Open mike 01/10/2012

99 comments on “Open mike 01/10/2012 ”

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1. deuto 1

   1 October 2012 at 7:59 am

   Waking up and listening to the news and Morning Report, my first thoughts were ‘Timing is everything’ and ‘Karma’.

   First – the new/revised/amalgamated search powers under the Search and Surveillance Act come into force today. How appropriately timed in relation to the revelations of the last week in respect of the Kim Dotcom fiasco! Could not have been better timing if it had been planned.

   Then, popped onto Stuff and the first headline/article:

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7749691/PMs-Hollywood-trip-will-face-close-political-scrutiny

   I had been wondering whether Key would be going to Hawaii or elsewhere overseas during the recess and it seems a quick trip to Hollywood is on the agenda. Again, what a wonderful bit of timing!

   The Herald cartoon this morning says it all

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10837551
   • mickysavage 1.1

     1 October 2012 at 8:46 am

     So a trip back to the mansion via Hollywood to talk to his bosses.

     Politics is timing and luck.  And Key’s timing here is appalling. 
     • deuto 1.1.1

       1 October 2012 at 9:04 am

       Agreed. Interstingly, the Stuff article has been updated since I first read it and posted it here. The original was very short and simply mentioned the trip,but now covers Key defending the trip and also Key defending English for not telling him about signing the GCSB suppression order.

       The latter quotes Key as saying that English only had a “30 second” conversation with the GCSB!

       Key today said English had a “30 second” conversation with the spy agency about the certificate but it was not up to his deputy to tell him about it.

       “I agree GCSB should have told me when I came back to New Zealand,” he told Radio Live. “Bill English wouldn’t do that. That’s not his job.”

       Asked if it should have been part of an update from English, Key said: “A lot of things happen when you are away.”

       “He would have assumed, and did assume rightfully so, that there would be a process where the ministry would tell me and they just didn’t.”

       If this is how they do business, God help us all. Key should really stop digging the hole.
       • mickysavage 1.1.1.1

         1 October 2012 at 9:20 am

         Yep.  Key’s weakness is now being displayed.  He is totally disorganised and does not know what is going on and it seems he does not care.

         The Nats spent huge amounts of time and effort developing “nanny state”.  This was an effective and ultimately successful attack on Helen Clark’s strengths.  It subtly but directly attacked her for being in control and for being a childless woman.

         I wonder what the Key version is?
         • Tigger 1.1.1.1.1

           1 October 2012 at 9:36 am

           Ninny State.
         • Rosie 1.1.1.1.2

           1 October 2012 at 10:15 am

           Hi Mickey. Off topic here but Helen Clark chose not to have to children didn’t she? The term ‘childless’ refers to loss: less=loss, which could also imply grief at not having children.
           The term being used now and one that I think appropriate is ‘child free’. A person or couple who choose not to have children have not lost what they did not want to start with. Another term is ‘non parenter’ but this sounds a bit naff, (to my ears) Either way its worded being child free still carries enormous stigma in our society, and you’re right, Helen Clark was stigmatised for her child free status for political gain.
           • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.2.1

             1 October 2012 at 3:17 pm

             It’s another example that NACTs don’t really want to allow people free-choice. They want you to conform to their vision of society and if you don’t you will be oppressed in some way.
           • mickysavage 1.1.1.1.2.2

             1 October 2012 at 8:03 pm

             Sorry Rosie

             Valid points.  I used the phrase and did not even think about it. 
         • felix 1.1.1.1.3

           1 October 2012 at 10:28 am

           His strengths are that he’s spent his life in the real world of currency trading and derivatives where men are real men.

           Consequently he:

           A) is richer than astronauts and doesn’t really need the job, which means he

           B) seems relaxed about things, doesn’t mind laving a laugh, and doesn’t take the job too seriously like some of those other stuffy politicians who have been in politics for long enough to know what they’re doing.

           Like David Brent, he sees himself less as a boss and more as a “chilled out entertainer.”

           Distill that into meme-sized phrasing and repeat.
           • King Kong 1.1.1.1.3.1

             1 October 2012 at 10:36 am

             Problem is if you remind people constantly that he is loaded then the question gets asked – why would he want to be primeminister with the huge workload and annoying problems?

             It has to be either a) he genuinely wants to make a difference and make NZ a better place or b) Its all about ego.

             Most normal people come to the conclusion that if it was ego one term would have done and he would be lording it up in the sun somewhere by now.
             • weka …

               1 October 2012 at 11:04 am

               (c) he likes playing the game.

               (d) his bosses have promised him something rilly good the longer he stays the distance. 

