Open mike 06/06/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 6th, 2019 - 128 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

128 comments on “Open mike 06/06/2019 ”

  1. johnm 1

    The media are complicit in Assange's torture and incarceration

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXzNj9CdjJI

    • Adrian Thornton 1.1

      Here is a very good piece on the subject of media accountability…

      'Corporate Media Have Second Thoughts About Exiling Julian Assange From Journalism'

      https://fair.org/home/corporate-media-have-second-thoughts-about-exiling-julian-assange-from-journalism/?awt_l=CnT3e&awt_m=hfxuQdFbXIR._TQ

    • adam 1.2

      It's getting worse for journalist's – the new Aussie govt is now in on the game of oppression.

      https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-06/scott-morrison-questioned-on-press-freedom-after-afp-raids/11184058

      • greywarshark 1.2.1

        I heard that the Oz police raid was done on their own bat. Thinking, police who answer to their own logic, to keep them free from government and political interference, isn't there a vacuum? One body full of self-righteousness and self-granted probity – isn't that like having another government body not answerable to the people. If it looks at a law and interprets it in an unintended way, is it then a rogue body within the polity?

        Same with the Army. PM Helen Clark says publicly yes go to war but don't engage. just assist as back-up. And Army says Yeah right – a fibbing Tui moment.

        And the police doing their own thing involving virtual manslaughter of naughty poor youngsters joyriding driving like they see on TV reality cop shows – excited and alarmed beyond brain control and killing themselves. Police fishing for drugs, raiding old women's homes to look for drugs which they might have to effectively kill themselves when needed. The drugs not for recreational use or to sell for mindless profit, but treated mindlessly the same by authority obeying a mindless government.

        And behind this rather loose and murky entity is the overpowering large government that holds such firm reins on others theoretically sovereign nations that they can request our police to do their bidding. Wikileaks has exposed for real what has been whispered, and they hate the truth, they can't handle it. And everywhere it pops up through journalists releases, they will act and dispute, and delete and redact and punish.

        Countries may not have control of their police because of some fine-thinking decree, but in the absence of over-arching local authority, another can step in as is apparently the case in Australia over Wikileaks publishing to the public's right to know.

        • Gabby 1.2.1.1

          I don't believe for a second the cops acted on their own initiative.

          • greywarshark 1.2.1.1.1

            Yeah. Well that is something I think I heard. But things can change fast, so can apparent facts – just take out a letter and you get fats and fast. Minute difference and such a big effect. Probably got it wrong.

            • Morrissey 1.2.1.1.1.1

              You heard that trusting statement from one Craig McMurtrie, who was interviewed this morning on RNZ National by Corin Dann. McMurtrie is the ABC's "editorial director", which means, of course, that he will have been heavily involved in shaping the ABC's demeaning, misleading, Government-friendly coverage of Assange's persecution over the last few years.

              It will be interesting to see if the likes of McMurtrie have the integrity and the courage to defend the ABC's few decent journalists who are being targeted by the Government via its publicly funded goon squad.

              McMurtrie and Dann this morning both used phrases like "chilling effect on journalism" and talked of the need to protect "whistle-blowers". McMurtrie several times expressed surprise that such state intimidation of journalists could occur "in a liberal democracy like Australia."

              Not once did either McMurtrie or Dann mention the most famed Australian whistle-blower and journalist, Julian Assange.

              • aj

                Yes, that was a stunning exercise in wonderment. Assange has figuratively been slow-boiled alive since since 2010. Now those two goons have suddenly found that the pot they are in is starting to boil as well.

                Between Trump's label of 'fake news' for any report he doesn't like, and the increasing state oppression of investigative journalists, whistle blowers, and leakers, it has never be more plain that certain actors are trying to shut the media down.

                Of course, where the USA goes Australia follows and the article "Shooting the messengers" on the Inside Story blog outlines how far down the track that track the ALP has wandered over the ditch. That article, by the way, also seems to studiously avoid mention Assange.

              • greywarshark

                That sounds as I would imagine. Watch and wait for the next exciting episode. Who needs fiction when you find so much interesting faction around. Nightly shows will be held with erudite, ironic and fluent thinkers where they guess the amount of truth in current news. Could be something like the one with Stephen Fry in UK.

          • Bewildered 1.2.1.1.2

            Good for you gabster however what you believe has no relevance to the facts

            • Grant 1.2.1.1.2.1

              Hasn't ever stopped you throwing your 'reckons' around like confetti wildebeest

              • greywarshark

                confetti wildebeest – this blog is getting very colourful and ever more interesting to read, especially when it tells it like it is about b.w.l….d.

    • johnm 1.3

      More Police Raids As War On Journalism Escalates Worldwide

      June 05, 2019 "Information Clearing House" – The Australian Federal Police have conducted two raids on journalists and seized documents in purportedly unrelated incidents in the span of just two days.

      Yesterday the AFP raided the home of News Corp Australia journalist Annika Smethurst, seeking information related to her investigative report last year which exposed the fact that the Australian government has been discussing the possibility of giving itself unprecedented powers to spy on its own citizens. Today they raided the Sydney headquarters of the Australian Broadcasting Corp, seizing information related to a 2017 investigative report on possible war crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan.

      http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/51724.htm

    • johnm 1.4

      Video: “Plutocracy V: Subterranean Fire”.

      Subterranean Fire documents historically how the capitalist class have nefariously accumulated wealth and power for selfish purposes by depriving working people of dignity and rights.

      Subterranean Fire details at the outset how strike actions and popular revolts were put down by corporations through their cronies, including police, private detectives, vigilantes, and even the National Guard. In the Homestead strike of 1892, after workers had defeated the Pinkerton agency’s private army, the National Guard was brought out.

      http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/51722.htm

      https://vimeo.com/334232406

    • johnm 1.5

      Why they want to silence Assange permanently:

      U.S. Congressman Admits His Marine Unit ‘Killed Probably Hundreds of Civilians’ in Iraq
      June 05, 2019 "Information Clearing House" – Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) has come under fire after admitting during a podcast interview that his Marine Corps unit "killed probably hundreds of civilians" during the atrocity-laden First Battle of Fallujah in 2004.

      http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/51725.htm

  2. Herodotus 2

    When will our Min of Education be honest regarding pay rates?

