The psychological surveillance “dataddiction” of the power elite, spying on media outlets since 2002, how 9/11 was allowed to happen and more
This is a good article covering the basics of how and why a global surveillance state has been put together over many years, with an embedded video describing how US intelligence community turf wars a) allowed 9/11 to happen (senior decision makers for their unknown own reasons repeatedly prevented operational staff from acting) b) covered up afterwards, repeatedly lying to or disinforming elected officials c) then constructed a vicious and false criminal case against against Thomas Drake, decorated USAF and USN officer + former senior NSA executive turned whistleblower on budget waste and anti-constitutional activity in the NSA.
WASHINGTON’S BLOG: Do you think we already have tyranny in the U.S.? Or how close do you think we are?
THOMAS DRAKE: We’re not an actual fascist surveillance state in the traditionally defined sense of the word.
Even the Stasi – who were the dreaded secret police in East Germany, a country upon which I became an expert during my RC-135 crypto-linguist and electronic warfare days, during the latter days of the cold war, even going into the ’70s, when they would use rather harsh techniques on their own population, or dissidents, or those who were considered enemies of the state – they actually went to psychological techniques.
The term they used was “zersetzlich” – the German translation is “to decompose”, really to fragment you, to isolate you. That’s psychological … and that has far greater greater impact.
So what you would do is selectively go after certain people to send the message. So you don’t have to be taking people off the street each and every day. Because that’s an obvious thing, and you’re going to resist it.
Remember, this is ultimately about social control. This is about social tracking. [He’s right.] It goes far beyond any stated purpose of providing for common defense ….
This upends it, because now you’re using the very instruments of power to track and control your own population. And it’s better [from the perspective of those in power] to do it behind the scenes and without the population knowing fully how you’re doing it, as opposed to being on the street with tanks on the corners.
I did not see The Nation yesterday and am about to watch it online. However, I just read Tim Watkin’s post on Pundit on the interview with the Children’s Commissioner from the Feeds here.
Apparently Dr Russeell Wills stated yesterday on The Nation that benefits for children need to be raised by about 50% to bring them back in line with the level available prior to the Mother of all Budgets in the 80s and 90s. He also advocated a universal payment for all children up to the age of 3, according to Watkin.
Wow! But as Watkin says, will the media etc sit up and take note of Dr Wills ?
Here is the link to the article and video of the relevant part of The Nation (there is also a link to the transcript in the actual article)
re boston/wills interview:..and their prescriptions..
..it’s very good/powerful..
..the ‘moment’ to watch for is when owen is told by wills that she will have to stump up to fix child-poverty..
..owen physically squirms in her seat..and is thrown/gets flustered/blushes..
..then she gets petulant..
..then be amazed by how the panel then just totally ignore child-poverty..and spend an inordinate amount of time doing pointless wheel-spins around et-impersonator..colin ‘chem-trails’ craig..
..and i wonder how much longer this saturation-coverage of craig will end..?
..is this a concerted-effort to raise his profile/poll-ratings..by the corporate-controlled media..?
Wow, the interviewer got really upset when Jonathan Boston said that all benefits needed to be raised.
Interesting that she’s always saying that the retired people need to take a hit for the children rather suggesting that we raise taxes. It’s almost as if she’s got tunnel vision.
I thought Lisa Owen (the interviewer) did pretty well – in my view, asking that question was simply about trying to address something that appears to be a deciding factor for voters at present – i.e. how do we afford it. I agree, though, that it didn’t require an either/or framing (retirees vs children), it limits the way people think about ‘affordability, however I think the binary nature of the question might have been addressed by the interviewee (I can’t quite recall for sure if it was).
The either/or manner of thinking came up again re education and Farrar’s suggestion that to get good primary education money needs to be taken off tertiary. What limited thinking. The person from Auckland University Pacific studies centre responded well to that, shame he got cut-off though….
Yes, I am just pondering that, especially because it showed up twice.
Am wondering whether it is about limited ways of thinking (i.e. failure on the part of the interviewer) or limiting peoples’ ideas on how the problem can be solved. (i.e. actively encouraging people to think in a limited way on how affordable addressing this issue is).
It certainly promotes the idea that those on the lower rungs have to squabble amongst themselves for the scraps. Where else will the money come from? From more distributive taxes/approaches? Shock, horror, don’t go there! ( 🙂 )
I kind of love how the vegan cheesecake recipe is … a cheesecake recipe with the words “dairy-free” added a couple of times (and, bizarrely, “paprika for sprinkling”).
Hello! Stephanie, I have a question for you, which I originally posted on Open Mike on Wednesday, 11th June. here ’tis:
“I heard there is a campaign launch for Ohariu Labour on 25th June at the J’ville Community Centre and that David Cunliffe will be attending. I was really keen to attend but have now found out that it is a fundraising dinner and I can’t afford the $50 ticket. I’m also assuming it’s more for members than the general public.
Will there be an opportunity for the public to get along to a meeting with Virginia Anderson (and David Cunliffe?!) and hear about what Labour has to offer prior to the candidates meetings?
Great to see the flyers appearing in the letterbox btw. Big ups to all the hard working volunteers.”
Hi Rosie, the dinner is a fundraiser open to anyone who supports the campaign. There’ll definitely be plenty of other events like meet-the-candidate meetings – if you follow Ginny’s Facebook page all the details will go up there in advance. 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/virginia.andersen.ohariu
Thanks Stephanie, and sorry to bother you. I’m not on facebook otherwise I would have asked the question on Ginny’s page. I do view it, but can’t comment.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to go to the fundraiser, no funds to do so! I do hope it’s a good and successful night though and that you’re getting good responses from the door knocking efforts.
2014 has to be the historic year that Ohariu says goodbye to Peter Dunne.!!!
Ta phil – I like the sound of the lentil and apricot soup – although I’d keep it chunky rather than blend.
and the comments under the article are classic and many lols, for example
“what will you cook for me at a vegan barbecue ? I DONT EAT vegetables , only meat ?
thanks x”
“Nothing – you’ll eat what’s on offer or go without. Your choice. It was called a vegan BBQ because the food is vegan. Not too hard to understand, is it? btw, not all vegan food is vegetables.”
“..and i think one of the most powerful/coherent..and ultimately ‘fair’ policies..
..is the one that wd allow pasifika to return to their homelands after retirement..if they should so choose..
..and to be able to take their nz pensions with them..”
