Interesting comment re the riots in England from a scotish and welsh perspective: why are the riots being reported as UK or British when they relate only to a few cities in ENGLAND
Maybe this sort of sentiment is assumed:
“With gratitude for the past and confidence in the future we range ourselves without fear beside Britain. Where she goes, we go; where she stands, we stand.”
Meh, my Scottish and Irish mates are laughing their asses off at the English falling apart
đ That’s why I have a problem with Scottish and Irish people – especially the Irish. Schadenfreude is their thing! (My Scottish-descended mother made my English father’s life hell – I used to pray that he would divorce her, when I was a child. Not to mention her constantly rubbing in that she came from a higher social class than he did)
Vicky, I am a Scot; whenever a Scot wins a medal at the Olympics, they are a Brit, when they are English, they are, simply, English.
If Andy Murray ever wins Wimbledon, he’ll be British, but as he continues to flop, he’ll continue to be Scottish.
Whenever England football fans riot, they are British, when they behave they mysteriously become British.
It should also be noted that generally speaking the first ‘cannon fodder’ in both world wars were from where?
Had to laugh my arse off the other day when I read the Labour Party in Scotland (having been trounced in recent Scottish elections for being out of touch and arrogant….jeez, that’s a familiar refrain for Labour Parties that, innit?) was having a go at the SNP for daring to point out that the riots were English. Not Scottish. Not British. Just English. And further, that Scottish society was very different to English society.
As a commentator in one of the Scottish papers pointed out (paraphrasing) the underclass in Scotland …or any class, bar the public school class of whatever year class… would baulk at being seen to be taking directions from English sources.
Hi Pete just a brief summary from the Wiki article on teenage pregnancy.
How about you have a read and then get back on the notion of âresponsibilityâ…
1. Poverty is associated with increased rates of teenage pregnancy
2. Women exposed to abuse, domestic violence, and family strife in childhood are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers, and the risk of becoming pregnant as a teenager increases with the number of adverse childhood experiences
3. Studies have also found that boys raised in homes with a battered mother, or who experienced physical violence directly, were significantly more likely to impregnate a girl
4. Studies have also found that girls whose fathers left the family early in their lives had the highest rates of early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy. Girls whose fathers left them at a later age had a lower rate of early sexual activity, and the lowest rates are found in girls whose fathers were present throughout their childhood
5. Low educational expectations have been pinpointed as a risk factor.
6. Teenage pregnancy is also attributed the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy to a breakdown of communication between parents and child and also to inadequate parental supervision
7. Foster care youth are more likely than their peers to become pregnant as teenagers.
8. Teens exposed to the most sexual content on TV are twice as likely as teens watching less of this material to become pregnant before they reach age 20
9. More than 80% of teen pregnancies are unintended
10. There is little evidence to support the common belief that teenage mothers become pregnant to get benefits, welfare, and council housing. Most knew little about housing or financial aid before they got pregnant and what they thought they knew often turned out to be wrong
11. A UK study found that 70% of women who gave birth in their teens had experienced adolescent domestic violence.
12. Teenage girls who are pregnant or mothers are more likely to commit suicide than girls who aren’t pregnant or mothers
13. One study in 2001 found that women who gave birth during their teens completed secondary-level schooling 10â12% as often as those who didn’t, and pursued post-secondary education 14â29% as often as women who waited until age 30 to have children.
14. Teenage Motherhood may actually make economic sense for young women with less money, some research suggests. For instance, long-term studies by Duke economist V. Joseph Hotz and colleagues, published in 2005, found that by age 35, former teen moms had earned more in income, paid more in taxes, were substantially less likely to live in poverty and collected less in public assistance than similarly poor women who waited until their 20s to have babies
15. What appears crucial to success is that adolescents know where they can go to obtain information and services, can get there easily and are assured of receiving confidential, non-judgmental care, and that these services and contraceptive supplies are free or cost very little. In addressing high rates of unplanned teen pregnancies, scholars agree that the problem must be confronted from both the biological and cultural contexts.
Iâm sure there is plenty more ‘real’ research out there, if you were interested in looking, but I guess your prejudices suit you just fine.
Thanks, Puddlegum. A diverse lot aren’t we? (women who have children while teenagers, that is).
I can’t believe I forgot the one that got me started on the whole ‘responsibility’ thing…
A review of California’s 1990 vital statistics found that men older than high school age fathered 77 percent of all births to high school-aged girls (ages 16â18), and 51 percent of births to junior high school-aged girls (15 and younger). Men over age 25 fathered twice as many children of teenage mothers than boys under age 18, and men over age 20 fathered five times as many children of junior high school-aged girls as did junior high school-aged boys. A 1992 Washington state study of 535 adolescent mothers found that 62 percent of the mothers had a history of being raped or sexual molested by men whose ages averaged 27 years
Anyway, I guess this post has gone in the into PeteG’s ‘do not reply’ bucket.
The best way to mitigate teenage pregnancy is to ensure that those at risk are properly engaged in the school system rather than fall through the cracks.
In addition, it might piss off the god botherers (their way only causes misery and hatred) , but having increased access to contraceptives and abortion on demand can help here as well. Bob McCroskie can jump of a bridge for all I care.
For those that do make mistakes, funding teen parent units in every school, and alternative schools for those unsuited to the mainstream system would be good as well.
The school system needs to play a big part here. IMO they are too busy trying to attract international students and focusing on their top students to give a shit about those at the bottom.
It’s not getting any better for the Murdochs as the reporter jailed for admitting hacking members of the Royal family dobs in the former NOW editor Andy Coulson and leaves the Murdochs’ evidence in Parliament looking weak at best and outright lies at worst.
The whole edifice is rotten. The rotten Murdochs will be called to answer to a rotten parliament. Credibility minus for all parties…..more riots to come in reaction to further rotten powers given to a rotten police force.
Today, from the UK, comes another shining example of what happens when you privatise strategic assets such a power companies.
Note the comment further down the article from RWE npower’s Cheif Commercial Officer Kevin Miles
Miles pointed out that npower’s price increases were significantly below the tariff increases of between 10% and 19% on gas and electricity introduced by its rivals .
Of course, all of it’s so called rivals are also privately owned.
And behind the privatised state assets are the rich, the ma and pa investors and the pension fund owners who live amongst us…all holding shares in our servitude. We rub shoulders with our malefactors daily.
