Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Why we thought what we thought

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  • stever@cs.waikato.ac.nz, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    Whoever said the rich have no style (was that me just then?? :) ) was spot on, clearly.

    Hamilton • Since Nov 2006 • 73 posts Report

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    I think I can see a pattern here and it ain’t no fucking butterfly. More like roadkill.

    Rorschach's journal, September 1st 2014: Whale carcass in alley this morning, tire tread on burst stomach.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Amanda Wreckonwith, in reply to Paul Williams,

    'Necessary, reasonable? Public domain?'

    Check his twitter feed. It seems that Matthew thinks that his self disclosed alcoholism is what John Key was referring to in the 'problems Matthew has' comment.

    Since Sep 2012 • 171 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    __I am ignorant of the law, but I would have thought that if there was anyone with the resources and legal authority to require the logs from the third party in this (Facebook) for a conversation at a known time and date, it would be the Inspector General of the SIS investigating the leaking of classified documents. In fact, if everyone denies everything, I would say this is a logical step in a thorough investigation.__

    Good God, David, are you taking the piss? These are strange days indeed, but Public Address is the last place on Earth I expected to read that. Be very careful what you wish for…

    Agreed. The idea of extraordinary powers being deployed to identify leakers is not good for democracy. But remember, Peter Dunne resigned his ministerial post last year because he refused to fully cooperate with the inquiry into the leaking of the Kitteridge report on the GCSB. The inquiry had already identified emails between him and Andrea Vance -- the metadata -- which Dunne refused to hand over.

    The head of the inquiry, David Henry, also tried to get access to Fairfax reporter Andrea Vance's phone records -- thank goodness for Parliamentary Services' refusal to play ball -- and she was surveilled within Parliament. So it's not like there hasn't already been serious overreach.

    The SFO and FMA matters covered in Matt Nippert's story are different. That looks like a deliberate attempt to undermine law enforcement agencies for the benefit of a paying client -- with a little frosting of witness intimidation and misuse of evidence.

    That's criminal behaviour and I would be surprised and disappointed if there wasn't a criminal investigation. That investigation should have, and should use, powers to obtain evidence in private communications.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Attachment

    And as if on cue, Labour has asked the police to investigate various matters.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Hebe,

    PM’s Pinot has been around for a few years, so I don’t think that’s been much of a secret. But the blind trust is evidently only blind in one eye

    Why though? PM has mentioned the Pinot often albeit not lately. How blind can the blind trust be if he chats about what’s in it. Is that how he maintains his stance in his office? “It’s not me ,it’s my office” means “I know everything but nothing”?
    I was thinking about his smugness in the house about David Cunliffe having blind trusts. Did Jason Ede mention that to him? I mean, he knew and was laughing about it. Kept rubbing it in. Modus Operandi was to discredit Cunliffe about blind trusts and donors. Key lead that.

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

  • Greg Dawson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Agreed. The idea of extraordinary powers being deployed to identify leakers is not good for democracy.

    See I didn't think identifying the leakers was what was being suggested.

    I don't have any problem with the investigating parties pulling facebook chat records (if they exist, via normal legal channels) to definitively prove whether or not the released chats are forgeries. That doesn't feel like overreach and privacy violation to me - just normal investigative functions as a response to denial of the accuracy of the evidence.

    I wouldn't expect the investigating parties to then publish what they find, just to tell us whether Judith is lying (again).

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Russell Brown,

    3 monkeys…

    …remember, Peter Dunne resigned his ministerial post last year because he refused to fully cooperate with the inquiry into the leaking…

    If it works once try it again, now Dunne
    is refusing to read Dirty Politics
    What a representative!
    Ohariu and environs must be so proud of him
    and his principled stand for wilful ignorance!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Alfie, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    The thlot pickens! An interesting little item on stuff reports that the purchaser of Hotchin's monument to self-regard on Paratai Drive is the NZ CEO of Orovida...

    Here's the link (on Stuff):
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8981806/Hotchins-mansion-on-brink-of-sale

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Amanda Wreckonwith,

    the ‘problems Matthew has’

    which explains some of Boag's comments as well. Who needs enemies..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    I am getting paranoid now . Been reading about spin doctor techniques
    This
    The most recent email release that lead to the PM sacking Collins as a minister was released by Slater - via Cathy Odgers in league with the PMs dept as a reverse straw man diversionary tactic.
    This is how it rolls : One email released - PM fires Collins - PM sets up (limited) Inquiry - Don't worry folks we got rid of the evil one - Can't talk about this now while inquiry under way - Election - inquiry finds no evidence ( or Slater says opps I made that one up ) - Collins comes back - Dirty politics forgotten.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Amanda Wreckonwith,

    ...his self disclosed alcoholism is what John Key was referring to in the ‘problems Matthew has’ comment.

    Whereas Key continues in denial of his own 'problems'

    Anyway, what they tell you when you give up drinking is 'you feel better, you sleep better and you have greater clarity of thought . . .
    "So, after three weeks what I tell you is that's bulls***.

