Because they are led by blind Fossil Fuel Fanatics who dragged naive National Party Ministers in their wake…..
Simon Power, State Owned Enterprises Minister at the time, wrote to Solid Energy chairman John Palmer that ”Ministers are encouraged by the vision of Solid Energy” in developing the plan, acknowledging the work that had gone into the proposals.
The Government had not released the proposals which Solid Energy put to it, but Key was adamant the documents backed his claims.
”In the end the paperwork speaks for itself, they want to have a national resources company, there was actually some logic in what they were saying, it was a big and audacious plan,” he said
However despite the support of the overawed, starry eyed Ministers, the plans of Solid Energy were completely unrealistic and out of touch with the global realities of fossil fuel use.
Solid Energy approached the Government with a $27 billion plan to turn itself into a New Zealand resource giant.
Documents released by the Beehive minutes before John Key was due to face the media today, show that in 2010 the state owned mining company wanted to take over Crown-owned oil and gas permits as well as move into iron sands.
This was part of a plan to become a national resources company (NRC).
As well as coal mining, the company wanted to move into lignite conversion, unconventional gas.
Treasury documents show officials believed it would require $2-$3 billion in investment, with total investment of $27 billion.
How crazy is that?
And the National Government went for it, hook line and sinker.
So why did presumably rational Government Ministers fall for this fantasy?
The fossil fuel fanatics at Solid Energy entertained visions of the huge profits to be made from fossil expansion which they put before the Ministers. It was this vision of a fantastic El Dorado presented to them which gave rise to them to leave to their senses. Shunting niggling concerns about climate change (which could affect such grandiose plans) to the back of their minds.
Like all victims of a scam their greed overcame their common sense. The Nats should have taken heed of the old saying “If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.”
It took treasury to inject a bit of rationality back into the debate:
The Treasury report on the proposal recommended against it because it used an ”aggressive” set of assumptions about the future oil price, claimed there was a narrow window of opportunity, that ”supernormal” – extremely high – profits would come from the plan which could not be captured through other means.
Our world is dying. That is the reality of fossil fuel use and expansion.
Blinded by visions of wealth and power the Nats chose to forget this fact.
They have not been the first, and all the indications are, that they will not be the last, to make this fatal error.
Actually ‘the fossil fuels fanatics’ at Solid Energy as you describe them did not push ‘climate change’ to the back of their minds,
The fossil fuels fanatics at Solid Energy were taking positive steps in the capture and sequesture of industrial amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere at the production stage of it’s planned diversification,
To achieve this capture and sequesture from the atmosphere of industrial amounts of CO2 Solid Energy was investing in the technology with the Australian firm CO2CRC,
Seeing as the Government has now effectively financially kneecapped Solid Energy we will probably never know if it is possible to produce, (as i assume Solid Energy was attempting), fossil fuels whereby such fuels are in effect carbon neutral by way of the producer withdrawing by an industrial means the same amount of carbon that would be produced in the production and burning of the particular fossil based fuels being produced…
… we will probably never know if it is possible to produce, …, fossil fuels whereby such fuels are in effect carbon neutral by way of the producer withdrawing by an industrial means the same amount of carbon that would be produced in the production and burning of the particular fossil based fuels being produced…
But we already know that’s simply impossible.
It might be possible to susbstantially reduce the amounts of carbon being expelled into the atmosphere from a given amount of burned fossil fuel. But that would mean extracting even more fossil fuels because efficiencies are necessarily reduced by any capture process. And anyway, since we are talking about cumulative totals of atmospheric carbon, reducing rather than eliminating emmissions ultimately serves no useful purpose.
”But we already know that that’s simply impossible”,????
Do we??? from what i have read it is highly feasible, using renewable energy such as wind/hydro to fuel the means of extracting from the atmosphere industrial amounts of CO2 is highly feasilbe and is being studied and put into practice as we speak,
Putting aside for the moment the fact that there are ‘different sorts’ of CO2 it is not necessary to capture X CO2 from the point of it’s emission which in effect is the ‘impossibility’
Industrial amounts of CO2 can be extracted from the atmosphere in places of high air movement where the CO2 is effectively brought to the means of extracting it from the atmosphere by such air movement,
If the same amount of CO2 is being captured and withdrawn from the atmosphere at say for arguments sake the Cook Strait,(an area of high air movement) as what is being produced across the whole country then you have in effect a carbon neutral economy…
PS,”But we already know that that’s simply impossible” is not a debate, where is the science that definitively shows this impossibility,???
There is very little that is ‘impossible’ and according to British engineers they can even pull CO2 from the atmosphere and using much the same machinery of refinement as what is used now refining oils to petrol turn that air/CO2 into a petrol product…
It’s just the basic laws of physics. If you are capturing all of the carbon then you cannot be using the carbon to produce energy for purposes other than capturing the carbon. And that’s not going to be 100% efficient. Can’t be – physics again.
As for the atmospheric carbn being captured and converted to fuel – yeah, I vaguely recall reading some tosh in one of the UK broadsheets. Took upwards of a year to produce a smidgeon of fuel. And all the energy inputs required for the process….?
Who is talking about being 100% efficient, it will cost obviously, one ‘theoretical study’ i have read is that that cost will be around 13 cents a tonne if the carbon capture and sequesture is of an industrial scale,
And, it is YOU that now puts forward some claim as if to say that i insinuate that all the carbon capture will or need be turned into fuel so as to enable the carbon capture to occur which is not what i have said at all,( but it’s always easier to debunk a point of debate that has not been made than one that has right)…
Oh YAWN, where have i been discussing such things, i have been pointing out that CO2 can be extracted from the atmosphere and used in fuel or in the manufacture of other products/chemicals,
i have at no point suggested that as much or more energy will be gained from doing so as what is expended upon the original extraction of that CO2 from the atmosphere,
What i am suggesting is that IF such extraction were conducted upon an industrial scale using solar/wind energy to fuel such extraction with sale-able products as a by-product of the CO2 extraction then it (the extraction) is more likely to occur AND will cost less than would simply extracting the CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestering that CO2…
JFW bad. Look, it’s a really simple request. Will you provide a link to the stuff you’ve read or not? I’m not really interested in wasting time arguing whether you said *this* or *that* in relation to *whatever* or not. People reading the thread can discern that kind of stuff for themselves. I just want some links to the stuff you’ve been writing about is all.
Oh YAWN, where have i been discussing such things, i have been pointing out that CO2 can be extracted from the atmosphere and used in fuel or in the manufacture of other products/chemicals,
i have at no point suggested that as much or more energy will be gained from doing so as what is expended upon the original extraction of that CO2 from the atmosphere,
Now, the energy in a litre of fuel is somewhere in the vicinity of a hell of a lot and the energy used to refine oil is somewhere around not a hell of a lot. What we want to know is where the extra energy is coming from.
Where is capturing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon by technological means being put into practice? And where are the vast storage facilities located? The only somewhat sizable project I’m aware of is in Norway where one of their N. Sea oil rigs is designed to pump carbon back into the space created when oil is extracted. But that’s small cheese and doesn’t involve re-capturing atmospheric carbon.
I vaguely recall a solar power one extracting atmospheric carbon.
Basically, it is the basic law of physics that creating fuel from air needs an energy input, be it from solar, wing or hydro. Which means we should probably regard hydrocarbon fuel in this case as an energy-dense battery, rather than a new energy source.
It’s not my thing, but any such technology would need to of course extract meaningful amounts from 400ppm carbon air. Although I forget my 6th form chemistry what is needed to calculate how much air is required to give a kilo of octane based on atomic weights.
Yeah you are onto what is being explored by the scientists through either wind or solar power there is produced a usable fuel which in effect stores the sunlight or wind in the liquid fuel much as a battery stores electricity,
Of course the danger of reliance upon CO2 extracted from the atmosphere as a fuel is that we would then extract too much of it and we would then be in the same climate position that we are now,
And then along comes someone with the smarts to be able to do the same less the heavy metals,
Modified microbes turns carbon dioxide into fuels,
phys.org/news/2012-03-microbes-carbon-dioxide-liquid-fuel.html
Of course at the point of Methanol being produced their is no need to continue on to fuel production as Methanol is heavily used in the production of plastics which have a long life so would ‘fix’ the CO2 extracted from the atmosphere for a far longer period of time than simply creating fuels would do,
I was reading this article from the NYTimes earlier, about gassifying coal and storing the CO2 underground. My questions: How could CO2 leakage be controlled – and what happens in a major earthquake? Coal’s new technology
“Then there are the questions about what happens to all that CO2 once it’s pumped underground. “We have confidence that large-scale CO2 injection projects can be operated safely,” a study on the future of coal by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concluded. But since our experience with large-scale injection is so limited, no one knows for sure what the risks are. CO2, which is buoyant underground, can migrate through cracks in the earth and around old wellheads, pooling in unexpected places. This is troublesome because CO2 is an asphyxiant — in concentrations above 20 percent it can cause a person to lose consciousness in a breath or two. In theory, you could enter a basement flooded with CO2 and, because it’s an invisible, odorless gas, you would never know it’s there. “
Yesterday, the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported that journalists and experts are bullshitters, nearly to the last one.
Some background. One unambiguous Israeli victory in its attack on Gaza last November, journalists and experts widely concurred, was the performance of its ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence shield in shooting down projectiles fired from Gaza. The BBC’s Jonathan Marcus reported on the “remarkable” progress in missile defence technology represented by Iron Dome, evidenced by its “recent success” in the field. His colleague, Mark Urban, described Iron Dome’s “impressive” performance, while the Guardian‘s Harriett Sherwood reported Iron Dome’s “considerable success”. “The naysayers now are few”, observed the New York Times‘s Isabel Kershner—or non-existent, to judge by the number quoted in her article. The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg was satisfied that Iron Dome “is doing a very good job”, though he quoted a “friend… who knows a great deal” fretting that Iron Dome might, if anything, be too effective. The experts, too, seemed to agree. For dovish Israeli academic Ron Pundak Iron Dome was a “game changer”; for Shashank Joshi of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) it “represent[ed]… a major shift for Israel”; for the respected International Crisis Group, “the success of… Iron Dome” was not in doubt. The Council on Foreign Relations’ Max Boot spoke for most when he wrote:
“The latest Gaza war is only a few days old, but already one conclusion can be drawn: missile defence works”.
This expansive edifice of journalistic and expert analysis, pontification and reportage was based on a single source: official Israeli government statistics, which claimed a success rate for Iron Dome of approximately 84 per cent. The BBC’s Mark Urban was unusual in noticing that this was a not entirely disinterested authority—Israel’s government being “anxious to dismiss the impression that it has not [sic] been humiliated by Hamas”—but he proceeded to rely on its data regardless. Most reported Israel’s official line uncritically.
With surprising speed, the accumulating media and expert consensus on the success of Iron Dome became self-reinforcing, its existence taken as evidence of its own accuracy. Thus Max Fisher informed readers of the Washington Post that Iron Dome is, “by every appearance, a remarkable success”—”every appearance” being useful journalistic shorthand for “every regurgitation of the exact same set of official Israeli data”.
This is hardly news. Of course they couldn’t admit what their real purpose was, to to use the Gaza prison test the Muslim Brotherhood Cairo regime’s loyalty to the Sadat agreement not to open the Gaza border. They got the answer they wanted.
We picked it up http://redrave.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/the-arab-revolution-meets-nato-zionism.html
…… I read Bill McKibben’s Eaarth, in which he argues that our familiar Earth has vanished and that we now live on a new planet, Eaarth, with a rapidly changing ecology. He writes that without immediate action, our accustomed ways of life will disappear, not in our grandchildren’s adulthoods, but in the lifetimes of middle-aged people alive today. We don’t have 50 years to save our environment; we have the next decade.
Jenny, its most likely about right, we probably don’t have 50 years to turn it around, its is not already too late!
If people want to make an instant, positive impact, and do something useful for the environment, they need to research and focus their efforts on halting geo-engineering.
Failing to get the modification stopped is going to provide a much faster conclusion, that the capitalist sponsored destruction can ever dream of!
It requires a multi faceted approach though, so the deniers need to stop crying conspiracy, and start paying attention!
Not that we are doomed. Just that the market economy is doomed. And that’s no bad thing when the resultant prospect of freedom ( eg, the development of substantive democratic systems for governance, production and distribution) is taken into account.
And the sooner we take the necessary steps, the less onerous the environment where our freedom can be expressed.
No. we are doomed. If we wait for capitalist society to collapse, it will be to late.
It is also possible, that the collapse of society as we know it, will remove the resources and organisation we need to make the global effort to halt climate change.
From Granny’s piece about the TAB closing it’s Ellerslie phone betting centre down….”plus “prohibitive” future costs for removing asbestos and other work.”
so It’s OK for workers to be in an environment with known asbestos then, thought that was a big no no.