Nice idea. Many Pasifika people seem to get stuck with employers that demand “flexibility”, you know that ol’ chestnut, “flexibility”, so only fair for NZ to offer “flexibility” in regards to retirement/living options. Why not eh.
Just heard Key on this mornings Media Watch he was “one of us – the tax payers”
Is he ? Why don’t you do a fact check just to see how much tax Mr Key “actshully” pays.
Ian Grant
Whilst that fact check is being done how about proof of his PM salary being donated to charity, Shinkey is on record as calling the Nat party a charity so evidence please John.
All Key has ever said about this in public is that he donates “a good part” of his leader-of-opposition salary to “charities and good causes” and he intends to continue the practice if he becomes PM.
Now that he is on record that he thinks the National Party counts as a charity, we have a good indication of how widely he might interpret the phrases “good causes” and “a good part”.
I see the elite wealthy yachties have the hand out again to go off and play in Ellisons next circus.
Interesting politics and timing as dalton reckons its over in a few weeks when he would’ve known this date for months.
Cue some tough talking from John and joycee ending in a rollover and cash to see them past 2014 and give the next govt that decision they lack the bollocks to make.
Pretty sure i heard on my wireless something to the tune of Joyce was offering 5 and Grant wanted 10, million that is,
The news on that same wireless just quoted an ”unnamed private sponsor” as saying Grant hadn’t been back to them asking for some actual up front cash,
i have to wonder about these people, Heroes all,Dean and Grant, us lot have been milked by how many millions now so these clown’s can gad about on the mill pond,
Barely a month after the last bout of selfless sacrifice from our Heroes, Grant and Dean, where an unkind person would have raised suspicions that the ‘team’ had installed a handbrake aboard,(or perhaps Larry cunningly installed a weight disadvantage by smuggling a tonne of filthy lucre aboard), Dean, ever the impoverished struggler managed, according to the Herald, to sell off the million dollar house in one of Auckland’s pricier suburbs,
Phew, homelessness may have loomed for Dean had it not been for the lucky chance of finding a vacancy a few doors further up the same street from the previous lackluster abode, saved from becoming just another vagrancy statistic by being able to stump up something in the order of 5 million we all breathed a sigh of relief,
Seems fair tho don’t you think, hell according to Nick Smith a bedroom these days costs 900 thousand…
Is it strange that the Minister and MP, Paula Bennett who is the representative for for the Westies should abandon the area for a “better” electorate? West Auckland, made notorious for its crime by TV shows like Outrageous Fortune, does not have the resources to stop violence in an area increasingly affected by inequality, according to those working in the area. …. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10159389/Once-upon-a-crime-in-the-West
What a great little lady she is!
Only that she sure as hell should take her leopard skin-clad noddy wagon into the nearest paint and panel for a quick ‘cashy’ job. Midnight Blue perhaps?
She’s already taken advice on other aspects of ‘re-imaging’ including the haircut.
Suzie (Darling) Wood will be so proud of her (even though she’s [Suzie Darling] neglected to take advantage of the last visit to the Caci Clinic – the TVNZ make-up artist ran out of plasticine)
I feel uncomfortable with the Herald story on the family backgrounds of the 12 and 13 years olds charged in connection with Mt Kumar’s murder in Henderson.
It is very clear that this information is being provided by the police to the media. Why?
I feel that this information should be presented in a court context.
It is very clear that this information is being provided by the police to the media. Why?
It would be in the public record which the journalists would have access to. Hell, there may even be a bit in the newspapers about whatever court cases that the parents were involved in.
Also the journalists may have talked to the neighbours. (They would have done if they were any good). Assuming the Herald still has a court reporter a search of the court news would have been pretty simple.
Where is this ‘public record’ journalists (and it would have to be available to the public) can access?
If the parents’ criminal record was obtained from the paper’s own court reports/records it would surely be attributed as such.
Media don’t seem to cover small-time court now, so they would not have that info, and even if they did it would not show relationships.
Courts are notoriously arcane places from which to extract information after the fact.
The most likely source for this story is high ranking police.
And I feel uncomfortable with the fact that one of the teens who assaulted and killed the 15 yr old after a rugby game gets let off totally from being charged with manslaughter – is there a different standard for poorer boys and not-so-poor boys ?
JK its got nothing to do with money, the boy died from a heart condition.
I know of a case where a guy was shot in the face and back by three people at close range with frozen paint balls from high powered paint ball guns. He fell to the ground and died, apparently of a heart attack and no one was charged with manslaughter. I was surprised by that.
Yes how unfortunate for the facts to get published when some on the left want to spin their bullshit and try to blame poverty or lack of police. No surprise it was just violent feral scum breading more violent scum.
This morning Wallace Chapman interviewed American human rights lawyer and prison campaigner David Forte who blames an ‘excess of direct democracy’ for some states’ grossly high incarceration rates (there are huge differences between the best and worst states).
Allowing direct election of prosecutors, judges, and laws in some states engenders ‘this one-way ratchet of punitiveness’ according to Forte.
And recently Swiss voters rejected caps on top CEO pay, and a higher minimum wage, so it’s not just the USA where direct democracy does not work.
The Forte interview was part of Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint.
Direct democracy requires that the populace is educated, informed, and has access to all the facts presented in a fair manner.
From this, you can see how those with power start to influence the outcome of direct democracy.
By the way, in those US states with “grossly high incarceration rates” I think you will find that hispanics and blacks are very poorly represented in voter turnout: rich white counties will be where the voters are from.
CV, what David Forte is saying is that direct democracy produces reactionary outcomes. No group is immune from manipulation by those with money and power.
And Draco, no fancy software will change the fact.
The answer is to elect (at least some) politicians with integrity who think for themselves, rather than party hacks who identify with power.
As Marilyn Waring told The Nation this weekend no-one remotely like her could get through party selection for National now.
There is a very creepy photo of CC on Stuff. He is reclining in some type of bullrush grass and is gazing soulfully into the camera lens. It’s very scary. A little bit reminiscent of DC who had one taken reclining by a beach which I thought at the time didn’t seem quite right. I don’t no why. Maybe because it is usually a more feminine thing to do. Hope to see one of key sometime time soon reclining somewhere…….. preferably Hawaii.
East Coast Bays looms as his top option, and there are rumours that the sitting MP, Foreign Minister Murray McCully, may be offered a diplomatic post to ease him out.
