Open mike 24/05/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 24th, 2013 - 178 comments
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178 comments on “Open mike 24/05/2013 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    24 May 2013 at 6:46 am

    Children go hungry in a country overrun with food.

    Amnesty International exposes child poverty in New Zealand

    Yet any mention of addressing poverty in the budget?

    In particular, any mention of childhood poverty?

    Months of dropped hints, that there would be something included to address the problem of childhood poverty, proves that John Key and Bill English can’t claim that they didn’t know. But in the end, devoid of empathy, lacking any imaginative solutions to address the problem, they decided to stick with what they know. Taking care of the comfortably well off folk like themselves.

    Child poverty ‘a stain on NZ’s human rights record’

    New Zealand Herald nzherald.co.nz

    • Winston Smith 1.1
      24 May 2013 at 8:19 am

      Damn straight its a disgrace, why are the parents not being charged with neglect?

      • mickysavage 1.1.1
        24 May 2013 at 8:21 am

        Typical RWNJ response. Every child in New Zealand suffering from poverty is there because of some sort of failing on the part of their parents and not because of failings in the system.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.1
          24 May 2013 at 9:01 am

          They’ve got that covered. The GCSB is going to protect the National interest by spying on bad parents.

        • Winston Smith 1.1.1.2
          24 May 2013 at 9:42 am

          “Every child in New Zealand suffering from poverty is there because of some sort of failing on the part of their parents”

          – You’ve never been more correct

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.2.1
            24 May 2013 at 9:55 am

            Oh haha, I see what you did, you dishonestly omitted the last part of the quote so as to reverse its meaning. I suggest you use that approach in your personal life, it’ll be hilarious, I promise.

            • Winston Smith 1.1.1.2.1.1
              24 May 2013 at 11:18 am

              Nope, none of the above. Just making the sentence correct because I’m a helpful kind of guy.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                24 May 2013 at 3:31 pm

                Yep, use that line, it’s superb, you’re guaranteed a good outcome.

              • mickysavage …
                24 May 2013 at 8:25 pm

                Um no you are dishonest. So child poverty and adult dishonesty are fine by you? And you pass moral judgment on parents who may be doing their best in difficult circumstances?

          • James 1.1.1.2.2
            24 May 2013 at 10:05 am

            + 1

            Its “its some one else fault” is typical of the crappy parents that have kids in this state.

            It is a good argument for foster care!

            Oh – and how many of the parents who have child who arnt being fed have sky tv and smoke etc.

            Personally I would love it if sky required proof of earnings to stop bludgers having it and then perhaps there would be more money to actually feed the kids.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.2.2.1
              24 May 2013 at 10:26 am

              Sub moronic thinking will simply keep you mired in conservatism. You are the one passing the buck, mindlessly parroting the same discredited garbage over and over again, filling your twisted need to blame people and doing absolutely nothing to help people lift themselves nor look after the ones who can’t.

              It’s indistinguishable from criminal neglect. I hope you feel proud that when someone asked you to do something about child poverty you squealed that it was someone else’s fault. Low life to go with the low IQ.

              • farmboy …
                24 May 2013 at 2:07 pm

                it sure as fudge isnt his fault mate what would you do, take more of successful peoples money to give to dole bludgers to spend more on things for themselves than on food for kids.It is you that has failed by not telling them to get to work, or buy another loaf of bread instead of smokes.Could labour solve these problems last time they were in NO they did not.I hope you feel proud sitting at home on the dole.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  24 May 2013 at 2:21 pm

                  Reality check, Rantboy.

                  I’ll be sure to mention my unemployed status to my employer and clients.

                  • McFlock …
                    24 May 2013 at 2:26 pm

                    Don’t tell mine, either šŸ™‚

                    Funny farmboy refers to the dole – weren’t farmers getting it recently?

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      24 May 2013 at 2:29 pm

                      Yes, but give the guy a break – he’s a snivelling hypocrite.

                • Murray Olsen …
                  24 May 2013 at 2:46 pm

                  Farmers on the dole? Get a job, and a haircut, and buy another loaf of bread. White bread, I’d say. And leave those sheep alone.

                  • Tiger Mountain …
                    24 May 2013 at 2:55 pm

                    Besides inserting animals rear legs into their red bands, farmers are also topping themselves in record numbers. Industrial size farming rules and the rugged ā€œman aloneā€ taming the land and beasts is now mythology and under the thumb of the rural focused lenders.

                    http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/advocacy/National-Policy/Rural-Mental-Health.asp

                    • Te Reo Putake …
                      24 May 2013 at 3:18 pm

                      Really good point, TM. The rural area I live in has seen its share of self inflicted deaths. And given that farming has a ridiculously high rate of industrial accidents as well, it’s not a job or lifestyle I’d recommend to anyone.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      24 May 2013 at 4:06 pm

                      the rugged ā€œman aloneā€ taming the land and beasts is now mythology

                      That’s always been mythology but it plays well to the idiots who vote National/Act.

                    • farmboy …
                      24 May 2013 at 11:50 pm

                      mate you woundnt what to put my cows hoofs in ya wellies, all you would get is a trip to the hospital.The rural focused leaders do you mean a loan from the bank.by the way never been on dole never had a hand out,just had a hair cut and got plenty of bread and never had any sheep.Whats with all the beastiality jokes if a wanted to cheat on my wife id just come to town and fuck your girlfriend

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      25 May 2013 at 12:09 am

                      Besides inserting animals rear legs into their red bands, farmers are also topping themselves in record numbers

                      There’s a lot of quiet desperate suffering going on in some parts of rural NZ. The particular comment you made here is quite undeserving.

          • ianmac 1.1.1.2.3
            24 May 2013 at 10:20 am

            Winston. I do know that the children of some very wealthy parents are in poverty. Materially well provided for. But Wealth has meant that many of those kids are denied emotional support, denied the incentive to strive, and to underline the uncaring family ethos, sent off to boarding school at a young age. Perhaps the Housemaster makes a better parent than those who contracted to do the job at home. But who would dare condemn that sort of parent who neglect their kids so shamefully?

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.2
        24 May 2013 at 8:23 am

        What makes you think they aren’t? Did you check? Perhaps a Google search for parent (or caregiver) charged with neglect might help.

        Considering that benefit levels were set in 1991 (from memory) at 80% of the minimum requirement to meet human needs, I suspect you may not be considering all the facts. Well, any of them actually, but let’s take little steps for the moment, eh?

      • Dr Terry 1.1.3
        24 May 2013 at 8:35 am

        Why is the government not being charged with neglect?

        Why are you not being charged with neglect?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.3.1
          24 May 2013 at 8:53 am

          He knows it’s happening and does nothing about it. S195A of the crimes act.

        • Winston Smith 1.1.3.2
          24 May 2013 at 9:41 am

          Feel free to charge me if I ever neglect one of my kids.

          • phillip ure 1.1.3.2.1
            24 May 2013 at 9:48 am

            so..you’re ok..smith..and fuck anyone else..eh..?

            ..pure neo-lib/randite…eh..?

            ..you are like a sunset industry..

            ..your time is almost past..

            ..can you not yet feel the pendulum swinging..?

            ..better watch out..

            ..it’s gonna sweep you away..

            ..eh..?

            ..phillip ure..

