“In the Syria debate, President Obama’s toughest opponent is State Senator Barack Obama. In 2002, when he was an Illinois legislator, he made a speech against the Iraq War. Military action did not make sense, he said, because Saddam Hussein posed “no imminent and direct threat to the United States or to his neighbors,” and President Bush was acting “without a clear rationale and without strong international support.”
Not only does the speech supply opponents of a Syria attack with quotable lines, it also serves as a reminder that a vote for military action in Syria carries huge political risk while a vote against it can become a political asset.
This is why Mr. Obama cannot rely on political spin (and his campaign heavyweights) to make his case for strikes in Syria to Congress and the American people. Instead, he must make a strong strategic and moral argument that military action in Syria best serves America’s long-term interests and security.”
Listening to RadioNZ, Russia is proposing that Syria’s chemical weapons stocks be handed over into the control of the ‘International community’, presumably the UN,
Syria seems to be in agreement with the Russian proposal…
i have not seen anywhere that Syria denies it has chemical weapons, Syria’s foreign Minister was quoted on RadioNZ this morning as agreeing to the Russian plan to have all such weapons put under the control of the ‘International community’ to be destroyed,
You said it would be hard for Assad to start the process of moving their weapons under control of the international community, because they do not have any weapons.
But they do have weapons. Therefore it contradicts your statement saying they couldn’t do it because they don’t have any.
No they did not buy chemical weapons from Britain. I think people are getting confused in that what it purchased from UK was Sodium Flurosillicate (I think that is correct spelling) and yes it can be used to create Sarin Gas but that doesn’t prove they did, though I agree it is quite likely. I thought the Geneva Convention outlawed the use of Chemical weapons so why on earth would you make them?
I will try and find where I read that they denied the making of chemical weapons.
Actually you mean the Geneva Protocols (1925) of the Hague Convention (1899 & 1907). The protocol says nothing about the production, stockpiling, storage or transfer – Syria signed the Protocol in 1968 with a reservation with regard to diplomatic recognition of Israel.
The US also has a reservation to the protocol:
“The protocol shall cease to binding on the government of the United States with respect to the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and all analogous liquids, materials, or devices, in regard to any enemy State if such State or any of its allies fails to respect the prohibitions laid down in the Protocol”.
Jordon has a reservation that the Protocol is not binding with respect to Israel.
New Zealand used to have 2 Reservations which were withdrawn in 1989 (these were held in common with countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia & others – Ireland led the way withdrawing these reservations in 1971 & Australia in 1986) that the Protocol is Binding only with regards to states which have ratified or acceded to the protocol & ceases to be binding in regards to any state, and its allies, which does not observe the prohibitions of the protocol.
There is a generally held belief that the Protocol now also applies to internal (ie. Civil) Wars but that is challenged by some & probably would have to be challenged in the International Courts.
Syria has not signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) – neither has North Korea, Egypt, South Sudan, & Angola. Israel & Myanmar (Burma) have signed but not ratified. US & Russia (among others) still have stockpiles which were meant to be destroyed by April 2012, a deadline not met – US is 90% destroyed (intends to complete by 2023), Russia is 57% (pledges 100% by 2015-2016). Libya has started destruction and has destroyed 54.46% of its stockpile, Iraq has yet to start destruction. Japan and China have started in October 2010 the destruction of chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China.
13 countries declared Chemical Weapons production facilities when signing the Convention: Bosnia and Herzegovina; China; France; India; Iran; Iraq; Japan; Libya; Russia; Serbia; United Kingdom & United States. One other non-declared State has facilities (thought to be South Korea). All 70 facilities declared in the above are now deactivated (from mid 2012) & about 90% are now destroyed.
True, we all must pretty much agree that this all looks like part of the US/Israeli/Saudi plan to smash all those States in the mid-East that are not 100% in the pocket of the American administration be that Tweedle-dee or Tweedle-dum,
Obviously not, but no one cared at the time because he was fighting the Iranians. He gave up his chemical weapons after the 1st gulf war. But you knew that didn’t you arsehole?
Are you labouring under the impression I think saddam was a nice guy? Nope, he was a prick when he gassed the Kurds and the US hushed it up because he was being useful, and he was a prick when he crushed the uprisings the US encouraged.
None of which means he had CW when the US invaded in 03, which is all VTO was talking about.
Strictly speaking PB that’s not true – Iraq under Saddam may have given up most of their Chemical Weapons but in 2009 the Iraqi Government joined the Chemical Weapons Convention and declared 2 bunkers worth of (mainly degraded) Chemical Munitions and about 5 Chemical Weapons Production Facilities – see here. The Bush propaganda was technically true if grossly misleading.
Meh. I’d say that this was deliberate and strategic posturing on Obama’s part, and impression seemingly supported by John Kerry’s comments. Basically the sabre rattling has given impetus to Syria to hand over their chemical weapons while hinting to Russia a diplomatic solution that will allow Putin to save face. That is some seriously good statecraft.
When you hear Obama saying to the American people ‘we won’t put men on the ground’ This is being said to tell them that he is trying to ensure there will be minimal American deaths. Doing this, however, means that they will be bombing Syria from the air. This maximises deaths of ordinary citizens in Syria. i.e. not only will there be people dying from gas, America is going to extend the deaths and horror. Bombing also destroys infrastructure and the culture.
If America uses uranium depleted weapons, as they have done in Iraq then this will cause the deaths to continue for many decades and disability for more than that as it is doing in Fallujah. (Has America ‘gone after’ the people who conducted this atrocity; themselves?)
Do you KNOW who used the gas or are you only taking American Power Brokers’ words for it? Please recall the Weapons of Mass Destruction that Iraq didn’t have and how this was lied about prior to the Iraq war.
On that [false] basis America went into the Iraq war against UN conventions.
Do you KNOW who the rebels are and what this war is about?
Hint: read around I wouldn’t take the mainstream media’s word for it. (Recall what the mainstream media were saying about WMD prior to the Iraq war; were they showing both sides of the story or just passing on American power-brokers’ propaganda?)
Isn’t there something in the bible about lying and killing being a sin?
Would you support a cause that you knew the people conducting it had already been proven to lie about things in order to wreck another entire country, people and culture?
“..London Surgeons Help ‘Children of Agent Orange’
The Vietnam War ended nearly 40 years ago, but the casualties continue as birth defects plague the country.
There are claims that thousands of children continue to be born with horrific facial deformities due to the 20 million gallons of Agent Orange chemical sprayed by the United States.
The Vietnamese call the disfigured youngsters ‘the children of Agent Orange’.
Da Nang in central Vietnam is thought to have the highest level of congenital deformity in the world..”
Yeah phillip ure………in Ho Chi Minh City particularly one just couldn’t be unconscious of crippled people. Then I realised that legs and arms connected at all sorts of unnatural angles weren’t down to accident or disease. Truly I wept.
Already happening Philip – attack on Maaloula follows similar attacks & kidnappings of clerics in Churches in Aleppo. Also add increased attacks on the Coptic Church in Egypt to Iraq, Libya & Syria.
“Men are apparently expected to wear black tie for dinner, and women’s attire must not be too revealing, the paper says. Stephie Key, 20, will have to wear more than the strategically placed food she draped over herself for a recent series of self-portraits at Paris Design Week.
Valets are on hand to help get the small touches right. The only time casual attire is acceptable is at barbecues, which are reportedly held every Saturday over summer.”
.. thanks for the hint. Much needed in the Antipodes. Carrying a tinnie and wearing thongs would not do. Expect an outbreak of royalist enthusiasm during the coming elections. Will Dame Edna Everage be in attendance ?
No wonder Mr Slippery is darned confident of a good relationship wuth Tony Abbott … look at this nugget .. common denominator TEXTOR !!!!!!!! (How much power does he have and for whom does he really execute it ?)
“In the hours before arriving on stage, Abbott had closeted himself in a suite on the 34th floor of the hotel with the Liberal’s federal director Brian Loughnane, the pollster and strategist Mark Textor, Abbott’s chief of staff and the wife of Loughnane, Peta Credlin, and, for a period, the party’s former leader and prime minister of almost 12 years, John Howard as they counted in the vote.”
The Lib’s campaign like shonkeys in 08 was all slogans and staged events with little or no serious debate, a CT trademark.
Numbers were released 2 days before the vote with as many holes as one of Blinglish’s efforts and the MSM is by and large in behind anyway so only the Crikeys’ etc really dissected it with gusto.
It was all academic really, the Rudd/Gillard show had turned the swingers in the Lib’s favour and Rudd finished it off with a ego-centric campaign.
Key can’t wait to get over there and give TA some pointers he doesn’t need as the script is already finalised coutesy of the minerals council, Rupert, Telstra, Private school lobby groups, a few neo-lib think tanks etc.
The senate is very screwed up (more so than ever now) and is yet another reform area ignored by all so the Lib’s have their work cut out getting any laws passed.
I predict after the initial burst of born again energy fades TA goes back to type and starts bullying and shouting (just like the old uni days) and Turnbull and co start positioning themselves to take the crown.
Textor is a pussycat compared to Labor’s McTiernan (ex Tony Blair). He devised the whole combative campaign for Gillard, Male against Female, Workers against employers etc. look where that got them.
yeshe – Textor advises conservative parties (the nats and the libs) on both sides of the Tasman, as well as the UK. I you ask them nicely, they will probably admit it.
MSM says geo-engineering could cool the planet and a rich guy or corporation could try it with no regulation over the oceans. Seems to me somebody already is!
But conspiring? Our governments owned by corporations? No Sir, Never!
Chris Trotter in the Press this morning says basically exactly that about Tony Abbot’s lot and Rupert Murdoch, who owns two-thirds of Australia’s media. i.e. corruption and conspiracy.
Aust election public sick of public sector workers and phony welfare scroungers sucking life out of economy.Others nations to follow in time”
“On Friday, Abbott said of Murdoch, who became a US citizen in 1985: “I’ve got a lot of time for Rupert Murdoch because whether you like his papers or don’t like his papers he’s one of the most influential Australians of all time.”
“Aussies should support our hometown heroes, that’s what I think in his own way Rupert Murdoch is.””
You mean Abbott who has the same PR advisers as John Key? Here is what Mark Textor has to say about his protege the new Prime minister of Australia Abbott’s victory was a historic victory; but his triumph over voter cynicism was his great personal victory.
He loved Australia so much that Murdoch laid down his citizenship and left Oz in pieces to belong to the USA, his real home if not his natural one as well.
-“A preachment dear friends, you are about to receive on John Barleycorn, nicotine and the temptations of Eve”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g8OOoAY3X8
(no parking by the sewer sign).
Not if you are referring to my comment. I was referring to a comment from vto where they asked “Who owns the papers in NZ” It may have been a rhetorical question but if not I was just pointing out that Fairfax purchased all the Murdoch newspaper assets in NZ of course APN also own papers here but not Murdoch
Chris Field, director of Carnegie’s global ecology department, said there is no agreed-upon institution to oversee such an effort, and no rules to govern it. A wealthy individual or corporation could try something over the ocean with no regulation, he said.
😆 Don’t worry P, That aluminium, barium and strontium they are dumping in the atmosphere is perfectly normal.
For those of you curious to learn about the difference between vapor trails and the chemical trails here are some links to video’s you might want to watch:
1 in 2 Americans Have Doubts About Government Account of 9/11
“On the 12th anniversary of 9/11, a new national survey by the polling firm YouGov reveals that one in two Americans have doubts about the government’s account of 9/11, and after viewing video footage of World Trade Center Building 7’s collapse, 46% suspect that it was caused by a controlled demolition. Building 7, a 47-story skyscraper, collapsed into its own footprint late in the afternoon on 9/11.
The poll was sponsored by ReThink911, a global public awareness campaign launched on September 1. The campaign includes a 54-foot billboard in Times Square and a variety of transit and outdoor advertising in 11 other cities, all posing the question, “Did you know a third tower fell on 9/11?”
Sounds like crap to me. But for the record 46% of Americans believe in Creationism, 8 in ten Americans believe in angels, and nearly 100% of American pre-adolescents believed in Santa Claus. So big whoopity shit.
If 9/11 was an inside job, it would join a long list of false-flag operations that tipped the US into unnecessary war. Nobody seems to remember how and why Vietnam started either… That was over a load of junk too (so to speak).
And with people like the ones you describe Pops…….any fuck’n’ thing is possible.
They’ll buy any shit when that hand creeps up over the heart. Doesn’t even matter if they’re completely wrong as to conspiracy.
Point is the US is a cauldron of craziness with the “American Dream” pretty much rotted…….then packeted up and dumped on the immeasurably weaker, poorer parts of the world, in bully fashion.
Thing is you seem to love that cauldron as something v fine.
Yeah, I don’t understand where you get that nonsense from me not automatically and simplistically frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog whenever someone mentions the US.
Two journalists have arrived on Christmas Island after travelling by sea on an asylum seeker boat.
It is understood American reporter Luke Mogelson and Dutch photojournalist Joel van Houdt were at sea for three days, and are badly sunburnt.
The Immigration Department has confirmed they arrived with valid travel documents and visas.
The journalist and photographer have spoken with federal police and once they had been processed they were free to go.
Someone on the asylum seeker boat called for help on Sunday morning, asking for food and water.
HMAS Armidale found the boat roughly two-and-a-half hours later, gave those on board food and water and escorted them to Christmas Island.
Customs officials say there were 57 passengers and two crew on board.
Van Houdt’s girlfriend, Amie Ferris-Rotman, says the two journalists are based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and were on assignment for The New York Times magazine.
“Born in Marghuz, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Fawad began playing cricket for Swabi District in local competitions.[1] Playing as a right-arm leg spinner, he made his first-class debut for Abbottabad in 2005, playing two matches before being dropped from the side.[2] Fawad resumed playing first-class cricket in 2009, playing for Pakistan Customs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, and later that year also played three further matches for Abbottabad. His best bowling figures, 6/109, were taken for Pakistan Customs against the Karachi Whites, in January 2009.[3]
Fawad left Pakistan in 2010, emigrating to Australia on a short-stay visa sponsored by the Yoogali Cricket Association.[4] Soon after arrival, he applied for refugee status, claiming he was persecuted by religious extremists for playing and coaching cricket.[5] His hometown is in northwest Pakistan, a region that borders Afghanistan and is affected by the current War in North-West Pakistan.[6][7][8] Choosing to live in Melbourne, Victoria, Fawad took up playing with Hoppers Crossing in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, and soon progressed to playing for Melbourne University in Victorian Premier Cricket.[9] Fawad Ahmed also participated in Melbourne’s largest ‘open’ T20 event run by Infinity Cricket in 2011 & 2012 representing the Western Warriors who were winners. He was named the Best Bowler of the 2012 Infinity T20 Cricket Tournament.
Despite having his initial application declined, he was granted permanent residency in November 2012.[10] Later that month, Fawad signed with the Melbourne Renegades, having been granted a special exemption to play in the Big Bash League.
He made his debut in the Big Bash League in January 2013, taking 0/34 on debut, and was subsequently selected in the Prime Minister’s XI to play against the West Indies.[12][13]
In five one-day matches for Victoria in the Ryobi One Day Cup in 2012-13 he took 10 wickets at 18.00. He also played in Victoria’s last three matches in the Sheffield Shield, taking 16 wickets at 28.37, including 2 for 79 and 5 for 83 against Queensland.
On July 2, 2013 Ahmed was granted Australian citizenship, clearing him to play for the full Australian national cricket team.”
I bet the interment camps are full of kids using table legs to play cricket now…
The connection is clear; Fawad comes from Abbottabad, the home until recently of WG Grace impersonator Osama Bin Laden. Abbott is the new Aussie PM and the Aussie cricketers play real Bad. Need I say more?
Every innocent person charged with a crime had something to fear…
It’s a vacuous/meaningless phrase intended to shut down argument like people who respond in an argument with ” oh that’s just stupid PC nonsense”. It’s not actually an argument
“When databases work from 100% accurate information; when that information is used in accordance with the original consent purpose; when processes work correctly; when outcomes are as expected for every subject in the database; then, arguably, individuals have nothing to fear. Unfortunately, this is a Utopian state that is never achieved in a real world system. We see numerous examples of this problem:
Take the extreme example of Khalid El-Masri. This German national was kidnapped, flown to Afghanistan, tortured and then eventually released when it was realised that his was a case of mistaken identity, and he was not in fact an alleged terrorist with a similar name.
