Open mike 11/08/2014
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- COVID-19 mental health support beginsA range of support is being rolled out across New Zealand to help people look after their mental health during COVID-19 Health Minister David Clark said this morning. “COVID-19 has brought a lot of uncertainty into our lives and many of us will be feeling some level of distress or ...2 days ago
- New Zealanders in Peru to be assisted by Government charter flightThe New Zealand Government has made arrangements to charter a flight for New Zealanders stranded in Peru to depart the country, following agreement with the Chilean government to allow the necessary transit through Chile, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced today. “Like many travellers around the world at the moment, ...3 days ago
- COVID-19 Hospital Preparation Well AdvancedHospital preparations for COVID-19 are well advanced says Health Minister David Clark. “Hospitals across New Zealand are repurposing buildings and training staff to get ready for COVID-19 patients. This gives me confidence that we are well prepared for any potential increase in COVID-19 patients needing hospital level care,” said David ...6 days ago
- Further measures to support businessesThe Government will be introducing legislation to make changes to the Companies Act to help companies facing insolvency due to COVID-19 to remain viable and keep New Zealanders in jobs. The temporary changes include: Giving directors of companies facing significant liquidity problems because of COVID-19 a ‘safe harbour’ from insolvency ...6 days ago
- Govt’s COVID plan, economic strength recognisedThe Government’s plan to cushion the blow of COVID-19 by supporting incomes, jobs and businesses, and position the economy to recover has been backed by another international report. International credit rating agency Moody’s today reaffirmed its highest Aaa credit rating on New Zealand, saying the economy is expected to remain ...6 days ago
- Funding certainty for sports through COVID-19National sports organisations have been given certainty of funding to ensure they can remain viable through the COVID-19 pandemic, Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson announced today. “The global spread of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on sport and recreation in New Zealand, including the cancellation or postponement of ...6 days ago
- Butchers now allowed to process porkChanges have been made to allow butchers to process pork, only for supply to supermarkets or other processors or retailers that are open, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced. “We carefully weighed the risk of allowing butchers to open their shops for retail customers, but the risk of spreading COVID-19 ...7 days ago
- Essential workers leave scheme establishedEssential workers who take leave from work to comply with public health guidance are being supported with a leave scheme to ensure they will continue to receive income, say the Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Iain Lees-Galloway and Minister for Social Development, Carmel Sepuloni. A number of essential businesses ...7 days ago
- Govt WhatsApp helps share COVID-19 informationA Government WhatsApp channel has been launched to help make information more easily accessible and shareable in the fight against COVID-19. Govt.NZ, which is free to use on any mobile device, will carry information and news for the public, businesses, healthcare providers, not for profits and local government. It can ...7 days ago
- Managed departure plan for stranded foreign nationals enables safe, orderly exitThe Government has announced a plan to enable the safe, orderly exit of tens of thousands of stranded foreign nationals from New Zealand during the current COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has said. “When we moved into lockdown a week ago, the ...7 days ago
- Government delivers COVID-19 support to GPs and PharmaciesHealth Minister Dr David Clark says the Government is delivering on its commitment to support general practice doctors and nurses, and pharmacies on the front-line of our fight against COVID-19. "For us to overcome COVID-19, we need community health services such as general practice and community pharmacy to step up ...7 days ago
- Susan Thomas the new Chief High Court JudgeJustice Susan Thomas has been appointed Chief High Court Judge, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. She replaces Justice Geoffrey Venning who has resigned from the position. David Parker paid tribute to Justice Venning, who he said had stewarded the High Court very capably over the last five years. “On behalf ...7 days ago
- Business Finance Guarantee – applications openBusinesses can start applying to their banks for loans under the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme set up to support the New Zealand economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re moving quickly to protect New Zealand businesses, jobs and the economy during this unprecedented global economic shock,” Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. ...1 week ago
- Work starts on ways to fast-track consents to boost recovery from Covid-19 downturnWork is underway looking at measures to speed up consents for development and infrastructure projects during the recovery from COVID 19, to provide jobs and stimulate our economy. Environment Minister David Parker said the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global crisis that will have a wide ranging and lasting impact ...1 week ago
- Advance payments to support contractorsAdvance payments will be made to transport construction industry contractors to retain the workforce and ensure it is ready to quickly gear up to build projects which will be vital to New Zealand’s COVID-19 economic recovery, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. He said keeping the workforce required to build ...1 week ago
- Government seeks infrastructure projectsThe Government has tasked a group of industry leaders to seek out infrastructure projects that are ready to start as soon as the construction industry returns to normal to reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford and Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones say. The Infrastructure ...1 week ago
- Health system scaled up to prepare for COVID-19Work to scale up the health system in preparation for COVID-19 was today outlined by Health Minister David Clark, as he reported back to the new Epidemic Response Committee. “We are well placed to contain the spread of COVID-19. We have taken early and decisive action at our borders, and ...1 week ago
- Essential media COVID-19 guidelines refinedThe Government is refining its COVID-19 essential business guidance to include the distribution of news publications for communities which are hard to reach. The Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, Kris Faafoi, said the move was in recognition of the importance for New Zealanders who might be harder to ...1 week ago
- Supermarkets able to open on Easter SundayThe Government is ensuring supermarkets can open on Easter Sunday so we can buy groceries, but stay closed on Good Friday allowing workers to take a break. This provides a balanced approach and ensures we avoid large queues that two days closure may cause. “Supermarkets will be able to open ...1 week ago
- New Zealand defence personnel conclude mission at TajiFollowing the successful conclusion of the Building Partner Capacity (BPC) mission at Taji, New Zealand defence personnel are returning to New Zealand from Iraq, in accordance with the Cabinet decision made in June 2019, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. “New Zealand is very ...1 week ago
- State of National Emergency extendedThe State of National Emergency to help stop the spread of COVID-19 has been extended for a further seven days, Minister of Civil Defence Peeni Henare said. The initial declaration on March 25 lasted seven days and can be extended as many times as necessary. “Since we went into isolation ...1 week ago
- Strong Govt books support ‘go hard, go early’ responseNew Zealand’s ability to go hard and go early in the fight against COVID-19 has been underpinned by strong Government finances and the growing economy heading into this global pandemic, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown financial statements for the eight months to the end ...1 week ago
- Christchurch Hospital Hagley ICU to open to support COVID-19 responseHealth Minister Dr David Clark says 36 new intensive care beds at Christchurch Hospital’s new Hagley building are being fast tracked so they are available for treatment of COVID-19 patients. The Ministry of Health is working with contractor CPB and Canterbury DHB to enable access to the hospital’s ICU, ...1 week ago
- Government supports Air NZ freight flightsThe Government has fast-tracked up to $1 million to help Air New Zealand move urgent freight to and from New Zealand, with the first flight to Shanghai leaving tonight, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. Phil Twyford says it’s crucial that trade in vital goods such as medical supplies and ...1 week ago
- Tariff concessions on COVID-19 related productsNew Zealand will temporarily remove tariffs on all medical and hygiene imports needed for the COVID-19 response. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said today that the New Zealand Customs Service will apply tariff concessions to all diagnostic reagents and testing ...2 weeks ago
- Clarification of modification to wage subsidy schemeMinister of Finance Grant Robertson has clarified that the changes to the wage subsidy scheme announced yesterday mean that employers should be passing on the full subsidy to workers, except in the case where the person’s normal income is less than the level of the subsidy. “We still want employers ...2 weeks ago
- Face masks flowing to DHBsMedical face masks from the national reserve supply are now being distributed to District Health Boards, while at the same time local production is being ramped up. Yesterday more than 640,000 masks were sent to DHBS – that is an immediate two week supply, with more to follow in coming ...2 weeks ago
- The Bulletin: Quarantine announcement imminent, according to reports
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Quarantine announcement expected today for arrivals, John Tamihere accused of test-seeking dishonesty, and Cyclone Harold smashes Pacific.An announcement is expected today on mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals at the border, in an effort to prevent outbreaks of Covid-19. That comes ...45 mins ago - Elliot Ikilei Will Stand For Flat Bush
Auckland’s new electorate of Flat Bush* will be given the opportunity to have New Conservative’s Deputy Leader fight for their needs and wants. Elliot Ikilei has both lived and worked in or around the electorate for over a decade, with close ...47 mins ago - Covid-19: An election in lockdown? Politicians, officials weigh options
The lockdown may be set to end in two weeks but region-based restrictions are still likely to be in place by the time of the general election, Justice Minister Andrew Little says. ...1 hour ago - Investors flock to Hatch and into global market
Kiwi Wealth's online share and fund trading platform Hatch has never been so busy. GM Kristen Lunman talks to Bernard Hickey about why tens of thousands of New Zealanders are now trading stocks in US markets. General Manager and Co-Founder of Hatch Kristen Lunmen has never been busier helping ...1 hour ago - Covid-19 live updates, April 9: Cyclone Harold smashes locked down PacificFor all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level four. The country is shut down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this work, join The ...1 hour ago
- Book of the Week: Jacinda Ardern by Madeleine Chapman
Steve Braunias reviews Madeleine Chapman's new biography of Jacinda Ardern on Kindle (available in all good bookstores when all good bookstores reopen after the lockdown.) And then there was the time I popped in to see Jacinda Ardern for a cup of tea during those strange, dreamy weeks when New ...1 hour ago - Options for the slow road back
When and how to start loosening anti-virus controls is a vexed question in countries around the world, writes Rod Oram Fighting Covid-19 remains the absolute priority for governments and citizens. But pressure is building to allow more social movement and economic activity along the way. Once again China is ...2 hours ago - A guide to cyber security in lockdown
As many transition to unfamiliar systems as part of working from home, being vigilant about cyber security has never been more important, writes Victoria University of Wellington's Val Hooper The past few weeks have been tumultuous as the majority of us have scampered and scrabbled to get organised for, and come ...2 hours ago - How ready is NZ for online education?
