Pro-Israeli apologist-comedians angry about human rights protest
Claim Israeli films “in no way a propaganda arm” for Israeli regime
Just over three years ago, a few months before the murderous Israeli assault on Gaza’s captive population (“Operation Cast Lead”) human rights and justice activists protested against the Toronto Film Festival allowing itself to be used as a theatre for a cynical propaganda exercise by the Israeli state. Upset at this outrageous display of democratic dissent, a group of extreme supporters of the Israeli state went public with their love for the Holy State….
WASHINGTON – A number of Hollywood stars circulated a letter Tuesday protesting a petition calling for a protest over the Toronto International Film Festival for its Tel Aviv-themed event.
The letter, which appeared simultaneously in the Los Angeles Times and the Toronto Star was signed, among others, by Jerry Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen, Natalie Portman, Jason Alexander and Lisa Kudrow.
The letter, which was paid for by Jewish organizations in Los Angeles and Toronto, said, “Anyone who has actually seen recent Israeli cinema, movies that are political and personal, comic and tragic, often critical, knows they are in no way a propaganda arm for any government policy.”
Film festival protesters, which included culture critic Naomi Klein, and directors John Greyson and Richard Fung, said the Israeli films presented at the festival promote Israel’s recent publicity campaign, which seeks to show Israel and Tel Aviv as enlightened, liberal places, without conducting a dialogue on their treatment of Palestinians.
The Toronto festival’s management did not give in to pressure, and showed all ten films in the City of City event, which spotlighted Tel Aviv. Among them were Ephraim Kishon’s “Big Dig,” Assi Dayan’s “Life According to Agfa,” and Keren Yedaya’s “Bride of the Sea.”
Meanwhile, Jane Fonda, who had initially opposed the spotlight on Tel Aviv at the festival, Tuesday released a statement that she had changed her mind.
“I signed the letter without reading it carefully enough, without asking myself if some of the wording wouldn’t exacerbate the situation rather than bring about constructive dialogue,” Fonda wrote on the huffingtonpost.com. She added that the suffering of both sides should be articulated.
This is worrying. Govt querying whether Chief Justice Sian Elias should hear the Maori Water rights claim. Fran O’Sullivan in NZ Herald 22.12.12. I speculate this will be just the start of a govt move to disregard any result from the hearing if it is positive for the Maori Council claim.
Note also Bill English starting to query the legitimacy of the Maori Council. All part of a pr build-up which will allow the Govt to ignore a positive outcome for the Maori Council !
“Should Chief Justice Sian Elias recuse herself from the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Maori water rights claim? ………..
“It would be a big call to challenge the Chief Justice, who has (in fact) presided over at least three Supreme Court hearings in which the Maori Council has been a plaintiff without facing any challenge from the Executive. But Cabinet ministers are understood to have asked Crown Law to look at whether grounds do in fact exist for a challenge, or a request to be made to her to stand aside…………….
“She successfully acted for the council on several high-profile Treaty of Waitangi claims against the Crown in the late 1980s through to the mid-1990s.
“Some Cabinet ministers take the view that because of this strong and lengthy relationship as one of the council’s prime legal advocates, she should recuse herself from the upcoming appeal by the Maori Council against High Court judge Ron Young’s judgment effectively clearing the way for the Government to sell down its shareholding in Mighty River Power.
“At first blush it would seem unlikely Elias would take this step.
…………………………………
“But there have been few …. who have dared to publicly question her role in presiding on such cases.
“When Elias has stood aside it has been when a direct personal conflict has arisen. For instance, when she scratched herself from a Supreme Court case involving jockey Lisa Cropp who had been riding one of the judge’s horses……….
“The water rights case will go straight to the Supreme Court for a full-court hearing on January 31. The single ground for appeal is whether Young was right to dismiss the council’s application to review the Government’s decisions on the sell down of Mighty River Power because of outstanding claims to water rights.
“At Government level there is also concern over the very legitimacy of the Maori Council.
Cabinet ministers such as Bill English – who was second respondent in the council’s High Court action – are sceptical over the council’s standing.
“He contends that it doesn’t really represent the Maori leadership of today…………..”
” The asset sales are a major part of the Government’s fiscal programme………..”
1/ the legality of asset sales, as the owners consent was not sought (all tax payers -referendum)
2/ any validity of building fixed assets around natural resources which is anchored in the treaty regarding access. Is access guarantied under private ownership? And what does this mean in small print?
3/ and really most important, does the government of the day has the right to override the law of the land? Does this then constitute a dictatorship (as they had in eastern Europe not so long ago)?
As citizen of any country these questions would be utmost important. Surprised that the judiciary does not provide advise to parliament before this hits the headlines.
and really most important, does the government of the day has the right to override the law of the land? Does this then constitute a dictatorship (as they had in eastern Europe not so long ago)?
We have seen our country’s governance overturned in large measure, and under constant assault by whatever the latest government is. In this modern age can we have the same approach to democracy and government that we started with in the 1800s??
Since then quite a lot of history and technology has passed by us and through us, like the incessant neutrinos, which we didn’t know much about till recently. We know a lot of new stuff – are we capable of applying that information and fostering some new thinking quickly before all that we built in the past has been carelessly dismantled by the tunnel-visioned and ideology- driven conmen and women who are putting themselves forward with confidence.
It’s not enough to step up to the country having been groomed like a show horse and announce that ‘You can trust me to do the right thing because I look good, and I have confidence in myself and my party. Vote for me even if I have never explained in understandable language what I think is The Right Thing” Our democracy is a sham and not resilient and robust enough to prevail against the being and getting obssessives – their obssession – wealth and consumer goods and power.
Agree that democracy is fragile, not just here in NZ. Having a lot of new technology is not necessary new knowledge. It just means doing the same faster, more efficient, more accurate etc. (looking towards novopay….. đ ). As for the show horse bit, any front person is just that. We all should know that by now. New technology gives any party the means to survey where they stand ever so faster, thus enabling promise answers before we had time to formulate our questions. Yes, this is also happening everywhere.
However, the one institution that ought to keep everything above board, the process clean and fair is the judiciary. The difference between so many consume driven democracies to this new development is the ease with which the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the “wild west” was won with a sheriff in town.
Foreign Waka the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the âwild westâ was won with a sheriff in town.
Agree. You know how to dig the spurs in pardner.
As promised yesterday (I always keep my word), the song I sent to Clare Curran.
I wrote it in a couple of hours after work one evening, and whilst not really being about her, it’s relevant and perfectly captures the moment in time I knew 100% I would never party vote Labour again.
Of course, I wouldn’t ever publish her reply. đ
I can’t sing or play a note on any instrument, and until last April, never written a proper song.
I’m the idiot savant with arguably more idiot than savant, so click the link – It’s only a little quickie. 2.16 of your time. You might even like it.
You’ll know that I’m right and you’ll wish I was so wrong.
The feelings you’ll get, like regret, they last far too long.
I can’t give you any more clearer lines.
I can’t give you any more clearer signs.
Could you feel it? The chemical drift. The chemical drift away.
Could you see it? My chemical twist. My chemical drift away.
I know what it’s like to be right and be so wrong.
The feelings you get, to forget, just takes so damn long.
So I don’t take any more some other time.
I don’t take any more deleted lines.
Did you feel it? The chemical shift. The chemical drifts away.
Did you see it? My chemical drift. My chemical drifts away.
You couldn’t steal it. The chemical gift. The chemical drifts away.
Now you’ve freed it. My chemicals drifts. My chemical drift away.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you or me.
Says I, “But Joe, you’re ten years dead,”
“I never died,” says he.
“I never died,” says he.
Ten years ago today Joe Strummer died. The foundation set up in his name, Strummerville, works to give young musicians in third world countries a voice. Today would be a good day to make a small donation, if readers felt inclined. Cheers.
Except that under MMP small parties are major parties. Look at the power that Peter Dunne has been wielding in recent years.
But even if we just look at Labour and National, I have to quote you to yourself đ
“My younger brother who has a life-long disability (and while he can paint roofs, you would not wish what he has on your worst enemy) says he can always tells when National is in power because WINZ or itâs equivalent of the day, go from being merely depressing to deal with ⊠to utterly miserly, malicous and mind-fucking.”
