Open mike 25/01/2015

171 comments on “Open mike 25/01/2015 ”

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1. CnrJoe 1

   25 January 2015 at 7:24 am

   But wait there’s more http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2015/01/new-zealands-cathy-odgers-bungles-resignation-pacific-fiduciaries.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29
2. Pete George 2

   25 January 2015 at 7:32 am

   Len Brown has ruled out cash for Sky’s convention centre – Ratepayer cash won’t go into convention centre, mayor promises.

   The Government took a gamble doing a deal with Sky over the convention centre.

   Who would want to finance a business who cocked up their costings so much? Either cocked up or cooked up a massive con.

   Auckland ratepayers and New Zealand taxpayers should hand out nothing to Sky.

   If Brown gets sucked in to the con it would decimate his re-election chances.

   If Key’s/Joyce’s government ignores the deal they made and gambles on a handout it will likely be a significant factor in the demise of the Key tenure in government.

   It would be a stupid business gamble and a very stupid political gamble.

   With what Sky are now trying on it may have been a stupid idea in the first place.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1

     25 January 2015 at 7:44 am

     Responses to this comment will be republished at Yawns. That’s what it’s here for.
     • phillip ure 2.1.1

       25 January 2015 at 7:45 am

       it’s also (literally) yesterdays’ news..
       • Ed 2.1.1.1

         25 January 2015 at 8:46 am

         Certainly it started well before yesterday, but it will continue – we can now await comment from National as to the exact nature of the contract, and whether it really does allow the government to walk away – the NBR article appears to at least raise a question or two to be answered. Has Key lied again?
         • phillip ure 2.1.1.1.1

           25 January 2015 at 8:49 am

           i meant that particular report/story – not the issue..

           ..and of course yr question is rhetorical..
     • Pete George 2.1.2

       25 January 2015 at 8:02 am

       The OAB MO:

       1. Who’s the enemy?

       2. How do we smash them?

       When all else fails making things up gets kinda lame.
       • McFlock 2.1.2.1

         25 January 2015 at 12:00 pm

         we know.
         please stop.
       • Pascals bookie 2.1.2.2

         25 January 2015 at 12:31 pm

         Hey Pete. Remember when you were on one of your mini-crusades saying Little and Mallard should be driven from politics for saying Collins was in cahoots with Whaleoil and Ede?

         Good times eh.
         • Pete George 2.1.2.2.1

           25 January 2015 at 12:59 pm

           Your words, I think you’re overstating . Little learned from that by the look of things. Look what that has done for him.

           And even Mallard might have mellowed enough, or be determined enough to become speaker, to desist from the dirty style of politics he was well known for.
           • Pascals bookie 2.1.2.2.1.1

             25 January 2015 at 1:10 pm

             What, like when Mallard said Collins was in Cahoots with WO and Slater, and you were saying that was outrageous dirty politics of the type we shouldn’t tolerate?

             Turns out he was right though, eh?
             • Pete George …

               25 January 2015 at 1:18 pm

               Making allegations, especially protected by parliamentary privilege without providing evidence is a dirty politics method.
               • David …

                 25 January 2015 at 1:39 pm

                 This man would win any dancing competition, dancing on the head of a pin here. Still the same old excuse of ‘labour does it too.’
               • Pascals bookie …

                 25 January 2015 at 1:44 pm

                 he made the comments on Radio NZ Pete. And parliamentary privilege is there specifically to allow MPs to raise things. Would you do away with that?

                 But anyway, in the RNZ i/v Mallard said he had a source who had been reliable in the past. this source had told him that Collins wa in cahoots with WO and Ede and up to dirty tricks. Turns out his source was right eh Pete? And you went on and on and on and on about all sorts of shit, saying Mallard and Little were undermining democracy and stuff.

                 Turns out you were, probably unwittingly, running interference for WO and Ede’s dirty politics.

                 Had a look on your blog, can’t find the post where you acknowledge how wrong you were.
                 • Pete George …

                   25 January 2015 at 2:15 pm

                   This was the result of the defamation action.

                   “the leak of the email Ms Boag sent to the minister and forwarded on her instructions as the responsible minister to the chairman and chief executive of ACC raised an issue of serious public concern, and that Messrs Mallard and Little were entitled to question who was responsible for that leak”.

                   “The parties continue to differ over whether the comments made by Messrs Mallard and Little respectively on Radio NZ implied the minister falsely assured the House that neither she nor her office was responsible for the leak.

                   “Messrs Mallard and Little have confirmed to Ms Collins that was not their intention and wish to make that clear publicly that in the event such meaning was taken they regret it.”

                   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10847321

                   Nothing in that about WO and Ede.

                   Collins wa in cahoots with WO and Ede and up to dirty tricks

                   We know Ede and Slater liased. We already knew Collins was friends with and communicated with Slater.

                   Do you have proof Collins “was in cahoots with WO and Ede and up to dirty tricks”?

                   If so any dirtier than tricks Mallard is well known for?
                   • One Anonymous Bloke …

                     25 January 2015 at 2:25 pm

                     🙄

                     I feel sorry for the state of Judith Collins’ mind too.
                   • Pascals bookie …

                     25 January 2015 at 2:42 pm

                     How did WO find out about deatils of the ACC breach before it became public Pete?

                     He told people that Collins told him, and that the recipient was Pullar and that she was going to get “ratfucked”.

                     But hey, yo can pretend Collins is squeaky clean all you like, and that Hager didn’t write a book, and even if he did the pages were all blank, if you want to.

                     Or you could just say that yeah, Mallard and Little were on to something, and the fact Collins pulled out of the defamation case, in hindsight, probably had a bit to do with the activities described in that book Hager wrote.
                   • Pascals bookie …

                     25 January 2015 at 2:43 pm

                     “Nothing in that about WO and Ede.”

                     really? Refer to “the comments made” idiot.
                   • Pete George …

                     25 January 2015 at 3:00 pm

                     Calm down, getting tetchy doesn’t help.

                     He told people that Collins told him, and that the recipient was Pullar and that she was going to get “ratfucked”.

                     Claimed or proven? It has been proven that Slater’s word isn’t reliable, especially his bragging.

                     I don’t believe I’ve ever claimed Collins is ‘squeaky clean’. Is any politician?

                     Do you think Mallard was squeaky clean?
                   • Pascals bookie …

                     25 January 2015 at 4:10 pm

                     Shall we search your site for “eddie” and see whether or not you give credence to WOs claims then?

                     But if WO was lying about Collins telling him, then how did he know about the ACC breach? Do you have an alternative hypothesis Pete?

                     The fact he knew, and the fact we know Collins fed him other info gives the claim he made credibility.
                   • Pete George …

                     25 January 2015 at 4:23 pm

                     Do what you like.

                     I’ll give credence to credible claims from anyone including WO. And I suspect I’ve directly confronted crap from WO directly a bit more than you (when I could) when I saw fit.

                     You didn’t answer two questions.
                   • Pascals bookie …

                     25 January 2015 at 5:14 pm

                     Funny though eh Pete?

                     – How you cried bloody murder when Mallard and Little were saying Collins was in cahoots with whaleoil and it turned out their source was onto it. You were calling those claims baseless scurrilous attacks aimed purely at destroying a government. And that this amounted to undermining democracy.

                     -And how you choose to give credence and repeat the claims made about ‘eddie’ and others. Your choices, obviously. But it’s you the rides a high horse Pete.

