Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: Towards the Truth

Kumara Republic

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:48:15 +1200

Finally on Stuff.co.nz, by way of Reuters.

Ross Mason

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:30:28 +1200

Concur. Back to the book. Nearly finished it.

Rich Lock

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:16:32 +1200

A few seconds

Please don't get me started on my current favourite whinge about how 'the market' is mistaking the sizzle for the steak, and we're all wearing the consequences.

Ross Mason

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:59:32 +1200

And did you see the link in "Grauniad" on "High Frequency Trading"

New meaning of "Long term investor"

"If small investors and if long-term investors — and by long-term investors, I mean longer than a few seconds — if long-term investors don't have confidence that they're on [a…

Kumara Republic

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:02:34 +1200

Meanwhile, the Wall St gherao has made the Grauniad.

Rich of Observationz

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:35:40 +1200

Tim O'Reilly says the protesters are scruffy. And probably smell. Can't the revolution be made invite-only?

Ross Mason

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:23:54 +1200

Might not be the post to drop this into but I thought it was an interesting piece anyway. Could be the real reason why the broadband cable is really really necessary??? So John and his hedge money mates can get the jump on the opposition. Staggering "worth".

[[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8753784/The-300m-cable-that-will-save-traders-milliseconds.html | Undersea…

Ian Dalziel

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:42:24 +1200

Brzezinski: The Last American Cowboy...
interesting interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski from MSNBC (albeit interviewed by his daughter, Mika, co-host of Morning Joe ) an overview of sorts on US policy and increasing poverty...

...meanwhile money talks, and reveals the on-going battles of small aviation service companies with large corporations/US Govt…

Kumara Republic

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:41:29 +1200

Have been watching the Occupy Wall Street protest this weekend which some are seeing as the beginning of the US’s ‘Arab uprising’. For some reason the local media empires have refused to cover it.

It’s made Salon.com and Bloomberg BusinessWeek so far. Still nothing in the Big Media outlets though…

3410

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:21:39 +1200

Nicky Hagar

You've been listening to John Key too much. ;)

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:20:09 +1200

The Corrections...
Nicky Hagar
Hagar is the Horrible cartoon character...
Nicky Hager is the fine investigative journalist...
just for the sake of future web searchers
– best to keep the spelling correct and constant...
:- )

I agree a tiny response space is in no way equal to the detractors…

Russell Brown

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:07:52 +1200

And the DomPost today (not on line) gives Nicky Hagar a single-spaced small-font little corner of the paper to reply to the paper’s previous three negative responses to his book.

The Dom Post's response to that book does the paper no credit at all.

I gather some enmity between Vernon…

Hilary Stace

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:47:22 +1200

And the DomPost today (not on line) gives Nicky Hagar a single-spaced small-font little corner of the paper to reply to the paper's previous three negative responses to his book.

Hilary Stace

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:43:33 +1200

Minor threadjack but related. Have been watching the Occupy Wall Street protest this weekend which some are seeing as the beginning of the US's 'Arab uprising'. For some reason the local media empires have refused to cover it.

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:41:57 +1200

What would they call it; AUS or USA?
ANUS (Australia Needs United States)

3410

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:38:35 +1200

But NZ is the off Anzus party list ...

They can't leave us out. What would they call it; AUS or USA?

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:37:33 +1200

US Exceptionalism.
Exceptions can always be made ...
an exceptional case of the "right angle" in the news...

recordari

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:18:38 +1200

US Exceptionalism.

Fisk wrote in a related vein recently leading into the 911 memorials.
For 10 years, we've lied to ourselves to avoid asking the one real question.

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:03:47 +1200

ANZUS – what does the NZ stand for again?
They say it's our birthday – But NZ is the off Anzus party list ...
...and the Sydney Morning Herald reports on even closer military relations between Australia and the USA – time to scan the really fine print in the…

nzlemming

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:32:26 +1200

Me, I want to read the reviewer’s thesis! “His PhD was entitled ‘Radical Fantasy: A Study of Left Radical Politics in the Fantasy Writing of Michael Moorcock, Angela Carter, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison and China Miéville’”.

Which is, um, here (word doc 961K)

nzlemming

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:24:22 +1200

After reading that review I not only want to read the book, but I also want want Nicky Hager to be Prime Minister – someone who actually cares and thinks at depth about our country and its future! More power to his pen

Me, I want to read the reviewer's…

Sacha

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:47:25 +1200

heckle by way of avenging the desecration of the sainted Don

They still pop up on blogs complaining about "stolen" emails – best avoid the implications of a leaker, and it's such a handy distraction from the truth of the content, especially with many of the scumbags still in power.