Anybody know what the ‘unnamed bill’ is? http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/82682/parliament-in-urgency
Newstalk ZB this morning: Simon Power’s office refuses to say what it is, other that it is not related to new policy. Newstalk understands it as being ‘sensitive’ and correcting legislation passed by former Labour Govt…
Dame Lesley Max on “Eight Months to Mars”
Afternoons with Jim Mora, Monday August 15, 2011
Take yourself back two and a half years. You’re listening to NewstalkZB, around 11.30 p.m., on Sunday, January 4th, 2009. The internationally condemned Israeli assault on Gaza is at its bloodiest point, and the host Oliver Driver has, unusually for a radio talkback host, been making some intelligent comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Showing what happens if there’s a host with a few clues, the standard of talkback this evening has been of an exceptionally high standard. But at 11:30, the calibre, temper and tone of the discussion plummet catastrophically.
A particularly harsh and adamant woman, identifying herself as “Lesley”, is on the line. She is having none of this namby-pamby so-called sympathy for the victims.
LESLEY: These people are terrorists and they deserve everything that is happening to them. I’ve just come back from Israel, and I can tell you the Arabs are happy. These people in Gaza are terrorists! OLIVER DRIVER: But the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations say the people killed are almost entirely women and children. LESLEY: Nonsense! I’ve just come back from Israel. OLIVER DRIVER: Human Rights Watch and B’tselem have condemned Israel, and they unequivocally call it a massacre. LESLEY: Absolute nonsense! I have just come back from Israel, and I saw NOTHING that suggested there was ANY trouble at all! OLIVER DRIVER: So let me get this right, Lesley. You’re saying that the Red Cross, and all of the the U.N. observers, and Human Rights Watch, and Doctors Without Borders, and the doctors and nurses from the hospitals in Gaza, and all those reporters—they’re all wrong? LESLEY: [snarling] Yes they are WRONG! All of them! You see, these people are TERRORISTS….
Cue ten minutes more of uninterrupted hateful ranting. Finally, the host decides enough is enough….
OLIVER DRIVER: Okay. Thank you very much for your call, Lesley.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oliver Driver, clearly shaken and disturbed by that call, gave no indication that he knew the identity of “Lesley”. He would no doubt have been surprised to learn that she was in fact a prominent member of the Auckland social scene, and a recipient of royal honours for her charity work with disadvantaged children.
The caller was none other than Dame Lesley Max, who lives a bizarre double life, balancing out the good work she does—urban tree-planting and running a children’s charity—by obsessively monitoring talkback radio and barking out intolerant rants as in the example above. If you suffer from insomnia some time, tune in to NewstalkZB or Radio Live for a few minutes: chances are pretty good that you’ll hear Dame Lesley shouting her crazed and unconditional support for Israel over the airwaves.
Late-night and early-morning talk radio is not her only outlet, though. In January 2002, during another time of escalated Israeli aggression, this time in the occupied West Bank, Dame Lesley was the guest of Chris Laidlaw on his Sunday morning show. Throughout the interview, she refused to call the victims “Palestinians”, and insisted on calling them “terrorists”—in fact, she managed to use the word “terrorists” no less than TWENTY times. (I counted.) Laidlaw never once pulled her up, or challenged her use of language.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It was with considerable interest, therefore, that I learned Monday’s guest for the “Eight Months to Mars” segment on Jim Mora’s programme was to be Dame Lesley Max. “Eight Months to Mars” is supposed to be whimsical and lighthearted, but I just knew that Dame Lesley would not forsake the opportunity to slip in a little pro-Israel propaganda if she could possibly get away with it. And in the affable and indulgent Jim Mora, she had the perfect vehicleâŠ.
JIM MORA: And who, Dame Lesley Max, would you like to accompany you on this voyage to Mars? DAME LESLEY MAX: Oh! There are so MANY! Let me see. I would have Lady Diana Cooper, Bill Clinton (LOVE that Southern accent!), Theodore Dalrymple— MORA: Oh yes! Isn’t he amazing! DAME LESLEY: He’s just lovely! I spent a simply entrancing afternoon with him once. [1] MORA: He’s just a brilliant man! DAME LESLEY: I would also have to have along with me Dr Zoe During, Charles Dickens, Kathryn Ryan! MORA: Oh yes. Ha ha ha ha ha! DAME LESLEY: Boris Johnson, Stephen Fry, and Richard Burton—as long as he doesn’t bring along his cigarettes! MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! But what a voice he had! DAME LESLEY: What I like about these people is the breadth of their minds, and the wit of their conversation. Did you see Boris Johnson on Who Do You Think You Are?, Jim? MORA: No.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MORA: Let’s talk about you, now. What makes you such a humanitarian worker? DAME LESLEY: My mother was very empathetic. MORA: You had a happy, idyllic North Shore childhood? DAME LESLEY: I was a voracious reader. So I knew early on that all the world was not like my home in Milford, I was fully aware that children get killed. I guess that desire for protecting the vulnerable is just embedded in me, in my DNA. I dunno. MORA: Interesting you’d take Dalrymple to Mars because he laments the providential role of the state. DAME LESLEY: Mmmmmm. MORA: So you are trying to AWAKEN the human spirit. DAME LESLEY: Mmmmm. Definitely. MORA: And what keepsakes would you take with you? See, these are the little things that fascinate me.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MORA: If an alien asked you to describe the planet Earth, what would you say? DAME LESLEY: Oh, I would say that it was full of plenty, beauty, happiness, starvation, misery, oppression. [2] All of those things. MORA: What would you miss about Earth? DAME LESLEY: Gardens, trees [3], grass, water [4], hills. MORA: What would you be glad to leave behind? DAME LESLEY: News of babies being kicked to death. Distortion and malice arising from journalistic malpractice. I’m thinking here of those poor, defamed Israeli victims of the earthquake. MORA: You’re finding anti-Semitism everywhere, more and more? DAME LESLEY: [carefully] No, I wouldn’t like to call it anti-Semitism. But there was an unholy glee in the media. It was like a cat bringing a dead mouse into the house and batting it about to see if it can get a bit more out of it. MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! That’s a GREAT analogy! All right, let’s go to your last musical choice. DAME LESLEY: This is Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti singing a duet from Rigoletto. MORA: All the best with your work, Dame Lesley. It’s SO important.
Tell Jim Mora (politely but clearly) what you think of his providing an uninterrupted forum to people like Dame Lesley Max. His email address isâŠ. afternoons@radionz.co.nz
Iâve made a point to email Jim to ask him for more people like Lesley to appear on his show in future.
I have no problem with him talking to anybody, even a canting hypocrite like Dame Lesley Max. What I object to is his failure to challenge or to even demur at some of the outrageous and offensive things people like her say.
In this case, it was Mora himself who made the ridiculous and cranky charge that investigating Israelis is anti-Semitism. Dame Lesley was smart enough to resile from the statement, and make herself seem sensible and restrained.
She must have been very pleased that Mora had done the crude defamatory work for her, and let her, on this occasion, seem to rise above it.
