In Terry Pratchett’s disc world books, dwarfs are very keen on rats. I think as I read Jingo at the moment, that we should mine Terry Pratchett’s tales of Ankh-Morpork and surrounding fiefdoms, for good ideas for running the country.
Pratchett is sharp on identifying human behaviour and pretentiousness. He is subtle in revealing the impact of Lord Vetinari, a non-benign ruler who doesn’t make unreasonable laws that are only bound to be broken. (Such as prohibition of cannabis in NZ because some large offshore colonsingl entity has done so, although their previous foray into banning alcohol was a precursor to large criminal groups making billions and funding the training of large family businesses in extortion and other parasitic endeavours.)
We might as well throw out the learned university tomes about economics and politics, as the practitioners just flick through these to the exciting bits where they can read about how to make money (and get beautiful women – don’t know why I put that in as I have never seen that in a textbook). Go for Terry Pratchett, he may be losing it, but then he had more of it than most of us at the beginning so he’s just coming to our level.
And we are such a funny little country that I call on a NZ author to write a series based on us and become a well-loved subject for laughs around the world like Terry’s books. I have been looking at Tom Scott’s early book about his Muldoon days which is very good. But the people’s war and peace is what I’m thinking of, with us all being in as bit players. With some good guys that we can warm to.
And some weirdos like Constable Downspout who is a gargoyle, valued for his ability to keep unblinking watch on street activity, and his simple dietary wants such as regular water and anything else that passes his eyes. Messages sent to him have to be protected from being eaten, or the pigeon that brings them. As Sergeant Detritus the troll points out, after all he is a gargoyle and he finks it’s his lunch. So pigeons and rats?
I wondered what the cryptic “Om” in your comment in reply to mine on the C Hauti thread was about. Now I’m left wondering whether it was a shared joke or a sly dig. Oh no! Paranoia. đ
ghost888
Thanks for the link – it’s long and I haven’t finished yet. I liked this bit from the screed on the dwarfs beginnings. The geode hatched and from it emerged two brothers. One left the cave and saw the sky; he was the first Man and he was enlightened. The other went deeper into the cave; he was the first Dwarf, and he was endarkened.
NZ isn’t so much Pratchett as Tom Sharpe (not stoppard, my bad)- a set variety of characters who have varying degrees of incompetence and peccadillos, with a plot enlivened by antics so outrageously incompetent that (while they might make a good story) nobody would ever believe they could happen in real life.
Fuck sake, a nation-wide media assassination campaign to get to number 59 in the party list? A guy as “picturesque” as Gilmore or Banks?
A curious thing was heard on te wireless Sunday pm which related to an interest in maoridom and its relations with others that I have. The debate at Vic University about the consttitution etc and in particular whether a republic should be chosen in replacement of the monarchy had four people, I imagine of high calibre in these matters, debating this. One was a professor, another another academic, another a law firm partner and another a can’t remember.
The host, a Simon Price i think, asked a question around how the Treaty fits within such a particular question. Every single one of the guests refused to comment. The audience uttered a nervous giggle.
I found this very telling. Whenever issues are raised around here of this world and its issues the accusation of being racist comes out pretty damn quick. Like a knee-jerk reaction. It is as if we are not permitted to question things in this arena, that it is taboo, that certain people are not qualified or of the correct race or ‘status’ to raise issues that are of concern to them. This claim is made by many people in New Zealand (that they are accused of being racist for simply talking race).
This radio debate seemed to pretty strongly confirm this bias in our society. Nobody would dare utter their view. Every single one of the four people were too scared. It was abundantly clear. It was further reinforced by the nervous laughter in the crowd. They risked being labelled for expressing their view.
New Zealand in this regard is immature and needs to grow up.
Did the panelists express why they wouldn’t comment?
Vto, it’s not an issue of not being allowed to raise the points. It’s how it is done. Also, it’s not about the ‘race’ of the person asking the questions, it’s about their mana and their politics. Your politics on this matter appear to me to be against the interests of Maori and in favour of the dominant culture. That, IMO, is why you get accusations of racism.
I would quite happily debate and discuss issues around Te Tiriti with you, but I never get past the feeling that your feelings about the treaty are inherently detrimental for tangata whenua (and thus, IMO, for us all). I know you don’t like being seen like that, I believe that you genuinely care about the issues. Nevertheless, there is this sticking point, and until it is resolved I can’t see how the discussion you want can happen or move forward.
I also wonder if you would be better off being very up front about your politics in this, and not trying to make your arguments appear better to others than they are. Stand your ground, man (or woman) and say what you really want to (you can take that suggestion under advisement, because I know there are people here who like to smack others down rather than engage in open debate).
Hi weka. ” itâs not an issue of not being allowed to raise the points. Itâs how it is done.” Well I would have thought that a panelist discussion at Victoria University broadcast on nat radio about the consitutional arrangements of New Zealand at the behest of the Maori Party is the most apt place in the entire known universe for such issues to be raised. Yet it was politely refused and nervously laughed at as explained. Perhaps it is worth pondering as to the reasons why …………………………
The rest of your points concern me and that was not the point of my post. This is an issue that is frequenntly raised by many people – talk about race issues and be kneejerk labelled a racist. But seeing as you raise my particular penchant and manner a response is required…… I make a conscious effort to make my points clearly and succinctly. There is no motive. There is no tempering of my points to enhance some unspoken agenda. I make my points and stand my ground.
And yes sure, my posts, at times, do work against the current status quo of tangata whenua and the related issues. That is because I see further injustice arising (and we have had enough of that in this country) around te tiriti. I see imbalance in our society and that is unsustainable (not speaking of the obvious maori and colonisation imbalance which is rightly being worked on). It is also the nature of debate – debate is usually around aspects of disagreement not agreement so a certain picture bias will appear. That works equally with others in the other direction of course as is evident on here at times.
I dont understand your point about being upfront about my politics. I am. There is no secret.
Finally, a brief background picture. Our family background branches have three which have been subjected to colonisation, systems of apartheid, oppression and brutality to such an extent that two of the three were forced from their homelands. This all in the last about 10 generations. Two in far off lands and one in aotearoa. These issues are raw and real. On top of a simple curiousity, I would doing an injustice to my forefathermothers if a blind eye was turned to these issues, not to mention those who follow…….
And yes sure, my posts, at times, do work against the current status quo of tangata whenua and the related issues. That is because I see further injustice arising (and we have had enough of that in this country) around te tiriti.
What actually do you want to debate? Maybe a list would help.
The rest of your points concern me and that was not the point of my post. This is an issue that is frequenntly raised by many people â talk about race issues and be kneejerk labelled a racist.
Citation needed for the last bit. I talk about race issues alot and don’t get labelled a racist. Why is that? My points about you could easily apply to many others who wish to challenge treaty issues in ways that support the dominant culture at the expense of Maori.
Well I would have thought that a panelist discussion at Victoria University broadcast on nat radio about the consitutional arrangements of New Zealand at the behest of the Maori Party is the most apt place in the entire known universe for such issues to be raised. Yet it was politely refused and nervously laughed at as explained. Perhaps it is worth pondering as to the reasons why âŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ
Not having heard it I have no idea why and wouldn’t begin to guess. I’m not sure how or why you came to the conclusions you did.
I dont understand your point about being upfront about my politics. I am. There is no secret. I either missed or don’t remember your earlier comments on this topic. Lately I see implied argument rather than explicit. As marty suggests, why not make a list of the issues you want discussed, and then we will all know.
For instance
And yes sure, my posts, at times, do work against the current status quo of tangata whenua and the related issues. That is because I see further injustice arising (and we have had enough of that in this country) around te tiriti. I see imbalance in our society and that is unsustainable (not speaking of the obvious maori and colonisation imbalance which is rightly being worked on). It is also the nature of debate â debate is usually around aspects of disagreement not agreement so a certain picture bias will appear. That works equally with others in the other direction of course as is evident on here at times.
I actually don’t know what you are talking about there. What imbalance? What injustice? What picture bias?
btw, I didn’t suggest your arguments sometimes work against the current status quo of Maori (although I get that that is your intention). They appear to work against Maoridom in general.
The host, a Simon Price i think, asked a question around how the Treaty fits within such a particular question. Every single one of the guests refused to comment. The audience uttered a nervous giggle.
I found this very telling. Whenever issues are raised around here of this world and its issues the accusation of being racist comes out pretty damn quick. Like a knee-jerk reaction. It is as if we are not permitted to question things in this arena, that it is taboo, that certain people are not qualified or of the correct race or âstatusâ to raise issues that are of concern to them. This claim is made by many people in New Zealand (that they are accused of being racist for simply talking race).
