A Merry Christmas to all Students of Comedy and Comedians
That bloke in Auckland who’s had his name suppressed, Jimmy Savile, Sacha Baron Cohen….2012 has been the Year of Reassessment of the Comedian.
Thanks to everyone who read about and debated the issue of Sacha Baron Cohen’s monstrous behaviour—even if you raged, obfuscated or indignantly denied that your favorite comedian was a moral imbecile. For many of you, having had to think for the first time about the politics of laughter, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. You may still insist that Baron Cohen’s behaviour was simply fun, or ironic, or “edgy” or “pushing the envelope”, but from now on you’ll also have that nagging doubt, called a conscience, in your mind when—if—you watch Bruno again.
And you SHOULD watch it again if you want. Please don’t feel bad if you watch a video of Bruno or Borat or The Dictator from now on; they’re funny and you have my blessing if you fall about laughing as you watch them. Only from now on, perhaps, you’ll be a tad more aware of what is happening when he interviews that poor fellow captioned “Terrorist group leader, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade”, and just what Baron Cohen and his producers were quite deliberately doing.
Coming up after the Holiday break: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SEINFELD.
“Coming up after the Holiday break: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SEINFELD.”
Why? Because he’s Jewish? I don’t find him funny, but that doesn’t seem to be what your agenda is. I’m surprised you haven’t rehashed the whole Woody Allen incest thing. What next? Blood libel? Merry goddam Christmas to you too.
No, we need to have a critical look at Seinfeld because he’s a nasty ideologue with a particularly objectionable modus operandi.
I don’t find him funny,
Well, I do. I find Sacha Baron Cohen funny too, most of the time. And Bob Hope. But they are (or were) all shills for some unconscionably evil enterprises.
…but that doesn’t seem to be what your agenda is.
Our analysis incorporates some study of their comedy routines, naturally, but our agenda is of course to encourage people to engage critically with the material they watch, and think about why they are laughing at official victims (in the Occupied Territories) or sneering callously at the down and out on the streets of American cities.
I’ve refrained from commenting on a line and a half of wild and choleric ranting by Populuxe1, where he riffs insanely about “incest” and “blood libel”.
Borat was awful and I couldn’t watch the hurt inflicted upon other innocent people for the entire film. I think I watched the first 10 minutes before leaving in disgust. I found it as entertaining as watching animals being tourtured. When Bruno came out I didn’t bother…some of the Dictator material I found funny but after Borat I only watched short clips on youtube.
Seinfeld!? Oi vey! I liked Seinfeld. Looking forward to a new prospective in the new year to grow my mind. Politics of comedy is intellectually stimulating.
All their divisions that trade interest rate derivatives on their own account report huge profits running into billions. Where does that profit come from?
The answer is it comes largely from you and me. Global banking, intertwined with the global financial services and asset-management industry, has emerged as a tax on the world economy, generating much activity and lending that has not been needed, but whose purpose is to make those who work in it very rich.
It is entirely feasible to have a system of credit without the destruction that comes from interest. Interest needs to be peeled off from credit, amongst more.
Well no, it was just my minds creation, but I have a lot of faith in those… It would go like this – zero percent interest rates, which is almost the case already.
But of course that too doesn’t quite resolve the issue, which is credit’s reach into society to such an extent that it becomes part of the fabric. Best example of this being the housing market. Housing values are to the level they are entirely due to the issue of credit (interest bearing or otherwise, virtually, following the logic). If interest rates were zero housing values would probably stay right up of course, but who would waste time issuing credit if that ws the case? Perhaps government or some other non-profit or joint-between-stakes approach. The urge to keep issuing credit due to its profitable nature needs to be taken out.
The only problem with removing the right ot issue credit (print money) from private banks and placing it elsewhere is that, humans being humans, we will find some way to work it to an advantage. Of course if it was placed with a government type organisation then the urge to use it for political advantage (rather than private profit advantage as now) is smack in the face. The disadvantages with this are probably greater than if it remained with private, given the power resting with government.
Methinks I need to read more on it and do more thinking but one thing is sure and, using the example above, keeping house values high surely advantages private banks only and I fail to see the use in this, especially when other areas are bereft of funds (those funds being our daily toil). I mean, imagine if instead of one third of your working toiling week going to pay for your roof, it was only one quarter or one tenth……. not hard to see the results.
There is no advantage to high capital values. All it does is require people to take on debt. I like Foodstuffs approach when it comes to buying and selling New Worlds and PaknSaves and hmmm four squares. etc. What they do is require the sale of any of their supermarkets to be at a multiple of one years earnings (as I recall..), and be to an approved operator through their system. What this does it focus attention on revenue and income instead of capital. This means owners get ownership easier and without silly cripping debt. And this is the right approach – hence their success.
Our current obsession with capital over revenue is destructive. The banking system prefers an obssession with capital of course.
bit of a ramble but full belly and sleepy christmas eyes …
Of course if it was placed with a government type organisation then the urge to use it for political advantage (rather than private profit advantage as now) is smack in the face. The disadvantages with this are probably greater than if it remained with private, given the power resting with government.
Unless you make government democratic rather than hierarchical thus having it being one person one vote for the creation and use of that money.
Our current obsession with capital over revenue is destructive.
It’s a it more complex than that. What we have is a requirement to get the capital (money) back plus revenue. What we need to do is change it so that money used to build something productive (power stations, telecommunications, high tech fab plant) doesn’t need to produce a monetary return or even pay for itself. What it provides is all that’s required.
Very interesting karol. Yet while this is disturbing in itself, the most dramatic threat in West Antarctica is not so much the surface and air termperatures … but the sea temperatures.
What most people don’t really grasp is that the WAIS (West Antarctic Ice Shelf) is grounded well below sea-level. This means that if warm water gets between the base of the glacier and the bed-rock it can be broken up very rapidly.
Worse still Naish and his colleagues are now faced with clear evidence that the WAIS does not necessarily melt in a linear fashion, rather it is prone to highly unstable events that could lead to massive breakups, potentially adding up to 3.2m of average sea level rise in quite short periods of time. And due to the way the earth’s gravitational field works, that average rise would not be distributed evenly over the earth’s surface; in some places like North America the rise could be up to 4.0m…within our, or our children’s, lifetimes.
For their down playing of climate change and their willingness to be part of an administration that will allow the <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escarpment_Mine_Project<Massive Opencast, (Escarpment) coal mine at Denniston to proceed.
The Green Party get awarded the Lump of Coal.
Give a Lump of Coal for Christmas
Traditionally lumps of coal was the gift given to children who have been naughty. In the past several years this holiday tradition has taken on a bit of a twist, with people giving lumps of coal to each other for fun or as a way of indicating displeasure.