In 2007, junior doctors found their personal information – including sexual orientation – published on the Internet in a web security breach. How many of those individuals were ‘outed’ as a result of that breach? Those who had kept their orientation secret from their families or colleagues were perfectly at rights to do so, but found it released anyway.
In 2006 a student was wrongfully arrested for stealing mail when a batch of letters were recovered. His fingerprints – which had been taken a year previously when he was accused of criminal damage but released without charge after the real culprit confessed – matched those on some of the letters. After his arrest it was discovered that the letters bearing his fingerprints were posted by him. He was released, and then had to campaign to have his DNA data removed from the National DNA Database.
Time and again individuals have been fired from jobs, or failed to get jobs, because of errors in the Criminal Records Bureau database. They have been stigmatised as criminals, even to the extent of being falsely branded as sex offenders, because of database failings.”
The Ministry of Justice was unable to comment yesterday but in advice released when the act came into effect in June, it described suspicious transactions as “ones which are inconsistent with a customer’s known, legitimate business or personal activities”.
My bold.
So, if you decide to change your life you’re going to get treated as a terrorist. Actually, why are they looking that closely at your life anyway?
No, that was a hijacking of four planes (One of which went up in thin air upon impact with the ground) by 19 evil Arabs with box cutters belonging to the ruthless al Qaeda terrorist network able to avoid scrambled jets for 1.5 hours and the power to break the laws of physics and gravity.
And while they were predominantly pork eating, booze swilling, coke addled, whore fucking fundamental Muslims from Saudi Arabia we bombed Afghanistan back to the stone age because their mad kidney failure suffering leader (also a Saudi National) apparently hid in a cave there and we wanted to free the women of Afghanistan form having to wear the Hijab and we didn’t like the Taliban either.
We never found their leader until a year or two ago or so and we killed him and chucked him in the sea cause that is what Muslims do apparently and we wanted to be respectful of their faith.
We bombed Iraq because their leader had nothing to do with 9/11 but he gassed his own people with the help of the CIA and killed about a million of Iraqis cause we wanted to liberate them too and while we were at it we liberated Libya at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dead people but that was not a bombing exercise, that was a kinetic military exercise and I think that is where we started to use a limited airstrike which by the way wasn’t limited at all.
And now we want to bomb the Syrians because they are bombing each other while al Qaeda mercenaries kill entire villages and make video’s of killing rabbits with poison gas while threatening to do this with Syrians who do not support their rabbitly fundamentalist Wahhabi Islam and Obama is trying to sell the West that we have to fight on the side of these maniacs while all this mayhem started in order to kill them.
Do you realise that wild conspiracy theories are put about by world government to make idiots feel powerless and resigned, while at the same time destracting them from the fact the world is just chaotic, badly managed and generally quite boringly mundane?
Since when has being hit with ‘big lumps’ of anything caused an entire building to collapse completely and neatly in its own footprint? There is footage of the building and it is pretty clear that it is intact just prior to collapsing (i.e. not chunks missing from it due to these ‘big lumps’ of building falling on it).
Bits of the neighbouring building fell on it. There are photos showing enormous holes in the side facing the Twin towers, where debris struck. It took hours to fall and was a worry to the emergency services the whole time. Falling down is a pretty likely outcome of having any even bigger building fall on you. No mystery. No evidence to the contrary.
Along with the spontaneous-collapsing-building syndrome America appeared to develop that day, I have to say I have real trouble explaining away the size of that hole created in the Pentagon.
Haven’t heard any decent explanations as to how it could be so small relative to the size of the plane?
Um, coz it didn’t hit the ground, but actually hit the building at approximately ground level. While flying parallel with the ground (think skipping stone). If you have a look at the wreckage of the plane that did directly hit the ground in Pennsylvania or other similar crashes, there aren’t craters like bombs make because of the forward movement of the debris.
Science, eh? Pissing off the ignorant since Galileo’s time.
Nah, is a genuine question, have never understood how that hole could be the size it is.
I understood the plane hit the building and that is the problem; there is no damage to the building where the wings should have been, nor was wing wreckage evident in front of the building in the pictures we saw. What explains that?
I imagine that it didn’t hit the building in a uniform manner leaving a recogniseable hole, BeGone (ie not like the imprint the Roadrunner leaves on the canyon floor after his rollerskate rocket runs out of fuel.). It’s just as likely to have gone in skewed sideways as it is that it hit fully frontal. No way of knowing, really, but to be fair, it was being flown by a suicidal amateur who wasn’t particularly worried about botching the landing.
And really, TRP, it is simply stupid to be smug about ‘science being on your side’ in the way that you did there, it brings to mind people believing that ‘God is on their side’ when committing atrocities.
It seems particularly stupid in this case for me because the room for doubt was initially created by those with scientific training explaining in no uncertain terms that it is impossible for a building to collapse quickly in the way that all those buildings did on that day because this indicates that the lower floors are creating no resistance; this is impossible, that led me to have doubts regarding the events of Sept 11.
I have put these doubts on the back burner and have not drawn conclusions, however it really is quite painful to continually discover the more one reads historical events the more one finds America has behaved in highly dubious ways on many occasions, there also seem to be increasing numbers of people who were in respectable jobs at the time asking questions as to the veracity of the official story and claiming dubious procedures regarding the investigation afterwards.
Taking these factors, alone, into account one would have to be very obtuse to dismiss out of hand whether what we were told was the full story.
Taking these factors, alone, into account one would have to be very obtuse to dismiss out of hand whether what we were told was the full story.
Whoa, there! There are light-years between “not being told the full story” and “it was all a conspiracy by the government to fabricate an attack by using missiles, drones, nano-thermite and actors so they could blame Saudis in order to justify invading Iraq”.
Thanks for the link, unfortunately its not loading very well because I am on dial-up (too many pictures on the page by the looks of it)
I also don’t usually bother getting into these conversations because I realise what it does for one’s credibility, however, yes I am increasingly having doubts.
“Whoa, there! There are light-years between “not being told the full story” and “it was all a conspiracy by the government to fabricate an attack by using missiles, drones, nano-thermite and actors so they could blame Saudis in order to justify invading Iraq”.
I never said any of the second part you cite here, I have scrolled up and can’t find who did, however it does pay not to make assumptions re where someone is coming from.
I am somewhat averse to conspiracy theories, certainly don’t like it when people assume them to be true, (I like the way they encourage people to question though), however I am finding I am questioning more and more about what we are being told. It doesn’t seem very wise to assume this to be true either anymore. This is the trouble with crying ‘wolf’ too many times.
It would be good to be able to have a discussion of the events of 9/11 without the judgmental ‘tone’ that often comes about, however from observation this is what occurs when an issue gets polarized.
“And really, TRP, it is simply stupid to be smug about ‘science being on your side’ in the way that you did there, it brings to mind people believing that ‘God is on their side’ when committing atrocities.”
Well, beGone, given that you’re in the middle of committing an intellectual atrocity, I think its only fair to point out that belief in God, without evidence, has more in common with the equally evidence free belief in the other wacko 9/11 conspiracies.
I never said any of the second part you cite here, I have scrolled up and can’t find who did, however it does pay not to make assumptions re where someone is coming from.
You reckon the hole is too small for a plane and that building 7 collapsed “at freefall speeds” “in its own footprint”. Now you shy away from the requirements that if those two assessments are correct, then something smaller than a plane made the pentagon hole and that the lower floors must already have been destroyed for the upper floors to go at “freefall speed”. Then you have to figure out what was used to destroy those floors at the correct timing sequence, how it was installed by experts over months with nobody noticing, and so on.
By the way, part of the load time for the cracked article would be all the pictures of aircraft debris around the pentagon.
Oh dear, you really are a moron aren’t you; asking questions surrounding an event is not the same as ‘believing in a wacko conspiracy theory’ nor is it an intellectual atrocity. In fact not asking questions is an intellectual atrocity. You never learn anything if you don’t ask.
For that reason I conclude only very ‘intellectually challenged’ people would condemn someone for asking questions.
You are tending to make assumptions and expecting that I am doing the same. I am questioning the aspects of arguments that conspiracy theory programmes present that I can’t honestly say I can explain away to myself.
If someone could explain these aspects away it would remove some nagging doubt in my mind.
I don’t have to go into how they could collapse at ‘free-fall speeds’ in their own footprint if someone can explain how this could occur…naturally. The ‘free-fall’ comment was one which was explained to me by someone who has a very solid grasp on physics and maths and is why I mention it, because perhaps there is a counter theory that can discount the seeming impossibility of that occurring, which as it was explained to me sounded horribly plausible (that buildings simply can’t collapse that fast without being undermined from below).
I am very aware that any program can present facts that make the argument seem watertight even when the argument isn’t. I have occasionally looked at webpages for and against 9/11 being an inside job, however it is a subject that has got polarized therefore it appears the information of each site is exaggerated either for or against the view that it is an inside job and thus, I don’t find such sites very helpful.
I will have to try and wait and see if the page that you linked to will load I am very interested to see the wreckage. I have only seen photos where there are very few pieces of the plane left. Thanks!
Moron? You’re the one with the comprehension difficulties and I thought I was playing nice by answering your questions. Sad you had to resort to abuse, but you’re not the first 9/11 frother to go that way when the facts are pointed out. Enjoy the anniversary; 12 years, no evidence.
You are tending to make assumptions and expecting that I am doing the same. I am questioning the aspects of arguments that conspiracy theory programmes present that I can’t honestly say I can explain away to myself.
The assumption you make is that “the aspects of arguments that conspiracy theory programmes present” are presented in good faith and honesty by people who are sane and know what they are talking about. Not often seen on tv these days.
It is well and good for TRP to state ‘there is no evidence’ however it is not very impressive that a reasonable discussion can’t be conducted on the subject. A link such as the one I have provided would have been more beneficial to achieve that end.
Otherwise those debunking the debunkers simply end up following the same technique of trusting blindly in the information provided and basing their arguments on hollow understanding. One must look at both sides of the story and find reasonable explanation for doubts, sarky adhominem attacks don’t suffice for a reasonable discussion of the facts.
Funnily enough I hold very similar views to Populuxe’s comment above: “Do you realise that wild conspiracy theories are put about by world government to make idiots feel powerless and resigned, while at the same time destracting them from the fact the world is just chaotic, badly managed and generally quite boringly mundane?”
I think that the conspiracy dvd’s that cultivate the most fearful messages are created from highly dubious motives and seeing as they lead to a sense of powerlessness have concluded they serve the purposes of those already in power while presenting as though they are railing against them.
A reasonable discussion requires two competent participants acting in good faith.
People regurgitating lines like “free-fall speed”, “false flag” and so on are usually missing at least one of those criteria.
One must look at both sides of the story and find reasonable explanation for doubts, sarky adhominem attacks don’t suffice for a reasonable discussion of the facts.
A reasonable explanation for many of the “doubts” raised by so-called “truthers” is that they are kooks. Looking at “both sides of the story” implies that each side is equally valid from the outset.
Oh, some of them are looking for explanations for their personal loss, some of them are in it for the money because fear sells, and some of them are just idiots who think the conspiracy theories are true because they are consistent with their personal paranoia about “world government” etc. Some of them might not even be known kooks apart from this one issue. But it’s still all bullshit that quickly descends into massive suppositions and a theoretical house of cards, just to support a supposedly valid “point of view” that differs from the massive amounts of evidence that a handful of hijackers flew some planes into some buildings.
“Why wasn’t the hole as wide as a 757′s 124-ft.-10-in. wingspan? A crashing jet doesn’t punch a cartoon-like outline of itself into a reinforced concrete building, says ASCE team member Mete Sozen, a professor of structural engineering at Purdue University. In this case, one wing hit the ground; the other was sheared off by the force of the impact with the Pentagon’s load-bearing columns, explains Sozen, who specializes in the behavior of concrete buildings. What was left of the plane flowed into the structure in a state closer to a liquid than a solid mass. “If you expected the entire wing to cut into the building,” Sozen tells PM, “it didn’t happen.”
The tidy hole in Ring C was 12 ft. wide–not 16 ft. ASCE concludes it was made by the jet’s landing gear, not by the fuselage.
“
There is MOUNTAINS of evidence for most of what he just said. Were you referring to everything he said, or just Afghanistan, or Iraq, or Libya, or Syria, or 9/11?
Does raising the minimum wage cause unemployment to rise, another ‘brick in the wall’ which strongly suggests that it don’t,
”In Florida where voters approved an increase,(to the minimum wage),in 2004, a followup comprehensive study confirms a strong economy with INCREASED EMPLOYMENT above previous years in Florida and better than in the US as a whole”,
As this is also relevant to the above i will post this again to aid in building the whole picture which has obviously been, (deliberately?),distorted over time by economists with a right wing bias along with ‘publication bias’ which i will address below,
”In Nevada USA where the minimum is $7.25 an hour the jobless rate is 10.2%”,
”In Vermont USA where the minimum is $8.60 an hour the jobless rate is 5.1%
Publication bias, where the media, controlled by the right, simply does not publish data and studies which do not support the views of the right appears to be rife when it comes to economics,
”Several researchers have conducted statistical meta-analysis of the employment effects of the minimum wage”,
”In 1995 Card and Kruegar analyzed 14 earlier time series studies on minimum wages and concluded that there was clear evidence of publication bias,(in favor of studies that found a statistically negative employment effect)”,
”Though a serious methodological indictment, opponents of the minimum wage largely ignored this issue”,
”As Thomas.C. Leonard noted,”the silence is fairly deafening”,
I think you are in danger of your own publication bias. As Michael Saltsman points out about 85% of reputable epirical wiork in the last 20 years on the effect of minimum wage increases show a negatuve employment effect.
Card and Kruegar should be trated with suspicion. Their seminal 1992 study on the employment effects of MW increases was shown to be totally flawed. They got the data wrong – the correct data showed an unequivacal employment loss. I have attached the coverage of this by Saltsman.
Yes you are right. The strongly performing Vermont economy and low unemployment rate is CAUSED by its minimum wage rate being $1.35 higher than the MW rate for the state of Nevada. It couldn’t be anything else.
Your argument is that a higher minimum wage is incompatible with a strong economy and bad12
showed you a counter example which completely destroys your position.
My laughter,(at you SSlands), becomes louder by the comment, you claim to be ‘an economist’ opposing raising the minimum wage, when called upon to explain real world facts as opposed to your childish economics 101 you resort to the pathetic,
Where have i suggested any such cause and effect??? i simply point out the obvious, i cannot be responsible for what from here seems like a serious intellectual disability on your part, i simply ask you as the economist you claim to be for an explanation,
The fact that you cannot give that explanation simply points to the fact that you havn’t got a f**king clue,
While you consider your reply also consider this in conjunction with the real world FACTS about Nevada and Vermont,
”In Florida where voters approved an increase,(to the minimum wage),in 2004, a follow-up comprehensive study confirms a strong economy with increased employment above previous years in Florida and better than the US as a whole”,
According to you SSLands jobs by the thousands should have been destroyed by Florida raising the minimum wage,
Obviously jobs by the thousands were not destroyed and actual FACT says employment increased…
I’ve never understood the reasoning behind the claims that business owners will employ more people because wages are lower? Businesses employ the least amount of people they can to get the job done, no more and no less.
On the other hand, more people are employed when there is more demand for goods and services. Creating that demand is a case of people having enough finances to purchase the things they require. Invariably, increasing wages therefore increases employment by increasing demand for goods and services.
A business owner doesn’t one day look at his accounts and say, “I’ve got all this money, why don’t I just employ some more people” if there is no increased demand for what they are producing. Instead they keep that money as profit while trying to get their employees to work harder for peanuts.
