Isles:

Dear Editor:

I was first appalled and outraged by the very insensitive and disrespectful remarks by Mr. Laws concerning our beloved Monarch His Late Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. However, I now find it rather amusing how Mr. Laws has exposed his ignorance and bigotry for all to see.

Perhaps Mr. Laws ought to be more concerned about cleaning up his own backyard and skeletons concerning the Maori people's plight in New Zealand before daring to "save" Tonga. I'm not surprised though, this is typical colonialism mindset.

The Late King has left a legacy which many here have already alluded to, so I won't make further mention of that, he will always be remembered and loved by his people for generations to come. Mr. Laws however has gotten his ten minutes of fame, and ten minutes is all he deserves if even that. A boycott however is in order.

With respects,

Inoke Tu

Anonymous said...

THere's no story about Wanganui Gas. we should keep concentrating on the Tongan/flag issue.

Anonymous said...

interesting that there were Councillors with the protestors group but none of the mayors team supporting him. Obviously didnt want to be seen on TV with him this time round. His only 'support' was the mayoress, his loyal watchdog ngaire and his running/cycling mate.
As for civility and courtesy, thats only because no one wanted to talk to him, ignored him and walked out quietly. Ouch, that must have really hurt his ego.
Michael, you cocked up BIG time on this one. All you have to do is actually admit that. yeah right.

Anonymous said...

Did anybody see the mayor on tv? It was the body language of someone who cannot be trusted and was very defensive. Good on the interviewer for calling him in public on what he actually said as opposed to what he said he said. And good on the people who had the courage of their convictions and treated him with the contempt he deserves. Just remember, he will soon be an unfortunate footnote in Wanganui history but your decency and courage will live on.

Anonymous said...

hey micky............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ GOT YA

Anonymous said...

If it is true that Nigel Morris has walked away from Vision it would have been a good gesture for him to have been at council today to show he’s serious, or maybe he’s not keen to jeopardise his fabulous future as a “visionary” man about town.

Has Julie joined the walkout or is she still playing handmaiden to the mayor?

Anonymous said...

"Two Maori councillors were elected … and in the wider field, if we include the regional council election, two 35 year olds. Outstanding young women sporting tattoos and body piercings … who says Wanganui is conservative?"
http://www.wanganui.govt.nz/news/showNews.asp?id=138
---------------
Body piercing and skin decoration: It’s slut-fashion, isn’t it? You’d have to call it slut fashion. I mean, these girls are saying, I’m available … aren’t they? I’m raunchy … I’m promiscuous. I’ll do it.
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3332/tvradio/1638/laws_of_the_jungle.html;jsessionid=ACB783E58EE887AEB550B6502AE0DE27

The hypocrisy of the man is legendary!

Is Leonnie into slut fashion Michael? Is she avaliable? I'll do the dirty deed this weekend if she's up for it.

Anonymous said...

Is it true that Michael has sacked Bop Walker and replaced him with the amazingly versatile Margaret Ventrus? And that she’s also superseded Dot McKinnon as the deputy in waiting? Not to mention that he’s got her heading up the letter writing division of vision?

And after the way the Amazon sniggered and sneered behind his back today at the protest, he’s probably installed the lovely Margaret as the new mayoress as well … or is that Antoinette Beck’s new job?

Anonymous said...

Marion 7.01pm
you come on a fair bit supporting Mickey.
He needs your help right now.... why don't you write a letter of support for him for the Chronicle, only I've got a feeling you and Margaret Ventrus might be flat mates

Anonymous said...

Anon 8.49pm
You're disgusting and probably not up to it anyway

Anonymous said...

The mayor dicked the protestors on TV3 tonight and made them look the PC cowards they are. He faced them and they ran away.

Anonymous said...

Stumbling clueless from insult to breakfast. Do you ever get the feeling that the Mayor of Wanganui isn't quite all there?

Anonymous said...

As the member of Michael's cabinet with a Body Mass Index not far from the Tongan King's, it's good to see Cr Higgie supporting her leader's right to call people fat slugs.

No wonder she's so keen to sing ML's praises as she know just how dangerous it can be to disagree. She must be wondering when her turn will come.

Anonymous said...

Cr. Don McGregor said:

"One positive result of this controversy is that Council has now agreed that decisions on half-masting the flag will be taken in consultation with all Councillors so that in future a balanced decision can be made."

Balanced, eh, Don. As opposed to "unbalanced", do you mean?

