April fool Pete George released from ban…

Written By: - Date published: 1:53 pm, April 1st, 2015 - 113 comments
Categories: admin, scoundrels, The Standard - Tags:

One of the problems with writing anything on April 1st is that it can be misconstrued. But surely everyone must realise that this cannot be when I say that Pete George was released from his ban this morning.

Something that he was clearly bracing himself for yesterday when he directly lied about this site yet again

While Chris Trotter at Bowalley is prepared to debate, and Red Alert (the Labour Party blog) is defunct, there’s something in common with a number of the other lefty blogs – they all seem to have an intolerance of views different to their own. That’s not just a lefty blogroll, it’s also a list that contains all the blogs who have banned me (but not No Right Turn bans where all comment except from it’s author is blocked).

Whale Oil, The Standard, The Daily Blog, Dim-Post and Public Address have all had hissy fits at being challenged or having alternatives to their controlled message being expressed.

On this site he gets booted for his behaviour, not those tedious and badly thought through opinions that he put in comments.  I rather suspect that this is also the case on the other high comment blogs that he gets bans from, including Whaleoil.

With Pete George, about the only thing you can absolutely rely on is that he doesn’t know why he has opinions. It is painfully clear that the ignorant fool has never thought them through.

On this site, over many many comments I have observed that, when challenged on his ‘opinions’ that the lazy and gutless wonder doesn’t try to deal with the limits of his knowledge. Instead he always seems to try to shift the topic or starts whining that people ask him to clarify or provide background. When told that he is wrong and given links to read, he seldom seems to read them.

Essentially he acts like a media parrot, repeating things that he has heard or read on media without ever bothering to understand the issues. The underlying motivation appears to garner attention. We have all run across people like him before, they are those boring knowitall gabbling chatterers that everyone avoids at parties, BBQs, and other social events.

But we don’t boot him for that, regardless how many requests we get from other commenters (and authors).

All high comment blogs have rules which you expect to follow when you are on those sites. They are there to minimize the amount of work that the moderators have to do. But Pete often doesn’t follow the rules as can be seen in this comment to an author that got him banned.

Thanks for the reminder about your deliberate dishonesty.

And thanks for the opportunities to keep demonstrating your dishonesty. So far you’ve managed to keep that out of your authoring (that’s been promising) but you’ll find it’s difficult to keep the two separate – lying at one level will end up impacting on another.

He attacked one of the new authors directly and personally, which is something that I can do but he is very limited in what he can do. That is against the policy about attacking the site or authors. That policy is in there for a particular reason. It is hard to get authors to write for nothing on a site. So we tend to protect those people who give up their time to do so because this is the authors site.

But what got him banned was not that directly. It was that he managed to make a whole long comment thread about this purported “dishonesty” and didn’t provide ANY examples. Not one link. No referenced quotes to point to it. Nothing…

While reading the comments to determine this, I saw that he’d been warned by other moderators for several things. This included pointing out the sections of the policy that I would eventually use to decide to ban, and a warning when he implied that he would ‘out’ the author.

The comment and subsequent discussion was a complete waste of moderator time including mine. His ban was almost entirely for that.

His ban had nothing to do with “…at being challenged or having alternatives to their controlled message being expressed”. If we’d wanted to do that, then he would have been banned from our site months ago.

 

113 comments on “April fool Pete George released from ban… ”

  1. Tracey 1

    Sadly, the only part of this post he will read or understand is his name.

  2. fisiani 2

    What we’re not prepared to accept are pointless personal attacks, or tone or language that has the effect of excluding others.

    So which part of policy is ignored when I am referred to as FizzyAnus or homoerotic attack “jokes’ are tolerated and even celebrated by moderator? Is that not tone or language that has the effect of excluding others?

    • Tracey 2.1

      If PG was correct (in the quote above) you would be perpetually banned. But you are not.

      Nice to see you back, I miss your sense of humour and canny way of mocking the PM and his party relentlessly with their own mantras.

    • weka 2.2

      “So which part of policy is ignored when I am referred to as FizzyAnus or homoerotic attack “jokes’ are tolerated and even celebrated by moderator?”

