Open mike 01/03/2025
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Completed reads for March: The Heart of the Antarctic [1907-1909], by Ernest Shackleton South [1914-1917], by Ernest Shackleton Aurora Australis (collection), edited by Ernest Shackleton The Book of Urizen (poem), by William Blake The Book of Ahania (poem), by William Blake The Book of Los (poem), by William Blake ...4 hours ago - The Attacks on Benjamin Doyle are Depraved
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US President Donald Trump has shown a callous disregard for the checks and balances that have long protected American democracy. As the self-described ‘king’ makes a momentous power grab, much of the world watches anxiously, ...11 hours ago - Febrile elaborate fantasies
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National is paying lip service to its promises to bring down the cost of living, failing to make any meaningful change in the grocery sector. ...19 hours ago
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Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...5 days ago
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In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...5 days ago
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Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...6 days ago
- Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt must tackle meth use crisis
New data shows methamphetamine use is spiralling out of control while the Government sits on its hands. ...1 week ago
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“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...1 week ago
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Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National at sea over Defence jobs
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National standards returning by stealth
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Kiwis still struggling as economy stumbles along
Kiwis aren’t feeling any better off despite figures showing a very slight growth in GDP in the December quarter. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...2 weeks ago
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The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
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Christopher Luxon seems to have thrown New Zealand’s principled anti-nuclear advocacy under a bus. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...2 weeks ago
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One year on from the Government’s abrupt and callous changes to disability funding, the community still has no idea what the future holds. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...2 weeks ago
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At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...2 weeks ago
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Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...2 weeks ago
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Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that the Government has put $16.68 billion into the health system over three years is wrong. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is condemning the Government’s move to tighten access to visas for disabled children. ...2 weeks ago
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Labour supports Minister Chris Bishop’s call for input on the second Waitematā Harbour crossing. ...3 weeks ago
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I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to you today about how we make overseas investment work for all New Zealanders. ...3 weeks ago
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Labour does not support the private ownership of core infrastructure like schools, hospitals and prisons, which will only see worse outcomes for Kiwis. ...3 weeks ago
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The newly released report on the South Dunedin Future Programme must be a wake-up call for our Government. ...3 weeks ago
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Workers will now be able to go to the Police and report their employer if they are not being paid wages they’re owed. ...3 weeks ago
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The Green Party is disappointed the Government voted down Hūhana Lyndon’s member’s Bill, which would have prevented further alienation of Māori land through the Public Works Act. ...3 weeks ago
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The Labour Party will support Chloe Swarbrick’s member’s bill which would allow sanctions against Israel for its illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories. ...3 weeks ago
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The Government’s new procurement rules are a blatant attack on workers and the environment, showing once again that National’s priorities are completely out of touch with everyday Kiwis. ...3 weeks ago
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The Green Party is concerned by the impact the Government’s proposed changes to procurement processes could have on people and planet. ...3 weeks ago
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360597372/covid-inquiry-bullying-claims-four-resignations-concerns-acknowledged
The witch hunt is not going well I suspect those resigning from the role aren't finding the negative outcomes required by act and nzf.
BHN interviewed Penfold, the stuff journalist who broke the story.
Good riddance. I was one of those patient advocates who crossed paths with her a few years back, and can vouch that everything negative said about her is very much true.
She literally has blood on her hands.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360597881/pharmac-ceo-sarah-fitt-resigns-after-months-pressure-stuff-understands
Can I ask why? Was she rude, or just adamant that the cost-return case for the treatment you were advocating forvwas too weak to meet Pharmac's funding requirements?
A brand switch situation where people were seriously harmed, including some deaths. Having read through 1000s of pages of OIAs, they knew full well in advance what was likely to happen, AND that it's potentially dangerous to switch brands of that particular medication, but hey, they'd save money (they didn't).In the end they had to reverse their decision. Fitt's attitude towards us was absolutely appalling, and she will not be missed.
Supposedly they'd learned their lesson, but the recent scandal with HRT patches was nearly identical to their behaviour with us. They've had to reverse that too.
Thanks for the info, I do remember some press coverage of this.
Fireworks as Zelenskyy-Trump meeting breaks off. Zelenskyy 'disrespected the US' and 'not ready for peace,' Trump says.
