Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Farce About

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  • peter mclennan,

    so, John Key has to try and get back 10,000 dvds he's been handing out - maybe he should have, ah, maybe used some original New Zealand music instead? Like that band, Brooke Fraser.

    AK Central • Since Nov 2006 • 159 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    The John Key/Coldplay debacle reminds me of the Guardian's 2006 April Fool's Day trick, where they reported that Chris Martin was now backing the Tories. It even included a song, reworking Coldplay's "Talk" into "Talk to David".

    And then, while googling, I found this July post from John Key's blog where he asks the masses for ideas for a theme tune.

    The last comment on the page says:

    I did like hearing Colplay's 'Clocks' being played at the recent Environment Policy announcement. The tune is catchy, though I'd have to say that the lyrics aren't all that relevant.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall,

    If Henare fails to contact the McCready's lawyer by Friday, a refusal will have consequences"

    It's somewhat ironic that McCready's taking Mallard to court for throwing his weight around, but is now making "stand-over" threats himself.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • Neil Smart,

    Russell I am not surprised buy the phone spam. I am reading Noam Chomsky's Failed States. He describes action of this sort as Demonic Messianism, which he says, is a natural device for leadership groups that are at the extreme of the spectrum in their dedication to the short-term interests of narrow sectors of power & wealth.

    He is of course a little extreme in his views and of course fears American democracy is a long dead thing but the point he makes is exactly what these special interest groups are trying to create in NZ. The power used by a few, to overcome common sense of the majority in the pursuit of a minority view that suits those with vested interests. He calls them reactionary or conservative Statists.

    The noise created by this group about this bill is a good example of this behaviour. I only hope the government draft it properly because I do think there are some legitimate concerns on complexity.

    Since Nov 2006 • 71 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    Definitely chalk one up to the standard. Watching the webwars is fascinating at the moment. The Labourites obviously concluded that kiwiblog has far too much of the web and have decided they want some of it for themselves. The fight is going along a ding a dong, so this signifies a first big hit for the standard over kiwiblog. Of course I'm biased but I'm loving it, it has got all the fun of the fair.

    But a serious question. As a person who uses teh interweb primarily for entertainment and business could someone more l33t than me tell me if Mr. Farrar's case against Sam Dixon is solid or not? Or is David Farrar just trying to re-create himself as a victim searching for a persecutor? Its very confusing, but shockingly poor form from Sam Dixon if the accusation is true.

    As far as the manufactured outrage of the anti-EFB crowd goes - I started the Xmas party season two weeks ago and from now until mid January I'm tuning out. I'll start getting outraged about politics again in February. It'll die a death over summer methinks.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    The Standard is, as you might expect, cock-a-hoop over spotting the problem and layering the real 'Clocks' and the fake one over each other to emphasise their similarity.

    Sure, but am I the only person who also expected - and was not disappointed - to see the usual suspects on both the loony left and the rabid right conflate this into a veritably apocalyptic issue that will resonate all the way to the ballot box next year? Waiter, bring the reality check.

    Embarrassing (and deservedly so) and potentially expensive - you bet. Chances that someone at National Party HQ is being torn a new arsehole as we speak -- near certain. The End of Days? Naaah....

    I guess the next stage is see whether EMI and the co-writers of the song think it's worth suing over. Who knows, but if my memory serves Lalio Schiffin and his publishers couldn't be arsed taking action against Jim Anderton's personality cult's unlicensed use of the Mission Impossible theme on a campaign website for several weeks. As I understand it (and stop if you've heard this before), the music was withdrawn after media inquiries and a licence was applied for.

    And I just can't whip up an excess of righteous indignation about that either.

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

  • Conor Roberts,

    Regarding John Key's track, one of my charitable friends suggested he should have had 'Nowhere Man' by the Beatles. Apt lyrics reproduced below:

    He's a real nowhere Man,
    Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
    Making all his nowhere plans
    for nobody.

    Doesn't have a point of view,
    Knows not where he's going to,
    Isn't he a bit like you and me?
    Nowhere Man, please listen,
    You don't know what you're missing,
    Nowhere Man, the world is at your command.

    He's as blind as he can be,
    Just sees what he wants to see,
    Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

    Nowhere Man, don't worry,
    Take your time, don't hurry,
    Leave it all till somebody else
    lends you a hand.

    Doesn't have a point of view,
    Knows not where he's going to,
    Isn't he a bit like you and me?

    He's a real Nowhere Man,
    Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
    Making all his nowhere plans
    for nobody.
    Making all his nowhere plans
    for nobody.
    Making all his nowhere plans
    for nobody.



    Exactly.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 57 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Easterbrook,

    Spooky.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    the Broadband Map ... Only complaint: the key is hard to read.

