Next, Tony, is the CB poll on One News tonight! If there's no rise for National, time to do something more desperate. Where's Simon Lusk??
Ben Thomas talks about staging:
There’s a persistent myth that the “ordinary people” travellers to North Korea meet during tightly controlled trips into Pyongyang’s underground commuter train or shopping areas are actors paid to profess to foreigners their loyalty to, and love for, whichever great leader is in power at the time. This claim appears to be baseless.
Instead, they are (like most North Koreans) simply polite, well indoctrinated by a national propaganda apparatus, and shy if not suspicious of outsiders.
In the same way, is it correct to say that the National Party supporters lined up at apparently uniform distances along Ponsonby Road, like the parade markings of many Pyongyang public squares, to greet Judith Collins were “fake”? They were real supporters, after all, dedicated enough to participate in the charade.
If that devotion to performance did make them thespians, then yesterday they would probably have most aptly described as crisis actors, as the walkabout spun out of control. The idea the National is coming apart at the seams is overhyped.
Ben's thesis is that we ought to appreciate the Judith: she's a liberal. Roll her, we end up with a fundie christian. I say, what better way to consign the National Party to the dustbin of history? Bring it on!
Ben Thomas — the man to call when you need a band-aid slapped on a gaping chest wound. "It's really not as bad as it looks. Yes, I know we can see her internal organs, but on a positive note, they all look fairly healthy."
heh, I've been on the verge of feeling sorry for her too. It's good to have some capacity for compassion for people who are doing despicable things, it's part of humanity and not being like them 😉
Did you know there's a basis upon which the rightist rabble has coalesced?
ACT, the New Conservatives and the Advance New Zealand Party are all strong opponents of 1080 and that opposition features prominently in their rallies. NZ First has been much more circumspect up to now.
And that's why Winston
is now planning a campaign trip to Waiheke Island on Thursday to show off a predator control project there which does not use 1080. “I just want to be clear that New Zealand First has never been a believer in 1080,” he said.
“We think there should be alternatives and trapping and hunting and all sorts of other range of initiatives should be taking place. “We believe 1080 is dangerous, but it’s very difficult to get control of this issue, even though we negotiated in the coalition agreement to put millions aside for it when it’s in control of some other minister.”
That ”other Minister” is Eugenie Sage, the Minister of Conservation and a Green. But Peters is running out of time to turn his party’s fortunes around. Figures released last night by the Electoral Commission show that so far 271,369 people have already voted; that’s a 76% increase on the number who voted over the first three days of advance voting last election in 2017.
This doesn’t help Peters, and he obviously needs time, so he made a plea. yesterday to people not to vote early. “Wait and find out everything that is in the mix of policies, because there are clangers after clanger after clanger out there being dropped every day now,” he said. “Only a fool tests the water with both feet. “Know all the facts first.”
This idea of Winston's that facts emerge during an election campaign, and they can be known, and furthermore everyone ought to refrain from advance voting until they have all emerged, is so wacky that even conspiracy theorists will be stunned!!
I've talked to 3 people in the last week who like me had top come in 1st or 2nd on the vote compass, none of us intend to vote for them due to the poor polling.
By the way all of us had labour and the greens as the other 2 in the top 3. So this line that top is right wing is bs.
Those polls should not be taken very seriously. They are massively influenced by how the things which seem most relevant to the election (the questions) distribute peoples views which may be not important at all to them. Then there is the problem you identified with TOP where their policy wonk positions are interpreted as economically left wing by the pollster, which is a debatable interpretation at best.
A $250 ubi, a wealth tax on equity and raising taxes on superannuatants who work so that they dont have to raise the retirement age . Not very right wing.
I struggle with taxing unrealized profit in housing but what do I know.
I see the UBI as being a cut in the existing welfare for the most vulnerable (and its not been suggested as complimentary by TOP).
I see the capital tax as an ineffective attempt to leave housing policy to the market, and its not addressing the underlying problem, but from TOPs point of view they largely ignore other policies such as those Labour is attempting.
And the idea of all these retirement policies is to privatise retirement income. I really don't know why Cullen has been given any left wing cred for his parts because at best its just an offshore investment fund and an attempt to privatise social security.
Basically taxes up=left, taxes down=right is a massive charicature of policy positions, and makes for bad economic policy thinking.
The equity tax is not actually a tax on equity, but a tax on equity's yield However it is applied only when that yield is less than 3%: more than 3% and tax would simply be paid in the normal way in any case.
Probably the largest group, that this tax would affect, would be owners of family homes, whose equity in their property attracts no tax at present. Arguably, applying the tax in this case is justified by the fact that the rent that they save, by living in their own home, represents a sort of quasi income which should be taxed.
But they are taken seriously—by the news media. If they didn't have polls to talk about, or cute animal stories—this morning featured a pesky raccoon annoying a CNN reporter—they would have to report on trivia, like the show trials of political dissenters.
[link deleted]
[Link deleted. You’ve already linked to it @ 10, which is the appropriate thing to do, but in this particular thread it could easily act as a detraction and diversion – Incognito]
I found that too. Seems like they are trying to stear away the Labour/Green vote yea it's bs, but no L/G voter will be sucked in, like you they will see through that.
They're not right wing, they're radical centrists. By positioning (they will support a National govt, so you might want to consider that in your voting choices), and by some of their policies (anti-welfare is the on I am most familiar with, but there are others).
I agree about polling though. We'd be much better off without polling in the month before the election. We'd probably have to ban publication of leaked internally polling too.
TOP are neither left wing nor right wing; but neither are they really centrists. I think they are sufficiently unique as to defy categorization.
By the way they are not opposed to welfare. However they would like to see a UBI replace welfare, though in practice top-ups would probably be necessary.
They are welcome to present a more nuanced welfare reform policy at any time, one which acknowledges positive discrimination has benefits. But when they do so they will probably have to explain that the so called 'efficiency' gains of universalism are a fiction.
Until then I will go with how this has worked in other countries where UBI policies have tried to undermine better functioning welfare regimes.
Chary with the truth mikesh but sounding nicely authoritative.
By the way they are not opposed to welfare. However they would like to see a UBI replace welfare, though in practice top-ups would probably be necessary.
After listening to authoritative commenters for long enough one can start hallucinating about double rainbows – what does it mean..
I recall being taught the answer in a physics class long ago. Vaguely recollect it as refraction plus reflection but don't quote me. Light bouncing off the back wall of the droplet after passing thro, then re-entry into atmosphere at a different angle to the primary refracted beam…
Refraction plus reflection – what I get when I read your thoughtful memos, and further refract though my vision is deteriorating. Wow a double rainbow – I sure look for one just now.
Simmons has an ideological commitment to getting rid of welfare. TOP don't have any real policy around top ups or a range of other issues related to welfare, including an adequate policy for disabled people and others who cannot work. When they change all that, I'll stop calling them anti-welfare, but at the moment their policy is dangerous for vulnerable people and those who may end up needing state assistance in the future.
"though in practice top-ups would probably be necessary."
See that's the problem right there, there's no probably about it and that degree of vagueness is just no ok in political work. TOP's UBI policy is defacto discriminatory against people who cannot work. Imagine TOP negotiating with National and ACT, what sort of UBI do you think we would end up with? Do you think that TOP would take a UBI off the table if NACT refused to treat disabled people well, or do you think that TOP would compromise and let welfare be dismantled before anything else was put in place?
"TOP are neither left wing nor right wing; but neither are they really centrists. I think they are sufficiently unique as to defy categorization."
This is probably true, but I think my description stands. They've positioned themselves to be able to work between the left and right dominant parties ie they're in the centre. And their policies can often be understood in left or right terms as well.
They're certainly not left wing. Some of what they do is progressive, and there are some solid ideas there. Some of what they do is regressive. Some of it is conservative.
'Tens of thousands rallied outside the court, holding banners reading "Fascism, Never Again" and "Freedom for the People, Death to Fascism".
"We must send a message to the younger generations, a message against fascism," said 69-year-old Sophia. "It's our duty to democracy to be here today, to show we are standing up against such criminal actions." '
Big shout out to Auckland Central branch of the National Party for giving us all the unexpected delight of hearing the term “Potemkin Village” introduced into the election campaign.
Yeah, and as a semi-resident of Ponsonby (the road starts one short block away and I grew up there for the first few years of my life), let me tell you that I suspect that description alone will cause blow back on to whatshername Mellon(?) the National candidate.
They may be bovine and like that kind of thing in Parnell or Remmers – but it goes down like a sick balloon around here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village The term comes from stories of a fake portable village built solely to impress Empress Catherine II by her former lover Grigory Potemkin, during her journey to Crimea in 1787.
Thanks wikipedia how would I manage without you. Donation coming up.
