Brain fade: an incomplete history of Key’s selective forgetfulness

Written By: - Date published: 11:18 am, October 5th, 2012 - 57 comments
Categories: Minister for Overseas Holidays, Minister for Photo-ops, slippery - Tags:

Frankly Speaking has a nice compilation of some of John Key’s “brain fades” in the last couple of years. Funnily enough, it tends to be that the things he forgets are his direct linkages to government embarrassments – Dotcom, SkyCity, the new BMWs, the Mediaworks bailout, the credit downgrade. To Frank’s list, you can add the Tranzrail shares and probably many more.

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From previous related blogpost,

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NZ First Leader, Winston Peters, managed to extract this gem from Dear Leader during Question Time in Parliament,

Government Communications Security Bureau—Briefings Since November 2008

3. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Prime Minister: How many times has he been formally briefed by the Government Communications Security Bureau, by year, since November 2008?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : My diary indicates that I have been formally briefed by the Government Communications Security Bureau the following number of times, by year, since 2008: twice in 2008, 15 times in 2009, 11 times in 2010, 10 times in 2011, and 15 times in 2012.

Source: Parliamentary Hansards, 25 September 2012

Key’s response is extraordinary for two reasons,

  1. He gave a serious answer and not the flippant, juvenile wise-cracks he normally indulges in (which, we, the taxpayer, have to pay for as he wastes Parliamentary time)
  2. The answer he gave revealed that Key had met with the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) fifteen times this year alone – and the subject of GCSB surveillance on Kim Dotcom – possibly one of the most colourful, controversial, and contentious people in the country – was never raised once?!?!

John Key. Met. With. The. GCSB. Fifteen. times.

See: Dear Leader, GCSB, and Kiwis in Wonderland (1 October)

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Key was definitely in the country – in part –  whilst the GCSB was spying on Dotcom. (See: Prime Minister John Key’s Address in Reply Debate – 21st December, 2011)

At some point between 21 December and 27 January, Key holidayed in Hawaii. (See:  John Key Video Journal No.50)

On 27 January 2012, Key attended the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting and  joint meeting of senior Cabinet Ministers. (See: PM to visit Australia with Ministers)

Second question: Was surveillance of Dotcom discussed at any meeting around that time period by the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC)? If not, why not? Considering that ODESC is responsible for “oversight and policy guidance of the Bureau“, if the Dotcom cases and cross-organisational liaison did not merit discussion – what then,  is ODESC overseeing?

See: Spy VS Politician

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And now today;  3 October,

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Full story

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As this blogger wrote two days ago (1 Oct),

“The answer he gave revealed that Key had met with the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) fifteen times this year alone – and the subject of GCSB surveillance on Kim Dotcom – possibly one of the most colourful, controversial, and contentious people in the country – was never raised once?!?!”

It now appears that my disbelief was well-warranted.

The issue of Kim Dotcom did arise at a GCSB meeting on 29 February, this year.

That 29 Feb meeting with GCSB took place only forty days after the raid on Kim Dotcom’s mansion in Coastville (Jan 20).

And Key still maintains he can’t recall being briefed?

It appears that this is not the first time Key’s memory of  events has ‘failed’ him,

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Full story

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Full story

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Full story

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Full story

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The Prime Minister has not been upfront with the people of New Zealand. This blogger believes there is more to come out, and furthermore that we will see some damning revelations disclosed to the public.

In fact, if it is proven that John Key knew more about the GCSB-Dotcom Affair than has been revealed thus far, and if links to overseas interests are shown to be correct – then this government will fall.

National has been on borrowed time since the John Banks-Teapot Tape Affair, and this issue will be the final straw.

Addendum 1

This blogger endorses full citizenship to Kim Dotcom; his family; and his mates. Anyone that can show up a government to be as corrupt/inept as National deserves full citizenship.

Addendum 2

It appears that the public already had an inkling in November last year as to “who was more likely to bend the truth”.  See: John Key: Safe hands, forked tongue?