    From June 2018 until June 2022 teachers pay increase 9.3%, inflation 8%, BUT it will not be until the 2021/2022 that teachers pay will be higher in real terms than it was in June 2018. And he thinks that is satisfactory for teacher pay to go backwards for all 3 years of this govts. term and that strike action is not warranted ?

    • Kevin 2.1

      Teachers should count themselves lucky. There are very large numbers of workers in this country who have had no meaningful wage rise in the past 10 years.

      • greywarshark 2.1.1

        Kevin You represent backward-looking, yokel NZrs – making sure that the country never advances in any way by bringing up some negative statistic that undermines a case that somebody is making for improvements.

        There is always somebody worse off than someone else near the bottom, but one advancing can result in others getting a trickle down effect. If wealthy there isn't the same, but teachers are not wealthy just rising a little in the pay scale to middle income and yet require great skills, and their work is getting more difficult. If you can't say anything helpful try not to say anything at all. I don't notice much from you except heaps of cold sludge.

        • Gabby 2.1.1.1

          Greysie shouldn't you now lecture yourself on insulting language in your selfcreated capacity of arbiter of appropriateness?

          • greywarshark 2.1.1.1.1

            No. Thanks for doing so for me. What is your favoured term? Yokel, cold sludge? I thought they had a certain quaint ring.

            • WeTheBleeple 2.1.1.1.1.1

              Yesterday I was apparently displaying 'ageism' and 'ruralism'… methinks some doth protest too much.

              A hick is a hick.

              An old fart is an old fart.

              A Yokel is a cross between a BDSM device and a painful Swiss singing style.

              Cold sludge is a hospital meal, Tuesdays.

              • greywarshark

                Good WtB. Very funny. I think Gabby was practising a delicate art of passing faux judgment to get a rise.

      • Herodotus 2.1.2

        Such a basis for not supporting their claims, why should anyone get a pay rise. I think it is termed "Race to the Bottom"

      • gsays 2.1.3

        I am one of those workers Kevin.

        Because my wages have not had meaningful increases is no reason for denying the teacher's their claims.

        (I'm not sure if there should be an apostrophe or certain where it should go. I know, not flash in a comment boosting teachers.)

  3. Observer Tokoroa 3

    Biased and Untrustworthy

    According to "Who Funds Radio NZ"

    "Radio New Zealand provides in depth, quality, impartial programmes that might otherwise not be available on commercial radio, or without public funding ."

    What an untruth !

    This is to say that Simon Bridges, The Head of the Undemocratic Wealthy Party in New Zealand gets to speak his incoherent nonsense on Radio New Zealand each week day. He has the run of the Studio. ! Bias upon Bias upon Bias.

    He uses a segment called "Morning Report". Radio NZ's many reporters fawn over him – for they are members of his Undemocratic Wealthy Party in New Zealand.

    They, the Reporters, have helped The Wealthy Party to bring about a horrendous attack on the normal citizens of New Zealand. Hundreds of Thousands of whom have no Housing, or who are paying rents to the amount of $500 weekly on very low wages.

    Radio New Zealand is an Utter Scandal.

    It is the plaything of very very Rich. It tramples over the poor day in day out.

    We normal New Zealanders must take the Wealthy Undemocratic Party To the Highest Court in the Land.

    With the Charge that they Have denied Food, to the Citizens of this Country; they Have denied Housing; They have charged outrageous Rents; they have paid very low wages. Let us take their Banks – to the same Courts.

    Let us Get the Undemocratic filthy Wealthy National Mob – out of our Nation. ! Get Rid of Bias and inequality.

    • johnm 3.1

      100% Tokoroa! You tell it as it is. 🙂

      • Observer Tokoroa 3.1.1

        Thanks Johnm !

        It is the way it is! It is so Cruel ! But Radio New Zealand keeps rubbing their wealthy noses into this Horrendous pain !

    • vto 3.2

      Agreed. I find it quite staggering how the Wealth Party ignores the plight of those less fortunate …

      but, you know, self-justification is a sight to behold

      • Observer Tokoroa 3.2.1

        Yes – Vto

        They start by training their little girls in wealth. Then their little snobby Boys. Then they tell them not to mix with nasty poor children.

        Then in a short time they don't even know how to spell Poverty. And they get taken away to get their Tits reshaped. Then Daddy has a chat with the Cops and his boy doesn't get shoved into prison – where he should be.

        The Plod can't spell poverty.

    • Jimmy 3.3

      You need to lay off the weed OT…lol

      [Yes, that’s confusing. Can you please use a (slightly) different name (but not “James”)? Thanks – Incognito]

    • rod 3.4

      Well said OT. But it's not known as RNZ NATIONAL for nothing. Keep up the good work OT

  4. Andre 4

    NZTA's maps of their suggested "safe and appropriate speed" strongly suggests they have no fucking idea. Seriously, they suggest 100km/h as a safe and appropriate speeds for dangerous twisty high crash rate bits of road like the Desert Road from the Waihohonu Bridge through the Three Sisters through to the top of the long straight hill just south of Turangi, or SH1 beside Lake Taupo where there's the tight corners going around the bluffs, but suggest reducing parts of the Taupo bypass to 80km/h where it's limited access separate dual carriageways with median barriers.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12237693

    Scroll down to the interactive map where it toggles between the posted speed limit and suggested safe and appropriate speed.

    • bwaghorn 4.1

      Lowering speed limits would be a hell of a good way to be a one term government IMHO

    • That map seems to bear no relation to reality whatsoever. Either that or they got it round the wrong way and the slider reveals the roads that aren't safe to drive at 100kph.

      They're certainly correct that the risk of being killed in a crash would be much lower if people drove the highways at 60 – 70kph, but that's the same as it being correct that your risk of electrocution would be much lower if you turned off the mains switch in your house: it's true, but no-one in their right mind would do it.

