Malta and Luxembourg raced to become Europe’s first country to legalise home growing (Malta won). The new German coalition government has agreed to fully legalise cannabis for adult use – showing how it can be done, by just doing it!
In 2021, five additional US states — Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia — legalised cannabis for adult use. That means that an additional 42 million Americans were liberated from the oppressive and failed policy of marijuana prohibition.
State lawmakers also took steps to ensure justice for individuals with prior cannabis convictions. California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and elsewhere moved to either seal or expunge the convictions of around 2.2 million people who formerly faced the lifelong stigma of a cannabis criminal record.
"oppressive and failed policy of marijuana prohibition.".
We of course are going to have an attempt at this introduced here.
The propose that we will make it illegal for anyone under the age of about 14 today from ever being able to buy or smoke tobacco. Bet that turns out to be a marvelous triumph. I'm not going to bother looking up the details of what the proposal really is because it will be the greatest stuff-up since the US had their eighteenth amendment fiasco.
The Chekist thug has memory-holed his predecessors' atrocities.
Liquidation of the International Memorial
12/28/2021
On December 28, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation decided to liquidate the International Memorial.
The formal reason stated in the suit of the General Prosecutor's Office is the absence of the label “foreign agent” on some materials. During the hearing, the inconsistency of these claims was clearly demonstrated.
But today, the court finally named not a formal reason, but the real reason for the liquidation of the International Memorial: the General Prosecutor's Office claims that we are misinterpreting Soviet history, “creating a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state,” “lashing out criticism at the state authorities”. And the state, according to our opponents, is beyond criticism.
The decision of the Supreme Court once again confirmed that the history of political terror organized and directed by the state authorities remains for Russia not an academic topic of interest only to specialists, but an acute problem of our time. Our country needs an honest and conscientious reflection on the Soviet past; this is the guarantee of her future. It is ridiculous to believe that the judicial liquidation of International Memorial will remove this issue from the agenda. The entire Russian society needs to remember the tragedies of the past. And not only Russian: the memory of state terror unites all the former Soviet republics.
Of course, we will challenge the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in all ways available to us. And we will find legitimate ways to continue our work. A memorial is not an organization, it is not even a social movement. The memorial is the need of the citizens of Russia for the truth about its tragic past, about the fate of many millions of people. And no one will be able to "eliminate" this need.
The crocodile tears are falling, forgetting that that time of history was the result of yet another capitalist inspired war that dragged the Soviet Union in by capitalist German aggression
Stalin was a product of those capitalist aggression times. But still a Hero in many ways.
Wash your mouth out with soap – Stalin was the worst of men – a true peer of Hitler.
"Even if you could tear the head off an elephant, if you are without humanity you are no hero."
Not a hero – a totalitarian despot utterly lacking in humanity or indeed any other redeeming features – a ruthless self-serving power seeker that only fascist fanboys and America-hating ignoramuses could admire.
Anyone who supports Capitalist versus Capitalist wars such as the two world wars are partly culpable for the 27 million Soviet Citizen's death toll from WW2, not forgetting the lack of acknowledgments in recent WW2 commemorations for the Soviet contribution on defeating the Fascists. ie Hitler who is more akin to your beloved American Administration than Stalin
Big on projection Byd0nz, but fact free as usual – I don't love the US – they do plenty wrong – but their wrongs do not exculpate totalitarian despots.
No-one who pretends to progressive values can go beyond Churchill's "If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference of the Devil in the House of Commons." in respect of Stalin.
Stalin got a lot wrong without external help – though blind prejudice and ignorant folly may pretend otherwise.
I dont hold much out for quotes from a racist like Churchill. He did'nt give a shit about Soviet people neither do the ones spilling crocodile tears over the original subject of the post I was commenting on.
There's going to be a lot of angry NZers tonight. Person who has just tested positive for omicron, came over the border, did 7 days in MiQ and was meant to do 9 days in self isolation. Went into the Auckland CBD on Sunday and Monday. Including to a night club and bars.
The infected person was active in Auckland's CBD on December 26 and 27.
Among the places visited was the Impala Nightclub.
They also visited Sunny Town Chinese Restaurant in Lorne St, Partridge Jewellers, Ahi Restaurant and Soul Bar.
Meh, was always going to happen. Better to get omicron out and about early as all the data is pointing to it having a hospitalisation rate of less than .01%
11000 cases and 60 hospitalised in NSW. Hardly scary stuff
[next time you want to make a claim of fact about covid, put up a link to back it up. See Fireblade’s comment and link below for actual NSW rates – weka]
I didn't say you made it up, I said you have to provide a link to the claim of fact. This is important. You're presenting an argument based on facts, Fireblade presented a different set of facts, if you provide back up we can actually talk about the views rather than someone's randome reckons on the the internet. This isn't FB, we're here for the robust debate.
you said 60 in hospital btw. Not 625. I don't know what you're on about, and I'm not going to parse a google search to try and figure it out. Make the argument if you can.
You realise that this is a contagious disease and the 0.0125% rate isn't fixed in stone. At some point the hospitalisation rate can't get any higher because there aren't enough beds.
I used the same set of facts as fireblade, 625 total minus the 550 odd from the day before came to 68 hospitalisations. On the day when 11000 odd new cases came in.
I gave you daily cases and daily hospitalisations. Apples with apples, not single apples with the sum total of the harvest.
What? Fact. There are people who are hoping this is the beginning of community spread for Omicron because it is a far, far milder version of Covid than Delta meaning fewer deaths and serious illness among those infected.
If by "precaution" you mean the likes of Vit D, zinc etc, well those things don't prevent infection, but lessen severity of infection. I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
I guess if I get determined to avoid infection and any chance of future immunity, I might throw in a Listerine gargle in the event of Omicron spread, if I'm around dense groups of people (hit those at a rate of ten to the dozen these days) …maybe a 1% Johnsons baby shampoo nasal rinse too. (the irony 🙂 )
You can make up whatever shit about me you like Weka. Though alternatively, you can if you like, and only for the sake of comprehension, read my comment.
