Open Mike 14/11/2018

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1. Ad 1

   14 November 2018 at 6:21 am

   Looks like Prime Minister may has got her Brexit deal.
   She’s called an emergency Cabinet meeting to get it signed off.

   That would be an impressive achievement for her, and will truly box her caucus opponents.

   https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/13/cabinet-members-called-in-to-sign-off-mays-brexit-deal
   • Dennis Frank 1.1

     14 November 2018 at 7:28 am

     An achievement, but how impressive remains to be seen. Tory leadership contenders will pounce on the deal like vultures, and their sharp beaks will tear off any shred that is a breach of UK sovereignty, and wave them at the public & media. Will the vassal state theory be validated? A cost/benefit analysis in caucus will just be the start, and the fate of May’s government will then be determined in the court of public opinion.
     • Ad 1.1.1

       14 November 2018 at 8:26 am

       Notably she is briefing each of her Cabinet individually.

       Corbyn won’t have an easy time of it.
       • Bearded Git 1.1.1.1

         14 November 2018 at 9:40 am

         She won’t get it through parliament.

         An unholy alliance of hard-Brexiters, the DUP, tory-Remainers, the SNP and most of the Labour Party will vote it down.

         Jo Johnson is sticking it to May at a Remain /People’s Vote event right now. This is a disaster for May who will be gone before Xmas.
   • Platinum Blonde 1.2

     14 November 2018 at 8:43 am

     Historians will not believe sheer ignorance of Brexit supporters
     Future chroniclers will in fact have to distinguish between three kinds of ignorance

     “And then there’s pig ignorance – the genuine hallmarked, unadulterated, slack-jawed, open-mouthed, village idiot variety”

     https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-historians-will-not-believe-sheer-ignorance-of-brexit-supporters-1.3695347
     • SaveNZ 1.2.1

       14 November 2018 at 10:51 am

       Sad though our political systems do not seem to protect the integrity of those systems as it seems clear in Brexit rules were broken, ethics questionable and nobody seems to be in jail over it. Just an enquiry and slap on the wrist is not exactly keeping the democratic process safe.

       We have donations scandals in NZ on tape, and yep, no criminal prosecution or any one interested in preserving the integrity of democracy either, in the face of all that free money.

       Then we have the women who put needles in the strawberries who faces years in prison in OZ, 8 years even for that Fonterra milk hoax who did not even do it.

       Just an example of how lightly we treat political crimes against other crimes that can effect the entire country or industry.
     • Ad 1.2.2

       14 November 2018 at 11:52 am

       If Cameron and May’s Brexit leadership leads to the gradual breakup of the EU, I suspect New Zealand will miss it when it’s gone.
       • SaveNZ 1.2.2.1

         14 November 2018 at 12:27 pm

         I’m for a revote of the Brexit referendum, not enough people voted and there was electoral tampering. Then see if same result when the people of Britain go in to vote on it, with their eyes open.
         • Kevin 1.2.2.1.1

           14 November 2018 at 2:08 pm

           Too bad.

           You get your chance to vote so should use it wisely. I didn’t like the last US election. Maybe we should have a re-vote on that and if I still lose, then another vote after that.
           • SaveNZ 1.2.2.1.1.1

             14 November 2018 at 2:48 pm

             Elections are different to a total and dysfunctional divorce based on phony pretences. And a huge number of Brits did not vote because among other things, the remain brigade told everyone they had it in the bag!

             Also if there is election tampering then not sure of the process but I don’t think the result is considered valid????
           • Gabby 1.2.2.1.1.2

             14 November 2018 at 7:14 pm

             You get another shot at that in a couple of years kevvy.
           • Morrissey 1.2.2.1.1.3

             17 November 2018 at 3:36 pm

             That “vote” was marked by massive disenfranchisement, voter suppression, voting machine “malfunctions” and gerrymandering.

             Are you pretending Trump and his gang were installed after a fair and transparent process?

             And no, I do not endorse the desperate Clintonista fantasy that “the Russians” put him in; it was all Republican Party dirty tricks.
     • Morrissey 1.2.3

       17 November 2018 at 3:26 pm

       AKA “the Epsom voter”.
2. Ed 2

   14 November 2018 at 6:34 am

   John Wight on Western Imperialism.

   Wight discusses Western imperialism and how ideologies of neoliberalism and domination have been inculcated to Western leaders in elite institutions of education.
   • Ed 2.1

     14 November 2018 at 6:37 am

     And if you thought that was good, I highly recommend you watch the whole show.

     As one commentator expresses it, this is an “amazing stream of awareness and consciousness here that exactly depicts the current socio-political and economic realities.”

     Open your minds.
     • Stunned Mullet 2.1.1

       14 November 2018 at 6:43 am

       Oh the irony.

