pic: Reuters via stuff.co.nz (click)
Yeah, we’re not there yet.
– P
Dealing with one’s disillusionment with an elderly man
Rolf Harris is innocent until proven guilty, of course. But it struck me as sad that prosecutors have said (as quoted):
“We have determined there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.”
Quite unrelated to Rolf Harris, I know the sharp pang of disillusionment one feels when an elderly gentleman whom one had perceived a certain way — i.e. basically honourable — reveals himself differently through his actions.
– P
Making up words to keep the patrons entertained?
Saw this visiting family in Wellington.
I guess the locals are used to it, but I spluttered.
– P
Heartwarming
Watch this video of a concert where the star invites a member of the audience to participate in a duet … and she turns out to be fantastic! The combination of the song’s message and the way the performance works out moved me…
“Still me” (1’38”) is such a clanger, in retrospect.
– P
via HuffingtonPost which has the details.
Denial is not just a river in Egypt #GCSB
“I don’t think the inquiry was a botch-up at all” [Chief executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Andrew Kibblewhite] said, although mistakes were made about providing certain information.
Right. All good, then?
Read coverage of the Privileges committee ‘hearing’ into the just ever so slightly botched-up inquiry set up by GCSB minister John Key into who leaked the Kitteridge report — a was-gonna-be-published-a-week-later-anyway report on illegal spying on New Zealanders by the Government Communications Security Bureau.
Fairfax: Release of reporter’s records probed
NZ Herald: Collins criticises leak probe inquiry
– P
Planning
Spotted this on my walk yesterday. It made me chuckle.
Please stop taking pictures of your genitals
Oh dear, my first thought was, Are radio stations in one of their ratings survey periods again, by any chance? (Or is this guy just a twit?)
Also: I laughed at the offer as an ‘excuse’ … that he meant to send a Snapchat picture of his genitals to a female co-worker. Oh, gee, that’s completely different. (Not.)
Gives a whole new meaning to ‘finger trouble’, doesn’t it?
Have you voted in Campbell Live’s GCSB poll?
I have not participated in the angst-ridden/gloating discussion about how spymaster prime minister John Key ‘performed’ in his appearance on Campbell Live this week — ostensibly to defend and/or justify his GCSB Bill and its new, to-be-expanded powers of domestic surveillance provisions.
Judging by a superficial reading of the reaction to the interview, people’s view of the encounter largely fell into the realm of “What you see depends on where you stand”.
Adding colour to history
Here, via the Twisted Sifter blog, is a historical, iconic photo with colour added after the fact.
As a photographer I've always liked B/W imagery. In a lot of cases, but by no means all (and some spectacular exceptions) the amount of “information” added by colour can be minimal — but clearly, colour is more realistic.
This is very cool.
See more great examples at Twisted Sifter.
– P
Still delightful. Mila Kunis
I saw this at the time (March this year) and found it charming … stumbled across it again today and still chuckled. If you haven’t watched, see if you enjoy Mila Kunis enjoying a little bit of welcome variety on the PR treadmill …
– P
Yet another beautiful model with the geek glasses
Remember I mentioned in ‘Trying to make Google’s glasses look glamourous‘ how the strategy seemed to be: Juxtapose beautiful women with the Google Glass in hopes for a bit of glamour rub off?
Yeah, that.
– P
Criticism and questioning are part of your job description, Mrs Collins. Get over it.
Apropos my post ‘With respect, Mr Key, you misjudge me.‘ I had a trifling interaction with another government politician under siege this week.
Photo: Mark Mitchell NZH. Digital effects: Peter Aranyi.
I’ve been researching an article about Justice minister Judith Collins — specifically the criticisms of her handling of the David Bain compensation issue. (You may recall my sense of genuine regret and disappointment in her over her reprehensible treatment of Justice Binnie and his report. See: Current affairs through partisan filters. David Bain in limbo.)
Anyway, as part of my research this week, I came across a strident, harshly critical article about the issue — critical of Mrs Collins — on a blog called ‘Lauda Finem’.
I read the piece (here if you’re interested) and was struck by a note in the manner of a disclaimer at the foot of the article, which I thought nicely stated the position I have struggled to communicate to a commenter here who repeatedly (and vacuously) called me a ‘Labour shill’.
Here it is:
Disclaimer: Lauda Finem hold no views whatsoever on the innocence or guilt of David Bain, nor do we, in pointing out this government’s corrupt behaviour, endorse any opposition party. Our position has only ever been concerned with corruption, bent pollies, political interference, the principles of fair play, natural justice and the rule of law; which Judith Collins seems to think she’s above. [emphasis added]
You can draw your own conclusions about the partisan or otherwise nature of the writers at Lauda Finem — just as readers are entitled to do about me. But, as I ask you to do, I take them at their word.
Impressed with the clarity of their statement, I tweeted it:
and cited the source (as you do) … which got a reaction of sorts, as you can see:
Continue reading →
The Letters
Radio NZ’s Mediawatch podcast featured a couple of excellent interviews — with Jim Tucker and David Fisher. As is my habit, I listened to it on my walk this morning. Available here (35’27”). I recommend you listen to it.
Later on my walk, as I carefully picked my way around the coast at low tide, I popped on Leonard Cohen’s Dear Heather album, and found myself reflecting on the lyrics of this song in the context of the privacy invasions suffered at Government hands by journalist Andrea Vance & MP Peter Dunne.
Nobody should have the right to read their correspondence without their consent.
Note: Some audio distortion in this clip, but I like the lyrics and its atmosphere. – P
Because I like and respect John Armstrong
I’ve learned that in the ongoing parasitic relationship between politicians and the news media (some call it symbiotic, but meh) certain actors on both sides overestimate their importance.
But not John Armstrong.
Read John’s column from the Weekend Herald: Government betrayal on a monumental scale. What he says about ‘the democratic fabric being ripped asunder’ is important. Don’t let the government’s spin merchants (paid or unpaid) tell you any different.
Shrink what? Click to read John Armstrong’s column at nzherald.co.nz
Well done John.
Also well worth reading is Russell Brown’s post at Public Address: It’s worse than you think.
– P
