Open mike 18/06/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 18th, 2021 - 76 comments
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76 comments on “Open mike 18/06/2021 ”

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  1. Jimmy 1
    18 June 2021 at 7:34 am

    This is good news that the government incentives are encouraging more to look at EV's.

    'Mad rush' as EV sales surge in Auckland, but limited stock could hike prices | Stuff.co.nz

    Hopefully the supply chain is good and can handle the extra demand so price doesn't increase and offset tax credit.

    Only negative is there is also a surge in ute sales with people trying to get in before the price increase (especially Ford Rangers and Isuzu at the Field Days).

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/125470270/farmers-flock-to-buy-utes-before-clean-car-feebate-scheme-begins

    • Ad 1.1
      18 June 2021 at 8:31 am

      The ute surge will continue as business fleets push to renew before the tax changes.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 1.2
      18 June 2021 at 8:59 am

      The subsidy means the retail price will increase. Increased demand means prices rise as for any product. My porridge goes up in price in winter , along with soups. Its the same business rules from the low end to the top end. Reports in media confirm the dealers are raising prices even ahead of any subsidy coming in.

    • Red Blooded One 1.3
      18 June 2021 at 9:09 am

      That is great news. It highlights how the farming community are not being economically crushed by this Government despite all the "pretty Communist" attitudes from rural NZ. If they can still afford to be buying brand new Utes with gay abandon life must be pretty sweet. It also highlights the fact that there isn't a ban on buying Utes at this stage despite the rhetoric of Nat/Act and some of the commentators here who love to "foment mischief"

      Hopefully the Car Manufacturers step up with the alternatives by the time these latest sales are passed their use-by date.

      • Jimmy 1.3.1
        18 June 2021 at 9:22 am

        Utes are not being banned. Just being made more expensive once the tax is added on to them. Lets hope they are wrong about EV's also being increased in price due to the tax credit else it becomes a bit like the petrol stations advertising "petrol at 10c off a litre on Wednesday", when they have already increased the price to compensate.

        • Red Blooded One 1.3.1.1
          18 June 2021 at 1:54 pm

          I'm agreeing with you Jimmy.Quite a few people are talking as if they are being banned, that was my point, great that people will still have the choice and hopefully the naysayers like National Party Stalwart David Farrar, as one example, stop misrepresenting the situation. Re prices, they will only be as valuable as people are prepared to pay. If they try and charge too much, someone will come in with a cheaper option. That's how we are told Market Forces are supposed to work. They'll soon drop the prices if the vehicles stay on the shop floor.

      • GreenBus 1.3.2
        18 June 2021 at 9:49 am

        Agree RBO how many of us can buy a new car let alone a overpriced ute? The floodgates will soon open pouring EV's and especially utes into this country just because Toyota is in denial about there overrated product doesn't mean the rest of the manufacturers will hold back. Car dealers live in the same shark pool as real estate agents and will do there utmost to rip us off.

  2. Adrian Thornton 2
    18 June 2021 at 8:48 am

    One of New Zealand's most original artists and musicians passed away yesterday, my good mate Fane Flaws…Fane was always a willing comrade in any and all hair brained action or event I went to him with, he was one of the most beautiful, madly creative and generous humans I have ever meet…we are all really going to miss him and his extraordinary exuberant energy…so long pal.

    • I Feel Love 2.1
      18 June 2021 at 6:11 pm

      He picked me up hitch hiking once, he was surprised I knew who he was, I was a fan of Jesus on a Stick and the RWP animation. Sorry to hear of his death and your and your friends loss.

      • Adrian Thornton 2.1.1
        19 June 2021 at 9:11 am

        Thanks,luckily he left us all with a huge amount of great songs and art to remember him by which helps soften the blow somewhat.

  3. Incognito 3
    18 June 2021 at 8:49 am

    An interesting alleged link between pests and carbon sequestration of native ecosystems.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/444985/pests-destroying-native-ecosystems-ability-to-store-carbon-forest-and-bird

    It is the numbers that make the pest [paraphrasing Paracelsus].

