Didn’t miss it, there was no reply button. Trying to decide whether to go larger caliber (thus more expensive ammo) and learn to reload to offset costs or stay with smaller caliber which is cheaper ammo
“Of course because its nothing to do with poor parenting at all”
Of course this is an example of poor parenting, chris. The whole point is that this is poor parenting. We should all be appalled by such poor parenting.
So how come you and John Key are supporting legislation that will ensure more of it?
What causes ‘good parenting’ or ‘poor parenting’? To answer this question we would have to abondon the magical notion that some strange, supernatural ability to ‘make different choices’ exist.
That’s because the idea that people can summon ‘willpower’ (ex nihilo) from somewhere beyond the world of natural processes to do things differently immediately raises the question of why some people do – and are able to – summon such willpower while others don’t. From what does that different ability – and outcome – arise?
Sooner or later, to explain human behaviour we have to appeal to processes and forces beyond the individual person. To do otherwise and claim that it all arises from the person is unabashed hocus pocus.
That leaves us with two possibilities.
One is that external processes need to be employed to stop individuals emitting ‘bad behaviour’. Some respond to this possibility by claiming that there needs to be increased coercive force to constrain or prevent ‘bad behaviour’. This is the thinking behind punishment and ‘deterrence’ for ‘bad behaviour’. Alternatively, it might be argued that supportive ‘training’ is needed to prevent ‘bad behaviour’. These are two sides to the same coin and see the answer at the level of re-engineering individuals.
The other possibility is that there are sets of external processes that actually generate ‘bad behaviour’ and do so quite systematically. That is, external structures (economic, social, etc.) are busy generating bad behaviours like a widget factory generates widgets (perhaps this ‘production’ is unintentional but the fact remains that this is what is happening). From this perspective, the sensible thing to do is close down the ‘factory’ or radically alter its functioning so that it no longer generates the ‘bad behaviour’. That means changing social and economic structures – changing the way we organise ourselves for production.
The usual argument against the second possible explanation is that not everyone in the current social and economic structures exhibits ‘bad behaviour’ therefore it can’t be the fault of the structures.
But this is garbled logic.
It can be argued against by pointing out that – given ‘natural variation’ in everything from genes to developmental experiences – the impact of malevolent structures will always produce different outcomes in different individuals but that this is not evidence for the lack of malevolence or dysfunctionality in those structures.
Also, we don’t have good stats on ‘sub-critical’ dysfunction to check to see whether the socially acknowledged ‘bad behaviour’ is actually just the tip of a bigger iceberg of social difficulties that are more widespread in the population but never come to formal expression, especially in relation to a particular issue such as child neglect (i.e., the same difficulties that result in some people neglecting children may be expressed, by other people, in other ways – e.g., mental ill health – rather than through child neglect; therefore, we don’t see them as connected phenomena, arising from the same causes).
I’d argue that those who believe in the first kind of explanation will, forever, be like the dutch boy trying to plug holes in the dyke. Things will just get worse and worse until the whole dyke bursts open violently. All that sticking your finger in one hole does is increase the pressure on other parts of the dyke and make those other parts more likely to break.
Paradoxically, the more fevered and wide-ranging the attempts to ‘plug the dyke’ the more harm ends up being done, and done more quickly. The answer, if the second view is adopted, is to divert the body of water behind the dyke (to take the pressure off it – i.e., to stop it generating ‘holes’) then either rebuild the dyke more robustly or do things differently so we don’t need dykes.
‘Dyke plugging’ is the ‘piecemeal social engineering’ approach to social change that Karl Popper advocated – and it is beloved by those of a classical liberal/liberal bent who fear the effects of widespread social and economic change; which is understandable but not necessarily a guarantee that it is a successful strategy.
Like gamblers at a casino, the bet being laid by ‘hole pluggers’ is that ‘things are not really that bad’ in terms of fundamental social and economic structures. (i.e., that we have enough fingers to plug all the holes that will arise so no need to think beyond ‘hole plugging’.)
I found your article perfectly fine and understandable. One item you have not included, albeit this might be quite important when trying to explain why parents leave children in the car to go gambling is: Gambling is an addiction. Like a drug it draws certain vulnerable individuals to think they can “beat” the system, play to a proven method etc.They also watch how much a “one armed bandit” as the pokies where once called is played on in the belief that there are certain odds to get a winner when jumping on one of these at the “right” time. How I know this? I have watched 2 people ruining their and their family lives and nothing, absolutely nothing could stop them until they reached bottom level with no money left. Ultimately, this is what casinos live on – to take the hard earned money of ordinary people. In times past movies indicated that is was the mobs business.
I agree about the addictive qualities of gambling. After all, it is the variable ratio schedule of reinforcement (from the work of behaviourist B.F. Skinner) that is used to explain and calculate the average rate of reward in these machines to make a behaviour most resistant to extinction.
I’d suggest that one of the dysfunctional aspects of the social and economic structures we have in place currently is that it creates incentives for commercial enterprises to identify and then exploit those behaviours most prone to behavioural addiction with the inevitable bad consequences for individuals and society.
One of the skills that consumerism, for example, actively undermines is the ability for self control (aka ‘deferred gratification’) that is now known – from our own Dunedin study – to be one of the best predictors of adult success in relation to “health, wealth and public safety“.
The prevalence of addictive behaviours, I’d argue, is itself a function of structures that provide conditions to encourage them.
After all, it is the variable ratio schedule of reinforcement (from the work of behaviourist B.F. Skinner) that is used to explain and calculate the average rate of reward in these machines to make a behaviour most resistant to extinction.
Same thing applies to MMOs and other games.
The prevalence of addictive behaviours, I’d argue, is itself a function of structures that provide conditions to encourage them.
QFT
And this is where regulations come in. The simple fact is that capitalism will exploit these bad behaviors for personal gain means that they need to be regulated to minimise the harm to society that otherwise would result.
Some time back as a single and dating lad, I recall a quiet evening out at the local. As we walked in she quietly said to me ” If you find me in the bandit room any time later… you have my full permission to strong-arm me out of here.” She wasn’t kidding.
This from an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed and capable person was … memorable. It was something I’d never encountered before.
I’m curious because while I understand PG’s narrative, there still remains the fact that different individuals appear to vary very widely in their susceptibility to addictive behaviours.
Do you imagine that genetic’s should wholly account for this, or is there some other factor in play?
IMHO addictions are more likely to be environmental, learned behaviour, or psychological.
It’s a fact of the human condition that we want to get buzzed every so often. But some people *need* it to relieve their inner torment.
+1 …perfectly understandable good article from puddlegum…I dont trust those who always seek to blame the parents ….it takes a good caring balanced society to create good parents……and yes gambling can be an addiction (like being on the standard all the time….ha ha)
But Paul that’s the wonderful thing about always being right, cos of course it isn’t their fault, it never is! And after all increased child neglect at sky city, even increased pokie use has nothing to do with increased poker machines; that is all the fault of BAD beneficiaries, who should know better than to use poker machines. All the right have done is to get us a convention centre which they keep telling us we desperately needed, and of course there is no correlation whatsoever with increased poker machines and increased gambling. None whatsoever
Our MPs jeer at the words of the the Filipino delegate to the climate change talks.
And now we make our dairy profits by ignoring genocide.
I’m ashamed to be a New Zealander, given the direction this government is taking it.