Amazingly Republican veteran Lindsey Graham is getting outspent and completely outplayed in the South Carolina Senate race. The Cook Political report has moved it into the toss-up column.
‘None Of It Reported’: How Corporate Media Buried The Assange Trial
by DAVID CROMWELL, Media Lens, 7th October 2020
One of the most imposing features of state-corporate propaganda is its incessant, repetitive nature. Over and over again, the ‘mainstream’ media have to convince the public that ‘our’ government prioritises the health, welfare and livelihoods of the general population, rather than the private interests of an elite stratum of society that owns and runs all the major institutions, banks, corporations and media.
We are constantly bombarded by government ministers and their media lackeys telling us that ‘our’ armed forces require huge resources, at public expense, to maintain the country’s ‘peace’ and ‘security’. We do not hear so much about the realpolitik of invading, bombing or otherwise ‘intervening’ in other countries with military force, diplomatic muscle, and bribes of trade and aid deals to carve up natural resources and markets for the benefit of a few.
For those old enough to remember 2002-2003, who can forget the endless repeated rhetoric of the ‘threat’ posed by Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, of how his ‘weapons of mass destruction’ could be launched within 45 minutes of his order, and how ‘we’ simply had to remove him from power? Or how, in 2011, the US, UK and France had to launch ‘humanitarian intervention’ to stop the ‘mass slaughter’ of civilians by Gaddafi’s forces in Libya. And on and on.
Thanks Morrissey that makes the point strongly. Most of us will have noticed this in much of the media, but not seen how widely practised it is. Will read later. Keeping up is time-consuming don't you think!
Umm, it's an extradition hearing, not a trial. Words have actual meanings, and it's helpful to clear communication to use the words that correctly describe a situation. If, on the other hand, your intent is propaganda and disinformation, then misusing words is quite a useful tool.
I won't be surprised if one of Biden's early actions as president will be to make some statement along the lines of 'Discussions with the incoming Attorney General have affirmed the determination made by Obama and Attorney General Holder in 2013 that it is not in the interest of the United States to prosecute Mr Assange, for the reasons that were publicised at the time. We therefore withdraw the extradition proceedings'.
This article is spin. Ben Thomas is a National Party operative—more pleasant than Matthew Hooton but just as ideological. He's a regular guest on RNZ National—usually billed as a representative of the ludicrously mislabelled “centre-right.” He’s desperate to put the best possible interpretation on this embarrassment.
Ben Thomas is arguing that if Collins goes, then we'll get a religious right replacement whereas Judith is a liberal.
Who cares? Such a retreat to the religious right would mean that the National party would split, as it should.
Who cares? This would mean that National are still in opposition with an illiberal leader. More for ordinary folk to dislike.
The only downside is that NZ would lack an effective opposition which good democracy demands, in the absence of a second chamber, a presidential/governor-general veto, and now with a four year term being promoted.
I have had moments of feeling sorry for judith Collins. Pretty humiliating last few days for her.
but then I remember dirty politics orivida and the lies about her visit to their office and subsequent dinner with a border official. Her association with Cameron Slater. And I think of all the dirty tricks National have pulled over the years too many to list.
Then I feel more comfortable with Collins being the casualty. Their chickens coming home to roost. Long overdue.
hope this is causing Key, Joyce and Bennett some pain, but usually psychopathic types feel very little
These type are fame seekers and loosing face is a body blow to their arrogant egotistical narcissism.
Now their reputations have been exposed that's the end of the line National will have to ditch all these Dirty Political players out of a very small caucus given the back stabbing leaks it's going to be a very painful process. ACT being farther to the right in larger numbers will make hard for National to be a centrist party.
National the strong team is shot to pieces driving around rural areas many farmers who would normally have hoardings up in their paddocks haven't bothered ,
They are not impressed with National money for campaigning is down .
After the election blood letting will be the order of they day.
Bloodletting… and then looking for a new job because you've just been chucked out for behaving like a rapacious brigand, or being content to surround yourself with rapacious brigands. I don't wish Collins any ill-will, but this is pure karma. She's spent her career cultivating a different kind of unpleasantness, one not liberally coated in Teflon. Unlike Saint John of Key, things tend to stick to Judith Collins.
Nats going to ACT could be a disadvantage to the left. When there is a group herd mentality of rightists they will encourage each other to greater corruption. National when it had some real democratic principles guiding it acted as a brake on the rapacious specialising in sly selfishness and material display, and disdain for citizen equality. As the saying goes – be careful what you wish for.
good question. with nzfirst looking like not being in parliament ,next term, would presume winston will retire, opens door for many former nats to come in. think nzfirst will survive, and the corpse is worth $$$. who better to pick up a slightly used political party than pissed off cashed up nats? surprised that experts like frankdennis havent pontificated about this possibility. you can bet that people without a real life, like hooten and farrar, have thought about this.
you can call him a Tory cunt (honestly held opinion). You can't make claims of fact about him that might end up with Lynn and Mike in court. Nothing to do with being offended, so fuck off with that bullshit lying about moderation. If you have a problem with the site policy take it up with Lynn and see how you get on.
You put the site at risk with potentially defamatory content and you think the Moderators are in the wrong protecting the site!? You only seem to be concerned about your own wants & needs on this site and cry foul when you’re moderated, screaming “censorship!”. Commenters like you don’t change their behaviour and are a chronic pain in the arse, IMHO.
Ultimately the trust is responsible for comments put on the site and we will act against anyone who puts us at what we perceive as a legal risk.
…
If we and/or our lawyers feel that the the [sic] comment or post oversteps a legal bound, violates good taste, invades the privacy of people outside the public domain, or goes beyond the scope of our site – then and only then will we do something about it.
As guidelines to consider. Publishing facts that are manifestly false is relevant to our decision, but clearly stated opinion is not.
I know the policy incognito – read what I wrote again, and ask yourself what there is defamation under the law.
What I said about Key is public record, his bank of which he is on the board – [deleted] The fact the jumped up prick said this maybe you might want to start connecting some dots.
P.S. have you read this site lately – your moderation and those of others has stimmed conversation to the level of a total limited borish fuck fest. It’s dull, repetitive, and limp. No one can have free thought and discussion when you do what you do. Censorship at its core is the shutting down of ideas, and quite frankly incognito, you do that more often than not.
[6 month ban for ignoring moderation, and picking a fight with mods. You know how it works here, *all you had to do was provide a link backing up your claim. Instead you chose to repeat the defamation and throw shit at moderators.
This is nothing to do with censorship, and everything to do with setting boundaries to 1. protect the site owners, and 2. protect the moderators so we don’t have to waste time on people who think they can spray shit around the place. Had you in the first or second instance made an actual political argument with evidence there would be no moderation – weka]
Her husband, Warwick Jordan, said she was happy to have as many throat swabs as needed and had even had one before she left Europe to be cautious.
She was becoming increasingly distressed at being labelled a test dodger, he said. It was her eighth day staying at the Ibis Hotel isolation facility in Rotorua, and every morning since day three a tester and a person in military uniform had turned up asking her to take a nasal test, he said.
When in Rome do as the Romans do. Old saying that people coming to NZ need to remember; if you want to be here and we let you in, and we have something good you can't get somewhere else (Covid-19 free) then you don't moan and try to organise things to suit yourself you twits. Stay in isolation, and while you are there see if you can find a way to stop your nose bleeding, do some research. Good might come of the time spent inside. (Diet, less warfarin etc.)
government information given to all guests at the Ibis in Rotorua said though the more sensitive nasal swab was preferred, a throat swab was an option for those who could not tolerate one.
From your link, the medical note from her doctor should be enough to warrant the throat swab option being used, and certainly not a case of piling on and victim blaming/shaming.
Well the Romans in this case are saying a throat swab is an option. From your link,
"That was despite official documents given to guests on arrival that say a throat swab is an option if necessary."
Looks like some local level bullshit and I hope the RNZ coverage gets her some better medical treatment. Coercing people into unsafe medical testing is really not ok. But oh look, the MoH not taking any responsibility.
You don't need 'having or showing great knowledge or learning' to see the article contains a valid reason why the woman has a case for medical exemption from a nasal swab, and that quarantining visitors were given the option by authorities to have throat tests in the first place, so yeah, likely it was only the only people who were busy bashing their chin with their patellas who could see a problem and launch an attack.
quarantining visitors were given the option by authorities to have throat tests in the first place
Hmmm. The copy of the "Welcome pack" on the managed isolation and quarantine site doesn't mention throat swabs at all. Closest it gets is in the appendix: "You should let the person taking the swab know if you have any condition that reduces the strength of your skin, affects the ability of your blood to form clots, or if you are on blood thinning medication. If you have any of these conditions they may decide not to proceed with the test as your health is the primary concern."
The RNZ article also seems to be unclear as to what is a quote from the DHB medical officer, and what the journalist is stating as fact.
