Cringeworthy
October 4th, 2010 at 3:25 pm by David FarrarI cringed when Paul Henry asked the PM this morning whether in appointing a Governor-General would “choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like a New Zealander this time?”.
I have a lot of time for Paul’s humour, even his offensive humour, because humour is often offensive.
But this was not a joke, this was not even comparable to Paul Homes with his “cheeky darkie” comment, which was meant to be a parody.
This was a blatant statement that NZ born Sir Anand does not look and sound like a New Zealander because his parents are Fijian Indians.
What Paul really meant is that he does not sound like a white or British New Zealander.
If TVNZ don’t take firm action on this one, they will find themselves in a very umcomfortable position. They should also arrange for an apology to the Governor-General. He was born in New Zealander, and is every but as much a New Zealander as Paul Henry.
UPDATE: Paul Henry has apologised:
I sincerely apologise to the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand for any offence I may have caused.
I am aware that Sir Anand has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand.
Anyone who knows anything about me will know I am a royalist, a constant defender of the monarchy and the role the Governor General plays in our society.
If my comments have personally offended Sir Anand, I regret it deeply.
I am sure it will still be the lead item on the news tonight, and in newspapers tomorrow.
Related posts:
- The appropriate response
- New Governor-General
- Pick on someone who can fight back
- Analysing the Henry decision
October 4th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Watch it on youtube here.
There really is no excusing that. It’s not even remotely funny.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
It will be interesting to see how TVNZ handles this… I enjoy Paul Henry’s style too but this was a bridge too far I think. A shame, because there aren’t many TV personalities who could get away with what he has.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
TVNZ seems to think that “Paul just says what we are all thinking” is an adequate response to this. I for one would like to make clear that I have never thought that Satch is anything other than a Kiwi.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Sorry, can’t agree with this. European NZers are regarded as culturally and otherwise inferior to the Tangata Whenua. Same difference. Anand Satayan may have been born here but his parents were not. If its good enough to specify a difference between Tangata Whenua and the rest of NZ, its fair enough to make a similar distinction in this case.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
What nonsense-”white motherf$cker” ok-anything else bad!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Ben, the gadget guy on Breakfast, has resigned in protest over that remark/question.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I don’t even think it was meant to be, hence:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4194441/Henry-quip-sparks-race-uproar
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Redbaiter you are so correct. It is open season on anyone of european descent, but anyone else is untouchable. I do not condone racism-but man let’s even the playing field if stones are going to be thrown.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Mr Henry should apologise personally to Sir Anand for his crass and offensive statements this morning.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I’m a big fan of Paul Henry, but I think that he’s overstepped the mark with these comments.
There was an upside though; he was able to get John Key to categorically rule out Jeanette Fitzsimons as the next GG
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Are there people here so naive as to think that race, culture or origins played no part in Anand’s original appointment?
What’s wrong with expressing an alternative view?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
… and yet how many noticed in the “10:10 Campaign” video that all, and I do mean ALL, of the people which were exploded were very WHITE? – not a brown or a beige one amongst them.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
“If its good enough to specify a difference between Tangata Whenua and the rest of NZ, its fair enough to make a similar distinction in this case”
Vote:The problem with that mentality Redbaiter is the you are actually saying it is OK for Hone to call you a White Mother Fucker while I am fairly certain you have claimed you would prefer he describe you somewhat differently… You can’t have it both ways.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
not cool at all.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
With comments like this morning, Henry is obviously lining up to stand as a Winston First candidate
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Politically correct perceptions regarding a “diverse” society were what propelled Anand into the position he holds. I see no problem in confronting those kind of perceptions. In fact, if NZ is truly a free society, they should be confronted a lot more regularly.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Good on Paul, the GG was a politically correct appointment made by the corrupt Helen Clark.
He asked a valid question and it was made in good humour, some of you need to lighten up.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
If you want a comedian get a real one – most of the participants on 7 Days would be better. Henry is the poor mans comedian and an expensive excuse for a jounalist to boot.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
” you have claimed you would prefer he describe you somewhat differently… You can’t have it both ways.”
A lie. But I expect nothing more from the left.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Yawn…
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Unfortunately for Paul Henry, to insult the G.G. is an insult at the Queen.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
“Ben, the gadget guy on Breakfast, has resigned in protest over that remark/question.”
That’s it then. Somebody bring me some razor blades while I run a warm bath.
FFS..!!!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
KeviH “Unfortunately for Paul Henry, to insult the G.G. is an insult at the Queen.:”
Didn’t you know the Queen is a white motherf$cker too…
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Meh, it’s just Hone being Hone
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Like many others I love watching Paul Henry in the morning but thought at the time the comments were well off the mark. I thought John Key handled it very well and batted it away.
Paul Henry does need to apologise for this – but regardless Paul Henry does give us great television in the morning and I will still be watching him.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
This is just David Garret all over again.
NZ’s left wing media telling New Zealanders what to think.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Paul Henry for Mana-the election date is set for the 20th of November. Just enough time for Paull to get campaigning…Heck Yeah…Vote Henry
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
PAUL HENRY-
PLEASE DON’T APOLOGISE.
TELL THE PC PIKERS TO FUCK OFF.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Redbaiter, many (including me) would say that there’s nothing wrong with expressing an alternative view. Just don’t take it badly when people respond by saying you’re nuts! If you want to draw a distinction between someone who was born here, but who’s parents were not, how do you then draw a distinction between them and someone who’s parents were born in mother England or in Fiji or India or in America? You can’t! Why bother trying?
The more the merrier, it seems to me. Why not just make it so anyone who wants to call themselves a NZer can? Maybe just with the proviso that they support the All Blacks or something?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Nice to see the PM standing up for both the office of the GG and the man himself this morning when he told Paul Henry to stop being such a dickhead…
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Redbaiter 3:41 pm,
Only all of those who make up the vaste bulk of the non-thinking masses.
In NZ if you’re a “white middle class conservative male”, then you’re an endangered species.
