Open mike 05/02/2011

39 comments on “Open mike 05/02/2011 ”

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1. Jenny 1

   5 February 2011 at 7:16 am

   In 1981 when protesters in New Zealand were batoned by police for opposing racist sports they, reached for cycle and motorcycle helmets.

   In Egypt they have had to make do.

   http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/feb/03/egypt-protesters-head-protection-helmets#/?picture=371390034&index=1

   Walk like an Egyptian

   Auckland, Queen Street, 2pm

   Wellington, Lambton Quay 12Noon
   • Puddleglum 1.1

     5 February 2011 at 2:33 pm

     Chomsky, as ever, shows some of the more interesting connections in ‘current events’: The Egyptian uprising; Wikileaks; and US pronouncements and actions.
2. Rosy 2

   5 February 2011 at 7:28 am

   Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman saved the country millions when her parents allowed her to be the ‘face’ of meningitis. She has been without a pair of legs that fit for 3 months. This child shouldn’t have to wait for anything to do with impact of the disease that left her without limbs.

   “Helen Petousis-Harris, of the Immunisation Advisory Centre, said that when Charlotte’s case made headlines six years ago, it pushed New Zealanders to go out and get immunised – particularly those who had never seen the effects of the disease firsthand.

   “Charlotte’s case raised the issue. Here was a little baby who was healthy and perfect and she got sick. It got people moving.”
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10704266
   • Treetop 2.1

     5 February 2011 at 12:29 pm

     It is an outrage to deprive Charlotte of being mobile vertically. The long term care plan in the health system for Charlotte’s growth is obviously deficient. Good care now will minimise secondary health issues in the years to come e.g. scoliosis.
3. logie97 3

   5 February 2011 at 8:41 am

   Anyone hear Boag on The Jim National Party apologist Mora radio show yesterday?
   She (and he) countenancing Key’s puerile statements regarding Liz Hurley and others.
   She reckoned it was all about context, but also that Key speaks from the “hip”, what you hear is what you get – totally natural guy. Didn’t matter that he is Prime Minister. I cannot imagine what the shire Tories must think of him. The Remuera morning tea set and others of the blue rinse brigade must surely be getting sick of it, and if they had any backbone they would be telling him so.

   The man is cheap. (And that’s why he likes Paula Bennett driving around in her leopard skin painted wagon).

   These people make assumptions about the people they represent – that they are all of kindred spirit. Well just as the residents of “Waitakere City” are not all out this morning in their leotards, neither do the rest of New Zealand consider the immoral behaviours of two high profile sports stars as being something to be admired.

   Certainly not from somebody who holds one of the highest offices in the country. It throws more light on the dreadful management of his interview with Paul Henry over the Governor General.

   For all those fundamentalists who dealt out the vitriol on the last administration, well your current leader is showing himself to be a worthy standard bearer of the fall in public morals.

   Key envying Shane Warne and Tiger Woods – and their strong family values- (Where in hell is Bob-are-you-concerned-about-rising-family-breakdown-and-the-decline-in-standards-and- responsibility?-I-know-I-am-McCoskrie and the rest of Family Fist). Strangely silent…
   • The Voice of Reason 3.1

     5 February 2011 at 8:57 am

     I thought Brian Edwards shredded Boag (and Key) on the same program. He set her up beautifully by introducing her as a feminist, which she happily agreed with before going on her weak attempt at hiding behind ‘context’. She claimed that as the Prime Mincer was on a blokey sports program with mans’ man Tony Veitch, it was all sweet.

     Edwards waited till she’d dug herself a nice deep hole, trying to defend the indefensible, then gave her a short lesson on what context really means when you are the leader of a country and making public pronouncements about the sexual attractiveness of women.
     • Craig Glen Eden 3.1.1

       5 February 2011 at 9:04 am

       Is their a link to that interview TVoR?
       • The Voice of Reason 3.1.1.1

         5 February 2011 at 9:17 am

         http://static.radionz.net.nz/assets/audio_item/0006/2458671/aft-20110204-1635-The_Panel_-_part_2-m048.asx

         17 mins in, starts with BE being asked ‘what’s on your mind …’
         • logie97 3.1.1.1.1

           5 February 2011 at 12:49 pm

           Those of you who will have studied New Zealand political advertising over the years will be aware of Muldoon’s slogan in 1975 “The decent ordinary bloke” (who later became Rob’s Mob).