                     -And yet, from on that high horse you have apparently not bothered to take anything back or admit that maybe Mallard and Little were in fact ‘holding the govt to account’.
                   • One Anonymous Bloke …

                     25 January 2015 at 5:25 pm

                     Which all goes to show he merits everything I’ve ever said about him. Every last word.

                     Bland, unoriginal, dishonest, hypocrisy. Yawns.
                   • Pete George …

                     25 January 2015 at 5:37 pm

                     You didn’t answer two questions. Again.

                     Any thoughts on why Little seemed to stop “holding the government to account” while Mallard continued to harass trying to, as he has claimed, force a mistake in dealing with it?
                   • One Anonymous Bloke …

                     25 January 2015 at 5:43 pm

                     …seemed… to whom? Are you citing yourself again, Wormtongue?
                   • Pascals bookie …

                     25 January 2015 at 5:53 pm

                     “Any thoughts on why Little seemed to stop “holding the government to account” while Mallard continued to harass trying to, as he has claimed, force a mistake in dealing with it?”

                     I don’t think Little backed away at all, as can be seen from the fact that he stayed party to the defamation case that Collins backed away from.

                     And what ‘harrassing’? You mean repeating his claims in spite of being threatened with a defamation suit which was eventually abandoned?

                     Now how about you discuss whether or not you were wrong about what was going on?
                   • One Anonymous Bloke …

                     25 January 2015 at 6:00 pm

                     No no no Pascal’s Bookie, I won’t stand for that: he was parroting someone else’s words, and they are wrong.
               • Stephanie Rodgers …

                 25 January 2015 at 1:50 pm

                 Making allegations which turn out to be completely accurate when protected by parliamentary privilege which was created to allow politicians to challenge the powerful without fear of recrimination is inconvenient for defenders of the powerful and lovers of the status quo like Pete George.

                 Fixed it for you.
               • Murray Rawshark …

                 25 January 2015 at 5:00 pm

                 Parliamentary privilege is designed to allow the uncovery of malfeasance and corruption. I would argue that Blubber Boy’s contacts with Ede and Collins fitted the definitions. There was nothing dirty about bringing it up at all.

                 Yawn. Yawnz. Very appropriate.
   • Skinny 2.2

     25 January 2015 at 10:50 am

     Key and Jocye need to fess up they have been out gambled by SkyCity who don’t need the convention centre with business booming from the oversea’s tourist market. They got a great prize in the Television NZ property adjacent to their casino. Which correct me if I’m wrong, was originally proposed as part of the convention centre. Now (as Sky likely intended all along) they are constructing a major hotel which will house their punters, and soak up new casino/restaurant traffic by default of the proximity of a hotel opposite their gambling house.
     • Murray Rawshark 2.2.1

       25 January 2015 at 5:05 pm

       How do you spell “corrupt as fuck”? Never mind, I think I got it right. This is the sort of stuff that the American Viceroy in Iraq got away with when he signed stuff over to Halliburton. We didn’t even need to be invaded first 🙁
       • Clemgeopin 2.2.1.1

         26 January 2015 at 10:58 am

         ‘How do you spell “corrupt as fuck”? ‘

         National?
   • Clemgeopin 2.3

     25 January 2015 at 2:20 pm

     @Pete George:
     Hi Pete, yesterday you said, “I hope I can prefer a Labour led government again but they have got to sort a lot of stuff out before I think they will be up to it”

     And I replied:

     What do you mean by ‘they have to sort a lot of stuff?’ What stuff? Explain

     You did not respond. So, in case, you did not see that, I am asking that question here again.
     • Pete George 2.3.1

       25 January 2015 at 2:41 pm

       Sorry, I missed that.

       The obvious thing they have to sort out is their polling, by 10-15%.

       Andrew Little has to build on a promising start and prove he’s up to the task without making too many mistakes. And then keep building his credibility and policy knowledge.

       Grant Robertson has to prove he’s up to the finance portfolio.

       The Labour caucus have to prove they they can work together and not tear each other apart.

       The Labour Party has to work out what key policies will win them more support than it loses.

       And part supporters would help by showing they are prepared to reach out to a wider constituency and not just diss off anyone they deem to be an enemy.

       Once they sort that out they may start to look like they are up to leading the next government.
       • One Anonymous Bloke 2.3.1.1

         25 January 2015 at 2:43 pm

         Which Labour Party supporters have been rude to you, Wormtongue?
         • phillip ure 2.3.1.1.1

           25 January 2015 at 3:45 pm

           heh..!
       • Clemgeopin 2.3.1.2

         25 January 2015 at 3:46 pm

         Ok, good points.

         The strange thing is that Key, despite himself often behaving in an unbecoming manner in his stupid statements, in the dodgy company he keeps with questionable low characters, and in his destructive policies AND protecting his disgraceful ministers like Judith Collins, Nick Smith, Bill English, Gerry Brownlee and Maurice Williamson in spite of their utterly shocking shameful behaviour, still gets poll support from the general public!
         • Pete George 2.3.1.2.1

           26 January 2015 at 6:23 am

           You’re either overstating the negatives against Key or Labour are doing worse, unless you can think of some other reason why they are polling 26% to National’s 52 (last Roy Morgan poll)
           • Clemgeopin 2.3.1.2.1.1

             26 January 2015 at 10:26 am

             Are you blind to the dirty politics, spin, bullshit, lies, razzmatazz and propaganda indulged in by Key, the National party, Cosby Textor, the corporates, the RW blogs and MSM outfits that have manage to constantly publicise a false dishonest ‘positive’ narrative of the government, drowning or ignoring the negatives and fooling the perception of a vast number of the general public who do not pay particular in depth attention to politics?

             In comparison to Nartional, Labour and the left are forthright, have enlightened values, modern, principled, honest and caring for the social and economic well being of all the people and the country for both the short term and the long term.

             If you are a person of integrity and honesty, you will realise the truth of what I have just said.
       • Stephanie Rodgers 2.3.1.3

         25 January 2015 at 9:35 pm

         So, quite literally, the first thing which Labour needs to do to win your vote is be more popular.

         A truly principled stance.
3. phillip ure 3

   25 January 2015 at 7:39 am

   i feel i must pass on a warning..

   ..steel yrslves..!

   ..the fashion-mavens have dictated that soon we will all be wearing flares..

   ..for some of us..again..

   ..i wd like to register here as a refusnik on the flare-thing..

   ..(‘you’ll put flares on my dead/cold legs!’ etc..)

   ..this takes you to a photo-gallery of flare-fashion-sins past..

   ..(and my coverage to date – i’ll keep an eye on it..)

   ..you have been warned..!

   http://whoar.co.nz/?s=flares
   • Rosie 3.1

     25 January 2015 at 9:34 am

     You may appreciate this exhibition if you’re travelling down this way phillip:

     http://dowse.org.nz/exhibitions/detail/age-of-aquarius-a-70s-revolution
     • phillip ure 3.1.1

       25 January 2015 at 1:18 pm

       looks good..have u been 2 it..?

       ..a funny meme cd be people posting pics of themselves in fashion-disasters..

       ..from any era..

       ..i of course am a history in spectacles-fashion..

       ..and to some of them..

       ..all i can say is..

       ..whoar..!..what was i thinking..?

       ..and pondering the wisdom of taking bad advice..
       • Rosie 3.1.1.1

         25 January 2015 at 2:30 pm

         I do intend to get out to the Hutt to see it, although am in two minds about being reminded of that era, being a child of the 70’s.

