Open mike 10/05/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 10th, 2011 - 101 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

101 comments on “Open mike 10/05/2011 ”

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  1. PeteG 1
    10 May 2011 at 7:32 am

    Labour have announced they are cutting their communication staff levels in half. Goff said this will demonstrate Labour are serious about cutting unnecessary spending and thought they should put their money where their mouth is – towards more essential spending priorities like KiwiSaver handouts. Goff also hoped that by cutting their spin in half they would only look half as desperate.

    • mickysavage 1.1
      10 May 2011 at 8:12 am

      Grrr PeteG when you make a troll like comment how about you back it up with a link so we can confirm that what you are saying is true.

      Besides if this is what Goff is planning then I totally agree.  There is nothing worse than PR produced naff.  The meaning is never clear and it sanitises and glosses over the important points.  It would be much better for Goff to say it the way it is.

      The last great PM communicator was David Lange.  He used his own words and spoke simply but clearly.  The current imposter is the direct opposite.

      • higherstandard 1.1.1
        10 May 2011 at 8:25 am

        Lange was a great speaker, had him speak at functions a number of times after he’d retired and he was exceptional every time.

        • Morrissey 1.1.1.1
          10 May 2011 at 10:03 am

          David Lange was vacuous. That booming voice and commanding manner got him a long way in politics, of course—but he was intellectually indolent, and he was consistently outsmarted and manipulated by far sharper ideologues like Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble, David Caygill, Mike Moore and Michael Bassett.

          Because he wasn’t a deep or coherent thinker, Lange couldn’t counter their takeover of the government. In 1989, he realised his helplessness and just gave up.

          • higherstandard 1.1.1.1.1
            10 May 2011 at 1:08 pm

            I commented that he was an exceptional speaker M, however to say he was vacuous is clearly garbage. While some of the policies of his government may have been formulated and led by others in his cabinet to suggest he was vacuous is patently absurd.

            • Morrissey 1.1.1.1.1.1
              10 May 2011 at 10:21 pm

              …to suggest he was vacuous is patently absurd.
              Lange presided over the dismantling, destruction and selling off of much of this country’s public sector. In all that time, he occasionally wrung his hands in public—the “cup of tea”—but he did nothing, in spite of being opposed to what was being done. That was because he lacked the knowledge and depth of learning to challenge the likes of Douglas and Caygill.

              In fact, Lange himself enthusiastically set about the attack on the public education sector. He failed to coherently explain himself whenever he was pinned down for a comment; he once in desperation hissed at a woman teacher to “piss off” when she had the temerity to ask him a question in public.

              John Key is rightly regarded as vacuous by the liberal left, but he is no worse informed on any subject than Lange was.

          • KJT 1.1.1.1.2
            10 May 2011 at 1:14 pm

            Not my impression of Lange. In his areas he was very sharp.
            In economics he unfortunately left it to those he thought were more qualified. Often a good idea, but not when you are dealing with dogmatic idealoges.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.2.1
              10 May 2011 at 1:27 pm

              In economics he unfortunately left it to those he thought were more qualified. Often a good idea, but not when you are dealing with dogmatic idealoges.

              Which pretty much means any economist these days.

            • Morrissey 1.1.1.1.2.2
              10 May 2011 at 10:13 pm

              Not my impression of Lange. In his areas he was very sharp.
              Impressions are surface features only. Superficially, Lange was plausible. If you analyze what he said—and the worshipful talk about his “oratory” pretty much cancelled that at the time—there was little of depth or sophistication. In many ways, he was a fatter, pakeha version of what many people in the U.S. fell for in 2008.

              In economics he unfortunately left it to those he thought were more qualified.
              He was asleep at the wheel. Because Lange did not think, or even care, about economic and political theory, he was unable to stand up to the doctrinal marauders in his cabinet.

      • PeteG 1.1.2
        10 May 2011 at 9:58 am

        I thought it was obvious I was lying taking the piss.

        • The Voice of Reason 1.1.2.1
          10 May 2011 at 10:08 am

          “I thought it was obvious I was lying/taking the piss.”

          That applies to most of your comments, Pete, so the confusion over this one is understandable. Anyway, the fact is that Goff really is getting rid of his PR advisors … by making them successful Labour party candidates.