           Roll forward to 2011. Michelle Boag will be advising John Key that it will be okay to be dropping the “decent” and just be talking about the Ordinary Bloke. This man is all class …
4. Pip 4

   5 February 2011 at 9:35 am

   Ian Buruma provides a well-informed argument against the claim that Egyptians have only two choices: a police state or Islamism; either Mubarak or the Muslim Brotherhood.

   http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/buruma47/English
   • ianmac 4.1

     5 February 2011 at 10:00 am

     Well spotted Pip. Those mantras need re-examining. Something like “a vote for Peters is a vote for a Goff Peters Government.”
5. ianmac 5

   5 February 2011 at 9:54 am

   On Kim Hill this morning before 9 she had an interview with a chap from the Guardian. They discussed the idea that Wikileaks may have lead to the revolt in Egypt. And Tunisia.
   Just under halfway through.
   http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/sat/sat-20110205-0812-Luke_Harding_Wikileaks_and_Julian_Assange-048.mp3
6. orange whip? 6

   5 February 2011 at 10:20 am

   http://ilovecharts.tumblr.com/post/3105232252/this-is-the-most-horrifying-chart-that-has-ever
7. ianmac 7

   5 February 2011 at 10:21 am

   And the Herald says : “The skilled middle of New Zealand’s workforce has begun to swarm across the Tasman again as the New Zealand and Australian job markets head in apparently opposite directions.”
   Key must be very pleased because this will reduce those listed as unemployed.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10704257
   • KJT 7.1

     5 February 2011 at 1:57 pm

     As these are also the people who actually pay tax the deficit will get even larger.

     You cannot blame them as skilled wages in NZ have dropped 40% against the CPI since 1984.
8. prism 8

   5 February 2011 at 10:32 am

   On Kim Hill this morning was Dr Fernando Nottebohm (is the Dorothea L. Leonhardt Professor at Rockefeller University (USA) who is into, amongst other things,the biology of neuronal replacement,) He was stymied in his research into this by lack of political will and the stringent ethics that prevails into research – setting very high and rigid principles. So useful and helpful stuff providing information for us all could not happen. It is a wonder that NZ families with genetic problems that kill them are allowed to agree to get help from professionals into their problem.

   Coupled to this type of negation of research avenues, there is the inability of politicians to make important decisions considering long term problems they are in a position to address, environmental, locational, economic, and also relating to societal rules. Their public policy advisors and chosen private advisors proffer opinions but these may be tailored to the nature of the ruling party.

   The Prof referred to their short term focus. We have observed this in their throwing out the death with dignity bill dealing with an important problem, the way that people’s expectations for long age is extending, and the consequent growth in people getting alzheimers with brains dying yet their hearts ticking on. Those who would like to legally choose a time of death, when they are ready are forced to live on or commit suicide, which I consider is a different type of death decision than that of a person with a lengthy life.

   I think we need another body outside of the present parliament of NZs that is made up of a mix of interested NZs. They would enquire into pressing problems and bring a wide spectrum of views, not rigid attitudes preventing true consideration, ie no climate change deniers, no religious rigid. People who were informed on various matters would apply to belong to various discussion groups which would report the various matters considered, and with regular personnel changes. Our politicians are too much self-interested or dependent on the whims of the public who don’t know what they can’t know, and are unwilling to spend time to understand the nature of problems. An example is the tougher penalties for crime attitudes. It is already known that it is very expensive, having more prisoners requires more prisons, the system becomes more inhuman, it makes a short-term dent in crime but doesn’t deal with the crime-producing environment which remains and spreads.
   • LynW 8.1

     5 February 2011 at 11:05 am

     Interesting to listen to. Raised some very pertinent points as you have mentioned. How possible would it be to form an apolitical critical thinking and long term goal orientated group of people whose unbiased advice would be respected and followed?
     • prism 8.1.1

       5 February 2011 at 12:16 pm

       Yes LynW – Not simple, some cost. Couldn’t just be academics but would have a majority. Would have to publish summaries regularly – wording agreed by members etc. Time would pass and some members would be available to address conferences etc.

