Helen Clark burns Matthew Hooton

65 comments on “Helen Clark burns Matthew Hooton ”

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1. Wensleydale 1

   1 August 2017 at 6:24 pm

   Matthew Hooton telling lies is like the sun rising in the East, grass being green and water being wet. Quelle surprise!
   • Anne 1.1

     1 August 2017 at 6:40 pm

     Lols. In a perfect world we’d have Helen Clark (and Michael Cullen) back on the job sorting out NZ and putting us back on an even keel. We didn’t know how lucky we were…
     • Allan 1.1.1

       2 August 2017 at 11:25 am

       Thats is so true .Why they were ever voted out I will never understand .
     • Philip Ferguson 1.1.2

       2 August 2017 at 5:28 pm

       Anne, this is the person who said paid maternity leave would be introduced “over my dead body” and who gave us the October 2007 police state-like ‘terror’ raids and who, despite years of budget surpluses, wouldn’t raise welfare benefits.

       https://rdln.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/the-reign-of-helen-clark/
   • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2

     1 August 2017 at 6:40 pm

     …don’t forget though: the brain adapts to dishonesty (cf: Nature Neuroscience): Hooton isn’t so much dishonest as dis-abled.

     Some empathy for Matthew, please.
     • Anne 1.2.1

       1 August 2017 at 6:42 pm

       Discombobulated?
       • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1.1

         1 August 2017 at 6:46 pm

         Seriously: his amygdala now controls his critical faculties to the extent that it’s quite likely he can no longer tell the difference.

         That’s the inevitable endgame for Libertarians.
         • another anonymous bloke 1.2.1.1.1

           2 August 2017 at 11:32 am

           you might find the ideas of TD Lingo interesting.. He was a brain researcher from the 60’s – 90’s who had some ideas about the amygdala that were too radical for their time, but are now validated through what we now know about the human brain.
           • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1.1.1.1

             2 August 2017 at 3:04 pm

             Thanks AAB. Quite a character 🙂
2. Neil 2

   1 August 2017 at 6:46 pm

   Why isnt MSM reporting this???
   • Anne 2.1

     1 August 2017 at 6:48 pm

     Because they would like people to believe its true.
     • OncewasTim 2.1.1

       1 August 2017 at 7:10 pm

       The worrying thing is that Mike Williams “tends to agree” with Mathew far too often
       • Anne 2.1.1.1

         1 August 2017 at 7:24 pm

         Actually Mike Williams has made a career out of agreeing with everyone. Years ago I had a conversation with him and although I don’t recall what it was about, I do remember him “agreeing with me”.
         • weka 2.1.1.1.1

           1 August 2017 at 7:27 pm

           Lol.
         • OncewasTim 2.1.1.1.2

           1 August 2017 at 7:30 pm

           Ditto @ Anne.
         • rhinocrates 2.1.1.1.3

           1 August 2017 at 7:32 pm

           Ha ha ha!

           In this day of social media handles, he should legally change his name to “Iagreewith-” and have an app that automatically adds the name of whoever he’s talking to.
         • Redlion Seratus 2.1.1.1.4

           1 August 2017 at 11:15 pm

           Had me absolutely paralysed with laughter in earnest
       • savenz 2.1.1.2

         1 August 2017 at 7:49 pm

         He’s such a wimp. Not even worth listening to.
         • marty mars 2.1.1.2.1

           1 August 2017 at 10:54 pm

           yes, yet he joined the Labour party at age 17 and

           “Williams initially started working for the Labour Party as an education officer during the 1981 election campaign, which Labour narrowly lost.[8] Afterwards, he rapidly moved into fundraising where he instigated a number of new practices:

           – A pledge system, whereby supporters agreed to pay a regular amount using the then-new automatic bank transfer system;
           – Sending out requests for donations to the party membership, enclosing pre-paid reply envelopes;
           – Visiting businesses to solicit donations;
           – Systematic canvassing and direct-mailing.
           These activities helped the party to achieve a landslide victory in 1984. After the election, Williams joined the Australian Labor Party in Canberra but had returned to New Zealand within a year.

