In his latest speech, Putin declares Europe to be a colony of the US imperialists.
That this old world order is now over.
Personally I think Putin is overstating the case of Europe's subservience to US imperialism. Putin is overstating the power and influence of US imperialism for his own imperialist motives.
In my opinion this is a declaration of war of one imperialist bloc against another.
Putin thinks the US is in decline and that it is Russia's turn to be the global hegemonic power.
Putin may be right about the first part, but wrong about the second. In my opinion; The world does not need another hegemonic power. The age of imperialism and war needs to come to an end.
With his speech Vladimir Putin has announced that WWIII for a new imperial redivision of the world has started.
The new leader of the British armed forces, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who assumed command of the British army last Monday, yesterday ordered the British army to prepare to fight in Europe in what he called WWIII.
What leaves me most concerned is not so much the assorted tankies and traitors who cheer on on the fascists and autocrats – but that the west is far too complacent and to a degree socially degenerate. In this Putin has a point – and he has judged his moment well.
Sanders is correct in his appraisal, that this is round one of a much tougher contest than most people imagine just yet.
As Britain (and presumably other European military forces), prepare for a wider war in Europe. To become a truly global conflict between the super powers, Just as Imperial Japan did when the European powers were last engaged in war in Europe, China may take the opportunity to advance its imperial interests. The known flashpoints where this conflict will break out are the LAC and Taiwan.
NATO member state Lithuania is now effectively engaged in “direct aggression” against Russia, senator Andrey Klimov argued in his Telegram post on Monday,…..
…. the Russian politician, who heads a commission for the defense of state sovereignty….
….The senator stressed that in this case, Moscow would have a free hand to “solve the problem of the Kaliningrad transit created by Lithuania by ANY means chosen by us.”
Every week there are multiple important issues being reported about gender identity ideology and its impact on society. Almost none of it is being discussed in NZ except occasionally in MSM, or in antagonistic exchanges online. Most of what I am reading comes from feminists in the UK, predominantly left wing or centre left. I’ve been told I shouldn’t be talking about this on TS because this is a labour movement aligned blog, but these are fundamental issues that are part of class analysis. Sex sits alongside ethnicity and socioeconomics as the three great axes of class oppression and resistance and liberation.
One of the most serious aspects is the huge rise in the number of girls seeking to transition in the UK. Gender ideology applauded this, feminists are saying wtaf, girls hate their sexed bodies so much they’d rather have radical surgery and lifetime hormonal treatment than be a gender non conforming girl or lesbian.
NZ Labour just increased funding for transition. This wouldn’t be a problem except for the No Debate and affirmation only political positions that mean medical and psychological services are under pressure to not provide alternative care for distressed youth. If you want to see how badly this can go, read this.
Id suggest the overwhelming majority of people dont consider it is or will be an issue for them and if it ever was they would deal with it in their own manner, if they ever consider it at all……meanwhile there is a roof to put over the head and mouths to feed.
maybe people should consider for the following reasons
a. this is tax payer funded surgery – no matter if it goes well or not
b. the issues stemming from these tax payer funded surgeries and the need for further medical intervention will and is already paid for by the tax payer
c. these surgeries are coming with a hefty carbon foot print
d. these children will be the adults of tomorrow – but then why would anyone alive today complain about that, right it does not affect us here today.
e. like with Contergan in Germany it took a while for the medical establishment to understand and accept the side effects of Contergan – the children with no arms. legs and hands protruding from their shoulders, deformed feet etc etc etc, but eventually it got to much, these kids were suddenly everywhere, and people could see the harm and were rightfully shocked by deformities these children were born with due to a pill that should have been taken of the shelf much earlier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide_scandal
f. some – quite a few actually, detransition later in life to find themselves 'nullified' if their genital surgery went fucked beyond believe (i.e. no gentials at all just a urethra), or in need of revisions to keep depth (neo vagina) or in need for a liposuction (if the fake penis is made of upper leg skin/tissues as that is where women (the born ones) typically grow fat – this is for the ones that value girth over length or something, or with life time issues in their arm that provided the tissue/skin/nerve material for a fake penis . Never mind the infections, sepsis etc etc etc. All tax payer funded, and every revision and fixings of another medical problem is too.
I get it, no one cares about males in female prisons, no one cares about males in female sport, or males in female changing rooms. After all this benefits males at the expense of woman (born women) . Something the left and some on the right are quite happy about this. Born women are just low testosterone men, and thus are exactly! (TM) the same as men. No difference between Mum n Dad, no siree, and all that is tax payer funded.
In the meantime we warehouse our homeless who have no roof over their heads to the cost of a million a day in rundown motels. We hand out 300.000 + food grants for people who can’t feed their families and so on and so forth.
So while you don't mind getting kids castrated and sterilised before they even have a notion of sex, lust, orgasm, and maybe reproduction, you might mind the cost that is carried by you, and everyone else around you.
