Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Footnotes

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  • Matthew Poole,

    As for the computer timing, I thought that the point about it was that it was inconclusive and not particularly useful to either camp.

    If the timing as reported to the initial trial was accurate, then David could have been home to turn the computer on on based on sightings of him. But once it came out that the watch used to estimate when it was turned on had an accuracy +/- roughly three minutes it was suddenly wide open. That was particularly sloppy work on the part of the police, since even in the mid-90s it was entirely possible to have digital watches that reported not just the minutes but also the seconds. I know that for a fact, because I'd had one for several years.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Paul Litterick,

    The impression is that at least a few of them had already made up their minds and had ceased paying attention to the trial and were just killing time, so to speak.

    After Bain's release by the Privy Council decision, one would have been forgiven for thinking that he had been proven innocent, such was the media response. Bain's team were at pains to reinforce this impression and imply that the trial was no more than another burden for an innocent man. Bain's QC sought to give the impression to the jury that the trial was an injustice and the Court was unfair, so much so that other lawyers were appalled by his behaviour. It is no wonder that some of the jurors lost interest: they no doubt formed the impression that there time was being wasted by an unjust legal system.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report

  • Brickley Paiste,

    To state the obvious, Brickley, it's an issue because it raises doubts about the impartiality of these jury members.

    Yeah of course but how can it be stopped? The jurors have a right to freedom of association. Were it the judge, that would be different. There was a case in Auckland in which a lawyer, after an acquittal, invited the entire jury to a party at his house and the law society didn't get cross. It doesn't smell nice but legally there has been no wrong-doing. The jury was, after all, Bain's "peers". To stop it I think you'd need professional jurors or judge-alone only trials.

    one would have been forgiven for thinking that he had been proven innocent, such was the media response.

    I was worried at the time that John Campbell was actually going to drop to his knees to felate Bain on live television. It was grotesque. All people charged with murder should be so lucky.

    Since Mar 2009 • 164 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    I hate to interrupt the Interminable discussion of David Bain with a threadjack,

    but

    What the frak is this?

    I know Tolley is an ignoramous with a penchant for the sauce, but she can't be serious... Can she??

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I know Tolley is an ignoramous with a penchant for the sauce, but she can't be serious... Can she??

    Jesus fuck, Tom -- could you wait until Russell is out of his sick bed before setting him up to get sued?

    That bit of Hansard is disgusting. No matter what kind of games Labour are playing around National's appointment of Rankin - and National have only themselves to blame because they appointed the silly bitch - to accuse people of "not caring" about child abuse is so far below that belt that Key should be thankful for parliamentary privilege.

    Well, Matthew, you've got a fair point as far as it goes. But if the Speaker got in the habit of naming anyone who engaged in rhetorical Helen Lovejoy-ism, I suspect the House would be permanently inquorate.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    Well, Matthew, you've got a fair point as far as it goes. But if the Speaker got in the habit of naming anyone who engaged in rhetorical Helen Lovejoy-ism, I suspect the House would be permanently inquorate.

    Oh, god, please don't draw me into an everyone-is-equally-culpable argument now that I've actually stopped pissing blood ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant,

    But if the Speaker got in the habit of naming anyone who engaged in rhetorical Helen Lovejoy-ism, I suspect the House would be permanently inquorate.

    Only if he kicks out every Minister, bcause that's the only quorum requirement we have.

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Oh, god, please don't draw me into an everyone-is-equally-culpable argument now that I've actually stopped pissing blood ...

    Russell: Please pretend that imputations of bad faith (and callous indifference towards children/the elderly/Maori/women/puppies etc.) aren't a standard -- and distasteful -- trope in political rhetoric. I'd quite happily throw volumes of Hansard at you until your urethra is the only place you're NOT bleeding from.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    Russell: Please pretend that imputations of bad faith (and callous indifference towards children/the elderly/Maori/women/puppies etc.) aren't a standard -- and distasteful -- trope in political rhetoric.

    I was meaning to make a joke, but, seriously, what Key trotted out three times yesterday was much more egregious than the usual Parliamentary trash-talking.

    It was really vile. Could you not just acknowledge that?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Robert van Bakel,

    I'm writing from China: This is the same Rankin who wore the laughable 'boob tubes' in the early nineties as a managerial 'wonderkind' of "Work and Income"? If it is (I have been out of the loop, not reading HardNews for several years), she was, is, and forever will be, a lobotomized tart. She has an ability to survive, thus marking her, as largely animal.
    This, what? being, existance, waste of space, tart, utterly pointless vacuous boring bitch, IS, for want of a better description, not good for, 'good'ol NZ'.
    As for Bain, I decided he was guilty on the day of his arrest. I realise in a democracy we need more than MY interpretation, and for the next 15 odd years we got it.

