Open Mike 06/07/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 6th, 2017 - 120 comments
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120 comments on “Open Mike 06/07/2017 ”

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  1. Andre 1
    6 July 2017 at 6:28 am

    Heh. To honour Independence Day in the US, the NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Trumpkins lose their shit, thinking NPR is hating on their beloved King Donald the Doll-Handed.

    http://www.salon.com/2017/07/05/nprs-declaration-of-independence-tweetstorm-angered-some-trump-supporters/

  2. Carolyn_nth 2
    6 July 2017 at 6:39 am

    Lab-Green claim win in huge drop in foreign trusts registered in NZ.

    Judith Collins says – Oh no, there weren’t any dodgy trusts registering in NZ before law change; now the amount of paper work is just too difficult for large numbers of said “Trusts”.

    And arch-spinner (dis)honourable Mr Key, nowhere to be seen.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      6 July 2017 at 10:19 am

      Yep, saw that. But, IMO, it’s telling that 3000 said that they would withdraw while 5000+ simply, quietly, disappeared.

  3. Cinny 3
    6 July 2017 at 7:33 am

    Morena, Winston Peters will be speaking at the Motueka RSA this morning at 10am if anyone is interested.

    Motueka RSA is at the North end of High St, opposite the Top of the Town Dairy.

    • alwyn 3.1
      6 July 2017 at 10:25 am

      I don’t think it is “where IN Motueka” will Winnie be speaking that is important.
      For anyone reading this who comes from North of the Bombay hills the question is going to be “where IS Motueka”.
      Or even “What is Motueka”.
      Or possibly I am judging the residents of Auckland a bit harshly.

      • marty mars 3.1.1
        6 July 2017 at 10:42 am

        It ain’t mot chew acre that’s for sure ☺

        • greywarshark 3.1.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 12:38 pm

          marty mars
          Yes not many speakers say mor-too-eka. The 21st century and it’s improved education is coming, sometime. (Have I got the sound right of the pronunciation.)

          • Robert Guyton 3.1.1.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 1:10 pm

            motu – an island, in this case, “on land” island, like an oasis or a grove
            weka (eka) – well, they’re birds, ain’t they.
            Must have been, back in the day, an distinct areain which weka were readily found, I reckon, that Motueka.

          • marty mars 3.1.1.1.2
            6 July 2017 at 8:07 pm

            + 1 nice one grey ☺

      • Cinny 3.1.2
        6 July 2017 at 6:38 pm

        Alwyn if any aren’t sure where Motueka is, am sure they would not have been able to make there in time.

        But for any who are unsure…

        Motueka is a small seaside town located in the Tasman Bay. We’ve a population of around 7k, 11k including the surrounding areas, such as the Motueka Valley etc. We are rich in horticulture especially pip fruit, Talleys Fisheries HQ is located here, it’s the second largest town in the Tasman District and one of NZ’s Top Towns.

        Tis the gateway town to the Abel Tasman National Park, around 15 mins drive to either Kaiteriteri Beach or Marahau where the park entrance is.

        Promotional video…. 😀

        • The decrypter 3.1.2.1
          6 July 2017 at 7:46 pm

          Like the look of the beer,quite a few small breweries around the area. Where was nick in the promo?

          • Cinny 3.1.2.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 8:04 pm

            Aye Motueka grows hops 😀

            We’re on the other side of the Nelson boundary, West Coast/Tasman electorate would be gutted if Dr Custard was our MP.

            Are lucky enough to have one of the hardest working most approachable MP’s in the country representing us. Damien O’Connor, he’s awesome, seriously everyone here rates him highly from the hippies to the millionaires.

  4. Carolyn_nth 4
    6 July 2017 at 7:44 am

    This bit of independent investigative journalism, using Freedom of Info documents obtained from US intelligence services, gives an indication of the widespread influence these services have on Hollywood movies and TV.

    This is not terribly surprising to anyone who has watched a lot of US movies and TV.

    Alongside the massive scale of these operations, our new book National Security Cinema details how US government involvement also includes script rewrites on some of the biggest and most popular films, including James Bond, the Transformers franchise, and movies from the Marvel and DC cinematic universes.

    A similar influence is exerted over military-supported TV, which ranges from Hawaii Five-O to America’s Got Talent, Oprah and Jay Leno to Cupcake Wars, along with numerous documentaries by PBS, the History Channel and the BBC.

