Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Veitch

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  • Brent Ericson,

    So, a "trial by public opinion" is the great bogeyman we should be worrying about? I would think that breaking a woman's back, lying about it and leaking her private emails to the press to discredit her in order to save face would be, you know, *slightly* more objectionable. I mean, yeah, I can abstractly be sensitive for a person who has fallen so low in the public eye, but it's his very celebrity status and money that are keeping out of jail. Also, Tony: Paul Holmes, to use channel my Southern Protestant background, did some spiritual testifyin' on your behalf! Not everybody can say that...

    Straight Outta Oratia • Since Apr 2009 • 2 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    So, a "trial by public opinion" is the great bogeyman we should be worrying about?

    There's no need to worry Brent, as I attempted to elucidate; the system that necessitates the "trial" with its capitalist imperatives is the root cause of the issue. It's unwise to overlook the fact that the victim was paid off to avoid a"trial by public opinion" delaying the course of justice for a significant period.

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

  • Danielle,

    If I believed in such things as 'The End Times', Paul Holmes being a vessel for the Word of God would surely be a sign of them. Just... WTF, dude?

    (Also, hi Brent. I didn't know you read PAS. I thought listening to me ranting about it on a daily basis would have put you off. :) )

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Mark, important not to overstate victimhood throughout the process either. Dunne-Powell actively negotiated that payment.

    And welcome, Brent. More Westies the better.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    you rant Danielle? no surely not.

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

  • mark taslov,

    yeah, agree Sacha.

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

  • mark taslov,

    I'm enjoying Russell as Che, "Get off the grid!"

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

  • Mark Harris,

    the Passion of the Veitch

    Best line of the thread, Joe

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • dc_red,

    @ Paul Holmes:

    man on a Sunday night is getting ready to lose his freedom for five days.

    It's called going to work you insufferable jackass. And most people do it for a lot less reward.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    the Passion of the Veitch


    Best line of the thread, Joe

    Ta Mark, but you're much too kind. Once Holmes got all cod-theological it was a natural. For me the real gems in this thread have come from Sacha & Danielle, with two many great points made to pick favourites.

    Compared to the "insufferable jackass" trapped in his impregnable bubble of arrested development, Veitch is fortunate. He now has the opportunity to man up/grow up, and make something of his life beyond the grotesque "Veitchy" he once played. However, if he were to, let's say, take Mr. Brown's old spot in a new series of It's Not OK TV spots there'd be Bill Ralston crying sell-out, and Holmes sermonising about how he must once again die for our sins.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    ...and you Jafas want Holmes as your Lord High Mayor?

    Still, I suppose it stops him becoming an airline pilot.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    I think that last year, with Tony on the verge of becoming the major New Zealand television presence, God said: "No, no, Tony. Not yet. There is something that has to be paid for. You have to pay for it and it's up to you to find your way back." I think Tony Veitch will find his way back.
    - Paul Holmes

    I... what... but...



    Speechless. That's just all kinds of awfulness.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Uh, Rich, what? We don't want any of these celebrity media wankers as High Deity of Megatropolis! I'd even take Banks over Holmes, FFS, and that's speaking as the founder of the "Just Say NO! to Banks For Super Mayor" group!

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    "Just Say NO! to xxxx for Super Mayor" has a lot of future as a movement, methinks.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Well, Sacha, I am a little uncertain as to the city-management capabilities of an insipid Aussie beer. However, I don't see it as inherently less-qualified or -capable than, say, John Banks or Paul Holmes.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I thought it could be worse if I chose only three xxx's..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Speechless. That's just all kinds of awfulness.

    It truly is. Can someone take away that man's right to appear in print, or any other media?

    Freedom of speech does need some sane limits after all.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    re Susan Boyle. Her voice made me cry too, and I was astounded to find this treat........(apologies if it's already been posted here.)

