Bomber: sensitive and inexperienced

Written By: - Date published: 3:56 pm, June 19th, 2014 - 73 comments
Categories: blogs, Kelvin Davis, phil goff - Tags: , ,

Interesting. My comment at The Daily Blog responding to a section of one of Martyn ‘Bomber’ Bradbury’s post got moderated out. No matter. Apart from anything else it does rather reinforce the basis of my comment, so I will repeat and enhance it here.

A bit of history. Back at the end of May, Bomber and others were rabbiting on how Labour shouldn’t stand a candidate against Hone Harawira for the benefit of the Internet Mana Party. This was despite nearly a century of Labour trying to stand candidates in every electorate regardless of its winnability. Doing so fosters the development of the local organisations over decades, and in these days of MMP helps to promote the party vote across the country.

Bomber appears to have never spent enough time inside any political organisation to understand the workings. It was clear he didn’t understand the reasons for this organisational need. Because he usually doesn’t listen to the ideas of others, and usually moderates out opinions that are critical of his ideas, he never learns.

Obviously this act of arrogant and rather silly political foolishness by political neophytes didn’t exactly go down well with Labour’s candidate Kelvin Davis or some of Labour’s more experienced MPs. They expressed this through tweeting in a rather idiotic fashion. Labour probably needs to run some courses on how not to be stupid on the net.

For those of us who are more concerned with getting an overall victory in the forthcoming election for the left. It was irritating. So on the 3rd of June, I put up two reposts with opposing viewpoints for discussion. One having a go at Labours twittering MPs and supporting a deal in the electorate. The other having a go at some of Bomber’s stranger ideas ideas about politics in his recent posts.

Imperator Fish: How to win an election
Polity: Meanwhile, in Bomber-land

I would have written my own opinions, but these were better than anything I’d have written and provided the required room for the continuing disagreement and debate.

However it appears that Bomber took offense at the post aimed at him and some of my comments that merely hinted at my irritation with him and the twittering MPs. So today he appears to have expressed that in a sideswipe at my opinions and this site and anyone who dares to disagree with him. When I wrote a responding comment on the topic, it was moderated out.

In my view it is clear that he needs some education in how to deal with disagreement in politics. This was my comment.

When I first called the ABCs out for their attack on social media over Queens Birthday Weekend, the editor of The Standard had a mini meltdown online about me and made all sorts of silly accusations and tantrums in the comment section of a blog written by a failed David Shearer strategist.

You really a a bit of a sensitive prima donna aren’t you.

I’m not particularly well known for being kind when I think someone is being a fool. Which is exactly what you are doing with this recent ABC bullshit.

Or the strange way that you think a relatively conservative electorate will warm to the IMP this election (I think that they will be lucky to get 3%. I will be amazed if they got 4%).

Or the idea that Labour would not stand a candidate up North when Labour always stands candidates in all electorates and has done so for nearly a hundred years. If I were the IMP, I’d be running a strong campaign in both north and the equally winnable rotorua area where Annette Sykes has a damn good chance.

Or any other number of things where your lack of actual real world political experience glares through.

The short answer to your ABC fantasies is that as far as I can tell (and I have vastly more access to the inside of Labour when I care to exercise it than you do) there is no interest in moving against Cunliffe before the election. I rather suspect that there will be little enthusiasm even if we don’t form a Labour led government. This is just the usual election tussling that will carry on for the next 3 months.

But in the meantime I think that *your* hysterics and conspiracy theories about Labour and even the Greens don’t help anything apart from your inflating your own ego. Perhaps you should rein your hysteria in a little bit and concentrate on trying to get a government of the left formed rather than trying for silly vendettas.

I had been just as sarcastic about the twittering of Kelvin Davis and Chris Hipkins, plus the Phil Goff’s unuseful analysis as I was about Bomber. But later the week after I made my comments, I was at the Auckland regional list conference amidst the some of the same people I’d been criticising.