    It appears that the F&B report was released not so long ago. It would be so helpful if articles in MSM would provide a link to original documents and sources, for further reading if desired. It almost looks as if there is a policy of not linking off and away from the MSM website …

    https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/climate-change-and-introduced-browsers

    • Graeme 3.1
      18 June 2021 at 10:59 am

      Will be interesting to see farmer’s response to this.

      On one hand it’s presenting an opportunity to decrease emissions without having to make large reductions in stock numbers.

      On the other it’s taking away their toys, since most farmers are keen hunters, or aspire to be

      • mac1 3.1.1
        18 June 2021 at 12:19 pm

        I'd have thought that it is an invitation to first of all be a hunter in helping reduce the number of pests and providing sport, recreation and food.

        In the longer run, since these pests won't be totally eradicated, the result will be more challenging hunting; the reward being a sense of achievement rather than a quick slaughter of wild goats or whatever.

        The other reward will be in the vegetative growth and beauty as the bush regenerates, for hunter, tramper, bush bathers alike, with carbon emissions decreased as a bonus.

        My hunting cousin years ago welcomed deer culling as it provided a much better trophy as a result of lower numbers.

        • Incognito 3.1.1.1
          18 June 2021 at 12:55 pm

          The other night I saw a video of a hunter at a British farm shooting rats with an air gun and killing them with clean headshots. It was for pest control, as poisoning kills the owls that help keeping the rat numbers down, but it made for remarkably good watching.

        • Graeme 3.1.1.2
          18 June 2021 at 1:18 pm

          Your cousin is one of the very few hunters who see it that way. Most hunters see better hunting as easier hunting and want animal densities that allow them to crash through the scrub and get, or at least see, an animal within 2-300m from where they park their ute. Three day tramps into the bush aren’t part of the picture, that’s what helicopters are for.

          With reduced densities giving better trophies, the species where this is most apparent is thar. That industry is built on the huge bulls that came through after the helicopter culls (absolute slaughter) in the early 80s. Prior to the cull numbers were high but heads poor, like now but today’s range is larger.

  4. Herodotus 4
    18 June 2021 at 9:37 am

    After yesterdays announcement regarding the roll out of Covid 19, and the age bands and timing. Why was there no comment that I can find as to why the roll out should not be on a geography basis, or at leats focused initially towards the Auckland region ? Auckland has experienced all the shutdowns due to outbreaks, so why not protect the entranceway to the country and fan out from there ? Just an alternative outlook

    • Andre 4.1
      18 June 2021 at 9:51 am

      Setting up the resources needed (vaccinators, vaccination sites, logistics of vaccine supply) for each area then managing the throughput so get an even workflow seems to me to be a better way to do it than trying to do it region by region where everything would have to be moved for massive and disruptive vaccination surges in each region.

    • AB 4.2
      18 June 2021 at 9:53 am

      One could argue that vaccinating border-facing workers and their families was already Auckland-centric in effect, if not intent. So what you are suggesting has actually occurred but in a somewhat more targeted way?

      And a different alternative idea on how the vaccine rollout should proceed popped up on Garner's show this morning. He suggested that young people should get done first rather than last because they ‘travel the world’. We don’t know whether vaccinated people can transmit the virus, but we do know that some will catch it. So his suggestion opens the possibility of young people coming home from overseas hotspots to infect their unvaccinated elders. His speculation provided an opening for Des Gorman to (as usual) piss all over the efforts of everyone who has done a good job of keeping us safe in the last 15 months. The bitter, catastrophising and consistently wrong Gorman augmented the disgracefulness of Garner's stupidity rather well.