      • Andre 4.2.1

        I'm somewhat amused by their treatment of the Waterview Tunnels. When they were opened, there was a massive song and dance about why the speed limit through them had to be 80km/h, and there's speed cameras at the entrance and exit both directions. Yet their suggested "safe and appropriate speed" is 100.

      • WeTheBleeple 4.2.2

        But!… trip times… production… gdp….

        Another reason why we need this rail injection. Less cars on road will mean less car crashes. And it doesn't have to spank the economy.

        • Psycho Milt 4.2.2.1

          I hope this government gets nine years just so they can keep putting much-needed infrastructure spending into railways, but it's freight movements that will benefit. Passenger rail is never going to a popular means of inter-city travel as long as we have narrow-gauge rail, single-tracked. Fixing that will never be viable.

          • WeTheBleeple 4.2.2.1.1

            But you are allowed your e-bikes on trains for free. So you jump on the train and have personal transport at the other end. Personally, I love this concept.

            It'll take some time for sure, we used to have an extensive rail network they were shutting lines down in the 70's and probably ever since.

            • RedLogix 4.2.2.1.1.1

              It's what I was doing in the South Is in the 70's. Only my bike didn't have an 'e'. I have many fond memories of the NZR crews, more often than not they'd let me ride on top of the mail bags in the now vanished guard wagons for free. I think it was because I was too grubby to have anywhere near proper passengers!

              And I'd get a cup of steaming hot tomato soup if I got dead lucky 🙂

      • greywarshark 4.2.3

        +1 PM

    • greywarshark 4.3

      We are repeating a similar gerfuffle to how it was when computers came in. Computers were known to be right so anything that came out of them must be genuflected to. Now it is alghorithms deciding and screening people from getting ACC treatment, and having to go at 80 on a perfect 120 km stretch of road because some bits of metal and wires in a container say so.

      What about robot police eh. That'll be the next move, the police will enjoy running robots like Military Forces are sitting on swivel-chairs running armed forces doing maneouvres against real people and their homes.

      This is serious, it is important that we don't all end up standing outside doors waiting for them to automatically open for us. And the frostbite when the electricity is down will be awful. The buzz before we collapse – if only our systems at home had informed us of this dangerous double tragedy, blizzards and non-opening doors. Oh what shall we do now, we can't phone home because the blizzards have knocked out the cellphones?

  5. WeTheBleeple 5

    My birthday today. Fitting time to apologise to the people I've been aggressively arguing with over the past couple of days.

    Tony, Peter, sorry. Gosman… lol.

    And thank you to those commenters who talked me down rather than piled on.

    Right or wrong I'm coming across angry a lot and it bothers me. It is amazing when mental health slips how emotions can take hold and your thinking ignores answers it has known for some time.

    So I'm thinking I'm angry because x said this, and y thinks I'm that….

    But anger is a secondary emotion. So what's going on?

    I am profoundly sad. I am a clever bastard and I solve problems. With climate change I just feel utterly helpless and hopeless.

    Acknowledging that I actually feel a bit better. Time for a birthday celebration of chest x rays and stool samples.

    (oh yeah, health scare going on too).

    Have a good day folks.

    • marty mars 5.1

      Be kind to yourself today mate – you have made it to here and that is a miracle in itself. Kia kaha

      You sound like you are doing the best you can and you have good awareness of your emotional state – that is awesome.

    • vto 5.2

      Good on ya Bleeple, keep rolling… and don't worry I suffer the same at times, getting all pissed off and writing aggro things, the style of which is later regretted…

      Life's a roller-coaster – you just gotta buckle up properly and hold on for the ride…

      and Happy Birthday fulla

    • mickysavage 5.3

      Have a happy birthday WTB!

    • JanM 5.4

      Happy Birthday, WeTheBeeple. Being sad is ok – coming to terms with what is happening to our world is very hard, especially when it has to be acknowledged that we, as the 'little people' can't do much to change it. Be kind to yourself and try to find something to do on your special day that you enjoy in the midst of your medical dramas. Kia kaha

    • francesca 5.5

      I wish you all the best WTB and know that you have the capacity for happiness despite it all

    • Robert Guyton 5.6

      I've been wondering about ya, WTB. When someone's an exemplar, as you are in the realm of earth-care, it must be difficult to maintain high standards when venturing "off-site" into more mundane political fields where squabbling's the norm.

      In any case, have a delightful birthday and regarding the stool sample; give 'em all you've gotsmiley

      With regards feeling sad; enjoy it while you can; sadness, especially when it's profound, is the gateway to Resolution and Growth. The alchemists said that deep darkness, charred and ruinous, is the prerequisite to the true growth that results in the state of whiteness and pure clarity; sounds like you're on your way smiley

    • Happy birthday and all the very best WtB.

      I know too, sometimes all the problems of the world just seem to press in and you feel like hitting out.

      It's no help but I remember a saying told me by an old and experienced teacher:

      "Remember, things are never that bad that they can't get worse!"

      LOL – that was meant to make me feel better!

      • WeTheBleeple 5.7.1

        Wise words. When I look where I've been and where I am now I have much to be grateful for.

    • WeTheBleeple 5.8

      Thanks everyone I really appreciate the support. Got to venture off into this rainy day and I'm delaying, sitting here with the cat purring in my lap, all toasty and warm.

      While I agree (Robert) that this process is part of healing/transformation, I do get overly frustrated with the three-steps forward, two-steps back pattern. But that's all typical human stuff?

      As I get back on the road and my world broadens again the claustrophobic crowding of fears and anxiety will subside. Too much time in this chair.

      Trying to work out a sustainable touring company. Tricky! Anyone got a spare 100K so I can get an EV with decent range.

      It is my birthday after all cheeky

      • Molly 5.8.2

        Nissan Leaf currently has a 40Kw van model that will do 250-300 km depending on terrain. My partner's work vehicle is the older 24Kw that does around 112-130km and is upgrading soon.

        There is a 7 seater on TradeMe for $37,850 but I suspect it is the low range version. My partner's boss is importing his directly from the UK. Sorry, can’t offer anything more substantive, especially since it is your birthday.

