Open mike 14/09/2010

17 comments on “Open mike 14/09/2010 ”

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1. freedom 1

   14 September 2010 at 7:40 am

   not a good idea It is our deecision to make, not theirs
   • Dave 1.1

     14 September 2010 at 8:22 am

     It would be nice to have a MEU down here for some exercises with our navy & army. If I recall, one of those fleets has no nuclear powered ships, as long as no large combatants (aircraft carrier, large cruisers etc) are with them, and would give our army a whole marine brigade to embarrass 🙂

     Haha if they wanted to make it their decision, I don’t think captain beaky would get in the way… Incidentally does anyone know when the white paper is being released?
   • Draco T Bastard 1.2

     14 September 2010 at 8:57 am

     Actually, we’ve always said that our ports are open to their ships – as long as they don’t carry nuclear weaponry or power. Their problem is that they refuse to confirm or deny such about any of their ships which gets an automatic refusal to allow their ships in our waters as we wouldn’t know if they’re breaking our laws or not.
     • Tigger 1.2.1

       14 September 2010 at 9:14 am

       Yep. Tell us what you’re packing or stfu. Our country, correct dictates we know what you’re bringing here.

       This article is worrying though. Gone by 2012 if Key has his way I suspect…
2. Pascal's bookie 2

   14 September 2010 at 8:37 am

   Interesting stuff here by the looks. NSA briefings on Af/pakistan/taliban related stuff from right after the-day-that-changed-everything-tee-emm.

   Some analysis from newshoggers here.

   Despite this, the Bush administration still got clear warnings from the Pakistani ISI that war would be a disaster. In a document dated 24th September 2001, Wendy Chamberlin, then US Ambassador to Pakistan, was told by ISI chief Mahmud Ahmed that he felt a breakthrough with the Taliban was near and that they might well hand over Osama bin Laden and others in return for not being invaded. He told Chamberlin that “a negotiated settlement would be preferable to military action”

   Also reminded at newshoggers that:

   “”One thing we never understood is that India has always been the major threat for Pakistan,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlain, now the president of the Middle East Institute.”

   hoocoodanode?

   How about we try competence, just for shits and giggles and see how it works out?
3. ianmac 3

   14 September 2010 at 10:15 am

   Mr Bumble Brownlie, 3rd on the Seniorority List, Minister of Earthquakes answered questions this morning on Morning Report. Or maybe he didn’t. Very hard to tell as he rambled on in stuttering half sentences and demanded (to demonstrate how much in control he was) that he be allowed to finish.
   If I was a casualty in Christchurch, I would be even more anxious about the “help” that was coming given Mr Bumble’s performance.
   • prism 3.1

     14 September 2010 at 12:23 pm

     Ianmac – Speaking on behalf of bumble bees, we are very efficient at what we do ie pollen collection and plant fertilisation. We are quite large and make a lot of noise but we get the job done, and work overtime into twilight to bring home the pollen.. We do have a weakness of getting trapped behind window panes and panic then, but if restored back to our environment we continue nonplussed.

     I am not sure what Brownlie’s natural environment is but if someone finds it perhaps they will release him from his present unsatisfactory endeavours to a greater task.
4. Carol 4

   14 September 2010 at 11:11 am

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4126410/Harawira-breaks-ranks-on-Foreshore-and-Seabed

   Maori Party MP Hone Harawira will not support legislation replacing the Foreshore and Seabed Act, Prime Minister John Key has confirmed.

   It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out – a safety valve for the Maori party? the beginning’s of the party fracturing? Or no substantial impact other than maybe marginalising Harawira?
5. prism 5

   14 September 2010 at 12:12 pm

   Philosophical thought. Last night I heard a radio doc on Uzbeck male habits. They have very stringent rules about what women can do. So to entertain themselves the men look for a young, effeminate, poor boy and buy or take control of him. They dress him as a girl and get him to dance and use him for sex.

   The Belgian Catholic church has reluctantly revealed it has been harbouring paedophiles sexually manipulative in every area of the church and all its children’s homes. (I would imagine that it is mainly men actively carrying out this while nuns would mainly be culpable through silence though aware of it). This in the same civilised, religious country that harboured a nest of sexual predators who locked up children, some of whom starved to death.

   It seems that vowing abstinence in sexual relationships and society not admitting sexual mental debilitation as a real and legitimate problem that needs therapy has a vile effect. The secrecy and the warped pleasure that is connected to aberrant sexual behaviour takes a terrible toll. Sunlight in regular doses is needed on this problem, and less pride and superiority in those who reach positions as leading figures and more understanding and human love of the kind called Agape, which is not erotic, needs to be shown to them.