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57 comments on “Brain fade: an incomplete history of Key’s selective forgetfulness ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Matthew Hooton 1
    5 October 2012 at 12:04 pm

    It does show that the PM has struggled a bit since December, as a result of the pressure he’s been put under by David Shearer.

    • Enough is Enough 1.1
      5 October 2012 at 12:21 pm

      It does show that the PM has struggled a lot since November, as a result of his own incompetence, corruption, negligence and nastiness.

      • Mike 1.1.1
        7 October 2012 at 12:09 am

        The scary (and sad) thing is that no matter how much he struggles, he is still immensely popular amongst voters. I think I partly understand this. I fairly recently asked my sorely missed and immensely loved dearly departed mum who she voted for last year. She said National. I asked her why she voted National and which of their policies were beneficial for her. She simply stated that she didn’t know about any of their policies, she voted for them because she had always voted for them and because Dad votes National.

        I had to laugh, but then thought ‘shit, there’s probably thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of voters exactly the same’ which is scary.

        In saying that, it might be that there’s plenty of voters for other parties who vote on a similar basis.

        Which makes me think of that old quote by I can’t remember who. (could have been someone like Mark Twain maybe?)

        “If voting made any difference, they wouldn’t let us do it..”

    • CnrJoe 1.2
      5 October 2012 at 12:22 pm

      struggled a bit? since dec? the way this p.m operates has been going on for years. nothing to do with shearer at all.

    • Jim Nald 1.3
      5 October 2012 at 12:34 pm

      Lovely. Now, THAT is a great laff for today, Mr Matthew Hooton.

      The PM’s struggle is a result of his own doing and undoing. He ought to restore his party to the principle that it once used to trumpet – personal responsibility, and pin notes of that on himself at a few places like his forehead and his wrists.

      As a former National Party voter, I ought to offer my thanks to Shearer for not being more effective in putting more or bigger holes in the National Party’s questionable ship.

    • Lanthanide 1.4
      5 October 2012 at 12:49 pm

      Now I’m certain you’re trolling.

    • Dr Terry 1.5
      5 October 2012 at 1:17 pm

      Hooton, are you kidding me? I am not the fool of you or anybody else. Pressure from David Shearer? What a hoot! Key has been luxuriating in such “opposition” as Shearer has presented!

    • felix 1.6
      5 October 2012 at 1:37 pm

      Key has only managed to get away with so much because of the lack of decent opposition until the last election.

      That was when the Greens decided (realised?) that they weren’t really National’s BFF and started leading the opposition. It’s also when Winston entered the fray.

      The turning point has had little to do with Labour IMO – they’ve only just started firing (post-Pagani?)

      • Vicky32 1.6.1
        6 October 2012 at 12:00 am

        That was when the Greens decided (realised?) that they weren’t  National’s BFF
         

        Oh, I must have blinked and missed that… as the Greens here on the Standard spend 5 hours bashing Labour and Shearer for everyone they spend criticising National!

        • karol 1.6.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 7:29 am

          felix is probably talking about when the Greens ended up NOT signing a new Memorandum of Understanding with National, as reported here in April 2012.
           

          The National Government’s lurch to the right has scuppered prospects of a new policy deal between it and the Greens, the smaller party says, but National claims the Greens wanted policies that were unaffordable.

           
          Depends what you mean about “Greens” here.  I have voted  Green Party in the last few elections, because they same further left than Labour of late.  I’m not really a greenie first, but primarily am left wing. I would vote Labour if they were a more left wing party.  I probably spend more time criticising the NAct government than Labour.

        • felix 1.6.1.2
          7 October 2012 at 8:46 am

          “Oh, I must have blinked and missed that”

          What, you haven’t noticed that the Greens have been leading the charge on the Govt in parliament and in the media since the election? And that Labour, until very recently, have been a very slow follower?

