I think that's the point Hide was trying to make.

Oh, yeah, I can totally see where it came from, and it was probably a useful way of getting the message across to the target. I just wish we could move beyond that particular paradigm.

Surely this sort of behaviour shouldn't be acceptable *anywhere*?

Lucy: Fair point, and I don't actually disagree with you. But I think it would also be fair comment to say most people have their heads around the idea that they live in a wide variety of social contexts where behaviour…

and he made it perfectly clear to Garrett that what might well be acceptable on an oil rig is not the standard of behaviour in Parliament.

Surely this sort of behaviour shouldn't be acceptable *anywhere*? Full credit to Hide for doing the right thing, but I can't help feeling that…

God, I just had flashbacks of the whole "it was the producers' fault for putting him in front of the cameras" discussion.

Well, I'd have to break my sobriety into tiny bits before agreeing to go anywhere near Eye to Eye.

Makes me wonder about his behavior in the oil rig locker rooms.

I think you're too hung up on roughnecks' rights, Steven. Treat 'em all softly-softly and they'll just end up back in the wider community to drill again.

I heard him say today, that he has learned that his behavior as a lawyer in a law firm in Tonga, is not appropriate behavior for an MP.

I don't know much about Tongan law firms... or indeed anything. But I would have hoped it would be strongly discouraged there…

I do think Hide did handle this a damn sight better than either Goff or Key handled the allegations around Richard Worth. I know Rodders isn't exactly the flavour of the month around these parts, but a little credit where credit is due!

When Garrett blundered in here a few…

Shouldn't Rodney have reported it to the proper authorities?

Kyle: I'm trying to give credit where credit's due here — but you've posed an entirely fair question. From my reading of the HoS story, Hide did not sit on the allegations for months, or decide that "gentlemanly" phone calls were…

BTW, in the interests of fairness, I've got to acknowledge that Rodney Hide appears to know how to handle sexual harassment allegations seriously. Messers Key and Goff should take notes.

He gave him a stern telling off? Wasn't this you Craig?:

Meanwhile, 3410, if someone comes to you claiming they've…

Be careful what you wish for, who's next on their list anyway? You don't have to get far down the ACT list before the flake to substance ratio gets very high.

Well, I wonder how many female journalists (and not all of a 'certain age' either) are rolling their eyes…

She's the anti-stadium lawyer I believe.

She must be relieved that studying anti-stadium law is paying off, what with the state of the economy and all.

Apparently she's a Dunedin lawyer. Doesn't sound from what I can find to be a nutjob.

In a stroll through the ACT party list you could end up with a lot worse from the little I know. She's the anti-stadium lawyer I believe.

Be careful what you wish for, who's next on their list anyway? You don't have to get far down the ACT list before the flake to substance ratio gets very high.

According to this the next on the list is Hilary Calvert.

Apparently she's a Dunedin lawyer. Doesn't sound from…

Sooo, can we get rid of Garrett with his impeccable timing

Be careful what you wish for, who's next on their list anyway? You don't have to get far down the ACT list before the flake to substance ratio gets very high.

Sooo, can we get rid of Garrett with his impeccable timing

Be careful what you wish for, who's next on their list anyway? You don't have to get far down the ACT list before the flake to substance ratio gets very high.

sexual harassment is worse than chickenshit political pointscoring.

Sooo, can we get rid of Garrett with his impeccable timing.

That's just the smell of someone burning his hoardings.

And don't that lot like to hoard?.
;-)

defending a woman's honour". I think the PAS Women's XV decided they were quite capable of defending their own honour,

Now that is your spin Craig because I distinctly remember Pas xv saying not all girls can do that. In an ideal world of course none of this would happen

Some quality spinning from the Nats on this

I don't think it was a brilliantly thought through strategy, more a reaction from people whose instinctive misogyny wanted to blame the victim but whose shit-house rat cunning told them that would be a very, very bad idea.

So they choose the…

That's the best abuse of faux-chivalry in a political spin job since Helen tried to explain Trevor Mallard's biffo with Tau Henare as "defending a woman's honour". I think the PAS Women's XV decided they were quite capable of defending their own honour, and didn't appreciate women being used…

If anything, Goff took too much responsibility for what was always the job of the Prime Minister and the senior National party hierarchy. He also took too long to shut up and get out of the way once the spin became clear.

Oh, God who is spinning here? Goff has…

In any case, Brent Edwards on RNZ news just reminded listeners that Key dumped Worth on the basis of the case being investigated by the police which Labour had no role in whatsoever.

