ie the attorney gave the judge a suitcase full of cash.

Oops, forgot to preview. Shoulda been:

ie not because the attorney gave the judge a briefcase full of cash. Which he didn't, because that would be bribery/perverting the course of justice.

Don King

Who?

Don King is/was a boxing promoter. His Wiki entry is worth a squizz.

King was convicted of second degree murder for the second killing after he was found guilty of beating to death an employee who owed him $600. In an ex parte meeting with King's attorney, the…

Campbell did cut them off rather a lot.

Unfortunately, it didn't result in enough cutting for an iron-rich meal best served with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

Don King
Who?

Donuts.

300m Euro will buy you 39.1 per cent of APN.

Don King

Who?

The fix may be in

What fix?

Having criticised Sainsbury for failing to moderate the first debate it's only fair to criticise Campbell for over-moderating.

Don't think so, John. Look, if Helen Clark wants to say "it's all about trust" while John Key spits back "choose a…

Instead she channelled John Key channelling Peter Dunne.

That’s the problem with the 2 main parties falling over themselves to capture the middle ground.

Debate:

Having criticised Sainsbury for failing to moderate the first debate it's only fair to criticise Campbell for over-moderating. Just because he's heard the answers a 100 times already doesn't…

(and partly because Key knew she would try to correct his lying just like their first "debate")

Sasha: To be fair, perhaps Clark need to be pulled up on her own lies — or shall we say, echoing the hero of North by Northwest, her "expedient exaggerations". I suspect her…

Did anyone else reckon Key was about to shake Clark's hand at the very end after Campbell did his "may the best leader win" closing?

I thought so at the time, but I'd have to go back and review the tape and I just can't do that. But I have…

Clark was…

I agree, but if you go for a advertising-based funding model for your broadcaster, maybe it's inevitable?

Don't think so, Andrew. Imperfect as it may be, the Advertising Standards Authority (which TVNZ is part of through its membership of the New Zealand Television Broadcasters Council) is a reasonably effective self-regulatory…

He regrets he is not able to continue as a member of Parliament. "That is, as you know, not my choice".

That is huge if he can't get buyers.

BTW, am I the only person who thinks it's not a particularly good look seeing Labour election ads — or anyone else's come to that — on TVNZ's Election 08 web pages?

I agree, but if you go for a advertising-based funding model for your broadcaster, maybe it's inevitable? Or…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAluyt5_kic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7MMWfUyZKg

Recommendation: Next time we got with the electrified podiums, and the sudden death round with the leaders wrestling in a pool of blood wearing nothing but man-kinis.

Anyway watch the Clark v Key debate on TV3 tonight ?

Oh, God.. I could have written the spin from the Kiwibuggers and Sub-Standardistas for them, but let's get real. They both clung to their talking points for girm death, and I'll give John Campbell one cheer for embarking on…

but aren't the people praising his efforts as minister of foreign affairs (and racing of course, let's not forget that) forgetting the stirling work goff has done as minister of trade?

C'mon Che; Winston's performances at various All Black victories (although strangely absent in Cardiff) over the last 3 years…

i'd be curious to hear which portfolio people think has contributed more to nzl over the last three years.

I'd say it's actually a very tough call. Goff's done a stellar job on the FTA with China (which is actually very, very favourable to NZ, especially when considering what it…

I'm loath to admit this, but he's not only done that, but has been, in all fairness, a very, good, solid, competent Minister of Foreign Affairs.

i'm not one to ever criticise peters...

but aren't the people praising his efforts as minister of foreign affairs (and racing of course, let's…

Winston will be missed for his antics, and he's definitely achieved far more for seniors than anyone else would ever even have tried

I'm loath to admit this, but he's not only done that, but has been, in all fairness, a very, good, solid, competent Minister of Foreign Affairs. But…

What would Harry Holland or Peter Fraser make of Labour's touching faith in the power of markets to deliver equable political coverage?

As Hell Pizza will probably be re-animating them sometime soon we just might get the answer to that, except they'll likely be too busy pimping fast food.

addressed mail, which contains information specifically for the addressee that I need to retain and/or act on

No circulars and addressed mail only I don't ping at all, I probably didn't make it sufficiently clear earlier.