            • Winston Smith 1.1.3.2.1.1
              24 May 2013 at 12:30 pm

              I happen to have a notion (maybe it makes me old-fashioned) that people who get money from the government to raise their kids should put that money towards their kids first.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                24 May 2013 at 12:41 pm

                And isn’t “should” a lovely word? All you have to do is use it and everything magically improves, doesn’t it? And then you wake up.

                • Rob …
                  24 May 2013 at 1:46 pm

                  A little like the word benefit. All you have to do is use it and everything magically improves, doesnā€™t it? And then you wake up.

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                    24 May 2013 at 2:45 pm

                    Oh, did you miss the point I was making? It’s that your whinging and whining and pointing your fingers does nothing to alleviate the situation for New Zealand kids, and that since whinging and whining and pointing your fingers is all dropkicks like you ever do, it makes you look callous and devoid of decency.

                    But you will keep on running your mouth, won’t you?

              • North …
                24 May 2013 at 11:09 pm

                Oh you good old American apple pie dork, Winston.

                That snivelled, wan-mouthed, midwest appeal for “understanding”. Can’t keep up with the argument aye bro’.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.3.2.2
            24 May 2013 at 10:00 am

            That’s not what the law says. It says if you know a child is being neglected or abused and you fail to act you’re committing a crime.

            Don’t worry, I’m sure you can afford some weasel lawyer to get you off the hook.

        • farmboy 1.1.3.3
          24 May 2013 at 2:18 pm

          im giving them free milk what are you giving them

          • Puddleglum 1.1.3.3.1
            24 May 2013 at 4:33 pm

            A vote against National?

            Also, in a previous comment you claimed that Labour did nothing about ‘these things’ (child poverty?) last time they were in. It’s true that they didn’t do enough (in my opinion, at least) but see Figures 1 and 2 in this link and you’ll notice the decline that occurred in the first decade of this century (and, the increase from the mid-80s to the early-90s).

          • logie97 1.1.3.3.2
            24 May 2013 at 5:36 pm

            Bet you’re not.
            Most farmers I know have pretty astute accountants who manage the books so well that they pay very little of their dues in taxes and get all sorts of kick backs. Fonterra ain’t giving anything away. They will recoup their losses just as Sanitarium (which apparently has charity status and therefore doesn’t pay tax anyway). Nah, it’s the PAYE’s of this world that cover the cost.

          • mickysavage 1.1.3.3.3
            24 May 2013 at 8:29 pm

            Oh farmboy I see your comments and all I can hear are banjos. Are you sure you actually own a farm?

          • North 1.1.3.3.4
            24 May 2013 at 11:14 pm

            You philanthropist you !

            What with that and your lusty confession of either thickness or heartlessness, all in defence of ShonKey Python, you’d be climbing that honours ladder pretty rapidly ?

            • farmboy 1.1.3.3.4.1
              24 May 2013 at 11:42 pm

              oh ok so you guys are giving them nothing then just abuse for the company and people that are.Haha what a pack of do nothings

              • Colonial Viper …
                25 May 2013 at 1:41 am

                Ahhh a cretin with the backing of millions of dollars worth of land wanting lordly respectability. Fuck off.

            • farmboy 1.1.3.3.4.2
              24 May 2013 at 11:42 pm

              oh ok so you guys are giving them nothing then just abuse for the company and people that are.Haha what a pack of do nothings

          • Colonial Viper 1.1.3.3.5
            25 May 2013 at 12:10 am

            im giving them free milk what are you giving them

            And we’re giving you free water, shit tonnes of it to pollute…with shit tonnes of shit.

            • farmboy 1.1.3.3.5.1
              25 May 2013 at 7:43 am

              your not giving me free anythg i pay for water on a town water system done in our district in the 90s.So you dont give kids in poverty anythg viper shame on you,shame on you.Look to us as a beakon of light for kids in poverty.Wake up this morning little viper another day of doing nothing for kids.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                25 May 2013 at 9:13 am

                What do you give that isn’t tax deductible? You give, and you pay less tax as a result. Can you see how that means you give no more than any other tax payer?

                I doubt you possess the cognitive chops, so I won’t hold my breath.

                • farmboy …
                  25 May 2013 at 10:59 am

                  yea i pay lots of tax and i give milk baby, free milk to all those kids you give nothing too

                  • logie97 …
                    25 May 2013 at 3:52 pm

                    How much of the “pink” diesel do you use on the roads to pop down to the shops, farm boy?

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    25 May 2013 at 4:09 pm

                    Fuck off we’re not going to bow down to some born to rule Lord of the Manor prick. You give a few drippings off your table and we’re supposed to thank you?

                    The only reason you can produce that milk is all the free water you are getting. No farm pays for water off a town system. What an ignorant rural dickhead.

                    • farmboy …
                      26 May 2013 at 9:22 am

                      heard of the otorohanga water scheme dont talk about what you dont no will get a bill for water on how much goes through metre done in the 90s

    • prism 1.2
      24 May 2013 at 9:51 am

      Child poverty a stain on NZs human rights record? When so many NZs wear black the stains don’t show up. They wear black because most of the joy in living and being a NZr has long gone. Light fawn used to be a popular colour, then darker brown so the stains wouldn’t show, now to All Black.

      But a remnant of the brown period lingers one – it’s a common colour for buildings exteriors and interiors. So the only time that stains are noticed are when there is some graffiti including personal signs from those who are still trying to feel vital and individually important, and want to register this which they do on fences, or the sides of buildings – ‘I was here’ – but they have been known to be killed for this. Then there Is a noticeable blood stain.

    • johnm 1.3
      24 May 2013 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Jenny
      Yes you’re right : ” “It’s yet another report in a long line that highlights ongoing child poverty in New Zealand,” she said.

      “That child poverty remains high is of no surprise when our Government continues to ignore research-based solutions, choosing instead to punish the poor via welfare reforms which do nothing but intimidate, control and sanction beneficiaries.”

      Child Poverty Action Group co-director Mike O’Brien said there had been no significant Government response to the issue of child poverty.

      Just some observations. 1. New Zealand is now one of the topmost unequal societies in the World in terms of income and wealth. 2. Benefit levels are enough to exist on for a few months but longer you become ground down into increasing poverty, alienation and social impotency. 3. There’s a neoliberal culture of contempt for poorer people. 4. New benefit sanctions being brought in in July this year will lead to more poverty for those who are penalised including their children. 5. Greed is the state religion of this country now: a. Don’t capital gains tax property speculators b. give tax cuts to those who are already well orf thankyou. c. Privatise the Public’s shared wealth (MRP) for the benefit of the few. d. Privatise everything possible and abdicate any responsiblity for your poorer fellow kiwis d.Pay astronomical salaries to CEOs who are indispensable, rubbish of course! e. Totally deny the foundation of any and all decent societies the “common good” pretend that idea and practice never existed or if it did its Socialism as if Socialism is bad which it isn’t. It was Socialism that kept the UK together after WWII ended.

      To eliminate child poverty reverse tax cuts, tax corporations more and excessive private incomes and rentier profits and capital gains. Reverse the extreme inequality worship we now have. get rid of the Corporate culture in public life which Yankey represents. Child poverty happens with the working poor as well so ensure a decent minimum living wage for all. Stop excessive profit and wealth grabbing by shareholders by law. Make housing affordable for young people again with an +80% capital gains tax backdated 15 years, that’ll end the treatment of a vital social asset as a monopoly green house get rich scheme. Provide free school lunches for all children whose parents have less than a certain income plus in school medical services.