That’s a significant difference. I know what people are trying to do when they say there is no difference between left and right anymore. But I think it is a flawed strategy, partly because it denies the reality of people like your brother, and partly because it’s dishonest.
Yes there is a difference … you are quite right to quote my brother’s observations. They certainly go about the business of government differently.
But at a fundamental level there is not as much difference as they would like to pretend … Labour for instance shows no sign of being willing to reduce our carbon use by 10% the first year they get into power.
Nor challenge the power of money.
#9. Yes. Wrong and silly interpretation of something else more interesting.
I guess my problem with the line that left and right mainstream parties are the same is that it stops us from understanding what is different and the usefulness of still voting on the left. It also encourages people to not vote at all.
The other area where the difference is notable is community based funding. Lots of funding dries up under NACT, and returns under Labour. I think even more so under Labour/Greens. Making change is easier under a left wing govt than a right wing one.
I think it would be better for people to be more complex in what they say. I’ve found the recent discussions on ts about Labour, the left/right struggle within the party, and the degree to which different Labour govts are to the left or right of others very helpful. Understanding those subtleties helps us make decisions.
regardless of who is in power (small medium or large parties) the real problems never get fixed. All you have is a shift of a few degrees to the left of to the right every 3 years. I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. Why? I now realize that ‘the current System’ is the problem and the barrier to do what is required to fix things.
Increased life expectancy, social security, universal education etc etc demonstrate that elements of the current system are in fact the solution. I would need to be pretty well convinced that what you are serving up is at least as good as what we already have in terms of ability to deliver good outcomes.
Fomenting discontent about “the system” is counter-productive when it is “the system” that has produced a range of positive changes already. As for future changes, put in the hard yards that transform a progressive idea into an act of parliament.
The best analogy I can think of is what happened after the Roman Empire collapsed.
While at one level there was an objective reduction in the standard of living for a small minority of very wealthy Romans and their minions in the colonies who supervised the inlet end of the various ‘wealth pumps’ of the empire … for the vast majority of peasants and slaves nothing much changed.
And what came after was not a complete reversion to what came before the Romans and Greeks before them. Latin and the Classics were not forgotten. The Christian and Islamic empires various built upon this legacy … eventually resulting in the modern world.
The difference is the level of technological advancement that we have achieved.
As an example (albiet a little simplistic admittedly) …The entire world could move to using completely renewable energy but Money and its role in the current system is a barrier to doing this. Remove money and you still have the resources and technology to do this.
Yeah its a fair comment bloke, and one which has been evident while getting into the current state the world is now in. Unfortunately of current course that same system will be inverting on itself for many, and currently is in front of our eyes, and will continue to eject more people into, then from the bottom layers!
The system will eat itself, or should I say eat those, who the system does not want to cater for any longer!
I do agree that the present system, could be helpful if harnessed, but I do not see how that is possible, given the driving forces!
Spose we could all just keep voting every three year and hope for a miracle!
If nobody votes the system fails.
Does govt have a mandate if only 30% of eligible voters vote and of that number the winning party receives 16% of the vote?
It would be a difficult term if you are trying to push through policies with a mere 16% public support. It also shows up yet another flaw in the system
you can have all of those things and more under a new system but you can add to the list
massive reduction in crime
elimination of starvation
people having more free time to do the things that they are passionate about and spend more time with that are important to them (friends and family).
‘The system’ that you have so much faith in is the only thing man has ever build that he must then work for in order to survive. All other things that man has built make life easier not harder.
It is time we evolved again
Their are certain things that everyone on the entire planet should have an inalienable right to, all culminating in the ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Food
Clothing
A safe loving home
an education
Money has evolved within the system it is time we evolved from needing to use it.
It has now become a barrier in order for people to be able to obtain the tings that they want and more importantly need to live the happy and fulfilling life that we ALL need.
If you designed the system from scratch around what people need and want with a view to having mechanisms in place to supply those things you would not even have money in the equation.
You would have a govt in an administrative role that is there to serve the people. Not to dictate to them as we have now.
I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. Why? I now realize that âthe current Systemâ is the problem and the barrier to do what is required to fix things.
Can’t change the current system without voting. Of course, you need to have a political party that will change the present system and there doesn’t appear to be one of those around.
agreed revolution does get a little bloody – it would be easier for an influential party to understand what is possible and provide a vision on how to get their. Certain smaller steps would need to be taken first to ‘adjust’ the political landscape. Such a party could introduce policy like feeding kids in schools thus helping to ensure the get a good education. Then perhaps a policy around housing to ensure that there are affordable homes and to get the message out that everyone should have the opportunity to have their own home… đ
“I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. ”
Well thanks mate for abandoning the most vulnerable people to a NACT future. Actually, forget thanks, fuck you.
It is much easier to make change under a left wing govt. If you choose to not vote, you are essentially acquiescing to NACT and allowing them free reign. You think it’s bad now? Give them another term or two.
The things I want to see fixed will not be fixed under a left wing govt either. The things I want to see fixed are fixable but not within the current system.
Furthermore the govt is their to represent the will of the people. There are many instances on both sides L&R where the complete opposite is true. If a party were advocating a move away from the current system to a new constitution and were to give people back the power (direct democracy) then I would vote. Until then you will remain forever locked in a cycle of shifting a couple of degrees to the left and then a couple of degrees to the right.
If I vote I am responsible for the mess they create and perpetuate as are you and whoever else votes and thus by doing so perpetuates a broken system.
I’m in no way responsible. I didn’t vote them in. In fact by not voting at all I didn’t support and therefore perpetuate the system unlike those who did vote.
I see you still haven’t learned the simple art of posting a comment without making a snide remark or name calling OTV…..
Not clutching anything… more have made the concious decision to no longer participate and support something I don’t believe in.
If the system was an alcoholic. You are saying yoeah its not ideal whilst handing the alcholic the bottle. I on the otherhand am simply refusing to supply the bottle.
I have informed a certain MP what I think is needed and policy that has some out could be sheer coincidence… alternately he may have listened. I have seen many things that lead me to believe we are getting closer to the world I want to see as more and more people waake up.
I did once clutch at the driven snow, I too got wet. Then I dried myself, Stood back from the situation figured out why it didn’t work and am now on a different path.
Less and less people aare voting each time around. More and more people are becoming disenfranchised with the system. For it to change, I believe both types of people are needed. Those like me who do not participate and those like you who do. Both need to be vocal about what they feel isn’t working.
One of two things will then happen.
The system will change (slowly) – and more people like me will start participating again.
Or
The system won’t change and more people like you will stop participating and the system will come to a point where change is forced upon it.
Either way there will be change.
One other thing. If the brave new world you’re advocating is based on the drivel in your “10 signs that you are fully awake” you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.
The people who believe that garbage are too delusional and disorganised to ever represent a serious threat, but yes, in the vanishingly unlikely event that policy based on internet conspiracy memes and quasi-spiritual mumbo-pocus became the norm. Or any other bunch of fact-free, thought-free dogma.
By the way, before you can claim that I support the bogey-men you have to show that they exist. Good luck with that – your ten commandments barely even articulate the situation in the USA, let alone the South Pacific.
already read it but I didn’t see it as an instruction manual on how I should live my life…..
The path that has lead me to the conclusion that the ‘Bogeymen’ as you put it exist has been through research in reading books and the application of common sense and logic. None of it has been gleaned from websites. Their is much information and evidence to support it, you only have to look. Unfortunately doing so for many shatters their nice comfortable reality of what they think they know about the world. In fact the global elite and shadow govt count on the fact that you won’t want to step outside your comfort zone and have a look and then make up your own mind.
As for not understanding english OTV I asked…….
Wow so you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive warâŠ..?
You would take up arms so that if you and your neighbour have fierce ideological disagreements you can consider them your enemyâŠâŠ?
You would take up arms to support the global elite in implementing one world control of the planetâŠâŠ?
You would take up arms to ensure that our media remains biased and would defend against having unbiased mediaâŠ.?
but I guess in the original I did leave off the question marks so if you need an out to answer than there it is, but the questions were not about whether the global elite and shadow govts exits, They were exactly as stated:
Question – So you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive war? etc. etc. The normal and expected response is that you would either confirm that Yes you would take up arms for this or No you would not…….
