A group of disaffected and organised activists (or worse) are filmed throwing Molotov Cocktails, and taped contemplating the assassination of New Zealand political leaders, and the subsequent police raid to arrest them is described as a threat to democracy and public well-being.
Then a radio shock jock, who is obviously speaking tongue-in-cheek, is said to be a danger to life and limb, in many cases by the same people who criticised the police conduct in the previously mentioned arrests.
BE: The issue for me is simply that inciting others to murder any group (even journalists) is inflammatory and against the law. Nothing in Laws’ previous newspaper columns gives me any reason to to believe that his comments on this occasion were not meant to be taken seriously. Rage is the principal ingredient in his writing.
Oh Kimbo – you’re not really intrigued (that requires an imaginative and inquisitive mind), you’re just trolling as usual. For the record I believe that apart from the questionable legality of the surveillance, your “group of disaffected and organised activists” were rightfully targeted for investigation and treated with reasonable fairness. The Rainbow Warrior incident taught us that such things must be treated seriously.
However, this takes nothing away from the moral repugnance and irresponsibly inciting nature of Laws’ language. For every left-wing nutjob practicing molotov cocktail throwing and assassination plotting, there’s a gun-collecting right-wing nutter hanging on Laws’ every word.
I was living in Dunedin during both Aramoana and Every Street – I have no desire to see such things happen again.
“Oh Kimbo – you’re not really intrigued (that requires an imaginative and inquisitive mind)”
Andrew, even though I try and be respectful towards those with whom I disagree, I’ll make an exception your case. You are an arrogant arse.
“For every left-wing nutjob practicing molotov cocktail throwing and assassination plotting, there’s a gun-collecting right-wing nutter hanging on Laws’ every word”.
In New Zealand?! A fantasy. David Grey was a loner of no fixed political affiliation, and the Bain murders had nothing to do with politics. Turn on your TV during prime time, and you’ll see murder and mayhem as entertainment. Laws’ remarks don’t even register in that context, except amongst those who seek a reason to be offended.
Spare us the ideologically-inspired moral panic. The key difference between Laws and the inciting of violence is that those with common sense know Laws was not serious. A fact that your less than inquisitive or disciplined mind overlooked.
@ Brian. Thanks for the feedback. Umm. We disagree. Not about the law, but about what Laws did. His comments were hyperbolic black humour, rather than rage. Or is the jibe, “What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start” now in the realm of hate-speech? I know I may have said it after watching Michael Reed’s performance at the second David Bain trial! Or when I am assualted by the opinions of Peter Williams QC.
With respect to your profession, Brian, Laws was mining the the popular perception of journalists that exists in the public mind: they rank somewhere around the level of politicians and used car salesmen.
He was seeking to incite no one. He doesn’t like the NZ Herald, and a lot of other media, maybe with good personal reasons. Sure, there is probably a bit emotional disaffection on his part (rage may be going too far). However, I trust my fellow Kiwis to be able to distinguish between genuine hate-speech of whatever ideological persuasion, and an acerbic radio-jock, who chooses not to suffer gladly those whom he considers fools.
BE: The issue for me is simply that inciting others to murder any group (even journalists) is inflammatory and against the law……
I’m really surprised and disappointed — that you launched into Laws, what with the Luciferian eye ‘n’ all. The wild over-reaction, everywhere, is a warped parody; seized upon by those who really should know better. It was nothing more than a variant of the widely-used, “He needs, shooting”, which we hear often enough on Coro St.
Michael Laws, every so often, adds a bit of colour to his commentary. He becomes somewhat flamboyant in his figure-of-speech sanguinity. It’s what we’ve come to expect from him, once every so often.
And what happens, this time? He invokes a hysteria inside the HoS offices, not experienced since the era of Joe McCarthy. It’s been reported that some shivering staffers have hunkered down, glued to the CCTV camera in the foyer.
And, Andrew Paul Wood, likening a throwaway comment as rekindling your nightmare of Aramoana and Every Street, that is your neurosis. I can just imagine you at the movies, bawling your eyes out at a Road Runner cartoon. “Poor, poor Wile E. Coyote”.
