Open mike 01/07/2014

142 comments on “Open mike 01/07/2014 ”

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1. phillip ure 1

   1 July 2014 at 7:10 am

   (i found this on my rounds this morn..’tis very cool..)

   “..Patatap: the addictive art app that turns your keyboard into a music machine – interactive..”

   “..Press any letter on your keyboard –

   • and as if by magic you’ll enter a soundscape and an art world of your own invention.

   Prepare to be amazed – and kill a lot of time..”

   (cont..)

   http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/ng-interactive/2014/jun/30/patatap-addictive-art-app-that-turns-your-keyboard-into-a-music-machine-interactive
   • Huginn 1.1

     1 July 2014 at 7:24 am

     Thanks for this – it is very cool, indeed.
     • Tracey 1.1.1

       1 July 2014 at 9:39 am

       Are we borrowing less since asset sales, do you know?
       • dv 1.1.1.1

         1 July 2014 at 10:37 am

         The asset sale may cover the 4B year interest bill.
         • McFlock 1.1.1.1.1

           1 July 2014 at 12:58 pm

           As I recall it, one of the more stupid aspects of the asset sales was that the returns for the assets were higher than the interest rates on the loans.

           So if it covers $4bil interest bills, we’re foregoing >$4bil in profits.
2. Paul 2

   1 July 2014 at 7:27 am

   If anyone ever tells you the economy is being well run, link them to this…
   http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/newzealand
   • vto 2.1

     1 July 2014 at 8:13 am

     That is good.

     Opposition should stik it up on an Auckland motorway billboard to illustrate the borrow and spend wastrel actions of this government.
   • Clemgeopin 2.2

     1 July 2014 at 9:09 am

     It says,

     You could wrap $1 bills around the Earth 278 times with the debt amount!

     If you lay $1 bills on top of each other they would make a pile 7,796 km, or 4,844 miles high!

     BUT, we don’t have $1 bills and don’t know their size either!
     Needs to be reworded?
     • freedom 2.2.1

       1 July 2014 at 10:08 am

       Clemgeopin, quick question, did you see the site is not solely for calculating NZ debt?
       • Clemgeopin 2.2.1.1

         1 July 2014 at 10:41 am

         I hadn’t. Ok, in that case, it would have been better to have stated, ‘US $1 bills’
   • ianmac 2.3

     1 July 2014 at 9:13 am

     Thanks Paul. I have saved that clock to show those who don’t recognize the debt that this Government has and is running up.
   • phillip ure 2.4

     1 July 2014 at 9:26 am

     chrs 4 that..i’ve whoar-ed it..
   • Pete 2.5

     1 July 2014 at 10:59 am

     I’m not particularly worried about debt incurred for capital expenditure. I’d rather have hospitals and schools here and now and pay them off over the lives of these assets than have to wait to save up and pay for them. If we can afford to service the debt over the years, it’s not a big issue. And as a good Keynesian knows, borrowing and spending in tough times is perfectly appropriate.

     It’s when we borrow to pay for operational expenditures such as tax cuts that I have a problem.
     • Draco T Bastard 2.5.1

       1 July 2014 at 3:43 pm

       I’d rather have hospitals and schools here and now and pay them off over the lives of these assets than have to wait to save up and pay for them.

       Or we could have created the money to pay for those assets without debt and no need to save money.

       And as a good Keynesian knows, borrowing and spending in tough times is perfectly appropriate.

       The biggest problem with Keynes was that he was still working to protect the rich despite, seemingly, understanding that the rich were the problem.

       It’s when we borrow to pay for operational expenditures such as tax cuts that I have a problem.

       The government should never be borrowing at all, ever. In fact, I’d say that the government borrowing is a massive misunderstanding of economics.
   • Bob 2.6

     1 July 2014 at 11:32 am

     Thanks Paul, that is a great link! Especially when you look at Finland, who is held up as a great country to emulate by a number of commentators here and their net debt per citizen is almost twice that of NZ! http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/finland
     We are also lower per citizen than Norway, Belgium, Austria, Canada, France, Germany…..I could go on, but I think your point about National keeping debt under control has been well made.
   • Wreckingball 2.7

     1 July 2014 at 3:15 pm

     National was forced to rack up debt for several reasons:

     1) the GFC caused out economy to shrink by 3% in one year

     2) the Christchurch earthquake. We had to borrow money to pay for this. The alternative was to leave Christchurch to rot.

     3) huge spending and future spending promises by Labour in the 2000s, during a time of relative economic prosperity, meant that we were all of a sudden spending beyond our means. We are only now getting back to a position where we can actually pay our way.
     • freedom 2.7.1

       1 July 2014 at 3:21 pm

       1) so maybe not the best time to give $2 billion a year in tax cuts ?
       2) ‘total Government spending on the rebuilding of Christchurch will be $15 Billion by 2028’
       – Bill English Budget speech to Parliament 2014
       3) see point 1
       • Foreign Waka 2.7.1.1

         1 July 2014 at 8:29 pm

         Given that all government buildings, infrastructure etc have to have recovery insurance and most home owner did too, it would be reasonable to assert that this will not necessary be part of the debt. If it is NZ has been taken to to cleaners big time by the insurers and god forbid if something like this happens again. Lets not forget that Christchurch is unearthing costs and liabilities even after 3 years and who knows what will hear about tomorrow.
     • Draco T Bastard 2.7.2

       1 July 2014 at 3:47 pm

       1. Yes, the continuing failure of capitalism causes massive suffering
       2. No we didn’t. In fcat, the reality is that the private insurance companies should be paying for most of it – another failure of capitalism
       3. Labour already had a mini-budget ready to go at the time of the 2008 election to account for the changes of the GFC
   • Draco T Bastard 2.8

     1 July 2014 at 3:36 pm

     What irritates me about that is that it has the citizens share and the household share as being exactly the same.
3. phillip ure 3

   1 July 2014 at 8:01 am

   (john oliver works his magic..)

