Open mike 13/01/2025

70 comments on “Open mike 13/01/2025 ”

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1. weston 1

   13 January 2025 at 7:05 am

   Gaza war day 463 no end in sight .Justin Podur reports Israel and American planes bombing an open air demonstration in Sana'a so with all the contraventions of late regarding international law mostly if not almost entirely by those so called democracies we are supposed to trust …does it even exist at any meaningful sense any more ??

   Only yemen one of the poorest nations on earth dares to take on the might of an American battle fleet must have been quite a sight if anyones got some video of that please put it up .

   As far as i know Yemen's military hardware cannot be touched so deep in the mountains it is housed so the US /Israel just bombs what it can you know schools universities airports civilians the usual stuff that cowards with terroristic tendencies tend to attack .

   
   
   
   • Hunter Thompson II 1.1

     13 January 2025 at 9:24 am

     The LA fires are a disaster, that's for sure, but it jars to see reports of 16 deaths from that event replace the 41,000 killed in Gaza by Israel's efforts.

     I assume Israel's leaders think that if they hammer Gaza into oblivion, no more Arab extremists will be tempted to attack in future. Good luck with that; there are plenty of potential martyrs just waiting.
     • weston 1.1.1

       13 January 2025 at 10:16 am

       Not wrong there hunter 70 % of Hamas's recruits are orphans apparently .

       Always fascinating how the "extremist " label is so easily tacked onto the word Arab but not onto the other religious extremists in this case Israel .Did you know that for ex Hamas do not shoot down medivac helicopters coming to take away wounded IDF even when they could easily do so ?
   • Populuxe 1.2

     13 January 2025 at 9:26 am

     Out of curiosity, were you cheerleading the Houthi when they were murdering their fellow Yemeni for being the wrong kind of Muslims, or does genocide only count if it's Israel?
     • westonIve been cheerleading 1.2.1

       13 January 2025 at 10:35 am

       Ive been cheerleading the magnificent Houthi for a while now they are so obviously the bravest tribe on earth to my mind in the battle against the Saudi's with their brittish and American backers to now against Israel with their American backers .To stand rock solid against tyrany regardless of personal cost and for a higher motive is surely to be applauded

       As for their other scraps i freely admit to knowing nothing of beside religion is always dividing into new or different forms whence the killing might commence this is what religion itself does and of course "god "is always on your "side "

       [Please fix your handle, thanks – Incognito]
       • Incognito 1.2.1.1

         13 January 2025 at 11:46 am

         Mod note
       • joe90 1.2.1.2

         13 January 2025 at 8:13 pm

         Ive been cheerleading the magnificent Houthi for a while now

         Cos they're your kind of people, right…

         /

         Crimes committed by the Houthi militia in Yemen

         8.12.2021

         Answer in writing

         Question for written answer E-005440/2021
         to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
         Rule 138
         Fulvio Martusciello (PPE)

         Since 2004, crimes and human rights violations committed by the Houthi militia against civilians have been a daily occurrence in Yemen. Kidnappings, torture of prisoners, bombings of houses and the displacement of thousands of families are only some of the severe war crimes and human rights violations of which the Houthi militia is responsible. The Houthis have planted mines randomly, without differentiating between military or civilian sites. Mine explosions have occurred near homes, schools, mosques, markets, water sources and other places. There have been 580 victims so far, including children and women, and 457 injured.

         Crimes committed against women are particularly grave, amounting to murder, maiming, detention, kidnapping and sexual violence. Supervisors in militia prisons repeatedly rape women detainees. Minors have also been victims of crimes. In fact, since 2014, the Houthi in Yemen have forcibly recruited 10 300 children, opening 52 training camps for thousands of adolescents, and have incited violence and promoted the group’s ideology through special lectures to fill students with extremist ideals and involve them in the group’s military actions.

         https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-005440_EN.html
     • gsays 1.2.2

       13 January 2025 at 11:26 am

       If yr truly worried about what counts, whataboutism doesn't cut the mustard when minimising genocide.
       • Populuxe 1.2.2.1

         13 January 2025 at 3:36 pm

         As I'm not minimalising Israel's atrocities it's not whataboutism, but nice try.
     • Subliminal 1.2.3

       13 January 2025 at 5:47 pm

       The destruction of Yemen has more similarities with the destruction of Gaza. A US/UK ally (Saudi) was armed and supported in its efforts to destroy the Houthi and install their man Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

       As in Gaza, the bombs and planes along with maintenance, air to air refuelling and support with the naval blockade, came from the West, primarily the US and UK.

       The Saudis were, just like the Israelis, quite happy to bomb hospitals, schools, school buses, market places and civilian infrastructure.

       They were also more than happy to use starvation as weapon of war. Many tens of thousands died of malnutrition.

