Open mike 15/08/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 15th, 2015 - 54 comments
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54 comments on “Open mike 15/08/2015 ”

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  1. locus 1
    15 August 2015 at 6:59 am

    murray had a little lamb..problem

    after john campbell and dita de boni, toby manhire better have someone watching his back
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11496787

  2. Weepus beard 2
    15 August 2015 at 7:01 am

    Ali Ikram takes a shot at Rachael Smalley’s double standards here…

    …and scores.

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/71016503/Thanks-to-Rachels-diversity-vibe-my-ship-may-have-come-in

    • vto 2.1
      15 August 2015 at 7:54 am

      That’s a good piece weepus beard.

      Rachel Smalley was onto it with her comments however she forgot the other whole half of the population, as I amply pointed out just a couple days before her half-thoughts. The funnier thing is that our dear moderator TRP took offence and banned me….. http://thestandard.org.nz/lets-lynch-the-landlord/#comment-1054151

      Vindicated in the messed up soup of gender prejudice and moderators…

      ha

      • marty mars 2.1.1
        15 August 2015 at 10:10 am

        Sadly, Smalley, in those pre-revelatory days, could not be swayed and despite my status as an ethnic minority, I remained in the ghetto of reporting before eventually embracing my current oblivion.

        Broadcasting does not run on good intentions. The beast is fed with greed, pride, lust, envy and gluttony. The people who “make it” are possessed with an enormous desire to get to the top and stay there.

        From the article – confused is Ali imo. He could look at it that he didn’t ‘make it’ because he doesn’t possess the qualities he states that people who ‘make it’ have, which would be a compliment as he made the list up anyway.

        vto – what is this “other whole half of the population” thingy – I don’t understand what you are getting at.

        • vto 2.1.1.1
          16 August 2015 at 10:00 am

          It was reference to Smalley’s call that white men have certain ‘characteristics’ when working in journalism… which I of course had similarly commented on with regard to white female journalists.

          I just found it highly amusing that TRP banned me for commenting (albeit pretty roughly) on the fact that white females have certain characteristics in journalism, when a few days later Rachel Smalley sparked widespread debate with her comments that white males have certain characteristics in journalism.

          Just as well Smalley didn’t post her comments here on TS as otherwise TRP would have had her banned as a “sexist git”…

    • Incognito 2.2
      15 August 2015 at 8:24 am

      Isn’t Ali Ikram married to Dita de Boni and hasn’t he recently quit his job at TV3?

      • veutoviper 2.2.1
        15 August 2015 at 8:41 am

        Yes and yes.

      • Weepus beard 2.2.2
        15 August 2015 at 10:04 am

        I did not know they were married.

        I did know both have been shut down for criticising the current government which is a real worry, not only for their family but for the voice of the socially responsible left.

    • weka 2.3
      15 August 2015 at 10:22 am

      What are Smalley’s double standards exactly?

      The Ikram piece is interesting. Is he have a pop at Smalley because she blocked him getting a job to protect her own? Given she’s previously pointed to structural sexism, is Ikram suggesting that his own situation was because of structural racism? Or that Smalley’s actions were more personal on that front? But then he goes on to point out that broadcasting is dog eat dog, so maybe that’s it? I’m not sure about putting one’s dirty laundry out in public like that, but a nice underplayed dig at something which just makes me like him even more despite not knowing what he is trying to say.

      • Weepus beard 2.3.1
        15 August 2015 at 10:35 am

        I thought it was clear that he is pointing out that in her argument against the appointment of Campbell to RNZ she forgot her own contribution to the narrowing of diversity in the media landscape.

        Gender and race are both included because she said “another white male”, IIRC.

        Broadcasting is dog eat dog and it would be interesting to know whether it has become more-so in the last few years if that could ever be measured. It seems so from the outside but maybe that’s only because I’m paying more attention now.