               (e) his contract states that he has to stay in the job even if he screws up and looks like a complete twat (the bosses have a bigger agenda, and making NZ a better place isn’t on it. Making NZ a better place isn’t even on the same planet).
               • Draco T Bastard …

                 1 October 2012 at 3:20 pm

                 No doubt, the answer is e). He’s PM to screw NZ over for his USian masters.
             • Lanthanide …

               1 October 2012 at 11:05 am

               One term doesn’t get you a knighthood, or ‘prove’ that you really are PM material.
             • Rosie …

               1 October 2012 at 11:08 am

               KK, the answer is b), that and his misplaced ‘ambushin’. Rember the hilarious video clip “Ambitious for New Zealand”? He was also ambushus for his busnuss mates and giving them all he can in the position on PM. The reason he’s still here and not lording it up as you suspect he might be if he was only in it for the ego is that he is stuck here. He has no choice. Who else within the Nat Party would be popular enough to be PM? He’s only here because his fading smile and wave ‘charm’ was enough to fool some major suckers at the last election. Just watch his expressions when he’s interviewed on the telly. His face his full of contempt, boredom and indifference. He’s here because he has to be, not because he wants to be.
             • Blue …

               1 October 2012 at 1:31 pm

               How naive are you? It is all about ego, and being a one-term PM is not good for anyone’s ego. If you want to sit around the table with the other bigshots and lord it about that you were the PM of a small South Pacific banana republic, you can’t just say you did it for one term.

               At least two, minimum. One term is a failure in politics. Three, ideally, but I don’t think Key can hang on that long. He’s publicly longing for golf courses and holidays, so he’s not much longer for being forced to defend John Banks and being bothered by the details of governing.
             • felix …

               1 October 2012 at 6:08 pm

               KK: “Problem is if you remind people constantly that he is loaded then the question gets asked – why would he want to be primeminister with the huge workload and annoying problems?
               It has to be either a) he genuinely wants to make a difference and make NZ a better place or b) Its all about ego.”

               Err no, those are the only two reasons you can think of.

               But even if that were the case, you apparently didn’t read my comment as far as “B)”. I’m pointing to the fact that he doesn’t seem to give a shit about the job, the bit in “A)” about him not needing to be there was just a possible part explanation as to why he doesn’t seem to give a shit.

               Of course yours is a typical response from a two-bit tory. As soon as I mention that someone has a few bucks you stop reading because that’s about all you could imagine being relevant.
     • David H 1.1.2

       1 October 2012 at 1:12 pm

       Well he has to get “Have movie made of my life” ticked off the CV. So this is probably to arrange the hand over of Kim to the forces of evil. So he can get the movie made…
   • Dr Terry 1.2

     1 October 2012 at 11:09 am

     One would hope Key would suggest that Hollywood come here in order to make seriously truthful DOCUMENTARIES covering the messes under his reign – tons of work there, they could make a whole series.
     • Katy 1.2.1

       1 October 2012 at 2:40 pm

       Or maybe Hollywood are planing to do a modern day remake of Laurel & Hardy. Calling it John & Bill, so the phrase ” Well here’s another nice mess youve gotten me into” can be used in abundance with absolute truth and conviction.
   • Draco T Bastard 1.3

     1 October 2012 at 3:36 pm

     Speaking of the Dotcom case:

     Yesterday, Mr Meurant said he believed charges should be laid over the GCSB’s actions.

     However, that would not happen, he said. A long-standing police culture of avoiding court scrutiny over serious matters had now become entrenched in other agencies, including the GCSB.

     “They will avoid at all costs having to account for their actions before a court of law. They’ll put the preservation of themselves above the rule of law.

     “The probability of the state being called to account for this shocking behaviour is zero.”

     I think NZ may be starting to wake up to how corrupt some of our institutions actually are.
     • Jokerman 1.3.1

       1 October 2012 at 5:19 pm

       Mill- ” If Nature (red in tooth and claw-Tennyson) and Man are both the work of a Being of perfect goodness, that being intended Nature as a scheme to be AMENDED, not imitated, by man”

       “that is precisely what the rabbis had in mind when they spoke of people becoming “God’s partner in the work of creation” -Sacks

       Kaitiakitanga

       (Tino rangitiratanga; Te mauri ora)

       He!
   • deuto 1.4

     1 October 2012 at 3:56 pm

     BREAKING NEWS

     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10837715

     The Secretary of Cabinet has been appointed to carry out a capability, governance and performance review of the Government Communications Security Bureau after it was found to be spying on Kim Dotcom illegally.

     Chief executive of the department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Andrew Kibblewhite Director of the GCSB Ian Fletcher announced today that Secretary of Cabinet Rebecca Kitteridge will be seconded immediately to the GCSB for an initial period of up to three months in the new role of Associate director of the Bureau.

     Ms Kitteridge will be responsible to the director of the GCSB for the immediate review.

