Open Mike 02/09/2016
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6:00 am, September 2nd, 2016 - 112 comments
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- A Response to ACT’s MRA-Style Rant
On the 19th of March, ACT announced they would be running candidates in this year’s local government elections. Accompanying that call for “common-sense kiwis” was an anti-woke essay typifying the views they expect their candidates to hold. I have included that part of their mailer, Free Press, in its entirety. ...9 hours ago - Spread a Little Happiness
Even when the darkest clouds are in the skyYou mustn't sigh and you mustn't crySpread a little happiness as you go byPlease tryWhat's the use of worrying and feeling blue?When days are long keep on smiling throughSpread a little happiness 'til dreams come trueSongwriters: Vivian Ellis / Clifford Grey / ...13 hours ago - Pick ‘n’ Mix at 6am on Saturday, March 22
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ACT up the game on division politicsEmmerson’s take on David Seymour’s claim Jesus would have supported ACTACT’s announcement it is moving into local politics is a logical next step for a party that is waging its battle on picking up the aggrieved.It’s a numbers game, and as long as the ...1 day ago - Jam tomorrow, butter next week
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- Dave’s Cats
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- Luxon’s Guests.
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- Maybe there’s a connection?
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Daddy, are you out there?Daddy, won't you come and play?Daddy, do you not care?Is there nothing that you want to say?Songwriters: Mark Batson / Beyonce Giselle Knowles.This morning, a look at the much-maligned NZ Herald. Despised by many on the left as little more than a mouthpiece for the National ...6 days ago - Monday 17 March
Employers, unions and health and safety advocates are calling for engineered stone to be banned, a day before consultation on regulations closes. On Friday the PSA lodged a pay equity claim for library assistants with the Employment Relations Authority, after the stalling of a claim lodged with six councils in ...6 days ago
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- Release: Govt’s continued lack of action on Gaza condemned
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...1 day ago - Release: National at sea over Defence jobs
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...2 days ago
- Release: National standards returning by stealth
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...3 days ago
- Release: Kiwis still struggling as economy stumbles along
Kiwis aren’t feeling any better off despite figures showing a very slight growth in GDP in the December quarter. ...3 days ago
- Greens call for compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...4 days ago - Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility
The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action. ...4 days ago
- Release: Luxon quick to give away principled position on nukes
Christopher Luxon seems to have thrown New Zealand’s principled anti-nuclear advocacy under a bus. ...4 days ago
- NZ must act on Israel’s slaughter of children
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...4 days ago
- Release: Still no certainty for disability communities
One year on from the Government’s abrupt and callous changes to disability funding, the community still has no idea what the future holds. ...5 days ago
- Green Party backs volunteer firefighters in their call for ACC recognition
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...5 days ago
- Stand Up for Palestine: A Call to Action Against Israels Treacherous Attack
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...5 days ago
- MP Views: Living Strong, The Economy, Servicing Our Nation, The Golden Egg, and 4 Year Terms
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...5 days ago - Shane Jones has no shame
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...7 days ago
- Release: National botches health funding numbers
Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that the Government has put $16.68 billion into the health system over three years is wrong. ...1 week ago
- Government tramples on the rights of disabled migrant children
The Green Party is condemning the Government’s move to tighten access to visas for disabled children. ...1 week ago
- Release: Auckland needs second harbour crossing
Labour supports Minister Chris Bishop’s call for input on the second Waitematā Harbour crossing. ...1 week ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds’ speech to NZ Investment Summit 2025
I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to you today about how we make overseas investment work for all New Zealanders. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour does not support PPPs for prisons
Labour does not support the private ownership of core infrastructure like schools, hospitals and prisons, which will only see worse outcomes for Kiwis. ...1 week ago
- Dunedin Futures report should be a wake-up call
The newly released report on the South Dunedin Future Programme must be a wake-up call for our Government. ...1 week ago
- Release: Members’ Bill makes wage theft a crime
Workers will now be able to go to the Police and report their employer if they are not being paid wages they’re owed. ...1 week ago
- Missed opportunity to stop the stealing of Māori land
The Green Party is disappointed the Government voted down Hūhana Lyndon’s member’s Bill, which would have prevented further alienation of Māori land through the Public Works Act. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour supports sanctions against Israel’s illegal occupation
The Labour Party will support Chloe Swarbrick’s member’s bill which would allow sanctions against Israel for its illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt procurement plan cuts wages and trashes the environment
