“The Delta variant is still circulating and we can't presume all infections are Omicron. While less virulent than Delta, Omicron can nevertheless cause severe disease and death, particularly among the unvaccinated who make up 3 percent of the vaccine-eligible population but 19.4 percent of hospitalisations.
There are still many vulnerable people in the community we can protect by limiting the spread of the virus and ensuring they are less likely to encounter it.”
I did see that a person can request RAT tests for another person. People who live on their own and are without a car will find it a bit awkward. Too bad if family are isolating and friends do not have the time to wait at a testing station or do not want to be exposed to Covid.
The better option for me is to pay $55 for 5 tests at the chemist 5 minutes walk away or find another place who will sell me 2 tests.
I forgot to add that the chemist 5 minutes walk away is a participating chemist where RATs can be collected from. They have no government stock and they do not know when the no cost tests will arrive.
I would like to know the number of people showing up at ED just for a Covid test. The wait time is long and the risk of exposure to Covid would be high.
Treetop if you think you are sick, rest. Sometimes it is 4 or 5 days before the viral load is heavy enough to show on the rat.
Grant our son finally went for a nasal test, before his infection showed. He is struggling to recover, suffering throat cough and aching tiredness 4 weeks out. Rest fluids and anti-inflamatories key to weathering it. He is on the Gold Coast.
Don't try to work through it. All the very best to you.
I had to visit my GP the other day and my 'lift' had to pull out after being a close contact with a Covid colleague. (I'm not allowed to drive after my op.) I had to uber there and back. The driver en route home started coughing and at one point opened his window and spat out of it.
I'm sitting at home crossing my fingers it wasn't Covid. Awful time.
Obtaining a RAT test is one thing dealing with Covid is another. No one wants family unwell with Covid.
People are having a lot of close calls with Covid exposure. A person should not need to wait until they become sicker and use up what energy they have to obtain a RATs test through the online RequestRats.Covid 19. health.nz I rang them an hour ago and requested the ring me back option, wait time approx 20 minutes. There was no confirmation given that they would ring back so I redid it a few minutes later when the option came up again and no confirmation was given.
Feeling off colour on monday I walked to the local chemist , paid $36 for 5 RAT tests, tested positive and registered the result on the covid site. I got a phone call the next day from health dept asking my symptoms, health status and where to seek support if i required it, we had stocked up on rice and have pot plant garden so had no need. Its friday morning and starting to feel ok.
I used honey on my tongue and vitamin C double recommended dose and lemon, honey, garlic and ginger . I am immune suppresed.
I understand everybody is different and will react in all manner of ways , this is my exprience and as one in the group of most at risk I haven't found it too bad.
So in the meantime due to the testing criteria I could be spreading Covid.
Shouldn't you be isolating yourself?
Self-isolation reduces the risks of spreading the virus to others. You will need to isolate for at least 10 days while you recover. Your 10 days start from Day 0 — the day your symptoms started or the day you got tested.
[…]
When does my 10-day isolation start/end?
What day did you get symptoms or test positive (whichever came first)?
'When you are self-isolating, you can exercise outside your home. You can exercise outdoors in your neighbourhood — but not at any shared exercise facility, such as a swimming pool or gym.'
Is the isolation period – 7 days from tonight- from date of symptoms or date of test ?
See the link at 1.1.4 Joe 90 supplied. It is up to date apart from the shorter 7 day period, but states this being effective at 11.59 pm Friday 11 March.
Oh Hi Shanreagh. And yep. Is head shaking stuff. Ah well,hope you allgood in Wellington and I did rate you for being into the after- party…"protest" cleanup . Good on you : )
Our big cleanup could not go ahead as it is still being looked at as a crime scene and some of the scale and type of work that is being done could be dangerous to enthusiastic amateurs. They are having to deal with all the stormwater drains that had sewage and other things poured down them.
We are being deputed to clean up our neighbourhoods. I do this from time to time but now am looking for one of those picker upper/hook things to really get into it. WCC does do a great job of street cleaning but rubbish does get hooked up in street trees etc.
now am looking for one of those picker upper/hook things to really get into it.
Ah. Can vouch for them. Back/knee savers : ) “Reacher and Grabber Pickup tool” Not sure if I was allowed to google Link shop stuff ? But “Trade Tested” seemed possibility.? Or similar. In NZ…..
Well have to say, I didnt know who she was, until 2 elections ago. Labour landslide. Or John Pagani.for that. Anyway, Id say she’s to the Left as Prebble,Douglas,etc were….
The time has come to start looking at what is causing this 'sky is falling' problem. It is simply the way the monetary system has been engineered and heathy doses of GREED at many levels. Why do the banks have licence to print money then extort massive profits on the back of notional wealth creation that disappears overseas? We produce enough food to feed over 40 million but have to pay notional prices that may be gained in places we don't even export to. Try getting a job done by a tradie. The price has nothing to do with the size or quality of work in many cases. It is based on what can be rorted out of the client – often with threats of hitting one's credit ratings if payment isn't received within a week. One could go on but of course, to the critics, there is no need for reality to get in the way of socially engineered prejudice.
Oh. Maria Pevchikh. The sole source of proof of novichok in the Navalny case. A bottle with no chain of custody, supplied by Maria as one of the people on his flight to Berlin. So no experience in propaganda and no axes to grind?? Perhaps if you have a need to smear Lavrov and Shoigu you could find sources with a little less skin in the game?? Talk about blatant propaganda…
Because in the instance you raise, the resolution also called on accelerating the provision of military equipment and weapons to Ukraine, strengthening Nato's forward presence, and dramatically increasing defence spending.
And of course, Yemen. But then they don't have blue eyes nor blonde hair nor look like us. Even though the level of death and destruction is orders of magnitude greater than anything occurring in Ukraine. Not to mention the savage blockade induced mass starvation… But of course we couldn't have those images plastered across our media 24/7…
China is concurrently using a covert pro-Russian line while promoting an overt neutral line. Best way to be a communist is to use a double standard.
A glimpse into how China may seek to control its coverage was given in the days prior to the invasion, when an internal directive that was apparently accidentally shared on social media showed Chinese state media outlet Beijing News ordered its employees not to publish news reports that were "negative about Russia or pro-West." Beijing News did not respond to requests for comment.
One glaring example came Friday, when CCTV broadcast a speech from International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games, in which many parts of the speech were muffled and were not translated. The offending context? Parsons' "message of peace," in which he did not name Russia or Ukraine but said he was "horrified at what is taking place in the world."
Those voices from within China who have tried to speak up — including five history professors who penned an open letter voicing their strong opposition to "Russia's war against Ukraine" — have seen their posts swiftly deleted or social accounts suspended.
China's state broadcaster CCTV released a package in its morning newscast highlighting Moscow's erroneous claim that Washington had funded the development of biological weapons in Ukrainian labs. That insinuation is used to support the narrative that Ukraine — characterized by Moscow as an American puppet state — threatens Russia, and not the other way around. The source? Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov
ACC has apologised to an abuse survivor after an employee breached her privacy by looking at her sensitive claim while investigating her husband for suspected fraud.
The group of more than a dozen employees working at ACC's contact centre in Hamilton took photos of clients' injury descriptions displayed on their work screens and posted the images to a private Snapchat group called "ACC Whores".
To call ACC dysfunctional absolutely minimises the reality. A decades long culture of Top Down bullying and harm…FROM them. Like many other Govt departments (winz/msd,etc etc ! ) need a CLEAN out. Managers needing non organisation and separate Required Performance Review would be a start.
They were found during a review and fired promptly. This happened during lockdown. One rotten manager involved his team. Sadly you are in your post labelling the upset and horrified 14000 other workers who would never dream of doing as they did. I am not at liberty to say how I know this.
One advocate believed her own privacy had been breached about 30 times by ACC staff clicking into her file, simply because she was representing a claimant they were managing.
Of course you have a “personal” view…and at liberty or not, are perfectly entitled to it. However…IMO the ACC are adversarial. AND dysfunctional. And Im sure many who have had interaction would agree.
I can well imagine Patricia. Smearing a whole workplace for the actions of a rotten few is unfair.
I worked in a workplace during the 'if it walks we will restructure it' phase across the PS & State Sector. One of the moves brought to our happy non sexist/racist workplace, a group from an organisation that was traditionally from an all male department.
The level of sexism was out of this world but worst of all was the smut that seemed vicious and anti woman in the type of jokes, comments at morning tea time, even down to the secret Santa presents that were bought by this group for their female colleagues.
I decide to go above my second tier manager direct to the CE to find he had absolutely no idea that this sort of 'joke' telling was uncomfortable let alone breached the legislation/policies we were working to at the time. Strange turn around really as when I had left university I had looked around at an unregulated (for the isms) private sector and decided that the PS was probably a better fit.
In the 2000s sexism was on the rise again.
This kind of action there, and at ACC, has at it heart what I call a malignant anti woman approach, meaning it is far from inadvertent and may be/usually is deliberate. If in the ACC this manager's boss as ignorant of the 'isms' as I found with the last PS Chief Executive I worked with, then going above would have had no effect at all.
I also worked in a place where a similar event happened I was "Interviewed" by seven seniors inspectors…all men, and on finding what had been reported could be proven, they "moved" the perpetrator sideways and systematically began closing down the school over a number of years.
In this ACC case, I know a worker who was upset horrified and understood they would all be treated as guilty because of this heinous behaviour.
Watched my friend fight ACC, their paid lawyers and doctors for over a decade in regards to mesh implant injury.
The court case was scheduled for Monday morning, providing the first opportunity to challenge the dismissive, inaccurate and often contradictory reports of ACC doctors, none of whom examined her. If successful, the case would have assisted other mesh-injured women in getting their claims accepted.
After more than a decade of pain, poor health, multiple operations and straight out lying, the opportunity to address the court that coming Monday, was a significant achievement.
One that was removed when late on the preceding Friday afternoon, ACC got in contact to say they now accepted the claim. Once that happens, no court challenge is possible – so can't be used as precedent.
This is only one example of what I witnessed.
I agree, there is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
Oh Hi Molly. So sorry to hear your Friends battle with them. I remember this. (I absorb ..a lot )
As I said extremely adversarial…..and seemingly dysfunctional. . Especially when some of their “Clients” are already suffering/struggling : (
Best wishes for them and all.
Thanks. Having been a horrified passenger on my friend's journey, who also participated in the select committee on this issue, I know more than I need to know.
ACC added significantly to the stress she experienced.
I know several people driven to the edge of sanity by ACC for doing nothing more than try to access the services they thought it offered.
Endless second opinions ordered, changes of case manager, made to feel like a fraudster or bludger, loss of previously supplied documents, “existing condition”, “age related condition” slapped on when it looked like the claim would be met.
There are a couple of experienced lawyers I am aware of, Malcom McNeil and Hazel Armstrong, that often work for Union members ACC cases who must have Rhino hides to be able to stand it.
I used to work for a tetraplegic who had something similar happen – ACC accepted/settled his claim the day before the court case. It was enough to be sizeable deposit on a house, so it worked out, but seemed pretty despicable to me at the time.
Technical note sorry if this is the wrong place, mods.
I've worked out why the 'publish' button might not have been working for some.
My phone has recently had some kind of silly update where it will default to leaving a space after you auto-input a word (rather than the cursor remaining tight against the last letter input). If there's a space after your email address, it won't register as legit, and the publish button won't work. 😇
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Hipkins releases private info out to play political games. Paula Bennet did something similar when Nats were in govt. And many attacked Bennet/Nats for the actions (and it was extremely poor) Where are these now that a senior minister in this government went against specific advice not to disclose private information ?? Have many on the left lost their bearings and moral standing and are willing to accept this type of behaviour ? IMO many supporters of Labour need to take a moment and to think what type of country and leadership do they want and how LOW are they willing to go in accepting any form of government that includes Labour.
"Case in point; Natasha Fuller and Jennifer Johnston. These women had their private details released to the media by a vengeful, nasty-minded little woman – Paula Bennet "
"Runs in the ‘ family’ then. Much like Paula Bennett abused two beneficiary’s publicly by releasing private details.
Disgusting bunch of cretins, really."
"Oddly enough, however, Key was quite relaxed about Paula Bennett releasing the private details of beneficiaries in a blatant attempt at intimidation. "
This was Chippy talking and we all know that he would never do anything that could possibly be unethical. He also has taken his bosses words to heart and he is always kind in every word and deed. He is also a Labour MP and they are always totally pure in all their actions.
Not the same .Bellis was hawking her personal details all over the media in interviews etc
Something about consular assistance or something was 'not released'
The extra information given by Hipkins was insignificant in the circumstances and became part of Bellis own beat up in time honoured journalist fashion.
Lives offshore as an expat and wanted to use of public health system when it suited
'Bennett, unimpressed by their arguments that she considered selectively left out some valuable financial facts, published figures showing their full income from the state including benefits and allowances.'
In this case it seems he doesnt want to breach her privacy again or something. It just gives a priveledged person much more 24hr news cycles that she doesnt deserve
Because the first rule of holes is to stop digging and recognise you fucked up. And Hipkins has mostly fucked up here with this unethical release of Bellis' private info.
If Ms Bellis is not a tory snout I would be surprised. Seems to me Paula Bennett was punching down big time with two beneficiaries, Mr Hipkins not so much given it is a public health emergency. Charlotte was a Paul Henry protege with a sizeable sense of entitlement if the MIQ affair is anything to go by.
But no doubt someone here will say even people that enlist the Taliban to embarrass the NZ Govt. should get a fair go…
So what has your basis of Ms Bellis background got to do with it ? I suggest you google "How to clean a Cesspool", it may have some relevance.
Perhaps you should take some time to read Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.
