Thursday, October 20, 2011

Just a Little SMOG part deux

We blogged yesterday about Andrew Little's Facebook SMOG. But it was all just a Little joke; the Herald reports:

Former Labour president Andrew Little is not resiling from his "humorous, satirical" suggestion that Auckland councillor George Wood would like to end the Occupy protest in Aotea Square by gunning protesters down.

Mr Little, who is standing in New Plymouth this election, made the comments on Mr Wood's Facebook page yesterday in response to a post from the former policeman and former Mayor of North Shore.


Now, we've never met Andrew Little in person. But from what we've seen of him in the public domain, we wouldn't have thought that he was particularly of the humourous or satirical ilk; he generally comes across as somewhat scholarly and serious.

And although he could have shut this down with a quick apology, he's allowed his SMOG to fester. Perhaps we should remind him of WhaleOil's Rules of Politics, and in particular this one:

Rule #1: If you're explaining, you're losing

34 comments:

gravedodger said...

"scholarly and serious", surely you jest Iv2, sour, humorless and ideologically driven, his public personna.
It will manifest as his illadvised and idiotic decision to stand in NP will form the basis for his political epitaph.
Awarenes of his stupidity with New Zealands apparent mantra that a party leader really needs an electorate power base for wider acceptability, looming.

robertguyton said...

This attack on Little is boring and trite.

Jacqueline said...

Andrew Little is a good man.

Are you going to do a blog post in relation to what Councillor Dick Quax called the protesters?

robertguyton said...

What did Quax quack,Jac?

Inventory2 said...

You mean boring and trite like your attacks on the PM's diction and nose Robert?

It's hardly an attack, in any event. It's merely a comment on a story in the nation's largest daily newspaper.

Jacqueline said...

Honestly INV2 if you are trying to say that those comments were not said as a joke, then there is something wrong with you. Do you really think Little would seriously suggest ice guns to freeze them?

Why no blog regarding Cathy Odger's suggestion that the protesters be hosed down every hour on the hour?

I can't believe you are making a big deal of this.

Seriously - if this is all you have to pick at Labour about today, then they are doing something right.

And i know why you will not comment re Dick Quax's nasty comments - because you said the very same thing about the protesters.

robertguyton said...

"Diction and Nose"?
Sounds like a ratings agency.

Inventory2 said...

Maybe I haven't commented on Dick Quax's comments because I haven't seen them; gotta link?

And Cathy Odgers isn't a candidate for pulic office; that comment was pretty moderate by her standards!

robertguyton said...

Inv2 and Quax - a pair of nasties?

Inventory2 said...

@ Rob; I was thinking more like a Cosmetic Surgery practice...

Jacqueline said...

"a rag tag bunch of losers"

is what Dick Quax quacked re the protesters.

I am tempted to go join the losers. I really am. For the simple that it makes me so angry that some people think that they don't have a right to free expression and assembly.

We are not living in Nazi Germany last time i checked.

robertguyton said...

Very nearly a terrible mis-step there, Inv2, with your Odgers comment!
Better take care today, the eyes of the world are on you!

Inventory2 said...

I don't know if I've ever called them "losers" Jacqui, but I've certainly called John Minto and his mates a rag-tag bunch of protesters before.

robertguyton said...

Jacqueline - your anger at those who belittle the protesters and the reasons for their protest is shared by a rapidly increasing groundswell of ordinary people world-wide. Inv2 has not only missed all of the clues, he has foolishly aligned himself with the likes of Quax and Odgers in smearing and sneering. It's a mistake Inv2 and his curl-lipped mates will dearly regret.

Inventory2 said...

Cheers for that Rob; of course, I meant "public office"!!

Jacqueline said...

Robert - agreed.

The issues that they are protesting about are rapidly becoming secondary to the fact that people want to take away their right to do so. THAT is what makes me so angry about this whole situation. The more the powers that be try to silence them, the bigger this gets...and i am glad.

http://youtu.be/S880UldxB1o

That is a video that everyone should watch.

Inv2 - i usually laugh when you have strong opinions that i disagree with. I usually can see at least some little reason for you thinking the way that you do but on this issue, i find your opinion scary.

Lesley said...

The word must have got around - "Defend Andrew Little no matter what". He should never have picked on George Wood like he did.If I were those protestors I would be leaving pretty quickly. With the Mana Party involved why would you want to be associated with Hone Harawira now?

