Open mike 11/10/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 11th, 2012 - 98 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

98 comments on “Open mike 11/10/2012 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    11 October 2012 at 6:17 am

    Damned with faint praise.

    John Key ‘getting on’ with job

    If by getting on with the job, you mean opening a boutique brewery, using a nail gun, and getting praise from a financier.

    I suppose the alternative could be even worse. As John Key says in his own words: “In the end, you can sit around feeling sorry for yourself as a prime minister and as a government. Or you can just get on with the job. I’m in the category of getting on with the job.

  2. AwakeWhileWalking 2
    11 October 2012 at 7:14 am

    Nice write up about Mike Tyson’s application for a visa which make Willie look uninformed. Or just a misogynist like Tyson.
    http://thehandmirror.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/mike-tyson-undisputed-truth.html

  3. karol 3
    11 October 2012 at 7:17 am

    So, polls down, Key taking hits, enter Bennett the Great Distractor:
     
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7799937/Rescuing-vulnerable-kids-Bennetts-master-plan
     
    The article currently looks like it has just copied a Bennett press release – especially the bit at the end. So I’ll copy the bottom of the article in full. What a bit of thoughtless journalism?
     

    “I was always blatantly targeting these most vulnerable, abused and neglected children in this country and that’s what this piece of work was always about,” Mrs Bennett said.

    ‘WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER FOR FAILED KIDS’
    Social Development Minister Paula Bennett puts her mouth where her heart is: that too many Kiwi kids are failed, but that we can do much better.

    “The day I got offered the job of Minister of Social Development the first thing I said to the prime minister on the phone, at 9pm on a Sunday, was ‘does it include Child, Youth and Family?’

    The former solo mum has a clear idea of what she wants and how to get it. She’ll listen, but once a plan is set in motion there’s no stopping the determined Waitakere MP.

    New Zealand’s child abuse record is an embarrassment to everyone; none more so than the woman charged with overseeing child welfare.
    Ms Bennett said that was her driving force since entering Parliament.

     

    • muzza 3.1
      11 October 2012 at 8:00 am

      Under the Children’s Action Plan, there would also be controls on who could have contact with children. People who posed a continuing and serious threat to their children could have their parental rights removed by a judge.

      What, so a man made “fictional” entity who represents the biggest gang of child abusers on earth, can take away the rights to be a parent – How to read that statement

      New civil child abuse prevention orders would give judges the power to place restrictions on people who posed a high risk to a child or future children.

      Future children – WFT???

      Critics may claim Mrs Bennett has ignored the real threat for a number of Kiwi children – poverty.

      Yes Benefits is running interference again, regurgitating some old news which will make no difference to the lives of children, or those in poverty, and until she starts making some real noise, and taking some action which is favourable for those vulnerable people, then she is and will remain nothing more than a vile hypocrite of the worst kind, using children as a cloak for her evil!

      • Jokerman 3.1.1
        11 October 2012 at 9:12 am

        Corinthians, For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate”. (Isaiah) ….God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
        God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are.

        We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

        For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?
        In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

        (The image of a wide pork butcher’s knife, swiftly and with mechanical regularity chopping into me, shaving off razor-thin slices which fly about due to the speed of the work)

        Equalise
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TnkUxq4plo

        (i been runnin…police on my back…hidin…..police on my back…)

    • Blue 3.2
      11 October 2012 at 9:41 am

      Looks like the bit at the bottom has now been removed. If Danya Levy or Kate Chapman wrote that part they should be fired. What a sickening display of gushing and fawning, and not even in an opinion piece, but in something claiming to be a straight political report.

      • karol 3.2.1
        11 October 2012 at 9:52 am

        Well, at first I thought they had just mistakenly tagged a Bennett press release on the bottom.  But on second look, I wasn’t so sure.  But I thought it might get removed, which is why I copied it.  Maybe I should look at it now to see how much the article just  regurgitates what Bennett has given to them?

        Oh, no. The article has now been re-written to include statements from the opposition parties – so now it’s much more factual (she said, they said) and less of a Bennett cheer-leading piece.

        • Jokerman 3.2.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 1:00 pm

          chutzpah!

        • muzza 3.2.1.2
          13 October 2012 at 9:53 am

          I still had the original page open, still do actually, and was looking at what it has been altered..

          The 5am article is barely the same piece when updated at 834am the same day. Some of the content is the same, but thats about it

          Digital news, re-writing what they want….

  4. ak 4
    11 October 2012 at 7:57 am

    Ah – now we know why Nia Glassie was back on the propaganda organ the other night.

    And oh dear, good Morgan all, looks like good ole Bennybash is going the way of One Law as Natzipoll viagra.

    Ah well, just get on with the job Maula. Wankey goes to Hollywood and giddyup dob-in, onto operation Deadbeat Parent Bash. DPB.

