Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: We interrupt this broadcast ...

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    Eh? I just meant in relation to having kids push for something they don’t really understand or have opinions on.

    My son - 4 at the time - had a very clear position on the Iraq war almost a decade ago. It was no doubt coloured by my beliefs, but given the effort that I'd put into teaching him not to be violent to others, it was a fairly straight-foward leap. He was tremendously disappointed when the war went ahead - he had trouble sleeping some nights he was so worried about it.

    But I think that most of the reason that parents bring their kids to protests, is that you can't leave them at home by themselves, so they have to go where I go. I also take them to the supermarket, to the movies, to theme parks, and no one gets to tell me off that I'm allowing them to be sucked in by global capitalism when they're too young to understand.

    PS: Bonus: the voiceover is by Tandi Wright, star of the rated-its-arse-off Nothing Trivial – and a trustworthy character in that

    We likes her, yes we do.

    The Act ad. Awkward.

    It is isn't it. It's like they could only think of a way to fill in 4 minutes, so they put a minute of a song at the beginning. The lyrics of the song and Don Brash saying "we are patriots" is creepy. Could they not find a non-white person to sit around that table?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to ,

    Well done Sacha, but all I get to see on your post is"Get Flash player to watch videos" and I can't get flash played because my Apple devise won't allow it.

    That's weird. My devices all see the HTML 5 version fine.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to ,

    Do other clips on Youtube work OK for you?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    I got a bit angry last night, I heard John Key referring to people on a benefit as “Those People” and solo mothers as “Them”, a bit of othering going on there eh?.
    May I remind you Mr Key that as one of the less than 10% that controls over 90% of the countries wealth it is YOU that is the other, it is YOU and your ilk that we refer to as “Those people”. We are the majority and may I remind some of “US” that voting for them will not make you rich like them but it will make you as resentful as them.
    “They” spout things like “the politics of envy” well “They” are wrong, we do not envy the greedy, we do not envy those that choose to sacrifice family holidays and home comforts in the pursuit of wealth, we do not envy the attitude of entitlement, remember, it is the desire for wealth that is the root of all evil.
    We were not put on this earth to create wealth for others, we were not put on this earth to “earn a living”, the only reason we are here is the furtherance of the species and to do that we must care for our young and nurture the respect for others,
    It is not envy that is the problem it is resentfulness, the resentfulness of those that begrudge the welfare of those that are just here to live, love and cherish life.
    So, Mr Key, your smile means nothing to me and your wave would be better appreciated if it were a wave goodbye.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    +1

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • merc,

    Indeed, the welfare Mr Key speaks of is indeed cake.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    the only reason we are here is the furtherance of the species

    I remind some of “US” that voting for them will not make you rich like them but it will make you as resentful as them.

    To my mind you've added a few too many verses o the meaning of life drinking game and the gone all preachy.

    I am interested in the grand scheme/design of life on earth you have outlined - If "We" weren't put on this earth to earn a living - how does the human flourishing eventuate?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    + 2 ;)

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

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to DexterX,

    If "We" weren't put on this earth to earn a living - how does the human flourishing eventuate?

    You should not have to "earn a living", living is yours by right.
    As to the human flourishing, what is that? is it the ability to leave the planet and spread the seed of humanity? if so then we have to work together for some greater good of which we will see no return in our lives, that, in itself, would be beyond the wishes of the resentful, it would only make them more so. If, on the other hand it is a spiritual quest then wealth is a hindrance if anything. It is easy to pass wind in front of a camel but he probably would not notice, or something like that.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    On a sad note…

    Oh bummer. :( I hadn't seen him in a while but my friend caught up with him recently. She said he was good. I think I even still have a pair of his Doc Martins. We were the same size, or maybe I wore thick socks, just really sad.

    there’s a memorial in Chch this friday,

    Will put some quiet time aside to think of a beautiful friend.

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

  • linger, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Wow. Can we have that as a campaign ad?

