Keepleft have released their latest video - the core of which consists of soundbites crudely edited together to literally put words in Dr Brash's mouth - words such as
Well we're basically making a statement of principle... National would like to deliver tax relief to buy votes... New Zealanders can never afford the tax relief. I'm looking at cutting taxes and we propose to savagely cut government spending, particularly in the education and health sectors, and we should start in the first budget...
I don't like this at all. As much as I agree with Keepleft's assessment of Brash's policies, they have also grossly misrepresented him by editing fragments together to produce sentences Brash has never uttered. This is deceitful and wrong - not to mention unnecessary. Brash has said more than enough to condemn himself, without having to make shit up.
A "robust" campaign is one thing, but this sort of outright deceit is quite another. Keepleft should be ashamed of themselves for stooping to such tactics.
12 comments:
Putting words in their mouths can have comedic value (e.g., when obviously and openly descending into the absurd), but I agree this latest effort is, basically, crap.
The Don, actually says plenty of bizarre things as it is (e.g., his prevarication on whether or not he would have sent troops to Iraq - because clearly "yes" wouldn't go down well) ... he's not quite Dubya-esque, yet, but he's not too far removed from it either.
Posted by dc_red : 8/10/2005 07:51:00 AM
Two things.
Get a sense a humour.
and
Alls fair in love, war, test match rugby and politics. Its all about the scoreboard.
Posted by Anonymous : 8/10/2005 08:53:00 AM
Yes, you're right I/S. If you have to make up lies about your opponent(s), it suggests that the truth isn't really so damning doesn't it.
Posted by Peter Cresswell : 8/10/2005 09:47:00 AM
"Alls fair in love, war, test match rugby and politics"
Dunno about love, war or rugby, but no, all is not fair in politics. That way lies madness and Karl Rove.
Kudos to I/S for being on the side of the angels, ya boo sucks to you, Anonymous.
Posted by stephen : 8/10/2005 10:34:00 AM
They have also misrepresented what Dr Brash looks like in their picture. Dr Brash is taller and has a thinner face. When will it end! By jingo's when will the misrepresentation end...
Posted by Anonymous : 8/10/2005 11:00:00 AM
One point is that it was, as you say, done crudely. To my ear, it was obviously fake.
Or did we only notice it's clipped together from sound bites because we're clever and special?
Whether or not it's much good as a piece of campaigning, my point is that if everyone knows it's fake, then it's not deceptive. It's just a high-tech opinion piece.
Posted by Lyndon : 8/10/2005 11:11:00 AM
Lyndon, you suggested: "Whether or not it's much good as a piece of campaigning, my point is that if everyone knows it's fake, then it's not deceptive. It's just a high-tech opinion piece."
Much like Michael Moore's high-tech deceits you mean, Lydon?
Posted by Peter Cresswell : 8/10/2005 11:56:00 AM
I agree - let Brash(McCully's)words speak for themselves without editing. If they don't frighten ordinary Kiwis into keeping the Nats out, they'll deserve everything that happens to them.
Posted by Anonymous : 8/10/2005 12:09:00 PM
Yes, it's tedious. Big yawn.
Yet another sign of just how cranky left-wing pinko commies get when they realise they're going to have to get their snouts out of the trough.
How much lower will they go?
Posted by Insolent Prick : 8/10/2005 01:32:00 PM
Bigger issue: What do you expect from a site where the contributors don't face the basic accountability of putting a real name on their work?
The sad thing is that no matter how much bloggers (myself included) like to sneer at the MSM, someone would have lost their job if such an obvious hack job had gone to air on Three or TVNZ. And post Jayson Blair, even the NY Times is frowning on making up quotes.
Posted by Craig Ranapia : 8/10/2005 02:13:00 PM
I just watched it again.
I'll try putting it this way: I may be overly media literate or something, but to me it was no more supposed to be real (and only slightly less likely to be mistaken for real) than if I put a wig on and pretended to be Helen Clark. I just can't see anyone going, "My God! You mean that was fake? I was completely taken in!"
So not really like Mike Moore at all, PC.
If both parties to a communication are aware at the time that it s not for real, then it just doesn't count as a lie and it's not wrong.
Though it often qualifies as a joke.
I also note that they've caved to public pressure - fair enough - and installed an enormous disclaimer. Is it all right now?
Posted by Lyndon : 8/10/2005 05:06:00 PM
Frankly, i think the "Taxathon" flyer was deceitful and wrong, not to mention the lying Iwi/Kiwi - Maori own the beaches - billboards. And what about those dancing cossacks back in 75'. Make your own list. Don Brash and the national party have been selling lies for a long time and people have been buying them.So what if someone edits Brashs speech and makes it explcit what he really means. Or are we still unsure?
It always puzzles me when people allude to this idea of a clean fight in politics. In other words, my opponent keeps punching me below the belt but i shall continue to box within the rules, even if it kills me.Anyway keep giving Brash the bash i say. God knows hes been asking for it.
Posted by Anonymous : 8/11/2005 12:34:00 AM
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