The reasoning behind the claim that higher wages will cause job losses is highly flawed. There is simply not enough available information from every single private business in New Zealand to show whether they will be able to afford the same amount of employees with increased wages or not. The increased demand for their goods and services and subsequent increased profit is obviously not being factored into the governments calculations.
Besides, the companies that do provide information about their finances are continuing to post huge profits, much of which simply goes overseas. Considering the available information, there is no evidence that increased wages will cause any job losses at all. It is a myth predicated by those who have a vested interest in keeping wages low.
I had a similar conversation with a owner of a bar last week… he was stating that if he couldn’t pay the minimum wage, he wouldn’t be able to trade. I put it to him that when everyone is doing that you run the risk of customers not having enough disposable to purchase your goods and services.
The fact is, you’ve got to keep the money going round, otherwise it’s like a game of Monopoly. If you want the game to keep going, you forgive people their debts from time to time to keep the money flowing. If you don’t… you run them into the ground until game over!
You are very happy for people to be treated as a tradeable commodity, like plastic buckets produced by a factory somewhere it doesn’t matter. Capital is the most important thing in the whole entire world, labour is subservient and must take a position secondary to the needs and lusts of capital.
Tell me srylands, if you had to choose a world with no capital or a world with no labour, which would you choose?
While i consider Slippery the Prime Minister to be an ’empty suitcase of intellectual rigor’ you SSlands could only hope to rise to being ‘an empty garbage bag of simpering stupidity’
(a), you shouldn’t let your brain run ahead of your fingers, and (b), when as you obviously have your brain and digits do become hopelessly out control the Standard provides to you an edit function which even for one such as you lacking in the basics of intelligence should be a breeze to use…
Let’s play CT spot the difference: from the Oz Liberals election campaign….from crikey’s subscriber service.
‘Abbott says he wants to be an “infrastructure prime minister”. More accurately, he wants to be a roads prime minister. The majority of the Coalition’s infrastructure spending will be on regional roads, which has always been the Coalition’s idea of infrastructure. In Mitchell’s logic, apparently, NBN = bad infrastructure, roads = good infrastructure.’ from Crikey and mitchell is an Aus Fin Review journo.
And who wins from the Coalition, apart from National electorates? The tax rorters of the novated lease industry. High-income earners via Abbott’s paid parental leave (PPL) scheme. Those Liberal Party loyalists, self-funded retirees, who might be unhappy about the impact on dividends of the PPL scheme. The mining industry.
So, the Coalition has declined to take any politically difficult savings decisions, preferring to target sectors with little political clout, or people in other countries. And it has rewarded its perceived friends, those who are already doing very well, thank you.
No one expects oppositions to sign up to a slate of politically suicidal cuts, but the Coalition’s priorities suggest the “tough decisions” it makes will merely be tough on those who pose no political threat, and that the “age of entitlement” is opening up again, after Labor wore so much grief for trying to curb it marginally while in office.’
Slippery the Prime Minister is being quoted in the Herald online this morning as saying He has timed His next foreign sojourn so as to be in the House for the first Question time for Labour’s new leader,
i assume that is going to be David Cunliffe, and my view is that Cunliffe should burst the Slippery little shysters bubble by completely ignoring Him,
A better tactic for Cunliffe would be to deliberately target Judith Collins with all his questions for that day, leaving Slippery sitting in the Chamber twiddling His thumbs with the added insinuation that it’s probably better to ask the upcoming leader of National the questions than the out-going one…
I’d hammer him with questions about his trip. esp the UN speech, tie it to his comments from back when Helen declined to Bush the Lesser’s adventure in Iraq.
Lolz, Cunliffe could always slip in the line with one of His supplementry’s, ” i’ve got your number and will be dialing it next time i don’t want a question answered with other than froth”…
I’d suggest that the Cunliffe groupies might not want to build up their expectations quite so much, that Cunliffe may not be the messiah after all and to give him some time to settle in and deal with the real enemy (ie his own caucus) before trying to handle the most popular PM of the post-MMP era
Cullen, Clark, Goff, Campbell and Shearer were all defeated/seen off/careers ended/beaten whatever way you want to put it by John Key, hes formidable without a doubt
I’m saying don’t get your hopes up so high because Cunliffe may not live up to them…of course he might also exceed them
W Smith you are letting your blinkers get in the way of clear view of history. Those politicians were turfed out by factors far greater and more prevalent than merely John Key. They were turfed out because; one, they had been in for three terms; two, people were tired of the PC stuff; three, people were tired of being told how to live their life to such an extent; four, they were too bland themselves; five, on it goes.
To suggest that John Key alone was responsible for the demise of these people paints you as the groupie here.
1. Cullen presided over finance in Lab4 before, during and after Key’s go at the portfolio.
2. Clark would’ve been likely been voted out whether or not Key was in the picture – the public had tired of her after 3 terms, as they’re now tiring of Key after 2.
3. Campbell? WTF?
4. Shearer was ousted from within. You’ve been talking about that for two years.
5. Goff you get. Beat him by a whopping margin of 10,000 votes.
I guess that’s true for Canterbury and Christchurch seeing as there hasn’t been another PM since voting rights were removed there. Shows what an undemocratic piece of work Key is.
Most popular? Don’t think he’s ever reached Helen’s heights. Not likely to either at the rate he’s going.
Agree though about Cunliffe. Or Robertson, whomever it may be.
The task ahead actually has Sweet. Fuck. All. to do with besting John Key in parliament. If it were that simple, your namesake (or the ginge) would’ve been PM long ago.
That “most popular PM” line is getting a bit past its use-by date – maybe; “once most popular”, would be more accurate now. Bush the lesser (hat-tip PB) had once been popular in the polls too, but not at the end.
There’s just one poll that matters, and we’ll see what that says by the end of 2014.
Norway likely to change government from Left to Right. The left government has been in for 8 years and doing a reasonable job and the commentator couldn’t state why that should result in change. My idea is that two terms in leadership should be enough, and that would allow change to meet the wish to see a different approach from the incumbents without having to throw the Party out entirely.
Mainly because there has been an increased backlash in relatively monocultural, monoethnic Scandinavian and Nordic countries against economic migrants from the Near East and North Africa, and as we saw with our own previous Labour government, there is a tendency to swing back and forth. No conspiracy at all.
Who said anything about a conspiracy? Have you a parallel universe going on in your head with two different thought processes? Quantum Populuxe1 and 2. What did Pop2 think about a possible conspiracy in Norway? Is merely changing the government because of perceived weaknesses in policy to be regarded as conspiracy?
Lprent – using chrome on android and keep getting an error message saying ive exceeded the crawler rate for humans when going back to the main page from an item.
I could not believe her tweets etc re Robertson yesterday – but then again, I can…
When I read the link provided last night to her tweets, I also noticed another one that really stood out for me and left me gobsmacked.
This on 8 Sept (a quote only as I could not seem to copy it as I am not very good on Twitter things)
– “Will be reading TICS Bill closely. R there implications for NZ?”
Sorry, but “WILL be reading it closely” and “are there implications for NZ”. The TICS Bill is nearing the end of its select committee process with the report back from the Law and Order Committee on 20 Sept.
FGS Curran is the Labour spokesperson on telecommunications etc and while not on the Law and Order Committee, should have read the TICS Bill inside out by now and realise the implications!
And now it turns out that the comments she referred to weren’t from the current leadership contest at all, but she implied that it was connected with the Cunliffe campaign as a deliberate smear effort. Shame on her.
She deserves her in place in Labour Party history as the first MP who has sunk to that level of desperation in this first ever leadership race. More slander to come from the ABC crew?
Good one bad 12 a republican politician visited NZ recently
Claimed that all republican states were growing faster than democrat lead states .
A complete lie the reverse is the truth.
Be very wary Poncekey
Is going to Australia to be reprogramed by crosby texter,
The lizards of Oz!
Then He is going to china to get a new coat of teflon.
Then off to visit the queen to line up his knighthood!
He’ll probably leave his old shed skin as a going away present for the Queen – Snakeskin shoes anyone? – there’ll be enough for a matching handbag, surely??
Phil Goff earlier in the year sought leave to table a document which shows restrictions to future access to benefits and citizenship for New Zealanders living in Australia were outside the bilateral agreement. (Hansard 14th Feb 2013)
When is Key going to start telling the truth and how can we expect our kids to grow up as honest citizens when he lies though his teeth on the hour and the half hour.
URGENT! Press Release from Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright:
” Auckland Council must NOT act precipitiously and ratify or be a signatory to the Auckland Housing Accord.
10 September 2013
Press Release from Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright:
” Auckland Council must NOT ratify or be a signatory to the Auckland Housing Accord, when my request for the LAWFULNESS of it’s evidential base for projected population growth is to be considered at the next meeting of the Social Services Select Committee, on Friday 13 September 2013,” says Auckland Mayoral candidate, Penny Bright.
“The Clerk of the Social Services Select Committee has just advised me, this morning, that my request for their Report on the following Petition 2011/64
Requesting that Parliament declines to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics’ “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans. ”
to be reviewed, will be put before them at their next meeting, to be held this Friday 13 September 2013.”
“As an Auckland Mayoral candidate, I hereby call for Mayor Len Brown and Auckland Councillors, NOT to act precipitiously, and to NOT ratify or be a signatory to the Auckland Housing Accord.”
LETTER FROM AUCKLAND MAYORAL CANDIDATE PENNY BRIGHT WHICH WILL BE PUT TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE AT THEIR NEXT MEETING TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2013:
28 August 2013:
Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright: Auckland Draft Unitary Plan: URGENT ‘Open Letter’ to the Social Services Select Committee c/- Chair Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
Members of the Social Services Select Committee,
Social Services Chairperson Lotu-Iiga, Peseta Sam National Party, Maungakiekie
Social Services Deputy-Chairperson Lee, Melissa National Party, List
Social Services Member Ardern, Jacinda Labour Party, List
Social Services Member Heatley, Phil National Party, Whangarei
Social Services Member Logie, Jan Green Party, List
Social Services Member Lole-Taylor, Asenati NZ First, List
Social Services Member Ngaro, Alfred National Party, List
Social Services Member Prasad, Rajen Labour Party, List
Social Services Member Sabin, Mike National Party, Northland
Social Services Member Twyford, Phil Labour Party, Te Atatu
Social Services Member Woodhouse, Michael National Party, List
Please be advised that Auckland Council will be starting deliberations on the Draft Auckland Unitary Plan, today Wednesday 28 August 2013.
The ‘mantra’ that the estimated population of Auckland “is projected to increase by one million over the next 30 years”, is repeated in the following ‘Draft Unitary Plan’:
As you are well aware, the LAWFULNESS of the use of this ‘high’ population growth projection, I challenged, in the following petition:
Petition 2011/64
Requesting that Parliament declines to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics’ “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.
I provided extensive, researched evidence, (as you requested),in support of this petition:
SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE, IN SUPPORT OF PETITION 2011/64
However, the Report of the Social Services Select Committee, did not focus on the ‘LAWFULNESS’ of the reliance of the Auckland Council Mayor Len Brown, and Chief Planning Officer Dr Roger Blakeley’s use of the Department of Statistics ‘high’, rather than ‘medium’ population growth projection, you focused on the apparent ‘REASONABLENESS’ of so doing.
“We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House. ”
The Social Services Committee has considered Petition 2011/64 of Penelope Mary Bright, requesting that Parliament decline to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics “high” population growth projections, instead of
their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.
We heard and received evidence from the petitioner, but note that the matters she raised have been addressed publicly by the Auckland Council in statements posted on its website and issued to media.
The Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer has said that while Auckland may not grow by one million people by 2041 (the high-growth projection), Auckland Council is preparing for it. The city has historically met the high-growth projection, and it is therefore prudent for the council to plan accordingly. He said that the city needs to be prepared for, and
infrastructure needs to be able to cope with, growth. He pointed out that the “Unitary Plan”, which is a part of the Auckland Spatial Plan, sets out only rules for development.
We understand that actual development would be undertaken only in response to demand.
Regarding the use of alternative projections for higher- and lower-growth scenarios, we note that the council’s Chief Planning Officer has also said that it is prudent for the Auckland Council to provide for the highest likely population growth, and at the same time to be cautious to avoid over-investment. He said that the council requires organisations it owns or controls to be cautious about capital spending ahead of time to avoid high borrowing, interest, and depreciation costs, and that any underspending on infrastructure could be addressed through regular budget reviews and incremental expansion of facilities such as wastewater treatment plants.
The Mayor of Auckland has also said that using the high-growth projection was the appropriate thing to do, and that the council should not be too conservative in their assumptions about population growth.
We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House.
Melissa Lee
Deputy Chairperson ”
______________________________________________________________________________
On 7 August 2013, I made an oral submission by a telephone conference call to the Social Services Select Committee on the related matter of the ‘Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill’, and made the following points:
“You MPs are a Select Cttee of the Highest Court of the land.
Please be reminded of the Oath of Allegiance which you swear or affirm before becoming a Member of the NZ House of Parliament:
The Oath, in its present form, is:
“I, [name], swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
NZ House of Parliament is where the LAW is made.
Should I as a citizen not be able to expect that those of you who MAKE the Law – will uphold the Law that you have made?
Otherwise – what is the point of you being there?
What is the purpose of the NZ Parliament if you are not going to uphold the laws you make?
Why I am raising this is because the Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill is directly-related matter to the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill.
Both are based upon the million extra people coming to Auckland in the 30 years mantra, for which I provided EVIDENCE that this was not ‘evidentially-based).”
I asked you to please reconsider your (above-mentioned) decision.
As Members of Parliament of the ‘highest Court in the land’ – how meaningful is the ‘Rule of Law’, which you help make, if you arguably do not follow it yourselves?
Please be reminded that the ‘Rule of Law’ that applies to the Auckland (Spatial) Plan, which the Auckland Unitary Plan is supposed to implement, is covered by the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009:
(1)The Auckland Council must prepare and adopt a spatial plan for Auckland.
(4)The spatial plan must—
(c)provide an evidential base to support decision making for Auckland, including evidence of trends, opportunities, and constraints within Auckland; and
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please confirm that you will URGENTLY review and reconsider your above-mentioned decision,
“We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House. ”
and base it upon the ‘Rule of Law’ which directly applies in this case, the above-mentioned Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s79 (4) (c).
In my considered opinion, there will be a significant number of Aucklanders, who will be very interested in your response to this matter.
Actually if I remember correctly members of the Executive Council can exceed the speed limit when they are on important business. So John could whoop up the highway at any speed he likes. After all its important to get the PM home quickly.
And as Australia sets about to trash their carbon tax – and NZ becomes a “fast follower” of our trading partners with respect to tackling GHG emissions and our ETS is the laughing stock of the western world…
meanwhile…. In British Columbia …. despite a year long attack by the tories on the 5 year old carbon tax a recent report on the economy and its effects shows that it’s a winner. http://www.desmog.ca/2013/07/26/bc-carbon-tax-big-winner-people-climate-and-economy-study-shows.
“Thanks to the carbon tax BC residents enjoy the lowest income tax in the country (not Albertans), use the least amount of fuel per person and have arguably the healthiest economy the study found. So much for the Tories baseless claims of doom and gloom.”
Thanks Ardern for your red necked, stick in the mud, troglodyte, neanderthal, stupid behaviour that led to the trashing of our Carbon tax…
Rubbish. He doesn’t have to go to the Queen for that. New Zealand honours are based on the recomendation of the Honours Secretariat of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Queen signs off. Most PMs get them as a matter of course unless they are staunchly against that sort of thing.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he scammed the NZ population to cough up to prop up Rio Tinto with $ 30 million of tax money and the promise to sell every f&*king publicly owned asset to her and her mates for next to nothing by bankrupting this country though an investment of $112 Billion in derivatives? I reckon he’s been a good boy!
But normally when they retire. And of course the Queen is at liberty to award an honour on the English list instead of NZ list.
Rubbish. He doesn’t have to go to the Queen for that. New Zealand honours are based on the recomendation of the Honours Secretariat of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Queen signs off. Most PMs get them as a matter of course unless they are staunchly against that sort of thing.
Robbie Burns would have had something to say on all that…
“Ye see yon birkie, ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that;
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that:
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
His ribband, star, an’ a’ that:
The man o’ independent mind
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that.