Yeah, the TAB get the ‘Bastards of the Week’ award for such callous behavior, along with the issue of ‘asbestos’ the TAB invested in a betting system which did not work and lost the TAB $14 million dollars,
It would be interesting to see what sort of pressure has recently been applied to the TAB from Slippery’s National Government for increased returns to the Government from that organization and/or directions for the TAB to raise it’s level of borrowings…
so It’s OK for workers to be in an environment with known asbestos then…
Yup. Christchurch. It was absolutely okay for workers and inhabitants, obviously including children, to live in the midst of – and daily inhale – asbestos laden dust blowing through the city post quake and for said contamination to be spread further as it was simply scooped and transferred through the city to dumping sites (Lyttleton Harbour?)
‘..currently the labour party is still too wedded to its’ past mistakes..both economic and political..
(for labour going to war in afghanistan at the behest of america being a political whopper of a mistake..and their serious drinking of the neo-lib economic-kool-aid for those decades is still weighing them down..
..and with most of the actors in that farce/lurch to the right..still in control of the labour party..)
..and most of the union movement are still just lurking in their self-interest-bunkers..
..and something they need to look hard at is their history of standing by and saying/doing nothing..as those neo-lib labour/national regimes kicked the crap out of the weakest/poorest..for all those years..
I really struggle to understand these violent people – is it just that they can’t stand being told what they can or can’t do even if they never listen anyway.
The poll of 1000 randomly selected people was undertaken by Curia Market Research for advocacy group Family First.
Respondents were asked whether the anti-smacking law should be changed to state that “parents who give their children a smack that is reasonable and for the purpose of correction are not breaking the law”.
Of those asked, 77 per cent said yes, the law should be changed. Asked whether they thought the anti-smacking law had had any effect on child abuse, 77 per cent of respondents answered no.
They were also asked whether they would still smack their child to correct behaviour, despite the law.
Two out of three respondents, or 68 per cent, said they would.
77% of respondents are fucken arseholes and 68% are controlling violent bastards. Children are not dimwitted small possessions – they are young people that deserve respect and protection and value for their unique attributes.
Don’t forget to include the jackboots of the State – the only organisation empowered to utilise physical sanction to achieve its ends. For balance of course.
And perhaps something about historic use of physical sanction in previous societies. Just to see whether the current situation is out of kilter with history. Helps with that balance eh.
I made Child Abuse and Neglect an area of focus in my degree papers on Human Development, Abnormal Psych, Community Psych and Rehabilitation (the latter of which I received a personally addressed commendatory letter from the HOD) let’s call CAN a personal area of “expertise”; apologies for the immodesty.
From what I recall, the WINZ notifications are probably a better source than hospital admissions for overall CAN because it takes a lot and needs to be obvious for a clinician to definitively diagnose abuse as a cause of injury (the percentage going around the traps is less than half of actual admissions), but the admissions are probably a good indicator of amount of serious physical harm.
“We’re so sorry Uncle Albert
We’re so sorry but we haven’t done a bloody thing all day 😉
(but if anything should happen
We’ll be sure to give a ring) ”
“Measured objectively, what man can wrest from Truth by passionate struggle is utterly infinitesimal. but the striving frees us from the bonds of the self and makes us comrades of those who are the best and the greatest.
There is no place in the new kind of physics both for the field and the matter for the field is the only reality. The field is the sole governing agency of the particle.
What humanity owes to the personalities like Buddha, Moses and Jesus ranks for me higher than all the achievements of the enquiring and constructive mind.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.
If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere 😉 of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
I maintain that the cosmic religiousness is the strongest and most noble driving force for scientific research. (sadly now it’s War, Hubris and Money mainly)
Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe- a spirit vastly superior to that of man.
The divine reveals itself in the physical world.”
now to Werner; “What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning’ ($)
I have never found it possible to dismiss the content of religious thinking as simply part of an outmoded phase in the consciousness of mankind, a past that we shall have to give up on from now on.”
and Uncle Pauli; “I consider the ambition of overcoming opposites, including a synthesis embracing both rational understanding and the mystical experience pf unity, to be the mythos spoken or unspoken of our present day and age.”
to conclude with Werner, (not F.)
“The first gulp from the glass of the natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass, God is waiting for you.” (both Kuhns prism)
anyway, the secularists have heard about our godlessness, and they are on there way; freakin Dawkins, talk aabout throwing your prayer beads out of the cot and going on a crusade.
“and the joker man and the sailor man were searching everyone!”
I don’t think anyone has to be a theologian, just sensitive and responsive to the ‘majesty’ of reality (i.e., it’s bigger than us – it really is, so stop all the trying to ‘get it’ and just act accordingly).
I remember reading that the difference between the philosophy of Heidegger and that of Wittgenstein was that the former, at base, responded to the world with a question mark. The latter responded with an exclamation mark (i.e., even the movement to a question was too hubristic and meant you weren’t seeing reality clearly – ‘perspicuously’ – and encountering it directly).
Wittgenstein’s final words, supposedly, were: “Tell them I’ve had a wonderful life.” – not bad for someone who had very dark moods, a passionate temper, possibly attempted suicide several times and lived an austere and spartan life, despite being born into one of the wealthiest families in Vienna.
Wittgenstein could not be religious (in the ordinary sense of the word) because he realised that religiosity was not about knowledge or belief – just a particular way of meeting the world, and going on in it (which he thought he lacked – more fool him).
The truth really mattered to him, which was why knowledge could never be enough (always partial, as we all ‘know’). Hence the quotes from the physicists saying pretty much the same thing – they’ve all been down that particular rabbit hole.
Pretty simple stuff, really. Nothing complicated (cf Heidegger). Which is why it’s hard for many people to get. They often think that ‘it’ (i.e., ‘the answer’ to some Heideggerian question mark) has something to do with metaphysics, or some obtuse, labyrinthine ‘understanding’, or whatever. It hasn’t.
I think the big ‘fail’ with many religious people is that their ‘spiritual’ world (heaven, the after life, ‘being with God’, etc.) is just a paler, lighter and more translucent – and incoherent – copy of the material world. Casper the Friendly Ghost stuff or perhaps an image of beatific calmness – all-in-all, the ‘other world’ you have when you don’t have an ‘other world’ (so you make a copy of the one we have – with a kind of wispy, washed-out water-colour effect).
A bit sad really, though I guess if it does the trick … Personally, I’m happy with just the one world. It seems pretty spiritual to me – everywhere I look. And pretty material (thank God!) with all the unsatisfying ‘messiness’ that entails.
I think ghostrider888 is playing the ‘joker god’ – it’s a very fine tradition of spiritual pranksterism, quite well-suited to today’s entertainment-beguiled world. And it’s very serious stuff.
Don’t know much about that. After reading philosophy for a few years with extremely variable knowledge transfer, I threw up my hands and adopted the Decent Fellow philosophy: if I’m a decent fellow or near enough, and god/karma/the universe is decent or near enough, sweet. If g/k/tu is a bit of a “my way or the highway” dick that plays hard to get, then there’s nothing I can do about that, since I cannot know which precise flavour of religion or philosophy is the correct one. If they exist at all.
And out of that flows a lack of expectation, shit is what it is, just relax and roll with it. If you’re rolling along and see a nice place to be that you can roll to, do that. But if you miss it, fair enough, wait for the next on to come along.
I’ll assume that the figures for child abuse have trended down since this law came to pass..
Anecdotally greater awareness was the reason notifications trended upwards following the repeal of s59 with a resulting increase in substantiated abuse.
I would like to suggest a new weekly game called “Count John Key’s Lies.”
It would make great entertainment as we all try to spot the snake eyes when he realises he has to lie, then when he actually lies, and again when he has to jump up and down and all around to explain the things that don’t add up around the lie. The snake eyes have it – it’s all there in open glory for lie-spotters to go crazy over.
There may be helpful information to farmers suffering dry up of pasture in this NZ Grasslands piece.
http://www.grassland.org.nz/
NZ Grassland Association
14 March 2013
Planning, pasture management and recovery after drought, pasture renovation decisions
If what’s been falling on Wellington since last night is also falling on the pastures with a soil moisture deficit in places further north it’ll fix what ails the farmers, (can’t have them sitting round on the dole for too long they might become work shy and welfare dependent),
Steady and soft this rain will not run off into the waterways the thirsty soil will soak it up and the grass will grow,
Wont help Wellingtons acute shortage of water, but that’s down to one of the big dams at Te Marua being out of action for earthquake strengthening as much as it is drought conditions…
Also hope those over the hill in South Wairarapa also have received this soft rain. It was quite handy receiving such a gentle almost continuous drizzley shower from around 2pm yesterday, steady soft falls throughout the night and what looks to be more substantial rain today
The ground around here has soaked up the rain nicely, theres no pooling of water and most importantly it hasn’t gone straight into the stormwater drains, which it would have done, had we just had heavy falls straight away.
Haven’t ever seen a metservice forecast refer to the day ahead as gloomy though. If this is gloom then lets embrace it and rejoice
“Like a bat out of hell into darkness. Knowing what I’ve known all along: That it is God who creates our tragedies. But it is the Devil who makes us care. When I finally escaped Hell, I brought the Devil with me. It just doesn’t get anymore (right) than that.”
This was the highest proportion of all the main centres in Wellington. It means the Kapiti transport network doesn’t need to carry large numbers of people into Wellington for work. There is no new information available to suggest this has changed.
Put simply, there is no evidence to back up the constant messages that a four-lane expressway is needed for the future.
This is not to deny that some improvement will be necessary. The question is whether a high speed four-lane expressway is what is needed, or will even be helpful.
My own research has found that even NZTA officers believed the best option for such a road through Kapiti was along the existing SH1 and railway corridor. This was in line with NZTA’s own urban design panel review of the options, a review that was discounted by the board of inquiry.
So, why is it that our government seems determined to build these over-priced boondoggles?
Yes you are right, the facts do not support the ‘more motorways philosophy’, the facts would tend to suggest that in a situation of little overall rises in traffic from Kapiti to Wellington 3 billion dollars of new motorway is a ridiculous expense,
When the carparking at the Paraparaumu rail station was extended, effectively doubling it’s size it was full within a week effectively taking off the road system 100 more vehicles a day,
For a 10th of the 3 billion dollars of the Transmission gully white elephant which will serve to create grid lock at the Ngaraunga interchange at peak times park’n’ride could be extended along the Kapiti rail line by the erection of parking buildings at Waikanae,Paraparaumu,Mana,Paremata,Porirua and Tawa thus removing from the road system 1000s of vehicles a day,
All of the park’n’ride facilities at all of those rail stations are at present full to capacity every day…
I cringe when people try to tell me how great park and ride is. It has it’s place but the option that needs to be put in place is to have buses doing short loops feeding into the rail station. It would remove most of the cars from the road – if the rail service could cope with it but that would just mean more planning and double tracking.
Yup the ‘thinking’ around that is cars off the roads full stop, which does not actually occur for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being that people cannot be arsed walking to the bus stop in the rain and then walking home from the bus stop in the rain after 8 or 10 hours pushing the heavy wheel of capitalism, plus much of what you call ‘short loops’ to the rail aint in any way ‘short’ which simply encourages the use of cars,
In Wellington both the Kapiti rail line and the Hutt Valley rail line are double tracked, all the available car parking at all of the stations along these rail lines are full on every working day and the provision of parking buildings which connect directly to the rail stations on the lines would take 1000’s of vehicles a day off the motorway system…
the provision of parking buildings which connect directly to the rail stations on the lines would take 1000′s of vehicles a day off the motorway system…
While tying up more land and resources in cars.
It’s this misunderstanding of resources that means that people fail to understand the economy. All they see is the money and all the politicians and economist talk about is the money – completely ignoring the economy.
plus much of what you call ‘short loops’ to the rail aint in any way ‘short’ which simply encourages the use of cars,
I’m thinking no longer than ten minutes and probably free.
Putting aside for the moment your ‘idealized economy’ which you make up in your head for any given situation i wont even ask you who then will pay for the ‘free ride’,
And for those who live more than a 10 minute bus ride for a rail station???…
Hear what you saying re putting on buses to do short loops feeding into the rail station as an alternate option to park and rides. We do have bus connections in those flatter more outlying suburbs where the buses can negotiate the streets easily but as the train heads further south towards the city you get into the steep hill suburbs. Some of these streets are only one car width in places, have blind corners and corners that a bus can’t actually get around. (Some steets however might be able to accomodate those little mini buses?) Maybe the idea in those areas is for neighbourhood residents to organise car pooling to the park and ride at the station. I’ve heard of folks that do this but I don’t know if its its a formal initiative.
Sounds like something along the lines of what i believe Wellington City should attempt in conjunction with it’s proposed ‘bus hubs’,
Such a system would work far better if at peak times a number of passenger vans where circulating the various suburbs picking people up and dropping them at these bus hubs,
The thinking there is commuters could be picked up from their gate by waving at the drivers and dropped at the bus hubs with the cost included in the actual bus fare…
I’m with ya there bad12. Peak time mini buses, pick up at gate. Would work really well on J’ville line too at Churton Park, Ngaio and Khandallah, especially on steep eastern hill side of the tracks.
Redwood and Tawa would benefit from such a system on the Kapiti line.