Moist von Lipwig said...

"I am tempted to go join the losers. I really am."

Oooooo...Stamp your little foot Jacqueline .....go on do.
Of course the more accurate reply would be "you already are"

Inventory2 said...

I'm not sure what I've said that could be construed as "scary" Jacqui. In my posts last week, I made it clear that I uphold the right to protest, but I was concerned at the timing of this particular protest. I also commented on Sunday that rugby fans should take care NOT to engage with the protesters, as confrontation would be counter-productive.

But this protest has strayed far from the aims of the "Occupy" movement. Have patience; within the next couple of hours I will have a post up based on a link sent to me this morning by another blogger from the south, although not quite as far south as Robert dwells; you may find it of interest.

Jacqueline said...

Your point Moist?

As usual you make no sense, and seem to have no opinion of your own. You are just being rude.

Good on ya.

homepaddock said...

The first bit of his comment was sarcastic which could be excused as humour but then he stooped to personal abuse which definitely wasn't funny.

James Stephenson said...

Seen elsewhere on the web:

"Following the success of the Occupy Wall Street protests, a similar demonstration is being planned in Germany. They're going for the tried and trusted "Occupy Poland" approach."

I don't think that counts as Godwin does it?

jabba said...

Andrew does not do humour .. bObby G tries to match his brother Ali G in the humour stakes but fails and Jacqueline is anti John Key as much as booby is so nothing new here.
Keep up with your boring boring rubbish bOOby, you are good for a laugh

robertguyton said...

Jabba - I was reading (on-line) the news from the village of your birth, and there's a tremendous sand storm heading right for it! I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but apparently, the whole camel-herd is under threat and the date palms too!
If I were you, I'd be buying a ticket (Turkish Airways has the cheapest seats at the moment) and head back to the ol' oasis to help out your fellow villagers. Allah-speed, jabba!

Sir Loin said...

"Godwin" by Jacqueline ? The free speech argument is tedious , fallacious and unimaginative. They could occupy a marae and have all the free speech they want.

They are infringing on my rates as a ratepayer to walk unimpeded through Aotea Square.They should have their benefits cut as they not making themselves available to work.

The protesters should be told to go , then the water cannons should be brought in but do we have water cannons ?

Pitt Street fire station is 60 seconds away by fire engine. If the firefighters won't do it , bring in the army.

robertguyton said...

Sir Loin, your presence in Aotea Square is infringing on my right to occupy the space your body does as you stand there, slack-jawed and gormless.
I demand that you don't go there.
Inv2 - I'm worried about jabba and his کاروانسرای (caravanserai) - do you think we could have a whip-around?

robertguyton said...

I'm more than happy to start the ball rolling. Will lira be okay, jabba?

Sir Loin said...

robertguyton - uh huh ?

Anonymous said...

Robert,

I am getting very close to making an OIA request to Southland DC to find out exactly what they are putting in your water down there mate.

There must be something that is slowly taking away your mental facilities.

Do you think it is the water, or just an early on-set of age related dementia?

As always, concerned with your health and well being.

Ross

robertguyton said...

Sir Loin - there's that 'slack-jawed' thing, right there.
Ross - read tomorrows Southland Express, where I explain exactly what's wrong with the water down here!

Sir Loin said...

"I don't know if I've ever called them "losers" Jacqui, but I've certainly called John Minto and his mates a rag-tag bunch of protesters before."

INV2 - I think the taxpayers and ratepayers are the losers when this bunch of un-medicated lunatics act on & out one their paranoid fantasies about blue helmets , gunships , the world network of Jewish bankers , chem-trails , big pharma , big oil, communist revolution against oppressive tax paying job providing corporates etc etc.

Feel free to call the protestors losers - I don't mind :-)

Moist von Lipwig said...

"The first bit of his comment was sarcastic which could be excused as humour but then he stooped to personal abuse which definitely wasn't funny."

Agreed...Sorry Jaqueline.

Sir Loin said...

RG - hope you aren't writing this on Env Sthlnd time or one of their computers. If so - naughty , naughty.

robertguyton said...

That's right Sir Loin, wouldn't want to be using up all the rate-payers ink!
I am. in fact, out in the field but have access to numerous computers. How much more time have your minders allowed you on the the wards?