Children (and pets) may be given lumps of coal from their parents or their teachers to indicate that they’ve been misbehaving. Coal lumps may be given to bosses, colleagues and politicians anonymously to indicate frustration, disapproval or anger over the job they are doing.
While Green Party leaders may be lauded by both Labour and National and their allies in the MSM and the unions for their “acceptance of the realities of coalition government”, their “responsibility” and their “pragmatism” and their prioritising of jobs and economics over the environment……
It is for this ‘pragmatic’ behaviour, (in reality a sick sell out), that the Green Party get my lump of coal in their stocking this Christmas mourning.
At the same time Jenny if a Labour/Green govt were to get into power and then attempt to de-carbonise the NZ economy by 10% in 2015, and each year thereafter… they would be thrown out in the 2017 election. If not sooner by massive protests in the streets.
The New Zealand public is not yet ready for this. If they were they would be demanding action even from this current government.
Twenty thousands marched to stop mining on conservation land. There are dozens of environmental groups in existence and being set up.
Many thousands in this country have protested for nuclear free and anti aparthied and anti war.
Where is the political will for the massive protests and pressure you claim are in support of doing nothing, to come from?
The only political pressure to continue with the fossil fuel economy is coming from the fossil fuel and roading lobbies themselves. Obviously this lobby has intimidated the Greens. I suppose with all their money and power this lobby will try and drum up some sort of fake mass opposition movement. But so far there is no sign of it.
The Greens are being frightened by shadows.
You say that the New Zealand public is not ready for this. I say that through cowardice and ignorance of New Zealand history no lead is being given by those who should be giving it.
As long as there is no lead being given, what can people do, other than what they are doing now, in their small groups?
What do you think you are achieving by being confrontational with me?
Yes change is happening. Yes there are groups who are doing fantastic work and I hugely respect the time and energy they are putting into it. Eventually it will bring results.
But the fact is that de-carbonising the New Zealand economy will have a real, direct impact on how we live our lives. The large majority of ordinary people are, for a whole bunch of reasons, some better than others … are simply not emotionally ready for that change.
And right now any political party that seriously challenged that fact would be slaughtered by the media. Hell look at the hammering we got for simply passing a law to stop adults from assaulting children. The S59 Reform was the turning point that let John Key into power… what hope if we try and take their cars and toys away from them before they are willing to let them go?
Quit attacking your allies. Really. What I’m looking for is less emotional noise and some hard sense about how to deal with this constructively.
Maybe it is not New Zealanders “who are simply not emotionally ready”, but the Greens.
If you want some hard sense about how to deal with this then you have openly and strongly demand the actions that are required.
The Green Party policy is no new coal mines. This is a realistic policy. Globally coal extraction and use has been identified as the number 1 cause of climate change. Taking a hard line against the coal industry is what is required.
But instead the Green Party are prepared to ditch their principle of no new coal mines for cabinet positions.
How about when Russel Norman mentioned ‘printing money’ a short while ago (another word for the quantitative easing that numerous other Western nations have been doing flat out for the last 5 years or so) … and the media instantly jump on him as ‘crazy, irresponsible, extremist and generally loopy’?
Now imagine if he came out and said that in 2015 New Zealand was going to shut down it’s carbon use by 10%? Or more because National had delayed acting?
The Greens would be crucified by the John Armstrongs and Fran O’Sullivan’s of the media. It would be used constantly all through the election campaign as a massive stick to beat them with.
And the point of loosing another election in 2014 is?
When, and only when, the middle class see pictures on their TVs of waves breaking upon the tarmac of Wellington Airport and rolling through the departure lounge will they be snapped out of their comfort zone long enough to ‘demand’ action,
The Green Party is only 10-11% of the vote and therefor can hardly DICTATE to the wider electorate that action has to occur now,(even if the consensus of science says it must),
Unless you suggest a 1 party Green state any such actions where the majority are being dictated to against it’s will would collapse the vote of any coalition that the Greens were part of at the following election and the Tories would just reverse whatever changes the Greens had made,
I should cop some flak for this, BUT, the future of the planet does not rely upon whether the Denniston plateau is mined or remains un-mined, the same amount of carbon WILL be produced to the atmosphere by whomever the coal is to be sold to whether that coal comes from Denniston or somewhere else in the world,
My view is that the Greens should walk away from Kyoto, impose a carbon tax and spend that into the economy planting trees everywhere until such time as there are no more places to plant those trees or the amount of trees planted makes New Zealand a carbon neutral country, secondly a portion of such a tax should be set aside for research into technology’s which reduce carbon emission and technology’s which are capable of capturing and storing carbon already present in the atmosphere,
As a Green Party member i am insulted by your use of the word ‘cowardice’ in reference to the Green Party and would ask you, what would you rather have a Green Party that gets done what is possible with regards the climate and social justice. or a Green Party that in Government for the first time commits electoral suicide…
…..the future of the planet does not rely upon whether the Denniston plateau is mined or remains un-mined, the same amount of carbon WILL be produced to the atmosphere by whomever the coal is to be sold to whether that coal comes from Denniston or somewhere else in the world
@bad12
This is not the point.
New Zealand produces 0.2% of green house gases. (This is from all sources agriculture included.) If New Zealand were to stop all emissions tomorrow, it would have little quantitive impact.
New Zealand’s biggest contribution to stopping global warming can only be qualitative.
“New Zealand is a small emitter by world standards – only emitting some 0.2% of global green house gases. So anything we do as a nation will have little impact on the climate – our impact will be symbolic, moral, and political”
A nationwide ban on coal mining and coal use, is the needed symbolic stand that Sir Peter Gluckman is talking about. Grabbing the world’s attention, inspiring millions to demand the same thing from their governments.
Coal must be phased out, and soon.
Stopping coal is the minimum that must be done to stop worldwide catastrophe.
Stopping the Denniston open cast coal mine is a necessary first step on the way to that larger goal of stopping all coal mining.
And is it really that hard?
The mining and use of asbestos has been banned worldwide. It can be argued that the death and destruction from continuing to mine and burn coal will dwarf that caused by asbestos.
Jenny, but it IS the point, China, India, and the US to name 3 are country’s who use coal as an integral part of their economy’s, and crowd power in all 3 economy’s is sadly lacking to have that use banned,
We can as a country only proceed so far and as i point out above, i would prefer that we walk away from Kyoto and instead resort to a carbon tax to be used to plant trees of sufficient number so as to get us as an economy as close to being carbon neutral as possible, along with a like investment in research to find technology’s which are capable of capturing carbon emissions at source and research into a means of mas carbon capture from the atmosphere, that is the best example we can show the world,
So as you have not seen fit to answer my question on whether or not you favor a suicidal Green presence in the next or any future Government i suppose i have to take your lack of reply as assent in that is what you favor,
Simply because what you continue to propose is electoral suicide for the Greens…
Have to partially disagree Red. I think the NZ public actually is ready and with just a little info and understanding, I believe they can be motivated to protest and pressure for action to be taken by government.