As schools move their teaching online, we must be cautious of the risk of amplifying our shameful record of inequalities across the education system, writes Victoria University of Wellington's Louise Starkey When schools begin teaching again it will be through a distance mode. New Zealand has a long history of distance ...2 hours ago - After the crisis: Cities are the future
There is a great deal of anxiety about Covid-19 but in many ways we're much better off than we would be after a natural disaster: the water will keep flowing, the power will stay on, the sewers will keep working. The University of Auckland's Bill McKay makes a case for city ...2 hours ago - MediaRoom: Throw out the lifeline
MediaRoom: Inside the pressure building on the Government to step in and save news media businesses before it's too late. For months, some parts of the news media have been sending out SOS messages publicly and in intense lobbying in the shadows of bureaucracy for urgent Government financial and regulatory ...2 hours ago - Grant Schofield: Why we need a Plan B
Professor of Public Health Grant Schofield asks what happens if the lockdown doesn't work, and argues it's time to be looking at a mitigation strategy Yesterday morning my teenage boys Sam and Jackson were out riding their bikes. The police pulled them over to question them about what they were doing and where ...2 hours ago - Don’t try to be a Black Fern on day one of fitness kick
If you think the lockdown is the perfect time to start an exercise regime, LockerRoom writer Ashley Stanley has a warning for you. It was the fifth day after I decided to exercise, and my body was still a painful reminder of my ridiculous thinking, yet again. I had ...2 hours ago - The secret to rapidly increasing Covid-19 tests? The poolBulk testing of samples could be the way forward for coronavirus surveillance in New Zealand, reports Mirjam Guesgen.With the number of completed coronavirus tests in New Zealand breaking 4,000 in a day on Tuesday, scientists are looking at more efficient tests to push that number even higher.By testing samples from ...3 hours ago
- NZ lockdown – day 14: Pacific groups at risk over social media ‘fake info’
By RNZ News Social media misinformation about Covid-19 is putting Pacific communities in New Zealand at particular risk, government advisers say. The government announced a $17 million package toward building an awareness campaign in Pacific languages, as well as support for health providers. Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa identified ...11 hours ago - Pell decision: why sexual offence trials often result in acquittal, even with credible witnessesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marilyn McMahon, Deputy Dean, School of Law, Deakin University A distinctive feature of the prosecution of Cardinal George Pell is that the former choirboy who accused him of sexual abuse (known in the High Court as Complainant “A”) was regarded as a ...12 hours ago
- Epidemic Response Committee faces more focus on essential businessBusiness leaders are scrutinising the government's decision to only let essential businesses and those with essential goods operate. ...12 hours ago
- Pandemic policing needs to be done with the public’s trust, not confusionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Palmer, Associate professor, Deakin University The law on what we can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak is changing on an almost hourly basis. Some of what is written now might be overtaken by the shifts in the pandemic powers ...13 hours ago
- As use of digital platforms surges, we’ll need stronger global efforts to protect human rights onl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassandra Mudgway, Senior Lecturer in Law, Auckland University of Technology As millions of people are moving work and social interactions online to protect themselves from COVID-19, existing online safety measures may not be enough to deal with a surge in harassment and ...13 hours ago
- O’Connor recognises how pandemic has affected the economy and its primary players
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the primary sector will play a critical role in NZ’s economic recovery once the country emerges from the Covid-19 lockdown. It is the first time (at least within Point of Order’s close surveillance of the issue) that a coalition minister has acknowledged how the pandemic ...13 hours ago - Without international students, Australia’s universities will downsize – and some might collapse...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Doughney, Emeritus professor, Victoria University The loss of international students due to COVID-19 restrictions, and predicted second semester declines, will see universities lose between A$3 and 4.5 billion, according to Universities Australia. The higher education sector was dealt another blow this ...13 hours ago
- Does JK Rowling’s breathing technique cure the coronavirus? No, it could help spread itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brian Oliver, Research Leader in Respiratory cellular and molecular biology at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney Harry Potter author JK Rowling says a breathing technique has helped her coronavirus-like respiratory symptoms, a ...14 hours ago
- Chief Justice: Update On Operation Of The Courts Under COVID-19 Alert Levels8 April 2020 This media release summarises changes to the operation of the courts entering week of COVID-19 alert level 4. It also looks ahead to how the courts will operate in the short and medium term under alert restrictions. Courts to function ...14 hours ago
- Should everyone be wearing face masks? It’s complicatedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Glasziou, Professor of Medicine, Bond University Should members of the public be wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s a controversial question, with different countries and authorities giving different advice. We have reviewed the results of more than a dozen ...14 hours ago
- Covid-19: Ministry of Education reveals support plans for distance learningSchools around the country will be given help to make sure students can still learn at home under lockdown, when term two officially starts. ...15 hours ago
- The Devil In The Detail Of Debt HibernationThe Government is moving to safeguard businesses from insolvency with 'safe harbour' legislation for directors’ liabilities and a business debt hibernation regime. Practically, the business debt hibernation regime will see company directors seeking ...15 hours ago
- A very different kind of Passover, in lockdown New ZealandThis Passover, we won’t be attending synagogue, we won’t be participating in large raucous dinners and sharing our food with our extended family and friends, we won’t be welcoming strangers into our homes, as Jewish people are instructed to do, writes Juliet Moses.Tonight, on what is hopefully the halfway point ...15 hours ago
- Time well spent, not wasted: video games are boosting well-being during the coronavirus lockdownSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brad Elphinstone, Lecturer in psychology., Swinburne University of Technology The same week social distancing measures were announced in Australia (March 16 – March 22), sales of game consoles leaped 285.6%. Prior to this, sales were declining month on month. We’ve also seen ...15 hours ago
- The coronavirus ban on elective surgeries might show us many people can avoid going under the knifeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Harris, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UNSW As part of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all elective surgeries across Australia have been temporarily cancelled. Elective surgery is non-urgent surgery people choose (elect) to have: things like cataract surgery, joint replacement, ...15 hours ago
- Infratil and Wellington eye loan to airport
Infratil and Wellington Council are preparing to lend Wellington Airport funds to help it cope with a traffic collapse because of Covid-19 restrictions, DIleepa Fonseka reports from Infratil's update to investors Wellington City Council and listed investment firm Infratil are preparing a loan to support Wellington Airport, which has seen ...15 hours ago - Covid-19: New Zealand cases mapped and charted, April 8The latest in our new series of charts, graphics and data visualisations by Chris McDowall.This work is entirely funded by the generosity of The Spinoff MembersThese posts collate the most recent statistics and present them as charts and maps. The Ministry of Health typically publishes data updates in the early ...16 hours ago
- Police crack down on non-compliance
After two weeks of lockdown, police are no longer taking "I didn't know the rules" as a valid excuse, Marc Daalder reports Two weeks into the nationwide lockdown, the police are starting to take non-compliance seriously. The number of prosecutions nearly tripled in 24 hours and 76 new breaches of ...16 hours ago - InternetNZ: Response To Ministry Of Education Announcement...16 hours ago
- Let’s change NZ’s welfare system nowAs the Ministry of Social Development struggles to cope with unprecedented inquiries due to Covid-19, Child Poverty Action Group is calling for the Government to fix our broken welfare system and redesign it so all New Zealanders, but particularly ...16 hours ago
- Cyclone Harold swamps Fiji
Fijian authorities are scrambling to ensure Cyclone Harold doesn’t make the country’s Covid-19 crisis worse, Teuila Fuatai reports. As Cyclone Harold hits Fiji, authorities have issued physical distancing and sanitation guidelines for evacuation centres. Lashing rain and strong winds caused widespread flooding, power outages and damage to homes and buildings ...16 hours ago - Digital devices rolled out as ‘virtual’ school term set to start
The Government has announced a $88 million package to help students adjust to the new normal of learning from home Thousands of modems and internet-ready devices are being sent to households around the country, in a bid to bridge the digital divide before children resume their studies at home next ...16 hours ago - I’m an asthmatic: what should I do during the coronavirus pandemic?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christine Jenkins, Professor, Respiratory Medicine, UNSW Sydney and Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney, George Institute for Global Health The new respiratory coronavirus COVID-19 is particularly worrying for the 2.7 million Australians who already suffer from asthma. That’s roughly one in ...16 hours ago
- Restricted movement on Viti Levu as TC Harold hammers FijiBy Maggie Boyle of FBC News Fiji disaster authorities have put the whole of Viti Levu island on restricted movement due to TC Harold. Director for National Disaster Management Vasiti Soko confirmed the step had been taken as a precautionary measure. Soko said everyone except emergency services were to ...16 hours ago
- Latest Fiji coronavirus case – taking total to 15 – ‘expected’, says PMBy Wansolwara staff Fiji now has 15 coronavirus cases after a single new case has been confirmed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. The new case was one of 25 samples that were tested at the molecular lab and is the husband of an existing patient from Lautoka – the Zumba ...16 hours ago
- The effects of the Covid-19 recession will hit Māori hardestMāori will likely make up the worst unemployment figures in the forthcoming economic recession. Things can’t go back to the way they were, writes Joshua Hitchcock.Our world has changed. While it is too early to know with any certainty what the full impact of this crisis will be on Māori, ...16 hours ago
- Almost 90% of New Zealanders back Ardern government on Covid-19 – poll‘New Zealand leads world in public perception of Covid-19 response,’ says pollster Colmar Brunton.Public support for the official New Zealand response to the Covid-19 outbreak remains high, and well ahead of the world’s richest coutries, new polling suggests.The numbers show New Zealanders’ backing for measures “far outstrips the response in ...17 hours ago
- Continued testing delays prompt anxiety
People waiting a week or longer for the results of their Covid-19 tests say the delays are making them anxious, even as the Government says they're nothing to worry about, Marc Daalder reports Anand Rama says the worst part wasn't the waiting, it was that he had no idea how ...17 hours ago - Don’t derail Ardern as we take the next steps
In any crisis, large or small, people usually rally round those in control so long as they convey a sense of knowing what they are doing. If those in charge lose that sense, start to waver, or are otherwise deflected, then their authority quickly starts to erode, warns Peter Dunne ...17 hours ago - What governments can do about the increase in family violence due to coronavirusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa O’Donnell, Senior Research Fellow, University of Western Australia Tackling a health crisis such as COVID-19, with society in lockdown can’t help but place families under strain. It’s been reported family violence notifications to police nearly tripled in some areas of China’s ...17 hours ago
