Did DonKey do well or did he make an ass of himself?

John Key has sure had a swell time in New York. He met Obama! He even went on the David Letterman Show! Reading out the "Top Ten Reasons to Visit New Zealand" as part of the Late Show's "Top Ten" feature, the script given to Key to read contained New Zealand stereotypes and slang, some of which American audiences could understand and some deliberately indecipherable by them; referring to the "whanau", the "bach" and "jandals".

In response to Key's representation of both himself and New Zealand on the world stage, Your Views asked its users: How do you rate John Key's performance? The question leaves itself open to interpretation, although if you examine the question in light of the related story it is clear they are asking about his representation on the world stage.

Kate Bennett (Auckland)
John has been in power long enough to give him a mark. I would give me a failing pass mark for the reasons that he has done little or nothing to improve the economy. He has managed to increase the taxpayers burden and contributions through the ETS scheme and the proposed super city.

I've cut Kate short here, as she does go on to talk more about taxpayer interests, but what strikes me is that she isn't interested in his performance in New York, but his performance as a politician. This comment is evidence that the unfocused nature of the question opens the field up to all kinds of interpretations of how to assess John Key's "performance".

Inevitably, Your Views users compared John Key's public persona with that of the previous Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark:

Bruce (Wellington CBD)
I think John Key is presentable as New Zealand's leader whereas Helen wasn't.

Jae (Manukau City)
Good on you john key.u were gr8. good to see our prime minister has a gr8 sence of humour.if it was helen clark.sheeeeshhh i can imagine the mockery david letterman would of given to her.and should would of read the top ten with her normal 'bland tone' of voice.

Ian (Glen Eden)
Overall I think his performance has been good, but the real "difference" between DonKey and Head Girl Helen showed up when they both commented on Sir Howard Morrison's death yesterday (on the TVNZ news last night). Head Girl Helen's comments were much more personal and relevant and reflected the fact that she had a much greater knowledge of his life's experiences. I think this alone reflected how much more "indepth" Helen Clark's general knowledge and command of NZ (Kiwi) events is.

Ian uses the comical names "DonKey" and "Head Girl Helen" to describe Key and Clark respectively. This is a common feature of online discussion forums, using alternative humourous and/or derogatory names when referrng to public figures. Although these names are often used to criticise the people being referred to (in an attempt to reveal some kind of truth behind their public persona), Ian is clearly using the terms in jest.

Patch It Up

The City of Wanganui has banned the wearing of gang-affiliated patches which has encouraged the re-opening of the Your Views thread from May when the by-law was first spoken about. Your Views pose the question "Will banning patches reduce gang crime?", a complex question, perhaps best explored through the work of crime and deviance in Sociology. But no! We live in a democracy and therefore all have the right to provide our expert opinion on any topic we should wish to wax lyrical on.

Bridget (Auckland)
Get rid of them. They are intimidating to every day people who have more of a right to walk around without being scared than a person does to wear a stupid patch. A real man doesn't need one.

Good point Bridget - most people would agree that gang patches are a tad intimidating. But referencing what it is to be a "real man"? Uneasy alert! Do you mean "real men" like Buck Shelford who kept on playing during a rugby game even though he had his scrotum ripped and four teeth knocked out? The perpetuation of the "real man" concept has much to answer for in New Zealand, including the culture of heavy drinking and high male suicide rates. 

Forrest Green (Pipiwai)
Ban gangs send them all to Afgan in a cargo plane or shipping container. Even if they do get arrested they wont pay the fine and they just go back to their housing corp houses and continue to suck the life blood from tax payers. Waste of police resourses, court time and more tax payers money. Money that could go bacl to the workers the ones that actually keep this country going.

First, where's Afgan? Second, can you imagine how much of the "tax payers money" would be needed to fund this scheme?

THE ROCK (Avondale, Auckland)
Banning patches isnt gonna reduce Crime! it will may reduce intimadation THATS it! what about if they start walking around half naked with their Tattoos that have their signs? Then what? Tax payer have to pay for the removal of these patches that are tattooed too? Get real mr councilman you havent covered your bases! And this is a beggining of a War that I'm afraid The NZ police are not equpt to win. Think about it NZ. Do we really need Tax payers money singling out a minority? I Say no ! im not a gang member either but i see no win to this by law only more crime and more disregard to police

Yeah! Get real Mr Councilman!
It's interesting that quite a few people on this thread who argue that banning the display of gang patches will not reduce crime state that they're not gang members.