Just wait for his twitter saying how much fun he’s having. The man is loathsome. http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/17/you-have-to-admire-john-key/
Key has always been weak. Its the old story about managers, you help promote the ones that aren’t a threat. Key’s compliance and acquiescence style is very welcome in easy going times, as its predictable. Yet our world is now entering crisis, resource limits, population (aging and growth), climate and cultural (mono uniformity globally).
“Prime Minister John Key said he will set out his concerns about human rights issues “pretty directl” when he has his formal meeting with Sri Lanka’s President later today, but said overall the relationship between the two countries was improving.”
(Typo courtesy of the Herald.)
“But as world leaders and royalty, including the Prince of Wales, gathered in the capital for their biennial meeting, Cameron first headed to meet victims of Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war and those suffering continuing violence.”
Fonterra is uniquely tied up with the nation state of NZ, and so is a easy target for global politics. Splitting Fonterra would seem a reasonable way to disconnect and allow our PM leeway to pursue our other national interest, the promotion of civil rights. Key is too close to big business.
Key’s getting a real pasting over Sri Lanka and Fonterra on Q & A. More and more I get the impression Fran O’Sullivan has pretty much lost all respect for him.
A pasting with knobs on. Well worth a watch. Have never heard Key dismissed as an incompetent idiot (my words/interpretation) previously in the msm, albeit only in foreign relations terms. Is this a turning point?
well, the Tories maintain support so far. And from The Nation, Colon Craig- “we’re more in that business space (than NZFirst), …50% of our list are successful small businesmen…my portfolio to interests (Rachel)…small business, property… and, government in an efficient manner.” Oh dear, along with more of these show-business and respectable types being found less than whole-some.
… and, government in an efficient manner.”
Colon Craig, another weed springing up from the rampant neo liberal infested countryside.
Just as pervasive as bindwee, convulvulus, old man’s beard. Get rid, root and branch.
now, that is a co-inky-dink; bindweed and the persistent c are an issue in my garden too. Old-Man’s Beard, we cleared a lot of on a rural property we leased two years ago; it was strangling the trees, dreadful stuff.
yes, it was interesting commentary by Fran, praising Helen Clark’s comprehension of the issues that a New Zealand Prime Minister needs.
Also from Q&A, Robert Reid of First Union on this rape culture prevalence : “we live in a bullying, misogynist culture […] that needs a complete change.” (paraphrased).
And Hone, on Feed The Kids Bill, believes that some Nats would personally support it to select committee, he has to see their whips: 80,000-100,000 children go to school hungry- Source, Barnados.
As I said before, there is really no different than the School Dental Service, free milk in school, Education Board speech therapists and psychologists, school nurses, school buses, etc and so on..
Raglan came out to support the flotilla on its way to Anadarko’s ground zero. With hundreds of people both Pakeha and Maori (Which is new here in Rags) and speeches from not other than Angeline Greensill, Catherine Delahunty and Hone Harawira amongst others it was a great turn out!
Funny how cost wasn’t going to be an issue in the fool’s goal of getting back into the mine, but as soon as a very modest amount of money that actually would make a real difference to people’s lives come around, suddenly the purse strings are closed.
And if they can’t be bothered to help those people with a bit of funding. What makes us think they will cough up if and when Anadarko fucks up on our coasts! We will be left in a destroyed country while John Key and his ilk live it up elsewhere on our dime and with our assets!
Currently reading Nicky Hagar’s ‘Other Peoples’ Wars”. What I find the most shocking is the attitude of some at least of the NZ Defence Force personnel (including senior officers) who were posted to Afghanistan. They pulled the wool over the Labour govt’s eyes and blatantly lied about what they were doing there. Their brief was to be peace keepers and assist with reconstruction and they were NOT to be part of the killing sprees (my word for it) except in a situation of a threat to their life and limb.
My point is: under National they most certainly would have been sent there to be part of the random killing sprees – of that I have no doubts. Imagine how much more the Afghanistan cost would have been – $500M? But they can’t compensate the Pike River families for the terrible ordeal they’re still going through at a mere pittance in comparison.
Pathetic, crappy Govt. is almost an understatement. As for the voters… most are no better.
George Carlin
‘Well, where do people think these politicians come from? They don’t fall out of the sky. They don’t pass through a membrane from another reality. They come from American parents and American families, American homes, American schools, American churches, American businesses and American universities, and they are elected by American citizens. This is the best we can do folks. This is what we have to offer. It’s what our system produces: Garbage in, garbage out. If you have selfish, ignorant citizens – if you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you’re going to get selfish, ignorant leaders. Term limits ain’t going to do any good; you’re just going to end up with a brand new bunch of selfish, ignorant Americans. So, maybe, maybe, maybe, it’s not the politicians who suck. Maybe something else sucks around here… like, the public. Yeah, the public sucks. There’s a nice campaign slogan for somebody: ‘The Public Sucks.’
The Nation today, Bennett said women were vulnerable, preyed upon by loser men (since no women in her right mind wants a baby, forgets to take the pill, or just doesn’t want to live with a man, does not occur to her). Now, apart from the outward rage against men this former single mum beneficiary has toward men, and the pedaling the stereotype that women are weak (and so vulnerable which feeds into the roastbuster views of women), apart from all that, what really really irked was how now she was in this position of power she felt so easily compelled to dish it out to women and men about their promiscuity. As if the state was somehow supposed to govern personal matters like that, but worse, that now she was powerful, that she needed to emphasis her now non-vulnerability. All the compassion and the principle just drained from her, and to my mind she just fed the roastbuster stereotypes, at both ends, ruthless men pray of weak women. Women are not weak, women do pray on men too, they do when they are physically stronger but also more likely psychologically. If Bennett had not been sexist against both men and women she might just have caused authorities to investigate, but its one of those bureaucratic technicalities that let this culture of women hatred, self loathing, self-victimization alive. I mean that’s not to suggest that strong women don’t exist, or self-loathing weak vulnerable MSD ministers, but that just as there are predatory women there are predatory men, just as there are sex crimes against women, there are also against men (by women as well as other men), anyway I think you get the point, I hope.
[karol: moved from National day of action against rape culture, highly moderated post. I share your disapproval of Paula Bennett’s treatment of beneficiaries. You draw a long bow from there to the day of action against rape culture. You also don’t seem to understand how rape culture is supported by sexism and patriarchal culture.]
aerobubble, that “loser man” term was introduced by the moderator on the program, not so much by Bennett, but she is of course always a two faced, hypocrite, trying to at one stage presenting women and men as losers, but then claiming some are “really good” and “heroes”, which sounds so unconvincing coming from her high seat.
She is just laughing material, with all this slap happy, sloganised, casual shit talk she presents to the media, there is little detail, substance or anything else of reliable information she ever presents. It is all about “spirit”, “morals”, about “doing” things, about this that and the other vague stuff, one has to wonder, why these idiot journalists let her get away with it all.
Truth is, most agree with her “moral high-ground lecturing”, so they do as mostly typical uppety middle classers totally agree with what she and Nationals stand for and do. There is NOTHING we can expect from the shit mainstream media to really address what is going on in welfare, they simply are not at all interested, whether it is fair, objective, just or whatever.