Funny how with the likes of you and others, principles and what is deemed good behaviour go out the door. So when Bennett goes against privacy rules she is called everything under the sun ( and so deservedly IMO). When Hipkins does the same it is all the victims fault.
Having lived through many NZ Governments I would not particularly trust the fifth columnists at the top of the public service or their minions on anything much. They leak like the proverbial.
There are very different rules for Government Ministers per the Cabinet Manual–if they get found out–than the rest of us. Sirkey admitted that he would delay OIA releases for political advantage which was discussed here at the Standard.
Ms Bellis went public on various media channels and tried to put the boot into the Govt. even using her Taliban buddies, so I, even if the only one, do not blame Mr Hipkins for giving her a serve. And he will have to take the consequences.
I am not into stoicism Herodotus, something my stoic mother still berates me for. My philosophy involves dialectical and historical materialism–class left in other words. Try and change the world not just be a spectator and ponderer.
The entire saga seems bizarre. Labour is busy proving that it rejects the principle of transparent governance, after pretending to agree with it.
We don't actually know if what you call info exists. Advice from bureaucrats to ministers isn't automatically information. It could be disinformation. Wouldn't surprise me if it was based on a misunderstanding – I commented here quite a while back that officials may have sent her such offers but she may not have received them.
Shit happens. Hipkins could ascertain the form the offers were sent (email? phone?), and tell her lawyer and/or the media. If it's in the public interest that truth gets told (which I believe it is). If it was a case of bureaucrats trying to get away with stonewalling a kiwi citizen trying to return home, then lying about it, that truth ought to be exposed. Hipkins ought not to collude in a cover-up!
Now it has been revealed in Parliament that Foreign Affairs officials gave Hipkins the details but told him they should not be shared publicly.
Sounds like she maybe added a little extra to the punch from the ministry's pov, and Hipkins couldn't resist the urge to issue what he saw as a correction, even though he'd been clearly told the information wasn't allowed to be publicly released.
Ardern might have confidence in him, but he still needs at least a hand slap. An option that in this day and age is apparently not the done thing.
Not good enough. The public interest in transparency is evident. No excuse for any cover-up. The officials ought not to have attempted one. Hipkins ought not to have colluded. Can't see a moral compass operating. The PM ought to eliminate the problem by engaging with it….
The "officials" saying that private information he disclosed should have been covered up disclosed? Yes, that's how "privacy" works.
It was not information that should have been publicly available. Whether someone has received consular assistance is personal information, not public fodder. Just like if they receive any benefits.
At the time Hipkins said she was offered consular assistance twice but had not responded. Bellis insists the information is wrong.
Now it has been revealed in Parliament that Foreign Affairs officials gave Hipkins the details but told him they should not be shared publicly.
Now, if the ministry gave Hipkins false information and she hadn't been offered assistance, that's a problem.
If they had contacted her and she received the messages but not responded, it's background information relevant to whether Hipkins/ministry digs in or backtracks, but still shouldn't be public information. Hipkins shouldn't have released the information, and it's an interesting question whether he should have had it in the first place.
But if they thought throwing a letter in the mailbox and not checking if she received it, that's a different problem but he still shouldn't have made the info from the ministry end public.
There's no "cover up" as such so far. There's private information that got released by the minister.
I gather Bellis & lawyer requested the facts around the bureaucratic claim & Hipkins plus officials are refusing to provide them. Not sure if Bellis & lawyer have invoked the OIA.
Inasmuch as the two seem to feel aggrieved that officials are trying to get away with making false claims to damage her reputation, the facts ought to be made known to the two. There's also the public interest involved in the possibility that officials are lying.
That's why I smell a rat & believe the (apparent) cover-up ought to be exposed & defeated…
Well, if you can put that list together then it's obvious your initial question wasn't serious.
Personally, seems to me that most of not all on that list were more competent than Luxon (let alone Pugh), but either way I'm glad you found an answer to your query. Good for you.
Well, the threat from Ukraine to civilian aircraft shouldn't be a problem. They have closed their airspace to civil flights.
On the other hand what was that missile that the Russian backed insurgents in Eastern Ukraine used to shoot down MH17 in 2014? Now that lot sound like terrorists to me.
The USS Vincennes also shot down a regular airline flight in the Gulf. there was a fabricated story it was registered on radar as an F-14 but the flight path and timing was normal
And the Ukrainians have their own airliner shoot down Russian Siber Air Flight 1812 from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk shot down over the Black Sea during 'drills'
….. patriotic Ukrainians, anyone who doesn’t agree to Russian colonial suzerainty, are dismissed as Nazi: “de-Nazification” is the supposed reason for Putin’s invasion. The charges are obviously absurd: unlike the U.S. and many Western European countries where the far-right are in parliament (and sometimes funded and supported by the Kremlin), Ukraine has a Jewish President, a multi-ethnic cabinet and the far-right don’t even make it into the current legislative chamber…..
Somewhat weird to see US military intelligence having to refute charges that there are biological weapons of mass destruction in the Ukraine, charges being used by Russia as a pretext for invasion.
The weirdest part is Nuland going so far off message:
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), hoping to debunk growing claims that there are chemical weapons labs in Ukraine, smugly asked Nuland: “Does Ukraine have chemical or biological weapons?”
Rubio undoubtedly expected a flat denial by Nuland, thus providing further "proof” that such speculation is dastardly Fake News emanating from the Kremlin, the CCP and QAnon. Instead, Nuland did something completely uncharacteristic for her, for neocons, and for senior U.S. foreign policy officials: for some reason, she told a version of the truth. Her answer visibly stunned Rubio, who — as soon as he realized the damage she was doing to the U.S. messaging campaign by telling the truth — interrupted her and demanded that she instead affirm that if a biological attack were to occur, everyone should be “100% sure” that it was Russia who did it. Grateful for the life raft, Nuland told Rubio he was right.
flood the place with sophisticated weaponry and foreign nationals with all sorts of idiological preferences , what could possibly go wrong ?
It's just going to become a clusterf**k for everyone unless cool heads prevail. With that in mind, this thread discusses how a lack of reflection on decision making overwhelms risk assessment. Scary reading because this will be happening on both sides.
A quick thread about moral injunctions, imperatives, MiGs, no-fly zones, and the standards for effective judgment.
Overall message: Acting on the basis of imperative-driven thinking, especially under time pressure in a crisis, is a common prelude to disaster
An International Relations Theory Guide to the War in Ukraine
A consideration of which theories have been vindicated—and which have fallen flat.
I’m hardly an objective observer here, but it is obvious to me that these troubling events have reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the realist perspective on international politics. At the most general level, all realist theories depict a world where there is no agency or institution that can protect states from each other, and where states must worry about whether a dangerous aggressor might threaten them at some point in the future. This situation forces states—especially great powers—to worry a lot about their security and to compete for power. Unfortunately, these fears sometimes lead states to do horrible things. For realists, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (not to mention the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003) reminds us that great powers sometimes act in terrible and foolish ways when they believe their core security interests are at stake. That lesson doesn’t justify such behavior, but realists recognize that moral condemnation alone won’t prevent it.
' supporting a multi-governmental community that conducts biomedical research and development, medical material management, worldwide communications, and the study of foreign plant pathogens.'
I got some curries from an old boss of mine who owns a food manufacturing company we hadn't talked in a while so we had a bit of a chin wag …Well he hates Jacinda Ardern he, whilst being vaxxed himself , is really pissed about vaccine mandates and the "othering" of the unvaxxed – he was talking about the fostering of division in New Zealand. I really missed an opportunity (penny didn't drop until today). I wish I had thought to point out that in the Key years most of NZ and certainly almost all right wingers had no problem at all with "othering" and fostering division – Bennett and Key repeatedly used promises of "crackdowns" and increasing punitive measures against beneficiaries – the people weakest and least able to defend themselves. Their bullying was helpful in gaining electoral success so to all those carping on about "division" caused by mandates , particularly you right wingers go and get stuffed.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Oh fuck off with this [deleted] bs. It's bad enough the UK and USA are now infested with this anti-empirical pseudo-medicine bs without it also infesting NZ's public discourse too.
As for the Cass Review – Ugh, I'll wait until I see solid criticism of it before I'll even fucking touch it. As given the prevalence of [deleted] in the UK political scene I have no trust in it from the basis of my own eduction in history and philosophy of science.
Lastly – finally having recognised myself as being Non-Binary (he/they) these wankers would quite merrily gaslight me and shove me firmly back into the he/him box. Discounting my own lived experiences as "delusions", "mental illness" and "lack of a father figure".
Once they've finished with the Trans, Queer and more obvious Non-Binary people of course, because we must all go back in our boxes, especially if it kills us. As not to disturb the poor fragile things with the harsh empirical reality of the messiness of natural biological variation.
[you cannot use that term as a pejorative here any more than you could call a group of women cunts. It’s a misogynistic slur associated with the worst kind of online abuse directed at women including threats of violence and sexual
Violence – weka]
What the flaming fluffballs in all the outer hells? Since when is calling a trans-exclusionary reactionary feminist considered a slur by any evidenced based metric that takes into account the utter horrors transphobes within that group love throwing at the trans+ community?
Oh right, can't hurt the white women's feelings now can we? Especially not what there's a whataboutism we can deploy. Because the horrific shit they've wound up facing (that they shouldn't have to face bar the very worst ones*) totally excuses the fact they're being horrible themselves.
In other words, this is like saying we can't call a white supremacist a white supremacist because people are being horrible to them.
Guess I'll just use Feminism Appropriating Reactionary Transphobes in place, since that is also a completely accurate term for transphobic arseholes ignoring reality in favour of abusing other people. Although I suspect you'll find just copying and pasting "trans-exclusionary reactionary feminists" more appropriate, after all, it has more history.
Basically I'm extremely unimpressed with this approach. For values of understatement that I lack the working brains to fully elucidate at present in a way that is not a mass of swears.
*Being the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor my tolerance for people who call for the extermination/extinction of others is at bingo and so I have no ethical issues in them being verbally flensed for their fuckshittery. However in saying this given what transphobes have inflicted upon the trans community (it gets pretty damn heartbreaking), it should come as no surprise at all they've faced that much raw hate and anger and being told to choke on girl dick.
Oh right, can't hurt the white women's feelings now can we?
Oh.,…that's a surprise.
*Being the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor my tolerance for people who call for the extermination/extinction of others is at bingo and so I have no ethical issues in them being verbally flensed for their fuckshittery.
Being interested in accuracy, identify where I said this, or linked to someone who did.
However in saying this given what transphobes have inflicted upon the trans community (it gets pretty damn heartbreaking), it should come as no surprise at all they’ve faced that much raw hate and anger and being told to choke on girl dick.
There’s nothing I can say in response to that, that’s needed for clarity.
I'm not convinced your self diagnosis is based on evidential evidence, but am convinced that it doesn't matter to you. Your identity doesn't make a difference to me, as it should be, but fair play to you and your discovery and exploration.
I'm suspect the tone of your comment indicates the self-awareness and comfort you now experience due to your new found insights.
The topic here, is medical interventions for children and young people.
What we would expect in terms of determining medical interventions, and what information is given in terms of informed consent.
I did have a look at the link you provided, but the follow the money accusation regarding $58,500 total of anonymous donations isn't the smoking gun you might believe it is. It's also of no surprise to me that someone involved in SEGM would play a part in Keira Bell vs Tavistock, as it was a case regarding medical treatments for children. The rest of the link is similar in targeting people as unworthy to listen to, and not addressing concerns or alternate perspectives in any meaningful way. Your take is likely to be different than mine.
The benefit of your link in reply to mine is that others can look, and consider a variety of perspectives.
Along those lines, do you have an empirical data link that supports the medical and surgical treatment of children and young people with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence?
Had a better look at the Trans Safety Network site, and their About Us page:
Goals and ethics
Our goal is to use exposure of anti-trans hate networks and organised harm campaigns to reduce or mitigate the impact of these where possible. We do this maintaining a focus on highlighting organised harm, including wider campaigns to incite public hatred targetting the trans community more widely.
Rather than attempting to police individual prejudices we hope this harm-centric approach is a model for restoring public attention to attacks on trans people and cutting through intractable public debates about "cancel culture" or "free speech".
Finally, we understand that transparency is absolutely fundamental to the sort of interventions we are undertaking. As part of this, with a very small number of exceptions, we fully cite every claim we make publicly, with links to openly available evidence, typically using web archival links to ensure that the evidence trail remains publicly accessible despite suspensions, modification or deletion of content by hostile groups.
We will make rare exceptions to this rule in case of some of the most extreme material we monitor: some of the organisations we track frequently share explicitly and graphically violent content with the intent of desensitising their members. We do not think it's ethical or in the interests of public safety that we risk directing people towards these groups.
In future we may also make limited exceptions to our full evidence goals where necessary to publish information which has not already been published in the public domain (such as leaks from private anti-trans groups where the leaked information is in the public interest).
Nevertheless, our understanding and the standard that we aim for is that readers ought to be able to independently confirm our findings to the greatest degree possible."
I could be wrong, but the whole blurb mentions nothing about providing original work and data regarding the transgender community. It is purely based on identifying those it considers harmful and critiquing them, such as we see in the link on your post. As regards, the post, it is ironic that while there is such glee in identifying individuals as connected, and associated with SEGM and Genspect who both list team members on their website, including credentials – Trans Safety Network does not appear to do the same. There also does not be to be any declaration of interests or funding in line with the transparency they demand.
It is hard for me to reconcile their view of Stella O'Malley, whom I have seen interviewed and who publishes the weekly podcast A Wider Lens – strangely not linked to in the article – and who can be seen talking to transitioners in this video:
The usual useful idiots in the West who rush to add their support to Russian denials over the bombing of hospitals in Syria, are silent over the Russian bombing of a Maternity Hospital in the Ukraine.