So this government information that allows travellers to choose which option they want might bear closer examination by whomever distributed it. And the MoH need to sort out whether the online documentation is the same as the documentation actually given in the hand.
I have an open mind on it at the moment – it could easily be a case of multiple comms and policy failures between ministry, DHB, and isolation staff, just like 'the sticker says on the box', as it were.
But equally, it might be over-egged by a media system that loves emotional pain and also loves sticking unattributed "context" of doubtful accuracy right after direct quotes.
Knowing the media's attention span, it'll all be forgotten tomorrow, but regardless of whether the true facts are revealed, I hope the poor woman can get tested in accordance with her doctor's medical advice.
whatever the veracity/spin of the story, it looks like reasonably serious communication fail to me, compounded by the MoH's response to RNZ that the decision was up to the DHB. Meaning that there is a decision to be made rather than there being a blanket policy? I'm hoping they don't mean that each DHB can determine its own policy.
But as Rosemary and I have said, this is pretty standard DHB and MoH MO. I'm just surprised to see it still happening this far into the pandemic.
Unfortunately, it's also standard practise to go to the media when one doesn't like a fair decision that has been made. Especially during election time.
And there's a lot in this story hinging on whether an unnamed piece of "government information" explicitly stated that throat swabs could be chosen by the person in isolation, chosen as a common alternative by the isolation facility's testing provider/funder, might be considered by testing provider under specific circumstances, or even mentioned throat swabs specifically at all (in which case that "government information" wasn't the same "welcome pack" I linked to earlier from the MIQ website). One thing that is consistent is that throat swabs are more likely to give a false negative, and thereby enable another cluster to form.
So I don't know whether this is another campaign by individuals for a bigger slice of the pie, or another example of shite coordination within the health system crunching people into flour.
yep. As I said in the post, I'm less concerned about the extra time in isolation that I am about the communication. Although people who pay for isolation or those that have jobs or kids to get back to, need to know this stuff in advance.
What makes me give RNZ more of the benefit of the doubt than the MoH, and DHB is that I think it's reasonable to assume that RNZ would have fact checked the hotel info that was given out in that specific facility, and this isn't the first time during covid that there have been mixed or contradictory messages from health authorities. They just need to sort it out, not fob it off.
I also think it's entirely possible that the woman has been treated badly. Or she's overegging it for some reason. Who knows, but the story is theoretically credible.
This is one of the things I like about some NZ media websites – they'd have a pdf or photo of the document itself, clearing up the veracity question right there.
The other query is that they apparently don't have a review process on the ground. I mean, they must have doctors available – what if someone screws up the count on their blood pressure meds? Or was it just easiest for the testing tech to roll their eyes and log it as a refusal, when a doc calling the woman's GP could have gotten more background on why it was an issue?
It could even be some bullshit about the lab only getting contracted for the throat swabs, so there's no reason to tell higher ups about the possible reasons for a throat swab instead.
There's some fuckage afoot, we just don't know what it is.
Looks like some local level bullshit and I hope the RNZ coverage gets her some better medical treatment. Coercing people into unsafe medical testing is really not ok. But oh look, the MoH not taking any responsibility.
Sadly, SSDD.
Some meglomaniacal local bureaucrat willy waving. Encountered so many of their ilk in the disability arena. Even when clearly in error, the higher-ups at the Misery almost always back them up.
They'd feel like failures if they displayed either compassion or clinical common sense.
Nothing like a bunch of smart people who know how to do everything sitting sniping on the sidelines. I think there is a DIploma in that at most universities and erudite educational establishments.
The piece of news did say that the woman could stay in isolation for another week if she wishes. They may be tightening up on throat swabs to get reliable stats, have all taken the same way. Can you give other people the benefit of the doubt that they know a bit more than you? Or offer a suggestion for change rather than a thundering condemnation?
I did offer suggestions for change. And I covered what the issues are. You can sit here and try and guess what is going on, my expectation is that the MoH and DHBs communicate much more effectively during a pandemic than they have here.
Nothing like commenters who don't bother reading a post (and who seem to imply that the author has no expertise).
Give it up, mate. Claiming we're all smart with qualifications to be know alls just makes your point that much weaker when, in fact, it would be easier for you to acknowledge you made a boo boo in a rush to judgement.
Yes, the article states she can stay for an extra week, just like it also states the people have volunteered to have as many throat swabs as required, too.
Assuming the woman is one of those now having to pay for quarantine, why should she shoulder the extra costs involved to stay longer when the people in charge are ignorantly going against the rules they themselves gave to arrivals? And she still has a valid medical reason to avoid nasal poking.
I wouldn't worry about those erudite classes if I were you, but I would look into seeing if there are any compassion courses going.
And who hadn't read the policy. Unfortunately, neither had the defence force person apparently. If they had they could have stepped in and said that a throat swab was fine.
John Campbell talked to James Shaw & Shane Jones for 13 mins this morning & it was extremely good viewing – convivial three-way discourse & to the point. Shane at his best for a change. The segment is viewable here:
Thanks. I tested the theory by going to their site, found the share icon below right as you said, clicked on the email icon. It produced an email with the clip-specific link contained within, which I could then copy to use here. Simple!
nice one! This works from quite a few websites that like to control their URLs. It's also good practice to chop the tracking bits off the end of URLs eg FB links. That's everything after the ?
When your own team has spent decades honing their savage attack skills, then they get a wee bit grouchy with you, it's not a good idea to poke them with a stick.
More good background on The Lincoln Project linked below. Note that very few people are endorsing them, or are under the delusion they are anything other than dangerous operatives opposed to everything progressive. Nevertheless, there is still a very temporary alignment of interests as they vainly attempt to wipe the cheeto-tinged skidmark from their image and reputations.
Oh god no, I'm not watching the debate. I'd rather spend the time shoving red-hot needles up under my fingernails. Sorry.
I'm dubious that there's any value whatsoever in these kinds of political debates, beyond a crude sort of lions vs christians entertainment. Let alone my extreme dislike of the way any kind of video or conversational format is deathly slow and inaccurate at conveying actual information, but masks that communication deficit by generating emotional responses.
Lmao!!! I lasted about 2mins listening to it, work was way too busy.
Thanks for posting those tweets, too funny.
By crikey pence is a mess, crusty eyes and a random fly, that will set the conspiracy theorists into a tail spin. This presidential election could well be the weirdest in US history.
Thanks Ric, re Al Jazeera, come to think of it, they will probably be the best news outlet for a breakdown of the debate.
Enough is enough and more is too much, says Dr Jason Hickel, an economic anthropologist at Goldsmiths University of London… He makes his case in his new book Less is More: How DeGrowth Will Save The World. …
The current ecological crisis is systemic, not the result of individual bad behaviour, Hickel says. “It’s ultimately being driven by a system – capitalism – that requires perpetual expansion. “So, we basically become victims of this system and so too does the planet.”
Degrowth and recession are not the same things, he says “A recession is what happens when a growth-oriented economy like capitalism fails to get growth, things fall apart.”…
Much of Europe outperforms the USA with only a third or a half of America’s GDP, he says. “The answer is some countries distribute income more fairly and crucially invest in universal public services like robust education and welfare, affordable housing and public transportation.”
And the growth mantra is fuelling the greatest crisis humanity has faced, he says….
“We’re not really seeing it in our politics yet, except in a few countries, New Zealand being one of them actually where this is a conversation that is happening.”
Hear, hear, here, to this. When do we want it? – We want it now. What did you say? – We want it now. Do we really need it? – Yes we really do!:
“We need economies that can shift into a lower gear without harming people’s lives, so degrowth basically calls for a planned down-shifting of the economy so that we use less fossil fuels, we use less unnecessary resources but at the same time distribute existing income and opportunities more fairly so that people can have access to the things they need to live flourishing lives.”
Well, that's a puzzle! Much mentioned here in recent years by myself & Weka, if not others. But yeah, thanks for posting about that book!
Incidentally, the word just codifies the steady-state economy really, so it's jargon updating the Green alt-economy agenda from almost half a century back…
Mentioned degrowth – yes. Many things have been mentioned over the 20th century and recently but getting everyone to pay attention and then accept and see workable ways of putting the ideas into practice is the task of Sisyphus. Has to go beyond wise guys on political blogs. And by wise guys I mean both the fact of your wisdom, and the flip comment that the general public often makes.
Is it possible to concentrate on getting the election over with left facing parties in and standing shoulder to shoulder in strength and commitment for that and not get onto all the particular wounds we need to address?S Munro?
Haha. Hosking in the Herald says the election is Labour’s to lose and that’s why we’re so nervous. There will be an absolute torrent of this tripe from all the usual suspects over the next few days.
It's OK apparently to scour peoples facebook pages when wanting to employ them – it is time actually that an actual ethical position is taken that it is not. Facebook does not always equal real life.
