Polity: Three ramshackle PR fiascos and you’re out

Written By: - Date published: 8:41 am, March 4th, 2014 - 33 comments
Categories: dpf, making shit up - Tags: , , , , , ,

polity_square_for_lynnRob Salmond at Polity points to the right wing publicists who pose as independents, set up publicity shells for nutters, and who seem to make outright lying their hallmark. Perhaps it is time that journalists start describing them as they are rather than quoting them as they prefer.

The cabal of right wing activists who like to pose as independents have – yet again – overstepped the mark, bullying Mojo Mathers for being part of a disabled community radio event.

On the Twitter yesterday, Jordan Williams was full of bluster and excuses, blaming the journalist and proclaiming that any suggestion he was motivated by partisanship was “silly.” That makes him look even more like a fool.

Between them, Jordan Williams and David Farrar have more than enough ramshackle PR fiascos to justify a life sentence. Each time, their attempts at astroturfing unravel as cringeworthy moments and bungled stunts pile one on top of the next:

Strike one: The Free Speech Coalition
Hyperbole squard: compared New Zealand politicians to Frank Bainimarama, Mao Zedong, and Kim Jong Il, and acted astounded when the media thought it tacky and silly. Couldn’t even organise a billboard site without controversy. Paid for ads railing against misuse of trusts by misusing its own trust.

Strike two: The Vote for Change Coalition
Claimed to be a “grass roots movement” opposing MMP. In fact, mainly funded by a few large donations form the usual suspects. Specifically denied Peter Shitcliffe played any active roll. Turned out Shirtcliffe had a personal veto over everything the group does.

Strike three: The Taxpayers’ Union
Claims to be “a non-partisan activist group” that exists “to fight government waste.” Instead selectively targets left-leaning people over trivial sums while ignoring massive waste by the government on issues from boondoggles to witch hunts.

Three strikes – they’re out. I expect no self-respecting journalist will be citing either man as an “independent” “commentator” “representing” “a taxpayer group” any more. It is just so transparently untrue.

They should be treated just like me. I’m introduced as “analytics guy and Labour adviser,” which is fair. They should be “blogger and National’s pollster” or “part-time lawyer and ACT supporter.”

33 comments on “Polity: Three ramshackle PR fiascos and you’re out ”

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  1. Anne 1
    4 March 2014 at 9:02 am

    Isn’t Jordan Williams directly linked to the PM’s Office? If so, why the hell aren’t Cunliffe and co. screaming about it? Isn’t it unethical to have an adviser (or whatever he is/was) setting himself up as an independent arbitrator of some kind?

    • MaxFletcher 1.1
      4 March 2014 at 2:10 pm

      I believe has was a member of the Young Nats but I have never heard anything about being associated with Key or the DPMC

  2. just saying 2
    4 March 2014 at 9:05 am

    Well said Rob. I hope this information is read by the MSM and also used by the Labour Opposition.

    Nice to see you doing this kind of important work rather than the over-worked and completely unpaid writers here at the Standard. A promising change.

  3. Tracey 3
    4 March 2014 at 10:08 am

    You are talking about a press that sometimes refers to Prebble as “former Labour cabinet minister” and then asks him about Labour strategy or policy.

    • srylands 3.1
      4 March 2014 at 1:43 pm

      You are suggesting that Prebble was not a Labour Cabinet Minister?

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.1
        4 March 2014 at 2:13 pm

        First and foremost Prebble was a Right Wing fifth columnist and Minister in the first ACT government.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.1.2
        4 March 2014 at 4:09 pm

        He was but he hasn’t been for a couple of decades. This means asking him about Labour will get nothing but ignorance back. Of course, that does seem to be what the MSM want to spread.

    • McFlock 3.2
      4 March 2014 at 4:25 pm

      It would be just as valid to ask Winston about Key’s inner circle, given that he’s a former National minister. And I’m sure you’d get an equally knowledgeable and unbiased report.

  4. John 4
    4 March 2014 at 10:51 am

    So what about when the media (repeatedly) get comments critical of govenment from a “Human Rights Lawyer” or a “Principals Spokesperson” but (repeatedly) fail to mention they’ve been Labour Party candidates?

    • framu 4.1
      4 March 2014 at 4:19 pm

      somewhat different to “paid up proxie campaigner” though john

      USED to be a candidate vs CURRENTLY running a black ops campaign

      but yes the press should make any and all connections clear – but please show you understand the difference between both, time parameters and function

    • Murray Olsen 4.2
      5 March 2014 at 3:25 am

      To be fair John, the audience probably realises that nobody with links to NAct will be knowledgeable about human rights or education. Information linking them to opposition parties is therefore redundant.

  5. srylands 5
    4 March 2014 at 12:41 pm

    I am a financial supporter of the Taxpayers Union. It is doing good work in my view.

    • fender 5.1
      4 March 2014 at 1:16 pm

      It is doing good work in attacking anyone without a hard-right-wing outlook in my view.

      Fixed it for you, stupid-righty-lands.

      • srylands 5.1.1
        4 March 2014 at 1:40 pm

        Really? You think we have a “hard right wing” government? We have a centre-left government, that presides over a progressive tax system, an enormous social welfare safety net, a system of in work tax credits for even moderate income earners with kids, a generous taxpayer funded aged pension system.. I could go on. and on. No “hard right wing” policies in sight in this Country. Indeed, I cannot recall ever meeting any “hard right wing” people in New Zealand, and certainly not in Government.