- New Zealand Leads World In Public Perception Of COVID-19 ResponseA new study released today by Colmar Brunton shows the public’s response to Government measures to tackle COVID-19 far outstrips the response in any of the G7 nations. The Colmar Brunton COVID Times is a study of over 600 New Zealanders surveyed from ...17 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles: Is it OK to meet up with your neighbours down the driveway?Launching a new series, 60 Seconds with Siouxsie, the inimitable Dr Wiles has a few sharp words for anyone thinking they might catch up with neighbours for a drink or a chat, even at a couple of metres apart.In our first video, made possible by the support of Spinoff members, ...17 hours ago
- Where the wild things are: how nature might respond as coronavirus keeps humans indoorsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Intriguing things sometimes happen in places deserted by people. Plants creep back, animals return, and slowly, birdsong fills the air. The coronavirus pandemic means ...17 hours ago
- Rents can and should be reduced or suspended for the coronavirus pandemicSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Martin, Senior Research Fellow, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW The National Cabinet announced a moratorium on evictions just over a week ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As government ministers and commentators have tried to make clear, it’s intended only ...17 hours ago
- Glory be, a choccy fave is resurrected: So can this new Snifter egg save Easter?What’s an Ōamaru sweet maker doing giving away a product remarkably similar to the late, lamented Snifter? Amanda Thompson searches for the truth behind a minty mystery.I’m not in this for laughs, people. I’m not playing. At the time of writing, things are bad, they don’t seem to be getting ...17 hours ago
- Tūpuna Maunga Authority Sick Of Watching Auckland Burn; Ban Fireworks SalesThe Tūpuna Maunga Authority is calling for a total ban on the private sale of fireworks following the latest fire at Maungarei / Mt Wellington on Tuesday 7 April. Fire and Emergency crew in attendance advised Authority management they received reports of ...17 hours ago
- We’re not all in this together. Messages about social distancing need the right cultural fitSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geetanjali Saluja, Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney Governments everywhere face the challenge of getting people to stay home so they can limit the spread of coronavirus. In order to make their messages more effective, governments must ensure these appeals resonate with the ...17 hours ago
- Ardern firm on lockdown in face of good numbers
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government has no plans to end New Zealand’s four-week lockdown ahead of schedule, despite acknowledging there are signs the country is “starting to turn a corner” in its fight against coronavirus. Ardern’s comments came as Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield reported there had been ...18 hours ago - Yes, we’re flattening the coronavirus curve but modelling needs to inform how we start easing rest...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Blakely, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Melbourne Australia is on track to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases, which will allow our health system to cope with increasing demand for intensive care unit (ICU) beds, recently released modelling confirms. The modelling, ...18 hours ago
- Peace Groups Call On Prime Minister To Withdraw From RIMPACToday, dozens of peace groups, academics and human rights campaigners are calling on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to withdraw from RIMPAC, the world’s largest, US-led military exercise due to begin in June. The text of the ...18 hours ago
- Courts are moving to video during coronavirus, but research shows it’s hard to get a fair trial re...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meredith Rossner, Professor of Criminology, Australian National University In the past, the courts were ideal breeding grounds for spreading disease. In what became known as the “Black Assize”, a deadly fever that swept through prisons and courts in England in 1586, 11 ...18 hours ago
- Mayor Goff’s Excuses Don’t Add Up...18 hours ago
- Composting isn’t a trend, it’s a way of lifeReturning nutrients to the soil was once part of every culture, and now, more than ever, it’s time we restore its valuable role in everyday life.Like keep cups, organic cotton tote bags and eco-friendly cleaning products, composting can at times seem like a new trend latched on to by sustainability-obsessed ...18 hours ago
- Covid-19 in NZ – Wednesday’s numbers charted
How is Covid-19 spreading within the country? Newsroom is collating information as it's available to paint a picture of what's happening. The following charts are based on numbers shared at the daily press conference. These may vary from the full day's numbers released in the Ministry of Health's spreadsheet ...18 hours ago - What’s on RNZ News at midday – Apr 8
The Prime Minister’s chief science adviser Juliet Gerrard says the next few days will be key to determining when the country can come out of lockdown at the end of four weeks. ...19 hours ago - Epidemic Response Committee hears from industry leadersThe government has been urged to take measures to boost the cash flow of small businesses at today's hearing of the Epidemic Response Committee. ...19 hours ago
- Now we’re in lockdown, how can we get out? 4 scenarios to prevent a second waveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Trauer, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University Australia is effectively in lockdown. Public gatherings of more than two people are banned and people are only permitted to leave home for a limited set of reasons. The recent tough measures appear to be ...19 hours ago
- Do Māori Made Easy with me: Week two, day threeShe’s not a teacher or a fluent speaker – she just wants to practise with you. Join Leonie Hayden as she works through the first four weeks of Scotty Morrison’s Māori Made Easy.Today we’re asking and answering: how many?E hia te roa o te rāhui e toe ana? How long have ...19 hours ago
- Businesses urge clarity on lockdown lift plans
Jacinda Ardern has pushed back on calls to lift New Zealand out of lockdown early - but businesses say we need a roadmap for how and when we come out the other side Business leaders have urged the Government to provide greater clarity about how New Zealand will move out ...19 hours ago - Choose your NZ author quarantine house
In which we gaily rip-off the fun quarantine-house thing on the internet and adapt it to NZ authors ...20 hours ago - Covid-19’s economic consequences trigger a reconsideration of PGF queue priorities
It looks like troughers should go back to the drawing board before submitting – or re-submitting – their claim to a serving from the Provincial Growth Fund. Shane Jones, the Minister of Munificence, has announced that the Provincial Development Unit is working through applications and projects ” … to see ...20 hours ago - E Tū Members At Fletchers: “We’ll Be ScrewedE tū members at Fletcher Building Ltd are opening up about how they expect their pay cut to affect them and their families. The company has announced that most workers are in line for a wage cut of up to 70%, while the top executives on millions of ...20 hours ago
- Potential Covid-19 shortages highlight our homophobic blood bank policyA simple, long overdue change in New Zealand’s policy for blood donations would benefit everyone, writes Dr. Oliver Armstrong-Scott. The New Zealand Blood Service recently pleaded for Kiwis to continue donating blood during the Covid-19 lockdown to ensure supplies do not run out. As a medical doctor, I have seen ...20 hours ago
- How – and when – will New Zealand come out of lockdown?Tonight New Zealand marks the halfway point of alert level four. Assuming, that is, it ends on schedule. What will determine the decision to lift the strictest restrictions, and what comes next? Kate Newton of RNZ asks the experts.Covid-19 researchers in New Zealand are optimistic that the level four restrictions ...20 hours ago
- Maori Say Government Did Not Consult Them On TangihangaIf crisis point was met, there is little doubt that the Bay of Plenty regions District Health Boards and hospitals could not cope with a severe outbreak of COVID-19. Medical staff would be stretched to their limits, resulting in deaths, and iwi and hapu in ...20 hours ago
- ‘Emergency’ rental payments clause helping tenants and landlords
The creators of a commercial property clause that may exempt tenants from paying all or some of their rent say it is working as intended. Clause 27 of the Auckland District Law Society (ADLS) Deed of Lease includes a "no access in emergency clause", which the Property Councilwarned could lead ...20 hours ago - Covid-19: Govt announces plans to transform tourism industryThe government has announced plans to reimagine the way tourism is governed, how it is marketed and how visitors are managed. ...21 hours ago
- What’s in the newspapers – Apr 8
As New Zealand enters day 14 of a scheduled four-week lockdown, director general of health Ashley Bloomfield says New Zealand can be ‘increasingly confident’ . ...21 hours ago - On the Rag: Some cool tips on how to cope with the chaosThe On the Rag team meet one more time to talk about how the Covid-19 crisis affects women and what you can do to cope. It’s our last podcast for a little while so crack open a bottle of something fizzy and join us as we undergo what is basically a ...21 hours ago
- Former PNG chief justice explains state role after second Covid-19 caseFormer Chief Justice Sir Arnold Amet … emergency powers up to controller alone. Video: EMTV News By Martha Louis in Madang Papua New Guinea’s former Chief Justice Sir Arnold Amet says the state of emergency (SoE) in the country means that no other authority has any ability or powers ...21 hours ago
- ‘I lost my trust in her’, Timor PM says of health minister sackingBy Florencio Miranda Ximenes and Antónia Gusmão in Dili Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak has explained the decision to dismiss the vice-health minister, saying he lost trust in her to do the job. The President dismissed Élia António de Araújo dos Reis Amaral from her post on Friday, following ...21 hours ago
In this busy pre-election period it seems the SIS bunglers still have their briefcases in a twist over Bill Sutch. Why now?
An ex staff member using a Soviet snitch’s material has had another go which is no doubt annoying enough for the Sutch family. The plod concerned makes free with files while a number of citizens that applied for material held on them by the NZSIS during the brief “openess” period of Director Warren Tucker, received refusals (under the 1969 Act that protects living sources) or heavily redacted replies.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10369007/Fresh-twist-in-40-year-old-Cold-War-spy-mystery
It means Key is scraping the bottom of his bottom drawer.
This is the Gnats saying “I was right all along.”
Seems to me to be pretty self evident he was a Soviet spy. Why do you have an issue with this?
Yeah but you believe in trickle down economics and muffins like Bill English.
You don’t know what I believe in. I certainly have never expressed a preference for trickledown economics (whatever that might be).
However back to Dr Sutch being a spy. Why do you not think he was a spy? He fits the description given by the KGB for a spy in NZ and he also expressed admiration for the Soviet (read Stalinist) system. Why do you find it inconceivable that he was working for them?
Why now? Partly because the papers have just been released:
It doesn’t look to me to be hard evidence against Sutch – the word of an ex-KGB spy. Some reference to meetings, but no evidence of anything Sutch is alleged to have done against NZ’s interests.
The question was whether he was a spy for the Soviets. It is not if th information he may have passed on was damaging to NZ’s interest.
Did you ever see Russian accounting? Soviet vessels used to keep 5 different sets of books. None the same and none true. You need slightly more evidence than an uncorroborated record.
Why wouldn’t he be the person mentioned?
Read Our Man in Havana.
Why would I read a fiction novel by Graham Greene to understand why Sutch was not the person mentioned as being a spy in KGB archive material?
tory fails in abstract reasoning again.
World stunned.
Gos, has it occurred to you that there’s a world of difference between a resident in a quiet backwater inflating the promise and possibilities of any contact with an individual, and that individual actually being a spy (even if the unnamed “recruit” were indeed Sutch)?
Not that you give a shit either way – just more mud created to throw around.
I’m not sure why you seek to defend Sutch. The evidence seems to point towards the logical conclusion he was an active spy for the Soviet Union.
No, no it doesn’t. Among other things, for the reason stated in the comment you just replied to.
🙄
“..Why now?..”..it has long been an unanswered question..
..’– the word of an ex-KGB spy..’..he is actually a defecting archivist..and these are copies of kgb files..
..hard to think why/how they wd be forgeries..
.and it was a phenomenon of the times..
..academics/intellectuals deciding the soviet way was better/the future..
