Open Mike 10/06/2018

84 comments on “Open Mike 10/06/2018 ”

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1. Tamati Tautuhi 1

   10 June 2018 at 6:38 am

   The Cuban Authorities have just announced that any Cuban national or foreigner caught with illegal drugs (whether the quantity is either small or large), at the border or inside Cuban territory they will be sentenced to a minimum of 42 years hard labour in a Cuban Prison.

   If we had a law like that here in NZ this may influence the decision making of the Asian crime syndicates bringing methamphetamine into NZ, and may deter the Mongrel Mob and the Headhunters from distributing these drugs to our children and family members ?

   We are weak gutted in this country when it comes to serious drug issues and organised crime ?

   Some times it wakes you wonder whether there are vested interests here in NZ ?
   • Gosman 1.1

     10 June 2018 at 7:08 am

     Drug use us a health issue. Why treat it as a criminal one?
     • mlpc 1.1.1

       10 June 2018 at 8:21 am

       And the Asian and NZ gangs that supply drugs are health workers?
   • Ad 1.2

     10 June 2018 at 8:56 am

     Cuba and the United States finally agree on something.

     And it is catastrophically wrong.

     I fully support Minister Nash in his drive to smash gangs, but simply filling jails for drug possession hasn’t worked here.
     • Tamati Tautuhi 1.2.1

       10 June 2018 at 9:41 am

       NZ Police & Intelligence Services need to focus on the importers, financiers and distributors rather than focusing on small time users and pot smokers who are the small fry, they need to get out the big game fishing rods.

       We need to destroy the supply chain.

       A colleague of mine in customs believes they are only picking up 5-6% of the illicit drugs coming into the country.
       • Sabine 1.2.1.1

         10 June 2018 at 10:54 am

         the only way to destroy the supply chain is to go the way of Portugal or at the very least like Holland.
         De-criminalize the whole business, regulate it, set price limits, tax it and for those that are addicted and that want to quit provide the medical services to do so.

         Fact is that the war on Drugs saved no one, made a lot of money for banks and other money washers, ,locked up a lot of people for a long time for using, ripped families apart and destroyed the life of many.

         And i include Alcohol .
       • North 1.2.1.2

         10 June 2018 at 11:24 am

         So what do you actually want Tamati……minimum 42 years for anyone caught in possession in NZ as you suggest @1 above?……that would of course include your life shattered addict brother/sister/nephew/niece……or having agreed with Gosman as to the health issue …….do you want an approach less ridiculous than the OTT one you announce @ 1, and more in line with the intelligible one you propound @1.2.1 ? Which would leave heaps of money free to go the sensible way.

         Your mate in Customs…….how the fuck would he actually know? The problem is bad enough without going into hysterical rave. Tends to support the thick old wahanui whose primary focus is to bash the underclass at the end of the line. “That’ll teach ’em. That’ll fix addiction”. Ha ! That’s shit and I suspect you know it.

         My work constantly brings me into contact with good people who complain that it’s members of their own whanau who are making their 14 year old girls into crack whores. My suggestion when I hear that: if you really know that go to Auckland, get into a phone box, dial the anonymous Crime Line, give names, addresses, telephone numbers, car number plates. In terms of supportable, sensible solutions it’s pissing into the wind to darkly suggest vested interests and offer 42 years for the afflicted.

         All of the above said I understand your frustration. I share it.
       • saveNZ 1.2.1.3

         10 June 2018 at 11:27 am

         They have known there was a massive problem for years. The government and the surrounding industries seem pretty complacent that so many people in this country are effected by P and the supply is mostly from Asia and as usual focusing on political slogans like ‘the war on P’ instead of actually stopping P from getting into the country, getting the big players or stopping them running their op’s from prison. Not much interest in getting onto China and Hong Kong about stopping it from their end.

         I guess P addiction is another way to keep the masses under control and emptying a decent percentage of former residents of Auckland out into the streets, prisons, rehabs and so forth. And it sounds like it is big all around the country and in particular Northland where one Mike Sabin seems to have found it profitable with his Methcon business.
       • mikes 1.2.1.4

         11 June 2018 at 6:11 pm

         “We need to destroy the supply chain. ”

         Impossible. When something which people enjoy using is prohibited, there will always be a black market for it and there will always be a supply chain. The best thing to do is try and ensure the supply chain is a safe and regulated one, thus minimizing the harm.

         NZ police and intelligence services need to focus on issues which are really dangerous, such as violent crime, tax evasion, the spread of Islam, etc, not recreational drug use, which will always continue regardless and is far less dangerous to society (If you take out use of the recreational drug alcohol, which is the most damaging recreational drug to society by a long long way).
   • adam 1.3

     10 June 2018 at 10:02 am

     Good to see that the Authoritarian left as stupid as the Authoritarian right.