       [On the assumption that’s to be read as yet another snide dig at another commentator, see below] – B.
       • Ed 2.1.1.1

         14 November 2018 at 6:54 am

         You would never listen to John Wight.
         Stick to Mike Hosking and Duncan Garner.
         They operate at your level.

         As John Wight says,” Ignorance is increasingly a choice in our world.”
         • Stuart Munro 2.1.1.1.1

           14 November 2018 at 11:32 am

           Keep it up Lord HawHaw – you wretched sell out.

           There is nothing left about supporting despots like Putin.

           [Drawing a line under this. I’m way over having to scroll past idiots, who in lieu of having nothing to say and nothing to share, slap their dicks on the table as though that should be seen as a contribution of some sort.

           You are one of a number who disagree with the arguments of viewpoints of Ed (or those he links to)? Then either offer a reasoned argument to support your perspective, or a thought out critique of why those people (and so their views) might be best considered as suspect.

           But as for the vacuous sloganeering, name calling and personalised attacks – take it to your facebook account or your twitter account or wherever that might be elsewhere. But stop subjecting readers of this collective and diverse space to it, day after day and (it seems) always as a predictable reaction to other commentators whose views you don’t share.

           ‘The Standard’ is for discussion and debate, not schoolyard or sandpit nonsense. Sort your crap out.] – B.
           • Stuart Munro 2.1.1.1.1.1

             14 November 2018 at 4:50 pm

             I have offered reasoned argument to Ed pretty damned often actually.

             Lacking the skills to support his views, he carries on regardless.

             The point is, they’re not his views – they’re copied and pasted from elsewhere, which is part of the reason he can’t defend them – he doesn’t understand them.

             I get it – you’re down with supporting despotic regimes. I’m not.

             I object.

             I won’t sit silently while Ed shills for this murderous dictator.

             Your crude crap about dick measuring is utterly false – when Ed posts about anything else I leave him alone.

             [Evidently you’re an idiot Stuart. Instead of taking the intelligent route, which would have been taking note and desisting from your crap in future, you’ve doubled down by broadening out your attack to include me. It’s an odd self martyrdom kind of thing to have done. But hey…

             You claim I’m “down with supporting despotic regimes”? Okay. You either provide a damned unequivocal link to be backing that one up. Or offer up a straightforward apology and retraction. You won’t be able to provide a link. And so, failing a retraction and an apology (and not some half arsed nonsense either), your summer break from ‘ts’ will be starting presently] – B.
             • Stuart Munro …

               14 November 2018 at 7:06 pm

               Bill we all know you’re a denialist.

               You’ve made multiple posts trying to cast doubt on the British case against Russia with respect to the Skripals. One quoted Craig Murray “of a type developed by liars” for example. No evidence has come to light suggesting any other chemical agent however, the British claim seems to have been factual.

               You made another post about the suspects visiting Salisbury cathedral, suggesting that their motives were altogether innocent, which seems to have been in error, as Bellingcat’s Russian colleagues The Insider were able to show.

               It would be fair to say that these statements of yours support Russia and the campaign of disinformation and propaganda that they have maintained since their embarrassment over MH17.

               I assert that Russia under Putin is a despotic regime – let’s go with Montesquieu’s definition: one in which rule is accomplished by fear. The murder of Politikovskaya was politically motivated and intended not merely silence her, but also like-minded journalists. A number of Russian journalists have been obliged to flee Russia in the years immediately after that.

               The murder of Nemtsov probably related to the position he was taking on the invasion of the Ukraine. An awful lot of people inconvenient to Putin are murdered – and inconvenient news organs like the Moscow Times have been shut down under his rule.

               Putin’s elections are invariably accomplished with large scale ballot tampering. My friends, collating reports from over twenty journalists right across Russia were able to demonstrate widespread fraud in his first election. Similar reports, if less comprehensive, are available on subsequent elections.

               These actions are those of a despotic regime even without the lengthy record of atrocities relating to the Chechen campaign. I have yet to see a word in print from you that qualifies your support of them, to balance your pro-Russian speculations and echoing of Russian propaganda in respect of the Skripal affair.

               Ed’s reposting of their propaganda and disinformatzia is not a public service, on the contrary, it is in service of a despotic regime, and undesirable.

               [Questioning an official narrative doesn’t imply support of anyone or anything. I can’t see any link in your comment to me voicing support of despotism Stuart. And I can’t see any apology in that there shopping list you’ve flung up either. So I won’t see any comments from you until after Feb 3rd] – B.
               • One Two …

                 14 November 2018 at 9:26 pm

                 Bellingcat

                 The Insider

                 My friends

                 Quite the hyporcrite aren’t you, Stu…
         • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.2

           14 November 2018 at 12:51 pm

           As John Wight says,” Ignorance is increasingly a choice in our world.”

           That’s an interesting way to put it and he’s right.

