Open mike 29/07/2015

88 comments on “Open mike 29/07/2015 ”

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1. idbkiwi 1

   29 July 2015 at 7:25 am

   Couldn’t agree more, good on you Mr Little

   “Labour leader Andrew Little has described the national anthem as a “dirge”

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11488272
   • vto 1.1

     29 July 2015 at 7:50 am

     I like Mr Little.

     He is not scared of calling things out.
     He shows strength.
     He is unafraid to stand up to things wrong.

     Keep going Mr Little – and let a bit of that humour that we all know you have in spades out for some sunlight
   • Puckish Rogue 1.2

     29 July 2015 at 8:22 am

     Hes not wrong about the anthem
   • Ad 1.3

     29 July 2015 at 8:34 am

     It’s a bizarre comment.

     Why complain about the national anthem when you don’t want to change the national flag?
     • vto 1.3.1

       29 July 2015 at 8:41 am

       That is more bizarre – to link the two separate things.

       Both should be ditched mostly anyway – people show more allegiance today to their ethnicity and other life aspects than to their nationality, which makes more sense. The nation state is both dissipating and being hovered up by global elites hell bent on the coming world order. We are in the midst of this change which future historians will note we lived through and were part of.
       • Ad 1.3.1.1

         29 July 2015 at 8:51 am

         They are the two primary representations of national identity, which at least Little should be able to figure.

         Fair that the nation-state isn’t as strong as a concept as it once was, but it’s done a couple of millennia already and there’s little replacement on the horizon.
         • thatguynz 1.3.1.1.1

           29 July 2015 at 12:44 pm

           I’ll take the nation state over global governance and control any day of the week. In fact I’ll fight tooth and nail to defend it.
   • Morrissey 1.4

     29 July 2015 at 10:11 am

     What a pity he doesn’t speak out so forcefully about something that actually matters—like the persecution of journalists in this country.
   • James 1.5

     29 July 2015 at 10:13 am

     So how many on here prefer to sing along with the Australian anthem?

     Where the hell does Little get that idea? I dont know a single person who does (We always sing the anthem at games as a family) – and have never seen this.

     In fact as evidence that Little is talking shit – go to a AB game – Listen to the difference in the number of people singing to the NZ vs Aust anthem when we play Australia.
     • Draco T Bastard 1.5.1

       29 July 2015 at 10:19 am

       So how many on here prefer to sing along with the Australian anthem?

       What’s that got to do with it?

       Where the hell does Little get that idea? I dont know a single person who does (We always sing the anthem at games as a family) – and have never seen this.

       That’s nice but do you actually like it? Everyone I know absolutely hates the bloody thing.

       In fact as evidence that Little is talking shit – go to a AB game – Listen to the difference in the number of people singing to the NZ vs Aust anthem when we play Australia.

       1. The Australian National Anthem has nothing to do with NZ’s being shit except possibly that they were both written by Australians
       2. Just because people sing it doesn’t mean that they like it
       • James 1.5.1.1

         29 July 2015 at 10:31 am

         So how many on here prefer to sing along with the Australian anthem?

         What’s that got to do with it?

         Well – Little stated the “fact” that many NZ’s perferred to sing along to the Oz anthem – Quote from the link:

         “Labour leader Andrew Little has described the national anthem as a “dirge” and said many New Zealanders preferred to sing along to the Australian anthem than our own.”

         He also said “Most of them sing along to the Australian national anthem before they sing along to our own.””

         Im saying what he said was bullshit.

         And yes – I do like it.

