Open mike 15/07/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 15th, 2013 - 93 comments
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93 comments on “Open mike 15/07/2013 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    15 July 2013 at 6:17 am

    Working title:

    Operation FOLLOW

    “Flight Of Liberation, on Line, Over the World”

    The mission:
    To fly Edward Snowden from Moscow to Caracas without passing over any country that takes orders from Washington.

    The plan:
    Edward Snowden, carrying documents proving diplomatic immunity and letters of safe passage provided by the government of Venezuela. Will board a Gulfstream G550, the only long range private jet capable of making such an epic journey. Especially commissioned, the G550 will be rechristened the “Paul Revere”.
    Accompanying Snowden on this journey will be prominent journalists, celebrities, film makers and spokespersons for civil liberties groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
    The Paul Revere will be fully internet capable and the journey will be broadcast live for its entire duration. A number of internationally known film makers including Mike Moor and Oliver Stone have put their hand up to accompany Edward Snowden and document his journey and carry out in flight interviews of the passengers which will be webcast live.

    The flight of the Paul Revere:
    The flight plan filed by the Paul Revere with the Sheremetyevo airport authorities, will be to depart from the Moscow area heading due North, leaving Russian airspace over the Arctic Ocean.
    On reaching international airspace over the Arctic Ocean, the Paul Revere will then head, due West, towards the North Atlantic.
    On reaching the North Atlantic the Paul Revere will change direction again, heading due South, picking a zig zag flight path down the centre of the Atlantic Ocean.

    From Common Dreams

    Of course, there remains the theoretical possibility that the U.S. Air Force could try to force the plane down in international airspace.

    But we have two protections against this.

    One protection is that President Obama promised he was not going to be “scrambling jets to get a 29-year-old hacker.”

    And the other protection is the political protection of the presence of prominent Americans on board the plane.

    Robert Naiman https://www.commondreams.org/robert-naiman

    If the US government does decide to break all international norms and engages in an extremely risky aerial maneuver using US fighters to try and force the Paul Revere down, which remember will be flying at the edge of its operational limits, above international waters far from land. Then this would mark the US out for the rest of history as a rogue state. The same way Israel was marked out as a rogue state by their attack on the Mavi Marmara in International Waters in May 2010.

    • CnrJoe 1.1
      15 July 2013 at 8:10 am

      they are a rogue empire methinks

    • chrissy 1.2
      15 July 2013 at 10:48 am

      Hope the plane is kept under lock and key until take off. And checked over properly.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.3
      15 July 2013 at 12:23 pm

      The US has been a rogue state for a long, long time. The problem is that people have refused to see this.

      • muzza 1.3.1
        15 July 2013 at 12:46 pm

        People refuse to see it, because they fight to retain their ignorance!

        Which nationality/ideology/regime were the, intelligence services primarily formed from….

    • Jenny 1.4
      15 July 2013 at 8:48 pm

      Fly bonny plane like a bird on the wing
      Over the Arctic sky

      If Edward Snowden’s supporters can pull this off. The networked global commons will become a new player in global politics. No longer will the world’s affairs be solely decided by the superpowers.

      • Jenny 1.4.1
        16 July 2013 at 6:49 am

        Working title:

        Operation FOLLOW

        Flight Of Liberty Live Online over the World

        Update:

        The pool of aircraft available for lease, capable of flying Snowden to Venezuela has been increased greatly by a decision of the Irish Courts.

        In a move that pits the diplomatic weight of the new global commons against the diplomatic power of the US.

        The Irish state has rejected US demands to detain Snowden if the plane carrying him lands in Ireland on its way to Venezuela. This opens the way for the Paul Revere to land and refuel unmolested.

        http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1282146/ireland-becomes-second-state-reject-us-request-arrest-edward-snowden

        The 30-year-old’s earlier decision to apply to 21 countries for political asylum prompted fears that he could pass through Ireland’s Shannon Airport en route to safe haven in South America.

        This led to the US applying for a provisional arrest warrant through its embassy in Dublin, according to Irish media reports.

