Heard something on TV3 News this morning about National increasing its lead to 55% of something compared to Labour’s 30% whatevers. No context about which questions were asked, who they asked, when the poll was taken, or anything much of all.
Ansell went for broke and may have terminally broken Act. I can’t see them getting many vote from women and I doubt many men will buy into his superiority complex either.
The women who support ACT are not squeamish about speaking bluntly about rational issues (including racial issues). I respect them very much.
In short, theyâve got guts.
More typical women are less rational and more emotional. Theyâd rather preserve relationships than rock the boat. Is that not true?
But women, by a reasonable margin, preferred to cuddle the various minority groups and spend more of other peopleâs money on welfare that to take the hard economic decisions.
New Zealand is awash with parties that represent the female view of the world: Labour, the Greens, the latter-day Nats.
But only ACT represents rational women and rational men. The party should not be ashamed to say so.
Secret Squirrel – I think this response thing could be helped if people first put the name being replied to, and that person can do a search under their own name, and the responses will pop up without time wasting.
Ummm it is an issue especially with the numbers of comments going into the system right now. What if I put an extra tab on the right panel for “Responses” ?
I Â have either the login or the last comment details in the cookies. It wouldn’t be hard to run a query for your last few hundred comment comments and then any direct responses to them.
Computationally it sucks up CPU – but it would only be doing it for the relatively few page loads from people who comment. That also means the spiders and bots won’t read it.
I think the Greens are a niche party, albeit with a strong level of support right now due to Labour’s soft support levels. Greens are trying to position themselves as more mainstream but I think they’ll find this difficult.
They have had and still have MPs who are on the extreme side of our spectrum, eg Sue Bradford and Keith Locke. Green policies on things like exploring for and utilising natural resources are relatively radical.
UF is very middle of the road on most things, not radical. They have low party support because they are seen as a single electorate single person party, Dunne’s personal versus the UF party vote in Ohariu in 2008 illustrates this.UF competes in a large middle ground occupied most byNational and Labour.
I don’t judge niche on level of support, I see it as representing more special interest rather than general appeal.
I support Greens being in parliamanet, and I support some of their policiies, and I have voted for them in the past, but as a niche party, I wouldn’t support them becoming a major mainstream party – unless of course they radically from their current niche positioning.
SS, you’re still just throwing the word “radical” around without defining it. It usually implies some sort of extremism, but in the context you’re using it it can’t possibly mean any such thing.
“UF competes in a large middle ground occupied most by National and Labour.”
And picked up 0.87% of the vote in this “middle ground”. That’s not the score of a party with broad popular appeal. That’s not the score of a party representing the mainstream of NZ.
“I donât judge niche on level of support, I see it as representing more special interest rather than general appeal.”
This is getting closer to a definition, but it still contradicts the facts. The Greens have several times the “general appeal” of UF. So why do you insist that they’re the outlier, the niche, the radical, when by your own measure UF is far more so?
Come on Squirrel, stop running away from the discussions you start.
Anyone considering taking you at your word that you want to encourage a more consultative, more inclusive, more transparent system of govt should have a close look at the way you conduct yourself in discussions on this site.
Couple of thoughts for the day with relevance to RWNJs (BB et al), Randists and free market afficienados…..just listened to a speach from Orlov when he mentioned the following…
Free markets are marginally more efficient than planned economies at using all the resources up until collapse is inevitable
and The free market is like a casino where all the chips end up in a few hands, when that happens the casino collapses, shuts doors and the chips are useless……
And, yeah, the obvious conclusion of the capitalist free-market is, firstly, economic collapse as the money ends up as large pools in the hands of a few followed (after an “economic rescue” ie, New Deal etc) by total collapse as the resources are used up.
The money ends up in a few hands and they don’t spend it trying to live on the interest (Money generated through other peoples work and ideas) rather than being productive. As the money accumulates at the top the interest payments increase resulting in even more of the money going to the few while the money going to everyone else declines. Eventually the economy collapses because there isn’t enough money in the hands of the many to keep it going.
Keynes seems to have seen the problem but his solution appears* to have been to get the government to borrow that money from the rich at interest**. At best this would extend the time between economic collapses but, eventually, the governments would have borrowed so much that nobody would be willing to loan to them.
* The a reason why I use “seems” and “appears” here is because, according to Steve Keen, Keynes’ 1936 work was misinterpreted.
** Now consider just what National wanted to achieve by cutting taxes over the last decade and why they’ve suddenly gone to borrowing far more than they need to.
It is rather sad that we argue left versus right in politics and the respective economics. Both entirely miss the point, they are predicated on continuous growth in consumption and debt. Neither is sustainable on a finite planet, arguing the toss about which version you prefer is deck chair shuffling on the Titanic.
There is one critical need to argue however, as we decline the usual RWNJ suspects will attempt to cushion their fall at the expense of the masses, by way of debt, force, expropriation etc. We conversely must resist and make them observe a good left wing prescription: the sharing of what is available equitably.
Unfortunately, even the economists who see the problems of austerity don’t realise the problems inherent within a socio-economic system that requires larger and larger markets. It is impossible to fulfil their vision of trickle down or even redistributed growth from a finite planet. Hell, the definition of economics given to me at uni was the study of the distribution of limited resources and yet the economists fail to realise that the theory they postulate and teach must result in the destruction of the environment,all the resources being used up and the few ending up with all the wealth (not that it’ll do them much good once the environments fucked).
We need to move to an socio-economic system that’s based around resource use and then we might get round to having some prosperity.
Labour’s flyers/pamphleets had been vetted and checked by Parliamentary Services where they were assessed as being neither electioneering or party promotional material. Therefore, at the time, those materials were given the independent OK to contain the Parliamentary Services seal.
Saw it BB and posted on it. I had a read of the legislation and can understand how someone would see it differently to the EC. From now on IMHO all parties should put “Authorised by …” on everything.
Â
It misses the point though. The authorisation requirement was to address the Exclusive Bretheren scenario where shadowy entities put out publications and no one had the chance to see where the publication was coming from.
Â
It aint called “stealing” BB it is called “mucking up the paper work”.Â
Â
BTW I thought you were all for freedom of speech and against Nanny State? This is pretty aggressive nanny statism doncha think?
Â
I support Phil. I reckon he has a good chance of creating history and in defeating a National Government after only one term. If he does not succeed and resigns then Cunliffe would be a wonderful replacement.
Labour had those materials independently checked and vetted by Parliamentary Services b.b. As for theft, check out the $7B asset give away that Key and English are sponsoring – those assets belong to the children and great grandchildren of NZ, not to the Chinese and Saudis.
The AG deemed it to be theft, remember how Clark had to change the law to make her theft legal?
You lot really do like rewriting history don’t you.
As for the 49% sale of the “assets” well the people of NZ don’t seem to mind much about that Viper, the coming election will prove that. Mind you, I know that will not stop you guys moaning about it, democracy is not something you really bother with.
So..one again I ask you, do you lot think stealing is OK?. we know that your MP’s think it is perfectly fine to steal from the tax payer I just want to know if you are of the same opinion.
[lprent: The AG never said it was theft as far as I’m aware. A three week ban for putting words into the AG’s mouth unless you can link to something where the AG explicitly said it was “theft”.
Arggh reading your comments – I can’t be bothered with idiot trolling. You are on probation for a ban until after the election and the only reason you didn’t get it is because you don’t normally act quite as much of a dickhead. ]
Bruv
Â
There is no suggestion that Labour has been stealing. The pamphlet is being reported to the police because the law says it has to. This is only happening because “Authorised by …” was not printed on the pamphlet although given the fact that it is clearly a Labour Party publication and has Phil’s details all over it I think it is pretty clear that it was authorised.
âŠremember how Clark had to change the law to make her theft legal?
Don’t forget all the other parties that got caught up in the AG’s rule change which included National who also overspent their allowed electioneering spend by the amount of GST.
Working conditions in the US IT industry : My current company, has no vacations. You simply tell them when you are not going to be there, and they decide if they want to fire you for the absence.
They also do not have weekends. On the Friday before each customary “3-day” weekend the owner declares an emergency that, somehow, MUST be finished by Tuesday.
No one wants to work there for very long. Turnover is very high. Projects don’t get finished, precisely because of the turnover. Other projects do get “finished’, but don’t work, also because of the turnover
The owner doesn’t seem to realize that he is sabotaging his own projects.
Obama hasn’t tried socialism bruv. His health care plan was stolen from the republicans, his ‘stimulus’ (which is now dropping off, expect to see further contraction and more unemoployment) was weighted heavily towards tax cuts at the top end.
About the only thing that has worked was the auto industry bail out.
No, it was the greed, outsourcing and the bad (because their boards are populated by oil guys)strategic decisions with regards to their designs (Bigger, more gas guzzling as opposed to small energy efficient) that made the industry collapse and the bailout worked because it allowed them to screw the US workers even more by financing more outsourcing making the fat cats and their shareholders happy.
Yawn. If the us had a proper health care system like grown up countries do then the unions wouldn’t have to negotiate that stuff.
And your idea that the US union movement is either powerful or socialist only goes to prove that you wouldn’t know socialism if it nationalised your nutsack
it was the unions (socialist to the core) who fucked the auto industry
Â
Yep you go to the Bahamas now and the beaches are full of retired auto workers drinking their pina coladas and living it up on their ill gotten gains.
Â
And you then go back to Pensylvania and there are all these ex merchant bankers and Wall Street types living out of scraps they get from Dumpsters and sleeping rough.
Â
Those god forsaken communist unions sure knew what they were doing …
Â
Â
Big Bruv, you really need to gen up on the term ‘Fordism’ – Henry T Ford paid wages way above the market rate for two reasons; firstly the jobs were tedious and boring, secondly nobody could afford his new cars, hence he paid his staff nearly double the average wage and they all bought cars too. Guess what, he started a thing called commercialisation, where everyone was envious of their neighbours vehicle.
Â
Blame the companies not the unions – BTWÂ can you actually tell me the real root of socialism? Let’s see….