Basically, I want to choose what paper I pay to dispose of. If you want to communicate, use a billboard, hand out leaflets politely in the street or something

Was that a sorry I heard there? Seriously, we're waaaay more sick of saying it than you are of hearing it. But there's a reason we keep having to say it (for the past 40 years!) and there's a wealth of evidence to support our reasons for doing so.

I…

Because today when I got home in my "no junk mail" letterbox there were three political pamphlets

I'll come clean: when I canvas for political material, I ignore "junk mail" signs because frankly I don't think that political material is junk. I do the same when I maildrop advertising for…

Because today when I got home in my "no junk mail" letterbox there were three political pamphlets, a harcourts ad, and two religious pamphlets. Christians are as bad as the rest.

What Clark is trying to do now is send a signal to NZ First voters not to waste their vote and to tick Labour if they want to avoid National getting in.

NZ First Voters and Labour voters. Do the twain ever meet?

Craig, I have my recycling bin directly…

Now would be a good time to introduce laws prohibiting cross-media ownership.

To me, the failure to do this has been one of the more glaring shoot-self-in-foot aspects of Labour's time in Government. If they were at all serious, they would have bought out the Herald and the Listener long…

Actually, a fuck of a lot taken. Obvs.

That's your choice. I'm going to leave this topic alone.

Was that a sorry I heard there? Seriously, we're waaaay more sick of saying it than you are of hearing it. But there's a reason we keep having to say it (for…

asking to be taken off your fucking mailing list should do the job

Fair enough, too. Apologies.

Only when their policies agree with Craig's, I suspect.

Miss Marple has nothing to fear with you on the case, Matthew. I don't want any of it either.

If I was getting campaign spam from the National Party, I'd be really pissed off they were wasting resources, money and the…

Oh, c'mon. He's standing in your electorate, isn't he? Aren't hard-working candidates meant to do that?

Once, perhaps. But I think a civil phone call (yes, I can do polite) asking to be taken off your fucking mailing list should do the job unless you really really think pissing potential…

Aren't hard-working candidates meant to do that?

Only when their policies agree with Craig's, I suspect. Personally I don't want any of it, particularly when we've got a big "Addressed mail and local papers only" sign on the letterbox, but there's no point complaining since political spam is an excepted…

Good

Yup. Winston will be missed for his antics, and he's definitely achieved far more for seniors than anyone else would ever even have tried, but to paraphrase Craig he's been thoroughly confirmed as a pathological liar with these latest revelations. Quite what this will do to the final numbers…

And perhaps there's an up-side to the EFA, because two unsolicited and unwelcome letters from Phil Twyford ...

Oh, c'mon. He's standing in your electorate, isn't he? Aren't hard-working candidates meant to do that?

Is Wayne Mapp curled up somewhere asleep?

Meanwhile it looks like Clark is all but abandoning Winston Peters and she’s shifted the Maori Party and the Greens up to the front-ranked cabs. She told Sky TV’s meet the leaders’ debate last night that she thought it would be extremely difficult…

And perhaps there's an up-side to the EFA, because two unsolicited and unwelcome letters from Phil Twyford have been the only political junk mail we've received this campaign season.

We've received three or four things from Rodders/Act, and one from whoever it is that Labour's putting up. Nothing from Worthless…

Something scandalous I saw with my own eyes today was 3 red cars driving down Ponsonby Road – all pulling trailers with 'Vote Labour' billboards on them. Not the 'greenest' of campaign ideas I woulda thought.

I've just rung Phil Twyford and asked "what part of __we're not going to…

Actually, a fuck of a lot taken. Obvs.

That's your choice. I'm going to leave this topic alone.

That was soooooo passive-aggressive ...

;-)

That's your choice. I'm going to leave this topic alone.

There's nothing I love more than someone doing the time-honoured 'you just *choose* to be offended' schtick. Kudos.

I'd like to know his view on why Obama has stopped mentioning Net Neutrality as part of his technology platform and where he thinks the Obama administration (if elected etc...) would stand on this issue.

Obama used to be vocally pro-neutrality, but lately – not a squeak. Most…

Just occasionally it'd be nice to hear people starting an investigation because it was the right thing to do to help protect our democracy.

hahahahahahaha. Sorry, I must stop... hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

OK, I'm over that now. You're right, it would be nice for oversight of the politicians to occur because it's…

What form could the Labour Party possibly use to start demanding an inquiry in 2009 without looking like hypocrites?

Just occasionally it'd be nice to hear people starting an investigation because it was the right thing to do to help protect our democracy.