          • PeteG 1.1.2.1.1
            10 May 2011 at 11:53 am

            That is counting against Labour, believe me. The people are sick of bullshit artists.

            • marsman 1.1.2.1.1.1
              10 May 2011 at 12:55 pm

              Finally : Sick of John Key? Bill English? Gerry Brownlee? How much more bullshit artistry do you want? Unfortunately they are protected by their crony media lap-dog ‘journalists’.

              • PeteG …
                10 May 2011 at 12:58 pm

                I’d like to see more honest hard working capable politicians in all parties.
                What about you?

                • Morrissey …
                  13 May 2011 at 10:17 am

                  “honest hard working capable politicians”

                  That rules out John Key then. Three strikes against him.

  2. logie97 2
    10 May 2011 at 7:38 am

    Question: When does a youth become a man?
    16? 17? 18? 19? Apparently the British police have just arrested two men – a 17 year old and a 19 year old. If they were at school, they would be boys. Apparently this age does not necessarily make you eligible to buy alcohol, or vote, but you can fire a machine gun.

    • logie97 2.1
      10 May 2011 at 7:53 am

      I see the Herald describes the age group as “teenagers” and “males”… while RNZ describes it as “men”.

      • Samuel Hill 2.1.1
        10 May 2011 at 9:19 am

        I think 17 is usually the age when you can be trialed as an adult.

        • Morrissey 2.1.1.1
          10 May 2011 at 10:24 am

          Make that: “TRIED as an adult.”

        • logie97 2.1.1.2
          10 May 2011 at 9:24 pm

          Ah, so a 17 year old is a teenager, a boy, an adolescent, a youth, a man, and now an adult (and to a much older generation, might even be classed as a youngster). No wonder they are a confused age group.

  3. Janice 3
    10 May 2011 at 8:22 am

    Why the sudden interest in Clifford Bay as a ferry terminal? I thought this was killed off years ago, is Steven Joyce trying to make a diversion? If so what from? The budget? Or is it that some overseas company is wanting taxpayers’ money for their private project?

    • Lanthanide 3.1
      10 May 2011 at 10:03 am

      A comment on the stuff site says that every time the interislander has it’s port fees up for renewal, they start talking about alternative terminals being built, as a way to ensure the fees don’t rise too much.
       
      I would think that if that has been the case in the past, this specific threat has gone a lot further than any in the past have.

    • MrSmith 3.2
      10 May 2011 at 7:09 pm

      I think moving the terminal is a great idea.

      I suspect one of the reasons for moving it will be that they won’t be able to get the ferries up Tory channel any more, once it’s full of salmon farms.

  4. LynW 4
    10 May 2011 at 8:43 am

    First they came…” is a famous statement attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. The text of the quotation is usually presented roughly as follows:

    First they came for the communists,
    and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

    Then they came for the trade unionists,
    and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

    Then they came for the Jews,
    and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

    Then they came for me
    and there was no one left to speak out for me.

    I know many of you have probably seen this before but it’s the first time I have and history makes it all the more poignant. We could easily add the words beneficiaries, preschoolers, young families, university students, Maori, environmentalists etc( in no particular order)
    Feel free to add to the list….Surely a tipping point will be reached!

    • MrSmith 4.1
      10 May 2011 at 11:45 am

      You will enjoy this then LynW

    • PeteG 4.2
      10 May 2011 at 11:57 am

      If you think New Zealand is anything like Germany in that era you haven’t any idea how lucky you are to live in this country in this time. Yes, we should be vigilant and fight to retain freedoms. But we should appreciate how different it is to the difficult times all preceding generations have lived in.

      • MrSmith 4.2.1
        10 May 2011 at 12:41 pm

        peteG you’re are just making shit up again and I suspect you are just trying to lead us down the Godwin’s law trail as well.

        • PeteG 4.2.1.1
          10 May 2011 at 12:57 pm

          I have relations who lived in the Sudetenland in the 1930’s. I visited them last year. They talked a bit about what it was like back then. Very hard times. They said that at the end of the war the Americans arrived just in time, otherwise they think they would have been annihilated. Instead they were marched out of their homeland, forever.

          We grizzle about fuck all in comparison.

