Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The perils of political confidence

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  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Oh, come on, those stickers were hilarious, until it turned out that it was being run out of the Green Party. Then it became awkward.

    The whole point is that it wouldn't have blown up the way it did, had it been an Indymedia or Ruckus Society job. In which case it would have been, "meh, the usual anarchist suspects with too much time on their hands at it again..."

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Keir Leslie,

    In which case it would have been, “meh, the usual anarchist suspects with too much time on their hands at it again…”

    But that is what happened, and unfortunately the Greens are now the usual suspects.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report Reply

  • Sarah Wedde,

    Drug test policy seems to unfairly discriminate against the demographic likely to be applying for the kind of jobs that require drug testing. Presumably my middle-aged white lady self gets a free pass on this one.

    Lower Hutt • Since Nov 2006 • 66 posts Report Reply

  • Stewart, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    You might think talking about “average voters” like they’re complete venal idiots – at least when they’re voting the wrong way – is endearing. I don’t.

    I clearly indicated I thought Steve was being a bit harsh & gave no indication that I found his characterisation endearing. You're getting to be King of the Straw-Man Argument, putting words/attitudes in that were neither present nor implied.

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/5976945/Key-not-upset-by-questions
    Not upset but still don't want to talk, staged but still not working. Matter for the police but can't remember what was said.
    New levels of crazy. I do wonder just how tough Key is in a negotiation, trade, hobbits, SAS spring to mind.
    Oh and I got the feeling that the media wanted to stay but realise Key's (Joyce?) gameplan to bait them then pillory them. Sort of mad brave.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    bloody Anglicans

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Savidge,

    George says things that are applicable to any political question you may have. RIP.

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

  • Paul Williams,

    I'd not normally link to Perigo but since Pagani tweeted the link in the first place I thought I'd give it a quick look.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to merc,

    Oh and I got the feeling that the media wanted to stay but realise Key’s (Joyce?) gameplan to bait them then pillory them. Sort of mad brave.

    Key told the journalists he would answer questions on the tape, after the trade issues were discussed.

    When they eventually did ask those questions, he refused to answer and did his walkout. The widespread believe now is that it was planned, to, as Tracey Watkins puts it, drive a wedge between the public and the media.

    If it's a stunt, it's a bloody risky one. And even if they win the battle, this is the press they will have to deal with for the next three years. They really do think they're bulletproof.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    what a colourful little corner of the world he has painted himself into

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Sacha,

    why would you expect people to agree with, or vote for, anyone who is insulting them?

    I am not running for office, maybe you should address that question to John Key.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    They really do think they're bulletproof

    and there's the bigger story.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And me – with the proviso that it’s not really new policy because people who fail to get to job interviews because they’re off their faces are already marked down as failing to attend interviews.

    I was thinking more about the "those wanted by the police would have their benefit stopped"
    This is just plain wrong. If you have been charged with something then maybe but even then I would imagine that such an action would make the "purp" more likely to rob or steal to survive. Plus, if the offender was to use his eftpos card he would be traceable rather than be forced even further "underground"

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    You might think talking about “average voters” like they’re complete venal idiots – at least when they’re voting the wrong way – is endearing. I don’t.

    People live in low information environments. There are a lot of things which are complicated and which I have only vague opinions on, or which my opinions are probably weakly founded or incorrect. This is because I lack the time and inclination to seek out information on those subjects. For most people I speak to on the street, in South Auckland at least, this is their experience politics. Now, we can get into a debate about why this is so, the extent that it is structural and the reasons for those structures, but this basic point is important.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ana Simkiss,

    It is possible Mr Hosking has very strong feelings about privacy and the like given the trouble (and cost!) of his unsuccessful case for breach of privacy against various media (Court of Appeal decision available here for the masochistic). I would not blame him at all if he had a bit of an axe to grind.

    I would have thought he'd be able to spot the difference between a tabloid snapper stalking his family in the street and an open mic at a media event. And between that and some fictional conversation about a suicidal child, or the hacking of a dead girl's phone in a way that caused unfathomable distress to her family.

    I remain of the view that it was an idiotic comment.

    PS: I should note that I was vocally on Hosking's side in the paparazzi case, back when I was hosting Mediawatch. I just think he's pathetically wrong on this one.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to PaulC,

    Hooten, farrer and slater, the three hobbits, will be going out of their minds to spin this, seriously, has there ever been a worse election campaign anywhere?

    Other countries have election campaigns where people get shot, so yes.

    But this is certainly turning pretty bloody weird for what was supposed to be a stroll to victory.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Key’s popularity has partly been based on his appearance of being above politics, an affable, likeable chap, not a politician really. Nothing could be more fatal to that image than a tape of him talking hard politics to a politician. That’s why it doesn’t matter what the details of the tape are. What matters is that it will show he’s a politician like all the rest.

    I think so.

    And the response has been to double down by pretending that he's some poor citizen -- a parent! of children! -- cruelly bugged by the evil media, rather than a political leader doing a media stunt. In doing so they've basically bet the farm on continued public faith in Key's persona.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg,

    LOL, I just heard Key's interview on the radio. He seems to have had the same media training as Ed Miliband.

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Ah, the nostalgia. NZ politicians spitting the dummy through the ages.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    In doing so they’ve basically bet the farm on continued public faith in Key’s persona.

    Forced exposure to sunlight can cause certain people to behave very strangely, and it's not just vampires either. The moment a mirror gets held up to them, it instantly cracks.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And the response has been to double down by pretending that he's some poor citizen -- a parent! of children! -- cruelly bugged by the evil media, rather than a political leader doing a media stunt.

    He kissed a toad, confident that something of his shininess would rub off on the critter. Now he's trying to blame the media for the resulting warts.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    It really is a whole lot of nothing over nothing. The media love this as they can waste time speculating and not addressing in any depth a real issue - like the economy, asset sales etc, etc.

    Prime Minster John Key the first has put the matter in the hands of the Police and can't very well go and release the evidence he has handed over and retain credibility.

    I don't think First Ciizen actually cares about what is on the tape - he is making a point and sticking to it.

    I don't really care much for Key or Banks view on things that they might decide to share or discuss when they are taking a "bath" together.

    The media is creating a wave that Winston will hopefully ride asll the way to over 5% threshold - that would be the best joke of all.

    I don't think this will much erode National's large support or improve things for Labour.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Russell Brown,

    The widespread believe now is that it was planned, to, as Tracey Watkins puts it, drive a wedge between the public and the media.

    And as I said to you on Twitter, a cynic (that's me) would suggest to Ms. Watkins that the trivia-obsessed, increasingly tabloid media is doing a perfectly fine job of driving a wedge between itself and the public without any assist from the Prime Minister.

    And, frankly, if the stupid ignorant peasantry have to decide whether they hate and distrust John Key or Tracey Watkins more, I wouldn't assume Ms. Watkins would win.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    John Key's claim that the new Zealand public are concerned about the Economy above all else does not ring true.

    3 News gave 21,000 voters a list of 21 options and asked for a ranking; 10 being most important, 1 being least important.
    The environment came out on top at 8.2.

    The number of people living in poverty ranked higher than the economy at 7.5.

    "Trade and economy are the things that really matter to New Zealanders"
    Yeah, whatever John, run along now.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Not too keen on Roads of Nationals significance either it seems.
    Poll shows 81 per cent of Wellingtonians want more spending on public transport

    “The Roads of National Significance and other roading projects are currently gobbling the lion’s share of government transport money, when what New Zealanders want is more investment to make public transport in cities better,”

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

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