Open Mike 08/02/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:21 am, February 8th, 2019 - 111 comments
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111 comments on “Open Mike 08/02/2019 ”

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  1. esoteric pineapples 1
    8 February 2019 at 7:37 am

    Excellent interview with United States Green Party leader Jill Stein with a lot of perceptive comments

  2. Incognito 2
    8 February 2019 at 7:48 am

    When you put lipstick on a polished turd it just looks silly and becomes a juvenile joke. Alchemists knew that if you want to turn lead into gold you have to change the essence of it, not scratch the surface.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110426463/national-party-strategy-already-in-place-as-party-thrashes-out-tactics-for-year-ahead

  4. marty mars 4
    8 February 2019 at 9:30 am

    Wow what a nothing speech unless you’re a dumbarse business as usual zealot. Disappointing

    “Ardern’s first State of the Nation speech was delivered at a Wellington church to a group of largely community and voluntary agencies and focused on poverty and children.

    The setting for Friday’s speech was a room at the upmarket Hilton Hotel in Auckland overlooking the glitzy Viaduct Harbour, attended by top CEOs and managers…That was not the only contrast; in an unusual move, Ardern was preceded by speeches from business sponsors…”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110444167/pm-jacinda-arderns-state-of-the-nation-speech-sunny-but-clouds-gathering

    • rata 4.1
      8 February 2019 at 11:10 am

      “Sunny but clouds gathering”
      So everything is as it is in Kiwi land.
      Sate of the Nation speeches like Budgets announcements
      are heavy on build up but boringly predictable.
      Gov’t supporters say everything is on track.
      Gov’t opponents say wheels are coming off.
      Delightfully predictable.
      Like night follows day.
      Read life is ticking over well in Ehohdeararower
      Have to giggle.

    • Herodotus 4.2
      8 February 2019 at 12:25 pm

      How “if” climate change is our “Climate change is my generation’s nuclear-free moment” are we being told “A Just Transition Summit in May this year will kick-start a national conversation about what the Just Transition means for New Zealand. ”
      A conservation ??? If it is TAHT important shouldn’t real action and leadership be warranted ??
      Talk or Action ???

    • James 5.1
      8 February 2019 at 10:19 am

      He’s not wrong tho.

    • Kat 5.2
      8 February 2019 at 10:25 am

      More “wedging” propaganda from the king of spin. Aunty Herald is certainly stepping it up though, day by day. If spin were a cancer then the Herald would be guilty of spreading death. The rag is certainly guilty of being a plague on intelligence.

      • Bewildered 5.2.1
        8 February 2019 at 12:54 pm

        Yep herald columnists Hine Elder and Liz Marverlly hard right facists You do realise the herald isn’t thier just to suppprt your left thinking

        • Kat 5.2.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 2:35 pm

          Crikey, didn’t realise that at all……will have to switch to my right thinking then, become a bit more creative.

    • Grantoc 5.3
      8 February 2019 at 10:28 am

      No he is not.

      He’s pointing out political realities. As we approach next year’s election NZ First will need to define itself as something other than Labour’s lap dog if it is to have any hope of re election.

      For starters., watch it apply the pressure on Labour for significant changes to be made to Labours proposed tax reforms and employment law reforms.

      • Kat 5.3.1
        8 February 2019 at 10:39 am

        Interesting, so NZ First is now “Labours lap dog”… after being spun the line for the past year and a half that Winston is the tail wagging the dog and Jacinda Ardern is his “little girl”. Seems the right still can’t get there heads around how a real coalition functions.

      • James 5.3.2
        8 February 2019 at 6:46 pm

        I think you will find you have who’s the lap and who’s the dog the wrong way around.

    • Shadrach 5.4
      8 February 2019 at 10:58 am

      He may be, but much of what he says in that piece is on the money.

      • veutoviper 5.4.1
        8 February 2019 at 11:36 am

        More a case of he is on the money – getting paid to write what he writes.

