Slow News Day

When it is reported that Barry Soper got DIC'ed.

It is far more of a story that he remained silent.

"We've spoken about it and Barry has acknowledged that drink-driving is an issue in New Zealand and he's made a mistake. The only other thing I would say is that he's stepped up and taken responsibility for the matter."

Oh please....Soper is a political reporter, not a rolemodel for thousands of young children making a living out of a reputation for health and clean-living. Why on earth would he have to acknowledge that drink-driving is an issue in New Zealand, like he's some sort of law-maker?

At 99mgs he was barely over the limit anyway and at his age can probably drive better at that reading than a younger person stone cold sober. The drink-driving wowsers are out again. More people are killed by bad driving than drunk-drivers.

Newstalk ZB general manager Dallas Gurney said he was aware of the conviction and he "counselled" Soper on the matter.

Yes, a "Bad Barry, go on another long lunch with Richard (insert surname) here's a taxi chit to get home" would be about it.