Open mike 13/02/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 13th, 2023 - 60 comments
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60 comments on “Open mike 13/02/2023 ”

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  1. roblogic 1
    13 February 2023 at 7:03 am

    A tragic and completely avoidable scandal.

    GIDS ignored children’s histories of sexual abuse

    https://twitter.com/hadleyfreeman/status/1624470873527705601?s=46&t=NI8SGvk3IMQ1knONqyaDpQ

  2. Sanctuary 2
    13 February 2023 at 8:16 am

    Putin's war crimes multiply. The strategy here is clear – keeping the Dniepr river in flood to protect the Russian's western flank from an amphibious assault, eventually deny drinking water to millions of Ukrainian civilians and ensure that there will be no grain for export this year from the Ukraine. This is not the actions of a reasonable or even sane regime. It is the unhinged and genocidal actions of criminals and totally unjustified by any norm of civilised behaviour.

    So let's be clear. Russia is waging a total war on the Ukraine at a level of demented brutality not seen since the darkest days of the second world war. Millions rely on Ukrainian grain for food in the middle east. Putin appears to be prepared to plunge the entire nations of innocents into hunger in order to achieve whatever ruinous, messianic vision he has descended to in his all-encompassing madness.

    Putin and his mob of equally psychopathic gangsters who run Russia are determined to keep raising the stakes on the already high crimes they are guilty of, and they are playing for keeps for maximalist war aims. Surely, such behaviour simply makes a wider war inevitable. Poland is engaged in a crash rearmament, ordering staggering amounts of weapons from especially South Korea. Putin can't conquer the Ukraine, his army is too weak now. If he drags on a demented, genocidal assault on the Ukraine for another year then I can't see the likes of Poland staying out forever.

    • Bearded Git 2.1
      13 February 2023 at 8:58 am

      Poland will look at what has eventuated in the Ukraine and it will stay out forever (if it has the option).

      • roblogic 2.1.1
        13 February 2023 at 9:29 am

        Poland is preparing for war. It will not take a backward step to Russia. References

        • mikesh 2.1.1.1
          13 February 2023 at 9:57 am

          Poland would have to be the "aggressor" if war were to break out between them and Russia. I doubt whether Russia is planning on attacking Poland. It sounds as though the latter are becoming paranoid. Still, arming themselves is good for the arms manufacturers.

          • Scud 2.1.1.1.1
            13 February 2023 at 2:31 pm

            Are you annoying Polish History?

            There are two Nations that the Poles hate the most Germany & Russia!

            Given that Germany is a democracy & both the EU & NATO.

            The other Russia is run by a one man raving lunatic who thinks he's the next Russia Tsar who wants to rebuild the Russian/ USSR Imperial.

            Who has invaded another country aka Ukraine Violation of Article 51 of the UN Charter,the Lisbon protocol & Budapest memorandum which Russia signed when Ukraine got its independence in 1991. (well Poot's has invaded a few countries as the Russia President btw).

            Russia has also now setup shop Belarus with what 100k+ troops & let's not forget the Russian garrison in Kaliningrad Oblast which shares a border with Poland.

            Given what Tsar Poot's has said about Poland over the last decade or so & especially in the last 5yrs.

            Poles can be almost be forgiven to be a tad on edge atm, given pass history at the way Imperial & USSR Russia has treated Poland especially from post WW1 onwards!

            If Russia & Belarus were too be stupid enough to invade Ukrane from Belarus in the forthcoming Russian Offensive? I wouldn't be surprised if Poland goes all in, while telling the EU & NATO to FUCK OFF!

            Plus I'm also sure that Poland has & no doubt the EU along with NATO has read the Riot Act to Belarus. That if it facilitates a Russian invasion of Ukraine from its Borders, it will find itself in trouble & that NATO nor the EU will have any Responsibility for Poland's Actions if it chooses to support Ukraine by Invading Belarus!

            Poland has not forgotten what Russia has done to Poland & it will never for give them either!!

            • tWiggle 2.1.1.1.1.1
              13 February 2023 at 4:21 pm

              That should be post WW2. In 1918-1920 Poland waged two sucessful eastern wars: firstly against a short-lived nascent Ukraine Republic that claimed cities like Lvov, (now Lviv), which had 60% Polish-speaking population, a large Jewish population and minority Ukraine population; and secondly against Russian and Ukraine Soviets.

              A 1920-1939 map of Poland shows significant areas now in western Ukraine and Belarus were a part of Poland between WW1 and WW2. Polish veterans were given land grants in those regions.

              • Scud …
                13 February 2023 at 6:01 pm

                It was touch an go for the Poles at one stage as they were fighting a two front war for their independence against the remains of the Imperial Germany Armed Forces aka the Freikorps & the Bolsheviks in the East while supporting the newly independent Ukraine as well with the idea of reforming the Polish- Ukranian Commonwealth. Which is an interesting story IRT Ukraine in itself btw, but with a tragic ending of a Greek Opera.