         As a 7 year old, I did have flares, brown corduroy ones, teamed with a home made poncho of grey homespun wool. It smelt of sheep. You would not like it. It was not my proudest fashion moment, stepping out in that.

         Better was the fluro crimson skinny rib short sleeve acrylic turtle neck, made on a domestic knitting machine, paired with a lime green apple motif maxi skirt. Fine threads, fine threads.
         • phillip ure 3.1.1.1.1

           25 January 2015 at 3:56 pm

           the only shards of fashion-self-respect i can claw back..

           ..is that i resisted all urgings to don a headband..

           ..and spent the time pretty much poncho/bead-free..
     • joe90 3.1.2

       25 January 2015 at 3:10 pm

       On the Friday after work me and a mate headed off to the concert but only made it to Hamilton where his car gave up so we hitched to Ngāruawāhia and spent the night in the Toi tois. We hitched to Auckland on the Saturday walking from the Symonds street off ramp to the zoo side of the Springs and climbed the fence to spend another night in the bushes.

       I had a ticket so I went through the gate at about midday on the Sunday but my mate did his navy seal thing swimming across the lake dodging security but he did make into the venue.

       Forty years later large parts of concert have faded but Gimme Shelter, Satisfaction, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, the crowd, the buddha haze and the fun remain as vivid as ever, although the after concert goings on have always been a blur.

       On the Monday I was able to ring my old man, the good old days when collect calls made from a phone box were a big fucking deal, about our predicament so he drove up from Tauranga to rescue us and we styled it all the way back to work at Whakamaru.

       Despite turning up ready to work on Tuesday being a day late were were both on the mat before the station superintendent, sent home and had two days pay docked for taking unauthorised leave,
       • Rosie 3.1.2.1

         25 January 2015 at 3:14 pm

         Cool story joe. Like it 😀 Worth it for losing two days pay.
   • Skinny 3.2

     25 January 2015 at 11:44 am

     Last time flares came back into fashion was about early 2000’s, a mate and myself got around in some very cool locally designed ones, made us feel like fashion guru’s. Black with a red fade thru them, very comfy with no restriction from the knee down. The chic’s loved them, and the strange thing was we would get our bums pinched out on the town. Must have been the tight cut around the arse, and the long legs, or the mocking disco moves on the dance floor. Anyway it was weird and made me blush a couple of times.
     • phillip ure 3.2.1

       25 January 2015 at 12:07 pm

       far too much information..

       ..and disturbing images to boot..
     • Rosie 3.2.2

       25 January 2015 at 1:03 pm

       Hey Skinny, comrade, we have views in common but ya know, the way you talk about women kinda makes me feel uncomfortable. It’s been there in your craic for a while.

       First off, quite some time back you had a go at Helen Kelly, being quite dismissive of her achievements and suggesting we needed a strong man in charge. Can’t remember if I replied to that.

       I replied to your comment over xmas about your reference to your gf being a “bit of an airhead” and how your last gf had brains but wasn’t pretty so you had this trade off thing going on. Didn’t hear back from you.

       There was a reference to Sally Ridge being “the town bike” a few weeks ago.

       And now we’re chic’s…………

       These statements read as put downs specifically aimed at women.

       Please just be aware that women read TS as well. Speaking for myself I don’t really want to feel like I’ve just walked into some dodgy blokey chat around the BBQ, the kind where you back off and head the other way, after you’ve received that creepy collective “once over” glance.
       • Jenny Kirk 3.2.2.1

         25 January 2015 at 2:29 pm

         + 100% plus, Rosie.
       • Ross 3.2.2.2

         25 January 2015 at 2:31 pm

         Rosie, the way you talk about men makes me kinda feel uncomfortable.

         dodgy blokey.

         creepy collective.

         Otherwise, fair enough.
         • Rosie 3.2.2.2.1

           25 January 2015 at 3:21 pm

           You’d get it If you’d ever been on the receiving end of predatory male behaviour Ross.
           • Colonial Rawshark 3.2.2.2.1.1

             25 January 2015 at 4:46 pm

             People should language in a respectful way. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to deal with your own feelings and experiences just as they have to deal with their own.
         • Murray Rawshark 3.2.2.2.2

           25 January 2015 at 5:15 pm

           Really? Is that because you aren’t aware of the existence of those things? Or because you partake in them? Rosie’s post didn’t make me uncomfortable at all. She has seen something she doesn’t like, and is pointing it out in a fairly gentle way.
       • Skinny 3.2.2.3

         25 January 2015 at 3:13 pm

         Your taking things far too serious sister flares, groovy, the fuzz, hip, and chic’s all part of the 70’s when they were all the fashion. You need to peace out about the women put down thing.

         It wouldn’t matter if Kelly was a male, in my view she is a tad too fickle/weak. In saying that looking around the ranks of union leaders (GS) there isn’t a lot I’d rate ‘male or female’ actually. McCarten or Treen would be the best about. Unite would have some real talented females on the rise hopefully. I’m a bit of a hard-liner and a bit over the PC approach of the CTU, probably as a result of an overkill of teachers & PSA.

         In regards to the other comments about looks, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but I get your point, yeah the town bike call was not a good one, should have known better- apologies ladies 🙂
         • Rosie 3.2.2.3.1

           25 January 2015 at 3:42 pm

           I don’t think I’m taking “things far too serious” Skinny. I’ve turned a blind eye to your sexist comments far too many times. Nor am I going to “peace out” about the “women put down thing”.

           It sounds like, for you, equality is a topic you can move on from when you get sick of it, being a “bit over the PC approach” an’ all. It’s not an optional nicety for women, we’re still living in an unequal world. Put downs are all part of that big wide world of inequality for us, it’s not something we can walk away from when it all gets a bit too boring – we have to live with it.

           Stop and ask yourself, before you write, “Is this a respectful thing to say about women?” That’s all.
           • Skinny 3.2.2.3.1.1

             25 January 2015 at 10:45 pm

             Fair enough I will think about my language since its an issue to you and others. Btw I sit in seperate chairperson & vice chairperson positions, the later I deliberately didn’t contest the chair role in recognition of the gender inequality. Unfortunately she is not much chop and as I understand will be moving on. However there is a well qualified female replacement, if the other females don’t conspire against her? It’s not the boys that she needs to worry about, which has a name but best not to say 🙂
             • Rosie …

               26 January 2015 at 9:08 am

               Good on you for taking those thoughts on board Skinny.

               In the mean time, keep up the good work. We WILL win 🙂
       • greywarshark 3.2.2.4

         25 January 2015 at 3:16 pm

         What’s wrong with chics Rosie. It tends to have an affectionate tone about it. Similar in use as guys and gals. It is possible to be pedantic over PC talk control.
         • Rosie 3.2.2.4.1

           25 January 2015 at 3:57 pm

           Don’t really see women as small fluffy flightless birds, vulnerable to attack Warbs. It refers to a woman as something she is not. It may be an affectionate term, I’ve just never heard it spoken of in that way – only in a derogatory sense.

           As for chicks/chics, that comment was just one of many. I probably wouldn’t have bothered responding if it had been a one off, but it wasn’t. I don’t know if Skinny knows how he comes across to women, so I raised it. The term chics is a side story to the compound effect of casual sexist language, that I hear Skinny use.

