Open mike 04/04/2015

83 comments on “Open mike 04/04/2015 ”

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1. GregJ 1

   4 April 2015 at 7:41 am

   70 years after they were forcibly removed from Crimea, and 20 years after many returned, the Crimean Tatars face increasing persecution by Russian authorities as they continue to resist the Russian annexation of their homeland. Turkey is to send unofficial monitors:

   http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/258723.html

   http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/amanda-paul/crimean-tatars-persecuted-and-harassed_359285.html

   http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2014-07-02/crimean-tatars-after-russias-annexation-crimean-peninsula
2. Skinny 2

   4 April 2015 at 8:36 am

   After the tragic German plane crash there is a lot of paranoia from passengers. Not meaning to be disrespectful to those poor souls that died, however here is a funny little tale I heard while having a beer with a 2 of my family members who are pillots last night. They were saying it is quite noticeable the hard stare pilots are receiving these days and there all feeling a bit rattled by it. One of them my nephew who is quite a character cracked me up when he told us a story from the other day.

   He was on a plane and the head of the flight crew comes into the flight deck bemoaning some smart arses were giving a bit of stick about you pilots. So my nephew says I’ll go make their flight memorable.

   He leaves the deck, reckons the whole lot of these stuck up pricks in first class were sitting there giving him the look up and down, so he stops in his tracks and starts shaking his head back and forth like he had a nervous twitch, then carries on walking on down the plane whistling.

   He heard one of these suits that were being a fools mutter to his mate “you reckon that guy is alright to fly… nah he is suspect as” was the reply.
   http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11427535
   • te reo putake 2.1

     4 April 2015 at 9:14 am

     Nice one, Skinny! I have a similar tale from my youth: A mate’s Dad used to work at the local airport. He found out I was flying for the first time ever and just before take off he walked out to the six seater plane with a clipboard, and walked around the side I was sitting on. He ran his hand over the edge of the wing, waggled the prop, wrote something down, and walked away shaking his head from side to side. He then made a throat slitting gesture to another staffer as he left the tarmac. I was petrified!
     • Skinny 2.1.1

       4 April 2015 at 9:37 am

       Haha classic, yeah I’m a chicken shit when it comes too flying, many a flight in and out of windy Welly has had me filling my jocks in terror 🙁
       • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 2.1.1.1

         4 April 2015 at 9:45 am

         windy Welly has had me filling my jocks in terror

         That’s a good reason why it is an appropriate location for the capital.

         Our representatives should be reminded every now and then about their mortality so that there is a slim chance they will think of the state of our human condition.
         • miravox 2.1.1.1.1

           4 April 2015 at 12:57 pm

           +1 and said with love for my favourite NZ city 😉

           However, I’ve just flown into Hamburg – Austrian Air – Hadn’t checked since the disaster and just today notice the flight was subcontracted to…. Germanwings!

           Yes, we did think about, acknowledged the tragedy… and then made inappropriate comments to each other. Grateful that there would not be only one person in the cockpit during the flight. Even though you know the chances are next to nothing that something will happen it is kind of surreal. I feel for the crew.
   • alwyn 2.2

     4 April 2015 at 1:02 pm

     Which Airline does he fly for?
     • Skinny 2.2.1

       4 April 2015 at 5:18 pm

       The big kangaroo coobah, he changes airlines like I change my undies after flying, which is often. He was mooting taking an offer to fly for some rich cat, one of those French jets.

       Funny I once went to a pilots party in Davenport, seem like the first question any of these pretentious boy Jettsons would ask is what do ya do (boring) so to add a bit of humour I told this ACT man that I was a pilot too . Next question was the obvious, who for, my replywas Kiwi Experience, he scratched his head and said isn’t that a bus company? I said yeah I am a bus driver just like you pal, only difference’s are you guys have the tiitle ‘Glorified’ in fr ont of bus driver, and unbelievably are paid 130 k more than me.
       Then taking the piss right out him, I put up the argument that with technology planes fly themself and pilots were for passengers piece of mind only. His trophy wife thought my joke was hilarious, less impressed were the pilots, bar an ex airforce pilot who joined in on the mocking by saying my job was more skilled than theirs. A great entertaining night 🙂

       BTW hope your not a glorified bus driver ?
3. Philip Ferguson 3

   4 April 2015 at 8:45 am

   Jesus wasn’t a Christian, he was a Jewish revolutionary, suggests Jack Conrad. It was Paul who invented Christianity and, in doing so, he erased chunks of Jesus’ legacy, including Jesus’ family – people like his brother and successor, James.