Here is the link to the Constitutional Review series. Part 5. The question that vto refers to isn’t about the treaty. It is in fact asked by a member of the audience, John Ansell. You can guess the tenor of the question or hear it at around 44:45. The reason the the panelists don’t want to answer, and the reason the audience laughs, is because Ansell’s question is an attempt to distort the issues and hijack the discussion to suit his own agenda. The chair acknowledges this.
The panelists later do discuss some treaty issues, mostly to do with how the Queen took or didn’t take responsibility for ensuring the treaty was honoured.
Good on ya. Minor mistake but make no difference. The problem would seem to arise between us weka because I only heard the words, whereas you heard the words and all of this …
“itâs not an issue of not being allowed to raise the points. Itâs how it is done. Also, itâs not about the âraceâ of the person asking the questions, itâs about their mana and their politics”
We clearly see things differently.
I generally try to weed out those sorts of elementes whereas you want them to lead the way.
I’m a pakeha. I’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen about the Treaty, and even some who won’t. I’ll also listen to them. If the four people on the panel weren’t prepared to do the same, I have to wonder about their calibre.
“Whenever issues are raised around here of this world and its issues the accusation of being racist comes out pretty damn quick. Like a knee-jerk reaction. It is as if we are not permitted to question things in this arena, that it is taboo, that certain people are not qualified or of the correct race or âstatusâ to raise issues that are of concern to them.”
Playing the race card in the context of NZ’s constitution is about as honest as calling “anti-semite” to counter criticism of the Zionist state of Israel.
Maori did not cede sovereignty at Waitangi. The issue isn’t race, the issue is the dishonour of the Crown and parliament’s status as a de-facto government rather than a de-jure government.
I was reading about the three US women who’d been kidnapped for 10yrs. That was nasty enough but the story about the oldest is heartbreaking. Raped at school & made pregnant. Physically and sexually abused by mother’s boyfriend. On the day she was due in court to fight for her child’s custody she’s kidnapped & kept as a sex slave for the next 11 years. Multiple miscarriages, regular beatings, and the anguish of a mother who knows her child is probably lost forever as the years pass painfully by.
Makes you feel like crying. What a shitty, shitty, world this can be.
1 Cor. 12:4
For there are many different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works in all men.
7, now to each one the manifestations of the Spirit is given for the common good;
-the message of wisdom -metanoia
-the message of knowledge-semantic
-faith-perseverance
-gifts of healing-“heal thyself”
-miraculous powers-“gifts”
-prophecy-Plenty of that on The Standard (toasters talking without speaking)
-distinguishing between spirits-discernment
-speaking in different kinds of tongues-philology, linguistics, semiotics
-to Another, the interpretation of tongues.
“we all need a love resurrection, just a little divine intervention” from The Floating Opera at the End of The Road.
-John Barth
(Abandon Romanticism, amor fati).
it is indeed a sad case, and just the tip of the iceberg, DH. I have been pondering on whether to post on it, but I don’t want to participate in the MSM, US-centred sensationalism – so many awful things happening to people around the world – eg human trafficking of women for sexual slavery.
The accused in the US case, also abused the women and children in his family, and, apparently he also was abused.
There was a certain amount of jubilation when the women, and child, were first freed, but their suffering is not over.
And, as the guy got away with it, right under the noses of people looking for the women after they ‘disappeared”, it raises the question of “how many more”?
Yeah I had second thoughts too but the MSM hadn’t really made much of her, was usually referred to as the “third victim”. She’s not fashionable enough.
It is a depresssing problem. Many, if not most, of the 1-2 million maids working in Saudi Arabia are just slaves and no-one seems to give a damn about them. There’s some 45 on death row and it’s a safe bet none have done anything more than defend themselves or just become expendable.
NZ has it’s share, mostly prostitution related, the enforcement is inadequate and penalties far too low. There’s a lack of outrage, don’t know why.
The MSM focused mostly on the liberation story. It has tremendous appeal, and drew me in. The MSM tends to focus on individuals over context and the broader issues: the heroic women, the villainous abducter, etc.
However, normally, the MSM wouldn’t refer to the victims by name – they’d get name suppression. Apparently with this case, the names of the women had already been public knowledge from when they were abducted.
I think it is appropriate that the MSM doesn’t put the “third” woman under intense scrutiny, when she is dealing with such complex issues.
The issues that need to be addressed by the wider public, IMO, is how often such things happen, why it was so easy for it to go unnoticed, how it links in with domestic violence, etc.
At least they broke free. There are probably thousands in the USA still held against their will by kidnappers. Millions dissepear from the streets of the USA every day.
There will be a shift of the primary server over the next couple of weeks. Grrr.
The outage this morning was due to some kind of hardware fault at the server. It was the second one in as many months at the same system.
I realise that we are cheapskates when it comes to paying for these servers because having a low operational cost allows us to not be beholden to anyone. That in turn means that we have a lot of freedom to express opinion regardless who gets offended.
However I’m pretty sure that we can get better system stability without increasing costs at all.
I’m just peeved that I got woken up so damn early with a bleeping phone. I feel like an early awakened hibernating grizzly today… But mostly it was the lack of response that I found irritating. Freaking annoying when they have operators e-mails and a webpage that is meant to display the outages and ETAs.
Hosted overseas and hopefully hidden behind a CDN.
That way we don’t get hammered with excessive overseas bandwidth costs (ie the Southern Cross effective monopoly tax) from overseas bots and it makes it more interesting for the legal idiots if anyone wants to pursue a nuisance suit targeting the providers first (first Colin Craig et al would have to find the server).
The cost isn’t that much of an issue (because of the adverts on the site) except that I want to keep us from getting too dependent on requiring money. At the current cost of operations then we could probably subsist for a few years with just what we have in the bank right now. The ideal level of cost would be something that I could pay it myself without really noticing. That means that we could also fund out of voluntary donations which is mostly happened prior to putting ads on in 2010. We finally got back there at xmas.
The current issue is simply that the provider I picked, whilst usually pretty good as a platform, appears to have this bad habit of not noticing when their system jams. Of course these are for me unscheduled outages (unlike the ones I accidently create for myself) which invariably happen when I’m short of time to handle them.
But I’ve been testing a different provider since March. So it is time to move.
Sick and disabled on benefits, get ready for the long prepared, “FIT FOR WORK AGENDA”, prepared by the National led government, and going to be rolled out by Paula Bennett in the form of a new social welfare regime from 15 July 2013! Yes, the date is approaching fast, and in the background all is being prepared to get many of you, who are supposedly “locked into benefit dependency”, “assisted” get work out there, whether it is serving burgers and chips, pushing trolleys at supermarkets, cleaning, doing some office, factory or forecourt work.
The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Act is in core parts intended to offer the needed âframeworkâ for the UK style system in welfare and work capacity assessments done by selected medical professionals, that is intended to be introduced here in New Zealand as well. Parliament with the one seat NatACT majority government has hammered through the bill to become law.
To get an idea what preparatory work has been done by key leaders, appointed under this government in key decisionmaking and implementing roles in various state agencies, have a look at the following info. Here is an abundance of links or sources with info that can enlighten readers:
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/david-beaumont/2a/780/943
(Linked In page of Dr Beaumont, formerly also working for âAtos Origin Healthcareâ in the UK. Heâs been promoting the UK style medical and work capacity tests for many years; heâs also been advising MSD here in NZ)
http://www.healthworkforce.govt.nz/about-us/board-members
(Dr Des Gorman, well known from his advisory role to ACC for many years, and for some highly controversial recommendations. Heâs now also âbossâ of âHealth Work Force NZâ, set up to develop recruitment and training strategies for health sector employees in the NZ health sector)
So this shows you who is in place to execute the new regime that will affected many sick and disabled dependent on welfare. Being “sick” or “disabled” will NOT mean anymore, that you are not able to work. Already for the last couple of years many have been thrown off invalid’s and sickness benefits, for bizarre reasons. The pressure will be on, for you guys to go out and compete with the fit and healthy for the few jobs there are.
Maybe “look forward” to a nice job at the to be extended Sky City Casino then?
If there’s anybody left who still believes David Shearer will stand up to Key/Joyce on the Sky City 35 year rort, please listen to the Labour leader being painfully interviewed by Sean Plunket on Radio Live this morning:
Yep and I wonder whats going to happen when Key gets a 3rd term, the ‘sell it all we got a mandate. Yay come one, and all, you rich people NZ is for sale! I also wonder what the next polls will bring, In fact I dread to think what the next polls will bring!
11 people every week commit suicide in this country
NZ has the highest rate of youth suicide in the OECD
New Zealand’s suicide toll is 50 per cent higher than the road toll.
More New Zealanders under the age of 25 die from suicide than from all medical causes combined.
Suicides of 10-14-year-olds increased 60 per cent between 2007 and 2010.
New Zealand’s youngest known suicide victim was a 6-year-old.
Suicide rates of Maori and Pacific youth are 70 per cent higher than those of other young New Zealanders.