        • Shadrach 5.4.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 12:00 pm

          Of course he gets paid. I’m sure no-one expects him to write for free?

          • te reo putake 5.4.1.1.1
            8 February 2019 at 12:06 pm

            People get paid for writing their hot takes? I really must get an agent.

            • Shadrach 5.4.1.1.1.1
              8 February 2019 at 12:20 pm

              Hot takes? One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political commentator. Why should he do it for free?

              • veutoviper …
                8 February 2019 at 12:40 pm

                One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political commentator stirrer. FIFY

                He’s been a bit out of the picture over recent months with his study period in the UK, holidays etc, so of course he has to stir hard to bring his return back to notice and make himself seem relevant again.

                • Shadrach …
                  8 February 2019 at 3:09 pm

                  Stirrer, commentator, who knows. He is commissioned to write, which is why he’s paid. Get over it.

                  • Charlie …
                    8 February 2019 at 4:43 pm

                    Hooten is a wanker, his commentary is shit stirring drivel and he is commissioned to produce this crap for propaganda purposes not to enlighten the reader. So you get over it.

              • Incognito …
                8 February 2019 at 10:14 pm

                Why should he do it for free?

                Because he gets the enjoyment as well.

            • Tamati Tautuhi 5.4.1.1.1.2
              8 February 2019 at 4:46 pm

              Hoots = RWNJ

  6. Alan 6
    8 February 2019 at 9:53 am

    so what part of his article can you factually dispute?

  7. veutoviper 7
    8 February 2019 at 9:58 am

    Calling mickysavage, lprent or whoever …

    Can we please have our nine years back, please. I really don’t want to be back in 2010 with Key in charge.

    Thank you in advance.

  8. Morrissey 8
    8 February 2019 at 10:28 am

    Meet the next President of the United States

    She effortlessly confounds this panel of fools trying to confront her and embarrass her. It’s funny in a grim and black sort of fashion, with the funniest thing of all being the sight of Zbigniew Brzezinski’s hapless daughter trying to look serious….

    https://news.grabien.com/story-tulsi-gabbard-assad-not-enemy-united-states

  9. esoteric pineapples 9
    8 February 2019 at 10:29 am

    “You can be sure that every government in the world is going to rethink putting any money in London, as they used to do, when they are watching this political manipulation with the money they entrust to the British. It is very dangerous for the world, but for Britain particularly.”

    “Economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work Prof. Richard Wolff joins News.Views.Hughes to discuss the freezing of Venezuelan funds in the Bank of England amid the deepening political crisis in Caracas. He says the Bank of England’s decision is a signal to all countries out of step with US interests to withdraw their money, as the Bank has shown itself to be “under the thumb of the United States.” He also opines on the “horrific prospects” of regime change in Venezuela. ”

  10. francesca 10
    8 February 2019 at 10:36 am

    I’ve been smelling the smoke from Pigeon Valley for days now
    Yesterday I saw smoke wafting down our river valley and thought some idiots burning, rang a few neighbours who’d been told by the fire chief, its Pigeon Valley
    We live 128 kms away, in pretty much a straight line
    A disturbing sensation, the smell of smoke , and probably fast becoming the new summer normal

    • marty mars 10.1
      8 February 2019 at 11:07 am

      Yep I smelt and saw smoke in the early morning yesterday – we are norwest from it with a big hill in the way.

      I think this will become a horrible scarey norm.

    • Cinny 10.2
      8 February 2019 at 2:04 pm

      Just came back from Richmond, sheez the smoke is thick there, you can’t see any of the surrounding hills.

      Was walking around with my eyes streaming wanting a facemask,

      It’s the worst day for smoke since the fire started, possibly because there was no wind this morning.

      Would liken it to the photos we see of extremely polluted cities in China.

      Here in Motueka the sky is half smoke, and half blue sky.