The Government’s new procurement rules are a blatant attack on workers and the environment, showing once again that National’s priorities are completely out of touch with everyday Kiwis. ...2 weeks ago
- Procurement proposals pose risk to people and planet
The Green Party is concerned by the impact the Government’s proposed changes to procurement processes could have on people and planet. ...2 weeks ago
- Just six Government MPs needed to pass Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill
With Labour and Te Pāti Māori’s official support, Opposition parties are officially aligned to progress Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in Palestine. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour’s approach to Māori economy benefits all
Under Labour, the Māori economy went from strength to strength according to the latest report released by MBIE. ...2 weeks ago
- 20 Years of Success Down the Drain: Govt Gut Whānau Ora
Te Pāti Māori extends our deepest aroha to the 500 plus Whānau Ora workers who have been advised today that the govt will be dismantling their contracts. For twenty years , Whānau Ora has been helping families, delivering life-changing support through a kaupapa Māori approach. It has built trust where ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party launches petition to allow Pacific whānau visa-free access
The Green Party is launching a petition calling on the Government to extend visa-free travel to visitors from Pacific Island nations. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour welcomes reinstatement of Heath NZ board
Labour welcomes Simeon Brown’s move to reinstate a board at Health New Zealand, bringing the destructive and secretive tenure of commissioner Lester Levy to an end. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s Public Health system dealt yet another blow
This morning’s announcement by the Health Minister regarding a major overhaul of the public health sector levels yet another blow to the country’s essential services. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ State of the Nation address
Ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa It is a great pleasure to be here with you this morning. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ First Introduces Bill to Remove Woke ‘DEI’ Regulations from Public Service
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will ensure employment decisions in the public service are based on merit and not on forced woke ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ targets. “This Bill would put an end to the woke left-wing social engineering and diversity targets in the public sector. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour outlines priorities of next Govt
The next Labour Government will prioritise jobs, health and homes so Kiwis and Kiwi businesses have the opportunity to thrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Refreshed team to drive Labour’s 2026 priorities
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled a new economic team as part of a caucus reshuffle. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for end to police referrals to Destiny programmes
Police have referred 20 offenders to Destiny Church-affiliated programmes Man Up and Legacy as ‘wellness providers’ in the last year, raising concerns that those seeking help are being recruited into a harmful organisation. ...2 weeks ago
- Good Riddance: Prebble Resigns from Waitangi Tribunal
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Natz have a slimy lying, 2 faced creep for a leader…. Morning
Cheers Nick have a nice day and may Jk be with you….morning
lols. Sorry Nck. I agree with you but you did ask for that one.
And yet he is preferred to anything the left can offer election after election after election … and probably for at least for one more.
Enjoy your day. Its easier when you dont wake up bitter.
“And yet he is preferred to anything the left can offer election after election after election … and probably for at least for one more.”
Well… that’s what the spin says, James.
Actually that’s what the results show. He’s PM and the labour leaders keep falling away.
“Actually that’s what the results show. He’s PM…”
Being PM is a temporary position James and Key had to use dirty politics to cling to it.
“the labour leaders keep falling away.”
As did the Nat leaders when National were in opposition for 9 years.
Morning Nck, that’s very true, lets kick him out next year. It’s what he deserves.
That will teach you to listen to Leighton Smith.
The New Zealand First annual conference is in Dunedin this weekend.
Should be some good speeches about the decline of rural life and the loss of land to foreigners.
And it looks like they will be fielding a candidate in Dunedin South this time around. Whoops that’s 500 less electorate votes for Clare, in a finger click. Only 3,400 left to go.
Will that candidate be…you?
Oh gawd no
Nah……CV’s gonna be a doofer at the Trump White House.
Almost the entire shoreline of Lake Hawea has been sold or is in the process of being sold to overseas interests in the last few months.
And here is another part of Lake Wanaka gone today:
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/wanaka/land-purchase-approved-oio
“angry emoticon”
Talking to an agent who deals with that end of the market recently and they commented that the current political situation in USA and UK, with the Clinton / Trump choice and Brexit, was stunningly good for business….
Just reading this scary article makes you want to demand a banking transaction tax (and why the UK has capital gains taxes, stamp duties, taxes on taxes, but zero financial transaction taxes). This is the world that John Key made his money in. No wonder there is this .01% mentality and inability to change during the GFC from the banks.
“Top graduates missing out on banking jobs for lacking ‘polish”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/01/top-graduates-missing-out-on-banking-jobs-for-lacking-polish
That’s happening more and more across all industries. Getting a job is now more about socialisation than about being able to do the job. And the preferred socialisation is being exactly the same as the person hiring you.
