Lynn (or someone else on the Bridge) can you please open the “gate”; you know i’m “human” and i’ll stop worrying the flock and be a good dog (lifts paw and tilts head)
Hi Lynn and folks’ my misbehavin around the full moon has led to the activation of the s.bot captcha entry requirement. Could you please alleviate this thorn in my paw and I will endeavour to be more restrained (on leash) Thankyou, i would be grateful.
Most of those who felt compelled to defend the award made a point of reminding us of Holmes’s “tireless work for charity” and his “generosity”. Hardly any of them was foolish enough to mention the Banquo’s ghost in the room: Holmes’s shameful record of crude race-baiting and hate-mongering, most notoriously against black Africans, but most consistently against MÄori and the poor.
One “liberal” commentator, however, went one step further; Brian Edwards used his blog to write a giddy paean to Holmes. Many readers joined in the expression of adoration for the great man; former New Zealand First staffer Rex Widerstrom rhapsodized on “Paul’s intellect and his humanity”, one Rosina Hauiti raved about his “illustrious career”, and, most contemptibly of all, Labour Party MP Annette King called Holmes “funny warm and compassionate”, and asserted that she “canât understand the vitriol being written.”
It was not all fulsome praise, however. Many readers, including the venerable Standardista “Millsy”, expressed scorn and disbelief at the knighthood. For their sins, they suffered the indignity of having their comments deleted and replaced by a scolding by Edwards himself, were compared to witch-hunters, and were sent to Siberia along with the unspeakable Bomber Bradbury, who is damned by Holmes-booster John Phillips as a “swinish, loathsome, small-minded worm”.
There was one thing that bothered me above all else: Edwards assured a skeptical reader that Holmes âis not and never was a racistâ. This was a step too far, and I just had to remonstrate. I posted up the following comment….
Brian, when you asserted that Paul Holmes âis not and never was a racistâ, I guess you were in the same extremely indulgent frame of mind as when you stated, on radio, that P.J. OâRourke was âdeep down, a very serious personâ and when you lauded the âbrillianceâ of the unfunny New Zealand Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson.
BE: I donât believe I have ever said anything about P.J. OâRourke since I have never read his books and know nothing about him. Perhaps you can let me know when and where I am supposed to have said this. As for Emmerson you seem to be confusing the fact that you personally find him unfunny with whether or not he his cartooning skill can be described as brilliant. Anyway, to test the worth of what you write, perhaps you could supply chapter and verse for my supposed comments on Mr OâRourke. Iâll apologise if Iâm wrong and Iâll expect you to do the same. And god only knows what any of this has to do with my post on Paul Holmes.
Like Millsy, I had a comment deleted as well, but Edwards’s admonition remains….
BE: Your comment, which Iâve deleted, was unworthy even of you. It was vile. I donât want you on this website. And donât worry about the OâRourke quote. I know I couldnât have said it.
This is the comment Edwards deleted….
Have a Happy New Year, you unrecognised oiksâand remember, if you see a deranged old man shouting insults at MÄori family groups over the summer, donât say âFuck off to Queensland you racist scumâ, say âFuck off to Queensland, Sir Paul.â
A REQUEST TO ALL RADIO LISTENERS
If you heard Brian Edwards interview P.J. O’Rourke in the late 1990s, could you please write to Brian Edwards and remind him of it. He seems to have very poor recall.
Look carefully, my friend: the one having a cry is the good Dr. Edwards. First the blubbering is in the form of tears of joy, to express his admiration for a notorious racist, then it transmogrifies into tears of anger as he deals to us naysayers and spoilsports.
I can’t provide the day of Edwards’s interview of O’Rourke, but it certainly happened. I might sometimes not get a quote verbatim, and my memory is not always perfect, but I don’t make things up.
Or if I do, as when that I made that Sacha Baron Cohen interview on Letterman segue into a Nazi rally in the last line, I make it quite clear that it’s being done for effect.
Morrissey, if you claim something is a quote, when it is actually just your dodgy recollection and not the actual words, then you are going to get called on it, just as you did with your bigoted rants about Baron Cohen. Don’t use quote marks when it’s not a quotation and you’ll save yourself a lot of bother.
However, it appears BE did interview PJ O’Rourke …
My quote is correct. Edwards made a habit after each interview (or, more accurately, each uncritical audience) of making a comment on the departed guest.
He made a particularly cowardly, sneering dismissal of Bill Clinton’s brother Roger, after interviewing him for half an hour one day. Edwards sniggeringly expressed his contempt for Roger Clinton’s southern manners, particularly the way he kept calling Edwards “sir”. Despite having such a distinguished brother, Roger Clinton spoke with a southern accent, so Edwards did not deem him worthy of respect.
With the patrician O’Rourke, on the other hand, Edwards was the picture of servility. And he DID make the ridiculous comment that O’Rourke, who is more flippant and glib than even our own Mike Hosking, was “deep down, a very serious person.” Not that Edwards would remember of course.
Your quote may well be correct, but you haven’t proven it to be so, Moz. I imagine it’s possible that Edwards did say it, or something similar, because the tears of the clown is such a cliche. I can well imagine any interviewer of a comedian finishing up with a banal comment like that.
I guess the reason your claim got the reaction it did from BE is because it was so irrelevant to the discussion about Holmes. It looks like straw clutching desperation and it was an attack on his credibility on his own site. Banning in those circ’s seems perfectly reasonable and an obvious outcome of your approach.
As I mentioned earlier, if you are going to claim things as being fact, you should be prepared to back up your statements. It’s even better if you do the research before making the claim!
By the way, Bill Clinton, like his brother, speaks with a southern accent. I imagine that is due to them both being brought up in the south. D’oh!
Here’s a question. Why is it a *~*~*~*brigade*~*~*~* when it’s felix and TRP taking the same side on an issue, but not when it’s muzza and Mozza tag-teaming?
Oh, right, because muzza wants to pretend this is all some vast [insert today’s favourite adjective] conspiracy to Suppress The Truth And Expect People To Stand By Their Copypasta, or something.
M&M are a “Legion”. About the same size as a brigade, but with an inclination to read entrails rather than work within the limitations of the fog of war.
McFliper writes…. M&M are a âLegionâ. About the same size as a brigade, but with an inclination to read entrails rather than work within the limitations of the fog of war.
Because sometimes entrails make funny sounds which would be in keeping with my not particularly serious comment. And you can use the hollow carcass as a finger puppet. Whereas you took three words and ran with them into territory neither relevant nor humourous, as is your habit.
I mean, come the fuck on – My Lai from an (admittedly not very good) semantic joke about “brigade” vs “legion”? Fuck sake.
edit: and I’m busy today, so it’s likely I won’t be further engaging in this particular encounter with the Legion of Doolally.
It seems mate that you are intent on negligently diminishing the meaning and power of certain significant English language words to the status of irrelevance. It also seems that you have made a habit of trolling blogs belittling the opinions, values and beliefs of the writers and commentators (below are a couple of example of your trolling for your fellow Standard readers to see, there are a shit load more for those who might care to look online):
“Thereâs a lot of funny ironies on blogs, and this is one â a commenter on The Standard has accused me of stalking him:
Te Reo PutakeâŠ
27 September 2012 at 3:52 pm
ps, prism, youâre not alone in trying to work out the meaning. Check out my stalker!
Thereâs actually multiple ironies there. âTe Reo Putakeâ, previously âThe Voice of Reasonâ, is one of the most unreasonable voices Iâve seen at The Standard, a union/Labour hack who tries to shut out any voices he doesnât like”
For the purpose of this exercise we’re going to focus on a comment you made in “open mike” on the 2/1/2013 (# 3.2.3.4) and your grossly irresponsible misuse of the word “RACIST”:
“Help me, Jebus! I love the way the writer canât help launching into a racist tirade against Kiwis, before chiding TS posters for being too sensitive”
So to start. Who exactly is “Jebus!” and how exactly do you expect his or her help? Now lets take a close look at the words RACIST and race and the meanings that are attributed to both words by the Oxford Dictionary;
Definition of racism
The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races:
theories of racism
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that oneâs own race is superior
Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics:
people of all races, colours, and creeds
[mass noun] the fact or condition of belonging to a racial division or group; the qualities or characteristics associated with this.
a group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.
We sincerely hope that the above definitions will assist you in using the word RACIST in a more appropriate context. It is of course impossible for us to have launched into a “racist tirade against Kiwi’s” with our commentary on the behavioral patterns of New Zealander’s when confronted with injustice and or that county’s obvious fiscal dependence on Australia
Kiwi’s do not constitute a race, nor do New Zealander’s for that matter, both terms are a reference to nationality only.
When one misuses a word such as ‘Racist” in the way that you clearly have, the power of the word and its significant meaning are greatly diminished.
In future mate, when you feel like a spot of trolling why not pop over to Lauda Finem and attempt to take a crap in our yard, instead of shitting all over the Standards front lawn
IrishBill: what a pointless, self-obsessive, and banal mess of text. I’ve seen automated spam that did a better job of commenting than this. You’re banned for life for what I can only describe as one of the most tragic comments in the history of this blog.
I thought it would always be my secret shame, felix! But, gosh, if they’re quoting Pete George, the gig is clearly up. Not to mention the deadly blow of featuring some tool on Whaleoil wrongly identifying another commenter as me. The evidence is overwhelming, its a fair cop, guvnor, but society is to blame.
And, it’s really important that nobody should wonder whether the deliberate misspelling of my handle by the not at all homophobic Lauda Finem is in any way racist, because it’s just not, OK?
Oh – another whiner like PG.. I left this comment on his post.