   See: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/jesus-wasnt-a-christian-he-was-a-jewish-revolutionary/

   Phil
   • Ron 3.1

     4 April 2015 at 9:33 am

     Actually there is no real evidence that Jesus ever existed. Outside of scripture and three dubious references (Josephus and Tacitus) there is no other historical evidence.
     That is in itself is surprising when one considers the Roman preoccupation with recording things.
     • weka 3.1.1

       4 April 2015 at 9:54 am

       Who made it up then?
     • GregJ 3.1.2

       4 April 2015 at 10:02 am

       Actually there is no real evidence that Jesus ever existed

       There would be many scholars who disagree though:

       http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2012/12/24/3660194.htm

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

       We don’t have Roman administrative records for Palestine and the trial & execution of a (minor?) Jewish religious figure who didn’t pose any direct threat to the Roman authorities is unlikely to have caused much of a ripple outside of Judea/Palestine.
       • Ron 3.1.2.1

         4 April 2015 at 12:01 pm

         Of course and many of those that are so emphatic about the existence seem to be in the business of faith propagation.
         The two sources you supplied the first I had a quick look at and it is really a mishmash of christian apologia. The minute it started talking about Intelligent Design under Evolution I gave up.
         The second source is really the usual wiki source which tells us nothing except some people believe in the Jesus myth.
         You could try this site if you would like to read more about the subject
         http://www.nobeliefs.com/exist.htm

         There would be many scholars who disagree though:
       • tracey 3.1.2.2

         4 April 2015 at 5:15 pm

         Census?
         • Ron 3.1.2.2.1

           4 April 2015 at 8:34 pm

           ?? What census if you are thinking of Quirinius then that leaves much to be desired. The idea in the Gospels that Joseph and Mary had to return to Joseph’s home town is ridiculous. No census required that. Could you just imagine the whole of the Roman Empire if everyone had to return to their birthplace. Bit tough for the Legions overseas.
           The whole census story was probably thrown into the Q (The probable sources of the synoptic Gospels) to try and give some validity to the myth. This was a common method in the stories eg moving Jesus’s birth to Bethlehem instead of where he was born Nazareth. The putting the words of Psalm 22 in Jesus’s mouth at the crucifixion etc etc.
   • felix 3.2

     4 April 2015 at 10:01 am

     “Jesus wasn’t a Christian…”

     That seems self evident, given our linear perception of time 😀
   • tracey 3.3

     4 April 2015 at 5:14 pm

     How could he be a Christian? he didn’t worship himself, didn’t wear a cross and Christianity wasnt invented til after he “died.”
4. Philip Ferguson 4

   4 April 2015 at 8:54 am

   Some more meaty reading for the weekend:

   Kenan Malik on why young people in Europe, including from liberal and even secular Muslim backgrounds are joining the jihadis: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/why-are-young-people-in-european-joining-jihadi-groups/

   While a lot of the old industrial-manufacturing sector of the NZ economy has gone, distribution workers have become more important – they circulate the (often imported) commodities which keep capitalist profits going. While the article here is about the US it is very relevant to NZ. It’s on the importance of distribution workers in 21st century capitalism: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/the-importance-of-circulation-workers-in-21st-century-capitalism/

   And another meaty piece, on the political economy of low-wage labour: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/the-political-economy-of-low-wage-labour/
   • Clemgeopin 4.1

     4 April 2015 at 10:36 am

     Lots more to mull here and discern how the world is steadily moving towards its own annihilation:
     http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/
5. Chooky 5

   4 April 2015 at 9:34 am

   8 days remaining until the scheduled return of the Rawshark 3:

   phillip ure
   Colonial Rawshark
   Macro
   • GregJ 5.1

     4 April 2015 at 9:55 am

     I feel like there’s going to be a parade or something. Probably with Key gatecrashing looking for a 3-way (or is it a 4-way) handshake! 😈
     • Incognito 5.1.1

       4 April 2015 at 11:39 am

       An old bar joke is when a guy gets up to take a piss saying “I’m gonna shake hands with the Devil” 😉
   • te reo putake 5.2

