Our ambitious, not-for-profit enterprise seeks dynamic, multi-talented National Director to lead the organisation and revitalise progressive campaigning in Aotearoa New Zealand.
As National Director you will lead this exciting not-for-profit from its launch, shaping its day-to-day operations and overall direction as a major new presence in New Zealand progressive politics through the next election and beyond its launch to financial sustainability. The employment is a full time equivalent role.
The domain registrant is Joseph Cederwell – he describes himself on his Linkedin profile:
My passion is for protecting and reclaiming the commons by educating, and facilitating social innovation and co-operative community action and enterprise.
As a director of Freerange Co-operative and ActionStation Aotearoa I have been exploring methods for community led governance and action.
I am also writing freelance and editing for Project Freerange on the theme of the commons.
From googling Joseph Cederwell and reading a couple of things quickly, I am already impressed! But early days etc etc …
His community action ideas and values appear to align with a lot if what has been discussed on TS recently about getting community engagement and involvement – eg Rosie posts, the Dunedin Saturday get-togethers etc
Here are a few links from Google – there are more if you google “Joseph Cederwell”
http://info.scoop.co.nz/StandUp – April 2012; StandUp appears to be the forerunner of Action Station; Salole appears to have been involved since this press release.
Could it be something to do with this article on MSN?
“A new political party representing the global Kiwi diaspora has been formed with plans to contest the New Zealand general election later this year.
The Expatriate Party of New Zealand (the Expats) say they’ve gained the minimum 500 paid members required to register their party over the weekend in Perth, Western Australia.
The membership forms collected in Perth by 10 volunteers, with a take-up rate above 90 per cent, will be submitted to the Electoral Commission over the next 48 hours for review.”
Now to our new export goldrush, education. Universities are businesses now. Don’t you know that? The Vice Chancellor at Otago University states the business bit peremptorily in her USA sounding voice. But may be from Canada, good right-wing things come out of Canada.
And the 2 year contract to sponsor Otago rugby is under wraps, to keep the information warm and sheltered. Expect it to be $100,000 ish.
If there was a tie-up with their athletic – sport studies, that would be more understandable, but nothing has been said of that. It all seems to be exposure to the brand on shirts and blah. I have heard complaints about large advertising expenditure by I think Canterbury Uni, under the influence of a financial staff member wearing a business hat (bowler?) rather than the expected academic cap and gown.
Looks like the website actionstation.org.nz is registered to an Joseph Cedarwall who is a director of Action Station Limited along with Megan Salole who I believe used to be a national campaign manager for the Green Party. Looks like it’s more about a Get Out The Vote campaign than anything else.
You couldn’t go far wrong campaigning on climate change
From the BBC:
‘Exceptional’
Speaking ahead of the launch of a Met Office report – produced by the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology – into recent climatic events, Dame Julia said the UK had seen the “most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years”.
Unsettled weather at this time of year was not unexpected – but the prolonged spell of rain, as well as the intensity and height of coastal waves, was “very unusual”.
“We have records going back to 1766 and we have nothing like this,” she said. “We have seen some exceptional weather. We can’t say it is unprecedented but it is exceptional.”
The report links the recent extreme weather in Europe and North America to “perturbations” in the North Atlantic and Pacific jet streams, partly emanating from changing weather patterns in South East Asia and “associated with higher than normal ocean temperatures in that region”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions last month, Mr Cameron said he “suspected” that the recent storms to batter the UK and the extreme weather in North America were connected to global temperature changes – an argument challenged by some Conservative MPs and peers.
He subsequently clarified the remarks, saying that although “you can’t point to one weather event and say that is climate change”, many scientists were talking of a link between the two.
“The point I was really trying to make is, whatever you think – even if you think that (climate change) is mumbo-jumbo – because these things are happening more often, it makes sense to do all you can to… prevent these floods affecting so many people and that is exactly what we are doing.”
Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Guy Shrubsole said this assessment was a “warning sign that cannot be ignored”.
“By appointing an environment secretary who doesn’t take climate change seriously this government has turned its back on the science and cut flood defence spending when it should be cutting emissions.”
“an argument challenged by some Conservative MPs and peers”
The term ‘Conservative MPs and peers’, should be replaced with the term ‘Ridiculous Right Wing loonies’.
As John Key prepares to bring Right Wing climate change denier, Colin Craig into his government. The sensible thing would be to make climate change a political issue here too.
Will it happen?
Climate change is the government’s weak point.
For National government their record on climate change is a “disgrace” and arguably their worst performing portfolio.
If David Cunliffe got up and said that a government led by him, will consider canceling all deep sea oil drilling, and all planned new coal mines on climate change grounds, it would blow the whole election campaign wide apart.
The government would be left gasping like landed guppies out of water, flapping their mouths speechless and without answers.
60% of the population want the government to do more on climate change.
80% oppose deep sea oil drilling.
Can Labour and the other opposition parties continue to afford ignoring this huge constituency?
Further to amirite at 3. My comment is about Labour leaders having differing viewpoints being relayed to the media, on the attitude to passports and freedom to make one’s own moral commitments outside the country. And not a discussion on the earlier assistance and heroism in Spain and other places.
Can you Labour people not focus your minds on vital matters for advancement in the public mind in this election year? Can you win an election, hold a successful cake stall even?
You don’t have democratic discussions about what view the Party is taking – on radio, tv, on-line or in the paper. It’s a 101 in Political Party Management – you have immediate discussions between the Leader, the spokesperson, and a small quorum of internal leaders who then know what is happening. We live in an age of immediate communication, not written or spoken word through an intermediary travelling by sailing ship over the wide seas FFS.
Police stressed that marine flares should only be used at sea and for real emergencies.
Police should have been saying that setting off flares is illegal unless you happen to be at sea and having an emergency.
And, no, I don’t see you problem with the article. People don’t actually have the right to set off fireworks whenever they please. This is because it interferes with other peoples right not to be disturbed.
David Cunliffe and Phill Goff seem to be at odds with each other regarding NZ nationals fighting in Syria. Cunliffe would change current laws to stop them, Goff thinks some rightful fighting causes should be supported.
WTF is going on in the Labour Party?
What’s going on? A democratic discussion. And one that’s been had in Labour many times. For mine, I’d like to think I’d have gone to Spain if I was around in the thirties.
Everyone? Only Germany and Italy had boots on the ground. England’s response was to make it illegal for leftists to fight for the Spanish Government, but thousands went anyway, mainly via France. I had a comrade who left England claiming he was going to Paris on holiday. On leaving, he was told by customs they knew where he was really going and the only way he’d come back would be in a pine box. Happily, he survived, but many didn’t.
edit: There were a small number of semi official Soviet troops, but nowhere near the thousands of Italian and German troops formally sent to support the falangists.
I met and had a few long discussions with three blokes in Aussie who had all fought in the Spanish civil war. They joked about being the only Australians to have fought fascism for nearly ten years. One thing the never talked about was the fighting, just never. The politics and the factionalism, always, but never the fighting, – I learnt pretty quick not to ask.
When I came back in NZ at the turn of the century, I did a lot of research into the war and the involvement of kiwis. During that I discovered this guy, Dr Douglas Jolly. Who is amazing, actually, bloody amazing, and I wonder to this day why he is not held up as a national hero and icon. He’s a bloody legend.
If George Orwell and Laurie Lee were to return from the Spanish civil war today, they would be arrested under section five of the Terrorism Act 2006. If convicted of fighting abroad with a “political, ideological, religious or racial motive” – a charge they would find hard to contest – they would face a maximum sentence of life in prison. That they were fighting to defend an elected government against a fascist rebellion would have no bearing on the case. They would go down as terrorists.
He notes the lack of charges for people who go to fight for financial motives.
Discussion, as it should.
My take on it is that if someone wants to be a mercenary, why should we stop them? And how do you prove the organisation they are fighting for is “terrorist”
The legal authority to cancel a passport is in section 8A of the Passports Act 1992 and states:
“8A Cancellation of passport on grounds of national security
(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing, recall any New Zealand passport, and cancel it or retain possession of it, if the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that—
(a) the person is a danger to the security of New Zealand because the person intends to engage in, or facilitate,—
(i) a terrorist act within the meaning of section 5 of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002; or
(ii) the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; or
(iii) any unlawful activity designed or likely to cause devastating or serious economic damage to New Zealand, carried out for purposes of commercial or economic gain; and
(b) the danger to the security of New Zealand cannot be effectively averted by other means; and
(c) the cancellation of the passport, or its retention by the Minister, will prevent or effectively impede the ability of the person to carry out the intended action.”
Seems to me there are some rather high hurdles to jump and I would be interested to see how the Government justified the cancellation of Syrian mercenary’s passports.
I wondered about that. They said that the parents had contacted a government department. I didn’t hear that the parents had asked for the cancellation of the passports. To withhold their passports might have been their desire. Cancellation is serious, and particularly bad for those already over there.
Paul Buchanan thinks that it is an announcement that indicates to everybody that the NZ intelligence is working! And that it itself makes this public before Edward Snowden’s expected release of data.
(iii) any unlawful activity designed or likely to cause devastating or serious economic damage to New Zealand, carried out for purposes of commercial or economic gain; and
SO and one who worked for merrill lynch should have their passport cancelled!!!!
If they are and the nearest embassy (eg if you are in Syria behind the lines and the nearest embassy or consulate is somewhere like Israel) won’t help then you effectively become stateless because you can’t cross borders.
Perhaps Goff would be better at the job of Mayor of Auckland – before the General Election.
Brown is doing Labour no favours as seen by his putdown in the Herald today over his railway.
He has no dignity but should resign.
Phil would make a great Mayor.
The poor little dear got upset that she and her farmer mates are actually being held to account on how animals are treated and the sustainability of their practices.
featuring journalist Glenn Greenwald and funded by the billionaire founder of eBay was unveiled early Monday, with two stories about US government surveillance.
The site, called the Intercept, reported Monday that the National Security Agency has used cell phone geolocation to help pinpoint targets for US drone strikes overseas, and published previously unseen photographs of major US intelligence facilities.
The Intercept is part of a suite of planned sites to be published by First Look media, founded by eBay chairman Pierre Omidyar. Its editors are Greenwald and fellow journalists Laura Poitras and Jeremy Scahill.
The Intercept will focus on reporting based on documents released by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the site’s editors said in an introductory statement. “Our focus in this very initial stage will be overwhelmingly on the NSA story,” the statement said.
May be well worth keeping an eye on Intercept. KDC has put up links on his Twitter site.
I heard Paul Buchanan on Morning Report earlier talking about the expected publication of Snowden’s revelations re NZ. He thinks this will be in about two months’ time – and that Key talking about cancellation of passports of NZ citizens wanting to go to Syria is an attempt to get in first.
KDC has also tweeted this link to Techdirt re Snowden’s response to a recent NY Times article. Techdirt article is titled “Gov’t Officials Leak Classified Info To Journalists To Discredit Snowden For Leaking Classified Info To Journalists”. Interesting read.
Re Techdirt: A large part of the energy used by the “authorities” over there and probably here as well (MrKey?) is aimed at discrediting. Thanks veutoviper.
Leaks of classified information which support the narrative and position of the power elite are permissible, and in fact, both tacitly and actively encouraged.
However, leaks of classified information which counter and discredit the narrative and the position of the power elite shall be punishable by decades behind bars in a military detention facility.
It is not all politically correct and roses out here. If farming is intrinsically cruel, that does not necessarily make farmers cruel people but it probably makes them realists.
If the only meat you see is wrapped in cling film at the supermarket and even then it is a little bit icky for you to touch it – or you are so privileged that you can spurn animal protein and bore everyone to death about your veganism – then count your lucky stars because you are one of the world's privileged.
Agriculture has kept this country going and it is hard work.
The economy built on the back of this hard-fought industry might allow you to have a cushy government job, or indulge yourself in some accountancy, journalism or art and give you the power to concentrate on some highbrow thinking.
But when your thoughts turn to farmer bashing (and you don’t grow all your own food) then have caution, you are setting sail on the sea of hypocrisy in a leaky boat.
Stop biting the hand that literally feeds you.
I know I’m setting myself up for the full ure treatment here but…
Lyn Webster doesn’t take prisoners and everyone is in her sights – don’t criticise farmers? If the attitudes displayed in this article are even slightly indicative (and i think they are) then they deserve everything they get. i once started writing a short story about after the end – of oil/global warming and so on – one slight story arc was a farmer having to front up to what they had done to the environment and the animals – it didn’t end well for them…
She could have saved herself an awful lot of computer time and the rest of us from wasting our time reading this drivel if she’d just come out and said “We’re dairy farmers, NZ’s aristocracy. We run this country and we can do whatever the fuck we want ‘cos you all owe us”.