The purpose of The Standard is stated in our about and what moderators do is outlined in the policy. You’re referring to this comment (are you incapable of linking accurately?)
You quoted Pete George of YourNZ as an authority – FFS even Cameron Slater tends to be more accurate than PG who has an uncanny ability to be as slippery as a personal lubricant . But basically PG got harassed by Te Reo Putake because the PG made and continued to make statements that he could not or would not defend. For some reason the gonzo got upset about being called to justify his silly assertions.
Like you, PG also got through a wee tantrum because he got a permanent ban. He got his for trying to tell us how to run our site.
You got your permanent ban because you triggered the well-honed anti-trolling instincts of IrishBill when you indulged in masturbating your juvenile ego in a single comment on the site. Basically you said nothing of much interest, indulged in some kind of silly and largely meaningless debating room semantics, displayed yourself as being a shallow pretentious fool, and added nothing to the debate you commented on.
In short, you remind me of Pete George and received an appropriate moderation – which if you follow in PG’s footsteps, you will proceed to whine pitifully about for the next year.
Mind you, it does make the rather tedious debate about “rent boy” that I’ve had to read look almost meaningful by comparison. I’m rather expecting the comment to never appear on Lauda Finem?
Your e-mail? Yep. You are in the hands of cloudflare, who once a moderator manually flags your comment as spam (as you had) will require you to pass a captcha. The result gets placed in auto-moderation.
When it is released by a moderator, you get your commenting freedom back again – at least for the next 30 days which is what I set it to. The system now looks at you as being provisionally human. Basically it does not pay to have a moderator get irritated enough to flag you as spam (and I’m thankful that they seldom do – banning is much less consequential).
Be warned that akismet also looks at manually flagged spam. Unlike cloudflare which only collects stats inside its own network, akismet covers the whole wordpress universe. It is (fortunately) just a little less judgemental.
You should be ok now that a message has made it through.
You might get one at 30 days. You may not. Eventually if you pass it (I’m HUMAN!) enough and you don’t get flagged again you won’t see it again.
I suspect you won’t see the 30 day one because of previously passed comments. However I have no control over the workings – and it is currently protecting me from ~20k spam comments per week.
Sir! Thank You Sir, That will be all Sir! I’ll be out here on the flank (I don’t really want another “resurrection”, but hay, I’m a rolling stone) đ ( I was reading a physics related article the other day about stones talking, yep, if these stones could talk, sounded like Wild Horses to me).(Which reminds me, I now have a real life stalker / Wind talker I believe, yet, they’re hiding in the bushes; a “real” resurrection it may turn out to be written)
đ
lprent your ‘his post’ link goes to their ‘best wishes’ 2013 round up, no sign of your comment. The Standard gets a mention in their list of ‘courageous websites’ but:
“The standard.org (Caveat: Lauda Finem have serious reservations about the authenticity of this blog and its agenda; one of their moderators “IrishBill” [as we suspected he would] altered one of our comments earlier today, that story coming soon)”
omg I just can’t wait to see what happens next. Although, it’s hard to take this ‘team’ too seriously when, on the same page, their first item under ‘predictions for 2013’ is : The fall of the New Zealand National Party government in the November elections.
Ahahahahahaha their snide little comment about “serious reservations about the authenticity of [The Standard] and its agenda” is seriously the most priceless I-didn’t-want-to-play-with-your-ball-ANYWAY foot-stomping I’ve seen since I quit Livejournal.
I saw Edwards blog a couple of days ago. As well as sweeping the racism under the carpet, i couldn’t believe anyone of left wing views would applaud the shift in the MSM, that Holmes was a major part of. instead, Edwards praises it thusly:
Paul would become a seminal influence in New Zealand broadcasting. He would change the landscape. Though many fine broadcasters preceded him, he was our first real âstarâ. And, in that sense of the word that suggests Hollywood and glittering lights and show dancers and theme music and Emmys and Oscars and your name on the pavement of Hollywood Boulevard, he may well be the only real star that our small nation has as yet produced.
The Hollywoodisation of our news, current events and political reportage is not something to celebrate.
He had some cred back in the day, but that shift you mention toward presentation over substance and celebrity over merit has been Edwards’ bread and butter these past few decades.
Despite interviewing him, or more precisely, listening to him deliver an unbroken stream of right wing bromides for half an hour on Christmas Eve 1994, Edwards claims to knew “know nothing about him”. He will have completely forgotten it, of course, but I have not.
It is not my credibility that has been found wanting here, it is Brian Edwards’s. Not only can you not comprehend that, but you appear to have no idea what “spam” means either.
I did, however. That’s why I posted it up—because he said it, and I believed it was another indication (from as long ago as the mid-1990s) that his judgement can be suspect, to put it politely.
Frankly I’m finding Morrissey a helluva lot more palatable than you and a couple of others who increasingly sound like school prefects determined to bully into submission the mouthy junior schooler of their focus……Morrissey. Some dissmissive Beltway tones in there too methinks.
Holmes’ knighthood is a nonesense of course which putting aside vanities serves only to contribute to the bullshit that the vainglorious wahanui of the media, including Edwards for that matter, are not merely “across” the stories which comprise current events, but integrally part of those stories and broadly part of our “one nation” fibre.
Grudging acknowledgment that something might have been said but since you FV don’t personally know about it, ergo it’s bullshit, is so so John Key FV.
All of that said and knighthood or not I remain just a little concerned about “Cheeky darkie…..”. Racist ? I don’t know. Probably qualifies for the ballpark however.
“Grudging acknowledgment that something might have been said but since you FV donât personally know about it, ergo itâs bullshit, is so so John Key FV.”
Why do you think Morrissey shouldn’t have to verify his quotes? Everyone else has to.
I verify my quotes, fool. I don’t make things up; the worst you can say is that my transcripts occasionally are not perfectly verbatim. That is of course the basis of dear old Lanthanide’s stated objections to my transcripts—they’re not one hundred per cent accurate. For instance, when transcribing the Hon. Hekia Parata absolutely accurately, more than half of the transcript would consist of “ummmm, ahhhhh, errrrrr”. That might be fine in Lanthanideland, but for the mass of Standard readers, it would be intolerable. (Almost as intolerable as the fact that Parata has not resigned yet.) But that is what happens when you write things down as fast as you can, but don’t use a tape recorder.
Edwards made the mistake of claiming that he had no knowledge of O’Rourke, and could remember nothing. I was correct, Edwards was wrong, as proven by our friend Te Reo Putake. Edwards apologized, but I don’t expect you to show any similar integrity or humility and do the same.
And yet when asked to do so, you refuse or are unable to. I can verify this statement by linking to examples of you doing this if you like. See the difference?
I haven’t passed comment on Edwards’ memory. It doesn’t interest me that you know there was an interview in 1994 and Edwards forgot about it.
What I’ve commented on is that you have a terrible habit of stating things as if they’re verifiable facts when you can’t verify them, and also that you seem to be too dense to grasp this simple criticism.
Edwards actually did make the comment that P.J. O’Rourke, who was and is one of the most callous and flippant commentators in the United States, was “deep down, a very serious person.” Or maybe he said, “basically, a very serious person.” The precise wording escapes me now, but the meaning was quite clear, and it was yet another example of Edwards’ dodgy (to put it kindly) powers of judgement. I did not make it up. Someone some time no doubt will produce a recording of the interview, and will verify what I have already said.
…you have a terrible habit of stating things as if theyâre verifiable facts when you canât verify them…
Nonsense. When have I ever done that? The worst thing you can say about me is that my transcripts (done as they are, usually, hastily on a piece of paper while I’m doing other things as well) are not absolutely verbatim.
I don’t make things up, but in your increasingly fraught state of mind, you probably are incapable of acknowledging that fact right now.
Well, no, no you don’t. In the Edwards case, it was me who did your work for you (and thank you for acknowleging that). We still have no evidence that Edwards said what you claim, but he has confirmed that he interviewed O’Rourke. The only way you can verify your quote would be to access the interview, which can be done via the RNZ site. But I’m betting you won’t do that!
You’ve outlined your transcript process and it’s hopeless, Moz. Your transcripts were useless because you made a lot of them up, relying on memory and impression. Clearly, you still do not understand that for a report to be a transcript, it has to be accurate. It is OK to edit out ums and arghs, but not to atrribute things that were not actually said, but were just your recollection.
The “mass of Standard readers” you claim to speak for are intelligent, learned folk who know the difference between opinion and fact. You don’t do them any favours by being so wrong, so often.
Well, no, no you donât. In the Edwards case, it was me who did your work for you (and thank you for acknowleging that). We still have no evidence that Edwards said what you claim, but he has confirmed that he interviewed OâRourke. The only way you can verify your quote would be to access the interview, which can be done via the RNZ site. But Iâm betting you wonât do that!
Somebody will, no doubt. I did not make it up, and you know I didn’t.
Youâve outlined your transcript process and itâs hopeless, Moz. Your transcripts were useless because you made a lot of them up, relying on memory and impression.
Rubbish. Often, following my posting up of a transcript of a radio show, others have posted to congratulate me on capturing the zeitgeist of shows like Jim Mora’s increasingly dire “The Panel”. That’s because I capture the crucial words that are spoken. And a lot of my stuff is actually verbatim, and can be checked against the original—for example, the transcript of that obscene Letterman/Baron Cohen defamation of a Christian peace activist in occupied Hebron. (Except for the seguing into a Nazi rally in the last sentence, but intelligent readers appreciated the political point being made.)
Clearly, you still do not understand that for a report to be a transcript, it has to be accurate. It is OK to edit out ums and arghs, but not to atrribute things that were not actually said, but were just your recollection.
