Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike…
They’re going to be with us for the foreseeable future.
So can we reduce some of the nuisance issues.
It seems the users have to wait ’til dark.
What say we make the official “celebration” the heralding of daylight saving.
Always a Saturday night.
Still dark around early evening.
Bushes likely to be less tinder dry.
When I think of fireworks, specifically those sold for use at home, I also think of all the little children from the third world who got chemical burns making them so that someone else’s child could get a few minutes of visual enjoyment.
Lolz, after all these years i still have this huge resentment about Guy Fawkes, growing up with little more than the clothes on our back we had it repeatedly drummed into us that there was no way we were going to ‘burn money’ by getting any fireworks,
Funnily enough i have enough coin so as to afford a trip to the Ware Whare and a couple of huge bags of the money burning stuff and every year on the morning of the 5th i have the same urge to go buy me a pile, just one time,
F**k i resent it, a money, a urge i have, but, in the back of my mind those words are still there, no way are you getting any it’s just burning money and i just can’t do it…
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Actually I wonder if the writer is the head of The Insurance Council.
But this is the line that intrigues me:
‘The illusion of a “home-grown alternative”, as Mr Cunliffe calls it, has a powerful commercial appeal.”
Because if something has “powerful commercial appeal” then the government is short changing tax payers if it DOESN’T set this up.
This is an exciting initiative, it has powerful commercial appeal so it is a no brainer.
I note this morning that Westpac have announced another record profit…clearly Kiwi Bank need more capital to grow. I hope Labour are looking at this also.
The NZ Editorial makes some good points and we should pay attention to them to see if they are true. For some reason, it appears that Labour has shied away from creating a true public insurer alternative in the style of the original State Insurance.
I did wonder why people were saying that Labour only needed $70M to set up KiwiSure. This should be ringing alarm bells. A serious public insurance company needs billions and billions in assets – like ACC.
From what I understand, KiwiSure is going to be little more than a front office insurance retailer. Sort of like insurance you might buy from the AA, but owned by the Government. It will not be backed by the balance sheet, sovereign guarantee and money printing capabilities of the NZ Government. In this scenario, all the back office underwriting and reinsuring is going to be done by the same international money crowd which has been causing serious problems with Christchurch policies and payouts.
Apart from the odd bit of right wing spin, until I learn more I am tempted to say that the NZ Herald is correct – a government owned insurance company which is structured in the same way as the current crop of private insurers in terms of reinsurance etc, may not actually be worth having.
Ref 2.1.2. Tat Loo
” all the back office underwriting and reinsuring is going to be done by the same international money crowd which has been causing serious problems with Christchurch policies and payouts.”
FYI
International Reinsurers do not give earthquake cover to significant parts of Japan. They do not give earthquake cover to significant parts of California. The Insurers here have done well to sell the NZ story and to keep coverage.
A serious public insurance company needs billions and billions in assets – like ACC.
No it doesn’t because it doesn’t need to have the cash on hand to pay out the claims. What it would do is use the governments ability to create money (at 0% interest) to pay out the claims and then adjust next years premiums to cover the excess amount of money created (whichshould actually be very little once the previous years premiums are taken into account). That’s how ACC used to be before the 4th National government and then the 5th Labour government fucked with it.
From what I understand, KiwiSure is going to be little more than a front office insurance retailer.
If that’s what it’s going to be then it’s not worth our time and effort.
Correct. But there are two things. Poor people who have little access to cheap credit in this system become increasingly poor and indebted, while wealthy people become wealthier faster as interest repayments on that debt channel more and more income from labour to capital.
Secondly, we are a country which refuses to engage in strategic money creation, instead preferring to indebt the nation by satisfying its money supply needs through borrowing money that other countries have printed, and want to charge us interest on.
“we are a country which refuses to engage in strategic money creation, instead preferring to indebt the nation by satisfying its money supply needs through borrowing money that other countries have printed, and want to charge us interest on.”
That’s the insane bit. Why do people freak out at the idea of creating money but are happy to borrow money someone else has created?
Well personally I’m still not convinced by the government only printing as much money as is necessary, and also adequately taxing it back out of the economy at the appropriate rate.
If the local private sector (households and NZ businesses) is ever to be able to net save it needs to be able to experience a consistent net surplus.
This net surplus can come from only two sources: the government sector, or the foreign sector. There are no other sectors, at this high level of analysis.
We know through our current account figures that our private sector almost always bleeds money out and experiences a deficit to the foreign sector.
Which leaves the government sector. If the government sector insists on returning to a surplus, it can only do so by taking more from the local private sector than it spends into it. Essentially forcing the local private sector to run a deficit – depleting private profits and household savings.
This results in a doubly worse result for the local private sector: it is structurally forced to run deficits to both the government sector and to the foreign sector. This is the very definition of “austerity”.
The implications for what we understand as ‘responsible economics’, are paradigm shifting.
I’m going to be pushing this a lot over the next year.
Absolutely spot on Tat… Russell Brand said something similar in his excellent interview with Jeremy Paxman: “David Cameron says profit isn’t a dirty word. I say profit is a filthy word; wherever there is profit, there is deficit”.
It’s that the private sector is not running a deficit in reality but is constantly shifting profit out of workers wages/productivity and into capital and shifting capital into private and overseas pockets.
The transference of income to capital whether through paying those at the top very high salaries or through deliberate action to disproportionately inflate property prices is the biggest scam pulled on the ordinary working person I’ve ever seen.
I tried to bring this up at Labour Party Conference but people just looked at me strangely like I was repeating heresy. It’s like peoples’ heads have been completely befuddled through listening to years of economic and monetary lies.
Available on youtube, the likes of L Randall Wray, Stephanie Kelton and Warren Mosler have it spot on IMO.
And that needs to change Tat – and fast. People need to get their heads around it or the citizens of this once fine country are going to wind up as indentured servants on foreign owned land. And make no mistake – that is not an accidental by-product of the current economic model.
I don’t expect our “elected representatives” to take the lead on this as it is political suicide, but I sure as hell expect them to be open to listening to alternate economic viewpoints and actually doing the “representative” part of representative democracy.
None of the debt=money concepts are particularly difficult to understand but you have to actually want to understand it first 🙂 I know you’ve made that leap – now we just need to get some of your current and future colleagues to do the same.
I’m sure they did TLCV but where the reasoning and outcomes are sound then the left has to distill it into an attractive sound bite.
Not everyone wants the full info and all of us in various areas are inclined to rely to some extent on others research -like TPP – I’ve got the general outline and I’ve selected the commentators that appear to be protecting NZ’s interest
The right manage to make the most ghastly things into attractive slogans. The left need to do this but better.
so what do they actually want the money for?
a leaf blower, angle grinder, plastic replica hotrod, chainsaw, trip to the grand final.
The whole country is mad from choices.
Those at the bottom generally want to pay their rent, feed their kids, pay their power bill, buy their clothes, not want to go to WINZ for help, afford to support the local businessmen who might be their neighbor or friend or family member, afford to pay more tax for a good quality social security system and free education and good services, not be castigated and demonised by the right, take the occasional holiday, not have three jobs, can support a family on one income, and so on.
Hi CV 🙂
You’ll find this a very interesting article:
“The Great Austerity Shell Game: Here’s How the Capitalist Scam Works
Let government borrow for crisis bailouts, then insist cuts pay for them. Guess who loses.
by Richard Wolff”
excerpt:
“Nor is that all. Corporations and the rich used the money they saved by keeping governments from taxing them to provide the huge loans governments therefore needed. Middle- and lower-income people could lend little if anything to their governments. Corporations and the rich, in effect, substituted loans to the government instead of paying more in taxes. For those loans, governments must pay interest and eventually repay them.
Government borrowing rewards corporations and the rich quite nicely. It amounts to a very sweet deal for capitalists.”
Corporations and the rich, in effect, substituted loans to the government instead of paying more in taxes. For those loans, governments must pay interest and eventually repay them.
Yep, worked that one out years ago. It’s why I keep saying that government should create the money they need and should never borrow. Government borrowing just becomes a government guaranteed income for the rich as they continue to avoid paying taxes.
Their Oz operations are about to be brought under stricter deposit/holding guidelines as they’ve been deemed ‘too big to fail’ and Treasurer Hockey has to make a call on how much they give over to their reserve bank.
Any excuse really with these bloodsuckers to plunder the NZ branch even more.
If you look it up, with the Hobbit Jackson has delivered to his Hollywood studio masters an ROI of only about half that of the original LOTR series he created.
Thats one way of looking at it I guess and another is the budget for the first movie is estimated at $200–315 million and the box office take is estimated to be $1,017,003,568 which is not bad going in anyones language
But sorry I forgot any chance to run down Sir Peter Jackson…
budget for the first movie is estimated at $200–315 million and the box office take is estimated to be $1,017,003,568
That’s what I meant – the Return on Investment of the new movies so far is much less than the original LOTR series.
