Open Mike 13/03/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 13th, 2018 - 45 comments
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45 comments on “Open Mike 13/03/2018 ”

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  1. Ad 1
    13 March 2018 at 7:05 am

    It’s entirely possible that President Trump will get all the accolades for getting a meeting with the President of North Korea. Sad.

    But according to The Atlantic, the real skill in getting this together lies with the President of South Korea, Moon Jae.

    https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/moon-jae-in-south-korea-north-korea/555338/

    All those much-derided diplomatic moves at the Winter Olympics seem to be paying off massive dividends so far.

    Here’s hoping …

    • tc 1.1
      13 March 2018 at 7:11 am

      Meanwhile back in the USA……

      Distraction events for the Donald away from the fillet and gutting job he’s doing back home oh and that pesky mueller/Russia thing.

  2. chris73 2
    13 March 2018 at 7:18 am

    On first hearing of the latest scandal to hit politics my first thought (as I’m sure it was with everyone else) was with the victims however I also admit that after hearing about pony tail pulling that this might make that go away (like in a MAD sort of way) and thats not how it should work

    It’d certainly be easy enough to lay into the Labour party for this and if the shoe was on the other foot then National would be copping it and rightly so

    Is everything so political these days that anything goes in trying to score points off the other side

    Is there a line that shouldn’t be crossed and if there is what is the line and who decides it?

    I don’t want to sound paranoid or anything but I can’t help feeling the media have to lot to answer for in all this

    Buggered if I know…

    • Stunned Mullet 2.1
      13 March 2018 at 7:29 am

      Ignore the politics – imagine this was a university or similar event.

      Plentiful and freely available alcohol and minors at the same event – stupid.
      Lack of communication to attendees and caregivers about what had occurred – stupid.
      Lack of notification of the police of the alleged assaults- stupid.
      Hushing up what had gone on in the hope it would not reach the media – stupid.

      • chris73 2.1.1
        13 March 2018 at 7:34 am

        Like its not like I want incidences hushed up but I wonder if the medias delight in reporting this is part of the blame, meaning theres different ways of reporting

    • Tony Veitch (not etc) 2.2
      13 March 2018 at 7:31 am

      Concern trolling – DNFTT(s)

      • Incognito 2.2.1
        13 March 2018 at 7:45 am

        Indeed, DNFTT=do not feed this thread. Instead, post a comment that builds, helps, or transcends rather than one that aims to drag you down to shady sewers of fake outrage and disinformation from which no escape is possible and where slow suffocation and despair are the inevitable outcomes.

  3. Stunned Mullet 3
    13 March 2018 at 7:24 am

    🙄

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  4. Nick K 4
    13 March 2018 at 8:07 am

    Tighten the messaging discipline? Is that your best?

    How about accept the party acknowledge it was essentially complicit in four sexual assaults and admitting that, rather than focusing on how to spin their way out of it.

    [lprent: How about admitting you are making that up and it is simply you lying. Banned 1 month for trolling. ]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  5. CJ 5
    13 March 2018 at 8:56 am

    Labour summer camp, cyfs, Police, Court – the due process

    [lprent: The age of consent is 16. The due process is to first ask the victims what they want to do.
    Banned for 2 months for being a lying troll. ]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    13 March 2018 at 9:01 am

    Not sure If I’m reading this right but shouldn’t the police be dealing the alleged offender?

    “It is understood the alleged offender has also been offered counselling and support.”

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102207447/minister-told-about-alleged-sexual-assault-at-young-labour-summer-camp-by-dissatisfied-victim

    [lprent: You aren’t reading it right. “…sexually assaulted four teenagers, all aged 16…”. What is the age of consent? Duh! 16. It has been even when you and I were kids. It is their choice about reporting anything to parents or police.

    Banned 3 months for asking a leading question in a troll-like fashion. I’d suggest that you desist from this style of question because I’m likely to just reduce our workload for a few years next time. ]

  7. Son of Don 7
    13 March 2018 at 9:17 am

    Interesting to compare the reaction from the Left regarding the condemnation of Chris Bishop and the ‘nothing to see’ approach from the Labour general secretary Andrew Kirton .

    Underage attendees, sexually assaulted (alleged) and plied with alcohol, surely a police matter?

    ‘The attendees, some of who were underage, should never have been around alcohol..’
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102207447/minister-told-about-alleged-sexual-assault-at-young-labour-summer-camp-by-dissatisfied-victim

    [lprent: Age of consent is 16. Drinking alcohol is unfortunately only really controlled for kids and adults in certain kinds of public and non-public places and for being sold to kids – none of which is alleged at the camp..
    Banned 3 months for stupid trolling and lying with dumbarse ‘questions’. ]

    • JohnSelway 7.1
      13 March 2018 at 11:40 am

      Wow – why are you being such an asshole?