On the other hand, if you’re any of the following – sodomite, lesbian, transgender, feminist, liberal, Muslim, brown, recent ‘brown’ immigrant (or descendant thereof), (and I’m sure I’ve missed some) – then you’re a shoe in and can write your own ticket.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
So he shouldn’t have been appointed in case a PC perception was given? That’s worse.
The appointment to GG should be a politically correct decision, literally. Has Anand Satyanand done a bad job? I haven’t seen any problems with him. He was born in an ex British colony, his parents were born in a British colony, his grandparents were born in a British colony. Seems to me like he’s as entitled as any other New Zealander to be GG.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Just released:
4 October 2010
A STATEMENT FROM PAUL HENRY
I sincerely apologise to the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand for any offence I may have caused.
I am aware that Sir Anand has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand.
Anyone who knows anything about me will know I am a royalist, a constant defender of the monarchy and the role the Governor General plays in our society.
If my comments have personally offended Sir Anand, I regret it deeply.
Paul Henry
Vote:Breakfast Host
TVNZ
October 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
You miss the point, fot. It’s not about whether Sir Anand is a good or bad choice as an GG.
The question was, or rather the implication was that he does not sound or look like a New Zealander.
Do you really think that is a fair and reasonable?
I doubt that it was done in good humour, or in any humour for that matter.
Personally I do hope he manages to get through this one, it would be a shame if he would go off screen because of this. Love him or hate him he is a brilliant TV entertainer, a very rare thing these days.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Redbaiter, CJD,
Vote:The fact that certain other people make offensive comments about Pakeha does not make it OK for Henry to make offensive comments about Indian New Zealanders.
Two wrongs do not make a right.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Men in white coats have been seen entering TVNZ.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Why apologise to a person when you don’t even know if he was offended?
FFS..!!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Well if we have to have a Governor General I would prefer it was some-one iconic rather than a pet Judge, and it would help if it was an icon from either side of our bicultural society. When I think of Indian now, I think of the leftwing corruption so evident currently in Auckland politics. As for Paul HENRY if his viewer numbers slump as it seems likely will happen if the posts on this blog and more pertinently leftwing media are any indication, then yes State Owned TV should get rid of him.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
“The fact that certain other people make offensive comments about Pakeha”
What offensive comments are you talking about? I said nothing about offensive comments except in response to M@tts idiotic message. I’m talking about perceptions. Crawl out of the PC bog and get some comprehension.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I don’t see a problem with what Paul Henry said.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
The apology avoids acknowledging Sir Anand as a suitable GG, someone the Queen he constantly defends must have found acceptable.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Oh dear Kris. You are truly abysmal.
Is there no limit to your ignorant hatred and bigotry?
Quite rich of you to talk about “non-thinking masses.”
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Watch as we see a coordinated attack on Paul Henry by the left wing media and left wing politicians.
The left cannot stand having anybody on our TV who is not a fully fledged pinko, they will not stop until they get rid of Paul Henry.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Oh no. The PC fascists will have a field day with this one. Sigh.
Yes, not a very nice comment by Mr Henry. But sack him the minute he incites a riot, not for saying things you don’t like.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
“Is there no limit to your ignorant hatred and bigotry?”
If he has any at all, its to nowhere near the same extent as you, who do nothing but issue cowardly smears against all who offend your self imposed PC totalitarianism.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
redbaiter – need a hug dude? you seem a touch wound up.
kris – youre right. straight, white, cashed up dudes are considered the enemy. or its ok to make fun of us etc. it bugs me. doesnt mean i excuse paul henry for being a douche though.
take the high ground etc
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Paul Henry has now issued an apology – that is the end of the matter – time to move on. Paul Henry is a loose canon and for that reason h TVNZ love the rating that he brings to the show.
I am sure Sir Anand Satyanand will not be bothered with this and certainly not dignify the story by adding any comment.
I have met the Sir Anand Satyanand several times as he is a Catholic and regular church goer at our local church. I have a lot of time for him and think he has been a wonderful choice no matter his birth and ethnicity.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Redbaiter 3:52 pm,
Exactly what I was thinking before I saw your comment, Red.
Wake up people! – the Progressive Left are stealing your country, re-writing the terms of engagement, and most of you are swallowing it whoesale. This country needs more individuals who are prepared to “say it like it is”, and refuse to submit to the politically correct scum who would sell us out to the Muslims without a second thought.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
“Nobody has any right not to be offended.”
All of the commies calling for Paul Henry’s head would not hesitiate to scream “just change the channel” if a Christian expressed offence at something on TV.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Where the fuck was John Key’s leadership. He laughed too. He should have taken a firm stand and told Henry that it would be his last interview with the PM if he was going to act like a racist little child.
Almost as gutless as Henry.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Helen Clark would have torn a strip off Henry if he had said that to her. He knew he could get away with it with a smile and wave wimp like Key. I hope he makes a better statement about it today or he has lost my vote.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Is anyone else sick of statements made by (who after all are only) TV presenters being analysed to the nth degree by people who really should be doing other things with their time. ie. Phil Goff etc etc
These ‘controversy’s’ used to be a yearly thing, then monthly, now they seem to happen weekly. For all our outpourings of ‘outrage’ over these incidents it doesn’t seem to be changing the direction of the trend.
Has society lost the ability to ignore those who speak absolute bollocks? Instead we seem to elevate them to level of some sort of opinion cult-figure.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
“I hope he makes a better statement about it today or he has lost my vote.”
Don’t tell him, it might offend him
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
s.russell “The fact that certain other people make offensive comments about Pakeha does not make it OK for Henry to make offensive comments about Indian New Zealanders”
You are so right-but I do think you missed my point entirely
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Well of course you dumb bloody socialists, PC wankers and communists all, Henry may have been inferring that we should have a Maori GG.
Vote:Oh fuck why didn’t you think of that eh!
All bullshit and bluster you lot.
Red is right.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
***What Paul really meant is that he does not sound like a white or British New Zealander.***
Err, aren’t you forgetting Maori – you know, the other signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi? Maori & Pakeha are the groups usually associated with NZ because of that.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
The usual nuts trying to make this into a left v right issue, and a “poor us white men” sob story. It’s simply offensive (I suspect to to most New Zealanders) attention seeking. But Henry isn’t really the problem – as someone said, it’s not the monkey, it’s the organ grinder. But now it’s been referred to the Broadcasting Standards Authority the organ grinder can hide behind that, enjoy the ratings and wait until it all blows over.