Curious. When you write of "people around me who are also at risk from covid", I assume you are referring to people who are at a higher risk of severe illness or death rather than just risk of infection, yes?
If so, and seeing as how Omicron seems to essentially waltz past that double vaccination, the Listerine and Johnston's shampoo gargle and washes are worth reading up for anyone sensibly concerned for their well being.
I know that for me, seeing as how data is sparse on effects in those with no immunity (either from pharmaceuticals or previous infection) – then hey.
It's a simple question Bill: are you hand washing, mask wearing, scanning/signing in, social distancing etc as advised to prevent spreading covid?
Curious. When you write of "people around me who are also at risk from covid", I assume you are referring to people who are at a higher risk of severe illness or death rather than just risk of infection, yes?
No. Until we know how omicron impacts on long covid rates, including from asymptomatic infection, I will continue to protect myself and others. It's not hard, it builds resiliency, and it future proofs us for another pandemic. Or the next variant.
Mmmm…you know that washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding crowded spaces and respecting personal spaces is what some of us do as a matter of course…whether we're living in the Time of Plague or no, no?
Not having partaken of the Pfizer Product doth not a barbarian make…
And you still haven't answered my easy to answer question 🤷♀️ That's three opportunities to do so.
It's not an irrelevant question. If people are arguing that we're better off with letting omicron have free rein, then it's reasonable to want to know if those people are not taking precautions to limit spread and help protect people. It's also not unreasonable to think they probably aren’t given the position on omicron.
The question you asked was (quote) have you stopped taking precautions then?
The relevant portion of my answer was, and for the fourth time – (quote) I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
Three weeks ago (or however long ago that was) I could sign into some places that I can no longer sign into – that's changed. But since 'yesterday'? Or in light of today's news? And tomorrow?
As I already pointed out, (fifth time now) nothing changes.
btw – I don’t advocate giving Omicron “free rein” – never have. There are people in society who need protection. That has always been the way with Covid, but the “powers that be”, by dint of the way they have distributed a leaky vaccine, obviously beg to differ on that point.
Pendant away all you like. I asked really clearly,
are you hand washing, mask wearing, scanning/signing in, social distancing etc as advised to prevent spreading covid
You've now implied that you sign in and will continue to do so. What about the rest? Really odd that you just won't say.
As I already pointed out, (fifth time now) nothing changes.
I don't know what you were doing before, so this doesn't answer my question.
btw – I don’t advocate giving Omicron “free rein” – never have. There are people in society who need protection. That has always been the way with Covid, but the “powers that be”, by dint of the way they have distributed a leaky vaccine, obviously beg to differ on that point.
What do you advocate then? Because I thought you were arguing that we will be fine with omicron because it's mild, will protect us from Delta, and therefore we should stop restrictions.
I advocate for a public health response that's based on health and best medical practice – not politics, as has been the case to now.
As said elsewhere, all of the data from across nations indicates, that in terms of raw numbers and regardless of observed infection rates, Omicron inflicts far fewer instances of serious illness and results in fewer deaths than Delta. Seeking to preserve the presence of Delta when it's observed that Omicron displaces Delta is medical malfeasance that will cost lives.
I've been looking forward to this day. The milder omincron will hopefully wipe out Delta and all the fear mongering will cease. I am also looking forward to the day in the not too distant future that people start to realise how illogical and mad many of the rules are. This was evident to me today as I walked into a packed food court and every person sitting was maskless, while those walking within the space had to wear a mask, makes no sense. Now that Omicron's come to the party, hopefully it will bring some sanity when the fearful and mindless realise it's nothing but a sniffle. Woop woop!
Done – it's been a while but now that the new regime has entered full swing guess I will be in often to check out just how the liberals are narrating the situation 🙂
Would love to know what you are talking about. I guess you are metaphorically tapping the side of your nose to those who know what you mean ……no second thoughts sounds as though it could be a bit 'wrong' wing as we call it now.
I have not met anyone who is afraid. I have met many who are sensible and continuing to mask up, physically distance etc. It is not life as it was pre Covid and adapting to a new way does not mean people are afraid or being reckless.
To add to that, the unvaccinated are banned from using the food court arent they? But they are allowed to walk past and around the food court within the mall. Shameful really isn't it. Like an overnight private takeover of public interests.
What pisses me off the most is that the media was running this relentless campaign, day after day, about people missing out on MIQ. And the government caved and let people self-isolate at home and then the inevitable happened. How many people will now say "why do I have to self-isolate when that guy didn't?".
The media never had stories about the medically vulnerable or the elderly and how grateful they were for covid-19 being kept out of NZ.
Wow!! I am booked in for my booster at the hospital on Jan 12th. This is getting quite worrying. I don't think those who frequent bars and clubs will give up their New Year Parties, so stay home and celebrate small. Get your booster, use all other methods to be safe as many of us could not survive this. Keep your spirits up and those saying we are just scaremongering.. you go first we will wait to see how you do. Older and yes wiser.
Thing that worries me is whether the people who say it's the beginning of the end of covid will stop doing all the things to prevent spread, or if they will now believe that there's no point.
The vast majority of us will Patricia…do what your Mum told you to do…drink plenty of fluids, take your vit c, your vit D3 (about 5000IU) your Zn (about 20mg) eat your veg and get plenty of sleep. Keep the doors and windows open.
Agree Weka, the jury is still out on the potential impact of Omicron on our community. It seems to spread rapidly and therefore possibly put pressure on our health system with the sheer numbers needing care.
I had not realised the bloke had breached his isolation when he went out and about. We were lucky once with the Aussie tourist in Wellington who did a full weekend of sightseeing with Delta but did not pass it on.