The most common age for Maori and Pacific people to take their lives is 15-19.
Source: CASPER (an organisation for those bereaved by suicide)
A 6 year old committing suicide – get your head around that if you can.
A hui in the deep south is being held to raise awareness of suicide prevention and we need to raise awareness, we need to talk about it and come up with strategies to help these (often) young people.
Our society is focused on the individual, on profit and exploitation, on capitalism and neo-liberalism and all of those factors contribute towards our appalling record in suicide.
The Maori youth suicide rate was 35.3 per 100,000 Maori youth population which was more than 2.5 times higher than non-Maori youth. (13.4 per 100,000)
It is too late to save them when they have gone – we need to save them NOW, we need to give people hope NOW and we need to talk about this disgusting blight on our society NOW. Do your bit and connect with those young people around you, your friends, your family, your whÄnau.
Could it just maybe be that depression and (unfortunately) the suicide that sometimes results is, in large part, a quite appropriate response to our social environment? Could it just maybe be that those we hold to be ‘well balanced and adjusted’ are in fact more psychologically askew than those we seek to balance and adjust back to a situation or perspective whereby they can cope or feel content with things?
I suppose the answer depends on whether you believe that most mental illness is principly biological in origin or hold that it’s essentially environmental. And also on whether you believe our society is healthy or not.
I probably agree to a point in regards to adults but I think youth are different in that they are inheriting the society we have created and I think there is an obligation on our part to help them at least get through to adulthood. That help is based upon giving them hope, personal esteem, and self awareness. The slant in the statistics where certain ethnic groups commit more suicide than others also needs consideration. Why does that happen? I have my views of course and the solution is not that palatable to most in this society.
I have the sneaking suspicion that the slant in ethnicities is confounded by a more extreme distribution in deprivation. A lot of stuff will come out in the wash when census totals are distributed so we have fairly accurate rates again (StatsNZ don’t issue population projections based on deprivation, AFAIK).
…mental illness is principly biological in origin or hold that itâs essentially environmental.
Generally it’s environment+genes, like most phenotypes đ
Depends on the condition though, schizophrenia is usually caused by specific collections of genes, while depression is pretty universal and triggered by environment, albeit with significant genetic components indicated by family studies in relation to severity.
As to your question, personally society is generally quite judgemental of those who are different, creating higher risks for poor mental health outcomes as stress can be a trigger for a whole range of mental illnesses, as well as the isolation/poverty that usually accompanies creating barriers to early intervention/treatment. It makes having a functioning, low barrier to entry, public health system vs the societal costs of mental illness rather important, along with public education at all levels.
Nick is highly sceptical about any psychology model systems/theories that look like they come from before the 90’s due to the long-tail of cargo-cult and pseudoscience psychiatry shit like Freud et al and vile offspring. Which sadly still stick around and screw over the mentally ill. Although PS-model seems to be more evidence based that it’s peers of similar vintage from a brief look.
What is really sad is that our recording of deaths probably understates the number of suicides. For example car deaths that are probably suicides are recorded as accidents.
My extended family has had to deal with suicide not once but twice so it’s something I find very difficult to even contemplate so briefly, IMO, youngsters taking their own lives is the result of despair coupled with the just-world notion and little or no appreciation of the finality of death.
A 6 year old committing suicide â get your head around that if you can.
Easy to do, if you’ve been in that position, and with children, it takes considerable pressure to cause that state of mind. Like constant bullying or familial abuse that is ignored by those in a position to do something about it…
It is too late to save them when they have gone â we need to save them NOW, we need to give people hope NOW and we need to talk about this disgusting blight on our society NOW. Do your bit and connect with those young people around you, your friends, your family, your whÄnau.
MoH’s been really pushing this via advertising, but frankly it’s not penetrating deep enough. Already found that out the hard way with former friends of mine, one who pretty much cut me off completely without seemingly realising the impact it would have on me and so is under sentence of “fist to the groin” if they pull any further shit.
And the worst parts are the constant hiding of suicides by the media, bar that of celebs and criminals of course and negative cultural attitudes to depression and suicide. I don’t know if schools have improved their actions towards childhood and teenage depression and it’s causes, but I’m not aware of much being done during my time in school. The odd assembly spot was about the sum total of it from memory…
“advertisng” is just lip-service; see the Road Toll, alcohol abuse, family violence, sexual abuse etc; it is all structural, that is why I loathe NGO’s and the “helpers” professions; they can all kiss my my firey ass.
Yep, he is strongly telling the government and business lackeys in Christchurch to take their proposed gigantic convention centre and covered stadium white elephants and shove them up the drainpipes.
It grates when business people rant that old lady ratepayers should pay for their business premises. Richie McCaw should be ashamed.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 11.1.1
Just watched Guy Standing’s Lecture in 2011 on The Precariate. The new dangerous class.
If this has not already been mentioned on the standard I highly recommend looking at it. Perhaps some of the right wing arrogant prats who visit this site may also like to have a look, if their pea sized brains can stand the strain they may learn something, as this could affect them.
Highly recommended
The guy’s brilliant!
Sums up perfectly the reason I’ll not vote Labour again (both Party and/or candidate) until they start showing signs of addressing the plight of the precariate, the “under-class” and the denizen. There are those amongst them that are doing their best I know but they’re not yet in the ascendancy.
Similarly, there are many in academia who’re well aware of the phenomenon, but who fail to challenge it at every opportunity – hats off to those that do!
Study shows UK Labour voters think poverty is a personal fault
seems like Labour Party leadership understand their supporters better than we think.
What the foundation seems to pinpoint is a major cultural shift. Almost half of Labour supporters â 47% â surveyed in 2011 said if benefits were not as generous, people would learn to stand on their own feet, up from 17% in 1987. Labour supporters also increasingly think that welfare recipients are undeserving â from 21% in 1987 to 31% in 2011. While the debates around welfare have shifted to the right, Labour supporters moved in greater numbers than those in other parties â with left-wing voters stressing personal agency and individual responsibility.
Depressing study. But I’d also like to know how today’s “Labour voters” compare with the past in terms of proportion of the population and demographic background. There appears to be increasing numbers of people disconnecting from the political process. So maybe the study is at least partly showing that a lot of people more sympathetic to those on low incomes, have given up on the Labour Party.
It could also be that people have given up imagining a better world; that they themselves feel squeezed and feel that if those beneath them get any relief it will only be at their expense. I note that they are concerned about child poverty, which is the only form of poverty, it seems, that is allowed oxygen.I find the bracketing off of child poverty rather sinister, since children’s poverty mostly follows from the impoverishment of their parents.
No one is educating people in left wing history and alternative political economics any more.
The only ideas which get aired are neoliberal ones of one description or another. Both UK Labour and NZ Labour offer few (if any) clear alternatives to orthodox economics ways of looking at the nation and too often buy into market mechanisms as the solution to societal problems.
And what about those roof painting benefit bludgers.
Yeah. I think you’re right. There’s no analysis of economic & political issues on mainstream tv and programmes like Q&A are useless for anyone trying to understand these things. Some good documentaries on YouTube, but who thinks to watch them?
And what makes up the bulk of primetime tv (outside of coooking competitions and middle-class home renovation shows)?
.
Renters
The Force
RPA
Strangeways
24 hours in A and E
Police 10 7
RBT….
All shows that demonise the poorest and most disadvanatged. If reality shows picked on the badly behaving from the middle classes and up they’d be sued.
No analysis of why people feel the need to get trolleyed, just entertainment by derision and hatred.
Yeah. I think youâre right. Thereâs no analysis of economic & political issues on mainstream tv and programmes like Q&A are useless for anyone trying to understand these things.
THIS.
Heck, these days you’re mostly only going to see doco’s about nature on the main channels, or “real life” stuff, rather than any serious social, economic or political doco’s. And if by chance we do see one, 9/10 it’ll be about some place else, rather than the pressing local issues.
And it’s all because the channels know simple, sensationalist pap sells…
To start somewhere, we could outline what a decent society, at the most basic level, would look like, and consider the steps we would need to take to get closer to it than where we are now. Why on earth are security of dwelling and a modest living income not included as human rights, for instance? I know I am dreaming, but I would very much like to see Labour frame things like this; ” We are going to do whatever it takes to achieve X”, X being stable, genuinely affordable housing for each and every citizen, or similar, rather than “We are going to do S, T and U, and X will result.” Recent history tells us that S, T, and U readily result in something other than X once the rapacious smell opportunity – for example the housing plan in the US that resulted in the sub-prime mortgage problem.
I would very much like to see Labour frame things like this; â We are going to do whatever it takes to achieve Xâ
You win votes by playing to peoples prejudices or self interest.
Our current lot of political parties know no other way.
I like Bill’s alternative – housing collectives which are suited to exist within a capitalist market model but internally are structured to work very differently.