Some quality spinning from the Nats on this, and I suspect it'll work. Key has decisively finished…

that Parliament be a place where sexual harassment allegations are taken seriously

If anything, Goff took too much responsibility for what was always the job of the Prime Minister and the senior National party hierarchy. He also took too long to shut up and get out of the way once…

Wow, from fuck off to passive aggressive inside of one minute. That's gotta bit a land speed record of some kind.

Gio: I'm just rather tired of the "blame Goff for everything" crap, but if the default position is that he's the one adult on earth who bears no responsibility…

"Since I resigned as a Cabinet Minister earlier this month, I have been considering my personal options, and also the welfare of the National Party – a party which I love and have served to the best…

So did he (Worth) jump because he saw the push coming, do you think?

Who knows? Because we STILL haven't been told why a Minister of the Crown had to resign before the PM fired him!

So did he (Worth) jump because he saw the push coming, do you think?

Well, he couldn't have been pushed out of parliament altogether unless convicted of an offence punishable by two or more years' jail I understand.

But otherwise, from National, maybe echoes of David's original theme post.

Thanks, Sacha. Fuck off...

Craig, I realise you said you were being unfair in your subsequent post, but for the umpteenth time, "play the ball, not the person".

Sooo does that mean everybody should?;)

Nope, it means I should proof read my damn posts better and Russell should get that edit button installed ASAP. :)

if it were proven that a minister of the crown offered someone a public sector job or position on a public board in return for sexual favours, would that not be criminal behaviour? looks to me like if that were the case it is corruption. abuse of official power for…

Yes, I hope Prime Minister Goff takes action.

Yeah, Goff is never responsible for a damn thing he does, is he?

NOBODY shouldn't

Sooo does that mean everybody should?;)

A properly functioning democracy would see such allegations put in front of an independent inquiry post haste. That is where Goff should have focused his attention.

Yes, I hope Prime Minister Goff takes action.

All that power to do the right thing, and he just doesn't use it. I think…

Goff has overplayed his hand, dragging things out for as long as he could and making claims about the text messages which have not lived up to expectations – most notably the text mentioning the infamous see-through blouse Worth is supposed to have suggested Choudary purchase…

I'm saying the moral obligation also applies to amateurs like Slater who you seemed to be leaving out. That's all.

I "leave out" Slater because I don't read his blog — not a worthwhile use of my time. I do, however, find it amusing the people who regard him as…

distinguishing between allegations and proven offences?

I strongly suspect that the allegations about Worth will turn out to allege non-criminal behaviour. Being a sleaze isn't an offence. In fact, although it's illegal for Ministers to take actual dollars in bribes, I'm not sure that a bit of nookie counts as…

Did anybody else get the impression he used the word "sexegenarian" with some relish?

Definitely. I guess that's the big downside of being Mr. Angry for all seasons – life's real pleasures are reduced to savouring the occasional gloat.

Did anybody else get the impression he used the word "sexegenarian" with some relish?

I'm sure its the closest he gets to sex. If anyone is in more dire need of a blow job, they have my sympathy. And if I was Lockwood Smith, I'd be feeling pretty insulted --…

Any sense beginning with "But Goff didn't/did..." doesn't absolve Key of his responsibilities in the matter.

Never said it did, but I stand by my comment that Goff's not got any moral high ground to posture on himself. God, hand over the fucking texts already and be done with it.…

Definitely a low baseline comparison, but Garth George is somewhat closer to making sense than normal.

Did anybody else get the impression he used the word "sexegenarian" with some relish?

Sorry for repeating myself, but I don't think Goff or the media have exactly covered themselves in glory as opposed to something a little more fragrant.

I think he did better than Key at step 1, which was bringing the matter to Key's attention in confidence, at which point Key…

Definitely a low baseline comparison, but Garth George is somewhat closer to making sense than normal.

That's not so much a low baseline, as burying it at the bottom of the Marianas Trench. And some might think that a man whose byline photo resembles the universe's oldest — and angriest…

Several days of stupid arguments seem to have lost the fact that a member of parliament was apparently sexually harassing someone.

Well, there is a Police investigation of an actual complaint in train. Just saying.

This standoff between the prime minister and someone who seems simply to be the victim…

Several days of stupid arguments seem to have lost the fact that a member of parliament was apparently sexually harassing someone.…

As opposed perhaps to our oleaginous friend who outed the complainant?

One thing that bugged me about that comment, Sasha, is that it seems to buy into the idea that if something appears on a blog (or a tabloid or Investigate) then allegedly respectable "mainstream" media gets plausible deniability for…

Apologies Craig. I seem to have mis-interpreted your earlier comment.