So booster, masking, scanning in, physical distancing. Apart from the booster, due January, I have not stopped doing the masking etc, even while out in the streets. In my suburb most people are masked when out, in fact today I saw only three who were unmasked. Two of whom, elderly folk, were coughing out, not into their elbow or tissue or handkerchief. They had the look of tourists and also had the 'do not approach me because I will bite your head off' belligerent look. So I moved as far away as I could from them until they had passed. Just bad manners, and as Rosemary says people 'shoulda' been doing this mouth covering Covid or no.
We have decided not to go out for NY though amazingly, bearing in mind Covid whichever variant, we have two invites. 'They' can do it – my good health matters more than a one shot wonder party in a crowded house……….
To those here not worrying, and being happy about the anticipated arrival of Omicron, perhaps look at the current hospitalisation figures and deaths in Denmark I linked to on Open Mike. 30 deaths a day (27th Dec.) as the hospitalisation rate rose lagging behind soaring case numbers, mostly happy clappy Omicron. Denmark has the same pop. as NZ.
I'm aware of the numbers in the UK (v low) and South Africa (v low) – and that the numbers in those countries are hospital patients who returned a +ve test – meaning the already low numbers are inflated somewhat.
In Denmark, what is the %age of Omicron v Delta, and how do they tabulate their hospital Covid numbers?
I know there is a view that we minimise the impact by slating the figures as they (the unfortunates with Omicron) apparently have been admitted to hospital with other ailments and just coincidentally tested positive for Omicron. Some sort of weird rationalising is going on. I have read also that some counting Omicron are now seeking another definition of what a 'case' of Covid is (omicron variant) Apparently the argument is that unless you have been either prescribed something or admitted to hospital then you should not have your 'case' counted.
This strange attitude seems to forget that Covid is a notifiable disease as is influenza. You can get mighty ill with influenza while still being treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration etc. I think you could get ill with Omicron, be treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration. The point for public health is whether you have it or not. How you were treated for it is an answer to another question.
Numbers of hospitalisations requiring serious treatment are low. Number of deaths are low. Number of infections are through the roof.
Both South Africa and the UK (and everywhere else form what I can gather) count as "hospital covid cases" those who have incidentally returned a +ve test. That twists perceptions to believe things are more onerous/serious than they are – it stokes unwarranted fear.
Counting infections as "cases" is misleading – no two ways about that. Bloody stupid, or politically opportunistic, for governments to have detected rates of infection labeled as cases and for those case numbers to drive public policy.
No denying Covid can be serious and even deadly for a small percentage of those who get infected. That the government public health messaging and actions didn't focus on what people might do to lessen the impacts of infection (eg – free vit D, zinc, good sleep, loss of weight, less alcohol etc), and instead went all in on "project fear" and invasive forms of social control is, to my mind, a bloody good reason to be looking at lamp posts in an alternative light.
Yes I saw that. Jury is still out on the impact it may have on our population. We are all wise to still be cautious ie 'treating all wires as live' as they used to say when I was a kid and we had, or seemed to, have constant power cuts while lines were upgraded etc.
Number of deaths and serious illness from Omicron are lower than from Delta everywhere.
The numbers Koff provided are for a country with only about 10% Omicron – ie, most of the deaths being recorded (however they are tabulated) are for Delta.
Food for thought? By all of the available data across multiple countries – insisting that Omicron be "kept at bay" is insisting that unnecessary deaths occur.
Number of deaths and serious illness from Omicron are lower than from Delta everywhere.
Considering the number of vulnerable people that have already died, the global toll, this is no surprise. It doesn't necessarily mean Omicron is less dangerous
Koff. Denmark does more tests than anywhere in the known universe so they're going to detect more cases. It is the deepest winter in Denmark and the Grim Reaper is making his annual harvest. Much of the crop will have Te Virus as well as whatever put them on The List.
The numbers, taken from statistics bureau Our World in Data on December 27th, place Denmark as the country with the highest incidence of the virus.
It should be noted that there is a large variation in the amount of testing undertaken by different countries, with Denmark among the countries that tests the most per resident.
Other metrics show Denmark in a more favourable light.
These include the number of people hospitalised with the coronavirus. 608 people or 105 per one million residents are currently admitted to Danish hospitals with the virus.
The latter figure is significantly lower than in a number of other European countries. In Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary it is over 600, while the figure for France is 250 hospital Covid-19 patients per one million residents.
The week before Christmas saw Denmark register 21 deaths with Covid-19 per million inhabitants. Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Croatia posted figures up to 4-5 times higher, though it should be noted that different countries have different criteria for the data.
I was around Wellington hospital about a month ago and it was jam-packed. That was without any covid-19 cases at all. It would not take many hospitalisations of covid-19 people to screw up the health care of non-covid-19 people.
I am not sure which 'fear' response I want to respond to first, there's so many to pick from. So I will just go straight for the jugular.
We're all going to die. One day we're going to die of something, could be cancer, heart disease, could be old age, aids, hep c, it could be Covid. Meanwhile most sensible people are doing the best they can to boost their immune system (because we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid).
If it's covid that evenually kills you, then you're one of the unlucky 0.05% of the under 70s or one of the 0.15% of the over 70s. Death unfortunately is inevitable. Suppose we can run around screaming that the sky is falling and force everyone to live in caves and wear helmets and ban them from looking at the sky or whatever (someone will be mad enough to want to ban the sky) but regardless of the measures taken it does not change the fact that we're all going to die anyway. Meanwhile Omicron is looking like a splendid choice of Covid to catch (if you have to get one, and you will), I say let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. Now I am off to live and ponder the madness of humans who think that walking into a cafe with a mask on, then sitting down and taking said mask off, while punter after punter are maskless breathing each other's air, germs and any viruses that are there to be breathed in. And the mask serves what purpose? Is that to make you feel better or protect you? There's not a whole lot of protection going on in the cafe scenario, is there? Or do we want to ban cafes next?
we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid
Tell that to the over-worked, stressed, under-paid and yet dedicated people who are working constantly to save lives. Say it to their faces. Walk up to them and say "you are not doing much of anything". Go ahead.