But it seems no-one’s told the voters in the electorate yet and McCully told the Sunday Star-Times he would rather “saw off his arm with a rusty screwdriver” than take a diplomatic post.
…
McCully said yesterday he had no intention of stepping aside. “I am the National Party candidate for East Coast Bays and intend to campaign to win the seat.”
Asked if he would soft-pedal or withdraw if Key asked him to, he did a partial sidestep.
“I won’t answer that question, but what I will say is leaders and boards do sometimes make strategic decisions and caucus members need to understand that.
“But I have not been asked to consider any of those issues. I have had no suggestion made to me that the leader and the board would put me in that position . . . other than from the news media, who I regard as unreliable correspondents in this respect,” he said.
Looks like he is being seductive and inviting Maggie Barry, Paula Bennett, Murray McCully and John Key to join him for a five-some conservative frolic in the grass.
Oooh. ” ICKY ! ” doesn’t cut the mustard here. So where goes the age old advice about voters running hell for leather in the opposite direction from strange men ? Was this pic that raunchy Christine Rankin’s idea ?
The conservatives are primarily a so called ‘Christian’ party with many unchristian ideas/values but are too ashamed or cunning or strategic to openly admit it.
Using the name and symbolism of Christ to promote an agenda and politics which is directly against His teachings of mercy and compassion towards the poor, the suffering and the dispossessed (as described by the Beatitudes) is pretty much by definition, satanic.
Funnily enough, their policy of tax-free up to $25,000 and 20% flat rate equates to a “before-tax” pay-rise of $1.57/hour (for full time of 2080 hours) for those on the current minimum wage of $14.25.
So these policies together would give someone on the minimum wage an effective boost to $15.83 in the current tax environment. Labour is campaigning on $15/hour so that’s actually more than them.
Yes, the website needs to be clearer. All the so far announced policies should be listed one below the other with just a title and a crucial sentence or two, and links given for more detailed explanation for each policy.
What is left wing about giving the $25,000 tax free threshold to the wealthy?
It is more left wing and progressive to target assistance to the poor and the less wealthy.
But will also generate less revenue coming in from the wealthy and from those who are earning well. Instead, isn’t targeting assistance to the less well off better by not forgoing all revenue at the lower rung?
hence the problem with media and politicians lazy analysis in terms of left and right. Having some right policy and some left policy doesnt equate to centre. Imo centre is also an invention for palatable branding purposes.
I dont agree with all policy from left parties nor disagree with all from right…
Good point. It always surprises me as to how anyone that professes to be a Christian or religious or even respects Christ’s or Christian or humanitarian values can ever be a right wing supporter in politics! If one thinks about this, the two things can not honestly jell.
Satao, one of the last great tuskers has been killed.
.
I first learned about Satao through an emotional and beautifully written blog post by Mark Deeble, who described him as being so intelligent that he knew he needed to protect his enormous tusks by intentionally hiding in bushes so they couldn’t be seen. At the end of the post Mark wrote:
I am appalled at what that means – that the survival skills that the bull has painstakingly learnt over half a century have been rendered useless by the poachers’ use of mass-produced Chinese goods; GPS smart-phones, cheap motorcycles and night vision goggles.
I think the old bull knows that poachers want his tusks, and I hate that he knows.
More than anything, I hate the thought that poachers are now closing in on one of the world’s most iconic elephants.
For sure, it is said of the Fiordland deer after the onset of helicopter hunting when 1000’s where culled that in low scrub/tussock country the heavily antlered males upon hearing the helicopters approach and knowing their inability to outrun the flying beasts dealing death from the sky would sit in among the low scrub with their antlers tilted backward to the ground in an attempt at camouflage,
Didn’t help the poor old deer too much, but, showed a remarkable ability in the animals ‘to learn’…
So this guy, connect to ACT, gets a seat on the panel of Q&A. Again another ACT person, from a party with near zero votes. That’s my first gripe.
Second. The toady suggested that we should not consider changing our carbon policy because we would just export our dairy to China, as China would start up producing milk, which of course would be higher carbon emitting. Apart from been disingenuous, defeatist and wrong; in that China would grow its dairy herds without much consideration of us, that toady should not be promising that China’s herds would be farters, he doesn’t know that (and why won’t we be selling them better dairy science – it is a free market).
And then there was the other implicit promise, that our current (Labour introduced) carbon policy is the most perfect system there is, and the world will come around to introduce it, because we’re just hiding waiting to jump out when the world gets its act together.
Then there’s the cat herding. I mean the whole problem with global policy is that everyone has a different take, this isn’t a new problem, its as old as carbon charging. So here we have this creepy toady basically declaring that the status quo is a great victory, that the present policy is perfect, and he promises that there will be no surprises around China own sourcing (or the world turning on dairy output).
Its hard to fathom what purpose the business classes of NZ are helped by being so ill served by the extreme right talking nonsense. Please select moderate economic voices who don’t promise the earth, while ignoring reality, both human and environment.
We obviously have come to depend too much on diary, cannot maintain our present capacity due to the huge costs of pollution both carbon and river pollution, and we haven’t even started to discuss how massive farm land prices and farm debt, is forcing so many into dairy.
I reckon Franks’ problem is that he just has an ego the size of a bus (albeit disguised by mild-mannered disposition).
I have to witness the prick almost daily.
(God he’s gorgeous!! And JUST LOOK at his contributions to a society – that doesn’t exist, of course! Territorial? or some such; well-mannered (usually); driven by ideology dressed up as principle; good, wholesome family values ….. etc., etc., – otherwise known as slime. I needed him last week though – I was damn short on 10 litres of 10W40)
Martyn Bradbury from ‘The Herald on Sunday’ on legalising marijuana and abortion
‘ Martyn Bradbury : Unmentionable issues need champion’
There are three rules of New Zealand politics. Never criticise farmers. Never ask why cannabis is illegal and never, ever mention abortion. Ever. To everyone’s surprise, two political parties this month found the courage to breach those last two rules.
Ever since the “anti-smacking law” fiasco, Labour has been terrified to promote any social policy that can be warped into politically correct social engineering gone mad. Amending Section 59 of the Crimes Act closed a legal loophole abusive parents exploited to escape assault charges by claiming discipline as a defence. Watching such a noble gesture get twisted into a narrative of the PC stormtroopers of Helengrad, kicking down the front doors of honest Kiwi mums and dads to arrest them for lightly tapping little Johnny on the bottom, shellshocked Labour into never mentioning social policy again.
