Daily review 11/10/2019

27 comments on “Daily review 11/10/2019 ”

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1. Robert Guyton 1

   11 October 2019 at 5:48 pm

   This, in my view, is stunning!

   "Meet the teenager kicked out of school for too much climate protesting

   Among the hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists who blockaded a street in Wellington today, there was a teenager who got temporarily kicked out of his school for protesting too much. Alex Braae reports.

   “My mother, when she first found out, was a little enraged that I was skipping classes to go and hang out with an old man outside parliament. That didn’t go down too well.”

   So said 15 year old Micah Geiringer, who finished up his 60 day vigil at parliament two months ago, standing alongside Ollie Langridge who clocked up 100 consecutive days of protesting.

   They’re two of an increasing number of people willing to inconvenience themselves and their own lives, in order to call for action on climate change.

   On Monday, around 300 Extinction Rebellion protesters turned up outside the offices of the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, with small groups blockading entrances, and larger groups standing on Stout Street, which runs on to Lambton Quay. They intend to stay there for the whole day.

   MBIE was chosen as a target because of their role in signing off on the exploitation of fossil fuels.

   Periodically, groups would swarm onto Lambton Quay itself, blocking traffic for around ten minutes, before retreating back again onto Stout St. As with the recent climate change march to parliament, there were plenty of onlookers from the surrounding office buildings.

   Micah said he has personally faced consequences for his protesting, in particular from Wellington High School. “I was asked to come into a meeting with the deputy principal, and she said this was against the school’s kaupapa. So basically if I continued to protest, I’d be taken off the school’s roll, and I did continue to protest up until Ollie’s 100 days.”

   He says he was taken off the roll, and subsequently explored correspondence school or going to a different school, but in the end was allowed to return.

   The year 11 student says he conscious of the fact that he has probably affected his own education by being absent from school for so long, but that it was time spent actively learning. “I think it will impact my learning for a very long time, with the NCEA programme I can catch up next year, and I can do extra work. But learning in that classroom environment – I did miss out on quite a lot.”

   However, he says he doesn’t have any regrets, because he’s looking at a bigger picture of what his future will hold. “You also have to weigh it up with the fact that during that protest, I did learn a lot, and was doing things that would help create a future. If I went to school and didn’t do that, I may have not been contributing to a movement that is establishing a future for me to use my education in.”

   https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/07-10-2019/meet-the-teenager-kicked-out-of-school-for-too-much-climate-protesting/
   • David Mac 1.1

     11 October 2019 at 6:24 pm

     Stands of this kind achieve nothing by themselves. It's action that gains momentum when the 1000's of us too comfortable to contemplate spending weeks on the steps of the Beehive plant 2 trees, Ollie and Micah.
2. Grant 2

   11 October 2019 at 6:08 pm

   Related to Erich and Felix?
3. greywarshark 3

   11 October 2019 at 6:39 pm

   Two stories from Australia with a common link.

   One is about a lecturer who has revealed faults in handling foreign students at his university on television. He indicated fraud by the entity. They have suffered a drop in enrolments they say amounts to millions and are suing him for exposing them.

   Dr Schroder-Turk was one of three Murdoch academics who told a Four Corners investigation in May that they were concerned for the welfare of a group of Indian students who were failing courses in higher than normal numbers.

   Four Corners found Murdoch University was one of a number of Australian universities admitting international students below its own published English standards, or through other means without taking an independent English test.

   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-11/murdoch-university-sues-four-corners-whistleblower/11591520

   The other story is about the child of a student from Pakistan. He is very damaged by a disorder he has and needs round the clock care. The family are to be sent home but say that the pressure in the aircraft is too hard on the 5 year old boy.

   Shaffan Muhammad Ghulam has a rare genetic disorder called chondrodysplasia punctata that affects the development of his bones.

   He suffered a partial break on his spine when he was six months old, leaving him paralysed.