When it touches peoples lives they will devote attention to it…as with everything…until then it remains an academic exercise with no expectation of personal impact.
How many devote their time and energy to researching/discussing/advocating on rare cancers?….those that do have personal experience or academic interest….the wider public dont.
The impact on the ongoing health budget, and the consequential reduction in other areas should be discussed more.
Life time hormonal supplements and dealing with the resultant side effects comes at a high cost.
NZ state provision of trans affirming surgeries is either:
1. Cosmetic surgery (Why?)
2. Life-saving surgery (How?)
This is a huge medical intervention budget, that will result in burgeoning future healthcare requirements for those 'treated'. And declining budgets for others relying on the system for treatment.
One is that any topic or issue ranks somewhere on a ladder of priorities and importance & relevance. It is a personal and political choice to devote attention to it and ‘the cause’. This is often seen as a zero-sum game because of our limited attention spans and time constraints, et cetera.
The other one is that arguably this specific topic area links directly with even bigger and longstanding issue that ought to pique the attention and interest of many more progressively minded people, e.g. here on TS. In other words, it is not mutually exclusive and not a zero-sum game, but rather quite the opposite.
It seems to me that the division seemingly into two camps is artificial, unnecessary, and possibly even deliberate, i.e. divide and conquer. The latter raises the question of cui bono?
Didn't really understand what you are meaning. If you mean there are two sides in the gender/sex wars, then yes, broadly there are. On TS isn't not necessary, people can argue whatever they want. Thing that I find surprising is people going 'oh I tried to say something and got knocked back, so I won't bother again'. I've seen that before but it does seem to be a feature of this debate, as if suddenly people don't want to debate.
And who are they? People of flesh & blood or figments of the imagination?
Didn't really understand what you are meaning.
It’s slightly concerning that you of all people here seem to struggle with understanding what others are saying in this space. So, let me try again, because it was my direct response to what pat and you had said.
As I see it, some view the “gender/sex wars” through a reductionist lens as an isolated issue. As such, one can fairly easily choose to take or leave (dismiss) it. I think this represents pat’s view.
Others may view these wars through a holistic lens as (directly or inextricably) linked to larger issues such as class war, as you pointed out @ 2. As such, one cannot easily ignore and dismiss “gender/sex wars”. I believe this represents your view.
HTH
As an aside, I read of No Debate, women-only spaces, and some perceptions of people not feeling welcome to join the debate (e.g. STFU or scroll on) and it is clear that nothing is clear, that confusion is ubiquitous, and mixed messages are the rule rather than the exception. I’ll leave it for others to judge whether this is an accurate description of ‘the lay of the land’, and, if so, whether it is positive.
These debates are the most highly charged of all, quite possibly because we’re all implicated, one way or another, at a more direct personal level, whether we like it or not. This may also be the reason why this is one of the most difficult issues to debate well and why people disengage, perhaps simultaneously swaying from the holistic view to the more reductionist singular issue PoV in a the-glass-is-half-empty-or-the-glass-is-half-full kinda binary manner.
It's a controversy in every space: culture, politics, religion, medicine, sex, education, philosophy, and personal identity. And when children (or sports!) are involved people get emotional, unable to explore the issues in a fair minded way. Social media has made an issue that should be a rarefied specialist area of medicine into a toxic culture war.
It is a symptom of a wider identity crisis and loss of unifying narratives within the culture.
(Not to worry, the imperial corporate-military media have created a sparkly new cult for everyone!)
It is a holistic part of regressive efforts to relitigate social change over the last 60 years. That the same arguments are now being turned against gay and lesbian minorities is no surprise. Migrants and disabled people can't be far behind. Fear and othering are easy to tap into when people do not see the bigger picture.
What Sacha fails to even acknowledge is that lesbians have been losing a lot of ground because of GI. Australia is on the cusp of making it illegal for lesbians to exclude males who identify as a woman from gatherings, spaces etc.
Self-ID means that any man can say they are a woman at any time. It's not tied to birth certificates, it's tied to social mores.
Lesbians get banned from lesbian dating apps for saying they only want to date females. This is a safety issue, and it's also a rape culture issue. GI says that a man who identifies as a woman and as a lesbian is a woman and a lesbian. There is no such thing as female homosexuality after that.
It's true there is a conservative push against liberal gains of recent decades. And it's true that GI is *also removing women's rights at an alarming pace, and some left wing men are supporting this.
It's utter bullshit to suggest the problem is only progressive/conservative.
Don’t really want to comment on the specific commenter other than to say that if he (an intelligent and genuine contributor here who, as far as I can judge, has much in common with you) and you cannot have a constructive discussion about this then there’s little hope left for a wider debate. I’ll leave it at that.
