Selwyn Manning

Selwyn Manning interviewed Len Brown this week. There is plenty to pick apart from the sad little lying Mayor. Sorry to inflict this at breakfast but better to just lose breakfast rather than lunch as well:

The interview examines the first term vision of establishing an economic case for a modern rail network, establishing a 30 year plan for Auckland, and will notes how in August 2012 it was announced Auckland City is ranked number 10 in the Economist Index. At the time, the mayor tweeted: “there is still lots of work to be done to be the most liveable city” and listed these points:

A world class integrated transport system,
A quality compact city,
An economic powerhouse providing jobs for all our people,
Protection for our built and natural environment.

The interview examines what can be achieved, at what cost, and for what gain.

ᔥ Live News

It is no secret that Jami-lee Ross is a mate of mine. But Selwyn Manning interviewed him Monday and the video has now been published. They explore local body politics and the relationship between Wellington and Auckland.

ᔥ Livenews

Watch this interview of Daniel Newman by Selwyn Manning…very good stuff.

I remember one Citizen A where Selwyn Manning and Martyn Bradbury were almost wishing that the World Cup would be a failure so that it hurt john Key’s chances. They moaned about the stadium at Eden Park, which has been sold out most games and they moaned about the business opportunities and they moaned about how people were going to be injured in the crowds. Unfortunately that doesn’t look like any of that is going to happen:

Cup organisers yesterday said they had passed their $268.5 million target, set more than two years ago.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 chairman Brian Roche said 87 per cent of all tickets had sold, taking the total sales to $268.7 million.

“This is a tremendous achievement and one that all those who have contributed to the success of this tournament across New Zealand should be proud of,” Mr Roche said.

The revenue eclipses by more than 11 times the previous largest-grossing event in New Zealand history, the 2005 Lions rugby tour.

Sunday’s sold-out final alone has made more than $50 million, twice as much as the Lions tour.

Business is looking up too:

Central Auckland was bustling yesterday and hospitality and food businesses and other retailers reported a long-awaited boost.

Dine by Peter Gordon restaurant manager Jenny Kiihfuss said a lot of extra customers had eaten there this week.

“It just seems like there’s more of a vibe in town. Everyone is in good spirits.”

Grove Restaurant co-owner Annette Dearth said dinners were almost fully booked this week.

“It’s definitely improved. Last week was pretty good and this week is just flat out, not for lunch but for dinner. We have been full every night, and then some.

“I think the people who are here want to spend money now. You have more of the high-rollers.”

Michael Hill’s Queen St branch manager Carrie James said business was good and the store’s tax-free sales – especially of diamonds – were up.

Kiwi Town Souvenirs owner Benny Li said business at his Queen St store was up about 20 per cent.

I have decided not to appear on Citizen A anymore.

The decision hasn’t been taken lightly and I consulted widely with people who’s opinions I respect.

Firstly I have to say that the people and staff of Triangle/Stratos are first rate. The producer Debz is great to work with and I have enjoyed my time working with her. She has taught me a great deal.

Over time however I have come to despise turning up for an hour of left wing cant being shoved down my throat all the while I have to sit and suck it up. I have learned the patience of Job as insult after insult was hurled my way, while deference was paid to the other guests in an almost fawning, obsequious manner.

I have enormous respect for Chris Trotter, for Selwyn Manning and for Phoebe Fletcher. I have enjoyed working with them and enjoyed the debates we managed despite the mad raving and shrill editorialising of Martyn Bradbury coming between us. There, I would like to think, is mutual respect, and that could well be indicated by the offline information sharing and discussions we have via email or over the occasional beer or coffee.

However I can not and will not tolerate complete disrespect and abuse any longer. I will no longer be the token righty copping a flogging each week like a punch drunk boxer hoping for that one last win in the ring. It is demeaning and unbecoming and rude, more to the point that I am about as far form a broken down old boxer as you can get, and I’m not losing.