We’re seeing the rise of conformity and the conformity is to be a psychopath just like your boss.
Massive groupthink on the bridge of the Titanic…and on all the lower decks too…
Social mobility for the lower and middle classes has stalled. Upper class has not changed, nor will it, by the looks of things in this article. Not really what you expect in 21st century of supposedly classless society. We are going backwards to Victorian times.
Neo-feudal
Just listening to Key live on Leighten Smith. A first!
Key plays with figures to explain “not defensively” the housing not being a crisis.
A shifty tricky chap. Can you stomach him?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11702996
“A shifty tricky chap. Can you stomach him?:
NO
+100…i don’think jonkey nact is going to win the next election ( from my surveys)
Ohh do publish your surveys – will be interesting to see the analysis…
Ever think of opening your eyes and taking a look outside of that bubble you live in James?
I do.
Judging by your comments, it doesn’t look like it.
Totally agree with you there Chooky!!
National have announced it’s usual pre election bene bashing policy….
Beneficiaries will be helped to find work
A new service will be trialled next year to help beneficiaries with diagnosed mental health conditions become independent and find work.
The two year trial is expected to cost $3.2 million and will be available in the Auckland, Waikato, Central, Canterbury and Southern regions.
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says Work to Wellness will be a contracted service and will help around 1000 people a year.
She says it will provide coaching and mentoring, job search services and assistance to help people into work.
Beneficiaries will be able to opt-in through Work and Income, a referral from their GP or self-referring direct to the provider.
<a href="https://nz.news.yahoo.com/top-stories/a/32498892/beneficiaries-will-be-helped-to-find-work/#page1
If the comments on yahoo’s linked Facebok page is anything to go by, it doesn’t look like the Nats are going to get the kind of vote winning reaction they thought they will get…
Azaelia Mackereth There is no low this shitty government will go to, people with mental illness struggle enough just to get out of bed and function with life as it is, forcing them into a dead end job will just make them worse and then that vicious cycle starts all over again! People without mental health problems like this stupid tart never understand
38 · 23 hrs
5 Replies · 9 hrs
Debbie Jane Lomas oh and another point…mental health patients had plenty of support until you idiots wiped out virtually all the mental health agencies around the country…you are a disgrace….
20 · 16 hrs
Brian McFarland $3.2 million to find jobs for 1,000 people. So the government is going to pay a contractor $3,200 per person to find them a job? Sounds like they have budgeted inefficiencies nicely into the program. Better to just give $3,200 grants to those thousand people to improve their standard of living for a little while.
2 · 10 hrs
Arthur C. Charlton HOW. I may ask. Imported trash is draining the country’s overseas funds and ruining manufacturing jobs. Good luck with that. Please note a real job is not part time. 40 hours please.
13 · Yesterday at 13:50
Atra Dash Bunch of cunts. Bad enough people with mental health problems have issues and these fuckers want them to go back to work. This government needs to go and it needs to go quick smart.
3 · 15 hrs
3 Replies · 3 hrs
Carolyne Moran Once again National a going to Strip Kiwis from help and force them into jobs that have no guaranteed hours which is just what someone with mental health issues need.
5 · 22 hrs
1 Reply
Raumahoe Rose Williams aparently this stupid women has never worked with those with mental health..you cannot expect someone with this unwellness who is drugged to the eyeballs to be able to hold a decent job let alone a mundane one..they can only focus for a few minute at a time…so go tell that to yourself ..selfish twit…
7 · 22 hrs
2 Replies · 9 hrs
Deb Hartigan surely there must be some people that can be helped into work……….not saying everyone with the illness, but there would be some that with some help would love to get back into some type of work………..as a person said earlier in this thread it took him 3 years to find a job……..this may help shorten that time……….if one person out of 100 can be helped out then thats great isn’t it………….
2 · 22 hrs · Edited
9 Replies · 11 hrs
Estella Kingi So sick of the government right now. Tired of words being spoken by Aotearoa but never heard by ignorance. Hand enough, roll on elections, can’t come any faster or can it? Wishful thinking or is it?…..