      The sky in Richmond is completely obscured by smoke, it’s really bad.

      Heard from a chopper pilot that the smoke makes it hard to see where to release the water from monsoon buckets. They are concentrating on saving houses.

      Wind has picked up again.

      Wakefield is being evacuated.

    • patricia bremner 10.3
      8 February 2019 at 10:04 pm

      Sorry, that has been the way of it in Australia. That smell, the smoggy sunrises and sets following the fire/burn off news, seeing blackened areas, and wild life struggle.

    • Muttonbird 10.4
      8 February 2019 at 10:24 pm

      Has anyone investigated whether the person operating the machinery in the area was a smoker?

  11. Observer Tokoroa 11
    8 February 2019 at 10:50 am

    Hooten The Screamer

    As is the way with John Key, Simon Bridges, and Assorted Standard Trolls, Hooten screams when he is loosing his brain and his guts.

    He often screams at Kathryn Ryan who for some reason invites him on her women’s program each week.

    Winston Peters is beyond Hooten. Nearly everything on the Planet is beyond Hooten. I sometimes think dear Mathew has a little piggy bank tin on his desk. He has no other Horizon whatsoever.

    Neither have the Trolls. Basically children doing their simple child’s play.

    Not Hooten, but serious Business men and women will recognise the frequent ups and downs in World economy, and its effect on NZ. The more far seeing Business sector will be alert to new hazards – unforseen. But prepared for by Robertson.

    John Key or his stand in servants, and Mathew Hooten will raise the Gst by at least 3%. To rub the noses of the poor into the Hooten / Key / English shit policy

    Winston will breeze home. Shayne will bring the Northern Horses home.

    Jacinda will protect the Poor. For, She is that way inclined. The World knows Her.

    Take a happy kiddies holiday Matthew.

  12. Observer Tokoroa 12
    8 February 2019 at 11:21 am

    Yes Gabby

    Women are better Listeners.

  13. greywarshark 13
    8 February 2019 at 11:45 am

    Smoke haze over Nelson city. Dead silence for some time, few birds, momentary footsteps, computer whirring. Creepy.

    Coincidentally, I have just bought a DVD of film The Quiet Earth – was thinking about Bruno Lawrence.
    When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind — and whether disaster will strike again.

    The speed of the fire as it began and the shock of it to the first people involved.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/110446721/nelson-bush-fire-man-first-on-the-scene-shocked-at-speed-of-spreading-flames

    • Cinny 13.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:05 pm

      Grey, Walters Bluff, by Founders in the city is now on fire.

      Not sure where you are, but keep safe please.

    • Puckish Rogue 13.2
      8 February 2019 at 5:16 pm

      Still shows that one of the mot powerful images in a movie is a simple, wide shot of a city with no people in it

      Gets me everytime

    • patricia bremner 13.3
      8 February 2019 at 10:12 pm

      Grey pack be ready, just in case. Take water and a first aid kit. Kia kaha. Fire takes no prisoners, especially with the unpredictable wind.

  14. greywarshark 14
    8 February 2019 at 1:14 pm

    Some little miracles occur every day that we don’t know about. Here is one that has come to light, a story of survival and love and a turning from bitterness – a treasure that stands out from BAU.

    The book The Tattooist of Auschwitz will remind us of things we would like to forget, but they are part of our human story.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018681016/the-tattooist-of-auschwitz

    For three years, he [Lale Sokolov] was the one who used a needle and black ink to tattoo numbers on the arms of new arrivals.

    The day he tattooed Gita Furman would change his life forever. They fell in love in a place built on hate, survived the camp and settled in Australia.

    When Lale decided to tell his secret, he chose Heather Morris, a screenwriter from Te Awamutu, living in Melbourne.

    She tells Jesse Mulligan about her debut novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on their love story, is now being adapted for television.

    Morris says she met Sokolov through a friend who knew his son. After the death of his wife, Sokolov had told his son to find him someone who he could tell his story too. Morris says the pain of his loss was still raw.

