I remember one very sharp rebuke of Soper by JA during the 1pm covid update on tv. He whined about having a deadline to meet as Ardern took questions from other journalists. She just politely said “so does everyone else” and took another question from a female journalist…without a pause in her thoughts. He clearly thought he was the most important journalist there and got relegated to the corner. The cartoon is perfect. Heather will probably try to boost her ratings by waxing lyrical about the book on her radio show.
Asking to touch a woman, pregnant or not, who is not family, close friend, or your partner? What a strange thing to do. I wonder how Barry would feel if someone asked to touch his wife?
I won't be buying his book. His obsession sounds similar to Piers Morgan's obsession with Megan Markle.
Thanks for once over on this, saves me from the pain of reading it.. I’m sure Anti Arden content sells, and she is unique when compared to other leaders we have had mostly due to the unique context that she had to lead in. Our health system had been degraded over decades and under stress in normal seasonal conditions and the response taken was on the whole appropriate. Also very much in the past!
As a white, middle-aged, middle-income heterosexual man, I can honestly say there is no excuse for that kind of repulsive characterisation. Jacinta? An imposter? Mate... she was the real deal, a rare genuine leader.
I am privileged to have many wāhine toa in my life, and I'm not threatened by it. I'm challenged, inspired, delighted and awed. My life is all the better for their input, discourse, opinions, strength and laughter. We don't always agree with each other, but mana manifests as discussion and mutual respect, not putting down someone because you don't have the strength of self to bear having your point of view challenged or, heaven forbid, actually reconsidering it.
Egos need feeding. Vanity requires one to be noticed. Entitlement means believing your career longevity gives you a swipe card to the 9th floor. Must have been devastating for poor Barry that Jacinda didn’t acknowledge these long established protocols of the old boys club.
Thank you, this needed to be said. I was saddened to read his justifications for 'downplaying' the leadership displayed and of the improved experiences of New Zealanders having to deal with the crisis.
Is there a typo here? I thought his name was Sober, Barely Sober?
I thought he was "Grubby Soper". I can't remember whose satire that was.
😄
I remember one very sharp rebuke of Soper by JA during the 1pm covid update on tv. He whined about having a deadline to meet as Ardern took questions from other journalists. She just politely said “so does everyone else” and took another question from a female journalist…without a pause in her thoughts. He clearly thought he was the most important journalist there and got relegated to the corner. The cartoon is perfect. Heather will probably try to boost her ratings by waxing lyrical about the book on her radio show.
I think you might have found the origin of Barry’s bitter feelings. Thanks for sharing.
Asking to touch a woman, pregnant or not, who is not family, close friend, or your partner? What a strange thing to do. I wonder how Barry would feel if someone asked to touch his wife?
I won't be buying his book. His obsession sounds similar to Piers Morgan's obsession with Megan Markle.
Thanks for once over on this, saves me from the pain of reading it.. I’m sure Anti Arden content sells, and she is unique when compared to other leaders we have had mostly due to the unique context that she had to lead in. Our health system had been degraded over decades and under stress in normal seasonal conditions and the response taken was on the whole appropriate. Also very much in the past!
Patriarchy & the grumpy old fossil, sounds like a great book to prop up an unbalanced wobbly table!
Change comes hard to many people, Barry would have been better served by some therapy rather than writing a book
As a white, middle-aged, middle-income heterosexual man, I can honestly say there is no excuse for that kind of repulsive characterisation. Jacinta? An imposter? Mate... she was the real deal, a rare genuine leader.
I am privileged to have many wāhine toa in my life, and I'm not threatened by it. I'm challenged, inspired, delighted and awed. My life is all the better for their input, discourse, opinions, strength and laughter. We don't always agree with each other, but mana manifests as discussion and mutual respect, not putting down someone because you don't have the strength of self to bear having your point of view challenged or, heaven forbid, actually reconsidering it.
*Jacinda. Damn you, autocorrect!
Breathtakingly accurate!
Egos need feeding. Vanity requires one to be noticed. Entitlement means believing your career longevity gives you a swipe card to the 9th floor. Must have been devastating for poor Barry that Jacinda didn’t acknowledge these long established protocols of the old boys club.
Great article
So true!
Thank you, this needed to be said. I was saddened to read his justifications for 'downplaying' the leadership displayed and of the improved experiences of New Zealanders having to deal with the crisis.
Well said….yuck he's an opinionated creep.
When someone shows you who they are believe them. Wonder out loud you took the words right out of my head!
Brilliant. Thanks
Barry who gives a flying fuck what he thinks