      • GreenBus 4.2.1
        18 June 2021 at 10:38 am

        Does Garner remember Climate Change? Gas guzzling planes polluting the sky and young people angry about it. Covid19 is rampant overseas and who would want to travel to those places. Young people are not as irresponsible as he thinks, in fact it's quite the reverse.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 4.3
      18 June 2021 at 11:32 am

      The virus finds the missing link if you erect barriers elsewhere, but its a good point.

  5. Jimmy 5
    18 June 2021 at 10:05 am

    How many people does this guy have to kill before they stop him driving. So judge has banned him from driving until August 2022, what's the bet he's back behind the wheel next month?

    Dunedin court gives repeat drink-driver home detention for latest offence – NZ Herald

    • greywarshark 5.1
      18 June 2021 at 11:03 am

      Drink-drivers are just unfortunate individuals who cannot be leg-roped like the out of control animals they are; in fact all alcohol drinkers are well treated in law, compared to those committing the misdemeanour of growing cannabis.

      Alcohol is great (and pollies and business leaders like it for their drug of choice and it brings in lots of taxes) – it is the enthusiastic, fun-loving members of the public who go OTT that are the problem.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 5.1.1
        18 June 2021 at 11:30 am

        "misdemeanour of growing cannabis."

        A tiny number each year convicted , for ONLY a charge a growing/supply because they were dealers and suppliers.

        Its in the 200 per year range from the police annual statistics , ie cannabis only numbers

        The rest of the cannabis charges are because they were criminals often get all the charges possible when arrested for something else. Thats how police charging works, have all the possibilities as separate charges even though there may be only one primary charge for which they came to attention of police.

        The classic case some years back, in a slightly different situation, a man was sent to jail for walking into a gallery and walking out with a valuable painting. Not mentioned his primary charge in the prison sentence was armed robber, and both were heard at the same time

        examples
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/125311399/timaru-woman-gets-discharge-and-conviction-for-cultivating-cannabis
        ‘According to the summary of facts, police went to Laurie’s address in Albury on January 10, 2021, for a welfare check.
        “When police arrived at the address, they were threatened with the use of a firearm by an unknown occupant,” the summary says..

        and
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/124810986/timaru-man-fined-200-for-cannabis-possession
        ‘Police found 13g of cannabis plant split between multiple jars, scales, and $800 in Humphris’ vehicle during the traffic stop.
        McDonald said, when questioned by police, Humphris stated the cannabis was for personal use and the money was to purchase the drug for a friend.”
        So a firearm presented to police at one place …hmmm
        Another person in a traffic stop has scales , jars and lots of cash…hmmm

        Theres been a lot of rain in South island but they think w came down in last shower when its ‘personal use’

  6. greywarshark 6
    18 June 2021 at 10:46 am

    Australia and Britain have signed a deal for trade that is mini in terms of $, but large in terms of acceptance of goods not complying with Brit environmental standards.

    Australian farming allows the use of 71 highly hazardous substances and thousands more types of pesticides that are currently banned in the UK, including neonicotinoids, which harm the pollinators at the root of our food system, such as bees. The environmental standards of some foods produced in Australia are so far below the standards upheld by UK farmers that these products shouldn’t be sold in the UK at all, let alone given open access to UK markets with a zero tariff, zero quota trade deal. This isn’t simply about free trade versus protectionism. It is about delivering the best results and most sustainable approach for people and the planet….

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2106/S00050/on-britains-pathetic-trade-deal-with-australia.htm

  7. greywarshark 7
    18 June 2021 at 10:54 am

    What's going on down with our public radio committed to faction-free reporting of truth and facts.

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2106/S00052/rnzs-magna-charter-part-3.htm

    The utter shambles that has developed under Labour’s Broadcasting and Media Minister Kris Faafoi, a former TVNZ political reporter, is revealed in correspondence between his office and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage obtained under the Official Information Act….

    The aide-memoire, dated Wednesday 17 February, fulfils its function by reminding the minister of his plan to report to Cabinet on the viability of “a new public media entity” in October. It then reveals something new:

    “Legislation to establish a new public media entity will also disestablish TVNZ and RNZ. This legislation will also include a Charter for the new entity.”