Thanks, Don — especially when I've been known to grab the wrong end of the stick and try to beat the person on the other end to death. Brain matter is such a persistent stain. :)

I therefore expect the an announcement by the Police.

I believe the Standard have moved their webhosting offshore to prevent libel actions shutting them down.

Well, I guess outsourcing your toxic waste dumps isn't an act without precedent. Funny how the much decried MSM doesn't get to exploit that loophole...

Ah, so you are running with the "it's Labours fault" line as well.

I'm running with my consistent "is the exercise of editorial judgement in the job description of anyone in the media any more?" line. 'm actually struggling to see any news value or legitimate public interest in 'outing'…

s I throw around on that front — and not be cute about it either. Not seeing a lot of moral high ground to go around,

Ah, so you are running with the "it's Labours fault" line as well.

We all know Slater's a cock but if there are National…

I intend to be pretty careful what allegations I throw around on that front — and not be cute about it either. Not seeing a lot of moral high ground to go around, but I'm sure I'll be told what a prick Tory hack I am in very short…

And then when Goff came to him with some fairly specific claims, he raised it with Worth, who denied it.

It put it to Worth that he was the one who farted. He denied it.

'lewid'

Momentary crossed wires in brain between lewd and lurid, perhaps?

These things can happen to anyone in extremis. I remember one of our teachers in (perhaps) Year 12 completely losing her rag at misbehaving students in assembly, and berating the miscreants in question as a "bunch of grunts".

Well,…

But he was saying the messages were reportedly 'lewid'.

Or maybe he meant leeward. But asking someone to prove their texts were sent from the downwind side of the phone would, I think,…

But is that applicable if you weren't personally instructed, but just snuck through somebodies back yard?

Also, what is a "lawful instruction"? Do the police have a right to exclude the public from an area?

The closest the police get to "a right to exclude" is [[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2008/0072/latest/DLM1102226.html#DLM1102226|s35 of the Policing…

Key now says he did hear "a rumour" about Worth's conduct towards women a while ago, but he'd raised it worth Worth, who denied it.

And then when Goff came to him with some fairly specific claims, he raised it with Worth, who denied it.

I believe obstruction is the normal charge when one disobeys the lawful instructions of a police officer.

But is that applicable if you weren't personally instructed, but just snuck through somebodies back yard?

Also, what is a "lawful instruction"? Do the police have a right to exclude the public from…

Key never said why he was going to sack Worth if he didn't resign

Danyl has a theory:

I kind of get the feeling that Worth threw a temper tantrum when Key eventually confronted him and that he’s been sacked for that as much as anything else

no action would be taken against John Campbell for breaching a cordon around the scene of the seige in Devonport

Anyone know what offence the cops could have taken action for. I can't find one in the Crimes, Police or Summary Offences Acts?

I believe obstruction is the normal charge…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv-2XYOtgCg

Key talking to the woman complainant would have followed through on his own promise to do so. It would have showed empathy after calling his own Minister out and asking for his resignation or I'ld have sacked him for..., now what did he call his Minister out for? Key…

Going for the Bum

Arseing for it..

I got a rather nice e-mail from an acquaintance who works for Phil Goff saying that I most definitely misheard, and am pleased to accept his word. (Which proves, I guess, that when you're driving through heavy rain you should be focused on the road not trying to filter…

Target practice. :)

Oh dear. Maybe this one, referred to by Rick Wakeman as Going for the Bum.

no action would be taken against John Campbell for breaching a cordon around the scene of the seige in Devonport

Anyone know what offence the cops could have taken action for. I can't find one in the Crimes, Police or Summary Offences Acts?

The hostage was eventually released once the criminals began riffling through his record collection.

I'll come out with my Yes LPs above my head.

I don't know what I've said or done around here to make anyone think I believe otherwise.

Oh for pity's sake.

My point was: this is not – as you argued it to be – a workplace matter, and not therefore something to be dealt with as a workplace matter.…

Craig, speaking as one who got the wrong end of that same stick recently, I do not believe anyone was labelling you as racist.

Sacha: I'd certainly like to think David doesn't think so, but I don't get why he felt the need to go there.

I don't think the…

Craig, speaking as one who got the wrong end of that same stick recently, I do not believe anyone was labelling you as…

Could someone enlighten me what this meeting is actually supposed to achieve?

Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure it would help get to the bottom of some fairly serious allegations about the conduct of a minister of the Crown.

I presume that when he was for the meeting before…

If you want to call me a racist

You're a mile off, Craig. Which was my point.