       Back then, NZ had a little more moral fiber and we followed UN direction by banning anything that might be construed as aid for the Saudi military. You may recall the trouble Air NZ got into refurbishing some military equiptment.

       So really, Yemen was a forerunner of Gaza and now the West is going back in an attempt to finish the 'job' while the population is still very weak.

       There are many, many pictures of the starving children created by this brutal blockade and until Gaza, this was the preeminent war disaster, begun by Obama and then ruthlessly continued by Trump and Biden.

       But of course, in true imperial bootlicking style, you would prefer to blame the victims.

       https://www.justsecurity.org/81754/us-military-support-to-the-saudi-led-coalition-in-yemen-amid-civilian-toll-mapping-the-connections/

       https://consortiumnews.com/2023/01/05/3000-yemenis-killed-or-injured-in-2022/
       • Populuxe 1.2.3.1

         13 January 2025 at 6:42 pm

         You know, it's possible to look at geopolitical situations without romanticising everyone in a region into black hats and white hats as if they don't have any agency or end goals of their own.
         Here's a radical idea. Maybe the US, the Saudis, Israel, Iran, and probably the UAE for that matter, are all responsible for colossal amounts of misery and horror in the Middle East. You don't need to call me names, and we don't have to pick whatever Shia or Wahhabi terror group has the best PR this month and try to rebrand them a ragtag freedom fighters just because the sum total of your knowledge about Middle East IR seems to come from Lawrence of Arabia as played by Peter O'Toole.
         • Subliminal 1.2.3.1.1

           13 January 2025 at 8:16 pm

           It's also possible to look at a 'geopolitical situation' as a place where real people try to live.

           They try to go to school, or work. They try to learn and better themselves.

           They might need a doctor or to go to a hospital. They might just want something as simple as to be able to eat.

           It is ''looking at a geopolitical situation without romanticising'' that allows people, youself included it seems, to add causual bombs hitting all kinds of civilian infrastructure as though reality is just a cartoon.

           Saudi deliberate maiming and killing of Yemeni school children on their way to school in a bus, destruction of hospitals and general terror and death, just as with Israel in Gaza, is not a ''geopolitical situation'' to be analysed nor is it a cartoon.

           Your approach is no different to neoliberalism. Society doesn't exist. Everything can be reduced to the inndividual and a cost/benefit analysis.

           Your choice of Lawrence of Arabia as the hero also speaks volumes.
           • Populuxe 1.2.3.1.1.1

             13 January 2025 at 8:30 pm

             Well yes, but that would also include things like all the thousands of people the Houthi have killed, displaced, denied food and aid, women enslaved, and children made into soldiers, so that's fun.

             Your choice of Lawrence of Arabia as the hero also speaks volumes.

             I see irony isn't your strong suit. He was the British Empire's catspaw in instigating the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire (leading to those reviled Saudis by the way) and then framed in a heavily romanticised, Orientalised movie. Seems eminently appropriate to me.
             • Subliminal …

               13 January 2025 at 9:07 pm

               Oh right then. So every time civil unrest erupts in a country, we are morally and duty bound to invade, bomb and create chaos or at a minimum or actually, even better, get someone else to do it.

               It wasn't difficult for Saudi to be coopted. A new prince out to make a name for himself and claim the throne he always knew was his. The full support of the US and UK. Lots of arms trade and money for everyone!

               And the best part is that no one really cares. We see that clearly now. France and Germany have openly declared themseves on the side of the Israeli genocide. The vaunted West is exposed as the same narcissistic monarchy from the era of colonialism. Well at least we now know where we stand.
               • Populuxe …

                 13 January 2025 at 9:36 pm

                 That's a lot of dramatic high-flown language for bloody business as usual. Who is "we"? Surely you don't think we're a significant player in any of this? I hate to break it to you but we're just not that important.
                 • Subliminal …

                   14 January 2025 at 5:13 am

                   The 'royal' we. We of the west. The bastion of the shining light on the hill. All those high minded fallacies that are exposed now as moral cowardice as 'we' clamour to defend a genocide or at least to look the other way
                   • Populuxe …

                     14 January 2025 at 12:08 pm

                     Thank you for choosing to visit us in 2025. Please visit our giftshop on your way back to the Cold War.
       • SPC 1.2.3.2

         13 January 2025 at 7:14 pm

         A better comparison would be Syria. In built up areas more people die when there is bombing. In Yemen the problem has usually been the lack of food aid.

         https://www.nrc.no/perspectives/2024/funding-cuts-leave-yemenis-facing-difficult-choices/

         Earlier.

         Yemen has been suffering from a famine since 2016 as a result of the civil war. More than 50,000 children in Yemen died from starvation in 2017. Numerous commentators have condemned the Saudi-led coalition's military campaign, including its blockade of Yemen, as genocide. The UN estimated that by the end of 2021, the war in Yemen would have caused over 377,000 deaths, and roughly 70% of deaths were children under age 5.