     4 April 2015 at 9:55 am

     You mean the Bawshark 2, chooky. Macro has continued to comment regular since you invented this fantasy ‘strike’. Still, feel free to keep crossing the digital picket line to remind us how little support there is for misogynist bullying. You’ve got us over a barrel, guy.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ5BLm7E6RM
     • The Murphey 5.2.1

       4 April 2015 at 11:46 am

       Q. Do you seek to deliberately mislead or is it your natural state to misinterpret and misrepresent ?
     • lprent 5.2.2

       4 April 2015 at 12:59 pm

       Personally, I think that easter is more of an issue myself. I think that the authors are on strike by ruthlessly taking advantage of the remaining sunlight of summer.

       But hey, if people like to practice, then it doesn’t worry me that much.

       Having caught up on my sleep again and enjoying the lower humidity at night, I’m setting up my TS test environment again for some coding.
       • lprent 5.2.2.1

         4 April 2015 at 3:03 pm

         I was just looking over the page view figures from last year and the year before for a possible post..

         They are essentially the same +/- a couple of kpage views. Couple of thousand more this year in thursday, thousand less friday, and it looks to my experienced eye like a few thousand more today.

         Yes comments are important. But after a site has been running for quite a while they get rather resiliant towards people trying to influence direction. Both from the commentary side and the author side.

         Easter and the time leading up to it is usually a dead time for TS. Unless it is pouring down with rain of course.
   • Pasupial 5.3

     4 April 2015 at 11:23 am

     Chooky

     TRP is right about the; Rawshark 2, being a better descriptor at this time (though seldom about much else), I should have changed that yesterday. Seeing as you were holding the line today, I took the opportunity to get in touch with PU on his whoarsite:

     phillip ure

     I don’t know if you’ve been following TS Open Mike this past week, but Chooky and I have been maintaining a vigil for those who withdrew their commentary in solidarity with Murray Rawshark. The main development is that MR posted a comment on Tuesday saying that he’d be continuing his break even after the ban ends:

     http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03042015/#comment-995187

     Are you staying away at this point as a matter of principle? Or is it simply because you have found better things to do (you seemed quite thrilled by twitter the last few times you posted)?

     Send a reply to my email, or simply make a reply to Chooky’s comment on today’s Open Mike (as he’s the one holding the picket placard today).

     I will send a similar message to CR via facebook soon too (once I either; remember my last login, or; invent a new one, which’ll mean creating a new email ident too). Though I’ve no idea when they’ll read it, and if, or how they’ll respond.
     • Chooky 5.3.1

       4 April 2015 at 12:29 pm

       lol…Parsupial…well we are still holding the line…but the point has/is being made…that people are not happy …. and that is the main thing

       …people may come back in dribs and drabs before the end date…and/or they may drift away

       …when the last person comes back then i guess it is time to end the picket …so it is up to pu and CR now….

       (btw…i usually find trp offensive.. i dont think he is exactly a feminist ( check his record)…irony because he has led the attack on others emphasising and highlighting people here being branded /called “rape apologists” as a put down ( I am one of them!…check out his followup to Bill’s ‘Julian Assange Post’ which trp put up next day )

       ….and I dont think this is a feminist issue at all …I think it is an attempt to put down the more Left amongst us…eg I have never found MR or CV to be misogynist …quite the contrary …they are intelligent ,sensitve and very acute and effective observers from a real Left perspective )

       ….and anyone who says a chook is a “guy” is plain dumb or trying to mislead

       ….for the record….yet again!…I am female and a long time feminist ( why is it assumed by some that I am a male?…sexism in itself?)
       • Chooky 5.3.1.1

         4 April 2015 at 12:45 pm

         PS …add to that list of REAL Lefties is pu ….and the others who have been involved in the walk out….. because they havent liked the treatment they have received or others have received

         ( I was interrupted before I could finish)
       • The Murphey 5.3.1.2

         4 April 2015 at 12:59 pm

         This site has taken a downward turn in recent times

         It appears to coincide with new authors and moderators who show little to no desire to hide their personal issues through author posts and moderating tactics

         In one instance posting the initial inflammatory comment on another authors article and using infantile tactic of announcing no further involvement in the discussion having crapped all over it

         Further degradation then continued via the ‘all apologies’ article

         It is my contention these same individuals seek to impose their personal issues by way of their ‘status’ onto other here and in doing so ironically propagating the very diatribe they they claim to be authoring commenting and moderating against
         • Pasupial 5.3.1.2.1

           4 April 2015 at 1:42 pm

           TM

           Yes, I had my own issues with that certain author/commenter on TRP’s; All Apologies, post myself. Even getting them to admit that making the first comment on a thread contradicted a later statement that they; “avoided the previous thread”, was like pulling teeth. Apparently it was all; “a coincidence of timing”.