    • marty mars 4.1
      6 July 2017 at 10:46 am

      Very interesting and important. The depth and range of their influence is surprising. I wonder what other government groups censor stuff – like CC for instance. Not many movies made about that other than ‘grim umm I’d rather not think about it’ ones.

  5. Robert Guyton 5
    6 July 2017 at 7:55 am

    Another round of serious disquiet in Southland involving the National Party

    “Prominent Southlanders have appealed to the associate finance minister to urgently investigate the Community Trust of Southland and the treatment of its now former chief executive John Prendergast.

    A copy of a letter addressed to minister Amy Adams, obtained by Stuff, asks her to investigate the current happenings at the Community Trust of Southland “which are causing us grave concern for the integrity of the trust and for the impact on, and implications for, the wider Southland community”.

    However, Adams has indicated she would not be investigating, saying on Tuesday evening that the information provided to her has so far not met the high threshold needed to begin an investigation.”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/94363134/southlanders-ask-minister-to-investigate-community-trust-of-southland

  6. marty mars 6
    6 July 2017 at 8:17 am

    Gnats will give 5 million to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and CUT the funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre.

    The Auckland Women’s Centre, which has provided support services to tens of thousands of women since 1975, has been forced to turn to the community for support after a massive cut to its funding.

    It supports about 4000 women including those suffering abuse, eating disorders, health issues and those needing parenting support.

    It was receiving $100,000 from government a year but as of this month it will not get anything.

    but look the gnats are going to blame another group for this

    The Ministry of Social Development last year began transferring about $11.3 million in funding from some community organisations to programmes meeting Whānau Ora outcomes, which target the most vulnerable communities including Māori and Pasifika.

    It said contracts that did not meet this requirement would not be renewed – and the Auckland Women’s Centre has missed out as result.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/334494/women-s-centre-funding-whisked-away

    Divide and conquer the old time proven way of oppressing people and the gnats are expert.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 6.1
      6 July 2017 at 11:33 am

      Has anybody modeled what specifically these guys do before funding is allocated?

      They have to be doing, speaking, to someone and using statistics to be consistently successful yah.

  7. james 7
    6 July 2017 at 8:27 am

    “Gnats will give 5 million to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and CUT the funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre”

    Good try at trying to make them sound as if they are linked.

    • marty mars 7.1
      6 July 2017 at 9:37 am

      They are linked by money or financial support from the government.

    • Pete 7.2
      6 July 2017 at 9:40 am

      Is 5 million being given to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and Government funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre been cut?

      The link is that it’s government funding. the link is that 5 million is being given to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and Government funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre has been cut.

      I don’t have to try make it sound they’re linked, there is a link.

      • james 7.2.1
        6 July 2017 at 9:44 am

        No there isnt.

        Totally different budget pools – and if you read they give the reason –

        “The Ministry of Social Development last year began transferring about $11.3 million in funding from some community organisations to programmes meeting Whānau Ora outcomes, which target the most vulnerable communities including Māori and Pasifika.

        It said contracts that did not meet this requirement would not be renewed – and the Auckland Women’s Centre has missed out as result.”

        Its a stupid logic jump that this is linked to the America cup.

        For starters – the funding for the cup has just happened – and this has been ongoing for a while.

        You have logic issues.

        • Molly 7.2.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 10:23 am

          The government makes a choice on where funding is allocated.

          The government has chosen to grant $5 million to the America’s Cup.

          The government has decided to not continue the $100,000/annum funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre. As you say, this has been achieved by the oft-used mechanism of requiring changes to administration and focus for continued funding. (Shouldn’t withdrawal of funds from established programmes relate to fraud, failure to be effective?)

          This familiar technique is often used to withdraw from programmes with established processes and results, and transfer to new untested ones. When some of those new programmes fall over (which is often the case) that funding is then withdrawn completely.

          It’s a long dishonest game, but National is world-class player.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.2
          6 July 2017 at 10:25 am

          For starters – the funding for the cup has just happened – and this has been ongoing for a while.

          So why cut it?

          And that reason that the Nats gave speaks of Billshit. The Women’s Centre obviously also targeted the most vulnerable.