         On 14 September 2020, Human Rights Watch demanded an end to the interference caused by Houthi rebels and other authorities in Yemen aid operations, as millions of lives dependent on the aid operations were being put at risk

         Even before the revolution, Yemen's water situation had been described as increasingly dire by experts who worried that Yemen would be the first country to run out of water. In part due to the 2015 Yemeni civil war, the infrastructure required to build better access to water has been delayed in construction. It is estimated that as many as 80% of the population struggles to access water to drink and bathe. Bombing has forced many Yemenis to leave their homes for other areas, leaving wells in the new areas under increasing demands

         The Presidential Leadership Council took power in April 2022.

         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen
   • Belladonna 1.3

     13 January 2025 at 11:18 am

     And the ongoing genocide in Sudan (tens of thousands killed – more than 11 million displaced) continues – but seems to attract little attention from TS commenters.

     https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/7/us-says-sudans-rsf-committed-genocide-announces-sanctions-on-leaders
     • Muttonbird 1.3.1

       13 January 2025 at 11:51 am

       Certainly after reading that I now fully agree with you that the US/Israeli coalition bombing civilian targets in Sana'a is justified…
       • Belladonna 1.3.1.1

         13 January 2025 at 12:22 pm

         But the bombing of civilian targets in Sudan is justified?
         • Muttonbird 1.3.1.1.1

           13 January 2025 at 1:23 pm

           You did start the deflection and distraction away from the US/Israel illegal occupation of Palestine, and blamed TS commenters for good measure.

           Terrible as it is, Sudan is a civil war which I’m sure the US is up to its eyeballs in as well. Palestine itself is being systematically erased before our eyes, but that that is ok with you is good to know.
           • Belladonna 1.3.1.1.1.1

             13 January 2025 at 2:40 pm

             And equally good to know that the (much greater in terms of lives lost) genocidal humanitarian crisis in Sudan is just fine in your books.
             • Muttonbird …

               13 January 2025 at 3:37 pm

               Interesting you didn't deny acceptance of the extermination of the Palestinian people!
               • SPC …

                 13 January 2025 at 3:50 pm

                 Given the numbers of deaths by bombing in Syria and the number of deaths in Sudan, the claim of an attempt to exterminate the Palestinian people by genocide is questionable.

                 That Likud opposes there being a Palestinian state is clear enough.

                 That collective punishment is used as a method is undeniable. In Gaza it is now of a range of different war crimes and different crimes against humanity. IMO, all deliberately short of the genocide.

                 So that those who make the claims of genocide are seen to be the extremists. This is part of their and western media management of the issue.
                 • Muttonbird …

                   13 January 2025 at 4:40 pm

                   Effectively, removing a people from their land removes their identity and so the people cease to exist. Unless you accept that a people can exist in exile. There was another people not too far from Gaza and the West Bank who were apparently removed from their land some years ago. They were then subject to persecution many places they went and direct genocide in one instance, so horrific they were gifted back their land in a terrible policy decision. Let’s not do that again…

                   The Libertarian view illustrated by Damian Grant the other day is that there is no such thing as society and nationhood, particularly if diluted enough. Dilution of culture or cultural assimilation is still a form of soft genocide, it's something which Grant and co are driving in this country.

                   Even the most charitable read of Israel's actions in Area B is more than cultural dilution and those in Area C is a straight out land grab/exercise in forcible removal/extermination.
                   • SPC …

                     13 January 2025 at 4:57 pm

                     so horrific they were gifted back their land in a terrible policy decision.

                     The Palestine mandate for a Jewish homeland was well before the Reich era. It was part of the nation state emergence out of empire era (that forgot about the Kurds as the one too difficult).

                     Partition was chosen because Palestinian Arabs did not want migration into their area.

                     The two state arrangement chosen would have worked, if both sides agreed.

                     This is still the case.

                     A people in exile (refugees) can still have an attachment to a land area. Most nations allow those who leave to come back (one exception was when Trump's grandfather was refused the right to return to Bavaria)(the German towns/cities of that era had a policy of supporting the unwanted surplus population to migrate to the USA).

                     In this case (Palestinians) the soft genocide is a form of occupation, and limited self governance under oversight (an ever reducing bantustan on the WB within the orbit of an over-rule of the PA). Where those who resist are imprisoned, essentially warned to leave their land or suffer permanent incarceration until old age.
                 • Jenny …

                   14 January 2025 at 7:03 am

                   SPC…

                   13 January 2025 at 3:50 pm

                   Given the numbers of deaths by bombing in Syria and the number of deaths in Sudan, the claim of an attempt to exterminate the Palestinian people by genocide is questionable….

                   …..IMO, all deliberately short of the genocide.

