Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The People's Choice

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  • Riddley Walker,

    St James THEATRE!

    AKL • Since Feb 2007 • 890 posts Report

  • John Farrell,

    Next award season, we should make sure that dadforjustice is entered for the "Most predictable use of cliches" award.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report

  • dad4justice,

    May I suggest Mr john farrell that you crawl back down your hole - and remember history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes .

    Since Jan 2007 • 50 posts Report

  • John Farrell,

    More cliches? Can we call Voltaire a cliche?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report

  • dad4justice,

    Good to see you know old Volts eh John boy Farrell ? and do remember what old Volts said about opinions , better than the boring " cliche" rountine matey .

    I hope mr Finn writes a song about the big bad witch when she falls ?

    Since Jan 2007 • 50 posts Report

  • Alex Coleman,

    Re: Blair and credit for N. Island outbreaks of peace.

    I've just finished reading this book by Ed Maloney a journo and former Northern Editor of the The Irish 'Sunday Tribune' .

    The book is basically the story of Gerry Adams role and he is pretty convincing in making the case that if there was no Gerry there would be no peace. Adams was offering a deal (that looks pretty damn close to the one that has been achieved) back in the 80's. At this point Adams was on the Provo IRA army council and went behind their backs to communicate with Thatchers govt about what a ceasefire agreement would look like. Everyone involved took huge risks. The Brits took a political risk at a time when the provos were on a rampage and Adams life was literally reliant on these communications remaining secret.

    It's an interesting book for those interested in how these negotiations actually happen between people who are actively killing each others supporters during negotiations. No-one comes out looking like a saint but there's plenty of times when I was dumbfounded at the bravery of steps taken and faith shown in secrets kept.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 247 posts Report

  • Alex Coleman,

    err N. Ireland
    Goddamn phonetics.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 247 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye,

    oh and can we have more of Hamish McDouall?

    Hey...that's not the cute guy with the gap in his teeth that won Sale of the Century, is it?

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Neil Morrison,

    Yuck! The crime scene. I don't agree that "weird family" equates to David being guilty of murder.

    Didn't mean to imply that.

    I heard Karam this morning on Morning Report chiming in with support for Whishart's latest. Whatever Bain's guilt or innocence Karam has some strange ideas.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Neil:

    I don't know if Russell is going to address this in a future post (personally I can't think about it without feeling sick), but I wasn't awfully impressed by Howard Broad's performance either.

    FFS. nobody would mistake me for the Virgin Mary in a line-up - not after a good chunk of my life passed in a haze of booze, promiscuous buggery and low living in disreputable company. But I do draw the line at shrugging one's shoulders at a video of a man stuffing a chicken in a manner not to be seen on the Food Channel being shown in my hone (the one part of Wishart's story Broad has not denied, BTW), then saying 'well I was young, mistakes were made, I thought my career would suffer, it would never be tolerated on my watch, blah blah blah'.

    Sorry for sounding like a Polly Priss, but when you're New Zealand's top cop - and incidentally, New Zealand's highest paid civil servant - doesn't good judgment and personal probity come into the mix somewhere?

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

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Hey...that's not the cute guy with the gap in his teeth that won Sale of the Century, is it?

    Well, up to you on the cute, but yes that's the same Hamish. And he won Mastermind as well.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    But I do draw the line at shrugging one's shoulders at a video of a man stuffing a chicken in a manner not to be seen on the Food Channel being shown in my hone (the one part of Wishart's story Broad has not denied, BTW), then saying 'well I was young, mistakes were made, I thought my career would suffer, it would never be tolerated on my watch, blah blah blah'.

    I thought it had the ring of truth. Junior cops who filed complaints against other cops in 1980 probably weren't likely to have long careers with the police.

    Interestingly, there were some far more senior police also present at the gathering, including the late, and well-respected Gordon Hunter. You'd think it would be more up to them to act than a 23yo constable.

    Anyway, I've made what I can of the claims in this morning's post. And Neil, I agree about Karam - whatever good work he might have done in defence of David Bain, he has also behaved like a rather loose unit at times.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye,

    yes that's the same Hamish. And he won Mastermind as well.

    OMG, he was my HERO in sixth form! Awesome!

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Interestingly, there were some far more senior police also present at the gathering, including the late, and well-respected Gordon Hunter. You'd think it would be more up to them to act than a 23yo constable.

    Well, one would hope - but I don't think passing the parcel up the chain of command would be looked on too kindly by Commissioner Broad or Police management nowadays. Nor should it.

    I'd also add that if you look at the honour roll of whistle-blowers when it comes to corruption and misconduct in the civil service, it's seldom the people at the top of the greasy pole. Before I take the moral Phar Lap out of a trot, could I honestly say I'd have behaved any differently from Constable Broad. I really don't know. There was just something about the Commissioner of Police's performance on Morning Report today that made me uncomfortable.

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

  • John Farrell,

    I thought he sounded like someone in an uncomfortable spot, trying to tell the truth.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report

  • anjum rahman,

    i agree with that - he probably had a sleepless night, and was not at his best. being on the receiving end of a wishart investigation would probably leave one feeling rather sick.

    hamilton • Since Nov 2006 • 130 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    i think anjum means a wishart "investigation"

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

  • John Farrell,

    You mean, the investigation you have, when you're not having one?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    i mean "investigation", as in "throwing a dart at a spinning board to determine results".

    i'd like to say he's a paranoid lunatic, but you know what? i just think he's determined to fill the national enquirer gap in the new zealand market.

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

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