A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that;
But an honest man’s abon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
Their dignities an’ a’ that;
The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that.
Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a’ that,)
That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
It’s coming yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that.”
Anyone any idea why Liz is requesting the company of John & Family at Balmoral.
According to media this is very very rare and apart from the British PM almost never happens.
The mind boggles as to what can be in store.
arise Sir Slippery
or maybe she is going to make him a baron, Robber Baron would be appropriate
or she wants some advice on investment??
Look at NZ alternatives – Croxley is a New Zealand Stationary Manufacturer – I don’t know if they make pens in NZ but it is worth exploring alternatives.
She would only be a “scapegoat” if the campaign had made that comment and she had been the one to wear the results
As it was, she made the comment personally and has justifiably been stood down as it was inappropriate for her to have made that comment in the larger context of being a part of DC’s campaign
But after actually having been made aware of the timeline of the incident in relation to the campaign and the role of Clare Curran in actively digging up irrelevant dirt to fling
*SIGH*
I applaud Cunliffe for making the tough (but correct, imo) decision to stand down Jenny to cut any ridiculous complaints off at the knees and I hope that she is soon returned to the front lines.
And I hope that if he becomes the leader of Labour that this example of his strictness with his own people is just a taste of how tough and controlled he could be if he is the one leading Labour in to 2014 and maintaining a laser like focus on the message and attacking John Key rather than this bullshit that Clare feels she needs to bring up to muddy the waters.
Unlike the alleged chemical weapon attacks in Syria, there is absolutely no doubt as to the perpetrators of these chemical weapon attacks in Vietnam. Any plans to bomb their country? Just to send them a clear message….
London surgeons carry out life-changing surgery on children of Vietnam victims
by KIRAN RANDHAWA, Evening Standard, 9 September 2013
Ten London doctors have carried out life-changing surgery on children born with horrific deformities caused by chemicals used in the Vietnam war. Surgeons travelled to the country’s port city of Da Nang, where they spent two weeks helping Vietnamese youngsters who are battling serious ailments caused by the herbicide Agent Orange. The chemical was sprayed by US soldiers during the war, which lasted from 1955 to 1975. According to the Vietnamese Red Cross, 150,000 cases of birth defects can be linked to its use.
One of the London doctors, Niall Kirkpatrick, said Vietnam would “struggle with this problem for a number of years”. The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital plastic surgeon said Da Nang, in central Vietnam, “has the highest incidence of congenital deformity in the world, thought to be due to Agent Orange in the Vietnam war. If we had the same amount of congenital deformity in the UK it would bankrupt the NHS. The dioxin is geno-toxic so that once it enters the population gene pool then it’s passed on through generations and it takes a long time before it stops.”
The team, from Chelsea and Westminster and Guy’s Hospital, travelled with the charity Facing the World. Their latest mission, which was in May, is documented in the BBC’s Inside Out show….
Of course not. And they have not paid one cent in reparations. President Carter was pressed on that matter once, and he loftily dismissed the notion, claiming that suffering occurred “on both sides”.
And that’s without mentioning the continuing use of Depleted Uranium as a tank-zapper/ mutation-inducer. But that’s in no way chemical or nuclear warfare apparently…
Tired of having to contain your radioactive toxic waste? Just salt it on the ground of your enemies and watch their children become disfigured for your expediency.
See my above about the Geneva Protocols to the Hague Convention.
The US gave themselves plenty of “cover” over the use of Agent Orange. The US signed in 1925 but didn’t ratify the Protocol until 1975 & it was disputed until 1968 as to whether “chemical herbicides” such as Agent Orange were even covered by the Protocol (US being the main opponent of including it – naturally).
If only the United States – particualrly Professor of Law Barack Obama – would alow itself to be held to account in the World Criminal Court, precisely within the Conventions it’s bleating on about relentlessly now.
Hopefully President Obama’s impending defeat by Congress will strengthen the hand of the UN in generating multilateral responses and shame those who continuously expect the World’s Great Policeman to restore universal moral order for the entire planet.
Yes, it would create some real credibility for what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour if the US and Britain would subject their war criminals to the World Criminal Court (is that it’s correct name?!). That this is not occurring makes any international guidelines a complete farce.
If all nations banned conventional and nuclear warfare in the same way as chemical warfare is banned then we will begin to get somewhere…
… you will never get the big boys in the playground to lead that though just as well they don’t need to lead
Yes – DU & White Phosporus would not be regarded as Chemical Weapons unless they are used specifically for their chemical/toxic effect. DU is principally used for its kinetic properties & White Phosporus for its smoke and incendiary effects (incendiaries are covered by the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons). Neither are classed as toxic. The Chemical Weapons Convention defines a “toxic chemical” as a chemical “which through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm to humans or animals” (CWC, II). An annex to the CWC lists chemicals that fall under this definition and WP & DU are not listed in the Schedules of chemical weapons or precursors.
I was trying to remember the name of white phosphorous! That might be the substance that is causing those deformities in Fallujah. Horrible that neither UD nor WPh are considered toxic, it seems to me that in Fallujah the killing won’t stop for many decades to come due to their usage.
You have a lot of knowledge of those guidelines/laws, cheers for sharing GregJ, very interesting (and revolting, yet that is not your fault!)
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 – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – 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 Government’s 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 – 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 – 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 government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t 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 “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – 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 “fast track” 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 – 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- 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 aren’t 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 “Since 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 ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
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 year’s 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, Labour’s 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 country’s 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 Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
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 Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s 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. ...
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 Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s 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 that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s 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 country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ 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 member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s 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. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
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. “Our 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 Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I 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 Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s 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. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s 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 Ngā 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. “Our 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 Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I 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. “Over 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. “It 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. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” 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. “Recently 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 Teachers’ 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. “The 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. “Science, 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 today’s 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. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō 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. “The 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. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s 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 Zealand’s 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. “Our 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. “New 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 Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s 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 Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Security forces reinforcements were sent from France ahead of two rival marches in the capital Nouméa today, at the same time and only two streets away one from the other. One march, called by Union Calédonienne party (a component of the ...
A poll last August found that just 16% of New Zealanders oppose bringing back the ‘Three Strikes’ law. The nationwide poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was commissioned by Family First NZ and carried out by Curia Market Research. ...
The solo show from Ana Scotney is both sprawling and intimate, and a must-see, writes Mad Chapman. In the opening moments of Scattergun: After the Death of Rūaumoko, writer and performer Ana Scotney lays out the groundwork, literally. Silently moving around the square stage, Scotney is not so much dancing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Burridge, Professor of Linguistics, Monash University Who makes the words? Why are trees called trees and why are shoes called shoes and who makes the names? – Elliot, age 5, Eltham, Victoria Good question Elliot! Let’s start with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne at amRawpixel.com/Shutterstock Roles of health professionals are still unfortunately often stuck in the past. That is, before the ...
COMMENTARY:By Malcolm Evans Last week’s leaked New York Times staff directive, as to what words can and cannot be used to describe the carnage Israel is raining on Palestinians, is proof positive, since those reports are published verbatim here in New Zealand, that our understanding of the conflict is ...
In the case of New Zealand, the results confirm that there is no popular support for the vicious austerity program being imposed by the National Party-led government, which is backed in all fundamental respects by the opposition Labour Party. ...
“In the Syria debate, President Obama’s toughest opponent is State Senator Barack Obama. In 2002, when he was an Illinois legislator, he made a speech against the Iraq War. Military action did not make sense, he said, because Saddam Hussein posed “no imminent and direct threat to the United States or to his neighbors,” and President Bush was acting “without a clear rationale and without strong international support.”
Not only does the speech supply opponents of a Syria attack with quotable lines, it also serves as a reminder that a vote for military action in Syria carries huge political risk while a vote against it can become a political asset.
This is why Mr. Obama cannot rely on political spin (and his campaign heavyweights) to make his case for strikes in Syria to Congress and the American people. Instead, he must make a strong strategic and moral argument that military action in Syria best serves America’s long-term interests and security.”
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2013/0909/Why-Obama-s-old-bag-of-tricks-won-t-persuade-Congress-Americans-on-Syria
Listening to RadioNZ, Russia is proposing that Syria’s chemical weapons stocks be handed over into the control of the ‘International community’, presumably the UN,
Syria seems to be in agreement with the Russian proposal…
If Assad was smart he’d start this process ASAP.
+1 it’s the first bit of coordinated diplomacy in this whole rotten business.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/09/us-russian-proposal-syria-chemical-weapons
Your move now, Assad.
That would be a little hard as Syria claimed that they do not have chemical weapons.
When? As far as I’m aware Syria’s position is that it’s CW stocks are under firm control. Pretty hard to calim that and also claim you don’t have any.
i have not seen anywhere that Syria denies it has chemical weapons, Syria’s foreign Minister was quoted on RadioNZ this morning as agreeing to the Russian plan to have all such weapons put under the control of the ‘International community’ to be destroyed,
Got anything linking to this denial???…
That’s very mischievious and false of you, Ron.
Well that was quicker than I thought. I have no evidence of the veracity of the article but it looks like it is a direct quote
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-176750/Syria-denies-chemical-weapons.html
Yeah, not sure a ten year old article is all that relevant, Ron.
Neither am I but that hardly contradicts my original statement.
Yeah, it kinda does.
You said it would be hard for Assad to start the process of moving their weapons under control of the international community, because they do not have any weapons.
But they do have weapons. Therefore it contradicts your statement saying they couldn’t do it because they don’t have any.
You left out one important word. ‘Chemical’ Of course Syria has weapons
ron is outright lying..
..in fact..syria bought the chemical weapons..from britain..
..so there ya go..eh..?
..phillip ure..
No they did not buy chemical weapons from Britain. I think people are getting confused in that what it purchased from UK was Sodium Flurosillicate (I think that is correct spelling) and yes it can be used to create Sarin Gas but that doesn’t prove they did, though I agree it is quite likely. I thought the Geneva Convention outlawed the use of Chemical weapons so why on earth would you make them?
I will try and find where I read that they denied the making of chemical weapons.
Not sure I follow this but it is a fun site to wade through
http://www.naturalnews.com/041883_Syria_chemical_weapons_sodium_fluoride.html
Sodium fluorosilicate is used in water fluoridation,opal glass raw material, ore refining and a bunch of other uncontroversial things
Actually you mean the Geneva Protocols (1925) of the Hague Convention (1899 & 1907). The protocol says nothing about the production, stockpiling, storage or transfer – Syria signed the Protocol in 1968 with a reservation with regard to diplomatic recognition of Israel.
The US also has a reservation to the protocol:
“The protocol shall cease to binding on the government of the United States with respect to the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and all analogous liquids, materials, or devices, in regard to any enemy State if such State or any of its allies fails to respect the prohibitions laid down in the Protocol”.
Jordon has a reservation that the Protocol is not binding with respect to Israel.
New Zealand used to have 2 Reservations which were withdrawn in 1989 (these were held in common with countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia & others – Ireland led the way withdrawing these reservations in 1971 & Australia in 1986) that the Protocol is Binding only with regards to states which have ratified or acceded to the protocol & ceases to be binding in regards to any state, and its allies, which does not observe the prohibitions of the protocol.
There is a generally held belief that the Protocol now also applies to internal (ie. Civil) Wars but that is challenged by some & probably would have to be challenged in the International Courts.
Syria has not signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) – neither has North Korea, Egypt, South Sudan, & Angola. Israel & Myanmar (Burma) have signed but not ratified. US & Russia (among others) still have stockpiles which were meant to be destroyed by April 2012, a deadline not met – US is 90% destroyed (intends to complete by 2023), Russia is 57% (pledges 100% by 2015-2016). Libya has started destruction and has destroyed 54.46% of its stockpile, Iraq has yet to start destruction. Japan and China have started in October 2010 the destruction of chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China.
13 countries declared Chemical Weapons production facilities when signing the Convention: Bosnia and Herzegovina; China; France; India; Iran; Iraq; Japan; Libya; Russia; Serbia; United Kingdom & United States. One other non-declared State has facilities (thought to be South Korea). All 70 facilities declared in the above are now deactivated (from mid 2012) & about 90% are now destroyed.
Excellent information, GregJ
replied to the ..hangman’s noose..before last sundown.
[citation needed]
But it didn’t work with Iraq. Saddam Hussein said he had no weapons of mass destruction and even let UN inspectors in.
The US state-sanctioned murderers still went in and killed tens of thousands.
How about we let Bashar al Assad do his own talking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=H_hhpGSZi84#t=14
True, we all must pretty much agree that this all looks like part of the US/Israeli/Saudi plan to smash all those States in the mid-East that are not 100% in the pocket of the American administration be that Tweedle-dee or Tweedle-dum,
All we can really do is to keep on saying NO…
bad12@ 1.1.2.2 – True.
US acts like it doesn’t care too much if things fester into declared war.
Relatively it’s Israel and Gaza. Of course there’s a plan. Which will be maintained subject to the vociferousness of US public opinion.
Already……”this does not depend on the UN.”
Backed up by Corporal ShonKey.
Has he got the balls or is the umbilical cord way too strong ?
So the Kurds at Halabja just all died out of spite?
contaminated WPC
Obviously not, but no one cared at the time because he was fighting the Iranians. He gave up his chemical weapons after the 1st gulf war. But you knew that didn’t you arsehole?
I suppose that’s why Saddam had to be more creative in eliminating the Marsh Arabs, you arsehole (prolapsed)
What’s that got to do with anything Pop?
Are you labouring under the impression I think saddam was a nice guy? Nope, he was a prick when he gassed the Kurds and the US hushed it up because he was being useful, and he was a prick when he crushed the uprisings the US encouraged.
None of which means he had CW when the US invaded in 03, which is all VTO was talking about.
Because when you disagree with anything Pop believes, you’re disagreeing with everything Pop believes. And you’re a homophobe.
No Felix, I don’t think you’re a homophobe, you’re just an arsehole.
And we shouldn’t forget the crazed Donald Rumsfeld as the envoy of the even more crazed Ronald Reagan going to Iraq.
Carrying a felicitous personal letter from The Chesterfield Man.
Craving Saddam’s warm welcome and good offices and Iraqi purchase of US helicopters and so on.
I really don’t care – I don’t tend to weep over the ends of sadistic tyrants, justified or not.
Strictly speaking PB that’s not true – Iraq under Saddam may have given up most of their Chemical Weapons but in 2009 the Iraqi Government joined the Chemical Weapons Convention and declared 2 bunkers worth of (mainly degraded) Chemical Munitions and about 5 Chemical Weapons Production Facilities – see here. The Bush propaganda was technically true if grossly misleading.
Meh. I’d say that this was deliberate and strategic posturing on Obama’s part, and impression seemingly supported by John Kerry’s comments. Basically the sabre rattling has given impetus to Syria to hand over their chemical weapons while hinting to Russia a diplomatic solution that will allow Putin to save face. That is some seriously good statecraft.
For the life of me I cannot fathom where I am supposed to be morally with respect to intervening in Syria.
FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION:
– Support the remaining moderates within Syria
– Support those whose families have been gassed
– Support the 1925 Geneva Protocol against the use of gas weapons
– May hasten the end of the civil war
AGAINST MILITARY INTERVENTION:
– Not supported by United Nations, or UN security Council
– Unlikely to affect regime change or install democracy in and of itself
– Teach the US the lesson is has never learned in 60 years that they are not the moral authority of the world
– May make the whole thing worse, as US intervention has in every Arab Spring country so far
Any suggestions?
Well, they are both avowedly secular republics ..
http://www.globalresearch.ca/wmd-double-standards-u-s-war-crimes-and-the-extensive-use-of-chemical-weapons-against-civilians/5348974?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wmd-do
I have not read this, but it seems very relevant to the question you pose.
https://store.globalresearch.ca/store/towards-a-world-war-iii-scenario-the-dangers-of-nuclear-war/
US Intelligence on Syria is being ‘politicised’ just as it was before Iraq.
http://consortiumnews.com/2013/09/03/should-we-fall-again-for-trust-me/
a helpful site, thanx
ad..you possibly left out as a negative outcome..as with libya/iraq..the christian minorities in syria facing persecution..and worse..
