Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Best Country in the World: Selling fast!

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  • Graeme Edgeler,

    I haven't been able to find a $500 post in the Word of the Year thread, so I've decided to retain the Ezi-Pay Gift Station voucher and divvy the proceeds amongst the Public Address crew, who haven't had much from me late.

    I know I shouldn't bite the hand that feeds ... but are you trying out for a job at the Beeb?

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I know I shouldn't bite the hand that feeds ... but are you trying out for a job at the Beeb?

    If I'd been doing that I'd have created a fictitious ID and awarded it to them, rather than actually telling you ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    First ;-)
    Well someone had to do the lame thing, it's Cristmas.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    First ;-)
    Well someone had to do the lame thing, it's Christmas.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    You can't be first twice!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Bum, and a double post.
    Now I feel really silly.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    a look at the story behind the "Helen Clark attacks journalists" headlines (Mediawatch also had a useful report on that last issue)

    Yes, Mediawatch was fascinating - and sorry if this wounds your ego Russell :), but Colin has done some bloody excellent work even if I totally disagree with much of it. Clark's interview was fascinating, and I was tempted to do a close textual analysis (especially her masterful sidestep when Colin pointed out that the Government is the biggest employer of journalists in the country), but you know something? I can't really be arsed picking through another politicians whinging about the media. Even when folks like Clark and Tony Blair have a point (and they do), I just think it hard to swallow folks who've been quite happy to profit from the status quo crying foul when it suits.

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

  • Bob Munro,

    Very near to Australia there is a country which all testimony concurs in describing as the fittest in the world for colonization, as the most beautiful country with the finest climate, and the most productive soil; I mean New Zealand.

    Edward Gibbon Wakefield
    to House of Commons committee 1836

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    <quote>Even when folks like Clark and Tony Blair have a point (and they do), I just think it hard to swallow folks who've been quite happy to profit from the status quo crying foul when it suits.<quote>

    Of course. I just enjoyed hearing it discussed in greater depth than a knee-jerk headline.

    And no, no ego-wounding. Colin's been owning all year.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I could see that if I was a cashed-up American of a certain age with no need to earn a real living, then a crib in Southland might appeal as something to do with a spare $100k.

    Mind you, land is cheap in the US itself. A person I know has acquired a full section (which in the western US is one square mile) on the Nevada/California border for a remarkably small amount of money.

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

  • Jeremy Andrew,

    Mind you, land is cheap in the US itself. A person I know has acquired a full section (which in the western US is one square mile) on the Nevada/California border for a remarkably small amount of money.

    With less greenery than the average kiwi quarter acre I'd imagine...

    Hamiltron - City of the F… • Since Nov 2006 • 900 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    W00T!*

    Fuck I love New Zealand. With our cobalt waters, honeybees, and cheap Pacific beachfront land. Not to mention our "chinks of glasses" and "thwack of balls".

    But does Southland face the Pacific or the Antarctic?

    *as the kids and the dictionaries say these days

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    Colin's been owning all year.

    Not an avid listner, but I have to say, his stuff on blogging was not exactly legendary, he sounded positively...Clarkish.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    Oh, and following my own links I rediscovered Mel's blog.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Jim Cathcart,

    No doubt Dan Denning will be pushing his interesting assortment of small-cap, energy, mining service and clean tech stocks.

    A slice of paradise for a song? More like a small fortune. I could buy a lodge in the Japan Alps or a decent villa in Argentina for a lower price ticket than a suburban weatherboard in NZ. I guess it depends on your definition of "exotic".

    Since Nov 2006 • 228 posts Report Reply

  • Gabor Toth,

    A slice of paradise for a song? More like a small fortune.

    Agreed.
    I have recently been checking out property prices in those parts of the United States that I know reasonably well from previous visits (a diaspora from Hungary on both sides of my family after the 1956 revolution has resulted in me having cuzzie-bros scattered all-over the US).
    Now sure - if you want to live in Manhattan or want a 90210 zip-code you are going to be paying big-bucks. But their are dozens of excellent and highly liveable cities in the US with high standards of living, low-crime rates, symphony orchestras, art galleries, clubs, and live-music venues. Look around and you can find fantastic solid-as big houses in these places with large sections, mature trees, central heating & air-conditioning, 2.5 bathrooms yadda yadda - houses that wouldn’t look out of place in Remuera selling for less than what you would pay for a 1970s 3-bedroom Lockwood in Johnsonville on an in-filled section.
    (though for some reason, American houses tend to have hideous light-fittings...)

    Wellington • Since Dec 2006 • 137 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Brislen,

    I think this may be a first: both Russell 'Hard News' Brown and David 'What does the P stand for' Farrar reading and praising a new blog on the same day!

    I find it hard to believe Poneke won't explode in an overwhelming annihilation of left/right love not unlike a matter/anti-matter collision.

    Perhaps we should reverse the polarity to make sure that doesn't happen...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • paddy free,

    Could we do a whip-round to finance Russ to attend the seminar in March. I'd _love_ to see a blog from the inside...

    piha • Since Dec 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    I think this may be a first: both Russell 'Hard News' Brown and David 'What does the P stand for' Farrar reading and praising a new blog on the same day!

    Not just one new blog, two!

    From DPF over on Emma's post discussion:

    A really entertaining first post. I hope it isn't the last.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Not an avid listner, but I have to say, his stuff on blogging was not exactly legendary, he sounded positively...Clarkish.

    Think you've got Colin Peacock - who presents and produces Mediawatch - with the political editor of The Press. Admittedly, I've never seem 'em in the same room at the same time, and the media can get a wee bit incestuous but its not that bad. :)

    But, yes, I do get rather bored with MSM folks sniping at the blogisphere. Partly because in an age when any journalist could use the phrase 'fake but accurate' without smirking, or folks like Cate Brett are employable, there's not a lot of moral high ground for the MSM to occupy. And largely because, IMO, the most incendiary blog post of the year was Audrey Young getting very pissed off indeed (and justifiably so) at basically being accused of fabricating quotes by John Key. Don't recall the Prime Minister being too outraged at that outburst of instapunditry. :)

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

  • Felix Marwick,

    Cheers for the beer Russell.

    In fact I think it'll be exactly what I need after the fun and games that are coming in the House tomorrow.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    David 'What does the P stand for' Farrar

    Peter.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • rodgerd,

    I could buy a lodge in the Japan Alps or a decent villa in Argentina for a lower price ticket than a suburban weatherboard in NZ.

    Hell, I could buy a small apartment in Paris for the price of apartments in Oriental Bay. And that's inner city Paris, not some shonky estate on the fringe.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 512 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    Right, I'm off to buy a spacious three-bedroom house overlooking Lake Matheson. It's only 30 minutes drive from Auckland, and mere snip at $50k.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    Yes but it still wouldn't be Oriental Bay now, would it?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

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