Obviously, the Labour caucus did not listen to their membership when they selected Mumblefuck as “leader” of the party. How then did that come about? Well, this audio transcript of the pivotal decision moment has just come to me:
Voice 1: I hereby convene this session of the Iron Spines Society.
Voices [chanting]: We are the ABC Warriors!
Voice [booming]: Bigjobs!!
Voice 1: Yes. Now that our colleague has completed his 3 year assignment; snatching the laurels of failure from the jaws of victory, we needs must select a replacement. Lest we be at risk of the Goff’s human appearance seducing the punters away from the true path before our associate’s tasks are complete.
Voices: [indistinct disgruntled murmuring]
Voice 2: If I may have the floor? [sound of chairs moving etc.] We must be honest with ourselves; the Goff was a mistake; his humulation programing was too successful, and his, well; robotic…
Voices: [chuckling]
Voice: Bigjobs!!
Voice 2: His robotic command of numbers created a dangerous perception of competance.
Voices: [indistinct disgruntled murmuring]
Voice 1: We know this already, Robertron.
Voice 2: Ah, but does not our problem suggest it’s own solution? If the punters are indeed just a insufficiently industrious bunch of losers, then what do we need to seduce them to the cause of steel?
Voice 1: You’re right! What we need is the greatest loser concievable…
Voice 2: But where can we find this paragon of ineptituide?
[sound of door knock, then hinge squeak as it opens]
Voice 3: Did you want some tea? I mean, it smells like; engine oil, but that can’t… It must be tea – it’s in ummm… Teaspoons? No; cups. Or is it coffee? I may have some mango skins on me somewhere I could squeeze out for you? Did I ever tell you about the time I was in Africa…
That was a cut and paste of an earlier comment (33.2.1 on Zetettic’s 7/6 “Gone” post), which is about to slip off the bottom of the page. It seems relevant again with the Sky City rugby box fiasco, and anyway; is the best bit of writing I’ve done since I’ve started commenting on this site – though I’d been a reader for years.
Just so no gets confused: “Well, this audio transcript of the pivotal decision moment has just come to me”, means; I made up this satire to help deal with my anger about Labour’s incompetence. The; ABC Warriors, were a recurring story, with varying writers, in the 2000AD comic which is most famous for; Judge Dredd. They were; an unpleasant band of robotic mercenaries, whose main pleasure in unlife was watching human/ chainsaw torture porn.
It’s been years since I’ve read the comic (is is still being done? Is 2000AD?). Yeah, OK; maybe Hammerstein wasn’t as bad as MekQuake – but that’s a pretty low bar!
I don’t watch TV since it’s gone digital, and rarely enough before then (why didn’t you say; “it looks like you read too many comics”? That’d at least be relevant, though a decade out of date). However, I view DVDs of series, where you get the fill without the content (terms that seem exactly the wrong way round to me). And do sometimes look up news footage online; but I’m not often interested enough. I will stream TV3’s; 7 days, if its on though.
Pasupial is a nom de clave to protect myself against offline retaliation. It refers to my wee Basupial’s tendency to; cling on like a koala to a tree, with myself & Masupial.
I know I say “its a non story” on here a bit but the best non story of the week is the Labour MP’s at the sky city corporate box. If it was business then can the emails and recorded conversations be tabled or leaked to Winston.
I am really concerned that 4 labour MP’s are soliciting corporate sponsorship or business deals.
@ Yes
I’m not so sure about the; “centre” part of “centre right”, but yeah; you’ve been tolerably upfront about your views. And yes; it was a stuff-up by Labour, or at least; one part of the Labour caucus, rather than the Labour party as a whole.
However, NAct’s reponse that; the scandal lay in the Labour MPs accepting the seats in the Sky City box and then not voting for their legislation, suggests that a seat at the rugby really is enough to buy your average NAct MP. Whereas the 4 Labour MPs (plus their 10 minute leader) were merely guilty of a miserable error in judgement, rather than systemic corruption.
But it’s an ill wind that blows no one any good: The Greens have come out of this looking like the only Party in Parliament who actually believe in any ethical principles.
Man, who is advising these idiots? They had it on a plate this week – the Dunne affair, the continuous erosion of labour rights – and then they go and mingle with the SkyCity crowd. And all of a sudden, the topic is not the corrupt ways of the Key government and the Sky City deal, but the blatant hypocrisy of Labour politicians.
It’s fucking embarrassing, because as we know, and the MSM are constantly reminding us of it – in politics, it’s all about perception.
Yep key is calling it “deep hypocrisy” and sadly another arrow in the quiver that could be used to stop these gnats has been broken.
” Phil Goff, Annette King, Kris Faafoi and Clayton Cosgrove accepted SkyCity’s invitation. Their leader David Shearer declined, but turned up for 10 minutes anyway.
Prime Minister John Key said the Labour MPs had displayed “deep hypocrisy” after accusing the Government of being too close to SkyCity over the casino company’s plans to build a $400 million convention centre in Auckland in return for concessions on gambling laws.
“These guys have been running around parading as if they’re holier than thou, telling everybody how terrible SkyCity is and how the sky was going to cave in because a convention centre was being built and the moment we turn our back they are taking their sausage rolls and free beers in their box watching the All Blacks play,” he said today.”
I couldnt agree more.
Labour is a shambles and these Labour MPs dont seem to care, seems they think their career is over at next election already so they should be booted out now along with their wetfish leader
King, Goff, Faaafoi and Cosgrove are dickheads. Are they that stupid that they do not realise how bad it looks? Next time there is a request for the good people of South Auckland and West Auckland to put their hands in their pockets to help fund the Labour Party they will be less likely to do so because of these dickheads.
They are representatives of a proud political movement that has achieved a great deal of good for many ordinary people over many decades. These other bastards, the National Party, are wrecking the country and have to be thrown out next election. To maximise the left’s chances there needs to be no stuff ups and no dickhead moments.
All Labour MPs should be told to not accept any invitations to corporate boxes, especially those sponsored by Sky City, just in case they are too dickheaded to realise how bad it looks.
Nah, it is just four stupid vain people with a big sense of entitlement.
This is the core Shearer cheerleader team.
They are the ones that pushed Charles Chauvel out of winning Ohariu.
Besides taking $1,000 worth of hospitality each from Sky City, three of them used Tax Payer Funded flights to get to Auckland.
Did Sky City pay fot their overnight accomodation?
Did they stay in The Grand at Sky City’s expense?
Did they get Sky City Limos or Tax Payer Funded Corporate Limos?
Did any of them play tables with gift chips?
Does the term “being compromised” mean anything to these selfish morons?
So it is becoming abundantly clear that Brownlee needs to pan pretty much everyone to do with the Christchurch central city rebuild (especially the Christchurch City Council) in order to take the prying eyes away from this government’s most massive failing in this arena….
… that of the failure of the central city rebuild to spark. There have been plenty of stories of local investors and developers and entrepreneurs cashing up and leaving for other pastures. Long time locals. And now we, as participants in this rebuild, have come to a similar decision – a decision to pull back significantly from our intended steps.
The reason for this failure of Brownlee and this government? Imo, it was their decision to abandon the free market approach to the central city rebuild and take an interventionist approach on a par with soviet era Russia and their 5-year plans. This heavy-handed interventionist big-government left-wing approach has heavily distorted the scene. It has distorted the landscape to such an extent that private enterprise in the central city is pretty much impossible and that is why there is pretty much none going on.
That is why Brownlee is creating a crisis at the Council where there is none – to take the heat away from their failings.
It is a serious shame because the donut city becomes more of a reality with every passing day.
Yep, was in there yesterday and told that they have been getting help from Southland and Hawke Bay, among others, for some time already. It is like I said – there really is no crisis. There is a problem, but it is a problem that is consistent right across the city now, namely that of insufficient capacity. Pretty much anything that you need or want has a waiting list now and it is simply due to excess demand that simply cannot be met due to a lack of suitable people to do everything. And that aint going to be resolved.
And as above, the central city rebuild really is in dire straits. Aside from the more important housing and repair delays in the east, it is the most serious issue.
If the government had left the central city rebuild to the marketplace (subject to a few public institutions and relatively minor planning changes) then land values were plummeting to levels that would have made rebuilding stack up. And rebuilding by private enterprise would have sparked by now – as it has in other outer parts of the city.
By stepping in and mandating a Blueprint, and buying up half the city for their special anchor projects, they have completely distorted things.
