Tuwhera mike 24/07/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:37 am, July 24th, 2014 - 152 comments
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152 comments on “Tuwhera mike 24/07/2014 ”

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  1. Gruntie 1
    24 July 2014 at 6:49 am

    Difference between Hosking and Campbell

    Campbell has ethics, Hoskings – no evidence of any

    Campbell is a professional, Hoskings – no evidence

    Campbell has intellectual honesty, Hosking – narcissistic personality

    Campbell likely to over-correct his politics and be harder on Cunliffe. Hosking likely to under correct be harder on Cunliffe

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10303335/Labour-claims-Hoskings-biased

    • infused 1.1
      24 July 2014 at 7:58 am

      Labour claims everyone is biased. What’s new.

      • Tracey 1.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 8:51 am

        Perhaps. I saw Gower on TV3 at 750am this morning and I would say he did not paint John Key in a very good light at all. So that’s one. 😉

    • Ennui 1.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:04 am

      I am a fan of Campbells style: he is not however immune from getting it wrong. A few nights ago he did the gushing act whilst blaming Russia and Putin for the aeroplane disaster. Which would have been fine if he had any solid evidence. He fell into the trap of being judge jury and executioner and failing to ascertain any real evidence of guilt from any party. Even if he is proven correct he got it so wrong, he just sounded like a lapdog puppet of American media opinions. I no longer trust his objectivity.

  2. Paul 2
    24 July 2014 at 7:03 am

    Given Hoskings clear bias, how can he chair the debates.
    He is clearly a tool of right wing and corporate interests.

    From the article ….”It includes Hosking dismissing Cunliffe as a “moron” – and his endorsement of Prime Minister John Key before a major political speech last year.”

    And this ….
    Seven Sharp – The day public broadcasting died
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/07/22/seven-sharp-the-day-public-broadcasting-died/

  3. vto 3
    24 July 2014 at 7:39 am

    Had to laugh when reading that Hosking dismisses claims of his bias “because I get accused of bias everyday of my life” ….

    helllooooooooo ……….

  4. James 4
    24 July 2014 at 8:04 am

    I think it hilarious. And Paul linking to the daily blog rant and boomer to back up your argument about bias…. That’s priceless.

  5. karol 5
    24 July 2014 at 8:11 am

    “Wake up New Zealand!” A TV review in 2 parts on Stuff yesterday:

    This on Cam Slat on Seven Sharp:

    Unfortunately last night I chose to tune into Seven Sharp (TV1, 7pm).

    From the start host Mike Hosking was in typical Hosking mood – including some barbs at female drivers which… well, would have been out of date and inappropriate in a 1970s sitcom.

    But worse was to come. Much worse. After an emotional story about the burning down of a kindergarten and how it affected the community and kids we were treated to a profile of controversial blogger Cameron ‘Whale Oil’ Slater.

    I say ‘controversial blogger’ because that seems to the standard phrase used to describe him rather than the more accurate, in my opinion, ‘odious creep’.

    We are told that Slater is a changed man and is even quite likeable. He’s got all the good people on his phone – John Key, Judith Collins, Paul Henry etc so he must be worth listening to. Sheesh.

    What followed was a complete whitewash of who Slater is and what he does. It’s funny there was no mention of him thinking parents who allow their child to wear both girls and boys clothes are guilty of child abuse and him thinking the child would be better off dead because then it would be funny.

    Or about him branding a victim of a car accident ‘feral’. Or his denial of rape-culture in New Zealand while dreaming up a conspiracy theory in his head because Tania Billingsley chose to speak out rather than remain quiet about an alleged sexual assault by a foreign diplomat. Or the apparent victim blaming that goes along with his theory.

    It’s dishonest and morally unacceptable to pretend he’s a good guy and a changed man, while ignoring all the blatantly offensive things he’s still doing.

    I’m sorry, but if this is the standard we can expect from Seven Sharp then I’m out. And I won’t waste any more words on a show which subscribes to such a one-sided profile as being somehow appropriate.

    So instead I thought I’d take a look at Sunday Theatre’s Nancy Wake: The White Mouse (TV1) instead.

    I agree with the conclusion that the Wake programme was poorly done. Hoqwever, it did provide some info on a remarkable woman. And the main take away for me, the statement about the MO of the French Resistance – basically about, even though the Natsies had power and military might on their side, the aim of the Resistance was to disrupt and damage the Natsies operations and despotic, inhumane systems as much as possible.

    • Tiger Mountain 5.1
      24 July 2014 at 8:49 am

      It is salient though unpleasant, to repeat Martyn Bradbury’s list of some of Slaters offensiveness here;

      “Remember when Slater called a person who died in a car accident ‘feral’ for speeding while taking photos of himself speeding?
      –Remember when Slater described a Kings student who drank himself to death as “a toffee-nosed school boy, a dead thief and a liar who couldn’t handle his piss. I always said King’s boys were poofs.”?
      –Remember when Slater published all the details of businessman Matt Blomfield whose computer he somehow obtained?
      –Remember when he was convicted of breaching a variety of name suppression orders?
      –Remember when Slater published the personal employment details of a wharf protestor?
      –Remember when Slater posted a fake Green Party press release that inspired threats of violence against Russel Norman?
      –Remember Slater publishing lewd cruel details of Len Brown’s affair that went well below the belt in a spiteful and dehumanising way?
      –Remember when Slater publicized a doctored interview with Jim Anderton edited into Anderton saying an earthquake would need to strike for him to lose the Christchurch mayoralty?
      –Remember when Slater was wanting looters in Christchurch to be shot in the stomach so that the death would be slow and painful?
      –Remember when he claimed Chris Carter’s mother who was dead for 12 years was still using a taxpayer cell phone?
      –And recently Slater was trying to claim that Tania Billingsley is some sort of Green Party honeytrap who put herself up as bait so she could scream ‘rape culture’.”

      And I would add the nasty smear campaign Slater initiated against the Greens when an associate did a non destructive ‘Banksy’ (the artist) style stickering campaign of National Party election signage. Linked to this was his junior stasi “Tipline” trying to get activists car regos and identities for online publishing.

      Pure filth still, the PMs confidante, and should be treated as such.

      • Paul 5.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 9:10 am

        James at 4 thinks all that is hilarious. Unbelievable….I’m alright Jack…the cult of the selfish
        Symptomatic of too many New Zealanders who have been infected with the poison of neoliberalism.

      • Tracey 5.1.2
        24 July 2014 at 10:10 am

        Didnt his breach of a name suppression lead to identifying a victim without their consent?