14 hrs · Edited
Robin Aldridge Actually it’s hard to convince employers to take on people if they have been unwell. I know I have been an employment consultant looking for jobs for people with mental health issues. There is so much discrimination out there. And that adds more stress…See more
3 · 21 hrs
Lorraine Sami silly cow anne tolley try getting unemployed into work but noooooooooooo you want to bring in migrants who rort the immigration system, dumb down our society, allow employers to lower wage rates disingenuous cow
3 · 20 hrs
1 Reply
Danielle Pike Yes. Sounds bloody perfect. Instead of reinstating the help these people have lost because of the government over the years, they’re going to force them all to work whether they’re ready or not. Sounds like a plan. A really stupid fucked up plan.
1 · 10 hrs
Greg Giles It took me three years to find work, and I had to move from Hamilton to Auckland, any absence from work after an illness, or accident takes a lot to fit back in. Work is a necessary evil, and even more so with coping with unrealistic expectations. Being self employed should be considered and funded.
4 · Yesterday at 14:04
1 Reply
Charlie Boy Batt What a total load of crap. Have had ongoing vacancys listed with Winz work brokers for the last two years. Be lucky if they have referred two people. Both only lasted a week and were never seen again.
21 hrs
Jeanne Hill The problem is there needs to be jobs for them this is the government being oh so choosy.
17 hrs
Madonna Meikle if those without m-h probs cant find work how will those with m-h probs find work
9 · Yesterday at 14:03
1 Reply
Leonie Jones How the hell can they do that when most normal people themselves cannot find work. Pull the other one please
7 · 23 hrs
Invoker’s Better Half Some are just unemployable and needs to be left alone just like permanent injury via acc need to be left alone !!
7 · Yesterday at 14:27
Rae Adams I got a degree and experience and still cant find a job. Maybe they should help us older workers as well.
2 · 9 hrs
Derek-Kim Hickling In small towns especially, jobs are limited. Makes it hard for everyone…thats why many jump the ditch to OZ.
3 · 23 hrs
Ramari Te Rupe Wiringi Stupid politicians…too much money not enough brain matter.
2 · 19 hrs
Graeme Trask Employers looking for cheap labour no doubt. Another wave of exploitation.
1 · 14 hrs
Joyce Marina OMG WTF what’s this stupid government thinking of.Next they’ll be wanting the elderly to find work
1 · 9 hrs
Jay Belmont Whatever. What about the non-mentally impaired that are unemployed, homeless??? Yeah….right!!!
1 · 12 hrs
Taruke Mafi Oh come on WTH THIS GOVERNMENT sux our Mental Health now but that doesnt surprise me the government will try anything
1 · 18 hrs
Deborah Smitheram I am so surprized no ones shot one of these fukwits already if anyone deserves a bullet they do
3 · 22 hrs
Jill Riggs This is already happening sad to see all the negative comments lots of people with mental health issues hold down jobs
1 · 15 hrs
1 Reply
Roberta Tau Get them into work, bossess will take advantage of them, they’ll be fired then can’t get back in assistance
15 hrs
David Simmonds Looks like that face above has been attacked by a pit bull,ug ug ug bloody ugly to say the least.Looks like it had just kissed G Brownlee
10 hrs
Glenys Epiha Toa Of all the dumbest things you’ve done..this takes it.
14 hrs
Cat Lamb And I hope they are serious about “helping ” and not just BULLYING
16 hrs
Horomona Kingi and what does she think they can do? most jobs now are taken up by immigrants
10 hrs
Debbie Jane Lomas just a way to kick the disabled off their benefits..
7 · 23 hrs
Lui Ikenasio What bloody jobs??
6 · Yesterday at 14:11
Garry Craig She should watch out. More competition for her job.
5 · Yesterday at 13:42
Brian Stowe more money wasted .
4 · Yesterday at 14:04
Nell Smith-Hughes More sheltered workshops!
Why were so many closed??
1 · 17 hrs
1 Reply
Karenza Mcleod Able bodied people need to get a job
2 · 19 hrs
Sharon Solomon What work? and where is it?
2 · 16 hrs
Christine Williams Arent that the truth Atra Dash.
3 hrs
Christine Williams You are right Azaelia Mackereth. When i saw this article i suddenly felt anxious and thought what the hell are they playing at now. You are right, people who don’t suffer from mental illness will never understand and us that suffer from the illness have to suffer more because of their stupidity .
3 hrs
Ray Harrison I have a feeling not many will be “opting in”
19 hrs
Damos Reddington Fkn idiot. It seems reality has leftthe building
2 hrs
Kath Garrity Another stupid intiative..
