Open mike 06/07/2016

52 comments on “Open mike 06/07/2016 ”

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1. Paul 1

   6 July 2016 at 6:21 am

   Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
   We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

   Uncaring, cruel.
   Work and Income.

   ‘Do we just pack up and go on the street?’
   A woman borrowing money to stay in a motel says her family is being forced into homelessness by Work and Income.
   Tuaine Murray has been living in an Auckland motel with her partner and wheelchair-bound 12-year-old son for two months, while they wait for a Housing New Zealand house.
   A scathing review of the emergency housing system last year found many people on benefits were falling into debt they could never repay, by borrowing government money to stay in motels.
   Work and Income is now offering one week of free accommodation to those otherwise homeless.
   But Ms Murray, who was $12,000 in debt to Work and Income, said the agency had told her it would no longer loan her the full amount of $1400 a week for her motel bill.
   She would now have to pay $450 a week out of her benefit to live in the motel, which the family could not afford, she said.
   “I mean, if we do that we’ll have totally nothing, we’ll have absolutely nothing.
   “They said that $150 is enough for our food a week, which is fine… But we won’t even have that if they start taking $450 out,” she said.

   More here….
   http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201807114
   http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/308019/'do-we-just-pack-up-and-go-on-the-street-‘
   • tc 1.1

     6 July 2016 at 6:50 am

     Wonder what nationals herald will be distracting the sheeplike with today.

     Yesterday it was a dodgy piece of fibre installation which isn’t news to anyone following Joyce’s UFB ticket clipping taxpayer funded rollout where.

     Joyce never bothered granting adequate rights for smoother installation just let them battle the lines companies, councils and existing property laws without the ease of access to do their tasks that say a lines operator can work within.

     There’s a good story there but it’s not one that reflects well on the geniuses in the cabinet club which is a recurring theme isn’t it Murray.
     • Paul 1.1.1

       6 July 2016 at 7:28 am

       The Herald’s distraction
       Cluedo

       The media sucks.

       http://m.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11669345
     • Paul 1.1.2

       6 July 2016 at 7:32 am

       Stuff’s (Fairfax Media) distraction

       Reality TV
       The media sucks.

       http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/81800322/The-Block-NZ-Are-these-contestants-guilty-of-cheating
   • johnm 1.2

     6 July 2016 at 10:29 am

     Key’s mates are profiting! The unemployed and working poor are commodities, prey for landlordism and motel owners, paid by the government and extracted blood out of a stone later from the hapless poor.
2. RedLogix 2

   6 July 2016 at 7:42 am

   Monbiot is usually a must read. Today he’s the ONLY thing worth reading:

   In none of its incarnations has Labour produced a credible response. It has, at different points in the past half-century, either burrowed back into the lost world or abandoned its core principles to deliver a slightly less toxic version of the Tory assault. It has not been able to find a place of comfort on the spectrum between dreary and frightening, perhaps because this is the wrong spectrum. It has failed to articulate what must be the core project of a new progressive politics: discovering the common purpose in diversity.

   https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/05/labour-survive-governing-alone-political-alliance-unity-british-left-power
   • Colonial Viper 2.1

     6 July 2016 at 10:01 am

     +1

     In addition – Labour Parties around the world have organisationally divided to enforce, emphasise and strengthen the differences between various ethnic-gender-sexuality-income-education-urban-rural components of society and every permutation and combination within.

     Also the Labour Party and Labour Party activists and politicians have become uber specialists at playing JMG’s Victim-Rescuer-Persecutor game. (Which I think you recently mentioned?).
     • RedLogix 2.1.1

       6 July 2016 at 10:31 am

       Yes … and the underlying purpose of the game being for the ‘rescuers to prevent any worthwhile gains for the so called ‘victims’.

       Which is now undeniably obvious in the behaviour of the UK PLP.
   • Draco T Bastard 2.2

     6 July 2016 at 2:54 pm

     Oh, Graeber is also worth reading:

     After all, insofar as politics is a game of personalities, of scandals, foibles and acts of “leadership”, political journalists are not just the referees – in a real sense they are the field on which the game is played. Democratisation would turn them into reporters once again, in much the same way as it would turn politicians into representatives. In either case, it would mark a dramatic decline in personal power and influence. It would mark an equally dramatic rise in power for unions, constituent councils, and local activists – the very people who have rallied to Corbyn’s support.
3. Bill Drees 3

   6 July 2016 at 7:43 am

   Keith Vaz, Chuka Umunna and Tories on the commons home affairs select committee questioned Jeremy Corbyn about anti-semitism the other day. Listen to the pod cast link below.
   They are utterly disrespectful and nasty towards Corbyn. They speak to him as though he is a criminal. Vaz has had many brushes with near criminal scandals!
   The smug Blairites are a plague on the Labour Party. Labour is better of without ignorant people like Vaz. Corbyn is right not to cede control of Labour to people like that.

   http://aod-pod-ww-live.edgesuite.net/mpg_mp3_med/2c97c59455b545760155b7e13b3919b0–audio–Short-YIP-05-07-16-Pod_mpg_mp3_med.mp3?__gda__=1467768411_51ab830b5fda4321a57e907f95b6ffcf
   • swordfish 3.1

     6 July 2016 at 10:04 am

     I see Neal Lawson, chair of the Soft Left think-tank, Compass, argues that a split in the British Labour Party is now all but inevitable, regardless of whether or not Corbyn is on the ballot paper.