        In a High Court ruling in Dublin last week, Judge Colm Mac Eochaidh refused the application because US authorities had failed to detail where the alleged offences of espionage had taken place.

        He also found that the US had not provided information on the theft charges, such as where the offence took place or exactly what government property Snowden had stolen.

        Though the rejection of the arrest warrant was on legal technicalities, this is a major blow to US efforts to apprehend Snowden. And leaves the US authorities with two uncomfortable options. The first, to engage in a high profile and very likely long drawn out legal appeal in the full glare of the world’s media spot light. Or engage in some behind the scenes naked arm twisting to try and get the Irish government to overrule the High Court. Neither uncomfortable option is likely to give the State Department much comfort, both options risking huge negative fallout. And even then, may not deliver the result they want.

        The decision, based on technical aspects, mirrors similar action taken by the Hong Kong government when it allowed Snowden to leave Hong Kong on June 23 because the US had failed to provide Snowden’s full name and passport number.

        Snowden told the South China Morning Post in an interview on June 12 that he decided to come to Hong Kong to make his initial revelations because he trusted the city’s rule of law.

        A stopover at Shannon Airport is also likely to be a media bonus for the journalists on board the Paul Revere commenting through their live web feed.

        Providing a further humbling lesson for the impotent US superpower as to the limits of their diminishing global power.

  2. North 2
    15 July 2013 at 7:35 am

    FRANCE 14 July 2013 – 226th anniversary of the STORMING OF THE BASTILLE. Celebration !

    NEW ZEALAND 15 July 2013 – King ShonKey Louis Python XVI and gluttonous wife Paula Bennettoinette ramp up the WAR ON THE POOR. Already deployed measures of cynical societal division, demonisation of the poor, and systematic disentitlement of the poor have proved ineffective to create 170,000 new jobs.

    “Mon Friggin’ Dieu !!!”

    “Paula………the peasants have shafted our Brighter Future”.

    “I see that Lou’……….shall I make them REALLY pay for their ugliness ?”

    BASTILLE DAY + 1………”Work and Income chief Debbie Power said 85,000 people – mainly the sick, long-term unemployed, and sole parents and widows with no children under 14 – would move today into intensive “work-focused case management” with 760 personal case managers to help them find jobs and overcome barriers such as transport and childcare costs, addictions, debts and workplace attitudes to mental illness and other conditions. A further 1000 sole parents and 1000 people with mental health problems will be handed over to contractors who will be paid from $2250 to $16,500 for each person they place in employment for at least a year.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10898243

    BASTILLE DAY + 1. Celebration !

    Mon Friggin’ Dieu !!! The lessons of history………?

    • yeshe 2.1
      15 July 2013 at 10:28 am

      do we know any further details about these ‘contractors’ who will receive such Bennettoinette bounty ?

      loved yr post 🙂

  3. big bruv 3
    15 July 2013 at 7:41 am

    North.

    Did you know that today is also the anniversary of the ending of the 1951 waterfront strike?

    Of course it was a total and utter defeat for the union movement.

    It is a day that should be celebrated by all free thinking kiwis, a great day in the nations history.

    • richard 3.1
      15 July 2013 at 7:49 am

      troll

    • Morrissey 3.2
      15 July 2013 at 7:56 am

      Of course it was a total and utter defeat for the union movement.

      Well, no it was not. The Waterside Workers’ Union was defeated, but the union movement in this country, as in Australia, Britain, the United States, Japan and all of Western Europe except for the dictatorships in Portugal and Spain, went from strength to strength, and the standard of living in all those places—except Portugal and Spain—increased for all citizens.

      You either know that, of course, and are simply trying to stir up trouble, or you are unfeasibly ignorant.

      • felix 3.2.1
        15 July 2013 at 10:41 am

        “You either know that, of course, and are simply trying to stir up trouble, or you are unfeasibly ignorant.”

        … or both.

    • North 3.3
      15 July 2013 at 8:04 am

      To the aptly named Big Bruv –

      Mon Friggin’ Dieu !!! I did not know that !

      Celebrate away Big Bruv but as you intoxicate do remember that history did not end on that day.

      Cheers Morrissey – I suspected but did not know that.