This presumes the interviewer didn’t inject the term to play Bennett, exposing her for the emptiness. It makes more sense that way, since Bennett loves the put down of those she is duty bound to serve, the needy. Says more about Key selecting her, and National for stomaching her for so long. But hey I’m biased I think a benefit should not come with strings attached since its inhibits seeking further income and so helps force down wages as employers increase churn knowing the work force will not rise up (as they will have a subsidy). It means over time a subgroup of under skilled, under utilized, under paid citizens comes into existance, locked out of higher wages necessary to build their own lives and investments. Universal income payment is not only efficient its the only ethical way, the caveat being that governments may raise it too much to gain popularity but this should never be a reason for not having one.
According to Bennett, of the 80,000 receiving sole-parent support (DPB,etc), 89% are women.
Conversely, $2.8B is outstanding in child support payments (yes, I paid mine, and extras) and this figure is growing. Not much more to be said on gender imbalances in NZ. Well, of course there is…
….”(yes, I paid mine, and extras)” …..
As did I. In fact I estimate I paid close to 1.5 – 2 times what my ex, and one of my children received in any sort of state benefits.
….. still, can’t grumble – otherwise I’d have no right to be able to regard the likes of BM, Chris73 and other trolls as complete and utter assholes devoid of any concept of community, egalitarianism, selflessness, etc.
I hope the cnuts don’t claim any sort of Christian principles (a la Chris Finlayson et al).
interestingly, in this space, China is progressing it’s people replacement programme, reviewing the one-child policy, and abolishing labour camps (re-education involved).
hmmm. Compared to here, the circumstances still appear very difficult for the majority of the Chinese workforce, particularly those in other, less-developed, countries they invest in. Still, then there is India.
Good news – now I won’t feel obliged to put up with the crappy over-hyped Air NZ in the name of patriotism.
Question – how long before the taxpayers will have to buy it back again?
Can you perhaps explain how the “private buyers” are going to accomplish this when the Government will continue to hold and absolute majority of 53% of the shares?
I was in attendance at the protest over the roast busters and rape culture yesterday in Auckland and it got me thinking.
I do wonder sometimes, if Auckland is to big, and if it was all possible that we need to have events like this spread over the city. I mean for us out west with the trains down yesterday and having a pram, taking a bus is not an option. (was able to borrow a car)
Local organisation for the local people. And as it happened in the west – a protest or event in New Lynn may have been better. This is not a criticism of the event – because it was fantastic – but the beginning of of some questions for us lefties. If we really are keen to hear local communities and their opinions – then we need to operate in those communities.
A protest is an empowering thing – it gives voice to the voiceless – it offers a sense of action and it gives people a feeling of togetherness.
Questions really, can we do this differently? Can we make it more effective? I know logistics seems BIG – but if we keep it local – then it’s local orgaisation for local people. Drawing on more talent and orgaisational skills expands the left not diminishes it.
Just thoughts and Ideas – Again let me say the orgainsation and the speakers at yesterdays rally were spot on and awesome!! And If Miss Davidson would/could please put her speech on line I’d like to read it again – it was bloody awesome.
What a depressing read. This must apply to about 99.92% of the contributors to blogs.
I of course am the other 0.08% of the set, as I am of course never miserable.
Smart Talk not so smart;
The decline in quality of our public radio is a scandal Smart Talk: Zeus and Hera – Family and Marriage
Radio NZ National, Sunday 17 November 2013
This is how the Radio NZ website advertises this dog:
The first of a series of panel discussions from the Auckland Museum on the theme of Gods and Men features Dita De Boni, Conrad Reyners and Dr Susan Morton. With Zeus and Hera in mind Noelle McCarthy explores what family and marriage means in 21st century Aotearoa, a place where the only thing nuclear about the family is the way that it has exploded. In a wide-ranging discussion, the group considers the impact of the Marriage Equality Bill.
For any serious listener, one name above all would have set the alarm bells ringing: anyone who has listened to Dita Di Boni‘s light-hearted and light-headed contributions on The Panel or read her sub-sophomoric ruminations in the Herald will have been aware that, whatever the producers of this program had in mind, it was not a serious discussion. [1]
Due to other commitments, I tuned in only to the last few minutes of the program. This is what I heard…..
DITA DI BONI: We’re hamstrung by political correctness in the parenting realm. There are some things we are not allowed to do these days. I’m not brave enough to say what they are! He he he he he!
She then went on to defend “those people of conservative views” (translation: hateful fundamentalist Christian bigots) who were subjected to ridicule on “the leftist forum” of Twitter after they had posted their ignorant messages during the recent Civil Marriage debate.
The really troubling thing about this was not that she said something so foolish and provocative, but that she was not challenged in any way by any of the other participants. There are a couple of possibilities to explain their silence: either Conrad Reyners and Dr Susan Morton are brain-dead, or they knew without having to be told that disagreement and debate are not encouraged or tolerated on Radio New Zealand National.
This Smart Talk turkey follows the format of being interrupted every twelve or so minutes—clearly someone imagines it can be flogged to some commercial outfit somewhere—by a recorded promo of the program, consisting of Noelle McCarthy’s Cork lilt over a bed of unsettling, vaguely portentous music. It is done in exactly the same sententious manner as the TED Radio Hour, the dire PBS series that recently filled the 4 o’clock spot.
This style of grandiose introductions for essentially light, intellectually lazy arts and discussion programs goes back a long way. Those Standardisti who watched CanWest television shows on Sunday afternoons in New Zealand in the late 1990s will recall with horror a similarly pretentious Canadian television series [2] that used to show on TV3, and will be unable to forget—try as they might—the breathy introductions and voiceovers by one Marilyn Lightstone. Disturbingly, someone at Radio New Zealand National is impressed rather than repelled by such shallowness, and they have compelled poor Noelle McCarthy to perform the radio equivalent of what the National Party’s brains trust did when it compelled poor Don Brash to climb into a stock car on the campaign trail.
At the end of the program, the studio audience erupted into explosive applause. I would bet Bill Clinton’s monthly whoring budget that someone had instructed them to do this, and it was not spontaneous. Certainly the Sunday 4 ’til 8 host Katrina Batten sounded dubious: “A very enthusiastic audience there,” she said, carefully, “ending the first episode of Smart Talk….”
[1]http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10052013/#comment-631145 [2] It consisted almost entirely of following the Toronto dinner-jacket set to exhibition openings and book launches. There was a particularly sad, worshipful segment one day devoted to Christopher Hitchens’ appearance at a society dinner party; the Canadian and American punters interviewed seemed to be in awe of the fact that Hitchens had read so many books.
How many of those books had Hitchens understood? He always struck me as the sort that would read a précis of a book, just so he could throw it into conversation.
I think he read them, Murray. He was a liar, a bully and a toady, but unlike his sad acolytes and the right wing politicians he so virulently defended, he did actually know what he was talking about.
That’s a very good citation, ropata. However, I don’t think “virulent” is the right word to describe Galloway’s systematic demolition of Hitchens. It applies to Hitchens though, quite appropriately.
If there was any doubt before, none remains now.
We have got a true measure of Key’s understanding of the world.
Far from being able to remember what he was doing in 1981, Key knows full well what he was doing and where he stood on playing with Apartheid, as evidenced by his opinions of sanctions against countries – “as not working or ineffective” says it all.
I still think an inquisitorial rather than adversarial processes is best in court, but Collins is not going to go there.
Ms Collins was looking at restorative justice.
“What we know is that quite a lot of those people who do complain to police as victims of sexual assault are actually assaulted by people who are close to them – either partners, former partners, friends, family members.
