Playing a Fair Game
In New Zealand we love our sport. It used to be just rugby, cricket and the Americas Cup but nowadays there is plenty to choose from including multiple sports channels on SKY for those who just can’t get enough with a single channel. We love to compete, we love to support, we love to win and we definitely love to have an opinion.
I doubt there is one New Zealander over 40 who does not remember the “underarm incident”. New Zealand vs Australia in the 1981 Cricket World Series final. The series was drawn 1-1 and in the crucial 3rd game New Zealand needed 6 runs off the last ball to tie the game. Then, with the world looking on, Australian bowler Trevor Chappell rolled the ball down the pitch in underarm style. The initial reaction was one of shock and disbelief.
The crowd booed and commentator great, Richie Benaud (an ex-Australian cricket captain), described the act as “disgraceful”. Both the New Zealand and the Australian Prime Ministers condemned the action. There was public outrage. The protests resulted in a rule change so that it will never happen again and it never has.
It is my view that politics matters, just as much, if not more than, sport. Those in politics have a much greater ability to influence, for better or worse, the lives of others. We won’t always agree on the right mix of policies and sometimes when the debate gets heated it might well feel like a finals contest in the World Series. Despite all this, however, we should never stoop to the underarm ball. We should be better people than that.
Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas
My wife and I have just published a booklet “Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas” in which we exposed the actions of 3 individuals in a recent defamatory attack against me. I am not the first to be attacked in this way but if possible I would hope to be the last.
I think the introduction in the booklet sums it up well:
A book called “Dirty Politics” was written last year [by Nicky Hagar] and it talked about the corruption of public debate in New Zealand. It drew attention to the new media commentators who, rather than being media professionals operating according to ethical codes, are instead highly opinionated commentators who have political agendas. These commentators often run “blog sites” and are guided by their own conscience (or lack thereof) when it comes to ethics. They do not seek to provide fair or balanced reporting.
Of particular concern is that some engage in the practice of “attack politics” to harm opponents. Attack politics is where a person deliberately targets an opponent by finding their weaknesses and leveraging that to publically embarrass them or to bring them down. It can even involve deliberate foul play such as “false allegations” or “entrapments”.
We are a nation that believes in a fair go. We want our referees to be fair and every game to be played in a sportsmanlike way. We do not like corrupt people, and honesty is one of our core values. We must therefore reject the “Dirty Politics Brigade” who are seeking to hijack the political debate in New Zealand.
What Happens Next?
I am fortunate enough to be in a financial position to take legal action against the parties that have defamed me. What they have done is not legal and so I will be looking to the courts to rule on the matter as a way to restore my public reputation.
Whether I again become the leader of the Conservative Party or run for office in any other capacity is unknown. What I do know is that I am committed to playing a part in fighting for a better kind of political debate in New Zealand.
I remain hopeful that our nation can resist the slide into self-serving and cynical manipulation of mainstream media. I hope instead that we might retain our values of honesty and a fair go.
In our national anthem is the plea “from corruption guard our state”. May that be a reality for our wonderful nation.
Colin Craig
p.s. I wish to acknowledge the importance of Nicky Hagar’s book on Dirty Politics last year. His work in shining light on the practice of attack politics has been an important contribution to improving democracy in New Zealand
It’s a shame Colin Craig was so willing to use dirty politics for his own gain at the last election. Craig was desperate to frame himself outside of the ‘dirt’, but was also going to support Key and the dirtypolitics team retain power and get another term.
Does Craig know the Key & National are ‘dirtypolitics’? Looks like he just used the scandal for his own ends – as a way of fulfilling his child-smacking fantasies?
Are we supposed to feel sorry for Craig? He’s a property leech who has got himself burnt after playing with fire.
Craig’s anti-Kim Dotcom crusade at the last election was ‘dirtypolitics’. He was happy to use the filth back then, but now we’re supposed to care because he’s drowning in mud?
Ask Craig why he was going to support Key and National in a coalition. Key and National are immoral liberals – both economic and social. Conservative politics, if it is to be rervived, must look to the left…but that would mean placing their values in front of their rhetoric.
Go Colin. I applaud your bravery and contribution to NZ politics as a watch dog who is not just verbally complaining of poor, unethical and illegal attack politics and lobbyists controlling our media, but actually DOING SOMETHING about it.
May you get justice in court! Let us hope the judiciary is not as corrupt as our political system is becoming and the courts seek to denounce this disgraceful conduct of politicians and their lobbyists and their advisers.
Politics is about diversity. The problem in NZ is that this is missing. The crosby textor culture has made the opposition afraid and timid and not results focused on what is right, not what the manipulated polls say. Small parties left and right are being knocked out by foul play against what MMP stands for.
Nice to see a brave warrior fighting against the corruption in our system!
