Open mike 01/01/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 1st, 2021 - 43 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:


Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

43 comments on “Open mike 01/01/2021 ”

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  1. Sacha 1
    1 January 2021 at 9:25 am

    Is this thing on?

    • alwyn 1.1
      1 January 2021 at 9:44 am

      As the former Green MP, and now a hermit on Quarantine Island, would say.

      "Hey Clint! Are we in favour of this thing being on or off?"

    • weka 1.2
      1 January 2021 at 10:44 am

      trying to write a post, not sure I am getting very far.

    • Andre 1.3
      1 January 2021 at 11:43 am

      The "ironising radiation", "holistic dentistry", and "innate intelligence of the universe" modules have apparently shut down. But the anti-alcohol module has apparently rebooted, likely soon to be followed by the pro-vegan and 9/11 modules.

      • Ed 1.3.1
        1 January 2021 at 2:14 pm

        Your comments are noted.

        As a matter of interest.

        1. Do you think the regulations surrounding alcohol are fit for purpose?

        2. Do you think we should be concerned about animal welfare in industrial farming?

        • Andre 1.3.1.1
          1 January 2021 at 2:32 pm
          1. Personally, I think regulations around sale and consumption of alcohol in New Zealand are reasonable and fit for purpose. However, we probably fall a bit short on ensuring compliance with those regulations. We have somewhat of a cultural problem with how we consume alcohol, but that's not really something that can be improved with regulations, except possibly around the margins with restrictions on advertising.

          2. As far as I can tell, animal welfare standards in New Zealand are quite high by international comparisons, although I'd certainly be happy to see them improve further. Where I think we let ourselves down badly is in how we allow farmers to discharge significant wastes off the farm into the atmosphere and waterways, as well as allowing extractive practices (such as irrigation) that result in significant effects to areas off the farm. Thereby trashing areas and environments that are part of the commons we should all be able to enjoy.

          On both those topics, I think your hectoring approach with a side of high-horsery is unlikely to change any minds or behaviours, and is more likely to actually be counterproductive through just getting people's backs up.

          • Ed 1.3.1.1.1
            1 January 2021 at 2:54 pm

            Thank you for your reply.

            The 2010 Law Commission report, Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm, made some key recommendations.

            Key policy recommendations included:

            _ raising the price of alcohol by an average of 10% through excise tax increases;

            _ returning the minimum purchase age for alcohol to 20

            _ moving over time to regulate alcohol advertising and sponsorship.

            The fundamental recommendations of Palmer and his team have been ignored.

            https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1004/S00315/alcohol-in-our-lives-curbing-the-harm.htm

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/114924043/major-report-into-reducing-alcohol-harm-ignored-for-almost-a-decade

            • Adrian 1.3.1.1.1.1
              1 January 2021 at 4:35 pm

              How much more Excise do you want? I grow about 75,000 litres of wine a year and if all sold in NZ it garners around $225, 000 + 33,750 GST for a total of $262,550 for Grant to play with and we get paid $190,000 of which my wages are about $45,000 (min wage, my wife is the CFO ) and we have made a profit of around $11,000 about 3 times in the last 5 years, the others have been losses. Why ? Ask all sorts of growers in Motueka and the Bay of Plenty and grape growers in Canterbury this year. It's a hard road growing shit.

              I'm not complaining I'm proud to be able to produce something that pays for vaccines and such like, but just think how much the cost of living would be if taxes of this ilk were added to other selected items.

      • Sacha 1.3.2
        1 January 2021 at 9:21 pm

        … the anti-alcohol module has apparently rebooted, likely soon to be followed by the pro-vegan …

        Sheesh, you're not wrong there.

  2. Anne 2
    1 January 2021 at 9:58 am

    Nursing sore heads……

    Might see a burst of life around noon. Me? I'm off to feed the family cats. frown

  3. Ed 3
    1 January 2021 at 10:30 am

    New Zealand has a serious problem with alcohol.

    The reporting in this article about this riot in Whangamata is part of the issue. At no stage does it address the issue of this class A drug's vice like grasp over the levers of control in this country. The liquor industry, politicians and a liberal culture is responsible for this.

