Base lies

Written By: - Date published: 9:55 am, August 14th, 2012 - 104 comments
Categories: Minister for Overseas Holidays, sport - Tags:

So, Key’s over in Maine watching his kid play baseball (and, shush, taking the rest of the week off for another overseas holiday). Whatever. The thing that gets me is that he can’t help but lie to tell people what they want to hear. He’s told Maine media that the little leaguers getting to the world tournament is big news here. No, it’s not. It’s just news that our PM has gone to watch.

104 comments on “Base lies ”

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  1. Carol 1
    14 August 2012 at 10:26 am

    Yankee Wannabe:
    http://static.stuff.co.nz/1344851126/982/7470982.jpg

    More important than supporting NZ military sacrifices and even more important than support for sports that have been a traditional part of NZ’s culture.

    There’s a word for that…..

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7470987/Little-leaguers-big-news-says-proud-Key

    How’s it going talking to those US uni scouts about Max getting a place at a high status US Uni, John?

  2. tc 2
    14 August 2012 at 10:48 am

    yes but looking on the positives a-la RWNJ styles at least he’s consistent in his performance as being our most popular sociopath.

  3. ghostwhowalksnz 3
    14 August 2012 at 10:48 am

    Is this NZ team competing in baseball or softball ?

    Each of the two sports have youth teams competing overseas – but in Sydney for Softball and Seoul for U18 Baseball

    So what exactly is this ‘event’ that is being held . It doesnt appear to be an official event of NZ baseball

    My guess is that the team is self selected based on ability to pay for overseas travel

  4. r0b 4
    14 August 2012 at 10:56 am

    Folks, please be careful in this thread to focus your comments on John Key, and leave his son out of it. Thanks.

    [lprent: Yes. ]

    • ghostwhowalksnz 4.1
      14 August 2012 at 12:11 pm

      Isnt it Key who has claimed the team is representing NZ, when in fact its not an official ‘representative’ team of NZ Baseball

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      14 August 2012 at 1:51 pm

      Those of us who would prefer a PM that didn’t lie.

      • TheContrarian 5.1.1
        14 August 2012 at 1:57 pm

        This particular lie has all the significance of telling your wife her haircut looks nice when it doesn’t. Not to mention the actual comment isn’t a quote so there is no reference, context or wording to judge it on.

        So, who gives a fuck?
        If say the reporter asked “what does everyone back in New Zealand think?” you think John Key should have said “No one cares”?

        • Dr Terry 5.1.1.1
          14 August 2012 at 3:08 pm

          No, Contrarian, he should have said “Ï have not asked”!

        • felix 5.1.1.2
          14 August 2012 at 3:30 pm

          “If say the reporter asked “what does everyone back in New Zealand think?” you think John Key should have said “No one cares”?”

          That wouldn’t be very statesman-like now, would it? But neither is an out-and-out lie.

          No, what a person who doesn’t lie as a first instinct should say in such a circumstance is along the lines of:

          Well back home in NZ the big sports are rugby and cricket, and American sports like baseball don’t really get a look in, which is why everyone involved is even more proud of these young people for what they’ve achieved just by reaching this level.

          Or something like that.

  6. tracey 6
    14 August 2012 at 11:12 am

    It is not a genuinely international competition. The pm is interested in the asia-pacific team. My research reveals every other team is from usa. My research was brief so can bear correction. It is not a new zealand team. It is not representing nz and given the finances of softball and baseball in nz is probably user pays. Cant find the squad. Would expect it to be full of aussies tho.

  7. js 7
    14 August 2012 at 11:39 am

    In one of the local news reports above is a little comment from the PM about the sport now attracting government funding in NZ. Any conflict of interest there?

  8. Roy 8
    14 August 2012 at 11:39 am

    Why tell such a ridiculous lie?

    • TheContrarian 8.1
      14 August 2012 at 2:04 pm

      You ever told someone at a party the dip was nice when it wasn’t or said you liked someones poem when you didn’t?

      Come on, this is a little bit precious 

      • Roy 8.1.1
        14 August 2012 at 2:12 pm

        Those are white lies to make people feel better. This is just absurd.

        • TheContrarian 8.1.1.1
          14 August 2012 at 2:55 pm

          So if the reporter asked John Key “What does everyone back in New Zealand think?” he should have said “No one cares” or perhaps made a little white lie like “everyone is excited” or “it’s big news”

      • Dr Terry 8.1.2
        14 August 2012 at 3:15 pm

        TheContrarian. I do believe you are becoming civilised, managing to change your filthy epithet to “precious”!