I have come across a fascinating web site http://www.politicalcompass.org/nz2011 which also provides a very credible, certainly constructive political self-analysis online questionnaire. It positions political outlook in the political space the various NZ political parties occupy. My guess is that the scale on the positive side of the vertical axis would have to be redrawn to accommodate Laws and his mates.
peterlepaysan: “Actually, WAKE UP, Laws is always right. Had you not noticed?”
No he’s not, Peter (though ‘m allowing that you may be tongue-in-cheek). But he often is; it’s merely up to us to keep a wise/r head on our shoulders and be able to know the difference.
There’s far to much instantly-triggered hysteria in this country – almost all of it caused by our insane media.
What’s he/she going to do – reach into his/her purse and start throwing his/her eyeliner at every journo in sight. I’ve known more threatening 5-year olds.
I should also add that this kind of stuff is serious business in America. One of these cards was reputedly found in Breivik’s wallet (and it’s been sold in America for some years):
Andrew Paul Wood November 22nd, 2011 at 14:36
I do believe he might finally have lost the plot proper this time…
WAKE UP November 22nd, 2011 at 14:55
Actually, Laws is often right.
Kimbo November 22nd, 2011 at 15:07
Am intrigued.
A group of disaffected and organised activists (or worse) are filmed throwing Molotov Cocktails, and taped contemplating the assassination of New Zealand political leaders, and the subsequent police raid to arrest them is described as a threat to democracy and public well-being.
Then a radio shock jock, who is obviously speaking tongue-in-cheek, is said to be a danger to life and limb, in many cases by the same people who criticised the police conduct in the previously mentioned arrests.
BE: The issue for me is simply that inciting others to murder any group (even journalists) is inflammatory and against the law. Nothing in Laws’ previous newspaper columns gives me any reason to to believe that his comments on this occasion were not meant to be taken seriously. Rage is the principal ingredient in his writing.
Andrew Paul Wood November 22nd, 2011 at 15:42
Oh Kimbo – you’re not really intrigued (that requires an imaginative and inquisitive mind), you’re just trolling as usual. For the record I believe that apart from the questionable legality of the surveillance, your “group of disaffected and organised activists” were rightfully targeted for investigation and treated with reasonable fairness. The Rainbow Warrior incident taught us that such things must be treated seriously.
However, this takes nothing away from the moral repugnance and irresponsibly inciting nature of Laws’ language. For every left-wing nutjob practicing molotov cocktail throwing and assassination plotting, there’s a gun-collecting right-wing nutter hanging on Laws’ every word.
I was living in Dunedin during both Aramoana and Every Street – I have no desire to see such things happen again.
Kimbo November 22nd, 2011 at 19:56
“Oh Kimbo – you’re not really intrigued (that requires an imaginative and inquisitive mind)”
Andrew, even though I try and be respectful towards those with whom I disagree, I’ll make an exception your case. You are an arrogant arse.
“For every left-wing nutjob practicing molotov cocktail throwing and assassination plotting, there’s a gun-collecting right-wing nutter hanging on Laws’ every word”.
In New Zealand?! A fantasy. David Grey was a loner of no fixed political affiliation, and the Bain murders had nothing to do with politics. Turn on your TV during prime time, and you’ll see murder and mayhem as entertainment. Laws’ remarks don’t even register in that context, except amongst those who seek a reason to be offended.
Spare us the ideologically-inspired moral panic. The key difference between Laws and the inciting of violence is that those with common sense know Laws was not serious. A fact that your less than inquisitive or disciplined mind overlooked.
@ Brian. Thanks for the feedback. Umm. We disagree. Not about the law, but about what Laws did. His comments were hyperbolic black humour, rather than rage. Or is the jibe, “What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start” now in the realm of hate-speech? I know I may have said it after watching Michael Reed’s performance at the second David Bain trial! Or when I am assualted by the opinions of Peter Williams QC.
With respect to your profession, Brian, Laws was mining the the popular perception of journalists that exists in the public mind: they rank somewhere around the level of politicians and used car salesmen.
He was seeking to incite no one. He doesn’t like the NZ Herald, and a lot of other media, maybe with good personal reasons. Sure, there is probably a bit emotional disaffection on his part (rage may be going too far). However, I trust my fellow Kiwis to be able to distinguish between genuine hate-speech of whatever ideological persuasion, and an acerbic radio-jock, who chooses not to suffer gladly those whom he considers fools.
peterlepaysan November 22nd, 2011 at 20:59
Actually, WAKE UP, Laws is always right.
