Daily Review 02/09/2016

15 comments on “Daily Review 02/09/2016 ”

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1. Quasimodo 1

   2 September 2016 at 6:51 pm

   John Key is the strongest argument I know for reintroducing the checks and balances of an upper house discontinued in ’51 by people who set out to act as an an electoral suicide squad.

   We may soon be fighting suicide bombers in Iraq or Syria .. but we would do well to first have a hard look at our own back yard.
   • Draco T Bastard 1.1

     3 September 2016 at 10:21 am

     The US system is the strongest argument I know that proves how an upper house does absolutely nothing for the governance of a country except to make it even more unstable.
     • Quasimodo 1.1.1

       3 September 2016 at 11:55 am

       Where is the evidence for your proposition ?
       • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1

         3 September 2016 at 12:34 pm

         Have you noticed that the US still passes bad laws? Patriot Act?
         Have you noticed that when both houses are aligned their administration flows quite smoothly including the passing of bad laws?
         Have you noticed that when both houses are on opposite sides even good laws don’t get through?
         Have you noticed that both their houses seem to be owned by the corporates?

         An upper house of parliament doesn’t do what you think it does.
         • Quasimodo 1.1.1.1.1

           3 September 2016 at 1:29 pm

           None of your red herrings changes the history of 1951 which could gain new relevance should the Korean situation unfreeze in some unexpected way.

           My argument is based on separation of powers, formulated in ancient greece https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers
           which lack thereof in this country has given John Key an easy ride.

           Your argument pivots on undefined ‘good’ and ‘bad’ laws so is unprovable.

           I would probably agree on ownership – but still defend the hard-won doctrine of checks and balances which this polity lacks.
           • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1.1

             3 September 2016 at 1:43 pm

             Separation of powers has nothing to do with having two houses of parliament but the actual constitution. BTW, we actually do have separation of powers in NZ but it’s not as well defined as in the US constitution and our parliament is defined as the highest court in the land as they happen to make the laws – with no real restrictions on them which is, again, a constitutional matter.

             And, yes, we have a constitution as well but it’s made up of our laws rather than as a single document that defines what the laws of the land can and cannot do. An example is our BORA. It’s a constitutional law but parliament, in making laws, can ignore it as it’s not supreme law.
             • Quasimodo …

               3 September 2016 at 1:57 pm

               Sophistry. The oracle Wikipedia tells us
               “Separation of powers, therefore, refers to the division of responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. The intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.”
               .. which Aotearoa lacks.
               • Draco T Bastard …

                 4 September 2016 at 12:12 am

                 Not really. It’s not a black & white thing.

                 If I my stuff wasn’t packed I’d get a reference for that as well.

                 And still, separation of powers has nothing to do with having a dual house parliament.
             • Foreign waka …

               3 September 2016 at 6:57 pm

               So true, but would not be a actual written constitution.
               These are officially the only countries listed as democracies without written constitution:

               United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
               Israel is generally considered democratic, but has no constitution.
               Canada explicitly follows UK model.
               New Zealand has no codified constitution.

               When no written constitution exists, the government is free to “interpret” it however the parties in power choose.
               Hmmm….. so what does this mean for NZ?
2. Anne 2

   2 September 2016 at 7:58 pm

   Sorry to hear that Bomber and Willie’s “Waatea Fifth Estate” presented their final show this evening. I didn’t watch all of them, but overall they attracted a wide variety of influential people from senior economists, union officials, politicians (including all the political leaders – bar JK) and some of our best investigative journalists. I have the impression they ran out of money and general resources. However Bomber advised they have applied for a NZ On Air grant so they can repeat the show next year – election year.

   I will be closely watching to see if they are successful. Given the high standard they achieved – technical problems aside – if NZ On Air turn them down, we can safely assume political bias and interference on the part of the govt.
   • b waghorn 2.1

     2 September 2016 at 9:46 pm

     Yes he’s developed his style from the c7 show he did , a bit less shouty , it’s good.
   • Garibaldi 2.2

     3 September 2016 at 5:38 am

     I couldn’t agree more Anne. Bombers Friday show was the highlight of the media week for me. I would happily help fund him but their system wouldn’t accept my debit card. Will there be political interference in his application for funding? My bet is yes.
3. whispering kate 3

   2 September 2016 at 9:10 pm

   In today’s Herald I have seen that Pahiatua in the Wairarapa has declared an e-coli contamination in their town water supply and has advised the citizens to boil their drinking water and the council are now chlorinating the supply as well. Apparently some of the citizens have been boiling their water for a some time as the town has a history of contaminated water supply. I saw this in this morning’s online Herald but I notice its not there now, I wonder if it has been withdrawn for obvious reasons.

   How’s the Government going to explain this if further small towns on bore supply find themselves getting sick. So I suppose they will put it down to the birds pooping in the supply again, anything but to have to say the f word – and I mean farming livestock there.
   • tc 3.1

     2 September 2016 at 10:34 pm

     Tick tock, times up for some. Others await.
4. joe90 4

   2 September 2016 at 11:54 pm

   Keeping America white.

   .@realDonaldTrump: "It's called America First … remember that!" We do! pic.twitter.com/kX3yeBdHiR— Col. Morris Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) September 1, 2016

   Trump Makes White Nationalist Proposal; Media Doesn't Notice https://t.co/ulXgiwN7u5 via @HuffPostPol pic.twitter.com/r7RjoDypI4— Joe Sonka (@joesonka) September 2, 2016

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