Something called “big bruv” is, unwisely, trying to be clever….
So the next step is for you to admit that Socialism is a failed ideology,
Do you even know what you are talking about?
Obama has tried it
No he has not. It’s clear you don’t know what you’re talking about.
and near destroyed the Yankee economy.
“Yankee”? Clearly, as well as knowing nothing about political and economic theory, you also know nothing about American culture.
Why don’t you take some time off, my friend, and read a few books? Seriously, you need to do that. You are way out of your depth at the moment.
Reminds me of a joke doing the rounds: A CEO, a worker and an unionist sit down at a table. On the table are a plate with 12 cookies. The CEO takes 11 cookies and puts them in his pocket than he points the finger at the union guy and tells the worker:” Be afraid boy, be very afraid because that union guy wants part of your cookie”!
Tell me BB what don’t you get about 1% owning 50% of all wealth and resources of the US while 50% have to make do with 2% being unfair and those 50% organising themselves to get a bigger part of the pie being with unions being a good idea?
More than likely management that did for GM etc., parasitic, low life management.
Remember Reagan, Bush etc.? Unmitigated disasters for many Americans except for a few wealthy ones, funny that.
You and I agree that the management of GM were pathetic.
Pathetic for giving into parasitic union thugs
Pathetic for agreeing to pension demands that sent the company bankrupt
Pathetic for not taking on the low life unions and smashing them.
The tax payer owns GM. GM should have been left to fail, however Obama is so closely tied to the scum union movement that he wasted billions of tax payer dollars propping up GM.
Do a bit of research Viper, have a look at the facts, GM could not compete with other car makers because their wage and pension plans were crippling the company.
Unions are crucial to any strong well paid, successful industry. There are of course right and wrong ways to do union/industry relationships.
And remember, the unions did not negotiate the Private Jets for GM executives đ
GM could not compete with other car makers because their wage and pension plans were crippling the company.
This was only 40%-50% of GM’s problems.
Their repeated string of dud designs, over reliance on fuel guzzling trucks, unwillingness to support new pollution and fuel efficiency measures, and slow progress in closing the quality gap with the Japanese formed the rest.
Obama isn’t a failure for his “Socialism” BB but for his sleazy surrender to the banksters and the Military industrial complex, pandering to their insatiable thirst for more wars and more looting while the populations of the countries they invade and destroy and the American population die and wither as a result.
That’s the problem with you socialists, you cannot defend your beloved system despite the fact that it has failed everywhere it has been tried so you resort to abuse.
What a lot of tripe you utter BB. Socialism failed ? Not in the Scandinavian countries who have the highest standard of living in the world. Nearer to home how about Fonterra which is pure Socialism. Something you and farmers conveniently forget.
The price of oil won’t go above about $130/barrel as the economy can’t sustain that. Of course, the economy will still collapse once we start going down the other side of Hubbert’s Peak.
[lprent: Removed the excess bold. There was no need to make your text shout. You might think that it is IMPORTANT and requiring emphasis – others do not. It didn’t have a reason in doing it, went beyond the permitted minor emphasis, and I’m really really uninterested in having an emphasis war.
I could start emphasizing how much I disapprove by removing the offenders to save my eyes. ]
It was only one line! I always make sure to avoid excess bold or excess capital letters. I understand what you’re saying, but I didn’t think one line was excessive.
[lprent: Two single lines – your complete contribution to the comment in fact :twisted:. It is hard to figure out a point that it was being used for when it is the whole comment. You comment above is a lot better – the bold was an emphasis on your point (even if that was incorrect). ]
He’s heading that way. poor bruv. He had such high hopes. Turns out the country doesn’t like racist old misanthropes. Whocoodanode?
Speaking of Brash Bruv, where do you stand in the great Brash v Ansell throwdown? Brash was for Ansell before he was against him, so you could go that route too, I suppose. Like you were for Hide before you were against him, IIRC.
Don Brash this morning: “I can speak for most NZers that they don’t want Maorisation.”
Don Brash this morning: “I can’t speak for the others in my Party about how they regard the current publicity.”
On National Radio on Sunday morning they had a retrospective on the homosexual law reform, passed 25 years ago.
Didn’t listen to much of it, but did catch a speech by John Banks MP saying it would be a sad day long remembered in New Zealand because of what was being passed, with a very dark cloud hanging over parliament. Seems like he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Be nice if this little speech could be brought up around Epsom: 25 years ago John Banks said this, do you really want to be represented by a small-minded bigot from the past?
Banksie tried to chum up with gays during the supercity mayoral contest and it looked most unconvincing. Todays voters should know what a cockroach he is.
Homosexual law reform was indeed a reform that worked and has lasted, not perfect but made life that bit more bearable and fair for part of our community. Anyone remember the straight supporters little pink HUG buttons (Heterosexuals Unafraid of Gays) and Blue Jeans Day which could be hilarious?
The poor working conditions on NZ-chartered fishing trawlers is an ongoing disgrace to this country. Stuff reports on the latest saga here, but gives few details. Another article summarises the background and specific allegations:
 Slave labour conditions in NZ’s fishing industry
Â
If what this latter article states about the collaboration/indifference of Iwi company owners and the Maritime Union in perpetuating this situation is true, it is a sad day.
Intermittent signal July 2011/3
Great sounding NZ research that should make a big difference in energy, finding non-food sources, and can reduce waste. Don’t know what the disadvantages are – I guess that there is some law that for every improvement there is one. http://www.lanzatech.co.nz/
Hear interview on Radio nz – Can’t provide instant control, but your own work can get there in a few seconds.
Details from RadioNZ 9 to Noon program.
Feature Guest – Sean Simpson
Sean Simpson is the co-founder, and head of the science team at Lanzatech – a privately owned, NZ-based company which has developed and patented a microbe that eats polluting gases and excretes ethanol. (30âČ48âł)
Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3 (He makes some comments on the effects of our present tax system on forward-looking research and development in NZ, I think it’s called imputation.)
Seeing as how everyones labelling everyone a racist these days. Let’s have a debate about ‘race’ as it applies specifically to NZ ?
First we’ll define the terms of reference, then we’ll compare racial characteristics by a number of indicators to determine whether in fact some ‘races’ are indeed superior/inferior to others.
We’ll naturally include assimilated phenotypes, genetic markers, social norms, cultural values and ideals as indicators of any evolutionary oneupmanship with regards to adaptibility and natural selection/survival of the fittest.
…and then based on the outcome we’ll determine which ‘race’, if any, has the right to determine the “one rule of law, irrespective of race by which we as NZers should all live by”. and whether promoting any such rule of law is indeed racist.
yeah, nah…is that a radical idea whose time has come or are we still too chickenshit as a nation to truly confront our fears and prejudices ?
Further to my comments on young women, careless boozing, irresponsibility, and reliance on men to have superior standards to their own: nz herald 11/7/2011
A Timaru gynaecologist wants a campaign against promiscuity after encountering a shocking number of pregnant patients who cannot remember whom they had sex with.
Dr Albert Makary, who has been in Timaru for 20 years, called on national leaders, sports stars, schools and the media at a Forum on the Family in Auckland yesterday to “stigmatise” both promiscuity and the binge drinking that usually preceded it.
He cited a survey by a condom maker that said New Zealand women were the most promiscuous in the world, with 20.3 sexual partners on average. The world average was 7.3.
Kiwi men were also above average with 16.8 partners. New Zealand was the only country where women had more sexual partners than men.
“I get women coming in and saying, ‘Doctor, I can’t remember who I slept with yesterday.’
“It is very, very frequent. I’m not talking about one or two or three or 1000 cases. I’m talking about thousands and thousands of cases a year [nationally].” What’s more, they’re proud of it.
He said such promiscuity undermined stable life-long relationships.
The symptoms were increasing violence, sexual assault, alcohol and drug-fuelled car accidents, a growing incidence of depression and the world’s highest rates of both chlamydia and youth suicide.
It only takes one fundamentalist to discover a whole lot of sinners
I rather think you missed the point, Campbell. The reason these things have been called sins in the first place, is because of the damage they do to relationships and to people. There are examples in my own family – my somewhat dim-witted nephew has a wife who is hell-bent on churning out baby after baby despite repeated bouts of post-natal depression, because her own family life was so f***ed up. The reason they married in the first place, I have been told is because she was preggers, and because she was “easy”. Result, 4 children under 5 years old, and my sister is going round the bend trying to support this dysfunctional family (financially and emotionally). They’re both under 25 years old.
Hi Vicky, apologies for not being clearer. There are serious issues raised and I do not mean to make light of them. I do think that the articles could have done a better job of avoiding the potential reinforcement of negative stereotypes of woman and was wondering if the promiscuity debate was going to be used as part of a UFuture (or others) election campaign around family values.
and was wondering if the promiscuity debate was going to be used as part of a UFuture (or others) election campaign around family values.
That’s always possible – but I would stick my neck out as far as to say that “family values” aren’t necessarily a bad thing! Saving young women from STDS, broken hearts and a broken family can only be a good thing, I’d have thought.
As a woman (and back when I was a younger woman I felt the same way) I always felt a mixture of pity and revulsion towards promiscuous girls. (That applied to myself when I was one! đ )
Given that in some (but by no means all) cases there are underlying issues which promiscuity is but a symptom of don’t you think revulsion is a quite a negitive emotion/ tag which if normalized as a response is likely to cause further distress to the very people that you want to help?
…Chaste does not imply moral – there are no doubt many ‘promiscuous’ people who would object to the assertion that they are somehow less caring or functional because of the way they express thier sexuality.
Campbell Larsen – This is a sticky mixture of sentimentality and political correctness which does not give the women involved the respect due to them as adults who need to find adult ways to cope with life.
Prism – ‘sentimental’ ‘PC’ and somehow disrespectful at the same time?
Easy up on the name calling tiger – I don’t think we disagree as much as you think – the issue is health, both individual and societal – the approach to any problems should also be health focused and not come from a faith based or religious perspective, or from claims to the moral high ground.