        • weka 2.3.1.1
          15 August 2015 at 11:24 am

          Ikram would know more about her politics than I do but on the face of it I remember her article being about women being under represented in broadcasting, not about diversity in general. The reference to a white male getting the job to me points to the fact that structural sexism in NZ plays out via gender, race (and age imo). For instance if we put Maori in charge I bet the gender issue would look very different.

          It’s true that Smalley could be one of those white feminists who is ignorant of race issues, but that wasn’t clear from her article, nor from Ikram’s.

      • whateva next? 2.3.2
        15 August 2015 at 11:18 am

        Nats are masters at dividing and ruling, men against women (structural sexism) , generation against generation (“Baby Boomers” against Gen X/Y zero ), we don’t have to fall for it, yet we do, over and over again.

  3. dv 3
    15 August 2015 at 7:41 am

    Huh
    More bizarre.

    The Earthquake Commission’s (EQC) home repair programme project manager can not be held responsible for shoddy quake repairs, its contract suggests.

    The project management office (PMO) agreement between EQC and Fletcher Construction, signed in 2011 by the then respective chief executives Ian Simpson and Mark Binns, states Fletcher is not responsible for the design of any works, the construction of any works or work of any contractor or consultant.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/71124031/no-responsibility-on-fletcher-eqr-for-shoddy-quake-repairs-contract-suggests

    I feel for ChCh.
    The fix up? seems to be worse than the quake!!!

    • Molly 3.1
      15 August 2015 at 8:26 am

      “The fix up? seems to be worse than the quake!!!”

      Most don’t attribute anthromorphic malice to Mother Nature when she shakes her stuff.

      But the rebuild seems to be rife with malicious intent, and deliberate incompetence.

      I feel for those in Christchurch who are still dealing with the second, on top of the first.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.2
      15 August 2015 at 10:42 am

      …states Fletcher is not responsible for the design of any works, the construction of any works or work of any contractor or consultant.

      So, what were they being paid for then?

      • dv 3.2.1
        15 August 2015 at 10:50 am

        Who knows?

        Good question.

      • Sabine 3.2.2
        15 August 2015 at 1:28 pm

        paid for showing up?

        paid for pretending to care?

        paid for opening the hands to receive the payment?

        paid for being good mates with…….???

        corruption?
        Yeah, nah, Yeah 🙂

  4. half crown 4
    15 August 2015 at 8:49 am

    If you are thinking of upgrading to Windows 10, be aware of this clause in their
    Accepting terms and agreement

    “Then again the EULA itself (which customers never read) is so broad it basically gives Microsoft the freedom to do whatever it wants. Notably this section on privacy reads:

    “We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary”

    All of which means Windows 10 has the right to install whatever it wants on your system without notice and to read and disclose all your personal information and files when it sees fit – even with files you place in private folders.

    Who’s good faith? The Fucking Spiv and the CIA

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/08/13/windows-10-forced-updates-silent-changes/

  5. Dialey 5
    15 August 2015 at 8:56 am

    I never thought I would agree with John Roughan on anything but he’s got it right today in his article on the flag and espousing Tino Rangatiratanga. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11497385
    Having seen the 40 semi finalists now, it certainly stands out in every sense so the superior option.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      15 August 2015 at 10:43 am

      I agree with his first line the middle lacked anything of consequence and I agree that the new flag should be based around Māori history.

      • marty mars 5.1.1
        15 August 2015 at 10:57 am

        yes agreed.

        “The flag discussion has lacked a Maori dimension so far, which is unreal these days. It is another reason none of the 40 looks likely to fly.”

        It is a complete joke built upon another joke this flag debate. At least the existing flag means something, even if I don’t like or agree with it, it means something. Same with the tino rangatiratanga flag – it means something. Anyway whichever teatowel is chosen I’m going to continue to fly the tino rangatiratanga flag as my flag. It is a flag of protest, a flag of remembrance, a flag of the past and a flag of the future.

