Open mike 14/06/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 14th, 2016 - 92 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

92 comments on “Open mike 14/06/2016 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Paul 1
    14 June 2016 at 6:23 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    It was 7 degrees in Auckland last night.
    It was 3 degrees in Dunedin last night.
    It was 0 degrees in Christchurch last night.

    Not very warm to be sleeping in a car.
    Not very warm to be sleeping in a container.
    Not very warm to be sleeping in a garage.
    Not very warm to be sleeping on the street.

  2. ScottGN 2
    14 June 2016 at 7:36 am

    New Guardian/ICM poll has Leave pulling out to a 6 point lead over Remain in both online and phone polls.
    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/13/eu-referendum-leave-campaign-takes-six-point-lead-in-guardianicm-polls

  3. Sabine 3
    14 June 2016 at 7:42 am

    It appears that the public meeting of our dearest Ms. Bennet, Housing Mis Manager – MP National Party, Nick Smith – Aint no Housing Crisis here – MP National Party and Alfred Ngaro – Still only a List MP – National Party did not go quite as lovely as they thought.

    Anyone who was there could give us an update? 🙂

  4. Janet 4
    14 June 2016 at 7:50 am

    So why isn’t the cyber bulling case against Paula Bennet (beneficiaries details up on the Internet ) being prosecuted? After all, she bragged she’d do it again.

    • Sabine 4.1
      14 June 2016 at 8:15 am

      cause she is speshial, and from the National Party – the party of do as I say not as I do?

    • Gangnam Style 4.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:59 am

      Because she is part of the campaign to stamp out cyber bullying, white is black & black is white in topsy turvey Planet Key. I put up on Open Mike last night a couple incidents of Amy Adams (or her office anyway) leaking stuff to Whaleoil to ‘cyber bully’ Cunliffe, Amy Adams is all teary eyed about ‘cyber bullying’ at the mooment too. They think they are celebrities FFS.

  5. fisiani 5
    14 June 2016 at 8:47 am

    Interesting to hear Andrew Little say on Morning Report that there were enough houses in NZ to house the homeless.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201804381/little-sets-out-case-for-raising-refugee-quota

    • jcuknz 5.1
      14 June 2016 at 9:02 am

      I think there probably are if owners were not keeping them empty to save on wear and tear.
      Then what about the ‘P’ state houses which with a rub down of ledges be reasonably fit for habitation with a reduction in rent. I have rented both expensive and cheap places and one tolerates either depending on need at the time.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 5.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:16 am

      That there are enough houses is irrelevant because our own people either can’t afford to live in them, or they aren’t allowed to.

    • Richardrawshark 5.3
      14 June 2016 at 10:34 am

      There is, way more than the homeless.

      and if I was in London i’d be walking down some rich estate looking for the nicest home with swimming pool etc that’s empty and squatting it.

      If I was homeless in NZ there are some lovely beachfront homes on the North shore, I’d be squatting in the nicest land banked one I could find.

      If the government cannot do it’s job by ensuring demand in housing and rental accommodation is always in surplus so people can find a place to live like any civilized government would manage then i’d freaking well sort it out myself, trash the place, then move on to the next one till all those home owners got the message there empty houses will get trashed and stopped banking them.

      I bet if P cooks were breaking into empty landbanked houses cooking up and wrecking them, landbanking would disappear real fkn fast wouldn’t it?

      and where there’s an opportunity it’ll happen I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not thinking it now with the amount of empty homes having now been publically shared.

      • BM 5.3.1
        14 June 2016 at 10:43 am

        So you break into a house, which is probably got cameras or is security monitored and cook up P.

        You’d have to be one dumbest Mofo of all time to do that.

      • North 5.3.2
        14 June 2016 at 10:57 pm

        Yeah but if you went off on the squatting buzz the local cops would do you for burglary…….they’d protect the interests of the wealthy. It’s always been that way. Cops look after the interests of the wealthy. Cops serve the rich. And smash over the poor. As do judges. While prattling on about their love of justice. No. I see it every day. Been seeing it for 40 years. Judges look after their own three hundy a year. And their sense of superiority. It’s only when you get quite old like me that you actually see what’s been in front of your face for decades. Fuk’n sick ! And no respect for them. And they wonder why more perspicacious people than me very early on say “Fuck You !”

    • jcuknz 6.1
      14 June 2016 at 8:55 am

      If you believe that you will believe anything 🙂

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:51 am

      Well then, can you explain why it’s National and act that are putting in place psychotic policies and the Left that are against them?

