70 years after they were forcibly removed from Crimea, and 20 years after many returned, the Crimean Tatars face increasing persecution by Russian authorities as they continue to resist the Russian annexation of their homeland. Turkey is to send unofficial monitors:
After the tragic German plane crash there is a lot of paranoia from passengers. Not meaning to be disrespectful to those poor souls that died, however here is a funny little tale I heard while having a beer with a 2 of my family members who are pillots last night. They were saying it is quite noticeable the hard stare pilots are receiving these days and there all feeling a bit rattled by it. One of them my nephew who is quite a character cracked me up when he told us a story from the other day.
He was on a plane and the head of the flight crew comes into the flight deck bemoaning some smart arses were giving a bit of stick about you pilots. So my nephew says I’ll go make their flight memorable.
He leaves the deck, reckons the whole lot of these stuck up pricks in first class were sitting there giving him the look up and down, so he stops in his tracks and starts shaking his head back and forth like he had a nervous twitch, then carries on walking on down the plane whistling.
Nice one, Skinny! I have a similar tale from my youth: A mate’s Dad used to work at the local airport. He found out I was flying for the first time ever and just before take off he walked out to the six seater plane with a clipboard, and walked around the side I was sitting on. He ran his hand over the edge of the wing, waggled the prop, wrote something down, and walked away shaking his head from side to side. He then made a throat slitting gesture to another staffer as he left the tarmac. I was petrified!
That’s a good reason why it is an appropriate location for the capital.
Our representatives should be reminded every now and then about their mortality so that there is a slim chance they will think of the state of our human condition.
However, I’ve just flown into Hamburg – Austrian Air – Hadn’t checked since the disaster and just today notice the flight was subcontracted to…. Germanwings!
Yes, we did think about, acknowledged the tragedy… and then made inappropriate comments to each other. Grateful that there would not be only one person in the cockpit during the flight. Even though you know the chances are next to nothing that something will happen it is kind of surreal. I feel for the crew.
The big kangaroo coobah, he changes airlines like I change my undies after flying, which is often. He was mooting taking an offer to fly for some rich cat, one of those French jets.
Funny I once went to a pilots party in Davenport, seem like the first question any of these pretentious boy Jettsons would ask is what do ya do (boring) so to add a bit of humour I told this ACT man that I was a pilot too . Next question was the obvious, who for, my replywas Kiwi Experience, he scratched his head and said isn’t that a bus company? I said yeah I am a bus driver just like you pal, only difference’s are you guys have the tiitle ‘Glorified’ in fr ont of bus driver, and unbelievably are paid 130 k more than me.
Then taking the piss right out him, I put up the argument that with technology planes fly themself and pilots were for passengers piece of mind only. His trophy wife thought my joke was hilarious, less impressed were the pilots, bar an ex airforce pilot who joined in on the mocking by saying my job was more skilled than theirs. A great entertaining night 🙂
Jesus wasn’t a Christian, he was a Jewish revolutionary, suggests Jack Conrad. It was Paul who invented Christianity and, in doing so, he erased chunks of Jesus’ legacy, including Jesus’ family – people like his brother and successor, James.
Actually there is no real evidence that Jesus ever existed. Outside of scripture and three dubious references (Josephus and Tacitus) there is no other historical evidence.
That is in itself is surprising when one considers the Roman preoccupation with recording things.
We don’t have Roman administrative records for Palestine and the trial & execution of a (minor?) Jewish religious figure who didn’t pose any direct threat to the Roman authorities is unlikely to have caused much of a ripple outside of Judea/Palestine.
Of course and many of those that are so emphatic about the existence seem to be in the business of faith propagation.
The two sources you supplied the first I had a quick look at and it is really a mishmash of christian apologia. The minute it started talking about Intelligent Design under Evolution I gave up.
The second source is really the usual wiki source which tells us nothing except some people believe in the Jesus myth.
You could try this site if you would like to read more about the subject http://www.nobeliefs.com/exist.htm
?? What census if you are thinking of Quirinius then that leaves much to be desired. The idea in the Gospels that Joseph and Mary had to return to Joseph’s home town is ridiculous. No census required that. Could you just imagine the whole of the Roman Empire if everyone had to return to their birthplace. Bit tough for the Legions overseas.
The whole census story was probably thrown into the Q (The probable sources of the synoptic Gospels) to try and give some validity to the myth. This was a common method in the stories eg moving Jesus’s birth to Bethlehem instead of where he was born Nazareth. The putting the words of Psalm 22 in Jesus’s mouth at the crucifixion etc etc.
While a lot of the old industrial-manufacturing sector of the NZ economy has gone, distribution workers have become more important – they circulate the (often imported) commodities which keep capitalist profits going. While the article here is about the US it is very relevant to NZ. It’s on the importance of distribution workers in 21st century capitalism: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/the-importance-of-circulation-workers-in-21st-century-capitalism/
You mean the Bawshark 2, chooky. Macro has continued to comment regular since you invented this fantasy ‘strike’. Still, feel free to keep crossing the digital picket line to remind us how little support there is for misogynist bullying. You’ve got us over a barrel, guy.