    While I agree with the words Sandra Goudie about rich self-indulgent teenagers, it would be interesting to see what her voting record is on alcohol.

    Equally, I can predict the way many of the parents of these teenagers spent their evening….

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/self-indulgent-brats-6000-of-stock-stolen-blackies-cafe-roof-damaged-in-whangamata-riot/KMHGM26BXN7Q3L5AN5FAMOUR64/

    Experts like Doug Sellman have been telling our politicians to act for years. The Herald is part of the problem.

    Just one finding .

    “Alcohol is a cause of cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, large bowel and breast.”

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/83179106/doug-sellman-an-irresponsible-alcohol-industry-is-doing-its-best-to-confuse

    • The Al1en 3.1
      1 January 2021 at 11:04 am

      Class A drug? Link?

    • millsy 3.2
      1 January 2021 at 11:21 am

      Heaps of people manage to drink and get drunk on NYE without trashing a cafe. Even young people.

      I am very suspicous of those who want an effective return to Prohibition.

      • Ed 3.2.1
        1 January 2021 at 11:33 am

        I agree Millsy.

        Heaps of people manage to drink and get drunk on NYE without trashing a cafe. Even young people.

        And the cost to New Zealand is way wider and deeper than a Whangamata cafe.

        The cost to New Zealand of alcohol is extreme.

        • 8000 premature deaths
        • 30,000 children have been born with alcohol-related brain damage in the past 10 years
        • 700,000 physical and sexual assaults
        • more than $70 billion of social costs.

        At no stage did I recommend prohibition. Like Sellman and other experts, I advocate we treat alcohol as if it is a serious drug

        New Year's Day is always a touchy time to challenge one of New Zealand's sacred cows……

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealands-alcohol-toll-8000-premature-deaths-70-billion-social-cost/5LBJBWYYSNR6PNE37FNPTRFCME/

        • Andre 3.2.1.1
          1 January 2021 at 11:37 am

          New Year's Eve is probably a good time to eat some cow, however.

          https://nypost.com/2019/12/18/vegans-may-get-worse-hangovers-than-meat-eaters/

          • Ed 3.2.1.1.1
            1 January 2021 at 11:44 am

            I do not eat meat or drink alcohol.

            Consuming one is devastating for our planet and the other is detrimental to our society.

            • Adrian 3.2.1.1.1.1
              1 January 2021 at 4:38 pm

              Fuck that's a boring life.

              • Phillip ure …
                1 January 2021 at 7:41 pm

                so sayeth the alcohol-pusher..

                and kinda sad you consider eating flesh and getting drunk to be what constitutes a life..

                and that you are unable to conceive of a life minus eating flesh and consuming alcohol to be of any worth..?

                and hey..! a heads-up..!..pissheads are amongst the most boring people on the planet..

                and don't get me started on wine bores…

                they are out on their own..

                ..and that's a 'life'..?..really..?

                • McFlock …
                  1 January 2021 at 7:47 pm

                  So what did you get up to over New Year's Eve? I went to a party with some friends. Didn't drink alcohol because I was driving, but we all had fun.

            • McFlock 3.2.1.1.1.2
              1 January 2021 at 4:41 pm

              So did you reject all the invites to NYE parties, or did you just not receive any? The teetotalling veganism is all good, it's the wowserism that poops the party.

              • Phillip ure …
                1 January 2021 at 8:20 pm

                I would question your use of wowserism…

                pointing out the health outcomes from consuming new zealands' (and yours..?) favourite drug..

                is just stating a fact..

                one that might make you uncomfortable..

                so lash out at the messenger..

                and..having used more than my fair share of most intoxicants..

                ..and thinking alcohol is a really crap drug..that has those cancer outcomes..

                does that make me a wowser..?

                you are sounding like an addict defending their drug of choice

                • millsy …
                  1 January 2021 at 8:34 pm

                  I don't actually drink, so not defending any drug of choice.

                  • Phillip ure …
                    1 January 2021 at 9:23 pm

                    apologies for confusion…comment was directed @ mcflock..

                    • millsy …
                      2 January 2021 at 10:57 am

                      Yeah, I realised that soon after I hit "Submit". Sometimes I like to read from the bottom upwards. And no, I dont get confused.

