Open mike 15/06/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 15th, 2016 - 60 comments
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60 comments on “Open mike 15/06/2016 ”

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  1. Draco T Bastard 1
    15 June 2016 at 6:19 am

    Douglas Rushkoff on How Growth Became the Enemy of Prosperity – and How To Fix It

    In his new book, Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus: How Growth Became the Enemy of Prosperity, noted media theorist and author Douglas Rushkoff takes on the failure of the digital economy to make things better for more people. At the core of Rushkoff’s critique is what he calls the “obsolete economic operating system that emphasizes growth” and the abandonment of core values that occur once companies go public and succumb to short-term thinking.

    Rushkoff suggests a shift away from the growth pressures of publicly traded markets and platform monopolies — and toward collaborative models that build on the contributions and add to the wealth of their workers, communities, and consumers.

    Some interesting points about how the old capitalist business forms are proving even more destructive in the new digital age.

    • Greg 1.1
      15 June 2016 at 7:39 am

      Remember when Google was on a bender about digitizing books, and being some information depository, it aint anymore.

  2. Paul 2
    15 June 2016 at 6:26 am

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

    Cruel, uncaring

    • Paul 2.1
      15 June 2016 at 6:41 am

      If put your head up and show ‘the government that it has holes in its social housing policy and that Paula Bennett has not been doing her job in terms of fixing these problems”, expect trouble.

      Marae has fears of ‘smear campaign’

      The Auckland-based marae which opened its doors to the homeless is worried it is the victim of a smear campaign by the staff of the Social Housing Minister.

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/306393/marae-has-fears-of-'smear-campaign‘

      • tc 2.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 6:51 am

        Maybe they can get the Maori party to sort it out being besties with national and voting to sell state houses. /sarc

      • Greg 2.1.2
        15 June 2016 at 7:47 am

        How did the staffer know about the police investigation, who told her or did she dig it up.

        • dv 2.1.2.1
          15 June 2016 at 8:12 am

          Bennet was told by Hurimoana Dennis.
          Then the staffer told the media.

          i wonder how the staffer got to know?

          • GregJ 2.1.2.1.1
            15 June 2016 at 9:01 am

            Implausible deniability has been de rigueur for this government for most of its term.

          • North 2.1.2.1.2
            15 June 2016 at 5:56 pm

            Hasn’t Bennett more or less acknowledged that in her debriefing with her staff she imparted the knowledge Mr Dennis had very honourably given her ? If that’s the story the trashy thing is as guilty as sin, if one step removed. As someone said she has “form”.

            That effete fuck Key then comes on and says – “Paula wears her heart on her sleeve……she wouldn’t lie to me”.

            FFS ! There’s no such thing as a lie in the culture of their fetid, corrupt world so what’s that assurance worth ?

    • save nz 2.2
      15 June 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks for the link, Paul.

  3. vto 3
    15 June 2016 at 9:11 am

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/florida-nightclub-shooting/81076654/obama-clinton-lay-into-trump-for-proposed-muslim-ban

    Donald Trump and his supporters are mimicking H1tler.

    100%

    The USA is today in about the place late 1920’s Germany was in just before they elected H1tler, with all his rhetoric blaming the muslims, I mean the jews, for everything

    There is no difference

    Trump is exactly like H1tler

    100%

    scary
    ignorant
    just scary

    • Colonial Viper 3.1
      15 June 2016 at 9:19 am

      why did 25% of Germans vote for Hitler? Because they were sick of seeing their country and their lives being humiliated and broken by the powerful and the rich.

      • RedLogix 3.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 9:38 am

        Agreed … Trump is only succeeding because the left has been put out of business, mainly by the elites imposing their self-serving zombie ideologies, and partly by our own divisiveness and failures.

        The spectacle of the Democrats closing out the only authentically left-wing and popular candidate for generations, in favour of their own insider … will not be lost on many US voters. The message is loud and clear “this way lies no hope”.

        • vto 3.1.1.1
          15 June 2016 at 10:16 am

          I don;t disagree at all and those factors are very real..

          still scary though as to where such rhetoric leads…… it is this which is scary…. and i dont think Trump even understands any of that… or perhaps he does …

          Then to have Winston Peters come out the last two days with all of his rhetoric trying to out-pimp Trump – well, say no more…. Peters is again becoming populist with no care for the truth of his mutterances or positions and the effect those could have on encouraging hate and divisiveness ..