                The fighting in the East against the Bolsheviks was some of the Bloodiest, where no quarter was given.

                "Note there new book is about to be released on this period of Polish History about fighting Lenin's Red Bolsheviks in the East & it sounds like a ripping read btw".

                If you think a Albanian or Yugoslavian Blood Feud can be little bit crazy at times?

                The Polish & Russia Feud has lasted alot longer & if Russia gives the Poles a half chance/ an excuse? They will be in like Flynn & even God won't help Tsar Poot's!

                • roblogic …
                  13 February 2023 at 6:18 pm

                  Yes, but that's what the West is hoping to avoid, by giving Ukraine as much help as possible. Because if Poland goes in, and Russia loses, Putin will try and immolate the world.

                  It’s in everyone’s interest to get Russia to back off.

                  • Scud …
                    13 February 2023 at 9:11 pm

                    Yep and that's what some people are forgetting, helping Ukraine defend itself is going to be better than the alternative….

        • Professor Longhair 2.1.1.2
          13 February 2023 at 11:05 am

          Poland "will not take a backward step to Russia"? It certainly does exactly that to Germany, the U.K. and the United States. It's as much of a doormat now as it's ever been.

          .

  3. Francesca 3
    13 February 2023 at 9:44 am

    I'm sorry, but I'm not going near your references link, on my screen its gobbledygook

    Poland is a little more circumspect about providing fighter jets than it's gung ho days last year

    https://www.rferl.org/a/poland-ukraine-fighter-jets-nato/32266934.html

    • roblogic 3.1
      13 February 2023 at 7:16 pm

      Pastebin is just a boring copy/paste site for text documents. That particular link was to a list of URLs detailing Poland's military buildup

  4. Belladonna 4
    13 February 2023 at 11:00 am

    Interesting opinion piece by Gareth Hughes over whether the Greens should make a serious bid for more electorate seats in 2023.

    Noting that there are realistic options in Wellington Central & Rongotai.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/131200840/gareth-hughes-time-for-the-greens-to-ditch-a-key-election-strategy#comments

  5. Professor Longhair 5
    13 February 2023 at 11:01 am

    The fight for the rights of Julian Assange (and all of us) goes on

    https://alphaville451.wordpress.com/2023/02/12/night-carnival-for-julian-assange-11-feb-2023/

  6. Siobhan 6
    13 February 2023 at 12:35 pm

    RNZ thinks we have an interest in American "news'..or atleast RNZ's limited understanding of what makes American News..that is.."Trump Bad, Shootings and Bad China with its spy balloons"…for anyone here reduced to having RNZ as their only radio news sourse..but with an actual interest in the state of that particular Nation..I would like to share this terrible story…

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/02/12/east-palestine-ohio-derailment-residents/

    Though even the poor old washington post couldn't bring themselves to acknowledge the absolutely illusion shattering irony…

    https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/11/health/ohio-train-derailment-white-noise/index.html

    I suspect on a very slow news day, had this happened in say..India or wherever, RNZ may have reported this story as part of the usuale narrative. about so called third world nations….but we seem to be holding on to the illusion of America being a first World Nation..not to mention our delusions about what that even means…

  8. aj 8
    13 February 2023 at 3:01 pm

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/us-canada/300805292/its-not-aliens-us-officials-quietly-say-after-4th-mystery-object-shot-down

    Amid questions, Biden administration officials have found themselves issuing private assurances there is no evidence they involve extraterrestrial activity, the New York Times reports.

    The latest incurious came as US officials were still trying to precisely identify two others objects blown from the sky by F-22 fighter jets over the past two days, and were working to determine whether China was responsible as concerns escalate about what Washington says is Beijing's large-scale aerial surveillance programme.

    A precedent now set with the 1st balloon, anything unidentified that flies over North America has to be shot down. Get Mulder and Scully onto it.

    Peak insanity. I hope this doesn't impact on the output of global weather forecasting models…..

    • Incognito 8.1
      13 February 2023 at 3:05 pm

      They can land things on the Moon and Mars, they can bring back manned shuttles to Earth, but they cannot take down a balloon without destroying/losing the evidence?? Have they watched too many movies starring Tom Cruise?

  9. aj 9
    13 February 2023 at 3:04 pm

    Slash Cam – Hikuwai River at Willowflat.

    https://www.gdc.govt.nz/environment/river-webcam

  10. aj 10
    13 February 2023 at 3:44 pm

    Good grief. What next. She gives the weather information in English as well! You will never please these people.

    https://twitter.com/KarinMary1/status/1624658544091090944

  11. roblogic 11
    13 February 2023 at 4:32 pm

    Whangarei and Mercury Bay (Coromandel) getting the worst of Gabrielle so far. Last night was pretty darn windy in Auckland but no massive deluge (yet)

    https://twitter.com/MattDyer01/status/1624938686449336320?s=20

    https://twitter.com/nzherald/status/1624954476124688390?s=20

    The Hikuwai river (Gisborne) is looking ominous. *13* m over its normal level.