John Holley

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:38:50 +1200

I was and am seeking review and commentary on the book that is fully informed merely by having read the book, rather then necessarily being from insiders and participants. Still, I’m pleased to see you’re getting there, when you’re ready it would be good to hear whether you retain your…

Joe Wylie

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:29:05 +1200

In 2007 I went along to hear Hager speak at Canterbury Uni. A local Hooray-Henryish student Nat blogger had mentioned the event, vowing that he and others of his persuasion would attend and heckle by way of avenging the desecration of the sainted Don. Seems his alarm clock failed, as…

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:56:38 +1200

Hager is no hagiographer...
The first “fully informed” review I’ve seen, by Mark P Williams on Scoop, is interesting
After reading that review I not only want to read the book, but I also want want Nicky Hager to be Prime Minister – someone who actually cares and thinks at…

ChrisW

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:21:46 +1200

I suspect, now that I am a quarter of the way through the book, that the lack of informed comment is because most mentioned by name are still serving officers or in senior Govt posts.
I was and am seeking review and commentary on the book that is fully informed…

merc

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:36:02 +1200

Mr Key, in these stretched times a GCSB is (your words) a nice to have, don't you think?

Richard Aston

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:30:47 +1200

Yeah interesting appointment – I guess all the previous appointees were ex military.
extensive policy and operational experience particularly in relation to international economic and trade matters
Now that interesting, why a economic/trade angle for this role?
Are we getting into industrial espionage? Will we be using the GCSB to…

Ian Dalziel

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:50:37 +1200

Watching the watchers...
I see John Key has announced a new director for the GCSB
Interesting to note his background is in economic and trade matters not intelligence gathering or defence.
Mr Fletcher is a New Zealander who has held senior executive positions in Australia and the United Kingdom since…

John Holley

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:29:29 +1200

I suspect, now that I am a quarter of the way through the book, that the lack of informed comment is because most mentioned by name are still serving officers or in senior Govt posts.

John Holley

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:27:21 +1200

Thanks for the reminder to go to iTunes Russell. Now favourited on my Apple TV :)

ChrisW

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:16:07 +1200

It would be good to hear from anyone who has read the book properly, not just the details of what Ferguson knew/must have known, but a broader substantive summary and review of the book. There seems to be precious little of this fully informed commentary on-line – [[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1109/S00011/gordon-campbell-on-nicky-hagers-new-book.htm|Gordon Campbell on…

Ross Mason

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:17:09 +1200

I was referring to Fergusson's comment to Russell about the media training he had received when he was in Defence. Not how he DID perform in the interview. I thought he was pretty up front with what he knew. The scary thing was what he probably did not know.

Lilith __

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:52:30 +1200

I don't know what to make of what I saw in the interview. I haven't read Hager's book, but I believe there are some very serious points to be answered. And yet I also believed Bruce Ferguson when he said he had no knowledge of the calculation and underhand dealing…

ChrisW

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:40:23 +1200

It 'erts, twhile on the other hand Russell has it down to a T – Former Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson, the ertstwhile chief of the New Zealand Defence Force

ChrisW

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:28:35 +1200

He must have used the same media trainer as Don Brash when he was in the interview on the :Hollow Men" doco. Repeat.... repeat.... repeat.....deny the question. I think perhaps you're being a little unkind to Former Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson, the ertstwhile chief of the New Zealand Defence…

Sacha

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:02:43 +1200

I'm getting a bit tired of it

Is their default setting not to share anything?

Russell Brown

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:46:42 +1200

Here's Part 1 on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl33mIKpY0g

And Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPmL9DRCX3s

No sign of the Extra segment, even though we've emphasised its importance to the people who do the video.

Russell Brown

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:43:42 +1200

From Australia I can stream the main two segments of Episode 5. When I try to stream the Media 7 Extra segment, though, the website tells me it’s only available in New Zealand due to international rights agreements. Is this intended or has TVNZ mixed something up?

I asked them…

Russell Brown

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:42:03 +1200

Thanks for the tip. Unless I’m missing something though, the RSS feed hasn’t included the Extra segment. Only parts 1 and 2 of the main show. Oh well.

Sigh ...

Russell Brown

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:41:41 +1200

Russell,

Nicky Hagar was nonplussed?

It would be fair to say he was.

Nonplussed means confused and bewildered to the point of inaction. However, almost every time I’ve seen/heard it used in the last decade the writer/speaker means unconcerned or unfazed. A word turns into its own antonym.

I know…

Paul Webber

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:31:33 +1200

Russell,

Nicky Hagar was nonplussed?

