Open mike 01/07/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 1st, 2024 - 33 comments
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33 comments on “Open mike 01/07/2024 ”

  1. PsyclingLeft.Always 1

    NActFirst : punitive, pigheadedness is their natural Go-To (everything they do ! ) even when..

    'No evidence' government's boot camps, Young Serious Offender category will work – critics

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/520372/no-evidence-government-s-boot-camps-young-serious-offender-category-will-work-critics

    This on RNZ is quite disturbing ….surely a warning ?

    Defence staff suffer 'serious mental harm' from running course cited as boot camp blueprint

    However, the pigheads opine

    Defence Minister Judith Collins told RNZ she had been advised that work was continuing and she was not worried about the state of the programme.

    Appearing on RNZ's Morning Report on 6 March, Police Minister Mark Mitchell heaped praise on the scheme and said the proposed youth academies were "exactly the same thing".

    As recently as last week, Chhour also pointed to the LSV programme's success as evidence to support the boot camps, in response to queries from Te Ao Māori News.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/520918/defence-staff-suffer-serious-mental-harm-from-running-course-cited-as-boot-camp-blueprint

    The damage done..and will be done. Punishing young people, who had started life being punished, that'll work : (

    • David 1.1

      You mean punishing young people who have committed violent crimes. I’ve been the victim of a serious violent assault, it’s not pleasant. Society does need retribution against the perpetrators of violent crime. Seeing someone walk free, because they will be fired if they are convicted, is a slap in the face. For me it certainly didn’t help the recovery from a traumatic head injury. Some years later I’m still feeling the physical and psychological effects.

      • Incognito 1.1.1

        You are conflating things. The coalition government is targeting young offenders aged 14-17, i.e., children who should still be in school and who are not in jobs.

      • Jilly Bee 1.1.2

        'You mean punishing young people who have committed violent crimes' – yeah, like male, pakeha, prominent sports people and/or CEO types, who invariably get discharged, acquitted. Can't have their reputations sullied now can we.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1.3

        Ok, thats your anecdotal story. If true, Im sure it wasnt pleasant. Do you wonder if these Children, (as Incognito states) have maybe also suffered trauma, incl some being victims of many serious assaults ? And other terrible "punishments" ?

        My concern is about them and the retrying of failed systems.

        Gluckman criticised boot camps and other "scared straight" programmes for increasing crime. He advocated addressing juvenile delinquency and abuse through early intervention programmes, targeted mental health services, and complimentary services focusing on the Māori and Pasifika communities.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boot_camp_(correctional)#New_Zealand

        World wide seen as failed punitive exercise. What could work…kindness, empathy and actual Help.

    • Scud 1.2

      Posted this on Twitter this morning and slightly expanded it.

      LSV is totally different to Boot camps! It was built around the Outward Bound Program & the NZDF Cadets with a Whole of Government Support Services.

      It was a very successful at what did until Key, Bling & Bennett gutted LSV by withdrawing 90% of the Govt agencies & turning LSV into a box ticking exercise to point a the NZDF personal (RF & Reserve) hate being posted to LSV Company because those 3 Muppets ref: RNZ Article.

      The LSV Scheme had so much potential IRT if wasn't for the Dumb Stupid Politicians on both sides of House & Treasury!

      Probably should write a bit more on LSV when I was at Burnham in the 90's and where LSV could've gone, if we had taken long strategic planning view? As I said the potential was there to make this a truly National Service Program benefiting a Number of Government Agencies/ Dept's & the wider Community incl the Non Tertiary & Tertiary education sector as a whole long term.

      • gsays 1.2.1

        The key element when contrasting LSV with Boot Camps is that the V stands for Volunteer.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 1.3


      https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/26619/boot-camp

      Perhaps young Kiwis who complete one of our CoC govt's 'correctional' initiatives could be issued with a Certificate of Achievement – maybe even a T-shirt emblazoned with:
      "Boot Camp Graduate – Class of 2024" smiley

      Tbh, I don't understand why our CoC govt isn't trumpetting some of the success stories from earlier iterations of boot camps.

      Two of the "main stories" from TV3 News, 2 August 2009.

      The Government plans to roll out boot-camps to other centres, for 18-25-year-olds and establish some military-focused service academies for schools.

      There are reports that New South Wales pigs have caught Swine Flu from farm workers. The Government has moved to contain the spread, but has assured the public that there is no risk of infection from eating meat. However, the Pork industry is likely to be affected.

