Open mike 27/08/2019

115 comments on “Open mike 27/08/2019 ”

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1. Cinny 1

   27 August 2019 at 7:53 am

   Good morning 🙂 Check this out…..

   Former trade minister Todd McClay helped arrange $150,000 donation from Chinese racing industry billionaire Lin Lang to National Party

   It's paywalled, but dang…..

   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261215
   • Muttonbird 1.1

     27 August 2019 at 7:57 am

     This sort of behaviour by the National Party doesn't surprise anyone here, but at the very least it keeps the issue of high corruption by them in front of the voting public.

     I'm sure there will be more to come between now and the election.
   • Rapunzel 1.2

     27 August 2019 at 8:06 am

     And with the paywall the heading leaves a lot to the imagination as to who and when this took place.
2. phillip ure 2

   27 August 2019 at 8:39 am

   reuters are reporting that kfc in america are going to sell plant-based wings/nuggets…

   (this is all gonna happen sooner/faster than many expect..)
   • Robert Guyton 2.1

     27 August 2019 at 8:47 am

     Rod Slater doesn't side with you, Phillip. In fact, he's published a counter to all you believe

     https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/115278957/role-of-red-meat-in-a-healthy-diet-is-globally-recognised

     "I'd like to finish with a shout out to the beef and sheep farmers in New Zealand who are quickly criticised, but don't receive the plaudits they deserve.

     This is a group of individuals who have the environment at the heart of what they do, and are farming in a way that is part of the solution. They have reduced their carbon emissions by 30 per cent since 1990 and are on track to being carbon neutral by 2050 – in line with the Paris Agreement.

     This is a group of people who ring-fence soil health, biodiversity, water quality and animal welfare in their commitment towards a better future, and who take almost daily abuse in their stride and continue to do the best they can."

     Rod Slater is CEO of Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc, Auckland
     • Pat 2.1.1

       27 August 2019 at 9:19 am

       would suggest there are two completely different issues at play in those two postings
     • phillip ure 2.1.2

       27 August 2019 at 9:43 am

       @ robert..

       he could be a hard nut to crack…heh..!

       (i’ll put him in the just-too-hard-to-bother basket – along with the allen..)
       • The Al1en 2.1.2.1

         27 August 2019 at 10:23 am

         lol
   • Hooch 2.2

     27 August 2019 at 11:11 am

     They’ll have to re-brand as Kentucky Fried Plant Based Food.
   • bwaghorn 2.3

     27 August 2019 at 11:14 am

     I would have thought that any vegan would boycott any place that sold meat as well . Because if you think this isnt about more customers rather than selling less chicken you are way thicker than I imagined .
     • phillip ure 2.3.1

       27 August 2019 at 12:14 pm

       i don't want any of this stuff..

       it isn't for me..i haven't eaten flesh for four decades..don't want/need that..

       it's a form of methadone – for flesh-addicts…

       and i totally agree kfc are just reading what the market wants..

       i don't care how we get there – but less chickens suffering is just fine with me..

       and a further marker on the road to normalisation of what (still) seems to many – impossible..

       it's all good..

       (and i do avoid places where meat is cooking – but i do have to go to the supermarket..)
     • Andre 2.3.2

       27 August 2019 at 3:07 pm

       It's aimed at people like me. If I'm in the mood for some nasty fast grease, and KFC offer something that's plant-based (or vat-grown) that's of acceptable taste, texture, price and gives me a top-up of stuff like B12 that I usually look to get from the meat I eat, well then I might just go there rather than Booger King.
       • phillip ure 2.3.2.1

         27 August 2019 at 3:59 pm

         booger king in u.s. are already selling plant-based (beyond meat) burgers..

         so the nz version will be doing it soon enough…
         • phillip ure 2.3.2.1.1

           27 August 2019 at 4:15 pm

           at the kfc-vegan news..mark richardson got that look in his face like someone has just urinated in his pocket..

           that's always fun to see…

           and garner gets triggered/blusters away – 'cos that's what he does..

           https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2019/08/kfc-trialling-vegan-beyond-fried-chicken-triggering-meat-fans.html
           • The Al1en 2.3.2.1.1.1

             27 August 2019 at 4:21 pm

             Loathe to agree with the biggest tool on the block, but he's correct on this. If you want the fried chicken, just eat the clucking chicken.
             • phillip ure …

               27 August 2019 at 4:55 pm

               i have this mental picture of you – a few yrs from now..

               sitting in yr electric car/whatever – eating yr plant-based chicken nugget..

               and luvin' it…
               • The Al1en …

                 27 August 2019 at 5:02 pm

                 No doubt here that whatever you picture is mental.

                 Electric car I can do, especially if it's a replacement power train for my mk1 MX-5, but fake food when there's no reason not to eat the real thing, that's just stupid.

