When crazy weather goes on and on, we worry “Is this the way it’s going to be now?” Canadian climate scientist Paul Beckwith says there is no new normal. We should expect extremes, swings, and surprises as the world warms.
Paul Beckwith climate change interview—There Is No New Normal—Radio Ecoshock 2019-06-12
Abrupt Climate Change = A Climate in exponential transition to a new thermal equilibrium. Its signs are extreme climate events happening, heat waves, flooding, wildfires, freezing cold snaps, drought etc..Looking at the paleo record scientists speculate we’re heading for a Pliocene or Eocene climate.
Kevin and Guy were joined by Rory Varrato, a founding member of Extinction Rebellion NYC and adjunct professor of philosophy at Fordham University. Rory invited Guy to testify to the New York City Council’s Committee on Environment a day before New York City declared a climate emergency. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nature-bats-last-07-03-19/id907162688?i=1000443546834
The simple fact of the matter is that we can NOT stop temperature rise at 2 degrees Celsius, because the Greenhouse Gases already in the atmosphere will drive Global Average Surface Temperature (GAST) far higher than 2 degrees.
The CO2 that is already in the atmosphere will continue to raise temperature for the next 3 or 4 centuries. The Nitrous Oxide that is already in the atmosphere will continue to raise temperature for the next 3 centuries. The most powerful Greenhouse Gas of all is water vapor and it is increasing in the atmosphere approximately 7% for each degree of temperature rise. There is variance between the multitude of scientists out there as to the average heating caused by Water Vapor in the atmosphere. I have seen numbers from a low of 60% of Global Heating to 70% of Global Heating. That is impressive by itself, but a 7% rise in water vapor for each degree of temperature rise can kill us rather quickly. More Water Vapor means MORE HEAT retained in the atmosphere.
It is all headed towards a tremendous heating climax and the uneducated Republican Idiots out there will say to each other, "Why didn't they tell us this would happen?"
Not that long ago that the mere mention of Guy McPherson's name was enough to get you kicked off a CC post on The Standard. Times most certainly have changed.
Moderator note: usual rules under my posts – no CC denial, no “we’re all going to die” comments. Also, don’t link McPherson. Do start talking about what we can do.
Authors are free to moderate their own posts as they see fit. That is not the same as site moderation.
Has anybody ever been banned because of “the mere mention of Guy McPherson's name” without warnings and out of context?
For example, using the name of the alleged Christchurch Mosque shooter will trigger Auto-Moderation but not impose an outright ban.
There seems to be much mis- and possibly dis-information on moderation and I’d like to clear up any confusion if I can.
I didn't say banned. I said kicked off the post. My argument was that as long as the comment was reasoned and backed up with links, why would you eliminate, what is now pretty much accepted, as climate fact from discussion?
Fair enough, that’s indeed what you said, and I agree with you but some may have different views on this and McPherson in particular. It remains the Author’s prerogative; OM is different.
BTW, the Moderator note asked not to link [to] McPherson, which is not quite the same as “the mere mention of Guy McPherson's name”. Nitpicking, I know …
Not many supporters for this guy. Unless you like DOOM with your cornflakes.
"other climate scientists more senior than him have made similar alarmist predictions that have turned out wrong. People like Beckwith are great recruiters for climate scepticism."
Exponential abrupt climate change is DOOM, we simply refuse to understand or accept that this can happen to us! Beckwith is a respected climate scientist in the Northern Hemisphere. he doesn't make statements unless he's certain. Reality is the new alarmism. And of course we're in the 6th mass extinction too of this planet.
His youtube vids have a very large comments section.
It'd be a dull world if we all thought the same! 🙂 lol In the end what we think doesn't matter it's what the Planet is doing that does matter.
"I wouldn't lend him too much credibility on this subject. All of his scientifically published and peer-reviewed papers are on aspects of lasers, his actual area of academic expertise."
"Paul Beckwith is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa and declared the Arctic would be ice-free in 2013.”
“We must declare a global climate emergency. Please consider a donation to support my work..” – Paul Beckwith.
Who has credibility? Certainly not the IPCC. Arctic sea ice has surprised everyone that it has hung on so long but it is going. Our own "climate scientists' are too timid and just reiterate the latest news and observations on their desks.They refuse to stick out their necks and tell where it's all going.
The reality: Climate Change is now exponential take glacier melt rates in the Antarctic:
TOKYO – About 1.12 million people in southwestern Japan were ordered to flee to safety on Wednesday (July 3), as heavy rain continued to lash the region bringing floods to widespread areas and threatening deadly landslides.
The evacuation orders, as at 9pm local time Wednesday night (8pm in Singapore), remained in effect for vast areas of Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Kumamoto prefectures.
The deluge, which began last Friday (June 28), is forecast to continue until at least Thursday (July 4) before storm clouds move east.
Many areas have seen more rain in a single day than in a typical month of July, the weatherman said, as residents in entire cities, like Kagoshima City, Kirishima and Aira, were told to seek shelter.
Some 869,000 people were advised to evacuate their homes, while 1.32 million others have been told to prepare to evacuate, based on a new five-tier heavy rain disaster warning system launched this year in the wake of deadly rains last July that left 225 dead.
"He has earned a Masters in Science (M.Sc.) in Laser Optics/Physics. He also earned his undergraduate, with a Bachelors of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Engineering Physics."
Has he even published in Climate Journals. seems to have been in a PhD program in climatology for 8-9 yrs. You would think by this stage he would have moved onto Post Doc research , but doesnt appear to have any published reasearch even on his earlier speciality
Hes seems more of a chancer…..
"He is involved in the very early stages of developing an entrepreneurial startup venture based out of Northern Europe, using the latest in innovative climate change thinking .."
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture now under political attack by “women’s advocacy group”
Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, concluded that Assange has been tortured. He is now under political attack by a “women’s advocacy group” claiming they are protecting women & victim’s rights. Sexual assault survivors are striking back.
Way things are going a man and a woman will have to sign a legal consent form witnessed by a lawyer before you know what, to avoid future repercussions. 🙁
This isn't about rape, and it never was. It's about government-led smearing and defamation and (so they fervently hope) the destruction of a radical journalist. And similar treatment for those foolish enough to speak out in defence of that journalist. Even U.N. officials are considered fair game for the treatment.
Or you could go with dealing with your fellow humans as though they were your fellow humans and had autonomy over their own bodies. That seems to work a treat.
Toby is quite right of course Mac. We should have great sympathy because as the ads always show, Banks are keen to take care of us all like a god beneficent. Ha!
Pete Singer on 12 String guitar singing "The Banks are Made of Marble" a song I once sang in the Sixties with Prof Jim Flynn at a pary. He might not remember, but I do.
Alwyn, that is a twelve string guitar on the Banks of Marble, Believe me, I know. I own and play a Fender twelve string from the early Seventies. Pete Seeger also played banjo.I have his book. I did own and play a banjo once in a double thumbing style so I know what they too sound like.
Pete Seeger on 12 String guitar. If you like it, listen to his version of the Bells of Rhymney. The bells of Merthyr really do ask a topical question!
He’s playing a 12 string even though the picture is a a six string guitar.
Great clip Mac1. I think Pete Seeger represents goodness in the US. I like this Dylan song he recorded with a bunch of kids a few years before he died in 2014. There is beauty in it's simplicity.
I had a great line once in a Roger Hall play, as I savoured the light shining through a wine glass, "You can always tell a good pinot, you know." All the time knowing I was about to roll around in delight a mouthful of rather sweet raspberry cordial. That was great acting!
Alwyn, beg pardon but did not see the spelling error. It's a common thing and one reason why anything I write as a newsletter editor is always vetted by someone else. One's own mistakes are often harder to see.
I was taught as a grocer's son when adding money figures to always double check by adding the figures in the opposite direction.
So, we agree then? Pete Seeger on the 12 string….. sounds like a game of Cluedo……. in the studio!
I was struck by the choice of image to head Toby Manhire's piece. It bears a strange resemblance, both physically and behaviorally, to the current leader of the national party
I see what you mean, Graeme. Strange? No. Entitleitis is a disease that strikes both baby and adult alike. It is a deficiency disease, self-diagnosed but never self-medicated. The symptoms can be severe, but are mostly psychological. The purported cause always is attributed to others from whom the treatment is also demanded. Often called colloquially, "S'mine fever" as the more articulate sufferer often avers, "Gimme. S'mine."
"The New Zealand government is considering a range of options in response, says Little, including legal recourse, on which it has sought advice. He has also asked the Ministry of Justice to “review how it notifies media about suppression orders as part of its work to implement the new contempt laws”."
Watch this space, then. Global media giants conforming to law in individual nations is the thing. Global media law doesn't exist – international law exists to some extent, but lacks a method of enforcement…
Hipkins: "we need to modernise the New Zealand Public Service." Announcing the coalition's plan to do so a week ago, he outlined key points.
"These include moving from outputs to outcomes, even though outcomes are harder to measure and harder to control." Who knew? Rocket scientists in Labour? Most people think outputs and outcomes are both results. Those educated would even use the word simile. Perhaps he's informing us of an in-crowd terminology employed by consultants to differentiate different kinds of decision-making processes.
He also declared that "citizens don’t live their lives in in neat compartments." This is sad but true. Some are downright messy.
"We’ve also removed performance pay for chief executives, introduced a Public Service Day and removed the cap on the number of public servants." Everyone will be tense with anticipation, waiting to see what will happen on Public Service Day. Will they line up in throngs to see public service actually being done?
Anyway, "we need to come out of our siloes and take collective responsibility when getting traction on some of our most challenging issues and opportunities requires us to work cooperatively across the Public Service and beyond. That is increasingly the case in a world that over the last 30 years has become more complex. Issues such as climate change, security and inequality are global, and the pace of technology development means rapid change is a constant. The Public Service needs to change with it if we are to keep up." Damn right it does. They get it!
So the coalition is "changing the Public Service – how it works, what it prioritises, who joins it and who leads it. A public service that is more fleet-footed and can shift its focus to where it will make the most difference."
Bureaucrats efficient, tactically agile, on the ball? Old dogs doing new tricks? Cool, that's gonna be powerful magic.
He said reform will shift "agencies from working as single departments to working as one, unified Public Service, able to quickly mobilise and tackle specific issues. The reforms will mean leaders in the Public Service will take joint responsibility for the whole of the Public Service, rather than just individual agencies, to tackle the country’s big challenges."
Applied holism. Best not tell the bureaucrats that though (likely to cause mental indigestion). Clever move from the coalition! It'll produce an entirely new ethos: collaboration culture. But only if/when those involved enter into the spirit of the shift, and incorporate the praxis required for success.
"Cherished public service principles like ‘spirit of service’ to the community, political neutrality, free and frank advice and merit-based appointments will be embedded in the new Act. These principles are important. They help safeguard the constitutional conventions governing the public service, promote ethical conduct, and enable cross-agency collaboration on services and outcomes for New Zealanders."
Most people think outputs and outcomes are both results.
Most people aren't running organisations or managing people in those organisations. To those who do, there's a big difference between those things.
Outputs is a number, a Key Performance Indicator – when you set those, your staff and your organisation (quite understandably) set to work to maximise the number they've been given as a measurement of their performance, and issues of whether they're doing the right thing by the organisation's customers, the environment, or whatever the hell else all take a back seat.
Outcomes is how well you're achieving the actual purpose of the organisation's existence, which is a lot harder to measure than outputs and is why most organisations tend to go with measuring outputs instead.
If the government can find a way to get public sector organisations to focus on outcomes rather than work to a number, that would be a great achievement and would improve the performance of those organisations a lot. Won't be an easy job, though.
Oh I see. Yeah, numbers matter more to neoliberals, so the historical shift makes sense. Measurable results. Voters prefer their quality of life to be enhanced, and better governance is a key part of what they want…
Well, the Labour ones, at least. The previous Nat government seemed very keen on targets and KPIs.