          • Molly 7.2.1.2.1
            6 July 2017 at 10:56 am

            “And that reason that the Nats gave speaks of Billshit. The Women’s Centre obviously also targeted the most vulnerable.”

            Another aspect of this type of “reason” is that supporters, workers, volunteers and recipients of programmes like this are conditioned to link their withdrawal of funds to Maaori and Pasifika advocacy.

            A quiet foment of dog-whistling provided by the Nats once again.

            • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.2.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 12:40 pm

              A quiet foment of dog-whistling provided by the Nats once again.

              Yep, that too.

        • adam 7.2.1.3
          6 July 2017 at 10:30 am

          Are you being obtuse or dumb james? I can’t tell. The whole point of political economy is to decide where money goes, not what is in a funding stream or other such spin.

          A jump in logic would be to imply you have a love of violence, and that is extending to women because you won’t support the agencies which protect them. But, then again, in your case that might not be too big a jump.

          • james 7.2.1.3.1
            6 July 2017 at 12:07 pm

            “A jump in logic would be to imply you have a love of violence, and that is extending to women because you won’t support the agencies which protect them. But, then again, in your case that might not be too big a jump.”

            I find that people who make comments like that are normally the most likely to engage in that kind of behaviour themselves.

            • adam 7.2.1.3.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 1:50 pm

              I see you are finally admitting you don’t understand the basics of political economy.

            • Pete 7.2.1.3.1.2
              6 July 2017 at 6:42 pm

              We obviously went to different logic schools. You went to the same one as Bill English the results of which have been on display for all to see with the Barclay shambles.

              It’s taxpayers’ money doled out by the Government. Just like the payout in the Barclay situation, just like the payout to the Saudi sheep man …

              It’s called priorities.

          • In Vino 7.2.1.3.2
            6 July 2017 at 7:14 pm

            Quite right.
            To put it more simply, James, it is all water, and quibbling about which puddle – sorry – pool it comes from is truly asinine. The Government has clearly shown its priorities. Live with it.

    • indiana 7.3
      6 July 2017 at 11:26 am

      I guess you had no issues when Labour was giving money to Team NZ.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 7.4
      6 July 2017 at 11:35 am

      I thought the effort was more of a contrast.

      Women’s Centers are a fraction of the cost and don’t get a look in. Why?

    • marty mars 8.1
      6 July 2017 at 10:01 am

      + 1

      Yep Susan has grown into the role well. I wonder what she thinks of where she was at when she started the role. Massive personal growth is what I see.

      • joe90 8.1.1
        6 July 2017 at 10:32 am

        Reading some of the comments from around the time Dame Susan was appointed and I reckon there are more than a few apologies due.

        • Molly 8.1.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 10:47 am

          The comments still are valid. As marty mars says, Susan Devoy seems to have learnt a lot over the last few years and kudos to her for that.

          However, there is likely to have been many people who had that knowledge at the time of her appointment, and would have been a better advocate right from the outset.

          The point remains: is the RRC role a set of training wheels for one person to work through their prejudices and issues, or is it a place where an experienced and knowledgeable commissioner can be relied upon to deal with convoluted issues?

          I’m glad that she is stepping up to the plate now. I’m not persuaded that those who criticised her appointment were wrong to do so.

          • joe90 8.1.1.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 11:03 am

            Some comments were well beyond criticising the appointment, they were personal attacks on her motives, intellect and ability.

            • Molly 8.1.1.1.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 11:14 am

              Then those comments were irrelevant to the appointment, and should not have been made.

              The comments relating to her experience and knowledge were still valid.

        • marty mars 8.1.1.2
          6 July 2017 at 11:22 am

          Good discussion. I have posted a sorry to Susan a while ago. Can’t remember what I wrote when she was appointed but I’m sure I was unimpressed.

  9. Sanctuary 9
    6 July 2017 at 9:38 am

    Anyone heard anything out of the All Blacks this week? Any cheery pop ups on ZM stations for a bit of joucular bro talk and some reinforcing of stereotypes? No? infotainment bits on the news about new players or milestones? No?

    There is a deep, black and angry silence this week. I hope the Zambuks have got extra supplies for Saturday, cos dem Lions, they gonna be made to pay.