Why?
?
“On March 7 or 6, I don’t remember exactly now, but at a meeting of the UN Security Council, facts were presented by our delegation about that this maternity hospital was seized long ago by the Azov Battalion and other radicals,” Lavrov said, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.
“All the women in labor, all the nurses, and all the attendants were expelled.”
……Monday's strikes hit two hospitals – including one for mothers and babies – and a school sheltering internally displaced people in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, the UN said. Thirty-four people were killed and dozens wounded.
Two hospitals were also struck in Maarat al-Numan, further south in Idlib province, killing at least 12 people and wounding about 36.
One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). It was reportedly struck by four missiles in what MSF said was "direct targeting" over the course of 90 minutes.
All empires have to expand, it is a product of the capitalist growth economy, all empires are racist, all empires are genocidal. It is the nature of the beast.
Not only are the growth economies of the various political and economic blocs knocking up against each other, they are knocking up against the physical natural limits of the planet. There is no infinite growth on a finite world. The inevitable result of infinite growth is war and environmental collapse.
1930s German propaganda was full of newsreels of the horrors of the British Empire. As stupid as it sounds now, Hitler claimed that his new German empire would be more humane.
Aj by you putting up this list of recent Amercan war crimes, I hope you are not indulging in a horrible game of 'Whataboutism' to justify Russia's bombing of a hospital.
If we bomb hospitals, so can they?
Let's be clear.
Is that what you are trying to say, aj?
I hope not.
I hope that you are pointing out that all imperialisms commit war crimes and even genocide to achieve their aims. That, that is the nature of the beast.
In a propaganda war, the most recent extreme atrocity is the only one the target public will remember and inconvenient truths will be forgotten. Hypocrisy rules. Yes, "all imperialisms commit war crimes and even genocide to achieve their aims. That, that is the nature of the beast". If we start crying 'whataboutism' and accuse someone of justifying atrocities to shut down the conversation then we've lost the ability to put context into the discussion.
I think Brigid, your fascist tactic of using fake news to cover up the war crimes of your fascist heroes and defame their victims is getting old. Really old.
Commentary: From Guernica’s ruins, a lesson in fake news
"for the German air force, Guernica was a trial run on how one can spread horror and distress through attacks on cities and towns.”
….when the fires had become embers, Franco’s nationalists entered the town. With them came the spin-doctors of the day. They ensured that telltale German and Italian shell fragments and bullet cases were removed, and empty oil drums placed about the town. When journalists friendly to Franco were brought in, they were told that the Basques had destroyed their own town by setting it alight – hence the empty oil drums. As Paul Preston writes in his book, “We Saw Spain Die”, most of the reporters followed the lead, and the lie was sent around the world….
….The nationalists’ efforts to blame the victims, flimsy (and disgusting) as it was, was believed because those who swallowed it wished to believe it. It exonerated those who perpetrated the attack and confirmed the view of Franco’s supporters that his and their enemies were evil…..
….it shows that fake news often originates from those who accuse their enemies of producing it…..
Sergei Lavrov latest claim, strains even the credulity of Russia's apologists,.
It seems the West's useful idiots who usually swallow and repeat every denial Lavrov has said about Russian war crimes in Syria have gone to ground over this one..
Two weeks into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov falsely claimed Thursday that the country “did not attack" its neighbor.
well good to hear you are coming round to not putting rapists in women's prisons.
I think you might be missing the point though (admittedly it was implied rather than explicit).
Gender activists insist that trans women are women, always. And anyone who says they are a woman is a woman, always. Because TWAW, they should be treated like women, always. Even when they are rapists. In this ideology world, rapists who are trans women should be allowed into women's spaces, always. Because they're not men, they are women and have the right to women's spaces like all other women.
You either let all TW in, or if you don't then you accept that some TW are dangerous as males and/or that some males are pretending to be TW.
I seem to recall that my position has consistently been that exclusion should be based on behaviour and safety concerns based on the individual, rather than their trans status.
In my opinion, the concept of it being all or none is a contrivance to exclude all.
"I seem to recall that my position has consistently been that exclusion should be based on behaviour and safety concerns based on the individual, rather than their trans status."
Well, using that logic, any and all male prisoners could be thusly sorted and put into the women's prison estate, because the reason for segregation is based on physicality and the superior strength of the male body.
If your 'basis' is proven not to be accurate, the only harm will be embarrassment for prison management, no?
Again, logic based upon a case-by-case assessment cannot necessarily mean that "any and all" members of a group of people will meet the criteria applied by that logic.
Also, I'm not sure your "because" is accurate.
But to get back to the twitterer's argument, if the serial killing woman wanting to access a womens' space was not a transwoman but was a violent offender who posed a serious risk to the other women in the area, would you give her "a pass"? I wouldn't.
Again, logic based upon a case-by-case assessment cannot necessarily mean that "any and all" members of a group of people will meet the criteria applied by that logic.
Strange, that when you allow categories to be blurred arbitrarily (remember, self-id is all that's required) – you essentially end up with no categories
Fun fact: trans 'women' generally get wanded (hand held metal detector) instead of being rubbed down.
This is because male officers are not allowed to rub down women (obviously), only women can, however most female officers aren't always keen on rubbing down trans 'women'
McFlock, Transwomen are not women. They are men. I don't subscribe to your redefinition of the word. But despite that, I believe we can have this conversation beyond that disagreement.
Consider the reason that there are separate men's and women's prison estates in the first place.
They are categories based on biological sex.
Men have bodies that are bigger, stronger and men are often incarcerated for more violent crimes than women.
Transwomen are men. They may or may not be in for violent crimes but their strength and body physicality remains. Self-id into an identity means that absolutely no changes now need to be made to claim to be a woman.
They may be vulnerable to violent men in the prison estate. They may also be the violent men in the prison estate.
Other vulnerable male prisoners exist. For example, they may be a shorter, weaker man with no gender identity. Or they may be autistic, have limited mental capacity, FASD, mental health issues or have physical disabilities.
The men's prison estate needs to find some way to ensure that all these men are kept safe.
Women’s prisons are not the escape route for male prisoners and prison management from dealing with this issue of violence and vulnerability in male prisons.
What about the women who are not transwomen? Do any of them pose a risk to other women, in prison or any other womens' space?
What about transmen?
As soon as one looks at the issue beyond a binary, everything changes. Which means I don't share your belief that there can be much in the way of constructive discussion with such a fundamental disagreement as the foundation for our respective positions.
I was just taken aback that a GCF tweet that "nails it" had to focus on individual behaviour to justify exclusion a group of people on the basis of something that was not down to individual behaviour.
Almost nobody would disagree that someone with a clear history of victimising some people should be excluded from an area catering specifically to the needs of their victims. Trans status has as little bearing on that as ethnicity or religion.
"What about the women who are not transwomen? Do any of them pose a risk to other women, in prison or any other womens' space?
What about transmen?"
Yes, there will always be the possibility of violence in a prison estate. But the disparity between men and women's bodies was the reason for the distinction in the first place.
That disparity remains. Male bodies have physical advantage over female bodies and damage can be done. Transmen are women. They belong in the women's estate.
"As soon as one looks at the issue beyond a binary, everything changes. Which means I don't share your belief that there can be much in the way of constructive discussion with such a fundamental disagreement as the foundation for our respective positions."
I have always believed 'beyond a binary' for identity purposes, and would support anyone's self exploration. But I don't conflate that exploration with a disregard for the material reality of biological sex, and its impact on lives.
Perhaps we will not agree. You seem to believe that transwomen are not only a special subset of men, but they are also one that is superior any other subset of men that is vulnerable to violence. And definitely has the right to override incarcerated women's right to be separated from men.
This a particularly special class of people you advocate for.
Are you sure they should be in prison at all?
"I was just taken aback that a GCF tweet that "nails it" had to focus on individual behaviour to justify exclusion a group of people on the basis of something that was not down to individual behaviour."
Were you really? Because we are hearing many times, that women no longer have a right to single sex spaces, and there is no conflict between giving men the ability to access those spaces, and women wanting to retain them. Of course, some GCF's are going to highlight when it is apparent that there is a conflict. It is also not likely a group of transwomen will get together to stage a group event, so it will always be an individual case.
"Almost nobody would disagree that someone with a clear history of victimising some people should be excluded from an area catering specifically to the needs of their victims. Trans status has as little bearing on that as ethnicity or religion."
This sounds inconsistent, but maybe it's just vague.
I'm not vague. I see you ignore referring to other 'vulnerable' male prisoners in the male prison estate.
Women – Adult human females, incarcerated in the female estate are exactly where they are supposed to be and can be looked after by corrections officers. They will have rules and regulations how to deal with various different offenders locked up in the same place.
Transwomen – Adult human males – who present as female (some more some less) irrespective of their crimes should be locked up in the male estate. They should be kept safe there, safe from rape, safe from any physical harm and they should be able to finish their sentence as anyone else. This again, is the job of the corrections officers, the ministry that sets the rules and any body that oversees that these rules are enforced.
As for the Transwomen who want to escape male violence by demanding a transfer to the female estate, or who just want to change in rooms for womens, or use bathrooms because men make them feel uncomfortable, they might need to consider that Self ID will allow these same men to self ID into the female estate, toilets, changing rooms, literally anywhere where women are and thus again, Transwomen are not safe. Go figure. But then, i have said it to you before and i say it again, Transwomen will have exactly the same rights as Women do in this boondoogle of idiocy, namely none. The men that they are afraid of will simply follow them. And women the world over know this and thus insist in single sex spaces. Cause male violence.
In the meantime, this "Transwoman" here gets to go and spend his last days on earth in a female prison after having spend a life time in prison for murdering women, the last one just recently. He has issues with women, as per his own words. Well at least with his age the they won't have to give out to many condoms to the women prisoners who risk getting inseminated by some opportunistic men who masquerade as 'transwomen'. Because at the end of the day, anyone and anything can declare themselves a transwomen – for a day an hour or a week, thus the word literally has no more meaning.
An 83-year-old transgender woman is now in custody for allegedly killing a woman whose dismembered body was found in Brooklyn.
Harvey Marcelin, who was previously convicted for killing two other women, was arrested in connection with the death of a 68-year-old woman, NBC New York reports. The victim had been staying at a Clinton Hill LGBTQ shelter, according to the outlet.
Maybe the issue is not women or transwomen, maybe the issue is male violence against those that these male feel/perceive as inferior or weaker. So maybe instead of telling women to accommodate men into their spaces – well force them to accommodate men into their spaces by law, men should finally find some courage and challenge the members of their own sex when it comes to sex based violence and just violence in general and practice a bit of kindness.
I was doing a morning shift (0600 – 1400 as it used to be) at Chch womens and they had me doing the unlock in the segregation unit (unlock being exactly what it sounds like)
I opened one of the cell doors and being a 6ft male when I open the door the women are generally shorter (not always of course but usually) well in this case I had to look slightly up and what did I see…
A trans 'women' that was a little taller than myself, more heavily built than myself, outstanding breasts (kudos to the plastic surgeon) and looking not unlike this 'woman':
That's a fairly good visual for people to contemplate. If the sight of a transwoman that size gave you pause, I'm guessing the visceral reaction of women prisoners was similar – but amplified.
That video is a clear indication of male energy. I'm not saying that women don't lose the plot, but it is a familiar male intimidatory tactic. The volatile nature of it, and the frozen stances of everyone around.
But I'm sure that I'm telling you nothing you don't already know.
1. You ignore the basic reason why there were men's and women's prison estates in the first place.
2. You believe in a special class of vulnerability that requires special treatment, that ignores other vulnerabilities and impacts on women.
I'm all good with ending this conversation. We've both had the opportunity to state our positions, and to be honest, I'm pretty much writing for those who are still considering where they stand, or looking to accommodate other perspectives to ensure their position is defendable.
(I do think the clarity in language has made this discussion much easier.)
I would be quite happy to never go into a womens prison again.
Women in prison are louder than men, more in your face, they hold grudges more, they're prone to making accusations, it s quite an assault on your senses
Then you think about their lives and what they've been through to get to prison and thats the cherry on the top
I seem to recall that my position has consistently been that exclusion should be based on behaviour and safety concerns based on the individual, rather than their trans status.
Yes. The GCF position is to exclude all men from women's prisons. Because case by case based on behaviour and safety concerns basically says that women can be collateral damage to men's needs. We have female only spaces for really good reasons, which are currently being overridden to make life easier for TW at the expense of women (quite the ideological leap for the left there).
Trans women prisoner's needs can be dealt with in other ways rather than putting women at risk.
So yeah there ways. We basically have general, voluntary segregation and directed segregation
The issue is, mostly, one of manning.
Its easy enough to deal with one or two. One of the trans 'women' I had dealings with at womens wasn't a problem, just had to make sure they had their shower time before general unlock and she actually wasn't bad to deal with
The problem is if its more than a few then you'd have to open up a wing for them. You open up a wing then you have to man it, organise shifts for it, new med rounds etc etc
So you have the same number of prisoners but because they're in more wings (or wards) you have to have more officers and more struggling at the moment big time (front line officers can't work from home)
Currently Spring Hill is asking for officers from other sites just so it can function, that doesn't mean full staff, just that it can keep going without locking everyone down
Otago is down to like 50% staff
Mt Eden is always low and Auckland is struggling (a lot of covid cases)
The staffing levels in prisons are a joke at the best of times and now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Once covid really takes off it'll be interesting seeing what happens.
If you want people on board your crusade, try not excluding them with hard to access speech.
It's not me, I pedantically define acronyms.. I usually right-click Google when I'm ignorant, or read more. I'd elucidate, but it's not an acronym I'd use now, so I'll let you have that journey of discovery.