This has depressed the quality of political vision for the left, which is why the Greens and Internet parties’ policies on decriminalising cannabis and abortion are so welcome.
At last year’s International Cannabis Policy Symposium in Auckland, Professor Richie Poulton pointed out that 10.3 per cent of users who smoke cannabis by age 15 go on to have psychotic disorders, whereas only 4.7 per cent of those who used cannabis by aged 18 went on to have psychotic disorders. The conclusion from the symposium was that cannabis isn’t the major health risk it’s been built up to be. If protecting adolescents from early cannabis use is the solution, prohibition is the problem.
Regulation removes tinny houses near schools, prohibition builds them. Between 2007 and last year, 890 New Zealanders were jailed for possession of cannabis and 737 more have been imprisoned for possession of a bong.
Our war on drugs has led us to the awkward position where the US is becoming more progressive on cannabis than we are.
Decriminalisation of abortion is needed now. It’s not just the nonsense of Section 187A of the Crimes Act, whereby women must feign mental distress to get a basic medical service, it’s the manner in which pro-life fanatics have managed to isolate and constrict access to abortions that desperately needs challenging by decriminalising it.
I’m 100 per cent pro-choice. Those attempting to tell a woman what to do with her body in the 21st century should be outed for the misogynistic medieval glee club that they are. Women have every right to safe, legal access to any medical procedure they require. An abortion is one such. What is worse than the 14,745 abortions carried out in 2012? Forcing 14,745 women to have children they didn’t want. Ceausescu’s Romanian orphanages are a horror reminder of that path.
The Green and Internet parties have shown vast courage to bring these issues into the open. Progressive voters should consider rewarding that bravery this election.
Craig said yesterday that while he was polling in East Coast Bays, he had not begun major campaign work in the area. He expected to announce where he would stand at the party’s campaign launch next week. Craig said he would not talk to Key about a deal until after he announced his electorate.
From Stuff news :
“I have some people who think that we should be carrying on a negotiation with National, but we said we wouldn’t and we won’t.”
‘Vote’ is not simply confusing. It is an exhortation to cast a vote. Placement on a ballot paper alongside the name of a particular party’s candidate shapes as a partisan political exhortation in favour of that candidate and party, electorate and list.
What of the long standing legal requirement that all concerted public political expressions and exhortations of whatever form be ceased/taken down by 7.00pm (?) on the day before the election ? Apart maybe from formal campaign wrap-ups from party leaders at a set time after 7.00 pm.
Is the law to be amended to accommodate Mr Craig At The Beach In A Suit ? Doubt it.
Craig can’t be injuncted from staggering to the voting booth a huge cross of wood awkwardly across his shoulder, nor Rankin buckling under the weight of a massive, extreme kitsch, diamante studded, shitmetal crucifix, but no. This ain’t on.
What of the long standing legal requirement that all concerted public political expressions and exhortations of whatever form be ceased/taken down by 7.00pm (?) on the day before the election ?
That seems to be what the Conservative Party is trying to bypass. Such a move is obviously as corrupt as John Banks electoral funding.
I strongly object to this logo as it can easily mislead people into voting for this party by mistake because the logo ASKS people with the word, ‘vote’ in the bubble picture. This is like directing, misleading, advertising or soliciting for the vote.
I am having trouble with the non loading of other posts. The one on the Kiwiassure and the one on DC’s speech were there earlier this afternoon, but now gone! They were worth another visit but have vanished for me in spite of Refreshing. Anyone?
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Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three. ...
Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blogIn 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
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 ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time.A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced ...
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. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
Zoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)Hot off the press, this debut ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
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The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
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The psychological surveillance “dataddiction” of the power elite, spying on media outlets since 2002, how 9/11 was allowed to happen and more
This is a good article covering the basics of how and why a global surveillance state has been put together over many years, with an embedded video describing how US intelligence community turf wars a) allowed 9/11 to happen (senior decision makers for their unknown own reasons repeatedly prevented operational staff from acting) b) covered up afterwards, repeatedly lying to or disinforming elected officials c) then constructed a vicious and false criminal case against against Thomas Drake, decorated USAF and USN officer + former senior NSA executive turned whistleblower on budget waste and anti-constitutional activity in the NSA.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-06-14/senior-nsa-executive-nsa-started-spying-journalists-2002-%E2%80%A6-order-make-sure-they-didn
I did not see The Nation yesterday and am about to watch it online. However, I just read Tim Watkin’s post on Pundit on the interview with the Children’s Commissioner from the Feeds here.
http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/childrens-commissioner-calls-for-50-benefit-raise-yes-you-heard-right
Apparently Dr Russeell Wills stated yesterday on The Nation that benefits for children need to be raised by about 50% to bring them back in line with the level available prior to the Mother of all Budgets in the 80s and 90s. He also advocated a universal payment for all children up to the age of 3, according to Watkin.
Wow! But as Watkin says, will the media etc sit up and take note of Dr Wills ?
Here is the link to the article and video of the relevant part of The Nation (there is also a link to the transcript in the actual article)
http://www.3news.co.nz/Interview-Jonathan-Boston–Russell-Wills/tabid/1348/articleID/348541/Default.aspx
would you buy a used encyclopedia off that lying weasel groser..?
..would you believe him if he told you what fucken time of day it was..?
Not sure who you are referring to as a “lying weasel groser”.
I don’t have much time for Watkin most of the time; but have a great deal of respect for Dr Russell Wills.
Read the transcript (Wills’ interview starts half way down.
groser is on q&a..
..go and watch that one..
..whoar..!
..groser deserves a special least-believable-politician award all of his own..
..he intends to continue to do s.f.a. about climatechange..
..and is about/plans to sign our sovereignty away to american corporations..
..with the t.p.p..
..we really need to throw these bastards out on their ears..
would you buy a used encyclopedia from act-ite stephen franks..?
..quite astonishing how is so so on the wrong side of history..pretty much everything..
laugh-out-loud moment:
..when discussing the clusterfuck that is iraq..helen kelly referred to bush jnr..
franks said:..(hands outspread in disbelief)..’what’s it got to do with him..?..’..(!)
..seriously..!
..um..!..pretty much everything ‘to do with him’..eh steveo..?
..that’s kinda like saying:..’hitler..?..ww2..?..what’s it got to do with him..?..’
..very funny..
..and helen kelly pretty much monsters franks..