       Would have to be rather left-leaning just on the basis that the left is broadly open to change for the better for all, whereas the right is focussed on reaching a status quo that most rewards the better-off and powerful.

       A lobby group for intelligent, humane, forward-thinking ideas would be worth the effort – perhaps a Foundation with tax-deductibility options for donations on the basis of being a public good etc.
   • Colonial Viper 8.2

     5 February 2011 at 11:15 am

     made up of a mix of interested NZs. They would enquire into pressing problems and bring a wide spectrum of views, not rigid attitudes preventing true consideration, ie no climate change deniers, no religious rigid. People who were informed on various matters would apply to belong to various discussion groups which would report the various matters considered, and with regular personnel changes.

     Almost exactly like what parliament is supposed to be.
     • prism 8.2.1

       5 February 2011 at 12:19 pm

       CV Thanks for interest. Yes my next sentence comments on our lovely parliamentarians. eg Our politicians are too much self-interested or dependent on the whims of the public who don’t know what they can’t know, and are unwilling to spend time to understand the nature of problems.
9. Anthony C 9

   5 February 2011 at 10:48 am

   Did anyone watch the “Aroha” Waitangi story on Campbell live last night? The vitriol from the user comments pouring in was unbelievable.

   Rachel Smalley looked shocked even reading them out.
   • Lanthanide 9.1

     5 February 2011 at 1:47 pm

     Yeah, it was pretty disgusting. I can see where they were coming from though, when she said that at 15 she went onto the dole and at 19 she had her first child and has been on a benefit ever since. Although she did say she’s had a few part time jobs here and there, it sounds like she hasn’t made any real serious attempts to better herself – she appeared to be in fairly good health for example.

     I also think a bit part of her problem was either a lack of education around procreation, or lack of understanding of long-term consequences of having additional children. People can ‘understand’ these things when you point them out to them, but it doesn’t necessarily pervade all of their actions or choices in life, as it should. Having very little money certainly doesn’t make contraception accessible either.
     • KJT 9.1.1

       5 February 2011 at 2:23 pm

       For a 15 year old poor Maori girl there are very few options. So few that even getting pregnant and going on a benefit looks like a good one.
       The answer is not punishing their kids. The answer is to give them better options.

       Those kids are our future. The better start in life they have the better they will be able to support you in your old age.
       • Rosy 9.1.1.1

         5 February 2011 at 9:19 pm

         I read the online comments on the TV3 clips and some are as expected with vitriol directed at the mum, but others are more insightful that I expected. None hit on the fatalism that exists in this type of situation. Why have kids? Because that what you do, other ambitions don’t exist – and if you did have other ambitions there is not a chance of knowing how to go out and make them happen – it’s nothing more or less than that. And yes, you do want the best for your kids.

         In this context Shonkey used this girl for his own political ends at Waitangi in 2007. He gave her a glimpse of a world she was probably totally disconnected from. He didn’t follow through, and chances are if he created any ambition in her, it would have been snuffed out because he didn’t help her learn how to make it happen. If you’re going to use someone to further your own ends – follow it through.
10. Draco T Bastard 10

    5 February 2011 at 10:58 am

    Fed up builders leave quake zone

    The Insurance Council said some rebuilding work was taking place. Chief executive Chris Ryan cautioned against tradesmen looking to Australia for work, saying his understanding was that places like flood-ravaged Queensland already had enough workers

    I think the Insurance Council maybe worried that they’ll actually have to pay the builders to rebuild Christchurch.
    • millsy 10.1

      5 February 2011 at 11:05 am

      Too busy working out how to deny claims to people to do that.

