Open mike 01/05/2011

44 comments on “Open mike 01/05/2011 ”

• Comments are now closed

1. Carol 1

   1 May 2011 at 6:30 am

   So the recent apparent drop in recorded crimes at least in part disguises the real proportion in crime because of changes in the way crimes are recorded, making it hard to compare previous crims statitsics with the present ones:

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4947289/Odd-crime-stats-valid-say-police

   But it also involved more use of “representative charging”. Previously, a fraudster who made 30 transactions on a stolen credit card would face 30 charges, but now he or she would face only one, with all the counts listed in an attached schedule.
   …
   Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the drop could, in part, be explained by the fact that as of early last year, those on bail were no longer required to report to police.

   Police national statistics manager Gavin Knight said many breaches of bail, such as curfew violations, were formerly recorded as offences when they should have been recorded as “incidents”. Education of frontline staff was resolving that.

   …

   The two big movers – fraud in Auckland and Manukau, and bail breaches in Auckland and Waitemata – account for 14% of the overall national drop in crime.

   Cosgrove said if there had been a change in the formula of recording crimes, it should be explained to preserve “the integrity of the figures”.

   Kelly said: “The most important message is that crime last year fell in nearly every category, and all districts recorded reductions. It would be extraordinarily difficult to make any case that police somehow conspired to influence the way in which offences were recorded.”

   Collins did not return calls.

   This reminds me of when I lived in the UK in the time of the Thatcher government. The methods of recording unemployment constantly changed over time, disguising the real rise in unemployment.
   • ianmac 1.1

     1 May 2011 at 9:41 am

     While it might be a more useful way of reporting data on crime, using for instance “representative charging” for politicians to use the new style to claim a drop in crime is downright dishonest. As Mr Cosgrove said the changes and effect on data should be explained.
     Who decided on the changes in reporting? Police or politicians? Great spotting Carol.
   • mickysavage 1.2

     1 May 2011 at 9:49 am

     Aye Carol. Something smells.

     The statistics do show a decrease across most categories but the biggest decrease was in the Auckland region. Nationwide there were 25,060 fewer offences, while the decrease in Auckland was 5,605, in Counties Manukau it was 4,137 and in Waitemata it was 3,720. So the bulk did come from the Auckland area. If a change of prosecutorial policy was the cause then there is no reason to celebrate.

     The statics are at http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/tools/TableBuilder/recorded-crime-statistics/ASOC-offence-calendar-year-statistics.aspx#National.
     • ianmac 1.2.1

       1 May 2011 at 9:56 am

       Some statistics are damn lies do you suspect MS?
       • ianmac 1.2.1.1

         1 May 2011 at 10:54 am

         By the way interesting that: “The homicide offence category is particularly broad in New Zealand. It includes murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, infanticide, illegal abortion, and aiding suicide. “
   • Deadly_NZ 1.3

     1 May 2011 at 10:51 am

     Shhhh or Paula Bennet will find that policy by trolling the Net..
2. Penny Bright 2

   1 May 2011 at 10:00 am

   As is to be expected – the corporate media campaign to undermine the new ‘Mana’ Party has begun – by attacking the $500,000 (?) cost of the by-election which will be triggered by Hone’s resignation.

   Just posted this on Kiwiblog – FYI:

   “Let’s have a bit of consistency applied to to the cost of by-elections – shall we?

   National Party ex-MP Pansy Wong caused a by-election in Botany after being effectively forced to resign over her arguably ‘corrupt’ practices?

   This has triggered another by-election – both of which are costing taxpayers AND rate payers money.

   National’s Jami-Lee Ross effectively caused the current Auckland Council Howick by-election when he CHOSE to stand, then won the Botany by-election.

   If Dick Quax were to win the Howick Auckland Council by-election, then would not that cause yet ANOTHER by-election at local board level?

   All triggered by EX- National Party MP Pansy Wong’s arguably corrupt ‘misuse of public office for private gain’?

   (Don’t forget – we’re still waiting for the Office of the Auditor-General to complete their investigation, which should, as I understand it, include the changing of the company address of ‘Shipley & Wong Ltd’ to that of Pansy Wong’s electorate office on 11 June 2010?)