Campbell Larsen – My point was that there is a sticky trap for those trained in political correctness often through social work courses, which actually involves fudging the issues of those people supposedly being helped. The focus of attention may be to the difficulties they face – their disadvantaged position in society, bad parent role models, constant sexual emphasis in advertising even to the very young girl etc.
In the case of promiscuous females this would occur if their behaviour was not directly discussed, with an emphasis on their own agency in the unfortunate result. Understanding the societal pressures should not prevent helping the person to develop their own adult competency to handle those societal problems. That is what I mean by having respect – that is respect for their own abilities, understandings and strengths. Anything else is patronising and infantilising.
well, seeing as we’re in the “pc gone mad” stage, why are you talking about female promiscuity and not male promiscuity?
Males get tracked down by IRD for 18 years of maintenance, have the emotional upheaval, and also find out that it really CAN fall off. And males are the ones who wear the major prophylactic against these issues.
But then of course, male “promiscuity” doesn’t seem to be the public health tragedy that female “promiscuity” is.
Â
… there are no doubt many âpromiscuousâ people who would object to the assertion that they are somehow less caring or functional because of the way they express thier sexuality.
True, but these are not the girls referred to in the original source! The ones referred to are living pretty dysfunctional lives, and have such bad relationships with alcohol, that they can’t have good relationships with guys.
‘The symptoms were increasing violence, sexual assault, alcohol and drug-fuelled car accidents, a growing incidence of depression and the worldâs highest rates of both chlamydia and youth suicide.’
Hm, most of which were instigated by said young [drunk at time of conception] women.
Scarlet As, people? Of course this problem is young women’s fault. Nothing to do with the rest of us.
Jim Nald Promiscuity? It takes two to tango?
The excerpt covers the two sexes and their promiscuity. (Doesn’t mention anything about the third), ie
He cited a survey by a condom maker that said New Zealand women were the most promiscuous in the world, with 20.3 sexual partners on average. The world average was 7.3.
Kiwi men were also above average with 16.8 partners. New Zealand was the only country where women had more sexual partners than men.
Also from CV’s link – “She said times have changed so much that the fear of getting pregnant or catching a sexually transmitted disease were no longer seen as reasons for not having sex.
“We don’t even call them sexually transmitted diseases anymore, we’ve changed that to infections which kind of downgrades it and makes it not as serious as they can be.”
A Timaru gynaecologist wants a campaign against promiscuity after encountering a shocking number of pregnant patients who cannot remember whom they had sex with.
My giddy aunt! No one can possibly think that’s a good thing can they? Aside from anything else, if they keep the child, what will they tell her when she is 5 and asks “who’s my Daddy, Mum, and why don’t we ever see him?” (She/he will ask, you can depend on that…)
Agreed.
We need to distribute more condoms and increase the availability of abortions and other family planning services.
Oh, is that not what you meant?
Agreed.
We need to distribute more condoms and increase the availability of abortions and other family planning services.
Yeah, that’ll help! Not! The issue as I see it, is the emotional harm done to both boys and girls, by a pattern of behaviour that causes huge problems for them and the children they have who escape being slaughtered! (Abortion also causes huge emotional problems especially if the girl allows herself to be pressured into it, either by her parents or the boy’s..) I’ve seen this in my own family.
When my son went to his school ball (he went only once, for the experience, as she and his friends were the designated nerds, therefore not interested.) He was both amused and embarassed to be issued condoms and pamphlets about STIs and what we used to call ‘the clap clinic’, with his ball tickets. He had no intention of either getting trolleyed or having sex that or any othert night.
If instead of being issued condoms and even more sex ed., (by year 11 they will have years of it years of it), girls and boys were taught more about the benefits of further education, there’d be far fewer teen pregnancies to abort…
Right – because tertiary education really lowers the libido!
Basically, from a public health perspective, getting 17-24y.o. who are all piled into a concentrated area to not shag each other is pushing shit uphill. The best you can do is throw rubbers at anyone and everyone so that they’re available when the impulse strikes, and they don’t have to overcome embarrassment to buy a french tickler themselves. “Promise rings” and other abstinence bs just plain doesn’t work, and they end up having unprotected sex (or unprotected anal sex on the grounds that it “doesn’t count”) and that leads to all sorts of bad stuff.
Drinking is another matter – price controls and licensing restrictions (not to mention better tools to enforce the current law) should take the edge off the worst of the binge drinking culture.
Â
Right â because tertiary education really lowers the libido!
Basically, from a public health perspective, getting 17-24y.o. who are all piled into a concentrated area to not shag each other is pushing shit uphill. The best you can do is throw rubbers at anyone and everyone so that theyâre available when the impulse strikes, and they donât have to overcome embarrassment to buy a french tickler themselves. âPromise ringsâ and other abstinence bs just plain doesnât work, and they end up having unprotected sex (or unprotected anal sex on the grounds that it âdoesnât countâ) and that leads to all sorts of bad stuff.
I never said it lowers the libido. But what it does do, is give these people a sense of having a future that they don’t want to risk. Do you know any 17-24 year olds? My son and his friends didn’t shag their way through university, neither did I when it was my turn. You seem to be very cynical about students. The ones who drank and shagged their way through uni rather than studying, are the ones who graduate (or not) and instead of being doctors, cardiac nurses (as my son now is) or lawyers, work in insurance companies, regretting their lost opportunities.
Your cynicism shows itself in the unsupported assertion that “âPromise ringsâ and other abstinence bs just plain doesnât work, and they end up having unprotected sex (or unprotected anal sex on the grounds that it âdoesnât countâ) and that leads to all sorts of bad stuff.” Your assertion is widely believed but it’s not true. People are perfectly capable of abstinence if they feel they have a reason, and I mean abstinence from sex and also from binge drinking! Sex is not a physiological necessity, no one dies from the absence of it, Shortland Street and other NZ TV drama notwithstanding. You seem to have a very low opinion of human nature, and you remind me of that satirical song by the Bloodhound Gang which my abstinent son used to quote: “You and me, baby/We ain’t nothing but mammals/So let’s do it like they do/On the Discovery channel”. Possibly you didn’t even get that it was satirical?
Years ago, I read a book about adoption, and the girls who in the 60s and early 70s, who were pressured into giving up their babies. The author (whose name escapes me right now) talked about the fact that the girls who devoted themselves to getting an education instead of an STI were on the whole much happier.
You’re also wronger than a professor of wrong at Oxford University that these people don’t want relationships, they just want to shag. That attitude is one I’ve heard put forward by the middle aged and older male, not by young women or young men. 17-24 year olds are terribly hung up on romance. Every time a teenage girl (or boy) has sex with a new partner she’s secretly hoping he might be “the one”. Trust me on this – my son is 24, and I remember my 17-24 years far more vividly than I ought to!
Â
Â
âYou and me, baby/We ainât nothing but mammals/So letâs do it like they do/On the Discovery channelâ.
Actually apart from our nearest genetic cousins the bonobos and chimps, most mammals have sex quite at quite limited seasons or stages of their lives. Many species will get by quite well with only several dozen acts of intercourse in their entire lives. Contrast that to the many thousands of times we are capable of engaging in it more or less anytime any place…with anyone… if we so desire.
So actually comparing us to animals isn’t right… they are usually far more restrained than us.
The abstinence debate has been well-travelled especially regarding the states and Africa. There is a reason that e.g. the Catholic missionaries went from Abstinence-only to ABC (abstinence – but if doing it, use a condom). Heck, armies have been trying to stop soldiers getting stds for centuries, and success only started with antibiotics and distribution of condoms. And, on occasion, regulated military brothels.
I worked in a university providing various services to students for many years. It might be cynical, but I think it’s realistic for at least 25% of the tertiary population, if not treble that (according to various NZ studies in the area). Not all students have sex at university, but quite a few do. Not all of those who have sex have it for reasons that are healthy, and not all who have sex practise safe sex. It’s the last two that are problems.
Oh, and your idea that everytime a teenager has sex they think s/he’s “the one”? Don’t make me laugh – and that goes for quite a few women as well as men.
Human beings are the most extraordinarily hyper-sexual creature evolution has ever produced. Yet the amazing thing really is how few partners most people have, compared with our physical capacity to have sex. Most people actually make pretty restrained choices around sex the vast majority of the time…so let’s not get too morally panicky here.
The real issue I believe, and lots of others have said this, is the prevalence of alochol abuse. And while both genders are responsible for their behaviour, ultimately it’s the dissolving of inhibitions that results in girls drunk in charge of their pussy.. and then having to wear the consequences.
And that is what has changed in the last decade or so. Now I do recall sometime in the 70’s ‘chaperoning’ a good friend of mine (later we almost married… but that’s another story) around a pub crawl to celebrate the end of the uni year. She held together remarkably well almost to the end, and I eventually got her home safe and sound… and unfucked as agreed. But it was pretty much a one off, we never made a habit of that sort of thing.
But these days the sheer numbers of scantily clad young women staggering about in public, utterly muntered is what has changed. The unplanned, unsafe sex is the consequence of this unsafe, out-of-control alcohol abuse. It’s the drinking that’s the root cause here; address that.
not all is as it seems that median vs average problem seems to be behind the high rates of sexual activity.
The long-running Otago multi-disciplinary study, which has tracked just over 1000 people since they were born in Dunedin in 1973, has found that half of the men had 10 or fewer sexual partners by age 32, and half the women had eight or fewer partners.
But a small group of highly active men and women pushed up the average number of sexual partners by age 32 – the total of all sexual partners divided by the number of people surveyed – to 20.8 for men and 13.3 for women.
Those figures are comparable, although gender-reversed, with a survey of 26 nations by a condom maker that found Kiwi men had an average of 16.8 partners and Kiwi women an average of 20.4 partners. The women’s figure was the highest in the world.
I blame the booze. Oh and maybe women here are more accurate in their counting or more likely to treat the survey as a joke – a cultural difference?