“Return of the King” scored significantly more box office money, on a budget of less than $100M.
I also note that the new Hobbit movie has scored a massive 30% less on the critics sites Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, than the original LOTR movies did.
But sorry I forgot any chance to run down Sir Peter Jackson…
I’m glad you genuflected with the appropriate respect, mate.
Yes I’m sure the studios are worried because they only made 3-4 times back the investment, sort of missing the big picture there
and since all the movies were shot back to back the return for the next two movies will more than make up for the 700 – 800 million they made of the first movie
Not denying that the studios are still raking it in, plus it’s very clear that they did not need Key to stump up with tax payers money to subsidise them.
“With a total budget of $561 million (and climbing), Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy — the second installment opens this December — is the most expensive movie-making endeavor ever. Although, it should be pointed out that the first movie has already brought in more than one billion dollars for Warner Bros., the distributor of all three films.
Financial documents disclosed in New Zealand, where the trilogy was shot—just like the much cheaper $281 million Lord of the Rings trilogy—shows that incredible sum has already been spent on The Hobbit, and does not include additional shoots or any further post-production work needed on the last two films. The second movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (below) is scheduled for a December 13 release; the final installment, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, will be in theaters a year later.
The Hobbit movies are easily the most expensive production cycle ever, outpacing the pair of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, which reportedly topped $500 million to create.
And just think, if the NZ government had footed that $300m we would have been $700m better off on just one movie. Instead, we helped line a foreign corporations pockets.
Interesting to people who enjoy intelligent, thoughtful films. The very opposite of what “Sir” Peter Jackson churns out for his Hollywood masters, in other words.
Most of them are. And they’re deadly dull, to boot. Do you think that, other than a few million Tolkien tragics, ANYONE would watch those dire Rings epics if it wasn’t for the massive advertising, paid for by you and me, but signed up for under duress by our hopeless “government”?
Another rabid right winger on Jim Mora’s increasingly biased panel selection this afternoon.
Graham Bell.
I’m sure Morrissey has had words about him before.
Annoying that the Right dominate commercial talk back, I expect RNZ to be balancing and intelligently “Left”…Graham Bell is a typical thick righty, after listening to Graham Bell you realise why our police make the continuous fuck ups that they do, because most of them are just really dumb.
I don’t mind Graham Bell. Be may be an out-of-date right wing dinosaur ex-cop who probably still thinks Arthur Allan Thomas did it, but he is honest in his views. Much more dislikable is the dishonesty of Mora’s manipulation of topics to try and get comments that suits his conservative moral agenda, andGuest like Farrar and Jordan Williams who pretend to be disinterested observers to push propaganda lines.
There is nothing wrong with a conservative with a honest agenda, even if he is wrong. The new generation of right wingers are not honest, and that is my problem with them.
Occasionally he takes a delight in cowering lesser talents into submission, as he has with Jeremy Elwood and several other “liberal” guests. It’s no doubt the kind of behaviour that gets you promoted in the Police.
After that, however, he went off on a dyspeptic rant against Len Brown and John Campbell. He was so extraordinarily biased and unfair that even Jim Mora himself felt compelled to contradict him.
GRAHAM BELL
His Soapbox contribution was, as always, another grumble. Not about the standards of service in tea-rooms this time, but about the poor standard of customer service with Telecom.
Really good thoughts here about the auckland rapist thing, and the mob mentality that is swirling about the place. Anger is good, but let’s be good humans eh.
The amount of profit the big 3 down from 4(the National bank should never have been aloud to be taken over by ANZ) is similar to our balance of payments shortfall.
This is a very important observation. Critically important. It answers why we as a tributary nation feel constantly indebted and constantly poorer, despite sacrificing more and more of both our people and our environment in pursuit of “economic growth”.
When private profits = government deficit then it obvious that profit is a dead-weight loss and that the people funding that deficit, the poor and the workers, are always going to be worse off while a few get richer and richer.
Tibetan persecution in their own country; Please support the Tibetans
Tibetans who refuse to fly the Chinese flag above their homes risk being beaten or shot in the latest attempt to break their spirits. But now is the best moment in ages to bring hope to Tibet’s proud, but desperate people.
China’s leaders are mounting an intense campaign to draw a veil over their rights abuses and persuade governments to vote them onto the UN Human Rights Council. So if enough of us shine a light on what’s going on in Tibet — squashing an ancient religion, banning journalists, dawn arrests — we can get China to back away from its hard-line policy to be sure of getting the 97 votes it needs.
Let’s show the Tibetan people that the world hasn’t forgotten them. China is feeling the heat as 13 governments just called them out on human rights in Tibet. Sign to stand with Tibet, then share this with everyone. When one million have signed we’ll deliver it to critical UN delegations, and make it massive in the media:
Pressure on China is mounting. In an unprecedentedly strong show of support, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, US, UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Iceland and Austria just called on China to protect freedom of assembly, religion and association in Tibet. This request arrives just days after a Spanish court indicted China’s former President for genocide in Tibet!
The situation is really dire. More than 120 people have taken their own lives by setting themselves on fire to protest the suffocation of the Chinese occupation and hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have been wiped out. China’s ongoing policies systematically suppress the Tibetan language, force people from their homes, and strictly control the Tibetans’ movement and religion.
China’s failed policies hurt China too, but having dug themselves in this deep, they need pressure to change course. This is the week that change can start. If enough of us speak up while China is under the global microscope, we can make sure our governments know we haven’t forgotten Tibet. Sign now and tell everyone — let’s build the biggest petition ever for Tibet and demand they hold China to account:
”Desperado wont you come to your senses”, a gem off of Maori TV’s Native Affairs last night had Labour’s Shane Jones alleging that Slippery the Prime Minister, begging bowl in hand, had convinced the Maori Parties Tariana Turia not to resign at the 2014 election,
Jones talking out of His tiro???, quite possibly as we all know He has the ability to drop s**t into the public arena that would have been better wiped and flushed,
Desperation tho would be the PM looking across the political landscape for that ingredient needed to form a Government, coalition partners, and seeing far off in the distance only the Colon Craig loony tunes fundies offering a whiff of opportunity, so i can well imagine Slippery trying to keep Auntie Tari and Her Labour hating venom on in the Parliament for another 3,
Hat tip to Mihi and Native Affairs for providing us all with a show that grinds the reality into and out of the politicians across the spectrum,
The other interesting rumor doing the rounds at the moment is that ex Native Affairs presenter Julian Wilcox is thinking of putting His name forward for Labour in the Tamaki-Makaurau electorate which Sharples after wasting six years pretending to make gains for Maori with His ‘feet under the table’ has decided, rather than be tossed out of, to resign from…
Thanks for the linking Karol, one of these days i will get edumacated in linking to stuff with cool wording in the sentence, until such tho i have to rely on the ‘goodwill’ of others with better skills,
”Desperado wont you come to your senses” part two, i made reference last week to what looked like and what the Wellington rumor mill said was a concerted media effort orchestrated by the Henchmen in the employ of the Slippery little Shyster we have as Prime Minister to in effect manufacture a coalition partner out of Colon Craigs Conservatives using the compliant mass media to spread a barrage of publicity across the spectrum leading up to Labour Weekend,
In the week following this ‘experiment’ to gauge the effect of using their influence over the editors of the countries mass media to bolster the electoral appeal of Craig’s Conservatives,(with a deliberate omission of the ‘Christian’ from the title), National has conducted further internal polling to gauge just how effective this ‘campaign’ has been,
The rumor mill,(not normally known for taking the vows), has gone silent with regards ‘a result’ either way for Slippery’s efforts at manufacturing that pivotal coalition partner post the 2014 election and i have to wonder if Slippery’s sack-cloth approach to Tariana Turia of the Maori Party rumored by Shane Jones on last nights Native Affairs gives a hint that such machinations by the mass media has been an abject failure…
NAct’s – silencing education that encourages a critical examination of society. Martyn Bradbury posts:
Why the fuck is Auckland University gutting it’s arts courses by 50% in favor of bloody tourism? Arts students attempting to enroll yesterday suddenly were confronted with over half their courses being dumped.[…]
Course after course are being butchered at Auckland University and crucified as National’s pressure to cull education critiquing the economic hegemonic structure that benefits National’s ideological blindness becomes reality. History, sociology, politics – anything critical of National’s hard right agenda is being culled.
It’s usual to have some courses not run during any one year due to things like a lecturer being unavailable. But it is the extent of the courses not being run this year that is appalling.
Since the neoliberal rise, there has been an ongoing privileging of courses that immediately serve the current economy and business world. In contrast courses like history and classics are seen as not economically viable. There is an undervaluing of the role of universities in being guardians of the heritage of human knowledge from the past: and of courses that enable a long term critical examination of human societies.
Three’s also been a “bums on seats” approach, and an undervaluing of the benefit to society of specialist knowledge in areas that usually attract a small number of students.