   And erotic love should not be shunned as sinful in itself – there are a lot of prudes of both genders out there. People shouldn’t be diminished in standing or judged unworthy if they experience it ie Bill Clinton. A nation turned its attention from the running of the country to become agog because he had sex with a young woman not his wife. Hey that is soooo rare. Then he felt obliged to lie about it because of the weird mores of our society.

   antispam – moral. Would you believe it!
6. prism 6

   14 September 2010 at 12:49 pm

   The Australian competition authority has refused permission for Virgin Blue and Air NZ to work together. They say it will reduce some competition, though Rod Oram says that many major overseas flyers do an extra leg to NZ when in this part of the world and on marginal rates which result in reasonable fares.

   The truth probably is that it would help the two airlines to be in a stronger position and thus give Qantas heightened competition. Also it would be too advantageous for Air NZ which would be able to offer flights to Oz and then within Oz on Virgin Blue in one booking.

   That is what AirNZ was hoping for years ago when it obtained agreement from the Oz government for the right to fly on Oz domestic routes, the same as Qantas enjoys here. However the lobby for Qantas is so strong that this government to government agreement was overturned which, I understand, was conveyed rather contemptuously by an email. Then AirNZ was offered Ansett which would provide the domestic routes we wished. However the Aussies knew that Ansett was over-loaded with inefficiencies and crippling pension plans, virtually a flying elephant. The collapse of the world airlines market was the finish for Ansett, but the Oz government didn’t have to cope with the collapse, outcry about loss of important transport connections and infrastructure, shortfall on funds – we did. And we sure copped the spitting rage and blame.

   What a lot of duffers we are eh! Now Oz is trying it on again. Tilting the level playing field again. Bit like the apple debacle. Of course we can’t comment critically, it’s just doing business with the Aussies and we’re such friends aren’t we, we have to grin and bear it and talk to our friends again.
7. joe90 7

   14 September 2010 at 2:03 pm

   Now we know why Dr Woods got the job.

   Dr Woods has headed the NHS in Scotland since 2005.

   Earlier this year, he oversaw the axing of 1500 nurse positions in Scotland.

   At the time, he was asked by a Government committee whether it was possible to still provide quality health services with “significantly fewer” doctors and nurses.

   “Yes, we believe we can,” Dr Woods said.
   • Bill 7.1

     14 September 2010 at 2:36 pm

     And from late 2008…..NHS Scotland saves £600m and ploughs cash into frontline care…..Dr Woods said: “I think the report does reflect the very considerable achievements of staff throughout NHS Scotland. I would like to say right up front how appreciative I am of the hard work, commitment and dedication that underpins the performance which is described in the report.”

     My emphasis.

     I’ll just bet he was appreciative of the fact that staff achievements were all contributing to the principle goal, two years later, of laying off those self same staff.

     What I don’t quite understand is how ‘demolition kids’ can trot around the globe trashing swathes of essential services and directly contributing to numerous deaths in country after country and continue to get away with it. Why aren’t they in jail? And what is their motivation? It can’t be just money. Their salary packages mean that they have already accumulated more money than most of us will ever see. And yet they keep on doing it
     • joe90 7.1.1

       14 September 2010 at 3:06 pm

       I reckon they skip from job to job before they get burnt at the stake.
       • Bill 7.1.1.1

         14 September 2010 at 3:27 pm

         Aye well. In these days of the internet, I’d say we have a chance to ‘out’ the wee bastards and have them and their singed arses sent running for the hills. A reasonably well researched guest post or three dropped in at an appropriate moment….
     • Bored 7.1.2

       14 September 2010 at 3:20 pm

       There is an obvious degree of sociopathy or psychopathy in the nature of anybody who can make “hard” decisions like this whilst remaining immune and paid to do so. Its is interesting to note that “hard decisions” are made by those who themselves are insulated from the carnage, the real question in “hard decisions” is “who is it hard for?”

       Im with Joe, perhaps the pain should be shared out.
8. the pink postman 8

   14 September 2010 at 2:59 pm

   Todays news that the Tory government has appointed Kevin Woods to run our health service is bad,bad news. He belief that it is possible to cut doctors and nurses with -out compromising health services is scary.
   Where the hell do the Nats get these people.
   Lets hope Labour make this dreadfull apointment understood by the public. Lets hope they send him back to Scotland when Labour is returned next year .

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1. The Standard: posted on 13 September 2010 at 6:14 pm

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