Personally, I think that easter is more of an issue myself. I think that the authors are on strike by ruthlessly taking advantage of the remaining sunlight of summer.
But hey, if people like to practice, then it doesn’t worry me that much.
Having caught up on my sleep again and enjoying the lower humidity at night, I’m setting up my TS test environment again for some coding.
I was just looking over the page view figures from last year and the year before for a possible post..
They are essentially the same +/- a couple of kpage views. Couple of thousand more this year in thursday, thousand less friday, and it looks to my experienced eye like a few thousand more today.
Yes comments are important. But after a site has been running for quite a while they get rather resiliant towards people trying to influence direction. Both from the commentary side and the author side.
Easter and the time leading up to it is usually a dead time for TS. Unless it is pouring down with rain of course.
TRP is right about the; Rawshark 2, being a better descriptor at this time (though seldom about much else), I should have changed that yesterday. Seeing as you were holding the line today, I took the opportunity to get in touch with PU on his whoarsite:
phillip ure
I don’t know if you’ve been following TS Open Mike this past week, but Chooky and I have been maintaining a vigil for those who withdrew their commentary in solidarity with Murray Rawshark. The main development is that MR posted a comment on Tuesday saying that he’d be continuing his break even after the ban ends:
Are you staying away at this point as a matter of principle? Or is it simply because you have found better things to do (you seemed quite thrilled by twitter the last few times you posted)?
Send a reply to my email, or simply make a reply to Chooky’s comment on today’s Open Mike (as he’s the one holding the picket placard today).
I will send a similar message to CR via facebook soon too (once I either; remember my last login, or; invent a new one, which’ll mean creating a new email ident too). Though I’ve no idea when they’ll read it, and if, or how they’ll respond.
lol…Parsupial…well we are still holding the line…but the point has/is being made…that people are not happy …. and that is the main thing
…people may come back in dribs and drabs before the end date…and/or they may drift away
…when the last person comes back then i guess it is time to end the picket …so it is up to pu and CR now….
(btw…i usually find trp offensive.. i dont think he is exactly a feminist ( check his record)…irony because he has led the attack on others emphasising and highlighting people here being branded /called “rape apologists” as a put down ( I am one of them!…check out his followup to Bill’s ‘Julian Assange Post’ which trp put up next day )
….and I dont think this is a feminist issue at all …I think it is an attempt to put down the more Left amongst us…eg I have never found MR or CV to be misogynist …quite the contrary …they are intelligent ,sensitve and very acute and effective observers from a real Left perspective )
….and anyone who says a chook is a “guy” is plain dumb or trying to mislead
….for the record….yet again!…I am female and a long time feminist ( why is it assumed by some that I am a male?…sexism in itself?)
PS …add to that list of REAL Lefties is pu ….and the others who have been involved in the walk out….. because they havent liked the treatment they have received or others have received
This site has taken a downward turn in recent times
It appears to coincide with new authors and moderators who show little to no desire to hide their personal issues through author posts and moderating tactics
In one instance posting the initial inflammatory comment on another authors article and using infantile tactic of announcing no further involvement in the discussion having crapped all over it
Further degradation then continued via the ‘all apologies’ article
It is my contention these same individuals seek to impose their personal issues by way of their ‘status’ onto other here and in doing so ironically propagating the very diatribe they they claim to be authoring commenting and moderating against
Yes, I had my own issues with that certain author/commenter on TRP’s; All Apologies, post myself. Even getting them to admit that making the first comment on a thread contradicted a later statement that they; “avoided the previous thread”, was like pulling teeth. Apparently it was all; “a coincidence of timing”.
However, I’ve been trying to steer clear of making this about individuals as much as possible. It would be easy to suggest that particular decisions were payback for earlier conflicts on unrelated posts, but that implies a conscious intent which may not have been present. There are larger issues which we can address without provoking unnecessary conflict.
It is an admirable intention Pasupial so all the best with identifying and implementing how to encourage individuals to search for improved self awareness
The individual (all of us) is the starting point and solely responsible for the manner in which we conduct ourselves regardless of the communications medium employed
So my response was too individual for Weka, and not individual enough for The Murphy. Balance remains elusive.
If I’d wanted to make it personal I could easily have used; names, blockquotes, and provided a link (as I was over on that post to get the quotes I did use anyway). It’s not something I would have brought up at this point, but seeing as the conversation was going that way, worth addressing.
Not using the author’s name doesn’t hide who you are talking about, and many of the regular commenters and readers will know who you are referring to. If you don’t want it to be about individuals then stop talking about her. Or just be honest about what you are doing, which to me looks like undermining an author.
Anyway, I take Bill’s point about the pokey stick so will try and refrain from commenting, as it feels like it’s feeding something and I have no idea what the something is.
Chooky, mi amigo, don’t you think it’s time to reconsider the picket action?
Sometimes we get caught in conflicts where a small number against the many can seem noble, correct and the principled thing to do. From where I’m standing, I just can’t see this as one of those times.
You may feel like you’re acting in solidarity with Murray but instead it ends up looking just……….a bit silly. Like an antagonistic little protest in the rain. What do you think might be achieved by your actions?
