Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Loving your dog and owning your words

185 Responses

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

  • Corin H,

    Granted Stephen Franks is going to lose Wgtn Central anyway, but could this be our own 'macaca' moment?

    And despite Agenda's baseless accusation, James has no affiliation with the Labour Party, he's a Green Party Member.

    Since Jan 2007 • 14 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    And despite Agenda's baseless accusation, James has no affiliation with the Labour Party, he's a Green Party Member.

    What we learnt in this election cycle is that you cannot record a politician in a public forum, and that (hat tip: Jane Clifton) only accredited journalists should be allowed to report on politics, lest the poor voter should be confused via exposure to the difference between what a politician says and what a a politician actually thinks.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Major points for Grant. Not only was he able to throw the damaging quote out in the forum, but he was able to do so after basically being asked to do so by the National Party candidate, having just said that he wouldn't bring them up.

    Stephen Franks, less smart than the average bear.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Stephen Franks, less smart than the average bear.

    That's actually a rather jolly figure of speech, in context.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    "Republican Idol "

    That's just perfect.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Stephen Franks, less smart than the average bear.

    Pah. Less smart than the average beer.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    It is all a plot, he believes, "to paint me as homophobic".

    I've no idea if Franks is homophobic, but if he's not, he's really got to tighten up on his choice of language. His glib answer is what's got him into trouble, nothing anyone else says and re-watching the clip, I can't see how Grant could be accused of setting him up... as you say, he's digging his own hole (though at 60 on the list, you'd think he'd hit sedimentary rock soon)

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Well, before we get too precious about "The Agenda panellists, MSM stalwarts that they are, ruminate darkly about the potential "chilling effects" of candidates being recorded on the campaign trail." I thought Gavin Ellis made an entirely fair point about context -- it's easy for anyone, whether "MSM stalwarts" or "MSM stalwarts" to make someone look like a fuckwit, or elide all that annoying context for a more punchy soundbite.

    And while Grant may find the observation that "'I love my dog but that doesn't mean I should be able to marry it" not particularly "positive" (ugh) towards "the queer community" gag. I would like a bit more context -- now, if Franks really thinks homosexuality is equivalent to bestiality, or homosexuals are animals I've got a mountain of bones to pick with Mr. Franks. If it's a rather odd way of making the observation that (as someone interjected) "loving someone" really isn't enough, I'd say he's just stating a fact. You try marrying a first cousin, sibling or someone who is alreadt married.

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

  • Paul Williams,

    it's easy for anyone, whether "MSM stalwarts" or "MSM stalwarts" to make someone look like a fuckwit, or elide all that annoying context for a more punchy soundbite.

    Particularly when presented with a range of glib answers delivered with a derisory grin!

    Frank's is the dog of this piece Craig. Sure the MSM might be able to spin a turd from candy floss, but Franks is a perfect candidate for parody. His smug, dismissive tone and high-handedness scream out of this clip and he deserves the media slap he's getting - I'd have more tolerance if he'd just simply and quickly said "sorry, that came out wrong, what I mean is..."

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    If it's a rather odd way of making the observation that (as someone interjected) "loving someone" really isn't enough, I'd say he's just stating a fact. You try marrying a first cousin, sibling or someone who is already married.

    You can marry a first cousin.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Particularly when presented with a range of glib answers delivered with a derisory grin!

    Well, Paul, I can curse soundbite culture to Olympic standards, but there's also part of me that says when you're seeing a candidate for the Presidency derided as a platitudinous preacher man for talking in complete sentences (while a rather vile gag about canine maquillage turns Sarah Palin into the Paris Hilton of world politics), you reap what you sow.

    Perhaps Duncan Garner would stop the rather lame "gotcha!" non-stories, and politicians wouldn't talk in mindless blipverts, if someone wasn't telling them that they work.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    I thought Gavin Ellis made an entirely fair point about context -- it's easy for anyone, whether "MSM stalwarts" or "MSM stalwarts" to make someone look like a fuckwit, or elide all that annoying context for a more punchy soundbite.

    True, in the sense that this is exactly what happens when the TV news is put together, every night of the week. The clip isn't unfairly edited, the context is clear -- and Franks is making a fool of himself by claiming to be the victim of a gay conspiracy.

    That's the story for me -- I didn't even bother remarking on the clip when it was posted a couple of weeks ago. But when it gets discussed on grown-up TV and Franks subsequently loses the plot and starts raving about the gays ...

    You try marrying a first cousin, sibling or someone who is alreadt married.