     Ms Kitteridge’s responsibilities will include:

     # Review the systems, processes and capabilities underpinning the GCSB’s collection and reporting,

     # Build capability and provide assurance to the GCSB director that the compliance framework has been reviewed, improved and is fit for purpose.

     # She will establish new, specific approval processes for activity in support of police and other law enforcement agencies.

     Ms Kitteridge was appointed as secretary of the Cabinet and clerk of the executive council in April 2008.

     She is a senior public servant who is responsible for the security and integrity of the Cabinet decision-making system and the New Zealand Royal Honours systems.

     She provides advice on ethics and conduct in relation to Ministers of the Crown, and is a key constitutional advisor to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister of the day.

     Ms Kitteridge is a lawyer and a focus in private practice was on legal compliance for corporate entities.

     Since joining the public service she has specialised in constitutional matters at both the Cabinet Office and in the legal division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While in Cabinet Office she has advised four Prime Ministers and four Governors-General.
     

     Sorry to quote it in full, but thought is was not too long to do so.

     While Ms Ketteridge’s qualifications etc appear ideal for the job of an internal revamp of the agency, it remains to be seen as to whether this will satisfy calls for a fully independent review of the circumstances and issues leading to the review (the GCSB’s involvement in the KDC fiasco, and that of Ministers including the PM) or public reporting on these.
     • ianmac 1.4.1

       1 October 2012 at 4:17 pm

       To look at and recommend improvements is good dueto.
       But the elephant to us, the inquiry into recent events.
       • deuto 1.4.1.1

         1 October 2012 at 4:30 pm

         Absolutely, Ianmac. This is an attempt to head the latter off at the pass – I doubt that it will succeed and IMO it shouldn’t.

         I usually avoid watching Key on TV but watched the Breakfast interview this morning with Key trying to make light of the whole issue – and twisting one or two points. For example, he quite deliberately (IMO) misquoted what happened when Wormald was questioned in court by stating that KDC’s lawyer asked whether the GCSB had been involved. Davidson did not – he asked whether any other agencies were involved and did not name the GCSB specifically. Although the seating arrangement was such that the two were not looking directly at the cameras, not once did Key actually look directly at the camera.
         • BloodyOrphan 1.4.1.1.1

           1 October 2012 at 4:51 pm

           Not looking at the camera, Scared of Daemons.
           Shouldn’t have done that boody w’craft aye John Key?.
           Little Coven feeling a bit Headachey are they ?
           How bout you Gerry?

           Maybe yas should watch “The Men Who Stare At Goats” again.

           Thos cats were onto it M8!
     • BloddyOrphan 1.4.2

       1 October 2012 at 4:34 pm

       It sounds like she is well qualified to get the Job done.
       As long as she’s not trying/forced too plaster over ShonKeys crap.
   • Vicky32 1.5

     1 October 2012 at 6:07 pm

     Brilliant cartoon! Someone shared it on Facebook….
2. Jackal 2

   1 October 2012 at 9:19 am

   Hi LPrent, There seems to be another problem with the site. I’ve been getting an error message:

   This webpage has a redirect loop

   Error 310 (net::ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS): There were too many redirects.

   Clearing cookies does seem to fix it, but I have to do it every day to be able to visit the Standard. Would appreciate you looking into it. Thanks.
   • yeshe 2.1

     1 October 2012 at 9:29 am

     yes, me too; thx jackal, thought it was only me !
     • weka 2.1.1

       1 October 2012 at 11:36 am

       Is anyone else having trouble with the smilies? I posted in another thread and they didn’t work, but they do in this one…

       🙄  😕 

       [lprent: See my note on http://thestandard.org.nz/a-vision-for-manufacturing/comment-page-1/#comment-528571. In this one you put the roll before the ‘:-?’ which BTW looks like this 😕 ]
       • weka 2.1.1.1

         1 October 2012 at 11:38 am

         😀
     • Kevin Welsh 2.1.2

       1 October 2012 at 12:26 pm

       Me too. Only happens with Chrome. Gone back to Safari for now.
   • lprent 2.2

     1 October 2012 at 12:35 pm

     I’ve had several people complain about it now. Generally they have fixed with cookie cleanups or reinstalls.

     I did see it yesterday – it showed up on my workstation at home. Spent an entertaining hour trying to track down the source and what it affects.

     As far as I can tell it appears to be a problem only with desktop Chrome. I tested across multiple platforms while it was showing up on the workstation. Doesn’t show up on firefox or rekong on my workstation. Didn’t show up in IE, chrome, firefox, or safari on my laptop’s vista boot. Nor on chrome or anything else on laptops ubuntu boot. Nor on iOS safari or chrome. Nor on chrome of safari on Lyn’s OS/X….

     Testing with remote website test tools operating as multiple different browsers and operating systems didn’t reveal it.

     The chrome debugger didn’t reveal the source problem – and nor did any other diagnostic tool. It was happening on many pages which tends to indicate that it was for the whole site (rather than linked to a specific image).