12 hrs
Louise Gordon You lot are a joke
17 hrs
Carl Zijlstra That’s an old old line
13 hrs
Jill Riggs What do they think we’re doing now…
15 hrs
Lee Anne Wikaira there definition of help is forced
11 hrs
Stanley G Foster What a joke
17 hrs
Dave Moke Fck bullshyt policies
5 hrs
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/YahooNewZealand/
+1 Leftie – some great comments there.
Thanks Save NZ, yep great comments there, it gives a glimpse of how people are really feeling, particularly about National.
Israel and Facebook lose a satellite:
‘Facebook satellite lost in SpaceX explosion at Cape Canaveral (VIDEO)’
https://www.rt.com/usa/357893-spacex-explosion-platform-launch/
“A Falcon 9 booster rocket exploded on the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as tropical storm Hermine bore down on the area.
An Israeli satellite that was to provide Facebook broadband to Africa was lost in the explosion, SpaceX confirmed…
@Lynn, when you’re on the main landing page, all the default geometric gravatars show up, but when you visit an article page, they don’t.
I expect it’s some caching thing.
Strangely enough, on the current (Open Mike) page, I’m seeing your usual gravatar / identicon, as well as CV’s, Draco’s, and ianmac’s, but everyone else (including my good self) are rendered as anonymous white figures against a grey background. What makes you 4 so special ??? – Bloody Teacher’s Pets !!!
The gravatars and identicons are effectively generated remotely at gravatar, stored locally on my system after generation because gravatar were slowing down the page load too much, and then cached on a CDN (content distribution system) in Sydney.
Because I just shifted this site to https and especially http2, if something doesn’t arrive in time you get the default.
In this case it looks like you are seeing a bug. I’ll remove a layer and see what happens.
Edit: Ok, setting it to “monster”, clearing the cache, then reverting to identicons, and clearing the cache appear to have fixed it. I’ll have a look to see if I get widespread reversion to default icons.
Cheers, 1prent.
Nope. Ummm removed the local cache.
CV, Draco, ian and myself have all configured non-default gravatars.
If you are using the default one, then it generates an icon based on your email address (and also username?). It was the default geometric thing that wasn’t working properly.
“CV, Draco, ian and myself have all configured non-default gravatars”
Ahhh, of course !
When you think about it, that was ridiculously stupid of me.
I politely didn’t mention that
Wow!
The Http/2 is really dealing with the gravatars well without the local cache. I had to shift to that a few years ago as they were slowing the page loads so much after getting a few hundred people on a comments page.
I’ve just been looking at pages with 300 comments from way back and getting no page load lag. I also see a massive amount of parallelism off to gravatar.
I really like HTTP2. It beats the hell out of SPDY and I don’t have to compromise the site setup.
He’s not one to miss an opportunity to tell a lie.
/
Translation: “I repeat what I said personally, Mr. Trump: Mexico would never pay for a wall.”
Maybe Trump will nuke em, if they don’t pay for the wall.
Of course more “civilised” US policy does this behind closed doors, and uses torture and rendition by friendly intermediaries towards people they don’t like and wars to countries they don’t like.
In this context maybe a wall to try to keep the outside world out, is better than trying to infiltrate and control the outside world under current US foreign policy.
Our planet is not looking in good shape and nor is equality or democracy under US control.
If only Klein or Sanders had a chance.
The Donald is probably like most people contributing on this site.
Not being able to speak Spanish he might have tried to interpret it as if what the words sounded like in English was the translation.
The last sentence therefore came out as “Mexico jamas (hm. jumps at?) pagaria(paying) for a wall.
Not that speaking Spanish seems to make much difference of course. Both George W and brother Jeb were fluent in the language.
Yes, they were. It was a pity about their inability to express themselves clearly in English.
Mind you the Donald seems to spend his time repeatably saying “I am a pretentious loudmouth narcissistic dickhead” in whatever language he is trying to grunt at the time. Has anyone ever seen him talk about anything apart directly or indirectly referring to himself and what he is gonna do?
FFS: even Yankees don’t deserve this cretin.
It’s extraordinary isn’t it…….I know what Alwyn would say if Trump dropped his trou’ and defecated on the stage at a huge rally…….
While almost drowned out by the cheers of a very ugly thousands – Alwyn (maybe CV too) – “Ummh…….Err Err Err……you know……you must consider that The Donald was never potty trained……..you know…….to be fair.”
Love Friday nights. Such fun. Good feed. Coro’ Street. Loving family of 6. Warm. In the people-mover in the park. Alwyn.