      Personal I think the insurance industry should be nationalised and carried out as a public good. Denial of claims should only occur in the case of proven fraud.
      • Lanthanide 10.1.1

        5 February 2011 at 1:54 pm

        I think the problem with claims that are denied is that the outcomes don’t scale in line with the actual fault.

        Eg: say you had a house that had a monitored smoke alarm, so you got a discount off your insurance. If you then had your phone line disconnected so that the monitoring wasn’t active, but then failed to inform the insurance company and your house burnt down, they’d decline your claim because you had a discount for a monitored smoke alarm but your smoke alarm wasn’t actually monitored for a reason that was entirely within your control. But really having that clause on your contract might have only been a 10% discount, say $50/year, but because you elected to take the small discount and then fell foul of the rule for qualifying for it, you now suffer total capital loss on your house.

        Now, obviously if you had a monitored alarm, the amount of damage to your house from a fire is likely to be significantly less, but that’s not necessarily the case. It could be a large explosion or electrical wires shorting which very quickly gutted the house regardless of your smoke alarm.
      • Draco T Bastard 10.1.2

        5 February 2011 at 2:09 pm

        Yeah, I’ve been thinking that insurance should be run under the government umbrella. It seems highly inefficient to have multiple insurance companies. This article addresses the point that too much choice is bad and, when you add in the added advertising expense, competition is just adding unneeded costs. On top of that insurance is about the many covering the few accidents that happen as such it’s actually more costly the less people it has in it and so having everyone in the one company is better than having everyone spread across multiple companies.
        • ianmac 10.1.2.1

          5 February 2011 at 3:35 pm

          Since the other day discussions about rise in premiums: The insurance for my House and Contents has gone up by $117.05 since March 2010. That is 18%.
11. Jellytussle 11

    5 February 2011 at 11:52 am

    Typical headline for the poll this morning (it was on the herald site briefly & on yahoo but now seems to have disappeared)……not ‘nats down by 5%’ but ‘nats have enough support to govern alone’!
    I think nats were 49% act 1% Maori party 3%………lab up & NZ first up
12. Salsy 12

    5 February 2011 at 11:59 am

    Activists Abuse Key at Waitangi I wonder if he has a scripted response to this..
13. ZeeBop 13

    5 February 2011 at 2:15 pm

    As oil prices climb, and are predicted to continue to in the coming decade, gas guzzler hobbiests will in order to keep their noisy extreme habit manageable will try to minimize their costs and move into inner denser suburbs closer in. Will Councils already stretched by ACT/NAT loophole on older cars (noise to increase to 95Db) are soon going to find their noise officers stretched without power to deal with them.
    • Colonial Viper 13.1

      5 February 2011 at 2:22 pm

      And oil prices are not simply going to climb at a steady rate over the next decade. There are going to be massive price spikes even as the underlying price trend continues to increase.

      Those price spikes – for instance a rapid rise in oil from $100 to $200 in a few months then down again – will cause massive economic instability and uncertainty for all developed economies going forwards.
14. the pink postman 14

    5 February 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Well yesterday it was the Editorial and today its John Armstrong.It looks as if the Herald is going all out to make sure Key’s National Party is returned. I do not know how many people buy this Tory rag but I closed the account in protest two years back . Its available on the net free and that’s about how much its worth.Its now so far to the Right and so anti-Labour thats its loosing all,credibility .
    • Salsy 14.1

      5 February 2011 at 3:46 pm

      Goff has hard task to convince voters
      The bulk of this is actually bang on – Its what we’ve all been talking about here – Goff’s new Labour line up is LAME, and none of Labour’s new policies have been as bold and well canvassed as they should have been. And yes he is a flawless politician but for some reason no-one seems to like him, and yes he is being out witted by a moron whose speeches sound like hes reading the phone book… Most of this is right, just ignore last bit where Armstrong (as usual) reverts from journalist into adolecent poet – praising his beloved..
15. Pascal's bookie 15

    5 February 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Don’t know what the Egyptian govt was thinking rounding up journalists, but the results have been predictable.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/weekinreview/06held.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

    They left us all night in a cold room, on hard orange plastic stools, under fluorescent lights.