      • Puckish Rogue 6.2.1
        14 June 2016 at 9:57 am

        Act is derived from Labour and National has been infiltrated by rampant lefties, hence why Nationals not removing WFF or interest free student loans…damn clever of the lefties I have to admit 🙂

      • fisiani 6.2.2
        14 June 2016 at 10:55 am

        I give you a complete list of National’s policies in every portfolio.
        Care to point out any policy therein that is psychotic.
        On the contrary it is self evident that progress is being made across all portfolios. NZ is now obviously a far better place than in 2008. Our economy is growing, Wages are far ahead of inflation, record numbers are employed.

        https://national.org.nz/plan/our-policies

        • KJT 6.2.2.1
          14 June 2016 at 11:18 am

          2008 was the bottom of a world wide recession.

          Imagine the shit we would be in if National had been the Government for the previous nine years. Tax cuts and borrowing.

          Median wages are down. Living standards for most are down. Quoting an average wage pushed up by 100k rises at the top end, while the rest are dropping, is a favourite right wing fudge.

          Also failing to mention that 1 hour a week, and zero hour McJobs, are now counted as employed.

        • jcuknz 6.2.2.2
          14 June 2016 at 1:01 pm

          Not sure what psychotic is or means but record numbers merely reflects the return of hard working kiwis who believe NZ is not as bad as where they were.

          Like Coleman trying to defend the neglect of the health service by quoting the increase in dollars allocated since 2008 which like most government pronouncements ignores true inflation, not the artificial cherry picking COI, and immigration increasing the need.

          For some, things are obviously better ,but not for those at the bottom of the heap not seeing their investment in property rising but having to live on the streets etc.

          • Stuart Munro 6.2.2.2.1
            14 June 2016 at 5:10 pm

            No mate – they’re leaving Oz because that fuckwit Turnbull is doing the same damage there Key has already done to NZ, so the job market is collapsing – and they have no rights to social welfare in Oz. Second class citizens cos our weak government wouldn’t protect our traditional equality there.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.2.3
          14 June 2016 at 2:39 pm

          Care to point out any policy therein that is psychotic.

          Every single bloody one of them.

          Attacking beneficiaries
          Selling state assets
          Subsidies to big business while undermining small business
          And the list goes on and on and on.

          On the contrary it is self evident that progress is being made across all portfolios.

          If what you’re after is increasing poverty and more and more failure by government then progress is certainly being made.

          Of course, the only people who want that happens to be psychotics but it does happen to be what National are achieving.

          Our economy is growing, Wages are far ahead of inflation, record numbers are employed.

          Once we remove the housing bubble and the spurt of economic activity caused by the Christchurch quakes we’ll find that the economy has been going backwards since 2008. The only people getting wages rises are in the top 20%. Everyone else is either stagnant or going backwards. Record numbers of people employed in part time jobs is a sign of desperation.

          All the indicators we have show that the economy and our society is going backwards.

          • KJT 6.2.2.3.1
            14 June 2016 at 9:42 pm

            Not quite correct DTB. The only ones getting pay rises are the top ) 0 .5% of wage earners, (17% pay rises) and Union members (2.5%).

            Though you could argue that the Institute of Directors and the Managers old boy Club/association, are Unions.

            Perfectly correct that any economic gains under National have been due to an Earthquake and speculation.

            More wealth leaves the country now, to bankers and finance, than all our export earnings.

        • Greg 6.2.2.4
          17 June 2016 at 11:56 am

          Wage increases are Nationals propaganda statistical fiction, most workers are lucky to get inflationary rises, a few might be lucky to get over 3% a very very few.
          Tourism industry is having a boom, yet according to Seek, its wage increases are only 0.6%.
          Its a recession time after winter.

    • Richardrawshark 6.3
      14 June 2016 at 10:37 am

      Fisiani is here again, you must love skating the thin line of getting banned.

      Cause your here again.

      • KJT 6.3.1
        14 June 2016 at 11:21 am

        I love Fizzer.

        Excellent satire, as always!

        I met a Texan while sailing in the Bay of Islands recently. Perfect stereotype of a Gun-tot-ng, kill the rag heads, return the Mexicans, Southerner.

        Reminded me of Fizzer.

    • Crashcart 6.4
      14 June 2016 at 1:35 pm

      I guess this just shows that these particular researchers have demonstrated that they have a sever lack of ability to interpret their data. Any conclusions, past or present, that they have come up with should be taken with a grain of salt.

      I can see why more conservative people would want to gloat over it though. I know I would if the shoe was on the other foot.

