Open Mike 15/04/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 15th, 2017 - 112 comments
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112 comments on “Open Mike 15/04/2017 ”

  1. Carolyn_nth 1

    Interesting report by Britanny Keogh in today’s NZ Herald, about out Local Government NZ is consiering planning changes to limit damage to homes as severe weather events are becoming more common.

    They are considering restricting building within a certain distance from foreshores and in low lying properties close to rivers. Current owners of expensive seaview properties are a bit of a road block, as the value of their property might decline. And would they expect the state to bale them out if their homes were severely damaged or destroyed in a storm?

    LGNZ and insurers clearly know climate change is a thing.

    The Insurance Council had been working with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) for about three years to advise councils about the kinds of changes they could make to consent issuing processes that could help minimise property damage during severe weather events.

    That work was likely to increase given recent flooding events through residential areas alongside river banks.

    Lawrence Yule, the president of LGNZ and Hastings’ mayor, said research done by the organisation found weather events were becoming more severe and happening more often because of climate change and councils needed to respond accordingly.

    “Ultimately, it might actually lead to rethinking about where people are populated and live. We’re working on that but it has to be a long term strategy, it’s not a simple fix.”

    Plus
    Toby Morris cartoon RNZ.

    • Gristle 1.1

      In 2011 the Dunedin City Council proposed adding flood information to LIM records. This was not followed through due to current owners fearing property values falling.

      It’s too late, savvy buyers already factor this in when looking to buy a new property.

      The future of centres like Pauinui on the Coromandel must be called into question. Built on sand, less than 10m above sea level, surrounded by water on 3 sides: the roll of the surf is overwhelmed by the flutter of notes, mixed with the rending of designer t-shirts, as beach house values erode away.

      In Florida coastal areas insurance companies are stopping insuring properties for flood damage. This will become the norm here.

      The question of whether socialising this individual risk to Council or Central government becomes key. I would be very reluctant to see policies put in place where coastal defence and property restoration becomes the norm. Given our current knowledge about the cost and limited effectiveness of coastal protection, managed retreat is the preferred response.

      Managed retreat starts by stopping new builds in hazardous areas and then comes education. These approaches will see prices of seaside and riverside properties reduce and the number of affected houses reduce as the risks get factored in.

      • Ad 1.1.1

        A big question will be whether insurance and real estate pricing are more effective in responding to climate change than anything local or central government could do or would want to do.

        I think market forces are better placed, faster, more forceful and more direct than the cumbersome and unstable public sector here to respond to coastal housing retreat.

        • Gristle 1.1.1.1

          If the Government (local and central)
          1. work with people to determine what particular parts of the country are of strategic value
          2. Be clear that it could be YOUR HOME that is not going to be protected or compensated for.
          3. Identify the cost, method and timetable the coastal defence system

          Then,

          4. the market can factor in that that million dollar view and seaside access is not going to be defended.

          My view is that currently the “market” (otherwise known as how people act) has the expectation that somebody other than themselves is guaranteeing that their house and land will always be there. This is the presumption that needs to be explored.

          So it’s not the market acting independently of government but in response to societal consensus and government regulation.

          • Ad 1.1.1.1.1

            That would be a nice idea. But not a reality. Global insurers are more powerful than local government. The strongest example weve ever known of ventral and local government working together with insurers is Christchurch.

            Not working out so well.

            The new RMA was a place to revisit the relationship between planning powers and the Public Works Act. We won’t see it revisited for a decade or more.

            I bet Edgecumbe for example shrinks to 30% of its former self. No intervention required from public sector. Go to Kelso in Southland and read the memorial inscription.

            • dv 1.1.1.1.1.1

              I wonder if the global insurers will start weighting premiums according to the countries response to CC? ( if that don’t already)

        • AB 1.1.1.2

          Ad – I think you are right to suggest that market forces will be faster more forceful and direct than any other mechanism.
          The problem with market forces is that they are amoral. Therefore don’t expect the outcomes of market forces to be notable for their justice – or their concern for what happens to those people for whom insurance is unaffordable and who then have their entire wealth wiped out by a single flood.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.3

          I think market forces are better placed, faster, more forceful and more direct than the cumbersome and unstable public sector here to respond to coastal housing retreat.

          If that were true then it we’d already be seeing people leaving shore-front properties as insurance companies stopped insuring them.

