Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Dropping the Bomber

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  • Sacha, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    After claiming that no country could possibly have resources on hand for such an event

    Story on TV3 news tonight was telling - government decided a year ago not to buy a dedicated fast response vessel for oil spills. That's more active than just not being prepared.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to hamishm,

    He's going to look at asking someone to investigate asking someone else to not move Coronation Street!

    I heard that from someone who inferred it while working for a major bank. A major one, mind.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Actually, I think it's quite obvious why Goff isn't playing to a lot of us on the Left: he (and his caucus) is trying too hard to be like John Key and be all things to all people.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to HORansome,

    he (and his caucus) is trying too hard to be like John Key and be all things to all people.

    [citation needed]
    And that's my point, you will be hard pressed to find one that hasn't come from Nationals spinmeisters.
    I would, in fact, say that it is the other way round in reality. Key is trying to be like Goff and his caucus, experienced, professional and capable. As far as we have seen Key is none of these things. Goff has served this country for around 42 years as a member of the Labour Party and has been a cabinet minister for around 15 of those. Key, on the other hand has had, merely 9 long years in da house, three of those as a relaxed puppet that has the ability to "reject" facts that do not suit the not so secret agenda of enriching his peers. A previous life was spent in the very business that has brought the global financial system close to collapse, he lasted less than 2 years in any position. As we now know he was known as ""the smiling assassin" for maintaining his usual cheerfulness while sacking dozens (some say hundreds) of staff after heavy losses from the 1998 Russian financial crisis"
    [Rapson, Bevan (26 April 2005). "Golden Boy". Metro Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.].
    true, wikipedia says so
    So, why do people think Goff is lame? Crosby Textor told you so...

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Anyhoo, with any luck this latest debacle, “OilSpill Gate” shall we call it? could finish Key this time. Lying again on TV3, on Campbell Live, ironic, much?

    It's already been christened: Rena-gate.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • andin,

    Lying again on TV3, on Campbell Live

    There was some kind of downward-lipped dour faced mutt in the background. Reminded me of those rear window ornaments, popular a while back.
    That nodded approvingly at each lie and poured visual scorn on the questioner.
    Yeah I know who it was, I watch is all.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • hamishm, in reply to andin,

    Yes I noticed that person too. Nodding away like a backseat nodding dog. Doing there best to look concerned.
    I don't know who they are

    Since Nov 2006 • 357 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to hamishm,

    I don’t know who they are

    It was Simon Bridges to the left, Todd McClay to the right. Key was back in the middle again. Would have been good to hear from the Tauranga MP.
    Meanwhile there was a diesel/ milk spill in Rotorua. where Todd McClay represents.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to hamishm,

    local MP, led by nose

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    I wonder if they tithe?

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    why do people think Goff is lame? Crosby Textor told you so...

    Should someone with 42 years experience have learned how to outmanoeuvre CT by now? Discuss.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Rich Lock,

    Should someone with 42 years experience have learned how to outmanoeuvre CT by now? Discuss.

    I suppose you could say that Goff is too old school for that sort of carry on, guess you have to have had years of experience in rorting people to acquire that Teflon® coating that repels shit and responsibility alike. Having wallowed in the mire that is finance for years, the smiling assassin has the upper hand on that.
    Ooh look, the Emporers clothes are made of Teflon®

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • JLM,

    I slept through it, but apparently the PM was on MR again this morning. Was someone asking him hard questions?

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2500087/the-prime-minister-responds-to-criticism-about-rena.asx

    Judy Martin's southern sl… • Since Apr 2007 • 241 posts Report Reply

  • hamishm,

    Nick Smith fronted Catherine Ryan and did a decent job of saying"Shut up, that's why" and "This is not like deep sea drilling." I think he used the special passwords "Clean, green, image" as well

    Since Nov 2006 • 357 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Whilst it's a nice conspiracy theory you have there, Steve, its one that has to go up against the other candidate explanations for the event which aren't conspiratorial at all but focus mostly on how Goff just isn't very good as a parliamentary leader of the Labour Party. Whilst no one can deny that he has spent decades working for the country, that doesn't imply that he's leadership material. Good ministers do not necessarily make good leaders.

    Also, your theory is just a bit back to front: Key went into the election, in his current guise, against the previous parliamentary leader (and then Prime Minister), Helen Clark. Key wasn't trying to be Goff: he was trying not to be Clark. It's actually telling that Labour, upon seeing how successful Key was, chose Goff (who I've never particularly liked anyway: he's too right-of-left for my liking) as their contender for next Prime Minister.