Why allow this loony mayor to have any say whatsoever in what happens at Wanganui Gas? Have the poor mad creep sectioned. That's right, drag him off to a secure facility where he can do no more harm.

Anonymous said...

Nick said...
Can anyone tell me if Laws had a hand in the writing of the New Zealand First immigration policy?


----------------------------------

I think that would have to be a yes, Nick. Isn't it (the policy) a racist's delight?

Anonymous said...

If it is true that Nigel Morris has walked away from Vision it would have been a good gesture for him to have been at council today to show he’s serious, or maybe he’s not keen to jeopardise his fabulous future as a “visionary” man about town.

I don't think he needs to show his face at those things, but it would be nice to hear his side of the story. He has been to this blog before, maybe he could say a few wise words for people getting mixed up in the vision party?

Anonymous said...

Michael Laws doesn't like being called a racist? That doesn't make sense. I thought he wanted the racist vote. If he came out cleanly and celebrated his racism, instead of feeling so ashamed of it, he'd make his policies so much clearer. After all, this is the man who supported apartheid in South Africa, giving support & succour to racist thugs during the 1981 Springbok tour. This is the man who helped write NZ 1st's racist immigration policy (ref: Tze Ming Mok in the SST last Sunday for a first hand account of the fear generated by said policy back then).

This is the man who believes in eugenics, the main lie behind racist dogma. The man who believes in forcible sterilisation of genetically flawed people.

He is dedicated to racist policy, and committed to racist beliefs. Why on earth would he now deny these commitments? Is this yet another occasion where lying "is acceptable"?

Anonymous said...

Anon @7.24 p.m. said
Just heard a TV1 commentator say it's not a good time to be a pig in Tonga right now.

So how about we stick a curly tail onto Mickey's ass and parachute him in.
He can explain directly to the Tongan people what's not racist about the words
BLOATED BROWN SLUG

Anonymous said...

I love this from the council website about teh flag flying half-mast for Sir Hugh Kawharau:
"In accordance with a recent Council resolution, Mayor Michael Laws and chief executive David Warburton consulted councillors and there was general support for lowering the flag."
So Mickey is now consulting the other councillors? What brought that on?

Anonymous said...

Laws may have thought NZ First was the perfect platform for his racism, but he managed to get them dumped, didn't he?

Now he's trying again with the Vision Party in Wanganui and the result will be the same.

(Laws as campian manager for NZ
1st) "...has chosen to scapegoat migrants. The danger of his incendiary tactics is highlighted by the coincidence of this campaign with vicious attacks in recent weeks on families within the Somali refugee community in both Auckland and Christchurch."

Anonymous said...

Michael Brian Laws' revolting vanity is rubbing off on WDC. Where do these local councillors get the idea that they are somehow capable of second-guessing NZ govt. protocols?

Arrogant, or just dupes of this potty mouthed clown?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

The mayor dicked the protestors on TV3 tonight and made them look the PC cowards they are. He faced them and they ran away.

10:15 PM, September 19, 2006
_________________________________

You have got this all wrong,it was the mayor who got dicked.

The point was exactly as it happened. The group had a five minute SILENT sit in protest to show there disgust at laws comments. It was always their intention to walk out when mickey arrived. They had no intention of talking or listning to him. What better way to protest. Fantastic.

Oh and yes I was there.

Anonymous said...

Debate with lying Laws? what's the point: he can't be trusted to tell the truth, so listening to him is a waste of life.

Anonymous said...

mariong said...
Was that Cr Stevens hanging around outside council all day today. Pity he can't spare that sort of time to attend meetings. And no, before you start, I'm not ML.

7:01 PM, September 19, 2006
___________________________________

That wouldn't be Marion Gibbard, Executive Assistant to Community & Cultural Manager, Wanganui District Council, would it?

If so, are you standing by this criticism of Cr. Stevens, Marion?

Anonymous said...

"BLOATED BROWN SLUG"

It's not the 'Brown' that's racist, it's the two words on the each side that fills in the picture.

Anonymous said...

He's had his face slapped and I for one am loving it. I always do when dodgy bullies get a fright. And Laws is so twisted that when he dies they won't bury him, they'll screw him into the ground.

Anonymous said...

'That wouldn't be Marion Gibbard, Executive Assistant to Community & Cultural Manager, Wanganui District Council, would it? '

I doubt that would be the same Marion, she's has many a time expressed her dislike to friends and family on the Diva and it's regime, mind you I suppose that doesn't stop her disliking Ray too. She is an intelligent woman after all.