           Shame, as on the whole I like where he is coming from.
           • Colonial Rawshark 3.2.2.4.1.1

             25 January 2015 at 4:49 pm

             Sometimes you simply have to accept people for who they are and how they look at the world. You’re not going to change for them why would you expect them to change for you.
             • Murray Rawshark …

               25 January 2015 at 5:19 pm

               I didn’t see any expectation. Rosie saw something she didn’t like, and raised the issue. Whether anyone changes or not is up to them. Unless we are gently challenged at times, none of us will ever change. After all, don’t we want quite a few people to change the way they vote? Does your logic apply to that as well, CR?
               • Rosie …

                 25 January 2015 at 5:27 pm

                 Thanks Murray, for both points.
               • Colonial Rawshark …

                 25 January 2015 at 7:35 pm

                 As long as you feel people are entitled to both vote and speak as they wish, I have no issue with your points.
             • Rosie …

               25 January 2015 at 5:23 pm

               Ok CV, so I’ll just continue tolerating casually sexist language then, why not? I have been up until now.

               I’m not asking anyone to change, just consider their language.
               • marty mars …

                 25 January 2015 at 5:37 pm

                 “I’m not asking anyone to change, just consider their language.”

                 That is very fair imo – thanks for putting it so well Rosie.
               • Colonial Rawshark …

                 25 January 2015 at 7:46 pm

                 Ask people to mind language that you do not approve of, by all means. Yes you may feel that it is a tiring exercise in tolerance but no one is trying to burden or impinge upon you.
                 • Rosie …

                   25 January 2015 at 10:28 pm

                   That’s pretty funny CV. The amount of times over the years I’ve never stepped in upon conversations because I felt folks were feeling an outrage or offence that I could clearly empathise with, but were wasting their time with, when I felt we had far bigger problems to deal with, is ….a lot.

                   The amount of times for instance when folks complain about RWNJ’s incessantly, I get that, I was raised amongst them lol, I know how they think and behave but can’t really be arsed criticising them because I know they can only learn through life experience and facing their own true humility, or unless they go to special classes in learning empathy. (Such classes do exist)

                   I’ve tolerated biggots, misogynists and the general fuckwit population of NZ all my life so the one time I do say something fairly small in comparison to a life time’s worth of crap, I don’t believe that effort deserves a finger wagging session in “just put up with it woman”.

                   There’s many fine men contributing to TS, but despite their sincerity towards and solidarity with women, I get the feeling women will always be outnumbered, and if we can’t be supported when we raise an issue about sexism on the site, then why would we feel encouraged to continue to talk?
                   • Colonial Rawshark …

                     25 January 2015 at 10:50 pm

                     You’ve had to tolerate and put up with a lot. Sometimes I forget how wearying biting ones tongue can be in regards to being around legions of arseholes, fuckwits and bigots.
4. phillip ure 4

   25 January 2015 at 8:03 am

   meanwhile..in europe..revolution is brewing..

   http://whoar.co.nz/2015/commentwhoar-so-what-is-going-on-in-europe-and-a-heads-up-for-the-new-zealand-labour-party-the-times-they-seem-to-be-a-changing-and-labour-need-to-change-too/

   (excerpt:..)

   ..so..all over europe..a revolution thru the ballot-box is taking place..

   ..old pairings of tweedle-dee/tweedle-dum parties..(like labour/national in nz..)..

   ..to whom power and the sharing/swapping of that power between the two..

   ..has over-ridden any interests/wishes of the voters..

   ..are being thrown into the rubbish-bin..the people have had enough..

   ..so labour here had better get their shit together..eh..?

   (cont..)
5. Chipmunk 5

   25 January 2015 at 8:05 am

   Even while based in Australia, I was a regular listener to Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint – now it seems that it’s been quietly dropped from the new Sunday morning schedule, as some had predicted.
   Brittenden’s unflinching challenge to the uncritical default view churned out by nearly all other journalists must have always been on borrowed time. It’s a tragedy and an indictment that, given the amount of fluff churned out by 24/7 broadcasting, there’s no place for his few weekly minutes of erudite takes on national and , crucially, international issues. He could , of course, just be on leave.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1

     25 January 2015 at 8:16 am

     RNZ archive well worth a listen.
   • Jenny Kirk 5.2

     25 January 2015 at 8:50 am

     Scoop NZ has started a “discussion” about the state of corporate media, whether blogs are a rational alternative, and so on. Aare there any other alternatives?
     • Rosie 5.2.1

       25 January 2015 at 9:53 am

       For anyone who missed it a few weeks ago this is a really interesting read:

       http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1501/S00058/reinventing-news-as-a-public-right-a-public-conversation.htm

       “are there any other alternatives?”

       Do folks tune into their local independent radio stations? The scoop report on Radio Active on Thursday mornings, with Alistair Thompson is always worth a listen. It’s available on line for people outside of Wellington.

       A small and unpolished contribution to coverage of local and international political events but worth it none the less. You get content that you won’t get in the MSM.
       It helps that they DJ’s are coming from a left wing perspective, even if they do get drowned out by the right wing braying from APN, Mediaworks and Fearfacts. It’s important to have a counter to all that noise, even if it’s a small voice in our media scene.
6. stever 6

   25 January 2015 at 8:44 am

   Imagine if all of your life was like one of your bad days…

   http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/24/if-you-dont-understand-poverty-youre-a-sociopath
   • Jenny Kirk 6.1

     25 January 2015 at 8:58 am

     This is a worthwhile read, Stever. Thanks. It reminds me of the time I was on the DPB with two young children, and although it was hard going I always knew I had the skills to get off it once I’d got my head, health and emotions around the fact of being a solo parent. I always had that “hope”. But I always wonder if I hadn’t had good work skills, and a reasonable education, would I have managed it ?
   • weka 6.2

     25 January 2015 at 10:01 am

     That’s very good. And applicable to other things too as well as domestic violence and poverty. Imagination and empathy. What’s so hard about that, and what stops people from doing it?
     • Jenny Kirk 6.2.1

       25 January 2015 at 10:17 am

       Sometimes I think there has been some sort of “de-sensitivation” along the line when people are growing up, Weka – and it mutes imagination and empathy. I don’t know how it happens but we do live in a violent society IMO – both verbal and physical – and maybe that helps people switch off from their inner feelings and stops them being empathetic to others in worse situations than them.
       • Tracey 6.2.1.1

         25 January 2015 at 12:21 pm

         two things contributing, amongst others

         1. americanisation of out tv programmes focused on self, image, beauty and money
         2. tv advertising encouraging a see want have now mindset

         neither are conducive to empathy and selflessness.
   • Tracey 6.3

     25 January 2015 at 12:19 pm

     thanks for the link stever.
7. Milk Shake 7

   25 January 2015 at 8:48 am

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/65176962/farmers-not-exempt-from-countrys-laws

   I support Rachel Stewart 100% for this opinion piece.. More courageous journo’s such as Rachel need to challenge the status quo…she is 100% on the mark.

   For this piece she has received some nasty mail, also apparently some senior federated farmers have been “favouring” nasty tweets.

   Kia Kaha Rachel Stewart….from a dairy cocky that supports you 100%
8. greywarshark 8

   25 January 2015 at 8:57 am

   The Insight program on Radionz this morning was very informative, and troubling about the Muslim situation with the ISIS state. Apparently when the USA invaded Iraq in 2003 that action was seen as completing a prophecy and so unleashed a strongly religious response which has been far more powerful than simply a political one. And not likely to go away by simply using force against it. As the ISIS training emphasises, God with Noah wa prepared to wipe out all the population except the righteous and chosen, and they are following God’s will and his lead.