My preference would be for the govt to buy chorus.
That way we get back the monopoly which is the local loop as well as the near monopoly on fibre being created now.
Also, makes it easier to have chorus start hiring and training NZers for their tech jobs instead of importing labour which appears to be their current practice.
A lady I work with used to work for Chorus, or more correctly, Transfield, one of their contractors — she said that the practise of hiring Filipino techs were purely to “get rid of union troublemakers”.
as opposed to using untrained draftees from developing countries that pocket the substantial difference between UN remuneration and the soldiers’ daily pay.
It could be that part of any new politicians preparation is to cover the various possibilities there are for them to be offered graft, or to spot likely candidates and opportunities in their work force. Part of being street-wise looking out for those who think the streets are paved with gold. A lovely melody, but with real meaning.
When individuals do it, it’s “graft”.
When corporations do it, it’s “finding an innovative new source of incremental revenue”.
When countries do it, it’s “a valuable contribution to the nation’s books”.
Well, One thing David Farrar knows is which way the wind is blowing inside National, and he is implicitly putting the boot into blubber boy today. Quoth Mr. Farrar:
“…Having now read the entire message history, I have to say I’m appalled. The emotional blackmail and manipulation is beyond intense…”
Meanwhile, in a fantastical post today, Cameron Slater is now claiming Bevan Chaung is in fact some sort of Manchurian candidate planted by Len Brown to discredit Palino and his campaign (*sigh* yes, I know…).
my take from the Sunday interview
-a smart women, yet a ‘hopeless romantic’
-not aware apparently of her own sub-conscious motives
-Palino – suggested Blackmail, effectively
-One woman actor utilized by at least five men for personal or political advantage (boast-busters).
Does anyone have a yahoo email account? I’ve just had to change my password and it keeps telling me the password I choose is invalid. Apparently they want me to make it really complex, so complex that there isn’t a hope in hell of me typing it out correctly the first time. Have tried combinations of letters, numbers and symbols with mixed capitalisation and it’s still not working. Is this a known issue?
Weka,
Think of a phrase and use that. I.e. “iUsedToLiveOnSmithStreet”
Make it something personal to you. If numbers are required swap out some letters; e=3, a=4, o=0 etc.
If other characters are required, punctuate your sentence.
Thanks! The sentences and punctuation of a sentence would work well for me. I can’t handle long strings of more random things unless I can see the password visible as I type.
In the end it looks like yahoo was not reading my current password attempts properly. I had to change browser and try repeatedly. I suspect that that live updating and feedback about password strength works better on a faster internet connection.
Better to use a mix of grammatically valid and invalid stuff in the password though, as it makes it harder to guess 😛 Add on capital/numbers to the end if the website designer(s) are sticking to flawed password quidelines, like WINZ.
Guy Fawkes Eve, NZ Parliamentary Question Time, 2013
well, as fitting, there were indeed some fireworks in the House, fireworks that would be entertaining if the implications were not so serious, as serious as a four-year-old girl scarred on her face for life by the products of a commercial celebration.
Q.4 (was late due to unforeseen puncture) 🙂 Parker: on Kiwiassure, Cunliffe waving a copy of The Hollow Men in the foreground as English utilizes, what are real, fears about the risks of any company insuring New Zealand, particularly with regards to the seismic implications, while Key has earlier proposed on interest.co.nz that the government may become an equity partner in Chorus.
Great economic management displayed by National so far…Not!
now to the teaser from the Boom Box,
Q.7 Winston to Key about advice to ministers from departments, specifically Treasury on “reigning in Parata” and “spinning change in the education sector”.
Key-“I haven’t seen that Treasury advice”.
Tabling of an instant refutation to the claim requested by Peters (ruled admissible by an earlier Speaker’s Ruling) was denied by Roy.
Then, following Key receiving advice during QT concerning an error made earlier by DC, freakin’ bolshy Brownlee starts winding up, challenging the Speakers ruling at least 3 times to enable Key to grand-stand, then Key starts tag-teaming with Brownlee also challenging the Speaker’s ruling, more than once, finally blurting out the reference to make his points victory.
Great work by Grant Robertson standing up to the bully Brownlee, more than a match!
Brownlee attempts for the last word…”Will the Speaker give consideration to…”
Eric Roy capably sums up that “the House is in a fractious mood” (all that sublimated tension).
Yet, it got better, or worse, depending on your humanity,
Q.9 Jan Logie to Collins regarding implementing trials of alternative evidence-giving (inquisitive ) Criminal Trial formats for sexual offences, particularly in light of these recent pack-rapes of minors.
Collins (just getting warmed up under the collar) -refers to what is currently being done to assist victims and rules out inquisitive format. Ironically, referencing the work around and by Louise Nicholas, who was a rape victim of the Police.
Logie-” yet 90% of sexual abuse victims still do not lay complaints”
Collins- “I accept that there are many who do not come forward…” Then …Collins really hit her strides and repeated that Logie raising these matters “could taint trials”. hmmm.
Still winding up, along came some Supplementaries from her old play-mate Andrew Little
Little- “Will she modify evidence-giving procedures for sexual abuse trials?”
Collins- really seeing red, and spitting tacks, “that man lacks the courage..etc etc etc”)
Onto the Ardern / Bennett tussling
Q.10 Ardern questions Bennett on the government using, and obtaining, an objective measure of Child Poverty in New Zealand.
Bennett (clearly emotional ) cannot deny that this government does not possess such a measure with which to verify any reduction in child poverty arising from their policies.
However, she can argue this- “If the member (Ardern) can get on her high horse…”
Emissions hit a new high but the rate of increase slows.
Actual global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) reached a new record of 34.5 billion tonnes in 2012. Yet, the increase in global CO2 emissions in that year slowed down to 1.1% , which was less than half the average annual increase of 2.9% over the last decade. This is remarkable, as the global economy grew by 3.5%. This development signals a shift towards less fossil-fuel-intensive activities, more use of renewable energy and increased energy saving. Increases in fossil-fuel consumption in 2012 were 2.2% for natural gas, 0.9% for oil products, and 0.6% for coal.
This is remarkable, as the global economy grew by 3.5%
I think a lot of this “growth” was via financial speculation – not very energy and fuel intensive. Nor is it ‘real’ growth, just more gaming of the numbers system.
Something rotten in the state of Victoria
Why is Gai Waterhouse being lionized? She should be shunned.
The trainer of Fiorente, the horse that won the Melbourne Cup today, is one Gai Waterhouse. Far from being hugged and praised after the race, many people believe she should not be allowed anywhere near Flemington, or indeed any other race course.
Gai Waterhouse’s husband was responsible for the most notorious racing ring-in in Australasian equine history. In August 1984 at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm race-course, an ordinary 8-year-old gelding, Fine Cotton, was replaced for a novice handicap by a horse called Bold Personality, complete with white paint on his legs in a crude attempt to match Fine Cotton’s white markings on his hind legs. Officials smelt a rat when betting on Fine Cotton dived in from 33-1 to 7-2. The horse won by a short head, but with the paint beginning to run down the horse’s legs as it returned to scale and some onlookers shouting “ring-in” the game was up. New Zealand trainer Hayden Haitana shot through shortly after the race, only to be nabbed by police in South Australia and subsequently jailed along with scam organiser John Gillespie. But it involved some of Australia’s big racing names, and prominent bookmakers Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were warned off the country’s tracks for 14 years. ….
“… many people believe she should not be allowed anywhere near Flemington, or indeed any other race course.”
Who they, Morrissey?
And is there a word for people who think woman are defined by their husbands? Mozogynist, perhaps?
ps. fine for a minor ‘failure to disclose’ verdict in the “controversial” Singleton case: $5k. Winnings in the last couple of hours: $3.5 million. Giddy up!
People who care about integrity in sports. Yes, Te Reo, I know that, when you consider such travesties as the 1999 and 2011 RWC finals, every single Tour de France and nearly every professional boxing bout, that’s probably a crazy idea, but some people still do believe in the IDEA of sportsmanship and honesty.
And is there a word for people who think woman are defined by their husbands?
I don’t think the Gai Waterhouse should be judged by her criminal husband, any more than I think John Banks, should be judged by his criminal parents, or Hillary Clinton should be judged by her criminal husband. The misdeeds of Gai Waterhouse, like the misdeeds of John Banks and Hillary Clinton, should be judged on their own terms.
Just as a matter of interest, however, are you trying to suggest that Gai Waterhouse was innocent of any involvement in the Fine Cotton fraud?
Mozogynist, perhaps?
Good one! I see what you did there.
Name them, Moz! Cite the “many people” who agree with you.
If you don’t think Gai Waterhouse “should be judged by her criminal husband”, why did you do it? And why do you libel her by claiming she was involved in the Fine Cotton affair?
Name them, Moz! Cite the “many people” who agree with you.
You obviously have spent no time in Australia.
