The states of John Key – Nasty side

Written By: - Date published: 10:49 am, July 28th, 2010 - 26 comments
Categories: john key - Tags:

Sixth of a series by Guest poster Blue.

John Key is not always the affable everyman he appears to be. There’s a solid streak of bully in him not uncommon in people who crave power.

Back in 2002, before he rose up the ranks of the National Party, he made his infamous comments about mothers on the DPB ‘breeding for a business’. The Herald’s biography reveals that a more media-cautious Key has emerged since then, as demonstrated by the following quote:

Key admits to being more cautious about the phrases he now uses he likens it to being a magician with a magic wand. ‘You know, you don’t quite realise how powerful it is until you get to pick the wand up and you realise very small movements have quite strong and far reaching reverberations,’ Key explains. ‘My underlying philosophies remain the same.’ So his beliefs remain the same, the difference is in the language? ‘Yeah, I think that’s largely correct.’ This is a startling admission which suggests that the real John Key is actually the John Key who originally entered Parliament, not the version we see today.

The new media-trained image isn’t completely infallible, however. Just before the last election, in November 2008, Key was heard to yell at a work rights activist who was heckling him, shouting ‘the truth is you’re an idiot!’

It’s not the only time Key’s careful brand image has slipped back in 2009 when he was addressing a business audience in Australia he denigrated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes‘ views on climate change, saying ‘my advice to Keisha is this stick to acting!’  There was no reason for him to bring up her opinion at all it was simply putting the boot in and mocking someone because he felt he could. He clearly didn’t expect it to get back to New Zealand asking the audience if they had even heard of Castle-Hughes. Unfortunately for him, also in the audience was journalist Claire Trevett from the New Zealand Herald.

It’s been noted by commentators that one of Key’s most effective weapons is to listen politely to someone’s objections and then agree with them, taking the wind out of their sails so he can move on, unmoved. However, his occasional outbursts show what happens when the salesman loses his cool and reveals a surprisingly vehement intolerance of anyone who disagrees with him.

Blue

Series posts

The states of John Key Quantum uncertainty
The states of John Key The drivers
The states of John Key The Salesman
The states of John Key – Flexible in telling the truth

The states of John Key – Avoidance

The states of John Key Nasty side

26 comments on “The states of John Key – Nasty side ”

  1. r0b 1

    On the nasty side, Key also described young protesters in Mt Albert as “cold and desperate”. Strong echoes of Clark’s “haters and wreckers” that the right whipped themselves into such an orgiastic frenzy of excitement about…

  2. Key’s most effective weapons is to listen politely to someone’s objections and then agree with them, taking the wind out of their sails so he can move on,…

    i do that with jehovahs witnesses.

    agreee that, yes, they as christians set an excellent example of people trying to help others in their community and that we need more people like them out there doing the good work and spreading the good word, but i’m fine with God and He’s fine with me, so i don’t want to upset the mutual understanding and fine relationship we’ve developed….you know, if it aint broke why fix it ?

    …totally throws them cos they’re looking for a good argument to validate their faith and convert me to their cause.

    but back to Key. He reminds me of someone who has charged himself and his lackies to fix things which aren’t really broken just cos they can and to exert some measure of will on them to satisfy their own egos. Powertripping for the sake of it.

    He also reminds me of Odo from Star trek deep space 9, a shapeshifter whose name means nothing…

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odo_(Star_Trek)

  3. Cnr Joe 3

    I guess he’ll always be able to get the best training, being an ongoing process and all.
    Then there’s the dope they have him on. Its widely understood to be in the pizzas.

  4. randal 4

    at the moment they are bulllying the medical school in dunedin to pay off some tacky promise tony ryall made before the eelction.
    crummy.

  5. tsmithfield 5

    States of the left:

    1. A paranoid obsession with John Key.

    • joe bloggs 5.1

      States of the Left:

      2. Delusional fantasies about John Key
      3. Dislike of self-determination
      3. Throw enough mud and eventually some must stick – surely!!
      4. People in glass houses can, and should, throw stones – it’s a democratic right

      As for equating Key’s “cold and desperate” comment with Clark’s “haters and wreckers”, or Cullen’s “rich pricks” – sad to say it’s not even in the same region, let alone ballpark… lest we forget May is not the warmest month of the year – of course they’re cold, hehe

      • bbfloyd 5.1.1

        j.b. you really need to get out more lad. by the way, is your name written the right way around?