..the compere is her usual irrelevant/useless self..
.her main role seemingly to ‘gurn’..
re boston/wills interview:..and their prescriptions..
..it’s very good/powerful..
..the ‘moment’ to watch for is when owen is told by wills that she will have to stump up to fix child-poverty..
..owen physically squirms in her seat..and is thrown/gets flustered/blushes..
..then she gets petulant..
..then be amazed by how the panel then just totally ignore child-poverty..and spend an inordinate amount of time doing pointless wheel-spins around et-impersonator..colin ‘chem-trails’ craig..
..and i wonder how much longer this saturation-coverage of craig will end..?
..is this a concerted-effort to raise his profile/poll-ratings..by the corporate-controlled media..?
..it’s fucken wall-to-wall craig..
moderation..?
..difficult to see why..
Wow, the interviewer got really upset when Jonathan Boston said that all benefits needed to be raised.
Interesting that she’s always saying that the retired people need to take a hit for the children rather suggesting that we raise taxes. It’s almost as if she’s got tunnel vision.
I thought Lisa Owen (the interviewer) did pretty well – in my view, asking that question was simply about trying to address something that appears to be a deciding factor for voters at present – i.e. how do we afford it. I agree, though, that it didn’t require an either/or framing (retirees vs children), it limits the way people think about ‘affordability, however I think the binary nature of the question might have been addressed by the interviewee (I can’t quite recall for sure if it was).
The either/or manner of thinking came up again re education and Farrar’s suggestion that to get good primary education money needs to be taken off tertiary. What limited thinking. The person from Auckland University Pacific studies centre responded well to that, shame he got cut-off though….
Overall I think she did Ok but she definitely seemed to be pushing the line that to raise benefits for the young the old would need to miss out.
Sure, she needed to ask where the money would come from but she shouldn’t be implying that it would have to come off the retired.
Yes, I am just pondering that, especially because it showed up twice.
Am wondering whether it is about limited ways of thinking (i.e. failure on the part of the interviewer) or limiting peoples’ ideas on how the problem can be solved. (i.e. actively encouraging people to think in a limited way on how affordable addressing this issue is).
It certainly promotes the idea that those on the lower rungs have to squabble amongst themselves for the scraps. Where else will the money come from? From more distributive taxes/approaches? Shock, horror, don’t go there! ( 🙂 )
“..Our 10 best vegan recipes..”
“..If you still need to be convinced that vegan food is for everyone –
(cont..)
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/14/10-best-vegan-recipes
where is the meat?
I kind of love how the vegan cheesecake recipe is … a cheesecake recipe with the words “dairy-free” added a couple of times (and, bizarrely, “paprika for sprinkling”).
Hello! Stephanie, I have a question for you, which I originally posted on Open Mike on Wednesday, 11th June. here ’tis:
“I heard there is a campaign launch for Ohariu Labour on 25th June at the J’ville Community Centre and that David Cunliffe will be attending. I was really keen to attend but have now found out that it is a fundraising dinner and I can’t afford the $50 ticket. I’m also assuming it’s more for members than the general public.
Will there be an opportunity for the public to get along to a meeting with Virginia Anderson (and David Cunliffe?!) and hear about what Labour has to offer prior to the candidates meetings?
Great to see the flyers appearing in the letterbox btw. Big ups to all the hard working volunteers.”
Hi Rosie, the dinner is a fundraiser open to anyone who supports the campaign. There’ll definitely be plenty of other events like meet-the-candidate meetings – if you follow Ginny’s Facebook page all the details will go up there in advance. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/virginia.andersen.ohariu
Thanks Stephanie, and sorry to bother you. I’m not on facebook otherwise I would have asked the question on Ginny’s page. I do view it, but can’t comment.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to go to the fundraiser, no funds to do so! I do hope it’s a good and successful night though and that you’re getting good responses from the door knocking efforts.
2014 has to be the historic year that Ohariu says goodbye to Peter Dunne.!!!
Ta phil – I like the sound of the lentil and apricot soup – although I’d keep it chunky rather than blend.
and the comments under the article are classic and many lols, for example
“what will you cook for me at a vegan barbecue ? I DONT EAT vegetables , only meat ?
thanks x”
“Nothing – you’ll eat what’s on offer or go without. Your choice. It was called a vegan BBQ because the food is vegan. Not too hard to understand, is it? btw, not all vegan food is vegetables.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63NNuG-6-hQ
i can see the one-liner underpinning it..
..and i am a huge david mitchell fanboy..
( http://whoar.co.nz/?s=david+mitchell (fill yer boots..!..)
..but that certainly isn’t his best-work..
..it’s what is known as wan-smile humour..
..capable only of raising little more than that..
also worth going online to tangata pasifika..
..to see some good coverage of the launch of mana pasifika..
..i was at a candidate-selection meeting the other nite..
..and mana has some very cool/passionate candidates standing under the internet-mana party umbrella…
..with policies that speak directly to their life-experiences growing up pasifika in ak..
..and that speak to the pasifika-community..
..and i think one of the most powerful/coherent..and ultimately ‘fair’ policies..
..is the one that wd allow pasifika to return to their homelands after retirement..if they should so choose..
..and to be able to take their nz pensions with them..
..these are people who have worked in hard/menial jobs for mosrt of their lives..
..and i think it is a total travesty that if when retired..they decide they would like to return to ‘the islands’..
..they will lose their pension..
..that pretty much both sucks and blows..eh..?..
“..and i think one of the most powerful/coherent..and ultimately ‘fair’ policies..
..is the one that wd allow pasifika to return to their homelands after retirement..if they should so choose..
..and to be able to take their nz pensions with them..”
Nice idea. Many Pasifika people seem to get stuck with employers that demand “flexibility”, you know that ol’ chestnut, “flexibility”, so only fair for NZ to offer “flexibility” in regards to retirement/living options. Why not eh.
Just heard Key on this mornings Media Watch he was “one of us – the tax payers”
Is he ? Why don’t you do a fact check just to see how much tax Mr Key “actshully” pays.
Ian Grant
Whilst that fact check is being done how about proof of his PM salary being donated to charity, Shinkey is on record as calling the Nat party a charity so evidence please John.
All Key has ever said about this in public is that he donates “a good part” of his leader-of-opposition salary to “charities and good causes” and he intends to continue the practice if he becomes PM.