Or you could just say "thank you". If you can't bring yourself to say that, just fuck off.
A health care system and individual nurses or what-ever who work within it are two entirely different things 'observer'.
I wonder. Did you rail against the specialists and nurses (heroes to a person not so long ago) who got rendered jobless when they declined injections of m-RNA? And if not, why not?
And for the ones who rolled up their sleeves for two injections, but who will draw a line at the third, will you react to their loss in the same fashion as you did for the first tranche who, because of bureaucracy and politics, can no longer dedicate themselves to ministering the sick and injured among us?
They are not two independent things – people and the system work together to provide hospital level care – without the system organising drugs, food, water and cleaning systems and the qualified people to put those systems into action then our health care would fall apart.
What I will say to their 'overworked' faces is "why, if this is the disaster that everyone's been led to believe it is, why have they stood back and said nothing while their colleagues, good doctors and nurses were let go”.
I will also ask them why so many of the injected (and young people) are filling up the ER with an inordinate amount of heart and neurological problems, and being told they're simply panic attacks and being sent away without any treatment.
I will also ask them why they have continued to follow the directive to not mention anything negative about the injection, while patient after patient turns up with injection related injuries. I have a lot to say to those 'stressed' people whose hippocratic oath is superseded but directives that serve no purpose other than injecting people regardless of the harm it causes.
You can tell me to 'fuck off' all you like but I won't and I will continue to point out the obvious. We are all actually going to fucking die and that's a fact and instead of running around with your eyes closed wailing about the sky falling in and demanding that everyone else close their eyes, open your fucking eyes and let that brain kick back into gear and ask yourself why, if this injection is so safe, why doctors and nurses are putting their careers on the line and refusing to have it.
Meanwhile I think I will hit the sushi shop today with my child and watch as they serve her sushi, while I refuse to give them a pass and I will do that in shop after shop because this discrimination, segregation and abuse of people is where the real sickness lies and that's got far worse repercussions than Covid.
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For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Analysis - Nicola Willis is holding firm on tax cuts despite the economic outlook being worse than forecast and critics urging her to wait, writes Peter Wilson for The Week In Politics. ...
Opposition MPs and unions are criticising a proposal by New Zealand’s Ministry of Pacific Peoples to cut staff by 40 percent. The country’s largest trade union — The Public Service Association — says the ministry has informed staff that it is looking to shed 63 of 156 positions. Opposition MPs ...
A poem by Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 featured poet Carin Smeaton. Daughtr of the 90s when she gets promoted to usherette a baby blu eel carries her all the way up to mothership she’s hovering high she lets the underaged in to see keanu reeves she lets the only lonely ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
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 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
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Not all mainstreamers are useless:
Not all, but National & Labour make it seem they all are…
"oppressive and failed policy of marijuana prohibition.".
We of course are going to have an attempt at this introduced here.
The propose that we will make it illegal for anyone under the age of about 14 today from ever being able to buy or smoke tobacco. Bet that turns out to be a marvelous triumph. I'm not going to bother looking up the details of what the proposal really is because it will be the greatest stuff-up since the US had their eighteenth amendment fiasco.
The Chekist thug has memory-holed his predecessors' atrocities.
Liquidation of the International Memorial
12/28/2021
On December 28, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation decided to liquidate the International Memorial.
The formal reason stated in the suit of the General Prosecutor's Office is the absence of the label “foreign agent” on some materials. During the hearing, the inconsistency of these claims was clearly demonstrated.
But today, the court finally named not a formal reason, but the real reason for the liquidation of the International Memorial: the General Prosecutor's Office claims that we are misinterpreting Soviet history, “creating a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state,” “lashing out criticism at the state authorities”. And the state, according to our opponents, is beyond criticism.
The decision of the Supreme Court once again confirmed that the history of political terror organized and directed by the state authorities remains for Russia not an academic topic of interest only to specialists, but an acute problem of our time. Our country needs an honest and conscientious reflection on the Soviet past; this is the guarantee of her future. It is ridiculous to believe that the judicial liquidation of International Memorial will remove this issue from the agenda. The entire Russian society needs to remember the tragedies of the past. And not only Russian: the memory of state terror unites all the former Soviet republics.
Of course, we will challenge the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in all ways available to us. And we will find legitimate ways to continue our work. A memorial is not an organization, it is not even a social movement. The memorial is the need of the citizens of Russia for the truth about its tragic past, about the fate of many millions of people. And no one will be able to "eliminate" this need.
google translation
The crocodile tears are falling, forgetting that that time of history was the result of yet another capitalist inspired war that dragged the Soviet Union in by capitalist German aggression
Stalin was a product of those capitalist aggression times. But still a Hero in many ways.
fuck western capitalist crocodile tears.
But still a Hero in many ways.
Wash your mouth out with soap – Stalin was the worst of men – a true peer of Hitler.
"Even if you could tear the head off an elephant, if you are without humanity you are no hero."
Not a hero – a totalitarian despot utterly lacking in humanity or indeed any other redeeming features – a ruthless self-serving power seeker that only fascist fanboys and America-hating ignoramuses could admire.
Anyone who supports Capitalist versus Capitalist wars such as the two world wars are partly culpable for the 27 million Soviet Citizen's death toll from WW2, not forgetting the lack of acknowledgments in recent WW2 commemorations for the Soviet contribution on defeating the Fascists. ie Hitler who is more akin to your beloved American Administration than Stalin
Big on projection Byd0nz, but fact free as usual – I don't love the US – they do plenty wrong – but their wrongs do not exculpate totalitarian despots.