      Of course the above would mean Shonkey and Double Dipton would have to earn a living instead of living in God Market’s dreamworld of total hands off while we tweak to make ourselves richer and the undeserving have the ladder pulled up and away from them.

      • johnm 1.3.1
        24 May 2013 at 1:09 pm

        In post WWII UK Yankey would have been considered a SPIV, someone who manipulates the market to make money without contributing any social good like in his days at Merrill Lynch and flogging off our assets to make his mates rich.

        “In the 1970 Steptoe and Son episode Without Prejudice, upon finding out that an estate agent (played by Gerald Flood) established his firm in 1942, Albert is enraged and says, “1942? Why weren’t you in the army? Spiv were you? While we were all over there fighting, you were making a packet out of buying up cheap houses”. The estate agent points out that he was wounded in North Africa and was invalided out of the army.”

        We now live in the SPIV age with so much of our wealth spived out to overseas banks and corporates. šŸ™ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiv

    • ghostrider888 1.4
      24 May 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Jenny: “first time child poverty in New Zealand has made it into report”.- Amnesty International.

      Diabetes amongst Pacific peoples is at epidemic levels.
      “increased funding not enough to stem the tide”.- Tevita Funaki.

  2. Morrissey 2
    24 May 2013 at 6:49 am

    LIARS OF OUR TIME
    ā€Øā€ØNo. 10: Boris Johnson

    “What is quite clear is that Londoners have some of the best security forces and the best police in the world to look after us and keep us safe.”

    —Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, after the “best police in the world” had taken half an hour to get to the scene of a grisly political killing in Woolwich. (Wednesday, 22 May 2013)

    See alsoā€¦.
    No. 9: NewstalkZB PR dept: “News you NEED! Fast, fair, accurate!”
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21052013/#comment-635850
    No. 8: Simon Bridges: “I donā€™t mean to duck the question.”
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-20052013/#comment-635343
    No. 7: Nigel Morrison: ā€œQuite frankly, theyā€™ve been VERY tough.ā€
    ā€Øhttp://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15052013/#comment-633295
    ā€ØNo. 6: NZ Herald PR dept: ā€œCongratulationsā€”youā€™re reading New Zealandā€™s best newspaper.ā€ā€Øhttp://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13052013/#comment-632598ā€Ø
    No. 5: Rawdon Christie: ā€œā€¦a FORMIDABLE replacement, it seems, is Claudette Hauiti.ā€ā€Øhttp://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13052013/#comment-632594
    ā€ØNo. 4: Willie and J.T.: ā€œThe X-Factor. Nah, nah, thereā€™s some GREAT talent there!ā€ā€Øhttp://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-06052013/#comment-628803
    ā€ØNo. 3: John Key: ā€œYeah we hold MPs to a higher standard.ā€ā€Ø
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-06052013/#comment-628703ā€Ø
    No. 2: Colin Craig: ā€œOh, I have a GREAT sense of humour.ā€ (TV3 News, 24 April 2013) http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-25042013/#comment-624381
    ā€ØNo. 1: Barack Obama: ā€œMargaret Thatcher was one of the great champions of freedom and liberty.ā€
    ā€Øhttp://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-19042013/#comment-621738

    • Dv 2.1
      24 May 2013 at 8:02 am

      So I did hear correctly that it took 30 min for the police to arrive at the London attack.

      Bizarre!!!

      • Bill 2.1.1
        24 May 2013 at 8:44 am

        Just another machette attack/stabbing …finish smoko first. Oh no, wait a minute! Some guy high on fuck knows what mentioned the Quran. Call Cobra!

      • Colonial Viper 2.1.2
        24 May 2013 at 8:53 am

        News reports yesterday said 20 minutes. They also said that the nearest police station was about 3 miles away.

        • phillip ure 2.1.2.1
          24 May 2013 at 9:51 am

          news reports i saw/heard said 30 mins..

          phillip ure..

        • prism 2.1.2.2
          24 May 2013 at 9:55 am

          I thought Boris Johnson was supposed to have brought in traffic reducing measures in his manor. So it can’t have been traffic hold-up, probably the police staff have been reduced by budget cuts and replaced by computers. Bloody lazy computers, always sitting at desks in cosy offices, never getting down and dirty where the action is.

      • ianmac 2.1.3
        24 May 2013 at 10:23 am

        Correction. 9 minutes for police to get there. Another 4 minutes for armed police to get there.

        • Te Reo Putake 2.1.3.1
          24 May 2013 at 3:26 pm

          That’s terribly poor form from you, ianmac. Please apologise to Moz immediately for getting your actual facts in the way of his fevered ranting.

          • Clockie 2.1.3.1.1
            24 May 2013 at 3:53 pm

            Sounds as though “actual facts” are in short supply and as usual the media are making it up and interviewing themselves and each other to get their information. Most of the early reporting had it that the cops took half an hour or so to get there.

            • ghostrider888 2.1.3.1.1.1
              24 May 2013 at 3:57 pm

              left you a link to a book on Indigenous Response to Globalization on yesterday’s OM Clockie if interested.

          • Morrissey 2.1.3.1.2
            24 May 2013 at 4:58 pm

            I would trust the people who were there on the scene. The London Police are notorious for their untruthfulness.

            You know that, of course.

            By the way, what in my original post was in any way equivalent to “fevered ranting”? I simply reported the vacuous words of a vacuous politician. That’s “fevered ranting” in your book?

            Sir, I do not believe you know what those words mean.

            • Te Reo Putake 2.1.3.1.2.1
              24 May 2013 at 7:13 pm

              “The London Police”

              Who they?

              In the real world, the timeline (armed response in under 15 minutes) seems pretty reasonable to me. And, given the number of witnesses, it’s hard to see how the “London Police” could get away with lying about it. Which leaves Moz looking a bit douchey, and not just because he just invented a new branch of the Sweeney.

              http://www.irishexaminer.com/world/woolwich-scotland-yard-defends-police-response-time-232227.html

              • Morrissey …
                24 May 2013 at 10:24 pm

                ā€œThe London Policeā€

                Who they?

                The Metropolitan Police. The Met. The Filth. The Old Bill. The Sweeney Todd. You know: the heroes who bravely hunted down and shot Jean Charles de Menezes on 22 July 2005, and lied about it afterwards.

                In the real world, the timeline (armed response in under 15 minutes) seems pretty reasonable to me.

                Of course it does. You have a well established track record of believing everything the officials tell you—even when it has been established they were lying. For a bright guy, you have a disturbing habit of trusting the thugs who have installed themselves in authority; just yesterday you described Matthew Parris, of all people, as “respected”.

                Which leaves Moz looking a bit douchey, and not just because he just invented a new branch of the Sweeney.

                Did I get it wrong? Was it the Manchester police who were so tardy in getting their asses over to Woolwich?

              • Colonial Viper …
                25 May 2013 at 12:12 am

                In the real world, the timeline (armed response in under 15 minutes) seems pretty reasonable to me.

                Many of the coppers at Woolwich Crown Court (a major London court building) which was 4000m away are armed.