    “This is a man whose wife of over six decades has just died and he was incredibly grief stricken. He wouldn’t lift his head above the level of the floor for several weeks when I met him. All he would say to me each time was ‘hurry up and tell my story’ even though he hadn’t really given me anything apart from his and Gita’s names and that they met in Auschwitz.

  15. joe90 15
    8 February 2019 at 2:48 pm

    Someone tried to blackmail Jeff Bezos.

    He shoved their threats right back up their arse.

    https://medium.com/@jeffreypbezos/no-thank-you-mr-pecker-146e3922310f

    • Andre 15.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:05 pm

      Arkell v Pressdram was admirably more succinct.

    • te reo putake 15.2
      8 February 2019 at 4:05 pm

      Good on him!

      One small moment of unintended humour – Bezos blanked out Dylan Howard’s phone number in the email’s body (917 XXX-XXXX), but left it untouched in the signature section at the bottom of the email. Quite tempted to give the man a call, see how this is working out for him 😉

    • Cinny 16.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:22 pm

      Just heard from exhusband the motorway out of Nelson towards Atawhai is now closed because of the new fire.

      He said two houses have already gone, But that’s not confirmed.

  17. CHCoff 17
    8 February 2019 at 3:24 pm

    Can the city water mains be tapped into with fire hoses?

    & wet blankets to dash it out on the ground one on one?

    • Andre 17.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Around here the firefighters can. The connections are under metal rectangular covers with FH cast into them.

    • Cinny 17.2
      8 February 2019 at 3:30 pm

      Not sure CHCoff.

      Walters Bluff is a steep hill, was told there is around 6 choppers there at the moment, also told that the best way to fight that particular fire is by air.

      Also told that most of the ground crews are at the other fire.

      Freaking scary stuff, so dry here.

      Behind Walters Bluff is lots of forest and walking tracks.

      Edit… the wind has picked right up now.

      • CHCoff 17.2.1
        8 February 2019 at 3:37 pm

        would like to be there fighting this b@#$%Y fire!

      • greywarshark 17.2.2
        8 February 2019 at 3:38 pm

        Latest I have found.

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/02/large-blaze-flares-up-near-homes-near-nelson-cbd.html

        The flames are flicking up the hill behind the houses on the subdivision and look quite bright and fast moving, rather like those earlier on at Pigeon Valley.

        People are getting worried. How could this happen, another fire!

        Position It’s fairly close to the old cemetery on the way out of Nelson main road to Blenheim, with high hill covered with grass that will be dry beside and behind it and there is high steep road on Walters Bluff where the fire is. Then a bit further over towards the city on the flat is Founders heritage park with huge amount of money spent on it and irreplaceable old buildings in it and that’s bordered by flat part, Miyazu Japanese Garden, the Marae and surrounding buildings and then closely settled housing. I have friends further over the hill but not far as the fire moves. So a worry.

        • Cinny 17.2.2.1
          8 February 2019 at 3:40 pm

          Thanks for the link Grey, you ok at yours?

          • greywarshark 17.2.2.1.1
            8 February 2019 at 4:37 pm

            Yes quite a distance away, friend lives on the other side of the hill, there was talk about them evacuating but the road is blocked by police going towards the city – can’t go there. The suggestion was to go to Saxtons Field in Stoke but there are Wakefield people there I think. We run the risk of being overwhelmed if more happens.

            Apparently the guy who reported the Walters Bluff fire saw it right from the beginning and said there was no one to be seen – it looked like spontaneous combustion down in a ravine – could have been a bottle or bright aluminium tin who knows. Not impossible. Friend says that there are eucalypts and that they spark. Lots of coming and going with helicopters. They are getting salt water – the tide is in apparently otherwise there can be quite a muddy area near the coastal road.