I’m gobsmacked if lesbians or anybody else for that matter cannot choose whom they want to date on dating apps. I did read the article in The Australian but it said nothing about dating apps!?
It's not if, it's already happening and has been for some time. The reason you don't know about it is because gender identity activists have been so successful with No Debate. I know about it because I listen to lesbians talking about it on twitter. There is a huge amount of discussion there about this.
Don’t really want to comment on the specific commenter other than to say that if he (an intelligent and genuine contributor here who, as far as I can judge, has much in common with you) and you cannot have a constructive discussion about this then there’s little hope left for a wider debate. I’ll leave it at that.
Sacha believes that we are hijacking a labour movement blog. He has repeatedly misrepresented my views and mansplained feminism to me. Then he leaves and won't debate. He's a clear and compassionate thinking person generally, I have no useful explanation for why he is so poor on this and at presenting a coherent argument for his position but instead resorts to the above.
I'm pointing this out because this is a fairly consistent pattern within the war. GC women are open to informed debate. Gender identity people often aren't. I'm quite capable of a constructive conversation, you would have to take it up with him as to why he is not.
Beyond that, in the UK women just got on with organising, and that included constructive conversation. Left wing men can take themselves out of the conversation and women will just carry on without them. The debate isn't dependent on them, and can absolutely carry on. In the UK once people understood what was happening, the debate broadened significantly. That hasn't happened in NZ yet.
I have no desire to meddle in a stoush between you and another commenter. Personally, I think it can be resolved, even amicably, if both persons would wish this.
The topic (of GI wars) has indeed not crossed my radar, for various reasons.
NZ is a fairly small and isolated pool of people, which can be a curse or a blessing.
Personally, I don’t think unilateral debate and outcomes of that (decisions) is a viable way; at some stage others will have to be brought alongside, which is a description of inclusive leadership.
bit of a sore point. After years of watching feminists stop writing here because of the lack of support and because of antagonism from less progressive men, we now have to contend with progressive men actively working against us being here. I can easily write half a dozen posts right now about gender critical issues including what's been happening to lesbians. The reasons why I'm not are important. They're also the reason you and other didn't know about lesbian dating apps.
TWAW means any man who says he is a woman is a woman. That's the end of women's spaces, women's positions, women's sports (although there's been some progress on pushing back on that), women's safety, women's politics, and lesbianism.
Yes, I know it has been a sore point for you for some time and I’m sorry to hear that.
As I observe it, there seems to be a high level of confusion and mutual misunderstanding here on TS about these sorts of things. This has created a perception and thus a confirmation bias that there’s been a gap opening between feminists and progressive men on this site. Of course, there may always be a gap but not necessarily one that cannot be bridged with some respect, honesty & integrity, and whole lot of hard work to really understand what each side is saying (and not saying). Instead of closing/bridging the gap one side has pretty much walked away, the other is about to walk away and very few are left to hold the candle and continue. That doesn’t seem a sustainable situation to me. Best thing is if people could leave their baggage at the door and start afresh but I don’t think that’s realistic (even though I’m a dreamer).
I feel very much like an impartial observer here looking in …
As I observe it, there seems to be a high level of confusion and mutual misunderstanding here on TS about these sorts of things.
Not sure about that. There really are left wing men who believe that TWAW and therefore should be treated as women and women don't get to have say in that. The position by those men on TS is the same as elsewhere. It's not a misunderstanding, it's a fundamental disagreement.
This has created a perception and thus a confirmation bias that there’s been a gap opening between feminists and progressive men on this site.
Not really. There are other progressive men on TS who don't have a problem with feminists debating GI issues.
Instead of closing/bridging the gap one side has pretty much walked away, the other is about to walk away and very few are left to hold the candle and continue.
Who is about to walk away?
There are plenty of GI advocates here. In fact I would say there are more here talking about those issues now than in the past.
And who are they? People of flesh & blood or figments of the imagination?
I was thinking of the system. In which various people play various parts, and get various benefits or detriments. If the left hacks itself to death over liberalism, neoliberalism laughs all the way to the bank.
It’s slightly concerning that you of all people here seem to struggle with understanding what others are saying in this space. So, let me try again, because it was my direct response to what pat and you had said.
I always appreciate people clarifying, and it's not uncommon for me to not understand what people are saying here. So thanks for doing that.
the sex/gender war is easily the most difficult and the weirdest thing I've ever seen in politics.
I agree that liberal thinking is engrained in the system and institutionalised, with all the negative impacts and outcomes that this causes, but I think it is mistake to fight a nameless and faceless system, rage against the machine. We should apply more surgical precision in trying to affect progressive change, hence the cui bono?
The system is a human construct, enabled by and enabling people, but the weird thing is that both beneficiaries and victims seem to be stuck on it (aka TINA) because they don’t know any(thing) better.
Fair comment about asking for clarification (aka when in doubt, ask).