Anonymous said...

"That wouldn't be Marion Gibbard, Executive Assistant to Community & Cultural Manager, Wanganui District Council, would it? "

That's our Sally and Marion in the new office next to the ladies toilets. Nice girls, having to cope with a stressful new environment of the council buildings. Don't be hard on them, word has it they're not that pleased themselves with the new work load.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

As the member of Michael's cabinet with a Body Mass Index not far from the Tongan King's, it's good to see Cr Higgie supporting her leader's right to call people fat slugs.

******

Right, anon but it also might explain why the big brown slug term of endearment was the tipping (our of diVision) point, finally, for Nigyllhuw Morris. But he's deluding himself if he thinks anyone will trust him after he's spent all those months as resident slug up the mayoral bum.

Anonymous said...

Nigyllhuw's all right, I'm sure it was just the promise of all the extra cash he pockets ... everyone has a price.

Anonymous said...

As an interested onservor, I hate to prick the bubble of the posters relating to people leaving Vision. They were all spotted at the Avenue on Monday night (and I mean all) getting stuck into the nosh and vino. Think the anticipation of their demise may be a bit premature.

Anonymous said...

After watching the news on TV3 last night I was impressed by the dignity and respect that is obviously a strength of Tongan culture and was very evident during the moving funeral rites for their late king.

Then it segued into shots of a grotty little bugger and his scrubber of a wife leaping out of a boy-racer car and proceeding to throw a hysterical fit while being stared down by one of his councillors.

The presentation of the protesters was of quiet dignity and muted disgust at this mayoral pretender.

As a columnist in today's New Zealand Herald said in a balanced and considered article:

"Laws called the deceased monarch a bloated, brown slug on radio, an insult which caused offence even to those Tongans who might otherwise have agreed with Law's assessment on the state of the island nation.
..... While Laws was refusing to concede any marks of respect, my children's schools were relaxing their uniform rules, allowing Tongan students to show their respect by turning up to school in traditional mourning garb.

"Civility and respect is a hallmark of Tongan culture but it's not usually much in evidence in mainstream New Zealand culture."

Sorry but the "protesters" yesterday looked pretty mainstream to me and the young woman leading them showed great civility and dignity, not to mention leadership potential. Contrast that to the cowed councillors who support the kind of aggressive and offensive behaviour that their very non-mainstream "leader" exhibits at every opportunity and it's clear they are completely out of touch with our community.

Anonymous said...

Do you think they would look any thing other than a tight unit in public?
They haven't exactly come out in support of Mickey over the BLOATED BROWN SLUG comment. Didn't even turn up to lend him moral support during the protest.
I'd call it damage control myself

Anonymous said...

what a great group we had at council buildings noon 19th...so proud of everyone ...ignoring ML is the one thing he hates most in this world and he was spinning after he was ignored ...literally foaming ....please lets not finish here ....I want to make a weekly visit to the building or maybe we can join ML on his run...if I go will you come with me guys

Anonymous said...

No, I'm not Marion Gibbard. My MarionG label is the same as Bearhunter - an assumed name. A change to the many 'Anons'. And yes, I was at council on Tuesday and from where I was sitting ML wasn't dicked, the same old faces at this protest as at every protest made a fool of themselves.

Anonymous said...

I have just discovered this website after someone mentioned yesterday at the protest. Its good to know what a lot of support there is for what we did - I've had people coming up to me all day who saw it on tv last night saying they want to do something to help get rid of the mayor because he behaved so badly. If everyone who was there has that many people who agree with them the mayor will look be out of office in a years time and he will look back on yesterday as the point of no return. Well done everybody and I'll tell all my family and friends about this great website. cheers.

Anonymous said...

One things for sure mickey you will not get a funeral like the King of Tonga did. So eat your heart out.

Anonymous said...

Mariong said...

No, I'm not Marion Gibbard. My MarionG label is the same as Bearhunter - an assumed name. A change to the many 'Anons'. And yes, I was at council on Tuesday and from where I was sitting ML wasn't dicked, the same old faces at this protest as at every protest made a fool of themselves.

8:29 PM, September 20, 2006
________________________________

Well you must be Ngaire.
cos hell, you were got up so close to the mad mayor when he arrived at the council. He didn't need your protection, he brought the amazon and his running mate for that job.

You are so wrong, cos if you saw my face at this protest I can't be one of the same old faces, this was my first protest and I sure as hell didn't make a fool of myself.
Mickey was dicked all right.