  18. greywarshark 18
    8 February 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Someone is talking about the possibility of arson. It’s so strange that the first thing some do is to make the situation worse by thinking badly of someone so they can be blamed for it all. It may be a barbecue gone wrong, even a cigarette butt, there was a known fire from one recently put out. I

    If all the teenagers had something constructive to do during the holidays, that could cut risk by 50% I think. A teenager escaped from a house he/she was in which was engulfed in fire minutes – that was in the last few days. Firefighters saved the house but was burnt and blackened. Got to watch out for those computers – can eat up time while something is on the stove getting over hot.

    • Cinny 18.1
      8 February 2019 at 4:37 pm

      Grey, the siren has just gone off again here in the last few minutes…

      • greywarshark 18.1.1
        8 February 2019 at 4:40 pm

        Keep us posted. Cinny and car turned round. Surely I don’t have to worry about that. I’m not too far from the Grampians and very dry up there.

        • marty mars 18.1.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 4:46 pm

          I’m sure no issue and keep listening. There may be some surprises with these fires. Stay safe.

          • Cinny 18.1.1.1.1
            8 February 2019 at 6:31 pm

            Will do, you keep safe too Marty.

            • veutoviper 18.1.1.1.1.1
              8 February 2019 at 8:05 pm

              Thinking of you all, Cindy – that goes for everyone in the Nelson, Tasman area. Cannot mention MM cause I am not flavour of the month at present and got told not to think about him and his whanau, but cannot help myself. Love your area of the country and really feeling for you all.

              • marty mars …
                8 February 2019 at 10:57 pm

                Lol yes you cannot help yourself – you’re still in my good books

                • veutoviper …
                  9 February 2019 at 10:16 am

                  Good to hear, Lol! Seriously take care, the situation there is very precarious. Just listened to some of the press conference this morning and they are obviously really worried about the wind levels in the next day or so.

                  And thanks for pointing out the contra proferentem principle re Te Tiriti. I am no scholar/expert on TT issues but was still amazed at some of the ignorance/misinformation of some of the thinking and opinions that came out in the last few days. Won’t mention any names.

                  • marty mars …
                    9 February 2019 at 10:42 am

                    The whole region is in drought – we aren’t near wakefield although I have friends there. I hope the big one sorted soon but that wind – it is chaos in action. Other worries are copycat fires and just idiot ciggie butts or whatever – so dry, won’t take much.

  19. greywarshark 19
    8 February 2019 at 4:58 pm

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202124

    Nelson residents are being evacuated after a second fire broke out in Walters Bluff.
    The fire is located in Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve… near top of Walters Bluff

    Telecommunications provider Spark said a cell tower in Wakefield was in the direct path of the fire.
    Flame retardant had been deployed at the tower, and the company was trying to bring in a back-up cell site.

    Conflicting stories about how they started. I still have my landline with this sort of thing in mind. Video put up yesterday about how complexity disadvantages ‘advanced’ countries! Lots of aerial movement. I hope that everyone gets through this intact. There has been a car? crash on the coastal highway they say serious.

    • Cinny 19.1
      8 February 2019 at 6:29 pm

      Thanks for that info Grey, if there was a crash on the coastal highway that will explain the siren.

  20. greywarshark 20
    8 February 2019 at 6:35 pm

    But I think it was near Tui Glen which is on the way out of Nelson not in Motueka direction, unless you get the sound carrying across water. Not sure just where you are.

    Apparently another blaze up before 6pm on city side along from Walters Bluff – winds expected to pick up so they are working hard to damp down.

  21. greywarshark 21
    8 February 2019 at 7:08 pm

    Robert and WetheBleeple
    Do you like this?

    Love the universe, let’s travel together etc
    Here is someone who built an island out of trash.

  22. CHCoff 22
    8 February 2019 at 7:43 pm

    Air operations ceased after reports of a drone at the Walter’s Bluff incident, The Tasman-Marlborough Fire Area Facebook page reported.