   ..i am such an oliver fan-boy..i feel he has eclipsed both stewart and colbert..

   http://www.alternet.org/video/watch-john-oliver-rants-about-how-america-celebrates-gay-pride-home-exports-anti-gay-hatred
4. Ronnie Chow 4

   1 July 2014 at 8:03 am

   Bad news from the US “The Supreme Court dealt a serious blow to public sector unions Monday, limiting their ability to automatically deduct dues from public workers who nevertheless benefit from union-negotiated contracts. ”
   We can only hope that NZ doesn’t follow suit.
   • Lanthanide 4.1

     1 July 2014 at 9:14 am

     The US political and justice systems are quite different from pretty much any other country in the world, so generally what goes on in the US, stays in the US.
     • Tracey 4.1.1

       1 July 2014 at 9:21 am

       only legally, not ideologically
   • McFlock 4.2

     1 July 2014 at 1:01 pm

     already happens in NZ.

     Unions negotiate the contracts, and it just becomes the generic contract for all employees.
     • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1

       1 July 2014 at 3:58 pm

       +1

       Which is why belonging to a union was compulsory – it stops the free-loading that the free-marketeers say that they’re against.
5. marty mars 5

   1 July 2014 at 8:23 am

   Trev is imo, one of those people that is quite smart and silly at the same time – he has hit the smart side with this one – it will get the headlines, get people talking and increase his chances of being reelected – and you never know I’m sure moa would be over the moon to be born again, raised for meat and their skin, kept in cages or even ‘free range’. And why not, it’s not like there are any other issues to worry about so win win win.

   With “the science of de-extinction advancing quickly”, as he put it, the Hutt South MP has laid down a challenge for Lower Hutt and for scientists: Let’s work towards the possibility of moa one day striding again through the bush of Rimutaka Forest Park.

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10216641/Time-to-bring-back-the-moa
   • McFlock 5.1

     1 July 2014 at 1:05 pm

     It’s an interesting thing to make a campaign issue (and the tories will probably fall into it by calling him Moa Mallard or something), but it does provide a handy segue into all sorts of issues like regional development, environmental preservation, environmental tourism, revitalising the spirit of kiwi ingenuity, cutting-edge technology and blue skies research – all that good stuff.
6. vto 6

   1 July 2014 at 8:23 am

   If business has a sole obligation to make profit…

   Then how can it satisfy the needs of institutions which have obligations which have nothing to do with making a profit?

   e.g. – electricity supply to elderly in winter
   e.g. – hospitals bringing people back to health
   e.g. – housing to those who cannot provide for themselves
   e.g. – teaching children how to read and write
   e.g. – the list goes on

   why do people insist that the business model is capable of more than they admit business owes as an obligation? These people make no sense.

   Yet curiously these same people claim there is an obligation on the people to help business….

   e.g. – money for farming businesses water
   e.g. – electricity companies to deepen the NZX
   e.g. – loans to keep Joyce’s mediaworks solvent
   e.g. – taxpayer support for greedy finance company investors

   I truly shake my head ………

   I personally believe these people are both shallow thinking and duplicitous in pushing this nonsense
   • Tracey 6.1

     1 July 2014 at 9:45 am

     i responded to slylands on this in the other thread vto. You may or may not want to read it.
7. bad12 7

   1 July 2014 at 8:44 am

   Should the country at the center of the, in my opinion, wrongful use of the Diplomatic Immunity case be named???,

   i would suggest no, naming the country will simply have the less thinking in our society blaming all the citizens of that country for the abhorrent actions of one of its Diplomats,

   My view is that Slippery the Prime Minister should for once in His miserable Premiership actually behave like one and tell the Embassy/High Commission involved to bring the alleged perpetrator of that crime back here to face His accuser in our courts or send the whole Embassy/High Commission back to their country of origin…
   • Tracey 7.1

     1 July 2014 at 9:28 am

     the liar in chief says he asked for the guy to be charged at home before he left the country. No one has asked him for proof though.
     • bad12 7.1.1

       1 July 2014 at 9:53 am

       The current situation in my opinion is simply a misuse of the ability for Diplomatic staff to have immunity,

       Diplomatic immunity is simply a device intended to retain diplomatic relations even in a situation where two countries are apparently hostile toward each other and as a device which prohibits one country from holding another’s diplomats to ransom via trumped up criminal charges,

       This isn’t a situation of alleged espionage or any other political wrongdoing, it is an alleged serious offense against a citizen of the host country and by refusing to waive the alleged offenders immunity the country of His origin is effectively condoning such alleged behavior…
       • Tracey 7.1.1.1

         1 July 2014 at 10:11 am

         Agreed. It is an outdated notion vis a vis violent and sexual crimes.
         • unpcnzcougar 7.1.1.1.1

           1 July 2014 at 11:05 am

           Then we should have no problems complying with extraditing Kim Dotcom who is already a convicted criminal.
           • Te Reo Putake 7.1.1.1.1.1

             1 July 2014 at 11:11 am

             Huh? What’s the connection?
             • One Anonymous Bloke …

               1 July 2014 at 11:29 am

               There isn’t any, it’s just another example of the ethical illiteracy endemic on the right.
           • Tracey 7.1.1.1.1.2

             1 July 2014 at 12:10 pm

             What? Dotcom is not claiming diplomatic immunity?Extradition is only possible as part of due process at law. In New Zealand that due process is tested and exercised by our Courts if one wishes to challenge it. What country are you from?
           • North 7.1.1.1.1.3

             1 July 2014 at 4:51 pm

             Forget about unpcnzcougar – unbrainedthickasaplanknzcougar wins. Doesn’t get even that simple little detail right. Phew ! It’s a disconnect bound to have something to do with ”bloody unions” or “I Hate Hone” or such. So favoured by idiots trying to appear knowing. Or pique that KDC’s richer than GodKey ?
           • phillip ure 7.1.1.1.1.4

             1 July 2014 at 8:43 pm

             one of those old fierce-eyed rightwing women..

             ..hands probably trembling from too much gin..

             ..or too little gin..

             ..a helmet-hairdo..

