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notices and features - Date published:
6:00 am, May 10th, 2018 - 42 comments
Categories: open mike -
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The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
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The tragic soul sickness of the Assad apologist.
How Right Wing Conspiracy Theorists and Fascists twist the truth
In the same vein, there is another body of related right wingers and fascists who encourage and elevate conspiracy theorists peddling the same “crisis actors” meme.
These conspiracy theorists who acclaim themselves as “experts” and “independent”, who take the tragic videos from Syria that document the horrific crimes of the Assad regime, and use passing similarities between different children to label them as the same child, and then to further discredit their suffering, accuse them of being crisis actors. Ghoulishly making fun of children and babies suffering, at public showings of carefully edited and out of context video clips.
I am talking here of course of Vanessa Beeley and Eva Bartlett and all their avid admirers, and fellow travelers.
Bartlet and Beeley are the two most cited and referred to fallback source of the Assad apologists.
The proponents and supporters of the foreign regime change conspiracy narrative, almost always end up citing either, or both, of these two.
Related:
Syrian children’s trauma is a laughing matter—if you are Vanessa Beeley
What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive
From the weird and sick Assadist files:
When pro regime apologists are not busy running four opposing narratives, at the same time, for the same attack they keep themselves busy attacking each other:
‘There was no gas attack in Douma, nobody died.’
‘There was a gas attack in Douma, “US backed” terrorists gassed their own people to make us look bad, many died’,
‘There was a fake “staged” gas attack in Douma, nobody died.’
‘There was a “dust” attack in Douma, some died.’
Assad propagandists attack each other for spreading “Fake News”.
Pro Assad journalists rubbish The Standard author favourites, Beeley and Bartlett
https://louisproyect.org/2018/03/30/newsbud-versus-vanessa-beeley-and-eva-bartlett/
Hi Jenny. Re our exchange last month, “the rule of law” has nothing to do with right wing notions of “law and order”. It is the principle* that the law applies equally to everyone.
*NB: actual experience may vary.
So the racist hate group Hobson’s Pledge keep telling us. Despite all evidence to the contrary.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/84346494/new-zealands-racist-justice-system–our-law-is-not-colourblind
No, Jenny, the racist hate group’s dog whistle is “one law for all”, which isn’t the same thing. Also, consider the meaning behind the phrase “actual experience may vary”. Hint: you linked to an example of that.
That’s the point Bloke, experienced actuality, beats divorced from reality maxims and wishful thinking every time.
If that’s the case why bother with human rights at all? Underlying principles are not a “nice-to-have”.
No it is important that human rights be codified. Otherwise victories won on the ground are always under attack from conservative forces and you end up fighting the same battles all over again. Even when they are codified the reactionaries and fascists still try to undermine them or repeal them, Or in situations of fascist coups and military take over just abolish them.
But it might be good to link back to the original debate.
I think it was about me arguing that the existing oil exploration contracts be repealed. This has got nothing to do with human rights. But corporate rights. And that these contracts are not written in stone and that democratic governments have the right to cancel them. Especially if they have democratic mandate to do so.
No it is important that human rights be codified. Otherwise victories won on the ground are always under attack from conservative forces and you end up fighting the same battles all over again. Even when they are codified the reactionaries and fascists still try to undermine them or repeal them, Or in situations of fascist coups and military take over just abolish them.
But it might be good to link back to the original debate.
I think it was about me arguing that the existing oil exploration contracts need to be repealed. Which is what you objected too. This has got nothing to do with human rights. But corporate rights. These contracts are not written in stone I argued that democratic governments have the right to cancel them. Especially if they have a democratic mandate to do so.
I just might mention here that a whole heap of business contracts even for some quite big corporations have just been cancelled between the Iranian government and Western businesses by Donald Trump with the stroke of pen.
The Right cancel contracts and repeal laws all the time.
So your argument that these contracts can’t be cancelled holds no water at all.
Jenny, I didn’t say they “can’t” be cancelled. I do however agree with McFlock’s characterisation of such behaviour as “dodgy as fuck”. The things right wingers do are not a good template.
I’m not convinced the democratic mandate exists either. Personally, I want our government to be true to its word.
According to a TV3 Brunton poll cited by Greenpeace, 80% of New Zealanders are opposed to deep sea oil drilling.
(unfortunately can no longer find the direct link to this poll)
I’m opposed to deep sea oil drilling too. That’s not the same thing as wanting a government that cancels legally binding contracts.
Also, the Greens stood on this platform and got 6%. I voted for them, but a mandate it isn’t.
It’s difficult for me to accept that people can be so stupid, but if I can’t stick to my ethics when it’s difficult, what the point of having them?
In this case OAB I think it would benefit us all to go back to the original debate and see what McFlock’s characterisation of such behaviour as “dodgy as fuck.” was actually referencing.