                 I’d be more impressed if kfc went organic and free range. As it is I use a local butcher who sources local produce for the meat I don’t kill myself. I only ever use a supermarket for mince as eyelids, lips and gonads all taste the same in a cottage pie.
                 • weka …

                   27 August 2019 at 5:10 pm

                   "I’d be more impressed if kfc went organic and free range."

                   I'd be extremely impressed. Fake chicken at KFC is probably a good move, given how appalling badly hens are treated. People eating KFC aren't there for the healthy food, but I think the chicken welfare argument is compelling (unlike with something like NZ lamb).

                   Still not convinced on the enviro or CC aspect.
                   • The Al1en …

                     27 August 2019 at 5:20 pm

                     For meat eaters, I reckon free range and organic are the way forward through climate change. Local, well reared stock, besides being more flavoursome will, with reduced costs and chemical use, have a meaningful impact on damage to the environment. Win win.

                     My local pak n save only sells free range eggs. A buck more expensive than new world's cage equivalent. There was no customer survey, the decision was just imposed on the consumer. I'm happy to buy them and cut costs elsewhere in a weekly shop. For the saving, I'll buy the cheapest bog roll instead of the luxury brands instead.
                   • weka []

                     27 August 2019 at 5:55 pm

                     very cool of Pak n Save to do that. I’m pretty sceptical of free range labelling so I hope they’ve done due diligence on that, but a good move in the right direction.

                     Local, free range, organic/regenag makes sense to me about meat and probably a lot of dairy. A general rule is those animals will be treated better. Many of us can eat less if we are eating a lot, but many people need animal foods to be healthy.
                 • phillip ure …

                   27 August 2019 at 6:14 pm

                   @ allen..interesting you say you won't kill..

                   ..a week or so ago i saw the results of a survey done in u.s…(don't have link to hand…)

                   ..takeaway from it was that 49% of those surveyed said if they had to kill the animals – they would not eat meat..

                   what are the reasons you won't kill what you eat..?
                   • The Al1en …

                     27 August 2019 at 6:18 pm

                     Don't be dopey, dopey, I never said I wouldn't kill an animal to eat it. I've already stated on here a few times how I shoot, skin, gut and eat rabbits. What I said was “I use a local butcher who sources local produce for the meat I don’t kill myself” you know, 'cause farmers don't like you rocking up and shooting their cows, chickens or sheep.
                   • weka []

                     27 August 2019 at 6:29 pm

                     how is your butcher managing that?

                     was just explaining to McFlock the daftness of the current system where a rural farmer has to send the live animals often long distances to be killed, and then the meat can be sent back. We need another class of legislation that allows professional home kill to be sold.
                   • The Al1en …

                     27 August 2019 at 6:38 pm

                     My understanding is all his meat comes from local farms. I believed it to be home kill, but if it can't be legally, then it must be via a nearby slaughterhouse. They've been around for years and are known for quality produce and their reputable trading name. The difference between it and supermarket cuts are night and day.

                     Home kill just makes so much sense. Of course there's a need for standards and regs for tracking and safety, and I suspect they will come when the need arises.
                   • The Al1en …

                     27 August 2019 at 6:49 pm

                     But with climate change dictating how we live in the future, most work and leisure will probably be local, so with that there will no doubt be a fragmentation of services across the spectrum, devolved to the regional level. Makes sense butchery will be part of that too.
   • Dukeofurl 2.4

     27 August 2019 at 4:28 pm

     Another opening for GE food like the BK burgers you rave on about
   • McFlock 2.5

     27 August 2019 at 5:14 pm

     If it gets to decent cuts of meat, is cheaper, better for environment, and (and here is the big bit) is indistinguishable from real meat, I don't give a shit. But that threshold isn't coming anytime soon.

     Nuggets are pureed meat anyway – more like tofu than chicken breast. Dunno how they pretend bone in the meatless "wings", either.
     • gsays 2.5.1

       27 August 2019 at 5:50 pm

       Rather than pureed, water blasted would be a more accurate description of the preparation of nuggets.
       • phillip ure 2.5.1.1

         27 August 2019 at 6:06 pm

         sheesh..!..you and mcflock are hardly selling them to me..

         this is what i am (supposedly) missing out on..?

         heh..!
         • McFlock 2.5.1.1.1

           27 August 2019 at 9:00 pm

           Phil, nuggets and cheap sausages should never be recommended to anyone. They are what one buys when one cannot afford actual food.
           • phillip ure 2.5.1.1.1.1

             28 August 2019 at 6:43 am

             yeah…the prospect horrifies..

             ..even back when i ate meat – i never ate that crap..

             ..never eaten one of those nuggets that the allen is so enamoured of..

             they look like mush with breadcrumbs on it…

             like baby-food..