“And sometimes they don’t want, those victims, to have to go to court. They also don’t want to necessarily see the accused end up in jail for up to 20 years, because rape is treated extremely seriously in this country.
“What thy do want is they want abuse to stop, they want the offender to confess to what they’ve done, to acknowledge the harm that they’ve caused and to help give back that person’s dignity.
“And I think it’s that loss of dignity which continues to live with the victim forever.”</blockquote.
Obviously it won't suit all victims, or be appropriate for many forms of rape, but there are a lot of people who would feel they can get some proportionate justice, with further protection through behaviour change as a result of a restorative justice process, than having families being ruined by long drawn out adversarial justice processes and prison terms.
I'm surprised and pleased Collins is actually putting a bit of thought into this, rather than making excuses. Note to self to see if this process is in use elsewhere.
“Look out the left the captain said
The lights down there that’s where we’ll land
Up there’s a heaven, down there’s a town
Blackness everywhere, any little lights shine
Turn this Crazy Bird around.”
Immense social inequality established after a “Chicago Boys” generated type of “economic boom” (for the top winners), supported by US and other overseas capital, is likely to urge most Chileans to question the present system and return Bachelet to presidency.
This is highly interesting stuff to watch in one of Latin America’s most important countries and economies!!!
Yep, so while we have the “Chicago Boys” do their deals, the rest of society have to live with humble pie, no matter where you go and look. “Trickle down” or “pissing down” your leg while you stand next by the side, that is their theory.
John Key did oversee another “dairy deal” in Sri Lanka, shat on human rights issues, while the UK media exposed the censorship and bias in the media there. NZ is becoming a sell-out country when it comes to human rights, gradually similar to the “sell out” terms that the Pinochet government offered overseas “investors” to make great gains in Chile, over the last few decades.
Private education locks many out of decent education there, so there have been endless protests. This election there this Sunday is a must watch story. Hopefully some more moves towards a bit more social and economic justice will be the result after all.
Camila Vallejo’s election “ad” for her “Florida” electorate in the south of Santiago. Well, it seems they all at some stage turn a bit “mainstream”, she being a former “communist” and student leader, now running under the group supporting prospective president Bachelet:
An upcoming mother by all looks too, how interesting, running for Parliament and also motherhood at the same time, here you go, emancipated Kiwi girls, a good example to perhaps respect and follow (some do by the way!)!
There are issues in NZ, but the issues that took importance there, and have a follow up story to tell, they can also happen here.. This is what one of the most commercially brainwashed people on this planet, and those are you, dear NZers, do not bloody realise!
Wake up and take a bloody stand, thanks! Key just let Sri Lanka off the hook! A country with unadressed human rights issues, where tens of thousands were killed. How can a people, that is “civilised” and “educated’ stand bloody still and damned well IGNORE this???
If it adds nothing then do not remove it allow us to respond in kind. It really is censorship shame on you.
All we want is a democratic and fair government but the minute you censor something you are admitting you are no better than them. A democratic society doesn’t censor or delete its citizens comments just because they disagree. They allow debate and free speech.
The thread flowed and ebbed comments from photonz would have been taken to task.
[karol: this is a blog not government. There are policies for the blog, breaching of them is a banning offence. See here. I haven’t banned commenters but moderated some comments and moved them because they are in danger of derailing the thread.
Banning offences are attacking authors and telling them what to write.
there are also rules, which includes trollish behaviour such as not engaging the brain when commenting.
You are really overstating the value of the comments I deleted. The commenter had set the discussion off in a direction that was off topic, was warned, then continued to dispute it. That’s not censorship.
And continuing to dispute my decisions and actions will not be looked on favourably either.
I’m sorry I originally moved the comments to this open mike – 17th, then corrected and sent them to open mike for the 18th]
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Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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Child neglect at casino increasing
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9409016/Child-neglect-at-casino-increasing
John Banks, Peter Dunne and the others who voted for more pokies, hang your heads in shame.
This will just get worse in the future.
Of course because its nothing to do with poor parenting at all
Poor parenting is 50% of the problem. Let’s tackle the whole problem. Including resourcing and teaching parents better skills and better approaches.
Every child is different, until we teach to weakness and reward their strengths schools and teachers will continue to fail kids in my opinion.
Yeah, Chris..that’s the only reason….
Saves you from having to worry about any social contract.
If 73 refers to your date of birth, it explains a lot.
A child of the neo-liberal revolution.
Do you realise there are successful alternative views to how society can operate than the Ayn Rand/’Atlas shrugged’/libertarian/ me me me model ?
“If 73 refers to your date of birth, it explains a lot.
A child of the neo-liberal revolution.”
I’d even put money on it!
Chris73… in case you missed it Murray Olsen asked you an important question
Didn’t miss it, there was no reply button. Trying to decide whether to go larger caliber (thus more expensive ammo) and learn to reload to offset costs or stay with smaller caliber which is cheaper ammo
There is always a reply button. You just have to want to use it.
“Of course because its nothing to do with poor parenting at all”
Of course this is an example of poor parenting, chris. The whole point is that this is poor parenting. We should all be appalled by such poor parenting.
So how come you and John Key are supporting legislation that will ensure more of it?
HI chris73,
Let’s play with this idea for a bit.
What causes ‘good parenting’ or ‘poor parenting’? To answer this question we would have to abondon the magical notion that some strange, supernatural ability to ‘make different choices’ exist.
That’s because the idea that people can summon ‘willpower’ (ex nihilo) from somewhere beyond the world of natural processes to do things differently immediately raises the question of why some people do – and are able to – summon such willpower while others don’t. From what does that different ability – and outcome – arise?
Sooner or later, to explain human behaviour we have to appeal to processes and forces beyond the individual person. To do otherwise and claim that it all arises from the person is unabashed hocus pocus.
That leaves us with two possibilities.
One is that external processes need to be employed to stop individuals emitting ‘bad behaviour’. Some respond to this possibility by claiming that there needs to be increased coercive force to constrain or prevent ‘bad behaviour’. This is the thinking behind punishment and ‘deterrence’ for ‘bad behaviour’. Alternatively, it might be argued that supportive ‘training’ is needed to prevent ‘bad behaviour’. These are two sides to the same coin and see the answer at the level of re-engineering individuals.
The other possibility is that there are sets of external processes that actually generate ‘bad behaviour’ and do so quite systematically. That is, external structures (economic, social, etc.) are busy generating bad behaviours like a widget factory generates widgets (perhaps this ‘production’ is unintentional but the fact remains that this is what is happening). From this perspective, the sensible thing to do is close down the ‘factory’ or radically alter its functioning so that it no longer generates the ‘bad behaviour’. That means changing social and economic structures – changing the way we organise ourselves for production.
The usual argument against the second possible explanation is that not everyone in the current social and economic structures exhibits ‘bad behaviour’ therefore it can’t be the fault of the structures.
But this is garbled logic.
It can be argued against by pointing out that – given ‘natural variation’ in everything from genes to developmental experiences – the impact of malevolent structures will always produce different outcomes in different individuals but that this is not evidence for the lack of malevolence or dysfunctionality in those structures.
