Actually disagree mickysavage, there is a court ruling that pipe line should stop. They have not and are carrying on. Also many of these police are crossing state lines. So Obama could call a halt to this at any time, leaving aside that it is currently passing through federal land, it being military land.
No wait, lets not, Obama also has the power to stop it, as commander and chief.
Im responding to the suggestion that it is all Obama’s fault. I don’t understand the intricacies of what is happening so maybe he should make a stand. I was responding to the implication that Obama is wrong but Trump will fix it. If Obama is on a rocky road to hell over this Trump is sitting down there with a devil suit on and holding a trident …
I think Obama did good original reaching out to native Americans, but this is more of the same old, same old from the US establishment. It also he has the ability to not only up hold the law, but to intervene via some many avenues -that is frustrating.
Also with the escalating violence from the police, it is a worry someone has not said stop! I also blame Jack Dalrymple a lot, a hell of a lot actually.
Obama spent his whole first term figuring that republicans won’t give him nothing, reps even went as far as not producing a budget, Obama said he’d close gettmo-fail, recall troops- pass, financial reform – fail, jobs growth- pass, so Obamas a 50/50 president. The only reason his D- is talked about, is because it’s so much better than the F under Bush
The US would be a radically different place if Obama hadn’t have been cut off at the knees by republicans blocking his every move in congress and the senate.
For all the talk about the system failing and people being fed up with stale politics, their lives wouldn’t have been half as bad if they hadn’t voted in tea party, hardliner right wing governors and senators.
It’s always good common sense stuff from me, it’s just you’ve finally found something you can agree with publicly, without fear of getting gang banged by the bigger kids .
So well done, for that, at least. lol
For all the talk about the system failing and people being fed up with stale politics, their lives wouldn’t have been half as bad if they hadn’t voted in tea party, hardliner right wing governors and senators.
Blaming the voters? That’s a winning strategy in a democratic system.
Face facts. Obama has left the Democratic Party in total disarray, at its weakest state in terms of elected legislators since the 1920s, right from the state level through to federal government.
The Republicans now control something like 68 of the country’s 99 state legislatures, and have total control of something like 26 states (state house, state senate and Governor). The Democrats have control of just 7 states.
And in just two months, liberals are also going to lose control of the Supreme Court.
It’s not blaming the voters, it’s holding them accountable to how they voted, and yeah, they did bad, and that’s the only fact worth knowing.
You spout on how the republicans control this and that, which absolutely supports my claim the voters got what they voted for. They, like you, don’t want to admit their part in the mess they’re in, especially when they have a lame duck scapegoat at the ready, as is the way with the modern world.
Why take responsibility when you can blame someone else? 🙄
US voters sh1t lives – Absolutely of their own making.
At least with the republicans controlling the holy trinity, you won’t be able to spin/shill your agenda in 4 years time. Blessings wherever you find ’em lol
Only a modicum of sense, big boy. The Republicans were responsible for only some of what Obama didn’t do. Most if it was for the same reasons Hillary Clinton lost the election. Creative writing course or not, you really are illiterate. Learn to fucking read.
It’s all about personal responsibility, comrade, not a student union or foreign sponsored slogan contest.
But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focussed Democratic Party leadership team.
“But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focused Democratic Party leadership team.”
Yep, and Vivian is a total bastard. Right on, Rick. 🙄
“But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focussed Democratic Party leadership team.”
Yep, and Vivian is a total bast*rd. Right on, Rick 🙄 lol
The great thinker who says Obama was one of the greatest leaders the US has ever had. Yeah, extra-judicial killings, corporate puppet. Shove one of your pathetic lols up your arse.
“The great thinker who says Obama was one of the greatest leaders the US has ever had. Yeah, extra-judicial killings, corporate puppet. Shove one of your pathetic lols up your arse.”
I wrote I can’t recall a president better than Obama, can you? Certainly not either Bush, or Clinton, not Reagan, Carter, nor Ford or Nixon.
Perhaps you could stop acting like a chided child and think about the implications of what you’re actually meaning when you write such guff.
But if you think any of those presidents were better than Obama, so be it, I’m not defeated by a difference of opinion. Just have the nads to go ahead and state it, in public, for all to see and laugh at. lol
“But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focussed Democratic Party leadership team.”
Yep, and Vivian is a total bast*rd. Right on, Rick. 🙄 lol
Obama oversaw the decimation of his party at every level of government. Most of his executive order legacy as President is going to be cancelled by the end of January and the guts of Obamacare put in the deep fryer by mid year.
