Trotter on Worth
June 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm by David FarrarChris Trotter pulls no punches, but people may be surprised at his targets:
WHAT IS IT with left-wing women? Why does it take a Cactus Kate to spell out the bleeding-bloody-obvious about Phil Goff’s damsel-in-distress? And, where’s the advantage, when it comes to living a fulfilling, exciting and, yes, occasionally risky life, of behaving like a permanently helpless victim?
So Dr Richard Worth hits on women. So what? It’s a thing men do. Some with genuine style and panache, others with all the finesse of a slobbering dog. Women worthy of the name take the stylish ones to bed, and tell the slobberers to take themselves somewhere else.
And, if the silly sods refuse to take the hint? Well, that’s what, workmates/bosses/girlfriends/boyfriends/husbands and, if worse comes to worst, police officers are for.
By the sounds of things, Dr Worth is a slobberer. A slobberer, moreover, who seems to have real difficulties taking the hint. Presumably, that’s why he’s become the subject of a serious allegation of wrong-doing, and why his political career lies in ruins.
If you behave like a slobbering prat, entirely unmindful of your responsibilities as a husband, a father, a minister of the Crown, a member of Parliament, a member of the National Party caucus (not to mention a member of the human race) then you deserve nothing better. …
Sex is a thing that grown-ups do. Learning to negotiate one’s way through the reefs of lust and longing is, therefore, an important and inescapable part of becoming a mature human-being. In an culture (one of the very few cultures, in fact) which proclaims and enforces the principle of sexual equality, it looks really bad when left-wing “feminists” start behaving like a bunch of Victorian maidens confronted with a naked table-leg.
If “girls can do anything”, then surely they can tell some randy old bugger to fuck-off and leave them alone?
And now the complainant is refusing to provide the text messages in advance of a meeting. This doesn’t seem a reasonable request to deny.
In fact considering the allegations have been promoted and publicised, it would be very useful for the public to be able to read both the texts received and sent to be able to form an opinion.
I’m no defender of Richard Worth. In fact my language about him has been very harsh. But having the full text conversations released does not seem inapproprate – especially as the identity of the complainant remains private.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Dr Worth needs to establish where he tries to empty his billies, a total plonka…..
I totally think John Key has handled this well…. Again with the media, he is dammed if he does and dammed if he doesnt….
A big price to pay for trying to get ones end away, a very expensive “hop on” if in fact there was in out!
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
The clear answer is that most modern left-wing women are not feminists.
In striving to use their gender status to get ahead by guilt tripping men into access to a taxpayer gravy train, they have actually forgotten how to be assertive.
Every woman is a victim and every man instantly a creep. Well for a man to be a creep he must have oxygen. Left-wing women seem to have tanks of it strapped to their backs.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I find myself in the horrible position of agreeing with Trotski, with everything that is until his last comment
“If “girls can do anything”, then surely they can tell some randy old bugger to fuck-off and leave them alone?”
Having spent a bit of time around Asian people I’d have to observe many of the ‘traditional’ women are pretty naive when it comes to western style pickups, in fact I’d have to say they’d be sitting ducks for sleazy old western men, particularly those in influential positions – they’re not the most street wise women you’ll ever meet in that respect.
Vote:By all accounts it would appear Worth knew this well and was exploiting that situation.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Thank you Chris!
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Patrick, since Goff was in on the victim performance from early on, why didn’t he put a stop to it?
That’s a hard one to answer isn’t it?
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Patrick – you are pretty correct, but i think the vast majority of Asian woman whom have been in NZ for some time and are integrated are some what street wise…… Agree though with traditional Asian woman I have worked with in many countries in Asia, very naive….
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Dear All
What has the woman’s race got to do with it? Definitely not central to my post on the issue. She’s of a non-European race = victim….again…..
There are naive, silly women of all races when it comes to men.
This one knew precisely what the game was.
As I add, so do most women in Asia. They are in many ways more sophisticated than the “Charisma men” who chase them. The sweet, naive look is part of the act.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
If this woman was really naive, then what about Supergoof’s response..
He left a vulnerable woman open to further abuse for six months before taking action! Surely that’s both caddish and a crime?
JC
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Alan Wilkinson – Im not making excuses for Goff or Worth or Key
Im simply saying it all very well for Trotski to say “tell some randy old bugger to fuck-off and leave them alone” but you’ll find the potty mouth female is more a western style, which Worth appeared not to be targeting.
Cactus – is there something about their wrinkle free clear smooth skin and perfect figures in their 40′s that goes with that sarcasm “The sweet, naive look is part of the act”?
