In all the noise and media hubris over John Key's refusal to answer questions yesterday, the Greens were the major beneficiary. The revelations that a Green Party member (now ex-member) and the partner of Russel Norman's Executive Assistant (now suspended) co-ordinated and had knowledge of (respectively) a plan to commit widespread vandalism on National Party billboards went unnoticed yesterday.
They shouldn't, for there are still far too many questions and far too few answers. The media has been so determined to cause the downfall of John Key that Russel Norman's "assurances" have been taken as gospel; he has not been given anywhere near the same level of media scrutiny as the PM, when the accusations against the Greens are arguably far more serious.
And what of other Green MP's? Metiria Turei, the Greens co-leader with Norman, and from a self-confessed anarchist background has been silent. We've not heard a word from Catherine Delahunty, a close associate of Sue Bradford's; whilst Bradford condemned the Greens for selling out and apologising. And Gareth Hughes' silence on social media has been noted; for the last few weeks Hughes has been travelling the length and breadth of the land creating an impressive carbon footprint and telling the world about it; since mid-morning Tuesday, he's barely been sighted on Twitter or Facebook; coincidence?
Perhaps Duncan Garner or Patrick Gower should infiltrate a Green media conference today, and fire repetitive questions at Russel Norman. There's a reason why the hard answers haven't been given yet; the hard questions have yet to be asked.
16 comments:
In 2005 the pledge card rort broke at the same time as the anti-Green brochures and it was the latter, less important, story that got the attention.
The same thing's happening now. the storm in a tea cup is getting the focus when the bigger story is the well organised and funded vandalism.
Quick look over there, it's something other than the PM making a fool of himself! Look! Look! Please look! Are you always this biased and transparent?
Aninymouse @7.41 the PM has not committed an offense against the electoral and other acts.
The Greens and their members have.
the media are all but hiding their extreme socialist viewpoints, and despite National's record for far left policy implementation and a steadfast refusal to break the chains imposed by Helengrad, its all too much for them. The MSM, particularly the Watermelons infiltrating TV3 and the herald, are steadfast in their opposition to anything that might resemble a pathway to plugging holes which are sinking the good ship NZ Liberty
Anon: the level of bias here is nothing compared to that of the NZ media. The electoral statements made by the Greens with their NATIONWIDE defacement campaign, is the issue. Will the printing and distribution costs of the stickers be accounted for? The law is quite clear. They need to be accounted for, there needs to be a promoters statement and authorisation... none of which is forthcoming to date.
Have complaints been laid with the Electoral commission yet?
Nice try - no cigar. The only story in town is, to quote John Armstrong, a "weak and shifty" PM.
Sorry - I was wrong - the crumbling ACT vote in Epsom, after the "cup of tea - tells a story too.
Could it get any worse in any given 24 hours?
"Yesterday, the grinning Prime Minister walked in Phil Goff and Helen Clark's shoes and autographed a banknote - technically breaking the law."
And the guy is a money man. He had to know better, so this is worse than a mistake. It's dodgy as.
Mr Key has higher standards as those terrible lefties eh iINV2. When will you finally admit your emperor really does have no clothes? It is so obvious for all to see, except you it seems.
RW no. Just no.
Armstrong is as guilty as the rest of the media. Armstrong's line sums it up - "...everones talking about..". Well they're not. What everyone wants is information about how the mess the economy in is going to be fixed. "everyone" in Armstrongs piece is actually everyone in medialand.
Thats why the story of an illegal recording of a private conversation has so much airtime is because it's about the media talking about themselves. It's no wonder more and more they're becoming known as the Lame Stream Media.
Paranormal
@ Anon (7.41am) - it may have escaped your jaundiced eye, but I had two posts yesterday over the Storm in a Teacup. Other things have taken precedence this morning, such as morning ablutions, breakfast, driving to work and actually doing something productive.
I'm all for Act and the Nats getting their comeuppance on this, I'd rather see a centre left government
... but I've had a thought.. what if the tapes refer to Bank's son and his traumatic period last year re King's College and his mates.
Which could be why the PM made mention of private conversations about personal issues being published. And that would be why he raised NOTW as a case in point too, with the girl and her family being the victims.
I think that would justify keeping the tape a secret. It is talk of a family member. But Key needs to say this is the case if it truly is. And then have that verified by third parties.
Thant's a very interesting point Compassion; I'm surprised that no-one has raised it in their haster to vilify Key and Banks.
Don't get me wrong INV2, I'd like to see Key and Banks gone-burger. It's been terribly mishandled and shows poor judgement by Key on multiple fronts.
If there was personal discussion, they should front up, have that independently verified, then ask people to back off for that reason. We'd all feel a bit sick if it was published and there was a very private moment in there somewhere.
I've noticed that no National Hordings here in Southland have been vandalased via sticker.
Strange, creeping about in the dead of night to take 'direct action' would certainly be Mr Guyton's cup of herbal tea....
He does have form in this regard.
EXOCET
Be very careful in making accusations such as that Exocet; I have no wish to get involved in defamation proceedings!
"The only story in town.." for Robert Winter, Robert Guyton, Jacqueline and the muppets is fanning the flames which might destroy the evidence of illegal activity by "their side".
Empty vessels making a lot of noise.
No one is forgetting the Greens - far from it.
But when a political party, one of it's members, or it's leader royally stuffs up - as everyone does at some point or another - they kinda take all of the sting and scandal out of it when they own up, apologise, and do their best to fix the situation.
That makes the whole thing boring - John Key could take a tip or two from them.
Obviously!
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