..and so deciding to ‘help’ them..
..so that ‘unanswered’-question about sutch wd now seem to have been answered..
So he was a spy/traitor as well as a supporter of a muderous regime if he is the person mentioned in the KGB archive material.
gossi..how is america not ‘a muderous regime ‘..?
I wasn’t suggesting they are forgeries. I was thinking more that it is something the KGB claim – means little in relation to provide evidence of what actually went down.
..academics/intellectuals deciding the soviet way was better/the future..
..and so deciding to ‘help’ them..
That is partly why I left the door open to what actually Sutch did or said to any alleged KGB operative. Note what I actually said:
” no evidence of anything Sutch is alleged to have done against NZ’s interests.”
oh..!..ok..
As I stated it is irrelevant if Sutch believed what he was doing was not harming NZ’s interest. He was working as an operative for a foreign country and seemingly passed on information to them. As such he was a spy and traitor by extension.
A double agent could easily have planted information like that just to ferment cynicism like your pathetic attempts goose!
The man is not around to defend himself.
Both the CIA and the KGB were as bad as each other who’s to say National aren’t linked to the Chinese govt’s spying agency given Stephen Joyce has signed a deal with Huawei who have caught spying in the US and the UK Aussie has banned Huawei. From their UFB for that very reason but National MP’s are easily bought of Oravida etc.
How many sitting National MP’s their partners former National MP’s and partners involved in trade deals .
Kiwirail how that going for you Gossipman!
Sorry, thought you were talking about John Key for a second there…
lol…could be true…but which country?
which one does key go to for
ordersbaseball games?McF-Don’t think a judge would be swayed by Goss’s repeated use of the word ‘seemingly’. Not a bad try at spin though.Probably works on some.
I didn’t say anything about what Sutch believed – I was only talking about his actions and communications with the KGB.
NZ has been increasingly Americanised since early on in the 20th century. That has been part of the shift from UK empire to US empire. Americanisation has delivered us John Key, who does not work in the interests of the majority of NZers.
Wish I hadn’t posted on this now, was mainly interested in timing not revisiting the whole case.
Karol is quite likely right, no plan by Nats or SIS, just fitted in with the archive material being released. But given that state security has been to the fore recently in public debate the elephantine memories at SIS HQ could hardly have resisted tabling this info now rather than wait.
I would say too that if some people think acting against NZs interests is not the thing to do whether proven or not then the PM facilitating the NSA and FBI and US Corporates activities in NZ fits that description too.
So what was the big secret he passed on that Muldoon was a big dick head hardly a state secret!
or that Muldoon tRaded lada”s for butter.
Subsidized farmers
Universal pension’s wiping out the self funding more free market approach wow what great secrets did Sutch give-away and links to what organizations!
If it is that important to you, grab your spade and dig him up and yell at him until you feel better about yourself.
FIFY Goosemann:
It is irrelevant if Key believes what he is doing is not harming NZ’s interest. He is working as an operative for a foreign country and passes on information to them. As such he is a spy and traitor by extension.
‘New global crash looming: bank boss’
“Another crash in global asset prices could be brewing according to Raghuram Rajan, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.”
“Mr Rajan’s views on financial stability hold particular weight because in 2005, when he was chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, he gave a speech in the US at the influential Jackson Hole conference of central bankers, warning that an explosion in financial innovation had made the world riskier, rather than safer.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11306873
Did you really think that the previous crash was over? All the idiots in the MSM have been so focused on the voodoo stories of recovery globally that they have missed what is really going on (you might consider they were told to miss it by their masters):
* the money supply was eased by “quantitative easing”….aka create credit aka new debt to cover the interest on old debts and allow money to flow. Note the debt did not go away.
* the debt…now this is the real story: the private banks worldwide were bailed out by the taxpayer who had the debts effectively “transferred” to them by the banks, who were then allowed to create more money to loan to the taxpayers to pay the interest on the transferred debt, et voila (if you were a bankster) you get even richer with no risk.
You will note no banker ever got prosecuted for this crisis. It has been the greatest financial swindle ever and through support of governments worldwide that are akin to our own financial traders regime the banksters have ripped us again.
The whole thing is a ponzi scheme that will eventually fall over (consider: everything ends, eventually). Probably when peak oil bites.
Except the bailout of the banks was paid bacvk by the banks with interest.
[citation needed]
Yeah right Gooseman not oneyour conman ponzi scheming bankers faced jail or any sanction all that has happened with the bail out is the perpetrators have been rewarded while the peasants have been punished over 4 million formerly housed Americans now living under tarpaulins and those who have got jobs are working now for a pittance.
To Big to fail is how it was sold ,the international banking Cartels has never been more profitable as they have MONOPOLIZED the finacial system even more than before!
No free market just a monopolized cartel!
Even the libertarians said let them all fail goose you pathetic apologist hoe much do you get paid to put out your pathetic lies and propaganda goebals with no balls would be proud of your enthusiasm!
Aha, onto it Ennui, i havn’t read much of Marx etc but did read one obscure tract from Trotsky a while ago,(think it may have been produced as a pamphlet as ‘the thinker’s’ in those days were wont to do),
Trotsky way back in the 20’s of last century pointed out that capitalism would eventually defeat itself in a series of crisis each more severe than the other,
When the profits of capitalism are vastly overpowered by the losses incurred in the ongoing series of crisis the system will at some point completely fail seemed to be the gist of it…
Winston vs Espiner this morning on RNZ-entertaining but I think Winnie is losing his sharpness.(Espiner too)
Was Espiner ever sharp?
not in any of his previous incarnations..
..his recent twitching-marrionette/white-guy-dancing/duo-thing with garner on that (in the main) slightly-warmed-over/clip-show pap that is third degree..
..being a personal/career nadir for him..and us..
..my expectations of espiner were low..so i haven’t been disappointed..
..and like many others..i can’t be fucked listening to him/morning report any more..
I was amused at Winston’s back-footing Guyon by reminding him that he was paid by the taxpayer. So many of these guardians of “taxpayers money” are, and hate being reminded of the fact.
@ Olwyn
yes i think most people dislike Espiner ( a-licker) and Suzie ( wrong)…so they have been giving Winnie/NZF free publicity by concentrating on the trivia of a joke …and ignoring Real NZF policy which is to retain New Zealand land for New Zealanders !
Chinese land is kept for Chinese after all!
China could buy New Zealand several million times over ( their own land is filthy and environmentally trashed with overpopulation)….why do John Key and the NACTS have to be so stupid?!…one has to ask this question….there must be something in it for them?….as we have seen with Judith Collins and Chinese husband stockpiling NZ swamp kauri which Maori artists treasure for their carving and art
….these are the real questions…but you would never hear them asked on the Morons Morning Report where in reality ‘Two Wrongs Make a Right ‘
Chinese land is not kept for Chinese. It is merely not able to be sold to anyone Chinese or otherwise.
Yes, China keeps it for the security of the Chinese people rather than allowing it to be sold for the enrichment of a few psychopaths.
The security of the Chinese people that the government constantly suppresses.
I didn’t say that they were perfect but they are doing the right thing as far as Chinese land is concerned.
Call of the day! 🙂
Gossipman you and National are doing the same here in New Zealand!
With your bought off right wing Media manipulating the public by only letting one side have fair say your an example of trying to suppress left wing commentary here with your continual lies like your leader
If you think the current government is as oppressive as the Chinese government I think your perception is seriously warped.
Quite right – the Chinese government genuinely strives to improve conditions for Chinese workers and to improve their trade position. Their corruption is tempered by their nationalism and serious corruption attracts capital punishment.
The Key National government is neither as clean nor as economically savvy as the Chinese government.
Goose Bullshit goose more lies!
they will sell land to anyone who can afford a bribe you idiot!
Not unlike Nationals behaviour in office here!
Who will sell land to anyone who can pay a bribe?
Also I’m pretty sure you don’t understand what a lie actually is. As stated please provide me evidence where I have lied.
How many Chinese property billionaires are their in China
None that own the land outright that I am aware. I believe they lease it. It is the lease and associated buildings on the land that is worth billions.
I’m still waiting for you to show where I have lied. Even if I am wrong on this subject (which I don’t believe I am) that does not mean I am lying.
Bing!
–logical fallacy there Gossie; “burden of proof”
Ummmm…no. You have obviously not read the poster you linked to. It would be a logical fallacy if I argued that someone should disprove that the Chinese state only allows land to be leased and not sold outright as I had made the claim. However all I have done is stated that is what I believe and am quite willing for someone to show if I am wrong. Even if I was wrong it is not evidence I have lied just that I am mistaken.
“I’m still waiting for you to show where I have lied. Even if I am wrong on this subject (which I don’t believe I am) that does not mean I am lying.”–Gosman
Alright, just for you Gossie–a new category “shape shifting”
Gossipman read your business stories Blooberg business !
local govts seize shared land and sell it for 18 times what they pay for it corruption on a grand scale when it comes to Chinese business practice’s I wouldn’t be surprised if that hasn’t spilled over to those involved in New Zealand as knowing some very high powered businessmen who have set up very large businees ventures in China! it takes to long to get deals done otherwise ask Judith Collins why Orivida got its milk powder in while not one other company did!
only in the sense that Banks claimed he’d not knowingly signed a false return.
Except there was evidence that was accepted by the court that Banks did know about the donation and had asked for it to be split. That is why he was convicted. There isn’t any evidence that I am aware that I have knowingly stated something that is not correct.
So now you are calling the judge a liar Gossipman
No, I am not calling the judge a liar. Now where is your evidence I have lied?
Gossipman I think if you read your weasel words it explains your definition of lying!
John Banks is history he lied through his teeth thinking because other politician had got away with more that he was above the law!
AS a former Police minister he should lot lie in court.
Banks lied on many occasions to cover his original lie.
He got what he deserved a huge fall from grace.
If he just had admitted his wrong doing none of this would have happened!
Now its John Brain Fade Keys turn to be taken down by his own lies if he had just admitted i may have or i did know about KDC then it would be a storm in a TEA CUP!
But now Brain Fade Key has painted himself into a corner being the head of the SIS and GSCB and the saying when questioned about the increased spying laws he was introducing Brain Fade Keys response was nothing to worry about their are only a few five people on the list and I know all their names !
Then their is the fact that KDC shouted NZ the Fireworks,KDC lives in BrainFade Keys electorate .
in the flashiest house yeah Key will need to have cups of tea GALORE!
Gossipman have a cup of tea and lie down and just admit your have been lying land ownership in China yeah right you are always right not even.