To get action from above, it’s always been necessary to apply pressure from below.
I think that’s where we’re at. Consider the general reaction in comments to the couple of posts I’ve put up so far on global warming. Just a couple of years back, I suspect those posts would have met with howls of derision.
And we have a simple scientific fact to focus peoples’ minds and it’s not one you need a degree to grasp and/or explain. 4 degrees = impossible future. And the 4 degreesfigure isn’t coming from individual scientists or whatever, but from the World Bank and the International Energy Authority….very conservative institutions.
OK … but among the people I’m working with and meet; there is silence. Either they simply don’t want to know, or they suspect the truth and really don’t want to confront it.
This is reflected in how the media has almost completely stopped talking about it as well.
This is fear-driven behaviour. We won’t get the co-operation needed from the mass of people globally unless we can get them to confront that fear openly.
I’m sure it can be done; it might even happen a lot sooner and faster than any of us imagine. But right now we’re at more of a ‘sticking point’ than a ‘tipping’ one.
– the skills and support to deal with the fear and cognitive dissonance. I see very little work being done on this in NZ.
– information and a way of getting involved that allows them to take positive action that may save their children and grandchildren’s lives. Transition Towns and allied movements are leading the way on this. Everywhere in NZ now has some kind of positive action that can be done at an individual level.
– information about CC that doesn’t tell them we’re all fuckd and going to die. That information needs to be presented at a lay person’s level. If the MSM media aren’t doing this, then how else can it be done?
It’s true that there is a lot of silence. But silence is easily broken. And I know some people have devoted their energies to the act of avoidance…because it’s too scary or whatever.
But I also know that other people are really receptive and just waiting for some nascent form of protest to form that they would then join in with.
And when I’m done with these posts I know my energies are going to be focussed on helping to bring that opportunity about. And I know I have a shit hot talent for instigating grass/flax roots activism/protest – just I’ve been in ‘retired’ mode for several years.
So maybe (putting aside the fact that I don’t think you live in these parts and that I wouldn’t know you from a bar of soap if you walked right up to me) we’ll get to say ‘hello’ out on the streets sometime in the New Year 😉
I suppose that depends upon where you think the sticking point is. From what I can make out it’s more with the politicians and business than with the people.
Politicians and business people are always going to try and maintain the status quo. Important change gets led by the people. Enough people want something to change, and do something about it, politicians and business follows.
But that’s just it, they [politicians] don’t or, at least, most of them don’t. They seem to think that they’re there to lead the way rather than being representatives.
… but among the people I’m working with and meet; there is silence. Either they simply don’t want to know, or they suspect the truth and really don’t want to confront it.
This is reflected in how the media has almost completely stopped talking about it as well.
Redlogix
Exactly, this is why a strong lead on this issue at this time is vital. And why the Green Party decision to stop giving that lead at this time will prove to be a fatal mistake.
I partially agree, I think people are more ready now than they were. I just don’t think the Green Party should be leading the charge any more than they already are. Their experience over many elections now is that it is very easy for their floating voters to get scared off at election time. Either by MSM or NACT fearmongering, or by people not understanding MMP and voting for Labour to prevent NACT winning. The next election is crucial. I don’t think the GP should be risking anything at this point in time. Once they are in govt they may up the ante on CC.
Instead, what we need is NGO action, from grassroots all the way through to corporate/business. Jenny is right about one thing, we need leadership. But we also need mass involvement at the community level. The 350 campaign some years ago mobilised alot of people, esp those no engaged in traditional political activism. What happened to that energy and action?
I completely agree with what you said in the If thread – we need information that people can assimilate and work with rather than the ‘we’re all fucked and humanity is going extinct’ argument. The posts you’ve been doing on Anderson’s work strike a good balance: this is a very serious situation AND we are still able to do something so let’s do it.
To get action from above, it’s always been necessary to apply pressure from below.
Agreed – and on all the pressing issues; climate, peak resources, poverty, sustainable economics, closing the inequality gap, measuring success in terms of activities that benefit society not any old economic activity, adequate social security, etc.
World Bank and the International Energy Authority….very conservative institutions
Why on earth would you be hopeful about anything which was pushed by either of these two entities Bill?
People are definitely not going to get what they ask for, and sooner than later, they will be yet again wondering how it went to far against what they imagined the solutions looked like!
Why on earth would you be hopeful about anything which was pushed by either of these two entities Bill?
I’m not. But the fact that they are (rightly or wrongly is beside the point here) generally regarded as authoratative sources of information…and given their conservatism too…their latest prognoses on AGW serve as useful reference points.
Telling lies again Jenny? Please present some evidence that the GP supports mining of the Dennistion Plateau. And that evidence will have to concretely refute what the GP have on their own website.
“BOOS and jeers from about 150 protestors greeted Prime Minister John Key as he entered Bathurst Resources’ new Wellington offices late yesterday.
Mr Key was there to meet the management of the Australian mining company which is planning New Zealand’s biggest open cast mine on the West Coast. The PM and Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley were confronted by a crowd of environmental activists and Green Party MPs rallying against coal mining.
National MP Simon Bridges and Labour’s West Coast MP Damien O’Conner had both slipped in to the building prior to the Prime Minister’s arrival. The Bathurst mine proposal is for the Denniston Plateau in the West Coast.
The proposed mine site is on public conservation land near the largest current opencast mining operation in New Zealand, State-owned Solid Energy’s Stockton coal mine.
Green Party Conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage expressed her disappointment following the Prime Minister’s remarks in the House of Parliament that the Denniston mine could proceed due to historical consent.
“It’s disappointing that the Prime Minister doesn’t seem to realise that the Conservation Minister still has an access application to consider,” Ms Sage said.
“Coming here today is sending a strong signal to the Department of Conservation and the minister that the government will be approving this mine.””
I guess what this really means is that the GP are lying through their teeth to get the votes and then intend to reneg on that once in govt and support the mining of the plateau 🙄
You can’t have it both ways Jenny. You want the GP to protest things to do with CC, but when they do, you tell lies about them.
I have never said that the Green Party are “against” mining the Denniston Plateau. I have said that the Green Party are prepared to bargain this away to get cabinet positions.
This is something that you don’t deny.
It is entirely possible to be against something, and still do the opposite.
If the Green Party really wanted to stop Denniston they should immediately release a press statement now that they will not be part of any administration either National or Labour that let it proceed.