And in many cases, as in transcribing Leighton “Ummmm, ahhhh, errrr” Smith, Larry “Lackwit” Williams or the Honorable Hekia “Ummm, errrr, ahhh” Parata, it’s not “OK to edit out ums and arghs”; they are crucial indicators of those great minds in their full pomp and majesty.
The âmass of Standard readersâ you claim to speak for are intelligent, learned folk who know the difference between opinion and fact. You donât do them any favours by being so wrong, so often.
I’m not wrong, and you know it. All you have done is nit-pick about my methodology and tried to show that I’m a falsifier. That’s arrant nonsense, of course, and regular readers of the Standard know it. And so, of course, do you.
The zeitgeist is not a transcript. You do not post transcripts, you post impressions. You have not provided any evidence that backs up your claim about Edwards, so nobody knows whether it is accurate or not, but the verifiable fact that you don’t even know yourself whether you’ve quoted him accurately kinda suggests you haven’t got it right.
Sorry, Moz, but if you are going to continue to make shit up, you will be called on it. That’s life, cobber.
The zeitgeist is not a transcript. You do not post transcripts, you post impressions.
No, I post transcripts, which are, as many people have attested, pretty accurate. You are correct in that sometimes they are not verbatim, and therefore they are indeed impressions; that is my aim, as you no doubt are aware: to evoke and thereby criticize the glibness, the muddleheadedness, the cynicism of what we are bombarded with daily in the media.
You have not provided any evidence that backs up your claim about Edwards, so nobody knows whether it is accurate or not, but the verifiable fact that you donât even know yourself whether youâve quoted him accurately kinda suggests you havenât got it right.
I’ve got it right. As I have acknowledged, the precise wording needs to be confirmed, but the comment, in all of its vacuity, was made by the good doctor.
Sorry, Moz, but if you are going to continue to make shit up, you will be called on it. Thatâs life, cobber.
If I “make shit up”, then it’s for the purposes of satire or comedy. I did not make this up.
By the way, here, for your delectation, is an example of when I DID “make shit up”, building on the true story of Bernadine Oliver-Kerby taking a pair of scissors to the crotches of every pair of trousers in Justin Marshall’s wardrobe. It comes from the glory days of Google Groups, when everyone seemed to be on Usenet.
When have you ever made shit up? I can think of plenty of times. For instance, just the other day in the bus stop you said you had gills and could breathe underwater.
I expect this will be completely lost on you Morrissey, but go ahead and ask me to prove it and I’ll do exactly what you do.
“Do you think that the farcical Knighthood of Hyde, is equal to the farcical Knighthood of Holmes. or maybe the farcical QC’s that the Nats are pulling because in my eyes they are all equally hideous. And so far out of date.
At one fell swoop the knighting of someone who is famous for getting a job on the telly and the radio and voicing his opinions has:
A) Shown what a farce and irrelevance the honours system is
B) Shown what an out of touch chardonnay socialist BE has become.
From now on, those who accept this dubious honour will now be twice smitten by my contempt; once for being a sycophantic royalist and once for wanting to be in the same club as PH is a member of.
Next year, look for something possibly even less palatable than the knighting of Paul Holmes.
Yes, you guessed it: next year Sir Jerry Mateparae, if he has not been indicted for war crimes, will be waving a sword over the bald head of a nationally loathed sports opinion merchant and mouthing the horrific words: “Arise, Sir Murray.”
Im with you Morrisey, Holmes is a racist! The only people who may not understand this probably fit into his demographic.
I don’t think most of his defenders would actually be so vile as to launch into an extended tirade about “darkies” or rage against MÄori—even in private, let alone on radio or television or in print, as Holmes did as recently as eleven months ago.
What they are doing is pretending that the racist drivel is outweighed by the very public shows of charity he has performed. It’s pretty much the same rationale as employed by the defenders of Sir Jimmy Savile.
I dont know why I comment on BE’s blog at all really, the guy keeps deleting me.
Though given that he thinks it is perfectly OK for a teacher to tell a 14 year old girl that she looks like a slut, I should have known that he would think the sun shines out of PH’s ass.
(Yes, I am back. The things that I thought were going to happen didnt happen the way I expected to happen, and I am not too sure what directions things will take, and it turns out that I have a bit of time to post on “The Standard” — though for how long remains to be seen)
As a grumpy old man myself, I have no problem recognising that Holmes acts and speaks like a racist. Unless this is all an act to increase his audience share (highly doubtful), I am forced to conclude that he is a deeply disturbed old racist who longs for the time when “darkies” knew their place and never got knighted. People I know who have physically made his acquaintance tell me he is even worse than his television and radio personas.
This may or may not have anything to do with your message above Morrissey bit I was intrigued enough to try to find said interview, without any luck so far, However I did find this little gem to read
Indeed National would welcome David Shearer into the Labour Caucus. It will largely nullify the privatisation issue for National. If Shearer is confirmed as the candidate (which is highly likely as Head Office control 3/7 votes) I will not be surprised if some National Party members vote for him tactically â knowing the huge boost it will be to have in the Labour Caucus one of the worldâs leading proponents (his articles have been cited in scores of other research in this area) of legitimising private sector involvement in military operations.
When I first saw Paul Holmes on the box, I was reminded of a rather over weight Australian interviewer (I think on Channel Seven) who was suppose to interview politicians and their ilk
but never dared asked a hard question. Like many of his generation history will ignore them
since they had the misfortune of coming of age in a very easy boring uninteresting time.
What does Labour need to do differently in 2013 to win a Labour Victory on Labour Policies?
It may be a Government supported by the Greens, but it must be a Labour Government that can implement key Labour Policies.
We must have the mandate and power to achieve strong export based, innovation led high wage economic prosperity.
We have to re-engage with the 800,000 who don’t believe political parties are even relevant.
Our new Constitution has given us an opportunity to invigorate our members and supporters. The forthcoming leadership debate roadshow can be a lightening rod to release the mojo of the Real Labour Party.
We need a leadership style that can harness this opportunity for the organisation with passion.
We need a leadership style that can capture the imagination of the population.
We need a leadership style that will convince the majority of Kiwi’s that a fundamental shift away from the conventional wisdom of the past three decades will work.
A leader who can think and respond intelligently/factually on the spot with conviction and vision is the formula which will win an election. Cunliffe ticks all these boxes.
Over the holiday season have had a few interesting chats with mates that cover a wide plethora of our society. One topic was the lack of movement over the years on pay. One mate from air nz over the last 8 years was awarded CPI adjustments at good years, and nothing in other years. Another 2 both worth $10m’s even commented on that the employment contracts and the demise of the unions in retrospect has been a bad thing for nz.
The other point was on our poor senior level managers that with their huge salaries should be better than to improve a coys performance they should be looking at the reduction of wages as a last resort not the only option. http://thestandard.org.nz/time-to-take-back-whats-ours/
Also when talking about the lack of movement of wages there was also a disconcerting comment passed by more than a few in that we were lucky to have a job. This fear of being unemployed is so great to warrant the acceptance of this continuation of nil to low increases, and in a few cases of deterioration of pay rates being asked to do more for the same pay ( which IMO is a pay cut)
Yes the well rounded wealthy folk know that gutting the working classes standard of living risks collapsing the system that benefits everyone. You can’t make money when no one skilled works in your business, pays your rents etc.
However the country isn’t run by the well rounded, it’s run by the greedy and vindictive ruling 1%’ers determined to plunder everything they can get their hands on with little care for future generations.
Oz is benefitting from this approach taking on skilled and hard working kiwis, it’s Muldoon all over again with a better sales pitch and a compliant MSM.
imo, Jack White is the new Clapton; post-modern god with a small “g”
-when i first heard the news of this dreadful quad and alcohol tragedy i could not believe my ears until hearing the story a few times more from other sources (if we worried about other people thought we’d never do things differently).
Closer Still, some body handy has me pegged, deedle leedle leedle lee, sunlight wish-washing liquid (with a drop of natural Lemon Song), Unknown Pleasures to come, free puncture repairs for life;
Strange Brew 8:10-This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord,
9-(it will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers)
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
11-No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying “Know the Lord, because they will all know me from the least of them to the greatest.
Soooo, movin’ along,
cursum perficio.
verbum sapienti:
quo plus habent,
Post nubilia, Phoebus
Iternum- Na Leatha Geal M’oige, evening falls
Shudder. Just Imagine that Airhead in charge of the US Military. Wouldn’t she ‘just lurve’ all that power. Kinda makes you glad that she was repulsive to the voters too, with the notable exception of the Airhead T Party.
NZ Police Force a law unto themselves? In Pundit David Beatson talks about Drones:-
“New Zealand Police arenât waiting for major aviation safety and personal privacy issues about domestic spy drones to be solved. TV3 reports theyâve already purchased their first unmanned aerial vehicle. So, watch this space ⊔
Why would the police wait, heck the power companies have not bothered to see if the installation of smart meters, complete with communications aerial for sending detailed useage information every 30 minutes. on private property is breaking surveillance/wiretapping laws!
Over the last 24 hours on Twitter, Dotcom has been highlighting reports of the US agencies planting evidence in order to get a warrant to search his property. He refers to reports here,
Details released from US courts in November showed the FBI relied on the existence of 36 illegally copied movies as evidence of willful law-breaking. The FBI told the US courts Megaupload had been told of the illegal files in 2010 and the continued existence was evidence to flagrant criminality.
However, Dotcom’s lawyers said the files were kept at the request of the US government which asked it do nothing to impact on its criminal investigation. They claimed FBI testimony to secure arrest warrants managed to “exclude critical facts” which would have shown the company’s efforts to assist. Instead, they gave a “selective distorted account” and “deliberately misled the court”.