     Cache clearing chrome on the workstation didn’t clear it. What eventually removed the problem was clearing the cookies on chrome on the workstation. I can’t tell you which one as I cleared the lot and the damn problem disappeared. Checking the new cookies did not reveal anything obvious.

     The only redirection that are in the code for the site at the server level is from http://www.thestandard.org.nz to thestandard.org.nz and for the advertising. The latter is where I think that the problem probably is. But it is probably for a specific advert….

     I have only seen it on one system so far so I’m waiting for it to reproduce so I can go through the cookies in more detail.
     • yeshe 2.2.1

       1 October 2012 at 12:56 pm

       Thx lprent .. jst confirming, mine was Chrome. Got back here via IE9.
       • Fortran 2.2.1.1

         1 October 2012 at 1:39 pm

         I have kicked Chrome too. Was stuffing my system up by trying to take over.
       • lprent 2.2.1.2

         1 October 2012 at 1:50 pm

         I haven’t seen a report that wasn’t chrome yet.
     • BloddyOrphan 2.2.2

       1 October 2012 at 2:18 pm

       It started happening to me after I made a “Reply” comment.
       It maybe something to do with scrolling to the comment in the thread after posting a Reply perhaps?
       • BloddyOrphan 2.2.2.1

         1 October 2012 at 2:31 pm

         You should just scroll the comment being replied to into view+200px instead maybe.
3. Lanthanide 3

   1 October 2012 at 9:36 am

   So how about that financial collapse we were warned about in September?

   Nats try to muscle the Waitangi Tribunal

   Oh well, I guess there’s always next September.
   • Bored 3.1

     1 October 2012 at 11:13 am

     I always laugh at obituaries for capitalism and finance: they are always premature. A better way of looking at it are for signs of senescence, or a zombie state. Europe is a financial zombie.

     Today Europe is a ghost train economically, lots of screamy scary unreal things in the dark…then you come out into the light and see reality, very scary indeed. Be very worried.

     http://theautomaticearth.com/Finance/youre-dreaming-if-you-think-the-euro-crisis-is-resolved.html
     • muzza 3.1.1

       1 October 2012 at 12:06 pm

       http://www.scoopit.co.nz/story.php?title=%E2%80%9Cpoverty-is-returning-to-europe%E2%80%9D

       The giant consumer goods company Unilever has announced that it has begun employing its “third-world” marketing strategy in Europe. This is eloquent testimony to the growing social inequality now besetting the continent.

       Jan Zijderveld, head of European operations, stated bluntly that the decision had been made because “poverty is returning to Europe”.

       Yeah I would say that’s a strong indicator Bored!
       • Jokerman 3.1.1.1

         1 October 2012 at 12:23 pm

         Yep Muzza
   • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.2

     1 October 2012 at 11:41 am

     Lanth, don’t be mean. Poor Ev was just about to explain how HAARP is being used to bolster market confidence.
   • Dr Terry 3.3

     1 October 2012 at 1:22 pm

     Lanthanide – how about the on-going moral collapse under National?
     • Lanthanide 3.3.1

       1 October 2012 at 4:09 pm

       What about it?
4. redfred 4

   1 October 2012 at 10:10 am

   It is possible to manage the exchange rate, John Key a liar

   “The primary objective of monetary policy is to ensure low inflation as a
   sound basis for sustained economic growth. In Singapore, monetary policy
   is centered on the management of the exchange rate, rather than money
   supply or interest rates. This reflects the fact that, in the small and open
   Singapore economy, the exchange rate is the most effective tool in
   maintaining price stability.2”

   IMF Working Paper
   Asia and Pacific Department
   Singapore’s Unique Monetary Policy: How Does It Work?
   Prepared by Eric Parrado1
   Authorized for distribution by Joshua Felman
   January 2004

   http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2004/wp0410.pdf
   • Lanthanide 4.1

     1 October 2012 at 10:38 am

     I believe Singapore are actively involved in managing their exchange rate, by buying and selling foreign and local currencies?

     When people (John Key) say that it’s impossible to manage the exchange rate, what they really mean is “pegging the exchange rate is too expensive for a country like New Zealand”. Perhaps Singapore can do it because they started much earlier and have closer trade routes etc – certainly they’d get economy of scale for infrastructure in a way that NZ just can’t match.

     Cunliffe has recently highlighted that there are many many different policy options that range from our current policy framework all the way to simple currency pegging and that using such broad language to imply nothing except our currency policy works is wrong.
5. Jokerman 5

   1 October 2012 at 10:21 am

   Singapore considering the imposition of stricter controls on the inflow of migrant workers to reduce the impact on struggling infrastructure and to attempt to raise the wages of citizens-WSJ

   The Monetary Future?
   http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GX/global/press/global-press-releases-en/e160ad190c2c7310VgnVCM1000001956f00aRCRD.htm?