        • WeTheBleeple 5.8.2.1

          I appreciate the feedback! I got lucky. Last week(s) I took friends out to see comedy and a friend of a friend came too (new friend). So, ever the great host I filled him up with Jamiesons and introduced him to several 'stars'. Turns out his job is the importation and selling of EV's and he thinks I'm the bees knees.

          My mate mentioned my situation and I just heard he might be keen on a sponsorship deal – which would work out great for him as I'd talk up the EV in every town.

          We shall see, what a great twist of fate that that is who he was.

          Always pays to be nice, I find it much easier in theory…

      • RedLogix 5.8.3

        As I get back on the road and my world broadens again the claustrophobic crowding of fears and anxiety will subside.

        This is absolutely true. Overthinking is a killer. I found this speaks to the problem directly:

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/112265699/bad-memories-and-cringeworthy-mistakes-fester-for-insomniacs

        By temperament I have the same challenge. When I was younger I confronted it tramping, climbing and generally getting off my arse and doing things that provoked anxiety but in a controlled fashion. That was transformational, I went from being a useless 14 yr old to a functioning adult at 24 yrs. Took a while but it worked.

        Next big mistake was not being responsible for my own naivety and stupid mistakes. You WILL get fucked around with and people WILL do things that are unfair and malicious; I spent far too much of my life expecting them to be better and the world to be a fairer place, when the problem was my own weakness.

        The next piece of the puzzle is one crucial word … competence. Don't mistake this for being smart. People like you and me have relied on our IQ to get us through life, but by itself this is never sufficient. It leaves us feeling like we never quite fulfilled our potential. Or to put it bluntly … the world is full of smart people who're losers.

        Smart is a trap, it fills the mind with useless chatter, it paralyses action and it means we never reach the point where we become truly, innately competent. IQ is merely a constraining factor in success, not the root cause of it. Competence is knowledge turned into skill, they're related but not the same thing. Worst of all the mere knowledge of this is useless to you. Without volition, without purpose and will, it fails to become action. This is the secret to never giving up, it rewires the brain, it reveals the unsuspected folded within you. In this you have to be really tough on yourself.

        And Happy Birthday mate …

    • Gosman 5.9

      Happy birthday.

    • Molly 5.10

      Best wishes for today, WTB.

      I empathise with the angst, but remind myself that after all those tests and x-rays, amongst all the chaff, you seem to be surrounded by good people and green and growing things. I'll try and do the same.

      Your posts often elevate and inform, and your propensity to being just human after all, is reassuring for me at least.

    • ankerawshark 5.11

      We the Bleeple….Happy birthday! We are birthday twins. So hope you have a great day too!

      I was really moved by what you wrote a few days back about your life. I was unab to comment at the time due to technical problems that sometimes happen for me on this site.

      Anyway Happy Birthday WTB

      • greywarshark 5.11.1

        WtB Hope your birthday turns out nice. And remember there are 364 unbirthdays out there when good things and good wishes can turn up – nice surprises can abound not recognisably wrapped with bows on. Quote for the day: Life is a see-saw – up push, down fall, ready for the next day of …action, reflection, disappointment, recovery, completion, wonder, laughter, meeting of minds sweet, hopeful and ironic.

      • patricia bremner 5.11.2

        Happy Birthday Ankerrawshark, and many more.

      • WeTheBleeple 5.11.3

        Happy birthday!

        I got this mean ass bath bomb, and some nice sativa weed, and then I'll boost some blues through the amp, snacks, candles…

        Happy Birthday to me too!

        • mac1 5.11.3.1

          A little blues, and I mean blues with a capital B, for your birthday, WTB.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjLSf8y94fU

          This one gets me through. No matter how bad and sad I might feel, this guy has it more………..

          "Drak is the Night and Cold is the Ground" -Blind Willie Johnson.

          Mmm, mmm, well well aaah aaah well well mmm mmm we-e-ell

          • WeTheBleeple 5.11.3.1.1

            Yay more blues. Check bottom of thread Bonamassa's coming over in September. (Christchurch only).

            Thanks. I'm gonna turn this up LOUD so the neighbors can enjoy it too. laugh

        • ankerawshark 5.11.3.2

          Thanks We the Bleeple…Glad you got some nice stuff and love the idea of blasting some blues through the amp!!!!

    • gsays 5.12

      Many happy returns (wishes, not unwanted prezzieswink).

      As for sadness, I have found whenever I am aware of that emotion, allowing the mind to come to rest helps.

      A simple breathing exercise may help.

    • patricia bremner 5.13

      That will colour your world. We are in the middle of biopsies and waiting with our son.

      It tends to make one impatient with niggles and perceived moaners.

      So, MANY HAPPY RETURNS WTB Cheers.

    • Peter Christchurch NZ 5.14

      Happy Birthday WeTheBleeple! Sincerely!

      I guess I am one of the people who argued with you over the last few days, but nothing personal. We all have different viewpoints but I am sure we all want the best result. And a little robust and challenging discussion can help us all in the end.

      Have a great day and best of wishes for a positive outcome all round and for the year ahead!

    • Brigid 5.15

      Happy happy birthday.

      Don't forget you said yourself a day or so ago (I think it was you) that after some days of feeling bad you have days of feeling fine and dandy. I know when feeling bad I think I will never not feel bad. But it's not true. Brains can be such dicks some times.

      A shrink I know says to remind oneself to tell the brain some thoughts are simply not helpful.

      • WeTheBleeple 5.15.1

        " I know when feeling bad I think I will never not feel bad."

        Yep you definitely understand. I appreciate the kind thoughts.

    • McFlock 5.16

      Happy birthday.

      Are you coming across angry, or are you actually angry? Reading other people's comments is all about projection. If someone habitually uses the F word like punctuation rather than any real invective, others can infer anger when it was just a simple sentence 😉

    • Bewildered 5.17

      Happy birthday to WTB on behalf of all rwnj👍

    • mary_a 5.18

      WTB (5) … I sincerely hope you had a wonderful day and may you celebrate many more 🙂

      Take good care.