Key is right about one thing:
But he should seriously reconsider:
If he carries on appearing as usual as if nothing is really wrong it will be very poor judgement.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
s.russell – why do you refer to the GG as an “Indian New Zealander”?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
“If he carries on appearing as usual as if nothing is really wrong it will be very poor judgement.”
What an offensively arrogant proclamation from one of the most offensive contributors to Kiwiblog. Worthless too of course.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Political correctness has reached mass hysteria proportions in this sad little dysfunctional socialist island.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
“The next GG should be someone who looks and sounds more like a NZer” – an opinion, to which he’s entitled, albeit one most people find bigoted and offensive.
“Is he a NZer?” – a question, which any junior journalist assigned to write a story for the local throwaway rag would have had the brains to research, and would be sacked if they didn’t.
Imagine the outrage here if the Herald had written an editorial that said “We’re not sure if the present GG is even a NZer, but the next one…” There’d be howls about how ignorant they were, and rightly so.
Henry is an ignoramus. Not because he’s a racist (as is Hone and, sadly, a lot of other people it seems) but because he is ignorant of the facts. And thus unsuitable to host a news program or to interview people. That requires an intelligent, penetrating interviewer who is in command of the facts.
If TVNZ want so desperately to hold on to this clown, then give him an opinion segment so that those who want to conduct their morning ablutions can take a break from watching the news and expel their excrement while Henry is expelling his.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I hope he makes a better statement about it today or he has lost my vote.
Bullshit! I doubt he had your vote anyway.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
You know, I’m convinced that there is no such person as “Redbaiter” The sooner he is unmasked as one of Martyn Bradbury’s creations, the better.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
What a cheeky white mother fucker.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Jesus Ben the gadget guy, grow a set will you. You think you will be missed on Breakfast? If it was Charlotte Bellis http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/charlotte-bellis-3345486 then OK but you’re just an overweight geek mate…
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Where was Paul Henry born? He’s not a pommy migrant, by chance? Or a Kenyan? His teeth look like those of an Ethiopian.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Henry is an ignoramus. Not because he’s a racist (as is Hone and, sadly, a lot of other people it seems) but because he is ignorant of the facts. And thus unsuitable to host a news program or to interview people. That require an intelligent, penetrating interviewer who is in command of the facts.
You auditioning for the job Rex?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I’m convinced that there is no such person as “Redbaiter”
He’s been around since Usenet’s heyday of the mid-1990s. I have forgotten his real name but he lived in Tauranga back then. He has not grown up, as is very obvious.
Nor have I, for which I am grateful.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Henry needs to go before he gets out of hand.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
The only reason John Gibson wants Henry to go is because Paul represents the smallest of cracks in the Berlin Wall surrounding opinion and information in NZ’s far left controlled mainstream media.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Paul Henry will ask the most inane questions of the weather man, when he is on location somewhere, to display that Paul Henry notices things in the background that others – us dim plebs – don’t. He otherwise brays like a horse at his own amazing sense of humour, and gloats with the appearance of the proverbial cat which has got the cream when someone else is silly enough to join in. His utter fucking self centredness makes him one of the most objectionable people on television, well passing those self satisfied clowns on THREE’s 7 Days Of It, or whatever that rubbish is called.
Vote:Which is all rather sad, because as a personality earlier on Radio Pacific, and in the occasional tv documentary he was great – young, somewhat angry, but compassionate. Interesting how someone can change.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Everybody clambering to get rid of Paul Henry should stop and consider who might replace him.
It will be either some boring as bat shit PC fool or another screaming Pinko like John Campbell.
Henry is vital for no other reason that he adds balance to our screens, if you remove him then all we are left with are like warm bores or hard lefties.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I reckon we need to make sure that the next Governor General is a disabled, lesbian, maori whale which will demonstrate to the world just how enlightened our society is.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Redbaiter, gotta hand it to you, mate! With this issue, you really touched off a few nerves! Solid effort! Careful not to overdo it, though.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
1/4 of all comments so far by redbaiter. Guess it’s touched a nerve, well touched it more than usual.
I’m just wondering how we can get god involved in this since we’ve already transgressed from this being just a stupid comment to a fully fledged, commies under the bed, horsemen of the apocalypse left vs right debate.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
“He’s been around since Usenet’s heyday of the mid-1990s. I have forgotten his real name but he lived in Tauranga back then. He has not grown up, as is very obvious.”
redbaiter is of course the obnoxious Russell Fletcher of Tauranga (that bastion of tolerance and broadmindedness).
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
“Careful not to overdo it, though.”
Mass insanity is a sad thing to observe mj. We should all strive to oppose those who would force us to be part of such widespread madness.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Wake up people! – the Progressive Left are stealing your country, re-writing the terms of engagement, and most of you are swallowing it whoesale. This country needs more individuals who are prepared to “say it like it is”, and refuse to submit to the politically correct scum who would sell us out to the Muslims without a second thought.
Pass the bong bro, and stuff it full of the good shit you’re smoking cos i wanna get as seriously fucked up as you !!!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
***Jesus Ben the gadget guy, grow a set will you. You think you will be missed on Breakfast? If it was Charlotte Bellis http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/charlotte-bellis-3345486 then OK but you’re just an overweight geek mate…***
Heh.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Yvette- JUST CHANGE THE FUCKING CHANNEL..!!!!
Or make the same decision I did long ago and do not watch any mainstream TV or buy their newspapers or listen to their damn radio. Such a disassociation provides you with an amazing clarity of thought.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
“Pass the bong bro, and stuff it full of the good shit you’re smoking cos i wanna get as seriously fucked up as you !!!”
You’re already a light year or two past that point so stop worrying. Far too late.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Those who know Satch know hes got a great sense of humour. You dont sit on the Manukau Court bench for as long as he did and not develop one.