          “… as the Greens here on the Standard spend 5 hours bashing Labour and Shearer for everyone they spend criticising National!”

          You need to think these comments through, Vicky32. Leaving aside the question of who “the Greens here” might be, and giving you the benefit of the doubt that the 5/1 ratio was meant as a deliberate exaggeration for effect, what do “the Greens here” criticise Labour and Shearer for?

          If it’s for being too far to the left and opposing National’s right wing agenda too vigourously, then your observation is addressing mine and we have something further to discuss.

          If not, it’s a completely misguided brain fart.

          • Vicky32 1.6.1.2.1
            7 October 2012 at 4:15 pm

            what do “the Greens here” criticise Labour and Shearer for?

            It seems to depend, truly. Sometimes it is for (their perception) that Labour is following Nact’s RW agenda, sometimes it just seems to be for existing!
            And also, it must be said, sometimes they make stuff up. I can’t find gthe for instance that I am thinking of, but it was fairly recent – when someone pointed out that a tirade against a speech by Shearer was almost wholly invented.
            As to who the Greens are, I am going on the basis of those who have said that they are Green supporters, whether they say they’re ex-Labour or not.

            • KJT 1.6.1.2.1.1
              7 October 2012 at 5:07 pm

              It is because Labour IS following a right wing agenda.

              Shearer’s bene bashing in a speech and the continued employment of ex 1984 neo-liberals in the front bench show that Labour is still basically on the right.

              Only Cunliff, and, it seems Goff(maybe) shows that there is hope that Labour may represent New Zealanders, and not offshore corporates.

    • mike 1.7
      5 October 2012 at 1:49 pm

      Weak Hooter, weak.

      It’s just a few examples out of many, (out of the one we know about), of John Key’s overconfidence in his own ability to bullshit us (as your comment is an example of yours). Which is a result of him being a lying sociopath, not anything to do with Shearer to whom you keep lamely and desperately trying to deflect attention.

      I’m sure you think you’re oh so clever being spin merchant ‘n all, but PR is just propaganda. And people who make a living from bullshitting people are called con-men. Sociopathic leeches on society. Do you look in the mirror much Hooter?

      If you’re going to troll here you might want to get a new handle, how about ‘Mud’?

    • Frank Macskasy 1.9
      5 October 2012 at 4:57 pm

      Matthew, you are cheeky! 😀

    • Blue 1.10
      5 October 2012 at 5:52 pm

      Try not to be so obvious next time, Matthew.

    • ak 1.11
      5 October 2012 at 10:44 pm

      RIGHT WING HUMOUR ATTEMPT ALERT!

    • muzza 1.12
      6 October 2012 at 2:42 pm

      Hooten, are you actually that stupid, or is it simply corruption which allows you to talk such utter nonsense…

      Not just talking about your comment above by the way.

  2. Dv 2
    5 October 2012 at 12:08 pm

    Struggled Mathew!!

  3. Roy 3
    5 October 2012 at 12:13 pm

    I think the job is getting to be too much for Mr Key, and he should retire ASAP.

  4. Dv 4
    5 October 2012 at 12:30 pm

    I note the herald has nicked the poster.

  5. redfred 5
    5 October 2012 at 12:32 pm

    The brain fades have been just far enough apart not to pile up; but now we seem to have hit a crescendo of bullshit that seems to be waking people up.

  6. tracey 6
    5 October 2012 at 12:36 pm

    When he stack up the flip flops, or lies as some would call them, they have been dotted throughout his actions since 2008.

    Given the outcry over a painting from he and his party… This would be funny if it werent real

  7. BloodyOrphan 7
    5 October 2012 at 12:50 pm

    “These are the sands of your lies” John Key
    Cut scene … Johnny Boy wakes up next to Banksiee ……. 😮

  8. tracey 8
    5 October 2012 at 12:58 pm

    His default position has always been to lie, its just more people have stopped believing them

  9. Dr Terry 9
    5 October 2012 at 1:21 pm

    The problem is that Key lies so smoothly, wearing that “winning grin”. No sign of bad conscience whatsoever.