It won’t be a problem Lower standard Joyce will privatize it to so we will hear only what they want us to hear no independent point of view .Fox news i suspect oh no my emails are being hacked as we speak
I sent a short but polite email off to afternoons@radionz.co.nz after Monday’s panel. The complete fabrication of data they discussed regarding the Iowa Straw Poll is a telling portent of our coming Election. Perhaps, just perhaps if the community presents them with requests for the most basic journalistic integrity, then they will at least reduce the fabrication, even if it does not lead to any more balance in the content.
I include the email below
I would sincerely accept criticism or comment as a basis towards understanding viewpoints of National Radio broadcasting standards at this time, especially leading up to is expected to be the most socially radical and economically pivotal election in decades.
” To whom it may concern
I have been increasingly worried by many of the views recently
expressed on the panel. It is a rare day i hear anything attempting to portray a factual, an
honest or even a balanced view of the current political and financial
situation in New Zealand or abroad.
Today though i was simply disgusted by the tragically innacurate
statements made earlier regarding the Iowa Straw Poll. That later
paled with the arrogant and ignorant comments broadcast by a panelist
in regards to food costs. I respectfully ask that you please remind
your panelists 3/4 of New Zealand do not live in Auckland. Not
everyone has access to a farmer’s market.
The elitist attitude being fomented by your panel is progressively
costing you listeners. I have been a listener of the show for many years and I personally
know a dozen people or more who no longer listen and i find myself not
listening more often. More basic research, honest journalism and less
parroting of press releases might go a long way to reversing the
trend.
As a State-owned broadcaster, there are responsiblities aligned
with your privilidged positions, the most demanding must be to
accurately broadcast information.
I posit you are failing your responsibilties
In the meantime, mik e, you should tell Jim Mora (politely but clearly) what you think of his providing a propaganda forum for the likes of Dame Lesley Max. His email address isâŠ. afternoons@radionz.co.nz
Yeah he’s lets his guests waffle on about any thing they like but he also has Bernard Hickey Cris Trotter Bomber Bradbury .But he is a right whinger because soon as they have finished he denigrates them ever so subtlely.
I have stopped listening to Jim Mora these days, he just gets on my nerves more and more!
Well then, you need to tell him that, politely of course. You might like to mention your disgust at the way he encourages people like Dame Lesley Max and Stephen Franks and Dr. Michael Bassett, instead of challenging them…. afternoons@radionz.co.nz
Lesley Max has a chapter all to herself in a book on the New Zealand Jewish community published a few years back. Needless to say, she spends an inordinate amount of space on New Zealanders’ supposed “misconceptions” about “poor old Israel”.
In your RNZ rendition (above), she appears wonderfully ignorant of not only ‘Theodore Dalrymple’s’ strong criticism of Israel (and of Conrad Black’s bias in this regard), but also of Stephen Fry’s membership of the British Independent Jewish Voices – a group, of course, strongly critical of mainstream Jewry’s Israel-Right-Or-Wrong default setting.
…she spends an inordinate amount of space on New Zealandersâ supposed âmisconceptionsâ about âpoor old Israelâ.
She’s a fanatic, and that’s exactly what we would expect of her.
The really disturbing thing about her appearance on Mora’s show was when Mora asked her, in apparent seriousness: “Youâre finding anti-Semitism everywhere, more and more?”
That’s nonsense, of course, and Mora knows it perfectly well. But he still said it. He therefore released Dame Lesley from her fanatic’s duty of saying just that, and allowed her to pose as a moderate: “No, I wouldn’t like to call it anti-Semitism…”
Of course she wouldn’t like to call it anti-Semitism—she didn’t have to, because her infinitely obliging and understanding host did it for her.
It’s irresponsible and a betrayal of his listeners.
You, and others who care about decency and standards, should email Jim and tell him what you think of his behaviour…. afternoons@radionz.co.nz
“Finance Minister Bill English said he had not seen the detail of the sale yesterday and it was yet to be seen if the cost to the Government would increase further.
”We have been focused very much on reducing cost to tax-payers through this whole exercise,” he said. ”
quick question Bill, how does one focus on something one has no details of?
I don’t think he’s moved to the right in his own head, but he has grown intellectually flabby. I think he’s like Jim Mora in many ways—in spite of his misgivings, he bends over backwards to be “impartial”. That means he lets right wing callers have their say, and he will usually try to find common ground with them. I noticed on last Sunday night’s show that he was repeating idiotic far right slogans about the London riots, and didn’t seem to have the courage to say what he no doubt really thinks.
A few years ago, crazed callers like “Lesley” (actually Dame Lesley Max) would at least know they were in for an argument with Oliver, but now, sadly, he seems to have been tamed by the NewstalkZB machine.
Thats the only way you can get a job on talk back these days!being a redneck jerk
You mean, I think, “being a bigoted jerk.” Please don’t use the term “redneck” as a substitute for “bigot”. That’s a slur on working people and farmers. The worst, most pitiless bigots in this country are not “rednecks” but pampered, privileged, complacent businessmen (think Alisdair Thompson) and right-wing commentators (Stephen Franks, Garth George, Paul Holmes, Michael Laws, Christine Rankin, Leighton Smith).
The Press has a story on New Zealand’s own Leonardo da Vinci … the artist formerly known as John Key.
You know that guy in your office who has a job title and a suit and a desk, but you find yourself wondering what he does all day? Apparently, “he does a lot of doodles” …
While David Cameron and co. attempt to pin the recent London riots on some slide in morality, they ignore the historical background – as outlined in this highly illuminating article – that this city has been the traditional site for radical protest and rioting by the English poor for centuries:
Â
“The âLondon mobâ has been an object of fear for Londonâs wealthy almost since the city was founded. The size and nature of London made it repeatedly open to radicalization. Large groups of people lived and worked together and developed ideas against authority in a way which there was much less opportunity to do in rural areas or small towns. As a seat of government, London was the natural centre of protest against monarchy and then parliament.
The Peasantsâ Revolt of 1381 ended in London when the citizens opened the gates of the capital and allowed tens of thousands of peasants led by John Ball and Wat Tyler to enter (and ransack) the City. They burnt down John of Gauntâs palace at the Savoy and executed the Lord Chancellor as part of their protest at the poll tax. They broke open the most notorious prisons in the City. Then, as now, some innocents (in this case Flemish cloth traders perceived as commercial rivals) were victims. The peasants forced the King to grant them their freedom until the leaders of the revolt were tricked by Richard II and routed at Smithfield. But the revolt burnt itself into the mind of the aristocracy and the poll tax was effectively abolished….”