     His reasoning:

     If Corbyn is on ballot = he will win and, as a result, the bulk of the PLP will go their own way.

     If he’s deprived of a place on the ballot = the anger of Party members will cause a split.
     • Colonial Viper 3.1.1

       6 July 2016 at 10:09 am

       Labour Party candidates can be got rid of by and new ones selected from local electorate organisations.

       The only issue will be if whole membership branches and organisations go with the Blairite MPs.
       • swordfish 3.1.1.1

         6 July 2016 at 10:34 am

         From BBC Newsnight

         01:14
         30 Jun

         “Yesterday, they voted by a margin of 172 to 40 in a vote of no-confidence against his leadership. Some MPs speculated that after the EU referendum, enthusiasm amongst the party grassroots had similarly soured.

         There’s some evidence that this hope is wishful thinking. Newsnight has spoken to more than 50 Constituency Labour Party chairs and secretaries who endorsed Corbyn last year. Of those, 45 continue to offer their support and believe that their constituencies will again nominate the leader in the now inevitable leadership contest.

         Many we spoke to were nothing short of incensed at the antics of the party’s MPs.

         Patrick Smith, chair of Hull North said: “If they don’t listen to the membership then they should just leave.”

         The chairman of Hartlepool CLP echoed that, saying: “The MPs seem more interested in the interests of the PLP rather than the membership.”

         Another went further still: “It’s an absolute outrage. You’d think these characters were sleeper agents for the Tories. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they were working for Lynton Crosby.”
         • swordfish 3.1.1.1.1

           6 July 2016 at 11:01 am

           The same BBC Newsnight episode commissioned a post-Brexit / post-Coup eruption Poll of the Labour Party Selectorate that was a little more comforting for Corbyn supporters than the YouGov one.

           It found Labour Party members had only slightly cooled on Corbyn’s leadership, with 59% still supporting him (same as he received in last year’s contest and just 5 points down on the previous poll of Labour members).

           That compares with the YouGov taken around the same time that suggested a steeper fall for Corbyn over the last month, with a fairly precarious majority wanting him to continue as leader (51% to 44%), and saying they would likely vote for him in another leadership contest (50% to 47%).

           On the other hand, 60% disapproved of the coup and the mass resignations from the Shadow Cabinet and in hypothetical head-to-head match-ups, Corbyn was still clearly ahead in this YouGov by 10 points over Eagle, 11 over Watson and 17 over Jarvis. (Since the poll, the Soft Left’s Owen Smith has suddenly appeared as the new favoured contender for the PLP plotters).

           Polls have also shown that most Labour Voters (as opposed to just members) do not want him to stand down.

           Corbyn stand down ?

           YouGov / Times
           26-27 June

           …………………………….Yes………No……Unsure
           Labour Voters: …….. 35………54…………11

           Com Res / Sunday Mirror
           24 June
           Labour Voters:……….40…….. 49……….. 10

           Having said that, 35-40% is much higher than you’d want – so I wouldn’t want to downplay the crisis and the degree of negativity toward Corbyn that’s emerged over the last few weeks among members and voters.
   • Karen 3.2

     6 July 2016 at 10:35 am

     A satirical look at the attempts to defame Jeremy Corbyn.

     https://markfiddaman.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/6-links-jeremy-corbyn-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about/
   • swordfish 3.3

     6 July 2016 at 11:40 am

     An almost 50-year brutal Occupation of Palestinian land, a never-ending process of ethnic cleansing and de-facto annexation, all in direct violation of International Law, regular large-scale massacres of men, women and children in Gaza and Lebanon by Israeli forces … and yet these spineless, ruthlessly-ambitious members of Labour (and Tory) Parliamentary ‘Friends of Israel’ have the absolute fucking temerity to accuse Corbyn of associating with racists and terrorists ???