It's very hard to shift people's thinking about that, when everyone's gotten used to thinking of numbers as measures of their performance. Even the organisation's actual purpose may not be understood – I remember a systems thinking trainer telling me that he did a session for public service managers in which several of the managers thought that their department's customer is the minister.
The trouble with the way government agencies have been distorted over the last few decades is that they *do* behave as if their only responsibility is upwards to the sacred cheeks of the current minister. And are rewarded for that.
I really cannot comprehend/accept the farce that Trump is about to turn the day into in Washington DC from the media reports to date – but that about sums it up!
Gordon Campbell has an excellent exposition on what was missing from Hipkins' announcement of public sector reform: whistle-blower legislation improvement.
"Late last year, the results of a long and comprehensive study by Griffiths University in Australia showed that 30 per cent of New Zealand public agencies had no system in place for recording and tracking concerns, and 23 per cent had no support strategy for staff who raised concerns. According to the Ombudsman, people don’t even know that any legal protection for whistle blowers even exists:
Research released by the Ombudsman last month found only 9 percent of respondents had even heard of the Protected Disclosures Act – “an alarmingly low number given the importance of the act for all New Zealanders,” Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said. Worse, “21 percent said they have witnessed serious wrongdoing at their workplace or previous workplaces”.
Only 40 percent of employees believed their jobs would be safe if they reported the wrongdoing, and 34 percent thought they would lose their job. Lower paid workers were particularly worried about job security."
Gordon adds this: "Reportedly, the wording of the existing law is even vague as to what kind of wrong-doings might be covered in which settings. In New Zealand workplace conditions, the legislation’s focus on theft and corruption – rather than say, on bullying or intimidation – is also arguably misplaced."
"In sum, that’s quite an array of problems. After all, there will always be a risk involved in bringing the wrong-doing by one’s superiors to the attention of senior management. Given the imbalance of power in the workplace, whistle blowers will always be at risk of retribution for not being team players, or for raising issues that cast the failures of their bosses in a bad light – even when those concerns are still being handled in-house, and (supposedly) in a confidential fashion."
"It gets even riskier if the internal process fails, and the media enter the equation. Currently, it does not look as if New Zealand is feeling inclined to follow Australia’s example and offer legal protections to those staff who alert the media to wrong-doing. Obviously, effective whistle-blower protections are not simply a public service concern. Yet since the lines between the public and private sectors are being expected to increasingly blur in future, such protections need to be treated as a central element of any major reforms, and integrated within them."
Right on! Let's hope the minister takes note and acts accordingly in his directives to his ministry and amendments to legislation.
Bet the anti-immigration heavy breathers on this site will stay quiet on this – oh they may blame the parents or the countries these kids are from or this or that.
Disturbing drawings by children recently held in migrant detention centers showing sad figures in cages have been released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which last week warned of longterm trauma faced by immigrant children separated from parents or guardians under the Trump administration’s border policies.
The pictures were drawn last week by unaccompanied 10 and 11-year-old migrant children after being released from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. They were obtained by NBC News which said they were provided to the AAP by a social worker in Texas.
“The fact that the drawings are so realistic and horrific gives us a view into what these children have experienced,” Dr Colleen Kraft, former president of the AAP, told CNN. “When a child draws this, it’s telling us that child felt like he or she was in jail.”
Of course it's horrific. Now precisely what do you propose doing about it?
That's what get's me, every time I read an article loudly denouncing this debacle, I also read a deafening silence on exactly what the USA should do that they would be happy with.
The demand for migration to the developed world is potentially unlimited and likely to become more urgent as climate change destabilises more countries near the tropics or close to sea level.
This is a massive globalised problem with no easy local solutions. The UN's recent compact on migration looked to be a step in the right direction, but as became quickly obvious, most people are still not ready to see the problem from a universal perspective. Most people are still at some level locked into a tribal mindset and will resist national sovereignty being imposed on by a global body such as the UN.
What is happening on the USA/Mexican border only highlights one element of a story that is much larger than the clown Trump and the circus Washington he is presiding over.
Well, I guess we'd better help develop the developing world then. And promote peace rather than bomb them. That'll stop your hordes of migrants.
But unfortunately, the nation best placed to stop wars and promote international development is the nation currently arguing in court that its concentration camp guards don't need to provide toothpaste and soap to the children it stole from their parents.
Well, I guess we'd better help develop the developing world then.
Yes please, although the developing world has to leapfrog the West. We cannot afford the environmental impact of them simply copying us. We need the next 7 billion people who enter the middle classes to be better than us.
That's a challenge I think they are entirely capable of rising to if only we'd had the humility to ask them respectfully.
As for the Trump debacle, I'm underwhelmed by people who simply repeat over and again why it's all so awful. We knew that four years back the moment he declared as a candidate. It's unhelpful just to keep saying so.
I still contend the Dems lost that damned election, and did so specifically when Sanders was eliminated. I've since spoken with dozens of US citizens at various work sites who all agree with me on this. In general terms understanding why the left made this mistake, and taking ownership of it remains the crucial call. And encouragingly I'm seeing fresh candidates like Yang and Gabbard doing just this.
I think that we do need to keep reminding ourselves that this is awful, this is worse than it was before, that this sort of shit is not normal. And that the next election is the one that we should focus on.
The US is not only being more inhuman than in previous administrations, it's detaining people who cross the border for longer.
And this year dolt45 gets his military parade. The one that a couple of years ago people laughed at the thought of.
Remembering that things are bad, that they are not normal, reminds people why the next election is important.
stop propping up dicktators to foster their own goals at home
stop that war on drugs which in essence is simply a war on everyone else and their poor relatives to enrich a few (banks, military,etc)
stop building anymore prison for profits (i know that will give you a sad, but then you would have to get a new job if we would stop locking up people on pretenses rather then actual crimes)
start treating asylum seekers as humans rather then bodies that occupy a bit of concrete floor for 775$ a night cell but then profit must be made and people like you need a job
start keeping families togethere – Obama was sued for this shit and complied and the orange shitshow can do the same
stop pretending that two year olds can a. care for themselves, b. can defend themselves in a court of law
send children that have legal family in the US to their relatives
but then you are not asking for ideas, right? You just want to say loudly that there is nothing, nothing that could/should/be done, and besides if a jailors wages depends on keeping people locked up then people need to be locked up.
Also somewhere in the New Testament – the one that old testament cultist refuse to actually look at, the one that involves that hippy do gooder Jesus Christ – is says….
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become
as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:1–10)
good grief dude, even for you this is a piss poor comment.
Most of these immediate refugees are not coming from these two countries, so it's hard to see what immediate effect this might have.
stop propping up dicktators to foster their own goals at home
All the big powers have history propping up unpleasant dictators of one sort or another. I'm firmly on record as opposing empire of any sort, so you can assume I'm more or less on board with this one.
stop that war on drugs which in essence is simply a war on everyone else and their poor relatives to enrich a few
Personally I loath drug dealers; if I had my way I'd just execute the fuckers on the spot. But I realise this isn't realistic. Experience tells us that in some matters that legal prohibition is the wrong instrument to deal with a problem and causes more problems that it solves. (Much the same as the hate speech debate.)
On the other we cannot ignore the harm drugs do. With that in mind yes ending the 'war on drugs', which was ill-conceived and hugely damaging, is long overdue. But selling that idea to the American people needs some thought and intelligence.
stop building anymore prison for profits
Private prisons are an abomination. Bad assumption to think I support them.
people like you need a job
I've never worked in a prison, but I have socially known people who do. They are awful places full of broken, damaged and dangerous people. Working in these places is hell and I've nothing but respect for those people who do.
start actually working on reforming imigration rather then stopping any meaningful legislation from coming forward
Yes. I totally agree on this. The demand to migrate to the developed world is potentially unlimited and managing it is massively difficult. No policy will ever make everyone happy, but the utterly dysfunctional gridlock in Washington ensures nothing useful gets done. This is direct consequence of political polarisation.
start keeping families together
There is every good reason for this. It's my understanding however there is US law that is preventing children from being imprisoned with their parents. The argument was that it effectively punishes them for something their parents did. In principle it sounds like a good idea, but at this scale and in this context it's an abysmal failure.
This law needs changing …
send children that have legal family in the US to their relatives
Seems reasonable. But then again if the children are admitted to the USA and their parents are permanently deported that creates another issue down the road.
stop pretending that two year olds can a. care for themselves, b. can defend themselves in a court of law
Of course they cannot. Why would you think I'm pretending this? Clearly the numbers have exceeded the authorities ability to manage this situation decently or efficiently.
The USA does not want an open border with Mexico. No-one here seems to advocate for this; so when families arrive undocumented there is a very hard problem. And like most many hard problems, they're made worse when we pretend they have easy solutions.
You just want to say loudly that there is nothing, nothing that could/should/be done, and besides if a jailors wages depends on keeping people locked up then people need to be locked up.
Was that where I said this was a 'horrific debacle'?
The AAP has an autism epidemic and is asleep at the wheel. Complicit would be more accurate.
The child numbers involved with the autism epidemic (and the families impacted) are orders of magnitude greater than AAP are signalling concern for here.
Will you be posting on the autism epidemic in USA anytime, Marty?
Will you One Two take the problem of the autism in USA further here? I don't think that marty mars should be piled on because of being concerned about one thing and expressing it here – freedom of thought and expression in mind. You are good at seeing further than others on everything One Two and surely you would like to sure on this.
There is no epidemic. Only a sound byte from media.
But I have conflicts of interest.
This is a personal affliction. Also spent two years post grad as part of the 'minds for minds' network.
As a child they didn't even know what they were looking at. As diagnostic tools have improved the actual prevalence of the disease is beginning to surface. We've still not got the full picture as misdiagnosis of females appears to be common.
It used to be these people were 'demon possessed'. Handy diagnosis if you want to burn some lippy women at the stake.
Possibly genetic predisposition plus environmental factors plus make up of gut microbiome may all contribute: helping to explain the wide variety of severity and symptomatic presentation of ASD; and the difficulty in identifying cause and effect.
Not a subject your average moron journo could grasp.
"Meanwhile, what is left of the left in Greece dreads the possibility of a Syriza victory. The best thing for the country, they say, would be Syriza’s total dissolution and disappearance from the political scene. People in the KKE (Communist Party) and Antarsya (the acronym, spelling “rebellion,” for a conglomeration of Marxists, anarchists, and left-wing populists) are looking for a resounding defeat of Syriza on July 7. Many are convinced that the Coalition of the Radical Left will soon pass into the dustbin of history, where it belongs for being socialist in words but capitalist in deeds. Let this be a warning, they say, to anti-establishment movements around the world that have faith in people like Jeremy Corbyn in Britain, Pablo Iglesias in in Spain, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the United States".
"What these millions wanted a break from was not even true neoliberalism, but what I would call bankruptocracy — a new regime in which the greatest power was wielded by the most bankrupt bankers. Tsipras’s surrender in July 2015 closed that window of opportunity. And there’s no sugaring the bitter pill — the European elections were a complete catastrophe for progressives."
So it was a mistake for the radical left to betray the people? Gosh, why am I not surprised Yanis failed to say so.
“I have the privilege of speaking to a lot of bankers — for some reason, they like talking to me. They completely accept that socialism for bankers and austerity for the population brought about a major defeat for European capitalism. Social democrats on the ground admit that it has been terrible, as do some conservatives, as well as the Greens and the Left. But the disconnect lies in the lack of an organized political plan to shift us out of this.”
Well, that does prove he is capable of getting to the point sometimes, eh?
" DiEM25 put forward the plan for a Green New Deal. The Greens themselves are so conservative, so ordoliberal, and so scared that conservatives will accuse them of being fiscally irresponsible, that they end up recycling ordoliberalism."
That's what democracy does. It cows people. Greens are mainstream nowadays. Show them a radical edge that requires progress, they'll get spooked. Okay, perhaps an overstatement. Not always.