                Interestingly, I thought that there would have been MPs at the military base where the attack occurred.

                • Clockie …
                  25 May 2013 at 12:33 am

                  Are MP’s allowed to intervene in an incident involving civilians?

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    25 May 2013 at 12:41 am

                    they cannot usually be involved in civilian law enforcement duties, but in situations like this where military personnel are involved you do what is required first then ask the Generals on the military board of inquiry to sort out the paperwork afterwards.

    • ghostrider888 2.2
      24 May 2013 at 2:10 pm

      from an English academic specialising in modern terrorism (RNZ interview);
      “seeing a rise in ‘leaderless jihad’ ” (facilitated in no small measure by the internet)…”where followers develop their own interpretations of scripture”…”a violent radicalization occurring”.

  3. Dv 3
    24 May 2013 at 8:21 am

    Well well well look at this

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8712155/Wealthy-grabbed-big-MRP-share

    The figures, confirmed by Treasury, show that of the 113,000 retail investors who paid $912 million for shares at $2.50 each, 12,844 buyers who represented the top 10.9 per cent bought roughly half the retail pool. They invested an average $34,618.

    Of those, a select sub- group of 394 investors bought $90m worth of shares in parcels of more than 100,000 shares – an average investment of $228,865.

    The remaining 101,000 small investors took the other half – equivalent to 13.4 per cent of the company – at an average investment of $4600.

  4. Lanthanide 4
    24 May 2013 at 8:58 am

    Charter Hospitals, coming to a poor area near you: http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/government-to-introduce-charter-hospitals/

    • prism 4.1
      24 May 2013 at 10:19 am

      I don’t like this type of smart-shit satirical reporting about ‘charter hospitals’. I looked up the link that Lanthanide provided and it purported to give a policy statement by Tony Ryall. But I couldn’t find any MSM report on it. I couldn’t find mention of it on nz govt. A number of blog sites carried it.

      One did state – “Reposted from this brilliant NZ satirical website The Civilian.This beautifully captures the ideological nonsense behind charter schools.” For sure it does it beautifully so it is almost believable.

      We have enough to worry about without what is false reporting, even for a good reason. I didn’t notice The Civilian stating that it was satirical in large letters at the top. And smart arse superior types could say that of course anyone of intelligence knows that it must be satirical and if such people had any clues about the Civilian they would know it wasn’t believable. Don’t play clever games over what could be real scenarios. The reason for having this satire about charter hospitals is because it is not an impossible event – all the more reason not to cry Wolf so blatantly.

      • freedom 4.1.1
        24 May 2013 at 10:31 am

        “All the news that’s fit on a page” what did you think that meant?

        • prism 4.1.1.1
          24 May 2013 at 10:59 am

          freedom
          What are you referring to? I don’t know what you mean. Can you be clear in your meaning?

          • freedom 4.1.1.1.1
            24 May 2013 at 11:12 am

            “All the News That’s Fit to Print”, is from the NY Times and The Civilian made an obvious play of words on it. Did you really not get it? Of course, possibly you simply have never heard it referenced, which I find just a little unlikely.

            • prism 4.1.1.1.1.1
              24 May 2013 at 11:26 am

              freedom
              It appears that this part of my comment was right! Sorry to be rude, but if the cap fits….
              And smart arse superior types could say that of course anyone of intelligence knows that it must be satirical and if such people had any clues about the Civilian they would know it wasnā€™t believable.

              Donā€™t play clever games over what could be real scenarios. The reason for having this satire about charter hospitals is because it is not an impossible event ā€“ all the more reason not to cry Wolf so blatantly.

              • freedom …
                24 May 2013 at 11:38 am

                sticks and stones prism,
                pretty sure you have posted links to the NY Times in the past so I genuinely thought you would have gotten the NY Times rip off. Next time I will state why I think something is a little unlikely, which is basically what weka and I had a little discussion on yesterday, so I should really practise what I preach eh. Have a good Friday.

      • prism 4.1.2
        24 May 2013 at 10:54 am

        I’m concerned about the effects of the sinking lid on funding for health and how hospitals will have to suck it up. They are already down to the bits in the corner with their straws, there isn’t anything else. And there is talk about user pays. I don’t see why road accidents, and alcohol overdoses, and drug-demented patients can’t pay something that will bring in a few millions and make a point about trying to avoid dangerous and poisonous behaviours.

        But the media always announce rises in allocations, but don’t put them into context. At 3% p.a.inflation how much would be needed to just achieve status quo calculated on the last budget allocation? Context would help understanding.

        And there is talk about increasing use of technology to replace human services. God help us! We have Novopay’s example, the police with Incis. The larger and more complex the less the little management gods can understand of the immensity of what IT staff are daily managing. And they are too busy to pay attention because of their own huge work load because of the neo liberal style cuts in management levels for efficiency!

        And then government imposes budget restraints and there is a cut on numbers of staff. And when programs are so big and all-embracing they can’t be allowed to fall over, as we have noticed with Novopay. The project managers in IT firms don’t always understand their own product fully and may not allow enough time for the building of a strong and capable program because of competitivity, time and efficiency restraints. If they don’t meet contract requirements even, the sector is so specialised that the entity that hires them may not know of the lack or weaknesses in the program, and may not comprehend what they are getting through their pipes until something happens to alert them.

        And finally there are the practices of contracting out and having targeted outcomes to work to. The accounting model that puts employed staff in one part of the expenditure column, and contractors replacing or adding to or complementing staff in the capital side of the accounting pages gives a distorted and dishonest cost of workers in any department. And having some psychopath with ambitions for ever higher income think up fanciful targets that can’t be achieved without dropping basic standards of maintenance and involvement in the system, weakens that system. But the results will often show up after the perpetrator at the top has gone, and is never held accountable for their disastrous management.

        And that is a common occurrence these days. Swan off and have a nice life, leaving whatever mayhem behind you. Electricity debacles, leaky buildings, mine collapses with entombed men – what does it matter to the person ultimately responsible. That person does not carry the can now, the big money goes to the prominent person, but the responsibilities for bad actions and performance are often sheeted home to the worker getting marginal wages.

        • freedom 4.1.2.1
          24 May 2013 at 11:23 am

          prism, a question:
          Without the stimulus of The Civilian’s piece, would you have written that honest clear and informative comment? A comment which you have now shared with everyone who reads this post today, and in the future.

          That is what satire is capable of, and often more succesfully than any hard nosed journalism can achieve. That is why it is not crying wolf, it is simply essential to the tough discussions ahead. A discussion you have just made a valid contribution to.

          • prism 4.1.2.1.1
            24 May 2013 at 2:55 pm

            freedom
            I like satire, you don’t have to waste your good time explaining it to me. I just want a cleverly written satire that parallels reality to say quite clearly that it is satire and maybe early on and more than once in a longer piece.

            Do you remember hearing about the great Orson Welles spoof that purported tp report that aliens were landing? It was a bridge too far for a lot of the listeners. This guy has something to say about the effect on people about spoofs and hoaxes akin to satire).

            http://www.irdp.co.uk/hoax.htm
            When you consider the history of the twentieth century, broadcasting skits or hoaxes are more associated with radio than with television. This is because radio was the first electronic medium of mass entertainment and radio is a more psychological medium. Its relationship with its audience is based on an emotional and imaginative bond. In 1997 radio has not lost its importance as a huge and significant source for news and entertainment and the opportunity to hoodwink the audience is as strong as it has ever been.