This would certainly give the investors and shareholders at Bathurst Resources pause for thought, before ploughing any more money into developing this mine.
The few politicians that I’ve spoken too have confirmed that it is only the top 4-5 cabinet ministers including the PM that get to effect any real change (with the exception of private members bills of course). The rest are just warming the bench and making up the numbers in the hope that one day they will be in the top 5. Perhaps the greens have realised this and have made a judgement call to let denniston go through so they can effect greater change with cabinet positions.. possibly even legislation to stop or at least phase out coal mining altogether amongst other things.
Maybe they have PP. But your wondering out loud is different than Jenny telling lies about the GP by stating opinion as fact. She’s just making it up.
Myself, I doubt that any decisions have been made at this stage. I also think that the GP has the potential to change MMP and how coalition govts form. No idea if they will though. Much depends on how many votes they get. It’s a long time until the next election.
Where did you get/hear this information from ? The wikipedia link is not working so I couldn’t verify it there, and I cannot find anything on the Green Party website about them downplaying either climate change or the Denniston mining effects. Please clarify.
Solo mums, I love you all the most.
You have the most important job of all, and often have to do it under a barrage of criticism.
Just remember “you only need a dick to run the country, it only takes a mother to raise a son.”
What ever you do, don’t take Paula’s pills unless you want to.
If my old girl had been coerced into stopping at one or two, I wouldn’t be 3 of 5.
I’m just a dreamer, but you could have an Einstein, Hawkins, Dr Barnardos or Florence Nightingale, and let’s face it, they can’t get here soon enough. So make love, not Paula’s day. Get any stick at WINZ and we’ll come down and contracept their mouths.
I hear what they say and I know that it’s rough. It beats you down.
Every night on the news when the going gets tough. They put you down.
You know solo mum, down my road, it’s all right. You aint so bad.
You’re not on your own Alpha one, 3 of 5. Born Alpha tribe.
Lift your head up little sister. Lift your face up to the son.
Don’t let anyone say you’re shit, love. Make them always prove you’re wrong.
Take that flower by the hand, love. And then you’ve got to make him understand.
He’s got to stand up for all the sisters if he wants to be an Alpha man.
I know what they say and I know that it’s wrong. But they wheel you out.
Every night on the news when they’ve done something wrong. Appease the crowd.
You know solo mum, on my road, we’re all right. We aint so bad.
You’re not on your own Alpha one, 3 of 5. with your Alpha pride.
Keep your head up pretty sister. Hold your face up to the sun.
We don’t let anyone say we’re shit, love. We don’t ever let anyone say we’re wrong.
Take the flower by his hand, love. Teach him how to grow up strong.
You only need a dick to run the country. You only need a mother to raise a son.
The Carter’s in or out of the Parliament confuse me,but, the current one with the back-woodsy type portfolio that i cannot remember the name of and who is said to be the next Speaker of the House,
I think Nick Smith is going to pick up Carter’s portfolio when they drag Him back from Siberia for a vodka laced rehabilitation, it’s thought that Carters portfolio is so obscure,(it must be if i can’t remember what it is). that even Smith is unlikely to make a hash of it, but hats off to Nick i bet it don’t take him long to do so…
Do you mean the little bird on the TV news the other night, me thinks that Slippery will keep His word on Hekia remaining right where she is,(that’s cause for definite surprise),
I cannot see anyone in Nationals line-up capable of doing the job Ryall has with the Health portfolio have and Hekia is doing one hell of a good job destroying the peace of mind of the Education sector which is what i believe the outcome sought by Slippery’s National Government really is,
Wreck the ability of the sector to function properly, destroy any individual schools ability to budget properly with NO-NO-Pay and across the field ‘they’ are halfway to replacing the Boards with hand picked Commissioners,
Hell the Bizness sector has probably been in Slippery’s ear about just how expensive it is to set up a charter school and why should they have to when there are 1000’s of schools out there just ripe for a negative take-over from the charter schools mob…
Tony Ryall should remember that all political careers end in failure.
If he succeeded in ‘breaking the unions’ in education then that would amount to the most radical ‘reform’ of the education sector achieved by any government. So much for this being a ‘centrist’ government.
It would also lead to the crumbling of what has been a consistently high quality state education system and leave the door wide open to the overall educational quality reductions that come from privatising mass education (e.g., would one ‘provider’ ever share its ‘successful’ educational IP with another? If so, why? Markets inevitably create distortions in social systems of cooperation. :-)).
I say this simply because the collective values of the teaching profession, as currently supported through a unionised workforce, are part of what is needed to produce quality public education. Those values are not the foundation of mass private education.
So, if you are correct in that intention, Ryall’s appointment as education minister would either be a disaster for his career or a disaster for public education. If I were Ryall I would not want the former – for obvious reasons – and I also wouldn’t want the latter.
Why would he wish to go down in history as the minister who undermined public education and initiated a decline in educational attainment in New Zealand’s children? The so-called ‘tail’ would inevitably lengthen significantly. (And don’t get me onto supposed high level ‘accountability’ measures to ensure schools/children ‘achieve’ – they would be laughable if they weren’t so dangerous.)
(WYSIWYG doesn’t seem to appear as an option anymore for me.)
24 hours ago TV3 news was saying exactly the same as what you are about the future prospects of Hekia,
Perhaps you could ask your ‘little birdy’ to be a lot less tardy in the future, after all what’s the point of having a ‘little birdy’ if they are beaten by the MSM in breaking the latest gossip…
The media were speculating, quite accurately as it happens. I wasn’t. You seem to have the impression I was trying to impress you. mate, I wouldn’t [deleted]. [ B – Be nice 😉 ]
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Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three. ...
Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blogIn 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
The Fast-track Bill, if passed, would allow three Ministers, unchallenged and unchecked, to approve the immediate extraction and exhaustion of one-off resources. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term “bulk billed” refers to a GP visit they don’t have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what’s in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to what’s been on my mind for a while. It’s very important. You see we’ve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so we’ve destroyed valuable coastal habitat – in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he can’t stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
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A Merry Christmas to all Students of Comedy and Comedians
That bloke in Auckland who’s had his name suppressed, Jimmy Savile, Sacha Baron Cohen….2012 has been the Year of Reassessment of the Comedian.
Thanks to everyone who read about and debated the issue of Sacha Baron Cohen’s monstrous behaviour—even if you raged, obfuscated or indignantly denied that your favorite comedian was a moral imbecile. For many of you, having had to think for the first time about the politics of laughter, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. You may still insist that Baron Cohen’s behaviour was simply fun, or ironic, or “edgy” or “pushing the envelope”, but from now on you’ll also have that nagging doubt, called a conscience, in your mind when—if—you watch Bruno again.