Re your walk home from the station after long work day point above: I’ve noted buses around here are chocka during summer but almost empty in winter. Its an example of folks wanting to use public transport but having their limits. Lucky me, bus stop right outside!
Lolz whinge, ha ha, who’s a little sensitive today???, in point the point i make about park and ride for the Kapiti and Hutt rail corridors i am addressing the need for parking at rail stations,
In the point i am making about about the proposed Wellington City bus hubs i am talking about Wellington City suburban commuters, as different as chalk and cheese…
Lolz whinge, ha ha, who’s a little sensitive today???
You are. You really don’t like being questioned about the stuff you put forward as the saviour of man only to have it pointed out to you that it probably isn’t. I’ve noticed this before.
in point the point i make about park and ride for the Kapiti and Hutt rail corridors i am addressing the need for parking at rail stations,
And I was pointing out that buses running short routes in conjunction with the parking spaces would be a better option.
In the point i am making about about the proposed Wellington City bus hubs i am talking about Wellington City suburban commuters, as different as chalk and cheese…
So different that it’s exactly the same concept that I put forward. Buses (a van carrying passengers is a bus) running running short loops to a central location.
Will the Novopay system manage to fire all the people that should have been held to account for it’s implementation in the first place despite them not actually being on the payroll?
The Magic 8-Ball poll has a margin of error of 0%. Unlike other polls, the non-responses and don’t-knows are factored in to give a far more accurate snapshot of the electorate.
“Minecraft chat-rooms are full of inane CRAP!”
Another irony-free edition of The Panel
Radio New Zealand National, Monday 11 March 2013
Jim Mora, Charlotte Graham, Nevil “Breivik” Gibson, Chris Wikaira
JIM MORA: Okay it’s quarter to four, and Charlotte Graham is here, with what the wo-o-o-o-o-o-orld’s talking about! What have you got for us today?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Well, first up is this story about a mobile phone that costs just one pound.
MORA: One pound?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM:[betraying slight irritation] Yes.
MORA: Mmmm-kay. What else?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Well there’s this curious story of an e-mail bug—
MORA: One of the dubious legacies of Hugo Chávez!
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Yes, e-mails are circulating with bugs in them.
MORA: And he’s being embalmed, is he?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Yes, he’ll get the full Lenin treatment and will be embalmed for decades, which is delightful!
MORA:[suddenly thoughtful, serious] Who is embalmed? Eva Perón?
NEVIL “BREIVIK” GIBSON: Stalin. And the Kims are pretty good at it.
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Mummification, which in the case of is a terrifying thought! [chuckles]
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Indeed! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, anything else?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Yes, this one is about Kate Middleton. She’s been criticized for having no opinions..
MORA: Is there still a place for the smiling royal bride, do you think, Nevil Gibson?
BREIVIK GIBSON: Ooooh yeah.
MORA: Well, there’s certainly a lot of opinions going to be expressed on The Panel today! Back after the news!
………4 o’clock News……….
MORA: Okay, on The Panel today are Nevil Gibson and Chris Wikaira. Nevil Gibson, you love the movies don’t you!
BREIVIK GIBSON: I do, and I’ve been watching all the movies that were nominated for the Academy Awards.
MORA: Which one was your favorite?
BREIVIK GIBSON: I thought Zero Dark Thirty was the best film of the year. Although it suffered a bit of a backlash.
MORA: It did a bit!
BREIVIK GIBSON: Though Argo was a good popular film.
MORA: But it got its facts wrong didn’t it.
BREIVIK GIBSON: It did. It was hard for Ben Affleck to get everything right.
MORA: Okay. Do you think John Key should have gone to the funeral of Hugo Chávez? [snickers nervously]
BREIVIK GIBSON: Oooooh, I think there are two groups in South America. We are NOT in that one!
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, onto the Novopay debacle. You two have both got excellent political antennae. Any thoughts on this?
BREIVIK GIBSON: Maybe they should have stuck with the bulk-funding.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
CHRIS WIKAIRA: Ha ha ha ha ha!
BREIVIK GIBSON: Which was abolished by the Labour government.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! Thank you Nevil Gibson! All right, next up is an allegedly racist speech by Bill Rayner of Grey Power. What do you think? Should we be able to TALK about these issues?
WIKAIRA: Of COURSE we should be able to talk about it! Kapai, Bill!
MORA: Can we have an open conversation without the “racist” epithet being flung around? Okay, Bill Rayner joins us now.
BILL RAYNER: Good afternoon, Jim and good afternoon to the Panelists.
MORA: Okay, so you’re talking about assimilatible integration, yeah? Are you the same as Tariana Turia?
BILL RAYNER: Yes. Pakeha New Zealanders are discriminated against in their own country. Dual passports are unavailable to traditional New Zealand people.
MORA: You say the old people are finding it hard to cope. Why?
BILL RAYNER: Once again it’s cultural linkage. The council is canceling the lease of the Takapuna Croquet Club to build a four-story block of flats.
MORA: But, but surely—-
BILL RAYNER: I’m the least racist person in New Zealand. I’m part-Maori myself. It’s difficult when you’re accused of being racist.
MORA: I’ve gotta go, Bill. Time for the news.
…….4:30 News and Weather……..
MORA: Okay, it’s time to hear what our Panelists have been THINKING ABOUT. Chris Wikaira, what’s on your mind?
WIKAIRA: I’m concerned about the intellectual standard of Minecraft discussions on the YouTube bulletin boards.
MORA: Really?
WIKAIRA: Have either of you ever read the Minecraft discussion boards?
MORA: No I don’t think I have!
BREIVIK GIBSON:[with disdainful gravitas] N-n-no.
WIKAIRA: Well, I have, and I assure you, it is inane C-R-R-R-RAP! [An uninteresting ramble follows for several minutes.]
MORA: Mmmm-kay. [awkward silence] Nevil Gibson, anything on YOUR mind?
BREIVIK GIBSON: Yes, I am concerned about the shops not being open on Queen Street on Sundays. …..
But, but but Fender!!!!! Jum’s SUCH a noice man aye – frend of all, desperate for approval. How can you cast scorn on such a man of integrity, principle, and ouright FOREskin of the English language. The new Max Cryer, the new Selwyn Toogood, the new RINSO man!, the unbiased equal opportunist whose fair and balanced approach to PSB has him giving equal tunety to JK and DS alike. I wank over the thought of him every night FFS!
And Dear Jum is showing us how Neshnool Radio is ekshly National Radio – and it “sounds like US”.
(Besides … it’s not about Jum, it’s about YOU)!
Why even David Slack is on The Panel sometimes – even volunteerily!
This Jum you refer to …..
Sage!
Unbiased!
Friend of the People!
Proven Credentials and Credibility!
Just the NICEST of men!
Understanding!
Caring’
SHARING!
Informing, Educating and Entertaining!
No no no – Fender … you’ve got it all wrong!
And now here are a few things I’ve written about Graham Bell’s legendary guest appearances on The Panel. I’m sure others have done better, more complete analyses than I have, but in my solipsistic way, I’ve chosen the ones written by this writer, i.e., moi….
Could be a mistake in the write-up above but assuming this was actually from last Monday then at that point the plan was for him to be embalmed. They have come out since then to say that they won’t as the process would involve the body being sent to Russia for 7-8 months.
If this was from today then yes they should have known better.
No, Chris, there was no mistake in my transcription. But as you say, the programme was broadcast last Monday, so they were all quite justified in their belief that he was going to be embalmed.
felix is one of the funniest commentors around this joint!
so, the new Novopay Nightmare; teachers lined up for termination by the machine, April 21st, no fooling; 111 staff in one overnight sampling
Drought; 2B (30% off annual growth predicted) ; Dairy sector provide 25% of income; how’s that for diversification, or desertification…
Snapper numbers suffer as their environment is under continuing threat, oh wait, from run-off sediment and pollution; sea grasses destroyed, eg. Kaipara Harbour and three other coastal catchments already.
Long-fin eels at risk and declining, yet commercially caught; MPI deny any decline happening.
A quick skim of an economic commentary in a week-end paper
-share-market up
-property market up
-Exports likely to come off on China and Aus slowdowns
-Interest rate rises predicted
-Inflation?
-Banks likely to come under pressure
Haven’t we been here before? tastes like poission .
In ChCh, if left too long, barren red-zone areas will be recovered in exotic weeds re-establishing; gorse and broom for example
from the Met Service; the further anticipated rain is unlikely to break drought.
Hey Jude…”these men are blemishes at your feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm- shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and up rooted- twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 12. na
na na nana na na…Hey Jude…
14:2 He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
1080 is a shit issue for sure – the possums have to go and the approved way is to poison. I can’t stand the fact that we are keeping that poison factory open in the US just for us and it just seems Kali Yuga-ish to save the environment by poisoning – yet the Northern Rata were so great this year, so beautiful and magnificent. This report disturbs me because of the statement from DOC that
But DOC spokesperson Rory Newsam said there had been a 1080 poison drop planned for months.
“There is a planned 1080 drop on Moehau, up on the Coromandel, but that’s been on the cards for a long time,” he said.
“That’s well-documented. We also don’t know if 1080 has any impact on the frogs.”
umm who cares if it is planned and what has that to do with anything – oh – costs etc
The impact on our endemic species of frogs isn’t known? I find this hard to believe – haven’t they sussed that out even a little?
Friends of the Earth New Zealand Director Tucker said in Hunua’s 1993 1080 drop, 50 per cent of the Hochstetter’s frogs disappeared from the main monitoring site.
Our frogs are so unique with no voice-box and no tadpole stage – we must save and protect them and we must ensure that what we are doing to save other species doesn’t adversely affect them – it is the minimum requirement imo.
Marty, I’m of the opinion that the poisoning the regimes have been effective in all but eradicating bovine TB in my area and over many years I’ve noticed the decline in the number of dead trees in the Ruahine forest park canopy.
And although I’d dearly love to see the implementation of a more robust strategy to mitigate the effects on native fauna we’re in a catch twenty two situation, poisoning and risk losing species or not to poison and guarantee extinctions.
So I can’t really fault DOC for doing what they’re doing but I would like to take to task the arsewipes who’ve diverted funds from programmes looking at ways to mitigate by-kills into funding the eradication of diseases of production, bovine TB.
Fair enough joe as I mentioned I’m slightly conflicted about the debate. Tull Chemicals in Alabama manufactures 1080 I believe and two factories in NZ mix the poison and manufacture the bait – that was the bit I was trying to clarify. As to “not to poison and guarantee extinctions” not sure what species you are talking about there – obviously not the cows. The guarantee is more likely with these frogs I would say but I’m happy to read some links from you about that.
Yes, the frogs and their like Marty.
My beef is that like everything else this mob does there’s been a nod and a wink to concentrate on poisoning programmes that have a cost benefit because to the tory mind funding a frog no matter how significant it is has no demonstrable cost benefit.
The positive outcome for Mr Joyce re Novopay, will be to abolish Novopay and instead start Bulk Funding for every school. Each School will have its own payroll system to make its own errors.
Problem solved.
A long term National aim achieve.
Mr Joyce is a hero!
nailing Rodel;
according to neuro-scientists, the number of possible thoughts a brain could possibly have is- wait for it-
10 to the power of 70 000 000 000 000 (calculated on the number of neural configurations possible)
(apparently there are only 10 to the power of 80 atoms in the entire universe. hmmm)
anyway, 99.9999999999999 %of the world experienced is empty space (a great proportion of it in conservative / tory / racist / bigot intellectual worldviews possibly).
KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON AUCKLAND COUNCIL – $UPERCITY FOR THE 1%!
Explaining to Auckland Councillors at the Performance and Accountability Committee,
(13 March 2013) how Occupy Auckland won the Appeal; asking how much ratepayer monies had been WASTED on legal proceedings; and asking for a review of the performance of Auckland Council’s General Counsel, for ‘fitness for duty’ (and more….
I presume that Shearer forgot that he had the account and was not hiding it.
But what leader of the left, the poor and dispossessed, the unemployed and the working class would forget that he had $50,000 dollars in an overseas bank account.
His stupidity and his indifference are mind boggling.
I bet that Hone Harawira knows exactly how much are in his accounts.
maybe he forgot maybe he didn’t – either way he is a disgrace and no leader of the left, just a keylite – maybe this will wake up tribal labourites but probably not.
The goes buying power shares with the money that doesn’t exist. being leader on NZL doesn’t pay a living wage.
So key forgets a few nz rail shares and shearer forgets his primary schools post office account.
he has to declare the account if it has $50k or more , im hearing its considerably more than $50k and Shearer should have dealt with accountants to manage his forgotten mill.. i mean who dont ill treat their junior account clerks.
What was the outcome to the New Lynn LEC’s formal complaint to the Labour Council over the treatment meted out to David Cunliffe last year? Has there even been an outcome or has the Labour hierarchy chosen to ignore it?
from the Dom;
The Price of Milk may rise 20% and reach / exceed record highs; poss. $5.75 / 2l. Wow.
(and meat) but don’t worry, a BNZ economist suggests we won’t tip into recession because there is an upturn in retail spending and household borrowing…sigh
Wellington water betrayals? car washes and golf courses.Yep.