          The simple fact of the matter is that the government has to put in place regulations to shape the market.

      • millsy 1.1.2

        We could stop building houses that act like colanders in a flood, but that seems to be too hard for some people.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2

      Current owners of expensive seaview properties are a bit of a road block, as the value of their property might decline. And would they expect the state to bale them out if their homes were severely damaged or destroyed in a storm?

      Of course they will. The council let them build there and so it will all be the councils fault. They won’t accept any responsibility at all.

      • Gristle 1.2.1

        Even if the council had the responsibility to pay out, how many houses do you think a council could afford to protect or rebuild or payout? My guess is that it will be a surprisingly small number. Because at the same time they will be needing to also repair all that pesky infrastructure.

        There are many coastal roads that are already marginal and suffer from inundation and erosion from sea activity. These may be only 1 or 10 or 20 good storms from being unusable.

  2. Hongi Ika 2

    Councils starting to do some thinking, now that is very strange behaviour?

  3. Fisiani 3

    Which electorate seats will Labour take from National in September? Obviously they will heavily lose Hutt South to Chris Bishop so where can they make inroads or is the plan just to raise the Party vote

    • gsays 3.1

      dnftt.

    • Maybe you haven’t heard? They brought in proportional representation back in the 90s. It hasn’t mattered who wins what electorate for a couple of decades now.

    • Bearded Git 3.3

      @fisiani

      Audrey Young in the Herald today:

      “If National does not win the election in September, housing will be a contributing factor.”

      The dialogue now is all about why the Nats may lose the election…this is a major change from previous elections. Bill English cannot get more than 40% for the Nats and will probably get less. Look forward to PM Little.

  4. aom 4

    WTF???

    “The Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem is “conducting routine operations” in the South China Sea, according to a Friday press release from the US Navy. The statement went on to note that the guided-missile destroyer had been refueled at sea by Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Endeavour. The Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) is “conducting routine operations” in the South China Sea, according to a Friday press release from the US Navy. The refueling allowed the vessel to remain mission ready ……” – RT

    • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster 4.1

      This is truly disturbing! Do we piss in the pockets of the military-industrial complex of the USA that we are aiding their dangerous war games in the South China Sea?

      Trump is an absolute FW – with an air strike in Syria and a horrendous bomb in Afghanistan, and now brinkmanship against North Korea!

      The sooner we cut ALL ties with the failing empire, the better!

      • garibaldi 4.1.1

        Sorry TV but the truth is that we will keep pissing in their pockets because we are dumbarses.
        The USA is a vile country and Trump is merely showing the world the truth about its self-appointed exceptualism.
        When one accepts the truth about 9/11 the jigsaw comes together.

        • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster 4.1.1.1

          Sadly, garibaldi, I think you are right! (about us being dumbarses, that is!)

  5. AsleepWhileWalking 5

    http://www.thedailysheeple.com/report-inmates-built-their-own-computers-to-watch-porn-hack-prison-network_042017

    They also used the computers to access records of other prisoners and monitor the system that was monitoring them.

  6. Tui 6

    my good friend carol turned me on to something the other day. non contact rape. as an example she said that when a cis male opens a door “for” a woman its a form of non-contact rape as it makes her feel as helpless and as violated as rape does. of course i expect the cis males here to make jokes about automated doors but non contact rape is real! like my friend carol says – we can choose to discuss it and raise awareness of it or we can choose to keep quiet and silently support rape culture!

    • Foreign waka 6.1

      As I women, I deplore this kind of rubbish as the violence and rapes that happen every day are being ridiculed with such statements.
      Instead of focusing on who has opened a door today, get cracking and help those who are stranded in halfway houses or are in need for support. Belief you me, those women who are being maltreated are not seeing an open door any time soon. The perpetrator makes damn sure of that.

    • Cinny 6.2

      Tui could you please give another example of non contact rape?

      Personally I’m always grateful when someone opens a door for me, I consider it thoughtful and good manners, as I do the same for others, like people pushing prams or the elderly.

      I’m massively independent as well as a survivor of rape and violence, but never in a million years would I view a man opening a door for me as non contact rape. So I’m really struggling with your friends door opening views, please enlighten me a bit more. Thanks

      • JanM 6.2.1

        I agree with you Cinny – having someone open a door for me shows thoughtful good manners as far as I’m concerned and I certainly do not feel belittled or threatened in any way.