Given that you haven’t supplied such a response the onlything we have to go on
is your orginal somewhat surprising statement.
“If the brave new world youâre advocating is based on the drivel in your â10 signs that you are fully awakeâ you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.”
Which by itself is a resounding Yes to the questions I put to you and certainly not something I’d expect from someone that appears to support the left although to be fair I have never seen you state that either.
A few months ago grant Robertson signalled at an environment event with cunliffe that uncompromising dogma must change.
Shearer signals for a new direction.
Cunliffe states too loudly about fundamental change needed due the forth coming systemic problems.
Now we have Helen Clark commenting about climate change.
These people deal in facts not dogma by their nature, life history and education.
Now we have the weight of the Fabians guiding hands linking reputable academics and economist to the powers within labour.
We have in my local community rise of intra connected organisation all realising we need a new direction away from dogmatic ideology from within the left block and from the current paradyme.
The electorate is waking up to the need for a new direction, a new paradyme, a transition to a new system of equality, fairness and opportunity for all not just a few well connected.
It’s not socialism or Investment capitalism both are failed polarised systems.
labour need unity, harmony and reconnection to the electorate as fore front party in the red green brown coalition.
In true modern labour we must trust as time is pressing….too many starve now.
To understand a polli or any person one need historical reference to that person past and present to understand or predict future statement of viewpoints.
I think deep down within labour is a pragmatic progressive heart with a long tern vision or pathway.
Look for the next two years for labour to slowly signal change and adapt the electorate to what is needed….can’t scare the voter by radicalised messages that the imbedded tories and captured msm can manipulate.
Question.
Which labour poli was a teacher and union rep and promoted SOE to expand invest offshore?
Which party must capture both the centre voter and also the marginal turned off voter in the long term.
1: While it was an american slant, it did say major parties, of which Mana are not, and none of the NZ parties are going to challenge the system. Waiting to hear talk about controlling our sovereign monetary system/supply….waiting…waiting…waiting…
9: What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not – I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!
Agree that the wording is not great, but certainly the points of interest around any such subject matter, numerous.
1. yes muzza, that’s a given. You missed my point though. I think framing the issue in that way marginalises the already marginalised by denying their reality, and fudges over what is a complexity. I’m not suggesting that people say the parties are significantly different, I’m saying we should be looking at the differences as much as the similarities.
9. “What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not â I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!”
What evidence can you offer that you are not a figment of my imagination?
And if you think that I’m in agreement with the mainstream with regards to consensus reality you are mistaken.
There was a letter in the Dom/Post this morning from a Keith Williamson of Raumati Beach.
It was about Hekia Parata and says, among other things that “List MPs shouldn’t be eligible for Cabinet roles”.
My first thought was, in effect, “How stupid can you be”.
Then I thought about it and decided that it was a great idea and that it should be applied retrospectively.
Look at the advantages. Winston Peters would never have been Foreign Minister. Michael Cullen would never have been Minister of Finance. We must immediately recover any money they were paid as ministers and declare any laws put through the house under their lead as being null and void.
Even better is the effect this would have in the future. No Green MPs will be eligible for Cabinet office!
Yes, and Winston was member for Tauranga.
I was just trying to point out, sarcastically, how silly the letter writer was when they argue that losing in Poriru meant she has no mandate.
I simply do not understand the mind processes of people who argue that, in an MMP Parliament, losing in an electorate contest should disqualify one from Parliament.
Needless to say these *stories* are the lower end shennagigans which occur when the various intelligence/military centered factions, who control the show, then decided to outwardly exhibit the arm twisting and blackmail that goes on at the highests levels, by *outing* Petreaus, and his phillandering ways.
Kind of like how Hillary *apparantly* fainted, concussed herself, but didn’t go to hospital, or some shit like that.
Quite how anyone imagines humanity will slow its own decline with this foot on its own throat, I do not know!
Yes. Thanks for this, felix. It is another one for my collection. And still government’s don’t seem to see the problem of concentration of the news media ownership by big corporates – or they like it.
In a day that has seen news reports of poverty stricken kiwiâs in their hundreds lined up outside charity food depots and conversely politicians, the likes of Prime Minister John Key, holding out their hands for unwarranted pay-rises, another sinister story involving the evasive and forgetful John Key has surfaced.
Watched the vid in the link and the story those guys relate sounds absolutely plausible.
The moral of the story being to never take a politician at their word…never mind one who has a track record for being fast and loose with promises. And expect members of a Goon Squad to behave like goons.
Ok, then, point out the error in construction and rewrite it correctly, Moz. The only potential grammatical problem I see is the word ‘to’, which is not needed, but doesn’t hamper the sentence structure unduly.
‘their’ is spelled correctly, btw, so your ‘sic’ is an error. Nothing worse than a failed pedant, pal!
No, it applies to all politicians. Believe they’ll do something only when they actualy do it, not when they promise it.
And the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language. Otherwise, we would not be also cautioned against accepting the word of female politicians, just male ones.
Standing up for the politically correct mangling of the language, our good friend McFliper writes that “the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language.”
Of course, such punctiliousness is a sign of nothing but good intentions. However, people who care about the language and don’t want to see it hijacked by spurious gender-equality fanatics will find a way to write the same sentence without being badgered into using ridiculous and pathetic “alternatives”.
So instead of poor old Bill conscientiously and absurdly writing “never take a politician at their word”, which is patent nonsense, he could with just a little effort have come up with “never take the word of a politician”.
It’s easy if you try.
Alternatively, of course, you can keep observing the LooneyFem dictates from the 1970s.
I don’t think so, ‘never take a politician at their word’ sounds like commonly accepted usage to me. Usage defines language, not the other way around. This phrasing has been around long before people started feeling they should use he/she or his/her where gender is indefinite.
Personally I find ‘never take a politician at their word’ more elegant than ‘never take the word of a politician’. Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
After, rightly, upbraiding me for flying off the handle and injudiciously challenging Bill’s use of “their” as a catch-all, our friend mike then has a go at my writing style….
Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
Reading that friendly but stern admonition, I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had “too many notes.”
“I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had âtoo many notes.â”
I’m sure you are the only one. (The Mozart of blogging you ain’t.)
and moi brother? (before i take take the slater to task)
be quick (quick and the Dead); only got a wee credit. (and obviously, I can find you; I fought the Law… and I won) ha ha ha
Typical Slippery, the little shyster probably got a huge thrill out of the whole unsavory little episode made all the more delicious in that psychopath’s pea brain by Him having engineered the whole thing with His big mouth,
Personally, and not wanting to be overly critical of the judiciary, i think the judge got it wrong with placing both these 2 individuals on alcohol bans, christ sakes they are both unemployed and voted for the Slippery little shyster, a more fitting bail condition would have been for the judge to have them placed in the stocks and publicly stoned…
Just thought i would drop abit of info from one of our young people and how he views NZ’s
financial situation, this young guy was 20-25, we were waiting in que at the warehouse,
they were busy as, we got talking politics and the state of nz’s economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014, he said he is the only one that talks sense and
he is more experianced, he also said his friend was a teacher and also had trouble with
no-no-pay and he thought they should just go back to the old system, ,but good on him,he has a great handle on the political scene, we wished each other merry christmas and we were both off into the big blue yonder.
We should have more faith in our young people,they really are our future,they may have
limited voices, but they are watching and understanding politics.
First of all:
“we got talking politics and the state of nzâs economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014” — this provides no context to try and pass on any idea that this guy has any political understanding beyond, potentially, watching the 6pm nightly news. When his chosen solution to the current mounting unemployment, the selling out of our social contract etc etc is to ‘continue to reduce debt’ then he is merely parroting those wonderful guys who got us in this hole in the first place… and then to say he will vote Winston?
*sigh*
If you are going to try and tell a story about how our youth are engaging with politics, at least provide examples in context rather than just saying “we done talked the politic stuff and he seemed like he was capable of stringing some words together that weren’t ‘John’ and ‘Key'”
There was no story, it was an interesting encounter, i believe our young people have a voice, as i did when i was that age,it was interesting listening to him, he seemed capable of having his own views,if he wants to vote winston, surely, that is his democratic right,
Your attitude to my post is one of dismissing what could be a valuable insight into how
someone of that age group thinks and views politics.