Also, we don’t have good stats on ‘sub-critical’ dysfunction to check to see whether the socially acknowledged ‘bad behaviour’ is actually just the tip of a bigger iceberg of social difficulties that are more widespread in the population but never come to formal expression, especially in relation to a particular issue such as child neglect (i.e., the same difficulties that result in some people neglecting children may be expressed, by other people, in other ways – e.g., mental ill health – rather than through child neglect; therefore, we don’t see them as connected phenomena, arising from the same causes).
I’d argue that those who believe in the first kind of explanation will, forever, be like the dutch boy trying to plug holes in the dyke. Things will just get worse and worse until the whole dyke bursts open violently. All that sticking your finger in one hole does is increase the pressure on other parts of the dyke and make those other parts more likely to break.
Paradoxically, the more fevered and wide-ranging the attempts to ‘plug the dyke’ the more harm ends up being done, and done more quickly. The answer, if the second view is adopted, is to divert the body of water behind the dyke (to take the pressure off it – i.e., to stop it generating ‘holes’) then either rebuild the dyke more robustly or do things differently so we don’t need dykes.
‘Dyke plugging’ is the ‘piecemeal social engineering’ approach to social change that Karl Popper advocated – and it is beloved by those of a classical liberal/liberal bent who fear the effects of widespread social and economic change; which is understandable but not necessarily a guarantee that it is a successful strategy.
Like gamblers at a casino, the bet being laid by ‘hole pluggers’ is that ‘things are not really that bad’ in terms of fundamental social and economic structures. (i.e., that we have enough fingers to plug all the holes that will arise so no need to think beyond ‘hole plugging’.)
He won’t have an idea what you’re talking about.
I hope you’re wrong but if you’re right I guess that means that I must try to express myself more clearly.
I don’t mind trying to meet someone three-quarters of the way, if that’s what it takes. I just find it difficult hitting the right pitch sometimes.
It’s an art, I know, and I need to practice it more.
that will be helpful, for some, I’m certain.
I agree, and will do – I knew I could depend upon you to be an advocate for clarity 🙂
depends on the vintage and decanter 😀
I thought it was expressed very clearly. Never be clear enough for those who feign ignorance though.
Frankly Puddleglum I am moved. Excellent, calm, clear, superbly logical, profound, analysis. Thanks.
Who cares that the Little Churchill effigies infesting this site won’t by will or nature understand. Be fun to see them squeal and splutter.
Thanks North!
I found your article perfectly fine and understandable. One item you have not included, albeit this might be quite important when trying to explain why parents leave children in the car to go gambling is: Gambling is an addiction. Like a drug it draws certain vulnerable individuals to think they can “beat” the system, play to a proven method etc.They also watch how much a “one armed bandit” as the pokies where once called is played on in the belief that there are certain odds to get a winner when jumping on one of these at the “right” time. How I know this? I have watched 2 people ruining their and their family lives and nothing, absolutely nothing could stop them until they reached bottom level with no money left. Ultimately, this is what casinos live on – to take the hard earned money of ordinary people. In times past movies indicated that is was the mobs business.
Hi Foreign Waka,
I agree about the addictive qualities of gambling. After all, it is the variable ratio schedule of reinforcement (from the work of behaviourist B.F. Skinner) that is used to explain and calculate the average rate of reward in these machines to make a behaviour most resistant to extinction.
I’d suggest that one of the dysfunctional aspects of the social and economic structures we have in place currently is that it creates incentives for commercial enterprises to identify and then exploit those behaviours most prone to behavioural addiction with the inevitable bad consequences for individuals and society.
One of the skills that consumerism, for example, actively undermines is the ability for self control (aka ‘deferred gratification’) that is now known – from our own Dunedin study – to be one of the best predictors of adult success in relation to “health, wealth and public safety“.
The prevalence of addictive behaviours, I’d argue, is itself a function of structures that provide conditions to encourage them.
Same thing applies to MMOs and other games.
QFT
And this is where regulations come in. The simple fact is that capitalism will exploit these bad behaviors for personal gain means that they need to be regulated to minimise the harm to society that otherwise would result.
Some time back as a single and dating lad, I recall a quiet evening out at the local. As we walked in she quietly said to me ” If you find me in the bandit room any time later… you have my full permission to strong-arm me out of here.” She wasn’t kidding.
This from an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed and capable person was … memorable. It was something I’d never encountered before.
I’m curious because while I understand PG’s narrative, there still remains the fact that different individuals appear to vary very widely in their susceptibility to addictive behaviours.
Do you imagine that genetic’s should wholly account for this, or is there some other factor in play?
IMHO addictions are more likely to be environmental, learned behaviour, or psychological.
It’s a fact of the human condition that we want to get buzzed every so often. But some people *need* it to relieve their inner torment.
TIME magazine has the best overview I’ve seen of addiction and brain chemistry
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986282,00.html
+1 …perfectly understandable good article from puddlegum…I dont trust those who always seek to blame the parents ….it takes a good caring balanced society to create good parents……and yes gambling can be an addiction (like being on the standard all the time….ha ha)
Well said, and good to see someone else who doesn’t worship Popper.
But Paul that’s the wonderful thing about always being right, cos of course it isn’t their fault, it never is! And after all increased child neglect at sky city, even increased pokie use has nothing to do with increased poker machines; that is all the fault of BAD beneficiaries, who should know better than to use poker machines. All the right have done is to get us a convention centre which they keep telling us we desperately needed, and of course there is no correlation whatsoever with increased poker machines and increased gambling. None whatsoever
Our MPs jeer at the words of the the Filipino delegate to the climate change talks.
And now we make our dairy profits by ignoring genocide.
I’m ashamed to be a New Zealander, given the direction this government is taking it.
Just wait for his twitter saying how much fun he’s having. The man is loathsome. http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/17/you-have-to-admire-john-key/
Key has always been weak. Its the old story about managers, you help promote the ones that aren’t a threat. Key’s compliance and acquiescence style is very welcome in easy going times, as its predictable. Yet our world is now entering crisis, resource limits, population (aging and growth), climate and cultural (mono uniformity globally).
“Prime Minister John Key said he will set out his concerns about human rights issues “pretty directl” when he has his formal meeting with Sri Lanka’s President later today, but said overall the relationship between the two countries was improving.”
(Typo courtesy of the Herald.)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11158536
Pretty directly, eh?
Rajapaksa must be shaking in his boots.
Compare Key’s words with this.
”British prime minister say he will look to UN to investigate claims of civil war abuses if Sri Lanka does not act within four months”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/16/sri-lanka-cameron-international-war-crimes-inquiry
I’m not a fan of David Cameron… but it seems he’s a lot more direct.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/15/david-cameron-visits-tamils-sri-lanka
“But as world leaders and royalty, including the Prince of Wales, gathered in the capital for their biennial meeting, Cameron first headed to meet victims of Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war and those suffering continuing violence.”
To be fair to Key, if the UK had some significant economic or strategic interests in Sri Lanka Cameron wouldn’t be using his current tone.
So far as I’m aware, for Cameron it’s a ‘free hit’.
By contrast, I understand that there’s some reasonably significant economic (‘dairy’??) interests in Sri Lanka for Key.
Diplomatic duplicity (or ‘realpolitik’ or whatever you want to call it) once again prevails.
Fonterra is uniquely tied up with the nation state of NZ, and so is a easy target for global politics. Splitting Fonterra would seem a reasonable way to disconnect and allow our PM leeway to pursue our other national interest, the promotion of civil rights. Key is too close to big business.
