Open mike 07/10/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 7th, 2015 - 81 comments
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81 comments on “Open mike 07/10/2015 ”

  1. Paul 1

    Until we see the text of the TPPA, we won’t know the extent of its impact on our health, environment and sovereignty.
    However, we do know we didn’t get any magic beans for our cow.

    • Rosie 1.1

      Thats true Paul. And without knowing any of the details of the deal, in full, we can’t organise protest and action around the very worst aspects of the deal.

      Mind you, will a political shitstorm in the States while they are full swing into election campaigning, actually provide the people of the 12 nations with a glimmer of hope that the deal won’t be ratified? (See TPP Roundup post).

      The lives of NZer’s and the protections of our environment are beyond our control and are now in the hands of the Americans. They decide, not us. We are now at their mercy.

      • Pat 1.1.1

        and relying on Congress is fraught as the corporates have the deepest pockets

        • Rosie 1.1.1.1

          Yep, they’ll be chucking millions of $$$ at targeted candidates to keep their agenda on track.

      • James 1.1.2

        “Thats true Paul. And without knowing any of the details of the deal, in full, we can’t organise protest and action around the very worst aspects of the deal.”

        Without knowing the details – how will you know there is anything to protest about?

        • Rosie 1.1.2.1

          Oh thats right. The TPP is a totally benign deal that will in no way affect the citizens of the countries involved in any detrimental way at all.

          Thats why we don’t have groups like Doctors For Healthy Trade, It’s Our Future and Action Stations and respected academics like Jane Kelsey spending the last few years…………..oh yeah, there might be a problem with the TPP. And those thousands that tuned out in the streets to protest. Just “rent a crowd” eh?

          Well one thing we know already James is that under the TPP NZ can’t ban the sale of NZ property to investors from any of the countries signed to the TPP. So, the action that the OIO took in blocking the sale of the Lochivar Station to overseas buyers wouldn’t be allowed to happen once the TPP is ratified.

          A massive free for all NZ land grab by wealthy overseas investors. You OK with that? that whole “tenant in our own land” buzz?

      • music4menz 1.1.3

        Hi Rosie, could you please give me specific examples of how my life and the protection of my environment is no longer to be within my control? How am I personally now to be at the mercy of the Americans?

        • Rosie 1.1.3.1

          Groan. I can’t give you specific examples of how your life will be affected because as yet, we don’t have access to the full text of the deal. Hence my initial comment to Paul re planning protest and action. No plans without knowledge of the text.

          Our future as NZer’s is at the mercy of the Americans as they are the ones that trigger the TPP being signed off once they ratify it. It’s out of our hands.

          In the meantime maybe don’t plan to buy a house in Auckland or get cancer in the next few years.

          No music4womenz?

          • Grant 1.1.3.1.1

            All a matter of how you read it Rosie. Could be ‘music 4 me nz’.. 🙂

            • Rosie 1.1.3.1.1.1

              Yes, I read it that way too. I was winding music4menz up – the comment made was kind of a smart ar*e one. He/she is asking for definites when there aren’t any, especially without knowing what part of the social hierarchy they fit into, and how vulnerable or not they may be the effects of the TPP, further down the track, should it be ratified.

              Also, everyone I know who is into music is a lot cooler than that.

  2. Manuka AOR 2

    The European Court of Justice finds that US surveillance breaches the fundamental rights of European citizens: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/10/06/heres-how-the-facebook-case-has-just-transformed-the-surveillance-debate/

    Farrell: “this ruling will lead to new pressures to limit the kinds of indiscriminate surveillance against citizens that many countries — not just the United States — have engaged in over the last 15 years. “

  3. Rodel 3

    Guyon Espiner this morning has gone up in my estimation. Wouldn’t let Joyce away with turning a TPP interview into an anti labour (‘it’s their fault) rant or trying ‘Look!-The point is…blah blah….’diversions. (Only just stopped short of calling him a liar.)

    • Paul 3.1

      Did he ask Joyce about the loss of our sovereignty?

      • tc 3.1.1

        Or how novopay is going….relax he’ll be back to giving him a spongebath and shaitsu in a few months as Gluon’s just a more subtle govt cheerleader than the likes of Hoskins/Henry etc

    • Bearded Git 3.2

      @Rodel Agreed. Espiner can be very good with his questioning despite his right-leaning views.