Brave Little Israel fights off Non-Violent Peace Protestors
Radio New Zealand National “World Watch”, 12.45 p.m. Monday 11 July 2011
Israel’s paranoid and increasingly insane political leaders are worried—they’re certainly working hard to stop dissenters focusing international attention on the illegal blockade of Gaza. More than 30 human rights and peace protestors from many countries, after being prevented from sailing from Athens, have now tried to enter Jerusalem’s Ben-Gurion Airport, but have again been blocked by Israeli machinations.
To cover this, Radio New Zealand National chose to run a ridiculously biased, cynical Deutsche-Welle “report” by the notorious Irris Makler. After approvingly outlining how the Israelis had inveigled several airlines, including Lufthansa, to actually do their dirty work for them, Makler said this: “Some Canadian pilgrims, however, found that it’s easy to get into Israel if you come in with a less aggressive agenda.”
But Makler was not finished. “A group of Israeli families of suicide bomb victims,” she sneered, “wants to meet with the protestors—if they get through.”
In spite of the dire and depressing quality of this travesty of journalism, it’s still interesting for what it reveals about the state of Israeli apologetics. People like Irris Makler really have only two weapons: defamation and diversion. Note how, after working hard at defaming the protestors with their “aggressive agenda” of peaceful protest, Irris Makler also played the diversion card—avoid the real and continuing oppression of Gaza, and talk about something else, in this case, suicide bombings which happened more than a decade ago.
I think a report as flagrantly dishonest as this one could be a case for an official complaint to Radio New Zealand, as well as Deutsch-Welle. What do others think?
I think a report as flagrantly dishonest as this one could be a case for an official complaint to Radio New Zealand, as well as Deutsch-Welle. What do others think?
I agree absolutely!
P.S., I am trying to post this comment and keep getting an error message, fill in name & email yet I am logged in. Was gibt? 3rd try… 5th try and for some insane reason I’ve been logged out. What on earth is wrong?
The login actually has a time limit that does not renew every time you come to the site. Unfortunately it can strike while you’re reading a thread so, even though the page says that you’re logged in, you’re actually logged out. You have to refresh the page and log in again.
Good description. I looked at it in 2009 and decided that there was bugger all that I could do to improve it. I didn’t want to play with the login cookie system. I should have another peek at it and see if they opened up the convoluted login code.
Warren Buffet knows that the rich have waged class war upon the poor for years; he said it publicly.
Edit – wait, he gave most of that money to Bill Gates???? Who in return seems to be giving most of that money to already well paid professionals at big universities and pharma companies??? If I may politely say, wtf.
Once again we’re witness to the horrendous images of starving people arriving at refugee camps in east Africa, with nearly 12 million people facing starvation across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia…
This is one of those problems where the more we spend the worse the problem gets. Ensuring that a group of people don’t starve to death just ensures that their children probably will because we haven’t addressed the underlying problem of over population. As long as we don’t address that these things will just keep getting worse.
The cronyism you note is par for the course for National.
It’s pretty despicable to cut foreign aid at a time when it’s most needed. Most of what National does I’m reasonably indifferent to, but this really pisses me off! National really are a bunch of heartless old bastards!
It’s an issue that isn’t going to go away anytime soon. Some of the problem lies with administration costs whereby a lot of the aid funds don’t get to where they are required. Controlling distribution lines would also help to ensure aid got to where it is most needed.
Another issue is that many areas affected by drought don’t have the means to irrigate or produce seed to grow their own crops, which is usually the underlying issue to starvation. Supporting farmers in areas of food insecurity through such measures as free or subsidized fertilizers and seeds increases food harvest and reduces food prices.
Crop failure will become more prevalent with the increased effects of climate change. That could be a serious issue considering the UN recently said food production will need to double by 2050 to meet demand.
Overpopulation is a tricky one. Education is probably the best remedy there. The more education the less incidence of starvation or implementation of more draconian policies.
The earth can in fact sustain many more humans with proper wealth distribution and measures to increase food production such as proper crop selection. Restricting the use of genetically engineered seeds, helping countries develop proper irrigation systems and education goes a long way to developing self reliance.
It’s not all bad news though. The share of malnourished and starving people in the world has been more or less continually decreasing for at least several centuries. This is due to an increasing supply of food and to overall gains in economic efficiency.
Share of undernourished people in the developing world
we can add single generation seeds onto the list of current threats to global food production. It is one that will continue to become more prominent as the decades roll on. They are in the EcoSystem. What this will eventually do to the Environment, no-one can honestly know.
Re -McFlock âŠ
12 July 2011 at 5:29 pm
I agree about promiscuity of both sexes. But what appears to have happened is a race to the bottom with women trying to echo mens attitudes, or what they imagine these are.
Women are likely to come off worse in this situation, diseases, unwanted pregnancies, interruption of their education which was supposed to set them up for an adult life. They might end up sterile because of chlamydia or despising sex which would affect future close loving relationships.
As opposed to men who end up viewing women as strictly a vagina? Or the couple who got married as virgins and it turned out one party was hoping that heterosexual sex would get rid of their inclinations? Or the teen who believed that you couldn’t get pregnant the first time you did it? Or the guy who doesn’t take his warty leaking appendage to the doctor until it’s far to late? Or etc etc etc.
Some people like and can handle higher volume sex than others, without it being the result of (or resulting in) some sort of emotional disorder – everyone is different. This is not a problem. As long as people are doing it for reasons they recognise and are at home with is fine. Not having the good sense to roll a johnny on the wee chap (or, for that matter, use dental dams, spermicide, sponges, caps, rubber gloves and so on) IS a problem.
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that âNew Zealandâs economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerfulâ. They also believe that âNew Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerfulâ. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
âYou talking about me?âThe neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hallâs âGlide Timeâ caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund â When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayersâ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund â and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 âredesign of the welfare stateâ â which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty â various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being âWorking for Familiesâ, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing âon why Melissa is muteâ. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Leeâs ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from âserious populist discontentâ. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring âhard-working peopleâ. ...
Chris Trotter writes –Â MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling â or non-handling â of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealandâs two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from âserious populist discontentâ. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring âhard-working peopleâ. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to âdefend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.â To achieve this, they have pledged they âwill not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes –Â The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workersâ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his memberâs bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Todayâs advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Governmentâs newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealandâs urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
MÄori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, MÄori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Governmentâs refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĆ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĆ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĆ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sectorâs role in the export-led recovery of the economy. âI am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Governmentâs support for the revitalisation the sector.  "New Zealandâs wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. âThe inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. âMy meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singaporeâs outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.  Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpartâs almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. âI am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. âPets are important members of many Kiwi families. Itâs estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iranâs shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.  âThese attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.  "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand â Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.  âDame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,â says Dr Reti. âI have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Governmentâs 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âBoosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Governmentâs plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  âOur country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,â Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.  âWe cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. âThis is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  âThe strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin itârule ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara Solomon Islandsâ incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected in the East Choiseul constituency. It is the opening move in the political chess match to form the countryâs next government. Returning officer Christopher Makoni made the declaration late last night after ...
Headline: The moment of friction. – 36th Parallel Assessments In strategic studies âfrictionâ is a term that it is used to describe the moment when military action encounters adversary resistance. âFrictionâ is one of four (along with an unofficial fifth) âFâsâ in military strategy, which includes force (kinetic mass), ...
The Fast-track Bill, if passed, would allow three Ministers, unchallenged and unchecked, to approve the immediate extraction and exhaustion of one-off resources. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term âbulk billedâ refers to a GP visit they donât have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss whatâs in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to whatâs been on my mind for a while. Itâs very important. You see weâve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so weâve destroyed valuable coastal habitat â in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he canât stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
MÄori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of MÄori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao MÄori (the MÄori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, âWeâre here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment thatâs thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didnât find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. âI thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, hereâs our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
ZoĂ« Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new âFast-track Approvals Billâ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister â the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory â gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australiaâs flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But thatâs changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum âre-imaginedâ itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-oldâs seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so itâs wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhardâs rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock Youâd be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesnât require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project Youâre not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesnât fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Booksâ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingwayâs Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)Hot off the press, this debut ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans peopleâs self-determination and agency. The ...
Barcelonaâs city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoffâs Wellington editor Joel MacManus: âYou can reimagine streets, ...
Student groups âClimate Action VUWâ, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Governmentâs âWar on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs popularity has grown exponentially â and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Yes, theyâre better for the environment. No, thatâs not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
âIt will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealandersâ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether youâre watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, itâs not the done thing to know â let alone ask â what our colleagues are paid. Yet, itâs easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
The governmentâs plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up â and so are ...
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. Itâs consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously.The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Hineaupounamu âMissyâ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
So chaps, how much has the Labour party stolen from the tax payer this week?
So chaps how much has the National Party lied to the tax payer this week?
How many government minister have stayed in expensive hotels whilst war veterans were left to fend for themselves?
Heard something on TV3 News this morning about National increasing its lead to 55% of something compared to Labour’s 30% whatevers. No context about which questions were asked, who they asked, when the poll was taken, or anything much of all.
Haha it reminds me of the polls saying that Gaddaffi has the support of 97% of his people.
When will we see Goff rolled?, will it be before Wednesday?
Oh no, the goon squad has arrived again!
Keep dreaming big bruv, keep dreaming.
RWNJs are so out of ideas, just like Key and English đ
Yeah, even C/T seem to have run out of spin. BB seems to have been forced to use his own limited repertoire of memorised anti-Labour slogans.
When will we see English Dumped?, will it be before Wednesday?
Ansell went for broke and may have terminally broken Act. I can’t see them getting many vote from women and I doubt many men will buy into his superiority complex either.
What is it with Women and Act?
SS, your daily links raise interesting issues from time to time.
It gets a little annoying, however, that you start a discussion and then won’t engage with the responses.
For example, I’m still waiting for a response here: http://thestandard.org.nz/exit-stage-right/#comment-350166
It doesn’t bode well for your new way of doing democracy if you want all the communication to be one way.
I try to engage, but it’s easy to miss responses. I’ll have a look at that one.
Secret Squirrel – I think this response thing could be helped if people first put the name being replied to, and that person can do a search under their own name, and the responses will pop up without time wasting.