I can't believe this sort of juvenile memeing/dog-whistling/sexist/racist bull-shit is part of a presentation to employers. But then I can cause having been part of many groups with them involved I have been exposed to their banality. There are good intelligent employers out there but this sought of crap gives them a bad name. And plenty of us baby boomers can't stand Elvis.
Then of course comes the fake apology. The ridiculous we apologise if you were offended. What about just simply saying "we're a bunch of idiots and Ms Sparke is right"
"In a statement, the association (EMA) chief executive Brett O’Riley said the presenter had attempted to “inject some lightness into a complex topic”.
“We apologise if this caused Ms Sparke offence. The deliberately provocative slide of the heavily tattooed and pierced person was used to highlight what employers cannot and must not discriminate against.”
A second slide compared the attitudes of three generations – baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y – to work, sex, money and other influences.
While baby boomers were shown to be prepared to work their way to the top, Gen X were said to be looking for a shortcut, and Gen Y purportedly threatened to quit unless they were given Saturday off."
I have a feeling they were in the cart for the same/similar presentation a few years back as well.
I would say Ms Sparke comes off extremely well there. I don't doubt the EMA would be pushing some form of group identity narrative if it suites their purpose while continuing to claim Green politics is the divisive force.
Trump is pushing for Amy Coney Barrett to reach the Supreme Court, not because he gives a flying fruitcake about the right to life or any other rights. His powerful donors do, though, and he has to keep them happy if he’s to stay in power.
And Trump was standing on that balcony, touting his virility and strength, but leaving out the one drug that contributed to his recovery: Regeneron.
Perhaps you heard the docs talk about monoclonal antibodies. They worked wonders in fighting back Ebola, and scientists have hope for its use in other diseases, though it’s still experimental in COVID-19.
Here’s the rub. The antibodies come from stem cells recovered from human embryos.
How do I know? Regeneron told me so:
From their website:
“As is the case with many other science-focused biotechnology companies, Regeneron uses a wide variety of research tools and technologies to help discover and develop new therapeutics. Stem cells are one such tool. The stem cells most commonly used at Regeneron are mouse embryonic stem cells and human blood stem cells. Currently, there are limited research efforts employing human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines derived from adult human cells and human embryonic stem cells that are approved for research use by the National Institutes of Health and created solely through in vitro fertilization.”
They further explain in a paper in the journal Science, “The cells were originally isolated …from an aborted human fetus.”
For the West Coast audience, that’s, “…an aborted human fetus.”
A quiet read to take the mind of the hubbub of the present . 'What did we do before the world wars Mum and Dad'? Will we have to consider reshaping our lives to achieve similar?
1870 is the setting for the Lark Rise to Candleford book trilogy summarised below.
Flora Thompson's immortal trilogy, containing "Lark Rise", "Over To Candleford" and "Candleford Green", is a heartwarming portrayal of country life at the close of the 19th century.
This story of three closely related Oxfordshire communities – a hamlet, the nearby village and a small market town – is based on the author's experiences during childhood and youth. It chronicles May Day celebrations and forgotten children's games, the daily lives of farmworkers and craftsmen, friends and relations – all painted with a gaiety and freshness of observation that make this trilogy an evocative and sensitive memorial to Victorian rural England.
The stories are available on Project Gutenberg. But I don't know just how and copyright law for one's own country throws a shadow.
Fuck the Warehouse and its associated brands… healthy profit on the back of the wage subsidies… plenty of cash on hand…and they say without it they would have had a 4 million loss, I say keep the 4 million and hand the other 50 million or so back…
Corporations have taken the pissand are lining their executive and shareholder pockets.
The new govt needs to send Ird into these businesses and assess their actual eligibility and contemplate a Covid Koha tax on these pofitable firms
Well, I accidentally watched the Harris Pence debate. Pence would start an answer with a rabbit hole then start to answer the actual question and run over his allotted 2minutes, looking hard done by for not having enough time to answer. Repeatedly. (God would be clutched in the Pence right fist as he would, if he got the chance, like to carry out the very right agenda. Warning! Warning!)
Harris came across as informed, fluent and answered the questions pretty concisely. Make a good President? Yes. (Reminded me of Jacinda???)
There was a live spaced -out masked audience who were completely silent throughout.
The winner was the black fly sitting on Pence's very white hair.
Image of praying/preying mantis woman in church with plastic bottle. Is it ordinary drinking water, christening water, or hand sanitiser all ready to 'cleanse the spot from my hand' – Shakespeare?
Declaims in voice of doom: Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?
National's not having the week Judith Collins would have prayed for. After a couple of strong debate performances some MPs were getting hopeful. Then Denise Lee sent an email and Collins went for a walk.
ASA, a regulator unable to enforce decisions. Very postmodern.
Advertising Standards Authority chief executive Hilary Souter said the Authority was a voluntary organisation; it relied on its members (which include most major media, advertising and marketing groupings) to comply with its rulings. "It's disappointing that we've got really good engagement from all the other parties but that Advance NZ have chosen not to engage," she said. "But we don't have any legislative framework behind us – we haven't needed to in the past."
Last night, the party's co-leader Jami-Lee Ross told Newsroom they would not comply with the ruling against using the advertisements again.
"The ASA should not be trying to interfere in election debate and the free speech of political parties," he said. "They have no standing in regulating free speech. The evidence to back up our claims were in the advert in question at the bottom. We stand by the ads' content."
Last year, Justice Minister Andrew Little said he had little confidence in the Authority, after it rejected his complaint against a National Party advertisement.
"I just think they're not equipped to do the quasi-judicial job of ensuring that somebody who asserts in a paid advertisement that it is in fact," Little said. "The test that the Advertising Standards Authority seems to use now is that if the advertiser believes it to be true then it will be true."
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three. ...
Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blogIn 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time.A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
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Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
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New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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Forgive me, lefties, for I have sinned. Well almost but not quite, thank goodness.
I almost felt, for a moment, sorry for Judith.
I’ve been a political observer since before I was able to vote, but I’ve never witnessed a train wreck like this Natz campaign under Judith and Gerry.
I was out of the country in 2002 when English managed an epic low: was his campaign so full of hilarious moments as this one?
Merv from Manurewa!
Goldsmith’s holes!
Leaked emails!
‘Private’ moment of prayer!
Shouty leader insisting we don’t diss Samoa!
Sham stroll!
What have I missed – and more importantly, what’s next?
Next, Tony, is the CB poll on One News tonight! If there's no rise for National, time to do something more desperate. Where's Simon Lusk??
Ben Thomas talks about staging:
Ben's thesis is that we ought to appreciate the Judith: she's a liberal. Roll her, we end up with a fundie christian. I say, what better way to consign the National Party to the dustbin of history? Bring it on!
Ben Thomas — the man to call when you need a band-aid slapped on a gaping chest wound. "It's really not as bad as it looks. Yes, I know we can see her internal organs, but on a positive note, they all look fairly healthy."
heh, I've been on the verge of feeling sorry for her too. It's good to have some capacity for compassion for people who are doing despicable things, it's part of humanity and not being like them 😉
Did you know there's a basis upon which the rightist rabble has coalesced?
And that's why Winston
This idea of Winston's that facts emerge during an election campaign, and they can be known, and furthermore everyone ought to refrain from advance voting until they have all emerged, is so wacky that even conspiracy theorists will be stunned!!
Polls need to be outlawed!
I've talked to 3 people in the last week who like me had top come in 1st or 2nd on the vote compass, none of us intend to vote for them due to the poor polling.
By the way all of us had labour and the greens as the other 2 in the top 3. So this line that top is right wing is bs.
Those polls should not be taken very seriously. They are massively influenced by how the things which seem most relevant to the election (the questions) distribute peoples views which may be not important at all to them. Then there is the problem you identified with TOP where their policy wonk positions are interpreted as economically left wing by the pollster, which is a debatable interpretation at best.
A $250 ubi, a wealth tax on equity and raising taxes on superannuatants who work so that they dont have to raise the retirement age . Not very right wing.
I struggle with taxing unrealized profit in housing but what do I know.
I see the UBI as being a cut in the existing welfare for the most vulnerable (and its not been suggested as complimentary by TOP).
I see the capital tax as an ineffective attempt to leave housing policy to the market, and its not addressing the underlying problem, but from TOPs point of view they largely ignore other policies such as those Labour is attempting.
And the idea of all these retirement policies is to privatise retirement income. I really don't know why Cullen has been given any left wing cred for his parts because at best its just an offshore investment fund and an attempt to privatise social security.
Basically taxes up=left, taxes down=right is a massive charicature of policy positions, and makes for bad economic policy thinking.
but what do I know.
Not much, it seems.