          .. Peters claiming “we have it here too”… what a load of complete bullshit. If this carries on then Peters will be back to his previous Clark-years form of lies and bullshit, the wanker

      • M. Gray 3.1.2
        15 June 2016 at 9:39 am

        Like what is happening in our country under National

  4. Colonial Viper 4
    15 June 2016 at 9:25 am

    placing NATO forces, including German military units FFS, right on the borders of Russia is not only assanine of the west, it is damn provocative and dangerous. Russia has already announced that it now has to add targets in Romania and Poland to their standard military plans.

    Imagine Russia stationing 30,000 troops, missile batteries and fighter bomber squadrons in Cuba under the guise of a training exercise.

  5. fisiani 5
    15 June 2016 at 10:18 am

    Anyone know what are the likely voting preferences of immigrants arriving since the last election. Would it be the same makeup as the population at large? If they are mostly low skilled is that a euphemism for Labour voters? If however they are ambitious and hard working is that a euphemism for National voters? I wonder how those with Chinese sounding names will vote? Perhaps a clue is that Asian membership of the National Party has doubled in the last two years.

    • DoublePlusGood 5.1
      15 June 2016 at 10:56 am

      If they parasite and leech off society, is that a euphemism for National voters? If they want to fight for basic employment rights in their jobs, is that a euphemism for Labour voters?

      • fisiani 5.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 1:05 pm

        Take off the blinkers. National have increased benefits, extended free GP care and prescriptions to children, assisted beneficiaries into employment. increased operations, doctors, nurses and funded more medications. Sometimes the visceral venom of the Left defies credulity. In every portfolio there has been progress. Would a new immigrant want to support a winning succesful team or take a punt on a dispirite bunch of economically illiterate whingers.

  6. Richardrawshark 6
    15 June 2016 at 10:59 am

    Good News Stories this morning

    Cameron and Carrick finally getting called out on their lies, perfect timing, someone’s using their head and timing it to keep him out of the election.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/health/health-advocates-accuse-whale-oil-of-defamation-2016061507#axzz4BWVpjCuN

    Microbes discovered that eat and poo electricity, microbes that could revolutionize energy and at the same time clean up the planets pollution. Good to see their is a glimmer of hope for this planet.

    http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160613-there-are-microbes-that-eat-and-poo-nothing-but-electricity

  7. Nessalt 7
    15 June 2016 at 11:41 am

    Christ on a stick. An author at the standard has proposed a viable, inter connected, well reasoned alternative to current practises rather than just blindly criticising then coming up with an ill-thought through, impractical ideological alternative with no connection to reality. Well done Weka.

    Nice post too

    [moved to OM for being off topic and looks like an old argument too. You are all welcome back in the sustainable fishing thread if you can put your comments in context of the post. Nessalt, thanks for the ups but it would have been better without slagging off other authors – weka]

    • Draco T Bastard 7.2
      15 June 2016 at 12:49 pm

      Actually, there’s been several workable solutions posted on here. You just refuse to accept them because of your own failed ideology.

      • Nessalt 7.2.1
        15 June 2016 at 3:47 pm

        I think I can remember two other plausible, workable, alternatives presented on the standard.
        One by Lprent in relation to something computer / network related and how it could be used to further societal cohesion.
        Then something by Bill, also on mitigating harm to the environment while sustaining society in all it’s functions. including the bits you don’t like. That pay for you to sit around on a computer. which was developed and nurtured by capitalism and free market ideology. And without which no one would listen to you.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.1
          15 June 2016 at 3:57 pm

          which was developed and nurtured by capitalism and free market ideology.

          Capitalism has always been against the welfare state and democracy. Just need to look at the actions of this government to see that.

          Also, it wasn’t capitalism that developed the computer but heavy state intervention. Apple and its products would not exist without government funding and research.

          Capitalism destroys. Always has done, always will do.

        • Colonial Viper 7.2.1.2
          15 June 2016 at 4:01 pm

          Just remember that large, upfront and early Federal Gov investment was what made the transistor and computer networking possible. Private companies have been leveraging off that for many years now, but they never had to take the initial risk or expense of doing the early investment themselves.

          • Nessalt 7.2.1.2.1
            15 June 2016 at 5:26 pm

            And the government never would have made any grants if it wasn’t perfectly suited for growing the economy and improve the access of millions to information and capitalism in a short space of time. capitalist imperatives have nurtured more societal improvements than any other form of ism has. look how globalism combined with capitalism have raised more than 90% of the worlds population out of actual poverty. not the relative poverty that is an ephemeral concept and is routinely trotted out as a “valid” argument.