          • Morrissey 4.2.1.1.1
            10 May 2011 at 7:00 pm

            The daily suffering of the people in this video is the closest modern version of what the Jewish people in Europe suffered in the 1930s…

          • MrSmith 4.2.1.1.2
            10 May 2011 at 7:57 pm

            Guessing, but that makes you German and Catholic, if thats the case it explains a lot, you probably think where mostly a bunch of Communists trying to start a revolution.

            We are the Revolution.

      • felix 4.2.2
        10 May 2011 at 8:46 pm

        Oh for Pete’s sake, that’s probably your most desperate comment yet.

        No-one is saying NZ is like Germany in the 30s you moron. Sheesh what a retard.

        • PeteG 4.2.2.1
          10 May 2011 at 9:57 pm

          Why don’t you read from the start before making a prat of yourself.

          • felix 4.2.2.1.1
            10 May 2011 at 10:24 pm

            I did you idiot, it was your comment at 11.57 am I replied to.

            Well aware of the historical relevance and I reiterate that you’re a moron if you think anyone is comparing NZ to 1930s Germany.

            (Except you that is.)

            • PeteG 4.2.2.1.1.1
              11 May 2011 at 6:52 am

              Try LynW’s comment at 8.43am.

              “about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.”

              “…history makes it all the more poignant. We could easily add the words beneficiaries, preschoolers, young families, university students, Maori, environmentalists etc( in no particular order)
              Feel free to add to the list….Surely a tipping point will be reached!”

              It’s standard under Godwin’s Law – “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1.”

              Godwin has argued that overuse of Nazi and Hitler comparisons should be avoided, because it robs the valid comparisons of their impact.

              The situation today is nothing like the social and political situation in 1930s Germany, or the rest of Europe, or New Zealand. We have legitimate concerns but they are piddling when compared to many other countries now, and from the past.

              • felix …
                11 May 2011 at 8:18 am

                Pete catch up. As I said I’m well aware of the origins of the words.

                Saying the same analysis can apply to the strategies followed by other govts is not the same thing as saying NZ today is like Germany in the 30s.

                If I’m wrong, then you need to show where someone has equated the two. If you can’t, you pulled your criticism out of your arse.

                That you haven’t been able to pinpoint such an equating in your last two comments says it all IMO but feel free to try again.

                • PeteG …
                  11 May 2011 at 8:31 am

                  You’re up to same old felix. Try someone else.
                  Or better, try to contribute something useful.

                  • felix …
                    11 May 2011 at 8:39 am

                    That’s right Pete, I’m up to the same old calling you on your bullshit.

                    And you’re up to the same old squirming to avoid admitting the truth.

                    If I’m wrong, prove me wrong. It should be so easy.

                    ps I’ll be AFK so you’ll have all day.

  5. MrSmith 5
    10 May 2011 at 9:20 am

    Remember this:

    On Working for Families, Mr English was overheard on the tape suggesting it would need to be “sorted out” once National was in government.

    The comments came only a week after National promised to keep the system in place.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/565277

    • PeteG 5.1
      10 May 2011 at 9:56 am

      That was in August 2008 – most of the world has moved on from then.

      Do you want to set in concrete everything Goff has said since 1982?
      It would be very mixed concrete.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.1
        10 May 2011 at 10:05 am

        I think what was said in 2008, pre-election, is quite relevant to the government, post-election.
         
        However comparing something that Phil Goff said in 1982 about the government in 80’s really doesn’t have terribly much relevance 20 years later. I thought this would have been obvious, but apparently not.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.1.2
        10 May 2011 at 12:01 pm

        National made promises about Kiwisaver. Promises that they seem to be about to renounce.

      • MrSmith 5.1.3
        10 May 2011 at 12:01 pm

        “That was in August 2008 – most of the world has moved on from then.”
        Except you of-course PeteG, your lot will have us back in the 1930s pretty soon.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.3.1
          10 May 2011 at 1:31 pm

          I’m pretty sure they’re aiming for the 1530s actually or, perhaps, the 1130s. You know, before the Magna Carta was signed. Rule by the rich for the rich and whatever the rich say goes.

      • Treetop 5.1.4
        10 May 2011 at 3:35 pm

        It is a real shame that the Nact government don’t look back to 1984 because HISTORY is repeating itself. In 1984 the deficit was 21.5 billion due to overseas borrowing. Nine years earlier Muldoon killed compulsory superannuation. Even though Muldoon did not sell off assests the Nact government are scheming to sell off what Muldoon borrowed money for (energy projects).