Why has this government abandoned its political philosophy of small government, no interference, pro-free market? It’s approach in Chch is the most far-left interventionist approach this country has probably ever seen. And it is not working. Idiots.
Why has this government abandoned its political philosophy of small government, no interference, pro-free market?
It hasn’t. The correct terminology is Two faced or Speaking with forked tongue. What National say is never what they mean. They want small, non-interventionist government for everyone but them and their rich mates, i.e, everyone is on their own except for them and their rich mates who will get government support and handouts.
About time too, this is why we (the people of NZ) voted National in: to repeal section 97 of the Employment Relations Act 2000. Section 97 prevents the use of volunteers, contractors, or other casual employees by an employer during a strike or lockout.
I hope Key goes through with this but he probably won’t, just so he can be seen to be center-right…
You righties are unbelievable. You get all frothy on it if a law that you agree with is breached but if a law you do not agree with is breached you do not care.
Being prepared to break a particular law can be a legitimate form of protest, and after all, there are consequences, but neither law breaking nor consequences would be possible were it not for the rule of law.
I said, “can be”, because if we’re talking about the routine flouting or selective application of the law by the state, well, at that point the rule of law ceases.
Yet another scabs’ charter from the people who bought us the ’51 lockout. This dovetails nicely with the ‘reasonable’ changes they are proposing to allow bosses to walk away from bargaining. The boss ends bargaining, says ‘what are you gonna do about it?’ to their workers and if the staff take action, the boss brings in scabs under police protection. How’s that brighter future looking people?
Exactly, now that scabbing is legal what more can the Nats do to the remaining workers in this country? Chain them to work stations? Lock fire doors?
The tory labour legislation is all about downward pressure on wages and management by fear in a high unemployment environment. Jamie–Lee Ross what a tosser, hopefully he will get a suitable reaction if ever spotted in public by unionists.
Sure because a union would never start talks during the busy season at a meatworks would they? And they’d never go on strike during the busy time when they have the business over a barrell…no never
Its about time National started doing what they were put in to do.
Why not?
Workers are held to ransom by employers the rest of the time.
Every employer I ever worked for has insisted on getting all the work out of me before I get the money out of them. I’m sure a few folk can insist on it being the other way around, though. But not most workers.
When is the last time the meatworkers have struck during the busy season or the interisland ferries been stopped at Christmas because of strike action Winston?
If this is the problem that you say it is then why is the solution being applied 20 years too late?
When the people of New Zealand voted for National Ltd™ they did so, partially, on the basis of what John Key said. Among the statements he made about the direction his government would take are these . . .
. . . he lied. Again. And again. And again. He’s still lying. If John Key told the truth about National Ltd™’s intentions it would never have been elected. The actions of National Ltd™ in the area of employment are being rammed down the throat of New Zealand workers without a mandate.
Um, moral high horse? I just said you ducked the question, there’s no horse about it.
Undoubtedly there are laws which should be changed or repealed and perhaps infrequently there might be a need for entirely new laws. It is manifestly so, or else why bother with elections?
The rule of law also forms a significant part of the New Zealand constitution. The principles of the rule of law are not easily defined, but encompass ideas such as:
the powers exercised by parliamentarians and officials are based on legal authority;
there are minimum standards of justice to which the law must conform, eg laws affecting individual liberty should be reasonably certain and clear;
the law should have safeguards against the abuse of wide discretionary powers;
unfair discrimination should not be allowed by the law;
a person should not be deprived of his or her liberty, status or other substantial interest without the opportunity of a fair hearing before an impartial court or tribunal.
You need to wake up before you start typing, otherwise it just looks like a vague recollection of your disjointed R.E.M. sleep cycle.
Sadly, and astoundingly, that is our friend Dale when he is wide awake. You might think it resembles the semi-conscious outpourings of someone not fully awake, or even suffering from drug abuse, but I assure you, fender, the poor fellow won’t get any better.
You of course must be privy to details of the investigation before it is complete, whereas mere mortals will have to wait for official findings to be made public I suppose.
By the way, one of Bretts implications seemed to be that the NZ left would blame the “States” for making al Assad use chemical weapons on his own people.
The States has simply been itching to supply heavy weapons to the anti Assad brigade (even though half of them are foreign islamists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and other nice places)
Syria uses chemical weapons on its own people, and not one word form the left wing parties of New Zealand.
Your witlessness never ceases to astound me. Those are allegations only; nothing has been proved. Where there WAS irrefutable proof of chemical weapon usage was in 2009-9, when Israel used Phosphorus bombs in its murderous assault on Gaza.
Far from condemning that use of chemical weapons, I remember you frequently expressing your endorsement of it.
The rest of your little rant is, as always, too incoherent and confused to justify any response.
Actaully the official statement says “The Assad regime could prove that its request for an investigation was not just a diversionary tactic by granting the U.N. fact-finding mission immediate and unfettered access to conduct on-site investigations to help reveal the truth about chemical weapons use in Syria. While pushing for a U.N. investigation, the United States has also been working urgently with our partners and allies as well as individuals inside Syria, including the Syrian opposition, to procure, share, and evaluate information associated with reports of chemical weapons use so that we can establish the facts and determine what took place.” http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/text-us-statement-syria-chemical-weapons-19396269
But congratuations on finding a way to use the horrible death of 100-150 people in Syria as an excuse to spray around some more of your fanatical Jew hate, Morrissey.
No, I just get bored with you constantly making everything about Israel
So I make “everything” about Israel, you say. Where in all of the debate about Edward Snowden, for instance, have I even mentioned Israel?
The only reason I mentioned Israel was because one (admittedly substandard) poster raised the question of chemical weapons usage. Now, of course, you will probably pretend otherwise, but the fact is that only two regimes have used chemical weapons, and they have in both cases been defended by their U.S. sponsor with the most aggressive and cynical “diplomacy” imaginable. The U.S. even concocted a fantastic story that attempted to pin the blame for the Halabja massacre on another official enemy, Iran.
There is no evidence that Syria has used chemical weapons—unlike Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Israel.
I am sure you know that—but you keep on defending that halfwit Brett Dale if you want.
Probably because you haven’t thought of a way to connect Snowden and Israel. I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
Actually that’s not what I’d doing at all – not any more so than Annette Sykes celebrated 9/11 or Hone Harawera gave a moving eulogy of Osama bin Laden. You just enjoy attacking me in your limp fashion because you don’t agree with me – I’ve never known you to debate a point.
You are one of the most pointless commenters here.
Here’s what you said:
I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
Looking forward to confirmation of CW use, purely so that you can continue your petty little squabble with Morrissey, who you greatly resemble, although he does actually make points, wrongheaded as they often might be.
“Looking forward to confirmation of CW use, purely so that you can continue your petty little squabble with Morrissey, who you greatly resemble, although he does actually make points, wrongheaded as they often might be.”
You are such a martyr – do you get no enjoyment out of bickering you holier than thou prude?
I don’t. But yon Morrissey has a habit of lumping Jewish celebrities in with Likud at every available opportunity
Another lie. I do not “lump Jewish celebrities in with Likud”; some of the bravest, most outspoken critics of the outlaw Israeli regime have been, and are, Jewish celebrities.
A while ago you alleged, absurdly, that my pointing out the vile racism, the merciless lies and the brutal and possibly catastrophic defamation of a Palestinian Christian peace activist by Sacha Baron Cohen means that I was, ergo, attacking all Jews.
Over the last couple of years on this excellent forum, I have also expressed contempt for Barack Obama, Tau Henare, Winston Peters, the Japanese and Chinese governments, the Indonesian government, the American-backed Arab dictators, and many other criminals, con-men and impostors who have managed to get themselves into positions of inordinate and unjustified power.
Yet you, for some absolutely spurious reason, have consistently maintained that I am “fixated on Israel” and that by, say, reminding people that Israel used Phosphorus bombs on the civilians of Gaza, is to “spray around Jew hate”. Apparently, Israeli politicians and their hardline supporters, like Sacha Baron Cohen and Jerry Seinfeld and Maureen Lipman, are immune to criticism; to even point out their fanatical devotion to the Holy State is a crime.
You have no consistency, no integrity and no credibility.
Probably because you haven’t thought of a way to connect Snowden and Israel.
Unbelievable! I publicly keelhaul you for your lack of integrity, your dishonesty, and your irrationality—and you’re back at it almost immediately. As I mentioned before, I do feel a degree of compassion for you, but your idiotic maliciousness sorely tries my patience.