           Williams was appointed as Campaign Manager for the 1999 election which was won by the Labour Party. After the election he was appointed as Party President.[7] Williams retired as Labour’s president in 2009.[9]”

           https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Williams_(New_Zealand_politician)

           Even if poor Mike did NOTHING else for Labour he has helped them well more than hindered them over the years – certainly he’s done more for labour than most if not all commenters on here – funny that, AND he is a heinous traitor who sides with hooton the horrible.
           • RedLogix 2.1.1.2.1.1

             2 August 2017 at 6:12 am

             That’s a very fair comment marty. I’ve met MW a couple of times and he struck me as a larger than life, dedicated character. Good man to have on your side.

             But when he’s pitted against Hooton, he seems to keep bring a knife to a gunfight. Either than or he’s reticent about wrestling with the pig and no-one else wants the job. 🙂
           • OncewasTim 2.1.1.2.1.2

             2 August 2017 at 10:53 am

             Did he replace Tony Timms? (An interesting character – at least in his capacity as a secondary school teacher)
3. One Anonymous Bloke 3

   1 August 2017 at 6:47 pm

   PS: Influence: it’s only ok when ACT do it. Lobbyists unite.
4. irascible 4

   1 August 2017 at 6:49 pm

   Matthew Hooton lives in an alternate universe, isolated and alone with his fantasies. The problem for NZ is that the opinionistas who “rule” the airways are always happy to interview the obviously deranged as it makes for either great comedy or generates loads of entertaining right wing raving on the talkback.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1

     1 August 2017 at 6:55 pm

     isolated and alone with his fantasies

     Hardly. On the one hand he lies lobbies for a living: he always has clients who require new lies.

     On the other he has the Big Book Of Right Wing Things To Say, which has been gathering dust since at least Confucius’ time.

     As Lao Tsu said: “in this way religion enthralls generation after generation”.
   • rhinocrates 4.2

     1 August 2017 at 7:21 pm

     opinionistas

     Indeed. The same old, same old talking heads. None of them with any wisdom or expertise, simply the ones they go to because they’re the ones they’ve gone to. The political commentariat here is Ouroboros. One of the causes of Guardianitis – you keep recruiting people from the same pool that’s so inbred they should be playing banjoes and suddenly you’re surprised by upsets like Jeremy Corbyn’s tenacity and advance in the polls.
5. Pat 5

   1 August 2017 at 6:51 pm

   Hooten doesn’t give a flying if he’s caught in a lie…like the Nats he’s on a mission and the game has no rules.
   • lprent 5.1

     1 August 2017 at 7:11 pm

     That has been my experience of him. As trustworthy as Jordan Williams – and that is a low standard.
     • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1

       1 August 2017 at 7:14 pm

       Every time I hear the name Jordan Williams I am reminded of section 128A(7) of the Crimes Act.
       • Psych nurse 5.1.1.1

         1 August 2017 at 7:54 pm

         I’m reminded more of sec 11 of the Mental Health Act.
       • lprent 5.1.1.2

         1 August 2017 at 9:49 pm

         It brings a new meaning to wham bam thank ma’m. (for your documents). And then there was the nurse that was going to be for the team.

         Even by the low standards of the law profession… But I guess he was associating with Cameron Slater so he was aware of the depths that he had not plumbed yet.
   • Peter 5.2

     2 August 2017 at 12:49 pm

     Mike Hosking is blatantly on the same mission in the Herald.
6. Daveosaurus 6

   1 August 2017 at 7:05 pm

   Hooton is trying to get into a war of words with someone who can and will use the word ‘surmised’ in a debate. I should invest in popcorn futures…
7. rhinocrates 7

   1 August 2017 at 7:14 pm

   Well, as an alcoholic myself, from a long line of alcoholics, I know that spirits can make one obsessive and vindictive and prone to fantasies. His tells are when his sentences shorten and he starts compounding his insults – not just “leftist” but “elitist leftist twitterati.” There were times on Citizen A when he was so plastered that I thought that he was going to throw up in Bomber’s lap – which I would rather have liked to see, actually.