        • greywarshark 6.2.1.1

          I think Tui is trying a bit of trolling. Just stop it will you please Tui, and also don’t use the name of a lovely bird, that lives as straightforward life as those close to nature do and are not laden with the low cunning of humans.

    • This comment didn’t make me feel at all like making jokes – just kind of depressed and with my faith in humanity lowered.

    • tinfoilhat 6.4

      Good grief 🙄

      • Tui 6.4.1

        https://voat.co/v/Checkyourprivilege/comments/373345

        We are breathing the same air that is around cis white males, which means their patriarchy particles flake off and enter our systems This is rape

        !!!

        • North 6.4.1.1

          Here’s the answer Tui. Males should just breath different air. Ummmmh…….

        • North 6.4.1.2

          Here’s the answer Tui. Males should just breath different air. And while you’re fixing that you might as well have a look at putting out their eyes.

        • Robert Guyton 6.4.1.3

          Patriarchy particles! That’s brilliant!
          Rod Donald had a possum skin cover for the seat he occupied in the House when he was an MP. Could we harvest Patriarchy particles and form them into seat covers for the Front Bench of this National Government? Perhaps serve them as a side dish, like salted peanuts, at the pub our Honourables drink at. Patriarchy particles have enormous possibilities and potential applications never before entertained, by me any way, who till now hadn’t even heard of them. Come on, TS readers, you’ll have ideas bursting to be expressed here; let’s hear them!

          • Antoine 6.4.1.3.1

            I miss that Rod Donald

          • greywarshark 6.4.1.3.2

            Robert
            Patriarchy particles, they possibly could be an organic insecticide, good for getting rid of body fleas on humans, dogs, cats and hens. And that’s what I can do just off the top of my head. When I sprinkle patriarchy particles on that will get rid of the layer of dandruff and who knows what other gems will arise.
            Hold your breath Tui, I will be letting you know if more come to mind. Pass out if you feel so inclined.

        • fender 6.4.1.4

          LOL, is that you CV??

          • greywarshark 6.4.1.4.1

            Fender
            Offensive as usual. In case you haven’t noticed from your dark cave, the weather is changing so get out in the sun which will sanitise you – you know good old sunlight does wonders.

            • fender 6.4.1.4.1.1

              Offensive how?

              You telling me to risk breathing in those patriarchy particles, suppose you’ll open the door for me too!!

              • North

                Offensive ? How ? I dunno………raising CV maybe ?

                • fender

                  Yeah it’s extremely offensive to raise the name of an old friend when a comment from Tui is reminiscent of him when he was at his most facetious 🙄

            • fender 6.4.1.4.1.2

              Come on greywaffler ( One who waffles or rambles; a vague, unfocused speaker or writer) explain your cock-eyed BS.

              [how about both fender and greywarbler focus on the politics and drop the having a go at each other? – weka]

              • Once ..whatever

                how about fender and greywarbler get a clothes brush and just wipe the dandruff off each other.
                still… I suppose it is the holidays and time to shut down and chill – just think about the bullshit

                I’ll remember to ask my daughter next time I walk down the street if she minds if I walk on the gutter side

              • greywarshark

                Weka
                How about I have the right to say something once and then drop it. I have nothing to do with fender’s continuing gerfuffle. I however would like to see controls on the sort of nutty talk that Tui started. How about that huh.

          • mauī 6.4.1.4.2

            It can’t be CV he’s been restricted to 140 characters. lol

            Bugger, it would nice to have some diversity back though.

        • Rightly or Wrongly 6.4.1.5

          Ok, what if a white male looks at you, or even worse speaks to you – is this a form of non contact rape?

          I mean you didn’t give him consent to look at you or talk to you did you?

          What about when whitey reaches out and shake your hand – that is so gross.

          Patriarchial pre-sexual assault right there and it is so common!

          The worst honkeys are the ones who try to disguise themselves – they spend all day in the sun deliberately trying to alter their skin colour to brown or red and they think we don’t notice?

          A message for you Palangi – a slight shade of crimson does not take away the fact that your prerape whiteness is still under the surface ready to spring forth in all its molesting malevolence.