The filing says Megaupload was painted by the FBI as a “brazen scofflaw” and the files were the only linking thread which tied together those described by the FBI as the “Mega Conspiracy”.
Very interesting and very unhealthy.
It suggests that there may be a demarcation issue between Homeland Security and the FBI as both target copyright infringement, presumably for the lucrative asset seizures.
Here’s no transparency because the definition of copyright infringement as a threat to US national security means that these agencies can operate in secret.
It really makes me wonder whether there were any other agencies involved, eg the US NSA which is closeted in with the GCSB in Wellington.
sadly, hearing whispers from both ends of the SE spectrum, one a “councilor” and the other a retired, former longstanding businessman and entrepreneur, that our bay is becoming “buggered” economically, yet, i think it is a great place to live, invest and raise a family; That’s the Gods-Honest Truth, what more could one ask for, sheltered meditative climate and a view to the future? I imagine a “Golden Bay” of the NE. đ
sweetas, it’s only a personal odyssey (and i apologise for any offence implied to anybody, i have to live alongside the moon phases and i get a bit carried away by the Dark side sometimes, yet really i grow in the light, and i do have an ethic of care when and where i can)
The famous and esteemed broadcaster and commentator Brian Edwards is man enough to apologize when caught out. An object lesson to some people around here, methinks….
An object lesson to you, I would have thought, Moz, given you’ve got plenty to apologise for. But, yes, nice touch from Edwards. Lord knows I’d show a lot less grace if I was dealing with idiots quoting quips I made twenty years ago.
Felix, you’re unwisely displaying bitterness in public. That only makes you look bad.
Perhaps you should read over what you’ve written two or three times, and then say to yourself: Do I really want everyone to see THIS? Does it make me look witty, or does it make me look FOOLISH?
Stay cool, my friend, stay cool. It will make your contributions far more readable, and make you seem more intelligent.
You’re so superior when questioned Morrissey and manage to be particularly annoying with your’ my friend’ terms. Can you ever take note of what is said without a large reply – your disagreements swamp the thread?
Take my advice, my man, and think before you send your thoughts out into the stratosphere.
Losing one’s head so abjectly is never an edifying spectacle.
What you need is the Good Writer’s Five-Step Procedure….
1.) Type.
2.) Read.
3.) Re-read.
4.) Think for a minute: is this any good or is it simply bitter spleen-venting which will make me look like a pillock?
5.) Then, if your masterpiece is up to standard, press “Submit Comment”.
Follow the Five Steps, my friend. It will save you a lot of mortification.
Morrissey
Big quaffs of superiority juice as I said before. Try cool water with some lime juice, hydrating cools the body and mind and gives you something to do that’s useful for you and for us.
Lolz Morrissey, I don’t think I’ll be taking advice on how to appear smarter from someone who doesn’t know what a transcript is, doesn’t know what a quote is, and doesn’t know what verified means.
Don’t really think I need advice on staying cool from someone with your propensity for ALLCAPS either, thanks all the same.
The things passing through his mind should not be printed so clearly on his face. “I love you, and want to have your babies”. Yay more insanity from the land of the Paranoid and Insane.
well the preacher rides a mount, But nothing really matters, it’s doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn…
HBT
“We’re just the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff”-David Montgomery, Whanganui paediatrician
says ‘poverty and lack of support are two factors that must be dealt with if NZ is to successfully arrest the problem of Child Abuse’.
Pope Benedict XVI has condemned “unregulated capitalism” for contributing to world tension and hotbeds of conflict caused by growing inequality between rich and poor.
Alcohol related illness and injury contribute to a record number of ED attendances during holiday period-Family Violence-traffic accidents-assaults (three fingers of jack on ice)
Boehner reported as saying to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “go f$#K yourself” while Billions of $ Aid for Sandy Shelved by Congress (charming)
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. Itâs important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes –Â The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that âthe first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.â When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECDâs second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commissionâs 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the governmentâs official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:Â we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition  NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamarikiâs statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. âThere are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a âfirst strikeâ (that is, a âstage-1 convictionâ under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a âsecond strikeâ. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesnât normally happen in politics. Thatâs refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to âsaveâ the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Governmentâs official website – arrived in Point of Orderâs email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive  Melissa Lee â as may be discerned from the screenshot above â has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Governmentâs focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes –Â Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu â often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the governmentâs readiness to make urgent changes to âthe resource management systemâ through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes donât go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a âmedia summitâ to discuss âthe state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalismâ. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes –Â This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
 Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for âfast trackâ consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill â currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes-Â The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you arenât wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said âSince we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
Te PÄti MÄori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veteransâ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veteransâ affairs spokesperson Greg OâConnor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxonâs management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonightâs court decision to overturn the summons of the Childrenâs Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about MÄori without evidence, says Te PÄti MÄori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. âThe judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last yearâs severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labourâs environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our countryâs most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te PÄti MÄori Justice Spokesperson, TÄkuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, MÄori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te PÄti MÄori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. âThis act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.â Said Te PÄti MÄori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te PÄti MÄori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mĆ TÄmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with MÄori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his memberâs bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Todayâs advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. âWe know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,â Dr Reti says. âEvery day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikoheâs new $14.7 million sports complex. âThe completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,â Mr Jones says. âThis facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Petersâ engagements in TĂŒrkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.  âReturning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,â Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen â good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood â a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - Â It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Â Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Â Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. âOur Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin  NgÄ mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho  Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.  I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĆ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĆ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĆ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. Itâs important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our Whatâs Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scoutâs human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird â she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including âterribleâ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking âdo you have what it takes to be a popstar?â 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar â a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldnât stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes â while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. Itâs not often an episode of a childrenâs cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but thatâs exactly what happened this week when ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people ⊠and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minuteâs silence to mark the âblood debtâ owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. âA promise to most people is a promise,â Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an âadministrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the countryâs major TV network of broadcasting âpropagandaâ backing Israelâs genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to menâs ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock âChildhoodâ and âdementiaâ are two words we wish we didnât have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The governmentâs Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9â17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Thereâs been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russiaâs war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peaceâs new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a womanâs hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Booksâ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingwayâs Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time â ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australiaâs fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The âWicked Gameâ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didnât stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from âWicked Gameâ, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called đ, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao MÄori and remove many specialist MÄori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, weâve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedinâs India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoaâs drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says itâs hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. Itâs been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you donât believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Iâm going to do it, right now. Iâm going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Itâs not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Muskâs vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandelaâs grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesnât normally happen in ...
Weehaa!
It looks like we may have enough signatures to require a referendum on asset sales although I would urge people to keep collecting just in case …
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8141848/Asset-sales-petition-gets-its-numbers
And when I checked the poll on the page ~67% said that they would vote against asset sales.
It’s now 72% đ
Lynn (or someone else on the Bridge) can you please open the “gate”; you know i’m “human” and i’ll stop worrying the flock and be a good dog (lifts paw and tilts head)
-bobbie
Hi Lynn and folks’ my misbehavin around the full moon has led to the activation of the s.bot captcha entry requirement. Could you please alleviate this thorn in my paw and I will endeavour to be more restrained (on leash) Thankyou, i would be grateful.
Grumpy Old Men
Brian Edwards: Paul Holmes “is not and never was a racist”
While most decent people in New Zealand were taken aback, even flabbergasted, to see that a career of race-baiting and assiduous fawning and flattery had earned Paul Holmes a knighthood, there were of course commentators who defended the travesty. Some of those who tried to justify the knighthood were Holmes’s former and current colleagues, who no doubt felt obliged to defend a colleague, no matter how unpleasant he might be, no matter what he might have said and done in the past. We saw the same unedifying line-up of celebrity support after another NewstalkZB host, Tony Veitch, was revealed to have attacked and grievously injured his fiancĂ©e.
Most of those who felt compelled to defend the award made a point of reminding us of Holmes’s “tireless work for charity” and his “generosity”. Hardly any of them was foolish enough to mention the Banquo’s ghost in the room: Holmes’s shameful record of crude race-baiting and hate-mongering, most notoriously against black Africans, but most consistently against MÄori and the poor.
One “liberal” commentator, however, went one step further; Brian Edwards used his blog to write a giddy paean to Holmes. Many readers joined in the expression of adoration for the great man; former New Zealand First staffer Rex Widerstrom rhapsodized on “Paul’s intellect and his humanity”, one Rosina Hauiti raved about his “illustrious career”, and, most contemptibly of all, Labour Party MP Annette King called Holmes “funny warm and compassionate”, and asserted that she “canât understand the vitriol being written.”
It was not all fulsome praise, however. Many readers, including the venerable Standardista “Millsy”, expressed scorn and disbelief at the knighthood. For their sins, they suffered the indignity of having their comments deleted and replaced by a scolding by Edwards himself, were compared to witch-hunters, and were sent to Siberia along with the unspeakable Bomber Bradbury, who is damned by Holmes-booster John Phillips as a “swinish, loathsome, small-minded worm”.
There was one thing that bothered me above all else: Edwards assured a skeptical reader that Holmes âis not and never was a racistâ. This was a step too far, and I just had to remonstrate. I posted up the following comment….
Brian, when you asserted that Paul Holmes âis not and never was a racistâ, I guess you were in the same extremely indulgent frame of mind as when you stated, on radio, that P.J. OâRourke was âdeep down, a very serious personâ and when you lauded the âbrillianceâ of the unfunny New Zealand Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson.