    Haven’t looked forward to a matchup like this since Tetraites the Myrmillo, hero of the camp of Compendium, took on the Gallo-Briton Brexic back in 74AD…

    • marty mars 9.1
      6 July 2017 at 10:02 am

      Try radiosport maaate

      • Sanctuary 9.1.1
        6 July 2017 at 1:03 pm

        And how about you try and learn to enjoy yourself, you know, not to be an insufferably boring person with no off switch and apparently no ability to think about more than one issue at a time?

        I, for one, am looking forward to kicking back with some suitably partisan friends and watching a big rugby game on Saturday. And what is more, I’ll not have some dreary fellow with an enormous chip on his shoulder dictate the conversation in something called “open mike”, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it maaate.

        • marty mars 9.1.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 1:42 pm

          Or you could try radiosport to get the answers and discussion you want eh dick. ffs.

        • McFlock 9.1.1.2
          6 July 2017 at 1:52 pm

          I, for one, am looking forward to kicking back with some suitably partisan friends and watching a big rugby game on Saturday.

          That’s the bit I really found hilarious about blinglish’s “I am hu-mon. Hu-mons like sports, jump up and say ‘yes’ when their team wins. I will do this for the America’s Cup. Hu-mons will recognise me as one of them” tweet: the camera went around the room, and it was empty.

          The only people he was watching the race with was the person who filmed him being excited, and they were so carried away by the result that they were concentrating on filming his reaction.

    • Gabby 9.2
      6 July 2017 at 5:31 pm

      Well I heard Sonnybill is getting the day off, yay for him!

    • Cinny 9.3
      6 July 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Why yes… the outgoing PM gave them a mention during his Americas Cup speech

      I know right? I was shocked too to hear the name of our national rugby team pass his lips lmfao sarc.

      He said something like… if the All Blacks can do as good a job as Team NZ blah blah,

      Bill looking for common ground, everyone loves the AB’s give them a mention in an attempt to win some votes, hey it worked for the PM who quit.

    • mauī 9.4
      6 July 2017 at 7:15 pm

      Rachel Stewart on twitter:

      “How refreshing to hear the ABs got beaten. I love that shit.”

      hehe

  10. Stunned Mullet 10
    6 July 2017 at 9:52 am

    Best piece I’ve read in the Herald for some time.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11886319

    • marty mars 10.1
      6 July 2017 at 9:58 am

      Agree. I’ve been impressed by their articles on suicide – they have been putting some strong and multiple articles up. This is another good one. Thanks for highlighting it SM.

    • gsays 10.2
      6 July 2017 at 3:33 pm

      thanks from me too, stunned.
      i agree with the former coroner.
      i reckon the silent approach is largely flawed nowadays.
      the prevalence of devices, and cyber places for youngsters to ‘congrgate’ could lead to lots of disinformation.
      if there were honest discussions in the public forum, youth and others would have something to compare to what they experience from the ether.

  11. rhinocrates 11
    6 July 2017 at 10:07 am

    NPR tweets the Declaration of Independence as part of its regular 4th of July celebration, and followers of the Orangegropenfuhrer freak.

    https://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/calling-for-a-revolution-trump-fans-triggered-after-npr-tweets-out-the-declaration-of-independence/

    http://americannewsx.com/human-interest/people-take-offense-npr-quoting-declaration-independence/

    “Point many missed, re: @NPR DOI hilarity, is not that trump supporters didn’t recognize the doc, but that they DID recognize trump”:

  12. Bearded Git 12
    6 July 2017 at 10:51 am

    Supreme Court has just held that conservation land cannot be taken to build the Ruataniwha Dam. Nats vanity project dead in the water?

  13. Ad 13
    6 July 2017 at 11:04 am

    The Supreme Court has just ruled the land acquisition for the Ruataniwha Dam as unlawful.

    Shit will go down.

    • rhinocrates 14.1
      6 July 2017 at 11:55 am

      He’s finally noticed?

      I must say that I’ve been thoroughly underwhelmed by Little. The only way he’s dealt with parasites like Robertson and Mallard has been to pander to them.

    • Draco T Bastard 14.2
      6 July 2017 at 12:40 pm

      Yep, Labour has never been a social party. It has always supported and strengthened capitalism. Even now when it’s obvious that capitalism simply doesn’t work.

    • McFlock 14.3
      6 July 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Why is he saying that Little hasn’t put a lid on Labour ructions? I’d say that it’s one of his strengths over previous leaders: the ones who expect promotion without putting in the work are slowly trickling down the list and pissing off to the tories.