                   Whereas I have identified genocides in all three cases, Syria, Sudan and Gaza.

                   In all three genocides we see a similar pattern, civil society unrest met with massive state violence, followed by outside interference backing one side or the other.
                   We also see the same outside players, Russia and the US, and UAE

                   Sudan is burning and foreign powers are benefiting – what’s in it for the UAE

                   Published: September 13, 2024 1.53am NZST

                   https://theconversation.com/sudan-is-burning-and-foreign-powers-are-benefiting-whats-in-it-for-the-uae-238695

                   Which are the biggest foreign players?

                   Several regional and international actors have a stake in the outcome of the conflict.

                   Egypt and Saudi Arabia, for instance, support the Sudanese army. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Libya and Russia (through the Wagner Group) support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
           • SPC 1.3.1.1.1.2

             13 January 2025 at 2:57 pm

             The army based in Khartoum is using Chinese supplied drones (that said the other group is led by a dirt weed terrorist – they and the army leader seized power in a coup and now fight each other).

             The Ethiopian centralist was also supplied with drones by the Chinese to break Tigray state federalist independence. Ethiopia is now in the BRICS group.
           • Drowsy M. Kram 1.3.1.1.1.3

             13 January 2025 at 3:48 pm

             I agree Muttonbird, the conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Sudan are both terrible – certainly a ceasefire in one or both conflicts would be a major achievement.

             https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-02-10-2024/#comment-2013281

             https://thestandard.org.nz/what-happened-2/#comment-2016722

             Imho, it's weird how some Standardistas can read "terrible" as "just fine"
     • Incognito 1.3.2

       13 January 2025 at 11:51 am

       […] but seems to attract little attention from TS commenters.

       Your point?
       • Belladonna 1.3.2.1

         13 January 2025 at 12:21 pm

         My point is that … strangely… only the reported genocide in Gaza is worthy of posting/commenting from TS commenters. Reported genocides from other areas appear to not be worthy to be mentioned.
         • Incognito 1.3.2.1.1

           13 January 2025 at 12:38 pm

           You’re making assumptions about the views of TS commentariat without making clear what your view is on the topic.

           You also make the incorrect assumption that absence of evidence is evidence of absence.

           This begs the question why you’re raising this pseudo-point here with obvious innuendo – you’re implying something, so just come out and say it unless you’re concern trolling.

           In any case, you have overlooked this comment from only 2 days ago: https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11-01-2025/#comment-2020977. I wonder what else you’ve overlooked to draw your straw man.
           • SPC 1.3.2.1.1.1

             13 January 2025 at 3:04 pm

             Here in a "conversation" about the loss of life of civilians in a certain area of the world.

             https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-04-01-2025/#comment-2020573
             • Incognito …

               13 January 2025 at 3:48 pm

               Yes, I know, but does BD?

               It looks they will again ignore my informal warnings, which is typical of evasive trolls who pretend to be ‘dead’ to try and avoid further aggravating a Mod. The success of this defence strategy is wearing off.
               • Muttonbird …

                 13 January 2025 at 7:54 pm

                 Yeah, Belladonna's point was not about the people of Sudan, it was about the people of The Standard which betrays the people of Sudan because Belladonna has used their suffering to advance the Zionist cause in a New Zealand political blog context. It is quite pathetic.

                 When asked to explain the reason for the troll post, Belladonna refuses to answer, or concede it was a troll post.
                 • Bearded Git …

                   13 January 2025 at 9:50 pm

                   That is why I have long since given up reading Belladonnas posts.
               • Belladonna …

                 14 January 2025 at 9:28 am

                 I don't regard a single response raising the current genocides going on in the World as in any way comparable to the frequent, extensive and repetitive posts from those accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

                 Perhaps you could point to an example of a substantive post addressing other genocides in the Middle East – which I might have missed during the summer break (when, you may have observed, I was not commenting on TS – and therefore, likely, not to have been reading it either).

                 Of course, If you can link to a recent post – then I will, of course, withdraw and apologize.

                 You might also consider that some of us work for a living – and are not necessarily immediately available to respond. Rather than assuming that we're 'dead'.
                 • Incognito …

                   14 January 2025 at 9:07 pm

                   I don't regard a single response raising the current genocides going on in the World as in any way comparable to the frequent, extensive and repetitive posts from those accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

                   Straw man. Anyway, what exactly is your problem with TS commentary? Besides, there’s more than “a single response”. You seem to be demanding something and telling us what to write. Perhaps you should read the About and TS Policy before you make an even bigger fool of yourself.

                   As an approved commenter here, you can raise awareness of anything you wish and start a convo. You know this, so what’s your problem?

                   Perhaps you could point to an example of a substantive post addressing other genocides in the Middle East […]

                   No, the onus is on you to do the groundwork and you must not demand others to do your homework for you. There’s a handy search functionality on TS to assist you. If you get stuck, you can ask for help.

