Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: That Buzzing Sound

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  • Russell Brown,

    That's right, folks. Divorced and remarried? You're not worthy -- hell, are you even part of a real "family"? When the officially permissible period you have to wait before you can remarry? Hell, why don't we shag the moral high horse and make adultery a capital crime?

    Craig, I fear you are putting words in the poor woman's mouth. What she said was simply what she said, and certainly didn't need exaggerating like that.

    Perhaps, given that her close friend died in tragic circumstances, she too deserves a little respect.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    . On the other hand, philandering on its own doesn't destroy reputations in NZ, but philandering mixed with hypocrisy does. Graham Capill, anybody?

    Not a particularly good choice -- being convicted of serious sexual offending destroyed that reputation, such as it was.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    I'd just like to say that I'm not a poster child for matrimony either, as moral conservatives occasionally remind me. But I have been living in glorious sin with my darling for 21 years ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Craig, I fear you are putting words in the poor woman's mouth. What she said was simply what she said, and certainly didn't need exaggerating like that.

    You've got a point there, Russell. I was more pissed off at the musty tone of that entire Herald story but to be quite honest that "poor woman's opinion -- or Tommy Heppinstall's -- doesn't really get my sympathy. Marriages fail, and that sucks. So do people committing suicide, for whatever horrible, complex reasons that happens. But when it comes to the alleged "insensitivity" shown by the timing of Kim MacIntyre's remarriage, could I politely suggest that it's not a matter of public interest or anyone's business except his. And I still remain unconvinced that it would considered worth more than a paragraph in a gossip column except for who his new wife is.

    My father re-married (to my mother) just over a year after his first wife died. So what?

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    glorious

    Glorious is good.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'd just like to say that I'm not a poster child for matrimony either, as moral conservatives occasionally remind me. But I have been living in glorious sin with my darling for 21 years ...

    No, but at least I think you got the little irony that you and Fiona had and still have a genuine choice about whether to marry or not, that David and I sure don't have ... something I don't think some others quite got their heads around. Sorry for the semi-threadjack.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the world the Sunday newspapers are getting their teeth into real sleaze of genuine public interest. Fancy that...

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

  • Kerry Weston,

    So no-one else thinks Ms Rankin's appointment was made in full awareness that the shite would hit the fan, then?

    A really smart person offered a plum job like that, just might have turned it down. Was it only a few weeks ago that the Veitch saga ran? Did she really think the media wouldn't make a meal of it? Did whoever sanction her selection think it wouldn't pan out this way?

    Doubt it. i reckon she's made an enemy or two.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    So no-one else thinks Ms Rankin's appointment was made in full awareness that the shite would hit the fan, then?

    It was suggested as much in either of the estimable Sunday 'papers' that ran the story today.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    So no-one else thinks Ms Rankin's appointment was made in full awareness that the shite would hit the fan, then?

    Kerry: If I'd been in that Cabinet committee I would have taken the opportunity to remind a few why making an issue of someone's marriage was less than wise.

    Meanwhile, best piece of advice I've ever had: Some games just aren't worth winning.

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

  • Mark Harris,

    Isn't the most pertinent question one of 'were those who recommended and appointed Ms Rankin aware of her recent circumstances?' And if they were, why did they continue to see her appointment as appropriate? Why favour Rankin when there are so many other worthy candidates? How could they possibly think this wouldn't blow up?

    This is a good point. I think you need look no further than the timing. What's happening in the House at the moment? Why, Auckland is being restructured under urgency (plus the Residential Tenancy amendment got pushed quietly through, I'm told). With no Select Committee process and no public consultation period, plus the Waterview Connection, based on dodgy figures. And what are the media frothing about? Christine Rankin.

    I don't think that's a coincidence.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    I don't know why there's so much frothing about the HoS. It was never much of a paper and, while this is probably a new low, it's not that unexpected.

    I doubt that Rankin had any idea what she was being set up for.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Kerry Weston,

    Some games just aren't worth winning.

    This one was never worth winning for her. Who benefits from her humiliation?

