Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Everybody's Machiavelli

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  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    It’s been a long time since I had cause to make the National Party constitution bedside reading, but surely there’s still a mechanism in place to expel members who bring the Party into disrepute. Brittany Raleigh would have my full and public support if she initiated moves to take Wewege out with the trash.

    I see someone’s saying on Twitter that he’s not actually a “registered Young Nat”. He strikes me as someone who who’ll step on any rung he figures will help him advance.

    A couple of people have described him to me as a “lothario”, which may be a polite word. Even DPF noted that Wewege had treated a friend of his very poorly in a relationship.

    With any luck, this business will follow him around like a bad smell.

    Anyway -- check out the photo on his Facebook page: poor Wallace Chapman!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    I guess these 'training camps' weren't held in the Ureweras?

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Konrad Kurta,

    When has NZ seen a sex scandal as nuanced and dramatic as this?

    William Lanarch, anyone? The persistent rumours his third wife was carrying on with her step-son was the least of a hot mess of money, politics, sharp practices, a private life of near Gothic proportions, and a rather messy end in Parliament Buildings...

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis,

    I think you are over cooking the present "scandal
    I am prepared to bet any sum of money you like that in one year most will have forgotten it
    In ten no one but those involved will be able to remember

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Morgan Nichol, in reply to Raymond A Francis,

    It's going to take me a while to get over the sheer ludicrousity of this stupid, sleazy, and distinctly regional story from leading the 6pm national news bulletin. Madness.

    Auckland CBD • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Lusk and Wewege make Karl Rove and Dick Cheney look like saints.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Greg Dawson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I think this young woman nailed it:

    Mr Wewege’s messages were criticised by Brittany Raleigh, the chairwoman of the Young Nats’ northern region, who called it “emotional abuse”.

    “It’s important that we speak out against bullying those you’re in an intimate relationship with for personal political gain,” she wrote on Facebook.

    That jumped out at me as well, although she could have stopped before "...for personal political gain".

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report

  • Danielle, in reply to Steven Peters,

    You were invisible to me as female, Ms/Mrs Hebe.

    Hebe, I think you might have to start all your posts from now on with "as a woman..."

    You know, just so no one gets confused and starts thinking about their content. ;)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    The mayor of Wanganui in the 1920s and poet D'Arcy Cresswell had a bit of scandal and blackmail going on.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Andre Alessi, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I'm still unconvinced that Lusk plays anything like a significant role in National Party politics anywhere other than his own mind (and the minds of those trying to justify having paid exorbitant fees to him.) He's certainly less influential than DPF or Slater, for contrast.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Andre Alessi, in reply to Danielle,

    Or perhaps, "Speaking on behalf of all women.." to banish all doubt.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye,

    I'd like to announce that this summer the Public Address First XV (including all rookies and officials) will be replacing rugby with muffins. Whisky evenings will be wholly dedicated to sparkling wine spritzers. The BDSM dungeon will be used for a late-night crochet circle. There will be a ban on any topics unrelated to royal gossip, or at least one Kardashian.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Can my gob have a little longer to recover from “Jock Anderson fired for being opinionated in an editorial.”

    I understand he was fired for ignoring a directive not to publish an opinion piece on the topic which came down either way - he went and did it anyway - rather than publishing an opinion in itself. Whether or not that's a firing offence...

    exactly, but what also amuses me is Slater saying he tried to protect her identity by – oh my gosh, blanking out her name, the devil – while providing enough clues in the text messages for us to get her name within five minutes.

    Didn't the biggest clue to her identity come from Len Brown's initial statement? Yes here:

    Brown confirmed the woman was not a council employee but served on a council advisory board and stood in this year’s election for a local board.