        Nact have put the country back 25 years. The most depressing aspect is that back then people had jobs, not like now. I am wondering how long it is going to take Nact to freeze wages?

        • s y d 5.1.4.1
          10 May 2011 at 4:35 pm

          no need to freeze wages that are shrinking…….

          • Jim Nald 5.1.4.1.1
            10 May 2011 at 6:02 pm

            Latest news reporting Govt borrowing $380m per week.
            Disastrous handling of the country’s finances by currency trading wizard Prime Mismanagement.
            What’s the next gamble with the blood and sweat of the Kiwi working poor?

          • Treetop 5.1.4.1.2
            12 May 2011 at 10:26 am

            Yes and also if the employer has to contribute more to Kiwisaver it is likely that a pay increase will be minimal.

            As mentioned below the government are borrowing 380 million a week. I heard that they are stock piling money as the interest rate is lower than it has been.

            Anyone who was around age twenty in the mid 1980s would see how screwed the country now is because of the level of debt, the cost of housing/rent, low wages and the most concerning, denial by the government that they are failing those on a low income.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.4.1.2.1
              12 May 2011 at 10:36 am

              Anyone who was around age twenty in the mid 1980s would see how screwed the country now is

              That might explain why roughly 700,000 NZ born Kiwis have fled and are now living in Australia. That figure is equivalent to around 1 in 6 of the people still left in NZ now, bailing on this country tomorrow. Disastrous.

  6. MrSmith 6
    10 May 2011 at 9:24 am

    Can someone help we with inserting links please , Browser safari , mac os x

    • lprent 6.1
      10 May 2011 at 10:27 am

      Try turning on the wysiwyg editor with the check box under the edit box. It has link button that looks like a chain. Select some text, press that, and paste the link into the dialog box that pops up.

      Otherwise there is a section in the FAQ at the top of the pages to do the text version. Look for simple HTML

  7. Lanthanide 7
    10 May 2011 at 10:06 am

    So after the house I’m in having survived with pretty much negligible (very minor contents) damage through all of the quakes thus-far, last night’s 5.3 quake has slightly warped one of the doors/door frames in the bathroom so it doesn’t shut cleanly any more. All of the other doors in the house are fine. Go figure.

    • The Voice of Reason 7.1
      10 May 2011 at 10:26 am

      Probably pay to get it checked Lanth. It won’t be a load bearing frame, but it could be an indicater of stress elsewhere in the house.

      On a related matter, I had a look through this list:

      http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/demolitions/

      Gutted to see so many of my favourite buildings are gone/going, including the building I would most liked to have owned in the city, Edison Hall. Plus all the shops in Sydenham I used to frequent, the cafes in High St, the pubs and clubs along Colombo and Manchester Streets, all gone. Mind you, it seems the New Excelsior may survive in some form. A small blessing for the thirsty.

      • Lanthanide 7.1.1
        10 May 2011 at 12:16 pm

        I’m renting, so not really my problem 🙂

        Will tell the landlords next time I see them (they live in a house on the front of the section so shouldn’t take long).

  8. joe90 8
    10 May 2011 at 10:11 am

    Mr Smith

    (a href=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/565277)English taped(/a)

    replace ( and ) with < >

    English taped

    • ianmac 8.1
      10 May 2011 at 10:30 am

      Tried that exactly Joe. But don’t understand “replace ( and ) with “

      • joe90 8.1.1
        10 May 2011 at 10:35 am

        Replace the ( symbol and the ) symbol with the lesser and greater symbols that dwell above the comma and full stop.

      • Lanthanide 8.1.2
        10 May 2011 at 12:18 pm

        I just paste the URL, saves faffing about and works. Then everyone can clearly see what you’re linking to, as well.

        • KJT 8.1.2.1
          10 May 2011 at 12:21 pm

          I prefer people to just paste the URL. I do not like opening unknown web sites. Not a problem from most of the people here, but not a good ideas on the web generally.

        • lprent 8.1.2.2
          10 May 2011 at 1:45 pm

          It will also tend to get you into auto-moderation periodically. But we’re pretty good at releasing those in reasonable time frame.

  9. joe90 9
    10 May 2011 at 10:18 am

    Humour, a German TV station gets it wrong.