      I agree this is wrong, and it undermines the debate (and I’m sure puts people off). I also have to wonder about peple who need to equate the human body with abuse. Problem is, the rules say you can pretty much be as rude as you like so long as you make a political point (hence no pointless abuse, but pointed abuse is tolerated). If the moderators start moderatoring for rudeness, they’d have a much bigger job, and there’d be way more arguments over what is fair/reasonable. Plus there’s the impact on the robust debate ethos. Where’s the line?

      • lprent 2.2.1

        Exactly. We will target outright bigotry.

        However we are really not going to waste time trying to get people to be sensitive to other people in a situation where the social cues are pretty slim and the audience is diverse. These are arguments not politeness contests. Being abusive to one degree or another is going to happen because it is one of the few ways to express feeling that jumps across the text barrier.

        Furthermore, while I can slice and dice people in text without ever bothering to be abusive, this is a learned skill that I have picked up over decades on the net. Newbies are essentially defenceless. Allowing pointed abuse is worth while simply to even up the playing field a bit. Kids learn how to be abusive early – ask any parent. As they get older, most refine the techniques and learn control on when it is used. Exactly the same thing seems to work with internet newbies.

        Not to mention I’d lose my main tool on educating trolls. There is no point in being nice to those arseholes.

        So we just make sure that there is some kind of obvious point to each comments that use any abuse and that they relate in some way to the conversation/debate/argument. We will let some polite pointless abuse through if it is actually witty. Doesn’t happen often.

        • Skinny 2.2.1.1

          Lol this is the funniest April fools page/joke I’ve read all day!

          Cheers Coobah lol.

      • Tracey 2.2.2

        I agree. However the irony of fisiani’s possibly faux outrage is not lost on me given his/her deliberate strategy to inflame in his/her posts.

        • weka 2.2.2.1

          I’m not sure it is faux outrage, but I found your response to Fisiani re mocking funny, thanks for that. And yeah, Fisiani gives as good as they get, so if they don’t want to be called names they probably should stop troling.

          • Tracey 2.2.2.1.1

            the irony is even bigger if the outrage is genuine.

            I can’t recall fisiani on the roastbuster threads or other threads where gender and other epithets abound, expressing disgust at the name calling.

    • lprent 2.3

      See my reply to weka

    • Skinny 2.4

      Yes Fisiani I thought the FizzyAnus was a tad rough, ‘fizzing at the bung’ used in context, would have been much less offensive don’t you agree?
      Some people have poor tastes. I nod my head at the shame of it.

    • felix 2.5

      Probably the first time I have ever agreed with fizzy, but I have always found the anally-oriented name calling directed toward him (I have always assumed fizzy is male) pretty tasteless. In my opinion there is an underlying homophobic subtext.

      I often refer to our little friend as “fizzy” because I know it annoys him, but I would never make fun of his anus.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 2.5.1

        If Fisi were thinking clearly he’d recognise these nicknames for what they are: backhanded compliments: a sign that he gets under people’s skin, as I’m sure is his intention.

        As Tracey says, his outrage is feigned.

      • McFlock 2.5.2

        not sure about homophobic or homoerotic insults being used against fizzy, but the “fizzy anus”-style comments just strike me as plain old potty humour. Not only do I respect potty humour, I might have made one or two of those comments myself.

        Lying arseholes like fizzy attract piles of insults, and if that gives fizzy roid rage then frankly it’s a hole in one… 😛

        edit: Oh, wait, after a particularly sycophantic fizzy comment I suggested that there were flecks of jk’s cum on fizzy’s mouth. That wasn’t so much “homoerotic” as a simple reference to fellatio. The emphasis wasn’t on fizzy’s gender, just on the exceptional lipservice fizzy was doing for john key.

        • tracey 2.5.2.1

          I must say it has always struck me as to be akin to calling him a hairy arsehole, but he clearly feels it is a homosexual reference.

    • Hateatea 2.6

      Fisiani, I take offence at how people abuse your name and agree that it isn’t appropriate.