    • JanM 6.5

      One of the worst aspects of this kind of rubbish is that confuses all the people, men in particular, who are doing their best to get it right as decent, thoughtful members of society.
      It also threatens to trivialise the awful experiences of many of us who have had to deal with the real thing

    • Tui 6.6

      stare rape

      http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Stare%20Rape

      c&p

      An actual legitimate sexual assault charge in South Korea.

      In South Korea, definition of sexual assault extends to “an act by a male perpetrator which causes female victim to feel sexual discomfort or shame”. Under this definition, it is illegal for Korean men to look at a female in public, if she decides that act to be offensive.

      Under this definition, numerous Korean men are actually arrested each year for looking at a female in public. In many cases when the accuser alleges that the man took photographs (In Korea, it is also illegal for men to photograph females in public, but not vice versa), it is customary for the man to have his cell phone confiscated and have the entire device searched for evidence. Oftentimes, the accused is dismissed from his employer as well.
      In South Korea, it is possible for a man to be charged for sexual assault for stare rape.

      if only we in aotearoa were so enlightened!!!

      [given that rape culture is such an important issue, and conversations here are usually fraught, I’m going to ask that if you want to make claims about something you link to real evidence, not a random’s person’s reckons on the internet. In this case if you want to claim that in South Korea there are laws regarding stare rape, please link to something credible that back that up. Thanks. – weka]

      • mpledger 6.6.1

        National must be really screwing up in the polls if this is the stuff they are trying to derail the conversation with.

        • Tui 6.6.1.1

          this is about rape culture. no one is interested in the opinions of ignorant cis males!!!

          • Foreign waka 6.6.1.1.1

            Tui, unfortunately this is a fail. If you really want to talk about rape culture you have to really get to grips with a quite different issue than opening doors! My god, whose agenda are we being dished out here?

            • Once ..whatever 6.6.1.1.1.1

              @Tui. I think you should get your good friend Carol to talk to a few people who have actually been raped, Get her to ask if they mind a door being opened for them and if they feel threatened by it. Then get her to ask herself whether life is all about her

      • JanM 6.6.2

        Yes, that’s something that really is disconcerting. I find it scary rather than uncomfortable. I thought in my ‘mature years’ it wouldn’t happen any more – wrong! 🙁

    • BM 6.7

      Dangerous topic to be trolling about Tui

      • marty mars 6.7.1

        + 1 yep have to agree

        I get nervous and suspicious when someone comments about what their friend said not what they thought about what their friend said, or how that affected them.

        • Antoine 6.7.1.1

          Idly wondering if Carol and Tui are one and the same person, Tui Carol perhaps or Carol Tui?

          A.

    • Wensleydale 6.8

      Your friend Carol is probably delusional, and you should probably think about finding different friends. You know, ones who aren’t delusional.

      I’ll open a door for a woman sometimes. I do it, not as a way of reasserting the dominance of the patriarchy, or implying that she’s both weak and stupid and thus incapable of operating a door without the assistance of a man, but because I’m polite and like to be helpful. Terrible, I know. I also open doors for small children, the elderly and… brace yourself, other men. Right, I’m off to self-flagellate now. Wish me luck.

      • Bill 6.8.1

        Just taking a punt here mind, but I’m picking I’m not alone in feeling just a little bit bilious in reaction to the peddling of this muck that Tui has thrown into today’s Open Mike.

        I’ve no idea whether they’re making a ham-fisted attempt to allude to post traumatic symptoms of rape sometimes displaying as fraught “fight or flight” responses to innocuous every day acts.

        Or whether they’re consciously trying to diminish and dismiss rape.

        To be honest, on a first reading of their comments, I’m leaning towards the latter and then regretting I wasn’t around earlier in the day to kick the wee shite into touch.

        • weka 6.8.1.1

          Based on previous comments by Tui I’m taking it as genuine but seriously misguided concern about rape culture.

          I also put it in the particular category of modern solidarity politics where issues get taken to such extremes that they are out of touch with human norms or what is politically viable. Underneath it all there is something useful about what women experience living in the patriarchy but the framing is so bad that it just damages (I can see why some thought it was trolling).

    • Molly 6.9

      I open the door for males and females alike. Especially if they are carrying something or dealing with a child. Oftentimes, someone is following you closely and to not keep the door open is (to me) a mark of disrespect or deliberate dismissing of another person.