Â
Once again, an item about expensive lambs being killed by hypothermia on NZ farms… The thing is, it happens every year! And every year the news media come over all surprised…. I don’t know why lambing always takes place in winter, and why NZ farmers don’t keep livestock in barns, and afaik never have! When my father came here in 1951, he had been told that NZ was “tropical” – he soon learned different! (It’s got colder every year, yet the farmers pretend surprise as every year their lambs die.)
I’ve recently bough the album ‘Infected’ by The The ($7.99 in the bargain bin at The Warehouse) – my emphasis on notable lines!
Considering this was released in the early 1980’s, how poignant are the lyrics of the song Heartland to the UK riots?
Beneath the old iron bridges, across the victorian parks,
& all the frightened people running home before dark,
Past the Saturday morning cinema–
that lies crumbling to the ground,
& the piss stinking shopping centre in the new side of town.
I’ve come to smell the seasons change, & watch the city,
as the sun goes down again.
CHORUS
Here comes another winter, of long shadows & high hopes,
Here comes another winter, waitin for utopia,
waitin for hell to freeze over.
This is the land, where nothing changes, the land of red buses & blue blooded babies, This is the place, where pensioners are raped,
& the hearts are being cut, from the welfare state, Let the poor drink the milk, while the rich eat the honey, Let the bums count their blessings, while they count the money.
So many people, can’t express what’s on their minds,
Nobody knows them & nobody ever will, Until their backs are broken & their dreams are stolen, & they can’t get what they want, then they’re gonna get angry! Well it ain’t written in the papers, but its written on the walls The way this country is divided to fall,
So the cranes are moving on the skyline–
Trying to knock down–this town
But the stains on the heartland, can never be removed,
from this country, that’s sick, sad, and confused.
CHORUS
The ammunition’s being passed, and the lords been praised,
But the wars on the televisions will never be explained,
All the bankers gettin sweaty, beneath their white collars,
As the pound in our pocket, turns into a dollar.
This is the 51st state–of the U. S. A.
(Repeat and fade.)
the U.S. continues its odd and long history of flowing all economic gains
to corporations and the very rich and basically none to the average hour worked.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that we are facing weak demand. For 30 years to the year 2000, consumers compensated for their lack of progress in hourly wages partly by working harder and longer and in greater numbers (i.e., a higher participation
rate) and partly by borrowing. But in the 10 years after 2000, the participation rate in the workforce has dropped dramatically (see Exhibit 2) and hours worked per person has flattened so that the only way for individuals to grow their consumption more recently was by borrowing even more and, to some extent, by speculating in housing.
…
Today the artifi cial sugar-coating of increasing debt has been removed and we must live with the reality that an average hourâs work has not received a material increase for 40 years (see Exhibit 3). Without increased debt and without gains in hourly wages, how can there be sustained broad gains in consumption? Only Chanel suits, Hermes scarves, BMWs, and their ilk have very strong sales, and these top-end items are just too small a fraction to carry the day.
You might have heard that Hosni Mubarak’s trial is no longer going to be broadcast. He’s being tried for corruption and violence against the protesters in Tahrir Square and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The consequences of justice not being done in this case are significant, but there are bigger implications to what is essentially state control of the media…
Just thought I would mention this; I had morning tea with Tama Iti this morning. What a thoroughly pleasant and respectful bloke.
Â
Listened to a Tuhoe presentation on how they want to improve their community, which was totally clear, whanau focused and thinking long term. I hope many of their people stand for Mana.
A woman who has lived in New Zealand for four years and left her abusive husband has been denied residency because of his convictions for crimes against her.
The plight of Charmain Timmons and her children, who are now illegal immigrants, has outraged Women’s Refuge, which says the Paraparaumu family should not have to suffer twice because of his cruelty.
“It’s wrong in so many ways,” said refuge chief executive Heather Henare. “She is being punished. She is someone who has come over here with the best of intentions to have a better life…and now she’s going to be sent back because she was unfortunate enough to be a victim of domestic violence.”
Timmons, 37, has been granted the rights of a resident by some government departments, as she has had legal aid, a benefit and is enrolled to vote.
and
The couple needed to send in their passports and a $1050 fee but Timmons left her husband before the process was completed. As a result, she and the children were illegal immigrants, and she was told she had to leave the country.
“I decided I had to get out of the relationship because it was becoming violent and abusive and it was psychologically and emotionally very damaging,” she told the Sunday Star-Times.
He left New Zealand for eight months before returning this year on a two-year visitor’s permit.
She said moving back to England would be a huge upheaval for the children, now aged seven and nine, who regarded themselves as New Zealanders.
“They don’t want to be anywhere else. They know of England but their roots are here now. I haven’t done anything wrong. I just want to provide a safe, secure environment for my children.”
Â
Why has it taken so long to act? A genuine question.
And, why did Wilkinson claim in Parliament that the government would be waiting till after the Commission concluded to act on staffing of mines inspectors but knew at the time that a departmental review was looking into staffing and would report back prior to the Commission announcing its findings?
And, why won’t Wilkinson admit that abolishing the mines inspectorate in the late 90s was a bad idea.
Anybody who gives a damn about the environment should have a read of Idiot/Savant’s latest blog @ NRT. National is purposefully fucking the ETS up by overallocating subsidies. Effectively the public is paying polluters to pollute more, and thus discrediting the scheme entirely. Pisses me right off!
France and Germany Propose Joint Financial Transactions Tax
Surprise surprise high frequency bot traders and big banks don’t like it. I hope Merkel and Sarkozy push it through against the financial sector, and that this is not just a distraction or a feint.
Rob MacCullough writes –Â Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
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Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a âmedia summitâ to discuss âthe state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalismâ. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
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Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
 Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for âfast trackâ consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill â currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes-Â The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you arenât wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said âSince we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that âNew Zealandâs economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerfulâ. They also believe that âNew Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerfulâ. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
âYou talking about me?âThe neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hallâs âGlide Timeâ caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund â When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayersâ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund â and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last yearâs severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labourâs environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our countryâs most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his memberâs bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Todayâs advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Governmentâs newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealandâs 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. ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin  NgÄ mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho  Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.  I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĆ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĆ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĆ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
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 sectorâs role in the export-led recovery of the economy. âI 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 Governmentâs support for the revitalisation the sector.  "New Zealandâs 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. âThe 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. âMy 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 Singaporeâs 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 counterpartâs almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whÄnau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says âoutlook not greatâ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, itâs not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The âfinancial sustainability targetâ, which was âallocatedâ to Waitaha, is consistent with whatâs happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist NgÄhuia te AwekĆtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. Itâs not as if we havenât done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didnât say: âOh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.â No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
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The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
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While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
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By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
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The solo show from Ana Scotney is both sprawling and intimate, and a must-see, writes Mad Chapman. In the opening moments of Scattergun: After the Death of RĆ«aumoko, writer and performer Ana Scotney lays out the groundwork, literally. Silently moving around the square stage, Scotney is not so much dancing ...
