Posts by Russell Brown
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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli, in reply to Sacha,
I at least expect them to meet basic standards of professional and ethical conduct
Please do lodge a press council complaint. You sound motivated enough over this one to see it through.
I'm struggling to see grounds for a successful complaint.
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Jeremy Rees, the editor of the Weekend Herald has confirmed to me that deadlines prevented the columnists being informed of the poll results, which were still being compiled yesterday afternoon.
The same seems to go for the Palino story, which leaves Fran a bit stranded:
These revelations have made Brown a figure of fun. But there is also a sinister element to them. Particularly the pressure which Bevan Chuang claims was put on her by Palino’s PR man (one of her other lovers) to try and get her to entrap Brown in making “dirty talk” on the phone.
We know now, of course, about about Palino’s highly active role and his idiotic cunning plan. The paper is reporting this as fact, backed by an affadavit from Chuang and multiple messages, not as a claim.
Fran says:
There should be a proper wide-ranging council inquiry into whether Brown abused rules by creating favours for Chuang.
She doesn’t explain how the current inquiry wouldn’t be a “proper” one, or what a “wide-ranging” inquiry would do that the one already underway would not. And more to the point, Chuang – who has been extremely forthcoming – has given no indication there is anything beyond Brown agreeing to be listed as a referee.
There’s no sign at all that Brown “created favours” for Chuang, or indeed of any situation in which he might have even been in a position to pull strings. It’s proper that it be investigated, but I’m not quite seeing the case for a Royal Commission.
Also, note this, right at the bottom of the front page lead:
Mr Brown also denied claims by Ms Chuang that some hotel rooms he booked for the pair were offered free of charge.
In a written statement to the Weekend Herald, the mayor’s head of communications, Dan Lambert, said: “He was not offered, or has accepted, free hotel stays in connection to the relationship and paid the standard rate out of his own pocket.
“Any expenses he incurred in connection with this relationship, he has paid for out of his own pocket."
That’s a very clear denial. I wouldn’t think they’d make it if there was a chance of being found out.
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And now Roughan:
In the Herald Brian Rudman wrote, "Marital infidelity is hardly a sacking offence in this day and age".
Well, most people think it is on the evidence of the Herald online response. The 21st century is not as liberal as the late 20th century in many respects.
Did no one think to tip Roughan off to his own paper's actual poll today, which literally finds that a majority of Aucklanders see no need for his resignation and that Brown would win if another election were held?
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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
Armstrong:
His decision – or that of his minders – to make his one and only media appearance on TV3’s Campbell Live was deeply cynical and supremely arrogant. It amounted to another slap in the face for ratepayers who are entitled to expect accountability from their mayor and that he front accordingly.
Good grief, man, get over yourself.
On Thursday, the revelation Brown had helped Chuang get a council-related job saw the moral compass swing 180 degrees against him.
Did it really? And does it sound a bit different if you say what actually happened – Brown allowed his name to go down as a referee in her application for a job at the art gallery?
Jesus.
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Yep, so Palino lied and is in it up to his neck.
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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli, in reply to Alex Coleman,
Garner, today, had me bloody livid when I read his piece saying that ‘Brown couldn’t have it both ways’, an argument floated on whaleoil and spreading fast.
Yes. Colin Espiner's column making a comparison with Anthony Weiner -- who sexted unsolicited pictures of his genitals to young women he had not even met, and lied about it for ages -- was also fairly annoying. Pundits gonna pundit, but ... jeez.
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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli, in reply to martinb,
sorry- I was being a little sarcastic, which doesn’t always translate in text! I think you your comment has picked up the nub of what I was saying exactly.
Ah. Gotcha.
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Hard News: Friday Music: An Outstanding Evening, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
That Broods song was played on BBC Radio 1 today, which is, y’know, pretty major.
You are so first with the news.
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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli, in reply to martinb,
though someones probably already said this, yes the main thing out of all of this is that Brian Rudman should be very very ashamed. Astute analysis
Seriously? The main thing out of all of this is Brian Rudman's column?
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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli, in reply to Stephen Judd,
What are the boundaries of private life? I think when you hold yourself to the electorate out as a caring Christian family man in an attempt to get people to vote for you and your values, and yet don’t live up to those values,
Which, now it is public, is a matter for voters rather than anything to do with professional duty.
when you write references for people you are in a covert relationship with,
Really not ideal, but more a matter of the pickle he got himself into than an improper action. The reference came via his office and was no more than might be expected for an active member of the advisory board.
The real problem with her getting the art gallery job is that she didn’t tell anyone about the conviction that resulted from her actions as an Auckland Museum employee.
when you may as an older authority figure have abused your role and influence in a sexual relationship, that there is a public interest there.
No. If there’s going to be an age at which adults are responsible for their own choices, surely it’s no older than 30. And she was 30 when it started. Also bear in mind that your only narrative of the development of the relationship comes from Cook and Slater.