Fair comment from Colin Craig. I wish him well and hope he is able to get his life back on track again, whatever he does.
However that said, Craig was very quiet on the contents of Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics last year, prior to the election. Then now, after being vilified, he comes out and virtually praises Hager for his book and what it exposed!
Nothing like personal experience of being the victim of slime and sleaze, is there Colin? Think of Phil Goff, the Labour party public official and his family who were threatened, David Cunliffe et al, all victims of WhaleOil and msm’s subservience to FJK, to discredit, damage and destroy as many opponents as possible!
Praise for TDB for allowing Craig the opportunity to write this piece, even though he is far removed from the views of this blog site and the majority of its supporters and posters. But that’s what good media does and TDB is proving it is one of the best. Well done.
Fair comment from Colin Craig. I wish him well and hope he is able to get his life back on track again, whatever he does.
However that said, Craig was very quiet on the contents of Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics last year, prior to the election. Then now, after being vilified, he comes out and virtually praises Hager for his book and what it exposed!
Nothing like personal experience of being the victim of slime and sleaze, is there Colin? Think of Phil Goff, the Labour party public official and his family who were threatened, David Cunliffe et al, all victims of WhaleOil and msm’s subservience to FJK, to discredit, damage and destroy as many opponents as possible!
Praise for TDB for allowing Craig the opportunity to write this piece, even though he is far removed from the views of this blog site and the majority of its supporters and posters. But that’s what good media does and TDB is proving it is one of the best. Well done.
(Having problems posting this. Same as yesterday. What’s happening here?)
Colin I didnt really care or want to know about what happened to you or why it happened,
but since your booklet popped into my letterbox I care more now
I am more the wiser about you an those orrible sleazy men
in a few concisely written pages.
I hope as you are going down the plug hole of politics
you take down those 3 souless money hungry people.
Best of Luck Colin & Helen Craig
Good to see Colin Craig welcomed to have guest blog at The Daily Blog. It shows a level of respect by The Daily Blog for politicians it may not always agree with when the cause is important, and it shows that some politicians respect The Daily Blog, even when they have suffered criticisms from it, and see it as an important form of media in New Zealand.
Having read Dirty Politics the epicentre of this sleaze machine was the PM’s office. I assume nothing has changed because National were not touched by this and leopards do not change their spots.
Therefore what do you think you have done to National to warrant this smear campaign?
Daily Blog, you are having major issues with comments not been posted.
I sent one regarding Curwen Ares Rolinson’s blog yesterday and it never made it but I could not resubmit it. I have just sent one regarding this blog and again nothing. Whats up?
Me too XRay its like our blogs are being stolen by some NSA?
Mine all left today and I now we they have been posted???
Well done Colin Craig. Together and in cooperation may we cleanse the cess pit of filth which threatens to overflow, contaminate and destroy every last vestige of decency, honour and good faith.
The pamphlet is a great idea.
I am hoping that because it has come from another side of the political field it will give credence to the original Dirty Politics.
Our Primed Minister will have to seek advice on what to call this. It will certainly not be covered by the “left-wing communist conspirator” tag with which he denigrated Nicky Hager and his work.
First up, the fact that Colin Craig appears as a guest blogger on TDB is significant. TDB is unashamedly left-wing, while Mr Craig is not. This shows a considerable degree of good will on both Mr Craig and TDB to allow him to say how he feels and open himself to comment and criticism. Commendable at the very least.
Although I basically agree with Mr Craig’s synopsis on Dirty Politics, I can’t help wondering if he has become concerned with it only because he now feels he himself is a target. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall Mr Craig having much to say about it a year ago, BEFORE his troubles. Perhaps he could explain this.
I also wonder how he feels about his ideological leanings now. Does he still consider himself a conservative?
When the Conservative Party campaigned at the last election, some commentators believed he was a front for the National Party. I wasn’t sure but I felt that there were several Conservative Party policies that did not sit comfortably with National, in particular the policy of no more state asset sales, and I wondered how the two could work together in parliament. As fate had it, they didn’t make it into parliament so the issue was never put to the test.
What I would like to know from Mr Craig is how he would work to overcome the power of the dirty politicos in government and media. Would he work with other parties such as Labour or NZ First? Would he try to set up an alternative media organisation? If he is successful in his legal actions, would he just fade away or would he use his success to help get this country back to respectability and real (not faux) democracy?
Onya Colin, may not agree with many of your policies but 100% agree on clean politics.
Having said all that – i can see why you would have been a threat to transNational: they’re all about power not principles.
Well, I agree with you on one thing, Colin. The importance of Nicky Hager’s book.
Will you now join with many of us who are demanding a full enquiry into the events of “Dirty Politics”, which has been swept under the carpet in a breathtaking example of a coverup, with the perpetrators free to continue on with their nefarious activities?