             ..and cheap sausages..?…with the fat bubbling out of them..?

             (shudder..!..)

             (d'ya want bacon with that..?..)
             • The Al1en …

               28 August 2019 at 7:22 am

               You're clearly obsessed, PU, that's clear to see. Two posts in two days mentioning me for no reason at all. That's an emotional issue you'll have to deal with, but still.

               never eaten one of those nuggets that the allen is so enamoured of

               How about linking to anything which backs up your claim, or admit you lied. Knowingly making false statements on here is surely frowned upon.
               • phillip ure …

                 28 August 2019 at 7:30 am

                 so yr a nugget-nun..?…don't indulge..?
                 • The Al1en …

                   28 August 2019 at 10:32 am

                   How about you back your claim with a link or admit you lied.

                   Really, why would anyone believe anything you write when you lie about the littlest of things.

                   Dodgy poster, aye.
             • McFlock …

               28 August 2019 at 2:21 pm

               Fat's not a problem. I wish the cheapest ones had it. But they're just bland, pointless, flavourless tubes with texture similar to cheese or tofu but a tendency to sit in the stomach like lead fishing wieghts.
               • The Al1en …

                 28 August 2019 at 3:56 pm

                 The fat – Where the flavour lives.

                 Had them at Mcdonalds, and yeah, pretty pointless food. The best bit was the sweet and sour dipping sauce. Not a patch on a nice, real bit of breast meat.
3. A 3

   27 August 2019 at 8:50 am

   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-26/cash-ban-so-you-pay-the-bank-to-hold-your-money-what-imf-wants/11443646

   Research on what cash bans would do if actually implemented show that they will have no effect on black market economies. Of course not – criminals get around things, normal people suffer and in this case it would be for having money in the bank.

   A recent IMF blog entitled “Cashing In: How to Make Negative Interest Rates Work”, explains its motive in wanting negative interest rates — a situation where instead of receiving money on deposits, depositors must pay regularly to keep their money with the bank.
   • Pat 3.1

     27 August 2019 at 8:52 am

     ah the DFA plan has had an effect!
4. cleangreen 4

   27 August 2019 at 9:08 am

   Martyn Bradbury and Mike King both said it right today;

   https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/08/26/suicide-rate-hits-all-time-record-high/

   Matryn said stop vilifying males.

   Mike King was very powerful this morning on Newshub also.

   He should get NZ’der of the year award no fear at all bless him.

   Thank you Mike for saying this to NZ on Newhub and Jacinda;

   Quote; “stop the racial – gender profiling now” – as you are doing more harm than you will ever know; unquote.
   • James 4.1

     27 August 2019 at 9:19 am

     Edit:-apology for formatting

     stop the racial – gender profiling now – as you are doing more harm than you will ever know

     And yet so many sexist and racist on here are happy to profile on gender and race – if the person is white and male of course.

     [formatting fixed. I think. Let me know if that’s not right. – weka]
     • Muttonbird 4.1.1

       27 August 2019 at 9:33 am

       Did you have a go at formatting and screwed up, then edited and screwed up royally, then just gave up because you couldn't get your puny brain around it?

       It's not dyslexia, you're just not very bright.

       [I can’t see anything in your comment other than abuse, and possibly an attempt to start a flame war. Re-read the Policy and pull your head in please – weka]
       • James 4.1.1.1

         27 August 2019 at 9:40 am

         Meh. Doing it on my phone.

         Muttonbirdbrain.
         • Muttonbird 4.1.1.1.1

           27 August 2019 at 9:41 am

           Can't work a phone either?

           Have some pride, idiot.

           [seeing as you have deleted the comment that led to the ban, I’m putting the mod note here. You’re out for 3 days – weka]
           • weka 4.1.1.1.1.1

             27 August 2019 at 9:44 am

             see my mod note above. You're skating pretty close to some time out.
         • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.1.1.2

           27 August 2019 at 10:55 am

           "I don’t believe young American men end up in racist and sexist online spaces — spaces that radicalize — because they are innately bigoted. They end up there because they are confused and seeking out community, and no one else is providing an alternative."

           https://gen.medium.com/young-white-male-rage-is-the-biggest-threat-to-our-country-495917022630
       • Jimmy 4.1.1.2

         27 August 2019 at 10:08 am

         Play the ball not the man
         • Robert Guyton 4.1.1.2.1

           27 August 2019 at 10:13 am

           James writes,

           "if the person is white and male"

           and at the same time berates people for gender and race profiling!