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Regardless of all that he has become an embarrassment. Get rid of him quick. It will show John Key to be decisive. Does National want disasters like Peters and Field?
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
… especially as the identity of the complainant remains private.
Get with the programme, DPF, she is not the complainant, she is the alligator.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10576463
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
No Patrick it is the feigned subservience and the endless offers to treat him like a King when the man is a right slobberer that turns on the Charisma Man.
These offers are then withdrawn upon either marriage or expensive presents.
If the Charisma Man wants the skin and figures I have observed that these sorts go for Eastern European women. You find these women up in ..(cough..cough)…Monaco in abundance at Official Functions.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I think that Dr. Worth didn’t do anything illegal such as sexual assault, but his behavior is not suitable to be a government minister. I love to see Dr. Worth expose (ie, out her name) the woman who made these allegations against him. It is always the women that have the name suppression (guilty or innocent).
On another point, I am amazed at how Chris Trotter the anti-capitalist (all his life) is enjoying the free blogging services of Google (the epitome of Capitalism ) that he now enjoys blogging on. Is he being hypocrites or is there a different meaning of capitalism to Chris Trotter? Someone please enlighten me.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
“You find these women up in ..(cough..cough)…Monaco in abundance at Official Functions”
Yeah, but those ones dont do housework and laundry
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
This whole episode and Goff’s involvement in it is getting stranger and stranger. Worth has gone because of the criminal matter under investigation and for generally showing bad judgment. Being a complete arse towards a woman who appears to have played along for a few months (presumably giving him her phone number and meeting with him on at least one occasion) isn’t, on its own, reason to sack him. It certainly isn’t enough reason for the woman to rush off to Goff, or to need to meet with the Prime Minister. Did Goff at any stage advise her to tell Worth to piss off? Why does Goff believe that behaving like a sleaze is sufficient to warrant running off to the PM and the media? Is Goff claiming that no Labour MP has ever hit on a member of the opposite (or the same) sex?
I think it is time for the woman to front up to the media and explain her part in this affair. Especially why she was unable to tell Worth to go away. But Worth should remain sacked for being stupid enough to hit on someone who appears to have all the backbone of a bowl of jelly.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Oh, and we need to know who helped the woman draw up her statement. I can’t believe that any normal uses the term “Minister of the Crown”… Someone has coached her.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I’m in tears as I type this, it’s a fucken sad day when I have to confess to agreeing with Trotter.
Vote:Patrick Starr I am a lazy bastard who only works 6 months of the year, I spend 3 months in Thailand and 3 months in the Philippines, I have met more streetwise girls in those countries than I have ever met in NZ and Aus, and until I got streetwise myself, some of them cost me a shit load of money.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Murray M – check the qualification – ‘traditional women’
I suspect you’re talking about ‘love you long time’ LBFM’s?
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
FFS
A Cabinet Minister offers Crown positions to at least two women in the hope that he will receive sexual favours in return.
The leader of the opposition talks privately to the PM in the hope that this Minister will be talked to and brought into line. No political advantage is on offer, in fact the leader of the opposition has surrendered it in the hope that the harassment of a labour party member will cease.
The PM does not deal with the issue and then after a second complaint is received publicises the first complaint.
And we are debating who is to blame?
To make it really simple:
1. Richard Worth should not be in cabinet or in parliament or in the National Party.
Vote:2. Key ought to have done better.
3. Goff was remarkably restrained and is way beyond criticism.
4. Trotter ought to reflect. He minimalises Worth’s actions and suggests that somehow the women involved are to blame.
5. The women involved have nothing to be ashamed of or blamed for.
June 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Mickeysavage, I’m again in the strange position of agreeing with 3 of your points. 1,4 & 5 but the bits in the middle are pure shite.
You shouldn’t be taking the moral high ground over ‘inappropriate’ conduct toward women considering Dover and DBP though – and BTW what was Helens response over emails, eye witness and affidavits about Winston?……. huh?……. “I accept the word of the member”
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
mickysavage, re your 3. Since Goff knew Worth was harassing his Labour woman why did he let it continue?
Re 5, read Cactus Kate as linked in the article. If CK is wrong tell us why otherwise withdraw and apologize.
According to the Herald, the second woman spent the night with Worth, had breakfast with him and then lodged a complaint with the police 2 months later.