I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s [sic] own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
We’ll skip the unimaginative and incompetent abuse and go straight to your one point: you are evidently trying to suggest I support the Syrian regime. I do not. Only a fool, i.e. you, would draw that inference from anything I have written here or anywhere else.
Where did I ever suggest you supported the Syrian regime? I was commenting on your adamant refusal to entertain the likelihood that nerve gas had been used simply because of an all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex. You’re projecting somewhat
Where did I ever suggest you supported the Syrian regime?
I thought it might have been one of your little jests, like calling me a “Jew-hater”.
I was commenting on your adamant refusal to entertain the likelihood that nerve gas had been used simply because of an all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex.
A thoroughly discredited regime, at present engaged in two overt wars, both of which it started, and two more undeclared wars, in Yemen and Pakistan, is now making claims similar to the false claims it made to start the 2003 Iraq war. Yet you choose to describe all those who do not accept the unproven allegations of that rogue state as “all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex.” That’s not only trivialization, that’s flagrant misrepresentation.
“A thoroughly discredited regime, at present engaged in two overt wars, both of which it started, and two more undeclared wars, in Yemen and Pakistan, is now making claims similar to the false claims it made to start the 2003 Iraq war. Yet you choose to describe all those who do not accept the unproven allegations of that rogue state as “all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex.” That’s not only trivialization, that’s flagrant misrepresentation.”
And correlation is not causation
“Projecting what?”
I wish I knew. That’s a question for your therapist.
I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s [sic] own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
Now the US?UK is using the excuse of chemical weapons to validate the arming of Syrian rebel groups such as the Al Nusra Front an Al Qaeda affiliated organisation,
I made a link late last week, maybe from The Guardian, about the political entrepreneurship manipulating Shia / Sunni, and inter-sectarian oppositions, then there is always the memories of the mujahideen…
furthermore, there are the Iranian elections, all candidates competing in obedience to The Supreme Leader, seeking a more complicit Prez. from the single moderate, four conservative and one hardliner candidates.hmmm
In 2010, large amounts of information from numerous sources revealed the USA’s use of white phosphorus and depleted uranium shells in Iraq during various battles resulting from the USA’s illegal invasion in 2003. I don’t remember hearing any outrage about the illegal use of prohibited weapons from National. There was not a sound from their benches during or after the attacks, or later, when they were the Government and the truth became public. Coming to think of it they are still markedly reticent to comment on it.
A soldier’s body containing a live grenade and two bullets is brought back using three separate flights. Jonathan Coleman says Who could have imagined that this would happen. Well all of government really. Because they have fed us the story that our forces overseas are strictly there for reconstruction and to aid peace moves and then turned off their hearing aids off and pocketed their specs.
A major fall from grace gets 12 months home detention and 250 hours community service (what will he do I wonder) hen he was involved with others in losing $millions from hard-working taxpaying citizens. I want equal justice for beneficiaries who are found guilty of defrauding taxpayers.
Something odd happens every day. What’s odder is that nothing seems to be done to adjust the vision for a more practical and effective result.
Two democratic heroes;
Two very different treatments by Radio New Zealand
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Tuesday 11 June 2013
Jim Mora, Tony Doe, David Farrar
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I could not listen after 4 o’clock, but if the combination of inanity and insincere unctuousness in the preshow chat was anything to go by, I’m kind of glad I missed the main show.
This is what, according to Susan Baldacci and Jim Mora, the World is Talking About….
1.) Do i-Phones have a soul?
2.) Designated drivers are often just “less drunk” rather than sober.
3.) An exciting new coffee cup design that eliminates cup rings.
4.) Dogshit detectors in Spain.
5.) Nelson Mandela’s health.
This last topic supplied the unctuousness factor. Susan Baldacci announced that Mandela had rallied a little over the last twenty-four hours; Mora huffed and sighed: “That’s goodish news.” More huffing and sighing, then more unctuous expressions of goodwill for the Pope, who is also not in the best of health.
This contrasts brutally with Mora’s behaviour after Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez died…
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 8 March 2013
JIM MORA: Okay, just a couple of minutes left. Should John Key go to Hugo Chávez’s funeral or not? I can see why he’s NOT going. Ha ha ha ha!
DAVID SLACK: Of course he should go. He’s been leaned on by the United States.
MORA: But he’d be seen to be endorsing a revolutionary left wing leader?
MARK INGALLS: I’m ashamed as a New Zealander that he’s not going.
I looked up Stanley the explorer in Wikipedia and was amazed at his great career and adaptability from very harsh beginnings. But others who hadn’t harsh or poor beginnings to overcome don’t always succeed in reaching their potential as civilised, well-rounded human beings. Note Jameson heir of a whiskey manufacturer below and don’t forget the truly awful Belgian King Leopold II. This is from Stanley’s entry in wikipedia.
In 1886, Stanley led the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition to “rescue” Emin Pasha, the governor of Equatoria in the southern Sudan.
King Leopold II demanded that Stanley take the longer route, via the Congo River, hoping to acquire more territory and perhaps even Equatoria.
After immense hardships and great loss of life, Stanley met Emin in 1888, charted the Ruwenzori Range and Lake Edward, and emerged from the interior with Emin and his surviving followers at the end of 1890.[25]
But this expedition tarnished Stanley’s name because of the conduct of the other Europeans: British gentlemen and army officers. An army major was shot by a carrier, after behaving with extreme cruelty.
James Jameson, heir to an Irish whiskey manufacturer, bought an 11-year-old girl and offered her to cannibals to document and sketch how she was cooked and eaten.[26] Stanley only found out when Jameson had died of fever.
I’m not so sure that Stanley should be painted in such a good light. From the same Wikipedia article…
However, statements by contemporaries of Stanley, such as Sir Richard Francis Burton, who claimed “Stanley shoots negroes as if they were monkeys”, paint a very different picture
For those who haven’t yet bothered to base their ‘pro-fluoride’ / ‘not-so-considered’ opinions on FACTS and EVIDENCE – you may be interested in this statement, from a leading UK Professor of Public Health?
Statement by leading UK Professor of Public Health.
Professor Peckham can be quoted as follows:-
As a Professor and Health Researcher I find pro-fluoridationists’ characterisation of those opposed to fluoridation as “quacks” offensive.
My work is supported by the UK Department of Health, I am a member of the UK Faculty of Public Health and have a number of funded research projects from the National Institutes for Health Research in the UK.
I have consistently opposed fluoridation policy due to the poor evidence base on its effectiveness, genuine concerns about potential health problems (requiring further research) and, therefore, the fact that imposing fluoridation is unethical.
Professor Stephen Peckham BSc. MA(Econ)., HMFPH
Director, Centre for Health Services Studies
Professor of Health Policy
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Director, Policy Research Unit in Commissioning and the Healthcare System
University of Kent
______________________________________________________________________________
Hilarious that Booz Allen tried to discredit Snowden by saying that his salary was only $122,000 per year, and Snowden claimed that he earnt $200,000 per year.
But figure in the big annual bonuses and benefits that these private consultant types get…and $200,000 doesn’t sound unreasonable at all.
“Ha ha ha, ho ho ho, he he he! Get him a sun lamp!!!”
An unusually inane and depraved edition of The Panel
Radio NZ National, Friday 14 June 2013
Jim Mora, Lisa Scott, Chris Trotter
JIM MORA: It’s Susan Baldacci, with What the Wooooorld’s Talking About! What have you got for us today? SUSAN BALDACCI: First up, Jim, is this Perth radio host who has been suspended for saying Julia Gillard’s husband is gay, because he is a hairdresser. JIM MORA: This is bizarre, isn’t it! LISA SCOTT: They’re attacking her because she’s a woman! CHRIS TROTTER: The same thing went on with Helen Clark. There were some TERRIBLE things said about her husband too. MORA: Yeah but they were more subterranean, weren’t they? In Australia this kind of thing is much more out in the open. CHRIS TROTTER: Well, Ian Wishart’s Investigate magazine has a much larger readership than one might think. MORA: But surely no mainstream, reputable media outlets in this country would TOLERATE that sort of thing would they?
REALITY CHECK….
Mora is either dishonest or has a memory like John Banks, i.e., he is dishonest. A few years ago on The Panel, one DOCTOR MICHAEL BASSETT worked himself up into a state of preternatural malice and snarled, absurdly, that Nicky Hager was a Holocaust-denier. I can think of nothing more despicable or extreme than uttering such a brutal and offensive falsehood on public radio—but Jim Mora did not say a word. Far from not tolerating “that sort of thing”, Mora’s guests on the Panel have included, as well as Bassett, such extreme and irrational figures as Nevil Breivik Gibson, Christine Spankin’ Rankin, and Garth Gaga George—to name just three off the top of my head. He has also respectfully interviewed such outré figures as the Sensible Sentencing Trust’s Garth “The Knife” McVicar. So much for his contention that no mainstream media outlets in this country would tolerate “that sort of thing.”