As it happens, I sat next to Kelvin David for several hours with just some minor small talk. We were both concentrating on the list selection and other work. I also asked for and received the favour of some information from Phil Goff without hesitation or questions when I said it was for the common good of the left. Both were clearly aware of my comments. But neither raised them nor were apparently upset about them. These are both people who have spent time in politics.

Contrast that with Bomber’s reaction. It was that of a politically inexperienced neophyte. More concerned about his ego than the common good, it appears that his feelings were hurt by my comments.

The political scene is a very bad place to have such a sensitive ego. Most people involved around the political scene will have different opinions even inside the left (actually especially inside the left) and they usually aren’t particularly hesitant in expressing them. Living with criticism is part of having any kind of a political life everywhere from being a volunteer to being a senior politician. This shouldn’t and usually doesn’t stop them working together for the things that they do agree on.

It appears that young Bomber lacks the backbone to withstand that level of diversity without having a fit of pique. Perhaps he will grow it eventually. The sooner the better.

73 comments on “Bomber: sensitive and inexperienced ”

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  1. Ad 1
    19 June 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Bomber is the guy who was predicting that the Internet Party would be able to take the seat of Auckland Central, and would in fact take votes from the young right across the political spectrum.

    Instead as almost everyone else forecast, the InternetMana thing is simply splitting and cannibalising the left, and destabilising any perception of the left as a trustworthy alternative government.

    For my sins I listened to the whole of ZB Plunkett’s show this morning, and there are so many people who react to the idea of stability within their voter preference. For the great majority of callers, InternetMana are are extreme as Act and as nutty as the Conservatives. That is a massive voter bloc within that audience.

    Bomber, like DotCom, is forming a conceit of success within the bubble of his own broadcasted ego. He and his efforts are deeply destructive to the cause of forming a credible alternative government after September 20th.

    • Mike the Savage One 1.1
      19 June 2014 at 7:58 pm

      Plunket is on Radio Live, not ZB, by the way. But he is himself a Tory friend, and always tends to lead the talk back chat down a way, where hidden bias is applied. He is apparently also friendly with Judith Collins, as I have heard him cut short callers, who dared to criticise Collins too much, quite often.

      I would treat Plunket and his now rather firmly established right of centre dominated caller base with great caution. They may not be so representative of the mood out there, as he likes to claim.

  2. Visubversaviper 2
    19 June 2014 at 4:32 pm

    And what a collection of Hipsters those IMPs are. Bunch of overpaid 30 somethings with Polytech degrees in advanced prattery.

    • Chooky 2.2
      19 June 2014 at 6:50 pm

      “Hipsters” yes !…lol….my son is voting Internet Party but he gets around looking like a Trev , gumboots and shorts , unshaven ,splattered with mud all over… and holes up gaming whenever he can get away from farm work….i think he has more in common with Hone and Mana…so it is good these two parties are joined at the hip…. imo ….also he says he probably wouldnt vote if it wasnt for the Internet party

      the Left must keep it together …and not play into NACTs’ hands…by attacking each other

      • Mary 2.2.1
        19 June 2014 at 8:11 pm

        “the Left must keep it together …and not play into NACTs’ hands…”

        That’s now impossible to avoid. keys could kill as many babies as he wants and will still be voted back in. Everything labour and cunliffe touches turns to poo. That’s how it is at the moment. There are two things this proves. The first is the total lack of depth within the labour party. The second is how politically naive most New Zealanders are.

        It’s very similar to what’s happened in Australia: Abbott explains all of the nasty things he will do and Australians make him prime minister. Then he does what he says and people hate him.

        The Left in New Zealand is completely fucked. But of course we deserve the government we get, because that’s democracy.

        • Chooky 2.2.1.1
          19 June 2014 at 8:15 pm

          too pessimistic Mary imo…Cunliffes been down but bounced back and NOT OUT….Labour and the Left will WIN!..my money is on it!

          …read Cunliffe’s letter to Clemgeopin over on ‘The Dirtiest Election Campaign Backfires’ (in fact I will copy it here)

          I just received by email from Mr Cunliffe a letter that he has sent to all members and supporters this evening. Here it is:

          “It’s been a tough couple of days for everyone in Labour, but I have been greatly heartened by the messages of support that my Caucusand I have received from members and supporters.

