Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Top of the Populism

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  • andin,

    From WSJ quote

    and the island nation grew smartly.

    EH Is there a dress code here now?
    I wish some one would tell all those slovenly people in the WINZ offices looking for jobs.
    I love misunderstanding stuff hehe

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Can public execution and being burned in the hand be far behind?

    Thankfully I've always enjoyed the Middle Ages, so returning to them should be just fine and dandy.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Can public execution and being burned in the hand be far behind?

    Why stop there, when you can have snuff TV à la The Running Man?

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I've said it before, but I'd be even more concerned about Los Angeles '92 coming to our shores. Most of the common ingredients are already there - global recession, higher-than-average unemployment & poverty at ground zero, yellow-vs-brown/black tensions, Pihema Cameron = Latasha Harlins. All it needs now is a good dose of state-sanctioned brutality and a Rodney King to trigger a meltdown. What would Judith do?

    Ooooh, the po' niggers are revolting! (I know they are, dear, but what's that horrendous din?) Isn't that class of scaremongering soooo last century?

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

  • Ben Austin,

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Semi-shameless link whoring: if anyone's got contacts with the Kea network in Australia can they please alert them to the fantastic progress the White Ferns are making in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. Having defeated the number one ranked home team on the weekend, they're now odds-on to win their side of the competition and to play England, Saturday 14th at the truly lovely North Sydney Oval.

    Having attended the win over Australia, I can advise that the North Sydney Oval is one of the nicest grounds I've ever watched cricket and it's totally family-friendly.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Dave Waugh,

    Hmm, now this is sad news:

    Espressoholic's lease terminated, business to close

    Yup. :o(
    Gonna miss that place.

    Can't believe how much rent they had to pay for that site!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 98 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    For a lawyer, Franks really doesn't seem to have much time for natural justice.

    Or due process.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Can't believe how much rent they had to pay for that site!

    And the United Video outlet just down the road was paying $23,000 a month just before it shut its doors.

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

  • Kyle Matthews,

    For a lawyer, Franks really doesn't seem to have much time for natural justice.

    I'm guessing, if the shoe was on the other foot, Franks wouldn't grab his coat and go "ooh, well if it's politically convenient for you guys, sure, I'll resign. No, I don't want a payout or anything, best of luck!"

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Austin,

    I am rather shocked by the cost of renting in that part of town. So commercial leases in that part of Wellington are holding up well, despite the Recession? I guess there hasn't been any large scale closure of businesses along the main business streets so far.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Idiot Savant,

    Can public execution and being burned in the hand be far behind?

    You are aware that Garrett is an unashamed death-penalty advocate, right?

    pre-election, hide said he was absolutely against the death penalty. i wonder if he's changed his tune to suit his nutjob backers?

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Ooooh, the po' niggers are revolting! (I know they are, dear, but what's that horrendous din?) Isn't that class of scaremongering soooo last century?

    The French and the Greeks thought the same thing at first.

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

  • Jamil Anderlini,

    "and there's nothing remotely grinworthy in the issues he reports. Mainly that, he's prone to absolutes 'the last whatever of hope',and various mistranslations; for example earlier in the article a man saying 'we old beijingers', mistranslated as 'the common people', paints an emotive picture."


    Dear Mark Taslov,

    If you don't know the difference between 老百姓 (laobaixing - literally "old hundred names" but most commonly translated as "the common people", "common folk") and 老北京人(laobeijingren - 'old Beijingers') then probably best you don't comment on translations by professional translators hired by international media organizations.

    None of the petitioners in the videos were from Beijing so it would be very unlikely they would call themselves 'we old Beijingers'. They are petitioning precisely because they have no guanxi.

    Apart from that, I'm glad my piece provoked such a strong reaction from you. I actually spend 95 per cent of my time writing about interest rates, the stock market and Chinese banks and insurance companies rather than social unrest.

    And I'm sorry my grin offended you.

    Beijing • Since May 2008 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    The French and the Greeks thought the same thing at first.

    The French also have a fine tradition of opportunistic racism when there are elections to be won. Sorry, I don't take seriously anyone who uses the threat of race riots as a dog whistle for white middle-class audiences, and don't see why you get a pass.

