Open mike 13/07/2024

64 comments on “Open mike 13/07/2024 ”

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1. Dennis Frank 1

   13 July 2024 at 7:33 am

   Here's a review of Biden's performance yesterday: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/522011/seven-stand-out-moments-from-joe-biden-s-high-pressure-press-conference

   Biden: Now I want to hand over to the President of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin… There's a pause and some polite applause, but Biden quickly realises his error.

   Biden: President Putin? He is going to beat President Putin! President Zelensky. I am so focused on beating Putin…

   Zelensky: I am better.

   He is correct.

   It's hard to know whether Biden's pre-presser error was a simple slip of the tongue or a sad sign of decline. But many will diagnose from afar.

   My diagnosis from afar is that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden. It has proven itself a recidivist offender – but folks may acclimatise to it. Biden seems sufficiently on the ball when the glitch doesn't happen.

   "My question for you is: how are you incorporating these developments into your decision to stay and, separately, what concerns do you have about Vice-President Harris's ability to beat Donald Trump if she were at the top of the ticket?"

   Biden began his response by saying: "Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice-President Trump to be vice-president [if] I think she was not qualified to be president."

   Words aside, VP Trump's qualifications aren't the point of the question, which was about a hypothetical – so Biden was dodging that. Is such an evasion a sign of weakness? Yes, but merely traditional politics, so no real problem for him. Or her.

   Biden denied he needs an early bedtime. The president's age, acuity and health were always going to dominate this press conference. He no doubt knew that. But he still seemed to bristle a little at some of those questions.

   As long as he has someone to tuck him in at night, who cares? If it gets reported that he has difficulty extracting himself from bed in the morning, voters will respond `yeah, me too'. He ended the presser on a realistic note…

   the campaign really hasn't even started, hasn't started in earnest yet. "Most of the time, it doesn't start until after September, after Labour Day. So a lot can happen."
   • SPC 1.1

     13 July 2024 at 7:38 am

     My diagnosis from afar is that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden.

     Na he can tell people apart, the problem is processing his thoughts into the words he speaks – with names, we can notice this more easily.
   • SPC 1.2

     13 July 2024 at 9:25 am

     This guy says that word retrieval is a problem of Parkinson's, and the physical decline is a symptom of this as well.
   • ghostwhowalksnz 1.3

     13 July 2024 at 9:30 am

     “that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden.”

     Biden has been making the same 'gaffes' every since he was a Senator

     This from NY times from when he was selected as running mate for Obama in 2008

     Senator Joseph Biden Jr., the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, is an experienced, serious and smart man. But he does say some curious things. A day on the campaign trail without some cringe-inducing gaffe is a rare blessing. He has not been too blessed lately.

     Thats the trouble with making a remote diagnosis without knowing the previous situation- a long history of not matching names to faces
2. SPC 2

   13 July 2024 at 7:49 am

   A woman says she is little better off from part-time work while on the DPB.

   Given there is an exemption from abatement for work income, this should not be the case.

   If you're a sole parent, you can earn up to $160 a week (before tax), before your benefit is affected. Once you earn over $160 a week (before tax):

   • any income you get between $160 and $250 a week (before tax) will reduce your benefit by 30 cents for each $1 of income
   • any income you get over $250 a week (before tax) will reduce your benefit by 70 cents for every $1 of income.

   We calculate this by:

   1. We take the income you get between $160 and $250 (maximum will be $90) and multiply by 0.3.
   2. If your income is over $250, we take your total income and minus $250, then multiple by 0.7.
   3. Then we add these two amounts together.

   https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/tell-us/income/deduction-tables/sole-parent-support.html

   This is what the Minister had to say

   Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said “While my immediate priority is delivering a welfare system that is more proactive about supporting people on welfare into jobs, I am always considering whether the right incentives exist for people to shift into work”.

   They already exist.

   The Government believed New Zealanders should be rewarded for their hard work, “which is why Budget 2024 delivered tax relief that enable them to keep more of their hard-earned money”.

   Work was about more than money, Upston said, as it provided “a sense of purpose, independence, and connectedness, leading to a better future and helping families break the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence”.

   A person on the DPB not being better off from work is not supposed to happen.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350339517/im-no-better-single-mother-three-working-32c-hour
   • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.1

     13 July 2024 at 8:46 am

     IMO a lot of people who have had to deal with WINZ/MSD will have found their interactions to be, at best, far from seamless….and at worst, a nightmare.

     MSD receives almost 5000 complaints about staff in two years

     Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Brooke Stanley said MSD operated in a low-trust model.

     "It's quite common for us to hear from people that come in to seek our support about how dehumanising the culture is at Work and Income.

     "[MSD] treats people coming in to see them as if they're suspicious, or the support that they need they could have gotten it elsewhere."

     https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/516616/msd-receives-almost-5000-complaints-about-staff-in-two-years

     I have heard this..from people who have had the misfortune to desperately need their "help" . If not patronising/condescending….sometimes borderline aggressive : (

     And..if you are already struggling (with mental/health/personal problems) you should definitely take an Advocate with you !

