Open mike 11/03/2024
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6:00 am, March 11th, 2024 - 59 comments
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Open access notables New coasts emerging from the retreat of Northern Hemisphere marine-terminating glaciers in the twenty-first century, Kavan et al., Nature Climate Change: Accelerated climate warming has caused the majority of marine-terminating glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere to retreat substantially during the twenty-first century. While glacier retreat and changes ...4 hours ago - Trump’s critical minerals order may harm Australian interests
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Thursday, March 27
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- Wednesday 26 March
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What I find curious about the Hurricane's womens team continuing to use their Haka before the game to make a political point is why noone in the media (that I am aware of) has raised the issue of them as employees abusing their roles. I know I have a contract that states I cannot act in a manner that brings the company I work with in to disrepute and I certainly cannot use my employers resources to make political statements. Doing so would lead to me being fired. Why should the Hurricane's woman team be able to do the same?
I haven't been following particularly closely, but I've seen this mentioned in the MSM (reporting what the CEO or whatever said).
Probably for a number of reasons; they may not be seen as the average employee in the way that you or I would be seen as, when we work for a big corporation. Also, they are making political points about the government and it’s policies, in general they’re not being abusive or attacking individuals.
Weather or not they should or shouldn’t be doing what they’re doing is between the players and their bosses.
At the end of the day they are employed to play rugby and to win games. If they don’t win no one will take any notice.
Why are they not an average employee? They are paid to play the sport of Rugby Union. That is their job not to make political statements.
One key employment difference between elite sports folk and the rest of us is they are often told to 'express themselves'.
Not being a wahine yaself I will leave their actions to them rather than heed your palangi concern.
Seems like the Hurricane management might disagree with that position.
And at least one former co-owner of the Hurricanes might agree with you
Bowker had the ear of Stuart Nash during his time as a Minister in Cabinet.
Yep, not surprising, more palangi uncomfortable with some bolshie, assertive wahine Maori.
Edit; if Winston’s getting snickerty then they are probably on the right track.
What I mean in this case? As part of a sport team they have a public higher profile than you or I, and a lot more people will have an opinion one way or the other which also attracts a lot of media attention. So the team management needs to handle with a lot of consideration.
But you are right, there job is to play rugby, & to win, as well as associated stuff professional sports players do. For many, many reasons political activism should not be one of them while they are on the rugby field.
They asked and received permission for each of their two hakas.
It is not against the law to make political statements. Your employer should pull his bloody head in and mind his own business.
I would agree with you here. I make political statements in my own time. When I am on the company time wearing their badge I dont and do my job.
Oh yes the old keep politics out of sports argument!
Sport and politics have been one for many many years Gosman, whether you recognise it or not.
Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Fifa World Cup just three examples where politics runs the show.
Who says they are acting in a manner that brings the company into disrepute?
The Hurricane's management it seems
" However, Hurricanes chief executive, Avan Lee, said he wasn't aware of the team's plans to use the haka.
He said the franchise will apologise to the government.
"Certainly disappointed. There was no discussion, no consultation and some of the words that were used, were interpreted to be very strong.
"The Hurricanes shouldn't be making any politcal statement. If they do it needs to be agreed across the organisation because we have got players and staff who are not comfortable with what is being said."
"There are obviously players and staff who agree with it but that is missing the point…we were blindsided," Lee said."
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/510990/nz-rugby-investigate-hurricanes-poua-haka
"…some of the words that were used, were interpreted to be very strong…."
That's clarity, right there!
Hang on …
Keep up with the story – that narrative is a week old.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/03/rugby-hurricanes-poua-say-latest-haka-has-been-misconstrued-as-political-attack.html
I don't really follow oval ball games..
..but the hurricanes have a new fan/supporter..
'go the canes..!"
(is that what I say..?..is that the mating call..?,)
Folau was instructed by his employer to desist. He didn't, so he was given the arse for failing to obey a lawful instruction by his employer.
Kind of like how the Hurricanes had a word with the team to advise them not to do it and they then went ahead and did it again.
I doubt having a word and advise constitute a lawful instruction.
