Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: A Work of Advocacy

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  • andin,

    When I was in my 20s, we were protesting about shit every bloody week – partly because it was fun and a good way to pick up girls...

    The mists of time seems to have done a number on your memory. But exaggerating for effect can be fun. How did you go with picking up girls then?

    dispiritingly devoid of any underlying analysis of power.

    Analysis of power necessarily means analysis of human behaviour. No?
    I'll start you off

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Sorry, I'm not clear how that response was "unnecessary" in the circumstances, but it's your place and I'd hate to give anyone reasons for ducking off rather than responding substantively.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Yeah, but nah. Unless you're suggesting the "struggle" includes going to the boot, breaking into the secure drive storage bay, removing the drive, and "losing" it.

    I'd imagine that the camera will be fixed in the car (this seems to be how they work in the states where they often provide video for "crazy fucking crashes" video clips) that the easiest way to get around them will be to park in front of whoever you pull over, or point your car the wrong direction, etc, if there's ever a time you really don't want to be filmed.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sacha,

    Sorry, I’m not clear how that response was “unnecessary” in the circumstance

    In a tit-for-tat sense. It's fine, don't worry.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Peter Calder,

    But what people in this thread seem to be saying is that it is incumbent on these filmmakers to observe standards of “objectivity”

    I'll echo Sasha, Bollocks!

    You either haven't read what is here or haven't understood it. Most of the questions being asked refer to the appropriateness of releasing this film before the court case is heard and whether that prejudices the trial.

    I could care less about objectivity, in fact I love it when people have passion for something and present that passion, in this case the right/responsibility to protest. But I do care about our justice system and dislike it when people on any side try to corrupt that system, to my mind this film pushes that boundary very hard.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Now that I'm thinking of it -- not that I don't have work to do -- I had to ask one fairly regular commenter to leave and not come back after he wouldn't resile from claiming that I received Media7 as payback for my faithful service to the then-government over the terror raids.

    It does irk me when it's hard to express a genuine and reasonably well-informed view without being automatically aligned with the fascist police state ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    the easiest way to get around them will be to park in front of whoever you pull over

    Yeah, except that there are many good safety reasons to park behind them, none of which is related to capturing things on camera. Or are you talking about the cops who pull people over for the specific purpose of doing them mischief, as opposed to the ones who pull people over for some valid exercise of their legal powers?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Ya, anyway all the good biffo happens in the station, where cops are the only witnesses.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome,

    You got "Media 7" for services to the government? Does Top Shelf know? The conspiracy must run very deep indeed.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to HORansome,

    You got “Media 7” for services to the government? Does Top Shelf know? The conspiracy must run very deep indeed.

    You'll have to ask John Drinnan. He said much the same thing in a particularly spiteful column before the show launched.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to BenWilson,

    Ya, anyway all the good biffo happens in the station, where cops are the only witnesses.

    It's much easier to justify the use of force if it happens on the street. And to blame "clumsy" crims for their own injuries.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I'm rather propose a cock-up rather than a conspiracy theory... Wait, if you got the show because of a cock-up, then surely that's worse than being given the show due to a conspiracy...

    This is definitely a hole I can't dig myself out of.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to HORansome,

    The conspiracy must run very deep indeed.

    We're expecting a chapter in your thesis - if Brown hasn't paid you off already.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Okay, I've had a phone conversation that has convinced me that the leaked affidavit on the internet (don't know about the Dom Post's) was a copy of Jamie Lockett's -- but Lockett didn't leak it, a third party (one you might have heard of but not in connection with this case) did.

    - So the Dom Post's copy didn't come from the police.
    - The Lockett copy didn't come from Lockett
    - They may or may not be from the same source.

    Fascinating. All such tips gratefully accepted.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    It's much easier to justify the use of force if it happens on the street. And to blame "clumsy" crims for their own injuries.

    True, but there is that nagging worry that you might actually get bashed yourself, which doesn't factor down at the station. And who needs some sticky beak who saw the whole thing coming out of the woodwork?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome, in reply to Sacha,

    Whilst no money has passed hands between Mr. Brown and myself I can confirm that I have drunk his whisky, and surely that is a bond stronger than money between a man and his master.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to HORansome,

    Is it stronger than the coffee-bond?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    There seems to be some assumption here that the filmmakers should have adhered to BBC standards – never mind that our TV broadcasters don’t.

    FFS, Peter, given the vitriol I've poured for TV broadcasters for their credulous treatment of Ken Ring, the scientifically fraudulent claim that there's a link between vaccines and autism etc. ad nauseum et infinitum you want to set your baseline that low? Really?

    I'd suggest you sit down and watch Errol Morris' classic The Thin Blue Line -- most certainly an act of advocacy/activism but still scrupulously transparent about its own methodology and limitations.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to HORansome,

    I can confirm that I have drunk his whisky

    true, that

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to HORansome,

    This is definitely a hole I can’t dig myself out of.

    But it's such fun to watch. Here, have another shovel.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to nzlemming,

    They (and who are"they”?* The reptoids?) say, “when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. I say, “Where’s the fun in that?”

    *You know, that solves it. It’s not the Atlanteans, the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, the Templars or the Reptoids, even. It’s Them. You just have to find the offices in Geneva registered to Them and it’s all solved. They might be Them.com, Them Plc, Them + Partners, but it’s Them. Them, Them, Them. Simple.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sacha,

    I can confirm that I have drunk his whisky

    true, that

    He ate my falafel, too.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Loved your falafel, innovatively

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd, in reply to Russell Brown,

    He ate my falafel, too.

    Did you make it yourself?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Of course he made it himself. Russell isn't hidebound by a priori conceptions of felafel.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

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