        • just saying 4.1.2.2
          24 May 2013 at 12:06 pm

          Well said prism,

          We already have charter care facilities for the elderly providing hospital level services. We have charter disability services and facilities for those needing specialised personal care, charter adult education services….
          Also, more and more of what used to be skilled, paid work, is done by volunteers and whanau members now, muddling along as best they can, and hopefully picking up some of the necessary knowledge along the way

          And Middlemore is well on the way to being a charter hospital, in my honest opinion.

          If this bit of satire gave some a bit of a wake-up call that’s a good thing isn’t it?

          • prism 4.1.2.2.1
            24 May 2013 at 3:13 pm

            just saying
            I think it is important to look to facts and reliable information when talking about worrying trends and occurrences. You obviously are satirising what is a very satisfactory system just to be contrary. Or are you? How do I know your comment isn’t all a satire? It is important to try and get the real and not get side tracked by clever imaginative minds.

            I don’t want make believe served up as fact, and I read the Standard to get facts and thoughtful opinion, that is its strength. And I like to know for sure that I’m being given as good facts as possible, not have to assume that, or guess. I am old enough and experienced enough to know that it is dangerous to assume things but The Standard has proved to be a reliable source of information.

            And I don’t read much other news sources – New York, British even NZ. I haven’t time and that way is madness anyway with such a diet of bad news.

            • ghostrider888 4.1.2.2.1.1
              24 May 2013 at 3:14 pm

              some ‘madness’ this way too, comes šŸ˜€

            • just saying 4.1.2.2.1.2
              24 May 2013 at 5:45 pm

              I wasn’t joking. I was giving my opinion.
              What do you disagree with?

              Btw I’m reading ‘The Chavs’ by Owen Jones. He writes in detail about the ever-lowering standards of medical care particularly in elder care in poorer areas in Britain (among other things). The rest is my own observation. – professional, formerly public service care work being carried out by untrained employees of organisations out to make a profit by doing things on the cheap at the expense of service users (aka charterisation). Ghostrider has provided a useful link below, also, Gordon Campbell’s latest column gives more detail on the “charterisation” of care for the disabled.

              As for Middlemore, has anyone else experienced Middlemore?

        • ghostrider888 4.1.2.3
          24 May 2013 at 2:17 pm

          “Charter” care of the intellectually, and mentally, disabled.
          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885852
          “seriously dysfunctional”.”prioritizing growing the business.”

      • Lanthanide 4.1.3
        24 May 2013 at 12:23 pm

        Are you serious? You might want to read this: http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/colin-craig-threatens-legal-action-against-the-civilian/

        (Yes, I’m comparing you to Colin Craig. Mean, I know).

        • Professor Longhair 4.1.3.1
          24 May 2013 at 12:49 pm

          One “Lanthanide” writes foolishly: “Yes, Iā€™m comparing you to Colin Craig. Mean, I know.”

          A foolish and inapt comparison from someone without a discernible sense of humour.

          • Lanthanide 4.1.3.1.1
            24 May 2013 at 8:18 pm

            ?

            Colin was upset someone would take The Civilian seriously. Prism is upset because he did (or someone might?) take The Civilian seriously. All Colin had to do was read other posts on the site to see it was clearly satire. Similarly that’s all Prism had to do as well. Seems apt to me.

    • Rodel 4.2
      24 May 2013 at 10:19 am

      Lanthanide…Ha! very good…actually not a laughing matter.Hope Tony Ryall can’t read, but i think even nats can decipher satire.Some won’t.
      A report on Amway schools and Amway hospitals maybe next ?

    • ianmac 4.3
      24 May 2013 at 10:30 am

      Those in Education would see this satirical piece as very close to the truth of Charter Schools. The people would be very much up in arms if it was done to Hospitals but muted when done to Schools. Go figure.

  5. SpaceMonkey 5
    24 May 2013 at 9:33 am

    Chileā€™s Recent Lead Negotiator on Trans-Pacific Partnership Warns It Could Be a ā€œThreat to Our Countriesā€

    Yves Smith – Naked Capitalism

    Rodrigo Contreras, the lead negotiator on the TPP from Chile, resigned suddenly two months ago. Itā€™s widely believed that he left his post voluntarily. Heā€™s held in high esteem not just in Chile but among his fellow trade negotiators. His departure left people on the trade beat scratching their heads. It now appears probable that the reason for his resignation was that he saw where the TPP was likely to go and didnā€™t want his name attached to it.

    http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/05/chiles-recent-lead-negotiator-on-trans-pacific-partnership-warns-it-could-be-a-threat-to-our-countries.html

    Contreras article echoes what other insider-critics have said about the TPPA

    – Limits on or access to knowledge available on the Internet
    – Expansion of copyright protection terms for books, movies or music
    – Extension of drug patent protections
    – Restriction of challenges to frivilous patent applications – this would delay the availability of generic drugs and increase the cost of medicines

    The TPPA is not an FTA.

  6. freedom 6
    24 May 2013 at 10:03 am

    sensible discussion on hysteria does still exist, and from the guardian no less
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/23/woolwich-attack-terrorism-blowback

    • ianmac 6.1
      24 May 2013 at 10:35 am

      If pressure cookers are weapons of mass Destruction then it must be OK to call a murderer a Terrorist. After all Mr Key does list WMD as an excuse to spy on NZers. What’s in the name?

  7. Chrissy 7
    24 May 2013 at 10:52 am

    Isn’t john key a weapon of mass destruction?

  8. ianmac 8
    24 May 2013 at 10:56 am

    Time for a little paranoia teachers? In the Herald Editorial:

    A committee reviewing the Teachers Council for Education Minister Hekia Parata has proposed that the council be replaced by a body of a different name that would be appointed entirely by the minister but have statutory independence from ministerial direction.

    As well as having the power to register and discipline teachers, the new body would be charged with identifying issues of education policy and leading professional and public debate on teaching practices. It would be given a statutory obligation to promote the public interest and the interests of children and students and the review committee hopes the new body would come to be seen to represent the voice and face of the profession.

    Hells Bells. It was always believed that this Government was out to destroy the voice of Education. We certainly will not allow there to be criticism of National Standards or Charter Schools to leak out.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10885737

    • ghostrider888 8.1
      24 May 2013 at 2:25 pm

      on Superschools, Aranui, like Southern Cross; year 1-13 located in decile 1 areas; while there are 89 similar format schools already, 40 are area schools, servicing rural or isolated areas.

    • mac1 8.2
      24 May 2013 at 7:25 pm

      The voice of teachers appointed by the Minister of Education?

      Ianmac, you’ve just ruined my post-pub Friday night beer glow! Thank God, in one way, I’ve got out of teaching. However, this might just politicise teachers in a fashion not seen since the Seventies/Eighties.

  9. karol 9
    24 May 2013 at 11:14 am

    I see that home owners are really laying into Auckland Council over its Unitary Plan – however, if the dialogues result in a better AUP for all, then it is just part of a robust process. I just wish we were hearing as much from those on low incomes: renters, state house tenants, etc, as we are from the better off home owners.

    However, we now have a group calling itself “Affordable Auckland” opposing the council implementing a “living wage” for all.