  10. ianmac 10
    10 May 2011 at 10:34 am

    Key softens up
    Try again to link
    Hooray! I get it!

    • joe90 10.1
      10 May 2011 at 10:42 am

      (blockquote)your quote(/blockquote)

      (p)(i)your itallics(/i)(p)

      (strong)your bold text(/strong)

      (strike)your strike through text(/strike)

      your quote

      your itallics

      your bold text

      your strike through text

  11. Morrissey 11
    10 May 2011 at 11:23 am

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/feb/05/top-gear-offensive-steve-coogan?intcmp=239

    Top Gear’s offensive stereotyping has gone too far, says STEVE COOGAN

    As a huge fan of Top Gear. I normally regard the presenters’ brand of irreverence as a part of the rough and tumble that goes with having a sense of humour. I’ve been on the show three times and had a go at their celebrity-lap challenge, and I would love to receive a fourth invite. But I think that’s unlikely once they have read this. If, however, it makes the Lads question their behaviour for a second – ambitious, I know – it will be worth it.

    I normally remain below the parapet when these frenetic arguments about comedy and taste break out. But this time, I’ve had enough of the regular defence you tend to hear – the tired line that it’s “just a laugh”, a bit of “harmless fun”.

    Some of the Lads’ comments again, in case you missed them. “Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus, with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat” (Richard Hammond). Mexican food is “sick with cheese on it” (James May).

    Jeremy Clarkson added to the mirth by suggesting that the Mexican ambassador (a certain Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza) would be so busy sleeping he wouldn’t register any outrage. (He wasn’t and he did.)

    OK, guys, I’ve got some great ideas for your next show. Jeremy, why not have James describe some kosher food as looking like “sick with cheese on it”? No? Thought not. Even better, why not describe some Islamic fundamentalists as lazy and feckless?

    Feel the silence. They’re all pretty well organised these days, aren’t they, those groups? Better stick to those that are least problematic.

    Old people? Special needs? I know – Mexicans! There aren’t enough of them to be troublesome, no celebrities to be upset. And most of them are miles and miles away.

    [deleted]

    [lprent: Please don’t quote the whole damn article in the comments section – it isn’t a frigging clipping area. You have the link. All you need to do is to quote enough to get people to go to look at it. In fact just what I did, and you’re just lucky that I was interested enough in the article to do so. Even better would be to put your own content in to say why people should read it. ]

  12. Morrissey 12
    10 May 2011 at 11:51 am

    Indeed he is….

  13. randal 13
    10 May 2011 at 11:56 am

    has HEAD OFFICE fixed this election yet or is the branch manger gonna have to do his own dirty work to keep primeministering.

  14. Jum 14
    10 May 2011 at 11:56 am

    Interesting little piece from Rodney Hide in 2000, I found re the hounding of Ian Mutton by the IRD. In it Hide talks about Section 81 which denies the taxpayer access to the reasons why they are being hounded.

    Now why does ‘denies the taxpayer access to the reasons why they are being hounded.’ sound familiar? Perhaps if I changed the word ‘hounded’ to ‘fired’, ‘taxpayer’ to ’employee taxpayer’ and added the words ‘ninety days’, maybe even the idiotological NActMUs would get it.

    http://www.act.org.nz/news/ombudsmen-give-taxpayers-greater-ird-rights

  15. Draco T Bastard 15
    10 May 2011 at 12:25 pm

    NZ steers future of Royal succession

    New Zealand has “chairmanship” of a bid to change the Royal succession laws.

    The claim, made by Lord McNally in the House of Lords earlier this year, was this morning confirmed by Prime Minister John Key.

    In January, Lord McNally told the House of Lords: “There have been consultations … the previous Administration initiated discussions among Commonwealth countries. Those discussions are proceeding under the chairmanship of the New Zealand Government and we will continue to keep the matter under consideration.”

    hmmmmm…

    Official Information Act: succession response

    Posted 16 February, 2011

    We immediately sent an Official Information Act (OIA) request to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to find out exactly what was going on…

    New Zealand Ministers are not involved in chairing or leading any discussions about proposals to amend the Act of Settlement and the laws of succession.

    It appears that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet lied to an OIA request.