  6. Observer Tokoroa 6

    Hi – WeThePeeble (nifty tag!)

    You know, a lot of us are wishing you well!

    I don't how to do that, but I sure endorse it.

    The thing I worked out – some time back – is that each of us is unique. Which is a helluva beaut thing! We are not a clone. We do things our way WTP. Which is what Nature wants. Variety; penetration, Wonder. Our way is best. Hang on to that. Good man.

    By the way – you are next shout !

    • WeTheBleeple 6.1

      Thanks again everyone. Today I went to the wrong Hospital. Senility creeping in.

      The editing software here is a nightmare to drop poetry into. It's godawful. Perhaps a selling point…

      Five O + GST

      The hairdresser couldn't make me any younger but she banished the neck fluff and beat the brows back into submission

      Trimmed now I haul my aging frame out to a bench and strike conversation with Stan the homeless man

      An amputee pigeon hobbles across the walkway in front of Prada "Kinda poetic" I point 'Meryl Steep wears that shit' says Stan "You mean the Devil?" We laugh "If the Devil turns up for a dress I'm'a kick him in the nuts" I say We laugh some more

      I shake hands with Stan dropping a tenner in his palm then I walk the road

      Twenty, forty, fifty dollars Smiling gap toothed faces

      I've cheered myself up but I go all out Off to Lush for a perfumed bath bomb To Farmers for some pure wool socks and finally

      A mince and cheese pie

      Life is good.

      (that was me attempting to get a format without large gaps in each line. Not worth the bother aye).

      • greywarshark 6.1.1

        No, nay, never, No never no more, Will I play the wild rover, No, never, no more. Just keep on presenting poetry just like the above, or how it turns out WtB. You are wild and free, and great. Loved it all. Mince and cheese yeah. Who could ask for more.

      • Grant 6.1.2

        Hi WTB. Have you ever had a look at Old Norse poetry. It's difficult because they used a circumlocutory device called kenning which takes some getting used to, but it can be very powerful. My favourite is one by Egil Skalla-Grimmsson called Sonnatorrek (loss of sons) It's a thousand years old. Probably not your thing but here it is: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/sonatorrek-loss-sons.html

        • WeTheBleeple 6.1.2.1

          I like it. It could almost have been written by some Celt today. Long, but.. no telly then.

          By the format required, some of this (Skald work) might be considered 'viking doggerel' where the form relays events of the day.

          Th English Dept at Uni did my head in they spent so much time discussing things that were not there and fawning over Jane Austen, no conjoint for me… Science all the way 😀

    • marty mars 8.1

      man that kushner is one strange dude – let's just say he doesn't photograph well imo – bit saurianish

  7. greywarshark 9

    I'm getting to feel very sorry for Mr Makhlouf – National have managed to screw him up. I hope not over. Vicious little buggers in National. I am told that 2,000 hits does not meet the usual status of denial-of-service. But it is certainly way out from normal. Who actually explained the case to him? Have Treasury been hoist on their own petard in looking for well-priced contracts for maintaining their IT needs, and got what they paid for?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/391303/power-play-makhlouf-s-future-in-question-as-ireland-piles-in

    The sorry saga of hack-gate began about 6pm last Monday when a National Party staffer discovered parts of the government's Budget had been uploaded to the Treasury website.By 10am on Tuesday the Opposition had started drip-feeding details of the Wellbeing Budget – due to be released by the Finance Minister Grant Robertson on Thursday – to the media.,,, The National Party has for a week been calling for both Mr Makhlouf's and Mr Robertson's heads and has also demanded Mr Makhlouf at the least be stood down while the investigation is carried out.

    How he's not been put on leave yet is quite baffling.

    (I find it baffling how the local media can make judgments about someone being 'put on leave' over making a mistake like this very puzzling. A political journalist on a public body as Radionz calling for something that would have a destabilising effect of the government, unreasonably enhancing the minor mistake to a large misdemeanour is unsatisfactory.

    Also Radionz have a number of times referred to the event as arising from simple searching. This also shows incorrect reporting. 2000 hits is not simple searching. It was using a public search option to a degree that normal public would be unaware of; a back-door way to manipulate the option to draw out more information than was intended to be available. It was a fault in the program and either known or found by manipulation then used to the full by working overtime to get the 2,000 hits.)

    It would have been a long weary task but a sneaky and malign Opposition found it valuable and to its taste.

    Scoop's take on it:

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1906/S00009/lyndon-hood-better-analogies-for-national-pilfering-budget-data.htm

    • McFlock 9.1

      A denial of service attack just shuts websites down, it doesn't extract data.

      The problem was with the search engine and the little samples of documents you get in the search results: you see a bit in front and a bit behind the search terms. So if you then search for those bits behind the original search, you can find the bits that come after them, and piece the whole document together that way. Those were the 2000 hits.

      Debating whether that's a "hack" (conjuring images of spotty teens keyboard-mashing in basements to cool industrial soundtracks) is a distraction from the absolute fact that the people who extracted that data knew they should not be authorised to access the contents of budget documents in that way, yet still did so.

      That's why the nats are pushing so hard on Makhlouf. Distract people from realising that what they did was illegal, and therefore that a police referral was appropriate.

      • RedLogix 9.1.1

        To my mind it was a 'hack' alright. That is was a very easy hack technically is irrelevant. ALL hacks exploit some form of public domain vulnerability in a manner the owner of the site does not intend.

        is a distraction from the absolute fact that the people who extracted that data knew they should not be authorised to access the contents of budget documents in that way, yet still did so

        That is the critical and obvious point that most of the media seem determined to ignore. Totally agree with you on this one 🙂

    • Gosman 9.2

      You are obviously not well versed in IT based on your comments above. 2000 hits on the public search feature of an organisation in the time specified is not a lot at all.

    • From that linked Stuff article:

      a National Party staffer discovered parts of the government's Budget had been uploaded to the Treasury website.

      For fuck's sake, parts of the budget were not uploaded to the Treasury's web site, and that has been explained multiple times in various forums by people who know what they're talking about. Journalists should know better by now. The budget documents were indexed by the web site's search engine, which is not the same thing at all.

