Posts by simon g

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  • Hard News: Bad men,

    One way to improve trials/verdicts is ... to take part.

    How many people do you know who have opted out of jury service? Sometimes for valid reasons, sometimes ... not.

    Wouldn't it be wonderful if the wisdom of Public Address was transferred from computer screen to the jury room?

    Sorry, but this is a BIG gripe of mine. Armchair solutions in theory and active indifference in practice. Grrrrr.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bad men,

    At least some of the jury members will probably have known, or at least vaguely heard, about previous trials. And when you are stuck together for days - even overnight, as this jury was - with nothing in common except the trial, then these extraneous things are mentioned. Maybe not as part of the official deliberations, but in chats, over a coffee, during those regular dull periods (there are many). Just like office gossip. The jury is not 12 people in a board meeting with an agenda and a brisk, no-nonsense chair.

    The information should be suppressed. That doesn't mean jurors won't talk abouut it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Arguments,

    That last sentence is brilliant. Own up, who's the satirist?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Testify!,

    Surely the events of the past week finally prove the existence of God, at least in Godzone? Resurrections, miracles, sinners redeemed, faith rewarded, the devil defeated ...

    Oh W.G. Grace, how sweet the sound,
    That saved a wretch like me....
    I once was lost but now am found,
    Was blind, but now, I see.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Politics 08,

    National will be ahead in the polls. Key will be warm and woolly and all-inclusive.

    Then, Bob Clarkson will open his mouth ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Chew before swallowing,

    Was it just me or was John's little car ride with the young Maori girl, when he swung on her and said (to the camera I think), "We're going to have a good time arn't we?" totally fecking Pygmalian?

    He's got off lightly, hasn't he? Maybe it's the summer vibe, the Waitangi-happy-harmony theme, or just that sweet boyish smile you can't resist. But in any society with a functioning fourth estate he would have been torn to pieces for that stunt. Scoop's story on Madonna was about as sharp as it got.

    Close-Up, with Aroha's mum and little brother, was excruciating. Jeremy Wells, where are you?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Random Play: The writing on the Wall,

    I have yet to hear a good argument about how to deal with the Islamic threat from the Left, or don't they think it exists?

    Invade Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt and anywhere else which has a lot of Muslims, and a government that is on "our" side when required, but has a poor record on human rights? No, maybe that wouldn't help.

    You don't seriously believe Iraq is about "the Islamic threat", do you?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Kia Ora Bernadine,

    Simon greeted us with "Kia Ora" today.

    I smell a story. Is Bernie O-K OK with KO?

    Still to come ... "One News Denies Rift".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Kia Ora Bernadine,

    Or "good evening to you", as you now say on One News.

    Why the change? Whose decision? Top-down? Bottom-up? Is it a weekend thing? I think we should be told.

    And how would you like the nation's newsreaders to greet us? For my part, I'd like a 6 pm hug.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News with Simon Dallow,

    Lead story on both 6 p.m. news bulletins tonight: the murders in Suffolk, England.

    Why?

    I turned off in disgust, so please put me straight if there was a NZ angle or some wider global significance.

    Meantime, better check the locks and bolt down those windows. There's a killer on the loose, and he's only 20,000 km away. I blame the government.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

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