Petty Pity

Rodney Hide's Thursday last week appears to have been a pleasant one. Evidently he spent a significant portion of it on the computer, turning out a total of six rivetting entries in one day, the more amusing of which was a valiant articulation of his "computer forensics" skills that allowed him to discover the decidedly odd name of a folder from which a Labour MP David Benson-Pope press release sprang forth. It seemed distinctly as though Rodney was making an attempt to contribute a new element of scandal to the proceedings in regards to the inquiry into Benson-Pope's behaviour treatment of students whilst he was a schoolteacher, an issue that he made sure to comment on slightly later in the day.

As if his Thursday wasn't fun enough, it would be fair to say that Friday held an even more exciting occasion for Rodney. He was keen to emphasise his thrill upon taking receipt of his newly-decorated and unsuitably-environmentally-friendly transportation device. The smart car is intended to serve as a billboard to rally support for Rodney's admirable electoral position, but ultimately of course it is a toy with which he can travel to the astoundingly numerous gun club meetings and gun shows that it would appear he chooses to attend throughout the average week. Funnily enough, one of Rodney's motives for going to those shows is most probably for the purpose of gaining votes.


Without delay Rodney received a generous flood of suggestions for potential personalised plates from his noble supporters, which included such intellectual jests as "PC FREE" and "IRDSUX." He appears to have been particularly impressed with the decidedly bland "4EPSOM," that he gave a prominent position in his entry on Monday, and indeed went as far as to introduce it into the publicised fray as an "UPDATE." Rodney also made sure to give mention to the fact that he took the smart car to a Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand meeting and that it attracted a significant crowd. One wonders if the people were checking it out because it is so remarkably comical. A regular to Rodney's blog by the name of fairway pointed to the "nose ring" effect produced by the image of Rodney on the side of the car overlapping the side windows and vents. It is hard to forgive oneself for pondering lowly of Rodney's car, given that he is of course simply a great politician.

Rodney's visit to Carlson School for students with cerebral palsy was acknowledged admirably without literal mention of his vehicle, however it was to be expected that the smart car would not go completely ignored in this edition of Rodney's catalogue of his day-to-day activities. He posed with Ronnie, a cerebral palsy sufferer, in front of the smart car, most probably at Rodney's discrete insistence. "Cool wheels, both sets!" said blog regular Gunner in recognition of the position of prominence that the smart car receives in the photograph. It's probably among the most recent images published of Rodney's car before it was -- yes -- broken into a couple of days ago. You've got to feel sorry for the guy. His very favourite component, the Navman iCN520 In-Car GPS, which is so awesome that its name deserves to be written in bold and at its full length every time, was taken. Without it Rodney may have nary a hope of finding the way to his various business visits. Dare I say it I'm sure he didn't expect this sort of misfortune to occur for him in Remuera!