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The âVampireâ singer has never visited our part of the world, but that might all be about to change. We assess the evidence.Olivia Rodrigoâs Guts World Tour is pulling in massive crowds as it whips around the US and Europe, even helping to catapult regular supporting act Chappell Roan ...
Testing of drinking water in rural Canterbury over the weekend by Greenpeace revealed that several public town supplies were reaching levels of nitrate above 5 mg/L - the threshold which a growing body of scientific evidence has linked to increased ...
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Responding to the Governmentâs announcement of changes to resource management laws, Taxpayersâ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said: âThese changes are a step in the right direction in terms of removing ideological and unworkable ...
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By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara With only four more seats in the 50-member Parliament yet to be officially declared, there is no outright winner in the Solomon Islands elections. As of Monday, the two largest blocs in the winnerâs circle, independents and the incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh ...
Two/fiftyseven is a multi-purpose space hidden in the heart of Wellington that is paving a way for sustainable building and responsible landlording in Aotearoa and beyond.By 2060 the world is predicted to double its entire building stock, which equates to building an entire New York City every 34 days, ...
Popstars wasnât just a reality television revolution, it was also a huge moment for Y2K fashion.Itâs 25 years since girl group TrueBliss was formed on New Zealand national television, breaking new ground for both the reality television industry and the shiny clothing industry. With the first episode on NZ ...
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Interesting comment re the riots in England from a scotish and welsh perspective: why are the riots being reported as UK or British when they relate only to a few cities in ENGLAND
Maybe this sort of sentiment is assumed:
“With gratitude for the past and confidence in the future we range ourselves without fear beside Britain. Where she goes, we go; where she stands, we stand.”
Meh, my Scottish and Irish mates are laughing their asses off at the English falling apart. They always knew it would happen.
đ That’s why I have a problem with Scottish and Irish people – especially the Irish. Schadenfreude is their thing! (My Scottish-descended mother made my English father’s life hell – I used to pray that he would divorce her, when I was a child. Not to mention her constantly rubbing in that she came from a higher social class than he did)
Vicky, I am a Scot; whenever a Scot wins a medal at the Olympics, they are a Brit, when they are English, they are, simply, English.
If Andy Murray ever wins Wimbledon, he’ll be British, but as he continues to flop, he’ll continue to be Scottish.
Whenever England football fans riot, they are British, when they behave they mysteriously become British.
It should also be noted that generally speaking the first ‘cannon fodder’ in both world wars were from where?
Had to laugh my arse off the other day when I read the Labour Party in Scotland (having been trounced in recent Scottish elections for being out of touch and arrogant….jeez, that’s a familiar refrain for Labour Parties that, innit?) was having a go at the SNP for daring to point out that the riots were English. Not Scottish. Not British. Just English. And further, that Scottish society was very different to English society.
As a commentator in one of the Scottish papers pointed out (paraphrasing) the underclass in Scotland …or any class, bar the public school class of whatever year class… would baulk at being seen to be taking directions from English sources.
Were they responsible in the first place?
Many teenage girls getting pregnant and relying on a benefit have not exactly excelled in self control, self management and responsibility.
Yes, state welfare has to fork out so they can live.
No, it shouldn’t automatically be a free pass with no responsibilities or requirements.
Morning Pete, two consecutive comments so far today that make no sense. Are you going to go for the trifecta?
I hope so. Although the TAB payout is so minimal I should still earn myself a hot chocolate with the bet.
Hi Pete just a brief summary from the Wiki article on teenage pregnancy.
How about you have a read and then get back on the notion of âresponsibilityâ…
1. Poverty is associated with increased rates of teenage pregnancy
2. Women exposed to abuse, domestic violence, and family strife in childhood are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers, and the risk of becoming pregnant as a teenager increases with the number of adverse childhood experiences
3. Studies have also found that boys raised in homes with a battered mother, or who experienced physical violence directly, were significantly more likely to impregnate a girl
4. Studies have also found that girls whose fathers left the family early in their lives had the highest rates of early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy. Girls whose fathers left them at a later age had a lower rate of early sexual activity, and the lowest rates are found in girls whose fathers were present throughout their childhood
5. Low educational expectations have been pinpointed as a risk factor.
6. Teenage pregnancy is also attributed the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy to a breakdown of communication between parents and child and also to inadequate parental supervision
7. Foster care youth are more likely than their peers to become pregnant as teenagers.
8. Teens exposed to the most sexual content on TV are twice as likely as teens watching less of this material to become pregnant before they reach age 20
9. More than 80% of teen pregnancies are unintended
10. There is little evidence to support the common belief that teenage mothers become pregnant to get benefits, welfare, and council housing. Most knew little about housing or financial aid before they got pregnant and what they thought they knew often turned out to be wrong
11. A UK study found that 70% of women who gave birth in their teens had experienced adolescent domestic violence.
12. Teenage girls who are pregnant or mothers are more likely to commit suicide than girls who aren’t pregnant or mothers
13. One study in 2001 found that women who gave birth during their teens completed secondary-level schooling 10â12% as often as those who didn’t, and pursued post-secondary education 14â29% as often as women who waited until age 30 to have children.
14. Teenage Motherhood may actually make economic sense for young women with less money, some research suggests. For instance, long-term studies by Duke economist V. Joseph Hotz and colleagues, published in 2005, found that by age 35, former teen moms had earned more in income, paid more in taxes, were substantially less likely to live in poverty and collected less in public assistance than similarly poor women who waited until their 20s to have babies
15. What appears crucial to success is that adolescents know where they can go to obtain information and services, can get there easily and are assured of receiving confidential, non-judgmental care, and that these services and contraceptive supplies are free or cost very little. In addressing high rates of unplanned teen pregnancies, scholars agree that the problem must be confronted from both the biological and cultural contexts.
Iâm sure there is plenty more ‘real’ research out there, if you were interested in looking, but I guess your prejudices suit you just fine.
Now that’s the kind of information people need to know.Â
Good stuff rosy!Â
Thanks, Puddlegum. A diverse lot aren’t we? (women who have children while teenagers, that is).
I can’t believe I forgot the one that got me started on the whole ‘responsibility’ thing…
Anyway, I guess this post has gone in the into PeteG’s ‘do not reply’ bucket.
Jeez, Squirrel boy, thats rather nasty of you…
The best way to mitigate teenage pregnancy is to ensure that those at risk are properly engaged in the school system rather than fall through the cracks.