    • millsy 3.4
      15 July 2013 at 9:33 am

      The real agenda of the right is to ban unions and lock up union members. This is where the freedom and liberty stops for ACT supporters like BB. Freedom to join anything as long as it isn’t a union.

      • big bruv 3.4.1
        15 July 2013 at 12:21 pm

        Millsy

        Not at all. Anybody should be free to choose to join a union if they are stupid enough. The difference between us is that you want to make it compulsory to belong to a union.

        What the government should do is stop the deduction of union dues from workers wages, only then when the morons who do belong to a union see just how little they get for their money will they wake up to the fact that they are being ripped off by what is undoubtedly a corrupt union.

        • Draco T Bastard 3.4.1.1
          15 July 2013 at 12:28 pm

          5% increases in wages against 0% for non-union workers for a couple of hundred dollars per year. Yeah, just so friggen little.

        • felix 3.4.1.2
          15 July 2013 at 12:32 pm

          Wtf are you on about? There is no compulsory union membership you nonce.

          You’re saying the govt should have the power to interfere in a contract that two parties have freely entered into.

          Some libertarian you turned out to be.

          • framu 3.4.1.2.1
            15 July 2013 at 12:46 pm

            did BB ever pay that bet?

            so hes still a bludger, right?

            • felix 3.4.1.2.1.1
              15 July 2013 at 12:56 pm

              Nah, course he didn’t pay.

              I don’t begrudge him though, it’s not easy living on a benefit.

          • big bruv 3.4.1.2.2
            15 July 2013 at 12:52 pm

            You’re really a bit stupid Felix.

            • felix 3.4.1.2.2.1
              15 July 2013 at 12:55 pm

              Demonstrate.

            • framu 3.4.1.2.2.2
              15 July 2013 at 4:12 pm

              speaking of stupid – care to explain how fees incurred from a voluntary contract are forcibly extracted, and how when youve forcibly stopped payment from a voluntary contract that two separate parties have entered into, one of those parties will see the “error of their ways”?

              go on – knock yourself out

              also – that thing about that debt.

  4. North 4
    15 July 2013 at 9:36 am

    The murder of Trayvon Martin goes unpunished and the twisted wannabee policeman, the racist Zimmerman walks free, completely free.

    Why ? That “greatest nation in the world” the US of A…… Florida…….Florida’s “stand your ground” lethal force statute…….”Hoodied black kids gotta be dealt to……”…….a racist rogue jury…….unartful prosecution……..brilliant defence lawyers ? Who can really know ?

    New Zealand position – s.48 Crimes Act 1961 – self defence, even to a lethal conclusion, carries no criminal liability if there is belief (subjective) that one is under attack or is about to be …….AND the response to the belief is reasonable in the circumstances (objective). Sledgehammer cannot meet ant in other words.

    Many remain troubled that the knifing which ended the life of young Pihema in Manurewa did not result in criminal liability greater than that actually suffered by the perpetrator.

    That said I suspect that if a New Zealand court were to hear the Florida case, the circumstances of which included Zimmerman being warned by the police not to continue tracking the non-offending, walking home with some lollies, Trayvon Martin, then Zimmerman would be awaiting sentence for murder.

    Karma may yet do the job the legal system in Florida failed to do. Wouldn’t be comfortable to live the rest of one’s life looking over one’s shoulder for a second hollow-nosed bullet, would it ?

    Maybe that’s Zimmerman’s (inadequate?) karma……..a second bullet engraved with his name……never fired or felt.

    RIP the young Trayvon Martin, walking home, lollied-up and innocently hoodied, nervously telling girlfriend on the phone that he was being stalked (poor guy got it wrong……he was being hunted by a man “standing his ground”).

    RIP Trayvon. And arohanui to those who loved you, rather than anonymously hated you, during your short life.

    • Winston Smith 4.1
      15 July 2013 at 10:17 am

      Theres more to the case then whats being fed by the media, don’t jump to conclusions. Hard for this guy to get a fair trial:

      http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/07/13/Media-Zimmerman-Coverage-Rap-Sheet

      • richard 4.1.1
        15 July 2013 at 11:00 am

        Without having read the article, I am very suspiscious of anything from breitbart.