     If there was any back bone in this, then the factories that produces the base Methamphetamine, would be dismantled. We looking at you Recordati
     Pharmaceutical company.

     Here I’ll start, I’ll give a dollar. If everyone else did they same I’m sure someone would take the job.
     • Tamati Tautuhi 1.3.1

       10 June 2018 at 10:11 pm

       I think I read an article today about rogue chemical labs in Myanmar manufacturing methamphetamine ?
       • adam 1.3.1.1

         10 June 2018 at 10:44 pm

         The base chemical, or working off the base chemical? Because my understanding was to make methamphetamine is tricky and needs a big clean modern lab, to turn that base into a street drug, not so much is needed.

         But if the case is their are labs in Burma, then lets get rid of those too.
         • mikes 1.3.1.1.1

           11 June 2018 at 6:17 pm

           “Because my understanding was to make methamphetamine is tricky…”

           Not at all. The hardest part is obtaining the precursor and equipment. Anyone can perform the actual ‘making’ process, it’s quite a simple one which you don’t need much chemistry knowledge to perform.
   • Tricledrown 1.4

     10 June 2018 at 2:36 pm

     Tamati countries that have Draconian Drug laws increase the profit for the king pins who bank all their profits in the same Banks as the corrupt dictators who Impose these laws.
   • Andrea 1.5

     10 June 2018 at 8:15 pm

     Distributing? I thought they wanted payment.

     So long as that ‘hard labour’ has a healthy market value and is enough to pay for bed and board and some of the pay for those who have to supervise.
     They can have pocket money, if they earn enough – with a big chunk going toward any children until the kids turn 25.

     Unless they paid tax on their ill-gotten earnings. In which case they can help fund the rehab programmes and trainings for their kinfolk outside.

     Good may yet come of it.
2. Tamati Tautuhi 2

   10 June 2018 at 7:17 am

   Agree 100% Gossie

   Definitely is a mental health issue however we have had successive Governments running our mental health services into the ground.

   It started with the Labour Government under the first Neoliberal Government under David Lange and Roger Douglas, when they brought the nut job Harold Titter over from the UK to redesign our Mental Health Service,
   • Ankerrawshark 2.1

     10 June 2018 at 11:09 am

     Tamati tautuhi you are incorrect.

     I work in mental health and have done so for over 30 years.

     Mental health has been much better funded under labour (although I can’t comment about Lange govt was out of the country.

     I could give you endless examples of this. Mental health services over the last 9 years under national have deteriorated to a frightening state………
     • Tamati Tautuhi 2.1.1

       10 June 2018 at 10:14 pm

       So Ankerrawshark you are saying mental health treatment has improved in NZ over the past 30 years ?
       • Ankerrawshark 2.1.1.1

         10 June 2018 at 10:26 pm

         Tamati tautuhi….@ 2.1.1. What has improved is our knowledge about mental health disorders and how to treat them. What are the most effective evidence based treatments. If you want info on this google Nice guidelines. It’s a bit involved but if you are genuinely interested I will write more, just it’s a bit late at night.

         And there have been pockets where these services have been delivered. If you read my posting further down I also talk about crisis services that used to be well resourced and good but rapidly deteriorated over last 9 years
3. Tamati Tautuhi 3

   10 June 2018 at 7:33 am

   Sometimes it makes one wonder if the dismantling of our Mental Health System was deliberate under Neoliberalism and the Bildebergers like Roger Douglas ?
   • saveNZ 3.1

     10 June 2018 at 10:09 am

     Yep, emptying out the mental institutions so that they could be sold off or reutilised while pushing the mentally ill into the community to support (or the police/prisons). Bit like the State houses of now.

     Rather than modernising the institutions themselves into 21century help and rehabilitation centres. If we still had them, maybe they could also have some drug rehab spaces or homeless… instead of selling off the institutions and then paying $1000 p/w for 1 room unsuitable hotels…
     • OnceWasTim 3.1.1

       10 June 2018 at 4:17 pm

       It’d be interesting to go back and look at the reasons for the closure of various institutions, and how they all stack up now.
       Whether it’s rotting facilities just outside Levin, or Hanmer Springs, or maybe even a CareNZ facility in Marton.
       • OnceWasTIm 3.1.1.1

         10 June 2018 at 4:37 pm

         Jesus! Now there’s a ‘bug’ that could keep Lyn lying awake at night in the pursuit of programatic perfection whilst his partner screams “FFS Lyn – give it a bloody rest will ya!”
         But anyway….. even more interesting would be to see where the protaginists who were busy advocating for the closure/privatisation/outsourcing/etc. are today.