Dreams are free, I know.

People in the know, riddle me this: what are the chances (realistically) that he won't get re-elected?

Slim to nothing, I'm afraid. He really does command the respect of his electorate, as an electorate MP.

So I'm told by everyone I know who lives there (except for the wife oif…

Any more revelations about Peter Dunne would be interesting

I hear he's sleeping with the daughter of his wife's brother's father – or was that the daughter of his father-in-law's son's sister? You hear so many scandals in politics ...

Something scandalous I saw with my own eyes today was 3…

He’ll probably merge it with Sky Watch.

And this is one of those occasions where we need a kiwiblog-esque comment rating thing.

I suppose it would be returning to its roots.

Actually, a fuck of a lot taken. Obvs.

That's your choice. I'm going to leave this topic alone.

Any more revelations about Peter Dunne would be interesting.

People in the know, riddle me this: what are the chances (realistically) that he won't get re-elected?

Yes, and you know who's all cashed-up and looking for bargains — and already prevented by Australian media ownership laws from buying much more than he already owns there?

Rupert Murdoch

He’ll probably merge it with Sky Watch.

Does it mean the Listener is being sold as well?

Yes, and you know who's all cashed-up and looking for bargains — and already prevented by Australian media ownership laws from buying much more than he already owns there?

Rupert Murdoch.

The same story was just as wothy of an inquiry during 2006, 2007 or 2008.

The present story — with Meurant's helpful notes — didn't emerge until last week.

What form could the Labour Party possibly use to start demanding an inquiry in 2009 without looking like hypocrites?

Hypocrisy is…

Really? Explain your logic.

The Peters-Dunne shenanigans in the Dom-Post date back to the last National government — it's still a story.

The same story was just as wothy of an inquiry during 2006, 2007 or 2008. What form could the Labour Party possibly use to start demanding an inquiry…

You mean the one that was cleared of being too young?

My point was, the IOC avoided as much as possible having that information themselves. They trusted the Chinese Olympic Committee, and stated as such. FIFA is probably running the same line.

In China it is not just unemployment you have to worry about it is social instability (the government's euphemism for riots, protests, revolution) that results from unemployment. According to internal government estimates from earlier this decade, the Communist Party needed to keep the…

I don't usually accord too much credence to the "Poor us" cries of the women I know

None taken.

(Actually, a fuck of a lot taken. Obvs.)

If the Nats do end up being able to form a government after the election, I’m picking Mike Williams will be the first casualty.

But how many times has Mike Williams reversed the usual traffic flow between gob and anus and not had a damn thing happen? He's either raking…

But isn't the TV3 news coverage of a FIFA World Cup Tournament just a bit, er, crap?

That'd be coz it's women's sports, and not netball. Seriously. I don't usually accord too much credence to the "Poor us" cries of the women I know, but when it comes to the…

There's a tip for parents of young kids – add a 1 to their year of birth when you sign them up for their first sports teams, just in case.

Yup, that's what I always do. And you should see their faces when I tell them that my little champ…

And there was that gymnast in Beijing that they specifically avoided asking about her age.

You mean the one that was cleared of being too young?

How can they cheat? I'd imagine FIFA want to see birth certificates when they register players.

What's the bet they don't?

I know players who have represented NZ at age grade level in other sports, and never been asked for a birth certificate. You register at 5 or 7 or…

It does not work for me using Flash 10.0.12.36 on Firefox 3.0.3 but movie works fine using Internet explorer....as you were.

Cool. That's what I needed to know.

Can I ask everyone it's happening to confirm platform and version? (Right-click on a Flash movie to get the version.)

It does not work for me using Flash 10.0.12.36 on Firefox 3.0.3 but movie works fine using Internet explorer....as you were.

Last Saturday the Herald posted this online. It was an explanation by Eugene Bingham of the Key questions.

In which he seems to strongly imply that "Batman" was Mike Williams. If so, my head spins at the blithering idiocy of Williams doing that.

Also, just got a call from someone…

The Hollow Men was published in 2006, too long ago to form the basis of any such demand by Labour.

Really? Explain your logic.

The Peters-Dunne shenanigans in the Dom-Post date back to the last National government — it's still a story.

And, of course, Nicky Hager reckons (without providing…

The Germans simply look bigger in all departments. Bigger, faster, stronger, broader, taller etc…

They just are. They'd have won WW2, if we hadn't had guns and stuff.