I think it is informative of both your and his argument that repressive and reactionary and dangerous legislation and contracts cannot and should not be changed or touched.
McFlock said that it was “dodgy as fuck” for the government to abolish low wage contracts in the care industry.
This is fully in line with your and his perverted view that it is “dodgy as fuck” to cancel contracts that put human well being and the well being of the biosphere at risk.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-07-04-2018/#comment-1474526
Whatever Jenny. It’s clear you are determined to personalise the issue, and I have better things to do.
Related:
“Iran sanctions threaten billions in business deals”
Newshub 12 May, 2018
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/05/iran-sanctions-threaten-billions-in-business-deals.html
The flailing whims of a racist rapist gang boss. This is how you want our government to behave?
Wow.
Look Bloke I agree with you that it is generally not a good idea to copy the actions of the Right, usually because the Right political parties exist to protect the interests of a minority of wealthy and corrupt corporate and reactionary interests, and almost always do so without a majority mandate. Right wing parties hardly ever have a majority mandate, because the CLASS of people they exist to represent are a minority.
For instance, the example I gave above, of Trump virtually nullifying $billions in business contracts when he cancelled the Iran nuclear deal was not supported by the majority of Americans.
“Majority of Americans Support Iran Nuclear Deal, Poll Shows”
Haaretz May 3, 2018
https://vuelos.aerolineas.com.ar/SSW2010/ARAR/webqtrip.html?execution=e2s1
In my opinion, comparing the actions of, (to use your words) “The flailing whims of a racist rapist gang boss.” (or class of gang bosses), acting without a majority mandate to cancel business contracts, With a Left government acting with a majority mandate to cancel business contracts, are not equally wrong.
In fact they are polar opposites. One is democratic the other is not.
The election result did not provide such a mandate. Even the decision to cease granting new exploration permits was only supported by a minority in the polls I’ve seen.
OAB I think you need to supply some links or proofs to back up your assertion. “…the decision to cease granting new exploration permits was only supported by a minority in the polls I’ve seen.
Or take the risk of looking like a Right Wing blow hard.
I’m happy to take the “risk” of you smearing my character, because that would say something about you, and nothing whatsoever about me. I reserve the right to ridicule you for it though.
I can only find this Stuff straw poll at the moment, which is hardly reliable. However, 6% for the Greens at last year’s election is also indicative.
I am sorry OAB if you think that I am personalising this debate, the policies you espouse are supported by real people like yourself, not some amorphous nothing out there somewhere. I am sorry that you feel hurt that I have sheeted the cause that you have argued so strenuously here, back to you.
If you promote such views, I would have thought that you would be personally prepared to stand behind them, instead of trying to personally distance yourself from them.
All I asked was some proofs of your assertion that only a minority supported the government’s ban on the issuing of new oil and gay exploration permits.
(Something that you still haven’t done, by the way)
And I just pointed out the risk that you personally take to your reputation as a commentator, if you cannot back up your assertions.
No, Jenny, you have persistently tried to twist my support for the rule of law into some kind of Hobson’s pretzel. It isn’t my problem if you don’t understand basic democratic concepts that date back to Magna Carta.
By all means continue to demonstrate your inability to grasp them as much as you like.
To overcome my “inability to grasp them”, OAB. Could you explain to me, OAB, how in your opinion, a sovereign elected democratic government canceling prospecting licences with an oil company goes against the Magna Carter?
I await your reply with genuine interest.
For the same reason as you reneging on a contract is a bad thing. For the same reason “the divine right of kings” was a bad thing.
And that’s before we get to the fact that this government has no such mandate, no matter how much I might wish they did.
Hi OAB, I am still waiting for you to prove your assertion that that this government has no mandate to rescind contracts with the oil companies agreed to by a previous right wing administration.
Just because you state it, doesn’t make it so.
And “Bad thing” or not, (which is a matter of subjective opinion) i am glad to see that you have finally accepted that, a democratically elected sovereign government, do have the right to pull out of contracts agreed by previous governments.
P.S. I might add here OAB, that with or without a popular mandate, this government, and several other governments, will soon have to exercise that right to rescind all business contracts with Iran or face Us sanctions.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bolton-countries-deal-iran-face-u-s-sanctions-article-1.3987594?cid=msn
Welcome to the real world. OAB.
Maybe you would like to argue the Magna Carter on this one?
Or is your quibbling schoolboy level sophistry invoking the Magna Carter, only reserved for protecting the divine right of oil companies?
*Carta
Jenny, you’re the one asserting a “mandate”: it’s up to you to support that assertion. Meanwhile, the only party that stood on that policy got 6% at the last election.
That’s not “proof”, of course, but then demanding “proof” in such matter is the epitome of puerile gobshite, so that’s on you.
Have a lovely day.