      Carol may have a different reaction, but that response may lie in her own life experience, and would not be true for many, and definitely not for all.

      This kind of stamping down on the courtesies and social mores of our society, probably does more harm than good. An assumption is made that only males enact this courtesy, and that it has nothing to do with the small connections and kindnesses of the everyday that go in to help create community.

    • weka 6.10

      “my good friend carol turned me on to something the other day. non contact rape. as an example she said that when a cis male opens a door “for” a woman its a form of non-contact rape as it makes her feel as helpless and as violated as rape does. of course i expect the cis males here to make jokes about automated doors but non contact rape is real! like my friend carol says – we can choose to discuss it and raise awareness of it or we can choose to keep quiet and silently support rape culture!”

      I also don’t believe this fits the definition of rape, and trying to call it rape minimises rape and harms the movement against rape culture (some of the reasons already given in comments).

      The use of ‘cis’ here also makes me uncomfortable. Are you suggesting that only cis men rape? How would you know the gender identity of someone opening a door for you?

      • greywarshark 6.10.1

        weka
        cis male – what does that stand for?
        And could we cut tui’s hooey off in mid flow before it further pollutes our nice clean mud-slinging. Must keep our standards up eh! By the way I did praise Psycho Milt earlier, didn’t expect that.

        So can we get back to normal, we have plenty of surprises just from the keen and committed without introducing some nasty little stirrer. Perhaps till after the election!
        Please.

        • weka 6.10.1.1

          I don’t think Tui is stirring, and it’s OM, so people have a pretty wide latitude. Am keeping an eye on it though.

          I’m on my phone, have a google of cis.

          • greywarshark 6.10.1.1.1

            Here is urban dictionary with something about cis so you can see what the
            socialmediafog people are on about.

            Cis
            Short for cis-gendered, meaning someone who identifies with the sex they were born as. Typically used by whiny tumblr users who complain about not being accepted for who they are and yet bash these “cis” people for being born and being okay with the sex they were born with.
            I am a female to male transgender and I hate white straight cis men.

            Also google –
            cis1
            sɪs/
            adjectiveChemistry
            adjective: cis

            denoting or relating to a molecular structure in which two particular atoms or groups lie on the same side of a given plane in the molecule, in particular denoting an isomer in which substituents at opposite ends of a carbon–carbon double bond are on the same side of the bond.
            “the cis isomer of stilbene”

            Also
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisgender
            and
            Time.com says: “Dec 23, 2014 – This adjective had its biggest year yet in 2014.”

            That’s all the facts that I know about – enough I think.

            [please link when cut and pasting. – weka]

            • Psycho Milt 6.10.1.1.1.1

              “Cis man” means “man.” The “cis” part is superfluous, like talking about “edible food.”

            • weka 6.10.1.1.1.2

              “That’s all the facts that I know about – enough I think.”

              Pretty sure you have missed the general online usage of the word ‘cis’ and the context meaning in this thread.

    • Once ..whatever 6.11

      Could you not just accept that some males were taught certain forms of etiquette.
      Not only do I open a door for a female, if I am walking down the street I walk nearest the gutter, and if with another male, the female walks between us. It doesn’t mean either of us (males) wants to get into her pants.
      Jesus! as if there weren’t more important things to worry about.

    • mary_a 6.12

      @ Tui (6) … I always thought holding open a door for another person to go through was a sign of good manners and respect.

      So how does your “friend” Carol feel about a man (or woman for that matter) giving up a seat on public transport for another person? Does that identify with rape culture also, for the same reasons you have stated?

      I am a woman in my early 70s and will hold open a door for someone else, particularly if they are infirm or have young children. For the same reasons, I have given up my seat on public transport and will continue to do so, if I feel someone else needs it more than I do.

    • Tui 6.13

      after re-reading my own comments and those of other women here i wish to sincerely apologise to any women for whom my comments may have triggered painful memories and or emotions. it was only my intention to raise a fuller awareness of rape culture and not to cause hurt or offence.

      ~tui

      • mary_a 6.13.1

        @ Tui (6.13) … Obviously in response to my post, you state the following …

        “after re-reading my own comments and those of other women here i wish to sincerely apologise to any women for whom my comments may have triggered painful memories and or emotions. it was only my intention to raise a fuller awareness of rape culture and not to cause hurt or offence.