    As for claiming that Crosby-Textor is telling me what to think about the Labour Party, well, they must have been instructing me since the advent of the Foreshore and Seabed Act (since that was when I gave up on Labour, out of disgust. Possibly even earlier: I almost always votde to the left of Labour when I have had the opportunity). Cunning Australian bastards.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to HORansome,

    Cunning Australian bastards.

    C/T isn't known as the Aussie Karl Rove for nothing.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to HORansome,

    It's actually telling that Labour, upon seeing how successful Key was, chose Goff (who I've never particularly liked anyway: he's too right-of-left for my liking) as their contender for next Prime Minister.

    I think that the choice was only ever between Goff and Maharey and after Maharey retired, I don't think there were many other choices. I think It makes sense to give a senior member the opportunity. Labour might've changed leader mid-term but chose not too. Only the Caucus knows why they didn't.

    Key's Prime Ministership is unusual. He's entirely different from Clark who made a virture of being across the detail, different too from Shipley and Bolger. This morning on NatRad, he consistently said, I don't know, I don't have the detail, I can't recall... I find it infuriating but it's worked for him for a long time. Will it work on a matter as significant as the despoiling of one of the most popular beaches in NZ?

    It appears, from some distance, that his approach currently defines political discourse. In the short term, I think, whomever wishes to oppose him to have a proximate style to cut through. Longer term, its obvious limitations will require him to either change or move on.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome, in reply to Paul Williams,

    Maharey would have been an interesting choice, if he had been available.

    I've often joked that Clayton Cosgrove should have got the role: he was the most vocal Labour MP in the first few months after Goff was chosen and Clark stood down.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    Will it work on a matter as significant as the despoiling of one of the most popular beaches in NZ?

    Based on polling, the usual misdirection worked a treat over the RWC opening night, as with #eqnz and other matters.

    Not so much the national park desecration that was very competently opposed by environmental organisations.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Paul Williams,

    This morning on NatRad, he consistently said, I don’t know, I don’t have the detail, I can’t recall… I find it infuriating

    I find it a damn less infuriating than (and you might like to go make a cup of tea before reading the rest of this, Paul) Clark’s near pathological inability to say “I don’t know” or, even worse, “I was wrong” with any kind of good grace. To be fair, politicians are damned if they do (FLIP-FLOP screams the hack-pack!) and damned if they don’t (ARROGANT AND OUT OF TOUCH!), but I think we don’t get to have it both ways.

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

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Sacha,

    Based on polling, the usual misdirection worked a treat over the RWC opening night.

    Sure, but this is several orders of magnitude more serious no? The Mount's not my favourite spot, but I know it is for many. Thick black smelly oil, dying bird life, cordened off beaches and depressed Christmas rental/retail... that's got to command a response more than, "I've not been briefed on that yet"?

    I find it a damn less infuriating than (and you might like to go make a cup of tea before reading the rest of this, Paul) Clark's near pathological inability to say "I don't know" or, even worse, "I was wrong" with any kind of good grace.

    No cup of tea required, I agree.

    It was the real flaw in her approach and it hurt her. Her response over the speeding to catch a flight to the rugby was the instance that I thought most idiotic (I'd have advised her to say, "yeah, look I'm really sorry, I thought we were pushing it and I should've said something but I really wanted to get to the footy").

    We're saying the same thing really, Key's approach has an appeal, but the PM's got to front the public on a matter as important as this and make plain what, how and when a solution will be found.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    It's an immediate empathy test, for sure.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    infuriating

    Be interesting to see how it plays with traditional right voters looking for decisive leadership.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    Sure, but this is several orders of magnitude more serious no?

    Sorry, added a reference to #eqnz for that reason. Pike River mine also similar, though less visible widespread impact as you say.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Paul Williams,

    that’s got to command a response more than, “I’ve not been briefed on that yet”?

    FFS, Paul, and if he hasn’t been briefed yet should he just pull something out of his arse? I remember similar bitching after the second Christchurch Quake, and it was actually pretty important that people (especially the Prime Minister) NOT spread misinformation that quite literally could have endangered lives.

    One major criticism I have of the media is how often the obession with getting a soundbite right now overwhelms the obligation to get things right. If Key hadn't been briefed, you may think he's a plonker or someone just isn't doing their damn job. But I'd rather he actually said he doesn't know than try and bullshit his way through a presser.

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

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