..should the american-supported fundamentalists succeed in americas’ aim..of yet another regime-change/country to loot..
..phillip ure..
And as a practising Catholic I took the Pope’s letter and call to fasting seriously. Just didn’t think it was appropriate for Sandardistas.
Ad,
Some thoughts for your moral dilemma:
When you hear Obama saying to the American people ‘we won’t put men on the ground’ This is being said to tell them that he is trying to ensure there will be minimal American deaths. Doing this, however, means that they will be bombing Syria from the air. This maximises deaths of ordinary citizens in Syria. i.e. not only will there be people dying from gas, America is going to extend the deaths and horror. Bombing also destroys infrastructure and the culture.
If America uses uranium depleted weapons, as they have done in Iraq then this will cause the deaths to continue for many decades and disability for more than that as it is doing in Fallujah. (Has America ‘gone after’ the people who conducted this atrocity; themselves?)
Do you KNOW who used the gas or are you only taking American Power Brokers’ words for it? Please recall the Weapons of Mass Destruction that Iraq didn’t have and how this was lied about prior to the Iraq war.
On that [false] basis America went into the Iraq war against UN conventions.
Do you KNOW who the rebels are and what this war is about?
Hint: read around I wouldn’t take the mainstream media’s word for it. (Recall what the mainstream media were saying about WMD prior to the Iraq war; were they showing both sides of the story or just passing on American power-brokers’ propaganda?)
Isn’t there something in the bible about lying and killing being a sin?
Would you support a cause that you knew the people conducting it had already been proven to lie about things in order to wreck another entire country, people and culture?
and of course..when assessing the veracity of americas’ high moral ground standing here..
..this video-report from bbc must be taken into account..eh..?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36183.htm
“..London Surgeons Help ‘Children of Agent Orange’
The Vietnam War ended nearly 40 years ago, but the casualties continue as birth defects plague the country.
There are claims that thousands of children continue to be born with horrific facial deformities due to the 20 million gallons of Agent Orange chemical sprayed by the United States.
The Vietnamese call the disfigured youngsters ‘the children of Agent Orange’.
Da Nang in central Vietnam is thought to have the highest level of congenital deformity in the world..”
the hypocrisy around this one is face-melting…
phillip ure..
++1 Phillip Ure
‘face-melting’ is a good word for it.
It is dreadful and hard to stand the double standards being displayed.
Even worse to bear is the thought of them going in and bombing yet another country 🙁
This is just truly horrific.
Yeah phillip ure………in Ho Chi Minh City particularly one just couldn’t be unconscious of crippled people. Then I realised that legs and arms connected at all sorts of unnatural angles weren’t down to accident or disease. Truly I wept.
Already happening Philip – attack on Maaloula follows similar attacks & kidnappings of clerics in Churches in Aleppo. Also add increased attacks on the Coptic Church in Egypt to Iraq, Libya & Syria.
“Men are apparently expected to wear black tie for dinner, and women’s attire must not be too revealing, the paper says. Stephie Key, 20, will have to wear more than the strategically placed food she draped over herself for a recent series of self-portraits at Paris Design Week.
Valets are on hand to help get the small touches right. The only time casual attire is acceptable is at barbecues, which are reportedly held every Saturday over summer.”
.. thanks for the hint. Much needed in the Antipodes. Carrying a tinnie and wearing thongs would not do. Expect an outbreak of royalist enthusiasm during the coming elections. Will Dame Edna Everage be in attendance ?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/9145281/Key-excited-by-invitation-for-a-family-visit-to-Queen
How does ‘Sir John Key’ sound ?
Slurring, arrogant, a bit squeaky.
Simpering, with a definite slide toward a ‘lithp’ when under pressure…
Something that you can sell to important people in the US when PM is no longer available.
Pretty sure Key intends to keep using the title “PM” in the U.S. after he leaves office, the way U.S. Presidents do.
His Lordship Prime Minister Sir John Key, the Turd.
Governor-General Sir John Key.
There, I’ve spoken the unspeakable.
I believe he may be trying to work a Spanish angle as well – Don Keyote of Hawaii 😈
It sounds awful… and should it ever come to pass, I will refuse to recognise the title.
“Carrying a tinnie and wearing thongs………” Hilarious !
Wouldn’t it be a hoot if the sham, inelegant, callow prick ends up confusing his many tikanga and spots the Majesty a kiss on the cheek ?
“Tena koe Whaea”.
No wonder Mr Slippery is darned confident of a good relationship wuth Tony Abbott … look at this nugget .. common denominator TEXTOR !!!!!!!! (How much power does he have and for whom does he really execute it ?)
“In the hours before arriving on stage, Abbott had closeted himself in a suite on the 34th floor of the hotel with the Liberal’s federal director Brian Loughnane, the pollster and strategist Mark Textor, Abbott’s chief of staff and the wife of Loughnane, Peta Credlin, and, for a period, the party’s former leader and prime minister of almost 12 years, John Howard as they counted in the vote.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/9144285/Kevin-Rudd-a-grandiose-narcissist
And when I got through that factoid, the reveal about their tactics is redolent of events here. Here be dragonz …
The Lib’s campaign like shonkeys in 08 was all slogans and staged events with little or no serious debate, a CT trademark.
Numbers were released 2 days before the vote with as many holes as one of Blinglish’s efforts and the MSM is by and large in behind anyway so only the Crikeys’ etc really dissected it with gusto.
It was all academic really, the Rudd/Gillard show had turned the swingers in the Lib’s favour and Rudd finished it off with a ego-centric campaign.
Key can’t wait to get over there and give TA some pointers he doesn’t need as the script is already finalised coutesy of the minerals council, Rupert, Telstra, Private school lobby groups, a few neo-lib think tanks etc.
The senate is very screwed up (more so than ever now) and is yet another reform area ignored by all so the Lib’s have their work cut out getting any laws passed.
I predict after the initial burst of born again energy fades TA goes back to type and starts bullying and shouting (just like the old uni days) and Turnbull and co start positioning themselves to take the crown.
Same dog different leg action.
+1
Textor is a pussycat compared to Labor’s McTiernan (ex Tony Blair). He devised the whole combative campaign for Gillard, Male against Female, Workers against employers etc. look where that got them.
Brownlee and co certainly know how to piss off pretty much every sector in Christchurch http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/9144599/Owners-riled-by-frame-plan
oh, except for those in his electorate….. funny that.
yeshe – Textor advises conservative parties (the nats and the libs) on both sides of the Tasman, as well as the UK. I you ask them nicely, they will probably admit it.
What’s McTiernan (ex Blair, ex Gillard etc.) doing now?
MSM says geo-engineering could cool the planet and a rich guy or corporation could try it with no regulation over the oceans. Seems to me somebody already is!
But conspiring? Our governments owned by corporations? No Sir, Never!
Chris Trotter in the Press this morning says basically exactly that about Tony Abbot’s lot and Rupert Murdoch, who owns two-thirds of Australia’s media. i.e. corruption and conspiracy.
Rupert Murdoch in bed with Tony Abbott.
Who owns the main media in NZ?
” Rupert Murdoch ✔ @rupertmurdoch
Aust election public sick of public sector workers and phony welfare scroungers sucking life out of economy.Others nations to follow in time”
“On Friday, Abbott said of Murdoch, who became a US citizen in 1985: “I’ve got a lot of time for Rupert Murdoch because whether you like his papers or don’t like his papers he’s one of the most influential Australians of all time.”
“Aussies should support our hometown heroes, that’s what I think in his own way Rupert Murdoch is.””
You mean Abbott who has the same PR advisers as John Key? Here is what Mark Textor has to say about his protege the new Prime minister of Australia Abbott’s victory was a historic victory; but his triumph over voter cynicism was his great personal victory.
And the same PR advisors as Cameron and Osborne.
He loved Australia so much that Murdoch laid down his citizenship and left Oz in pieces to belong to the USA, his real home if not his natural one as well.
Well not Murdoch that is for sure he sold his papers to Fairfax yonks ago
Is this ‘wrong about everything day’ or something? Did I miss a memo?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_ownership_in_Australia
-“A preachment dear friends, you are about to receive on John Barleycorn, nicotine and the temptations of Eve”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g8OOoAY3X8
(no parking by the sewer sign).
Not if you are referring to my comment. I was referring to a comment from vto where they asked “Who owns the papers in NZ” It may have been a rhetorical question but if not I was just pointing out that Fairfax purchased all the Murdoch newspaper assets in NZ of course APN also own papers here but not Murdoch
Have you ever visited the planet Earth?
Firmly grounded mate. You should try it sometime!
Yes, but chemtrails aren’t real. They’re just perfectly normal contrails created by wing tip vortices and jet fumes. Please learn some science 🙂
😆 Don’t worry P, That aluminium, barium and strontium they are dumping in the atmosphere is perfectly normal.
For those of you curious to learn about the difference between vapor trails and the chemical trails here are some links to video’s you might want to watch:
What in the world are they spraying
And Why in the world are they spraying
on what world are they spraying?
1 in 2 Americans Have Doubts About Government Account of 9/11
“On the 12th anniversary of 9/11, a new national survey by the polling firm YouGov reveals that one in two Americans have doubts about the government’s account of 9/11, and after viewing video footage of World Trade Center Building 7’s collapse, 46% suspect that it was caused by a controlled demolition. Building 7, a 47-story skyscraper, collapsed into its own footprint late in the afternoon on 9/11.
The poll was sponsored by ReThink911, a global public awareness campaign launched on September 1. The campaign includes a 54-foot billboard in Times Square and a variety of transit and outdoor advertising in 11 other cities, all posing the question, “Did you know a third tower fell on 9/11?”
http://rethink911.org/news/new-poll-finds-most-americans-open-to-alternative-911-theories/
Sounds like crap to me. But for the record 46% of Americans believe in Creationism, 8 in ten Americans believe in angels, and nearly 100% of American pre-adolescents believed in Santa Claus. So big whoopity shit.
If 9/11 was an inside job, it would join a long list of false-flag operations that tipped the US into unnecessary war. Nobody seems to remember how and why Vietnam started either… That was over a load of junk too (so to speak).
Pearl Harbour: not a war, just a limited airstrike with no boots on the ground!
Obama explicitly ruled out an open-ended engagement. Pearl Harbour was definitely not that.
And with people like the ones you describe Pops…….any fuck’n’ thing is possible.
They’ll buy any shit when that hand creeps up over the heart. Doesn’t even matter if they’re completely wrong as to conspiracy.
Point is the US is a cauldron of craziness with the “American Dream” pretty much rotted…….then packeted up and dumped on the immeasurably weaker, poorer parts of the world, in bully fashion.
Thing is you seem to love that cauldron as something v fine.
Yeah, I don’t understand where you get that nonsense from me not automatically and simplistically frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog whenever someone mentions the US.
Two journalists have arrived on Christmas Island after travelling by sea on an asylum seeker boat.
It is understood American reporter Luke Mogelson and Dutch photojournalist Joel van Houdt were at sea for three days, and are badly sunburnt.
The Immigration Department has confirmed they arrived with valid travel documents and visas.
The journalist and photographer have spoken with federal police and once they had been processed they were free to go.
Someone on the asylum seeker boat called for help on Sunday morning, asking for food and water.
HMAS Armidale found the boat roughly two-and-a-half hours later, gave those on board food and water and escorted them to Christmas Island.
Customs officials say there were 57 passengers and two crew on board.
Van Houdt’s girlfriend, Amie Ferris-Rotman, says the two journalists are based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and were on assignment for The New York Times magazine.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-09/two-journalists-among-those-discovered-on-an-asylum-seeker-boat/4946110
Yes, but were they heading for Aotearoa/NZ ?
Did they intend to go via PNG, or Tasmania ?
We may have to set up a Coast Watch program ..
Six months in the Solomons with rations, binoculars and a radio? Count me in.
Amazing how attractive that job sounds when it doesn’t involve being almost completely alone while surrounded by enemy forces.
who are Imperial fanatics.
yeah, but that was everyone at the time, except the Solomon locals.
at that time?
fmr Axis powers aren’t quite so keen on it these days
The police are seeking to speak with John Banks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9145958/Cabbage-truck-crash-closes-road
Heh Heh.
Very droll! Good to see you back, Jenny.
Apparently the driver was distracted by two men carrying a large sheet of glass, and crashed into a pile of caged chickens.
Australian stance on refugees explained…
“Born in Marghuz, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Fawad began playing cricket for Swabi District in local competitions.[1] Playing as a right-arm leg spinner, he made his first-class debut for Abbottabad in 2005, playing two matches before being dropped from the side.[2] Fawad resumed playing first-class cricket in 2009, playing for Pakistan Customs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, and later that year also played three further matches for Abbottabad. His best bowling figures, 6/109, were taken for Pakistan Customs against the Karachi Whites, in January 2009.[3]
Fawad left Pakistan in 2010, emigrating to Australia on a short-stay visa sponsored by the Yoogali Cricket Association.[4] Soon after arrival, he applied for refugee status, claiming he was persecuted by religious extremists for playing and coaching cricket.[5] His hometown is in northwest Pakistan, a region that borders Afghanistan and is affected by the current War in North-West Pakistan.[6][7][8] Choosing to live in Melbourne, Victoria, Fawad took up playing with Hoppers Crossing in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, and soon progressed to playing for Melbourne University in Victorian Premier Cricket.[9] Fawad Ahmed also participated in Melbourne’s largest ‘open’ T20 event run by Infinity Cricket in 2011 & 2012 representing the Western Warriors who were winners. He was named the Best Bowler of the 2012 Infinity T20 Cricket Tournament.
Despite having his initial application declined, he was granted permanent residency in November 2012.[10] Later that month, Fawad signed with the Melbourne Renegades, having been granted a special exemption to play in the Big Bash League.
He made his debut in the Big Bash League in January 2013, taking 0/34 on debut, and was subsequently selected in the Prime Minister’s XI to play against the West Indies.[12][13]
In five one-day matches for Victoria in the Ryobi One Day Cup in 2012-13 he took 10 wickets at 18.00. He also played in Victoria’s last three matches in the Sheffield Shield, taking 16 wickets at 28.37, including 2 for 79 and 5 for 83 against Queensland.
On July 2, 2013 Ahmed was granted Australian citizenship, clearing him to play for the full Australian national cricket team.”
I bet the interment camps are full of kids using table legs to play cricket now…
The connection is clear; Fawad comes from Abbottabad, the home until recently of WG Grace impersonator Osama Bin Laden. Abbott is the new Aussie PM and the Aussie cricketers play real Bad. Need I say more?
If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear
“Bank seizes teacher’s cash under terror act”
here’s another example of someone who had nothing to hide having something to fear.
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/mistaken_identity_ticket_costs_brent_driver_600_1_926243
Every innocent person charged with a crime had something to fear…
It’s a vacuous/meaningless phrase intended to shut down argument like people who respond in an argument with ” oh that’s just stupid PC nonsense”. It’s not actually an argument
“When databases work from 100% accurate information; when that information is used in accordance with the original consent purpose; when processes work correctly; when outcomes are as expected for every subject in the database; then, arguably, individuals have nothing to fear. Unfortunately, this is a Utopian state that is never achieved in a real world system. We see numerous examples of this problem:
Take the extreme example of Khalid El-Masri. This German national was kidnapped, flown to Afghanistan, tortured and then eventually released when it was realised that his was a case of mistaken identity, and he was not in fact an alleged terrorist with a similar name.
In 2007, junior doctors found their personal information – including sexual orientation – published on the Internet in a web security breach. How many of those individuals were ‘outed’ as a result of that breach? Those who had kept their orientation secret from their families or colleagues were perfectly at rights to do so, but found it released anyway.
In 2006 a student was wrongfully arrested for stealing mail when a batch of letters were recovered. His fingerprints – which had been taken a year previously when he was accused of criminal damage but released without charge after the real culprit confessed – matched those on some of the letters. After his arrest it was discovered that the letters bearing his fingerprints were posted by him. He was released, and then had to campaign to have his DNA data removed from the National DNA Database.