Key’s getting a real pasting over Sri Lanka and Fonterra on Q & A. More and more I get the impression Fran O’Sullivan has pretty much lost all respect for him.
A pasting with knobs on. Well worth a watch. Have never heard Key dismissed as an incompetent idiot (my words/interpretation) previously in the msm, albeit only in foreign relations terms. Is this a turning point?
I doubt it. Fearful “stuff everyone else I’m looking after number one” selfishness is still the driver of the majority of the voters it seems.
well, the Tories maintain support so far. And from The Nation, Colon Craig- “we’re more in that business space (than NZFirst), …50% of our list are successful small businesmen…my portfolio to interests (Rachel)…small business, property… and, government in an efficient manner.” Oh dear, along with more of these show-business and respectable types being found less than whole-some.
… and, government in an efficient manner.”
Colon Craig, another weed springing up from the rampant neo liberal infested countryside.
Just as pervasive as bindwee, convulvulus, old man’s beard. Get rid, root and branch.
now, that is a co-inky-dink; bindweed and the persistent c are an issue in my garden too. Old-Man’s Beard, we cleared a lot of on a rural property we leased two years ago; it was strangling the trees, dreadful stuff.
yes, it was interesting commentary by Fran, praising Helen Clark’s comprehension of the issues that a New Zealand Prime Minister needs.
Also from Q&A, Robert Reid of First Union on this rape culture prevalence : “we live in a bullying, misogynist culture […] that needs a complete change.” (paraphrased).
And Hone, on Feed The Kids Bill, believes that some Nats would personally support it to select committee, he has to see their whips: 80,000-100,000 children go to school hungry- Source, Barnados.
Little Churchill’s losing it and not just abroad. Mutant biped corgi of a man. Honestly ! What an embarrassment !
As I said before, there is really no different than the School Dental Service, free milk in school, Education Board speech therapists and psychologists, school nurses, school buses, etc and so on..
hone harawira just gave a blistering-interview on Q & A..
phillip ure..
+1
Link?
It will be up about 12 i think on TV1 website
Cheers!
Here it is: http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/hone-harawira-feed-kids-bill-video-5712369
Thanks!
Raglan came out to support the flotilla on its way to Anadarko’s ground zero. With hundreds of people both Pakeha and Maori (Which is new here in Rags) and speeches from not other than Angeline Greensill, Catherine Delahunty and Hone Harawira amongst others it was a great turn out!
NZ war in Afghanistan = NZ$280M cost. No problem. Pike River families compensation = NZ$3.0M. No way.
What a pathetic crappy Govt. NZ deserves better. The West Coast deserves better.
Funny how cost wasn’t going to be an issue in the fool’s goal of getting back into the mine, but as soon as a very modest amount of money that actually would make a real difference to people’s lives come around, suddenly the purse strings are closed.
Denial and degradation of the people, under cutting morale and weakening the nation.
And if they can’t be bothered to help those people with a bit of funding. What makes us think they will cough up if and when Anadarko fucks up on our coasts! We will be left in a destroyed country while John Key and his ilk live it up elsewhere on our dime and with our assets!
Currently reading Nicky Hagar’s ‘Other Peoples’ Wars”. What I find the most shocking is the attitude of some at least of the NZ Defence Force personnel (including senior officers) who were posted to Afghanistan. They pulled the wool over the Labour govt’s eyes and blatantly lied about what they were doing there. Their brief was to be peace keepers and assist with reconstruction and they were NOT to be part of the killing sprees (my word for it) except in a situation of a threat to their life and limb.
My point is: under National they most certainly would have been sent there to be part of the random killing sprees – of that I have no doubts. Imagine how much more the Afghanistan cost would have been – $500M? But they can’t compensate the Pike River families for the terrible ordeal they’re still going through at a mere pittance in comparison.
Pathetic, crappy Govt. is almost an understatement. As for the voters… most are no better.
George Carlin
‘Well, where do people think these politicians come from? They don’t fall out of the sky. They don’t pass through a membrane from another reality. They come from American parents and American families, American homes, American schools, American churches, American businesses and American universities, and they are elected by American citizens. This is the best we can do folks. This is what we have to offer. It’s what our system produces: Garbage in, garbage out. If you have selfish, ignorant citizens – if you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you’re going to get selfish, ignorant leaders. Term limits ain’t going to do any good; you’re just going to end up with a brand new bunch of selfish, ignorant Americans. So, maybe, maybe, maybe, it’s not the politicians who suck. Maybe something else sucks around here… like, the public. Yeah, the public sucks. There’s a nice campaign slogan for somebody: ‘The Public Sucks.’
They would be elected in a landslide. Stupid, ignorant people saying to themselves yeah… it’s true The Public Sucks. Everyone else but them. 🙂
Reminds me of the film Brewsters Millions where a guy runs on a campaign of not voting for anybody, and not giving any campaign money because they are going to need it after the oncoming election!
http://movieclips.com/3ZV5-brewsters-millions-movie-none-of-the-above/
Carlin had it right!!!
Oh dear… Roy Harper gets charged with historic sex offences…
(T)hats off for Roy.
Some Candy Cane Talking.
The Nation today, Bennett said women were vulnerable, preyed upon by loser men (since no women in her right mind wants a baby, forgets to take the pill, or just doesn’t want to live with a man, does not occur to her). Now, apart from the outward rage against men this former single mum beneficiary has toward men, and the pedaling the stereotype that women are weak (and so vulnerable which feeds into the roastbuster views of women), apart from all that, what really really irked was how now she was in this position of power she felt so easily compelled to dish it out to women and men about their promiscuity. As if the state was somehow supposed to govern personal matters like that, but worse, that now she was powerful, that she needed to emphasis her now non-vulnerability. All the compassion and the principle just drained from her, and to my mind she just fed the roastbuster stereotypes, at both ends, ruthless men pray of weak women. Women are not weak, women do pray on men too, they do when they are physically stronger but also more likely psychologically. If Bennett had not been sexist against both men and women she might just have caused authorities to investigate, but its one of those bureaucratic technicalities that let this culture of women hatred, self loathing, self-victimization alive. I mean that’s not to suggest that strong women don’t exist, or self-loathing weak vulnerable MSD ministers, but that just as there are predatory women there are predatory men, just as there are sex crimes against women, there are also against men (by women as well as other men), anyway I think you get the point, I hope.
[karol: moved from National day of action against rape culture, highly moderated post. I share your disapproval of Paula Bennett’s treatment of beneficiaries. You draw a long bow from there to the day of action against rape culture. You also don’t seem to understand how rape culture is supported by sexism and patriarchal culture.]
Yes we are well aware of Bennett’s mean streak and general misanthropy, directed towards either gender
aerobubble, that “loser man” term was introduced by the moderator on the program, not so much by Bennett, but she is of course always a two faced, hypocrite, trying to at one stage presenting women and men as losers, but then claiming some are “really good” and “heroes”, which sounds so unconvincing coming from her high seat.
She is just laughing material, with all this slap happy, sloganised, casual shit talk she presents to the media, there is little detail, substance or anything else of reliable information she ever presents. It is all about “spirit”, “morals”, about “doing” things, about this that and the other vague stuff, one has to wonder, why these idiot journalists let her get away with it all.
