Effing newspapers!

[wbks]

Did anyone else read the comment by John Key in The Dom Post about Apiata receiving $35k worth of media training? Key basically implied that after that expenditure he was available to the media

Maybe he figured it was a good way to rally most of the country behind (or at least render indifferent to) an unpopular war?

[allycatz]

Maybe he figured it was a good way to rally most of the country behind (or at least render indifferent to) an unpopular war?

Right or wrong they were great photos from a patriotic point of view

[wbks]

Right or wrong they were great photos from a patriotic point of view

I was talking about the whole VC awarding thing, but I guess he does look pretty badass in that pic

[sAsLEX]

It is in fact more like 800mm. An mp with a fixed stock is at least 100mm shorter, not even talking about the folding stock versions. And the fact that it's a bullpup configuration means sweet fuck all until you actually fire it. Until then it's as unwieldy as standard config. AUG also has no three-round-burst mode, which is annoying.

And yes, most special forces unit will have access to M4s, but IMHO the only reason why they'd use them is compatibility(logistics).

The fast it is a bullpup design makes the weapon 200mm shorter than a standard configuration for the same barrel length, and the carbine is 690mm.

[Skyryder]

Does anyone expect an overseas owned business, let alone a newspaper to act in the interests of its host country? Common courtesy should have dictated restraint from any NZ media in publishing the photo, of an SAS New Zealand soldier actively engaged in war zone that the Government had sent him to.


The fact of the matter is that once Apia was awarded the VC he became a news item and his face was splashed across the worlds media.

The real damage was done by our Prime Minister John Key in confirming that the soldier was indeed Willia Apaia. What is so despicable is the excuse he gave.

“At the end of the day, I’m not going to stand up and lie to the New Zealand media.”

No problem with Key lying to the media about his TRANZ RAIL shares. But that of course was for Keys interest. When it come to the safety of our most recent VC winner and his family that’s another matter.

A simple ‘No comment,’ would have sufficed

What an absolute disgrace this man is.


Skyryder

[Swoop]

No problem with Key lying to the media about his TRANZ RAIL shares. But that of course was for Keys interest.

A bit like your beloved Unkle Heilen lying about her painting signature, etc, etc. But that is easily forgotten by the NZ public eh?

[Skyryder]

A bit like your beloved Unkle Heilen lying about her painting signature, etc, etc. But that is easily forgotten by the NZ public eh?

Is that the best that you can come up with for a Key's defence. Clarke's 'lie' was for a charity. A 'conveniant truth' the Key apologists fail to mention.


Clark could keep her mouth shut on defence issues. Not this arsehose we have a Prime Minister. And remember this is the man who is backing Smith and his lies.


Skyryder

[Beemer]

Love the photo. Can only dream of being the best of the best!

I must confess, if they took women in the SAS, hell, I'd be lining up after seeing that photo - what a spunk!

As has been pointed out, the defence force had photos of him on missions on their website and he was a public figure after winning the award, so I doubt it would put him in any more danger than what he is already. I don't think he will be targeted by the bad guys as they are already doing that.

Someone in the paper said "how bad ass does he look!" and they were right - great campaign poster!

[MIXONE]

If it was me he was heading towards I'd be running the other way very fast.

[Oscar]

Is that the best that you can come up with for a Key's defence. Clarke's 'lie' was for a charity. A 'conveniant truth' the Key apologists fail to mention.


Clark could keep her mouth shut on defence issues. Not this arsehose we have a Prime Minister. And remember this is the man who is backing Smith and his lies.


Skyryder

Didn't Apiata get his VC publicly awarded under the last Govt.?

[Skyryder]

Didn't Apiata get his VC publicly awarded under the last Govt.?

Yes he did.

Key publicly 'confirmed' the ID of an SAS soldier on active service. That in itself is bad enough. What is unforgivable is his 'stated reason for doing so. That he was not going to lie to the media. Like I said it's good enough for him to lie to protect his own interests but to confirm the ID of and active NZ soldier in a war zone when a simple NO COMMENT would have sufficed is as an absolute disgrace. He's an embarrassment and an affront to our dignity.


Skyryder

[Oscar]

Yes he did.

Key publicly 'confirmed' the ID of an SAS soldier on active service. That in itself is bad enough. What is unforgivable is his 'stated reason for doing so. That he was not going to lie to the media. Like I said it's good enough for him to lie to protect his own interests but to confirm the ID of and active NZ soldier in a war zone when a simple NO COMMENT would have sufficed is as an absolute disgrace. He's an embarrassment and an affront to our dignity.


Skyryder

But using that logic - surely after the (Labour) Govt. & the Defense Forces decided that the VC was good publicity, then Apiata was always going to be a marked man. He shouldn't have gone back on active service.

Notwithstanding that, the Press didn't need the PM's confirmation that it was Apiata in the pic.

[Skyryder]

But using that logic - surely after the (Labour) Govt. & the Defense Forces decided that the VC was good publicity, then Apiata was always going to be a marked man. He shouldn't have gone back on active service.

Notwithstanding that, the Press didn't need the PM's confirmation that it was Apiata in the pic.

I'm not in disagreement with you. The Press 'did' ask. All Key had say was No Comment.

It was Apiata's choice to go back and as such I would have thought that given the VC medal both Key and the media should have been more discreet about his presence in Afghanistan. But the fact of the matter Key 'did' confirm the ID of an SAS soldier on active duty and for reasons that were personal to Key. It did not involve Government business or any kind of PR whatsoever. The confirmation was made on Keys’ personal ego….nothing more nothing less……………”I’m not going to lie to the media………………………”

I can only come to the conclusion that the Key apologists support his confirmation and the reason for it. And yet this makes a mockery of condemning the publication of the photo. You can not in all credibility condemn one and make 'excuses' for the other.

In my first post on this I have condemned both the publication, in that offshore owned business do not act in our national interests (Aussie Banks tax evasion) and that of Key's confirmation.

Skyryder

[Swoop]

All Key had say was No Comment.

You are making yourself look foolish with your rantings. The world's media has "let the cat out of the bag" as it were, and JK has simply (& honestly) stated that someone is on active duty in Afganistan. This location was also leaked by the world media.
Big deal.

Honesty.
What your beloved helen (or cullen) could never be accused of...

[2_SL0]

I was told that the first batch from Austria had plastic issues. The harsh UV we have here, was breaking down the plastic in the stocks.
"Louder". I was referring to the amount of noise the stock makes when patrolling. Get a twig scraping along the stock and it is quite loud.

Well, you had better inform the squadron about that then...

The first batch was fine, the problem occurred when we were to cheap to replace the plastic components with geniune components and tried to manufacture the replacment parts in NZ, we initially failed to manufacture them correctly and made them slightly to small. These were a snug fit and failed due to this. That is the only plastic component failure I am aware of that was related to the first batch apart from the normal w & t.