‘You know, it’s not about me. He hates Ukrainians. He thinks that we are not a nation. He.. shared this with your team also, but with all the Europeans in media, officially…, he always said that there is no such country, such nation, such language and such life like Ukrainian.
No, he really doesn’t respect all the Ukrainians, and he wants to destroy us.’
Brave man, standing up for his nation.
Mind you, Trump was pissed off that Zelenskyy used the public press fest to put his case, not just doing the handshakey-smiles stuff, according to yhe RNZ news just now.
you can see where it breaks down in this CNN coverage. Trump's body language says it all, utter bully and hypocrites given the starting point about diplomacy. You can't be a bully and a diplomat.
https://youtu.be/z2s2pogllis?si=UNS9KKoRXlWTIaHB
Out loud…
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mohietgx33nvutkpomevuxbp/post/3ljb7v5uwv22r?
+100
We can recall that Trump's former campaign manager Manafort worked for the previous Ukraine President and jailed, then deposed and escaped to Russia.
We can recall those US and other activists jailed for conspiracies to alter the US election.
Trump loathes Zelenskyy over a decade.
But Starmer and Macron aren't forming an alternative deal.
The full quote.
14 European leaders have come out in support of Zelensky taking on Trump so far including Pedro Sanchez in Spain early….I'll give you one guess who hasn't….Starmer.
Yep. Nothing from Starmer – as yet. I asked yesterday on OM how long the softly, softly approach would last. 24 hrs?
What a disgraceful episode of tyrannical bullying from a deranged president and his bunch of thugs. And to claim Zelensky was the one who was starting WW3… words fail me.
Starmer wants a FTA with the US and some sort of tech co-operation as well (thus their agreement on low regulation AI).
So that means he should pander to the lying thugs Trump/Vance?
Do me a favour.
What, keep you ignorant of his motivations?
His reasoning would be that UK support for European security requires the UK to maintain its economic strength.
Well see what happens in London this weekend.
Zelensky wasn't the one who tried to "start WW3": he was coming to peace terms with Russia in the Istanbul talks a few weeks after the special military operation began. It was the USA's envoy Boris Johnson who flew there to sabotage the peace process.
Fake news, Morrisey.
The story behind 2022's secret Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations
"People don’t tend to focus on one thing. And say it was Boris Johnson who came there and just waited, the Ukrainians from doing a deal with Putin. That is just naive, right? This is just too simplistic. Zelenskyy was in charge. He had options that he was looking at.
And the failure of the West to sign on to this would be treaty. It was certainly one important issue. The fact that now Kyiv was not taken, and he could be receiving military support from the West was another important issue. The outrage following the discovery of the atrocities the Russians committed at Bucha helped Zelenskyy rally public support for the continuation of war. And it was a pretty, I would say the deal that the Russians were trying to arrive at certainly was not a very pretty deal for Ukraine.
So I don’t think that Sam and I are blaming Zelenskyy for it. For taking the options that he did in the end."
Fake news, Morrisey. Putin was bogged down and facing a fightback he never expected or prepared for.
This NPR interview backgrounds Putin's and Ukraine's positions at the time of those talks.
"People don't tend to focus on one thing. And say it was Boris Johnson who came there and just waited, the Ukrainians from doing a deal with Putin. That is just naive, right? This is just too simplistic. Zelenskyy was in charge. He had options that he was looking at.
And the failure of the West to sign on to this would be treaty. It was certainly one important issue. The fact that now Kyiv was not taken, and he could be receiving military support from the West was another important issue. The outrage following the discovery of the atrocities the Russians committed at Bucha helped Zelenskyy rally public support for the continuation of war. And it was a pretty, I would say the deal that the Russians were trying to arrive at certainly was not a very pretty deal for Ukraine. [including weird demands to remove Ukraine language usage, cultural genocide].
So I don't think that Sam and I are blaming Zelenskyy… for taking the options that he did in the end."
"Zelenskyy was in charge…"
That's the most untrue statement I've seen all day. What was Boris Johnson sent there for if Zelenskyy was in charge?