      • felix 8.1.3
        14 August 2012 at 3:58 pm

        “or said you liked someones poem when you didn’t?”

        No way. You gotta be straight with those people or they’ll never stop. 😉

  9. bbfloyd 9
    14 August 2012 at 11:41 am

    Thank you for pointing out how worried the tory twit brigade is about this story gaining legs….

    Don’t know why you are so insecure about the general public suddenly discovering what a lame, dishonest, utterly cowardly prime minister we’ve had foisted on us….The national party public relations office(tvnz,tv3,prime,radio live. zb news,herald) have been at pains to ensure the story is well and truly buried…..Indeed, the herald went so far as to write a shrill defense of johnny sparkles utter cowardice….

    What kind of snivelling, whining coward do we have for a “leader” when he is so frightened to be associated with the downside of his own governments policy of obsequious crawling to the americans that he would openly run away from his obligations as prime minister….?

    Johnny sparkles is the kind of craven coward, that’s who….

    This is the perfect demonstration of just how bereft of “leadership” johnny is…..If we didn’t know that he is no more that a “plant”, put where he is so that the “hollow men” can continue with the asset, and wealth stripping exercise unimpeded, then we know it now….

  10. travellerev 10
    14 August 2012 at 12:06 pm

    This is not about John Key visiting a baseball game to watch his son play. That is just fine.

    This is about John Key’s propagandists telling us that the team his son is playing in is representing New Zealand (In an Olympic games euphoria) and making it a Dad/Prime Ministerial combi while it’s just a silly little league game in order to be able to sell us the reason John Key is excused paying his respects at a funeral of two men who died in an illegal war of aggression based on lies.

    The fact that they had to come up with the patriotic “representing New Zealand”crap means they are fully aware how sensitive this is and it is once again proof of how callous John Key really is.

    • Gosman 10.1
      14 August 2012 at 1:10 pm

      Ummmmm… what evidence do you have that our involvement in Afghanistan is illegal? The UN sanctioned the deployment and role of forces in the country. That pretty much makes it legal.

      • travellerev 10.1.1
        14 August 2012 at 1:36 pm

        Ummm… For those of you wanting to know why the war in Afghanistan is an illegal one here is an excellent exposé

        • TheContrarian 10.1.1.1
          14 August 2012 at 1:39 pm

          Actually buddy I am pretty sure the Security Council did sanction the war

          • travellerev 10.1.1.1.1
            14 August 2012 at 1:46 pm

            Actually I’m not your buddy. And for those really interested in finding out why the war in Afghanistan is illegal watch the exposé.
            Other than that John Key still choose to be derelict in his duty which according to previous commentators he was able to perform and see his kid play.

            John Key can’t be arsed that’s all there is to it!

            • TheContrarian 10.1.1.1.1.1
              14 August 2012 at 2:08 pm

              Sorry buddy, the war conformed to international law.

              • travellerev …
                14 August 2012 at 3:24 pm

                Contrarian, No actually it wasn’t.

                Gosman, I don’t need too. Even if 19 young non Afghanis were able to break every law of physics the war declared on Afghanistan was as illegal then as it is now.
                Waging war on another country is only legal in two events. If you have been attacked and have to defend yourself and if attack is so eminent that only your intervention can prevent it.

                Afghanistan never intended or attempted to attack the US. Harbouring a criminal is not a legal reason to attack an entire Nation and considering they took an entire month after the attacks to attack Afghanistan imminent attack also was non existent.
                For those of you interested to learn why please watch the excellent exposé I link to above.

                • TheContrarian …
                  14 August 2012 at 3:26 pm

                  Umm, yes it was.
                  It had UN Security Council approval. Therefore legal.

                  If you want to argue about the morality of war that is a different kettle of monkeys but the Afghan war was in accordance with international war. 

                • Bob McG …
                  14 August 2012 at 5:49 pm

                  the purpose of NZDF in Bamiyan is not actually to wage war – peacekeeping and reconstruction is actually pretty useful and the incident the two men (who are three time the calibre than JKey will ever be) were involved in was part of their role of backing up the Afghanistan security team trying to protect their region. I suppose the regiment will understand that Mr Key has made sacrifices for his country and that what ever he is doing now is more important than paying his respects to the families who have lost a loved one due to the decisions he signs off on – especially after his comment that implied they were expendable because neither had children and one didn’t have close family (his mum died when he was young and he was raised by his aunty – so not lucky and privileged like some but still willing to make himself useful).