           As a hunter/gatherer a person couldn’t afford to be ignorant. They may not have known what we know today but they had to know everything that the group knew and to extend that knowledge.

           Today people get to choose to be ignorant and not to believe the truth and that’s causing all sorts of problems. Climate change denial, voting for schmucks because they’re blue, defending unethical behaviour because its legal etcetera.
       • soddenleaf 2.1.1.2

         14 November 2018 at 4:25 pm

         A national leader wants us to believe he sanctioned one nation because in their view they were leaders, invaded and destroyed another becuase evil existed they, but didn’t send a assassination squad to kill a man who just wanted to get married. Russia, Saudi, it’s all half glass full and whose pouring. Russia spent generations securing Crimea, blood, treasure, and only lost it for a few decades, what about any number of U.S. bases… etc.
     • Ed 2.1.2

       14 November 2018 at 6:57 am

       For those interested here is a link to one of the UK left wing best writers and thinkers.

       https://twitter.com/johnwight1?lang=en
       • Ed 2.1.2.1

         14 November 2018 at 7:08 am

         He is also a brilliant speaker.
         • Ankerrawshark 2.1.2.1.1

           14 November 2018 at 8:08 am

           He is a brilliant speaker. Thanks Ed
           • garibaldi 2.1.2.1.1.1

             14 November 2018 at 9:22 am

             Good on you Ed. Please keep up your good work. You are one of the precious few real lefties on this site.
             • RedLogix …

               14 November 2018 at 2:32 pm

               I stand on my record of arguing for freedom of expression here at TS; even when it’s annoying or steps over the line. It’s way better to SAY stupid things and get feedback on it, than to actually DO stupid things and find out too late what the awful cost was.

               Even as a moderate left winger I’m happy with most of Ed’s contributions; he flirts with the edges of reasonable sometimes but for the most part I put that down to youthful enthusiasm.

               What does irk me is seeing the personal vendettas that are clearly going on here; hell I’ve been on the wrong end of a few of them myself over the years. A small group gangs up on someone and reflexively shits on anything they say with no attempt at counter argument or informed debate. Tempers will flare from time to time, but unceasing repetition going turns this into an ugly form of bullying.

               Most of the time it just runs it’s course, but this one has been going on too long and everyone involved needs to read Bill’s very pointed moderation note above. Otherwise I can guarantee some well deserved ‘holidays’ will soon be taken.
             • mary_a …

               14 November 2018 at 3:02 pm

               Cheers for your comment garibaldi (2.1.2.1.1.1) and to those of Ed as well.
             • mauī …

               14 November 2018 at 5:41 pm

               Thank you Garibaldi.
             • beatie …

               14 November 2018 at 6:22 pm

               Yes, keep posting Ed. I value your input and am appalled at the attacks on you.
     • weston 2.1.3

       14 November 2018 at 10:16 pm

       Thanks Ed well worth watching didnt know about Renegade Inc till now John Wright straight shooter damn good stuff .
       • Ed 2.1.3.1

         14 November 2018 at 10:20 pm

         Worth following on Twitter.
         John Wight wrote a brilliant article on Remembrance Day.
3. Sanctuary 3

   14 November 2018 at 6:48 am

   Can I ask a favour? I am looking for background stuff on the US opioid crisis. I keep hearing that the likes of Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, are behid a huge a epidemic of addiction in the USA and I just want some reputable background information…
   • WeTheBleeple 3.1

     14 November 2018 at 7:02 am

     I’d try the agencies that are left to clean up the mess. They won’t pull their punches so there’ll be a bias, but it’s better than cover ups.

     I theorise the nasty right wing middle class are mostly just high. And when they clean up, oh, the shame.
   • Cinny 3.2

     14 November 2018 at 8:07 am

     Sanctuary,

     https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/drugs-opioid-oxycontin-drug-addiction-patent-new-drug-richard-sackler-a8529711.html

     https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/health/purdue-opioids-oxycontin.html

     https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/oxycontin-time-bomb/

     https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/netflix-documentary-heroine-highlights-opioid-documentary/
   • Sabine 3.3

     14 November 2018 at 8:19 am

     company sponsored over prescription of certain medication that in the end proved very addictive to certain people.

     take West Virginia

     https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/drug-distributors-missed-suspicious-opioid-sales-to-west-virginia-lawmakers-say

     https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=over+prescription+of+opiods+in+west+virginia&oq=over+prescription+of+opiods+in+west+virginia&aqs=chrome..69i57.9151j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

     trying to turn the tide with legislation

     https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/politics/justice-oks-legislation-to-reduce-opioid-prescribing-in-wv/article_e9331e45-90e7-50c4-b9d8-5c3e2f83d2ee.html

     document on how to turn the tide, large read

     https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdhhr.wv.gov%2Fbph%2FDocuments%2FODCP%2520Reports%25202017%2FProposed%2520Opioid%2520Response%2520Plan%2520for%2520the%2520State%2520of%2520West%2520Virginia%25201%252010%252018.pdf

     company says, surly not us

     https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/08/drug-crisis-distributor-apologizes-large-opioid-shipments/589760002/

     Qoute: Investigators discovered that a single pharmacy in Mount Gay-Shamrock, population 1,779, received more than 16.5 million hydrocodone and oxycodone pills between 2006 and 2016. In nearby Williamson, population 2,900, distributors sent almost 21 million opioids to two pharmacies during that same period.