      The mistake was somebody missing a config change they needed to make to a search engine. How that gets parlayed into something Gabriel Makhlouf and Grant Robertson should resign or be stood down for is beyond me. I notice Simon Bridges hasn't offered to resign for carrying out a data breach on a government agency, which sounds much more like a resignation offence to me.

  8. Rosemary McDonald 10

    "Broken promises" and "lies" are the words Ms Johnstone uses to describe her disappointment with the Labour government she's previously campaigned for after it failed to meaningfully boost funding to Pharmac in its latest budget.

    "I was devastated," said Ms Johnstone, whose eight-year-old daughter Lucy featured on a Labour campaign advertisement during the last elections.

    "David Clarke and Jacinda Ardern had all said they were going to improve cancer care and we believed it."

    "I'd had friends who had never voted before who said, 'that's it, I'm enrolling and I'm going to vote' and who messaged me on the day 'I went and voted for you Claudine, I want to give you a chance.' So I feel like I've lied to them too, I've let them down."

    Pharmac received just a $10 million increase in annual income over the next four years in the Wellbeing budget but that only results in a 1 percent lift.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018698319/broken-promises-and-lies-people-like-me-don-t-matter-nz-breast-cancer-sufferer

    It's too late now, these Kiwis have flown….but what about other voters who were foolish enough to believe the spin?

    Those who were lied to by the current government will not necessarily vote National…they just won’t vote at all.

    • Siobhan 10.1

      "Those who were lied to by the current government will not necessarily vote National…they just won’t vote at all"

      ..indeed, it will be interesting to see turn out next election. Certainly I can see, at best, large disaffected/disillusioned groups dragging their feet reluctantly to the voting booths…though I get the feeling Labours 'trump card*' is hoping that National stick with Bridges.

      *Both a figurative and Literal pun at this time. And a strategy that didn't help the Democrats last election.

      • Rosemary McDonald 10.1.1

        There is deep disillusionment out here in formerly Hopeful Land. The wounds from National's hard arsed years are still raw, and the Wellbeing Balm is not being spread evenly across all those who have done it tough for well over a decade.

        Making the most vulnerable on benefits wait years for any appreciable relief is cruel and unforgivable and will hurt children and those who are unable to work through health and disability issues most.

        On these pages there appears to be little appetite for supporting those calling for an increase in Pharmac's budget so New Zealanders are not looking enviously at their Aussie cousins while their lives slip way.

        • WeTheBleeple 10.1.1.1

          I read the comment then went to check an article in Ingenio which just arrived 'Fighting Cancer: Our Research Revolution'

          It's mostly to do with immune therapy, and how they believe they may have cancer beat – eventually. Apparently our survival rate was 24% in 1972, and 57% today. Still not great but definitely better.

          All this research they're doing is rather brilliant and so is the team. But at the end of the day it's still a pipeline to make new drugs that pharmaceutical companies get hold of. Then, all that taxpayer money and philanthropy given to them is converted to dollars for billionaires and screw you.

          As I see it.

          I only lasted a few months in medical (micro) biology as I realised they were after new drugs, and I was after eliminating the need for them.

          • Incognito 10.1.1.1.1

            The whole Big Pharma drug business model is self-perpetuating and monopolising in the sense that it is the only existing pipeline, i.e. they are the only game in town. Therefore, it is inevitable that sooner or later a new drug or treatment ends up with and in the hands of Big Pharma. They will recoup costs plus a healthy [pardon the pun] profit margin so that they keep their shareholders happy and can keep investing in the next blockbuster. They need to do this to stay in business or become the target of a hostile take-over or a ‘friendly’ merger or acquisition.

            If this pattern can be broken, or bypassed rather, and I think it can, and much of the irrelevant ‘development costs’ be removed then overall costs will drop and more smaller (niche) players can enter the game.

            Instead of bringing new drugs to market, it will be bringing new drugs to patients. A fundamental shift in thinking AKA a paradigm shift.

            An example of a different model is the money the Government spends on combatting Kauri disease. It is not profit-driven but needs-driven. I’d like to to think that it can be done in other settings too!

            • Rosemary McDonald 10.1.1.1.1.1

              I agree entirely Incognito.

              In the meantime, it is the system we are stuck with..with Pharmac acting as gatekeeper.

              While we await this fundamental paradigm shift what do we say (as taxpayers) to those who are having the funding cut for the drugs that work for their condition or cannot get funding for drugs that are working for others overseas with their condition?

              Oh that's right….die or fuck off.

  9. greywarshark 11

    Thanks lprent

    Note everyone Daily Review at No.15. Things looking up on the search side.

  10. Grant 12

    Yeah!! Joe Bonamassa's coming to town. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMqvPYPvQ0

  11. Morrissey 13

    "Shut your mouf! Why don't you shut your mouf!?" —- Sad old git "Lord" Sugar doesn't like being confronted with his racist comments.

    Piers Moron and that hideous, hectoring woman next to him are almost as nasty and ignorant as “Lord” Sugar….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M04Cqc7MTc

    • marty mars 13.1

      Bloody hell bettered by piers? ffs – great to watch though ta – sugar was classic

      • Morrissey 13.1.1

        It's a pleasure, marty. I love seeing these fools melt down in public. Sugar's simply a gross and disgusting creature—a repulsive mixture of two other elderly racists, Donald Trump and our own "Sir" Bob Jones—-and his performance was nothing more or less than you would expect.

        Less edifying, of course, is to see Keith Olberman, who used to be a thoughtful and intelligent commentator, allow himself to degenerate into a deranged conspiracy theorist, barking madly about "Russian SCUM!!!!"…..

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrKKPGhh-ZU&t=2s

  12. greywarshark 14

    How efficient NZ business is effective on the ground?

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12042757 1 May, 2018 10:30am

    SkyCity convention centre faces further six-month delay…. the Auckland-based company told the Macquarie Investor Conference in Sydney today.