    But our discomfort paled in comparison to the dull whacks and the screams of pain by Egyptian people that broke the stillness of the night. In one instance, between the cries of suffering, an officer said in Arabic, “You are talking to journalists? You are talking badly about your country?”
    A voice, also in Arabic, answered: “You are committing a sin. You are committing a sin.”

    We — Souad Mekhennet, Nicholas Kulish and a driver, who is not a journalist and not involved in the demonstrations — were detained Thursday afternoon while driving into Cairo. We were stopped at a checkpoint and thus began a 24-hour journey through Egyptian detention, ending with — we were told by the soldiers who delivered us there — the secret police. When asked, they declined to identify themselves.

    Captivity was terrible. We felt powerless — uncertain about where and how long we would be held. But the worst part had nothing to do with our treatment. It was seeing — and in particular hearing through the walls of this dreadful facility — the abuse of Egyptians at the hands of their own government.

    For one day, we were trapped in the brutal maze where Egyptians are lost for months or even years. Our detainment threw into haunting relief the abuses of security services, the police, the secret police and the intelligence service, and explained why they were at the forefront of complaints made by the protesters….

    So predictable. So fuck knows what they were thinking.
16. Draco T Bastard 16

    5 February 2011 at 3:36 pm

    The Power That Remains

    That brings up the third reason why Jack Lalanne had to be presented as a unique, eccentric, and therefore harmless figure, rather than the last major public exponent of a movement that invited everyone’s participation. His accomplishments, like those of the great physical culturists before him, depended on something utterly unmentionable in contemporary industrial culture. It’s more strictly tabooed than sex or death or the total dependence of today’s middle-class American lifestyles on Third World slave labor. Yes, we’re talking about self-discipline.

    This is something that I’ve come to realise over the years. Whenever a RWNJ is talking about discipline they’re not talking about self-discipline but externally applied discipline. It comes out in their call for harsher punishment for criminals, beneficiary bashing and the way that they always call to authority.

    It’s an interesting wrinkle of history that imperial societies in decline normally fear what’s left of their virtues far more than they fear their vices. James Francis’ useful 1994 study Subversive Virtue: Asceticism and Authority in the Second-Century Pagan World chronicles how Rome’s rulers found the reasoned self-discipline taught by Stoic and Platonic philosophies an unendurable challenge to their authority.

    The reason behind these conflicts is simple enough: people who are ruled by their passions and appetites can be ruled just as efficiently by any political system willing to pander to those things, while those who control themselves can’t reliably be controlled by anyone else.

    And this is the base reason of the RWNJs mantra about choice and GWB telling the USians to go shopping after 9/11. It is pandering to peoples vices so that they can be controlled easily because, if people can’t be controlled then they can’t be ruled.

    It also proves the lie about independence. If everyone was actually independent then they wouldn’t be controllable either. Look at the policies of NACT, the 90 day fire-at-will, the refusal to increase the minimum wage and the way that they make getting benefits harder, all of these are designed to make people dependent but instead of being dependent upon the state/each other they become dependent upon the capitalists – forced to work at subsistence wages or less to make the capitalists wealthier.

    The psychopathic capitalists and their proxies in government (National, Act, Maori Party) use the language of freedom to make everyone slaves.
17. joe90 17

    5 February 2011 at 5:01 pm

    We fought a war on lies and lies won, the real Reagan.

    Under Reagan, income inequality began to grow, household savings dwindled, household debt correspondingly began to rise, and the clout of the financial industry exploded. The top 0.1 percent of Americans saw their share of income climb higher than it was before the Great Depression. And here we are.

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1. The Standard: posted on 4 February 2011 at 5:14 pm

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