                   Of course, If you can link to a recent post – then I will, of course, withdraw and apologize.

                   You seem to read selectively and ignore other responses to your troll demands. Withdraw what exactly and apologise for what?? Of course, being a concern troll, of course?

                   You might also consider that some of us work for a living – and are not necessarily immediately available to respond. Rather than assuming that we're 'dead'.

                   Disingenuous straw man, at best. My comment that challenged you and to which you should have been replying instead of the one you chose is here, sent at 12:38 pm. This gave you ample time to reply and you even managed two other responses at 2:40 and 2:50 pm. So, pull the other one.

                   In any case, my reply to SPC was a general one about how trolls tend to ‘play dead’ or run away when challenged and you’re no stranger to this either.
         • gsays 1.3.2.1.2

           13 January 2025 at 2:58 pm

           If it helps, the answer is in the Al Jazeera article you posted.

           The article reads reasonably until you consider all the countries, factions and players Blinken has 'issues' with, can be applied to the US in regards Gaza/Israel.

           It's not news that a rejection of US imperialism is strong in these parts.

           Couple that, with the clueless leadership we have in Wellington at the moment and the enthusiasm to cuddle up to the States with the current iteration of AUKUS, it's not surprising that US enabling genocide in Gaza hogs the bandwidth.
           • Bearded Git 1.3.2.1.2.1

             13 January 2025 at 9:54 pm

             Actually the 24 wealthy Americans killed in fires of their own making is now hogging the headlines, not the war crimes that have killed 45000+in the occupied west bank, Gaza and Lebanon
             • gsays …

               14 January 2025 at 10:27 am

               Yep, as an infrequent viewer of television news, I found myself saying out loud last night "It's hard to feel sorry for these Americans considering the harm they inflict on others."

               Which is a bit unfair. I suppose my ire was more targeted towards the reportage.
   • Jenny 1.4

     13 January 2025 at 2:21 pm

     As Israel's only strategic goal is the complete destruction of the Palestinian people, I was of the view, that Israel would not stop its genocide in Gaza until it had reached its final gory conclusion.

     But I am being lately won over to Justin Podur's position that Hamas' resurgence and Israel's internal weakness means a ceasefire and prisoner exchange is on the cards.

     I am also coming around to Podur's view that Israel is destroying itself, by its genocide against the Palestinians. Just as in Syria, this inevitable collapse might even come quicker than anyone can imagine catching us all by surprise.

     https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/06/as-war-and-religion-rages-israels-secular-elite-contemplate-a-silent-departure#

     And I agree with Podur, that just as the Al Saud clan rule Saudi Arabia as US satraps, the Canadian elite would be comfortable ruling Canada as satraps of the US.

     Where I disagree with Podur on this issue, is while the Canadian elite may personally benefit by becoming phenomenally wealthy with this arrangement, I can't see the Canadian people agreeing to it. especially as what it would entail for them. – Beginning with the dismantling of Canada's Universal Free Public Health Care System, to be replaced with the US model of private health insurance. followed by a lowering of living standards, through lower wages, higher unemployment. increased military spending, finishing with a US style homeless epidemic. In the cooler climes of Canada, I can't see that being agreeable at all.

     Where I also disagree, Podur is his take on the overthrow of the Assad regime, which Podur pitches as a US/Israeli inspired plot.

     Justin Joseph Podur the producer and narrator of the above podcast is the Author of the Anti-Empire Project, like many so called leftist anti-imperialists who support the Assad regime and mourn its downfall, there is, according to them, only one oppressive power in the world, that is the American Empire. This one eyed view leads them to many weird places

     For a less jaundiced view of the Syrian popular revolt against Assad, you couldn't go past this analysis by Dr Azzam Tamimi who completely dismantles Podur's narrative on Syria.

     Israel is Protected by a Wall of Arab Rulers – Dr Azzam Tamimi

     62,723 views Jan 12, 2025

     When we talk about Gaza, we often speak of it in isolation from the broader Muslim world. When the Muslim countries are mentioned, it’s normal to suggest that they have given up on the Palestinian cause. The Abraham Accords are oft-cited as an example of the Muslim world turning its back on a beleaguered member. But is that really the case? Is the future fortunes of the Palestinians linked to the Muslim rulers? To help us untangle fact from fiction, I am happy to have Dr Azzam Tamimi back on the show. Dr Azzam is a Palestinian activist, academic and broadcaster and travels extensively to the Muslim world.
     • Belladonna 1.4.1

       13 January 2025 at 2:50 pm

       I would see close to zero chance that Israel will collapse as a country in the way that Syria did.