BE: I donât believe I have ever said anything about P.J. OâRourke since I have never read his books and know nothing about him. Perhaps you can let me know when and where I am supposed to have said this. As for Emmerson you seem to be confusing the fact that you personally find him unfunny with whether or not he his cartooning skill can be described as brilliant. Anyway, to test the worth of what you write, perhaps you could supply chapter and verse for my supposed comments on Mr OâRourke. Iâll apologise if Iâm wrong and Iâll expect you to do the same. And god only knows what any of this has to do with my post on Paul Holmes.
Like Millsy, I had a comment deleted as well, but Edwards’s admonition remains….
BE: Your comment, which Iâve deleted, was unworthy even of you. It was vile. I donât want you on this website. And donât worry about the OâRourke quote. I know I couldnât have said it.
This is the comment Edwards deleted….
Have a Happy New Year, you unrecognised oiksâand remember, if you see a deranged old man shouting insults at MÄori family groups over the summer, donât say âFuck off to Queensland you racist scumâ, say âFuck off to Queensland, Sir Paul.â
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2012/12/paul-holmes-starry-starry-knight/#comments
A REQUEST TO ALL RADIO LISTENERS
If you heard Brian Edwards interview P.J. O’Rourke in the late 1990s, could you please write to Brian Edwards and remind him of it. He seems to have very poor recall.
Wow, Mozza makes a statement he can’t back up and then has a cry about how unfair it is to be called on it. Funny old world, eh?
Look carefully, my friend: the one having a cry is the good Dr. Edwards. First the blubbering is in the form of tears of joy, to express his admiration for a notorious racist, then it transmogrifies into tears of anger as he deals to us naysayers and spoilsports.
I can’t provide the day of Edwards’s interview of O’Rourke, but it certainly happened. I might sometimes not get a quote verbatim, and my memory is not always perfect, but I don’t make things up.
Or if I do, as when that I made that Sacha Baron Cohen interview on Letterman segue into a Nazi rally in the last line, I make it quite clear that it’s being done for effect.
Morrissey, if you claim something is a quote, when it is actually just your dodgy recollection and not the actual words, then you are going to get called on it, just as you did with your bigoted rants about Baron Cohen. Don’t use quote marks when it’s not a quotation and you’ll save yourself a lot of bother.
However, it appears BE did interview PJ O’Rourke …
http://collections.soundarchives.co.nz/search.do?id=352200&db=object&page=1&view=detail
Thanks, Te Reo. Not only are you a gentleman, you’re a freaking scholar as well.
You accused Edwards of saying something, he denied it and asked you to verify your claim, and you admit that you can’t.
Then you owe Edwards an apology.
You really are a fool. While you were labouring over those two poorly written sentences, our friend Te Reo Putake had already verified my statement.
Fuck you talk a lot of shite Morrissey. TRP showed that an interview exists.
We’re still waiting for you to establish that your “quote” exists.
My quote is correct. Edwards made a habit after each interview (or, more accurately, each uncritical audience) of making a comment on the departed guest.
He made a particularly cowardly, sneering dismissal of Bill Clinton’s brother Roger, after interviewing him for half an hour one day. Edwards sniggeringly expressed his contempt for Roger Clinton’s southern manners, particularly the way he kept calling Edwards “sir”. Despite having such a distinguished brother, Roger Clinton spoke with a southern accent, so Edwards did not deem him worthy of respect.
With the patrician O’Rourke, on the other hand, Edwards was the picture of servility. And he DID make the ridiculous comment that O’Rourke, who is more flippant and glib than even our own Mike Hosking, was “deep down, a very serious person.” Not that Edwards would remember of course.
Your quote may well be correct, but you haven’t proven it to be so, Moz. I imagine it’s possible that Edwards did say it, or something similar, because the tears of the clown is such a cliche. I can well imagine any interviewer of a comedian finishing up with a banal comment like that.
I guess the reason your claim got the reaction it did from BE is because it was so irrelevant to the discussion about Holmes. It looks like straw clutching desperation and it was an attack on his credibility on his own site. Banning in those circ’s seems perfectly reasonable and an obvious outcome of your approach.
As I mentioned earlier, if you are going to claim things as being fact, you should be prepared to back up your statements. It’s even better if you do the research before making the claim!
By the way, Bill Clinton, like his brother, speaks with a southern accent. I imagine that is due to them both being brought up in the south. D’oh!
All very good points, as always, Te Reo.
And yes, he DID make that comment praising O’Rourke as “deep down, a very serious person.”
Now, if only I can dig up that BASF C-60….
Morrissey, looks like you have attracted the attentions of the *brigade* today, must be your turn again!
I’m sure Felix is preparing some prize winning retort using the same inept tactics as can be seen here yet again today.
It’s always my turn, muzza…
http://www.backtoclassics.com/images/pics/antoniodelpollaiuolo/antoniodelpollaiuolo_martyrdomofstsebastian.jpg
Oh god it’s dumb and dumber.
If you two (or is it just the one, I can never tell…) don’t like getting called out for what you write, then stick to writing things you can verify.
It’s that simple really.
Here’s a question. Why is it a *~*~*~*brigade*~*~*~* when it’s felix and TRP taking the same side on an issue, but not when it’s muzza and Mozza tag-teaming?
Oh, right, because muzza wants to pretend this is all some vast [insert today’s favourite adjective] conspiracy to Suppress The Truth And Expect People To Stand By Their Copypasta, or something.
M&M are a “Legion”. About the same size as a brigade, but with an inclination to read entrails rather than work within the limitations of the fog of war.
McFliper writes….
M&M are a âLegionâ. About the same size as a brigade, but with an inclination to read entrails rather than work within the limitations of the fog of war.
The “fog of war”? Oh yes, that’s the excuse they use for this sort of thing, isn’t it…
http://www.anglonautes.com/hist_us_20_war_viet_my_lai_1968/hist_us_20_war_wiet_pic_mylai_bodies.jpg
And this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0
lol
Reading entrails would have more relevance than what you just wrote.
Reading entrails would have more relevance than what you just wrote.
Oh really? How so?
Because sometimes entrails make funny sounds which would be in keeping with my not particularly serious comment. And you can use the hollow carcass as a finger puppet. Whereas you took three words and ran with them into territory neither relevant nor humourous, as is your habit.
I mean, come the fuck on – My Lai from an (admittedly not very good) semantic joke about “brigade” vs “legion”? Fuck sake.
edit: and I’m busy today, so it’s likely I won’t be further engaging in this particular encounter with the Legion of Doolally.
Gidday Te Reo Bukkake,
It seems mate that you are intent on negligently diminishing the meaning and power of certain significant English language words to the status of irrelevance. It also seems that you have made a habit of trolling blogs belittling the opinions, values and beliefs of the writers and commentators (below are a couple of example of your trolling for your fellow Standard readers to see, there are a shit load more for those who might care to look online):
“Thereâs a lot of funny ironies on blogs, and this is one â a commenter on The Standard has accused me of stalking him:
Te Reo PutakeâŠ
27 September 2012 at 3:52 pm
ps, prism, youâre not alone in trying to work out the meaning. Check out my stalker!
Thereâs actually multiple ironies there. âTe Reo Putakeâ, previously âThe Voice of Reasonâ, is one of the most unreasonable voices Iâve seen at The Standard, a union/Labour hack who tries to shut out any voices he doesnât like”
Source: http://yournz.org/tag/te-reo-putake/
(captured 7:10am, AESDT, 4/1/2013)
“Notrotsky Le Sphincter âą 8 months ago â
Hello it’s VoR aka Te Reo Putake ! Labour and union lickspittle and regular felcher at the Stranded.
Over for a troll are you old boy ?”
Source: http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2012/05/a-crisis-of-leadeship/
(captured 7:12am, AESDT, 4/1/2013)
For the purpose of this exercise we’re going to focus on a comment you made in “open mike” on the 2/1/2013 (# 3.2.3.4) and your grossly irresponsible misuse of the word “RACIST”:
“Help me, Jebus! I love the way the writer canât help launching into a racist tirade against Kiwis, before chiding TS posters for being too sensitive”
Source: http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-02012013/
(captured 7:15am, AESDT, 4/1/2013)
So to start. Who exactly is “Jebus!” and how exactly do you expect his or her help? Now lets take a close look at the words RACIST and race and the meanings that are attributed to both words by the Oxford Dictionary;
Definition of racism
The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races:
theories of racism
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that oneâs own race is superior
Source: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/racism
(captured 7:16am, AESDT, 4/1/2013)
Definition of race
Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics:
people of all races, colours, and creeds
[mass noun] the fact or condition of belonging to a racial division or group; the qualities or characteristics associated with this.
a group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.
Source: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/race–2
(captured 7:16am, AESDT, 4/1/2013)
We sincerely hope that the above definitions will assist you in using the word RACIST in a more appropriate context. It is of course impossible for us to have launched into a “racist tirade against Kiwi’s” with our commentary on the behavioral patterns of New Zealander’s when confronted with injustice and or that county’s obvious fiscal dependence on Australia
Kiwi’s do not constitute a race, nor do New Zealander’s for that matter, both terms are a reference to nationality only.
When one misuses a word such as ‘Racist” in the way that you clearly have, the power of the word and its significant meaning are greatly diminished.
In future mate, when you feel like a spot of trolling why not pop over to Lauda Finem and attempt to take a crap in our yard, instead of shitting all over the Standards front lawn
IrishBill: what a pointless, self-obsessive, and banal mess of text. I’ve seen automated spam that did a better job of commenting than this. You’re banned for life for what I can only describe as one of the most tragic comments in the history of this blog.
Goodness.
Te Reo, is this true? Are you really a commenter on teh internets?
Oh the scandal.
