Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Weekend Warriors

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  • giovanni tiso,

    Not a weekend in Russell with Paris?

    That's pure genius. I hope no TV producer heard you though.

    I know this is not in the spirit of the thread but can we avoid using quantum as a term of reference.

    Yes, but then if you start down that particular road I'll be compelled ask that a function be introduced so I can send a mild electrical shock to the nest poster who uses the word "meme". Which is also misapplied, and derives from one of the most stupid concepts in the history of Western thought.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    (Craig Ranapia: please do not visit above link as rumours are couched in dismissive terms that might cause tenseness, plus you seem to have at least as good a source elsewhere.)

    And some of it's just plain silly. There can't be anything in Troopergate because she, um, said there wasn't. And those people she sacked? They totally deserved it. And even if they didn't, that's just politics.

    And this:

    59. yes, she did finally turn down the money for the bridge. Yes, that meant changing her mind about it.

    ... even ignores the source (a conservative blog) it links to as a cite. Even the blog notes that she didn't "turn down the money" for the bridge, after campaigning on getting it built: after Congress got antsy about the bridge itself, she kept the money and used it to fund another boondoggle.

    The author pretty much leaves out anything that doesn't suit his case. Which is hardly unusual on either side, but I don't think I'd be using it as a reference, put it that way.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    The author pretty much leaves out anything that doesn't suit his case. Which is hardly unusual on either side, but I don't think I'd be using it as a reference, put it that way.

    A news report from the The Wall Street Journal (which, editorially, is hardly a coven of "Obamaniacs") I'm very comfortable citing as a source. I'm a sucker for citations and on-the-record attribution. Sue me.

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

  • Angus Robertson,

    Um, Angus, what "rumour" was involved in my pointing out Palin attends a church whose pastor is prone to (in my view) apocalyptically over-wrought preaching every bit as obnoxious as Jeremiah Wright's. Where the text and audio links to the sermon I cited forged? Or is this just another case where the GOP can't handle the truth?

    Nothing wrong at all Craig, indeed you are citing factual material. Palin's preacher has at times past preached sermons based upon passages from the Bible concerning the apocalypse in the Book of Revelations, source material that I personally think to be over-wrought nonsense. However what the GOP knows is that 100 million plus Americans place more trust in the Bible than me. The real truth is the GOP will positively welcome a rumour that implies an elite, Harvard-type, inside-the-beltway crowd find the Bible (Book of Revelations) sneer worthy and comparable to the preaching of Jeremiah Wright.

    Putting Jeremiah Wright back on the table is double plus goodness (for the GOP). Palins preacher has a sermonised on the basis of the Bible covering the sins listed therein and what happens on the apocalypse. Wright has done much the same thing, but added in a new sin of being differently coloured.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Jan Farr,

    Indeed, and if McCain really wanted (to be crude about it) a twat to trump the nigger on the other side, Palin was the best he could do? Apart from being insufficiently ideologically rigid on on abortion (and even there more in form than substance), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinston -- who was reported on the longlist for a while -- ticks all the conservative boxes. I don't expect her politics to be applauded around these parts, but she's at least got some form.

    Craig, this sort of over-excited 10-year old use of metaphor is probably why I've decided to give all blogs headed up with your name a miss.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    The ultimate Palin rumour aggregation site is up and running. 69 and counting.

    Now 71. Great page too. I haven't gone through all the links, but it seems reasonably comprehensive. It's nice that it's playing a relatively even hand and putting up ones that are true too.

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

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Don't belive everything you read on the Internet, eh?

    From this NYTimes article.

    __This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

    Correction: September 5, 2008
    An article on Tuesday about concerns over Senator John McCain’s background check of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, his choice of running mate, misstated the history of her political party affiliation. As The Times has since reported, she has been a registered Republican since 1982; she was not for a couple of years in the 1990s a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, which advocates a vote on whether her state should secede.__

    The more I read through it, the more in awe of the authors I am.

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

  • Angus Robertson,

    ...I don't think I'd be using it as a reference, put it that way.

    Well no, but it provides quick summations of counter-spin.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    there might be something of modest monetary value but able to symbolically rekindle the joy I felt the day when the United States elected their first black president...

    So, is anyone planning an election night results party? Preferebly something like the one in last night's Mad Men, with water coolers full of Creme de Menthe.

    In fact, it seems you become an honourary member of the "liberal media" if you show any degree of scepricism, or critical analysis of the great white hope of the GOP at all.

    Welcome to the dark side, Craig!

    On a complete tangent, does anyone else here do the occasional double-take during this discussion and think for a split second that Michael Palin is running for Veep?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Craig, this sort of over-excited 10-year old use of metaphor is probably why I've decided to give all blogs headed up with your name a miss.

    verbwrangle: I'll come over all Coddington for a moment and apologise that you're offended, but that would be somewhat insincere. Back to the point, I really think the selection of Palin was that cynical and there's no point in being genteel or euphemistic about it. If McCain really wanted a woman on the ticket there's any number of Republican women (including Senator Hutchinson) who are qualified and competent but (I guess) not sufficiently ideologically pure for the theo-con base.