    “Please, if you know whom this is please ask them to stop,” the statement read.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202124

    • Psycho Milt 22.1
      8 February 2019 at 9:57 pm

      Please, if you know someone who insists on using the word “whom” but uses it wrongly, please ask them to stop.

      • ChCoff 22.1.1
        8 February 2019 at 10:12 pm

        Actually i think it may be you who are mixed up Psycho Milt, to it’s usage, but whatever the case, the meaning is clear so it is a perfectly valid phrase all the same where it matters.

        • Psycho Milt 22.1.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 10:57 pm

          There’s no need to use the word “whom” at all in modern English, so insisting on using it and then using it incorrectly is grating. As to its usage, that’s the annoying thing – its misuse is now so widespread that people will argue the toss with you when you point it out it’s for use with objects, not subjects.

      • greywarshark 22.1.2
        8 February 2019 at 10:32 pm

        Please don’t let us start on that pedant thing again – it nips my nickers.

  23. Eco Maori 23
    9 February 2019 at 8:40 am

    Eco says its all about ballance ying yang everything needs to be ballanced .
    We need to work with mother nature We need more Wahine in power to get the ballance back . 5 degrees is the difference in enviroment temperatures that give or takes away the polar ICE CAPS
    {{{How social media is inspiring children to save the natural world }}}

    It’s true that many young people stare at screens instead of being out in the wild – but others use technology to form a global community of conservationists

    Six years ago, I wrote with a certain amount of sadness a rather gloomy report for the National Trust entitled Natural Childhood. It highlighted the barriers standing in the way of engaging young people with nature: primarily dangers from traffic, parental fears of “stranger danger”, and a growing aversion to exposing children to any form of risk. I concluded that we faced the very real danger of a “lost generation”, who might never engage with the natural world.
    Young people were, and still are, we’re told, disconnected from nature, staring at screens when they should be out in the wild. {{{But what I hadn’t predicted back then is that it is these screens that are now enabling our children to join forces to save the natural world. The rise of new technology – especially social media – has allowed a new generation to connect with those who share their interests in a way that I never could have believed possible}}} when I wrote Natural Childhood. As one young ornithologist recently told me: “I thought I was the only birder at my school, but on Facebook I found half a dozen others in my local area.”

    Another budding young naturalist, Abbie Barnes (who climbed Kilimanjaro in the same week she got her A-level results), introduced me to a young man working for conservation in Kenya. When I asked how long they had known each other, Abbie laughed, saying: “We’ve never actually met before, but we’ve connected on social media for the past couple of years.”
    {{{{{{When I look at this generation, and see their commitment, passion, hard work and inspirational actions, I’m inclined to think that they might just succeed. Eco say we will succeed}}}}}}}
    Stephen Moss is a naturalist and author, based in Somerset. His latest book is The Wren: A Biography (Square Peg). He is involved with AFoN as a mentor
    Ka kite ano links below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/25/social-media-inspiring-children-to-save-natural-world

    • greywarshark 23.1
      9 February 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Thanks for your great comments lately ecomaori. I am reading through them slowly – very packed info. The odd paragraph to break them up would be helpful.

      Easier to read and understand your points then.

  24. Eco Maori 24
    9 February 2019 at 11:12 am

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

  25. Eco Maori 25
    9 February 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute

  26. Eco Maori 26
    9 February 2019 at 6:42 pm

    Kia ora Newshub most of the World glaciers are losing Ice faster than scientist predicted.
    Its cool that LGBT Community still has alot of Tau toko support after all the fuss made by some people Ka pai.
    Condolences to Albert Finneys whanau I have watched a few of the movies he acted in.
    Its not looking good for the people and there stock in an around Townsville Queensland Australia.
    There are to many Actors playing games with Venezuela all for there oil they are causing Alot of harm to the tamariki children and the people all for greedy billionaire. Ka kite ano YEA RIGHT can’t touch this