      15 years later, it's Boot Camps and Bird Flu… some things never change – much.

      https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/

      https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/newsroom/country-overshoot-days/

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.3.1

        Some are seemingly just stuck in a mindset (concrete or similar)

        Oh as a segue to that and also Enviro (and also very much positive feelgood that I seen on One News last night…: )

        A guy..making a difference. And could be the first time some of those Kids been given something. A freedom machine : )

        Onya Mr T !

        Mr T, who has been cycling for 10 years now, started putting together group rides, before moving on to a charitable trust.

        He has three employees who specialise in taking donated broken bikes, fixing them, and then giving them away.

        Mr T also visits schools across South Auckland, teaching kids to ride safety.

        "I'm still struggling with my health but when I'm on a bike, I feel like I'm going to another space. It's all about being free," he said.

        https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/30/good-sorts-auckland-man-encourages-others-to-bike-after-losing-100kg/

        And big ups to the Doctor who started him off…A real Green prescription !

        • Drowsy M. Kram 1.3.1.1

          yes https://enm.org.nz/directory/green-bike-trust

          And for those who would rather not cycle, there's always shanks' pony.

          Health and wellbeing [NZTA]

          I have two doctors, my left leg and my right. When body and mind are out of gear (and those twin parts of me live at such close quarters that the one always catches melancholy from the other) I know that I shall have only to call in my doctors and I shall be well again.
          G. M. Trevelyan

          • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.3.1.1.1

            Thanks for those Links ! And yea just getting out of car….and doing it.

            I like that quote ..not heard of that Trevelyan guy before (I have found the Standard to be ever Mind expanding : ) but I like that he used mind, body..and gear : )

            I'll remember that one.

      • Descendant Of Smith 1.3.2

        There's a whole industry built around these types of camps. Just absolutely horrible exploitation for profit. If you haven't seen this series it will make you cry.

        No farting without permission.

        No looking in the mirror.

        No smiling.

        These are some of the countless rules that teens had to follow at Academy at Ivy Ridge, a disciplinary boarding institution that operated in upstate N.Y. between 2001 and 2009. Marketed as a school that would help troubled teens, in reality, many Ivy Ridge attendees endured mental and physical abuse and were made to take part in cult-like activities.

        https://time.com/6837656/the-program-cons-cults-kidnapping-netflix-documentary-series/

        • Drowsy M. Kram 1.3.2.1

          Thanks for the doco link DoS. "No farting without permission" – good luck with that.

        • tWig 1.3.2.2

          Paris Hilton is testifying about her experiences as a teenager sent by her parents to for-profits that run these camps for 'problem' teenagers in the US, poor or rich. At least the government can be held to account in the future, unlike a private firm gone bust. Guess the NACTs will soon privatise the boot camp model here, slipping loose of accountability.

          PS, for moderators, the link in the home page title to today's 1st July page sent me to 30/06 instead, while arrow link worked OK.

          • Incognito 1.3.2.2.1

            What “link in the home page title to today’s 1st July page”?? Why don’t you provide the link here?

  2. Sonny 2

    As anyone noticed The BDF has gone into liquidation ?

  3. alwyn 3

    BDF ?

    Of course. You must mean the Bolivian Defence Force who will no doubt be being liquidated after their abortive coup attempt the other day. If it isn't them who or what is the BDF?

    • satty 3.1

      Maybe this one: https://thebfd.co.nz

      • bwaghorn 3.1.1

        I'd forgotten who they where so clicked link , now I need a shower 🚿 😫

        • satty 3.1.1.1

          Sorry. I've never been on that site before and don't know them.

          I hope you survived smiley

    • Jilly Bee 3.2

      Oh Alwyn, for one who is apparently so well up todate with things political in Aotearoa, I thought you would know that BDF is one of Cameron Slater's brain farts/reincarnations.

      • alwyn 3.2.1

        I don't remember ever hearing of it before.

        I followed that link and I don't think I have ever seen such a cluttered arrangement of a website before.

        • Incognito 3.2.1.1

          Why do I find it almost impossible at times to take you as a good-faith commenter here?

          It could be because you continue insulting our intelligence here.

          Or it could be because of your repeated selective memory.

          Only 7 months ago you linked to The BFD: https://thestandard.org.nz/the-politics-of-palestine/#comment-1977446.

          Please stop with the BS already, Alwyn!

          • alwyn 3.2.1.1.1

            You certainly must be very busy following what I do. What is the fascination? I certainly didn't remember that. I'm not like Joe Biden though. Nor do I leave shops carrying goods I forgot to pay for.