         When I see someone saying something like “Everyone I know absolutely hates the bloody thing.” I think really ….. 100% everyone you know …… You need a wider circle of friends. Variety of views is good.
     • Lanthanide 1.5.2

       29 July 2015 at 12:14 pm

       Ever since I can remember, my mum has said she always thought the NZ national anthem was crappy and Australia’s was much better.
2. just saying 2

   29 July 2015 at 7:52 am

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc

   Song for Karol wherever she is, and women of the left in general.
   Four non-blondes – What’s Going On?
   • Bill 2.1

     29 July 2015 at 9:06 am

     Had me right there at the boots 😉
   • weka 2.2

     29 July 2015 at 10:19 am

     cheers js!
3. Hami Shearlie 3

   29 July 2015 at 9:08 am

   Why aren’t the revelations about our future medicine buying power under the TPPA the front page news in the Herald? Key says consumers won’t pay more, the Government will – but I wonder where people think the Government gets their revenue from – could it possibly be the taxpayers ?? Pharmac won’t be charging the consumer more for the medicines because Pharmac won’t be able to buy them at all in the future. The extension of patents on medicines will mean that generics will be so long in coming that the medicines will be superseded by others by the time we can buy the generic versions of them. Yet nothing in the country’s major newspaper – Has Key once again calmed the sheeple like the Pied Piper did the rats? Every person in the country except for the multi-millionaires should be very worried about themselves, their children, their parents. None of us know when we might get cancer or some other illness which requires expensive medicines – if we think they’re expensive now, just wait!!
   • jenny kirk 3.1

     29 July 2015 at 9:15 am

     Hami S – Strong words have come out from Labour and Andrew Little on TPPA re Pharmac ….. see below, and personally, I think NZers have started to wake up to the TPPA. It’ll be interesting to see what the next polling shows.

     We said Pharmac and its purchasing model had to be protected’ – Little

     The Labour Party says the undermining of Pharmac in the Trans Pacific Partnership breaches one of its bottom lines on the trade deal.

     Leader Andrew Little said Government had misled the public by not being upfront about the potential impact on the Government agency, which uses bulk-buying power to reduce the costs of medicine for New Zealanders.

     He would not rule out removing New Zealand from the controversial TPP if Labour entered Government.

     Prime Minister John Key conceded for the first time today that medicine costs could rise if New Zealand signed up to the TPP, which is expected to be finalised this week. ………………………

     …..Asked whether that meant Labour could not support the deal, he said: “If that bottom line isn’t met, then we don’t support the TPP.”

     The TPP does not need Labour’s support to be ratified, but Government may seek cross-party support on the legislation which would confirm the deal.

     Mr Little said he could not comment on whether a future Labour government would pull out of the TPP because the contents of the deal were not yet known.

     He said Labour had a number of options if it entered Government, which included “fixing” the agreement or leaving it altogether.

     Labour’s trade spokesman David Parker said he was confident that Labour could renegotiate the deal if it did not serve New Zealanders’ interests.

     Trade deals usually required a country to give six months’ notice before pulling out. …………………………………..

     Further details in this link – NZ Herald
     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11488237
     • Hami Shearlie 3.1.1

       29 July 2015 at 9:24 am

       I sure hope the population starts thinking long and hard about this – they haven’t done much of that for the last few years!
     • Karen 3.1.2

       29 July 2015 at 9:24 am

       Little is doing well on the TPP considering the caucus still has Goff in it but on what planet is David Parker living?
       Confident we could renegotiate? Yeah sure , Japan and USA would be happy to help out.
       • Olwyn 3.1.2.1

         29 July 2015 at 9:41 am

         Little is doing well on the TPP considering the caucus still has Goff in it…

         I thought the same thing. I haven’t caught up with David Parker’s stance so I can’t comment on that.
       • The Chairman 3.1.2.2

         29 July 2015 at 10:32 am

         David Parker brought his credibility (and that of the Labour Party) into question when he said he was confident that Labour could renegotiate the deal.
         • Jenny Kirk 3.1.2.2.1

           29 July 2015 at 11:10 am

           Nonsense, TC. Parker is a lawyer, and he’s a very bright guy. He doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean.
           • Colonial Rawshark 3.1.2.2.1.1

             29 July 2015 at 11:44 am

             Jenny, how on earth can you have so much faith in any lawyer??? What has Parker achieved in the field of international FTAs which gives you so much faith in him?

             How do you expect NZ to be able to force the US Congress to meet and agree to the US renegotiating the TPPA after we have signed?