          As I’ve stated in many media interviews over the last 24 hours, I stand by my
          word and we will not be distracted from our mission to help build a better New Zealand for everyone.

          What has been made very clear by our opponents is that this will be a tough election campaign. They would like nothing more than for this election to focus on smears
          and insinuations. However I have immense faith in the people of New Zealand to recognise what really matters in this election and to vote for positive change.

          That’s positive change that only a Labour-led government can deliver. It means making sure every New Zealander has the opportunity for a secure, well-paid job, that every
          Kiwi has a warm dry home and has home-ownership in reach, and that our kids are given all of the opportunities they need to thrive and prosper.

          Our party has been galvanised by recent events. National’s attempts to destabilize us have failed – our Caucus has been unified and resolute and party activists have stayed on the front foot making phone calls, knocking on doors and getting Labour’s
          message out to the public.

          We know that we have a hard road ahead of us, but we also know that this election is shaping up to be down to the wire and that every vote will count. We cannot afford, New
          Zealand cannot afford, for us to be distracted from our duty of making real fundamental change for good.

          I know we can do it this September. Together.

          Kia kaha,

          David Cunliffe
          Labour Leader

          • Rosie 2.2.1.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 11:14 am

            That is an excellent letter, from a natural leader.

            • Liberty 2.2.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 11:41 am

              “natural leader”
              Really. More like labour is down to the last cab in the rank

          • Liberty 2.2.1.1.2
            20 June 2014 at 11:34 am

            God loves a trier.
            The reality is you are dreaming.
            Hard core socialism is no longer cool.
            National has the middle ground. Which explains why labour is in the low 20s in support.

            • Rosie 2.2.1.1.2.1
              20 June 2014 at 11:43 am

              🙄

              Yeah, well we’ll see about that after 20th September Liberty. Sounds like you’re the one whose a bit of a trier to me. 30 years of neo liberal policy is no longer cool.

  3. dimebag russell 3
    19 June 2014 at 4:36 pm

    who the f*ck is bomber bradbury?

  4. red blooded 4
    19 June 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Internet Mana aim to energise young voters and promote issues relevant to coming generations, and yet the average age on their list and amongst their organisers must be 50+ and their ideas are recycled from earlier iterations like The Alliance. Good luck to them, but I certainly don’t see them as the saviours of the left (or the young).

  5. the card 5
    19 June 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Bomber is a deluded egotistical cunt.

    [lprent: If you want to hurl abuse at something, then put a point in it and say why. Otherwise read the policy about what we do about pointless abuse. ]

    • noodle 5.1
      19 June 2014 at 5:37 pm

      Why are liberal progressives so coarse? It is not impressive, just irritating.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1
        19 June 2014 at 7:47 pm

        What forms the basis of your opinion that The Card is a Liberal Progressive?

  6. fambo 6
    19 June 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Nothing like being active in a political party to know what it takes to run one

  7. Gosman 7
    19 June 2014 at 4:44 pm

    I would find the fact your comment got moderated out as unsurprising rather than interesting. As much as you can be a pain in the arse in regard to your moderation you at least are quite consistent and fair. This is opposed to other blogs which you have highlighted here.

    • Lanthanide 7.1
      19 June 2014 at 5:20 pm

      I likely wouldn’t have stuck around here so long if it weren’t for the moderation style.

      • lprent 7.1.1
        19 June 2014 at 5:52 pm

        We aim to curb but not to quell 😈

        Sounds quotable.

      • Tamati 7.1.2
        19 June 2014 at 6:37 pm

        Agreed. At least here the mods allow some degree of open debate and acknowledge a diversity of opinions. On TDB, all counter-revolutionary dissent is crushed.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2.1
          19 June 2014 at 9:55 pm

          😆

          At the Daily Blog, all counter-revolutionary dissent is subject to our terms and conditions

  8. Skinny 8
    19 June 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Good for you Iprent I concur with you totally. Btw you do a great job and your moderation is always fair. I have copped the odd ticking off by you which in reflection I have deserved.