             ..tacky jewellery..

             ..am i close..?..there..

             ..old..rightwing..lady..?
     • fender 7.1.2

       1 July 2014 at 11:07 am

       The “Liar in Chief” is such a shallow little prick. He warned against releasing details of this criminal because a judge ordered name suppression. Oh the irony when one of Key’s best friends (the hideous Cameron Slater) has no such regard for a judges orders…
       • Tracey 7.1.2.1

         1 July 2014 at 12:11 pm

         Whaleoil will release the name this afternoon.
         • fender 7.1.2.1.1

           1 July 2014 at 12:30 pm

           …after his mate Key gives him the details.
           • freedom 7.1.2.1.1.1

             1 July 2014 at 1:19 pm

             If you haven’t already seen it, the country involved is available on google fender.
             There is meant to be a press conference in ________ today with their Foreign Affairs Minister.
         • Te Reo Putake 7.1.2.1.2

           1 July 2014 at 1:19 pm

           Wasn’t hard to find on the interweb, assuming the news source from within the country is correct. Not a place with a terrific respect for women’s rights and somewhere where sodomy is still a criminal offence. But in our top ten for exports, so that may have played a part.
     • srylands 7.1.3

       1 July 2014 at 4:01 pm

       I think the way you refer to the Prime Minister is disrespectful. There is no way I would have referred to Helen Clark in those terms despite her serious shortcomings.

       The situation here is simple as. It has happened many times world over. The Vienna Convention.

       Suddenly it is the Prime Minister’s fault. You are both being absurd.
       • North 7.1.3.1

         1 July 2014 at 4:38 pm

         Regular Old World Emily Post you SSLands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Post

         Manners, manners, manners and etiquette. Huh !
         • srylands 7.1.3.1.1

           1 July 2014 at 4:43 pm

           Yes manners are very important. And it is “srylands”. I request that you stop distorting my name.

           I can no longer tolerate this.
           • Weepu's beard 7.1.3.1.1.1

             1 July 2014 at 4:57 pm

             Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out.
           • McFlock 7.1.3.1.1.2

             1 July 2014 at 5:10 pm

             and yet you can tolerate children living in poverty and 160-odd thousand unemployed.
           • North 7.1.3.1.1.3

             1 July 2014 at 5:29 pm

             Choice ! How will your intolerance manifest SSLands ? Troublesome SSGlands ? Unleashed SSBands ? Clenched SSHands ? On your head SSStands ?
             • phillip ure …

               1 July 2014 at 5:34 pm

               well i mean..miserylands…

               ..were you polite to the poor as you fucked them over..?

               ..(‘cos that’s what matters..eh..?)

               ..fascists can be very well-mannered…

               ..one of the few good things you can say about them..

               ..polite..with clean-fingernails..

               ..is that you miserylands..?
               • felix …

                 1 July 2014 at 7:40 pm

                 srylands operates a whole swag of identities over a number of websites. He uses odd combinations of letters to make up his usernames because that makes it easier to search within webpages for his many, many interactions.

                 When we play around with the spelling it makes it so much harder for him to keep track of all his work.
           • bad12 7.1.3.1.1.4

             1 July 2014 at 7:09 pm

             Ha Ha SSLands, you will tolerate what we dish up to you, you have ‘choice’ tho, toddle off to Blubber boy’s sewer where you obviously belong and have asmooch fest with all your friends…
           • greywarbler 7.1.3.1.1.5

             2 July 2014 at 9:58 am

             ‘I can no longer tolerate this’ says Sslands. How funny. He gathers himself up to his full height, climbs on a table for further extension, and berates us as being disgraceful and rude to him. This in response to his propaganda on how the world works well for him, and we should accept what we have as The Only Way, The Right Way, The Truth and The Word, and abase ourselves as it is TINA.

             The natives are revolting! Yes sir, they definitely are.
       • phillip ure 7.1.3.2

         1 July 2014 at 5:39 pm

         ‘liar-in-chief’ is hardly vitriolic/purple..there..miserylands..

         ..it is just stating the truth..

         ..he is the current ‘chief’..

         ..and when his lips move..you can tell he is ‘lying’…

         ..hence..’liar-in-chief’..geddit..?

         ..(do you need a copy of the blip-list..?..

         ..as a handy-to-have reminder..?..)
       • bad12 7.1.3.3

         1 July 2014 at 6:57 pm

         SSLands, typical ‘wing-nuts’ diversionary tactic, ”it has happened many times the world over”, and this makes it right for us as a nation just to let the alleged perpetrator of an alleged sexual attack and home invasion simply walk away from the misuse of the convention of immunity for diplomats???

         You are indeed a sick little individual and thus you should exhibit no surprise that the majority of commenter’s treat you as a mere spitoon here…
       • greywarbler 7.1.3.4

         1 July 2014 at 7:16 pm

         I think the way the Prime Minister refers to and deals with us as citizens, and misleads us, abuses our trust and misuses our public property, is disrespectful!
   • McFlock 7.2

     1 July 2014 at 1:31 pm

     I don’t know why the country and the diplomat’s names were suppressed – judges order? In which case I don’t have a huge problem with it.

     Nor do I have an issue with the Vienna Convention.

     However, we should be looking very closely at the nature of our diplomatic relationship with a country that shields alleged offenders like this if that country both preserves immunity and fails to take its own legitimate criminal proceedings against the suspect in a serious offence.