    Hattip: I/S via Twitter

    HARDTALK: NO KIWI REPUBLIC ON KEY’S WATCH

    Meanwhile, Key revealed he personally opposes New Zealand becoming a republic.

    That’s no real surprise either – conservatives seem inherently incapable of imagining a society without their special people at the top giving commands to the rest of the populace.

    • Lanthanide 15.1
      10 May 2011 at 1:34 pm

      “It appears that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet lied to an OIA request.”

       
      The New Zealand Government is much bigger than just the department of the prime minister and cabinet, you know.

      • Draco T Bastard 15.1.1
        10 May 2011 at 3:03 pm

        I’m pretty sure you’ll find that such an action as discussing the monarchy succession laws comes under the PMs list of responsibilities.

    • Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15.2
      10 May 2011 at 3:13 pm

      “…special people at the top giving commands to the rest of the populace.”

      A bit silly, Draco. What were the last five commands the Queen gave to us?

      • Draco T Bastard 15.2.1
        10 May 2011 at 4:46 pm

        Not really. All part of the hierarchical mindset – the people at the top give the commands or the commands are given in their name. It the concept that someone must have authority and that people below them and in the chain of command are then acting with that authority. John Key and most of National will see their authority as being an extension of the queens office.

  16. Karl Sinclair 16
    10 May 2011 at 1:06 pm

    BBC Hard Talk: New Zealand PM John Key: ‘We are 100% pure’
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/9480610.stm

    History does not repeat, it ryhmes (Mark Twain). Funny how we are 100% clean green when it comes to minning, agriculture etc.. how odd. Do we want our cake and eat it as well… i.e. the tourists flocking to see the 100% Pure Brand…

    We just have to look back at Li Lin Fu and see the parallels …Honey-Mouthed And Dagger-Hearted (Kou Mi Fu Jian & Pin Yin kǒu mì fù jiàn):

    In 742 AD., a capable minister called Li Shi Zhi was favored by the Emperor of Tang. Li Lin Fu pretended not to care, but in fact was trying to find ways to damage him. One day, Li Lin Fu told Li Shi Zhi about some gold that was hidden over in Hua Mountain, and Li Shi Zhi, as Li Lin Fu expected, soon proposed to the Emperor worried about the decrease of the state revenue to mine the gold deposits.

    The Emperor then asked Li Lin Fu for his opinion, Li Lin-fu acted very indifferently, saying “I knew about the gold mine a long time ago, and I didn’t tell it to your Majesty on purpose.”

    “Why?” said the king in surprise.

    “According to Taoist principles, Hua Mountain is in the place where all of Your Majesty’s auspicious aurora are gathered. Any damage to that area will certainly be harmful to your health and state. Who is it that brings out such a foolish idea? ”

    Hearing this, the Emperor thought that Li Shi Zhi was not as considerate as Li Lin Fu, and later demoted the former to remote area.

  17. Ron 17
    10 May 2011 at 2:23 pm

    Jonkey has moved on from lying to just us. He’s now lying to the whole world.
    I also LOVED the bit where he considers scientific facts as “just one man’s opinion”
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/9480610.stm

    • Morrissey 17.1
      10 May 2011 at 11:31 pm

      Unbelievable! Actually, come to think of it, it’s not unbelievable—Key’s cynicism and arrogance are hardly a surprise. Note his airy dismissal of scientists—“they’re just like lawyers”—and his scoffing attitude throughout.

      Stephen Sackur looks like a second-rater when he goes up against superior intellects—but against Key, Sackur is clearly in the ascendant.

  18. headbanger 18
    10 May 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Martyn Payne, a UK migrant who invested his life savings of $700,000 and six years of his life into turning a struggling Northland garage into a thriving business employing seven people was kicked out of New Zealand on April 23rd.

    His appeal to Kate Wilkinson, the Associate Immigration Minister, that medical evidence supplied showed he would not be a drain on the New Zealand health service was declined. Kate Wilkinson has stated she will not review this case unless there is new evidence, ignoring additional reports from a doctor and a heart specialist sent to her confirming Payne’s stance.

    Is this good for New Zealand?
    Is Wilkinson sending a message to entrepreneurs around the world?
    Do you think Martyn Payne has been treated fairly.