Perhaps Varoufakis has recognised the wrong behaviour of the past which has killed off a reasonable way forward for the Greek people. He now seems to be trying to enliven good ideas of the past, and that confuses people to the extent that it verges on necromancy. No-one who is involved with politics and finance thinks that it is a rose garden.
The ball bearings seem to be coming out of the British system abit
They had a local body election and their more pro-european vote came out for that one, for their EU election the more independent vote came out as the new Brexit party cleaned up.
A recent by-election had controversies.
The wires seemed crossed. At some point the wrong one might come loose to a fuel tank or something.
Takes courage to admit this – takes courage to be the person that others can talk to, takes courage to talk. Be courageous people.
Mike King has opened up about how the weight of pressure of being named New Zealander of the Year led to a mental breakdown last month.
… The comedian says New Zealanders need to open up to their friends, family and that if you haven't had a heart-to-heart with someone in the past 12 months, you're part of the problem.
"It's a topic of conversation and we're trying to change the conversation away from 'if you're in crisis, ask for help' to 'if you haven't had a friend talk to you about their problems, you're probably the problem'.
"We all have problems, and if you haven't had a mate come to you in the last 12 months and talk about their feelings – not 'my wife's being horrible' but 'I am feeling like this and I'm feeling like that' – then you're the problem. You need to look in the mirror and ask yourself, 'What am I doing to make it OK for people to ask for help?'"
Na hes wrong . Sure I’ve had periods in my life were I needed a shoulder. But I've also so had many periods of years were I was all good thankyou.
That doesn’t make me part of the problem!
Hes like the alcoholic that thinks any one who has a bender is also an alcoholic. Just plain wrong.
The beauty of being human is that we're not all mad on the same day. On a bad day my mates can support me, and on their bad days, I support them. In this manner we get through hard times together.
Maybe by coming here those who need deep and meaningfuls find in someone's thinking that touch of the other that is human relationship. And it lessens whatever stress is going on.
yeah sure waggy – fact is farmers kill themselves a fucken lot. They hurt their animals and families as their stresses increase and their options for support diminish and now their semi autos are going. You look after yourself mate. And me and the New Zealander of the Year will carry on trying to support your neighbours.
You and Mike may need to have regular deep and meaningfuls but some of us dont. It is that simple.
You may feel that way, but some of your friends may not.
If you voice to your friends that you feel that way, they may be too scared to talk to you about their own feelings for a misplaced fear of appearing weak. And so the cycle continues and more people take their own lives.
If your friends have never had a heart to heart with you than could you be part of the problem?
Everyone has heart to hearts with me, apparently am easy to talk to and that's just fine as it makes me happy that people feel so comfortable they can open up. The keeper of secrets and supporter of feelings.
Many men commit suicide in this country, perhaps if they would be helped by having deep & meaningfuls instead of the pathetic real men wear black bullshit that a lot of us men grew up with. I'm glad things have changed since I was a kid in the 70s. Thanks cinny, bleeple, marty and grey for your deeper thinking and dose of reality.
Placing molecules between the surface and the sun is going to raise temperatures. Continuing to do so, by digging yet more up, will go on continuing to speedup the heating. Even if you believe it's not yet enough to worry about, it's inevitably will be. Since historically before that trapped carbon was trapped the climate was very much warmer. But wait its worse. Our star is millions of years older, hydrogen fuel has been converted over time to iron, a hotter star now shines down on us. So digging up all carbon and burning it will create a world much hotter than experienced by the dinosaurs. But hey what's it matter I don't have kids, so jokes on the over populating types, who believe as long as their faith hold gawk won't hurt them, or if he does they have a time share in heaven waiting. Problem for them, since any Gawd ain't so compliant, history says as much. And really look at what passes for thinking amongst Christians, the sin of vanity where a believer thinks he is different and doesn't have to live up to his rugby contract. Or the Christian MP peddling the tried old Christians have a monopoly on morality, that is the sin of dishonesty, since fair dealing means admitting the civic order was not just created by those following Jesus. Worse, history is replete with where Christian dogmatists have crushed and killed nonchristians. e.g Spanish inquisition on Jews and Muslims.
Stupid exists, thats why we need to expose it often and soon.
Pakeha kill just as many children as Maori do, despite Maori being the "face of abuse" in the media, according to a researcher.
Merchant found physical child abuse was largely related to poverty, poor housing, inter-generational abuse, poor parenting and drugs and alcohol abuse.
Meanwhile, Oranga Tamariki is shifting away from child uplifts to intensive interventions, basically having a social worker moving in with the family for up to several years.
Listen to the clip in the link below for more details.
If you listened to much of the commentariat here, Gabbard doesn't have a snowball's chance in becoming the Democratic candidate… However, she was the most googled candidate after the first debate lol.
Her podcast with Joe Rogan was really worth the time to listen to. Personally if I could have Andrew Yang and Tulsi in one single candidate I'd be in political heaven. And this from someone who still has a big soft spot for Bernie.
Parents on drugs, Parents on Booze, Parents on Bashing their wives up, Parents who have put themselves in Jail, Parents who have not taught their children anything …The Parents who are merely wastrel Gang Mugs. Parents on Marijuana. Killing each other on the Road.
The spoon feeding has to stop. No amount of tattoos or money is going to fix anything. We have had a couple of centuries trying out that.
The sadness is, that the Population of New Zealand is less and less Maori. More and More English, More Asian and South American. European .Populations that do well.
Do we want Maori to Die off Like Kauri ? The answer to that is, make sure Parents live a decent Life.
Many years back I worked for a period for a Maori, originally from Tokoroa, who eventually rose considerably in the senior ranks of our industry. I have to say we clashed horribly as personalities, but I still had immense respect for his personal diligence, fair-mindedness and hard work … and for how he had taken full responsibility for lifting himself out of his very ordinary family origins.
The same here in Australia, I keep meeting Maori who are doing very well for themselves out from under the burden of low expectations back home.
There is no question that everywhere around the world, where existing peoples became minorities in the lands they formerly had dominion over, where the scientific and industrial dominance of the West dealt a heavy blow to the confidence and self-image of other populations, where wrong-headed Darwinian ideas about race and eugenics became fashionable … have all been systematically detrimental to the morale and spiritual energy of indigenous peoples everywhere.
My contention is simple; the individual and the society they live in are mutually interdependent. If you want to argue for personal responsibility, to stop the 'spoon feeding', then we must accept that while some will soar, others will fall and that collectively we have an obligation to catch them before they break.
This is a conversation we struggle to have, how do we live so that each of us has the opportunity and space to strive and struggle to be the best we each can be; finding freedom within a disciplined collective society, clear in it's values, resolute in it's goals?
Do we want Maori to Die off Like Kauri ?
Emphatically no. As with all indigenous peoples they have knowledge and insight into a world a highly materialistic West is blind to. There was one night on a marae in the King Country when I was privileged to see a small glimpse of how these two different views of the world might be forged into something far greater any of us had arrived with.
My father was born in a tent to a single mother. When my parents married they had less than 10 quid between them.
My mother's father was a butcher on the mutton chain at Westfield and was killed crossing the road on his way to work the day before I was born,
Mum and Dad met at Teachers Training College and both worked multiple jobs most of their lives. I put myself through University with a cleaning job. At one stage I was intimate with at least 1/3rd of all the toilets in downtown Auckland.
Yet undeniable I had a sheltered middle class upbringing. A season shearing in Otago cured me of a lot of unnecessary innocence, and this has come in handy the rest of my life. Much of the rest of it I put down to a reasonable IQ, endeavouring to justify the salary I was paid and turning up on time.
Did being 'white' help. Yes and no. In some settings it does, and in others it was utterly irrelevant. It's hardly surprising that the majority ethnic group and culture will organise things locally to best suit themselves. Being a minority in any setting is a inevitably a disadvantage to some extent, but in my experience if you prove reliable and competent it’s readily overcome. A quick look around the modern world categorically shows that being European/Caucasian is absolutely not the sole pre-requisite to being wealthy and successful … however you want to define it. The last big engineering project team I was part of, I was literally the only white male face in a team of eight. The notion of 'white male privilege' may have had some currency a generation ago, but it's a very weak one now.
The notion of 'white male privilege' may have had some currency a generation ago, but it's a very weak one now.
lol you are such a spinner – you've been defending all and sundry white males for ages – do you think it is a secret lol
Your little self serving narratives are funny – they show the real you in so many ways and all invisible to you because of your white male privilege – it is very amusing so thanks for that.
Logically in any society the dominant ethnic group will organise things to suit themselves, and to others this will appear an unearned privilege. So there is no point in denying it. And some individuals will extend this to be racist and irrationally bigoted about it. It happens everywhere; try living in China if you want a dose of ethnic privilege in your face on a daily basis.
At one time I would have largely agree with you; some differences between Pakeha and Maori seem indefensible unless you invoke racism as the sole explanation.
But travelling and working in many different countries this past decade or so has rather altered my perspective on this. Besides this NZ is no longer the place it was in the 80's when these questions really hit the public domain. You rightly ask for instance why Maori represent 53% of the prison muster when they are 15% of the population and put this down to white supremacist racism. Yet at the same time Asians are 12% of the population, yet barely 2% of the prison muster.
I'm willing to accept that racism is part of this toxic mix that sees so many talented, capable young Maori men waste their lives away in prison. I've seen it up close and it disturbs me as much as it does you. Yet if pure bigotry was the sole explanation at work, if fails to explain those Maori who do escape the trap and achieve often remarkably well.
your opinion is quaint but the facts don't back it up.
For example health –
A watershed Waitangi Tribunal report backs claims the system is racist, finding the Crown has breached the Treaty in failing to give Māori control over a primary health system that works for them.
these are fact not your opinon OR mine FACTS and I could pull up examples across every sector but of course you don't see any racism – that is because you are part of it. Your diminishing of racism and trying to mansplain everything into some middle of the road mush are prime examples of it. You cannot front up – never have and never will I think and that's okay – you are a caricature in some ways for me on this stuff and that is helpful when trying to explain concepts so all good.
Yet like you the WT is long on whining about how unfairly Maori have been treated, yet short on explaining exactly why Maori have different biologies to everyone else, and how their medical treatments should be different.
Unless of course they are not, and all that Maori really want is a separate system. Which quite precisely makes Brash's lie come true.
Absolute bullshit. I've been upfront and candid with you all the way; that you cannot see this speaks to your willful inability to hear anything I say.
Yet if pure bigotry was the sole explanation at work, if fails to explain those Maori who do escape the trap and achieve often remarkably well.
It explains it perfectly adequately. Those individuals do "remarkably well", but not as often as pakeha do "remarkably well". And not usually as "remarkably well" as pakeha with otherwise similar socioeconomic backgrounds.
Institutional and individual biases simply stack the deck of cards in order to produce outcomes that reinforce those biases. We actually see this when machine learning is used to replicate and supplement decision-making that was previously the domain of supposedly rational, impartial and experienced humans. When computers use previous decisions in order to learn what they should be doing, they come out racist. And because we can itemise and set up tests in order to blatantly expose the decision bias without the AI getting embarrassed and changing its behaviour, we know exactly what those biases are.
The classic example was a parole application assessment tool that was predisposed to releasing white americans but not african americans who had the same past histories, and we saw it here with the immigration nz algorithm.
These biases don't rule every person out or in, it's just that white dudes get more positive credit for being white and male. Which makes equivalent people more likely to get interviews or leniency if they happen to be male and pale. We are perceived as more trustworthy and more competent, even if only subconsciously. And that feeds back into us. For a mind-bender, try reversing the implicit assumptions in society and figure out what we'd get fed back then.
As for your bollocks with MM, people don't necessarily need different medicine, but any health system needs to be accessible to the patients in its catchment area. That doesn't mean two systems, it can mean one system that can deliver its services in different ways to suit the people it is supposed to serve.
Institutional and individual biases simply stack the deck of cards in order to produce outcomes that reinforce those biases.