           However, I’ve been trying to steer clear of making this about individuals as much as possible. It would be easy to suggest that particular decisions were payback for earlier conflicts on unrelated posts, but that implies a conscious intent which may not have been present. There are larger issues which we can address without provoking unnecessary conflict.
           • The Murphey 5.3.1.2.1.1

             4 April 2015 at 3:36 pm

             It is an admirable intention Pasupial so all the best with identifying and implementing how to encourage individuals to search for improved self awareness

             The individual (all of us) is the starting point and solely responsible for the manner in which we conduct ourselves regardless of the communications medium employed

             It is very much about the individual
           • weka 5.3.1.2.1.2

             4 April 2015 at 3:52 pm

             “However, I’ve been trying to steer clear of making this about individuals as much as possible.”

             And yet here you are making undermining comments about one of the individual authors. Again.
             • Pasupial …

               4 April 2015 at 11:25 pm

               So my response was too individual for Weka, and not individual enough for The Murphy. Balance remains elusive.

               If I’d wanted to make it personal I could easily have used; names, blockquotes, and provided a link (as I was over on that post to get the quotes I did use anyway). It’s not something I would have brought up at this point, but seeing as the conversation was going that way, worth addressing.
               • weka …

                 4 April 2015 at 11:45 pm

                 Not using the author’s name doesn’t hide who you are talking about, and many of the regular commenters and readers will know who you are referring to. If you don’t want it to be about individuals then stop talking about her. Or just be honest about what you are doing, which to me looks like undermining an author.

                 Anyway, I take Bill’s point about the pokey stick so will try and refrain from commenting, as it feels like it’s feeding something and I have no idea what the something is.
         • Chooky 5.3.1.2.2

           4 April 2015 at 7:49 pm

           +100 The Murphey
   • Rosie 5.4

     4 April 2015 at 5:04 pm

     @ Chooky @ 5

     Chooky, mi amigo, don’t you think it’s time to reconsider the picket action?

     Sometimes we get caught in conflicts where a small number against the many can seem noble, correct and the principled thing to do. From where I’m standing, I just can’t see this as one of those times.

     You may feel like you’re acting in solidarity with Murray but instead it ends up looking just……….a bit silly. Like an antagonistic little protest in the rain. What do you think might be achieved by your actions?

     I can’t see how striking out against an author is productive. Without authors who volunteer their time there would be no Standard. I think we need to give them some credit and gratitude for the work they do. Authors such as Stephanie, who banged out a great post in record time last Saturday night when this all began.

     Isn’t this action you are enthusiastically supporting way out of proportion to what a few of you perceived as an injustice? (I’m not entering that topic, it’s unnecessary as it’s been debated to death this week).

     I’m just thinking about the action of the picket and the futility of it.

     And Chooky, sis, as an aside you must be a very forgiving and gentle soul if you are supporting Philip, he has been really rotten to you in the past. No matter what you think of his input here, ask yourself whether he deserves your support, given the way he has spoken to you previously.
     • Bill 5.4.1

       4 April 2015 at 5:30 pm

       I’m guessing that backing down would entail a degree of humiliation.

       So I’m suggesting that what would allow everyone to continue with some dignity as well as take some of the heat out of things, would be if future days of this count-down were marked by a simple number.

       ie, tomorrow’s comment simply consists of the number “7”. Nothing more.

       You guys want to give the suggestion some thought?

       To be honest, I’m sick and tired of, firstly, the pokey stick this count-down has come to represent for some, and secondly the pokey stick it elicits from some in their…well, pokey stick responses.
       • Rosie 5.4.1.1

         4 April 2015 at 5:38 pm

         “I’m guessing that backing down would entail a degree of humiliation.”

