Have a look at my post number 3, and read each link from the top - they are in chronological order.
The sequence goes like this: the former Police Commissioner of the New Zealand Police force, Peter Doone, stepped down in 2000 after an incident that damaged his reputation. It emerged that he was defamed by a mysterious "public figure" providing leaks to the public, and these leaks were afbricated. It now emerges the that "public figure" is the Labour (leftist) Prime Minister Helen Clark herself and she is now declaring by definition she cannot do anything illegal.
This could be the event that topples Labour later this year.
I think perhaps not.
Feel free to demonize another Republican President. Take your pick.
I don't mind.
I'm just sitting here waiting.
So how far does sovereign immunity extend in Kiwiland, then? Can he drag her into court for defamation, or is he just stuck making nasty faces at her in the papers? That is, she may be right in a sense - if she can't be sued for such a thing, she can't be held legally responsible.
Of course, asserting sovereign immunity, even if the law allows it, is likely to be a political nightmare - it tends to have bit too much of that droit du seigneur feel for many people.
Whatsoever for?
As Canada's Liberals have learned from America's Democrats, it's no longer necessary to adhere to traditional standards of winning and losing. Instead, regardless of the circumstances, the left always wins -- even when it loses.
Surely, New Zealand's Labour party is capable of learning and emulating. It's bigger than mere country...
,,, that's the way it's set up for the President of France, but I doubt she'll get away with it. She dumped Leanne Dalzell for being economic with the truth - one size fits all.
I think the timing of this - about four months out from the elections is superb. I just know Doone will have no problem with funding the Court costs [wink, wink].