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • cloudwalker,

    An observation I'd like to make on this tony veitch story.I find it strange that no one has compared his case to the "Clint Rickards" case."Arrogance that knows no bounds",springs to mind.The same attack the victim strategy,The same PR strategies,the some old do anything,say anything,pay any amount to get off and get away with it, when any person with half a brain can see these arrogant pricks for what they are.Another case starts today that may well fall into the same category,ie,Taito Phillip Field.All three crimes are different, but all three cases stink of the same arrogance and hypocrisy.District courts around the country this morning will be full of average Joe blogs who will be pleading guilty at the first chance to all the stupid dumb and violent things they did over the weekend.They don't have the money,family,friends,back up,or the forged testimonial's of prominent New Zealanders.They will be pleading guilty today because it is the quickest,easiest,cheapest,and maybe just because its the right thing to do,and if by chance they happen to drive off in a depressed state with a pocket full off pills,they wont have the nations police force out looking for them,tacking cell phone calls with helicopter's.They will be taking it on the chin like the real guilty men they are, because they feel stupid,guilty and ashamed.If Tony Veitch had done the same thing from day one,he would be working on TV today and maybe be the mouth peace for male anti-violence against women,and would have my sympathy and respect.But no,he had to spend more money than most of us will see in a life time,attack the victim in the media with his PR stormtroopers and bring all this bullshit down on everyone.Just like the "Clint Rickards" case, it has left a bad taste in everyone's mouth,and the reason is,because there is "One law for selebritys,all-blacks,and policemen,the other law for the rest of us".Equal justice for all ? Yeah,Right

    New Zealand • Since Apr 2009 • 4 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    I found the comment on The Hand Mirror interesting - people are saying that she's succeeded despite her appearance (which is undeniable).

    But it's rather that she's succeeded because of here appearance. People are saying "wow, a fat ugly slightly dim woman who can sing like an angel" (although in not so certain terms). The show takes the stereotype, holds it up, smashes it, and says 'look, this woman proves the stereotype wrong'.

    From the HuffPost article quoted:

    The unspoken message of this whole episode is that, since Susan Boyle has a wonderful talent, we were wrong to judge her based on her looks and demeanor. Meaning what? That if she couldn't sing so well, we were correct to judge her on that basis?

    It's beautiful, because it plays on expectations while simultaneously reinforcing them.

    However, I'm not being cynical. I think she's wonderful, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if she has a number one album in a number of countries (not least the UK) by the end of the year.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    It's beautiful, because it plays on expectations while simultaneously reinforcing them.

    Thank you for explaining to me why I found the clip so freaking creepy.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    I've just spent an hour reading this entire discussion since Friday and want to offer my sincere respect to all for the insights, wisdom, restraint and outrage - if you can combine all those things into one.

    I have a friend right now who's struggling with a lifetime of atypical depression due, I think, to a genetic disorder resulting in an inability to synthesise certain neurotransmitters, She's very intelligent and working her way through it, finding strategies to cope. It won't pass for her any time soon. I admire her, very much.

    Kracklite, thanks for this. I too have a friend, an enormously talented friend who has twice successfully moved internationally and is well regarded in her profession and who regularly suffers from depression. She's incredibly brave and I admire her greatly.

    Uh, Rich, what? We don't want any of these celebrity media wankers as High Deity of Megatropolis! I'd even take Banks over Holmes, FFS, and that's speaking as the founder of the "Just Say NO! to Banks For Super Mayor" group!

    Surely the prospect of Paul Holmes as uber Mayor makes you reconsider your candidacy Russell?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    it plays on expectations while simultaneously reinforcing them.

    George, we get the same thing with disability in the media all the time - watch for flag words like "despite" and "overcome" and "inspiring".

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    cloudwalker said it, I reckon.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    Hmm, I need to proof my comments. Or possibly spend less time bashing out comments and more writing my thesis.

    Further, I meant to say that she 'proves the stereotype wrong', but the unspoken assumption is that the vast majority prove the stereotype right.

    It's like the colonial native who amazes the colonisers with his talent. The power relationship is still firmly in the hands of the coloniser to recognise the worth of the person being judged.

    George, we get the same thing with disability in the media all the time - watch for flag words like "despite" and "overcome" and "inspiring".

    Quite.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

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