Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Politics of Absence

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  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    Totally. 'Principle' is the shape of the original Bill, which wasn't.

    Sure, but to be fair it was a good day at the office when Power and 115 others voted to put the provocation defense in the septic tank of history. Shame it took the brutal murder of a straight white middle-class woman to put a blow torch to the collective arse, but still...

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

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    it’s very good and shows we’ve lost a very good parliamentarian.

    Perhaps, but while I like Simon a lot I don’t think his legacy as Justice Minister is that much to be proud of. The right to silence should never have been under threat. Ever.

    Amen to that.

    I know of some good lawyers and law students who have a very, very poor opinion of Power. He's viewed as a provincial conveyancing lawyer out of his depth in the portfolio.

    Speaking of which, Judith Collins got her ass handed to her by Steven Price this week. Ouch.

    I hope Chris Finlayson’s bosses can refrain from throwing him any more hospital passes. He does add value.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Speaking of which, Judith Collins got her ass handed to her by Steven Price this week. Ouch.

    "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I hope Chris Finlayson’s bosses can refrain from throwing him any more hospital passes.

    He certainly was the biatch of the week. "Geez girlfrien' sometimes you gotta swallow." I think he likes being on top., and I had such high hopes.
    But hey, one thing Clark had in spades over any Nat, she had maturity. I saw her once say "haters" frustrated. That was it. Talk about cool calm and on top. :)

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

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    He certainly was the biatch of the week. “Geez girlfrien’ sometimes you gotta swallow.” I think he likes being on top., and I had such high hopes.

    To be slightly more generous, Sofie, a little known side effect of collective Cabinet/caucus responsibility is heightened risk of scar tissue from biting your tongue and lower lip. Something, I suspect, Clark had a severe case of in the 80's -- and which I'm well familiar with from experience at a much lower pay grade.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    His swipes at Chauvel and Labour in the House were rather feline like, which I think lets himself down. I thought he was better than that.Trouble is he has let that show a few times now.Guess he may have been working on his inner facial scar tissue. However as A G. He was dealing with all of our human rights/civil liberties and I for one would rather he not treat all of us so dismissively.

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

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    But hey, one thing Clark had in spades over any Nat, she had maturity. I saw her once say “haters” frustrated. That was it. Talk about cool calm and on top. :)

    She said a few other things she might have regretted too. She moved fairly serenely through her first couple of years but by the 2002 election was displaying impatience and even anger when things didn't go her way. She tended to react poorly to being wrong and was prone to believing her own bullshit. She was also, of course, a successful and effective Prime Minister with a remarkable intellect.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Uncontrollable urge...
    Oh that we all had an uncontrollable Remuneration Authority that would step in, like a fairy godmother, and munificently 'Bisto' unwanted pay rises upon us all...
    Apparently this is to make up for lost travel perks - that I had thought were an option, not an obligation, for MPs to take...
    Oh how they may wail, oh woe my carriage is a pumpkin, but wait suddenly it is many pumpkins which I can puree into a filling and nourishing soup, not unlike gravy - the train of which has left the station - but my boat has come in, pour it on...
    ..and bugger the lumpy proletariat!

    Anthony Hubbard has some thoughts on it here

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Christopher Dempsey, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Sure, but to be fair it was a good day at the office when Power and 115 others voted to put the provocation defense in the septic tank of history. Shame it took the brutal murder of a straight white middle-class woman to put a blow torch to the collective arse, but still…

    This is what absolutely rankled me about this whole provocation defense issue. That it took the brutal and sadistic attack on a straight white middle class woman to throw the whole provocation defense in the spotlight. Forget the murders of McPhee, Brown, and a stamp collector (forgive me I do not know his name).

    These men were gay and were murdered. Brown, who wouldn't hurt a fly, had a banjo rammed down his throat. McPhee was stabbed viciously in the head and groin area. The stamp collector was similarly stabbed. The sadistic murderers of these men successfully used the provocation defense to gain reduced sentencing, while the characters of these men were dragged through the mud. But would parliament care? NO. Gay men in the eyes of parliament aren't worthy citizens.

    Just fucking appalling.

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report

  • Kracklite, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    whatever afflicts Brash has been publicly misinterpreted to the point where he's been accorded shaman-like status

    See yurodivy.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Interesting to hear on Mediawatch this morning (from 26 min.) that "Bomber" Bradbury has been fired from Afternoons with Jim Mora for "an unacceptable breach of RNZ's editorial policies", specifically that "RNZ hadn't been advised that he'd be airing such strong personal criticism of the prime minister's character".