Webster is a pretty nasty lady. I have read some of her writings, and a lot of them are a lot worse than that one — I think she let rip at one struggling couple who had the cheek to wish that their landlord would insulate their home or something.
Yes, farming kills animals, etc, but it is not “farmer bashing” to suggest it should be done humanely.
The farmers are getting more and more sensitive each day. We soon will start seeing critics of farmers being denounced in town squares by young FF members as counter-revolutionary critics of the Agricultural road.
The irony in discussing this here marty is that Webster and Ure are the two sides of the same coin, or the extreme ends of the spectrum. Webster basically says if you eat meat, then animals have to suffer, so shut the fuck up. Phil says, if you eat meat, then animals have to suffer, so you are evil. Not so very different.
The thing that bothers me is that both positions leave the animals to their cruel fate. It is possible to farm humanely and it’s possible to eat meat and diary ethically. Which farmers and eaters are heading in the right direction?
My wife and son eat meat – organically grown and ethically killed – it is not for me but i gave up many years ago trying to impose my beliefs around (not) eating meat on others. A sustainable approach imo is based on respecting the animal throughout its life, and death. And that respecting is towards the animal for the glory and wonder that it is as a living entity and a part of the holistic whole. The big issue is scale as i’m sure you’ve mentioned before – when profit becomes the motive, big becomes better, and respecting the animal is discarded.
* the death of the stock need not be a cruel affair, as it is today even under the regulations. I favour, where possibly that stock are slaughtered on the farm, avoiding the transport to a killing factory and the stress and terror that causes animals. Any idiot who wishes to argue that the freezing work does not terrify the stock has never been to, or worked in one.
* the life of the stock can be made so much better. Stock like humans require shelter and shade. NZ farmers routinely overcrowd stock in vast open areas despite the rigours of the climate. That is just plain cruel and unnecessary. Recently I was in a paddock on a really hot day and wondering where the cows were, I found them in a copse the farmer had left in the paddock (most farmers would have cut it down).
I don’t think farmers are per se necessarily cruel, I do think that they work to the economics of the industry and that may inure them to the suffering of the stock. The answer is we need to demand more of them, and as a consequence be prepared to pay for it.
Her main point seems to be that because death is the outcome, all treatment and methods of killing up to that point are equivalent.
Personally, I do not think that (at one extreme) a lifetime of abuse and torture ended by a careless and painful method is equivalent to (at the other extreme) a happy cow prancing in rainbow fields suddenly blinking out like a light bulb are equivalent.
Without farming the cow wouldn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean it is acceptable to make the cow suffer.
Leaving aside the flannel in the article, there appears to be one telling statement that may disprove Key’s indifference to politics at the time. (1981 and all that).
“… John Key was a good student, Mr Hughes recalled. Subject matter was closely linked to the politics of the day, with Mr Key’s future party often in the cross-hairs. “Economics was great to teach in those days, because all of Muldoon’s controls were still there, and we were sort of free-market evangelistic … it was a great time to be able to criticise the Government and prove they were wrong.”
Has anyone proved conclusively that Muldoon and Keynesian economics were wrong?
Secondly, I can just imagine what might happen to a teacher today who “preached” evolution in a secondary school with such conviction.
“I’m no wowser, but I’m not comfortable with the promotion of excessive alcohol use. We have some real issues with alcohol in NZ, as we see in the domestic abuse figures, and problems at the sevens and in other sports. And when it comes to public drunkenness, John Key has already won the Troty, three hands down”.
lprent
A couple of points. I have changed to Firefox and it seems a bit better than Opera.
But I wanted to place a comment to you under my earlier one. The site took me to the Radio program site from December, twice. I scrolled along to get here.
And second, I have no comments in my archive after midday yesterday.
I put some time-consuming ones through late yesterday and would like to look them up. Are they still to be recovered somewhere?
lprent
I note that I can access all my archives from the Opera browser but the Firefox I cannot though otherwise it seems to duplicate what is on Opera.
Rod Oram will be on Radionz after 11am news talking about the naughty, haughty OZ supermarkets. He is always worth listening to for good thinking.
Geoff Bertram was on morning news about the electricity market which is so competitive that the sector PR says we are lucky and are constantly spinning round looking for the best deal. (Slight translation here.) How very tiring this competition is, who needs walking and cycle tracks and how can you afford them, when you have to stick to your computer or phone checking prices, ready to catch the latest .05c drop, so you can get a phone bill that’s affordable?
Not sure that it has become clear to Paddy yet. Personally I want a few more instances before I believe it.
However, that TV3 article at least appears to quote what Cunliffe and Norman actually said re the Dotcom extradition saga and what they would do, rather than twisting their words or misquoting them. Cunliffe’s comments were thankfully very measured and recognised the legal process currently underway.
Gower seems to think that KDC can stand for parliament.
“But what a delicious irony: Kim Dotcom might actually help John Key win the 2014 election.”
Call me old fashioned, but isn’t the point of political opinion by journalists to express their opinion about the politics, not what they personally wish for?
1. The courts are unlikely to send the extradition warrant to the Minister for approval.
2. If Paddy doesn’t know this he’s incompetent, and yet for the purposes of his magnificent theory he assumes it’s a done deal.
3. The thought doesn’t seem to have occurred to Paddy that Dotcom may not like this government because they broke the law while waving guns in his face.
The whole article reeks of the unseemly bias we’ve come to expect from this wannabe.
I agree that Norman should probably have been a little more circumspect but he is in a different position to Cunliffe.
KDC certainly knows that he cannot stand for Parliament – but IIRC correctly, he (and Mona etc) will be able to vote, being over 18 years old; permanent residents of NZ; and in NZ for over one year. My weird sense of humour is looking forward to very large, expensive billboards on KDC’s Coatsville mansion ground for the Internet Party and against voting for Key in his own Helensville electorate.
KDC has just tweeted two relevant tweets
“I don’t need the help of Labour/Greens in my extradition case. John Key & his gang are already doing that with their serial-law-breaking.”
and
“If the Internet Party won’t poll 5+% before ballot papers are printed we’ll self destruct and put our weight behind a party adopting our policies.”
@ OAB
It remains to be seen, but IMO the longer things drag out and the GCSB etc fail to meet court demands re the return of data etc to KDC, the less likely the courts will agree to extradition. But it is all so complicated. I am currently trying to put a summary together of where things are at on the complicated string of legal processes underway and will post this if I get it completed. It is a really fascinating legal situation.
Re Gower, a candidate for post-natal abortion? LOL.
Norman’s comments on the other hand are very scary.
It seems that the reason for his trip to see Dotcom is starting to leak out. Russel has admitted that he went to Dotcom’s mansion twice in an attempt to persuade him not to start a party to run in the election. I would say that Norman is quite sure, and quite worried, that any such party would syphon votes predominantly from the Green pool of supporters.
He says that he tried to get Dotcom not to run such a group. Now we are beginning to see what Dotcom’s price is. If you guarantee, regardless of the Courts decision, not to allow me to be extradited, I’ll not run a party in the election and will, in fact support your Green Party, seems to be the Dotcom price.
The really scary part is that Norman appears quite willing to promise such a political interference, without even waiting for the Court’s decision in the case. Is he really willing to put justice up for sale?
You’re confusing the tory method of doing things (corruption) with the fact that norman is against the extradition anyway. KDC isn’t dumb enough to blackmail someone into doing something they were going to do anyway.
And the main thing that with stop KDC party from significantly siphoning green votes is he donated 50k to john banks.
..i wouldn’t place too much credence in the deterrent effect of dotcom donating to banks..
..that was clearly a purpose-donation/connection..
..as the deal was that banks would quid pro quo by helping dotcom with his immigration-issues..
..i don’t think you can necessarily tie dotcom ideologically to banks..
..just ‘cos of that donation..
..as with all parties (esp smaller ones)..this election..(more so than any other in recent times)..it will be policies..and not ‘branding’.. that will decide peoples’ votes..
Actually, yeah – I do hope that, if given the opportunity to bribe a government official, I would turn it down, and report them.
In the long run it usually works out better – I know some folks who ship stuff internationally, and they have a rule to never pay bribes e.g. to customs. They’re ethical folk, but it turns out that they still get their stuff processed faster and cheaper than folk who get tapped at every stage of the cycle.
Basically, You’re arguing that greens would lose significant (i.e. election-changing) support to someone who gave 50k to john banks because they think him corrupt, rather than ideologically tory. Unprincipled rather than wrong principles.
That’s pretty harsh on greens, and I’m not exactly a hippy-lover.
So your argument is that if he makes the right sounds before the election, green voters will forget that he (according to you) bribes public officials. Because all the policies, just like all the funding, will come from him.
Why don’t schools get told to run comparative religion and caring society lessons? I would like all children to come up against ideas of thinking that society members should care about each other, and it is a vital part of living in a happy society. And learning about different ways that people try to put this idea over in each country and refer to the major religions so kids know what they are.
I am Christian but am concerned at the way that the USA has turned it all into a business, and further are rewriting the bible and then copyright their version, and of course spread their erroneous ideas about creationism, and the bible being like a scientific document. Scrambled eggs anyone!
Northshoreguynz
You asked me a question and here is what I think, on and on and on
But I think it all is relevant. Sorry I couldn’t be snappy and concise.
You won’t lose any marks if you don’t read it. It is Not Compulsory!
The quick get-out of here answer is I don’t know what I want you to drop. You’re the smart ones, you work it out! And it’s riroriro to you.
I know I know it’s tough for teachers. Seeing that education is being used as the main measure for how well a country is doing, and how advanced it is, and unemployment must not be looked at, must be presented as if it doesn’t matter. Education is the cure for all ills. It’s education that will save us, and (taking a deep breath and throwing out chest) enable us to stride into the 21st century – after a shaky start. Blah.
On religion in schools and how it can be fitted in. All I know is that it is important that children are taught about how to get on with others, how to be strong in themselves, and then how to step back from oneself a little so as to make room for understanding others and let them have their share. And if not, it’s important to understand why, and why you don’t like them and how to deal with that.
Sounds woolly but it’s at the base of knowing how to mediate, how to get what’s right happening and the lack of this knowledge causes a lot of the disagreements, the fights, and wars. So teaching about the ways of handling oneself, then understanding about others, their ways of understanding the world, how it is expressed through their religions and why they might be different to yours, is necessary and useful when there are demarcation and resource fights.
And that is something that should be passed on with the three r’s, and have pride of place in the curriculum for older children as a subject perhaps to be called Society, problem solving and human values. So it is a top subject and growing more important as society gets brutalised by isolating technology and distant, disinterested, amoral parents and government.
The other stuff can be covered in a 101 fashion so youngsters have the basics and then can go full on with something they are really interested in, in conjunction with something that will be practically useful.
So not the short answer you would hope for. But there is a lot of importance beyond just traditional support for school to cover religion, stories about religious figures, history and how to be good.
That’s my idea for secondary education. Knowing how to learn, knowing how to gather information and analyse it are vital skills. Knowing how humans think, and allowing for real and compassionate understandings of people and behaviour should be be incorporated into policy. This is thinking about ourselves as real people in the round (not the cold, judgmental self-portrait of perfectionist, disdainful economist’s perceptions – thinking that everyone should be judged alongside themselves, as the model base standard.)
It’s a new world already. We are not ready for it now, and the changes are happening and we can’t conceive it, can’t perceive it, and in our minds it’s still 1970-1990. That’s when things seemed possible but we didn’t have a clear path to the future, and while we thought and fought, neo lib came along and said “We know the way.”
“Follow us pilgrims, it will be a rocky road sometimes but we will climb and get to the heights.” Our modern Pilgrim’s Progress to Consumer Land, where bright lights shine on us from plastic angels at the mall. Until it is flooded out in one of the weather bombs that will wipe out so much of our growing and built environment. Then what do we do with all our fine arcane knowledge? Boat building and botanics anyone?
Rather than religion as such it seems to me your arguing more for good old fashioned manners and a concern for the well being of others. In addition the teaching of critical thinking.
I can only give you what I have experienced in the schools I have taught, Intermediate Schools, teaching Year 8s, (Form 2 in the old money.) In all cases there has been what is called a “Values Program”, where children are both taught and encouraged to value themselves, others and the environment. The teaching is not so much explicit, but is discussed in class and reinforced all the time.
Critical Thinking is also taught, as part of every unit.
But, and it is a big but, we only have students for 6/7 hours a day. What happens at home has more influence on “social matters” than anything a school can do.
Greywarbler every Empire uses religion to sujugate its peasants CofE Roman Catholics Now we have thw fastest growing US colonial subjugaters the Morons. Door to Door salesman.
Soon they wll have a drive thru version mc morons!