Yes, a great President.
Meanwhile, here is Obama on the Fallon show saying that Trump will never ever be President.
And Vivian is still such a bast*rd. Thanks for that, Rick 🙄 lol
America would be much better off if it wasn’t for your right wing republicans in congress and the senate. Fact.
Blame the bogey man Obama, like you and US voters have been taught to, but that’s your limitation and your complex, not mine.
Hillary Clinton won a pathetic ~300 out of the more than 3,000 counties in the USA.
The Democratic establishment backed the ultimate status quo candidate in a change election year.
The Democrats are now at a 90 year low in terms of elected legislators and have effectively lost control of every single arm of the US government: executive, congress and judiciary.
And you’re still blaming the public as being the problem?
And it would, on both counts, chump 🙄
Go play your arse lick games with people who have the patience and tolerance for misinformed halfwits and the slogan driven enlightened.
Spare me the inner guilt of having to dismiss you as yet another afflicted inconsequential nothing.
That’s harsh, but you won’t get it anyway, so all good. 🙂
Yep the destruction of indigenous rights is a long term project. Just as here we can look at most political parties being implicated in the loss of rights so it is in the US. It is incorrect to blame an individual for the issue. We can say that any fixes have fallen short and responsibility there is obvious.
Indigenous rights activists know this and fight on here there and everywhere.
The US Constitution is clear on this point. While Trump is the President-Elect, there is only one President of the United States in office. And that is Barrack Obama.
But my guess is that no, there won’t be much reason for the “left” (does this grouping actually exist? Many commentators here tell me there is no such grouping) to rejoice in his handling of this mess which has been left over for Trump to handle by a timid procrastinating lawlessness tolerating Barrack Obama.
If Trump has any chance of making America great again he has to drop a trillion a year in unfunded promises, US defence budget- 1 trillion, makes sense to start there
“Why on earth doesn’t President Obama intervene in this ongoing disaster ?”
Counterpunch
November 23, 2016
Buying Silence: Why So Many Democrats are Mute About Standing Rock
The response from the … Obama Administration to what has been occurring at Standing Rock has left a stain on the end of President Obama’s second presidential term. Despite visiting the Standing Rock reservation in 2014 and affirming his commitment to Native American rights, his administration has remained neutral amid reports for weeks of abuses towards the water protectors.
Most politicians have remained silent or neutral on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) who has claimed to be Cherokee, said she opposes the pipeline when questioned by a supporter, but has avoided making any public comments on the issue. Hillary Clinton issued a neutral, meaningless statement after protesters sat in her campaign headquarters demanding action. Since her defeat to Donald Trump, she has refrained from devoting any effort to addressing the Dakota Access Pipeline. Democratic Party leaders in the Senate, including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, have ignored the issue.
This is likely because the Dakota Access Pipeline is being funded by some of the most prolific donors to the Democratic Party. Sunoco Logistics Partners is set to acquire Energy Transfer Partners, the company constructing the pipeline, while Sunoco will oversee its operation. The owners of the company primarily consist of Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer has been one of the top recipients of campaign donations from Wall Street, and he has encouraged Wall Street firms to spread their donations to other Democrats. After the 2008 economic recession, Schumer received 15 percent of Wall Street donations to the Senate in 2009, nearly twice as much as any other Senator. “Wall Street welcomes expected Chuck Schumer promotion,” read a CNN headline from 2015 immediately following Reid’s announced retirement.
Phillips 66, who have financed 25% of the Dakota Access Pipeline project, is primarily owned by billionaire Warren Buffett’s holding company. Buffett actively campaigned for Hillary Clinton this past presidential election, and has made large donations to Clinton, Obama, and other Democrats over the past several years.
In December 2015, congressional leaders rescinded a 40-year-ban on oil exports, increasing the potential profits the Dakota Access Pipeline could yield its investors if government officials don’t intervene. Based on their slow reaction so far, and the Democratic Party establishment progressively favoring its corporate and wealthy donors, that window of opportunity for the Obama Administration and top Democrats to step in before Trump enters the White House is rapidly closing.
If you watched the video it actually asks that question. It also points out what the establishment are doing. It’s a one party state, with two parties.
We have just moved into our tiny house. 2 adults and 9 and 2 year olds a dog and cat.
I really wondered how my head would cope. It is awesome. Think, if you are watching a movie then the rest of the big house is empty and unused but not for us. Mentally it is about being mindful and present. It may not be for everyone but imo it is future proofing the kids and us.
