Comments on: What’s that sucking sound?

By: Cherie

Cherie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:27:13 +0000

Couldn’t get past the title ‘Whats that suckings sound’

By: Give kids the vote, or at least give it to their parents « Red Alert

Give kids the vote, or at least give it to their parents « Red Alert — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:12:22 +0000

[...] economist at Auckland University’s Business School, who is a friend of mine and has done some work on the economic impact of the Government’s super city plans, was in Tokyo recently and did some research with a [...]

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:00:06 +0000

@ bikerkiwi

I’m sorry BikerKiwi, you seemed to have lost me.

Are you abusing me, about the comments ‘“Just Stupid” and “lacking judgment” for parking in a handicapped spot.’ – or are you questioning Trevor Mallard, for comments that he withdrew and apologised for some days ago?

My view: Mallard made a public statement that he found to be insupportable, and had to withdraw and apologise for a statement. As a cost he wore a fair bit of online flack. You can go to that post, still available on ‘Red Alert’, and add any comment you want to make.

Along these lines, I notice Dr Vaithianathan stated on this thread that she is eager to stand by the validity of her report. Do you want to question her directly on her report’s methodology, or do you want to re-think your position of questioning her analysis?

Either of these approaches would seem more constructive than discussing it with a third person.

By: graham lowe

graham lowe — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:24:01 +0000

off topic – deleted (Phil)

[And take a week off from commenting since you seem to struggle to participate here constructively - admin]

By: bikerkiwi

bikerkiwi — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:50:01 +0000

@Sean:

“It is easy to attack someone’s reputation on the internet, but all statements made are in the public domain and need therefore to be qualified and supported.”

That would be like going off 1/2 cocked and naming and publishing publishing that a person was “Just Stupid” and “lacking judgment” for parking in a handicapped spot.

I didn’t see much qualification and support going on there? Or even an “sorry” when it was proven that it was totally incorrect.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:32:47 +0000

@BikerKiwi

In regards the report of Dr Vaithianathan: you believe that the report to be bias. Dr Vaithianathan’s does work as an independent economics consultant as well as teaching public economics. Her career is entirely based on her professional integrity. I would think she would be a fool to present anything but her best independent work on a report that she knew would be published publicly.

I don’t believe she is a fool. If her report needs refuting, it should be not simply based on her political beliefs, it should be based on reviewing her analysis. It is easy to attack someone’s reputation on the internet, but all statements made are in the public domain and need therefore to be qualified and supported.

In regards Dr Worth: what lack of transparency over the allegations against Dr Worth? It is my understanding Mr Key knew about the allegations, the name of the woman making them, and that she source was a Labour party activist, in early May.

To his credit, there is no evidence that Mr Key ever intended that name should become public. Dr Worth’s resignation relates to a separate incident with a different woman, and is presently with the police.

By: Dr Rhema Vaithianathan

Dr Rhema Vaithianathan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:15:17 +0000

I’m happy to stand behind my report and I’m happy for anyone to read it for themselves – it is available here. As an academic I contribute to debates and expect others to present their own arguments, conduct their own analyses and to criticise mine. What astonishes and concerns me is that no-one else has undertaken such research, or hasn’t made it public if they have done it. I can’t imagine any similarly sized private entity contemplating such a major reform without a very careful cost-benefit study. We know from evidence that over 50% of mergers in the private sector fail even after careful study and planning. What chance do we have in the absence of such care?

By: Bikerkiwi

Bikerkiwi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:30:45 +0000

There seems to have been little transparency with Labour Party activist Neelam Choudar and what she submitted via Labour. Unfortunately, when its obvious you are putting some biased documents into the public arena – others get smeared with the same ‘bad taste’.

It would have been smarter and given credibility for a independent person to have completed this report.

By: Trevor Mallard

Trevor Mallard — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:43:12 +0000

No The golden rule is transparency. Vaithianathan is an academic who puts her reputation on the line every time she writes a report. Phil declared that he had commissioned the report. Her membership was declared. Now treat the report on its (considerable) merits or argue the substance.

By: Bikerkiwi

Bikerkiwi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:05:36 +0000

* Dr Rhema Vaithianathan is a member of the Labour Party.

With any study or report like this – the golden rule is the “Independence” of the study.

If you cannot even get the basics like that covered – how can you expect us to take it seriously?

I’m not biased : Yeah right!