I can’t see how striking out against an author is productive. Without authors who volunteer their time there would be no Standard. I think we need to give them some credit and gratitude for the work they do. Authors such as Stephanie, who banged out a great post in record time last Saturday night when this all began.
Isn’t this action you are enthusiastically supporting way out of proportion to what a few of you perceived as an injustice? (I’m not entering that topic, it’s unnecessary as it’s been debated to death this week).
I’m just thinking about the action of the picket and the futility of it.
And Chooky, sis, as an aside you must be a very forgiving and gentle soul if you are supporting Philip, he has been really rotten to you in the past. No matter what you think of his input here, ask yourself whether he deserves your support, given the way he has spoken to you previously.
I’m guessing that backing down would entail a degree of humiliation.
So I’m suggesting that what would allow everyone to continue with some dignity as well as take some of the heat out of things, would be if future days of this count-down were marked by a simple number.
ie, tomorrow’s comment simply consists of the number “7”. Nothing more.
You guys want to give the suggestion some thought?
To be honest, I’m sick and tired of, firstly, the pokey stick this count-down has come to represent for some, and secondly the pokey stick it elicits from some in their…well, pokey stick responses.
“I’m guessing that backing down would entail a degree of humiliation.”
I think so too Bill. That’s why I think that if a back down where to occur, other readers of TS should meet them in their action to back down by being gracious and refrain from expressing any cynicism.
backing down will not entail “humiliation” from my point of view…but feel free to blush for me…i will stand at the picket countdown as long as Parsupial does
Colonial Rawshark is maintaining his absence on principle, I haven’t heard back from Phillip Ure yet. So we’re still on the picket line for the duration.
In deference to Bill’s suggestion I will confine myself to a single line of text in the next placard; as we don’t really have to list the remaining Rawsharks at this stage. That should save wear and tear on scrolling fingers as they zip past our trudging vigil.
But for now there’s a lunar eclipse to observe (if the clouds cooperate). See you in the morning.
@ Rosie…i am with Parsupial on this one….and if it looks silly to you then that is your problem….quite frankly i am surprised at the amount of animosity this simple countdown has caused….guilty consciences ?….herd mentality?
pu is f…king annoying particularly when it comes to Veganism….but he is a genuine Lefty and passionate about Veganism which I respect….most often he has a valuable contribution to make …he has never been sexist /mysogynist imo….quite the contrary ….he has gone out in support of mr…and yes why shouldnt he have support?…
And just to let you know you shouldn’t count me as one who carries any animosity towards this conflict, it’s not worth it, I keep my animosity for the real enemy.
I simply view the picket as a misguided action, and wonder about the goal of it all, and as such, I’ve only commented twice on it.
“La Católica”, as everybody calls the university, is a conservative institution that claims to impart distinctive moral values to its students. This was the place where the economic orthodoxy from the University of Chicago started to spread into every corner of the country. Délano and Lavín not only embodied the virtues of the Chilean model from its very origin, they also carried the Chilean miracle to its last horizon (and paradoxically, to its grave): the control of politics through money.
Pretty much the inevitable result of RWNJ policies. Control of government by the rich who got that way through massive corruption.
To be fair there are moves to de-commodify some education.
In late January, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed into law the most significant educational reform the country has seen in 30 years. Enacted after an eight-month legislative battle, the new law will gradually ban profits, tuition fees and selective admissions practices in privately owned primary and secondary schools that receive state subsidies.
“An economic historian is calling for the benefit system to become more flexible to allow people to function within traditional subsistence economies.
Keith Rankin from Unitec was responding to a challenge from Mana leader Hone Harawira that the Abbott Government’s removal of support from remote Australian Aboriginal communities was similar to Work and Income’s policy of not paying benefits to Maori who return to their home rural villages.”
+1 Can’t have people being happy outside of the neoliberal agenda.
People on the dole and other benefits are also an important part of the unpaid workforce that keeps communities strong and healthy. Govt policy on benefits is all about making sure people are ready to serve an economy that exists irrespective of community wellbeing.
Yep sometimes I think it would be interesting to add up the cost of supplying an “off the neo lib grid village” with the houses. some of the basic foodstuffs needed, internet at the community hall ( to cut down any looming porn addictions) basic medical care, solar locally generated power and see what they do for the wider world vis what they take – ill formed thoughts –
Early 90s in UK. Workers’ Collective (printers) with a gross turnover of around NZ$100 000. That paid off the mortgage on 18 houses and fed, watered etc (on average) 12 – 15 adults + children.
Dunno what that turn-over is in today’s money, but it wasn’t much then and was more than enough. Oh – and the average working week for each adult was around 8 hours. 🙂
I know how lucky I am but it has nothing to do with this PM or Finance Minister. Most of the praise they get is from bank economists and world banking type organisations. hardly impartial.
For those who may be interested I’ve started blogging again on my blog mars2earth as usual I’ll’ focus on “Ngāi Tahu – environment – people – kaitiakitanga – space – indigenous rights – politics – Māori – earth – and anything else that catches my eye”. I started the blog way back in March 2009 and for a while I had a lot to say on lots of things and now after taking a year or so off I find I still have some things I want to blog about. I am a left blogger and proud of that.