     “How many other communities across the country have received millions more opioids than their communities could reasonably sustain?” Harper asked.

     Democrats and Republicans on the committee faulted the distributors for missing what they said were signs that too many opioids were going into the state. Quote end.

     it has been obvious for a while now that certain, especially poor areas, where literally flooded with pain killers replacing proper medical care. This has been ongoing for a while. Once these people are addicted they are addicted. Does not matter how you get on the juice, it matters if you can find a way to get of it.

     and just because you take away the prescription drugs does not meant you take away the addiction, so people now find other stuff to fix the need

     https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/22/west-virginia-saw-drop-in-opioid-painkillers-prescribed-deaths-rose.html

     however if you are really in need of pain medication you are now out of luck in many cases
     https://www.timeswv.com/news/chronic-pain-patients-say-opioid-crackdown-is-hurting-them/article_0418958e-54a0-11e7-907f-533b65b2b713.html

     The story repeats across the country.

     Overdoses killed up to 200 people a day in 2017 according to Study.

     https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/8/16/17698204/opioid-epidemic-overdose-deaths-2017

     According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 72,000 people in the US are predicted to have died from drug overdoses in 2017 — nearly 200 a day. That’s up from 2016, which was already a record year in which roughly 64,000 people in the US died from overdoses. At least two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2016 and 2017 were linked to opioids.

     reminds me of the seventies where one could not open a news paper or watch a news cast without reading / hearing of people falling of high roofs or being found dead in public toilets.
     Its a friggin mess, and just say no ain’t gonna cut. Heck they killed Roseanne on the “Connors’ show with an overdose, after she got addicted to pain killers after knee surgeries.
   • tc 3.4

     14 November 2018 at 8:29 am

     Look at veterans care, it’s federally run for ex service folk.

     Some have been trying to get a switch off opiods onto the growing THC/CBD based medications. Being federal that’s illegal so can’t be done.

     They’ve been collating some stats on their opioid addictions and side effects so check them out. Sorry can’t recall what they were called.
   • gsays 3.5

     14 November 2018 at 1:05 pm

     Hi sanctuary, you may have seen this or may not be what you are after.
     After watching Oxyana a couple of years ago, I can’t stop thinking about it.

     Grim viewing.
   • joe90 3.6

     14 November 2018 at 2:39 pm

     reputable background information…

     Red state white people are overdosing in record numbers.

     That is all.
4. Cinny 4

   14 November 2018 at 7:59 am

   THEY ARE GOING IN TO PIKE

   Thrilled for the families, so much respect goes out to them for never giving up. May they find answers and closure in due course.

   Kudos Andrew Little.

   According to police, whose forensic team will be going in… manslaughter charges could be a possibility.
   • Sabine 4.1

     14 November 2018 at 8:22 am

     this indeed is good news.
     I do hope this brings much needed relieve to their pain, and that hopefully they may lay their loved ones to rest.
   • Ed 4.2

     14 November 2018 at 8:35 am

     Wonderful news
   • Jack Ramaka 4.3

     14 November 2018 at 1:05 pm

     Hopefully Winnie’s going in first show JK how it’s done.
   • mary_a 4.4

     14 November 2018 at 3:12 pm

     Great news Cinny (4) … after all these years of being lied to, the cover ups etc, the bereaved families, friends and colleagues of the Pike River 29, will hopefully begin to have some closure early next year.

     Well done Andrew Little for demonstrating some humanity and respect, which since the tragedy has been sadly lacking.
5. marty mars 5

   14 November 2018 at 8:48 am

   The darkening clouds gather, startled and skitterish.

   “Donald Trump ramped up his spat with Emmanuel Macron, the French president, with a denigrating tweet in which he said Parisians had started to learn German during the second world war before the US saved them from occupation.”

   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/13/trump-macron-eu-army-german-second-world-war
6. ianmac 6

   14 November 2018 at 9:47 am

   If the Referendum on cannabis goes ahead there would have to be advance information on how decriminalisation would work.

   Dr Eric Crampton is Head of Research with The New Zealand Initiative. He suggests modelling such new laws be modelled on existing Alcohol regulations. Sounds good.