        As the following search on AlterNet shows, breitbart is an ultra-consertive site and is far from unbiased and even-handed in it’s aproach:
        http://www.alternet.org/search/site/breitbart

        • Winston Smith 4.1.1.1
          15 July 2013 at 12:32 pm

          That maybe however he/she/they provide links for what they’re saying and there were serious issues with the information the media was presenting

          Not that the media would make things up though…

          • North 4.1.1.1.1
            15 July 2013 at 4:35 pm

            Not that Winston Smith @ 4.1.1.1 might be mischievously selective at all – apologists for racial profiling and the lethalism it encourages…….well they do that.

            A Google search – “What injuries did Zimmerman and Martin get ?” – brings up not less than 10 pages of links ranging from “Zimmerman injuries insignificant….” to “Prosecution cannot succeed…..”. The whole range of partisan expression.

            This link however is germane:

            http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/09/21/169233/george-zimmermans-friends-book.html

            Zimmerman’s best friend, a Mr Osterman, was with Zimmerman within hours of the killing, uplifted him from police headquarters the night of the killing, and thereafter hid him away for weeks. Osterman wrote and published a 175 page “book” recording Zimmerman’s account as related to him by Zimmerman.

            Lo, Zimmerman’s account in the book differs quantumly from that given by way of defence in the trial ??? Read it.

      • North 4.1.2
        15 July 2013 at 11:05 am

        Wow ! Winston Smith. True to form. Reflexive “Don’t wanna believe…….won’t believe !”

        Breitfart trumps even Fux News for heresy to the truth.

        Wasn’t there footage from immediately after the assassination which showed Zimmerman arriving at police headquarters in police custody………exhibiting no injury whatsoever ?

        Oh well, never mind…….sympathy to the family.

        Magnificent American Obscenity !

        • Winston Smith 4.1.2.1
          15 July 2013 at 12:34 pm

          Read the links its interesting especially the editing that went on of the recordings and images

      • joe90 4.1.3
        15 July 2013 at 11:23 am

        Breitbart – Stormfront… same thing.

      • millsy 4.1.4
        15 July 2013 at 10:57 pm

        I just love how you think it is OK for a white man to gun down a black man and get away with it.

        In my opinion Zimmerman is no better than the lynch mobs that infested the US south until the 1950’s.

        Do you support lynching Smith?

    • joe90 4.2
      15 July 2013 at 11:13 am

      Sanford, Florida, has always been a dangerous place – if you’re black.

      http://www.afro.com/sections/news/national/story.htm?storyid=74529

      • weka 4.3.1
        15 July 2013 at 6:47 pm

        Marissa Alexander case

        In May 2012, Corey prosecuted 31-year-old Marissa Alexander and obtained a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Alexander had a restraining order issued against her ex husband at the time and, during the day of the incident, had returned to their old home to collect clothes and some possessions thinking he was not there. Her ex husband was there, with their children, and they began to argue. After the argument became heated, Marissa Alexander returned to her car, picked up her firearm, and returned inside the house where she threatened him with the handgun before firing a warning shot into the wall. She was charged with reckless endangerment of children and threatening with a deadly weapon. Despite being offered a 3 year sentence and later a probational sentence with time served, Alexander chose to attempt a SYG defence at trial[30]. She was found guilty and according to Floridas gun laws (where 10 years can be added for committing a crime while carrying a firearm, with an added 10 years for discharging a firearm during a crime) was sentenced to 20 years

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Corey#Marissa_Alexander_case

        I agree Draco that the US is massively racist. It irks to see cases misrepresented though.

  5. North 5
    15 July 2013 at 10:46 am

    Warning to all subscribers to a television service which includes Fux News:

    Clip after clip of coiffed silver hair atop botoxed white Republican congressmen, celebrating Zimmerman’s acquittal as a vindication of the magnificence of the US justice system – the most despicable being one such racist gargoyle from Iowa, intoning majestically that there were no grounds to prosecute the hunter killer of the black kid in the first place !