Satch would have laughed at the comment and taken it in good humour as would Susan ( no doubt it will be reported to them in Delhi)
Both have done a great job both inside and outside NZ. Like past GGs they represent us extremely well and add to the reputation of Kiwis abroad as good people to deal with.
One thing Satch aint and that is he aint pompous.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Anyone who watches breakfast television deserves all they get.
For the record I agree with Henry and believe the current fellow, good fellow as I am reliably informed that he is, was selected mainly because he was not a typical New Zealander.
Of the list I saw of prospects the two I could live with are both Maori but are on the list because they have done good things rather than because they are Maori.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I seem to remember Annette King screeching “This will save us from the Bretheren” some time back.
I don’t recall the Left crying out that this was discriminatory and prejudiced. In fact the Left were forcing the law through despite enormous opposition. You’d think they’d at least be consistent about this and STFU…
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
No comment of Paul Henry has ever offended me … until this one. Henry needs to admit he was wrong – and apologise (which I understand he has done). I susepct that most of us who love his non-PC approach will still be acknowedging that this comment was indefensible.
It is not just the racial undertones here … the thing that offends me most is that Henry got his facts wrong. The GG was born here. Therefore he is as much a NZer as I am after 6 generations.
It is accepted that Henry’s style is to disconnect the usual mechanism which regulates the utterances of most on-air presenters. However, Paul’s comment went too far. It was not one most people would make in a pub – unless they were at a “white NZ” rally.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
What Paul really meant is that he does not sound like a white or British New Zealander.
The really ironic aspect is that Satch has one of the broadest Kiwi accents of anyone I’ve met.
He’s a down-to-earth Kiwi bloke with a razor sharp mind.
Kiwis are rightly proud of him.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
You mustn’t have any idea what they are like then, so why do you go on about them so much?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
“Therefore he is as much a NZer as I am after 6 generations.”
Why then are Maori treated specially- ie “Tangata Whenua” First people. Or are you just another insane PC sucking robot who couldn’t think rationally even in the remote case that his left wing media controllers instructed him to?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Here here, MT_Tinman! How come we don’t get to vote who the GG is? How come we’re stuck with Parliament choosing for us?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
@pollywog – I don’t think you want the bong bro, it will counteract the P you’re on.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
“He’s a down-to-earth Kiwi bloke with a razor sharp mind.”
So if he is not offended why the fuck is everybody else?? And why did Henry apologise like the wimpy little girl he really is??
I’ll tell you.
Mass hysteria.
A large part of the country is completely insane.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I love how Redbaiter’s first response to any story like this is to make himself the victim.
It’s sad, but amusing.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Have a listen to our Governor General he couldn’t sound any more Kiwi to me.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
***Thomas the Unbeliever (87) Says:
However, Paul’s comment went too far. It was not one most people would make in a pub – unless they were at a “white NZ” rally.***
I agree the comment went too far, but disagree it would only be heard at a white nz rally. You think that some Maori don’t make comments like that? I had a Maori cab driver telling me how it used to be better when the All Blacks were Maori & Pakeha.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Steady on, Redbaiter. Perhaps Thomas believes the Tangata Whenua shouldn’t be treated specially. If he does, I would agree with him.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
“It’s sad, but amusing.”
I’m deeply offended by that and I demand an immediate apology. Whatever is the country coming to when someone so bigoted and insensitive as yourself Mr. Brown is encouraged to comment on taxpayer funded radio?? I think you should apologise or resign.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
“Perhaps Thomas believes the Tangata Whenua shouldn’t be treated specially.”
Well if that is true he’s got a serious consistency problem in his logic.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I love how Russell Brown’s first response to any story like this is to try and make it about Redbaiter.
Red – you rock!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Yep, an indefensible and unlikeable comment. Not a view I agree with.
So here’s a big fat SO WHAT. So what that Henry said it? Who cares? I’m one of those people who would prefer to live in a country where people could actually say stupid things and not be handed your reputation on a plate. The hysterical reaction I’m seeing here is completely out of proportion with the problem. All Henry has done is express a view not in accordance with the received wisdom. Nobody has been killed or injured. No riots. He has simply DISAGREED with you. That is it. Full stop.
Get over yourselves, and let he who is without sin cast the first stone. You have the right to change the channel, not to be unoffended. Take some responsibility.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
The only thing that has reached mass proportions are your paranoia and delusions on the sad little dysfunctional lonely island that you you call your mind.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Redbaiters victim mentality dwarfs even Hone’s.
Poor guy.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Anyone remaining out there who still can’t see the intellectual bankruptcy of the left?
When you defeat them, they turn to name calling and personal attacks. They have no rationale because their ideology is built upon delusion. Confront them and their argument collapses like a house of cards and once you’ve done that, they have nothing left but attempted ridicule.
Their political strength, what there is of it, relies not upon reason and logic, but rather on being able to intimidate those who disagree with them.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Paul Henry was really discriminating against the GG because Anand is Catholic and we all know real New Zealanders aren’t Catholic.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Helen Clark wouldn’t have torn a strip off Henry – it’s unlikely she could stand him enough to have a regular interview spot with him. But if she happened to be with him and he asked her that, she probably would have gone cold like she did with John Campbell during “corngate”.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Ben, I agree all the interest in this one small event makes it look a massive over-reaction. On this blog, at least, our man Redbaiter has made a good show of having people on. That doesn’t explain all the national interest, though. Any thoughts on why people have reacted so?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I love how the blame is not being shifted to Key, the low life lefitsh scum really are desperate.
And as for Clark “tearing a strip of Henry”…please!, she would have dealt with it the same way as Key and that was to basically ignore it.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Leave Redbaiter alone. It must be terrible for him knowing that people holding views such as his are (thankfully) a dying breed. The irrevelant, outdated rantings of a sad, bitter old man.
Vote:Don’t hate him – feel sorry for him that he cannot enjoy living in this great country.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Paul Henry’s comments were stupid but easy to make. He did first ask if the GG was a NZ’er and he obviously thought the answer was no, but I suspect he was hoping to bring up the fact that most government appointees – especially during the labour government, were completely unrelatable to the normal kiwi. Anyway, I’m speculating about what Paul Henry’s motives were.