No problem. It is a lot less work with the feed because I don’t have to remove the ‘dead’ links. It just doesn’t pick them up. So I can leave them on indefinitely.
Thanks weka and Tracey – both of your opinions and kind words are valuable to me. And thanks to Lynn to – without inspiration like you I doubt I’d even be blogging.
Being Saturday I opened the latest TV Guide to see what is on the box. There was an article about Henry returning to TV3. This modest dick stated that “The people who dislike me the most can’t wait to watch or listen to me”
I have a message for this prat, Here’s a person who certainly will not watch or listen to any programme you are associated with.
I’m gonski. How can a channel that has John Campbell pushing issues that matter turned to a fellow who was rejected in NZ, then rejected in Australia, who was beaten easily by Georgina Beyer, and whose only positive is that he is a favourite with redneck NZ??
Where do I go? Radio NZ? I have some worries. Sky News??
TV3 Morning Report was great: excellent reporting; credible journalists. What is going on?
Ditto with TVNZ, Sky-Prime etc.
What really gets me upset this weekend is TVNZ-Sky suddenly protesting about people that watch Netflix direct from USA. Of course Sky would be worried it might reduce thei massive profits so they get their good pals TVNZ to join the protest. This is the same TVNZ that makes programmes for SKY using the resources owned by all New Zealanders and then give the programmes for Broadcasting on SKY pay tv networks. We cannot see Heartland or Kidzone unless we join Sky.
SKY might not be in this position if it listened to its customers rather than just regarding them as trapped chickens and move on to the next sales pitch.
“Pretty much anywhere but the radio, tv or the newspapers.”
The Standard might be a good port of call, even if you don’t agree with the contributors point of view, at least at times they refer you to other sites that really tell what’s going on.
Another alternative is Al Jazeera or that other station the poms are getting upset about because of their alleged biased reporting (laugh) RT News.
Interesting the channel that dumped two “judges” for being abusive, rude and bullying is promoting Paul henry on the same basis. Sadly I suspect it suggests the young demographic wont’ tolerate bullying but some in the 35+ category enjoy it.
No more tv3 mornings for me and I will not go BACK to Crawlin Christie
A “bigger majority” in Epsom I assume. No, actually, I believe ACT will do less well in Epsom in 2017 as National will need all the votes it can get. However, at the same time I think ACT will do better nation-wide and pick up votes from the rotting corpse AKA #TeamKey. Can’t you smell the putrescence? The signs are obvious to the trained clinical eye and the death certificate just needs to signed and dated – by us, the voters.
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My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Opposition MPs and unions are criticising a proposal by New Zealand’s Ministry of Pacific Peoples to cut staff by 40 percent. The country’s largest trade union — The Public Service Association — says the ministry has informed staff that it is looking to shed 63 of 156 positions. Opposition MPs ...
A poem by Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 featured poet Carin Smeaton. Daughtr of the 90s when she gets promoted to usherette a baby blu eel carries her all the way up to mothership she’s hovering high she lets the underaged in to see keanu reeves she lets the only lonely ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
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 A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
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The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
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70 years after they were forcibly removed from Crimea, and 20 years after many returned, the Crimean Tatars face increasing persecution by Russian authorities as they continue to resist the Russian annexation of their homeland. Turkey is to send unofficial monitors:
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/258723.html
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/amanda-paul/crimean-tatars-persecuted-and-harassed_359285.html
http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2014-07-02/crimean-tatars-after-russias-annexation-crimean-peninsula
After the tragic German plane crash there is a lot of paranoia from passengers. Not meaning to be disrespectful to those poor souls that died, however here is a funny little tale I heard while having a beer with a 2 of my family members who are pillots last night. They were saying it is quite noticeable the hard stare pilots are receiving these days and there all feeling a bit rattled by it. One of them my nephew who is quite a character cracked me up when he told us a story from the other day.
He was on a plane and the head of the flight crew comes into the flight deck bemoaning some smart arses were giving a bit of stick about you pilots. So my nephew says I’ll go make their flight memorable.
He leaves the deck, reckons the whole lot of these stuck up pricks in first class were sitting there giving him the look up and down, so he stops in his tracks and starts shaking his head back and forth like he had a nervous twitch, then carries on walking on down the plane whistling.
He heard one of these suits that were being a fools mutter to his mate “you reckon that guy is alright to fly… nah he is suspect as” was the reply.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11427535
Nice one, Skinny! I have a similar tale from my youth: A mate’s Dad used to work at the local airport. He found out I was flying for the first time ever and just before take off he walked out to the six seater plane with a clipboard, and walked around the side I was sitting on. He ran his hand over the edge of the wing, waggled the prop, wrote something down, and walked away shaking his head from side to side. He then made a throat slitting gesture to another staffer as he left the tarmac. I was petrified!
Haha classic, yeah I’m a chicken shit when it comes too flying, many a flight in and out of windy Welly has had me filling my jocks in terror 🙁
windy Welly has had me filling my jocks in terror
That’s a good reason why it is an appropriate location for the capital.