Turia submits an OIA request into high executive assistant staff turn-over under Parata; several private secretaries and a senior advisor for starters; “worrying reports of internal tensions” (could not make these piranha analogies up)
from First Union-Employers exploiting migrant workers
-weak penalties
-lack of enforcement
-chronic lack of factory inspectors.
Knife Crime : 8 fatal stabbings this year, already = “high” -Ian Lambie; Assoc. Proff, Clin. Psych.
and member of the Ministry of Justice Independent Group on Youth Offending. (Collins says “greater priorities to deal with” )
The selective outrage of “liberals”
Sounding off about the boogie-man Mugabe?
The Panel, Monday 18 March 2013
Jim Mora, Penny Ashton, Steve McCabe
JIM MORA: Pope Francis seems to be an interesting thoughts about the need for social justice.
PENNY ASHTON: I just can’t believe that ROBERT MUGABE will be going! I didn’t even know he was a Catholic! He certainly doesn’t believe in “Thou shalt not kill.”
One of my pet hates is ignorant people. Another one is hypocritical people. The ignorant and hypocritical Penny Ashton is the epitome of both. I simply had to dash off the following e-mail….
Dear Jim,
Another Catholic who will probably going to the Papal investiture is Tony Blair. He also obviously doesn’t believe in “Thou shalt not kill”. Why is Penny Ashton focusing on Robert Mugabe? Compared to Blair, Robert Mugabe is Albert Schweitzer.
His Affable Smugness doesn’t know there’s a world beyond his few hours of an afternoon. And his panel of in the the main ignorant, unartful, prejudiced, up-themselves, F-list celebs.
In order, those whom I exclude from the above category – Gary McCormick 100%, Edwards 75%, The Boagy Lady 50%.
Julia Hartley-Moore, noted curtain peeper, private dick, and monumentally ignorant know-all – minus 1,000,000 %. She personifies all that is horrific about “The Panel”.
Bugger me……just heard RNZ News making it a headline that Dunny-Brush’s pig of a carpark tax is a “pragmatic” move. Never a pig from the start. Pragmatic.
Julia Hartley-Moore, noted curtain peeper, private dick, and monumentally ignorant know-all – minus 1,000,000 %. She personifies all that is horrific about “The Panel”.
I agree that she’s pretty repellent but there are actually many worse regulars than JHM on The Panel. Off the top of my head, here are just a few of the worst….
JOHN BARNETT When he’s not being an obnoxious bully in his position as chief union-basher in the New Zealand film industry, he comes on The Panel to share his loopy blue-sky projects for the future of public television: put cameras in the National Radio studios and just broadcast it as is. And he was being serious; the poor fellow doesn’t have a humorous bone in his body.
DR. MICHAEL BASSETT One day on the show this fellow said, barefacedly, that Nicky Hager was a Holocaust-denier. Host Jim Mora said….NOTHING. To be fair, Mora probably thought he was imagining things or that Bassett had suffered a brain explosion.
GRAHAM BELL Domineering ex-cop, with a forced, sinister laugh. Not accustomed to being contradicted; was palpably angry when Gordon Campbell challenged and humiliated him after he (Bell) had indulged in a swingeing rant against climate scientists.
JOHN BISHOP The very incarnation of pomposity and self-importance. Perhaps his nadir was reached when he indulged in a ranting, ignorant denunciation of Robert Fisk. Joining him in the attempted hatchet-job was….John Barnett.
JOANNE BLACK Smugness, thy name is that woman!
BARRY CORBETT Back in February 2009, Corbett made the extraordinarily disgusting statement that the teenage victim of a murder in Auckland was asking for it and that he (Corbett) sympathized with the boy’s killer. Later on the same day he had endorsed the killing, he was due to be a guest on The Panel. He wasn’t banned, or even suspended. In fact he laughed loudly and vacuously as always, as if nothing had happened. He never mentioned the boy, and certainly never apologized.
JEREMY ELWOOD AKA Gloomy Gus, AKA Elwood Blues. Apparently likes to say he is a liberal and a left winger, but there have been few guests on the Panel as anxious to roll over and agree with every single word uttered by Graham Bell. Spinelessness, thy name is ELWOOD!
IRENE GARDINER On the day that Tony Veitch was revealed to have knocked a woman to the ground, then kicked her in the spine till he paralyzed her, Irene Gardiner actually said this: “The media are putting the boot into Tony when he’s down.”
GARTH “GAGA” GEORGE No statement is too dishonest or too insane for this bloke to utter. When Dr Michael Bassett tells lies, we know his behaviour stems from pure flinty-hearted malice; with Gaga George, it seems he almost believes his own nonsense.
RICHARD GRIFFIN A few years ago, the Silver Fox casually made a dismissive, ignorant remark about Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. Unluckily for the Fox, however, the other guest that day was …. (you guessed it!)…. Gordon Campbell, who is not in the habit of letting lazy bigots get away with lazy bigoted comments. A swift challenge from Campbell led to the quickest back-down and apology in the history of broadcast radio.
NEIL MILLER Bad enough that he’s a beer bore, but what’s unforgivable about this bloke is his ineffable smugness. Underneath that superficial bonhomie, he’s actually a nasty piece of work.
SIMON POUND Mealy-mouthedness, thy name is this fellow!
CHRISTINE (SPANKIN’) RANKIN Most people already suspected she was insane, after witnessing her (unintentionally hilarious) shenanigans during the protracted, mortifyingly embarrassing forced removal from her position as the worst CEO that WINZ or any other government department had ever suffered. Anyone who has heard her on The Panel will be convinced of it.
….et cetera, ad nauseum, ad absurdum….
The list could be much, much longer. When you assess it honestly, you have to come to the inescapable conclusion: The Panel is a horror show.
Like the list.
Gordon Campbell’s article on Bomber’s ban from the Panel. I quote “this will leave the Mora panel reaching for Chris Trotter as its only token ‘left wing’ balance to the endless stream of right wing guests on the show.”
Lolz who would have thunk it, the carpark tax will not be implemented as Slippery has put Revenue Minister ‘the Hairdo from Ohariu’ Peter Dunne firmly in His place of being the female dog of the National Government Caucus,
Petey tho knows how to use Slippery speak to back down from a National-vote losing tax piling it on in an interview with RadioNZ National a few minutes back…
Yeah, Dunny-Brush testily assuming a false gravitas and saying it was a “pragmatic” move.
Oh Yay – is that cue for “You may admire me now……” ?
Pragmatic ? No, a move made for the reasons he gave: cost of implementation and enforcement, small return and a few others. Not worth the shit of it.
In other words it was a pig from the start. A pig created by Dunny-Brush. A pig from a dog.
I wonder how much money went into that futile little adventure.
I saw that pile of excrement on Prime News, not so cock sure of himself like he was in supporting the asset sales Arseole. The reason why Shokey backed down, was it was not the flavour of the month for his fat cat mates. That’s the only reason why it was rejected.
One other “news item”was about the president of Cyprus telling the Cypriots, Brussells stealing their savings was “best” for the country, I wonder what Swiss Bank Account he is hiding his wealth in.
Lastly, real tragic event. That female who married “what’s” his name got the heel of her shoe stuck in a grate. Great drama the world as we know it nearly ended.
Between 4.50 and 5.00 pm on Aftenoons With Borer Mora today 18 March. Some character name of Philip McAllister, the usual last 10 minutes phone-in oracle. Missed what his particular field of expertise is but think it’s investment advice.
Extolling the virtues of house property investment and pushing the notion that there’s no real problem about getting on the housing property ladder and then advancing to further investment in rental properties. No real problem that getting off your bum and being financially literate won’t fix.
Borer and the other panelists seemed happy with this guy’s authority for what he said which went more or less like this – “we’re seeing lots of people coming in to invest in property……..lots of people”.
Lots of people, lots of people……..? Not a bloody word about poverty. Obviously a wanker who doesn’t even see the existence of lots and lots and lots and lots of people in this country living in poverty or near to.
Why the fuck is RNZ paying for five days a week of Borer’s wank-and-chuckle-fest ?
Sorry, North, I actually missed the second half of today’s show. Had to go out. Your summary sounds about right, though: just what I would have expected.
That jump in use of armed drones resulted from the authorization to use “signature” strikes, which allowed targeting terrorism suspects based on behavior and other characteristics without knowing their actual identity, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity.
So, act like what a USian thinks looks a terrorist acts like and get killed? Oh, goody.
“Getting agreement on the applicability of existing humanitarian law to the new technologies is crucial,” he said, because China and Russia do not endorse applying laws of armed conflict to new military technologies.
Haven’t seen the US doing anything like that either.
Steve Keen’s “Minsky” Kickstarter project crosses the line at US$78,000
Thank you to every one from The Standard who contributed to this success, I know that there were a fair few of you. If we are ever to accomplish our dreams for NZ’s future then it’s not just our politics which require reformation, it’s also (especially?) our economics.
It is getting there. You’ll have the trash function first as that works now. That was a pain to debug because of all of the cases that the old one did not. For instance it won’t allow you to trash a comment that has a reply attached (you have to edit it). If a reply is made to comment that has been trashed then it won’t let you save it. etc etc
Just moved the reply to the right (which is where it should have been in the first place) so I could layout the action controls to its left.
But it made me think, what would Winston want as king maker? I r remember 1996 (unfortunately), when I was convinced href go with Labour. Six weeks of negotiations later he signed with National. Price was a suite of policies they could ask live with. So what would national compromise on this time around? How would labour manage dealing with the greens and nz first on the policy compromise front? Answer-get a lead where you don’t need nz first!
[lprent: adding charts – click on them for full display ]
Lolz,our Roy is a swinging pollster isn’t He, that GCR or F thingy has taken a dive as well, it’s the sort of poll that seems to have a right leaning ‘ah oh if Shearer cant win in 2014 then Cunliffe is going to in 2017’ ring about it…
I r remember 1996 (unfortunately), when I was convinced href go with Labour.
Everybody was and everybody was shocked and disappointed that he went with National. Although, I don’t think anyone was surprised when the agreement collapsed.
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Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
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Why did Solid Energy fail?
Because they are led by blind Fossil Fuel Fanatics who dragged naive National Party Ministers in their wake…..
However despite the support of the overawed, starry eyed Ministers, the plans of Solid Energy were completely unrealistic and out of touch with the global realities of fossil fuel use.
At a time in human history, when, even repressive regimes, not noted for their humanitarian concerns, are ordering cutbacks in fossil fuel, use out of fear of climate change. At this time of international talk of cutbacks and restraint. The lunatics in charge of New Zealand’s Solid Energy, were dreaming of empire building.
How crazy is that?
And the National Government went for it, hook line and sinker.
So why did presumably rational Government Ministers fall for this fantasy?
The fossil fuel fanatics at Solid Energy entertained visions of the huge profits to be made from fossil expansion which they put before the Ministers. It was this vision of a fantastic El Dorado presented to them which gave rise to them to leave to their senses. Shunting niggling concerns about climate change (which could affect such grandiose plans) to the back of their minds.
Like all victims of a scam their greed overcame their common sense. The Nats should have taken heed of the old saying “If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.”
It took treasury to inject a bit of rationality back into the debate:
Our world is dying. That is the reality of fossil fuel use and expansion.
Blinded by visions of wealth and power the Nats chose to forget this fact.
They have not been the first, and all the indications are, that they will not be the last, to make this fatal error.
Actually ‘the fossil fuels fanatics’ at Solid Energy as you describe them did not push ‘climate change’ to the back of their minds,
The fossil fuels fanatics at Solid Energy were taking positive steps in the capture and sequesture of industrial amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere at the production stage of it’s planned diversification,
To achieve this capture and sequesture from the atmosphere of industrial amounts of CO2 Solid Energy was investing in the technology with the Australian firm CO2CRC,
Seeing as the Government has now effectively financially kneecapped Solid Energy we will probably never know if it is possible to produce, (as i assume Solid Energy was attempting), fossil fuels whereby such fuels are in effect carbon neutral by way of the producer withdrawing by an industrial means the same amount of carbon that would be produced in the production and burning of the particular fossil based fuels being produced…
But we already know that’s simply impossible.
It might be possible to susbstantially reduce the amounts of carbon being expelled into the atmosphere from a given amount of burned fossil fuel. But that would mean extracting even more fossil fuels because efficiencies are necessarily reduced by any capture process. And anyway, since we are talking about cumulative totals of atmospheric carbon, reducing rather than eliminating emmissions ultimately serves no useful purpose.
”But we already know that that’s simply impossible”,????
Do we??? from what i have read it is highly feasible, using renewable energy such as wind/hydro to fuel the means of extracting from the atmosphere industrial amounts of CO2 is highly feasilbe and is being studied and put into practice as we speak,
Putting aside for the moment the fact that there are ‘different sorts’ of CO2 it is not necessary to capture X CO2 from the point of it’s emission which in effect is the ‘impossibility’
Industrial amounts of CO2 can be extracted from the atmosphere in places of high air movement where the CO2 is effectively brought to the means of extracting it from the atmosphere by such air movement,
If the same amount of CO2 is being captured and withdrawn from the atmosphere at say for arguments sake the Cook Strait,(an area of high air movement) as what is being produced across the whole country then you have in effect a carbon neutral economy…
PS,”But we already know that that’s simply impossible” is not a debate, where is the science that definitively shows this impossibility,???