      The best part was when he got Joyce to admit that the policy that is in force in Australia, where only permanent residents can buy a house and where overseas people investing in housing must build a house, is allowable under TPPA. So Labour can stick to this policy.

      • Pat 3.2.1

        except they cannot as it is not an already in force policy

        • Bearded Git 3.2.1.1

          My understanding is a new government can renegotiate the whole thing. Labour has said it will not be bound by some parts of the agreement, if it ever comes into force.

          • Pat 3.2.1.1.1

            afraid not…confirmed this morning by a number of international treaty experts….and admitted by joyce this morning

            • Bearded Git 3.2.1.1.1.1

              @Pat Not quite that simple. Grant Robertson has explained Labour’s position here (from the Herald today):

              “The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) includes a non-discrimination provision which would prevent the New Zealand Government banning foreign nations from buying property in New Zealand.
              This provision went against of Labour’s bottom lines for supporting the deal.
              Mr Robertson said: “We will take a good look at the agreement and we are reserving the right to review and renegotiate.
              “There is always the scope to review them, there are just consequences if we make a law, there are consequences if we go against the agreement.
              “We will have to look into what all of those are and balance that up.”
              The TPP also includes provisions which allow investors to seek compensation from the Government if it breaches its investment obligations.
              This meant if a Government banned foreign investment in housing it could face a legal challenge from overseas investors or companies.”

              Any legal challenge to a law made by Parliament would take years.

              [lprent: Use a link please. ]

                • Bearded Git

                  It’s a trade agreement rather than a treaty. Not sure if they have the same status. But if other signatories have get-outs, as Australia appears to have on housing, then would NZ not be able to argue that should apply here too?

                  Who exactly would sue NZ in the situation where it changed legislation on housing?

                  • Pat

                    Australia have EXISTING restrictions….it is the change that opens the possibility of the ISDS provisions being enacted.

                    Am not a lawyer but i imagine a case could be made by say a large real estate company ( or even an investment fund) that has a substantial proportion of its commissions (or portfolio) paid by overseas investors in say the Auckland market if offshore investment in the NZ property market was banned……whether this would be successful or not is irrelevant as it would cost the Gov to defend and even before the policy was made the possibility would have to be considered…am sure sharper minds than mine could come up with a myriad of potential scenarios.

  4. Morrissey 4

    Attention all aficionados of mondo bizarro television:
    Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte is on Paul Henry this morning!

    TV3, Wednesday 7 October 2015

    At 7:55 this morning, after a ridiculous interview with “Boobs on Bikes” organiser Steve Crow, Paul Henry made an ominous announcement: “Coming up after the news, the daily panel, today featuring Mary Lambie and Jamie Whyte.”

    Mary Lambie is Jim Mora’s wife, and can be relied on for saying something anodyne and unmemorable. So she is about as dependable a guest as it is possible to get.

    Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte, however, is another can of worms entirely. He is the disgraced former ACT leader who managed in his brief few months in that rôle to come across as the worst ACT leader of them all, displaying an embarrassing level of ignorance about nearly everything and, memorably, positioning ACT as the pro-incest party.

    So it’s high quality commentary as usual on Paul Henry’s show!

    • Paul 4.1

      How does Mary Lambie get a spot on a political panel?
      Because she is Mora’s wife?

      The fact she is seen as a welcome guest on Henry’s show demonstrates the political bias within the Mora household.
      No wonder he gets away with hat awful show the Panel. The Tories must love him.
      And hasn’t he ruined Checkpoint?

      • Ron 4.1.1

        I agree but hopefully he will be almost gone soon. Once the new programme format starts Mora will be reduced to 1 hour 3-4 pm. Which sort of suits me I do not like the current host/format of 1-4 so switch to BBC. I am in a little quandy with Checkpoint as by taking Campbell on board we lose Mary who IMHO is one of the best talents RNZ have. I don’t see Campbell ever being a strong interviewer and as much as I like him for the Human Interest story we need strong personalities when interviewing people that need to be held to account. Checkpoint is not necessarily the best use of his talent. Which is probably why he got the job.
        This past fortnight makes me realise just how good it is to have Kim available she can actually think on her feet and if the subject tries to fluff around she zeros in and kills them.