It seems to be the consensus from a number of expert sources in the US, UK and European countries that the Vance/Trump outburst was a premeditated ambush to bully Zelensky out of office and replace him with someone more amenable to them.
Judging from some comments I've seen, Zelensky was "tense" when he arrived for the meeting which suggests he knew what was coming. My fervent congratulations to him for standing up to the thugs.
Covered here.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-clash-in-oval-office-leaves-ukraine-us-ties-strained/DL6O4MPUK5FVTLEX47FOBXCA4U/
If I were him, I would worry about a convenient 'accidental' death while in Trump's control. I certainly hope he brought his own food and drink.
YouTube is awash with critical reaction to the bullies Trump and Vance – I could link to any one of a couple of dozen videos – but this one will do: Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project – 6.40 mins long.
To my mind, Zelenskyy is now the leader of the free world! Trump is an utter disgrace!
Trump and Vance are indeed disgraceful, but as Sangar Enjeti points out, they're correct in this case. Zelensky can be seen foolishly claiming that Russia will eventually invade the United States, and that there is no crisis in providing Ukrainian men for the frontline. But the most eloquent commentary on this disaster is purely visual: the Ukrainian ambassador burying her face in her hands as she listens to Zelensky digging his own grave.
Take your bullshit and fuck off morresy, he was set and ambushed by a couple of gutless slugs.
I agree with you about the character of Trump and Vance. That doesn't change the fact that Zelensky made a fatal mistake in Istanbul during the spring of 2022 when he allowed himself to be bullied out of making peace with Russia.
Do you think that Washington's envoy of war, Boris Johnson, was any less thuggish than Trump when he threatened Zelensky on that occasion?
Havnt seen it but if it was Johnson we'll he needs chucking in the same hole as trump and putin
And Biden, who sent Johnson on his mission of death for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians.
Zelensky didn't claim Russia would invade the US, he implied that in the future the US would have the same difficulties in being at war. As far as I can tell he also didn't say there was no crisis in the Ukraine military.
Zelensky wasn't he one raising his voice and talking over the others, nor did he engage in aggressive body language.
I heard him admit to recruitment issues…the bully boys were shouting over him at the time ..
And while the mafia style stand-over/extortion over Ukraine's minerals is a new low …I have noted here before that american mining crews on the ground in Ukraine would provide a security presence for Ukraine…
Another interesting aspect of this is that it is my understanding that the areas with the most minerals..are currently occupied by the invaders .
I see trump treating Ukraine as a pawn in the carve-up of the countries minerals between him and Putin…
(Putin will withdraw to a point agreed by him and trump…and trump will be able to claim that this is a victory…from his peace plan..)
This is the grand plan here…
So really it's just good old common garden thievery going on , ?
Your youtuber is a personal friend of Vance.
Unbelievable the little bit I could stomach watching, Zelenski can hold his head high , those clowns need a smack in the head.
China’s defence ministry warns Taiwan ‘we will get you, sooner or later’
'…a China expert behind the Sinocism newsletter, said on Friday that Beijing’s language towards Taiwan “appears to be getting harsher”. The readout of this year’s Taiwan affairs work conference, held earlier this week, did not include a goal to “promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations”, which had been part of the 2023 and 2024 readouts.'
What's the bet that Beijing will do like Putin and imagine Taipe has threatened them and invade in retaliation?
That would first require US military bases to evacuate in Guam, Korea, Japan, Hawaii, Australia, and across the Pacific.
Italics another Trump lie.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/28/china-defence-ministry-taiwan-threat
Maybe it would be a good idea for China Taipei to cease allowing the United States to use it as a pawn in Washington’s program of endless provocation of China. Stopping those massive U.S.-run "war games" would be a smart move.
NAct1's project castles are either the sky variant..or a sand base combination. Either way, their wish list is not good for the our NZ Environment or the great majority of NZ People.
A lot of their planned idiocy…might yet not be possible. I hope.
WTAF…..
Lol. I wonder what Nicky No Boats thoughts are? A penny for them : )
I sincerely hope there are Ructions : )
Peter's says they will be smaller, but will they be cheaper? Lots of laughs to come I think.