Remember Banks said nothing derogatory at his cup of tea another lie that Banks and Key tried to cover up!
that’s what Banks thought, too.
BTW, I believe the Shania Twain “purchase” was of high country leasehold land. That pissed people off, too, when the new “owners” wanted to get rid of the public track through that land.
People had more access to the station previously, and after the sale the new owners allowed, or maybe built, a single track that people are allowed on. This is an ongoing problem, not just restricted to overseas owners, whereby traditional NZer access to land is being restricted. Much of this is to do with tourism, changes in landowners and loss of traditional values/customs, and also accidents like the beekeeper in the farm bridge that have made farmers excessively cautious.
cheers weka
I just recall front page odt maps of the walking track and suchlike – ’twas a while ago now 🙂
Gossipman every post you have put up has been a lie gossipman especially in the last week I and others have proved you wrong and even defended your one and only truthful statement about the rate of Farm ownership read Rod Oram while your about it!
Gossipman chinese land ownership Wrong again!
I hope you are not getting paid unless its per lie you tell!
Not very aware for a right wing pro business party supporter.
Poor excuse for lying
Again what lie have I supposedly told and what evidence do you have to support your view that it is a lie?
Gosman The banks have paid it all back + interest is more lies their customers have paid it all back as the banks got all the printed money at less than 1/2% interest in some cases the govt paid banks interest to take the loans free money!
That your Bill English and John Key borrowed and forced us tax payers to pay 6% on average when these multinational banks were paying nothing its costing you and me the taxpayer $4.5 billion a year just in interest Gosman we are paying it back!
All the bankruptcies and job losses loss home foreclosures that the Bank of America for example was given huge sums to allow loans to be renegotiated were not given to the foreclosed homes that could not be sold because no one had any money except the occupier ,was paid out in dividends to share holders such as your leader John Key!
Bank of America even foreclosed on homes it didn’t have mortgages on kicked rightful owners out of their houses because the repo agents got the addresses wrong not one or two but hundreds!
john key on breakfast tv on one..
..wow..!..just ‘wow!’..
..he’s really running scared..
..and just sat there throwing fistsfull of shit at laila harre..and dotcom..
..sneered at the man who took down banks..as ‘that macready’…(!)
..insinuated that labours’ raising the pension age would mean that someone currently aged 64..will see their pension-age suddenly jump to 67…
(an arguably potent tactic i and others have warned labour will be facing..with this policy..a policy they have explained so poorly..
..key can chance his arm at getting away with porkies that large..
..and of course christie has his tongue so far up key..any questioning by him is too muffled to be heard..(not that he does that..questions the serial-bullshit/spin/lies key serves up to him every mon morn..
..christie just laps it up..like the eager to please puppy he is..)
..and all in all..key looked about as ‘relaxed’ as a crackhead coming down…
Christie must be the worst journalist in NZ.
i have him and susan wood..neck and neck…
..fot that particular gong..
..the stickman in the pak ‘n save ads wd probably do a better job of interviewing key..
..he couldn’t do worse..
and christie has one final arse-kissing sign-off..
..noting/arguing that the ‘sugar-daddy’ comment from key..and the ‘two wongs’ from peters..
..’does not mean they are evil men’..
..(oh..!..the humanity of the man!…so quick to forgive..eh..?..bless him..!..)
“.the stickman in the pak ‘n save ads wd probably do a better job of interviewing key.”
thats a GREAT idea !!
I dunno. Stickman and Key have close similarities:
John Key: “Tax cuts for the rich!”
Stickman: “Is that like $1.99 week at Pak n Save?”
John Key: “Yep.”
Stickman: “That’s great news!”
I think stickman has a little more “substance” than Key possibly
Brent Edwards very positive about Labour’s launch today on MR.
He said all expenditure announced had been costed for. Contrast this with Key peevishly saying Labour are promising spending of “16 billion dollars”.
Edwards also said Cunliffe’s delivery was good and that this was what the people who voted for a change of leader last year hoped for. Worth a listen:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20145186/election-campaigns-kick-off
And anyone claiming Cunliffe’s face is not fronting the campaign (a la Goff) take a look at the size of the picture of Cunliffe’s face on the Labour campaign bus. Excellent.
At the same time on MR there was discussion of a damning report on the shortage of specialist doctors in the health service, which must be laid at the door of this government. Ryall tries to say the doctors are supporting Labour on this and makes a fool of himself. Listen here:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20145193/shortage-of-senior-specialist-doctors
Over the last month Nats have been invisible, Labour good policy and sounding like a government in waiting.
i didn’t see the speech..but i saw/heard the media scrum around cunnliffe post-launch..
..and heard an inpromptu speech he gave outside the venue..
..and cunnliffe was brimming over with all that he needed on the day..
..looking every inch the successful-candidate..
I am old enough to remember Muldoon’s dancing Cossacks. That was a real low in political advertising, but this new development inspired by IMP descends to depths never before seen in NZ politics. There is no place here for this sort of stunt. We do not want these sorts of orchestrated meetings here with there violent overtones, and burning of effigies is just plain distasteful. Just plain hate politics. more reminiscent of the KKK. Do you think it is a coincidence that anti- semitism has also crept into the campaign?
Harre can protest as much as she likes but IMP introduced this ‘style’ into the campaign, and as I understand the law, she won’t have any chance of getting traction on threats of legal action. Just who is running scared?
I want to vote left, but there is no chance of that with these loonies in the wings. There is no chance of Labour reclaiming the middle ground without kicking these fools to touch.
oh well pete..u can relax now..
..the effigy-burning was nothing to do with dotcom/internet/mana..
..just more lies from key..
..aided and abetted by that weasel rawdon christie..
Once was Pete, who is this WE you speak of, expressions of anger such as flag burning have long been a ‘tool’ of the political discourse here and around the world,
This We you claim to represent, obviously you want an election campaign along the lines of what Granny Herald’s Granny Fran O’Sullivan called for in Her weekend column, effete, polite, boring, designed to only impress those stuffed into their shirts,
Whomever this WE is from your comment above obviously either doesn’t understand the inherent violence inflicted on people by this National Government’s policies, or, if they do, as many would, do not in fact give a shit if you will excuse the expression,
Even in your comment here, labeling a political movement as ‘Loonies’ is somewhat of a violent reaction, the best aspect of you doing so is that such ‘labeling’ makes the Green party look positively ‘straight’ and thus your abject fear of the InternetMana expressed in terms of your above comment is to be welcomed,
Quite frankly i am extremely happy with the InternetMana Party campaign so far, it would seem that those the campaign has set out to influence are responding to a certain extent, it is of course a wait and see as to if such a camapign translates into votes,
i am tho picking this election to be the final gasp for NZFirst, and, Labour 33%, Green 12% along with InternetMana 5%,
You can choose to be ‘on board’ or not, i doubt you will be missed if the answer happens to transpire to be not…
and ‘two wongs don’t make a white’ is who labour are so eager to coalesce with..
..eh..?
..nothing wrong with that picture..?
He’s a prat. Just got to hope that Labour/Green/IMP can swing 49%.
i dunno about that happy coalition Phillip, the free doctors for over 65’s policy from Labour while maybe not a deliberate attempt to push NZFirst out the back door will to a small but certain extent go a little way to doing so…
I listened to the radio interview on the weekend about option for tax reform. Sounded all quite sensible. Of course the National Party and Act know there is more than one way to redistribute wealth — you have to get a r_e_a_l_l_y big pile to get that trickle down working…
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Im-relaxed/906405082708477
xox
“Christie a journalist” ? Is that an oxymoron, or maybe just a moron!
Some are profiting from disaster by renting Christchurch residents out of existence. Kicking tenants out so they can renovate and charge more. Maserati and other luxury cars sales on the rise. Fewer people live in houses in deprived areas – probably because they have moved to living their cars, or worse, under bridges or park benches.
Sad, sad situation.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/10369161/Rise-of-wealthy-changes-Christchurch
It’s all going swimmingly Amirite; the Speaker’s brother has got a contract to build a $284 million convention centre….
And some are earning their money in Christchurch doing the rebuilding of the city.
Possibly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for qualified tradies to set up in business knowing that theres enough work in front of them to justify the risk of going into business.
Or for some qualified tradies to get $35 per hour swinging a paintbrush working for wages.
It is wrong to suggest that everyone making the big money in Christchurch at the moment is a rip off artist. Theres way more than 10 years work ahead of the City, so theres still time to get a building trade and join the goldrush.
“join the goldrush”
pretty much sums up your attitude doesnt it …
Yes it does. Its an opportunity for some folk in the trades to earn better wages than they would get elsewhere. Which I thought was a goal of the labour movement…..
The $35 hr paintbrush swinger I quoted was on $18 hr before he came down here. So he made some decent money, cleared his bills and eventually went home for the lifestyle choice.
And really when you have choices – choices of where to work and what to earn, then life is pretty good.
The implication that everyone making $$ from the quake repairs are somehow ripping off little old ladies and becoming slumlords is tiresome and incorrect.
A few of my family are in the building industry and they’ve looked at going to Christchurch to help out. The reason why they haven’t is because they’d be worse off.
Yes, there’s money to be made alright.
I walk my dog in my neighbourhood each evening. It’s a central city low income area. There used to be a man who also walked his dog who had lived in a rental – up the street a bit – for the last 13 years.
But, then he had to leave because the landlord wanted to renovate and rent out the house to short term tenants (e.g., those having their own homes repaired) who would pay (or whose insurance would pay) very high rentals. He simply couldn’t compete with that. He had to go into a much smaller, more ‘modest’ bedsit.
Quite a bit of that has been happening in my area.
By contrast, I have good friends who lived in a three bedroom house they are now renting out for $6,000 per month on short leases (no more than six weeks) and which is booked until next March (having already been tenanted continuously for almost a year). In the meantime, they have renovated and are living in a house bought from the ‘uninsured’ stock for very little, have bought another uninsured house (4 bedrooms) nearby that they hope to rent out for a similar amount to their original home.
It’s not about ‘evil people’ it’s about structural inequalities produced directly as a result of how the government is allowing the housing situation in Christchurch to ‘sort itself out’.
To those who already had, more is being given; to those who had little, even what they had has been taken away.
“When your rights are under attack – STAND UP! FIGHT BACK! ”
Candidate allowed on stage after threat
Veteran political activist allowed to speak next to John Key and Laila Harre tonight after legal action threatened.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10369010/Legal-action-threat-gets-candidate-on-to-stage
I wasn’t bluffing. Graham McCready was all set to help me put an injunction together, to ‘do a Colin Craig’ if I wasn’t given the same opportunity to address the voting public as was being given to candidates ‘attached’ to political parties.