I thought it would always be my secret shame, felix! But, gosh, if they’re quoting Pete George, the gig is clearly up. Not to mention the deadly blow of featuring some tool on Whaleoil wrongly identifying another commenter as me. The evidence is overwhelming, its a fair cop, guvnor, but society is to blame.
And, it’s really important that nobody should wonder whether the deliberate misspelling of my handle by the not at all homophobic Lauda Finem is in any way racist, because it’s just not, OK?
lol good call Irish. I’m glad this site sets a decent standard when it comes to “hey I wanna fight wit u” low-brains like this.
On the other hand ‘Notrotsky Le Sphincter’ is an awesome name, so maybe it’s all true… Now I’m all confused…
Oh – another whiner like PG.. I left this comment on his post.
Mind you, it does make the rather tedious debate about “rent boy” that I’ve had to read look almost meaningful by comparison. I’m rather expecting the comment to never appear on Lauda Finem?
Lynn, did you receive my call?
Your e-mail? Yep. You are in the hands of cloudflare, who once a moderator manually flags your comment as spam (as you had) will require you to pass a captcha. The result gets placed in auto-moderation.
When it is released by a moderator, you get your commenting freedom back again – at least for the next 30 days which is what I set it to. The system now looks at you as being provisionally human. Basically it does not pay to have a moderator get irritated enough to flag you as spam (and I’m thankful that they seldom do – banning is much less consequential).
Be warned that akismet also looks at manually flagged spam. Unlike cloudflare which only collects stats inside its own network, akismet covers the whole wordpress universe. It is (fortunately) just a little less judgemental.
You should be ok now that a message has made it through.
will there be another “challenge” similar to the captcha (in ad finitum?) or…
You might get one at 30 days. You may not. Eventually if you pass it (I’m HUMAN!) enough and you don’t get flagged again you won’t see it again.
I suspect you won’t see the 30 day one because of previously passed comments. However I have no control over the workings – and it is currently protecting me from ~20k spam comments per week.
Sir! Thank You Sir, That will be all Sir! I’ll be out here on the flank (I don’t really want another “resurrection”, but hay, I’m a rolling stone) đ ( I was reading a physics related article the other day about stones talking, yep, if these stones could talk, sounded like Wild Horses to me).(Which reminds me, I now have a real life stalker / Wind talker I believe, yet, they’re hiding in the bushes; a “real” resurrection it may turn out to be written)
đ
Looks like attention-getting behaviour, trying to stir up readership of their blog by antagonising and slamming TS.
Yep.. How many times have I seen it before. *sigh* Boring..
I usually leave a subtle message that I think that they may be a tad juvenile… I hope I wasn’t too subtle this time đ
lprent your ‘his post’ link goes to their ‘best wishes’ 2013 round up, no sign of your comment. The Standard gets a mention in their list of ‘courageous websites’ but:
“The standard.org (Caveat: Lauda Finem have serious reservations about the authenticity of this blog and its agenda; one of their moderators “IrishBill” [as we suspected he would] altered one of our comments earlier today, that story coming soon)”
omg I just can’t wait to see what happens next. Although, it’s hard to take this ‘team’ too seriously when, on the same page, their first item under ‘predictions for 2013’ is : The fall of the New Zealand National Party government in the November elections.
Wow I just realized something mind-blowing about this whole thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FYTc55nGEI
Ahahahahahaha their snide little comment about “serious reservations about the authenticity of [The Standard] and its agenda” is seriously the most priceless I-didn’t-want-to-play-with-your-ball-ANYWAY foot-stomping I’ve seen since I quit Livejournal.
the use of “f*#Ktards” sounds familiar discourse; from the same pod?
Congratulation to Paul Holmes for his well deserved recognition in the New Year’s honours.
“higherstandard”?
Now THAT is an inappropriate moniker, if ever there was one.
I saw Edwards blog a couple of days ago. As well as sweeping the racism under the carpet, i couldn’t believe anyone of left wing views would applaud the shift in the MSM, that Holmes was a major part of. instead, Edwards praises it thusly:
The Hollywoodisation of our news, current events and political reportage is not something to celebrate.
He had some cred back in the day, but that shift you mention toward presentation over substance and celebrity over merit has been Edwards’ bread and butter these past few decades.
Perhaps you could make amends for your ill-timed outburst of a few minutes ago, by copying and pasting this message on Edwards’s blog.
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2012/12/paul-holmes-starry-starry-knight/
Thanks for your interest…
Brian Edwards interviewed P.J. OâRourke on Saturday 24 December 1994.
http://collections.soundarchives.co.nz/search.do?id=352200&db=object&page=1&view=detail
Fuck off Morrissey. Take your spam campaign elsewhere.
Despite interviewing him, or more precisely, listening to him deliver an unbroken stream of right wing bromides for half an hour on Christmas Eve 1994, Edwards claims to knew “know nothing about him”. He will have completely forgotten it, of course, but I have not.
It is not my credibility that has been found wanting here, it is Brian Edwards’s. Not only can you not comprehend that, but you appear to have no idea what “spam” means either.
So what? You said you had a quote so let’s see it.
Otherwise you don’t.
You’ve seen the quote, several times now. Edwards said: “That was P.J. O’Rourke. Deep down, I think he’s really a very serious person”.
I’ve seen you say it.
I haven’t seen Edwards say it.
Do you really not know the difference?
I havenât seen Edwards say it.
I did, however. That’s why I posted it up—because he said it, and I believed it was another indication (from as long ago as the mid-1990s) that his judgement can be suspect, to put it politely.
And the reason anyone should believe you without proof is…
Top marks FV for “Fuck off Morrissey”.
Frankly I’m finding Morrissey a helluva lot more palatable than you and a couple of others who increasingly sound like school prefects determined to bully into submission the mouthy junior schooler of their focus……Morrissey. Some dissmissive Beltway tones in there too methinks.
Holmes’ knighthood is a nonesense of course which putting aside vanities serves only to contribute to the bullshit that the vainglorious wahanui of the media, including Edwards for that matter, are not merely “across” the stories which comprise current events, but integrally part of those stories and broadly part of our “one nation” fibre.
Grudging acknowledgment that something might have been said but since you FV don’t personally know about it, ergo it’s bullshit, is so so John Key FV.
All of that said and knighthood or not I remain just a little concerned about “Cheeky darkie…..”. Racist ? I don’t know. Probably qualifies for the ballpark however.
now, if we could just get all that info Lynn has compiled on CC front and centre on peoples laptop breakfast, dinner, train time tables
I didn’t compile it, I mostly quoted it.
“Grudging acknowledgment that something might have been said but since you FV donât personally know about it, ergo itâs bullshit, is so so John Key FV.”
Why do you think Morrissey shouldn’t have to verify his quotes? Everyone else has to.
I verify my quotes, fool. I don’t make things up; the worst you can say is that my transcripts occasionally are not perfectly verbatim. That is of course the basis of dear old Lanthanide’s stated objections to my transcripts—they’re not one hundred per cent accurate. For instance, when transcribing the Hon. Hekia Parata absolutely accurately, more than half of the transcript would consist of “ummmm, ahhhhh, errrrrr”. That might be fine in Lanthanideland, but for the mass of Standard readers, it would be intolerable. (Almost as intolerable as the fact that Parata has not resigned yet.) But that is what happens when you write things down as fast as you can, but don’t use a tape recorder.
Edwards made the mistake of claiming that he had no knowledge of O’Rourke, and could remember nothing. I was correct, Edwards was wrong, as proven by our friend Te Reo Putake. Edwards apologized, but I don’t expect you to show any similar integrity or humility and do the same.
“I verify my quotes”
And yet when asked to do so, you refuse or are unable to. I can verify this statement by linking to examples of you doing this if you like. See the difference?
I haven’t passed comment on Edwards’ memory. It doesn’t interest me that you know there was an interview in 1994 and Edwards forgot about it.
What I’ve commented on is that you have a terrible habit of stating things as if they’re verifiable facts when you can’t verify them, and also that you seem to be too dense to grasp this simple criticism.
Edwards actually did make the comment that P.J. O’Rourke, who was and is one of the most callous and flippant commentators in the United States, was “deep down, a very serious person.” Or maybe he said, “basically, a very serious person.” The precise wording escapes me now, but the meaning was quite clear, and it was yet another example of Edwards’ dodgy (to put it kindly) powers of judgement. I did not make it up. Someone some time no doubt will produce a recording of the interview, and will verify what I have already said.
…you have a terrible habit of stating things as if theyâre verifiable facts when you canât verify them…
Nonsense. When have I ever done that? The worst thing you can say about me is that my transcripts (done as they are, usually, hastily on a piece of paper while I’m doing other things as well) are not absolutely verbatim.
I don’t make things up, but in your increasingly fraught state of mind, you probably are incapable of acknowledging that fact right now.
Compare and contrast:
“âŠyou have a terrible habit of stating things as if theyâre verifiable facts when you canât verify themâŠ
Nonsense. When have I ever done that? ”
“The precise wording escapes me now …”
“I verify my quotes”
Well, no, no you don’t. In the Edwards case, it was me who did your work for you (and thank you for acknowleging that). We still have no evidence that Edwards said what you claim, but he has confirmed that he interviewed O’Rourke. The only way you can verify your quote would be to access the interview, which can be done via the RNZ site. But I’m betting you won’t do that!
You’ve outlined your transcript process and it’s hopeless, Moz. Your transcripts were useless because you made a lot of them up, relying on memory and impression. Clearly, you still do not understand that for a report to be a transcript, it has to be accurate. It is OK to edit out ums and arghs, but not to atrribute things that were not actually said, but were just your recollection.