   Spend some time in the desert; Muslim women held, tortured and raped by the Assad regime.
   Feargal Keane, BBC
6. Uturn 6

   1 October 2012 at 11:07 am

   While I was out and about during the weekend I heard a man talking to his young children in maori, in a shop, nothing special going on, completely unselfconscious, natural as you or anyone else uses their own dialect. Sounds considerably different to the stuff heard at official meetings or on TV. I can’t remember the last time I heard anything like it, here in the middle of Auckland. Dunno if they thought it special, maybe never considered it, but it made me feel like the world had made a change for the better.
   • weka 6.1

     1 October 2012 at 1:30 pm

     🙂
   • Vicky32 6.2

     1 October 2012 at 6:21 pm

     While I was out and about during the weekend I heard a man talking to his young children in maori, in a shop, nothing special going on, completely unselfconscious, natural as you or anyone else uses their own dialect.

     When I lived in the BofP decades ago, I used to hear that all the time! One on occasion, when my son and I were waiting at the bus station, we were the only people speaking English!
7. Penny Bright 7

   1 October 2012 at 11:43 am

   Have folks seen this?

   “1st October Press Release National Day of Action Sep 30 by againstwelfarereforms
   National Day of Action Against Welfare Reforms, National Press Release

   “If you are neutral in situations of injustice , you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.

   Bishop Desmond Tutu

   The aim of the National Day of Action against Welfare Reform on the 5th of oct 2012 is to hold The NZ National Party accountable for implementing detrimental welfare policies that stigmatise and vilify the poor also to expose the unethical tactics used to fast track legislation of these policies. In April 2012 Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford criticised the submissions process, saying “the constrained timeframe of just 11 working days undermined the principles of democracy”.

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800260

   The ministry of justice has also admitted that the welfare reforms are discriminatory

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800260

   Because of this we believe they are in breach of the NZ Bill of Rights Act in May 23, this year Green MP Jan Logie made these comments

   “It has been noted that the proposed welfare reforms will breach ICESCR (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) articles 2,3,4,6,9,10,11 and 12 and concerns have been raised by the Human Rights Commission and many others noting breaches to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention of Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.”

   http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/05/23/government-on-the-way-to-making-human-rights-a-cliche/

   New Zealand deserves integrity and honesty from its leaders. We request not only an enquiry but also more dialogue and transparency from NZ Government also that the Attorney General’s Report in to these matters be released to the public as we believe the Welfare Reform Bill to be invalid not only for human rights breaches

   but also for the breach of Article 2 of the Treaty

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tino_rangatiratanga

   and the breach of the UNDRIP which was endorsed by government in 2010

   http://posttreatysettlements.org.nz/long-standing-implications-the-undrip-and-nz/

   We believe the National party has utilised beneficiaries as the scapegoats of NZ which is unfair considering the tax cuts that they gave to the rich and there is already subsidised contraception available at family planning clinics the only real solution to poverty is education not vilification. Studies have proven that raising children is the equivalent of having 2 fulltime jobs.

   This day is not only about dignity for all New Zealand families whether rich or poor it is also about the challenge to save ethics and humanity in New Zealand.

   The Peoples Collective NZ

   The.Peoples.Collective.NZ@gmail.com “
8. Anne 8

   1 October 2012 at 11:49 am

   Just heard one of the best Radio NZ political jousts between Mike Williams and Matthew Hooton.

   Red Alert!
   Guess what the new Nat.strategy is…re-the undermining of the Labour Party. Hooton has given it away:

   Drive a deep wedge between the Shearer and Cunliffe leadership camps by spreading false memes!!

   He claimed today that Cunliffe has spent all year undermining David Shearer. It’s bull-shit, crap and anything else you may wish to call it. My observation suggests the truth is the opposite.

   Matthew sweetheart… you insult the most highly intelligent member of parliament we have in this country. Is he going to be so foolish as to try on a trick like that? No, he is not.

   Message to fellow Labour supporters (past and present): DON’T fall into the trap!

   Can someone put the link up when it becomes available?
   • Anne 8.1

     1 October 2012 at 12:07 pm

     Ooops… I forgot to mention the best bit.

     Hooton called for Cunliffe to be sacked!

     Wow… they must be so scared of him.
     • McFlock 8.1.1

       1 October 2012 at 4:59 pm

       I dunno – methinks he doth protest too much. Act all scared of Cunliffe makes C look more like the big gun in Labour. This encourages division within labour demanding that Shearer be dumped to unleash Cunliffe (like we see here every so often).
              
       I reckon that Labour under Shearer is making steady progress, enough so that replacing Shearer with Cunliffe might mean that Cunliffe’s possible greater skill at gathering votes still won’t make up the ground from a “redo from start” change in leadership and policy approach.
               