   The program is called Butchery and Bureaucracy and talks about how the ISIS fight is funded, how their governing system works, their welfare for the families of dead fighters, and their acceptance of the rightness of using harsh methods such as lashing, beheading. This does not just happen to westerners. And the Sunnis are prepared to act strongly against other sects.

   The audio may be made available for a while. We may have to go to the BBC to hear it again. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02gd2wj
   This is the summary of it.
   8:12 Insight Islamic State – Bureaucracy and Brutality
   Former jihadist Aimen Dean gives a unique understanding of the workings of Islamic State in this week’s Insight documentary. With the rise of al-Qaeda, he became disillusioned with his comrades’ drift towards terrorism. He joined the group – but worked undercover for the British government. Peter Marshall of the BBC’s World Service has spoken to Aimen Dean about Islamic State’s ideology and the organisational networks behind it.
   • Colonial Rawshark 8.1

     25 January 2015 at 9:29 am

     Worth reflecting how the Saudis have helped create and fund ISIS – and how identical they are when it comes to enforcing “justice.”

     http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-01-23/spot-difference-isis-or-saudi-arabia
     • joe90 8.1.1

       25 January 2015 at 10:43 am

       Throw in a monarch rumoured to be suffering from dementia and what could possibly go wrong.

       Salman is widely believed to be unwell, with speculation he is suffering from dementia or Parkinson’s disease, though Saudis deny that. He is 79, so there is bound to be uncertainty about his rule

       http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/22/saudi-arabia-king-abdullah-dies
9. David 9

   25 January 2015 at 9:04 am

   Well, in other news, Cameron Slater will be boxing Jesse Ryder at the fight for life. I’m not a huge fan of boxing, but I may even pay the fee to watch it live!
   • Rosie 9.1

     25 January 2015 at 9:28 am

     Yes, and what a a disturbing start to a beautiful Sunday morning:

     http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65394114/celebrity-boxing-pits-cameron-whaleoil-slater-against-jesse-ryder

     So now Slater is a celebrity??? I thought he was just was one very sick puppy.
     • Colonial Rawshark 9.1.1

       25 January 2015 at 9:32 am

       This is a media culture which celebrates sick puppies – at least the ones which are on the ‘right side’
     • Pete George 9.1.2

       25 January 2015 at 9:34 am

       Slater might be at a disadvantage – having to fight clean.

       And if the fight goes well, Slater has a list of opponents he would like to meet next – headed by Dirty Politics author Nicky Hager, television host John Campbell and New Zealand Herald journalists David Fisher and Matt Nippert.

       “I would even lose 40kg to get into the ring with Nicky Hager,” said Slater, who plans to drop a more modest 11kg down to 100kg to meet Ryder. “Any of those four, I will lose weight and match their weight to get into the ring with them, but I suspect they lack the stones to do it.

       His blogging has become largely impotent but this is a pathetic bit of attention seeking.

       Presumably all proceeds go to charity.
       • Pete George 9.1.2.1

         25 January 2015 at 9:39 am

         The ultimate slapdown:

         Ryder admitted he had no idea who Slater was…
       • Tracey 9.1.2.2

         25 January 2015 at 12:27 pm

         slaters definition of courage is caveman like. Hager has been displaying other forms of courage for decades. slater speaks like a bully. interesting examples he sets for his children.
         • David 9.1.2.2.1

           25 January 2015 at 1:03 pm

           He is such a fake tough guy. Just a weak, entitled, pampered softie, I think Jesse Ryder will get better competition from a box of kleenex.
       • Tracey 9.1.2.3

         25 January 2015 at 12:31 pm

         my understanding is all money does not go to charity. a million dollars goes towards “organising the event”.
   • Tracey 9.2

     25 January 2015 at 12:25 pm

     i wont pay a penny. so much goes into appearance fees and management fees rather than charity.

     the foul king of self promotion is getting desperate trying to drag everyone down to his level.
   • Incognito 9.3

     25 January 2015 at 12:47 pm

     Good; they can serve Slater with that Bankruptcy Notice. The question is whether to serve him before or after the match when he’s not wearing gloves.
   • Murray Rawshark 9.4

     25 January 2015 at 5:25 pm

     They could have found better opposition among all the people he’s slagged off. How about a wharfie, a Maori activist, a coaster, a unionist, a lefty, or even a feminist? Maybe a Muslim? How about Antony Mundine or SBW? If I’d recovered from surgery, I’d love to get in the ring with him. Maybe in a year or two. I’d love him to be pummelled by an ageing Marxist, but then I can be a bit neanderthal in my thinking too 🙂
     • One Anonymous Bloke 9.4.1

       25 January 2015 at 5:35 pm

       If only it were MMA.
       • Murray Rawshark 9.4.1.1

         25 January 2015 at 5:39 pm

         Mixed Marxist Arts? I have a mate in his 60s who still does MMA and could toy with Slater. He’s not really a lefty though 🙁
         • One Anonymous Bloke 9.4.1.1.1

           25 January 2015 at 5:41 pm

           Use the ice-pick young Trotsky.
           • Murray Rawshark 9.4.1.1.1.1

             25 January 2015 at 6:47 pm

             The ice pick is the enemy’s weapon.
       • Stephanie Rodgers 9.4.1.2

         25 January 2015 at 9:40 pm

         No one’s going to pay to see Cam Slater lie on the ground cuddling his opponent for three rounds.
         • One Anonymous Bloke 9.4.1.2.1

           26 January 2015 at 9:06 pm

           It would take about twelve seconds.
   • Stephanie Rodgers 9.5

     25 January 2015 at 9:43 pm

     I despise the entire concept of the “Fight for Life” (originally conceived as a bloody anti-suicide charity event, because what the depressed and disenfranchised youth of NZ needs is more thuggish masculinity rammed down their throats).

     The only positive in Cameron Slater taking part is that more people might see what a circus it is.
     • Anne 9.5.1

       25 January 2015 at 10:08 pm

       The very fact he was invited to take part is an indicator “Fight for Life” is morally bankrupt and lacking in principled standards. Out of curiosity, has anyone even remotely associated with the left side of politics ever been invited to take part? I’ve long had the impression its just a Tory bun-fight designed to make them look good in the eyes of a gullible public.
       • Murray Rawshark 9.5.1.1

         26 January 2015 at 3:34 pm

         Ken Mair fought Michael Laws.

         http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/michael-laws-takes-fight-over-h-in-wanganui-boxing-ring-4283732
       • h123 9.5.1.2

         26 January 2015 at 7:15 pm

         He’s not fighting in the fight for life its the Sky Arena’s Super 8

         People should start asking the question.

         How much appearence fee will he be getting? ……….

         it’s all about the money , he’s getting PAID
         • Anne 9.5.1.2.1

           26 January 2015 at 8:46 pm

           Thanks for that h123. It makes more sense now. Didn’t think Blubber Boy was into compassion for anyone other than himself. Never been sure about F for L incorporated.

           He’s a bankrupt by the looks of it so he needs the money I guess. Why doesn’t he get a job like the rest of us have to do?
           • Alpha 9.5.1.2.1.1

             26 January 2015 at 8:58 pm

             “He’s a bankrupt by the looks of it so he needs the money I guess. Why doesn’t he get a job like the rest of us have to do?”