Anonymous said...

mariong, you sound a lot like ngaire, the mayors ever faithfull watch dog/gate keeper at the council.

Anonymous said...

There were how many people at the protest? I counted around 20-30. How many thousand live in Wanganui? Most people agree with ML. The councillor with the flag, and his mate looked pretty lonely out there. The 20-30 others only turned up when the camera did. I think you've got a great Mayor. Good on ya Wanganui.

Anonymous said...

You wankers should eat your hearts out. The mayor and his Vision team will keep running Wanganui for the next 13 months and the changes they make will be irreversible. Then they'll get elected again.

As for ML: he told everyone at WDC when he arrived he was only going to do one term and that makes him "immune", he said. He really doesn't care about the opposition. He just keeps pushing the agenda.

Anonymous said...

There were how many people at the protest? I counted around 20-30
__________________________________

You should go back to school and learn how to count.

Anonymous said...

So why did Mickey and Nigelblew fall out? Who is prepared to ask them?

Anonymous said...

re -anon 10.03pm 20th ... sad and tragic sheep without balls who will follow ML as he publically combusts ....you make yourself and ML appear even more sad with your childish nastiness

Anonymous said...

The rumour is the national front is sending down some support for michael.

Anonymous said...

Why does everybody who supports ML on this blog get tagged 'Mickey' or 'Vision' or 'Ngaire'. No I'm not any of them but I do support Michael he has done great things for this city. I didn't vote for him last time but certainly will next time. And yes I did happen to be there on Tuesday, quite by chance. There were the usual faces and the biggest dick of them all was a councillor.

Anonymous said...

Mariong said...

No, I'm not Marion Gibbard. My MarionG label is the same as Bearhunter - an assumed name. A change to the many 'Anons'. And yes, I was at council on Tuesday and from where I was sitting ML wasn't dicked, the same old faces at this protest as at every protest made a fool of themselves.

Well, im 14 and tired of anyone getting away with racism by saying people are to PC,whats that about 20-30 people?, i nearly had a whole class follow me to the protest

Anonymous said...

thought we had a kindred spirit on Vision team -Sue Pepperell was someone I previously had some admiration for -it is now lost due to her support of MLs comment regarding the King -Sue you have stuffed it here in Whanganui for your political future -as A Maori I am ashamed of you- I believed you would be the one person with the guts to challenge him from Vision for using "brown" as an insult

Anonymous said...

"No, I'm not Marion Gibbard. My MarionG label is the same as Bearhunter - an assumed name. A change to the many 'Anons'."
Ah, but mine is not assumed. My nickname was earned and thereby lies the difference between us, Mariong, but that is by-the-by. Don't you just love Dotty's little entry on the council website: "Blah blah, an interesting week in Wangers..." and NO MENTION AT ALL of flags, dead kings, Mickey, protests...As DOugal once said to Ted, "The wheel is still turning but the hamster is definitely dead."

Anonymous said...

In the photo in the paper of the protest I thought Ngaire was perched at the top of the stairs looking a bit like Eva Braun at the Berghof, mistress of all she surveyed. Wonder if our fuehrer will also persuade her to stick around in the bunker with him for the final days of his inglorious and short-lived reich.

Anonymous said...

"There were the usual faces and the biggest dick of them all was a councillor. "

Not entirely sure who the usual faces are but as an employee I passed through the foyer twice while this was going on. There was certainly more than 20-30 and a lot of them were school children and elderly folk. Is this the "new" usual faces? I thought that was Dutton, Webb etc?

I didn't see them there

Anonymous said...

Most significant thing I have seen this Mayoral term was Michael entering the WDC foyer and saying to everyone that he was willing to listen to them.

In unison they all fired him dirty looks and strutted striaght past him. Is that running?
The look on his face was priceless! No control, no one willing to hear his spin.

Anonymous said...

So, Lawsmob, picked on any other schoolkids recently?

To anyone who's new here, gratuitous insults are merely political messages from Vision Wanganui: ignore them, or laugh and enjoy the fact that they're so incompetent at debate they have to go to the gutter every single time.

Sue, Marty, Nicki, Dotty, Murray, and Phillida (sp?), don't ever imagine that you aren't tarred with Michael's brush. You all helped inflict the little mayor on this town.

Bearhunter said...

"Sue, Marty, Nicki, Dotty, Murray, and Phillida (sp?), don't ever imagine that you aren't tarred with Michael's brush. You all helped inflict the little mayor on this town."