    Onward and downward for the forces of hatemongering and Aotearoa’s crumbling reputation.

    • tc 4.1
      11 October 2012 at 8:39 am

      Heck yeah, TVNZ is all part of the NACT spin machine look who the SOE minister is, a very capable and focused man who’s is raging his way through under the radar, which isn’t hard with what passess for ‘journalism’ in this country.

    • Jim Nald 4.2
      11 October 2012 at 8:47 am

      The PM can always depend on reliable Paula Put-the-boot-in for another distraction on the heels of lousy news chasing him.

      • tc 4.2.1
        11 October 2012 at 11:50 am

        Problem for them is it’s becoming all to obvious as the others aren’t even up to that, when was the last time AyaTolley, Wonkinson or others lept into the bad news void with a song and dance routine.

  5. vto 5
    11 October 2012 at 8:08 am

    Yesterday on the Mysogynist thread I had a bit of a tangle with a few posters (well, most really) and I see a few more comments posted since.

    As always, after such an entanglement too much time gets spent thinking thinking instead of living living. Anyways, the thinkings that arose were… how much difference is there really between the genders when it comes to “predispositions” towards various features of manwomankind? After all, if one of the biggies, power and leadership apparently is not in any way inate then surely all the other lesser features will not be either?

    The vast bulk (well, most really) of posters yesterday were confident that leadership and power ambitions and skills between men and women were a result of, effectively, nuture not nature. I remain dubious about that. However – how many other features of manwomankind are learned and not inate? It would be interesting to hear. Of course plenty can be found to read on the internet as marty mars is always keen to point out, but frankly the robustness of Standard threads generally brings out those readings and research anyway and it is muh more ‘fun’ swapping partial knowledge with others of partial knowledge and others of expertise, via this mechnaism. (similarly, I am aware of all patricarchy culture issues and the like and acknowledge them but am trying to step aside form those as much as possible)

    So… what else? Leadership and power? Social characteristics? Nuturing? Group tendencies cf individual tendencies? Fighting for heirachy? Mechanical and construction tendencies? Driving ability? Conservative attitudes? Advancing and exploraton tendencies? Risk taking? There are certainly countless others.

    It is pretty much a nature vs nuture issue, which is a long run debate on our world. But without rehashing that entire issue, how many features of manwomankind are inately different between the genders?

    • marty mars 5.1
      11 October 2012 at 9:20 am

      yes a game for you, jolly good fun but for some it is real and serious. I challenge you vto to read that link from deborah – go on if you have the guts to face your own shortcomings. Read the link and think about it because IMO you need some schooling mate.

      http://finallyfeminism101.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/faq-but-men-and-women-are-born-different-isnt-that-obvious/

      http://thestandard.org.nz/tony-abbot-misogynist-and-hyprocrite/comment-page-1/#comment-532473

      Read the whole blog vto if you are really interested in learning.

      • vto 5.1.1
        11 October 2012 at 10:28 am

        Oh look, marty mars doesn’t answer the question again. And peppers in a few personals again. And assumes and misreads again. How surprising.

          • QoT 5.1.1.1.1
            11 October 2012 at 8:54 pm

            Gosh, marty, how dare you provide vto with the resources to do their own research instead of indulging vto’s desire to have a smug intellectual “debate” about shit which isn’t actually up for debate so vto can feel all clever ‘n’ shit.

            • vto 5.1.1.1.1.1
              12 October 2012 at 8:42 am

              .
              Well would you look at that …. there really is no difference between the sexes. They’re both smart arse wankers.

              Last time I looked this site was a site for exchanging ideas and debating issues.

              Thanks for the contribution though.

              • marty mars …
                12 October 2012 at 1:56 pm

                Still haven’t read the article eh vto? shame on/for you.

                • vto …
                  13 October 2012 at 10:26 am

                  Still in the habit of personalising things marty mars. Shame on you.

                  • marty mars …
                    13 October 2012 at 11:01 am

                    Have you read it yet? Why not ask yourself why you can’t? What are you afraid of vto?

                    • vto …
                      13 October 2012 at 11:30 am

                      Boring marty mars.

                      I suspect that, because my views on the place of Maori and te tiriti in thse islands is at odds with the views of your own and the risk that contrary views represent to various positions in NZ on this large matter, you have been doing everything you can to undermine everything I say. This is a common tactic in such circumstances and to be expected.

                      From here on lets just go our separate ways unless we can exchange views about the subject at hand and leave personals out of it.

                      As such there is no reply to your last post.

                      Enjoy your weekend. Stormy in your parts I hear.