       First because there is little fighting inside the borders of Israel. And while rocket and bomb attacks are not an insignificant risk – they are nothing compared to the siege of Homs (for example)

       Second because there is no armed opposition to the IDF within Israel (for a civil war, you have to have arms and fighting on both sides).

       Thirdly because of the deep connection that Israeli Jews have to the concept of Israel as the mother/home country.

       And finally, because the Israelis know that surrender to their Muslim neighbours would result in total genocide (just how many Jews do you think are now living in any of the Arab countries in the Middle East). Turkeys don't vote for Christmas.
       • Jenny 1.4.1.1

         13 January 2025 at 10:07 pm

         Interesting, but not convincing.

         Belladonna @1.4.1

         13 January 2025 at 2:50 pm

         I would see close to zero chance that Israel will collapse as a country in the way that Syria did…..

         I never said that Israel will collapse in the way that Syria did.

         But it will collapse.

         Like snowflakes. No collapse is the same;

         For an analogous historical precedent of how the state of Israel will collapse, I would guess that Israel's collapse will be similar to the collapse of the Apartheid regime of South Africa.

         Already the first signs are there.

         In South Africa what started as a trickle turned into a flood, known as the 'Chicken Run' tens of thousands of South African citizens abandoned the Apartheid state. To stem the flood. the apartheid regime used legislation that made it hard for departing South Africans to take their money with them.
         The Israeli state hasn't done that yet. But hey, it is still early days.

         Apart from the tens of thousands of Israeli citizens leaving the country, there is even a closer link to the Apartheid State.

         World Court Finds Israel Responsible for Apartheid

         https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/19/world-court-finds-israel-responsible-apartheid

         "In a historic ruling the International Court of Justice has found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including, for the first time, finding Israel responsible for apartheid…..

         Belladonna @1.4.1

         13 January 2025 at 2:50 pm

         ……there is no armed opposition to the IDF within Israel (for a civil war, you have to have arms and fighting on both sides).

         I agree, you have to have fighting on both sides, But there is another way in which the collapse of the racist Israeli regime will be similar to the collapse of the South African Apartheid regime. Few will want to fight on its side. (not after this genocide)

         In the course of my career I got to work with a number of South African emigres to this country, like Israel military service was compulsory. What they told me was that they refused to fight for the Apartheid regime. A security guard at one of the workplaces I visited told me. "We were the only army in the world that went on strike. We would refuse to leave the barracks. We would strike if we didn't like the meals, we would strike for a better TV, we would strike at the slightest excuse.
         Just as in South Africa, In no scenario is it possible that the IDF will turn their guns on the Israeli people, not even to defend the state. They might in isolated cases, but this will only hasten the end.

         Finally, and it is the point that Dr Azzam Tamimi makes in the above podcast interview. "Israel is Protected by a Wall of Arab Rulers".

         The collapse of Syria is the first crack in this wall.
         The hated Al Sisi dictatorship in Egypt which enforces the siege of Gaza on Israel's behalf, and the autocratic kingdom of Jordan, which helps Israel secure the West Bank, are the places where the next cracks will appear.
         .

         This what Dr Azzamm Tamimi means when he says, “Palestine will not be free until the Arabs are free”
         • Belladonna 1.4.1.1.1

           14 January 2025 at 9:46 am

           Interesting, but not convincing. You posit a very substantial internal population in Israel which wants major change to the structure of the country.

           In SA, there was around 10% or less of the white population which controlled the entire country. Manifestly unsustainable. As are many of the regimes in the Middle East – which have a single clan or sect dominating the government, until they are deposed by an opposing one. Syria is a case in point, where the Alawite religious minority (Shia) supporting Assad, has been toppled by a Sunni coalition (which faction will emerge on top remains to be seen, but it's unlikely to significantly more stable)

           None of that is remotely comparable to Israel. Where the very significant majority, both in population and state control, is Jewish. And there is political dissension (hawks and doves) over the best strategy to protect their State, but no question over the goal of protecting it.

           In order to be convincing, you'd need to show that members of the IDF are refusing to fight for the Netanyahu regime. I don't see any evidence at all of this.

           The bedrock Israeli belief is that their Arab neighbours will obliterate their State (and a large percentage of their population), if they don't fight back. This is reinforced by the political attitudes from the Arab countries since Israel was formed, and the repeated military attacks on their country since.

           You are also positing that the majority (or a very significant minority) of Israelis regard what is going on in Gaza as genocide. I don't see any support for your belief.
     • Bearded Git 1.4.2

       13 January 2025 at 9:55 pm

       Ojala.
2. dv 2

   13 January 2025 at 8:20 am

   GEEZ

   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/donald-trump/

   This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?

   WHAT are you going to do about climate change then Donald

   Climate change is a scam>
   • Jenny 2.1

     13 January 2025 at 11:25 am

     '

     The market will fix it.