And you SHOULD watch it again if you want. Please don’t feel bad if you watch a video of Bruno or Borat or The Dictator from now on; they’re funny and you have my blessing if you fall about laughing as you watch them. Only from now on, perhaps, you’ll be a tad more aware of what is happening when he interviews that poor fellow captioned “Terrorist group leader, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade”, and just what Baron Cohen and his producers were quite deliberately doing.
Coming up after the Holiday break: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SEINFELD.
“Coming up after the Holiday break: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SEINFELD.”
Why? Because he’s Jewish? I don’t find him funny, but that doesn’t seem to be what your agenda is. I’m surprised you haven’t rehashed the whole Woody Allen incest thing. What next? Blood libel? Merry goddam Christmas to you too.
Because he’s Jewish?
No, we need to have a critical look at Seinfeld because he’s a nasty ideologue with a particularly objectionable modus operandi.
I don’t find him funny,
Well, I do. I find Sacha Baron Cohen funny too, most of the time. And Bob Hope. But they are (or were) all shills for some unconscionably evil enterprises.
…but that doesn’t seem to be what your agenda is.
Our analysis incorporates some study of their comedy routines, naturally, but our agenda is of course to encourage people to engage critically with the material they watch, and think about why they are laughing at official victims (in the Occupied Territories) or sneering callously at the down and out on the streets of American cities.
I’ve refrained from commenting on a line and a half of wild and choleric ranting by Populuxe1, where he riffs insanely about “incest” and “blood libel”.
Borat was awful and I couldn’t watch the hurt inflicted upon other innocent people for the entire film. I think I watched the first 10 minutes before leaving in disgust. I found it as entertaining as watching animals being tourtured. When Bruno came out I didn’t bother…some of the Dictator material I found funny but after Borat I only watched short clips on youtube.
Seinfeld!? Oi vey! I liked Seinfeld. Looking forward to a new prospective in the new year to grow my mind. Politics of comedy is intellectually stimulating.
Merry Christmas and joy to you in 2013 Morrissey.
And a Merry Christmas to you, my friend.
Will Hutton on the Bankster scam that made banksters rich, at the expense of the majority of us.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/23/banking-reform-ubs?CMP=twt_gu
If there was ever an area of our system that needs attacking, dismantling and re-setting it is the banking sector.
It has indeed become nothing but a taxer, a rentier, a do-nothing waste of space draining our daily toil from us before it even hits our wallets.
Tha banking system is inorganic evil.
It is entirely feasible to have a system of credit without the destruction that comes from interest. Interest needs to be peeled off from credit, amongst more.
Got an example vto?
Well no, it was just my minds creation, but I have a lot of faith in those… It would go like this – zero percent interest rates, which is almost the case already.
But of course that too doesn’t quite resolve the issue, which is credit’s reach into society to such an extent that it becomes part of the fabric. Best example of this being the housing market. Housing values are to the level they are entirely due to the issue of credit (interest bearing or otherwise, virtually, following the logic). If interest rates were zero housing values would probably stay right up of course, but who would waste time issuing credit if that ws the case? Perhaps government or some other non-profit or joint-between-stakes approach. The urge to keep issuing credit due to its profitable nature needs to be taken out.
The only problem with removing the right ot issue credit (print money) from private banks and placing it elsewhere is that, humans being humans, we will find some way to work it to an advantage. Of course if it was placed with a government type organisation then the urge to use it for political advantage (rather than private profit advantage as now) is smack in the face. The disadvantages with this are probably greater than if it remained with private, given the power resting with government.
Methinks I need to read more on it and do more thinking but one thing is sure and, using the example above, keeping house values high surely advantages private banks only and I fail to see the use in this, especially when other areas are bereft of funds (those funds being our daily toil). I mean, imagine if instead of one third of your working toiling week going to pay for your roof, it was only one quarter or one tenth……. not hard to see the results.
There is no advantage to high capital values. All it does is require people to take on debt. I like Foodstuffs approach when it comes to buying and selling New Worlds and PaknSaves and hmmm four squares. etc. What they do is require the sale of any of their supermarkets to be at a multiple of one years earnings (as I recall..), and be to an approved operator through their system. What this does it focus attention on revenue and income instead of capital. This means owners get ownership easier and without silly cripping debt. And this is the right approach – hence their success.
Our current obsession with capital over revenue is destructive. The banking system prefers an obssession with capital of course.
bit of a ramble but full belly and sleepy christmas eyes …
Unless you make government democratic rather than hierarchical thus having it being one person one vote for the creation and use of that money.
It’s a it more complex than that. What we have is a requirement to get the capital (money) back plus revenue. What we need to do is change it so that money used to build something productive (power stations, telecommunications, high tech fab plant) doesn’t need to produce a monetary return or even pay for itself. What it provides is all that’s required.
A new report on temperatures recorded over time in West Antarctica concludes the area has been warming faster than previously thought:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/science/earth/west-antarctica-warming-faster-than-thought-study-finds.html?_r=0
Very interesting karol. Yet while this is disturbing in itself, the most dramatic threat in West Antarctica is not so much the surface and air termperatures … but the sea temperatures.
What most people don’t really grasp is that the WAIS (West Antarctic Ice Shelf) is grounded well below sea-level. This means that if warm water gets between the base of the glacier and the bed-rock it can be broken up very rapidly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Antarctic_Ice_Sheet
Back in 2009 I posted this:
http://thestandard.org.nz/unassailable-evidence/
That’s 3-4m within a decade.
More info:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wcc.110/pdf
For their down playing of climate change and their willingness to be part of an administration that will allow the <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escarpment_Mine_Project<Massive Opencast, (Escarpment) coal mine at Denniston to proceed.
The Green Party get awarded the Lump of Coal.
While Green Party leaders may be lauded by both Labour and National and their allies in the MSM and the unions for their “acceptance of the realities of coalition government”, their “responsibility” and their “pragmatism” and their prioritising of jobs and economics over the environment……
It is for this ‘pragmatic’ behaviour, (in reality a sick sell out), that the Green Party get my lump of coal in their stocking this Christmas mourning.
At the same time Jenny if a Labour/Green govt were to get into power and then attempt to de-carbonise the NZ economy by 10% in 2015, and each year thereafter… they would be thrown out in the 2017 election. If not sooner by massive protests in the streets.
The New Zealand public is not yet ready for this. If they were they would be demanding action even from this current government.
That is the problem. Not the Green Party.
I call bullshit on this.
Twenty thousands marched to stop mining on conservation land. There are dozens of environmental groups in existence and being set up.
Many thousands in this country have protested for nuclear free and anti aparthied and anti war.