If you don’t think Gai Waterhouse “should be judged by her criminal husband”, why did you do it?
I made it clear that I had not done that. To further clarify for you, I even made the analogy with two other notorious people who should not be judged by their criminal family members, but have earned opprobrium for themselves by their own foul deeds. You have made a habit of deliberately disregarding the evidence I put up to counter your rabid accusations and also of willfully misconstruing what I write; here you are at it again, pretending I judged this dodgy woman by her husband’s crimes. If I had done that, then you would have a fair point. But I had not, and you have not.
And why do you libel her by claiming she was involved in the Fine Cotton affair?
I did not libel her. She was involved in that ridiculously unsuccessful fraud just as surely as she was involved with her dodgy son’s foolish activity in Sydney this year. Or maybe you think she was, and is, the very picture of the saintly wife and mother, oblivious to the actions of her husband and son?
C’mon, Moz, get the whip out! Usually when you’re caught out bullshitting you try to defend yourself, so I guess this time even you know you’ve blown it. To put this one in racing terms, you’ve just dead heated with the ambulance.
Who says I find her appealing? Why, just you! Poor Moz, such a fascination with the English language and, alas, such a weak grip on the finer points of its effective use.
Morrisey
Watch it, you’ll become a wowser next. Then you may have to give up the joy of poking fun at Jim Mora and we’ll lose some fine moments of irony and farce, pathos and bathos. (I’ve always wanted to use that word, bathos. Not seen much. I give it to you like a rare, fine pearl (of wisdom)!
Indeed, warbler, “bathos” is a fine word. Here’s a splendid recent example of it, all the more effective because this appallingly bad actor obviously lacks even the slightest sense of irony….
Adding insult to injury, the American bank that bought 8 per cent of the shares that were sold in Meridian (US Meridian buy-up fuels Labour’s foreigner fear, Nov 1) would have received money from United States taxpayers in the form of quantative easing, with the intention that the money would be lent out to stimulate the US economy.
The trouble is that as very few people want to take on more debt (surprise, surprise) the banks are now using that money to buy up overseas assets.
US taxpayer money is being used to buy assets paid for by Kiwi taxpayers and the dividends are going overseas to the one per cent.
It’s not possible to get out of debt by taking on more debt, and it’s not prudent to sell an asset that’s returning a 17 per cent yield to pay off debt that’s being charged at five per cent.
The only winners in this madness are the banks who got us into this mess in the first place.
Another round of upgrades to (hopefully) improve performance. Let me know if anything shows up in the javascript as it is using a new minification system.
Next stage is the automatic spawning of a extra servers when the load goes up. Which will be pleasant as it can spike to 4-5x ‘normal’ levels over an hour.
How can we expect young women who have been raped to make formal statements when there is a clear lack of funding for qualified and experienced support for them?
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
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 ...
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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 ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
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Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
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. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
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I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
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Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
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ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
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Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
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Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
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Thoughts on the annual scourge of Fireworks.
They’re going to be with us for the foreseeable future.
So can we reduce some of the nuisance issues.
It seems the users have to wait ’til dark.
What say we make the official “celebration” the heralding of daylight saving.
Always a Saturday night.
Still dark around early evening.
Bushes likely to be less tinder dry.
That would make a lot more sense, actually.
When I think of fireworks, specifically those sold for use at home, I also think of all the little children from the third world who got chemical burns making them so that someone else’s child could get a few minutes of visual enjoyment.
Lolz, after all these years i still have this huge resentment about Guy Fawkes, growing up with little more than the clothes on our back we had it repeatedly drummed into us that there was no way we were going to ‘burn money’ by getting any fireworks,
Funnily enough i have enough coin so as to afford a trip to the Ware Whare and a couple of huge bags of the money burning stuff and every year on the morning of the 5th i have the same urge to go buy me a pile, just one time,
F**k i resent it, a money, a urge i have, but, in the back of my mind those words are still there, no way are you getting any it’s just burning money and i just can’t do it…
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Anonymous writer on the Herald writes the following extreme right wing nonsense.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11151420
Includes such gems as:
“Taxpayers should be wary of ‘KiwiAssure'”
“The idea seems to have come completely out of left field to impress the party’s annual conference at the weekend.”
“Nothing in the policy announced by Mr Cunliffe at the weekend dealt with any of the real insurance policy issues arising from Christchurch.”
“Insurance is almost the last business that should be nationalised.”
and a lot lot more….
John Roughan the writer?
What a rag.
Actually I wonder if the writer is the head of The Insurance Council.
But this is the line that intrigues me:
‘The illusion of a “home-grown alternative”, as Mr Cunliffe calls it, has a powerful commercial appeal.”
Because if something has “powerful commercial appeal” then the government is short changing tax payers if it DOESN’T set this up.
This is an exciting initiative, it has powerful commercial appeal so it is a no brainer.
I note this morning that Westpac have announced another record profit…clearly Kiwi Bank need more capital to grow. I hope Labour are looking at this also.
This is what immediately caught my eye,
“The commission covers damage to land rather than buildings, which are covered by private insurance.”
If that’s the case, then why does the commission offer only half the land value of sections with no buildings compared to those with houses on them?
IIRC I saw that on 3 news or Campbell Live.
The NZ Editorial makes some good points and we should pay attention to them to see if they are true. For some reason, it appears that Labour has shied away from creating a true public insurer alternative in the style of the original State Insurance.
I did wonder why people were saying that Labour only needed $70M to set up KiwiSure. This should be ringing alarm bells. A serious public insurance company needs billions and billions in assets – like ACC.
From what I understand, KiwiSure is going to be little more than a front office insurance retailer. Sort of like insurance you might buy from the AA, but owned by the Government. It will not be backed by the balance sheet, sovereign guarantee and money printing capabilities of the NZ Government. In this scenario, all the back office underwriting and reinsuring is going to be done by the same international money crowd which has been causing serious problems with Christchurch policies and payouts.
Apart from the odd bit of right wing spin, until I learn more I am tempted to say that the NZ Herald is correct – a government owned insurance company which is structured in the same way as the current crop of private insurers in terms of reinsurance etc, may not actually be worth having.
Ref 2.1.2. Tat Loo
” all the back office underwriting and reinsuring is going to be done by the same international money crowd which has been causing serious problems with Christchurch policies and payouts.”
FYI
International Reinsurers do not give earthquake cover to significant parts of Japan. They do not give earthquake cover to significant parts of California. The Insurers here have done well to sell the NZ story and to keep coverage.
Cheers for the info – I will definitely factor that in.
One step at a time perhaps Tat.
No it doesn’t because it doesn’t need to have the cash on hand to pay out the claims. What it would do is use the governments ability to create money (at 0% interest) to pay out the claims and then adjust next years premiums to cover the excess amount of money created (whichshould actually be very little once the previous years premiums are taken into account). That’s how ACC used to be before the 4th National government and then the 5th Labour government fucked with it.
If that’s what it’s going to be then it’s not worth our time and effort.
in the usa they have to have 70cents per premium dollar “on hand”.
from the online comments section……
‘Well perhaps Labour should start a newspaper as well, God knows, this one seems to be a mouthpiece for the National Party ‘
😆 😈
Indeed almost almost evenly popular comment derides the Herald. Such a flagrantly biased mouthpiece, the Herald.
Reasons to nationalise all the banks too.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/9360079/Westpacs-NZ-profit-continues-to-rise
They really are sucking all the discretionary cash out of circulation of the economy, like a huge money hoover.
But surely that’s just money they themselves created through debt, right? And the government can just print more?
Correct. But there are two things. Poor people who have little access to cheap credit in this system become increasingly poor and indebted, while wealthy people become wealthier faster as interest repayments on that debt channel more and more income from labour to capital.
Secondly, we are a country which refuses to engage in strategic money creation, instead preferring to indebt the nation by satisfying its money supply needs through borrowing money that other countries have printed, and want to charge us interest on.
“we are a country which refuses to engage in strategic money creation, instead preferring to indebt the nation by satisfying its money supply needs through borrowing money that other countries have printed, and want to charge us interest on.”
That’s the insane bit. Why do people freak out at the idea of creating money but are happy to borrow money someone else has created?
Well personally I’m still not convinced by the government only printing as much money as is necessary, and also adequately taxing it back out of the economy at the appropriate rate.
If the local private sector (households and NZ businesses) is ever to be able to net save it needs to be able to experience a consistent net surplus.
This net surplus can come from only two sources: the government sector, or the foreign sector. There are no other sectors, at this high level of analysis.
We know through our current account figures that our private sector almost always bleeds money out and experiences a deficit to the foreign sector.
Which leaves the government sector. If the government sector insists on returning to a surplus, it can only do so by taking more from the local private sector than it spends into it. Essentially forcing the local private sector to run a deficit – depleting private profits and household savings.
This results in a doubly worse result for the local private sector: it is structurally forced to run deficits to both the government sector and to the foreign sector. This is the very definition of “austerity”.