I’m REALLY pleased that is no longer necessary.
Looking forward to tonight! It’s going to be FUN!
‘Her Warship’
PS: What the Fairfax reporter failed to mention was that last year, in the 2013 Auckland Mayoralty ‘race’ – I polled 4th with 11,723 votes.
The Helensville electorate sits within the Auckland Supercity (Super RIPOFF) boundaries, so I’ve been arguably working in the interests of the 99% of Helensville voters, in opposing this forced amalgamation literally since Day One.
Congratulations Penny.
Good result for Penny, the sniffy tone of organiser Holly Ryan had to be read to be believed.
Various ads and comments have been altered and or removed over the past few days including from the Baptist Church fb. There was no legitimate basis for not allowing Penny to attend.
Time: 6pm tonight
Venue: 21 Access Rd, off H16 just before Huapai
Come along and support the left candidates.
is there a mana bus in ak..?..going..?
no phillip, looks like arrange own car pooling, a Mana vehicle could well be there though
Good on you Penny. Give ’em heaps, if uppity Holly Ryan lets you.
Hey, I wonder if there will be any mention of this local issue for Huapai:
Something about a chunk of Huapai land being sold for $55 mil to a Chinese Government development group whose interests include “toll roads”…………
Well done, Penny. Wish it was being live streamed so people outside Auckland like myself could watch!
From Ohariu Labour candidate, Ginny Andersen’s fb page,
https://www.facebook.com/virginia.andersen.ohariu
an invitation to a talk by David Shearer on Gaza, 1pm at the Khandallah town hall for any interested persons in that area at that time: I think I’ll head along and see what he has to say.
https://www.facebook.com/events/673980682680041/?ref=22
Somebody needs to ask Gerry Brownlee why it is that NZTA no longer seems to have enough funding for winter road maintenance. For the first time since I moved south SH 6 was closed overnight (Kingston to Lumsden) during last weeks cold snap for nothing more than ice on the road (we expect closures due to snow most winters). Apparently there is not enough money for the regular grading and gritting that is required in winter. All at the same time we’re being bribed with the Kawerau Falls Bridge project that has abysmally failed cost-benefit analysis.
Key sounds like an idiot on Epsom and whinging, arrogant, lying and bored when commenting on the election launches of NZF and Labour here:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20145180/john-key-could-make-another-epsom-gesture
Jaysus.
Seymour channelling Mandela, and the bag of flour resigns amidst concern Epsom voters are too independent.
https://nz.news.yahoo.com/election/a/-/24675345/act-compares-pakeha-struggles-to-apartheid/
OMG. That is a face palm of such ginormous proportions that one’s face would fall through ones hands and land on the keyboard, to be branded with key marks for a whole week. (Mihingarangi Forbes probably felt this way when she interviewed head Klan guy, Whyte, last week, especially when he denied any knowledge of Whanau Ora)
The absurdity and ignorance is stunning. Occasionally you hear crazy shit like this from regular boofheads, you don’t expect it from politicians, even ACT ones. (Well actually you do, sadly they are predictable like that)
Can someone please do us all a favour and accompany Whyte, Seymour and Co on a library outing and direct them to the NZ history section so they can have a wee read on The Treaty and our colonial history?
Gosman or other RWNJ annoying you? Or if your own writing doesn’t quite seem to quite hit the spot sometimes–try this easy graphic guide to 24 common logical fallacies. e.g. ‘Strawman’, True Scotsman’, ‘burden of proof’, ‘the Texas sharpshooter’, ‘composition/division’ etc.
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com
See this one a lot from the RWNJs. Usually in the form of But John Key is so popular and Cunliffe isn’t with the implication that that popularity proves them right.
And this is the one that economists use as the basis for their economic hypothesis.
Dunno if this has been mentioned yet, but saw on twitter last night that invites have gone out to a Nicky Hager book launch this Wednesday.
The invite makes no mention of the title or subject, all a bit secret squirrelly really.
After the hollow men experience I am not surprised. Something to do with the US nz intelligence relations?
Yes, I saw that too, and commented at the end of yesterday’s open mike, with links.
Bryce Edward’s guess that it could be about surveillance seems like a strong possibility to me.
Open invite to the launch here.
Another tweet about it.
i do enjoy some decent investigative journalism
Been meaning to put this link up for a couple of days.
A very important question. How did the first world war end?
And a very fine read.
https://libcom.org/history/how-did-first-world-war-actually-end-paul-mason
One question for people who live out west Auckland.
I was driving around over the weekend all over the west, and saw heaps of billboards. Indeed, it appeared at every point their were a collection of these billboards, at least two were for nation. Except were labour had put up two, then there seemed to be four for national.
So silly question? Is there a limit on election spending in a area? Because my guess, and it only a ruff guess – national has spent tens of thousands of dollars on billboards in west Auckland alone.
I haven’t stopped to actually count them, but there are visually more Nat signs than any other. In my corner of the West they’re often on private fences. Only seen one Labour sign on a private fence. Reason? My guess is working class aspiration meets a particular culture. On the other hand, someone went on a rampage last week and took out all the signs along Lincoln road on the corner near the netball courts. Good job that person – acted without prejudice or restraint.
From the Rongotai electorate, the signage i have seen is pretty much even, 3 National V 2 Labour, where there are clusters most parties seem to be represented,
2 of National’s have so far been ‘altered’ and i have seen 1 Green Party billboard up on a private property, that’s pretty much the main drag out here covered,
i do not need a billboard, a Mana tee-shirt hanging in the front window is enough to give everyone in the street the message…
it forms part of their election spending cap so if they spend big there they cut back somewhere else.
Can’t say that I’ve noticed that. Must be travelling on different roads than you.
And, yes, there are limits to the advertising spend per electorate.
Never thought I would say this, but congrats to David Cunliffe and Labour on releasing a coherent, sensible, well targeted, well thought out policy in their latest health policy. Huge upside with very little downside (cost would be mostly re-couped in lower hospitalisation rates).
It targets the vulnerable based on risk of disease rather than income, now if only they could take that thinking forward…..
What do we all think about Labour Party candidates using the word “Shylock” to describe the Prime Minister?
Drum roll please….here comes the faux outrage.
There is nothing ‘faux’ about blatant racism. And there is nothing acceptable about anti semitism. Full stop!
Yes, shocking. How dare people refer to Shakespeare?
I’d say ‘Shylock’ is so commonplace and Key’s Jewish ancestry so not well known that the remark was probably carried no evil intent.
But it shows how simply a few nasty yobs behaving rudely can make everything appear tainted with wickedness.
I am waiting for you to announce that mr whyte racism is reminding you of nazi rallys in 1920 and tweeting it madly and to journalists
It’s becoming an election of (faux?) racist outrage.
Still waiting for National’s policies.
Shylock is not a term I’d used to disparage someone.
I don’t support political stirring about (alleged) Maori privilege.
Peter’s non- joke is weak an racist.
The IMP video was no more like a Nuremberg rally than many rock concerts and their videos – such things have become pretty much accepted and the norm.
Now, about National’s policies.
dont hold your breath.
Shylock
Although critics tend to agree that Shylock is The Merchant of Venice’s most noteworthy figure, no consensus has been reached on whether to read him as a bloodthirsty bogeyman, a clownish Jewish stereotype, or a tragic figure whose sense of decency has been fractured by the persecution he endures. Certainly, Shylock is the play’s antagonist, and he is menacing enough to seriously imperil the happiness of Venice’s businessmen and young lovers alike. Shylock is also, however, a creation of circumstance; even in his single-minded pursuit of a pound of flesh, his frequent mentions of the cruelty he has endured at Christian hands make it hard for us to label him a natural born monster. In one of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues, for example, Shylock argues that Jews are humans and calls his quest for vengeance the product of lessons taught to him by the cruelty of Venetian citizens. On the other hand, Shylock’s coldly calculated attempt to revenge the wrongs done to him by murdering his persecutor, Antonio, prevents us from viewing him in a primarily positive light. Shakespeare gives us unmistakably human moments, but he often steers us against Shylock as well, painting him as a miserly, cruel, and prosaic figure.
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/merchant/canalysis.html
Shylock is also a derogatory term used against Jewish people to insinuate they are part of some evil world financial conspiracy. If you don’t think that is what the Labour candidate for Timaru meant you are fooling yourself. I note that candidate has been silent on the subject, so he doesn’t appear to be resiling from his hateful comment.
Key has a background in finance, however, so a ‘Shylock’ reference doesn’t necessarily imply the utterer is referring to his Jewish background. Though it was unfortunate. And very typical of this blunder prone Labour party.
Thank God we’ve got Nicky Hager, who managed to accomplish more in the last 20 hours than Labour have in the last 20 months.
Agree about Peters and the general tone creeping into the election, but can’t agree about IMP. The norm? I don’t think so, and not in this country.
Many of the kinds of propaganda techniques that Goebbels explored during the 3rd Reich, have pervaded society international – various kinds of manipulation of the masses, including cords. They have been normalised.
Ever been to a rock/punk concert? Back in my day – plenty of crowd chants against the government of the day using expletives.
are you happier with Liar in Chief?
It’s probably more accurate at least.
who said that Matthew?
Steve Gibson, Labour’s Rangitata candidate (although presumably about to be replaced).
as someone who recently compared a imp gathering to a nazi gathering in the 20s, what do you think k?
bryan vould once wrote
” The bouquets, of course, are welcome and enjoyable when they come, but the brickbats – and they can come thick and fast – can hurt. Politicians, like Shylock, bleed like anyone else. ”
slater is rabidly typing his admonishment….and farrar is close to hospitalisation, so affronted are they by whatever was said by someone unheard of.
tactical. Look at the date of the FB post. They’ve been saving this one up. Pathetic really, and this is the worst they can come up with.
I think shyster is more accurate.
probably, but still unadvisable for a Labour party candidate to say such a thing on FB the month before a general election.
Agreed. No matter how apt the description is, it clearly departs from the Vote Positive message and I’m sure he’s being told that right now.
stand him down. it will make cunliffe look like he is standing by being positive a highlights keys nastiness and inaction
IMO, an honest public apology and so on would be more appropriate – and rub home genuine accountability in Labour, rather than brownlee’s pretend resignation.
It’s obviously racist, what a twit.