If they get rid of Paul Henry I will stop watching Breakfast, as he is the person that makes it interesting. Without him it is nothing more than politically correct propaganda.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Good stuff David. I’ve not read the comments thread, I don’t wish to read from his supporters. I think his apology lacks personal responsibility too.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
What exactly is a “normal” kiwi, CharlieBrown?
Vote:My guess is that by “normal” we are supposed to substitute the word “white”?
October 4th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Looks like the only solution is to appoint Paul Henry as the next Governor-General.
Sir Paul Henry has a nice ring to it.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
CharlieBrown, I like your thinking. Henry’s certainly got everyone talking about what it means to be a NZer and I doubt that would have happened had his comments been less offensively. I guess nobody should be scared of healthy, robust debate from time to time,
Pity both 6 o’clock news broadcasts didn’t have the Henry story tonight (at least as part of their headlines). No great surprise TVNZ didn’t, but I wonder why not TV3. Were they not wanting to put the boot in?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Leave Redbaiter alone . . . Don’t hate him – feel sorry for him that he cannot enjoy living in this great country.
He doesn’t. He lives – if you could call it living – under the floorboards of someone else’s blog. After all these years it’s the best the poor old bugger can manage.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Is it bigoted to ask if we are going to get someone who sounds more like a New Zealander to carry the flag at the next Commonwealth Games?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Actually the most important aspect of this interview was John Key’s clear rejection of Jeanette Fitzsimons as a candidate.
Ironically I read these posts before viewing the interview, and its hard to see what all the fuss is about. It’s just so refeshing to have someone push back at the PC lovers.
I say – bring it on PH. We want MORE!!!!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I am quite sure that Henry has the full support of management for these shock jock tactics to lift the ratings of his show. I am waiting for the weak response from TVNZ to confirm this. The apology was fulsome enough. i even suspect Henry had the apology drafted and cleared with his producer before he made his remarks.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Redeye, have you ever properly listened to the quality of the Noo Zulan accent? Do we really want someone who sounds like more like a NZer to carry our flag? I guess at least they don’t have to speak as they’re doing it!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
labrator says at 5:29 pm:
The Governor-General a Catholic, weird. Very strange because the Queen sure isn’t.
The 1701 Act of Settlement is indeed a wonderful thing.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
All Henry did was offend the Queen’s representative (and many New Zealanders) in front of the Prime Minister.
All Redbaiter’s doing is defending the right of anyone to criticise anyone, but don’t dare mention Palin and Russia.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Pete George, well summarised! It’s funny how offended people get though, eh?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
“Pete George, well summarised!”
Hardly. Its another example of the discognitive rubbish that characterises this leftist loon’s profuse contributions to Kiwiblog. Its typical of his slavish obedience to the collectivist mindset that he would in true Stalinist style object to someone offending or ridiculing a politician or any statesman.
Fuck ‘em, I say. Let’s offend them. Just do it with honesty. That’s one thing the compulsive liar Mr. George cannot do, as in his eagerness to apply yet another cowardly smear to a small government proponent, he once again makes reference to the completely false allegation that Palin said she could see Russia from her house. She never said this. Tina Fey said it.
Mr George though can never let a simple thing like honesty impede upon his obsession to smear and slander those who oppose his socialist vision. Why would he- he’s ever the sneaking coward, and only someone so shamelessly psychopathic about their own condition as he would seek to point the finger at Paul Henry and not be embarrassed by their own rank hypocrisy.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
The GG is cultural Catholic, ie identifies as such, but doesn’t really practise apart from the occasional sighting. There was an interview with him in one of the Catholic papers in the last year or so where he said as much.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Redbaiter, like I said, it’s funny how offended people get, eh?
Pete George, you said yourself, don’t mention Palin and Russia. You’re a believer of Oscar Wildo I see: “the only thing you can do with good advice is pass it on.”
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Do we really want someone who sounds like more like a NZer to carry our flag? I guess at least they don’t have to speak as they’re doing it!
eh…what was up with that lanky saffa chick in the commonwealth games carrying our flag ?
couldn’t they have gotten someone a bit more err…kiwi ?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@tauhenare Using the excuse that it’s just the pc thingee is just covering up for your racism.
I fully concur with that assessment, you can argue pc without resorting to racism ( or any ism etc ), where Paul Henry went wrong was targeting the race and not the person himself, if the current gg was selected as a pc selection based on ethnicity and you believe that, no problems argue that, but it’s an entirely separate argument from whether a person of that ethnicity should be gg, I believe a gg or any role in nz should filled based on appropriate skills, race/sex/religion should not be a factor ( ok there is the odd exception like for priests ).
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
The Standard is calling for people to boycott all businesses who advertise during Breakfast, and is advocating that people write to all of those companies to let them know about the boycott. Then they asked for names of advertisers so that they know who to write to.
I’ve let them know that Len Brown is an advertiser during Breakfast.
(I could have added that I “boycotted” Len Brown the day the voting papers arrived.)
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Actually he offended a lot more than just the GG. I think the GG would be well above being offended by Henry.
It’s more the ordinary Kiwis who don’t happen to look or sound like Paul Henry’s preconception of a New Zealander. Those who suffer from those views on a day to day basis, who constantly have to justify themselves as New Zealanders.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
It’s not a false allegation, I’ve always known she didn’t say that (but she said something nearly as ditsy about it).
Like Henry didn’t make a false allegation that Sir Anand doesn’t look or sound like a New Zealander, someone in his job must know basic facts like that when they talk about them on live TV. He claims to be a strong supporter of the monarchy.
What if Henry pointed out how lightweight your favourite ex-Alaskan politician is? If you were not a hypocrite that would be fine.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Did he really? That would be funny.