        ~tui”

        WTF!

        What are you talking about? Why on earth would demonstrating good manners and respect towards others, trigger painful memories or emotions, hurt or offence?

        While I realise I might not be the brightest star in the sky, you have definitely lost me there!

      • Cinny 6.13.2

        The only feelings you’ve raised for me Tui are those of disbelief. Mary summed it up perfectly with WTF!

        Tui, are Carol and yourself familiar with the author of the topic you brought up?

        It’s on his website, but his presence on the internet is some what limited to that amazon and his company https://www.chemaxx.com/ … I wonder what he has a P.h.D in?

        “Michael Fox obtained his doctorate degree in physical chemistry in the 1970s”

        “It should be noted that Dr. Fox is not a psychologist or psychiatrist and that his interest in emotional rape is personal as opposed to professional.”

        Book was published in 1992, it his opinion on what a friend of his went through, his personal not professional opinion. He’s a chemicals engineer and not an expert or even a scholar of psychology or rape and abuse research etc.

        One persons opinion does not dictate the ways or experiences of many, as is reflected in the comments generated on this topic. Rather it risks creating a greater divide.

        When someone makes OTT claims, I like to find out about them, as for the author his interests and activities include: Chemical Accident Reconstruction, Aerosols, Hazardous Chemicals, Chemical Injuries & Accidents, Nuclear Reactors…. as well for a fee he is happy to help law firms with chemical advice.

        Maybe if he was writing about science he would be credible, but he as no credibility in writing about rape etc.

  7. Tui 7

    sent by email from my friend carol:

    https://www.quora.com/Do-you-feel-you-have-been-emotionally-raped-by-someone

    emotional rape

    c&p

    What is Emotional Rape?
    According to Michael Fox, Ph.D., emotional rape is similar in many ways to physical rape, particularly date rape. Date rape involves the sexual use of someone’s body without consent which amounts to theft of the person’s physical sensorium. In a like manner, emotional rape is the theft of someone’s higher emotions, such as love, without consent. However, in the case of emotional rape the lack of consent is contained in the fact that the individual is being lied to by the perpetrator.

    c&p

    Adriana McGee, Domestic Violence Survivor
    Written May 30, 2016
    Emotional Rape does exist. Many victims are afraid to use the term because they don’t want to offend sexual rape victims. I would say that acknowledging that emotional rape does exist does not diminish the horror of sexual rape, but simply give a voice and a description for survivors to understand this kind of emotional violence; which is different from other kinds of violence.

    Emotional rape is distinct from verbal and other forms of emotional and psychological abuse because the rapist does not simply prey on your insecurities or childhood wounds; but your higher values such as love and your sense of self-worth.

    While many forms of emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse are dependent on the dysfunctionality of the victim; emotional rapists hone in on a victim’s healthiest and most natural responses. Their natural desires, highest-values, and urges; while still targeting their vulnerabilities: (which in most cases of emotional rape is simply innocence or naivete).

    Acknowledging emotional rape does not minimize sexual rape, or diminish sexual rape victims; but validates the deep emotions and painful feelings of loss, isolation, denial, confusion, horror, and fear of Emotional Rape victims who are experiencing post-traumatic rape syndrome, and yet are unaware that there’s a name for what they are experiencing.

    Anyone who is victim of emotional rape knows that it goes far beyond simple deception or betrayal. Victims often have a feeling that they are no longer “whole” and never will be again. This feeling can last for months, years, or even decades.

    denying the reality of emotional rape is rape culture

    [please make sure that your comments clearly differentiate between your own words and your quotes. See my moderator note above too. – weka]

    • Handy hint: “According to Michael Fox, Ph.D.” is worth about as much as “According to Psycho Milt,” in the absence of evidence demonstrating Dr Fox’s subject expertise in the matter at hand. And “According to my good friend Carol” is worth even less than “According to Psycho Milt” in Psycho Milt’s personal opinion. Worth keeping in mind when commenting.

    • One Two 7.2

      This world human populace along with the flora and fauna is being ’emotionally/physically raped’ 24/7..

      Tui, if you are a genuinely concerned human being, you might realise that the comments you make on the subject are a nonsense and insult to the ‘real cause’ and suffering faced by men, women and children..