                  But you know – by all means please base your eroneous assumptions on a piece of unsubstantiated polemic – wouldn’t want to twist your precious conclusions with anything as complex as reality.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    14 August 2012 at 11:05 pm

                    the purpose of NZDF in Bamiyan is not actually to wage war – peacekeeping and reconstruction is actually pretty useful

                    Too bad NZ ordered its special forces into offensive combat operations alongside the US, and did so in the glare of media coverage, thereby fucking our name of its entire presence in Afghanistan as impartial, trusted actors, and painting big red targets on the foreheads of our forces there.

                    Oh I see you didn’t mention this little fact at all.

                    But you know – by all means please base your eroneous assumptions on a piece of unsubstantiated polemic – wouldn’t want to twist your precious conclusions with anything as complex as reality.

                    Asshat.

        • Gosman 10.1.1.2
          14 August 2012 at 2:40 pm

          Oh. This is one of your wacky conspiratorial rants where you try and argue that September the 11th was an inside job and that the US Government planned it all. Sorry if I had known I would have stayed away. Carry on then with spouting your wacky conspiricy theory. How’s that going for you by the way? Got anybody in any position of authority in any political organisation in NZ ready to start pushing this view?

      • Dr Terry 10.1.2
        14 August 2012 at 3:18 pm

        Well, Gosman, you love to play with words. How about substituting “ïmmoral” for illegal?

  11. dancerwaitakere 11
    14 August 2012 at 12:49 pm

    I’m no fan on John Key. But good on his son for doing something with his life.

    Labour and the Greens will not win the election by constantly focusing on John Key. It won’t work. He is just as incompetent as he was 4 years ago when Labour ran the ‘Trust’ adverts, but people don’t want to hear it 24/7.

    • fatty 11.1
      14 August 2012 at 2:27 pm

      [I’m going to be over-cautious and remove this comment – the comment itself wasn’t offensive but I don’t want the focus turning to Key’s son. Cheers – r0b]

      • Rob 11.1.1
        14 August 2012 at 2:35 pm

        Really fatty, are you sure. Ever get outside much……

        • fatty 11.1.1.1
          14 August 2012 at 2:46 pm

          What?
          That’s weird…My comment wasn’t directed at Key’s son, I’m sure Key’s children are nice kids and good on him for doing well in baseball.
          I got in rep teams as a child, but I don’t see this as evidence that I’ve done something with my life.

          “Really fatty, are you sure. Ever get outside much……”

          Yip, probably more than you

          [lprent: When it comes to the families of politicians and especially their kids, the moderators view over-zealousness as being the minimum required standard. ]

    • Dr Terry 11.2
      14 August 2012 at 3:20 pm

      dancerwaitakere. Who the hell is criticising his son? Nobody, of course. This is nothing but a distraction from the issue.

  12. Maggie may 12
    14 August 2012 at 1:00 pm

    I would not be suprised to see our Prime Minister distancing himself from our war dead.

    How long until like America, the bodies of war dead will be brought home under cover of darkness.

  13. wtl 13
    14 August 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Key also lied about not being able to attend the funerals of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan because of this tournament. A bit of digging by others (see comments) has revealed that he could have attended both. This is an even bigger lie, in my opinion.

    • Ross 13.1
      15 August 2012 at 12:54 pm

      I think it’s the bigger lie too. If he genuinely couldn’t have made the funeral, then he would have left himself open to the claim that he doesn’t take his job seriously enough. But to falsely claim, as he did, that he would have to let someone down, beggars belief. The guy is a charlatan and thinks the public is thick.

  14. seeker 14
    14 August 2012 at 1:27 pm

    I had already posted this link on “Interesting Week”. I think it is the precursor to Contrarian’s. It shows why key felt he had to leave on Thursday – Bangor, Maine was expecting him. It had certainly given him a ‘Maine’ photo op using one of his main photos, the one we know so well!

    http://bangordailynews.com/2012/08/09/sports/new-zealand-prime-minister-to-attend-senior-league-world-series-in-bangor/

    I still believe he could have attended the military funeral, rather than rubbing salt into the fresh wounds of the bereaved by asking them to ‘understand’ his prior commitment to his son when they had just lost theirs.’Understand’ at a time like that?! Who would even be able to think of key’s needs.?