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

  • Matthew Poole,

    Well, yes, but I'm sure the SST and their acolytes won't mind because they're only prisoners! People who broke the law! The scourge of right and decent folks everywhere!

    You mean people like Bruce Emery? muahahahaha. Let's see how he likes double-bunking with some of the, err, less cerebral members of our prison population. As evil as that is, and I am a little ashamed for actually vocalising the thought, Bruce Emery's incarceration has come at a very apt time.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    The other thing about double bunking is the impact on prison officers. Entering a cell is much more dangerous when there are two prisoners in it.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    The other thing about double bunking is the impact on prison officers. Entering a cell is much more dangerous when there are two prisoners in it.

    Meh. They're only low-wage social outcasts. Their safety matters not a jot. What's important is "being tough on crime and criminals". If a few screws get shanked, well, that's a trade-off that society just has to bear.
    </TiC>

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    If you don't know the difference between 老百姓 (laobaixing - literally "old hundred names" but most commonly translated as "the common people", "common folk") and 老北京人(laobeijingren - 'old Beijingers') then probably best you don't comment on translations by professional translators hired by international media organizations.

    Why Jamil? It's an easy mistake to make. Isn't that the same kind of , 'hide the mistakes we make and refuse to question for fear of being wrong,' attitude you are criticizing in your article 'Last hope, Last stand'?

    Apart from that, I'm glad my piece provoked such a strong reaction from you.

    5 miffed minutes on the way out the door, makes you glad? That's how it seemed from here to, and precisely my point in baiting you thus. If you want to be a human interest stories journalist, why not show some genuine interest in the plight of the people, rather than getting your thrills provoking people who know that the connection you make between these people's age old problems and 'economic unrest' is a liberty you have taken.

    And I'm sorry my grin offended you.

    The grin doesn't offend me, it simply illustrates your attitude towards the hardships these people are suffering.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • stephen walker,

    It's an easy mistake to make. Isn't that the same kind of , 'hide the mistakes we make and refuse to question for fear of being wrong

    you're trying to hide your mistake, Mark?

    tsk, tsk.

    nagano • Since Nov 2006 • 646 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    you're trying to hide your mistake, Mark?

    Not at all. I make mistakes frequently. However, whether this is a case of mishearing or not knowing the difference, I'm infrequently told it's best not to comment on such matters. The article I was recklessly flaming was about silencing the people, I will duly restrain my desire to second guess translations by professional translators hired by international media organizations in future.

    And I'm sorry my grin offended you.

    The grin doesn't offend me, it simply illustrates your attitude towards the hardships these people are suffering.

    that wasn't really accurately put either Jamil. It's simply, you are standing with people who have been tortured and subjected to various ordeals, You've seen photos of their injuries, and you're standing there amongst a small crowd with an inane grin wearing a beanie.... translating some guy who's just doing his job and is probably pretty pissed that instead of looking at him and giving him some respect, you're translating what he's telling you directly to a camera, knowing full well that most Chinese would agree with what he's saying; re "you can't enter the building" and "you're not going to change anything". It's a cultural affront.


    Having exhausted all my effluent criticism, your article does raise good points, and I believe you do at times perform this kind of journalism well, but taking a rest from this the 'imminent societal malfunction' campaign. You'll get more satisfaction from the praise, than the offence. As someone living here, you know that these practices, are not a product of the Communist party, or the mythological evil totalitarian regime, or the financial crisis.

    They are a product of the Chinese culture.

    And regardless of what your editor tells you he needs, There are many ways to enhance your reputation.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    editor tells you he/she needs...

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    I managed to upset Darth McHang'em!


    http://www.safe-nz.org.nz/press.htm


    It appears my day of reckoning is at hand. Man, I wish that was done on IRC the mods would totally kick him for a threat like that.


    *Wanders off to find a longer stick to poke the SST with*

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    The Sensible Sentencing Trust is strictly a non-political organisation

    Ah...

    “Whacky lefties”

    disenchanted Labour supporters

    need to accept that the public have had enough of their soft on crime policies

    ... Oh.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    I had to read that several times before it made the slightest sense. Then I read the by line and realised McNicker was referring to himself in the third person, I think. Was he interviewing himself? Hard to tell really.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

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