Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: A bit tacky, no?

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    So let me give one a piece of advice that has served me well for a long time now – never believe what you see in the media.

    Tee hee... Whoever is going to be writing WInston's blogs for him is going to need a total shame by-pass to go with the irony deficiency. :)

    But if you want to talk about seriously tacky, go here and marvel. Yes, it would have been nice if the death of Gottlieb Braun-Elwert could have been reported without the (unsurprising and not entirely inappropriate) PM angle being laid on quite so thick, but really...

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

  • David Ritchie,

    The sales chart is presently topped by the witless 2007 action flick Shooter.

    #1 is currently Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem but the oddest entry in the top ten is Logan's Run (#8). A bit revealing of the NZ character perhaps?

    Since Nov 2006 • 166 posts Report

  • Adrian Wills,

    Meanwhile, Winston Peters' new blog is, like, random

    Ha ha hahaa.... Indeed it is.

    The only thing better than reading a well written blog (present PA company included) is reading a badly written one... So I may keep a watchful eye on winnie's. Only problem being, does that mean his hit rate will go up, he'll think it's successful and claim he knows what he's doing? Or am I giving him too much credit for going any further than typing into a white box and clicking submit, may be analytics aren't his thing.

    Parnell, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    But if you want to talk about seriously tacky, go here and marvel. Yes, it would have been nice if the death of Gottlieb Braun-Elwert could have been reported without the (unsurprising and not entirely inappropriate) PM angle being laid on quite so thick, but really...

    Poor DPF, having to deal with that kind of idiocy. But I do think sometimes he needs to stop pissing about with "demerit points" and just ban people permanently on grounds of lacking common decency.

    And I had to go over and see what Whaleoil and his commenters were saying ... he really is a piece of shit, isn't he?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Newsprint,

    But if you want to talk about seriously tacky, go here and marvel.

    I wish I hadn't.

    Wellington • Since Mar 2008 • 42 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    And I had to go over and see what Whaleoil and his commenters were saying

    I did the same, just because I'd heard so much about this guy and never ventured other - having seen what they were having to do at kiwiblog I thought this would give a good insight.
    Good. Grief.

    Can someone (Craig?) please point me to a right-leaning-but-non-partisan blog with solid analysis and commentary of a decent intelligence?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • philipmatthews,

    Which Headless Chickens? Fiona era or Rupert? I'd opt for the latter.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    Trevor Loudon's conspiracy blog New Zeal is back up again. It's rather entertaining if you know the people he profiles as reds under the bed - perhaps half of the things he says about people are true, but usually out of context, and usually confused. He's promised to expose the communist core of the Greens in the next few months, which will be fun!

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • Chukkkker,

    Not really related to this post, but for Friday fun you can hear Britney Spears say 'Russell Brown'.

    Since Nov 2007 • 17 posts Report

  • Felix Marwick,

    Re Winston's blog.

    I must admit I had to chuckle when the explanation New Zealand First gave for the creation of the site was that it allowed New Zealand First to communicate directly with the public without having to go through the media.

    This information was imparted by way of a press release sent to every major media outlet in the country.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And I had to go over and see what Whaleoil and his commenters were saying ... he really is a piece of shit, isn't he?

    I didn't even go there, because there's only two ways it can play out: Either it's every bit as bad as you predict, and the rest of your day is ruined. Or it's worse, and the weekend is down the existential crapper as well.

    OK, I think it's quite legitimate to surmise that it wouldn't have scored the same coverage (the front page lead in today's Herald, ditto for Morning Report) without the Prime Ministerial angle. Just as I think it's fair comment to say that Joan Peters' death wouldn't have gotten any national press at all if not for the timing, and the identity of her son.

    But my God, while I think Clark is an adroit media player it's utterly unfair (as well as hella tacky) to accuse her of pimping the coverage to score political points. I think there's easier -- and less distressing -- ways to score softball press than having a friend die in front of you. Despite any impression I may have given to the contrary, I do actually believe Helen Clark isn't a soulless fem-bot of untrammelled malevolence.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    Not really related to this post, but for Friday fun you can hear Britney Spears say 'Russell Brown'.

    Ah yes, I'd heard about this.

    Also, once, a friend excitedly emailed me from the UK to say that Bob Geldof had stood at a microphone at the NME Awards, scowled and said "Russell Brown: what a cunt".

    Although I had in fact had the odd harsh word for Bob around that time, this seemed highly unlikely. And, indeed, I downloaded the programme and Bob was referring to Mr Brand, who had been mocking him earlier in the show.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen,

    Winstone's ghost writer said

    Most of these people have an aversion to the truth unless it fits their agenda.