        No wonder he gets away with that awful show the Panel. The Tories must love him.
        And hasn’t he ruined Checkpoint?

        • Smilin 4.1.1.1

          Its all very utterly utter, pip pip, what what,and please dont get upset Fuck MARYS LEAVING now we really are in the last days

    • Brutus Iscariot 4.2

      Can’t tell if you’re being satirical or actually showing that level of rabid ignorance.

      Whyte was never “disgraced” as far as i know. “Failed” perhaps.

      And i would hope you can tell the difference between a philosophical exploration of an idea, and an actual policy platform.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 4.2.1

        Yes, you’re quite right. Poor hopeless ignorant delusional Jamie is just misunderstood.

      • Morrissey 4.2.2

        No, there’s a difference. David Cundliffe was without any doubt, for whatever reason, a failure. By contrast, Whyte’s catastrophic command of ACT, that doomed ferry of the damned, was a disgrace. Someone who progresses instantly from anonymity to being the butt of public ridicule, without achieving even a modicum of respect in between, has been disgraced.

        Right from his disastrously inept first public appearance last year, Whyte was obviously the least eloquent and the least informed of all the political leaders on display. He then, almost incredibly, compounded his dire public image by stating his tolerance for incest.

        Only the sort of bewildered souls who voted for ACT would countenance “philosophical exploration” about incest.*

        Whyte’s performance on Paul Henry this morning confirmed that impression of intellectual mediocrity. He even, foolishly, quoted Margaret Thatcher’s ideological quip about any man of thirty who travels on public transport being a failure, then undermined himself by admitting he travelled by train in London.

        * The question must be asked: how far have the people who propound and/or defend such “philosophical explorations” of incest taken these “philosophical explorations”?

        • Brutus Iscariot 4.2.2.1

          Shit politician perhaps. But he has a broader mind than yours.

          • Morrissey 4.2.2.1.1

            Shit politician perhaps.

            Shit politician, shit thinker, shit philosopher.

            But he has a broader mind than yours.

            Well, I have to admit that I haven’t ever seriously contemplated taking my sister or my mother as a wife. That sort of philosophical exploration is best left to the broader, subtler, more refined type of intellect that is instinctually drawn to the party of Hide, Garrett, Whyte and Seymour.

        • Smilin 4.2.2.2

          Small things amuse and misuse a small mind a right ridiculous and waste of time and space

    • Ron 4.3

      For God’s sake why do you waste your time. Stop watching/listening to anything on MediaWorks. Choose something with a modicum of intelligence to follow.
      I stopped the day Campbell left. And when RNZ start doing much the same on some of their programmes I limit my time there. Thanks goodness for the BBC World Service.

      At 7:55 this morning, after a ridiculous interview with “Boobs on Bikes” organiser Steve Crow, Paul Henry made an ominous announcement: “Coming up after the news, the daily panel, today featuring Mary Lambie and Jamie Whyte.”

      • Morrissey 4.3.1

        Sorry, Ron, but the BBC is even worse, more ideologically biased and politically controlled, than TV3 and Radio New Zealand.

        You perhaps are thinking of the good BBC, which brought us such gems as Dad’s Army. Since Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair took an axe to it when it dared to tell the truth, briefly, in 2004, it has more than ever become the British state broadcaster—about as trustworthy and independent as Pravda, XinWa or Fox News.

        • Ron 4.3.1.1

          Nope I was thinking of the BBC World Service that is broadcast in Auckland.
          I am not worrying about the political side of things but the articles on World Service are very good. Way ahead of anything we get on RNZ.

      • Rodel 4.3.2

        Morrissey. I worry about you watching Henry. Its pollutant stuff.
        Hope you’re taking medication or preventative therapy.
        I cant grab the remote fast enough when he appears.
        Actually yes I can with practice, but I did hear his manic
        child-cackle for a millisecond last night… couldn’t sleep for hours.

  5. Chooky 5

    so now jonkey nact has signed the corporate takeover of New Zealand via TPPA… (unless good Americans with a social conscience stop TPPA in its tracks)

    ….i guess we need an new corporate flag to match our new corporate controlled country …Red Peak anyone? ( afterall this is jonkey’s and James Shaw’s favourite choice)

    RED PEAK the logo for Active Security Group

    http://www.activesecuritygroup.co.uk/

    “the Red Peak flag was created by a Xero product design director (Dustin), has had its online campaign coordinated by another Xero associate (Simpson), and was included in the top 40 while the Xero CEO (Drury) was one of the dozen on the selection panel; perhaps we should ask how has the Greens relationship with that company changed recently?
    Two years ago:
    Norman issued a media release yesterday questioning whether Palantir, a firm co-founded by wealthy US technology investor and Xero shareholder Peter Thiel, had been hired by the Government to spy on New Zealanders…”

    • Rosie 5.1

      Sharp observation Chooky!!!

      LOL’s the ultimate slap down of NZ citizens, to have an electronic security and surveillance company logo as it’s own branded flag.

      I never got excited about the red peak design. I could never see it as something real and meaningful to consider as long as Key was in control of the flag “process”. Maybe if the flag process had been led by the people instead, it might have been different.

      I also couldn’t take it seriously when I spend days staring out the window to a sea of new buildings that make up the relentless suburban sprawl of North Wellington, and all I see is the red peak design in the Tekton logo on the building wrap:

      http://tektonproducts.com/images/Tekton-WPS-Logo-333×99.png

      I know it’s not the same but it blurs together if you let your mind enter a numb zone, a zone that lets you slip away from the pain of what has become of our country in recent years.

      • Chooky 5.1.1

        +100 Rosie…and not another vacuous , ubiquitous Red Peak!..maybe you could take up stained glass window making( books in the library, also do- it- yourself kits)…and design yourself a beautiful colourful window to block the bloody thing out …a maidenhair fern in front of a stained glass window which lets in the refracted light could be just the thing to block out the Tekton red peak logo

        • Rosie 5.1.1.1

          Gosh that description of the stain glass window with the maidenhair fern on the windowsill took me right back to the memory of sitting in someones villa restoration in the eighties. A pleasant enough memory 🙂

          It’s an environmental wasteland up here on The Development. We have responded by planting native trees and shrubs on our borders. That should block out the sight of the sprawl in a few years and bring life to the area by attracting birds and insects. (+ purple flowers to attract the bees)

    • Smilin 5.2

      Yes what say should be highlighted to the max more corporate abuse of our democracy

  6. alwyn 6

    If Morning Report is going to discuss significant topics, such as a difference in pay between men and women, why can’t they interview people who are actually talking about the subject rather than an entirely different matter?
    This morning the first person spoken to about lower pay for women than men came out with the following –

    “A school librarian, who asked not to be identified, said gender bias was unmistakable at her work.
    “I have been employed as a teacher in a school and I’m now employed as support staff at a school – I feel like I’m the same person with the same abilities and skills and qualifications and work ethic, but the way I’m treated is significantly different.””

    What on earth does her complaint have to do with gender bias? It is solely about the fact that in a school the frontline, teaching, staff were treated differently than people in support roles. It doesn’t have anything at all to do with her sex. If it had we wouldn’t be this complaint at all as she wouldn’t be treated any differently as a female support worker than she was as a female teacher.

    Don’t the people trying to produce Morning Report understand that interviews on a topic should have something to do with that topic?

  7. ianmac 7

    The Herald seems to have removed all signs of John Armstrong. I had heard that he has been unwell but…

    [lprent: He is quite unwell at present. ]

  8. Rosemary McDonald 9

    Following on from our low business confidence and our record suicide rates comes the GOOD NEWS.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/72767992/nz-third-best-place-to-die

    NZ Third Best Place To Die!!!!!

    Thirds good. Gets a medal.

  9. Morrissey 10

    Jeremy Corbyn is not the only decent man to draw the ire of the haters

    This sneering piece in the far right wing Times of Israel tries but fails to denigrate the late, great Henning Mankell…..

    http://www.timesofisrael.com/swedish-crime-writer-henning-mankell-dies-at-67/

    • Chooky 10.1

      +100…what a hero…enjoyed the tv series Wallander ….must watch out for his books

      …”Mankell was known for his rights activisim, and joined the 2010 flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip…

      “He said he wanted to create a situation where “Palestinians are not treated like second-class citizens in their own country, a sort of apartheid system.”

      Mankell’s collection of dark novels about the Swedish police inspector Wallander brought the author international fame after it was made into a television series by the BBC starring Oscar-nominated actor and director Kenneth Branagh.”

  10. Morrissey 11

    Great news about soft drinks: they’re good for you.
    According to the General Manager of Coca-Cola New Zealand

    “We need to stop demonizing sugar, and Coca Cola can be part of a balanced lifestyle.”

    —-Paul Fitzgerald, General Manager of Coca-Cola New Zealand

  11. Bearded Git 12

    David Cameron being roasted in an interview over human rights here (1min 22s).

    https://www.facebook.com/Channel4News/videos/10153264721241939/

    Why oh why have we not got a journalist in NZ who will hold Key to account in the same way?

    • Draco T Bastard 12.1

      Because all the ones that are left in the MSM support everything that Key and National do no psychopathic it is.

  12. Brett Dale 13

    Greatest trademe auction in history.

    October 21 2015 (usa) October 22 2015 (Nzl)

    http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=960950905&permanent=0

  13. Puckish Rogue 15

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/72767069/prices-up-99-per-cent-at-fonterra-globaldairytrade-auction

    Thats 9.9% not 99% but still not bad, thats four increases in a row since Mr Andrew Little declared a crisis

  14. I have just read the front page of the Herald ,Top story the romance of Key’s son Max.No wonder the Herald is giving the paper away free for a few weeks, Wh the hell would pay money for the trash. Once the largest daily paper in NZ it is now reduced to local gossip and Tory propaganda Oh fpo the days when the daily newspaper . was something to look forward too. However at least we have the Standard . Which is not to be missed on any day.

  15. ianmac 17

    John Key has just been so brave. “Prime Minister John Key’s secret trip to Iraq.”

  16. r0b 19

    5:07 and all’s well.

    • McFlock 19.1

      Yeah.
      My pet theory is that it was a ploy by someone to get easier access to high-demand books held on close reserve 🙂

  17. Smilin 20

    Just to have ago at Sirdom while we all live in Serfdom
    Every time I see JK as initials for the PM i cant help but see Sir John Kirwan in there so to avoid any further unnecessary confusion I propose the PM become the patron of what ever depression group Sir JK is promoting as a way of atoning for his constant alcoholic depressed rhetoric because most of it isnt believed by the real world that the majority of the population live with
    Anyone who can smile for the camera and speak the bs he does is really out of it and expect to be believed and if it is the truth well God help us all to 2017

  18. The Chairman 21

    Missing boy in Levin has National MP, Nathan Guy, joining the search.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/search-for-missing-boy-continues-near-levin-2015100707?ref=video#axzz3nr5UtXfc

    Nathan Guy being there will go down well with locals.

    Where is Rob McCann?

    • North 21.1

      Joins the search…..in a suit ? Hope for the sake of the boy and family and friends we’re not to be reminded of Pike River politics ? Hope it’s not a case of 0800CrosbyTextorDisasterLine. Couldn’t be……there are depths even they wouldn’t plumb, aren’t there ?

      • The Chairman 21.1.1

        No. In his running gear.

      • Rosie 21.1.2

        “Hope it’s not a case of 0800CrosbyTextorDisasterLine. Couldn’t be……there are depths even they wouldn’t plumb, aren’t there ?”.

        Oh God. Quite possibly.

        I don’t know a single person in Horowhenua who didn’t vote for Nathan Guy. Then again, I don’t know a single person in Horowhenua who has a good hard think about anything……………… Although I think there is a small smattering of TS readers up that way. No offence intended towards our comrades in the Horowhenua.

  19. North 22

    Just been talking to a mate of mine in Auckland……senior union office-holder……(constantly having to check him about his ever more frequent sorties into the Koru Club !)……his comment on The Ponce Key War Hero’s vile Americanism, “……a God-Damn awful place !” re Iraq. My mate’s response – “Who made it a God-Damn awful place FFS ? True that !

  20. Tautoko Mangō Mata 23

    The Times UK
    “The newspaper reported that the soft drinks giant, a major sponsor of the Olympics, the Fifa World Cup and the Rugby World Cup, has financial links to more than a dozen British scientists, including government health advisers and others who cast doubt on the commonly accepted link between sugary drinks and the obesity crisis.”
    http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/news/article4581174.ece