                    • QoT …
                      13 October 2012 at 12:06 pm

                      vto, you’re undermining yourself by continuing to refuse to accept the assistance people have given you to educate yourself. All we have to do is sit back and watch you spin yourself into a frenzy of defensiveness.

                    • marty mars …
                      13 October 2012 at 1:23 pm

                      I’m not undermining you vto but yes your views on tangata whenua offend me and I have to say other views you have expressed also offend me – but so what – lots of people do that 🙂

                      You have failed to recognise that i don’t bother engaging with those too far gone – I thought you sincerely wanted to learn about that area you didn’t understand. I have read the link more than once and it is excellent – it actually answers the original and subsequent questions you asked – i know because i have read both the question and answer, it is there.

                      You asked the questions why not read the answers?

                      Why not?

                    • vto …
                      13 October 2012 at 2:51 pm

                      You’re making an assumption that I haven’t read it. I have not passed further comment on it because no other comments have been received to swap thoughts on.

                      It is interesting that you find my views on tangata whenua etc offensive because I similarly find many of your views offensive to the values and principles of my own heritage and culture (and in many cases not just views but also realities). If I might give you an example – in Christchurch at the moment we, the public, through the Christchurch rebuild are subject to the governance of Ngai Tahu, an organisation in which we, the public, have no say and no right to participate in. This is offensive and I am sure an explanation as to why is not necessary.

                      Anyway, lets keep the dialogue open and the personals to our persons.

                      edit: which is not to deny or reduce in any way the offensive things that Maori have suffered in the past

                    • Marty mars …
                      13 October 2012 at 3:31 pm

                      What did you think about the issues the article raised? Did you get the question answered? Did you believe what the article said? I’m interested because I love understanding why people think the way they think.

    • vto 5.2
      12 October 2012 at 8:49 am

      It is quite clear from contirbutions made here and elsewhere that there is no difference between the sexes. Our make-up and daily machinations are entirely a result of nuture not nature. Everything is learned.

      In addition, it is abundantly clear that the issue has been fully researched and that manwomankind need never conduct any more research into this area as this is our high point of understanding. The highest point in history, a height that can not be topped. For evidence, see qot and others.

  6. mickysavage 6
    11 October 2012 at 8:27 am

    John Campbell had a stunner of a story on Dotcom last night.  He proposed a timeline which indicated that Dotcom was given a really easy ride up until June of last year when his application to buy the home he rents was turned down by Power.  The application had previously been granted by Williamson.  His previous immigration application was treated with kid gloves and the change in treatment was stark.

    Campbell drew a link between this and the Key trip to see Obama which happened a week before Power refused Dotcom’s application.  Campbell also highlighted the pressure Hollywood was putting on Obama to do something about video piracy.
     
    This really highlighted how unlikely it was that Key was not personally told about Power’s decision.  It was a major issue which the US was focussing on and Key would have bent over backwards to butter up to Obama.

    The change from Dotcom being the toast of the town to becoming persona non grata was too stark and you really get the feeling that NZ buckled under US pressure.  The obsequious behaviour of our security forces in engaging in various illegal searches and handing the information over to the US without authority really reinforces this.

    I await the next leak of information with glee.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      11 October 2012 at 8:32 am

      Yep. The Key Government taking marching orders from Hollywood executives for some time (ones based in the USA and ones based in the Wairarapa).

      • Jim Nald 6.1.1
        11 October 2012 at 8:52 am

        Remember when Key was in opposition and shrieking “corruption”?
        Looks like now that he is in office, he is delivering.

        • marsman 6.1.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 9:35 am

          That was the same time Bill English was bleating ‘incompetent and mismanagement of the economy’. He too is now delivering.

    • tc 6.2
      11 October 2012 at 8:44 am

      Yup the gift that keeps giving, you get the impression that KD is a heck of alot smarter, resourced and with enough material to sink these shysters than they ever imagined.

      When you give a donation the way he did, and who knows what Blinkly promised on behalf of NACT, you expect a reciprocation and what he received was multiple stabs in the back, IMO revenge will be his and would have been planned out while being incarcerated in great detail.

    • Anne 6.3
      11 October 2012 at 8:58 am

      Campbell drew a link between this and the Key trip to see Obama which happened a week before Power refused Dotcom’s application. Campbell also highlighted the pressure Hollywood was putting on Obama to do something about video piracy.

      You have to wonder whether the police, GCSB etc.were not only under pressure from the FBI, but after Key’s trip the Govt. applied the pressure too. When the shit hit the fan, Key et al ran for cover and left the police and the GCSB to carry the can?

      And Key claims he’d never heard of Dotcom. It’s beyond belief now.