Wonderful to hear, marty. I wish you and your whanau all the best in your marvelously modest home. Please keep us up to date with how your cosy life goes and flows.
2.7 wide 7 m long 4.25 high. Like a bus without a motor sort of – road legal as in towable with vehicle. We do have a shed and another structure so the tiny house is the heart of the zone. it is new so that is nice.
“The safety of Wellingtonians should come before a $120 million film museum and $90 million set aside for the airport runway extension.”
Councillor Pannett agreed that funding for the reservoir should come before funding for the runway extension, putting her at odds with recently-elected mayor Justin Lester.
When contacted by Newshub, Mr Lester refused to comment other than to say the reservoir was a “priority”.
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff has called on OJI Fibre Solutions to work with the government, unions, and the community before closing the Kinleith Paper Mill. “OJI has today announced 230 job losses in what will be a devastating blow for the community. OJI needs to work with ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is sounding the alarm about the latest attack on workers from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden, who is ignoring her own officials to pursue reckless changes that would completely undermine the personal grievance system. “Brooke van Velden’s changes will ...
Hi,When I started writing Webworm in 2020, I wrote a lot about the conspiracy theories that were suddenly invading our Twitter timelines and Facebook feeds. Four years ago a reader, John, left this feedback under one of my essays:It’s a never ending labyrinth of lunacy which, as you have pointed ...
And if you said this life ain't good enoughI would give my world to lift you upI could change my life to better suit your moodBecause you're so smoothAnd it's just like the ocean under the moonOh, it's the same as the emotion that I get from youYou got the ...
Aotearoa remains the minority’s birthright, New Zealand the majority’s possession. WAITANGI DAY commentary see-saws manically between the warmly positive and the coldly negative. Many New Zealanders consider this a good thing. They point to the unexamined patriotism of July Fourth and Bastille Day celebrations, and applaud the fact that the ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: and on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump’s administration over Gaza and Ukraine; on the ...
Up until now, the prevailing coalition view of public servants was that there were simply too many of them. But yesterday the new Public Service Commissioner, handpicked by the Luxon Government, said it was not so much numbers but what they did and the value they produced that mattered. Sir ...
In a moment we explore the question: What is Andrew Bayly wanting to tell ACC, and will it involve enjoying a small wine tasting and then telling someone to fuck off? But first, for context, a broader one: What do we look for in a government?Imagine for a moment, you ...
As expected, Donald Trump just threw Ukraine under the bus, demanding that it accept Russia's illegal theft of land, while ruling out any future membership of NATO. Its a colossal betrayal, which effectively legitimises Russia's invasion, while laying the groundwork for the next one. But Trump is apparently fine with ...
This is a guest post by George Weeks, reviewing a book called ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin AshtonBook review: ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin Ashton (2015) – and what it means for Auckland. The title of this article might unnerve any Greater Auckland ...
This story was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Within just a week, the sheer devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires has pushed to the fore fundamental questions about the impact of the climate crisis that have been ...
In this world, it's just usYou know it's not the same as it wasSongwriters: Harry Edward Styles / Thomas Edward Percy Hull / Tyler Sam JohnsonYesterday, I received a lovely message from Caty, a reader of Nick’s Kōrero, that got me thinking. So I thought I’d share it with you, ...
In past times a person was considered “unserious” or “not a serious” person if they failed to grasp, behave and speak according to the solemnity of the context in which they were located. For example a serious person does not audibly pass gas at Church, or yell “gun” at a ...
Long stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, February 13 are:The coalition Government’s early 2024 ‘fiscal emergency’ freeze on funding, planning and building houses, schools, local roads and hospitals helped extend and deepen the economic and jobs recession through calendar ...
For obvious reasons, people feel uneasy when the right to be a citizen is sold off to wealthy foreigners. Even selling the right to residency seems a bit dubious, when so many migrants who are not millionaires get turned away or are made to jump through innumerable hoops – simply ...
A new season of White Lotus is nearly upon us: more murder mystery, more sumptuous surroundings, more rich people behaving badly.Once more we get to identify with the experience of the pampered tourist or perhaps the poorly paid help; there's something in White Lotus for all New Zealanders.And unlike the ...
In 2016, Aotearoa shockingly plunged to fourth place in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. Nine years later, and we're back there again: New Zealand has seen a further slip in its global ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). [...] In the latest CPI New Zealand's score ...