         I think so too Bill. That’s why I think that if a back down where to occur, other readers of TS should meet them in their action to back down by being gracious and refrain from expressing any cynicism.
         • Chooky 5.4.1.1.1

           4 April 2015 at 7:57 pm

           backing down will not entail “humiliation” from my point of view…but feel free to blush for me…i will stand at the picket countdown as long as Parsupial does
           • Pasupial 5.4.1.1.1.1

             4 April 2015 at 11:37 pm

             Chooky

             Colonial Rawshark is maintaining his absence on principle, I haven’t heard back from Phillip Ure yet. So we’re still on the picket line for the duration.

             In deference to Bill’s suggestion I will confine myself to a single line of text in the next placard; as we don’t really have to list the remaining Rawsharks at this stage. That should save wear and tear on scrolling fingers as they zip past our trudging vigil.

             But for now there’s a lunar eclipse to observe (if the clouds cooperate). See you in the morning.
             • Chooky …

               5 April 2015 at 8:35 am

               +100 Pasupial…and my utmost regards to CV and pu and all the others who have taken a stand
     • Chooky 5.4.2

       4 April 2015 at 7:55 pm

       @ Rosie…i am with Parsupial on this one….and if it looks silly to you then that is your problem….quite frankly i am surprised at the amount of animosity this simple countdown has caused….guilty consciences ?….herd mentality?

       pu is f…king annoying particularly when it comes to Veganism….but he is a genuine Lefty and passionate about Veganism which I respect….most often he has a valuable contribution to make …he has never been sexist /mysogynist imo….quite the contrary ….he has gone out in support of mr…and yes why shouldnt he have support?…
       • miravox 5.4.2.1

         4 April 2015 at 9:06 pm

         “guilty consciences ?….herd mentality?”

         Neither. I just don’t agree with you on this.
       • Rosie 5.4.2.2

         5 April 2015 at 8:03 am

         Ok Chooky.

         And just to let you know you shouldn’t count me as one who carries any animosity towards this conflict, it’s not worth it, I keep my animosity for the real enemy.

         I simply view the picket as a misguided action, and wonder about the goal of it all, and as such, I’ve only commented twice on it.
6. Huginn 6

   4 April 2015 at 10:17 am

   From the Financial Times blog:

   — Chile, the star pupil of the Chicago school, has turned out to be a dope-smoking shoplifter –

   http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2015/04/03/chile-the-star-pupil-of-the-chicago-school-has-turned-out-to-be-a-dope-smoking-shoplifter
   • joe90 6.1

     4 April 2015 at 11:48 am

     A work around for those who can’t be arsed registering – Chile, the star pupil of the Chicago school, has turned out to be a dope-smoking shoplifter and the first result is a google referral which more often than not will by-pass the login/register.
   • Draco T Bastard 6.2

     4 April 2015 at 1:27 pm

     “La Católica”, as everybody calls the university, is a conservative institution that claims to impart distinctive moral values to its students. This was the place where the economic orthodoxy from the University of Chicago started to spread into every corner of the country. Délano and Lavín not only embodied the virtues of the Chilean model from its very origin, they also carried the Chilean miracle to its last horizon (and paradoxically, to its grave): the control of politics through money.

     Pretty much the inevitable result of RWNJ policies. Control of government by the rich who got that way through massive corruption.
     • joe90 6.2.1

       4 April 2015 at 1:46 pm

       To be fair there are moves to de-commodify some education.

       In late January, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed into law the most significant educational reform the country has seen in 30 years. Enacted after an eight-month legislative battle, the new law will gradually ban profits, tuition fees and selective admissions practices in privately owned primary and secondary schools that receive state subsidies.

       http://upsidedownworld.org/main/chile-archives-34/5248-education-as-a-commodity-chile-seeks-to-break-with-a-dictators-legacy
7. Adele 7

   4 April 2015 at 10:37 am

   “An economic historian is calling for the benefit system to become more flexible to allow people to function within traditional subsistence economies.

   Keith Rankin from Unitec was responding to a challenge from Mana leader Hone Harawira that the Abbott Government’s removal of support from remote Australian Aboriginal communities was similar to Work and Income’s policy of not paying benefits to Maori who return to their home rural villages.”

   Waatea Interview
   • RedBaronCV 7.1

     4 April 2015 at 10:44 am

     So remind we why do we dis the idea of living a simple life in a remoter area – at least these people aren’t trashing the planet
     • weka 7.1.1

       4 April 2015 at 11:42 am

       +1 Can’t have people being happy outside of the neoliberal agenda.