    Now, I find Bradbury as annoying as anyone else does, but I heard the piece in question - which, incidentally, no longer appears as a podcast - and, whilst rather forthright, it seemed like fair opinion to me.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to 3410,

    that “Bomber” Bradbury has been fired from Afternoons with Jim Mora for “an unacceptable breach of RNZ’s editorial policies”, specifically that “RNZ hadn’t been advised that he’d be airing such strong personal criticism of the prime minister’s character”.

    All I've got is: "Don't you love it when people are shocked by the entirely predictable outcomes of a course of action?" In the end, if you're going to have a rhetorical carpet bomber on your show, you really shouldn't be surprised when the building ends up on fire.

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

  • Kracklite, in reply to 3410,

    It can be found here at T' Standard.

    See post 11, and 11.2 for timing. See Bradbury's own blog for the words, as his rant was essentially a repeat of that material word-for-word. It's worth noting the reactions of Jim Mora and the other guest, Wosshisname: "What about cats, because people like cats...?" Oh intercourse-not-necessarily-resulting-in-reproduction oh dear.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    if you're going to have a rhetorical carpet bomber on your show

    like Hooten, you mean? Or Boag, perhaps. Farrar?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    like Hooten, you mean? Or Boag, perhaps. Farrar?

    As Colin Peacock said, if you're going to have on partisan commentators who aren't exactly known for their sober understatement, what the hell do you expect? I think my opinions of Witi Ihimaera are well on the record, and if I was invited to discuss his *cough* somewhat odd interview in last week's Listener (promoting his new novel) you bet your arse I'd be making some extremely strong statements about his literary judgement and character.

    Personally, I'd be more shocked if Key ever did anything that wasn't Satanically malignant in Bradbury's estimation.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Totally agree - just what did they expect? and Ihimaera was gingerly circling the implications of Trowenna on RNZ today, calling it an 'elephant' as if it were somehow invisible to anyone but himself.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to 3410,

    Light blue paper and retire...

    ..fired from Afternoons with Jim Mora for
    “an unacceptable breach of RNZ’s editorial policies''

    I thought B. Bradbury's bombast quite mild (and justified) in comparison to some of the gobsmacking shite some of the reactionary right-wing types, they have on The Panel at times, come out with...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    some of the reactionary right-wing types, they have on The Panel at times

    that's *all* the time.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kracklite, in reply to Sacha,

    I wish so very much that we had our equivalent of the Buffalo Beast’s list of the 50 Most Loathsome Americans. Of course it’s ad hominem, but that’s the point, and it’s done with such fire it’s admirable – something to stir the fretful sleepers, one hopes.

    (God, I hope T' Standard doesn't do a version of it: "@12: Gerry Brownlee. He's fat! Like Mister Creosote! Look, see what I can do with Photoshop! Hahahahaha!!!")

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report

  • andin, in reply to Kracklite,

    wish so very much that we had our equivalent

    Wouldnt get to fifty....
    23? mebbe could anzone do it so bitingly, distance has its rewards
    You No. 1 again
    makes it worth the read.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Kracklite,

    whatever afflicts Brash has been publicly misinterpreted to the point where he's been accorded shaman-like status

    See yurodivy.

    More Chauncey Gardener with a doctorate and a mean streak:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=m_B0sqowD6w

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    …“RNZ hadn’t been advised that he’d be airing such strong personal criticism of the prime minister’s character…”

    I believe Richard Griffin has finally penned the epitaph for RNZ’s gravestone.

    Oh and did anyone else notice this little doozie from the HOS practically ordering Epsom voters to come their senses and vote for ACT? John Banks clearly still has some personal friends in important places within the Auckland establishment.

    The two items above, taken in isolation, are extraordinary enough. Taken in combination, and the polls start to make sense.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    S&P calls John Key on his b*llsh*t
    Time to lose this Government of liars...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • andin,

    but Brash’s cannabis warblings

    The first sensible thing he has said in his whole life and its “warblings”.
    Im hoping “Richie Rich’s men” lose now.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Russell Brown,

    2002 election was displaying impatience and even anger when things didn’t go her way. She tended to react poorly to being wrong and was prone to believing her own bullshit.

    Nooo, she was perfect. ;)

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

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