      Yes I am asking the mod. Perhaps I’ll cop a ban in which case…shrug. I’m just calling it as I see it

      • lprent 7.1.1
        13 March 2018 at 11:54 am

        1. Because I like educating trolls. If they get educated, then they are often worth listening to. If they remain trolls, then all they do is destroy any forum that they come into.

        2. After 43 years on the nets, it isn’t exactly hard to spot the fuckwits trying to be smart. After all I probably first saw whatever tactic they are using before they were born.

        3. And besides, this is our site and those are the rules. Read the policy. Give me an excuse by exceeding the bounds and I will excise my right to have ‘fun’ with sentencing

        4. I find that calling a stupid dickhead a dickhead and then arbitrarily and capriciously banning them for a semi-random substantive period of time makes them more careful in the future. It isn’t like they are short of other places to go and crap on in the net. It just means that they can’t easily dump crap here.

        5. And really I couldn’t give a damn about your opinion until you give me some reason to be so. So far you look like just about another ignorant and lazy Mrs Grundy trying to interfere in things that you fail to comprehend.

        • Stunned Mullet 7.1.1.1
          13 March 2018 at 11:59 am

          Come on Lynn tell us about your MBA and degree in Earth sciences – you’re on a roll old boy.

          • lprent 7.1.1.1.1
            13 March 2018 at 12:25 pm

            *sigh* Always nice to see dimwits repeating their own myths. I think that you forgot the one about the “worlds best sysop”. Finally figured out that I never have never said it huh?

            I have both of those degrees and have been known to explain why I think something based on that experience. In the same way that I have been writing code for exporting for decades and use that to explain certain opinions. Or have been involved in left politics for decades. Or like apartment living after living in one for 20 years. Or my favouritism attitudes towards the military as a result of being a territorial for years.

            Being stupidly envious (or whatever your problem is) of verifiable experience is just amusing (as I assess your general credibility downwards).

        • JohnSelway 7.1.1.2
          13 March 2018 at 12:17 pm

          Wow. Self involved, arrogant and insulting.

          You really are quite full of yourself for very little reason. You’re the nobodies nobody

          • lprent 7.1.1.2.1
            13 March 2018 at 12:45 pm

            Self involved, arrogant and insulting.

            All of the above and which you missed – pretty smart, well educated, highly experienced and quite opinionated and able to explain those opinions as well. It isn’t exactly the first time those observations have been made about me. And by people with better credibility levels.

            But really – so what is your problem with that? Just being incapable of explaining anything yourself apart from your inability to do so? Unable to deal with it and actually say something worth listening to rather than snivelling like a fool?

            God it is always so boring talking down to dimwitted trolls.

            • JohnSelway 7.1.1.2.1.1
              13 March 2018 at 12:48 pm

              Mocking you =\= trolling

              If you look at all my posts here you’ll see I’ve never trolled but I think this is the first time I have ever engaged you and I’m rather taken aback at how highly you think of yourself despite being, you know, just an average person

    • Parent 7.2
      13 March 2018 at 6:45 pm

      If those children were affected by alcohol they could not consent. A crime was committed against each of the victims and knowledge that they had been the victims of crime was carefully withheld from the parents.

      What’s best for my child gets decided by her parents, not the general secretary.

      Burn in hell Labour.

  8. Pete 8
    13 March 2018 at 9:48 am

    I got this off the Sexual Assault thread but there is not the place to comment.

    “On the same day you have Jenny Salesa’s office giving a different line to the media on her travel expenses to the PM’s comments at Jacinda’s post cabinet news conference…

    Both these stories are grist for the mill for our lazy, underfunded, gotcha! MSM.
    Labour needs to tighten the messaging discipline big time.”

    A beat up started on Jenny Salesa for her expenses. Were the expenses warranted? Was she working hard to do what she was supposed to do and the expenses were legitimate?

    It’s just a sign of targeting anything to create bad impressions. The lessons for Salesa? Learn how to play the game to minimise costs? That’s down to office people surely. Don’t travel anywhere so when the lists come out you don’t feature?

    Does tightening the message discipline include learning to say “Fuck off” to neanderthals out to create mischief? And being confident about front footing bullshit knowing whichever Minister or MP is being done over is doing a good job and will defended strongly.