    There had been a change of plan. What had begun as the development of a business case based on merging TVNZ and RNZ had morphed into something else. It had been assumed that a merger of the two broadcasters would extend only to their news rooms, management and governance and that public radio would retain its separate structure, purpose and operations governed by its charter, newly reviewed and good for another five years.

    • Stuart Munro 7.1
      18 June 2021 at 11:17 am

      It does seem odd, to be ditching RNZ and retaining the hapless clowns of TVNZ. Like many here I've given up on TV – life's too short for unmitigated tripe larded with inane advertising.

      RNZ still retains a few shreds of dignity and professionalism – if anything it should be them taking over and restructuring the useless tv arm.

      • Bearded Git 7.1.1
        18 June 2021 at 11:26 am

        +100 Stuart

      • ghostwhowalksnz 7.1.2
        18 June 2021 at 11:46 am

        Combining the two will just drive up costs as , anyone on TV expects $50-$100k per year more .

        The RNZ stories are usually of a longer format , a few minutes say , while TV is addicted to sound bites of 30 sec and an inane back and forth with the studio 'talent' along the lines 'what more can you tell us …..'

    • Ad 7.2
      18 June 2021 at 11:55 am

      MCH simply lost this initiative in the 2021/22 budget round, and decide to do a scold of their Minister.

      What kids they are.

      They should instead ask why they got rolled by Treasury in the bid process, again.

  8. Jimmy 8
    18 June 2021 at 11:14 am

    Would there be as much out rage if they decided to make a film about the Pike River mine?

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  9. Red Blooded One 9
    18 June 2021 at 2:37 pm

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/matangireia/story/2018791588/series-2-episode-6-denise-roche-matangireia

    Denise Roche doesn't hold back on her opinion of Nationals last shining light. He really did get away with some nasty stuff couched in his jokey blokey shallowness.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 9.1
      18 June 2021 at 4:04 pm

      When asked to sum up John Key in one word, she replied 'Prick!'

      Well said!

      • greywarshark 9.1.1
        19 June 2021 at 11:38 am

        edit
        John Key asked his thoughts on the above said airily 'Well I'm rich, so I must be right most of the time. What are you – just envious pricks?’

        And he might be right – look at how Labour acted when there was opportunity – went for the money over principle or commitment to good conditions for all – shallow, not water-tight like the leaky homes we have as one of their modern-day legacies/

  10. alwyn 10
    18 June 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Winston has returned. It seems odd that he has been quiet for so long but he now seems to have found the thing he has been looking for.

    The Vaccination campaign is well into the too little, too late category and the public are recognising it. Winston has an attack meme and he is going, in his inimitable style, to use it.

    "the 76-year-old doyen of Kiwi politics has used it [an interview on Australian television] to slam the government's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, deriding as "too late" and leaving NZ open to potential tragedy."

    "We're half way through the vaccine year and we've done about a tenth of the job. That's the problem," he said.

    "It's months too late. A lot of the strands right now are real dangerous. If (an outbreak) would happen we could see a tragedy again."

    NZ is ranked 120th in the world for vaccine doses administered per capita – last in the developed world."

    He is right of course and people in New Zealand are beginning to realise it. The rubbish about being at the front of the queue is being widely seen by the New Zealand public as a lie. Instead we are "last in the developed world".

    I wonder what coverage this will get in the New Zealand media? I see the ODT is covering it but will Stuff and the Herald try and pretend it doesn't exist?

    The story seems to be headline news in the Australian papers.

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/peters-slams-arderns-nz-vaccine-010146638.html

    • Drowsy M. Kram 10.1
      18 June 2021 at 3:50 pm

      Instead we are "last in the developed world".

      Says who (apart from Peters)? Are we last on a per capita basis?

      https://www.newsroom.co.nz/charting-new-zealands-vaccine-rollout

      "We've got to get our rollout going much faster," Mr Peters said.