Time and again individuals have been fired from jobs, or failed to get jobs, because of errors in the Criminal Records Bureau database. They have been stigmatised as criminals, even to the extent of being falsely branded as sex offenders, because of database failings.”
http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/the-data-trust-blog/2009/02/debunking-a-myth-if-you-have-n.html
My bold.
So, if you decide to change your life you’re going to get treated as a terrorist. Actually, why are they looking that closely at your life anyway?
Pearl Harbour was ‘just a limited air strike with no boots on the ground’.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/09/pearl-harbor-was-also-just-a-limited-air-strike-with-no-boots-on-the-ground.html
So was 9/11, for that matter.
No, that was a hijacking of four planes (One of which went up in thin air upon impact with the ground) by 19 evil Arabs with box cutters belonging to the ruthless al Qaeda terrorist network able to avoid scrambled jets for 1.5 hours and the power to break the laws of physics and gravity.
And while they were predominantly pork eating, booze swilling, coke addled, whore fucking fundamental Muslims from Saudi Arabia we bombed Afghanistan back to the stone age because their mad kidney failure suffering leader (also a Saudi National) apparently hid in a cave there and we wanted to free the women of Afghanistan form having to wear the Hijab and we didn’t like the Taliban either.
We never found their leader until a year or two ago or so and we killed him and chucked him in the sea cause that is what Muslims do apparently and we wanted to be respectful of their faith.
We bombed Iraq because their leader had nothing to do with 9/11 but he gassed his own people with the help of the CIA and killed about a million of Iraqis cause we wanted to liberate them too and while we were at it we liberated Libya at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dead people but that was not a bombing exercise, that was a kinetic military exercise and I think that is where we started to use a limited airstrike which by the way wasn’t limited at all.
And now we want to bomb the Syrians because they are bombing each other while al Qaeda mercenaries kill entire villages and make video’s of killing rabbits with poison gas while threatening to do this with Syrians who do not support their rabbitly fundamentalist Wahhabi Islam and Obama is trying to sell the West that we have to fight on the side of these maniacs while all this mayhem started in order to kill them.
Sounds mad? Well, you’re buying it. Not me!
9/11 in five minutes. Hilarious!
Do you realise that wild conspiracy theories are put about by world government to make idiots feel powerless and resigned, while at the same time destracting them from the fact the world is just chaotic, badly managed and generally quite boringly mundane?
So they can do that but not actually conspire? WTF? 😆
Obviously my sarcasm was a bit too subtle.
You’re wasting your time, Pop! 11 years, 363 days and still not a scrap of evidence, but that ain’t going to stop Ev. Gravy for the mind!
Building 7…that is all the evidence you need.
… that a building collapsed.
….by itself
…at free-fall speeds
It was hit by big lumps of the neighbouring falling tower, beGone. Not that confusing, is it?
@ TRP,
Since when has being hit with ‘big lumps’ of anything caused an entire building to collapse completely and neatly in its own footprint? There is footage of the building and it is pretty clear that it is intact just prior to collapsing (i.e. not chunks missing from it due to these ‘big lumps’ of building falling on it).
lol
yeah, waste of time.
“Free fall speed” my arse.
Bits of the neighbouring building fell on it. There are photos showing enormous holes in the side facing the Twin towers, where debris struck. It took hours to fall and was a worry to the emergency services the whole time. Falling down is a pretty likely outcome of having any even bigger building fall on you. No mystery. No evidence to the contrary.
@ TRP,
Interesting,
So the video of the building falling is sped up?
Is that what you are saying?
Along with the spontaneous-collapsing-building syndrome America appeared to develop that day, I have to say I have real trouble explaining away the size of that hole created in the Pentagon.
Haven’t heard any decent explanations as to how it could be so small relative to the size of the plane?
Planes have retractable wings now… perhaps?
Um, coz it didn’t hit the ground, but actually hit the building at approximately ground level. While flying parallel with the ground (think skipping stone). If you have a look at the wreckage of the plane that did directly hit the ground in Pennsylvania or other similar crashes, there aren’t craters like bombs make because of the forward movement of the debris.
Science, eh? Pissing off the ignorant since Galileo’s time.
Nah, is a genuine question, have never understood how that hole could be the size it is.
I understood the plane hit the building and that is the problem; there is no damage to the building where the wings should have been, nor was wing wreckage evident in front of the building in the pictures we saw. What explains that?
I imagine that it didn’t hit the building in a uniform manner leaving a recogniseable hole, BeGone (ie not like the imprint the Roadrunner leaves on the canyon floor after his rollerskate rocket runs out of fuel.). It’s just as likely to have gone in skewed sideways as it is that it hit fully frontal. No way of knowing, really, but to be fair, it was being flown by a suicidal amateur who wasn’t particularly worried about botching the landing.
Er, Coyote, of course. Beep Beep!
And really, TRP, it is simply stupid to be smug about ‘science being on your side’ in the way that you did there, it brings to mind people believing that ‘God is on their side’ when committing atrocities.
It seems particularly stupid in this case for me because the room for doubt was initially created by those with scientific training explaining in no uncertain terms that it is impossible for a building to collapse quickly in the way that all those buildings did on that day because this indicates that the lower floors are creating no resistance; this is impossible, that led me to have doubts regarding the events of Sept 11.
I have put these doubts on the back burner and have not drawn conclusions, however it really is quite painful to continually discover the more one reads historical events the more one finds America has behaved in highly dubious ways on many occasions, there also seem to be increasing numbers of people who were in respectable jobs at the time asking questions as to the veracity of the official story and claiming dubious procedures regarding the investigation afterwards.
Taking these factors, alone, into account one would have to be very obtuse to dismiss out of hand whether what we were told was the full story.
Normally, I wouldn’t use Cracked as a reference. But in this case it’s a thousand times more reliable that the “free fall” crowd.
@ TRP,
You really aren’t making as much sense as you probably think you are. Coyote? Beep Beep?
Strange
And this:
“It’s just as likely to have gone in skewed sideways as it is that it hit fully frontal. “
That should have made the hole larger and is not satisfying the question that I asked at all…far from it!
Thanks for attempting to explain it to me though.
Whoa, there! There are light-years between “not being told the full story” and “it was all a conspiracy by the government to fabricate an attack by using missiles, drones, nano-thermite and actors so they could blame Saudis in order to justify invading Iraq”.
@ McFlock,
Thanks for the link, unfortunately its not loading very well because I am on dial-up (too many pictures on the page by the looks of it)
I also don’t usually bother getting into these conversations because I realise what it does for one’s credibility, however, yes I am increasingly having doubts.
“Whoa, there! There are light-years between “not being told the full story” and “it was all a conspiracy by the government to fabricate an attack by using missiles, drones, nano-thermite and actors so they could blame Saudis in order to justify invading Iraq”.
I never said any of the second part you cite here, I have scrolled up and can’t find who did, however it does pay not to make assumptions re where someone is coming from.
I am somewhat averse to conspiracy theories, certainly don’t like it when people assume them to be true, (I like the way they encourage people to question though), however I am finding I am questioning more and more about what we are being told. It doesn’t seem very wise to assume this to be true either anymore. This is the trouble with crying ‘wolf’ too many times.
It would be good to be able to have a discussion of the events of 9/11 without the judgmental ‘tone’ that often comes about, however from observation this is what occurs when an issue gets polarized.
“And really, TRP, it is simply stupid to be smug about ‘science being on your side’ in the way that you did there, it brings to mind people believing that ‘God is on their side’ when committing atrocities.”
Well, beGone, given that you’re in the middle of committing an intellectual atrocity, I think its only fair to point out that belief in God, without evidence, has more in common with the equally evidence free belief in the other wacko 9/11 conspiracies.
You reckon the hole is too small for a plane and that building 7 collapsed “at freefall speeds” “in its own footprint”. Now you shy away from the requirements that if those two assessments are correct, then something smaller than a plane made the pentagon hole and that the lower floors must already have been destroyed for the upper floors to go at “freefall speed”. Then you have to figure out what was used to destroy those floors at the correct timing sequence, how it was installed by experts over months with nobody noticing, and so on.
By the way, part of the load time for the cracked article would be all the pictures of aircraft debris around the pentagon.
TRP,
Oh dear, you really are a moron aren’t you; asking questions surrounding an event is not the same as ‘believing in a wacko conspiracy theory’ nor is it an intellectual atrocity. In fact not asking questions is an intellectual atrocity. You never learn anything if you don’t ask.
For that reason I conclude only very ‘intellectually challenged’ people would condemn someone for asking questions.
McFlock,
You are tending to make assumptions and expecting that I am doing the same. I am questioning the aspects of arguments that conspiracy theory programmes present that I can’t honestly say I can explain away to myself.
If someone could explain these aspects away it would remove some nagging doubt in my mind.
I don’t have to go into how they could collapse at ‘free-fall speeds’ in their own footprint if someone can explain how this could occur…naturally. The ‘free-fall’ comment was one which was explained to me by someone who has a very solid grasp on physics and maths and is why I mention it, because perhaps there is a counter theory that can discount the seeming impossibility of that occurring, which as it was explained to me sounded horribly plausible (that buildings simply can’t collapse that fast without being undermined from below).
I am very aware that any program can present facts that make the argument seem watertight even when the argument isn’t. I have occasionally looked at webpages for and against 9/11 being an inside job, however it is a subject that has got polarized therefore it appears the information of each site is exaggerated either for or against the view that it is an inside job and thus, I don’t find such sites very helpful.
I will have to try and wait and see if the page that you linked to will load I am very interested to see the wreckage. I have only seen photos where there are very few pieces of the plane left. Thanks!
Moron? You’re the one with the comprehension difficulties and I thought I was playing nice by answering your questions. Sad you had to resort to abuse, but you’re not the first 9/11 frother to go that way when the facts are pointed out. Enjoy the anniversary; 12 years, no evidence.
@ TRP
Sadly, you haven’t answered anything as it turns out
“Science, eh? Pissing off the ignorant since Galileo’s time”
“ie not like the imprint the Roadrunner leaves on the canyon floor after his rollerskate rocket runs out of fuel.”
“Intellectual atrocity”.
Its more impressive to be able to take a bit of what you dish out, TRP
The assumption you make is that “the aspects of arguments that conspiracy theory programmes present” are presented in good faith and honesty by people who are sane and know what they are talking about. Not often seen on tv these days.
Heck, try wikipedia.
@ McFlock,
Nope, as I have already stated:
I am very aware that any program can present facts that make the argument seem watertight even when the argument isn’t.
What I was doing was seeking for some resolution to doubts I have had.
I found a more detailed answer here
It is well and good for TRP to state ‘there is no evidence’ however it is not very impressive that a reasonable discussion can’t be conducted on the subject. A link such as the one I have provided would have been more beneficial to achieve that end.
Otherwise those debunking the debunkers simply end up following the same technique of trusting blindly in the information provided and basing their arguments on hollow understanding. One must look at both sides of the story and find reasonable explanation for doubts, sarky adhominem attacks don’t suffice for a reasonable discussion of the facts.
Funnily enough I hold very similar views to Populuxe’s comment above:
“Do you realise that wild conspiracy theories are put about by world government to make idiots feel powerless and resigned, while at the same time destracting them from the fact the world is just chaotic, badly managed and generally quite boringly mundane?”
I think that the conspiracy dvd’s that cultivate the most fearful messages are created from highly dubious motives and seeing as they lead to a sense of powerlessness have concluded they serve the purposes of those already in power while presenting as though they are railing against them.
A reasonable discussion requires two competent participants acting in good faith.
People regurgitating lines like “free-fall speed”, “false flag” and so on are usually missing at least one of those criteria.
A reasonable explanation for many of the “doubts” raised by so-called “truthers” is that they are kooks. Looking at “both sides of the story” implies that each side is equally valid from the outset.
Oh, some of them are looking for explanations for their personal loss, some of them are in it for the money because fear sells, and some of them are just idiots who think the conspiracy theories are true because they are consistent with their personal paranoia about “world government” etc. Some of them might not even be known kooks apart from this one issue. But it’s still all bullshit that quickly descends into massive suppositions and a theoretical house of cards, just to support a supposedly valid “point of view” that differs from the massive amounts of evidence that a handful of hijackers flew some planes into some buildings.
…and in case you are interested, just found another site with an explanation on the size of the Pentagon impact
(You have to scroll down to Pentagon info)
“Why wasn’t the hole as wide as a 757′s 124-ft.-10-in. wingspan? A crashing jet doesn’t punch a cartoon-like outline of itself into a reinforced concrete building, says ASCE team member Mete Sozen, a professor of structural engineering at Purdue University. In this case, one wing hit the ground; the other was sheared off by the force of the impact with the Pentagon’s load-bearing columns, explains Sozen, who specializes in the behavior of concrete buildings. What was left of the plane flowed into the structure in a state closer to a liquid than a solid mass. “If you expected the entire wing to cut into the building,” Sozen tells PM, “it didn’t happen.”
The tidy hole in Ring C was 12 ft. wide–not 16 ft. ASCE concludes it was made by the jet’s landing gear, not by the fuselage.
“
Not a scrap of evidence for what?
There is MOUNTAINS of evidence for most of what he just said. Were you referring to everything he said, or just Afghanistan, or Iraq, or Libya, or Syria, or 9/11?
I was referring to the 9/11 truth deniers, Crunchtime. The various other saddo conspiracies are equally funny, of course.
However Obama also said it wouldn’t be an open-ended engagement, which the other two certainly were.
Which other two do you mean, Pop?
“Mission Accomplished”
I was assuming Pop wouldn’t be so stupid as to suggest that the invasion of Iraq was overtly intended to be open-ended…
Does raising the minimum wage cause unemployment to rise, another ‘brick in the wall’ which strongly suggests that it don’t,
”In Florida where voters approved an increase,(to the minimum wage),in 2004, a followup comprehensive study confirms a strong economy with INCREASED EMPLOYMENT above previous years in Florida and better than in the US as a whole”,
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/minimum_wage
As this is also relevant to the above i will post this again to aid in building the whole picture which has obviously been, (deliberately?),distorted over time by economists with a right wing bias along with ‘publication bias’ which i will address below,
”In Nevada USA where the minimum is $7.25 an hour the jobless rate is 10.2%”,
”In Vermont USA where the minimum is $8.60 an hour the jobless rate is 5.1%
http://www.newyorker.com/…/the-case-for-a-higher-minimum-wage.htm
Publication bias, where the media, controlled by the right, simply does not publish data and studies which do not support the views of the right appears to be rife when it comes to economics,
”Several researchers have conducted statistical meta-analysis of the employment effects of the minimum wage”,
”In 1995 Card and Kruegar analyzed 14 earlier time series studies on minimum wages and concluded that there was clear evidence of publication bias,(in favor of studies that found a statistically negative employment effect)”,
”Though a serious methodological indictment, opponents of the minimum wage largely ignored this issue”,
”As Thomas.C. Leonard noted,”the silence is fairly deafening”,
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/minimum_wage
I think you are in danger of your own publication bias. As Michael Saltsman points out about 85% of reputable epirical wiork in the last 20 years on the effect of minimum wage increases show a negatuve employment effect.
Card and Kruegar should be trated with suspicion. Their seminal 1992 study on the employment effects of MW increases was shown to be totally flawed. They got the data wrong – the correct data showed an unequivacal employment loss. I have attached the coverage of this by Saltsman.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130902_Full_story_on_minimum-wage_report.html
Yes i too often rely on ‘epirical wiork’ to make a point, are you drunk again SSlands,
i asked you this yesterday SSLands at which point you did a runner, explain this for me won’t you,
”In Nevada USA where the minimum is $7.25 an hour the jobless rate is 10.2%”,
”in Vermont USA where the minimum is $8.60 an hour the unemployment rate is 5.1%”
According to you this cannot be so, but it IS, not a result of some ‘epirical wiork’, but the real world fact,
Your explanation please oh economic genius…
Empirical work is the real world you dickhead
Yes you are right. The strongly performing Vermont economy and low unemployment rate is CAUSED by its minimum wage rate being $1.35 higher than the MW rate for the state of Nevada. It couldn’t be anything else.