There is very little that is ‘impossible’ and according to British engineers they can even pull CO2 from the atmosphere and using much the same machinery of refinement as what is used now refining oils to petrol turn that air/CO2 into a petrol product…
It’s just the basic laws of physics. If you are capturing all of the carbon then you cannot be using the carbon to produce energy for purposes other than capturing the carbon. And that’s not going to be 100% efficient. Can’t be – physics again.
As for the atmospheric carbn being captured and converted to fuel – yeah, I vaguely recall reading some tosh in one of the UK broadsheets. Took upwards of a year to produce a smidgeon of fuel. And all the energy inputs required for the process….?
Who is talking about being 100% efficient, it will cost obviously, one ‘theoretical study’ i have read is that that cost will be around 13 cents a tonne if the carbon capture and sequesture is of an industrial scale,
And, it is YOU that now puts forward some claim as if to say that i insinuate that all the carbon capture will or need be turned into fuel so as to enable the carbon capture to occur which is not what i have said at all,( but it’s always easier to debunk a point of debate that has not been made than one that has right)…
So can you provide links to these studies?
Yeah sure, about the time you provide a link to the science that says ”but we all know that that’s simply impossible”…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_thermodynamics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transformation
Oh YAWN, where have i been discussing such things, i have been pointing out that CO2 can be extracted from the atmosphere and used in fuel or in the manufacture of other products/chemicals,
i have at no point suggested that as much or more energy will be gained from doing so as what is expended upon the original extraction of that CO2 from the atmosphere,
What i am suggesting is that IF such extraction were conducted upon an industrial scale using solar/wind energy to fuel such extraction with sale-able products as a by-product of the CO2 extraction then it (the extraction) is more likely to occur AND will cost less than would simply extracting the CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestering that CO2…
JFW bad. Look, it’s a really simple request. Will you provide a link to the stuff you’ve read or not? I’m not really interested in wasting time arguing whether you said *this* or *that* in relation to *whatever* or not. People reading the thread can discern that kind of stuff for themselves. I just want some links to the stuff you’ve been writing about is all.
Actually, you did.
Now, the energy in a litre of fuel is somewhere in the vicinity of a hell of a lot and the energy used to refine oil is somewhere around not a hell of a lot. What we want to know is where the extra energy is coming from.
Capiche?
Draco, YAWN, that says no such thing…
Bill, i dont talk in abbreviations, whats JFW??? ”but we all know that that’s impossible” wheres the link specially to the ”but we all know bit”…
Where is capturing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon by technological means being put into practice? And where are the vast storage facilities located? The only somewhat sizable project I’m aware of is in Norway where one of their N. Sea oil rigs is designed to pump carbon back into the space created when oil is extracted. But that’s small cheese and doesn’t involve re-capturing atmospheric carbon.
I vaguely recall a solar power one extracting atmospheric carbon.
Basically, it is the basic law of physics that creating fuel from air needs an energy input, be it from solar, wing or hydro. Which means we should probably regard hydrocarbon fuel in this case as an energy-dense battery, rather than a new energy source.
It’s not my thing, but any such technology would need to of course extract meaningful amounts from 400ppm carbon air. Although I forget my 6th form chemistry what is needed to calculate how much air is required to give a kilo of octane based on atomic weights.
Yeah you are onto what is being explored by the scientists through either wind or solar power there is produced a usable fuel which in effect stores the sunlight or wind in the liquid fuel much as a battery stores electricity,
Of course the danger of reliance upon CO2 extracted from the atmosphere as a fuel is that we would then extract too much of it and we would then be in the same climate position that we are now,
Heres the basic science,
CO2+Pyridnium Catalyst+Platinum Electrode+ Methanol,
phys.org/news/2012-06-startup-carbon-dioxide-fuels.html
And then along comes someone with the smarts to be able to do the same less the heavy metals,
Modified microbes turns carbon dioxide into fuels,
phys.org/news/2012-03-microbes-carbon-dioxide-liquid-fuel.html
Of course at the point of Methanol being produced their is no need to continue on to fuel production as Methanol is heavily used in the production of plastics which have a long life so would ‘fix’ the CO2 extracted from the atmosphere for a far longer period of time than simply creating fuels would do,
The Methanol Industry-Methanol Institute,
http://www.methanol.org>methanolbasics
Awww not again, those links are obviously not going to work, if you Google the heading above the link it should take you to the page…
And, that little equation should read,
CO2 + Pyridnium Catalyst + Platinum Electrode = Methanol…
My bad…
I was reading this article from the NYTimes earlier, about gassifying coal and storing the CO2 underground. My questions: How could CO2 leakage be controlled – and what happens in a major earthquake?
Coal’s new technology
“Then there are the questions about what happens to all that CO2 once it’s pumped underground. “We have confidence that large-scale CO2 injection projects can be operated safely,” a study on the future of coal by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concluded. But since our experience with large-scale injection is so limited, no one knows for sure what the risks are. CO2, which is buoyant underground, can migrate through cracks in the earth and around old wellheads, pooling in unexpected places. This is troublesome because CO2 is an asphyxiant — in concentrations above 20 percent it can cause a person to lose consciousness in a breath or two. In theory, you could enter a basement flooded with CO2 and, because it’s an invisible, odorless gas, you would never know it’s there. “
Study shows most “journalists” and “experts” are frauds
by Jamie, New Left Project, 10 March 2013
http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/blog_comments/new_study_journalists_experts_are_massive_bullshitters
Yesterday, the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported that journalists and experts are bullshitters, nearly to the last one.
Some background. One unambiguous Israeli victory in its attack on Gaza last November, journalists and experts widely concurred, was the performance of its ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence shield in shooting down projectiles fired from Gaza. The BBC’s Jonathan Marcus reported on the “remarkable” progress in missile defence technology represented by Iron Dome, evidenced by its “recent success” in the field. His colleague, Mark Urban, described Iron Dome’s “impressive” performance, while the Guardian‘s Harriett Sherwood reported Iron Dome’s “considerable success”. “The naysayers now are few”, observed the New York Times‘s Isabel Kershner—or non-existent, to judge by the number quoted in her article. The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg was satisfied that Iron Dome “is doing a very good job”, though he quoted a “friend… who knows a great deal” fretting that Iron Dome might, if anything, be too effective. The experts, too, seemed to agree. For dovish Israeli academic Ron Pundak Iron Dome was a “game changer”; for Shashank Joshi of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) it “represent[ed]… a major shift for Israel”; for the respected International Crisis Group, “the success of… Iron Dome” was not in doubt. The Council on Foreign Relations’ Max Boot spoke for most when he wrote:
“The latest Gaza war is only a few days old, but already one conclusion can be drawn: missile defence works”.
This expansive edifice of journalistic and expert analysis, pontification and reportage was based on a single source: official Israeli government statistics, which claimed a success rate for Iron Dome of approximately 84 per cent. The BBC’s Mark Urban was unusual in noticing that this was a not entirely disinterested authority—Israel’s government being “anxious to dismiss the impression that it has not [sic] been humiliated by Hamas”—but he proceeded to rely on its data regardless. Most reported Israel’s official line uncritically.
With surprising speed, the accumulating media and expert consensus on the success of Iron Dome became self-reinforcing, its existence taken as evidence of its own accuracy. Thus Max Fisher informed readers of the Washington Post that Iron Dome is, “by every appearance, a remarkable success”—”every appearance” being useful journalistic shorthand for “every regurgitation of the exact same set of official Israeli data”.
Read more….
http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/blog_comments/new_study_journalists_experts_are_massive_bullshitters
lol Short clip of 13 seconds & one of the reasons people distrust journalists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbjXJM8_qus&feature=player_embedded
This is hardly news. Of course they couldn’t admit what their real purpose was, to to use the Gaza prison test the Muslim Brotherhood Cairo regime’s loyalty to the Sadat agreement not to open the Gaza border. They got the answer they wanted.
We picked it up http://redrave.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/the-arab-revolution-meets-nato-zionism.html
shades of the “success” of the Patriot missile defense system in Desert Shield/Storm.
.
http://www.alternet.org/visions/wake-our-world-dying-and-were-all-denial?page=0%2C6
http://www.alternet.org/visions/wake-our-world-dying-and-were-all-denial?page=0%2C0
Jenny, its most likely about right, we probably don’t have 50 years to turn it around, its is not already too late!
If people want to make an instant, positive impact, and do something useful for the environment, they need to research and focus their efforts on halting geo-engineering.
Failing to get the modification stopped is going to provide a much faster conclusion, that the capitalist sponsored destruction can ever dream of!
It requires a multi faceted approach though, so the deniers need to stop crying conspiracy, and start paying attention!
Which geo-engineering exactly needs halting?
Hi Murray, hope you’re well
You have a Ph.D don’t you, I’m sure that gives you a few options in the *know where to find things* department.
Here is a clue – Its has been going on for almost 100 years now, and purposefully, for more than 60.
Remember, I used the term, geo-engineering
I’m not well, I have a PhD, and I can’t be bothered looking without a bit more of a hint. Life is too short.
Damned if we do and damned if we don’t then??? the way you have put that would mean that if we do nothing the life we are accustomed to is doomed,
Of course to take the courses of action that you would suggest would mean that the life we are all accustomed to is also doomed,
Pushing a barrow with a lose/lose lead balloon as the freight must be hard work…
Not that we are doomed. Just that the market economy is doomed. And that’s no bad thing when the resultant prospect of freedom ( eg, the development of substantive democratic systems for governance, production and distribution) is taken into account.
And the sooner we take the necessary steps, the less onerous the environment where our freedom can be expressed.
No. we are doomed. If we wait for capitalist society to collapse, it will be to late.
It is also possible, that the collapse of society as we know it, will remove the resources and organisation we need to make the global effort to halt climate change.
From Granny’s piece about the TAB closing it’s Ellerslie phone betting centre down….”plus “prohibitive” future costs for removing asbestos and other work.”
so It’s OK for workers to be in an environment with known asbestos then, thought that was a big no no.
Yeah, the TAB get the ‘Bastards of the Week’ award for such callous behavior, along with the issue of ‘asbestos’ the TAB invested in a betting system which did not work and lost the TAB $14 million dollars,
It would be interesting to see what sort of pressure has recently been applied to the TAB from Slippery’s National Government for increased returns to the Government from that organization and/or directions for the TAB to raise it’s level of borrowings…
Yup. Christchurch. It was absolutely okay for workers and inhabitants, obviously including children, to live in the midst of – and daily inhale – asbestos laden dust blowing through the city post quake and for said contamination to be spread further as it was simply scooped and transferred through the city to dumping sites (Lyttleton Harbour?)
why is this not happening here yet..?
http://whoar.co.nz/2013/why-unions-are-going-into-the-co-op-business-comment-and-when-will-the-new-zealand-union-movement-and-the-labour-party-get-their-shit-together/
‘..currently the labour party is still too wedded to its’ past mistakes..both economic and political..
(for labour going to war in afghanistan at the behest of america being a political whopper of a mistake..and their serious drinking of the neo-lib economic-kool-aid for those decades is still weighing them down..
..and with most of the actors in that farce/lurch to the right..still in control of the labour party..)
..and most of the union movement are still just lurking in their self-interest-bunkers..
..and something they need to look hard at is their history of standing by and saying/doing nothing..as those neo-lib labour/national regimes kicked the crap out of the weakest/poorest..for all those years..
..where was the union movement then..?..’
phillip ure..
I really struggle to understand these violent people – is it just that they can’t stand being told what they can or can’t do even if they never listen anyway.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10871909
77% of respondents are fucken arseholes and 68% are controlling violent bastards. Children are not dimwitted small possessions – they are young people that deserve respect and protection and value for their unique attributes.
I’ll put up a post on this shortly…
Don’t forget to include the jackboots of the State – the only organisation empowered to utilise physical sanction to achieve its ends. For balance of course.
And perhaps something about historic use of physical sanction in previous societies. Just to see whether the current situation is out of kilter with history. Helps with that balance eh.
Please call it what it is…the child protection law….
I’ll assume that the figures for child abuse have trended down since this law came to pass..
No dead, maimed, beaten children in NZ nowadays ???
yes with an if, or no with a but
I made Child Abuse and Neglect an area of focus in my degree papers on Human Development, Abnormal Psych, Community Psych and Rehabilitation (the latter of which I received a personally addressed commendatory letter from the HOD) let’s call CAN a personal area of “expertise”; apologies for the immodesty.
false modesty is a bigger sin 🙂
From what I recall, the WINZ notifications are probably a better source than hospital admissions for overall CAN because it takes a lot and needs to be obvious for a clinician to definitively diagnose abuse as a cause of injury (the percentage going around the traps is less than half of actual admissions), but the admissions are probably a good indicator of amount of serious physical harm.
so Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon then…
on another note
“We’re so sorry Uncle Albert
We’re so sorry but we haven’t done a bloody thing all day 😉
(but if anything should happen
We’ll be sure to give a ring) ”
“Measured objectively, what man can wrest from Truth by passionate struggle is utterly infinitesimal. but the striving frees us from the bonds of the self and makes us comrades of those who are the best and the greatest.