  7. Puckish Rogue 7
    14 June 2016 at 9:04 am

    The science is settled 🙂

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    14 June 2016 at 10:01 am

    Felix Marwick: Govt’s use of Crown cars during Northland by-election unethical

    A further analysis of recently released GPS data from the Government’s fleet of ministerial limousines is giving fresh evidence as to why, perhaps, officials really didn’t want their details exposed to public view. For not only does the data expose a pattern of repeated speeding infringements by the cars, it also gives some valuable insights into how they are used.

    It’s psychotic actions like this that really piss people off.

    • Richardrawshark 8.1
      14 June 2016 at 10:40 am

      No, you see Labour did it, so now it’s ok, apparently.

      /sarc

      Also on the grand scale of shit this governments been up to, this is a mere spec on the display screen to brush aside, so we can get a better view of the real snidey stuff they get up too.

  9. adam 9
    14 June 2016 at 10:02 am

    Did you just write an apologist piece for the misadventures in USA foreign policy?

    And you painted a social democrat as a extremist.

    I think you crossed some line advantage, not sure what that line is – but I think you crossed it.

    [lprent: You certainly did. Moved to OpenMike as being off topic. ]

    • Ad 9.1
      14 June 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Thought you moisties would just love that little Sanders tweak. 😉

      • adam 9.1.1
        14 June 2016 at 12:52 pm

        You just keep moving to the right, you natural home is so national.

        Wow on the sexism – I thought you clinton supporter opposed that sort of thing. Must have had you all wrong.

        [lprent: Ok, now I am moderating.

        Off topic. Moved to OpenMike. Banned for a week for being off topic, and attacking an author rather than their argument. You have been doing way too much of it.

        Next time I see you do a irrelevant diversion or a attack on an author without a argument about their argumenmt, you will get a three month ban. I’m getting tired of that again. ]

    • lprent 9.2
      14 June 2016 at 12:57 pm

      I think you crossed some line advantage, not sure what that line is – but I think you crossed it.

      Or using the razor, possibly you aren’t that nuanced or clear on how international politics has operated over recent centuries and how it now operates.

      Certainly your comment didn’t show any obvious familiarity with the topic, instead preferring to deal with a trivial aspect of it without even defining scarcity were talking about.

      Ad’s contribution was interesting. Your one demonstrated stupidity and the pig ignorance I’d expect at whaleoil.

      Good thing I was not in moderating mode when I read it..

      Btw: in my opinion, it’d be a close race between Trump and Sanders about who is the most ignorant about international politics. Having just one Woodrow Wilson in a century is more than enough.

  10. AsleepWhileWalking 10
    14 June 2016 at 10:06 am

    https://youtu.be/qMcYKbaEbt8

    “It was a terrible, turmultous time for us. We were being supeanared by the US goverment. We didn’t have confidentiality agreements with our employers because we were government employees…”

  11. Sans Cle 11
    14 June 2016 at 10:39 am

    Interesting BBC Radio Hardtalk episode (25 min) with Prof Peter Singer (philosopher).
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03xdkqs

    Talks (amongst many other things) about utilitarianism and equality, but is a realist and acknowledges that such idealism does not lead to redistribution across society.

  12. Dennis Merwood 12
    14 June 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Where to start with this sycophantic clap trap?
    I live in the US.
    I voted for Obama twice.
    More fool me!
    He has not done one thing I wanted when I voted for him.
    He has surely been Bush II.
    Lets start with……”That would be a legacy and role for the U.S. as useful for the world as Obama’s has been in domestic policy.”
    What has been Obama’s legacy and role in domestic politics?
    Lets start there…..
    I’m waiting with baited(!) breath.

    [lprent: Moving your topic to OpenMike. I suggest that you read the last section of our about.

    No – you must….
    Have you read this page? We must do nothing. The posters post on the topics they want to (with a few limitations from the sysop). If you really absolutely want your ideas to be heard, then start a blog and start learning to write. You can probably find a more compatible blog on our blogroll. Or you can comment on the posts that our posters write and follow our rather lenient rules.

    I’d suggest that you don’t demand that people talk on YOUR topic again outside of OpenMike. Authors set the debate. We then allow a wide latitude once debate starts, but it must start on the topic that the author addressed. The next time I see you deliberately try to divert a post, you will also get a holiday long enough to allow you to make your own outlet for your thoughts, and time to find out why simple minded ranting for a fool doesn’t gain an audience. ]

  13. veutoviper 13
    14 June 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I thought I was going mad – or a sudden case of dementia.

    On several overnight RNZ National hourly news bulletins and also on the first part of Morning Report, it was reported that Cameron Slater – and Carrick Graham – are being sued by three health researchers for defamation in relation to posts on WO. Then it went quiet with no further mentions.