    • ianmac 6.4
      11 October 2012 at 9:02 am

      A great Campbell presentation so I expect Roughan and Armstrong will protest that it might upset National.
      “……Key would have bent over backwards to butter up to Obama.” There was that pretty needy call from Key that he was very keen to get an audience with Obama in June 2011. Wonder why so needy? Election image? Get instructions re Dotcom?
      A great overview of all the events but a pity Key would not front to balance the story. Wonder why not? Ha Ha!

      • mickysavage 6.4.1
        11 October 2012 at 9:07 am

        I wonder if Key’s talksheet with Obama is OIAable?

        • Jokerman 6.4.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 9:33 am

          Yuss! (“Amber Lyons” -there is hope Lucy)

          must be about Time to drop that paradoxical Fermi Bomb again Draco

          🙂

          now I better, go do, some real work. Have A Great Day Wherever You Are.

      • deuto 6.4.2
        11 October 2012 at 10:51 am

        “A great Campbell presentation so I expect Roughan and Armstrong will protest that it might upset National.”

        That was a fascinating CL last night, and I have no doubts there is more to come.

        So far, there seems to be very little comment/coverage in other press media, which I find surprising.

        As an aside, Russell Brown has an interesting post going at Public Address on the CL programme and Roughan’s recent criticisms. Many of the comments on Roughan are similar to those that have been expressed here on TS, but a particularly interesting comment is from John Sellwood from CL at the top of page 2 of the comments. Too long to quote here, but well worth reading for an insight.

    • Treetop 6.5
      11 October 2012 at 10:39 am

      Power announced stepping down from politics in March 2011, this put him into a position to do Key’s dirty work. Just what Power knew/knows is harder to establish as he cannot be questioned in the House.

      There is a lot more chronology and timeline for John and Toby to reveal to the public, they are certainly on the right track.

      As a side issue good to see the head of the IPCA wanting to release the outcome of more investigations (17 files out of 2,000 complaints released last year) and to also look at having the power to prosecute officers. A lot of time and resources at the IPCA is being spent on the Urewera file which will probably be released at the end of the year.

      • Colonial Viper 6.5.1
        11 October 2012 at 1:29 pm

        From what I know of Power, he might have done it but it would’ve fucked him off no end. And he would have been more than glad to walk to another job outside of politics.

        • Treetop 6.5.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 3:20 pm

          Key may have known that Power’s decision would have been to decline Dotcom buying the mansion which would have suited Key.

          Just how far back was Dotcom being set up as he was granted residence in November 2010?

          When Hollywood came out to discuss the Hobbit I think that Dotcom was mentioned then and the trap was set only to be played out if Key got back in.

          Interesting how the GCSB started spying on Dotcom just after the election.

          The trouble GCSB went to in tracking Dotcom and his associates and how Key claims that he did not know about the GCSB spying on Dotcom until 17 September 2012 even though it is verified that Dotcom was mentioned by the GCSB on 29 February 2012.

    • mike 6.6
      11 October 2012 at 2:31 pm

      Yes good to see from JC, but I felt like it was only part 1 of the story, there’s so many unanswered questions here he didn’t even get to.

      One thing I found interesting was where he showed a police report with about two pages blacked out. The reason given was apparently that it contained sensitive information concerning which ministers were told what and when. (I think, I’ve skimmed through the video trying to find it again, but I’m too busy to watch the whole thing again.) How is this a decent reason to deny us that information when that’s what we want to know? Don’t these ministers work for us?

      • Draco T Bastard 6.6.1
        11 October 2012 at 3:27 pm

        How is this a decent reason to deny us that information when that’s what we want to know?

        It’s not information that we want to know but information that we need to know. It’s information that can show us just how corrupt, or not, our government is. Hiding it from us just proves the former.

        Don’t these ministers work for us?

        Not if they can possibly help it.

        • mike 6.6.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 5:37 pm

          Is it “Nothing to hide, nothing to fear,” or “Black it out, nothing to fear”?

          This information is surely in the public interest – there is a serious question over the competence and/or motives of the people at the top. They should be judged by the public, not by themselves.

  7. Chris 7
    11 October 2012 at 9:58 am

    I just love JC.Since he has changed his show from that poncy one it used to be into real journalism and straight up honest reporting of what is really happening in NZ we never miss a show.Last night was brilliant!Littlemankey should be very afraid.We all know that every time he opens his mouth a lie comes out.If he ever does tell the truth it will be purely accidental.Can’t wait to rid NZ of this menace and get back to putting our country back into place, however hard it may be.

    • ianmac 7.1
      11 October 2012 at 10:14 am

      Of course Mr Key’s only defence is to not front up, especially for the hard questions from Campbell or Morning Report, or other in depth interviews.. To get balance surely he would want to defend in person but like most of his Ministers he will stick to the soft and friendly interviews.

      • Treetop 7.1.1
        11 October 2012 at 10:55 am

        Why is Key sticking to saying he had not heard of Dotcom until 19 January 2012 (apart from the 29 February GCSB montage)?

