Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Not Okay

52 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 Newer→ Last

  • BenWilson,

    I think Moore sees himself as the after-dinner raconteur, when he's actually more like the embarrassing uncle at the wedding.

    Nice one. Kiwibloggers appear to be rushing to claim him as one of their own, suggesting to me that he's finally found his constituency.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    Kiwibloggers appear to be rushing to claim him as one of their own, suggesting to me that he's finally found his constituency.

    has there been some kind of shady back-room deal?

    bolger for moore, i mean.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    Mike Moore ..... sorry, still can't get past the Lamb-burgers.

    Good luck with the anti-family violence campaign - for a public awareness campaign to be considered too successful (a'la the JK depression ads) in terms of stimulating demand is, I think, both fantastic (effectiveness) and faintly depressing (that the demand is there and that services can't cope).

    As for strange music covers, I quite like these 'celebrity' Pixies covers in particular the Bob Marley one

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Che, I think he's lining up for his run at the leadership of ACT. As self-appointed 3rd fiddle to Douglas and Prebble, he is hampered only by having once been the leader of the Labour Party. But he can believably claim to have been a sleeper, having done more damage to Labour than good.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    Yes, good luck. This is a great thing to be doing.

    It would be good if the All Blacks donated the 'man of the match' prize to Women's Refuge, or Barnadoes, or or another agency that is working directly with families to stop violence, instead of the nice, safe, charities they normally choose.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Che, I think he's lining up for his run at the leadership of ACT

    I'd be surprised if ACT hadn't been on the phone to him already. They do seem to be a match.

    Wonder if he can dance?

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    Contrasting Moore with Bolger is interesting. Both have gone on to reasonably high posts but whereas Bolger is possibly more respected now than when he was leader, I suspect Moore has slid significantly from his WTO high.

    As a researcher for Labour, I recall Moore being an odd character within the party. He was still capable of very clever politics but very seldom engaged much beyond the occasional parliamentary question - when he did, it was an awkward transaction because it involved interacting with Mallard and Mallard was once a supporter who'd switched to Helen's camp.

    There's an vengeful streak in almost all of the Fish and Chip gang - Lange, Douglas, Prebble, Bassett and Moore particularly. They can't let go and all too often show up to reitigate old battles or (re)claim credit for current prosperity. Caygill and Palmer are the exceptions, both have significant careers post-parliament and even seem to enjoy bipartisan support based on their various appointments to lead reviews of this and that. Former National bigwigs appear much better at moving on and letting go...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • InternationalObserver,

    I've got not problem with Mike Moore expressing his opinions, it's no worse than what happens here every other day. I'd be interested in hearing some sane reasons why he should STFU. But RB's characterisation is apt:

    I think Moore sees himself as the after-dinner raconteur, when he's actually more like the embarrassing uncle at the wedding.

    The Uncle at our wedding made a speech based around the use of the word 'Gay' - what it originally meant and what it now means.
    We kept waiting for a punchline but there was none.
    He wasn't drunk but we were confused!

    Since Jun 2007 • 909 posts Report

  • Paul Litterick,

    Yes, the uncle at the wedding or that drunk father in the ALAC ad who wants to dance with his daughter; or the Ancient Mariner. I could imagine Moore pinning a hapless guest against a wall to tell him these "I used to be a contender" stories, but to write them down and send them to the Heraldl is truly unfortunate.

    Worse still, the Herald takes his ramblings seriously.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report

  • LegBreak,

    The sanctimonious nature of everyone in that ALAC ad is enough to drive anyone to drink.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    International, you do have a point that everyone's allowed their spiel. The Herald does regularly publish Coddington, so I guess even Moore's troll isn't dropping the standard. I guess it's just that people don't expect ex-leaders of the country to make such a mockery of the position either by what they say, or how badly they say it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • InternationalObserver,

    It's a well recognised convention in the USA that a former President never criticises a sitting President.

    Since Jun 2007 • 909 posts Report

  • simon g,

    I'm not writing because I'm bored, I write because I can. My columns are carried in six countries. My last book was published in several languages and is in its third edition. I've written more books than Anderton's read.

    And I have a website! It's like a blog. I get feedback almost daily. And did you see me on Agenda? Was I good? Was I? Also, when I was at school ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    I think the convention that former PMs/presidents avoid criticising current PMs/presidents exists not because they don't have anything to say, they most certainly do, but because they know better than anyone the limitations of office and the necessity of compromise.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Paul I don't agree. I think the reason it's not done is because it sounds so lame and petty.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Don Christie,

    The MO exposed in The Hollow Men, accuse your opponents of doing exactly the sort of thing you are doing yourself to deflect attention from what you are doing.

    I've written more books than Anderton's read.

    Character assassination, Muldoonism, yadda yadda. I wonder whether Basset is ghosting these columns for Moore, there seems to be a certain consistency of approach.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    And I have a website! It's like a blog.

    http://www.kazunderworld.com/archive/762.gif

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I wonder whether Basset is ghosting these columns for Moore, there seems to be a certain consistency of approach.

    Or is it just a lack of imagination? Perhaps he isn't fit to lead ACT after all.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • LegBreak,

    All this makes one kind of nostalgic for that 1984 – 87 Lange government. All that talent , all the excitement, and all that bitchiness.

    Even the really boring ones like Palmer, Shirley and Dunne inadvertently went on to add some political spice later on.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Meh... The kindest thing you can say about the pissing match between Moore and the Anderton/Williams tag-team is that some kinks should be practised behind closed doors, and preferably in an uncarpeted room. Can't believe I'm saying this, from a partisan angle, but who would have guessed watching Labour make dicks of themselves in public could have gotten this tired, so quickly?

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

  • Tom Beard,

    One line spun that is about promoting Phil Goff, who I also sprayed in the article, was pure Nixon.

    Is it just me, or is that a really, really poorly constructed sentence? Even in context, it's hard to work out what on earth he's talking about.

    The sanctimonious nature of everyone in that ALAC ad is enough to drive anyone to drink.

    Exactly! While the drunk versions of the characters end up committing some atrociously embarrassing acts, overall it's hard not to get the impression that they'd be better company than their sober selves.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    As for strange music covers, I quite like these 'celebrity' Pixies covers in particular the Bob Marley one

    Those are brilliant! I thought it might be cheesy, but somehow hearing a man doing a Tina Turner impersonation singing "River Euphrates", well, it just sounded good.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report

  • Andrew Smith,

    The campaign against family violence that I'm part of launches at Parliament today.

    Good on you Russell and the others for fronting up to this issue. I do have a concern, though, that celebreties fronting these issues sometimes make the issue somewhat 'cool' for the moment but long-term the lustre disappears. It can also be a credibility issue. Celebrities often take more time to convince the public that they are worthy and that can detract from the issue at hand (take Bono for example).

    Anyway, probably a petty argument considering the import of the issue. I just hope that with the Family Violence problem that we don't get into a over-reactive dob-in programme.

    Since Jan 2007 • 150 posts Report

  • LegBreak,

    Tom B; the girl who parks it after getting out of the cab is my favourite.

    Interestingly, it is her “twin” who is the most annoying of the lot.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Exactly! While the drunk versions of the characters end up committing some atrociously embarrassing acts, overall it's hard not to get the impression that they'd be better company than their sober selves.

    Yeah, Drunk Dad seems like a hoot. Wouldn't you rather have a sozzled knees-up with him than hang out with anyone else at his daughter's party? (Or perhaps I'm just in denial...)

    Ah, that page! I forgot all about it. 'Levitate Me' in the style of the Beach Boys was my favourite, as I recall.

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

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

This topic is closed.