1. You’ve started ranking your politicians on how much they respect the rule of law2. You’ve stopped paying attention to those news publications3. You’ve developed a sudden interest in a particular period of history4. More and more people are sounding like your racist, conspiracist uncle.5. Someone just pulled a Nazi ...
Transforming New Zealand: Brian EastonBrian Easton will discuss the above topic at 2/57 Willis Street, Wellington at 5:30pm on Tuesday 26 February at 2/57 Willis Street, WellingtonThe sub-title to the above is "Why is the Left failing?" Brian Easton's analysis is based on his view that while the ...
Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report highlights falling living standards, the highest unemployment rates since the 1990s and half of all Pacific children going without food. There are reports of hundreds if not thousands of people are applying for the same jobs in the wake of last year’s ...
Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Correction: On the article The Condundrum of David Seymour, Luke Malpass conducted joint reviews with Bryce Wilkinson, the architect of the Regulatory Standards Bill - not Bryce Edwards. The article ...
Tomorrow the council’s Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee meet and agenda has a few interesting papers. Council’s Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport Every year the council provide a Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport which is part of the process for informing AT of the council’s priorities and ...
All around in my home townThey're trying to track me down, yeahThey say they want to bring me in guiltyFor the killing of a deputyFor the life of a deputySongwriter: Robert Nesta Marley.Support Nick’s Kōrero today with a 20% discount on a paid subscription to receive all my newsletters directly ...
Hi,I think all of us have probably experienced the power of music — that strange, transformative thing that gets under our skin and helps us experience this whole life thing with some kind of sanity.Listening and experiencing music has always been such a huge part of my life, and has ...
Business frustration over the stalled economy is growing, and only 34% of voters are confidentNicola Willis can deliver. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 12 are:Business frustration is growing about a ...
I have now lived long enough to see a cabinet minister go both barrels on their Prime Minister and not get sacked.It used to be that the PM would have a drawer full of resignations signed by ministers on the day of their appointment, ready for such an occasion. But ...
This session will feature Simon McCallum, Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Computer Science (VUW) and recent Labour Party candidate in the Southland Electorate talking about some of the issues around AI and how this should inform Labour Party policy. Simon is an excellent speaker with a comprehensive command of AI ...
The proposed Waimate garbage incinerator is dead: The company behind a highly-controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in the Waimate District no longer has the land. [...] However, SIRRL director Paul Taylor said the sales and purchase agreement to purchase land from Murphy Farms, near Glenavy, lapsed at ...
The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been a vital tool in combatting international corruption. It forbids US companies and citizens from bribing foreign public officials anywhere in the world. And its actually enforced: some of the world's biggest companies - Siemens, Hewlett Packard, and Bristol Myers Squibb - have ...
December 2024 photo - with UK Tory Boris Johnson (Source: Facebook)Those PollsFor hours, political poll results have resounded across political hallways and commentary.According to the 1News Verizon poll, 50% of the country believe we are heading in the “wrong direction”, while 39% believe we are “on the right track”.The left ...
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs in the region. A new report from Massey University shows that pensioners are struggling with rising costs. ...
As support continues to fall, Luxon also now faces his biggest internal ructions within the coalition since the election, with David Seymour reacting badly to being criticised by the PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Not since 1988 when Richard Prebble openly criticised David Lange have we seen such a challenge to a Prime Minister as that of David Seymour to Christopher Luxon last night. Prebble suggested Lange had mental health issues during a TV interview and was almost immediately fired. Seymour hasn’t gone quite ...
Three weeks in, and the 24/7 news cycle is not helping anyone feel calm and informed about the second Trump presidency. One day, the US is threatening 25% trade tariffs on its friends and neighbours. The reasons offered by the White House are absurd, such as stopping fentanyl coming in ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
The hundreds of jobs lost needlessly as a result of the Kinleith Mill paper production closure will have a devastating impact on the Tokoroa community - something that could have easily been avoided. ...
Today Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, released her members bill that will see the return of tamariki and mokopuna Māori from state care back to te iwi Māori. This bill will establish an independent authority that asserts and protects the rights promised in He Whakaputanga ...
The Whangarei District Council being forced to fluoridate their local water supply is facing a despotic Soviet-era disgrace. This is not a matter of being pro-fluoride or anti-fluoride. It is a matter of what New Zealanders see and value as democracy in our country. Individual democratically elected Councillors are not ...
