Written By: - Date published: 12:22 pm, April 3rd, 2008 - 60 comments
Categories: Media, nz first, racism -
Tags: Media, nz first, racism
Now this is what Campbell needs to do more of. Last night the man ripped poor old Peter Brown to shreds over his racist comments about Asian immigrants, and it was brutal. You almost had to feel sorry for the guy:
Facebook
Twitter
Scoopit!
Some of it was great – highlighting the actual Stats NZ data and contrasting itwith Brown’s assertions. But there were bits that were pretty bad – he asked Brown questions and then interupted when Brown tried to answer, and he also misrepresented some of what Brown said.
It was a vast improvement over much of what we see on TV, but I don’t think we should be too liberal with our praise when their were also significant flaws in the interview.
I can’t get that video to work here, but I watched it last night. Memorable moment (from memory):
Brown: there will be 400,000 more asian immmigrants here by 2025.
Campbell: 100,000 of them will be born here! You know that! It’s right here!
Brown: *pauses*… Yes, but…
True, true, but it sure makes a change from cats up trees and Jackie Brown reviewing shoes.
As the Steinlager ad says, “It’s good to see you take a stand where it counts”!
I am calling on Helen Clark to sack Peters as Foreign Minister, or to demand his resignation – if she doesn’t, she runs the risk of being tarred with the same brush. Brown may have spoken the words, but who calls the shots in NZ First?
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2008/04/time-for-clark-to-sack-peters.html
It’s good to see Peter Brown’s openly racist comments being treated with the contempt they deserve.
Sadly, raising false fears about immigration is an old, predictable ploy that too many politicians have indulged in. And not just Peters.
Here’s Don Brash, then leader of the National Party, September 2006:
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3460/features/6926/so_who_do_we_keep_out.html
Same message, smarter package.
So Inventory, you think that all coalition agreements, that include making a member of the minor party a government minister, include (implicitly) the requirement that the major party sign off on the minor partys election platform, and kick them out of their ministerial role/s (which would in effect probably mean an end to the coalition)?
It seems a bit odd that Helen Clark is now responsible for not only Labour’s election platform, but NZF’s and UF’s (and the Greens?).
Inventory2, disingenuous argument – you say (your blog) that Peters has said this type of stuff before, yet only call for him to be sacked now (also on this blog). This was raised when Peters got the job originally, and we haven’t suffered because of it.
Note, I’m not condoning Borwn’s message in the slightest!
I also recall that as part of Labour’s agreement with NZF, they were their own party on all matters apart from Winston’s portfolio – this is immigration and not foreign affairs, so it is entirely outside of Labour’s sphere. unless it affects Foreign Affairs…
Great interview by Comrade Campbell, for once I applaud he man.
I also agree with Tane in as much as I would love to see Campbell out a few other pollies under the blowtorch, he could start with Cullen and Clark.
However we all know he would never do such a thing so all we really have is another sycophantic kiwi jounro picking on (quite rightly as it happens)a minor party instead of being brave enough to take on dear leader.
BB. I’m not sure Campbell should really be called a Labour lackey. remember the corngate interview? No love after that.
No comment from Clark about this disgusting racist attack, the only inference one can draw from that is that she fully supports Winston firsts policy on Asian immigration.
I wonder if Comrade Campbell will mention that?
Yeah BB, given that Clark is in Europe on official business and was attending Sir Ed’s memorial last night, yours is the only logical inference.
Kind of reminds me of that 1950s legal logic: if a woman doesn’t say no it must mean she wants to have sex.
Bruv, you are of course trolling, but perhaps you could tell us which of the major party leaders have bothered with Brown’s blather? Why cross the motorway to tread on an ant?
The responses have come from the party spokespeople (Carter, Wong, Locke etc), and have been clear and unequivocal, as they should be.
Less clear are the views of various right-wingers when *other* minorities are targeted, such as Muslims. Peter Brown’s a bigoted buffoon, easy to oppose. But there’s also been a fair amount of Crosby/Textor dog-whistles (“I’m not racist but …”) which have not been so readily condemned.
Same message, smarter package.
PS Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
I think it’s a first ! Agreement on all the most common left and right blogs that Peter Brown and his comments are outrageous and unacceptable.
Perhaps Winston would like to comment – no he’ll wait to see public reaction …. test the polls the decide whether play to the lowest sector of our population come election time – very cynical Winston but hardly surprising.
Historian
It does not matter what the other party leaders think as they are not in coalition with Labour.
Labour need Winston, without him they are finished.
Clark should sack Winston immediately if she is at all concerned about this racist attack, she has not done so so she obviously agrees with him.
Bruv
The answer is in the question you ignored.
Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
And unlike Brown, Clarkson is in Key’s own party. Why was he not sacked? And do you give a toss about racism really, except for trolling?
Should Key have resigned when Clarkson said that people who wear headscarves should “go back to Iraq or Islam”?
An this man helps prop up the corrupt and desperate Labour Party. You leftards should immediatley demand Winston declare that this policy is not part of NZ First policy.