            • Incognito 3.2.1.1.1.1

              As a Mod, I keep an eye on everybody, and I have developed a very sensitive BS sensor, especially with some commenters here; it only took a very quick search here to find your comment.

              You “don't think [you] have ever seen such a cluttered arrangement of a website before”, but you cannot remember visiting 7 months ago!?

              Please stop with the BS already, Alwyn!

  4. Drowsy M. Kram 4

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/520877/new-zealand-s-new-look-approach-to-methane-problematic-top-climate-scientist-says

    It's a case of slower to go faster. – Luxon

    The CoC going slower faster. NZ's methane hoofprint will soon be mooving at warp speed!

    Govt will weaken methane target in defiance of Climate Commission – McClay [27 June 2024]
    McClay’s comments directly contradicted what Climate Change Minister Simon Watts had told reporters just three minutes earlier

    The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment also weighed in last year when farming lobby groups commissioned research on a “no additional warming” target.

    This is not ‘new science’ and it leaves us exactly as I had previously stated the position to be – namely, that the sustained contribution to atmospheric warming that New Zealand makes through the emission of agricultural methane is a matter of choice, and choosing to maintain this warming at the current level is to claim a ‘right’ to a certain level of warming from agriculture indefinitely,” the commissioner, Simon Upton, wrote at the time.

    Our CoC govt – going back the the drawing board on methane. Watt's the rush?

    NZ minister says govt will accept independent panel’s advice on methane, regardless of CCC recommendations [28 June 2024]
    New Zealand’s Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has told reporters the government will accept the advice of its handpicked panel on methane targets and science, regardless of whether it contradicts advice provided by the Climate Change Commission (CCC).

    A CoC pox on the pesky CCC and its meddling experts – go slower!


    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0309/S00040/images-farmers-fart-tax-protest-at-parliament.htm [4 Sept 2003] “Images from the National Party media unit.

  5. SPC 5

    David Seymour has stated something.

    The guy who said $3 lunches – a day old sandwich (central sourcing) and a piece of fruit was "delicious and nutritious".

    FACTCHECK

    "If you want to talk about evidence, Chlöe, you guys had six years, you beat up on landlords, you put more restrictions on, you put more taxes on – rents went up $200 in two years."

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/07/act-leader-david-seymour-slams-greens-landlord-register-wish-as-witch-hunt.html

    I can find no such 2 year period using the records of rent prices

    For example, New Zealand's median rent increased 5.26% over the last 12 months. This is around the same as the long-term average.

    https://www.opespartners.co.nz/property-management/historical-rent-increases

    • aj 5.1

      From your 2nd link it appears rents were $200 lower in 2016, 8 years ago. Not the 2 years Seymour has claimed.

      But you don't have to pay much attention to know the CoC throw incorrect or misleading stats around like confetti.

  6. SPC 7

    The government has come to help.

    Water management oversight is coming to councils. While councils can continue to own their own assets, if they choose, there will be a but …

    Those leaving school are to get an incentive to avoid W and I, personal managers chosen by government. One reason for those eligible for a student allowance in their home town and not finding FT work, to consider consider education in an area where there is a future – vocational trades (or an arts degree and look at seasonal work to see the country).

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350328256/government-focus-law-and-order-next-quarter

    • joe90 7.1

      WTF is Take Cabinet decisions ?
      Although TBF, they're going to do it 12 times so it must be a biggie.

  7. Drowsy M. Kram 8

    National Party on prescription charges and taxes

    Gordon Campbell on why prescription fees are no way to fund cancer drugs
    [13 Nov 2023]
    The bottom feeders though, for whom a $5 prescription charge waiver does make a difference, are expendable, in more ways than one.

    In a nutshell – it's the bottom feeders who will really feel this particular squeeze.

    Dave Armstrong: A week in the life of the entitled [5 March 2024]
    Friday 11am – More complaints about scrapping free prescription charges. How many times do I have to say – why should people who can afford to pay* get a subsidy? (*except for me and my apartment).

    Friday 12.10pm – OMG even Newstalk ZB callers are turning against me and my apartment.

    Friday 1pm – Bugger, I’ve capitulated and offered to pay back the rent on the apartment. Pissed off, though. I’m perfectly entitled to all the entitlements to which I’m entitled. How many times do I have to say it? I’m entitled, I’m entitled, I’m entitled! In fact, for putting up with all this blimmin’ complaining, I reckon I’m entitled to a title.

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