No-one who pretends to progressive values can go beyond Churchill's "If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference of the Devil in the House of Commons." in respect of Stalin.
Stalin got a lot wrong without external help – though blind prejudice and ignorant folly may pretend otherwise.
I dont hold much out for quotes from a racist like Churchill. He did'nt give a shit about Soviet people neither do the ones spilling crocodile tears over the original subject of the post I was commenting on.
He did'nt give a shit about Soviet people
Neither did Stalin, and, judging by your apology for Stalin, neither do you.
You are are a more generous soul than me Stuart, engaging with such a half wit.
Lenin disagreed – saw Stalin for what he was.
There's going to be a lot of angry NZers tonight. Person who has just tested positive for omicron, came over the border, did 7 days in MiQ and was meant to do 9 days in self isolation. Went into the Auckland CBD on Sunday and Monday. Including to a night club and bars.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-first-community-exposure-of-omicron-in-nz-confirmed-by-ministry-of-health/BT6J5E5L5RF6LOF4V3AGF3N6VM/
I've never understood the new rules. Covid infectiousness periods haven't change much have they?
Meh, was always going to happen. Better to get omicron out and about early as all the data is pointing to it having a hospitalisation rate of less than .01%
11000 cases and 60 hospitalised in NSW. Hardly scary stuff
[next time you want to make a claim of fact about covid, put up a link to back it up. See Fireblade’s comment and link below for actual NSW rates – weka]
Yes it was…and Fireblade’s link shows why.
None of that however detracts from how successful we have been to date,,,,and hopefully 'going forward'…excuse the corporate speak.
NSW has 625 people in Hospital with Covid-19 and 61 in ICU.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-29/covid-updates-testing-case-numbers-interstate-border-travel/100729500#nsw
thanks.
mod note.
11,000 new cases and 68 new hospitalisations. .006%
who made anything up?
https://www.google.com/search?q=covid+nsw&rlz=1CDGOYI_enNZ876NZ876&hl=en-GB&sxsrf=AOaemvJJEEmnoB_juuR6iwsSxw-usTSa9w%3A1640759881689&ei=SQLMYdDAKeeVseMPnN-vqA8&oq=covid+nsw&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADIKCAAQsQMQgwEQQzILCAAQsQMQgwEQkQIyCwgAELEDEIMBEJECMgoIABCxAxCDARBDMggIABDJAxCRAjILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoHCCMQsAMQJzoHCAAQRxCwAzoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoECAAQQzoFCAAQkQI6CgguEMcBEKMCECc6BwgAELEDEEM6CggAELEDEMkDEEM6BQgAEJIDOggIABCxAxCRAjoLCAAQsQMQyQMQkQI6BwgAEIAEEAo6CggAELEDEIMBEAo6BAgAEApKBAhBGABQ_A1YxiJguidoBnAAeACAAegBiAHJEpIBBjAuMS4xMJgBAKABAbABD8gBCcABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#wptab=s:H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLVT9c3NMwySk6OL8zJecQYzy3w8sc9YamwSWtOXmMM4BL3TU3JTM7MS3XJLE5NLE71yU9OLMnMzxOS5mJzzSvJLKkUEpTi50I1RkiCiwOukEeKi4tDP1ffwDQtp5JnFxO3R2piTklGcEliSfEiVsW81HKF4vzSkgyF8sSc1GKF5Pyi_LzEssyi0mKFYpAaAOV83MOlAAAA
625 in hospital as total omicron cases are approaching 50k based on 7 day averages. .0125%
scary stuff indeed.
I’ve been living in auckland for 2 years, the front line thank you very fucking much.
the stats I’ve just provided give some much needed perspective on the ACTUAL danger. Not the emotive fear mongering of…
Cue dark sinister voice “another covid variant”
I didn't say you made it up, I said you have to provide a link to the claim of fact. This is important. You're presenting an argument based on facts, Fireblade presented a different set of facts, if you provide back up we can actually talk about the views rather than someone's randome reckons on the the internet. This isn't FB, we're here for the robust debate.
you said 60 in hospital btw. Not 625. I don't know what you're on about, and I'm not going to parse a google search to try and figure it out. Make the argument if you can.
and, flattening the curve is still a thing that matters.
The curve is pretty fucking flat at a .0125% hospitalisation rate
You realise that this is a contagious disease and the 0.0125% rate isn't fixed in stone. At some point the hospitalisation rate can't get any higher because there aren't enough beds.
I used the same set of facts as fireblade, 625 total minus the 550 odd from the day before came to 68 hospitalisations. On the day when 11000 odd new cases came in.
I gave you daily cases and daily hospitalisations. Apples with apples, not single apples with the sum total of the harvest.
On the day when 11000 odd new cases came in…
Have you heard of "lag"… ?
Sure have. Checked the 7 day rolling average and used a calculator?
yeah, so you can see why I'm saying explain and link at teh start.
OK. 68 new hospitalisations. In a single day. After a couple of weeks of that, how does that look on medical resources?
Hint: Omicron potentially being milder is not an excuse to relax, if it infects enough people. And Omicron likes infecting people.
You might not care about flattening the curve, many of us do for bloody obvious reasons. Where have you been for the past 2 years.
Here is the Ministry of Health media release about the Omicron case.
https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/first-community-exposures-border-related-omicron-case
Bloody unbelievable really. Unbelievable.
There's going to be a fair few happy and hopeful people in NZ tonight.
have you stopped taking precautions then?
What? Fact. There are people who are hoping this is the beginning of community spread for Omicron because it is a far, far milder version of Covid than Delta meaning fewer deaths and serious illness among those infected.
