half as good?

another good day of campaigning. we're getting a lot of positive responses on the bridges, with people tooting and waving in support. i only had a couple of negative responses, which is quite an improvement on the 2005 campaign.

also had a meeting this afternoon for planning hamilton's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the universal declaration of human rights (whew, i wish there was a short way of saying that!). it going to be a great programme, starting with the official opening of the waikato museum's "walk this way" exhibition. then we'll have a march to garden place, where there will be a couple of hours of speeches and musical performances. there will be stalls and interactive activities. then in the evening will be a function for those who couldn't make it during the day, discussing various aspects of human rights such as supporting refugees, free speech, domestic violence and more.

the best thing is the range of organisations that are buying in to this event. it's going to be an opportunity for all of us to realise just how lucky we are.


i recorded the leaders' debate and watched it late last night. and have read various commentary during the day. it still totally pisses me off that the standard used to judge performances is so disparate. isn't there a saying that women have to perform twice as well as men to be considered half as good? cos that's definitely what seems to be happening here. even after the second debate, apparently mr key has done well because he didn't slip up. but the PM has not done well because she wasn't sparklingly brilliant. when, oh when, does this kind of nonsense stop? it was clear to pretty much everyone who voiced an opinion that she outperformed mr key, but they're still calling it a draw. go figure.

i've been invited to the US consulate tomorrow to watch the results of the election come in. i've had difficulty all week in making up my mind: should i go? or should i stay back here and campaign? i can't imagine there would be too many labour supporters at that gig, but who knows? and i'm sure the atmosphere will be great. i'll decide tomorrow.

and once again, the excellent tapu misa says what i was trying to say yesterday, only much more eloquently. she must have written her piece well before the ex-rugby players were out with mr key, yet it's so appropriate:

A friend tells me Pacific Islanders give their vote away too cheaply, but when you compare the Pacific policies of National (one page) and Labour's, there's no contest...

What do Pacific voters want? What everybody wants.

Morality matters, but I can't understand why beating children and same-sex marriage matter more than secure jobs, a living wage, good schools, quality pre-schools, free healthcare, decent and affordable accommodation, an adequate safety net when things fall apart, and safer neighbourhoods - where liquor outlets, pokies, loan sharks and "P"-peddlers aren't permitted to prey on vulnerable communities.

A recent study by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good in the United States has found that providing social and economic benefits to poor women does far more to reduce abortion than endless moralising.

Which suggests that economic policies that help the neediest rather than the asset-rich middle class may be a more effective path to a more moral and stable society.

Has the Labour-led Government been good for the Pacific Island communities? It all depends on whether you're the glass-half-full or the glass-half-empty voter.

Labour's delivered cheaper doctor's visits, income-related rents, fewer jobless and a rise in the minimum wage. But much more could and should be done for the poorest families of all ethnicities. The glass is never full.

finally, speaking of the american election, it was pretty sad to hear that senator obama's grandmother died today. what an awful thing for him. but this comment at shakesville really brought tears to my eyes:

If it comforts you, imagine that she walked him to the doorway that is right now, and tomorrow, he walks through it with all of us.

i can't say that i'm a big fan of mr obama (in case you hadn't guessed!). i'd rather have seen hillary clinton win the nomination. of course, i totally support him over mccain. but this is just a horrible thing to happen to anyone.