       But then again, maybe Hooten really is worried about Cunliffe. Sometimes it can be so difficult to tell the difference between a stupid prick and a cunning bastard…
     • halfcrown 8.1.2

       1 October 2012 at 8:18 pm

       Anne, As I have said many a time the likes of O Sullivan, prat Hooten and the fuckwits on the right are shit scared of Cunliffe as they know he will take it to them. That is why they are “supportive” of Shearer as he is not a threat to their cosy fuckwit make belief right wing world.
9. North 9

   1 October 2012 at 11:50 am

   FranKey goes to Hollywood………”Relax don’t do it……..Scheme those schemes………Dream those dreams”.

   PrimeMincerMan is a preposterous, illiterate arsehole on the scale of George Bush and his vacations.

   Uncomfortable as it feels I want to invoke Paul Henry.

   We need a REAL Kiwi for PM, not some plastic boxed-up Ken doll you’d find in the discount basement at JC Penney.
   • Dv 9.1

     1 October 2012 at 12:25 pm

     Maybe it was really Cuniliffe that was behind the dotcom debacle.
     • Anne 9.1.1

       1 October 2012 at 12:36 pm

       Yeah… that might be the next meme. 🙂
     • tc 9.1.2

       1 October 2012 at 1:09 pm

       Awesome, bring it on DC must be quaking in his boots, especially fearful of Mr Shouty Hooten.

       Oohh look out here comes blubber and the fatman, you’ll know it’s done the rounds if shills like armstrong, franny etc run it.
   • SukieDamson 9.2

     1 October 2012 at 9:43 pm

     North, hit me with those laser beeeeeeeeeeams.
10. ianmac 10

    1 October 2012 at 12:41 pm

    “Yep. Just a cheap political stunt from Labour. Just ignore them. I ignore them and concentrate on the important stuff, like how to improve Planet Key,” smirked John Key as he boarded the Warner Brothers private jet.
11. ianmac 11

    1 October 2012 at 1:37 pm

    And Anne. Notice how Mr Hooton managed to slip in the “Dotcom of course has some criminal convictions etc.” Suggests that even Hooton sees Mr Dotcom as a threat.
12. Anne 12

    1 October 2012 at 1:40 pm

    ianmac 😀

    The way I see it, we have three Davids – David S, David C and David P. Each one brings to the Labour table their own particular talents. All three are exceptionately intelligent and it’s the job of the parliamentary team to harness those talents in the interest of the Party and not themselves.

    In the end, it may not really matter which one is the leader. That is why I think Labour supporters – including some of the parliamentarians – need to stop airing their differences of opinion where the leadership is concerned. As evidenced by Hooton on Radio NZ today, all they are doing is playing into the hands of the Nat. strategy team.

    I sincerely hope the ABC club has disbanded… never to be formed again!
13. Bored (on exit) 13

    1 October 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Its Monday at 1.30ish..and I have decided there is a “problem”. It has symptoms that manifest as:

    too much time wasted blogging at work instead of making the dosh which needs to get redistributed to those who need it.

    too much time blogging which I can use directly to help others.

    too much blogging on this site by myself (and others) in which things are said we would not dare face to face.

    too many bloggers on this site acting as commissars and using it for show trials.

    too many “?leftist?” bloggers on this site driving me into the arms of the RWNJs…heaven forbid.

    To cure the problem is simple, I will take responsibility for the problem and “fekk off”. For good.

    Inspiration for this, Prism a month ago (thanks P, I have been dwelling on it).

    Bored is officially retired, gone. If you want reminder of my name QOT has it “beefhooked” in lights on the ego wall of her blog.

    Goodbye.
    • Tiger Mountain 13.1

      1 October 2012 at 2:26 pm

      another one bites the dust…..
    • Lanthanide 13.2

      1 October 2012 at 4:10 pm

      Sad to see you go, Bored.
    • prism 13.3

      1 October 2012 at 4:37 pm

      Bored Unlucky 13!
      Gee I always look for you and a few others so I can see something pithy well thought out interesting informative sourced etc. What about being a guest blogger from time to time about things of your particular interest and where others will involve in reasoned discussion (not on feminism and slutwalks for instance). I value getting an overview from people like you here, there are too many that just drop a short opinion with unswerving confidence in its sanctity like small gods. I thought of stopping then I thought I’ve been wasting time debating ideologies and like banging brick walls, it is so much nicer when you stop.

      I’ve decided that the intention of the blog is good, the opportunity to communicate items of concern and interest on Open Mike and the authored threads is good, the moderation is good, control good without being too heavy. I don’t have a source of intelligent political conversation other than here, and I like to say a rude word now and then here which frightens the horses if I let fly on the daily round. So I thought I would continue but try to be careful on use of time. (Making a point, with accompanying links, eats up my half hours and it’s possible that no one is interested at that time on that day.)