         I suspect there are one or two masquerading as ‘officials’ still providing policy advice to their Ministers (and ain’t THAT [Minister] just an ever so quaint term -going forward)
       • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.2

         10 June 2018 at 7:43 pm

         …. or Spookers out at Kingseat ?
   • Ankerrawshark 3.2

     10 June 2018 at 11:15 am

     The dismantling that occurred in terms of deinstitutionalisation was part of a worldwide trend and likely appealed to neo liberals because potentially it would save money.

     From a clinical point of view as treatment options have improved it became unnecessary to keep people institutionalised. However the majority of people miss out on optimal treatment. I think personally I would prefer to live in an institution than being left homeless or in some terrible boarding house, struggling on a benefit
   • alwyn 3.3

     10 June 2018 at 2:26 pm

     Weren’t most of the Mental Hospitals closed when Helen Clark was Minister of Health and Roger Douglas a back-bencher?
     • Ed 3.3.1

       10 June 2018 at 2:45 pm

       The dismantling occurred during the free market capitalist experiment foisted on the citizens of New Zealand by both Labour and National.
       This economic trial was started by Douglas, and continues to this day, with its most severe experiments occurring under Richardson and Key.
     • Ankerawshark 3.3.2

       10 June 2018 at 2:47 pm

       Deinstitutionalisation was a long process. I can assure that when Helen c was minister of housing, she was very proactive about housing of the mentally ill and I was working in an area that directly benefited from this. So to as min of health and then PM. They sold off carrington etc, but the money did follow through initially to the community.

       What I am unfortunately really aware of is the profound deterioration of mental under the key govt. there were services available at primary health care for people with depression and anxiety disorders. That shrunk till it virtually disappeared. We use to have crisis services that would visit people in their own homes, which sometimes meant people didn’t need to go to hospital most often better all round for everyone. Where I am based now (big city) no such service exists. People who are seriously unwell get a 10 minute phone triage. This is inadequate to say the least. I am often in the position of telling people to go straight to a and e. Of course there is a monstrously long wait, but they do get seen.

       By the way no disrespect to the hardworking staff doing their best in difficult circumstances. It is extremely demanding work, often thankless, not well paid. You get sick of seeing people like Titter, someone mentioned him earlier coming in and earning the big money but not doing the real work
       • Tamati Tautuhi 3.3.2.1

         10 June 2018 at 7:46 pm

         The money from the State Asset Sales was supposed to go into additional Healthcare facilities however appeared to go in a Chinese Investment Bank and the Clinton Foundation ?
       • Psych nurse 3.3.2.2

         10 June 2018 at 9:02 pm

         Deinstitutilizaion was the right thing to do, failure to ensure enough social housing being available a crime.
     • Tricledrown 3.3.3

       10 June 2018 at 2:58 pm

       Alwyn 90% of patients prior to 1989 when those mental hospitals were closed should not have been in institutions and were to be cared for in the community .
       Tax cuts have meant mental health care is at the bottom of the list and as many as 1/3 of prisoners are being locked up because of untreated mental health problems at $100,000 per pppy.
       Alwyn that’s why we don’t need mega prisons to warehouse untreated mental patients.
       • alwyn 3.3.3.1

         10 June 2018 at 3:03 pm

         It isn’t me you should be complaining to.
         Try savenz and Ankerrawshark.
         They are the ones who are trying to jump on people who they accuse of closing them.
         • Ankerrawshark 3.3.3.1.1

           10 June 2018 at 3:35 pm

           Alwyn

           I don’t believe I have jumped on anyone nor have I accused anyone of shutting me down. I do have strong opinions about this informed from my professional experience.
         • SaveNZ 3.3.3.1.2

           10 June 2018 at 3:45 pm

           @ Alwyn, I’m saying the institutions should have been modernised so they were still utilised for the mentally ill NOT kept the way it was. Being in an institution does not necessarily mean the way mentally ill were kept in the past, but the model could have been refreshed into 21 century institutions or care centres with community help. Now the mentally ill have no where to go which is the issue!

           Likewise state house tenants, wonderful idea to sell them, sarc. but oh shit, what now with all the poor people?
         • Tricledrown 3.3.3.1.3

           10 June 2018 at 3:52 pm

           Alwyn shifting your lame argument.
           National took over in 1990 cutting health funding continuously over 9 years leaving more patients untreated.
           Similar to the last 9 years National claiming to spend $100.s of millions more on health care that statement being True.
           But the actual amount spent per person went down given a rapidly expanding and aging population .
           No increase in 9 years below inflation well below health care inflation which runs at 7% because of price gouging by monopoly cartel private materials service providers who National allow to pay no tax.
       • Andrea 3.3.3.2

         10 June 2018 at 8:33 pm

         Tricledrown: “and were to be cared for in the community .”
         Which was a truly lovely, enlightened, humane, compassionate thing to do – except – who was supposed to do the ‘caring’? Older women, as usual?