  6. freedom 6
    24 July 2014 at 8:13 am

    a repost from last night

    Meet John Key and his All Blacks. Cover image for this week’s Rugby News apparently.
    https://www.facebook.com/pmjohnkey/photos/a.10150162547855429.346317.12635800428/10152606072995429/?type=1&fref=nf

    Here is the image alone for those not wanting to read the comments
    https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10541396_10152606072995429_4979096729614657622_o.jpg

    Gotta be said, the lighting does not look like they were all photographed together.
    There are some comments that Rugby News have confirmed it as real, but I cannot find any reference to it on their site at this time. Odd that the magazine would release a cover image to a personal political page before publication.

    Does this make the All Blacks third party promoters of the PM?
    Wonder if the Electoral commission will be asked for comment on this? The TeamKey hashtag is in the PM’s comment under the photo, thus directly linking the image to the campaign.

    John Key

    Richie is looking a little bemused, but it’s all in the spirit of backing the boys. Catch Rugby News this week. #teamkey, I wish.

    • freedom 6.1
      24 July 2014 at 8:16 am

      went to tidy up the quoted line at the bottom, but edit permission was denied 🙁

    • karol 6.2
      24 July 2014 at 8:21 am

      What a creepy pic! Key as try hard wannabe – a self parody. Meanwhile, there’s a decline in his support among women.

    • Weepus beard 6.3
      24 July 2014 at 8:24 am

      Ugh. Were the players asked?

      Hope they lose now.

      • James 6.3.1
        24 July 2014 at 9:43 am

        Wishing bad on others just because they may not agree with you. Yep – you’re a leftie.

        • Weepus beard 6.3.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 10:25 am

          The All Blacks vote National do they? Politics shouldn’t come into it. Rugby News has forced it upon us.

          Thinking the NZRU and National are automatically representative of each other? Yep, you’re a righty.

        • freedom 6.3.1.2
          24 July 2014 at 10:30 am

          Wow, Cameron Slater is a leftie ?

    • Tracey 6.4
      24 July 2014 at 8:55 am

      Gower said Rugby News told him that the jersey was sent to key and he posed in his office and it was then photoshopped. (750am TV3)

      Given a panelbeater was brow-beaten over his shop name near eden park for insinuated advertising by the NZRU during the World Cup, this seems odd indeed.

      • swordfish 6.4.1
        24 July 2014 at 11:52 am

        Yep definitely photoshopped. Not just the totally different lighting on Key’s face but also the fact that his left elbow seems to have mysteriously disappeared. (see freedom’s links above).

    • teWhareWhero 6.5
      24 July 2014 at 9:09 pm

      The magazine claims the cover photo with Key photoshopped onto a pic of some ABs and labelled ‘leader of the pack’ – is nothing to do with the election.

      I assume the AB’s management approved it, the players featured would have had to approve it – and I assume Key’s advisers would have checked if it breached the electioneering rules given the timing.

      John Key, the ‘No 1 AB fan’ who is such a rugby fanatic he cannot remember his position on the Springbok tour.

    • Murray Olsen 6.6
      25 July 2014 at 1:42 am

      They announced that Key had been photoshopped in. As far as I’m concerned, he’s insulting the jersey by wearing it.

    • freedom 6.7
      25 July 2014 at 7:35 am

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11298450

      Buried at the end of the article is a comment suggesting proper consideration on this matter was absent from the All Black’s controllers.

      NZ Rugby said it was shown the image the day before Rugby News printed it and had asked the magazine to make it clear that it was photoshopped and had nothing to do with NZ Rugby.

      Nothing to do with NZ Rugby? Just the All Blacks and an election year, do they really think only National supporters play Rugby?

      To be clear, if the PM had done this during the RWC, no problem. This is weeks from an election.

  7. Draco T Bastard 7
    24 July 2014 at 8:38 am

    Nobody Knows What Makes a Good CEO

    Bloomberg has done a bit of charting of CEO pay vs. performance, and their results are on the right. Bottom line: there’s essentially no link whatsoever between how well CEOs perform and how well they’re paid:

    So, why are we paying so much for these people when it obviously makes no difference?

    Of course, we shouldn’t be surprised by this when the evidence is that the more you pay people in administrative roles the less well they do.

    • Tracey 7.1
      24 July 2014 at 8:57 am

      It’s a game perpetuated by the in-crowd. They pay each other over inflated wages to justify their own, including Chair fees and board fees.

      I learned a long time ago from professional experience that just cos someone has CEO under their name does not mean that they are intelligent or good at their job. Of course there are great CEO’s out there but I wish we would stop assuming overseas is better. That’s BS there are great people being overlooked constantly.

      • Descendant Of Sssmith 7.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 2:12 pm

        Because when you don’t pay the workers decent wages your firms make more profit.

        When your firms make more profit you have to extract it legally in some way to your own pocket and to ensure that you don’t pay appropriate taxes to the very governments that have allowed you to pay your workers a pittance by passing laws to take away workers rights.

        You also need to do this so you have enough money to buy over inflated houses to make your non-taxed capital gains and extract some of your workers wages back through rents.

        The main way to extract this profit and turn it into your own capital is to pay yourself (and your mates) shitloads of money through salaries and shares.

        QED really.

  8. Molly 8
    24 July 2014 at 8:45 am

    The UN have voted on conducting an inquiry whether Israel’s actions in Gaza are war crimes.

    “Of the 47 participating countries on the council, 29 voted for opening an investigation, 17 abstained, and one voted against.”Source: http://www.nationaljournal.com

    No surprises in who the objection came from.

    • Tracey 8.1
      24 July 2014 at 8:58 am

      How many resolutions has Israel ignored over the years?

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.1
        25 July 2014 at 1:54 am

        Also pay attention to the morally gutless abstentions – the entire EU, UK, Japan, S Korea, etc.

    • ianmac 8.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:44 am

      There is always the American fear that they too could be charged with War Crimes in Iraq and in Afghanistan. So additional self interest in the NO.

      • Draco T Bastard 8.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 4:56 pm

        +1

        There’s a lot of people that need to be charged with war crimes in the world at the moment. I’d say that I’m surprised that we’re ignoring them but it’s par for the course – the powerful don’t get charged.

  9. UglyTruth 9
    24 July 2014 at 8:58 am

    Flag burning…..

    Here is a summary of what I think are the core points of the argument between ShawnLH and myself. According to ShawnLH:

    “Ugly is the resident expert in how to have no argument.”

    “No evidence, no credible sources, nothing other than Ugly’s opinions based solely on his interpretation of events to suit his bias against Israel.”

    The central point was that a US official admitted that classified evidence existed which linked the Israelis to 9/11.

    “Evidence linking these Israelis to 9/11 is classified. I cannot tell you about evidence that has been gathered. It’s classified information.”
    US official quoted in Carl Cameron’s Fox News report on the Israeli spy ring.

    “US officials admitted to reporters that the entire investigation had become “too hot to handl”, but declined to give further details. However, some FBI officials did confirm at the time that the Israelis were running a major eavesdropping operation that had penetrated into the highest echelons of the US administration.” ~ Jane’s Intelligence Digest 3/15/2002

    So why is this important? Like Reid said, 9/11 was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, geopolitical events since WWII. If the Zionists were behind 9/11 then the ramifactions for the current events in Gaza are huge, which brings us the the second point, the difference between Jews and Zionists.

    Like mikenmild said, ShawnLH lied when he said that I was anti-Jewish. To illustrate this point, here is a quote from the Jerusalem post:

    “After years of research, Misinai says that he can declare with certainty that nearly 90 percent of all Palestinians are descended from the Jews. “And what’s more, about half of them know it,” he says. Not only that, many Palestinians retain Jewish customs, including mourning rituals, lighting Shabbat or memorial candles and even wearing tefillin.”

    http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/The-lost-Palestinian-Jews

    So when the Zionist state of Israel shells homes and hospitals and murders children on the beach, it becomes an anti-semitic state and any complaints of anti-semitism by Zionist apologists become a monumental form of hypocrisy.

    So, if after reading this you don’t detect a certain smell, like something is rootten in the state of Denmark, then I challenge you to say why any New Zealander should not support the call to remove the Israeli embassy from Wellington.

  10. James 10
    24 July 2014 at 9:00 am

    Anyway. I think labour has given key way to much ammunition over the last few months. They might want to stay on message now but banning cosmetics and moas galore will be raised in the debates.

    Not to mention apologising for being a man. Pretty sure that will be in there.

    Debates should be fun to watch and I predict key will win them clearly. Esp linking labour with Kim dotcon

  11. Ffloyd 11
    24 July 2014 at 9:01 am

    Two shocks already and it’s only 9a.m. Turned radio on, to hear that the ‘gnome of Remuera’ is going to be the moderator for tv3 debates, threw up egg, then looked at photo of abs with the little gnome of America, threw up toast. FFS what the Hades is going on.

  12. JK 12
    24 July 2014 at 9:03 am

    This is in the Dominion Post this morning (part of the Hosking story). It looks to me like the Nats
    are sh- – scared of having ShonKey debate along with David Cunliffe.

    “Meanwhile, National’s campaign team is pushing behind the scenes to include the Greens in the pre-election debates, but TVNZ has ruled this out.”

    • Chooky 12.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:23 am

      JK+100…everything points towards John Key and Nactional being shit scared of having face to face television debates with David Cunliffe…Why?:

      ….David Cunliffe is a superb debater with a vast command of the issues facing New Zealand

      ….David Cunliffe has ethics and compassion ( something John Key lacks)

      ….David Cunliffe is young and fresh looking

      ….David Cunliffe is way more handsome than John Key…(bet he looks better in his speedos too!)

      Actually Russel Norman is a looker as well….lol….and I bet he looks better in his speedos than John Key…lets face it the Left has a great line up of superbly intelligent and good looking male contestants …and that includes Hone ( great bone structure and tan ) ….and Winnie the suave silver fox in the senior section ( every sophisticated senior woman’s crumpet)

      *…and that is just the male line up….the female brains and beauty line up on the Left is even better!…if that is possible!

      • Puckish Rogue 12.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 10:24 am

        JK+100…everything points towards John Key and Nactional being shit scared of having face to face television debates with David Cunliffe…Why?:

        • John Key has defeated Clark, Cullen, Goff, Shearer and Campbell while Cunliffe has defeated no one

        ….David Cunliffe is way more handsome than John Key…(bet he looks better in his speedos too!)

        Actually Russel Norman is a looker as well….lol….and I bet he looks better in his speedos than John Key…lets face it the Left has a great line up of superbly intelligent and good looking male contestants …and that includes Hone ( great bone structure and tan ) ….and Winnie the suave silver fox in the senior section ( every sophisticated senior woman’s crumpet)

        *…and that is just the male line up….the female brains and beauty line up on the Left is even better!…if that is possible!

        • Bit early to be in the cooking sherry isn’t it?
        • Chooky 12.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 12:48 pm

          @ Puckish sad one ……Nup!……this is the REALITY of it!….and spoken on a breakfast of two glasses of squeezed lemon juice…dark wholemeal toast, NZ butter, NZ vegemite and NZ peanut butter…. and downed with a very strong cup of expresso coffee

          ….dont own “cooking sherry” …yuk!… just good Pinot ( a glass of which imbibed last thing after a good meal at night)….but as you know all about the “cooking sherry” dear Pucky….i reckon you and Nactional have been into the cupboard and are already trying to fortify yourselves on secret little binges

          …bracing yourselves against the MIGHTY Cunliffe onslaught TV debates

          …a debacle is looming and you know it !

          ….you Puckish running scared Rogue you…..

    • Bearded Git 12.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:31 am

      yeah but while it would water down the Key v Cunliffe debate it would be good to have the Greens there-they deserve major party status now they have polled 10-15% for 6 years

      • greywarbler 12.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 10:31 am

        @Bearded Git 9.31
        +100 It is so FPP. It is simpler to divide and rule that way for the power-players. Their internal monologue. The Greens damn them, just won’t curl up and die, but we aren’t going to give them any oxygen.

  13. greywarbler 13
    24 July 2014 at 9:09 am

    At one time there was talk here about the Wiri geology and coastline. Who was it? I have been talking to someone about this area.

    And the OCR Official Cash Rate, Overnight Cash Rate? has gone up to 3.5%. Our economy is growing strongly you will be pleased to hear. Which part I don’t know, it wasn’t spelt out. Just as extra size from muscle growth is usually lesser and firmer than excess fat which can help to an early death, I am concerned how healthy this growth is.

  14. bad12 14
    24 July 2014 at 9:12 am

    The living wage, Miramar Wellington restaurant La Boca Loca is worth supporting for those who can afford to eat out,

    ALL the staff at this particular, Mexican themed, restaurant are now to be paid the living wage,

    Source: Stuff.co.nz/DominionPost

    The CEO of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Raewyn Bleakly of course opposes such living wage payments claiming wages ”should be about performance and productivity”,

    Is that true, i say that Her statement is patently Bullshit, all the sum parts of an industry are of equal value and productivity,

    Simply put, if the chefs in a restaurant had to stop preparing the meals to both deliver the food to the customer and then later collect and wash the dishes and cutlery then such work would be valued at the cost of the chefs employment,

    The same could be applied to the office cleaner, what is the value of your work in your office, if that unseen cleaner were to not clean your office that simply would leave two choices, you would have to work amidst the mess, or, clean it yourself,

    So, if it takes an hour of your time to clean your office the usual cleaner of your office is as valuable as the hour of your time,

    BIG UPS to the latest business noted above for paying ALL their staff the living wage,(what is it with Miramar, an Eastern Suburb here in Wellington, the local bakery also pays its one labourer the living wage)…

    • bad12 14.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:57 am

      Footnote: Delighted with the remuneration you receive for the daily grind in your office???, well lucky you,

      How bout you just for once look past the end of your nose, ignore the protection of your own privilege just for an hour,

      Promote a staff/stop-work meeting in your office/workplace and demand the living wage for those who clean your workspace…

    • Colonial Viper 14.2
      25 July 2014 at 1:57 am

      Funny how CEOs always manage to find obtuse justifications for their own big pay increases; no justifications provided for the workers who actually add value though.

  15. Skinny 15
    24 July 2014 at 9:13 am

    You just have to watch Hoskings little smug condescending comments about Cunliffe at the end of some of 7sharp shows to see this clown is far from a neutral front man.

    Tell me why are they not putting up a political editor or deputy, Dann & Parkinson piss all over Hosking because politics is their bread & butter. You can count on Key-National cheerleader Hosking continuing to bait DC with his little end of show slagging.

    Wake the fuck up TVNZ this is a taxpayer funded broadcaster. Someone should link a complaint form to the broadcasting standards commission and or the electoral commission to put some heat on the Nat hand picked mongrel board of TVNZ

    • Chooky 15.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:28 am

      Hoskings has always reminded me of a picky vege eating lost boy

      (didnt Hoskings once do the vege report?…he was very good at it!…maybe he should go back to it)

    • freedom 15.2
      24 July 2014 at 9:34 am

      Skinny, it takes just as long for someone else to do it as it would have taken you to do it.
      Almost no time at all. 🙂
      http://bsa.govt.nz/complaints/making-a-complaint

      • Skinny 15.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 10:09 am

        Thanks freedom, I was heading out in the country where the coverage is crap at the time 🙂 poor excuse but true ha ha.

        • freedom 15.2.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 10:27 am

          Thanks for not being annoyed, I do realise I could have phrased it more politely 🙂
          Sometimes hard to get the tone right on topics like that, without getting all verbose.

    • Chooky 15.3
      24 July 2014 at 12:58 pm

      TVNZ is a disgrace!

      ‘Dear Seven Sharp – after learning Hosking will be the leaders debate moderator – NO I will not give you the pretence of balance & I refuse to appear on your show’

      By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014

      In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance….

      I have to be honest, I had made the decision last night to accept Seven Sharp’s hastily offered opportunity to appear on their show after I savagely criticised the bullshit whitewash story they did on John Key’s favourite far right hate speech merchant, Cameron Slater….This morning I wake to the appalling news that Mike Bloody Hosking will be the moderator of the TVNZ leadership debates???

      No. Fucking. Way.

      Hosking is to the right of Caligula, allowing him to moderate the debate would be like appointing Cameron Slater to sit on the Broadcasting Standards Authority! It’s one hate crime against public broadcasting to allow Hosking to host Seven Sharp in the first place but to allow him to moderate the leaders debate is an outright abomination. Hosking moderating the leaders debates will be as credible as asking him to do a critical story on his corporate benefactor Sky City.

      Why is it different to John Campbell moderating the debates on TV3? TV3 is a private company who can do what they like, TVNZ is supposed to be the Public Broadcaster and as such have a demand on balance far higher than TV3. Shane Taurima was rightfully crucified for his bias inside TVNZ (despite the fact that it was Management’s incompetence to bring him back in the first place), but his stupidity has allowed TVNZ to conduct a witch hunt for reds under the bed within the news room while foaming right wing fanatics get to front current affairs programs with no questions asked.

      30 years of neoliberalism has pulled the Political centre so far to the right that the shrill beige brigade of Espiner, Hosking, Henry, Garner and Gower are enabled to construct one vast unchallenged narrative arch where the Right are always right and the Left are criminally insane.

      In light of this decision by TVNZ to give someone as biased as Hosking the moderator role in the all important leaders debates, I have decided that I will decline Seven Sharp’s offer because it will be nothing more than a manufactured pathetic attempt at balance. I’m a Campbell Live supporter and would hate to do anything that would turn attention away from real current affairs to a sick joke like Seven Sharp.

      • Dan 15.3.1
        24 July 2014 at 3:49 pm

        Oh, so there is an upside to Hosking moderating the debate

      • bad12 15.3.2
        24 July 2014 at 4:09 pm

        My opinion, ‘Bomber’ should have accepted the invite, read exactly what you have printed there out on prime time tv and then got up and walked out of the studio,

        Wasted opportunity…

  16. The Al1en 16
    24 July 2014 at 9:28 am

    @ Bad from yesterday. I don’t dispute your figures and I’m in no doubt you can back your numbers, I would expect no less. My point of dispute is that tough as it is for those 20% there are ways to engage.

    • bad12 16.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:47 am

      Lolz @ Alien, stop being sneaky, remember we were discussing a particular piece of Green Party election policy,

      While i in no way oppose a policy of providing Kindy hours for two year old’s i think i made the case? that it was/is wrong for the Green Party to tout this policy as ”child poverty busting” which was the intent/wording of the form email sent to my inbox under Metiria’s signature,

      Sure Alien ”there are ways to engage” the 20% of those that leave the education system every year barely able to read or write, BUT, that was not the central issue of debate was it, and, more crucially, these ”ways” you allude to, i look around from horizon to horizon, and, see none of these ”ways” as an election policy,(except as my nod indicated yesterday Labour’s slight move of a toe in the general direction with decreased class sizes)…

  17. Tracey 17
    24 July 2014 at 10:04 am

    Matthew Hooton fighting hard to keep his house value high and free of low decile interlopers.

    ” Parents from two elite Auckland public schools are up in arms after learning of a proposal to put them in an overlapping zone with two lower decile schools.

    The Ministry of Education advised One Tree Hill College and Selwyn College to put enrolment schemes in place due to rapid roll growth.

    Both schools are consulting with the community before submitting the schemes to the ministry for approval.

    The proposed home zones would overlap with Epsom Girls Grammar School and Auckland Grammar School.

    Parent Matthew Hooton owns a house in the proposed overlap and says the consultation has been “wholly unsatisfactory”.

    The process had been rushed and parents still didn’t know the basis behind the zone overlap, he said.

    Many parents were anxious that eventually these houses would be excluded from the Epsom Girls and Grammar zones, he said.

    This had spurred a group of parents to inquire about taking legal action, Hooton said.

    “You live in this area because you pay $100,000 more for your house so you can access Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar School,” he said.

    “Any perceived threat to these zones will be met with fierce resistance.”

    and then…

    he and others engaged Russell McFactory… high end law firm in Auckland and hey presto

    ”
    Auckland Grammar, One Tree Hill College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar. Auckland Grammar, One Tree Hill College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar.

    Hostile feedback from residents in some of the country’s most expensive real estate has caused an emerging school to back away from including them in its new zone.

    A rapidly rising roll has seen the Ministry of Education to direct One Tree Hill College to draw-up a proposed school zone.

    The school, which has seen its roll and local reputation greatly increase, put forward a zone that would overlap with those of seven other schools, including Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar.

    Selwyn College has also consulted on a proposed zone that would overlap with EGGS and AGS.

    Next trending article: Hospitals struggle with flu surge

    Residents in shared zone areas were assured they will be able to choose which school their children attend.

    However, some living in the sought-after “double Grammar zone” believed it might be a first step to their eventual exclusion from EGGS and AGS, because of roll pressure on the two schools.

    Submissions cited proximity issues and the desire for children to attend a single-sex school, and concern about the value of property was also a factor.

    Last year the Herald reported that a Mt Eden home just 750m outside the grammar zones went for $516,000 less than a similar house up the road that was within zone.

    Act Party Epsom candidate David Seymour set-up a petition against the One Tree Hill proposal after fielding “a stream of phone calls and emails”.

    Lobbyist and local resident and Matthew Hooton also protested against what he said was unsatisfactory consultation, and with other parents briefed law firm Russell McVeagh.

    One Tree Hill College has now made the decision to withdraw any proposed overlap of the grammar zones.

    The proposed Selwyn College zone will also be amended so it does not overlap with the two neighbouring schools.

    One Tree Hill College said it wanted to remain focussed on the education of its students and not be drawn into “political manoeuvring” around enrolment zones in central Auckland.

    “This is a success story of another New Zealand school doing extremely well and achieving excellent outcomes for our youth,” principal Nick Coughlan said.

    “It is not about what Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar may, or may not do, in terms of changing their zones.

    “That is a decision for their respective boards of trustees. One Tree Hill College were simply proposing an enrolment zone to meet Ministry of Education guidelines.”

    That included the need to not divide areas and homes around contributing schools.

    The college received about 150 submissions, the vast majority of which were from those opposed to the overlap with the grammar zones.

    Mr Coughlan said the most who were opposed also recognised the college’s success, and he wanted to acknowledge them. A handful were not so measured, however.

    “There were certainly one or two who went full quid, for want of a better term.””

    • Skinny 17.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:17 am

      I have to say fair enough Hooton and the others are hostile I would be too. Ya need to pick ya fights a bit better Tracy.

    • vto 17.2
      24 July 2014 at 7:01 pm

      If you are correct tracey that Hooton said this …… “You live in this area because you pay $100,000 more for your house so you can access Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar School, he said. Any perceived threat to these zones will be met with fierce resistance”

      Then Matthew Hooton is an ignorant arsehole. It is no wonder that people of his ilk are detested outside of Epsom. I spit on them like they spit on us.

      • karol 17.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 7:06 pm

        When I went to Epsom Grammar, parents didn’t need to own a house, or an expensive hosue for their daughters to attend.

        People living in the area now have contributed to house price inflation, and excluded the descendants of working class people who once lived in the school’s catchment area. All for snobbery, status and unequal privilege.

        • vto 17.2.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 7:16 pm

          yes it disgusts me

          you know the funny thing is that the company of working class people is preferred to that of the snobs and the privileged – they tend to be ignorant which together with the disturbing power that they wield also makes them dangerous. oh and they are on average and in comparison simply very boring.

          boring
          boring
          boring

  18. Pasupial 18
    24 July 2014 at 10:31 am

    The Party Party looks like quite a Party – about the worst that Stuff could say was that it took a while for the crowd to arrive and get out on the dance floor; on a Wednesday night in the middle of winter.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10304657/Dotcom-kicks-off-Internet-Party-party

    The thing that surprised me watching that clip is just how American Dotcom sounds on the mic. I guess it’s long established that many Kiwi rock acts will put on a British or American accent while preforming (probably not even consciously). But I’m so used to Dotcom’s speaking voice having a distinct deutscher tone, that his performance style is quite unexpected (though if you listen to some of the vowels he still has a few lingering umlauts).

    • Chooky 18.1
      24 July 2014 at 10:30 pm

      wow …looks like FUN!…this is why the Left coalition is going to win…YOUNG PEOPLE VOTING!

    • Colonial Viper 19.1
      24 July 2014 at 7:11 pm

      I’ve learnt a lot about the longstanding Palestinian/Israeli conflict in the last 2 weeks.

      Our allies the US are supplying Israel with political cover, advanced weapons and funding which is then being used to kill hundreds of unarmed civilians: the indigenous natives whose land Israel has illegally and militarily occupied/stolen since 1967.

      I don’t feel that NZ’s position anywhere adequately reflects these facts.

  20. James 20
    24 July 2014 at 11:40 am

    so it seems Cunliffee knew he was meeting with a sex offender – and told lies when caught out.

    Mr Cunliffe confirmed to the Herald last night that he had arranged for the person – whose case has been the topic of media coverage – to meet a Labour candidate but said he had no idea about the controversial background until yesterday.

    “If I had known of the suggestion, no such meeting would have taken place.”

    But Newstalk ZB reported:

    Mr Cunliffe admits a prominent New Zealander’s possible sexual offending had been raised with him before he met with the man in Queenstown last week.

    So what is it? He did know – or didnt – If the admission to Newstalk ZB is true – are people happy with this?

    [lprent: So by your logic, I must be a woman because of my first name? After all that is that fuckwit Cameron Slater’s insinuation. But if you aren’t a retarded sociopath, you don’t label or deal with people on the basis of rumour and possibilities. After all there are always uncivilised morans around making up and passing unsustantiated rumours around.

    Just to demonstrate I will follow your ‘rule’. Because you appear to have no logic I choose at this point to think you are a silly adolescent dork who is trolling here. After all there have been people saying things similar to that about you.

    So in the absence of any proof to the contrary (because it is probably suppressed), you are banned for 2 weeks. ]

  21. James 21
    24 July 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Not at all.

    Its a pretty simple question. Did he lie about this. Sure looks like it.

    Or are you saying that its OK to lie as long as you are leader of Labour.

    Its OK to Meet and take wine from convicted sex offenders as long as you are leader of labour.

    Its OK to joke about killing prostitutes if you are a supporting the left (Kim dotcom).

    Seems that the rape culture that got so much comments is indeed alive and well – right here in the standard.

    edit- by some people – not a reference to the standard itself or all of its posters.

    Just some who are happy to look the other way when its one of their ‘own’

    • greywarbler 21.1
      24 July 2014 at 12:24 pm

      @ James 12.13
      Oh piss off. Take your faux concerns for probity and political analysis and post them to National, along with a big dollop of humbugs, and those long lasting gob stoppers, but do keep a few for yourself..

    • Puckish Rogue 21.2
      24 July 2014 at 12:25 pm

      I have some advice for cunliffe (not that he’d take it)

      If you are about to meet with someone and you hears rumours that they may in fact be a sexual predator then you get someone to apoligise on your behalf and do not, I repeat, do not meet that person

      Its not that difficult

      • Ben Adam 21.2.1
        24 July 2014 at 3:14 pm

        If someone tells your wife a rumour they heard that you are a pedophile, then your wife should ask your kids not to talk to you anymore ? No proof needed? Just innuendo and suspicion will do?

        • Puckish Rogue 21.2.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 3:40 pm

          The question Cunliffe has to ask himself is how will it play out in public especially in light of his popularity and polling

          • One Anonymous Bloke 21.2.1.1.1
            24 July 2014 at 3:52 pm

            A tough, knotty, barbed sort of question, until you consider the offender’s strong links to the National Party.

            • Puckish Rogue 21.2.1.1.1.1
              24 July 2014 at 4:27 pm

              Careful now, don’t want to get the standard in trouble…

              On that thought though I agree that they should be named and shamed, this is more important then whatever percieved damage may occur

              [lprent: Indeed. If people want to have a name and shame then they need to get a judge to agree with them.

              I currently have a tendency to simply ban suppression order offenders either permanently or until after the election.

              But OAK hasn’t got close to that. There are a lot of strongly offensive National supporters. ]

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                24 July 2014 at 4:35 pm

                I think it’s you who should be careful what you wish for, trash.

                Your gutter threats at 21.2.1.1 (yes they are, lowlife) expose your gutter character. Get off my shoe.

          • McFlock 21.2.1.1.2
            24 July 2014 at 4:01 pm

            Really?
            With so many lies told by tories, how is anyone supposed to realistically regard any particular rumour as being true?

      • Ant 21.2.2
        24 July 2014 at 8:38 pm

        I actually agree.

        There must be some political radar going haywire because they should have run for the hills once they heard those rumours…

    • McFlock 21.3
      24 July 2014 at 12:32 pm

      Its a pretty simple question. Did he lie about this. Sure looks like it.

      No, no it doesn’t. You can’t beat up an unsubstantiated rumour (that might not have even been at all specific) into “knowledge”.

      Telling Parliament that the PM’s office got your old school chum’s cellphone number from the phone book when they wanted to offer him a job, on the other hand – that looks like a lie.

      Or are you saying that its OK to lie as long as you are leader of Labour.

      nope. Lying is bad. Try to stop doing it.

      Its OK to Meet and take wine from convicted sex offenders as long as you are leader of labour.

      It is if you don’t know they were a convicted sex offender because the courts suppressed their name.

      Its OK to joke about killing prostitutes if you are a supporting the left (Kim dotcom).

      No. And he’s been called out on that both here and by folk in the Internet Party.

      Seems that the rape culture that got so much comments is indeed alive and well – right here in the standard.

      Little tory learned a new word, but still doesn’t know how to use it. That’s sweet.

    • freedom 21.4
      24 July 2014 at 1:20 pm

      So you want our politicians and their staff to openly and actively break name suppression orders?
      perhaps you care to answer these questions then

      by the by
      Went to see what New Zealand’s political sage had to say on the Queenstown matter and was not disappointed. As balanced and objective as ever, with more tumble weed spotting than a coyote conference, all to the accompaniment of the ever growing volumes of whoosh as Cunliffe’s comments to Soper sailed clear over his little pointed head.

      He also skirts more closely to openly naming the person than any blog has.

      As for that other vehicle of investigative integrity he runs . . nothing since June 11.

  22. greywarbler 22
    24 July 2014 at 12:19 pm

    A little story about a defunct speculator who lost his collection of valuable cars which apparently went to Dotcom, who then had them confiscated, and now Dave Blackmore is having a fit of schadenfreude and has enough spare time to run around in a vehicle with slogans trying to upset Dotcom’s political advance.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10789678

    There is a piece on Blackmore and his propaganda vehicle on… greasy.
    http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/tag/david-blackmore/

  23. Chooky 23
    24 July 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Here is one reason why the Left is going to win this Election!…the Internet /Mana Party…which is scooping up the youth and multi-cultural vote

    ‘Internet Party Party review’

    By Martyn Bradbury / July 24, 2014

    I have been to A LOT of political party functions in my time, and they tend to be dull affairs at the best of times but what is happening with Internet MANA is something quite exciting. I went to last nights ‘Party Party’ because I wanted to see what the turn out would be like and who exactly wants to vote for Internet MANA.

    • bad12 23.1
      24 July 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Good stuff from ‘Bomber’, the question also interests me, will be looking when the ‘roadshow’ comes to town to see who other than ‘the usual suspects’ turns out in support…

  24. idlegus 24
    24 July 2014 at 1:36 pm

    the rugby magazine cover is real, i just saw it at the supermarket.

    • McFlock 24.1
      24 July 2014 at 1:54 pm

      I wonder how much the nats paid for the ad? And does it have a disclosure statement? (yeah, right)

    • Weepus beard 24.2
      24 July 2014 at 2:15 pm

      I cc’d the Electoral Commission in my complaint.

      Get typing, people.

    • Chooky 24.3
      24 July 2014 at 6:40 pm

      John Key pretending to be a rugby player?! …it was dreamed up by Crosby Texter probably

      …it is an revolting insult to REAL New Zealand All Blacks and REAL rugby players!….. like Winston Peters and Hone Harawira…they should challenge his PR image game of pretence in the House!

      ..what a phoney pretender Key is… he said he was too busy (playing the money markets?) to have even remembered the Springbok Tour!

      John Key rugby player…! my arse

    • teWhareWhero 24.4
      24 July 2014 at 9:37 pm

      Commented above 6.5
      24 July 2014 at 9:09 pm

      Editor of mag says he’s fed up with being ‘castigated’ by people over the cover – seems he’s getting a fair bit of flak.

      John Key, ‘No 1 All Black fan’ on a magazine cover in an AB shirt with four ABs with caption ‘leader of the pack’ – two months before the election.

      Just a coincidence – yeah right.

    • Weepus beard 25.1
      24 July 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Born to rule example No7686: the 5th National government.

    • Draco T Bastard 25.2
      24 July 2014 at 5:40 pm

      He should have been fired over that. Another example of this National government being corrupt.

  26. Macro 26
    24 July 2014 at 2:13 pm

    So Gerry Brownlee offers his resignation as Minister of Transport!
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1407/S00481/statement-from-hon-gerry-brownlee.htm

    More like a publicity stunt – Is this all the Nats have to offer?

    Abuse of power and privilege and theft as a servant?

    I wonder if after this “sob” story Uncle John will say – “Never Mind Gerry – your doing such a fine job of fucking up NZ Transport you keep your job!”

    • felix 26.1
      24 July 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Meh.

      Gerry and John’s “lolz I’ll resign, lolz nah you’re sweet” bit is just fud to cloud Claudette’s disgrace.

  27. Ron 27
    24 July 2014 at 2:15 pm

    So Gerry Brownlee as Minister of Transport decides he cannot bother waiting for a security check at Christchurch Airport and deliberately avoids the check by trying to board plane through the airport exit doors.
    Thsi is so serious that it should result in a full police investigation and charge ion the courts, Recently Jono & Ben show were charged for a prank that involved doing something similar and all hell broke loose.
    Is the minister going to be charged?
    Offering a token ‘I’ll resign my portfolio’ is insufficient. He should be charged and Key should do the same to Gerry as he did to his MP for Kelston. Show Gerry the door.

    • ianmac 27.1
      24 July 2014 at 4:05 pm

      Not serious? You try dodging security checks Ron. So you will get away with a roguish grin and a friendly pat. Reckon? Try it. At the same level as saying that you have a bomb in your bag. Very funny but watch what happens.
      I say charge Jerry Brownlie!

  28. McFlock 28
    24 July 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Jono and ben impersonated/provided false information.

    Simply bypassing security because you think you’re awesome is one of those things that’s so dickish it doesn’t appear to have been specifically legislated against in the Civil aviation Act, at first glance anyway.

  29. freedom 29
    24 July 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Here is some good news from a Stuff poll
    http://i.imgur.com/BdBS8Ba.png?1

    • Puckish Rogue 29.1
      24 July 2014 at 4:00 pm

      I’m surprised this doesn’t get a thread of its own and proof that the Left will win the next election 🙂

      • swordfish 29.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 4:10 pm

        Wonderful banter, Pucks. You read a lot of Oscar Wilde, do you ?

        • Puckish Rogue 29.1.1.1
          24 July 2014 at 4:25 pm

          Naah but I watched the movie and Stephen Fry did a brilliant job playing him, even looked like him too…kinda

      • bad12 29.1.2
        24 July 2014 at 4:14 pm

        i am surprised that a little puppy like you Puckish isn’t covered in tire treads from having chased one too many vehicle exhausts…

    • vto 29.2
      24 July 2014 at 6:50 pm

      that is bad news for the vote them out party

  30. bad12 30
    24 July 2014 at 3:42 pm

    Better late than never i suppose, although as far as the pinheads over at Colon’s Conservatives goes those proposing the opposite to that point in a debate would pretty much carry the moot unchallenged to any great extent,

    Laugh out Loud material in among the Thursday drop of junk into the mailbox, along with one of the local freebie newspapers which deserves an ups for its well put together format and news stories topical to the area,

    Anyone who gets this one, The Wellingtonian, will know what i am on about, the other freebie, the Cook Strait Times is learning but not ‘quite there’ in my opinion,

    i tho digress, only most of the week late my copy of Colon’s plan for a nationwide bowel movement arrived today,

    No i haven’t sent it up in flames just yet, on the back page is a gift that will just keep on giving, Lookout NZ Post workers, ‘incoming’ and my apologies beforhand,

    There’s a pre-paid postage thingy on the back of a little tear off that has space for the name and address presumably so anyone having gone completely over the edge can have the little tribe of screwballs send even more of this trash,

    Perfect, absolutely perfect, i plan on using the address box to send Colon and Co a little message, as its pre-paid postage Colon is picking up the tab and it will keep a postal worker or two in choclate bikkies for a while longer at least,

    The message??? i haven’t decided yet, something gutter, to do with sex and travel i should imagine,

    Again my apologies to any NZ Post worker who is harmed from having been subjected to such messaging…

    • Ron 30.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:16 pm

      Why not just confess to Colin that you are turned on by his countenance and would like to know him better. All those hoardings with his picture on is just driving you crazy

      The message??? i haven’t decided yet, something gutter, to do with sex and travel i should imagine,

      • bad12 30.1.1
        25 July 2014 at 12:33 am

        Why not Ron take your lurid homosexual fantasies off to some place where their telling would really be appreciated,

        Try Garrett Street if you are in Wellington, don’t forget your lippy will you…

  31. Colonial Viper 31
    24 July 2014 at 3:54 pm

    The Intercept reveals the full details of US terrorist blacklisting/watchlisting criteria. A massive revelation. Including the bizarre fact that dead people can be put on watchlists.

    The document’s definition of “terrorist” activity includes actions that fall far short of bombing or hijacking. In addition to expected crimes, such as assassination or hostage-taking, the guidelines also define destruction of government property and damaging computers used by financial institutions as activities meriting placement on a list. They also define as terrorism any act that is “dangerous” to property and intended to influence government policy through intimidation.

    This combination—a broad definition of what constitutes terrorism and a low threshold for designating someone a terrorist—opens the way to ensnaring innocent people in secret government dragnets. It can also be counterproductive. When resources are devoted to tracking people who are not genuine risks to national security, the actual threats get fewer resources—and might go unnoticed.

    “If reasonable suspicion is the only standard you need to label somebody, then it’s a slippery slope we’re sliding down here, because then you can label anybody anything,” says David Gomez, a former senior FBI special agent with experience running high-profile terrorism investigations. “Because you appear on a telephone list of somebody doesn’t make you a terrorist. That’s the kind of information that gets put in there.”

    The fallout is personal too. There are severe consequences for people unfairly labeled a terrorist by the U.S. government, which shares its watchlist data with local law enforcement, foreign governments, and “private entities.” Once the U.S. government secretly labels you a terrorist or terrorist suspect, other institutions tend to treat you as one. It can become difficult to get a job (or simply to stay out of jail). It can become burdensome—or impossible—to travel. And routine encounters with law enforcement can turn into ordeals.

    https://firstlook.org/theintercept/article/2014/07/23/blacklisted/

    • adam 31.1
      24 July 2014 at 4:36 pm

      We are so on the slippery slope towards some form of police state in the west – it is bloody scary.

    • vto 31.2
      24 July 2014 at 6:48 pm

      ” They also define as terrorism any act that is “dangerous” to property and intended to influence government policy through intimidation.”

      well that describes the US government – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha the US government has just defined itself as a terrorist organisation

      ……. screaming to the hellhole at the bottom we go ……… wheeeeeeee ……..

  32. adam 32
    24 July 2014 at 4:31 pm

    The interest of international labour, have been failed again. OECD slack on tax fraud, here a good read – http://www.icij.org/blog/2014/07/oecds-plan-end-bank-secrecy-blasted-activists?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=icij-email

  33. joe90 33
    24 July 2014 at 4:47 pm

    Once a Chekist…
    /

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law requiring internet companies to store all personal data of Russian users at data centres in Russia, a move which could chill criticism on foreign social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

    These companies, which do not have offices in Russia, have become a vital resource for opposition groups and refuse to hand over user data to governments.

    The use of Russian data centres would make them subject to Russian laws on government access to information.

    The Kremlin said the law was aimed at “improving the management of personal data of Russian citizens on computer networks” and that companies that did not comply would be blocked.</i>

    http://www.zdnet.com/putin-signs-data-retention-law-7000031897/

  34. vto 34
    24 July 2014 at 6:44 pm

    Tomorrow the Israeli government is going to kill 7 children

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/10306469/Gaza-war-in-saddest-photo-from-space

    Tomorrow the Israeli government is going to kill 7 children

    • Ron 34.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:19 pm

      They are very lucky that the Palestinians are not very good at firing rockets. Maybe someone upstairs likes the Israelis

  35. greywarbler 35
    24 July 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Roads that are really of national significance and not just nice to haves!

    Radionz News
    Forestry workers condemn road delays
    Work begins to clear a slip on Mangakahia Road in Northland.

    Forestry contractors in storm-battered Northland say road closures and detours are causing heavy financial losses and that their plight is being ignored.

    Before the rains the inhabitants around were complaining about the choking, thick, obscuring dust clouds setting off asthma attacks, lying on everything, making driving dangerous etc etc Just fill in your own ideas of what would happen if there was a dust storm.

    So dry or wet there are problems not being addressed. It all makes for a level playing field though – everyone is upset and struggling. That is how NZ operates isn’t it. Wait till something is falling over, then think about it for a while, put it to a select committee. Find it is being exagerrated. Wait till someone dies and blame it all on the driver. etc etc

  36. Benghazi 36
    24 July 2014 at 7:50 pm

    After seeing TV news tonight it occurs to me that the elegant solution to the Leaders’ debates dilemma is for TVNZ to host at Key/Norman debate while TV3 hosts Key/Cunliffe. The vile filth that Hoskings has spewed about Cunliffe for the past 3 years certainly disqualifies him from moderating a Key/Cunliffe debate.

    • Weepus beard 36.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:15 pm

      Yeah, I don’t get it at all. David Cunliffe is likeable, honest and natural. He is the real Kiwi to John Key’s yanky-doodle-dandy.

      You can see it in the footage from his visit to his old mates in a Timaru pub recently. On entry he hugs his old friends, hugs them! Upon sitting down for a chat, one of his childhood friends rips into the local Labour MP/candidate calling him an idiot. Cunliffe didn’t spit the dummy, he went with it and made a joke, even though his old friend had criticised one of the members of his own campaign on TV. David Cunliffe recognises he was on their patch, and that people have different views and he accepts it.

      John Key would have got the GCSB onto that guy if it was #TeamKey in the firing line. He thinks anywhere in NZ is his patch.

      John Key. Does. Not. Accept. Criticism.

      • Murray Olsen 36.1.1
        25 July 2014 at 2:34 am

        They would have had to text Key from behind the secure cordon set up by the trained attack dogs of his diplomatic protection squad. Key is about as far from being an average bloke as it’s possible to be.

    • Te Reo Putake 36.2
      24 July 2014 at 10:29 pm

      ” … Key/Norman debate”.

      What have got against Metiria Turei, Benghazi?

  38. ianmac 38
    24 July 2014 at 8:03 pm

    Done Anker. 1,678 have signed. Amazing for less than a day.

  39. greywarbler 39
    24 July 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Latest blow against personal rights and reasoned approach to dying.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/euthanasia-campaigner-dr-philip-nitschke-suspended-by-medical-board
    In a press conference in Adelaide, Nitschke said: “The board’s decision seems in keeping with the Liberal government’s long-standing policy of censorship of information on death and dying,” he said….
    The South Australian Board of the Medical Board of Australia said it made the decision, which will apply nationally, to “keep the public safe”.

    The interim suspension, an “immediate action” separate to other inquiries the regulator is conducting into the man dubbed “Doctor Death”, was triggered by an ABC television story in July alleging that Nitschke had counselled an apparently depressed but otherwise healthy Perth man, Nigel Brayley, to take his own life.
    Brayley, 45, died in May after taking a euthanasia drug he illegally imported from China.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-24/euthanasia-advocate-philip-nitschke-suspended-by-medical-board/5615268
    Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke has been suspended by the Medical Board of Australia, which says he “presents a serious risk to public health and safety”.

    Mental health groups Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute believe Dr Nitschke had an obligation to recommended psychiatric help to Mr Brayley, but Dr Nitschke said it
    was not his role to intervene….
    Dr Nitschke, who described the suspension as a “politically motivated deregistration”, told AM it was “clearly stupid” to claim he is a risk to public safety.

    • Ron 39.1
      24 July 2014 at 9:22 pm

      What would you expect form an almost Jesuit prime minister

      • greywarbler 39.1.1
        24 July 2014 at 10:02 pm

        @ Ron 9.22
        You mean Abbott? It seems that the big push is coming from a very conservative
        medical board. Although only of one state, but then it seems it will be automatic for the whole of the country.

        The South Australian Board of the Medical Board of Australia said it made the decision, which will apply nationally, to “keep the public safe”.

        It is amazing how difficult it is for politicians to accept new ideas and it is unsatisfactory that we have to go cap in hand to them, and possibly have, in NZ to wait for a private members Bill to be drawn from a lottery. My scenario for what would produce good social legislation would change that.

        We should be able to go to a Tribunal and state that we have a People’s Bill which we wanted put in our own system, parallel with government but doing much of the work ourselves for what we thought would be a good idea. This would then go into the select committee process with submissions heard or received on it, which would be incorporated unless unreasonable. It would however be an opt-in situation for being accepted in its final form, when there was no glaring reason why not.

        Then it would have a pilot and be monitored before being introduced nationally and examined after two years for any faults, or extra steps and funding. Sensitive matters like this would be assessed every four years, one year longer than a present parliamentary term, as it seems a good long period in which to assess whether it needed small improvements.

        All pollies need to do is to introduce reasonable safeguards, after consultation with long-standing groups, and then enable what people want. Let people decide when they are ready to die, have some counselling sessions first ensuring that depression and stress received help when people are still young,. Even if thinking of going when they are still ‘young’ oldies, which is in their 70’s nowadays, despite many news reports referring to 50 year olds as elderly.

  40. Leroy 40
    24 July 2014 at 8:30 pm

    Looks like National Standards is working real well…not!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11298477

  42. Benghazi 42
    24 July 2014 at 11:25 pm

    Nothing against her at all Te Reo Putake and point taken. It was Norman that was doing the sound bites this evening which was why I thought of him.

  43. redfred 43
    25 July 2014 at 8:09 am

    Benjamin Netanyahu you are a war criminal, bombing a designated UN safe haven full of families is a crime against humanity; off to the Hague with you!