       People on the dole and other benefits are also an important part of the unpaid workforce that keeps communities strong and healthy. Govt policy on benefits is all about making sure people are ready to serve an economy that exists irrespective of community wellbeing.
       • RedBaronCV 7.1.1.1

         4 April 2015 at 8:48 pm

         Yep sometimes I think it would be interesting to add up the cost of supplying an “off the neo lib grid village” with the houses. some of the basic foodstuffs needed, internet at the community hall ( to cut down any looming porn addictions) basic medical care, solar locally generated power and see what they do for the wider world vis what they take – ill formed thoughts –
         • Bill 7.1.1.1.1

           4 April 2015 at 9:05 pm

           Early 90s in UK. Workers’ Collective (printers) with a gross turnover of around NZ$100 000. That paid off the mortgage on 18 houses and fed, watered etc (on average) 12 – 15 adults + children.

           Dunno what that turn-over is in today’s money, but it wasn’t much then and was more than enough. Oh – and the average working week for each adult was around 8 hours. 🙂
8. fisiani 8

   4 April 2015 at 1:00 pm

   You don’t know how lucky we are.
   The best Prime Minister and the Best Finance Minister
   http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/revenge-of-the-kiwis-the-tide-turns-in-new-zealands-favour/story-e6frg8h6-1227288377781 http://bit.ly/1P6j09s
   • Draco T Bastard 8.1

     4 April 2015 at 1:30 pm

     The best Prime Minister and the Best Finance Minister

     Only if, like you, you’re willingly blind to the fact that they’re lying scum.
   • Weepus beard 8.2

     4 April 2015 at 1:46 pm

     That article is subscriber only. Are you selling newspapers now?
     • joe90 8.2.1

       4 April 2015 at 1:50 pm

       Bill’s probably got a taxpayer funded subscription.
       //
   • tracey 8.3

     5 April 2015 at 10:58 am

     I know how lucky I am but it has nothing to do with this PM or Finance Minister. Most of the praise they get is from bank economists and world banking type organisations. hardly impartial.
9. marty mars 9

   4 April 2015 at 1:17 pm

   For those who may be interested I’ve started blogging again on my blog mars2earth as usual I’ll’ focus on “Ngāi Tahu – environment – people – kaitiakitanga – space – indigenous rights – politics – Māori – earth – and anything else that catches my eye”. I started the blog way back in March 2009 and for a while I had a lot to say on lots of things and now after taking a year or so off I find I still have some things I want to blog about. I am a left blogger and proud of that.

   http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/
   • lprent 9.1

     4 April 2015 at 2:48 pm

     Cool. I am pretty sure that is on the feed. Let me know if it isn’t.
     • marty mars 9.1.1

       4 April 2015 at 3:52 pm

       Thanks mate – coming through well – appreciate it.
       • lprent 9.1.1.1

         4 April 2015 at 9:06 pm

         No problem. It is a lot less work with the feed because I don’t have to remove the ‘dead’ links. It just doesn’t pick them up. So I can leave them on indefinitely.
   • weka 9.2

     4 April 2015 at 4:06 pm

     Great to see you writing again marty 🙂
   • tracey 9.3

     4 April 2015 at 5:25 pm

     I think it was you who directed me to ngai tahu website and work over a year ago. Really edifying, Can’t thank you enough. I learned heaps.
     • marty mars 9.3.1

       4 April 2015 at 6:34 pm

       Thanks weka and Tracey – both of your opinions and kind words are valuable to me. And thanks to Lynn to – without inspiration like you I doubt I’d even be blogging.
10. joe90 10

    4 April 2015 at 2:10 pm

    Surprise surprise, ISIS-inspired ‘terror suspects’ were provided a bomb making manual by an undercover informant.

    https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/04/03/alleged-isis-inspired-plotters-provided-bomb-making-manual-informant/
11. halfcrown 11

    4 April 2015 at 4:45 pm

    Being Saturday I opened the latest TV Guide to see what is on the box. There was an article about Henry returning to TV3. This modest dick stated that “The people who dislike me the most can’t wait to watch or listen to me”

    I have a message for this prat, Here’s a person who certainly will not watch or listen to any programme you are associated with.
    • tracey 11.1

      4 April 2015 at 5:25 pm

      Me too. If he turns up on breakfast tv on 3, that’s me gone.
      • halfcrown 11.1.1