      As for your comments- that is where I part company with you. Constant references to ‘ Honest John’ have me reaching for the vomit bowl and divert my attention from your message, if there is one.

  3. Sacha 3

    “On this site he gets booted for his behaviour, not those tedious and badly thought through opinions that he put in comments. I rather suspect that this is also the case on the other high comment blogs that he gets bans from ..”

    Repeatedly ignoring instructions about expected conduct and having a go at the blog’s moderator was certainly the reason on Public Address. Like turning up at a bar and attacking other guests and the manager again and again, then feigning surpise when you’re trespassed. He reliably lowers the tone wherever he goes.

    • Pete George 3.1

      Funnily enough that’s not quite how I remember it (and it’s presumably still on record). Someone claimed Nicky Hager had never been wrong in any of his books and I challenged that claim. I showed that he had admitted mistakes himself in Dirty Politics, and there are a number of other assertions or implications that have been strongly challenged. However you and a couple of others didn’t like this ‘behaviour’ and kicked up a fuss which led to Russell kicking me off. Sound familiar?

      What you also haven’t explained is that you seem to have a wee obsession with shutting me up here too. Can’t have dissent in the ranks, can we.

      “He reliably lowers the tone wherever he goes.”

      You’re making that up, unless you stalk me everywhere I go online.

      Have you ever wondered what people think of your intolerant tone? Some here are obviously going to be be comfortable with it, but that’s just some.

      “Like turning up at a bar and attacking other guests and the manager again and again”

      Very funny, who attacks who? Political forums that aren’t up to debate or alternative opinions should make it clear they are limited to a yes club shouldn’t they?

      • weka 3.1.1

        🙄

        Sacha, I’m proud of your intolerance there, keep it up mate.

        • Sacha 3.1.1.1

          Comes naturally when exposed to that toxic shade of beige.

          • Pete George 3.1.1.1.1

            Funny how the insidious swarm. Hasn’t taken long, has it.

            • weka 3.1.1.1.1.1

              White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) is an informal, sometimes disparaging and offensive term for a group of high-status and influential White Americans of English Protestant ancestry. The term applies to a group believed to control disproportionate social, political, and financial power in the United States. It describes a group whose family wealth, education, status, and elite connections allow them a degree of privilege held by few others.

              When the term appears in writing, it usually indicates the author’s disapproval of the group’s excessive power in society. The hostile tone can be seen in an alternative dictionary: “The WASP culture has been the most aggressive, powerful, and arrogant society in the world for the last thousand years, so it is natural that it should receive a certain amount of warranted criticism.” People seldom call themselves WASPs, except humorously; the acronym is typically used by non-WASPs.

            • tracey 3.1.1.1.1.2

              ever wondered how fisiani lasts here if anyone who dissents is banned and hounded out?

      • Sacha 3.1.2

        Peter, we could ask the actual person who banned you to come explain himself, but history suggests that’s a waste of our time and his. I trust readers to make their own judgement about who is the most reliable reporter on this. You can believe whatever you like.

        However your repeated behaviour destroys conversations and any sense of community. That’s a problem. I wish you gone because discussion places like this have value. Otherwise I have no interest in your boring little existence.

        • Pete George 3.1.2.1

          No, what destroys conversations is exactly what you and weka and OAB are demonstrating now. How long will it take this time for you to whine about me disrupting a thread? Then niggle for banishment? Same old pattern.

          It’s bemusing but quite funny to see the levels of petanoia. Fear of what? I’m quite harmless.

          • weka 3.1.2.1.1

            Curiously enough, the only thing that went through the mind of the bowl of petunias as it fell was ‘Oh no, not again’.

          • Sacha 3.1.2.1.2

            Given that the post is actiually about you, Mr George, for once you’re not disrupting the focus, just living it out in public .. again. Enjoy the righteousness.

            Edit: ah, I see it won’t be for long.

            • felix 3.1.2.1.2.1

              You’ve confused him now. He doesn’t realise there are threads that aren’t about him.