LOL
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
“The Standard is calling for people to boycott all businesses who advertise during Breakfast,”
Good. I hope the whole stinking corrupt socialist Chavez style edifice goes arse over tit and puts everyone who works there on the dole queue. Especially those Progressive propagandists in the TV One Newsroom.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Those ones that script offensive statements about the Queen’s representative? Terrible propaganda, lies designed to brainwash rednecks into thinking it is their favourite morning channel.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I’m quite surprised by the left in this thread. The left seem so caught up in the “New Zealand = Maori and Pakeha” paradigm. Worshiping the treaty and supporting greater rights for Maoris. I didn’t expect such an over-reaction.
Actually, just reading through this thread, it seems some seem to think Paul Henry is only referring to New Zealanders of European descent with his comment, not so surprising.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Bevan asks:
A good interviewer is one who’s disinclined to believe anything or anyone and who’s willing to put in the long hours doing research so as to have the facts ready to skewer the interviewee, not someone who thinks glib ad homs about appearance or accent (or whatever Henry thinks makes the GG “not a NZer”) substitute for letting the PM off the hook week after week when there’s so much on which he should be called to account.
So though I could do it immeasurably better than Henry (mind you, that’s not saying anything… my 12 year old son could do a better job, with less smirking and schoolboy “humour”) I do agree that there needs to be more presenters with a clear right-leaning bias as a counterweight to those with an obvious left bias and so I’d defer to someone more of that ilk.
I can’t think of too many candidates but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there… it means the electronic media don’t hire them. The template seems to be moulded into two shapes – earnest, serious, dull and sometimes hectoring lefty or foaming, barely sane attention-seeking righty.
By my reckoning DPF has about 130 blogs on his blogroll listed as “right”*. Is there no author on that list who wouldn’t be capable of compiling a list of decent questions and obtaining some straight answers, sans the “look at me” carry on, while still being entertaining?
* Caveat: One of them is Bryan Spondre. I’m not, even in my wildest nightmares, recommending him for the job
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
It was always going to happen. TVNZ can either sack him now by choice, or be forced to next time, when he offends someone who decides in return to damage New Zealand, like a president, a tycoon, a muslim leader. Then TVNZ will have blood on their hands and the pissy little gains from their pathetic breakfast show will be lost down the black hole of public backlash.
Redbaiter, classic stirring dude, but god only knows how you can direct your precious energy (and these precious moments of the last few years of your life) towards a cause you don’t even believe in.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
“or foaming, barely sane attention-seeking righty”
Name one they have hired in NZ.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
exactly.
imagine the outcry if sharples had uttered similar words to suggest a maori gg.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Redbaiter:
Micael Lhaws, a socially conservative (except in his own private life) racist beneficiary basher of the first order. But if your point is that for any righty I can name, you can name at least 20 lefties, I agree with you entirely. Hence my suggestion of finding an intelligent right-leaning media person who’d do the research needed to nail Key, Goff et al and giving them the job.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I’m sorry – I’m still pissing myself over”dickshit”.
I hope TVNZ fire him. TV3 will seize the opportunity in one stroke destroy the Breakfast show. But TVNZ will never do that even if Henry drops his draws on air.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Ok … uttering a comment that makes a distinction between people of different ethnic backgrounds is offensive.
So is having legislation that makes a resource entitlement distinction between people of different ethnic backgrounds also offensive?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Really? That’s that hilarious?
1. It’s a surname, so she didn’t choose it.
2. It’s not pronounced “dickshit” but “dixit”.
3. It’s not a European name, so the sounds “dick” and “shit” don’t convey the same meaning in Hindu.
So it’s stretching a point to find it anything more than “huh… *shrug*… odd name” and move on.
Now on the other hand, you have to wonder at the lack of foresight of Mr and Mrs Face, naming their little boy Richard, poor blighter. Then again, it didn’t cause him to hide from the public eye, even in Australia… he became a NSW Cabinet Minister.
Shall we have an ambulance stand by outside your place just in case Gwilly? No doubt if he did, you’d die laughing. After all, it’s not as though every “Carry On” movie, several episodes of “Are You Being Served” and gawd knows what else haven’t made comedy gold out of a pair of dropped trousers.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Gwilly,
I hope they fire him too. TV3 will pick him up, pay him too much and learn the same lesson again (and too late again.)
It is the TVNZ brand that gets most people tuning into Breakfast, not a “shock jock”. Henry is about as important to that show as an ice cube is to an eskimo (sorry, Inuit.)
Do you remember the destruction to TVNZ ratings when Holmes left? Oh yes, that’s right. A minor dip followed by resurgence as people went back to the teat they were most familiar with. TV3 news are a bit too ‘wanna be’ young & hip for the largest slice of the TVNZ demographic.
I do hope it happens though. Henry’s ego would take as much a hammering as Holmes’s did, but I think he has fewer established realtionships & friends in high places to bring him back.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
“Michael Laws”
You’ve got no idea Rex. Michael Laws is a mascara wearing Progressive who regards marriage as a temporary condition. That you seize upon him as an example of right wing media in NZ is an indication of how sorry a state it is in. They’re all for “diversity” other than when its related to politics. Its a Berlin Wall, and Laws is just another brick in that wall.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
TVNZ will not fire Henry. His shock-jock tactics are all ratings driven planned down to the the pre-written pre-cleared apology. Unless Henry really is quite stupid and does not know what he is doing.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Rex- you want right wing, listen to Mark Levin, author of “Liberty and Tyranny”, eviscerate the propagandising coward Gloria Allred on the Meg Whitman illegal alien housekeeper issue. This is the kind of interviewing we need in NZ. (and everywhere.) Take no prisoners.
http://www.marklevinshow.com/Article.asp?id=1970739&spid=32364
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
PS Laws “mascara” is a tatoo.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Rex, interestingly enough I have a guy in one of my teams called Dixit. Pronounced dickshit. In the first team meeting someone called him dix-it, and he said quite clearly “it’s pronounced dick-shit”. That’s his name, and the fact that it’s funny in English isn’t his problem. I reckon more power to him – he’s a good bloke and works well. I’m guessing there are different pronunciations based on region or something. Or maybe he has a really perverse sense of humour.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Redbaiter:
Just because Lhaws has had to moderate his views so as not to seem a hypocrite when his own behaviour is exposed doesn’t mean the majority of his views – on things like benefits, Maori issues and a raft of others – aren’t right wing. I’d concede that Lhaws isn’t truly right wing, as in a “believer”… he’s just cottoned on to these positions as being non-mainstream and thus controversial, and taking them allows him to feed his somewhat pathetic need for constant attention. Plus they provide an outlet for his misanthropy, disguised as a political stance.
