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notices and features - Date published:
5:59 pm, February 16th, 2016 - 69 comments
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The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
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A ripper of a documentary on Maori TV tonight at 8:30, John Pilger’s – The War on Democracy. About how our mates the US has tried to overthrow 50 governments around the world since WWII.
And if the above isn’t enough…… We really need to be on a war footing now with respect to action on Climate Change. Experts are now saying we have less than ten years to get it under control. The window of opportunity to limit Carbon Emissions and prevent runaway global warming is narrowing rapidly. I know there are some who say that it is already too late, and they may be right. Whatever the case, there needs to be cross party agreement and concerted action from us all if we are to have any hope of passing this world on to our descendants in any fit state. In fact less than 10 years.
Of course our Govt has it all under control and we shall buy our way out of the problem with “hot air” credits from shonky dealers.
“We really need to be on a war footing now with respect to action on Climate Change”
I’ve been thinking about this a bit lately too. When people put up the argument that no-one wants to change I think about how the two world wars forced so many people to change for the common good, and can we use those experiences somehow?
We also need to figure out how to dovetail the momentum around the TPPA and sovereignty into climate change action.
It’s only too late if one believes that we’re passed the point of no return for the worst catastrophic runaway scenario. Everything before that gives us and the rest of life more chance than doing nothing.
“I’ve been thinking about this a bit lately too. When people put up the argument that no-one wants to change I think about how the two world wars forced so many people to change for the common good, and can we use those experiences somehow?”
Key word being “forced”. Democracies are not in the habit of electing governments that will kill and threaten their own populace if they don’t follow the rules, which literally seems to be what is required right now in order to get meaningful movement on climate change.
I don’t think killing or threatening is needed. We could try new thinking and activisms.
During the two world wars, there was force used in various ways, but I think people also chose to change because they could understand the seriousness of the situation. The difficulty with AGW is that it’s been too abstract and to far away in time.
Not sure how many ‘chose’ to change rather than were forced to change – this will happen and is happening now and the life during wartime is quite a close approximation of the future imo.
I think some change was enforced by the government and some by circumstance. But I think many people also felt a need to pull together and do the right thing, so it was just people being made to do things against their will.
The two world wars were wars that the leadership elite of various countries wanted to fight. And they corralled their populations into going along.
And in both wars NZ sacrificed disproportionately for other peoples fights.
Not sure how that relates to this discussion or what I just said.
I fear that just as some people do not think it is funny until they actually see the fall-guy slip on the banana skin, the majority of our MSM-led people will not understand that there is a climate crisis until the oceans climb, the crops die, and our societies are collapsing.. Our MSM (assuming they still exist) might recognise it by then..
It may then be too late for that World War spirit to be of any help to us. The willingness to change could arrive too late this time.
But we must keep shouting in the wilderness, because what else can we do?
Watched the 6.pm replay of oral question time in the parliament before. What a disgrace Natcorp refuse to do anything real about dirty industries in this country. Only oneway to make change and that is;
Stop the rot get greedy corporations out of Govt!
Ten years is interesting. I’m usually not a fan of predictions around AGW, PO and GFC, because I think that the whole point of the situation we are in is that it’s very unpredictable and could go any way. But maybe this is a useful timeframe. Will ‘ten years’ motivate us? Or will in ten years time it be used as an excuse for giving up?
Its an assessment based upon our global carbon budget. If we can’t cut our emissions and be on a downward slope very soon we will be forced to go cold turkey. The assessment is also based upon a mid range of climate sensitivity (the Earths response to a doubling of GHG’s). Frankly scientists have been saying this for sometime now, Politicians, and the general public are just not listening. No one can say we have not been warned. The consequences are even now beginning to be felt. Glaciers in the Andes have all but disappeared this year threatening the existence of life there, The Sahal area of Africa is now experiencing its most severe drought in decades, and almost all of Australia is in drought, ocean heat content has doubled since 1990, the ice shelves of Antarctica (which act as the buffer to the massive Antarctic glaciers) are thinning at an alarming rate and when they go, sea level rise will be dramatic.
