Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Dirty Politics

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  • Alfie,

    Good grief. Here's Key having another go at Greenwald for spiking NZ's UN bid.

    "We are a good country doing good things. This guy turns up ... he's not a passionate New Zealander.

    "He's a conspiracy theorist and people will see it for what it is, " Mr Key told reporters last night.

    Conspiracy theorist? Jeez. For a man who's been caught with his hand jammed so firmly in the cookie jar that it's cutting off the blood supply, the least he could do is shut the fuck up.

    It would appear that the Nats are still relying on cognitive dissonance to overrule any common sense or human decency developing amongst their supporters.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to mark taslov,

    60b in debt

    ahem...
    88b and counting!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I went high to 86 last week, I wasn’t sure and don’t want to open myself up to any of that left-wing conspiracy theorist stuff. Thanks for that link. I’d laugh but that’s shocking, where’s all the money going?

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Turning Key's quote around a little pretty much sums up my feelings about the way my once great little country has been hijacked by a gang of neo-liberal ideologists for their own ends.

    We are a good country doing good things. Then this guy Key and his mates turn up ... they're not passionate New Zealanders.

    Yep. That sounds more like it.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Good grief. Here’s Key having another go at Greenwald for spiking NZ’s UN bid.

    It’s been a pretty impressive week for Mr Greenwald, there’s a sense that maybe every other week is just like this for him, saving the world, piece by piece. An introduction to The Intercept was one of the highlights for me. As well as Russell’s interview which was a nice break from John Kaiser’s little xenophobic sideshow. Cockroaches have more dignity. Bill English needs to cut him loose and restore some order there.

    I’ve always been dubious about New Zealand’s desire for the UNSC. Guilt by association and what can we offer? Key? That’s not a safer world. As Tussock rightly let loose on the Greenwald thread, John Key has enough blood on his hands, and I’ll bet he doesn’t even know it and he probably never will.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov, in reply to mark taslov,

    Ombudsman overrules Key over naming of staffer

    John Key has named the staff member in his office who was briefed by the SIS over the release of emails to blogger Cameron Slater.

    Following an intervention by the Chief Ombudsman, the prime minister has identified him as former deputy chief of staff Phil De Joux.

    For the record

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to mark taslov,

    ...dubious about New Zealand’s desire for the UNSC.

    Me too...
    Especially when I heard either Joyce or Key saying it would be useful for trade networking...
    way to get the wrong end of the stick!

    Paul Buchanan had some cogent thoughts on the earlier attempt in 2012

    and Bryce Edwards has a round up of useful info, here

    Personally I'd say our incumbent Head of State has proved himself less than trustworthy with secrets, gossip, rumour and fact...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ana Simkiss, in reply to mark taslov,

    So, do we know what security clearance Mr De Joux has?

    Freemans Bay • Since Nov 2006 • 141 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Ana Simkiss,

    So, do we know what security clearance Mr De Joux has?

    I’d imagine that everyone in the PM’s office would hold Top Secret clearance. It’s the nature of the job, and at the discretion of the Minister responsible (Key). Just means the SIS couldn’t find a reason to deny him.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to CJM,

    Hmm, wonder why I’m not surprised the National Party is involved….
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/254918/nz-link-to-chinese-anti-corruption-case

    Interesting. But why doesn’t Radio NZ name anybody? This report on ifeng, attributed to Global Times correspondents in NZ Wáng Miǎo and Qū Xiángyǔ, names the ex-vice-mayor as 曹鉴燎/Cáo Jiànliáo. Also:

    曹鉴燎的妻子、子女和情妇早在曹去年12月被广州市纪委调查前就已迁居新西兰。

    Cáo Jiànliáo’s wife, children [yes, plural] and mistress had already moved to New Zealand before the Guangzhou Municipal Disciplin committee began its investigation in December last year.

    It says all this information came from the Financial Times.

    There’s more, but I’m running out of time. Perhaps somebody could find Jamil Anderlini’s original FT report?

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • stephen clover, in reply to mark taslov,

    where’s all the money going?

    "Fiscally neutral" tax cuts, wasn't it?

    wgtn • Since Sep 2007 • 355 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Personally I’d say our incumbent Head of State has proved himself less than trustworthy with secrets, gossip, rumour and fact…

    Seriously, what a fukwit. All his ability to influence others despite the slug bullshit, he was popular. Now, he's just a fukwit. What headspace would not want to make this place the best in the world and being the size we are, that's achievable. Now we are just alongside the rest of 'em . Greed really has a lot to answer for.It's despicable that the PM let's any of this happen on his watch and joins in even. What a tosser.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Oh whilst I'm here and noone is probably listening, I'm going to squeeze in for Bart, info that Stella had an op and all seems well. We have extended her time here and don't know or wanna know for how long. She is actually great. Like a bloody 5 year old. Codeine is speed for her .Always thought she was odd. My kinda odd tho' :)

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

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Good news about Stella. Odd is good.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    I think so too. The girl is special. An injured bitch with Edwardian collar ,I'll bang into your legs because I can kinda collar. A let's flip that beer kinda collar. An oh look I can flick my bowl of water kinda collar. a lets knock the chairs over, lets scratch doors whilst I'm at it kinda collar. yet I still am happy . Life's a bitch :)

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

  • mark taslov, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    But why doesn’t Radio NZ name anybody?