    River webcam | Gisborne District Council (gdc.govt.nz)

  12. tWiggle 12
    13 February 2023 at 4:39 pm

    nz centre for political research staff

    Set up by ex-Act member. Busy pushing Māori 'apartheit' and evil Jacinda messages

    • Muttonbird.... 12.1
      13 February 2023 at 5:20 pm

      Was listening to Heather Stupidity-Allan interview her father, Barry Soper, just now.

      Three Waters came up (of course) and Soper played an audio clip of a recent exchange between Rawiri Waititi and David Seymour. Waititi accused Seymour of using racist rhetoric. Seymour used the handbook for racists who don't want to appear racist and asks Waititi to say specifically what Seymour has said that is racist.

      Waititi demurred. Soper, his daughter, and boomers up and down the country laughed.

      If the Maori Party are going to be combative they need to have ready answers when Seymour asks what he has said that is racist.

      It should not be difficult!

      • Liberty Belle 12.1.1
        13 February 2023 at 5:51 pm

        Waititi 'demurred' (in the sense of hesitating), because he made an accusation he couldn't back up. It wasn't a good look.

        Edit: the full exchange is https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/02/act-s-david-seymour-rejects-racist-rhetoric-allegations-in-heated-am-clash-with-te-p-ti-m-ori-co-leader-rawiri-waititi.html

        • Robert Guyton 12.1.1.1
          13 February 2023 at 7:00 pm

          Rawiri should have held his line, repeated his certainty and shown that the ACT guy's "dive down into the detail"is a technique designed to befuddle the listener. TPM are correct. ACT are duplicitous 🙂

          • Liberty Belle 12.1.1.1.1
            13 February 2023 at 7:18 pm

            I would expect someone accusing a parliamentary colleague on national television of racist rhetoric would be able to dive down into the detail.

            • Muttonbird.... 12.1.1.1.1.1
              13 February 2023 at 7:32 pm

              Jong Khee did not do detail when he accused the Labour Party of backing rapists and murderers.

              Even had his diplomatic squad rough up Kelvin Davis, as if a nod to the settler takeover of Maori assets way back when.

              https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/73884590/john-key-sparks-walk-out-after-saying-labour-backs-rapists-and-murderers

              Nats are cunts, always will be. ACT are worse.

              • Liberty Belle …
                13 February 2023 at 7:54 pm

                "Even had his diplomatic squad rough up Kelvin Davis…"

                Well that's one side of the story. Here's another:

                "It's one thing to have your opponents yelling insults across the House, and quite another to be waylaid by a fellow MP in the corridor and verbally abused. "

                "Jong Khee did not do detail when he accused the Labour Party of backing rapists and murderers."

                Actually, he did.

                "Key's justification is that the Australian's have supplied him with a list revealing that some of the Kiwi detainees are rapists and murders. Australia's immigration minister has also labelled them the worst sort of criminals. But that contradicts what Davis and others have been claiming about the petty nature of some of the crimes of those who are detained. Key's office later released a list compiled by the Australian government earlier this year to prove his claim, though whether or not it does is a moot point. It showed that as of May there were 34 child sex offenders, 22 murderers and 16 rapists and sex offenders on Australia's hit list, along with 121 Kiwis convicted of assault, 83 with theft, robbery and breaking and entering offences to their name and 64 drug offenders. But that's out of a total 585 New Zealanders who are in the system for visa cancellation. Presumably that leaves 140 or more who are being deported for less serious offences."

                Key ramps up the politics on Kiwi detainees | Stuff.co.nz

                • Muttonbird …
                  13 February 2023 at 8:04 pm

                  Bless, by linking the Tracy Watkins article your defence of Key and the political right did not turn out how you wanted.

                  It highlights that the current problems NZ has with retail, ram-raid, and gang related firearms crime is down to one John Keys.

                  He did meekly provide the pathway for Australian based problems to manifest here. We are now paying that price.

                  • Liberty Belle …
                    13 February 2023 at 8:10 pm

                    “Bless, by linking the Tracy Watkins article your defence of Key and the political right did not turn out how you wanted.”
                    I don’t know what you mean by ‘how I wanted’. It turned out that John Key did provide detail to justify his comments about the 501’s.

            • Blade 12.1.1.1.1.2
              13 February 2023 at 11:15 pm

              I agree. Seymour asked a simple question that Rawiri couldn't answer because people like Rawiri have become accustomed to spouting racist rhetoric with little fear of being taken to task for their comments.