Martyn has lined up as many left wing commentators as he could to try and “get” me. He even said this to me several times….as in “right this week I’ve got X up against you, he will tear you apart”. They almost always end up by issuing forth the immortal lines “You know what? I agree with Cam on this”. Martyn even tried to train Phoebe to not say she agreed with me.

One of the final things that brought this to a head was when Martyn instructed the producers to change the subtitles to hurl even more abuse at me. It was embarrassing and shameful and it was not my doing. Then two shows ago he tried to link me, my hobbies and my Christian beliefs with the mass murdering coward who killed so many, so shamefully in Norway. It was a scurrlious, low blow. My anger at that attack in the middle of the show was such that I found it  difficult to contain.

The final straw was Martyn’s blog post on Friday where he has simply followed the party line and insists that despite the law of the land the SIS should not have released to me that which was applied for under the OIA, not because they were secret, but because I am a right wing blogger.

Martyn Bradbury likes to think he a crusader holding the powerful to account, he should have embraced what I did to the SIS, in opening them up just a little but, instead he went for the political and personal attack that is so common amongst the left.

I have canvassed my decision with 10 people and the opinions of those I respect were 100%, with not even a slight equivocation, ditch the show.

And so I will. Last week was my last appearance on Citizen A. I will not be returning.

Citizen A is online.

Enjoy this episode because it will be my last. I will post my reasons separately.

Cit­i­zen A — 7.30pm tonight Stratos Free­view 21 & Sky 89

Tune in to join Wha­le­oil and his revolv­ing panel of blog­gers and Auck­land opin­ion shapers as they offer an up-to-date half hour review of the polit­i­cal media issues of the cur­rent week from a very Auck­land perspective.

THIS WEEK: Scoop.co.nz Edi­tor Sel­wyn Man­ning and that awful Bomber Bradbury…

Issue one: Now Cam has been outed as being part of a cabal plan­ning to spike MMP on-line, should he stand trial for trea­son and how will the right attack MMP?

Issue two: The Ide­o­log­i­cally stacked Wel­fare Razor Gang have given John Key all the ben­nie bash­ing he needs for the elec­tion with the most vul­ner­a­ble and weak­est mem­bers of soci­ety being told to do with less for Gov­ern­ment eco­nomic incom­pe­tence, Auck­land has the largest urban poverty, how will we be impacted?

Issue three tonight: Rod­ney Hide said it would cost $126 mil­lion — the IT blow out for the Auck­land Super City hits over half a bil­lion — who is to blame? Who is going to pay and where are all these sup­posed sav­ings from the amalgamation?

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Is Whaleoil Citizen A?

Citizen A – 7.30pm tonight Stratos Freeview 21 & Sky 89

Tune in to join Whaleoil and his revolving panel of bloggers and Auckland opinion shapers as they offer an up-to-date half hour review of the political media issues of the current week from a very Auckland perspective.

THIS WEEK: Scoop.co.nz Editor Selwyn Manning and that awful Bomber Bradbury…

Issue one: Now Cam has been outed as being part of a cabal planning to spike MMP on-line, should he stand trial for treason and how will the right attack MMP?

Issue two: The Ideologically stacked Welfare Razor Gang have given John Key all the bennie bashing he needs for the election with the most vulnerable and weakest members of society being told to do with less for Government economic incompetence, Auckland has the largest urban poverty, how will we be impacted?

Issue three tonight: Rodney Hide said it would cost $126 million – the IT blow out for the Auckland Super City hits over half a billion – who is to blame? Who is going to pay and where are all these supposed savings from the amalgamation?

Join Citizen A Facebook group
TWITTER

This week on Citizen A: Budget 2011 Special Debate. Bomber Bradbury, Selwyn Manning and Cameron Slater debate the state of the economy, the National-led Government’s Budget 2011, and whether Auckland deputy mayor Penny Hulse was correct to criticise Auckland’s supercity structure.

Citizen-A broadcasts on Sky channel 89 & Freeview channel 21 on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Also, check out Bomber on Facebook…

The show broadcasts weekly on Triangle/Stratos TV and on Scoop. Bomber also posts on the Tumeke! blog: tumeke.blogspot.com.