    How exactly do they think people will live if they don’t get a living wage?

    And it all seems to be aimed at them not paying more rates. The whole urban housing market has become too far out of balance, and the housing market seems to be dominating all activities. And now home owners think they should dictate whether people are provided with a sufficient income to live on.

    Unbelievable. When did people become so callous towards other citizens? Back to the Victorian future!

    • prism 9.1
      24 May 2013 at 11:22 am

      karol +1

    • First Time Caller 9.2
      24 May 2013 at 11:42 am

      I looked at who the press release was from – a certain Stephen Berry who I’ve been acquainted with for years. To say he is a RWNJ is a little unfair to RWNJ’s.

      In saying that though, unless his personal circumstances has changed, at least he walks the talk – for a long, long time he was a supermarket shelf stacker, even while trying to get elected on the Libertarianz ticket.

    • Colonial Viper 9.3
      24 May 2013 at 11:52 am

      They’re the new capitalist owner class karol. This is a class based cold war.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.4
      24 May 2013 at 1:31 pm

      And now home owners think they should dictate whether people are provided with a sufficient income to live on.

      NZ started to become truly cheap in the 1980s and under the tutelage of the economists and politicians have become ever more so. They have come to believe that the price that should be paid is the price they want to pay and not the full costs of the service.

      • muzza 9.4.1
        24 May 2013 at 1:50 pm

        The overwhelming majority, have no clue about what puts upward pressure on their rates bill, or the machinations that contribute to upward pressure!

        A living wage to those employees, will amount a miniscule numerical value increase, in the wage bill line item balance sheet of the Super City GL, and it would be helpful to see some analysis of the impact that a living wage might have , in real terms on rates bills!

        How many of the *thinkers*, on this site, have an idea of what a council can do to help keep rates increases down?

        • Draco T Bastard 9.4.1.1
          24 May 2013 at 1:55 pm

          How many of the *thinkers*, on this site, have an idea of what a council can do to help keep rates increases down?

          Well, one of the best ways is to stop city sprawl.

          • muzza 9.4.1.1.1
            24 May 2013 at 2:12 pm

            Care to elaborate on that one, B?

            • ghostrider888 9.4.1.1.1.1
              24 May 2013 at 2:28 pm

              infrastructure and transportation costs.
              permiting and compliance costs.
              establishing new amenities.
              lost time inefficiencies.
              isolation.

            • Draco T Bastard 9.4.1.1.1.2
              24 May 2013 at 4:30 pm

              http://transportblog.co.nz/2012/03/31/building-our-way-to-affordability/
              http://transportblog.co.nz/2012/07/16/how-to-improve-housing-affordability/

              Simple really, building more sprawl pushes rates up due to the cost of the necessary infrastructure. This has been known for some time.

              • muzza …
                25 May 2013 at 9:36 am

                This is right in some respects, but its by far not the core issue when it comes to rates…

                Capital Expenditure vs Operational Expenditure vs Procurement/Contracts and transparency/auditing, would open a can or worms about rates increases!

                Edit – Penny Brights comment below 9412 – Open the Books, is the salient point, in the rates discussion!

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  25 May 2013 at 11:20 am

                  I’m all for opening the books. I think it’s long over due and needs to be done online in and as close to real time as possible. How much is being spent, which department and what they’re spending it on as well as the income from rates and other income streams.

                  Maybe then people will start to realise that they can’t have what they want without paying for it and, yes, it will also show up the poor spending.

        • Penny Bright 9.4.1.2
          24 May 2013 at 9:49 pm

          Open the books, and show EXACTLY how much Auckland citizens and ratepayers money is being spent on private sector consultants and contractors.

          Give us the NAMES of the consultants / contractors; the SCOPE, TERM and VALUE of these contracts.

          If there is no ‘cost-benefit’ analysis which PROVES that private sector provision of services that used to be provided ‘in-house’ by public servants, is more ‘cost-effective’ for the public majority – then cease this ‘corporate welfare’ FORTHWITH by CUTTING OUT THE CONTRACTORS.

          Penny Bright
          ‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation’ campaigner

          2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    24 May 2013 at 12:00 pm

    National standards data not comparable enough to release

    He said they were so idiosyncratic and wide-ranging that it was impossible to accurately compare achievement in any two schools, let alone apples with apples comparisons across all primary and intermediate schools.

    The numerous sources of variation that underlie schools judgments also mean that any claim of overall improvement or decline in the achievement of New Zealand children against the National Standards will be quite spurious.

    NZEI vice president Frances Guy says that the data being released next week will be no better than last yearā€™s data which the Prime Minister called ā€œropeyā€.

    ā€œSchools have done their best with a flawed and unreliable system. This does nothing to inform us about what is best for kidsā€™ learning. It just sets up ā€œwinnerā€ and ā€œloserā€ schools and labels children as failures.ā€

    National: Wasting NZers money as per normal.

  11. The Murphey 11
    24 May 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Q1: Is it likely a conflict of interest exists, where managers/department heads with hiring authority or influence, have business/personal ties, to recruitment firms and consultancies?
    Ā 
    A1:___
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Q2: Would it be surprising to learn the Q1 was widespread, throughout council departments/CCO’s?
    Ā 
    A2:___
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Q3: Would it be surprising to learn that rates paid for contractors, are, *above market*, in many cases, considerably so?
    A3:___
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Q4: Would it be surprising, to learn that council employees have been *re-structured*/*benched*, to be replaced by contractors/consultants, with links to Q1, rates in Q3?
    Ā 
    A4:___
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Ā 
    Q5: True or False – Contractor/Consultant headcount/fees, are not disclosed to the public?
    Ā 
    A5:_______

    • ghostrider888 11.1
      24 May 2013 at 2:31 pm

      A6: Oligarchy

    • joe90 11.2
      24 May 2013 at 2:31 pm

      1. Y, not what you know who you know.

      2. N, it’s the in crowd.

      3. N, they’re their mates you silly billy.

      4. N, that’ll be their family

      6. T, but only partly so, re-answers 3 and 4 you can expect to get advice on the right rate to tender at.

      • ghostrider888 11.2.1
        24 May 2013 at 2:40 pm

        from the good Doctor : Nightmare in Silver, written by Neil Gaiman.
        Cybermen, “The Great Enemy” are not extinct.”Please stand by, you will be upgraded; current cyber units use almost any living components”.

  12. Penny Bright 12
    24 May 2013 at 2:33 pm

    FYI

    The Auckland DAFT LUNATIC Plan! ‘OPEN THE (MINUTE) BOOKS’!
    ______________________________________________________________________________

    24 May 2013

    ‘Open Letter’ to Mayor Len Brown and all Auckland Councillors – please make public ALL minutes of the former Auckland Future Vision Committee and Auckland Plan Committee that were ‘confidential’ regarding the Auckland (Spatial) Plan.

    Dear Mayor Len Brown and ALL Auckland Councillors,

    I have been trying to ascertain exactly how, when, and who decided that the Department of Statistics ‘medium’ population growth projection for the Auckland (Spatial) Plan, should ‘transmogrify’ into the ‘high’ population growth projection.

    Having trawled through the minutes of the former Auckland Future Vision Committee meetings, prior to the launching of the Auckland (Spatial) Plan, I have discovered that many, if not most of the Council discussions were under ‘Confidential’.