MORA: What else have you got for us? SUSAN BALDACCI: Well, this latest study shows that we’re all a little bit paranoid. There are three kinds of paranoia, apparently— MORA: Three kinds of paranoia? SUSAN BALDACCI:[annoyed] Y-y-y-y-yes.
She gives a brief survey of an article about paranoia she has just downloaded from the internet, and then the program takes a sinister turn….
SUSAN BALDACCI: Julian Assange is a little bit paranoid. MORA: Oh yes? Hur, hur, hur, hur! SUSAN BALDACCI: Yeah, he claims that being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy, he is deprived of his human right of getting enough sun. MORA: Is it a human right to get enough sun? SUSAN BALDACCI: That’s what he claims! He claims that being not allowed to leave London is violating his “human rights”. MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha ha! CHRIS TROTTER: Haw haw haw haw haw! SUSAN BALDACCI: He thinks he should be allowed out of his Ecuador embassy hideout to sunbathe. MORA: He can get out on the balcony, where he gave that speech! LISA SCOTT: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha! CHRIS TROTTER: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha! Or get him a sun lamp! THAT’s what he needs! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha! SUSAN BALDACCI: He he he he he! TROTTER: I suspect the ambassador’s just sick of the sight of him! “Are you ever going to LEEEEAAAVE?” MORA: Sun lamp! Get him a sun lamp!!! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha! MORA: Back after the news!
……4 p.m. News……
WAYNE MOWAT: The time is nine minutes past four and due to circumstances beyond our control, we have some more music.
Plays George Harrison’s “Apple Scruffs”, then something by Fat Freddy’s Drop. Wayne Mowat tells us there’s been a fire alarm so everyone has had to leave the building for a short time.
They’re back in the studio at 4:15. Somebody—presumably not Mora himself—decides to ditch the discussion about fluoridation and the loons who have stampeded the Hamilton City Council into abandoning it. But they still go ahead with the entirely pointless, extended introductions of the guests. Trotter vapors on about Bloom’s Day, which is coming up in Auckland. “There’s a lot of laughing,” he promises, “and some weeping.”
Then it’s on to the big, in-depth discussions, “the news of the day in a different way”….
Topic No. 1:
Labour’s hypocritical MPs accepting “hospitality” from Sky City…. LISA SCOTT:giggles winsomely It just shows that politicians are people too. CHRIS TROTTER: When I heard David Shearer say he didn’t know they were there, I almost threw my cellphone at the wall. To say that you didn’t know just shows you have no control over your caucus. LISA SCOTT: Yeah, yeah, it’s not a good look. It’s a bad look, all right. I agree with you.
Topic No. 2:
Dunedin mayor Dave Cull’s email exchange about the Dalai Lama is to be released to the public…. CHRIS TROTTER: With our increasing closeness to and reliance on China, there will be increasing pressure on university chancellors, mayors and all public officials to not have ANYTHING to do with the Dalai Lama. LISA SCOTT: Isn’t that sad! CHRIS TROTTER: It is, really. He’s a lovely chap! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
….[4:30 News]….
Soapbox….
MORA: What have you been thinking about, Lisa Scott? LISA SCOTT: I’ve been thinking about something called UBF. Do you know what it is—Unintentional Bitch Face. CHRIS TROTTER: Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho! LISA SCOTT: It’s when you look grumpy without meaning to. Posh Spice has UBF. MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! She does too! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Sellotape behind the ears! This is cheap cosmetic surgery! LISA SCOTT: I’ve got UGF—Unintentionally Gormless Face. MORA: Posh DOES have a look doesn’t she! Okay, Chris Trotter, what’s been on your mind?
CHRIS TROTTER: Oh, mine seems terribly worthy now, compared to that GREAT topic. But an interesting factoid I have just learned is that New Zealand now has more than one thousand people employed in security. Why do we need so many spooks? MORA: Do you remember when it was just the SIS? In those days you got the impression it was only fifty to a hundred people. CHRIS TROTTER: Yes, those were the trenchcoat days, trailing Dr. Bill Sutch. Now it’s all NCIS and MORA: We chortle, but if Big Data like Prism is going to conform and constrain and dominate our lives, then we NEED that expertise!
The program ends with Trotter taking up his guitar and singing a melancholy tribute to the legendary Dunedin student pub, the Captain Cook, which is closing after 150 years.
Unfortunately, this publicly funded yock-fest will continue on Monday…..
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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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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. ...
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Obviously, the Labour caucus did not listen to their membership when they selected Mumblefuck as “leader” of the party. How then did that come about? Well, this audio transcript of the pivotal decision moment has just come to me:
Voice 1: I hereby convene this session of the Iron Spines Society.
Voices [chanting]: We are the ABC Warriors!
Voice [booming]: Bigjobs!!
Voice 1: Yes. Now that our colleague has completed his 3 year assignment; snatching the laurels of failure from the jaws of victory, we needs must select a replacement. Lest we be at risk of the Goff’s human appearance seducing the punters away from the true path before our associate’s tasks are complete.
Voices: [indistinct disgruntled murmuring]
Voice 2: If I may have the floor? [sound of chairs moving etc.] We must be honest with ourselves; the Goff was a mistake; his humulation programing was too successful, and his, well; robotic…
Voices: [chuckling]
Voice: Bigjobs!!
Voice 2: His robotic command of numbers created a dangerous perception of competance.
Voices: [indistinct disgruntled murmuring]
Voice 1: We know this already, Robertron.
Voice 2: Ah, but does not our problem suggest it’s own solution? If the punters are indeed just a insufficiently industrious bunch of losers, then what do we need to seduce them to the cause of steel?
Voice 1: You’re right! What we need is the greatest loser concievable…
Voice 2: But where can we find this paragon of ineptituide?
[sound of door knock, then hinge squeak as it opens]
Voice 3: Did you want some tea? I mean, it smells like; engine oil, but that can’t… It must be tea – it’s in ummm… Teaspoons? No; cups. Or is it coffee? I may have some mango skins on me somewhere I could squeeze out for you? Did I ever tell you about the time I was in Africa…
[Transcript ends]
That was a cut and paste of an earlier comment (33.2.1 on Zetettic’s 7/6 “Gone” post), which is about to slip off the bottom of the page. It seems relevant again with the Sky City rugby box fiasco, and anyway; is the best bit of writing I’ve done since I’ve started commenting on this site – though I’d been a reader for years.
Just so no gets confused: “Well, this audio transcript of the pivotal decision moment has just come to me”, means; I made up this satire to help deal with my anger about Labour’s incompetence. The; ABC Warriors, were a recurring story, with varying writers, in the 2000AD comic which is most famous for; Judge Dredd. They were; an unpleasant band of robotic mercenaries, whose main pleasure in unlife was watching human/ chainsaw torture porn.
Not all the ABC warriors (in particular Hammerstein) were like that especially when they hooked up with Nemesis the Warlock
It’s been years since I’ve read the comic (is is still being done? Is 2000AD?). Yeah, OK; maybe Hammerstein wasn’t as bad as MekQuake – but that’s a pretty low bar!
2000AD is still going strong, in fact the Dredd movie that recently came out was pretty good (even though it bombed at the box office)
+1, and every Dredd fan I know agrees, and wants more from Karl and the gang
Yes please. Still amazes me that they thought to age Dredd in real time in the comics.
Well rejuv drugs help
Pasupial, it looks as if you have been watching too much television. Are you aware of the difference between official fiction and reality ?
“Earthquake ? What earthquake ?” said the Mayor as he brushed off a few crumbs and some debris and passed the tea to Alice.
“.. and what is a Pasupial ?” asked the March Hare as he studied an old map of Australia.
@ Tom
You do understand the term; satire?
I don’t watch TV since it’s gone digital, and rarely enough before then (why didn’t you say; “it looks like you read too many comics”? That’d at least be relevant, though a decade out of date). However, I view DVDs of series, where you get the fill without the content (terms that seem exactly the wrong way round to me). And do sometimes look up news footage online; but I’m not often interested enough. I will stream TV3’s; 7 days, if its on though.