Where is the political will for the massive protests and pressure you claim are in support of doing nothing, to come from?
The only political pressure to continue with the fossil fuel economy is coming from the fossil fuel and roading lobbies themselves. Obviously this lobby has intimidated the Greens. I suppose with all their money and power this lobby will try and drum up some sort of fake mass opposition movement. But so far there is no sign of it.
The Greens are being frightened by shadows.
You say that the New Zealand public is not ready for this. I say that through cowardice and ignorance of New Zealand history no lead is being given by those who should be giving it.
As long as there is no lead being given, what can people do, other than what they are doing now, in their small groups?
What do you think you are achieving by being confrontational with me?
Yes change is happening. Yes there are groups who are doing fantastic work and I hugely respect the time and energy they are putting into it. Eventually it will bring results.
But the fact is that de-carbonising the New Zealand economy will have a real, direct impact on how we live our lives. The large majority of ordinary people are, for a whole bunch of reasons, some better than others … are simply not emotionally ready for that change.
And right now any political party that seriously challenged that fact would be slaughtered by the media. Hell look at the hammering we got for simply passing a law to stop adults from assaulting children. The S59 Reform was the turning point that let John Key into power… what hope if we try and take their cars and toys away from them before they are willing to let them go?
Quit attacking your allies. Really. What I’m looking for is less emotional noise and some hard sense about how to deal with this constructively.
Maybe it is not New Zealanders “who are simply not emotionally ready”, but the Greens.
If you want some hard sense about how to deal with this then you have openly and strongly demand the actions that are required.
The Green Party policy is no new coal mines. This is a realistic policy. Globally coal extraction and use has been identified as the number 1 cause of climate change. Taking a hard line against the coal industry is what is required.
But instead the Green Party are prepared to ditch their principle of no new coal mines for cabinet positions.
“But instead the Green Party are prepared to ditch their principle of no new coal mines for cabinet positions.”
Liar.
“Obviously this lobby has intimidated the Greens. ”
[citation needed]
What else could it be?
Why are the Green Party shying away from raising Climate Change?
Is it cowardice?
Is it intimidation?
Is it lack of faith in New Zealanders?
Is it corruption?
The simplest explanation will do.
How about when Russel Norman mentioned ‘printing money’ a short while ago (another word for the quantitative easing that numerous other Western nations have been doing flat out for the last 5 years or so) … and the media instantly jump on him as ‘crazy, irresponsible, extremist and generally loopy’?
Now imagine if he came out and said that in 2015 New Zealand was going to shut down it’s carbon use by 10%? Or more because National had delayed acting?
The Greens would be crucified by the John Armstrongs and Fran O’Sullivan’s of the media. It would be used constantly all through the election campaign as a massive stick to beat them with.
And the point of loosing another election in 2014 is?
“What else could it be?”
You’re being disingenuous Jenny. We’ve had plenty of conversations about what else it could be. See also RL’s comment.
At least you are admitting that you are making this shit up.
There is a world of difference between the following two statements:
“Obviously this lobby has intimidated the Greens.”
“I don’t understand the Green’s strategy and I’m worried that they will make too many compromises on CC issues if they become part of govt”
The fact that you use the former, even when you know that it is a lie, tells us alot about your motivations.
When, and only when, the middle class see pictures on their TVs of waves breaking upon the tarmac of Wellington Airport and rolling through the departure lounge will they be snapped out of their comfort zone long enough to ‘demand’ action,
The Green Party is only 10-11% of the vote and therefor can hardly DICTATE to the wider electorate that action has to occur now,(even if the consensus of science says it must),
Unless you suggest a 1 party Green state any such actions where the majority are being dictated to against it’s will would collapse the vote of any coalition that the Greens were part of at the following election and the Tories would just reverse whatever changes the Greens had made,
I should cop some flak for this, BUT, the future of the planet does not rely upon whether the Denniston plateau is mined or remains un-mined, the same amount of carbon WILL be produced to the atmosphere by whomever the coal is to be sold to whether that coal comes from Denniston or somewhere else in the world,
My view is that the Greens should walk away from Kyoto, impose a carbon tax and spend that into the economy planting trees everywhere until such time as there are no more places to plant those trees or the amount of trees planted makes New Zealand a carbon neutral country, secondly a portion of such a tax should be set aside for research into technology’s which reduce carbon emission and technology’s which are capable of capturing and storing carbon already present in the atmosphere,
As a Green Party member i am insulted by your use of the word ‘cowardice’ in reference to the Green Party and would ask you, what would you rather have a Green Party that gets done what is possible with regards the climate and social justice. or a Green Party that in Government for the first time commits electoral suicide…
@bad12
This is not the point.
New Zealand produces 0.2% of green house gases. (This is from all sources agriculture included.) If New Zealand were to stop all emissions tomorrow, it would have little quantitive impact.
New Zealand’s biggest contribution to stopping global warming can only be qualitative.
A nationwide ban on coal mining and coal use, is the needed symbolic stand that Sir Peter Gluckman is talking about. Grabbing the world’s attention, inspiring millions to demand the same thing from their governments.
Coal must be phased out, and soon.
Stopping coal is the minimum that must be done to stop worldwide catastrophe.
Stopping the Denniston open cast coal mine is a necessary first step on the way to that larger goal of stopping all coal mining.
And is it really that hard?
The mining and use of asbestos has been banned worldwide. It can be argued that the death and destruction from continuing to mine and burn coal will dwarf that caused by asbestos.
Jenny, but it IS the point, China, India, and the US to name 3 are country’s who use coal as an integral part of their economy’s, and crowd power in all 3 economy’s is sadly lacking to have that use banned,
We can as a country only proceed so far and as i point out above, i would prefer that we walk away from Kyoto and instead resort to a carbon tax to be used to plant trees of sufficient number so as to get us as an economy as close to being carbon neutral as possible, along with a like investment in research to find technology’s which are capable of capturing carbon emissions at source and research into a means of mas carbon capture from the atmosphere, that is the best example we can show the world,
So as you have not seen fit to answer my question on whether or not you favor a suicidal Green presence in the next or any future Government i suppose i have to take your lack of reply as assent in that is what you favor,
Simply because what you continue to propose is electoral suicide for the Greens…
Have to partially disagree Red. I think the NZ public actually is ready and with just a little info and understanding, I believe they can be motivated to protest and pressure for action to be taken by government.
To get action from above, it’s always been necessary to apply pressure from below.
I think that’s where we’re at. Consider the general reaction in comments to the couple of posts I’ve put up so far on global warming. Just a couple of years back, I suspect those posts would have met with howls of derision.