   How much will all this cost taxpayers / ratepayers and who is pointing the finger at National – if we’re looking at the costs of by-elections being a waste of public monies?

   Hone is seeking a mandate from his electorate for the new Mana Party – which has a position of opposition to neo-liberalism and monopoly capitalism.

   (A different position to that of the Maori Party from which Hone resigned.)

   To seek a mandate from his electorate for this new Mana Party with this new, ‘more radical’ platform seems fair enough to me.

   Of course I can understand why supporters of neo-liberalism and monopoly capitalism are pulling out all the stops to undermine a party of this nature getting off the ground?

   (However – I guess it will help take the heat out of the corporate media campaign to undermine support for Labour/ Phil Goff and NZ First /Winston Peters ?)

   (Eeeek!

   SCARY thought!

   What if the Mana Party gets electoral support from a number of those who usually don’t bother voting?

   There are quite a number of them – aren’t there? ………………..

   So what if the Mana Party didn’t necessarily ‘cannibalise’ votes from the Greens or Labour Party – but mobilised a new, effectively ‘forgotten?’ voting base?

   EEEEK!

   Now – that thought must be TRULY scary to a lot of Kiwibloggers?

   Penny Bright
   http://waterpressure.wordpress.com
   • Colonial Viper 2.1

     1 May 2011 at 10:11 am

     Penny, I think your analysis is astute. Harawira is going to pull in a lot of supporters that do not normally bother to get out and vote, and further, those supporters are not going to mind in the least that he is forcing a by-election. The people who will look down on the by-election are people who were never going to support Mana anyways.

     So a solid, high risk, high return strategy by Hone and his team.

     Good to see some guts on the field of play this year; compare that to the painfully choreographed dance around sinking Rodney Hide and installing the Right Wing undead from the 1990’s.
   • Deadly_NZ 2.2

     1 May 2011 at 10:54 am

     Careful Penny or that clown DPF will give you 10,000 demerit points and tell you off, for being off topic. What a Joke, but after I have scanned their posts I usually feel like a shower, what a nasty bunch of trolls they are.
   • Thomas Forrow 2.3

     1 May 2011 at 11:33 am

     Yes its interesting reading the attack lines on Kiwiblog
     Apparently its OK to force a by election a year out from an election as was the case with a certain Maori co leader ,but not OK when its 7 months, I wonder which , 8 9 10 or 11 months would be acceptable?
     I guess that is why we have a law that gives an exact time, namely 6 months.

     I as a tax payer would much rather fund an an MP actually getting a mandate when they changed sides
     then helicopter trips for photo ops or Camper vans from hell. But hey that’s just me

     The Mana Party being formed is great . It might give a few on the left somewhere to go that are uncomfortable in the Greens or are just not bothering, now that Labour has lost the plot

     Having a Party to the left of the Greens I would think is a good thing, let the Greens have a more environmental focus and mop up a few Blue/Greens in the process.
     It should be said that the Greens will always have a strong focus on Social Responsibility as
     their charter states
     “Unlimited material growth is impossible. Therefore the key to social responsibility is the just distribution of social and natural resources, both locally and globally.’

     Interesting times methinks
     • Anthony 2.3.1

       1 May 2011 at 12:25 pm

       The funny thing is that they can cry and cry and peddle all the lines they like, but it won’t effect Mana’s support.

       They will most probably try and paint Goff into a corner about working with Mana, but as long as he echoes John Key’s vague “Brash will not be finance minister” arms-length rhetoric he should be fine. But no doubt Espiner and Garner will be a lot more aggressive in trying to get Goff to categorically rule out working with Mana.
       • Jasper 2.3.1.1

         1 May 2011 at 12:59 pm

         Goff shot himself in the foot, yet again, when he said that Hones by election was nothing more than posturing.

         A clever leader would have made noises about how it’s good he’s exercising the democratic option and giving people the opportunity to ensure that Hone has a MANDATE to continue to operate in Parliament as a leader of a new party.

