The aftermath of the Chiefs Mad Monday celebrations continue to drag on, with feminists, lovies and do gooders all having a crack at the Chiefs as an organisation, as individuals, and as men in general. The Rugby Union has been dragged in by association, the common theme being very poor public relations (or "Spin Doctoring").
After being pilloried and vilified by the chattering classes (never mind waiting for the truth to emerge - when has that mattered?), it transpires that the "offender" was literally just along for the ride, the septuagenarian (over 70) Bus driver, coerced into being the recipient of the now infamous Scarlett's attentions, by way of a naked and explicit lap dance. It should be remembered that Scarlett never went to the Police, instead choosing to voice her displeasure via the media, her then employer subsequently firing her for inappropriate behaviour. It is quite clear that few can walk away from this incident with clean hands, all perhaps shaking their respective heads wondering a) what happened, and b) why it wasn't dealt with better. So, will the lovies, the partially informed, those who jumped the gun and prematurely threw stones at parties now proven "innocent", offer any sort of apology? I doubt it... By all accounts Andrew Little is a "straight up guy", who like many politicians has a tendency to speak his mind, often using strong language and accusations to make a point.
In accusing Earl and Lana Hagaman and their Scenic Circle Hotel chain of being granted management rights of a Niue tourism resort after making a $100,000 donation to National, Little crossed a very significant line. Even after being briefed by my Labour MP, Jacinda Adhern's father that he had his facts wrong, Little continued to push his accusation. The Auditor General has investigated and found these claims had no basis in truth leaving Little high and dry with no basis for defence in the case brought by the Hagamans. Being a man of apparently humble means, the leader of the virtually bankrupt Labour Party faces the daunting task of finding funds to both defend his position, and to pay whatever damages may result. With the recent clearing of the decks within Little's Wellington office, and the historical precedent set by the short tenure of his predecessors, some pundits wonder if Little's term as Party Leader might be drawing to a close - paying damages from the salary of a simple MP ($156,136) considerably more difficult than that of the Leader of the Opposition ($281,881|). Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight the humility of an early apology would have been the prudent option. Those cynics with a modicum of memory will recall Winston Peters steadfastly denying receiving a donation from the well meaning but hapless Owen Glenn - only for Governments Privileges Committee to establish that this was not the case -does this make him a liar? Should his credibility be called into question?.
My one regret is that I never bought this famous sign when the opportunity presented itself, everlasting testament to arrogance, deception and disappointment. More recently Winston steadfastly denied being invited onto the Q & A program, subsequently proven to be another falsehood, with TVNZ being able to prove two invitations the prior week. That being said, it amazes me that he still has such a following, evidence that there are people, and Winston's case, apparently mostly retiree's (" referred to by some as the Grey Greedies"), looking to benefit from the largesse of promises made by someone others feel is a charlatan. Likewise, Colin Craig has managed to burn whatever credibility he ever had in being the instigator and the recipient of a myriad of defamation cases, making his investment of several million dollars into a fledgling political career a spectacular waste of money, with plenty of dirty laundry being aired very publically. As I write I remain very conscious of my own shortcomings, very pleased never having the desire or arrogance to adopt the "Holier than thou" attitude of so many erstwhile and wannabe Politicians, particularly those exposed as wanting, Lying Len, Creepy Colin,... |
Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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