The “mass of Standard readers” you claim to speak for are intelligent, learned folk who know the difference between opinion and fact. You don’t do them any favours by being so wrong, so often.
Well, no, no you donât. In the Edwards case, it was me who did your work for you (and thank you for acknowleging that). We still have no evidence that Edwards said what you claim, but he has confirmed that he interviewed OâRourke. The only way you can verify your quote would be to access the interview, which can be done via the RNZ site. But Iâm betting you wonât do that!
Somebody will, no doubt. I did not make it up, and you know I didn’t.
Youâve outlined your transcript process and itâs hopeless, Moz. Your transcripts were useless because you made a lot of them up, relying on memory and impression.
Rubbish. Often, following my posting up of a transcript of a radio show, others have posted to congratulate me on capturing the zeitgeist of shows like Jim Mora’s increasingly dire “The Panel”. That’s because I capture the crucial words that are spoken. And a lot of my stuff is actually verbatim, and can be checked against the original—for example, the transcript of that obscene Letterman/Baron Cohen defamation of a Christian peace activist in occupied Hebron. (Except for the seguing into a Nazi rally in the last sentence, but intelligent readers appreciated the political point being made.)
Clearly, you still do not understand that for a report to be a transcript, it has to be accurate. It is OK to edit out ums and arghs, but not to atrribute things that were not actually said, but were just your recollection.
And in many cases, as in transcribing Leighton “Ummmm, ahhhh, errrr” Smith, Larry “Lackwit” Williams or the Honorable Hekia “Ummm, errrr, ahhh” Parata, it’s not “OK to edit out ums and arghs”; they are crucial indicators of those great minds in their full pomp and majesty.
The âmass of Standard readersâ you claim to speak for are intelligent, learned folk who know the difference between opinion and fact. You donât do them any favours by being so wrong, so often.
I’m not wrong, and you know it. All you have done is nit-pick about my methodology and tried to show that I’m a falsifier. That’s arrant nonsense, of course, and regular readers of the Standard know it. And so, of course, do you.
The zeitgeist is not a transcript. You do not post transcripts, you post impressions. You have not provided any evidence that backs up your claim about Edwards, so nobody knows whether it is accurate or not, but the verifiable fact that you don’t even know yourself whether you’ve quoted him accurately kinda suggests you haven’t got it right.
Sorry, Moz, but if you are going to continue to make shit up, you will be called on it. That’s life, cobber.
The zeitgeist is not a transcript. You do not post transcripts, you post impressions.
No, I post transcripts, which are, as many people have attested, pretty accurate. You are correct in that sometimes they are not verbatim, and therefore they are indeed impressions; that is my aim, as you no doubt are aware: to evoke and thereby criticize the glibness, the muddleheadedness, the cynicism of what we are bombarded with daily in the media.
You have not provided any evidence that backs up your claim about Edwards, so nobody knows whether it is accurate or not, but the verifiable fact that you donât even know yourself whether youâve quoted him accurately kinda suggests you havenât got it right.
I’ve got it right. As I have acknowledged, the precise wording needs to be confirmed, but the comment, in all of its vacuity, was made by the good doctor.
Sorry, Moz, but if you are going to continue to make shit up, you will be called on it. Thatâs life, cobber.
If I “make shit up”, then it’s for the purposes of satire or comedy. I did not make this up.
By the way, here, for your delectation, is an example of when I DID “make shit up”, building on the true story of Bernadine Oliver-Kerby taking a pair of scissors to the crotches of every pair of trousers in Justin Marshall’s wardrobe. It comes from the glory days of Google Groups, when everyone seemed to be on Usenet.
It’s called BERNADINE, or “Hell Hath No Fury”.
Enjoy….
http://groups.google.com/group/nz.general/browse_thread/thread/12b9f5fd0ac5230f/69b8343e4c26ad03%3Fq%3D%2522Adam%2BAnother%2522%2369b8343e4c26ad03&ei=iGwTS6eaOpW8Qpmqic0O&sa=t&ct=res&cd=71&source=groups&usg=AFQjCNEEF8TNL9ainY6clBjmJrbJOxiYsw
When have you ever made shit up? I can think of plenty of times. For instance, just the other day in the bus stop you said you had gills and could breathe underwater.
I expect this will be completely lost on you Morrissey, but go ahead and ask me to prove it and I’ll do exactly what you do.
Karol, would you please go to Edward’s blog now,
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2012/12/paul-holmes-starry-starry-knight/
and copy and post up this message for me. I tried to but I have been blocked…
Brian Edwards interviewed P.J. O’Rourke on Saturday 24 December 1994.
http://collections.soundarchives.co.nz/search.do?id=352200&db=object&page=1&view=detail
My turn to piss off Edwards.
My post I wonder how long it will last.
“Do you think that the farcical Knighthood of Hyde, is equal to the farcical Knighthood of Holmes. or maybe the farcical QC’s that the Nats are pulling because in my eyes they are all equally hideous. And so far out of date.
Oh and BE FYI You Interviewed PJ O’Rourke on Saturday 24 December 1994.
http://collections.soundarchives.co.nz/search.do?id=352200&db=object&page=1&view=detail
Wouldn’t want you to get John Key Disease and forget and all that!”
Do you guys post a comment on every blog about every comment you post on any blog?
It’s like you think you’re a story. Bit weird. Quite hubristic. Little embarrassing to read.
Thanks for your support, David.
At one fell swoop the knighting of someone who is famous for getting a job on the telly and the radio and voicing his opinions has:
A) Shown what a farce and irrelevance the honours system is
B) Shown what an out of touch chardonnay socialist BE has become.
From now on, those who accept this dubious honour will now be twice smitten by my contempt; once for being a sycophantic royalist and once for wanting to be in the same club as PH is a member of.
Next year, look for something possibly even less palatable than the knighting of Paul Holmes.
Yes, you guessed it: next year Sir Jerry Mateparae, if he has not been indicted for war crimes, will be waving a sword over the bald head of a nationally loathed sports opinion merchant and mouthing the horrific words: “Arise, Sir Murray.”
Remember, you read it here first.
A former failed national party candidate who under mined fair and balanced journalism just an attention seeking narcissist
BVP – Socialite don’t you mean?
Im with you Morrisey, Holmes is a racist! The only people who may not understand this probably fit into his demographic.
Im with you Morrisey, Holmes is a racist! The only people who may not understand this probably fit into his demographic.
I don’t think most of his defenders would actually be so vile as to launch into an extended tirade about “darkies” or rage against MÄori—even in private, let alone on radio or television or in print, as Holmes did as recently as eleven months ago.
What they are doing is pretending that the racist drivel is outweighed by the very public shows of charity he has performed. It’s pretty much the same rationale as employed by the defenders of Sir Jimmy Savile.
Morrissey 2 5 1
+1
I dont know why I comment on BE’s blog at all really, the guy keeps deleting me.
Though given that he thinks it is perfectly OK for a teacher to tell a 14 year old girl that she looks like a slut, I should have known that he would think the sun shines out of PH’s ass.
(Yes, I am back. The things that I thought were going to happen didnt happen the way I expected to happen, and I am not too sure what directions things will take, and it turns out that I have a bit of time to post on “The Standard” — though for how long remains to be seen)
Excellent millsy (I missed the back-story due to passing penury) yet I enjoy your informed commentary.
Welcome back compadre, always good seeing you hitting it hard đ
As a grumpy old man myself, I have no problem recognising that Holmes acts and speaks like a racist. Unless this is all an act to increase his audience share (highly doubtful), I am forced to conclude that he is a deeply disturbed old racist who longs for the time when “darkies” knew their place and never got knighted. People I know who have physically made his acquaintance tell me he is even worse than his television and radio personas.
If he has the gall to write the kind of thing he did in the Herald last Waitangi weekend, one can have a reasonable guess what he says in private.
This may or may not have anything to do with your message above Morrissey bit I was intrigued enough to try to find said interview, without any luck so far, However I did find this little gem to read
Indeed National would welcome David Shearer into the Labour Caucus. It will largely nullify the privatisation issue for National. If Shearer is confirmed as the candidate (which is highly likely as Head Office control 3/7 votes) I will not be surprised if some National Party members vote for him tactically â knowing the huge boost it will be to have in the Labour Caucus one of the worldâs leading proponents (his articles have been cited in scores of other research in this area) of legitimising private sector involvement in military operations.
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2009/05/p_j_orourke_and_give_war_a_chance.html
Brian Edwards must be getting John Key disease, its the memory that goes first.
When I first saw Paul Holmes on the box, I was reminded of a rather over weight Australian interviewer (I think on Channel Seven) who was suppose to interview politicians and their ilk
but never dared asked a hard question. Like many of his generation history will ignore them
since they had the misfortune of coming of age in a very easy boring uninteresting time.
How will Labour win in 2014?
What does Labour need to do differently in 2013 to win a Labour Victory on Labour Policies?
It may be a Government supported by the Greens, but it must be a Labour Government that can implement key Labour Policies.
We must have the mandate and power to achieve strong export based, innovation led high wage economic prosperity.
We have to re-engage with the 800,000 who don’t believe political parties are even relevant.
Our new Constitution has given us an opportunity to invigorate our members and supporters. The forthcoming leadership debate roadshow can be a lightening rod to release the mojo of the Real Labour Party.
We need a leadership style that can harness this opportunity for the organisation with passion.
We need a leadership style that can capture the imagination of the population.
We need a leadership style that will convince the majority of Kiwi’s that a fundamental shift away from the conventional wisdom of the past three decades will work.
We can have prosperity – we just have to get rid of capitalism. Keep that and no matter what we do we will have poverty and ever increasing debt.
panettacake
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/us/politics/debt-deal-fails-to-allay-fears-on-us-global-power.html?ref=americas&_r=0
Hole In The Sky?