Your link is the expected cop out, but I'll discuss further on down.
(For a brief moment I thought you'd lift your game.)
But as I said, quid pro quo:
sex – biological sex,
gender – refers to the social structures based around sex
(not the same as gender identity, or sex but often used in that way, to distinguish I use gender identity when referring to gender identity)
woman – adult human female
man – adult human male
male – the sex that produces gametes,
female – the sex that produces eggs (ovum) and bears young,
girl – juvenile human female,
boy – juvenile human male,
lesbian – woman that is same sex attracted,
gay – man that is same sex attracted,
queer – perjorative used in regards to gays and lesbians.
It is apparent to me that the redefinitions of basic words has a cumulative effect when those words are also required for definitions of other nouns. See 'lesbian' for example.
Your link has really nothing to say on the first two items:
Stereotypes and Prejudice but has the following to say on Discrimination:
"Discrimination is the actions (including failure to act) based on prejudice.
This can include interpersonal discrimination in one’s private life, e.g. social exclusion, bullying and harassment, physical and sexual violence.
It can also include discrimination in public areas of life, e.g. exclusion from human rights protections, exclusion from other legal rights, exclusion from or discrimination in housing, healthcare, the justice system, accessing goods and services, recreation and sport, education, employment, etc.
Examples include: requiring medical interventions in order to gain an accurate birth certificate, landlords refusing to rent to trans tenants, inadequate access to appropriate healthcare services,schools or employers not taking action to keep students or employees safe.
67% of trans people report experiencing high levels of discrimination in NZ, 44% experienced this in the past 12 months (vs 17% of the general population)."
And here is when the problem with redefinitions comes into play:
"requiring medical interventions in order to gain an accurate birth certificate"
Surely, an accurate birth certificate would retain the biological sex marker and ADD the gender identity?
"inadequate access to appropriate healthcare services"
What does this mean? Given the state of the health system, with many patients waiting months or until they die for proper diagnosis and treatment, how do you distinguish between discrimination and an overwhelmed public health system?
"schools or employers not taking action to keep students or employees safe."
What does safe mean here? Is it personal safety? – or – as I suspect – a workplace that is required to compel others to treat particular individuals in distinctly proscribed ways?
I can't really be bothered with the landlords one, unless there was a definitive study of landlords refusing transgender people with jobs and money for the trans of it. Many NZers are unable to secure housing at present. In this they are probably experiencing the opposite of discrimination, they are finding it impossible – just like everyone else.
"67% of trans people report experiencing high levels of discrimination in NZ, 44% experienced this in the past 12 months (vs 17% of the general population)."
Yes. I'm fairly sure I looked at some of these surveys. Given that misgendering is often referred to as 'literal violence', the bar for discrimination is fairly low and flexible.
Luckily, your oh-so-informative link provides two examples of discrimination:
”I want to stop trans women from using women’s bathrooms”
This is where we run across the language problem once again. I am one of those who want to stop men from using women's bathrooms.
”Trans people should be sterilized to change their birth certificate”.
Well, I've never heard that said by anyone other than … well, this site really. In all my immersion on this topic, this is the first time. Something new.
Birth certificates should accurately record birth – and biological sex. The reason given by legislative review for allowing the biological sex marker to be changed in the first place, was that the number of people wishing to make this change was so small it would not make any significant data and statistical changes, and it was specifically related to gender reassignment surgery. As we both know, both the definitions (again!) of gender identity is different from the transsexuals this process catered for. With the increase in both gender identities and populations the original justification, no longer holds.
I have no problem with either: an additional gender identity field, or a specific official documentation that records identity, and have no wish to see anyone undergo unnecessary surgery.
Still it makes it clear that you personally, can't define transphobia OR despite implying by your comment that I display it – can't provide any evidence.
"Special reasons' like those you mention were used to discriminate against black people , even to the extent of lynching.
Hygiene, safety and so on, 'protection of women'. So you are just purposing old memes. Its not even worth replying to your pent up transphobia"
Okay….
You are not even referencing anything I said. Hard to counter your invented conversation with imaginary me. (This is starting to become a habit.) I'll wait to see what she has to say for herself.
"Usual transphobic rants . beyond any reasoning"
Guessing we also have different definitions of 'rant' and 'reason'.
Thing is ghostie, to make any coherent use of a word like "transphobia", you'd first have to have a stable, non-circular, functional definition for the word "transgender".
And you don't, because to do so you'd first have to have a stable, non-circular, functional definition for the word "gender".
I leave that sort of thing up to gender minorities NZ and the medical experts
Take it up with them , thats if they can stop laughing at the absurdity of your 'circularity'
They can give very concrete examples for your OED type search for perfect definitions of people lives. A friend tells the story of a DHB clinic for people with major mental illness which by coincidence shares a break room with another clinic for late teens with different health issues – like cutting themselves. A general chat with a young woman , who dressed like a man led to a conclusion that others peoples definitions of what they/them should be in gender led to some serious inner turmoil
In respect of giving praise where praise is due, my partner's employer has just deposited $50 in all his employees accounts, and messaged them to fill their cars up while petrol prices are still (fairly) low.
Good on them. Just found that cueueing at the petrol station brought back memories of normal Auckland motorway congestion on a Friday commute trip home. Traffic is banking up down roads taking lanes out of action, memories of budget nights past when buying petrol and ciggies was a must.
Our local supermarket has no trollies, as the traffic for their discount stations is so heavy that trolly "people/boys" cannot safely collect these or are forced to take on a few at a time as there is no room to manoeuvre the trains of trolleys.
"a long-standing family owned business" that remains private when it could go public, potentially growing and adding to our country's wealth as a successful (and more widely accountable) public company.
"Being a public company means having to abide by much stricter rules and regulations in comparison to private companies. The reason why public companies are willing to do this is because being able to raise money from the public is extremely valuable. Some advantages of listing as a public company include:
being able to raise a large amount of cash very quickly in order to finance the growth or expansion of the business;
increased exposure for your brand and business through the listing process, including in the media and investment community;
getting a more objective valuation for your company; and
increasing the liquidity of your company’s shares by letting them trade on a ‘liquid’ market, e.g. where others can buy and sell them easily."
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Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
Through its austerity measures, the coalition government has engineered a rise in unemployment in order to reduce inflation while – simultaneously – cracking down harder and harder on the people thrown out of work by its own policies. To that end, Social Development Minister Louise Upston this week added two ...
This year, we've seen a radical, white supremacist government ignoring its Tiriti obligations, refusing to consult with Māori, and even trying to legislatively abrogate te Tiriti o Waitangi. When it was criticised by the Waitangi Tribunal, the government sabotaged that body, replacing its legal and historical experts with corporate shills, ...
Poor old democracy, it really is in a sorry state. It would be easy to put all the blame on the vandals and tyrants presently trashing the White House, but this has been years in the making. It begins with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and the spirit of Gordon ...
The new school lunches came in this week, and they were absolutely scrumptious.I had some, and even though Connor said his tasted like “stodge” and gave him a sore tummy, I myself loved it!Look at the photos - I knew Mr Seymour wouldn’t lie when he told us last year:"It ...
The tighter sanctions are modelled on ones used in Britain, which did push people off ‘the dole’, but didn’t increase the number of workers, and which evidence has repeatedly shown don’t work. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, ...
Catching you up on the morning’s global news and a quick look at the parallels -GLOBALTariffs are backSharemarkets in the US, UK and Europe have “plunged” in response to Trump’s tariffs. And while Mexico has won a one month reprieve, Canada and China will see their respective 25% and 10% ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. Gondolas are often in the news, with manufacturers of ropeway systems proposing them as a modern option for mass transit systems in New Zealand. However, like every next big thing in transport, it’s hard ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkBoth 2023 and 2024 were exceptionally warm years, at just below and above 1.5C relative to preindustrial in the WMO composite of surface temperature records, respectively. While we are still working to assess the full set of drivers of this warmth, it is clear that ...
Hi,I woke up feeling nervous this morning, realising that this weekend Flightless Bird is going to do it’s first ever live show. We’re heading to a sold out (!) show in Seattle to test the format out in front of an audience. If it works, we’ll do more. I want ...
From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
The lead witness in Ngāi Tahu’s freshwater claim says the case raises an “existentialist question” for his people.“My greatest fear is that we will have our connection with our land and waterways extinguished,” Te Maire Tau (Ngāi Tahu/Ngāi Tūāhuriri) said in the Christchurch High Court, before Justice Melanie Harland. The university history ...
New Zealand employers are well-used to the constant evolution of employment and workplace health and safety law – but we think the scope of changes in this area may still surprise in 2025. In our view, the number of changes under active consideration and the potential practical impact of those ...
As New Zealand woke to Waitangi Day, 1600 athletes and their support crew began to descend on the sleepy west coast town of Greymouth, ready to take on the iconic multisport race, the Coast to Coast.Among the cars laden with kayaks, bikes and enough race food to feed a small ...
I collect sailing books, especially solo sailing adventures. I sail a lot and when in meetings, I think about sailing rather than focus on the dry PowerPoint presentations of earnest landlubbers. Just quietly, I also offer dead sailors drinks and occasionally good books over the side when I am at ...
Over the past few weeks, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has had public tiffs with the leaders of both the Cook Islands and Kiribati.The issues: first Peters put foreign aid to Kiribati under review after President Taneti Maamau cancelled a meeting with him. Then this week, Peters accused the PM of ...
Proposed changes to the Fisheries Act 1996 could see on-board cameras, introduced to protect endangered marine and seabird species, shut off from public view. Lyric Waiwiri-Smith explains.Minister for oceans and fisheries Shane Jones was in his element on Wellington’s waterfront on Wednesday morning. While waves crashed onto the rocks ...
The prime minister has had a bad week, and it’s barely Thursday. This week’s Luxon low points, ranked.8. Bad poll, part oneA Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll released on Monday showed that Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori could form a government. Christopher Luxon is down 3.8 points at ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 13 February appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Appiah Takyi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Street vending is a major economic activity in most of Ghana’s urban areas. The vendors bring everyday goods to residents and commuters at affordable prices in ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – The United States shares the pathologies of all dying empires with their mixture of buffoonery, rampant corruption, military fiascos, economic collapse and savage state repression.ANALYSIS: By Chris Hedges The billionaires, Christian fascists, grifters, psychopaths, imbeciles, narcissists and deviants who ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government has secured bipartisan support for a major new regime covering political donations and spending, after making significant concessions. The government agreed to increase the proposed threshold above which donations must be disclosed ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With the election only months away, the Labor government finds itself suddenly battling with the Trump administration for an exemption from new US tariffs on steel and aluminium. The opposition has supported the effort, but ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julee McDonagh, Senior Research Fellow of Frailty Research, University of Wollongong PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Ageing is a normal part of the life course. It doesn’t matter how many green smoothies you drink, or how many “anti-ageing” skin care products you ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Carlson, Professor, Critical Indigenous Studies and Director of The Centre for Global Indigenous Futures, Macquarie University The Conversation, CC BY-SAAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people. Colonial commemorations ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Masarik/Shutterstock In some overseas countries, pets can travel with their owners in a plane’s cabin, in a carrier under a seat. In Australia, pets must travel in the ...
A raft of proposed legislation changes to the media and screen industry have been announced this morning – we read through it all all so you don’t have to. What’s all this then? This morning the Ministry for Culture and Heritage released its draft proposed changes to media and screen ...
David Seymour's recent off-road parliamentary excursion led to a reprimand from the Speaker, who also said the rules didn't apply to this instance. What are the rules? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee Morgenbesser, Associate Professor, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University, Griffith University Many Americans have watched in horror as Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has been permitted to tear through various offices of the United States government in recent ...
By Patrick Decloitre,RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has announced he will travel to New Caledonia later this month to pursue talks on the French territory’s political future. These discussions on February 22 follow preliminary talks held last week in Paris in “bilateral” mode ...
As Benjamin Netanyahu threatens to resume war, Hamas outlines widespread Israeli ceasefire violations in document sent to the mediators.By Jeremy Scahill and Sharif Abdel Kouddous of Dropsite News Hamas officials submitted a two-page report to mediators yesterday listing a wide range of Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire since ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Print, Professor of Education, University of Sydney A federal parliamentary inquiry has just recommended civics and citizenship become a compulsory part of the Australian Curriculum, which covers the first year of school to Year 10. The committee also recommended a ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Claire Baylis, author of Dice and guest at the forthcoming HamLit programme at the Hamilton Arts Festival. The book I wish I’d writtenMy mind seems surprisingly unwilling ...
The courts should deal with illegal fishing, not the "court of public opinion", Shane Jones says, as he announces proposed changes to the Quota Management System. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan McElhone, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash University A London court has found Sam Kerr not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of Metropolitan Police officer Stephen Lovell. As captain of the Australian women’s national soccer team, Kerr was widely condemned when ...
Could iwi and hapū be the unexpected solution to the government’s asset dilemma? David Seymour pressured the prime minister into an unwelcome conversation, and in the couple of weeks since the Act leader raised the issue in his state of the nation speech, privatisation has shifted from absent in the ...
Human rights advocates must uphold human dignity, rights and justice, while rejecting the discriminatory tactics we oppose, writes Taimor Hazou.Two weeks ago the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) launched a campaign inviting New Zealanders to call a hotline if they suspected an Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldier that had ...
Immigration New Zealand figures shows more people have been looking at the ETA and visitor visa pages on the website, however fewer people have applied to come or to extend their stay. ...
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/%E2%80%98fairytale%E2%80%99-wedding-protest
“The Delta variant is still circulating and we can't presume all infections are Omicron. While less virulent than Delta, Omicron can nevertheless cause severe disease and death, particularly among the unvaccinated who make up 3 percent of the vaccine-eligible population but 19.4 percent of hospitalisations.