I agree we need interviewers like Levin. The keyword being interviewers. Anyone can use an interview to push their own opinion over the top of an interviewee like Henry does. To ask pointed questions based on facts and research, and keep asking till you get an answer or the interviewee admits they don’t have an answer, is an ability a good interviewer needs. He uses his knowledge of the law to ask some extremely pertinent questions.
The only critique I’d give Levin is that he he doesn’t give her enough rope at the beginning at the interview… till about 8 minutes in. When he lets her give lengthier answers he gets more to come back at. But it’s refreshing to hear an interview where the interviewer is on top of his subject!
PaulL: So Dixit is pronounced “dick shit” and Dickshit is pronounced “dixit”! And I thought English was a perverse language
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
For those claiming Paul Henry has a right to free speech, agreed, but he doesn’t have a right or expectation to consequence-free speech. Say something silly and outrageous, racist and offensive, and expected to be called on it. There are a great deal of us who were offended by his remarks and wish to make it perfectly clear we don’t think like he thinks, and don’t want to tarred with the TVNZ brush of those who “quietly think” like he does.
Please formally complain to TVNZ at http://tvnz.co.nz/content/869443 and show Paul Henry that actions do have consequences.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Red, for God’s sake take your medication.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
“For those claiming Paul Henry has a right to free speech”
Who are those? I don’t see anyone claiming this. Is there something wrong with your brain?
“actions do have consequences.”
You need to educate yourself on the difference between action and speech. You sound like your reading hasn’t progressed very far past “Mein Kampf”.
Jimbob, you sad lamer- Read my post at 5:28. You’re exactly the kind of thug Progressive I’m talking about.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Redbaiter – Godwin thanks you.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
I don’t want my taxes paying for this particular front man – different if TVNZ wasn’t the public broadcaster. TVNZ you need to answer for this, so does John Key and of course Paul Henry who is like a broken record with his ‘apology’.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
TVNZ will sack him. The left have had their knives out for him for years, just waiting for him to finally trip over that one red line you don’t cross. Now he’s given them his head on a silver platter, and he has no one to blame but himself.
Pretty good having an independent voice on the tellybox that didn’t simper and wet the bed like David Slack did but oh well, there we go. Well done Fabians, you’ve got your total dominance. Just as well I watch Sky News in the mornings these days.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Interesting that you would use the word thug.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thug
thug
–noun
1. a cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer.
2. ( sometimes initial capital letter ) one of a former group of professional robbers and murderers in India who strangled their victims.
Origin:
Vote:1800–10; < Hindi thag lit., rogue, cheat
October 4th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I doubt that. Paul Henry is way too valuable for them. And he apologised within hours, which is quite remarkable for Henry.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Oh I don’t worry about this sort of thing. What is wrong with the comment? It just shows him for who he is, and he has every right to put that on display for us to see. I didn’t mind Hone calling me a white motherfucker, it showed that guy for the liability that he is to mainstream acceptance of the Maori Party.
And what is wrong with having an ordinary Kiwi as Govenor General, it has to be better than a Queen (Chris, not you, fuck off).
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
***I’m sorry – I’m still pissing myself over”dickshit”.
Really? That’s that hilarious?***
Rex,
I also chortled when I read that surname. I first read it in an article about excrement being found in the athletes facilities & it was just too absurd not to laugh.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Rex,
How is Laws socially conservative?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
DPF, why should TVNZ take “firm action”? Surely Henry is entitled to express his views for us to make of them what we will. We are not complete lemmings.
This is actually the problem is with state funded broadcasting, we all think we get a say in what is broadcast. If it were a private model the lefties could run news-reels of union rallies/witch burnings/stonings from Afghanistan/climate behaving badly and so on, and the right could just watch Fox.
And then no one would be “offended”.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I’ve changed my mind, keep Henry, but please David get rid of rebaiter, Russell Fletcher or whoever he is. Surely he’s gone well beyond any sort of reasonable online debate.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Wow, I followed redbaiter’s link to the Mark Levin interview. Phew! Just the kind of prejudice that fuels the rednecks of the US of A.
But the lawyer agreed to go on, has been there before, and knew what to expect, so why on earth did she bother? Maybe she just likes being worked over! Who knows?
As for Paul Henry, he is what he is. He’s irrelevant. The culprit is TVNZ. I can’t complain because I just never watch the intellectual and physical dwarf! I get my ignorance fix here: that’s enough. We should privatise TVNZ and let the market decide.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Have to say I enjoyed Mark Levin. We need someone like this in NZ…..someone who won’t let people get away with BS answers and persists until the end. Imagine if he got hold of someone like Helegrad, though she would refuse to be interviewed by him.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Fair enough Gwilly – it’s like a blood sport, isn’t it? Sort of repulsive but compulsive. Like Spartacus.
Or No Pressure.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Bet you had a stiffy throughout No Pressure, Luc. You’re only human, after all.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
“We should privatise TVNZ and let the market decide.”
Luc, one thing we agree upon! As a cable subscriber I have learned how dumbed down TVNZ has become, they seem to think that some “awards night” for some industry is “news”. I want proper news. And not more fucking cat up tree stories for the kiddies.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
RP
Sure, but I have a feeling that our definitions of “proper news” would differ.
Do you watch Democracy Now? Jon Stewart?
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
I love the idea that Puke thinks some obscure radio show and Stewart are real news.
There’s a bubble around Puke’s head but he can’t seem to see it.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 12:21 am
For all those who agree with Henry’s comments, a simple question: what does a New Zealander look and sound like?
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 5:34 am
Another storm in a teacup made up by the politically correct mob and their thin-skinned, gullible followers.
Vote:Who cares about the opinion of a TV “personality”?