    Personally I wouldn’t want a person as insensitive and unprincipled as key at the funeral of my beloved son if he had just lost his life in the service of his country. Furthermore, said leader of the country had asked for my ‘understanding’ that a previous ‘booking’ should take precedence over his duty as the country’s prime leader to welcome my son home and publicly honour and salute his outstanding and courageous sacrifice. Death, laying down your life for your country men is no small thing.

    However, back in pm world, how irritating that such things should happen when one is already booked, armed with respectable reasons of course, to fly off on a mini family break. But, hey ho, there’s the rub of the job of being prime minister. Thinks to himself – “Must get someone to come up with a credible story to get me out of this puzzling situation and let me do what I want, whilst still looking ‘principled’. My blind followers will justify any choice I make come hell or high water while I enjoy what others have irritatingly lost. All will be well for me. I never cry or lose sleep over such things. I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine…… ”
    Key could easily have paid for another flight – he has the money.

    Patrick Gower told us more of Lance Corporal Malone’s incredibly brave actions last night. He had managed to get one soldier to safety and he went back to help another and lost his life doing so. Now that’s sacrifice and love of one’s fellow man, and devotion to duty; God bless him.

    Apologies to sensitive right wingers if this sounds harsh, but I am greatly saddened and very, very disappointed in john key and his dereliction of duty. He should have known what being the PM entailed when he took on the job. You can blindly respect him all you want, but I think New Zealand deserves better than him.

    • tracey 14.1
      14 August 2012 at 2:04 pm

      Its not school holidays is it? First cunliffe now key taking holidays… Is key having more than four weeks away from work this year?

    • Dr Terry 14.2
      14 August 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Key could easily have visited his son a week or two later, but not so with the memorial service. A family party can always be deferred. A matter of national grief cannot be deferred.

  15. shorts 15
    14 August 2012 at 1:42 pm

    meanwhile in Bangor residents are wondering WTF is a New Zealand?

  16. Anne 16
    14 August 2012 at 1:53 pm

    Thank-you seeker for expressing so well… what many of us feel about his behaviour. By the sounds of it, he could easily have attended that memorial service – which was more than just a memorial service anyway because the coffins of the two soldiers were present – without missing any of his son’s games. But it didn’t happen to suit his plans this time around.

  17. captain hook 17
    14 August 2012 at 2:15 pm

    he’s just putting on the style.
    in essence key is just another wannabee who thinks that having money does it when it doesn’t.
    he should go to outer mongolia to fulfill his destiny and achieve his dream and get lost.

    • Dr Terry 17.1
      14 August 2012 at 3:26 pm

      captain hook. Good idea – but outer Mongolia is too close – better he had gone on the mission to Mars, from which there is no return!

  18. tracey 18
    14 August 2012 at 3:47 pm

    The thing is contrarian why is his default position, lying. ? He cld have said its a big deal to me because hes my son…. But knowing it will get reported back he just had to lie…

    • TheContrarian 18.1
      14 August 2012 at 3:54 pm

      Look at it this way – it isn’t a direct quote, it has no context, we don’t know the question, if it was part of larger comment etc etc. Not to mention it is comparable to telling the host at a party you enjoyed yourself when you really didn’t.

      Therefore it is really quite precious and silly to get all bent out of shape about it when they are real pressing issues one could report on. This is childish.

      I know, I know, some wags above have made comment that for something I am saying is so minor I seem to be getting bent out of shape. But debating this issue with The Standard monkeys in no way implies I care about what Key said. Because I don’t – I don’t care. But the bleating Standard intrigues me much like you can’t help but tongue a loose tooth…..or scratch a genital wart. 

      Anyway, that’s where I am at. 

      • Murray Olsen 18.1.1
        14 August 2012 at 4:55 pm

        No Contrarian, it’s more like going to a turducken party in the US and A and being asked if they’re popular in your country. The appropriate answer would be “Apart from Gerry Brownlee, nobody in my country knows what a turducken is, but they’re very popular with him.” Key’s answer was more along the lines of “Yes, we all gave one at least once a month and they are becoming an increasingly important part of the Kiwi dining experience.”

      • Tracey 18.1.2
        15 August 2012 at 9:38 am

        Is the lie about energy prices not being more expensive under private companies precious, or serious? You see, it’s the same scale…

  19. felix 19
    14 August 2012 at 4:09 pm

    “Look at it this way – it isn’t a direct quote, it has no context, we don’t know the question, if it was part of larger comment etc etc.”