Pasupial is a nom de clave to protect myself against offline retaliation. It refers to my wee Basupial’s tendency to; cling on like a koala to a tree, with myself & Masupial.
7 Days is back on again. About the only thing worth watching on a Friday night until the Cricket comes on.
I know I say “its a non story” on here a bit but the best non story of the week is the Labour MP’s at the sky city corporate box. If it was business then can the emails and recorded conversations be tabled or leaked to Winston.
I am really concerned that 4 labour MP’s are soliciting corporate sponsorship or business deals.
Can anyone help?
You know you’re stirring……..
Not stirring – always declared my position on here. im centre right and enjoy the dialogue. It is a stuff up by labour isn’t it?
@ Yes
I’m not so sure about the; “centre” part of “centre right”, but yeah; you’ve been tolerably upfront about your views. And yes; it was a stuff-up by Labour, or at least; one part of the Labour caucus, rather than the Labour party as a whole.
However, NAct’s reponse that; the scandal lay in the Labour MPs accepting the seats in the Sky City box and then not voting for their legislation, suggests that a seat at the rugby really is enough to buy your average NAct MP. Whereas the 4 Labour MPs (plus their 10 minute leader) were merely guilty of a miserable error in judgement, rather than systemic corruption.
But it’s an ill wind that blows no one any good: The Greens have come out of this looking like the only Party in Parliament who actually believe in any ethical principles.
Yes a stuff up for sure.
Yes a stuff up for sure.
Yes a stuff up for sure.
Man, who is advising these idiots? They had it on a plate this week – the Dunne affair, the continuous erosion of labour rights – and then they go and mingle with the SkyCity crowd. And all of a sudden, the topic is not the corrupt ways of the Key government and the Sky City deal, but the blatant hypocrisy of Labour politicians.
It’s fucking embarrassing, because as we know, and the MSM are constantly reminding us of it – in politics, it’s all about perception.
Yep key is calling it “deep hypocrisy” and sadly another arrow in the quiver that could be used to stop these gnats has been broken.
” Phil Goff, Annette King, Kris Faafoi and Clayton Cosgrove accepted SkyCity’s invitation. Their leader David Shearer declined, but turned up for 10 minutes anyway.
Prime Minister John Key said the Labour MPs had displayed “deep hypocrisy” after accusing the Government of being too close to SkyCity over the casino company’s plans to build a $400 million convention centre in Auckland in return for concessions on gambling laws.
“These guys have been running around parading as if they’re holier than thou, telling everybody how terrible SkyCity is and how the sky was going to cave in because a convention centre was being built and the moment we turn our back they are taking their sausage rolls and free beers in their box watching the All Blacks play,” he said today.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10890361
What a fucken joke this labour opposition is.
I couldnt agree more.
Labour is a shambles and these Labour MPs dont seem to care, seems they think their career is over at next election already so they should be booted out now along with their wetfish leader
Just as well there is also a Greens opposition.
These arrogant clowns were being mollycuddled by Sky City hostesses while we were collecting Asset signatures .
Aye.
King, Goff, Faaafoi and Cosgrove are dickheads. Are they that stupid that they do not realise how bad it looks? Next time there is a request for the good people of South Auckland and West Auckland to put their hands in their pockets to help fund the Labour Party they will be less likely to do so because of these dickheads.
They are representatives of a proud political movement that has achieved a great deal of good for many ordinary people over many decades. These other bastards, the National Party, are wrecking the country and have to be thrown out next election. To maximise the left’s chances there needs to be no stuff ups and no dickhead moments.
All Labour MPs should be told to not accept any invitations to corporate boxes, especially those sponsored by Sky City, just in case they are too dickheaded to realise how bad it looks.
Dickheads, dickheads, dickheads.
Did I mention that I think they are dickheads?
Yeah, pretty fundamentally stupid eh? I really want to like Labour but they sure make it fucking difficult.
At this stage I don’t want to vote for any party.
Try the Vote Them Out party TC.
The only true alternative.
Maybe I’ll vote ALCP just because they are the only ones with a principle they actually stand behind.
Meh, party vote National and a tick for a local liberal to make yourself feel better.
Nah, it is just four stupid vain people with a big sense of entitlement.
This is the core Shearer cheerleader team.
They are the ones that pushed Charles Chauvel out of winning Ohariu.
Besides taking $1,000 worth of hospitality each from Sky City, three of them used Tax Payer Funded flights to get to Auckland.
Did Sky City pay fot their overnight accomodation?
Did they stay in The Grand at Sky City’s expense?
Did they get Sky City Limos or Tax Payer Funded Corporate Limos?
Did any of them play tables with gift chips?
Does the term “being compromised” mean anything to these selfish morons?
They are National lite this crew
The Lite Right.
Did Phil Goff, Annette King, Kris Faafoi and Clayton Cosgrove not think how this may be perceived?
Did they? Or not?
What do they have to say to this fubar? Have they answered the allegation?
So it is becoming abundantly clear that Brownlee needs to pan pretty much everyone to do with the Christchurch central city rebuild (especially the Christchurch City Council) in order to take the prying eyes away from this government’s most massive failing in this arena….
… that of the failure of the central city rebuild to spark. There have been plenty of stories of local investors and developers and entrepreneurs cashing up and leaving for other pastures. Long time locals. And now we, as participants in this rebuild, have come to a similar decision – a decision to pull back significantly from our intended steps.
The reason for this failure of Brownlee and this government? Imo, it was their decision to abandon the free market approach to the central city rebuild and take an interventionist approach on a par with soviet era Russia and their 5-year plans. This heavy-handed interventionist big-government left-wing approach has heavily distorted the scene. It has distorted the landscape to such an extent that private enterprise in the central city is pretty much impossible and that is why there is pretty much none going on.
That is why Brownlee is creating a crisis at the Council where there is none – to take the heat away from their failings.
It is a serious shame because the donut city becomes more of a reality with every passing day.
Brownlee should stick to his knitting.
Agreed VTO.
Interesting that offers of support are flooding in from other Councils. They obviously realise that if Christchurch gets beaten up they may be next.
http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/newsmedia/mediareleases/2013/201306135.aspx
Yep, was in there yesterday and told that they have been getting help from Southland and Hawke Bay, among others, for some time already. It is like I said – there really is no crisis. There is a problem, but it is a problem that is consistent right across the city now, namely that of insufficient capacity. Pretty much anything that you need or want has a waiting list now and it is simply due to excess demand that simply cannot be met due to a lack of suitable people to do everything. And that aint going to be resolved.
And as above, the central city rebuild really is in dire straits. Aside from the more important housing and repair delays in the east, it is the most serious issue.
If the government had left the central city rebuild to the marketplace (subject to a few public institutions and relatively minor planning changes) then land values were plummeting to levels that would have made rebuilding stack up. And rebuilding by private enterprise would have sparked by now – as it has in other outer parts of the city.
By stepping in and mandating a Blueprint, and buying up half the city for their special anchor projects, they have completely distorted things.
Why has this government abandoned its political philosophy of small government, no interference, pro-free market? It’s approach in Chch is the most far-left interventionist approach this country has probably ever seen. And it is not working. Idiots.
square pegs and round holes, National’s policies and New Zealand’s needs
It hasn’t. The correct terminology is Two faced or Speaking with forked tongue. What National say is never what they mean. They want small, non-interventionist government for everyone but them and their rich mates, i.e, everyone is on their own except for them and their rich mates who will get government support and handouts.
Knitting??? More like eating everything in sight. Reminds me of Billy Bunter, the “Fat Owl of the Remove”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bunter
Prisoners to refurbish houses for HNZ
About time too, this is why we (the people of NZ) voted National in: to repeal section 97 of the Employment Relations Act 2000. Section 97 prevents the use of volunteers, contractors, or other casual employees by an employer during a strike or lockout.
I hope Key goes through with this but he probably won’t, just so he can be seen to be center-right…
Do you believe in the rule of law Winston?
Not always, depends on the law.
You righties are unbelievable. You get all frothy on it if a law that you agree with is breached but if a law you do not agree with is breached you do not care.
Good Answer some laws are just plain stupid.
WS ducks the question.
Being prepared to break a particular law can be a legitimate form of protest, and after all, there are consequences, but neither law breaking nor consequences would be possible were it not for the rule of law.
I said, “can be”, because if we’re talking about the routine flouting or selective application of the law by the state, well, at that point the rule of law ceases.