         And where were the fabulous wraparound support and respite care and training/work opportunities?

         Some people have accessed this care. IDEA provides quite a lot. Yet, for those who aren’t special needs? What? And how widely available is it?

         Are there careers to be pursued here? Are there regular recruitment drives and ongoing trainings available? Or is it more of the over-worked and under-resourced situation at which the DHBs excel?

         Otherwise it’s weasel words over the despair of family and friends who are forced to become experts, carers, and hunters of wandering kin.

         Good old community.
         • Patricia 3.3.3.2.1

           10 June 2018 at 9:25 pm

           The wrap around services didn’t even last a year. I still support people who have never managed on their own in the community ; they have not had quality lives. Not enough services exist to provide ongoing consistent care.
           • SaveNZ 3.3.3.2.1.1

             11 June 2018 at 8:48 am

             Had a relative who lived in Bay of Plenty, and who got a job as an ACC carer. Basically they had to give it up as they were expected to drive around using their own car at close to minimum wages for short periods of work (aka 2-4 hours) and travel long distances without pay for the time travel or proper maintenance contribution for her car, and of course the circumstances were often difficult with people needing a carer.

             Now the system seems to have a work around to employ overseas workers often who don’t speak good English or can do the job property, but it keeps the flawed system limping along and makes the rest of the taxpayers pick up the bill for yet another well educated local person in the provinces still unemployed who would do an excellent job, but not prepared to be exploited, while another low wager worker is bought in, and their employment/health care/general needs subsidised by the state at a level that is more Ponzi than good practise and putting more pressure on affordable housing and hospitals etc because somehow new low wage people live in ghost affordable house and use ghost health care and somehow are able to ghost support themselves on the ghost wages when local’s can’t.
       • Tamati Tautuhi 3.3.3.3

         10 June 2018 at 10:17 pm

         So the police and corrections staff are now the new mental healthcare workers under neoliberal economics ?
4. cleangreen 4

   10 June 2018 at 8:13 am

   We say; – we need the rail line opened to Gisborne as well after the first train finally left Napier last wednesday for final repairing the Wairoa rail line.

   Over the next month, the Government committee on zero carbon emissions bill will be travelling around the country talking about the Zero Carbon Bill so that as many New Zealanders as possible can join the conversation.

   We will produce a submission to this event at the “Napier conference centre” on 19th June at between 5 to 7 pm on regional rail freight/passenger services as being a major contributor method at reducing carbon emissions in our zero carbon target policy in future.

   NIWA claims that for “each tonnne of freight moved one km by rail uses less than a fifth of fuel than if it was moved by truck/road freight.”

   NIWA states also that “one truck emits 100 times more air pollution than one car does.”

   These facts must be used to reasonably argue that we must now balmce half the freight to rail instead of sending 90% by road and less than 6% by rail as we do today.

   We welcome any partners/stakeholders into this event, if you can attend in support of your group attendance .

   Warmest regards,

   http://www.mfe.govt.nz/have-your-say-zero-carbon

   Home » Climate change » Popular pages
   Have your say on the Zero Carbon Bill

   • Have your say
   • Latest Update
   • Public meetings

   Over the next month, we will be travelling around the country talking about the Zero Carbon Bill so that as many New Zealanders as possible can join the conversation. Have a look at the times and places below to find one that suits you.
   CITY/TOWN DATE TIME LOCATION
   Whangarei Friday 8 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm Toll Stadium, 51 Okara Drive, Whangarei
   New Plymouth Monday 11 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm Waitangi Room, Novotel New Plymouth Hobson, Hobson & Leach Streets, New Plymouth
   Hamilton Thursday 14 June 5.30pm – 7.30pm TBC
   Gisborne Monday 18 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm TBC
   Hawke’s Bay Tuesday 19 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm Napier Conference Centre, 48 Marine Parade, Bluff Hill, Napier
   Auckland Friday 22 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm TBC
   Christchurch Monday 25 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm TBC
   Dunedin Tuesday 26 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm Forsyth Barr Stadium, 130 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin
   Invercargill Wednesday 27 June 5.00pm – 7.00pm Masonic Centre Venue, 80 Forth Street, Invercargill
   Nelson Tuesday 3 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm Old St John’s, 320 Hardy Street, Nelson
   Wellington Thursday 5 July 6.00pm – 8.00pm TBC
   Palmerston North TBC 5.00pm – 7.00pm TBC
   Tauranga 9 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm Greerton Hall, 1263 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga
   Rotorua 10 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm TBC
   • Draco T Bastard 4.1

     10 June 2018 at 11:38 am

     NIWA claims that for “each tonnne of freight moved one km by rail uses less than a fifth of fuel than if it was moved by truck/road freight.”