Our representatives should be reminded every now and then about their mortality so that there is a slim chance they will think of the state of our human condition.
+1 and said with love for my favourite NZ city 😉
However, I’ve just flown into Hamburg – Austrian Air – Hadn’t checked since the disaster and just today notice the flight was subcontracted to…. Germanwings!
Yes, we did think about, acknowledged the tragedy… and then made inappropriate comments to each other. Grateful that there would not be only one person in the cockpit during the flight. Even though you know the chances are next to nothing that something will happen it is kind of surreal. I feel for the crew.
Which Airline does he fly for?
The big kangaroo coobah, he changes airlines like I change my undies after flying, which is often. He was mooting taking an offer to fly for some rich cat, one of those French jets.
Funny I once went to a pilots party in Davenport, seem like the first question any of these pretentious boy Jettsons would ask is what do ya do (boring) so to add a bit of humour I told this ACT man that I was a pilot too . Next question was the obvious, who for, my replywas Kiwi Experience, he scratched his head and said isn’t that a bus company? I said yeah I am a bus driver just like you pal, only difference’s are you guys have the tiitle ‘Glorified’ in fr ont of bus driver, and unbelievably are paid 130 k more than me.
Then taking the piss right out him, I put up the argument that with technology planes fly themself and pilots were for passengers piece of mind only. His trophy wife thought my joke was hilarious, less impressed were the pilots, bar an ex airforce pilot who joined in on the mocking by saying my job was more skilled than theirs. A great entertaining night 🙂
BTW hope your not a glorified bus driver ?
Jesus wasn’t a Christian, he was a Jewish revolutionary, suggests Jack Conrad. It was Paul who invented Christianity and, in doing so, he erased chunks of Jesus’ legacy, including Jesus’ family – people like his brother and successor, James.
See: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/jesus-wasnt-a-christian-he-was-a-jewish-revolutionary/
Phil
Actually there is no real evidence that Jesus ever existed. Outside of scripture and three dubious references (Josephus and Tacitus) there is no other historical evidence.
That is in itself is surprising when one considers the Roman preoccupation with recording things.
Who made it up then?
There would be many scholars who disagree though:
http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2012/12/24/3660194.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus
We don’t have Roman administrative records for Palestine and the trial & execution of a (minor?) Jewish religious figure who didn’t pose any direct threat to the Roman authorities is unlikely to have caused much of a ripple outside of Judea/Palestine.
Of course and many of those that are so emphatic about the existence seem to be in the business of faith propagation.
The two sources you supplied the first I had a quick look at and it is really a mishmash of christian apologia. The minute it started talking about Intelligent Design under Evolution I gave up.
The second source is really the usual wiki source which tells us nothing except some people believe in the Jesus myth.
You could try this site if you would like to read more about the subject
http://www.nobeliefs.com/exist.htm
Census?
?? What census if you are thinking of Quirinius then that leaves much to be desired. The idea in the Gospels that Joseph and Mary had to return to Joseph’s home town is ridiculous. No census required that. Could you just imagine the whole of the Roman Empire if everyone had to return to their birthplace. Bit tough for the Legions overseas.
The whole census story was probably thrown into the Q (The probable sources of the synoptic Gospels) to try and give some validity to the myth. This was a common method in the stories eg moving Jesus’s birth to Bethlehem instead of where he was born Nazareth. The putting the words of Psalm 22 in Jesus’s mouth at the crucifixion etc etc.
“Jesus wasn’t a Christian…”
That seems self evident, given our linear perception of time 😀
How could he be a Christian? he didn’t worship himself, didn’t wear a cross and Christianity wasnt invented til after he “died.”
Some more meaty reading for the weekend:
Kenan Malik on why young people in Europe, including from liberal and even secular Muslim backgrounds are joining the jihadis: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/why-are-young-people-in-european-joining-jihadi-groups/
While a lot of the old industrial-manufacturing sector of the NZ economy has gone, distribution workers have become more important – they circulate the (often imported) commodities which keep capitalist profits going. While the article here is about the US it is very relevant to NZ. It’s on the importance of distribution workers in 21st century capitalism: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/the-importance-of-circulation-workers-in-21st-century-capitalism/
And another meaty piece, on the political economy of low-wage labour: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/the-political-economy-of-low-wage-labour/
Lots more to mull here and discern how the world is steadily moving towards its own annihilation:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/
8 days remaining until the scheduled return of the Rawshark 3:
phillip ure
Colonial Rawshark
Macro
I feel like there’s going to be a parade or something. Probably with Key gatecrashing looking for a 3-way (or is it a 4-way) handshake! 😈
An old bar joke is when a guy gets up to take a piss saying “I’m gonna shake hands with the Devil” 😉
You mean the Bawshark 2, chooky. Macro has continued to comment regular since you invented this fantasy ‘strike’. Still, feel free to keep crossing the digital picket line to remind us how little support there is for misogynist bullying. You’ve got us over a barrel, guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ5BLm7E6RM
Q. Do you seek to deliberately mislead or is it your natural state to misinterpret and misrepresent ?
Personally, I think that easter is more of an issue myself. I think that the authors are on strike by ruthlessly taking advantage of the remaining sunlight of summer.