             Or he can beg for some money from Key, Collins, Ede, Israel and his crooked corporate mates !
             • One Anonymous Bloke …

               26 January 2015 at 9:04 pm

               Why would he beg? The arrangement relies on mutual benefit.
               • Alpha …

                 26 January 2015 at 9:46 pm

                 The super rich right wing sweet talking benefactors like their shitty sycophants to be shameless beggars. That is their method 101!
     • Draco T Bastard 9.5.2

       25 January 2015 at 10:28 pm

       +1
10. Pat O'Dea 10

    25 January 2015 at 9:20 am

    ‘

    Auckland Anniversary Monday protest 3pm against reopening of coal mine at Mangatawhiri

    http://aucklandcoalaction.org/
11. gsays 11

    25 January 2015 at 9:38 am

    hello all,
    due to a change of circumstances i have re-entered the work force and have come to the end of the first three months and am about to negotiate my wages.

    i wish to get advice and considerations from y’all.

    the situation: chef in a busy rural cafe. very young staff and i am very experienced. (former restaurant owner, 25 years on and off in the industry). the business owner is the young daughter of a very good friend.
    i am currently just below a living wage.

    what say ye?
    thanx.
    • Rosie 11.1

      25 January 2015 at 10:04 am

      Hi g. Well done!

      If I were you I’d be asking myself firstly, how strong is my negotiating position, and already it sounds like your considerable experience is a strong bargaining chip. If the cafe is busy I’m guessing they are doing ok, keeping up with overheads, turning a modest to reasonable profit, that’s good for you, a busy business is in your favour too.

      What are other chefs with your experience on? Is that something you can negotiate around, ie: moving upwards with your hourly rate?

      Be confident of your worth 🙂
    • greywarshark 11.2

      25 January 2015 at 10:20 am

      Hi gsays
      There is the approach you could use of ‘what I can do for you’ to think about. Starting on a good wage that the business can afford at present, and getting a share of the net rise from future turnover would be a practical way of ensuring that you receive reward for your work as it shows up in successful customer growth which brings in more profit.

      Of course more customer throughput must be managed wisely to be profitable, and if that is done you would benefit through the automatic share you received from linked salary increases. What percentage of the net profit increase, I don’t know but it should be substantial. That’s one way of presenting it to ensure you are rewarded for hard work and success.
    • Colonial Rawshark 11.3

      25 January 2015 at 10:31 am

      You are a serious professional who is an asset to the business yet a team player who appreciates the opportunity you have in front of you.

      Demonstrate how much money you have saved the business in terms of waste reduction and what the potential is for doing more on that front. Get her buy in on an exciting idea like evolving the menu in ways to bring in more business. In particular discuss how you want to help the business owner realise her vision for the business and really make things happen the way she wants to see them. (Use languaging suitable to her outlook, but that’s the idea).

      Understand what bugs her about the business and offer to play a role in sorting that.

      Note that less experienced business owners can significantly underestimate all the background work and value add that a capable expert brings into a business operation. You have to help her appreciate that in subtle ways while making it clear that you are there to make her business successful – and less stressful for her.

      Are there any additional responsibilities that she would like you to take on that would make her job easier?

      Ask for a solid pay increase say around $2/hr which is over 10%. Say you are thinking longer term and if all these initiatives go well you will go back to her in 12 months and ask for another similar increase.

      Just some ideas, craft to suit.

      Good luck.
    • Tracey 11.4

      25 January 2015 at 12:39 pm

      do you spend time outside paid work preparing ideas for new menus? are you supervising other staff. are you de facto training the younger ones cos they ask you questions etc. all of these things increase your value. do you work quickly and efficiently cos of your experience. ie you are the equivalent of 1.5 younger inexperienced staff.

      my understanding is chefs are badly paid everywhere. make your case with ideas above and start at 25 bucks an hour… looking to 20 bucks bottom line.

      or if she is able to tell/show you books seek a share of cost savings on a quarterly basis.
      • gsays 11.4.1

        25 January 2015 at 3:27 pm

        hi there ,rosie, greyrawshark, colonial rawshark and tracey,
        thanx heaps for your input. it is very much appreciated.

        i understand the comment rosie made about not undervaluing my worth. i see others doing it a lot and yet it can be hard to stake your own claim.

        what ever the outcome it must be win/win.

        thanx once again.
        • Rosie 11.4.1.1

          25 January 2015 at 6:00 pm

          All the best g. Agree that aiming for a win/win outcome is the best, benefiting all and including all. Doesn’t leave room for opportunities for any party to feel agrieved
          • gsays 11.4.1.1.1

            25 January 2015 at 8:43 pm

            cheers heaps rosie.
            i have been a fairly long time recipiant of share internationals’ newsletter.
            this amongst other things leads me to know that sharing and win win is the only forward.
12. Tinfoilhat 12

    25 January 2015 at 9:40 am

    Half a century since the passing of Winston Churchill… Tempus really does fugit.
13. joe90 13

    25 January 2015 at 9:54 am

    Slater has posted about the imprisonment of Barrett Brown being a warning to Hager. Really?.

    But the case of the Dallas native and former face of the global “hacktivist” group Anonymous first garnered international attention when he was initially accused with identity theft and trafficking in stolen data for republishing a hyperlink leading to a trove of internal emails and customer information taken in the Stratfor hacking

    […]

    He never broke into computer servers himself. Rather, he copied a publicly available link from a chat channel used by Anonymous and pasted it into a chatroom for his own “distributed think tank,” Project PM, a network of activists, bloggers and other volunteers he recruited to investigate the private intelligence sector.

    http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/author-barrett-brown-gets-five-years-prison-in-str/njtQz/

    Brown and his organization had intended to sift through the data as they looked into the relationships between the government and private security contractors, but the stolen records also contained more than 5,000 credit card numbers of Stratfor clients, leading to the heavy claims against Brown.

    http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/crime-law/author-barrett-brown-to-take-plea-in-hacking-of-au/nfkDj/#d1b82153.3708363.735620
    • Colonial Rawshark 13.1

      25 January 2015 at 10:48 am

      Stratfor is a very nasty outfit which provides military industrial complex links and intelligence to the general corporate community.

      Funny they couldn’t even secure their own client’s credit card details.

      Barrett is another example about how the US Govt wants to know everything about what you are doing, but they want you to know absolutely nothing about what they are doing.

      This is not democracy, it is the slide into totalitarianism.

      Slater would fit right in as an authoritarian follower/bully boy.
      • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1

        25 January 2015 at 11:45 am

        +1
    • weka 13.2

      25 January 2015 at 1:17 pm

      The two main differences between Brown and Hager are that Brown is a security services hacker and lives in a country that is making a point of coming down hard on such in the most extreme ways legally, and Hager is a journalist, not a hacker and not a security services hacker, who lives in a country that doesn’t have the same need to punish to the same degree.