If you think this is nothing to be ashamed of, I really have little respect for your opinions.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
mickysavage
You forgot to add that the leader of the opposition waited for 6 months to take it up to the PM. During that time the poor woman was suffering because in part of the inaction of the leader of the opposition.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
What is wrong with Chris Trotter these days? Not that I’ve paid much attention to what he’s said – as what little I did pay attention to just annoyed me – but I seem to be seeing more commentary from him that makes sense.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
“According to the Herald, the second woman spent the night with Worth, had breakfast with him’
Alan – I dont know if you have ever mixed with any Asian women in a social environment?, but I can probably tell that you dont understand their cultural differences very well.
Vote:I have never agreed with anything Phil Goff has said …..except for today when he talked about cultural differences. He was talking about the Indian labour activist of course, but I’m putting his comment in the context of the Korean woman in the Wellington hotel.
The question should be; Did the second woman know Worth was intending to spend the night in the same hotel? because if you think traditional asian women think like kiwi women you are miles off
June 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
nickle
Trotter, just like Winston Peters, is corrupt and arrogant when in a position of power but reasoned and ethical when in opposition. As long as Trotter’s favourite corrupt political masters are in opposition Trotter will probably stay reasoned and principled. Long may this situation last – I quite like Trotter when he is defending his ideology rather than defending the self serving leaders who (because they are in a party that has a red flag) he thinks represent him.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Patrick
What makes you think the two women are “traditional” Asian women?
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Nickle:
Vote:Re Chris Trotter.
I believe he has finally grown up. It happens sometimes to people.
I believe that he seems to find that he has little in common with the Left these days.
He went to his daughter’s school’s prize-giving last year. It opened his eyes. Achievement was GOOD. Using education as a ticket to get out of your circumstances is GOOD. To have aspirations was GOOD.
I’m no Leftie. But there are times — and yes, it’s happening more frequently — when he has made good sense.
June 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
NoCash -no evidence – I’m pointing out statistically they probably are. Given how one is married with kids and the other he met through the Korea/New Zealand Business Council it’s a fairly safe assumption they’re not hookers
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Patrick and Alan
I have read Cactus Kate’s post and all that I can say is that I do not understand why the blame should be shared rather than placed at the foot of Worth. I see nothing to justify any part of the the blame being placed on the victims.
Dover was stood down and exonerated and the same with DPB. Winston is an unusual situation, I still wait for a rational explanation about what he did wrong. The Privileges Committee did find that he misled Parliament but the case was not simple.
Worth’s case seems so much more straight forward. The details should be put to him. That is why I think that Key has stuffed it up because he should have put this to Worth weeks ago and then made a decision.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
“Worth’s case seems so much more straight forward. The details should be put to him. That is why I think that Key has stuffed it up because he should have put this to Worth weeks ago and then made a decision.”
So lets say Micky that he was “led down the garden path” by the said women – you would have him back in Cabinet.
As for Key making a decision weeks ago – thank god we don’t have loose cannons like you running this country.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Mickysavage
No one has suggest thus far that Worth isn’t without blame. If you read my post you will see that I think he should be sacked and I am not defending his behaviour in the slightest. Most of the National Party deem him to be a plonker and wish for him to disappear.
The race of these women is irrelevant. One assumes from the information that the Press have ferreted out thus far that both are well educated, not children and know a bit more about life than a teenager. This is relevant.
But as I will not defend Worth’s actions, neither will I defend Witness A (now referred to as “the Indian”) for her stretching on of this saga, or Fool Goff who we now know knew about this months ago. Witness A was obviously so hurt by Worth’s come on’s that she, her husband AND Fool let it go on for some months.
I shall reserve my comment on Witness B (now referred to as “the Korean”). But it better be more than an affair gone wrong, else I am afraid to say that this just stinks of 2 women who didn’t get what they want, going troppo.
Again though Worth should be gone as a Minister and an MP. I don’t think many people are arguing otherwise.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I think Goff is to blame here. There has been six months of inaction on his part leaving apparently this woman, and possibly other women to be sexually harassed by Worth. His excuse is that he was protecting this womans confidentiality. What a joke.
When he eventually got around to raising the matter with Key, he did it in a way that completely protected the womans identity. Key raised it with Worth and the abuse stopped.
Considering that Goff had not divulged the womans identity to Key, he could have taken the very same step months ago. The woman probably wouldn’t have even known it had happened. The only thing she would have noticed is that the abuse had stopped.
Sometimes you have to do the right thing, even if the victim doesn’t want you to. Goff should have realised this and acted a lot earlier.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Mickey
“Dover was stood down and exonerated and the same with DPB” …….how long did that take?