   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-11/paralysed-child-facing-deportation-over-cost-of-medical-care/11591222

   Australia wants to make money out of these foreign students who hope for a better life if they get their education. But Australia cannot guarantee that and students can't blackmail them into giving them a job and work. Also the hard economics of profit are leading to a breakdown in the standards and amenities that students expect and rely on.

   In this case the situation of cost for maintaining children who can never be viable as adults is a huge problem. We are seeing animals trying to cope with climate change and do a little for them. What can humans expect – a fairy godmother for us? Humans who are healthy will not be able to cope; there is no way we can offer a lifetime of constant care to children and young people who can't self-manage.
   • Rosemary McDonald 3.1

     11 October 2019 at 9:43 pm

     "…can never be viable as adults…"

     Is that the sound of the cattle cars clanking into the sidings I hear?

     Be happy, Greywarshark, in your brave new world of Perfect People.
     • In Vino 3.1.1

       11 October 2019 at 9:52 pm

       Sad to say, Rosemary, there are no longer any cattle cars clanking about on this country's toytown railway system. A brave new world of decent railway systems might be a start…
     • greywarshark 3.1.2

       11 October 2019 at 10:33 pm

       You don't get it Rosemary. You are the one who wants things perfect – for you.

       I'm talking about the disaster we are living in which will get worse. We are gong to have to start thinking about making sacrifices for other people not just demanding the rights to anything that we can make a case for.
       • Incognito 3.1.2.1

         11 October 2019 at 11:08 pm

         Do you know anything about Rosemary’s situation and her story, e.g. that she looks after her paralysed partner?
         • In Vino 3.1.2.1.1

           12 October 2019 at 12:05 am

           Well, I did not, and sorry Rosemary. None of us are pro-eugenic.. When we write about the big picture, we forget to think of individual circumstances. I now understand your criticisms of social support withheld by successive mean governments. This current one claims it will take time. I am cynical enough to fear that we will all die waiting. Kia kaha, or, as the French say, bon courage.

           I will try to be more tactful and supportive.
           • Rosemary McDonald 3.1.2.1.1.1

             12 October 2019 at 6:39 am

             @In Vino.

             Please, don't put yourself out. I don't comment here seeking support or understanding.

             Just trying to present, occasionally, the case for those who some here seem to find it repugnant that they exist and consume planetary resources that the gods have clearly decreed are only for those who the likes of Greywarshark decide are worthy.
         • Rosemary McDonald 3.1.2.1.2

           12 October 2019 at 7:15 am

           @Incognito.

           Out here in the real world Greywarsharks are ubiquitous.

           Not as loud and obvious perhaps, but they're there. Everywhere.

           You think the person you chat to sees past the obvious 'handicaps', sees the fellow human with a life, experiences, feelings and relationships just like them….then they do the "I could'nt live like that." thing and it's all over.

           You get to the stage of having to accept most folks are like Greywarshark and their ilk…

           What appeals to my personal sense of ironic humour is that the likes of Greywarshark think they're being oh so brave to put forth their ''radical' ideas into the public arena. They seriously think their way of thinking is somehow new.

           Evolution, eh?
           • Drowsy M. Kram 3.1.2.1.2.1

             12 October 2019 at 12:26 pm

             Rosemary – if only there were more of your ilk; your put-downs appeal to my sense of humour.
           • Incognito 3.1.2.1.2.2

             12 October 2019 at 1:41 pm

             Some commenters share more personal information here than others. This can provide a unique context of and for their comments if other commenters are aware of it. Assuming this to be the case can create (or avoid) misunderstandings. In the absence of personal information, commenters (and readers) fill in (the) gaps with their own assumptions. Again, these assumptions do often go untested and are seldom corrected even when such reality-check is fairly obvious. This can lead to even more misunderstandings.
           • weka 3.1.2.1.2.3

             12 October 2019 at 2:19 pm

             I notice she stopped short of making suggestions of what should be done with the disabled child.
             • Rosemary McDonald …

               12 October 2019 at 3:19 pm

               @Weka. I briefly considered offering GWS a link to the Wikipage explaining the various methods used to cull chickens.

