Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Of course it's about the book

194 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 8 Newer→ Last

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    I imagine they rip the book into quarters and split it up.

    John Key is now insisting that while he did receive the 'smoking gun' email he didn't read it. Oh dear.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • David Slack,

    I did not have email with those Brethren. Not one time.

    And I did not inhale/open them.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Wow. Who reckons "Liarbour" won't be such a funny joke any more?

    Given the contacts outlined in those two stories, it's simply staggering that they held to their line for so long. Mind you, 'fessing up would have been pretty tricky too. Electoral Commission, police ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Savidge,

    Poor old John...

    one of lifes fundamental problems...

    whether to keep the news exclusive
    and pretend what you're doing is normal,

    or....

    have faith and expose yourself?

    Ewww, it's ugly, put it away John...

    Somewhere near Wellington… • Since Nov 2006 • 324 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Check out the post Tim Barclay wrote fully half an hour after the news broke on Kiwiblog. Business as usual.

    He's a trooper ain't he?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Clarke,

    The entire Kiwiblog thread is a delight ... DPF's misty-eyed view of Brash, and james.c's counterpoint:

    An ode to Mr Burns, by Smithers.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 85 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    I look forward to many Kiwiblog posts explaining in painstaking - yet somewhat opaque - detail why Nationals massive election fraud is totally different from Labours massive election fraud.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    The Scoop report is being frequently updated. This bit's fascinating:

    "Press Gallery journalists tend to regard themselves as a fairly cynical and skeptical bunch, but I doubt that many considered for a more than a micro-second that the apparent gaff – a few short days before the election - when Dr Brash told BFm's Noelle McCarthy that he had indeed met with the Brethren and been told about their pamphlets was not a slip of the tongue but a carefully rehearsed line written for the National Party leader by his chief media minder Richard Long!"

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    There's a scan of the killer email here

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Deborah,

    The Scoop report is being frequently updated. This bit's fascinating:
    "Press Gallery journalists tend to regard themselves as a fairly cynical and skeptical bunch, but I doubt that many considered for a more than a micro-second that the apparent gaff – a few short days before the election - when Dr Brash told BFm's Noelle McCarthy that he had indeed met with the Brethren and been told about their pamphlets was not a slip of the tongue but a carefully rehearsed line written for the National Party leader by his chief media minder Richard Long!"

    Yes, it is fascinating, not least because all the negatives are giving me a headache trying to sort out what the hell the writer is trying to say. So was it an innocent slip of the tongue, or a deliberate tactic?

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report Reply

  • Compie,

    I did not have email with those Brethren. Not one time.

    David well done, quite priceless.

    or how would the add go.

    coffee with exclusive bretheren $3.50
    advertsign campaign $1,000,000
    fessing up to lies jobless...

    Dunedin/Vancouver • Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • James Doleman,

    The brethren stuff is fun, the party funding stuff is the killer.

    "The final chapters of The Hollow Men deals with the funding behind the National Party designed to add millions of dollars to the election campaign without breaching National's $2.24 million legal spending cap.

    Hager claims following a meeting between Dr Brash and businessmen Peter and Michael Talley in 2004 the brothers offered Dr Brash $1 million to help get National elected.

    The Talley brothers are alleged to have prepared a proposal called "The repackaging of Don Brash" in conjunction with Motueka lawyer Nick Davidson.

    The written proposal included details of a plan to set up a company or trust named Vco to manage the funding.

    Quotes from the proposal in the book say that by directing the campaign spending through the privately controlled Vco, they "would avoid any declarations of political party funding".

    A crime?

    Worse than that, a blunder.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 13 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Bol,

    Caption for the Ron Hickmott e-mail: 'Don and John's million-dollar lie'

    P.S.
    I thought the Brethren didn't use e-mail; at least he doesn't seem to use a cellphone

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 32 posts Report Reply

  • Compie,

    Actually Alistar is an old school buddie and loves his work, I can only imagine how much condensation is in the offices of scoop right now?

    Dunedin/Vancouver • Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • David Slack,

    Bloody hell!

    Look what The Herald has!

    Bassett. Ouch.

    Hooton. Ouch.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    But that's not a suprise, everyone knows Hooton's full of himself

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Martin,

    I wonder if as many folk will tune into the six pm news tonight as watch the Melbourne Cup?.....

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 187 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    I assume no one is questioning the authenticity of the "smoking gun" email? If its confirmed 100% genuine then the National Party has now got a huge problem.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Kennedy,

    Theres no point in getting mad , get even and revenge is a dish best served cold (and other cliches)
    The "boy from down south" must be having a bit of a chuckle

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Martin,

    Stuff is reporting that...'Some of New Zealand's wealthiest men and women spent more than $4m in a bid to get Don Brash elected as prime minister'..... plus another million from the EB.


    Is this loot supposed to be declared to anyone?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 187 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    bassett is alleged to have edited orewa.

    now there's a freaking surprise... reading his columns makes me want to write angry letters.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • James Doleman,

    Been trying to find a column by Basset saying what a great speech Orewa 1 was (without disclosing he wrote it)

    No luck yet though.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 13 posts Report Reply

  • Compie,

    well what do they say while we are killing two birds in the hand with one cliché.

    Money can't buy you elections.

    Not unless you are in america and they seemed to have given it a bloody decent nudge here. No wonder all right wing think tanks and Hooton were fuming and claiming stolen elections.

    I mean if you spend this amount of money surely you must have a right to the seat of power? eh Matthew?

    Dunedin/Vancouver • Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Kevin Moar,

    Just got a call from Bennetts Books, where I'd pre-ordered the book, saying that it has been "embargoed" until Monday.

    Anyone know what's happening? Anyone know where it's on sale?

    Surely it's all out now...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 12 posts Report Reply

  • Malcolm 141,

    Does anybody else find it ironic that Hager now admits to secretly campaigning against National at the last election?

    What a hypocrite.

    Since Nov 2006 • 15 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 8 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.