    Boggle

    -----------
    And below the line, my sympathies Russell. It's hard losing friends.

    cheers
    Bart

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    OK, I think it's quite legitimate to surmise that it wouldn't have scored the same coverage (the front page lead in today's Herald, ditto for Morning Report) without the Prime Ministerial angle.

    Of course. At the pub last night, there was a TV over the bar showing Olympics coverage. And then there was a "Breaking News" banner.

    First thought: Something's gone awfully wrong in Beijing. But then Guyon Espiner appeared. Political scandal? Then there's a map of the South Island with a point indicated in the Southern Alps.

    At which point I correctly guessed that something had gone terribly wrong on a Prime Ministerial tramping expedition.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • chris esther,

    I find myself going totally Victor Meldrew at what TV3 are doing. They are a news organisation that should be seeking out and publicising as much information on candidates as a matter of course.

    Instead of getting off their arses and doing journalism - which might create a decent resource - they pull this, which will get a smattering of self serving 'pages' at best.

    Since Apr 2008 • 13 posts Report

  • Jonathan Maze,

    Look forward to seeing the Headless Chickens. I saw them with Nico in CHCh back in the day and managed to see Children's Hour a couple of years ago for the first time ever. Seeing Child Hour I was reminded what a wonderfully malevolent stage presence Chris Mathews has, he comes across as somebody you definitely wouldn't want to babysit your kids. Please no Fiona McDonald, not necessary.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2007 • 29 posts Report

  • matthewbuchanan,

    ...or rents ($6.99) movies.

    Older rentals start at $4.99, same as our local video store.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 163 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Although I had in fact had the odd harsh word for Bob around that time, this seemed highly unlikely. And, indeed, I downloaded the programme and Bob was referring to Mr Brand, who had been mocking him earlier in the show.

    Then again, someone who has this awe-inspiring sack of crap on his resume deserves pity not public abuse. It's only redeeming feature is the sight of Rupert Everett channelling his pal the Duchess of Cornwall, but otherwise you can just hear the shade of Joyce Grenfell wailing, "George, don't do that".

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

  • Benjamin Franzmayr,

    I find it interesting how Winston always seems to refer to the media as "these people" or "you people". I think it invokes a sense of conspiracy that obviously resonates with his supporters.

    Just a thought
    Benjamin

    Palmerston North, New Zea… • Since Nov 2006 • 15 posts Report

  • Jan Farr,

    Despite any impression I may have given to the contrary, I do actually believe Helen Clark isn't a soulless fem-bot of untrammelled malevolence.

    Well that's certainly a relief, Craig!

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report

  • Don Christie,

    Yes, it would have been nice if the death of Gottlieb Braun-Elwert could have been reported without the (unsurprising and not entirely inappropriate) PM angle being laid on quite so thick, but really...

    Well, like Russell I caught the first report. It was a bit freaky. But then I thought how these guys (the PMs group, and guide) obviously doing what they love and there are worse ways to go than that.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Rogan Polkinghorne,

    Do you think the people who spew such filth on blogs like Whaleoil are that nasty in person? It's mind boggling to say the least.

    At least DPF has the balls to draw the line somewhere on an story like this, even though some of his regulars are playing crybaby over it...Slater, on the on the other hand...WTF man?

    A-town • Since Nov 2006 • 105 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    But then I thought how these guys (the PMs group, and guide) obviously doing what they love and there are worse ways to go than that.

    I love that we have (for the moment at least), a Prime Minister who is so passionate for life, so damned adventurous.

    It's possibly one part of her life where she can take the bold moves and risks that New Zealand politics denies her. Labour's safe ship is one of careful management and incremental change, and it works for the most part.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I love that we have (for the moment at least), a Prime Minister who is so passionate for life, so damned adventurous.

    Oh, Lord, George - she goes hiking and cross-country skiing. It's not base jumping off the North Face of the Eiger. And I'd also point out that Braun-Elwert was a professional guide for over thirty years, and ran an adventure tourism business with an impeccable safety record.

    It's possibly one part of her life where she can take the bold moves and risks that New Zealand politics denies her.

    Or has seen far too many of her academic and political collegaues go to seed, and made the entirely sensible decision not to let a sedentary profession do the same to her?

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

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    "I love that we have (for the moment at least), a Prime Minister who is so passionate for life, so damned adventurous."

    I agree, and it's nice to think of people as multi dimensional, not being a fan of her leadership she at least reflects iconic aspects of NZ to the outside world.

    A bit too much was played of her being in the party with the loss of her friend.

    Thanks for the warning, I'll give those other sites a miss, don't really need that today.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report

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