Nicola Willis’ latest supermarket announcement is painfully weak with no new ideas, no real plan, and no relief for Kiwis struggling with rising grocery costs. ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
“The reality is we’re getting poorer. The government this year is leaning heavy on chasing economic growth, which is absolutely the right thing to do.” ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 The Vegetarian by Han Kang (Granta, $28) Han Kang’s astounding novel was based on an ...
This new docuseries about two single comedians looking for love is also a joyful celebration of female friendship. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. “How many people do you think are boning right now?” Kura Forrester asks Brynley Stent as the bright ...
A new poem by Freya Turnbull. Hunger Song – After Kaveh Akbar (Untitled With Hunger And Matcheads) I hold my age in ripped fishnet hold an empty vessel oldyoung body cracks like gunshot like killa i was a father ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominik Koll, Honorary Lecturer, Australian National University View of the Pacific Ocean from the International Space Station.NASA Earth must have experienced something exceptional 10 million years ago. Our study of rock samples from the floor of the Pacific Ocean has found ...
Troy Rawhiti-Connell reviews Kia Tupu Te Ara, a documentary chronicling the meteoric rise of Aotearoa’s groundbreaking metal band. “Two brothers attempt to storm the world of thrash metal with the Māori language, despite the fact they’re both still teenagers,” reads the synopsis of Kent Belcher’s documentary, Kia Tupu Te Ara. ...
Three freelance writers have been awarded grants to work on their ambitious journalism projects. In January, The Spinoff announced the Vince Geddes In-Depth Journalism Fund, supported by the Auckland Radio Trust (ART). The fund was established to provide much-needed financial and editorial support to talented freelance journalists, empowering them to ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist in Avarua, Rarotonga China has confirmed details of its meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown for the first time, saying Beijing “stands ready to have an in-depth exchange” with the island nation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters during his ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 2023 strategic foreign policy assessment, “Navigating a shifting world”, accurately foresaw a more uncertain and complex time ahead for New Zealand. But already it feels out of date. The ...
Our parliamentary throuple may be the longest running in the country, but cracks are showing. Gabi Lardies wonders if differing attachment styles may be to blame. Though no one ever anticipated happiness or roses in the three-way coalition, the relationship has wobbled on for over a year without breaking up. ...
As Mike White’s dark satire returns for a third season, we look back on some of The White Lotus’s most memorable characters. The White Lotus looks like a dream holiday, but this resort is anything but paradise. Set in an exclusive five star hotel resort, HBO’s award-winning series is a ...
The crux of my message today is that New Zealand needs to bend two curves. One is the long-term economic growth trajectory, which needs to bend upwards to expand our productive capacity and national real incomes. The second is our net public debt ...
Away from the tense scenes on the paepae, under a closely guarded canvas tent, te iwi Māori do the real work of Waitangi: talking. We were invited inside to listen. ...
The Jono & Ben star is self-aware and surrounded by extraordinary women in Three’s latest local comedy series. The first episode of Vince, written by and starring Jono Pryor, opens with intrigue, a loincloth and a man in the middle of some kind of breakdown. As the titular character, a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Barclay, ARC Future Fellow and Professor, Macquarie University Wikimedia “1,000 Letters and 15,000 Kisses” screamed the headline in an 1898 edition of the English newspaper, the Halifax Evening Courier. Harriet Ann McLean, a 32-year-old laundry maid, was suing Francis ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lena Wang, Associate Professor in Management, RMIT University Supplied/AppleTV+ The highly anticipated season two of Severance, released in weekly instalments, has continued to draw interest among viewers around the world. A gripping psychological thriller, this TV series provides an extreme ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia VLADIMIR VK/Shutterstock Conducting scientific studies is never easy, and there are often major disasters along the way. A researcher accidentally spills coffee on a keyboard, destroying the data. Or one ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jude MacArthur, Senior Lecturer, School of Critical Studies in Education, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Phil Walter/Getty Images Seven new charter schools are opening their gates, and ACT leader and Associate Education Minister David Seymour – the politician responsible for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Kilby, PhD candidate in Education, Monash University Charles Parker/ Pexels , CC BY If your young child asks “what’s the meaning of life?” you might laugh it off (how cute!) or freeze in panic (where do I even begin?). It’s ...
The government has set its sights on luring a duopoly disruptor, explains Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Welcome to my final edition ...
Cuts to disability funding are creating worrying impacts, clinicians say - and one author of a government-commissioned report is pleading for the government to rethink their approach. ...