   “Want to make sure councils are able to set rules appropriate to their areas and implement smoking-ban areas around parks? Local alcohol policies do that for alcohol; councils can set up liquor-ban areas.

   A lot of the problems any regulated cannabis regime would need to solve have already been dealt with in our existing alcohol regulations. The rules may not be perfect, but they are the ones with which we are familiar….”
   https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/13/318388/crampton-a-framework-for-legalisation
   • Dennis Frank 6.1

     14 November 2018 at 10:52 am

     So “experts like Graeme Edgeler suggest the only sensible question to ask voters would be whether they prefer the current Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, or whether they prefer to allow the sale and supply of cannabis as provided for in draft legislation.”

     Is it really sensible to ask voters to choose between a law and a proposed law? To a lawyer, it may seem so. Anyone else could point out that only a handful are likely to have read each piece of legalese. So the percentage of the electorate able to make an informed choice would be in the region of 0.0000024%.

     The recent conference agreed the referendum ought to ask these two questions:
     1. Should adults be allowed to grow and possess cannabis for personal use?
     2. Should adults be allowed to purchase cannabis & cannabis products from licensed premises?

     It was organised by the Cannabis Referendum Coalition, a network of individuals and organisations campaigning for cannabis law reform, website here: http://makeitlegal.nz/?fbclid=IwAR3RkPfB7DzQVBNcr4uQU17ptF1PDWyYIZnzpPHtfP9SlFLiDcxtHbAdjfA

     I agree with the conference decision. Both questions are simple & concise. Voters are unlikely to have difficulty comprehending them. Sharing with friends is implicit in the first question, so maybe no need to specify that.
     • xanthe 6.1.1

       14 November 2018 at 5:56 pm

       “So “experts like Graeme Edgeler suggest the only sensible question to ask voters would be whether they prefer the current Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, or whether they prefer to allow the sale and supply of cannabis as provided for in draft legislation.””

       If that is really his suggestion then he is an idiot. because its actually TWO separate questions conjoined and those who dont like either option are abused!

       Most referendum that have been put to the public so far have suffered from this fault. (do you want more emphasis on the victims of crime AND harsher penalties comes to mind!)

       A REFERENDUM QUESTION MUST ONLY HAVE A SINGLE PREMISE !
       A REFERENDUM QUESTION MUST ONLY HAVE A SINGLE PREMISE !
       A REFERENDUM QUESTION MUST ONLY HAVE A SINGLE PREMISE !

       but yes there may well be several referendum run concurrently to allow for better understanding of the peoples choice
7. Dennis Frank 7

   14 November 2018 at 10:29 am

   Anyone who supports whistleblowers still has an opportunity to send in a submission to the review. Rare for me to be impressed by the quality of work done by our public service, but I give them 10/10 for their articulation of the issues identified by the process thus far: http://ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Targeted-Consultation-Summary-May-2018.pdf

   I suspect the Jami-Lee Ross saga points to a loophole that the review & consultation process haven’t noticed. A parliamentarian acting in the public interest, exposing wrongdoing in their own party, deserves a support mechanism. The status quo seems to enable their party to victimise an MP who blows the whistle on corruption. That’s so obviously wrong that I’m likely to make a submission citing the apparent loophole. I’d like feedback from readers on this – would particularly appreciate opinions on how real the loophole actually is…
   • Ad 7.1

     14 November 2018 at 12:14 pm

     Every entity and agency and department has their own policy.

     It’s not that little stoush public servants point to.
     It’s the MoT massive fraud in which people who spoke up were hunted down and thrown out, and not even the CE believed them.

     The net outcome of all of them is simple: you will never work in Wellington again.
8. Ad 8

   14 November 2018 at 12:12 pm

   Climate change will decrease fertility enough to lower the human population. Apparently.

   Derived from 80 years of birth and weather data out of the United States, the study confirmed a higher number of babies being born in August and September (nine months after the depths of winter), while fewer babies were conceived in summer due to higher temperatures.

   https://www.dw.com/en/climate-change-reduces-male-fertility-could-help-drive-extinction/a-46276058

   Winter just can’t come quick enough.
   • Chris T 8.1

     14 November 2018 at 12:16 pm

     Less kids means less emissions means slower climate change

     Win/win
     • In Vino 8.1.1

       14 November 2018 at 8:59 pm

       Fewer kids mean fewer emissions, which means slower climate change. FIFY.
       Win/win ???
       Do you have any idea at all of what we are facing? I suspect not.
       • marty mars 8.1.1.1

         14 November 2018 at 9:27 pm

         + 1. Yes exactly. He doesn’t.
9. Draco T Bastard 9

   14 November 2018 at 12:44 pm

   MPs’ property loophole ‘stings taxpayers’

   A loophole where MPs do not need to disclose investment properties owned in superannuation schemes – and claim up to $78,000 in taxpayer-funded subsidies each year – is “stinging taxpayers in the pocket”, according to a Government lobby group.