Seriously there is only one way we can meet this challenge – and it is exactly the same if we were involved in a world war.
There needs to be no bickering, by anyone, there must be cross party agreement, all resources need to be focused on combating the enemy (Carbon emissions) and a singlemindedness of purpose as only seen in times of desperate situations.
AGW is silent and unseen but it is real and will be more deadly than anything we have ever faced. Already more people die from heat waves than from bush fires. Millions are dying right now from famine caused by extensive drought. Wars are being fought because of food scarcity partly as the result of drought. And that is just the start.
I agree with you that a cross-party consensus on a ‘war footing’ is what is required, but its not going to happen because there is nothing forcing our leadership elite to make it happen.
Time to buckle in for a rough ride.
“and it is exactly the same if we were involved in a world war.”
I don’t disagree with what you are saying Macro – I’d only say that the hit1er mo goes on us all and that is one of the real problems in getting the war footing going.
We’re a consumerism, profit driven society now. We weren’t in the 1910s nor the 1930s.
Is our leadership willing to change the entire ethos of what and how we prioritise as a society?
It doesn’t look like it to me.
nor me tbh
I’m not waiting for our so called leaders.
Good answer!!! and me too.
lol – now that is a cool emoticon
I’m trying to expand my repertoire 😀
I hadn’t seen such a distinct timeframe set before.
As always it’s easier to see what needs to be done rather than how to do it 😉
Seen this…
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11590604
Penny’s not commenting till she reads the judgment. I wouldn’t mind having a look at that too. Pity the Herald didn’t publish a link. Appeal Court next I expect.
Excellent.
Cyclone Winston is aptly named. First he builds to a Cat.4 cyclone and threatens the Pacific Isles then pulls away at the last minute. Then he buggers around in the mid-latitude tropics for several days leaving everyone mystified as to what he’s going to do next. Now he’s popped back to the tropics to recharge his failing batteries and get up to speed again just when we thought he was a spent force. Around mid-next week he heads south again and if he maintains his current projected position will hit us fair and square in the belly. Or he will curve southeastwards (most likely scenario) and give us one hell of a lashing with his tail.
http://metvuw.com/forecast/forecast1.php?type=rain®ion=swp&tim=216
Typical Winston.
ha ha, nice one Anne.
Laughing stock
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/16/prestigious-academic-to-quit-new-zealand-after-autistic-son-refused-residency
Key is a laughing stock.
This is a humiliating outrage. Big difference.
These ones get up my nose. and I know, I know, BUT these photos should be returned to the descendants of those photographed imo – so the Government buys them and returns them – simple.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11590579
Not a lot of money to buy them either. I wonder if one of the museums will look at that.
Why, what’s so special about these photographs?
If the descendants want them, they can bid on them.
why should I explain it to you eh? why the fuck should I bother eh boy?
Explain it to me owww, show me the way of the true Maori!!!
no – go back home, they can teach you, and if you don’t know where home is try the nearest marae
but remember we are all different – don’t be sucked into thinking us Māori all think the same – that way lies only pain and anguish and spiritual despondence imo 🙂
You were impressively restrained there MM
I’m trying to be nicer and not take my dysregulation out on other people 🙂
You are an embarrassment BM. If there were a report button, I’d use it.
Good story tonight on Te Kaea re OECD survey shows NZ teachers in top 4 for professionalism, and what is more – NZ teachers continue their professionalism if they’re in low decile schools which apparently does not happen in other countries.
Interestingly – nothing like this on TV3 Newshub – just lotsa funny stuff re dildoes.
Distraction journalism, I suppose.
Was there anything re this OECD survey on TV1 News ? We didn’t watch that.
anyhow – here’s ayoutube link to the Te Kaea item.
https://youtu.be/WCTNb1451gs
Anyone got a list of html tags for comments on ts? (I’ve seen the short list in the FAQ).
tonight the standard failed
trp, you stopped comments on the twerk for daddy thread.
no more soap jokes
no more dildo jokes
no more daddy jokes
no more ponytail jokes
fail
big time fail
chicken shit stinking up the old jalopy.
what is your malfunction with this one – I’m just saying your outrage seems disproportionate to what has happened – I don’t want to know, but might be time to look inside for the answers – for the sake of your health mate.
