Dear Red Alert viewers and participants
Today we are three months old. These milestones are worth noting. As the mother of twins (now nine); at the beginning, every week, every month, meant absolute delight at new steps forward. Of course that stopped after a while (not the delight, the newness), but the first year of any new relationship is significant. And we, the Labour MPs (there are now 24 of us blogging) have begun a new relationship with you, the people.
Some facts: 24 MPs (our newest one tonight is Stuart Nash) 318 posts, 4,785 comments. I think Phil Twyford’s recent post on the House of Lords wins the prize for most number of comments. Correction: Trevor’s post on Key’s growing nose won the prize for most comments (76). Trevor (also) wins the prize for most number of posts and, well, like, is there an award for someone who has completely found their element?
We’ve had posts in Maori, Chinese. We are 24 different voices who share a common set of principles and values. And there’s more coming.
As the very first post said; it’s real, it’s live and it’s honest. You be the judge. Keep checking in and keep responding. If we’re going to get anywhere in this project to break down the barriers between politics and the people, then we can’t do it without you.
Clare
I am liking Red Alert, and I’m finding that I might actually like some Labour MPs
Which is not to say that you’re not wrongheaded about many things, but it’s nice to be reminded how many things you’re on the side of light about, and that you’re all real human beings.
I’m also really enjoying the variety of voices you all bring. The political blogosphere can be very homogenous sometimes, and it;s nice to see you not falling into that pattern.
Well done on a good site and a great opportunity to interact directly with MPs.
Please don’t forgot that the readers and particularly the commentators here (and other parts of the blogosphere) are NOT representative of the population at large.
Anita says: “Which is not to say that you’re not wrongheaded about many things…”.
Anita, it should be: “Which is not to say that, in my view, you’re not wrongheaded about many things…”.
Anne,
IMO when I’m clearly expressing personal opinion I don’t need to make every sentence longer by restating that it’s my opinion not StatsNZ gathered data.
I think Red Alert has been great. Can someone please drag Darren Hughes into making a few posts on transport issues
“As the very first post said; it’s real, it’s live and it’s honest.” And that is a big step forward from your first attempt at a blog “The Standard” – glad to see you have learnt your lesson. Credibility can’t be achieved hiding behind pseudonyms.
RedAlert is great! It’s direct communication from our MPs, not press releases. I find myself checking it everyday and it provides great insight into many of the issues, Bills and debate that the media just don’t get across. Thanks guys, it’s a great site and great contribution from you all.
I think that this blog is a great way to communicate and here the opinions of our MPs.
Keep the good work up.
Well done and it is working
Trevor Mallard who I have long thought of as a thuggish bully (threats of insertion of beer bottles, fighting in the House and his interjection to Brash, certainly gave this impression) comes across as a thoughtful person who could be on the side of light
If it works for him imagine what it could do for the rest of you
Again, well done
while I think its a good idea (and considerably better than the standard which is beyond c##p), I do have issue with some of the headlines.
‘The babies to die – abortions to increase’ one being a good example where a bit more professionalism would serve you well.
Only problem bikerkiwi is that the headline was accurate. I’m not going to hide the facts, even as in this case the majority of kiwis don’t see it my way.
While I am getting happier with the tone especially of the comments now there are three of us moderating.
@ Bryan – very few of us have ever posted on the Standard – I haven’t, and I agree the fact you know it is us is important. A bit of a revelation for me has been how a few of the nastier people who attack us have multiple internet personalities – and the variety of ways they can be identified.
@ Trevor – “accurate” is a very loose term considering that abortions are up 50 PER day comparing the time labour started their 9 year reign to the end of it.
and it has also been interesting in terms of caucus dynamics. From being a bit of a small group, to a tight team within a team, to a pretty regular time once a week where the majority of the caucus have been to chat and learn how to do things, in my case over and over again cos I’m still coming to terms with golfball typewriters!!
From my perspective the lead that has been given by the new members has been great – and their patience as I have repeatedly cocked up has been wonderful.
bikerkiwi lets not spoil this post rerunning an arguement on which all we disagree on, is whether one can do an “all other things being equal” analysis.
mallard – I was waising it as a polite bit of constructive criticism – ” being a good example where a bit more professionalism would serve you well”
Nice to see you are willing to take it onboard. tui.
truce biker. And Clare we all know that you grease up to Phil but sometime I will show you how to see how many comments, and lecture you on the importance of accuracy. Lords was funniest and 4th equal on comments. And old girlfiend of mine had a sweatshirt with the same number. ie the number of comments not 4.
For what it’s worth, according to 2008 Abortion Statistics the general abortion rate (that’s the rate of abortions divided by an approximation of the number of fertile women in the country) hardly changed from 1999 to 2008.
Congrats. I hope this blog can continue to debate substantive political matters, transparently and reasonably and lead the evolution of the NZ political ’sphere. The noisy boorishness of other political blogs renders them little more than echo chambers.
@Bryan Spondre, you’re very fond of judging others’ efforts, you kind of remind me of Harry Enfield’s Mr You-Don’t-Wanna-Do-It-Like-That
@Trev mea culpa. Took a guess. Should check my facts. Is it fair that you get all the prizes?
Yay, Red Alert
Ok, I’ve done the work. The top seven posts with the greatest number of comments are:
76 comments; Key’s growing nose; Trevor Mallard
72 comments; Give kids the vote or at least give it to their parents; Phil Twyford
72 comments; How long should shops in malls be forced to be open; Trevor Mallard
71 comments; Why do the Nats hate rail so much?; Sue Moroney
69 comments; Key gutless under pressure – babies to die – abortions to increase; Trevor Mallard
68 comments; PM announces House of Lords; Phil Twyford
68 comments; Bennett confirms she ordered access of database; Trevor Mallard
You are now on final warning for being off topic and boring. A week off next time. Frankly wasting our time having to moderate you Trevor
I love Red Alert with all the different personas and topics.
Congrats to Trevor for the most replies.
Maybe I won’t vote for Labour after all…
I wonder how many of those comments on Sue’s thread were by me. LOL.
Do we know who are the top commenters?
Oh golly, maybe that’s one for Trev. If we give prizes for that do you think you’ll all be madly competing?
Oh and see I’ve corrected the original post (above). Must remain authentic!
Trevor – from memory that was only the second time I have been moderated. Obviously that post really hit a nerve.
Red Alert is a fantastic blog; it’s good to see what’s going on in Parliament straight from your perspective, and I’m sure you all appreciate the CONSTRUCTIVE feedback given. It’s a very symbiotic relationship, really.
@Anita’s 2nd comment – fingersnaps in Z formation!
The electronic hui.