             Why should we place so much trust in the judgement of the Labour caucus?
             • gsays …

               29 July 2015 at 12:03 pm

               hi cr, speaking of labour and lawyers, makes me think of langes quip about never trust a lawyer, half of them are always wrong.
               • Colonial Rawshark …

                 29 July 2015 at 1:25 pm

                 heh Lange was good with his one liners
           • The Chairman 3.1.2.2.1.2

             29 July 2015 at 1:14 pm

             Jenny, it was a silly comment for a supposedly “bright guy”.

             His confidence may be genuine but the reality of Labour renegotiating the deal is slim to none.
             • Colonial Rawshark …

               29 July 2015 at 1:27 pm

               I suppose it is no secret, but my sense is that Parker is not personally opposed to the TPPA.
   • northshoredoc 3.2

     29 July 2015 at 9:19 am

     I can’t really see anything changing, what is off patent now and/or contracted by PHARMAC will remain off patent and/or contracted by PHARMAC.

     Suggesting that PHARMAC is somehow going to disappear and that suddenly medicines are going to be more expensive in NZ is bizarre and yet another example of Key speaking without thinking, Helen clark would never have made such a silly comment.

     Even though there is some small variance in patents between the US and NZ in relation to medicines it is often the case that the relevant patent expires in the US before it expires in NZ. In relation to your comment about medicines for cancer the prices for those that are currently funded by the DHBs/PHARMAC will not change under a TPP except during a tender round wherein the price usually (but not always) declines quite significantly.
     • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1

       29 July 2015 at 10:26 am

       I can’t really see anything changing, what is off patent now and/or contracted by PHARMAC will remain off patent and/or contracted by PHARMAC.

       As you well know it will be the new medicines that are going to cost more and they’ll do so for longer. We don’t keep using the same medicines forever.
       • northshoredoc 3.2.1.1

         29 July 2015 at 11:05 am

         How will the new medicines cost more ?

         At present PHARMAC drip feeds new medicines into the market anyway. Quite often we’ve had to wait for a products patent to expire before pHARMAC funded a product…

         If people really think the PHARMAC issue is the biggest hook in the TPPA they rally aren’t looking in the right place.
         • Lanthanide 3.2.1.1.1

           29 July 2015 at 12:18 pm

           “Quite often we’ve had to wait for a products patent to expire before pHARMAC funded a product…”

           So now we’ll have to wait even longer for the patent to expire. How many people are going to die in the meantime?

           There was a story on stuff the other day about a drug that will cure hepatitis C. It costs something like $174,000 per patient in New Zealand, precisely because it is patented and the company can therefore charge monopoly rates.

           It is a literal life-saving drug. Pharmac cannot justify the current price. If prices like that (or slightly cheaper) stay around for more years, it means more people will go without the treatment than otherwise might have it, had we not agreed to longer patents.

           This is all so terribly basic, I don’t know why it needs to be spelt out to someone called “northshoredoc”.

           Someone from the Doctors for Public Health against Trade Agreements association (obviously biased) this on an interview on National Radio this morning that adding 1 year to patent lengths will cost Pharmac an extra $25-50 million per year. Frankly I trust their numbers more than your “nothing to see here” charade.

           There are also stories about new cancer drugs that are available in Australia, but not in NZ. Is increasing patent lengths on drugs generally going to lead to more drugs being available in NZ, or fewer? The answer is obviously fewer.
           • northshoredoc 3.2.1.1.1.1

             29 July 2015 at 12:30 pm

             Lanthanide I have no idea who these “Doctors for Public Health against Trade Agreements association ” are, perhaps you could enlighten me.

             In relation to the new medications for Hep C, PHARMAC has recently funded new products for Hep C as below.

             http://www.pharmac.health.nz/assets/notification-2013-08-09-boceprevir-and-pegylated-interferon.pdf

             This is a step forward from what we had available previously. The new medications from abbott and gilead are certainly a further improvement with reported ‘cure’ rates in the high 90% range. They are extremely expensive and many western 1st world jurisdictions around the world have struggled to fund them as the manufacturer’s pricing is exorbitant to reflect this price per cure (and saving on a liver transplant).