We really do live in the 8th happiest country in the world aye Alwyn ? …….respectful nod to the National Party Cabinet (Club). 10th without you and me though aye Alwyn…….?
You really are a sick little prick aren’t you?
Trumper has an idea…..
Oh God there’s another fuck promising a ‘Brighter Future’ !
Maybe he will pay for it with aid that used to go to Mexico US dollars 209,432,920, build a nice wall for that!
With US aid to Mexico around $420 million a year – It’ll take some time.
He could use neoliberalism to get China to build the wall or some sort of PPP which takes 25 years to build and costs 5 times as much.
Last I heard it was 2.3 billion a year.The cut is expected to be a small part – $5 million – of the U.S.’s roughly $2.3 billion aid package to Mexico to combat the drug cartels, according to the Washington Post. The money covers such things as helicopters, border sensors and training programs, the Post said.” Plus ifyou use mexican labour it wont cost as much. :-0
I see you’ve taken faux new’s word.
/
Congress has appropriated $2.3 billion since 2008 for equipment such as helicopters and border sensors as well as training programs for thousands of Mexican officials.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/us-blocks-some-anti-drug-funds-for-mexico-over-human-rights-concerns/2015/10/18/8fa3925e-710b-11e5-ba14-318f8e87a2fc_story.html
Meanwhile…..
http://us-foreign-aid.insidegov.com/q/112/1590/How-much-money-does-the-U-S-give-to-Mexico
http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/explore#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid
This site is being inundated by less than savoury attacks on various commenters by one commenter in particular. His (can’t imagine a ‘she’ stooping to such puerile language) level of debate is often personal and comes across as deliberate stalking of selected individuals. Likely to be putting off readers from coming here.
His latest example:
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-01092016/#comment-1226860
[lprent: I have been noticing his (feels like a dickhead) comments. To date, he seems to have been reacting to others blowing their volcanoes. I tend to not moderate against reactions unless they get too consistently inflammatory and look like someone trying to ignite a flamewar.
I’m always ready to give people time to learn to hang themselves – it is better for the training of all observers.
]
@Anne You know Chris and Alwyn have lost the argument when they attack you. Simply ignore the attacks and answer with facts and logic. That confuses them!
Incidentally I regard your post as sexist.
“@Anne You know Chris and Alwyn have lost the argument when they attack you. Simply ignore the attacks and answer with facts and logic. That confuses them!”
Agree with you there Bearded Git, and I know it’s wrong to feed the trolls, but they make themselves very hard to ignore. Hitting back with logic and facts seem to fuel them into a tizz and then they get even more abusive.
“@Anne You know Chris and Alwyn have lost the argument when they attack you. Simply ignore the attacks and answer with facts and logic. That confuses them!”
Agree with you there Bearded Git, and I know it’s wrong to feed the trolls, but they make themselves very hard to ignore. Hitting back with logic and facts seem to fuel them into a tizz and then they get even more abusive.
I do not however, believe that Anne’s post was sexist in any way. We all know who she is talking about after all.
@lprent
To date, he seems to have been reacting to others blowing their volcanoes.
In this and some other instances yes, but not always…
For sure Anne, there is no doubt about it, he stalks/trolls to abuse. Some comments don’t even necessitate such abuse either, which can and do come out of the blue as well.
+1 Anne, very pleased you have raised this issue.
It was difficult to tell given the early/late comments, to whom that comment was directed. It did seem to be in lock with mine responding to a “deluded Helen” comment catatonically issued by someone else. It just occurred to me that unlike Key Helen never got on global television and giggled about a murderer/child rapist being on the run from justice…….
Chris ain’t no prob’. I love his/her waste of energy.
It was an attack on someone else BG.
If you regard my tongue in cheek comment as ‘sexist’ then you are being overly sensitive. It’s normal in my world for the genders to joust with one another. No sexism involved.
But don’t let the twats divide and rule, the one thing they are masters at
That’s true Whateva Next.
@Anne. Agreed.
From recent (mid-late August) YouGov Polling:
Favourable to Clinton, unfavourable to Trump: 37%
Favourable to Trump, unfavourable to Clinton: 35%
Unfavourable to Both: 21%
Favourable to Both: 4%
Unsure: 2%
>
>
Presidential vote intention among registered voters who have an Unfavourable opinion of BOTH Clinton and Trump:
Will Vote
Trump 20%
Johnson 19%
Clinton 17%
Stein 12%
Other / Unsure 26%
This is how you handle banksters:
https://redice.tv/news/first-they-jailed-the-bankers-now-every-icelander-to-get-paid-in-bank-sale
YES!!!! Iceland is showing us the way!!