        The only thing I can come up with is that he has some arrangement with Hollywood as misleading the House does not seem to bother Key. Misleading the House is going to break Key as he will not be able to keep up the misleading as matters pertaining to Dotcom are now as big as Nixon/Watergate. A line similar to this was once said by Nixon, the public want to know if the president is a liar.

        • idlegus 7.1.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 12:51 pm

          duncan garner was on the radio the other monring saying that no govt was ever brought down by a spy scandal, how thick is that!

  8. Anne 8
    11 October 2012 at 10:50 am

    Will wager a bet that JK will never front up to JC again.

    Remember the thrashing JC gave him a few weeks ago?

    • deuto 8.1
      11 October 2012 at 10:53 am

      Did not see that one, Anne, so would be interested to watch it if you can give a little more detail (eg when, subject etc) if it is still on On Demand.

    • Treetop 8.2
      11 October 2012 at 11:06 am

      “Remember the thrashing JC gave him a few weeks ago?”

      The interview when Key came on to explain himself. I’m still waiting…

    • tc 8.3
      11 October 2012 at 11:57 am

      Why would he, Reagan got relected without a debate or facing any serious questions whatsoever so Johnny Sparkles probably thinks he can do the same especially with important stuff like bending over to Hollywood, opening breweries etc etc

      • freedom 8.3.1
        11 October 2012 at 1:49 pm

        and JK also visited Te Takere yesterday. I dearly hope someone was there to explain what all the things on the shelves were, we know how reading is not his thing.

        (As an Artist I am more than aware how the hand can sometimes control the Art independantly of the consciousness. Usually with success but occassional failures occur. With that in mind I purposefully stayed away from the PM’s visit in case my mouth did something silly. There are too many good things trying to be accomplished in this town to tarnish that wonderful space with petty stunts.)

  9. Penny Bright 9
    11 October 2012 at 11:01 am

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/national-suspected-scuttling-ad-man-ansells-colourblind-campaign-launch-

    MY COMMENT – YET TO BE PUBLISHED:

    Managed to catch up with John Ansell as he left the Maori TV studio on Monday 8 October 2012.

    Asked him if he thought ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ should equally apply to ACT’s current and former leaders, John Banks and Don Brash, who equally signed Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009, which contained untrue statements.

    Had the evidence on the banner shown in this photo.

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=292239740881964&set=a.292239697548635.58469.100002878203522&type=1&theater

    Seems that John Ansell isn’t aware of the details, but he agreed that if John Banks and Don Brash were guilty – they should be charged.

    (Normal procedure is that one is first charged before one is found guilty?)

    I suggested he check out for himself the information provided on http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz

    Look forward to further discussion with John Ansell on this and related matters ……

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com

  10. travellerev 10
    11 October 2012 at 11:20 am

    I found this on Facebook. I decided to copy and paste this integrally regardless of the length because it’s beautiful and powerful and needs to be far and wide.

