Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Internet Party, whatever happens

57 Responses

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  • Hamish,

    A launch party scotched for fear of “treating”, while a PR expert advises the Nats to brighten up their youth recruitment “goodie bags”. So it’s not treating when you are literally giving out treats.

    The Mana proposal is interesting though. Both sides must see it as a deal with the devil, guaranteed to make them players in a knife-edge parliment, but saddled with even more baggage then they already had.

    God I love an election year.

    The A.K. • Since Nov 2006 • 155 posts Report Reply

  • Ana Simkiss,

    Well. Kim has a great legal team but its a tough job. Right now he is tweeting about the security guard situation in a way I'd be surprised is not a breach of the suppression order and/or privilege.

    Freemans Bay • Since Nov 2006 • 141 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi,

    Then there’s the matter of the currently sitting MP who is apparently lined up to stand for the Internet Party.

    If this was a MP in the current government, that'd be huge news, which is why I don't believe it is. I saw references to this being "an electorate MP", which makes me think that they're talking about Hone and the Mana "partnership deal" in a typically vague way.

    Although I could see Brendan Horan leaping at the chance. On the other hand, let's face it, it is Asenati's time to shine.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    I can see why the public enthusiasm might be waning. Dotcom's tweet about not being stressed over problems with his "minions" might be some sort of ironic Despicable Me reference, but I'm surprised the Mana Party didn't run a hundred miles at such an arrogant phrasing.

    Maybe together they can start campaigning for a Living Minions' Wage.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Moz,

    perhaps an Alliance-style structure encompassing two parties with a shared disdain for John Key. Lord knows.

    Lorde knows?

    I love the way Dotcom so frequently brings out the contradictions and nonsense in whatever legal environment he operates in,

    Sydney, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 1233 posts Report Reply

  • richard,

    It's ironic, although the legal case against Dotcom has grown thinner with time, the enthusiasm with which I would greet his deportation (to anywhere, I'm not fussy) grows stronger with each passing day.

    Not looking for New Engla… • Since Nov 2006 • 268 posts Report Reply

  • Christopher Nimmo,

    If the office is in Lower Hutt, and they really have a sitting MP... maybe it's Trevor Mallard?

    It would at least be hilarious!

    Wellington • Since May 2009 • 97 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Moz,

    Lorde knows?

    Dotcom doesn't strike me as a Team player...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Christopher Nimmo,

    If the office is in Lower Hutt, and they really have a sitting MP... maybe it's Trevor Mallard?

    That was my first thought too.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I imagine Mr .com's bottom lines will be fairly straightforward:
    1. Copyright Act amended to make clear that indirect copyright infringement in plain view of plaintiff cannot be a criminal matter
    2. Electoral Act amended to allow permanent residents to become MPs
    and to allow parties to change their lists post election

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    in Jonathan Milne's very useful feature

    Can we confirm whether the guy in the pub had a sickness beneficiary neighbour painting the roof of his house?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall,

    I pretty much agree with Sue Bradford, which is something I don't do too often. Kim Dotcom is anathema to Mana; their constituency and key members, John Minto, et al, are left-wing with a focus on things like the minimum wage, etc, etc - joining up with a multi-millionaire that lives in the country's most ostentatious mansion would be political suicide.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Grant McDougall,

    It's hard to see any common ground, that's for sure. Harawira alone with the IP, maybe. But Bradford and Minto with KDC? Only if the brief of the IP were basically limited to "free internet infrastructure and opposed to abuse of state power with respect to internet use". Which are both righteous, of course, but I expect KDC has more in mind.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I imagine Mr .com’s bottom lines will be fairly straightforward:

    Damn you!

    I immediately imagined them:
    Sub-gluteal fleshy folds spreading sideways
    at right angles to the perpendicular;
    or the one that bisects you all
    vertically down and back...
    None straight forward,
    all curved dark spaces
    that can suck us in...

    ... I now need strong liquor
    to burn that dreadful moon
    from my 'retainers'...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to BenWilson,

    Which are both righteous, of course, but I expect KDC has more in mind.