    • bbfloyd 5.2

      it’s been my experience that when people make that kind of sweeping generalisation, it most often is a symptem of shallow, reactive thinking. using emotively charged words like “paranoid” does no more than expose the lack of coherent thought being brought to bear. it is innaccurate at best, and insults people who, for the most part, have the intellect, memory, and the social concience to be concerned for the future of our society.
      p.s. please excuse my terrible spelling. my dictionary died last week. sniff

    • ghostwhowalksnz 5.3

      Its not an obsession when Key makes it his business to appear constantly in the media….. oops that right hes PM. I wonder how he got there?

    • Draco T Bastard 5.4

      State of the Right:

      A paranoid and delusional denial of reality.

      The difference between my statement and yours? Mine happens to be true whereas yours is part of your delusion.

  6. Ron 6

    TS – if we’re talking about paranoid obsessions I’d point to the Right’s obsession with Helen Clarke as a truer example. The Right spent the last couple of years of that Labour term simply making stuff up.

    I think the issue with JK – and the Tories as whole – is that we’ve known their true agenda from the outset but they’ve tried to deny it. If he – and they – had simply been upfront about what they are trying to do then there’d be agendas and policies to argue about but what we get is exactly what’s described above – a smokescreen of reasonableness (is that a word?) hiding an extreme right wing agenda that essentially hasn’t changed since Bolger. It was revealed before the election in the secret recordings (again, their response wasn’t to debate the issues but to attack the whistleblowers); it’s been revealed several times through slips of tongues – they just won’t admit it. It’s not paranoid to KNOW they’re out to getya!

    It’s not that we’re obsessed with Jonkey. It’s that Jonkey IS that smokescreen and we’re obsessed with trying expose that very real agenda.

    • joe bloggs 6.1

      speaking of paranoid “they’re out to getya!” obsessions – try using that excuse with the 66% of electors who didn’t vote for Clark.

    • tsmithfield 6.2

      Ron, I selected my words carefully in that comment.

      I believe the litany of fear-laden articles about JK on various themes and the associated posts by left-leaning contributors would meet the test for both paranoia and obsessiveness.

  7. Someone told me that she had been to a political thingy with John Key as the main speaker. When someone asked John Key to explain the world wide financial collapse and why this was happening he answered with a sneer: “That is because your parents wanted a better car.” Yep, according to bankster Mr Nice Key it’s all our fault.

  8. Firsttimereader 8

    States of the left: Comparing “haters and wreckers” to “cold and desperate”.

  9. felix 9

    I’m enjoying this series. Contrary to the whimpering protestations of ts and joe, it seems to be based on verifiable facts reported in an uncontroversial fashion.

    Which is why they have no response. They can’t dispute the facts and they can’t feign their usual “how dare you say that about the King” outrage.

    (cue “we don’t respond cos it’s stupid” and “we weren’t playing anyway” etc)

    • tsmithfield 9.1

      Paranoia and obsessiveness has become such a normal for you that you can’t recognise it when you see it.

    • Mac1 9.2

      Hi,Felix. You forgot the ‘PC obsessed’ that Sean uses below. If all else fails, deflect the criticism by blaming the critic for being ‘PC’.

      Clue for Sean14- non-PC behaviour used to be called bad manners, at best.

      • comedy 9.2.1

        Nah, non PC behaviour used to be call having a sense of humour at best, having bad manners by the hoity toity and racism at worst by ijits.

  10. sean14 10

    A politician moderating their language? How in the hell is that surprising?! It’s a prerequisite for public office in a PC obsessed country like NZ.

  11. comedy 11

    Is that a photo of him dropping a large flatus ?

  12. kriswgtn 12

    Nah hes rapping man

  13. gobsmacked 13

    A year ago I drew attention to the nasty side of John Key. In the comments I expanded further on it:

    http://www.thestandard.org.nz/crossing-the-line/

    The essential point is: Politicians being nasty isn’t so unusual. But when they trade so heavily on their nice-guy image, it’s quite unsettling when it turns out to be fake.

    It’s like discovering that a “strong leader” is chronically indecisive, or that a great wordsmith is just reading someone else’s script. If Mr Nice Guy is not so nice after all, what else has he got?

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-02T14:50:27+00:00