    In the interests of ‘open, transparent and democratically-accountable’ local government, I formally request that the ‘books’ (minutes) are now opened, and all the ‘Confidential’ minutes are now made public, so concerned citizens and ratepayers can follow how the decision to rely on the Department of Statistics ‘high’ population growth projection was arrived at.

    Given that it was resolved at the Auckland Council Governing Body meeting on Thursday 23 May 2013, NOT to extend the date for ‘feedback’ on the Draft Auckland Unitary Plan for 15 working days, can you please ensure that these above-mentioned ‘Confidential’ minutes are made public by 5pm Friday 24 May 2013, and the public are so advised, by way of a Press Release, (and given the exact Auckland Council website links) in order to assist with the public ‘feedback’ process.

    Please be reminded that the two key Auckland ‘infrastructure’ providers – both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services – have relied upon the Department of Statistics ‘medium’ population growth projections for their Auckland regional ‘asset planning’.

    This, in my considered opinion, is arguably a rather significant and serious planning ‘misalignment’ for Auckland transport and water infrastructure, and Auckland projected population growth?

    How did this come about?

    Below – FYI – are emails I have received today on this matter, from Mark Hannan, Media Manager for Auckland Transport, and Dan Wrigley, Communications Advisor for Watercare Services Ltd:
    ______________________________________________________________________________

    “The only study recently done around growth predictions was for the Central City Future Access Study in relation to the City Rail Link.

    The CCFAS used scenario I which is medium growth Auckland Plan population, with a 60:40 split inside:outside MUL.

    Mutually agreed by AC, AT, NZTA, MOT, and Treasury. It’s set out in the CCFAS.

    http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/newseventsculture/OurAuckland/News/Pages/cityraillinkkeytoavoidingtransportcrisis.aspx

    Thanks,

    Mark

    Mark Hannan | Media Manager

    6 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson, Waitakere 0612

    Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142

    M 021 817 995 DDI 09 447 4641

    P 09 355 3553 XT 484641

    aucklandtransport.govt.nz | twitter@akltransport

    mark.hannan@aucklandtransport.govt.nz

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    ” Please see below the link to our Asset Management Plan that stipulates the use of medium growth forecasts in our planning.

    Hope this helps. The first mention is on page 8.

    http://www.watercare.co.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/AllPDFs/Publications/AMP_Dec_2011.pdf

    Regards,

    Dan Wrigley
    Communications Advisor

    Watercare Services Limited”

    ______________________________________________________________________________

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation’ campaigner

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

  13. ghostrider888 13
    24 May 2013 at 2:43 pm

    Nathan Guy aye? plays Pass The Carcass; “disappointed in my officials”.

    and Key on te Urewera; “unlikely compensation will be paid”.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 14.1
      24 May 2013 at 2:48 pm

      Would it explain why Pakeha child abuse never makes the news?

      • Winston Smith 14.1.1
        24 May 2013 at 4:01 pm

        Probably, which is a disgrace. shouldn’t be any difference in the reporting of abuse.

        • ianmac 14.1.1.1
          24 May 2013 at 4:36 pm

          More pakeha children suffer abuse than maori children. But we know the names of maori child victims but very few of the pakeha ones. Why is that?

    • karol 14.2
      24 May 2013 at 3:10 pm

      From your link:

      Media bosses more in sync with voters

      Yet, among those who arguably matter most ā€“ the journalists in senior editorial ranks who have the most power to decide news agendas ā€“ a dramatically different picture emerged.

      Among the 83 senior editors who took part in the survey, the Coalition was the party of choice on 43.2%, followed by Labor (34.1%) and the Greens (11.4%).

      Chicken or egg?

      • ghostrider888 14.2.1
        24 May 2013 at 3:13 pm

        yep, and if dinosaurs like Gavin Ellis and the local editor are anything to go buy (sic)…

      • Winston Smith 14.2.2
        24 May 2013 at 4:04 pm

        Probably explains why a number of journalists end up working for the Labour party…media bias?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 14.2.2.1
          24 May 2013 at 4:24 pm

          No, that would be evidence of left wing journalists leaving the profession, but first you’d have to provide something to support the assertion.

          PS: you’ll also have to show how public sentiment is something journalists should pay attention to when they form an opinion.

        • Puddleglum 14.2.2.2
          24 May 2013 at 6:45 pm

          Alternatively, it may be that people who witness the machinations of politicians and business people up close (i.e., journalists) may start to lean leftwards.

          Also, unexplained is why there are proportionately fewer right-leaning journalists. It can hardly be that the senior journalists (who may be in on hiring new staff) or the owners would be actively choosing left-wingers given that they are apparently right-leaning, on average.

          If my first hypothesis (that being a journalist pushes one to the left because of what you witness) is incorrect, perhaps initially left-leaning applicants for journalist jobs are just better qualified or skilled than their right-leaning counterparts?

          • lprent 14.2.2.2.1
            24 May 2013 at 7:10 pm

            Or getting close up to politicians and the state apparatus makes any journalist with a conscience to shift their opinions.
            Or the population is proportionally more left than the those who are voting. After all only only something like 70% of those eligible to vote actually voted last time.

          • karol 14.2.2.2.2
            24 May 2013 at 7:12 pm

            The other problem with the research is that it used the journalists’ perceptions of their own political leanings.

        • Anne 14.2.2.3
          24 May 2013 at 7:03 pm

          What about Capt. Panic Pants? (forgotten his name… oh yes Kevin Taylor?) who is Key’s chief press secretary and was a former journalist. And there’s been others before him. For example, the bloke who runs RNZ – Richard somebody or another. He was Bolger’s press secretary and a former journalist.

          What it shows WS is your ignorance of current and past NZ political history. You’ve got a hell of a long way to go before you get a pass…

  15. The Pink Postman 15
    24 May 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Congratulations to Hamilton City Council who voted to pay their workers The Living Wage .
    I hope that Hamiltonians will remember to vote out the mean spirited councilors who opposed this good policy.
    Perhaps they will try to live onnthe governments mininum wage.

  16. ghostrider888 16
    24 May 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Some Vintage Winston
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885958

    More Unlawful behaviour by the Government
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885962
    (legal aid delegation to the Secretary of Justice).

  17. ghostrider888 17
    24 May 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Capturing landlords, and pre-selecting tenants.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885812

    More on the weight of the looming health crisis.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885815

  18. Brett Dale 18
    24 May 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Why I hate reality TV.

    Every week it goes to a new office. The office clerks gets to decide who they will fire.

    The funny thing is, the person actually loses their job and has no right of comeback.

    All for our enjoyment.

    • Paul 18.1
      24 May 2013 at 8:32 pm

      Brett I agree with you.
      On the issue of reality TV ,we are on the same side.
      Now, how do I persuade you of the wrongs, both practical and moral, of neo-liberalism?

      • Brett Dale 18.1.1
        25 May 2013 at 12:33 pm

        Well surprise surprise in the bottom three, were the company’s only two african American employees.

        • felix 18.1.1.1
          26 May 2013 at 4:01 pm

          So Brett, do you support the 90-day fire-at-will law?

          • Morrissey 18.1.1.1.1
            26 May 2013 at 5:43 pm

            So Brett, do you support the 90-day fire-at-will law?

