Hughes around the blogosphere

Oh dear. It has been splashed all over the blogosphere about what is going on with Labour MP Darren Hughes. This tends to stand true to the belief that if you are an elected representative of a political party – you should keep it in your trousers and hands off!

There has been plenty of speculation of what exactly happened and why Phil Goff kept it quiet for 2 weeks. Rather for me to indulge in what, who or how (we know why!) I thought I’d do a review of what other blogs and bloggers are saying:

Whale Oil:What about the “high” standards that Labour have demanded from National constantly over the last two years? If the shoe was on the other foot Labour would be demanding for the MP’s resignation, demanding Key to explain why he hadn’t mentioned it earlier, demanding to know why Key hadn’t acted sooner and only acted after the media found out, and accused National of some sort of cover up!

And more from Whale Oil...
Personally I don’t care one way or another about a person’s sexuality. I care very much though whether there has been an abuse of power or authority. Sexual harassment is not acceptable wither in the heterosexual community nor in the gay community. This is the issue here, along with Labour’s apparent willingness to try to whitewash the issues and now their scurrilous attacks on the alleged victim that they are shopping around the place.

Hear hear!

From Paul Quinn (Labour activist) This is a terrible series of events. It appears that the 18-year old was subject to unwanted advances by an MP, which is bad enough. But the fact that the two allegedly met while the MP was acting in an official capacity makes matters significantly worse, elevating it to a serious abuse of position and trust. This, if true, is what makes the story a genuine scandal, whatever the specifics of the incident itself.

Indeed!

James Meager
pro-Labour bloggers have gone on the offensive against abuse complainants and teenagers by refusing to highlight the case and the serious allegations involved.
But what newsworthy concern do we get from The Standard, from No Right Turn, from Tumeke?
Nothing.
Well, not nothing. We get smoke screens and cover ups.

The Standard blogged 5 times since the news was hinted, slinging anti-Government propaganda yet again, and using the Christchurch earthquake to distract from the issue.

Tumeke launches into yet another anti-neoliberal tirade, but fails to touch on the Hughes issue.

Secondly, what are we to make of their silence, when they jumped on Worth, were all over any scandal he was involved in, took it to Pansy Wong, and got stuck into Phil Heatley.

So where are they now, on allegations far more serious than any of those?
My only conclusion can be that they care more about slandering the National Party and worrying about “rich pricks”, than they do about supporting abuse complainants, young people, and the actions of their elected representatives.

For shame?

For shame.
And finally Kiwiblog comments – but will not allow comments. A rare occasion for Farrar!

And finally (over at Whale Oil) Moral Fundamentalist Lucia Marie from NZ Conservative gives us her reasons…in her usual tolerant tone… lol

Any­one following the Roman Catholic sex abuse scandals would immediately see the link between homosexuality and not so much paedophlia, but pederasty. Most, if not all abusive priests were active homosexuals. Of course, this does not mean that all homosexuals are potential abusers, it just means that those that are attracted to children and teenagers tend to be actively homo­sexual as well.

Err right. Somebody should tell the poor dear to have a cup of cocoa and relax....

I was unaware until now that Darren is gay, not that it makes a difference to his performance as an MP. A high flyer – albeit in a party that I do not support. Well liked by his friends and opponents as well and that might be the reason why many right wing blogs have been respectful about this issue until the facts come out. If you are an elected official, the time to play silly buggers has to end as you will be found out. For Hughes, I suspect he is feeling very sorry for himself right now.

Update, apologies to Keeping Stock. I read his post first... and you can see it here. Note in the comments the last "anon" comment doesn't like me, lol.

Also, I have amended the Labour "status" of James as well. Apologies!