   A Herald investigation of property records for all 121 members of Parliament has discovered that six National MPs use their private superannuation schemes to own property that does not need to be disclosed – unlike assets held in trusts. This is because of an exception in the rules of the Register of Pecuniary Interests.

   Can the rest of us also get $78000 per year subsidies to pay off our mortgages?

   Or is that only for ‘special’ people?
   • Red Blooded One 9.1

     14 November 2018 at 12:56 pm

     Your link goes to a 2013 article, am I missing something recent that makes it relevant? Surely there are sufficient things to be outraged about the current opposition rather than dragging up articles from 5 years ago.
     • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1

       14 November 2018 at 2:14 pm

       😳

       Been awhile that I’ve forgotten to check the date.

       Still, I haven’t heard that this rort has been ended.
       • Red Blooded One 9.1.1.1

         14 November 2018 at 5:51 pm

         True enough, may well be still happening as the spot light conveniently gets turned off by the MSM and the rorting bludgers in the article will probably have found another way of doing it anyway.
   • mac1 9.2

     14 November 2018 at 1:11 pm

     Whilst I don’t like rorting and fiddling and pushing the legal boundaries, there is a reason why MPs should be paid well, and that they be accommodated for the special nature of their job which requires most to live in two places with huge travel and time commitments.

     That is, they are on a three year contract, renewable at the whim of others.

     But it’s the afterwards also that matters. I think of my local MP who had five years in the job, was not re-elected and never was able to get a job in his home town, being blacklisted by small town employers. He fell back onto being a small farmer, selling produce at his house gate. On the night he lost his seat someone burnt down his hay barn.

     He was a most generous man, and loaned to a constituent the necessary extra funds for this solo mother with two kids to purchase a modest home with the scheme introduced by Labour in 72-75 by Minister of Housing Roger Douglas.

     I met him again a month ago, a hale and hearty 90 year old, up with the play and with a passion for politics still. A truly Christian Sally gentleman, who suffered for his political beliefs and activism after being an MP.
     • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1

       14 November 2018 at 2:13 pm

       Whilst I don’t like rorting and fiddling and pushing the legal boundaries, there is a reason why MPs should be paid well, and that they be accommodated for the special nature of their job which requires most to live in two places with huge travel and time commitments.

       I’m pretty sure that paying people extra to prevent corruption doesn’t actually prevent any corruption. Those who are corrupt will still do it.

       Having to live in two places at once requires that the government make available housing in Wellington. The best way to do this is a government owned housing complex with no money paid out for rent to MP for housing. This would be cheaper and get rid of the rort.

       I think of my local MP who had five years in the job, was not re-elected and never was able to get a job in his home town, being blacklisted by small town employers.

       And hows that different from the rest of the precariat?

       He fell back onto being a small farmer, selling produce at his house gate.

       Ah, he was actually well off and could support himself anyway.
   • Jack Ramaka 9.3

     14 November 2018 at 1:17 pm

     Most MP’s are professional bludgers IMHO ?

     Wouldn’t get a job in the real world ?
10. Jack Ramaka 10

    14 November 2018 at 1:15 pm

    Hopefully Winnie’s going in first show JK & the Natzi’s how it’s done ?
11. CHCOff 11

    14 November 2018 at 2:23 pm

    Bin double entry accounting in Govt. organisation, to lead a creative capitalist renaissance of the collective value systems of NZ society & citizenry.

    NZ1st!
12. joe90 12

    14 November 2018 at 2:35 pm

    Imelda Marcos, come on down!

    Donald Trump’s deputy national security adviser is reportedly set to be fired following a dispute with the first lady, Melania Trump.

    The US first lady took the extraordinary step of publicly pushing for the move against Mira Ricardel, the top aide to the national security adviser, John Bolton, on Tuesday.

    […]

    Ricardel, who was hired in April by Bolton after he assumed the role of Trump’s national security adviser, reportedly clashed with members of the first lady’s staff over seating on a plane during Melania Trump’s recent trip to Africa.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/13/melania-trump-mira-ricardel-aide-to-be-fired-white-house-latest
13. RedLogix 13

    14 November 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Meanwhile in Australia this news will surprise many who haven’t been watching closely:

    Australia’s biggest oil and gas producer Woodside is now calling for a carbon price.

    “We need a price on carbon, we need to ensure that the most effective energy gets into the system,” he said.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-14/woodside-ceo-peter-coleman-argues-for-carbon-price/10494026

    This is how real change will happen. (And yes I’m sure you can find the self-interest in this, but that’s how things work in the world.)
    • Ad 13.1

      14 November 2018 at 2:54 pm

      Eyeroll from Turnbull.
    • Poission 13.2

      14 November 2018 at 3:04 pm

      Real change is doing something (as opposed to talking about doing something)
      such as the new LNG powered Russian aframax tankers.

      http://sovcomflot.ru/en/press_office/press_releases/item99167.html
14. RedLogix 14

    14 November 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Game changer:

    Researchers at the University of Cambridge have announced a new efficiency record for LEDs based on perovskite semiconductors, reportedly rivaling that of the best organic LEDs (OLEDs).