        There are only “hard right wing” New Zealanders in this alternative universe of Your’s. Fuck I’m capitalising personal pronouns.

        • Hayden 5.1.1.1
          4 March 2014 at 1:45 pm

          …I cannot recall ever meeting any “hard right wing” people in New Zealand…

          I believe you.

        • Skinny 5.1.1.2
          4 March 2014 at 1:52 pm

          I would advise the leader of TPU to leave the country when Key-National try impose nasty ‘right wing’ employment law changes. He will be hunted down like a wild animal and no mercy spared by the worker drones.

          I just hope for your sake the scent doesn’t lead to the rock you hide under Shrillands!

        • fender 5.1.1.3
          4 March 2014 at 1:54 pm

          This “Taxpayers Union” is the hard right wing outfit you confessed to supporting financially.

          But if you now want to discuss your donations to the government then go ahead.

          Everyone knows Key is happy to use Act to implement his hard right agenda, and if he wasn’t concerned about being voted out he’d destroy those leftish policies you mention.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.4
          4 March 2014 at 4:16 pm

          Indeed, I cannot recall ever meeting any “hard right wing” people in New Zealand, and certainly not in Government.

          Well, that gives two possibilities:
          1.) You’ve never met yourself
          2.) You’ve never been in NZ

          I’m betting on the first.

          • MaxFletcher 5.1.1.4.1
            4 March 2014 at 4:26 pm

            Or 3) hasn’t read any of the comments on Whaleoil or Kiwiblog

          • Populuxe1 5.1.1.4.2
            4 March 2014 at 5:39 pm

            If you call that “hard right” you should pay a visit to the US. Our entire political spectrum would comfortably fit in the centre bit of the Democrats

    • framu 5.2
      4 March 2014 at 4:16 pm

      which proves your either a professional parasite or staggeringly dense

      Did you notice how they are a front for a bunch of people who keep getting turned down when using democratic means so resort to smear tactics, dirty tricks and bullshit?

      so – anti-democratic parasite or thicko – which one is it?

      • Hayden 5.2.1
        4 March 2014 at 4:21 pm

        Can’t it be both?

        • framu 5.2.1.1
          4 March 2014 at 4:28 pm

          why not? – but it does seem to be the case with the people who see life through the sry-lens. they usually fall into two quite separate camps

          But really im just trying to get our resident randian to put a stake in the ground on this one. Either hes really fucking dense and easily led or he agrees with the tactics and purposes used by scumbags like williams and lusk

          neither is a very good thing to be

    • Skinny 6.1
      4 March 2014 at 2:07 pm

      So Hooton tell us how your bullshit spray about National turning Left yesterday on RNZ is possible when they try to implement ‘harsh employment laws changes’. This is a declaration of war which is going head to head trying to destroy Unions!

    • Skinny 6.2
      4 March 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Speaking of gaffes here is one all mighty Key-National graffe)

      Question: 8 today’s oral question time. Buying Chinese asbestos ridden trains.

  7. Tracey 7
    4 March 2014 at 2:19 pm

    srylands wrote

    ” Indeed, I cannot recall ever meeting any “hard right wing” people in New Zealand, and certainly not in Government”

    you seem concerned, have you met hard right wing people, or not how many people in government have you met?

    are you currently working in a law firm in wellington?

    • srylands 7.1
      4 March 2014 at 3:59 pm

      “are you currently working in a law firm in wellington?”

      No. Why would I be? Are you drunk and comatose in a bar in Hamilton?

      You can keep asking ridiculous questions if you like.

  8. xtasy 8
    4 March 2014 at 5:16 pm

    The problem is that many “journalists” are themselves rather right leaning, fond of Key and his government, so they willingly quote such supposed “independent” advice on matters. The Taxpayer’s Union and the likes are being quoted and invited by all kinds of MSM, ranging from the likes of Radio 1ZB and Radio Live over to even Radio NZ National (e.g. Jim Mora) for radio, also by the large TV news channels, and print media.

    Perhaps we should apply the “three strikes and you are out” to all journalists quoting or inviting such organisations?

    Apart from that the bias is just gob smacking, and listening in to Radio Live after 03 pm this afternoon, Duncan Garner was ranting on about Cunliffe again, and why he had not fronted up with having used a trust for assisting his candidacy in the leadership competition for Labour’s leader. He even speculated that one of the two donors that David Cunliffe refused to name, may be Kim Dotcom.

    This kind of stuff comes from the likes of Garner, Gower and a fair few others somewhat regularly, and it is predominantly targeted at Labour and the Greens, while the Nats and Key are mostly let off lightly.

    It seems to be getting worse by the day, and no matter how many apologies, adjustments and improvements Cunliffe may come with, he seems to be the target now, to be shot to pieces, before the election even takes place.

    Shame on the rottten MSM!!!

  9. Hanswurst 9
    4 March 2014 at 10:11 pm

    A couple of typos in the post: “Hyperbole squard” should read “Hyperbole squared”, and the first instance of “Peter Shitcliffe” should read “Peter Shirtcliffe” (I think).