      Any suggestions as to how? Placebo vaccinations?

      • alwyn 10.1.1
        18 June 2021 at 4:29 pm

        I suggest you can check the claim here.

        Hint. We are way way done the list. I didn't bother to check whether we were precisely 120th because they include places that aren't really countries but I am prepared to believe the value of 120 may be near enough. We are in about 140th place on the percentage with at least 1 vaccination. Our latest date is more recent than most so that would tend to push us up the list.

        https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

        • ghostwhowalksnz 10.1.1.1
          18 June 2021 at 9:18 pm

          But wait theres more

          According to that article, Our World in Data, an online research publication run by Oxford University researchers, ranked Australia "113th among the world's countries for total doses per 100 residents, falling behind Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Seychelles".

          So we are about the same level as Australia?

          One World data, is a bit rough and ready, as like Australia NZ is using Astra Zeneca which requires 2 does per person, while other vaccines are one dose.

          As we have seen last week when the claim was orchestrated by |national and echoed by Hooton that we were 'running out of vaccines'… but 1 million more early next month

          We are dependent on vaccine supply , and its politics over who does or doesnt get – Europe especially preventing does leaving for 'less deserving ststes'

    • Red Blooded One 10.2
      18 June 2021 at 4:43 pm

      Of course The Vaccination campaign is "NOT" well into the too little, too late category and the public are "NOT" recognizing it. It is on track, the new Vaccines are arriving on schedule, many of us have been lucky to be Vaccinated and everyone who wants to get Vaccinated will get their turn. Rather than your relentless negativity of every issue what the Majority of the Public see is the headlines like Stuff today, of how we continue to be safe with the real headlines …

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300336505/covid19-one-new-case-in-managed-isolation-stewart-island-test-results-due-back

      One case in Managed Isolation, none in the Community.

      …unlike the headlines you and Winston are offering "If (an outbreak) would…" "we could see a tragedy…"

      Sure Winston, like you, is entitled to voice his opinion but life in NZ is not the Land of the Long Black Cloud. It's actually pretty darn good, and THAT is what people see. IMHO

      • alwyn 10.3.1
        18 June 2021 at 4:58 pm

        Hint. The topic Winston was talking about, and that I commented on, was the failure of the vaccine campaign.

        You may be right about what Stuff covers. They, like the Herald aren't news outlets. They are bought and paid for Jacindamania freaks.

        I found it interesting though that the majority of the comments Morning Report broadcast this morning on the vaccination program were disapproving. I imagine the people producing that program will have had a blast from their superiors to keep to the story line that the PM is a Saint and has saved us.

        • alwyn 10.3.1.1
          18 June 2021 at 5:10 pm

          Well. I can see another reason why the PM wanted to get vaccinated.

          Not even a bloody test for the Air New Zealand crews. How long would you give it before we have another outbreak?

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300336892/covid19-all-vaccinated-air-nz-crew-now-exempt-from-isolation

          • Incognito 10.3.1.1.1
            18 June 2021 at 5:26 pm

            How long would you give it before we have another outbreak?

            Another 111 days, at least.

            • alwyn 10.3.1.1.1.1
              18 June 2021 at 6:14 pm

              Sydney had been doing quite well for a decent length of time hadn't it?

              And then this happened.

              https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19-coronavirus-new-restrictions-in-sydney-new-community-case/543PA4ADYNBWEHAH57H4YUGLZ4/

              Wouldn't it be nice if we could get vaccinations for at least the people who are most at risk from catching it. Which doesn't include healthy 40 year old people as far as I know.

              • Incognito …
                18 June 2021 at 6:19 pm

                You’re a tough negotiator. I’ll take 11 days off my earlier offer, so it’ll be 100 days, at least cheeky

                Jacinda will (have to) save us again from our lack of compliance and vigilance wink

              • swordfish …
                18 June 2021 at 9:52 pm

                Elderly have been badly let down.

