Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Meet the New Bob

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  • MikeE,

    Yup, the one thing that annoyed me about Saturday's protest was Bob.

    Having someone who pushes for either soft or state censorship of southpark, simpsons, californication, hell pizza and boobs on bikes as a mouthpiece for a free speech campaign sends mixed messages.

    That said I still support the intent of the protest entirely.

    Washington DC • Since Nov 2006 • 138 posts Report Reply

  • Joanna,

    Speaking for the Wellingtonista, I'm very happy to announce that you can now cast your votes for what you think are the best things in Wellington. Please vote. There's lots of awesome prizes in it for you.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 746 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I voted!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Neil Morrison,

    I wonder if the Electoral Finance Bill is the political right's GE issue

    or, more topically, police raids. If the person putting Hyperbole in NZ's water supply would just change to Valium. Or e, either way.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    Hey Russell,

    a) Thanks for organising the Wellington Christmas Party when I'm out of town...and b) as one of its much-loved sons I'm quite likely to sweep various "Best in Wellington" categories - would you mind accepting them on my behalf, ta? You know the drill, thank my lawyer, accountant...ask yourself 'Who Would Tim Finn Thank?"

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    Still, at least there's someone there to save us from the trauma of hearing the word "wanker" on The Simpsons.

    I love reading BSA decisions.

    The complainant argued that the words [wanker and ass] were totally inappropriate for supposed child and family friendly viewing time, and that they would be unacceptable in a school or employment setting.

    Ha ha ha! I used to work for a company who had the Employment Court rule that bad-arse swearing was acceptable in that workplace and so employees couldn't be disciplined for it. And in my current workplace, I sit near a group of young ladies who swear like pirates.

    Anyway, I hope and trust that there will be moral lapses up the wazoo at the great Wellingtonista-Public Address Christmas Party at Welington's Mighty Mighty on Thursday, December 6.

    OMG, I am so excited about this. I have time off work and flights and tickets booked already. I'm looking forward to meeting the many fine people who make up the Wellingtonista and PA System community.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    But given that this is effectively a remix of the conservative Christian lobby that played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the last election campaign, I suspect I'm not alone in desiring a little more transparency. Who are these people? How much money do they have? Where's it from? And what discussions have they had with established political parties?

    Actually, Russell, I'd be quite keen to see that level of scepticism applied to all the impressive sounding rent-a-quotes who seem to be a substitute for actual reporting and analysis. Then again, I guess a little sceptical analysis of the lobbying activities of former politicians and journalists would run a little too close to the bone... What really creeps me out is that Family First is relatively transparent, at least compared to organisations like ChenPalmer.

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

  • Joanna,

    b) as one of its much-loved sons I'm quite likely to sweep various "Best in Wellington" categories

    That'd be interesting, given that you're only nominated in one category, although it's a pretty good one.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 746 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew Smith,

    "But given that this is effectively a remix of the conservative Christian lobby that played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the last election campaign..."

    I just hope you are not lumping all 'Christian Conservatives' into the 'Exclusive Brethren' club. As a christian conservative myself, I would not want to be associated with what many would class as a 'cult'. In saying that though, I think the lobbying the Brethren did at the last election was OK, except they that they tried to be non-transparent which is devious and (dare I say it ) unchristian. Also, I do believe that Family First are quite open about who they are. Not that I am a member in any way.

    Since Jan 2007 • 150 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    b) as one of its much-loved sons I'm quite likely to sweep various "Best in Wellington" categories - would you mind accepting them on my behalf, ta?

    I'd be honoured. Although I did vote for you ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I wouldn't trust Labour as far as I could throw Parekura Horomia.

    However after hearing the news report on the march with some mad woman going on about how this was the "end of democracy in NZ", I was re-convinced that this bill was a Good Thing.

    Nobody's going to be stopped from writing blogs, going on marches, flyposting or whatever. They just aren't going to be able to spend thousands of dollars trying to buy the election.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Idiot Savant,

    Meanwhile, the protest organiser reportedly spent $50,000 to get 2,000 people. And the right calls people a "rent-a-mob"?

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Ha ha ha! I used to work for a company who had the Employment Court rule that bad-arse swearing was acceptable in that workplace and so employees couldn't be disciplined for it. And in my current workplace, I sit near a group of young ladies who swear like pirates.