      The blog puts out ideas, explains and supports them during discussion which is great. Mummified ideas though get preserved for ever and no fresh air can enter. But the most of the commenters are people who are thoughtful and bear to look around, behind, rethink – the past, present and the possible future. People who are good to read have dropped off from blogging here for many reasons no doubt, but they are missed.
      • ianmac 13.3.1

        1 October 2012 at 4:54 pm

        Prism agreed. Those who were the giving comments from the point of view of those opposed to the “Left”, were well worth the effort even though some hammered them for their different viewpoint. To see the World as others see it is valuable don’t you think especially for those like me who only know little bits of Life.
      • prism 13.3.2

        1 October 2012 at 9:52 pm

        Bored Just a thought. I referred to guest blogging but even just dropping in regularly as BLIP and ianmac and Jim Nald do would be good. Hope to see you back in a while.
    • ianmac 13.4

      1 October 2012 at 4:46 pm

      Sorry to see your exit Bored. How about a Born Again event and you could come back as “Angelic” or the “Optimist?”
      • lprent 13.4.1

        1 October 2012 at 5:10 pm

        ditto…

        I know that feeling of time seeping away blogging (or usenet or BBS) though. It usually pays to back off for a while and think about how you’re using the systems. I do it regularly three or four times a decade.
      • weka 13.4.2

        1 October 2012 at 6:32 pm

        Bored, I’m sorry to see you go too, and hope that this might be a break rather than a finality. All the best.
    • Vicky32 13.5

      1 October 2012 at 6:24 pm

      If you want reminder of my name QOT has it “beefhooked” in lights on the ego wall of her blog.

      Is that an honour? I must check out her blog… 😀
      (She hates me so much – surely she condemns me somewhere?) 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
      • QoT 13.5.1

        1 October 2012 at 6:50 pm

        No, Vicky. I just quote you. Which is pretty condemning, I admit.
        • Vicky32 13.5.1.1

          1 October 2012 at 6:52 pm

          I just quote you. Which is pretty condemning, I admit.

          Link please! (It’s not that I don’t trust you so much as – oh, frak it, I don’t trust you! )
          😀
    • marty mars 13.6

      1 October 2012 at 6:54 pm

      All the best Bored, you input will be missed.
    • Jim Nald 13.7

      1 October 2012 at 9:19 pm

      It has been good reading yer comments. Will miss ya.
    • mickysavage 13.8

      1 October 2012 at 9:35 pm

      Agreed with everyone else.  I always enjoy your thought provoking independent comments.  Have a break and come back when you want.  Personas are built with care and should not be wasted.
    • BloodyOrphan 13.9

      1 October 2012 at 9:54 pm

      Your not leavin are ya? …… we just sprayed for Gnats’ M8!
    • jimgreen 13.10

      5 October 2012 at 11:51 pm

      Darn, you were always one of the commenters here that I held with higher regard than others (no skim reading at all). Proud leftwingism from a business perspective is hard to come across and you will be sorely missed. All the best for the future Bored, with a bit of luck we will cross fishing lines one day.
14. BloodyOrphan 14

    1 October 2012 at 6:02 pm

    WOW, Great Big Applause For LPRENT!
    (*clap**clap**clap**clap**clap**clap* ……)

    This site seems to be so fast, it makes me knees go weak 🙂

    Just that jittery reply thingy left , I got some javascript that may help ?

    In all honesty u should jst default the hights to a static number that’s appropriate, but ….

    SubMenuObj.height = SubMenuObj.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight < 1000 ? 1000 : SubMenuObj.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight;

    It's an immediate if , which u may have known about, but bloody handy for IE problem I described.

    The 1000 is effectiverly the default height, u should use 4000+- for the comment frame

    PS SubMenu is a frame
15. Colonial Viper 15

    1 October 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Helen Kelly nails John Key on his latest Hollywood Film Studio Holiday

    I wonder what points Shearer would have made, given the same 5 minutes on the topic.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2534217/ctu-fears-more-deals-to-undermine-labour-laws-with-key-visit
    • deuto 15.1

      1 October 2012 at 9:33 pm

      I want to relisten to that interview as I was otherwise preoccupied at the time but Helen stopped me in my tracks with her first comments (praising Key etc) and then went on to set out her opinions very succinctly IMO. Listening to Key subsequently trying to justify his visit to Hollywood left me with yet another Tui moment. Presumably we (NZ taxpayers) are paying for this trip including his entourage.

      Shearer – would have fumbled and mumbled. Nice guy but out of his depth.
      • Jim Nald 15.1.1

        6 October 2012 at 8:38 am

        Most appropriate for the PM’s second name to be eponymous with the country’s celebrated beer brand that is known for the world-famous-in-NZ billboards.