It was wonderful to see Campbell rip this prick to shreds and I cannot believe that he is even in Parliament let alone party of the Labour Government! But the reality is that he is one of yours. Do you mind being propped up by a racist such as Brown?
[we do oppose Brown's racist comments. hence the post. SP]
Monty
Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
Monty I agree with you, it is disgusting that the leader of the Labour party and PM of NZ agrees with the policy of NZ first.
Her failure to sack Winston is a national embarrassment, it is clear that she is in full “whatever it takes” mode given that it is election year.
Are you going to keep running away, Bruv?
Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
Is…is this why you’re so angry big bruv? Given Winston has used this same campaign issue since he were knee ‘igh to grass’oppers & all?
I mean his coalition with National must have really stung, and then for him to get back in, this time with Labour – you must feel positively disenfranchised, is there nowhere you can turn? Oh wait – what’s that? It’s..it’s The KIWI PARTY !
Cap: ‘fringe of’ – big bruv’s relationship with reality?
BB: And exactly where did you see Helen agreeing with Brown?
Provide us a link…
OR would you like to admit that you just made that up with your usual conspiracy paranoid logic?
captcha: 1909 model
sound like BB
The issue is Helen Clark’s agreement with the racist policy of Winston first.
If she was not a racist she would have demanded the resignation of the foreign affairs minister, she has not done so.
“Whatever it takes”
Did you demand Clarkson’s resignation for his comments, Bruv?
“whatever it takes” – to be a troll. Turns out it doesn’t take much by way of intelligence.
Bruv
Peter Brown is not a Labour MP. Bob Clarkson is a National MP.
Peter Brown is not a member of the government. Bob Clarkson is a National Party spokesman, with portfolios.
According to your brilliant logic, John Key must therefore be a bigger racist than Helen Clark. (I don’t think Key is racist myself, but if you insist …)
I am not PM Matthew however if I were then I can guarantee you that I would be sacking Peters immediately.
The difference is that I do not have a stated policy of “whatever it takes”
So John Key should have sacked Clarkson months ago by your ‘logic’. You agree with this right, Clarkson should be a gonner? How is your heartfelt letter writing campaign to that effect going?
Oh, a stated policy? Which portfolio is it in? I wouldn’t mind the link to the policy, cheers champ.
havent had a good look through kiwiblog yet, but im sure looking forward to redbaiter trying to defend him. (though redbaiter could still be running around with his tail between his legs since his embarasment over the BSA/californication post)
Bob Clarkson is rough around the edges. I cannot remember his commnets but also understand he is the type of person who would say such a thing – but a couple of pints
1. Bob is not espousing National Party Policy – That racist Brown is. Brown was making factually incorrect statement and gross generalisations about a major part of out population who normally are good hard-working and industrious citizens.
2. Two worngs do not make it right.
3. Given the Labour party have in the past vilified other minority groups (Chinless scarf wearers, extreme christians, lawyers and accountants who play golf) and Labour have failed to come out and demand a retraction I think we can assume that Labour actually support Winston’s policy (afterall Asians tend to vote National)
I think the facts speak for themselves. Labour are happy for NZF poodle to do their dirty work for them.
Bob is not espousing National Party Policy – That racist Brown is.
Brown’s promoting National Party policy? That’s news to me, I thought he was promoting NZ First’s.
Labour have failed to come out and demand a retraction I think we can assume that Labour actually support Winston’s policy
You assume too much. It’s not Labour’s business to demand NZ First retract its policy, but it is their business to state a view. And they have – their relevant spokesmen have condemned it.
Monty
That is a really desperate attempt to smear the Labour Party. Get back to me when you can back up your lies with a shred of evidence (which you can’t, because there is none).
Here is clear evidence you obviously didn’t bother to read, earlier in the thread. The views of the previous National party leader:
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3460/features/6926/so_who_do_we_keep_out.html
Note his comments on New Zealanders feeling “threatened” by Asian immigration.
Remember the line about immigrants who “spit in the street”? That was Don Brash in 2005 (written by one of his Hollow Men, no doubt).
Thanks for the video. It’s very revealing that he has nothing to say to Asian-New Zealanders on his comments, and hadn’t even read the report well enough to see that most of the population of Asian-New Zealanders predicted will be born in New Zealand.
I’m also highly worried that he can’t justify why he thinks Asian-New Zealanders won’t speak English despite the fact that we now require their proficiency with English language to be tested, and has not expressed any lack of confidence in that process.
No worries Ari. By the way, just added you to our blogroll. Apologies for the delay in doing so.
Monty: “Asians tend to vote National”
Again, where’s your evidence? The irony will go way over your head, but for somebody who claims to be concerned about racism, you sure love the empty generalisations.
The survey below reported 47% Labour, 40% National. However, it is several years old now, so perhaps you have more recent data? Or do you just pick lazy prejudices out of your arse, and pretend they are facts?
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0409/S00081.htm
BB:
Yes and it is easy to see why. Looking at your comments, they lack a certain clarity about lines of control in and between party organizations.