And Sue then ran away to a safe distance. That's not "yoouth issues" that's just childishness...

Anonymous said...

As DOugal once said to Ted, "The wheel is still turning but the hamster is definitely dead."

8:57 AM, September 21, 2006

&&&&&&&&&&

Hey Bearhunter, don't be too quick off the mark:-) Hamster (aka Richard Hammond) from Top Gear isn't in great shape but he aint dead yet:

Top Gear's Richard Hammond is seriously ill in hospital after a crash in a jet-powered car while filming for the programme.
The 36-year-old presenter was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary's neurological unit.
A spokesman for the hospital said Mr Hammond was "stable".
Mr Hammond had been driving a rocket-powered dragster car capable of up to 300mph at the former RAF airfield in Elvington, Yorkshire.

Anonymous said...

The mayor has huge support for his stance and he has opposition too. Those who disliked him before still do, those who don't still do. It was a polar issue not a vote changing issue. A vote changing issue is something that affects yourself, family, home.

Laws has always been disliked by the arts fraternity and they were the greatest majority of protestors. He's always been disliked by 'old Whanganui' because he unseated them and has slagged the old boys network from the first day.

His record of electoral success so far can't be disputed and that's winning the mayoralty, winning the council, winning the by-election.
No-one who thinks "brown" is an insult would ever have voted Michael Laws ever. He is appealing exactly to his constituency which is why he kept pushing the issue and still does (on his radio show today).

Anonymous said...

Don't tell me he had another rush of blood to the neck....

Anonymous said...

Hey Bearhunter, don't be too quick off the mark:-) Hamster (aka Richard Hammond) from Top Gear isn't in great shape but he aint dead yet:


It's okay, he's stable. I must get TVNZ to repeat Fr Ted, though....

Anonymous said...

anonymickey said at 4.46pm:

He is appealing exactly to his constituency which is why he kept pushing the issue and still does (on his radio show today).
********

So, to paraphrase the anonymickey last week: What sort of sick obsessive puppy is this who listens to Mickey's radio show?

Oh that's right, he's the wanker in the studio in Ridgway St with the earphones on and the mirror handy ... and he doesn't HATE the mayor, he LOVES him.

And now he's leaving his slimy trail here in this blog ... again/still.

Even lemon-sucker Ngaire must get a giggle out of her boss's idiocy at times like this.

Anonymous said...

"Laws has always been disliked by the arts fraternity and they were the greatest majority of protestors" ..... more pure bullshit from Mickey.

Anonymous said...

Listen up, folks. Now Mad Mickey, loathed student apartheid cheerleader, is lecturing student radio bfm on the liberal traditions of universities, amongst other hypocritical and offensive crap:

http://www.95bfm.com/default,26381,kim_and_michael_laws.sm

Anonymous said...

Everyone who supports the mayor here - is the mayor. I love the logic. The mayor must have also voted over 8,000 times for himself at the last election, the cunning bastard.

Anonymous said...

if you say the arts community made up the majority of protesters you werent there -the majority they were not -infact a sprinkling only-kinda pisses me off that more didnt -majority were members of respected community service groups and church groups who are totally over ML and took the oppourtunity because the emphasis was on peace and respect to those we wish to give it

Anonymous said...

So it's down to Rangi Wills now to publicly expose Mickey's lies. (see the museum funding story on page 3 In Brief column).

Better hope this sort of thing doesn't catch on, eh Mickey? Just when you thought you had Rangi right where you wanted him, he seems to have decided he's had enough.

What you are doing to the museum right now would be hard to handle, even for a champion fence-sitter like Rangi.

Anonymous said...

The mayor has huge support for his stance and he has opposition too. Those who disliked him before still do, those who don't still do. It was a polar issue not a vote changing issue.
___________________________________

Good analysis Michael, you almost sound sane and reasonable when you adopt this tone. You're wrong, though. Disgust levels have grown to the extent that people who could tolerate you before are no longer prepared to do so.

As some letter writer said in the Chron. today, you can't see anything wrong with your approach, but everyone else can.

Anonymous said...

Everyone’s onto your little ratings game, Mickey eg here’s Bomber Bradbury blogging:

“Laws decision to not fly the flag at half mast and calling the Tongan King a “brown slug” only seems to convince more and more people that Radio Live! has overtaken Radio Pacific and NewsTalk radio as the most right wing on the radio spectrum. You can always tell it is radio ratings time if Michael is mouthing off and stirring up racial or cultural friction.”