Yet another scabs’ charter from the people who bought us the ’51 lockout. This dovetails nicely with the ‘reasonable’ changes they are proposing to allow bosses to walk away from bargaining. The boss ends bargaining, says ‘what are you gonna do about it?’ to their workers and if the staff take action, the boss brings in scabs under police protection. How’s that brighter future looking people?
“I’d love to see wages drop”. John Key.
Exactly, now that scabbing is legal what more can the Nats do to the remaining workers in this country? Chain them to work stations? Lock fire doors?
The tory labour legislation is all about downward pressure on wages and management by fear in a high unemployment environment. Jamie–Lee Ross what a tosser, hopefully he will get a suitable reaction if ever spotted in public by unionists.
Sure because a union would never start talks during the busy season at a meatworks would they? And they’d never go on strike during the busy time when they have the business over a barrell…no never
Its about time National started doing what they were put in to do.
What, collective action timed to be as effective as possible?
Why are you so afraid of the freedoms of speech and assembly? Why are you whining about people exercising their freedoms?
Are you a cry-baby as well as a scab?
Scab…lol, sorry I seem to have misplaced my cloth cap as I trudge off down t’ mill
I’m not saying people can’t strike, if they want to strike then good on them but employers shouldn’t be held to ransom by some union delegates
Why not?
Workers are held to ransom by employers the rest of the time.
Every employer I ever worked for has insisted on getting all the work out of me before I get the money out of them. I’m sure a few folk can insist on it being the other way around, though. But not most workers.
@ O’Brien
I see you remembered your arse-hat though.
When is the last time the meatworkers have struck during the busy season or the interisland ferries been stopped at Christmas because of strike action Winston?
If this is the problem that you say it is then why is the solution being applied 20 years too late?
Hey Winston Smith, take your attitude to workers and shove it as hard as you can right up until your eyes water, arsehole.
Aint no trouble finding you in this you ignorant evil prick … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyUagbsg-HI
I appreciate that you have sexual feelings towards me but, alas, I’m happily married but don’t worry theres someone for everyone.
🙂
Once again you prove comprehension is not your forte.
It sounded like he/she wanted to have sexy times with me so I thought I’d let them down easy, don’t want to lead anyone on 🙂
Maybe you place too much importance in having your arsehole giving you “sexy times”.
I don’t discriminate about where people have sexy times
Good on you, though your discrimination towards workers makes you look rather discriminaTory.
W Smith I see you have turned up again to encourage the inhabitants to tease you with bananas and peanuts. Clever old you.
‘
When the people of New Zealand voted for National Ltd™ they did so, partially, on the basis of what John Key said. Among the statements he made about the direction his government would take are these . . .
. . . he lied. Again. And again. And again. He’s still lying. If John Key told the truth about National Ltd™’s intentions it would never have been elected. The actions of National Ltd™ in the area of employment are being rammed down the throat of New Zealand workers without a mandate.
Um, moral high horse? I just said you ducked the question, there’s no horse about it.
Undoubtedly there are laws which should be changed or repealed and perhaps infrequently there might be a need for entirely new laws. It is manifestly so, or else why bother with elections?
Comment apparently orphaned?
Syria uses chemical weapons on its own people, and not one word form the left wing parties of New Zealand.
But if a farmer from Otago, sprays chemicals on his apples, Russell Norman will be screaming from the roof tops.
Im sure the standard and the left wing parties will mention the syria story, of course they will blame the states though.
You need to wake up before you start typing, otherwise it just looks like a vague recollection of your disjointed R.E.M. sleep cycle.
You need to wake up before you start typing, otherwise it just looks like a vague recollection of your disjointed R.E.M. sleep cycle.
Sadly, and astoundingly, that is our friend Dale when he is wide awake. You might think it resembles the semi-conscious outpourings of someone not fully awake, or even suffering from drug abuse, but I assure you, fender, the poor fellow won’t get any better.
Fender
Oh Please, your ideology is stopping you from condemning a crime,
Yeah the “States” made Bashar al-Assad use chemical weapons did they?
Those Hobbit boxer shorts must be too tight, they seem to be restricting a supply of blood to your brain.
I rather think the implication was that the left wing parties whould be condemning Al-Assad. Your mind is fascinating.
You of course must be privy to details of the investigation before it is complete, whereas mere mortals will have to wait for official findings to be made public I suppose.
By the way, one of Bretts implications seemed to be that the NZ left would blame the “States” for making al Assad use chemical weapons on his own people.
The States has simply been itching to supply heavy weapons to the anti Assad brigade (even though half of them are foreign islamists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and other nice places)
Nothing to go wrong here.
Syria uses chemical weapons on its own people, and not one word form the left wing parties of New Zealand.
Your witlessness never ceases to astound me. Those are allegations only; nothing has been proved. Where there WAS irrefutable proof of chemical weapon usage was in 2009-9, when Israel used Phosphorus bombs in its murderous assault on Gaza.
Far from condemning that use of chemical weapons, I remember you frequently expressing your endorsement of it.
The rest of your little rant is, as always, too incoherent and confused to justify any response.
Actaully the official statement says “The Assad regime could prove that its request for an investigation was not just a diversionary tactic by granting the U.N. fact-finding mission immediate and unfettered access to conduct on-site investigations to help reveal the truth about chemical weapons use in Syria. While pushing for a U.N. investigation, the United States has also been working urgently with our partners and allies as well as individuals inside Syria, including the Syrian opposition, to procure, share, and evaluate information associated with reports of chemical weapons use so that we can establish the facts and determine what took place.” http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/text-us-statement-syria-chemical-weapons-19396269
But congratuations on finding a way to use the horrible death of 100-150 people in Syria as an excuse to spray around some more of your fanatical Jew hate, Morrissey.
… your fanatical Jew hate, Morrissey.
What a deliriously funny example of desperation. You just can’t argue in good faith, can you?
A word to the wise, my friend: when you are unable to formulate a coherent and civilized response, silence is the better option.
That kind of mad rhetoric only makes you look bad. In fact, it’s so crazed that I’m not even offended, and I actually feel pity for you.
No, I just get bored with you constantly making everything about Israel
No, I just get bored with you constantly making everything about Israel
So I make “everything” about Israel, you say. Where in all of the debate about Edward Snowden, for instance, have I even mentioned Israel?
The only reason I mentioned Israel was because one (admittedly substandard) poster raised the question of chemical weapons usage. Now, of course, you will probably pretend otherwise, but the fact is that only two regimes have used chemical weapons, and they have in both cases been defended by their U.S. sponsor with the most aggressive and cynical “diplomacy” imaginable. The U.S. even concocted a fantastic story that attempted to pin the blame for the Halabja massacre on another official enemy, Iran.
There is no evidence that Syria has used chemical weapons—unlike Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Israel.
I am sure you know that—but you keep on defending that halfwit Brett Dale if you want.
Probably because you haven’t thought of a way to connect Snowden and Israel. I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
I have no doubt you will.
Pretty much sums up your interest in things as far as I can see.
Ironic thopugh that you so look forward to using the deaths in syria as an excuse to indulge your, what was it, ‘semi-fictional persona’?
Actually that’s not what I’d doing at all – not any more so than Annette Sykes celebrated 9/11 or Hone Harawera gave a moving eulogy of Osama bin Laden. You just enjoy attacking me in your limp fashion because you don’t agree with me – I’ve never known you to debate a point.
That’s hilarious Pop.
You are one of the most pointless commenters here.
Here’s what you said:
I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
Looking forward to confirmation of CW use, purely so that you can continue your petty little squabble with Morrissey, who you greatly resemble, although he does actually make points, wrongheaded as they often might be.
“Looking forward to confirmation of CW use, purely so that you can continue your petty little squabble with Morrissey, who you greatly resemble, although he does actually make points, wrongheaded as they often might be.”
You are such a martyr – do you get no enjoyment out of bickering you holier than thou prude?
I’m not claiming any sort of martyr status Pop. That would be you having a big old cry because the mean old bookie calls you on your contentless shit.
And pointless bickering for the sake of it is, obviously, pointless.
But at least you’ve confirmed that’s what you come here for, which is obvious enough given the way you (t)roll.
@Populuxe1
Please don’t confuse the actions of the Israeli government with Judaism.
@Populuxe1
Please don’t confuse the actions of the Israeli government with Judaism.
He’s not confused, richard, he’s just dishonest.
I don’t. But yon Morrissey has a habit of lumping Jewish celebrities in with Likud at every available opportunity
I don’t. But yon Morrissey has a habit of lumping Jewish celebrities in with Likud at every available opportunity
Another lie. I do not “lump Jewish celebrities in with Likud”; some of the bravest, most outspoken critics of the outlaw Israeli regime have been, and are, Jewish celebrities.