+1
Interesting perspective
“When I refuse to eat animals, I refuse to indulge in a system that profits off objectification. When I associate with my diet only ethical standards, and not guidelines on how to be the most ‘feminine’ according to patriarchal benchmarks on the slenderness of a woman’s physique; I reclaim my body. I nourish it for reasons beyond weight loss and dieting. I cater not for the gaze of toxic masculinity, but for the well-being of women and animals alike. Rather than eating for the eyes of my oppressor – he who too oppresses animals – a vegan lifestyle provides me revenge in solidarity. In my nourishment, I quietly protest.
Whilst the system’s prime concern is in ensuring masculinity is content and pleased, neither gender equality or animal equality will ever exist.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/83820068/i-dont-eat-meat-because-im-a-feminist
disclaimer : I am vegetarian for 36 years, never been vegan.
Personally I have always thought the relationship and correlation between meat eating and violence in society was a bit of a no brainer. The objectification argument makes sense to me.
“When I refuse to eat animals, I refuse to indulge in a system that profits off objectification.”
Sorry, but she obviously is ignorant about the realities of industrial grain and soy growing. Monsantoed monocrops are objectification too.
Can she be correct about what she says and not bring the other argument (you bought in) in?
Not if instead of eating meat she is eating industrial grain, soy etc (which she almost certainly is).
Edit, tbh I didn’t find her general argument about oppression of women and animals that compelling (the way she did it).
It is true that you don’t like vegans who push their philosophy though isn’t it? My reading of your comments on vegans is that you don’t really think much of them, their choices, or philosophy. Perhaps I’m wrong though.
Objectification of animals and womens bodies seems on a continuum to me and profiting off either is not something I’d endorse.
“My reading of your comments on vegans is that you don’t really think much of them, their choices, or philosophy.”
I like people that make thoughtful ethical choices about what they eat (vegans, vegetarians, locavores, slow foodies etc). I don’t like fundamentalists. Much of my arguments about veganism on ts centre around arguing with fundamentalists.
I also don’t like people misuing facts in one area to push underlying agendas eg Cowspiracy trying to say that it’s saving the planet while the underlying message is that everyone should be vegan. Animal rights ethics and environmental ethics are not a neat overlap and it does piss me off when they get conflated.
That’s me and vegans in general. I don’t know anything about the woman who wrote the article.
Perhaps I could have framed my response differently. Something like, there are similarities between objectificaiton of women, animals, the land and ecosystems, she appears to be focussing on two of them, and because some fundamentalist vegans pick and choose their ethics around objectification I wonder if she does too.
In terms of the article overall, I didn’t like the stuff about women’s tactics to not be seen as ‘appetising’ or prey. I don’t think most women frame themselves as meat, so her argument seemed off there to me. There are really obvious parallels in terms of oppression of women and animals, and how the dominant culture enforces and sanctions that, but she seemed to be falling into the thing she was objecting to by the way she framed her argument.
Thanks for clarifying – you make some interesting points as usual
I thought it was one of the best trolling efforts I’d ever read
in what way was it trolling?
It’s not trolling.
Its trolling and its very well done
No, it’s not trolling.
If you don’t want to eat for whatever reason that’s fine but to say “I don’t eat meat because I’m a feminist” is drawing one helluva line in the sand don’t you think (does that mean if you do eat meat then you’re not what she considers a “real” feminist?)
How about the gross generalisations contained within, for example I work in a male dominated, very macho industry yet I haven’t had any conversations at all long the lines of being a leg or breast man or anything remotely similar
“Men (particularly white men) have historically felt entitled to the land and bodies of “others”;
Really, particularly white men? So the mongol hordes were white, how about the (but not limited to) tribes of Zulu, how about the Barbary slave trade, Japan invading China, China invading Korea etc etc etc
This and her other ideas are what has led me to think shes trolling, no one could possibly take her seriously and if they do then well done to her
being provocative isn’t trolling
her argument on objectification (whether you agree or not) are an argument that supports that particular headline (quite possibly chosen by subeditor for its provocative nature).
your ignorance and ununderstanding show when you try to be high brow and discuss historical entitlements to land and bodies – do you know what the word ‘particularly ‘ means because I’m not sure it interpreted correctly by you there – hint – it doesn’t exclude.
