Posts by simon g

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  • Hard News: Anatomy of a Shambles,

    Radio New Zealand has seen the e-mails (discussed up-thread):

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/60105/emails-contradict-warners-on-hobbit-boycott

    Looks like Warner Bros have been "disingenuous" (as they say in Parliament).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Voting Local 2010,

    Naughty Len Brown. We haven't seen such shameless behaviour since John Banks at the National Party conference three months ago.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    Now Campbell Live is parroting the Herald, almost word for word. I despair (actually no, I complain, and already have to TV3).

    If Ms Lal had been excluded from the contest, for not "looking Indian", then that would be a legitimate story. But she wasn't.

    If she had been discriminated against by the judges, then that would be a story. But she wasn't. She won.

    It's a story to celebrate, to demonstrate the fucking ABSENCE of fucking racism (yeah, I'm going a bit Keith in my rage).

    But the story that so excites the Herald and Campbell Live is, in its entirety, that at a function, a few people booed. Yes, a few is always too many. As are the few but too many who make racist comments any weekend at sports events, or who get pissed and obnoxious on a Saturday night, or any other example of boorish behaviour.

    But otherwise, sure, it's just like Paul Henry. Fuck off.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    On the Herald "race row" story:

    What's notable is not the similarity with Paul Henry, but the differences. There's no statement from the organisers saying "If any of you chose to be offended, whatever." There is no statement from the PR spoke saying "Indians think like that, but not out loud."

    In fact, everybody involved that the Herald rushed to for a juicy quote, let the reporter down. TVNZ could do worse than hire them. I suppose "sensible comments don't inflame race row" would be a bit long for a headline.

    Oh, and this gets the Henry medal for "I'm not racist, I just don't get it" ...

    Ms Lal, whose father is a Fiji Indian and mother a New Zealander

    Because we all know what they look like?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    The Nobel Peace Prize was announced on Friday, October 8.

    http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2010/press.html

    So let's say October 9, NZ time. Saturday morning.

    The Prime Minister was asked about it on Monday afternoon.

    In between, he found the time to appear on "This is Your Life", go to Eden Park, and probably other places with television cameras.

    We are not talking about the winner of the Central Slovenian Synchronised Swimming Championships. The Nobel Peace Prize is headline news all over the world, and there had already been official reaction from France, Germany, USA, UK, Australia ... probably from the Central Slovenia Swimming Club, for that matter.

    But ... our Prime Minister wasn't briefed.

    If he hadn't been told, over nearly three whole days, then we have the world's slowest officials. They must live in the 1950's.

    If he had been told and didn't care, so much the worse.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Voting Local 2010,

    Wellington, on Wednesday?

    *fingers crossed*

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Busytown: Front, man,

    I expect we're all about ready to run out the room screaming at the next mention of "Paul Henry", but if anyone's a glutton for punishment ...

    Here's Michele Hewitson's interview with him, two and a half years ago.

    I don't know if TVNZ bosses bother reading the Herald, but it's not like Henry was pretending to be Geoff Robinson. "This is who I am", he said. Nobody heard.

    (or rather, they heard, and wanted more ...)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Morning in Auckland,

    TV3's The Nation are having a "Diversity Debate", in which Sean Plunket is joined by three other white men.

    But still, they're managing to make some good points. When did Former Evil Nat Philip Burdon become so good? No weasel words, very clear rejection of racism. I want to vote for him.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Morning in Auckland,

    It'll be interesting to see how things play out when Henry returns. I'd love to see him make some bitter bigoted gaffe, and have his fellow presenters take a stand and walk out.

    If they don't, they might want to remember that we've just watched Wendy Petrie (newsreader) introduce the story featuring a clip of Wendy Petrie (Breakfast host) sitting next to Paul Henry and indulging him in his 'Dikshit' performance.

    Karma TV, it's a must-see.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Morning in Auckland,

    And in other news, the chicken didn't actually cross the road.

    Lawyers, eh? Get the facts. Not the jokes.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

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