You really are a dipstick to join in on this hate crap.
i would have gone with S@*thead….
I always liked the Merchant of Venice. But not really accurate of FJK is it, as he keeps borrowing money, rather than lending it.
It’s nasty and clearly anti-Semitic mud-slinging, and Gibson should face exactly the same consequences as the kind of people who compare their opponents to Nazis and sugar daddies.
touche
Yep, Key should be replaced immediately!….[and then prosecuted for a variety of his statements and deeds] Being an honest and fair person, I expect that Matthew Hooton will lead the charge in his umpteen media ‘expert’ commentaries.
What do I think? They should probably update their ethno-religious slurs. I’d prefer kike, to shylock, has a clear ring to it. With kike, you can shout it over the top of other people yelling about wops, dinks, chinks, muzzies, fuzzie-wuzzies, rugs, and sugar-daddy Krauts and still be heard clearly. Of course, nothing like that has happened since 1956, but we can dream.
I dunno:
Some might say its an apt description of his former wheeler/dealer background.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/shylock
That really doesn’t improve the situation, Anne. The whole reason “Shylock” has become a slang term for “cruel moneylender” and the like is because of the historic situation in which European moneylenders were predominantly Jewish. At its core it’s an anti-Semitic term, and it’s prejudice is only reinforced by the fact that Key is both of Jewish heritage and from a financial background.
What some of you fail to recognise is that the candidate who made the comment in the first place (and many other individuals who have made similar comments from time to time) are invariably unaware of the historical context of the word “Shylock”. Call it ignorance if you like, but more often than not they are doing so under the impression it simply refers to a dishonest money trader. Their lack of knowledge of literature and history is such, they have little to no idea of the Jewish link.
The candidate in question has apologised profusely for his error and has admitted he didn’t know the back-ground to the saying and how offensive it would be to many people.
Just give a little folks…
You’re missing the point. The term has several levels of connotation and gibson is only being anti-Semitic if he intended to use it that way. If he didn’t, he’s just being stupid. Shylock isn’t quite like nigger, which comes front-loaded with its hateful meanings. Gibson could easily have been using without intending to bring in the whole history of the Jews. It might have been, as Anne said, a reference to Key’s background in finance, without Key’s Jewish parentage being on the rather shallow mind of Mr Gibson.
That might require a fair degree of ignorance about the play, but cultural imbecility isn’t that uncommon among those prone to muttering insults on face book.
Personally, I find this comment incredibly distasteful, and quite cretinous!
Given you record of faulty logic on numerous occasions, what you ‘find’ is of no consequence to me.
how do you feel about outright lying there..pete..?
..like key on breakfast tv this morn claiming the effigy-burning vid had been posted by internet/mana..?
..and under their name..?
..every word a total lie..
..and words that are clearly ‘cretinous’…
..but how ‘distasteful’ do you find such blatant/casual lying by the prime minister..?
..there..pete..?
“Personally, I find this comment incredibly distasteful, and quite cretinous!”
Yeah, funny that, as I found Key’s throat slitting gesture in the house incredibly distasteful, and quite cretinous
Unfortunately the only link I can find is to KB
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2014/08/labour_party_candidate_calls_john_key_shylock.html
I see the date on that is the 28th July. Been saving this one up for the Monday after the Labour Party election campaign launch Matthew?
On the face of it, Gibson is an arse and should be held to account. I asked the question elsewhere today about why Labour allow their MPs and candidates to do shit like this. Not for the first time I think Labour MPs/candidates need minders for their FB and twitter accounts.
Following that link, what does your “Yep…” comment on twitter mean Mickey Savage?
It’s a response to the picture about Epsom and voting against the rort.
Ta
ditto
have you found matties public comparison of whytes repeated inciting of racial division to 1920s nazi germany. have googled but cant find it.
Nickey Hager and KDC got you in a spin their mad hater!
Wee Matty, i prefer the term Shyster when addressing Slippery the Prime Minister,
Shylock according to my Book of Words, refers to a heartless or demanding lender,
Whereas Shyster according to the same good book refers to a Lawyer or Politician who uses discreditable or unethical methods,
Hence the PM seems in my opinion to fit the epithets of Slippery little Shyster to a T…
Oh come now Matthew, surely you realise that by now that if anyone of the left says anything racist, sexist or homophobic (and IMP provides this in spades) it’s intellectualised around. Winston gets written off entirely for something offensive but relatively light weight.
Look around you – people lose their nana when Whyte calls Dame Susan of Squash a drunk, but when Minto makes jokes about Winston’s liver no one batters an eyelid.
Hypocrisy makes the world go round.
Too busy battering our fish Populuxe…
While I don’t intend to repeat it here, remember the ACT party member who described JohnKey in such a way that his membership was cancelled? This appears to be a problem with the far right.
“What do we all think …”
Presumably you have some idea of what you, in particular, think so you could partially answer your own question.
“candidates“?
Plural?
As for me, I see the word ‘Shylock’ as similar to the term ‘sugar daddy’. Both leverage off an original meaning that is offensive.
The main difference I see in the two episodes is that one was uttered by someone who is a candidate for office. The other was uttered by someone who has been Prime Minister for six years.
And what do you think, Matthew, about a Prime Minister who uses the term ‘sugar daddy’?
I don’t know but this might help: After A.R.D. Fairburn, the poet, had re-boarded the train to Auckland after a comfort stop at Mercer, the NZR steward asked him if everything was to his satisfaction his response was,
“This squalid tea of Mercer is not strained”
Steve Gibson calling John Key Shylock means that he has to be delisted as the Labour candidate ASAP. Failure to do so means that Labour endorse Anti-Semitic Jew hating language.
Nonsense. It’s a throw away word, like sugar daddy, apparently.
I’m sure you also agree that the National candidate who called Laila Harre a whore and Kim Dotcom a pimp should also resign. But I appeared to have missed the comment where you said so.
Please provide a link to where a National party candidate has called Laila Harre a “whore” and Dotcom a “pimp”
I believe he is referring to mr key saying lailla harre was getting dotcoms money in return for sex.
Prime Minister John Key doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with referring to Kim Dotcom as Internet Party leader Laila Harre’s “sugar daddy”.
Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/John-Key-stands-by-sugar-daddy-comment/tabid/1607/articleID/355757/Default.aspx#ixzz3A3LZHl4P
I’m well aware of the sugar daddy comment, I’m looking for proof of the claim of a “National candidate who called Laila Harre a whore and Kim Dotcom a pimp”.
On a side note, it is my understanding that a “whore” does not have sex with their “pimp”
Indeed, because that would be ethically dubious given the power relationships involved /sarc
Complete rubbish! There was no reference to or insinuation that Harre was getting money for sex with Dotcom. Sugar daddy has a wider implication than sex for favours.
And the word shylock has nothing to do with Jewish people. /sarc
Lets stick with apples and apples shall we? Conflating two separate subjects has confused you. Either that, or you are being deliberately obtuse. Of course the word Shylock has something to do with Jewish people. It is one of the more racist and derogatory terms that could be used. Best not to even joke about it. best not to use it in a political campaign, and best to distance yourself from it when a colleague does use it.
By your rules the National candidate who called Laila Harre a whore has to resign, and your silence on the subject speaks volumes.
Raise the double standard.
Someone who has been with five different political parties isn’t necessarily a whore.
Someone who campaigns for women’s rights, but takes loads of money from someone who runs porn sites, and makes jokes about rape and killing prostitutes isn’t a whore – well perhaps she is, but not necessarily in a sexual way.
you’re too slow for the party in so many ways, john…
Harre’s fake outrage and offense is so transparent – she took a job being the mouthpiece for someone who makes money by trading porn and ripping people off.
Few things will push moderate voters to the right like Dotcom, except perhaps the addition of Hone (I don’t want my daughter dating a pakeha) Harawira, and John Minto
thanks for your concern, john.
That’s some lovely partisan hyperbole you’ve got there John. I especially admire the way it reveals the depths of misogyny you’re prepared to explore for your #team.
The revelations about your #team are coming thick and fast just now. Is this the right time for you to be embracing them so overtly?
oh, fucking bullshit. Enough with the faux moral outrage.
The BSA has NO decisions relating to the use of the word “shylock”, even though it’s not entirely unfamiliar to pop culture. Yes, in some contexts it can be offensive, but it’s not exactly in the territory of, say, the N-word.
heh – tories feigning liberal moral outrage suggests another extract might be appropriate:
So why did Cunliffe feel the need to talk to Gibson, and Gibson feel the need to remove the post and apologise?
I imagine it’s because he thinks it’ll stop idiots like you bleating for too long.
because name-calling isn’t “positive”.
If you think Shylock is the “one of the more racist and derogatory” things a Jew can be called, you’ve lived a very sheltered life.
When your argument rests on the finer points of bigotry you know you’re onto a winner. No, wait…
Really? Then there’s more to “Shylock” than just the racist implication.
snap karol 🙂
What are the ‘wider implications’ Pete? Please supply any citations that suggest anything other than a sexual and financial arrangement. Take your time, I know it’s a big ask.
Took me 30 seconds to find this (Merriam-Webster):
SUGAR DADDY
a rich, older man who gives money, gifts, etc., to someone (such as a young woman) in exchange for sex, friendship, etc.
She’s on the lookout for a new sugar daddy.
— sometimes used figuratively in U.S. English
politicians getting money from their corporate sugar daddies
Sorry, but as hard as I tried, couldn’t find any evidence of ‘figurative’ usage for ‘Shylock’.
Renee Russo, John Travolta, Danny Devito.
Not exactly obscure.
I’ve established the (obvious) point that ‘sugar daddy’ can be used figuratively. The term ‘Shylock’ is quite different – it just can’t be used (in any sense) by aspiring politicians (unless they wish to be accused of being anti semitic, or completely stupid). I think Gibson falls in to the second category for what it’s worth.
so now I’ve presented a full hollywood scene that has “shylock” used figuratively (not the only one, either), you shift the goalposts to politicians only.
super.
“Sorry, but as hard as I tried, couldn’t find any evidence of ‘figurative’ usage for ‘Shylock’.”
I think you’ll find the first figurative use of Shylock would be a in a play called ‘The Merchant of Venice’, by William Shakespeare.
“I’ve established the (obvious) point that ‘sugar daddy’ can be used figuratively.”