    I paraphrase the thinking – “Dead black kid ?………well……..yeah……..and your point is…….?

    Hope my screen doesn’t get hacked with that aging pornstar look-alike Fux News’ Geraldo Rivera. He who within hours of the boy’s assassination peppered his deepest sympathies to Trayvon’s family with recommendation to black kids that they not get about with hoodies tent-like.

    I paraphrase in advance – “Well folks……..hate to say ‘I told ya so’………”

    Jesus Christ……..the hacking’s started already.
    Rupert Murdoch’s Fux News disporting Karl Rove !

    Aging pornstar Geraldo to Rupert – “Damn ! Boss……you knew all along that black boy was carryin’ a cellphone. Boss……ya coulda told me !” Boss !

  6. chrissy 6
    15 July 2013 at 10:52 am

    According to some little git actor ,from hobbits I think, on tv last night peter Jackson is the “King of New Zealand” I wonder if our little despot knows that.

    • Rosetinted 6.1
      15 July 2013 at 11:41 am

      chrissy Hey I protest on behalf of all hobbits and little git actors. Watch your language you bigot.

      • chrissy 6.1.1
        15 July 2013 at 11:58 am

        Rosetinted

        Oooerrr!! Ever so sorry, but anyone who say’s peter Jackson is King of NZ is IMO a little git, actor or not. And he was in the hobbit movies. Makes him a double git. Just my opinion.

        • Rosetinted 6.1.1.1
          15 July 2013 at 1:04 pm

          chrissy
          People seem to have some strong opinions about Sir Peter Jackson – either love or hate him.
          I love someone who makes business in New Zealand. Then I hate the way that the government has opened up the entry quota, or wiped it, for bringing in technicians etc.. instead of ensuring that NZs got trained first.

          If NZs get the chance to get big films here, it may be best that they don’t go all bolshie and march up the road threatening to withdraw their labour while trying to boost their payments. When they should be jawing up better conditions in meetings nose to nose. I think people got hoist with their own petard (not Peter).

          • framu 6.1.1.1.1
            15 July 2013 at 4:17 pm

            ” it may be best that they don’t go all bolshie and march up the road”

            that could be levelled at both sides – no?

    • Bearded Git 6.2
      15 July 2013 at 12:17 pm

      It was Nick Frost who said that-Simon Pegg’s offsider in the cornetto trilogy (Sean of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s end)

    • millsy 6.3
      15 July 2013 at 11:12 pm

      Speaking of hobbits, I saw that movie on Sky’s pay-per-view service over the weekend.

      Nothing to write home about really. The digital matte paintings and the background shots are the only decent thing about it (could have made a travelogue in IMAX format for a fraction of the price).

      Perhaps I am just used to the more rigorious storylines of Game of Thrones?

  7. The Chairman 7
    15 July 2013 at 11:08 am

    It’s simply not correct to say that New Zealand has a rapidly opening gap between the rich and the poor – Bill English

    New Zealand’s income gap has grown faster than any other developed country over the past 20 years – OECD

    Who’s right?

    • Macro 7.1
      15 July 2013 at 4:20 pm

      Certainly NOT Blinglish…

      • The Chairman 7.1.1
        16 July 2013 at 5:12 am

        London School of Economics Professor Robert Wade said Mr English made a stabbing motion with his finger towards his chest and berated him in between their separate appearances on TVNZ’s Q + A programme at the weekend. There was no physical contact.

        Mr English disagreed with his remarks on inequality and capital gains tax and warned him “Don’t you say that again”, Prof Wade said

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8922076/English-rebukes-visiting-academic

        Thoughts?

        • Pascal's bookie 7.1.1.1
          16 July 2013 at 6:22 am

          Heh. I’d say English was pissed off that he has been constrained by the reality’s of MMP in what he has been able to do for the 1%. MOMs instead of full asset sales, not mining our National parks, it’s bloody outrageous what.

        • rosy 7.1.1.2
          16 July 2013 at 8:15 am

          Hehe a perfect example of something I tell my kids – don’t point, it shows you’ve lost control of thoughts and lost the argument.

