Open mike 12/05/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 12th, 2023 - 21 comments
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21 comments on “Open mike 12/05/2023 ”

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  1. Sanctuary 1
    12 May 2023 at 7:52 am

    Not that it should astonish anyone anymore, but the head of CNN basically told us that he is in the business of making up "news" not reporting on it.

    "…On an internal call, Licht reportedly told staffers: “You do not have to like the former president’s answers, but you can’t say that we didn’t get them.

    “Kaitlan pressed him again and again and made news … Made a lot of news, [and] that is our job…”

  2. Sanctuary 2
    12 May 2023 at 8:06 am

    Reading this piece from John Tamahere made me rather gloomy about the centre-left chances this election. Arrogance and over-reach from the Maori party will make baiting them into saying something idiotic during the election campaign should be baked in as a given, and that could very easily mean game over for Labour's chances of forming a government.

    In particular, "…exiting the Five Eyes military spy pact with the US, UK, Canada and Australia…" is simply a line no responsible party will cross in NZ. I guess these are who the Maori party will want to be our new mates if they get a sniff of power?

  3. Sanctuary 3
    12 May 2023 at 8:28 am

    I guess getting your secret police goons to poison people in pleasant English Cathedral cities comes with a mighty dose of karma.

    These Storm Shadow cruise missiles are a huge deal, and the speed they've been supplied implies they've got a important role in any Ukrainian counter-offensive. The introduction of HIMARS had a devastating impact on Russian forward supply dumps, up to 100 being destroyed in very short order. The Russians had to move all their ammunition dumps from 20-30km behind the lines to 100km+ away. That has drastically impacted Russian offensive capabilities. The complications of such a long logistical tail means the Russian have consolidated on a few mega-supply dumps just outside HIMARS range that act as distribution hubs for multiple, much smaller depots closer to the front. Storm shadow puts these depots in range of a low-observable cruise missile which boasts a big 500kg warhead. These depots will be targetted now for sure.

    • tWiggle 3.1
      12 May 2023 at 6:45 pm

      I can see why NATO members put off supplying this weaponry to the Ukraine until the front looked at risk: this takes the war far into Russian territory, and changes the nature of the conflict markedly. It’s no longer an edge war for Russians.

  4. Molly 4
    12 May 2023 at 9:32 am

    This is a foreseeable consequence of “being kind” without engaging brain:

    https://twitter.com/againstgrmrs/status/1656421559010041856?s=20

    I expect there are some who will want statistics on how often this occurs before allowing themselves to feel disgust at the way this girl is being treated.

    I am not one of them.

    • Liberty Belle 4.1
      12 May 2023 at 11:19 am

      Neither am I. Thanks for posting.

    • Shanreagh 4.2
      12 May 2023 at 3:26 pm

      This whole pronouns business is crazy.

      It is one of the key protective behaviours, some might say innate, that humans can recognise the sex of another and make very quick decisons on whether that person is likely to be a threat to them. Men dressing as women confuse this, the stroppy men dressed as women with a swag of bad faith about pronouns can make life very harsh for people who make a mistake,

      I am glad that Gays against Groomers is looking at this.

      I linked to testimony by Ben Leatherwood from that group against the medicalisation of minors

      On Feb 21, 2023 the Florida House Health & Human Services Committee heard testimony from David Leatherwood, representing the Florida chapter of the activist group Gays Against Groomers.

      • tWiggle 4.2.1
        12 May 2023 at 6:41 pm

        Oh, men dressing as women like Dame Edna and Mrs Doubtfire?

        • Shanreagh 4.2.1.1
          12 May 2023 at 9:46 pm

          Well many of these charmers trying to get into changing rooms and into women's sports have not actually transitioned fully or even partially.

          Some sports at high levels are now asking that tests be done to ensure that testosterone levels are maintianed at low levels. For sports though it is arguable that this has any effect as the consequence of a male going through puberty with increased strength and muscle mass is still stays with the person transtioning and this gives an advantage.

          I some how doubt that Mrs Doubtfire (Robin Williams) or Dame Edna (Barry Humphries) would be using the women's changing rooms/toilets when they get in character. This is what untransitioned males are seeking to do though isn't it?

        • Shanreagh 4.2.2.1
          12 May 2023 at 9:37 pm

          Sorry I meant David and yes I know they are right wing but as many of us have said here on TS many times when this topic is discussed, that 'allies' or those who get the concerns of women and the concerns on transitioning children before the age of becoming an adult come from unlikely places.

          Also as I have said often the concern about this is apolitical…ie not from left or right.

          But you keep getting out your links as if we don't know all this.

      • Molly 4.2.3
        13 May 2023 at 9:07 am

        It appears she was also admonished for not completely undressing in front of adult male staff who visit the PE office located in view of the girl's changing room.

        Child safeguarding apparently abandoned.

        • Shanreagh 4.2.3.1
          13 May 2023 at 9:50 am

          Safeguarding and the inherent dignity owed to anyone, big or small, when they are doing things like changing or using the toilet.

  5. ianmac 5
    12 May 2023 at 9:44 am

    It seemed that the Gore Council problems centred on the new young Mayor Bell. But according to the Newsroom report by Vaneesa Bellew the shambles seem to have been around for more than 20 years.

    Long before new Mayor Ben Bell was narrowly elected, the Gore District Council was caught in allegations of a culture of bullying, including an inquiry by the Labour Department – but ex-staff say over two decades not enough was done.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/gore-allegations-pre-date-new-mayor?utm_source=Newsroom&utm_campaign=c686d34bc0-Daily_Briefing+12.05.2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_71de5c4b35-c686d34bc0-95522477

  6. PsyclingLeft.Always 6
    12 May 2023 at 9:57 am

    Andre Brett

    "We've had decades of under-investment in the rail network and policies that since the 1950s have focused very single-mindedly on roads. That's not going to be turned around overnight," he says.

    Newsroom's political reporter Emma Hatton says the industry has a dysfunctional nature, with poor communications between the different agencies and companies involved.

    She says the recent Wellington and Auckland problems reflect a much deeper systemic problem.

    Andre Brett :

    "We shovel billions and billions of dollars every year into road construction and maintenance and we don't ask the state highway network to be returning profits. We recognise that this is important for our transport. We need to do the same with rail."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018889233/how-kiwirail-got-off-track

    Well….exactly. IMO : Fuck the truck lobbyists. Get KiwiRail..back on track. For NZ.