“Winston is an unusual situation, I still wait for a rational explanation about what he did wrong” ………He lied, caught out, lied again, caught out, lied again, caught out……………………………….but Helen accepted his word, and gave a party line directive to protect him in the Priv. Cmtte
I agree Worth should not be in parliament, but if youre setting some standards dont forget labour only has 43 odd seats
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Yes but the power imbalance is way out of kilter. The slobbering old fool seems to be trying to trade jobs for sex. He can leave parliament hopefully in the next few days.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
At the end of the day he hasn’t done anything that Bill Clinton did.
But hey, let’s face it Nooo Zeeealan aint no demockracy.
No, it is more of a tallpoppycracy.
Kill the flowers.
If they get too tall.
Feed the flowers well, better climate and soil in the world, after all.
But when those flowers grow too tall, be sure to lop them off!
But keep the monsters. David Bain is a new bulb. We must protect him now media, TV1 please adjust from guilty to not-guilty, or the ratings will suffer now.
Keep the media control of our minds.
TV1 is our God.
At 6pm go down on your knees and worship.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Power imbalance?
Oh…that would be that Witness A could run off at any minute and stop the harassment simply by CALLING THE WIFE. That’s the only power imbalance.
Witness A was offered a job that chances are she was not qualified for anyway. Nothing came of that job offer and in any case Goff knew about it pretty much as it was offered. If Worth had employed her in a position she was not qualified for and then threatened to sack her if he didn’t get his way, then that would be the only case I could see here of the “power imbalance”. He was just a slobbery older man who tried it on with totally the wrong woman.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
TripeWryter
Don’t be fooled, look back at Trotter’s behaviour over time. A good analysis was done (I believe on this blog, possibly not) around the time of his ‘Success is not sinful’ epiphany. I’ll see if I can find it, cursory searches fail me.
However, the general thrust of the matter, as I have observed myself over repetitive cycles of Labour/National in govt, is that he drops the current masters like a hot potato when they loose then picks up the next bunch with vigor when the election is upon us. I suspect he will be back to his ‘courageous corruption’ attitude about 3 weeks into the next Labour govt.
I hope Trotter has worked out that Labour are not the party his parents supported, the values he treasures are not well represented in ‘his party’. Would be great to see him start a workers rights party. Cut the BS about understanding jack shit about economics and just do what he does well – fight for the rights of the working man. I bet if he started a minority party he would finally understand why [TWO TICKS LABOUR] is not the answer to the issues he cares about.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
tknorris
“I think Goff is to blame here. There has been six months of inaction on his part leaving apparently this woman, and possibly other women to be sexually harassed by Worth.”
I think that Worth ought to be blamed. Why should Goff be blamed? Talk about a joke.
Perhaps the chair of the Auckland Labour Regional Committee should be blamed? Surely they knew what was going on?
What about George Hwakins, David Cunliffe, Chris Carter, Ross Robertson, and Sua William Sio should be blamed? They are Auckland Labour MPs.
What about the woman’s husband? He should have dealt with Worth in the appropriate way.
It appears to me that you are blaming everyone except for the person whose behaviour caused this, and his leader who should have acted earlier to stop it.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Goff is totally at fault for not having a loud word with creepy Worth as soon as he knew.
It was obviously inappropriate behavoir, and who would ever fancy a socialist running dog?
Why did Worth try and recruit a commie?
He should be thrown out immediately for being a fool and inept.
However I blame Goff for allowing this pain to continue for so long unchecked. He obviously hates women.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Goff could have got Mallard the Enforcer to beat the crap out of Worth in the House.
You know, like hit him from behind, as per MO.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
“It appears to me that you are blaming everyone except for the person whose behavior caused this, and his leader who should have acted earlier to stop it”
Vote:Mickeysavage – not that you answer many questions put to you but you really haven’t told us how quickly a PM should act?
……and should act on hearsay, with not a shred of evidence, and allegations from an acknowledged opposition activist.
and given Helens 9 years of inaction in similar circumstances can you please tell us now what would have been acceptable ?
June 5th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
mickysavage
The courts will sort it out if there is a case. Justice exactly like it would be for you or I if we were in the same situation. This is possibly new territory for you, I appreciate you may have little experience with MP’s in scandals resigning while it’s sorted out, but it’s the way it works when the integrity of govt is more important than the retention of seats in a minority govt.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
“Justice exactly like it would be for you or I if we were in the same situation”
Vote:or if David Bains anything to go by it will be Phil Goff guilty of making a nuisance of himself towards women
June 5th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
And another thing, as her husband knew about the phone calls and text’s from the beginning … Why the f**k didn’t he tell Worth to piss off. If someone was sending my wife those kind of texts i’d drive over to his place and smack him the mouth.