    When Fletcher won the contract in October 2015, construction was predicted to start in late December that year and be finished in February 2019. However after *Fletcher ran into problems with cost blowouts, SkyCity said last year that the deadline had been pushed out to mid-2019.

    SkyCity said today that its investment in the projects is expected to be in line with the original budget of about $703m, and it remains comfortable with the contractual arrangements. The construction contracts provide for liquidated damages, which should mitigate losses through delay, the company said….

    The company said it has secured three major convention bookings since March, in addition to the six previously announced, and continues to work on numerous leads and opportunities. The 33,000sq m facility will be the largest purpose-built convention centre [Auckland NZ International Convention Centre] in the country.

    *Remember that Fletcher shares are now owned by many overseas retirement trusts etc. So they have come to NZ grabbed all the contracts and spoiled the flow of our business to our companies, and then FU and don't keep to contract. Also Fletchers seem to be majorly building casinos, and convention centres round the country. So is that where the building resources and foreign investment (so good for NZ economy) is going?

    from June 8, 2016 https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/job-losses-feared-auckland-convention-centre-steel-contract-goes-offshoreJob losses feared as Auckland convention centre steel contract goes offshore

    "There is not doubt in my mind that local industry could deliver the required amount of steel and the required quality as well," said David Moore, Grayson Engineering chief executive. "We'd just like to say we're here, we're capable, we have the skill set."

    While the steel companies accept international competition, they say it's ultimately workers here who are being let down.

    The union Etu has slammed the steel contract decision.

    "I think it's a national disgrace that we are not supporting our local manufacturers who employ local people on big local jobs," said Joe Gallagher of the union.

    • Molly 14.1

      Our government also fails to recognise the assistance China gives her steel mills in financial terms as "subsidies", and so no tariffs or penalties are applied to imports.

      Therefore any domestic steel manufacturers are often unable to compete or even match on product price.

      • greywarshark 14.1.1

        Cinderella is sweet often but rather simple. She keeps hoping for a Prince with good heart and bags of money. Meantime she whiles away her days dreaming of pumpkins turning into carriages, but that only happens in fairy stories. That is about the summation of our intellectual expertise and likely outcome I fear.

  13. Eco maori 15

    Kia ora The Am Show.

    Its good that the gun person face supprisson order been lifted people will see Hes a puppet .

    scottmo is suppressing the media in Australia is it accommodation ?????????

    Eco Maori says the Obamas keeping a public profile is awesome we need good people to show the Papatuanuku how good whanau behave there spotafi deal will help keep that Phenomenon going congratulations on the book.

    Alcohol causes a lot of harm to our society it's the usual everything in moderation 2 to 3 in the evening not getting stuffed up by the stuff.

    It's good that the teachers strike next week has been called off. Why get rid of Kiwibuild there are people under the bridge judy can't get that logic.

    It cool that Aotearoa scientists are pioneering ruamoko earthquake monertying technology to save lives.

    That's why he didn't sign the social media clauses set up in one way its good to see Rugby.

    Tall people have a advantage in society us average height tangata are ok my sons give me stick because they are taller than me.

    The weight problem is dietary we consume way too much sugar it should be only put in the petrol tanks when the price of carbon goes up it will force the price of sugar up and it will all be diverted to fuel hopefully.

    Ka kite ano P.S nice photo shoot Amanda

  14. Eco maori 16

    Here you go Whanau this proves that the wealthy make OUR laws to suit their ideals .

    I have heard a old saying you have to have poverty to keep the system going to keep wages low to keep the economy humming along YEA RIGHT what's wrong with everyone having enough money to have a happy healthy life now and in the future.

    You see Whanau it's the 99.9 % tangata who make the system if we all champion equalty for all it will happen.

    The Wealthy could gift half of their money to the poor and still have plenty to play with .

    Inequality is unlikely to fall much in the future unless our attitudes turn unequivocally against it. Among other things, we will need to accept that how much people earn in the market is often not what they deserve, and that the tax they pay is not taking from what is rightfully theirs.

    One crucial reason why we have done so little to reduce inequality in recent years is that we downplay the role of luck in achieving success. Parents teach their children that almost all goals are attainable if you try hard enough. This is a lie, but there is a good excuse for it: unless you try your best, many goals will definitely remain unreachable Inequality begets further inequality. As the top 1% grow richer, they have more incentive and more ability to enrich themselves further. They exert more and more influence on politics, from election-campaign funding to lobbying over particular rules and regulations. The result is a stream of policies that help them but are inefficient and wasteful. Leftwing critics have called it “socialism for the rich”. Even the billionaire investor Warren Buffett seems to agree: “There’s been class warfare going on for the last 20 years and my class has won,

    Ka kite ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2019/jun/06/socialism-for-the-rich-the-evils-of-bad-economics

  15. Eco maori 17

    It gives Eco Maori a sore face to see that our rangitahi are raising the awareness of climate changes being a huge threat to our future society's.

    Public concern about the environment has soared to record levels in the UK since the visit of Greta Thunberg to parliament and the Extinction Rebellion protests in April.

    The environment is now cited by people as the third most pressing issue facing the nation in tracking data from the polling company YouGov that began in 2010. Environment was ranked after Brexit and health, but is ahead of the economy, crime and immigration

    Ka kite ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/05/greta-thunberg-effect-public-concern-over-environment-reaches-record-high

  16. Eco maori 18

    The Whole Papatuanuku need to follow in the footsteps of these good intellectuals whom can see that recycling everything we can so as not to over exploit mother earth's capacity

    The smell in Natural Weigh, a zero-waste shop that opened a year ago in Crickhowell in mid-Wales, is lovely. The shop – filled with pasta, grains, seeds and dried fruit served from hoppers to avoid plastic packaging; washing-up liquid and laundry products that customers pump into their battered old squeezy bottles; fair-trade coffee and chocolate, plus an array of environmentally friendly products, such as bamboo toothbrush holders, plastic-free dental floss and vegan leather snack pouches – looks lovely. The little town itself, which prides itself on having the best high street in Britain, is lovely, too. I am captivated ka kite ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/21/the-zero-waste-revolution-how-a-new-wave-of-shops-could-end-excess-packaging

  17. Eco maori 19

    Congratulations for your win Lisa I agree we can not let the disruptors win they use racial issues any issues to stirs up the people emotions and lie next minute when they are in power the people are let down because everything farge promises is just lies to pull in the votes .I think that there should be a huge fine for Bullshiting pollies who are caught losing.