         Of course, no one ever accused Goff of being a clever leader.
3. todd 3

   1 May 2011 at 10:12 am

   Obama Moves Against Oil Subsidies

   http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/05/obama-moves-against-oil-subsidies.html

   After many years of complacency concerning climate change, America under the leadership of Barack Obama has finally started to make sounds about changing their behaviour. Far be it from me to be disparaging about such statements as the one the White House sent out today, but after Americas influence has destroyed every agreement under the sun concerning emission reductions, I’m not holding my breath. Until there is evidence to the contrary, I will take whatever they say with a grain of salt.
   • Deadly_NZ 3.1

     1 May 2011 at 11:48 am

     And this is the clown who reckons he can beat him Number 10 is a Doozy

     http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2068227_2068229,00.html?iid=moreontime
4. joe90 4

   1 May 2011 at 10:27 am

   http://viletweets.com/
   • millsy 4.1

     1 May 2011 at 10:55 am

     Old attitudes never change, dont they?

     Mind you these rednecks are all talk. They dont seem to have the courage to actually take their gun, and actually have a go at shooting Obama…
5. PeteG 5

   1 May 2011 at 10:56 am

   I thought Phil Goff had a reasonable interview on The Nation yesterday. But it highlighted a contrast.

   When Goff is talking about something he believes in he sounds very reasoned and even a bit passionate and comes across very well.

   His response to other questions was a launch into the same old electioneering slogans, one tacked onto another, and that is a real roll-your-eyes turn-off. I don’t know when he’s just slipped into robot mode and when he’s avoiding answering the question – it may often be both.
   • Campbell Larsen 5.1

     1 May 2011 at 11:06 am

     At least Phil can be reasoned and passionate and actually answer questions sometimes – unlike Nationals bimbo MP’s (you know who they are) who can’t seem to utter anything but spin and slogans, and only seem to be there because they approximate (vaguely) a pretty face.
     • PeteG 5.1.1

       1 May 2011 at 11:12 am

       unlike Nationals bimbo MP’s (you know who they are) who can’t seem to utter anything but spin and slogans, and only seem to be there because they approximate (vaguely) a pretty face.

       The same could often be said of Goff (except the bimbo tag).
       • Campbell Larsen 5.1.1.1

         1 May 2011 at 11:56 am

         Dodging questions and resorting to T.V. soundbites is just plain ugly, no matter who is doing it – The practice is quite widespread and most politicians are guilty of it theses days – Should we accept it? NO – does it work? YES – not for people interested in the question perhaps but for the rest certainly – otherwise the technique would not be so widely used.

         Selecting your MP’s and your party leader on the basis of looks (and yes I am pointing the finger at National) is a very cynical and calculated move to prey upon rudimentary psychology in order to win votes.

         Another cheap trick is spinning like you have just done in your post:

         When talking about the opposition:

         1. Start with an assertion that you think so and so did well in such a such context
         ‘I thought Phil Goff had a reasonable interview on The Nation yesterday. But it highlighted a contrast.’
         2. Further qualify it with by limiting the scope of your praise.
         ‘When Goff is talking about something he believes in he sounds very reasoned and even a bit passionate and comes across very well.’
         3. Then make the statement(s) that you wanted to all along
         ‘His response to other questions was a launch into the same old electioneering slogans, one tacked onto another, and that is a real roll-your-eyes turn-off. I don’t know when he’s just slipped into robot mode and when he’s avoiding answering the question – it may often be both.’

         Your real intent – to portray Goff as a robot or evasive. Yawn. If you want an evasive robot look no further than your great (mis)leader Smoozer Shonky
         • PeteG 5.1.1.1.1

           1 May 2011 at 12:15 pm

           The point of my post was to point out the contrast – when he looks good, and when he doesn’t. It’s not spin, it’s observation.

           Something else that stood out from the interview – it was highlighted how Goff was a seamless successor to Clark, there was no examination of what would best suit Labour going forward, it was a tidy continuation of the past. That’s how it still appears – and I don’t have a problem with Goff or anyone else keeping in touch with Clark, I’d be surprised if they didn’t.