    That’s a fair call, bit of context and an actual quote would be nice.

    “Not to mention it is comparable to telling the host at a party you enjoyed yourself when you really didn’t.”

    That’s not a comparison you can really make, because as you point out there’s no quote and no context, so really you have no idea what it’s comparable to.

    However if I were to assume that it’s roughly accurate for the purposes of this discussion, I’d say a better comparison would be telling the host at a party that you’re a huge fan of whatever they’re a fan of when you aren’t. Which, apart from being a bit stupid because they’re going to know straight away if the conversation goes any further, is also a sign of a great weakness of character.

    “Therefore it is really quite precious and silly to get all bent out of shape about it when they are real pressing issues one could report on. This is childish.”

    Yep. You should probably stop it.

    • TheContrarian 19.1
      14 August 2012 at 4:12 pm

      That’s a fair call, bit of context and an actual quote would be nice.

      indeed, it is quite important.

      Yep. You should probably stop it. 

      I’ll never stop. I am like an irresistible force…would you like to be my immovable object?
       

  20. infused 20
    14 August 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Slow news day?

  21. irascible 21
    14 August 2012 at 7:25 pm

    KeY is more than likely getting a briefing from his GOP familiars while using the photo opportunity of the quintessentially USA little league to demonstrate his patriotism while ignoring the reality of the country he plays at being PM of.
    We should remember he is the the MP for Hawaii rather than Helensville.

  22. RedBaron 22
    14 August 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Fair enough to leave politicians’ kids alone – couldn’t agree more.

    BUT when will the politicians leave the kids of beneficiaries alone and stop typecasting them by their parent income..
    When will they stop issuing contraceptive advice to the 16 year old daughters of low income parents, demanding vacinations even though a benefit may only be used for a short period of time and on and on……

  23. jack 23
    14 August 2012 at 10:42 pm

    Key looks like he is really enjoying himself at the baseball game.. the favourite American pastime. Meanwhile back home two family are burying their loved ones who gave the ultimate price on Key’s orders to fight in Afganistan to back the yanks. Something is horribly wrong here.. .have we truly lowered the bar when it comes to Prime Ministers?? Is he as self serving as he appears but the media won’t reveal?? Terrible.. it reminds me of Key’s response rate to the Rena.. Terrible. I can’t see why anyone would vote for this creep.

    • Tracey 23.1
      15 August 2012 at 9:40 am

      The other reason he probably said it is because the Leader of a nation taking time off his “job” to watch a small tournament probably made them think “wow this game must be huge in NZ”.

  24. Tracey 24
    15 August 2012 at 9:41 am

    “”You’re apt to see a whole lot of players willing to join the sport and participate,” he told the Maine newspaper, “because we always see that when we see a New Zealand team doing well, whether it’s basketball or whatever it might be.” John Key

  25. Balanced View 25
    15 August 2012 at 12:57 pm

    Pathetic article.
    Zetetic – unfortunately by publishing nonsense like this you lose credibility with a majority of NZers. This will then discredit any good points you make in other posts.
    Of course the regular sheep that live on this site will lap it up….

    • Colonial Viper 25.1
      16 August 2012 at 12:42 am

      “Balanced View” has somehow mind-read what the “majority of New Zealanders” think.

      This is a truly remarkable step in human evolution.

    • Draco T Bastard 25.2
      16 August 2012 at 12:52 am

      I recall this balanced View. His view is so far to the right as to make John Key seem centrist. Never says anything of value at all and just insults people – like he just did.

      • Balanced View 25.2.1
        16 August 2012 at 2:04 am

        You couldn’t be more wrong about my political view point. But thanks for recalling me.

    • mike 25.3
      16 August 2012 at 1:03 am

      Well colour me t-rolled.

  26. saf 26
    16 August 2012 at 12:28 am

    Maybe John did the Toolman Tim thing and sought advice from the good man over the back fence.
    This Venerable source of wisdom should always be listened to.

  27. Treetop 27
    16 August 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I expect that Key will have discussions with the FBI re Dotcom and this will not be confirmed.

  28. Stu 28
    20 August 2012 at 7:23 am

    Mr Key is still Overseas and 3 more NZ soldiers die. Does he care a hoot I think not as going overseas on a holiday to see his son appears more important to him.