Obviously the time was short and not all topics could be discussed.
It is important to hear and listen to the young potential voters,this is good politics.
Wishing you a nice christmas and all the best for 2013.
I think the point vv is making : here was a young man who has recognised politics affects everybody and he is willing to think about it. He’s young and a bit naive, but he’ll learn as he gets older and wiser. Hell, he sounds like he knows more than I did in my early twenties. Good for him.
Recognition to Chris Finlayson for the Te Atiawa and Ngati Koata settlements. He’s an effective capable National Minister in action, working closely at every step with Maori. Finlayson definitely deserves his QC.
Finlayson is a mere functionary in an ongoing process and deserves nothing, as a representative of those who offended against Taranaki Maori He has been well paid throughout the process,
The real ‘ups’ need be extended to those Taranaki Maori who have never let the flame of the torch be extinguished,those who are no longer with us but passed on the ‘take’ to the next generation never knowing whether their voices would ever be heard…
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
âFollow the moneyâ is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left  Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes –Â I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes –Â Parliamentâs speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes â The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline âSenior Kingâs Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.:Â âMany of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] eachâ, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands arenât ...
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
Parliamentâs speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of MÄori Land) Amendment Bill (HĆ«hana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing MÄori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
 Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion âinvestmentâ in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes –Â Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and appliedâŠÂ Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliamentâs Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECDâs chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changesâintroducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, Â “Oranga Tamarikiâs governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealandâs foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealandâs foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech:Â AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This weekâs announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House â but itâs not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand:Â The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasuryâs forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when â during an interview on RNZâs Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? âIt's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their âfutureâ amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected â and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers â as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP â critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori âstrenuouslyâ objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to âtheirâ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – âAn SEP,â he said, âis something that we canât see, or donât see, or our brain doesnât let us see, because we think that itâs somebody elseâs problem. Thatâs what SEP means. Somebody Elseâs Problem. The brain just edits it out, itâs like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper â released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion âThis House Believes British Museums are not Very Britishâ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP HĆ«hana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of MÄori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of MÄori land. ...
A senior, highly respected Kingâs Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga MÄori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealandâs growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesnât know or care about the frontline cuts sheâs making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. Â ...
Todayâs Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and itâs only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. âThis is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. âThe government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicineâ, said Ayesha Verrall âThis is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoonâs interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour childrenâs spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te PÄti MÄori 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 veteransâ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veteransâ affairs spokesperson Greg OâConnor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxonâs management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonightâs court decision to overturn the summons of the Childrenâs Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about MÄori without evidence, says Te PÄti MÄori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. âThe 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 yearâs severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labourâs environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our countryâs most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
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 PÄti MÄori Justice Spokesperson, TÄkuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, MÄori 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 Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. âWellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. âWith 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. âWe are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayersâ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in TairÄwhiti and Hawkeâs Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealandâs engagement with the region.  The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.  âNew Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealandersâ security and wellbeing. âCongratulations to this yearâs recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealandâs defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealandâs digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. Â âThe immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Governmentâs school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealandâs next Ambassador to the United States of America.  âOur relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,â Mr Peters says.  âNew Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. âNew Zealand was built on gold, itâs in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is âan Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhereâ and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. âThis is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASAâs Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. âOur Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECDâs latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its membersâ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.  ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Councilâs Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.  "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Councilâs Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.  Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. âThese reforms are long overdue. New Zealandâs insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. âThree years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. âBeing able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canadaâs refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ânext moveâ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Childrenâs Commissioner. âThe Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.    âThe coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. âOur Governmentâs thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening â  Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealandâs foreign policy, weâd like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âCreating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northlandâs marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. âThis is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the countryâs total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. âThe beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ć-RÄkau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mĆ Ć-RÄkau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ć-RÄkau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Governmentâs plan to supercharge New Zealandâs EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four â and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Governmentâs plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. âI have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People â Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Governmentâs plan to restore law and order. âSpeaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash Weâve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guineaâs deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of âreckless economic managementâ that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape âmust stop lying to the people of Papua New Guineaâ, ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. âFollow the moneyâ is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...
RNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a âcatastrophic humanitarian situationâ. Rafah was âsignificantâ because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...
With funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. Itâs 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown.(Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canadaâs largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...
Responding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayersâ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...
Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations?Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...
The Taxpayersâ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Ministerâs office. Taxpayersâ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...
An objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. Itâs power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, thereâs the rich list and the powerful âc-suiteâ list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeerâs phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gaddâs story has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didnât have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail â those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...
Stewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Whatâs all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary.Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...
The inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones has turned up a new witness who says he saw two teenagers and a small child in a high vis vest in the area where the boyâs body was found the day he died. Lachieâs body was discovered face up ...
Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucyâs brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where âhe had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didnât get inâ. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...
Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Aucklandâs water woes. This is how itâll work. New Zealandâs pipes are munted. Theyâre cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. Itâs a big, ...
I knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...
Opinion: âAs time passes, knowledge of the circumstances of the August 2016 outbreak will fade and its immediate impact will be lost.â This statement is from the 2017 report of the Official Inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacteriosis outbreak. The then National-led government established the inquiry after the outbreak left ...
Opinion: Nicholas Khoo looks at two key points in the high-stakes foreign policy pact debate â and asks if NZ can engage with as little drama as possible. The post Where to next for the Aukus ruckus? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 8 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: ‘Reference-class forecasting’ is at the heart of improving pricing a project and identifying the expected timeframe but it doesn’t appear to be in use here The post ‘Think fast and act slowly’ is failing big projects appeared first on Newsroom. ...
What do a sombrero in Argentina and cognitive driving tests have in common? Don’t worry, we’re not setting up a bad joke. Hinengaro Clinic dementia clinician Gregory Winkelman has the answer on today’s episode of The Detail. “We ask a patient’s spouse or son or daughter: If you went to ...
Wellington long jumper Phoebe Edwards is back and sheâs having fun again. Until this year, Edwards, a top athlete in her teens, had never competed as a senior athlete in New Zealand. In March, the 26-year-old won a national long jump title in a lifetime best of 6.28m after ...
After replacing a fifth of their caucus in just four months, the Greens’ opportunity to reset, reshuffle and refocus on the Government is quickly slipping away The post Persistent Green Party scandals delay caucus reset appeared first on Newsroom. ...
ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, itâs not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
By Robin Martin, RNZ News reporter A New Zealand local authority, Whanganui District Council, has passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemnation of all acts of violence and terror against civilians on both sides of the conflict and the immediate return of hostages. It comes as ...
Asia Pacific Report The Aotearoa chapter of the Womenâs International league for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has appealed to the New Zealand government to call out Israel over the âcruel and barbaric use of forceâ in Gaza and demand a permanent ceasefire. The leagueâs open letter was sent to Prime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will invest $566 million over a decade on data, maps and other tools to promote exploration and development in Australiaâs resources industry. The project will fund âthe first comprehensive map of whatâs ...
Asia Pacific Report Following an open letter by Auckland University academics speaking out in support of their studentsâ right to protest against the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza, a group of academics at Otago University have today also called on New Zealand academic institutions to ârepair colonial violenceâ and end ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda J. Graham, Professor and Director of the Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology Ryan Tauss/ Unsplash, CC BY Two male students have been expelled from a Melbourne private school for their involvement in a list ranking female students. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The Reserve Bank is now assuming Australians will see no interest rate cuts this year â and quite possibly none before the next federal election, due next May. Thatâs ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University The Victorian budget offered more of the same on Tuesday, with the only change being how the budget papers were packaged. The usual shrink wrap was gone, hinting at savings in the pages ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Coalition is demanding extensive amendments to the governmentâs legislation targeting non-citizens who refuse to co-operate with their removal. In a dissenting report to the senate inquiry into the legislation, the Coalition says it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanita Yadav, Senior Research Fellow, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Brett Boardman/Belvoir The complex and grappling issue of violence against women takes centre stage in the soul-stirring solo dance drama Nayika: A Dancing Girl. During a dinner conversation ...