But hey, if people like to practice, then it doesn’t worry me that much.
Having caught up on my sleep again and enjoying the lower humidity at night, I’m setting up my TS test environment again for some coding.
I was just looking over the page view figures from last year and the year before for a possible post..
They are essentially the same +/- a couple of kpage views. Couple of thousand more this year in thursday, thousand less friday, and it looks to my experienced eye like a few thousand more today.
Yes comments are important. But after a site has been running for quite a while they get rather resiliant towards people trying to influence direction. Both from the commentary side and the author side.
Easter and the time leading up to it is usually a dead time for TS. Unless it is pouring down with rain of course.
Chooky
TRP is right about the; Rawshark 2, being a better descriptor at this time (though seldom about much else), I should have changed that yesterday. Seeing as you were holding the line today, I took the opportunity to get in touch with PU on his whoarsite:
I will send a similar message to CR via facebook soon too (once I either; remember my last login, or; invent a new one, which’ll mean creating a new email ident too). Though I’ve no idea when they’ll read it, and if, or how they’ll respond.
lol…Parsupial…well we are still holding the line…but the point has/is being made…that people are not happy …. and that is the main thing
…people may come back in dribs and drabs before the end date…and/or they may drift away
…when the last person comes back then i guess it is time to end the picket …so it is up to pu and CR now….
(btw…i usually find trp offensive.. i dont think he is exactly a feminist ( check his record)…irony because he has led the attack on others emphasising and highlighting people here being branded /called “rape apologists” as a put down ( I am one of them!…check out his followup to Bill’s ‘Julian Assange Post’ which trp put up next day )
….and I dont think this is a feminist issue at all …I think it is an attempt to put down the more Left amongst us…eg I have never found MR or CV to be misogynist …quite the contrary …they are intelligent ,sensitve and very acute and effective observers from a real Left perspective )
….and anyone who says a chook is a “guy” is plain dumb or trying to mislead
….for the record….yet again!…I am female and a long time feminist ( why is it assumed by some that I am a male?…sexism in itself?)
PS …add to that list of REAL Lefties is pu ….and the others who have been involved in the walk out….. because they havent liked the treatment they have received or others have received
( I was interrupted before I could finish)
This site has taken a downward turn in recent times
It appears to coincide with new authors and moderators who show little to no desire to hide their personal issues through author posts and moderating tactics
In one instance posting the initial inflammatory comment on another authors article and using infantile tactic of announcing no further involvement in the discussion having crapped all over it
Further degradation then continued via the ‘all apologies’ article
It is my contention these same individuals seek to impose their personal issues by way of their ‘status’ onto other here and in doing so ironically propagating the very diatribe they they claim to be authoring commenting and moderating against
TM
Yes, I had my own issues with that certain author/commenter on TRP’s; All Apologies, post myself. Even getting them to admit that making the first comment on a thread contradicted a later statement that they; “avoided the previous thread”, was like pulling teeth. Apparently it was all; “a coincidence of timing”.
However, I’ve been trying to steer clear of making this about individuals as much as possible. It would be easy to suggest that particular decisions were payback for earlier conflicts on unrelated posts, but that implies a conscious intent which may not have been present. There are larger issues which we can address without provoking unnecessary conflict.
It is an admirable intention Pasupial so all the best with identifying and implementing how to encourage individuals to search for improved self awareness
The individual (all of us) is the starting point and solely responsible for the manner in which we conduct ourselves regardless of the communications medium employed
It is very much about the individual
“However, I’ve been trying to steer clear of making this about individuals as much as possible.”
And yet here you are making undermining comments about one of the individual authors. Again.
So my response was too individual for Weka, and not individual enough for The Murphy. Balance remains elusive.
If I’d wanted to make it personal I could easily have used; names, blockquotes, and provided a link (as I was over on that post to get the quotes I did use anyway). It’s not something I would have brought up at this point, but seeing as the conversation was going that way, worth addressing.
Not using the author’s name doesn’t hide who you are talking about, and many of the regular commenters and readers will know who you are referring to. If you don’t want it to be about individuals then stop talking about her. Or just be honest about what you are doing, which to me looks like undermining an author.
Anyway, I take Bill’s point about the pokey stick so will try and refrain from commenting, as it feels like it’s feeding something and I have no idea what the something is.
+100 The Murphey
@ Chooky @ 5
Chooky, mi amigo, don’t you think it’s time to reconsider the picket action?
Sometimes we get caught in conflicts where a small number against the many can seem noble, correct and the principled thing to do. From where I’m standing, I just can’t see this as one of those times.
You may feel like you’re acting in solidarity with Murray but instead it ends up looking just……….a bit silly. Like an antagonistic little protest in the rain. What do you think might be achieved by your actions?
I can’t see how striking out against an author is productive. Without authors who volunteer their time there would be no Standard. I think we need to give them some credit and gratitude for the work they do. Authors such as Stephanie, who banged out a great post in record time last Saturday night when this all began.