McMorons. How useful a term. This morning there was an item about residents around Eden Park and the trouble they have with drunken people especially those that are turned away because of bad behaviour.
Then they are out on the street and venting their feelings there.
The authorities can be petitioned not to let a brothel start up in your street, of the sort that can give aggro, or street people might be able to be moved along (unless they are Mongrel Mob members from Christchurch like the ones talked about in the news today in connection with poor Mallory’s death. She hadn’t paid her protection money, so they weren’t going to protect her from themselves any more. And were very brutal and vengeful about it)
You can’t get a Park shifted easily. But it brings together all the McMorons in the city, and drops them around your district. What fun.
Yes, tricledrown – those bloody C of Es or Anglicans as they are known in N Z. I blame them for having me listen to those sermons on the Gospels which convinced me Jesus was a socialist, which has kept me from voting National for the past 48 years.
I only heard snippets of this section of Nine to Noon today; but what I heard was interesting in relation to the growth in blogging in NZ and its importance, role, risks etc in respect of the upcoming general election. Will relisten to it later, but thought others may be interested if you did not hear it.
Big time Ouch, shingles a very painful malady, my sympathies go out to Her having recently had the grandly painful experience of what might have been shingles…
Yes you and I would! But seriously, I have had shingles twice and it is nasty and takes months to recover. Kia kaha to Wendy and I fully understand her resigning to allow someone who has the energy; etc that you do not have when recovering from shingles to take over.
Teaching of Values in schools and Religious instruction.
The religion in schools programmes is governed by a strict curriculum.
The problem appears to be for some schools like St Heliers that no one is monitoring the instructors. They are usually well intentioned lay people who confuse values with Christian indoctrination.
There are many good values programmes that can be delivered in the schools.
The KiwiCan trust is one. Not a hint of Christrianity anywhere to be seen or heard.
Morning Report update:
“Morning Report co-host Simon Mercep will follow his co-host and step down from the show when Geoff Robinson leaves in April, said Radio New Zealand sources familiar with the situation.
It is understood one option being considered by RNZ would see Mercep moved to a revamped afternoon show and current host Jim Mora joining Mary Wilson on a evening current format for Checkpoint.”
Wonder who will replace him? Mary Lamb or some kindly friend of David Farrar? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11200047
My point is that the dogs are sitting on chairs. Not eating. In fact there’s no food present. Because they’re not eating and there’s no food present that means the dogs aren’t actually eating off fine china on the taxpayers’ dime.
The key thing that SHG has missed is how out of touch the power elite are to what is happening in their nation.
Of course, this always happens towards the end of empire. The wealthy capital of the Hunger Games with the starvation of the outer provinces, except this is real life, not fiction.
CV
I notice we can get sidetracked into being very haughty about what we mean and how other people are getting it wrong, and quite often it isn’t the important point at all. I’m beginning to get antsy at this cropping up too often. We all need to rein ourselves in. Not get het-up on a bit of trivia or unimportant meme.
CV 😀
Your settings seem pretty right, objectively. But the sort of spats and spits that have happened over some minor or misunderstood point lately bother me. Hares and hounds galloping over the place, when here and now the attention and concentration of thought, must be the focus.
Shakespeare said that the world is a stage, and we are all players. If we think on lines of organising light and sound shows on the problems and events to draw and hold people’s attention, we will get better results, at the least because we are focussed on best approach and the matter of concern.
We have to dramatise the things that need to receive audience attention, spotlight the important matters, and then shift that attention to another scenario. This is where we show a definite image of people, business enjoying the positive effects that will result from doing whatever will improve it. Show and tell, as with children with eager minds to learn. And try to encourage that approach to the minds of the voters, ‘We can do better by adopting this way’. Convey that to them, and make it an ongoing basic slogan for the left communication strategy this year.
Yet another crazed performance by Stephen Franks
Radio New Zealand seems to have no system of quality control The Panel, Radio NZ National, Tuesday 11 February 2014
Jim Mora, Lindsey Dawson, Stephen Franks
What do we think about Schapelle Corby? Well, just before 4 p.m. today we learned what one of the S.S. Trust lawyers thinks of her….
STEPHEN FRANKS: Neither she nor her family look particularly worthy. [1] We just look, errrr, errrrr—-what’s the word?—errrr, frivolous. I mean, is there anyone the Australian government WON’T go into bat for?
……Awkward silence…..
ZARA POTTS:[dismissively, clearly unimpressed] Hmmmmm…. JIM MORA: Okay, onto things that matter: seat widths on airplanes…..
Later, after the 4 o’clock news, the topic for discussion was the government’s canceling of passports for New Zealanders who intend to go to Syria to fight against Assad. Franks’s fertile mind started fertilizing prodigiously….
STEPHEN FRANKS: There’s really no difference between a New Zealand citizen going over to fight against Assad and someone going over to fight for the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. LINDSEY DAWSON:[gravely] Mmmmmm, mmmmm. Indeed. MORA: Indeed.
To discuss the matter, the expert talent was Otago University politics professor Robert Patman, [2] who for the first time ever in his many appearances on the Panel, was not mealy-mouthed. Today he actually had the gumption to speak plainly…..
ROBERT PATMAN: I find it curious that the Prime Minister has claimed that this somehow justifies the recent increase in government surveillance of New Zealand citizens. It was established last year that the government’s surveillance of us went beyond the law. STEPHEN FRANKS: No they didn’t really. ROBERT PATMAN: You don’t think they did? STEPHEN FRANKS: It wasn’t a contumelious breach of the law…. [Franks continued in harebrained fashion for several minutes]….
After the 4:30 news, Franks was given more rope….
JIM MORA: Stephen Franks what’s on your mind? STEPHEN FRANKS: I see that iwi are to be consulted on the disposal of the Rena. I can’t believe the credence we give to identity politics, and people who are ignorant. Compare it to Singapore, which is a meritocracy. LINDSEY DAWSON: They had a benign dictator didn’t they? STEPHEN FRANKS: Well no he wasn’t really…. MORA: He didn’t like chewing gum much! STEPHEN FRANKS:[with increasing urgency] No he was NOT a dictator!…
Franks proceeded to rave disconnectedly, very much like a NewstalkZB early morning caller. He damned the “sense of entitlement” of Māori, and praised Singapore several more times. The other two were careful not to provoke him too much; although they seemed to be mildly amused by what he said, gently contradicting him every now and again, they mostly just let him rave. Animals in the wild will steer clear of a creature that is rabid; Jim Mora and Lindsey Dawson wisely treated Stephen Franks with similar trepidation.
Sadly, Stephen Franks will appear on this programme again in the near future. Nothing he says, no matter how mad, no matter how depraved, seems to make any difference. It’s more obvious than ever that The Panel is moribund.
[1] To get endorsed by the S.S. Trust, Corby should have chased down a boy on the street in the small hours of the morning and stabbed him to death…. [2]/open-mike-11092013/#comment-694967
No wonder he employed/cloned the Jordan Williams ass-wipe.
Good point. Jordan Williams is almost a perfect mimic of Stephen Franks. He speaks with the same inflexion, the same halting delivery (to convey complexity of thought) and the same muted tone (to convey gravitas).
And when he’s contradicted, even slightly, Jordan Williams becomes shrill and incoherent, just like his boss….
These armies of bureaucrats serve a corporate system that will quite literally kill us. They are as cold and disconnected as Mengele. They carry out minute tasks. They are docile. Compliant. They obey. They find their self-worth in the prestige and power of the corporation, in the status of their positions and in their career promotions. They assure themselves of their own goodness through their private acts as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers. They sit on school boards. They go to Rotary. They attend church. It is moral schizophrenia. They erect walls to create an isolated consciousness. They make the lethal goals of ExxonMobil or Goldman Sachs or Raytheon or insurance companies possible. They destroy the ecosystem, the economy and the body politic and turn workingmen and -women into impoverished serfs. They feel nothing. Metaphysical naiveté always ends in murder. It fragments the world. Little acts of kindness and charity mask the monstrous evil they abet. And the system rolls forward.
Why do we think that these actions are happening before the TPP? Tobacco v Aussie… US against India…
Is it to “reassure” the good dissenting folks of the world that nothing will really change under the TPP…. and yet it will…. cos if nothing changes why do we need a TPP?
Fancy there being no information through the OIA to this perfectly reasonable request for information concerning John Key being a – shape-shifting reptilian alien ushering humanity towards enslavement E&OE
The person typing this letter in the Prime Minister’s office must have cracked up. What a change from the usual po-faced stuff.
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Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader New Zealand First is proud to have delivered an upgrade of the SuperGold Card website and a new smartphone app, which will help unlock the full benefits of the SuperGold Card for 750,000 New Zealand seniors.Party Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters, ...
Delivering a key election campaign promise, New Zealand First is proud to have accomplished a long overdue upgrade of the SuperGold Card today. At an event in Auckland, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters joined Minister for Seniors Hon. Tracey Martin in unveiling the new website and smartphone app which ...
Another busy week, from speaking with world leaders on the world stage about climate change, to equipping our school leavers with everything they need to get ahead in life. ...
At 1.30pm tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will join about 65 million people around the globe in ShakeOut, the world’s biggest earthquake drill. The annual drill is to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake which is to Drop, Cover, Hold, and to practise their ...
Kiwis are benefiting from higher wage growth and low inflation under the Coalition Government. Stats NZ data out today shows the rise in the cost of living remains low, as annual Consumers Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 1.5% in September from 1.7% in June. “The low inflation comes as ...
New Zealand’s economic strength and resilience has been recognised in a major update on the state of the global economy. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook released overnight shows a reduced global growth forecast over the next two years as issues like the US-China trade war and Brexit take hold. ...
Justice Minister Andrew Little has today introduced a new Bill to prevent terrorism and support the de-radicalisation of New Zealanders returning from overseas. The Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill gives the New Zealand Police the ability to apply to the High Court to impose control orders on New Zealanders who ...
A Bill that proposes targeted changes to simplify the processes for Māori land owners when engaging with the Māori Land Court has had its First Reading today. “The approach taken by the Government is to ensure that the protection of Māori land remains a priority as we seek to improve ...
Let me first thank all the new unionists and members in the room. There is nothing more important to improving people’s working lives than people making the decision to care, to get on board and help, to take up the reins and get involved. Congratulations to you. You bring the ...
Minister of Defence Ron Mark has signed a certificate exempting the activity of engine testing at Whenuapai Airbase from the Resource Management Act 1991. The Act gives the Minister of Defence the power to exempt activities for the purposes of national security. The certificate will mean the recent Environment Court ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced New Zealand will join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action while attending APEC meetings in Chile. The objective of the 39 member Coalition is to share information and promote action to tackle climate change. It was formed in April this year, in ...
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...
"Let’s start by acknowledging that it has been a huge year. " Police Association Annual Conference James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel Wellington Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou katoa. President of the Police Association, Chris Cahill; Members of the Association and ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Ron Mark have announced the New Zealand Government’s decision to again deploy a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 (P-3) maritime patrol aircraft to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. New ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand continues to have serious concerns for peace and stability in north-east Syria. “Recent reports that hundreds of ISIS-affiliated families have fled from a camp are deeply concerning from a humanitarian and security perspective”, Mr Peters says. “While we acknowledge Turkey’s domestic security ...
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor is warning travelling Kiwis to be vigilant as the high-season for the crop-eating brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is under way. “We’re on high alert to stop BMSB arriving in NZ. The high season runs until April 30 and we’ve strengthened our measures to stop stink ...
The Government is moving swiftly to change the law to improve the welfare and pastoral care of students living in university halls of residence and other tertiary hostels. Cabinet has agreed to several changes, including creating a new mandatory Code of Practice that sets out the duty of pastoral care ...
The Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage has launched a new comprehensive trapping guide for community trappers to help them protect our native birds, plants and other wildlife, at Zealandia in Wellington today. ‘A practical guide to trapping’, has been developed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), and was launched during ...
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter welcomes PHARMAC’s move to improve access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs). PHARMAC has today announced it will fund the full cost of Mirena and Jaydess for anyone seeking long term contraception, lifting previous restrictions on access to Mirena. “I welcome women having greater choices ...
The Government has approved the next stage of a major redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, which will deliver new and improved facilities for patients. Health Minister Dr David Clark has announced details of a $300 million dollar project to build a new East Wing at the New Plymouth hospital. It ...
Extra funding will allow Rural Support Trusts to help farming families, says Minister for Rural Communities and Agriculture Damien O’Connor. “I know that rural families are worried about some of the challenges facing them, including the ongoing uncertainty created by the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak. “Those concerns sit alongside ongoing worries ...