      Most politicians have a tendency towards self promotion, but the “levelling down” of infighting and undermining seems to have a decent lid on it. The tories like to talk about barbeques and Ardern’s puff pieces, but the fact is the number of leakers in caucus seems to have dwindled more than a Canterbury aquifer.

      • adam 14.3.1
        6 July 2017 at 1:10 pm

        Not sure why he said that of Little. The Māori caucus? Maybe he knows something.

        • McFlock 14.3.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 1:36 pm

          Maybe. Or maybe he’s just not one to let facts get in the way of his expert opinion.

          • adam 14.3.1.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 1:53 pm

            There is that.

            edit: also the fact Chris likes to tease people with information he has.

            • Karen 14.3.1.1.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 2:07 pm

              “Chris likes to tease people with information he has.”

              Correction:
              Chris likes to pretend he knows stuff when in fact he knows nothing.

              • Anne …
                6 July 2017 at 7:14 pm

                Further correction:
                Chris likes to weave fiction and fantasy into stuff and then convince himself it’s reality.

  15. Gristle 15
    6 July 2017 at 12:21 pm

    Being a newcomer to the Hawkes Bay I was warned not to buy out along the coast around Clifton as erosion and sea level rise is likely to see a lot of land disappear. Sure enough, yesterday saw the sea come 2 metres closer to homes, roads and power lines. This was not caused by some big storm, just a good swell.

    Affected locals call for financial compensation from the council or that it build sea walls for about 5 km.

    This scenario will be replicated at many other locations as sea level rise by about 3mm per annum. What should we be doing? Build defences, retreat, compensate, relocate infrastructure, leave land owners to sort out their own problem? I am not sure, but one thing we should do today is stop making the problem bigger by allowing more development below the 10m or 20m contour.

    • Draco T Bastard 15.1
      6 July 2017 at 12:32 pm

      Affected locals call for financial compensation from the council or that it build sea walls for about 5 km.

      They were aware of the risks when they built/bought and so can fuck off.

      but one thing we should do today is stop making the problem bigger by allowing more development below the 10m or 20m contour.

      QFT

      • Gristle 15.1.1
        6 July 2017 at 12:48 pm

        The FO option is one that has some merit, but on the other hand we do socialise risk for earthquakes and slips.

        I am waiting for all those holiday suburbs like Pawanui to come to the realisation that their sea views will only increase: to the point that the water is lapping the door step. The political power these people can bring will see it rapidly become a central government problem and you just know that they will want to have their losses socialised. For me, paying a cent from the public purse for a holiday home is totally wrong.

        • Sanctuary 15.1.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 1:06 pm

          Draco T Bastard is correct, the problem of erosion in Huamoana/Clifton has been known for years, the coast has been going backwards there every since I was a little ‘un.

          The council is guilty of continuing to allow people to buy – even being 30m back from the beach isn’t safe – but caveat emptor kicks in somewhere and they shouldn’t bleat for ratepayers money when they took a calculated risk on purchase that hasn’t paid off.

          • s y d 15.1.1.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 1:52 pm

            Experience in other places (e.g. Waihi Beach) would tend to reinforce a view that protective works are carried out based, mainly, on who owns the property that may be affected.

            • Molly 15.1.1.1.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 2:25 pm

              … and therein lies another risk, that protective works carried out in one location often increase the damage done to neighbouring areas or properties.

      • greywarshark 15.1.2
        6 July 2017 at 2:52 pm

        DTB and Gistle
        It is time for Councils to make these moves and refuse building permits so people don’t feel they are safe from risks, that it is just a bunch of old moaners worrying over nothing. Open them up to camping grounds with some reasonable sewerage, allow trailer parks and then they can drive away when the sea hits the sand.

  16. james 16
    6 July 2017 at 2:08 pm

    Seems apart from Standard readers who want him banned from the airwaves – Mike Hosking is doing very well and grew his market share of listeners in Auckland.

    Of course some people on here will call him all sorts of names – but I just think this shows the disconnect between the general public and some of the commenters on here (who of course think they know better).

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11886776

    I think he could be in for a nice wee bonus.

    • Andre 16.1
      6 July 2017 at 2:12 pm

      Oh dear. Proof that Dorkland really is full of dorks.