    As Ben pointed out in the DogBitingMen post, the "love my dog" analogy falls apart the moment you observe that you can have your dog put down any time you like. It's just a stupid thing to say.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    you reap what you sow.

    Yup, something Franks ought to be pondering before he next speaks.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Sue,

    this would be the same stephen franks who spammed everyone in wellington on facebook to add as a friend.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    As Ben pointed out in the DogBitingMen post, the "love my dog" analogy falls apart the moment you observe that you can have your dog put down any time you like. It's just a stupid thing to say.

    Um, I guess this would be a bad time to point out that my partner has a durable power of attorney and quite clear instructions regarding my wishes if I ever find myself in a persistent vegetative state.

    But, sure, I agree with you that it's really silly bringing pets into it. (One of the more ridiculous arguments against same-sex marriage is that it's the slippery slope to polygamy, incest and bestiality.) But I also think it's equally stupid to say "love is enough" when it's a simple matter of fact that the Marriage and Civil Union Acts do explicitly prohibit marriage/CU on grounds of age, affinity or where one or both parties are already married/CUP-cakes.

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

  • JohnAmiria,

    It's just a stupid thing to say.

    Yes, it was. Right up there with 'the Bible says Adam and Eve, not Adam & Steve' and should be treated as such. Franks presumably made that comment when speaking to people who wanted to hear exactly that. That he's been called on it won't change anyone's opinion of him.

    Hoary old clichés about people voting for someone they'd like to have a beer with were thumpingly borne out:

    I'm confused. Are you saying the cliché is true or not true? Because I got hammered in the other thread for trotting out an old cliché...

    But yes, I think it is true. American's do seem to prefer to vote for someone they think they can have a beer with. Which is why the Republicans are trying hard to paint Obama as an 'elitist'. It's why Clinton was seen having a beer and a whiskey chaser during her Primary run.

    But she's been one-upped by Palin and the whole VPILF thing (which the 'family values' Republicans have done nothing to squash). Perhaps in a few years we'll be reduced to 'Which Presidential Candidate would you like to watch doing your wife?" instead of having a beer with. In which case I'd hope Obama would romp home ahead of McCain. Americans are funny.

    hither and yon • Since Aug 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Perhaps in a few years we'll be reduced to 'Which Presidential Candidate would you like to watch doing your wife?" instead of having a beer with. In which case I'd hope Obama would romp home ahead of McCain. Americans are funny.

    Wow, we just went there! The half-life of this thread's going to be amusing while it last...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Perhaps in a few years we'll be reduced to 'Which Presidential Candidate would you like to watch doing your wife?" instead of having a beer with. In which case I'd hope Obama would romp home ahead of McCain. Americans are funny.

    I think that puts Palin on top of the ticket. So to speak.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    Since moving from the drama-filled Epsom electorate to Wellington Central, I hadn't really been paying much attention to who my local MP was or who the candidates were at this election.

    But last Wednesday, at the Wellington Twitter meetup (heaps of fun!) I met Grant Robertson who'd been casually invited along. He recognised my name and we worked out it was from here, but I was also impressed that he knew of the Wellingtonista blog. He seems to be engaged with and understands the Wellington things that I like, which, really, is what I want in an electorate politician.

    I haven't heard anything from Mr Franks.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Sue,

    bet he'll be asking you to be his friend on facebook soon robyn
    LUCKY!!!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report Reply

  • JohnAmiria,

    Wow, we just went there!

    No, no ... I just had a touch of the Ranapias. As you were ...

    hither and yon • Since Aug 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • dc_red,

    American's do seem to prefer to vote for someone they think they can have a beer with.

    Romney never had a chance then?

    Good - nothing pisses me off faster than a hectoring, moralizing conservative (Shipley used to try that sometimes).

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    bet he'll be asking you to be his friend on facebook soon robyn
    LUCKY!!!

    Hey, anybody see that episode of The Chaser where they invited all of Kevin Rudd's Facebook 'friends' over to his house?

    I just mention this in passing...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Perhaps in a few years we'll be reduced to 'Which Presidential Candidate would you like to watch doing your wife?"

    Or your dog? (Say if it had lipstick on).

    And on that note....

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I'm confused. Are you saying the cliché is true or not true? Because I got hammered in the other thread for trotting out an old cliché...

    Ah yes. But I had the magic dataz ...

    But she's been one-upped by Palin and the whole VPILF thing (which the 'family values' Republicans have done nothing to squash). Perhaps in a few years we'll be reduced to 'Which Presidential Candidate would you like to watch doing your wife?" instead of having a beer with. In which case I'd hope Obama would romp home ahead of McCain. Americans are funny.

    Heh.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 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.