Thank you for the opportunity to be here to present certificates to the 16 graduates who have completed a beekeeping course delivered by the Howard League. Let us start by acknowledging Auckland Prison’s Deputy Prison Director Tom Sherlock, and Acting Assistant Regional Commissioner of Corrections Northern Region Scott Walker - ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson leaves this weekend to attend the APEC Finance Ministers meeting in Santiago, Chile. Discussions between APEC Finance Ministers at the meeting will include the effects of the current global economic uncertainty, risks for APEC economies and sustainable development of the region. While at APEC Grant Robertson ...
The Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says for Pacific people, language can be a source of strength. It can help ground us and give us confidence. When we speak them, our languages provide us with an immediate and intimate access to our identity and our story - and ...
The Coalition Government has announced an action plan to improve the wellbeing of disabled New Zealanders by addressing inequalities in play, active recreation and sport. The initiative includes training to develop a workforce that understands the needs of children and young people with a range of impairments, advocacy for fit ...
The construction sector is being freed up to allow more homes to be built more quickly as the Government cuts through some of the red tape of the Building Act. “Every New Zealander deserves a warm, dry, safe home and old inefficiencies in the Building Act make building slow and ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed further details on the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to New Zealand next month. Their Royal Highnesses will visit New Zealand from 17-23 November – their third joint visit to New Zealand and first in four years. They arrive in Auckland ...
Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth and Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, heads to Thailand today to attend the final Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial meeting, as negotiations enter their final stages. “The RCEP Agreement would anchor New Zealand in a regional agreement that covers 16 countries, ...
Pacific young people living in the Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago regions will have access to support services that have proved successful in helping young people find new earning and learning opportunities. “Tupu Aotearoa is about changing Pacific young peoples’ lives. Our young people are talented, they are smart, they ...
Introduction As the Minister for ACC I thank you all for the work that you do supporting New Zealanders in their literally most vulnerable moments. From those who hold people’s lives in their hands, to the people who research technique, technology and trends, your work is highly valued. A special ...
Notes prepared for speeches in Christchurch – Wednesday 9 October 2019 Today’s topic, “trends and opportunities for the New Zealand economy,” is certainly one getting a great deal of commentary at the moment. Looking across the media landscape lately you’ll notice we aren’t the only ones having this discussion. There ...
Minister of Health Dr David Clark and Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare say this year’s World Mental Health Day theme is a reminder of why the Government’s work on mental health is so important. “This year the World Federation for Mental Health has made suicide prevention the main theme ...
Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni will represent the government at Australia’s Meeting of Cultural Ministers in Adelaide this week. “This year’s meeting is special because New Zealand is expected to become an International Member of the Meeting of Cultural Ministers at this Australian forum,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “The meeting is an opportunity to ...
The Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service has resolved 608 insurance and EQC claims in its first year in operation, Minister Megan Woods has announced. The government service, which celebrates its first birthday today, provides a one stop shop to help Cantabrians still battling to get their homes repaired or rebuilt ...
Today’s topic, “trends and opportunities for the New Zealand economy,” is certainly one getting a great deal of commentary at the moment. Looking across the media landscape lately you’ll notice we aren’t the only ones having this discussion. There has been an increasing amount of attention paid to the outlook ...
The Government is acting swiftly to strengthen NZTA’s regulatory role following a review into the Transport Agency, and Ministry of Transport’s performance as its monitor, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said today. An independent review by Martin Jenkins has found NZTA failed to properly regulate the transport sector under the previous ...
The Netherlands and New Zealand have a long-standing and close relationship based on many shared interests and values. We value the rule of law, our democracies, and multilateralism. And we value our environment – at home and globally. Right now there are major global challenges in all of these areas – ...
The Government is putting right a decade’s worth of underpayment to nurses, doctors and other health workers, says Health Minister Dr David Clark. Initial sampling of District Health Boards payroll records has found that around $550-$650 million is owed to DHB staff to comply with the Holidays Act. It’s expected ...
A strong surplus and low debt show the economy is performing well, and means the Government is in a good position to meet the challenges of global economic uncertainty. “The surplus and low levels of debt show the economy is in good shape. This allows the Government to spend more ...
New applications from mining company OceanaGold to purchase land in Waihi for new tailings ponds associated with its gold mines have been approved. Minister of Finance Grant Robertson and Associate Minister of Finance David Parker considered the applications under the Overseas Investment Act. Earlier this year, applications from OceanaGold to ...
New Zealanders in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay will witness Māori, Pākehā and Pacific voyaging traditions come together today as the Tuia 250 Voyage flotilla assembles for the first time, Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Minister Kelvin Davis says. “Tuia 250 is a national commemoration and an opportunity for honest conversations ...
Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker leaves tomorrow for Dubai, London and Berlin for a series of meetings to advance New Zealand’s trade interests. In Dubai he will visit New Zealand’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 where construction is underway. There he will meet Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her ...
Confirmation that PHARMAC will fund two new cancer drugs is further evidence of the good progress the Government is making to improve the treatment of New Zealand’s leading cause of death, Health Minister David Clark says. From 1 December PHARMAC will fund alectinib (Alecensa) for ALK positive advanced non-small cell ...
Olympic sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling are throwing their weight behind a campaign encouraging New Zealander consumers and businesses to reduce their plastic pollution. ...
National Party leader Simon Bridges says his MP Agnes Loheni let him know she'd be contesting the candidacy for Botany, adding it's a "free world". ...
Think you’ve got your KiwiSaver sorted? Try Kōura’s ‘robo-advice’ questionnaire and you might be surprised.If a person who looks like they know about finance asks you whether your appetite for risk is low, medium or high, what do you say? The problem is most Kiwis don’t understand what the question ...
The Social Services and Community Committee is seeking submissions on the Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill. This bill aims to improve the process of applying for rates rebates. It proposes: • Removing the requirement to make a statutory ...
The Māori Affairs Committee is calling for submissions on the Te Ture Whenua Maori (Succession, Dispute Resolution, and Related Matters) Amendment Bill. ...
The New Zealand Police have been used as a political pawn which is stretching their resources and seriously affecting their ability to address the real causes of crime, such as gang related supply of illicit drugs. ...
Alex Casey yarns to Karen O’Leary, early childhood teacher by day and star of Wellington Paranormal and What We Do in The Shadows by night. Two of the funniest moments in New Zealand television last year were entirely fence-based. First up there was Agni on The Block NZ, who packed a ...
NZ Police wish to clarify that cartridges filled with steel or lead shot are not prohibited. They may still be used under the Arms (Prohibited Ammunition) Order 2019 as shotgun cartridges are specifically excluded from the prohibition order. ...
NZ Police wish to clarify that cartridges filled with steel or lead shot are not prohibited. They may still be used under the Arms (Prohibited Ammunition) Order 2019 as shotgun cartridges are specifically excluded from the prohibition order. ...
Josie Adams is in tonight’s episode of Have You Been Paying Attention. Specifically, she is in the audience.When you watch Have You Been Paying Attention? tonight, please consider the bladders of audience members watching it live. They offer beverages, but my God it’s a dangerous offer. As I found out ...
Despite comments from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers—Herald Newspaper Tuesday Oct 15th--there is very little evidence that says high pay and bonuses improve the performance of a company. Most ...
By Michael Andrew Pacific diplomats, academics and youth leaders will gather in Auckland this week to discuss security, economic development and other pressing issues shaping the region’s future. Pacific Futures will be held on October 18 and will feature speakers from across the region, including Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hutchinson, PhD Candidate, Australian National University It has been more than two years since “clearance operations” by Myanmar’s security forces, the Tatmadaw, forced more than 700,000 Rohingya across the border to neighbouring Bangladesh. During this time, the UN Security Council has ...
Fast food company Restaurant Brands has made a smaller half year profit largely because of accounting changes as it prepares to invest heavily in the launch of Taco Bell in New Zealand. ...
Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk Papua New Guinea police have issued a warrant for the arrest of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. According to EMTV News, the Waigana district court issued the warrant which was based on evidence previously compiled by police investigators. Acting Police Commissioner David Manning said he ...
Patient Voice Aotearoa welcomes the comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters on ‘The Project’ on Friday last week. Peters stated “Right now…we know we are not spending nearly enough on pharmaceuticals and first world drugs…the ...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on outgoing Porirua Mayor Mike Tana to repay money clocked up on his ratepayer-funded fuel card for personal travel. The Ernst and Young report released yesterday reveals that, within less than three ...
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, a new hole-in-the-wall eatery in Auckland dedicated to New Zealand’s favourite snack.Cheese On Toast has unsavoury connotations for a lot of New Zealand music fans, but now you can wash that bad taste out ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Md Arif Hasan, PhD candidate, Victoria University of Wellington CC BY-NDClimate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert ...
There’s an innovation renaissance brewing in post-earthquake Christchurch as multicultural entrepreneurship replaces the old boys’ network. This required a new name, writes Steven Moe.An unusual name that evokes images from Harry Potter is fine by the Ministry of Awesome, because it immediately sets it apart. Founded in the aftermath of ...
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Ngā Tāngata Microfinance endorse the Salvation Army’s call for tougher regulations on debt collectors and mechanisms to provide forgiveness or waivers for debts to private lenders and Government that are "effectively ...
Cotton On members are currently negotiating a new Collective Agreement with their employer, but despite the company’s repeated claims that they will provide “a pathway to the living wage”, a “people first focus” and a “commitment to ...
Today the Wellington Howard League releases the results of its fourth annual Wellington Howard League prison survey. The survey suggests a variation in the conditions experienced across prisons in New Zealand and an overall decline in most aspects surveyed. This ...
Some people go for a run to let off steam after work, while others try their hand at ballroom dancing or hit up a pub quiz. And some, as Greta Yeoman discovers, throw sharp objects at walls. She gives it a go.An uncoordinated, anxious journalist with terrible aim is probably ...
A move by Australia's financial regulator could be enough to turn the big banks' threat to ditch New Zealand into a reality - or at least see them charge customers more. ...
A staffing survey carried out by the senior doctors’ union, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, has found a gaping shortfall of hospital specialists at the Northland DHB. ...
Iain Lees-Galloway has defended granting residency to a man with multiple drink-driving convictions saying the person had been in the country for 20 years and had kept out of trouble for a long time. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Industrial relations Luke Malpass (Stuff): Winston Peters holds the keys to new union laws. Will ...
Yes we fully support Minister of transport plan to use special speed cameras finally catching all speeding trucks, and other vehicles on our narrow single lane roads that are not fit to use as a speedway by any vehicle. ...
This afternoon Fish & Game posted a public statement responding to my email to supporters this morning – specifically rejecting our claim that steel shot is now deemed "enhanced penetration ammunition" and therefore possession of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandie Shean, Lecturer, School of Education, Edith Cowan University Two-thirds of young people experience levels of exam stress that mental health organisation ReachOut describes as “worrying”. Research shows high levels of exam stress can interfere with attention and reduce working memory, leading ...
The National Party's outrage that the Immigration Minister granted residency to a protected person and recidivist drink driver, entitling them to the same benefits as New Zealanders, has backfired. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Beckett, Lecturer in Media and Communications, University of Melbourne Reports of Facebook moderators’ appalling working conditions have been making headlines worldwide. Workers say they are burning out as they moderate vast flows of violent content under pressure, with vague, ever-changing guidelines. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Lycett, Senior Research Officer, Deakin University; Honorary Fellow, The University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Three simple factors can predict whether a child is likely to be overweight or obese by the time they reach adolescence: the child’s body mass ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Marshall, Lecturer, Landscape Architecture and Urban Ecology, University of Melbourne You may mock the national anthem by singing “Our land abounds in nature strips” but what you might not know is how true that is. In Melbourne, for example, more than ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keith Rathbone, Lecturer, Modern European History and Sports History, Macquarie University It’s unlikely Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets basketball team, realised he’d be sparking an international diplomatic incident when, on October 4, he tweeted the following Stand with Hong ...
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Pressure on government from unions, mosque attack victim widows turned down for residency, and another Nat eyes safe Botany seat nomination.Pressure is being put on the government to deliver on one of their major promises to the union movement, reports the NZ ...
It’s the end of an era at Three as MAFS NZ and Guy Williams’ new show canceled and 7 Days cut to bone, writes Duncan Greive.A trio of shows which have been amongst Three’s most important local productions are either being canceled or severely cut back, as the channel’s agonising ...
'Joker' expects viewers not only to understand its cruelty, but to understand the justified violence of a white man when the protests of black men and women in the US are regularly met with condemnation, vilification and exclusion. ...
She runs the women's Aussie Rules and netball programmes at one of Australia's oldest sports clubs, so why is Jane Woodlands-Thompson sitting on the Silver Ferns bench? ...