You can also appeal to people’s better selves; that is what unleashes the creativity to make things happen. Mean prejudices have already gone too far in turning us into the kind of people we don’t like being.
To start somewhere, we could outline what a decent society, at the most basic level, would look like, and consider the steps we would need to take to get closer to it than where we are now.
Why on earth are security of dwelling and a modest living income not included as human rights, for instance?
Because we haven’t got a purpose to the economy and so it defaults to the purpose of profit and when what is needed goes against profit then it is cast as being bad by both the politicians and the economists (especially the ones on the political right).
@ Draco: surely we must reach the stage soon where even those who appear to be prospering get frightened by our hollowed out, rootless fake economy, and all that can result from this.
Defy the Will of the People! (Paraphased from Question Time Today.)
Judith Collins said today in answer to a Question, that the MMP Reforms would not be presented to the House this year.
Q:Why not?
A: Because there was not full Consensus.
Q: Who were the Parties not in Consensus?
A: There was not full consensus.
Q: Will the tag on seat (as in Act) still be there at the next election?
A: Yes.
It would seem that the Legislation would have to be in the House by end of May in order to pass in time.(Geddes I think.)
My favourite part? “Crime would be heavily targeted in all forms. All criminals would spend their days breaking rocks into smaller rocks for the standard eight-hour work day.”
The author is one Kurt Burrows. If he isn’t a prison guard I suspect he harbours fantasies of being so.
I refuse to click on any link to Stuff Nation, but must express my amusement at someone you describe as “libertarian” advocating for entire bureaucracies to be implemented just so convicted criminals can do completely unproductive work.
I had this weird idea that the country needed more skilled tradies. Train them up, get them out, give them a rebuilding job, keep them away from crime.
Thanks ianmac…. interesting that consensus is a necessary prerequisite…..I for one don’t agree with this as it effectively allows the ‘tail to wag the dog’.
What we actualy want and need is leadership, but of course we won’t get this from a NACT govt now or ever…..
Leadership smeadership. Get away from this archaic vertical organised labour nonsense. The future is horizontal consensus. As Pierre-Joseph Proudhon pointed out, there’s very little point in putting the workers, or anyone, in charge because you’re just creating a new ruling class who have no interest in dismantling the aparatus of government. Power corrupts.
Well now Helen Clarks government and John Keys government have matched each others bullshit and arrogance. Key will now sink to the depths that Clark did in peoples eyes.
New Zealanders voted in a referendum about MMP in 2011. Ignored.
New Zealanders voted in a referendum about the numbers of MPs in 1999. Ignored.
This is why politicians are held in such low regard.
The electoral system is not for the government to determine. It is for the people to determine.
Bullshit the lot. Clark and Key occupy the same shitbox and will each carry their smell together. Stinking pricks.
Clark and Key
Up a tree
Stinking up the neighbourhood
Poo-fucken-wee
Q.T;
English- “while in the top 5 (countries) least likely to fail, our debts are relatively high”.
Robertson on the HLFS (supported by Key) “40,000 jobs behind 2012 Budget target”
Joyce- “not growing them (jobs) as fast as we wish”.
Robertson- “above the worst-case scenario of the last Budget”.
Parker- “current account deficit amongst the worst in the world”.
-NZ non-trade-able sector down 6.4%.
I read that.earlier today. I could be up for it – would give it a go. I’m not much of a meat eater, but I don’t see insects as being any worse fodder than animals.
I tells ya Colonel, we are certainly watching the end metamorphosis pupae. Which reminds me, did ya see The Hellstrom Chronicle when we were young? Re-released last year.
I saw that on Breakfast tv this morning and the light hearted way in which is was received by the presenters. So I sent them this feedback via facebook.
Surprised they didn’t use it.
“With respect, hungry people being told to eat insects and you treat it like a reality tv show challenge.
These people are human beings and thus, by right, should be fed the same healthy food we as consumers throw 50% of away each week.
If the will were there, a way could be found of doing it.
Go on, eat an insect as a stunt, but at the end of the day, my money is on the bugs.
AL1”
Breaking News:
Sartorial elegance of the month has been displayed in the NZ Parliament’s Question Time today.
The ‘honourable’ Tony Ryall is seen, resplendent in pin-striped suit, lime green gingham shirt (possibly run up at short notice on “the wife’s Elna” after their table cloth was ruined by splashes of red wine), and a pastel blue polka dot tie.
Ryall wasn’t prepared to confirm whether or not his boxers were of checked pattern fabric or polka dotted.
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Graeme Edgeler writes –Â This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
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Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill â currently being pushed through by the ...
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Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxonâs management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last yearâs severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labourâs environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
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The Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
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Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. âOur Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
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Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
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Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
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The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĹ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĹ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĹ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sectorâs role in the export-led recovery of the economy. âI am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Governmentâs support for the revitalisation the sector.  "New Zealandâs wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. âThe inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. âMy meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
âNever again - No AUKUSâ was the message of the wreath laid at this morningâs national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now sheâs very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice â both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high schoolâs head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble. Â Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhireâs 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.  My World War I Poem  Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging.  Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihanâs gorgeous and sad debut KĹhine, Noelle McCarthyâs memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend NgÄhuia te ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australiaâs University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourneâs Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australiaâs inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and itâs now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this weekâs Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealandâs coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Leeâs spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammageâs Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australiaâs forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmersâs third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief â beyond the tax cuts â although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Leeâs recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmannâs defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Leeâs âforensicâ and ânuancedâ application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Itâs one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayersâ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of âsix decades of treacheryâ over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazineâs 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish Iâd writtenIf I wish Iâd written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
âThree Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.â ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunalâs report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallaceâs debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that heâs always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe itâs something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. Sheâs ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whÄnau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says âoutlook not greatâ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, itâs not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The âfinancial sustainability targetâ, which was âallocatedâ to Waitaha, is consistent with whatâs happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous governmentâs affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: Whatâs KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertsonâs valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwanâs semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules â and costs â that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didnât know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race heâd dreamed ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist NgÄhuia te AwekĹtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. Itâs not as if we havenât done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didnât say: âOh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.â No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarcticaâs glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
from the box;
“He’s not blessed with a lot of courage”…is Aaron Gilmore
Mobile IT technology is promoting curvature of the spine; 600,000 people in New Zealand may be affected.
Te Papa- “a fun fair”, “management have ripped the guts out of it”, “morale at an all-time low”.
and from the U.N re world food shortages; let them eat “insects”, Grasshoppers.
In Terry Pratchett’s disc world books, dwarfs are very keen on rats. I think as I read Jingo at the moment, that we should mine Terry Pratchett’s tales of Ankh-Morpork and surrounding fiefdoms, for good ideas for running the country.
Pratchett is sharp on identifying human behaviour and pretentiousness. He is subtle in revealing the impact of Lord Vetinari, a non-benign ruler who doesn’t make unreasonable laws that are only bound to be broken. (Such as prohibition of cannabis in NZ because some large offshore colonsingl entity has done so, although their previous foray into banning alcohol was a precursor to large criminal groups making billions and funding the training of large family businesses in extortion and other parasitic endeavours.)
We might as well throw out the learned university tomes about economics and politics, as the practitioners just flick through these to the exciting bits where they can read about how to make money (and get beautiful women – don’t know why I put that in as I have never seen that in a textbook). Go for Terry Pratchett, he may be losing it, but then he had more of it than most of us at the beginning so he’s just coming to our level.
And we are such a funny little country that I call on a NZ author to write a series based on us and become a well-loved subject for laughs around the world like Terry’s books. I have been looking at Tom Scott’s early book about his Muldoon days which is very good. But the people’s war and peace is what I’m thinking of, with us all being in as bit players. With some good guys that we can warm to.
And some weirdos like Constable Downspout who is a gargoyle, valued for his ability to keep unblinking watch on street activity, and his simple dietary wants such as regular water and anything else that passes his eyes. Messages sent to him have to be protected from being eaten, or the pigeon that brings them. As Sergeant Detritus the troll points out, after all he is a gargoyle and he finks it’s his lunch. So pigeons and rats?
that is Od, prism, I was saving Omnianism for Clockie…but there you are. đ (ps, I haven’t read the books, time is fleeting, unless “presencing”)
I wondered what the cryptic “Om” in your comment in reply to mine on the C Hauti thread was about. Now I’m left wondering whether it was a shared joke or a sly dig. Oh no! Paranoia. đ
At least I now know what an Omnian is..
ghost888
Thanks for the link – it’s long and I haven’t finished yet. I liked this bit from the screed on the dwarfs beginnings.
The geode hatched and from it emerged two brothers. One left the cave and saw the sky; he was the first Man and he was enlightened. The other went deeper into the cave; he was the first Dwarf, and he was endarkened.
resonates
Ghost888
What is presencing? And what have you to say about eating grasshoppers and other insects for protein or perhaps rats and pigeons.
NZ isn’t so much Pratchett as Tom Sharpe (not stoppard, my bad)- a set variety of characters who have varying degrees of incompetence and peccadillos, with a plot enlivened by antics so outrageously incompetent that (while they might make a good story) nobody would ever believe they could happen in real life.
Fuck sake, a nation-wide media assassination campaign to get to number 59 in the party list? A guy as “picturesque” as Gilmore or Banks?
weeps
plural
a Bonfire of The Vanities, or, A Man In Full. đ
A curious thing was heard on te wireless Sunday pm which related to an interest in maoridom and its relations with others that I have. The debate at Vic University about the consttitution etc and in particular whether a republic should be chosen in replacement of the monarchy had four people, I imagine of high calibre in these matters, debating this. One was a professor, another another academic, another a law firm partner and another a can’t remember.
The host, a Simon Price i think, asked a question around how the Treaty fits within such a particular question. Every single one of the guests refused to comment. The audience uttered a nervous giggle.
I found this very telling. Whenever issues are raised around here of this world and its issues the accusation of being racist comes out pretty damn quick. Like a knee-jerk reaction. It is as if we are not permitted to question things in this arena, that it is taboo, that certain people are not qualified or of the correct race or ‘status’ to raise issues that are of concern to them. This claim is made by many people in New Zealand (that they are accused of being racist for simply talking race).
This radio debate seemed to pretty strongly confirm this bias in our society. Nobody would dare utter their view. Every single one of the four people were too scared. It was abundantly clear. It was further reinforced by the nervous laughter in the crowd. They risked being labelled for expressing their view.
New Zealand in this regard is immature and needs to grow up.
Did the panelists express why they wouldn’t comment?
Vto, it’s not an issue of not being allowed to raise the points. It’s how it is done. Also, it’s not about the ‘race’ of the person asking the questions, it’s about their mana and their politics. Your politics on this matter appear to me to be against the interests of Maori and in favour of the dominant culture. That, IMO, is why you get accusations of racism.
I would quite happily debate and discuss issues around Te Tiriti with you, but I never get past the feeling that your feelings about the treaty are inherently detrimental for tangata whenua (and thus, IMO, for us all). I know you don’t like being seen like that, I believe that you genuinely care about the issues. Nevertheless, there is this sticking point, and until it is resolved I can’t see how the discussion you want can happen or move forward.
I also wonder if you would be better off being very up front about your politics in this, and not trying to make your arguments appear better to others than they are. Stand your ground, man (or woman) and say what you really want to (you can take that suggestion under advisement, because I know there are people here who like to smack others down rather than engage in open debate).
Hi weka. ” itâs not an issue of not being allowed to raise the points. Itâs how it is done.” Well I would have thought that a panelist discussion at Victoria University broadcast on nat radio about the consitutional arrangements of New Zealand at the behest of the Maori Party is the most apt place in the entire known universe for such issues to be raised. Yet it was politely refused and nervously laughed at as explained. Perhaps it is worth pondering as to the reasons why …………………………
The rest of your points concern me and that was not the point of my post. This is an issue that is frequenntly raised by many people – talk about race issues and be kneejerk labelled a racist. But seeing as you raise my particular penchant and manner a response is required…… I make a conscious effort to make my points clearly and succinctly. There is no motive. There is no tempering of my points to enhance some unspoken agenda. I make my points and stand my ground.
And yes sure, my posts, at times, do work against the current status quo of tangata whenua and the related issues. That is because I see further injustice arising (and we have had enough of that in this country) around te tiriti. I see imbalance in our society and that is unsustainable (not speaking of the obvious maori and colonisation imbalance which is rightly being worked on). It is also the nature of debate – debate is usually around aspects of disagreement not agreement so a certain picture bias will appear. That works equally with others in the other direction of course as is evident on here at times.
I dont understand your point about being upfront about my politics. I am. There is no secret.
Finally, a brief background picture. Our family background branches have three which have been subjected to colonisation, systems of apartheid, oppression and brutality to such an extent that two of the three were forced from their homelands. This all in the last about 10 generations. Two in far off lands and one in aotearoa. These issues are raw and real. On top of a simple curiousity, I would doing an injustice to my forefathermothers if a blind eye was turned to these issues, not to mention those who follow…….
that is it. that is all.
The word you were looking for is ancestors or possibly forebears.
Its good that you are upfront vto
What actually do you want to debate? Maybe a list would help.
The rest of your points concern me and that was not the point of my post. This is an issue that is frequenntly raised by many people â talk about race issues and be kneejerk labelled a racist.
Citation needed for the last bit. I talk about race issues alot and don’t get labelled a racist. Why is that? My points about you could easily apply to many others who wish to challenge treaty issues in ways that support the dominant culture at the expense of Maori.
Well I would have thought that a panelist discussion at Victoria University broadcast on nat radio about the consitutional arrangements of New Zealand at the behest of the Maori Party is the most apt place in the entire known universe for such issues to be raised. Yet it was politely refused and nervously laughed at as explained. Perhaps it is worth pondering as to the reasons why âŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ
Not having heard it I have no idea why and wouldn’t begin to guess. I’m not sure how or why you came to the conclusions you did.
I dont understand your point about being upfront about my politics. I am. There is no secret. I either missed or don’t remember your earlier comments on this topic. Lately I see implied argument rather than explicit. As marty suggests, why not make a list of the issues you want discussed, and then we will all know.
For instance
And yes sure, my posts, at times, do work against the current status quo of tangata whenua and the related issues. That is because I see further injustice arising (and we have had enough of that in this country) around te tiriti. I see imbalance in our society and that is unsustainable (not speaking of the obvious maori and colonisation imbalance which is rightly being worked on). It is also the nature of debate â debate is usually around aspects of disagreement not agreement so a certain picture bias will appear. That works equally with others in the other direction of course as is evident on here at times.
I actually don’t know what you are talking about there. What imbalance? What injustice? What picture bias?
btw, I didn’t suggest your arguments sometimes work against the current status quo of Maori (although I get that that is your intention). They appear to work against Maoridom in general.
The host, a Simon Price i think, asked a question around how the Treaty fits within such a particular question. Every single one of the guests refused to comment. The audience uttered a nervous giggle.
I found this very telling. Whenever issues are raised around here of this world and its issues the accusation of being racist comes out pretty damn quick. Like a knee-jerk reaction. It is as if we are not permitted to question things in this arena, that it is taboo, that certain people are not qualified or of the correct race or âstatusâ to raise issues that are of concern to them. This claim is made by many people in New Zealand (that they are accused of being racist for simply talking race).
Here is the link to the Constitutional Review series. Part 5. The question that vto refers to isn’t about the treaty. It is in fact asked by a member of the audience, John Ansell. You can guess the tenor of the question or hear it at around 44:45. The reason the the panelists don’t want to answer, and the reason the audience laughs, is because Ansell’s question is an attempt to distort the issues and hijack the discussion to suit his own agenda. The chair acknowledges this.
The panelists later do discuss some treaty issues, mostly to do with how the Queen took or didn’t take responsibility for ensuring the treaty was honoured.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/lecturesandforums/constitutional-review
Vto, did you listen to part 3, Maori Aspirations, for perspective on the review and the treaty?
btw, here’s a hint if you want to avoid being called racist when discussing the treaty: don’t reference out and out racists like Ansell.
Shall I now take it that Ansell is representative of your politics and views?
Just bumping this up so people who read the convo yesterday can see that the issue being referred to was brought up by John Ansell.
Good on ya. Minor mistake but make no difference. The problem would seem to arise between us weka because I only heard the words, whereas you heard the words and all of this …
“itâs not an issue of not being allowed to raise the points. Itâs how it is done. Also, itâs not about the âraceâ of the person asking the questions, itâs about their mana and their politics”
We clearly see things differently.
I generally try to weed out those sorts of elementes whereas you want them to lead the way.
Will take this to today’s Open Mike.
Here http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17052013/#comment-634309
I’m a pakeha. I’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen about the Treaty, and even some who won’t. I’ll also listen to them. If the four people on the panel weren’t prepared to do the same, I have to wonder about their calibre.
“Whenever issues are raised around here of this world and its issues the accusation of being racist comes out pretty damn quick. Like a knee-jerk reaction. It is as if we are not permitted to question things in this arena, that it is taboo, that certain people are not qualified or of the correct race or âstatusâ to raise issues that are of concern to them.”
Playing the race card in the context of NZ’s constitution is about as honest as calling “anti-semite” to counter criticism of the Zionist state of Israel.
Maori did not cede sovereignty at Waitangi. The issue isn’t race, the issue is the dishonour of the Crown and parliament’s status as a de-facto government rather than a de-jure government.
http://www.treatyeducators.org.nz/qa11
Pretty angry about the extended licence for Gambling and the compensation to be charged if rules change.
Rod Oram says compo must be paid if changes made in the future..
Mai Chen said it would need 75% Parliamentary approval to validate compensation.
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20130513-1814-constitutional_lawyers_view_of_skycity_deal-048.mp3
Good discussion at Public Address.
I was reading about the three US women who’d been kidnapped for 10yrs. That was nasty enough but the story about the oldest is heartbreaking. Raped at school & made pregnant. Physically and sexually abused by mother’s boyfriend. On the day she was due in court to fight for her child’s custody she’s kidnapped & kept as a sex slave for the next 11 years. Multiple miscarriages, regular beatings, and the anguish of a mother who knows her child is probably lost forever as the years pass painfully by.
Makes you feel like crying. What a shitty, shitty, world this can be.
Epic,tetus
Eidetics
Lurings , cultural, historical, and psychological.
1 Cor. 12:4
For there are many different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works in all men.
7, now to each one the manifestations of the Spirit is given for the common good;
-the message of wisdom -metanoia
-the message of knowledge-semantic
-faith-perseverance
-gifts of healing-“heal thyself”
-miraculous powers-“gifts”
-prophecy-Plenty of that on The Standard (toasters talking without speaking)
-distinguishing between spirits-discernment
-speaking in different kinds of tongues-philology, linguistics, semiotics
-to Another, the interpretation of tongues.
“we all need a love resurrection, just a little divine intervention” from The Floating Opera at the End of The Road.
-John Barth
(Abandon Romanticism, amor fati).
it is indeed a sad case, and just the tip of the iceberg, DH. I have been pondering on whether to post on it, but I don’t want to participate in the MSM, US-centred sensationalism – so many awful things happening to people around the world – eg human trafficking of women for sexual slavery.
The accused in the US case, also abused the women and children in his family, and, apparently he also was abused.
There was a certain amount of jubilation when the women, and child, were first freed, but their suffering is not over.
And, as the guy got away with it, right under the noses of people looking for the women after they ‘disappeared”, it raises the question of “how many more”?
Yes, a shitty, shitty world.
Yeah I had second thoughts too but the MSM hadn’t really made much of her, was usually referred to as the “third victim”. She’s not fashionable enough.
It is a depresssing problem. Many, if not most, of the 1-2 million maids working in Saudi Arabia are just slaves and no-one seems to give a damn about them. There’s some 45 on death row and it’s a safe bet none have done anything more than defend themselves or just become expendable.
NZ has it’s share, mostly prostitution related, the enforcement is inadequate and penalties far too low. There’s a lack of outrage, don’t know why.
The MSM focused mostly on the liberation story. It has tremendous appeal, and drew me in. The MSM tends to focus on individuals over context and the broader issues: the heroic women, the villainous abducter, etc.
However, normally, the MSM wouldn’t refer to the victims by name – they’d get name suppression. Apparently with this case, the names of the women had already been public knowledge from when they were abducted.
I think it is appropriate that the MSM doesn’t put the “third” woman under intense scrutiny, when she is dealing with such complex issues.
The issues that need to be addressed by the wider public, IMO, is how often such things happen, why it was so easy for it to go unnoticed, how it links in with domestic violence, etc.
At least they broke free. There are probably thousands in the USA still held against their will by kidnappers. Millions dissepear from the streets of the USA every day.
There will be a shift of the primary server over the next couple of weeks. Grrr.
The outage this morning was due to some kind of hardware fault at the server. It was the second one in as many months at the same system.
I realise that we are cheapskates when it comes to paying for these servers because having a low operational cost allows us to not be beholden to anyone. That in turn means that we have a lot of freedom to express opinion regardless who gets offended.
However I’m pretty sure that we can get better system stability without increasing costs at all.
Thanks for sorting this, Lynn.
I’m just peeved that I got woken up so damn early with a bleeping phone. I feel like an early awakened hibernating grizzly today… But mostly it was the lack of response that I found irritating. Freaking annoying when they have operators e-mails and a webpage that is meant to display the outages and ETAs.
will it affect delivery of service? (I understand that you are busy, How’s it coming along with those notes Lynn?)
Are you hosting locally or overseas lprent? If you need hardware I can probably find something suitable that won’t cost you anything.
Hosted overseas and hopefully hidden behind a CDN.
That way we don’t get hammered with excessive overseas bandwidth costs (ie the Southern Cross effective monopoly tax) from overseas bots and it makes it more interesting for the legal idiots if anyone wants to pursue a nuisance suit targeting the providers first (first Colin Craig et al would have to find the server).
The cost isn’t that much of an issue (because of the adverts on the site) except that I want to keep us from getting too dependent on requiring money. At the current cost of operations then we could probably subsist for a few years with just what we have in the bank right now. The ideal level of cost would be something that I could pay it myself without really noticing. That means that we could also fund out of voluntary donations which is mostly happened prior to putting ads on in 2010. We finally got back there at xmas.
The current issue is simply that the provider I picked, whilst usually pretty good as a platform, appears to have this bad habit of not noticing when their system jams. Of course these are for me unscheduled outages (unlike the ones I accidently create for myself) which invariably happen when I’m short of time to handle them.
But I’ve been testing a different provider since March. So it is time to move.
The imaginary friend of Joyce et al is fixed.The conspiracy theorists are right
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/everything-is-rigged-the-biggest-financial-scandal-yet-20130425
echoed from a week or so ago Poission
Of course it’s all rigged, what do people imagine the *digital/big bang* environments were designed for!
Wait until further revelations/exposĂŠ
conspiracy theoriststhose who pay attention, turn out to be correct about!Sheesh, it’s not even difficult, it’s right in fron of the faces of those looking, and commentating!
As they say my friend – “Hidden in plain sight”…
Sick and disabled on benefits, get ready for the long prepared, “FIT FOR WORK AGENDA”, prepared by the National led government, and going to be rolled out by Paula Bennett in the form of a new social welfare regime from 15 July 2013! Yes, the date is approaching fast, and in the background all is being prepared to get many of you, who are supposedly “locked into benefit dependency”, “assisted” get work out there, whether it is serving burgers and chips, pushing trolleys at supermarkets, cleaning, doing some office, factory or forecourt work.
The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Act is in core parts intended to offer the needed âframeworkâ for the UK style system in welfare and work capacity assessments done by selected medical professionals, that is intended to be introduced here in New Zealand as well. Parliament with the one seat NatACT majority government has hammered through the bill to become law.
To get an idea what preparatory work has been done by key leaders, appointed under this government in key decisionmaking and implementing roles in various state agencies, have a look at the following info. Here is an abundance of links or sources with info that can enlighten readers:
http://www.nzohna.org.nz/uploaded/Dr%20David%20Beaumont%20New%20Horizons%2013%209%202012.pdf
(Presentation by Dr David Beaumont: âWelfare Reform in New Zealand â Relevance to the Workplaceââ as part of a forum called âNew Horizons: Rebuilding Health and Safety on Solid Groundâ; Christchurch 13 September 2012)
http://www.fitforwork.co.nz/dr-david-beaumonts-message-to-doctors-conference-medical-certification-can-be-fraught-with-problems-for-gps
(Presenting at the General Practice Conference and Medical Exhibition of 11-12 June 2011, Fit For Work Medical Director Dr David Beaumont emphasised the vital role of New Zealand GPs in âhelpingâ their patients return to work)
http://www.fitforwork.co.nz/david-beaumont-and-colleagues-presenting-on-health-benefits-of-work
(âNewsâ fr. âFit For Workâ, by Dr D. Beaumont, featuring Kevin Morris, Director, ACC, at a forum organised by AFOEM and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians; 12.05.2012)
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/david-beaumont/2a/780/943
(Linked In page of Dr Beaumont, formerly also working for âAtos Origin Healthcareâ in the UK. Heâs been promoting the UK style medical and work capacity tests for many years; heâs also been advising MSD here in NZ)
http://www.wellnz.co.nz/about_us/press_release_details.asp?pressID=36&bhcp=1
(On the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicineâs release of a new position paper, entitled âRealising the health benefits of work.â, 25.05.2010; see the known persons involved!!!)
http://www.healthworkforce.govt.nz/about-us/board-members
(Dr Des Gorman, well known from his advisory role to ACC for many years, and for some highly controversial recommendations. Heâs now also âbossâ of âHealth Work Force NZâ, set up to develop recruitment and training strategies for health sector employees in the NZ health sector)
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/faculty/staffct/staff_details.aspx?staffID=64676F72303130
(Dr Des Gorman, Associate Dean at the Medical School of Auckland Uni)
http://wellsaid.co.nz/inside-acc/prof-des-gorman-delighted-to-join-acc-board/
(now Dr Gorman is also sitting on the ACC Board, appointed by guess whom? Paula Rebstock! I am wondering, whether he is also still on the âNational Health Boardâ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QknNdOhOkr8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCecwuwCHb4
(2 older TV documentaries on ACC cases involving Dr Gorman, referring to âillness beliefâ and mental health as reasons for otherwise âphysicalâ suffering)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6930331/Rebstock-appointment-to-welfare-reform-board-concerns (stuff.co.nz on the appointment of P. Rebstock as Welfare Board chairperson)
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-medical-professionals
Paula Bennettâs speech to medical professionals, informing on the new welfare reforms, 26.09.12)
Professor Mansel Aylward â 2 links with 2 views on his work and medical âresearchâ:
https://hcml.co.uk/?p=200
http://downwithallthat.wordpress.com/category/dubious-academics-universities/cardiff-university/
http://www.gpcme.co.nz/pdf/GP%20CME/Friday/C1%201515%20Bratt-Hawker.pdf
(and let us not forget our âdearâ MSD and WINZ Principal Health Advisor, Dr David Bratt, who likes to compare benefit dependence with drug dependence)
So this shows you who is in place to execute the new regime that will affected many sick and disabled dependent on welfare. Being “sick” or “disabled” will NOT mean anymore, that you are not able to work. Already for the last couple of years many have been thrown off invalid’s and sickness benefits, for bizarre reasons. The pressure will be on, for you guys to go out and compete with the fit and healthy for the few jobs there are.
Maybe “look forward” to a nice job at the to be extended Sky City Casino then?
Thanks, xtasy, for so many useful links.
It does need to be watched, critiqued, opposed and publicised.
đż
I see all sorts of potential “fun” if they try this crap on me, particularly if it triggers suicidal ideation episodes.
‘
Nice job, thank you.
If there’s anybody left who still believes David Shearer will stand up to Key/Joyce on the Sky City 35 year rort, please listen to the Labour leader being painfully interviewed by Sean Plunket on Radio Live this morning:
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Audio.aspx
You can just click on the interview time (approx 10.10 to 10.20 a.m.) and listen to the emptiness.
Yep and I wonder whats going to happen when Key gets a 3rd term, the ‘sell it all we got a mandate. Yay come one, and all, you rich people NZ is for sale! I also wonder what the next polls will bring, In fact I dread to think what the next polls will bring!
Some statistics are brutal
A 6 year old committing suicide – get your head around that if you can.
A hui in the deep south is being held to raise awareness of suicide prevention and we need to raise awareness, we need to talk about it and come up with strategies to help these (often) young people.
Our society is focused on the individual, on profit and exploitation, on capitalism and neo-liberalism and all of those factors contribute towards our appalling record in suicide.
It is too late to save them when they have gone – we need to save them NOW, we need to give people hope NOW and we need to talk about this disgusting blight on our society NOW. Do your bit and connect with those young people around you, your friends, your family, your whÄnau.
Do it NOW.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8667621/Maori-suicide-rates-in-prevention-spotlight
http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/saving-people.html
Shameful, isn’t it Marty!
And its hardly *just snuck up* on anyone either!
Could it just maybe be that depression and (unfortunately) the suicide that sometimes results is, in large part, a quite appropriate response to our social environment? Could it just maybe be that those we hold to be ‘well balanced and adjusted’ are in fact more psychologically askew than those we seek to balance and adjust back to a situation or perspective whereby they can cope or feel content with things?
I suppose the answer depends on whether you believe that most mental illness is principly biological in origin or hold that it’s essentially environmental. And also on whether you believe our society is healthy or not.
Just food for thought.
an interesting point Bill.
I probably agree to a point in regards to adults but I think youth are different in that they are inheriting the society we have created and I think there is an obligation on our part to help them at least get through to adulthood. That help is based upon giving them hope, personal esteem, and self awareness. The slant in the statistics where certain ethnic groups commit more suicide than others also needs consideration. Why does that happen? I have my views of course and the solution is not that palatable to most in this society.
I have the sneaking suspicion that the slant in ethnicities is confounded by a more extreme distribution in deprivation. A lot of stuff will come out in the wash when census totals are distributed so we have fairly accurate rates again (StatsNZ don’t issue population projections based on deprivation, AFAIK).
Yep. Hope you’re right about better analysis in the census. Deprivation must lead to increased numbers feeling loss of hope.
see below (unlike the avoidance of the Tories).
Generally it’s environment+genes, like most phenotypes đ
Depends on the condition though, schizophrenia is usually caused by specific collections of genes, while depression is pretty universal and triggered by environment, albeit with significant genetic components indicated by family studies in relation to severity.
As to your question, personally society is generally quite judgemental of those who are different, creating higher risks for poor mental health outcomes as stress can be a trigger for a whole range of mental illnesses, as well as the isolation/poverty that usually accompanies creating barriers to early intervention/treatment. It makes having a functioning, low barrier to entry, public health system vs the societal costs of mental illness rather important, along with public education at all levels.
psycho-social model rules, imo.
Nick is highly sceptical about any psychology model systems/theories that look like they come from before the 90’s due to the long-tail of cargo-cult and pseudoscience psychiatry shit like Freud et al and vile offspring. Which sadly still stick around and screw over the mentally ill. Although PS-model seems to be more evidence based that it’s peers of similar vintage from a brief look.
“than”; thankyou.
d’oh
have a sandwich
What is really sad is that our recording of deaths probably understates the number of suicides. For example car deaths that are probably suicides are recorded as accidents.
My extended family has had to deal with suicide not once but twice so it’s something I find very difficult to even contemplate so briefly, IMO, youngsters taking their own lives is the result of despair coupled with the just-world notion and little or no appreciation of the finality of death.
Easy to do, if you’ve been in that position, and with children, it takes considerable pressure to cause that state of mind. Like constant bullying or familial abuse that is ignored by those in a position to do something about it…
MoH’s been really pushing this via advertising, but frankly it’s not penetrating deep enough. Already found that out the hard way with former friends of mine, one who pretty much cut me off completely without seemingly realising the impact it would have on me and so is under sentence of “fist to the groin” if they pull any further shit.
(full details on last years fun)
And the worst parts are the constant hiding of suicides by the media, bar that of celebs and criminals of course and negative cultural attitudes to depression and suicide. I don’t know if schools have improved their actions towards childhood and teenage depression and it’s causes, but I’m not aware of much being done during my time in school. The odd assembly spot was about the sum total of it from memory…
“advertisng” is just lip-service; see the Road Toll, alcohol abuse, family violence, sexual abuse etc; it is all structural, that is why I loathe NGO’s and the “helpers” professions; they can all kiss my my firey ass.
Nyet, adverts can be used to ethically educate others as long as they’re backed up with sufficient social services and resources etc.
Sloppy NAct government
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10883395
ffs!
That’s the Tories in a nutshell, trying the same, failed polices, over and over again, no matter what history or empirical research show.
National and Act work on ideology. Any research that proves them wrong will be systematically ignored.
Just saw Denis O’Rourke in action in the house. Keep an eye on him: he is a dynamic up-and-comer.
Yep, he is strongly telling the government and business lackeys in Christchurch to take their proposed gigantic convention centre and covered stadium white elephants and shove them up the drainpipes.
It grates when business people rant that old lady ratepayers should pay for their business premises. Richie McCaw should be ashamed.
We may not have the same guy.
you mean “yellow fever” O’Rourke?
Just watched Guy Standing’s Lecture in 2011 on The Precariate. The new dangerous class.
If this has not already been mentioned on the standard I highly recommend looking at it. Perhaps some of the right wing arrogant prats who visit this site may also like to have a look, if their pea sized brains can stand the strain they may learn something, as this could affect them.
Highly recommended
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRNhtGtO9pg
The guy’s brilliant!
Sums up perfectly the reason I’ll not vote Labour again (both Party and/or candidate) until they start showing signs of addressing the plight of the precariate, the “under-class” and the denizen. There are those amongst them that are doing their best I know but they’re not yet in the ascendancy.
Similarly, there are many in academia who’re well aware of the phenomenon, but who fail to challenge it at every opportunity – hats off to those that do!
Study shows UK Labour voters think poverty is a personal fault
seems like Labour Party leadership understand their supporters better than we think.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/14/labour-voters-poor-study-solidarity
Depressing study. But I’d also like to know how today’s “Labour voters” compare with the past in terms of proportion of the population and demographic background. There appears to be increasing numbers of people disconnecting from the political process. So maybe the study is at least partly showing that a lot of people more sympathetic to those on low incomes, have given up on the Labour Party.
Just as the Labour Party has given up on them.
It could also be that people have given up imagining a better world; that they themselves feel squeezed and feel that if those beneath them get any relief it will only be at their expense. I note that they are concerned about child poverty, which is the only form of poverty, it seems, that is allowed oxygen.I find the bracketing off of child poverty rather sinister, since children’s poverty mostly follows from the impoverishment of their parents.
No one is educating people in left wing history and alternative political economics any more.
The only ideas which get aired are neoliberal ones of one description or another. Both UK Labour and NZ Labour offer few (if any) clear alternatives to orthodox economics ways of looking at the nation and too often buy into market mechanisms as the solution to societal problems.
And what about those roof painting benefit bludgers.
Yeah. I think you’re right. There’s no analysis of economic & political issues on mainstream tv and programmes like Q&A are useless for anyone trying to understand these things. Some good documentaries on YouTube, but who thinks to watch them?
Roof painters. Coke & popcorn. Jesus.
love your comments every minute đ
And what makes up the bulk of primetime tv (outside of coooking competitions and middle-class home renovation shows)?
.
Renters
The Force
RPA
Strangeways
24 hours in A and E
Police 10 7
RBT….
All shows that demonise the poorest and most disadvanatged. If reality shows picked on the badly behaving from the middle classes and up they’d be sued.
No analysis of why people feel the need to get trolleyed, just entertainment by derision and hatred.
THIS.
Heck, these days you’re mostly only going to see doco’s about nature on the main channels, or “real life” stuff, rather than any serious social, economic or political doco’s. And if by chance we do see one, 9/10 it’ll be about some place else, rather than the pressing local issues.
And it’s all because the channels know simple, sensationalist pap sells…
To start somewhere, we could outline what a decent society, at the most basic level, would look like, and consider the steps we would need to take to get closer to it than where we are now. Why on earth are security of dwelling and a modest living income not included as human rights, for instance? I know I am dreaming, but I would very much like to see Labour frame things like this; ” We are going to do whatever it takes to achieve X”, X being stable, genuinely affordable housing for each and every citizen, or similar, rather than “We are going to do S, T and U, and X will result.” Recent history tells us that S, T, and U readily result in something other than X once the rapacious smell opportunity – for example the housing plan in the US that resulted in the sub-prime mortgage problem.
it is all over, bar the shouting Olwyn; night.
You win votes by playing to peoples prejudices or self interest.
Our current lot of political parties know no other way.
I like Bill’s alternative – housing collectives which are suited to exist within a capitalist market model but internally are structured to work very differently.
You can also appeal to people’s better selves; that is what unleashes the creativity to make things happen. Mean prejudices have already gone too far in turning us into the kind of people we don’t like being.
Indeed. A persuasive, charismatic appeal to our more principled better selves could do it. Either Shearer or Robertson would be quite capable.
Agreed.
Because we haven’t got a purpose to the economy and so it defaults to the purpose of profit and when what is needed goes against profit then it is cast as being bad by both the politicians and the economists (especially the ones on the political right).
Sigh. One can but dream CV.
@ Draco: surely we must reach the stage soon where even those who appear to be prospering get frightened by our hollowed out, rootless fake economy, and all that can result from this.
A fair number of relatively wealthy people (and some extremely wealthy people) see the cliff that we are accelerating towards.
There doesn’t seem to be any real leadership around though, so they’re just going to hold on for the ride.
enough to turn ya’ green
Ardern in Q.T; “material deprivation from 15-21%” (I can read this sh*t after a dozen, why do they choose not to?)
thanks, halfcrown. keep those links coming. ideas definitely more than two cents worth .
Defy the Will of the People! (Paraphased from Question Time Today.)
Judith Collins said today in answer to a Question, that the MMP Reforms would not be presented to the House this year.
Q:Why not?
A: Because there was not full Consensus.
Q: Who were the Parties not in Consensus?
A: There was not full consensus.
Q: Will the tag on seat (as in Act) still be there at the next election?
A: Yes.
It would seem that the Legislation would have to be in the House by end of May in order to pass in time.(Geddes I think.)
OOps. In the Herald re MMP non action:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10883610
Stuff apparently has asked readers to make a Budget. Today’s answer was, well, let’s just say rather ‘libertarian’.
http://i.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/the-budget-your-10-point-plan-for-nz/8669819/My-NZ-Budget-A-radical-overhaul
My favourite part? “Crime would be heavily targeted in all forms. All criminals would spend their days breaking rocks into smaller rocks for the standard eight-hour work day.”
The author is one Kurt Burrows. If he isn’t a prison guard I suspect he harbours fantasies of being so.
Possibly Chester Burrows trying to hide his identity?
Or Greg O’Connor
I refuse to click on any link to Stuff Nation, but must express my amusement at someone you describe as “libertarian” advocating for entire bureaucracies to be implemented just so convicted criminals can do completely unproductive work.
I had this weird idea that the country needed more skilled tradies. Train them up, get them out, give them a rebuilding job, keep them away from crime.
Thanks ianmac…. interesting that consensus is a necessary prerequisite…..I for one don’t agree with this as it effectively allows the ‘tail to wag the dog’.
What we actualy want and need is leadership, but of course we won’t get this from a NACT govt now or ever…..
Leadership smeadership. Get away from this archaic vertical organised labour nonsense. The future is horizontal consensus. As Pierre-Joseph Proudhon pointed out, there’s very little point in putting the workers, or anyone, in charge because you’re just creating a new ruling class who have no interest in dismantling the aparatus of government. Power corrupts.
True! are you a secret, or not so, Anarchist Pop?
Well now Helen Clarks government and John Keys government have matched each others bullshit and arrogance. Key will now sink to the depths that Clark did in peoples eyes.
New Zealanders voted in a referendum about MMP in 2011. Ignored.
New Zealanders voted in a referendum about the numbers of MPs in 1999. Ignored.
This is why politicians are held in such low regard.
The electoral system is not for the government to determine. It is for the people to determine.
Bullshit the lot. Clark and Key occupy the same shitbox and will each carry their smell together. Stinking pricks.
Clark and Key
Up a tree
Stinking up the neighbourhood
Poo-fucken-wee
Proudly brought to you by the “Parliament is sovereign so it can do what it bloody well likes” crowd.
“New Zealanders voted in a referendum about MMP in 2011. Ignored.”
It wasn’t ignored at all. It asked if we should change, or stick with MMP. We voted to stick with MMP. We stuck with MMP.
The review and public submissions afterwards were not part of a referendum.
Also dropping to 99 MPs was asinine and good that it didn’t happen.
Q.T;
English- “while in the top 5 (countries) least likely to fail, our debts are relatively high”.
Robertson on the HLFS (supported by Key) “40,000 jobs behind 2012 Budget target”
Joyce- “not growing them (jobs) as fast as we wish”.
Robertson- “above the worst-case scenario of the last Budget”.
Parker- “current account deficit amongst the worst in the world”.
-NZ non-trade-able sector down 6.4%.
English- (on poverty relief)- “a highly targeted, practical approach” = minimalist!
WHO THE FUCK DO THESE FUCKWITS THINK THEY ARE KIDDING? ffs
Things have become so grim that the UN suggests westerners start eating insects:
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/eating-insects-could-help-fight-obesity-un-says-5436069
Yep. (grind ya’ teeth and wail a little; this is just the entree).
I read that.earlier today. I could be up for it – would give it a go. I’m not much of a meat eater, but I don’t see insects as being any worse fodder than animals.
crunchy; all the rage in S.E.A; eating on the wing.
If you want to fight obesity eliminate refined sugar and corn syrup from diets. Scrap artificial sweeteners. And give people some regular sleep.
I tells ya Colonel, we are certainly watching the end metamorphosis pupae. Which reminds me, did ya see The Hellstrom Chronicle when we were young? Re-released last year.
Good tip…
well, you know I AM (a servant) đ
I saw that on Breakfast tv this morning and the light hearted way in which is was received by the presenters. So I sent them this feedback via facebook.
Surprised they didn’t use it.
“With respect, hungry people being told to eat insects and you treat it like a reality tv show challenge.
These people are human beings and thus, by right, should be fed the same healthy food we as consumers throw 50% of away each week.
If the will were there, a way could be found of doing it.
Go on, eat an insect as a stunt, but at the end of the day, my money is on the bugs.
AL1”
left you a track on the “lost property” thread. đ
Very kind, but you’ll have to link me, cause I can’t see a lost property thread, my flame pated friend.
need warp factor 7
http://thestandard.org.nz/prwoperty-rwights/#comment-632885
“ya gotta be cruel to be kind”. U?
I see it now, on the fly past.
Breaking News:
Sartorial elegance of the month has been displayed in the NZ Parliament’s Question Time today.
The ‘honourable’ Tony Ryall is seen, resplendent in pin-striped suit, lime green gingham shirt (possibly run up at short notice on “the wife’s Elna” after their table cloth was ruined by splashes of red wine), and a pastel blue polka dot tie.
Ryall wasn’t prepared to confirm whether or not his boxers were of checked pattern fabric or polka dotted.
Wrong day – it’s Ryall though – so same shit different stink in the world of the superficial