     NIWA states also that “one truck emits 100 times more air pollution than one car does.”

     If our economic system properly accounted for costs trucks would not be used for long haul freight at all. The cost of doing so would far exceed that of using trains.
     • Graeme 4.1.1

       10 June 2018 at 12:45 pm

       “If our economic system properly accounted for costs trucks would not be used for long haul freight at all”

       All good apart from major haul routes where the rail doesn’t go any more, or where it’s never gone. Queenstown, Wanaka and Central Otago being case in point. Everything here, and I mean everything, comes in on the back of a truck, which generally goes back empty. Mostly from Christchurch at least. Closest rail is 200km away over not the most efficient roads for trucking. It costs the same or less to truck from Christchurch as from Dunedin. And the old rail line to Cromwell was marginal with 4 wheel stock at 40 kmh, bogied stock in the 80s was still going at 40 kmh, then the line was abandoned.

       A new line providing a better option than road and air would be a huge undertaking with at least three 10 – 15 km tunnels through difficult geology. Would be a huge benefit to the region, but will take a dramatic shift in cost benefit methodologies to allow a project of this scale to proceed. Can see it in an alternative future but will take some changes in how we do things.
       • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1

         10 June 2018 at 2:04 pm

         All good apart from major haul routes where the rail doesn’t go any more, or where it’s never gone.

         Oh noes, we need to build more rail.

         And the old rail line to Cromwell was marginal with 4 wheel stock at 40 kmh, bogied stock in the 80s was still going at 40 kmh, then the line was abandoned.

         And it was abandoned because of those costs not being properly accounted for which make trucking look better when it’s actually far worse.

         Would be a huge benefit to the region, but will take a dramatic shift in cost benefit methodologies to allow a project of this scale to proceed.

         It’s very difficult to do a cost/benefit analysis when some very real costs are purposefully left out.
         • Tricledrownm 4.1.1.1.1

           10 June 2018 at 4:05 pm

           DTB after the Clyde Dam was built their wasn’t enough freight to make the Dunedin to Clyde Rail pay very seasonal agricultural products then.The rail trail has reinvigorated the economy on the old line.
           The Clyde Dam that National /Social Credit coalition built.
           Was much higher and 10x the price $2.4 billion than the original 2 Damn Labour proposal which would have left the existing rail road orchards historical mining settlements in place adding many more millions to the economy.
           • Graeme 4.1.1.1.1.1

             10 June 2018 at 4:49 pm

             The Central Otago line was built for an economy that had long dissapeared by the 1970s. The Clyde Dam gave it another 10 years, but it was so restricted and unreliable that it gave poor utility. We trucked more cement direct from Dunedin than we got by rail. Had a couple of close calls with cement supply.

             The point I was trying to highlight is how do we as a society and economy transition from truck to rail where we don’t have existing rail infrastructure. And really that’s because it was too hard in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when our rail infrastructure was established. The last major new rail builds were the Picton and Gisborne lines in the 40s, everything since has been upgrades, repairs or deviations.

             In that time our economy has moved and changed dramatically. The growth and transformation here in Central Otago, along with what’s happening in Northland, Poverty Bay and Nelson are placing huge demands on the road network in those regions that can’t be shifted to rail because there’s no rail, or ineffective rail.

             How do we change that?
             • Draco T Bastard …

               10 June 2018 at 8:05 pm

               The only way it can be changed – build new and better rail.
           • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1.1.2

             10 June 2018 at 8:04 pm

             DTB after the Clyde Dam was built their wasn’t enough freight to make the Dunedin to Clyde Rail pay very seasonal agricultural products then.

             Which is not really how infrastructure works. It’s not a profit driven item.

             And if there isn’t enough for trains then there most certainly isn’t enough to run trucks because trucks cost more.
             • Tony Veitch (not etc.) …

               10 June 2018 at 8:35 pm

               “It’s not a profit driven item.”

               Quite true, Draco. Or at least, it should be.

               Brownlee said there couldn’t be a business case made for commuter rail from Rangiora to Rolleston – so cars sit in traffic jams on the north and south motorways into Christchurch.