The implications for what we understand as ‘responsible economics’, are paradigm shifting.
I’m going to be pushing this a lot over the next year.
+1
Well explained.
Absolutely spot on Tat… Russell Brand said something similar in his excellent interview with Jeremy Paxman: “David Cameron says profit isn’t a dirty word. I say profit is a filthy word; wherever there is profit, there is deficit”.
Moved my comment as it made others non-sensical where it popped up/
Unless you’re being sarcastic I think that proves your inability to do logic.
I’ve never found “trust us” a particularly compelling logical argument.
And where-ever has that been said in relation to the government creating money?
What are you not convined about, Lanth?
Surely though there’s another aspect to this.
It’s that the private sector is not running a deficit in reality but is constantly shifting profit out of workers wages/productivity and into capital and shifting capital into private and overseas pockets.
The transference of income to capital whether through paying those at the top very high salaries or through deliberate action to disproportionately inflate property prices is the biggest scam pulled on the ordinary working person I’ve ever seen.
Aided by accounting methods, and underfunded, controlled, and in some cases, non existent regulatory bodies.
I tried to bring this up at Labour Party Conference but people just looked at me strangely like I was repeating heresy. It’s like peoples’ heads have been completely befuddled through listening to years of economic and monetary lies.
Available on youtube, the likes of L Randall Wray, Stephanie Kelton and Warren Mosler have it spot on IMO.
And that needs to change Tat – and fast. People need to get their heads around it or the citizens of this once fine country are going to wind up as indentured servants on foreign owned land. And make no mistake – that is not an accidental by-product of the current economic model.
I don’t expect our “elected representatives” to take the lead on this as it is political suicide, but I sure as hell expect them to be open to listening to alternate economic viewpoints and actually doing the “representative” part of representative democracy.
None of the debt=money concepts are particularly difficult to understand but you have to actually want to understand it first 🙂 I know you’ve made that leap – now we just need to get some of your current and future colleagues to do the same.
Yeah dude, that really needs to happen, and as you say, fast.
Which, from what I can make out, is what the capitalists want.
I’m sure they did TLCV but where the reasoning and outcomes are sound then the left has to distill it into an attractive sound bite.
Not everyone wants the full info and all of us in various areas are inclined to rely to some extent on others research -like TPP – I’ve got the general outline and I’ve selected the commentators that appear to be protecting NZ’s interest
The right manage to make the most ghastly things into attractive slogans. The left need to do this but better.
so what do they actually want the money for?
a leaf blower, angle grinder, plastic replica hotrod, chainsaw, trip to the grand final.
The whole country is mad from choices.
Those at the bottom generally want to pay their rent, feed their kids, pay their power bill, buy their clothes, not want to go to WINZ for help, afford to support the local businessmen who might be their neighbor or friend or family member, afford to pay more tax for a good quality social security system and free education and good services, not be castigated and demonised by the right, take the occasional holiday, not have three jobs, can support a family on one income, and so on.
Hi CV 🙂
You’ll find this a very interesting article:
“The Great Austerity Shell Game: Here’s How the Capitalist Scam Works
Let government borrow for crisis bailouts, then insist cuts pay for them. Guess who loses.
by Richard Wolff”
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/11/04-3
excerpt:
“Nor is that all. Corporations and the rich used the money they saved by keeping governments from taxing them to provide the huge loans governments therefore needed. Middle- and lower-income people could lend little if anything to their governments. Corporations and the rich, in effect, substituted loans to the government instead of paying more in taxes. For those loans, governments must pay interest and eventually repay them.
Government borrowing rewards corporations and the rich quite nicely. It amounts to a very sweet deal for capitalists.”
Ahhhh yes R.D. Wolff, a marxian economist and one that I follow from time to time. Thanks mate. He’s also got some good youtube presentations.
Yep, worked that one out years ago. It’s why I keep saying that government should create the money they need and should never borrow. Government borrowing just becomes a government guaranteed income for the rich as they continue to avoid paying taxes.
Their Oz operations are about to be brought under stricter deposit/holding guidelines as they’ve been deemed ‘too big to fail’ and Treasurer Hockey has to make a call on how much they give over to their reserve bank.
Any excuse really with these bloodsuckers to plunder the NZ branch even more.
Or at least move the govt accounts from Westpac to Kiwibank and stop helping them make millions off of us.
The nat’s stitched up a 5-10 year contract from memory and guess where Simon Power went at the end of that term.
link??
the law of diminishing-returns:..’hobbit-fever’..?..anyone..?
phillip ure..
Yeah, not really sure I’m going to see the 2nd one, after having seen all the previous movies at the theatre. 1st Hobbit movie was really pretty lame.
If you look it up, with the Hobbit Jackson has delivered to his Hollywood studio masters an ROI of only about half that of the original LOTR series he created.
Thats one way of looking at it I guess and another is the budget for the first movie is estimated at $200–315 million and the box office take is estimated to be $1,017,003,568 which is not bad going in anyones language
But sorry I forgot any chance to run down Sir Peter Jackson…
That’s what I meant – the Return on Investment of the new movies so far is much less than the original LOTR series.
“Return of the King” scored significantly more box office money, on a budget of less than $100M.
I also note that the new Hobbit movie has scored a massive 30% less on the critics sites Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, than the original LOTR movies did.
I’m glad you genuflected with the appropriate respect, mate.
Yes I’m sure the studios are worried because they only made 3-4 times back the investment, sort of missing the big picture there
and since all the movies were shot back to back the return for the next two movies will more than make up for the 700 – 800 million they made of the first movie
Not denying that the studios are still raking it in, plus it’s very clear that they did not need Key to stump up with tax payers money to subsidise them.
“With a total budget of $561 million (and climbing), Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy — the second installment opens this December — is the most expensive movie-making endeavor ever. Although, it should be pointed out that the first movie has already brought in more than one billion dollars for Warner Bros., the distributor of all three films.
Financial documents disclosed in New Zealand, where the trilogy was shot—just like the much cheaper $281 million Lord of the Rings trilogy—shows that incredible sum has already been spent on The Hobbit, and does not include additional shoots or any further post-production work needed on the last two films. The second movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (below) is scheduled for a December 13 release; the final installment, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, will be in theaters a year later.
The Hobbit movies are easily the most expensive production cycle ever, outpacing the pair of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, which reportedly topped $500 million to create.
Read more: ‘Hobbit’ Budget: More Than $500 Million | TIME.com http://entertainment.time.com/2013/10/04/budget-for-the-hobbit-now-exceeds-half-a-billion-dollars/#ixzz2kO6BfMA8
And just think, if the NZ government had footed that $300m we would have been $700m better off on just one movie. Instead, we helped line a foreign corporations pockets.
+1
No, no, NOOOO The government MUST stay out of business. Business doesn’t want government in business… remember?
Take the NZ scenery out and it gets lamer.
And all of the middle earth films are horrendusly dragged out……
How many interesting independent films could have been made for the money extorted for this snore-fest?
a few dozen
Interesting to who?
Interesting to whom?
Interesting to people who enjoy intelligent, thoughtful films. The very opposite of what “Sir” Peter Jackson churns out for his Hollywood masters, in other words.
Yes because popular films are sooo unworthy…
Most of them are. And they’re deadly dull, to boot. Do you think that, other than a few million Tolkien tragics, ANYONE would watch those dire Rings epics if it wasn’t for the massive advertising, paid for by you and me, but signed up for under duress by our hopeless “government”?
Another rabid right winger on Jim Mora’s increasingly biased panel selection this afternoon.
Graham Bell.
I’m sure Morrissey has had words about him before.
Agree.
Annoying that the Right dominate commercial talk back, I expect RNZ to be balancing and intelligently “Left”…Graham Bell is a typical thick righty, after listening to Graham Bell you realise why our police make the continuous fuck ups that they do, because most of them are just really dumb.
‘hoots’ hooten has had his humour-value lately tho’..
http://whoar.co.nz/2013/commentwhoar-ed-heh-rightwing-new-york-rag-freaks-out-over-a-leftie-about-to-be-elected-mayor-of-noo-yawk-leading-by-40-the-humour-to-be-had-from-hoots-hooten/
and re nat-rad panel..
..i wonder why they weed out the intelligent/articulate ones..?..the gordon mclaughlins etc..
..and inflict the likes of thick-as-a-sack-of-fucken-doorknobs..bell on their listeners..so often..?
..i am puzzled not for conspiratorial reasons..
..but for quality of radio-experience for listeners reasons..
..i mean..aside from his colourful-language when speaking of ‘crims’..
..everything from bell is pure brain-fart..
..(and i wonder if/when jim mora is going to trademark his signature-‘sigh!’..?..)
phillip ure..
