Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Dirty Politics

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  • Dismal Soyanz, in reply to simon g,

    Person not running for office or holding any relevant position, lashes out to defend her sister.

    Public interest: zero.

    Yes, of course I have read it and chuckled and mocked, but really, it typifies the worst of the reef fish mindset … “Let’s all pile on an easy target and miss the real ones.” Only the real ones win. We don’t.

    I get the sense that her sibling loyalty notwithstanding, Collin's sister has been set up by a misguided reporter.

    There is nothing of any information value in there and my earlier posting was more to highlight the lazy reporting and editorial standards involved than to knock the sister. You have to wonder at the "tabloidness" of both the writing and the running of this kind of story. Not to mention the perception of bias it creates.

    That said, it was "unwise" of Collins' sister to get involved with the media. Maybe it's genetic.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Dismal Soyanz,

    hat said, it was “unwise” of Collins’ sister to get involved with the media. Maybe it’s genetic.

    That’s certainly one of the hoops the article’s author invites its readers to jump through. One thing’s clear, Collins’s sister has been taken advantage of, in that she plainly doesn’t understand the implications of going public in the way she’s been set up to do.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Meanwhile Andrew Dickens in the Herald employs some pretty perverted logic to explain that National is actually more of a left-wing party, repeats Cunliffe's capital gains tax error and reminds us that voters are "tired of the dirty politics headlines".

    Yep. Same old... same old.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Dismal Soyanz,

    nothing of any information value in there

    I found this interesting:

    ..the strict upbringing they and their siblings received, and the strong moral code instilled by their dairy-farmer parents.

    "She does not lie. She has never lied."

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Dismal Soyanz, in reply to Sacha,

    Life imitating art?

    Tragi-comic? Definitely. Newsworthy? Not so sure.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Sacha,

    "She does not lie. She has never lied."

    And I suppose she was never a foul-mouthed bully at school either?

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Meanwhile, the details of National's tax cuts have been announced. The details are: in 3 years' time, we can have world peace and a pony. Possibly.

    So, to sum up, Labour's tax policy is in disarray because Cunliffe stumbled on a specific detail in a debate, while National's tax policy is fine, because there no details to stumble over.

    Key doesn't even have to try any more. You can hear the laughter, and the joke's on us.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    And Stuff has an immediate response ... from the Taxpayers' Union. (Gosh, how did Jordan Williams know what was coming?).

    Nothing has fucking changed. The media have "Play us, we can't be arsed" written on their T-shirts. Any reporter who gives Williams credit is in the wrong job.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to simon g,

    And Stuff has an immediate response … from the Taxpayers’ Union. [–snip–] The media have “Play us, we can’t be arsed” written on their T-shirts. Any reporter who gives Williams credit is in the wrong job.

    Stuff already has lots invested in the Taxpayers’ Union, at least in terms of reputation etc, after that big collaboration a while back, which from memory was to do with council spending comparisons. (I can’t find the link in 30 seconds.) The relationship seemingly goes deeper than just canvassing for rent-a-quotes.

    But Jordan Williams can still get away with this because so many people are refusing along partisan lines to read the book, or take it seriously, or otherwise make the connections.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to simon g,

    Key doesn’t even have to try any more. You can hear the laughter, and the joke’s on us.

    I heard Joyce talking recently about the money they ‘hope’ to have…
    no plans then!

    Send more old envelopes to Bill English
    and he must be getting short on pencil stubs…

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    “cry me a

    That's just so Ukrainian.
    / coat...

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Alfie,

    Yep. Same old… same old

    Which is National's policy platform, as opposed to the Conservatives new old, looking forward to a brand new yesterday.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • chinashop,

    On the subject of voters wilfully ignoring the Dirty Politics scandal, my personal conspiracy theory is that the Nats are using income inequality the same way the US Right used terrorism in the 2000s -- to keep people feeling vulnerable and on edge, and hence more likely to vote conservatively. And if you're trying not to rock an already unsteady boat, the last thing you want to hear is that the hull is rotten. Cue fingers in ears.