Truth is, most agree with her “moral high-ground lecturing”, so they do as mostly typical uppety middle classers totally agree with what she and Nationals stand for and do. There is NOTHING we can expect from the shit mainstream media to really address what is going on in welfare, they simply are not at all interested, whether it is fair, objective, just or whatever.
This presumes the interviewer didn’t inject the term to play Bennett, exposing her for the emptiness. It makes more sense that way, since Bennett loves the put down of those she is duty bound to serve, the needy. Says more about Key selecting her, and National for stomaching her for so long. But hey I’m biased I think a benefit should not come with strings attached since its inhibits seeking further income and so helps force down wages as employers increase churn knowing the work force will not rise up (as they will have a subsidy). It means over time a subgroup of under skilled, under utilized, under paid citizens comes into existance, locked out of higher wages necessary to build their own lives and investments. Universal income payment is not only efficient its the only ethical way, the caveat being that governments may raise it too much to gain popularity but this should never be a reason for not having one.
According to Bennett, of the 80,000 receiving sole-parent support (DPB,etc), 89% are women.
Conversely, $2.8B is outstanding in child support payments (yes, I paid mine, and extras) and this figure is growing. Not much more to be said on gender imbalances in NZ. Well, of course there is…
Good on you for paying RT – hope that included some compensation for her labour.
But generally child support is a big fat fail – time we stopped the male view of reasonable about this – $12 a week is generally considered enough
….”(yes, I paid mine, and extras)” …..
As did I. In fact I estimate I paid close to 1.5 – 2 times what my ex, and one of my children received in any sort of state benefits.
….. still, can’t grumble – otherwise I’d have no right to be able to regard the likes of BM, Chris73 and other trolls as complete and utter assholes devoid of any concept of community, egalitarianism, selflessness, etc.
I hope the cnuts don’t claim any sort of Christian principles (a la Chris Finlayson et al).
There’s a lot to be said for putting contraceptives in the water supply until this situation is sorted out.
Are you trying to make BM Bullshit Man’s day Arfamo ?
Nope. If someone had put contraceptives in the water supply before his parents copulated the world would be a better place already.
But then Little Churchill may never have been “created”.
Off the point – update on CHOGM someone please. Have we declared war on anyone yet ?
Poor Belarus. A nasty fate sealed over jolly jolly sherry taking at Balmoral.
No. John Key has not declared war on anyone. He is simply continuing economic sanctions against everyone everywhere who is not in the US rich club.
interestingly, in this space, China is progressing it’s people replacement programme, reviewing the one-child policy, and abolishing labour camps (re-education involved).
Hopefully workers in China will be able to join unions soons.
hmmm. Compared to here, the circumstances still appear very difficult for the majority of the Chinese workforce, particularly those in other, less-developed, countries they invest in. Still, then there is India.
These labour camps, nah.
http://traffickalerts.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/chinese-slave-who-smuggled-note-in-halloween-product-has-been-found/
a cautionary tale maybe. I’m no apologist for human-rights abuses.
What Next? AFP
Cautionary indeed RT and apologies too if my cynicism came across wrong.
after all this time I cannot foresee any necessity for apologies from you joe90
Amnesty
– Jonathan .
the air new zealand shares will be flogged off ‘by tuesday night’..
..according to bill english..
phillip ure..
Air NZ asset sale process begins
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11158618
“The Government has begun the process to sell 20 per cent of Air New Zealand shares,
it announced today.”
Traitors.
Good news – now I won’t feel obliged to put up with the crappy over-hyped Air NZ in the name of patriotism.
Question – how long before the taxpayers will have to buy it back again?
I’d say 5-6 years for the private buyers to strip most of the value out of it and turn its balance sheet into cash to be extracted for shareholders.
Can you perhaps explain how the “private buyers” are going to accomplish this when the Government will continue to hold and absolute majority of 53% of the shares?
When the government gifts the private sector with a majority of the Board seats.
China introduces two child policy, one might think they wanted to first destroy Fonterras brand in the market firstly and keep imports down.
One thing is for sure, the cows will be shitting in the rivers even more to fulfill demand from a wave of new babies in China.
I was in attendance at the protest over the roast busters and rape culture yesterday in Auckland and it got me thinking.
I do wonder sometimes, if Auckland is to big, and if it was all possible that we need to have events like this spread over the city. I mean for us out west with the trains down yesterday and having a pram, taking a bus is not an option. (was able to borrow a car)
Local organisation for the local people. And as it happened in the west – a protest or event in New Lynn may have been better. This is not a criticism of the event – because it was fantastic – but the beginning of of some questions for us lefties. If we really are keen to hear local communities and their opinions – then we need to operate in those communities.
A protest is an empowering thing – it gives voice to the voiceless – it offers a sense of action and it gives people a feeling of togetherness.
Questions really, can we do this differently? Can we make it more effective? I know logistics seems BIG – but if we keep it local – then it’s local orgaisation for local people. Drawing on more talent and orgaisational skills expands the left not diminishes it.
Just thoughts and Ideas – Again let me say the orgainsation and the speakers at yesterdays rally were spot on and awesome!! And If Miss Davidson would/could please put her speech on line I’d like to read it again – it was bloody awesome.
“..How to succeed at self-sabotage…”
http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/14-habits-highly-miserable-people
phillip ure..
What a depressing read. This must apply to about 99.92% of the contributors to blogs.
I of course am the other 0.08% of the set, as I am of course never miserable.
i of course am of the opinion that a miserablist can be (at least temporarily) cured..
..by the application of an ear-pinning-back joint…
..one of those ones that five mins after consumption ..
..has you going ..’whoar..!..’
..hard to be/maintain the miserable..if you are giggling..
..eh..?
..phillip ure..
Police Not Getting The Message
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11158462
“soaring numbers of emergency calls… and an inadequate budget”.
Smart Talk not so smart;
The decline in quality of our public radio is a scandal
Smart Talk: Zeus and Hera – Family and Marriage
Radio NZ National, Sunday 17 November 2013
This is how the Radio NZ website advertises this dog:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The first of a series of panel discussions from the Auckland Museum on the theme of Gods and Men features Dita De Boni, Conrad Reyners and Dr Susan Morton. With Zeus and Hera in mind Noelle McCarthy explores what family and marriage means in 21st century Aotearoa, a place where the only thing nuclear about the family is the way that it has exploded. In a wide-ranging discussion, the group considers the impact of the Marriage Equality Bill.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For any serious listener, one name above all would have set the alarm bells ringing: anyone who has listened to Dita Di Boni‘s light-hearted and light-headed contributions on The Panel or read her sub-sophomoric ruminations in the Herald will have been aware that, whatever the producers of this program had in mind, it was not a serious discussion. [1]
Due to other commitments, I tuned in only to the last few minutes of the program. This is what I heard…..
DITA DI BONI: We’re hamstrung by political correctness in the parenting realm. There are some things we are not allowed to do these days. I’m not brave enough to say what they are! He he he he he!
She then went on to defend “those people of conservative views” (translation: hateful fundamentalist Christian bigots) who were subjected to ridicule on “the leftist forum” of Twitter after they had posted their ignorant messages during the recent Civil Marriage debate.
The really troubling thing about this was not that she said something so foolish and provocative, but that she was not challenged in any way by any of the other participants. There are a couple of possibilities to explain their silence: either Conrad Reyners and Dr Susan Morton are brain-dead, or they knew without having to be told that disagreement and debate are not encouraged or tolerated on Radio New Zealand National.