  9. greywarshark 9
    13 March 2018 at 10:55 am

    Andrew Kirton General Secretary to Labour Party – quote from Nigel Haworth President:

    Labour Party President Nigel Haworth said Kirton would bring broad and senior experience from his previous roles in the private sector and government.

    “Andrew has the attributes of energy and dynamism, coupled with a firm commitment to Labour’s values, which equip him ideally for this demanding role.”

    What are those Labour values? Does that include supporting and respecting your leader, the PM, by ensuring that all matters are advised in brief ensuring there are no gaps of information?
    Is Kirton more into being a corporate smoothie than supporting a good democratic progressive political party as I think most people want for Labour?
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/75921165/andrew-kirton-appointed-as-labour-partys-new-general-secretary
    I
    It’s interesting that their Wikipedia bios show that Kirton and Haworth have both studied economics. It seems that economics and the law are a good basis for getting into politics, so any young people thinking of doing some other topic would be wise to take a double degree.

    • One Two 9.1
      13 March 2018 at 3:03 pm

      The overwhelming majority of human beings who construct an image of themselves which is far removed from ‘thy self’…

      If one is not continually self evaluating and making adjustments where necessary, then one does not know ‘thy self’…

      If one does not know ‘thy self’ then practicing respect, honesty and ‘truthfulness’ is not possible…

      The sexual assault discussion is one which should be preceded by talking about self awareness, what it is and how to ‘live it’…

  10. Tricledrown 10
    13 March 2018 at 10:58 am

    National have their own problem $1.3 million dollars in Donations from Chinese govt owned businesses

    • tc 10.1
      13 March 2018 at 2:04 pm

      Problem ? I thought that was a standard feature of the national party, like cars have wheels and dogs wag tails.

  11. savenz 11
    13 March 2018 at 11:15 am

    With the rise is ‘private’ educational facilities offering Micky mouse degrees and qualifications (Trump comes to mind in US), and it sounds like NZ is getting in on the act too and luring students in, with the governments help to get the residency afterwards onto of the fake cafe job, sounds like students are starting to fight back in other countries.

    It doesn’t help the rise in low salaries some institutions seem to be offering these days. Can’t remember if it was Harvard but it was some Ivy League uni in the US, and the part time tutors were on minimal contract type wages and could barely survive even though they loved working there.

    Woman sues university for $100K after claiming degree hasn’t helped her career

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12011374

  14. JohnSelway 14
    13 March 2018 at 12:22 pm

    Wow, you’re a dick.

    Ban away

    [lprent: Always nice to see a simpleton luser pleading to be banned.. ]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  15. You_Fool 15
    13 March 2018 at 2:26 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12011763

    More disappointment for me, boys using cellphones to invade the privacy of a female teacher. These boys need to be taught that this is not ok….

  16. Tanz 16
    13 March 2018 at 7:12 pm

    What a disgrace. This could bring down the government, as the media are really digging. Alcohol and minors. No parents told about anything, police not involved. There will be resignations over this and possibly a snap election. Winston must be outraged. I remember the scandal with Darren Hughes also. Sure makes Chris Bishop look like small fry. Something very rotten at the core of Labour, screams coverup and scandal. Not telling the parents. I almost felt sorry for Ardern, being dropped into this mess.

    [3 month ban for politicising sexual assault and using it as an excuse to Labour-bash, and for ignoring moderation – weka]

    [another 3 for telling lies about moderation in DR – weka]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  17. Tanz 17
    13 March 2018 at 7:20 pm

    Weka keeps banning anyone who dissents. What a surprise.

    [You seem pretty keen on getting banned, so I’ve just doubled your ban in the other thread for telling lies about moderation. – weka]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

    [lprent: There were some pretty clear warnings by both weka and myself about tight moderation on a post today (probably the one you commented on) because it was likely to attract stupidity from trolls not wanting to discuss the topic posted. And so it proceeded. I think 7 or 8 people today for months as I have limited toleration for ignorant morons ignoring warnings. If you choose to ignore warnings, then it is your own damn fault. ]

    • Cinny 17.1
      13 March 2018 at 7:46 pm

      Those who are gleefully reveling in the ‘scandal’ as a means of scoring political points are totally missing the fucking point.

  18. Jenny 18
    13 March 2018 at 11:11 pm

    “Fixing Global Warming is Bigger Than Paris ‘15”

    ROBERT HUNZIKER, March 12, 2018

    One problem in confronting the global warming issue is participation, by whom and to what extent? Scientists such as James G. Anderson of Harvard states it takes a WWII type of effort to overcome the global warming problem, which implies all hands on deck, as well as within 5 years in a substantive way.

    https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/03/12/fixing-global-warming-is-bigger-than-paris-15/

    A point that I made Here.