I don’t mind Graham Bell. Be may be an out-of-date right wing dinosaur ex-cop who probably still thinks Arthur Allan Thomas did it, but he is honest in his views. Much more dislikable is the dishonesty of Mora’s manipulation of topics to try and get comments that suits his conservative moral agenda, andGuest like Farrar and Jordan Williams who pretend to be disinterested observers to push propaganda lines.
There is nothing wrong with a conservative with a honest agenda, even if he is wrong. The new generation of right wingers are not honest, and that is my problem with them.
Fair call.
QFT
the panel is an intellectual talkfest today..
..it’s ‘doorknobs’ bell..and that booze/beer-pimp/pusher…
..bell will bang on about..police 10-7..
..and the booze-pimp will push his latest product-push..
..as they do..as they do..
..phillip ure..
Another rabid right winger on Jim Mora’s increasingly biased panel selection this afternoon.
Graham Bell.
It’s actually far worse than that: the other guest is the insufferably smarmy right winger Neil Miller.
I’m sure Morrissey has had words about him before.
I have indeed charted the many appearances of this obnoxious old bully. Usually he’s simply vacuous….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-16102013/#comment-710684
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21062011/#comment-343515
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-05022013/#comment-584721
Occasionally he takes a delight in cowering lesser talents into submission, as he has with Jeremy Elwood and several other “liberal” guests. It’s no doubt the kind of behaviour that gets you promoted in the Police.
Occasionally, though, he comes up against someone with the cojones to challenge him—like Gordon Campbell. Invariably Bell collapses….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-12042013/#comment-618074
N.B. It is instructive to note the Standard regulars who lined up to praise my coverage of that last one.
How we’re Bell and Miller today?
NEIL MILLER
On the positive side, Miller excoriated the dreadful Kerre ohoWmad, who now rejoices in the splendid moniker of “Kerre McIvor”, for this typically disgusting column….
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/kerre-mcivor-on-new-zealand/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502870&objectid=11142935
After that, however, he went off on a dyspeptic rant against Len Brown and John Campbell. He was so extraordinarily biased and unfair that even Jim Mora himself felt compelled to contradict him.
GRAHAM BELL
His Soapbox contribution was, as always, another grumble. Not about the standards of service in tea-rooms this time, but about the poor standard of customer service with Telecom.
Known in certain circles as Gardner Bell because some say he’s really good at planting things.
Really good thoughts here about the auckland rapist thing, and the mob mentality that is swirling about the place. Anger is good, but let’s be good humans eh.
http://thehandmirror.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/the-baying-mob-or-how-i-carry-torch.html
I passed a crown limo this morning stuffed full of one G Brownlee and managed to refrain from shaking my fist. Much self congratulation
i have just two words to say to the tories claiming their mp’s are chosen on ‘merit not gender’…
..craig foss..
..mm-kay..?
phillip ure..
You missed Aaron Gilmore.
nah..!..i..i’ll definitely see your gilmore… and raise you..
..yes..gilmore shares that dull-gleam in the eye..of the foss..
..but for wall-to-wall w.t.f..!..
..it’s hard to walk past the ‘craig’….eh..?
phillip ure..
You might be right about Foss. I’m weighing it up.
But then again, I had a wtf moment when Brownlee was selected… and then they made him a minister. I haven’t quite gotten over that.
And then they made him King Gerry of Canterbury.
nathan guy, the king of f*k ups, a useful idiot i think is the proper term.
i love guy..!
..i call him ‘clutch cargo’..
..phillip ure..
And to play devils advocate, I give you Amy Adams, Anne Tolley, and the doyen of incompetence, Hekia Parata.
The only way National would increase its gender balance would be for it to loose by a landslide.
The amount of profit the big 3 down from 4(the National bank should never have been aloud to be taken over by ANZ) is similar to our balance of payments shortfall.
This is a very important observation. Critically important. It answers why we as a tributary nation feel constantly indebted and constantly poorer, despite sacrificing more and more of both our people and our environment in pursuit of “economic growth”.
aye..the fact our deficit equals the amount of profits sucked out of the country in corporate-profits..
..each and every year..
..(leaving us as a nation in a state of eternal-penury..)
..and that welfare-fraud is $23 million a year..
..yet corporate/elite tax-dodging/’fraud'(?) is over $2 billion..(!)
..each and every year..
..have been my recent takeaway-economic-facts about nz..
..eh..?
..phillip ure..
When private profits = government deficit then it obvious that profit is a dead-weight loss and that the people funding that deficit, the poor and the workers, are always going to be worse off while a few get richer and richer.
Tibetan persecution in their own country; Please support the Tibetans
Tibetans who refuse to fly the Chinese flag above their homes risk being beaten or shot in the latest attempt to break their spirits. But now is the best moment in ages to bring hope to Tibet’s proud, but desperate people.
China’s leaders are mounting an intense campaign to draw a veil over their rights abuses and persuade governments to vote them onto the UN Human Rights Council. So if enough of us shine a light on what’s going on in Tibet — squashing an ancient religion, banning journalists, dawn arrests — we can get China to back away from its hard-line policy to be sure of getting the 97 votes it needs.
Let’s show the Tibetan people that the world hasn’t forgotten them. China is feeling the heat as 13 governments just called them out on human rights in Tibet. Sign to stand with Tibet, then share this with everyone. When one million have signed we’ll deliver it to critical UN delegations, and make it massive in the media:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_tibet_loc/?tSQzacb
Pressure on China is mounting. In an unprecedentedly strong show of support, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, US, UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Iceland and Austria just called on China to protect freedom of assembly, religion and association in Tibet. This request arrives just days after a Spanish court indicted China’s former President for genocide in Tibet!
The situation is really dire. More than 120 people have taken their own lives by setting themselves on fire to protest the suffocation of the Chinese occupation and hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have been wiped out. China’s ongoing policies systematically suppress the Tibetan language, force people from their homes, and strictly control the Tibetans’ movement and religion.
China’s failed policies hurt China too, but having dug themselves in this deep, they need pressure to change course. This is the week that change can start. If enough of us speak up while China is under the global microscope, we can make sure our governments know we haven’t forgotten Tibet. Sign now and tell everyone — let’s build the biggest petition ever for Tibet and demand they hold China to account:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_tibet_loc/?tSQzacb
Proud Tibetans are struggling against China’s brutal rule and long for change, but they can’t do it alone. No one can create changes that big alone.
That’s why we’ve come together for Tibet before. Let’s make this the moment where the whole world commits to the survival of the Tibetan people.
With hope,
Ben, Alice, Patricia, Alex, Ricken, Emily, Sayeeda and the whole Avaaz team
SOURCES
UN criticises China’s rights record at Geneva meeting (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24611657
Dalai Lama Says China Has Turned Tibet Into a ‘Hell on Earth’ (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/world/asia/11tibet.html
Spain probes Hu Jintao ‘genocide’ in Tibet court case (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24490004
Four Tibetans Shot Dead as Protests Spread in Driru County (Radio Free Asia)
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/shoot-10112013200735.html
China denounces Spanish court’s Tibet case against ex-president (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/14/us-china-spain-tibet-idUSBRE99D09120131014
”Desperado wont you come to your senses”, a gem off of Maori TV’s Native Affairs last night had Labour’s Shane Jones alleging that Slippery the Prime Minister, begging bowl in hand, had convinced the Maori Parties Tariana Turia not to resign at the 2014 election,
Jones talking out of His tiro???, quite possibly as we all know He has the ability to drop s**t into the public arena that would have been better wiped and flushed,
Desperation tho would be the PM looking across the political landscape for that ingredient needed to form a Government, coalition partners, and seeing far off in the distance only the Colon Craig loony tunes fundies offering a whiff of opportunity, so i can well imagine Slippery trying to keep Auntie Tari and Her Labour hating venom on in the Parliament for another 3,
Hat tip to Mihi and Native Affairs for providing us all with a show that grinds the reality into and out of the politicians across the spectrum,
The other interesting rumor doing the rounds at the moment is that ex Native Affairs presenter Julian Wilcox is thinking of putting His name forward for Labour in the Tamaki-Makaurau electorate which Sharples after wasting six years pretending to make gains for Maori with His ‘feet under the table’ has decided, rather than be tossed out of, to resign from…
Last night’s Native Affairs can be viewed here.
Thanks for the linking Karol, one of these days i will get edumacated in linking to stuff with cool wording in the sentence, until such tho i have to rely on the ‘goodwill’ of others with better skills,
”Desperado wont you come to your senses” part two, i made reference last week to what looked like and what the Wellington rumor mill said was a concerted media effort orchestrated by the Henchmen in the employ of the Slippery little Shyster we have as Prime Minister to in effect manufacture a coalition partner out of Colon Craigs Conservatives using the compliant mass media to spread a barrage of publicity across the spectrum leading up to Labour Weekend,
In the week following this ‘experiment’ to gauge the effect of using their influence over the editors of the countries mass media to bolster the electoral appeal of Craig’s Conservatives,(with a deliberate omission of the ‘Christian’ from the title), National has conducted further internal polling to gauge just how effective this ‘campaign’ has been,
The rumor mill,(not normally known for taking the vows), has gone silent with regards ‘a result’ either way for Slippery’s efforts at manufacturing that pivotal coalition partner post the 2014 election and i have to wonder if Slippery’s sack-cloth approach to Tariana Turia of the Maori Party rumored by Shane Jones on last nights Native Affairs gives a hint that such machinations by the mass media has been an abject failure…
This explains why mass surveillance is not very useful for catching terrorists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8JzVkvLlA8&feature=youtu.be
NAct’s – silencing education that encourages a critical examination of society. Martyn Bradbury posts:
Facebook protest page.