And we have a simple scientific fact to focus peoples’ minds and it’s not one you need a degree to grasp and/or explain. 4 degrees = impossible future. And the 4 degreesfigure isn’t coming from individual scientists or whatever, but from the World Bank and the International Energy Authority….very conservative institutions.
I’m hopeful
OK … but among the people I’m working with and meet; there is silence. Either they simply don’t want to know, or they suspect the truth and really don’t want to confront it.
This is reflected in how the media has almost completely stopped talking about it as well.
This is fear-driven behaviour. We won’t get the co-operation needed from the mass of people globally unless we can get them to confront that fear openly.
I’m sure it can be done; it might even happen a lot sooner and faster than any of us imagine. But right now we’re at more of a ‘sticking point’ than a ‘tipping’ one.
People need (at least) these three things:
– the skills and support to deal with the fear and cognitive dissonance. I see very little work being done on this in NZ.
– information and a way of getting involved that allows them to take positive action that may save their children and grandchildren’s lives. Transition Towns and allied movements are leading the way on this. Everywhere in NZ now has some kind of positive action that can be done at an individual level.
– information about CC that doesn’t tell them we’re all fuckd and going to die. That information needs to be presented at a lay person’s level. If the MSM media aren’t doing this, then how else can it be done?
It’s true that there is a lot of silence. But silence is easily broken. And I know some people have devoted their energies to the act of avoidance…because it’s too scary or whatever.
But I also know that other people are really receptive and just waiting for some nascent form of protest to form that they would then join in with.
And when I’m done with these posts I know my energies are going to be focussed on helping to bring that opportunity about. And I know I have a shit hot talent for instigating grass/flax roots activism/protest – just I’ve been in ‘retired’ mode for several years.
So maybe (putting aside the fact that I don’t think you live in these parts and that I wouldn’t know you from a bar of soap if you walked right up to me) we’ll get to say ‘hello’ out on the streets sometime in the New Year 😉
Mebbe Bill. Got to sort some shit out in my life before I go activist again. Sounds like you have a good plan though 🙂
You have my guarantee of that Bill
I suppose that depends upon where you think the sticking point is. From what I can make out it’s more with the politicians and business than with the people.
Politicians and business people are always going to try and maintain the status quo. Important change gets led by the people. Enough people want something to change, and do something about it, politicians and business follows.
But that’s just it, they [politicians] don’t or, at least, most of them don’t. They seem to think that they’re there to lead the way rather than being representatives.
Ah, I see what you mean now.
Exactly, this is why a strong lead on this issue at this time is vital. And why the Green Party decision to stop giving that lead at this time will prove to be a fatal mistake.
I partially agree, I think people are more ready now than they were. I just don’t think the Green Party should be leading the charge any more than they already are. Their experience over many elections now is that it is very easy for their floating voters to get scared off at election time. Either by MSM or NACT fearmongering, or by people not understanding MMP and voting for Labour to prevent NACT winning. The next election is crucial. I don’t think the GP should be risking anything at this point in time. Once they are in govt they may up the ante on CC.
Instead, what we need is NGO action, from grassroots all the way through to corporate/business. Jenny is right about one thing, we need leadership. But we also need mass involvement at the community level. The 350 campaign some years ago mobilised alot of people, esp those no engaged in traditional political activism. What happened to that energy and action?
I completely agree with what you said in the If thread – we need information that people can assimilate and work with rather than the ‘we’re all fucked and humanity is going extinct’ argument. The posts you’ve been doing on Anderson’s work strike a good balance: this is a very serious situation AND we are still able to do something so let’s do it.
To get action from above, it’s always been necessary to apply pressure from below.
Agreed – and on all the pressing issues; climate, peak resources, poverty, sustainable economics, closing the inequality gap, measuring success in terms of activities that benefit society not any old economic activity, adequate social security, etc.
Merry Christmas Bill
Why on earth would you be hopeful about anything which was pushed by either of these two entities Bill?
People are definitely not going to get what they ask for, and sooner than later, they will be yet again wondering how it went to far against what they imagined the solutions looked like!
I’m not. But the fact that they are (rightly or wrongly is beside the point here) generally regarded as authoratative sources of information…and given their conservatism too…their latest prognoses on AGW serve as useful reference points.
Telling lies again Jenny? Please present some evidence that the GP supports mining of the Dennistion Plateau. And that evidence will have to concretely refute what the GP have on their own website.
http://www.greens.org.nz/searchresults?search=denniston
“BOOS and jeers from about 150 protestors greeted Prime Minister John Key as he entered Bathurst Resources’ new Wellington offices late yesterday.
Mr Key was there to meet the management of the Australian mining company which is planning New Zealand’s biggest open cast mine on the West Coast. The PM and Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley were confronted by a crowd of environmental activists and Green Party MPs rallying against coal mining.
National MP Simon Bridges and Labour’s West Coast MP Damien O’Conner had both slipped in to the building prior to the Prime Minister’s arrival. The Bathurst mine proposal is for the Denniston Plateau in the West Coast.
The proposed mine site is on public conservation land near the largest current opencast mining operation in New Zealand, State-owned Solid Energy’s Stockton coal mine.
Green Party Conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage expressed her disappointment following the Prime Minister’s remarks in the House of Parliament that the Denniston mine could proceed due to historical consent.
“It’s disappointing that the Prime Minister doesn’t seem to realise that the Conservation Minister still has an access application to consider,” Ms Sage said.
“Coming here today is sending a strong signal to the Department of Conservation and the minister that the government will be approving this mine.””
http://www.newswire.co.nz/2012/03/prime-minister-mines-boos-jeers-on-street/
I guess what this really means is that the GP are lying through their teeth to get the votes and then intend to reneg on that once in govt and support the mining of the plateau 🙄
You can’t have it both ways Jenny. You want the GP to protest things to do with CC, but when they do, you tell lies about them.
I have never said that the Green Party are “against” mining the Denniston Plateau. I have said that the Green Party are prepared to bargain this away to get cabinet positions.
This is something that you don’t deny.
It is entirely possible to be against something, and still do the opposite.
If the Green Party really wanted to stop Denniston they should immediately release a press statement now that they will not be part of any administration either National or Labour that let it proceed.
This would certainly give the investors and shareholders at Bathurst Resources pause for thought, before ploughing any more money into developing this mine.
“I have said that the Green Party are prepared to bargain this away to get cabinet positions.”
Please show some evidence for that statement.
The few politicians that I’ve spoken too have confirmed that it is only the top 4-5 cabinet ministers including the PM that get to effect any real change (with the exception of private members bills of course). The rest are just warming the bench and making up the numbers in the hope that one day they will be in the top 5. Perhaps the greens have realised this and have made a judgement call to let denniston go through so they can effect greater change with cabinet positions.. possibly even legislation to stop or at least phase out coal mining altogether amongst other things.