NONFICTION1 Understanding Te Tiriti by Roimata Smail (Wai Ako Books, $25)Number one with a bullet of common sense and concise thinking on the Treaty, boiled down to 32 pages. A free copy of the most important book in New Zealand right now was up for grabs in last week’s giveaway ...
Opinion: Recent media reports revealed Te Whatu Ora did not follow a formal tender process when purchasing $575,000 worth of vaping products from RELX, a company accused of allegedly bribing the New Zealand Government.These latest revelations come after several controversial policy decisions that appear to favour tobacco and vape industry ...
Apologies for lateness …
Standing Rock, now they blowing arms off. PLEASE be warned, the photo is very stark.
Why on earth doesn’t President Obama intervene in this ongoing disaster?
You have to be joking. Trump has shares in the disaster and is looking forward to profiting from it. Why blame Obama?
Actually disagree mickysavage, there is a court ruling that pipe line should stop. They have not and are carrying on. Also many of these police are crossing state lines. So Obama could call a halt to this at any time, leaving aside that it is currently passing through federal land, it being military land.
No wait, lets not, Obama also has the power to stop it, as commander and chief.
Im responding to the suggestion that it is all Obama’s fault. I don’t understand the intricacies of what is happening so maybe he should make a stand. I was responding to the implication that Obama is wrong but Trump will fix it. If Obama is on a rocky road to hell over this Trump is sitting down there with a devil suit on and holding a trident …
Fair enough mickysavage.
I think Obama did good original reaching out to native Americans, but this is more of the same old, same old from the US establishment. It also he has the ability to not only up hold the law, but to intervene via some many avenues -that is frustrating.
Also with the escalating violence from the police, it is a worry someone has not said stop! I also blame Jack Dalrymple a lot, a hell of a lot actually.
Obama spent his whole first term figuring that republicans won’t give him nothing, reps even went as far as not producing a budget, Obama said he’d close gettmo-fail, recall troops- pass, financial reform – fail, jobs growth- pass, so Obamas a 50/50 president. The only reason his D- is talked about, is because it’s so much better than the F under Bush
Why blame Obama?
Maybe because this lawless, dangerous mess developed, is ongoing and is escalating under his watch as POTUS?
Nope it started years before. He should not be blamed for stuff that has been happening for years …
Remind me MS how many years has Barrack Obama been POTUS? Since 2009, right? How many years does Obama need to act?
Don’t give Obama a pass on this long standing festering mess for tribal political reasons.
Come on CV, mickysavage is right. This sort of rubbish has been going on for years, and years. No matter what political party has power.
The US would be a radically different place if Obama hadn’t have been cut off at the knees by republicans blocking his every move in congress and the senate.
For all the talk about the system failing and people being fed up with stale politics, their lives wouldn’t have been half as bad if they hadn’t voted in tea party, hardliner right wing governors and senators.
Finally a modicum of sense from swift Peter.
It’s always good common sense stuff from me, it’s just you’ve finally found something you can agree with publicly, without fear of getting gang banged by the bigger kids .
So well done, for that, at least. lol
Blaming the voters? That’s a winning strategy in a democratic system.
Face facts. Obama has left the Democratic Party in total disarray, at its weakest state in terms of elected legislators since the 1920s, right from the state level through to federal government.
The Republicans now control something like 68 of the country’s 99 state legislatures, and have total control of something like 26 states (state house, state senate and Governor). The Democrats have control of just 7 states.
And in just two months, liberals are also going to lose control of the Supreme Court.
Absolute Democratic led disaster.
It’s not blaming the voters, it’s holding them accountable to how they voted, and yeah, they did bad, and that’s the only fact worth knowing.
You spout on how the republicans control this and that, which absolutely supports my claim the voters got what they voted for. They, like you, don’t want to admit their part in the mess they’re in, especially when they have a lame duck scapegoat at the ready, as is the way with the modern world.
Why take responsibility when you can blame someone else? 🙄
US voters sh1t lives – Absolutely of their own making.
At least with the republicans controlling the holy trinity, you won’t be able to spin/shill your agenda in 4 years time. Blessings wherever you find ’em lol
The political class and commentariat are going to hold the voters accountable???
How fucking moronic and inverted.
Cluetip – that’s not how a democracy works, that’s how technocratic totalitarianism works.
It’s all about personal responsibility, comrade, not a student union sponsored slogan contest.
Only a modicum of sense, big boy. The Republicans were responsible for only some of what Obama didn’t do. Most if it was for the same reasons Hillary Clinton lost the election. Creative writing course or not, you really are illiterate. Learn to fucking read.