A while ago you alleged, absurdly, that my pointing out the vile racism, the merciless lies and the brutal and possibly catastrophic defamation of a Palestinian Christian peace activist by Sacha Baron Cohen means that I was, ergo, attacking all Jews.
Over the last couple of years on this excellent forum, I have also expressed contempt for Barack Obama, Tau Henare, Winston Peters, the Japanese and Chinese governments, the Indonesian government, the American-backed Arab dictators, and many other criminals, con-men and impostors who have managed to get themselves into positions of inordinate and unjustified power.
Yet you, for some absolutely spurious reason, have consistently maintained that I am “fixated on Israel” and that by, say, reminding people that Israel used Phosphorus bombs on the civilians of Gaza, is to “spray around Jew hate”. Apparently, Israeli politicians and their hardline supporters, like Sacha Baron Cohen and Jerry Seinfeld and Maureen Lipman, are immune to criticism; to even point out their fanatical devotion to the Holy State is a crime.
You have no consistency, no integrity and no credibility.
Probably because you haven’t thought of a way to connect Snowden and Israel.
Unbelievable! I publicly keelhaul you for your lack of integrity, your dishonesty, and your irrationality—and you’re back at it almost immediately. As I mentioned before, I do feel a degree of compassion for you, but your idiotic maliciousness sorely tries my patience.
I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s [sic] own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
We’ll skip the unimaginative and incompetent abuse and go straight to your one point: you are evidently trying to suggest I support the Syrian regime. I do not. Only a fool, i.e. you, would draw that inference from anything I have written here or anywhere else.
Where did I ever suggest you supported the Syrian regime? I was commenting on your adamant refusal to entertain the likelihood that nerve gas had been used simply because of an all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex. You’re projecting somewhat
Where did I ever suggest you supported the Syrian regime?
I thought it might have been one of your little jests, like calling me a “Jew-hater”.
I was commenting on your adamant refusal to entertain the likelihood that nerve gas had been used simply because of an all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex.
A thoroughly discredited regime, at present engaged in two overt wars, both of which it started, and two more undeclared wars, in Yemen and Pakistan, is now making claims similar to the false claims it made to start the 2003 Iraq war. Yet you choose to describe all those who do not accept the unproven allegations of that rogue state as “all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex.” That’s not only trivialization, that’s flagrant misrepresentation.
You’re projecting somewhat
Projecting what?
“A thoroughly discredited regime, at present engaged in two overt wars, both of which it started, and two more undeclared wars, in Yemen and Pakistan, is now making claims similar to the false claims it made to start the 2003 Iraq war. Yet you choose to describe all those who do not accept the unproven allegations of that rogue state as “all too common anti-US knee jerk reflex.” That’s not only trivialization, that’s flagrant misrepresentation.”
And correlation is not causation
“Projecting what?”
I wish I knew. That’s a question for your therapist.
I wait with anticipation for the UN to confirm that Syria has used Sarin against it’s [sic] own people so I can flip you the middle finger and call you some choice names befitting the disgusting waste of protein you are.
Oops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p_quncrKlI
Ok, Syrian rebels used it against Syrians. They’re both as bad as each other.
Now the US?UK is using the excuse of chemical weapons to validate the arming of Syrian rebel groups such as the Al Nusra Front an Al Qaeda affiliated organisation,
What could go wrong with this plan?.
I made a link late last week, maybe from The Guardian, about the political entrepreneurship manipulating Shia / Sunni, and inter-sectarian oppositions, then there is always the memories of the mujahideen…
furthermore, there are the Iranian elections, all candidates competing in obedience to The Supreme Leader, seeking a more complicit Prez. from the single moderate, four conservative and one hardliner candidates.hmmm
In 2010, large amounts of information from numerous sources revealed the USA’s use of white phosphorus and depleted uranium shells in Iraq during various battles resulting from the USA’s illegal invasion in 2003. I don’t remember hearing any outrage about the illegal use of prohibited weapons from National. There was not a sound from their benches during or after the attacks, or later, when they were the Government and the truth became public. Coming to think of it they are still markedly reticent to comment on it.
here is a press release about one of the studies
http://www.thecbdf.org/ar/cbdf-reaserch-papers/61-international-journal-of-environmental-studies-and-public-health-ijerph-switzerland-genetic-damage-and-health-in-fallujah-iraq-worse-than-hiroshima-
p.s. here is the Greens policy on such
http://www.greens.org.nz/policy/globalaffairs
section on global security 3 B
A soldier’s body containing a live grenade and two bullets is brought back using three separate flights. Jonathan Coleman says Who could have imagined that this would happen. Well all of government really. Because they have fed us the story that our forces overseas are strictly there for reconstruction and to aid peace moves and then turned off their hearing aids off and pocketed their specs.
A major fall from grace gets 12 months home detention and 250 hours community service (what will he do I wonder) hen he was involved with others in losing $millions from hard-working taxpaying citizens. I want equal justice for beneficiaries who are found guilty of defrauding taxpayers.
Something odd happens every day. What’s odder is that nothing seems to be done to adjust the vision for a more practical and effective result.
Two democratic heroes;
Two very different treatments by Radio New Zealand
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Tuesday 11 June 2013
Jim Mora, Tony Doe, David Farrar
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I could not listen after 4 o’clock, but if the combination of inanity and insincere unctuousness in the preshow chat was anything to go by, I’m kind of glad I missed the main show.
This is what, according to Susan Baldacci and Jim Mora, the World is Talking About….
1.) Do i-Phones have a soul?
2.) Designated drivers are often just “less drunk” rather than sober.
3.) An exciting new coffee cup design that eliminates cup rings.
4.) Dogshit detectors in Spain.
5.) Nelson Mandela’s health.
This last topic supplied the unctuousness factor. Susan Baldacci announced that Mandela had rallied a little over the last twenty-four hours; Mora huffed and sighed: “That’s goodish news.” More huffing and sighing, then more unctuous expressions of goodwill for the Pope, who is also not in the best of health.
This contrasts brutally with Mora’s behaviour after Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez died…
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 8 March 2013
JIM MORA: Okay, just a couple of minutes left. Should John Key go to Hugo Chávez’s funeral or not? I can see why he’s NOT going. Ha ha ha ha!
DAVID SLACK: Of course he should go. He’s been leaned on by the United States.
MORA: But he’d be seen to be endorsing a revolutionary left wing leader?
MARK INGALLS: I’m ashamed as a New Zealander that he’s not going.
[Long uncomfortable pause….]
MORA: [grudgingly] Mmmmkay.
I looked up Stanley the explorer in Wikipedia and was amazed at his great career and adaptability from very harsh beginnings. But others who hadn’t harsh or poor beginnings to overcome don’t always succeed in reaching their potential as civilised, well-rounded human beings. Note Jameson heir of a whiskey manufacturer below and don’t forget the truly awful Belgian King Leopold II. This is from Stanley’s entry in wikipedia.
In 1886, Stanley led the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition to “rescue” Emin Pasha, the governor of Equatoria in the southern Sudan.
King Leopold II demanded that Stanley take the longer route, via the Congo River, hoping to acquire more territory and perhaps even Equatoria.
After immense hardships and great loss of life, Stanley met Emin in 1888, charted the Ruwenzori Range and Lake Edward, and emerged from the interior with Emin and his surviving followers at the end of 1890.[25]
But this expedition tarnished Stanley’s name because of the conduct of the other Europeans: British gentlemen and army officers. An army major was shot by a carrier, after behaving with extreme cruelty.
James Jameson, heir to an Irish whiskey manufacturer, bought an 11-year-old girl and offered her to cannibals to document and sketch how she was cooked and eaten.[26] Stanley only found out when Jameson had died of fever.
I’m not so sure that Stanley should be painted in such a good light. From the same Wikipedia article…
Richard I missed that – Stanley was a man of his time it seems. What a time, thumbs down.
FYI
For those who haven’t yet bothered to base their ‘pro-fluoride’ / ‘not-so-considered’ opinions on FACTS and EVIDENCE – you may be interested in this statement, from a leading UK Professor of Public Health?
______________________________________________________________________________
Statement by leading UK Professor of Public Health.
Professor Peckham can be quoted as follows:-
As a Professor and Health Researcher I find pro-fluoridationists’ characterisation of those opposed to fluoridation as “quacks” offensive.
