Cracker by Damian Christie

Read Post

Cracker: Strike Nine (and counting)

249 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 10 Newer→ Last

  • BenWilson,

    LOL so you're really "Harry Harrison's son's son Harry"? I can see why you pick Henry!

    I think Garrett has had experience of soft treatment though, at least until now. And availed himself of it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Garrett asked to keep his identity secret to "maintain his reputation".

    A hypocrite as well as an arsehole.

    You and I have disagreed lately over the appropriate use of epithets. But this thing? Well, yes.

    And, as you've just pointed out on Twitter, the Herald is saying McVicar was a character witness for Garrett. He's pretty invested in the whole thing.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Where's Gerry Brownlee when you need him?

    Wording the edict that gives him ius primae noctis Canterbury-wide until 2012, I expect.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Henry Harrison,

    LOL so you're really "Harry Harrison's son's son Harry"? I can see why you pick Henry!

    Yes, but its worse Harry's son's second name was Henry too!

    As far as the hypothesis goes though, I'm coming at it from a child/moral development point of view - harsh treatment as a child leading to a failure to progress in moral/ethical development as fast as others - so pulling a 15 year old's stunt aged 26 for example.
    So soft treatment in adulthood, and reflection on it, might gradually lead to a more mature moral/ethical outlook and behaviour. But given David Garrett's relatively recent abusive behaviour cited above and on public record, I'd say a period out of public sight and some introspection is way overdue!

    Wellington • Since May 2008 • 11 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Name suppression has been lifted.
    Did you know that David Garrett....
    Oh, you do.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    To be honest, I actually think that the name suppression was fair enough, that it was a rather minor crime. To think otherwise is to actually agree with Garrett and McVicar at some level, which I don't. What sticks in my craw is Garrett's (and McVicar's) stance since then, deeply hypocritical.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    The plot thickens: "Harry Harrison's son Harry Harry Harrison's son Harry Harrison"? Who even needs identity fraud in your family?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Discovering via the lifting of the order that Garrett has experienced mental illness takes the fun out of the meme a bit.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    And, as you've just pointed out on Twitter, the Herald is saying McVicar was a character witness for Garrett.

    I do not understand how calling Garth McVicar as a character witness could possibly help anyone's case.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Paul W - respect? Because pollies have considerable power & advantage?

    No, not as an automatic thing, a response they expect, but *only* if they've earned it -once they retire-

    I distrust pretty well all people who aspire to be politicians at any level -seeking power exactly describes what they are after*. I thought the Greens were a bit different, but all their flailing round with "O we tried to alter te mea te mea" does not excuse their shitty decision to support
    that bloody bill-

    * yes, people aspire to have power for unselfish reasons, for reforms of wrongs, and to create better conditions for -whoever they want to help.
    And so phuqeing frequently, their office goes to their head, and they become pigs at the trough.**


    A pig cant actually help its behaviour. A human can.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Henry Harrison,

    The plot thickens: "Harry Harrison's son Harry Harry Harrison's son Harry Harrison"? Who even needs identity fraud in your family?

    And you only get one guess as to what my youngest son's third name is :-) Seriously though, we are very strongly traditionalist and conservative in my family :-) At least when it comes to identity anyway!

    Wellington • Since May 2008 • 11 posts Report Reply

  • Mikaere Curtis,

    I can understand the name suppression, passage of time, disproportionate punishment and all that. However, I can't understand the discharge without conviction. In addition to the fraud, there were real victims.

    The dead boy's sister was also quoted by Judge de Ridder.

    "The deeply cruel, shameful and malicious manner in acquiring such details is akin to literally stealing from the grave and has caused deep distress for the entire family, especially for my elderly mother, to be subjected to further trauma and pain in the memory of her beloved infant son and our darling little brother's name."

    Where was the SST when they were needed ? Oh, helping him avoid any kind of sentence at all. I really hope the media hound McVicar about his involvement in this.

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Discovering via the lifting of the order that Garrett has experienced mental illness takes the fun out of the meme a bit.

    Whilst at the same time, as with WhaleOil, explaining a lot.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Paul W - respect? Because pollies have considerable power & advantage?

    That's not quite what I said/meant. I responded to I/S by saying, in effect, I'm saddened that a politician isn't someone who can be relied on to be respectable. They bloody ought to be.

    I distrust pretty well all people who aspire to be politicians at any level -seeking power exactly describes what they are after*.