But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focussed Democratic Party leadership team.
I’m as illiterate as you are a great thinker. lol
“But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focused Democratic Party leadership team.”
Yep, and Vivian is a total bastard. Right on, Rick. 🙄
“But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focussed Democratic Party leadership team.”
Yep, and Vivian is a total bast*rd. Right on, Rick 🙄 lol
The great thinker who says Obama was one of the greatest leaders the US has ever had. Yeah, extra-judicial killings, corporate puppet. Shove one of your pathetic lols up your arse.
“The great thinker who says Obama was one of the greatest leaders the US has ever had. Yeah, extra-judicial killings, corporate puppet. Shove one of your pathetic lols up your arse.”
I wrote I can’t recall a president better than Obama, can you? Certainly not either Bush, or Clinton, not Reagan, Carter, nor Ford or Nixon.
Perhaps you could stop acting like a chided child and think about the implications of what you’re actually meaning when you write such guff.
But if you think any of those presidents were better than Obama, so be it, I’m not defeated by a difference of opinion. Just have the nads to go ahead and state it, in public, for all to see and laugh at. lol
“But I haven’t seen you advocating any “personal responsibility” for the shitty out of touch constantly losing coastal elite focussed Democratic Party leadership team.”
Yep, and Vivian is a total bast*rd. Right on, Rick. 🙄 lol
Obama oversaw the decimation of his party at every level of government. Most of his executive order legacy as President is going to be cancelled by the end of January and the guts of Obamacare put in the deep fryer by mid year.
Yes, a great President.
Meanwhile, here is Obama on the Fallon show saying that Trump will never ever be President.
And Vivian is still such a bast*rd. Thanks for that, Rick 🙄 lol
America would be much better off if it wasn’t for your right wing republicans in congress and the senate. Fact.
Blame the bogey man Obama, like you and US voters have been taught to, but that’s your limitation and your complex, not mine.
Hillary Clinton won a pathetic ~300 out of the more than 3,000 counties in the USA.
The Democratic establishment backed the ultimate status quo candidate in a change election year.
The Democrats are now at a 90 year low in terms of elected legislators and have effectively lost control of every single arm of the US government: executive, congress and judiciary.
And you’re still blaming the public as being the problem?
No wonder the Dems got reamed.
“The US would be a radically different place…..”
“…their lives wouldn’t be half as bad if they hadn’t. …”
Speculation is rife, but that’s all it is…
Speculation!
And it would, on both counts, chump 🙄
Go play your arse lick games with people who have the patience and tolerance for misinformed halfwits and the slogan driven enlightened.
Spare me the inner guilt of having to dismiss you as yet another afflicted inconsequential nothing.
That’s harsh, but you won’t get it anyway, so all good. 🙂
Yep the destruction of indigenous rights is a long term project. Just as here we can look at most political parties being implicated in the loss of rights so it is in the US. It is incorrect to blame an individual for the issue. We can say that any fixes have fallen short and responsibility there is obvious.
Indigenous rights activists know this and fight on here there and everywhere.
Indeed why has he not? And why has your boy not said anything?
Mean while, behind the muck, Elon is slowly taking over the world. 1.4 MEGAWATTS! Baby, read and weep, be a winner, not a loser
Edit: link; http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-powering-entire-island-solar-panels-batteries/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=elonquotes
Complete edit:
Great link Clump_AKA Sam, well worth the read.
Wonder how long we can keep talking in edit mode
forever
and 9 minutes
🙂
The US Constitution is clear on this point. While Trump is the President-Elect, there is only one President of the United States in office. And that is Barrack Obama.
Deafening silence from your so called champion of working people.
So CV what will Trump do? Will it be reason for the left to rejoice?
Dunno. We’ll have to see.
But my guess is that no, there won’t be much reason for the “left” (does this grouping actually exist? Many commentators here tell me there is no such grouping) to rejoice in his handling of this mess which has been left over for Trump to handle by a timid procrastinating lawlessness tolerating Barrack Obama.
1) repatriat 5 trillion corporate cash, 2) disband NATO, 3) close half all US forign military bases, 4) golf.
Europe is already preparing for a NATO withdrawal, corporate cash is already flowing back into the US.
Making America Great agin is all academic at this point
– 5 year ban on people leaving his administration and then working as corporate lobbyists
– burying the TPP
– a trillion bucks worth of infrastructure spend with support from both sides of the House.