    Info, links and petition here:
    http://www.move2nz.com/support_martyn_payne.aspx

    • rd 18.1
      10 May 2011 at 2:49 pm

      This person seems to be suitable for the Govt buy a passport scheme. –

      What happened to the woman from India? with 2 NZ born children in the BOP area? who was being deported as an overstayer about 6 months ago?

    • millsy 18.2
      10 May 2011 at 10:32 pm

      I wonder if he would be allowed to stay if he was Chinese…

  19. Penny Bright 19
    10 May 2011 at 3:09 pm

    10 May 2011

    UPCOMING AUCKLAND ‘EVENT’!

    If people can attend – to both find out what is going on plus be there in support – that would be great!

    Fellow ‘Public Watchdog’ Lisa Prager and myself each have 10 minutes to address the Auckland Council Property CCO (Auckland Council Properties Ltd – ACPL) about the lack of transparency regarding the ‘interests’ of the unelected Board and staff; information publicly available pertaining to properties administered by the ACPL; and public involvement in the decision-making process as to which properties are deemed ‘surplus to requirements’ and whether or not they should be ‘disposed of’:

    ‘OPEN LETTER’

    10 May 2011

    Dear Emma,

    Thank you for confirming my 10 minutes ‘speaking rights’ to address the ‘Public Forum’ of the upcoming Auckland Council Property Ltd (ACPL) meeting to be held on:

    Thursday 12 May 2011
    9.30am,
    Bancorp Offices,
    Qantas House,
    Level 11,
    191 Queen Street,
    Auckland City.

    The subject matter of my ‘deputation’, will include:

    1) As a publicly-acknowledged ‘anti-corruption’ campaigner, having attended two internationally significant ‘anti-corruption’ conferences, I am concerned at the apparent lack of structural openness, transparency and accountability in the ACPL ‘framework’.

    a) Where is a publicly-available ‘Register of Interests’ for the unelected Board of ACPL CCO appointees and staff responsible for property and procurement?

    (How can ‘conflicts of interest’ be avoided if ‘interests’ are not declared beforehand?

    Do any unelected Board of ACPL appointees and staff responsible for property and procurement, have links with property developers, business associates/investors/ individuals who could take pecuniary advantage of such connections?)

    b) What audit processes have been established by the Auckland Council, to ensure ‘Council control’ over this ACPL ‘Council Controlled Organisation’, in order to prevent the above-mentioned potential ‘conflicts of interest’ ?

    c) What audit processes are/have been carried out by ‘independent statutory third party ‘Public Watchdogs such as the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) to double-check that there are ‘open, transparent and accountable’ processes in place to help prevent such potential ‘conflicts of interest’?

    d) Has the ACPL entered into contracts with the private sector for any goods or services?

    e) Is there a central ‘Register of Contracts’, publicly-available, which details for public scrutiny: the name of the consultant/contractor; the scope, term and value of the contract?

    f) How many staff employed by the ACPL are ‘in-house’ employees as opposed to ‘contracted’, or ‘temporary’ employees, and how much money is being spent on each category?

    g) j) Where is the publicly-available ‘list’ of ALL property administered by the ACPL, with the following information?

    i) Property name.
    ii) Physical street address.
    iii) Property history (how did it become a ‘council’ property – ie: was it BEQUESTED, and if so – for what purpose).
    iv) Who is currently using this property and for what purpose.
    v) If property is unused – for how long has this been the case.

    h) What is the mechanism by which it is decided which Auckland Council ‘properties’ are deemed ‘surplus to requirements’?

    i) Given that ALL Auckland Council property assets are supposedly owned by citizens and ratepayers of the Auckland region – by what process do we ‘the public’ ‘have a say’ in determining which Auckland Council ‘properties’ are deemed ‘surplus to requirements’?

    j) What is the ‘consultation’ process that is/will be carried out by the ACPL with citizens and ratepayers of the Auckland region before ANY Auckland Council property assets are sold?
    ________________________________________________________________________________
    Penny Bright
    http://waterpressure.wordpress.com

    • Jum 19.1
      10 May 2011 at 5:02 pm

      Penny Bright

      I have a meeting or I would have been there to support you. If you have a network I suggest you send them an email and get them to reply with their support for your quest. Then you can stand up and say ‘I am not the only person asking these questions. I have xxxxxx emails in support of me. They also want to know that their assets are not going to be sold.’

      I’m sure your network will encompass mine.