  4. John Shears 4

    So are you all saying effectively that Fisiani is actually a bit of a Fizzer and that his contributions are really a waste of time? Just asking.

  5. fisiani 5

    There is no false outrage. I submit an opinion from the Centre of politics and am showered with gratuitous childish scatological insults all of which are deemed fair comment simply because the tribe has spoken. I never swear at anyone, I thank those who acknowledge the fairness of my legitimate complaint.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1

      “the Centre” 😆

      • Pete George 5.1.1

        Fisiani seems fairly moderate to me, and I suspect I’ve engaged with a lot more righties than you have online.

        Hard righties can be as bad as hard lefties at labeling anyone different as the opposite extreme. I think most are simply incapable of accepting or understanding variations in views across the spectrum.

        • weka 5.1.1.1

          The poodle is a group of formal dog breeds, the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle (one registry organisation also recognizes a Medium Poodle variety, between Standard and Miniature), with many coat colors. Originally bred in Germany as a type of water dog, the breed was standardized in France. The poodle is skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. Poodles have taken top honors in many conformation shows, including “Best in Show” at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and 2002, and at the World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.

        • MrSmith 5.1.1.2

          “I think most are simply incapable of accepting or understanding variations in views across the spectrum.”

          Pete didn’t you mean to write.

          Or accepting the views across most of understanding in spectrum are simply incapable variations I think.

    • tracey 5.2

      There you go again. You are a scream dude/dudess. Your parody is fabulous. Why can’t others see you are anti government cleverly using their slogans to mock them?

  6. Pete George 6

    Lynn, you’ve accused me of lying in:

    While Chris Trotter at Bowalley is prepared to debate, and Red Alert (the Labour Party blog) is defunct, there’s something in common with a number of the other lefty blogs – they all seem to have an intolerance of views different to their own. That’s not just a lefty blogroll, it’s also a list that contains all the blogs who have banned me (but not No Right Turn bans where all comment except from it’s author is blocked).

    Whale Oil, The Standard, The Daily Blog, Dim-Post and Public Address have all had hissy fits at being challenged or having alternatives to their controlled message being expressed.

    Where is the lie in that?

    [lprent: Ok, since you appealed. In effect you are appealing previous judgements. Jurisprudence indicates that an appeal has to find that the laws and process were improperly followed.

    So lets see you find evidence to the contrary in previous bans. Go and find any instance on this site where you have been banned where this site got upset at “…being challenged or having alternatives to their controlled message being expressed.”, as opposed to being kicked off for violating an existing rule on our site that you either walked too close to, ignored or disliked.

    I already checked while writing the post and there are none. I have provided explanations each time for why you were banned framed in terms of OUR policy. So show me one where that isn’t the case.

    You have consistently lied here and on other blogs about why you were banned. You have been banned from other blogs and then lied about why you were banned. In my opinion, you are a toxic blogger who seems to lie. In all cases you appeared to lie to play the victim.

    To give you an incentive – you are banned for a year for lying about this site – unless you can provide one by the end of easter. Then I remove as much access as I can to this site from you.

    Note that your posts attempts to say that we have an ulterior motive for banning you. You will find that listed in our policy as a self-martyrdom offense. It is also the only offense that that I follow people outside this site for and exert penalties here.

    I will keep my occasional eye on spam for your answer. I will also watch your site in case you give up in your search and try your characteristic evasions and trademark bullshit. ]

    And you have stated:

    With Pete George, about the only thing you can absolutely rely on is that he doesn’t know why he has opinions. It is painfully clear that the ignorant fool has never thought them through.

    Is that deliberate lying? Or ignorance? Or can you substantiate it?

    [lprent: We can discuss that when and if you get back. Kind of pointless for me to exert effort otherwise. ]

    • weka 6.1

      In various episodes, Santa’s Little Helper can be seen chewing on newspapers and other objects in the Simpsons’ household, destroying furniture, and digging holes in the backyard. In “Bart’s Dog Gets an F” (season two, 1991), he manages to infuriate the entire family by destroying valued items in the home. As a result, Homer and Marge want to get rid of the dog, but Bart and Lisa convince them that he can be trained at an obedience school. Santa’s Little Helper does not do well there as Bart is unwilling to use a choke chain suggested by the instructor. The night before the final exam, Bart and Santa’s Little Helper play, thinking it will be their last few hours together. This bonding breaks down the communication barrier, allowing the dog to understand Bart’s commands, and consequently pass the obedience school.