   The man needs help and guidance.
   • rhinocrates 7.1

     1 August 2017 at 7:27 pm

     … he’s previously admitted himself to having an unhealthy obsession with Clark. “Clark Derangement Syndrome” he called it, as part of some convoluted attack on people who criticised Key. Poor fellow.
   • Keepcalmcarryon 7.2

     1 August 2017 at 9:36 pm

     His tells are when he opens his mouth.
     • rhinocrates 7.2.1

       1 August 2017 at 9:37 pm

       Ha!
   • Sacha 7.3

     1 August 2017 at 10:28 pm

     Hooton was quite open over a year ago about getting treatment for his alcoholism.
     • rhinocrates 7.3.1

       1 August 2017 at 10:39 pm

       Apparently it hasn’t worked. Again, speaking from experience, it’s hard and relapses are almost inevitable and one has to be on guard for life.

       It would be nice if Hooton’s faults could be put down to that. It’s not the flu or even tuberculosis – there is no “cure” and one does not “get over it.” It’s always there and you have to fight it every day and you can’t allow yourself to pretend that it’s just a quirk. As harsh as I seem, that’s generous. I’m not making fun of him for the sake of it because it’s a problem that’s deeply ingrained in New Zealand culture and excused or brushed over. Indeed, one can call it a part of “toxic masculinity”.” We really need to confront it ad learn to deal with it as a society instead of treating it as either a personal fault or a necessary part of “being a man.” Addiction really fucks you up on every level and the toxicity spreads.
8. JustMe 8

   1 August 2017 at 7:17 pm

   To date I have noticed how much the mainstream NZ media are in the National Party pocket.
   This Matthew Hooten is an excellent example of a journalist who has been paid by the NZ National Party to make innuendoes etc in attempt to discredit ALL MPs of the current Opposition Parties.
   Other NZ media journalists who now seem to lack credibility(along with the NZ National Party)is Lisa Owen – some weeks ago in The Nation this woman(Owen)constantly interrupted Jacinda Adern in an interview but once Judith Collins appeared Lisa was all giggles and ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’. Absolutely no interruptions by Lisa Owen to Judith Collins. And that sort of ‘journalism’ is highly suspect indeed!!!!! It honestly looked like Lisa was all ‘lights on but nobody home’ when it came to seriously asking Judith Collins more important questions. Instead Lisa behaved like a schoolgirl with a major crush on someone she fancied.
   Over a period of time and whilst he was pm of NZ John Key appears to have conducted a successful witch-hunt of removing investigative journalists like Martyn Bradbury, Dita De Boni and even John Campbell out of the mainstream NZ media.
   And so what we now have in place of proper journalists are those who are probably accepting pay packets from the NZ National Party as long as they churn out the National Party propaganda.
   • Sacha 8.1

     1 August 2017 at 11:41 pm

     “a journalist who has been paid by the NZ National Party”

     He has never been a journalist and what makes you think they need to pay him?
9. Muttonbird 9

   1 August 2017 at 7:18 pm

   Ad was running this line earlier today. I asked him how he knew. Seems he was listening to Hooton on nine-to-noon!!
10. weka 10

    1 August 2017 at 7:28 pm

    It’s bad enough that RNZ use Hooton as a supposed political commentator when he’s really a paid PR expert for the right, but that they then try and use him as a reliable source for a breaking news story. That’s seriously fucked up.
    • mosa 10.1

      1 August 2017 at 7:35 pm

      Seems like all right wing commentators are PR experts these days as their main job is to make sure the shit they throw sticks.
    • gsays 10.2

      1 August 2017 at 8:33 pm

      Got to agree weka.
      Why the dickens did rnz have him on this morn in regard to the Labour party leadership.
      I get Williams being on, as former party president, but hooten added little light but put in plenty of heat.
      He speculated on a couple of side issues, and he is paid by clients to spin, plant seeds and to Shit stir.