There is no place in the new kind of physics both for the field and the matter for the field is the only reality. The field is the sole governing agency of the particle.
What humanity owes to the personalities like Buddha, Moses and Jesus ranks for me higher than all the achievements of the enquiring and constructive mind.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.
If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere 😉 of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
I maintain that the cosmic religiousness is the strongest and most noble driving force for scientific research. (sadly now it’s War, Hubris and Money mainly)
Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe- a spirit vastly superior to that of man.
The divine reveals itself in the physical world.”
now to Werner; “What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning’ ($)
I have never found it possible to dismiss the content of religious thinking as simply part of an outmoded phase in the consciousness of mankind, a past that we shall have to give up on from now on.”
and Uncle Pauli; “I consider the ambition of overcoming opposites, including a synthesis embracing both rational understanding and the mystical experience pf unity, to be the mythos spoken or unspoken of our present day and age.”
to conclude with Werner, (not F.)
“The first gulp from the glass of the natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass, God is waiting for you.” (both Kuhns prism)
anyway, the secularists have heard about our godlessness, and they are on there way; freakin Dawkins, talk aabout throwing your prayer beads out of the cot and going on a crusade.
“and the joker man and the sailor man were searching everyone!”
yeah nah you’ve lost me there.
Einstein, Heisenberg, Pauli on, well, on just about everything. 🙂 (so the “campus” is a medical one then.) 😉
I got the physicists’ names, I’m just no theologian 🙂
Hi McFlock,
I don’t think anyone has to be a theologian, just sensitive and responsive to the ‘majesty’ of reality (i.e., it’s bigger than us – it really is, so stop all the trying to ‘get it’ and just act accordingly).
I remember reading that the difference between the philosophy of Heidegger and that of Wittgenstein was that the former, at base, responded to the world with a question mark. The latter responded with an exclamation mark (i.e., even the movement to a question was too hubristic and meant you weren’t seeing reality clearly – ‘perspicuously’ – and encountering it directly).
Wittgenstein’s final words, supposedly, were: “Tell them I’ve had a wonderful life.” – not bad for someone who had very dark moods, a passionate temper, possibly attempted suicide several times and lived an austere and spartan life, despite being born into one of the wealthiest families in Vienna.
Wittgenstein could not be religious (in the ordinary sense of the word) because he realised that religiosity was not about knowledge or belief – just a particular way of meeting the world, and going on in it (which he thought he lacked – more fool him).
The truth really mattered to him, which was why knowledge could never be enough (always partial, as we all ‘know’). Hence the quotes from the physicists saying pretty much the same thing – they’ve all been down that particular rabbit hole.
Pretty simple stuff, really. Nothing complicated (cf Heidegger). Which is why it’s hard for many people to get. They often think that ‘it’ (i.e., ‘the answer’ to some Heideggerian question mark) has something to do with metaphysics, or some obtuse, labyrinthine ‘understanding’, or whatever. It hasn’t.
I think the big ‘fail’ with many religious people is that their ‘spiritual’ world (heaven, the after life, ‘being with God’, etc.) is just a paler, lighter and more translucent – and incoherent – copy of the material world. Casper the Friendly Ghost stuff or perhaps an image of beatific calmness – all-in-all, the ‘other world’ you have when you don’t have an ‘other world’ (so you make a copy of the one we have – with a kind of wispy, washed-out water-colour effect).
A bit sad really, though I guess if it does the trick … Personally, I’m happy with just the one world. It seems pretty spiritual to me – everywhere I look. And pretty material (thank God!) with all the unsatisfying ‘messiness’ that entails.
I think ghostrider888 is playing the ‘joker god’ – it’s a very fine tradition of spiritual pranksterism, quite well-suited to today’s entertainment-beguiled world. And it’s very serious stuff.
S/he is also very good at it.
Don’t know much about that. After reading philosophy for a few years with extremely variable knowledge transfer, I threw up my hands and adopted the Decent Fellow philosophy: if I’m a decent fellow or near enough, and god/karma/the universe is decent or near enough, sweet. If g/k/tu is a bit of a “my way or the highway” dick that plays hard to get, then there’s nothing I can do about that, since I cannot know which precise flavour of religion or philosophy is the correct one. If they exist at all.
And out of that flows a lack of expectation, shit is what it is, just relax and roll with it. If you’re rolling along and see a nice place to be that you can roll to, do that. But if you miss it, fair enough, wait for the next on to come along.
a bit of rogue one might say Puddleglum; thank you for the affirmation in what can be a heartless world at times.
I’ll assume that the figures for child abuse have trended down since this law came to pass..
Anecdotally greater awareness was the reason notifications trended upwards following the repeal of s59 with a resulting increase in substantiated abuse.
http://www.cyf.govt.nz/about-us/who-we-are-what-we-do/notifications-requiring-further-action.html
I would like to suggest a new weekly game called “Count John Key’s Lies.”
It would make great entertainment as we all try to spot the snake eyes when he realises he has to lie, then when he actually lies, and again when he has to jump up and down and all around to explain the things that don’t add up around the lie. The snake eyes have it – it’s all there in open glory for lie-spotters to go crazy over.
John Key: “The lying Prime Minister”
+1 Great idea! We could take screen shots of his facial expressions and the SIS could use them to train their operatives to spot deceptive behavior.
We live in a cartoon republic under the NACT, 2 simpsons scenes spring to mind.
1 where sideshow bob states he was elected because poeple secertly yearn to elect someone who lowers taxes, brutalises the poor and rules like a king.
2 where Mayor Quimby tells the crowd they’re pigs to which they say ‘yeah give us hell ‘.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-NlR54PqLw
There may be helpful information to farmers suffering dry up of pasture in this NZ Grasslands piece.
http://www.grassland.org.nz/
NZ Grassland Association
14 March 2013
Planning, pasture management and recovery after drought, pasture renovation decisions
PDF
If what’s been falling on Wellington since last night is also falling on the pastures with a soil moisture deficit in places further north it’ll fix what ails the farmers, (can’t have them sitting round on the dole for too long they might become work shy and welfare dependent),
Steady and soft this rain will not run off into the waterways the thirsty soil will soak it up and the grass will grow,
Wont help Wellingtons acute shortage of water, but that’s down to one of the big dams at Te Marua being out of action for earthquake strengthening as much as it is drought conditions…
Also hope those over the hill in South Wairarapa also have received this soft rain. It was quite handy receiving such a gentle almost continuous drizzley shower from around 2pm yesterday, steady soft falls throughout the night and what looks to be more substantial rain today
http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/wellington/wellington-city
The ground around here has soaked up the rain nicely, theres no pooling of water and most importantly it hasn’t gone straight into the stormwater drains, which it would have done, had we just had heavy falls straight away.
Haven’t ever seen a metservice forecast refer to the day ahead as gloomy though. If this is gloom then lets embrace it and rejoice
( 🙂 )
Is that you Roguey? Have you reincarnated?
“Like a bat out of hell into darkness. Knowing what I’ve known all along: That it is God who creates our tragedies. But it is the Devil who makes us care. When I finally escaped Hell, I brought the Devil with me. It just doesn’t get anymore (right) than that.”
Fair Play. Sounds like a yes to me:-)
Facts don’t support expressway
So, why is it that our government seems determined to build these over-priced boondoggles?
Oh, wait.
Yes you are right, the facts do not support the ‘more motorways philosophy’, the facts would tend to suggest that in a situation of little overall rises in traffic from Kapiti to Wellington 3 billion dollars of new motorway is a ridiculous expense,
When the carparking at the Paraparaumu rail station was extended, effectively doubling it’s size it was full within a week effectively taking off the road system 100 more vehicles a day,
For a 10th of the 3 billion dollars of the Transmission gully white elephant which will serve to create grid lock at the Ngaraunga interchange at peak times park’n’ride could be extended along the Kapiti rail line by the erection of parking buildings at Waikanae,Paraparaumu,Mana,Paremata,Porirua and Tawa thus removing from the road system 1000s of vehicles a day,
All of the park’n’ride facilities at all of those rail stations are at present full to capacity every day…
I cringe when people try to tell me how great park and ride is. It has it’s place but the option that needs to be put in place is to have buses doing short loops feeding into the rail station. It would remove most of the cars from the road – if the rail service could cope with it but that would just mean more planning and double tracking.
Yup the ‘thinking’ around that is cars off the roads full stop, which does not actually occur for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being that people cannot be arsed walking to the bus stop in the rain and then walking home from the bus stop in the rain after 8 or 10 hours pushing the heavy wheel of capitalism, plus much of what you call ‘short loops’ to the rail aint in any way ‘short’ which simply encourages the use of cars,
In Wellington both the Kapiti rail line and the Hutt Valley rail line are double tracked, all the available car parking at all of the stations along these rail lines are full on every working day and the provision of parking buildings which connect directly to the rail stations on the lines would take 1000’s of vehicles a day off the motorway system…
While tying up more land and resources in cars.
It’s this misunderstanding of resources that means that people fail to understand the economy. All they see is the money and all the politicians and economist talk about is the money – completely ignoring the economy.
I’m thinking no longer than ten minutes and probably free.
Putting aside for the moment your ‘idealized economy’ which you make up in your head for any given situation i wont even ask you who then will pay for the ‘free ride’,
And for those who live more than a 10 minute bus ride for a rail station???…
Hear what you saying re putting on buses to do short loops feeding into the rail station as an alternate option to park and rides. We do have bus connections in those flatter more outlying suburbs where the buses can negotiate the streets easily but as the train heads further south towards the city you get into the steep hill suburbs. Some of these streets are only one car width in places, have blind corners and corners that a bus can’t actually get around. (Some steets however might be able to accomodate those little mini buses?) Maybe the idea in those areas is for neighbourhood residents to organise car pooling to the park and ride at the station. I’ve heard of folks that do this but I don’t know if its its a formal initiative.
Double tracking on the Kapiti line was completed in 2011
http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/projects/completed-projects/wrrp/kapiti-line.html
Save Kapiti put up one helluva fight against the expressway but well, the govt was hell bent on fulfilling their roading campaign……………….
PS: Save Kapiti is
http://savekapiti.co.nz/
Sounds like something along the lines of what i believe Wellington City should attempt in conjunction with it’s proposed ‘bus hubs’,
Such a system would work far better if at peak times a number of passenger vans where circulating the various suburbs picking people up and dropping them at these bus hubs,
The thinking there is commuters could be picked up from their gate by waving at the drivers and dropped at the bus hubs with the cost included in the actual bus fare…
I’m with ya there bad12. Peak time mini buses, pick up at gate. Would work really well on J’ville line too at Churton Park, Ngaio and Khandallah, especially on steep eastern hill side of the tracks.
Redwood and Tawa would benefit from such a system on the Kapiti line.
Re your walk home from the station after long work day point above: I’ve noted buses around here are chocka during summer but almost empty in winter. Its an example of folks wanting to use public transport but having their limits. Lucky me, bus stop right outside!
So you whinge about my idea and then put forward the exactly the same idea?
Lolz whinge, ha ha, who’s a little sensitive today???, in point the point i make about park and ride for the Kapiti and Hutt rail corridors i am addressing the need for parking at rail stations,
In the point i am making about about the proposed Wellington City bus hubs i am talking about Wellington City suburban commuters, as different as chalk and cheese…
You are. You really don’t like being questioned about the stuff you put forward as the saviour of man only to have it pointed out to you that it probably isn’t. I’ve noticed this before.
And I was pointing out that buses running short routes in conjunction with the parking spaces would be a better option.
So different that it’s exactly the same concept that I put forward. Buses (a van carrying passengers is a bus) running running short loops to a central location.
I’m polling the Magic 8-Ball this morning. Ask it politics-related poll questions here and I’ll post the results.
gogogo
Will the Novopay system manage to fire all the people that should have been held to account for it’s implementation in the first place despite them not actually being on the payroll?
You may rely on it
More poll questions plox
Were trainers and equipment specialists among the 300 military staff made redundant in 2011?
…and will John Key say he’s comfortable with that?
Without a doubt
Another bad result of job cuts, Key will be comfortable with that no doubt !
As I see it, yes
Is anthropomorphic climate change occurring?
It is decidedly so
shall i continue to burn?
It is certain
Can David Shearer inspire the nation to rally together in an effort to release the nation from this most incompetant of governments?
Don’t count on it
In light of ‘don’t count on it’ should other measures be implemented to increase the odds of removing this incompetent govt?
Reply hazy try again
Concentrate and ask later
Better not tell you now
Does Janine from data processing fancy me?
Yes definitely
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?