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report

  • dave crampton,

    I'm not convinced the " family " did have much to say. The anonymous HOS comments from the friend could well have been from someone on Tommy's staff. But suffice to say I thought the HOS story was pretty odd. Firstly they spelled Heptinstall's name wrong, secondly they angled as a story of "close friends and colleagues" being appalled at a marriage, now that Rankin is a Commissioner - and there is no evidence that that the HOS even spoke to a close friend that was not a colleague.

    HOS journalist Meng-Yee has made a name for herself writing about rellies of celebrities -as well as using inflammatory angles to her stories, including another one she wrote in today's paper, as I have noted.
    http://big-news.blogspot.com/2009/05/nz-herald-needs-its-butt-kicked-i-used.html

    welli • Since Jan 2007 • 144 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Did whoever sanction her selection think it wouldn't pan out this way?

    Tariana Turia and Peter Dunne were on the selection committee. Paula Bennett was also who is supposed to know her well (pro smack lot including Garrett from Act.)
    No mention by Turia or Dunne at selection process( cant remember what it's title is) about disapproval until the papers asked. I think it's another " job for your mates" and Dunne has sucked the Kumara because the Families Commission was his creation and it just got soiled but he should've said something at the beginning or shut up now eh?
    Same for Turia. I think they look like patsies for the National/Act government now

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

  • Kerry Weston,

    This is a good point.

    Why thank you, Mr Harris.

    look no further than the timing. What's happening in the House at the moment? Why, Auckland is being restructured under urgency (plus the Residential Tenancy amendment got pushed quietly through, I'm told).

    Yes, it is a useful diversion, I agree. But i still reckon she's made a v. powerful enemy somewhere, your mates wouldn't do that to you.

    I sincerely hope Orklanders are brushing up on civil disobedience tactics.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    Uggh, having read the thread, I've no desire to read the various media commentaries.

    What was Bennett thinking? More importantly, what'll she do now? She approved this appointment and needs to either defend her nominee or recall her. Bennett will have known the risks nominating Rankin and must have thought through a response to the possibility (probability) of a strong negative reaction. Leaving Rankin to face rabid commentators on her own is pathetic.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I doubt that Rankin had any idea what she was being set up for.

    Mark , she said she expected it. This woman knows the papers as much as say Helen Clark would.They have never been particularly nice to her. I suspect her recent job has given her a renewed confidence and she probably thought she would love to have the job back in government. Why not? Some of her mates are there.

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

  • Pete,

    I gather that McCauley's family didn't want any publicity at all - The Tommy's crowd and her mates wanted the ceremony to be a celebration of her life but the family came in and held a straight church service.

    Since Apr 2008 • 106 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Hmm. If the above is true (esp Dave C's comments), then I do take a different view of the stories.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • dave crampton,

    What l find quite strange is that the picture of McCauley in the HOS is the same pic as in her online Tribute book ( no I'm not going to link it - find it yourself) . I wonder if the HOS flogged the pic from that page? If so the pics were hardly "supplied".

    welli • Since Jan 2007 • 144 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    The Tommy's crowd and her mates wanted the ceremony to be a celebration of her life but the family came in and held a straight church service.

    So? The guys she worked with knew her well. Jeez let's face it, the people you work with see you the most. Theyr'e all Real Estate people and for two of them to have been together, I could imagine they knew the x well also. So? Irish can be quite religiously ( I know from my experience with my Family )so what is wrong with the family having a say. It's her family!The mates could want whatever they want, no problem, but the family are burying her.

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

  • Stephen Judd,

    On the other hand, philandering on its own doesn't destroy reputations in NZ, but philandering mixed with hypocrisy does. Graham Capill, anybody?

    I do not think that word means what you think it means.

    Philandering is when you can't keep it in your pants, and might be no more than a peccadillo. Child sex abuse is something quite different and much more serious.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Pete,

    In terms of interpreting the family's wishes there was a disconnect between the mates and co-workers wanting a celebration and the family came in and said no to that then held a rather severe and dour sevice.
    What I was trying to say is that it appears that the family do NOT want any more publicity regarding her death.
    Sorry if that wasn't clear earlier.

    Since Apr 2008 • 106 posts Report

  • simon g,

    Christine Rankin was interviewed about this just now, on TV One's Sunday. I guess it will be on their website soon.

    Short version: I am a heroine burnt at the stake.

    But still ... gripping television.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

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