        Its strapline can, likewise, be lent to John Tui to read:

        “Distracting the nation from the task at hand since 2008”
16. BloodyOrphan 16

    1 October 2012 at 7:50 pm

    Message For LPRent: u broke the uparrow in the edit window.
    • lprent 16.1

      1 October 2012 at 10:34 pm

      Which edit window? The tinyMCE one? If so then it is likely to be fixed in the next release of WordPress (looked at beta 1 this weekend) which will be phrasing in the latest version of tinyMCE library. Much of which is fixes for various vagaries of browsers. The ETA for that is in a few months. The main use of tinyMCE is for authors editor. The one on the comments is mostly there as a convenience.

      Which version of which browser and OS? If it is Internet Explorer then you will find that I really only support version 8 or later and don’t like that much either. IE is less than 30% of the browsers us on the site at present and less than 15% for it’s most popular variant under the IE name.
      • BloodyOrphan 16.1.1

        1 October 2012 at 10:40 pm

        Yeah it would be tinyMCE, the rss one’s fine
        It’s iexplore 9.0.8, win 7
17. BloodyOrphan 17

    1 October 2012 at 7:54 pm

    A snippet from msdn bing search …

    By pressing one arrow key getch will push tree values into the buffer:
    •’33’
    •'[‘
    •’A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’

    So the code will be something like this:
    if (getch() == ’33’) { // if the first value is esc
    getch(); // skip the [
    switch(getch()) { // the real value
    case ‘A’
    // code for arrow up
    break;
    case ‘B’:
    // code for arrow down
    break;
    case ‘C’:
    // code for arrow right
    break;
    case ‘D’
    // code for arrow left
    break;
    }
    }
    • BloodyOrphan 17.1

      1 October 2012 at 8:17 pm

      ya should drop the ‘ around th escape code it returns an int.
      the rest should be ok, from memory the other codes just go up the alphabet
      If ya want to find one just use a
      while(1) { printf(“%c,%c,%c”, getch();getch();getch();); }
      In a sh or bash or whatever shell
      pearl would do
      use wisely ObiOne the above is a keyboard grabber! if ya use add check for enter
18. Jokerman 18

    1 October 2012 at 8:50 pm

    ciao
    • BloodyOrphan 18.1

      1 October 2012 at 9:32 pm

      Howdy 🙂
19. BloodyOrphan 19

    1 October 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Ya know it’s this bleedin “Share this Article” thng down here thats jigglin?
    • lprent 19.1

      1 October 2012 at 10:45 pm

      What version of what browser and what OS? Which icons are jiggling?

      Almost all the JS and CSS there is direct from Facebook which changes it from their side for the recommend.. The code for the other icons has been in since 2010. It is likely that you’re getting browser problems. I’d suggest checking with Firefox.

      Can’t see any problems in Chrome, Firefox, IE7, and safari on Linux, mac or windows.
      • BloodyOrphan 19.1.1

        1 October 2012 at 10:48 pm

        ie 9.0.8 , windows 7 and the “Share this article block down below the comment window
        (the whole thing disapears and re appera a couple of times)
        I haven’t tried FFox since the reinstall
        Just kept using IE9
        Refeesh the page at the top and press the end key too see the behaviour.
        Doesn’t happen in FFox
      • lprent 19.1.2

        1 October 2012 at 10:59 pm

        I haven’t had any reports of oddities in IE9 since the betas last year. Tested the release 9.08.something on vista over Xmas. Have you rebooted your system. IE’s JavaScript is a bit notorious for state engine issues that cure themselves after reboots.
20. Draco T Bastard 20

    1 October 2012 at 10:43 pm

    The Hug-A-Thug Courts

    Back to our rehabilitated panel speakers who bravely shared with the audience their unique efforts to turn their lives around. Josh from Te Ara Hou, a drug and alcohol residential treatment centre in South Auckland, makes a commitment to “walk recovery every day”. Ben, who used to “always look over the fence and wonder what it’ll be like”, is now discovering “a totally different buzz” as a peer support worker at Te Ara Hou while Ray, a recent graduate from the centre, says his strength comes from needing to find who he is. And Matt, who “didn’t think [he’d] be here today”, is now Treatment Advocate and an expert in long-term recovery programmes. The most compelling stories told were not of what these individuals did to break the law but the strength with which they willed to overcome their addictions and live a meaningful life.

    Seems like a good idea. Instead of treating people as criminals treat them as people and give them the necessary support to turn their lives around.
    • BloodyOrphan 20.1

      1 October 2012 at 10:54 pm

      Ae
21. John McRae 21

    2 October 2012 at 11:09 am

    Check out the video here of Assoc. Professor Peter O’connor of Auckland University on the Charter schools policy –
    

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