You didn’t ‘establish’ that. We already knew it. There is no Chelsea style sugar involved, so the phrase is a metaphor for an exploitative sexual relationship. What you established was that if you dig deep enough in google, an unlikely alternative explanation can be found. Not that it helps the sleazy Key.
lol
that might be because the grown-up M-W dictionary has two definitions – one shakespearian and the other ” : to lend money at high rates of interest <exposé of systematic thievery…shylocking, and murder — Current Biography> ”
wiktionary has the character as etymology, and also an interesting quote from a politician:
I guess the goalposts will move again…
Weirdly, that quote isn’t from the dinkum Merriam-Webster dictionary but from something they like to call the ‘learners dictionary’. Something you want to tell us, janmeyer? And it’s well hidden in the search results, so well done on finding it just 30 seconds.
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/sugar%20daddy
Even that alternative usage doesn’t fit the circumstances. Nah, Key meant it in the way Wikipedia calls it:
“Sugar daddy is a slang term for a man who offers to support a typically younger woman or man after establishing a relationship that is usually sexual.”
Wonder if he thinks of Bronagh in the same way?
Sorry – correction to previous comment (I’m new around here): precedent for figurative usage of term sugar daddy is from ‘Merriam-Webster Learners Dictionary’ and not ‘dinkum Merriam-Webster dictionary’.
I preferred you putting the boot in to IMP the other day TRP!
Be great if those screaming re the stupid, clumsy, and I agree objectionable resort to the word “Shylock” could be relied upon to express such outrage about the hundreds of dead children of Gaza. Now and in previous shooting fish in a barrel expeditions. Oh well……that’s Exceptionalism for ya.
I subscribe to the world view of Norman Finklestein – charges of anti-semitism frequently amount to moral initimidation to conceal a moral bankruptcy in the accuser. Send your outrage to Santa Claus.
The cheapness of it is immeasurably more disgraceful for the fact that it’s invoked essentially in furtherance of something as utterly trivial as John Key’s electoral fortunes.
Fukn soul-less hypocrites !
@ pete..and what exactly are those other meanings’ for sugar daddy..?
..that you claim..?
..the only one i cd find is ‘a caramel lollipop’..
..and i don’t think key meant that..do you..?
Fishy your spin is getting desperate !
GCSB march well before formation of IMP, they seem to be telling someone called “Key” to f**k off…
Nonsense.
IMP are the only people in NZ who can’t stand that fucking prick John Key and they’re the only people who swear about it.
Damn Naz1s, protesting about spies like the traitors they are.
[lprent: I was thinking godwin. But it fitted in the context. ]
Can all readers and lurkers in Northland check their family’s vaccinations are up to date so we can quash the latest Measles outbreak.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1408/S00044/further-cases-of-measles-in-northland.htm
There has been a lot of comment and some evidence that this election is shaping up to be more bitter than any other. I’m old enough to have voted in 10 elections but must admit haven’t paid too much attention to the fight before now. If any political leader stood out as truly caustic and divisive post Muldoon it’s really just Bob Jones and maybe at times, Hone Harawera. No-one can compete with Bob Jones though for his sheer disregard for fellow humankind.
The right wing hate speech merchants pick up on the bitterness and vandalism in the lead up to this election as evidence that the opposition are increasingly immoral, anti-Semitic, and lead around by the nose by a Nazi sympathiser. They do this to create easily digestible media sound bites for their community intolerant conservative friends.
However, while I think the opposition are indeed desperate I believe the fault of the break from civilised difference and debate can be laid squarely at the feet of the current Prime Minister John Key and the culture of deceit and divisiveness not seen since the 3rd and 4th National Governments.
Whether John Key has deliberately divided this country at the behest of his Australian PR company, or whether that division has arisen from the relentless series of divisional policies is still up for debate, but what is certain is the he is responsible for the mean tone and split in the country right now.
https://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/24686172/election-campaign-getting-ugly/
I mean this is a headline in a major web based news site in NZ. It quotes National party klingon, Clare Robinson with her delicate sensibilities and appalling research abilities, attributing the passion of this campaign to the number of parties involved.
That’s it.
That’s the view of a Massey University professor with links to the National party. Nothing to do with the culture of hate, disrespect, dismissiveness, and divisiveness that the National government has fostered under the reign of John Key?
How about for once a political marketing expert actually does some sort of academic research into the many reasons why this campaign is at flashpoint compared to the norm in this country, instead of weakly saying, “it’s because there are too many parties”.
WB @ 25.1 1000+
Once was Pete. I would like to know your opinion of WhaleOils blog and if you think his demonization of the most vulnerable over the past decade is justified.
National MP’s are being quoted in the news ‘whining’ about damage to their billboards while all the other parties messages remain largely untouched,
i well remember last election as i drove through ‘the gap’ into the local electorate i came across a couple of young lads gleefully and effectively turning a National Party billboard into matchwood in broad daylight,
Being a concerned citizen i immediately leapt from the car with the intent of making a citizens arrest, ok ok i am of course bullshitting you all,
Coming across that scene last election i did the only thing possible, quietly bringing my ride to a safe stop and then indulging myself in an elongated burst of mad laughter,
The youths concerned totally oblivious to the small audience they had attracted simply finished their ‘electoral project’ and sauntered off nonchalantly up the road imitating those of us who had stopped to watch their efforts laughing fit to bust…
Your glee at criminal damage to private property shows the typical Left belief that the end always justifies the means. It does not. The orchestrated cowardly anti-democratic attacks show the impotence of the Left. You do not understand how often National get a call from people to offer their property for a hoarding when they see vandalism. It also indicates how much we are on the right track.
Offering the property around these parts Fisiani i would not think a very wise thing to do, the gusto with which the two youths i previously described took to their ‘work’ last election would tend to suggest that any part of the property such billboards were attached to would be in danger of suffering the same damage as the National Party message does around here…
Fuzzyanil hey sheepshagger So so-cold respectable upper middle class National supporters wrecking Left wing hoardings are not ready to take responsibility and are a superior type of vandal with their better education and circumstances!
Running them over in the Range Rover isn’t vandalism.
lolz yeah it’s pretty sad when the govt mps are complaining about how strongly they are disliked.
Lemme get this straight: Key gets called a word that apparently refers to someone who is both jewish and a banker…
…and offense is taken at the jewish bit?
Jeez it must be weird out there on the right.
lol meanwhile the tories are certain that dunnokeyo used “sugardaddy” in a hitherto unknown sense that does not involve sex for cash.
And Wall St is well known for its love of $1000/hr hookers.
Helensville ‘Lockdown’ candidate meeting packed out, sizable crowd outside basically turned away including me, Bomber Bradbury and various others. Reps there from New Lynn Labour LEC, Greens, Māori Party, IMP and various issue based signs. Some stayed on with the media cops and drivers.
Mouthy local Nats, got a few “fuck offs” in when Key entered, Laila Harre´got good reception.
I was inside. I have a post in my head, but don’t have the energy to write it tonight.
The young Maori Party candidate shone in that context.
Why was Brent Edwards removed?
He wasn’t removed – just too late to get in, I think.
Well I’ll be darned… if we aint got one of them forks in the road for ourselves in these lands.
Ever since them students lit the tinderbox last week with “Fuck John Key.. Fuck John Key … Fuck John Key…” (and my hasn’t that taken off all around the parts) all sorts of shit is flying. Imo it indicates that perhaps the silent sector of youth and disaffected have shunned their reticence, abandoned their lack of hope that change may ever come, finally found a voice to call shit, have grabbed gleefully at the chance to tell the old guard to “fuck off”
Methinks this election will be a watershed in generational change in aotearoa.
You know the thing that really worried them about that video? It wasn’t FJK, it was the call for revolution. It bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the fear centres where they know they’d be the first against the wall 😉
Mobile phone companies have failed – it’s time to nationalise them
No, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that was the same in NZ. Privatisation of our assets has left us worse off and most people realise that.
The neo-liberal experiment has failed – just like it failed in the 19th century ending in the Great Depression.
And there we have an economists saying exactly what I’ve been saying for years.
Been to Kumeu.
There’s some control freakish rightees there.
No prizes for guessing who was the one candidate who broke the rules and couldn’t resist debating/dissing another party….? And after the crowd started calling out “rules, rules…” the host woke up and threatened to expel fore mentioned candidate.
In response to a question about how to end child poverty, did Key actually say, with gusto, “give all the kids jobs”….!?!
The US airstrikes in Iraq have been effective at the surviving Yezidi refugees have made it to safety in the Kurdish territories.
It appear to have had some positive effects. Too bad it won’t help the Iraqi government which is collapsing and martial law appears imminent in Baghdad after a coup d’etat.
Hardly suprising when you put the Shia minority in charge of the Sunni majority. The massive clusterfuck which is Iraq from, say, the Second Iraq War onward can squarely be laid at the feet of Bush and Blair. However not everything the US does is entirely self interested or a fuck up – this being a case in point. Similarly the Balkans intervention.
So, you know that song about John Key that Darren Watson released last week?
Well it seems that the NZ Police have been sent to a radio station that played it and told them not to play it again.
Weird. Who be responsible for that?
How the fuck are the cops able to do that? Maurice Williamson, hello?
interesting. A source/link would be nice.
Details tomorrow, apparently…
Interesting. Link?
That is weird. Why the police and not a letter from a lawyer?
great video, I hadn’t seen that before.
Last time they waited until the last week before sending the cops around to media outlets…
Like an actual source. Not someone heard something on the grapevine and posted on FB
You don’t have to take any notice of this, Pop.
Last word, Felix?
??
From the FB link
‘Third parties cannot broadcast at any time a programme that appears to encourage or persuade voters to vote, or not to vote, for a party or candidate.’
Stops people buying up the airwaves, but maybe it’s what caught this tune out?
http://www.elections.org.nz/media-handbook/part-2-election-broadcasting
it’s being regarded as election advertising so has to be registered???
just watched it and posted to all my under 30 friends facebooks…
So…everything I have posted in the last little while has gone into auto-moderation?
[lprent: extra ‘s’? Means that someone has to let you out of moderation once before you stop getting auto moderated. ]
Uh, way too much coffee, must be seeing multiple bogies. Thanks lprent.
I thought you might be replicating 🙂
😀 that’s exactly what a few people have been worrying about down here!!!
Petty, gratuitous behaviour from Holly Ryan the apparent organiser of the Helensville ‘gag’ (as opposed to ‘gig’) towards Penny Bright . “Uninvited”, “shoving”, “bullying” or some such as she introduced Her Warship.
‘Onya Penny for your mature retort about rights and the exercise thereof. Very nicely you took the last word from tory control freak Holly of the Limited Universe.