    Wellington • Since Aug 2014 • 6 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to chinashop,

    And if you’re trying not to rock an already unsteady boat, the last thing you want to hear is that the hull is rotten.

    Uhuh. What’s the rowing equivalent of “Don’t change the horses mid-stream!”? Every time I see that ad I want to scream it out.

    Also, it might be rotten but it also doesn’t help that the rower in position number 5 has been working away on the hull with a jackhammer, before finally being pushed overboard.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    What makes me so sad about this Dirty Politics fallout (lack of) is that it's now really, worryingly easy to know what's coming.

    So, One News runs trailers on the radio saying that they have an "exclusive" and "independent" (their words) report on Labour's CGT proposal. And the moment I heard those words, I knew what was coming (and that sounds arrogant, and I wish I was wrong, but I wasn't, because it was entirely predictable).

    I knew that it wouldn't be an independent report produced by One News. I knew that it would be given to them by Labour's political opponents. Because they do their job well, and much of the media don't do theirs.

    It's regular as clockwork. It's not about conspiracy theories, it's simply observing daily behavior. Jordan Williams is quoted by Fairfax. Cameron Slater is on Newstalk ZB. And so on.

    The oldest truth of news reporting ("it's what somebody doesn't want you to report, otherwise it's advertising") has been lost. And the people who bring us the news show little sign of wanting to find it again.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • SteveH, in reply to chinashop,

    my personal conspiracy theory is that the Nats are using income inequality the same way the US Right used terrorism in the 2000s – to keep people feeling vulnerable and on edge, and hence more likely to vote conservatively

    You may be right, but that's a completely irrational conclusion for them to draw. National aren't going to help anyone who isn't in the top 10%, probably really 5% of incomes.

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Alfie,

    a saint, I tells you
    #so-unfair

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Well, I have just returned home from a talk by Nicky Hager at the University of Waikato. Despite pathetic attempts by the university administration to limit publicity (dept secretaries were prohibited from distributing news about it), it attracted a crowd of 750 people (two linked lecture theatres). He gave a great speech, answered multiple questions, and got a standing ovation,
    There are people listening!

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    attempts by the university administration to limit publicity (dept secretaries were prohibited from distributing news about it)

    any publishable evidence? would help

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Trevor Nicholls,

    Your ideal NewstalkZB commentator:
    "a little dumb, a lot dishonest, and hateful through and through."

    The original quote referred to Gary Cass but I think it applies here too.

    Wellington, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 325 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    a talk by Nicky Hager

    he's so good at it.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Sacha,

    A story going around this afternoon. I will check for verification tomorrow. There may be cause for suspicion--the current Chancellor is Jim Bolger.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Trevor Nicholls,

    I agree with Peter Dunne (minor parties’ leaders’ debate) that this has been “the dirtiest campaign in memory”.

    And that man has played his part in shutting his trap when it suits. That man, whilst in Government knew and had the ability to blow this bullshit apart and didn't . Fuck him too. They are all disgusting in my mind. So fuck the lot of them.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to BenWilson,

    Judith Collins’ dog says she was treated “Ruff”.

    What ? So now we are insulting Dogs? She doesn't deserve to have a dog. I feel that we can leave dogs out of it and at the same time road kill should get more sympathy. I'm sorry , no offence to my friend Ben, but this woman makes me ill and she is beneath tarmac in my thoughts.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to simon g,

    What makes me so sad about this Dirty Politics fallout (lack of) is that it’s now really, worryingly easy to know what’s coming.

    Sad? Why not mad? I am disgusted and I have given up being polite My ire is at the fore front of losing friends because I know they want to ignore the obvious. Sad doesn’t cut the mustard. I’m full on angry. I will persist at complaining about any news item I watch that has the hallmark of Slum Slug Slater. If he can manipulate our news in general I can complain.

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

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