I think weka was onto it earlier today when the comment was made about the complexity of the issues debated in the thread.. important issues, complex and intertwined.
yet here was everybody just laughing at these issues
kind of makes the whole arena a joke, so thought it might spark up some actual thought by heating the thing up and putting the jokes up in huge bright lights for all to see on one big sign …..
….. obviously too much
But everybody wasn’t just laughing at these issues. Some people found Ruby’s actions funny, but there was plenty of serious discussion in that thread, including about the issues you raised.
I didn’t see your removed comment. But if it was anything like the attempt at the soap joke the other day then wtf with complaining about being offended? You can’t have it both ways.
Well I applaud your desire to want to debate this at deeper levels and yes, it was too much.
you’re not making much sense vto.
I think you need to see the deleted comment, now impossible
Or you could explain what you did.
Not a great fan of comments on a thread being close arbitrarily (on the twerking for daddy thread).
Hi, weka. I decided to respect the wishes of the person at the centre of the matter. In the digital age, once something is out there, there’s no controlling it. But after reflecting on it during the evening, I thought, fuck it, tonight the Standard reverses the trend. We were asked to ‘stop the war’ by a clever young person who clearly knows her mind. I reckon she made a good call.
Fair enough – maybe she too bit off more than she could chew
@trp 10.1 Well that certainly sets a precedent :-/
Putting up an explanation is useful, shows respect to all the people who put time and effort into the conversation today, including those in the past hour or so who cannot now be replied to.
Thanks, weka. The stop the war comment was gnawing at me all evening and when one of the commenters lost it, I though this was a good time to make a stand. Apologies to the last few who commented, yourself, CV, and McFlock from memory, I trust you’ll all be happy to be part of a small bit of TS history, even if your excellent final contributions didn’t get an airing.
I don’t know what she meant by the ‘stop the war’ comment. I took it as one of those comments by people who don’t like arguing or arguments, rather than being anything to do with her wanting or asking for this to not be discussed.
I don’t think there was a war, it was just the usual kind of argument that happens here, pretty mild compared to other times (apart from vto going ott).
I suspect she read some of the comments and was put off by what she found. Given that this was probably her first time here, it’s understandable that she might not appreciate the ‘robust’ nature of debate here. She already thinks Key’s a tool, I’d hate for her to think we’re no better. And elections are won one vote at a time, after all.
Anyhoo, yet another 5am start, so that’s it from me tonight. No doubt I’ll be up to some similar shenanigans tomorrow. I’ve got this post in mind; the omnibus all purpose Standard debate starter. All your buttons pressed in one handy 500 word piece.
On ya weka, on ya Standardistas. Night.
seems reasonable.
The tweet post already had more comments than the character limit for tweets
I think you’ve been had. There’s nothing clever about her instagram account. It’s all pictures of food and Fall Out Boy. I think she’s a simple attention seeker…
…just like her Valentine.
Looks like TRP bit off more than he could chew today.
I suggest everyone relax and leave Davina and John to it.
It was Valentine’s Day after all…
Now that is a good note to end on pour moi..
TRP did bite off more than he could chew, and yes, we should leave Davina and John to it….
I finally laugh
You, sir, can go fuck yourself. Something I’m sure you’re well used to.
weak manwoman
The inimitable vto…
As Kojak would say: who loves ya, baby? You’re beautiful.
I thought it was a well considered call to end it where it was at. Good call cobbah!
Cheers, Skinny.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/15/crime-terrorism-and-tax-evasion-why-banks-are-waging-war-on-cash
and just to accentuate the point…
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/15/mario-draghi-european-central-bank-japan-china
https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-jan-exports-slump-6-6-y-o-025148513.html
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/16/bank-of-japan-launches-negative-interest-rates-yen-markets
Maybe if he was a Saudi business man or a casino operator the Government would cut him a deal.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/16/prestigious-academic-to-quit-new-zealand-after-autistic-son-refused-residency
If he was a morbidly obese German with legal problems but $10 million bucks to invest, the Government would find a way to let him in