    I'll take the blame for that one! Any specific suggestions? Is it the key for the demand points, the networks, or both?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    Who knows, but if my memory serves Lalio Schiffin and his publishers couldn't be arsed taking action against Jim Anderton's personality cult's unlicensed use of the Mission Impossible theme on a campaign website for several weeks.

    Here's another fuzzy memory - didn't Labour use "Up where we belong" (yuck) for their 1984 election campaign, and they didn't have time to get permission to use it so they just went ahead and used it anyway?

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And with that, I think of next year with this lyric stuck on repeat: "Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December..."

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

  • Russell Brown,

    Embarrassing (and deservedly so) and potentially expensive - you bet. Chances that someone at National Party HQ is being torn a new arsehole as we speak -- near certain. The End of Days? Naaah....

    Quite. Although I guess we have to allow The Standard some gloating given that earlier this year they were contacted by Key's office asserting copyright in a picture of Key they were using and demanding they take it down. Oops.

    But, holy shit, the small-arms war currently being fought between The Standard and Kiwiblogblog on one hand and Kiwiblog on the other is something to stay away from. I dread to think how that will unfold in 08.

    I guess the next stage is see whether EMI and the co-writers of the song think it's worth suing over.

    I doubt that will happen. Trashing 10,000 DVDs is a fairly significant step towards compliance.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    it also doesn't work with my browser - type my whole address in, click submit and it complains I haven't filled it in

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Hey, here's something I hadn't seen before.

    Back in July, Key used his videoblog to invite suggestions for a theme song.

    And yup, someone suggested 'Clocks'. The same commenter also confirms Robyn's memory about Labour's use of 'Up Where We Belong' (puke!) in 1984.

    Someone else suggests, with a straight face, the Verve's 'Bittersweet Symphony'.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I'll take the blame for that one! Any specific suggestions? Is it the key for the demand points, the networks, or both?

    It's actually working out what's what on the map. I know it's nearly all Telecom networks, but it's hard to see what else there is. Maybe I'm just challenged.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    he should have had 'Nowhere Man' by the Beatle

    Someone reminded me recently that in his day Jim Bolger got in trouble getting sung that song by school kids.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    "..But, holy shit, the small-arms war currently being fought between The Standard and Kiwiblogblog on one hand and Kiwiblog on the other is something to stay away from. I dread to think how that will unfold in 08..."


    Hand to hand with entrenching tools and bayonets by then I should imagine.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • dc_red,

    to see the usual suspects on both the loony left and the rabid right conflate this into a veritably apocalyptic issue that will resonate all the way to the ballot box next year? Waiter, bring the reality check.

    Funny, I feel much the same way about the EFB.

    Here's another fuzzy memory - didn't Labour use "Up where we belong" (yuck) for their 1984 election campaign, and they didn't have time to get permission to use it so they just went ahead and used it anyway?

    My very hazy recollection is that they got permission just minutes before they were going to play it (or perhaps even while it was being played?).

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    But, holy shit, the small-arms war currently being fought between The Standard and Kiwiblogblog on one hand and Kiwiblog on the other is something to stay away from. I dread to think how that will unfold in 08.

    While we're quoting song lyrics (compliant with fair use, of course), "Somebody's going to emergency, somebody's going to jail" comes to mind.

    Virtual chocolate fish if someone can tell me where that line comes from, and bonus nerd points if you can tell me the wonderful television drama that lyric was an episode title for.

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

  • Nicholas O'Flaherty,

    The State Services Commission seems to have a fairly progressive view on employee blogs, eg: Jason Ryan's blog over at the Network of Public Sector Communicators is one of the best NZ sources for anyone in marketing communications (public or private sector) trying to come to grips with social media.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2007 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Dukes of Hazzard?

    Curses on your Ranapia for that earwig. I can hear that line but none other!

    Make. It. Stop!

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I've got an idea - perhaps every political party could pool their resources and use this ditty (warning: link potentially NSFW) as a collective campaign anthem - not only catchy but full of truthy goodness about the nature of contemporary election campaigns.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Dukes of Hazzard?

    Poo, you jest - I said 'wonderful television drama'. And if I had a shiny dollar coin for every time I'd been told to make it stop, I'd have a carton of cigs and a Happy Meal easy. :)

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

  • Paul Williams,

    Hints please, maybe genre and/or era? '70s, '80s or more recent?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Tomorrowpeople,

    No coincidence I think.
    Key opened his conference a while back with the actual Coldplay 'Clocks' version.
    No doubt someone said "let's use that track on the DVD" but on advice would have been told they had to license it (= $$$ and probably being turned down) so they have commissioned a 'sound-alike' to get round it.
    It's not a cover version...

    The Craps tables at the B… • Since Nov 2006 • 188 posts Report Reply

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