                We just have to hope the dangerous new variants – Delta, Vietnam & so on – don't take us by surprise in the way they have in a few other previously successful Countries where political elites complacently assumed that dodging the bullet in 2020 was the end of the matter.

                The lesson that apparently still hasn't managed to penetrate among the political establishment here is that you don't play around, presume to 'control' or negotiate with this virus. You don't get to have your cake & eat it.

                Travel Bubble with Oz was always too early IMO.

          • McFlock 10.3.1.1.2
            18 June 2021 at 5:46 pm

            lol

            just keep reaching for that rainbow, eh.

        • Red Blooded One 10.3.1.2
          18 June 2021 at 5:24 pm

          Bloody hell. Someone better tell Mike Hoskings that the Herald is a paid for Jacindamania freak. He won't have a Happy Day. Haha. Hint… Vaccine rollout I assume is part of a countries resilience of which NZ was voted number one a month ago.

        • Incognito 10.3.1.3
          18 June 2021 at 5:41 pm

          Alwyn, do you actually read anything or just the stuff that fits with your narrative?

          If you read the link provided by Red Blooded One, you’ll see a nice wee table in which NZ ranks at the top despite the relatively poor vaccination performance as shown in the right column of the table.

          • alwyn 10.3.1.3.1
            18 June 2021 at 6:04 pm

            Of course I saw it. So what? Winston was talking about, and I was commenting on, the vaccination performance. It isn't just "relatively poor".

            It is IMHO bloody terrible.

            • Incognito 10.3.1.3.1.1
              18 June 2021 at 6:14 pm

              Of course, you did cheeky

              If NZ is “bloody terrible”, what are the words to describe all the lower ranked countries, the rest of the World, in fact? Bloody shambolic?

              • greywarshark …
                19 June 2021 at 11:25 am

                I think the entrance to Alwyn's mind requires a carefully cut Yale key with all angles sharply defined to ensure fit.

                He talks like a relative of mine who is an alcoholic, and when away from the chateau cardboard can talk apparently lucidly criticising the useless politicians and how they can’t get anything right – ‘Projection’.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 10.3.1.3.1.2
              18 June 2021 at 6:20 pm

              "We've got to get our rollout going much faster," Mr Peters said.

              Any suggestions as to how? Placebo vaccinations? Maybe ask Bishop, Bridges, and Collins? She might have a few contacts. Sinovac anyone – alwyn?

            • Red Blooded One 10.3.1.3.1.3
              18 June 2021 at 6:28 pm

              Are you personally scared you might catch Covid Alwyn, can we help you ease your fears in some way?

              • alwyn …
                18 June 2021 at 6:39 pm

                A couple of vaccinations would be nice. But I'm only in Group 3 and am being ignored. I should have been a Cabinet Minister. A bunch of them were vaccinated back in March.

                And don't tell me not to worry. My sister was infected in the first outbreak.

                • Incognito …
                  18 June 2021 at 6:50 pm

                  I think it is ok to worry a little but some attacks on the Government are utterly irrational, IMHO.

                  As long as the MIQ barrier holds and prevents community outbreaks it’ll be steady as she goes.

                  Even Taiwan’s success ended abruptly. So, yes, some fears are justified.

                • Anne …
                  18 June 2021 at 6:56 pm

                  "My sister was infected in the first outbreak."

                  Fair enough mate.

                  I'm Group 3. I received my email invite to book a week ago. All good.

                  My understanding is the invites are still being rolled out so maybe yours is still in the pipeline. I'm in Auckland so maybe they gave us priority because we had the privilege of having more draconian lockdowns than the rest of the country.

                  • DukeEll …
                    18 June 2021 at 8:10 pm

                    Don't live in northland then do you anne? Ruakaka locals have to drive to kaitaia to get a jab any time in the next month. just the first one by the way.

                    Otherwise it's some time in august for Maori and over 50, september for non maori and over 50.