           Astounding!
         • greywarshark 4.1.1.2.2

           27 August 2019 at 10:23 am

           Nice to hear some wise words from you Jimmy. Keep it up.
         • weka 4.1.1.2.3

           27 August 2019 at 10:33 am

           thanks Jimmy.
     • Molly 4.1.2

       27 August 2019 at 10:36 am

       I have already posted on TDB, – so I'll just repost my comment here:

       "Perhaps it has something to do with the limited boundaries we place on males, young and old in New Zealand. We still – via social interactions and national media – subscribe to a restricted set of male attributes as being acceptable. Successful at business, sports, drinking and sexual attractiveness is constantly reinforced. While none of these are bad on their own, they ignore other positive aspects of men that contribute to their own and community wellbeing. Writing, dancing, listening, being involved with community and supporting others, probably a larger proportion of men work in other fields and have other interests than that we are constantly shown.

       I’ve never considered the term “toxic masculinity” to refer to males per se, I’ve always considered it to be the idea that limits the expression of masculinity to a certain number of archetypes, leaving men with a very proscribed set of behaviours and values that they are expected to adher to. It is not good for males or females to restrict options in that way.

       The lack of connection and community between all demographics, does not bode well for good health for individuals, families and the wider society."
       • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.2.1

         27 August 2019 at 10:53 am

         We still – via social interactions and national media –

         Almost impossible in these times to avoid. The world is too much with us…in our faces, in our ears, inveigling its way into our minds…difficult to avoid the madding crowd.

         We have been conditioned to compare ourselves with others, to compete, to measure our achievements against the achievements of others.  Am I acceptable? Am I good enough? Do I measure up? Do I have the requisite number of friends on Faceache? Am I 'Liked'?
         • greywarshark 4.1.2.1.1

           27 August 2019 at 11:02 am

           Faceache. Lol.
       • Wensleydale 4.1.2.2

         27 August 2019 at 3:03 pm

         Observations On How To Be A Man In New Zealand:

         Must like sport – preferably ruggers. Go to games, get half-cut, bellow like an irate elephant seal and generally make a nuisance of yourself. Harass pedestrians with your drunken shenanigans on the walk home. Better yet, drive. Sure, you've had a few, but what sort of man can't operate a motor vehicle after downing a box of Export Gold? Are you a homo or something?

         Must engage in overt displays of "success". Having a flash car is good. Having several is better. Throw money around. Money is the only valid gauge of success. Talk about how much money you have. It's super impressive and women don't find it tedious or off-putting.

         Drink a lot. Getting hammered and vomiting all over yourself is fun and makes you appear incredibly masculine. If you don't drink, you're either a poof or one of those religious weirdos.

         Must remain stoic in the face of even the most traumatic life events. Yeah, your Mum died, but don't cry about it, you big sook.

         Must not discuss feelings. Feelings are for girls and homos. Displays of white-knuckled rage are exempt. Being angry is manly. Crying is not. (If you can't get angry, swearing a lot is an appropriate substitute. Try to use the c-word at least once in every sentence.) If feelings are discussed at all, they must be discussed with other males, at the pub, and only in the most facetious and flippant of terms. Your laughter isn't forced. Really, it's not.

         Lewd comments directed at women are not offensive. They're hilarious and just a bit of harmless 'banter'. Likewise, touching women without their permission. John Key totally got away with it, so if girls don't like it, they're probably militant lesbians who hate men.

         Don't watch rom-coms, read, attend plays or dance. (If you must read, it should be non-fiction and preferably about cars. Or serial killers.) Don't be fruity. Sit in the garage, smear yourself in engine oil and listen to The Rock. Get one of those calenders with boobs on it. Boobs are great.
         • phillip ure 4.1.2.2.1

           27 August 2019 at 3:15 pm

           heh..!..pretty close..

           you left out ‘fishing’ – talking about ‘fishing’ never gets boring…
         • James 4.1.2.2.2

           27 August 2019 at 4:55 pm

           you need better male role models. Perhaps change up your friends.
       • I feel love 4.1.2.3

         27 August 2019 at 4:02 pm

         Molly, thank you. White male mid 40s here, I've never understood the men that feel under threat whenever someone criticises us, I've accepted it's not bloody personal. I liked your comment very much, thank you.
         • James 4.1.2.3.1

           27 August 2019 at 4:58 pm

           its not a criticism- is a sweeping generalisation highlighting the personal views of the poster.

           I dont take offence because it’s a laughable post.

           Pity for the poster they must be consistently outraged.
           • phillip ure 4.1.2.3.1.1

             27 August 2019 at 6:27 pm

             c'mon..!..that is a fair/close description of many nz men…

             maybe not yr urban luvvies – but outside those enclaves..?

             the above rules…!
   • Rosemary McDonald 4.2

     27 August 2019 at 11:34 am

     I'm not a telly-watcher but I just invested 18 minutes to watch that particular segment. Thank you very much for the link…more than well worth it and yes, King most certainly presented a powerful message. I did catch the pulling out the earplugs bit during the speech from Our Leader…I do hope she gets over the slight and bleeding well listens.