Maybe it's so obvious that their behaviour may run foul of their employment contract, that it doesn't need mentioning? I'm sure the Hurricanes management have been going over that ground right from the start. The difficulty is that their calculation is a bit more complex than if it was you doing the same. Your job (presumably) does not involve entertaining a diverse public, or require the support of sponsors and advertisers.
In the Hurricanes case, the contract may or may not be enforced based on which better serves the interests of the organisation. It is purely a matter of which option alienates more people and causes (or risks) more financial damage – censuring and shutting the players up, or allowing them to keep doing it. So the usual imperial power of employers over employees (which you appear to relish) is somewhat weakened in this case by the public nature of the work.
Doing the haka is part of team culture, they each have their own.
No individual contract is involved, as per the haka.
I don't know why they are making a fuss, as I'm sure they give no credence to anything said or written in Maori.
Keep up with the story if commenting on it.
What he means politicians gotta be politicians and misrepresent things to play their culture war games.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/03/rugby-hurricanes-poua-say-latest-haka-has-been-misconstrued-as-political-attack.html
first nd foremost they are a sportspeople and contract schmontract. they are in the public arena and and if they cant strut their stuff then I would tear it up. We supposedly have free speech but when anybody exercises that right then those on the receiving end spit the dummy. good! Go the HUrricanes!
Can't see that they are bringing their employer into disrepute.
Seems to me they are doing exactly the opposite. Enhancing the mana of their employer. Noting of course Hurricanes management approved the second haka.
This of course has been well-reported but you choose to ignore it.
Bloody right-wingers and their fascist cancel culture.
You are working for the wrong bunch of arseholes. You have your own mind they are not supposed to own it.
They are entitled to have the view (and act on it) that on work time and on work resources they should have a say in what I communicate to the wider public expecially if I am using my position as an employee to get a larger audience and make a bigger impact.
What were your thoughts on the Australian Rugby Union sacking Israel Folau for posting hist personal religious beliefs around homosexuality on his personal Twitter feed? Did you think they had no right to do so?
It wasn't his homosexual beliefs as I recall, but the comments along the lines of them not deserving to live.
He didn't state that. He merely stated a commonly held view by MANY religious people that Homosexuals will go to Hell. It isn't very nice admittedly but it is his strongly held conviction which he expressed in a personal capacity not while he was doing something in his role as a ARU player.
What gets me about 'celebrities' be they film stars, musicians, sports people, media, billionaires or gentry is why us ordinary folk should pay them any attention except acknowledge their work and knowledge in their field of expertise.
It shouldn't be an issue with the general public as to what Israel Folau believes.
For me what the issues are why I am actually getting these opinions, that in my view the mistaken belief of such celebrities exists that they can wisely and usefully broadcast their opinions beyond that expertise and thirdly the role of the media in facilitating that.
We all have opinions and express them, it is just that celebrities get photographed when out and about and have their opinions reported to us.
This happens whether they are activist about their "causes" or not.
After this happened in the past he signed a new contract that made reference to his having obligation to his employer – as to their position on inclusivity in the game.
Privatisation continues unabated. Not revenue gathering but expected to triple the number of tickets. An oxymoron surely.
Private operators, instead of police, will run mobile speed cameras on highways nationwide for the first time.
Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency put out a tender a week ago to run the country's 45 mobile cameras from next year.
It said the provider that won the contract would not issue speeding tickets or get bonuses for pinging more drivers.
Waka Kotahi would have responsibility for processing the images and issuing fines, as well as deciding where and when the cameras would be placed.
Bidders must show they can meet future requirements, "which could include point-to-point mobile operations", the tender said."
The agency has previously estimated the whole system upgrade will triple the number of camera-issued tickets to three million a year by 2030, and increase prosecutions to around 3300.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350207818/private-operators-instead-police-run-mobile-speed-cameras-first-time
Heh. I can recall a workplace where all the middle-aged mostly conservative dudes who enjoyed a bit of polite speeding now and again (nothing outrageous, just the habitual seeking to gain an advantage over others on the road and everywhere else) complained about speed cameras. They said the Police were guilty of revenue gathering.