               18th Century thinking!
     • saveNZ 4.1.2

       11 June 2018 at 8:52 am

       +1 Draco. Not to mention all the accidents and all the congestion truck drivers are involved in. Practically every week in Auckland a motorway is closed due to a truck driver having an accident. Last week, they even managed to knock out the trains as well by driving into a pillar.
5. Ad 5

   10 June 2018 at 8:51 am

   Pope Francis has told oil company chiefs that the world must switch to clean energy because climate change risks destroying humanity.

   “Civilisation requires energy, but energy use must not destroy civilisation,” he said at the end of a two-day conference at the Vatican.

   The pontiff said climate change was a challenge of epochal proportions, and that the world needed to come up with an energy mix that combatted pollution, eliminated poverty and promoted social justice.

   The unprecedented conference, held behind closed doors at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, brought together oil executives, investors and Vatican experts. Like the pope, they back scientific opinion that climate change is caused by human activity and that global warming must be curbed.

   “We know that the challenges facing us are interconnected. If we are to eliminate poverty and hunger … the more than 1 billion people without electricity today need to gain access to it,” Francis told them.

   “But that energy should also be clean, by a reduction in the systematic use of fossil fuels. Our desire to ensure energy for all must not lead to the undesired effect of a spiral of extreme climate changes due to a catastrophic rise in global temperatures, harsher environments and increased levels of poverty,” he said.

   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/09/pope-francis-tells-oil-bosses-world-must-wean-itself-off-fossil-fuels
   • Grey Area 5.1

     10 June 2018 at 1:20 pm

     Seems the Pope and many other people can see this but Heather Duplicity Allan either can’t/ won’t/or is paid to shill for big oil.

     An excerpt from her latest Herald piece putting the boot into the Greens and continuing to spread the lies that the Green are “loony”, “crazy” and “fever-crazy”:

     In February it was oil and gas. Last week it was plastic bags and meat. Shaw, the Climate Change Minister, started the week telling us to cut out a meat meal a week to save the planet. Days later, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage picked up the loony baton and declared she planned to ban all single-use plastic bags by the end of the year. Don’t worry, she’s cooled her extremely ambitious plans.

     Then, Shaw opened consultation on his bill to cut New Zealand’s carbon emissions to zero. The documents admit doing that will slow economic growth and probably hurt poorer families most. We’ll be clean but poor.

     The Greens and their crazy ideas make Peters look decidedly sane. It might be quite nice to have an adult in charge for six weeks.

     Yep saving trying to save planet and continue the existence of the human race is crazy all right. Du Plessis Allan is not only not very bright but she is dangerous. Lightweights like her are given soap boxes for a reason.
     • Ed 5.1.1

       10 June 2018 at 2:11 pm

       She only has a job because she says what big corporations want people to read in the media.
     • alwyn 5.1.2

       10 June 2018 at 2:33 pm

       I take it that the lady concerned is not flavour of the week this week?
       Amazing how she goes from being wonderful one week and a madwoman the next.
       Rather like the woman’s magazines in the heyday of posh and becs.
       Idyllically happy in one issue and divorcing in the next. Repeat for 20 years.
       Look surprised when it is pointed out that they are still, apparently, happily married.
       • Ed 5.1.2.1

         10 June 2018 at 2:37 pm

         I have never commented in favour of duplicity Allen.
         She is a paid puppet for global banking and interests.
         • Grey Area 5.1.2.1.1

           10 June 2018 at 3:50 pm

           Don’t waste your time Ed. He’s on my ignore list.
           • Ed 5.1.2.1.1.1

             10 June 2018 at 4:01 pm

             Thanks for the heads up.
             • Grey Area …

               10 June 2018 at 5:46 pm

               No problem. One of these days to justify my ignore list I’m going to do a speculative family tree linking alwyn, Gosman, Tuppence Shrewsbury, James, Baba Yoga/babayoga, and a few others.
               • In Vino …

                 10 June 2018 at 9:49 pm

                 Yes, so many of them have such similar stylisms that one wonders about strangely incestuous relationships.
               • Tamati Tautuhi …

                 10 June 2018 at 10:20 pm

                 They are definitely all related as they all preach of the same bible and sing from the same hymn sheet.
         • North 5.1.2.1.2

           10 June 2018 at 7:33 pm

           And Plastic-Allan is an insufferable cackling yuppie (as if to celebrate marriage to scruffy old Barely Soper)……who views the world through that insecure lens. Much like Dame The Strange Corset in my book. Snot-arse wee snob.
           • alwyn 5.1.2.1.2.1

             10 June 2018 at 9:27 pm

             That’s nice dear.
             Have you managed to find a Publisher for that auto-biography of yours or are even the vanity publishers put off by its title?
             “Snot-arse wee snob” may be an accurate description of you but it isn’t likely to sell more than a couple of copies is it?
             • In Vino …

               10 June 2018 at 9:51 pm

               Contemptibly pathetic, alwyn. You really need a healthier pastime.
6. gsays 6

   10 June 2018 at 9:24 am

   So another Sunday morning, another sad list of incidents at our E.D.