There are still many vulnerable people in the community we can protect by limiting the spread of the virus and ensuring they are less likely to encounter it.”
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/462998/catching-omicron-not-inevitable-why-the-virus-should-still-be-avoided
Fairy tale alright. Fools. Meanwhile all Expert advice is be careful. Omicron is NOT mild. Wear masks,social distance. Get Vaccinated !
Last night I went online to RequestRats.Covid.health.nz to obtain a RATS test. I was not eligible.
Unless certain symptoms are occurring a person does not qualify. I have had a headache and nausea for 2 days and I have been off my food.
I will try ringing as headache is a symptom of Covid.
So in the meantime due to the testing criteria I could be spreading Covid.
Ok. Well I hope you get through and not covid.. And of course take precautions. Mask etc.Best wishes for you
I did see that a person can request RAT tests for another person. People who live on their own and are without a car will find it a bit awkward. Too bad if family are isolating and friends do not have the time to wait at a testing station or do not want to be exposed to Covid.
The better option for me is to pay $55 for 5 tests at the chemist 5 minutes walk away or find another place who will sell me 2 tests.
I forgot to add that the chemist 5 minutes walk away is a participating chemist where RATs can be collected from. They have no government stock and they do not know when the no cost tests will arrive.
I would like to know the number of people showing up at ED just for a Covid test. The wait time is long and the risk of exposure to Covid would be high.
Can you not go to a local COVID testing station, I think they apply RAT tests so the waiting time should be reduced from the old PCR days
https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/covid-19-testing/how-to-get-a-covid-19-test/
Treetop if you think you are sick, rest. Sometimes it is 4 or 5 days before the viral load is heavy enough to show on the rat.
Grant our son finally went for a nasal test, before his infection showed. He is struggling to recover, suffering throat cough and aching tiredness 4 weeks out. Rest fluids and anti-inflamatories key to weathering it. He is on the Gold Coast.
Don't try to work through it. All the very best to you.
Best of luck Treetop. Its an anxious time.
I had to visit my GP the other day and my 'lift' had to pull out after being a close contact with a Covid colleague. (I'm not allowed to drive after my op.) I had to uber there and back. The driver en route home started coughing and at one point opened his window and spat out of it.
I'm sitting at home crossing my fingers it wasn't Covid. Awful time.
oops. hit wrong reply – message for Treetop.
I am pleased to hear that you finally got your op. Hope you dodge Covid.
Obtaining a RAT test is one thing dealing with Covid is another. No one wants family unwell with Covid.
People are having a lot of close calls with Covid exposure. A person should not need to wait until they become sicker and use up what energy they have to obtain a RATs test through the online RequestRats.Covid 19. health.nz I rang them an hour ago and requested the ring me back option, wait time approx 20 minutes. There was no confirmation given that they would ring back so I redid it a few minutes later when the option came up again and no confirmation was given.
The cost of a 5 test pack varies.
Feeling off colour on monday I walked to the local chemist , paid $36 for 5 RAT tests, tested positive and registered the result on the covid site. I got a phone call the next day from health dept asking my symptoms, health status and where to seek support if i required it, we had stocked up on rice and have pot plant garden so had no need. Its friday morning and starting to feel ok.
I used honey on my tongue and vitamin C double recommended dose and lemon, honey, garlic and ginger . I am immune suppresed.
I understand everybody is different and will react in all manner of ways , this is my exprience and as one in the group of most at risk I haven't found it too bad.
Shouldn't you be isolating yourself?
Self-isolation reduces the risks of spreading the virus to others. You will need to isolate for at least 10 days while you recover. Your 10 days start from Day 0 — the day your symptoms started or the day you got tested.
[…]
When does my 10-day isolation start/end?
What day did you get symptoms or test positive (whichever came first)?
https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/if-you-have-covid-19/
I am isolating even though I could be negative. I thought isolation was now for 7 days. From 11.59 pm tonight it is 7 days.
'When you are self-isolating, you can exercise outside your home. You can exercise outdoors in your neighbourhood — but not at any shared exercise facility, such as a swimming pool or gym.'
Is the isolation period – 7 days from tonight- from date of symptoms or date of test ?
See the link at 1.1.4 Joe 90 supplied. It is up to date apart from the shorter 7 day period, but states this being effective at 11.59 pm Friday 11 March.
This reason is one of the worst (in the range of words like 'silly') reasons for not having the vaccine. My father used to call it
'cutting your nose off to spite your face'.
Nothing about objections such as allergy, make up of the vaccine etc
But because 'da man' (ie the Govt) suggested it would be a good idea.
Well 'da man' does more than suggest in many of our laws. 'Da man' has actual rules against doing or not doing things.
Oh Hi Shanreagh. And yep. Is head shaking stuff. Ah well,hope you allgood in Wellington and I did rate you for being into the after- party…"protest" cleanup . Good on you : )
Thank you.
Our big cleanup could not go ahead as it is still being looked at as a crime scene and some of the scale and type of work that is being done could be dangerous to enthusiastic amateurs. They are having to deal with all the stormwater drains that had sewage and other things poured down them.
We are being deputed to clean up our neighbourhoods. I do this from time to time but now am looking for one of those picker upper/hook things to really get into it. WCC does do a great job of street cleaning but rubbish does get hooked up in street trees etc.
Ah. Can vouch for them. Back/knee savers : ) “Reacher and Grabber Pickup tool” Not sure if I was allowed to google Link shop stuff ? But “Trade Tested” seemed possibility.? Or similar. In NZ…..
They are unvaccinated and then say "we’re against the fact that it’s been forced and no-one has a choice on anything any more,"
A bit of irony.
Christ I wish, I didn't have to endure Josie Pagani speaking on behalf of the left.
I find her one of the most irritatingly verbose commentators around.
Agree 100%
Well have to say, I didnt know who she was, until 2 elections ago. Labour landslide. Or John Pagani.for that. Anyway, Id say she’s to the Left as Prebble,Douglas,etc were….
Josie Pagani is seldom worth a read, but today:https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/128004033/dont-give-tax-cuts-to-those-who-dont-need-them. Not much to argue but of course, the Dome Head fan club will be out in force baying for their tax cuts and castigating the Government for the increase in the cost of living.
The time has come to start looking at what is causing this 'sky is falling' problem. It is simply the way the monetary system has been engineered and heathy doses of GREED at many levels. Why do the banks have licence to print money then extort massive profits on the back of notional wealth creation that disappears overseas? We produce enough food to feed over 40 million but have to pay notional prices that may be gained in places we don't even export to. Try getting a job done by a tradie. The price has nothing to do with the size or quality of work in many cases. It is based on what can be rorted out of the client – often with threats of hitting one's credit ratings if payment isn't received within a week. One could go on but of course, to the critics, there is no need for reality to get in the way of socially engineered prejudice.
Meet the new Boyars, same as the old Boyars.
https://twitter.com/pevchikh/status/1501878715709632518
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1501878715709632518.html
Oh. Maria Pevchikh. The sole source of proof of novichok in the Navalny case. A bottle with no chain of custody, supplied by Maria as one of the people on his flight to Berlin. So no experience in propaganda and no axes to grind?? Perhaps if you have a need to smear Lavrov and Shoigu you could find sources with a little less skin in the game?? Talk about blatant propaganda…
Meantime . .
https://twitter.com/ClareDalyMEP/status/1501271815695515655?cxt=HHwWjoCy3eSwy9UpAAAA
The moron elected with an anti-war mandate who couldn't condemn a war. Nice.
//
Because in the instance you raise, the resolution also called on accelerating the provision of military equipment and weapons to Ukraine, strengthening Nato's forward presence, and dramatically increasing defence spending.
Quite consistent with an anti-war mandate.
Of course. Unilateral disarmament is the only way to counter an aggressive, warmongering neighbour.
/
No suggestion of unilateral disarmament in her response at all. But this war again raises an important point – an issue at the heart of this conflict.
The Security dilemma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_dilemma
And of course, Yemen. But then they don't have blue eyes nor blonde hair nor look like us. Even though the level of death and destruction is orders of magnitude greater than anything occurring in Ukraine. Not to mention the savage blockade induced mass starvation… But of course we couldn't have those images plastered across our media 24/7…
Bit late, sport.
/
https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-04-03-2022/#comment-1871329
https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-10-03-2022/#comment-1873473
'Pevchikh is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, but often visits Russia'
Such as when she happened to visit and brought out water bottles later found to have traces of Novichok
China is concurrently using a covert pro-Russian line while promoting an overt neutral line. Best way to be a communist is to use a double standard.
To call ACC dysfunctional absolutely minimises the reality. A decades long culture of Top Down bullying and harm…FROM them. Like many other Govt departments (winz/msd,etc etc ! ) need a CLEAN out. Managers needing non organisation and separate Required Performance Review would be a start.
They were found during a review and fired promptly. This happened during lockdown. One rotten manager involved his team. Sadly you are in your post labelling the upset and horrified 14000 other workers who would never dream of doing as they did. I am not at liberty to say how I know this.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/453435/check-which-acc-staff-have-accessed-your-file-abuse-survivors-urged
Of course you have a “personal” view…and at liberty or not, are perfectly entitled to it. However…IMO the ACC are adversarial. AND dysfunctional. And Im sure many who have had interaction would agree.
Last comment. As one firefighter turned out to be a pyromaniac, that does not mean they all behave like that.
Fact. There was/is more than one Firefighter pyromaniac.. Why the need for Open Review.. Of all
And whatever reason(s) you have, I am not in any way at you. As I have (always?) seen you as OK ? Anyway ….
I can well imagine Patricia. Smearing a whole workplace for the actions of a rotten few is unfair.
I worked in a workplace during the 'if it walks we will restructure it' phase across the PS & State Sector. One of the moves brought to our happy non sexist/racist workplace, a group from an organisation that was traditionally from an all male department.
The level of sexism was out of this world but worst of all was the smut that seemed vicious and anti woman in the type of jokes, comments at morning tea time, even down to the secret Santa presents that were bought by this group for their female colleagues.
I decide to go above my second tier manager direct to the CE to find he had absolutely no idea that this sort of 'joke' telling was uncomfortable let alone breached the legislation/policies we were working to at the time. Strange turn around really as when I had left university I had looked around at an unregulated (for the isms) private sector and decided that the PS was probably a better fit.
In the 2000s sexism was on the rise again.
This kind of action there, and at ACC, has at it heart what I call a malignant anti woman approach, meaning it is far from inadvertent and may be/usually is deliberate. If in the ACC this manager's boss as ignorant of the 'isms' as I found with the last PS Chief Executive I worked with, then going above would have had no effect at all.
Thanks for that Shanreagh.
I also worked in a place where a similar event happened I was "Interviewed" by seven seniors inspectors…all men, and on finding what had been reported could be proven, they "moved" the perpetrator sideways and systematically began closing down the school over a number of years.
In this ACC case, I know a worker who was upset horrified and understood they would all be treated as guilty because of this heinous behaviour.
Watched my friend fight ACC, their paid lawyers and doctors for over a decade in regards to mesh implant injury.
The court case was scheduled for Monday morning, providing the first opportunity to challenge the dismissive, inaccurate and often contradictory reports of ACC doctors, none of whom examined her. If successful, the case would have assisted other mesh-injured women in getting their claims accepted.
After more than a decade of pain, poor health, multiple operations and straight out lying, the opportunity to address the court that coming Monday, was a significant achievement.
One that was removed when late on the preceding Friday afternoon, ACC got in contact to say they now accepted the claim. Once that happens, no court challenge is possible – so can't be used as precedent.
This is only one example of what I witnessed.
I agree, there is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
Oh Hi Molly. So sorry to hear your Friends battle with them. I remember this. (I absorb ..a lot )
As I said extremely adversarial…..and seemingly dysfunctional. . Especially when some of their “Clients” are already suffering/struggling : (
Best wishes for them and all.
Thanks. Having been a horrified passenger on my friend's journey, who also participated in the select committee on this issue, I know more than I need to know.
ACC added significantly to the stress she experienced.
I know several people driven to the edge of sanity by ACC for doing nothing more than try to access the services they thought it offered.
Endless second opinions ordered, changes of case manager, made to feel like a fraudster or bludger, loss of previously supplied documents, “existing condition”, “age related condition” slapped on when it looked like the claim would be met.
There are a couple of experienced lawyers I am aware of, Malcom McNeil and Hazel Armstrong, that often work for Union members ACC cases who must have Rhino hides to be able to stand it.
I used to work for a tetraplegic who had something similar happen – ACC accepted/settled his claim the day before the court case. It was enough to be sizeable deposit on a house, so it worked out, but seemed pretty despicable to me at the time.
Although the case was withdrawn over a year ago, still waiting for ACC to settle the claim…
Technical note sorry if this is the wrong place, mods.
I've worked out why the 'publish' button might not have been working for some.
My phone has recently had some kind of silly update where it will default to leaving a space after you auto-input a word (rather than the cursor remaining tight against the last letter input). If there's a space after your email address, it won't register as legit, and the publish button won't work. 😇
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Ignore the mod note there, just moved it here because it's easier to discuss.
Are you having to put your email address in each time you comment?
ok, I can see that in the Mobile version, you have to reenter details each time.
Yes, I use ghostery which makes me re-enter reach time. Often I didn't notice the space thingy.
I tried putting a space at the end and it still let me Publish.
Looks like the Mobile version makes some at least have to reenter each time.
Hipkins releases private info out to play political games. Paula Bennet did something similar when Nats were in govt. And many attacked Bennet/Nats for the actions (and it was extremely poor) Where are these now that a senior minister in this government went against specific advice not to disclose private information ?? Have many on the left lost their bearings and moral standing and are willing to accept this type of behaviour ? IMO many supporters of Labour need to take a moment and to think what type of country and leadership do they want and how LOW are they willing to go in accepting any form of government that includes Labour.