Dealing with you is waste of time.
Haha, srylands, you’re a tard.
Your argument is that a higher minimum wage is incompatible with a strong economy and bad12
showed you a counter example which completely destroys your position.
Actually it can be if you don’t have public health care and the employer is obliged to provide health insurance
My laughter,(at you SSlands), becomes louder by the comment, you claim to be ‘an economist’ opposing raising the minimum wage, when called upon to explain real world facts as opposed to your childish economics 101 you resort to the pathetic,
Where have i suggested any such cause and effect??? i simply point out the obvious, i cannot be responsible for what from here seems like a serious intellectual disability on your part, i simply ask you as the economist you claim to be for an explanation,
The fact that you cannot give that explanation simply points to the fact that you havn’t got a f**king clue,
While you consider your reply also consider this in conjunction with the real world FACTS about Nevada and Vermont,
”In Florida where voters approved an increase,(to the minimum wage),in 2004, a follow-up comprehensive study confirms a strong economy with increased employment above previous years in Florida and better than the US as a whole”,
According to you SSLands jobs by the thousands should have been destroyed by Florida raising the minimum wage,
Obviously jobs by the thousands were not destroyed and actual FACT says employment increased…
I’ve never understood the reasoning behind the claims that business owners will employ more people because wages are lower? Businesses employ the least amount of people they can to get the job done, no more and no less.
On the other hand, more people are employed when there is more demand for goods and services. Creating that demand is a case of people having enough finances to purchase the things they require. Invariably, increasing wages therefore increases employment by increasing demand for goods and services.
A business owner doesn’t one day look at his accounts and say, “I’ve got all this money, why don’t I just employ some more people” if there is no increased demand for what they are producing. Instead they keep that money as profit while trying to get their employees to work harder for peanuts.
The reasoning behind the claim that higher wages will cause job losses is highly flawed. There is simply not enough available information from every single private business in New Zealand to show whether they will be able to afford the same amount of employees with increased wages or not. The increased demand for their goods and services and subsequent increased profit is obviously not being factored into the governments calculations.
Besides, the companies that do provide information about their finances are continuing to post huge profits, much of which simply goes overseas. Considering the available information, there is no evidence that increased wages will cause any job losses at all. It is a myth predicated by those who have a vested interest in keeping wages low.
nods head.scratches ear.
Thoughtful summary there, Jackal.
I had a similar conversation with a owner of a bar last week… he was stating that if he couldn’t pay the minimum wage, he wouldn’t be able to trade. I put it to him that when everyone is doing that you run the risk of customers not having enough disposable to purchase your goods and services.
The fact is, you’ve got to keep the money going round, otherwise it’s like a game of Monopoly. If you want the game to keep going, you forgive people their debts from time to time to keep the money flowing. If you don’t… you run them into the ground until game over!
open the Community Chest and by a Chance card bail out the Bank.
Perfect Jackal.
do you hire minimum wage employees..?..srylands..?
..or do you have shares in corporations that rely on those govt wage-subsidies for their workers..
..as a key part of their business-model..?
..in short..do you have any personal pecuniary-interest..
..in keeping the minimum-wage level at slave-rates..?
..because..if you have a brain..
..you will know that the fastest/best way to stimulate an economy..
..is to pay those who have least..more..
..for the simple-economic reasons that about 100% of that money will instantly churn back into the economy/retailers’ tills..
..you do know that/have grasped that simple econnomics-101-fact..eh..?
..so..?
..phillip ure
ha ha, you’re defeating yourself again.
You are very happy for people to be treated as a tradeable commodity, like plastic buckets produced by a factory somewhere it doesn’t matter. Capital is the most important thing in the whole entire world, labour is subservient and must take a position secondary to the needs and lusts of capital.
Tell me srylands, if you had to choose a world with no capital or a world with no labour, which would you choose?
While i consider Slippery the Prime Minister to be an ’empty suitcase of intellectual rigor’ you SSlands could only hope to rise to being ‘an empty garbage bag of simpering stupidity’
(a), you shouldn’t let your brain run ahead of your fingers, and (b), when as you obviously have your brain and digits do become hopelessly out control the Standard provides to you an edit function which even for one such as you lacking in the basics of intelligence should be a breeze to use…
Suppose it depends on whether you are dropping the bombs or being bombed.
Like as in “they” use snipers but “we” just have sharpshooters.
True… terrorists are bad guys… freedom fighters are good guys.
Let’s play CT spot the difference: from the Oz Liberals election campaign….from crikey’s subscriber service.
‘Abbott says he wants to be an “infrastructure prime minister”. More accurately, he wants to be a roads prime minister. The majority of the Coalition’s infrastructure spending will be on regional roads, which has always been the Coalition’s idea of infrastructure. In Mitchell’s logic, apparently, NBN = bad infrastructure, roads = good infrastructure.’ from Crikey and mitchell is an Aus Fin Review journo.
And who wins from the Coalition, apart from National electorates? The tax rorters of the novated lease industry. High-income earners via Abbott’s paid parental leave (PPL) scheme. Those Liberal Party loyalists, self-funded retirees, who might be unhappy about the impact on dividends of the PPL scheme. The mining industry.
So, the Coalition has declined to take any politically difficult savings decisions, preferring to target sectors with little political clout, or people in other countries. And it has rewarded its perceived friends, those who are already doing very well, thank you.
No one expects oppositions to sign up to a slate of politically suicidal cuts, but the Coalition’s priorities suggest the “tough decisions” it makes will merely be tough on those who pose no political threat, and that the “age of entitlement” is opening up again, after Labor wore so much grief for trying to curb it marginally while in office.’
Sound familiar people.
Slippery the Prime Minister is being quoted in the Herald online this morning as saying He has timed His next foreign sojourn so as to be in the House for the first Question time for Labour’s new leader,
i assume that is going to be David Cunliffe, and my view is that Cunliffe should burst the Slippery little shysters bubble by completely ignoring Him,
A better tactic for Cunliffe would be to deliberately target Judith Collins with all his questions for that day, leaving Slippery sitting in the Chamber twiddling His thumbs with the added insinuation that it’s probably better to ask the upcoming leader of National the questions than the out-going one…
Haha – good idea.
lol! But nah, it’d be portrayed as cowardice.
I’d hammer him with questions about his trip. esp the UN speech, tie it to his comments from back when Helen declined to Bush the Lesser’s adventure in Iraq.
Bush the Lesser lolz. The Shrub.
Lolz, Cunliffe could always slip in the line with one of His supplementry’s, ” i’ve got your number and will be dialing it next time i don’t want a question answered with other than froth”…
I’d suggest that the Cunliffe groupies might not want to build up their expectations quite so much, that Cunliffe may not be the messiah after all and to give him some time to settle in and deal with the real enemy (ie his own caucus) before trying to handle the most popular PM of the post-MMP era
But I’m guessing it’d fall on deaf ears
Here’s a small equation, David Cunliffe leader of the Labour Party= + 4% Labour Party vote @ 2014 election,
Result= empty suitcase of intellectual rigor AKA Slippery the Prime Minister= g, gg, GONE…
Heres something to consider:
Cullen, Clark, Goff, Campbell and Shearer were all defeated/seen off/careers ended/beaten whatever way you want to put it by John Key, hes formidable without a doubt
I’m saying don’t get your hopes up so high because Cunliffe may not live up to them…of course he might also exceed them
W Smith you are letting your blinkers get in the way of clear view of history. Those politicians were turfed out by factors far greater and more prevalent than merely John Key. They were turfed out because; one, they had been in for three terms; two, people were tired of the PC stuff; three, people were tired of being told how to live their life to such an extent; four, they were too bland themselves; five, on it goes.
To suggest that John Key alone was responsible for the demise of these people paints you as the groupie here.
Smith and Key
Up a tree
k i s s i n g
What utter nonsense Winston.
1. Cullen presided over finance in Lab4 before, during and after Key’s go at the portfolio.
2. Clark would’ve been likely been voted out whether or not Key was in the picture – the public had tired of her after 3 terms, as they’re now tiring of Key after 2.
3. Campbell? WTF?
4. Shearer was ousted from within. You’ve been talking about that for two years.
5. Goff you get. Beat him by a whopping margin of 10,000 votes.
Whoop de doo.
“the post-MMP era”
I guess that’s true for Canterbury and Christchurch seeing as there hasn’t been another PM since voting rights were removed there. Shows what an undemocratic piece of work Key is.
Most popular? Don’t think he’s ever reached Helen’s heights. Not likely to either at the rate he’s going.
Agree though about Cunliffe. Or Robertson, whomever it may be.
The task ahead actually has Sweet. Fuck. All. to do with besting John Key in parliament. If it were that simple, your namesake (or the ginge) would’ve been PM long ago.
WS
That “most popular PM” line is getting a bit past its use-by date – maybe; “once most popular”, would be more accurate now. Bush the lesser (hat-tip PB) had once been popular in the polls too, but not at the end.
There’s just one poll that matters, and we’ll see what that says by the end of 2014.
Love it.
Nice that he can fit an occasional visit to parliament into his busy schedule of international travel.
Then again he is the Tourist Minister, innit.
Bad12 you are deliciously much much badder than 12. Damn good idea you put up there. Will be an interesting day.
Norway likely to change government from Left to Right. The left government has been in for 8 years and doing a reasonable job and the commentator couldn’t state why that should result in change. My idea is that two terms in leadership should be enough, and that would allow change to meet the wish to see a different approach from the incumbents without having to throw the Party out entirely.
Mainly because there has been an increased backlash in relatively monocultural, monoethnic Scandinavian and Nordic countries against economic migrants from the Near East and North Africa, and as we saw with our own previous Labour government, there is a tendency to swing back and forth. No conspiracy at all.
Who said anything about a conspiracy? Have you a parallel universe going on in your head with two different thought processes? Quantum Populuxe1 and 2. What did Pop2 think about a possible conspiracy in Norway? Is merely changing the government because of perceived weaknesses in policy to be regarded as conspiracy?
Lprent – using chrome on android and keep getting an error message saying ive exceeded the crawler rate for humans when going back to the main page from an item.
Can I have the theme switch at the top not down the bottom please……mobile theme is pretty awful IMO.
“The “NZ’s not ready for a gay PM” is prob the biggest dog whistle I’ve ever heard. Extraordinary that it’s also coming from within the Party.”
– I’m not sure what Claire Currans background is but I’m guessing its nothing to do with career enhancement…
Last desperate dying gasp.
She hasn’t put out a tweet for 18 hours now. After about 20 tweets in the 24 hours before that.
I’m guessing someone had a little chat to her.
I could not believe her tweets etc re Robertson yesterday – but then again, I can…
When I read the link provided last night to her tweets, I also noticed another one that really stood out for me and left me gobsmacked.
This on 8 Sept (a quote only as I could not seem to copy it as I am not very good on Twitter things)
– “Will be reading TICS Bill closely. R there implications for NZ?”
Sorry, but “WILL be reading it closely” and “are there implications for NZ”. The TICS Bill is nearing the end of its select committee process with the report back from the Law and Order Committee on 20 Sept.
FGS Curran is the Labour spokesperson on telecommunications etc and while not on the Law and Order Committee, should have read the TICS Bill inside out by now and realise the implications!
+ 1..
..are you sure you are correct..?..
..if so..curran has forfeited any right to that spokesperson-role..
..and if considering that bill not important enough to bother about until now..?
..curran needs/desrves to be moved to the furtherest backbench..
..that is dereliction of basic duties of epic-proportions..
..and you hafta ask..w.t.f. does she do all day..?
…and should we ask her to write a job-description of her actual role/job..?
..’cos if not to be on top of/all over the likes of this…what is curran expected to do..?
..i’d fire her..
..and get someone who is competent/wants to do the job..
phillip ure..
@ phillip ure
“..are you sure you are correct..?..”
For the record, here is the link to Curran’s tweet of 8 Sept
https://twitter.com/clarecurranmp
The things you do at 4.20am when the wind is blowing and you cannot sleep!
EDIT – the link is to Curran’s Twitter account. The actual tweet re the TICS Bill is number 14 of her many 8 Sept tweets, scrolling downwards.
premature withdrawal symptoms
And now it turns out that the comments she referred to weren’t from the current leadership contest at all, but she implied that it was connected with the Cunliffe campaign as a deliberate smear effort. Shame on her.
She deserves her in place in Labour Party history as the first MP who has sunk to that level of desperation in this first ever leadership race. More slander to come from the ABC crew?
Unfortunately, the outcome of Curran’s tweeting campaign has resulted in Jenny Michie being stood down from David’s campaign.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9147668/Cunliffe-sacks-campaign-worker
She’s obviously “zipping it sweetie” at the moment – Kinda think she’s left that a bit late!!
Like our mate Takere the Shane Jones cheerleader. Not a whisper from Takere in the last week. Wonder who had a smoko-room chat with Takere ?
Good one bad 12 a republican politician visited NZ recently
Claimed that all republican states were growing faster than democrat lead states .
A complete lie the reverse is the truth.
REpublican states often have the “benefit” of shale oil fracking etc
Be very wary Poncekey
Is going to Australia to be reprogramed by crosby texter,
The lizards of Oz!
Then He is going to china to get a new coat of teflon.
Then off to visit the queen to line up his knighthood!
He’ll probably leave his old shed skin as a going away present for the Queen – Snakeskin shoes anyone? – there’ll be enough for a matching handbag, surely??
The wit on here tonight is great ! Happy to have the feast capped off by a magnificently shrew comment from that s(or)ry lands fulla.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/09/barack_obama_s_case_for_striking_syria_the_president_s_arguments_for_military.html
Another lie by Key
He has claimed that Helen Clark agreed with John Howard’s 2001 draconian conditions for New Zealanders entering Australia for work after 2001.
NO SHE DID NOT
See face book of ozkiwi. and
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/9140853/Key-expects-strong-ties-with-Abbott
Phil Goff earlier in the year sought leave to table a document which shows restrictions to future access to benefits and citizenship for New Zealanders living in Australia were outside the bilateral agreement. (Hansard 14th Feb 2013)
When is Key going to start telling the truth and how can we expect our kids to grow up as honest citizens when he lies though his teeth on the hour and the half hour.
um..!..half crown..
..i seem to remember st the time wondering at the seeming no protest then or later..from clark..
..at that tearing away of nz’ers’ rights in oz..
..do you have actual links proving yr case..?
..’cos an article on key/abbott and some hansard piece from 2013 about goff trying to post some papers on the record..
..doesn’t really cut it as a defence..
..and speaking of defence..are you really trying to defend the wholesale sellouts of that last l(neo-lib-consensus) abour govt..?
..i don’t have the time/inclination to list them all right now..
..but i am sure you have a rough idea of what i speak..eh..?
..this sellout of what should have been fought tooth and nail against..
..is just one of a long list/litany..eh..?
..phillip ure..
FYI
URGENT! Press Release from Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright:
” Auckland Council must NOT act precipitiously and ratify or be a signatory to the Auckland Housing Accord.
10 September 2013
Press Release from Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright:
” Auckland Council must NOT ratify or be a signatory to the Auckland Housing Accord, when my request for the LAWFULNESS of it’s evidential base for projected population growth is to be considered at the next meeting of the Social Services Select Committee, on Friday 13 September 2013,” says Auckland Mayoral candidate, Penny Bright.
“The Clerk of the Social Services Select Committee has just advised me, this morning, that my request for their Report on the following Petition 2011/64
Requesting that Parliament declines to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics’ “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans. ”
to be reviewed, will be put before them at their next meeting, to be held this Friday 13 September 2013.”
“As an Auckland Mayoral candidate, I hereby call for Mayor Len Brown and Auckland Councillors, NOT to act precipitiously, and to NOT ratify or be a signatory to the Auckland Housing Accord.”