    The audio interview at the bottom of the page has a lot of detail, quite nuanced. Generally predisposed to print media, tuning back into RNZ over this election period has been a sound for sore ears. Hoksings on ZB not so much. How many times does an interviewer need to ask the opposition leader if he’ll resign if he doesn’t win the election? He’s asked Cunliffe at least 3 times during this campaign, twice during the debates, same answer every time, how that question serve our democracy or shows any respect I’m yet to fathom.

    - “Will you quite your job if you don’t reach your goals?”

    - “I’m focused on reaching my goals right now.”

    -“No but will you quit your job IF [nudge nudge wink wink] you FAIL?(!!!)”

    (This interview was an electoral advertisement paid for by the National Party)

    where’s all the money going?

    “Fiscally neutral” tax cuts, wasn’t it?


    That’s great news about Stella Sophie. =)

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Attachment

    In case there was any doubt which way this paper leans*.
    [actual screenshot]

    Gratuitous. I understand times may be tough for print media, but discretion is advised, unless flagrantly broadcasting your partisan leanings has now become something for NZMSM to aspire to.

    *may also help to explain where all the money went.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Dismal Soyanz, in reply to mark taslov,

    Although it’s not all bad. David Fisher is making some grounds in redemption.

    [ETA: and here, too.

    She said the Ombudsman's relationship with the government service was based on trust. Without that, she said, "we're all in trouble".

    "We may as well kiss democracy goodbye. The work of this office relies in great measure in the maintenance of a high level of trust and integrity between ourselves and government agencies," she said.

    ]

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov, in reply to Dismal Soyanz,

    The timing of that couldn’t be better, and that m. is a nifty trick.

    Targeting overseas voters they had this up as lead story overnight; no author, blatant advertorial. The odd photo I assume for plausible deniability.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • John Farrell,

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to Dismal Soyanz,

    Yikes. That’s a serious accusation.

    I’d expect it’ll be written off as ‘politically motivated’ by half of the currently-polarised electorate, given the timing.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov, in reply to mark taslov,

    Advertorial has belatedly been rejigged with a John Key greatest campaign video hits/ Cunliffe blunders selection. Because that's what newspapers do 4realz.The body remains, some of John Key’s weakest writing:

    In the end, however, one thought rules them all. “It’s the economy, stupid” may be trite, but it is true.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • CJM,

    Wow. Excellent work by Frank. This shit just makes me so angry. So many of these people involved are loathsome. Their pettiness and ugly pomposity needs to be revealed. Sadly they're amongst many friends in NZ.

    Auckland • Since Aug 2014 • 107 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Pressing issues covered…
    The Press has run this space-wasting story today…
    with the sub head:
    “Election campaigns do funny things to politicians”
    But their featured photo in the paper and on links to the story, is the “Chchch? We lost the patient…” smile-fest from the Forte private hospital opening, which comes from February.
    Hardly peak campaign time – they woulda been there anyway a photo-op is a photo-op…
    that was third of a page that could have been useful information…
    a day out from ‘The Final Countdown’…

    and they’ve stacked the Letters to the Editor with
    a Blue Rinse Choir covering Status Quo!

    Plus there was a palm sized Blue vote National Party sticker
    right over the masthead and its latin motto:
    “nihil utile quod non honestum”
    (“Nothing is useful that is not honest.”)
    - tangentially, the sticker also covers a strip heading that says
    “Think before you swim – Canty waterways get worse”
    and the National cover-up attempt backfires, so it now reads
    “Think before yo-PARTY VOTE NATIONAL- waterways get worse”
    hah!
    a blue bruise nonetheless
    I note The Press’s ‘Election 2014’
    banner is red though!

    Just sayin’…

    And at least they’ve come out as ’Too tight to call as Nats shed support’

    plus Stuff has a timely reminder about:
    Election day ’electioneering’ and social media.

    I can’t remember, what happens here?
    - do comments get turned off for the day?
    - what’s to stop someone reading old postings, and being swayed?
    (or, god forbid, talking to someone casually…)
    - does the web go black?

    Sounds dangerous,
    concentrating all a nation’s
    energies, focus and rage
    of ages, to be held in for a day,
    (well till 7pm?)
    with one moment of release
    that is gone in two ticks!

    …sounds positively Tantric!

    Ps Can’t we harness this somehow?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov, in reply to mark taslov,

    [Update] Advertorial videos have been removed and the article has been revised to it’s original format with the single photo of John Key. Four hours after publication article has 11 Facebook likes and 3 Twitter.

    They’ve removed that photo on that article suddenly Ian. Without the picture there are 676 words owing.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

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