October 5th, 2010 at 6:51 am
But Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said last night that the apology was not good enough, and should be aimed at all New Zealanders.
Except that I am one of the NZer’s and I was not offended at all and happen to agree with Henry’s sentiments actually.Maori or pakeha.But when one reads the list of moaners is it any wonder NZ is such a dull and boorish place. The moaners, bullies, PC wankers et al should go get a life, work for a living and generally STFU.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678236
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Just as cringe worthy.
Nationals bullying attempt to fix the justice system.
$$7.75 per hour. Less then the minimum wage.
Now I would guess that that infringes the HR Act. Certainly not conducive to getting jurors at $62 per day for a week or $310.00
FEES FOR JURORS
First five days
* $31 for each half day.
* or $89 for attendance 6pm to 9pm.
* or $127 if attendance past 9pm.
Six and subsequent days
* $40 for each half day.
* Or $114 for attendance 6pm to 9pm.
* Or $163 if attendance past 9pm.
* Transport, car parking and childcare are paid.
* Employers are not compelled to pay wages for employees on jury duty but many pay the difference between the fees and the usual wage.
* Court registrars have discretion to pay higher fees in cases of special hardship.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678211
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 7:15 am
I had the unfortunate experience of watching the morning television programme fronted by Henry last year. I found him to be an irritating git so have not bothered watching him since. The answer is simple really when dealing with Henry. If your life is so frigging tedious that you have to watch television in the morning the is no need to be offended by pretentious wankers such as Henry, simply turn the tv off and do something productive with your time. That is what makes tv so democratic. You are not compelled to watch it.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Henry isn’t the problem. This points to the real problem:
TVNZ sound like they think there is nothing wrong with the
Vote:ratingsinsult.October 5th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Viking2 – my grandfather is Dutch. Am I still allowed to call myself a Kiwi in your eyes?
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 7:43 am
All this drama and I am still not watching The Paul Henry Show. I feel like I am missing out.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 7:49 am
TVNZ defends him, and rightly so because New Zealand’s tradition as an insular, white, racist society of small-minded muppets is something to be proud of, nurture, and celebrate.
As is our tradition of tuning in to a public broadcaster that airs stupid U.S. reality tv shows, lame-arse NZ copies of them, and precious little else.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Yes, Joris de Bres should have been clearer. He should have demanded an apology for all New Zealanders except for the racist who agree with Paul Henry.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 8:05 am
@ Rex,
Ignore my question above, after I posted it I remembered the smacking issue.
***Sure, but I have a feeling that our definitions of “proper news” would differ.
Do you watch Democracy Now? Jon Stewart?***
Luc,
I enjoy Jon Stewart, but prefer Colbert. I wouldn’t class them as ‘proper news’. In fact, I’d recommend this article on how the news generally is ridiculous.
“The news industry’s concentration on excitement and gossip – exacerbated by the need to sell product daily – likely causes it to ignore events which history will deem the most important of our time. Events are seen as newsworthy only because they carry some immediacy or excitement, not because of any per se impact on the course of world events. Sommerville quotes Malcolm Muggeridge’s poignant statement: “I’ve often thought … that if I’d been a journalist in the Holy Land at the time of our Lord’s ministry, I should have spent my time looking into what was happening in Herod’s court. I’d be wanting to sign up Salome for her exclusive memoirs, and finding out what Pilate was up to, and … I would have missed completely the most important event there ever was.”
So it may be in our time. While the journalists and news organizations are consumed with what the celebrities wore at the Emmy’s, the people who will be remembered in the future as the most influential of our time may be quietly laboring, unheralded and unsung. As Sommerville says, “If you tried to write the history of the Renaissance from the news of that day, you would miss everything that we treasure from that time.”
The impact of the daily news on our system of government is also disturbing. Again, because of the voracious appetite of the news industry for new events on which to report, journalists desire political change above all else. …Another effect of daily news is that the focus of our national political discussions becomes centered on the question, “What have our politicians done for us lately?” An example is the recurrent penchant for analyzing the first 100 days of a presidency, with the implication that any new president must begin by instantly proposing dramatic new pieces of legislation or social programs…
What is Sommerville’s solution? To abandon the daily news outright in favor of reading periodicals and books. The very reason that Sommerville concentrates on dailiness – rather than on the usual complaints, such as bias, commercialization, censorship, incompetence, etc. – is to emphasize that the news industry is irretrievably flawed and must be discarded…
What if we neglected the celebrity gossip, political rehash, distant natural disasters and plane crashes and started cultivating our own neighborhoods?” Sommerville asks rhetorically. I doubt if anyone in the news industry has a good answer.”
http://www.boundless.org/2000/departments/pages/a0000322.html
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 8:13 am
# eszett (787) Says:
October 5th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Viking2 (2,663) Says:
October 5th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Yes, Joris de Bres should have been clearer. He should have demanded an apology for all New Zealanders except for the racist who agree with Paul Henry.
Mr de Bres is correct.
NZ deserves an apology – for selecting Race Relations Commissioners on racist grounds.
Until then, except for his resignation announcement he should STFU.
On Mr Henry’s comment; He is a talking head on breakfast television for christ’s sake – it doesn’t matter.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 8:40 am
But of course it doesn’t. Why would it matter?
Vote:Why would it matter if you make a stupid, racist remark on national television while talking to the PM?
October 5th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Surely it is a matter of fact that any of the officials considering who should be our next Governor General will have been asking themselves this question.
Paul Henry was simply asking Key if they were asking this question – and it was a reasonable question to ask.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Owen, so you not a New Zealander even though you are born here? You have to be either of British or Maori descent?
Fuck, wonder if the Dutch will have me then.
Vote:October 5th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
# transmogrifier (330) Says:
October 5th, 2010 at 12:21 am
For all those who agree with Henry’s comments, a simple question: what does a New Zealander look and sound like?
……………………………………..
It’s not a matter of whether or not you agree with his comment … you should be defending his right to make it.
Oh well, I guess we should prepare ourselves for the gulags for thought crimes as well soon.
Or getting arrested for merely watching a video of someone burning a koran.
Vote: