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Open mike 26/05/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 26th, 2011 - 30 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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30 comments on “Open mike 26/05/2011”

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  1. ZeeBop 1
    26 May 2011 at 6:31 am

    Relationships are a prerequisite for a culture of respect for human rights to flourish, but they don’t guarantee them. If nobody is listening, or worse, those concerned have conflicting interests then Human Rights are ignored and sidelined.

    Debt in moderation is good for a country. But when families can’t afford milk how can being the premium milk producer matter to every day Kiwis?

  2. Pascal's bookie 2
    26 May 2011 at 7:15 am

    Plutocracy watch:

    http://www.bepress.com/bap/vol13/iss1/art4/

    Consistent with the study of Senatorial trading activity, we find stocks purchased by Representatives also earn significant positive abnormal returns (albeit considerably smaller returns). A portfolio that mimics the purchases of House Members beats the market by 55 basis points per month (approximately 6% annually).

    Between this stuff, the revolving doors, the computer traded ticket clippers and the lack of any real reform, I’m starting to suspect that this cake might be a bit fictional.

  3. Hilary 3
    26 May 2011 at 7:40 am

    Anybody going to follow up on the $2.4 million untendered gift of taxpayers’ money to a ‘Christian’ parenting group in the Budget? Sounds like that donation to a National Party-aligned Pacific business in the Budget last year.

  4. Pascal's bookie 4
    26 May 2011 at 10:07 am

    The US deficit: ( The GOP should shut up about it if they had any self respect edition)

    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/chart-bush-policies-dominant-cause-of-debt.php?ref=fpblg

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1
      26 May 2011 at 12:37 pm

      The GOP, just like our own conservatives (National, Act, mP), are only there to transfer public wealth into the hands of themselves and their rich mates.

  5. marty mars 5
    26 May 2011 at 10:23 am

    Greywolf Mining want to exploit/explore Golden Bay for oil, gas and coal. But as TV3 have said they are a bit more of a grey ghost not a grey wolf – why?

    emails bounce
    the chinese company listed as a partner on the website is not their partner
    hard to find company offices

    are greywolf a sham – just another dirty company involved in dirty business? IMO yes. But who is going to make the money – that’s the trail to follow.

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.com/2011/05/murky-mining-attempt.html

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/5053379/Mining-firms-credentials-brought-into-doubt

  6. travellerev 6
    26 May 2011 at 10:24 am

    Cynthia McKinney is one of my heroes. She is black, educated and of a high moral fiber. It was she who confronted Rumsfeld about the child slave ring run by Dynacore, the missing trillions of the Pentagon budget and travelled to the Gaza strip two years ago on one of the boats trying to break the siege.
    She travelled to Libya to see with her own eyes what is happening there. She wrote a Counterpunch piece about the “kinetic, humanitarian” action called Feast of Blood.

    Alex Jones is also one of my heroes. Considered by many a vile, redneck, truther birther, teapartier, nutcase but as he is one of the most outspoken anti war activists who calls out both Bush and Obama and their puppet masters on their lie based illegal wars of aggression and resource robbery he has to be one of my heroes even if I don’t agree with his gun toting, anti abortionist views to name a few.

    Today only here is the link to the page which contains a link to his radio show in which he interviews US Congress woman McKinny who at this moment is in Tripoli Libya awaiting the nightly “kinetic, humanitarian” bombings.

    So for those of you who thought that the intervention was a good use of NATO and the US army I would challenge you to listen to this interview between Cynthia McKinny, black (sort of) leftist black women (She is the leader of the American green party) and white male Texas, gun toting, birther 911 truther Alex Jones and educate yourself. (A word of warning; The radio show is about three hours and streaming so you might have to wait for the interview to air again.)
     
     
     
     
     

  9. todd 9
    26 May 2011 at 12:44 pm

    Parliament’s Wall of Shame #3

    http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/05/parliaments-wall-of-shame-3.html

    National Party MP Tau Henare has shown what a complete douche bag he is once again on his Twitter feed. The Jackal doesn’t like to see such atrocious behaviour like this and has therefore included Tau Henare in the Parliament’s Wall of Shame.

    In October 2005, Taito Philip Field lost his ministerial posts following controversies around allegations that he had improperly used his influence as an MP to receive material gain.In October 2005, Taito Philip Field lost his ministerial posts following controversies around allegations that he had improperly used his influence as an MP to receive material gain.

    Phil Heatley announced his resignation from his portfolios on 25 February 2010, citing further problems with his ministerial credit card spending. Mr Heatley said his decision to quit came after he had looked closely at his ministerial credit card expenses for the past 18 months.

  10. Morrissey 10
    26 May 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Loon Watch No. 1: Philippe Karsenty

    Unless you are especially interested in charting the tortured and unhappy progress of crazed far-right lunatics, you probably haven’t heard of PHILIPPE KARSENTY, a minor-league French fringe-dweller. Karsenty is a conspiracy theorist who has become the darling of the
    Israeli extreme right, following his determined effort to cast doubt on the veracity of television film of a routine killing by Israeli troops of a Gazan boy on Sunday, September 30, 2000.
    Karsenty has as much respect amongst sane and honest people as a flat earther, a moon-landing “skeptic”, a 9/11 Truther, or a global warming denier. As you will see in the video (Part 3) this is very much a sore point for Kasenty. Luckily for him however, he had the perfect interlocutor, an empty vessel called JAMIE GLAZOV, when he appeared on the very first edition of FrontPage Close-Up….
    http://frontpagemag.com/2010/12/09/the-premiere-of-frontpage-close-up-with-jamie-glazov/

    Part 1
    Jamie Glazov: “We are honored to have as our guest a HERO of our time: Philip Karsenty, who exposed the infamous Mohammed Al-Dura hoax. Mr Karsenty, what support are you receiving for exposing what is obviously a lie and a hoax?”
    Philippe Karsenty: “This is a case for democracy. You need to have media which are conveying the truth, not lying. … It was a state- sponsored blood libel. …Chirac decided to demonize Israel.”

    Karsenty then launches into a hysterical denunciation of Charles Enderlin. This is problematic, because Enderlin, like so many of the most trenchant and courageous opponents of Israeli criminality, is Jewish, so he can’t simply be smeared with the routine “anti-Semitism”
    baloney. But Karsenty is obviously incapable of thinking of any other strategy, and so he says, risibly, that Enderlin was “responsible for the blood libel.” He derides Enderlin for complaining about the way that fanatical Zionists attacked him, and forced him out of his apartment.

    Glazov continues: “The wounds on the father are not gunshot wounds. The boy himself has never been found. Is that correct? How is it possible to be shot fifteen times and for there to be no blood?” The answer, of course, is easy: it’s all “incitement against Israel”.

    Glazov then tries to pour cold water on the exhaustively documented fact that Israeli troops routinely fire thousands of bullets at unarmed protestors. It just doesn’t make SENSE, he reasons:”If you said that an American policeman shot for 45 minutes just to kill someone, it wouldn’t make sense. Brainwashing makes them believe that Israelis would shoot at them for 45 minutes. French intellectuals won’t listen to Holocaust-deniers, and they won’t listen to us. Their
    main argument is to refuse to debate.”

    Part 2
    Maybe, just maybe, you’re extremely indulgent, and inclined to give anyone a fair go. Perhaps you need more evidence that Glazov is not only a denier of evidence, but a crank and a fool? Well then, please watch the first thirty seconds of Part 2: Glazov assures us that not only do our eyes deceive us when we watch film of the Mohammed al-Dura killing, but that global warming is a hoax.

    Karsenty returns to talking about the shooting video, and raves on and on: “Ten years of insane lies… Israel has been poorly treated by the U.S. over the years….No matter how many facts you will prove, this is about deeply entrenched Jew-hatred. …More lies and more lies and more lies. What you have to understand is that the lies didn’t stop after the death of Mohammed al Dura. Lies about the Lebanon war, the Gaza war, the so-called peace flotilla, lies, lies, lies. There is no anti-
    Semitism, it’s anti-Israel. Be clear. There is no anti-Zionism, it’s anti-Semitism.”

    Part 3
    Jamie Glazov assures Karsenty that “forensic scientists have delegitimized the evidence of this shooting. Beyond reasonable doubt!” Karsenty: “Our worst opponents in this were extreme left
    Jews.”

    Glazov is obsessed with the fact that not one Palestinian has supported Karsenty. “You have Jews on the side of Palestinians,” he points out. “So why don’t some Palestinians support you?” Karsenty expresses his indignation that French intellectuals don’t respect his intellect. He rails against “Jewish journalists” who “demonize and bash Israel”. It’s all “brainwashing. Brainwashing is the worst thing that can happen.”

    Part 4
    Karsenty: “I know that I have the truth. We are moving forward. We will win at the end. Because nobody can fight against the truth.”
    Glazov: “Let’s say that tomorrow the boy and the father show up. Do you think the world will apologize to you?”
    Karsenty: “Of COURSE some boys die in the middle east, of COURSE some die. It doesn’t make sense, when you think of the rules of engagement of the Israeli soldiers.”
    Glazov: “You’re not waiting for an apology for this faked report?”
    Karsenty: “I tell you, the truth will come out some day. It’s so obvious.”
    ———————————————-
    Note that nearly the whole video is a free-ranging denunciation of critics of Israel. The “hoax” is not dealt with in any detail. Karsenty does not present even one piece of evidence to back up his
    outlandish claims.

    If you want a contrast to this lunacy, you can watch a measured report, by a reputable and highly respected TV station, on the killing of Mohamed Al Dura HERE…

    • Deborah Kean 10.1
      26 May 2011 at 6:20 pm

      I wish my connection allowed me to see videos Morrissey, but thank you for the summary… I used look at Frontpagemagazine occasionally, but it was no good for my BP. What a bunch of nutmegs!

  11. NickS 11
    26 May 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Too lazy to copy and redo the links:

    Open mike 25/05/2011

    In summary, Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility New Zealand are talking out of their arses on a recent bit of research. While I don’t like the term scaremongering, it’s the easiest and simplest way of describing their claims, which basically ignore any prior research on the toxicity of glyphosphates and modified Cry toxins from bt bacteria, and basic toxicology 101. i.e. that toxicity is in the dosage and mechanisms of action and that mere presence alone isn’t a indicator of impending doom.

    And their support of various pseudo-science groups, such as NZ based anti-fluoridation groups, an alt-med group masquerading as “health-choice”. Plus ye olde anti-1080 kiddies who don’t understand basic organic chemistry and lack of any actively publishing NZ GMO researchers makes Nick rather suspicious about their ability to interpret teh literature without making first year mistakes.

    And one thing I forgot to add is a link to the successor to the NZ Institute of Gene Ecology, The Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafety based out of Canterbury uni, staffed by people who are actually trained and currently researching issues to do with GMO’s. Who TVNZ should have gone to for an opinion on this instead…

  12. NickS 12
    26 May 2011 at 2:29 pm

    And just to try and drive people to distraction, here’s the instructional video for an origami kiwi. Muwahahaha

  13. Draco T Bastard 13
    26 May 2011 at 4:07 pm

    Here’s some fantastic CGI videos. Although, you do have ask just what happened to all the traffic that those roads are supposed to be transporting went to. Perhaps they all disappeared with the oil…

  14. logie97 14
    26 May 2011 at 5:21 pm

    On Afternoons today, Jim-I-so-value-and-admire-the-Penguin-Mora has quoted the blog as a source for information and valid comment today. What it does seem to suggest is that Jim dwells in the sewers for some of his browsing.

  15. Robert Atack 15
    26 May 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Peak Oil was in 2006 Dr Fatih Birol on National Radio yesterday http://www.youtube.com/user/oilcrash1?feature=mhee#p/a/u/1/k22q5KZibtI
    Dr. Fatih Birol is Chief Economist and Head of the Economic Analysis Division of the Paris-based International Energy Agency. He is organiser and director of the World Energy Outlook series, the IEA’s flagship publication. He is also responsible for providing regular briefing to the Executive Director and Governing Board of the IEA on the economic impact of energy market and industry developments.

    Gerry Brownlee New Zealand Minster of Energy and Resources signed off on this statement on 1 June 2010
    “The Government’s position on peak oil, therefore, continues to be that oil production will not change significantly until 2030, or until some date beyond this. ”

    Its the end of the world as we know it …

  16. johnm 16
    26 May 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Brownlee signed off his credibility in that statement showing how out of touch and blinkered and plain dim he is!Mind you life is a lot less stressful being a Donkey, but! he’s paid a lot of money to wake up, care and be alert as to NZ’s future prospects or threats to those prospects.

  17. Draco T Bastard 17
    26 May 2011 at 8:31 pm

    Can we afford an increased minimum wage? Yes!
    Can we afford capitalists? No!

  18. Jim Nald 18
    26 May 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Originality, creativity and innovation captured in one word for Wellingtonians:

    Wellywood

  19. Campbell Larsen 19
    26 May 2011 at 9:07 pm

    Infratil – a company that is a likely buyer of our energy companies/ public infrastructure, creating a deliberately provocative distraction in the form a of stupid sign to try and get us to forget about a bullshit budget and the lies and corruption that is going on right in front of our eyes.

    Fuck the sign.

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    The Government’s books were better than forecast with a higher GST take as the economy got moving again after lockdown, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Crown Accounts for the 11 months to the end of May indicate the year end results for tax revenue will be stronger than forecast. ...
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    5 days ago

  • Govt releases plan to revitalise wool sector
    A plan to revitalise New Zealand’s strong wool sector and set it on a new, more sustainable and profitable path was unveiled today by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. The newly-released report - Vision and Action for New Zealand’s Wool Sector - was developed by the Wool Industry Project Action Group ...
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    5 days ago

  • Funding for Predator Free Whangārei
    Community efforts to create a Predator Free Whangārei will receive a $6 million boost, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced today. The new funding, through Government company Predator Free 2050 Ltd, will create around 12 jobs while enabling the complete removal of possums over ...
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand to review relationship settings with Hong Kong
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced that the New Zealand Government is reviewing the settings of its relationship with Hong Kong. “China’s decision to pass a new national security law for Hong Kong has fundamentally changed the environment for international engagement there,” Mr Peters said. “New Zealand remains deeply ...
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    5 days ago

  • Funding for Whangārei’s infrastructure projects revealed
    Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced details of a multimillion-dollar investment in Whangārei for infrastructure projects that will help it recover from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 200 jobs are expected to be created through the $26 million investment from the Government’s rejuvenation package ...
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    5 days ago

  • Managed isolation and quarantine update
    Following a second incident in which a person escaped from a managed isolation facility, security is being enhanced, including more police presence onsite, Minister Megan Woods said. “The actions of some individuals who choose to break the very clear rules to stay within the facilities means that more resourcing is ...
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    5 days ago

  • Funding for Kaipara district community waste programmes
    Waste reduction and recycling programmes in Kaipara are set to get a boost with Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today announcing a $361,447 grant from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) Sustainable Kaipara. “The new funding will allow Sustainable Kaipara to partner with local schools, kura, community ...
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    5 days ago

  • Government will support the people and economy of Southland
    The Government will support the Southland economy in the wake of multinational mining company Rio Tinto’s decision to follow through with its long signalled closure of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. “This day has unfortunately been on the cards for some time now, but nevertheless the final decision is a ...
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    5 days ago

  • New transformational tools for the Predator Free 2050 effort
    New tools being developed to help boost Aotearoa’s Predator Free 2050 effort were unveiled today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau. A new rat poison, a camera with predator recognition software to detect and report predators, a new predator lure and a ...
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    6 days ago

  • New Armoured vehicles for New Zealand Army
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    6 days ago

  • Community-led solutions to prevent family violence
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    6 days ago

  • Govt confirms investment in better radiology and surgical services for Hawke’s Bay
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    6 days ago

  • Specialist alcohol and drug addiction services strengthened across New Zealand
    •    New funding for four beds at Napier’s Springhill Residential Addiction Centre •    A new managed withdrawal home and community service, and peer support before and after residential care at Tairāwhiti DHB  •    A co-ordinated network of withdrawal management services throughout the South Island •    Peer support in Rotorua and ...
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    6 days ago

  • Coastal Shipping Webinar
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    6 days ago

  • Support for resilient rail connection to the West Coast
    A $13 million investment from Government will create jobs and improve the resilience of the rail connection between Christchurch and the West Coast, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones and Regional Economic Development Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau say. The funding comes from the tagged contingency set aside in Budget 2020 for infrastructure projects ...
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    6 days ago

  • Major investment in safe drinking water
    The Government is investing $761 million to assist local government upgrade under-pressure water services across the country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.  The announcement was made at the site of the water bore that was found to be the source of the fatal ...
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    6 days ago

  • Supporting stranded seasonal workers to keep working with more flexible options
    Recognised Seasonal Employers and migrant seasonal workers stranded in New Zealand will be able to continue working and supporting themselves with more flexible hours and roles, says Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. The time-limited visa changes are: Stranded RSE workers will be able to work part-time (a minimum of 15 hours ...
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    6 days ago

  • Relief for temporary migrants, employers and New Zealanders who need work
    The Government is making immediate short-term changes to visa settings to support temporary migrants already onshore in New Zealand and their employers, while also ensuring New Zealanders needing work are prioritised, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. We are: Extending temporary work visas due to expire by the end of 2020 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Freshwater commissioners and fast-track consenting convenor appointed
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    1 week ago

  • Appointment of Judge of the High Court
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    1 week ago

  • Feedback sought – Commercial Film and Video Production Facilities
    The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal to better enable the development and operation of commercial film and video facilities in Christchurch. The Proposal, developed by Regenerate Christchurch in response to a request from Christchurch City Council, asks that powers under section ...
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    1 week ago

  • Govt launches bold primary sector plan to boost economic recovery
    The Government has launched a bold plan to boost primary sector export earnings by $44 billion over the next decade, while protecting the environment and growing jobs. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today released Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential, a 10-year roadmap to unlock greater value ...
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    1 week ago

  • Wellbeing of whanau at heart of new hub
    A new approach to prevent family harm that encourages greater collaboration across government and community groups is being celebrated at the opening of a new facility in Auckland. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today opened the Multi-Disciplinary Family Harm Prevention Hub Te Taanga Manawa in Lambie Road in Manukau. The facility ...
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    1 week ago

  • New Report on Auckland Port Relocation
    The Government has released a major new report on the options for relocating the Port of Auckland’s freight operations while deferring any decision on the issue. “That decision needs to be informed by policy analysis that is still to be completed. As a result it will be up to a ...
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    1 week ago

  • Dual place names for Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula features
    The history of Rāpaki is being restored through the inclusion of te reo in thirteen official place names on Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula and around Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō, the Minister for Land Information, Eugenie Sage, announced today.   “I am pleased to approve the proposals from Te Hapū o Ngāti ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government and Air New Zealand agree to manage incoming bookings
    Bookings for seats on Air New Zealand flights into New Zealand will be managed in the short term to ensure the Government is able to safely place New Zealanders arriving home into a managed isolation or quarantine facility, says Housing Minister Megan Woods.  “Last week Air Commodore Darryn Webb and I ...
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    1 week ago

  • $80 million for sport recovery at all levels
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    1 week ago

  • Keeping ACC levies steady until 2022
    The Government is maintaining current levy rates for the next 2 years, as part of a set of changes to help ease the financial pressures of COVID-19 providing certainty for businesses and New Zealanders, ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. “New Zealanders and businesses are facing unprecedented financial pressures as a ...
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    1 week ago

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