"Case in point; Natasha Fuller and Jennifer Johnston. These women had their private details released to the media by a vengeful, nasty-minded little woman – Paula Bennet "
"Runs in the ‘ family’ then. Much like Paula Bennett abused two beneficiary’s publicly by releasing private details.
Disgusting bunch of cretins, really."
"Oddly enough, however, Key was quite relaxed about Paula Bennett releasing the private details of beneficiaries in a blatant attempt at intimidation. "
https://thestandard.org.nz/once-a-bully-always-a-bully/#comment-400795
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/463109/minister-doubles-down-on-revealing-private-information-about-charlotte-bellis
Now, now, be reasonable.
This was Chippy talking and we all know that he would never do anything that could possibly be unethical. He also has taken his bosses words to heart and he is always kind in every word and deed. He is also a Labour MP and they are always totally pure in all their actions.
You must be mistaken.
Hero – don't hold your breath. You will only get crickets from the left.
It was inexcusable then, it is inexcusable now.
Not the same .Bellis was hawking her personal details all over the media in interviews etc
Something about consular assistance or something was 'not released'
The extra information given by Hipkins was insignificant in the circumstances and became part of Bellis own beat up in time honoured journalist fashion.
Lives offshore as an expat and wanted to use of public health system when it suited
meanwhile for the two beneficaries
'Bennett, unimpressed by their arguments that she considered selectively left out some valuable financial facts, published figures showing their full income from the state including benefits and allowances.'
I have an expectation of high standards from our representatives.
Not as bad as Paula Bennett is a fairly low bar.
None of us are perfect.
In the big picture he over shared.
'At the time Hipkins said she was offered consular assistance twice but had not responded. Bellis insists the information is wrong.'
No details on what that was , shes a journalist she knows how the game works
Bennett was deliberate about providing deeper financial information
"None of us are perfect."
That's why the ability to admit that is a trait universally required, yet seldom displayed.
In this case it seems he doesnt want to breach her privacy again or something. It just gives a priveledged person much more 24hr news cycles that she doesnt deserve
Yes. Sometimes when you create a problem, it's difficult to navigate out without causing further mess.
A good reason to avoid creating the mess in the first place I would think.
Yeap, pretty disgusted with Hipkins doing this.
Because the first rule of holes is to stop digging and recognise you fucked up. And Hipkins has mostly fucked up here with this unethical release of Bellis' private info.
If Ms Bellis is not a tory snout I would be surprised. Seems to me Paula Bennett was punching down big time with two beneficiaries, Mr Hipkins not so much given it is a public health emergency. Charlotte was a Paul Henry protege with a sizeable sense of entitlement if the MIQ affair is anything to go by.
But no doubt someone here will say even people that enlist the Taliban to embarrass the NZ Govt. should get a fair go…
So what has your basis of Ms Bellis background got to do with it ? I suggest you google "How to clean a Cesspool", it may have some relevance.
Perhaps you should take some time to read Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.
Funny how with the likes of you and others, principles and what is deemed good behaviour go out the door. So when Bennett goes against privacy rules she is called everything under the sun ( and so deservedly IMO). When Hipkins does the same it is all the victims fault.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/03/jacinda-ardern-still-has-confidence-in-chris-hipkins-after-his-release-of-charlotte-bellis-personal-details-despite-official-advice-not-to.html
It is ok when the left do it.
Having lived through many NZ Governments I would not particularly trust the fifth columnists at the top of the public service or their minions on anything much. They leak like the proverbial.
There are very different rules for Government Ministers per the Cabinet Manual–if they get found out–than the rest of us. Sirkey admitted that he would delay OIA releases for political advantage which was discussed here at the Standard.
Ms Bellis went public on various media channels and tried to put the boot into the Govt. even using her Taliban buddies, so I, even if the only one, do not blame Mr Hipkins for giving her a serve. And he will have to take the consequences.
I am not into stoicism Herodotus, something my stoic mother still berates me for. My philosophy involves dialectical and historical materialism–class left in other words. Try and change the world not just be a spectator and ponderer.
Seems egregious to me – especially as it seems he was given advice saying the info shouldn't be made public.
Deserves a sinbin for that one, for sure.
The entire saga seems bizarre. Labour is busy proving that it rejects the principle of transparent governance, after pretending to agree with it.
We don't actually know if what you call info exists. Advice from bureaucrats to ministers isn't automatically information. It could be disinformation. Wouldn't surprise me if it was based on a misunderstanding – I commented here quite a while back that officials may have sent her such offers but she may not have received them.
Shit happens. Hipkins could ascertain the form the offers were sent (email? phone?), and tell her lawyer and/or the media. If it's in the public interest that truth gets told (which I believe it is). If it was a case of bureaucrats trying to get away with stonewalling a kiwi citizen trying to return home, then lying about it, that truth ought to be exposed. Hipkins ought not to collude in a cover-up!
From the original link in thread:
Sounds like she maybe added a little extra to the punch from the ministry's pov, and Hipkins couldn't resist the urge to issue what he saw as a correction, even though he'd been clearly told the information wasn't allowed to be publicly released.
Ardern might have confidence in him, but he still needs at least a hand slap. An option that in this day and age is apparently not the done thing.
Not good enough. The public interest in transparency is evident. No excuse for any cover-up. The officials ought not to have attempted one. Hipkins ought not to have colluded. Can't see a moral compass operating. The PM ought to eliminate the problem by engaging with it….
Not good enough?
What's not good enough? My opinion? Sorry about that, I'm sure.
No, can't object to your taking the situation at face value. I smell a rat. I don't expect others to smell it. I was just expressing disgust…
What was the "cover up" you smell?
The facts of the claimed info you mentioned (that the officials told Hipkins he ought not to disclose to the media).
The "officials" saying that private information he disclosed should have been
covered updisclosed? Yes, that's how "privacy" works.It was not information that should have been publicly available. Whether someone has received consular assistance is personal information, not public fodder. Just like if they receive any benefits.
Now, if the ministry gave Hipkins false information and she hadn't been offered assistance, that's a problem.
If they had contacted her and she received the messages but not responded, it's background information relevant to whether Hipkins/ministry digs in or backtracks, but still shouldn't be public information. Hipkins shouldn't have released the information, and it's an interesting question whether he should have had it in the first place.
But if they thought throwing a letter in the mailbox and not checking if she received it, that's a different problem but he still shouldn't have made the info from the ministry end public.
There's no "cover up" as such so far. There's private information that got released by the minister.
I gather Bellis & lawyer requested the facts around the bureaucratic claim & Hipkins plus officials are refusing to provide them. Not sure if Bellis & lawyer have invoked the OIA.
Inasmuch as the two seem to feel aggrieved that officials are trying to get away with making false claims to damage her reputation, the facts ought to be made known to the two. There's also the public interest involved in the possibility that officials are lying.
That's why I smell a rat & believe the (apparent) cover-up ought to be exposed & defeated…
That's why we have courts and the ombudsman and the privacy commissioner.
Frankly I think Bellis overplayed her case, and that Hipkins shouldn't have released the information.
Beyond that, there's a process and the clutching of pearls online or in the media won't speed it up.
When has Ardern ever punished a Labour MP?
David Clark getting a demotion comes to mind.
There probably won't be too many other examples, as this government actually seems to largely consist of competent folks.
Competent folk….Lees-Galloway……gone, Kelvin Davis, Kris Fafoi, David Clark, Phil Twyford, Poto Williams, Carmel Sepuloni, Meka Whaitiri?
Were you being serious?
Well, if you can put that list together then it's obvious your initial question wasn't serious.
Personally, seems to me that most of not all on that list were more competent than Luxon (let alone Pugh), but either way I'm glad you found an answer to your query. Good for you.
None listed have been punished. With Helen Clark they would be gone by lunchtime.
Lees Galloway lost his job
Clark got demoted.
Twyford lost his main portfolio.
Meka Whaitiri got demoted for a couple of years.
Not sure what Williams or Sepuloni did to get on your list.
Threats to intl civilian aviation & other means of transport in Europe & beyond sound a bit terroristy.
https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1501880265584615425
Well, the threat from Ukraine to civilian aircraft shouldn't be a problem. They have closed their airspace to civil flights.
On the other hand what was that missile that the Russian backed insurgents in Eastern Ukraine used to shoot down MH17 in 2014? Now that lot sound like terrorists to me.
A war zone.
The Buk missile units had been busy shooting at Ukrainian military aircraft
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_losses_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War#Ukrainian_aircraft_losses
The USS Vincennes also shot down a regular airline flight in the Gulf. there was a fabricated story it was registered on radar as an F-14 but the flight path and timing was normal
And the Ukrainians have their own airliner shoot down Russian Siber Air Flight 1812 from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk shot down over the Black Sea during 'drills'
Heck just flood the place with sophisticated weaponry and foreign nationals with all sorts of idiological preferences , what could possibly go wrong ?
Like the US has been doing for several years.
Brennan has confessed to how much he regretted doing this.
'
Prepping for genocide
"Neo-nazi", "Isis", "Untermenschen";
If you can dehumanise a whole population you can begin to justify committing any crime against them, up to and including genocide..
Somewhat weird to see US military intelligence having to refute charges that there are biological weapons of mass destruction in the Ukraine, charges being used by Russia as a pretext for invasion.
US intel head rejects Russia's claims about Ukraine biolabs | TheHill
It's SO Colin Powell at the United Nations 2003.
BRIEFING SECURITY COUNCIL, US SECRETARY OF STATE POWELL PRESENTS EVIDENCE OF IRAQ’S FAILURE TO DISARM | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases
Seemed strange response.
https://twitter.com/normonics/status/1501725675698462727?cxt=HHwWjoC5ofXimdcpAAAA
The weirdest part is Nuland going so far off message:
That is too hilarious to be real. Nice link there.
It's just going to become a clusterf**k for everyone unless cool heads prevail. With that in mind, this thread discusses how a lack of reflection on decision making overwhelms risk assessment. Scary reading because this will be happening on both sides.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1501688603042361346.html
And ….
An International Relations Theory Guide to the War in Ukraine
A consideration of which theories have been vindicated—and which have fallen flat.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/08/an-international-relations-theory-guide-to-ukraines-war/?utm_source=PostUp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Editors%20Picks%20OC&utm_term=40192&tpcc=Editors%20Picks%20OC
Jesus….That's priceless.
https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-detrick
' supporting a multi-governmental community that conducts biomedical research and development, medical material management, worldwide communications, and the study of foreign plant pathogens.'
So they study pathogens but only foreign ones
I got some curries from an old boss of mine who owns a food manufacturing company we hadn't talked in a while so we had a bit of a chin wag …Well he hates Jacinda Ardern he, whilst being vaxxed himself , is really pissed about vaccine mandates and the "othering" of the unvaxxed – he was talking about the fostering of division in New Zealand. I really missed an opportunity (penny didn't drop until today). I wish I had thought to point out that in the Key years most of NZ and certainly almost all right wingers had no problem at all with "othering" and fostering division – Bennett and Key repeatedly used promises of "crackdowns" and increasing punitive measures against beneficiaries – the people weakest and least able to defend themselves. Their bullying was helpful in gaining electoral success so to all those carping on about "division" caused by mandates , particularly you right wingers go and get stuffed.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Sorry should be in open mike
And AYE !
The interim Cass Review of the Tavistock (UK gender clinic for children and young people) has been released.
(For context, NZ follows the ' gender-affirming health care' approach.
https://twitter.com/SEGMtweets/status/1501862383454617601
Direct link to Cass Review Interim Report source document:
https://cass.independent-review.uk/publications/interim-report/
Oh fuck off with this [deleted] bs. It's bad enough the UK and USA are now infested with this anti-empirical pseudo-medicine bs without it also infesting NZ's public discourse too.
As for why SEGM can fuck right the hell off: https://transsafety.network/posts/segm-uncovered/
As for the Cass Review – Ugh, I'll wait until I see solid criticism of it before I'll even fucking touch it. As given the prevalence of [deleted] in the UK political scene I have no trust in it from the basis of my own eduction in history and philosophy of science.
Lastly – finally having recognised myself as being Non-Binary (he/they) these wankers would quite merrily gaslight me and shove me firmly back into the he/him box. Discounting my own lived experiences as "delusions", "mental illness" and "lack of a father figure".
Once they've finished with the Trans, Queer and more obvious Non-Binary people of course, because we must all go back in our boxes, especially if it kills us. As not to disturb the poor fragile things with the harsh empirical reality of the messiness of natural biological variation.
[you cannot use that term as a pejorative here any more than you could call a group of women cunts. It’s a misogynistic slur associated with the worst kind of online abuse directed at women including threats of violence and sexual
Violence – weka]
Mod note above.
https://terfisaslur.com
What the flaming fluffballs in all the outer hells? Since when is calling a trans-exclusionary reactionary feminist considered a slur by any evidenced based metric that takes into account the utter horrors transphobes within that group love throwing at the trans+ community?
Oh right, can't hurt the white women's feelings now can we? Especially not what there's a whataboutism we can deploy. Because the horrific shit they've wound up facing (that they shouldn't have to face bar the very worst ones*) totally excuses the fact they're being horrible themselves.
In other words, this is like saying we can't call a white supremacist a white supremacist because people are being horrible to them.
Guess I'll just use Feminism Appropriating Reactionary Transphobes in place, since that is also a completely accurate term for transphobic arseholes ignoring reality in favour of abusing other people. Although I suspect you'll find just copying and pasting "trans-exclusionary reactionary feminists" more appropriate, after all, it has more history.
Basically I'm extremely unimpressed with this approach. For values of understatement that I lack the working brains to fully elucidate at present in a way that is not a mass of swears.