Now they will get to experience what revenue gathering really looks like, all courtesy of a government they almost certainly voted for. Poetic justice perhaps.
GB News special on the WPATH files.
Michael Shellenberger and Mia Hughes on the leaked materials
Helen Joyce on WPATH’s global influence (18m 40)
Stella O’Malley on the victims of WPATH
Dr Carrie Mendoza on clinical malpractice
Robin Moira White on gender-affirming care
Genevieve Gluck on her previous exposés on WPATH
Dr Az Hakeem on WPATH’s influence on the NHS
Ritchie Herron on the experience of detransitioning
Fiona McAnena on software systems used in NHS trusts originating from WPATH
Neale Hanvey MP on the political implications of the WPATH Files
https://twitter.com/andrewdoyle_com/status/1766866028598841467
Full episode here,
https://youtu.be/KRMI2UjaIfI?t=195
Thanks Weka. Important stuff and the incoming medical scandal I've been warning about for literally years has arrived.
It will be dismissed by the usual suspects in the usual way:
It seems the WPath guidelines have been adopted and are in use here in NZ for gender affirming care.
Here's the link for the NZ guidelines.
https://patha.nz/Guidelines
yep. MoH also use them
https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/keeping-well/transgender-new-zealanders/#health-care-for-transgender-new-zealanders (you will have to open the +)
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h2022014878_response.pdf
https://www.speakupforwomen.nz/post/jan-rivers-puberty-blockers-for-children
That is from 2018.
Research – Sweden at first and more recently UK …
This guideline has been developed following the recognition that New Zealand’s previous good practice guide, Gender Reassignment Health Services for Trans People within New Zealand, which was based heavily on the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, Standards of Care, version 6 (WPATH SOC v6), requires updating to be in step with current practice and international guidelines.
https://syhpanz.co.nz/gender-affirming-healthcare/
Below shows developments since 2018
2023
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h2023031263_response.pdf
2022
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/475757/puberty-blocker-use-jumps-as-expert-backs-results
Pricks.
.
@Adam_Currie_NZ
Whaikaha (Disability Ministry) is reducing (the already underwhelming) services for wheelchair users, after the government slashed their budget by 7.5%. The Minister is refusing to comment or be accountable for this. Outrageous. Shame on this government.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350205198/disability-ministry-reduces-wheelchair-services-due-cost
https://twitter.com/Adam_Currie_NZ/status/1766863890485309560
Yes Joe90, I feel for Rolling on gravel and Kay, this is symptomatic of the coming budget and the disabled will suffer.
If this Government is going to get precious about every piece of fight back, they are going to be busy and mouthy.
They will burn up any capital with those swing voters as their fast tracking undermines NZ Law and gets many more groups riled. imo.
Let's change Winstone's moan of "Go Woke Go Broke"
to "Be Awake for All our sakes."
Not fit to be lived in…
/
Premier House has received more than $95,000 in upgrades since Christopher Luxon came to power, including fresh paint for its bedrooms, new bedding and kitchen appliances, and a Sky television connection.
[…]
New details of the maintenance work that has been keeping Luxon from relocating show that, since he took office, there has been $9832 spent on readying the property for the new prime minister, and $85,673 spent on “deferred repairs and maintenance work”.
Among the costs related to the incoming prime minister were $4887.50 for new mattresses for the master bedroom and for a twin room, which also had $690.30 spent on it for new linen.
In the kitchen, $326.98 was spent on a new toaster, kettle and knife set, $220.50 on replacing a microwave, and $45.98 for tea towels.
There was $231.99 spent removing a child safety barrier on a staircase ‒ the prior occupant was Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who lived there with her young child, Neve.
A Sky television connection was reinstated at a cost of $125.
https://archive.li/tzQ2s (thepress)
Before this story goes away Christopher will be forced to take up residence in premier house. Should probably get started on renting out his existing Wellington residence ASAP in order not to be seen to be maintaining a vacant property when that happens.