      I expect more better from our state broadcaster.
11. savenz 11

    1 August 2017 at 7:52 pm

    It’s been a sad day in our country. Another honest politician pushed out and the liars and fakers pushing him out, rewarded.
    • Muttonbird 11.1

      1 August 2017 at 7:54 pm

      *politician
      • savenz 11.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 7:58 pm

        yes thanks. corrected it in time with edit.
        • WILD KATIPO 11.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 8:21 pm

          Yeah it is sad, Andrew was a pretty straight up person to lead Labour. I still believe he would have made a much needed person of integrity leading a new govt, -something we have not seen for years.

          Another interesting angle is , … it was much of the members particularly the trade unions who voted him in. I would say that anyone trying to push the neo liberal bandwagon too hard in Labour best walk carefully now… they need the Greens now more than ever and the Greens wont tolerate any Bill English style austerity shit from Labour.

          And keep in mind Labour will also need NZ First. And Winston is friends with Willie Jackson and Kelvin Davis. Peters is no real friend of extreme neo liberalism either.
          • Anne 11.1.1.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 8:39 pm

            From memory the percentage of the membership who voted for Andrew Little was not far behind the affiliate percentage vote. I don’t think we were ever forgiven by some in caucus. I was a reasonably prominent voice against the ABC club in 2012 and one in particular – who shall not be named – gave me a very pointed cold shoulder at last year’s Annual Conference. It seems the memories of 2012 were still fresh in some people’s minds.
12. patricia bremner 12

    1 August 2017 at 8:14 pm

    I once heard Hooten in a screaming frenzy, and Kathryn Ryan told him to
    “cut it out”
    So even she thought he was “over the top”.

    Anne, have you smoothed out the cheque? xx

    I have written a letter to Andrew Little and his family, thanking him:
    for bringing honesty back to politics.
    having grace in defeat
    knowing when someone else had the required qualities to bring to the table
    and most of all,
    for his work in getting a good team together,
    supporting Jacinda in her learning
    and being willing to carry on with his good work in another capacity.

    The Labour Party has been well served by this Team.
    We need to acknowledge that by supporting.

    Andrew will be an excellent Minister.
    Jacinda may be the saving of the Labour Party.

    Those who say she is a neo liberal ….watch and learn.
    • Anne 12.1

      1 August 2017 at 8:45 pm

      Anne, have you smoothed out the cheque? xx

      It will depend very much on how Andrew Little is treated. He worked his guts out for 2 yrs without a proper break. He is deserving of total respect and a high caucus placing. If he doesn’t get it… the odds are it will never be sent.
      • WILD KATIPO 12.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 8:56 pm

        … ” He worked his guts out for 2 yrs without a proper break. He is deserving of total respect and a high caucus placing ” …

        It would be wrong and unseemly to not give him a high caucus placing.
        • rhinocrates 12.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 9:41 pm

          True. He rather reminds me of Bill Rowling, actually. A basically decent fellow unsuited to leadership. All his faults stemmed from his trying to be a leader.
      • red-blooded 12.1.2

        1 August 2017 at 10:02 pm

        I sympathise with your feelings, Anne – I’ve been struggling with my view of all this today. I see Little as a man of integrity and a bloody loyal servant of the Labour Party with a genuine desire to better NZ. He’s had the skills to pull the party back into shape and create a sense of team momentum; he’s helped to develop a strong policy platform and he would have made a bloody good PM. He’s never had media presence, really, but he’s impressive in other ways and it shouldn’t all be about media skills.