            Of course he does. Brett Dale is an enthusiastic proponent of the concept of “fire-at-will”, especially when the targets are Arab children.

  19. emergency mike 19
    24 May 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Winston’s banging on about asian immigrants again. Can someone please remind me what year it is?

    Apparently he’s worried, without irony, about ‘importing corruption’. Aside from the rank racism, why would we import it when we’re manufacturing it nicely on our own thanks very much?

      • emergency mike 19.1.1
        25 May 2013 at 1:09 am

        “Labour leader David Shearer said Peters “has his own views, some of which we don’t share. It’s up to voters to decide the composition of the next Government at the election. My only focus is on asking people to vote Labour.” ”

        Yeah scathing stuff from DS there: ‘Winston says stuff, we might agree with it sometimes, but sometimes we don’t. It might rain tomorrow, but it might not rain. An election is decided by people voting. What they do is they add up all the votes, then they see who got the most votes. So it’s the people who vote who decide who wins the election. That’s what’s going to happen at the next election. Vote Labour.’

  20. vto 20
    24 May 2013 at 6:01 pm

    .
    R A G E …….

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/8713884/Compensation-possible-for-China-meat-delay

    People in East Christchurch get shafted by government department EQC and get told to harden up and fuck off.

    Farmers somewhere else get shafted by government department MPI and get told they will get money.

    ……R A G E ……….

    makes me so very angry

  21. Morrissey 21
    24 May 2013 at 6:05 pm

    How did The Panel handle the Woolwich killings?
    You guessed it—they launched an attack on “multiculturalism”.

    The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 24 May 2013
    Jim Mora, Deborah Hill Cone, Gary Moore

    One of the more irritatingly glib commentators paid to chat about fuck-all is the recently divorced Deborah Hill Cone. Her schtick is doing what another Panel regular, Rosemary McLeod, used to do in the 1970s, i.e., sneer relentlessly at progressive and liberal thinkers, denouncing them as “middle class”, “trendy”, “pretentious”, or “hip”. A few years back, Deborah Hill Cone was memorably gazzumped by Brian Edwards on the Panel; after she declared that she was perfectly entitled to speak out against “dole bludgers” and “welfare fraudsters” because she knew “some lower socio-economic sector people”, Edwards riposted: “You mean, you drive past their houses when you’re on the motorway.”

    Deborah Hill Cone is neither a deep thinker nor a serious reader; like our Standardista comrade Populuxe1, she is stupid enough to have taken pot shots at Noam Chomsky without ever having bothered to read him. This afternoon, shortly before 4 o’clock, she treated us to a sample of her sophisticated and morally astute thinkingā€¦.

    JIM MORA: Susan Baldacci, with what the woooooorld’s talking about! What have you got for us today?

    SUSAN BALDACCI: Well, it appears from papers released today that the British secret service was recording the telephone conversations of Edward VIII.

    JIM MORA: Edward VIII?

    SUSAN BALDACCI: [with slight irritation] Yes.

    JIM MORA: He was a Nazi-sympathizer, wasn’t he!

    DEBORAH HILL CONE: Well, that’s what people DID in the 1930s! [Slurp!] People who went to Nazi rallies in the 1930s, it was like a rock concert, really! [Slurp!]

    JIM MORA: Yes it was!

    SUSAN BALDACCI: Yes that’s right!

    That shallow, dodgy, irresponsible tone would be amplified after the news, when the first topic came up for discussion: yesterday’s horrific murder in Woolwich. Oddly, Jim Mora—or his producers—decided to ignore the real issue, which is that this grisly crime was a retaliation for the crimes committed by the British state every day in Afghanistan and Iraq. That is a difficult truth to acknowledge, but it is the truth.

    No need to discuss such unpleasant matters on the Panel, however. Instead, Mora—or his producers—decide to channel Enoch Powell and embark on a long, wandery discourse about the perils of “multiculturalism”. I have never really had any great respect for Gary Moore in the past; this afternoon he confirmed just what a shallow and vapid thinker he is. This rubbishy sub-NewstalkZB chatter went on for a long ten minutes. If their intention was to cloud the issue and confuse everybody, they succeeded brilliantly.

    Soapboxā€¦

    Gary Moore talks about the need to revamp the Christchurch City Council in the upcoming elections. In contrast to his hopelessly anodyne, mealy-mouthed observations during the “multiculturalism” discussion, he actually has thought a bit about local politics and he is worth listening to.

    By contrast, Deborah Hill Cone has a sneer at the “hipsters on the cool side of town sipping their Fair Trade coffee.” Mora and Moore laugh appreciatively at this sparkling display of wit.

    At this point, I was (mercifully) interrupted by a person from Petoneā€¦.

    • karol 21.1
      24 May 2013 at 6:24 pm

      I heard the bit where Hill Cone said she never reads the comments under her op ed pieces – she thinks they are all hmmm as I recall, nasty or a waste of time. So I guess she continues to produce her articles in her own mental bubble.

      Yes, the whole multicultural angle missed the whole point of the Woolwich murder.

      • Morrissey 21.1.1
        24 May 2013 at 10:30 pm

        Yes, the whole multicultural angle missed the whole point of the Woolwich murder.

        It deliberately ignored the whole point of the Woolwich murder. They are just not confident enough to actually speak the discomfiting truth.

    • North 21.2
      24 May 2013 at 10:53 pm

      And I daresay your Visitor From Petone probably saved your life. I turned off 2 minutes in when my apoplexy peaked.

      I’ve had two belly laughs today. Graham Norton Show (best ever), and now your feature – the superbly edited “transcript”.

      Kia Ora Morrissey. Entertaining on top. The steel of principle underneath. Unlike the (in-the-main) flakes on The Panel. That poor panel must be absolutely sodden with ejaculate.

      • felix 21.2.1
        26 May 2013 at 12:42 pm

        This is probably the most brilliant comment I’ve ever read, North. Well done and keep it up.

        • felix 21.2.1.1
          26 May 2013 at 12:44 pm

          Hi Felix, I always look forward to your insightful comments and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. You have brought a ray of sunshine into my dark miserable life.

        • Morrissey 21.2.1.2
          26 May 2013 at 5:46 pm

          This is probably the most brilliant comment Iā€™ve ever read, North.

          That makes two of us, felix. šŸ™‚

      • Clockie 21.2.2
        26 May 2013 at 12:51 pm

        Yes North. šŸ™‚ Very nice!

  23. prism 23
    24 May 2013 at 7:57 pm

    Our internet keeps going down. Happened during past week or so. Does anyone have inside information – sun spots, weakness in the national system?

  24. One Anonymous Knucklehead 24
    24 May 2013 at 9:01 pm

    John Key, ace negotiator, strikes again.

    Apple growers are joining the queue for compensation from the Government after produce was blocked on its way into Russia.

    • kiwicommie 24.1
      24 May 2013 at 10:36 pm

      Got to love neo-liberal double standards on the ‘free market’, when it suits their corporate and business mates it is ‘the right thing to do’, but when it is saving manufacturing jobs, or helping out the unemployed it is ‘wasting taxpayers money’ and giving to ‘dole bludgers’. They are great at ranting on about how the government shouldn’t intervene, and that we should let the free market do it’s work, then they hand out welfare to business and corporates.

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