                • Incognito …
                  1 January 2021 at 9:10 pm

                  Did you know that we produce alcohol inside our bodies?

                • McFlock …
                  3 January 2021 at 8:56 pm

                  I note you didn't answer the question.

                  Frankly, the fact that alcohol causes harm does not make me uncomfortable. I can even put up with a decent vegan meal.

                  But what would make me choose to not invite you to a party (or indeed, your attendance would be a vote against me turning up to that event) is the idea of spending a few hours in your constantly-judgemental presence. I was mildly curious as to whether you had any real life social interactions. You might be a genuinely happy, entertaining and likeable chap in real life, but it sure doesn't come through in your comments.

                  Personally, my waning desire for alcohol is unexpected and actually a bit unwelcome. I like being tipsy, especially with tipsy friends who aren't angry drunks. I just always seem to be driving these days, or when I'm not driving I don't feel like drinking. I'm hoping it's just a phase.

          • Phillip ure 3.2.1.1.2
            2 January 2021 at 7:49 am

            @ andre 3.2.11….From yr link..

            'lacks serious scientific backup..'

            and it's the new york post…

            which is essentially tabloid-crap..

            so you linked to a pile of bullshit in a notorious tabloid…

            you having a laff..?

  4. Jester 4
    1 January 2021 at 10:31 am

    Well hopefully 2021 is a better year than 2020 was, especially for any one that lost their job due to Covid.

  5. millsy 5
    1 January 2021 at 11:11 am

    Happy New Year Standard posters.

    I was going to rattle off a whole list of predictions, but I cannot really be bothered.

    Enjoy the rest of your break everyone. Looking forward to reading more interesting posts on here in the next 12 months. I might even write some if I can get motivated.

  6. Forget now 6
    1 January 2021 at 12:52 pm

    I have been helping friends move flat with the annual end of the year shift, since my car has a towbar. Friends; plural, from a couple of different places. Due out of their old homes on New year's eve, and one at least was just moving stuff to storage with a big question mark about getting anything more than a slot in a rooming house ever again.

    The housing crisis is bad enough. The timing of fixed term leases (not many periodic nowadays) seems unnecessarily cruel. Say; the first of February, would be a lot easier (& more humane) than 31st of December for changeover, with no downside that I can see.

  7. Robert Guyton 7
    1 January 2021 at 8:21 pm

    I had a couple of special visitors today; delightful barely describes them! To my great embarrassment, it wasn't till our garden ramble was nearing its end, and through some subtle prompting, that I realised I was in the company of one of The Standards Very Finest Commenters! In a way I was pleased not to have remembered who was due to visit, as I'd have wanted to talk politics, rather than gardens; I'm pretty naive at the former and a bit less so with the latter, so it all went well; we wandered about the place, deeply immersed in my leafy world. I did very much enjoy the visit, even though the topic of commenting here was only very lightly touched upon 🙂

  8. Macro 8
    1 January 2021 at 8:25 pm

    A video in support of Mental Health gets a little profane and a little mention of God's Own!

    https://cdn.musebycl.io/2020-12/Public%20Work%20%23EFF2020%20A%20Holiday%20Campaign%20%28Uncensored%29.mp4

    It's an amusingly pointed exercise in catharsis, with Station Film director Brendan Gibbons employing quick cuts to present diverse folks in various locations who drop F-bombs with glee.

    "Let's start with a giant, 'Fuck you, Covid-19!' " a healthcare worker says.

    "Fuck you for taking my job," offers a guy sitting on his porch.

    "Fuck you for closing his school," says a mom in her son's bedroom. The youngster adds: "Yeah, fuck you!"

    Canceled weddings and shortages of household goods come in for similar treatment, as does systemic racism and violence against Black people.

    "All lives will fucking matter when Black lives fucking matter!" an elderly white woman rails.

    Other targets include murder hornets, "motherfucking Zoom calls," Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, Karens, and a certain country praised for its handling of the pandemic while other nations continue to struggle.

    "Fuck you, New Zealand!" screams a guy on a bridge. "You think you're better than us?Well, you are. BUT FUCK YOU ANYWAY!"

    https://musebycl.io/advertising/agencys-end-2020-psa-wins-prize-most-f-bombs-ever