That's precisely what I was saying, that the dominant culture will organise matters to best suit itself. It would be incredibly surprising if it didn't. And aligns precisely with the argument I made earlier, that our most ancient, hardwired system of social cooperation is the one that humans share with all the other primates we co-evolved with … genetic affiliation. We will always preference our own family members over others, those of our extended social network, those we share an ethnic culture with, our nationality, our religion, our locality.
But note carefully, as we extend these horizons of social co-operation the basis of them changes in a way that is uniquely human, we start to cooperate on the basis of reciprocity, game theory, duty and generosity. These are more complex layers of cooperation built on top of our more primitive genetic impulses.
When we measure 'subconcious bias' it is these ineradicable old instincts we are testing for. The testing is deliberately done at a sub-second level in order to suppress any higher order thinking.
But any reasonable response to something hardwired and by definition 'not in our concious control' cannot be to demand we eradicate our deep instinctive programming. It makes no more sense than to 'convert' homosexual's because their instinctive sexual orientation is deemed unacceptable.
Nor does it make any sense to promote the differences between groups of people, to provoke power dramas between them and insist on engaging on the old victim/oppressor/rescuer game. All of these alarm our ancient scripts, they push people into their default genetic affiliations and trigger the primitive violence responses our history is so replete with.
What makes us human is our ability to consciously override our subconscious scripts. For instance we effectively moderate our sexual instincts with complex, high order social norms of mutual respect and modesty. At the same time experience tells us that attempting the same control with suppression, shame and guilt always backfire.
Similarly I would argue the most effective way to manage our default instinct to genetic affiliation is to consciously educate towards notions of our common human heritage and our universal equality in the sight of the divine.
"Genetic affiliation"? How does that work with institutional racism when genetically there's no such thing as "race"?
And on the one hand you're arguing that subconscious impulses can't be changed, and on the other you want to turn athiests into believers of divinity so they can recognise our common humanity. Not to mention that you refer to some pretty odd impulses.
Maybe, rather than being the result of "genetic affiliation" or a sex drive we have to overcome in order to preserve "social norms", maybe the vast majority of social ills are learned behaviours. Maybe the "social norms" are hypocritical. Maybe the justice system's inclination to give poor people heavier sentences than rich people for stealing the same amount of money (ha) from the government isn't "deep instinctive programming", maybe it's simply a social norm that can indeed be changed.
I appreciate your look back, except you seem not to have answered the question. Nature, nurture, or both? I suspect innate qualities of character powered the overcoming of handicaps (did for me) but the father provides guys with the role model for socialisation (in principle, not denying the inadequacy of many) so where did you get that from?
Prisoner rehab seems not to measure up to expectation. I'm wondering if lack of suitable role models used is the problem with that.
I agree with pat, it's definitely both. IQ for instance is a critical component of professional success, but it's more of a constraining factor than a predictor. For instance in order to be a good medical specialist you probably need an IQ north of 130, but this does not mean everyone with that level of IQ could achieve at the level necessary for that profession. There are other multiple dimensions around temperament and nurture that are more predictive.
But in terms of nurture all the evidence now conclusively points to having both biological parents in a stable home is a very real advantage for the children. That the role of men, and fathers in particular, has been consistently diminished and depracted for some 4 – 5 decades now, has done no-one any favours whatsoever.
So did you have a suitable male role model to instill the parental father within? Perhaps you've never thought about that. I often reflect on the many & various male role models I learnt from (most from books rather than real life) which probably explains the many sides to the character I eventually developed. From my dad I learnt what a father ought not to be like.
In that respect I count myself as very fortunate to have a decent father to whom I very grateful for his efforts. He's not perfect and like you there are aspects of who he is that I've been careful not to replicate; but then again I think it's a mistake to think of your parents as 'role models'.
My view is that they are there to act as boundary setters and creators of expectation. It's their role to ensure you are acceptably socialised and to then encourage you to deal with life good and bad.
And in my adolescence I was again fortunate to have the father of a very close friend around a lot. He was a lot more political than my own father and was very open to educating me about the world.
Thanks for the info, fortunate indeed. You may not be familiar with the Jungian theory of archetypes, but the idea is that the parents embed in the subconscious during childhood, and thus activate the parental archetype provided by nature (which may or may not then result in them functioning as role models).
Well, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Muller had thoughts. If so, no doubt he kept them to himself prudently, due to the omnipresent danger that colleagues would view such tendencies as subversive.
So no more arguing against the 'look to the PM' or the 'the polls aren't good enough', or 'damage being done to the PM's popularity' from you, then. Good to know.
Key wanted to be Prime Minister when he was 11 years old ["I was aways fascinated by the role."] – too bad for NZ that it took him 43 years to grow out of it.
Now if only the Chairman of ANZ Bank New Zealand could recall his stance on the 1981 Springbok tour – after all, a good memory would be a prerequisite for being The Chairman, surely?
Well it's looking better than the Poll earlier this week that asked if Arden is doing a good job/should stay on as PM. That had the nays at about 95% before vanishing "poof" in to the ether, to be replaced by a "page not found" placeholder.
Expect to see any real polls agin' Jacinda to disappear the same way…
Which Poll was this Swizzle? Who organized the Poll? Where was it published? If it isn't a legitimate Poll on a credible Medium I can only assume it is your credibility going "poof"
AM Show Newshub polls aren't scientific, they are for entertainment purposes. People can vote more than once, if the smartphone or computer cache is cleared. You would have to be an idiot to take them seriously.
Someone in Chris Bishop's office voted 2000 times in one poll. 😁
WrittenBy: EDDIE – Date published:1:22 am, April 30th, 2011
The government has spent $1 million so far on 350 campervans for Christchurch. One person stayed in them. For that money, better to put them up at Premier House and commute them by Iroquois. There is a massive housing need in Christchurch – apparently thousands have registered interest in temporary houses – but the campervans were so shitty and expensive people preferred overcrowded or damaged houses, or just left town.
Meanwhile, actual temporary houses will start going up some time next month and hopefully be finished some time in winter. The Japanese will have 30,000 temporary houses finished in a month’s time. we’ll be lucky to have one.
Can anyone tell me why we made a guy who can’t even organise some temporary houses in 3 months our dictator?'
A 6.4 Earthquake in Southern California America let hope there is not to much damage.
Amanda I see the guys point on The big game of rugby but loyalty is cool .
It's wet wet wet we're I'ma at the minute.
I say that the sale of West coast milk company to Yealy a Chinese company is good deal for the farmers the West coast needs this.
I think it's not very wise the council talking about banning people from parking on the road side burms especially with the housing shortage and over crowding
With the cancer issue there is only so much one can do ma te wa in good time our government will sort it out the big picture with cancer drugs is the big companies charge way to much for there product putting huge profits before humanity and that's WRONG in Eco Maori book
I have been in Hawskbay for a few days on a farm one thing I noticed was the lack of native birds in the place were I'm staying . I say that Hawskbay could do with it own bird sanctuary also there is not many native trees all the farmers need to plant flax and other native fauna as Aotearoa native birds cannot feed on pine trees or Willow trees or popular we need to plant Manuka trees in the slip prone places not Willow or popular ka kite ano
I think not enough reshearch is done in Maori and Pacific health.
I have said you have to have aoha for the people you treat to treat correctly in the health if a doctor love there patient they will do all they can to find a better out come for the patient .
I also say we need Maori to be there in the lead in all aspects of government service.
Gout is a genetic problem Eco Maori Had gout . The system is changing for the better of Maori.
I know European doctor don't treat Maori as good as a Maori doctor would.
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Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff is calling on all political parties to support the new Member’s Bill from Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich MP that would ensure negligent companies are held accountable when their employees ...
A historian with an uncanny track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go very wrong for him. ...
Ngaio Marsh House is one of Christchurch’s best kept secrets – and contains more than a few mysteries of its own.Trust Ngaio Marsh to leave more than a few mysteries scattered through her house long after her departure. For a start, there’s the curious concrete portal in the garden, ...
Appointment viewing has been lost to the mists of time, but memories of Montana Sunday Theatre can still be conjured by hitting play on a particular piece of classical music. “You’re not going to be able to sell it.” Over 30 years on, Karen Bieleski still recalls how the task ...
Performance Review King Luxon sat behind His massive polished oak desk. It is Performance Review time. There is a knock on the door. “Enter!” says the King. In steps Minister of Disabilities and Carer Pedicures, Penny Simmonds. “I can explain everything …” she begins. “Fine,” says King Luxon, pressing the ...
The pair opened their first fully collaborative exhibition, Nina for Flowers, last Saturday. Gabi Lardies visited their studio to find out who Nina is and what working together was like.‘It didn’t start out like, ‘This is a show about Nina,’” says Josephine Jelicich, gripping a thermos of peppermint tea. ...
Thank you, Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, for your brilliant invention. I’m another mid-20s Kiwi who had an OE last year. I hopped on my bicycle where France meets the Atlantic and cycled east. I pedalled through the Loire Valley, down rivers lined with willows and ancient wisteria-draped chateaus. I relished ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
When crazy weather goes on and on, we worry “Is this the way it’s going to be now?” Canadian climate scientist Paul Beckwith says there is no new normal. We should expect extremes, swings, and surprises as the world warms.
Paul Beckwith climate change interview—There Is No New Normal—Radio Ecoshock 2019-06-12
Abrupt Climate Change = A Climate in exponential transition to a new thermal equilibrium. Its signs are extreme climate events happening, heat waves, flooding, wildfires, freezing cold snaps, drought etc..Looking at the paleo record scientists speculate we’re heading for a Pliocene or Eocene climate.
June 2019 hottest ever recorded on Earth – “Temperature records haven’t just been broken. They have been obliterated.”
https://desdemonadespair.net/2019/07/june-2019-hottest-ever-recorded-on-earth-temperature-records-havent-just-been-broken-they-have-been-obliterated.html
Kevin and Guy were joined by Rory Varrato, a founding member of Extinction Rebellion NYC and adjunct professor of philosophy at Fordham University. Rory invited Guy to testify to the New York City Council’s Committee on Environment a day before New York City declared a climate emergency. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nature-bats-last-07-03-19/id907162688?i=1000443546834
Joe Neubarth
18 hrs ·
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The simple fact of the matter is that we can NOT stop temperature rise at 2 degrees Celsius, because the Greenhouse Gases already in the atmosphere will drive Global Average Surface Temperature (GAST) far higher than 2 degrees.
The CO2 that is already in the atmosphere will continue to raise temperature for the next 3 or 4 centuries. The Nitrous Oxide that is already in the atmosphere will continue to raise temperature for the next 3 centuries. The most powerful Greenhouse Gas of all is water vapor and it is increasing in the atmosphere approximately 7% for each degree of temperature rise. There is variance between the multitude of scientists out there as to the average heating caused by Water Vapor in the atmosphere. I have seen numbers from a low of 60% of Global Heating to 70% of Global Heating. That is impressive by itself, but a 7% rise in water vapor for each degree of temperature rise can kill us rather quickly. More Water Vapor means MORE HEAT retained in the atmosphere.
It is all headed towards a tremendous heating climax and the uneducated Republican Idiots out there will say to each other, "Why didn't they tell us this would happen?"
Not that long ago that the mere mention of Guy McPherson's name was enough to get you kicked off a CC post on The Standard. Times most certainly have changed.
Can you back that up with a link?
https://thestandard.org.nz/arctic-monkey-wrenching/
Search not working at the moment so hard to find without trawling. This is one example.
Thanks.
Authors are free to moderate their own posts as they see fit. That is not the same as site moderation.
Has anybody ever been banned because of “the mere mention of Guy McPherson's name” without warnings and out of context?
For example, using the name of the alleged Christchurch Mosque shooter will trigger Auto-Moderation but not impose an outright ban.
There seems to be much mis- and possibly dis-information on moderation and I’d like to clear up any confusion if I can.