             With or without a TPPA these medications will struggle to be funded in NZ, of note the patent on these particular products expires earlier in the USA than in NZ. This is the same case for the new cancer medications I believe you may be alluding to .. biologics for malignant melanoma perhaps ?

             While you may consider this a ‘simple’ or ‘basic’ area I can assure you it is not and the simplistic comments on this website and by morons like key does little to inform anyone.
             • Lanthanide …

               29 July 2015 at 3:21 pm

               “With or without a TPPA these medications will struggle to be funded in NZ”

               At best, the TPPA changes nothing.

               At worst, it means these drugs will stay expensive for longer, hence less access.

               It really is very simple.
               • Northshoredoc …

                 29 July 2015 at 3:59 pm

                 🙄
         • Colonial Rawshark 3.2.1.1.2

           29 July 2015 at 1:32 pm

           northshoredoc

           How will the new medicines cost more ?

           I refer you to the NZMJ, 14th February 2014, Volume 127 Number 1389

           Through the TPPA, the United States (US) is seeking to eliminate therapeutic reference pricing, introduce appeals processes for pharmaceutical companies to challenge formulary listing and pricing decisions, and introduce onerous disclosure and “transparency” provisions that facilitate industry involvement in decision-making around coverage and pricing of medicines (and medical devices).

           This editorial examines trends in pharmaceutical industry conduct and strategy over the past 15–20 years and argues that if the TPPA (based on the US proposals) is successfully prosecuted, it will contribute to adverse health outcomes by increasing costs and reducing access to affordable medicines for New Zealanders. This in turn can be expected to disproportionally affect disadvantaged population groups, including Māori and Pacific peoples.
           • northshoredoc 3.2.1.1.2.1

             29 July 2015 at 1:45 pm

             CV, Yes if any of those things are in the TPPA, most especially the inability to reference price it would make things more difficult for PHARMAC… do you have any information to suggest that they are ?

             Interestingly PHARMAC don’t tend to apply reference pricing to generics as the prices are so low there’s no real need and it would just lead to certain medicines no longer being available.

             As I have stated a number of times I think the PHARMAC issue is a red herring and we should be far more concerned regarding other issues of the TPPA most importantly… what’s actually in it for us in terms of better access to overseas markets, really we are all in the dark until there is an agreement in front of us to peruse.
             • Colonial Viper …

               29 July 2015 at 4:11 pm

               Agree with your contention that there may be bigger fish to fry in the TPPA in terms of things that we need to look out for.
   • ianmac 3.3

     29 July 2015 at 9:21 am

     You’re right Hami. Perhaps Auckland is in a Housing Bubble and in “TPP Free”
     Bubble.
     A great talk on Morning Report after 8 this morning.
     • freedom 3.3.1

       29 July 2015 at 10:39 am

       here are the various TPPA articles from this morning’s Morning Report

       6:40 a.m. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201764256/tim-groser-says-tppa-finish-line-is-in-sight
       7:11 a.m. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201764266/final-tpp-negotiations-begin-in-hawaii-this-morning
       7:49 a.m. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201764273/maori-voice-their-tpp-related-claims-on-eve-of-negotiations
       8:11a.m. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201764276/smoke-screen-put-up-on-ballooning-medicine-costs-tpp-objector
       8:16 a.m. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201764277/tppa-and-canadian-concerns-about-any-agreement
       8:39 a.m. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201764283/tppa-from-the-canadian-angle

       but there is a heavy question overhanging another story from this morning’s broadcast –
       How can NZ reform its regulations when the TPPA has not been signed and how can this reform continue in any meaningful manner until the rules of our new obligations are known?
       http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/businessnews/audio/201764262/business-nz-gives-thumbs-up-to-government-reform-plans
       • freedom 3.3.1.1

         29 July 2015 at 11:05 am

         and from Nine to Noon
         http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201764290/clinicians-alarmed-over-impact-of-tpp-on-drug-costs
       • freedom 3.3.1.2

         29 July 2015 at 11:19 am

         from Nine to Noon
         http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/279978/cancer-specialist-warns-tpp-will-delay-medicines
   • vto 3.4

     29 July 2015 at 9:48 am

     John Key simply bullshitted New Zealand yesterday when he said that Pharmac costs will not affect New Zealanders…

     liar
     liar
     liar

     deceiver extraordinaire

     deceitful

     snake-oil salesman

     can’t stand liars and deceit
4. Sanctuary 4

   29 July 2015 at 9:14 am

   Constitutional question:

   National unilaterally signs up to the TPP. Cabinet and Select committee use government majority to rubber stamp deal.