        • muzza 7.1.1.3
          16 July 2013 at 8:22 am

          <blockquoteHe was interviewed on the current affairs show ahead of Mr English, and asserted that "over the past two decades or so, economic policy in the US, the UK and New Zealand has increasingly been set by the top 1 per cent or so for the top 1 per cent".

          t was this comment to which Mr English took exception – and Prof Wade says he was later told the Clutha-Southland MP "just sort of exploded like a volcano out in the anteroom".

          As if there was any further requirement to illustrate, who the NZ government actually represents!

        • muzza 7.1.1.4
          16 July 2013 at 8:23 am

          He was interviewed on the current affairs show ahead of Mr English, and asserted that “over the past two decades or so, economic policy in the US, the UK and New Zealand has increasingly been set by the top 1 per cent or so for the top 1 per cent”.

          t was this comment to which Mr English took exception – and Prof Wade says he was later told the Clutha-Southland MP “just sort of exploded like a volcano out in the anteroom”.

          As if there was any further requirement to illustrate, who the NZ government actually represents!

          Mods – Please feel free to delete the 7.1.1.3 comment, its a double

  8. Rosetinted 8
    15 July 2013 at 12:13 pm

    Interesting news mix this morning.
    In Ireland there was a riot over the march of the Orangemen who wanted to stride past the Catholics in the usual provocative and traditional way.

    In Spain there was the running of the bulls in Pamplona with the odd goring one of which, who is an Australian woman, has serious injuries.

    There was an affronted and angry response from Germany to the news that the USA has been bugging them – supposedly their allies and both being countries adopting high standards of respect for each other and their peoples.

    💡 What about making a tradition of having an entertaining ‘Running of the Politicians’ through Wellington! That would bring in the crowds and give our representatives a chance to show they’re the Right Stuff in front of thousands. One could make jokes about them being bull-headed, bovine etc. It would be such fun and a therapeutic release for so many of us. And we could be especially scathing of some of the fatter ones, some of whom deserve our scorn for other reasons, and some who would benefit from physical training and better diet enabling them to be even better.

    And another thought – what if we somehow could change our method of government and bring in a provision that each new government had to carry on with a previous government’s policy unless given clear direction about change from the electorate. That would be their mandate, (not a manban though) and change would come about from bills decided after select committees thorough discussion, which would be overseen by a carefully picked observer group with each member having a different status.

    The new laws and regulations would be monitored for deletorious effects and useful effectiveness to the public and be reviewed after the first, and third years to see if satisfactory or requiring change. No measures could be agreed by the government without consulting the people widely, and no secret agreements made of a binding nature.

    No emergency parliamentary sessions could be held without agreement from a widely diverse watchdog citizen group. Such people would be on an on-call basis and be devoted to the country’s wider interests so would attend with the alacrity of firemen when called on. There would be problems but we cannot have important parts of our country’s system of government overthrown ‘by mandate’ every time there is a change in government. I’m more afraid of having nothing left of our political culture under our present ‘system’ than the problems that might arise from my suggestions.

  9. Colonial Viper 9
    15 July 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Smalley interviews Colin James about the Labour Leadership

    Excellent piece form TV3. Summary:

    Shearer has gone to ground, refusing interviews and stopped releasing copies of his public schedule to the media.

    There is disgruntlement with Shearer and Shearer’s political management, but he could still cling on if he lifts his game, particularly as there does not appear to be any organised effort to move him on. However many are wanting a new Leader in place by Conference.

    A Robertson/Cunliffe ticket is the obvious option but can they work out an agreement. Cunliffe remains a divisive figure to some and Robertson would probably say he is not yet ready to be Leader. Little also seen as divisive and Ardern talented but still 5 years out from being ready.

    Key had the same lack of understanding of NZ and NZ politics that Shearer demonstrates, but proved to be a smooth talker and fast learner.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Shearer-may-be-challenged-for-Labour-leadership/tabid/370/articleID/304822/Default.aspx

    • Bill 9.1
      15 July 2013 at 1:40 pm

      Strange or laughable that the segment pins all the disquiet on Shearer’s visit to the corporate box?