I'm just waiting for him to bring in the Korean and Indian dimension. It's plainly a job for McCully.

WTF are you going on about David? If you want to call me a racist, try not being quite so passive-agressively Whaleoily about it.

Key hasn't done at all well and…

Key hasn't done at all well and to avoid simply talking to this woman now has the smell of the Cronulla Sharks locker room around it.

The standoff in the Richard Worth saga continued today with no meeting arranged between the woman who has complained that he harassed her and Prime Minister John Key

I'm getting a little puzzled by Craig's suggestions that it be taken to the SSC and/or Police

I'm just waiting for him to bring in the Korean and Indian dimension. It's plainly a job for McCully.

And, like Clark before him, Key withdrew his ministerial warrant while (to coin a phrase) allegations where swirling around him.

But in the case of the matter brought to him by Goff — which is the one we're discussing — he didn't.

As far as I'm aware, the Prime Minister's…

as I'm far from impressed with either Key or Goff it's a little implausible to make claims of partisan hackery.

Nice try, yourself.

Wow. Why don't you save us the time and just link to the National Party talking points Craig?

Because I don't have access to them, Tom, and as I'm far from impressed with either Key or Goff it's a little implausible to make claims of partisan hackery. Nice try.

Eh?…

Meanwhile, 3410, if someone comes to you claiming they've been subject to sexual harassment you'd take it seriously, and do everything in your power to make sure its reported promptly to the appropriate authority. And that wouldn't be the CEo's office.

It's not a workplace matter. Worth was not an…

I don't have much tolerance for sexual harassment or its enablers, but I don't like self-serving bullshit either. I don't see how anyone but Goff himself is responsible for his behaviour, which I'm seriously underwhelmed by.

Indeed, you seem considerably more focused on blaming Goff that anyone else involved.

Meanwhile,…

This outsider, at least, would've cut Key a lot more slack — he's learning, after all — if the Nats weren't trying so hard to get this pathetic Goff-gate ball rollling. Such transparent blame-shifting only serves to highlight the blame they're attempting to shift.

Excuse me? This outsider is just…

does anyone really think that if Goff and Key were departmental senior managers, someone would be making an appointment to sign on for a benefit come Monday morning?

Key? Maybe. Goff?.. lol.

According to the Nat line, Goff is simultaneously politicising the incident and not politicising it enough. It's ridiculous,…

Oh, and I think it's enitrely legitimate to ask Goff some tough questions about why he sat on a pretty fucking serious allegation of sexual harassment for months.

People have. He says the woman concerned was initially reluctant to take it further.

Newsflash to National ministers : any imagined ‘droit de seigneur’ rights expired quite a few centuries ago.

(droit de seigneur)

I suspect Worth’s textes were pretty similar to Warne’s textes.

Or as Phil calls 'em: e-mails. I don't feel quite so tech-tarded anymore.

Isn't it pronounced 'textes' in that (DJ Sir-Vere?) track 'Subliminal Messages'?

Maybe that's where he picked it up.

Oh snap! I remember that track too. Sending textes from back in the day...

Spin

Awesome.

Only not as successful. Now why would that be?

Maybe that's where he picked it up.

Ha, I've worked it out. "Textes" are what you get from Shane Warne.

My office-mate is now looking at me very strangely and it's all your fault.

Teks-tiss! Teks-tiss! Teks-tiss!

My precioussss

Gollum anyone ?

Or maybe The Dark Crystal...?

Teks-tiss! Teks-tiss! Teks-tiss!

My precioussss

Gollum anyone ?

Teks-tiss! Teks-tiss! Teks-tiss!

An image of an angry robot flashed into my mind.

"textes"

Too generous an interpretation. It's precisely the "...xt..." sound that Key has trouble with, hence "texes." Given that, why doesn't he just say "tex," like (almost) everyone else?

And just so that I don't sound like a complete wanker, allow me to report that I do and say things…

"We are not Worth-y! We are not Worth-y!"

In 2002 Worth was appointed Honorary Akela (Great Lone Wolf) of the Girl Scouts Korea in the same ceremony as US First Lady Laura Bush

Golly. Wonder if they initiated umpteen Akelas in one go, like those mass Moonie weddings.

In 2002 Worth was appointed Honorary Akela (Great Lone Wolf) of the Girl Scouts Korea in the same ceremony as US First Lady Laura Bush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Worth

"Would you be interested in a position in my company"

Rofflenui

You couldn't script it better, could you?