   National fails to pass enabling Pharmac legislation, being defeated by Labour/Green/NZ First/Maori Party votes.

   Constitutional crisis? Early election?
   • northshoredoc 4.1

     29 July 2015 at 9:20 am

     Sigh….what pHARMAC enabling legislation ?

     There won’t be any..
   • Jenny Kirk 4.2

     29 July 2015 at 11:14 am

     Not sure, Sanctuary. NZers don’t like early elections – they punished the Nats last time they tried it.
     Also – haven’t you seen the Maori Party (minus Sharples and Turiana) rolling over like good dogs for the Nats – they won’t vote against them.
5. ianmac 5

   29 July 2015 at 9:24 am

   My guess is that Countries with high tariffs and subsidised farming will only free trade after about 25 year lead in. Just wait.
   • northshoredoc 5.1

     29 July 2015 at 9:33 am

     I think you’re absolutely right xianmac I doubt we’ll get anything meaningful for our agricultural/horticultural industries in the next 20 years which begs the question why do it ?
     • Colonial Rawshark 5.1.1

       29 July 2015 at 9:39 am

       Suggests that this commercial agreement is primarily directed by power politics, not by good economics.
       • Sanctuary 5.1.1.1

         29 July 2015 at 9:43 am

         Yup. We simply need to behave like a good little colony of the economic imperium of the United States, a supine position our Hawaii based, and paid up member of the globalised elite, prime minister is more than happy to adopt.
         • les 5.1.1.1.1

           30 July 2015 at 4:49 pm

           quote John Kerry…’when it comes to NZ ..we dont even have …to ask!’
       • northshoredoc 5.1.1.2

         29 July 2015 at 9:46 am

         @CV, Yes I think it’s more about wanting to be part of the club and free trade ideology than anything else. I’m also of the opinion that Labour and National will OK the deal regardless.
         • BM 5.1.1.2.1

           29 July 2015 at 9:52 am

           Always better to be inside the tent than out.
           • northshoredoc 5.1.1.2.1.1

             29 July 2015 at 9:59 am

             Tell that to Switzerland or Greece of the UK in relation to the EU…. many more example where being outside the tent hasn’t particularly harmed a national or in Greeces case where being inside has harmed them.

             I don’t really believe in absolutes as many do on these blog sites.
             • Brutus Iscariot …

               29 July 2015 at 2:07 pm

               Switzerland isn’t in the EU and never has been (due to their policy of neutrality).
               • northshoredoc …

                 29 July 2015 at 2:17 pm

                 Yes ..that was my point..being outside the tent hasn’t done them any noticeable harm.
           • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.2.1.2

             29 July 2015 at 10:28 am

             Not always. Being inside the tent as a slave certainly isn’t and that seems to be NZ’s position inside the TPPA.
           • McFlock 5.1.1.2.1.3

             29 July 2015 at 11:55 am

             Not if someone farts.
             • Puckish Rogue …

               29 July 2015 at 12:30 pm

               Depends: http://www.pilulepet.com/en/15-pilule-qui-parfume-les-flatulences.html
               • McFlock …

                 29 July 2015 at 2:21 pm

                 lol
                 that’s neoliberalism right there – 1% fart in the tent and then tell everyone else to stay inside because what they’re really smelling is chocolate.
         • Jenny Kirk 5.1.1.2.2

           29 July 2015 at 11:15 am

           NSdoc – Nonsense – Labour won’t okay the deal if their bottom lines are knocked out. Please get a bit real about this.
           • northshoredoc 5.1.1.2.2.1