                    Supposedly a targeted area because of the deprivation. I'm sure a 200km+ round trip will help with the "Access" and will "alleviate" the deprivation

                • Andre …
                  18 June 2021 at 6:59 pm

                  You may want to get in touch with these people:

                  https://www.anxiety.org.nz/

                • Red Blooded One …
                  18 June 2021 at 7:19 pm

                  You're not being ignored, even if you feel it feels that way, the roll out is happening and while the country stays safe, thanks to a strict countries response we are at a position of it being very unlikely you could come into contact with someone affected. That first outbreak would have been frightening, I hope your sister has recovered fully. I am very greatful as an over 60 year old, living in the Far North to have been able to have my two jabs, but I truly believe those of you who haven't had it yet are quite safe until your jab arrives. Meantime keep scanning wherever you go, I still do, knowing that we will keep on top of this bloody Covid. This Government may not be your choice to run the country but they have kept us safe despite the criticisms. Best wishes to you Alwyn, I hope you can eventually see the silver lining that our Covid Response has given us.

  11. Pete 11
    18 June 2021 at 7:23 pm

    Apparently there's a shortage of nurses. Apparently nurses are run off their feet. Tell you what, we'll get every nurse in the country to stop what they're doing and go into getting five million vaccinated. How would that go?

    We bitched about lockdowns, we bitched about travel being off, we bitched about having to wear masks, we bitched about someone in MIQ stuffing up, we bitched about someone in MIQ being an idiot, we bitched about having to go into MIQ, we bitched that we didn't do what Taiwan did, or Sweden did, or Singapore did or Australia did, we bitched about there not being five million vaccines straight off, we're bitching about everyone not being vaccinated right now.

    I remember the bitching about how terrible life was last year when the world was going to end because we were in lockdown. We were facing a life no others had faced, a suffering unimaginable and indescribable.

    I wonder how our grandparents and great grandparents regarded the hellish lives we were forced to live? You know, the ones who went to the other side of the world and literally fought in the trenches in WW1. You know the ones who were in a World War for six bloody years.

    Most of those finding anything they can to bitch about re vaccinations should look at themselves in the mirror and wonder that in the stuff-up, the oversight, the schemozzle, the disaster, at least one prick made it through.

    • Red Blooded One 11.1
      18 June 2021 at 7:32 pm

      There's a great line from a Randy Rainbow song , something like "I'll save the world by laying on the couch". I think some people are struggling to have a perspective.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 11.2
      18 June 2021 at 11:27 pm

      Most of those finding anything they can to bitch about re vaccinations should look at themselves in the mirror and wonder that in the stuff-up, the oversight, the schemozzle, the disaster, at least one prick made it through.

      yes smiley Keep calm and carry on.

      https://www.edexlive.com/news/2021/may/19/living-a-little-in-the-times-of-coronahere-are-11-tips-to-keep-calm-and-carry-on-during-covid-20830.html

    • Shanreagh 11.3
      19 June 2021 at 8:16 am

      All this moaning is why I have said, all along, that along with the Covid-19 virus we, in NZ, also have had to contend with the 'moaning Minnie or Matthew virus' that followed the virus in.

      This is characterised by intense and unceasing moaning. nit picking, name-calling of those who are helping. Its after effects include a lack of gratitude, more intense moaning and, despite the anti-govt rants, is a hand permanently out for any Govt help.

      Said in jest, perhaps, but sadly this moaning is fast becoming a NZ trait.

      There seems to be no cure as the usual mixing around with others who might have said 'quit 'yer moaning' are closed as we huddle close to only those who agree with us.

      Time for, again……

      Fred Dagg.

  12. greywarshark 12
    19 June 2021 at 11:23 am

    This on who controls our country eventually, after certain procedures have been traversed. How can we get needed and thoughtful change when there is such a jiggery-pokery political system? (Allow 30 mins for reading and thinking!)

    https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2021/06/18/writing-the-rights-no-right-turn-is-wrong/

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