     But it’s early days yet.
     • bad12 7.2.1

       1 July 2014 at 1:54 pm

       True Mac, tis early days, from my wireless at one o’clock comes news that the country in question,(and i have no real care exactly which country this is),is considering sending the alleged offender back to New Zealand,

       If that is true i can only but express my applause for them ”doing the right thing”,

       The news added a codicil that the country involved would only do so IF the alleged offender were to receive a fair trial and would be guaranteed no physical harm,

       The country concerned can be assured that i at least have tested the system of Justice in this country on a number of occasions and except for the overall power imbalance expressed in the State Versus the individual, our system of Justice especially where a case is ‘high profile’ is relatively fair,

       Although i can point to isolated incidences of extra-judicial ”harm” coming to defendants from those employed by the State the country concerned can be assured that as far as can be ascertained such harm is not sanctioned by the higher levels of our State,

       my suggestion to the State concerned would be to negotiate the return of this alleged offender and while doing so also negotiate in which country any sentence should be served should He be found guilty along with which countries ‘Parole Board’ will be the arbiter of His release and any conditions of that release from any sentence imposed…
8. Sanctuary 8

   1 July 2014 at 8:46 am

   “… A free market in news is not the same as a free press, unless freedom is defined so narrowly that it refers only to the power of government, rather than to the power of money…”

   Topical piece from Monboit.

   http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/30/censorship-newsroom-freedom-of-expression
   • karol 8.1

     1 July 2014 at 10:01 am

     Thanks. And another good one from Monbiot.
9. Rodel 9

   1 July 2014 at 8:55 am

   I think there is one journalist who stands out above all others in the NZ media and I urge everyone to listen to Wayne Brittenden’s ‘Counterpoint’ on Radio New Zealand (easily Googled)

   Brittenden presents refreshing, factual and insightful analyses of topics such as the TPPA, Ukraine and Iraq situations, incarceration and the private prison industry.
   I think his presentations are ‘fair, balanced and unafraid’.
   The TPPA one is particularly interesting…

   http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2590769/wayne-brittenden-s-counterpoint
   • Once was Tim 9.1

     1 July 2014 at 9:12 am

     +1
     Appointing someone like Colin Peacock or Jeremy Rose as head of News and Current Affairs wouldn’t be a bad idea either in terms of raising public service journalism and editorial standards.
     • phillip ure 9.1.1

       1 July 2014 at 10:13 am

       peacock sat in for one of the regulars recently..he did good work..
       • Wonderpup 9.1.1.1

         1 July 2014 at 11:47 am

         Jim Mora: 1974
         Chris Trotter: 1981
         Colin Peacock: 1991

         (oh, and Holly Walker, 2005)

         Editor’s of Otago University Student’s Association paper, Critic. No wonder the Nats wanted voluntary student membership of their organisations.
       • Once was Tim 9.1.1.2

         1 July 2014 at 12:30 pm

         @PU … yep, heard that.
         C Peackock has a good history and vast experience, and can hardly be regarded as partisan.
         I imagine the privatisers would fear him too much though. Besides, their programme of destruction and crony hack appointments is already well underway – by no means irreversible.

         I remember someone once asked me on this site whether I thought public media could EVER be restored to something that represents the values of PSB.

         Actually, I’m even more convinced now than I was then that it can be. I’m not so sure whether the political opposition (of whatever stripe) is that committed to it however. It’s a shame really, because if they actually thought about it, it’s probably the MOST important thing that should be on the political agenda – up there with child and other poverty et al (since its generally the means by which political and other policy is conveyed to ‘the masses’).
         [Rant check! STOP! Keep your powder dry OwT]

         Whilst I’ve supported both the save TVNZ7 and CBB, I don’t really think they’re ambitious enough (not that I’m an ambitious person myself).
         There’s actually one existing umbrella institution that could deal very nicely to the bullshit we’ve been experiencing over the past 6 (PLUS) years – and without crony appointments of personnel with bullshit titles on huge salaries. (Somewhat simpler than what even Tim Selwyn was proposing elsewhere).
   • greywarbler 9.2

     1 July 2014 at 7:35 pm

     @ Rodel I agree about Wayne Brittenden. Listen hard to him as the management moochers at Radionz will drop him before too long. They have an advertisement that raves about how good Jim Mora’s Panel is. ‘Comments from the leading people in NZ’ or such. They can’t possibly keep Wayne who would provide a measuring standard too high for the opinionated chattering class to compare to.

     Radionz likes the Panel to be leaders in opinion-making, and then gives them the scarce air time that makes them leaders, because nobody else gets a chance to enter with their informed and experienced spiel into the chat show. A really vicious circle. Coffee froth is what we are damned to receive, and the more difficult conditions get, the more we will get along with beer froth and champagne bubbles as the ‘leaders’ toast each other in forced gaiety.
10. Tracey 10

    1 July 2014 at 9:26 am

    What is it about ACT MPs thinking swearing and signing documents means nothing?

    I mean when the 3 legged pig with lipstick wins Epsom, how should we greet its swearing in to parliament, its electoral return or anything it ever signs.

    I hadnt realised quite what a serial fuckwit garrett was…

    Awatere fraud
    Banks signing false return
    Garrett stealing identity of dead baby, false affidavit, assault,

    Hang your head in shame people of Epsom. There is a clear pattern here.

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10759020
    • dv 10.1

      1 July 2014 at 9:36 am

      The reason Garret was suspended from the bar was for swearing a false affidavit.
      Some one needs to point that out to the editor of the herald.
    • Populuxe1 10.2

      1 July 2014 at 10:00 am

      3 legged pig with lipstick? Is Beth Houlbrooke running?
      • Tracey 10.2.1

        1 July 2014 at 10:14 am

        Really classy Populuxe, fascinating what slips out from beneath the veneer.
      • phillip ure 10.2.2

        1 July 2014 at 10:27 am

        well..i just had to go and find her..

        ..and i went to her facebook page..

        ..and had a bit of a spray..

        ..it was fun..

        ..dunno how long the comments will stay up…

        ..heh..!

        ..i might seek out other act candidate facebook pages..

        ..(excuse the non-vegan simile)..but it really is like shooting ducks in a barrel..)
        • greywarbler 10.2.2.1

          2 July 2014 at 10:16 am

          Some people don’t know all that you people do.
          This from google
          Beth Houlbrooke is a retired business woman and mother who has resided in the Warkworth area for 20 years.
          She has a lifetime connection to the area with a humble family bach on the Takatu Peninsula.
          In partnership with her husband Barry she has been a farmer, and owner of a number of successful small businesses.