             29 July 2015 at 11:20 am

             Jenny Kirk – of course they will – their bottom lines as they are, will be found not to be in conflict with supporting signing the TPPA if it comes down to it.
     • Stephen 5.1.2

       29 July 2015 at 9:39 am

       Dim Post makes the same point via dear ole Fran.
       https://dimpost.wordpress.com/2015/07/29/nuanced/
6. Morrissey 6

   29 July 2015 at 9:55 am

   Kathryn Ryan claims big pharmaceutical companies are “not the bad guy”;
   Does she actually do any preparation for her interviews?
   Nine to Noon, Radio NZ National, Wednesday 29 July 2015

   We have expressed our concern on many occasions at the shallowness and the lack of knowledge exhibited by Kathryn Ryan.

   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18072014/#comment-850765
   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17072014/#comment-850188
   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21012014/#comment-760529
   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13122013/#comment-744053
   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24102013/#comment-715845
   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-12042012/#comment-458258
   http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-04062013/#comment-643309

   This morning she perhaps scraped the very bottom of the barrel during an interview with a medical oncologist about the government’s reckless endangerment of our public health system by exposing us to the predations of the pharmaceutical conglomerates….

   KATHRYN RYAN: Let’s be clear here; Pharma, or the big pharmaceutical companies, is not the bad guy here.

   DR. BERNIE FITZHARRIS: No, and that’s fair enough. They want to maximise the return to their shareholders.

   Anyone who wishes to go a step further than Kathryn Ryan and actually do some reading about this should click on the following link….
   http://www.citizen.org/publications/publicationredirect.cfm?ID=7065
   • Marvellous Bearded Git 6.1

     29 July 2015 at 10:20 am

     @Morrissey
     Agreed. Ryan let her right wing leanings show this morning. I’m always amazed how few people on TS realise she favours the right.
     • Save NZ 6.1.1

       29 July 2015 at 10:22 am

       She’s hopeless and clueless.
     • Morrissey 6.1.2

       29 July 2015 at 11:01 am

       I was also disappointed by the muddle-headed response by Dr Fitzharris.
     • Jenny Kirk 6.1.3

       29 July 2015 at 11:18 am

       Agree also. Does Kathryn Ryan not know WHY Pharmac was formed? The big pharmaceuticals WERE playing bad guys in the 19802 and forcing the cost of medicines up high – too high for NZers.
   • DH 6.2

     29 July 2015 at 11:14 am

     There’s a good article here on how big Pharmas are ripping nations off….

     http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/70539656/cost-keeps-cure-out-of-reach-for-those-with-hepatitis-c

     They don’t even try to justify the price of the drug…..

     “The price of Sovaldi and Harvoni is determined on a country-by-country basis taking into account the burden of disease in the country, its economic means and the value of the medicine in terms of its impact on improving overall health outcomes.”

     In other words they’re saying they charge as much as they can possibly get away with. They’re little more than hostage takers demanding ransom.

     I wonder if our consumer laws might be used to some advantage here. They should at least be required to refund if the cure doesn’t cure……
     • RedBaronCV 6.2.1

       29 July 2015 at 8:18 pm

       And if you could work out which countries it is cheap in a little internet buying or even a trip overseas ( and arrangements with customs to bring it back in) would see a solid price drop
7. northshoredoc 7

   29 July 2015 at 10:00 am

   🙄
8. Morrissey 8

   29 July 2015 at 10:09 am

   Finally, some good news from the United Kingdom

   The Labour (or Labor) Parties in Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia are currently afflicted with mealy-mouthed, inept and pretty much useless leaders.

   But in Britain, at least, there is a real sense of hope emerging….

   http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-takes-22point-lead-in-labour-leadership-race-10422523.html
   • Colonial Rawshark 8.1

     29 July 2015 at 10:28 am

     dont worry, his Blairite caucus will sort him out
     • Sanctuary 8.1.1

       29 July 2015 at 11:15 am

       “The crisis (in the British Labour party) consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born”

       Corbyn is merely reflecting what is happening across the wider European left – an acceptance on the ground that the left is no longer defenders of social democratic welfare states but is again weak enough institutionally to be in a position to champion revolutionary action.