    Once you had that information, would have taken about 30 seconds to identify her.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Phil Wallington,

    This overheated "scandal", fuelled by self-seeking sleaze merchants and people who believe they are pulling the strings of moral outrage will soon implode.
    It will be "all over" next week.
    The system will throw up new examples of poor judgement which can be seized upon by the smug and self-righteous.
    There are just three infallible rules of conduct which apply.
    1. Do not have sexual relationships with work colleagues.
    2. Never fuck anyone demonstrably madder than yourself.
    3. If, perchance, you have already failed 1 & 2... Do not under any circumstances enter the state of matrimony with this person.

    Simple enough... But just about everyone I know (self included) has failed in either rule 1, 2 or 3 and suffered the consequences.

    Waikawa Beach • Since Sep 2013 • 41 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye, in reply to Phil Wallington,

    There are just three infallible rules of conduct which apply.

    ..or... y'know - ignore the checklist and act like a grown-up. I wager you're suffering a bit of confirmation bias.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Andrew Geddis, in reply to Phil Wallington,

    There are just three infallible rules of conduct which apply.
    1. Do not have sexual relationships with work colleagues.

    Oh dear. Do you want to break news of this rule to my wife in her office the floor above mine, or do I really have to do it myself?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2007 • 206 posts Report

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Heather Gaye,

    The BDSM dungeon will be used for a late-night crochet circle.

    I did NOT see that in the minutes...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Richard Aston, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    Oh dear. Do you want to break news of this rule to my wife in her office the floor above mine, or do I really have to do it myself?

    Ditto

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye, in reply to Emma Hart,

    At least we're still accommodating some complicated knots.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    I see Cameron Slater is now threatening threatening Brian Rudman in the comments section of Rudman’s piece on John Slater:

    This is a shameless despicable defamation of my father… one you will regret Mr Rudman.

    Sayeth Whaleoil (about 40-50th comment).

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Diplomatic Courier magazine advises me: “We have removed Mr. Wewege from the Top 99 under 33 list pending further review.”

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Phil Wallington,

    2. Never fuck anyone demonstrably madder than yourself.

    Phil, you’re never going to know who grateful I am a certain someone I’ve been sharing quarters with for 18 years didn’t get that memo.

    And a general usage note: If PAS is supposed to be a safe space for everyone, how about thinking really hard what you’re saying, and who you’re saying it to, with the mental health-shaming?

    I see Cameron Slater is now threatening threatening Brian Rudman in the comments section of Rudman’s piece on John Slater

    The only thing Brian Rudman should be threatened with is a compulsory refresher course in Basic Non-Tabloid Journalism, along with Shayne Currie, Bernard Orsman and everyone else spineless enough to take this slime batch.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    The mayor of Wanganui in the 1920s and poet D’Arcy Cresswell had a bit of scandal and blackmail going on.

    That’s quite a story, and very relevant. Cresswell seems to have been something of a piece of work. When I was in high school in the 60s his From Lyttelton Harbour was in our poetry textbooks. Now it’s very hard to find even a mention of it.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Phil Wallington,

    But just about everyone I know (self included) has failed in either rule 1, 2 or 3

    Which is pretty much clear evidence that your rules are utter bollocks.

    It is particularly stupid with reference to rule 1. Note for many professions, basically the only people you are going to spend any time with are work colleagues. This is particularly true at the age when most folks are forming long term relationships.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Oh, and I'm going to regret getting into this with you again, Tom. But I thought this was a pretty shitty crack from Rudman:

    This week, after the Len Brown scandal erupted forth from his son Cameron's blog, Mr Slater confessed to the Herald that his very own, hand-made Frankenstein had not bothered to consult him beforehand about it, or the ongoing dirty tricks campaign to try to bring Mayor Len Brown to his knees.

    Hand-made Frankenstein? You know, Rudders, if the New Zealand Herald wants to get Bizarro Old Testament and play "the sins of the children are visited on their parents", its a game more than few media people are playing with boomerangs. Still, second column in three days that (I'm sure entirely coincidentally) doesn't even touch on the feckless editorial mendacity of Brian Rudman's own paymasters. Guess he's not going to get Jock Anderson-ed any time soon...

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

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