    - dry drunks can be so bitter!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Richard Aston, in reply to nzlemming,

    So, three things: 1. Long time lurker, first time caller: please be gentle.

    You fool! Now they know you’re here!

    Welcome Teej

    Yes welcome Teej and as NZ Lemming said, you are now tagged.
    You know that bit when the dictator takes over and they round up the intellectuals to be sent off to labour camps or killed.
    Thats us .

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Brent Jackson, in reply to Teej,

    3: it’s about now presumably that Collins (and hopefully Key) is busily recognising that metadata is actually kinda intrinsically related to the content it describes, and that its collection and use for investigative purposes is actually something to be concerned about

    A wry observation

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Sacha,

    which explains some of Boag’s comments as well. Who needs enemies..

    Indeed. I didn't know this background and the mention up thread seemed a little unnecessary.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    - dry drunks can be so bitter!

    Akshully, when I think about that, I can't recall, because that's what the people of New Zealand want, they want economy and I refute that,,,,,, hic.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Angela Hart, in reply to Greg Dawson,

    I don’t have any problem with the investigating parties pulling facebook chat records (if they exist, via normal legal channels) to definitively prove whether or not the released chats are forgeries. That doesn’t feel like overreach and privacy violation to me – just normal investigative functions as a response to denial of the accuracy of the evidence.

    Given that Slater and Collins are both outright denying all/any facebook discussions, it is likely to be necessary to use legal channels to check validity/veracity here.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11317550

    Christchurch • Since Apr 2014 • 614 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Whereas Key continues in denial of his own ‘problems

    "Anyway, what they tell you when you give up drinking is ’you feel better, you sleep better and you have greater clarity of thought . . .So, after three weeks what I tell you is that’s bulls***."

    - dry drunks can be so bitter!

    Or is that a blatant plug for the Liquor Industry? nudge nudge ;) ;)

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

  • Greg Dawson, in reply to Angela Hart,

    Given that Slater and Collins are both outright denying all/any facebook discussions, it is likely to be necessary to use legal channels to check validity/veracity here.

    Agreed, the fb leaks are a new front unsupported by Hagers book - need someone to tell us whether we can just ignore all the fb ones as forgeries, or if it really is as bad as they make it out.

    Also, the timestamps are a thing - are ministers really able to stay up past midnight chatting all the time and still do their job?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Greg Dawson,

    the fb leaks are a new front unsupported by Hagers book

    Are you sure - I thought his book had plenty of Facebook-sourced evidence?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Greg Dawson,

    Agreed, the fb leaks are a new front unsupported by Hagers book – need someone to tell us whether we can just ignore all the fb ones as forgeries, or if it really is as bad as they make it out.Also, the timestamps are a thing – are ministers really able to stay up past midnight chatting all the time and still do their job?

    Hager said he asked for the political emails. He left the rest with/to rawshark so it makes some sense if the other stuff is not noticeable in the book. I'm still on a list for my copy so if anyone knows where some copies are around aux??
    You are being coy about the time stamps aren't you?

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

  • Dismal Soyanz,

    Also, the timestamps are a thing – are ministers really able to stay up past midnight chatting all the time and still do their job?

    Kinda depends on how you define their "job". (Nobody told me that wasn't part of the job! I utterly refute that! Let's talk about policy...)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report

  • James Littlewood*,

    Thanks to all for good information on this thread.

    Has anyone else noticed that as time rolls on, and the back-room players start retreating, leaving front man Key alone and blinking in the lime-light, that he's sort of making less and less sense? (I mean, even less than usual) Phrases like:

    "It's a bit soul destroying people don't believe me ..."

    "When I lose a poll like that ..." (on a question about whether you believe him or not)

    These words just don't sound engaged, informed or remotely germane to the issues he's fronting.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 410 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Greg Dawson,

    Agreed, the fb leaks are a new front unsupported by Hagers book – need someone to tell us whether we can just ignore all the fb ones as forgeries, or if it really is as bad as they make it out.

    No – this is a very widespread misconception. The conversation is quoted in Hager’s book, on page 46. It’s noted as “Cameron Slater, Facebook messaging to and from Judith Collins, 11 September 2011.”

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Michael Meyers,

    Just read the personal statement from Matthew Hooten.

    It reads a bit like an example of Stockholm Syndrome. National and Act have both been naughty but he's voting for them anyway.

    Although it got me thinking: it feels like there just aren't enough credible centre-right parties around. If I had wanted to cast a blue vote but decide that National is too tarnished by these allegations, what other options are there? Winston First? The Peter Dunne Party? Conservatives? None of those are particularly credible either.

    So if a right-leaning voter such at Matthew Hooten were to defect from National, where's he going to go? He's not likely to cross the fence to Labour or the Greens, is he?

    Wellington • Since May 2014 • 56 posts Report

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