With some of the courses not being offered in 2014.
Sociology.
Women’s Studies
Classics
History
It’s usual to have some courses not run during any one year due to things like a lecturer being unavailable. But it is the extent of the courses not being run this year that is appalling.
Since the neoliberal rise, there has been an ongoing privileging of courses that immediately serve the current economy and business world. In contrast courses like history and classics are seen as not economically viable. There is an undervaluing of the role of universities in being guardians of the heritage of human knowledge from the past: and of courses that enable a long term critical examination of human societies.
Three’s also been a “bums on seats” approach, and an undervaluing of the benefit to society of specialist knowledge in areas that usually attract a small number of students.
I see universities as a reservoir of knowledge that we might not need right now.
Welcome to the Brownlee dark ages.
Chorus, the Commerce Commission and the UFB
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11151658
Comin’ down in three-part harmony… 😀
(not An Old Fashioned Love Song).
Here’s hoping National ignores the polling results and tries to reverse the ruling :3
At their UFB policy-making table, the National Government can dine to custard – copious amounts of custard. To a chorus of groans and wails.
I think a new Department of Public Works can take over Chorus’ role in the UFB layout for a fraction of the cost.
My preference would be for the govt to buy chorus.
That way we get back the monopoly which is the local loop as well as the near monopoly on fibre being created now.
Also, makes it easier to have chorus start hiring and training NZers for their tech jobs instead of importing labour which appears to be their current practice.
Price $1 I hope.
A lady I work with used to work for Chorus, or more correctly, Transfield, one of their contractors — she said that the practise of hiring Filipino techs were purely to “get rid of union troublemakers”.
Custard spiked with Chilli bombs of lost votes 👿
Did anyone see John Key on Nightline about the drink drive limit or even better have a link I had to rewind it but I forgot to hit record
Did anyone see John Key on Nightline about the drink drive limit or even better have a link I had to rewind it but I forgot to hit record
Private Security is Growing Globally by 7.9% / Year: $244B / Annum by 2016
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11151770
-outsourcing by the UN could further negatively tarnish their badge.
as opposed to using untrained draftees from developing countries that pocket the substantial difference between UN remuneration and the soldiers’ daily pay.
well, there’s always that to be grafted on. 🙂
It could be that part of any new politicians preparation is to cover the various possibilities there are for them to be offered graft, or to spot likely candidates and opportunities in their work force. Part of being street-wise looking out for those who think the streets are paved with gold. A lovely melody, but with real meaning.
When individuals do it, it’s “graft”.
When corporations do it, it’s “finding an innovative new source of incremental revenue”.
When countries do it, it’s “a valuable contribution to the nation’s books”.
A few of the older posters on here would remember hearing about the activities of mercenaries in Africa during the 60’s and 70’s.
And find there is little distinction between the likes of Mike Hoare in the ’70s and Blackwater today.
Well, One thing David Farrar knows is which way the wind is blowing inside National, and he is implicitly putting the boot into blubber boy today. Quoth Mr. Farrar:
“…Having now read the entire message history, I have to say I’m appalled. The emotional blackmail and manipulation is beyond intense…”
Meanwhile, in a fantastical post today, Cameron Slater is now claiming Bevan Chaung is in fact some sort of Manchurian candidate planted by Len Brown to discredit Palino and his campaign (*sigh* yes, I know…).
All over, red rover.
my take from the Sunday interview
-a smart women, yet a ‘hopeless romantic’
-not aware apparently of her own sub-conscious motives
-Palino – suggested Blackmail, effectively
-One woman actor utilized by at least five men for personal or political advantage (boast-busters).
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hes being flippant
how can you even tell these days…
he knew exactly what to do with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahoy, isn’t your ship ready to sail hookie.
yep trooper.
As soon as I get the latest bag of plotlines down from real life in New Zealand I am sailing for Hollywoood immediately.
plenty of material to plunge in to; some even Barrie could not have imagined carrying his children away. It’s beyond planking.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/collector-s-firearms-probably-in-criminal-hands-police-5672550
T_T
Here’s hoping he wont get his fire arms licence back. Especially given this remarkably stupid comment:
Teh stupid is strong with this one.
Admits to selling 30 illegally but 130 disappeared at around the same time…yeah.
Does anyone have a yahoo email account? I’ve just had to change my password and it keeps telling me the password I choose is invalid. Apparently they want me to make it really complex, so complex that there isn’t a hope in hell of me typing it out correctly the first time. Have tried combinations of letters, numbers and symbols with mixed capitalisation and it’s still not working. Is this a known issue?
Weka,
Think of a phrase and use that. I.e. “iUsedToLiveOnSmithStreet”
Make it something personal to you. If numbers are required swap out some letters; e=3, a=4, o=0 etc.
If other characters are required, punctuate your sentence.
Thanks! The sentences and punctuation of a sentence would work well for me. I can’t handle long strings of more random things unless I can see the password visible as I type.
In the end it looks like yahoo was not reading my current password attempts properly. I had to change browser and try repeatedly. I suspect that that live updating and feedback about password strength works better on a faster internet connection.
THIS.
Better to use a mix of grammatically valid and invalid stuff in the password though, as it makes it harder to guess 😛 Add on capital/numbers to the end if the website designer(s) are sticking to flawed password quidelines, like WINZ.
I use http://www.random.org/passwords/
Do you cut and paste those?
Guy Fawkes Eve, NZ Parliamentary Question Time, 2013
well, as fitting, there were indeed some fireworks in the House, fireworks that would be entertaining if the implications were not so serious, as serious as a four-year-old girl scarred on her face for life by the products of a commercial celebration.
Q.4 (was late due to unforeseen puncture) 🙂 Parker: on Kiwiassure, Cunliffe waving a copy of The Hollow Men in the foreground as English utilizes, what are real, fears about the risks of any company insuring New Zealand, particularly with regards to the seismic implications, while Key has earlier proposed on interest.co.nz that the government may become an equity partner in Chorus.
Great economic management displayed by National so far…Not!
now to the teaser from the Boom Box,
Q.7 Winston to Key about advice to ministers from departments, specifically Treasury on “reigning in Parata” and “spinning change in the education sector”.
Key-“I haven’t seen that Treasury advice”.
Tabling of an instant refutation to the claim requested by Peters (ruled admissible by an earlier Speaker’s Ruling) was denied by Roy.
Then, following Key receiving advice during QT concerning an error made earlier by DC, freakin’ bolshy Brownlee starts winding up, challenging the Speakers ruling at least 3 times to enable Key to grand-stand, then Key starts tag-teaming with Brownlee also challenging the Speaker’s ruling, more than once, finally blurting out the reference to make his points victory.
Great work by Grant Robertson standing up to the bully Brownlee, more than a match!
Brownlee attempts for the last word…”Will the Speaker give consideration to…”
Eric Roy capably sums up that “the House is in a fractious mood” (all that sublimated tension).
Yet, it got better, or worse, depending on your humanity,
Q.9 Jan Logie to Collins regarding implementing trials of alternative evidence-giving (inquisitive ) Criminal Trial formats for sexual offences, particularly in light of these recent pack-rapes of minors.
Collins (just getting warmed up under the collar) -refers to what is currently being done to assist victims and rules out inquisitive format. Ironically, referencing the work around and by Louise Nicholas, who was a rape victim of the Police.
Logie-” yet 90% of sexual abuse victims still do not lay complaints”
Collins- “I accept that there are many who do not come forward…” Then …Collins really hit her strides and repeated that Logie raising these matters “could taint trials”. hmmm.
Still winding up, along came some Supplementaries from her old play-mate Andrew Little
Little- “Will she modify evidence-giving procedures for sexual abuse trials?”
Collins- really seeing red, and spitting tacks, “that man lacks the courage..etc etc etc”)
Onto the Ardern / Bennett tussling
Q.10 Ardern questions Bennett on the government using, and obtaining, an objective measure of Child Poverty in New Zealand.
Bennett (clearly emotional ) cannot deny that this government does not possess such a measure with which to verify any reduction in child poverty arising from their policies.
However, she can argue this- “If the member (Ardern) can get on her high horse…”
Yep, that’s how it was today with our people. 😀
Emissions hit a new high but the rate of increase slows.