     From a media critical perspective…very interesting body language from those around the table during the studio discussion with Mike King. Who is the numpty doing the 'arms tightly folded and leaning away from the table' thing? The others were clearly well engaged with King on an arguably sensitive topic….
   • SHG 4.3

     27 August 2019 at 2:43 pm

     Now compare the media and funding profiles of breast cancer and prostate cancer. Guess which one kills the most people?
     • Incognito 4.3.1

       27 August 2019 at 2:46 pm

       Incorrect! Men, in fact, do get breast cancer.
       • SHG 4.3.1.1

         27 August 2019 at 2:49 pm

         (I don't think you got my point – prostate cancer affects ONLY men. But I edited my post to make my implication even more blunt.)
         • Incognito 4.3.1.1.1

           27 August 2019 at 3:02 pm

           
         • Grafton Gully 4.3.1.1.2

           27 August 2019 at 5:28 pm

           Prostate cancer affects transgender women.

           https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30322726
       • Dukeofurl 4.3.1.2

         27 August 2019 at 4:26 pm

         Only 1% of breast cancers are in men , for NZ thats around 20 men per year.

         Strangely enough women too can get ( very very rare) prostate cancer, while they dont have a prostate gland there are some tissues that are homologous to the prostate which can have adenocarcinoma
5. greywarshark 5

   27 August 2019 at 11:14 am

   Why we should resist being all-wired into a wired community. The idea of having everything in the Cloud comes from people who can make up wonderful songs and images and talk of Cloud 9; people in the theatrical industry and its rich relation Public Relations or PR. Look at them with distrust, they have a 'virus' that will eventually bring us all to ill health.

   From Scoop:

   Passports And IDs Left Online: Privacy Breach On Tuia 250 Aplications

   The Ministry for Culture and Heritage yesterday revealed it had mistakenly exposed the sensitive details of about 300 mostly young people online…

   Technology commentator Paul Spain said while most of the information was gone from the internet, the question was who had accessed it while it was online.

   "This could be a problem for them for months if not years to come because others are now able to impersonate them and they could do all sorts of things when they [can] pretend to be someone else."
6. Treaty O'Rome 6

   27 August 2019 at 11:31 am

   The Most Rev Justin Welby is in talks with a cross-party group of senior MPs to chair a series of public meetings in which alternatives to leaving the EU without an agreement would be put forward.

   [If you can’t make an effort to type in your user name correctly, I can’t be bothered to approve your comments when they’re held in Auto-Moderation because of that. Final warning – Incognito]
   • Incognito 6.1

     27 August 2019 at 12:25 pm

     See my final Moderation note to you @ 11:31 AM.
7. Brigid 7

   27 August 2019 at 11:33 am

   Some may find this interesting.

   Americans who choose Russia as their home

   Education is very important, and wide. You wont find a physicist who doesn't know poetry or a psychiatrist who doesn't understand engineering.

   All medical treatment is free for Russians and paid parental leave is three years.
   • Francesca 7.1

     27 August 2019 at 8:33 pm

     Thanks for that

     Really interesting !
8. Treaty O’Rome 8

   27 August 2019 at 11:36 am

   What do you call the level beyond SURREAL?

   The latest Brexit twist is that the Archbishop of Canterbury is going to lead rage search for a No-No-Deal solution.

   God bless us.

   “The Most Rev Justin Welby is in talks with a cross-party group of senior MPs to chair a series of public meetings in which alternatives to leaving the EU without an agreement would be put forward.”

   https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/justin-welby-warned-not-to-interfere-with-brexit-rqd86nrhw
   • greywarshark 8.1

     27 August 2019 at 12:41 pm

     Conservative spokesperson says that the Archbishop's move is counter to Boorish Johnson's and so is political and 'deeply inappropriate'. One might say that the Archbishop is organising an ethical discussion and that would be most inappropriate to a political phalanx riding on a decision that was influenced by either mistaken understanding of benefits due to the National Health Service, or plainly wrong and possibly fraudulent information.

     It was 'deeply inappropriate' to allow such panhandling just before this important referendum. And again deeply inappropriate that the disseminators have not been called to account and the referendum revoked because of this misinformation amounting to lies. So stick your Conservative 'deeply inappropriate' back in the port bottle it came from you pillock!
     • Dukeofurl 8.1.1

       27 August 2019 at 4:16 pm

       Referendums dont get revoked .

       As for lies , project fear by the Remain side was a complete concoction of falsehoods .

       Get over it. Leave is going to happen now , with or without 'the deal'

       You havent been keeping up

       "Amendment (h) tabled by Sarah Wollaston that removes the 30 June deadline and instructs the government to seek an extension to enable a second referendum was rejected by 85–334."