    I rarely bother with TDB because Bomber tends to be too dictatorial if you highlight something he disagrees with in your opinion and he refuses to post it. It has happen a couple of time to me which I find off putting. You would think Martin would appreciate your trying to contribute to the meagre amount of comments posted. I met him once when he was doing media training, I thought his style was egotistical nonsense.

  9. Tiger Mountain 9
    19 June 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Yesterday was a potential torrent of filth day that appeared to be well moderated by LPRENT to keep the worst at bay, and fair enough I could (but don’t) go to the sewer if that is what I wanted to encounter. It was bad enough as it was all the torys gloating over their dirty tricks dept. I hope there is not a flow of IMP hating as a result of this post. Some Labour people used to dislike the Alliance more than the Nats.

    Me, I am to the left of Labour but last week did a mail drop for a Labour LEC because I had the time and support the combined left bloc approach to this election.

    With the Daily Blog on balance I maintain Bomber does more good than harm. Flame wars as they used to be called break out every now and then but so what, people will keep on doing what they do until they get tired of it or are forced to change. There is room for everyone on the net, well apart from Pete George maybe.

    • lprent 9.1
      19 June 2014 at 5:25 pm

      Yeah there was a lot of work yesterday…

      I like having the Daily Blog around. The more content and authors on the web written for the left, the better off we are. It doesn’t really compete with this site as gets quite clear when you look at the graphs of page views and visits. We seem to service different audiences with a relatively minor level of crossover.

      Broadly speaking Bomber and Selwyn have focused more on the posts and using social media to get people to look at them. We have focused on getting people in to discuss what we post about, or in OpenMike whatever they want to talk about. The difference is between broadcast media at TDB and the arguments that are part of extended party meeting here.

      Similarly with the IMP. Quite simply they’re targeting a different part of the political spectrum than is possible with broader parties like Labour or the Greens. But unless they manage to activate younger non-voters, it is a pretty small part of the political spectrum. The old Alliance managed it, but only because it was an alliance between some quite disparate parties.

      What I don’t like is filtering the comments on posts so the only view you receive is a chorus of agreement. I like disagreement, think it is healthy, and I think that it is quite important that the left learns to deal with it. Going boldly into future by walking back into the the past to the ideological doctrinaire silos is in my view foolish.

      It really shows up in the quaintly distorted ideas that Bomber seems to get frequently in his posts. Because he is intolerant of dissenting opinions, he never learns when he has screwed up. His views on the ABC’s current activities are a particularly obvious case in point. He yells at us to investigate, and then refuses to publish a comment that happens to tell him he is wrong.

      Stupid and on the internet.

      • Tamati 9.1.1
        19 June 2014 at 10:37 pm

        Why don’t you expropriate some of the TDB best columnist over to The Standard. Chris Trotter always has good insights, as does Stuart Nash. That would really piss our little Bomber maker off.

        • lprent 9.1.1.1
          19 June 2014 at 11:17 pm

          Not our style. Getting authors is always a tricky business that gets done when we have time available – therefore not very often. We tend to to ask people because of their diversity of opinions. We like to argue and disagree.

          Besides, authors should always go where they feel comfortable. Many aren’t comfortable with the relatively open level of comments we permit.

          As far as I am concerned poaching simply isn’t a good idea. You’ll note that much of the time we simply ask people if we can repost their posts.

  10. karol 10
    19 June 2014 at 5:28 pm

    I didn’t realise I was part of “the official voice of the Labour Party online”.

    Why has no-one in the Party informed me of this, or what party line I should be presenting? /sarc.

    Generally, I think Bomber does more good than harm for the left. But his lumping of the Standard as some sort of hive Labour mind is strange from someone who seems to regard himself has having his finger on the pulse of the left.

    • lprent 10.1
      19 June 2014 at 5:36 pm

      Particularly bearing in mind how much collegial disagreement we all seem to have.

      But you’d make a fine voice for Labour if they were quite a bit further left.