            • Colonial Viper 7.2.1.2.1.1
              15 June 2016 at 5:46 pm

              you’re retrospectively assigning motivation half a century after the fact.

              Bell Labs for instance, was funded as a non profit research centre, within an entity that was entirely government owned.

              It’s a bit contrived of you to start giving capitalism credit for socialist tax payer funded activities.

            • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.2.1.2
              15 June 2016 at 9:14 pm

              And the government never would have made any grants if it wasn’t perfectly suited for growing the economy and improve the access of millions to information and capitalism in a short space of time.

              Back in the 1950s I really doubt any one was dreaming of the WWW or even individuals having computers.

              capitalist imperatives have nurtured more societal improvements than any other form of ism has.

              Nope. It always destroys them because the capitalists take all the wealth for themselves. That’s what cutting government spending and taxes is about.

              look how globalism combined with capitalism have raised more than 90% of the worlds population out of actual poverty.

              I’m pretty sure if you went to the people before capitalism introduced them to poverty and asked if they were in poverty they’d say no. And you probably wouldn’t find any either as those societies worked together to ensure that everyone lived well.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.2.1.3
          15 June 2016 at 5:24 pm

          Now you know that public money was used in the development of much of the computer industry and internet, will you simply go on telling the same lies as before? I think so, because it suits your personal belief system, too much of which is based on lies for you to change.

          You can’t even acknowledge the successes of social-democratic mixed economies, ffs.

          • Nessalt 7.2.1.3.1
            15 June 2016 at 5:30 pm

            what lies? it’s all true. capitalistic imperatives to provide a free market are essential to a government performing it’s duty to society. Government can never provide the kind of planning and distribution to make some thing like the uptake of personal computers work. and they certainly can’t bludgeon anyone into making a sustainable fishing farm like the one proposed. it’s success will be judged by the notion that it’s owners can make a profit based off low barriers to entry. boom- free market.

            understand this, government intervention is successful when it’s propagating just causes like free market capitalism is a once off. it’s only when they guarantee bank and finance company deposits etc that it becomes a problem. purely because the government is now involved and markets are distorted.

            • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.3.1.1
              15 June 2016 at 9:29 pm

              capitalistic imperatives to provide a free market are essential to a government performing it’s duty to society.

              The government has always done that far better when it wasn’t done through capitalism. In fact the last thirty years have shown a decrease in the ability of our government to do right by our people – as the increasing poverty and homelessness proves.

              Government can never provide the kind of planning and distribution to make some thing like the uptake of personal computers work.

              Actually, the PC you’re using is proof that they can. Read The Entrepreneurial State to get an idea of how the entire process was planned over decades by a small government office. An office that researched what was needed and then chose the research to fund to bring about that end. If that small government office hadn’t done that planning there’d be no way that we’d have the computers that we have today.

              and they certainly can’t bludgeon anyone into making a sustainable fishing farm like the one proposed.

              No. What they’d do is fund the research into producing such sustainable farms and then make that research publicly available. Just like the US government did and does with computers in fact.

              it’s success will be judged by the notion that it’s owners can make a profit based off low barriers to entry.

              Have you noted climate change and our polluted cities and water ways?
              That’s the result of capitalism and the profit motive. Capitalism is unsustainable and always destroys the society that tries it as history proves.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 7.2.1.3.1.2
              16 June 2016 at 3:29 pm

              What lies? You’re still telling them. Are you going to read The Entrepreneurial State as suggested, or are you happy to wallow in ignorance and dishonesty?

              I bet you invent some strawman instead. Go on, pretend you’re arguing with a Communist, that’ll work 🙄

  8. feijoa 8
    15 June 2016 at 12:34 pm

    zerohedge

    anyone read this? Not sure if the link will work, as I am link challenged, but it’s hiding away on zerohedge about guess what, our real estate boom

    • dv 8.1
      15 June 2016 at 1:05 pm

      And this on Interest.co
      http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/82115/kerry-mcdonald-analyses-many-challenges-country-faces-and-concludes-we-need-effective

      Here is a taster

      Auckland is booming but it’s the struggling regions that contribute most exports and tourist destinations – the critical determinants of living standards.

      o Excessive, low value immigration is a disaster. It boosts GDP, so is politically attractive, but increases housing demand and prices, is causing serious social problems, puts pressure on Government spending AND, most importantly, reduces the living standards of New Zealanders. Building more houses for more people who don’t add economic value just digs a deeper hole!

      o Immigration inflates house prices but much of the increase in house prices reflects the large tax subsidy to investors in housing, compared with savers.