I didn't say banned. I said kicked off the post. My argument was that as long as the comment was reasoned and backed up with links, why would you eliminate, what is now pretty much accepted, as climate fact from discussion?
Fair enough, that’s indeed what you said, and I agree with you but some may have different views on this and McPherson in particular. It remains the Author’s prerogative; OM is different.
BTW, the Moderator note asked not to link [to] McPherson, which is not quite the same as “the mere mention of Guy McPherson's name”. Nitpicking, I know …
Thats was the first one I could find Incognito as search isn't working very well. There were a couple of others. Thanks for the reply though.
search: Whenever I get a weekend free….
https://www.quora.com/How-accurate-is-Paul-Beckwith-climate-scientist-when-it-comes-to-Climate-Change
Not many supporters for this guy. Unless you like DOOM with your cornflakes.
"other climate scientists more senior than him have made similar alarmist predictions that have turned out wrong. People like Beckwith are great recruiters for climate scepticism."
Exponential abrupt climate change is DOOM, we simply refuse to understand or accept that this can happen to us! Beckwith is a respected climate scientist in the Northern Hemisphere. he doesn't make statements unless he's certain. Reality is the new alarmism. And of course we're in the 6th mass extinction too of this planet.
His youtube vids have a very large comments section.
It'd be a dull world if we all thought the same! 🙂 lol In the end what we think doesn't matter it's what the Planet is doing that does matter.
"I wouldn't lend him too much credibility on this subject. All of his scientifically published and peer-reviewed papers are on aspects of lasers, his actual area of academic expertise."
"Paul Beckwith is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa and declared the Arctic would be ice-free in 2013.”
“We must declare a global climate emergency. Please consider a donation to support my work..” – Paul Beckwith.
yep amazing how these doomers love making money as the shit goes down
Who has credibility? Certainly not the IPCC. Arctic sea ice has surprised everyone that it has hung on so long but it is going. Our own "climate scientists' are too timid and just reiterate the latest news and observations on their desks.They refuse to stick out their necks and tell where it's all going.
The reality: Climate Change is now exponential take glacier melt rates in the Antarctic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plkkfEY9cGs
doomer tours could rake in some dosh for the end times there john plus you'd be telling a lot more people your story – could be a winner mate
Correct.
Three decades of increasing ice obliterated in a couple of years.
Part time professor ?
In reality hes been a PhD student there since 2011, and we would consider him as 'student-tutor'
Yep, lol, oopth!
Came from his own CV
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yk8zyLASnhGGl_NgIy9i2g59gD2AsBZNg_mz6bT3XxU/edit
Search of the UoO staff directory doesnt come up with his name. And that includes technical and admin staff.
Scientists in climate change and their feelings and how they carry on and communicate.
Abrupt exponential climate change continues its havoc:
Entire cities in Japan ordered to evacuate as record rainfall lashes south-western region
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japans-kagoshima-city-orders-600000-residents-to-evacuate-after-days-of-heavy-rain?fbclid=IwAR2V–pShBmML6G_nWEJY4AnMOC8ExjwlG6nZmwy_NhrSoEePq5wfQcDTNI
TOKYO – About 1.12 million people in southwestern Japan were ordered to flee to safety on Wednesday (July 3), as heavy rain continued to lash the region bringing floods to widespread areas and threatening deadly landslides.
The evacuation orders, as at 9pm local time Wednesday night (8pm in Singapore), remained in effect for vast areas of Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Kumamoto prefectures.
The deluge, which began last Friday (June 28), is forecast to continue until at least Thursday (July 4) before storm clouds move east.
Many areas have seen more rain in a single day than in a typical month of July, the weatherman said, as residents in entire cities, like Kagoshima City, Kirishima and Aira, were told to seek shelter.
Some 869,000 people were advised to evacuate their homes, while 1.32 million others have been told to prepare to evacuate, based on a new five-tier heavy rain disaster warning system launched this year in the wake of deadly rains last July that left 225 dead.
You couldnt really call him a climate scientist
"He has earned a Masters in Science (M.Sc.) in Laser Optics/Physics. He also earned his undergraduate, with a Bachelors of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Engineering Physics."
Has he even published in Climate Journals. seems to have been in a PhD program in climatology for 8-9 yrs. You would think by this stage he would have moved onto Post Doc research , but doesnt appear to have any published reasearch even on his earlier speciality
Hes seems more of a chancer…..
"He is involved in the very early stages of developing an entrepreneurial startup venture based out of Northern Europe, using the latest in innovative climate change thinking .."
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture now under political attack by “women’s advocacy group”
Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, concluded that Assange has been tortured. He is now under political attack by a “women’s advocacy group” claiming they are protecting women & victim’s rights. Sexual assault survivors are striking back.
@Suzi3D https://contraspin.co.nz/not-in-my-name-academics-publicly-attacking-un-torture-rapporteur/ …" https://twitter.com/helena_jennie/status/1146078394565550081 https://contraspin.co.nz/not-in-my-name-academics-publicly-attacking-un-torture-rapporteur/
Way things are going a man and a woman will have to sign a legal consent form witnessed by a lawyer before you know what, to avoid future repercussions. 🙁
This isn't about rape, and it never was. It's about government-led smearing and defamation and (so they fervently hope) the destruction of a radical journalist. And similar treatment for those foolish enough to speak out in defence of that journalist. Even U.N. officials are considered fair game for the treatment.
oh poor john – just listen when your partner/guest/friend/acquaintance/workmate/ stranger and so on says no – not too hard there eh john is it.
Or you could go with dealing with your fellow humans as though they were your fellow humans and had autonomy over their own bodies. That seems to work a treat.
Apologies if already posted on The Standard.
Pouty, potty, throw your toys out of the cotty time. From yesterday's The Spinoff, a fine piece of well-deserved piss-taking written by Toby Manhire.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/03-07-2019/everybody-stop-being-so-mean-to-anz-immediately/?
A beautiful last line. "We live in your world"! ANZ's advertising slogan. ROFPML.
Toby is quite right of course Mac. We should have great sympathy because as the ads always show, Banks are keen to take care of us all like a god beneficent. Ha!
Pete Singer on 12 String guitar singing "The Banks are Made of Marble" a song I once sang in the Sixties with Prof Jim Flynn at a pary. He might not remember, but I do.
Great song!
Minor point but it is Pete Seeger and he is playing a Banjo.
It is a great song though.
Alwyn, that is a twelve string guitar on the Banks of Marble, Believe me, I know. I own and play a Fender twelve string from the early Seventies. Pete Seeger also played banjo.I have his book. I did own and play a banjo once in a double thumbing style so I know what they too sound like.
Pete Seeger on 12 String guitar. If you like it, listen to his version of the Bells of Rhymney. The bells of Merthyr really do ask a topical question!
He’s playing a 12 string even though the picture is a a six string guitar.
Great clip Mac1. I think Pete Seeger represents goodness in the US. I like this Dylan song he recorded with a bunch of kids a few years before he died in 2014. There is beauty in it's simplicity.
I'll take your word for the guitar. I really thought it was a banjo. I guess the way he is playing it is confusing me.
Rather like the person who was asked whether he had ever confused a Bordeaux and a Burgundy. Reply was not for ages. Not since lunchtime in fact.
I had a great line once in a Roger Hall play, as I savoured the light shining through a wine glass, "You can always tell a good pinot, you know." All the time knowing I was about to roll around in delight a mouthful of rather sweet raspberry cordial. That was great acting!
Alwyn, beg pardon but did not see the spelling error. It's a common thing and one reason why anything I write as a newsletter editor is always vetted by someone else. One's own mistakes are often harder to see.
I was taught as a grocer's son when adding money figures to always double check by adding the figures in the opposite direction.
So, we agree then? Pete Seeger on the 12 string….. sounds like a game of Cluedo……. in the studio!
I was struck by the choice of image to head Toby Manhire's piece. It bears a strange resemblance, both physically and behaviorally, to the current leader of the national party
I see what you mean, Graeme. Strange? No. Entitleitis is a disease that strikes both baby and adult alike. It is a deficiency disease, self-diagnosed but never self-medicated. The symptoms can be severe, but are mostly psychological. The purported cause always is attributed to others from whom the treatment is also demanded. Often called colloquially, "S'mine fever" as the more articulate sufferer often avers, "Gimme. S'mine."
You're not alone I suggested that on another NZ "chat" site yesterday, one that has become a lot more fractured than this one TBF.
Big versus Little: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-07-2019/little-pledges-action-against-google-over-grace-millane-suppression-breach/
"The New Zealand government is considering a range of options in response, says Little, including legal recourse, on which it has sought advice. He has also asked the Ministry of Justice to “review how it notifies media about suppression orders as part of its work to implement the new contempt laws”."
Watch this space, then. Global media giants conforming to law in individual nations is the thing. Global media law doesn't exist – international law exists to some extent, but lacks a method of enforcement…
Andy will do such things— What they are, yet I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth.
Hipkins: "we need to modernise the New Zealand Public Service." Announcing the coalition's plan to do so a week ago, he outlined key points.
"These include moving from outputs to outcomes, even though outcomes are harder to measure and harder to control." Who knew? Rocket scientists in Labour? Most people think outputs and outcomes are both results. Those educated would even use the word simile. Perhaps he's informing us of an in-crowd terminology employed by consultants to differentiate different kinds of decision-making processes.
He also declared that "citizens don’t live their lives in in neat compartments." This is sad but true. Some are downright messy.
"We’ve also removed performance pay for chief executives, introduced a Public Service Day and removed the cap on the number of public servants." Everyone will be tense with anticipation, waiting to see what will happen on Public Service Day. Will they line up in throngs to see public service actually being done?
Anyway, "we need to come out of our siloes and take collective responsibility when getting traction on some of our most challenging issues and opportunities requires us to work cooperatively across the Public Service and beyond. That is increasingly the case in a world that over the last 30 years has become more complex. Issues such as climate change, security and inequality are global, and the pace of technology development means rapid change is a constant. The Public Service needs to change with it if we are to keep up." Damn right it does. They get it!
So the coalition is "changing the Public Service – how it works, what it prioritises, who joins it and who leads it. A public service that is more fleet-footed and can shift its focus to where it will make the most difference."
Bureaucrats efficient, tactically agile, on the ball? Old dogs doing new tricks? Cool, that's gonna be powerful magic.
He said reform will shift "agencies from working as single departments to working as one, unified Public Service, able to quickly mobilise and tackle specific issues. The reforms will mean leaders in the Public Service will take joint responsibility for the whole of the Public Service, rather than just individual agencies, to tackle the country’s big challenges."
Applied holism. Best not tell the bureaucrats that though (likely to cause mental indigestion). Clever move from the coalition! It'll produce an entirely new ethos: collaboration culture. But only if/when those involved enter into the spirit of the shift, and incorporate the praxis required for success.
"Cherished public service principles like ‘spirit of service’ to the community, political neutrality, free and frank advice and merit-based appointments will be embedded in the new Act. These principles are important. They help safeguard the constitutional conventions governing the public service, promote ethical conduct, and enable cross-agency collaboration on services and outcomes for New Zealanders."
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1906/S00231/announcement-of-public-service-reforms.htm
Most people think outputs and outcomes are both results.
Most people aren't running organisations or managing people in those organisations. To those who do, there's a big difference between those things.
Outputs is a number, a Key Performance Indicator – when you set those, your staff and your organisation (quite understandably) set to work to maximise the number they've been given as a measurement of their performance, and issues of whether they're doing the right thing by the organisation's customers, the environment, or whatever the hell else all take a back seat.
Outcomes is how well you're achieving the actual purpose of the organisation's existence, which is a lot harder to measure than outputs and is why most organisations tend to go with measuring outputs instead.
If the government can find a way to get public sector organisations to focus on outcomes rather than work to a number, that would be a great achievement and would improve the performance of those organisations a lot. Won't be an easy job, though.