In addition, it might piss off the god botherers (their way only causes misery and hatred) , but having increased access to contraceptives and abortion on demand can help here as well. Bob McCroskie can jump of a bridge for all I care.
For those that do make mistakes, funding teen parent units in every school, and alternative schools for those unsuited to the mainstream system would be good as well.
The school system needs to play a big part here. IMO they are too busy trying to attract international students and focusing on their top students to give a shit about those at the bottom.
An unnecessary sneer. You were doing well up until then, but I presume you couldn’t resist dishing out some hatred yourself.
I dunno, I quite like that expression – how about happy clappies or fish badge on the car people?
It’s not getting any better for the Murdochs as the reporter jailed for admitting hacking members of the Royal family dobs in the former NOW editor Andy Coulson and leaves the Murdochs’ evidence in Parliament looking weak at best and outright lies at worst.
The whole edifice is rotten. The rotten Murdochs will be called to answer to a rotten parliament. Credibility minus for all parties…..more riots to come in reaction to further rotten powers given to a rotten police force.
Yep. Big mistake letting someone go to prison for you and not honouring the dishonourable agreement you made with him. Big, big mistake.
How can all this be? Old man Murdoch’s apology in front of the committee was so sincere and moving. He had truly seen the light.
/sarc
Their lawyers have turned on them too having been released from the client privilege thingy.
Today, from the UK, comes another shining example of what happens when you privatise strategic assets such a power companies.
Note the comment further down the article from RWE npower’s Cheif Commercial Officer Kevin Miles
Of course, all of it’s so called rivals are also privately owned.
And in a privately owned power system, there are ticket clippers galore.
And behind the privatised state assets are the rich, the ma and pa investors and the pension fund owners who live amongst us…all holding shares in our servitude. We rub shoulders with our malefactors daily.
Does anyone have any idea as to when the plague of locusts might be due?
As soon as NACT gets re-elected.
Anybody know what the ‘unnamed bill’ is?
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/82682/parliament-in-urgency
Newstalk ZB this morning: Simon Power’s office refuses to say what it is, other that it is not related to new policy. Newstalk understands it as being ‘sensitive’ and correcting legislation passed by former Labour Govt…
Dame Lesley Max on “Eight Months to Mars”
Afternoons with Jim Mora, Monday August 15, 2011
Take yourself back two and a half years. You’re listening to NewstalkZB, around 11.30 p.m., on Sunday, January 4th, 2009. The internationally condemned Israeli assault on Gaza is at its bloodiest point, and the host Oliver Driver has, unusually for a radio talkback host, been making some intelligent comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Showing what happens if there’s a host with a few clues, the standard of talkback this evening has been of an exceptionally high standard. But at 11:30, the calibre, temper and tone of the discussion plummet catastrophically.
A particularly harsh and adamant woman, identifying herself as “Lesley”, is on the line. She is having none of this namby-pamby so-called sympathy for the victims.
LESLEY: These people are terrorists and they deserve everything that is happening to them. I’ve just come back from Israel, and I can tell you the Arabs are happy. These people in Gaza are terrorists!
OLIVER DRIVER: But the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations say the people killed are almost entirely women and children.
LESLEY: Nonsense! I’ve just come back from Israel.
OLIVER DRIVER: Human Rights Watch and B’tselem have condemned Israel, and they unequivocally call it a massacre.
LESLEY: Absolute nonsense! I have just come back from Israel, and I saw NOTHING that suggested there was ANY trouble at all!
OLIVER DRIVER: So let me get this right, Lesley. You’re saying that the Red Cross, and all of the the U.N. observers, and Human Rights Watch, and Doctors Without Borders, and the doctors and nurses from the hospitals in Gaza, and all those reporters—they’re all wrong?
LESLEY: [snarling] Yes they are WRONG! All of them! You see, these people are TERRORISTS….
Cue ten minutes more of uninterrupted hateful ranting. Finally, the host decides enough is enough….
OLIVER DRIVER: Okay. Thank you very much for your call, Lesley.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oliver Driver, clearly shaken and disturbed by that call, gave no indication that he knew the identity of “Lesley”. He would no doubt have been surprised to learn that she was in fact a prominent member of the Auckland social scene, and a recipient of royal honours for her charity work with disadvantaged children.
The caller was none other than Dame Lesley Max, who lives a bizarre double life, balancing out the good work she does—urban tree-planting and running a children’s charity—by obsessively monitoring talkback radio and barking out intolerant rants as in the example above. If you suffer from insomnia some time, tune in to NewstalkZB or Radio Live for a few minutes: chances are pretty good that you’ll hear Dame Lesley shouting her crazed and unconditional support for Israel over the airwaves.
Late-night and early-morning talk radio is not her only outlet, though. In January 2002, during another time of escalated Israeli aggression, this time in the occupied West Bank, Dame Lesley was the guest of Chris Laidlaw on his Sunday morning show. Throughout the interview, she refused to call the victims “Palestinians”, and insisted on calling them “terrorists”—in fact, she managed to use the word “terrorists” no less than TWENTY times. (I counted.) Laidlaw never once pulled her up, or challenged her use of language.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It was with considerable interest, therefore, that I learned Monday’s guest for the “Eight Months to Mars” segment on Jim Mora’s programme was to be Dame Lesley Max. “Eight Months to Mars” is supposed to be whimsical and lighthearted, but I just knew that Dame Lesley would not forsake the opportunity to slip in a little pro-Israel propaganda if she could possibly get away with it. And in the affable and indulgent Jim Mora, she had the perfect vehicleâŠ.
JIM MORA: And who, Dame Lesley Max, would you like to accompany you on this voyage to Mars?
DAME LESLEY MAX: Oh! There are so MANY! Let me see. I would have Lady Diana Cooper, Bill Clinton (LOVE that Southern accent!), Theodore Dalrymple—
MORA: Oh yes! Isn’t he amazing!
DAME LESLEY: He’s just lovely! I spent a simply entrancing afternoon with him once. [1]
MORA: He’s just a brilliant man!
DAME LESLEY: I would also have to have along with me Dr Zoe During, Charles Dickens, Kathryn Ryan!
MORA: Oh yes. Ha ha ha ha ha!
DAME LESLEY: Boris Johnson, Stephen Fry, and Richard Burton—as long as he doesn’t bring along his cigarettes!
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! But what a voice he had!
DAME LESLEY: What I like about these people is the breadth of their minds, and the wit of their conversation. Did you see Boris Johnson on Who Do You Think You Are?, Jim?
MORA: No.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORA: Let’s talk about you, now. What makes you such a humanitarian worker?
DAME LESLEY: My mother was very empathetic.
MORA: You had a happy, idyllic North Shore childhood?