     Jaw-dropping. Absolutely Jaw-dropping.
4. Greg 4

   6 July 2016 at 8:29 am

   https://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/31991930/government-shooting-at-wrong-target-when-tackling-surging-houses-prices-investors/#page1

   tackling a player who isnt playing with the ball,
   nothing on restricting foreign buyers to building new houses,

   jesus wept.
   its policy on the hoof, from this moronic Tory party
5. johnm 5

   6 July 2016 at 10:23 am

   The U$ Neocon nightmare is set to get even worse.

   This week Eric welcomes back to the show author and filmmaker John Pilger to discuss the specter haunting Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America: Hillary Clinton. Eric and John discuss how Hillary represents a mortal danger to the world, and why Donald Trump has provided a very convenient bogeyman to hide the Democrat monster under our collective bed. The conversation also touches on the pernicious influence of the corporate media, the danger of liberal delusions and lesser evilism, the disastrous implications of a Hillary Clinton presidency for the poor and marginalized in the United States, and, of course, everyone’s favorite subject: nuclear war. It’s an uplifting hour with one of the leading anti-war, anti-imperialist voices of today.

   http://store.counterpunch.org/john-pilger-episode-47/
6. Puckish Rogue 6

   6 July 2016 at 11:07 am

   Who says NZherald doesn’t inform us of useful information:

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11669443

   Just another reason I’m glad I live in the South Island
   • Colonial Viper 6.1

     6 July 2016 at 11:21 am

     Also why you should be suspicious of any one who has moved down here from the North Island lol!
     • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1

       6 July 2016 at 11:45 am

       Anyone that has moved from the North Island to the South shows they have intelligence and good taste
       • Colonial Viper 6.1.1.1

         6 July 2016 at 11:52 am

         Yes. And STIs.
   • mac1 6.2

     6 July 2016 at 11:59 am

     This just shows that we South Islanders don’t get around much any more. Gore used to be the STD capital of NZ back when we were young.

     “Been invited on dates
     Might have gone but what for
     Awfully different without you
     Don’t get around much anymore” -Duke Ellington
   • Draco T Bastard 6.3

     6 July 2016 at 3:16 pm

     Seems that the article you linked to has now been removed.
     • Puckish Rogue 6.3.1

       6 July 2016 at 4:23 pm

       Well that’s just censorship gone mad!
7. swordfish 7

   6 July 2016 at 12:02 pm

   Turnbull has only himself to Blame
   Associate Professor Shaun Carney in the Sydney Morning Herald

   “Malcolm Turnbull has been leader of the federal Liberal Party twice – once as opposition leader, the second as prime minister. On both occasions he has blown it. He has not been the victim of outside forces, nor an ambush, nor terrible luck. He has inflicted the damage on himself.

   The narrative he and his Liberal deputy Julie Bishop tried to get up on election night – that the near-disaster of the result inflicted on their government at the nation’s polling booths was down to Labor lies about Medicare – is not convincing.

   This excuse goes to Turnbull’s real problem: he’s not a very talented politician. By focusing on Labor’s “Mediscare” campaign, he was as good as telling Australians who shifted their vote from Liberal to Labor that they were gullible dills.

   The one time in the political cycle when a politician should not be casting doubt on the wisdom and intelligence of voters is in the hours and days after an election.”
   • Ad 7.1

     6 July 2016 at 3:45 pm

     The Liberal coalition expertise with Special votes appears to have borne very timely dividends this election with the marginals. A salutary lesson for the left here.
8. Nessalt 8

   6 July 2016 at 12:13 pm

   Oh look, the divinely happy workers in the peoples socialist paradise of venezuela have crossed over to take gifts to their columbian neighbours.

   Wait, no, no, it’s a civil invasion of a neighbouring prosperous capitalist country to steal basic food items.
   • Colonial Viper 8.1

     6 July 2016 at 12:16 pm

     Venezuela is under attack by its own elite supported by outside capitalist forces.

     The US corporates have never forgiven the Chavez government for nationalising their oil operations there.
   • Colonial Viper 8.2

     6 July 2016 at 12:20 pm

     Also – the US completed a soft coup of Columbia after their last elections. Columbia is regime fully supported by US bankers and corporations.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 8.3

     6 July 2016 at 12:27 pm

     You managed to find a government that does a worse job than the National Party? Good thing not a single one of NZ’s opposition parties is proposing anything remotely like that, eh.

     Is pretending they are the only security blankie you can clutch at? Sad,
   • Ad 8.4

     6 July 2016 at 3:43 pm

     Those Venezuelan governments have been even worse than the Saudis for managing to take the national endowment of the second-biggest oil deposits in the world and over half a century and the greatest resource boom we will ever see, and simply piss their bounty away.

     I don’t care which version of the elites were doing their elitist thing.
     Excuses are useless once there’s food riots.
9. swordfish 9

   6 July 2016 at 1:49 pm

   UK Labour Party membership applications surge to 100,000 since EU Referendum / on-set of Leadership Coup – meaning total membership will reach an astonishing half million

   A week ago, sources revealed 60,000 people had joined Labour since June 23 – with questionnaire-based research suggesting roughly 60% had done so specifically to ensure Corbyn remains Leader. The latest figures show the party continues to add members at a rapid rate.

