Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: 2014: The Meth Election

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  • Alfie,

    Toby Manhire has a piece in the Guardian called New Zealand PM deceiving public over spying claims, says Glenn Greenwald. There's a good quote from Greenwald on Key's style of leadership.

    "I've done reporting of surveillance all over the world and a lot of governments haven't liked what I've said, but I've never seen a head of government lose their dignity and get down in the mud and start chucking names to discredit the journalist in order to discredit the journalism."

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report

  • stephen clover, in reply to Jake Starrow,

    Unfair I accept, Irresponsible even? Maybe.

    The insidious corruption of the media by the reality TV mindset, and the drive for page-views and click-thrus. So: unfair, irresponsible and unprofessional.

    wgtn • Since Sep 2007 • 355 posts Report

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to Jake Starrow,

    Unfair I accept, Irresponsible even? Maybe.

    No. Childish. With Key, Cunliffe, et al, we're not talking anything as simple and meaningless as the All Blacks, we're talking about how our country is run. Whether the All Blacks win or lose, or who gets to pull on the black jersey really does not make a blind bit of difference to anybody's lives but their (i.e. the All Blacks', just to get that clear) own. The All Blacks are nothing more than modern day gladiators - just as entertaining, just as distracting, and just as used to distract the masses from issues of real import, and just as expendable. We are perhaps a tad less brutal in the expending than the ancient Romans, but still... Rugby is as meaningful as stamp collecting - entertaining for many, lucrative for a very few, but utterly pointless.

    So please, from somebody who has not been allowed to vote since 1999 to somebody who apparently, and indeed, to all those who can vote on Saturday, try and think about something more important than who has this puerile "x-factor" when you take your ballot paper into the booth on Saturday. Because, you know, things like access to decent healthcare, education for our kids, and the economic well-being of all in our society are just a lot more important.

    And you can bet whatever you like that in 6 - 7 months time, when I've finally regained the fundamental rights of citizenship, I will be taking an active part in NZ's political life. With bells on (well, metaphorical bells, at least).

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen,

    So has there been any sign from the journalists that Rawshark gave his last files to? There really does seem to be a whole story about Jason Ede that is gone completely missing.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Alfie, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    There really does seem to be a whole story about Jason Ede that is gone completely missing.

    Agreed. If we accept that Rawshark gave the remaining info to "journos", then we have to assume that somebody has probably decided to can it. I wonder exactly who is sitting on the rest of the whaledumps?

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Alfie,

    Rawshark gave the remaining info to “journos”

    Wikileaks would have been better (but probably meant too much work redacting the personal stuff)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    If there is one thing I have learned from my mere 18 years on the internet, it is this: "you idiots are talking about the wrong thing" discussions don't tend to go very well.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Alfie,

    If we accept that Rawshark gave the remaining info to “journos”, then we have to assume that somebody has probably decided to can it. I wonder exactly who is sitting on the rest of the whaledumps?

    I sure as fuck hope that the journos with the remaining Whaledumps haven't gotten cold feet.

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

  • Chris Waugh,

    Meanwhile, in Christchurch......, according to APNZ's Kurt Bayer.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Jake Starrow,

    sadly sullied by the fact that John Key simply makes far more enticing readership appeal than Cunliffe.

    Ha a ha ha ha ha ha ….. Have you read his book? Didn’t sell anywhere near as many copies as Hager’s and I think that says something, not sure what but I am sure you will tell me it proves Key is more, shall we say, enticing. Call me old fashioned but that sounds a little bit too late night gay bar for my liking.
    Cunliffe, on the other hand is a serious politician, not a glamour queen.
    (I just know I am going to get shit for that, whatever)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • st ephen, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I thought the point was that Hager's book used all the "political" material obtained from Slater's computer, and he chose not to use personal stuff that wasn't strictly relevant. I don't understand why people think the Whaledump material passed on to journos is going to provide the basis for new stories. Doesn't it simply confirm that the email/chat discussions referred to in the book did take place?

    dunedin • Since Jul 2008 • 254 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Jake Starrow,

    When I write about Sonny Bill Williams, I can be certain I will receive at least double the replies as to an article on Richie McCaw.


    I can see why, this guy has heaps on that performing parrot Richie the Macaw.

    Oh, didn’t I read your post properly?
    Sorry, did I miss anything important?
    Anyhoo, time to put the popcorn on for the Dotcom show, can’t wait…

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Jake Starrow,

    there are more than two parties in the election, even for media determined to report on personalities rather than other factors like policy or coalition prospects.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • CJM, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Brilliant!

    Auckland • Since Aug 2014 • 107 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to st ephen,

    Hager mentioned other non-personal material he had seen but left with Rawshark for other journos to get. This included the Hotchin material. It seems unlikely that there wouldn't be other angles and more detail than Hager could fit in his book.

    As mentioned previously, our craven media seem cowed into submission by the prospect of influencing the ongoing legal action against them paid for by someone sympathetic to the interests of the govt and/or Slater.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Angela Hart,

    yes, I hope he dispersed the material widely enough that it will be acted on. Can’t understand the delay, unless there wasn’t much left.

    Slater's court action is probably the ostensible reason.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Alfie,

    I wonder exactly who is sitting on the rest of the whaledumps?

    the media outlets being sued in Slater's name, that's who.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    There really does seem to be a whole story about Jason Ede that is gone completely missing.

    Just like Ede himself ;-)

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to nzlemming,

    Slater’s court action is probably the ostensible reason.

    yup

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • James George,

    NZ media have been backing off at the mere smell of a lawyer's dusty briefs since the first kawhai got wrapped in paper and ink, but only sometimes.

    If one were to compare the alacrity with which Philip Fields was pursued by both print and broadcast media, despite Fields threatening to bring on the briefs at every turn with the sluggish, nay moribund, speed they have 'hunted' Ede, it is apparent that it isn't only concern about getting caught in legal crosshairs that slows 'em.
    Those 'journos' who have the seniority and experience to have had first hand experience of various instances of being closed down by 'them upstairs', and who are willing to discuss the circumstances, all too often concede that the threat of legal action felt like more of an excuse than a reason.

    That at least has been my experience when talking with the parasites of the 4th estate, about this issue.

    Since Sep 2007 • 96 posts Report

  • Angela Hart,

    the current situation with Slater's court action is not sufficient to explain the silence. The decision permits publication of non personal information.

    Christchurch • Since Apr 2014 • 614 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Angela Hart,

    the current situation with Slater’s court action is not sufficient to explain the silence

    That was my impression as well.

    I'm trying really hard to hope that someone in the media who has those documents has a moral compass.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • nzlemming,

    And we're off!

    NEW ZEALAND SPY AGENCY LAUNCHED MASS SURVEILLANCE PROJECT WHILE PUBLICLY DENYING IT
    BY GLENN GREENWALD AND RYAN GALLAGHER

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • BenWilson, in reply to nzlemming,

    OK, now it's been 20 mins...I need a redose....might have to head to the town hall.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to BenWilson,

    OK, now it’s been 20 mins…I need a redose….might have to head to the town hall.

    I would be if I was in Auckland. Watch out for stray Corkerys ;-)

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

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