Disruption to patient care from a nationwide junior doctors strike is bordering on unsafe, a senior doctor claims, despite what health officials say. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Diepstraten, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Ground Picture/Shutterstock The anti-cancer drug abemaciclib (also known as Vernezio) has this month been added to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat certain ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic McAfee, Postdoctoral researcher, marine ecology, University of Adelaide Robbie Porter, OzFish Unlimited Around Australia, hundreds of people are coming together to help a once-prized, but decimated and largely forgotten marine ecosystem. Theyâre busy restoring Australiaâs native oyster and mussel reefs. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology Austin Human/Unsplash How does Earth stop meteors from hitting Earth and hurting people? âAsher, 6 years 11 months, New South Wales Alright, letâs embark on a meteor ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rory Mulcahy, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of the Sunshine Coast Professional sports organisations regularly promote and develop initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion. While sport has the power to change attitudes by sparking conversations about political issues and social ...
Comment: The weekly Monday post-Cabinet press conference is a useful forum for observing Christopher Luxon and how he is developing into the job of Prime Minister. He attempts to convey the impression of a man of action, speaking fast, delivering memorised National Party strategies in a connect-the-slogans kind of way, ...
Double votes, missing ballot boxes, tired tech and stressed staff: how tick-tallying went astray at last yearâs election. Cast your mind back to November 2023, that bleary-eyed post-election period duringwhichwewaited, andwaited, for a coalition deal to be hammered out. A distraction from the hotel-hopping of our ...
International audiences are starting to discover what New Zealand already knew about After the Party.When After the Party aired in New Zealand last year, the response was fast and furious. In his preview for Rec Room, Duncan Greive said it was a âgritty, wrenching and highly confrontingâ series. By ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor of the Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Acting Director the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Iranâs leadership has been a direct beneficiary of the months-long war in Gaza. With every missile that Israel fires ...
PNG Post-Courier Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba has described the Post-Courierâs front page story yesterday regarding a meeting between Bougainville and national government leaders as âsensationalisedâ and without substance. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (AGB) had warned it might use âother avenues to gain its independenceâ should the PNG government âcontinue ...
Where some saw the worst press conference given by the government to date, Anna Rawhiti-Connell recognised girl maths game.Nicola Willis, recently exasperated by comparisons to Ruth Richardson, said she was âa bit sick of being compared with every female finance minister thatâs ever been out there.âSome think thatâs ...
The March results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2023 (HYEFU 2023), published on 20 December 2023 and the results for the same period for the previous year. ...
Pro-Israeli apologist-comedians angry about human rights protest
Claim Israeli films “in no way a propaganda arm” for Israeli regime
Just over three years ago, a few months before the murderous Israeli assault on Gaza’s captive population (“Operation Cast Lead”) human rights and justice activists protested against the Toronto Film Festival allowing itself to be used as a theatre for a cynical propaganda exercise by the Israeli state. Upset at this outrageous display of democratic dissent, a group of extreme supporters of the Israeli state went public with their love for the Holy State….
Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen and Natalie Portman slam Toronto Film Festival protest
Jewish actors sign letter in L.A. Times and Toronto Star against protest of festival over homage to Tel Aviv.
by Itamar Zohar and Natasha Mozgovaya | Sep.16, 2009 | 1:29 AM |
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/2.209/seinfeld-sacha-baron-cohen-and-natalie-portman-slam-toronto-film-festival-protest-1.7828
WASHINGTON – A number of Hollywood stars circulated a letter Tuesday protesting a petition calling for a protest over the Toronto International Film Festival for its Tel Aviv-themed event.
The letter, which appeared simultaneously in the Los Angeles Times and the Toronto Star was signed, among others, by Jerry Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen, Natalie Portman, Jason Alexander and Lisa Kudrow.
The letter, which was paid for by Jewish organizations in Los Angeles and Toronto, said, “Anyone who has actually seen recent Israeli cinema, movies that are political and personal, comic and tragic, often critical, knows they are in no way a propaganda arm for any government policy.”
Film festival protesters, which included culture critic Naomi Klein, and directors John Greyson and Richard Fung, said the Israeli films presented at the festival promote Israel’s recent publicity campaign, which seeks to show Israel and Tel Aviv as enlightened, liberal places, without conducting a dialogue on their treatment of Palestinians.
The Toronto festival’s management did not give in to pressure, and showed all ten films in the City of City event, which spotlighted Tel Aviv. Among them were Ephraim Kishon’s “Big Dig,” Assi Dayan’s “Life According to Agfa,” and Keren Yedaya’s “Bride of the Sea.”
Meanwhile, Jane Fonda, who had initially opposed the spotlight on Tel Aviv at the festival, Tuesday released a statement that she had changed her mind.
“I signed the letter without reading it carefully enough, without asking myself if some of the wording wouldn’t exacerbate the situation rather than bring about constructive dialogue,” Fonda wrote on the huffingtonpost.com. She added that the suffering of both sides should be articulated.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/2.209/seinfeld-sacha-baron-cohen-and-natalie-portman-slam-toronto-film-festival-protest-1.7828
And Jane Fonda, as usual, was simply bewildered.
This is worrying. Govt querying whether Chief Justice Sian Elias should hear the Maori Water rights claim. Fran O’Sullivan in NZ Herald 22.12.12. I speculate this will be just the start of a govt move to disregard any result from the hearing if it is positive for the Maori Council claim.
Note also Bill English starting to query the legitimacy of the Maori Council. All part of a pr build-up which will allow the Govt to ignore a positive outcome for the Maori Council !
“Should Chief Justice Sian Elias recuse herself from the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Maori water rights claim? ………..
“It would be a big call to challenge the Chief Justice, who has (in fact) presided over at least three Supreme Court hearings in which the Maori Council has been a plaintiff without facing any challenge from the Executive. But Cabinet ministers are understood to have asked Crown Law to look at whether grounds do in fact exist for a challenge, or a request to be made to her to stand aside…………….
“She successfully acted for the council on several high-profile Treaty of Waitangi claims against the Crown in the late 1980s through to the mid-1990s.
“Some Cabinet ministers take the view that because of this strong and lengthy relationship as one of the council’s prime legal advocates, she should recuse herself from the upcoming appeal by the Maori Council against High Court judge Ron Young’s judgment effectively clearing the way for the Government to sell down its shareholding in Mighty River Power.
“At first blush it would seem unlikely Elias would take this step.
…………………………………
“But there have been few …. who have dared to publicly question her role in presiding on such cases.
“When Elias has stood aside it has been when a direct personal conflict has arisen. For instance, when she scratched herself from a Supreme Court case involving jockey Lisa Cropp who had been riding one of the judge’s horses……….
“The water rights case will go straight to the Supreme Court for a full-court hearing on January 31. The single ground for appeal is whether Young was right to dismiss the council’s application to review the Government’s decisions on the sell down of Mighty River Power because of outstanding claims to water rights.
“At Government level there is also concern over the very legitimacy of the Maori Council.
Cabinet ministers such as Bill English – who was second respondent in the council’s High Court action – are sceptical over the council’s standing.
“He contends that it doesn’t really represent the Maori leadership of today…………..”
” The asset sales are a major part of the Government’s fiscal programme………..”
There are three issues here really.
1/ the legality of asset sales, as the owners consent was not sought (all tax payers -referendum)
2/ any validity of building fixed assets around natural resources which is anchored in the treaty regarding access. Is access guarantied under private ownership? And what does this mean in small print?
3/ and really most important, does the government of the day has the right to override the law of the land? Does this then constitute a dictatorship (as they had in eastern Europe not so long ago)?
As citizen of any country these questions would be utmost important. Surprised that the judiciary does not provide advise to parliament before this hits the headlines.
Foreign waka 2.1
We have seen our country’s governance overturned in large measure, and under constant assault by whatever the latest government is. In this modern age can we have the same approach to democracy and government that we started with in the 1800s??
Since then quite a lot of history and technology has passed by us and through us, like the incessant neutrinos, which we didn’t know much about till recently. We know a lot of new stuff – are we capable of applying that information and fostering some new thinking quickly before all that we built in the past has been carelessly dismantled by the tunnel-visioned and ideology- driven conmen and women who are putting themselves forward with confidence.
It’s not enough to step up to the country having been groomed like a show horse and announce that ‘You can trust me to do the right thing because I look good, and I have confidence in myself and my party. Vote for me even if I have never explained in understandable language what I think is The Right Thing” Our democracy is a sham and not resilient and robust enough to prevail against the being and getting obssessives – their obssession – wealth and consumer goods and power.