   It’s understood that 30,000 people applied to join the party on one day alone last week.

   http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-party-membership-applications-surge-100000-since-eu-referendum_uk_577be9e8e4b073366f0fe97f?edition=uk&utm_hp_ref=uk
   • The Lone Haranguer 9.1

     6 July 2016 at 2:23 pm

     So who is the “anti-establishment” candidate for NZ?

     Winston has been around for ages, but traditionally sells out for the baubles of power, so he doesnt fit the bill. In the UK, Corbyn has been around for ages too, but unlike Winston, he has remained honest to his principles.

     Hone cant win the mainstream, and nobody in Labour can get the “missing 800,000” out to vote.

     Wheres our Champion?
     • UncookedSelachimorpha 9.1.1

       6 July 2016 at 4:09 pm

       “Hone cant win the mainstream”

       Seems to be the case, but why is Hone’s popularity so limited? I’ve sometimes wondered.
       • b waghorn 9.1.1.1

         6 July 2016 at 4:27 pm

         He was getting there till he jumped into bed with a dodgy millionaire
         • marty mars 9.1.1.1.1

           6 July 2016 at 5:54 pm

           He wasn’t getting there and imo never will – thank the Gods for that. Hone isn’t mainstream and once again imo never will be – the big bloated middle that every dog and his man go for is not his base.

           Eventually the mainstream may move or be pushed by climatic, economic and traumatic events towards the Hone end of the spectrum – when that happens another leader further along that spectrum will emerge.
           • b waghorn 9.1.1.1.1.1

             6 July 2016 at 6:10 pm

             ok mainstream was probably the wrong term but mana was gaining support slowly and steaderly and had the best chance of getting a decent % of the non voters on board. btw id love to see mana rise again as long as its an inclusive party not a maori only party.
             • marty mars …

               6 July 2016 at 6:26 pm

               “btw id love to see mana rise again as long as its an inclusive party not a maori only party”

               I don’t see how legally it could be Māori only let alone trying to check everyone. Luckily that is not the kaupapa for Mana – anyone can join – I can’t imagine it would work if you didn’t believe in tino rangatiratanga and equality via the Treaty though.
               • b waghorn …

                 6 July 2016 at 7:22 pm

                 Just reflecting on his last musings on the direction of mana and having minto and co take a back seat.
                 • marty mars …

                   6 July 2016 at 7:46 pm

                   Anyone of any colour, creed or belief system can believe and support equality – in fact I say it is incumbent on us all to do so.
         • weston 9.1.1.1.2

           6 July 2016 at 7:00 pm

           that millionaire wasnt even that dodgy i can think of a far more dodgy one cant you ?? but feel free to continue the primeministers character assassination work for him though
           • b waghorn 9.1.1.1.2.1

             6 July 2016 at 7:25 pm

             dot coms first mate and beneficiary was banks . if you want to live under the delusion that dot com is a benevolent robin hood good luck , but i see a chancer who wanted to buy his way out of a bind.
       • Gabby 9.1.1.2

         6 July 2016 at 6:32 pm

         Because he’s a fairly unpleasant fellow, maybe?
         • marty mars 9.1.1.2.1

           6 July 2016 at 7:48 pm

           is that what you think Gabby?
           • Gabby 9.1.1.2.1.1

             6 July 2016 at 8:28 pm

             I’m not a big fan, Marty.
             • marty mars …

               6 July 2016 at 8:55 pm

               fair enough – you’re not alone with that opinion
   • Ad 9.2

     6 July 2016 at 3:38 pm

     That’s a major split looming.

     I feel a “New Labour” coming on fast.

     If there’s just one good thing coming out of Brexit, it’s democratic revival within both major parties.
10. b waghorn 10

    6 July 2016 at 4:37 pm

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/308075/sea-level-threat-homeowners-'going-to-be-very-upset‘

    Another day a another CC story . surely its sinking in to the masses that we should do something.
    Oh and its a big no comment from blinglish .
11. Tory 11

    6 July 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Update over here in Tory Land. “Iron Lady” mk2 about to be new leader of Conservatives while Corbyn and Labour about to split. Oh Happy Days 🙂
    • Gangnam Style 11.1

      6 July 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Collins & Bennett must be green with envy, they just ain’t got it.
12. The Chairman 12

    6 July 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Action Man: Battlefield Casualties
    https://youtu.be/YstIrarh2iE

    https://youtu.be/MHlCZDzNLKQ

    https://youtu.be/A0AiWr6d9W4

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