Oh I see. Yeah, numbers matter more to neoliberals, so the historical shift makes sense. Measurable results. Voters prefer their quality of life to be enhanced, and better governance is a key part of what they want…
NZ govts have been working on that shift for over 15 years: https://treasury.govt.nz/publications/wp/managing-outcomes-new-zealand-public-management-system-wp-04-15-html
Well, the Labour ones, at least. The previous Nat government seemed very keen on targets and KPIs.
It's very hard to shift people's thinking about that, when everyone's gotten used to thinking of numbers as measures of their performance. Even the organisation's actual purpose may not be understood – I remember a systems thinking trainer telling me that he did a session for public service managers in which several of the managers thought that their department's customer is the minister.
The trouble with the way government agencies have been distorted over the last few decades is that they *do* behave as if their only responsibility is upwards to the sacred cheeks of the current minister. And are rewarded for that.
What a farce and good riddance.
The poor dears will be consoled with salary rises of course.
Being part optimist, this is most excellent in the direction it points.
Between good intentions (outputs) and a job well done (outcomes) is the abyss.
Is 'Performance pay for public service chief executives' an oxymoron?
happy fourth of july
https://imgur.com/n8psbx1
That is wonderful, Sabine! LOL
I really cannot comprehend/accept the farce that Trump is about to turn the day into in Washington DC from the media reports to date – but that about sums it up!
Bread and Circuses.
Oh wait, cancel the bread.
Panem et circenses – minus panem. You nailed it.
Gordon Campbell has an excellent exposition on what was missing from Hipkins' announcement of public sector reform: whistle-blower legislation improvement.
"Late last year, the results of a long and comprehensive study by Griffiths University in Australia showed that 30 per cent of New Zealand public agencies had no system in place for recording and tracking concerns, and 23 per cent had no support strategy for staff who raised concerns. According to the Ombudsman, people don’t even know that any legal protection for whistle blowers even exists:
Research released by the Ombudsman last month found only 9 percent of respondents had even heard of the Protected Disclosures Act – “an alarmingly low number given the importance of the act for all New Zealanders,” Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said. Worse, “21 percent said they have witnessed serious wrongdoing at their workplace or previous workplaces”.
Only 40 percent of employees believed their jobs would be safe if they reported the wrongdoing, and 34 percent thought they would lose their job. Lower paid workers were particularly worried about job security."
Gordon adds this: "Reportedly, the wording of the existing law is even vague as to what kind of wrong-doings might be covered in which settings. In New Zealand workplace conditions, the legislation’s focus on theft and corruption – rather than say, on bullying or intimidation – is also arguably misplaced."
"In sum, that’s quite an array of problems. After all, there will always be a risk involved in bringing the wrong-doing by one’s superiors to the attention of senior management. Given the imbalance of power in the workplace, whistle blowers will always be at risk of retribution for not being team players, or for raising issues that cast the failures of their bosses in a bad light – even when those concerns are still being handled in-house, and (supposedly) in a confidential fashion."
"It gets even riskier if the internal process fails, and the media enter the equation. Currently, it does not look as if New Zealand is feeling inclined to follow Australia’s example and offer legal protections to those staff who alert the media to wrong-doing. Obviously, effective whistle-blower protections are not simply a public service concern. Yet since the lines between the public and private sectors are being expected to increasingly blur in future, such protections need to be treated as a central element of any major reforms, and integrated within them."
Right on! Let's hope the minister takes note and acts accordingly in his directives to his ministry and amendments to legislation.
http://werewolf.co.nz/2019/06/gordon-campbell-on-the-ways-the-public-is-being-left-unprotected-by-the-public-service-reforms/
Bet the anti-immigration heavy breathers on this site will stay quiet on this – oh they may blame the parents or the countries these kids are from or this or that.
Of course it's horrific. Now precisely what do you propose doing about it?
That's what get's me, every time I read an article loudly denouncing this debacle, I also read a deafening silence on exactly what the USA should do that they would be happy with.
Save your tears – deleted – personal
There are lots of alternatives put up by lots of people so please don't start your attacking me bullshit.
deleted – true but it doesn’t matter
Asking you what you think the solutions might is not attacking you. The article you linked to doesn't outline any, so it's reasonable to ask.
try google lazy bones
Google will give me a very wide range of opinions. What is yours?
Do you want to compare mm's ideas to your own RL? What are you thinking should be done about it. Could you reiterate them to refresh our memories?
ffs – deleted because words in anger and all that shit
I've outlined some responses below to Sabine.
The demand for migration to the developed world is potentially unlimited and likely to become more urgent as climate change destabilises more countries near the tropics or close to sea level.
This is a massive globalised problem with no easy local solutions. The UN's recent compact on migration looked to be a step in the right direction, but as became quickly obvious, most people are still not ready to see the problem from a universal perspective. Most people are still at some level locked into a tribal mindset and will resist national sovereignty being imposed on by a global body such as the UN.
What is happening on the USA/Mexican border only highlights one element of a story that is much larger than the clown Trump and the circus Washington he is presiding over.
Well, I guess we'd better help develop the developing world then. And promote peace rather than bomb them. That'll stop your hordes of migrants.
But unfortunately, the nation best placed to stop wars and promote international development is the nation currently arguing in court that its concentration camp guards don't need to provide toothpaste and soap to the children it stole from their parents.
Well, I guess we'd better help develop the developing world then.
Yes please, although the developing world has to leapfrog the West. We cannot afford the environmental impact of them simply copying us. We need the next 7 billion people who enter the middle classes to be better than us.
That's a challenge I think they are entirely capable of rising to if only we'd had the humility to ask them respectfully.
As for the Trump debacle, I'm underwhelmed by people who simply repeat over and again why it's all so awful. We knew that four years back the moment he declared as a candidate. It's unhelpful just to keep saying so.
I still contend the Dems lost that damned election, and did so specifically when Sanders was eliminated. I've since spoken with dozens of US citizens at various work sites who all agree with me on this. In general terms understanding why the left made this mistake, and taking ownership of it remains the crucial call. And encouragingly I'm seeing fresh candidates like Yang and Gabbard doing just this.
I think that we do need to keep reminding ourselves that this is awful, this is worse than it was before, that this sort of shit is not normal. And that the next election is the one that we should focus on.
The US is not only being more inhuman than in previous administrations, it's detaining people who cross the border for longer.
And this year dolt45 gets his military parade. The one that a couple of years ago people laughed at the thought of.
Remembering that things are bad, that they are not normal, reminds people why the next election is important.
what could the us do?
stop sanctions on Venezuela/Iran for a start.
stop propping up dicktators to foster their own goals at home
stop that war on drugs which in essence is simply a war on everyone else and their poor relatives to enrich a few (banks, military,etc)
stop building anymore prison for profits (i know that will give you a sad, but then you would have to get a new job if we would stop locking up people on pretenses rather then actual crimes)
start treating asylum seekers as humans rather then bodies that occupy a bit of concrete floor for 775$ a night cell but then profit must be made and people like you need a job
start actually working on reforming imigration rather then stopping any meaningful legislation from coming forward – something not done since the late 80s and reagans 'amnesty' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Reform_and_Control_Act_of_1986
start keeping families togethere – Obama was sued for this shit and complied and the orange shitshow can do the same
stop pretending that two year olds can a. care for themselves, b. can defend themselves in a court of law
send children that have legal family in the US to their relatives
but then you are not asking for ideas, right? You just want to say loudly that there is nothing, nothing that could/should/be done, and besides if a jailors wages depends on keeping people locked up then people need to be locked up.
Also somewhere in the New Testament – the one that old testament cultist refuse to actually look at, the one that involves that hippy do gooder Jesus Christ – is says….
The King James Version of Matthew's gospel relates that:
good grief dude, even for you this is a piss poor comment.
stop sanctions on Venezuela/Iran for a start.
Most of these immediate refugees are not coming from these two countries, so it's hard to see what immediate effect this might have.
stop propping up dicktators to foster their own goals at home
All the big powers have history propping up unpleasant dictators of one sort or another. I'm firmly on record as opposing empire of any sort, so you can assume I'm more or less on board with this one.
stop that war on drugs which in essence is simply a war on everyone else and their poor relatives to enrich a few
Personally I loath drug dealers; if I had my way I'd just execute the fuckers on the spot. But I realise this isn't realistic. Experience tells us that in some matters that legal prohibition is the wrong instrument to deal with a problem and causes more problems that it solves. (Much the same as the hate speech debate.)
On the other we cannot ignore the harm drugs do. With that in mind yes ending the 'war on drugs', which was ill-conceived and hugely damaging, is long overdue. But selling that idea to the American people needs some thought and intelligence.
stop building anymore prison for profits
Private prisons are an abomination. Bad assumption to think I support them.
people like you need a job
I've never worked in a prison, but I have socially known people who do. They are awful places full of broken, damaged and dangerous people. Working in these places is hell and I've nothing but respect for those people who do.
start actually working on reforming imigration rather then stopping any meaningful legislation from coming forward
Yes. I totally agree on this. The demand to migrate to the developed world is potentially unlimited and managing it is massively difficult. No policy will ever make everyone happy, but the utterly dysfunctional gridlock in Washington ensures nothing useful gets done. This is direct consequence of political polarisation.
start keeping families together
There is every good reason for this. It's my understanding however there is US law that is preventing children from being imprisoned with their parents. The argument was that it effectively punishes them for something their parents did. In principle it sounds like a good idea, but at this scale and in this context it's an abysmal failure.
This law needs changing …
send children that have legal family in the US to their relatives
Seems reasonable. But then again if the children are admitted to the USA and their parents are permanently deported that creates another issue down the road.
stop pretending that two year olds can a. care for themselves, b. can defend themselves in a court of law
Of course they cannot. Why would you think I'm pretending this? Clearly the numbers have exceeded the authorities ability to manage this situation decently or efficiently.
The USA does not want an open border with Mexico. No-one here seems to advocate for this; so when families arrive undocumented there is a very hard problem. And like most many hard problems, they're made worse when we pretend they have easy solutions.
You just want to say loudly that there is nothing, nothing that could/should/be done, and besides if a jailors wages depends on keeping people locked up then people need to be locked up.
Was that where I said this was a 'horrific debacle'?
' Personally I loath drug dealers; if I had my way I'd just execute the fuckers on the spot. But I realise this isn't realistic. '
I wouldn't go so far but at least they could stop giving them knighthoods.
Fair enough. Just don't put me in charge of enforcing drug policy ….
The AAP has an autism epidemic and is asleep at the wheel. Complicit would be more accurate.
The child numbers involved with the autism epidemic (and the families impacted) are orders of magnitude greater than AAP are signalling concern for here.
Will you be posting on the autism epidemic in USA anytime, Marty?
give me a link that I can look into and I very well may post on it – but please no idiot conspiracy sites or voice
Will you One Two take the problem of the autism in USA further here? I don't think that marty mars should be piled on because of being concerned about one thing and expressing it here – freedom of thought and expression in mind. You are good at seeing further than others on everything One Two and surely you would like to sure on this.
There is no epidemic. Only a sound byte from media.
But I have conflicts of interest.
This is a personal affliction. Also spent two years post grad as part of the 'minds for minds' network.
As a child they didn't even know what they were looking at. As diagnostic tools have improved the actual prevalence of the disease is beginning to surface. We've still not got the full picture as misdiagnosis of females appears to be common.
It used to be these people were 'demon possessed'. Handy diagnosis if you want to burn some lippy women at the stake.
Possibly genetic predisposition plus environmental factors plus make up of gut microbiome may all contribute: helping to explain the wide variety of severity and symptomatic presentation of ASD; and the difficulty in identifying cause and effect.
Not a subject your average moron journo could grasp.