As someone with a severe chronic illness, Hannah McGowan has a vested interest in getting to the bottom of what cannabis can and can’t do for her health. The reality, she discovers, is complicated.Woo [colloq.]: Mystical, supernatural or pseudo-scientific beliefs not backed up by evidence. I crave a well informed, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The last PM shock jock Alan Jones slapped down was Jacinda Ardern. His language was particularly offensive, advertisers deserted his program and he apologised to New Zealand’s leader. But at least Ardern didn’t have to ...
By Michael Andrew and Sri Krishnamurthi The true story of one of the Pacific’s great waka builders and sailor has been captured in a stirring and visually gripping documentary. Loimata: The Sweetest Tears follows the final years of Ema Siope, a Samoan born kiwi who endured a tumultuous past ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Cowie, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Around one-third of Australians living with hepatitis C have been cured in the last four years. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is ...
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. Image AsiaPacificReport.nz/RNZ.Commentators across the political spectrum seem to agree – the Labour-led Government’s popularity is being damaged by its failure to deliver in Jacinda Ardern’s self-proclaimed “Year of Delivery”. Instead, the delivery of bad news to Labour and the Government has come in ...
Internet Service Providers have cautiously greeted the news that the Government is exploring an internet filter for violent extremist and terrorist content. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Polls Richard Harman (Politik): Ardern now dependent on Peters Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Ardern still standing, but ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Austin, Professor UNSW Canberra Cyber, UNSW This is part of a new series looking at the national security challenges facing Australia, how our leaders are responding to them and how these measures are impacting society. Read other stories in the series ...
Researchers from Lincoln University are investigating how to use nanotechnology in agriculture to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact. ...
The increased presence of anti-trans and white supremacist stickers around the University of Auckland campus is proof that inaction is enabling hate groups, write Anisha Sankar and Max Whitehurst.Anisha Sankar is a Chennai-born, Te Awakairangi-raised, South Indian Tamil studying at the University of Auckland. Max Whitehurst is a transgender Pākehā ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Following the Christchurch mosque shootings, the New Zealand government’s first response was to ban the firearms the alleged gunman had used to murder 51 people. Seven months later, the second tranche of this process ...
The nine members for the next three year term of the Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) for Auckland have been appointed by the statutory Selection Body. Their appointments begin on 1 November 2019 and continue to 31 October 2022. Mana Whenua ...
Open mike 11/02/2014 
The government has decided that someone has done Something Bad. But despite their belief, there seems to be no evidence that they have actually broken the law. So the government's solution is to pass a retrospective law allowing them to be punished anyway, on a lower standard of proof. If ...3 hours ago
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz There is a lot of discussion on the benefits of ...6 hours ago
I came across this song quite by accident. If it isn't one of Greta Thunberg's favourites - it should be.Video courtesy of YouTube.This post is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...7 hours ago
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...1 day ago
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...1 day ago
The Royal Commission on abuse in care is very significant for the disability community. For many decades last century, thousands of disabled children, and adults who managed to survive, were locked away from families and communities. This was not for anything they had done, but for the perceived threat their ...1 day ago
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...5 days ago
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...6 days ago
https://mailchi.mp/7d9133add053/closing-the-gap-october-2019-newsletter ...6 days ago
For some reasons, my post about the mystery message from inside the Downing Street bunker seemed to catch people's attention. Quite a lot of hits from NZ (unsurprisingly) and the USA (a bit more puzzlingly, but hi there, USAians!!) and 76 views from the Ukraine.I've celebrated my Ukrainian readers in ...7 days ago
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is predicting a hard Brexit for the United Kingdom, as he believes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won’t be able to negotiate terms before the October 30 deadline. The Minister, who was one of the first to publicly come out and predict British voters would leave ...2 hours ago
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...1 day ago
At 1.30pm tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will join about 65 million people around the globe in ShakeOut, the world’s biggest earthquake drill. The annual drill is to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake which is to Drop, Cover, Hold, and to practise their ...3 hours ago
An ambitious target for new officers seems to have turned into a cynical redefinition - how will police take the news? ...19 mins ago
Olympic sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling are throwing their weight behind a campaign encouraging New Zealander consumers and businesses to reduce their plastic pollution. ...34 mins ago
National Party leader Simon Bridges says his MP Agnes Loheni let him know she'd be contesting the candidacy for Botany, adding it's a "free world". ...44 mins ago
Think you’ve got your KiwiSaver sorted? Try Kōura’s ‘robo-advice’ questionnaire and you might be surprised.If a person who looks like they know about finance asks you whether your appetite for risk is low, medium or high, what do you say? The problem is most Kiwis don’t understand what the question ...59 mins ago
The Social Services and Community Committee is seeking submissions on the Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill. This bill aims to improve the process of applying for rates rebates. It proposes: • Removing the requirement to make a statutory ...1 hour ago
By Michael Andrew Pacific diplomats, academics and youth leaders will gather in Auckland this week to discuss security, economic development and other pressing issues shaping the region’s future. Pacific Futures will be held on October 18 and will feature speakers from across the region, including Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister ...3 hours ago
Fast food company Restaurant Brands has made a smaller half year profit largely because of accounting changes as it prepares to invest heavily in the launch of Taco Bell in New Zealand. ...4 hours ago
Higher household costs helped to push consumer prices higher in the past three months, beating expectations. ...4 hours ago
Just talking about how good things will be if given the chance no longer cuts the electoral mustard. ...4 hours ago
In the 1980s, 78 percent of New Zealanders owned the home they lived in. Fast forward to today, and that's dropped to just 55 percent. ...4 hours ago
Principals nervously wait for the final outcomes of the biggest education system review in 30 years. ...5 hours ago
Dairy prices rose slightly in the latest global auction overnight. ...8 hours ago
New Zealand's light is still glowing bright on the international investment stage despite a pause of caution from investors this year. ...8 hours ago
A move by Australia's financial regulator could be enough to turn the big banks' threat to ditch New Zealand into a reality - or at least see them charge customers more. ...8 hours ago
Zhang Jun looks at how China can move beyond imitating its more developed counterparts to leading the world in innovation. ...13 hours ago
After two bad polls, Jacinda Ardern was greeted by a friendly crowd of unionists - but one eager for faster and greater progress. ...13 hours ago
'Joker' expects viewers not only to understand its cruelty, but to understand the justified violence of a white man when the protests of black men and women in the US are regularly met with condemnation, vilification and exclusion. ...13 hours ago
She runs the women's Aussie Rules and netball programmes at one of Australia's oldest sports clubs, so why is Jane Woodlands-Thompson sitting on the Silver Ferns bench? ...13 hours ago
Is the Government going soft on its so-called Electric Vehicles pledge? The University of Auckland's Basil Sharp doesn't think so. ...13 hours ago
A preview of the public lecture to be given at the National Library in Wellington this week by distinguished playwright Dean Parker. ...13 hours ago
Volunteer drug testers must tip-toe around a legal grey area to be able to spell out the risks of drug-taking to festival-goers. ...13 hours ago
Internet Service Providers have cautiously greeted the news that the Government is exploring an internet filter for violent extremist and terrorist content. ...23 hours ago
The proceeds from the sale of Trump-style "Make Ardern Go Away" hats are being used to promote far right Facebook pages. ...1 day ago
Support has risen for the general arming of police officers in the wake of March 15, but the police minister is opposed. ...1 day ago
Researchers from Lincoln University are investigating how to use nanotechnology in agriculture to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact. ...1 day ago
This is a curious job add.
Metiria tweeted about it.
Here’s the ad.
It begins:
What orgainsation is this?
sounds like the sort of weasel words Jordan Williams would write – full of corporate-speak
Authorised by a one-time National Campaign Manager for the Green Party.
Little Big Horn linked its evil twin yesterday.
The person behind Action Station appears to be Megan Salole who at some stage was the National Campaign Manager for the Greens.
Could be beneficial but do we have too many progressive organisations?
*snap* 🙂
Bet me to it! The power of Google …
The domain registrant is Joseph Cederwell – he describes himself on his Linkedin profile:
From googling Joseph Cederwell and reading a couple of things quickly, I am already impressed! But early days etc etc …
His community action ideas and values appear to align with a lot if what has been discussed on TS recently about getting community engagement and involvement – eg Rosie posts, the Dunedin Saturday get-togethers etc
Here are a few links from Google – there are more if you google “Joseph Cederwell”
http://info.scoop.co.nz/StandUp – April 2012; StandUp appears to be the forerunner of Action Station; Salole appears to have been involved since this press release.
nz.linkedin.com/pub/joe-cederwall/34/766/799
http://www.projectfreerange.com/author/joe-cederwall/
http://www.teawaroa.com/team/
Sorry – cannot get the Linked In link to work; but just google name.
Thing is we have none doing what ActionStation appears to be doing – making it all more democratic and widespread through the use of online tools.
Could it be something to do with this article on MSN?
“A new political party representing the global Kiwi diaspora has been formed with plans to contest the New Zealand general election later this year.
The Expatriate Party of New Zealand (the Expats) say they’ve gained the minimum 500 paid members required to register their party over the weekend in Perth, Western Australia.
The membership forms collected in Perth by 10 volunteers, with a take-up rate above 90 per cent, will be submitted to the Electoral Commission over the next 48 hours for review.”
No, it isn’t as it’s not a political party.
Q. ‘What organisation is this?’
A. Ask the GCSB.
Now to our new export goldrush, education. Universities are businesses now. Don’t you know that? The Vice Chancellor at Otago University states the business bit peremptorily in her USA sounding voice. But may be from Canada, good right-wing things come out of Canada.
And the 2 year contract to sponsor Otago rugby is under wraps, to keep the information warm and sheltered. Expect it to be $100,000 ish.
If there was a tie-up with their athletic – sport studies, that would be more understandable, but nothing has been said of that. It all seems to be exposure to the brand on shirts and blah. I have heard complaints about large advertising expenditure by I think Canterbury Uni, under the influence of a financial staff member wearing a business hat (bowler?) rather than the expected academic cap and gown.
Looks like the website actionstation.org.nz is registered to an Joseph Cedarwall who is a director of Action Station Limited along with Megan Salole who I believe used to be a national campaign manager for the Green Party. Looks like it’s more about a Get Out The Vote campaign than anything else.
Thanks everyone. It looks to me like it’s more than just a get out the vote campaign. The website mentions an issues based campaign.
Looking for “an issues based campaign”?
You couldn’t go far wrong campaigning on climate change
From the BBC:
British floods become political:
“an argument challenged by some Conservative MPs and peers”
The term ‘Conservative MPs and peers’, should be replaced with the term ‘Ridiculous Right Wing loonies’.
As John Key prepares to bring Right Wing climate change denier, Colin Craig into his government. The sensible thing would be to make climate change a political issue here too.
Will it happen?
Climate change is the government’s weak point.
For National government their record on climate change is a “disgrace” and arguably their worst performing portfolio.
If David Cunliffe got up and said that a government led by him, will consider canceling all deep sea oil drilling, and all planned new coal mines on climate change grounds, it would blow the whole election campaign wide apart.
The government would be left gasping like landed guppies out of water, flapping their mouths speechless and without answers.
60% of the population want the government to do more on climate change.
80% oppose deep sea oil drilling.
Can Labour and the other opposition parties continue to afford ignoring this huge constituency?
Or, will they do a repeat of 2011?
Will it be Deja vue all over again.
susan wood has a bit of a first world problem..
..and in raising this..
..wood highlights perhaps the most well-known philosophical-question/conundrum..
..she’s quite ‘deep’..eh..?..that wood..
http://whoar.co.nz/2014/susan-wood-is-having-a-bit-of-a-tizzy-eh/
phillip ure..
she’s just another one suffering from chronic entitleditis
+1 Great word, entitleditis, it trips up and off the tongue. amirite and Dr Seuss.
Further to amirite at 3. My comment is about Labour leaders having differing viewpoints being relayed to the media, on the attitude to passports and freedom to make one’s own moral commitments outside the country. And not a discussion on the earlier assistance and heroism in Spain and other places.
Can you Labour people not focus your minds on vital matters for advancement in the public mind in this election year? Can you win an election, hold a successful cake stall even?
You don’t have democratic discussions about what view the Party is taking – on radio, tv, on-line or in the paper. It’s a 101 in Political Party Management – you have immediate discussions between the Leader, the spokesperson, and a small quorum of internal leaders who then know what is happening. We live in an age of immediate communication, not written or spoken word through an intermediary travelling by sailing ship over the wide seas FFS.
not a smart activity by any means, but what a sensationalist headline
A parachute flare “crashes” in the same way a ping pong ball plummets !
Police should have been saying that setting off flares is illegal unless you happen to be at sea and having an emergency.
And, no, I don’t see you problem with the article. People don’t actually have the right to set off fireworks whenever they please. This is because it interferes with other peoples right not to be disturbed.
i think draco..i was using it as an example of unthought-out/unintended consequences..