Now that he is on record that he thinks the National Party counts as a charity, we have a good indication of how widely he might interpret the phrases “good causes” and “a good part”.
I see the elite wealthy yachties have the hand out again to go off and play in Ellisons next circus.
Interesting politics and timing as dalton reckons its over in a few weeks when he would’ve known this date for months.
Cue some tough talking from John and joycee ending in a rollover and cash to see them past 2014 and give the next govt that decision they lack the bollocks to make.
Pretty sure i heard on my wireless something to the tune of Joyce was offering 5 and Grant wanted 10, million that is,
The news on that same wireless just quoted an ”unnamed private sponsor” as saying Grant hadn’t been back to them asking for some actual up front cash,
i have to wonder about these people, Heroes all,Dean and Grant, us lot have been milked by how many millions now so these clown’s can gad about on the mill pond,
Barely a month after the last bout of selfless sacrifice from our Heroes, Grant and Dean, where an unkind person would have raised suspicions that the ‘team’ had installed a handbrake aboard,(or perhaps Larry cunningly installed a weight disadvantage by smuggling a tonne of filthy lucre aboard), Dean, ever the impoverished struggler managed, according to the Herald, to sell off the million dollar house in one of Auckland’s pricier suburbs,
Phew, homelessness may have loomed for Dean had it not been for the lucky chance of finding a vacancy a few doors further up the same street from the previous lackluster abode, saved from becoming just another vagrancy statistic by being able to stump up something in the order of 5 million we all breathed a sigh of relief,
Seems fair tho don’t you think, hell according to Nick Smith a bedroom these days costs 900 thousand…
Is it strange that the Minister and MP, Paula Bennett who is the representative for for the Westies should abandon the area for a “better” electorate?
West Auckland, made notorious for its crime by TV shows like Outrageous Fortune, does not have the resources to stop violence in an area increasingly affected by inequality, according to those working in the area. ….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10159389/Once-upon-a-crime-in-the-West
What a great little lady she is!
i predict her departure will see a ladder-shortage in west ak..
What are your definitions of ‘little’ and ‘lady’ @ianmac?
lol right. If you have any value to add with your comment on the topic of Bennett fleeing her electorate, I’ll be interested to see it.
Only that she sure as hell should take her leopard skin-clad noddy wagon into the nearest paint and panel for a quick ‘cashy’ job. Midnight Blue perhaps?
She’s already taken advice on other aspects of ‘re-imaging’ including the haircut.
Suzie (Darling) Wood will be so proud of her (even though she’s [Suzie Darling] neglected to take advantage of the last visit to the Caci Clinic – the TVNZ make-up artist ran out of plasticine)
I feel uncomfortable with the Herald story on the family backgrounds of the 12 and 13 years olds charged in connection with Mt Kumar’s murder in Henderson.
It is very clear that this information is being provided by the police to the media. Why?
I feel that this information should be presented in a court context.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11274242
It would be in the public record which the journalists would have access to. Hell, there may even be a bit in the newspapers about whatever court cases that the parents were involved in.
Also the journalists may have talked to the neighbours. (They would have done if they were any good). Assuming the Herald still has a court reporter a search of the court news would have been pretty simple.
Where is this ‘public record’ journalists (and it would have to be available to the public) can access?
If the parents’ criminal record was obtained from the paper’s own court reports/records it would surely be attributed as such.
Media don’t seem to cover small-time court now, so they would not have that info, and even if they did it would not show relationships.
Courts are notoriously arcane places from which to extract information after the fact.
The most likely source for this story is high ranking police.
And I feel uncomfortable with the fact that one of the teens who assaulted and killed the 15 yr old after a rugby game gets let off totally from being charged with manslaughter – is there a different standard for poorer boys and not-so-poor boys ?
JK its got nothing to do with money, the boy died from a heart condition.
I know of a case where a guy was shot in the face and back by three people at close range with frozen paint balls from high powered paint ball guns. He fell to the ground and died, apparently of a heart attack and no one was charged with manslaughter. I was surprised by that.
Yes how unfortunate for the facts to get published when some on the left want to spin their bullshit and try to blame poverty or lack of police. No surprise it was just violent feral scum breading more violent scum.
This morning Wallace Chapman interviewed American human rights lawyer and prison campaigner David Forte who blames an ‘excess of direct democracy’ for some states’ grossly high incarceration rates (there are huge differences between the best and worst states).
Allowing direct election of prosecutors, judges, and laws in some states engenders ‘this one-way ratchet of punitiveness’ according to Forte.
And recently Swiss voters rejected caps on top CEO pay, and a higher minimum wage, so it’s not just the USA where direct democracy does not work.
The Forte interview was part of Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2599692/wayne-brittenden's-counterpoint
Direct democracy requires that the populace is educated, informed, and has access to all the facts presented in a fair manner.
From this, you can see how those with power start to influence the outcome of direct democracy.
By the way, in those US states with “grossly high incarceration rates” I think you will find that hispanics and blacks are very poorly represented in voter turnout: rich white counties will be where the voters are from.
Which is why I suggested this.
CV, what David Forte is saying is that direct democracy produces reactionary outcomes. No group is immune from manipulation by those with money and power.
And Draco, no fancy software will change the fact.
The answer is to elect (at least some) politicians with integrity who think for themselves, rather than party hacks who identify with power.
As Marilyn Waring told The Nation this weekend no-one remotely like her could get through party selection for National now.
It’s not the fancy software that would do it, it’s the freely available knowledge that can be referred to at any time.
They’re too few and far between and most likely belong to small, radical parties to be able to rely upon representative democracy.
thing to do should you meet craig:..
..point to the sky..and say:..’look..!..chem-trail..!’..
..and take note of his reactions…
There is a very creepy photo of CC on Stuff. He is reclining in some type of bullrush grass and is gazing soulfully into the camera lens. It’s very scary. A little bit reminiscent of DC who had one taken reclining by a beach which I thought at the time didn’t seem quite right. I don’t no why. Maybe because it is usually a more feminine thing to do. Hope to see one of key sometime time soon reclining somewhere…….. preferably Hawaii.
Yes, the photo is very strange. You should have a read of this if you haven’t: http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/nation-certain-this-picture-should-be-used-but-unsure-how/
But even more importantly is the story that accompanies the photo http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10159390/No-easy-ride-on-the-Shore-for-Craig:
TheStandard should add this photo to their bank of stock photos, because CC looks very creepy in it: http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1402743879/434/10159434.jpg
ZOMG, it’s a snake in the grass.