    • Molly 16.2
      6 July 2017 at 2:23 pm

      “…who want him banned from the airwaves
      Link to this? Most comments seem to be about not wanting our state broadcaster to employ him because of his inaccuracies and rants.

      He can retain his private employ and continue his inanities for ever as far as I am concerned. He is a good example for media studies.

    • McFlock 16.3
      6 July 2017 at 2:33 pm

      Doesn’t NZME also still employ partner-basher Veitch? Fitting company.

    • Robert Guyton 16.4
      6 July 2017 at 2:40 pm

      Some questions for James: you say you don’t listen to Hoskings. Those here who do, dislike what he says and does. Why do you feel the need to post in favour of someone you haven’t (you say) listened too? Are you just trying to wind-up people here?
      How is that not trolling?

      • james 16.4.1
        6 July 2017 at 3:12 pm

        I dont listen to him. I posted it as an opposing position to the people who seem to call him all sorts of names and want him off radio. Im just pointing out that a lot of normal people listen to him – so perhaps they should look at their biases.

        • McFlock 16.4.1.1
          6 July 2017 at 3:22 pm

          opposition for the sake of opposition, then.

          Why does a lot of people listening mean that he shouldn’t be called names?

          and the opinions expressed were that he is too partisan to be funded by the state broadcaster, not that he shouldn’t be allowed to be broadcast at all. Sorry to burst your delusions.

          • james 16.4.1.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 3:34 pm

            Sorry to burst your lies – but some wanted him pulled from all TV. As in banning.

            “garibaldi 2.2
            5 July 2017 at 8:10 am
            He should be permanently pulled from all public exposure full stop.”

            As for calling someone names – if you cannot work that out – I hope you are fine with people doing it about you and your family in real life also.

            • Psycho Milt 16.4.1.1.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 3:45 pm

              I hope you are fine with people doing it about you and your family in real life also.

              Unlike with Hosking, I haven’t noticed McFlock pointlessly making a cunt of himself over and over again in the media, so it’s unlikely he’d be called the kinds of names Hosking is. In any case: don’t think of them as “names,” think of them as “reasonably accurate descriptions.” Someone who makes a career out of publicly broadcasting loathesome opinions should expect a fair amount of loathing as a result.

            • McFlock 16.4.1.1.1.2
              6 July 2017 at 4:12 pm

              fair call on the banning thing, although I think you’re emphasising a less-common attitude for convenience.

              As for calling people names – yeah, I don’t take it personal. That’s how I managed to do venue security for a decade without getting complaints agin me. I didn’t give a shit if someone called me a cunt because I refused them entry. None of it’s personal. None of the hoons calling names as they pass by at night mean it – if they don’t give it a second thought, why should I?

              But on the odd occasion someone has called me a name and it did bother me. Because I reflected on why they called me names, and realised they had grounds to do it, and I was in the wrong. I wasn’t upset at them, I was upset at myself. I deserved it, I’d made a stupid move.

              Only a fucking idiot gets upset if someone calls them names without cause. The name-caller’s opinion on the matter is obviously worthless. But maybe that’s an insight one only acquires after being screamed at by a drunk fuck for a constant 45 minutes before your offsider takes his turn on the door. And the following night the same drunk fuck thinks he’s your best mate.

              • james …
                6 July 2017 at 4:33 pm

                Thanks for the very reasoned reply.

                I still stand by calling names on people because of your views (if they differ from yours) – and Im referring to others on here not so much you – is wrong.

                Yet many on this forum think its reasonable and right.

                But (and this is aimed at nobody at all) – lets say your wife / daughter had a view on something – lets say they agree with Hoskins, or liked Trump, or were pro abortion – or whatever.

                They have their reasons (whatever they may be). Is it really right that others call them a stupid cunt for their position. Or a fucken baby murderer? What about racist? What about telling people they are racist because they like Trump (the two are not necessarily linked).

                Lets call them that to their face, in front of people – write it on public forums so when people searching for them can see the abuse that is leveled at them.

                Would you stand by and watch that happen to them and think its OK? IS it OK for people to just let it slide – because they agree with abuser?

                NZ Has a suicide problem – on that we can all agree.

                Yet many seem happy to ply abuse on people because their views differ – and to me thats never right.