The Magic 8-Ball poll has a margin of error of 0%. Unlike other polls, the non-responses and don’t-knows are factored in to give a far more accurate snapshot of the electorate.
That’s quite some thing you have going on there Mr FV.
Another bad result of job cuts, Key will be comfortable with that no doubt !
“Minecraft chat-rooms are full of inane CRAP!”
Another irony-free edition of The Panel
Radio New Zealand National, Monday 11 March 2013
Jim Mora, Charlotte Graham, Nevil “Breivik” Gibson, Chris Wikaira
JIM MORA: Okay it’s quarter to four, and Charlotte Graham is here, with what the wo-o-o-o-o-o-orld’s talking about! What have you got for us today?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Well, first up is this story about a mobile phone that costs just one pound.
MORA: One pound?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: [betraying slight irritation] Yes.
MORA: Mmmm-kay. What else?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Well there’s this curious story of an e-mail bug—
MORA: One of the dubious legacies of Hugo Chávez!
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Yes, e-mails are circulating with bugs in them.
MORA: And he’s being embalmed, is he?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Yes, he’ll get the full Lenin treatment and will be embalmed for decades, which is delightful!
MORA: [suddenly thoughtful, serious] Who is embalmed? Eva Perón?
NEVIL “BREIVIK” GIBSON: Stalin. And the Kims are pretty good at it.
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Mummification, which in the case of is a terrifying thought! [chuckles]
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Indeed! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, anything else?
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM: Yes, this one is about Kate Middleton. She’s been criticized for having no opinions..
MORA: Is there still a place for the smiling royal bride, do you think, Nevil Gibson?
BREIVIK GIBSON: Ooooh yeah.
MORA: Well, there’s certainly a lot of opinions going to be expressed on The Panel today! Back after the news!
………4 o’clock News……….
MORA: Okay, on The Panel today are Nevil Gibson and Chris Wikaira. Nevil Gibson, you love the movies don’t you!
BREIVIK GIBSON: I do, and I’ve been watching all the movies that were nominated for the Academy Awards.
MORA: Which one was your favorite?
BREIVIK GIBSON: I thought Zero Dark Thirty was the best film of the year. Although it suffered a bit of a backlash.
MORA: It did a bit!
BREIVIK GIBSON: Though Argo was a good popular film.
MORA: But it got its facts wrong didn’t it.
BREIVIK GIBSON: It did. It was hard for Ben Affleck to get everything right.
MORA: Okay. Do you think John Key should have gone to the funeral of Hugo Chávez? [snickers nervously]
BREIVIK GIBSON: Oooooh, I think there are two groups in South America. We are NOT in that one!
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, onto the Novopay debacle. You two have both got excellent political antennae. Any thoughts on this?
BREIVIK GIBSON: Maybe they should have stuck with the bulk-funding.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
CHRIS WIKAIRA: Ha ha ha ha ha!
BREIVIK GIBSON: Which was abolished by the Labour government.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! Thank you Nevil Gibson! All right, next up is an allegedly racist speech by Bill Rayner of Grey Power. What do you think? Should we be able to TALK about these issues?
WIKAIRA: Of COURSE we should be able to talk about it! Kapai, Bill!
MORA: Can we have an open conversation without the “racist” epithet being flung around? Okay, Bill Rayner joins us now.
BILL RAYNER: Good afternoon, Jim and good afternoon to the Panelists.
MORA: Okay, so you’re talking about assimilatible integration, yeah? Are you the same as Tariana Turia?
BILL RAYNER: Yes. Pakeha New Zealanders are discriminated against in their own country. Dual passports are unavailable to traditional New Zealand people.
MORA: You say the old people are finding it hard to cope. Why?
BILL RAYNER: Once again it’s cultural linkage. The council is canceling the lease of the Takapuna Croquet Club to build a four-story block of flats.
MORA: But, but surely—-
BILL RAYNER: I’m the least racist person in New Zealand. I’m part-Maori myself. It’s difficult when you’re accused of being racist.
MORA: I’ve gotta go, Bill. Time for the news.
…….4:30 News and Weather……..
MORA: Okay, it’s time to hear what our Panelists have been THINKING ABOUT. Chris Wikaira, what’s on your mind?
WIKAIRA: I’m concerned about the intellectual standard of Minecraft discussions on the YouTube bulletin boards.
MORA: Really?
WIKAIRA: Have either of you ever read the Minecraft discussion boards?
MORA: No I don’t think I have!
BREIVIK GIBSON: [with disdainful gravitas] N-n-no.
WIKAIRA: Well, I have, and I assure you, it is inane C-R-R-R-RAP! [An uninteresting ramble follows for several minutes.]
MORA: Mmmm-kay. [awkward silence] Nevil Gibson, anything on YOUR mind?
BREIVIK GIBSON: Yes, I am concerned about the shops not being open on Queen Street on Sundays. …..
et cetera, ad infinitum, ad tedium….
Chavez ain’t being embalmed. Just sayin’.
No, but it made no difference to those three fools.
Enjoy your ‘Panel’ reviews Morrissey.
Don’t forget to highlight the nasty, mean spirited decriptions of the youth of NZ made by that ex-cop ‘Police 10/7’ host Mora fawns over, please.
But, but but Fender!!!!! Jum’s SUCH a noice man aye – frend of all, desperate for approval. How can you cast scorn on such a man of integrity, principle, and ouright FOREskin of the English language. The new Max Cryer, the new Selwyn Toogood, the new RINSO man!, the unbiased equal opportunist whose fair and balanced approach to PSB has him giving equal tunety to JK and DS alike. I wank over the thought of him every night FFS!
And Dear Jum is showing us how Neshnool Radio is ekshly National Radio – and it “sounds like US”.
(Besides … it’s not about Jum, it’s about YOU)!
Why even David Slack is on The Panel sometimes – even volunteerily!
This Jum you refer to …..
Sage!
Unbiased!
Friend of the People!
Proven Credentials and Credibility!
Just the NICEST of men!
Understanding!
Caring’
SHARING!
Informing, Educating and Entertaining!
No no no – Fender … you’ve got it all wrong!
This is the best compendium of Bell-esqueries ever made….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWCGxYVc9sI
And now here are a few things I’ve written about Graham Bell’s legendary guest appearances on The Panel. I’m sure others have done better, more complete analyses than I have, but in my solipsistic way, I’ve chosen the ones written by this writer, i.e., moi….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24052011/#comment-333681
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24022012/#comment-440319
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10082012/#comment-505179
http://thestandard.org.nz/three-more-kiwi-deaths-in-afghanistan/#comment-510753
Could be a mistake in the write-up above but assuming this was actually from last Monday then at that point the plan was for him to be embalmed. They have come out since then to say that they won’t as the process would involve the body being sent to Russia for 7-8 months.
If this was from today then yes they should have known better.
No, Chris, there was no mistake in my transcription. But as you say, the programme was broadcast last Monday, so they were all quite justified in their belief that he was going to be embalmed.
felix is one of the funniest commentors around this joint!
so, the new Novopay Nightmare; teachers lined up for termination by the machine, April 21st, no fooling; 111 staff in one overnight sampling
Drought; 2B (30% off annual growth predicted) ; Dairy sector provide 25% of income; how’s that for diversification, or desertification…
Snapper numbers suffer as their environment is under continuing threat, oh wait, from run-off sediment and pollution; sea grasses destroyed, eg. Kaipara Harbour and three other coastal catchments already.
Long-fin eels at risk and declining, yet commercially caught; MPI deny any decline happening.
A quick skim of an economic commentary in a week-end paper
-share-market up
-property market up
-Exports likely to come off on China and Aus slowdowns
-Interest rate rises predicted
-Inflation?
-Banks likely to come under pressure
Haven’t we been here before? tastes like poission .
In ChCh, if left too long, barren red-zone areas will be recovered in exotic weeds re-establishing; gorse and broom for example
from the Met Service; the further anticipated rain is unlikely to break drought.
Hey Jude…”these men are blemishes at your feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm- shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and up rooted- twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 12. na
na na nana na na…Hey Jude…
14:2 He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
Francis 1 sure is a hard act to follow.
now, back to a daily telegraph cucumber sandwich.
1080 is a shit issue for sure – the possums have to go and the approved way is to poison. I can’t stand the fact that we are keeping that poison factory open in the US just for us and it just seems Kali Yuga-ish to save the environment by poisoning – yet the Northern Rata were so great this year, so beautiful and magnificent. This report disturbs me because of the statement from DOC that
http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/8419477/1080-drop-fears-for-frogs
umm who cares if it is planned and what has that to do with anything – oh – costs etc
The impact on our endemic species of frogs isn’t known? I find this hard to believe – haven’t they sussed that out even a little?
Our frogs are so unique with no voice-box and no tadpole stage – we must save and protect them and we must ensure that what we are doing to save other species doesn’t adversely affect them – it is the minimum requirement imo.
Marty, I think the 1080 used is made by an SOE in Whanganui.
http://www.pestoff.co.nz/about-us
http://www.pestoff.co.nz/our-products
Thanks joe – I wonder what I was thinking about – got my wires a bit crossed – do you know mate?
Marty, I’m of the opinion that the poisoning the regimes have been effective in all but eradicating bovine TB in my area and over many years I’ve noticed the decline in the number of dead trees in the Ruahine forest park canopy.
And although I’d dearly love to see the implementation of a more robust strategy to mitigate the effects on native fauna we’re in a catch twenty two situation, poisoning and risk losing species or not to poison and guarantee extinctions.
So I can’t really fault DOC for doing what they’re doing but I would like to take to task the arsewipes who’ve diverted funds from programmes looking at ways to mitigate by-kills into funding the eradication of diseases of production, bovine TB.
Fair enough joe as I mentioned I’m slightly conflicted about the debate. Tull Chemicals in Alabama manufactures 1080 I believe and two factories in NZ mix the poison and manufacture the bait – that was the bit I was trying to clarify. As to “not to poison and guarantee extinctions” not sure what species you are talking about there – obviously not the cows. The guarantee is more likely with these frogs I would say but I’m happy to read some links from you about that.
and yes the by-kills are a problem thus my post.
Yes, the frogs and their like Marty.
My beef is that like everything else this mob does there’s been a nod and a wink to concentrate on poisoning programmes that have a cost benefit because to the tory mind funding a frog no matter how significant it is has no demonstrable cost benefit.
I agree with you joe – good point.
The positive outcome for Mr Joyce re Novopay, will be to abolish Novopay and instead start Bulk Funding for every school. Each School will have its own payroll system to make its own errors.
Problem solved.
A long term National aim achieve.
Mr Joyce is a hero!
If he gets the 100 million back (or 100 million worth of Sydney property) then we could call him a ‘hero’ for a day or two anyway.
nailing Rodel;
according to neuro-scientists, the number of possible thoughts a brain could possibly have is- wait for it-
10 to the power of 70 000 000 000 000 (calculated on the number of neural configurations possible)
(apparently there are only 10 to the power of 80 atoms in the entire universe. hmmm)
anyway, 99.9999999999999 %of the world experienced is empty space (a great proportion of it in conservative / tory / racist / bigot intellectual worldviews possibly).
-The Mystery Experience by Tim Freke
http://www.themysteryexperience.com/
(look deeper) don’t ya just love being free!
KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON AUCKLAND COUNCIL – $UPERCITY FOR THE 1%!
Explaining to Auckland Councillors at the Performance and Accountability Committee,
(13 March 2013) how Occupy Auckland won the Appeal; asking how much ratepayer monies had been WASTED on legal proceedings; and asking for a review of the performance of Auckland Council’s General Counsel, for ‘fitness for duty’ (and more….
MINUTES:
http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/meetings_agendas/committees/Pages/accountabilityandperformancecommittee.aspx
FILMED PRESENTATION:
http://www.allaboutauckland.com/video/1979/high-court-victory-countered-by-accountability-chair/
Penny Bright’
Anti-corruptioncampaigner’
Occupy Auckland Appellant (in my own name)
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
RSA Animate – The Paradox of Choice
About how choice is bounded by social norms and how having more choice results in less social change.
Go to max resolution and watch it in full screen mode.
kinda like being Lost In The Supermarket
Aaahhh One of my favourite things.
That was interesting and well done but it didn’t answer that guys question as to how much chicken is in chick peas.
Again, ordinary people wear the cost while those with the most dodge their obligations.
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/03/16/greece-didnt-collect-99-86-of-big-tax-debts/
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/03/shearer_failed_to_disclose_his_offshore_bank_account.html
This could be interesting for your favourite Leader !
NRT also has a post on this – http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/david-shearers-mistake.html
TV3 News item is at http://www.3news.co.nz/David-Shearer-declares-offshore-account/tabid/1607/articleID/290741/Default.aspx
Ooooh dear!
So it has to be over $50,000 or it dont need to be declared.
How do you forget $50,000 in a personal bank account? FFS !
Did he “forget” to declare the intrest to IRD too?
Quoting 3 news article:
Must be nice to be able to forget your salary.
Just…fuck…
Nice one caucus. Good choice, well done.
Fuck.