I actually did laugh out loud when I saw that photo this morning. So funny, a suit lurking in the grass with an odd come hither look
Looks like he is being seductive and inviting Maggie Barry, Paula Bennett, Murray McCully and John Key to join him for a five-some conservative frolic in the grass.
Oh God No. The image, it’s burns in my brain!
Did your mind picture them frolicking away au naturel? Yeah, I see what you mean!
Throne of Queens
Hmmmm looks like a good spot to bury a body or two.
Oooh. ” ICKY ! ” doesn’t cut the mustard here. So where goes the age old advice about voters running hell for leather in the opposite direction from strange men ? Was this pic that raunchy Christine Rankin’s idea ?
colin craig has been given a safe seat in area 52!
The conservatives are primarily a so called ‘Christian’ party with many unchristian ideas/values but are too ashamed or cunning or strategic to openly admit it.
Using the name and symbolism of Christ to promote an agenda and politics which is directly against His teachings of mercy and compassion towards the poor, the suffering and the dispossessed (as described by the Beatitudes) is pretty much by definition, satanic.
Apparently they want a tax-free threshold of $25,000. Seems pretty left wing?
They also want to freeze the minimum wage…
Funnily enough, their policy of tax-free up to $25,000 and 20% flat rate equates to a “before-tax” pay-rise of $1.57/hour (for full time of 2080 hours) for those on the current minimum wage of $14.25.
So these policies together would give someone on the minimum wage an effective boost to $15.83 in the current tax environment. Labour is campaigning on $15/hour so that’s actually more than them.
Labour is campaigning on an immediate $15 per hour and then for it to be shifted to $17 per hour over time.
And, because Labour’s website sux I can’t actually find that.
Yes, the website needs to be clearer. All the so far announced policies should be listed one below the other with just a title and a crucial sentence or two, and links given for more detailed explanation for each policy.
What is left wing about giving the $25,000 tax free threshold to the wealthy?
It is more left wing and progressive to target assistance to the poor and the less wealthy.
In a progressive income tax system everyone benefits from the lower income tax rates at the bottom tiers.
But will also generate less revenue coming in from the wealthy and from those who are earning well. Instead, isn’t targeting assistance to the less well off better by not forgoing all revenue at the lower rung?
But I do understand it is also a numbers games.
hence the problem with media and politicians lazy analysis in terms of left and right. Having some right policy and some left policy doesnt equate to centre. Imo centre is also an invention for palatable branding purposes.
I dont agree with all policy from left parties nor disagree with all from right…
Good point. It always surprises me as to how anyone that professes to be a Christian or religious or even respects Christ’s or Christian or humanitarian values can ever be a right wing supporter in politics! If one thinks about this, the two things can not honestly jell.
+1
but then there’s a big difference between the ‘religious’ and the ‘Christian’ more often than not.
Satao, one of the last great tuskers has been killed.
.
I first learned about Satao through an emotional and beautifully written blog post by Mark Deeble, who described him as being so intelligent that he knew he needed to protect his enormous tusks by intentionally hiding in bushes so they couldn’t be seen. At the end of the post Mark wrote:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/africa-wild/2014/jun/13/kenyas-biggest-elephant-killed-by-poachers
For sure, it is said of the Fiordland deer after the onset of helicopter hunting when 1000’s where culled that in low scrub/tussock country the heavily antlered males upon hearing the helicopters approach and knowing their inability to outrun the flying beasts dealing death from the sky would sit in among the low scrub with their antlers tilted backward to the ground in an attempt at camouflage,
Didn’t help the poor old deer too much, but, showed a remarkable ability in the animals ‘to learn’…
So this guy, connect to ACT, gets a seat on the panel of Q&A. Again another ACT person, from a party with near zero votes. That’s my first gripe.
Second. The toady suggested that we should not consider changing our carbon policy because we would just export our dairy to China, as China would start up producing milk, which of course would be higher carbon emitting. Apart from been disingenuous, defeatist and wrong; in that China would grow its dairy herds without much consideration of us, that toady should not be promising that China’s herds would be farters, he doesn’t know that (and why won’t we be selling them better dairy science – it is a free market).
And then there was the other implicit promise, that our current (Labour introduced) carbon policy is the most perfect system there is, and the world will come around to introduce it, because we’re just hiding waiting to jump out when the world gets its act together.
Then there’s the cat herding. I mean the whole problem with global policy is that everyone has a different take, this isn’t a new problem, its as old as carbon charging. So here we have this creepy toady basically declaring that the status quo is a great victory, that the present policy is perfect, and he promises that there will be no surprises around China own sourcing (or the world turning on dairy output).
Its hard to fathom what purpose the business classes of NZ are helped by being so ill served by the extreme right talking nonsense. Please select moderate economic voices who don’t promise the earth, while ignoring reality, both human and environment.
We obviously have come to depend too much on diary, cannot maintain our present capacity due to the huge costs of pollution both carbon and river pollution, and we haven’t even started to discuss how massive farm land prices and farm debt, is forcing so many into dairy.
the thing is that franks was once thought of as that oxymoron..an intelligent-rightie..
..now he is just fucken barking..projectile-vomiting randisims wherever he goes..
..that was quite the performance..and didn’t kelly rark him up a treat..?
..he makes glenn beck look like a moderate..
..the face of modern-act..
..(with his denial/claim the invasion of iraq by bush/blair having nothing at all to do with the current clusterfuck there..
..still giving me after-chuckles..
..and there must be more in that vein..
..it’s the ‘what’s to do with him/her!’-meme..(must be said with palms of hands turned up in gesture of disbelief..)
..the murders of sharon tate et al..?.. charles manson..?..what’s it got to do with him?..
..the asset-stripping of new zealand..?..john key..?..what’s it got to do with him?..
..the dismantling of the welfare-state/creation of poverty/nequality in nz..’strewth’ richardson..?..what’s it got to do with her..?
..and so it goes..
(and of course..it’s screaming out for a gif..of franks going ‘what’s it got to do with him..?’..
I reckon Franks’ problem is that he just has an ego the size of a bus (albeit disguised by mild-mannered disposition).
I have to witness the prick almost daily.