   Drugs, alcohol, violence, mental health, under staffed, zealous St John workers… the list goes on.

   Underpinning all of this is the ‘general fuckwittery’ trajectory of society.
   The lack of regard/esteem for the self and others.

   How to cope or minimize the impact on others (nurses, the vulnerable public, security) would be a great first step.
   Akin to the trial down in Wellington hospital. A pre triage, where the drunks were siphoned off separately.
   Add a third ‘gate’ for mental health crises.

   Of course this is doable, but requires $ and a priority from the powers that be.
   • Ed 6.1

     10 June 2018 at 2:19 pm

     Solutions to alcohol.

     Stop all alcohol advertising.
     Tax alcohol heavily and use the funds for the health and other social impacts of this class B drug.
     Stop its sale in supermarkets.
     Stop its connection to all sports teams and cultural events.
     Introduce a much lower level for drink driving.

     Solutions to general selfishness and ‘fuckwittery.’

     End the disastrous experiment of free market capitalism.
     Create local communities.
     Adopt socialist and ecological policies that expet and enforce behaviours that community above the individual.
     • Ed 6.1.1

       10 June 2018 at 2:35 pm

       Of course those solutions have not been taken as governments beholden to our extreme capitalist model believe in the free market.
       These weak governments are also open to bribes and lobbying from multinational liquor corporations.

       And so they tinker…

       and fail.

       http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/359229/law-changes-to-curb-binge-drinking-largely-failed-research

       And thereby betray their citizens……

       “Dr Jackson said in fact, hazardous binge-drinking had been getting worse, and the government needed to raise the price of alcohol.
       “Since 2011 we haven’t seen any positive change in 18 to 24 year old drinking so you know this is great, they’re protecting their brains while they’re very very vulnerable but we’ve got to make sure that when they hit that age they’re not just stepping into that culture,” she said.”

       http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/348066/young-drinkers-consuming-more-alcohol-than-ever

       35 years of free market economic theory has laid waste to an independent, egalitarian and proud South Pacific nation.

       It makes me weep.
       • Tamati Tautuhi 6.1.1.1

         10 June 2018 at 10:27 pm

         So Jenny Shipley & National’s policy of reducing the alcohol drinking age to 18 did not work out as they thought it would, by making young people more responsible with their drinking habits ?

         The experiment was a failure ?
         • solkta 6.1.1.1.1

           11 June 2018 at 8:16 am

           It has worked very well from a human rights perspective. Given how many messed up early twenties people there are on the streets why not set it at 25?
     • Tricledrown 6.1.2

       10 June 2018 at 4:12 pm

       Peter Dunne on the payroll National on the pay roll of the Alcohol lobbyists.
       After paying for a comprehensive royal commission
       National did nothing but placate the Drugpushing alcohol industry.
       • Ed 6.1.2.1

         10 June 2018 at 4:20 pm

         Nick Leggett just the most recent politician who took big liquors money.
         And then pimped for them.
         Scum.

         http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/alcohol-lobby-group-takes-aim-at-new-health-report/
     • Gabby 6.1.3

       10 June 2018 at 4:31 pm

       Random breath testing for ceos during work hours.
     • gsays 6.1.4

       10 June 2018 at 5:31 pm

       Can’t disagree with any of that (curbs around alcohol/sale).

       As to the direction of society, I agree with your points especially the societal change that we have been through since the reforms of the eighties.
     • One Anonymous Bloke 6.1.5

       10 June 2018 at 5:44 pm

       It’d be a lot more effective to reduce the GINI. Cf: Prohibition.
7. mauī 7

   10 June 2018 at 9:30 am

   As someone so aptly said on here recently, “The media is scum”.

   “Red flags were raised in the media about meth-testing well before the PM’s science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman’s report last week – but they didn’t stop the evictions, unnecessary repairs and the growth of an unregulated industry.”

   http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018648254/bringing-the-big-meth-myth-mess-to-light
   • Ed 7.1

     10 June 2018 at 2:21 pm

     And, as if to prove the point, duplicity Allen clearly vomited in the Herald on Sunday today.
8. Treetop 8

   10 June 2018 at 12:39 pm

   What a revelation I heard on RNZ 7 am news. 10 state homes are to be trialled for women with gang connections who are trying to escape family violence but do not have an affordable home to live in.