     California Fires Expose a $1 Trillion Hole in US Home Insurance

     Homeowners in increasingly risky areas can’t obtain adequate coverage as insurers flee the state to avoid losses.

     January 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM GMT+13

     By Mark Gongloff

     https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-01-08/california-wildfires-expose-a-458-billion-hole-in-home-insurance
     • Cricklewood 2.1.1

       13 January 2025 at 11:48 am

       Insurance or lack thereof is one of the fastest ways to drive change when it comes to building in locations which are poorly suited to intensive devolpment.
     • Belladonna 2.1.2

       13 January 2025 at 12:32 pm

       Well, yes, it will.
       The inability to gain fire risk insurance coverage in areas which are highly prone to wildfires – is a very strong 'push' for people to exit those areas.
       • Visubversa 2.1.2.1

         13 January 2025 at 12:50 pm

         As is already happening for areas subject to flooding, and for places subject to whatever risks Insurance companies decide they no longer want to cover.

         About 20 years ago the Insurance company I had been with for over a decade advised that they would not renew the cover on my 1930's house unless I could prove that there was not any scrim present. There was certainly no scrim and paper visible, and to be able to say that there was none I would have had to remove all the Bison Board that covered most of the walls.

         I shopped around for an alternative and got good cover through a company which had an arrangement with my Union – cover which I still have today. I can now say that there is no scrim as the interior was all Gib boarded a few years ago.
   • Anne 2.2

     13 January 2025 at 3:21 pm

     He's planting the meme that the Californian State government is to blame thus diverting attention away from Climate Change which he continues to deny because its not in his best interest – and that's all that matters to him.
   • Karolyn_IS 2.3

     13 January 2025 at 3:22 pm

     Which article is the quote from, dv. Your link goes to a lot of articles about Trump.
     • SPC 2.3.1

       13 January 2025 at 3:26 pm

       It is in this one (from his Trump Social post).

       (just send the quote to google search and it will provide links)

       https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/538780/what-s-wrong-with-them-trump-blames-local-officials-over-la-fires
3. Muttonbird 3

   13 January 2025 at 8:37 am

   Am pleased for Melanie Nelson her "constitutional straitjacket" description of the Regulatory Standards Bill is getting headline attention even if on the last day of submissions.

   Although Lillian Hanly in the original RNZ article calls her Melanie Wilson (I assume it's the same person because of the quotes I've read), which somewhat undermines both Lillian Hanly and Melanie Nelson*.

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/538784/regulatory-standards-bill-slammed-as-dangerous-call-for-alarm-bells

   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/alarm-bells-need-to-ring-concerns-over-regulatory-standards-bill/XVEYKMMEYRD2VP63XKBIPIHNOQ/

   *Now fixed in the RNZ article but not in the Herald version. Busy morning for Lillian…
   • Incognito 3.1

     13 January 2025 at 9:03 am

     I’m pleased for New Zealand that this is finally getting some last-minute attention – the article seems to have been put together last-minute as well and offers nothing new, but it’s at least something.
     • Obtrectator 3.1.1

       13 January 2025 at 10:50 am

       Not in the Post, though. Only four letters today; one about The Donald, the other three dealing with the TPB:
       https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360544547/post-letters-editor-january-10
       (you have to subscribe to read them in full)
4. georgecom 4

   13 January 2025 at 11:35 am

   Initial consultation on David Spendmores proposed Regulatory Standards Bill closes midnight tonight. Submissions can be made here
   I made a simpliest of submissions opposing the narrow set of criteria Seymour wants considered – neoliberal property rights and individualism – and want a wider range of criteria considered such as environmental, social and TOW. Put those in and make them part of any consideration and it might actually defeat some of seymours odious legislation.
   • tWig 4.1

     13 January 2025 at 3:18 pm

     Just popped my submission in. Reading the first part of the proposal, where only property rights and individual 'freedoms' nauseated me. And a proposed Board, stacked full of poachers turned gamekeepers, ugh.
5. Muttonbird 5

   13 January 2025 at 12:15 pm

   Brutal assessment of "drop-nuts" Luxon:

   He appears wholly incurious about Māori history, language, culture and the role of the Treaty in New Zealand’s past – even removing a mention of local land wars from a draft speech to the Koroneihana in August. Perhaps that’s because of his long spell overseas, although you can still read a book offshore.

   How else do you explain his casual bargaining away of its principles in coalition negotiations, regardless of the ramifications on social cohesion? He couldn’t even be bothered to read a draft of the bill when it was first put before Cabinet.
   • tWig 5.1

     13 January 2025 at 3:22 pm

     Luxon strikes me as a bear of very little mind, and with none of the charisma of Pooh. The world seems to not exist for him outside his tiny bubble of interest. Hobbies? Social concerns? A cardboard cut-out of a person.
   • Populuxe 5.2

     13 January 2025 at 4:16 pm

     I think that's a mischaracterisation because I don't think Luxon is incurious about Māoritanga – he would hardly be able to avoid it as CEO of Air New Zealand. He's too concerned about his likability to want to be shackled to something this widely unpopular.