    • the pigman 6.2

      Do I lose if I get baited into responding to him?

      “Where is the lie in that?

      How about here, Pete? “The Standard… [has] hissy fits at being challenged or having alternatives to their controlled message being expressed.”

      As you know, The Standard is pretty far from having a controlled message, its authors disagree on many things, and its commenters disagree on most things. You know this. You also know that this is a lie that infuriates lprent whenever you bandy it about, so why keep doing it?

      I don’t have time for many of the other blogs you’ve mentioned (I think the Dim Post is excellent in most respects, though) but I have some sympathy for them with regard to dealing with you. If you are copping bans or inciting “hissy fits” at blogs across the political spectrum, is it time to consider that, perhaps, it is not their moderation policies that are the problem, but rather

      [dramatic chord]

      … you?

    • the pigman 6.3

      Aww now he’s banned again 🙁

      Prayin’ for ya Pete.. can you perform an Easter Miracle and resurrect yourself by Sunday?

      • tracey 6.3.1

        It’s what he really wants, a ban to prove to himself that he is threatening to others because of the truth he speaks… he has this self righteous view of himself as a martyr. That his criticisms on this site are almost always of the Left speaks volumes about whether he sits in the centre or not.

        For the record I think the centre in NZ is now well to the right (if that makes sense)…

        Pete and Fisiani want to see themselves as the average NZer, that way they can pretend to represent a majority and thereby reinforce their own views of the world.

      • David H 6.3.2

        Naaa there’s only been one that may have done that. Depends if you are religious. I can’t see PG doing that. Well it is Easter, so you never know, but I won’t hold my breath.

  7. logie97 8

    PG must feel he has arrived. A whole post dedicated to him.
    And he can comment on it as well.
    This is Pythonesque.
    “Is this going to be the Five Minute Argument?”
    “No it isn’t”
    “Yes it is!!!”
    “No it isn’t…”

    • weka 8.1

      😀 thanks logie, that’s brilliant. Almost a shame he set a world speed record for getting a ban. Classic though. Let’s all come back on April 1st 2016.

  8. philj 9

    Oh no PG has returned. I have better things to do.
    The Standard is not the right place for PG. TV1 perhaps?

  9. So, been a way a couple of hours. Did I miss anything?

    • vto 10.1

      No. Try back again next week. Though it will likely be worse then.

      • weka 10.1.1

        Did you not see the good news above?

        • vto 10.1.1.1

          aha so I see

          oh well the ball is well and truly in PG’s court now.

          come on PG show us your stuff

          I am sure we will all readily read your response to mr prent’s requirement for evidence of your claim about him

          … the court is clear …… the crowd hushed ……. …….

  10. les 11

    Pete George ,why not just ignore him and not respond to his posts if they are so repugnant?

    • vto 11.1

      oh its so much bigger than that now ………. shhh

    • weka 11.2

      “Pete George ,why not just ignore him and not respond to his posts if they are so repugnant?”

      That only works if everyone does it. And they never do (although today was pretty good).

    • There’s a great post on Freethoughtblogs about “ignoring the trolls”:

      … silence is a reaction, which is the third problem with the feeding metaphor. Not only is it behavior, but it is highly rewarding behavior to trolls. The important thing to remember about trolls is their purpose. It isn’t to get attention for themselves per se. It is to control the conversation.
      http://freethoughtblogs.com/almostdiamonds/2012/02/28/dont-feed-the-trolls-is-bad-science/

      • From my experience dealing with naughty children, the reason they pester others is to garner attention and to revel in the wicked glee of stirring up outrage. So they either get a time out or get retribution in kind. A time-out is more civilised than letting trolls create chaos.

