Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Mood

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  • George Darroch,

    Ah, reply got stuck in the tubes...

    The law outlawed the use of violence against children. It was, after all, the repeal of section 59 act.

    Smacking is a subset of violence against children. At a pretty minor level in most cases, and at a more serious level in some. What the opponents of the bill were able to do was to conflate the two concepts (violence - smacking), so that it was only the "anti-smacking bill". And that was the abuse of language.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    .... a tune of narcotic musical and lyrical banality.

    You've just not seen it done right.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • tussock,

    Perhaps people realise perfectly well that truckies "paying their share" actually means the general populace paying more for everything via increased prices.

    Bullshit. You pay the fair price, or you pay a higher price through subsidies.

    Now, poor people gain from subsidies by paying less of the tax relative to their consumption of basic needs (or so the story goes), but there's benefit to society overall with no cost to the poor to cut the transport subsidies while increasing benefits and lowering taxes at the lower end of the scale, because transport will quickly change to using the truly cheaper options (like not trucking all supermarket goods up to Christchurch and back to save on distribution costs in the South Island, like crazy people).

    If people think otherwise, they're not thinking at all. Then again, no one's offering the option of lowering taxes on the poor and raising benefits, at no cost to the rich once the waste dies out of the system.

    Since Nov 2006 • 611 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    You've just not seen it done right.

    It's still an awful song. Let me put it this way, 'I Will Always Love You' is horribly tainted by Whitney Houston's OTT climb to the belfry, but the song itself has solid enough bones that Dolly Parton's delicate performance of her own song is rather affecting. The whole score of Dreamgirls isn't even bad enough to hate, or enjoy as Ed Wood-ian camp. It's dull.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    That's why the Cullen Fund and KiwiSaver are pretty important to our economy in the medium term. Two policies that will hopefully survive many changes in Government.

    Bets on that National Party policy on the Cullen Fund will be window dressing over a policy which essentially consists of a name change. I suspect they know it's a good policy, but they'll be spewing if the next thirty years, they're constantly going to have to mention Michael Cullen through gritted teeth every time they tip another billion dollars into it.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Meanwhile, I'm in a very fucking bad mood indeed after reading [http://www.stuff.co.nz/4613034a11.htmll|this]]:

    The Government is seemingly ignoring the Ombudsman's request to hand over a secret report about Tihirau Shepherd's appointment as principal of Hato Paora College.

    Shepherd is set to stand trial on sex charges.

    Education Minister Chris Carter refused to release the report under the Official Information Act when the Manawatu Standard requested it in April.

    A complaint was handed to the Ombudsman, who sent the Minister a letter no later than May 22 asking that he give the Ombudsman's office a copy of the report and the reasons for not making it public.

    Six weeks on a response was not forthcoming.

    So Ombudsman David McGee then wrote to Mr Carter again on Friday, telling him to address the issue as a priority.

    But yesterday Mr Carter's office categorically told the Standard a response had been written and sent last week, only for the Ombudsman's office to deny any record of it being received.

    When asked how that could be, Mr Carter's press secretary said he assumed it had been sent because "the minister is normally very good at getting through what's in front of him".

    "But then I suppose assumption is the mother of all . . ." he said, cutting the sentence short.

    He then said he would find out if a response had in fact been sent and phone back, but did not.

    It remains to be established whether a response has been sent, or even written.

    I'm sure Idiot/Savant will forgive if I don't offer him a hat-tip, because I've put my fist through it.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Kyle, it's the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. The term Cullen Fund is just a nickname.

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

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Tony Veitch has fallen on his sword and done everything the Womens Refuge asked of him last night on TV.

    I do respect this act of contrition, it follows 100K payment.

    I'm interested in how this came to light the day of his new TV series.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    If you pay the victim of your crimes off, isn't that corrupting a witness (under s117 of the Crimes Act)?

    I'm assuming Veitch will be talking to the cops real soon now, as he just confessed to that, as well as GBH.

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

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    I don't know the legal issues here, but see at as possibly better than our legal system.

    From Veitch they sat down and have talked, she received more money than any court settlement would bring, & when pushed he made what IMHO was a heartfelt statement.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Tony Veitch has fallen on his sword and done everything the Womens Refuge asked of him last night on TV.

    I do respect this act of contrition, it follows 100K payment.

    I don't entirely agree. He's possibly done the right thing now, but he didn't initially (and he certainly didn't when he assaulted the victim). He commited a serious crime and crimes, while offences against individuals, are offences for which the State is responsible. He did try to avoid prosecution and that's not something you can absolve by a media conference.