But I'll let RationalWiki do the rest of the work here: https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Trans-exclusionary_radical_feminist#TERF_as_a_slur
As I need food.
__________
*Being the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor my tolerance for people who call for the extermination/extinction of others is at bingo and so I have no ethical issues in them being verbally flensed for their fuckshittery. However in saying this given what transphobes have inflicted upon the trans community (it gets pretty damn heartbreaking), it should come as no surprise at all they've faced that much raw hate and anger and being told to choke on girl dick.
Oh right, can't hurt the white women's feelings now can we?
Oh.,…that's a surprise.
*Being the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor my tolerance for people who call for the extermination/extinction of others is at bingo and so I have no ethical issues in them being verbally flensed for their fuckshittery.
Being interested in accuracy, identify where I said this, or linked to someone who did.
However in saying this given what transphobes have inflicted upon the trans community (it gets pretty damn heartbreaking), it should come as no surprise at all they’ve faced that much raw hate and anger and being told to choke on girl dick.
There’s nothing I can say in response to that, that’s needed for clarity.
All good, The Mess.
I'm not convinced your self diagnosis is based on evidential evidence, but am convinced that it doesn't matter to you. Your identity doesn't make a difference to me, as it should be, but fair play to you and your discovery and exploration.
I'm suspect the tone of your comment indicates the self-awareness and comfort you now experience due to your new found insights.
The topic here, is medical interventions for children and young people.
What we would expect in terms of determining medical interventions, and what information is given in terms of informed consent.
I did have a look at the link you provided, but the follow the money accusation regarding $58,500 total of anonymous donations isn't the smoking gun you might believe it is. It's also of no surprise to me that someone involved in SEGM would play a part in Keira Bell vs Tavistock, as it was a case regarding medical treatments for children. The rest of the link is similar in targeting people as unworthy to listen to, and not addressing concerns or alternate perspectives in any meaningful way. Your take is likely to be different than mine.
The benefit of your link in reply to mine is that others can look, and consider a variety of perspectives.
Along those lines, do you have an empirical data link that supports the medical and surgical treatment of children and young people with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence?
I'm sure many here would be interested to read.
Had a better look at the Trans Safety Network site, and their About Us page:
I could be wrong, but the whole blurb mentions nothing about providing original work and data regarding the transgender community. It is purely based on identifying those it considers harmful and critiquing them, such as we see in the link on your post. As regards, the post, it is ironic that while there is such glee in identifying individuals as connected, and associated with SEGM and Genspect who both list team members on their website, including credentials – Trans Safety Network does not appear to do the same. There also does not be to be any declaration of interests or funding in line with the transparency they demand.
It is hard for me to reconcile their view of Stella O'Malley, whom I have seen interviewed and who publishes the weekly podcast A Wider Lens – strangely not linked to in the article – and who can be seen talking to transitioners in this video:
Trans Kids – It's time to talk.
starting on this one too,
https://twitter.com/JLCederblom/status/1502091853944037377
Best twitter response so far about the Cass report from Caro Betts.
https://twitter.com/BettsCaro/status/1502031461725130752
Sensible, unsurprising, commonsense, why all the spleen about it.
👏
As price increases are a global issue,some see to call it as it lies.
https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1499531256006070273?cxt=HHwWgsCyvfDus88pAAAA
The usual useful idiots in the West who rush to add their support to Russian denials over the bombing of hospitals in Syria, are silent over the Russian bombing of a Maternity Hospital in the Ukraine.
Why?
?
Same war crime. Same pattern of blaming the other side for it..
So what's the difference? Are the Syrian people too brown, too Muslim?
Don't support fascism it really shouldn't have to be said.
Speaking of useful idiots
https://twitter.com/VTournaud/status/1501874150025175044?s=20&t=vcGpeSjqQuQ717KG6bIIhg
And you Brigid, are a low fascist liar who thinks genocide is funny.
.https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-22-09-2021/#comment-1817887
Few will be fooled this time.
There is a bloody history of medical facilities being attacked, whether deliberately or in error. Nobody has clean hands.
https://twitter.com/AlanRMacLeod/status/1501981269701373952
Absolutely. You nailed it.
All empires have to expand, it is a product of the capitalist growth economy, all empires are racist, all empires are genocidal. It is the nature of the beast.
Not only are the growth economies of the various political and economic blocs knocking up against each other, they are knocking up against the physical natural limits of the planet. There is no infinite growth on a finite world. The inevitable result of infinite growth is war and environmental collapse.
1930s German propaganda was full of newsreels of the horrors of the British Empire. As stupid as it sounds now, Hitler claimed that his new German empire would be more humane.
P.S . I am hoping against hope here aj.
Aj by you putting up this list of recent Amercan war crimes, I hope you are not indulging in a horrible game of 'Whataboutism' to justify Russia's bombing of a hospital.
If we bomb hospitals, so can they?
Let's be clear.
Is that what you are trying to say, aj?
I hope not.
I hope that you are pointing out that all imperialisms commit war crimes and even genocide to achieve their aims. That, that is the nature of the beast.
In a propaganda war, the most recent extreme atrocity is the only one the target public will remember and inconvenient truths will be forgotten. Hypocrisy rules. Yes, "all imperialisms commit war crimes and even genocide to achieve their aims. That, that is the nature of the beast". If we start crying 'whataboutism' and accuse someone of justifying atrocities to shut down the conversation then we've lost the ability to put context into the discussion.
^this
I think Brigid, your fascist tactic of using fake news to cover up the war crimes of your fascist heroes and defame their victims is getting old. Really old.
Commentary: From Guernica’s ruins, a lesson in fake news
By John Lloyd, Commentary
"for the German air force, Guernica was a trial run on how one can spread horror and distress through attacks on cities and towns.”
….when the fires had become embers, Franco’s nationalists entered the town. With them came the spin-doctors of the day. They ensured that telltale German and Italian shell fragments and bullet cases were removed, and empty oil drums placed about the town. When journalists friendly to Franco were brought in, they were told that the Basques had destroyed their own town by setting it alight – hence the empty oil drums. As Paul Preston writes in his book, “We Saw Spain Die”, most of the reporters followed the lead, and the lie was sent around the world….
….The nationalists’ efforts to blame the victims, flimsy (and disgusting) as it was, was believed because those who swallowed it wished to believe it. It exonerated those who perpetrated the attack and confirmed the view of Franco’s supporters that his and their enemies were evil…..
….it shows that fake news often originates from those who accuse their enemies of producing it…..
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lloyd-guernica-commentary-idUSKBN1E136O
Sergei Lavrov latest claim, strains even the credulity of Russia's apologists,.
It seems the West's useful idiots who usually swallow and repeat every denial Lavrov has said about Russian war crimes in Syria have gone to ground over this one..
Your link doesnt exist
Sorry that the link failed So I just googled it to reconfirm. There are several reports from several major news services..
CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-10-22/h_ffb15927857812d909a0d6f4c9644f6e
New York Post
https://nypost.com/2022/03/10/russia-fm-sergey-lavrov-claims-russia-didnt-attack-ukraine/
Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10597929/Sergei-Lavrov-says-Russia-DIDNT-attack-Ukraine-dismisses-pathetic-outcry-hospital.html
I saw no denial anywhere. So I am guessing Lavrov did say that.
He did say it.
But I also found GW Bush saying God told him to 'end the tyranny in Iraq'
Didnt call it an invasion either. Its for Lavarov just political speech to obscure.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/oct/07/iraq.usa
Do we not have any decent DJ's in NZ? This is pretty bad when so many NZers were overseas trying to get MIQ spots.
MIQ 'irrational': Hundreds of entertainers, dozens of DJs granted exceptions to get into NZ – NZ Herald
Nails it
https://twitter.com/hatpinwoman/status/1501946234562486274?s=21
Speaking for myself, I'd be inclined to proactively trespass someone from the entire facility if their behavioural history was that bad.
well good to hear you are coming round to not putting rapists in women's prisons.
I think you might be missing the point though (admittedly it was implied rather than explicit).
Gender activists insist that trans women are women, always. And anyone who says they are a woman is a woman, always. Because TWAW, they should be treated like women, always. Even when they are rapists. In this ideology world, rapists who are trans women should be allowed into women's spaces, always. Because they're not men, they are women and have the right to women's spaces like all other women.
You either let all TW in, or if you don't then you accept that some TW are dangerous as males and/or that some males are pretending to be TW.
Interesting that that is what you heard.
I seem to recall that my position has consistently been that exclusion should be based on behaviour and safety concerns based on the individual, rather than their trans status.
In my opinion, the concept of it being all or none is a contrivance to exclude all.
"I seem to recall that my position has consistently been that exclusion should be based on behaviour and safety concerns based on the individual, rather than their trans status."
Well, using that logic, any and all male prisoners could be thusly sorted and put into the women's prison estate, because the reason for segregation is based on physicality and the superior strength of the male body.
If your 'basis' is proven not to be accurate, the only harm will be embarrassment for prison management, no?
Again, logic based upon a case-by-case assessment cannot necessarily mean that "any and all" members of a group of people will meet the criteria applied by that logic.
Also, I'm not sure your "because" is accurate.
But to get back to the twitterer's argument, if the serial killing woman wanting to access a womens' space was not a transwoman but was a violent offender who posed a serious risk to the other women in the area, would you give her "a pass"? I wouldn't.
Again, logic based upon a case-by-case assessment cannot necessarily mean that "any and all" members of a group of people will meet the criteria applied by that logic.
Strange, that when you allow categories to be blurred arbitrarily (remember, self-id is all that's required) – you essentially end up with no categories
Also, I'm not sure your "because" is accurate.
I'm pretty sure your 'case by case' won't be.
IIRC, Puckish Rogue has first hand knowledge of 'inaccuracy' in our prison estate. Could be wrong in my recollection, though.
Fun fact: trans 'women' generally get wanded (hand held metal detector) instead of being rubbed down.
This is because male officers are not allowed to rub down women (obviously), only women can, however most female officers aren't always keen on rubbing down trans 'women'
Never come across a trans 'man' though
Thanks, PR. Got to say your idea of a fun fact is… funny.
Gallows humour
Geez, I forgot.
Some incarcerated women might also be affected too.
(So easy to do.)
Especially if one doesn't regard some of them as women.
McFlock, Transwomen are not women. They are men. I don't subscribe to your redefinition of the word. But despite that, I believe we can have this conversation beyond that disagreement.
Consider the reason that there are separate men's and women's prison estates in the first place.
They are categories based on biological sex.
Men have bodies that are bigger, stronger and men are often incarcerated for more violent crimes than women.
Transwomen are men. They may or may not be in for violent crimes but their strength and body physicality remains. Self-id into an identity means that absolutely no changes now need to be made to claim to be a woman.
They may be vulnerable to violent men in the prison estate. They may also be the violent men in the prison estate.
Other vulnerable male prisoners exist. For example, they may be a shorter, weaker man with no gender identity. Or they may be autistic, have limited mental capacity, FASD, mental health issues or have physical disabilities.
The men's prison estate needs to find some way to ensure that all these men are kept safe.
Women’s prisons are not the escape route for male prisoners and prison management from dealing with this issue of violence and vulnerability in male prisons.
What about the women who are not transwomen? Do any of them pose a risk to other women, in prison or any other womens' space?
What about transmen?
As soon as one looks at the issue beyond a binary, everything changes. Which means I don't share your belief that there can be much in the way of constructive discussion with such a fundamental disagreement as the foundation for our respective positions.
I was just taken aback that a GCF tweet that "nails it" had to focus on individual behaviour to justify exclusion a group of people on the basis of something that was not down to individual behaviour.
Almost nobody would disagree that someone with a clear history of victimising some people should be excluded from an area catering specifically to the needs of their victims. Trans status has as little bearing on that as ethnicity or religion.
"What about the women who are not transwomen? Do any of them pose a risk to other women, in prison or any other womens' space?
What about transmen?"
Yes, there will always be the possibility of violence in a prison estate. But the disparity between men and women's bodies was the reason for the distinction in the first place.
That disparity remains. Male bodies have physical advantage over female bodies and damage can be done. Transmen are women. They belong in the women's estate.
"As soon as one looks at the issue beyond a binary, everything changes. Which means I don't share your belief that there can be much in the way of constructive discussion with such a fundamental disagreement as the foundation for our respective positions."
I have always believed 'beyond a binary' for identity purposes, and would support anyone's self exploration. But I don't conflate that exploration with a disregard for the material reality of biological sex, and its impact on lives.
Perhaps we will not agree. You seem to believe that transwomen are not only a special subset of men, but they are also one that is superior any other subset of men that is vulnerable to violence. And definitely has the right to override incarcerated women's right to be separated from men.
This a particularly special class of people you advocate for.
Are you sure they should be in prison at all?
"I was just taken aback that a GCF tweet that "nails it" had to focus on individual behaviour to justify exclusion a group of people on the basis of something that was not down to individual behaviour."
Were you really? Because we are hearing many times, that women no longer have a right to single sex spaces, and there is no conflict between giving men the ability to access those spaces, and women wanting to retain them. Of course, some GCF's are going to highlight when it is apparent that there is a conflict. It is also not likely a group of transwomen will get together to stage a group event, so it will always be an individual case.
"Almost nobody would disagree that someone with a clear history of victimising some people should be excluded from an area catering specifically to the needs of their victims. Trans status has as little bearing on that as ethnicity or religion."
This sounds inconsistent, but maybe it's just vague.
I'm not vague. I see you ignore referring to other 'vulnerable' male prisoners in the male prison estate.
It's a problem for the male prison estate to fix.
Women – Adult human females, incarcerated in the female estate are exactly where they are supposed to be and can be looked after by corrections officers. They will have rules and regulations how to deal with various different offenders locked up in the same place.