          She is very humble, has served on all the education entities in which her children are involved, and wants the best of everything for everybody with less bureaucracy and has joined ACT to advance the commonsense individualistic policies that they purvey. (My version of her info summary.)
11. ultra-left 11

    1 July 2014 at 9:29 am

    Labour announced a good piece of policy on migration from the Pacific yesterday. This could be part of a wider Pacific strategy, aimed at energising not just Pasifika but palangi voters:
    http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/why-labour-needs-pacific-strategy.html

    David Cunliffe should fly to Port Vila, shake hands with Green PM of Vanuatu Carilles, and express his solidarity with that country’s attempts to create a nuclear-free, demilitarised Pacific where societis like Kanaky and West Papua are decolonised and the US-China Cold War is defused…
    • Te Reo Putake 11.1

      1 July 2014 at 10:11 am

      Joe Natuman of the Vanua’aku Pati replaced Moana Carcasses a month ago, after he lost a motion of no confidence. The Vanuatu parliament is a place of unsteady loyalties, with coalitions constantly changing, but it was significant that for a year the minority Greens were seen as the honest brokers there.
12. THE REAL STONE SHI 12

    1 July 2014 at 9:50 am

    Granted, I haven’t watched any TV1 news lately, but has there been any coverage of the hilarious disaster that the #TeamKey hashtag has become?

    I’m pretty sure if David Cunliffe had launched an ill-advised Twitter campaign, there would be constant CUNLIFFE MUST RESIGN CAN HE BE TRUSTED headlines. Maybe even some clearly pre-written editorials & WHAT IS CUNLIFFE’S MOST DIABOLICAL GAFFE polls.
    • halfcrown 12.1

      1 July 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Glad you said that, as last nights TV1 news had the results of a poll “should David Cunliff resign”. Knowing the outcome of the smear campaign against DC I wonder why they ran this news item. WTF. What had DC done for them to continue with this resignation crap. Before the ad break the usual shock horror must see the results after the break etc. Can’t remember exact figures but the majority of labour and non labour supporters said he should not. Not happy with that we then had Shearer interviewed and when they were told by Shearer that he was loyal to DC the female anchor person had a last snide remark like that’s what David Shearer says at the moment.
      Did not really take much notice perhaps someone on here can either confirm or deny what I have written.
      If there hasn’t been any I would now like to see similar polls on “how people feel about the smear campaign orchestrated by Key and the Herald” and also one asking the same questions about Collins resigning.
      • Karen 12.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 1:56 pm

        You can watch it here:

        http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/poll-backs-cunliffe-stay-but-shearer-favourite-replacement-6015723

        Another example of a journalist spinning a story in order to make David seem unpopular IMO.

        Probably worth a complaint of bias, but there are so many …
        • greywarbler 12.1.1.1

          1 July 2014 at 7:40 pm

          Too many simple knuckle-dragging jonos I think. Is it all right to call them knuckle-dragging or is that lifting my veneer? Or perhaps I lost my shine long ago.
13. hoom 13

    1 July 2014 at 10:18 am

    NZ Herald continues with its recent form of ludicrously overstated stories:
    Startling front page headline of the printed version “Cow hits Car”
    First sentence of actual story “A Dunedin driver who smashed into a cow”
    • phillip ure 13.1

      1 July 2014 at 10:47 am

      alternate headline:..’jersey punches out volvo’..
      • McFlock 13.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 1:39 pm

        Lack of steering sees steer staring at stairway to heaven?
        • hoom 13.1.1.1

          1 July 2014 at 2:36 pm

          Nice one.
14. Clemgeopin 14

    1 July 2014 at 11:55 am

    Questions For Oral Answer July 1

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/see-hear/ptv

    1. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
    2. JOHN HAYES to the Minister of Finance: What progress is the Government making in allocating proceeds from its share offer programme to pay for new public assets through the Future Investment Fund?
    3. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in the Minister of Education and all of her decisions?
    4. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has the Prime Minister made regarding the Government’s commitment to transport infrastructure in regional New Zealand?
    5. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Is the Government “working for New Zealand”; if so, does that apply to all New Zealanders?
    6. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister for Economic Development: What does he consider are the core components of a regional economic development plan?
    7. JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Why are the regional State highway projects announced at the weekend being funded from asset sales rather than the transport budget?
    8. LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister for Economic Development: What reports has he received on how the regions contributed to New Zealand’s economic recovery?
    9. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that the rate of new house builds in Auckland “is the highest it has been in years, and it shows the progress we are making”, given the average number of building consents issued for new dwellings in the last six years is 4,408 per year, compared to an average of 9,055 from 1999-2008?
    10. GARETH HUGHES to the Minister of Conservation: Did New Zealand officials at a recent International Whaling Commission meeting in Europe agree with or disagree with the Commission’s recommendations that protection for Maui’s dolphins be granted out to 20 nautical miles from Maunganui Bluff down to Wanganui?
    11. MIKE SABIN to the Minister for ACC: What changes has the Government announced about the way ACC covers claims for hearing loss?
    12. CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements?
    • Tracey 14.1

      1 July 2014 at 2:57 pm

      answer to number 10 will be interesting
      • phillip ure 14.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 3:10 pm

        none of it was ‘interesting’..

        ..it was all just national cracking weak moa-jokes..

        ..one of the worst i have seen..and i’ve seen some bad ones..
        • Tracey 14.1.1.1

          1 July 2014 at 3:30 pm

          did smith not wonder why the greens want to save dolphins in hawaii?
          • phillip ure 14.1.1.1.1

            1 July 2014 at 3:41 pm

            i couldn’t hear him for the moa-jokes..
15. blue leopard 15

    1 July 2014 at 12:43 pm

    Good to see the web version of Aljazeera reporting on:

    “New Zealand Opposition Takeover National Party Hashtag”

    http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201406301922-0023887

    (You have to scroll down to get to the good bits.)
16. fisiani 16

    1 July 2014 at 12:43 pm

    Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South.
    Hi I’m from The National Party.
    Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
    A. Yeah!!
    Do you like that idea from John Key?
    A . Yeah Too right.
    Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
    A. Sort of.
    Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
    A. No way.
    So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September.
    A Probably.
    Thanks
    • blue leopard 16.1

      1 July 2014 at 12:47 pm

      My prognosis: Took one look at you and lied to get rid of you
      • McFlock 16.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 1:10 pm

        if it ever happened that way.