  11. Lloyd 12

    In reading this I realised Pete and Fizzy think they are “centre” in politics.
    This may well be the case if they include the USA political spectrum. When you look at the New Zealand political spectrum over the last 130 years or so you realise that the present National government is actually far to the right of almost any other government. In supporting ‘Honest John’, Pete and fizzy are in with the brownshirts. Sorry guys you are far right, not “centre”.
    Socialism is mainstream and centre in New Zealand and don’t you forget it! Labour is THE centre party.
    If you ask any National politician to name ten or so pieces of legislation they are proud their party passed in Parliament , nine out of ten would have started out in the left of the political spectrum. Unfortunately there isn’t much that “Honest John’s” team have passed that anyone would be proud of, including Adolf. At least Adolf got to take over the countries he sent his armies off to invade, and didn’t have to ask the locals for permission to allow his soldiers to fire their guns…..

    • fisiani 12.1

      Lloyd gets the Godwin award. Comparing the National party and Honest John Key to the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler shows the blinkered risable extremism of the nutters on the Left yet again.

      • Sable 12.1.1

        I always worry when someone feels obliged to use adjectives like “honest” to describe someone. Its akin to calling a cheap $20 buck watch from China a “deluxe” timepiece.

        • David H 12.1.1.1

          @ Fisi Reminds me of those old..

          Honest John – Car salesman.
          Honest John – Insurance sales man.
          Honest John’s – Snake oil salesman.

          Now can you see why calling TricKey honest, is more about you having rose coloured glasses on, with Blinkered sides. Than your own thoughts. But you parrot on with the platitudes memorised and that are frankly dishonest.

        • felix 12.1.1.2

          lol yep or a country with the word “democratic” in its name.

      • tracey 12.1.2

        And calling a guy who is on record of lying and/or misleading the voters of NZ more than 250 times, Honest John, makes you what? Even tempered and sane?

        Godwin, like PC is the refuge of those unable to argue the actual points raised. Designed to shut down a discourse.

        BTW only yesterday you said

        http://thestandard.org.nz/april-fool-pete-george-released-from-a-ban/#comment-994346

        you don’t call people names yet here you are calling Lloyd a nutter.

        • weka 12.1.2.1

          heh. I suspect that link will come back to haunt fisiani quite a few times. Unless he successfully argues it’s ok to demean someone for their perceived mental health but not for their sexuality 😉

        • fisiani 12.1.2.2

          Comparing John Key with Adolf Hitler is clear evidence of mental illness. No sane person could do so.

        • fisiani 12.1.2.3

          I never said I don’t call people names.
          I said I do not swear. Do you not know the difference or just making things up again

          • McFlock 12.1.2.3.1

            Pretending that treating us like fucking morons (such as pretending that you are the voice of the “Centre of politics” or that key is “honest”) is somehow better than explicitly calling us “fucking morons” might be an excuse to derail or even be an honestly-held opinion, but it’s still bullshit.

          • the pigman 12.1.2.3.2

            Fizzer, you are railing above ^^^ not at swear words but tone/language that has the effect of excluding others. Don’t you agree labeling someone a “nutter” does exactly that?

            Nothing there about not swearing. Did you just pull that out of your ar— rear end – or are you attempting to obfuscate in respect of your hypocrisy?

            Incidentally, I don’t get how FizzyAnus is homoerotic/homophobic. Just sounds to me like someone who is literally fizzing forth with shi— spurious claims and unsupported arguments.

            • McFlock 12.1.2.3.2.1

              lol
              it might refer to the ginger beer method as used by the Cable Street Particulars.

  12. fisiani 13

    Socialism is a form of mental illness and should be in the DSM. I am convinced that all my critics here have to be nutters.

    • the pigman 13.1

      SOCIALISM IS A FORM OF MENTAL ILLNESS.
      WAR IS PEACE.
      FREEDOM IS SLAVERY.
      IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

      Keep drinking that fizzy kool-aid, chap.

    • McFlock 13.2

      Who’s more mad – the nutters in the nut house, or the allegedly sane person who chooses to live there?