The equity tax is not actually a tax on equity, but a tax on equity's yield However it is applied only when that yield is less than 3%: more than 3% and tax would simply be paid in the normal way in any case.
Probably the largest group, that this tax would affect, would be owners of family homes, whose equity in their property attracts no tax at present. Arguably, applying the tax in this case is justified by the fact that the rent that they save, by living in their own home, represents a sort of quasi income which should be taxed.
Those polls should not be taken very seriously.
But they are taken seriously—by the news media. If they didn't have polls to talk about, or cute animal stories—this morning featured a pesky raccoon annoying a CNN reporter—they would have to report on trivia, like the show trials of political dissenters.
[link deleted]
[Link deleted. You’ve already linked to it @ 10, which is the appropriate thing to do, but in this particular thread it could easily act as a detraction and diversion – Incognito]
Nice meiosis.
Pesky Raccoon 2020!
See my Moderation note @ 9:03 AM.
I found that too. Seems like they are trying to stear away the Labour/Green vote yea it's bs, but no L/G voter will be sucked in, like you they will see through that.
"So this line that top is right wing is bs."
They're not right wing, they're radical centrists. By positioning (they will support a National govt, so you might want to consider that in your voting choices), and by some of their policies (anti-welfare is the on I am most familiar with, but there are others).
I agree about polling though. We'd be much better off without polling in the month before the election. We'd probably have to ban publication of leaked internally polling too.
TOP are neither left wing nor right wing; but neither are they really centrists. I think they are sufficiently unique as to defy categorization.
By the way they are not opposed to welfare. However they would like to see a UBI replace welfare, though in practice top-ups would probably be necessary.
They are welcome to present a more nuanced welfare reform policy at any time, one which acknowledges positive discrimination has benefits. But when they do so they will probably have to explain that the so called 'efficiency' gains of universalism are a fiction.
Until then I will go with how this has worked in other countries where UBI policies have tried to undermine better functioning welfare regimes.
Chary with the truth mikesh but sounding nicely authoritative.
By the way they are not opposed to welfare. However they would like to see a UBI replace welfare, though in practice top-ups would probably be necessary.
After listening to authoritative commenters for long enough one can start hallucinating about double rainbows – what does it mean..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwGqGFzPWQ0
what does it mean
I recall being taught the answer in a physics class long ago. Vaguely recollect it as refraction plus reflection but don't quote me. Light bouncing off the back wall of the droplet after passing thro, then re-entry into atmosphere at a different angle to the primary refracted beam…
Refraction plus reflection – what I get when I read your thoughtful memos, and further refract though my vision is deteriorating. Wow a double rainbow – I sure look for one just now.
Simmons has an ideological commitment to getting rid of welfare. TOP don't have any real policy around top ups or a range of other issues related to welfare, including an adequate policy for disabled people and others who cannot work. When they change all that, I'll stop calling them anti-welfare, but at the moment their policy is dangerous for vulnerable people and those who may end up needing state assistance in the future.
"though in practice top-ups would probably be necessary."
See that's the problem right there, there's no probably about it and that degree of vagueness is just no ok in political work. TOP's UBI policy is defacto discriminatory against people who cannot work. Imagine TOP negotiating with National and ACT, what sort of UBI do you think we would end up with? Do you think that TOP would take a UBI off the table if NACT refused to treat disabled people well, or do you think that TOP would compromise and let welfare be dismantled before anything else was put in place?
"TOP are neither left wing nor right wing; but neither are they really centrists. I think they are sufficiently unique as to defy categorization."
This is probably true, but I think my description stands. They've positioned themselves to be able to work between the left and right dominant parties ie they're in the centre. And their policies can often be understood in left or right terms as well.
They're certainly not left wing. Some of what they do is progressive, and there are some solid ideas there. Some of what they do is regressive. Some of it is conservative.
golden dawn…nazis convicted. Awesome !
'Tens of thousands rallied outside the court, holding banners reading "Fascism, Never Again" and "Freedom for the People, Death to Fascism".
"We must send a message to the younger generations, a message against fascism," said 69-year-old Sophia. "It's our duty to democracy to be here today, to show we are standing up against such criminal actions." '
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/427834/greece-s-far-right-golden-dawn-declared-a-criminal-group
Big shout out to Auckland Central branch of the National Party for giving us all the unexpected delight of hearing the term “Potemkin Village” introduced into the election campaign.
Yeah, and as a semi-resident of Ponsonby (the road starts one short block away and I grew up there for the first few years of my life), let me tell you that I suspect that description alone will cause blow back on to whatshername Mellon(?) the National candidate.
They may be bovine and like that kind of thing in Parnell or Remmers – but it goes down like a sick balloon around here.
“Potemkin Village
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village The term comes from stories of a fake portable village built solely to impress Empress Catherine II by her former lover Grigory Potemkin, during her journey to Crimea in 1787.
Thanks wikipedia how would I manage without you. Donation coming up.
Lynn, can you please have a look at that comment in Pending.
The PM is heading to East Cape today to give Kiri Allan’s already good chances of taking this seat a further push.
Amazingly Republican veteran Lindsey Graham is getting outspent and completely outplayed in the South Carolina Senate race. The Cook Political report has moved it into the toss-up column.
https://cookpolitical.com/analysis/senate/south-carolina-senate/south-carolina-senate-moves-toss
All sorts of murmuring about who might have what to hold over that broken reed.
New post debate, post Trump Covid diagnosis Quinnipiac Poll
FLORIDA: Biden 51%, Trump 40%
PENNSYLVANIA: Biden 54%, Trump 41%
IOWA: Biden 50%, Trump 45%
Looks good. We need a landslide to render any electoral f*ckery by the Republican machine ineffectual.
Likely Milestone coming up:
–Labour– hitting the 1 mill+ mark for the first time ever.
They came so close yet so far in 2005 (935k) & 2017 (956k).
–Nats–, meanwhile, are likely to fall below 1 mill for the first time since they hit that particular milestone way back in 2008.
🙂 That is good news.
BTW: I like the way you used the colours..
Wow Yahoo!!! I am one of that million !!You go Jacinda and team.
‘None Of It Reported’: How Corporate Media Buried The Assange Trial
by DAVID CROMWELL, Media Lens, 7th October 2020
One of the most imposing features of state-corporate propaganda is its incessant, repetitive nature. Over and over again, the ‘mainstream’ media have to convince the public that ‘our’ government prioritises the health, welfare and livelihoods of the general population, rather than the private interests of an elite stratum of society that owns and runs all the major institutions, banks, corporations and media.
We are constantly bombarded by government ministers and their media lackeys telling us that ‘our’ armed forces require huge resources, at public expense, to maintain the country’s ‘peace’ and ‘security’. We do not hear so much about the realpolitik of invading, bombing or otherwise ‘intervening’ in other countries with military force, diplomatic muscle, and bribes of trade and aid deals to carve up natural resources and markets for the benefit of a few.
For those old enough to remember 2002-2003, who can forget the endless repeated rhetoric of the ‘threat’ posed by Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, of how his ‘weapons of mass destruction’ could be launched within 45 minutes of his order, and how ‘we’ simply had to remove him from power? Or how, in 2011, the US, UK and France had to launch ‘humanitarian intervention’ to stop the ‘mass slaughter’ of civilians by Gaddafi’s forces in Libya. And on and on.
Read more…
https://www.medialens.org/2020/none-of-it-reported-how-corporate-media-buried-the-assange-trial/
Thanks Morrissey that makes the point strongly. Most of us will have noticed this in much of the media, but not seen how widely practised it is. Will read later. Keeping up is time-consuming don't you think!
Frankly, the current hearings are just a preamble.
Not matter the outcome, the losing party will appeal, and the losing party of that will appeal, and so on up to the UK Supreme Court. Again.
Unless the US gets a sane potus, in which case they might drop it.
There are some and I wish more, people would tell him to get off the pot-us.
I'm struggling to think of a good call the current oaf has made.
He's probably only going for extradition because Obama's office reckoned it was too close to the 1st amendment to try.
Umm, it's an extradition hearing, not a trial. Words have actual meanings, and it's helpful to clear communication to use the words that correctly describe a situation. If, on the other hand, your intent is propaganda and disinformation, then misusing words is quite a useful tool.
I won't be surprised if one of Biden's early actions as president will be to make some statement along the lines of 'Discussions with the incoming Attorney General have affirmed the determination made by Obama and Attorney General Holder in 2013 that it is not in the interest of the United States to prosecute Mr Assange, for the reasons that were publicised at the time. We therefore withdraw the extradition proceedings'.
Nats are now officially in save-the-furniture mode as the house burns down
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-10-2020/keen-to-see-judith-collins-jettisoned-careful-what-you-wish-for/
This article is spin. Ben Thomas is a National Party operative—more pleasant than Matthew Hooton but just as ideological. He's a regular guest on RNZ National—usually billed as a representative of the ludicrously mislabelled “centre-right.” He’s desperate to put the best possible interpretation on this embarrassment.
