an adverse allergic reaction to some medication

He's allergic to cocaine now? That's going to put a cramp in his style.

Time for me to link to the Onion: Bill Maher Spends All Night Arguing With Republican Hooker.

Not a million miles from: Sheen hospitalised after furniture throwing incident.

I understand why he's so popular in the US, because there are very few people willing to say some of the things he says. But he's also a smug sexist douchebag more than occasionally.

I've only seen Bill Maher a few times, but he seems to mix it up between…

Just as big as John Stewart, and significantly bigger in the departments of sexism and anti-vaccine crankery.

In terms of influence, Jon Stewart has it all over him. Barack Obama is appearing on Comedy Central – a cable channel I believe – this week, and he's not doing it because…

Letting Timaru accountants start billion dollar banks is like letting Tokoroa car mechanics build nuclear power stations. The Reserve Bank should be involved in any bank…

I'm sure we all want…

Just as big as John Stewart, and significantly bigger in the departments of sexism and anti-vaccine crankery.

Oooh! Time for me to link to the Onion: Bill Maher Spends All Night Arguing With Republican Hooker

I understand why he's so popular in the US, because there are very few people…

I'm having trouble seeing what the problem is. The NBR has information that could be useful to the investigation. No sources are at risk.

Well, only because the SFO didn't end up requesting information that would have compromised Matt's sources. But yes, I can see your side of it too.

The comments I've heard from several journalists amount to churlishness over the SFO "stealing" their work.....completely losing sight of any obligation on themselves as citizens to…

EDIT: Never mind, just saw Matthew Poole's post, which answers that question for me.

Does NZ have any laws protecting whistleblowers?

Yes, specifically the Protected Disclosures Act (2000).

The lack of investigative journalism is appalling here in NZ.

You might enjoy this short "and likely unfair" history of journalism. It focuses on TV journalism, but can apply to print as well.

[T]he journalists have given up on their job of explaining the world to us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9FaIyc4vpU

Good on…

And are the actions – or threats of action – from SFO or Police to publications

Just to clear one thing up, this is strictly the SFO and could never be the Police. The SFO, by law, are not acquainted with anything resembling a Bill of Rights right (in terms…

I realise that specifics will be impossible to talk about for the moment, but do we have any idea as to why the SFO went down the heavy handed route if they thought NBR had vital information, instead of trying for an informal chat instead?

Some news agencies have a…

Bill is just as big as Jon Stewart in the US and it is huge pity he isn't better known in the rest of the world.

Just as big as John Stewart, and significantly bigger in the departments of sexism and anti-vaccine crankery. He's occasionally funny, but hardly a huge…

It's some of the best news media analysis currently being made, the best I think for a popular audience, why would you hide it on your 'kids and mindless entertainment' channel?

It would *be* the news for that channel, which is being shifted older too.

Yes I am concerned about NBR being bullied. The lack of investigative journalism is appalling here in NZ. And are the actions – or threats of action – from SFO or Police to publications to let them have the info that the reporter has acquired…

Love the "donation" of a portaloo 'cos there appeared to be a lack of them for the date of the march!!

"But The Daily Show will probably be a real slam dunk on FOUR, now that it's a broader, wider entertainment channel."

How bizarre. I think it's prefect for TV3 – right after nightline. It's some of the best news media analysis currently being made, the best I think for a…

Did he just say The Daily Show – which recently disappeared from Comedy Central, along with the Colbert Report – is coming back to free-to-air TV?

Yes please!!! I'll even march for some sanity....if someone organised it... Oh look, they have!!!!

*Gets on knees and prays*