      Hang on, did Slater just compare the Whale Oil to the US govt? 🙄

      Both Brown and Hager are threats to the authoritarian state, but other than that, it’s apples and oranges.
      • joe90 13.2.1

        25 January 2015 at 3:21 pm

        Brown was imprisoned for doing something Slater himself admits to doing – accessing and copying information containing credit card details through a publicly available link.
        • weka 13.2.1.1

          25 January 2015 at 6:27 pm

          I noticed that irony 😀
14. freedom 14

    25 January 2015 at 10:21 am

    You know that image of the two Japanese hostages in the desert?
    This might explain what has been bugging you about it
    http://i.imgur.com/ovrgPNf.png
    • Colonial Rawshark 14.1

      25 January 2015 at 10:50 am

      What does this show, sorry I missed the context…
      • idlegus 14.1.1

        25 January 2015 at 11:20 am

        angles of sunlight
        • Colonial Rawshark 14.1.1.1

          25 January 2015 at 11:48 am

          holy crap///
    • McFlock 14.2

      25 January 2015 at 12:21 pm

      or not
      • freedom 14.2.1

        25 January 2015 at 5:01 pm

        metabunk? really McFlock? they make Sorcha Faal look legit 🙂

        The wide angle lens theory is fun but meaningless as the image is from a video, and there is no reason to record such a confined presentation in wide angle. As for being a composite image shot at different times, well that is the point people are making – the image is not legit.-

        The image is singularly reported as being taken from a video, so not photo-shopped as much as green-screened (+yes, defence-orientated location editing is a known tactic but only reinforces the final point)

        Since ISIS/ISIL first began releasing these hostage videos, the message has been to defend the authenticity of the images. IF the hostage takers were the ones faking the video, why has not the US Government , [or any apostle of the ‘War on Terror’ ] raised that issue with the news services their spokespersons have been repeatedly appearing on?
        • McFlock 14.2.1.1

          25 January 2015 at 7:26 pm

          Yeah, was a quick google search. The content of that post seems reasonable, though, replicating the rsults in-camera rather than jumping to gs.

          The wide angle lens theory is fun but meaningless as the image is from a video, and there is no reason to record such a confined presentation in wide angle.

          That assumes the director is Spielberg, not “dude with camera in war zone”.

          IF the hostage takers were the ones faking the video, why has not the US Government , [or any apostle of the ‘War on Terror’ ] raised that issue with the news services their spokespersons have been repeatedly appearing on?
          Because:
          a) it might not be “faked”; and
          b) it doesn’t suggest that ISIL do not have these dudes in their
          custody even if it is faked;
          • Psycho Milt 14.2.1.1.1

            25 January 2015 at 7:35 pm

            a) it might not be “faked”;

            Hey, you’re trampling all over his givens…
        • Pascals bookie 14.2.1.2

          25 January 2015 at 8:01 pm

          So given this:

          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11391674

          What is the theory?

          Are the PowersThatBE or whatever tryin to blackmail the Japanese govt into giving $200M to ISIS?

          Why would they do that?

          What’s the point of this theory?
      • Murray Rawshark 14.2.2

        25 January 2015 at 5:32 pm

        It did take a long time for artists to discover perspective. I can understand the confusion.
    • Bill 14.3

      25 January 2015 at 12:32 pm

      Still not quite understanding. So an obviously photo-shopped photo was badly photo-shopped and circulated by the hostage takers. I mean, I’m guessing it’s more or less standard to crop images from any background that could betray identifying features related to location these days…cut and paste onto generic desert background.

      edit – okay…comment to be ignored, passed over or subjected to whatever other ‘whoosh!’ techniques one prefers.
15. nadis 15

    25 January 2015 at 10:49 am

    On the email this morning. And so it begins……. sanctions + low crude prices = this:

    RED ALERT: Rocket Fire Could Signal New Offensive on Mariupol

    Stratfor has declared a Red Alert over Ukraine as we watch for signs of a new offensive. We do not yet know Russia’s strategic intentions. Reports of rocket fire and potential moves on the city of Mariupol could simply be an attempt to signal the danger Russia could pose to their negotiating partners in the West. It could be an attempt to extend the pocket separatists supported by Russia currently hold in eastern Ukraine. It could, finally, be the opening of an offensive toward Crimea.
    Reports of heavy rocket artillery firing on the eastern parts of the city of Mariupol, Ukraine, as well as a statement made by a separatist leader, indicate the potential preparation of an offensive on the city. While this would be a significant escalation and an indicator of Russian intent to push further into Ukraine, potentially forming a much-rumored land connection to the northern border of Crimea, there are also several indicators required for such an offensive that are currently still missing.

    Read more »

    http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/red-alert-rocket-fire-could-signal-new-offensive-mariupol#axzz3PlHNaknW
    • Draco T Bastard 15.1

      25 January 2015 at 11:43 am

      Rumours?
    • Colonial Rawshark 15.2

      25 January 2015 at 11:51 am

      Every man and his dog has got WWII era Grad rocket launchers. (Although the separatist forces insist they are still over 40km away and that it must be Ukranian Kiev forces.)

      If Stratfor is discussing this you can bet they are reinforcing the Washington DC narrative.
      • nadis 15.2.1

        25 January 2015 at 11:57 am

        oh right. a false flag op by the Americans. Clever.

        http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/136061
        • Colonial Rawshark 15.2.1.1

          25 January 2015 at 12:34 pm

          That’s not what I said. Even though you can be sure that NATO military officers are helping Kiev plan strategy and tactics as we speak.

          But what is clear is that the shelling of civilians in Mariupol does nothing militarily for the separatists while harming their political agenda. At the same time it reinforces Kiev’s narrative that the separatists are nothing more than violent Russian backed terrorists.
          • nadis 15.2.1.1.1

            25 January 2015 at 12:44 pm

            I vote for both descriptions, but mostly the second. Lets not forget that Russia is entirely controlling the actions of the “separatists” for reasons that suit Russia.
            • Draco T Bastard 15.2.1.1.1.1

              25 January 2015 at 12:55 pm

              [citation needed]
              • nadis …

                25 January 2015 at 2:21 pm

                Read these two books and you’ll get a pretty clear picture of how and why russia works:

                “Putins Kleprocracy” Karen Dawisha

                “Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia” Peter Pomerantsev

                All the citations I need.
            • Colonial Rawshark 15.2.1.1.1.2

              25 January 2015 at 1:38 pm

              I would agree that Russia is providing arms and logistics to the separatists/rebels as well as allowing its own regular troops to go on indefinite leave to fight in Eastern Ukraine.

              But beyond the general idea of keeping Ukranian forces at bay and giving Kiev heartburn, I think Moscow has limited interest or ability in “controlling the actions” of rag tag irregular militia groupings.

              Frankly, the Russians have bigger worries addressing NATO.
              • Instauration …

                25 January 2015 at 11:44 pm

                Oh CB !
                “I Would agree that Russia is providing arms and logistics to the separatists/rebels” – (DPR)
                Lavrov has been pleading for evidence of this in multitude of forUNs.
                Why do you assert such ?
                • Colonial Rawshark …

                  26 January 2015 at 12:38 am

                  Pretty sure it is the case. Of course I don’t have “evidence” on me. But the area of DPR and LPR are blockaded on the western side by Kiev forces, which means that the separatists can only get resupply from the eastern side.
              • Instauration …

                25 January 2015 at 11:59 pm

                What did Serbia do to Kosovas that Ukraine hasn’t done to DPR – or that Georgia hasn’t done to Абхазия ??
                • Colonial Rawshark …

                  26 January 2015 at 1:12 am

                  Well, Ukraine has mistreated the civilian areas of the Donbass very badly – but they are under IMF orders to take that area back under control or they will not be getting further IMF money.
16. Draco T Bastard 16

    25 January 2015 at 11:00 am

    Who Really Owns the Four Big [Australian] Banks

    It’s not just banking: the big four own 53% of life insurance premiums, and account for 57.3% of retail investment funds through bank-owned platforms. It begs the question: if they own so much of Australia’s economy, who owns the big four?

    Is there really competition in the ‘free-market’ or is it a scam to hide the oligarchy?
    • nadis 16.1

      25 January 2015 at 11:15 am

      Banking is one of the least competitive sectors we have here. Although we have so many to choose from.