Ben Thomas is arguing that if Collins goes, then we'll get a religious right replacement whereas Judith is a liberal.
Who cares? Such a retreat to the religious right would mean that the National party would split, as it should.
Who cares? This would mean that National are still in opposition with an illiberal leader. More for ordinary folk to dislike.
The only downside is that NZ would lack an effective opposition which good democracy demands, in the absence of a second chamber, a presidential/governor-general veto, and now with a four year term being promoted.
I have had moments of feeling sorry for judith Collins. Pretty humiliating last few days for her.
but then I remember dirty politics orivida and the lies about her visit to their office and subsequent dinner with a border official. Her association with Cameron Slater. And I think of all the dirty tricks National have pulled over the years too many to list.
Then I feel more comfortable with Collins being the casualty. Their chickens coming home to roost. Long overdue.
hope this is causing Key, Joyce and Bennett some pain, but usually psychopathic types feel very little
These type are fame seekers and loosing face is a body blow to their arrogant egotistical narcissism.
Now their reputations have been exposed that's the end of the line National will have to ditch all these Dirty Political players out of a very small caucus given the back stabbing leaks it's going to be a very painful process. ACT being farther to the right in larger numbers will make hard for National to be a centrist party.
National the strong team is shot to pieces driving around rural areas many farmers who would normally have hoardings up in their paddocks haven't bothered ,
They are not impressed with National money for campaigning is down .
After the election blood letting will be the order of they day.
Bloodletting… and then looking for a new job because you've just been chucked out for behaving like a rapacious brigand, or being content to surround yourself with rapacious brigands. I don't wish Collins any ill-will, but this is pure karma. She's spent her career cultivating a different kind of unpleasantness, one not liberally coated in Teflon. Unlike Saint John of Key, things tend to stick to Judith Collins.
Nats going to ACT could be a disadvantage to the left. When there is a group herd mentality of rightists they will encourage each other to greater corruption. National when it had some real democratic principles guiding it acted as a brake on the rapacious specialising in sly selfishness and material display, and disdain for citizen equality. As the saying goes – be careful what you wish for.
@Morrissey 11.1
I think most people will have no trouble sifting through the spin and desperation on this one.
How real is the possibility that the National Party could splinter into seperate entities a la Labour post Douglas?
good question. with nzfirst looking like not being in parliament ,next term, would presume winston will retire, opens door for many former nats to come in. think nzfirst will survive, and the corpse is worth $$$. who better to pick up a slightly used political party than pissed off cashed up nats? surprised that experts like frankdennis havent pontificated about this possibility. you can bet that people without a real life, like hooten and farrar, have thought about this.
[deleted]
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12371339
[deleted]
[please don’t post potentially defamatory comments, it puts the site owners at risk – weka]
Key promised to wipe the scourge of P from NZ [deleted]
Cutting police numbers by 880 while the population increased by 20% played right into the Drug Barrons hands.
Crushless Collins and pullya Benefit were police ministers administering cuts, while pretending to be tough on Crime.
[please don’t post potentially defamatory comments, it puts the site owners at risk – weka]
mod note
The worst part weka is you left the link which without comment, which makes it totally fubar.
Key is a Tory cunt and needs to be called out for his shitfuckery, but no. Can't say that, someone will get offended.
you can call him a Tory cunt (honestly held opinion). You can't make claims of fact about him that might end up with Lynn and Mike in court. Nothing to do with being offended, so fuck off with that bullshit lying about moderation. If you have a problem with the site policy take it up with Lynn and see how you get on.
mod note.
Fuck off weka, read some news for fuck sake.
https://www.icij.org/investigations/fincen-files/
Key has his hands all over this shit, along with all the other Aussie banks and their bosses.
Totally fucked off with your censorship, it’s fucking tiresome from you and the other moderators.
You put the site at risk with potentially defamatory content and you think the Moderators are in the wrong protecting the site!? You only seem to be concerned about your own wants & needs on this site and cry foul when you’re moderated, screaming “censorship!”. Commenters like you don’t change their behaviour and are a chronic pain in the arse, IMHO.
https://thestandard.org.nz/policy/
I know the policy incognito – read what I wrote again, and ask yourself what there is defamation under the law.
What I said about Key is public record, his bank of which he is on the board – [deleted] The fact the jumped up prick said this maybe you might want to start connecting some dots.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/feb/25/new-zealand-troops-iraq-isis-john-key-parliament-video
P.S. have you read this site lately – your moderation and those of others has stimmed conversation to the level of a total limited borish fuck fest. It’s dull, repetitive, and limp. No one can have free thought and discussion when you do what you do. Censorship at its core is the shutting down of ideas, and quite frankly incognito, you do that more often than not.
[6 month ban for ignoring moderation, and picking a fight with mods. You know how it works here, *all you had to do was provide a link backing up your claim. Instead you chose to repeat the defamation and throw shit at moderators.
This is nothing to do with censorship, and everything to do with setting boundaries to 1. protect the site owners, and 2. protect the moderators so we don’t have to waste time on people who think they can spray shit around the place. Had you in the first or second instance made an actual political argument with evidence there would be no moderation – weka]
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/427849/authorities-insist-on-nasal-swab-despite-woman-s-bleeding-risk
Her husband, Warwick Jordan, said she was happy to have as many throat swabs as needed and had even had one before she left Europe to be cautious.
She was becoming increasingly distressed at being labelled a test dodger, he said. It was her eighth day staying at the Ibis Hotel isolation facility in Rotorua, and every morning since day three a tester and a person in military uniform had turned up asking her to take a nasal test, he said.
When in Rome do as the Romans do. Old saying that people coming to NZ need to remember; if you want to be here and we let you in, and we have something good you can't get somewhere else (Covid-19 free) then you don't moan and try to organise things to suit yourself you twits. Stay in isolation, and while you are there see if you can find a way to stop your nose bleeding, do some research. Good might come of the time spent inside. (Diet, less warfarin etc.)
From your link, the medical note from her doctor should be enough to warrant the throat swab option being used, and certainly not a case of piling on and victim blaming/shaming.
Who is the victim? If any at all, NZ is. Always under attack no matter what we do, and how good the outcomes are.
Well the Romans in this case are saying a throat swab is an option. From your link,
"That was despite official documents given to guests on arrival that say a throat swab is an option if necessary."
Looks like some local level bullshit and I hope the RNZ coverage gets her some better medical treatment. Coercing people into unsafe medical testing is really not ok. But oh look, the MoH not taking any responsibility.
You think people would actually read the articles they link to, eh?
Would save an awful lot of knee jerking injuries.
Anyone looking at the article could draw conclusions from it. Not everyone is as erudite as yourself TA.
You don't need 'having or showing great knowledge or learning' to see the article contains a valid reason why the woman has a case for medical exemption from a nasal swab, and that quarantining visitors were given the option by authorities to have throat tests in the first place, so yeah, likely it was only the only people who were busy bashing their chin with their patellas who could see a problem and launch an attack.
Hmmm. The copy of the "Welcome pack" on the managed isolation and quarantine site doesn't mention throat swabs at all. Closest it gets is in the appendix: "You should let the person taking the swab know if you have any condition that reduces the strength of your skin, affects the ability of your blood to form clots, or if you are on blood thinning medication. If you have any of these conditions they may decide not to proceed with the test as your health is the primary concern."
The RNZ article also seems to be unclear as to what is a quote from the DHB medical officer, and what the journalist is stating as fact.
So this government information that allows travellers to choose which option they want might bear closer examination by whomever distributed it. And the MoH need to sort out whether the online documentation is the same as the documentation actually given in the hand.
Just going from the text in the rnz link at 16 – Part of which I quoted in 16.1
If the info is incorrect I'll retract it as soon as they do, but I will cede to your more informed piece as you appear to have delved in to it.
I have an open mind on it at the moment – it could easily be a case of multiple comms and policy failures between ministry, DHB, and isolation staff, just like 'the sticker says on the box', as it were.
But equally, it might be over-egged by a media system that loves emotional pain and also loves sticking unattributed "context" of doubtful accuracy right after direct quotes.
Knowing the media's attention span, it'll all be forgotten tomorrow, but regardless of whether the true facts are revealed, I hope the poor woman can get tested in accordance with her doctor's medical advice.
I hope she gets help dealing with isolation and that the staff make it clear that she's not being blamed for refusing that particular test.
whatever the veracity/spin of the story, it looks like reasonably serious communication fail to me, compounded by the MoH's response to RNZ that the decision was up to the DHB. Meaning that there is a decision to be made rather than there being a blanket policy? I'm hoping they don't mean that each DHB can determine its own policy.