That full enquiry needs to include our police force, and whether they have been politicised in the service of the party in power. The denials from the Commissioner regarding that are starting to ring very hollow.
All the Dirty Politics players, including Slater, Ede, Carrick Graham, etc, including their paymasters like Katherine Rich, and their political henchmen like Collins, and the Police Commissioner, they all need to be forced to give evidence under oath regarding their role in this ongoing extremely sordid affair.
Will you now support such an enqiry?
Well, I agree with you on one thing, Colin. The importance of Nicky Hager’s book.
Will you now join with many of us who are demanding a full enquiry into the events of “Dirty Politics”, which has been swept under the carpet in a breathtaking example of a coverup, with the perpetrators free to continue on with their nefarious activities?
That full enquiry needs to include our police force, and whether they have been politicised in the service of the party in power. The denials from the Commissioner regarding that are starting to ring very hollow.
All the Dirty Politics players, including Slater, Ede, Carrick Graham, etc, including their paymasters like Katherine Rich, and their political henchmen like Collins, and the Police Commissioner, they all need to be forced to give evidence under oath regarding their role in this ongoing extremely sordid affair.
Will you now support such an enquiry?
Good on you Colin for having the courage to fight back. The only plausible reason that you have been attacked is because you are viewed as a threat. Our political arena needs now, more than ever, dissenting voices. Dust yourself off and stand tall. You have my respect for that.
Yes Colin,
This is a true indictment on the PM and His Government as they use Dirty Politics rather than honest inclusive politics, or “shoot the messenger” if the message is harmful for them.
We are convinced National Party hard liners see any dissenter’s as their true enemies to be made as either unfit to lead or corrupt.
Go hard Colin we are behind you on exposing all this dirty political corruption new have seen over the last several years.
This website of how deep the corruption around the globe is now today.
He is credible as he was a Washington insider so our PM would have known this was going on under our political structure under his watch.
http://pro.moneymappress.com/MMRBSSH39PPM3/WMMRR539/?pub=mmr&ad=china-market-crash-2&h=true
Yes Colin,
This is a true indictment on the PM and His Government as they use Dirty Politics rather than honest inclusive politics, or “shoot the messenger” if the message is harmful for them.
We are convinced National Party hard liners see any dissenter’s as their true enemies to be made as either unfit to lead or corrupt.
Go hard Colin we are behind you on exposing all this dirty political corruption new have seen over the last several years.
Scarlet Mod, again today we cant post our blog in support of theb writer.
we cant post blogs again as we couldn’t last night. scarlet mod found ours and others in another file. Please post it up?
Yes there is no shame to keyopoly of the legislative agenda today that he is also involved with this also?
This website of how deep the corruption around the globe is now today.
He is credible as he was a Washington insider so our PM would have known this was going on under our political structure under his watch.
http://pro.moneymappress.com/MMRBSSH39PPM3/WMMRR539/?pub=mmr&ad=china-market-crash-2&h=true
Yes there is no shame to keyopoly of the legislative agenda today that he is also involved with this also?
This website of how deep the corruption around the globe is now today.
He is credible as he was a Washington insider so our PM would have known this was going on under our political structure under his watch.
http://pro.moneymappress.com/MMRBSSH39PPM3/WMMRR539/?pub=mmr&ad=china-market-crash-2&h=true
Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t remember you voicing much support for Nicky Hagar at the time of the publication of “Dirty Politics”.
Dirt is sometimes unspoken.
And maybe sometimes it takes a bit of personal experience to wake up.
Actually Colin, Netball is a far more important sport in NZ than the 3 you have listed in your introduction.
Larger number of participants than the other 3 sports and one where we have been world champs many times.The fact that this sport is played by women( predominately) means it has missed your attention. NZ is a deeply misogynistic country it would behove you to to ponder this fact and change your approach if you seriously expect to succeed in politics.
Given your stance towards gay people and feminists all I can say is bring it on Slater. Canning gays and ‘promiscuous’ kiwi women won you headlines and support. Now your getting spanked by the blackfish for groping and bum pinching your staffer. Harden up cheese dick and stop trawling for sympathy on TDB
Hello hello hello. Anybody there?
Yes its all screwed up today again, has CIA tried to corrupt our free speech now?
Dirty politics is well and truly alive out there since national took over with the rise of the black opp’s brigade and plenty of paid nasty bloggers around compared to several years ago.
So good luck and support should be given for anyone who can cast some light on these dark operators conducting many underside seedy character assassination’s out in the political world.
It is certainly an ugly world they have dragged us all into the creeps.
Scarlet mod we cant blog anywhere again today??
Dirty politics is well and truly alive out there since national took over with the rise of the black opp’s brigade and plenty of paid nasty bloggers around compared to several years ago.