Especially those East German athletes in the 70s and 80s.

Not that I’m implying anything.

From my point of view it has looked like the Herald, as well as all the tv news, has smiled benevolently at Key while being somewhat unforgiving to Clark.

Not wishing to imply…

The Germans simply look bigger in all departments. Bigger, faster, stronger, broader, taller etc…

They just are. They'd have won WW2, if we hadn't had guns and stuff.

If Labour doesn't form a government, it can certainly spend the next three years demanding inquiries and quoting the racing chapter in the Hollow Men ...

The Hollow Men was published in 2006, too long ago to form the basis of any such demand by Labour.

PS: Some applause, please for the New Zealand U17 women's football team, who have participated in two wonderfully watchable matches in the past week. They lost both, ending any hope of advancing in the tournament,...

We've been to all the North Shore games and it's been brilliant entertainment. The NZ…

Not quite true Russell – it's just conspicuously different in length and tone to anything on Peters:

Ah, thanks ...

If Labour doesn't form a government, it can certainly spend the next three years demanding inquiries and quoting the racing chapter in the Hollow Men ...

this is one Phil Kitchin lead story that David Farrar appears to have forgotten to ... blog about at all ...

And except for this post you'd be right.

"Leave Bob aloooooooone!"

Things I didn't need to be reminded of #38779...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rfea8iEGNw

Damn straight, chuck in the Bob Jones "independent" interest and this definitely has the makings of something beyond face value.

And then we get the Stoned Teenager Caught Shoving A Sparker Up The Cat's Bum Defence: "But everyone does it, why do you haaaaate me!" {Stifled sob, then flounces out…

The Germans simply look bigger in all departments. Bigger, faster, stronger, broader, taller etc…

PS: Some applause, please for the New Zealand U17 women's football team, who have participated in two wonderfully watchable matches in the past week. They lost both, ending any hope of advancing in the tournament,...

While they can't continue, they aren't finished yet. There is still one last game against…

but the game behind all this is even more interesting...

Damn straight, chuck in the Bob Jones "independent" interest and this definitely has the makings of something beyond face value.

And whatever way it goes, I think we're due some strong public inquiry on lobbying practices in the racing and fishing industries, no matter who it embarrasses.

A strong inquiry into ALL lobbying practices would be in order. Some nice ,bright sunlight on these back room activites would benefit all…

Well, for that to kick in we'd need... strategic memory lapses (and conveniently discovered documents) and a couple of rounds of accusing Audrey Young of being a forger.

__Mr Dunne said yesterday he could not recall putting out a press release calling for a change to the UN fish stocks…

one of the few sides not cheating in the Age Eligibility Department.

How can they cheat? I'd imagine FIFA want to see birth certificates when they register players.

Or do you just mean the German girls look old? That's a bit ungentlemanly?

Are there likely to be any changes in approach to Copyright and patent issues in the event that Obama wins the election on Tuesday?

What implications would this have for the USA's stance on FTA negotiations?…

There was more sweet midfield work by that U17 side in their two games than you'll see in half a dozen Phoenix matches

Like he said.

The reason we can hold our heads high on this is that, from TV coverage anyway, we would appear to be one of the…

Well, for that to kick in we'd need at least another nine months...

True.

... Mind you, it would seem there'd be little/no loss for Helen to come out swinging and declare she wouldn't have Dunne in gvt as John has done with Winston.

PS: Some applause, please for the New Zealand U17 women's football team, who have participated in two wonderfully watchable matches in the past week. They lost both, ending any hope of advancing in the tournament,...

There was more sweet midfield work by that U17 side in their two games than…

If JK applies the same threshold as he did with Winston...

Well, for that to kick in we'd need at least another nine months of evasions, flip-flops, strategic memory lapses (and conveniently discovered documents) and a couple of rounds of accusing Audrey Young of being a forger.

I'd also ask…

And am I the only person who thinks that if positions were reverse, and John Key was left…

If JK applies the same threshold as he did with Winston... it might have been $3.80 wasted...

A would-be Prime Minister must expect scrutiny of every word.

Certainly Mr. Bingham, and one would think that a credible news organisation would man up and own it when they get punked. Sorry for harking back to my old bete noir — the Operation Leaf scam — but Cate Brett…

(I know, I know, welcome to New Zealand, Giovanni. I still get stupidly excited about this sort of thing.)