     
    Neil McCormick
    Being Poor
    Being poor is knowing exactly how much everything costs.
    Being poor is getting angry at your children for asking for all the crap they see on TV.
    Being poor is buying a $800 car because it’s what you can afford, and then having the car break down on you, because there’s not an $800 car in New Zealand that’s worth a damn.
    Being poor is hoping your toothache goes away.
    Being poor is knowing your kid goes to friends’ houses but never has friends over to yours.
    Being poor is going to the toilet at school so you’re last to go get your lunch box, and then noone wants to swap their lunch food with you anyway.
    Being poor is living next to the motorway.
    Being poor is living under power pylons.
    Being poor is coming back to the car with your children in the back seat, clutching that box of Raisin Bran you just bought and trying to think of a way to make the kids understand that the box has to last.
    Being poor is wondering if your well-off brother is lying when he says he doesn’t mind when you ask for help.
    Being poor is pre-owned toys.
    Being poor is a heater in only one room of the house.
    Being poor
    Being poor is knowing you can’t leave $5 on the coffee table when your friends are around.
    Being poor is hoping your kids don’t have a growth spurt.
    Being poor is stealing meat from the shops, frying it up before your Mum gets home and then telling her she doesn’t have make dinner tonight because you’re not hungry anyway.
    Being poor is Salvation Army underwear.
    Being poor is not enough space for everyone who lives with you.
    Being poor is feeling the glued soles tear off your Salvation Army bought shoes when you run around the playground.
    Being poor is your kid’s school being the one with the 15-year-old textbooks and no air conditioning.
    Being poor is thinking $10.80 an hour is a really good wage.
    Being poor is relying on people who don’t give a damn about you.
    Being poor is working an overnight shift under florescent lights.
    Being poor is finding the letter your Mum wrote to your Dad, begging him for the child support.
    Being poor is having a bath then having to empty it into the toilet.
    Being poor is stopping the car to take a lamp from a stranger’s Rubbish Bin.
    Being poor is making lunch for your kid when a cockroach skitters over the bread, and you looking over to see if your kid saw.
    Being poor is believing passing a WINZ Training Course actually makes a bit of difference.
    Being poor is people being angry at you just for walking around in the local shopping mall.
    Being poor is not taking the job because you can’t find someone you trust to watch your pre-school children.
    Being poor is the police bursting into the house right next to yours.
    Being poor is not talking to that girl because she’ll probably just laugh at your clothes.
    Being poor is hoping you’ll be invited to someone’s home for dinner.
    Being poor is a sidewalk with lots of brown glass on it.
    Being poor is people thinking they know something about you by the way you talk.
    Being poor is needing that 35cent raise.
    Being poor is your kid’s teacher assuming you don’t have any books in your home.
    Being poor is six dollars short on the power bill and no way to close the gap.
    Being poor is crying when you drop the MacDonald’s Cheeseberger on the floor.
    Being poor is knowing you work as hard as anyone, anywhere and people still call you a bludger.
    Being poor is people being surprised to discover you’re not actually stupid.
    Being poor is people surprised to discover you’re not actually lazy.
    Being poor is a six-hour wait in the hospital emergency waiting room with a sick child asleep on your lap.
    Being poor is never buying anything someone else hasn’t already owned.
    Being poor is picking the 10xpack of two minute noodles instead of the 1 packet because there’s two free packages in the 10xpack.
    Being poor is having to live your life with choices you didn’t realise you’d made when you were 14 years old.
    Being poor is getting tired of people expecting you to be grateful.
    Being poor is knowing you’re being judged.
    Being poor getting is a box of crayons and a $1 colouring book from a community centre Santa.
    Being poor is checking the coin return slot of every drink machine as you walk by.
    Being poor is deciding that it’s all right to base a relationship on a roof over your head.
    Being poor is knowing you really shouldn’t spend that dollar on a scratch Kiwi ticket.
    Being poor is feeling helpless when your child makes the same mistakes you did, and won’t listen to you begging them against doing so.
    Being poor is a cough that doesn’t go away.
    Being poor is making sure you don’t spill on the couch, just in case you have to pay for it when your lease is up.
    Being poor is a $200 getting a pay cheque advance from a company that then takes $250 when the pay cheque comes in.
    Being poor is a lumpy futon bed.
    Being poor is knowing where the nearest shelter is.
    Being poor is people who have never been poor wondering why you would choose to live like that.
    Being poor is knowing how hard it is to stop being poor.
    Being poor is seeing how few life options you really have.
    Being poor is running in place.
    Being poor is people wondering why you didn’t leave.

    • vto 10.1
      11 October 2012 at 11:30 am

      Sobering, as many of those get the big tick …….

      Good to know that aint now one of them rich white middle class males. Damn.

      • travellerev 10.1.1
        11 October 2012 at 11:59 am

        I was shocked at how much I have to give the big tick now. Three years ago we could afford the odd meal out, some French cheeses, a non necessary drive into Hamilton. Not so any more! I make my own clothes and a lot of my own other necessities so we still have a great live in many aspects but I have no idea how people live on a minimum wage especially when raising kids.

    • Clashman 10.2
      11 October 2012 at 12:50 pm

      Fucken hell that actually brought tears to my eyes.

    • Bill 10.3
      11 October 2012 at 1:02 pm

      Dunno about the $5 thing. Most poor people I know are more honest than most and display more empathy than most. Which is not to say there aren’t any insufferable bastards who deserve a kicking for some of the shit they spread around. But, y’know…

      • Colonial Viper 10.3.1
        11 October 2012 at 1:27 pm

        I think it might be more a case of insecurity, i.e. IF on the small chance that $5 went walking, it would be a devastating blow to the day, so best not leave it just in case.

    • Rosie 10.4
      11 October 2012 at 1:40 pm

      Thank you Travellerev.

      There was a lot of the invisible burden of shame in that poem. No one should ever have to shoulder that or own it, yet increasingly we do.

    • freedom 10.5
      11 October 2012 at 2:18 pm

      I would hazard a guess that more Kiwis sleep under the weight of this list
      than at any time in the last fifty years
      that is shameful
      that is not a Nation
      that is slavery

    • Lanthanide 10.6
      11 October 2012 at 2:52 pm

      A few of them are a little off the mark I think (things that lots of people do, not just ‘poor’ people); I guess this list is that they’re necessities rather than simple choices.

      However this one kind of annoys me:
      “Being poor is picking the 10xpack of two minute noodles instead of the 1 packet because there’s two free packages in the 10xpack.”