Actual global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) reached a new record of 34.5 billion tonnes in 2012. Yet, the increase in global CO2 emissions in that year slowed down to 1.1% , which was less than half the average annual increase of 2.9% over the last decade. This is remarkable, as the global economy grew by 3.5%. This development signals a shift towards less fossil-fuel-intensive activities, more use of renewable energy and increased energy saving. Increases in fossil-fuel consumption in 2012 were 2.2% for natural gas, 0.9% for oil products, and 0.6% for coal.
http://www.pbl.nl/en/news/newsitems/2013/2012-sees-slowdown-in-the-increase-in-global-co2-emissions
Infographic:
http://infographics.pbl.nl/website/globalco2/
is the upshot sustainable…ERoEI…
I think a lot of this “growth” was via financial speculation – not very energy and fuel intensive. Nor is it ‘real’ growth, just more gaming of the numbers system.
Europe is about to have their democracy smashed by a TPPA style agreement
Corporate power rules.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/04/us-trade-deal-full-frontal-assault-on-democracy
And finds new ways to enrich itself.
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21588379-mutation-way-companies-are-financed-and-managed-will-change-distribution
Something rotten in the state of Victoria
Why is Gai Waterhouse being lionized? She should be shunned.
The trainer of Fiorente, the horse that won the Melbourne Cup today, is one Gai Waterhouse. Far from being hugged and praised after the race, many people believe she should not be allowed anywhere near Flemington, or indeed any other race course.
Gai Waterhouse’s husband was responsible for the most notorious racing ring-in in Australasian equine history. In August 1984 at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm race-course, an ordinary 8-year-old gelding, Fine Cotton, was replaced for a novice handicap by a horse called Bold Personality, complete with white paint on his legs in a crude attempt to match Fine Cotton’s white markings on his hind legs. Officials smelt a rat when betting on Fine Cotton dived in from 33-1 to 7-2. The horse won by a short head, but with the paint beginning to run down the horse’s legs as it returned to scale and some onlookers shouting “ring-in” the game was up. New Zealand trainer Hayden Haitana shot through shortly after the race, only to be nabbed by police in South Australia and subsequently jailed along with scam organiser John Gillespie. But it involved some of Australia’s big racing names, and prominent bookmakers Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were warned off the country’s tracks for 14 years. ….
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10370810
The controversy continues to swirl around Gai Waterhouse. At the 2013 Sydney Cup, owner John Singleton sacked Gai Waterhouse live on television after her son Tom Waterhouse, a bookmaker, allegedly told acquaintances that Singleton’s horse More Joyous would lose the All Ages Stakes, which it did. Both Gai Waterhouse and Tom Waterhouse denied any wrong doing. ….
http://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/john-singleton-and-gai-waterhouse-in-spectacular-bust-up-at-randwick/story-fndpqu3p-1226630746541
“… many people believe she should not be allowed anywhere near Flemington, or indeed any other race course.”
Who they, Morrissey?
And is there a word for people who think woman are defined by their husbands? Mozogynist, perhaps?
ps. fine for a minor ‘failure to disclose’ verdict in the “controversial” Singleton case: $5k. Winnings in the last couple of hours: $3.5 million. Giddy up!
Who they, Morrissey?
People who care about integrity in sports. Yes, Te Reo, I know that, when you consider such travesties as the 1999 and 2011 RWC finals, every single Tour de France and nearly every professional boxing bout, that’s probably a crazy idea, but some people still do believe in the IDEA of sportsmanship and honesty.
And is there a word for people who think woman are defined by their husbands?
I don’t think the Gai Waterhouse should be judged by her criminal husband, any more than I think John Banks, should be judged by his criminal parents, or Hillary Clinton should be judged by her criminal husband. The misdeeds of Gai Waterhouse, like the misdeeds of John Banks and Hillary Clinton, should be judged on their own terms.
Just as a matter of interest, however, are you trying to suggest that Gai Waterhouse was innocent of any involvement in the Fine Cotton fraud?
Mozogynist, perhaps?
Good one! I see what you did there.
Name them, Moz! Cite the “many people” who agree with you.
If you don’t think Gai Waterhouse “should be judged by her criminal husband”, why did you do it? And why do you libel her by claiming she was involved in the Fine Cotton affair?
Name them, Moz! Cite the “many people” who agree with you.
You obviously have spent no time in Australia.
If you don’t think Gai Waterhouse “should be judged by her criminal husband”, why did you do it?
I made it clear that I had not done that. To further clarify for you, I even made the analogy with two other notorious people who should not be judged by their criminal family members, but have earned opprobrium for themselves by their own foul deeds. You have made a habit of deliberately disregarding the evidence I put up to counter your rabid accusations and also of willfully misconstruing what I write; here you are at it again, pretending I judged this dodgy woman by her husband’s crimes. If I had done that, then you would have a fair point. But I had not, and you have not.
And why do you libel her by claiming she was involved in the Fine Cotton affair?
I did not libel her. She was involved in that ridiculously unsuccessful fraud just as surely as she was involved with her dodgy son’s foolish activity in Sydney this year. Or maybe you think she was, and is, the very picture of the saintly wife and mother, oblivious to the actions of her husband and son?
C’mon, Moz, get the whip out! Usually when you’re caught out bullshitting you try to defend yourself, so I guess this time even you know you’ve blown it. To put this one in racing terms, you’ve just dead heated with the ambulance.
Again, bluster to hide the fact I’ve called you out. You’re quite humorous, though, so I don’t mind you too much.
While you’re on the line, buddy, could you just tell us what it is about Gai Waterhouse that you find so appealing?
Who says I find her appealing? Why, just you! Poor Moz, such a fascination with the English language and, alas, such a weak grip on the finer points of its effective use.
Morrisey
You’re just sore because you’re horse lost.
You’re just sore because you’re [sic] horse lost.
I refrained from betting this time, warbler.
Morrisey
Watch it, you’ll become a wowser next. Then you may have to give up the joy of poking fun at Jim Mora and we’ll lose some fine moments of irony and farce, pathos and bathos. (I’ve always wanted to use that word, bathos. Not seen much. I give it to you like a rare, fine pearl (of wisdom)!
Indeed, warbler, “bathos” is a fine word. Here’s a splendid recent example of it, all the more effective because this appallingly bad actor obviously lacks even the slightest sense of irony….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zxsvHZpEKY
Willie and JT were incredibly misogynistic in their interview with a victim of the rapists known as the “Roast Bunchers” – http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Friend-of-an-alleged-Roast-Busters-victim-calls-Willie–JT/tabid/506/articleID/38783/Default.aspx
Make sure to lodge a compaint – http://bsa.govt.nz/complaints/formal-complaint
Thankfully I missed it, Jackson’s opening statement had me doing my man shouts at cloud shtick and turning the damn thing off.
Homosexuals, unionists, feminists, teenage girls. Is there not a group that JT doesnt want to string up with piano wire?
I wouldnt want to be a lesbian teenage female trade union member…JT’s Waitakere brownshirts would come for me.
Banks make off with billions.
Nationalise the lot of them and recover our stolen money.
A few trials might restrain their corporate greed.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11151951
Mr Richards makes a point in todays DomPost.
Adding insult to injury, the American bank that bought 8 per cent of the shares that were sold in Meridian (US Meridian buy-up fuels Labour’s foreigner fear, Nov 1) would have received money from United States taxpayers in the form of quantative easing, with the intention that the money would be lent out to stimulate the US economy.
The trouble is that as very few people want to take on more debt (surprise, surprise) the banks are now using that money to buy up overseas assets.
US taxpayer money is being used to buy assets paid for by Kiwi taxpayers and the dividends are going overseas to the one per cent.
It’s not possible to get out of debt by taking on more debt, and it’s not prudent to sell an asset that’s returning a 17 per cent yield to pay off debt that’s being charged at five per cent.
The only winners in this madness are the banks who got us into this mess in the first place.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/letters-to-the-editor/9362122/Letter-The-asset-sales-money-go-round
The only incorrect line is this:
Liquidity from QE does not come from tax payers; it is not money from tax revenues. It is money magicked “out of thin air” via the Fed.
>> It is money magicked “out of thin air” via the Fed.
Social Credits funny money.
Another round of upgrades to (hopefully) improve performance. Let me know if anything shows up in the javascript as it is using a new minification system.
Next stage is the automatic spawning of a extra servers when the load goes up. Which will be pleasant as it can spike to 4-5x ‘normal’ levels over an hour.
Testing entering a comment whilst not logged in.
Better. I have cookies back again.
Umm something wrong in the minify and re-edit. Now why wasn’t that a surprise…
It is in the CSS this time..
ok an irritating lack of any ability to survive minification. It can stay off.
Yes that works…
Some deferred javascript… That seems to work..
Good.
How can we expect young women who have been raped to make formal statements when there is a clear lack of funding for qualified and experienced support for them?