..for wood..
..eh..?
..and all her own work..
..(we so love it when the smug/hubris-riddled get flustered/first-worldy-problemy..eh..?.
…and that reaction to their self-centered whines..is only human..
..eh..?..)
..phillip ure..
David Cunliffe and Phill Goff seem to be at odds with each other regarding NZ nationals fighting in Syria. Cunliffe would change current laws to stop them, Goff thinks some rightful fighting causes should be supported.
WTF is going on in the Labour Party?
What’s going on? A democratic discussion. And one that’s been had in Labour many times. For mine, I’d like to think I’d have gone to Spain if I was around in the thirties.
What ? to fight the fascists or just for a nice relaxing holiday on the Costa Brava ?
What to the Spanish Civil War? A nasty war, as everyone seemed to use it to train their troops. Germany especially.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Civil_War
Everyone? Only Germany and Italy had boots on the ground. England’s response was to make it illegal for leftists to fight for the Spanish Government, but thousands went anyway, mainly via France. I had a comrade who left England claiming he was going to Paris on holiday. On leaving, he was told by customs they knew where he was really going and the only way he’d come back would be in a pine box. Happily, he survived, but many didn’t.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Brigades
edit: There were a small number of semi official Soviet troops, but nowhere near the thousands of Italian and German troops formally sent to support the falangists.
Tom Spiller:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/tom-spiller
And a sobering interview with Tom:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/spanishcivilwar/audio/2501692/spanish-civil-war-%27i-remember-jarama%27
I met and had a few long discussions with three blokes in Aussie who had all fought in the Spanish civil war. They joked about being the only Australians to have fought fascism for nearly ten years. One thing the never talked about was the fighting, just never. The politics and the factionalism, always, but never the fighting, – I learnt pretty quick not to ask.
When I came back in NZ at the turn of the century, I did a lot of research into the war and the involvement of kiwis. During that I discovered this guy, Dr Douglas Jolly. Who is amazing, actually, bloody amazing, and I wonder to this day why he is not held up as a national hero and icon. He’s a bloody legend.
Here is a link to his History NZ page. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/douglas-jolly
“He’s a bloody legend.”
+1
Thanks for that info. I’ve long been interested in the Spanish Civil War but didn’t think to check out the involvement of New Zealanders,
Thanks adam, very interesting read.
+ Lives he saved
The originator of M.A.S.H.
Read Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia on the Spanish Civil War.
+1
Christy Moore – Viva la Quinta Brigada
Timely…
Monbiot’s take on individuals heading off to fight for foreign causes.
He notes the lack of charges for people who go to fight for financial motives.
Discussion, as it should.
My take on it is that if someone wants to be a mercenary, why should we stop them? And how do you prove the organisation they are fighting for is “terrorist”
The legal authority to cancel a passport is in section 8A of the Passports Act 1992 and states:
“8A Cancellation of passport on grounds of national security
(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing, recall any New Zealand passport, and cancel it or retain possession of it, if the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that—
(a) the person is a danger to the security of New Zealand because the person intends to engage in, or facilitate,—
(i) a terrorist act within the meaning of section 5 of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002; or
(ii) the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; or
(iii) any unlawful activity designed or likely to cause devastating or serious economic damage to New Zealand, carried out for purposes of commercial or economic gain; and
(b) the danger to the security of New Zealand cannot be effectively averted by other means; and
(c) the cancellation of the passport, or its retention by the Minister, will prevent or effectively impede the ability of the person to carry out the intended action.”
Seems to me there are some rather high hurdles to jump and I would be interested to see how the Government justified the cancellation of Syrian mercenary’s passports.
It was said on Morning Report this morning that the parents of the two brothers requested the cancellation of passports.
I wondered about that. They said that the parents had contacted a government department. I didn’t hear that the parents had asked for the cancellation of the passports. To withhold their passports might have been their desire. Cancellation is serious, and particularly bad for those already over there.
Paul Buchanan thinks that it is an announcement that indicates to everybody that the NZ intelligence is working! And that it itself makes this public before Edward Snowden’s expected release of data.
It’s extremely sad to see the so-called sovereign NZ Govt dancing like a puppet to someone elses tune.
That accounts for two people; but these appear to be the only NZers of Syrian origin that the Syrian spokesman knew of.
IIRC Key talked about 8 (?) passports being cancelled/withdrawn. So who were the others? And were they all NZers of Syrian origin or not?
(iii) any unlawful activity designed or likely to cause devastating or serious economic damage to New Zealand, carried out for purposes of commercial or economic gain; and
SO and one who worked for merrill lynch should have their passport cancelled!!!!
AND who else???
Just to clarify – cancelling passports is not the same as revoking citizenship and leaving a person stateless, right?
Depends if they are out of the country or not.
If they are and the nearest embassy (eg if you are in Syria behind the lines and the nearest embassy or consulate is somewhere like Israel) won’t help then you effectively become stateless because you can’t cross borders.
If in-country
We have a lot of ex military employed off shore in various rolls. They too could fall under the same scrutiny.
Yes we do. Some masquerading as security guards in iraq and Afghanistan. .. and this govt knows exactly who they are.
Perhaps Goff would be better at the job of Mayor of Auckland – before the General Election.
Brown is doing Labour no favours as seen by his putdown in the Herald today over his railway.
He has no dignity but should resign.
Phil would make a great Mayor.
Anyone else see this mad ranting tirade on stuff:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/9707476/Harden-up-NZ-farming-kills-animals
The poor little dear got upset that she and her farmer mates are actually being held to account on how animals are treated and the sustainability of their practices.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/feb/10/the-intercept-glenn-greenwald-nsa-revelations”
A new website for the Snowden files
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/
May be well worth keeping an eye on Intercept. KDC has put up links on his Twitter site.
I heard Paul Buchanan on Morning Report earlier talking about the expected publication of Snowden’s revelations re NZ. He thinks this will be in about two months’ time – and that Key talking about cancellation of passports of NZ citizens wanting to go to Syria is an attempt to get in first.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2585278/expert-questions-wisdom-of-passport-cancellation-announcement
KDC has also tweeted this link to Techdirt re Snowden’s response to a recent NY Times article. Techdirt article is titled “Gov’t Officials Leak Classified Info To Journalists To Discredit Snowden For Leaking Classified Info To Journalists”. Interesting read.
http://t.co/0Y9ms21270
Re Techdirt: A large part of the energy used by the “authorities” over there and probably here as well (MrKey?) is aimed at discrediting. Thanks veutoviper.
Leaks of classified information which support the narrative and position of the power elite are permissible, and in fact, both tacitly and actively encouraged.
However, leaks of classified information which counter and discredit the narrative and the position of the power elite shall be punishable by decades behind bars in a military detention facility.
jeepers this is ugly from Lyn Webster a dairy farmer in Northland
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/9707476/Harden-up-NZ-farming-kills-animals
I know I’m setting myself up for the full ure treatment here but…
Lyn Webster doesn’t take prisoners and everyone is in her sights – don’t criticise farmers? If the attitudes displayed in this article are even slightly indicative (and i think they are) then they deserve everything they get. i once started writing a short story about after the end – of oil/global warming and so on – one slight story arc was a farmer having to front up to what they had done to the environment and the animals – it didn’t end well for them…
edit: Snap with ScottGN above
She could have saved herself an awful lot of computer time and the rest of us from wasting our time reading this drivel if she’d just come out and said “We’re dairy farmers, NZ’s aristocracy. We run this country and we can do whatever the fuck we want ‘cos you all owe us”.
lol very true Scott
+1
Webster is a pretty nasty lady. I have read some of her writings, and a lot of them are a lot worse than that one — I think she let rip at one struggling couple who had the cheek to wish that their landlord would insulate their home or something.
Yes, farming kills animals, etc, but it is not “farmer bashing” to suggest it should be done humanely.
The farmers are getting more and more sensitive each day. We soon will start seeing critics of farmers being denounced in town squares by young FF members as counter-revolutionary critics of the Agricultural road.
The irony in discussing this here marty is that Webster and Ure are the two sides of the same coin, or the extreme ends of the spectrum. Webster basically says if you eat meat, then animals have to suffer, so shut the fuck up. Phil says, if you eat meat, then animals have to suffer, so you are evil. Not so very different.
The thing that bothers me is that both positions leave the animals to their cruel fate. It is possible to farm humanely and it’s possible to eat meat and diary ethically. Which farmers and eaters are heading in the right direction?
My wife and son eat meat – organically grown and ethically killed – it is not for me but i gave up many years ago trying to impose my beliefs around (not) eating meat on others. A sustainable approach imo is based on respecting the animal throughout its life, and death. And that respecting is towards the animal for the glory and wonder that it is as a living entity and a part of the holistic whole. The big issue is scale as i’m sure you’ve mentioned before – when profit becomes the motive, big becomes better, and respecting the animal is discarded.
Yes it is possible to farm humanely:
* the death of the stock need not be a cruel affair, as it is today even under the regulations. I favour, where possibly that stock are slaughtered on the farm, avoiding the transport to a killing factory and the stress and terror that causes animals. Any idiot who wishes to argue that the freezing work does not terrify the stock has never been to, or worked in one.
* the life of the stock can be made so much better. Stock like humans require shelter and shade. NZ farmers routinely overcrowd stock in vast open areas despite the rigours of the climate. That is just plain cruel and unnecessary. Recently I was in a paddock on a really hot day and wondering where the cows were, I found them in a copse the farmer had left in the paddock (most farmers would have cut it down).
I don’t think farmers are per se necessarily cruel, I do think that they work to the economics of the industry and that may inure them to the suffering of the stock. The answer is we need to demand more of them, and as a consequence be prepared to pay for it.
+1
@ weka..
“..Phil says, if you eat meat, then animals have to suffer, so you are evil..”
i have never said people are ‘evil’..
..(please do not put words into my mouth..)
..most (children especially) are just unaware of the realities behind their packaged-meat/bye-products..
..the pain beneath their plates..
..with farmers smashing in the skulls of uneconomic calves with hammers/blunt-objects..just the latest revelation..
..and i have long advocated abbattoirs/charnal-houses had glass walls..
..’cos if people saw/knew what is done in their name/diet..
..many would stop eating flesh/fat/bye-products..
..and yes..those people doing the actual torture of those animals are fucken ‘evil’..
..(and don’t get me started on that lowest example of the human being..the vivisector..
..those who earn their money from deliberately torturing/experimenting with animals..
..380,000 animals are tortured/killed by those ‘evil’ fucks..
..each and every year..)
..but most consumers are not ‘evil’..they are at worst ignorant/brainwashed/addicted..
..but of course the confirmation (pre-xmas) that dairy-products have joined meat..as proven causes of cancers..
..will just further advance the arguments i make on this issue..
..phillip ure..
@ weka..
..”.. It is possible to farm humanely and it’s possible to eat meat and diary ethically..”
complete and utter fucken self-deluding bullshit..
..and you a ‘green’..eh..?
..f.f.s..!
..phillip ure..
Her main point seems to be that because death is the outcome, all treatment and methods of killing up to that point are equivalent.
Personally, I do not think that (at one extreme) a lifetime of abuse and torture ended by a careless and painful method is equivalent to (at the other extreme) a happy cow prancing in rainbow fields suddenly blinking out like a light bulb are equivalent.
Without farming the cow wouldn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean it is acceptable to make the cow suffer.
Teacher: Key a ‘good kidd’ Today’s Herald.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11199548
Leaving aside the flannel in the article, there appears to be one telling statement that may disprove Key’s indifference to politics at the time. (1981 and all that).
“… John Key was a good student, Mr Hughes recalled. Subject matter was closely linked to the politics of the day, with Mr Key’s future party often in the cross-hairs. “Economics was great to teach in those days, because all of Muldoon’s controls were still there, and we were sort of free-market evangelistic … it was a great time to be able to criticise the Government and prove they were wrong.”
Has anyone proved conclusively that Muldoon and Keynesian economics were wrong?
Secondly, I can just imagine what might happen to a teacher today who “preached” evolution in a secondary school with such conviction.
Nope but, then again, basic common sense (something that RWNJs don’t have) tells us that economics is wrong anyway.
oh dear I think going down this road is a big mistake david
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbpol/1638566970-i-could-drink-key-under-the-table—cunliffe
I suppose if you are after the same middle then you act the same, say the same sort of things, you know to be a regular bloke – what a spew.
Good call, Marty.
Correct response:
“I’m no wowser, but I’m not comfortable with the promotion of excessive alcohol use. We have some real issues with alcohol in NZ, as we see in the domestic abuse figures, and problems at the sevens and in other sports. And when it comes to public drunkenness, John Key has already won the Troty, three hands down”.