      This Property CCO does not have the right to sell our assets. The CCOs were not democratically elected. The first bill taking control over Auckland Assets was forced through without access to select committee or a Government run citizen vote.

      If you have a network, Penny, your network will have their own networks which will cover New Zealand, and once they know how the government has betrayed Aucklanders and intend to stab other New Zealanders in the back through their once democratic councils, then they will support your fight against the Auckland Property CCO. ECAN knows all about being assassinated by the likes of Hide, Shipley, David Carter and his brother and signed off by Key and Douglas.

  20. vto 20
    10 May 2011 at 3:34 pm

    Unknown Earthquake Effect #10;

    New beaches courtesy of rockfall into the sea.

  21. Jum 21
    10 May 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Bernard Hickey: Havens for rich tax avoiders will cripple NZ
    NZ Herald Sunday May 8, 2011

    It really is scary to say this, but I honestly believe Key thinks New Zealand Inc is his business, but not serious business. He’s playing it for fun. He’s got other income so if New Zealand Inc falls over, he can move on to his other businesses.

    Meanwhile he’s rerouting all money into the accounts of the already wealthy to buy their support for his knighthood.

    Then when NZ is totally fxxked, he will of course not be pm and will be able to buy up large before leaving for Hawaii or the next placement.

    And me? I’m going to find it very hard to forgive any of my NAct friends for causing it by voting him in, whether 2008 or worse in 2011.

    Key and his hordes are going to cause massive and divisive damage in this country. But that was always the plan. Divide the masses and control the treasury.

  22. todd 22
    10 May 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Our Prime Minister is Corrupt

    http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-prime-minister-is-corrupt.html

    There are many questions concerning the inappropriate use of tax-payer money by Prime Minister John Key as well as questions about conflicts of interest in regards to his investment portfolio that need answering. Not only does john Key avoid any investigation into allegations that our NZSAS is in breach of international laws, he avoids any responsibility for his and his fellow MPs misappropriations and lies. This head in the sand mentality must end for New Zealand to have any chance of restoring our democracy.  What follows is a Statement by Dayle Takitimu sent to the Gisborne Herald – Challenging John Keys Dishonesty.

    • Jum 22.1
      10 May 2011 at 6:22 pm

      Todd,

      All ‘consultations’ with JKeyll should be videotaped and any corruption of the discussion by JKeyll should be forced upon media who can be prosecuted for printing lies and misleading people.

      • Draco T Bastard 22.1.1
        11 May 2011 at 2:10 am

        Wish we did have laws that held the media accountable for publishing lies and untruths then we might start to see actual real investigative reporting rather than the present method of reporting by the printing unquestioned press release.

    • ianmac 22.2
      10 May 2011 at 10:21 pm

      todd: I suspect that since many in the population believe that Maori concerns are insignificant and Key believes he can afford to go with the more popular dismissal of the concerns. He may also believe that the Maori Party are not going to be an asset after the Election should by then even exist , and can be dismissive.
      But that position is a dangerous risk. Shows a lack of trustworthiness.

    • logie97 23.1
      10 May 2011 at 10:32 pm

      God this guy takes the cake.
      “The Labour Party has the same front bench as the one that was thrown out in 2008.” Now correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t Dunne a minister for six years of that government. Wasn’t he a member of the Labour Party in the 1980’s. So, in that case, which front bench needs refreshing, Labour’s or United Future’s. Peter Dunne, in another profession, might be classified as a “swinger”.

  24. Jim Nald 24
    10 May 2011 at 7:04 pm

    – Newsroom news flash –

    “Leading Monarchy Changes – The Prime Minister is lobbying for Monarchy changes to remove discrimination based on gender and religion.”

    For fish and chips sake, leave them to it. Focus on relevant issues that really matter in NZ.

  25. aj 25
    10 May 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Bill English on Checkpoint…approx 5:30pm this evening…

    Discussing the defecit, comparing the government attitude to borrowings to what a householder would do, “you cant sell part of the house to reduce your borrowings”

    Does this mean asset sales are off the agenda?

  26. Salsy 26
    10 May 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Another Winston Pearler Good grief hes even talking about peak oil.
    I reckon hes been hanging out on the Standard

  27. Draco T Bastard 27
    11 May 2011 at 2:13 am

    And now for something completely different. 😆

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