      • karol 10.1.1
        19 June 2014 at 5:52 pm

        Thanks.
        I’m committed to the Greens this election, but after that? Depends on how the various parties shape up.

        It’s looking to me like Cunliffe is strongly taking the reigns of parliamentary Labour. All this angst will either make or break him.

    • Chooky 10.2
      19 June 2014 at 5:52 pm

      +100 karol…I often like what he says…..and the opinions of those outside the discipline of party memebership and organisation matters….it often reflects the general voter , particularly the undecided voter …however i dont agree with him that this latest beat up on Cunliffe has come from within Labour…it comes from John Keys drawers

  11. Mike the Savage One 11
    19 June 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Bomber Bradbury seems to have got so close to “sponsor” Dotcom” and his friends, he is heading into adventure territory with his grandiose ideas about prospects for the Internet Mana Party.

    I do not rule out, if they run a well planned campaign, to achieve 5 percent of the vote, but it will not be a basis of voters to rely on, for the future. People that would vote for the IMP will mostly be such, who change views and preferences rather quickly, same as the ones that voted for the “Pirate Party” in a number of places in Europe.

    And I bet that after the election IP and Mana will split rather soon.

    Some on the left have become desperate, and hence they have warmed to the idea of working with a party that is financed by a man who is cheered on by some, but who really earned millions in somewhat questionable ways, and therefore is mistrusted or even despised by others.

    I am afraid that there will possibly be more pain and disappointments in the circles around Martyn Bradbury, in the near future, should plans not materialise.

    In that case he may perhaps look forward to get some financial help to run his blog, or a new blog, who knows?

    But we better let him run his operation, as he can moderate it as he wishes, according to the idea of “live and let live”.

    • lprent 11.1
      19 June 2014 at 6:26 pm

      Until he attacks this site. Then he finds out why it isn’t a good idea.

      • Chooky 11.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 9:49 am

        I have to say The Standard is a very well run site …where all sorts of opinions can be expressed without censorship ( within the rules of engaging in genuine dialogue)

        …IMO this is one of the strengths of this site ….non censored and often opposing views exemplify democracy in action ….and after all sorts of opinions have been thrashed out….some sort of truth or accuracy or reality about the state of affairs becomes clear…the truth is out !…but it can still be challenged on further evidence or reopened for discussion

        …other political sites where this open dialogue is shut down or censored are the poorer for it!…because people do get it wrong and people can argue one way …and then another based on more evidence or other arguments…i have done this myself ( Bradbury has admitted he has got it wrong on occasion)

        …imo Bradbury should allow opposing views to his own on his site…where they are pertinent…because it adds to the authenticity and vitality of his site

        …in actual fact I sometimes bring Bomber’s posts over to this site where I think they add to the dialogue and debate…and these have never been censored out.!… although he irritates some people and others disagree with what he says …I appreciate this openness because it helps me get to the bottom of issues

        …imo the Standard and the Daily Blog are not in competition because they are quite different sorts of political sites …the Standard is much more weighted to grassroots debate …the Daily Blog is weighted towards ‘experts’ or columnists posting ie top down

  12. dimebag russell 12
    19 June 2014 at 6:21 pm

    oh do you mean boofhead bradbury?
    does he work for Radio New Zealand?

  13. King Kong 13
    19 June 2014 at 6:38 pm

    Congratulations Lynn, I think this is some of your best work yet.

  14. the pigman 14
    19 June 2014 at 7:17 pm

    I’m all for unity on the left, but Bomber pretty consistently behaves like a hysterical drama queen.

    His foolish rush to pin the DC smear campaign on the ABCs (velvet-glovedly lambasted by Chris Trotter in his daily blog post today I thought) had all the hallmarks of “I have to be on this first”, rather than “I need to think before I start speaking”, a pretty crippling disability in politics.

    As for his blog, he keeps me in perma-moderation for reasons unknown. I have repeatedly asked him to explain why or point to any post that he feels might have violated TDB policy. He lets through most, usually days later, but cuts out anything critical of his posts.