      Was a good interview, but I’m thinking James is a wee bit off the mark in his analysis of possible future configurations. Fact is (I think), that Cunliffe has the membership vote. So any one who can get the numbers in caucus probably needs his endorsement – or he theirs. And I’m reckoning (with relief) that that wipes out ‘log jam’ Robertson.

  10. David H 10
    15 July 2013 at 2:19 pm

    As I said yesterday
    How Convenient is this shit? No problems since the year dot, and now we have ‘white powder’ popping up all over the place, over the weekend. What the fuck? does Shonkey and co think we are all that dumb as to believe this stunt?

    Emergency services prepared decontamination equipment after a white powder scare at the Treasury building in central Wellington just after midday.

    Police and fire crews cordoned off parts of the building after the envelope containing the white powder was received.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8920238/Treasury-building-cordoned-off-after-white-powder-scare
    and it disappeared off the front page pretty quickly too

    • Bill 10.1
      15 July 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Completely missed that wee scare story. Can’t quite figure the article though as it states the powder as being both ‘innocuous’ and…’unidentified’. Oh well….

      • felix 10.1.1
        15 July 2013 at 3:43 pm

        Guess that means even the journos don’t buy it, not even for a moment.

      • David H 10.1.2
        15 July 2013 at 6:10 pm

        But the uniformed gas masked people just tell their own story really and that’s the problem some people only look at the pics.

        • McFlock 10.1.2.1
          15 July 2013 at 6:15 pm

          Trouble is, as soon as someone makes the call, they have to take it seriously. There’s been more than one responder infected or killed by a suspicious package they treated less than cautiously. Low likelihood, but serious consequence in the event.

          Besides, it’s good training for when the hazard is real.

          • Pete 10.1.2.1.1
            15 July 2013 at 6:34 pm

            And don’t forget, the release of calicivirus 20 years ago demonstrates there have been illicit biological agents smuggled into the country, beyond our bio security measures. Do people really think we’d be able to detect anthrax, or foot-and-mouth?

          • Bill 10.1.2.1.2
            15 July 2013 at 6:41 pm

            Explosive devices aside, how many packages of ‘suspicious powder’ – white or otherwise – treated ‘less than cautiously’, has resulted in how many deaths globally in the past 10 – 15 years? I mean, any ball park figure will do. I’m guessing single digits. There or thereabouts. And how many in NZ over the same period? Like you say, good training for imaginery threats and hazards – or a complete bloody waste of time and only ever good for ratcheting up levels of groundless fear in gullible portions of the populace.

            • McFlock 10.1.2.1.2.1
              15 July 2013 at 6:52 pm

              But those skillsets are largely the same regardless if it’s asbestos from a burning warehouse, a legitimate biohazard or just someone with baking soda.

              Public fear-wise, this isn’t exactly our 9/11.

              • Bill …
                15 July 2013 at 7:59 pm

                Heh – and those skillsets around asbestos when NZ’s second city collapsed? They were where?

                But yeah. No likely repeat of 12/9 here or elsewhere…not even though we got an Octagon to tempt any would be radical algebrian nutters.

                • McFlock …
                  15 July 2013 at 9:17 pm

                  lol
                  Wasn’t there a kid who wanted to shoot the Queen when she made a visit to Dunedin years back? Ended up getting confused and setting a rifle up on the wrong street or something. Probably needed Google Earth 🙂

                  • lprent …
                    15 July 2013 at 9:22 pm

                    Wouldn’t have helped in Samoa. Google maps was way way way out of date. Many of the unpaved roads were in fact paved. Many of the streets didn’t exist on their maps. Never looked at the sat images though.

                    I was just surprised after how accurate it has been in NZ. But it does make me aware of the limits to how far you can trust net info

                    • David H …
                      15 July 2013 at 11:25 pm

                      They spent a couple of years running round in cars taking photos and generally getting into shit for grabbing wifi data illegally or something was about privacy. Was all done by about 5 years ago

                  • felix …
                    16 July 2013 at 12:31 am

                    That kid would be Christopher Lewis, one of NZ’s most fascinating criminals of all time.