      That’s not “being poor”, that’s being economically literate and sensible. Really, being poor is knowing that that is the correct decision to make, but not having enough money to buy the 10 pack this week and so missing out of the bulk-buying discount.

      Or, alternatively:
      “Being poor is picking the 10 pack of 2-minute noodles instead of the 1 pack because the 10 pack effectively has 2 free inside it, then not having enough money left to buy a loaf of bread”.

      • Tiger Mountain 10.6.1
        11 October 2012 at 3:34 pm

        Good one Ev,
        The multiple small humiliations of being poor do stack up and we don’t have to agree with every line of Neil’s to acknowledge that.

        Neighbours and I swap veges and fish, seawweed for the garden and all sorts of little jobs and kindnesses to get by. Car trips are well planned and all the rest. Even those of us doing ok feel poor in the toxic environment we live in. So lets get shot of ShonKey one way or another and return to a longstanding default NZ setting–we take care of our own!

        • travellerev 10.6.1.1
          12 October 2012 at 11:52 am

          Small humiliations stacking up are toxic and crushing for the soul. It is what our ruling elite thrive on. Notice how buoyant Bennet looks? That is her thriving because she can put the toxic shame she feels from her own upbringing on the shoulders of others!

  11. golden retriever 11
    11 October 2012 at 11:27 am

    RTM defends the great Eric Hobsbawm from the right-wingers gloating over his death:
    http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/stalin-pol-pot-eric-hobsbawm-and-me.html

  12. Jokerman 12
    11 October 2012 at 12:41 pm

    Oh to Be, or not to Be,
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism
    oh the angst.

    (Notes from the Underground, underground somewhere in my memory, unfinished, unnecessary)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnTelUJrDhc

    still glowing?

    -nobody’s child: no body’s Fool
    (unlike Banks: nothing to fear nothing to Hyde)

  13. brybry 13
    11 October 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Kiwis ditch Banks, divided over Dotcom
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7802705/Kiwis-ditch-Banks-divided-over-Dotcom

    “Almost three quarters of New Zealanders view Banks ”unfavourably,” 14 per cent see him favourably, 13 per cent are unsure – and two per cent have never heard of him.”

    I hear they actually polled John Banks for this as well. He is included in the 2%.

    • Dv 13.1
      11 October 2012 at 1:19 pm

      John Key was in the 2% too.

      • McFlock 13.1.1
        11 October 2012 at 1:25 pm

        even though the GCSB thoroughly briefed him on Banks’ existence not six months ago. 

        • Jim Nald 13.1.1.1
          11 October 2012 at 1:45 pm

          A friend had read out snippets of the piece to me and I thought I heard, for the last line:

          “They refuse to cooperate with the court and say it’s all National’s security” 🙂

    • ianmac 13.2
      11 October 2012 at 1:57 pm

      “Banks’ reputation also took a hammering during last year’s election campaign when a cameraman recorded his ‘private’ conversation with Prime Minister John Key during a ”cup of tea” publicity stunt.”

      Funny that it was apparently Banks who took the hammering and not Squeaky clean Mr Key. Ask the right question?

  14. aerobubble 14
    11 October 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Don’t get the movie industry, first the anti-union Hobbit film and now the copyright criminalization of consumers of entertainment.

    There’s no free lunch, but also there’s no right to profits either. Governments support media (like the BBC) to create a market, how much it intervenes has nothing to do with the creators or deliverers
    of entertainment, it has everything to with the technology and the needs of the civic society.
    aka National Radio.

    Newspapers lost income from adverts because the technology moved and they can only make money now if they readjust how they serve the civic society – not advertisers, not media barons, but how the makeup of the real economy.

    So I don’t get the movie industry because I won’t be going to the cinema while they continue to criminalize their consumers. They don’t have a right to use their market power to gain a regulative capture over the world.

  15. Jokerman 15
    11 October 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Oh well,
    more “Strange Phenomena”-Kate Bush
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenology_(philosophy)
    (The Kick Inside)

    It’s a Marvel louse Universe, so long DC
    http://www.comics101.com/guestlecturer//news/Guest%20Lecturer/5/09_IM_45.jpg

  16. vto 16
    11 October 2012 at 3:58 pm

    This government is obscene and vile .

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7802704/Goff-attacks-Ministry-pay-rise

    Monday – announce increased pay packet for wealthy Hollywood business.
    Tuesday – announce decreased pay packet for under-20 workers.
    Thursday – announce increased pay packet for high paid bureaucrat.

    obscene

    vile

    spit in their face

  17. Penny Bright 17
    11 October 2012 at 4:06 pm

    AUCKLAND ELECTRICITY CONSUMER TRUST ELECTIONS!