Ummm it is an issue especially with the numbers of comments going into the system right now. What if I put an extra tab on the right panel for “Responses” ?
I Â have either the login or the last comment details in the cookies. It wouldn’t be hard to run a query for your last few hundred comment comments and then any direct responses to them.
Computationally it sucks up CPU – but it would only be doing it for the relatively few page loads from people who comment. That also means the spiders and bots won’t read it.
Re Greens and “niche”.
I think the Greens are a niche party, albeit with a strong level of support right now due to Labour’s soft support levels. Greens are trying to position themselves as more mainstream but I think they’ll find this difficult.
They have had and still have MPs who are on the extreme side of our spectrum, eg Sue Bradford and Keith Locke. Green policies on things like exploring for and utilising natural resources are relatively radical.
UF is very middle of the road on most things, not radical. They have low party support because they are seen as a single electorate single person party, Dunne’s personal versus the UF party vote in Ohariu in 2008 illustrates this.UF competes in a large middle ground occupied most byNational and Labour.
I don’t judge niche on level of support, I see it as representing more special interest rather than general appeal.
I support Greens being in parliamanet, and I support some of their policiies, and I have voted for them in the past, but as a niche party, I wouldn’t support them becoming a major mainstream party – unless of course they radically from their current niche positioning.
SS, you’re still just throwing the word “radical” around without defining it. It usually implies some sort of extremism, but in the context you’re using it it can’t possibly mean any such thing.
“UF competes in a large middle ground occupied most by National and Labour.”
And picked up 0.87% of the vote in this “middle ground”. That’s not the score of a party with broad popular appeal. That’s not the score of a party representing the mainstream of NZ.
“I donât judge niche on level of support, I see it as representing more special interest rather than general appeal.”
This is getting closer to a definition, but it still contradicts the facts. The Greens have several times the “general appeal” of UF. So why do you insist that they’re the outlier, the niche, the radical, when by your own measure UF is far more so?
Sorry, I presumed you would know what they meant.
niche: a distinct segment of a market, derivative of Latin nÄ«dus – nest
It’s got nothing to do with size, it’s about being distinctive. The Green Party has one of the more distinct market segments in our politics.
radical: favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms
That description fits Green far more than UF policies.
And how are you determining that either of those descriptions befits the Greens but not UF?
What is “mainstream” if it’s not defined by numbers?
If UF is a “mainstream” party rather than a “niche” party then why do they only attract a tiny niche of voters?
Come on Squirrel, stop running away from the discussions you start.
Anyone considering taking you at your word that you want to encourage a more consultative, more inclusive, more transparent system of govt should have a close look at the way you conduct yourself in discussions on this site.
Quite simply your words don’t match your actions.
And what is it with your site which is currently advertising “hot colombian beauties.”
Cos he makes $ from doing so
hope ur payuing your tax squirrel and not stashing it away
Couple of thoughts for the day with relevance to RWNJs (BB et al), Randists and free market afficienados…..just listened to a speach from Orlov when he mentioned the following…
Free markets are marginally more efficient than planned economies at using all the resources up until collapse is inevitable
and The free market is like a casino where all the chips end up in a few hands, when that happens the casino collapses, shuts doors and the chips are useless……
Have fun all you monetized rationalist morons.
Orlov is pretty good eh.
Got link?
And, yeah, the obvious conclusion of the capitalist free-market is, firstly, economic collapse as the money ends up as large pools in the hands of a few followed (after an “economic rescue” ie, New Deal etc) by total collapse as the resources are used up.
The money ends up in a few hands and they don’t spend it trying to live on the interest (Money generated through other peoples work and ideas) rather than being productive. As the money accumulates at the top the interest payments increase resulting in even more of the money going to the few while the money going to everyone else declines. Eventually the economy collapses because there isn’t enough money in the hands of the many to keep it going.
Keynes seems to have seen the problem but his solution appears* to have been to get the government to borrow that money from the rich at interest**. At best this would extend the time between economic collapses but, eventually, the governments would have borrowed so much that nobody would be willing to loan to them.
* The a reason why I use “seems” and “appears” here is because, according to Steve Keen, Keynes’ 1936 work was misinterpreted.
** Now consider just what National wanted to achieve by cutting taxes over the last decade and why they’ve suddenly gone to borrowing far more than they need to.
Draco, the video is well worth while, link is http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2011/06/road-ahead-for-community-action.html
It is rather sad that we argue left versus right in politics and the respective economics. Both entirely miss the point, they are predicated on continuous growth in consumption and debt. Neither is sustainable on a finite planet, arguing the toss about which version you prefer is deck chair shuffling on the Titanic.
There is one critical need to argue however, as we decline the usual RWNJ suspects will attempt to cushion their fall at the expense of the masses, by way of debt, force, expropriation etc. We conversely must resist and make them observe a good left wing prescription: the sharing of what is available equitably.
Unfortunately, even the economists who see the problems of austerity don’t realise the problems inherent within a socio-economic system that requires larger and larger markets. It is impossible to fulfil their vision of trickle down or even redistributed growth from a finite planet. Hell, the definition of economics given to me at uni was the study of the distribution of limited resources and yet the economists fail to realise that the theory they postulate and teach must result in the destruction of the environment,all the resources being used up and the few ending up with all the wealth (not that it’ll do them much good once the environments fucked).
We need to move to an socio-economic system that’s based around resource use and then we might get round to having some prosperity.
Micky
You missed this story?
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/07/labour_referred_to_the_police_for_electoral_act_breach.html
It’s called stealing Micky, something your lot don’t seem to have a problem with.
BTW Micky, are you behind Goff or Cunliffe?
Labour’s flyers/pamphleets had been vetted and checked by Parliamentary Services where they were assessed as being neither electioneering or party promotional material. Therefore, at the time, those materials were given the independent OK to contain the Parliamentary Services seal.
Saw it BB and posted on it. I had a read of the legislation and can understand how someone would see it differently to the EC. From now on IMHO all parties should put “Authorised by …” on everything.
Â
It misses the point though. The authorisation requirement was to address the Exclusive Bretheren scenario where shadowy entities put out publications and no one had the chance to see where the publication was coming from.
Â
It aint called “stealing” BB it is called “mucking up the paper work”.Â
Â
BTW I thought you were all for freedom of speech and against Nanny State? This is pretty aggressive nanny statism doncha think?
Â
I support Phil. I reckon he has a good chance of creating history and in defeating a National Government after only one term. If he does not succeed and resigns then Cunliffe would be a wonderful replacement.
Oh Come on Viper…are you still sticking to that pathetic line?….reminds me of the 850k you lot nicked back in 05.
Tell me Viper, do you lot think stealing is OK?
Labour had those materials independently checked and vetted by Parliamentary Services b.b. As for theft, check out the $7B asset give away that Key and English are sponsoring – those assets belong to the children and great grandchildren of NZ, not to the Chinese and Saudis.
Stop telling lies Viper
The AG deemed it to be theft, remember how Clark had to change the law to make her theft legal?
You lot really do like rewriting history don’t you.
As for the 49% sale of the “assets” well the people of NZ don’t seem to mind much about that Viper, the coming election will prove that. Mind you, I know that will not stop you guys moaning about it, democracy is not something you really bother with.
So..one again I ask you, do you lot think stealing is OK?. we know that your MP’s think it is perfectly fine to steal from the tax payer I just want to know if you are of the same opinion.
[lprent: The AG never said it was theft as far as I’m aware. A three week ban for putting words into the AG’s mouth unless you can link to something where the AG explicitly said it was “theft”.
Arggh reading your comments – I can’t be bothered with idiot trolling. You are on probation for a ban until after the election and the only reason you didn’t get it is because you don’t normally act quite as much of a dickhead. ]
Bruv
Â
There is no suggestion that Labour has been stealing. The pamphlet is being reported to the police because the law says it has to. This is only happening because “Authorised by …” was not printed on the pamphlet although given the fact that it is clearly a Labour Party publication and has Phil’s details all over it I think it is pretty clear that it was authorised.
Micky
There is every suggestion that Labour have had their dirty hands in the tap payer pocket once again.
Once a thief always a thief.
[lprent: See http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11072011/#comment-350555 ]
So also those blue budget leaflets and letters are also legal – my arse!
What’s a “tap payer pocket”, BBÂ ?
Good to see Big Suze is so strongly in favour of strict transparent electoral finance regulation.
Don’t forget all the other parties that got caught up in the AG’s rule change which included National who also overspent their allowed electioneering spend by the amount of GST.
Anything done by Labour recently pales into insignificance compared to the theft of our wealth that NACT are intent on carrying out.
Working conditions in the US IT industry :
My current company, has no vacations. You simply tell them when you are not going to be there, and they decide if they want to fire you for the absence.
They also do not have weekends. On the Friday before each customary “3-day” weekend the owner declares an emergency that, somehow, MUST be finished by Tuesday.
No one wants to work there for very long. Turnover is very high. Projects don’t get finished, precisely because of the turnover. Other projects do get “finished’, but don’t work, also because of the turnover
The owner doesn’t seem to realize that he is sabotaging his own projects.
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/10/1410234/IT-Crises-vs-Vacation-Sometimes-It-Isnt-Pretty
US is 6 to 12 months from a breakdown moment. Oil at $175-$200 barrel should do it.
Ready to admit that Obama is a failure yet Viper?
Mate, that became bloody obvious when he hired Geithner, Bernanke and Summers. And decided to sideline Volker, Warren and Krugman.
Plus, despite overwhelming public support, he couldn’t/wouldn’t get a public healthcare option through.
OK…we are getting there Viper.
So the next step is for you to admit that Socialism is a failed ideology, Obama has tried it and near destroyed the Yankee economy.
I see you emerging from the dark hole of socialism Viper, keep up the good work.
Obama hasn’t tried socialism bruv. His health care plan was stolen from the republicans, his ‘stimulus’ (which is now dropping off, expect to see further contraction and more unemoployment) was weighted heavily towards tax cuts at the top end.
About the only thing that has worked was the auto industry bail out.