If by "precaution" you mean the likes of Vit D, zinc etc, well those things don't prevent infection, but lessen severity of infection. I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
I guess if I get determined to avoid infection and any chance of future immunity, I might throw in a Listerine gargle in the event of Omicron spread, if I'm around dense groups of people (hit those at a rate of ten to the dozen these days) …maybe a 1% Johnsons baby shampoo nasal rinse too. (the irony 🙂 )
What about yourself?
I meant precautions to limit spread: hand washing, mask wearing, distancing, scanning/signing in. I'll take that as a no then.
(and yes, I continue to do those things, for my own sake, and the sake of people around me who are also at risk from covid).
You can make up whatever shit about me you like Weka. Though alternatively, you can if you like, and only for the sake of comprehension, read my comment.
Curious. When you write of "people around me who are also at risk from covid", I assume you are referring to people who are at a higher risk of severe illness or death rather than just risk of infection, yes?
If so, and seeing as how Omicron seems to essentially waltz past that double vaccination, the Listerine and Johnston's shampoo gargle and washes are worth reading up for anyone sensibly concerned for their well being.
I know that for me, seeing as how data is sparse on effects in those with no immunity (either from pharmaceuticals or previous infection) – then hey.
It's a simple question Bill: are you hand washing, mask wearing, scanning/signing in, social distancing etc as advised to prevent spreading covid?
No. Until we know how omicron impacts on long covid rates, including from asymptomatic infection, I will continue to protect myself and others. It's not hard, it builds resiliency, and it future proofs us for another pandemic. Or the next variant.
I'll take that as a no then.
Mmmm…you know that washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding crowded spaces and respecting personal spaces is what some of us do as a matter of course…whether we're living in the Time of Plague or no, no?
Not having partaken of the Pfizer Product doth not a barbarian make…
some of us being the operative phrase apparently.
(am well aware that many unvaxxed people take precautions 👍 I was referring specifically to what Bill said)
Bill said – I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
Which implies…absolutely nothing that would be along the line of your disparaging and somewhat stupid response.
And you still haven't answered my easy to answer question 🤷♀️ That's three opportunities to do so.
It's not an irrelevant question. If people are arguing that we're better off with letting omicron have free rein, then it's reasonable to want to know if those people are not taking precautions to limit spread and help protect people. It's also not unreasonable to think they probably aren’t given the position on omicron.
The question you asked was (quote) have you stopped taking precautions then?
The relevant portion of my answer was, and for the fourth time – (quote) I'm living exactly the same way today as I did yesterday, and will continue to live that way tomorrow.
Three weeks ago (or however long ago that was) I could sign into some places that I can no longer sign into – that's changed. But since 'yesterday'? Or in light of today's news? And tomorrow?
As I already pointed out, (fifth time now) nothing changes.
btw – I don’t advocate giving Omicron “free rein” – never have. There are people in society who need protection. That has always been the way with Covid, but the “powers that be”, by dint of the way they have distributed a leaky vaccine, obviously beg to differ on that point.
Pendant away all you like. I asked really clearly,
You've now implied that you sign in and will continue to do so. What about the rest? Really odd that you just won't say.
I don't know what you were doing before, so this doesn't answer my question.
What do you advocate then? Because I thought you were arguing that we will be fine with omicron because it's mild, will protect us from Delta, and therefore we should stop restrictions.
I advocate for a public health response that's based on health and best medical practice – not politics, as has been the case to now.
As said elsewhere, all of the data from across nations indicates, that in terms of raw numbers and regardless of observed infection rates, Omicron inflicts far fewer instances of serious illness and results in fewer deaths than Delta. Seeking to preserve the presence of Delta when it's observed that Omicron displaces Delta is medical malfeasance that will cost lives.
Probably never took any, luck of the Irish is all that's needed.
Ive always wondered whether the luck of the irish was good luck or bad….
Time will tell in this instance I suppose.
It's like we need a facility where the blase can be deliberately infected so they can see how benign it all is.
We have one…its called NZ
I've been looking forward to this day. The milder omincron will hopefully wipe out Delta and all the fear mongering will cease. I am also looking forward to the day in the not too distant future that people start to realise how illogical and mad many of the rules are. This was evident to me today as I walked into a packed food court and every person sitting was maskless, while those walking within the space had to wear a mask, makes no sense. Now that Omicron's come to the party, hopefully it will bring some sanity when the fearful and mindless realise it's nothing but a sniffle. Woop woop!
please fix username for next comment, ta.
Done – it's been a while but now that the new regime has entered full swing guess I will be in often to check out just how the liberals are narrating the situation 🙂
Would love to know what you are talking about. I guess you are metaphorically tapping the side of your nose to those who know what you mean ……no second thoughts sounds as though it could be a bit 'wrong' wing as we call it now.
haha, all good (there's a kind of a bug on some devices where typos are easily missed in the name and email fields)
Yeah right.
No Tui but drinking a Rose so that will have to do.
A sniffle for many people can lead to unsniffle like conditions eg those who are immuno-compromised or whose breathing can be affected.
"Makes no sense." I must have said those words 3,468,990 times since February 2020.
I'm with you…we must all stop being so afraid.
we must all stop being so afraid
The Covidian Cultists will be having none of that, you hear!
I have not met anyone who is afraid. I have met many who are sensible and continuing to mask up, physically distance etc. It is not life as it was pre Covid and adapting to a new way does not mean people are afraid or being reckless.
"Tough" guys who have anyone and everyone's number, not just Mickys, will call it whatever they like.
People pick their fear: covid or the vaccination or the government…
Tell that to the immuno-crompormised, the medically vulnerable and all the people who love them.
Yep…our household of two ticks those boxes… and yet we remain uninjected and unafraid.
To add to that, the unvaccinated are banned from using the food court arent they? But they are allowed to walk past and around the food court within the mall. Shameful really isn't it. Like an overnight private takeover of public interests.