Transwomen – Adult human males – who present as female (some more some less) irrespective of their crimes should be locked up in the male estate. They should be kept safe there, safe from rape, safe from any physical harm and they should be able to finish their sentence as anyone else. This again, is the job of the corrections officers, the ministry that sets the rules and any body that oversees that these rules are enforced.
As for the Transwomen who want to escape male violence by demanding a transfer to the female estate, or who just want to change in rooms for womens, or use bathrooms because men make them feel uncomfortable, they might need to consider that Self ID will allow these same men to self ID into the female estate, toilets, changing rooms, literally anywhere where women are and thus again, Transwomen are not safe. Go figure. But then, i have said it to you before and i say it again, Transwomen will have exactly the same rights as Women do in this boondoogle of idiocy, namely none. The men that they are afraid of will simply follow them. And women the world over know this and thus insist in single sex spaces. Cause male violence.
In the meantime, this "Transwoman" here gets to go and spend his last days on earth in a female prison after having spend a life time in prison for murdering women, the last one just recently. He has issues with women, as per his own words. Well at least with his age the they won't have to give out to many condoms to the women prisoners who risk getting inseminated by some opportunistic men who masquerade as 'transwomen'. Because at the end of the day, anyone and anything can declare themselves a transwomen – for a day an hour or a week, thus the word literally has no more meaning.
https://people.com/crime/83-year-old-convicted-killer-arrested-in-connection-to-torso-found-in-brooklyn/
Maybe the issue is not women or transwomen, maybe the issue is male violence against those that these male feel/perceive as inferior or weaker. So maybe instead of telling women to accommodate men into their spaces – well force them to accommodate men into their spaces by law, men should finally find some courage and challenge the members of their own sex when it comes to sex based violence and just violence in general and practice a bit of kindness.
Funny story time (at least I thought it was)
I was doing a morning shift (0600 – 1400 as it used to be) at Chch womens and they had me doing the unlock in the segregation unit (unlock being exactly what it sounds like)
I opened one of the cell doors and being a 6ft male when I open the door the women are generally shorter (not always of course but usually) well in this case I had to look slightly up and what did I see…
A trans 'women' that was a little taller than myself, more heavily built than myself, outstanding breasts (kudos to the plastic surgeon) and looking not unlike this 'woman':
Sigh.
I guess we're just on completely different wavelengths.
I just agree with the original tweet: exclusion should be primarily based on behaviour, not what junk I think they were born with.
@PR
That's a fairly good visual for people to contemplate. If the sight of a transwoman that size gave you pause, I'm guessing the visceral reaction of women prisoners was similar – but amplified.
That video is a clear indication of male energy. I'm not saying that women don't lose the plot, but it is a familiar male intimidatory tactic. The volatile nature of it, and the frozen stances of everyone around.
But I'm sure that I'm telling you nothing you don't already know.
@McFlock
Of course we will disagree.
1. You ignore the basic reason why there were men's and women's prison estates in the first place.
2. You believe in a special class of vulnerability that requires special treatment, that ignores other vulnerabilities and impacts on women.
I'm all good with ending this conversation. We've both had the opportunity to state our positions, and to be honest, I'm pretty much writing for those who are still considering where they stand, or looking to accommodate other perspectives to ensure their position is defendable.
(I do think the clarity in language has made this discussion much easier.)
I would be quite happy to never go into a womens prison again.
Women in prison are louder than men, more in your face, they hold grudges more, they're prone to making accusations, it s quite an assault on your senses
Then you think about their lives and what they've been through to get to prison and thats the cherry on the top
1: your "reason" is an assumption.
2: Nope.
@Sabine. Well laid out comment that said everything I failed to say.
I agree.
Yes. The GCF position is to exclude all men from women's prisons. Because case by case based on behaviour and safety concerns basically says that women can be collateral damage to men's needs. We have female only spaces for really good reasons, which are currently being overridden to make life easier for TW at the expense of women (quite the ideological leap for the left there).
Trans women prisoner's needs can be dealt with in other ways rather than putting women at risk.
So yeah there ways. We basically have general, voluntary segregation and directed segregation
The issue is, mostly, one of manning.
Its easy enough to deal with one or two. One of the trans 'women' I had dealings with at womens wasn't a problem, just had to make sure they had their shower time before general unlock and she actually wasn't bad to deal with
The problem is if its more than a few then you'd have to open up a wing for them. You open up a wing then you have to man it, organise shifts for it, new med rounds etc etc
So you have the same number of prisoners but because they're in more wings (or wards) you have to have more officers and more struggling at the moment big time (front line officers can't work from home)
Currently Spring Hill is asking for officers from other sites just so it can function, that doesn't mean full staff, just that it can keep going without locking everyone down
Otago is down to like 50% staff
Mt Eden is always low and Auckland is struggling (a lot of covid cases)
The staffing levels in prisons are a joke at the best of times and now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Once covid really takes off it'll be interesting seeing what happens.
Rolling unlocks for the win!
Oh and these
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_female_serial_killers
Interestingly – but incomplete obviously – list.
Coincidentally, another list of women was read out in UK Parliament today.
https://twitter.com/CommissionerDA/status/1501969897873629185
bit of a non-sequitur there ghost.
Gender activists of all sides would do a lot better if they didn’t insist on using acronyms.
No-one knows what they are banging on about most of the time.
Yeah, it's the acronyms that's the problem…
Not the re-definitions of sex, gender, woman, man, male, female, girl, boy, lesbian, gay, queer, 'literal violence', 'erasing existence' etc.
Seriously, it reads like industry jargon. If you want people on board your crusade, try not excluding them with hard to access speech.
are you on twitter? Short form demands quite a few accommodations around language.
If you want people on board your crusade, try not excluding them with hard to access speech.
It's not me, I pedantically define acronyms.. I usually right-click Google when I'm ignorant, or read more. I'd elucidate, but it's not an acronym I'd use now, so I'll let you have that journey of discovery.
Unless you want to give your definitions for:
sex, gender, woman, man, male, female, girl, boy, lesbian, gay, queer
Then quid pro quo.
Heres one that doesnt need re-defining
Transphobia
that one especially needs a solid definition, because it gets used so broadly now that it's becoming meaningless.
Hardly This is a very structured and technical view on what Transphobia means from gender Minorities Aotearoa
https://genderminorities.com/2020/11/20/what-is-transphobia/
1) Stereotypes
2)Prejudice
3) Discrimination
For some people they exhibit all 3 but some may only exhibit the last one . Discrimination
Sure, pretty standard social justice analysis. You should tell the gender identity activists about that who are using the term indiscriminantly.
(and, that definition is still quite broad, and how they specifics play out when there is a conflict of rights is contentious).
Your link is the expected cop out, but I'll discuss further on down.
(For a brief moment I thought you'd lift your game.)
But as I said, quid pro quo:
sex – biological sex,
gender – refers to the social structures based around sex
(not the same as gender identity, or sex but often used in that way, to distinguish I use gender identity when referring to gender identity)
woman – adult human female
man – adult human male
male – the sex that produces gametes,
female – the sex that produces eggs (ovum) and bears young,
girl – juvenile human female,
boy – juvenile human male,
lesbian – woman that is same sex attracted,
gay – man that is same sex attracted,
queer – perjorative used in regards to gays and lesbians.
It is apparent to me that the redefinitions of basic words has a cumulative effect when those words are also required for definitions of other nouns. See 'lesbian' for example.
Your link has really nothing to say on the first two items:
Stereotypes and Prejudice but has the following to say on Discrimination:
"Discrimination is the actions (including failure to act) based on prejudice.
This can include interpersonal discrimination in one’s private life, e.g. social exclusion, bullying and harassment, physical and sexual violence.
It can also include discrimination in public areas of life, e.g. exclusion from human rights protections, exclusion from other legal rights, exclusion from or discrimination in housing, healthcare, the justice system, accessing goods and services, recreation and sport, education, employment, etc.
Examples include: requiring medical interventions in order to gain an accurate birth certificate, landlords refusing to rent to trans tenants, inadequate access to appropriate healthcare services, schools or employers not taking action to keep students or employees safe.
67% of trans people report experiencing high levels of discrimination in NZ, 44% experienced this in the past 12 months (vs 17% of the general population)."
And here is when the problem with redefinitions comes into play:
"requiring medical interventions in order to gain an accurate birth certificate"
Surely, an accurate birth certificate would retain the biological sex marker and ADD the gender identity?
"inadequate access to appropriate healthcare services"
What does this mean? Given the state of the health system, with many patients waiting months or until they die for proper diagnosis and treatment, how do you distinguish between discrimination and an overwhelmed public health system?
"schools or employers not taking action to keep students or employees safe."
What does safe mean here? Is it personal safety? – or – as I suspect – a workplace that is required to compel others to treat particular individuals in distinctly proscribed ways?
I can't really be bothered with the landlords one, unless there was a definitive study of landlords refusing transgender people with jobs and money for the trans of it. Many NZers are unable to secure housing at present. In this they are probably experiencing the opposite of discrimination, they are finding it impossible – just like everyone else.
"67% of trans people report experiencing high levels of discrimination in NZ, 44% experienced this in the past 12 months (vs 17% of the general population)."
Yes. I'm fairly sure I looked at some of these surveys. Given that misgendering is often referred to as 'literal violence', the bar for discrimination is fairly low and flexible.
Luckily, your oh-so-informative link provides two examples of discrimination:
”I want to stop trans women from using women’s bathrooms”
This is where we run across the language problem once again. I am one of those who want to stop men from using women's bathrooms.
”Trans people should be sterilized to change their birth certificate”.
Well, I've never heard that said by anyone other than … well, this site really. In all my immersion on this topic, this is the first time. Something new.
Birth certificates should accurately record birth – and biological sex. The reason given by legislative review for allowing the biological sex marker to be changed in the first place, was that the number of people wishing to make this change was so small it would not make any significant data and statistical changes, and it was specifically related to gender reassignment surgery. As we both know, both the definitions (again!) of gender identity is different from the transsexuals this process catered for. With the increase in both gender identities and populations the original justification, no longer holds.
I have no problem with either: an additional gender identity field, or a specific official documentation that records identity, and have no wish to see anyone undergo unnecessary surgery.
Still it makes it clear that you personally, can't define transphobia OR despite implying by your comment that I display it – can't provide any evidence.
Usual transphobic rants . beyond any reasoning.
'Special reasons' like those you mention were used to discriminate against black people , even to the extent of lynching.
Hygiene, safety and so on, 'protection of women'. So you are just purposing old memes. Its not even worth replying to your pent up transphobia
@ghostwhowalksnz
"Special reasons' like those you mention were used to discriminate against black people , even to the extent of lynching.
Hygiene, safety and so on, 'protection of women'. So you are just purposing old memes. Its not even worth replying to your pent up transphobia"
Okay….
You are not even referencing anything I said. Hard to counter your invented conversation with imaginary me. (This is starting to become a habit.) I'll wait to see what she has to say for herself.
"Usual transphobic rants . beyond any reasoning"
Guessing we also have different definitions of 'rant' and 'reason'.
The list grows longer.
Thing is ghostie, to make any coherent use of a word like "transphobia", you'd first have to have a stable, non-circular, functional definition for the word "transgender".
And you don't, because to do so you'd first have to have a stable, non-circular, functional definition for the word "gender".
And you don't.
I leave that sort of thing up to gender minorities NZ and the medical experts
Take it up with them , thats if they can stop laughing at the absurdity of your 'circularity'
They can give very concrete examples for your OED type search for perfect definitions of people lives. A friend tells the story of a DHB clinic for people with major mental illness which by coincidence shares a break room with another clinic for late teens with different health issues – like cutting themselves. A general chat with a young woman , who dressed like a man led to a conclusion that others peoples definitions of what they/them should be in gender led to some serious inner turmoil
@ghostwhowalksnz
Self-diagnosis is a part of – not the whole of – a comprehensive diadnosis.
Coffee break yarn is a perspective.
Have a crack.
In this case I have a degree of interest in what you are going to come up with.
You are a smart person, find another obsession and rabbit holes to dissapear down
Be better.
In respect of giving praise where praise is due, my partner's employer has just deposited $50 in all his employees accounts, and messaged them to fill their cars up while petrol prices are still (fairly) low.
There are some good business owners out there.
Good on them. Just found that cueueing at the petrol station brought back memories of normal Auckland motorway congestion on a Friday commute trip home. Traffic is banking up down roads taking lanes out of action, memories of budget nights past when buying petrol and ciggies was a must.
Our local supermarket has no trollies, as the traffic for their discount stations is so heavy that trolly "people/boys" cannot safely collect these or are forced to take on a few at a time as there is no room to manoeuvre the trains of trolleys.
nice story to hear, thanks Molly.
Yes.
We're fortunate in his employment. A really considerate boss in a long-standing family owned business.
"a long-standing family owned business" that remains private when it could go public, potentially growing and adding to our country's wealth as a successful (and more widely accountable) public company.
"Being a public company means having to abide by much stricter rules and regulations in comparison to private companies. The reason why public companies are willing to do this is because being able to raise money from the public is extremely valuable. Some advantages of listing as a public company include:
https://legalvision.co.nz/business-structures/differences-between-a-public-company-and-a-private-company-in-new-zealand/#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20a,lot%20of%20benefits%20for%20companies.
I'm sure that a board of directors would value the team as it is valued at present.
No. I am wrong, I rescind that statement.
The lines are far more blurred.
Stock exchange listing seems to be what you mean as a 'public ( listed) company' and its mostly the SX itself that imposes the rules.
many way for 'private companies' to raise money nowdays including selling shares in the business – which isnt uinique to the listed SX companies