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    I got a bit angry last night, I heard John Key referring to people on a benefit as “Those People” and solo mothers as “Them”, a bit of othering going on there eh?.

    Goddamn otherfuckers.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    For those of us in Auckland, there's a send-off for Eric at Tabac, on Wednesday 9 November from 7pm till 10.

    "The Right Hon Harry Ratbag Esq will be our DJ on the night.," says the official communique.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Thanks.

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

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to linger,

    Wow. Can we have that as a campaign ad?

    I am flattered, if you like it, pass it on.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    I got a bit angry last night, I heard John Key referring to people on a benefit as “Those People” and solo mothers as “Them”, a bit of othering going on there eh?.

    What's the point of lecturing "those people" for poor budgeting if they try to join the rat race, if they're also pilloried as 'bludgers' for opting out of it and scrimping? Let them eat cake, indeed.

    Such "rat racist" hypocrisy knows no bounds.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Electric sheep dreams...

    there’s a memorial in Chch this friday,
    Will put some quiet time aside to think of a beautiful friend.

    Chch memorial is this Friday (Nov 4) 4pm to 8pm at what's left
    of the Richmond Working Mens Club*, Stanmore Rd/London St cnr
    People will be 'getting jumpy!'

    Auckland event sounds fun
    - someone say gidday to 'arry Ratbag for me...

    * Mr Bollard will not be in attendance...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Keyholes
    The holes in Key's arguments, worth memorising for when you bump into someone singing the holey ones praises.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Cecelia, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Talking about Keyholes and broadcasts ... I'm suffering more than I did in the RWC final. This is gut wrenching stuff with Goff 's performance a surprising improvement in form in some parts of the game but a Piri Weepu final moment apparently in the very good CHCH test match.

    Come on coach! Prepare him better. My socialist heart is going pit a pat.

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Cecelia,

    Well, if nothing else the whole Press debate farce showed Labour's support for assisted suicide - "we're going to borrow more" and "the costings are in the mail" was what's known in sporting terms, I believe, as an unforced error.

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

  • merc,

    The Phil and John show, just because Friday and all...

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Labour's support for assisted suicide

    The labour line was “It is not a beauty contest; we are going to focus on policy - not one man”.

    In the first televised debate Goff attacked Key personally and the focus was on Key not on policy.

    When the emphasis did shift to policy (and funding policy) in the further debates Goff was not prepared.

    In the event that Goff did get up and Labour suffered the indignation of a lift in the polls - I am pretty sure they would implode as factions in Labour are banking on the loss.

    Labour 2008 to 2011 have not proved a credible opposition - for whatever reason - they are unlikley to become a credible government for quite sometime.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    "the costings are in the mail" was what's known in sporting terms, I believe, as an unforced error.

    The left's Gordon Campbell certainly agrees.

    Any points Phil Goff may have won in the television debate a few days ago went west during last night’s public debate in Christchurch – which, as Vernon Small says, had turned into something close to a rout by night’s end.

    The centre-left can feel justifiably furious at Goff and his minders for going into this debate without a narrative (much less a credible defence) for Labour’s election costings. Sorry, but “We’ll have them for you by the end of the week” doesn’t really cut it. Somehow, Goff managed to make Key look like a hard-headed and credible manager of the economy.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Cecelia,

    Come on coach! Prepare him better.

    Some strategic Cnut decided the voters - and the campaigning Nats - would wait for the figures until a time of the party's choosing. There's a word for that.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to DexterX,

    Labour 2008 to 2011 have not proved a credible opposition – for whatever reason –

    And that reason is they just didn't have the numbers, not enough people voted for an effective opposition and Maori turned their back on Labour for spiteful reasons. When National rams bills through the house under urgency it is because they know there is little the opposition can do other than filibuster, when it comes to the voting it is a "done deal", National has the numbers.
    Instead of complaining that Labour is not strong enough to be an effective opposition try actually voting for them.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

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