JLR’s sordid ambitions, and a stadium to house them
There is one reason why Simon Bridges remains National’s leader this weekend – his name is Jami-Lee Ross.
What a revolting man. I’m sorry that he’s a man, to twist a David Cunliffe clanger. Please don’t think all men play this power imbalance out in this brutal way; although I’m pretty sure this is just tip of the iceberg.
And to think he was doing all this during the high-profile year of #MeToo movement. What a dirty rat.
What a despicable array of allegations. What an advertisement for a sad narcissist. If anything, at least it’s finally out there.
At least women who are wondering whether they are in a similar relationship can identify what it is and get out. Once you work out the behaviour of one of these power crazy freaks it’s easy. It’s all about control and power and what follows is the sordid domination and other cruel treatments and behaviours.
Simon Bridges will survive for now because the game Ross played was so dark, calculated and so damn evil.
And all National’s MPs are furious. They had a rotten apple amongst their lot, a bitter little freak who couldn’t see past his own ambition.
Get a life. Seek help, Jami-Lee. Don’t hide behind mental illness, it does those genuinely suffering such a problem a massive disservice.
You should hear the words they use to describe him now in the caucus. No wonder they’re backing Bridges now, there is only one option. But that comes with a warning — watch the Nats freak when Bridges leads the party into the 30s in the popularity polls.
Forget this scandal, Bridges and lower polling means he’ll be in serious trouble. National hates life in opposition and it just wants to find a bridge in which to get out, a bridge that goes by any name; Tom, Dick, Harry, Amy, Judith or Todd.
Speaking of names, I interviewed former Telecom boss Theresa Gattung yesterday. What a powerhouse. I was impressed.
She gave me the impression she’s always thinking. Or talking. Or directing. But her take on pay equity I thought was brave and maybe this Government should drop the mincing around.
Just open the books, she says. Open them and be damned. Why should a man and a woman doing the same job be paid differently?
So open the books in both the private and public sectors. Let it hang out for all and sundry to see. Yes, the first year might be a bit painful but the truth will finally be laid bare. Who is scared of this?
I’m all for a new Auckland waterfront stadium. It’s a gift horse glaring at us. It’s not a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have if Auckland is to be judged a worldclass city.
Politicians for decades have shown they are not up to the challenge of this debate; Trevor Mallard turned up in Auckland more than 10 years ago with a billion dollars and said, let’s build this. No way, bugger off, said local body pretenders.
Auckland was told the cost would be double that next time we got the chance to build it. And so it is. At $1.8b let’s not waste any more time considering this offer from private businesses to build it.
Build it and they will come. And I bet we all do. And let’s get concerts downtown and give Helen Clark and her Mt Eden mob a relaxing retirement; a mix of old people’s homes, houses, cars, apartments and buses.