    So, yes verbwrangle, I would say "twat trumps nigger" as far as the GOP is concerned. I've seen no evidence that credibility, experience or mere competence came into play. And if nothing else, it really does show what the GOP really thinks about women voters, doesn't it?

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

  • Simon Grigg,

    Well no, but it provides quick summations of counter-spin

    Yes, but best left behind.

    I for one, whilst interested in the mildly relevant bits and pieces (the trooper incident has some interest to me) but utterly not interested in much of the rest (whether any of her oddly named children have had sex and who heard who call Obama a sambo) would rather focus on where a McCain admin would take the world I live in, and why am I to think that, given the Ramboistic nonsense of the RNC, it would offer anything better than the last eight years.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    and think for a split second that Michael Palin is running for Veep?

    I think I tossed the word Pythonesque at this some threads back. It stands....

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    does anyone else here do the occasional double-take during this discussion and think for a split second that Michael Palin is running for Veep?

    It's more a forlorn hope that he is.

    BTW, thanks for clarifying an earlier reference to creme de menthe water coolers which I thought slightly surreal. On current scheduling, I'll get to that ep of Mad Men just before christmas.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Well no, but it provides quick summations of counter-spin.

    True, and it's useful in that sense.

    And to be fair, Kos has been extremely unhelpful to its candidate in the way it's gone off half-cocked on several things ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Craig, perhaps you could use 'poontang' for a bit of variety. It has a wonderfully Ted Nugent-esque ring to it. :)

    If Obama wins I am going to a) get sniffly, because I am a sap, and the symbolism is so amazing, given the historical context; b) jump up and down; and c) drink a big margarita. Or seven. (Then about three months later I will be bitching about his underachieving presidency or something, probably. But it's OK, because I'm with Simon on this: McCain '08!)

    Speaking of relevant beverages (no creme de menthe, though): in 2000, on election night, I came into my friend's apartment in Houston with a big strawberry limeade from Sonic, and he said 'Gore took Florida!' and we hugged, and I spilled the cherry limeade on his carpet as a result. I think the stain is still there. And it wasn't even worth it, because they reversed the Florida decision about an hour later... sigh.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    So, is anyone planning an election night results party? Preferebly something like the one in last night's Mad Men, with water coolers full of Creme de Menthe.

    I once sculled a pint of Creme de Menthe, which is down as Reason To Stop Drinking Number... oh, I forget Have you ever had minty-fresh vomit come out your nose? Does wonders for the sinuses -- everything else is screwed.

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

  • Danielle,

    Have you ever had minty-fresh vomit come out your nose?

    Jeez, if I had a dime for every time I've been asked that question...

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    I once sculled a pint of Creme de Menthe

    Channeling Billy Connolly!? Oh, and I recognised the Ted Nugent (are he & Emily still together?) reference too.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    But it's OK, because I'm with Simon on this: McCain '08

    This is why we need Chris Rattue to declare that Obama is a dead-cert and that McCain has no earthly chance. Then all will be fine!

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    Oops - I meant McCain dead cert, Obama no chance ....

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    Spoke to friends in Philadelphia in the weekend who are consoling themselves with the theory that most of the polls are conducted on land lines and miss a big chunk of Democrat-leaning, mobile phone toting young voters.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Craig, perhaps you could use 'poontang' for a bit of variety. It has a wonderfully Ted Nugent-esque ring to it. :)

    If English was good enough for Jesus, it's more than good enough for you, Missy! (Context here) :)

    If Obama wins I am going to...

    start getting all Bible-thumpy and reciting, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7 - King James Version)

    And what have the Republican sown, but a total abandonment to any pretence of being a conservative party in any meaningful sense. At least eight years out of power -- not only out of the White House, but with the real possibility of the Democrats willing filibuster/veto proof majorities in both houses of Congress -- will be a richly deserved harvest of bitter fruit.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    Sorry if someone else has posted this somewhere, but it is teh awesome:

    If only ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    "I will reach out my hand to anyone...

    "...and grab it so Sarah can bite it off, then watch you bleed to death."

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

  • Simon Grigg,

    Spoke to friends in Philadelphia in the weekend who are consoling themselves with the theory that most of the polls are conducted on land lines and miss a big chunk of Democrat-leaning, mobile phone toting young voters.

    Not true:

    Interviews are conducted with respondents on land-line telephones (for respondents with a land-line telephone) and cellular phones (for respondents who are cell-phone only).

    ewwwesssayyyyy! ewwwesssayyyyy! ewwwesssayyyyy!

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

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