    The team stated that compared to OLEDs, which are widely used in high-end consumer electronics, the perovskite-based LEDs can be made at much lower costs, and can be tuned to emit light across the visible and near-infrared spectra with high color purity.

    The researchers have engineered the perovskite layer in the LEDs to show close to 100% internal luminescence efficiency, opening up future applications in display, lighting and communications, as well as next-generation solar cells.

    https://www.perovskite-info.com/cambridge-team-sets-new-efficiency-record-perovskite-leds

    Get that … close to 100% efficiency!!! This puts mono-crystalline silicon PV’s into buggy whip territory. OK so it’s lab stuff and probably a decade away from a product …. but this is how real change will happen.
    • Poission 14.1

      14 November 2018 at 3:08 pm

      Gee close to 100% efficiency that is well about as efficient as a plant.

      http://www2.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/PBD-quantum-secrets.html
      • Andre 14.1.1

        14 November 2018 at 3:50 pm

        That article is referring to the quantum efficiencyof one small part of the photosynthesis process. Overall, the efficiency of turning sunlight into useful chemical energy via photosynthesis is in the low single digits percentage. Real-life commercial PV panels convert incoming sunlight to useful electrical energy with an efficiency of 10% to 20%.
    • Andre 14.2

      14 November 2018 at 4:01 pm

      Uhh, that near 100% efficiency is for a perovskite LED turning electrical energy into light. Not quite the same thing as a PV panel turning incoming light into electrical energy. No reversibility going on in those processes.

      Some existing commercial LEDs are already very efficient. It was the development of a very efficient blue LED that paved the way for white LEDs (as well as a Nobel for the inventors). At the top end of efficiency, there have been lab demonstrations of white LEDs putting out over 300 lumens/watt (if there were no inefficiencies other than the phosphorescent conversion of some of the blue light to yellow light, the luminous efficacy would be around 370 lumens/watt). But the led bulbs for sale at Bunnings and supermarkets are sadly still only around 80 to 100 lumens per watt, which is still way batter than fluorescent bulbs at 35ish or incandescents at 12ish.

      https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/advanced-physicsprize2014.pdf
      • RedLogix 14.2.1

        14 November 2018 at 5:34 pm

        Yeah the article makes that clear, but it’s an impressive step all the same. It demonstrates what is possible
15. Puckish Rogue 15

    14 November 2018 at 2:54 pm

    Damn…

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/108586673/irish-politician-uses-womens-thong-in-parliament-sex-assault-protest
    • Sabine 15.1

      14 November 2018 at 3:25 pm

      sometimes you need to show the evidence.

      Quote pulled from the link provided by PR:
      “A 17-year-old is put in the dock for her choice of underwear, and she was open to meeting someone was the implication, she was asking for it,” Coppinger said.

      “Women in this country are getting a little bit weary at the routine victim blaming going on in Irish courts and the failure of lawmakers in this House to do anything about it.”

      Recently fake tan and even contraception had been used to discredit women who had the bravery to go to court.

      As she held up the pair of underwear in the “incongruous setting” of the Dail, Coppinger asked: “How do you think a rape victim or a woman feels at the incongruous setting of her underwear being shown in the courts, and when is this Dail going to take serious action on the issue of sexual violence?”

      She only held the underwear up for a brief moment, and the camera quickly pulled back from her as she did so. The use of props is against the rules of the Dail.”
    • Cinny 15.2

      14 November 2018 at 3:38 pm

      Wow PR, just wow.

      ‘A barrister in the Cork trial told the jury to look at the way the complainant was dressed. That the complainant was “open to meeting someone” because she was “wearing a thong with a lace front”.’

      ‘Recently fake tan and even contraception had been used to discredit women who had the bravery to go to court’

      That’s so messed up.
      • Puckish Rogue 15.2.1

        14 November 2018 at 4:09 pm

        Yup
16. Jum 16

    14 November 2018 at 3:03 pm

    ‘US Vice President Mike Pence has asked to be seated next to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a dinner on Wednesday evening at the East Asia Summit in Singapore.’

    What’s that about?