      I havent checked the numbers, but my guesstimate would be that banks control about 90% of kiwisaver and 75 % of other retail savings.
      • Tracey 16.1.1

        25 January 2015 at 12:44 pm

        and one of our insurers is about 75% of our market.
        • nadis 16.1.1.1

          25 January 2015 at 12:53 pm

          not really one of ours – an Australian company IAG. I don’t know why NZI has not been ridiculed when running their stupid kiwiana ads. A bit over the top for a company 100% owned by an Australian parent.
    • Ad 16.2

      25 January 2015 at 12:48 pm

      Great article!
      Reminiscent of Bruce Jesson’s wiring diagrams about the NZ economy back in the day.

      Nice smug feeling now I’m in Kiwiaver with everything offset, but hell that diagram makes me want to get rid of that mortgage as fast as I possibly can.

      Just chilling in terms of our real estate market’s exposure to international correction.
    • Truth Will Out 16.3

      25 January 2015 at 12:51 pm

      These links also provide you with comprehensive breakdowns of shareholdings in our banks, in terms of who actually owns and controls them:

      http://www.wakeupkiwi.com/downloadpapers/wakeupkiwi_newzealandandworldbankingpaper.pdf

      http://www.gwb.com.au/gwb/news/banking/wpac97.html
17. phillip ure 17

    25 January 2015 at 12:28 pm

    (a heads-up for the greens..)

    “..’We would evict Queen from Buckingham Palace and allocate her council house’- say Greens..

    ..The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would also be subject to eviction..”

    (cont..)

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/we-would-evict-queen-from-buckingham-palace-and-allocate-her-council-house-say-greens-10000370.html

    (now there’s green party with some large testicles/ovaries..!..eh..?

    ..they are clearly going to become englands’ radical-left party..

    ..will our green party seize the moment and be that here..?

    ..or will they continue to be an incrementalist party..?

    ..and if they don’t do it..?..and if labour don’t do it..?

    ..who will..?

    ..will a new party have to arise.?

    ..one free of that historical-accomodation/incrementalist-history of our greens..?

    ..’cos there will be a vacuum..

    ..and politics hates a vacuum..

    ..and currently we have labour/national squabbling over their place on the neo-lib spectrum..

    ..with the greens (with their reassuring hushes to the current paradigm)..saying to the left:..’we aren’t quite as bad as them’..

    ..and in the long term..that won’t do/isn’t enough..
    • millsy 17.1

      25 January 2015 at 2:31 pm

      Too bad it will never happen. The British love the royal family, unfortunately.

      From what I understand, I think the only royal property that is actually owned by the royal family, is Balmoral Castle, as well as Sandringham House. Buckingham Palace, as well as Windsor Council, is owned by the UK government, through Crown Estate.

      Also, Buckingham Palace has only been used by the monarch since the 1830’s. It was previously the site of a private residence for, funnily enough, the duke of Buckingham,
18. phillip ure 18

    25 January 2015 at 1:05 pm

    i see that pillar/enabler of the vivisectors/vivisection-industry..bob kerridge..

    ..has taken his racism out for a walk..

    ..blaming ‘ethnics’ for dog-attacks..

    ..whereas a fact-check from the head of animal-services in ak..

    (..those who actually attend those dog-attacks..)

    ..say that this is not the case..

    ..there is no ethnic-predominance in the ownership of those dogs involved in dog-attacks in ak..

    ..just racism from kerridge….pure and simple…
19. weka 19

    25 January 2015 at 1:08 pm

    Oh dear lord, I got the replies tab bug with Pete Beigeing George. Very cruel Lynn, very cruel.

    It did resolve itself on a refresh. If only the rest of the site were that easy.
    • Colonial Rawshark 19.1

      25 January 2015 at 1:43 pm

      You have my sympathies
20. One Anonymous Bloke 20

    25 January 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Torture in modern day New Zealand.

    The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention visited last year, urging the Government to review the Mental Health Act and dubbing seclusion a form of torture that violates human rights law, particularly when mental illness or intellectual disability is concerned.
21. Anne 21

    25 January 2015 at 6:02 pm

    A lovely photo of Andrew Little and Annette King and thier retinue of MPs at Ratana yesterday

    I noted on TV1 last night Heather du-Plessis-Allan gave a disingenuous report of the event and was openly sarcastic and snide about Andrew Little in particular. She described him as “unhappy” about having to walk on to the Ratana grounds with political opponents and then evidenced it with a clip which was a clear misrepresentation of what he said when being interviewed. I don’t resile from my language when I call her:

    A nasty, vindictive Nat bitch!

    At least TV3’s Tova O’Brien was non partisan in her criticisms of the pollies at Ratana.

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/gareth-morgan-john-key-under-fire-ratana-video-6223118
22. joe90 22

    25 January 2015 at 7:30 pm

    Live blogging the Greek election.

    https://storify.com/votesyriza2015/votesyriza2015-greek-election-liveblog

    Lots of optimism too.

    https://greekleftreview.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/jerome-roos-what-happens-in-greece-can-transform-europe/

    http://www.versobooks.com/blogs/1825-a-brief-note-from-afar-on-the-greek-election-campaign-from-stathis-kouvelakis-toward-and-for-a-syriza-landslide

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/23/greece-solidarity-movement-cooperatives-syriza
23. ron 23

    25 January 2015 at 7:46 pm

    Two nominations for labour President both male. Now the fun starts.
24. Facetious 24

    25 January 2015 at 9:10 pm

    Is Mr George trying to become a Labour Party supporter? I am very curious.
25. Clemgeopin 25

    25 January 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Senior Labor figure leaves Australia to fight against Islamic State

    The head of the Northern Territory branch of the Labor party has reportedly flown overseas to fight in Syria against terror group Islamic State.

    Matthew Gardiner, who also served as a secretary in the United Voice union and a treasurer in peak body Unions NT, left the country several weeks ago to fight with Kurdish militants, the ABC reports.

    It’s believed Mr Gardiner, 43, who served with the Australian Army in Somalia in the 1990s, was able to leave Australia because he was not on any watch list.

    It is illegal to fight in Syria on any side of the conflict against Islamic State.

    It’s believed 90 Australians are fighting in the conflict.

    A spokesperson for Attorney-General George Brandis told the ABC foreign fighters face severe penalties regardless of which side they are fighting with.

    “If you fight illegally in overseas conflicts, you face up to life in prison upon your return to Australia,” the spokesperson said.

    “We know there are some Australians who think they’ve made the right choice in becoming involved in overseas conflicts, but that choice only adds to the suffering in Syria and Iraq and it’s putting those Australians and others in mortal danger.”

    It appears Mr Gardiner made recent connections on social media with people sympathetic to Kurdish militias, who are fighting Islamic State.

    Although Mr Gardiner resigned from his position at United Voice, he remains the NT branch president of the Labor Party. He has not been seen for weeks and his mobile phone is switched off.
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    The matter is being investigated by The Australian Federal Police.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/65404993/senior-labor-figure-leaves-australia-to-fight-against-islamic-state-report
    • Instauration 25.1

      26 January 2015 at 12:20 am

      Hey Mark Mitchell – IS your mobile phone switched off ?
    • Murray Rawshark 25.2

      26 January 2015 at 3:49 pm

      He needs to learn. If he wants to kill people, he should have stayed in the Strayan army. The Kurdish Workers’ Party, PKK, is defined by our regime as a terrorist organisation. I think this is mainly on the grounds that they resist Turkish attacks.

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1. Holding Government to account versus harassment | Your NZ: posted on 26 January 2015 at 7:06 am

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