Maybe they have PP. But your wondering out loud is different than Jenny telling lies about the GP by stating opinion as fact. She’s just making it up.
Myself, I doubt that any decisions have been made at this stage. I also think that the GP has the potential to change MMP and how coalition govts form. No idea if they will though. Much depends on how many votes they get. It’s a long time until the next election.
You are either deliberately making stuff up about what I have said or not said. Or do you just misunderstand it?
I think weka is being more than fair in pointing out your deductive leaps.
When you say the greens have or haven’t issued a press release containing a specific hypothetical statement, that’s a verifiable fact.
When you ascribe a motive as to why they have or haven’t issued this specific hypothetical statement, you’re making stuff up.
What felix said.
Jenny, anytime you want to produce ANY evidence that what you say about the GP is true, fine by me.
Where did you get/hear this information from ? The wikipedia link is not working so I couldn’t verify it there, and I cannot find anything on the Green Party website about them downplaying either climate change or the Denniston mining effects. Please clarify.
Solo mums, I love you all the most.
You have the most important job of all, and often have to do it under a barrage of criticism.
Just remember “you only need a dick to run the country, it only takes a mother to raise a son.”
What ever you do, don’t take Paula’s pills unless you want to.
If my old girl had been coerced into stopping at one or two, I wouldn’t be 3 of 5.
I’m just a dreamer, but you could have an Einstein, Hawkins, Dr Barnardos or Florence Nightingale, and let’s face it, they can’t get here soon enough. So make love, not Paula’s day. Get any stick at WINZ and we’ll come down and contracept their mouths.
Track 9 @ http://www.al1en.org
Alpha 1
I hear what they say and I know that it’s rough. It beats you down.
Every night on the news when the going gets tough. They put you down.
You know solo mum, down my road, it’s all right. You aint so bad.
You’re not on your own Alpha one, 3 of 5. Born Alpha tribe.
Lift your head up little sister. Lift your face up to the son.
Don’t let anyone say you’re shit, love. Make them always prove you’re wrong.
Take that flower by the hand, love. And then you’ve got to make him understand.
He’s got to stand up for all the sisters if he wants to be an Alpha man.
I know what they say and I know that it’s wrong. But they wheel you out.
Every night on the news when they’ve done something wrong. Appease the crowd.
You know solo mum, on my road, we’re all right. We aint so bad.
You’re not on your own Alpha one, 3 of 5. with your Alpha pride.
Keep your head up pretty sister. Hold your face up to the sun.
We don’t let anyone say we’re shit, love. We don’t ever let anyone say we’re wrong.
Take the flower by his hand, love. Teach him how to grow up strong.
You only need a dick to run the country. You only need a mother to raise a son.
Merry Christmas to Te Pati Maori, i have had cause to ponder today just what it would take for the once promising Maori Party to come to it’s senses,
The loss of both Sharple’s and Flavell’s seats in 2014 should just about do it…
Little birds tell me that Tony Ryall is to be the new minister for education. Quelle surprise.
Mmmm, now that will be interesting. Who gets health?
Return of Nick Smith?
The Carter’s in or out of the Parliament confuse me,but, the current one with the back-woodsy type portfolio that i cannot remember the name of and who is said to be the next Speaker of the House,
I think Nick Smith is going to pick up Carter’s portfolio when they drag Him back from Siberia for a vodka laced rehabilitation, it’s thought that Carters portfolio is so obscure,(it must be if i can’t remember what it is). that even Smith is unlikely to make a hash of it, but hats off to Nick i bet it don’t take him long to do so…
Do you mean the little bird on the TV news the other night, me thinks that Slippery will keep His word on Hekia remaining right where she is,(that’s cause for definite surprise),
I cannot see anyone in Nationals line-up capable of doing the job Ryall has with the Health portfolio have and Hekia is doing one hell of a good job destroying the peace of mind of the Education sector which is what i believe the outcome sought by Slippery’s National Government really is,
Wreck the ability of the sector to function properly, destroy any individual schools ability to budget properly with NO-NO-Pay and across the field ‘they’ are halfway to replacing the Boards with hand picked Commissioners,
Hell the Bizness sector has probably been in Slippery’s ear about just how expensive it is to set up a charter school and why should they have to when there are 1000’s of schools out there just ripe for a negative take-over from the charter schools mob…
No, my little birds perch considerably closer to power than the media
The words “break the unions” were uttered
Tony Ryall should remember that all political careers end in failure.
If he succeeded in ‘breaking the unions’ in education then that would amount to the most radical ‘reform’ of the education sector achieved by any government. So much for this being a ‘centrist’ government.
It would also lead to the crumbling of what has been a consistently high quality state education system and leave the door wide open to the overall educational quality reductions that come from privatising mass education (e.g., would one ‘provider’ ever share its ‘successful’ educational IP with another? If so, why? Markets inevitably create distortions in social systems of cooperation. :-)).
I say this simply because the collective values of the teaching profession, as currently supported through a unionised workforce, are part of what is needed to produce quality public education. Those values are not the foundation of mass private education.
So, if you are correct in that intention, Ryall’s appointment as education minister would either be a disaster for his career or a disaster for public education. If I were Ryall I would not want the former – for obvious reasons – and I also wouldn’t want the latter.
Why would he wish to go down in history as the minister who undermined public education and initiated a decline in educational attainment in New Zealand’s children? The so-called ‘tail’ would inevitably lengthen significantly. (And don’t get me onto supposed high level ‘accountability’ measures to ensure schools/children ‘achieve’ – they would be laughable if they weren’t so dangerous.)
(WYSIWYG doesn’t seem to appear as an option anymore for me.)
Sure it is, your little bird probably watched the same news item on TV3 as what i did…
You are both incorrect and tiresome.
24 hours ago TV3 news was saying exactly the same as what you are about the future prospects of Hekia,
Perhaps you could ask your ‘little birdy’ to be a lot less tardy in the future, after all what’s the point of having a ‘little birdy’ if they are beaten by the MSM in breaking the latest gossip…
Well I’m inclined to take pop at his word. Nothing wrong with having scuttlebutt arrive from several independent sources….
i will take the hint…
The media were speculating, quite accurately as it happens. I wasn’t. You seem to have the impression I was trying to impress you. mate, I wouldn’t [deleted]. [ B – Be nice 😉 ]
i read the other day, trees are not being replanted in our country as fast as they are being harvested.
-Ent (whistle)
(and that is not the Kaka’s fault either)
🙂
“Consumptionomics”
This was just on National Radio. Worth while checking out, right now.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/writers/audio/2541235/chandran-nair-consumptionomics.asx