        I decided to donate to Labour today. I did it for four reasons:
        1) My commitment to the party is based on its policies and values – it’s bigger than my loyalty to any particular person within the party;
        2) NZ can’t afford to have the Labour Party implode. There needs to be a party of the left that’s not too scary for the soft, swinging, “don’t know” voters (and no, NZF doesn’t meet that criteria and neither does TOP). Without that sort of party, there is no real chance of a left-block government – any time, not just this election;
        3) Ardern needs a fighting chance to turn around the bloody awful narrative she’s inherited;
        4) there are practical costs to overcome (I should know, I’ve got one of the Andrew and Jacinda billboards on my property!).

        It was somewhat reassuring to hear Ardern saying that Little would make a strong Minister. She’s absolutely right – he would. I really hope he feels he can stick around; he’s got skills they need in the caucus and I hope he’s not too bruised by all this to stay on.
      • Craig H 12.1.3

        1 August 2017 at 10:18 pm

        I’d make him Employment Relations Minister personally.
    • weka 12.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:17 pm

      Nice one Patricia.

      I’m curious about this thing that Ardern is neoliberal. Do you know much about her political background?
13. newsense 13

    1 August 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Why is Matthew Hooton allowed to peddle partisan lies on a station paid for by our tax dollars? totally suss.
    • WILD KATIPO 13.1

      1 August 2017 at 9:00 pm

      For exactly the same reason Hooten fears a Labour win.

      Funding.

      But once National is gone this September , they will no longer be able to use the weapon of funding cuts to starve true democratic processes.

      Its all going to come crashing down around their ears, – including Hootens.
14. Keepcalmcarryon 14

    1 August 2017 at 9:43 pm

    I find Hooten fascinating. He fronts tv brilliantly hence he is often a guest, clearly he is intelligent, yet every single sentence has a spun purpose sometimes outright falsehood occasionally even agreeing with a given leftist position but ALWAYS to a purpose.
    Gullible people believe him, id rather try and decipher what line he is spinning and why. What motivates him? Money, ideology?
    Matthew Wormtongue Hooten. Fascinating.
    • rhinocrates 14.1

      1 August 2017 at 9:55 pm

      At heart he’s a very unhappy person. Many rightwingers are dull as ditchwater and children at heart, and while Hooton is someone who could have been better, he’s succumbed to his worse nature. As a writer and very minor literary historian, I’ve a fascination with the flaws of human nature that cause people to be governed by their worst impulses (Shakespeare was all into that – Macbeth, Coriolanus and so on). Alas, Hooton is ultimately too banal – now if he’d been involved in some great atrocity, then he might be an interesting character useful in examining conscience and culpability, but in the end, he’s just a boring little man of mean ambition, bitter because he’s never lived up to his potential. Pathetic and pitiable, not grand enough to be evil.
      • In Vino 14.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:19 pm

        Nicely written! Just reading it is almost cathartic.
      • Julia Truscott 14.1.2

        2 August 2017 at 10:10 am

        I had the misfortune to meet Matthew Hooton when I was 16 and he was a speech writer for Lockwood Smith, out for dinner with him, one other and my boyfriend. On the taxi ride home he [r0b: we’re redacting the specific allegation while we consider possible legal issues]. In my mind that warrants him grand enough to be evil.
        • ianmac 14.1.2.1

          2 August 2017 at 10:42 am

          I hope you told someone at the time Julia. Such an accusation could hurt you and that would be so unfair.
          • Brigid 14.1.2.1.1

            2 August 2017 at 11:42 am

            So already your focus is on Julia and what she did or didn’t do. Why?
15. Sumsuch 15

    2 August 2017 at 11:45 pm

    Why the concentration on Hooten, he is what the right is,, love for the people goes to die with his opponent Stephen Mills on RNZ’ ‘left and right’ on Monday morning. All passion dessicates in this person’s hands. Technicalities to the death, and complete bemusement at Corbyn, Sanders and the Greens. ‘There is no crisis in NZ’, let alone the world.

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