Mr Shearer really is the gift that just keeps on giving 🙂
+1
Jesus Mary and Fucking Joseph.
I presume that Shearer forgot that he had the account and was not hiding it.
But what leader of the left, the poor and dispossessed, the unemployed and the working class would forget that he had $50,000 dollars in an overseas bank account.
His stupidity and his indifference are mind boggling.
I bet that Hone Harawira knows exactly how much are in his accounts.
maybe he forgot maybe he didn’t – either way he is a disgrace and no leader of the left, just a keylite – maybe this will wake up tribal labourites but probably not.
The goes buying power shares with the money that doesn’t exist. being leader on NZL doesn’t pay a living wage.
So key forgets a few nz rail shares and shearer forgets his primary schools post office account.
Who said he had $50k in his account?
he has to declare the account if it has $50k or more , im hearing its considerably more than $50k and Shearer should have dealt with accountants to manage his forgotten mill.. i mean who dont ill treat their junior account clerks.
more to come , lots more
Shearer missing in action, again.
http://thechristchurchfiasco.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/sarahs-response-to-david-shearer-part-a-leader-of-the-labour-party/
Talking of responses:
What was the outcome to the New Lynn LEC’s formal complaint to the Labour Council over the treatment meted out to David Cunliffe last year? Has there even been an outcome or has the Labour hierarchy chosen to ignore it?
Death Star was an Inside job
from the Dom;
The Price of Milk may rise 20% and reach / exceed record highs; poss. $5.75 / 2l. Wow.
(and meat) but don’t worry, a BNZ economist suggests we won’t tip into recession because there is an upturn in retail spending and household borrowing…sigh
Wellington water betrayals? car washes and golf courses.Yep.
Turia submits an OIA request into high executive assistant staff turn-over under Parata; several private secretaries and a senior advisor for starters; “worrying reports of internal tensions” (could not make these piranha analogies up)
from First Union-Employers exploiting migrant workers
-weak penalties
-lack of enforcement
-chronic lack of factory inspectors.
Knife Crime : 8 fatal stabbings this year, already = “high” -Ian Lambie; Assoc. Proff, Clin. Psych.
and member of the Ministry of Justice Independent Group on Youth Offending. (Collins says “greater priorities to deal with” )
The selective outrage of “liberals”
Sounding off about the boogie-man Mugabe?
The Panel, Monday 18 March 2013
Jim Mora, Penny Ashton, Steve McCabe
JIM MORA: Pope Francis seems to be an interesting thoughts about the need for social justice.
PENNY ASHTON: I just can’t believe that ROBERT MUGABE will be going! I didn’t even know he was a Catholic! He certainly doesn’t believe in “Thou shalt not kill.”
One of my pet hates is ignorant people. Another one is hypocritical people. The ignorant and hypocritical Penny Ashton is the epitome of both. I simply had to dash off the following e-mail….
Dear Jim,
Another Catholic who will probably going to the Papal investiture is Tony Blair. He also obviously doesn’t believe in “Thou shalt not kill”. Why is Penny Ashton focusing on Robert Mugabe? Compared to Blair, Robert Mugabe is Albert Schweitzer.
Yours sincerely,
Morrissey Breen
Northcote Point
So far, no reply….
You won’t get a reply Morrissey.
His Affable Smugness doesn’t know there’s a world beyond his few hours of an afternoon. And his panel of in the the main ignorant, unartful, prejudiced, up-themselves, F-list celebs.
In order, those whom I exclude from the above category – Gary McCormick 100%, Edwards 75%, The Boagy Lady 50%.
Julia Hartley-Moore, noted curtain peeper, private dick, and monumentally ignorant know-all – minus 1,000,000 %. She personifies all that is horrific about “The Panel”.
Bugger me……just heard RNZ News making it a headline that Dunny-Brush’s pig of a carpark tax is a “pragmatic” move. Never a pig from the start. Pragmatic.
Julia Hartley-Moore, noted curtain peeper, private dick, and monumentally ignorant know-all – minus 1,000,000 %. She personifies all that is horrific about “The Panel”.
I agree that she’s pretty repellent but there are actually many worse regulars than JHM on The Panel. Off the top of my head, here are just a few of the worst….
JOHN BARNETT When he’s not being an obnoxious bully in his position as chief union-basher in the New Zealand film industry, he comes on The Panel to share his loopy blue-sky projects for the future of public television: put cameras in the National Radio studios and just broadcast it as is. And he was being serious; the poor fellow doesn’t have a humorous bone in his body.
DR. MICHAEL BASSETT One day on the show this fellow said, barefacedly, that Nicky Hager was a Holocaust-denier. Host Jim Mora said….NOTHING. To be fair, Mora probably thought he was imagining things or that Bassett had suffered a brain explosion.
GRAHAM BELL Domineering ex-cop, with a forced, sinister laugh. Not accustomed to being contradicted; was palpably angry when Gordon Campbell challenged and humiliated him after he (Bell) had indulged in a swingeing rant against climate scientists.
JOHN BISHOP The very incarnation of pomposity and self-importance. Perhaps his nadir was reached when he indulged in a ranting, ignorant denunciation of Robert Fisk. Joining him in the attempted hatchet-job was….John Barnett.
JOANNE BLACK Smugness, thy name is that woman!
BARRY CORBETT Back in February 2009, Corbett made the extraordinarily disgusting statement that the teenage victim of a murder in Auckland was asking for it and that he (Corbett) sympathized with the boy’s killer. Later on the same day he had endorsed the killing, he was due to be a guest on The Panel. He wasn’t banned, or even suspended. In fact he laughed loudly and vacuously as always, as if nothing had happened. He never mentioned the boy, and certainly never apologized.
JEREMY ELWOOD AKA Gloomy Gus, AKA Elwood Blues. Apparently likes to say he is a liberal and a left winger, but there have been few guests on the Panel as anxious to roll over and agree with every single word uttered by Graham Bell. Spinelessness, thy name is ELWOOD!
IRENE GARDINER On the day that Tony Veitch was revealed to have knocked a woman to the ground, then kicked her in the spine till he paralyzed her, Irene Gardiner actually said this: “The media are putting the boot into Tony when he’s down.”
GARTH “GAGA” GEORGE No statement is too dishonest or too insane for this bloke to utter. When Dr Michael Bassett tells lies, we know his behaviour stems from pure flinty-hearted malice; with Gaga George, it seems he almost believes his own nonsense.
RICHARD GRIFFIN A few years ago, the Silver Fox casually made a dismissive, ignorant remark about Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. Unluckily for the Fox, however, the other guest that day was …. (you guessed it!)…. Gordon Campbell, who is not in the habit of letting lazy bigots get away with lazy bigoted comments. A swift challenge from Campbell led to the quickest back-down and apology in the history of broadcast radio.
NEIL MILLER Bad enough that he’s a beer bore, but what’s unforgivable about this bloke is his ineffable smugness. Underneath that superficial bonhomie, he’s actually a nasty piece of work.
SIMON POUND Mealy-mouthedness, thy name is this fellow!
CHRISTINE (SPANKIN’) RANKIN Most people already suspected she was insane, after witnessing her (unintentionally hilarious) shenanigans during the protracted, mortifyingly embarrassing forced removal from her position as the worst CEO that WINZ or any other government department had ever suffered. Anyone who has heard her on The Panel will be convinced of it.
….et cetera, ad nauseum, ad absurdum….
The list could be much, much longer. When you assess it honestly, you have to come to the inescapable conclusion: The Panel is a horror show.
Like the list.
Gordon Campbell’s article on Bomber’s ban from the Panel. I quote “this will leave the Mora panel reaching for Chris Trotter as its only token ‘left wing’ balance to the endless stream of right wing guests on the show.”
http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/10/10/gordon-campbell-on-rnz’s-banning-of-bomber-bradbury/
Looks like we have a little brownshirt army there. Wont be suprised if they go Otara and rough up DPB mothers next.
the ghost does Not haunt afternoon RNZ; only News Reports and Kim, oh Kim…wont you let me in; promise I won’t create Havoc mikey
Thanks Morrissey your comments are borer Morer are needed.
I actually think he does more damage to progressive ideas than most of the RWNJs on ZB.
Lolz who would have thunk it, the carpark tax will not be implemented as Slippery has put Revenue Minister ‘the Hairdo from Ohariu’ Peter Dunne firmly in His place of being the female dog of the National Government Caucus,
Petey tho knows how to use Slippery speak to back down from a National-vote losing tax piling it on in an interview with RadioNZ National a few minutes back…
Yeah, Dunny-Brush testily assuming a false gravitas and saying it was a “pragmatic” move.
Oh Yay – is that cue for “You may admire me now……” ?
Pragmatic ? No, a move made for the reasons he gave: cost of implementation and enforcement, small return and a few others. Not worth the shit of it.
In other words it was a pig from the start. A pig created by Dunny-Brush. A pig from a dog.
I wonder how much money went into that futile little adventure.
I saw that pile of excrement on Prime News, not so cock sure of himself like he was in supporting the asset sales Arseole. The reason why Shokey backed down, was it was not the flavour of the month for his fat cat mates. That’s the only reason why it was rejected.
One other “news item”was about the president of Cyprus telling the Cypriots, Brussells stealing their savings was “best” for the country, I wonder what Swiss Bank Account he is hiding his wealth in.
Lastly, real tragic event. That female who married “what’s” his name got the heel of her shoe stuck in a grate. Great drama the world as we know it nearly ended.
Morrisey, can you help me ?
Between 4.50 and 5.00 pm on Aftenoons With Borer Mora today 18 March. Some character name of Philip McAllister, the usual last 10 minutes phone-in oracle. Missed what his particular field of expertise is but think it’s investment advice.
Extolling the virtues of house property investment and pushing the notion that there’s no real problem about getting on the housing property ladder and then advancing to further investment in rental properties. No real problem that getting off your bum and being financially literate won’t fix.
Borer and the other panelists seemed happy with this guy’s authority for what he said which went more or less like this – “we’re seeing lots of people coming in to invest in property……..lots of people”.
Lots of people, lots of people……..? Not a bloody word about poverty. Obviously a wanker who doesn’t even see the existence of lots and lots and lots and lots of people in this country living in poverty or near to.
Why the fuck is RNZ paying for five days a week of Borer’s wank-and-chuckle-fest ?
Sorry, North, I actually missed the second half of today’s show. Had to go out. Your summary sounds about right, though: just what I would have expected.
Oh Look
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/8439466/Farms-fight-animal-abuse-filming-in-US
no don’t, you’re not allowed
and you are certainly not allowed to play at drones by your own rules
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/as-us-drone-monopoly-frays-obama-seeks-global-rules
“irony” indeed
burning along the new Silk Road
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323415304578366720369282206.html
oh well, gotta – and serve some hungry folk and their children now. Pray for rain, gonna need it.
Quoting second article:
So, act like what a USian thinks looks a terrorist acts like and get killed? Oh, goody.
Haven’t seen the US doing anything like that either.
All heil Skynet!
Steve Keen’s “Minsky” Kickstarter project crosses the line at US$78,000
Thank you to every one from The Standard who contributed to this success, I know that there were a fair few of you. If we are ever to accomplish our dreams for NZ’s future then it’s not just our politics which require reformation, it’s also (especially?) our economics.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2123355930/minsky-reforming-economics-with-visual-monetary-mo/posts/430765?ref=email&show_token=27d79358b60f8a30
Especially the economics needs to change as the theory being used is just wrong</a but, even worse, at the moment they're being used to drive the politics.
My Kingdom for an edit function.
It is getting there. You’ll have the trash function first as that works now. That was a pain to debug because of all of the cases that the old one did not. For instance it won’t allow you to trash a comment that has a reply attached (you have to edit it). If a reply is made to comment that has been trashed then it won’t let you save it. etc etc
Just moved the reply to the right (which is where it should have been in the first place) so I could layout the action controls to its left.
Spotted the latest Roy Morgan, which continues its bouncing-labour up two, nats down four:http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2013/4874/
But it made me think, what would Winston want as king maker? I r remember 1996 (unfortunately), when I was convinced href go with Labour. Six weeks of negotiations later he signed with National. Price was a suite of policies they could ask live with. So what would national compromise on this time around? How would labour manage dealing with the greens and nz first on the policy compromise front? Answer-get a lead where you don’t need nz first!
[lprent: adding charts – click on them for full display ]
No rush, just give the Red Team and their Leader another 6 months to get settled in bro
Lolz,our Roy is a swinging pollster isn’t He, that GCR or F thingy has taken a dive as well, it’s the sort of poll that seems to have a right leaning ‘ah oh if Shearer cant win in 2014 then Cunliffe is going to in 2017’ ring about it…
Everybody was and everybody was shocked and disappointed that he went with National. Although, I don’t think anyone was surprised when the agreement collapsed.
Definite shock and surprise. Although I think the key determinant of the collapse was that shipley wasn’t up to the job.
As to the poll, only the chicken littles thought the 4% drop was indicative of an actual shift.
Great to hear Mike Williams express his sympathy for Steven Joyce re: Novopay on nine to noon today.
bah.