So good luck and support should be given for anyone who can cast some light on these dark operators conducting many underside seedy character assassination’s out in the political world.
It is certainly an ugly world they have dragged us all into the creeps
Dirty politics is well and truly alive out there since national took over with the rise of the black opp’s brigade and plenty of paid nasty bloggers around compared to several years ago.
So good luck and support should be given for anyone who can cast some light on these dark operators conducting many underside seedy character assassination’s out in the political world.
It is certainly an ugly world they have dragged us all into the creeps
I have little time for Colin Craig, and part of me thinks he is getting his just desserts. As he was pretty precious during the election campaign.
The fact that one of the people he is suing is the Most Odious Cameron Slater, however, tells me there must some good left in Craig. As nothing would give me more pleasure than to see Cameron Slater taken below the bottom rung of the ladder, proven to have lied about and slandered Colin Craig and many others, and made to answer and pay for his crimes.
” It is my view that politics matters, just as much, if not more than, sport. ”
Oh my God .
No shit sherlock .
Just how did you become a millionaire ? Surely it couldn’t have been as a result of your powers of observation?
You would’ve slithered all over jonky-stien if it meant you’d a got a go at power mongering last election.
In the immortal words of William Boroughs .
“ Never do business with a religious son-of-a-bitch. But if you do ? Get. It. In. Writing. Never trust someone with God on their side to tell them how to fuck you on the deal. “
And all you dings , fawning over this egotistical idiot just because he spouted out a few truisms? Get a grip . No class . No class at all .
My sentiments exactly. Craig has no shame. He is an opportunistic dick. He also wears the same transparent look that JFKey, the other money trader wears.
Apart from your rather casual anti-Semitism I couldn’t agree more, I think some people are letting their dislike for Slater & Co cloud their judgement on this weird wee fella, and if Mr Craig actually goes ahead with this case and we find out his P.A (who I believe has some sort of gagging order on her) was being sexually harassed at work then will we see Mr Craig coming on here begging forgiveness like a good Christian soldier.
If you are reading these comments Colin can you please explain the Poems and “inappropriate behaviour” im sure there are a couple of authors on this blog and many others waiting to hear your explanation on this
[Jeeves, this is not a free-for-all. Try that again without the expletives and abuse. – ScarletMod]
Fair enough- try this:
Firstly- good on TDB for being tolerant enough to allow CC a post.
Now, moving quickly on and echoing CountryBoy :
“It is my view that politics matters, just as much, if not more than, sport.”
Q: Do you read what you write?
Q: Do you write what you think?
Q: Do you, Colin, a politician and party leader, hold the view that sport and politics are arguably of equal importance?
Are you serious ?
Is this your honesty on show or just your idiocy?
Or are you cynically playing to a wider, supposedly dumber audience..
“We do not like corrupt people, and honesty is one of our core values. ”
Ah, I see- its your honestly held belief.
“I remain hopeful that our nation can resist the slide into self-serving and cynical manipulation of mainstream media.”
Not if ***** like you are holding our coat-tails as you slide down there ahead of us. LET GO!!!
And let go of your god fantasy Colin – his version of truth, honesty and transparency are just plain shit.
I think TDB needs to post an article about what the bloody hell is going on with our posts!
Colin – if you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.
You supported Key and his cabal. You were willing to prop up his party and its coalition that introduced the GCSB laws and mass surveillance therefore you were part of the problem.
No use bleating now that you are the target of their odious ways. You were absolutely silent on “Dirty Politics” when it came out, when you glimpsed the chance of being a coalition partner to National and the “baubles of power” dangling in front of you.
Make no mistake. You are the subject of dirty politics because National are losing support and they are trying to bring back the ‘rabid right’ that supported you, back into their fold. They have kneecapped you for power purposes.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
No use bleating now and crying “Wolf”, “Wolf”, “Help me there’s a wolf!” You didn’t yell out “Shame on you Mr Key and your Dirty Politics!” a year agao when Nicky Hager needed support.
Now – It’s too late. Hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have marched, have raised placards and chanted against GCSB surveillance. GCSB surveillance is at the very core of the “Dirty Politics” saga.
And you, Mr Colin Craig were AWOL. You turned your back on privacy issues. You turned your back on the corrupt influence of the moneyed bankers. You turned your back on Kiwi sense of justice and fairness.
Pastor Niemuller said it best:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.</i)
You didn't speak out for the left-wing and the "Dirty Politics" then Colin.
Give me a good reason for me, as a dyed-in-the-wool, tin-foil-hat-wearing left-winger, should give a flying frig about you, a raboid, right-wing Conservative?
Apart from agape, love of my fellow man (and woman), which is at the very heart and soul, the very core of a socialist.
I wish you well on your "Dirty Politics" Crusade Colin.
Comments are closed.