    Look, at the risk of sounding completely pollyannish, some people seek poltical office because they've got something to offer, some talent or mission or contribution that is best applied/realised in politics (broadly defined). My point is that, if you seek elected office, if you wish to represent others and be part of determining law, you should conduct yourself in a manner which does not include making sexist comments to Damian's friend's partner or being a bully or a liar etc.

    I want to be able to expect MPs to conduct themselves in such a way as they are worthy of respect. Not offered uncritical respect simply because they can do the number on the local committee.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Ben, I agree re playing their game, if we want him hung, drawn, and quartered. I realise that may just be a bit of wishful revenge as to his attitude of others in a similar boat but the point is, as he would want and I am only considering his usual wishes, there should be no consideration for reputation, age, or sex therefore I am just trying to understand the need for the Act party to remain in Parliament at all, then if I can understand you see, I would want them stay. It's not working however.
    Nah, Dirty laundry, hang 'em high. Hypocrite really gets my goat.They have made the fucking law. Use it on themselves.

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

  • giovanni tiso,

    Discovering via the lifting of the order that Garrett has experienced mental illness

    According to his lawyer. There is a well established pattern at least in Italy about wealthy people and/or lawyers found in this sort of predicament: they all turn out to have some sort of mental illness (prior to sentencing) and/or a sudden debilitating diseases that counsels against incarceration (if sentenced).

    Not saying it's not true but a certain dose of scepticism is probably in order.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I have to think on this, Sophie. Antihypocritical thinking is really quite tricky.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    When have such high ideals stopped the arrant powerseekers from being in office Paul Williams?

    Yes, I agree with you about 'some...seek political office because they've got something to offer' (I stated as much) - but there is another drive: humans are dominance-seeking animals. Politicians are our equivalent of god-bearers/overlords/monarchs - they thrust themselves forward because they perceive they are dominant, and want a wider stage to be dominant on-

    "being dominant" also implies people who are subservient: chimp society actually gives a good mirror to our kind of primate-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Islander, we don't disagree, I just wanted to clarify my point. Certainly power is corrupting, and it appears Garrett was already corrupt before being elected, but I'll not be dissauded from the view that politicians should be expected to be respectable. It goes with the privileges.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    No disagreement with your last point at all, Paul Williams.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Discovering via the lifting of the order that Garrett has experienced mental illness takes the fun out of the meme a bit.

    Certainly, but not for the first time (and not the last, I suspect) I've got to wonder whether Parliament is actually a very safe place for people who have mood disorders or substance abuse problems. I'm not taking a cheap partisan shot here, but back in 2005 when Mark Peck ended up going into rehab, and came out as an alcoholic, I had a serious WTF? moment when he disclosed he was attending the House and caucus drunk. How could anyone not have noticed and done something?

    I'm not making any excuses for Garrett's vile behaviour -- but Parliament can't just keep shrugging it's shoulders and saying "shit happens".

    Politicians are our equivalent of god-bearers/overlords/monarchs - they thrust themselves forward because they perceive they are dominant, and want a wider stage to be dominant on-

    Which is why we've spent the best part of four thousand years of political history playing chains on the divine rights of princes and prelates; reminding the State and its agents that they have their place, and if they don't keep to it there will be consequences.

    I certainly hope that's the reason why Philip Field is the first (and I hope the last) person to be tried, convicted and imprisoned for corrupt abuse of power as a Member of Parliament.

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

  • Paul Williams,

    Craig, you make a very good point. I actually worked a little for Mark - plus played alongside him in the research unit netball team (circa 1996) - and I'd never have known. Mark never seemed drunk to me. He wasn't moody or unreliable as far as I could tell and was generally well liked for being a decent and friendly bloke.

    Islander, always enjoyable having these discussions here since people will challenge other's views as well as look for points of agreement.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Gary Chiles,

    Did David Garrett murder Ernie Abbott?

    Trades Hall bombing March 27 1984. UNSOLVED.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/334315

    That would explain the false passport far more convicingly than the obvoius nonsense we are being presented with.

    Paraparaumu • Since Feb 2010 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Mark never seemed drunk to me.

    I could easily believe that -- it's when you're "maintaining" (and can bullshit yourself that you don't have a problem) the real horror begins. Perhaps you have to hit bottom, but I'm sure Mark himself is first person who is thankful his wake up call didn't come with a body count.

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

  • Nick D'Angelo,

    Discovering via the lifting of the order that Garrett has experienced mental illness takes the fun out of the meme a bit.

    But seriously, isn't it a common beef from SST that today's offenders all too often get off with the mental illness defense and rail against it? I'm all for giving Garret no quarter on this one.

    Simon Laan • Since May 2008 • 162 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 10 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.