Agree that democracy is fragile, not just here in NZ. Having a lot of new technology is not necessary new knowledge. It just means doing the same faster, more efficient, more accurate etc. (looking towards novopay….. đ ). As for the show horse bit, any front person is just that. We all should know that by now. New technology gives any party the means to survey where they stand ever so faster, thus enabling promise answers before we had time to formulate our questions. Yes, this is also happening everywhere.
However, the one institution that ought to keep everything above board, the process clean and fair is the judiciary. The difference between so many consume driven democracies to this new development is the ease with which the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the “wild west” was won with a sheriff in town.
Foreign Waka
the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the âwild westâ was won with a sheriff in town.
Agree. You know how to dig the spurs in pardner.
As promised yesterday (I always keep my word), the song I sent to Clare Curran.
I wrote it in a couple of hours after work one evening, and whilst not really being about her, it’s relevant and perfectly captures the moment in time I knew 100% I would never party vote Labour again.
Of course, I wouldn’t ever publish her reply. đ
I can’t sing or play a note on any instrument, and until last April, never written a proper song.
I’m the idiot savant with arguably more idiot than savant, so click the link – It’s only a little quickie. 2.16 of your time. You might even like it.
Track four from the album Human (R)evolution @ http://www.al1en.org
Chemical Drift
You’ll know that I’m right and you’ll wish I was so wrong.
The feelings you’ll get, like regret, they last far too long.
I can’t give you any more clearer lines.
I can’t give you any more clearer signs.
Could you feel it? The chemical drift. The chemical drift away.
Could you see it? My chemical twist. My chemical drift away.
I know what it’s like to be right and be so wrong.
The feelings you get, to forget, just takes so damn long.
So I don’t take any more some other time.
I don’t take any more deleted lines.
Did you feel it? The chemical shift. The chemical drifts away.
Did you see it? My chemical drift. My chemical drifts away.
You couldn’t steal it. The chemical gift. The chemical drifts away.
Now you’ve freed it. My chemicals drifts. My chemical drift away.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you or me.
Says I, “But Joe, you’re ten years dead,”
“I never died,” says he.
“I never died,” says he.
Ten years ago today Joe Strummer died. The foundation set up in his name, Strummerville, works to give young musicians in third world countries a voice. Today would be a good day to make a small donation, if readers felt inclined. Cheers.
http://www.strummerville.com/
DJ and friend Don Letts is also doing a show in Joe’s honour:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0072pzt
“if you’re after getting the honey, then you don’t go killing all the bees”:
âif youâre after getting the honey, then you donât go killing all the beesâ:
Although, for some people, “killing all the bees” is a laughing matter….
10 signs that you are fully awake…..
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/10-signs-that-youre-fully-awake.html
Not a bad list, but number 1 is bullshit. No difference between ACT and Mana/Greens? Pull the other one.
Number 9 is just embarrassing. No wonder the mainstream doesn’t take people like that seriously.
errrm … I was thinking that neither ACT nor Mana/Greens are MAJOR parties.
No. 8 is indeed the logical end-game. All the big problems facing the world are global in nature, therefore their solutions have to be global as well.
At this point most people are still understandably frightened of this.
Except that under MMP small parties are major parties. Look at the power that Peter Dunne has been wielding in recent years.
But even if we just look at Labour and National, I have to quote you to yourself đ
“My younger brother who has a life-long disability (and while he can paint roofs, you would not wish what he has on your worst enemy) says he can always tells when National is in power because WINZ or itâs equivalent of the day, go from being merely depressing to deal with ⊠to utterly miserly, malicous and mind-fucking.”
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15122012/comment-page-1/#comment-563096
That’s a significant difference. I know what people are trying to do when they say there is no difference between left and right anymore. But I think it is a flawed strategy, partly because it denies the reality of people like your brother, and partly because it’s dishonest.
And #9?
Yes there is a difference … you are quite right to quote my brother’s observations. They certainly go about the business of government differently.
But at a fundamental level there is not as much difference as they would like to pretend … Labour for instance shows no sign of being willing to reduce our carbon use by 10% the first year they get into power.
Nor challenge the power of money.
#9. Yes. Wrong and silly interpretation of something else more interesting.
nice summation of #9.
I guess my problem with the line that left and right mainstream parties are the same is that it stops us from understanding what is different and the usefulness of still voting on the left. It also encourages people to not vote at all.
The other area where the difference is notable is community based funding. Lots of funding dries up under NACT, and returns under Labour. I think even more so under Labour/Greens. Making change is easier under a left wing govt than a right wing one.
I think it would be better for people to be more complex in what they say. I’ve found the recent discussions on ts about Labour, the left/right struggle within the party, and the degree to which different Labour govts are to the left or right of others very helpful. Understanding those subtleties helps us make decisions.
regardless of who is in power (small medium or large parties) the real problems never get fixed. All you have is a shift of a few degrees to the left of to the right every 3 years. I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. Why? I now realize that ‘the current System’ is the problem and the barrier to do what is required to fix things.
“…the current Systemâ is the problem…”
Increased life expectancy, social security, universal education etc etc demonstrate that elements of the current system are in fact the solution. I would need to be pretty well convinced that what you are serving up is at least as good as what we already have in terms of ability to deliver good outcomes.
Fomenting discontent about “the system” is counter-productive when it is “the system” that has produced a range of positive changes already. As for future changes, put in the hard yards that transform a progressive idea into an act of parliament.
The best analogy I can think of is what happened after the Roman Empire collapsed.
While at one level there was an objective reduction in the standard of living for a small minority of very wealthy Romans and their minions in the colonies who supervised the inlet end of the various ‘wealth pumps’ of the empire … for the vast majority of peasants and slaves nothing much changed.
And what came after was not a complete reversion to what came before the Romans and Greeks before them. Latin and the Classics were not forgotten. The Christian and Islamic empires various built upon this legacy … eventually resulting in the modern world.
The difference is the level of technological advancement that we have achieved.
As an example (albiet a little simplistic admittedly) …The entire world could move to using completely renewable energy but Money and its role in the current system is a barrier to doing this. Remove money and you still have the resources and technology to do this.
Yeah its a fair comment bloke, and one which has been evident while getting into the current state the world is now in. Unfortunately of current course that same system will be inverting on itself for many, and currently is in front of our eyes, and will continue to eject more people into, then from the bottom layers!
The system will eat itself, or should I say eat those, who the system does not want to cater for any longer!
I do agree that the present system, could be helpful if harnessed, but I do not see how that is possible, given the driving forces!
Spose we could all just keep voting every three year and hope for a miracle!
If nobody votes the system fails.
Does govt have a mandate if only 30% of eligible voters vote and of that number the winning party receives 16% of the vote?
As far as I know 30% turnout is a legitimate way to form govt.
It would be a difficult term if you are trying to push through policies with a mere 16% public support. It also shows up yet another flaw in the system
you can have all of those things and more under a new system but you can add to the list
massive reduction in crime
elimination of starvation
people having more free time to do the things that they are passionate about and spend more time with that are important to them (friends and family).
‘The system’ that you have so much faith in is the only thing man has ever build that he must then work for in order to survive. All other things that man has built make life easier not harder.
It is time we evolved again
Their are certain things that everyone on the entire planet should have an inalienable right to, all culminating in the ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Food
Clothing
A safe loving home
an education
Money has evolved within the system it is time we evolved from needing to use it.
It has now become a barrier in order for people to be able to obtain the tings that they want and more importantly need to live the happy and fulfilling life that we ALL need.
If you designed the system from scratch around what people need and want with a view to having mechanisms in place to supply those things you would not even have money in the equation.
You would have a govt in an administrative role that is there to serve the people. Not to dictate to them as we have now.
The system has served its purpose but is no longer doing so
(perhaps with the exception of Gay Marriage)
Can’t change the current system without voting. Of course, you need to have a political party that will change the present system and there doesn’t appear to be one of those around.