Had you not noticed?
Ianmac November 22nd, 2011 at 23:18
I think that a young man was found guilty today for talking about bombing the PM. Be interesting to see what happens to Laws.
Merv November 23rd, 2011 at 07:54
BE: The issue for me is simply that inciting others to murder any group (even journalists) is inflammatory and against the law……
I’m really surprised and disappointed — that you launched into Laws, what with the Luciferian eye ‘n’ all. The wild over-reaction, everywhere, is a warped parody; seized upon by those who really should know better. It was nothing more than a variant of the widely-used, “He needs, shooting”, which we hear often enough on Coro St.
Michael Laws, every so often, adds a bit of colour to his commentary. He becomes somewhat flamboyant in his figure-of-speech sanguinity. It’s what we’ve come to expect from him, once every so often.
And what happens, this time? He invokes a hysteria inside the HoS offices, not experienced since the era of Joe McCarthy. It’s been reported that some shivering staffers have hunkered down, glued to the CCTV camera in the foyer.
And, Andrew Paul Wood, likening a throwaway comment as rekindling your nightmare of Aramoana and Every Street, that is your neurosis. I can just imagine you at the movies, bawling your eyes out at a Road Runner cartoon. “Poor, poor Wile E. Coyote”.
Kimbo November 23rd, 2011 at 08:08
@ Merv
“He (Laws) becomes somewhat flamboyant in his figure-of-speech sanguinity. It’s what we’ve come to expect from him, once every so often”.
Yep. Like pro-wrestling. Not everything you see and hear is real. Is part of the schtick
John November 23rd, 2011 at 16:20
I have come across a fascinating web site http://www.politicalcompass.org/nz2011 which also provides a very credible, certainly constructive political self-analysis online questionnaire. It positions political outlook in the political space the various NZ political parties occupy. My guess is that the scale on the positive side of the vertical axis would have to be redrawn to accommodate Laws and his mates.
WAKE UP November 23rd, 2011 at 17:52
BE: “Rage is the principal ingredient in his writing”
Useful stuff, rage: it kept me going in the tough years
WAKE UP November 23rd, 2011 at 17:56
peterlepaysan: “Actually, WAKE UP, Laws is always right. Had you not noticed?”
No he’s not, Peter (though ‘m allowing that you may be tongue-in-cheek). But he often is; it’s merely up to us to keep a wise/r head on our shoulders and be able to know the difference.
There’s far to much instantly-triggered hysteria in this country – almost all of it caused by our insane media.
DeepRed November 23rd, 2011 at 23:03
@Merv & WAKE UP: Anders Breivik, much?
Matt November 23rd, 2011 at 23:56
What’s he/she going to do – reach into his/her purse and start throwing his/her eyeliner at every journo in sight. I’ve known more threatening 5-year olds.
DeepRed November 24th, 2011 at 00:26
I should also add that this kind of stuff is serious business in America. One of these cards was reputedly found in Breivik’s wallet (and it’s been sold in America for some years):
http://bildungblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/found-in-anders-behring-breiviks-wallet.html
More reading material here about ‘eliminationism':
http://www.graphictruth.com/2011/07/oslo-proves-that-right-wing-terrorism.html
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981576982?tag=graphictruth-20&camp=213761&creative=393545&linkCode=bpl&creativeASIN=0981576982&adid=0ZM20DS7G9FC5HCD0EXB&
Merv November 24th, 2011 at 08:35
@ DeepRed
And another drooling drongo, who needs to have a big box of Sorbent at the ready, when watching cartoons.
Frank Macskasy November 27th, 2011 at 22:44
Would Laws’ comments prompt anyone to actually “go postal” and do a “Terminator” in the “Herald on Sunday” offices?
Of course not.
99% of Laws’ listeners know that he’s just being a dick.
99%!
Now let’s look at the remaining 1%.
All it takes is for one lone, deranged nutter with access to a firearm; off his meds; angry at society; listening to Laws…
Do we have such nutters here in New Zealand?
Ask the people of Aramoana.