   I have raised the unaffordabilty of housing being connected to family violence approx 2 years ago.

   This idea needs to be extended to any person who is going back into a violent situation because they cannot afford the cost of housing.

   Subsidising rent for those escaping family violence needs to be considered as well.
   • AsleepWhileWalking 8.1

     10 June 2018 at 8:05 pm

     Darn. I can’t find the link to the story.

     Sounds interesting although there are so many struggling with rent at this point how does family violence get prioritize against say serious health issues? Really splitting the hairs as to who gets housed versus not. All options are shitty.
9. Ed 9

   10 June 2018 at 5:17 pm

   Great cartoon by Sharon Murdoch.
   Gives a new meaning to trickle down…….

   https://mobile.twitter.com/domesticanimal/status/1005571778092007424/photo/1
10. Ed 10

    10 June 2018 at 5:20 pm

    I shall point all of you to this excellent article by Bomber Bradbury.

    ‘The real reason Simon Bridges isn’t connecting with National Voters.

    An excerpt.

    ” Watching the Northcote by-election was instructive with National Party supporters screaming ‘Communist’, and ‘Go home to Russia’, at the Labour candidate.
    In a world with Netflix, can you imagine the effort required to go to a bloody by-election debate mid week to scream juvenile abuse? It takes an enormous amount of bitterness to do that.
    And that’s what National are now, a Party supported by bitter individuals who want leaders who strike with the same spiteful resentment they want to strike with.”

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/06/10/the-real-reason-simon-bridges-isnt-connecting-with-national-voters/
11. Jilly Bee 11

    10 June 2018 at 10:34 pm

    Yea Gods, just having a wee look at the NZ Herald Homepage and came across this little gem from Audrey Young. I attended Putaruru Primary School back in the 1950s and there was a lad with a surname Bidois who was Maori and who will no doubt be related to the new MP for Northcote. I can tell you that we all didn’t pronounce his surname ‘correctly’, nor did he. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12067940
12. eco maori 12

    11 June 2018 at 7:26 am

    Good morning The Am Show the Auckland fuel tax has not even started an the effect seem to have knocked 5 min off our 40 min ride to work when if does start it will be 10 mins saved on our ride to work.
    The rescue Hellies service that is being reviewed who do you think creams this service .
    Eco Maori sees who is creaming this job its similar to another new industry that was being creamed by people .
    The NZ Quoter Fisherys manage system has not worked in my view .In reality they have set fishing Quoters to high and when they notice a decline in fish stocks they then cut fish Quoters so that the stock recovers. Well that system never protected Orangeruffy
    stocks this park the ambulance at the bottom of the hill strategy is only convenient for the $$$$$$$$$men who have a hold on the industry. When some species are over fished they just cannot bounce back and now they have the ph change in the water and warming Oceans 1 degree dose not seem like much but to a living organism that change can be life or death to that organism .
    Ka kate ano
13. eco maori 13

    11 June 2018 at 8:12 am

    Newshub Duncan guess what happened after Eco Maori post that last post some thing flew over the house the Red flag effect ka kite ano P.S Happy birth day Mark
14. eco maori 14

    11 June 2018 at 8:47 am

    Here we go A great Australian person pushing the solar industry to new hights of advancement this is a good story it shows that its not just the advance in technology that is needed its the political ideals that need to change for new technology to flourish$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Ka kite ano link below
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/09/move-over-elon-global-energy-prize-goes-to-australias-solar-guru
15. eco maori 15

    11 June 2018 at 11:49 am

    IEco Maori had that call correct on the central North Island rescue service.
    The sirens went off when I went out side.
    I’m getting pretty good at reading there reality.
    As for the 3 strike law that has not affected many people so I won’t be condemning anyone about not supporting that. I do like Robert Rakere call for compulsory voting that will even out the political field and give all Kiwis a voice not just the ones with a axe to grind. Ka kite ano P.S don’t poke the Bear
16. Eco Maori 16

    11 June 2018 at 6:32 pm

    Good evening Newshub te minster of justice did not look to upset about the minor setback in his reforms of the justice system repealing the 3 strike law not being supported by NZF they are just pandering to the media .
    I’m still assessing Mayor of Gisborne we will see how he shapes up.
    There you go civil servant not doing there job its good that they are being held accountable for there actions.
    Its awesome that the miss Universe winner appreciated Our Maori culture it a pity that a lot of people just want to exploit it for monetary gains and as soon as they get a chance put down tangata whenua at every turn.
    Ka kite ano

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