    I tried to find items on the RNZ website and via Google on this earlier this morning without success. RNZ now has an item up on the website proving that I am not going mad etc.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/306338/health-researchers-sue-whale-oil

    As it is reasonably short, here is the article in full (minus photo of CS).

    Three public health researchers have filed defamation proceedings against the Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater and the tobacco industry lobbyist Carrick Graham.

    The proceedings were filed in the High Court in Auckland by Professor Doug Sellman from the University of Otago, Professor Boyd Swinburn from the University of Auckland and Shane Bradbrook, and relate to a series of blog posts and comments published on the Whale Oil website.

    Mr Slater and his site, as well as Mr Graham, were featured in a book by the investigative journalist Nicky Hager, Dirty Politics. [Photo of CS removed.]

    The book revealed Mr Graham was involved in the articles targetting the applicants.

    The case focuses on articles with a negative focus on public health experts and advocates, which the three applicants claim is still going on.

    Another case to keep CS occupied … [Edit – this issue is now being picked up by other media, eg Stuff etc.]

    This afternoon a case management conference is also being held in the Auckland High Court before Judge Asher re the ongoing case between Slater and Matthew Blomfield, with each of them representing themselves. https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/business/calendar/daily-lists/2Tue14062016.pdf

    A couple of weeks ago, Slater dropped his appeal against an earlier decision by Judge Asher in relation to this defamation case against Slater, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of today’s conference, although it may not be made public.

    http://www.defamationupdate.co.nz/sites/all/pdf/2014/Slater-v-Blomfield-2014-NZHC-2221.pdf

    • Rodel 13.1
      14 June 2016 at 4:48 pm

      Good. I’ve missed the slater…Chardonnay & schadenfreude sandwiches all round.

    • reason 13.2
      14 June 2016 at 10:51 pm

      well spotted veutoviper ……

      Nationals Dirty Politics attacks on health professionals ( and some police officers ), took place when the Nat Government was intent on ignoring this …….”Women, children and young adults experience more harm from others drinking” … and

      “It is evident that the burden of alcohol-related injuries and violence falls disproportionately on some population groups, for example those living in more deprived neighbourhoods, Māori, Pacific peoples, children and young people.” …and

      “It is clear that alcohol use in New Zealand is contributing to increased inequalities ”

      These Alcohol facts…. and another one hundred and one just like them were ignored by the nats in The New Zealand Law Commission report on New Zealand alcohol abuse:

      http://www.ahw.org.nz/resources/Briefing%20papers/2012/Policy%20Briefing%20Paper%20Alcohol%20Injuries%20and%20Violence%20final%20draft%2012.11.12.pdf

      and they also ignored the serious but simple recommendations to lower alcohol abuse contained in the report…..

      Now we are at the point in time in New Zealand where 50% of police work is domestic and family violence ………. much of it associated with alcohol.

      Key, Collins, Bennett, Tolley and that cow Adams all voted for pro-booze profits legislation.

      Adams is still fighting against advertising restrictions …….

      How much needless extra domestic violence and child abuse have the Nats been responsible for ??? .

      A couple of Sercos worth ?.

      • North 13.2.1
        14 June 2016 at 11:31 pm

        Even the Law Commission’s corrupted. It’s membership includes the pungently flatulent and spittle-ent ‘Wayne’ of some time TS fame. Whose wife got ‘appointed’ to the District Court bench a few years ago……..ha ha ha.

        Merit-Ocracy ?

        No. Old-Boy-Ocracy !

  14. Ad 14
    14 June 2016 at 12:32 pm

    http://www.roymorgan.com/morganpoll

    OK so it’s one poll, of course, but Australia is Labour’s for the taking …. if …..

    Voting intention:
    Australian Labor 32.5%
    Liberal-National 37.5%
    Greens 13%
    Independents 17%

    Two-Party Preferred:
    Australian Labor 51%
    Liberal-National 49%

    This is tight. But a win would be a great signal for us here.

    • Pat 14.1
      14 June 2016 at 11:37 pm

      a poll of one Melbournian has both parties equally disdained and is causing paralysis….

  15. ianmac 15
    14 June 2016 at 12:37 pm

    “Three top health professionals have lodged a defamation claim against blogger Cameron Slater and PR consultant Carrick Graham alleging a long running campaign against them on the Whale Oil website. ”
    Has this already been noted?
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/81040297/blogger-cameron-slater-faces-defamation-action-from-health-researchers

    • Rosie 15.1
      14 June 2016 at 2:37 pm

      “Has this already been noted?”

      Yep,

      by veutoviper at 13. Intriguing news. It sounds like the three academics have had enough of the continual slander and misrepresentation directed at them by whaleblah.