Not sure if the Left will cheer or cry about the TPP, might want to clear that up a bit
Might ask Andrew Little, he seems to think that TPP is not too bad.
Shh, I think that’s Trump on the line, wants to know where all the factories are
If Trump has any chance of making America great again he has to drop a trillion a year in unfunded promises, US defence budget- 1 trillion, makes sense to start there
Although interestingly enough, Trump realises that he has a printing press. The world’s biggest, most powerful, most valuable printing press.
“Why on earth doesn’t President Obama intervene in this ongoing disaster ?”
Counterpunch
November 23, 2016
Buying Silence: Why So Many Democrats are Mute About Standing Rock
Thanks swordfish.
If you watched the video it actually asks that question. It also points out what the establishment are doing. It’s a one party state, with two parties.
NZ isn’t much better. National and Labour have essentially the same economic policies.
Agree with you there. Liberalism is a big house.
We have just moved into our tiny house. 2 adults and 9 and 2 year olds a dog and cat.
I really wondered how my head would cope. It is awesome. Think, if you are watching a movie then the rest of the big house is empty and unused but not for us. Mentally it is about being mindful and present. It may not be for everyone but imo it is future proofing the kids and us.
Sounds like an excellent set up. I cannot stand those ridiculous huge new 350m2 houses with 2 people living inside them.
Yeah times are changing and the old ways of thinking must change too ☺ imo of course.
Wonderful to hear, marty. I wish you and your whanau all the best in your marvelously modest home. Please keep us up to date with how your cosy life goes and flows.
Good on you, sounds like a fun project. Can I be nosy and ask the square metreage?
2.7 wide 7 m long 4.25 high. Like a bus without a motor sort of – road legal as in towable with vehicle. We do have a shed and another structure so the tiny house is the heart of the zone. it is new so that is nice.
That’s impressive, less than 21m ground floor space. Great that it’s portable too could be very handy.
I couldn’t live in that – it would drive me bonkers.
But have watched a few documentaries on tiny living and think it’s a fantastic idea for those who want to give it a crack.
I know some councils are a bit anti – but they need to get on board – there are a lot of people who this appeals to and it should be encouraged.
It’s a hell of a jump and commitment. But bloody good on you.
Hope it goes really well and you are happy there.
Good on you Marty Mars and family. Excellent initiative and showing another way…
All the best
Crikey.
Gutsy move there Marty.
I guess that being on wheels this will add you to the homeless figures ?
Got to be movable for regulations. Not homeless and we are doing it by choice but part of that is affordability.
Fantastic Marty. All the best to you and your whanau.
On ya Marty. I have been seriously thinking of a tiny house for a while but my beloved is not so keen …
Go small, easier to clean and heat. For me the clean bit is a big plus.
Plus added bonus, you get uncluttered, because you have to.
low ceilings and facing the sun in just the right way
You can have tesla power wall and panels installed for 14k, best to just save up 14k
Disclaimer: 30% of my investment portfolio is deployed in Tesla/Solar City/SpaceX or anything else Elon publicly trades
Yep had to downsize stuff considerably
It’s quite enjoyable in a way, once you move all the stuff to the op shop.
Cleaning 14 square metres as opposed to 140 square metres….no brainer!
A surprising number of families raising 3+ offspring in 10 x 2.3 metre buses…they make it work.
Onya marty mars.
Insurance Council lashes out against non-structural damage
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/86768554/insurance-council-lashes-out-against-nonstructural-damage
k…so why am i (or we) in moderation?
You probably have a login using the same “email”. There is a new security protocol that treats comments for emails with logins as being suspicious.
I will check
If I were to comment using a different email than my login one, would I stop going straight to moderation?
Yes. Or I could just send you a updated password. Whichever
Thanks lprent. I am now logged in, using the password you sent, and will see if my comment comes up immediately.
thanks…i probably do, can’t remember , i usually don’t “log in” though i have in an attempt to post past cpl days.
Nope. You aren’t in the users, and don’t match bans.
I’ll have to have a look over the weekend at the logs.
It is quite weird. You appear to sometimes get through and sometimes not.
Yup. All good.
“The safety of Wellingtonians should come before a $120 million film museum and $90 million set aside for the airport runway extension.”
Councillor Pannett agreed that funding for the reservoir should come before funding for the runway extension, putting her at odds with recently-elected mayor Justin Lester.
When contacted by Newshub, Mr Lester refused to comment other than to say the reservoir was a “priority”.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/new-wellington-reservoir-must-be-priority-after-quake—councillor-2016112221