Nonplussed means confused and bewildered to the point of inaction. However, almost every time I've seen/heard it used in the last decade the writer/speaker means unconcerned or unfazed. A word turns into its own antonym.

Not really as important as the NZ defense forces operating…

izogi

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:15:13 +1200

I use iTunes podcasts – the direct TVNZ feed is very hit and miss overseas.

Thanks for the tip. Unless I'm missing something though, the RSS feed hasn't included the Extra segment. Only parts 1 and 2 of the main show. Oh well.

Ross Mason

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:44:15 +1200

Former Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson, the ertstwhile chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, joked with me before I interviewed him on this week's Media7 that he'd done media training, and learned that if there were any questions he didn't want to answer he should just keep talking for…

Richard Aston

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:17:59 +1200

Seriously though, some people still see fit to flog the dead unicorn known as the Domino Theory (TM).
Now that was a lovely old theory I feel quite nostalgic even hearing that phrase again – I remember it well. Communist world domination one country at a time.

Compare to the…

Kyle Matthews

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:08:16 +1200

It was our producer's idea — and he maintains he always knew Sir Bruce would says yes. But, well, we were a wee bit surprised ...

I was surprised too. I bet the government and the upper echelons of NZ Defence were pissed that he agreed.

Simon Grigg

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:06:43 +1200

Is this intended or has TVNZ mixed something up?

I use iTunes podcasts – the direct TVNZ feed is very hit and miss overseas. I know Russell has tried to sort this several times but the gremlins seem to crawl back in every now and then. Podcasts seem to sidestep…

izogi

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:58:27 +1200

But it wasn't until the very end of an online-only "Extra" segment, as long as the broadcast show itself, that he spoke the words that made the news.

From Australia I can stream the main two segments of Episode 5. When I try to stream the Media 7 Extra segment,…

Kumara Republic

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:56:18 +1200

and the right wing doofheads like the odious Murdoch hack Greg Sheridan in The Australian tell us we need to prevent the swarming hordes that keep them awake at night arriving and removing our organs as we sleep.

I remember that TV interview where Jim Anderton (then deputy PM from…

Simon Grigg

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:43:36 +1200

Duncan Garner just raised the Yellow Peril flag on the Nation, talking of Chinas investment in PNG as Chinas Tentacles.

That overblown flag has been raised continuously by those that would have us re-arm with whatever overpriced gadgetry and toys the US & Australian military and the right wing doofheads like…

Kumara Republic

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:18:12 +1200

We dumped the Skyhawks – correctly I think – because they were antiquated and getting more so, and the then outgoing government had arranged to replace them with aircraft that really were no use to us – and at some cost.

Furthermore, similar tasks can be done with guided missiles…

Rich of Observationz

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:59:09 +1200

I'd argue that he was extremely lucky as RAF squadrons were in action in all the above.

I'm sure he'd have been up for it, but the vast majority of the RAF was strung across the eastern UK and northern Germany ready for the Big One. Which is the most…

Just thinking

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:45:16 +1200

Duncan Garner just raised the Yellow Peril flag on the Nation, talking of Chinas investment in PNG as Chinas Tentacles.

Just thinking

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 09:23:02 +1200

I hope this is a positive move after Jerry Mateparae. One man with just too much power. I know nothing about him, other than he has held every position of power. He would need to be pretty incredible not to be influenced by that.
The alt view is that he's…

Just thinking

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 09:13:20 +1200

I've been a bit hard on the RNZAF. I share in the Pacific War amnesia, totally forgot their role in it.
I've always thought of them as Troop Transport by Air. Fun, useful and only dangerous to those onboard.

Simon Grigg

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:47:26 +1200

Even in Vietnam they weren't used.

We didn't get them until 1970, and they weren't really operational until 1971, however NZ pilots did fly combat missions in US Navy A-4s AFAIK – albeit just a handful.

NZ pilots were active in country as I said earlier, and there were more…

Just thinking

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:05:00 +1200

my father had a long and successful career in the RAF without ever firing a shot in anger
Which is why we got rid of the Skyhawkes. Even in Vietnam they weren't used.

izogi

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:04:12 +1200

but I also hope they're "real people" who know the difference between a democracy and a military dictatorship

I'm sure the military would simply use robots for everything if it were practical and accurate. The days in which we even have the luxury of unpredictably autonomous soldiers on the ground…

Craig Ranapia

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:45:55 +1200

I think it is an interesting insight into the military. They follow orders. But they are also real people and may not agree with those orders.

Um, yes – but I also hope they're "real people" who know the difference between a democracy and a military dictatorship.

chris

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:16:03 +1200

Great edition Russell, well done.