       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_votes_on_Brexit
       • greywarshark 8.1.1.1

         27 August 2019 at 5:50 pm

         Everything is in flux over there and could happen.

         Cooper–Letwin Bill (3 April 2019)

         Main article: European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019

         Since none of the tabled propositions in the second round of indicative votes could command a majority in the House of Commons, a third round of indicative votes was planned to be held on 3 April.[110] However, on the day of 3 April 2019, the House of Commons focused instead on debating the "European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill". This bill was otherwise known as the Cooper–Letwin Bill, after its chief sponsors Yvette Cooper (Labour) and Oliver Letwin (Conservative). The bill places an obligation on the Government to seek consent for any or no extensions to the date of withdrawal from the EU.

         To do so, the House of Commons first debated an amendment to the Business of the House motion to allow the Bill to be brought in for debate on that day. There was one proposed amendment to the Business of the House amendment, which would have sought to schedule more indicative votes for 8 April 2019; this failed in the first tied vote since 1993.[111]

         In other words she has got people thinking. In 20/8/2018 she made good points that are still relevant.

         https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/changed-mind-over-brexit-sarah-1917448

         15/8/2019 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/15/sarah-wollaston-jeremy-corbyn-government-may-be-lesser-of-two-evils

         https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/26/brexit-shutting-down-parliament-gravest-abuse-of-power-in-living-memory-legal-advice

         https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/corbyn-labour-will-do-everything-necessary-to-halt-no-deal-brexit-946414.html

         Boris Johnson would be committing the “gravest abuse of power and attack on UK constitutional principle in living memory” if he shuts down parliament to help force through a no-deal Brexit, according to legal advice obtained by Labour.

         Gordon Browns' instinct is guiding his opinion. Probably he has been feeling his water for guidance.

         https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/08/25/gordon-brown-jeremy-corbyn-caretaker-government-plan-self-indulgent/

         https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2019/08/britain-must-fulfil-financial-obligations-even-if-no-deal-brexit-happens-eu.html

         The statement came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that if Britain leaves without a deal, it will no longer legally owe the STG39 billion (NZ$75.2 billion) divorce bill agreed by his predecessor…

         "Settling accounts is essential to starting of a new relationship on the right foot, based on mutual trust," she said, adding that London has not formally raised the issue with the EU side so far.

         [I’m guessing the number of links in your comment tripped the spam filter – weka]
9. Agora 9

   27 August 2019 at 12:19 pm

   Twitter Sleuths Uncover Anti-Sanders Conspiracy

   https://www.salon.com/2019/08/26/twitter-sleuths-uncover-an-anti-bernie-conspiracy-infuriating-the-pundit-class/

   Weka, does that make one a Twit ?
   • Agora 9.1

     27 August 2019 at 12:45 pm

     Startling new poll finds that Joe Biden has rapidly lost support among voters under 50. But yes: Small sample size

     https://www.salon.com/2019/08/26/new-poll-finds-biden-sanders-warren-in-three-way-tie-but-is-it-an-outlier/
   • Dukeofurl 9.2

     27 August 2019 at 4:41 pm

     Fantasists. How you can believe anything based on what is 'uncovered' on Twitter.

     Its US elections , negative stories come by the truckload, did you not notice the Clinton ones ? …plus negative stuff about Trump..it came in mountains
     • phillip ure 9.2.1

       28 August 2019 at 6:56 am

       twitter is often first – and by a decent margin – on many stories..

       plus you can make twitter how you want it to be – by choosing to follow whom/whatever you choose..

       for news/commentary/humour it is light yrs ahead of faceache (luv that name – gonna nick/use it..)

       yr dismissal is unfounded..
       • phillip ure 9.2.1.1

         28 August 2019 at 7:24 am

         (example of twitter-humour..)

         'I like how Jeff Goldblum gets Jeff Goldblummier with every passing year.

         By the time he’s eighty he’ll just be a small cube of highly condensed quirk, gently vibrating and occasionally making cat sounds'

         (now – that is fucken funny..!..).
10. logie97 10

    27 August 2019 at 12:55 pm

    Talking of Polls

    Does anyone here know who is responsible for this one …

    https://www.pundit.co.nz/poll-of-polls

    Apparently it is regularly updated. (last update was 30 May 2017)
    • Dukeofurl 10.1

      27 August 2019 at 4:18 pm

      No data after 2016 ….. worse than useless.
11. swordfish 11

    27 August 2019 at 1:12 pm

    Jacinda Ardern says drop in popularity natural for Government taking on big issues

    Henry Cooke Aug 27 2019

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says losing some of her popularity is the result of taking on serious challenges in Government.