I believe that the system has been changed many times throughout history without voting đ
Revolution can work. Gets a little bloody though.
agreed revolution does get a little bloody – it would be easier for an influential party to understand what is possible and provide a vision on how to get their. Certain smaller steps would need to be taken first to ‘adjust’ the political landscape. Such a party could introduce policy like feeding kids in schools thus helping to ensure the get a good education. Then perhaps a policy around housing to ensure that there are affordable homes and to get the message out that everyone should have the opportunity to have their own home… đ
“I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. ”
Well thanks mate for abandoning the most vulnerable people to a NACT future. Actually, forget thanks, fuck you.
It is much easier to make change under a left wing govt. If you choose to not vote, you are essentially acquiescing to NACT and allowing them free reign. You think it’s bad now? Give them another term or two.
The things I want to see fixed will not be fixed under a left wing govt either. The things I want to see fixed are fixable but not within the current system.
Furthermore the govt is their to represent the will of the people. There are many instances on both sides L&R where the complete opposite is true. If a party were advocating a move away from the current system to a new constitution and were to give people back the power (direct democracy) then I would vote. Until then you will remain forever locked in a cycle of shifting a couple of degrees to the left and then a couple of degrees to the right.
If I vote I am responsible for the mess they create and perpetuate as are you and whoever else votes and thus by doing so perpetuates a broken system.
Cry-baby. If you don’t vote guess what? You’re still “responsible”.
I’m in no way responsible. I didn’t vote them in. In fact by not voting at all I didn’t support and therefore perpetuate the system unlike those who did vote.
I see you still haven’t learned the simple art of posting a comment without making a snide remark or name calling OTV…..
I see you are incapable of discussing politics without whining, like Bart Simpson that “I didn’t do it.”
Of refusing to participate unless we do things your way, and packing a sad when we don’t.
Cling hard to the purity of that driven snow you’re clutching.
PS: I feel your pain, PP. I really do. I used to clutch at the driven snow too. It melted. I got wet.
Eventually I cottoned on to the fact that the rules of the game weren’t going to change to suit me.
Not clutching anything… more have made the concious decision to no longer participate and support something I don’t believe in.
If the system was an alcoholic. You are saying yoeah its not ideal whilst handing the alcholic the bottle. I on the otherhand am simply refusing to supply the bottle.
I have informed a certain MP what I think is needed and policy that has some out could be sheer coincidence… alternately he may have listened. I have seen many things that lead me to believe we are getting closer to the world I want to see as more and more people waake up.
I did once clutch at the driven snow, I too got wet. Then I dried myself, Stood back from the situation figured out why it didn’t work and am now on a different path.
Less and less people aare voting each time around. More and more people are becoming disenfranchised with the system. For it to change, I believe both types of people are needed. Those like me who do not participate and those like you who do. Both need to be vocal about what they feel isn’t working.
One of two things will then happen.
The system will change (slowly) – and more people like me will start participating again.
Or
The system won’t change and more people like you will stop participating and the system will come to a point where change is forced upon it.
Either way there will be change.
One other thing. If the brave new world you’re advocating is based on the drivel in your “10 signs that you are fully awake” you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.
“I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.”
Wow so you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive war…..
You would take up arms so that if you and your neighbour have fierce ideological disagreements you can consider them your enemy……
You would take up arms to support the global elite in implementing one world control of the planet……
You would take up arms to ensure that our media remains biased and would defend against having unbiased media….
The world I want is pretty simple it’s one that is set up to satisfy the needs and wants of those living in it in a fair and equitable manner. I
Are you sure your not a closet right winger….?
The people who believe that garbage are too delusional and disorganised to ever represent a serious threat, but yes, in the vanishingly unlikely event that policy based on internet conspiracy memes and quasi-spiritual mumbo-pocus became the norm. Or any other bunch of fact-free, thought-free dogma.
By the way, before you can claim that I support the bogey-men you have to show that they exist. Good luck with that – your ten commandments barely even articulate the situation in the USA, let alone the South Pacific.
you’d make a good politician with the way you avoided each and every question.
start with the book Behold a Pale Horse ….that is of course if you are open minded enough to look at the possibilities….
Avoided? Is English your second language?
“…before you can claim that I support the bogey-men you have to show that they exist.”
I’m not defending myself against your delusional fantasies other than to note their fantastical nature.
PS: Start with the book “The Art of War”, that is of course if you are open minded enough.
already read it but I didn’t see it as an instruction manual on how I should live my life…..
The path that has lead me to the conclusion that the ‘Bogeymen’ as you put it exist has been through research in reading books and the application of common sense and logic. None of it has been gleaned from websites. Their is much information and evidence to support it, you only have to look. Unfortunately doing so for many shatters their nice comfortable reality of what they think they know about the world. In fact the global elite and shadow govt count on the fact that you won’t want to step outside your comfort zone and have a look and then make up your own mind.
As for not understanding english OTV I asked…….
Wow so you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive warâŠ..?
You would take up arms so that if you and your neighbour have fierce ideological disagreements you can consider them your enemyâŠâŠ?
You would take up arms to support the global elite in implementing one world control of the planetâŠâŠ?
You would take up arms to ensure that our media remains biased and would defend against having unbiased mediaâŠ.?
but I guess in the original I did leave off the question marks so if you need an out to answer than there it is, but the questions were not about whether the global elite and shadow govts exits, They were exactly as stated:
Question – So you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive war? etc. etc. The normal and expected response is that you would either confirm that Yes you would take up arms for this or No you would not…….
Given that you haven’t supplied such a response the onlything we have to go on
is your orginal somewhat surprising statement.
“If the brave new world youâre advocating is based on the drivel in your â10 signs that you are fully awakeâ you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.”
Which by itself is a resounding Yes to the questions I put to you and certainly not something I’d expect from someone that appears to support the left although to be fair I have never seen you state that either.
A few months ago grant Robertson signalled at an environment event with cunliffe that uncompromising dogma must change.
Shearer signals for a new direction.
Cunliffe states too loudly about fundamental change needed due the forth coming systemic problems.
Now we have Helen Clark commenting about climate change.
These people deal in facts not dogma by their nature, life history and education.
Now we have the weight of the Fabians guiding hands linking reputable academics and economist to the powers within labour.
We have in my local community rise of intra connected organisation all realising we need a new direction away from dogmatic ideology from within the left block and from the current paradyme.
The electorate is waking up to the need for a new direction, a new paradyme, a transition to a new system of equality, fairness and opportunity for all not just a few well connected.
It’s not socialism or Investment capitalism both are failed polarised systems.
labour need unity, harmony and reconnection to the electorate as fore front party in the red green brown coalition.
In true modern labour we must trust as time is pressing….too many starve now.
Then perhaps Grant has listened after all…..
To understand a polli or any person one need historical reference to that person past and present to understand or predict future statement of viewpoints.
I think deep down within labour is a pragmatic progressive heart with a long tern vision or pathway.
Look for the next two years for labour to slowly signal change and adapt the electorate to what is needed….can’t scare the voter by radicalised messages that the imbedded tories and captured msm can manipulate.
Question.
Which labour poli was a teacher and union rep and promoted SOE to expand invest offshore?
Which party must capture both the centre voter and also the marginal turned off voter in the long term.
Hi Weka,
1: While it was an american slant, it did say major parties, of which Mana are not, and none of the NZ parties are going to challenge the system. Waiting to hear talk about controlling our sovereign monetary system/supply….waiting…waiting…waiting…
9: What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not – I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!
Agree that the wording is not great, but certainly the points of interest around any such subject matter, numerous.
1. yes muzza, that’s a given. You missed my point though. I think framing the issue in that way marginalises the already marginalised by denying their reality, and fudges over what is a complexity. I’m not suggesting that people say the parties are significantly different, I’m saying we should be looking at the differences as much as the similarities.
9. “What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not â I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!”
What evidence can you offer that you are not a figment of my imagination?
And if you think that I’m in agreement with the mainstream with regards to consensus reality you are mistaken.
There was a letter in the Dom/Post this morning from a Keith Williamson of Raumati Beach.
It was about Hekia Parata and says, among other things that “List MPs shouldn’t be eligible for Cabinet roles”.
My first thought was, in effect, “How stupid can you be”.
Then I thought about it and decided that it was a great idea and that it should be applied retrospectively.
Look at the advantages. Winston Peters would never have been Foreign Minister. Michael Cullen would never have been Minister of Finance. We must immediately recover any money they were paid as ministers and declare any laws put through the house under their lead as being null and void.