Lol…how ironic given it was the unions (socialist to the core) who fucked the auto industry in the first place.
No, it was the greed, outsourcing and the bad (because their boards are populated by oil guys)strategic decisions with regards to their designs (Bigger, more gas guzzling as opposed to small energy efficient) that made the industry collapse and the bailout worked because it allowed them to screw the US workers even more by financing more outsourcing making the fat cats and their shareholders happy.
Yawn. If the us had a proper health care system like grown up countries do then the unions wouldn’t have to negotiate that stuff.
And your idea that the US union movement is either powerful or socialist only goes to prove that you wouldn’t know socialism if it nationalised your nutsack
it was the unions (socialist to the core) who fucked the auto industry
Â
Yep you go to the Bahamas now and the beaches are full of retired auto workers drinking their pina coladas and living it up on their ill gotten gains.
Â
And you then go back to Pensylvania and there are all these ex merchant bankers and Wall Street types living out of scraps they get from Dumpsters and sleeping rough.
Â
Those god forsaken communist unions sure knew what they were doing …
Â
Â
Big Bruv, you really need to gen up on the term ‘Fordism’ – Henry T Ford paid wages way above the market rate for two reasons; firstly the jobs were tedious and boring, secondly nobody could afford his new cars, hence he paid his staff nearly double the average wage and they all bought cars too. Guess what, he started a thing called commercialisation, where everyone was envious of their neighbours vehicle.
Â
Blame the companies not the unions – BTWÂ can you actually tell me the real root of socialism? Let’s see….
Democracy heaven forbid giving the vote to the poor peasants or even allowing them to have an opinion they might vote for some income redistribution
Something called “big bruv” is, unwisely, trying to be clever….
So the next step is for you to admit that Socialism is a failed ideology,
Do you even know what you are talking about?
Obama has tried it
No he has not. It’s clear you don’t know what you’re talking about.
and near destroyed the Yankee economy.
“Yankee”? Clearly, as well as knowing nothing about political and economic theory, you also know nothing about American culture.
Why don’t you take some time off, my friend, and read a few books? Seriously, you need to do that. You are way out of your depth at the moment.
Morrissey:Â My guess is the only books Burv reads are Penthouse and Playboy and he only reads the pictures.
I think Penthouse Forum banned him from writing any more letters, and he dispels all that pent-up energy by coming onto fora like this.
I think he gets one of those braille copies……….
Very funny grumpy – đ I have the image of Penthouse in braille – a whole new touch sensation.
lol you get that Obama tried socialism by rehiring a bunch of senior Goldman Sachs hacks to be his economic team?
You’re an idiot.
Hilarious Big Bruv! Obama, a socialist? It is to laugh… Really… Prove it! đ
It’s the neoliberal agenda that has fucked the USA.
Not really, that’s just the label of the day for too much interwoven power and money.
marsman
And yet the facts don’t back up your claim….funny that.
Want to know what “fucked” GM, Chrysler and to a lesser extend Ford?
Yep..unions, low life, parasitic unions.
Reminds me of a joke doing the rounds: A CEO, a worker and an unionist sit down at a table. On the table are a plate with 12 cookies. The CEO takes 11 cookies and puts them in his pocket than he points the finger at the union guy and tells the worker:” Be afraid boy, be very afraid because that union guy wants part of your cookie”!
Tell me BB what don’t you get about 1% owning 50% of all wealth and resources of the US while 50% have to make do with 2% being unfair and those 50% organising themselves to get a bigger part of the pie being with unions being a good idea?
More than likely management that did for GM etc., parasitic, low life management.
Remember Reagan, Bush etc.? Unmitigated disasters for many Americans except for a few wealthy ones, funny that.
marsman
You and I agree that the management of GM were pathetic.
Pathetic for giving into parasitic union thugs
Pathetic for agreeing to pension demands that sent the company bankrupt
Pathetic for not taking on the low life unions and smashing them.
Unions need to become stronger and more active with larger memberships. A rise in unions = a rise in worker pay and condition.
GM fucked up by not producing cars that people wanted, and when the oil crunch came they were fully unprepared.
The unions now own GM lol.
Stop telling lies Viper.
The tax payer owns GM. GM should have been left to fail, however Obama is so closely tied to the scum union movement that he wasted billions of tax payer dollars propping up GM.
Do a bit of research Viper, have a look at the facts, GM could not compete with other car makers because their wage and pension plans were crippling the company.
[lprent: Talking about lying – see http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11072011/#comment-350555 ]
đ
Unions are crucial to any strong well paid, successful industry. There are of course right and wrong ways to do union/industry relationships.
And remember, the unions did not negotiate the Private Jets for GM executives đ
This was only 40%-50% of GM’s problems.
Their repeated string of dud designs, over reliance on fuel guzzling trucks, unwillingness to support new pollution and fuel efficiency measures, and slow progress in closing the quality gap with the Japanese formed the rest.
And through economics academia, central banks and various international bankster institutions, the rest of the western world.
There is now many times more debt and financial obligations in existence than the real economy has the resources to deliver on.
Obama isn’t a failure for his “Socialism” BB but for his sleazy surrender to the banksters and the Military industrial complex, pandering to their insatiable thirst for more wars and more looting while the populations of the countries they invade and destroy and the American population die and wither as a result.
trav
Obama is a failure for socialism, just as socialism has failed everywhere else it has been tried.
What part of that do you not get?
BB, you’re so brain dead it’s not even funny any more.
Given up already Trav?
That’s the problem with you socialists, you cannot defend your beloved system despite the fact that it has failed everywhere it has been tried so you resort to abuse.
Shame.
From ultra right wing to socialist in a few comments! Wow.
No, BB unlike you I actually have life and besides I’ve come to the conclusion that your Ignotrance lifestyle choices are a waste of time to me.
Have a nice day!
Troll
What a lot of tripe you utter BB. Socialism failed ? Not in the Scandinavian countries who have the highest standard of living in the world. Nearer to home how about Fonterra which is pure Socialism. Something you and farmers conveniently forget.
I don’t think we’ll see $175-200 within 12 months. The economy will simply collapse and won’t sustain that price.
/agreed
The price of oil won’t go above about $130/barrel as the economy can’t sustain that. Of course, the economy will still collapse once we start going down the other side of Hubbert’s Peak.
Imagine if a Palestinian or Zimbabwean protestor did THIS to an official supervising a house destruction…
http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/a-proactive-approach-to-eviction-orders/
A proactive approach to eviction orders
http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/a-proactive-approach-to-eviction-orders/
[lprent: Removed the excess bold. There was no need to make your text shout. You might think that it is IMPORTANT and requiring emphasis – others do not. It didn’t have a reason in doing it, went beyond the permitted minor emphasis, and I’m really really uninterested in having an emphasis war.
I could start emphasizing how much I disapprove by removing the offenders to save my eyes. ]
It was only one line! I always make sure to avoid excess bold or excess capital letters. I understand what you’re saying, but I didn’t think one line was excessive.
[lprent: Two single lines – your complete contribution to the comment in fact :twisted:. It is hard to figure out a point that it was being used for when it is the whole comment. You comment above is a lot better – the bold was an emphasis on your point (even if that was incorrect). ]
So..how about them polls then?
Is Brash on 40 yet? 4 even?
Is Brash on 40 yet? 4 even?
Actually, it’s 1.7 per cent, and falling. Once again: that’s ONE POINT SEVEN.
0.4?
He’s heading that way. poor bruv. He had such high hopes. Turns out the country doesn’t like racist old misanthropes. Whocoodanode?
Speaking of Brash Bruv, where do you stand in the great Brash v Ansell throwdown? Brash was for Ansell before he was against him, so you could go that route too, I suppose. Like you were for Hide before you were against him, IIRC.
Don Brash this morning: “I can speak for most NZers that they don’t want Maorisation.”
Don Brash this morning: “I can’t speak for the others in my Party about how they regard the current publicity.”
It’s an issue, but to be fair it shouldnât be looked at in isolation, there are many competing -ifications.
How bad is Maorification?
Compared to the rest?
I am in awe!
On National Radio on Sunday morning they had a retrospective on the homosexual law reform, passed 25 years ago.
Didn’t listen to much of it, but did catch a speech by John Banks MP saying it would be a sad day long remembered in New Zealand because of what was being passed, with a very dark cloud hanging over parliament. Seems like he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Be nice if this little speech could be brought up around Epsom: 25 years ago John Banks said this, do you really want to be represented by a small-minded bigot from the past?
Banksie tried to chum up with gays during the supercity mayoral contest and it looked most unconvincing. Todays voters should know what a cockroach he is.
Homosexual law reform was indeed a reform that worked and has lasted, not perfect but made life that bit more bearable and fair for part of our community. Anyone remember the straight supporters little pink HUG buttons (Heterosexuals Unafraid of Gays) and Blue Jeans Day which could be hilarious?
The poor working conditions on NZ-chartered fishing trawlers is an ongoing disgrace to this country. Stuff reports on the latest saga here, but gives few details. Another article summarises the background and specific allegations:
Â
Slave labour conditions in NZ’s fishing industry
Â
If what this latter article states about the collaboration/indifference of Iwi company owners and the Maritime Union in perpetuating this situation is true, it is a sad day.
The maritime unions are not exactly happy about it, but as they no longer have the right to strike there is not much they can do about it.
ITF and the maritime unions in NZ have done what they can for the welfare of the fishing crews.
Unfortunately we have a Government who believes that all workers should have the same lack of rights.
With 25000 unemployed youth in Northland, why are fishing boat owners allowed to exploit foreign crews, anyway?
Intermittent signal July 2011/3
Great sounding NZ research that should make a big difference in energy, finding non-food sources, and can reduce waste. Don’t know what the disadvantages are – I guess that there is some law that for every improvement there is one.
http://www.lanzatech.co.nz/
Hear interview on Radio nz – Can’t provide instant control, but your own work can get there in a few seconds.
Details from RadioNZ 9 to Noon program.