(God he’s gorgeous!! And JUST LOOK at his contributions to a society – that doesn’t exist, of course! Territorial? or some such; well-mannered (usually); driven by ideology dressed up as principle; good, wholesome family values ….. etc., etc., – otherwise known as slime. I needed him last week though – I was damn short on 10 litres of 10W40)
two words sum up franks. Jordan williams
Martyn Bradbury from ‘The Herald on Sunday’ on legalising marijuana and abortion
‘ Martyn Bradbury : Unmentionable issues need champion’
There are three rules of New Zealand politics. Never criticise farmers. Never ask why cannabis is illegal and never, ever mention abortion. Ever. To everyone’s surprise, two political parties this month found the courage to breach those last two rules.
Ever since the “anti-smacking law” fiasco, Labour has been terrified to promote any social policy that can be warped into politically correct social engineering gone mad. Amending Section 59 of the Crimes Act closed a legal loophole abusive parents exploited to escape assault charges by claiming discipline as a defence. Watching such a noble gesture get twisted into a narrative of the PC stormtroopers of Helengrad, kicking down the front doors of honest Kiwi mums and dads to arrest them for lightly tapping little Johnny on the bottom, shellshocked Labour into never mentioning social policy again.
This has depressed the quality of political vision for the left, which is why the Greens and Internet parties’ policies on decriminalising cannabis and abortion are so welcome.
At last year’s International Cannabis Policy Symposium in Auckland, Professor Richie Poulton pointed out that 10.3 per cent of users who smoke cannabis by age 15 go on to have psychotic disorders, whereas only 4.7 per cent of those who used cannabis by aged 18 went on to have psychotic disorders. The conclusion from the symposium was that cannabis isn’t the major health risk it’s been built up to be. If protecting adolescents from early cannabis use is the solution, prohibition is the problem.
Regulation removes tinny houses near schools, prohibition builds them. Between 2007 and last year, 890 New Zealanders were jailed for possession of cannabis and 737 more have been imprisoned for possession of a bong.
Our war on drugs has led us to the awkward position where the US is becoming more progressive on cannabis than we are.
Decriminalisation of abortion is needed now. It’s not just the nonsense of Section 187A of the Crimes Act, whereby women must feign mental distress to get a basic medical service, it’s the manner in which pro-life fanatics have managed to isolate and constrict access to abortions that desperately needs challenging by decriminalising it.
I’m 100 per cent pro-choice. Those attempting to tell a woman what to do with her body in the 21st century should be outed for the misogynistic medieval glee club that they are. Women have every right to safe, legal access to any medical procedure they require. An abortion is one such. What is worse than the 14,745 abortions carried out in 2012? Forcing 14,745 women to have children they didn’t want. Ceausescu’s Romanian orphanages are a horror reminder of that path.
The Green and Internet parties have shown vast courage to bring these issues into the open. Progressive voters should consider rewarding that bravery this election.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11274164
Advertising for Colon the Conservative seems to be a really intelligent thing to be doing at this point in the electoral cycle…
Craig said yesterday that while he was polling in East Coast Bays, he had not begun major campaign work in the area. He expected to announce where he would stand at the party’s campaign launch next week. Craig said he would not talk to Key about a deal until after he announced his electorate.
From Stuff news :
“I have some people who think that we should be carrying on a negotiation with National, but we said we wouldn’t and we won’t.”
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2011
EAST COAST BAYS
Individual vote Murray McCully (National) 21,094 Simonne Dyer (Conservative) 1614
Party vote National 62.86 per cent Conservatives 3.74 per cent.
RODNEY
Individual vote Mark Mitchell (National) 20,253 Colin Craig (Conservative) 12,222
Party vote National 62.15 per cent Conservative 6.38 per cent
UPPER HARBOUR
A new seat in 2014 seen as safe for National’s Social Development Minister Paula Bennett
if he GENUINELY believes he can win a seat without national he would know where was going to stand and begun his door knocking.
There are so many denials from both sides it must be a done deal.
and no disclosure about bradury at beginning or end of article.
Conservative Party is requesting to change their logo to “vote”.
Stupid is as stupid does…I think it would be considered “confusing” on a ballot paper, and should be refused.
I wonder if they intended to slightly crop the right side and bottom of the oval?
Might be elections office that did it, though 🙂
‘Vote’ is not simply confusing. It is an exhortation to cast a vote. Placement on a ballot paper alongside the name of a particular party’s candidate shapes as a partisan political exhortation in favour of that candidate and party, electorate and list.
What of the long standing legal requirement that all concerted public political expressions and exhortations of whatever form be ceased/taken down by 7.00pm (?) on the day before the election ? Apart maybe from formal campaign wrap-ups from party leaders at a set time after 7.00 pm.
Is the law to be amended to accommodate Mr Craig At The Beach In A Suit ? Doubt it.
Craig can’t be injuncted from staggering to the voting booth a huge cross of wood awkwardly across his shoulder, nor Rankin buckling under the weight of a massive, extreme kitsch, diamante studded, shitmetal crucifix, but no. This ain’t on.
You wonder at the idiot who conceived it really.
That seems to be what the Conservative Party is trying to bypass. Such a move is obviously as corrupt as John Banks electoral funding.
I objected by email as follows:
With reference to the Conservative party logo request, http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/application-register-conservative-party-logo:
I strongly object to this logo as it can easily mislead people into voting for this party by mistake because the logo ASKS people with the word, ‘vote’ in the bubble picture. This is like directing, misleading, advertising or soliciting for the vote.
Please reject this cunning logo
I am having trouble with the non loading of other posts. The one on the Kiwiassure and the one on DC’s speech were there earlier this afternoon, but now gone! They were worth another visit but have vanished for me in spite of Refreshing. Anyone?
Brilliant post by astute Epsom voter, Curwen Rollerson.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/06/15/guest-blog-curwen-rolinson-the-campaign-to-elect-paul-goldsmith/
Spread the message…..
The Roy Morgan poll , so beloved by the loony Left is published in a few hours. Bad news I’m afraid folks.
How do you know it is bad news? What are the numbers?
c’mon mr mental health professional, dedicated to truth and mental well being. How do you know the numbers when it hasnt been published yet?
Since it still isn’t published, I assume in your reality a “few hours” means 20+?
NaziYahoo accuses Hamas……..80 Palestinians arrested……..remind me again how many Palestinian kids rot in IDF detention……..average stay etc etc.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/15/israel-raids-hamas-kipdnapping-netanyahu
Love your work NaziYahoo………
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.592352
xox. Perfect photo of CC. Auditioning for the next vampire movie….?