      Broaden the thinking patterns

    • greywarshark 8.1

      Ugh. Extreme rendition brutalises the officials permitted nay encouraged to use it, then pass the parcel down to the children!

      As they say in the good ole USA “In God we trust, all else pay cash”. And if you haven’t the pay-off money you get what they think you deserve and they can get away with by setting up false urgency laws that are OTT and should never have even been contemplated.

  8. joe90 9

    A few words from Harry.

    I am not an historian but I am your history-so please listen to my podcast Harry's Last Stand. https://t.co/r5YOUjxxdX #DonaldTrump #Labour— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) April 13, 2017

    https://soundcloud.com/harry-leslie-smith/harrys-last-stand-episode-1

    https://soundcloud.com/harry-leslie-smith/harrys-last-stand-episode-2

  9. The Chairman 10

    Will Trump attack North Korea?

    • The Chairman 10.1

      NORTH KOREA threatens pre-emptive nuclear strike!
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe4A5UzIb3E

      .

      • The Chairman 10.1.1

        KIM JUST ORDERED THE EVACUATION OF THE CAPITAL

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU1TFjolsB8

        [that video is 3 days old. Please don’t use CAPS when commenting – weka]

        • greywarshark 10.1.1.1

          I hope sincerely it is a fake announcement? So many pin headed shits around it is more than likely. Think Beetlejuice. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj_inlzsDhQ

        • Sacha 10.1.1.2

          That will be quite a surprise to the hordes gathering in the city for official marches right now: https://twitter.com/annafifield/status/853057058366672897

          and there seem to be rather a few of em: https://twitter.com/nktpnd/status/853074336638541825

          • The Chairman 10.1.1.2.1

            They reported six hundred thousand had been evacuated. Not the entire city. Top officials and their families perhaps?

        • Bill 10.1.1.3

          Dunno who or what “Next News Network” is, but given the other vid link is from CBS and it plays the same war hyped lines, I guess RT’s assertion that western media are being bloody irresponsible stacks up, aye?

          • The Chairman 10.1.1.3.1

            Ironically, the story (from the Next News Network) initially came from a Russian news report.

            • Bill 10.1.1.3.1.1

              Which story are you referring to? The supposed evacuation of Pyongyang? The supposed 6th nuclear test? Something else altogether? Maybe you could provide a quick link …?

              • The Chairman

                Evidently, you missed my edit.

                • Bill

                  Yeah I missed your edit. So I had a quick for this “Russian news report” on pravdareport (as per the NNN link) and decided not to bother beyond a cursory moment or two that turned up nothing, on the basis that it’s a site on the par with the UK Sun or NZs Truth…or Next News Network. 🙄

                  • The Chairman

                    Considering the predicament, it’s plausible North Korea would move top officials to safety.

                    • The Chairman

                      Trumps posturing will entice North Korea to intensify their nuclear capability, hence can’t envision them canceling nuclear tests now.

                      Therefore, how will this play out?

                      Is Trump backing himself into a corner, thus will have no choice but to act or look weak?

        • joe90 10.1.1.4

          Pyongyang live.

          • The Chairman 10.1.1.4.1

            Again, they reported six hundred thousand had been evacuated. Not the entire city.

            • joe90 10.1.1.4.1.1

              Other than a fema camp wingnut’s bullshit report via Pravda, sourced from fuck knows where, there’s nothing reputable saying this evacuation is actually occurring.

              But you swallowed David Daleiden’s shitty wee hit piece videos on PP, too.
              //

              edit: FFS.
              /

              My story is still the top story of the day on @Daily_Express website – check it out #Pyongyang #NorthKorea https://t.co/kbtl98Rg8q pic.twitter.com/AiTEwDf7zW— Sofia Petkar (@SophiePetkar) April 13, 2017

              @SophiePetkar @Daily_Express The "big event" was the unveiling of a new housing development. Congrats, u just spread fake news— Kevin and Kim Show (@kevinkimshow) April 13, 2017

              • The Chairman

                As I pointed out to Bill, considering the predicament, it’s plausible North Korea would move top officials to safety. Thus the report is far from left-field.

                As for David Daleiden, his videos were so compelling they spurred the president of Planned Parenthood to personally apologize for the staff member’s tone and statements and resulted in several investigations. As a result, three Planned Parenthood clinics were found to be performing second-trimester abortions without the proper licenses, and one clinic was failing to keep proper logs relating to fetal remains.