      o High volume – low value tourism is destructive. It adds little economic value but puts serious pressure on the environment and fundamentally erodes New Zealand’s desirable features.

      o Deliberate policy targeting of savers and savings is politically expedient but bad policy, and damaging, economically and socially.

      o Low productivity is a critical weakness, contributing to low incomes, low tax payments and low living standards – and welfare dependency.

      o The windfall gains from Auckland house prices should be substantially taxed, to fund critical National projects, such as restoring river water quality and more effective social programs. River water quality is a disgrace!

      o The Public Service needs to be sorted, urgently. It has too many serious policy and performance failures. It has too many weaknesses and is too much a lap dog rather than a source of leadership and free and frank advice and information. “Better Public Service” is dead in the water!

  10. fisiani 10
    15 June 2016 at 1:34 pm

    So how come in 9 hard years of Labour they never made huge increases in benefits, increased operations or doctors or nurses and refused to fund Herceptin. Take off the blinkers and come over to the Force.

    • Richardrawshark 10.1
      15 June 2016 at 2:15 pm

      Fisi had an epiphany last night woke at 3 am all sweaty, I finally found a good one to post on that bloody lefty standard, he thinks to himself.

      the standard snores in shock.

      • Rosie 10.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 3:37 pm

        “the standard snores in shock.”

        Too true. fisiani bores me to tears so it’s always a scroll through when he’s around. Fastest scroll through ever in fact.

  11. Penny Bright 11
    15 June 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Have you heard of the RCEP?

    It’s the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

    It’s like the TPPA – but with China and without the USA.

    But RCEP – like the TPPA is looking after BIG business and investor interests – under the cover of secrecy.

    But there is a Public Meeting happening this Friday night, in Auckland, which YOU can attend, with expert speakers who will explain and enlighten you!

    Please come if you can and SHARE this event?

    https://m.facebook.com/events/1036071006486196?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A3%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&aref=3

    TPP + RCEP = Double Trouble – Auckland

    Friday 17 June 2016 at 6:30 PM

    St Matthew-in-the-City
    (187 Federal St) (Corner of Wellesley and Hobson Sts)

    Doors open at 6pm. LIMITED CAPACITY. $5 Koha. Thanks.

    Public Meeting

    Talks and discussion on the TPPA (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement) and the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership). These are two massive international treaties that spell Double Trouble.

    Find out more!

    The TPPA is being steamrolled through Parliament against the wishes of the majority of New Zealanders, but it is in deep trouble in the US and other countries. It may never be ratified and may never come into force. We need to keep up the pressure.

    Meanwhile, the RCEP, led by China contains many of the same dangerous provisions as the TPPA. It is still in negotiation and the next round of talks is being held in Auckland on 12-18 June. If the TPPA doesn’t go through, it will be the RCEP that sets the rules for trade and investment, and for New Zealand’s laws and democratic rights.

    Like the TPPA, the RCEP negotiations are shrouded in secrecy. We need to know what the New Zealand government is saying on our behalf. We need transparency.

    Featured speakers:

    Dr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram – former senior UN official, researcher on the TPPA
    Dr. Jane Kelsey – Law Professor, University of Auckland
    Sanya Reid Smith – Senior Researcher, Third World Network Malaysia
    Dr. Joshua Freeman – Doctors for Healthy Trade
    Barry Coates – Spokesperson, It’s Our Future

    Dr. Sundaram is a prominent Malaysian economist, who has served as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) from 2005 until 2012. He was founder chair of International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs), and sat on the Board of the United Nations Research Institute For Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva. In 2007, he was awarded the Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought.

    A prominent critic of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), Dr. Sundaram has co-authored a report, published by the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University, entitled Trading Down: Unemployment, Inequality and Other Risks of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Dr Sundaram’s research indicates that the economic models used to legitimise such treaties do not take into account that they work to increase unemployment and inequality.

    Dr. Jane Kelsey is one of New Zealand’s best-known critical commentators on issues of globalisation and neoliberalism. She is an active member of a number of international coalitions of academics, trade unionists, NGOs and social movements working for social justice.

    Sanya Reid Smith is a Legal Advisor and Senior Researcher at the Third World Network, an international coalition specializing in North-South policy issues. Sanya travels the world in tireless advocacy for social justice, on topics including access to medicines, womens’ rights and environmental sustainability.