Isn’t this action you are enthusiastically supporting way out of proportion to what a few of you perceived as an injustice? (I’m not entering that topic, it’s unnecessary as it’s been debated to death this week).
I’m just thinking about the action of the picket and the futility of it.
And Chooky, sis, as an aside you must be a very forgiving and gentle soul if you are supporting Philip, he has been really rotten to you in the past. No matter what you think of his input here, ask yourself whether he deserves your support, given the way he has spoken to you previously.
I’m guessing that backing down would entail a degree of humiliation.
So I’m suggesting that what would allow everyone to continue with some dignity as well as take some of the heat out of things, would be if future days of this count-down were marked by a simple number.
ie, tomorrow’s comment simply consists of the number “7”. Nothing more.
You guys want to give the suggestion some thought?
To be honest, I’m sick and tired of, firstly, the pokey stick this count-down has come to represent for some, and secondly the pokey stick it elicits from some in their…well, pokey stick responses.
“I’m guessing that backing down would entail a degree of humiliation.”
I think so too Bill. That’s why I think that if a back down where to occur, other readers of TS should meet them in their action to back down by being gracious and refrain from expressing any cynicism.
backing down will not entail “humiliation” from my point of view…but feel free to blush for me…i will stand at the picket countdown as long as Parsupial does
Chooky
Colonial Rawshark is maintaining his absence on principle, I haven’t heard back from Phillip Ure yet. So we’re still on the picket line for the duration.
In deference to Bill’s suggestion I will confine myself to a single line of text in the next placard; as we don’t really have to list the remaining Rawsharks at this stage. That should save wear and tear on scrolling fingers as they zip past our trudging vigil.
But for now there’s a lunar eclipse to observe (if the clouds cooperate). See you in the morning.
+100 Pasupial…and my utmost regards to CV and pu and all the others who have taken a stand
@ Rosie…i am with Parsupial on this one….and if it looks silly to you then that is your problem….quite frankly i am surprised at the amount of animosity this simple countdown has caused….guilty consciences ?….herd mentality?
pu is f…king annoying particularly when it comes to Veganism….but he is a genuine Lefty and passionate about Veganism which I respect….most often he has a valuable contribution to make …he has never been sexist /mysogynist imo….quite the contrary ….he has gone out in support of mr…and yes why shouldnt he have support?…
“guilty consciences ?….herd mentality?”
Neither. I just don’t agree with you on this.
Ok Chooky.
And just to let you know you shouldn’t count me as one who carries any animosity towards this conflict, it’s not worth it, I keep my animosity for the real enemy.
I simply view the picket as a misguided action, and wonder about the goal of it all, and as such, I’ve only commented twice on it.
From the Financial Times blog:
— Chile, the star pupil of the Chicago school, has turned out to be a dope-smoking shoplifter –
http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2015/04/03/chile-the-star-pupil-of-the-chicago-school-has-turned-out-to-be-a-dope-smoking-shoplifter
A work around for those who can’t be arsed registering – Chile, the star pupil of the Chicago school, has turned out to be a dope-smoking shoplifter and the first result is a google referral which more often than not will by-pass the login/register.
Pretty much the inevitable result of RWNJ policies. Control of government by the rich who got that way through massive corruption.
To be fair there are moves to de-commodify some education.
In late January, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed into law the most significant educational reform the country has seen in 30 years. Enacted after an eight-month legislative battle, the new law will gradually ban profits, tuition fees and selective admissions practices in privately owned primary and secondary schools that receive state subsidies.
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/chile-archives-34/5248-education-as-a-commodity-chile-seeks-to-break-with-a-dictators-legacy
“An economic historian is calling for the benefit system to become more flexible to allow people to function within traditional subsistence economies.
Keith Rankin from Unitec was responding to a challenge from Mana leader Hone Harawira that the Abbott Government’s removal of support from remote Australian Aboriginal communities was similar to Work and Income’s policy of not paying benefits to Maori who return to their home rural villages.”
Waatea Interview
So remind we why do we dis the idea of living a simple life in a remoter area – at least these people aren’t trashing the planet
+1 Can’t have people being happy outside of the neoliberal agenda.
People on the dole and other benefits are also an important part of the unpaid workforce that keeps communities strong and healthy. Govt policy on benefits is all about making sure people are ready to serve an economy that exists irrespective of community wellbeing.
Yep sometimes I think it would be interesting to add up the cost of supplying an “off the neo lib grid village” with the houses. some of the basic foodstuffs needed, internet at the community hall ( to cut down any looming porn addictions) basic medical care, solar locally generated power and see what they do for the wider world vis what they take – ill formed thoughts –
Early 90s in UK. Workers’ Collective (printers) with a gross turnover of around NZ$100 000. That paid off the mortgage on 18 houses and fed, watered etc (on average) 12 – 15 adults + children.
Dunno what that turn-over is in today’s money, but it wasn’t much then and was more than enough. Oh – and the average working week for each adult was around 8 hours. 🙂
You don’t know how lucky we are.
The best Prime Minister and the Best Finance Minister
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/revenge-of-the-kiwis-the-tide-turns-in-new-zealands-favour/story-e6frg8h6-1227288377781 http://bit.ly/1P6j09s
Only if, like you, you’re willingly blind to the fact that they’re lying scum.