     Work and Income, MSD slammed for 'humiliating' treatment of Kiwis in need

     Jacqui Southey from Save the Children and Tavia Moore from the Beneficiary Advisory Services

     https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/09/07/work-and-income-msd-slammed-for-humiliating-treatment-of-kiwis-in-need/
     • Visubversa 2.1.1

       13 July 2024 at 10:40 am

       The various incarnations of WINZ have always been like that. Nearly 40 years ago when my sweetie and I first got together she was on the "dole" and absolutely dreaded the periodic visits to ensure the continuation of her benefit.

       Although she now has a Masters Degree – at the time her working class family saw no value in educating girls and she was taken out of school 3 days before her 15th birthday and moved into a factory job "until she got married". She was fired from that job when she turned 18 and had to be paid the adult wage.

       She was fortunate to find a WINZ case officer in the 1970's who recognised her writing ability and got her various PEP jobs doing research work and writing for community groups.

       Such assistance was certainly not the norm, but it did get her into writing and into various feminist and Union activities which led to better employment and our relationship.
   • Descendant Of Smith 2.2

     13 July 2024 at 10:04 am

     You left out an important bit.

     including after paying childcare and petrol costs.

     These stories disingenuously try to suggest at the same time benefit rates are too high – i.e. you are better off staying on benefit than working you might as well bludge and say that the governments help for people to work is not enough so pay me more but in a different way so I'm not counted as a bludger.

     No different from the framing of bludgers on a benefit turning miraculously into into "I've paid taxes all my life" worthy citizens when they turn sixty-five and get even more money on super from the government.

     So what are these articles designed to do?

     1. Suppress benefits further so she is better off working?
     2. Bemoan the cost of childcare and ask for further subsidisation the of childcare industry through the tax system – cause you know that's not the same thing as getting a sullied benefit – except when trying to tax the rich when it is trotted out that most poor people don't really pay any tax anyway and all the tax is paid by the rich anyway.
     3. Suggest that her wage rate is too low and her scumbag employer should lift her wages?
     4. Tell her to get off her lazy arse and work more hours or get a better job?
     5. Show how virtuous/stupid they were be not seeking help earlier and using all their savings
     6. Show how virtuous white people can horrifyingly become bludgers – "If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone".

     In the 80's we had to choose between two working and one working with the other looking after the kids due to both the children having disabilities and the cost of childcare. I have no doubt the commercialisation of child-care for profit has further increased the relative cost since then. Due to the disability factor we chose one working.

     What we need to go back to is universal payments and higher tax rates instead of the continual hodge podge of benefit payments and tax rebates. The whole system has turned into a mess. It's been designed by Theresa Gattung acolytes.

     "Think about pricing. What has every telco in the world done in the past? It's used confusion as its chief marketing tool. And that's fine," said Gattung in a speech recorded on March 20.

     "You could argue that that's how all of us keep calling prices up and get those revenues, high-margin businesses, keep them going for a lot longer than would have been the case.

     "But at some level, whether they consciously articulate or not, customers know that's what the game has been. They know we're not being straight up."

     Were currently seeing the same confusion method being applied to bundling services eg electricity and internet, sky and internet etc.

     Successive governments know that the more complicated they make things that there will always be a drop-off of people who are entitled who will give up and never apply. The potential debt burden further puts people off.

     Working for Families debt has increased by more than $42 million in nine months, new data shows, and people are being warned it could get worse as unemployment rises.

     Inland Revenue said total Working for Families debt had reached $280.025 million at the end of May this year.

     Last August, it was $238m. In July 2020, 44,000 people owed $162m.

     https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/519689/warning-as-working-for-families-debt-increases-by-more-than-42m
     • SPC 2.2.1

       13 July 2024 at 12:10 pm

       Sure.

       My point is when a sole parent is required to work (children over 5 and free primary school), they are better off on part-time work.

       Even some parents with FT jobs don't work when there are two pre-schoolers (despite free hours 3-5, or rebate 2-3yo).

       And yes she is of a type

       “I want to pay my own way, raise and pay for my own kids. I don't want to sit on the benefit, taking taxpayer money when I know I can be out there working.”

       She has no FT job. Getting a DPB, while she has no full-time job, is not what is stopping her from getting one.
       • Descendant Of Smith 2.2.1.1

         13 July 2024 at 2:13 pm

         Nah she wants state help – flexi-wage, tax relief etc but doesn't want to be branded as a bludger on a benefit.

         Benefits are for the lazy and the poor, tax relief is middle class welfare. She wants to take tax payers money just not through a benefit.

         Maybe she should join a union and ask for more pay…….
       • Belladonna 2.2.1.2

         13 July 2024 at 7:05 pm

         Childcare is a huge barrier to working for sole-parents (usually Mums).
         'Free' hours are illusory – in order to get a place in a childcare centre (or at least in a reasonable quality one), you have to sign up for considerably more than the 'free' hours – and the cost of the additional hours are very significant (they're loaded to cost more than the government-funded 'free' hours).

         Yes, you can 'choose' to only book for the free hours – and the Childcare centre can also 'choose' to not have a place for you. Most have substantial waiting lists – and prioritize the full-time kids, rather than the part-timers.

         In addition, there are school holidays (good luck with finding a workplace which will give you 14 weeks a year holiday). Yes, there are holiday programmes – more $$$$ out of your budet.

         And, finally, there is sick leave. With schools now not accepting (or sending home) kids with coughs and sniffles (regardless of whether you think that's a good thing, or not) – your standard 10-days of sick leave a year is rapidly eaten up by your kid's illnesses (let alone yours). Not to mention that you don't actually *get* any sick leave until you've been working for a year.

         Finally, 'school hours' jobs tend to be the lowest paid and least value in career building. If you already have a career (and are returning part time after having children, it's a different story), but if you don't have those marketable skills/qualifications – you're likely to be stuck in a dead-end minimum-wage job, with no prospects of promotion. And also likely to be the first one fired if/when the business downsizes staff.
         • SPC 2.2.1.2.1

           14 July 2024 at 1:02 am

           There is the option of funding 3-5 year old pre schools (no holidays) as we do primary schools (after hours and holiday programmes).

           Sick leave is not required for older children with the flu (apart from the law about adult supervision for those under 14) and older children can care for the younger ones (in work income dependent families this happens).

           For now a good option for sole parents is to job share and care for each others children – they can both work 20 hours and get free child care. This also covers the holidays and sickness (advantages the employer).
           • KJT 2.2.1.2.1.1

             14 July 2024 at 2:44 am

             Where do you find part time regular hours jobs?

             Under your hat?
             • SPC …

               14 July 2024 at 5:17 am

               Job ads dear Liza, job ads.
               • KJT …

                 14 July 2024 at 7:07 am

                 Having seen many people trying, and failing, to find jobs that fit in with having children and the need for childcare.
                 Even more impossible with a special needs child that gets expelled from daycare.

                 Jobs like that, are like Unicorns.

                 Not to mention the exorbatent costs of privatised childcare, the lack of after school care, and the waiting lists for Kindegartens. (Where parents are lucky to get a place for their child before age 4)
                 • SPC …

                   14 July 2024 at 7:30 am

                   An answer is to job share (one the morning, the other the afternoon) and child care share. That means no child care cost.

                   Jobs in after school care and other care work might leads to an opportunity to work as a teacher aide.
                   • KJT …

                     14 July 2024 at 7:47 am

                     And. Pigs might fly. Meanwhile. In the real world.

                     Employers offer part time uncertain "on call" work with irregular hours. Random on call 365 days a year without compensation is the norm, not an outlier. Few like job share arrangements. The chances of a group of mums being able to co-ordinate working hours to share childcare is almost non-existant.

                     Finance for Kindegartens, Teacher aids and help for special needs, never adequate, is being taken to with a scythe.

                     Childcare for "difficult" children doesn't exist unless you are extremely rich. Schools, lacking resources, send them home at any signs of issues. I know several parents who cannot keep a job because of this. One, who has a small business, loses customers and income regularly because of having to collect her ADHD child whenever the school has had enough.

                     Childcare providers insist on regular hours, and more than 20 hours a week so they can pad out their fees.
                   • PsyclingLeft.Always …

                     14 July 2024 at 9:15 am

                     An answer is to job share (one the morning, the other the afternoon) and child care share.

                     TBH I was kinda wondering where you were/are going with this ? You assume that the "partner" If there is one (might be non child friendly, unable,moved away….or even.. passed away)

                     Jobs in after school care and other care work might leads to an opportunity to work as a teacher aide.

                     Sounds like something a WINZ/MSD person might dream up ?
                   • SPC …

                     14 July 2024 at 9:34 am

                     PLA, I was referring to two sole parents (this began with a story about a sole parent) providing child care for each others children while working part-time – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

                     Sounds like something a WINZ/MSD person might dream up

                     If you look at it, they prefer teacher aides to have experience (but there is no qualification requirement) – basically after school care and care work is most relevant (or being a parent volunteering).
                   • SPC …

                     14 July 2024 at 9:38 am

                     Employers offer part time uncertain "on call" work with irregular hours.

                     Not all employers.

                     Few like job share arrangements. The chances of a group of mums being able to co-ordinate working hours to share childcare is almost non-existant.

                     Some working mornings, others the afternoons is not hard to organise.
               • Belladonna …

                 14 July 2024 at 11:10 am

                 I'm guessing from your comments that you've never been a single parent, and probably don't know any either (or know them well enough to understand the issues they have to deal with on a daily basis).

                 This all sounds like a theoretical exercise in a rose-tinted world.

                 Part-time work can work for some single parents. But it is certainly not easy. It's a lot harder if you're looking at minimum wage jobs. And, if you have any other issues going on (neurodivergent kid, ill health, etc) – it's going to be virtually impossible to keep a job. And, once you've lost one, your chances of getting another are diminished.

                 In the real world, if there is competition for jobs (which there certainly is at the bottom end of the market right now), job-sharing single-parents are not going to be the first choice for any employer.

                 BTW, you do realize that teacher aides and other school support roles don't get paid for the school holidays. What do you think the single-income family is going to live on over this period?
                 • SPC …

                   14 July 2024 at 11:37 am

                   You're making the case for adequate income from benefits to support sole parents and or the need to make it easier for sole parents to work – whether part-time or full-time. Well done.

                   One idea is pre school free and fully funded like primary school is – from age 3 at least.

                   The other is better employment rules, to support the employment of sole parents.

                   I am simply stating what can be done now.

                   One sole parent (children under 5) offers to work the morning, the other the afternoon for the same employer. This allows each to care for all the kids when not working (no child care cost). Otherwise the two separately seek morning and afternoon work with separate employers to realise the same (no child care costs).

                   BTW, you do realize that teacher aides and other school support roles don't get paid for the school holidays. What do you think the single-income family is going to live on over this period?

                   Sole parents working less than FT (only morning or afternoon) are still on the DPB.
                   • Belladonna …

                     14 July 2024 at 2:30 pm

                     Sole parents working less than FT (only morning or afternoon) are still on the DPB.

                     Have you ever *tried* to work through variable hours payments with WINZ? It's a bureaucratic nightmare. People end up with benefits cut off, and with mandatory stand down times to get them re-established. Not to mention, the difficulty of even getting through to your 'case manager' using their phone system.

                     What 'better employment rules' are going to encourage businesses to split jobs – when they receive zero benefit from this, and have double the staff costs?

                     I think that you also have little understanding of the reality and trust required for effective job sharing. I'm guessing this is something else you've never done.
           • Belladonna 2.2.1.2.1.2

             14 July 2024 at 11:00 am

             Sick leave is not required for older children with the flu (apart from the law about adult supervision for those under 14) and older children can care for the younger ones (in work income dependent families this happens).

             You have to get through the first 14 years of coughs, colds, tummy bugs and sniffles, before you can leave kids at home alone! Also, are you advocating keeping older kids out of school to mind younger ones. Really?

             Really, most employers don't want job shares (given the choice) – it's double the amount of admin (payroll, etc) for the same job. With no more flexibility (you can't have both of the job share parents working extra hours over a busy period, because who minds the kids?) Employers can make it work, but they do so to cover roles with specific expertise that they can't easily fill. Hint: those are not minimum wage jobs.
             • SPC …

               14 July 2024 at 11:21 am

               You have to get through the first 14 years of coughs, colds, tummy bugs and sniffles, before you can leave kids at home alone!

               I never had a parent at home when off school with cold or flu (but then again I walked home in the Wahine Storm while in primary school – great for impersonating a concorde and remaining off the ground).

               Also, are you advocating keeping older kids out of school to mind younger ones. Really?

               The media has reported this is happening in Auckland.

               The reason for employers practice is weak unions, carrying unemployment and access to easily exploited migrant labour.

               The need for pre schools (3-5) being like primary schools (state funding) is obvious, as are better employment terms for parents of younger children.
               • Belladonna …

                 14 July 2024 at 2:35 pm

                 Really. So you were home alone when you were sick from 5 years old?

                 And are advocating this as a responsible parenting solution?

                 The fact that older kids (almost always girls) are kept out of school to mind younger children, is a disgrace; not an option to be embraced.

                 The reason for the employers practice is that they make more money by hiring one full-time worker, than two job-share or part-time ones. Unions are never going to fix this (how do unions represent those people who aren't even employed). Full employment might – but when has that ever happened in your working lifetime? And there is no party in parliament now, who is realistically advocating for zero immigration, or even zero low-wage immigration.

                 Still an ivory tower intellectual exercise – totally divorced from the reality of people looking for work in 2024.
     • adam 2.2.2

       13 July 2024 at 1:43 pm

       I can confirm that proper care for a Disabled child is at least ten times more than it was in the 80's. I know of parents who are skirting it some what, by hiring baby sitters so they can work. Which is a hell of responsibility to put on 16-17 year olds. But when your wages are shit – what ya going to do?
   • Bruce 2.3

     13 July 2024 at 10:09 am

     Its also of note that since the abatement rate was increased to $160 per week we have had inflation and wage increases, so any increase in earnings have just gone back to the government.
   • adam 2.4

     13 July 2024 at 1:39 pm

     Hear, Hear.

     Great piece SPC.

     
3. Dennis Frank 3

   13 July 2024 at 8:17 am

   RNZ news has reported (7am & 8am this morning) Greenie Kevin Hackwell's critique of Luxon wanting to double our defense spending. Lux wants to toe the AUKUS line.

   Perhaps Hackwell came out fast because he knows the Green Party's obsession with identity politics will continue to prevent them being a real opposition, and Labour are still doing complacency and irrelevance.

   Luxon will have to specify what the increased spending will be on before anyone takes him seriously, which will require consensus between the three heads of the govt dog, and Winston is still busy barking at a passing car named Kiwirail.

   Luxon has refrained from explaining that Russia and China have formed an Axis of Evil, which the white knights of capitalism must now tilt at. That would require use of an intellect, which he doesn't have. He just wants to be a team player, so postures demonstrating that must be presented on the global stage.
   • SPC 3.1

     13 July 2024 at 8:36 am

     Just as likely, is that signalling an increase in defence spending is to defer a decision on AUKUS (the idea of co-operation between nations being an add-on to a nuclear powered sub deal with Oz by UK and USA was flawed).

     And even then, CLuxon refers to a future defence plan, not yet decided on as to a purpose for the increased spending. It might well be a development over decades, as per the GW action – within economic constraints.

     Intent, is not quick action. Hopefully he will look at sea lift and an Antarctica capable ship and an ocean going tug boat to manage our Cook Strait risk. And a plan to expand on the 5 Hercules air transport down the line (more or the Airbus alternative) and new passenger 757’s. Replacement of the frigates will pad out the budget.

     Hackwell knows Greens will oppose increased defence spending, but there is nothing to oppose yet.
     • SPC 3.1.1

       13 July 2024 at 9:29 am

       Gordon Campbell looks at what 2% GDP each year would mean.

       https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2407/S00019/on-luxon-in-the-nato-pressure-cooker.htm
       • ghostwhowalksnz 3.1.1.1

         13 July 2024 at 9:42 am

         Increasing defence spending ? LOL

         Its just smoke and mirrors to cover the current reduction- the Nats play this game all the time and the media fall for it.

         Even commentors who show know better get sucked into 'what an increase would mean' memes . There isnt going to be an increase to 2% EVER

         https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-proposes-66-cut-defence-spending-amid-personnel-equipment-woes-2024-05-22/

         "the proposed defence budget will fall to NZ$4.95 billion ($3.03 billion) for the year that ends in June 2025. This year's defence budget was NZ$5.3 billion."
         • Macro 3.1.1.1.1

           13 July 2024 at 12:05 pm

           Exactly.

           They might shell out a few more dollars to buy CL a new plane to get about in, (after cutting "saving" monies elsewhere in Defence funding) but that's as far as it goes.
         • Michael Scott 3.1.1.1.2

           13 July 2024 at 1:11 pm

           Why don't we put some guns on the new cook strait ferries. Then we could take them out of the overcommitted transport budget and get them into the defence spending
   • gsays 3.2

     13 July 2024 at 11:41 am

     What's incredible is that in the photos you can hardly see the puppet masters strings…
4. PsyclingLeft.Always 4

   13 July 2024 at 9:02 am

   David Seymour : Prime Minister. (Well, acting PM )

   Seymour to be Acting PM again as Luxon takes leave

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/521987/seymour-to-be-acting-pm-again-as-luxon-takes-leave

   As if thats not bad enough, a reminder of some of his crew….

   Councils considering climate change in consent decisions stifles productivity – ACT MP

   ACT MP Mark Cameron said it was not feasible to have regional councils trying to save the world's climate, describing their attempts as hopeless.

   the "onerous nature" of councils intruding was stifling productivity and needed to stop.

   Cameron a denier….

   Before entering Parliament, Cameron had posted on social media that climate change was "a farce" and that "nut jobs" believe in global warming.

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/521993/councils-considering-climate-change-in-consent-decisions-stifles-productivity-act-mp

   Trump? MAGA? et al..

   https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/31-08-2023/a-very-bleak-scroll-through-the-haunted-twitter-crypt-of-act-mp-mark-cameron

   And ex FedFarm now ACT Hoggard…

   The ACT MP has been assigned the Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Associate Environment portfolios, and is one of three Associate Agriculture ministers.

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/focusonpolitics/audio/2018933860/from-lobbyist-to-legislator-andrew-hoggard-s-vision-for-reform
5. Hunter Thompson II 5

   13 July 2024 at 9:28 am

   Recent news reports state that a South Canterbury business (which started in 2021) has gone into liquidation owing $1.5 million tax to Inland Revenue. Incredibly, one reason given for the shutdown of the business was not allowing for taxation.

   On 12 July Inland Revenue issued a press release stating in part:

   " … we’re prioritising our compliance work to follow up outstanding returns, collect overdue debt, and prosecute taxpayers where necessary, … "

   Coincidence?
   • Incognito 5.1

     13 July 2024 at 10:33 am

     Somniloquy?
   • Barfly 5.2

     13 July 2024 at 12:17 pm

     Liquidates company ( $1.5m +hole) registers a new one 3 hours later

     https://www.reddit.com/r/chch/comments/1dzsx43/south_canterbury_director_starts_new_company/
6. joe90 6

   13 July 2024 at 10:37 am

   Look who's woken up. (goes to archivedotli)

   /

   @washingtonpost.com‬

   ·

   3h

   The plan also includes infusing Christian nationalism into every facet of government policy by calling for a ban on pornography and promoting policies that encourage “marriage, work, motherhood, fatherhood, and nuclear families.”

   https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/12/project-2025-summary-trump/

   https://bsky.app/profile/washingtonpost.com/post/3kx47rlktho2x
7. Dennis Frank 7

   13 July 2024 at 11:11 am

   TDB helpfully illuminates the next in off the list if Tana resigns. https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2024/07/12/comparing-tana-to-genter-and-how-the-greens-are-about-to-leap-out-of-the-woke-frying-pan-into-the-identity-politics-fire/

   A commentator there quotes from Benjamin Doyle’s masters thesis:

   Principles of Kaupapa Māori Theory provide a paradigm through which this research is conducted, with particular attention paid to the Indigenous Research Agenda. Importantly, this rangahau seeks to offer an alternative to the conventions of hegemonic empirical academia by centering the voices and lived experiences of those who have historically been subjected to the dehumanising objectification of Western research practices.

