Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Costly indeed

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  • Sacha,

    Thanks, Deborah. Had discussions with exactly those sentiments this afternoon at an octogenarian's birthday party. I believe the reason people piled in on Jones is not because they're squeamish about porn but that it is so obviously in the private sphere rather than the public one.

    Even English got away more with his sustained and cynical housing rort - before the govt shifted the goalposts just as they did in the Budget for our high-earning tax-dodgers. (Sorry Slarty)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    I've got absolutely no problems with MPs staying in comfortable, even very comfortable hotels. I've got no problems with them having a quiet meal in their room. I've got no problems with them having a few drinks, getting their laundry done, making a phone call home.

    (I'm a little appalled to have heard up-thread that officials from one ministry were staying in back-packers hostels. Maybe if it was something to do with a highly political matter that they were trying to organise, and staying at a fancy motel or hotel was going to be a very, very bad look, but the minister ought to be bloody grateful, and it ought not to happen otherwise.)

    But buying porn, or even just any pay-per-view movies on the taxpayers' tab? That's personal, out of hours entertainment, and it gets paid for by the person using it, themselves, just they way they would pay if they went to a movie at the picture theatre, or took in an off-Broadway play, or went shopping in Harrods.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Agree about bigger fish to fry and the un-fun-ness of that lifestyle - though it's a trade-off for pay or influence I guess.

    I have far more sympathy for the staff than the Ministers concerned anyway. Perhaps my governance expectations are higher.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Cecelia,

    Yet When Harry Met Sally and When Harry Banged Sally constitute exactly the same offence.

    Exactly?

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Watching porn in public is likely to get you arrested for "offensive" behaviour. Some might argue the same should apply to Meg Ryan's performance, but it doesn't. Most people know this.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Perhaps my governance expectations are higher.

    Nah Sacha you're no snob ;), you have empathy for the underdog. Nothing wrong with that.
    I just cant see the need for sacking people. I hate that people don't get a chance to make amends for their behaviour and to receive first strike for a first offence makes me feel like SST is becoming ingrained.Still I imagine many are thinking more carefully about their cards as of this past week. The rules have been laid without question now.A punishment might be necessary, but politics being what it is I couldn't say, so can't presume or judge so quickly.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Agree about bigger fish to fry and the un-fun-ness of that lifestyle - though it's a trade-off for pay or influence I guess.

    Personally, I don't want to hear politicians raising a chorus of 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me' until they've auditioned for a room full of teachers, and nurses and police officer and fire fighters who know a thing or two about real un-fun-ness. I'm not saying it's all wine and roses for politicians or their families, but when our legislators try to get a pity party going I think the media aren't the one ones who could do with a generous reality check.

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

  • giovanni tiso,

    Exactly?

    Yes. Unless the laws of the land have been manipulated when I wasn't looking.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    Well... I hear an undertone of rape in "When Harry Banged Sally" (and that would offend against the consenting adults criterion), but not in "When Harry and Sally Shagged". So not quite exactly.

    But exactly enough to take your point. There is an overtone of sniggering and moral prurience attached to the discussion of Shane Jones' extra expenditure which doesn't attach to flashing the crown card at bike shops and golf clubs. Yet the degree of moral culpability is the same.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Well... I hear an undertone of rape in "When Harry Banged Sally" (and that would offend against the consenting adults criterion), but not in "When Harry and Sally Shagged". So not quite exactly.

    Of for crying out loud... That being the case, I see an undertone of the hated patriarchy in "When Harry Met Sally", as opposed to "When Harry and Sally Met". Blame Nora Ephron, I say.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    but when our legislators try to get a pity party going I think the media aren't the one ones who could do with a generous reality check.

    Absolutely agree, the average salary of this country is a disgrace and has been since the late 80's.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    And tackling porn is going to be at least 500 posts for all of us, it's a subject that has so many angles.

    For a start , what is porn, it has so many forms?

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Ian MacKay,

    Jeremy I too wondered what the difference is between porn and erotica? (I read somewhere that women make up at least half of the audience of one or the other but can't remember where.)

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    I really would be weary of viewing stats on this subject Ian.
    I mean, Men will lie about this shit forever, look at Clinton, look at Shane.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    And tackling porn is going to be at least 500 posts for all of us

    Just.Don't.Start.

    Srsly.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Be an uninformed conversation anyway. None of us have ever watched it, nor inhaled.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    one day we'll have too... for da kids, i don't want this sexual identity mess passed on.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    I inhaled porn once, it's very difficult to smoke, Those cassettes take ages to light.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    You need a blue dress to really get them going, I've heard #intern

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    See, i feel sorry for Melanie. Clinton fucked up. Not her.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    Clinton was a sexpig.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    But did he pay for his own cigars?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    He was the best liberal politician in my lifetime, apart from my hero in there at the moment. Liberalism is not the club it use to be.

    But who has an Obama? He rocks.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    This current u.s administration is the best by a golden mile in my lifetime and it's Liberal.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    Arrogance and entitlement, has a stench to it.

    The legal defence in a charge of drink driving of "I'm a Cop" is bloody corruption!

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3805584/Drink-driving-cop-avoids-conviction

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

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