    Got your voting papers folks?

    Went to the YOUR POWER TEAM launch yesterday.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/david-fisher/news/article.cfm?a_id=191&objectid=10839471

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/david-fisher/news/article.cfm?a_id=191&objectid=10839721

    The stated policy of the YOUR POWER TEAM (Labour/Green ticket)
    which I support as an ‘anti-privatisation’ / ‘anti-corruption’ campaigner:

    Opposition to further privatisation of Vector (the ‘lines’ company)

    Opening the book of the AECT so the public can see where our money is being spent.

    Opening the meetings of the AECT so that the public can attend.

    So!

    Guess who I voted for!

    🙂

    Penny Bright

  18. Draco T Bastard 18
    11 October 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Base wage for youth is a joke

    The great thing about young people is their gullibility. At least, that must be what the Government is banking on when they propose dropping the minimum wage rate for youth. These kids are so wide-eyed and trusting. They won’t even know they’re being screwed. So naive and accepting. Who better, then, to be sacrificed in the name of “trying to look like we’re doing something”. It’s not as if this lot can have another crack at the teachers.

    No, this will play nicely into the hands of those the Government sees as it its core supporters. What better way to curry favour with its constituents in white, middle-income New Zealand; business New Zealand (and red-necked New Zealand) than handing out a good kicking to the youth. Lazy, indulged little shits. How dare they grow up thinking they’re equal. What a cheek. At least this way the smug little buggers might learn some respect.

    Well worth reading in full as it covers the entire spectrum of Nationals attacks on the young and defenceless.

    • ianmac 18.1
      11 October 2012 at 4:49 pm

      Agreed Draco. (Just noted a reference to “Draco” when reading about the Roman Empire around 260AD. Draco means snake or dragon and often appeared on Army Unit flags. Dragon seems to fit.)

    • vto 18.2
      11 October 2012 at 5:04 pm

      I sense all them little feet on these disgusting millipedey creatures begin to scurry here and there to safety like vermin and roaches as the great mass of servant begins to wake ….

    • Jokerman 18.3
      11 October 2012 at 6:00 pm

      well, after leading to phenomenology, which you sort of had to self-teach yourself when I was extramural university student, freakin hopeless the delivery in some areas, and this hole prerequisites nonsense, Jesus Wept; I’m Bored.

      Time for further self-discipline.

      BYE 😉

      (I am relating to this Kafka dude, I can tell you)

      Thanks for Hosting me Lynn and Lyn. never look back

      MAY GOD BLESS THE LEFT.

      (sad may be, yet it too will pass)

      well better goooo, there is some servin’ to be done.

  19. karol 19
    11 October 2012 at 6:13 pm

    One more little hit by TV3, one more thing Key “doesn’t know” – government and agencies circle the wagons.  Governor General? More to come on Campbell Live tonight.

  20. ianmac 20
    11 October 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Heads up. Campbell Live tonight. Alleged talk by Key to Spy Staff in February touching on Kim Dotcom relating to their work on Dotcom. May be a video of same. If proved it would bring Key’s didn’t know until 17 September in dispute.

  21. Anne 21
    11 October 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Yep. it’s all on… spies have come out batting. Leaked info. to Labour. Shearer on Campbell Live tonight. Unofficial recording of Key’s speech to GCSB staff in their canteen allegedly reveals he congratulated staff re-Kim Dotcom on 29th Feb. this year.

    • karol 21.1
      11 October 2012 at 6:43 pm

      TV3 News video and article here.
       
      Labour doesn’t seem to have the recording, but says it’s necessary for an independent inquiry:

      According to Labour’s GCSB sources, the quip was captured on an internal GCSB camera.

      3 News put these claims to the Prime Minister. He initially denied making any Dotcom reference, but then backtracked – saying he can’t recall.

      “I don’t think so. No,” he says.

      “I don’t remember it.”

      Mr Key says that although he remembers going into the staff café to address GCSB staff, he doesn’t recall whether he made any reference to Dotcom. He says “goodness knows” whether his address was recorded or not, but that the GCSB hasn’t raised the issue of any recording with him.

       

    • Jim Nald 21.2
      11 October 2012 at 6:48 pm

      As of a few days ago, while catching up with folks around Wellington, I “understand” that increasingly, in numbers and in degrees, senior public officials are also not happy with how some cabinet ministers have been behaving and not doing their job.

  22. joe90 22
    11 October 2012 at 7:57 pm

    The misogynist hate directed at Gillard.

    Her Rights at Work (Vanilla version)

    Her Rights at Work (R-rated version)

  23. ScottGN 23
    11 October 2012 at 8:15 pm

    ipredict selling Nats big time.

  24. Draco T Bastard 24
    11 October 2012 at 10:22 pm

    An apt comic strip.