But as Rosemary and I have said, this is pretty standard DHB and MoH MO. I'm just surprised to see it still happening this far into the pandemic.
Unfortunately, it's also standard practise to go to the media when one doesn't like a fair decision that has been made. Especially during election time.
And there's a lot in this story hinging on whether an unnamed piece of "government information" explicitly stated that throat swabs could be chosen by the person in isolation, chosen as a common alternative by the isolation facility's testing provider/funder, might be considered by testing provider under specific circumstances, or even mentioned throat swabs specifically at all (in which case that "government information" wasn't the same "welcome pack" I linked to earlier from the MIQ website). One thing that is consistent is that throat swabs are more likely to give a false negative, and thereby enable another cluster to form.
So I don't know whether this is another campaign by individuals for a bigger slice of the pie, or another example of shite coordination within the health system crunching people into flour.
yep. As I said in the post, I'm less concerned about the extra time in isolation that I am about the communication. Although people who pay for isolation or those that have jobs or kids to get back to, need to know this stuff in advance.
What makes me give RNZ more of the benefit of the doubt than the MoH, and DHB is that I think it's reasonable to assume that RNZ would have fact checked the hotel info that was given out in that specific facility, and this isn't the first time during covid that there have been mixed or contradictory messages from health authorities. They just need to sort it out, not fob it off.
I also think it's entirely possible that the woman has been treated badly. Or she's overegging it for some reason. Who knows, but the story is theoretically credible.
This is one of the things I like about some NZ media websites – they'd have a pdf or photo of the document itself, clearing up the veracity question right there.
The other query is that they apparently don't have a review process on the ground. I mean, they must have doctors available – what if someone screws up the count on their blood pressure meds? Or was it just easiest for the testing tech to roll their eyes and log it as a refusal, when a doc calling the woman's GP could have gotten more background on why it was an issue?
It could even be some bullshit about the lab only getting contracted for the throat swabs, so there's no reason to tell higher ups about the possible reasons for a throat swab instead.
There's some fuckage afoot, we just don't know what it is.
Looks like some local level bullshit and I hope the RNZ coverage gets her some better medical treatment. Coercing people into unsafe medical testing is really not ok. But oh look, the MoH not taking any responsibility.
Sadly, SSDD.
Some meglomaniacal local bureaucrat willy waving. Encountered so many of their ilk in the disability arena. Even when clearly in error, the higher-ups at the Misery almost always back them up.
They'd feel like failures if they displayed either compassion or clinical common sense.
Looked like classic health system bullshit to me too.
I put up a post.
https://thestandard.org.nz/is-this-woman-being-coerced-into-unsafe-healthcare-by-the-dhbs-handling-of-covid-testing/
Nothing like a bunch of smart people who know how to do everything sitting sniping on the sidelines. I think there is a DIploma in that at most universities and erudite educational establishments.
The piece of news did say that the woman could stay in isolation for another week if she wishes. They may be tightening up on throat swabs to get reliable stats, have all taken the same way. Can you give other people the benefit of the doubt that they know a bit more than you? Or offer a suggestion for change rather than a thundering condemnation?
I did offer suggestions for change. And I covered what the issues are. You can sit here and try and guess what is going on, my expectation is that the MoH and DHBs communicate much more effectively during a pandemic than they have here.
Nothing like commenters who don't bother reading a post (and who seem to imply that the author has no expertise).
Give it up, mate. Claiming we're all smart with qualifications to be know alls just makes your point that much weaker when, in fact, it would be easier for you to acknowledge you made a boo boo in a rush to judgement.
Yes, the article states she can stay for an extra week, just like it also states the people have volunteered to have as many throat swabs as required, too.
Assuming the woman is one of those now having to pay for quarantine, why should she shoulder the extra costs involved to stay longer when the people in charge are ignorantly going against the rules they themselves gave to arrivals? And she still has a valid medical reason to avoid nasal poking.
I wouldn't worry about those erudite classes if I were you, but I would look into seeing if there are any compassion courses going.
And who hadn't read the policy. Unfortunately, neither had the defence force person apparently. If they had they could have stepped in and said that a throat swab was fine.
Sounds like a nondecision made by some jobsworth really. Nagging her about it is just the sort of institutional sadism those people get off on.
There's a bit of that about true.
Five minor party leaders in TVNZ's multi-party debate tonight: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/minor-party-leaders-go-head-in-tvnzs-multi-debate-tonight
In our High Court yesterday the New Conservative party lost its bid to be included :
Political editor Jessica Mutch McKay will moderate, runs 7-8pm on One.
John Campbell talked to James Shaw & Shane Jones for 13 mins this morning & it was extremely good viewing – convivial three-way discourse & to the point. Shane at his best for a change. The segment is viewable here:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/breakfast/clips/james-shaw-and-shane-jones-talk-politics-with-general-election-less-than-two-weeks-away
[fixed the link]
use the share button Dennis. Click on one of them and then cut and past the URL from that. The main Breakfast URL just reverts back to TVNZ.
share button
Where is it?? I put the cursor over all the icons above the reply window & none identified as such…
bottom right, in line with the play button. It's the three dots and two lines in a shape like this <
It will give you a number of options, which might depend on if you have an account with FB, twitter etc, but the email one should work.
Thanks. I tested the theory by going to their site, found the share icon below right as you said, clicked on the email icon. It produced an email with the clip-specific link contained within, which I could then copy to use here. Simple!
nice one! This works from quite a few websites that like to control their URLs. It's also good practice to chop the tracking bits off the end of URLs eg FB links. That's everything after the ?
When your own team has spent decades honing their savage attack skills, then they get a wee bit grouchy with you, it's not a good idea to poke them with a stick.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/10/7/1984433/–Trump-Goes-Decides-To-Go-Up-Against-Steve-Schmidt-Bad-Move
Result is kinda like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxosMgthFN4
More good background on The Lincoln Project linked below. Note that very few people are endorsing them, or are under the delusion they are anything other than dangerous operatives opposed to everything progressive. Nevertheless, there is still a very temporary alignment of interests as they vainly attempt to wipe the cheeto-tinged skidmark from their image and reputations.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/10/12/inside-the-lincoln-projects-war-against-trump
Jesus. That was brutal. Entertaining, but brutal.
https://twitter.com/latelateshow/status/1313673445188620288
that was probably mccartneys best ever song. too good to be given the weird al treatment. get the original and play it LOUD!
Andre, are you going to watch the debate today between Karmala and pence? I'm going to try and listen to it at work.
Would be really interested to know your thoughts about it later on.
Here's a link for a stream if anyone is interested, the debate starts in 14 mins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GRqp2tN9co
Oh god no, I'm not watching the debate. I'd rather spend the time shoving red-hot needles up under my fingernails. Sorry.
I'm dubious that there's any value whatsoever in these kinds of political debates, beyond a crude sort of lions vs christians entertainment. Let alone my extreme dislike of the way any kind of video or conversational format is deathly slow and inaccurate at conveying actual information, but masks that communication deficit by generating emotional responses.
It's on Al Jazeera now (2.20pm)
The consensus of commentator opinion seems to be that the fly won it. By being the most interesting character of the evening.
Not wasting time.
https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1314031047013732352
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-pence-fly-vice-presidential-debate_n_5f7e775fc5b6e48b16832ed4
And the runner-up by general acclamation seems to be the overboiled cauliflower's pink left eye.
https://twitter.com/JReinerMD/status/1314021309333090305
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mike-pences-eye-becomes-hot-topic-on-social-media-during-vp-debate
Lmao!!! I lasted about 2mins listening to it, work was way too busy.
Thanks for posting those tweets, too funny.
By crikey pence is a mess, crusty eyes and a random fly, that will set the conspiracy theorists into a tail spin. This presidential election could well be the weirdest in US history.
Thanks Ric, re Al Jazeera, come to think of it, they will probably be the best news outlet for a breakdown of the debate.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/8/pence-harris-face-off-in-vp-debate-us-election-news
Awesome
Degrowth. Degrowth. DEGROWTH. Trying the word out for size, to get familiarity with it. Not heard it before. How would this be helpful for us?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018766960/jason-hickel-how-degrowth-will-save-the-world
Enough is enough and more is too much, says Dr Jason Hickel, an economic anthropologist at Goldsmiths University of London…
He makes his case in his new book Less is More: How DeGrowth Will Save The World. …
The current ecological crisis is systemic, not the result of individual bad behaviour, Hickel says.
“It’s ultimately being driven by a system – capitalism – that requires perpetual expansion.
“So, we basically become victims of this system and so too does the planet.”
Degrowth and recession are not the same things, he says
“A recession is what happens when a growth-oriented economy like capitalism fails to get growth, things fall apart.”…
Much of Europe outperforms the USA with only a third or a half of America’s GDP, he says.