    Ardern's preferred prime ministerial polling dropped two times in the last two Colmar Brunton/One News Surveys, from 51 per cent in April not long after the terror attack to 41 per cent in July.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115307809/jacinda-ardern-says-drop-in-popularity-natural-for-government-taking-on-big-issues

    Thing is:

    (1) She remains the second most popular PM (after Key & ahead of Clark, Muldoon, Lange, Bolger)

    (2) Both Key & Clark experienced falls in the Preferred PM during their first term

    (though much more so Clark … she fluctuated wildly … plunged from 48% to 35%, then modest revival, then fell again from 38% right down to 30% before another revival. Key higher & steadier,but began to fall after the 13 month mark)

    Comparison

    Colmar Brunton: Preferred PM

    First 12 Months (in chronological order)

    Clark: 43, 48, 46, 41, 35, 38, 36, 34. 30, 37 … (range: 30-48) … (average: 38.8)

    Ardern: 37, 41, 37, 41, 40, 42 … … … … … … …(range: 37-42) … (average: 39.7)

    Key: 51, 51, 51, 50, 54 … … … … … … … … … … (range: 50-54) … (average: 51.4)

    Month 13-21 (in chronological order)

    Clark: 39, 34, 38, 41, 37, 39, 42, 38 … … … (range: 34-42) … (average: 38.5)

    Ardern: 39, 44, 51, 45, 41 … … … … … … … (range: 39-51) … (average: 44.0)

    Key: 49, 48, 46. 45 … … … … … … … … … … (range: 45-49) … (average: 47.0)

    (Note; Latest Colmar Brunton was at the 21 Month mark)

    Clark's average was consistent over those two time periods / Key's average fell 4 points / Ardern's average rose 4 points.
    • Robert Guyton 11.1

      27 August 2019 at 1:22 pm

      You are James' worst enemy
      Ranking alongside of reason, rationality and logic.
    • Sacha 11.2

      27 August 2019 at 3:35 pm

      In our political system, 'preferred pm' is a meaningless measure. We do not get to vote for them. Even net favourable might shine more light.
      • swordfish 11.2.1

        27 August 2019 at 4:35 pm

        Yeah, I was responding to arguments made in the Henry Cooke article.

        Wouldn't call Preferred PM "meaningless" … fluctuations indicate movement in popularity of Leader … which is often (not always, but often), in turn, linked to the popularity / electoral fortunes of their Party.
12. Poission 12

    27 August 2019 at 2:56 pm

    Raison d'etre for co founder of extinction rebellion.

    A co-founder of the Extinction Rebellion environmental movement has called for a mass ingestion of psychedelic substances in protest against the criminalisation of drugs….

    “The causes of the crisis are political, economic, legal and cultural systemic issues but underneath that are issues of human trauma, powerlessness, scarcity and separation. The system resides within us and the psychedelic medicines are opportunities to help us shift our consciousness,” she told the conference.

    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2213787-extinction-rebellion-founder-calls-for-mass-psychedelic-disobedience/

    Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2213787-extinction-rebellion-founder-calls-for-mass-psychedelic-disobedience/#ixzz5xla9m1nO
    • Robert Guyton 12.1

      27 August 2019 at 3:02 pm

      Really, Poission?

      "Bradbrook, a former biophysicist, said it was not Extinction Rebellion’s policy to promote the use of drugs, but they had played a role in her personal journey towards founding the movement."

      She also said,

      "I would support a mass civil disobedience… "

      The co-founder of Extinction Rebellion has not "called for a mass ingestion of psychedelic substances… "

      My bold for clarity.
    • joe90 12.2

      27 August 2019 at 3:14 pm

      Turn on, tune in, drop out!
      • Poission 12.2.1

        27 August 2019 at 3:17 pm

        Dinosaur.
        • phillip ure 12.2.1.1

          27 August 2019 at 3:39 pm

          you haven't had a rip-snorter/w.t.f. acid-blowout..?..there..poisson..?

          (you haven't lived 'till you have seen a melting mountain – and the like – with yr own two eyes..eh..?..)

          maybe it's not for you – but i would recommend a decent dose of mdma for ya/everyone….

          ..helps make people more civilised – i have found..

          helps them take care of their garbage..

          and everyone has garbage they are hauling around – eh poisson..?
          • Andre 12.2.1.1.1

            27 August 2019 at 3:46 pm

            Yours might not be the most persuasive of endorsements.