Feature Guest – Sean Simpson
Sean Simpson is the co-founder, and head of the science team at Lanzatech – a privately owned, NZ-based company which has developed and patented a microbe that eats polluting gases and excretes ethanol. (30âČ48âł)
Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3 (He makes some comments on the effects of our present tax system on forward-looking research and development in NZ, I think it’s called imputation.)
Seeing as how everyones labelling everyone a racist these days. Let’s have a debate about ‘race’ as it applies specifically to NZ ?
First we’ll define the terms of reference, then we’ll compare racial characteristics by a number of indicators to determine whether in fact some ‘races’ are indeed superior/inferior to others.
We’ll naturally include assimilated phenotypes, genetic markers, social norms, cultural values and ideals as indicators of any evolutionary oneupmanship with regards to adaptibility and natural selection/survival of the fittest.
…and then based on the outcome we’ll determine which ‘race’, if any, has the right to determine the “one rule of law, irrespective of race by which we as NZers should all live by”. and whether promoting any such rule of law is indeed racist.
yeah, nah…is that a radical idea whose time has come or are we still too chickenshit as a nation to truly confront our fears and prejudices ?
“NZ dollar strength depends on US: Key”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10737756
New Zealand’s future is grim.
And we’re not even locked into a free trade with the US. Yet.
Imagine how much freer we are now?
And on free trade … how come the more free trade agreements we sign up to, the less free we become in controlling our own economy?
How come it feels like we’re more like losers when we play this global game called free trade? What’s wrong with us?
Jane Kelsey’s blog has some good info on the Trans-pacific partnership our Goverment is negotiating at the moment. http://web.me.com/jane_kelsey/Jane/Welcome.html
Further to my comments on young women, careless boozing, irresponsibility, and reliance on men to have superior standards to their own:
nz herald 11/7/2011
A Timaru gynaecologist wants a campaign against promiscuity after encountering a shocking number of pregnant patients who cannot remember whom they had sex with.
Dr Albert Makary, who has been in Timaru for 20 years, called on national leaders, sports stars, schools and the media at a Forum on the Family in Auckland yesterday to “stigmatise” both promiscuity and the binge drinking that usually preceded it.
He cited a survey by a condom maker that said New Zealand women were the most promiscuous in the world, with 20.3 sexual partners on average. The world average was 7.3.
Kiwi men were also above average with 16.8 partners. New Zealand was the only country where women had more sexual partners than men.
“I get women coming in and saying, ‘Doctor, I can’t remember who I slept with yesterday.’
“It is very, very frequent. I’m not talking about one or two or three or 1000 cases. I’m talking about thousands and thousands of cases a year [nationally].” What’s more, they’re proud of it.
He said such promiscuity undermined stable life-long relationships.
The symptoms were increasing violence, sexual assault, alcohol and drug-fuelled car accidents, a growing incidence of depression and the world’s highest rates of both chlamydia and youth suicide.
Promiscuity?
It takes two to tango? đ
It only takes one fundamentalist to discover a whole lot of sinners
I rather think you missed the point, Campbell. The reason these things have been called sins in the first place, is because of the damage they do to relationships and to people. There are examples in my own family – my somewhat dim-witted nephew has a wife who is hell-bent on churning out baby after baby despite repeated bouts of post-natal depression, because her own family life was so f***ed up. The reason they married in the first place, I have been told is because she was preggers, and because she was “easy”. Result, 4 children under 5 years old, and my sister is going round the bend trying to support this dysfunctional family (financially and emotionally). They’re both under 25 years old.
Hi Vicky, apologies for not being clearer. There are serious issues raised and I do not mean to make light of them. I do think that the articles could have done a better job of avoiding the potential reinforcement of negative stereotypes of woman and was wondering if the promiscuity debate was going to be used as part of a UFuture (or others) election campaign around family values.
That’s always possible – but I would stick my neck out as far as to say that “family values” aren’t necessarily a bad thing! Saving young women from STDS, broken hearts and a broken family can only be a good thing, I’d have thought.
As a woman (and back when I was a younger woman I felt the same way) I always felt a mixture of pity and revulsion towards promiscuous girls. (That applied to myself when I was one! đ )
Given that in some (but by no means all) cases there are underlying issues which promiscuity is but a symptom of don’t you think revulsion is a quite a negitive emotion/ tag which if normalized as a response is likely to cause further distress to the very people that you want to help?
…Chaste does not imply moral – there are no doubt many ‘promiscuous’ people who would object to the assertion that they are somehow less caring or functional because of the way they express thier sexuality.
Campbell Larsen – This is a sticky mixture of sentimentality and political correctness which does not give the women involved the respect due to them as adults who need to find adult ways to cope with life.
Prism – ‘sentimental’ ‘PC’ and somehow disrespectful at the same time?
Easy up on the name calling tiger – I don’t think we disagree as much as you think – the issue is health, both individual and societal – the approach to any problems should also be health focused and not come from a faith based or religious perspective, or from claims to the moral high ground.
Campbell Larsen – My point was that there is a sticky trap for those trained in political correctness often through social work courses, which actually involves fudging the issues of those people supposedly being helped. The focus of attention may be to the difficulties they face – their disadvantaged position in society, bad parent role models, constant sexual emphasis in advertising even to the very young girl etc.
In the case of promiscuous females this would occur if their behaviour was not directly discussed, with an emphasis on their own agency in the unfortunate result. Understanding the societal pressures should not prevent helping the person to develop their own adult competency to handle those societal problems. That is what I mean by having respect – that is respect for their own abilities, understandings and strengths. Anything else is patronising and infantilising.
well, seeing as we’re in the “pc gone mad” stage, why are you talking about female promiscuity and not male promiscuity?
Males get tracked down by IRD for 18 years of maintenance, have the emotional upheaval, and also find out that it really CAN fall off. And males are the ones who wear the major prophylactic against these issues.
But then of course, male “promiscuity” doesn’t seem to be the public health tragedy that female “promiscuity” is.
Â
True, but these are not the girls referred to in the original source! The ones referred to are living pretty dysfunctional lives, and have such bad relationships with alcohol, that they can’t have good relationships with guys.
Really? Maybe they don’t want a “good relationship” with one guy at that stage of their life?
Binge drinking is a major issue, but “promiscuity” is a judgement.
‘The symptoms were increasing violence, sexual assault, alcohol and drug-fuelled car accidents, a growing incidence of depression and the worldâs highest rates of both chlamydia and youth suicide.’
Hm, most of which were instigated by said young [drunk at time of conception] women.
Scarlet As, people? Of course this problem is young women’s fault. Nothing to do with the rest of us.
Jim Nald Promiscuity? It takes two to tango?
The excerpt covers the two sexes and their promiscuity. (Doesn’t mention anything about the third), ie
Also from CV’s link – “She said times have changed so much that the fear of getting pregnant or catching a sexually transmitted disease were no longer seen as reasons for not having sex.
“We don’t even call them sexually transmitted diseases anymore, we’ve changed that to infections which kind of downgrades it and makes it not as serious as they can be.”
bingo, thanks JN
This is related as well
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10737698
My giddy aunt! No one can possibly think that’s a good thing can they? Aside from anything else, if they keep the child, what will they tell her when she is 5 and asks “who’s my Daddy, Mum, and why don’t we ever see him?” (She/he will ask, you can depend on that…)
Agreed.
We need to distribute more condoms and increase the availability of abortions and other family planning services.
Oh, is that not what you meant?
Yeah, that’ll help! Not! The issue as I see it, is the emotional harm done to both boys and girls, by a pattern of behaviour that causes huge problems for them and the children they have who escape being slaughtered! (Abortion also causes huge emotional problems especially if the girl allows herself to be pressured into it, either by her parents or the boy’s..) I’ve seen this in my own family.
When my son went to his school ball (he went only once, for the experience, as she and his friends were the designated nerds, therefore not interested.) He was both amused and embarassed to be issued condoms and pamphlets about STIs and what we used to call ‘the clap clinic’, with his ball tickets. He had no intention of either getting trolleyed or having sex that or any othert night.
If instead of being issued condoms and even more sex ed., (by year 11 they will have years of it years of it), girls and boys were taught more about the benefits of further education, there’d be far fewer teen pregnancies to abort…
Right – because tertiary education really lowers the libido!
Basically, from a public health perspective, getting 17-24y.o. who are all piled into a concentrated area to not shag each other is pushing shit uphill. The best you can do is throw rubbers at anyone and everyone so that they’re available when the impulse strikes, and they don’t have to overcome embarrassment to buy a french tickler themselves. “Promise rings” and other abstinence bs just plain doesn’t work, and they end up having unprotected sex (or unprotected anal sex on the grounds that it “doesn’t count”) and that leads to all sorts of bad stuff.
Drinking is another matter – price controls and licensing restrictions (not to mention better tools to enforce the current law) should take the edge off the worst of the binge drinking culture.
Â
I never said it lowers the libido. But what it does do, is give these people a sense of having a future that they don’t want to risk. Do you know any 17-24 year olds? My son and his friends didn’t shag their way through university, neither did I when it was my turn. You seem to be very cynical about students. The ones who drank and shagged their way through uni rather than studying, are the ones who graduate (or not) and instead of being doctors, cardiac nurses (as my son now is) or lawyers, work in insurance companies, regretting their lost opportunities.
Your cynicism shows itself in the unsupported assertion that “âPromise ringsâ and other abstinence bs just plain doesnât work, and they end up having unprotected sex (or unprotected anal sex on the grounds that it âdoesnât countâ) and that leads to all sorts of bad stuff.” Your assertion is widely believed but it’s not true. People are perfectly capable of abstinence if they feel they have a reason, and I mean abstinence from sex and also from binge drinking! Sex is not a physiological necessity, no one dies from the absence of it, Shortland Street and other NZ TV drama notwithstanding. You seem to have a very low opinion of human nature, and you remind me of that satirical song by the Bloodhound Gang which my abstinent son used to quote: “You and me, baby/We ain’t nothing but mammals/So let’s do it like they do/On the Discovery channel”. Possibly you didn’t even get that it was satirical?