              The question is: should this clown hold the balance of power at election time, I can't see either Labour or National gaining from going into coalition with the Maori Party. National would lose a massive voter base, and Labour would be forced into more Three Waters type sops to accommodate a coalition agreement. The result for either party would probably be a one term tenure before getting the boot.

        • Muttonbird.... 12.1.1.2
          13 February 2023 at 7:42 pm

          You have read my comment so you will be aware I have asked Rawiri Waititi to be more prepared to combat Seymour's Age of Enlightenment points.

          These scumbags will do whatever to minimise a similar Maori renaissance because they know the value of what has been taken without permission.

          Land owning farmers which NACT represent are terrified the accusation of their multi billion dollar estate might be subject to scrutiny…

          …imagine those bloody Maoris having a say in what we can do with NZ land!

          • Liberty Belle 12.1.1.2.1
            13 February 2023 at 8:08 pm

            A strange comment, considering of their 10 MP's, three are Maori, including the party leader, and the #3 and #6 on the party list.

            • Muttonbird 12.1.1.2.1.1
              13 February 2023 at 8:27 pm

              In practice Seymour is about as Maori as I am which is zero. It hurts actual Maori people to have him claim whakapapa but never ever use it for the good of Maori. In fact his policies actively work against a Maori renaissance, rather amalgamating and diluting Te Ao into a One NZ where cultural identity comes second to the economic power of the individual.

              For ACT it's all about locking in those gains of the 17th Century, and more recently here locking in the illicit gains wayward European settlers made in the dead of the night.

              For them Maori have the right to exist but in no way should that be at the expense or inconvenience of the very white people who have benefitted from proceedings thus far.

      • roblogic 12.1.2
        13 February 2023 at 6:27 pm

        It shouldn't be difficult, but Seymour is a wily politician with 8 years of sharpening rhetoric under his belt, and Waititi is a first term MP

        The racism is covert dogwhistling. Calls for one nation. Accusing Māori activists of separatism, apartheid, etc. Extremely dishonest shit.

        The problem is what Seymour doesn't say. He talks about equality and opportunity, but his party's sociopathic policies do exactly the opposite.

        Seymour is a skilled and amoral liar.

        We like to joke about him twerking on TV and looking like Rimmer the hologram, but he’s probably the most dangerous politician in NZ right now. If he gets into government NZ will descend into a “BoJo Britain” level of dysfunction.

        • Muttonbird 12.1.2.1
          13 February 2023 at 7:52 pm

          I'm glad you mentioned Boris Johnson because I suspect his style is what David Seymour is trying to copy. His 'state of the nation' speech was about European superiority in the 17th Century. Boris Johnson is a gregarious Classics buffoon and Seymour is emulating that.

          The problem is what Seymour doesn't say. He talks about equality and opportunity, but his party's sociopathic policies do exactly the opposite. Seymour is a skilled and amoral liar.

          So true and this is what I'd like to see the Maori Party and others really highlight. That is the inherent racism of the ACT Party.

    • Incognito 12.2
      13 February 2023 at 6:13 pm

      apartheid

  13. Jenny are we there yet 13
    13 February 2023 at 6:09 pm

    Autocrats of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your….

    Oh wait; You have everything to lose.

    https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2023/02/13/world-government-summit-2023-live/

    Elon Musk and Egypt's El Sisi among key speakers at the three-day event

  14. Jenny are we there yet 14
    13 February 2023 at 6:53 pm

    There is a reason they call it the Great Barrier.

    Long may it stand between cyclones and me.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300805400/cyclone-gabrielle-to-reach-closest-point-to-auckland-on-monday-tracking-southeast

    At 9am on Monday, MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker​ said the former tropical cyclone system was sitting a couple of hundred kilometres almost directly north of Great Barrier Island.

    As of 1pm, Cyclone Gabrielle was sitting about 250km to the north, northeast of Great Barrier Island, MetService meteorologist Peter Little said….

    ….Cyclone Gabrielle is forecast to continue to take a more southerly course, bringing it down to Great Barrier (just shy of 100km from Auckland), and Coromandel Peninsula on Monday night….

    ….“We can say with pretty good certainty that [Gabrielle] will come closer to Great Barrier Island today.”

  15. Jenny are we there yet 15
    14 February 2023 at 1:10 am

    Putin's hypocrisy, continuing their attacks on civilians in Ukraine the Russian Federation does not let up on its attacks on the people of Syria.
    Despite the suffering caused by the devastating earthquake Russia uses its veto in the UN to stop the free flow of humanitarian aid into North West Syria. While demanding the sanctions on its ally the genocidal Assad regime be lifted.

    https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/syria/2023/02/12/white-helmets-demand-extra-border-crossings-to-allow-earthquake-aid-into-north-west-syria/