  10. Glg 10
    5 October 2012 at 1:27 pm

    So where does this tendency to lie and keep lying come from? The kid with the solo mother who was soft on him? Or those heady days of money trading where you would be admired for stabbing colleagues in the back, or ripping of a country like New Zealand to make a fortune in currency speculation?
    Either way it points to a severe weakness in character, which is becoming more apparent over time.

  11. Tom Gould 11
    5 October 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Anyone know who wrote this excellent example of political “news” reportage, headlined Attacks on Key don’t stack up? I was not aware that AAP writers also moonlight in the PM’s office?

    http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8543310/attacks-on-key-dont-stack-up

    • Balanced View 11.1
      6 October 2012 at 12:41 pm

      The messages in this article are rational, far more so than some expressed in this post

      • felix 11.1.1
        7 October 2012 at 9:24 am

        It’s a bit naive in its conclusions, but contains some pertinent observations. From the article:

        “The prime minister isn’t stupid. He wouldn’t have given that answer if he knew it wasn’t correct and could be disproved.”

        Absolutely agree. He gave the first answer because he didn’t know it could be disproved. As soon as it was shown that he hadn’t told the truth, he corrected it and gave a different answer which he also didn’t realise could be disproved.

        Now that this second, corrected answer has also been shown not to be the truth, he will change it again to something else which he thinks can’t be disproved. Rinse and repeat.

        “Key has been and will continue to be on the back foot over this.”

        Yep.

        “For a politician who says “explaining is losing”, he’s having to do an awful lot of explaining.”

        Yep.

        “he’s taking the biggest hits since becoming prime minister.”

        Yep, but that’s in part because this affair is reminding people about all the other similar episodes of not-truth-telling that they’ve let him get away with over the past 5 years because he seemed like a harmless happy drunk at the time.

        “Labour’s caucus morale has been given a huge boost.”

        One would hope so.

  12. Adrian 12
    5 October 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Glg. Someone at the Uni of Basel ( I think it was ) recently did some research on financial traders and found that of about 10 traits that flag a sociopath they averaged about 6 to7 of them. Being a pathological liar was prominent along with inability to accept personal responsibility, the blaming of others for cock ups and a lack of empathy etc etc. By the way one needs only 5 or so to be considered a sociopath.

  13. weka 13
    5 October 2012 at 2:24 pm

    So what are National supporters making of all this? I don’t mean the cynical ones who don’t care if Key lies, but the genuine ones who thought Key would make a good PM.

    • Frank Macskasy 13.1
      5 October 2012 at 4:58 pm

      Weka – check out the National Party blogsite (aka TradeMe messageboards), which is well colonised by National/ACT supporters and trolls…

    • rosy 13.2
      5 October 2012 at 6:10 pm

      A young man I know said last night “I used to think John Key was cool, but now he’s just a d&*k”.

      Age 12, both parents national voters. Guessing a few people in the household are beginning to think the same way

  14. Treetop 14
    5 October 2012 at 2:25 pm

    A definite pattern of as soon as Key becomes aware that there is PROOF he backs down and thinks that an apology or a weak explanation will make it alright.

  15. tracey 15
    5 October 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Does the pm understand that jim cameron and john landau and peter jacksons colleagues know the merits of making films in nz already without a taxpayer funded playdate in hollywood?

    ” Mr Key is currently on a four day trip to Hollywood, hosted by Avatar filmaker James Cameron and Mr Cameron’s business partner Jon Landau. Mr Key is promoting New Zealand as a film making location.”

    • Dv 15.1
      5 October 2012 at 4:27 pm

      AND talking about Dotcom
      ttp://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7775383/Key-talks-Dotcom-with-Hollywood

      Hollywood lobbyists raised Kim Dotcom’s case with Prime Minister John Key at a dinner in Los Angeles this week.