I'll try.
Dick "I has all been a terible misunderstanding john"
John "What about those Texteses"
Dick "well you know tecksxes speak, LOL"
John "No"
Dick "you know, short and stubby, Like OMGAIF"
John "whassat?"
Dick " oh my god am I fucked?"
John…

Why Mr Wylie, you's been watchin TrueBlood.

Nah – Joe's just keeping me honest – for beyond The Bedsitting Room there is a very elegantly clipped and 'edgy piece of Dystopiary which I was channelling – the truly excellent Riddley Walker by Russell…

There's been a loss of 'net Worth?

Magnificent Dad Joke. ^5

I finally figured out what Pry Mincer Key is saying –

Wel the Pry Mincer and the Wes Mincer was don 1 of ther special Eusa shows Shorsday last dint they. Dint want no trubba from Mister Worth no way. So Key bein Mister Clevver mumbel some thing wot turn…

Stop it – you're making a visit to KiwiBlog almost tempting.

I suspect that is Key's morning meeting to get his idea for the day, then calls it consensus.

He seems convinced that the plural of "text" is "textes".

or maybe he was just a little testy? ; – )
and other rescinds to be cheerful...
hit me... hit me...

Yrs
I the Dury
Minister without "ortf"

I always thought it was just "texts". Sounds much better really.

here's Mary Wilson's interview of John Key.

I finally figured out what Pry Mincer Key is saying – and it is a brilliant contribution to modern legal taxonomy – he is, of course, referring to the modern plague of crime by telephony – the elegantly coined **Text…

Joyce is wrong when he says that roading is self-funded, because of that council funding. So basically he lied in today's interview on Morning…

get a grip jarbury – mary wilson was out of her depth.

Awesome.

" Rail and coastal shipping bodies have argued for years that the road mode is effectively subsidised by the Government investment in roading. Trucking companies pay nothing towards the capital investment required. They pay their share towards the subsequent maintenance of the road, but get…

I'm not challenging you, just looking for some easy background – I'm at work & can't access much on-line.

I also wonder if I've heard any other leader of their country, save for Dubya, get so tangled up in their vocabulary

I can still remember Jim Bolger.

No, this is just journalists having the same trouble with their script as the politicians with their diction – ethnic affairs has only passing relation to ethics, or is it versa vice?

The way Worth has been performing recently, you wouldn't bank on him being able to tell the difference.

Breaking news: Worth speaks out and the gory details come out.

He offered her a job as an ethics advisor.

You couldn't script it better, could you?

No, this is just journalists having the same trouble with their script as the politicians with their diction – ethnic affairs has only…

Breaking news: Worth speaks out and the gory details come out.

He offered her a job as an ethics advisor.

You couldn't script it better, could you?

He offered her a job as an ethics advisor.

So much for Holmes' 10/10.

Yeah, but he gives Paula Bennet 8/10, so I guess it's all relative, really.

]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:46:59 +1200 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/island-life-the-resignation-of-captain-worth/?p=114334#post114334 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/island-life-the-resignation-of-captain-worth/?p=114334#post114334

Even putting aside all the other stuff, Slater’s not really made for TV, is he?

Just summoned the ungodly urge inside me to watch the clip online. And you're absolutely right. What's really striking about Slater is that for a supposed "activist" or "expert commentator" with his "finger on the…

I also wonder if I've heard any other leader of their country, save for Dubya, get so tangled up in their vocabulary. He had lost…

Please, someone get the man elocution lessons.

As for the substance of what he said,…

Go ask Alice

I think she'll know

(to Guyon Espiner) ...This is why people like us live isn't it? For stories like this – I mean this is the sort of thing that makes politics very, very interesting, sadly there are human beings involved.

Damn those meddling mammal bipeds!

But at least we…

Really, watching The News these days is like living in a Lewis Carrol story.

Someone campaigning for John Boscawen is driving around our residential neighbourhood with a very loud loudspeaker telling everyone how "strong" and "effective" he'd be as the member for Mt Albert.

I remember Richard Worth did that along Broadway in Newmarket one weekend back when he had Epsom. At…

Leave the Basin alone.

It's like a crossroads, only more so.

But maybe Kelburn Viaduct or somewhere.

Guess we should've buried him under the Basin Reserve with a steak through his heart...

OI!!!

Leave the Basin alone.

Fast food is not junk. It contains legitimate, nutritious ingredients, is prepared in generally spotlessly hygienic surroundings and provides a convenient, tasty and filling meal without the need to prepare it or clean up after.

Fast food – be it fish and chips, hamburgers, fried chicken, pizza or pies, all…

with a steak through his heart...
Ah. Hence the garlic.

I think that's how Garth's finally going to go.