        4 April 2015 at 5:44 pm

        He’s replaced breakfast tv on 3 what I thought was a good news team starting Tuesday 7th at 6.00 to 9.00 am each day.
        • Dan1 11.1.1.1

          4 April 2015 at 7:23 pm

          I’m gonski. How can a channel that has John Campbell pushing issues that matter turned to a fellow who was rejected in NZ, then rejected in Australia, who was beaten easily by Georgina Beyer, and whose only positive is that he is a favourite with redneck NZ??
          Where do I go? Radio NZ? I have some worries. Sky News??
          TV3 Morning Report was great: excellent reporting; credible journalists. What is going on?
          • Ron 11.1.1.1.1

            4 April 2015 at 8:45 pm

            Ditto with TVNZ, Sky-Prime etc.
            What really gets me upset this weekend is TVNZ-Sky suddenly protesting about people that watch Netflix direct from USA. Of course Sky would be worried it might reduce thei massive profits so they get their good pals TVNZ to join the protest. This is the same TVNZ that makes programmes for SKY using the resources owned by all New Zealanders and then give the programmes for Broadcasting on SKY pay tv networks. We cannot see Heartland or Kidzone unless we join Sky.
            • tracey 11.1.1.1.1.1

              5 April 2015 at 11:02 am

              SKY might not be in this position if it listened to its customers rather than just regarding them as trapped chickens and move on to the next sales pitch.
          • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.1.2

            5 April 2015 at 12:09 am

            Where do I go?

            Pretty much anywhere but the radio, tv or the newspapers.
            • halfcrown 11.1.1.1.2.1

              5 April 2015 at 8:49 am

              “Pretty much anywhere but the radio, tv or the newspapers.”

              The Standard might be a good port of call, even if you don’t agree with the contributors point of view, at least at times they refer you to other sites that really tell what’s going on.

              Another alternative is Al Jazeera or that other station the poms are getting upset about because of their alleged biased reporting (laugh) RT News.
          • tracey 11.1.1.1.3

            5 April 2015 at 11:01 am

            Interesting the channel that dumped two “judges” for being abusive, rude and bullying is promoting Paul henry on the same basis. Sadly I suspect it suggests the young demographic wont’ tolerate bullying but some in the 35+ category enjoy it.

            No more tv3 mornings for me and I will not go BACK to Crawlin Christie
      • Rodel 11.1.2

        5 April 2015 at 5:20 am

        Tracey and halfcrown – On Henry- “The people who dislike me the most can’t wait to watch or listen to me” is not true.

        There are words and phrases for people who say things like that :
        e.g. ‘delusions of grandeur’ – a false impression of one’s own importance.

        I don’t waste brain cells listening to him either.
        • tracey 11.1.2.1

          5 April 2015 at 11:07 am

          Yup, more lies to keep him in his delusion. At least 4 people here who dislike him won’t be watching him…

          Hosking, Williams Smith, Henry … clones all who think that wealthy middle aged white mens views represent everyone.
    • Incognito 11.2

      4 April 2015 at 6:51 pm

      Paul Henry is as irrelevant as Kim Kardashian’s butt but that doesn’t stop people having a morbid fascination with either (and likely with both).
12. Incognito 12

    4 April 2015 at 7:34 pm

    The currently 9 charter schools will be evaluated but superficially and inappropriately according to some.

    Even David Seymour is not happy but doesn’t want to admit it.

    Interestingly, the final report will be presented in Oct/Nov 2017, i.e. very likely after the next elections. How convenient.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11427584
    • repateet 12.1

      4 April 2015 at 9:18 pm

      By then Seymour will have a bigger majority will he not? And knuckles more calloused (from door knocking not dragging on the ground.)
      • Incognito 12.1.1

        4 April 2015 at 10:09 pm

        A “bigger majority” in Epsom I assume. No, actually, I believe ACT will do less well in Epsom in 2017 as National will need all the votes it can get. However, at the same time I think ACT will do better nation-wide and pick up votes from the rotting corpse AKA #TeamKey. Can’t you smell the putrescence? The signs are obvious to the trained clinical eye and the death certificate just needs to signed and dated – by us, the voters.
13. joe90 13

    4 April 2015 at 11:48 pm

    Lunar eclipse livestream

    http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

    http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2015Apr04T.pdf

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