    Heh. When I worked at a stockbroker, a content filtering system was put in on mail that excluded exactly 4 words f-word, c-word, sl-word, wh-word. The clients complained bigtime when they got a polite message saying that their message was blocked, and the brokers demanded it be switched of because 'that was the language of the market'.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I just hope you are not lumping all 'Christian Conservatives' into the 'Exclusive Brethren' club. As a christian conservative myself, I would not want to be associated with what many would class as a 'cult'.

    No, the Brethren were out there. I was referring to the lobby that the Maxim Institute helped orchestrate, including Maxim's NZ Votes "education" campaign, which purported to be non-partisan, but, as The Hollow Men revealed, had been developed in concert with some National Party people. (This shouldn't have been a surprise: its shonky don't-vote-for-small-parties-if-you-want-to-change-the-government message was only going to help one party.)

    In saying that though, I think the lobbying the Brethren did at the last election was OK, except they that they tried to be non-transparent which is devious and (dare I say it ) unchristian. Also, I do believe that Family First are quite open about who they are. Not that I am a member in any way.

    You couldn't be if you wanted to: they don't have a membership. Although when Bob got the boot from Radio Rhema and set up Family First last year he was boasting of an initial budget of $150,000.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    That'd be interesting, given that you're only nominated in one category, although it's a pretty good one.

    Ha, that's hilarious, I hadn't seen that. Truth really is stranger than the odd fiction I have running through my head. Be even cooler if my name was spelt properly :)

    I also didn't realise my movements around Wellington were being tracked. Only yesterday (at Martinborough) I was drunkenly remarking to someone "thank God I'm not interesting enough for anyone to bother reporting when I'm obnoxiously drunk".

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Joanna,

    Be even cooler if my name was spelt properly :)

    Sorry, fixed now.

    I also didn't realise my movements around Wellington were being tracked

    We're trying to round up more celebrities for Wellington for you...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 746 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Meanwhile, the protest organiser reportedly spent $50,000 to get 2,000 people. And the right calls people a "rent-a-mob"?

    Idiot, WTF are you going on about? I guess my thirty pieces of silver are still in the mail...

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

  • Ben Austin,

    I'd like a category for worst name of a block of flats or houses. I'll also nominate "Hill Street Mews", on Hill street. I walked past that dammed place five days a week for two years and I think it scarred me for life.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Rich wrote:

    However after hearing the news report on the march with some mad woman going on about how this was the "end of democracy in NZ", I was re-convinced that this bill was a Good Thing.

    Just as I'm equally convinced that the EFB is a very bad thing indeed when people who should know better (yes, I'm looking at you I/S) start frothing about how opponents only care about leaving rich plutocrats free to 'buy elections'. If nothing else, it makes me wonder how the Hell we ended up with MMP if voters are such a pack of stupid drones...

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

  • Joanna,

    I'd like a category for worst name of a block of flats or houses.

    And you had your chance to suggest that back in October!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 746 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay,

    Does anyone know what the outcome was of the second assault charge against the Timaru woman who was charged with her husband of assaulting her teenage son on the roadside? I believe the woman was to appear in court earlier this year.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    You couldn't be if you wanted to: they don't have a membership.

    Personally I'd feel more comfortable with FF and SST and whoever else, if they did, maybe as a political party. I get the impression they're barely larger than one-man-bands, and they're getting lots of media attention for something that isn't responsive to the fairly decent proportion of the population that supports them.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Idiot, WTF are you going on about? I guess my thirty pieces of silver are still in the mail...

    One presumes the guy spent it on advertising and equipment hire and whatnot.

    Though if $50,000 is correct, then I'll take over organising his marches for him. I could do it for a quarter of that no problem, and keep the difference. *sells soul*

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Personally I'd feel more comfortable with FF and SST and whoever else, if they did, maybe as a political party.

    Yeah, I've been trying to form my thoughts around this: I like I'd appreciate the ability to know a bit more about these groups.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • MikeE,

    "Meanwhile, the protest organiser reportedly spent $50,000 to get 2,000 people. And the right calls people a "rent-a-mob"?"

    He has spent $50k campaigning against the EFB, not $50k on the protest. Please get your facts right I/S.

    This includes newspaper ads, radio etc. Most if not all did not refer to the protest at all.

    Washington DC • Since Nov 2006 • 138 posts Report Reply

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