               Luckily I have not yet learned to link from my phone…
           • greywarshark 3.1.2.1.2.4

             13 October 2019 at 11:16 am

             "You think the person you chat to sees past the obvious 'handicaps', sees the fellow human with a life, experiences, feelings and relationships just like them….then they do the "I could'nt live like that." thing and it's all over."

             Dear Rosemary – You can't handle the thoughts of a simpler more basic-living society that to cope with life has to face the natural limitations that as humans we have to live with. We have tried being super-human and have messed up the world, which is responding to our magical thinking in its ponderous way. We can start off changing our ideas to being grateful for having the chance to exist for a time, something we take for granted as with so much.

             I don't expect you to understand this. But people who are looking to the future and hope to see us live better than just survive in constant armed skirmishes are thinking how we will all have to hang together, or surely we will hand separately.

             How to keep living as communities who care for each other, will mean accepting that we must expect to both give and take with respect for the good of the whole community. And what is given to each and taken by each must respect both the person and the community as well. At present we are very much self-centred and that enables you to disparage me for suggesting an alternative.
             • solkta …

               13 October 2019 at 11:44 am

               I think the self centred position is the one that posits that some people should be considered not 'viable'.
       • Rosemary McDonald 3.1.2.2

         12 October 2019 at 6:30 am

         "We are going to have to start thinking of making sacrifices of other people…"

         FIFY.

         Then again, in your world Greywarshark these children aren't real people are they?

         Will you be happy to be person who determines the viability of each individual child?

         And if, in your infinite wisdom and your avowed commitment to the greater good of humanity, determine a child is not 'viable' and will never be ' self-managing' have you worked out what method would you,personally, deploy to eliminate them?
4. David Mac 4

   11 October 2019 at 6:47 pm

   I like tonight's Daily Review pic. Anybody running defence for Donald is going to look like Munch's Scream much of the time.

   I can think of few tougher jobs, being Donald's breakfast TV umbrella under that constant rain of poo.

   Every time I see new footage of Rudy he looks more and more like he'd be at home in a Scorsese project alongside Joe Pesci and De Niro.
   • Andre 4.1

     11 October 2019 at 6:51 pm

     That thing he does with his eyes is much scarier than when he merely unhinges his jaw.

     edit: or if video is more your thing, enjoy:
     
     • David Mac 4.1.1

       11 October 2019 at 7:00 pm

       It's hard not to wonder what news would prompt Rudy to respond as he does in your link…it's got to take something like 'Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is your biological brother."
     • David Mac 4.1.2

       11 October 2019 at 7:08 pm

       Rudy is the ideal guy for Dennis the Menace to have as a shield. I can't ponder the guy without visualising him in a dusty flak jacket as the twin towers tumbled…and I'm as American as Kina fritters. Rudy has a place in US hearts. I think they like him like they like the likeable hoodlums Pesci plays.
     • A 4.1.3

       11 October 2019 at 9:17 pm

       He's got great expressions.
5. Ad 5

   11 October 2019 at 8:05 pm

   Nicole Rosie is an excellent choice for NZTA CE.

   Finally a human with a soul.
   • Sacha 5.1

     12 October 2019 at 2:53 pm

     Good to hear. How did you encounter her?
6. greywarshark 6

   11 October 2019 at 10:33 pm

   Franklin D Roosevelt on democracy
   The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself.

   That, in its essence, is fascism – ownership of government by an individual, or by a group.
   • In Vino 6.1

     12 October 2019 at 12:38 am

     Good quote. I wonder if Roosevelt realised that it had already happened in his own country. Probably yes..

     A Doco called 'The Men Who Built America' goes through the deeds of icons like Vandebilt, Rockefeller, Carnegie, etc and after seeing what those bastards were like it does not surprise me that the so-called leader of the "Free World" is a country of hypocrisy and falsity.

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