That reply’s too long, TRP. All Cunliffe needed to say was that he’s never approached drinking as a competitive sport.
+1
Please – what is Beer Pong – it does not seem to be a straight drinking competition ?
‘beer pong’ is a hangover-fart..
..phillip ure..
I don’t think that’s going after the middle but after the lowest form of life – the drunk.
That’s no way to label half a million voting NZers.
Perhaps the shock of hearing the truth will wakes the fuckers up.
Autoscaler was giving me a problem this morning. Was failing to turn on the web servers under load. Eventually did a nasty stall on the database.
I’ve added a larger server and it looks like it is all ok. Heading to work.
Thanks. There was such a delay thought something was up, have a good day lprent. With Cool Runnings.
lprent
A couple of points. I have changed to Firefox and it seems a bit better than Opera.
But I wanted to place a comment to you under my earlier one. The site took me to the Radio program site from December, twice. I scrolled along to get here.
And second, I have no comments in my archive after midday yesterday.
I put some time-consuming ones through late yesterday and would like to look them up. Are they still to be recovered somewhere?
lprent
I note that I can access all my archives from the Opera browser but the Firefox I cannot though otherwise it seems to duplicate what is on Opera.
Appears to be fixed now. I’ll have a look at what it does later tonight as the load drops off.
Rod Oram will be on Radionz after 11am news talking about the naughty, haughty OZ supermarkets. He is always worth listening to for good thinking.
Geoff Bertram was on morning news about the electricity market which is so competitive that the sector PR says we are lucky and are constantly spinning round looking for the best deal. (Slight translation here.) How very tiring this competition is, who needs walking and cycle tracks and how can you afford them, when you have to stick to your computer or phone checking prices, ready to catch the latest .05c drop, so you can get a phone bill that’s affordable?
I meant electricity bill. I’m sure you knew what I meant (at the end of the comment).
“.How To Shop For Weed Like A True Expert:
“..Think of Leafly as a Wine Spectator or a Goodreads.
But instead of wine or books –
– it’s a place to gather – rate – and talk about marijuana.
The Leafly experience doesn’t conjure images of tie-dyed shirts and Cheech and Chong jokes.
On a slick interface – with an index of over 600 cannabis strains –
– nearly 60,000 reviews of those strains –
– and over 36,000 reviews of thousands of dispensaries around the world –
– it’s far more sophisticated.
Leafly – which has been described as the “Yelp of cannabis” –
– represents the new mainstreaming of marijuana culture-
– bringing the oft-stigmatized leaf and its users into the daylight..”
(cont..)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/leafly-marijuana-app_n_4717647.html
phillip ure..
They are a changin’.
Astronomers have found evidence of life on Planet Gower.
It’s visions now. It’s all become clear to Paddy, apparently.
Not sure that it has become clear to Paddy yet. Personally I want a few more instances before I believe it.
However, that TV3 article at least appears to quote what Cunliffe and Norman actually said re the Dotcom extradition saga and what they would do, rather than twisting their words or misquoting them. Cunliffe’s comments were thankfully very measured and recognised the legal process currently underway.
Norman seemed a bit all over the place.
Gower seems to think that KDC can stand for parliament.
“But what a delicious irony: Kim Dotcom might actually help John Key win the 2014 election.”
Call me old fashioned, but isn’t the point of political opinion by journalists to express their opinion about the politics, not what they personally wish for?
1. The courts are unlikely to send the extradition warrant to the Minister for approval.
2. If Paddy doesn’t know this he’s incompetent, and yet for the purposes of his magnificent theory he assumes it’s a done deal.
3. The thought doesn’t seem to have occurred to Paddy that Dotcom may not like this government because they broke the law while waving guns in his face.
The whole article reeks of the unseemly bias we’ve come to expect from this wannabe.
@ weka.
I agree that Norman should probably have been a little more circumspect but he is in a different position to Cunliffe.
KDC certainly knows that he cannot stand for Parliament – but IIRC correctly, he (and Mona etc) will be able to vote, being over 18 years old; permanent residents of NZ; and in NZ for over one year. My weird sense of humour is looking forward to very large, expensive billboards on KDC’s Coatsville mansion ground for the Internet Party and against voting for Key in his own Helensville electorate.
KDC has just tweeted two relevant tweets
“I don’t need the help of Labour/Greens in my extradition case. John Key & his gang are already doing that with their serial-law-breaking.”
and
“If the Internet Party won’t poll 5+% before ballot papers are printed we’ll self destruct and put our weight behind a party adopting our policies.”
@ OAB
It remains to be seen, but IMO the longer things drag out and the GCSB etc fail to meet court demands re the return of data etc to KDC, the less likely the courts will agree to extradition. But it is all so complicated. I am currently trying to put a summary together of where things are at on the complicated string of legal processes underway and will post this if I get it completed. It is a really fascinating legal situation.
Re Gower, a candidate for post-natal abortion? LOL.
“If the Internet Party won’t poll 5+% before ballot papers are printed we’ll self destruct and put our weight behind a party adopting our policies.”
My hitherto cautious respect for the man just went up a notch.
Norman’s comments on the other hand are very scary.
It seems that the reason for his trip to see Dotcom is starting to leak out. Russel has admitted that he went to Dotcom’s mansion twice in an attempt to persuade him not to start a party to run in the election. I would say that Norman is quite sure, and quite worried, that any such party would syphon votes predominantly from the Green pool of supporters.
He says that he tried to get Dotcom not to run such a group. Now we are beginning to see what Dotcom’s price is. If you guarantee, regardless of the Courts decision, not to allow me to be extradited, I’ll not run a party in the election and will, in fact support your Green Party, seems to be the Dotcom price.
The really scary part is that Norman appears quite willing to promise such a political interference, without even waiting for the Court’s decision in the case. Is he really willing to put justice up for sale?
You’re confusing the tory method of doing things (corruption) with the fact that norman is against the extradition anyway. KDC isn’t dumb enough to blackmail someone into doing something they were going to do anyway.
And the main thing that with stop KDC party from significantly siphoning green votes is he donated 50k to john banks.
@mcflock..
..i wouldn’t place too much credence in the deterrent effect of dotcom donating to banks..
..that was clearly a purpose-donation/connection..
..as the deal was that banks would quid pro quo by helping dotcom with his immigration-issues..
..i don’t think you can necessarily tie dotcom ideologically to banks..
..just ‘cos of that donation..
..as with all parties (esp smaller ones)..this election..(more so than any other in recent times)..it will be policies..and not ‘branding’.. that will decide peoples’ votes..
phillip ure..
so he’s not a tory supporter, he’s only corrupt (bribing elected officials for advantageous treatment)?
Might want to work on that spin, phil
i’m not spinning for him..mcflock..
..those are just the facts of the matter..
..so..if you were him..
.and were told you could grease a politicians hand with some anonymous/’legal’-donations..
..and get help with yr immigration-problems..
..you would be too high-minded to do that..eh..?
..all i was doing was pointing out how false yr ‘greens won’t vote for dotcom..’cos he gave banks money’ thesis is..
..and for why..
..that’s all..
..phillip ure..
Actually, yeah – I do hope that, if given the opportunity to bribe a government official, I would turn it down, and report them.
In the long run it usually works out better – I know some folks who ship stuff internationally, and they have a rule to never pay bribes e.g. to customs. They’re ethical folk, but it turns out that they still get their stuff processed faster and cheaper than folk who get tapped at every stage of the cycle.
Basically, You’re arguing that greens would lose significant (i.e. election-changing) support to someone who gave 50k to john banks because they think him corrupt, rather than ideologically tory. Unprincipled rather than wrong principles.
That’s pretty harsh on greens, and I’m not exactly a hippy-lover.
“..Basically, You’re arguing that greens would lose significant (i.e. election-changing) support..”
i’m not arguing that at all..mcflock..
..in fact i didn’t even say that..
..i’m sayng it will be forgotten by then..
..and won’t be a vote-determiner..
..as you argued it will be..
..i repeat..policies will determine votes..
..phillip ure..
Riiiight, whatever.
So your argument is that if he makes the right sounds before the election, green voters will forget that he (according to you) bribes public officials. Because all the policies, just like all the funding, will come from him.
Why don’t schools get told to run comparative religion and caring society lessons? I would like all children to come up against ideas of thinking that society members should care about each other, and it is a vital part of living in a happy society. And learning about different ways that people try to put this idea over in each country and refer to the major religions so kids know what they are.
I am Christian but am concerned at the way that the USA has turned it all into a business, and further are rewriting the bible and then copyright their version, and of course spread their erroneous ideas about creationism, and the bible being like a scientific document. Scrambled eggs anyone!
So riorio, what do you want us to drop? Not disagreeing, but given the crowded curriculum we have now, something would have to give.
Northshoreguynz
You asked me a question and here is what I think, on and on and on
But I think it all is relevant. Sorry I couldn’t be snappy and concise.
You won’t lose any marks if you don’t read it. It is Not Compulsory!
The quick get-out of here answer is I don’t know what I want you to drop. You’re the smart ones, you work it out! And it’s riroriro to you.
I know I know it’s tough for teachers. Seeing that education is being used as the main measure for how well a country is doing, and how advanced it is, and unemployment must not be looked at, must be presented as if it doesn’t matter. Education is the cure for all ills. It’s education that will save us, and (taking a deep breath and throwing out chest) enable us to stride into the 21st century – after a shaky start. Blah.
On religion in schools and how it can be fitted in. All I know is that it is important that children are taught about how to get on with others, how to be strong in themselves, and then how to step back from oneself a little so as to make room for understanding others and let them have their share. And if not, it’s important to understand why, and why you don’t like them and how to deal with that.
Sounds woolly but it’s at the base of knowing how to mediate, how to get what’s right happening and the lack of this knowledge causes a lot of the disagreements, the fights, and wars. So teaching about the ways of handling oneself, then understanding about others, their ways of understanding the world, how it is expressed through their religions and why they might be different to yours, is necessary and useful when there are demarcation and resource fights.
And that is something that should be passed on with the three r’s, and have pride of place in the curriculum for older children as a subject perhaps to be called Society, problem solving and human values. So it is a top subject and growing more important as society gets brutalised by isolating technology and distant, disinterested, amoral parents and government.
The other stuff can be covered in a 101 fashion so youngsters have the basics and then can go full on with something they are really interested in, in conjunction with something that will be practically useful.
So not the short answer you would hope for. But there is a lot of importance beyond just traditional support for school to cover religion, stories about religious figures, history and how to be good.
That’s my idea for secondary education. Knowing how to learn, knowing how to gather information and analyse it are vital skills. Knowing how humans think, and allowing for real and compassionate understandings of people and behaviour should be be incorporated into policy. This is thinking about ourselves as real people in the round (not the cold, judgmental self-portrait of perfectionist, disdainful economist’s perceptions – thinking that everyone should be judged alongside themselves, as the model base standard.)
It’s a new world already. We are not ready for it now, and the changes are happening and we can’t conceive it, can’t perceive it, and in our minds it’s still 1970-1990. That’s when things seemed possible but we didn’t have a clear path to the future, and while we thought and fought, neo lib came along and said “We know the way.”
“Follow us pilgrims, it will be a rocky road sometimes but we will climb and get to the heights.” Our modern Pilgrim’s Progress to Consumer Land, where bright lights shine on us from plastic angels at the mall. Until it is flooded out in one of the weather bombs that will wipe out so much of our growing and built environment. Then what do we do with all our fine arcane knowledge? Boat building and botanics anyone?
It will take me a few hours to formulate a decent reply.
Rather than religion as such it seems to me your arguing more for good old fashioned manners and a concern for the well being of others. In addition the teaching of critical thinking.
I can only give you what I have experienced in the schools I have taught, Intermediate Schools, teaching Year 8s, (Form 2 in the old money.) In all cases there has been what is called a “Values Program”, where children are both taught and encouraged to value themselves, others and the environment. The teaching is not so much explicit, but is discussed in class and reinforced all the time.
Critical Thinking is also taught, as part of every unit.
But, and it is a big but, we only have students for 6/7 hours a day. What happens at home has more influence on “social matters” than anything a school can do.
Greywarbler every Empire uses religion to sujugate its peasants CofE Roman Catholics Now we have thw fastest growing US colonial subjugaters the Morons. Door to Door salesman.
Soon they wll have a drive thru version mc morons!
McMorons. How useful a term. This morning there was an item about residents around Eden Park and the trouble they have with drunken people especially those that are turned away because of bad behaviour.
Then they are out on the street and venting their feelings there.