DAME LESLEY: I was a voracious reader. So I knew early on that all the world was not like my home in Milford, I was fully aware that children get killed. I guess that desire for protecting the vulnerable is just embedded in me, in my DNA. I dunno.
MORA: Interesting you’d take Dalrymple to Mars because he laments the providential role of the state.
DAME LESLEY: Mmmmmm.
MORA: So you are trying to AWAKEN the human spirit.
DAME LESLEY: Mmmmm. Definitely.
MORA: And what keepsakes would you take with you? See, these are the little things that fascinate me.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORA: If an alien asked you to describe the planet Earth, what would you say?
DAME LESLEY: Oh, I would say that it was full of plenty, beauty, happiness, starvation, misery, oppression. [2] All of those things.
MORA: What would you miss about Earth?
DAME LESLEY: Gardens, trees [3], grass, water [4], hills.
MORA: What would you be glad to leave behind?
DAME LESLEY: News of babies being kicked to death. Distortion and malice arising from journalistic malpractice. I’m thinking here of those poor, defamed Israeli victims of the earthquake.
MORA: You’re finding anti-Semitism everywhere, more and more?
DAME LESLEY: [carefully] No, I wouldn’t like to call it anti-Semitism. But there was an unholy glee in the media. It was like a cat bringing a dead mouse into the house and batting it about to see if it can get a bit more out of it.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! That’s a GREAT analogy! All right, let’s go to your last musical choice.
DAME LESLEY: This is Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti singing a duet from Rigoletto.
MORA: All the best with your work, Dame Lesley. It’s SO important.
[1] Obviously Dame Lesley hasn’t actually READ much of DalrympleâŠ.
http://www.democratsdiary.co.uk/2008/02/enlightenment-or-unreason-william.html
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd_1PEtAF8
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjLGeZ2q6Ac
[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qbRSPN3RJg
Tell Jim Mora (politely but clearly) what you think of his providing an uninterrupted forum to people like Dame Lesley Max. His email address isâŠ.
afternoons@radionz.co.nz
I’ve made a point to email Jim to ask him for more people like Lesley to appear on his show in future.
Iâve made a point to email Jim to ask him for more people like Lesley to appear on his show in future.
I have no problem with him talking to anybody, even a canting hypocrite like Dame Lesley Max. What I object to is his failure to challenge or to even demur at some of the outrageous and offensive things people like her say.
In this case, it was Mora himself who made the ridiculous and cranky charge that investigating Israelis is anti-Semitism. Dame Lesley was smart enough to resile from the statement, and make herself seem sensible and restrained.
She must have been very pleased that Mora had done the crude defamatory work for her, and let her, on this occasion, seem to rise above it.
It won’t be a problem Lower standard Joyce will privatize it to so we will hear only what they want us to hear no independent point of view .Fox news i suspect oh no my emails are being hacked as we speak
I sent a short but polite email off to afternoons@radionz.co.nz after Monday’s panel. The complete fabrication of data they discussed regarding the Iowa Straw Poll is a telling portent of our coming Election. Perhaps, just perhaps if the community presents them with requests for the most basic journalistic integrity, then they will at least reduce the fabrication, even if it does not lead to any more balance in the content.
I include the email below
I would sincerely accept criticism or comment as a basis towards understanding viewpoints of National Radio broadcasting standards at this time, especially leading up to is expected to be the most socially radical and economically pivotal election in decades.
” To whom it may concern
I have been increasingly worried by many of the views recently
expressed on the panel. It is a rare day i hear anything attempting to portray a factual, an
honest or even a balanced view of the current political and financial
situation in New Zealand or abroad.
Today though i was simply disgusted by the tragically innacurate
statements made earlier regarding the Iowa Straw Poll. That later
paled with the arrogant and ignorant comments broadcast by a panelist
in regards to food costs. I respectfully ask that you please remind
your panelists 3/4 of New Zealand do not live in Auckland. Not
everyone has access to a farmer’s market.
The elitist attitude being fomented by your panel is progressively
costing you listeners. I have been a listener of the show for many years and I personally
know a dozen people or more who no longer listen and i find myself not
listening more often. More basic research, honest journalism and less
parroting of press releases might go a long way to reversing the
trend.
As a State-owned broadcaster, there are responsiblities aligned
with your privilidged positions, the most demanding must be to
accurately broadcast information.
I posit you are failing your responsibilties
sincerely
(name witheld)”
Well done, freedom! Tell your friends to protest by email as well.
In the meantime, mik e, you should tell Jim Mora (politely but clearly) what you think of his providing a propaganda forum for the likes of Dame Lesley Max. His email address isâŠ.
afternoons@radionz.co.nz
Yeah he’s lets his guests waffle on about any thing they like but he also has Bernard Hickey Cris Trotter Bomber Bradbury .But he is a right whinger because soon as they have finished he denigrates them ever so subtlely.
I have stopped listening to Jim Mora these days, he just gets on my nerves more and more!
Just a question – what earthquake was she referring to?
Christchurch, Feb 2011. The Israelis were the suspected Mossad agents.
Oh thanks, I had misunderstood…
I have stopped listening to Jim Mora these days, he just gets on my nerves more and more!
Well then, you need to tell him that, politely of course. You might like to mention your disgust at the way he encourages people like Dame Lesley Max and Stephen Franks and Dr. Michael Bassett, instead of challenging them….
afternoons@radionz.co.nz
Thanks Morrissey, I will!
Lesley Max has a chapter all to herself in a book on the New Zealand Jewish community published a few years back. Needless to say, she spends an inordinate amount of space on New Zealanders’ supposed “misconceptions” about “poor old Israel”.
In your RNZ rendition (above), she appears wonderfully ignorant of not only ‘Theodore Dalrymple’s’ strong criticism of Israel (and of Conrad Black’s bias in this regard), but also of Stephen Fry’s membership of the British Independent Jewish Voices – a group, of course, strongly critical of mainstream Jewry’s Israel-Right-Or-Wrong default setting.
…she spends an inordinate amount of space on New Zealandersâ supposed âmisconceptionsâ about âpoor old Israelâ.
She’s a fanatic, and that’s exactly what we would expect of her.
The really disturbing thing about her appearance on Mora’s show was when Mora asked her, in apparent seriousness: “Youâre finding anti-Semitism everywhere, more and more?”
That’s nonsense, of course, and Mora knows it perfectly well. But he still said it. He therefore released Dame Lesley from her fanatic’s duty of saying just that, and allowed her to pose as a moderate: “No, I wouldn’t like to call it anti-Semitism…”
Of course she wouldn’t like to call it anti-Semitism—she didn’t have to, because her infinitely obliging and understanding host did it for her.