      I was always thought it was extremely arrogant or incredibly stupid, not sure which one, for whaleblah to continue with his attacks after Dirty Politics was published.

      • ianmac 15.1.1
        14 June 2016 at 3:10 pm

        Oops. Thanks Rosie. Surely you don’t think Cameron is stupid? Perhaps he has been promised protection from some elevated person. Ha!

        • Rosie 15.1.1.1
          14 June 2016 at 3:24 pm

          I’ve got to say I thought I was hearing things when I heard it on RNZ this arvo.

          Rancid lamp oil stupid? Nooooooooo, never. ……. 😀

      • weka 15.1.2
        14 June 2016 at 3:36 pm

        Good for them. About time more people started standing up and doing something about Dirty Politics.

        Lolz Graham thinking cupcakes.

    • McFlock 15.2
      14 June 2016 at 3:34 pm

      Give ’em enough rope… 🙂

  16. Ad 16
    14 June 2016 at 3:39 pm

    The losing campaign managers for Bush, Rubio, and Cruz walk into a bar, and dish it out on losing, on Trump, and on Hilary:

    http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/sad/

    You have to be a bit of a political nerd for this interview, but it’s honest and straight about The Game.

  17. weka 17
    14 June 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Can anyone tell me what the Greens’ twitter logo is about?

    https://twitter.com/NZGreens

  18. Adrian 18
    14 June 2016 at 6:00 pm

    [You’re currently banned. You’re welcome back next Tuesday. TRP]

    • BM 18.1
      14 June 2016 at 6:12 pm

      Prepare for the bold font.

    • mauī 18.2
      14 June 2016 at 6:29 pm

      You have a legitimate grievance and I’m sure many on here support you like I do.

      Probably the best thing to do is when you come back, do not comment on TRP’s posts or any guest posts (as TRP probably has moderator control over those too). That should improve your chances of not getting banned from the Standard. Such is life.

  19. Chooky 19
    14 June 2016 at 8:47 pm

    ‘Our Daily Brexit: ‘UK leaving EU could spell end of Western political civilisation’, EC chief’

    https://www.rt.com/uk/346523-brexit-tusk-civilisation-orlando/

    …”Deutsche Bank predicts the British stock market could actually benefit from Brexit, as a drop in the value of the pound would give a boost to UK exports.

    Although the bank forecasts a 5 percent fall in the FTSE100, this dip will still be outperforming the German DAX which will fall as much as 10 percent in the event of Brexit…

  20. North 20
    14 June 2016 at 9:17 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11656425

    What a fucking joke ! Two million shitty bucks ?

    Let’s not forget that at an earlier stage Teina Pora while out on licence had forbidden contact with a mate whom he’d met in prison…….who was probably a soul who helped Teina to preserve his sanity. Stopped him from topping himself.

    And then all the authorities, Parole Board et al, were clutching their fucking pearls because apparently Teina out on licence after 21 years had hooked up with some woman. Oh how fucking gross of that boy !!!!!

    You’re still treating Teina like a piece of shit you bastards. Ten, twenty million bucks wouldn’t be enough !

    And what of Super Detective Steve Rutherford ? Who DID IT to Teina. Living happily (not if he has a conscience) in retirement in Ohope or somewhere. On a goodish pension which probably exceeds 100 grand a year.

    I well remember seeing him in the public area of the Papakura District Court easily a couple of decades ago. Young greenhorn cops approaching him in utter supplication, genuflecting. And Rutherford accepted the adoration with a smug, self-satisfied smile. How many other people’s lives did this ‘Super-Cop’ destroy ?

    This beast who destroyed Teina’s life…….because the vanity of ‘Super-Cop’ over-rode all……even justice. A curse on you Steve Rutherford, ‘Super-Cop’. There’s much more than two mill’ allocated to you from when you did this to Teina and in the years ahead. Hope you feel ashamed man. Doubt it. You’re an unrepentant bastard. Shit karma to you man.

    • KJT 20.1
      14 June 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Makes you wonder how many others were “fitted up” that we do not know about.

      • Chooky 20.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 10:50 am

        I suspect Scott Watson is one….the water taxi driver said he did NOT deliver the victims to Watson’s boat, but to another…his evidence was ignored

        David Bain would be another….travesty of justice….his sister’s pimp mysteriously disappeared to Australia for the court case …also disappeared or destroyed was her notebook with her clients

        • KJT 20.1.1.1
          16 June 2016 at 7:57 pm

          Wondered about Watson when part of the evidence was that he was cleaning up the cassette tapes in his boat after a trip. This was considered suspicious?
          I read that when I was wiping down all my boat electrics etc after a long trip. As you do.

The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.