That article is subscriber only. Are you selling newspapers now?
Bill’s probably got a taxpayer funded subscription.
//
I know how lucky I am but it has nothing to do with this PM or Finance Minister. Most of the praise they get is from bank economists and world banking type organisations. hardly impartial.
For those who may be interested I’ve started blogging again on my blog mars2earth as usual I’ll’ focus on “Ngāi Tahu – environment – people – kaitiakitanga – space – indigenous rights – politics – Māori – earth – and anything else that catches my eye”. I started the blog way back in March 2009 and for a while I had a lot to say on lots of things and now after taking a year or so off I find I still have some things I want to blog about. I am a left blogger and proud of that.
http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/
Cool. I am pretty sure that is on the feed. Let me know if it isn’t.
Thanks mate – coming through well – appreciate it.
No problem. It is a lot less work with the feed because I don’t have to remove the ‘dead’ links. It just doesn’t pick them up. So I can leave them on indefinitely.
Great to see you writing again marty 🙂
I think it was you who directed me to ngai tahu website and work over a year ago. Really edifying, Can’t thank you enough. I learned heaps.
Thanks weka and Tracey – both of your opinions and kind words are valuable to me. And thanks to Lynn to – without inspiration like you I doubt I’d even be blogging.
Surprise surprise, ISIS-inspired ‘terror suspects’ were provided a bomb making manual by an undercover informant.
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/04/03/alleged-isis-inspired-plotters-provided-bomb-making-manual-informant/
Being Saturday I opened the latest TV Guide to see what is on the box. There was an article about Henry returning to TV3. This modest dick stated that “The people who dislike me the most can’t wait to watch or listen to me”
I have a message for this prat, Here’s a person who certainly will not watch or listen to any programme you are associated with.
Me too. If he turns up on breakfast tv on 3, that’s me gone.
He’s replaced breakfast tv on 3 what I thought was a good news team starting Tuesday 7th at 6.00 to 9.00 am each day.
I’m gonski. How can a channel that has John Campbell pushing issues that matter turned to a fellow who was rejected in NZ, then rejected in Australia, who was beaten easily by Georgina Beyer, and whose only positive is that he is a favourite with redneck NZ??
Where do I go? Radio NZ? I have some worries. Sky News??
TV3 Morning Report was great: excellent reporting; credible journalists. What is going on?
Ditto with TVNZ, Sky-Prime etc.
What really gets me upset this weekend is TVNZ-Sky suddenly protesting about people that watch Netflix direct from USA. Of course Sky would be worried it might reduce thei massive profits so they get their good pals TVNZ to join the protest. This is the same TVNZ that makes programmes for SKY using the resources owned by all New Zealanders and then give the programmes for Broadcasting on SKY pay tv networks. We cannot see Heartland or Kidzone unless we join Sky.
SKY might not be in this position if it listened to its customers rather than just regarding them as trapped chickens and move on to the next sales pitch.
Pretty much anywhere but the radio, tv or the newspapers.
“Pretty much anywhere but the radio, tv or the newspapers.”
The Standard might be a good port of call, even if you don’t agree with the contributors point of view, at least at times they refer you to other sites that really tell what’s going on.
Another alternative is Al Jazeera or that other station the poms are getting upset about because of their alleged biased reporting (laugh) RT News.
Interesting the channel that dumped two “judges” for being abusive, rude and bullying is promoting Paul henry on the same basis. Sadly I suspect it suggests the young demographic wont’ tolerate bullying but some in the 35+ category enjoy it.
No more tv3 mornings for me and I will not go BACK to Crawlin Christie
Tracey and halfcrown – On Henry- “The people who dislike me the most can’t wait to watch or listen to me” is not true.
There are words and phrases for people who say things like that :
e.g. ‘delusions of grandeur’ – a false impression of one’s own importance.
I don’t waste brain cells listening to him either.
Yup, more lies to keep him in his delusion. At least 4 people here who dislike him won’t be watching him…
Hosking, Williams Smith, Henry … clones all who think that wealthy middle aged white mens views represent everyone.
Paul Henry is as irrelevant as Kim Kardashian’s butt but that doesn’t stop people having a morbid fascination with either (and likely with both).
The currently 9 charter schools will be evaluated but superficially and inappropriately according to some.
Even David Seymour is not happy but doesn’t want to admit it.
Interestingly, the final report will be presented in Oct/Nov 2017, i.e. very likely after the next elections. How convenient.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11427584
By then Seymour will have a bigger majority will he not? And knuckles more calloused (from door knocking not dragging on the ground.)
A “bigger majority” in Epsom I assume. No, actually, I believe ACT will do less well in Epsom in 2017 as National will need all the votes it can get. However, at the same time I think ACT will do better nation-wide and pick up votes from the rotting corpse AKA #TeamKey. Can’t you smell the putrescence? The signs are obvious to the trained clinical eye and the death certificate just needs to signed and dated – by us, the voters.
Lunar eclipse livestream
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2015Apr04T.pdf