    It's a tough one as he and his victim came to some arrangement, however is that fair? Can a person who's been hospitalised be expected to strike fair deal with the person who put them there? Even if it's true in this case, it's not likely to be true in all (many) cases which is probably why we have section 117 ~ it's a long time since I studied Crimes (where's that Legal Beagle) what's the Common Law definition of a 'bribe'?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Shep, I see it as straightforwardly one law for the rich who can pay their way out, preserving their name and their career, and another for the poor.

    Justice is not just about recompensing victims but also about all members of society who offend being treated equally, and their punishment being a deterrent to others.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • rodgerd,

    but see at as possibly better than our legal system.

    He broke her back in four places. We're not talking about some minor-league assault involving bruises and a bleeding nose - he hit her until she fell over, then kicked her until he broke her spinal column in multiple places.

    If that had gone to court, it is very unlikely, I imagine, that he would have been able to avoid a non-trivial amount of prison time. His $100,000 investment has doubtless repaid itself manifold, given his position as a TV personality; I doubt it's even a year's income.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 512 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    The police are already making excuses about how hard it would be to investigate without a complainant. Well tough, that is their job.

    Perpatretors often attempt to coerce a victim from making a complaint, be it through threats, further violence, or bribery. These are all situations where the perpetrator has considerable power over the victim, and is continuing that power relationship.

    Where a victim feels they cannot complain, the police should not withdraw, they should double their efforts.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    whoops, excuse the spelling in that...

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    "He broke her back in four places."

    Yeah, I didn't know that when I wrote the above.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I do respect this act of contrition, it follows 100K payment.

    You know something, Shep, as a member of "the public" I thought his 'apology' to me was utterly meaningless, and frankly a little insulting. I suspect there is an employment issue in play here that needs to be properly addressed elsewhere. His wife and former partner can decide how they feel about that press conference in an appropriate place -- and that's not through the media. Any criminal investigation or charges - we'll see.

    But WTF does an apology to the "public" actually mean? When I stopped drinking part of my process of making ammends, as far as possible, to the people who were directly harmed (thankfully not physically) as collateral damage of my self-abuse. It was tough (and sometimes humbling to see the love and forgiveness of people I'd treated like shit), but actually meant something because it was private and direct.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Two laws have always worked in NZ, the lower classes get no inch, while the old school tie gets diversion.

    I see a major payout as a better penalty than going to prison. IMHO community services and fines should be extended to the vast majority of prisoners, with some notable exceptions.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    I pretty much assumed his contracts are over now.

    Norm Hewitt turned his life around for the better, time will tell.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Two laws have always worked in NZ, the lower classes get no inch, while the old school tie gets diversion.

    And some people can fill a conference room with media hacks so you can begin working the media strategy that might just save your lucrative career. Really hope I'm being way too cynical, but I really hope Veitch is actually going to start dealing with his bullshit, accept the consequences (which may just include the end of his broadcasting career and criminal charges, AFAIK), and a long way down the road have the courage and dignity to make amends to everyone he's hurt, as far as he possibly can, in a meaningful and private way that doesn't include a room full of media.

    If that happens (and I just don't want to know), then he might earn the respect of his friends and family. Mine doesn't matter.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    I agree Craig, I just wonder if strong attempts to make amends happened as part of the process including the 100K pay out (if thats the value).

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • rodgerd,

    The police are already making excuses about how hard it would be to investigate without a complainant. Well tough, that is their job.

    Feel free to offer your psychic services to the police. I'm sure they'd love to have someone on the force who can tell them when crimes are committed under circumstances where the whole business has no wintnesses and is covered up.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 512 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Mine doesn't matter.

    Me too but was just thinking, my only comments, please refer to the What goes on tour blog and insert physical violence where the term Rape is used and 'sports personality' where 'rugby players is used and about sums it up to me again. And I will take on board all the comments there also. I mean at least shes not in a wheelchair for the rest of her life eh! At least Veitch can still talk about that rugby eh. I'll shut up now.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'll shut up now.

    Don't you dare, Sofie! (And how are you today -- chemo not knocking you around too badly, I hope?) Look, I'm not carrying a drop of water for Veitch here. In my book, if my sweetie ever "lashed out" at me - which he wouldn't - the bastard better put me down in the ground for good because I'm no fucker's punching bag. I'd be gone and pressing charges. The only payment I'd take from him is my share of the relationship property.

    But, my God, my stomach flipped at the blaring headline on The Herald today: 'What DID you do to her, Tony?' Whose interests are really being served here -- besides the circulation and advertising departments, that is?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Is there or has here been something in the water? Derek Fox lined up for the next round.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

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