            Just saying.
            • Sacha 12.2.1.1.1.1

              27 August 2019 at 3:48 pm

              eh!
            • The Al1en 12.2.1.1.1.2

              27 August 2019 at 4:01 pm

              Like someone didn't 'just say no' one time too few lol
      • phillip ure 12.2.2

        27 August 2019 at 3:22 pm

        done – done – and done…
        • joe90 12.2.2.1

          27 August 2019 at 3:31 pm

          – and done…and then I realised that I had to make a living..
          • phillip ure 12.2.2.1.1

            27 August 2019 at 3:45 pm

            i have had issues with wee dr tim – ever since he gave evidence against a bunch of people to save his own arse..

            they went to jail for a long time (for dealing acid..) – dr tim walked away..

            and i walked away from dr tim…

            i think the common term for such a person – is a 'rat'…
13. Sacha 13

    27 August 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Curran jumps: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/397578/labour-mp-clare-curran-to-leave-parliament-at-2020-election
    • weka 13.1

      27 August 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Or has had enough
      • The Al1en 13.1.1

        27 August 2019 at 4:14 pm

        I suspect pushed, more so with the gushing accompanying Grant Robertson farewell tweet, and to be quite fair, it's pretty good news for labour.

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/clare-curran-to-leave-parliament-at-2020-election.html

        Even though we exchanged a couple of emails back in the red alert days, she was pretty useless.
        • weka 13.1.1.1

          27 August 2019 at 6:00 pm

          An ok local MP though? She seemed good on civil defence emergencies, and I think she once suggested squatting as an interim measure for the housing crisis.
          • The Al1en 13.1.1.1.1

            27 August 2019 at 6:01 pm

            One clanger too many in my opinion.
    • alwyn 13.2

      27 August 2019 at 5:36 pm

      She has seen the writing on the wall.

      She has no chance of getting another go at being in Cabinet this term and she can see, as all but the most one-eyed Government supporters can, that the result of the next election is going to see National with more seats than Labour and with both NZF and the Greens gone from the House.

      She really cannot face the thought of another nine years in Opposition so is calling it quits. I wonder how many others from her side of the House will follow her example?
      • The Al1en 13.2.1

        27 August 2019 at 5:40 pm

        Surely the saying goes 'the best way to hide a lie is between two truths' not the truth before two lies.
        • alwyn 13.2.1.1

          27 August 2019 at 6:58 pm

          "he best way to hide a lie is between two truths"

          That's exactly what I did! Look at the first sentence in para 2. Truth "She has no chance ….." Truth "the result of the next ……" and in between I said "as all but the most ….".

          It turns out that that was in fact a Lie. You and McFlock, surely as hard left a pair of commenters as exists in the blogosphere obviously both see that the current CoL will have gone in about September next year. Congratulations on your perspicacity For the current Government it is going to be So long and thanks for all the fish.
          • McFlock 13.2.1.1.1

            27 August 2019 at 8:58 pm

            There will be a coalition agreement next year. Whichever parties sign that agreement, it will supplant the current agreement.

            The only hope for National to be a party involved in the new coalition agreement is for Labour to become as friendless in parliament as national habitually is.

            Labour currently has two quite popular friends. National have none. For Labour to lose one friend might happen, and depending on who gets lost and who is looking, this might be merely unfortunate. But for Labour to lose both would be most unfortunate for them indeed.

            Whereas for National to get a 5% friend? That would be fucking miraculous. The conservatives need to overcome their reputation for poetry, while the Tamakis can't even get a party name registered.
      • McFlock 13.2.2

        27 August 2019 at 5:41 pm

        lols

        Keep telling yourself that.
    • mauī 13.3

      27 August 2019 at 5:57 pm

      Woohoo, CV for Dunedin South!
      • The Al1en 13.3.1

        27 August 2019 at 5:59 pm

        Tat couldn't win over more than a handful of nutjobs on here. What makes you think he could swing Dunedin?
        • mauī 13.3.1.1

          27 August 2019 at 6:23 pm

          It was a thankless task trying to win over the labourite rump. Fortunately he was ahead of the alt-right curve that is winning all over the place, so he is well positioned come 2020.
          • The Al1en 13.3.1.1.1

            27 August 2019 at 6:25 pm

            Like I said, a handful of nutjobs.
            • mauī 13.3.1.1.1.1

              27 August 2019 at 6:31 pm

              
              • The Al1en …

                27 August 2019 at 6:39 pm

                
14. A 14

    27 August 2019 at 5:36 pm

    Yes, the Ihumatao land should be brought back.

    No, the iwi shouldn't pay!!

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12262515
    • marty mars 14.1

      27 August 2019 at 10:50 pm

      I agree

      PM – "They are seeking a by-Māori-for-Māori solution and I am going to respect that process and allow that to occur."

      The government originally took the land from the people – it is up to the government to fix it – by giving the land back.
15. greywarshark 15

    27 August 2019 at 5:53 pm

    People who aren't affected don't understand how rampant and devastating racism is.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2019/08/black-man-arrested-in-own-home-after-alarm-accidentally-triggered.html

    and

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2019/08/alan-jones-ball-gag-mural-appears-in-sydney.html

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