    Like better latency for Call of Duty tournaments?

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

  • netcoach,

    My picks for MP waka jumpers

    1. Brendan Horan - this is the only way he can remotely stay in Parliament to continue to annoy Winston Peters

    2. Colin King - missed out on being re-selected in his electorate seat and is unlikely to rank high on the list, so this is only way he can stay in Parliament.

    3. Clare Curran - fallen out with David Cunliffe who has taken over ICT from her, she is pissed.

    South Canterbury • Since Mar 2014 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • bmk, in reply to netcoach,

    3. Clare Curran - fallen out with David Cunliffe who has taken over ICT from her, she is pissed.

    She's just been announced as an electorate candidate unfortunately (though I guess that doesn't mean it's not possible). Labour would do so well to get rid of her. She proved to be spectacularly incompetent on ICT matters. Was very glad David Cunliffe took over ICT - he did well as a minister and seems to understand the sector.

    Since Jun 2010 • 327 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    If the office is in Lower Hutt, and they really have a sitting MP... maybe it's Trevor Mallard?

    That was my first thought too.

    More likely, it's because the rents are cheaper in the Hutt. I seriously can't see Trevor jumping wakas...

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to nzlemming,

    More likely, it’s because the rents are cheaper in the Hutt. I seriously can’t see Trevor jumping wakas…

    Which in turn seems to be because of quake-proofing costs in central Wellington.

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

  • lotech,

    I'm still confused to exactly what an "Internets" Party stands for outside of ICT policy.
    What's their standing on Fish Quota's? On the National Flag? Treaty Settlements?
    This is all going to start unravelling quite quickly I think.

    AKNZ • Since Dec 2006 • 23 posts Report Reply

  • Alec Morgan,

    Te Mana is a hybrid left social democratic/Māori nationalist party and as such perhaps more open to division and diversion than your average NZ party. The key achievement of Mana Movement has been the engagement of the young politically alienated, on all sorts of issues as I saw as a member in the Far North. And around the country on off shore drilling and various other matters, the Mana flag and new faces were there.

    Which ever way Hone goes with wacky KDC stuff such a movement should continue, for supra parliamentary activism (think no nukes, HUG, etc.) a hard fought kiwi tradition that a generation and a bit seem to have lost; is the much needed compliment to voting. And may even encourage voting.

    KDC is a joker in the pack and after watching the backside numbing “The Wolf of Wall Street” last nite about a mom and pop fleecing “trader” turned snitch, wonder if he does have any remaining cards re trader John Phillip Key.

    Tokerau Beach • Since Nov 2006 • 124 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to netcoach,

    It's hard to see the use of Horan to IP, unless he can win an electorate. The same goes for pretty much all the sitting MPs. This makes it hard to see how a National or Labour candidate would be any use, unless they were in themselves extremely popular. Otherwise they'll just lose when they're replaced in the area by National or Labour.

    The ideal person to him is someone who can win an electorate on their own merits. Currently I'd say only Harawira fits that bill.

    For the rest, the list, Jesus, it could be anyone. That's how it seems to work in the minor parties (with the exception of the Greens). No requirement of any experience, no talent, no political ability of any kind. Horan could fit, but it's really up to KDC and whoever the electorate clincher is to choose their "minions".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to netcoach,

    Colin King

    Colin King’s screaming homophobia would make him an extremely unattractive proposition for the well-off youngish urban liberals who would seem to be the Internet Party’s natural demographic. And then there’s his negative charisma…

    But then

    Dotcom says the party is post-ideological

    so… no policies, then?

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Emma Hart,

    It's a bit too early to say what their natural demographic is. I bet there's a lot of kids who yell "Gay!" every time they get fragged in there.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to netcoach,

    3. Clare Curran – fallen out with David Cunliffe who has taken over ICT from her, she is pissed.

    Yeah, nah. Curran is pure red, always has been. She's more interested in Hillside and jobs in her electorate (as she should be, and as any electorate MP should be). Not the most techie hands on the benches, and I was surprised she got it when Cunliffe fell from favour, but her errors in the portfolio pale beside National's.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

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