My work is supported by the UK Department of Health, I am a member of the UK Faculty of Public Health and have a number of funded research projects from the National Institutes for Health Research in the UK.
I have consistently opposed fluoridation policy due to the poor evidence base on its effectiveness, genuine concerns about potential health problems (requiring further research) and, therefore, the fact that imposing fluoridation is unethical.
Professor Stephen Peckham BSc. MA(Econ)., HMFPH
Director, Centre for Health Services Studies
Professor of Health Policy
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Director, Policy Research Unit in Commissioning and the Healthcare System
University of Kent
______________________________________________________________________________
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption /anti-privatisation’ campaigner
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/?page_id=152
Gluckman pronounced the last word for NZ;
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1306/S00035/sir-peter-gluckman-statement-of-flouride.htm
IMO, the evidence base for its effectiveness is much better than the evidence base for any concerns.
same. ‘see ya’ on the ‘morrow.
Internal (upskirt) Affairs going on.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10890527
The Depletion of Natural Capital
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10890145
1 in 5 Pensioners still in paid employment; high cost of living, finance company collapses and divorce
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10890446
Snowden: China stays quiet.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10890430
Europe Floods
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/europe/news/article.cfm?l_id=7&objectid=10889629
Hilarious that Booz Allen tried to discredit Snowden by saying that his salary was only $122,000 per year, and Snowden claimed that he earnt $200,000 per year.
But figure in the big annual bonuses and benefits that these private consultant types get…and $200,000 doesn’t sound unreasonable at all.
just about to retrieve some Chinese perspective before biking home (cold snap).
Here’s a good read, and a short one too:
http://indigenoushistory.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/what-if-people-told-european-history-like-they-told-native-american-history/
That’s good. The comments are interesting too.
Thanks Pb I enjoyed that.
On Chinese response to Snowden
L.A Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-chinese-media-snowden-20130613,0,2845643.story
from The New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/evanosnos/2013/06/snowdens-chinese-fans.html
some Chinese net users arguing for asylum as a demonstration of State Power , or sending him to Russia 😀
10 000 Police to G8-ITV
“Ha ha ha, ho ho ho, he he he! Get him a sun lamp!!!”
An unusually inane and depraved edition of The Panel
Radio NZ National, Friday 14 June 2013
Jim Mora, Lisa Scott, Chris Trotter
JIM MORA: It’s Susan Baldacci, with What the Wooooorld’s Talking About! What have you got for us today?
SUSAN BALDACCI: First up, Jim, is this Perth radio host who has been suspended for saying Julia Gillard’s husband is gay, because he is a hairdresser.
JIM MORA: This is bizarre, isn’t it!
LISA SCOTT: They’re attacking her because she’s a woman!
CHRIS TROTTER: The same thing went on with Helen Clark. There were some TERRIBLE things said about her husband too.
MORA: Yeah but they were more subterranean, weren’t they? In Australia this kind of thing is much more out in the open.
CHRIS TROTTER: Well, Ian Wishart’s Investigate magazine has a much larger readership than one might think.
MORA: But surely no mainstream, reputable media outlets in this country would TOLERATE that sort of thing would they?
REALITY CHECK….
Mora is either dishonest or has a memory like John Banks, i.e., he is dishonest. A few years ago on The Panel, one DOCTOR MICHAEL BASSETT worked himself up into a state of preternatural malice and snarled, absurdly, that Nicky Hager was a Holocaust-denier. I can think of nothing more despicable or extreme than uttering such a brutal and offensive falsehood on public radio—but Jim Mora did not say a word. Far from not tolerating “that sort of thing”, Mora’s guests on the Panel have included, as well as Bassett, such extreme and irrational figures as Nevil Breivik Gibson, Christine Spankin’ Rankin, and Garth Gaga George—to name just three off the top of my head. He has also respectfully interviewed such outré figures as the Sensible Sentencing Trust’s Garth “The Knife” McVicar. So much for his contention that no mainstream media outlets in this country would tolerate “that sort of thing.”
MORA: What else have you got for us?
SUSAN BALDACCI: Well, this latest study shows that we’re all a little bit paranoid. There are three kinds of paranoia, apparently—
MORA: Three kinds of paranoia?
SUSAN BALDACCI: [annoyed] Y-y-y-y-yes.
She gives a brief survey of an article about paranoia she has just downloaded from the internet, and then the program takes a sinister turn….
SUSAN BALDACCI: Julian Assange is a little bit paranoid.
MORA: Oh yes? Hur, hur, hur, hur!
SUSAN BALDACCI: Yeah, he claims that being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy, he is deprived of his human right of getting enough sun.
MORA: Is it a human right to get enough sun?
SUSAN BALDACCI: That’s what he claims! He claims that being not allowed to leave London is violating his “human rights”.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
CHRIS TROTTER: Haw haw haw haw haw!
SUSAN BALDACCI: He thinks he should be allowed out of his Ecuador embassy hideout to sunbathe.
MORA: He can get out on the balcony, where he gave that speech!
LISA SCOTT: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha!
CHRIS TROTTER: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha! Or get him a sun lamp! THAT’s what he needs!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
SUSAN BALDACCI: He he he he he!
TROTTER: I suspect the ambassador’s just sick of the sight of him! “Are you ever going to LEEEEAAAVE?”
MORA: Sun lamp! Get him a sun lamp!!!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
MORA: Back after the news!
……4 p.m. News……
WAYNE MOWAT: The time is nine minutes past four and due to circumstances beyond our control, we have some more music.
Plays George Harrison’s “Apple Scruffs”, then something by Fat Freddy’s Drop. Wayne Mowat tells us there’s been a fire alarm so everyone has had to leave the building for a short time.
They’re back in the studio at 4:15. Somebody—presumably not Mora himself—decides to ditch the discussion about fluoridation and the loons who have stampeded the Hamilton City Council into abandoning it. But they still go ahead with the entirely pointless, extended introductions of the guests. Trotter vapors on about Bloom’s Day, which is coming up in Auckland. “There’s a lot of laughing,” he promises, “and some weeping.”
Then it’s on to the big, in-depth discussions, “the news of the day in a different way”….
Topic No. 1:
Labour’s hypocritical MPs accepting “hospitality” from Sky City….
LISA SCOTT: giggles winsomely It just shows that politicians are people too.
CHRIS TROTTER: When I heard David Shearer say he didn’t know they were there, I almost threw my cellphone at the wall. To say that you didn’t know just shows you have no control over your caucus.
LISA SCOTT: Yeah, yeah, it’s not a good look. It’s a bad look, all right. I agree with you.
Topic No. 2:
Dunedin mayor Dave Cull’s email exchange about the Dalai Lama is to be released to the public….
CHRIS TROTTER: With our increasing closeness to and reliance on China, there will be increasing pressure on university chancellors, mayors and all public officials to not have ANYTHING to do with the Dalai Lama.
LISA SCOTT: Isn’t that sad!
CHRIS TROTTER: It is, really. He’s a lovely chap!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
….[4:30 News]….
Soapbox….
MORA: What have you been thinking about, Lisa Scott?
LISA SCOTT: I’ve been thinking about something called UBF. Do you know what it is—Unintentional Bitch Face.
CHRIS TROTTER: Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!
LISA SCOTT: It’s when you look grumpy without meaning to. Posh Spice has UBF.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! She does too! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Sellotape behind the ears! This is cheap cosmetic surgery!
LISA SCOTT: I’ve got UGF—Unintentionally Gormless Face.
MORA: Posh DOES have a look doesn’t she! Okay, Chris Trotter, what’s been on your mind?
CHRIS TROTTER: Oh, mine seems terribly worthy now, compared to that GREAT topic. But an interesting factoid I have just learned is that New Zealand now has more than one thousand people employed in security. Why do we need so many spooks?
MORA: Do you remember when it was just the SIS? In those days you got the impression it was only fifty to a hundred people.
CHRIS TROTTER: Yes, those were the trenchcoat days, trailing Dr. Bill Sutch. Now it’s all NCIS and
MORA: We chortle, but if Big Data like Prism is going to conform and constrain and dominate our lives, then we NEED that expertise!
The program ends with Trotter taking up his guitar and singing a melancholy tribute to the legendary Dunedin student pub, the Captain Cook, which is closing after 150 years.
Unfortunately, this publicly funded yock-fest will continue on Monday…..
Pretend to be surprised: intelligence agencies share and swap sensitive data with thousands of private corporates
Who would’ve thought.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-14/u-s-agencies-said-to-swap-data-with-thousands-of-firms.html
It’s the new norman