“The answer is some countries distribute income more fairly and crucially invest in universal public services like robust education and welfare, affordable housing and public transportation.”
And the growth mantra is fuelling the greatest crisis humanity has faced, he says….
“We’re not really seeing it in our politics yet, except in a few countries, New Zealand being one of them actually where this is a conversation that is happening.”
Hear, hear, here, to this. When do we want it? – We want it now.
What did you say? – We want it now.
Do we really need it? – Yes we really do!:
😀
Not heard it before.
Well, that's a puzzle! Much mentioned here in recent years by myself & Weka, if not others. But yeah, thanks for posting about that book!
Incidentally, the word just codifies the steady-state economy really, so it's jargon updating the Green alt-economy agenda from almost half a century back…
Mentioned degrowth – yes. Many things have been mentioned over the 20th century and recently but getting everyone to pay attention and then accept and see workable ways of putting the ideas into practice is the task of Sisyphus. Has to go beyond wise guys on political blogs. And by wise guys I mean both the fact of your wisdom, and the flip comment that the general public often makes.
Granny wheels out some fluff copy for shonky john to slap his moniker against about how great Jude's going.
Then shonky john gets to tell everyone why he's voting no on cannabis reform. Zero surprises from the tobacco and alcohol party.
Is it possible to concentrate on getting the election over with left facing parties in and standing shoulder to shoulder in strength and commitment for that and not get onto all the particular wounds we need to address?S Munro?
Haha. Hosking in the Herald says the election is Labour’s to lose and that’s why we’re so nervous. There will be an absolute torrent of this tripe from all the usual suspects over the next few days.
That will have hurt Horeskin to admit but.
The election is on and the world also turns.
Think piece by Yanis Varoufakis:
https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu/2020/10/06/how-progressives-could-still-win-the-21st-century-the-correspondent/
Slavoj Zizek – how lucky those of us who are isolated can regard ourselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8JrKJtTDTM
.
Julian Assange – https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/30/us-intelligence-sources-discussed-poisoning-julian-assange-court-told
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange
Employers still being dinosaurs.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/123020092/ema-under-fire-over-gross-employment-presentation
It's OK apparently to scour peoples facebook pages when wanting to employ them – it is time actually that an actual ethical position is taken that it is not. Facebook does not always equal real life.
I can't believe this sort of juvenile memeing/dog-whistling/sexist/racist bull-shit is part of a presentation to employers. But then I can cause having been part of many groups with them involved I have been exposed to their banality. There are good intelligent employers out there but this sought of crap gives them a bad name. And plenty of us baby boomers can't stand Elvis.
Then of course comes the fake apology. The ridiculous we apologise if you were offended. What about just simply saying "we're a bunch of idiots and Ms Sparke is right"
"In a statement, the association (EMA) chief executive Brett O’Riley said the presenter had attempted to “inject some lightness into a complex topic”.
“We apologise if this caused Ms Sparke offence. The deliberately provocative slide of the heavily tattooed and pierced person was used to highlight what employers cannot and must not discriminate against.”
A second slide compared the attitudes of three generations – baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y – to work, sex, money and other influences.
While baby boomers were shown to be prepared to work their way to the top, Gen X were said to be looking for a shortcut, and Gen Y purportedly threatened to quit unless they were given Saturday off."
I have a feeling they were in the cart for the same/similar presentation a few years back as well.
I would say Ms Sparke comes off extremely well there. I don't doubt the EMA would be pushing some form of group identity narrative if it suites their purpose while continuing to claim Green politics is the divisive force.
But he's pro-life!
But riddle me this.
Trump is pushing for Amy Coney Barrett to reach the Supreme Court, not because he gives a flying fruitcake about the right to life or any other rights. His powerful donors do, though, and he has to keep them happy if he’s to stay in power.
And Trump was standing on that balcony, touting his virility and strength, but leaving out the one drug that contributed to his recovery: Regeneron.
Perhaps you heard the docs talk about monoclonal antibodies. They worked wonders in fighting back Ebola, and scientists have hope for its use in other diseases, though it’s still experimental in COVID-19.
Here’s the rub. The antibodies come from stem cells recovered from human embryos.
How do I know? Regeneron told me so:
From their website:
“As is the case with many other science-focused biotechnology companies, Regeneron uses a wide variety of research tools and technologies to help discover and develop new therapeutics. Stem cells are one such tool. The stem cells most commonly used at Regeneron are mouse embryonic stem cells and human blood stem cells. Currently, there are limited research efforts employing human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines derived from adult human cells and human embryonic stem cells that are approved for research use by the National Institutes of Health and created solely through in vitro fertilization.”
They further explain in a paper in the journal Science, “The cells were originally isolated …from an aborted human fetus.”
For the West Coast audience, that’s, “…an aborted human fetus.”
https://medium.com/illumination/the-state-of-the-nation-hypocrisy-version-8f8ff98bcefa
oooh, that's a bit of a pickle isn't it?
Nobel Peace Prize announced 10pm Friday.
How did the Nobel Committee know that was one week before the New Zealand general election?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2020/10/what-jacinda-ardern-will-receive-if-she-wins-the-2020-nobel-peace-prize.html
As long as trump doesn't get it, that's the main thing 🙂
If they gave it to him in exchange for him immediately resigning, I'd be good with that.
A quiet read to take the mind of the hubbub of the present . 'What did we do before the world wars Mum and Dad'? Will we have to consider reshaping our lives to achieve similar?
1870 is the setting for the Lark Rise to Candleford book trilogy summarised below.
About it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lark_Rise
Flora Thompson's immortal trilogy, containing "Lark Rise", "Over To Candleford" and "Candleford Green", is a heartwarming portrayal of country life at the close of the 19th century.
This story of three closely related Oxfordshire communities – a hamlet, the nearby village and a small market town – is based on the author's experiences during childhood and youth. It chronicles May Day celebrations and forgotten children's games, the daily lives of farmworkers and craftsmen, friends and relations – all painted with a gaiety and freshness of observation that make this trilogy an evocative and sensitive memorial to Victorian rural England.
The stories are available on Project Gutenberg. But I don't know just how and copyright law for one's own country throws a shadow.
This is the Australian entry relating to Gutenberg and the law.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg_Australia
This is the general info about project Gutenberg.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg
These sites are newly available.
https://www.gutenberg.org/help/new_website.html
https://www.gutenberg.org/
Unprecedented recommendation from New England Journal of Medicine to vote Trump out of office
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2029812?fbclid=IwAR1ItqGusykclxzEVo8EmRlWA0H5MNtGfSoxk0RidlrNCaaBsxG074UlUtg
Hoo boy. The cult that SCOTUS nominee Barrett belongs to may literally have been the inspiration for "The Handmaid's Tale".
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amy-coney-barrett-handmaid-people-of-praise_n_5f7dfbd6c5b6fc1dec78c952
Fuck the Warehouse and its associated brands… healthy profit on the back of the wage subsidies… plenty of cash on hand…and they say without it they would have had a 4 million loss, I say keep the 4 million and hand the other 50 million or so back…
Corporations have taken the pissand are lining their executive and shareholder pockets.
The new govt needs to send Ird into these businesses and assess their actual eligibility and contemplate a Covid Koha tax on these pofitable firms
Well, I accidentally watched the Harris Pence debate. Pence would start an answer with a rabbit hole then start to answer the actual question and run over his allotted 2minutes, looking hard done by for not having enough time to answer. Repeatedly. (God would be clutched in the Pence right fist as he would, if he got the chance, like to carry out the very right agenda. Warning! Warning!)
Harris came across as informed, fluent and answered the questions pretty concisely. Make a good President? Yes. (Reminded me of Jacinda???)
There was a live spaced -out masked audience who were completely silent throughout.
The winner was the black fly sitting on Pence's very white hair.
You don't see white doggy doo so much these days.
Pence is like a male fox terrier who has been nutted. The one from the litter behind all the others who missed out on an allocation of 'character'.
Spaced-out. Lol.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/caucus/story/2018767507/collins-and-peters-on-thin-ice-as-ardern-finds-her-feet
Image of praying/preying
mantiswoman in church with plastic bottle. Is it ordinary drinking water, christening water, or hand sanitiser all ready to 'cleanse the spot from my hand' – Shakespeare?Declaims in voice of doom: Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?
It's just possible that Codger's prayers are being answered but not the way she'd like.
The image I refer to might not be in above link.
So –
Collins, Peters on thin ice as Ardern finds her feet about 1 hour ago
National's not having the week Judith Collins would have prayed for. After a couple of strong debate performances some MPs were getting hopeful. Then Denise Lee sent an email and Collins went for a walk.
ASA, a regulator unable to enforce decisions. Very postmodern.
Expert practitioners of postmodernism then, the ASA. ANZ & JLR, expert practitioners of truthiness. Each group deserves the other…