    • fizzy lies yet again.

      Socialism = a flourishing democracy and civil society. Not some totalitarian boogeyman dreamed up by Fox News.

      Equating Capitalism with freedom and democracy is the big lie of our time. It’s just a buzzword to allow corporations to trample human rights, exploit the poor, and pillage the environment.

  13. felix 14

    Poor old Pete.

    He finally gets what he’s always wanted, a post on TheStandard that’s all about him.

    And we use it to talk about fizzy’s concerns. 😀

  14. lprent 15

    For anyone interested, Pete George announces proof of a moderator violating the policy with Eddie imposing a ban after PG made an assertion of fact without bothering to back it up with anything.

    As usual the lazy fool doesn’t provide it where specified and he clearly hasn’t ‘read’ the policy.

    This is my reply.

    Do you ever read our policy to the point where you understand it? Perhaps you should have read it before writing this post.

    The policy clearly states (and has been in there since about late 2008 or early 2009):-

    This includes making assertions that you are unable to substantiate with some proof (and that doesn’t mean endless links to unsubstantial authorities) or even argue when requested to do so. Such comments may be deleted without warning or one of the alternatives below may be employed. The action taken is completely up to the moderator who takes it.

    So you made an assertion of fact and a moderator called you to provide proof on it. This is explicitly defined as being an offense in the rules of our site.

    Because of your track record of avoiding providing proof of your assertions (a tactic that we call avoidance), Eddie imposed a time limit and a penalty in advance (just as I did here). It took you a day to find anything that fitted your assertion, and that was in an online forum that most people wouldn’t have had any access to. However the ban was lifted after you provided the required standard of evidence.

    So no, if you’d put this in front of me on our site as was specified, then I’d have rejected it because it was a moderation based purely on policy.

    BTW: You did “appeal”. After I wrote a post saying that you were a liar on this site about our site, you said…

    Lynn, you’ve accused me of lying in:

    While Chris Trotter at Bowalley is prepared to debate, and Red Alert (the Labour Party blog) is defunct, there’s something in common with a number of the other lefty blogs – they all seem to have an intolerance of views different to their own. That’s not just a lefty blogroll, it’s also a list that contains all the blogs who have banned me (but not No Right Turn bans where all comment except from it’s author is blocked).

    Whale Oil, The Standard, The Daily Blog, Dim-Post and Public Address have all had hissy fits at being challenged or having alternatives to their controlled message being expressed.

    Where is the lie in that?

    Since I’d explained already where the lie was – that we don’t do that. I imposed a ban forcing you to prove your assertion that we banned you because outside of our clearly stated rules.

    Now for wasting my time and being stupid enough to point to a ‘banning example’ where a moderator forced you to provide proof of a similar unsubstantiated assertion of fact, I will have to think about doubling the penalty for wasting my time by making your plea here rather than where it was specified.

    I have to say that you rather remind me of that lazy git Cameron Slater who is currently having to plead for a chance to put an appeal to the Appeals court because he didn’t put in the paperwork in on time last year.

    You have until Monday

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups

    Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it

    The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Targeted supports to accelerate reading

    The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology

    With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...
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    2 days ago
  • Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final

    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Driving structured literacy in schools

    The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...
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    3 days ago
  • Labour’s misleading information is disappointing

    Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.   “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine

    The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill

    Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government unlocking potential of AI

    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government releases Wairoa flood review findings

    The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...
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    3 days ago
  • Promoting faster payment times for government

    The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...
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    3 days ago
  • Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech

    E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward.  Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses

    Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test

    More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction

    Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Māori Education Advisory Group established

    The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review

    The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight

    Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...
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    4 days ago
  • Have your say on suicide prevention

    Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...
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    4 days ago
  • Action to grow the rural health workforce

    Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost

    Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians

    Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris.  “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New appointments to the FMA board

    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • District Court judges appointed

    Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender

    New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Improving access to finance for Kiwis

    5 September 2024  The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.  “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia

    As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer

    Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations.   “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • More choice and competition in building products

    A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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