But no, they both sat there for months doing nothing.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Cactus Kate says:
“I think he should be sacked and I am not defending his behaviour in the slightest.” Then argues that he hasn’t done anything wrong – this was just “2 women who didn’t get what they want, going troppo”.
So Worth should be gone as a Minister and an MP because of “2 women who didn’t get what they want, going troppo”? That’s hardly fair.
If you want to argue that no wrong was committed against these women then you also need to argue that Worth shouldn’t be sacked. Consistency please.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Patrick Starr, yes they love me long time, and I am currently paying to put two of them through University so they don’t have to do love anyone long time no more.
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Murray LOL, you poor bastard (I hope they treat the sponsor well)
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Patrick you are not funny
Vote:June 5th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Cactus Kate
I don’t think they are going to get you on this one. I think a lot of people have difficulty imagining either making an offer like that or receiving an offer like that. Add to that the prevailing lefty mindset set that a job is for life and it all gets really confusing for them.
You are doing a great job, as a bloke saying what you are saying – I would be slaughtered.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 3:19 am
Idiotboy. Go back and read my post again (with both eyes this time) and see the reasons WHY I think Worth should be sacked. I have linked back to an earlier post about his murky business dealings some months ago and the comment that he was stupid enough to offer jobs to Labour party activists.
Also I have not defended Worth at any time on the “sex pest” allegations or indeed accused Witness A of making it all up, but that doesn’t mean I automatically have to 100% support Witness A. As I question the motives of Witness A AND Fool Goff. That is the purpose of my well-reasoned analysis on her (and Fool’s collaborative) statement.
As I have said, again if you read with BOTH eyes, you will see I hold judgment on Witness B until more best evidence comes to light. But have commented I hope her allegations have more substance than an affair gone wrong.
Burt – no you wouldn’t have got slaughtered if you had as persuasive argument as mine was. And of course expertise in the area of dealing effectively with married men I wish to have a relationship with and telling those that I do not wish to ever hear from again to combine sex and travel.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Well Done Cactus!
I read your blog entry yesterday and have just now read through this one (and comments) and have to say that whilst Worth must go, there are some unusual circumstances surrounding both complainants A and B. I think your commentary sheds light on some of the murkier aspects of this saga. Still, Worth has clearly not been demonstrating the integrity and foresight (or at least cunningness – see WRP) to be an MP, let alone cabinet minister.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Patrick, if you still think the Korean (business!) woman was some pathetic, incompetent, helpless and defenseless creature that requires total protection from herself let alone everyone else, read the Herald today.
Cactus Kate, your delightful intelligence is a joy to read amongst so much dross. Have a drink on me.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Curiouser and curiouser: I actually agree with something Chris Trotter wrote.
It’s been said here before, but I totally agree with John Key’s handling of this. It’s a refreshing change from what we have experienced for the past nine years.
I believe it’s called integrity.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Alan Wilkinson. Im sorry the point I was making continues to escape you. The suggestion offered by Trotski
“surely they can tell some randy old bugger to fuck-off and leave them alone”
is not something a traditional asian women would do.
As I also said, (which you obviously missed) is that I have no evidence that this woman was ‘traditional’, but the presumption that she had the ability to be a pottymouth as suggested was probably premature.
I’ve read the Herald article and can only say if you honestly believe the married Korean businessman spent several months going to restaurants in downtown Auckland with a woman other than his wife because he just felt sorry for her – then I’ve got a harbour bridge for sale – you interested?
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Apparently Kate has killed Trotter, scooped him out and is now wearing him as a suit while working for the Dom.
Come on Kate, where did you hide the body? We know thats not Trotter.
And no one is agreeing with Trotter, he’s agreeing with us. Its an aberation not a feature so relax.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Patrick, I’ve already got a harbour bridge thanks. Do you have a Tower Bridge available too?
Nope, that woman’s credibility is shot. There will be no prosecution.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am
“There will be no prosecution.” – I dont disagree with that
(you’re in luck -tower bridges are with a free set of steak knives this week only)
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Alan, i have some land to sell… come see me at low tide.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
So if this sort of thing were to happen to me – would people recommend I report the nuisance to my local MP or my preferred political party leader or is there some other avenue I could pursue to register my complaint. Ummmm – how would I make a major political shit-storm if I just called the police and laid a complaint?
Vote: