Open mike 13/04/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 13th, 2013 - 62 comments
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62 comments on “Open mike 13/04/2013 ”

  1. karol 1

    The GCSB Strategic Communications Manager has asked Fairfax if it’s sitting on more info from the Kitteridge report that it plans to publish, which Fairfax has “rebuffed” saying it’s a “naive” request. But I love this bit at the end of the Stuff article on it:

    Fairfax Media group executive editor Paul Thompson said the company, which publishes The Dominion Post, would not be responding to the request for information.

    “We are surprised that the spy agency has asked such a naive question, and also that such an agency has the need for a strategic communications manager.”

  2. Tim 2

    And another from Stuff:

    “Job fears fuel rise in anti-depressant use” http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8545505/Job-fears-fuel-rise-in-anti-depressant-use

    Rather than simply innoculate themselves, let’s hope the ‘feared’ are also waking from their Sleepy Hobbit slumber and give up the Key/Blinglish cool aid.

    • muzza 2.1

      Many I work with are quite candid, admitting drinking is getting them through the week!

      Very sad to know that people turn to substances when the pressure goes on, can hardly blame them though, but its not the right answer.

      When the pressure goes on, thats when its important to keep yourself as healthy as possible, drink and pills, is not going to provide that.

  3. vto 3

    Trust is gone.

    Trust is gone in EQC. Trust is gone in government departments, both as to their intent and their competency. Trust is well gone in the Police, especially with regard to their moral compass (see Arthur Allan Thomas’s crooked copper). Trust is certainly gone in the current leadership of this country (see lies, lies, lies). Trust is gone in the changes being made to our democratic system (see Ecan).

    Then of course there is the evaproation of trust in private enterprises (see finance companies, farming damage). The private world is like trying to believe the second-hand car dealer’s explanations about the 1992 nissan skyline on the yard.

    Trust is so far gone that when a young child friend turns up with a dental report from a private dental contractor to the school saying that 8 holes need filling there is simply no confidence in what the report says. The wise starting point these days must be one of distrust and one must assume that the private contractor wants to earn money to such an extent that the report is a fabrication for this purpose. Once that is understood then the next steps can be taken…

    Nonetheless, must carry on and place a smile on te dial. The only change required is one to a greater ruthlessness and dog-eat-dog style.

    Nice.

    Smile everybody

    • Tim 3.1

      Agreed! I feel an election-time slogan coming on for the Greens. National, and to an ever so slightly lesser extent, Labour would be laughed at if they tried using it.

    • Jackal 3.2

      I was just thinking about the same thing this morning vto, that the continued falsities have caused a climate of distrust that pervades throughout New Zealand. In fact I would say we’re becoming desensitized to the continued lying and therefore more accepting of the governments disinformation. This no doubt degrades the way society works, or doesn’t work as the case may be.

    • millsy 3.3

      “Trust is so far gone that when a young child friend turns up with a dental report from a private dental contractor to the school”

      Private dental contractor??

      Do they contract out the School Dental Service now?

      When did this happen and why werent we told?

      • fender 3.3.1

        Primary schools have clinics, secondary school pupils go to private providers and it’s paid by the DHB. This only lasts till age 18 then you’re on your own, which helps explain the poor level of oral health in NZ adults.

        • Tim 3.3.1.1

          Yep ….. the Willis Street murderhouse in Wellington got turned into – you guessed it – apartments! That kind of signified the start of all this sort of kaka for me

        • Colonial Viper 3.3.1.2

          The history of this was that the First Labour Govt could not gain the political support needed to provide socialised dental care alongside the medical services which were socialised.

  4. freedom 4

    Cannot help but imagine what the weekend papers might have looked like if ALL we are currently facing, was still going on, and it was a different Party in Government.

    Would any other Party, would any other PM, be getting the ‘time to move on’ lubricant being dispensed across the country?

    NZ is in a very troubling place.

    • vto 4.1

      “NZ is in a very troubling place”

      Yes I agree. I have a nervousness about what is going on. Things are changing and moving in unfamiliar ways. Things are going on which are not understood. This is highlighted by John Key’s manouervering with the spies and USA Hollywood and dotcom. It points to something …….. and underscores the other changes going on.

      As is often the case, I hope I am wrong.

      • tc 4.1.1

        So do I vto but one must look carefully at the shonkey one, Blinglish, royall, Bovver boy Joyce, brown coal, basher, crusher, ayatolley, findlayshonk and all the other glove puppets and ask yourself the following question.

        Do you trust them to improve life for your everyday kiwi and create an environment where the immense market forces of multi billion dollar entities are held at bay so that everyone gets a fair deal.

        I do not.

        • freedom 4.1.1.1

          “Do you trust them to improve life for your everyday [person]”
          for decades I have believed that is all you ever need to ask when considering those that want authority

          • aerobubble 4.1.1.1.1

            The oil crisis of the 70s sparked the largest expansion of cheap energy in history. Coal miners were going to be very uncompetitive very quickly, growth from the cheap easily moveable high energy source was self-evident (now and then to those with access to government predictions and analysis). So Thatcher did nothing that wasn’t going to happen anyway, but in order to create longevity needed to twist the natural flow on from middle east oil and stamp her name on it. Crushing the unions who were weakened by cheap energy, and opening up the credit of banks to allow Britain to lubricate its economy and so take advantage of the windfall.

            So today we can see a new reality, of declining energy (higher cost), of internet connectivity, that requires investment (as all cultural changes require), yet we have yet to find a leader who can stamp their mark on the shift. Why? Well because so many can’t throw off the old paradigm of Thatcher worship, the delusional need to stress how markets will provide all if only we deregulated the hell out of the government. Societies need to breath a free wind of debate, needs to move on from the old, bury its former idols (why is Islam so backward? due in part because it turned its back on reason and embraced faith to scripture).

            Today we have a PM and a ruling party that is incapable of distancing itself from its own delusion lockstep to the dead paradigm. And therein lies the answer to perennial question can we trust them to provide improvements. How can you trust a politician that won’t seize the opportunity to reshape politics, won’t massacre their own heroes on the slab of politics, at a whim for their own needs to grab power. The right wing is weak, the miners knew what that means now, and the right still have a window since the left is just as ripped apart by Thatchers cold dead body of lore and lies.

            Do we trust this generation of leaders to provide improving outcomes, hell no.

    • muzza 4.2

      Freedon, VTO, TC – Yup we are in very troubling times, without any opportunity for change on the horizon!

      We were taken down a path in 1961, and from then on, the fight was already lost!

      We live with the outputs, and consequences, daily, and its killing people!

      I’ve used the word genocidal previously for whats going on in NZ, its time people accepted thats what this is about, it might even trigger some sort of forward movement from them!

      The so called leaders, represent people who HATE, humanity. Hate is a word I personally do not use, however there is no other way to describe whats being done to people.

      100% Pure Hatred!

      • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1

        It’s not hatred – it’s simply that they don’t care for anyone but themselves.

        • Colonial Viper 4.2.1.1

          What I would give for a bit of ‘self interest, properly understood’.

  5. Morrissey 5

    North Korea and the United States
    A cartoon that says it perfectly…

    http://24.media.tumblr.com/4f781d04d22345b0fbe82749bfad76b2/tumblr_mkvz3vPV5u1qj171uo1_500.jpg

    • The Al1en 5.1

      Funny, but not a perfect summary.

      Quick question, should North Korea and Iran be allowed to develop icbm technology?

      • Morrissey 5.1.1

        Funny, but not a perfect summary.

        Actually, it is a perfect summary. What part of it is unfair or incorrect?

        Quick question, should North Korea and Iran be allowed to develop icbm technology?

        No. They should be forbidden, as should the far more aggressive and destructive regimes in the United Kingdom, the USA and Israel.

        And why are you coupling North Korea and Iran together?

        • The Al1en 5.1.1.1

          “No. They should be forbidden,”

          Excellent. Looks like consensus.

          “as should the far more aggressive and destructive regimes in the United Kingdom, the USA and Israel.”

          Horse and stable door, but not wrong.

          “Actually, it is a perfect summary. What part of it is unfair or incorrect?”

          No, it’s not nearly perfect as it fails to recognise the bizarre actions of the dprk regime, throwing the region and world into crisis, threatening thermo nuclear war every five minutes.
          Incorrect would be harsh, because it’s not really wrong, but I’d just add much more stuff to balance the clear anti us sentiment. Otherwise, given the alert levels across Asia, it looks a bit propagandarish.

          • ghostrider888 5.1.1.1.1

            from down on Beale’s Lee Street re NK crisis;
            -“America stirring up tensions”
            Kim’s response
            -“serve as a deterrent”
            -“Prompt US into negotiations”.

            interesting to see Nats “appeasement” pay-out to HNZ stock in Christchurch.

            Batty Bridges is “carefully considering these matters” re home insulation project dampening down in Miss September.

            Leaves Of Grass indeed while Zespri cannot export “organic’ crops due to a banned Chemical residue Brothers
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaves_of_Grass_%28film%29
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaves_of_Grass

            Peter Exeter on Cate Blanchett; “don’t sell yourself short” Walsingham

            Good to see the street protests whirring and the Dr is at last a “flagship show” for the BBC
            -Neil Briggs

            Shoot To Thrill,
            QCF

  6. johnm 6

    The Artist Taxi driver. Another dispatch from the U$K Austerity Class War.

    Hospital announcement about a Pig pushing performance
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b04ouW1veuI&list=UUGThM-ZZBba1Zl9rU-XeR-A&index=1

    BBC Sucks O Cocks News Friday 12th April http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBVBVuX4fqM&list=UUGThM-ZZBba1Zl9rU-XeR-A

    Turn up at thatchers funeral and turn your back on the bitch when it comes by. The pigs won’t be able to do anything about that kind of protest and it will spoil any shots the media publish of the “mourners”
    Thatcher, the only “person” to fuck more miners than Jimmy Saville.

    Jobs for Meena
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5FRHtI5vd4&list=UUGThM-ZZBba1Zl9rU-XeR-A

    Force-Fed UK Austerity
    http://rense.com/general95/forcefed.html

    Don’t forget! Yankee John and Cameron are Chums, they want to bring in the same cruelty and inhumanity to N$Z as is going down now in the U$K.

  7. Chris 8

    We are being dismantled and will be re-built with Chinese instructions.

  8. Chris 9

    bill english in Waikato Times.”It’s important that we do not rely on the Privacy Commissioner-the public needs to rely on everyone in the private sector to treat their privacy with respect”.What a sanctimonious hypocrite.I take it that that statement would not be applicable to p bennett!

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1

      Well, no, that’s why he said the private sector and not every sector. He’s building up more hate for the public sector.

  9. DH 10

    I’m not a Labour supporter as such but I was reading this commentary in the Herald here;

    “David Cunliffe: We all must pay tax – including multinationals”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10877012

    ….and what struck me about it is that Mr Cunliffe constantly gets himself and his party out there no matter what portfolio he holds. I’m aware of the infighting, ABC cliques etc, but he never lets the public see any of that. He speaks well, he’s positive and he promotes his party at every opportunity.

    That led me to thinking about the rest of Labour. How many of them do the same? I don’t watch much TV so I can only go by newspaper & online sources but the only other Labour MP who has appeared often in my own memory is Darien Fenton, who also seems to work pretty hard on pushing her portfolio. Sure the rest get their names in the ‘paper occasionally but not in the same manner. Those two get out there and say to the public “Vote for us” Most of the rest seem to play politics & wait for the media to come to them.

    What do others see? What MPs can they think of whose names regularly crop up in the media as promoting themselves and the party? Should they be more visible to the public?