      Before he left, Mr Key had said he did not expect Dotcom to be raised during his meetings in Los Angeles.

      That didn’t last long!!!

  16. tracey 16
    5 October 2012 at 4:17 pm

    And runs away to america treetop

    • Treetop 16.1
      6 October 2012 at 1:08 pm

      Running away takes it to a new level.

      Could Key have cancelled his trip?
      Is there a conflict of interest?

      Dv Key needs to be so careful on what he says to the Hollywood lobbyists re GCSB and Dotcom because they may use this against him (blackmail) when it comes to concessions e.g. taxation, changing legislation.

      I cannot think of the actors name (female aged about 60) who said when Jackson cleaned up the Academy Awards, she said, they need to bring the business back home.

      • muzza 16.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 3:01 pm

        Key is already being blackmailed I would expect, In order to be dropped into the position he is, there must be a way to control him.

        In Keys case, he also appears to be pathological, as no-one would treat their own country and people the way his government are, without a gun to his head, or some very serious personality/mental issues. In Keys case given his background, and the likely hood that he currency attacked NZ, which would make a great “bargining chip”, I would say there is an assault on both sides of this coin.

        • Treetop 16.1.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 6:29 pm

          I do not disagree.

          I am not sure what you mean here: “I would say there is an assault on both sides of this coin.”

        • Mike 16.1.1.2
          7 October 2012 at 12:17 am

          Of course he’s pathological.

          Most highly successful currency traders like Key demonstrate much higher than average psychopathic personality traits. These traits in candidates are filtered and sought after by recruiters for merchant banks, Wall St firms, etc. Psychopaths lack empathy and a conscience so make excellent currency speculators,financial speculators and so on as they can make decisions which may cause immense economic harm to real human beings without batting an eyelid.

  17. Jokerman 17
    5 October 2012 at 4:27 pm

    Ma cavity, Ma cavity, there’s no one like Ma cavity,
    There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
    He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare:
    At whatever time the deed took place- MA CAVITY WASN’T THERE!

    -Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats; ‘Macavity the Mystery Cat’.

    -Eliot (fill in the gaps)

  18. Herodotus 18
    5 October 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Perhaps it is me but has anyone summonsed why key has had the largest number of briefings this year and we are only 3/4 of the year thru and that key has been out of the country performing his pm duties ? What has happened this year to warrant 15 briefings ?

    • Te Reo Putake 18.1
      5 October 2012 at 4:52 pm

      Actually, they only had one thing to tell him, but they chose to tell him 15 times so he wouldn’t forget it. Still fell short though, just one more meeting and he’d almost certainly have remembered who Kim Dotcom was and why they were spying on him.

    • Frank Macskasy 18.2
      5 October 2012 at 10:23 pm

      @ Herodotus – good point!!

  19. peterlepaysan 19
    5 October 2012 at 9:36 pm

    What happened to a brighter future?

    What happened to matching Australia’s wages?

    What happened to stopping Kiwis leaving for Australia (or anywhere)?

    • Treetop 19.1
      6 October 2012 at 1:25 pm

      There’s no brighter future, no matching wages with Australia and no stopping Kiwis leaving for Australia (or anywhere).

      What happened to transparency?

      What happened to democracy?

      What happened to leadership?

  20. tracey 20
    6 October 2012 at 5:18 pm

    I think its funny that hooten thinks key only started lying in december 2011!!!

  21. karol 21
    7 October 2012 at 7:48 am

    “Brain exchange”  – Key’s new way of describing the exodus of Kiwis to Aussie.  Is that the kind of exchange Muldoon talked about? – where the IQ of both countries is increased?
     
    Or is it the Key version of “the president’s brain is missing?  He certainly hasn’t convinced the author of the article on Stuff this morning:
     

    New Zealand is losing more people to Australia than ever, but Prime Minister John Key is playing down the “brain drain” issue that helped National win the 2008 election, spinning it now in to a “brain exchange”.

     
     
     

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