           This “same old” is running parallel to Goff’s talking point slogans about what needs to improve, most of which is little changed from when Labour were in government except for a bit of recessionary accentuation. Nothing is being offered about what Labour would do different to the Clark years, so the slogans can only be compared to memories which showed that not a lot of gains were made in things like fights against poverty, and disparities in education, health and justice.

           Goff will continue to look like old Labour until there is some sign of what a new Labour might do differently.
         • MrSmith 5.1.1.1.2

           1 May 2011 at 1:05 pm

           Thanks Campbell, Perfect assessment of PeteG’s behavior.
           • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1.2.1

             1 May 2011 at 1:09 pm

             yeah, follows the scripted sales process designed to hook the listener in, build a bit of credibility then deliver the actual sales message. Perfected by Crosby Textor, applied by PeteG.
             • ianmac …

               1 May 2011 at 4:08 pm

               And like Hootten on National Radio. He sounds quite reasonable at times but wait there is the attack line coming and repeated X3.
   • felix 5.2

     1 May 2011 at 11:48 am

     I agree with Pete. When Goff is fired up about something he believes in he’s a force to be reckoned with, but when he’s not and reverts to slogans he could put a meth head to sleep at midnight.

     Maybe Labour should keep him in a box and poke him with sticks and just let him out to feed.
6. Draco T Bastard 6

   1 May 2011 at 12:15 pm

   Sharples may work with Brash

   The Maori Party may work with a National-led Government that is backed by Don Brash.

   Speaking on TVNZ’s Q and A Maori Party Co-leader Pita Sharples refused to rule out working with the new ACT Party leader.Sharples may work with Brash.

   Sharples added the secret of Maori development is to be part of the government.

   Well, I think that will prove beyond any doubt that the Maori Party is just for the rich and powerful the same way that National and Act are. In other words, they’re out to screw over the poor.
   • millsy 6.1

     1 May 2011 at 1:01 pm

     The Maori Party just lost all the Maori seats.

     All the Mana Party needs to do is replay that clip over and over again, and the Matua Toms are finished.
     • Colonial Viper 6.1.1

       1 May 2011 at 1:09 pm

       Someone forward this on to mana….
7. Pascal's bookie 7

   1 May 2011 at 12:51 pm

   Headline Vs Story: incongruence watch.

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/opinion/4944582/article-not-what-it-says-on-the-box
   • ianmac 7.1

     1 May 2011 at 1:16 pm

     Pascal. I had a momentary pang for Hide but then had a recollection of the Hide assassination of Peters in 2008 and the relish it gave Rodney. What goes around …….
     They were talking on Media about the sub-editing as a panel dislocated from journalists who actually write the stuff.
8. Draco T Bastard 8

   1 May 2011 at 1:58 pm

   US so wanted s92 implemented that it offered advice on how to write it, advice on spin to sell it and to offer advice on enforcing it.

   During this hiatus we’ve proposed holding DVC(s) between NZ and U.S. interlocutors to possibly help with drafting and as a public diplomacy tool to dispel public misperceptions about proper role of IPR protection. U.S. agencies have the benefit of 10 years worth of experience in enforcing the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act that may serve useful to New Zealand officials in their effort to implement section 92A.
   KEEGAN

   Can we tell these meddlesome arseholes to fuck off yet?
   • Colonial Viper 8.1

     1 May 2011 at 3:39 pm

     Soon.
9. marsman 9

   1 May 2011 at 3:25 pm

   Here’s one for Bill English, Obama balancing the Budget and talking about ‘nice to haves’ ,for some:
   http://www.myvidster.com/video/1551132 /Weekly_Address_Ending_Taxpayer_Subsidies_for_Oil_Companies
10. felix 10

    1 May 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I’ve been wondering lately how Peter McCaffrey’s fruity little club will deal with being led by Brash.

    Here’s an organisation advocating things like liberal drinking laws for young people, the legalisation of drugs, gay marriage, and they’re nominally pledging support to Brash, a man so conservative he couldn’t even bring himself to vote for civil unions let alone gay marriage.

    What a terrible position to be in I thought, but as it turns out they have a solution. Unfortunately it consists entirely of denial and bare-faced lying.