                You cannot say its bad to bully and name call a kid, or a transgendered person, or a woman, and then go do it to somebody else because they happen to differ in political views to you.

                • McFlock …
                  6 July 2017 at 5:01 pm

                  Well, I try to avoid calling people words like “cunt”, but I’ve definitely called people baby-killers. Anti-vaxxers and/or tories, if I recall correctly.

                  The thing is, I can and did provide reasons to back it up. It’s not because their opinions differ from mine, it’s because I think that the views they express, and in some cases the very expression of those views, will indirectly cause the deaths of babies.

                  I think that’s part of the miscommunication: you say it’s because Hosking expresses different views that he is called names. I think that most of the people here who call him names do so because they honestly believe his propaganda validates the very real suffering and hardship, and occasional deaths, of thousands of NZers. And they have reasonable grounds to believe that. That’s one difference between abusing tories and abusing minorities.

                  The main difference between name-calling someone like Hosking or an advocate for the mismanagement of this government on the one hand, and children/women/minorities on the other, is like the difference between slaves calling a slaveholder a slaveholder and slaveholders calling a slave a slave. There’s a massive power imbalance that your comparison fails to acknowledge. One is a reasonable description that confronts the situation, the other attempts to reinforce the situation.

                • Robert Guyton …
                  6 July 2017 at 6:10 pm

                  James said:
                  “I still stand by calling names on people because of your views (if they differ from yours) – and Im referring to others on here not so much you – is wrong.”

                  QFT

            • In Vino 16.4.1.1.1.3
              6 July 2017 at 7:18 pm

              It is possible that Garibaldi meant Public (ie, state-owned) TV when he made his comment. That I would agree with, unless immediate right of reply is given after each rant.

        • Robert Guyton 16.4.1.2
          6 July 2017 at 6:07 pm

          Calling people names, James? James, James, James – who here repeatedly calls Andrew Little, “Angry Andy”, James? James, that’s who.
          The stench of hypocrisy wafts from you, James, like … a stench.

          • James 16.4.1.2.1
            6 July 2017 at 9:09 pm

            Fair point – I do say that.

            • gsays 16.4.1.2.1.1
              7 July 2017 at 9:06 am

              Hi James,
              another thing that is wrong is being deliberately disingenuous.
              I reckon some points of pedantry argued on here, while deliberately avoiding the main thrust is also wrong.
              You know, derailling behaviour.

    • Bearded Git 16.5
      6 July 2017 at 2:40 pm

      Radio NZ Morning Report 430,000 listeners (April) Mike Hoskin 325,000 listeners (July).

      Looks like there are a few discerning listeners out there.

      https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/05/11/26463/the-rise-and-rise-of-rnz

    • ianmac 16.6
      6 July 2017 at 2:42 pm

      Notice that the dominance of RNZ is not mentioned. I believe Morning Report out-guns little Mike by a hundred thousand or so.
      Edit: So true Bearded Git.

    • Gabby 16.7
      6 July 2017 at 5:42 pm

      It’s cos people think he’s Jeremy Wells.

    • Cinny 16.8
      6 July 2017 at 6:57 pm

      By crikey… was wondering why I don’t tune into… but according to their frequency list I’d have to warm up my valve radio, only AM frequency in Nelson region.

      With that in mind, not many if any people in the Nelson region listen to Hosking on the radio.

  17. Robert Guyton 17
    6 July 2017 at 3:02 pm

    Invercargill MP, Sarah Dowie, National, writes in The Southland Times:

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/94397621/healthcare-a-top-priority

    Healthcare a top priority

    “Quality healthcare is important to all of us and this Government is continuing to deliver a world-class healthcare system with proper mental health support for all Southlanders.”

    Southlanders respond:

    Cousin aged 55 waited six months , was in pain and was ignored, , finally paid private and is now back full time at work We will remember this election.

    5 hours ago
    Just think
    I know of Southlander’s who have died, because by the time they met the criteria to be seen, it was too late to help them.

    7 hours ago
    Ruz
    This is a political broadcast from the National Party written and authorised by the Office of the Prime Minister.

  18. Sacha 18
    6 July 2017 at 8:32 pm

    Admirably clear accessible web design advice from the UK govt: https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2016/09/02/dos-and-donts-on-designing-for-accessibility

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