Greeks go to the polls in three days time, and there's an excellent analysis of the current political situation there online: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/how-syriza-lost-the-left-upcoming-greek-elections
"Meanwhile, what is left of the left in Greece dreads the possibility of a Syriza victory. The best thing for the country, they say, would be Syriza’s total dissolution and disappearance from the political scene. People in the KKE (Communist Party) and Antarsya (the acronym, spelling “rebellion,” for a conglomeration of Marxists, anarchists, and left-wing populists) are looking for a resounding defeat of Syriza on July 7. Many are convinced that the Coalition of the Radical Left will soon pass into the dustbin of history, where it belongs for being socialist in words but capitalist in deeds. Let this be a warning, they say, to anti-establishment movements around the world that have faith in people like Jeremy Corbyn in Britain, Pablo Iglesias in in Spain, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the United States".
Yanis Varoufakis and David Broder of Jacobin discuss Greece's political options.
https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu/2019/06/11/mera25-greek-progressives-chance-to-take-the-fight-against-austerity-back-into-parliament-jacobin/
"What these millions wanted a break from was not even true neoliberalism, but what I would call bankruptocracy — a new regime in which the greatest power was wielded by the most bankrupt bankers. Tsipras’s surrender in July 2015 closed that window of opportunity. And there’s no sugaring the bitter pill — the European elections were a complete catastrophe for progressives."
So it was a mistake for the radical left to betray the people? Gosh, why am I not surprised Yanis failed to say so.
“I have the privilege of speaking to a lot of bankers — for some reason, they like talking to me. They completely accept that socialism for bankers and austerity for the population brought about a major defeat for European capitalism. Social democrats on the ground admit that it has been terrible, as do some conservatives, as well as the Greens and the Left. But the disconnect lies in the lack of an organized political plan to shift us out of this.”
Well, that does prove he is capable of getting to the point sometimes, eh?
" DiEM25 put forward the plan for a Green New Deal. The Greens themselves are so conservative, so ordoliberal, and so scared that conservatives will accuse them of being fiscally irresponsible, that they end up recycling ordoliberalism."
That's what democracy does. It cows people. Greens are mainstream nowadays. Show them a radical edge that requires progress, they'll get spooked. Okay, perhaps an overstatement. Not always.
Perhaps Varoufakis has recognised the wrong behaviour of the past which has killed off a reasonable way forward for the Greek people. He now seems to be trying to enliven good ideas of the past, and that confuses people to the extent that it verges on necromancy. No-one who is involved with politics and finance thinks that it is a rose garden.
https://youtu.be/Afl9WFGJE0M
Yes Corbyn is so appealing to voters Labour has slipped to FOURTH place in the polls in the UK.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-slips-to-fourth-place-in-opinion-poll-as-pressure-builds-on-jeremy-corbyn-over-brexit-stance-a4181991.html
The ball bearings seem to be coming out of the British system abit
They had a local body election and their more pro-european vote came out for that one, for their EU election the more independent vote came out as the new Brexit party cleaned up.
A recent by-election had controversies.
The wires seemed crossed. At some point the wrong one might come loose to a fuel tank or something.
Takes courage to admit this – takes courage to be the person that others can talk to, takes courage to talk. Be courageous people.
Na hes wrong . Sure I’ve had periods in my life were I needed a shoulder. But I've also so had many periods of years were I was all good thankyou.
That doesn’t make me part of the problem!
Hes like the alcoholic that thinks any one who has a bender is also an alcoholic. Just plain wrong.
he's wrong? ffs waggy you are a legend – lol classic gold humour
I'll repeat something I've posted recently.
The beauty of being human is that we're not all mad on the same day. On a bad day my mates can support me, and on their bad days, I support them. In this manner we get through hard times together.
It takes a village to raise a village.
Very true. Or as another person put it "humans tend to outsource their mental health".
Or as Boris puts it…Miserable being must find more miserable being. Then, he's happy.
(Or Gorky)
You and Mike may need to have regular deep and meaningfuls but some of us dont. It is that simple.
Maybe by coming here those who need deep and meaningfuls find in someone's thinking that touch of the other that is human relationship. And it lessens whatever stress is going on.
Interesting feed back except for mm and wtb . Your just a dicks
Mike King is an extrovert who probably thrives on lots of interactions.
Introverts tend to have small circles and are comfortable in their walled up worlds.
What, you asked for help and received it but as you are now 'all good thank you'
Then sod everyone else.
How mighty right of you. Takes but does not give.
Lending the impression you are not a participant in society, but a parasite.
yeah sure waggy – fact is farmers kill themselves a fucken lot. They hurt their animals and families as their stresses increase and their options for support diminish and now their semi autos are going. You look after yourself mate. And me and the New Zealander of the Year will carry on trying to support your neighbours.
You may feel that way, but some of your friends may not.
If you voice to your friends that you feel that way, they may be too scared to talk to you about their own feelings for a misplaced fear of appearing weak. And so the cycle continues and more people take their own lives.
If your friends have never had a heart to heart with you than could you be part of the problem?
Everyone has heart to hearts with me, apparently am easy to talk to and that's just fine as it makes me happy that people feel so comfortable they can open up. The keeper of secrets and supporter of feelings.
Many men commit suicide in this country, perhaps if they would be helped by having deep & meaningfuls instead of the pathetic real men wear black bullshit that a lot of us men grew up with. I'm glad things have changed since I was a kid in the 70s. Thanks cinny, bleeple, marty and grey for your deeper thinking and dose of reality.
Placing molecules between the surface and the sun is going to raise temperatures. Continuing to do so, by digging yet more up, will go on continuing to speedup the heating. Even if you believe it's not yet enough to worry about, it's inevitably will be. Since historically before that trapped carbon was trapped the climate was very much warmer. But wait its worse. Our star is millions of years older, hydrogen fuel has been converted over time to iron, a hotter star now shines down on us. So digging up all carbon and burning it will create a world much hotter than experienced by the dinosaurs. But hey what's it matter I don't have kids, so jokes on the over populating types, who believe as long as their faith hold gawk won't hurt them, or if he does they have a time share in heaven waiting. Problem for them, since any Gawd ain't so compliant, history says as much. And really look at what passes for thinking amongst Christians, the sin of vanity where a believer thinks he is different and doesn't have to live up to his rugby contract. Or the Christian MP peddling the tried old Christians have a monopoly on morality, that is the sin of dishonesty, since fair dealing means admitting the civic order was not just created by those following Jesus. Worse, history is replete with where Christian dogmatists have crushed and killed nonchristians. e.g Spanish inquisition on Jews and Muslims.
Stupid exists, thats why we need to expose it often and soon.
Pakeha kill just as many children as Maori do, despite Maori being the "face of abuse" in the media, according to a researcher.
Merchant found physical child abuse was largely related to poverty, poor housing, inter-generational abuse, poor parenting and drugs and alcohol abuse.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/5331753/Pakeha-child-abuse-ignored-researcher?fbclid=IwAR1AnQblCfKzSLIeEdUUT0MJfEM_y8bW5xAxoEpH9udgiJZt9en23OqoptQ
Meanwhile, Oranga Tamariki is shifting away from child uplifts to intensive interventions, basically having a social worker moving in with the family for up to several years.
Listen to the clip in the link below for more details.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018702078/new-obligations-for-oranga-tamariki
If you listened to much of the commentariat here, Gabbard doesn't have a snowball's chance in becoming the Democratic candidate… However, she was the most googled candidate after the first debate lol.
Her podcast with Joe Rogan was really worth the time to listen to. Personally if I could have Andrew Yang and Tulsi in one single candidate I'd be in political heaven. And this from someone who still has a big soft spot for Bernie.
Observer Tokoroa 26
4 July 2019 at 7:33 am
Going Backwards
It would have to be said sooner or later, that
Parents on drugs, Parents on Booze, Parents on Bashing their wives up, Parents who have put themselves in Jail, Parents who have not taught their children anything … The Parents who are merely wastrel Gang Mugs. Parents on Marijuana. Killing each other on the Road.
The spoon feeding has to stop. No amount of tattoos or money is going to fix anything. We have had a couple of centuries trying out that.
The sadness is, that the Population of New Zealand is less and less Maori. More and More English, More Asian and South American. European .Populations that do well.
Do we want Maori to Die off Like Kauri ? The answer to that is, make sure Parents live a decent Life.
The spoon feeding has to stop.
Many years back I worked for a period for a Maori, originally from Tokoroa, who eventually rose considerably in the senior ranks of our industry. I have to say we clashed horribly as personalities, but I still had immense respect for his personal diligence, fair-mindedness and hard work … and for how he had taken full responsibility for lifting himself out of his very ordinary family origins.
The same here in Australia, I keep meeting Maori who are doing very well for themselves out from under the burden of low expectations back home.
There is no question that everywhere around the world, where existing peoples became minorities in the lands they formerly had dominion over, where the scientific and industrial dominance of the West dealt a heavy blow to the confidence and self-image of other populations, where wrong-headed Darwinian ideas about race and eugenics became fashionable … have all been systematically detrimental to the morale and spiritual energy of indigenous peoples everywhere.
My contention is simple; the individual and the society they live in are mutually interdependent. If you want to argue for personal responsibility, to stop the 'spoon feeding', then we must accept that while some will soar, others will fall and that collectively we have an obligation to catch them before they break.
This is a conversation we struggle to have, how do we live so that each of us has the opportunity and space to strive and struggle to be the best we each can be; finding freedom within a disciplined collective society, clear in it's values, resolute in it's goals?
Do we want Maori to Die off Like Kauri ?
Emphatically no. As with all indigenous peoples they have knowledge and insight into a world a highly materialistic West is blind to. There was one night on a marae in the King Country when I was privileged to see a small glimpse of how these two different views of the world might be forged into something far greater any of us had arrived with.
lol
Well I'm glad that cheered you up.
Well said, Red.
How did you lift yourself out of your very very ordinary family origins rodlog?
My father was born in a tent to a single mother. When my parents married they had less than 10 quid between them.
My mother's father was a butcher on the mutton chain at Westfield and was killed crossing the road on his way to work the day before I was born,
Mum and Dad met at Teachers Training College and both worked multiple jobs most of their lives. I put myself through University with a cleaning job. At one stage I was intimate with at least 1/3rd of all the toilets in downtown Auckland.
Yet undeniable I had a sheltered middle class upbringing. A season shearing in Otago cured me of a lot of unnecessary innocence, and this has come in handy the rest of my life. Much of the rest of it I put down to a reasonable IQ, endeavouring to justify the salary I was paid and turning up on time.
Did being 'white' help. Yes and no. In some settings it does, and in others it was utterly irrelevant. It's hardly surprising that the majority ethnic group and culture will organise things locally to best suit themselves. Being a minority in any setting is a inevitably a disadvantage to some extent, but in my experience if you prove reliable and competent it’s readily overcome. A quick look around the modern world categorically shows that being European/Caucasian is absolutely not the sole pre-requisite to being wealthy and successful … however you want to define it. The last big engineering project team I was part of, I was literally the only white male face in a team of eight. The notion of 'white male privilege' may have had some currency a generation ago, but it's a very weak one now.
lol
Double happy I see. See how I only want the best for you?
lol you are such a spinner – you've been defending all and sundry white males for ages – do you think it is a secret lol
Your little self serving narratives are funny – they show the real you in so many ways and all invisible to you because of your white male privilege – it is very amusing so thanks for that.
Logically in any society the dominant ethnic group will organise things to suit themselves, and to others this will appear an unearned privilege. So there is no point in denying it. And some individuals will extend this to be racist and irrationally bigoted about it. It happens everywhere; try living in China if you want a dose of ethnic privilege in your face on a daily basis.
At one time I would have largely agree with you; some differences between Pakeha and Maori seem indefensible unless you invoke racism as the sole explanation.
But travelling and working in many different countries this past decade or so has rather altered my perspective on this. Besides this NZ is no longer the place it was in the 80's when these questions really hit the public domain. You rightly ask for instance why Maori represent 53% of the prison muster when they are 15% of the population and put this down to white supremacist racism. Yet at the same time Asians are 12% of the population, yet barely 2% of the prison muster.
I'm willing to accept that racism is part of this toxic mix that sees so many talented, capable young Maori men waste their lives away in prison. I've seen it up close and it disturbs me as much as it does you. Yet if pure bigotry was the sole explanation at work, if fails to explain those Maori who do escape the trap and achieve often remarkably well.
your opinion is quaint but the facts don't back it up.
For example health –
these are fact not your opinon OR mine FACTS and I could pull up examples across every sector but of course you don't see any racism – that is because you are part of it. Your diminishing of racism and trying to mansplain everything into some middle of the road mush are prime examples of it. You cannot front up – never have and never will I think and that's okay – you are a caricature in some ways for me on this stuff and that is helpful when trying to explain concepts so all good.
Yet like you the WT is long on whining about how unfairly Maori have been treated, yet short on explaining exactly why Maori have different biologies to everyone else, and how their medical treatments should be different.
Unless of course they are not, and all that Maori really want is a separate system. Which quite precisely makes Brash's lie come true.
You cannot front up
Absolute bullshit. I've been upfront and candid with you all the way; that you cannot see this speaks to your willful inability to hear anything I say.
Maybe these guys have the right skin tone:
nice bigotry there rl – as usual when backed into a corner of your own making your pigmentation rules your brain, you sad twerp.
It explains it perfectly adequately. Those individuals do "remarkably well", but not as often as pakeha do "remarkably well". And not usually as "remarkably well" as pakeha with otherwise similar socioeconomic backgrounds.
Institutional and individual biases simply stack the deck of cards in order to produce outcomes that reinforce those biases. We actually see this when machine learning is used to replicate and supplement decision-making that was previously the domain of supposedly rational, impartial and experienced humans. When computers use previous decisions in order to learn what they should be doing, they come out racist. And because we can itemise and set up tests in order to blatantly expose the decision bias without the AI getting embarrassed and changing its behaviour, we know exactly what those biases are.
The classic example was a parole application assessment tool that was predisposed to releasing white americans but not african americans who had the same past histories, and we saw it here with the immigration nz algorithm.
These biases don't rule every person out or in, it's just that white dudes get more positive credit for being white and male. Which makes equivalent people more likely to get interviews or leniency if they happen to be male and pale. We are perceived as more trustworthy and more competent, even if only subconsciously. And that feeds back into us. For a mind-bender, try reversing the implicit assumptions in society and figure out what we'd get fed back then.
As for your bollocks with MM, people don't necessarily need different medicine, but any health system needs to be accessible to the patients in its catchment area. That doesn't mean two systems, it can mean one system that can deliver its services in different ways to suit the people it is supposed to serve.
Institutional and individual biases simply stack the deck of cards in order to produce outcomes that reinforce those biases.
That's precisely what I was saying, that the dominant culture will organise matters to best suit itself. It would be incredibly surprising if it didn't. And aligns precisely with the argument I made earlier, that our most ancient, hardwired system of social cooperation is the one that humans share with all the other primates we co-evolved with … genetic affiliation. We will always preference our own family members over others, those of our extended social network, those we share an ethnic culture with, our nationality, our religion, our locality.
But note carefully, as we extend these horizons of social co-operation the basis of them changes in a way that is uniquely human, we start to cooperate on the basis of reciprocity, game theory, duty and generosity. These are more complex layers of cooperation built on top of our more primitive genetic impulses.
When we measure 'subconcious bias' it is these ineradicable old instincts we are testing for. The testing is deliberately done at a sub-second level in order to suppress any higher order thinking.
But any reasonable response to something hardwired and by definition 'not in our concious control' cannot be to demand we eradicate our deep instinctive programming. It makes no more sense than to 'convert' homosexual's because their instinctive sexual orientation is deemed unacceptable.
Nor does it make any sense to promote the differences between groups of people, to provoke power dramas between them and insist on engaging on the old victim/oppressor/rescuer game. All of these alarm our ancient scripts, they push people into their default genetic affiliations and trigger the primitive violence responses our history is so replete with.
What makes us human is our ability to consciously override our subconscious scripts. For instance we effectively moderate our sexual instincts with complex, high order social norms of mutual respect and modesty. At the same time experience tells us that attempting the same control with suppression, shame and guilt always backfire.
Similarly I would argue the most effective way to manage our default instinct to genetic affiliation is to consciously educate towards notions of our common human heritage and our universal equality in the sight of the divine.
"Genetic affiliation"? How does that work with institutional racism when genetically there's no such thing as "race"?
And on the one hand you're arguing that subconscious impulses can't be changed, and on the other you want to turn athiests into believers of divinity so they can recognise our common humanity. Not to mention that you refer to some pretty odd impulses.
Maybe, rather than being the result of "genetic affiliation" or a sex drive we have to overcome in order to preserve "social norms", maybe the vast majority of social ills are learned behaviours. Maybe the "social norms" are hypocritical. Maybe the justice system's inclination to give poor people heavier sentences than rich people for stealing the same amount of money (ha) from the government isn't "deep instinctive programming", maybe it's simply a social norm that can indeed be changed.
I appreciate your look back, except you seem not to have answered the question. Nature, nurture, or both? I suspect innate qualities of character powered the overcoming of handicaps (did for me) but the father provides guys with the role model for socialisation (in principle, not denying the inadequacy of many) so where did you get that from?
Prisoner rehab seems not to measure up to expectation. I'm wondering if lack of suitable role models used is the problem with that.
both
I agree with pat, it's definitely both. IQ for instance is a critical component of professional success, but it's more of a constraining factor than a predictor. For instance in order to be a good medical specialist you probably need an IQ north of 130, but this does not mean everyone with that level of IQ could achieve at the level necessary for that profession. There are other multiple dimensions around temperament and nurture that are more predictive.
But in terms of nurture all the evidence now conclusively points to having both biological parents in a stable home is a very real advantage for the children. That the role of men, and fathers in particular, has been consistently diminished and depracted for some 4 – 5 decades now, has done no-one any favours whatsoever.
So did you have a suitable male role model to instill the parental father within? Perhaps you've never thought about that. I often reflect on the many & various male role models I learnt from (most from books rather than real life) which probably explains the many sides to the character I eventually developed. From my dad I learnt what a father ought not to be like.
In that respect I count myself as very fortunate to have a decent father to whom I very grateful for his efforts. He's not perfect and like you there are aspects of who he is that I've been careful not to replicate; but then again I think it's a mistake to think of your parents as 'role models'.
My view is that they are there to act as boundary setters and creators of expectation. It's their role to ensure you are acceptably socialised and to then encourage you to deal with life good and bad.
And in my adolescence I was again fortunate to have the father of a very close friend around a lot. He was a lot more political than my own father and was very open to educating me about the world.
Thanks for the info, fortunate indeed. You may not be familiar with the Jungian theory of archetypes, but the idea is that the parents embed in the subconscious during childhood, and thus activate the parental archetype provided by nature (which may or may not then result in them functioning as role models).
Amazing to see this 15 year old take out seasoned tennis veterans at Wimbledon.
Poll: Should the Government declare a climate emergency?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/07/should-the-government-declare-a-climate-emergency.html
“The National Party’s climate change spokesperson isn’t sure what that would achieve.”
“National’s Todd Muller said on Wednesday a declaration is currently just a “feel good statement” with no action behind it.” – Muller should know.
Thoughts?
Todd Munter never met an idea he didn't misunderstand.
Well, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Muller had thoughts. If so, no doubt he kept them to himself prudently, due to the omnipresent danger that colleagues would view such tendencies as subversive.
Being 'more left than most', you'll strongly agree the government should declare a climate emergency, yes?
Of course I do, The Al1en.
Although, support in the poll linked isn't looking too good.
So no more arguing against the 'look to the PM' or the 'the polls aren't good enough', or 'damage being done to the PM's popularity' from you, then. Good to know.
Poll-driven policies are such fraught affairs for pollies – witness Key's flag 'push'.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/113667687/sir-john-key-says-hed-still-change-the-nz-flag
Key wanted to be Prime Minister when he was 11 years old ["I was aways fascinated by the role."] – too bad for NZ that it took him 43 years to grow out of it.
Now if only the Chairman of ANZ Bank New Zealand could recall his stance on the 1981 Springbok tour – after all, a good memory would be a prerequisite for being The Chairman, surely?
Well it's looking better than the Poll earlier this week that asked if Arden is doing a good job/should stay on as PM. That had the nays at about 95% before vanishing "poof" in to the ether, to be replaced by a "page not found" placeholder.
Expect to see any real polls agin' Jacinda to disappear the same way…
Which Poll was this Swizzle? Who organized the Poll? Where was it published? If it isn't a legitimate Poll on a credible Medium I can only assume it is your credibility going "poof"
AM Show Newshub polls aren't scientific, they are for entertainment purposes. People can vote more than once, if the smartphone or computer cache is cleared. You would have to be an idiot to take them seriously.
Someone in Chris Bishop's office voted 2000 times in one poll. 😁
"Someone in Chris Bishop's office voted 2000 times in one poll"?
That's the sort of determination, stamina and motive needed to do serious work. Like checking the Treasury website for Budget details.
if you know anything about statistics you would understand those clickbait polls are absolutely worthless
For all those Leftists here who have been bigging up Jeremy Corbyn perhaps you can try and explain why they have slipped to fourth place in the polls.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-slips-to-fourth-place-in-opinion-poll-as-pressure-builds-on-jeremy-corbyn-over-brexit-stance-a4181991.html
"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man."
Just to rejig the memory on nats:
'Heck of a job Brownlee
WrittenBy: EDDIE – Date published:1:22 am, April 30th, 2011
The government has spent $1 million so far on 350 campervans for Christchurch. One person stayed in them. For that money, better to put them up at Premier House and commute them by Iroquois. There is a massive housing need in Christchurch – apparently thousands have registered interest in temporary houses – but the campervans were so shitty and expensive people preferred overcrowded or damaged houses, or just left town.
Meanwhile, actual temporary houses will start going up some time next month and hopefully be finished some time in winter. The Japanese will have 30,000 temporary houses finished in a month’s time. we’ll be lucky to have one.
Can anyone tell me why we made a guy who can’t even organise some temporary houses in 3 months our dictator?'
https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/100466/if-megan-woods-really-left-wing-housing-minister-then-pushing-left-wing-shift-housing
You’ll be the acid test. If she passes she’ll be “more left than most”.
Well played! LOLOL
(And well received, The Chairman).
Kia ora The Am Show.
A 6.4 Earthquake in Southern California America let hope there is not to much damage.
Amanda I see the guys point on The big game of rugby but loyalty is cool .
It's wet wet wet we're I'ma at the minute.
I say that the sale of West coast milk company to Yealy a Chinese company is good deal for the farmers the West coast needs this.
I think it's not very wise the council talking about banning people from parking on the road side burms especially with the housing shortage and over crowding
With the cancer issue there is only so much one can do ma te wa in good time our government will sort it out the big picture with cancer drugs is the big companies charge way to much for there product putting huge profits before humanity and that's WRONG in Eco Maori book
Ka kite and
Kia ora my viewing device are down.
I have been in Hawskbay for a few days on a farm one thing I noticed was the lack of native birds in the place were I'm staying . I say that Hawskbay could do with it own bird sanctuary also there is not many native trees all the farmers need to plant flax and other native fauna as Aotearoa native birds cannot feed on pine trees or Willow trees or popular we need to plant Manuka trees in the slip prone places not Willow or popular ka kite ano
Stuff
https://youtu.be/w5tWYmIOWGk
Kia ora The Hui.
I think not enough reshearch is done in Maori and Pacific health.
I have said you have to have aoha for the people you treat to treat correctly in the health if a doctor love there patient they will do all they can to find a better out come for the patient .
I also say we need Maori to be there in the lead in all aspects of government service.
Gout is a genetic problem Eco Maori Had gout . The system is changing for the better of Maori.
I know European doctor don't treat Maori as good as a Maori doctor would.
Ka kite and