       The comfortably institutionalised elite leadership cadres centre-left parties are either going to be shaken out their torpor and into this new revolutionary paradigm (and be part of the new that is being born) or be the old, and die/merge with the right wing establishment so many of them are in reality part of.

       In the short to medium turn, that’ll probably involve a split in British Labour, with a bunch of Blairites moving to occupy the ground left by the recently massacred Liberal Democrats.
9. Save NZ 9

   29 July 2015 at 10:18 am

   Why Labour is considered National Lite and losing voters. From the herald on TPPA

   Already the Labour Party has given conditional support only to the deal. It not only wants to see the fine-print but has signaled five no go areas.

   How can Labour give conditional support to a deal they have not even seen?
   • Draco T Bastard 9.1

     29 July 2015 at 10:35 am

     Ideology.
10. Draco T Bastard 10

    29 July 2015 at 10:34 am

    The global addiction to energy subsidies

    ENERGY prices have been falling for a year. Over the last month that trend has accelerated. On July 24th, the price of a barrel of oil in America reached a low of $48. In spite of this, governments are still splurging on subsidies to prop up production. Fossil fuels are reaping support of $550 billion annually, according the International Energy Agency (IEA), an organisation that represents oil- and gas-consuming countries, more than four times those given for renewable energy. The International Monetary Fund’s estimates are substantially higher. It said in May that countries will spend $5.3 trillion subsiding oil, gas and coal in 2015, versus $2 trillion in 2011. That is equivalent to 6.5% of global GDP, and is more than what governments across the world spend on healthcare. At a time of low energy prices, high government debt and rising concern over emissions there is scant justification for such spending. So why is the world addicted to energy subsidies?

    Apparently to help the rich

    This is a problem because it wastes fiscal resources and hardly benefits the poor, as the wealthy drive more and guzzle more power. The IEA believes that only 8% of subsidies accrue to the poorest fifth of the population.

    Just think, if we took those $5.3 trillion of subsidies and put them fully onto renewables we’d easily be able to achieve 0 emissions by 2050 across the world.
11. Morrissey 11

    29 July 2015 at 10:59 am

    “Ummmm, ahhhh, you know”: The Eloquence of Fran O’Sullivan

    The NZ Herald‘s Fran O’Sullivan is a regular commentator on business and politics. While she is capable of speaking clearly and effectively, as she does when she is on television, or when addressing a gathering of business people, it’s quite clear that she doesn’t put a lot of effort in when she talks to someone for whom she doesn’t respect….

    1.) Monday 16 February 2009, 6:14 to 6:21 p.m.
    Fran O’Sullivan on Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB…
    “Um”………. 51 times
    “Ahh”……….15 times
    “y’ know”…….9 times
    “um, er”………4 times

    2.) Monday 23 February 2009, 6:12 to 6:19 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB…
    “Umm, aah, errrr”…….. 39 times
    “y’ know”…….7 times
    “Sort of”……..2 times
    “I mean”……..1 time
    “At the end of the day”….2 times

    3.) Thursday 26 February 2009, 6:10 to 6:20 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB,
    In a rambling ten-minute chat with Williams, O’Sullivan said “um” or “aaah” 76 times. That’s SEVENTY-SIX times. She said “You know” 20 (TWENTY) times.

    4.) Monday 11 July 2011, 6:20 to 6:25 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB….
    “Umm, ahhh”………. 47 times
    “y’ know”…….23 times

    5.) Monday 18 July 2011, 6:25 to 6:29 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB…
    “Umm, ahhh”………. 45 times
    “y’ know”……………….14 times

    6.) Wednesday 21.3.2012, 6:38 to 6:41 p.m.
    Still dumbing it down for Larry Williams…
    “Umm, ahhh”………. 56 times
    “y’ know”……………….6 times

    7.) Wednesday 11 June 2013, 11:07 to 11:24 a.m.
    Fran O’Sullivan, interviewed by Kathryn Ryan, Radio NZ National…
    “um, ahh”…. 89 times
    “Well” …….….11 times

    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11082011/#comment-363119
12. Save NZ 12

    29 July 2015 at 12:08 pm

    http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/27/whistleblower-exposes-torture-and-child-abuse-profit-prison?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork
13. Morrissey 13

    29 July 2015 at 12:28 pm

    An OPEN LETTER from some of the world’s leading citizens

    10236 Charing Cross Road,
    Los Angeles,
    California

    Wednesday, 29 July 2015

    Dear World,

    What exactly is it that Lord Sewel did that is wrong?