        I liked the cult of personality, though – three mentions of John Key, only opening and closing with “National” to try and do a bit of positive association.
    • freedom 16.2

      1 July 2014 at 1:46 pm

      How was Chris? Did he offer you a cuppa?
      • Tracey 16.2.1

        1 July 2014 at 3:00 pm

        🙂
    • Te Reo Putake 16.3

      1 July 2014 at 1:55 pm

      Given you’re a proven liar, I suspect the real transcript is more like this:

      Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South (ie all of Hutt South, except Bob Jones’s place).

      Hi I’m from The National Party.
      A: Oh, really? Are you lost?

      Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
      A: Yeah, well it would have helped, six years ago.

      Do you like that idea from John Key?
      A: I liked that idea when it was from the Greens and Labour, six years ago.

      Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
      A: Sort of. But I don’t know what that job is. Do you?

      Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
      A: Great? They’d be awesome!

      So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September?
      A: Probably. For about a micro second.

      Thanks.
      A: Fuck off.
      • Chooky 16.3.1

        1 July 2014 at 6:21 pm

        lol…cat laughed too!
        • Te Reo Putake 16.3.1.1

          1 July 2014 at 8:18 pm

          Cheers, Chooky. Fish in barrel etc.
    • fender 16.4

      1 July 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Do you give away free cigarettes to those promising to vote National…
    • bad12 16.5

      1 July 2014 at 2:11 pm

      Considering the size of Trev’s majority in Hutt South you would be scratching to know which is a red or blue ‘area’ in that electorate,

      Considering your previous trail of elongated bullshit i would have to consider this is simply part of the toilet paper trail…
      • swordfish 16.5.1

        1 July 2014 at 7:07 pm

        Hutt South’s like Mana – some striking social contrast – Deep Red territory next to Deep Blue territory. Now that Naenae’s headed off to the Hipster’s Rimutaka, I’d say Wainui would be the major Red stronghold. Along with Moera (though that, too, may have moved to Rimutaka, not sure). Hutt Central, Boulcott and, above all, Woburn are the deepest Blue suburbs (as blue as a new tatoo). Increasingly gentrified Petone (once as Red as a Railway Shed back in mid-20th Century) is now pale Orange, as are one or two other formerly Blood Red areas.
    • phillip ure 16.6

      1 July 2014 at 2:29 pm

      have you thought of offering oral-sex..?

      ..a blow-vote..?..as it were..?
    • Tracey 16.7

      1 July 2014 at 2:59 pm

      did you tell them you were recording the conversation?
    • Clemgeopin 16.8

      1 July 2014 at 4:44 pm

      Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South.

      • Hi I’m from The National Party. Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
        A. Of course. Was that policy copied from the progressive parties?
      • Do you like that idea from John Key?
        A . I like the idea but I think Key and National are thieves of policies of other parties for votes though it is against their RWNjob agenda..
      • Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
        A. Yes, primarily for the wealthy, the privileged and the powerful.
      • Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
        A. You bet! Those leaders have more sense, integrity, care, conscience, fairness and concern than any of your rich bastards in National or Act can ever have.
      • So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September.
        A. You have the bloody cheek! Bugger off, fool.

      *Thanks
      A : You are welcome. The whole lot of you may be going to hell when you reach the Pearly gates! Sorry about that. Take that as a warning,dude. It isn’t too late to get out of the dark side. See ya!
      • Chooky 16.8.1

        1 July 2014 at 6:19 pm

        Lol…like it!
    • seeker 16.9

      1 July 2014 at 5:27 pm

      ” Hi I’m from The National Party. Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? ”

      Unfortunately this won’t happen until July 2015 so if your child is between 5 and 13 and falls ill before then and you can’t afford to pay, then …….

      If #teamgetlostkey had truly cared they would have brought this in today. Now some children may really suffer. How can such a cynical and profit driven group of so called humans have been given the mandate to run this country.What is wrong with us?
      • phillip ure 16.9.1

        1 July 2014 at 5:48 pm

        ..+ 1

        ..i hope labour is promising to do better than that..

        ..and a.s.a.p. after the election..as possible..
    • dimebag russell 16.10

      1 July 2014 at 7:43 pm

      @ fishyanis
      you never knocked on a door in your life.
      you are just a liar.
17. Penny Bright 17

    1 July 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Perhaps John Key might need to spend a little more time in his own Helensville electorate?

    I hear that’s he’s not there much – seems he spends lots of time in Wellington and overseas looking after the interests of his corporate and U$A bankster mates?

    Will John Key stand down as Leader of the National Party, if Public Watchdog Penny Bright beats him for the Helensville electorate vote?

    Quite simply – why would the voting public of Helensville waste their electorate vote on John Key. when he’ll be Number One on National’s Party List, and get in anyway?

    If Helensville folk vote STRATEGICALLY , and electorate vote ‘Public Watchdog’ Penny Bright for Helensville, they can get ‘two for one’ – sort of thing…..

    A proven, hardworking, effective advocate for the 99% PM – Penelope Mary Bright, vs a proven, hardworking advocate for the `1% – PM John Key.

    Want some evidence to support this?

    Try this: (for starters ….)

    What more do you expect from the ‘poodle from Wall St’ John Key, who is STILL a shareholder in the Bank of America?