  15. Ronnie Chow 15
    19 June 2014 at 7:31 pm

    There is a cult of ignorance in NZ, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 15.1
      19 June 2014 at 7:53 pm

      This phenomenon is global and ubiquitous.

      • Colonial Viper 15.1.1
        19 June 2014 at 10:06 pm

        Thanks to the neoliberal cult aka yet another religious control system with all associated dogma, scriptures, prayers, code of acceptable behaviour/thinking, etc

        • One Anonymous Bloke 15.1.1.1
          19 June 2014 at 10:08 pm

          Nah, I’m pretty sure Confucious and Aristotle bemoaned such drivel.

  16. dimebag russell 16
    19 June 2014 at 7:33 pm

    yep.

  17. TheContrarian 17
    19 June 2014 at 7:39 pm

    I have my differences with the rhetorical style of both ol’ LPrent and Bomber however LPrent is at least able to allow a different opinion to his own to be discussed – Bomber will brook no such opinion.

    In fact anyone opposing, not matter how politely or well put, what Bomber says is immediately chastised. He acts, and writes, like a first year university student who has done one paper on Marx and thinks he is a political mastermind.

    When Rick Myall died I went on a wee Young Ones marathon and it suddenly dawned on me that Bomber is exactly like Rick the Anarchrist.

  18. Cactus Kate 18
    19 June 2014 at 7:40 pm

    How many words was this post? Because it was that many waste of words talking about Martyn Bradbury.

    Focus on things that matter. This fool definitely is not one of them.

    • Mike the Savage One 18.1
      19 June 2014 at 8:06 pm

      Always enjoying a lot of time to write and read blogs, and to comment here and there, while living off the “fruit” (dividends, interest, perks and so) generated by the “affordable” low paid, hard working servants in East Asia, I suppose? How great life can be living in the realm of neo-liberal and libertarian “winners”.

      • TheContrarian 18.1.1
        19 June 2014 at 8:09 pm

        It is nice to see that both the left and right can come together in agreement over how much of a douche Bomber is.

  19. dimebag russell 19
    19 June 2014 at 7:54 pm

    so what did you bring in your handbag from hk kate?
    any goodies.
    back for a flying visit or long term?

  20. dad4justice 20
    19 June 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Well where am I ? I am shell shocked.

  21. Liam Hehir 21
    19 June 2014 at 9:07 pm

    It seems to me that it is very easy to set yourself up as a political expert or consultant without having much appreciation for the unglamorous drudgery that most campaigns consist of. Knocking on doors on your weekend, going out after work to deliver flyers, stuffing envelopes, bothering people by calling them at their home – so much of it comes down to your ability to have the networks to organise all of that.

    If you don’t have a feel for the fact that building that kind of organisation is quite painstaking, then I can see why you might not have much respect for it.

  22. Rosie 22
    20 June 2014 at 10:17 am

    Oh Geez, yet another petulent tanty from prickly Martyn Bradbury. Well, I’ve said enough about already his fragile ego so won’t go down that road again least I bore you all to tears but I will say he is disappointing in that he is consistently divisive.

    He is not interested in unity among the Left and look s for a fight where there isn’t one – that article within Lynn’s post. being a prime example.

    His fight should have been with the government and the media yet he follows the pro right media narrative of “It’s the ABCer’s behind this! Theres going to be a coup!” As mentioned on yesterdays Open Mike Grant Robertson on Radio Active’s breakfast show/scoop report with Alistair Thompson, stated clearly there is NO COUP, there never was going to be, with Alistair stating that would be a very foolish move 3 months out from the election. Despite that, 3 News were still running with the leadership roll line last night.

    And a very sensible comment from a person called Marc that managed to get through the iron gates of TDB moderation mirrors what Alistair Thompson said expresses the poorly thought out ABC attack line:

    “OMG, this is truly too far fetched.
    It would be political suicide for Labour, including the ABCers, should they challenge and dump Cunliffe now. After all the “revelations” yesterday were not the big “scandal” that the Herald writers and some other media hacks tried to present it as.”