    There is a consensus on climate change from the 2 superpowers, America and Russia.

    But, there are major obstacles: One year ago President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland met with President Putin of Russia at the International Arctic forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia, March 29-31, 2017.

    In his opening remarks, President Niinistö stated: “My starting point today is the growing threat of climate change. Tackling this challenge is crucial if we want to ensure that the Arctic remains the place it is today. But the issue is of global significance: If we lose the Arctic, we lose the whole world.”

    https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/03/12/fixing-global-warming-is-bigger-than-paris-15/

    Thereafter, President Putin’s speech at the same forum emphasized: “Russia, which makes up almost a third of the Arctic zone… includes over 150 projects with estimated investment of trillions of roubles… and creation of so-called development support zones… and the development of offshore deposits… we devoted special attention to the Northern Sea Route… almost a year-round artery….” (Source: Vladimir Putin’s Speech at the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, About the Forum, International Arctic Forum, March 2017).

    No mention of global warming. However, Russia can’t wait for open blue waters in the Arctic for development of fossil fuels and open sea routes over the North Pole for transportation purposes.

    Furthermore, in interviews following the forum, Putin stated his opinion that humans are not responsible for climate change: “Icebergs have been melting for decades, started in the 1930s” when, according to him, “there were no serious anthropological factors at work.” He says global warming cannot be stopped because “it’s tied to global cycles on Earth. The issue is to adapt to it.”

    Russia adapts by spending trillions of rubles to explore for fossil fuels. Similarly, the United States follows in lockstep by opening up national parks all across the country to big oil, including Arctic Wilderness refuges.

    https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/03/12/fixing-global-warming-is-bigger-than-paris-15/

    What will it take to break the Russian and US consensus on climate change and fossil fuel consolidation and expansion?

    Currently there appears to be no practical move towards such a global mobilisation.

    And in my opinion, the Paris Accord and the Kyoto Accord and all the other international high profile talking head climate change meetings and resolutions don’t count.

    To my mind they are like all the high profile meetings and resolutions passed by the League Of Nations against fascism before WWII, completely ineffectual.

    What it took in the end, was for one country to go out on a limb and take a lead.

    And all the rest had to decide what side they were on.

    In my opinion this time, that country could be us.

    At least that is what we should strive for.

    https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-08-03-2018/#comment-1458678

  19. eco maori 19
    14 March 2018 at 6:23 am

    [You need to stop posting this every day. Shifting to bottom of thread and hoping you stop doing it] – Bill

    ECO MAORIs Kiwi Bank ac 389019048573100 Please help me to sort the nz police out
    I decided against trying to use PayPal to receive donations .I decided to copy
    Thestandards safe way of appealing and receiving donations I set up a Kiwi Bank AC
    So he tangata the people of Aoteraoroa New Zealand who support ECO MAORI can use internet banking to make donations and know that there bank accounts are safe after they have made a donation . ECO MAORI will use the donations to SUE the nz police for all the breaches to mine and my Whano Privacy Rights & Human Rights a lot of people can see this has been happening to ECO MAORI when I win my case I will set up a
    Charitable Trust and I will pay the money that I used and any extra donations into this Trust account and appeal to anyone else in Aoteraoroa who need help with finance to SUE the nz police for there in justices I will copy bank statements on this site to let he tangata the people know that ECO MAORI has Honest Honorable and transparent intentions to use your hard earned Putea Money. .
    Ka pai Kite ano

    • eco maori 19.1
      13 March 2018 at 7:28 am

      Good morning The AM Show what wrong with the Hamilton mayor wanting to lift Maori culture the reo I think its a good thing everyone benefits when maori Mana is lifted . Labour has inherited a BIG MESS from the shonky lead national government and they don’t have a magic wand to fix this mess in a instances .Its going to take a bit of time to clean up shonky mess he made over 9 years Ana to kai ka kite ano

      • eco maori 19.1.1
        13 March 2018 at 8:03 am

        Eco Maori is still getting under armed boles by the system I have tried to higher a Laywer and every time no one replies to my request the police are using the courts to block every move I make. I have started a new Email account to Appeal to a Lawyer to help me stop this miss use of powers by the NZ police here is the address below .
        mamataonga1969@gmail.com if you have the Mana to help me it would be much appreciated .kia kaha ka kite ano P.S I have a lot of nice big jucy orginations in my sights Ana to kai