    Dr. Josh Freeman is a Clinical Microbiologist at Auckland City Hospital and an honorary academic at the University of Auckland School of Molecular Medicine and Pathology.Doctors for the Protection of Health in Trade Agreements (known as Doctors for Healthy Trade) is a growing coalition of New Zealand doctors and colleagues in health in New Zealand and elsewhere, with a core group of predominantly full-time clinicians.

    Barry Coates is spokesperson for It’s Our Future and former Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. He has played a prominent role in campaigning on trade and climate change internationally and in New Zealand, and is a passionate advocate for sustainability and social justice. It’s Our Future is the leading coalition in New Zealand opposing the TPPA and similar treaties.

  12. Puckish Rogue 12
    15 June 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Because I loves me some political scanda, is this the reason Bernie Saunders is still staying in the race and not conceding defeat:

    http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/12/wikileaks-to-publish-more-hillary-clinton-emails-julian-assange

    • aerobubble 12.1
      15 June 2016 at 3:11 pm

      When the race started Sandars did not get the press, well maybe in the US, but i have not heard him speak, let alone understand his platform. Now sure r you can argue that he was new and took time to catch Clinton incumbant establishment name recognition. Though Trump branding long ago has been drummed into us all.
      But that just democracy when media hold the keys to who gets airtime.

      Sandars is still in because hes got leverage to get Clinton concessions. No problem with that. Question is really for me, will Republicians vote for Trump and have him define their party, like George junior, in the hopes he is a Ronald, even though both are now historically patsy establishment Presidents who created the mire that is western democracy.

      • Puckish Rogue 12.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 3:49 pm

        The first time I came across Saunders was on the John Oliver show, it wasn’t complimentary as I recall

        • Rosie 12.1.1.1
          15 June 2016 at 5:31 pm

          I first saw Sanders many many years ago on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and it WAS complimentary.

          You know what? Sanders went down so well he was given a huge round of applause and whistling by the audience. Jon Stewart was really impressed too and he said something along the lines of “Hey America, take a look at our future President!” Uncanny eh.

          As for aerobubble’s question, I can’t reply to that. I’m barely following the American Presidential campaigns this time around. I’m just too tired.

        • Rodel 12.1.1.2
          15 June 2016 at 9:05 pm

          SANDERS

  13. s y d 13
    15 June 2016 at 3:48 pm

    Mr Teina Pora, wrongfully imprisoned for 21 years.
    “awarded” $2,520,949.42 compensation?
    $13.70 per hour…… Less than the minimum wage. Shameful.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11657075

    • dv 13.1
      15 June 2016 at 3:50 pm

      Tax free?

    • Puckish Rogue 13.2
      15 June 2016 at 3:54 pm

      I hope its put in trust for him, I’m guessing he’ll be making a lot of new “friends” right about now

      • Halfcrown 13.2.1
        15 June 2016 at 4:45 pm

        I agree with you there Puckish. I am sure his lawyers are giving him good sound advice in that area.

        • dv 13.2.1.1
          15 June 2016 at 5:05 pm

          Yep at current rates he should be able to get at least 60k pa, and have some walking around money.

      • North 13.2.2
        15 June 2016 at 6:13 pm

        Like any 2.5 mill’ Lotto winner. Of course it wouldn’t have anything to do with what I suspect to be your subliminal sense that he’s a lobotomised brown boy in a sea of equally unworthy brown people. Which sense was the problem right from the start of course.

        I read somewhere there’s a still serving Auckland cop who was involved in his persecution from day one whom to this day still angrily maintains that Teina Pora’s as guilty as sin. May karma hunt that bastard cop down.

  14. Richardrawshark 14
    15 June 2016 at 4:34 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11657048

    so fkn arrogant this Bennett. read the last line!

    • North 14.1
      15 June 2016 at 6:21 pm

      Paula Trash aye ? The staffer loses his/her job there could be some uncontrolled talking. Of course Paula Trash is gonna publicly decline the invented offer of resignation. Makes the trashy lying thing look the magnanimous non-bully she is not.

  15. save nz 15
    15 June 2016 at 5:01 pm

    Government turned dictator – even the Fed farmers call Nationals proposed power grab on RMA excessive!!!

    Kleptocracy Grab elert!

    https://blog.greens.org.nz/2016/06/15/government-needs-to-start-again-with-rma-changes/

    extract..

    “Federated Farmers, for example, described the proposed Ministerial powers as “excessive” and the provisions which allow central Government to intervene directly in local council plans as “heavy handed”. Sir Geoffrey Palmer, presenting evidence for Fish and Game, described the powers as a “constitutional outrage”.