    China • Since Jul 2008 • 12 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'm writing from China: This is the same Rankin who wore the laughable 'boob tubes' in the early nineties as a managerial 'wonderkind' of "Work and Income"?

    Perhaps you'd like to turn your attention slightly higher than her tits, Robert?

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

  • Carol Stewart,

    As for Bain, I decided he was guilty on the day of his arrest.

    That's kind of scary, Robert. Based on what?

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Brickley Paiste,

    what Key trotted out three times yesterday was much more egregious than the usual Parliamentary trash-talking.

    Yes it was. Kind of like this now infamous exchange that ran along similar lines..

    MELISSA LEE: I would like Opposition members to read the victim impact report, to see what kind of damage these criminals do to innocent families. Perhaps they do not actually have the emotions to understand what it is like to be a victim. I mentioned it in my maiden speech-

    Hon Phil Goff: That is very patronising. What would the member know about anything-

    Since Mar 2009 • 164 posts Report

  • Jan Farr,

    I know Tolley is an ignoramous with a penchant for the sauce, but she can't be serious... Can she??

    I wonder who she gets her feedback from. Possibly not from South Auckland:

    "But when it came to hobby courses, Ms Tolley said it was possible the services could still be provided if those taking the courses were prepared to pay more for them.

    She said feedback she had received suggested people were willing to do so."

    And isn't it possible that one person's hobby is another's employable skill?

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report

  • Eddie Clark,

    It was really vile. Could you not just acknowledge that?

    Given the response to the comment following yours, and the bypassing of your questions, Russell, I'd guess the answer from Craig is no :).

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 273 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Could we perhaps insult Rankin without resorting to the gendered insults?

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

  • Mellopuffy,

    Could we perhaps insult Rankin without resorting to the gendered insults?

    Thank you Danielle...

    Dunedin, NZ • Since Feb 2007 • 63 posts Report

  • Paul Litterick,

    It is not really about Rankin. She is perfectly entitled to her silly opinions and to run her silly trust. It is about the Government that appointed her to the Commission knowing those opinions and which now finds itself rather confused that she is voicing them.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    If it is (I have been out of the loop, not reading HardNews for several years),

    You'll have missed the memo about not using words like "tart" and "bitch" to insult people in the news because they happen to be female.

    C'mon. Really.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    Thanks, Russell.

    He's possibly missed on the formation of the PAS Women's XV too. Danielle caught the play nicely, as usual.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    He's possibly missed on the formation of the PAS Women's XV too. Danielle caught the play nicely, as usual.

    It's not just the skillset, it's the blistering natural speed. She'll always beat her man on the outside.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Grant McDougall,

    Regarding Rankin, while I disagree with a lot of what he says on other topics, Bill Ralston has summed up the fiasco of her appointment and subsequent mouthing -off very, very well in his blog at Stuff.
    He really hits the nail on the head, I reckon.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Given the response to the comment following yours, and the bypassing of your questions, Russell, I'd guess the answer from Craig is no :).

    Shove off, Eddie. I don't have the psychic ability to anticipate questions before they're posted, and I'll agree to disagree with Russell that Key, while offensive, was so far outside the range of "Parliamentary trash-talking". And I don't mean that as any kind of compliment.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I was watching that, and I was appalled. But it was part of a consistent pattern yesterday: no answers, so slander instead.

    Yes, I then kept muting, and came back to Lockwood Smith kicking Trevor Mallard out, caught it was something about Key's nose getting longer by the minute and then Key seem to spit the dummy so... Mallard gone. :) What was significant is how important the Standard and Poors credit rating is to Key. It seems to be the most important thing to him. Plus I am starting to loose respect for the Speaker.It is beginning to feel like he coaches the Nats. Jus' Sayin'

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

  • Angus Robertson,

    What was significant is how important the Standard and Poors credit rating is to Key. It seems to be the most important thing to him.

    It is important. If we do get a downgrade we will have to provide about $200,000,000 more each year to such diverse interests as Arab oil despots, the Chinese Communist Party and Euro/American megacorps. Whilst I am not philosphically opposed to the odd bit of government social welfare, these are not groups I'd feel happy about subsidising.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report

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