    Peterborough byelection result: Labour scrapes past Brexit party to hold seat

    Labour’s Lisa Forbes says result shows ‘the politics of division will never win’

    Newly elected Labour MP Lisa Forbes gives her winners speech after the count for the Peterborough byelection.

    Labour has held on to the marginal seat of Peterborough, defeating predictions that the contest could deliver a first byelection victory to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party.

    Addressing her supporters early on Friday following the count, Labour candidate Lisa Forbes said: “Tonight’s result is significant because it shows that the politics of division will never win

    Ka kite ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/07/peterborough-byelection-result-labour-sees-off-brexit-party-threat-to-hold-seat

  18. Eco maori 20

    Kia ora Newshub.

    The tramper missing in the Tararua rangers hope he is found a live sounds like he is onto it fingers crossed.

    It would be good to have cameras on all fishing boats to keep the fishermen honest and make them be extremely careful in areas where our endangered Maui dolphins resides.

    A month rain in 24 hours the bad weather making havoc in America at the minute———–.

    That is good luck the British motorbike rider who was impailed on a branch of the tree he crashed into on his bike.

    The plastic fantastic roads being made using recycled plastic is awesome that is the correct attitude never giving in on your quest to recycle our waste . This is just the start in our recycle reuse SOCIETY.

    Ka kite ano

  19. Eco maori 21

    Kia ora te ao Maori news.

    Ka pai to te ao Maori news and Mr Black for championing the need for science room for the tamariki at that kurakopapa.

    Mr Dews I agree we need to come up with new fishing techniques to stop the damage being dune to our endangered Maui dolphins.

    Its is that Vanuatu got that hurricane last year it wreaked havoc on there coffee crop and plants 5 million from Aotearoa to help their Agricultural sector is very good.

    It would be nice to see whare around all Marae I say we should structure mahi cottage industry around our Marae as well as houses we need to create our own mahi and money with the Marae mana the whanau won't let it fail.

    Eco Maori is a fan of Ardijah and Pukuhohe Maori TV comedy series.

    Ka kite ano P.S thanks

  20. Eco maori 22

    Kia ora Newshub Nation.

    There are some farmers not being compliant on the environment laws for their property the few make the many look bad .

    I agree we need to have more horticultural farming having policies and money to make that happen is cool

    Its the old saying don't have to marry eggs in one basket we need to all Farm Organically also have to much exposure to China and dariy prices at the minute.

    Alcohol needs to be restricted alcohol is a problem that has caused a lot of damage to tangata whenua Eco Maori say it's a gateway drug to harder DRUGS.

    It should not be sold in food outlets supermarket keep the stuff out of sight of our Mokopuna.

    I don't think that alcohol companies should be in school education tamariki about alcohol bad effects that's what the media job is .

    Its hard for people with disabilities in our society's culture at the minute we need to value and respect our disadvantage tangata.

    I agree the state making the disabled to keep producing duplicates of forms to apply for state funding when in most cases the person circumstance doesn't change how ridiculous.

    Ka kite ana

  21. Eco maori 23

    Some Eco Maori music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/gOsM-DYAEhY

  22. Eco maori 24

    Eco Maori thinks that junk food is definitely causing food allergies I think that is what was wrong with my mokopuna a last year all the chemicals that are put into that stuff is amazing that the food companies can get away with it commercialism 1

    A ballooning diet of junk food might be one of the factors fuelling a rise in food allergies, researchers have suggested.

    Experts say they have seen a rise in food allergies in western countries, including the UK. While true prevalence can be tricky to determine, data published by NHS Digital shows episodes of anaphylactic shock in England due to adverse food reactions rose steadily from 1,362 in 2011-12 to 1,922 in 2016-17.

    The culprit, some scientists have suggested, could be substances known as advanced glycation endproducts, or AGEs.

    AGEs occur naturally in the body, but they are found in high levels in highly processed foods, as well as other sources such as cooked meats. They form when sugars react with proteins or lipids. High levels of AGEs in the body, which it has been suggested can result from consuming AGE-rich foods, have previously been linked to a number of conditions including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Now a small study by researchers in Italy has shown that children with food allergies have higher levels of AGEs in their bodies than healthy children without allergies. Children with respiratory allergies showed no such differences. The team also found that children with higher levels of AGEs consumed more food containing such substances la kite ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/08/junk-food-rise-food-allergies-children

    • WeTheBleeple 24.1

      Outstanding effort Eco maori, thank you.

      From the food study

      “Canani said the team’s research using cells suggested AGEs might directly interact with with immune cells, and they also seemed to have a detrimental effect on the gut barrier.”

      That (gut epithelial deterioration) aligns with other studies into various conditions associated with dietary problems including Coeliac’s and IBS.

  23. Eco maori 25

    Kia ora Newshub.

    I decided to stay out of the Crusaders debate.

    The housing shortage is dire it's bad that those people in Edgecome liveing in a tent 2 working but there are no suitable houses thanks shonky.

    I say its very cool the walking tracks being closed so they can be up graded with board walls to minimize the spread of the Kauri die back disease in Auckland.

    That's awesome NASA selling fairs to the space station that we're we have to go in the future. Its cool world health is it or highlighting all the plastic waste being washed into Tangaroa and our Awa

    Ka kite ano

  24. Eco maori 26

    Kia ora te ao Maori news.

    The skilled teachers shortage is another symptom of the last ten years of a government that ran the country cut budgets for core government services and gave the wealthy tax cuts.

    The extra work for the people of Kai kohi planting trees is cool mahi is great for the wairua.

    The sky tower challenge its cool that the aim is to tau toko mental health

    Good short film made about Wahine monthly periods and Kuia menopause being short listed for a award.

    Congratulations and good luck with your new song and single Pere

    Ka kite ano

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