Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: There's a lot of it about

119 Responses

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  • JohnAmiria,

    Nonsense? 'Hmmm' means I'm just musing, and '??' means I'm posing a question. If anyone thinks it's not as bad, just say so.

    I doubt it took that much time to look up the records

    Possibly. Would it be better if I'd said "is that as bad as 'researchers' in the PM's dept spending some/any time..."? My point (again, badly made, obviously) was that I don't think my tax dollars should be used by any party to dig dirt on another. Now, if they were looking the info up during their lunch breaks, that's the SOP of the kiwi workplace, and more acceptable.

    They've simply been holding it to drop when the privileges committee report came back.

    Well that's a bit sneaky, and therefore can't be true.

    You'd be on safer ground complaining about that.

    As I said, more of a 'musing' than a 'complaint'.
    ; )

    hither and yon • Since Aug 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    If anyone thinks it's not as bad, just say so.

    I think I took your comments in the manner they were offered in my earlier reply and I'm still of the view that the role of all Parliamentary parties, and their staff, is to carefully and thoroughly scrutinise each other including back-stories, when they are relevant, and Key's trading is. IMO.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • JohnAmiria,

    If anyone thinks it's not as bad, just say so.

    FWIW: And in saying that, I didn't mean that I thought the two were as bad as eachother.

    hither and yon • Since Aug 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'm still of the view that the role of all Parliamentary parties, and their staff, is to carefully and thoroughly scrutinise each other including back-stories, when they are relevant, and Key's trading is. IMO.

    Paul: I'm off the view that perhaps news outlets should be doing the muckraking and tacpayer-funded researchers could... well, perhaps be doing a damn sight more to increase the quality of policy and debate in Parliament. Crazy notion, I know...

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Glad to hear it Craig. So next time Key whines about "personal attacks" and "digging dirt" in reference to perfectly legitimate questions you will be the first to waive the close association with Investigate in his face.

    Don: My disdain for Ian Wishart and all his works is well on the record here, but giving an interview (and being put on the cover) is a "close association"? Here's a reality check -- cash it.

    In a funny way, I really do hope Labour keeps on trying to paint John Key as the well-greased son of Satan who can throw the global economy into chaos by osmosis. Because you know what? IT ISN'T WORKING.

    Part of having a multi-party system is having the parties hold each other to account, on behalf of the public.

    Certainly is, Russell. But we citizens and taxpayers are also perfectly entitled as ask whether the staff and resources we are paying for could be used better.

    And personally, I'm rather more exercised by this question -- is it any coincidence that certain media outlets who got advanced notice of the free trade deal that wasn't were, shall we say, rather over-egging the pudding on a day when the Government could certainly have used the distraction?

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

  • simon g,

    Your disdain for Ian Wishart and all his works is on the record, Craig.

    Clearly, John Key does not share your sentiments. If you don't like that, I suggest you direct your displeasure at him, not us.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    but giving an interview (and being put on the cover) is a "close association"?

    Three times in nine months, yes, that is.

    I also have a good opinion of John Key and share your views on Wishart. But I think it is worth pointing out to the former that associating with the latter is not consistent with his own message or image. To quote David Letterman, something stinks.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    Some more Letterman.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Three times in nine months, yes, that is.

    Meh... not a call I'd be returning, but you're still drawing a rather long bow unless we're going to be typing Helen Clark as a vacuous bimbo on the basis of the rather disturbing number of cover shoot/fluff pieces she's done for functionally retarded women's mags.

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

  • Paul Williams,

    Paul: I'm off the view that perhaps news outlets should be doing the muckraking and tacpayer-funded researchers could... well, perhaps be doing a damn sight more to increase the quality of policy and debate in Parliament. Crazy notion, I know...

    I joined the LRU within months of the National/NZF Coalition Craig, do you think you'd've done much "policy" with the distractions of; Tuku's undies, Laws' sacking, Neil Kirton's war with English, Robyn whatsherface finishing school in Vienna, Gilbert Myles tape recording by Deb Morris (ahh can't be mean to her, she was decent and clearly in the wrong party)... do you want more memories?

    It was one silly stuff up after another... boom-times for an Opposition Research Unit.

    Still, I did work on a silly-named bill to bring back bulk-funding for schools... and an alternative to the Steel's VSM bill... during which I had a fair bit to do with the late Brian Donnelly, about whom I've already made clear my admiration.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    Helen Clark as a vacuous bimbo on the basis of the rather disturbing number of cover shoot/fluff pieces she's done for functionally retarded women's mags.

    Read the Lovely Helen, Minister Maid piece in the latest Women's Weekly in the supermarket today - sexy shot of Helen in white trou and a red netty top thing AND tips on diet and exercise to look fabulous at 58 too. And you know what? She IS allowed to nag Peter.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Read the Lovely Helen, Minister Maid piece in the latest Women's Weekly in the supermarket today - sexy shot of Helen in white trou and a red netty top thing AND tips on diet and exercise to look fabulous at 58 too.

    Are you sure that wasn't Robyn Malcolm? :)

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

  • Steve Parks,

    I raised the issue of Helen and Peter’s strange marriage to Winston...

    As well you might!
    Helen & Peter marrying Winston is strange indeed.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    personalities

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    so they DO charge by the word.. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Parks,

    yes

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    someone mentioned it on this site something about multiple posts = too much bandwidth or something. and stories from friends back home suddenly reaching their limits, : find these kinds of deals astonishing

    https://www.telecom.co.nz/broadband/select/1,10627,205728-204466,00.html

    i could look into it, maybe they have some new Zealand style deals deals, i never shopped around just got a standard kind of broadband deal $50(nz) a month, unlimited GB incl phone line. I'm sure there's probably cheaper around.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    question is why do they have a televised debate?
    instead of a televised decision making exercise
    like Risk or chess or backgammon

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/0a28758.html

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

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