    • Redbaiter 5.2
      15 August 2015 at 10:59 am

      John Key is lying through his teeth to support his vanity driven attempt to change NZ’s 115 year old flag.

      What is amazing is he is getting away with it.

      When I don’t expect much from the useless mainstream media, it surprises me the Labour party are letting him get away with it.

      A PM can just get up and lie and manipulate and the opposition does nothing?

      Leaving aside how Key has rigged the system.

      Why is Andrew Little letting him get away with this? More should be made of Key’s obvious lies on this issue.

      Check out my additions to JK’s video for clear examples of just some of those lies.

      • Stephanie Rodgers 5.2.1
        15 August 2015 at 11:55 am

        LOL, the totally sincere, not-trolling, not-a-trap “advice” of Redbaiter in action. The funny thing is that it’s now stealing lines from Matthew Hooton, a la “this failure of the government is actually Labour’s failure because of some imaginary standard I’ve created to judge them on.”

        • Redbaiter 5.2.1.1
          15 August 2015 at 12:11 pm

          What do you think of Trump’s rise in popularity in the US?

          The voters are tired of politicians doing not what they want but what the media want.

          Little could capitalise on the same feeling here in NZ if he had the brains and the guts.

        • Rodel 5.2.1.2
          15 August 2015 at 1:26 pm

          Yeah! C’mon Andrew. Do something about the PM’s lies. It’s all your fault. Hootonism abounds.

  6. freedom 6
    15 August 2015 at 9:14 am

    DEAR MODS:
    Can someone please update the header for the TPPA Protest post?

    Thank you

  7. travellerev 7
    15 August 2015 at 9:34 am

    John Key Is A Counterfeiter And Here Is Why!

  9. Herodotus 9
    15 August 2015 at 11:14 am

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/71023622/half-of-over-50s-not-planning-for-retirement
    With student loans, mortgage debt, stagnant wage growth, and limited gdp gowth how are we to save for our retirement ?
    If you are fortunate, retired and have a $1m in the bank + pension your income is about $40k after tax p.a. How on earth are the current workforce expected to save a $1m?

  11. vaughan little 11
    15 August 2015 at 2:06 pm

    http://davidstockmanscontracorner.com/the-great-china-ponzi-an-economic-and-financial-trainwreck-which-will-rattle-the-world/un piece on china’s economy. calls the fed and wall street communistic along the way.

  12. Morrissey 12
    15 August 2015 at 4:04 pm

    Al Jazeera hack implies that U.S. cares for “democracy and human rights”.
    Could the “news” be any more biased than this?
    Al Jazeera News, 3 p.m., Saturday 15 August 2015

    Today sees the raising of the stars and stripes in Havana for the first time in more than half a century. Al Jazeera made sure it sent one of its most dedicated propagandists to interpret the event for its viewers, many of whom apparently believe the Qatari dictatorship’s TV outlet is a liberal station…..

    “John Kerry spoke in English and Spanish, knowing that his speech was being broadcast live on Cuban state television. He acknowledged that there are many issues that divide the two countries, such as democracy and human rights. …. Despite pressure from home, Mr Kerry did not invite any Cuban dissidents to the ceremony. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera, Havana.”

    Perhaps the “democracy and human rights”-loving U.S. Secretary of State might like to have a word to those monsters in Havana about their internationally condemned policy of kidnapping people off the streets all around the world and “rendering” them for torture at Guantánamo.

    Oh wait…

  13. Morrissey 13
    15 August 2015 at 5:47 pm

    Embarrassing Meltdowns
    No. 1: SIR ROBERT JONES

    “Arrrrggghhhh! Argggggghhhh! Harrumph! Arrrrgggghhh! Arrrrgggghhhh!”

    I swear that if this brutal old codger had ever shown even a shred of decency or compassion, one could feel sorry for him. But he hasn’t, so we can all chuckle, guilt-free, as we relive this mortifying hour from two years ago…..