    NZ MPs ‘Register of Financial Interests’ )just downloaded today):

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00CLOOCMPPFinInterests20141/2e04287ad20ee5da12a308149e59bb16d7f47ce5
    (Pg 30)

    Rt Hon John Key (National, Helensville)

    2 Other companies and business entities

    Little Nell – property investment, Aspen, Colorado

    Bank of America – banking

    4 Beneficial interests in, and trusteeships of, trusts

    JP & BI Key Family Trust
    Aldgate Trust (blind trust)

    (Scroll down and watch the news clip – May 2010 about John Key’s ‘insider trading in Tranz Rail’ and his not-so-blind trusts?)

    https://plus.google.com/107879574662689768068/posts/CGQpVTbDorP

    Cheers!
    Penny Bright

    (Evidence of ‘working for the 99%’ as one of two successful Appellants in the Occupy Auckland Appeal.)

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OCCUPY-AUCKLAND-APPEAL-APPLICATION-BY-APPELLANT-BRIGHT-TO-ADDUCE-NEW-EVIDENCE-pdf.pdf

    http://www.dodgyjohnHASgone.com

    Next – ‘shonky’ John Key?

    (Meant of course in a caring way …… 🙂
    • srylands 17.1

      1 July 2014 at 3:35 pm

      Penny when you pay your rates, and show some common sense, you will have more credibility.

      Banking is not evil. Neither is holding shares in banks. If you are a Kiwisaver member you probably hold Bank of America stock.
      • fender 17.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 4:02 pm

        Srylands, please provide evidence that all of your bills are paid.

        p.s. “There Is No Alternative” to your credibility remaining sub-zero.
        • dimebag russell 17.1.1.1

          1 July 2014 at 7:18 pm

          slylands please provide evidence you are a real person.
      • Paul 17.1.2

        1 July 2014 at 4:28 pm

        Penny commands a lot more respect than right wing folk who can only add snide insults to this blog.
      • Draco T Bastard 17.1.3

        1 July 2014 at 5:22 pm

        Banking is not evil.

        No, that would be the psychopathic banksters.

        and show some common sense,

        She does, you don’t.
    • Chooky 17.2

      1 July 2014 at 6:16 pm

      +100…GO Penny!…Go GIRL!
18. freedom 18

    1 July 2014 at 3:33 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11285543

    Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully earlier said the Solicitor-General had advised the Government abide by the suppression ruling while it was in place.

    “I can’t see any good public policy reason why you’d want to protect someone from publicity given there won’t be a trial.”

    Surely he meant to add ‘in New Zealand’ to that statement? Or is it yet another disgustingly ignorant example of how the impact of this event upon the victim is never considered by those in power?
19. greywarbler 19

    1 July 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Further to a comment on Israel-Palestine I put on yesterday, to round the picture out I should add:
    It is possible Israel could strike harder in Gaza, which has been tense throughout the kidnapping drama as militants fired rockets at southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes. On Monday night there were reports that the Israeli Air Force was in the skies above Gaza.

    Palestinians don’t get far with peace talks, likewise Israelis. Someone always manages to put a spanner in the works. Perhaps the status quo suits some bodies.
20. Ronnie Chow 20

    1 July 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Never in the dangerous fray himself , a master of bureaucratic manipulation and intrigue, in love to a fault with secrecy, willing to undertake any crime under the sun so long as it leads to profit, deeply relishing every moment of evil he is able to engineer, and a master of masking it all through adroit, politically-attuned public relations aimed at people too stupid to question him — all while paying absolutely no attention to what his past clearly demonstrates he has done, thus thoroughly frustrating the decent folks all around him.
    Is this Key,Cunliffe,Cheney or Leopold?.
    • bad12 20.1

      1 July 2014 at 7:49 pm

      Perfect description of my younger brother when we were four and five….
      • greywarbler 20.1.1

        2 July 2014 at 10:09 am

        bad12
        LOL But who is Ronnie Chow referring to? Is there a prize? I hope I know the answer.
        • bad12 20.1.1.1

          2 July 2014 at 10:25 am

          Lolz Ronnie is my new ”guru” His word (a gender assumption there),must remain unquestioned…
21. Pete 21

    1 July 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Traditionally,once upon a time, Labour used to be the party that would be prepared to stand up for the poor, and any other people not getting a fair deal.It was a party, who’s politicians would get out there in among the people,seeking to find evidence of any people not getting a fair deal.

    There is many people not getting a fair deal.Even to the extent of beneficiary’s being refused help with very severe dental problems.And so much more

    Labour expects to have their people, become prepared to step out to vote for them.But sadly many of their people have lost hope.Many see little good reason, to even care about voting.

    Why? would Labour voters, think it worthwhile to bother to step-out to vote for Labour politician’s,when Labour politicians don’t even seem so bothered to be prepared to help publicly highlight the plight of these sorts of people whom are not getting a fair deal under rule of National government

    Its getting closer and closer to voting time. And the people that Labour needs to get interested, in getting active involved in voting. Are busy feeling pretty much like they have been totally forgotten

    People feeling that way. Are not inclined to think to vote. Because they feel like the games-lost,already. They feel like nobody seems to even care , so then why even bother to vote

    Labour needs to be getting out there,busy, tracking these people down. Finding out exactly where they are.Finding out what problems they are dealing with. And then also make it very publicly known (on TV)

    Only “then” will Labout voters , start to begin to think like, it really might be very worth while voting.

    Because people whom have given up hope, need to be personally reminded,and shown, “how” hope exists. As well as the way forward, so as to go-get help

    I’m traditional a Labour voter. I’ve always voted Labour.

    But to be honest, i’m starting to feel mighty embarrassed .That it seems like these Labour politicians, are not even so-bothered, to care to make the “most mileage”,out of their peoples problems and misery

    Why? would they expect to have their people bothered with stepping-up to vote for them
    • bad12 21.1

      1 July 2014 at 7:44 pm

      And i raised my weeping eyes to toward the stars and other celestial bodies and cried, why, why, oh why please tell me why oh why, befor breaking out in a fit of the giggles about planning to vote InternetMana…
    • phillip ure 21.2

      1 July 2014 at 8:34 pm

      @ pete..

      ..+ 1..