Years ago, I read a book about adoption, and the girls who in the 60s and early 70s, who were pressured into giving up their babies. The author (whose name escapes me right now) talked about the fact that the girls who devoted themselves to getting an education instead of an STI were on the whole much happier.
You’re also wronger than a professor of wrong at Oxford University that these people don’t want relationships, they just want to shag. That attitude is one I’ve heard put forward by the middle aged and older male, not by young women or young men. 17-24 year olds are terribly hung up on romance. Every time a teenage girl (or boy) has sex with a new partner she’s secretly hoping he might be “the one”. Trust me on this – my son is 24, and I remember my 17-24 years far more vividly than I ought to!
Â
Â
âYou and me, baby/We ainât nothing but mammals/So letâs do it like they do/On the Discovery channelâ.
Actually apart from our nearest genetic cousins the bonobos and chimps, most mammals have sex quite at quite limited seasons or stages of their lives. Many species will get by quite well with only several dozen acts of intercourse in their entire lives. Contrast that to the many thousands of times we are capable of engaging in it more or less anytime any place…with anyone… if we so desire.
So actually comparing us to animals isn’t right… they are usually far more restrained than us.
That Bloodhound Gang Song certainly is satirical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xat1GVnl8-k
As is the song âHell Yeahâ from the same album, âHooray for boobiesâ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4JDYD_0-mM
I always figured the target for the satire was the same in both songs. But Iâd love to be corrected if Iâm wrong.
The abstinence debate has been well-travelled especially regarding the states and Africa. There is a reason that e.g. the Catholic missionaries went from Abstinence-only to ABC (abstinence – but if doing it, use a condom). Heck, armies have been trying to stop soldiers getting stds for centuries, and success only started with antibiotics and distribution of condoms. And, on occasion, regulated military brothels.
I worked in a university providing various services to students for many years. It might be cynical, but I think it’s realistic for at least 25% of the tertiary population, if not treble that (according to various NZ studies in the area). Not all students have sex at university, but quite a few do. Not all of those who have sex have it for reasons that are healthy, and not all who have sex practise safe sex. It’s the last two that are problems.
Oh, and your idea that everytime a teenager has sex they think s/he’s “the one”? Don’t make me laugh – and that goes for quite a few women as well as men.
Human beings are the most extraordinarily hyper-sexual creature evolution has ever produced. Yet the amazing thing really is how few partners most people have, compared with our physical capacity to have sex. Most people actually make pretty restrained choices around sex the vast majority of the time…so let’s not get too morally panicky here.
The real issue I believe, and lots of others have said this, is the prevalence of alochol abuse. And while both genders are responsible for their behaviour, ultimately it’s the dissolving of inhibitions that results in girls drunk in charge of their pussy.. and then having to wear the consequences.
And that is what has changed in the last decade or so. Now I do recall sometime in the 70’s ‘chaperoning’ a good friend of mine (later we almost married… but that’s another story) around a pub crawl to celebrate the end of the uni year. She held together remarkably well almost to the end, and I eventually got her home safe and sound… and unfucked as agreed. But it was pretty much a one off, we never made a habit of that sort of thing.
But these days the sheer numbers of scantily clad young women staggering about in public, utterly muntered is what has changed. The unplanned, unsafe sex is the consequence of this unsafe, out-of-control alcohol abuse. It’s the drinking that’s the root cause here; address that.
not all is as it seems that median vs average problem seems to be behind the high rates of sexual activity.
I blame the booze. Oh and maybe women here are more accurate in their counting or more likely to treat the survey as a joke – a cultural difference?
Brave Little Israel fights off Non-Violent Peace Protestors
Radio New Zealand National “World Watch”, 12.45 p.m. Monday 11 July 2011
Israel’s paranoid and increasingly insane political leaders are worried—they’re certainly working hard to stop dissenters focusing international attention on the illegal blockade of Gaza. More than 30 human rights and peace protestors from many countries, after being prevented from sailing from Athens, have now tried to enter Jerusalem’s Ben-Gurion Airport, but have again been blocked by Israeli machinations.
To cover this, Radio New Zealand National chose to run a ridiculously biased, cynical Deutsche-Welle “report” by the notorious Irris Makler. After approvingly outlining how the Israelis had inveigled several airlines, including Lufthansa, to actually do their dirty work for them, Makler said this: “Some Canadian pilgrims, however, found that it’s easy to get into Israel if you come in with a less aggressive agenda.”
Excuse me? Protesting against an illegal blockade and against the continual harassment, brutalization and killing of Gaza’s population is an “aggressive agenda”, now? Even in the Looking Glass world of Israeli state propaganda, that statement is meshuga and Ś ŚÖ·ŚšŚŚ©.
But Makler was not finished. “A group of Israeli families of suicide bomb victims,” she sneered, “wants to meet with the protestors—if they get through.”
In spite of the dire and depressing quality of this travesty of journalism, it’s still interesting for what it reveals about the state of Israeli apologetics. People like Irris Makler really have only two weapons: defamation and diversion. Note how, after working hard at defaming the protestors with their “aggressive agenda” of peaceful protest, Irris Makler also played the diversion card—avoid the real and continuing oppression of Gaza, and talk about something else, in this case, suicide bombings which happened more than a decade ago.
I think a report as flagrantly dishonest as this one could be a case for an official complaint to Radio New Zealand, as well as Deutsch-Welle. What do others think?
I think you need a good little lie down……….
Come on, grumpy, planking is so last month.
I agree absolutely!
P.S., I am trying to post this comment and keep getting an error message, fill in name & email yet I am logged in. Was gibt? 3rd try… 5th try and for some insane reason I’ve been logged out. What on earth is wrong?
The login actually has a time limit that does not renew every time you come to the site. Unfortunately it can strike while you’re reading a thread so, even though the page says that you’re logged in, you’re actually logged out. You have to refresh the page and log in again.
Good description. I looked at it in 2009 and decided that there was bugger all that I could do to improve it. I didn’t want to play with the login cookie system. I should have another peek at it and see if they opened up the convoluted login code.
Thanks DtB and lprent for the explanation… It’s great! đ
Morrissey – Agree. I hope for good stuff from National Radio. How much are they paying Makler for this partisan slop?
Warren Buffett has just given away 99% of his US$1.87 billion fortune
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/81436,business,warren-buffett-gives-away-178bn-shares
Â
Therefore not all the mega rich are twats; also he has some interesting views on tax
Â
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/71836,business,tax-the-rich-says-billionaire-warren-buffett-
Warren Buffet knows that the rich have waged class war upon the poor for years; he said it publicly.
Edit – wait, he gave most of that money to Bill Gates???? Who in return seems to be giving most of that money to already well paid professionals at big universities and pharma companies??? If I may politely say, wtf.
Don Brash Vs Pita Sharples on Native Affairs tonight. 830 MÄori TV. .
National Contributes to Africa’s Misery
Once again we’re witness to the horrendous images of starving people arriving at refugee camps in east Africa, with nearly 12 million people facing starvation across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia…
This is one of those problems where the more we spend the worse the problem gets. Ensuring that a group of people don’t starve to death just ensures that their children probably will because we haven’t addressed the underlying problem of over population. As long as we don’t address that these things will just keep getting worse.
The cronyism you note is par for the course for National.
It’s pretty despicable to cut foreign aid at a time when it’s most needed. Most of what National does I’m reasonably indifferent to, but this really pisses me off! National really are a bunch of heartless old bastards!
It’s an issue that isn’t going to go away anytime soon. Some of the problem lies with administration costs whereby a lot of the aid funds don’t get to where they are required. Controlling distribution lines would also help to ensure aid got to where it is most needed.
Another issue is that many areas affected by drought don’t have the means to irrigate or produce seed to grow their own crops, which is usually the underlying issue to starvation. Supporting farmers in areas of food insecurity through such measures as free or subsidized fertilizers and seeds increases food harvest and reduces food prices.
Crop failure will become more prevalent with the increased effects of climate change. That could be a serious issue considering the UN recently said food production will need to double by 2050 to meet demand.
Overpopulation is a tricky one. Education is probably the best remedy there. The more education the less incidence of starvation or implementation of more draconian policies.
The earth can in fact sustain many more humans with proper wealth distribution and measures to increase food production such as proper crop selection. Restricting the use of genetically engineered seeds, helping countries develop proper irrigation systems and education goes a long way to developing self reliance.
It’s not all bad news though. The share of malnourished and starving people in the world has been more or less continually decreasing for at least several centuries. This is due to an increasing supply of food and to overall gains in economic efficiency.
Share of undernourished people in the developing world
1970 1980 1990 2005 2007 2009
37 % 28 % 20 % 16 % 17 % 16 %
What peak oil is going to do to that trend is another question.
we can add single generation seeds onto the list of current threats to global food production. It is one that will continue to become more prominent as the decades roll on. They are in the EcoSystem. What this will eventually do to the Environment, no-one can honestly know.
There’s definitely no question as to what peak oil will do to that trend.
What peak oil does to the trend in the Developed World should also be asked.
Re -McFlock âŠ
12 July 2011 at 5:29 pm
I agree about promiscuity of both sexes. But what appears to have happened is a race to the bottom with women trying to echo mens attitudes, or what they imagine these are.
Women are likely to come off worse in this situation, diseases, unwanted pregnancies, interruption of their education which was supposed to set them up for an adult life. They might end up sterile because of chlamydia or despising sex which would affect future close loving relationships.
As opposed to men who end up viewing women as strictly a vagina? Or the couple who got married as virgins and it turned out one party was hoping that heterosexual sex would get rid of their inclinations? Or the teen who believed that you couldn’t get pregnant the first time you did it? Or the guy who doesn’t take his warty leaking appendage to the doctor until it’s far to late? Or etc etc etc.
Some people like and can handle higher volume sex than others, without it being the result of (or resulting in) some sort of emotional disorder – everyone is different. This is not a problem. As long as people are doing it for reasons they recognise and are at home with is fine. Not having the good sense to roll a johnny on the wee chap (or, for that matter, use dental dams, spermicide, sponges, caps, rubber gloves and so on) IS a problem.