Hyundai probably have a couple of keels already laid down, easy to knock a few meters off bow to stern measurements to fit Peter's claims
Interesting times to come for the coalition : ) Surely a gift for our Opposition parties? Surely ?
A nice move, China and South Korea are the ones making these ferries – the Swedes bought some from China recently.
The words of disquiet about Chinese Cook Islands play showing disrespect for Enzed were quickly given extra meaning.
Winston doing what Winston does best. (apart from looking after Winston : )
If Winston gets his way it’s because no other boat builder trusts Willis and National and have added in pretty high contingencies like all money paid up front. If that’s the case how long can Nikki No-Boats last before transitioning to Nikki No-Jobs?
"If that’s the case how long can Nikki No-Boats last before transitioning to Nikki No-Jobs?"
One election mate just one…..
I'm sure someone is looking at the T shirt possibilities already : )
Surely, Nicky No Jobs is a sell-out.
Already "Nikki no jobs"..
Construction industry, civil service, Teacher aides, Doctors, Scientists. Wellington coffee shops.
The only real difference between the Coalition of Cockups, and Trump 2025, is the COC'up are more discreet about it.
As corporates move from greenwash towards Trump, customers move away from them.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/28/trump-consumer-protests-companies?CMP=us_bsky&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1740753619-1
From your link "It’s unclear what the consequences of the current backlash will be."
If this movement is at all effective, rather than just petering out like so many do, my pick of what the consequences will be:
In short, the self-styled champions of freedom, free speech and free markets actually intend to destroy all three. These people are not even proper capitalists, they're fascist gangsters.
The empire of wealth.
.
Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun’s legal troubles seem to be fading away. In March 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged him with manipulating the market. After Trump was elected, he dumped $30 million into the President’s World Liberty Financial crypto scheme. Now a federal judge has granted him a stay in the SEC’s investigation.
[…]
Trump’s family has been cooking the WLF crypto scheme for a long time, but it finally bore fruit after his election and thanks, in no small part, to a big push from Sun. The way WLF worked, its founders would retain 70 percent of the project’s “governance” tokens and would only get a big payout if the token hit a certain threshold of investment.
Around the same time he bought the banana for $6.2 million, Sun “invested” $30 million into WLF. It pushed the coin into the threshold it needed to release cash into Trump’s pocket and netted the President around $18 million. Sun came on to WLF as an advisor. Then he dumped another $45 million into the company. According to Bloomberg, that means Trump has received around $56 million in total “fees” from Sun related to WLF.
https://gizmodo.com/sec-drops-charges-against-chinese-billionaire-after-he-pumps-30-million-into-trumps-crypto-scheme-2000569966
The thing is a lot of countries signed up to nuclear anti-proliferation treaties allowing USA to keep their nuclear arms and them not to develop nuclear arms under the basis that the USA was a trustworthy ally. If the USA is not going to be that trustworthy ally then a lot of countries are going to start developing nuclear weapons. But the more countries that have these weapons the more likely there is to be an accident or stupid aggression. Trump is just stupid.
it's a death cult, they seek power and they don't care about life.
After today it is clear "the west" no longer exists. It is the strongman and the fascists against those who seek to defend decency in Europe, Canada, and the ANZAC nations.
Rearmament must now be the priority. Everything else can wait.
You mean like they "defended decency" over the last seventeen months during the genocide in Gaza, the Occupied West Bank, and Lebanon?
What did "Europe, Canada, and the ANZAC nations" do in that time that comes even close to the heroism and morality of tiny Yemen?
Here I agree with you, Morrisey, although somone's pulling the Houthis strings too. Proxy wars between Shiite and Sunni factions in the middle east.
Who's "pulling the Houthis' strings"?
Is it those all-powerful Moscow masterminds, the same evil-doers that have been running Trump as a Manchurian candidate for the last twenty years?
Stribg-puller: The Shiite power providing them with arms.
utter fucking chaos. I'm starting to think this isn't even an attempt at authoritarianism, but just a bunch of toddlers burning down the playground.
Stonekettle briefly on disgruntled, fired US Federal employees with lots of sensitive information being recruited by Russia and China.
https://bsky.app/profile/stonekettle.bsky.social/post/3ljbkyejm722i