     I suspect what actually happened was that Luxon's advisors told him that the Treaty Bill would never get past a second reading, making it a safe concession to ACT to form the coalition. That was a huge miscalculation on his part, and Key would never have fallen for it.

     Luxon misread how dedicated ACT and Seymour's backers are to this particular legislation – it's one of the cornerstones along with the Regulatory Standards Bill to their drive to push the judiciary out of our lawmaking.
6. SPC 6

   13 January 2025 at 3:14 pm

   The world of Trump.

   "Post something on Truth Social and wait for the GOP to fall into line within one day.

   (No deal on the border in Senate. The bill is gone like a burger).

   Sign all the orders written for day one."

   The process is a singularity when the strongest of men cower all the others.

   But the writ does not extend beyond the American border, so who will be the first to say, "no Mexico is not paying for the wall", this time around.

   And so the balloon goes down, like the sun rising and then falling on one day.

   Was it GB2 or DT1 who is the dry drunk?

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360545870/your-head-will-spin-what-trump-will-do-day-one

   And the levy was dry and the blow hard wind went coast to coast.

   And the one who had read Animal Farm and 1984 and had meshed the home vents and had a sprinkler on the roof and in the house waited for the 4 years to end.

   And conspired to vote against the wolf pup capitol hillbilly Vance.
7. Mac1 7

   13 January 2025 at 3:39 pm

   Considering the discussion in #1 above about world conflicts, and other threads about the threat of global warming and Trumpian times to come, here is a world view of conflicts for 23-24.

   "Highest number of countries in conflict since World War II

   There are currently 56 conflicts, the most since World War II. They have become more international with 92 countries involved in conflicts outside their borders, the most since the GPI’s inception. The rising number of minor conflicts increases the likelihood of more major conflicts in the future. For example, in 2019, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Gaza were all identified as minor conflicts.

   Last year recorded 162,000 conflict related deaths. This was the second highest toll in the past 30 years, with the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza accounting for nearly three-quarters of deaths. Ukraine represented more than half, recording 83,000 conflict deaths, with estimates of at least 33,000 for Palestine up to April 2024. In the first four months of 2024, conflict related deaths globally amounted to 47,000. If the same rate continues for the rest of this year, it would be the highest number of conflict deaths since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

   The global economic impact of violence in 2023 was $19.1 trillion or $2,380 per person. This is an increase of $158 billion, driven largely by a 20% increase in GDP losses from conflict. Expenditure on peace-building and peace-keeping totalled $49.6 billion, representing less than 0.6% of total military spending."

   https://www.visionofhumanity.org/highest-number-of-countries-engaged-in-conflict-since-world-war-ii/

   And where are we?

   "Iceland remains the most peaceful country, a position it has held since 2008, followed by Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Singapore – a new entrant in the top five."
8. Muttonbird 8

   13 January 2025 at 5:56 pm

   Were it not for the devastation and loss of life it is amusing that in the very crucible of the land of the free (market), wealthy and moderately wealthy citizens are surprised landlord types' first action is for the self rather than for the community.

   Despite landlords’ plaintive calls, when faced with any regulation at all, that they primarily provide a community service, the reality is anything but. Some of us have known this about landlord types for some time.

   Apparently socialist California law says suppliers may not increase their prices more than 10% under a state of emergency but I can’t see that being enforced.

   https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/la-renters-hit-with-massive-price-gouging-during-wildfire-chaos/ar-BB1rjZDU
9. joe90 9

   13 January 2025 at 8:49 pm

   The launch window for Blue Origin's New Glenn heavy lifter is open.

   https://www.youtube.com/live/7YBAsi5pY2o
10. Incognito 10

    13 January 2025 at 9:04 pm

    Finally, the Regulatory Standards Bill appears to get some traction.

    https://trends.google.com/trending?geo=NZ
11. Joe90 11

    13 January 2025 at 9:53 pm

    Sub-titled interview with Syria's Al Shara. He says all the right things and sounds like he knows what he has to do.

    Here's hoping that he can walk the talk.
12. Joe90 12

    13 January 2025 at 10:04 pm

    VUW's Eddie Clark.

    ‪@dreddieclark.bsky.social‬

    The regulatory standards bill as proposed would do 4 things 1) Set some basic principles of good regulation. As proposed, these include some well-accepted, sensible things, and some libertarian fever dream stuff.

    2) Set up a requirement for public servants and Ministers to evaluate legislation…

    https://bsky.app/profile/dreddieclark.bsky.social/post/3lflmtyvgjs23

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