    • Murray Olsen 10.1

      Cunliffe is so obviously more competent and willing to do his job than the others that it’s shocking. When I think of who some of the others actually are, and the antics of Mallard, Jones, Hipkins, etc, as well as the incoherent mumblings of Shearer, I think they should be less visible to the public. When they are visible, it’s not to promote any sort of left message anyway.

      • AmaKiwi 10.1.1

        Look at the number of List MPs on Labour’s front bench: David Parker, Arden, Cosgrove, Jones, and others near the top like Fenton and Little.

        I campaigned hard for MMP but I didn’t envision a Labour party headed by people who aren’t capable of winning an election!

        The Green MP’s are all list, but they are always out in public and campaigning constantly because the Green party members decide the ranking on the list. Labour should do the same.

        • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1

          Labour should do the same.

          Shit dude judging from last November, that’ll be fun getting through Congress this year.

  10. RedBaronCV 11

    Yeah I saw that article too and IMHO DC was right on the mark. I can see that hitting a clear note right across the local business community who are trying to compete with multinationals or provide services to them.
    How much will it take for those who vote for the Nacts to realise that the brand has been hijacked by offshore based interests and they need to reclaim their party? At least the old style Nacts used to rearrange the money between various groups of New Zealanders so it could be clawed back.

    As for Labour and greens using everybody they have, of course they should. A person or policy that resonates with one voter may not catch the attention of another voter at a different stage in life. I’ve noticed that about myself. At one point Steve Maharey made a one line comment, which I doubt if even he remembers but it showed where Labour stood on that issue in principal, but I found it reassuring – perhaps not quite the right word but best I can do.

    I mean, how much would it cost for Labour/Greens etc to say that post election they will submit to select committees all legislation that hadn’t gone before one so that everyone can have a say on all the things slipped through under urgency or at the last minute. It doesn’t mean that legislation will neccessarily be changed but at least it gets democratic review.
    In a similar vein they could promise a comprehensive review of any legislation where the select committee had no consensus and minority views. That would pick off the worse of the legislation passed on party colours.

  11. JustSpeak have produced a good infographic showing just how tough it is for young Māori, as JustSpeak say,

    “For every offence category other than “miscellaneous offences”, Māori have higher proportion of apprehensions leading to prosecution.”

    What a terrible indictment upon a group of young people in our country and for no reason other than the way they look – because sure as hell they won’t be checking whakapapa records will they.

    http://justspeak.org.nz/what-are-your-odds/

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/police-state-obvious.html

    • ghostrider888 13.1

      E tu whanau

    • vto 13.2

      They seem to be difficult stats to pull things out of. What would be additionally useful, following apprehension and prosecution, is conviction. Is this available? Would it change any conclusion much?

      I am sure the general thrust is right though – people are always basing things on race. Lordy knows when it will end. I suspect that end will come in quite a few more generations, if ever. Unfortunately.

    • joe90 13.3

      Where I live vto driving while brown guarantees police attention.

      • Murray Olsen 13.3.1

        Walking under the influence of pigmentation does as well. If you drive – the car is probably stolen. If you walk – you’re casing joints for a burglary.
        The saddest thing is that many Maori and Pasifika cops are complicit in this.

        • Colonial Viper 13.3.1.1

          Gotta do what it takes to be part of the gang.

        • rosy 13.3.1.2

          “The saddest thing is that many Maori and Pasifika cops are complicit in this”

          Suggesting class as well as racism is in play?

        • North 13.3.1.3

          That is true Olsen. I’m in a position engaged with “the law” to see that virtually on a daily basis.

          The Maori/Poly cops who do it are in my personal experience 99% good people, but still it happens. You’re trained to understand that your own people are dodgy. It’s not explicit training. It’s more an attitude passed down from on high.

          That’s why I lament about the prospects of post-colonialism ever, ever getting beyond post-colonialism. And of course the bastard reality of life for non-pakeha sharpens the self-fulfilling phenomenon.

  12. joe90 15

    Laal – Vo Jang

    On the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices of the people of Pakistan in the struggle against extremism.

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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