Posts by Craig Ranapia
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to llew40,
There is a lot more common ground between Brown and Government than most people realise.
Yes – and anyone who thinks any Mayor has ever gone to Wellington and left with a blank cheque really needs to get their heads into this universe. That would be the universe where anyone who expects to get their own way in all things, preferably yesterday, should stay the hell out of politics, full stop and period.
(And to be blunt about it, I know plenty of people in National Party circles who'd much rather work and get things done with Brown than any of his likely replacements.)
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Brown Derangement Syndrome Watch:
Kerre McIvor: Come out of hiding Mr Mayor.
I can understand why he would want to steer clear of questioning about his sordid affair but when it comes to presenting his vision for Auckland's future he has a responsibility to answer questions.
What will the projects cost ratepayers? What are the options?
But anywhere he fears there might be a challenge he steers clear. NewsTalk ZB is the No1 rating station and it is unprofessional of the mayor to hide from such a huge audience.
McIvor seems rather shocked by the notion of politicians not accepting ever interview request, but it's funny how she also forgets to mention that she's employed by the radio station on whose behalf she's taking umbridge. Now, what's that you're saying about "professionalism", Kerre?
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to Russell Brown,
Cameron Brewer is claiming vindication, but this doesn’t back up his claim that the whole “bevy of heavies” was for the mayor. It’s two of seven security guards added without reference to the mayor’s office, at a total cost of about $200.
OK, this might be borderline trolling but someone needs to ask Councillor Brewer if he really thinks Auckland Transport have lied about this? YMMV, but one of the more ugly aspects of this whole thing is the way council employees who were totally unable to defend themselves have been casually accused of downright sleaze and corruption.
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to Jim Cathcart,
Is Len Brown really worth the effort?
Yes – because I’m the kind of crank who thinks the media and self-appointed morals cops don’t get to overturn free, fair and credible elections. That doesn't mean anyone is beyond scrutiny and criticism, but it's rather naive to pretend we haven't crossed that line a long time ago.
It’s really that simple.
(And I’m really over the same people hang-wringing about the cost of the very investigation they screamed for. Wonder if the real problem is that the outcome wasn’t to their liking?)
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to Russell Brown,
And apparently the consulate has been trying to communicate this to the Herald since yesterday afternoon.
Oh, well – perhaps Shayne Currie might decide to put his big boy editor pants on if he gets a phone call from the Japanese Ambassador asking that they be left right out of this nonsense.
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to Russell Brown,
But newspapers sometimes take editorial stances or embark on campaigns as a matter of branding and that’s what the Herald did here. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out as a populist pitch and they’ve basically cornered themselves. Hence, awkward contrivances like today’s lead story.
That’s a good call, Russell, but I think there’s also a side of good old fashioned ego. The Herald went all in on this, and came up snake eyes. It’s a hard, ego-scarifying thing to own (been there, done that – and not always gracefully or promptly) but genuinely owning your fuck ups without a lawyer or court order forcing your hand? That is a sign of strength NOT weakness, in my book.
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to Russell Brown,
I’ve been able to confirm with someone with direct knowledge of the event that the security was simply a standard hire for such an event.
Yup – David (who has been working in the rail industry for fifty years, and is now a planning officer with Transdev Auckland so what does he know?) nailed that beat-up with one word:
Bullshit.
Utterly bog-standard planning, and cheap-as-chips compared to the additional staff laid on this past weekend around the Nines (and the Lantern Festival and the Odd Future-free Eminem gig) to ensure public transport ran as smoothly as humanly possible. Profligate monsters! :)
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And, of course, if Brown isn't at the Howick Military Tattoo, I'm sure Orsman would just cut and paste The Herald's last "AWOL Mayor proves he's out of touch with the community, and must go" screed after getting a quote from Stewart weeping crocodile tears about the Mayor's snub to the whole community.
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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,
An entire post criticising the opponents of a politician without basically once addressing their arguments? Isn’t this textbook ad hominem?
Not quite, Graeme. Their arguments, such as they are, really have been kicked around here in exhaustive, and exhausting, detail. Do we all really have to hit the reset button and start from scratch every damn time Len Brown and his borderline stalkers come up?
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Hard News: Bad Judgement, in reply to Biobbs,
Thanks for the reply - and I think you (and others) have nailed something really interesting: In general, there's a presumption that most people have fundamentally sound judgement and the ability to seek (and follow) advice around the margins. And so you should, otherwise it would be terribly hard to run any organization.
But I guess the flip side of that is the human genius for not seeing what we don't want to, and making situations a lot more complicated than they need to be (or really are).
Ah well...