                    If I recall correctly he wasn’t actually that far off shooting the queen either. Fired one at the footpath I think.

                    He was only 16 or 17 at the time and had already held up the post office at gunpoint for $10k cash. With bicycles for getaway vehicles it was all done during his school lunch break and he was back in class for the afternoon.

  12. stever 12
    15 July 2013 at 2:49 pm

    More on one of John Key’s mates and helpers…and how he is a big problem when it comes to improving the health of a nation.

    So, has he lobbied for tobacco companies in NZ?

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/14/lynton-crosby-tobacco-meeting-labour

    • Bill 12.1
      15 July 2013 at 3:22 pm

      You missed the appointment of a former tobacco industry bigwig to head the ‘Smokefree 2025’ thing?

      • North 12.1.1
        15 July 2013 at 7:21 pm

        Bill @ 12.1.

        Yay, another Fletcher, another Devoy, another Hot Chick C-Rankin on the Families Commission. I’m so looking forward to mine Potty,Gower being appointed to the BSA, David Garret boss of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Morrissey honoured with ambassador to Tel Aviv.

        A fabulously incendiary Brighter Future lies ahead !

  13. Tim 13
    15 July 2013 at 3:33 pm

    KRudd (on Skoi News) has just announced that he’s interested in a policy whereby citizens of PNG could subscribe to the same border control mechanism that exists between OZ and NZill.
    Now watch the Natzis come out with all their Yea…. but Nah …. but Yea …. but Maybe crap.
    (after all, they are fuzzy wuzzies aye – next thing you know, there’ll be P.I’s asking for the same thing – you know – those ‘in-betweens’ Just as soon as we can ensure they’re ‘Noble Savages’ rather than the ignoble. “We’ll get back to you”)

    KEY’s (KEYS) (or Stoivie Jooooooice’s) attitude on US citizens:
    Walk right in ….. sit right down, baby let your mind roll on.

    P.I. neighbours and any with a shared culture; those without money money moneeeeey – ooooh let’s take a while shall we?.

    • Tim 13.1
      15 July 2013 at 3:50 pm

      Oh….. hey!!!! Dunk: reliable sauces in the Beehive tell me it’s ALL ON. If John Key doesn’t ditch the discriminatory pollsee against PoiEyes when the Okkers go for this open border thing with PNG, then the Nats will be toast. KRudd’s proposal is circulating around kebnit. Check with Paddy (and while you’re at it – give him some guidance on the hand and arm movements for tonight).
      MORE on Nightline tonight!!!!

      • Tim 13.1.1
        15 July 2013 at 3:57 pm

        and NO – sauces is not misspelt.
        Pik ya flavour – just as long as you can produce enough for Progressive Enterprises or it’s “competitor” to dictate how much you have to produce before they’ll stock it.

  14. karol 14
    15 July 2013 at 4:13 pm

    Excellent effort by Andrea Vance, as reported by NRT:

    Normally when a select committee hears submissions on a bill, they post them online on the Parliamentary website to inform the public. Except, apparently, for the Intelligence and Security Committee – they’ve refused to post submissions on John Key’s spy bill. Meaning that the public can’t see just how few people supported it.

    Fortunately, Stuff’s Andrea Vance has got hold of them, and posted them here [PDF]. I wonder if they’ll try and prosecute her for it?

    • North 14.1
      15 July 2013 at 4:55 pm

      That’s some nice balance and contrast to the pap pieces on the excellence of the mood and the fare at ShonKey Python’s BBQs.

      Note how the Fart Estate goes just a little bit feral when it’s them who’re the victims………?

    • weka 14.2
      15 July 2013 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Karol, some interesting reading.

  15. Candace 15
    15 July 2013 at 7:41 pm

    This was from sat and probably already been linked to but too bad:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10897497

  16. North 16
    15 July 2013 at 8:30 pm

    As the day draws on – questionable sugar levels have this old fulla increasingly cynical about it all…….

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10898476

    Roped in early, feted, glorified, little talkie from ShonKey Python. Cargo cult by Power Point ?

    Troughing scab pupae ?

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