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/australia-stocks-snap-win-steak-as-miners-fall-2013-01-03?siteid=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20marketwatch%2Fmarketpulse%20%28MarketWatch.com%20-%20MarketPulse%29
Austere, or not?
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/01/03/1395321/international-monetary-fund-admits-it-severely-underestimated-cost-of-austerity/?mobile=nc
A leader who can think and respond intelligently/factually on the spot with conviction and vision is the formula which will win an election. Cunliffe ticks all these boxes.
Over the holiday season have had a few interesting chats with mates that cover a wide plethora of our society. One topic was the lack of movement over the years on pay. One mate from air nz over the last 8 years was awarded CPI adjustments at good years, and nothing in other years. Another 2 both worth $10m’s even commented on that the employment contracts and the demise of the unions in retrospect has been a bad thing for nz.
The other point was on our poor senior level managers that with their huge salaries should be better than to improve a coys performance they should be looking at the reduction of wages as a last resort not the only option.
http://thestandard.org.nz/time-to-take-back-whats-ours/
Also when talking about the lack of movement of wages there was also a disconcerting comment passed by more than a few in that we were lucky to have a job. This fear of being unemployed is so great to warrant the acceptance of this continuation of nil to low increases, and in a few cases of deterioration of pay rates being asked to do more for the same pay ( which IMO is a pay cut)
Yes the well rounded wealthy folk know that gutting the working classes standard of living risks collapsing the system that benefits everyone. You can’t make money when no one skilled works in your business, pays your rents etc.
However the country isn’t run by the well rounded, it’s run by the greedy and vindictive ruling 1%’ers determined to plunder everything they can get their hands on with little care for future generations.
Oz is benefitting from this approach taking on skilled and hard working kiwis, it’s Muldoon all over again with a better sales pitch and a compliant MSM.
And in the US there are celebrations at the record number of women elected to the US congress, 100 out of 535 or 18.9%.
You can’t help but wonder how much more intelligent and civilised that body would be if the percentage was higher …
http://reut.rs/WnXzCy
Sarah Palin agrees
A notable exception Alien. apart from her gender Palin has nothing in common with ordinary women …
Bit like Countess Thatchula then đ
imo, Jack White is the new Clapton; post-modern god with a small “g”
-when i first heard the news of this dreadful quad and alcohol tragedy i could not believe my ears until hearing the story a few times more from other sources (if we worried about other people thought we’d never do things differently).
Closer Still, some body handy has me pegged, deedle leedle leedle lee, sunlight wish-washing liquid (with a drop of natural Lemon Song), Unknown Pleasures to come, free puncture repairs for life;
Strange Brew 8:10-This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord,
9-(it will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers)
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
11-No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying “Know the Lord, because they will all know me from the least of them to the greatest.
Soooo, movin’ along,
cursum perficio.
verbum sapienti:
quo plus habent,
Post nubilia, Phoebus
Iternum- Na Leatha Geal M’oige, evening falls
-Watermark (On Your Shore) đ
Covenant ? I thought that was the local brew ..
Please T.Allan do not mention that ghastly woman’s name in my presence.!!
Shudder. Just Imagine that Airhead in charge of the US Military. Wouldn’t she ‘just lurve’ all that power. Kinda makes you glad that she was repulsive to the voters too, with the notable exception of the Airhead T Party.
NZ Police Force a law unto themselves? In Pundit David Beatson talks about Drones:-
“New Zealand Police arenât waiting for major aviation safety and personal privacy issues about domestic spy drones to be solved. TV3 reports theyâve already purchased their first unmanned aerial vehicle. So, watch this space ⊔
http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/look-out-the-drones-are-here-%E2%80%93-and-we%E2%80%99re-not-ready-%E2%80%A6
Yes, I saw that. He’s an old conservative, but Beatson also does solid journalistic investigations and asks some important questions.
Beatson was the only journo to blow apart the tax cut/GST rise move by exposing English as having done no analysis whatsoever on the impact.
English had no answers, beatson showed what a bunch of leemings the MSM are with zero ability or willingness to challenge these clowns.
He probably thought to himself that back in his prime at least they tried to do their jobs.
Why would the police wait, heck the power companies have not bothered to see if the installation of smart meters, complete with communications aerial for sending detailed useage information every 30 minutes. on private property is breaking surveillance/wiretapping laws!
Over the last 24 hours on Twitter, Dotcom has been highlighting reports of the US agencies planting evidence in order to get a warrant to search his property. He refers to reports here,
here, here, and here.
Will the judiciary in the US act swiftly or procrastinate?
Very interesting and very unhealthy.
It suggests that there may be a demarcation issue between Homeland Security and the FBI as both target copyright infringement, presumably for the lucrative asset seizures.
Here’s no transparency because the definition of copyright infringement as a threat to US national security means that these agencies can operate in secret.
It really makes me wonder whether there were any other agencies involved, eg the US NSA which is closeted in with the GCSB in Wellington.
This is how its done ..
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-04/labor-ahead-in-latest-poll/4452446?section=vic
Still two years till the next election in Vic, and compared with Labour in NZ, the ALP tends to be pretty right wing.
sadly, hearing whispers from both ends of the SE spectrum, one a “councilor” and the other a retired, former longstanding businessman and entrepreneur, that our bay is becoming “buggered” economically, yet, i think it is a great place to live, invest and raise a family; That’s the Gods-Honest Truth, what more could one ask for, sheltered meditative climate and a view to the future? I imagine a “Golden Bay” of the NE. đ
RT, whatever you are on, don’t bring any to me ok đ !
sweetas, it’s only a personal odyssey (and i apologise for any offence implied to anybody, i have to live alongside the moon phases and i get a bit carried away by the Dark side sometimes, yet really i grow in the light, and i do have an ethic of care when and where i can)
-Bob
VINDICATION!
The famous and esteemed broadcaster and commentator Brian Edwards is man enough to apologize when caught out. An object lesson to some people around here, methinks….
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2012/12/paul-holmes-starry-starry-knight/#comment-23897
An object lesson to you, I would have thought, Moz, given you’ve got plenty to apologise for. But, yes, nice touch from Edwards. Lord knows I’d show a lot less grace if I was dealing with idiots quoting quips I made twenty years ago.
Lord knows Iâd show a lot less grace if I was dealing with idiots quoting quips I made twenty years ago.
It was actually just over EIGHTEEN years ago.
Accuracy, my friend, accuracy.
And… DID YOU JUST CALL ME AN “IDIOT“?!!?!?!?!?!?
A call for accuracy from the guy who thinks ‘but I heard it’ is verification for a quote.
Idiot is far too kind.
Felix, you’re unwisely displaying bitterness in public. That only makes you look bad.
Perhaps you should read over what you’ve written two or three times, and then say to yourself: Do I really want everyone to see THIS? Does it make me look witty, or does it make me look FOOLISH?
Stay cool, my friend, stay cool. It will make your contributions far more readable, and make you seem more intelligent.
You’re so superior when questioned Morrissey and manage to be particularly annoying with your’ my friend’ terms. Can you ever take note of what is said without a large reply – your disagreements swamp the thread?
So I engage with my adversaries, and try to keep it civil.
Is that…wrong?
Ha. You think you have “adversaries”, you think you “engage”, and you think the bile you type is “civil”.
Apart from that, nah, you’re not wrong.
Take my advice, my man, and think before you send your thoughts out into the stratosphere.
Losing one’s head so abjectly is never an edifying spectacle.
What you need is the Good Writer’s Five-Step Procedure….
1.) Type.
2.) Read.
3.) Re-read.
4.) Think for a minute: is this any good or is it simply bitter spleen-venting which will make me look like a pillock?
5.) Then, if your masterpiece is up to standard, press “Submit Comment”.
Follow the Five Steps, my friend. It will save you a lot of mortification.
Morrissey
Big quaffs of superiority juice as I said before. Try cool water with some lime juice, hydrating cools the body and mind and gives you something to do that’s useful for you and for us.
Good lord.
Lolz Morrissey, I don’t think I’ll be taking advice on how to appear smarter from someone who doesn’t know what a transcript is, doesn’t know what a quote is, and doesn’t know what verified means.
Don’t really think I need advice on staying cool from someone with your propensity for ALLCAPS either, thanks all the same.
How to be an Establishment Hero in the United States
BE A SNIVELING RAT
Look at the moronic adoration on the face of the grunt accompanying the snitch….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/03/bradley-manning-wikileaks-suspect-adrian-lamo
The things passing through his mind should not be printed so clearly on his face. “I love you, and want to have your babies”. Yay more insanity from the land of the Paranoid and Insane.
Adrian Lamo
Lame Brain
See Morrissey link to guardiancouk
Russia all at sea (well, on the incoming tide)
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/russia-poised-for-largest-naval-exercise-for-decades
well the preacher rides a mount, But nothing really matters, it’s doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn…
HBT
“We’re just the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff”-David Montgomery, Whanganui paediatrician
says ‘poverty and lack of support are two factors that must be dealt with if NZ is to successfully arrest the problem of Child Abuse’.
Pope Benedict XVI has condemned “unregulated capitalism” for contributing to world tension and hotbeds of conflict caused by growing inequality between rich and poor.
Alcohol related illness and injury contribute to a record number of ED attendances during holiday period-Family Violence-traffic accidents-assaults (three fingers of jack on ice)
Boehner reported as saying to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “go f$#K yourself” while Billions of $ Aid for Sandy Shelved by Congress (charming)
-Mighty Mouse ( http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10420795-metamaus )