    ACT On Campus, folks. The liberal liberal party party.

    Oh and guess what else. John Banks. lol.
11. joe90 11

    1 May 2011 at 4:23 pm

    What’s left of the left.
12. ianmac 12

    1 May 2011 at 4:31 pm

    “THE MINISTRY of Justice has suggested that provisions in the Criminal Justice (Reform and Modernisation) Bill will mean that 300 to 600 fewer cases will proceed to trial by jury, as they will be dealt with by a judge alone.

    Originally, Justice Minister Simon Power claimed that there would be a saving of 1100 trials.

    All of the above claims are untrue.” And “Not so. The ministry’s own figures put the number at 140 per year. So the maximum “saving” would be 140.”

    So is this a case of Simon Power claiming a clever major cost saving process which is really a very very minor fiddle around the edge. And the cost of the Select Committee in acting on faulty info? Priceless. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/opinion/4894373/Errors-in-jury-trial-reforms
    • MrSmith 12.1

      1 May 2011 at 4:40 pm

      Talking to a couple of Lawyers the other day about Power, they and many in there profession are starting to get very pissed off with Simons meddling in our justice system.
      • Colonial Viper 12.1.1

        1 May 2011 at 6:15 pm

        Wait until Power sets up his own law practice using all the ins and outs he knows from his time as A.G., and starts cornering clients for himself using those advantages.

        Your lawyer mates will be wearing real frowns then I bet.
13. joe90 13

    1 May 2011 at 6:00 pm

    Colour me surprised, a lucid, interesting Russell Brand is interviewed by Jeremy Paxman about celebrity, fame and life.
    • M 13.1

      1 May 2011 at 10:16 pm

      Nice one Joe90.

      He’s very animated but seems to ponder things many celebrities would never give thought to.
14. Carol 14

    1 May 2011 at 7:10 pm

    The last segment of Mediawatch section on RNZ this morning has some very good stuff about the state of NZ journalism. It starts at about 20 or 21 minutes into the audiofile:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/20110501

    There’s a guy with a facebook page, and Brent Edwards (the RNZ political editor), speaking about, and on behalf of, the journalists’ union (or print and media council) that he is involved in.

    Edwards talks about how when he starteed in journalism, journalists stood up and told their bosses when they thought stories were not being treated properly. Now he says jour nalists, especially younger journalists are afraid to put their heads above the parapet.
    • Vicky32 14.1

      1 May 2011 at 11:33 pm

      Edwards talks about how when he starteed in journalism, journalists stood up and told their bosses when they thought stories were not being treated properly. Now he says jour nalists, especially younger journalists are afraid to put their heads above the parapet.

      That relates to a book I am just not (re)-reading – John Pilger’s ‘Hidden Agendas’ published 1998. It’s quite weird how well it relates to today!
      The chapters about Rupert Murdoch and the media, especially the one called Cultural Chernobyl are particularly relevant to your comment..
15. aj 15

    1 May 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Seeing the light

    http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unifeed/d/17442.html

    Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund:

    “We have learned that unemployment and inequalities can undermine the achievements of the market economy and, therefore, sowing the seeds for instability and crisis. And when we look how dangerous this cocktail of unemployment and inequality can be, while also associated with sometimes, often, some political tension, we can see how it’s playing out in Middle East and North Africa.”

    “For the recovery is here, but growth, at least in advanced economies, is not creating enough jobs and clearly it’s not the recovery we want. Many people in many countries are facing a social crisis that is every bit as serious as the financial crisis.”

    “The job crisis is hitting the young especially hard. What should have been a brief spell in unemployment is turning into a life sentence. And we are facing, really, the risk of a lost generation.”

    “Stability depends a lot on a strong middle class that can propel demand. And, we will not see this if growth does not led to decent jobs. So, we will not see this if growth rewards the favored few over the marginalized many.”

Links to post

1. Farrar in a act of pure vanity… « The Standard: posted on 1 May 2011 at 12:57 pm

• Comments are now closed

• Log in
• Donate
• Contribute post

• Articles RSS