Open mike 04/11/09
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6:00 am, November 4th, 2009 - 2 comments
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Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).
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The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
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A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
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Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
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The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
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The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...5 days ago
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The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...5 days ago
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All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
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The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
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The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
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Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
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After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
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In USA a lawyer is trying to protect Sirhan Sirhan in prison still for the killing of Robert Kennedy. He considers his client was under the influence of mind control set up by the CIA. Would sound fanciful but so many unbelievable things have come from that source.
Was it Alice in A in Wonderland said something like – “I always think six unbelievable things before breakfast.”
Is the USA actually a civilised country? What does civilisation actually mean? Are we better or the same, we could hardly be worse. ??? Will I go on a list of possible terrorists for thinking unbelievable things?
Alan Gibbs – aspirant Kiwi dictator? Apparently so.
According to Stuff…
A Kiwi multi-millionaire is to invite high-paying guests on to his Never Never Land-style farm to hear how he would rule New Zealand.
Richlister Alan Gibbs will host former National Party leader Don Brash and ACT founder Sir Roger Douglas to discuss what they would do as “New Zealand’s dictator for a year”.
If guests at the champagne lunch aren’t interested in politics they can wander among the farm’s priceless giant sculptures and African wildlife. Gibbs, 70, has lavished some of his $450m fortune on The Farm, a 404-hectare sculpture park at Kaipara Harbour….
….The benefit will raise money for independent think tanks the Centre for Political Research and the Centre for Resource Management Studies.
Dr Brash, friends with Mr Gibbs since primary school, said the topic up for debate was “an enticing one”. He said he might speak about his plans to close the income gap between New Zealanders and Australians by 2025.
Apologies to C.Francis/Fairfax.
However, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to most commentators – the New Right was always anti-democratic. But Gibbs as Grand Poobah? Surely they can do better?