    Sincerely,

    H.R.H. Prince Harry
    Alan Dershowitz
    H.R.H. Prince Andrew
    Silvio Berlusconi
    Senator John Edwards
    Gary Condit
    Ed Schrock
    Congressman Mark Foley
    Newt Gingrich
    Donald “Buz” Lukens
    Senator Brock Adams
    Gary Hart
    William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton
    William Henry “Bill” Cosby Jr.
    Rolf Harris
    Rob Lowe
    Lord Lambton
    Lord Archer
    Eliot Spitzer
    Senator Robert “Bob” Packwood
    Max Mosley
    Richard Worth
    David Letterman
    Paul Gadd
    Max Clifford
    Sir Cyril Smith
    David Wu
    Vance McAllister
    Anthony Weiner
14. Save NZ 14

    29 July 2015 at 12:39 pm

    Auckland you need to put on the biggest turn out that Queen St has ever seen!

    Join
    TPPA – Walk Away! AUCKLAND
    Saturday, August 15 at 1:00pm
    Aotea Square in Auckland, New Zealand
    1,755 people are going
15. Save NZ 15

    29 July 2015 at 12:39 pm

    TPPA Nationwide Protests – Christchurch
    Saturday, August 15 at 12:30pm
    Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
    840 people are going
16. Draco T Bastard 16

    29 July 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Professor Steve Keen on Greece, China and private debt

    In this interview in Australia, Professor Steve Keen of Kingston University predicts a full market crash in China and explains why the crushing of Greek democracy by the European Union may well open the doors to fascism in Greece.

    The discussion is noteworthy for the economist’s very pessimistic views on Greece, Europe and China that chime with comments made by fund manager and Planet Ponzi author Mitch Feierstein.

    In addition, there is some discussion of the Australian property market and, although the focus is on Australian housing, his comments on private debt also provide lessons for the UK market.

    Well worth watching/listening to.
17. Michael 17

    29 July 2015 at 2:04 pm

    http://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9014491/bernie-sanders-vox-conversation

    A great interview with US Sen Bernie Sanders. I hope this man becomes President.
18. James 18

    29 July 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Im sure that a few on here will love this news: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11488774

    Colin Craig taking people to court, again.

    Looking for $650k from Cameron Slater.

    Of course this will be interesting if its defended – If Whale has material to back up his post.

    Colin Craig is a gift to the left.
    • Puckish Rogue 18.1

      29 July 2015 at 2:39 pm

      The mans cheese has slid off the cracker
19. Northsider 19

    29 July 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Even an arch-Tory sees problems with hot and dirty money being allowed into the housing market. Pity our arch-Tories are blind to it.

    “David Cameron will promise to act against corrupt foreigners who buy up luxury properties in the UK using secretive holding companies to hide their “dirty money”.

    The prime minister will use a visit to Singapore to make an anti-corruption speech on Tuesday in which he will express concern that some properties, mainly in London, “are being bought by people overseas through anonymous shell companies, some with plundered or laundered cash”.

    Drawing on proposals advanced by campaign group Transparency International, Cameron will set out his determination to ensure that “the UK must not become a safe haven for corrupt money from around the world”.

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/28/david-cameron-fight-dirty-money-uk-property-market-corruption
20. Puckish Rogue 20

    29 July 2015 at 2:44 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/70653837/men-charged-with-500-sex-offences-against-girl-in-australia

    At some point i’d like to see a discussion started on the merits (or not) of the death penelty but i doubt it’ll ever happen
    • Realblue 20.1

      29 July 2015 at 7:31 pm

      There are no merits. End of discussion.

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