I was using the that as an example of her trolling, she could have just left it at men but nope she threw in white men because she knew it would provoke a reaction
Anyone can eat what they like but when you start throwing massive generalisations around like she has it just shows shes trolling
“Anyone can eat what they like” – nah – can you eat babies?
veal – the iron deprived white calf meat?
Kiwi?
Baby seals?
A cat?
Lots of no noes there
Now you’re just being silly
go back to sleep and pretend to work then
Oh Mars Bars…….that did make me chortle…….”pretend to work then.”
+1 Marty Mars.
Good on ya, marty. I’ve been a vegetarian since my late teens. I didn’t get into it for ethical reasons, but that’s been the driver for quite a few years now. I wrote a post here a few years back suggesting you couldn’t be socialist and a meat eater. Annoyed a few people, as I recall, but it was worth challenging some ingrained beliefs.
thanks to you both – I might look that one up for a laugh trp
Here ya go: https://thestandard.org.nz/world-vegetarian-day-october-1st/
It was one of one of my first efforts. Looking back at it, I was a bit pompous and overbearing. Glad I’m not like that now
Good fun reading that. I havent changed much either and i miss some of those commenters.
I enjoyed reading that too. I liked your post and I thought Rocky’s and Philip Ure’s responses were very good. In fact, the following quote from Philip Ure was excellent!!
” i’ve been vegan for ten years..vegetarian for twenty before that..
i know people who have been vegan for 40+ years..
and lots of other vegans..
one thing they have in common..
is glowing good health..
i also have three vegan dogs..
one 10 yrs old..her six yr old daughter..
and another 2 yr old..
the mother was vegan during the pregnancy..
these dogs could do centrefolds for ‘dog monthly’..
their coats are so shiny..you need to wear shades.. ”
Lol I thought that was hilarious!!!
Thanks for the link Te Reo Putake, enjoyed that.
Been a vegetarian since my teens too, and I wouldn’t want to live any other way.
That’s fantastic, Leftie. Well done.
Good one leftie
Interesting perspective
Well, it was interesting in the sense that it’s rare to see such a level of pompous, smug self-indulgence compressed into such a small piece of text, but apart from that – not really.
Lucky we all have different thresholds of interesting isn’t it.
A powerful climate change doco shown on Al Jazeera (47 mins):
Refusing to fall victim to the weather, Kisilu, a Kenyan smallholder farmer, uses a camera to capture the human impact of climate change.
Filmed over four years, he documents floods, droughts and storms that menace his and his community’s farms, forcing some to stop tending the fields and seek work in towns and cities.
https://youtu.be/Ccgsh-YafRk
+1 Mauī!!!
Hey waggy – this is a bit funny doncha reckon
500 cows – how many trucks to move them? How long would that take?
“Police investigating the disappearance of 500 dairy cows from an Ashburton farm will be following a milk trail worth $900,000 as they keep an open mind on a popular theory that the in-calf cattle went to the meat blackmarket.
All-up, the cows represent a loss of around $2 million to their owners.
The missing friesian-cross mixed-age cows – which number more than the average New Zealand dairy herd – went from a winter grazing property adjacent to their owners’ Norvo Farm in mid-Canterbury.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/83805047/police-follow-milk-or-meat-theories-in-2m-cow-theft
“…the cows were winter-grazing on the adjacent farm with the staff who milked them.”
I knew farm employees are generally not well treated but this is ridiculous.
I was drinking a cup of coffee when I reached your statement.
Then I had to wipe down the keyboard. Lovely comment.
They’re on a farm in Saudi now.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/83404772/shipping-dairy-cows-to-china-is-ecomomic-treason-winston-peters-says
More likely china , although i think they only send heifers. 13 truck loads of cattle would be hard to shift with out the workers noticing something , that’s a lot of heavy tyre marks and mess in the yards.
Ain’t it beautiful how $43 million can fix any ‘little’ (huh!) irregularity in one’s status and tenure in New Zealand. These Indian students are palpably victims on an horrific scale. The ruination of them and very probably their families back in India as well.
“Oh so what ?” Having no capacity to make anonymous ‘donations’ to some anonymous ‘party’ (I use the word pointedly) is an insufferable culpability, the penalty for which must be sheeted home at once !
Remember folks……”On Planet Putea we must, simply must, protect the vaunted but illusory integrity of our systems……oh, in the absence of substantial expressions of ‘goodwill’ the way of those who ‘matter’ that is.”
It would be karmic were this to come back in a big way on that excuse for a man Key (represented on Checkpoint tonight by the dark creature Joyce).