_________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM AUCKLAND MAYORAL CANDIDATE PENNY BRIGHT WHICH WILL BE PUT TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE AT THEIR NEXT MEETING TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2013:
28 August 2013:
Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright: Auckland Draft Unitary Plan: URGENT ‘Open Letter’ to the Social Services Select Committee c/- Chair Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
Members of the Social Services Select Committee,
Social Services Chairperson Lotu-Iiga, Peseta Sam National Party, Maungakiekie
Social Services Deputy-Chairperson Lee, Melissa National Party, List
Social Services Member Ardern, Jacinda Labour Party, List
Social Services Member Heatley, Phil National Party, Whangarei
Social Services Member Logie, Jan Green Party, List
Social Services Member Lole-Taylor, Asenati NZ First, List
Social Services Member Ngaro, Alfred National Party, List
Social Services Member Prasad, Rajen Labour Party, List
Social Services Member Sabin, Mike National Party, Northland
Social Services Member Twyford, Phil Labour Party, Te Atatu
Social Services Member Woodhouse, Michael National Party, List
Please be advised that Auckland Council will be starting deliberations on the Draft Auckland Unitary Plan, today Wednesday 28 August 2013.
The ‘mantra’ that the estimated population of Auckland “is projected to increase by one million over the next 30 years”, is repeated in the following ‘Draft Unitary Plan’:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/UnitaryPlan/UP/Chapter%20A%20-%20Introduction/Introduction%20-%20version%203%20200813%20draft.pdf
DRAFT UNITARY PLAN
Introduction:
1.3 Our growing population
Auckland is growing rapidly.
Since 2001 Auckland’s growth has been higher than other regions in New Zealand.
The estimated population of Auckland in 2011 was 1,486,000 and is projected to increase by one million over the next 30 years.
______________________________________________________________________________
As you are well aware, the LAWFULNESS of the use of this ‘high’ population growth projection, I challenged, in the following petition:
Petition 2011/64
Requesting that Parliament declines to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics’ “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.
I provided extensive, researched evidence, (as you requested),in support of this petition:
SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE, IN SUPPORT OF PETITION 2011/64
Date: 14 June 2013 SUBMITTER: Penelope Bright
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Housing-Accord-and-Special-Housing-Areas-Bil-Supplementary-Evidence-13-Juna-2013.pdf
However, the Report of the Social Services Select Committee, did not focus on the ‘LAWFULNESS’ of the reliance of the Auckland Council Mayor Len Brown, and Chief Planning Officer Dr Roger Blakeley’s use of the Department of Statistics ‘high’, rather than ‘medium’ population growth projection, you focused on the apparent ‘REASONABLENESS’ of so doing.
“We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House. ”
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/0001725227
The Social Services Committee has considered Petition 2011/64 of Penelope Mary Bright, requesting that Parliament decline to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics “high” population growth projections, instead of
their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.
We heard and received evidence from the petitioner, but note that the matters she raised have been addressed publicly by the Auckland Council in statements posted on its website and issued to media.
The Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer has said that while Auckland may not grow by one million people by 2041 (the high-growth projection), Auckland Council is preparing for it. The city has historically met the high-growth projection, and it is therefore prudent for the council to plan accordingly. He said that the city needs to be prepared for, and
infrastructure needs to be able to cope with, growth. He pointed out that the “Unitary Plan”, which is a part of the Auckland Spatial Plan, sets out only rules for development.
We understand that actual development would be undertaken only in response to demand.
Regarding the use of alternative projections for higher- and lower-growth scenarios, we note that the council’s Chief Planning Officer has also said that it is prudent for the Auckland Council to provide for the highest likely population growth, and at the same time to be cautious to avoid over-investment. He said that the council requires organisations it owns or controls to be cautious about capital spending ahead of time to avoid high borrowing, interest, and depreciation costs, and that any underspending on infrastructure could be addressed through regular budget reviews and incremental expansion of facilities such as wastewater treatment plants.
The Mayor of Auckland has also said that using the high-growth projection was the appropriate thing to do, and that the council should not be too conservative in their assumptions about population growth.
We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House.
Melissa Lee
Deputy Chairperson ”
______________________________________________________________________________
On 7 August 2013, I made an oral submission by a telephone conference call to the Social Services Select Committee on the related matter of the ‘Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill’, and made the following points:
“You MPs are a Select Cttee of the Highest Court of the land.
Please be reminded of the Oath of Allegiance which you swear or affirm before becoming a Member of the NZ House of Parliament:
The Oath, in its present form, is:
“I, [name], swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
NZ House of Parliament is where the LAW is made.
Should I as a citizen not be able to expect that those of you who MAKE the Law – will uphold the Law that you have made?
Otherwise – what is the point of you being there?
What is the purpose of the NZ Parliament if you are not going to uphold the laws you make?
Why I am raising this is because the Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill is directly-related matter to the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill.
Both are based upon the million extra people coming to Auckland in the 30 years mantra, for which I provided EVIDENCE that this was not ‘evidentially-based).”
______________________________________________________________________________
I asked you to please reconsider your (above-mentioned) decision.
As Members of Parliament of the ‘highest Court in the land’ – how meaningful is the ‘Rule of Law’, which you help make, if you arguably do not follow it yourselves?
Please be reminded that the ‘Rule of Law’ that applies to the Auckland (Spatial) Plan, which the Auckland Unitary Plan is supposed to implement, is covered by the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0032/latest/DLM3338660.html
79Spatial plan for Auckland
(1)The Auckland Council must prepare and adopt a spatial plan for Auckland.
(4)The spatial plan must—
(c)provide an evidential base to support decision making for Auckland, including evidence of trends, opportunities, and constraints within Auckland; and
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please confirm that you will URGENTLY review and reconsider your above-mentioned decision,
“We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House. ”
and base it upon the ‘Rule of Law’ which directly applies in this case, the above-mentioned Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, s79 (4) (c).
In my considered opinion, there will be a significant number of Aucklanders, who will be very interested in your response to this matter.
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption /anti-privatisation’ campaigner
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11121991
“Aucklanders driving to beach homes east of Warkworth stand to cut almost 16 minutes off holiday weekend trips via a $760 million motorway extension.”
Definitely wins my award for most wankerish opening paragraph in the Herald so far this week.
+1
It is an argument without end as people will then head further north again, as they always do.
*head/desk*
*head/desk*
*head/desk*
The fact that Mr Key (and many other fat cats) owns a McMansion at Omaha doesn’t have anything to do with the project being greenlighted?
Sure.
Actually if I remember correctly members of the Executive Council can exceed the speed limit when they are on important business. So John could whoop up the highway at any speed he likes. After all its important to get the PM home quickly.
i had 5/10 cents worth on this little chimera..
http://whoar.co.nz/2013/ed-what-a-brilliant-deal-only-732-million-to-spend-to-cut-an-average-four-minutes-off-that-harrowing-journey-john-key-et-al-have-to-face-travelling-to-their-holiday-homes-warkworthomaha/
(excerpt:..)
“..(ed:..and ya gotta love the headline given in the corporate-media for this report:
..’not just a holiday-highway’..(ed:..brilliant..!..eh..?..)
..and a fact-check/correction here for mr/ms. sub-editor:..yes it is..mr/ms. sub-editor…
..it most certainly is..’just a holiday-highway’..”
..phillip ure..
And as Australia sets about to trash their carbon tax – and NZ becomes a “fast follower” of our trading partners with respect to tackling GHG emissions and our ETS is the laughing stock of the western world…
meanwhile…. In British Columbia …. despite a year long attack by the tories on the 5 year old carbon tax a recent report on the economy and its effects shows that it’s a winner.
http://www.desmog.ca/2013/07/26/bc-carbon-tax-big-winner-people-climate-and-economy-study-shows.
“Thanks to the carbon tax BC residents enjoy the lowest income tax in the country (not Albertans), use the least amount of fuel per person and have arguably the healthiest economy the study found. So much for the Tories baseless claims of doom and gloom.”
Thanks Ardern for your red necked, stick in the mud, troglodyte, neanderthal, stupid behaviour that led to the trashing of our Carbon tax…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3521866
I see that Key is off to stay with thea Queen for a few days.Now I do wonder if he will come back as Sir John . Do not be surprised if he does.
I see that Key is off to stay with thea Queen for a few days.Now I do wonder if he will come back as Sir John . Do not be surprised if he does.
wow great minds think alike down to the minute
Rubbish. He doesn’t have to go to the Queen for that. New Zealand honours are based on the recomendation of the Honours Secretariat of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Queen signs off. Most PMs get them as a matter of course unless they are staunchly against that sort of thing.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he scammed the NZ population to cough up to prop up Rio Tinto with $ 30 million of tax money and the promise to sell every f&*king publicly owned asset to her and her mates for next to nothing by bankrupting this country though an investment of $112 Billion in derivatives? I reckon he’s been a good boy!
But normally when they retire. And of course the Queen is at liberty to award an honour on the English list instead of NZ list.
You did say “…..Department of Prime Minister….” there Pops ?
Robbie Burns would have had something to say on all that…
“Ye see yon birkie, ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that;
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that:
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
His ribband, star, an’ a’ that:
The man o’ independent mind
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that.
A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that;
But an honest man’s abon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
Their dignities an’ a’ that;
The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that.
Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a’ that,)
That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
It’s coming yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wOBcFt5tevY#t=81
218 years old and still as fresh and pertinent today as it has ever been.
Anyone any idea why Liz is requesting the company of John & Family at Balmoral.
According to media this is very very rare and apart from the British PM almost never happens.
The mind boggles as to what can be in store.
arise Sir Slippery
or maybe she is going to make him a baron, Robber Baron would be appropriate
or she wants some advice on investment??
All suggestions gratefully received
maybe key is making a deal to sell nz lock stock and barrel to the windsors..?
..’cos they know enough that they know they are going to need a bolthole..?..eh..?
..they could grab their armed forces..and decamp here..
..and of course any deal done by key/windsors could/would be enforced by those ‘armed-forces’..?
..or..of course..key could just be a fellow reptiliaan-shapeshifter..
..and they are just having a shapeshifting get-together..
..take yr pick..
..phillip ure..
More workers laid off…
They plan to import pens from South Africa
Time to start boycotting the companies that pull this crap……
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9147473/Bic-calls-time-on-NZ-pen-making
That would make a lot of things ridiculously expensive
so? You can afford to support NZ workers can’t you?
Look at NZ alternatives – Croxley is a New Zealand Stationary Manufacturer – I don’t know if they make pens in NZ but it is worth exploring alternatives.
Sorry to see Jenny made a scapegoat even though I understand DC being very careful.
Still only a few days to go
She would only be a “scapegoat” if the campaign had made that comment and she had been the one to wear the results
As it was, she made the comment personally and has justifiably been stood down as it was inappropriate for her to have made that comment in the larger context of being a part of DC’s campaign
+1
She’s a seasoned campaigning soldier who will be back for another political battle another day. It’s in her blood.
Indeed
But after actually having been made aware of the timeline of the incident in relation to the campaign and the role of Clare Curran in actively digging up irrelevant dirt to fling
*SIGH*
I applaud Cunliffe for making the tough (but correct, imo) decision to stand down Jenny to cut any ridiculous complaints off at the knees and I hope that she is soon returned to the front lines.
And I hope that if he becomes the leader of Labour that this example of his strictness with his own people is just a taste of how tough and controlled he could be if he is the one leading Labour in to 2014 and maintaining a laser like focus on the message and attacking John Key rather than this bullshit that Clare feels she needs to bring up to muddy the waters.
Seems this scam isn’t quite what it’s made out to be.
http://www.upworthy.com/half-of-us-are-victims-of-this-illegal-act-after-college-its-really-not-ok-2?c=ufb1
Kiwi Bank seizes teachers money using Terrorism Act
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9145872/Bank-seizes-teachers-cash-under-terror-act
Confidence inspiring – NOT.
Unlike the alleged chemical weapon attacks in Syria, there is absolutely no doubt as to the perpetrators of these chemical weapon attacks in Vietnam. Any plans to bomb their country? Just to send them a clear message….
London surgeons carry out life-changing surgery on children of Vietnam victims
by KIRAN RANDHAWA, Evening Standard, 9 September 2013
Ten London doctors have carried out life-changing surgery on children born with horrific deformities caused by chemicals used in the Vietnam war. Surgeons travelled to the country’s port city of Da Nang, where they spent two weeks helping Vietnamese youngsters who are battling serious ailments caused by the herbicide Agent Orange. The chemical was sprayed by US soldiers during the war, which lasted from 1955 to 1975. According to the Vietnamese Red Cross, 150,000 cases of birth defects can be linked to its use.
One of the London doctors, Niall Kirkpatrick, said Vietnam would “struggle with this problem for a number of years”. The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital plastic surgeon said Da Nang, in central Vietnam, “has the highest incidence of congenital deformity in the world, thought to be due to Agent Orange in the Vietnam war. If we had the same amount of congenital deformity in the UK it would bankrupt the NHS. The dioxin is geno-toxic so that once it enters the population gene pool then it’s passed on through generations and it takes a long time before it stops.”
The team, from Chelsea and Westminster and Guy’s Hospital, travelled with the charity Facing the World. Their latest mission, which was in May, is documented in the BBC’s Inside Out show….
Read more….
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/london-surgeons-carry-out-lifechanging-surgery-on-children-of-vietnam-victims-8804672.html
@ Morrissey,
Did the perpetrators of that atrocity ever have their country bombed the shit out of? Any geneva convention war tribunals? Anything?
Of course not. And they have not paid one cent in reparations. President Carter was pressed on that matter once, and he loftily dismissed the notion, claiming that suffering occurred “on both sides”.
…Yeah, I didn’t think so 🙁
(and reparations was going to be my next question! …)
Repugnant behaviour, America, Repugnant
And that’s without mentioning the continuing use of Depleted Uranium as a tank-zapper/ mutation-inducer. But that’s in no way chemical or nuclear warfare apparently…
Tired of having to contain your radioactive toxic waste? Just salt it on the ground of your enemies and watch their children become disfigured for your expediency.
See my above about the Geneva Protocols to the Hague Convention.
The US gave themselves plenty of “cover” over the use of Agent Orange. The US signed in 1925 but didn’t ratify the Protocol until 1975 & it was disputed until 1968 as to whether “chemical herbicides” such as Agent Orange were even covered by the Protocol (US being the main opponent of including it – naturally).
If only the United States – particualrly Professor of Law Barack Obama – would alow itself to be held to account in the World Criminal Court, precisely within the Conventions it’s bleating on about relentlessly now.
Hopefully President Obama’s impending defeat by Congress will strengthen the hand of the UN in generating multilateral responses and shame those who continuously expect the World’s Great Policeman to restore universal moral order for the entire planet.
Yep – but it ain’t gonna happen (and Obama was probably the most likely to do so – Lord help us in the future!)
@Ad,
Yes, it would create some real credibility for what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour if the US and Britain would subject their war criminals to the World Criminal Court (is that it’s correct name?!). That this is not occurring makes any international guidelines a complete farce.
If all nations banned conventional and nuclear warfare in the same way as chemical warfare is banned then we will begin to get somewhere…
… you will never get the big boys in the playground to lead that though just as well they don’t need to lead
@Greg J
Isn’t the same thing going on with Uranium depleted weapons too; they don’t come under ‘chemical weapons’ yet?
Yes – DU & White Phosporus would not be regarded as Chemical Weapons unless they are used specifically for their chemical/toxic effect. DU is principally used for its kinetic properties & White Phosporus for its smoke and incendiary effects (incendiaries are covered by the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons). Neither are classed as toxic. The Chemical Weapons Convention defines a “toxic chemical” as a chemical “which through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm to humans or animals” (CWC, II). An annex to the CWC lists chemicals that fall under this definition and WP & DU are not listed in the Schedules of chemical weapons or precursors.
I was trying to remember the name of white phosphorous! That might be the substance that is causing those deformities in Fallujah. Horrible that neither UD nor WPh are considered toxic, it seems to me that in Fallujah the killing won’t stop for many decades to come due to their usage.
You have a lot of knowledge of those guidelines/laws, cheers for sharing GregJ, very interesting (and revolting, yet that is not your fault!)
“thought you had deserted us”
Like the living will of the legend of King Arthur, me 😉
Been sick, got better, and now ready for all manner of assorted f*cknuggetry and chimera.
Viva (R)evolution. 😀
Welcome Back 😀