This Smart Talk turkey follows the format of being interrupted every twelve or so minutes—clearly someone imagines it can be flogged to some commercial outfit somewhere—by a recorded promo of the program, consisting of Noelle McCarthy’s Cork lilt over a bed of unsettling, vaguely portentous music. It is done in exactly the same sententious manner as the TED Radio Hour, the dire PBS series that recently filled the 4 o’clock spot.
This style of grandiose introductions for essentially light, intellectually lazy arts and discussion programs goes back a long way. Those Standardisti who watched CanWest television shows on Sunday afternoons in New Zealand in the late 1990s will recall with horror a similarly pretentious Canadian television series [2] that used to show on TV3, and will be unable to forget—try as they might—the breathy introductions and voiceovers by one Marilyn Lightstone. Disturbingly, someone at Radio New Zealand National is impressed rather than repelled by such shallowness, and they have compelled poor Noelle McCarthy to perform the radio equivalent of what the National Party’s brains trust did when it compelled poor Don Brash to climb into a stock car on the campaign trail.
At the end of the program, the studio audience erupted into explosive applause. I would bet Bill Clinton’s monthly whoring budget that someone had instructed them to do this, and it was not spontaneous. Certainly the Sunday 4 ’til 8 host Katrina Batten sounded dubious: “A very enthusiastic audience there,” she said, carefully, “ending the first episode of Smart Talk….”
[1] http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10052013/#comment-631145
[2] It consisted almost entirely of following the Toronto dinner-jacket set to exhibition openings and book launches. There was a particularly sad, worshipful segment one day devoted to Christopher Hitchens’ appearance at a society dinner party; the Canadian and American punters interviewed seemed to be in awe of the fact that Hitchens had read so many books.
How many of those books had Hitchens understood? He always struck me as the sort that would read a précis of a book, just so he could throw it into conversation.
I think he read them, Murray. He was a liar, a bully and a toady, but unlike his sad acolytes and the right wing politicians he so virulently defended, he did actually know what he was talking about.
Hitchens v. Galloway: Iraq war debate. http://youtu.be/XLKQGwVkczg
Galloway condemns Hitchens’ warmongering in virulent fashion. Must see.
That’s a very good citation, ropata. However, I don’t think “virulent” is the right word to describe Galloway’s systematic demolition of Hitchens. It applies to Hitchens though, quite appropriately.
John Key and Sri Lanka and 1981.
If there was any doubt before, none remains now.
We have got a true measure of Key’s understanding of the world.
Far from being able to remember what he was doing in 1981, Key knows full well what he was doing and where he stood on playing with Apartheid, as evidenced by his opinions of sanctions against countries – “as not working or ineffective” says it all.
I think there are so good ideas here
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11158621
I still think an inquisitorial rather than adversarial processes is best in court, but Collins is not going to go there.
I'm surprised and pleased Collins is actually putting a bit of thought into this, rather than making excuses. Note to self to see if this process is in use elsewhere.
here’s something from the past
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2klh2cTa_Q
Cheers,
Here’s something a little more recent
And here’s a classic
Time for me to walk on
Gr8 epitaph.
It’s definitely time I was on me bike
Same
Woops.. forgot my dominoes
A Shaggy Dog Sequel.
“Look out the left the captain said
The lights down there that’s where we’ll land
Up there’s a heaven, down there’s a town
Blackness everywhere, any little lights shine
Turn this Crazy Bird around.”
Another blast from the seventies: http://youtu.be/h1PfrmCGFnk
Ka boom
used to whistle that tune (at work and play).
Chile determined to return a left of centre president, while many will say: “BASTA Pinera”:
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/americas/2013/11/former-chile-president-set-comeback-2013111641524730133.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/americas/2013/11/calls-fairness-ahead-chile-elections-2013111434344986272.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/11/chile-at-crossroads-2013111764617721131.html
Immense social inequality established after a “Chicago Boys” generated type of “economic boom” (for the top winners), supported by US and other overseas capital, is likely to urge most Chileans to question the present system and return Bachelet to presidency.
This is highly interesting stuff to watch in one of Latin America’s most important countries and economies!!!
Just a further good link to an interesting story on Chile here, from Al Jazeera online:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/11/other-side-chile-economic-miracle-201311159282210130.html
Yep, so while we have the “Chicago Boys” do their deals, the rest of society have to live with humble pie, no matter where you go and look. “Trickle down” or “pissing down” your leg while you stand next by the side, that is their theory.
John Key did oversee another “dairy deal” in Sri Lanka, shat on human rights issues, while the UK media exposed the censorship and bias in the media there. NZ is becoming a sell-out country when it comes to human rights, gradually similar to the “sell out” terms that the Pinochet government offered overseas “investors” to make great gains in Chile, over the last few decades.
Private education locks many out of decent education there, so there have been endless protests. This election there this Sunday is a must watch story. Hopefully some more moves towards a bit more social and economic justice will be the result after all.
Camila Vallejo’s election “ad” for her “Florida” electorate in the south of Santiago. Well, it seems they all at some stage turn a bit “mainstream”, she being a former “communist” and student leader, now running under the group supporting prospective president Bachelet:
http://vimeo.com/78079411
Well, I wish her well, any move away from what they have now can only be an improvement.
A better video here on Camila and her election campaign:
http://noticias.terra.cl/elecciones/videos/camila-vallejo-presenta-su-video-de-campana-para-diputada-por-la-florida,497332.html
An upcoming mother by all looks too, how interesting, running for Parliament and also motherhood at the same time, here you go, emancipated Kiwi girls, a good example to perhaps respect and follow (some do by the way!)!
Libertad for MAPUCHE!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2XpK7rX4l8
SEE THIS AUTHENTIC CHILEAN PUBLIC TV DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HOW FASCIM WORKS AND TIES IN INNOCENT CONSCRIPTS AND THE LIKES:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypo397DArIU
There are issues in NZ, but the issues that took importance there, and have a follow up story to tell, they can also happen here.. This is what one of the most commercially brainwashed people on this planet, and those are you, dear NZers, do not bloody realise!
Wake up and take a bloody stand, thanks! Key just let Sri Lanka off the hook! A country with unadressed human rights issues, where tens of thousands were killed. How can a people, that is “civilised” and “educated’ stand bloody still and damned well IGNORE this???
If it adds nothing then do not remove it allow us to respond in kind. It really is censorship shame on you.
All we want is a democratic and fair government but the minute you censor something you are admitting you are no better than them. A democratic society doesn’t censor or delete its citizens comments just because they disagree. They allow debate and free speech.
The thread flowed and ebbed comments from photonz would have been taken to task.
[karol: this is a blog not government. There are policies for the blog, breaching of them is a banning offence. See here. I haven’t banned commenters but moderated some comments and moved them because they are in danger of derailing the thread.
Banning offences are attacking authors and telling them what to write.
there are also rules, which includes trollish behaviour such as not engaging the brain when commenting.
You are really overstating the value of the comments I deleted. The commenter had set the discussion off in a direction that was off topic, was warned, then continued to dispute it. That’s not censorship.
And continuing to dispute my decisions and actions will not be looked on favourably either.
I’m sorry I originally moved the comments to this open mike – 17th, then corrected and sent them to open mike for the 18th]
O Karol. did you offend diddums. Have yu traumatised him and f*cked him up for the rest of his life?