    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18072013/#comment-664471

  14. Redbaiter 14
    15 August 2015 at 7:14 pm

    Morrissey-

    Bob Jones has admitted to voting Labour every election.

    (except I suppose when he had his own party)

    • Draco T Bastard 14.1
      15 August 2015 at 7:29 pm

      Link?

      Or is that just another RWNJ lie?

    • Morrissey 14.2
      16 August 2015 at 12:08 pm

      Bob Jones has admitted to voting Labour every election.

      Labour in the mid-1980s was taken over by a small group of fanatical ideologues who made Thatcher and Reagan look socially concerned. A small, but highly significant, incident occurred during the snap election campaign in 1984: the Labour Party organised a soup kitchen in Myers Park to highlight the fact that people were going hungry under the National Government. The soup kitchen was a media event, and lots of important people were invited to attend and to consume a bowl of soup in solidarity with the poor. Somehow a couple of real homeless people penetrated the security cordon and lined up for the soup with the respectable people. They were rounded up and swiftly thrown out.

      So of course Jones identified with the radical anti-democratic views of Douglas, Prebble, Moore, De Cleene, Shirley and Caygill. More worrying was to see the hapless, outwitted and outmanoeuvred David Lange fronting for them.

      I don’t believe he still votes for Labour though; he’s about as trustworthy as his attempts at comic novel writing are funny.

  15. Penny Bright 15
    15 August 2015 at 8:18 pm

    FYI – tomorrow is the Auckland Rate$ Ripoff Rally.

    If you’ve just received your Auckland Council 2015 – 2016 Rates Assessment Notice /Rates Invoice – and you’re NOT happy – you have a chance to ‘stand up and be counted’.

    Auckland Rate$ Ripoff Rally!

    WHEN: Sunday 16 August 2015

    TIME: Assemble 1pm

    WHERE: Aotea Square Queen St Auckland City

    There will be brief speeches at Aotea Square by 2 Auckland Councillors who voted against the latest Auckland Council 2015 – 2016 rate increase:

    Christine Fletcher
    Ross Clow

    Grey Power spokesperson
    Anne- Marie Coury

    Anti-Corruption Public Watchdog / 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate
    Penny Bright

    There will be a brief march from Aotea Square – along Mayoral Drive – past the (former) Auckland Council Civic Building at Greys Ave, to the new Auckland Council ‘Tower’ at 135 Albert St.

    Speakers outside the new Auckland Council ‘Tower’ will be:

    Spokesperson for ‘Affordable Auckland’ and 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate
    Stephen Berry

    Chair of the Mangawhai Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) – ( who have been / are fighting for the Kaipara District Council to be held accountable to the ‘Rule of Law’).
    Bruce Rogan

    Spokesperson for the Westmere Heritage Protection Association, and initiator of the 2015 Auckland Council ‘rate$ revolt’
    Lisa Prager

    ————————————————–

    Penny Bright

  16. greywarshark 16
    15 August 2015 at 9:23 pm

    There are complaints about more opportunities for charter schools. It seems that they have been set up to be competition for public schools in line with The Word that
    Competition is Good for Everything.

    I have an idea. We should have a second Parliament operating at the same time as the present one. Competitively. Perhaps we could set it up in the South Island!

  17. Chalres 17
    16 August 2015 at 9:18 am

    “…Competition is Good for Everything…”

    I have a dream where I live in a NZ where people understand that words have no inherent meaning, that two similar sounding words can have shifting meanings, that two different sounding and contradictory meanings can point at the same place, that three different words together can mean anything and then point nowhere at all – which is a very specific place. “Competition” is one of those words. “Good, and “everything” are another two. However I hear the rugby is on, beer is cheap, schooling is for “education”, education for getting a job, getting a job to know one is not without but also within a culture, culture so that there is no freedom, no freedom so that there can be rulers, and all of it for reasons words can’t capture. So I’ll continue to dream the impossible dream.