It’s irresponsible and a betrayal of his listeners.
You, and others who care about decency and standards, should email Jim and tell him what you think of his behaviour….
afternoons@radionz.co.nz
New to me.
https://americathegrimtruth.wordpress.com/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/5455771/Cost-of-SCF-collapse-still-uncertain
“Finance Minister Bill English said he had not seen the detail of the sale yesterday and it was yet to be seen if the cost to the Government would increase further.
”We have been focused very much on reducing cost to tax-payers through this whole exercise,” he said. ”
quick question Bill, how does one focus on something one has no details of?
Shame that Oliver Driver has moved to the right. He was an interesting talk back host a few years ago but now his show is not worth listening to.
I don’t think he’s moved to the right in his own head, but he has grown intellectually flabby. I think he’s like Jim Mora in many ways—in spite of his misgivings, he bends over backwards to be “impartial”. That means he lets right wing callers have their say, and he will usually try to find common ground with them. I noticed on last Sunday night’s show that he was repeating idiotic far right slogans about the London riots, and didn’t seem to have the courage to say what he no doubt really thinks.
A few years ago, crazed callers like “Lesley” (actually Dame Lesley Max) would at least know they were in for an argument with Oliver, but now, sadly, he seems to have been tamed by the NewstalkZB machine.
Thats the only way you can get a job on talk back these days!being a redneck jerk
Thats the only way you can get a job on talk back these days!being a redneck jerk
You mean, I think, “being a bigoted jerk.” Please don’t use the term “redneck” as a substitute for “bigot”. That’s a slur on working people and farmers. The worst, most pitiless bigots in this country are not “rednecks” but pampered, privileged, complacent businessmen (think Alisdair Thompson) and right-wing commentators (Stephen Franks, Garth George, Paul Holmes, Michael Laws, Christine Rankin, Leighton Smith).
The Press has a story on New Zealand’s own Leonardo da Vinci … the artist formerly known as John Key.
You know that guy in your office who has a job title and a suit and a desk, but you find yourself wondering what he does all day? Apparently, “he does a lot of doodles” …
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/press-communities/5459157/Spot-the-difference
Enjoy the gallery of Key “originals”.
Obviously, they’re all fakes. If they were genuine they’d have an arrow pointing North with ‘Hawaii this way’ written on it.
While David Cameron and co. attempt to pin the recent London riots on some slide in morality, they ignore the historical background – as outlined in this highly illuminating article – that this city has been the traditional site for radical protest and rioting by the English poor for centuries:
Â
Is that the same squeaky clean David Cameron as on these links?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/camerons-cronies-the-bullingdon-clubs-class-of-87-436192.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6860668.ece
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/08/10/david_cameron_riot_condemnation_bullingdon_club_irony
http://www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJepgOym09dg&rct=j&q=david%20cameron%20bullingham%20club&ei=RFZLTsDLHcm4rAfey4n9Bg&usg=AFQjCNFvx_SCsdbsmUKhLtNKFhrye-u8HQ&cad=rja
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/may/06/daily-mirror-david-cameron-bullingdon-club
The bloke who was a member of the Bullingham Club, a group of toffs who engaged in riot like pranks? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullingdon_Club
The word hypocrite springs to mind!
Yeah – wonder if he’s ever going to dob himself in for past “misdeeds”. Don’t hold your breath.
Yep and Nick Clegg burnt down a greenhouse or two when he was 16… or did he? Good interview Mr Clifford.
Sympathies, enough said
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10745636
Once again, an item about expensive lambs being killed by hypothermia on NZ farms…
The thing is, it happens every year! And every year the news media come over all surprised…. I don’t know why lambing always takes place in winter, and why NZ farmers don’t keep livestock in barns, and afaik never have! When my father came here in 1951, he had been told that NZ was “tropical” – he soon learned different! (It’s got colder every year, yet the farmers pretend surprise as every year their lambs die.)
I’ve recently bough the album ‘Infected’ by The The ($7.99 in the bargain bin at The Warehouse) – my emphasis on notable lines!
Considering this was released in the early 1980’s, how poignant are the lyrics of the song Heartland to the UK riots?
Jeremy Grantham fund manages over US$100B
And this is what he has to say:
PS this man also gets resource depletion.
http://www.gmo.com/websitecontent/JGLetter_Pt2_DangerChildrenatPlay_2Q11.pdf
Anyone hear Joky Hen in The House today waxing lyrical from his prepared speech about the greatness of our current but retiring Governor General.
Shame he didn’t recognise these qualities in the Gov.Gen. when he played along with Paul Henry’s racism on Breakfast TV last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqAEvkNtJ6A
Cue for an Andy Williams 1958 classic here
…Are you sincere, when you say, “I love you?”
Are you sincere, when you say, “I’ll be true?” …
The Trial Will Not Be Televised
You might have heard that Hosni Mubarak’s trial is no longer going to be broadcast. He’s being tried for corruption and violence against the protesters in Tahrir Square and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The consequences of justice not being done in this case are significant, but there are bigger implications to what is essentially state control of the media…
Just thought I would mention this; I had morning tea with Tama Iti this morning. What a thoroughly pleasant and respectful bloke.
Â
Listened to a Tuhoe presentation on how they want to improve their community, which was totally clear, whanau focused and thinking long term. I hope many of their people stand for Mana.
Respectful bloke he may be, but as far as I’m concerned, hell can freeze over before his lot get the Urerewas.
Remember, public ownership of our national parks is a core left issue.
Anyone seen this?
and
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/5331696/Govt-tries-to-deport-bashed-wife
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dont-deport-Charmain-Timmons-and-her-children/133369646758117?sk=wall
A messy attempt by Kate Wilkinson to tidy things up before the election.
Why has it taken so long to act? A genuine question.
And, why did Wilkinson claim in Parliament that the government would be waiting till after the Commission concluded to act on staffing of mines inspectors but knew at the time that a departmental review was looking into staffing and would report back prior to the Commission announcing its findings?
And, why won’t Wilkinson admit that abolishing the mines inspectorate in the late 90s was a bad idea.
Have a listen
here
but not for the answers …Â
Anybody who gives a damn about the environment should have a read of Idiot/Savant’s latest blog @ NRT. National is purposefully fucking the ETS up by overallocating subsidies. Effectively the public is paying polluters to pollute more, and thus discrediting the scheme entirely. Pisses me right off!
France and Germany Propose Joint Financial Transactions Tax
Surprise surprise high frequency bot traders and big banks don’t like it. I hope Merkel and Sarkozy push it through against the financial sector, and that this is not just a distraction or a feint.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/44163841
what about no rumpty for randy rugby rooters till the a/b’s bring home the bacon.