Even better is the effect this would have in the future. No Green MPs will be eligible for Cabinet office!
Cullen was electorate mp in Dunedin but to free up time and concentrate his effort on the treasury bench he became. List mp.
Yes, and Winston was member for Tauranga.
I was just trying to point out, sarcastically, how silly the letter writer was when they argue that losing in Poriru meant she has no mandate.
I simply do not understand the mind processes of people who argue that, in an MMP Parliament, losing in an electorate contest should disqualify one from Parliament.
Apologies if this has already been posted, but jeebers: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/20/bernstein-murdoch-ailes-petreaus-presidency
Hey Felix,
Nice work, you’re cottening on.
Needless to say these *stories* are the lower end shennagigans which occur when the various intelligence/military centered factions, who control the show, then decided to outwardly exhibit the arm twisting and blackmail that goes on at the highests levels, by *outing* Petreaus, and his phillandering ways.
Kind of like how Hillary *apparantly* fainted, concussed herself, but didn’t go to hospital, or some shit like that.
Quite how anyone imagines humanity will slow its own decline with this foot on its own throat, I do not know!
Yes. Thanks for this, felix. It is another one for my collection. And still government’s don’t seem to see the problem of concentration of the news media ownership by big corporates – or they like it.
Hard to know what to make of this, but the usual players are involved, and it fits the trend of behaviour
Watched the vid in the link and the story those guys relate sounds absolutely plausible.
The moral of the story being to never take a politician at their word…never mind one who has a track record for being fast and loose with promises. And expect members of a Goon Squad to behave like goons.
“The moral of the story being to never take a politician at their [sic!] word…”
Your sentence is politically correct in an absurd and discredited way, but a grammatical nonsense.
Your message is excellent, however. Keep it up!
Ok, then, point out the error in construction and rewrite it correctly, Moz. The only potential grammatical problem I see is the word ‘to’, which is not needed, but doesn’t hamper the sentence structure unduly.
‘their’ is spelled correctly, btw, so your ‘sic’ is an error. Nothing worse than a failed pedant, pal!
What renders the sentence nonsensical is the use of the word “their” instead of “his”.
But you know that, of course.
No, it applies to all politicians. Believe they’ll do something only when they actualy do it, not when they promise it.
And the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language. Otherwise, we would not be also cautioned against accepting the word of female politicians, just male ones.
Standing up for the politically correct mangling of the language, our good friend McFliper writes that “the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language.”
Of course, such punctiliousness is a sign of nothing but good intentions. However, people who care about the language and don’t want to see it hijacked by spurious gender-equality fanatics will find a way to write the same sentence without being badgered into using ridiculous and pathetic “alternatives”.
So instead of poor old Bill conscientiously and absurdly writing “never take a politician at their word”, which is patent nonsense, he could with just a little effort have come up with “never take the word of a politician”.
It’s easy if you try.
Alternatively, of course, you can keep observing the LooneyFem dictates from the 1970s.
Bullshit Morrissey, “their” is applied to the indefinite singular to denote possession. It’s nothing to do with gender or feminism or the jews.
FFS if you’re going to lecture people on grammar you could at least learn some.
If it was good enough for Jane Austen, Lord Byron and Charles Dickens it’s good enough for me.
http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/austheir.html#X1a
Fair enough. As they say in parliament, I withdraw and apologize.
Did you have to apologise with a bloody ‘z’ though? đ
I make a point of writing clearly and simply, my friend, and you know that perfectly well, having followed my oeuvre for the last couple of years.
I don’t think so, ‘never take a politician at their word’ sounds like commonly accepted usage to me. Usage defines language, not the other way around. This phrasing has been around long before people started feeling they should use he/she or his/her where gender is indefinite.
Personally I find ‘never take a politician at their word’ more elegant than ‘never take the word of a politician’. Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
After, rightly, upbraiding me for flying off the handle and injudiciously challenging Bill’s use of “their” as a catch-all, our friend mike then has a go at my writing style….
Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
Reading that friendly but stern admonition, I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had “too many notes.”
I don’t give a monkey’s what some toff told Mozart. Orwell said to write simply and that’ll do for me.
“I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had âtoo many notes.â”
I’m sure you are the only one. (The Mozart of blogging you ain’t.)
and moi brother? (before i take take the slater to task)
be quick (quick and the Dead); only got a wee credit. (and obviously, I can find you; I fought the Law… and I won) ha ha ha
Typical Slippery, the little shyster probably got a huge thrill out of the whole unsavory little episode made all the more delicious in that psychopath’s pea brain by Him having engineered the whole thing with His big mouth,
Personally, and not wanting to be overly critical of the judiciary, i think the judge got it wrong with placing both these 2 individuals on alcohol bans, christ sakes they are both unemployed and voted for the Slippery little shyster, a more fitting bail condition would have been for the judge to have them placed in the stocks and publicly stoned…
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF WHALEOIL
Slater dishes it out to Standard regular
This morning I ventured out of my comfort zone and signed onto the notorious “Gotcha” blog run by Cameron “Whaleoil” Slater.
Within minutes I was cowering in the ditches, having drawn hostile fire after just four posts….
“Well if you don’t like my readers, or my blog you can fuck off.” —Whaleoil
Gotta say: that guy is no L. Prent.
http://gotcha.co.nz/
Stop giving him any link love (even no follow links help him) then by making sure you don’t type in the URL without breaking it up.
“LINK LOVE”.
I like it!
Just thought i would drop abit of info from one of our young people and how he views NZ’s
financial situation, this young guy was 20-25, we were waiting in que at the warehouse,
they were busy as, we got talking politics and the state of nz’s economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014, he said he is the only one that talks sense and
he is more experianced, he also said his friend was a teacher and also had trouble with
no-no-pay and he thought they should just go back to the old system, ,but good on him,he has a great handle on the political scene, we wished each other merry christmas and we were both off into the big blue yonder.
We should have more faith in our young people,they really are our future,they may have
limited voices, but they are watching and understanding politics.
First of all:
“we got talking politics and the state of nzâs economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014” — this provides no context to try and pass on any idea that this guy has any political understanding beyond, potentially, watching the 6pm nightly news. When his chosen solution to the current mounting unemployment, the selling out of our social contract etc etc is to ‘continue to reduce debt’ then he is merely parroting those wonderful guys who got us in this hole in the first place… and then to say he will vote Winston?
*sigh*
If you are going to try and tell a story about how our youth are engaging with politics, at least provide examples in context rather than just saying “we done talked the politic stuff and he seemed like he was capable of stringing some words together that weren’t ‘John’ and ‘Key'”
There was no story, it was an interesting encounter, i believe our young people have a voice, as i did when i was that age,it was interesting listening to him, he seemed capable of having his own views,if he wants to vote winston, surely, that is his democratic right,
Your attitude to my post is one of dismissing what could be a valuable insight into how
someone of that age group thinks and views politics.
Obviously the time was short and not all topics could be discussed.
It is important to hear and listen to the young potential voters,this is good politics.
Wishing you a nice christmas and all the best for 2013.
I think the point vv is making : here was a young man who has recognised politics affects everybody and he is willing to think about it. He’s young and a bit naive, but he’ll learn as he gets older and wiser. Hell, he sounds like he knows more than I did in my early twenties. Good for him.
That is why I have always said that NZF has a constituency…
Poll question you won’t see on Stuff
Did the PM say he was going to pay for the guys’ dinner at the Green Parrot ?
Yes ? or No ?
sorry muzza, not sure how i missed your post above
Recognition to Chris Finlayson for the Te Atiawa and Ngati Koata settlements. He’s an effective capable National Minister in action, working closely at every step with Maori. Finlayson definitely deserves his QC.
Finlayson is a mere functionary in an ongoing process and deserves nothing, as a representative of those who offended against Taranaki Maori He has been well paid throughout the process,
The real ‘ups’ need be extended to those Taranaki Maori who have never let the flame of the torch be extinguished,those who are no longer with us but passed on the ‘take’ to the next generation never knowing whether their voices would ever be heard…
I predict next year a brief intensification of matters and affairs. Being the last fling, already past its date.
Strike me down if I’m wrong but there is a change in the air. A change to the peaceful and goodness