Here’s the thing Bloke, opposition to deep sea oil drilling off New Zealand’s Coasts comes from right across the political spectrum, from New Zealanders of all political persuasions. Even generally considered conservative NZ Herald readers, polled, more than Two to One against deep sea oil drilling. Bloke, citing the Green Party’s 2018 General Election result as your only evidence, misses the point entirely, and is no proof of anything.
It is like saying, because National won the election in 1990 the majority of New Zealanders no longer supported this country’s Nuclear Weapons Free status supported by the Labour Party.
At least your quibbling over whether the government has a mandate or not, is a move on from your Magna Carta argument, that, (mandate or not), the government has no right to over rule contracts made by the last government with the oil companies. However I suspect that it is a moveable feast for you, any argument will do to keep allowing the oil companies to ‘Drill Baby! Drill!”
And screw the climate.
Then:
1. You haven’t been paying attention and
2. You think smears make a convincing argument.
I am not the pain in your mind.
Contracts
Here’s a gnarly one for you OAB.
http://syriadirect.org/news/fate-of-opposition-era-property-records-uncertain-as-east-ghouta-transitions-back-to-government-authority/
So you think our government should emulate fascists. Slow clap.
Can you guess who ECO MAORI is linking this song for
https://youtu.be/2g5Hz17C4is
Ka kite ano
This is what the 99.9 % are going to be shouting louder and louder.
https://youtu.be/ClU3fctbGls
Ka kite ano
And ECO MAORI is this
https://youtu.be/ktvTqknDobU
Good evening Newshub I should have said that Ruaumoko is renewing Papatuanuku at Hawaii Kilauea Island on one of my post .
I ruffled a few feathers with my post on Wednesday Eco Maori tells it like I see it.
Mike there you go evolution its just beyond me that some people still don’t believe in this fact those Whales that were carnivores would have been the top of the Oceans food chain .The antarctic fossils of those carnivore Whale 300 million years old show me that we are only on Papatuanuku for a fraction of time and its a crime if we stuff it up for the rest of everything to come don’t you think.
Ingrid its cold in Rotorua at the minute the sandflys hear are already celebrating that ECO MAORI is moving don’t count your chickens sandflys . Anyway ECO MAORI is famous in Tamaki Makaurau Ka kite ano P.S Goldie I read that look e hoa don’t listen to the sandflies spin
The Crowd Goes Wild ki ora Wairangi I suppose you heard the spin to E hoa don’t worry about what the other guy said last week they don’t know what its like being Tangata Whenua like us a.
I quite liked the Code on Maori TV watched it alot the team and coach are still doing great I see I’ve traveled from Waiapu to Tamaki Makoto just trying to keep MY Waka going strait theres a few good games on this weekend . Ka kite ano P.S I take a little while to included new Tangata in my post.
Heres a song Eco Maori likes
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Bk7RVw3I8eg/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEXCNACELwBSFryq4qpAwkIARUAAIhCGAE=&rs=AOn4CLBNSAdNOcfLRMpFT37bITlKhNJoHgThis is for you no who from ECO MAORI
https://youtu.be/9XaS93WMRQQ
There you go you go its not about the Nuclear deal with Iran its about trump making his rich Oil Barron M8s Billions he is going to cause a oil crisis like1973 a barrel of oil will cost $200 in 2019 and trump and his m8 will be swimming in $$$$$$$$ if he imposes sanctions on Iran heres the link
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12049900
Ka kite ano
P.S Eco Maori is going to get a car that is cheap to run
They have been on Papatuanuku for hundreds of millions of years and the chemicals we use in Agriculture and other industries are wipeing them out Insects . heres the link
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/18/warning-of-ecological-armageddon-after-dramatic-plunge-in-insect-numbers
These chemicals are killing insects and US heres the link
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/08/weedkiller-tests-monsanto-health-dangers-active-ingredient
Good evening Newshub nationals nathan guy has a cheek to try and shovel the blame on Labours Damien O’Connor it was national that tryed to bury this issue and like everything rotten one trys to hide it just gets rottener if it is just covered up and not treated as a issue that is more important than ones Rating ??????????.
There you go Artificial Intelligence is some phenomenon [ We need to pay close attention to] just look at what the companies did with that new technology are doing with chemicals does not give me any trusts in company’s or people with a technology that could wipe US out.
Go and———-them bro all the best on your journey up your ladder of life.
Ka kite ano.
This is what Artificial Intelligence will advance Eco Maori says the asset owners the % 00.1 renters % 99.9 the asset owners will have to much dominance TECHNOLOGY .
They will get to make all our laws to suite there dominance in OUR society.
The longer they live the longer they will be able to dominate there ideals ON society
Imagine a vicious dictator holding power for 100 years when the TEC gets here society mite never recover from these types of people whom keep finding ways to power.
Heres the link
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/06/no-death-and-an-enhanced-life-is-the-future-transhuman
Ka kite ano