      ..well-said/summarised…
22. dimebag russell 22

    1 July 2014 at 7:46 pm

    what a load of crap.
    join the party if you are that concerned.
    get some input into policy.
    tell people what they can do to make things better.
    stop this whining that is little better than national party whingeing dressed up to look like something else.
    begone foul spirit.
    • Pete 22.1

      1 July 2014 at 8:10 pm

      dimebag russell says : “what a load of crap.
      join the party if you are that concerned.”

      What a stupid idea.

      If our doctors were not doing their job. Dimebag russells best answer, would be to suggest that maybe the sick people, should need to study to become doctors themselves

      The national party is not whining .They have little need to whine.The way things are going, they will very likely win the next election.

      I know of plenty of people, from last elections, whom might have voted Labour. But they said they didn’t feel it was worth while. This will happen again this election. Especially when we have people like dimebag russell, demanding these folk, all need to join the party, train to become politicians

      Its the politicians job to let these people know,why its worthwhile to vote. Its not my job.Hell people like me don’t even have the wherewithal ,to go get in touch with these sorts of people personally

      Only an ignorant idiot would think it was the voters job, to get out and go drum-up voting-interest

      If these are the sorts of people, behind the labour party. Then little wonder so many folks done see it as even worthwhile voting for Labour
      • bad12 22.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 8:21 pm

        Not really a stupid idea at all Pete, a political party is reflective of those who are its members, that is where the policies of the party are formed,

        If you choose to sit on the sidelines never becoming involved then you have to accept that how a party looks at those they may want to help, but, have little actual experience of what they experience as a real life situation will be delivered via the real life experiences of those in the party, and, the party as all organisms are inclined to do will serve its members first…
        • Pete 22.1.1.1

          1 July 2014 at 9:01 pm

          bad12 ,yes i agree its a great idea, except for it not always being possible, “for everyone”, to have time left,in which to get personally involved, in the way that dimebag suggested.

          Its easy to fob someone off, by just saying that they should decide to get involved themselves, if they feel there is a real problem.So be it , if people here decide to simply dismiss what ive said.

          But this still doesn’t disprove the possibility that a problem may indeed exist.And there must be some good reason why Labour voters don’t care to vote. Labour voters are not the same as National voters. Labour voters are more in need of “being led” to believe their is in fact hope. And they are less likely to believe there might be hope , if they are “feeling” forgotten , and worthless

          Do you? deny that many people within NZ, are not getting a very fair deal.

          If you don’t deny it. Then please explain to me, why it is,that we are not seeing evidence of it,being display widely on the media,for all the general public to see.Especially when its only months away, from an election. An election, that the Labour party is still not looking so very much like winning

          Are they hoping? to be able to lose the election, once again

          Labour voters need to be “led to believe” , that voting is indeed worthwhile. For too many of them, are the kind of people, whom have given up hope
          • Colonial Viper 22.1.1.1.1

            1 July 2014 at 11:05 pm

            Labour voters want to vote for a Labour Party. If they cannot see an actual Labour Party around they will not vote.

            Hence the results of that recent poll showing support falling away from Labour, but not going to any other party, simply going into undecided instead. If Labour gave those people real red reasons to vote, they would be back in a flash.

            By the way I calculated today that under Labour’s scheme I’m basically going to get my Super at about 66.8 years of age, while most MPs in Parliament voting for it will happily get theirs at 65. Plus of course their very generous Parliamentary retirement plans. Also known as the baby boomer generation voting solely for their own interests, again.

            And of course we can’t afford super going into the future, but Labour is happy to speculate that we will be able to afford tax cuts in their second term.

            WTF.
          • bad12 22.1.1.1.2

            2 July 2014 at 10:32 am

            Pete, not fucking likely, that i am going to sit here and provide you with such explanations as you demand,

            You only have to read the pages of the Standard to find the answers to your questions,and, as far as me personally providing any answers to you on/about the Labour Party, forget that too as i have not been a member of that Party for so many years i forget when my membership lapsed…
23. dimebag russell 23

    1 July 2014 at 8:18 pm

    blah blah blah.
    take ya stuff with ya and dont come back.
    • Ronnie Chow 23.1

      1 July 2014 at 8:56 pm

      Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively impose domination over others.
      • dimebag russell 23.1.1

        1 July 2014 at 9:36 pm

        yes thats right roniie and that is what the national party are good at..
        but mainly taking peoples money off them.
        they too squeamish to do the dirty work themselves and people going missing are to ohard to hide in this country.
        they are evil malignant spirits and they need exorcising.
24. phillip ure 24

    1 July 2014 at 8:28 pm

    great doco on maori tv @ 8.30..’fog of war’..
25. dimebag russell 25

    1 July 2014 at 10:48 pm

    Just watched the ending of that. Mcnamara was a car company accountant and look where he ended up? But I have to say that I was not impressed by Stacy Daniels on ‘Media Take’ straight after. I have to tell her that neither Carol Hirschfiled, Judy Bailley and Wendie Petrie are my mother and nor are they in any way the mother of the nation. If you believe this media nonsense then you have been suckered into a false consciousness that is very dangerous to cleave to. Their jobs are to put a nice face onto the crap that comes between selling soap and other false promises. They are talking heads and thats all.
    • greywarbler 25.1

      2 July 2014 at 10:05 am

      @ Dimebag
      +1
    • bad12 25.2

      2 July 2014 at 10:38 am

      Dimebag, i had to resist the urge not to use douchebag here, the name is Stacey Morrison thanks, at least get something right,
26. Colonial Viper 26

    1 July 2014 at 11:00 pm

    Outstanding example of doublespeak and UK nuclear weapons in the mainstream media

    “The reason why we set up the commission was to stimulate a debate that we perceive has been dominated by electoral calculation. We believe Britain is well placed to lead global nuclear disarmament by renewing Trident.”

    http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/01/trident-nuclear-missile-renewal-study
27. lprent 27

    4 July 2014 at 4:19 pm

    This is test of the comment subscription section.
    • lprent 27.1

      4 July 2014 at 4:20 pm

      Testing followup reply
    • lprent 27.2

      4 July 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Another test
28. AncientGeek 28

    4 July 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Another test as a different personality

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