Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Friday Gold: An email exchange with Michael Laws

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  • Russell Brown,

    Heh.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Surely not for real?

    On second thoughts, I can believe it.

    Didn't Laws question the professionalism of the Otaki teacher? What made him think he was qualified to do that?

    I like the "edit" thanks.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Surely not for real?

    Yes, for real.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant,

    Wow. Quite apart from the redneckery, the sheer stupidity on display is frightening.

    How did someone so stupid get to be mayor?

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • andrew llewellyn,

    How did someone so stupid get to be mayor?

    Heh, even stupider voters.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Can't say I'm excessively impressed with the level of baiting by his correspondent either. "Redneck capital of New Zealand"? And why don't you also kindly fuck off?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Someone really needs to do a Laws / Downfall video.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Hadyn Green,

    I knew Trolls had a use

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report

  • Mikaere Curtis,

    Yes, it's real. Thanks Russ, for putting this up.

    How did someone so stupid get to be mayor?

    Perhaps by appealing to a fear that many conservatives share: that there really is a PC conspiracy.

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    Noting the date and time as the point where I gave up on satire as pointless.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    My theory is that you don't give a rats about the "h" deal

    If you watched Laws on the news last night he really seemed genuinely gutted. I think if he was exploiting bigotry for political advantage he's be delighted at the chance to play the victim, a la Larry Baldock after Key refused to change the smacking law. Instead he's devastated. I don't think Laws is playing the race card, I think he personally really hates Maori people and culture and is furious at the idea that they might prevail over him.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    By the way, didn't you also tell those kids in Otaki that shouldn't get angry over something like the "h" issue? Now the people of Wanganui (according to you) are "angry, upset and disappointed". Maybe they should just get over it and start worrying about important issues like child abuse and child murder.

    Oh snap .

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    Can't say I'm excessively impressed with the level of baiting by his correspondent either. "Redneck capital of New Zealand"? And why don't you also kindly fuck off?

    This kind of 'them and us' type reaction to uncomfortable behaviour is pretty standard among a certain groups, and comes to the fore when things intensify. It's something I'm also uncomfortable with, not least because it serves those who can use it for wedge politics.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    I don't think Laws is playing the race card, I think he personally really hates Maori people and culture and is furious at the idea that they might prevail over him.

    Mmm, not quite - I suspect he's the kind of man whose best friends are Maori, if you know what I mean.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Whoops,

    Lhaws = NZ's version of Glenn Beck



    Discuss.

    here • Since Apr 2007 • 105 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    Latent fascism? I presume Mr Lhaws considers the latent part of that to be the insult, rather than the fascist. Given his poster-boy status for the latter.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Lhaws = NZ's version of Glenn Beck

    Discuss.

    Could try harder. (But let's hope he doesn't.)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • LegBreak,

    Lost :

    One plot.

    If found, please send to:
    M Laws
    c/- Wanganui City Council
    Note; the spelling is important, otherwise he’ll put it straight into the bin.

    What I want is his e-mail address. Might drop him a line.

    He’s pretty free with the word fascism, isn’t he?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart,

    Can't say I'm excessively impressed with the level of baiting by his correspondent either

    That's not really the point, Giovanni. Michael Laws is an elected official and is supposed to rise above petty provocation and be a bit more professional. It's very dispiriting that there seems to be a constituency willing to cheer on his kind of boorishness.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    a Laws / Downfall video

    Yes please.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant,

    Perhaps by appealing to a fear that many conservatives share: that there really is a PC conspiracy.

    Should we start one, just to mock them?

    (And obviously, it would have to have Templars in it. You can't have a proper conspiracy without them)

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Joshua Drummond,

    So "latent fascism" is funny, but it really does seem a bit bait-happy. I enjoy Laws being angry as much as the next guy, but this just seems to be glorying in his downfall. I guess the question is why Laws responded at all to something like this?

    Since Nov 2006 • 119 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    That's not really the point, Giovanni. Michael Laws is an elected official and is supposed to rise above petty provocation and be a bit more professional. It's very dispiriting that there seems to be a constituency willing to cheer on this kind of boorishness.

    I'm not sure that the answer is pestering the elected official with more petty provocation. And really, this idea that W(h)anganui is redneck country is just annoying bullshit.

    I think the fact that somebody like Michael Laws got to be mayor should give us a certain amount of pause, but this email exchange here actually plays entirely into his hands.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart,

    Well, I can't disagree with you there, Giovanni, but Laws has still got to be held responsible for his behaviour. It looks to me like he just plays to the gallery as he knows that his supporters love this kind of puerile stuff.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • JoJo,

    Doesn't he have a comms manager? Or a PR advisor? Or anyone that will say 'Look, Michael, I know what you're trying to say here, but you just sound like a dick'.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 95 posts Report

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