   You can see why Chloe went public with her impassioned appeal recently. The prospect of being able to bombard the media with such utterances would enthrall any pc-driven Green Party parliamentarian. Speak truth to power, comrades!
   • Incognito 7.1

     13 July 2024 at 11:22 am

     Ok boomer, you think that Chlöe Swarbrick is a PC-driven parliamentarian.
     • Dennis Frank 7.1.1

       13 July 2024 at 12:40 pm

       I think there's more to her than that. The extent of the constraining effect of an in-crowd on one's view of what's feasible in a situation seems to have more of an influence on political behaviour than one's instinctive responses.

       I noticed that James never tried to reframe the party positioning in opportunities where it would have enhanced it's public appeal but disturbed his colleagues. Yet I knew the guy enough to trust his instincts and judgment to considerable extent. When party constraints (due to ethos) limit a leader's options, the party suffers the consequences from not being able to extend popular support…
       • Incognito 7.1.1.1

         13 July 2024 at 2:47 pm

         I think there's more to her than that.

         Then why did you reduce a complex personality such as hers to a caricature of a PC-driven parliamentarian?

         The extent of the constraining effect of an in-crowd on one's view of what's feasible in a situation seems to have more of an influence on political behaviour than one's instinctive responses.

         Huh? It seems you’re no longer talking about Chlöe Swarbrick but in abstract general terms!?

         Your second paragraph is your typical mash of concepts and issues thrown together in inedible word soup.

         You seem to criticise Swarbrick’s leadership – she’s been Co-Leader for only 4 months – when it’s clear that you neither know nor understand her. Then you revert again to some generic waffle about party politics and inner workings that you’re not privy to either.

         None of what you wrote so far seems to have any bearing on the succession of Darleen Tana or Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis. Again, you criticise the Party and its Co-Leader without substance and based on innuendo and snide remarks.
         • Dennis Frank 7.1.1.1.1

           13 July 2024 at 2:52 pm

           No, my point has always been about the collective mind-set that continues to handicap the Greens. Her conformity is understandable in that context.
           • Incognito 7.1.1.1.1.1

             13 July 2024 at 4:11 pm

             No, my point has always been about the collective mind-set that continues to handicap the Greens.

             Curiouser and curiouser, so it wasn’t about anything in particular then, not about Chlöe Swarbrick, Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis, or James Shaw!? Not clear either what exactly you’re negating.

             The Greens need strong authoritarian leadership, e.g., the egotistical authoritarian style of the National Party without the unnecessary consensus approach to decision making, which fits so well with its Randian doctrine. The Green Party should just emulate that?

             Her conformity is understandable in that context.

             What conformity? To the Green Party values, policies, or processes? To the contents or foundational principles of Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis? Seems it’s all in your head and you’re looking for a pivot to have a tilt at your usual windmills.
   • Ad 7.2

     13 July 2024 at 6:14 pm

     Chloe Swarbrick could take out a .303 into mainstream Te Kuiti and shoot a farmer dead, and her 12% base wouldn't so much as fan themselves.

     Her parliamentary "comrades" are some of the weakest the Greens have ever had, but Green supporters just don't care.
     • Obtrectator 7.2.1

       14 July 2024 at 11:24 pm

       Well this Green supporter (not a member) does! Tana out – now. And I want them to be a lot more careful over candidate selection in future.
8. Dolomedes III 8

   13 July 2024 at 11:38 am

   There is hope for NZ science after all!

   Kudos to the authors of these two articles in Science for daring to speak truth to power, and to the editor who found the courage to accept these articles for publication – she risked being fired due to activist backlash. Few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.

   Contrast with the behaviour of the Royal Society of NZ (supposedly a scientific body) who considered cancelling the membership of three scientist who dared to question the previous government’s decree that maatauranga is “co-equal” with so-called Western Science. Instead of promoting and defending science, RSNZ continues to peddle ideology: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/envisioning-a-fairer-future-auckland.
   • tWig 8.1

     13 July 2024 at 12:42 pm

     1. These are not science articles, but letters to the editor, and therefore opinion pieces.

     And 2. Kind of you to include the measured response to the two anti letters, which takes apart the ideas they push. Basically, they make false equivalence by applying only the 'scientific' worldview as having value in education. Which is the whole point of presenting students with different cultural perspectives.
     • Dolomedes III 8.1.1

       13 July 2024 at 12:59 pm

       The response of Black and Tylianakis doesn't "take apart" anything – like you, all they have to offer is pedantry and equivocation. And it's not clear that you've understood much – contrary to what you've just said, neither of the two critiques claims that only the scientific worldview has value in education. They're attempting to circumscribe what does and doesn't belong in 21st century science classes. By all means teach traditional Maaori worldviews at school, but don't try to compel me to teach it in my science classes. I'm especially glad that Matzke has exposed the inclusion of vitalism (a debunked idea) in the NZ science curriculum.

       But seeing you're interested in "different cultural perspectives", how would you feel about teaching kids the biblical creation story at school? After all, some Kiwis have fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
   • Incognito 8.2

     13 July 2024 at 2:26 pm

     As has already been pointed out to you, these are letters, not “articles”, as you falsely claim. Given that you work in a NZ university, you would know the difference.

     Kudos […] to the editor who found the courage to accept these articles for publication – she risked being fired due to activist backlash.

     Jennifer Sills is the Senior Letters Editor of the journal Science and her areas of responsibility are Letters (https://www.science.org/content/page/meet-editors). An Editor is not a Censor.

     You’re fearmongering about a risk of being fired for doing her job and doing it well. You also made up the ‘activist backlash’ that would lead to this. You have no evidence for either and it’s basically BS.

     Few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.

     Ok, again, where’s your evidence for this assertion? These letters are intelligent, well-written, and evidence-based that criticise one position and defend another one and as such, they are without and above your illusory cries of “racism”, which is not mentioned even once. It looks to me that’s where you want to drag this.

     Your description of RSNZ as a biased organisation captured by ideology is misleading, as demonstrated by the link that you provided. It’s one thing to criticise RSNZ for handling of the case but it’s another one to paint them as the enemy. As you know, RSNZ did not cancel anybody’s membership.

     https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/statement-in-relation-to-complaints-about-a-letter-to-the-new-zealand-listener/

     If you want to join and contribute to this debate then you should take a leaf out of those letters and response and provide intelligent evidence-based comment instead of misleading innuendo.
     • Dolomedes III 8.2.1

       13 July 2024 at 6:29 pm

       "these are letters, not “articles”

       So what? How does that invalidate anything I've said? Hopefully you have more to offer than pedantry.

       "As you know, RSNZ did not cancel anybody’s membership."

       As YOU know, I did not say that RSNZ cancelled anybody's membership. I stated (correctly) that they considered doing so: https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/11/17/royal-society-investigation-into-matauranga-maori-letter-sparks-academic-debate/

       It is shameful that RSNZ even considered taking such action against the academics who dared to question government policy.

       "An Editor is not a Censor."

       Editors have the discretion to reject contributions that they deem unsuitable – you know this perfectly well. And when I was an editor of a NZ journal, I was pressured by my boss to reject an article for political reasons ("racism") – pressure that I did not succumb to.

       "Ok, again, where’s your evidence for this assertion?" [that few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.]

       Why have no similar critiques been published in NZ journals? Can tell me that, Incognito? Here is evidence of the sort of pressures and accusations that await anyone who sticks their head above the parapet of current political orthodoxy:

       https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/447898/university-academics-claim-matauranga-maori-not-science-sparks-controversy

       https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/07/31/dismissing-matauranga-maori-racism-and-arrogance-in-academia/

       https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/08/m-ori-scientists-say-slow-violence-of-racism-drives-them-out-of-universities.html

       https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/experts-shaun-hendy-and-siouxsie-wiles-among-those-rejecting-claim-maori-knowledge-isnt-science-as-scientific-racism/QQSKY6Y2CBP7ONYRXXL3VUUBN4/

       Lapped up by an uncritical media.

       More evidence of the climate of fear: https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300889028/academics-dont-feel-free-to-air-controversial-opinions-according-to-survey

       "Your description of RSNZ as a biased organisation captured by ideology is misleading, as demonstrated by the link that you provided"

       As demonstrated by the link I provided? How so?

       You're not doing the left any favours by gaslighting readers about the state of science and science education in NZ, or by misrepresenting other people's comments.
       • Incognito 8.2.1.1

         13 July 2024 at 8:14 pm

         So what? How does that invalidate anything I've said? Hopefully you have more to offer than pedantry.

         It casts doubt on your credibility and your retort further emphasises that you’re not commenting in good faith but with intent to mislead and gaslight exclaiming that “There is hope for NZ science after all!”, but not thanks to you.

         As YOU know, I did not say that RSNZ cancelled anybody's membership. I stated (correctly) that they considered doing so: [link]

         The initial reaction by RSNZ to the open letter in The Listener can be considered an over-reaction. However, they followed due process and things were not taken any further.

         A controversial letter signed by seven University of Auckland academics about Mātauranga Māori and science is not worthy of a full Royal Society investigation, the body has said.

         In a statement, the Royal Society Te Apārangi said an initial investigation panel was convened after several complaints were made about the letter, published in The Listener in July 2021.

         The panel decided the complaints would not be progressed further because they demanded “open-ended evaluation of contentious expert opinion”.

         The Panel decision is final, and cannot be appealed, the Royal Society said.

         https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/127919019/controversial-listener-letter-deemed-not-worthy-of-royal-society-investigation

         You’re trying to paint RSNZ in a much worse light than is justified based on this and cherry-picking one link only shows your biased agenda.

         It is shameful that RSNZ even considered taking such action against the academics who dared to question government policy. [my emphasis]

         So, in your mind, it was for political reasons, not because RSNZ received five complaints? Which specific ‘government policy’ are you referring to?

         Editors have the discretion to reject contributions that they deem unsuitable – you know this perfectly well.

         Indeed, editors follow the editorial policies of the publication, and censors have to classify and reject objectionable material. Jennifer Sills did a good job and there was nothing too controversial in any of those letters or in the response for that matter to warrant rejection by her on any other (NZ) journal editor. You’re looking for something that isn’t there.

         And when I was an editor of a NZ journal, I was pressured by my boss to reject an article for political reasons ("racism") – pressure that I did not succumb to.

         Was this a science journal? How did your situation compare to those two letters in Science? Where is the ‘racism’ in those letters in Science? Did you lose your position as Editor because of it? What does it have to do with anything? Where is your evidence that Jennifer Sills risked her job and where’s your evidence for an ‘activist backlash’ that would cause this? Without any other information we cannot verify your personal anecdote and you only provide more BS to support your previous BS claims & assertions.

         BTW, as a former Editor you would care more about the distinction between a ‘letter’ and an ‘article’ submitted to and published in reputable scientific journal.

         Why have no similar critiques been published in NZ journals? Can tell me that, Incognito? [sic]

         Why do you answer my question with another question? If such letters have been submitted to NZ journals and rejected because ‘terrified as we are of cries of “racism”’ then provide your evidence. Without it this is just dangerous speculation on your behalf. So, put up or shut up.

         Here is evidence of the sort of pressures and accusations that await anyone who sticks their head above the parapet of current political orthodoxy:

         [4 links]

         None of those links point to political interference at NZ journals as you implied.

         Lapped up by an uncritical media.

         Sure, and by overzealous crusaders like you who want to stoke controversy, polarise, and seed division, it appears.

         More evidence of the climate of fear: [link]

         As I said, you’re fearmongering, together with the uncritical media that lap it up and spread it further to increase their revenue, which raises the question about your motives.

         As demonstrated by the link I provided? How so?

         One cherry-picked link that is supposedly representative of all things done by RSNZ and their capture by ideology as alleged by you. You’re making it up as you go, don’t you? No room for error or doubt in your fixed & fixated mind.

         You're not doing the left any favours by gaslighting readers about the state of science and science education in NZ, or by misrepresenting other people's comments.

         What has ‘the left’ got to do with it? Poking holes in your disingenuous comments on this site is a dirty job that I’ll happily do as a service to all TS readers. No debate will ever be served by commentary such as yours.
9. Bearded Git 9

   13 July 2024 at 12:03 pm

   Bryan Crump is busy trying to force his own right-wing views onto Grant Robertson while interviewing him in the "playing favourites" spot on Saturday Morning on RadioNZ.

   His latest question was (paraphrasing) that "instead of enforcing vaccine mandates wouldn't it have been better to simply enforce mask wearing and wouldn't this have avoided the occupation outside parliament."

   Earlier he asked questions that questioned the Labour government's over-spending and its resultant responsibility for the cost of living crisis.

   Worth a listen if only to scream at the radio.
   • Incognito 9.1

     13 July 2024 at 12:19 pm

     Worth a listen if only to scream at the radio.

     In which case a link would be helpful.

     Sounds like Cramp is propagating a false dichotomy and equivalence of mask wearing vs. vaccination. They are, of course, complementary and additive measures of risk mitigation.

     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_cheese_model
     • Bearded Git 9.1.1

       13 July 2024 at 12:24 pm

       No link up yet Incog. Was still ongoing when I posted.

       https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday
       • Incognito 9.1.1.1

         13 July 2024 at 12:26 pm

         Okidoki
10. adam 10

    13 July 2024 at 1:28 pm

    Not a huge fan of Peter Zeihan, but every now and again he speaks truth to power.
    • ianmac 10.1

      14 July 2024 at 10:30 am

      Yes adam. If only political parties would groom a Leaderly Successor! NZ included.
11. joe90 11

    13 July 2024 at 2:51 pm

    In a sentence…

    jkfecke

    As many people have said, the main problem with his age is that she's Black.

    dennisdiclaudio

    Democrats are notorious pants pissers about every bump in every road.But I think there’s something more at work here. I think there are a lot of white liberals who are terrified of a potential black woman president and they see this as an opportunity to change the ticket.

    https://www.threads.net/@jkfecke/post/C9VXQPfuD-H
    • Ad 11.1

      13 July 2024 at 6:10 pm

      Sure Harris as black and female is a political liability to becoming US President.

      But the core to her political weaknss is that the southern border issue has been her primary policy focus. That is really, really important to winning Presidential and down-ballot votes in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

      Trump has owned the southern border issue since 2016 and the Republicans see it for the electoral lever it truly is for them. But when you look underneath the hood, Harris has rallied private sector investment into border-adjacent areas of more than US$5.2billion from over 50 companies and organisations.

      Also, border incursion encounters have fallen from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras from over 700,000 in 2021 to 330,000 as of May this year, so arguably she's been effective.

      If you go back to Harris's 2019 presidential campaign there's a clear hint that, should she become president, she may attempt a more aggressive use of executive action when it comes to granting protection to some illegal immigrants.

      In her campaign platform, Harris promised to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) by executive order – which gives protection to illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. She said she would eliminate age requirements on applications, and use parole authority to create a "parole in place" program to put those illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship. Her campaign estimated that the executive actions would result in more than 2 million "Dreamers" being given a pathway to citizenship.

      And that – not the colour of her skin – is where the US southern voter prejudice from both white and settled Latinos really kicks in against Harris and for Trump. The only way now for the centre-left to win again anywhere including the White House is to go super-hard against immigration.
      • SPC 11.1.1

        14 July 2024 at 12:19 am

        There was an agreement on aid to Ukraine and the border/immigration but Trump demanded the GOP in Congress abandon it.

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