    My first reaction is to say: watch your back, Jacinda. Or am I being unfair?
    • Sabine 16.1

      14 November 2018 at 3:19 pm

      where will his wife be seated?

      poor Jacinda.
    • Cinny 16.2

      14 November 2018 at 3:24 pm

      1. He’s a racist who only wants to sit next to european looking people.

      2. Photo’s with Jacinda would be excellent publicity for Pence and co.

      3. He’s a dirty old man.

      4. He genuinely thinks she’s awesome.

      5. Something else
      • Sabine 16.2.1

        14 November 2018 at 3:26 pm

        1+5 my guess. But really i would like to know where “Mother” is gonna sit, considering that he does not want to ‘meet’ women alone without his wife nearby.

        But maybe sitting next to is OK?
        • Cinny 16.2.1.1

          14 November 2018 at 3:42 pm

          In that case it sounds like a very trusting relationship sarc.

          Thought of another option lmao

          6. Red is also his favourite colour.
          • Sabine 16.2.1.1.1

            14 November 2018 at 3:51 pm

            Billy Graham rule.
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Graham_rule
            • veutoviper 16.2.1.1.1.1

              14 November 2018 at 4:41 pm

              ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

              My conspiracy theory is that he is going to try to convince her of the error of her ways …. unmarried mother, etc, etc. Whereas she has a long list of subjects such as tariffs, trade etc. LOL. Could be an interesting conversation!

              I wonder if he knows that Jacinda is an former Mormon whose uncle is one of the only two NZers who has ever made it to being one of the General Authorities of the worldwide Church of Latter Day Saints?

              Aaaah – Pence is actually a born again Catholic … and yes, according to Wikipedia (yes, Adam, Wikipedia) he does follow the Billy Graham Rule.

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pence#Personal_life

              PS – if anyone wants to know, the PM has gone on this trip without baby or partner. Peters is joining her in Singapore or PNG, from his Paris trip, and Parker is already with her.
            • Andre 16.2.1.1.1.2

              14 November 2018 at 5:08 pm

              Random thought of the day: it seems the rule forbids dining alone with female family members as well as unrelated females not one’s spouse. Hmmm …
            • ScottGN 16.2.1.1.1.3

              15 November 2018 at 1:45 pm

              His wife apparently sat between him and Jacinda.
              • Sabine …

                15 November 2018 at 2:05 pm

                bwhahahahahahahahahahah
          • AB 16.2.1.1.2

            14 November 2018 at 6:03 pm

            7.) Pence wants to know – if he’s allowed to build a bunker in Wanaka
            and how much NZ citizenship costs
            • patricia bremner 16.2.1.1.2.1

              15 November 2018 at 5:35 am

              Pence considers her an enemy and is keeping his friends and enemies close.

              Saying ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’. imo
              • Sabine …

                15 November 2018 at 1:33 pm

                Pence is the guy who wants to be caliph at the place of the caliph.
                and the caliph needs to go on a tour in Missisipi to help a women win a seat and i think after the last two weeks he just needs to hear a ‘ lock her/him/it/something up” chant to feel all presidential again. I hear all that winning has him packing a sad.

                https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iznogoud
    • CHCOff 16.3

      14 November 2018 at 8:28 pm

      That’s major prestige for Jacinda and New Zealand you ninnys, at an Asian pacific regional meeting. What is this, National Party msm lite?

      For our place in the world, what would be most suitable & impactful for NZs image would be if Jacinda could be involved in regular global meet ups with Ivanka Trump and we have a relationship that way – that would give a very popular & memorable image over time in much of the world i would guess, two leading and talented young female ambassadors of their countries on the world stage.

      Yes, we like what New Zealand represents, what business links to that can we foster in our own society.
17. Puckish Rogue 17

    14 November 2018 at 3:06 pm

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108568669/chocs-to-drop-after-record-crowdfunding-campaign-for-kiwi-chocolate-company-ocho

    Well done Ocho, I normally buy Whittakers but I’m sure I could be convinced to try Ochos 🙂
    • Sabine 17.1

      14 November 2018 at 3:22 pm

      you should buy Ochos, and all other of the NZ artisan made chocolates. There are some really nice products out there and the variety of different chocolates is quite impressive. That does not stop you from also buying Whittakers 🙂 Just don’t ever buy chocolate melts, and cadbury, and Nestle produced chocolates. A lot of that stuff is compound chocolates (vegetable fat vs cocoa butter), contains very little actual chocolate but a lot of sugar.

      personally i am loving this story.
      • Puckish Rogue 17.1.1

        14 November 2018 at 4:11 pm

        Don’t worry my wife checks the ingredients list on all chocolate (especially the cooking stuff) we buy but (imho)the best chocolate is Makana chocolate in Blenheim 🙂
18. Adrian Thornton 18

    17 November 2018 at 3:07 pm

    Breaking News…

    CIA says Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi’s murder.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/cia-concludes-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-khashoggi-murder-report-181117004639742.html
    • Ed 18.1

      17 November 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Should be on today’s Open Mike
    • Morrissey 18.2

      17 November 2018 at 3:25 pm

      I knew it!

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