                And apparently, there are more videos to come.

    • Bill 10.2

      The question I have is whether we have the heart to rid ourselves of these clowns (western political leaders) and their stenographic monkeys (msm) or are content to sit back and embrace the spoon fed idea that we are powerless?

      Just to be clear, before some idiot who’d probably struggle to spell “IQ”, jumps up and accuses me of being a supporter of this, that or the other dictatorship, there are no nation states worthy of continued existence as far as I’m concerned.

      • The Chairman 10.2.1

        A number of Trump supporters thought they were doing that (ridding ourselves of these war mongers). Spoon fed the idea that voting (in a largely corporate dominated representative democracy) could bring about significant change.

      • One Two 10.2.2

        NO HEART!

        Too many still either believe the scripts they’re constantly fed, or too busy trying to live life while hoping the script won’t include their own existence

        Listening to friends and family regurgitating the scripts while simultaneously, using positive reinforcement, openly supporting the ‘good position’ NZ is in as a nation

        These are good honest people who have had better opportunity than most, and whom have no excuse for the ignorance they communicate

        I’m quite sure they understand some of the realities, but it seems they believe by waxing positive, that the problems either don’t, or will somehow disappear

        It’s a terrible bind, because these such people are largely responsible for the perpetuation of evil deeds

        The ‘middle and the masses’

    • adam 10.3

      Western media is corporate media, and the corporations make their best profits off war.

      Here is an example of that drive for money. A priest talking about Syria. Oh and it’s from right wing web site – so some here might not want to read it , so they came keep ideological purity.

      http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2017/february/04/the-media-coverage-on-syria-is-the-biggest-media-lie-of-our-time-interview-with-flemish-priest-in-syria/#.WOpu9D_Y-bU.twitter

  10. joe90 12

    Oral history confirmed.

    The Heiltsuk people of Canada report in their oral history that an island on the west coast of their territory has been home to the Heiltsuk for thousands of years—one of the only places to stay uncovered during the ice age.

    When archaeologists digging on Triquet Island last year found charcoal flakes that could be dated at up to 14,000 years old, the Heiltsuk found their oral history reaffirmed by the data. And archaeologists had more evidence to an emerging hypothesis: that, after crossing the Bering Sea, the original inhabitants of North America traveled along the coast to avoid the inhospitable ice cover.

    https://sciencefriday.com/segments/a-14000-year-old-discovery-emerges-from-oral-history/

    https://soundcloud.com/scifri/14000-years-ago-this-canadian-island-was-a-refuge-from-the-ice-1

  11. joe90 13

    First protest in space.

    “You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch.”

    Edgar D. Mitchell.

  12. Tui 14

    after getting accused of “trolling” i’m going to stick to “safe” topics from now on. i’ve decided to become a trump supporter. now here me out! i know he’s a cis male and said those horrid things but he listens to his daughter! when those poor women and children were chemically attacked this upset his daughter and his daughter told trump and trump got upset and did what had to be done to prevent attacks like that happening again. call me a troll or traitor if you want but i’ve given you my reasons and if i was trolling i wouldn’t be trying to explain myself now would i?

    my question is what would you have done if you were trump and your daughter was so upset about what had happened?

    ~tui

    [you put up two or three very controversial comments, some of which is pretty offensive. I was impressed by the way the other commenters responded to that, there was no shit fight, just a series of considered comments disagreeing with you and pointing out why. You’ve ignored all of those and now come back in some hours later and posted in an inflammatory way. Take the weekend off (back on Tues and I suggest a read of the Policy before you comment again) – weka]

  13. rhinocrates 15

    Wow.

    Want a demonstration of blind, deaf privilege and the arrogance that not only discounts but simply cannot hear other narratives? This man imagines that he’s not racist and that he’s the real victim.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9_DoWdQkGo

    http://buzz-zinga.blogspot.co.nz/2017/04/news-man-don-lemon-from-cnn-loses-it.html

  14. weka 16

    The Home Office have refused a Greek and German couple’s post-referendum application to have their British-born children recognised as permanent residents of the UK.

    http://newsthump.com/2017/04/14/uk-denies-residency-to-british-born-children-of-greek-german-couple/

    😉