Fucksake, now Stuff has doxxed the idiot.
Rhythm & Alps promoters will be a tad pissed. Wonder how his contract is worded.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300487986/covid19-omicron-border-case-active-in-the-community-is-dj-dimension
Stuff are pretty safe doxing him, it'll all fall out in the next few days anyway as various versions of his non-appearance circulate.
the doxxing issue is whether this makes people more or less likely to tell the truth and do the right things.
Twitter are going hard. He's deleted some social media posts, I'm surprised he hasn't closed his twitter account.
I see the Herald has published his picture of himself at the beach. This could get ugly.
Self isolation doesn't work, because while most people can be trusted, there's a non-trivial number of fuckwits in the population.
Could always ankle-tag them, maybe.
non-trivial seems to be an overlooked concept at the moment.
Hong Kong trialled it and went back to MIQ, so it's not unique to NZ by any stretch.
What pisses me off the most is that the media was running this relentless campaign, day after day, about people missing out on MIQ. And the government caved and let people self-isolate at home and then the inevitable happened. How many people will now say "why do I have to self-isolate when that guy didn't?".
The media never had stories about the medically vulnerable or the elderly and how grateful they were for covid-19 being kept out of NZ.
Yeah, you'd have thought not a single reporter had a granny they cared about…
Wow!! I am booked in for my booster at the hospital on Jan 12th. This is getting quite worrying. I don't think those who frequent bars and clubs will give up their New Year Parties, so stay home and celebrate small. Get your booster, use all other methods to be safe as many of us could not survive this. Keep your spirits up and those saying we are just scaremongering.. you go first we will wait to see how you do. Older and yes wiser.
Thing that worries me is whether the people who say it's the beginning of the end of covid will stop doing all the things to prevent spread, or if they will now believe that there's no point.
…as many of us could not survive this.
The vast majority of us will Patricia…do what your Mum told you to do…drink plenty of fluids, take your vit c, your vit D3 (about 5000IU) your Zn (about 20mg) eat your veg and get plenty of sleep. Keep the doors and windows open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3HQMbQAWRc
Vast majority, that's ok then, never mind the dead people. Or the disabled ones.
Agree Weka, the jury is still out on the potential impact of Omicron on our community. It seems to spread rapidly and therefore possibly put pressure on our health system with the sheer numbers needing care.
I had not realised the bloke had breached his isolation when he went out and about. We were lucky once with the Aussie tourist in Wellington who did a full weekend of sightseeing with Delta but did not pass it on.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445570/australian-traveller-who-visited-wellington-has-delta-variant
So booster, masking, scanning in, physical distancing. Apart from the booster, due January, I have not stopped doing the masking etc, even while out in the streets. In my suburb most people are masked when out, in fact today I saw only three who were unmasked. Two of whom, elderly folk, were coughing out, not into their elbow or tissue or handkerchief. They had the look of tourists and also had the 'do not approach me because I will bite your head off' belligerent look. So I moved as far away as I could from them until they had passed. Just bad manners, and as Rosemary says people 'shoulda' been doing this mouth covering Covid or no.
We have decided not to go out for NY though amazingly, bearing in mind Covid whichever variant, we have two invites. 'They' can do it – my good health matters more than a one shot wonder party in a crowded house……….
I like this one better…..I think it has Robin Williams in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
To those here not worrying, and being happy about the anticipated arrival of Omicron, perhaps look at the current hospitalisation figures and deaths in Denmark I linked to on Open Mike. 30 deaths a day (27th Dec.) as the hospitalisation rate rose lagging behind soaring case numbers, mostly happy clappy Omicron. Denmark has the same pop. as NZ.
I'm aware of the numbers in the UK (v low) and South Africa (v low) – and that the numbers in those countries are hospital patients who returned a +ve test – meaning the already low numbers are inflated somewhat.
In Denmark, what is the %age of Omicron v Delta, and how do they tabulate their hospital Covid numbers?
Not sure where you get the view that omicron is very low in UK
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/25/uk-sets-new-record-for-covid-cases-as-omicron-sweeps-london.html
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-omicron-daily-overview
I know there is a view that we minimise the impact by slating the figures as they (the unfortunates with Omicron) apparently have been admitted to hospital with other ailments and just coincidentally tested positive for Omicron. Some sort of weird rationalising is going on. I have read also that some counting Omicron are now seeking another definition of what a 'case' of Covid is (omicron variant) Apparently the argument is that unless you have been either prescribed something or admitted to hospital then you should not have your 'case' counted.
This strange attitude seems to forget that Covid is a notifiable disease as is influenza. You can get mighty ill with influenza while still being treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration etc. I think you could get ill with Omicron, be treated at home with bed rest, analgesics, hydration. The point for public health is whether you have it or not. How you were treated for it is an answer to another question.
Numbers of hospitalisations requiring serious treatment are low. Number of deaths are low. Number of infections are through the roof.
Both South Africa and the UK (and everywhere else form what I can gather) count as "hospital covid cases" those who have incidentally returned a +ve test. That twists perceptions to believe things are more onerous/serious than they are – it stokes unwarranted fear.
Counting infections as "cases" is misleading – no two ways about that. Bloody stupid, or politically opportunistic, for governments to have detected rates of infection labeled as cases and for those case numbers to drive public policy.
No denying Covid can be serious and even deadly for a small percentage of those who get infected. That the government public health messaging and actions didn't focus on what people might do to lessen the impacts of infection (eg – free vit D, zinc, good sleep, loss of weight, less alcohol etc), and instead went all in on "project fear" and invasive forms of social control is, to my mind, a bloody good reason to be looking at lamp posts in an alternative light.
Yes I saw that. Jury is still out on the impact it may have on our population. We are all wise to still be cautious ie 'treating all wires as live' as they used to say when I was a kid and we had, or seemed to, have constant power cuts while lines were upgraded etc.