Simon Grigg

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:01:42 +1200

Variously Korea? Vietnam? Malaya? Indonesia? Suez? Falklands? Aden? Cyprus?

You left Kenya off that list, and Belize. The UK wasn't in Vietnam officially although RAF pilots were seconded.

my father had a long and successful career in the RAF without ever firing a shot in anger

I'd argue that he…

Ross Mason

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:57:21 +1200

I forgot. This is fascinating. The first GCSB Director WITHOUT a military background.

Ross Mason

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:49:27 +1200

I think Nicki is rather perturbed by the Big Leak. Does he think someone else might have been getting at Wikileaks to let this out??? “Eratic”, “Don’t understand”, “Debacle”, “Contradiction”. “Politics”. He made it sound this is not like the people he had dealt with.

Sir Bruce is an excellent…

Kumara Republic

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:41:44 +1200

I had a feeling that he grew to respect Helen Clark as their paths started to cross. So I’m not surprised he fronted as he struck me as someone with integrity and intelligence.

It reminds me of when Helen Clark originally spoke of the DPMC's Mark Prebble as "an apostle…

insider

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:38:59 +1200

@ Rich

It's useful to remember that NZ avoided substantial warfare for 43 of the 56 years up to 2001. Britain did rather better, with around 48 years without major conflict (except NI)

Variously Korea? Vietnam? Malaya? Indonesia? Suez? Falklands? Aden? Cyprus?

Hilary Stace

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:05:45 +1200

Before he was famous Bruce and his wife were very active members of our school PTA. Really nice dedicated community people and unusual in that they sent their girls to the local liberal co-ed secondary school when many of their peers were bussed off to private schools. We occasionally chatted…

Rich of Observationz

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:03:17 +1200

maintaining an adequate degree of transparency in a Western Democratic sense

A good reason to avoid going to war, if more were needed.

It's useful to remember that NZ avoided substantial warfare for 43 of the 56 years up to 2001. Britain did rather better, with around 48 years without…

3410

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:41:47 +1200

Even the idea of "covering things up" become messy when in some cases exposing the truth may actually risk lives. The dilemma faced by officers and soldiers in those positions is not something to envy...

Hang on. What dilemma?

I think we're confusing two somewhat different uses of the term…

Bart Janssen

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:47:03 +1200

The idea they are fighting to protect the freedom to tell the truth is a whole other debate. I wouldn’t make the link myself .

Two parts to this

The first is, unquestionably many of them believe that is one of the things they are fighting for.

The second is…

Richard Aston

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:21:49 +1200

The dilemma faced by officers and soldiers in those positions is not something to envy, especially for someone who is fighting to protect the freedom to tell the truth.
True its a real dilemma

The idea they are fighting to protect the freedom to tell the truth is a whole…

recordari

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:37:03 +1200

The dilemma faced by officers and soldiers in those positions is not something to envy, especially for someone who is fighting to protect the freedom to tell the truth.

Exactly. And the balance between maintaining an adequate degree of transparency in a Western Democratic sense while ensuring the information doesn't…

Bart Janssen

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:08:16 +1200

I think it is an interesting insight into the military. They follow orders. But they are also real people and may not agree with those orders. And as they climb ranks they then must give orders that will result in their own soldiers dying. And even then they may be…

recordari

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:07:28 +1200

On the other hand, because he's retired, he does have some room to unburden himself that perhaps certain others do not.

You know, he came off pretty convincingly, at least in the first part. Can't get etra part to work yet. Might be our firewall. Will try at home later.…

Russell Brown

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:59:48 +1200

On another note how the hell did you get Sir Bruce up for this ?

It was our producer's idea — and he maintains he always knew Sir Bruce would says yes. But, well, we were a wee bit surprised ...

On the other hand, because he's retired, he does…

Richard Aston

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:56:21 +1200

On another note how the hell did you get Sir Bruce up for this ?

Richard Aston

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:55:30 +1200

Fantastic television Russell ! It could have descended into a slamming match but while it was ..robust.. the truth came out to use David Beatson's words.
You did a good job holding it as you did and of course framing final question and allowing Sir Bruce the time to say…

Lilith __

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:01:46 +1200

You have card-sharp eyes, Ian ;-)

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:37:13 +1200

L is other people...
whisteblow
Is this one way to take down a house of cards?
or the opposite of whisht ?

Guessing that whistleblow is gonna mean
something different for the next coupla months...

:- )

Lilith __

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:19:32 +1200

Wow! I look forward to watching it all later, but sounds like a breakthrough. Big ups to you and all the Media 7 folk.

Public Address

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:19:32 +1200

Discussion from blog post.