Taking out the trash

Written By: - Date published: 12:49 pm, November 22nd, 2011 - 18 comments
Categories: blogs, Ethics, Media - Tags: , ,

There are unwise acts, and disturbed individuals, on both sides of the political spectrum. One particularly dishonest form of attack politics is to take low level examples (from the politics that you oppose), and blow them up in to some kind of fantasy narrative about them representing a political party, a “nasty” party by implication. The gutter Right wing blogs do this endlessly. It’s tiresome.

If I was to play the same game, think what fun I could have with National Party supporter Michael Laws right now:

Laws still off air after gun comment

Controversial radio host Michael Laws is off air for a second straight day after telling listeners he would shoot journalists if he had a gun.

At the height of the “tea gate” scandal last week, Laws used his Radio Live morning show to blast the Herald on Sunday for its role in the “tea gate” scandal.

He said: “If I had a gun I’d shoot them – put them out of their misery – because they have gone rabid and they may infect others.”

That was followed by a segment questioning why listeners had not already carried out the shooting.

“Have you noticed … the Herald on Sunday for example, which is rabid all the time … no idea why somebody hasn’t taken the shotgun there and just cleaned out the entire newsroom.” …

Typical Nat supporter, evidence of a nasty party? No, just a disturbed individual who should never, ever be allowed on the air again (shame on any media that has him back). Compare and contrast with how the right wing blogs cover this kind of thing. Wouldn’t it be nice to take the trash – all sorts of trash – out of political commentary?

18 comments on “Taking out the trash ”

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  1. Lanthanide 1
    22 November 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Laws has well and truly crossed the line this time and at the very least should lose his slot on the radio and be ignored by the MSM henceforth.

    edit: Oops, used my old email address since this thing isn’t remembering my name/email any more.

  2. Jim Nald 2
    22 November 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Is Laws, in his own very effective way, trying hard to lobby for laws against hate speech?

    What if some of his listeners really acted on his recommendation about the shotgun?

    What is the Radio Live email address for complaints?

    Found this:
    If you wish to make a complaint about something you have heard on RadioLIVE, please click here to be taken to the MediaWorks complaints page. [Link to http://www.mediaworks.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=267%5D

  3. Bored 3
    22 November 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Given most journos still employed had to pass the Murdoch Grading Cert (a quiet test to determine if you could be trusted to represent corporate interests without rocking the boat)……and Laws wants these rightist lick spittle running dog capitalist roaders shot……that must put Laws somewhere to the extreme right of Genghis Khan, Friedman and Kissinger. Hmmm, scary.

  4. Herodotus 4
    22 November 2011 at 7:31 pm

    I thought Laws last pressence in parliament he was affiliated with NZ1st and not National
    http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2008/11/nz-first-party-history-12-the-influence-of-michael-laws.html

      • Herodotus 4.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 7:55 pm

        “If I was to play the same game, think what fun I could have with National Party supporter Michael Laws right now: “- I thought he is still predominately NZ1st supporter. So I was questioning this ascertion of a National supporter yet no mention of the tie in with NZ1st. Just like in my own way to keep the records correct 🙂

        • The Voice of Reason 4.1.1.1
          22 November 2011 at 8:16 pm

          I thought he and Winston had a bitter parting of the ways years ago? While I’m sure Laws has a primary loyalty to himself, he has been pro-Nat for ages, particularly in lurve with the local MP, the plodder Chester Borrows. They put the hopeless gang colours legislation through Parliament and it promptly fell at the first hurdle, losing in court at the first attempt at prosecution.

          Sad, bitter little man, whatever the affiliation.

        • felix 4.1.1.2
          22 November 2011 at 8:34 pm

          He’s a John Key fanboy these days.

          Not that that’s unusual, Winston and Laws were both Nat MPs first after all.

          Mostly of all he is and always has been a first degree fuckjob.

  5. Adele 5
    22 November 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Regardless of whether he wears his dick to the left, or to the right, he has a damaged manhood. I feel pity for him as he continues to mistake grotesqueness for righteousness. Which, I guess, confines his damaged goods to absolute blindness – pitch black in appearance.

  6. NickS 6
    22 November 2011 at 9:09 pm

    I loved the response from The Herald’s chief editor, unfortunately Lhaws doesn’t need oxygen, he’s powered solely via self-renewing bile, sleep debt and a deep well-spring of arrogance born of stupidity and utter ignorance.

    But fingers crossed he stays permanently off air.

  7. Jim Nald 7
    22 November 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Damn right

  8. infused 8
    22 November 2011 at 11:06 pm

    If it helps I’ve never listened to him once.

  9. Liberal Realist 9
    22 November 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Laws should jump on the plane with Paul Henry, they’re both ego stroking RWNJ bigots. Two peas in a pod!