Number of deaths and serious illness from Omicron are lower than from Delta everywhere.
The numbers Koff provided are for a country with only about 10% Omicron – ie, most of the deaths being recorded (however they are tabulated) are for Delta.
Food for thought? By all of the available data across multiple countries – insisting that Omicron be "kept at bay" is insisting that unnecessary deaths occur.
Considering the number of vulnerable people that have already died, the global toll, this is no surprise. It doesn't necessarily mean Omicron is less dangerous
Koff. Denmark does more tests than anywhere in the known universe so they're going to detect more cases. It is the deepest winter in Denmark and the Grim Reaper is making his annual harvest. Much of the crop will have Te Virus as well as whatever put them on The List.
The numbers, taken from statistics bureau Our World in Data on December 27th, place Denmark as the country with the highest incidence of the virus.
It should be noted that there is a large variation in the amount of testing undertaken by different countries, with Denmark among the countries that tests the most per resident.
Other metrics show Denmark in a more favourable light.
These include the number of people hospitalised with the coronavirus. 608 people or 105 per one million residents are currently admitted to Danish hospitals with the virus.
The latter figure is significantly lower than in a number of other European countries. In Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary it is over 600, while the figure for France is 250 hospital Covid-19 patients per one million residents.
Neighbouring Sweden and Norway had 51 and 65 hospital patients with Covid-19 respectively in figures dating from just before Christmas, though Sweden’s hospitalisation figures have since spiked markedly.
The week before Christmas saw Denmark register 21 deaths with Covid-19 per million inhabitants. Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Croatia posted figures up to 4-5 times higher, though it should be noted that different countries have different criteria for the data.
I was around Wellington hospital about a month ago and it was jam-packed. That was without any covid-19 cases at all. It would not take many hospitalisations of covid-19 people to screw up the health care of non-covid-19 people.
With absolutely no resiliency built into our public health system in NZ this could very well be the case.
NZ Hospital System…brought to it's knees by successive negligent governments.
Including this one.
https://www.economy.com/denmark/deaths/not-seasonally-adjusted
I am not sure which 'fear' response I want to respond to first, there's so many to pick from. So I will just go straight for the jugular.
We're all going to die. One day we're going to die of something, could be cancer, heart disease, could be old age, aids, hep c, it could be Covid. Meanwhile most sensible people are doing the best they can to boost their immune system (because we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid).
If it's covid that evenually kills you, then you're one of the unlucky 0.05% of the under 70s or one of the 0.15% of the over 70s. Death unfortunately is inevitable. Suppose we can run around screaming that the sky is falling and force everyone to live in caves and wear helmets and ban them from looking at the sky or whatever (someone will be mad enough to want to ban the sky) but regardless of the measures taken it does not change the fact that we're all going to die anyway. Meanwhile Omicron is looking like a splendid choice of Covid to catch (if you have to get one, and you will), I say let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. Now I am off to live and ponder the madness of humans who think that walking into a cafe with a mask on, then sitting down and taking said mask off, while punter after punter are maskless breathing each other's air, germs and any viruses that are there to be breathed in. And the mask serves what purpose? Is that to make you feel better or protect you? There's not a whole lot of protection going on in the cafe scenario, is there? Or do we want to ban cafes next?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I0VsYpX0M4
Far too depressing.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVJ0jGC_0tU
lol
we all know that the health system is not doing much of anything for anyone with Covid
Tell that to the over-worked, stressed, under-paid and yet dedicated people who are working constantly to save lives. Say it to their faces. Walk up to them and say "you are not doing much of anything". Go ahead.
Or you could just say "thank you". If you can't bring yourself to say that, just fuck off.
A health care system and individual nurses or what-ever who work within it are two entirely different things 'observer'.
I wonder. Did you rail against the specialists and nurses (heroes to a person not so long ago) who got rendered jobless when they declined injections of m-RNA? And if not, why not?
And for the ones who rolled up their sleeves for two injections, but who will draw a line at the third, will you react to their loss in the same fashion as you did for the first tranche who, because of bureaucracy and politics, can no longer dedicate themselves to ministering the sick and injured among us?
They are not two independent things – people and the system work together to provide hospital level care – without the system organising drugs, food, water and cleaning systems and the qualified people to put those systems into action then our health care would fall apart.
The only thing holding together what passes for our healthcare system is the people at the coalface.
The 'system' functions, such as it it does, in spite of the meddling from petty bureaucrats, not because.
This may very well change as those most invested in healing will be forced out, leaving behind those most concerned with maintaining their income.
What I will say to their 'overworked' faces is "why, if this is the disaster that everyone's been led to believe it is, why have they stood back and said nothing while their colleagues, good doctors and nurses were let go”.
I will also ask them why so many of the injected (and young people) are filling up the ER with an inordinate amount of heart and neurological problems, and being told they're simply panic attacks and being sent away without any treatment.
I will also ask them why they have continued to follow the directive to not mention anything negative about the injection, while patient after patient turns up with injection related injuries. I have a lot to say to those 'stressed' people whose hippocratic oath is superseded but directives that serve no purpose other than injecting people regardless of the harm it causes.
You can tell me to 'fuck off' all you like but I won't and I will continue to point out the obvious. We are all actually going to fucking die and that's a fact and instead of running around with your eyes closed wailing about the sky falling in and demanding that everyone else close their eyes, open your fucking eyes and let that brain kick back into gear and ask yourself why, if this injection is so safe, why doctors and nurses are putting their careers on the line and refusing to have it.
Meanwhile I think I will hit the sushi shop today with my child and watch as they serve her sushi, while I refuse to give them a pass and I will do that in shop after shop because this discrimination, segregation and abuse of people is where the real sickness lies and that's got far worse repercussions than Covid.