If he folds on this, the chipping is working. And if we keep chipping, I reckon he'll flag it and go back to his nice, rich prick, life.
I think it calls for a reality show..
The travails of the luxon brood..as they suffer the indignities and hardships/slumming of living in premier house..
(..which I will bet is better than the seven rentals he owns..)
.. it's kinda fascinating how luxon is presenting as such a grifter..
Among the costs related to the incoming prime minister were $4887.50 for new mattresses for the master bedroom
Must be difficult to sleep on the existing mattress that baby Neve may have been conceived on. Those terrible thoughts that might have haunted his dreams.
I wonder how much of the $95,000 spent to date since "Christopher Luxon came to power" was to enable Luxon and his 25 family members to use Premier House for several days for their 2023 Christmas bash?
Although it has been reported that "Luxon covered all the costs of the Christmas Day bash himself" this presumably did not include new mattresses, kitchen appliances, painting of bedrooms etc included in the "$9832 spent on readying the property for the new prime minister, and $85,673 spent on “deferred repairs and maintenance work” making up the $95,000.
The Press article does not mention this Luxon Christmas "bash" at Premier House but this has been widely reported elsewhere in the media. Other reports of this bash include:
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/07/luxon-hosted-christmas-at-premier-house/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350203582/premier-house-suitable-big-luxon-family-xmas-bash
And why use Premier House when the Luxon home in Auckland was obviously well set up for Christmas according to this very detailed (and over the top imho) Now To Love article in Dec 2023:
https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/celebrity/celeb-news/christmas-with-christopher-luxon-and-family-48048/
"And Christmas has certainly arrived at the couple’s stunning home, with a beautiful three-metre tall tree taking pride of place in the dining room. Underneath sits a pile of gifts beautifully wrapped in white and gold."
Rant now over – !!!!
Well done and congrats on the win, Australia.
Tim Paine of Tasmania notes that the Oz captain stole a century from Bishop Carey, hell has a place for keeping those who mess with those of their union.
A question. If the women rugby players had twice performed a haka that on translation was full of praise for this new government – would Gosman, Winston Peters and whoever else, be objecting? We could see a scenario of Luxon heading to one of their games for a photo and handshake.
It's becoming clear that Simeon Brown has made Auckland an unsafe place for those on E scooters and bikes.
First Bishop, then Bridges and now Seymour. Surely it is no coincidence.
And with an increase in speed allowed and the removal of speed bumps, this is likely to occur again and again. Especially with the increase in PT cost.
And then with the new roads going through suburbs that the heavy trucks can use (reducing congestion on existing roads allows them to travel at the speed limit), those in cars will also be at greater risk also.
LA Confidential – appointees neutral or freindly.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/former-national-leader-and-transport-minister-simon-bridges-appointed-top-new-zealand-transport-agency-role.html
LA All Clear.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/advocates-attack-removal-of-climate-change-from-government-s-draft-transport-policy.html
How long will Rob Campbell and Simon Upton last now?
His attitude is probably something like if it's those pesky greenie lefties that suffer then why worry?
But you are a trust fund baby, Dave.
.
.
ACT Party leader David Seymour had a near escape after falling off an electric bike on Sunday.
On top of the scary moment, Seymour said he received abuse while lying dazed on the road.
[…]
Seymour said he wasn't injured besides being in shock and a sore wrist, but revealed the abuse he received while sitting on a traffic island.
"While I'm sitting on the traffic island in a state of shock, some guy comes over and starts filming me. I thought 'that's a bit weird' and then he says in a British accent 'you know what, sometimes you get exactly what you deserve'," Seymour told Newshub.
"He then said 'look what you're doing to Māori, you're just a trust fund baby who's out of touch with reality'.
"I thought 'I am Māori, and I don't have a trust fund'."
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/act-party-leader-david-seymour-crashes-electric-bike-in-parnell-auckland.html
memo to big Marky Mitchell. when are you going to do something about the latest cohort of little shits with their loud cars passively aggressively assaulting the rest of us with their noise?
oh that's right. the people who buy noise bombs for their little darlings mostly vote national!