The authorities can be petitioned not to let a brothel start up in your street, of the sort that can give aggro, or street people might be able to be moved along (unless they are Mongrel Mob members from Christchurch like the ones talked about in the news today in connection with poor Mallory’s death. She hadn’t paid her protection money, so they weren’t going to protect her from themselves any more. And were very brutal and vengeful about it)
You can’t get a Park shifted easily. But it brings together all the McMorons in the city, and drops them around your district. What fun.
Yes, tricledrown – those bloody C of Es or Anglicans as they are known in N Z. I blame them for having me listen to those sermons on the Gospels which convinced me Jesus was a socialist, which has kept me from voting National for the past 48 years.
I only heard snippets of this section of Nine to Noon today; but what I heard was interesting in relation to the growth in blogging in NZ and its importance, role, risks etc in respect of the upcoming general election. Will relisten to it later, but thought others may be interested if you did not hear it.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2585305/media-with-wayne-hope
nice that he mentioned whoar..eh..?
..phillip ure..
Media reporting that Wendy Brandon, David Cunliffe’s Chief of Staff, has resigned.
According to the Herald, Wendy has been suffering from a bad case of shingles for some time now http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11200043
Big time Ouch, shingles a very painful malady, my sympathies go out to Her having recently had the grandly painful experience of what might have been shingles…
Yep she has soldiered on but obviously it has taken its toll. I would not wish shingles on the National Cabinet …
Yes you and I would! But seriously, I have had shingles twice and it is nasty and takes months to recover. Kia kaha to Wendy and I fully understand her resigning to allow someone who has the energy; etc that you do not have when recovering from shingles to take over.
Teaching of Values in schools and Religious instruction.
The religion in schools programmes is governed by a strict curriculum.
The problem appears to be for some schools like St Heliers that no one is monitoring the instructors. They are usually well intentioned lay people who confuse values with Christian indoctrination.
There are many good values programmes that can be delivered in the schools.
The KiwiCan trust is one. Not a hint of Christrianity anywhere to be seen or heard.
http://www.fyd.org.nz/Programmes/KiwiCan(Year18)/AboutUs.aspx
Point of note (and with due regard to Stephanie Rodgers “The Politics of Nastiness” post.
Anyone watching QT today will note Pulla Bent’s efforts to change her umij.
Rebranding in process YES. Change in substance NO
Point of note (and with due regard to Stephanie Rodgers “The Politics of Nastiness” post.
Anyone watching QT today will note Pulla Bent’s efforts to change her umij.
Rebranding in process YES. Change in substance NO
Oh and Hek Yea is still stuck with the colonial look, albeit with a softer ‘look and feel’
A quiet thinker moves on.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/10/274789348/stuart-hall-godfather-of-multiculturalism-dies
i have kicked off my q-time commentaries for the yr..where i attempt..as much as possible..
..to take the piss..
http://whoar.co.nz/2014/new-zealand-parliament-list-of-questions-for-oral-answer-tuesday-11-february-2014/
(excerpt:..)
“..(and just as joyce stands to speak..in camera next to him..brownlee lets rip with an (obviously satisfied/post-lunch) belch..
..and yep..!..now he’s yawning..as that lunch settles in..and he will likely go on the nod before too long..(what’s known as ‘doing a banksy’..)
(and kate ‘collars’ wilkinson has got a big blue one on today..(collar..that is..)
(brownlee update:..his body is still doing battle with his lunch..attempting to stifle serial-yawns..(are we keeping him up..?..)..”
..and the jaw-dropping ‘news’ from the session..is the admission from parata..
..that charter schools will receive govt funding of up to $40,000 per student..
..this is 8 times the funding a state school student receives..
..whoar..!
..eh..?
..and if that ‘news’..of such govt largesse to these charter schools doesn’t make the 6pm news..
..mainstream journos are obviously asleep at the wheel..
..eh..?
phillip ure..
Morning Report update:
“Morning Report co-host Simon Mercep will follow his co-host and step down from the show when Geoff Robinson leaves in April, said Radio New Zealand sources familiar with the situation.
It is understood one option being considered by RNZ would see Mercep moved to a revamped afternoon show and current host Jim Mora joining Mary Wilson on a evening current format for Checkpoint.”
Wonder who will replace him? Mary Lamb or some kindly friend of David Farrar?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11200047
Oh God, NOOOOO!!! Not Farrar, surely?
Would Mary Wilson like that? She may want an occasional stand in but some one at her level, not good ol; Jim and his easy-peasy friends.
Michelle Obama’s Marie Antoinette moment
Nothing like having your pets feasting on fine china on the tax payers dime.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-10/good-thing-us-only-has-66-unemployment
The poor can stop dreaming of finding that non-existent job, and start wishing they were a dog instead..
The answer is simple. Cut benefits further so that people are “incentivised” to work.
And simultaneously raise corporate tax to incentivise them to employ?
No silly billy, you have to reduce corporate taxes. The last thing you’d do is raise taxes and punish “job creators.”
Yeah that should cause the non-existent trickle-down to become an avalanche!!
You know that when dogs are allowed on chairs the End Times can not be far away.
Filet mignon for the Presidential pooches
Food stamp cuts for the children in poverty
My point is that the dogs are sitting on chairs. Not eating. In fact there’s no food present. Because they’re not eating and there’s no food present that means the dogs aren’t actually eating off fine china on the taxpayers’ dime.
They’re sitting. On chairs.
Children in poverty, homeless
Sheltering in damp cardboard boxes
Presidential pooches on fine antique perches
It sounds like the Oval Room in the White House has been turned into a Circus Ring. Oh, that happened a decade ago. Well i’m behind the times.
The key thing that SHG has missed is how out of touch the power elite are to what is happening in their nation.
Of course, this always happens towards the end of empire. The wealthy capital of the Hunger Games with the starvation of the outer provinces, except this is real life, not fiction.
CV
I notice we can get sidetracked into being very haughty about what we mean and how other people are getting it wrong, and quite often it isn’t the important point at all. I’m beginning to get antsy at this cropping up too often. We all need to rein ourselves in. Not get het-up on a bit of trivia or unimportant meme.
Which is the bit of trivia/unimportant meme? The dog tweet from Michelle Obama?
Haughty suggests an air of superiority, of turning ones nose up at another.
Whereas I was aiming for a simmering anger and mild disgust. I will try and recalibrate.
CV 😀
Your settings seem pretty right, objectively. But the sort of spats and spits that have happened over some minor or misunderstood point lately bother me. Hares and hounds galloping over the place, when here and now the attention and concentration of thought, must be the focus.
Shakespeare said that the world is a stage, and we are all players. If we think on lines of organising light and sound shows on the problems and events to draw and hold people’s attention, we will get better results, at the least because we are focussed on best approach and the matter of concern.
We have to dramatise the things that need to receive audience attention, spotlight the important matters, and then shift that attention to another scenario. This is where we show a definite image of people, business enjoying the positive effects that will result from doing whatever will improve it. Show and tell, as with children with eager minds to learn. And try to encourage that approach to the minds of the voters, ‘We can do better by adopting this way’. Convey that to them, and make it an ongoing basic slogan for the left communication strategy this year.
Solicitor-General expected to advise by 28 Feb 2014 if leave to be granted for private prosecution of Auckland Mayor Len Brown:
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LEN-BROWN-LEAVE-TO-PROSECUTE-Solicitor-General-Response-3-Feb-2014-1.pdf
Penny Bright
For more information – http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
Will be interesting to see what the Solicitor General has to say, hopefully reasons are given which-ever way such a decision goes…
Yet another crazed performance by Stephen Franks
Radio New Zealand seems to have no system of quality control
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Tuesday 11 February 2014
Jim Mora, Lindsey Dawson, Stephen Franks
What do we think about Schapelle Corby? Well, just before 4 p.m. today we learned what one of the S.S. Trust lawyers thinks of her….
STEPHEN FRANKS: Neither she nor her family look particularly worthy. [1] We just look, errrr, errrrr—-what’s the word?—errrr, frivolous. I mean, is there anyone the Australian government WON’T go into bat for?
……Awkward silence…..
ZARA POTTS: [dismissively, clearly unimpressed] Hmmmmm….
JIM MORA: Okay, onto things that matter: seat widths on airplanes…..
Later, after the 4 o’clock news, the topic for discussion was the government’s canceling of passports for New Zealanders who intend to go to Syria to fight against Assad. Franks’s fertile mind started fertilizing prodigiously….
STEPHEN FRANKS: There’s really no difference between a New Zealand citizen going over to fight against Assad and someone going over to fight for the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War.
LINDSEY DAWSON: [gravely] Mmmmmm, mmmmm. Indeed.
MORA: Indeed.
To discuss the matter, the expert talent was Otago University politics professor Robert Patman, [2] who for the first time ever in his many appearances on the Panel, was not mealy-mouthed. Today he actually had the gumption to speak plainly…..
ROBERT PATMAN: I find it curious that the Prime Minister has claimed that this somehow justifies the recent increase in government surveillance of New Zealand citizens. It was established last year that the government’s surveillance of us went beyond the law.
STEPHEN FRANKS: No they didn’t really.
ROBERT PATMAN: You don’t think they did?
STEPHEN FRANKS: It wasn’t a contumelious breach of the law…. [Franks continued in harebrained fashion for several minutes]….
After the 4:30 news, Franks was given more rope….
JIM MORA: Stephen Franks what’s on your mind?
STEPHEN FRANKS: I see that iwi are to be consulted on the disposal of the Rena. I can’t believe the credence we give to identity politics, and people who are ignorant. Compare it to Singapore, which is a meritocracy.
LINDSEY DAWSON: They had a benign dictator didn’t they?
STEPHEN FRANKS: Well no he wasn’t really….
MORA: He didn’t like chewing gum much!
STEPHEN FRANKS: [with increasing urgency] No he was NOT a dictator!…
Franks proceeded to rave disconnectedly, very much like a NewstalkZB early morning caller. He damned the “sense of entitlement” of Māori, and praised Singapore several more times. The other two were careful not to provoke him too much; although they seemed to be mildly amused by what he said, gently contradicting him every now and again, they mostly just let him rave. Animals in the wild will steer clear of a creature that is rabid; Jim Mora and Lindsey Dawson wisely treated Stephen Franks with similar trepidation.
Sadly, Stephen Franks will appear on this programme again in the near future. Nothing he says, no matter how mad, no matter how depraved, seems to make any difference. It’s more obvious than ever that The Panel is moribund.
[1] To get endorsed by the S.S. Trust, Corby should have chased down a boy on the street in the small hours of the morning and stabbed him to death….
[2] /open-mike-11092013/#comment-694967
Good stuff Morrissey. That Franks asshole is a disgusting piece of shit. No wonder he employed/cloned the Jordan Williams ass-wipe.
No wonder he employed/cloned the Jordan Williams ass-wipe.
Good point. Jordan Williams is almost a perfect mimic of Stephen Franks. He speaks with the same inflexion, the same halting delivery (to convey complexity of thought) and the same muted tone (to convey gravitas).
And when he’s contradicted, even slightly, Jordan Williams becomes shrill and incoherent, just like his boss….
The Careerists – by Chris Hedges
I will also repost this tomorrow.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_careerists_20120723
The invaders.
http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2010/12/invaders-from-mars.html
http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2013/02/political-failure-modes-and-th.html
oh very nice
Very good. Sobering reading.
you will have quite an argument about this piece of nasty slippery-slope, unengaged, hopeless, nihilistic trash if you do.
Since 6pm tonight, many webstes are hosting a fightback banner as part of internet action against surveillance.
Green Party explains – see also the fightback banner at the bottom of their webpage.
NRT also has one of these banners.
Added.
Great. Thanks, Lynn. Just saw it at the bottom of TS page.
TPP Caution:
Here is a news item that drew my attention about the draw backs of trade related agreements such as the TPP.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/9709477/US-launches-new-trade-action-against-India
Why do we think that these actions are happening before the TPP? Tobacco v Aussie… US against India…
Is it to “reassure” the good dissenting folks of the world that nothing will really change under the TPP…. and yet it will…. cos if nothing changes why do we need a TPP?
Proof: https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/l/t31/q71/s720x720/1781149_10152062709032529_1382776655_o.jpg
😀
Fancy there being no information through the OIA to this perfectly reasonable request for information concerning John Key being a – shape-shifting reptilian alien ushering humanity towards enslavement E&OE
The person typing this letter in the Prime Minister’s office must have cracked up. What a change from the usual po-faced stuff.
Can not read it clearly. Perhaps you should either increase the font or copy and paste the message.
Cheers!
Not mine sorry, cannot change it. Perhaps try pressing CONTROL+
i fukn knew it!
LOL
Not being able to show he is not, is enough for the Christians, why not for our PM?
Heh. You could always ask Colin Craig I suppose, but I can predict his answer:
‘He might be a reptile but I can’t say for sure if he is or not, I haven’t looked into it enough to form an opinion.’