The sex/gender wars do my head it, TBH. It does affect all of us to various degrees but the level of engagement runs from one extreme to the other polar opposite with a huge apathetic (and confused?) mass in between.
The system is a human construct, enabled by and enabling people, but the weird thing is that both beneficiaries and victims seem to be stuck on it (aka TINA) because they don’t know any(thing) better.
Completely agree. Although another dynamic there is people whose politics want system change, but whose personal comfort is ok under neoliberalism and likely to change significantly if we went to a better system. Or they perceive they would lose out because they cannot imagine anything better where everyone’s needs are met. Hence lots of NZers want the housing crisis solved but won't vote for the Greens who would change the system so that the housing crisis can be solved.
Add in the pressures of the pandemic and looming climate crisis and many people are hunkering down rather then stepping into proactive change. I suspect that part of identity politics is entangled in that. It's easy enough to support LGBTI+ on twitter for instance. Makes one feel progressive, but there is a dearth of actual organising around the class issues (sex and socioeconomic. Ethnicity in NZ seems to be doing somewhat better given the influence of Māori in parliament).
I agree that liberal thinking is engrained in the system and institutionalised, with all the negative impacts and outcomes that this causes, but I think it is mistake to fight a nameless and faceless system, rage against the machine. We should apply more surgical precision in trying to affect progressive change, hence the cui bono?
I don't see it as nameless and faceless. Labour are obviously running a neoliberal agenda tempered by social democracy and the politics of wellbeing within a country that is now largely neoliberal. It's good they're doing this rather than just straight out neoliberal centrism, but it's still BAU and blocking change. Labour benefit as a party, pro-neoliberalism MPs benefit, the middle classes benefit and so on. Neoliberalism (the system) is adept at colonising the left. Feminists started naming this in the 90s. The increasingly neoliberal mainstream took the bits of the feminist agenda it liked and could live with and integrated it and established it as the bona fide feminism.
Hence we have liberal feminism, choice feminism, lipstick feminism and so on. It's a feminism of how to be ok within the dominant paradigm. They're not feminisms that seek to liberate women by dismantling the patriarchy.
The overlaps between GI and liberal feminism are large and strong.
Neoliberalism is indeed giving many the illusion of prosperity and wellbeing. This same illusion feeds into our collective delusion that although things are not ‘optimal’ yet and now, with a bit more time and patience things will be(come) better and for more people. This is the golden promise of the brighter future ahead that’s within reach of all as long as they work hard, have the right values, make the right decisions and take the right responsibility, et cetera.
Because neoliberalism is engrained and institutionalised, with a huge bureaucratic system behind it, it is the daily reality. For things to change one needs a couple of things: 1) a realisation that BAU is not ok and that change is needed; 2) a vision of a better alternative; 3) a mission on how to achieve the vision. I fear that many are losing confidence in the democratic and political processes and that the diminishing trust and hope will block any meaningful change. Our individual and atomised sense of helplessness, of not being in control or having very little influence over our lives, is growing into a collective Zeitgeist of the same negative feelings and general apathy. Only through an effective political and democratic process of some description (i.e. not the current version) can we hope to achieve a sense of empowerment to affect change and control our destiny.
It is worth noting that giving individuals or groupings in society a sense of empowerment is always resisted the most because once the gate/door is opened a little bit ‘all Hell will break lose’. Empowering people, all people, at all levels of society, that’s where our efforts should be, IMO. And I don’t think this is anything new of profound either.
I am also a person Pat. A female person. It is definitely not a non issue for me as a female person any more than equal pay for work of equal value, access to abortion anywhere around the world is a non issue. Is it because it may be an issue that is sometimes cared about and expounded on by women that it is a a non issue. I had actually thought that issues being divided intoot big world issues (men) and little domestic type issues (women) had gone long ago. If not then they should have gone ……
Issues are issues. some issues affect or interest different sets of people but they all affect us as human beings
Enough of this tyranny of others deciding who can speak and what they can speak on. Didn't this go out with the Ark as well.
Onward with the discussion …….the fact that some do not like the populace drawing attention to the fact that sometimes the Emperor has no clothes should be reason to stop us speaking out.
I'm included in 'people', Pat, and this is just some of what 'the issue' is for me:
1. The affirmative healthcare approach that has received additional funding has now had clinical reviews in several countries. Where this has happened, they have all concluded the net result is harm, and adjusted their treatment accordingly.
2. Any therapy funded will be affirmation only, not high quality exploratory, because the culture and the incoming 'conversion therapy' bill so celebrated by the not-bothered people, will actually facilitate the pathway to medical interventions whether appropriate for the individual or not.
3. There are psychological and mental health impacts of hormone treatment, often being given at a time of significant brain growth and maturation. This has consequences often ignored in discussions. Another impact on future well-being and health care needs.
4. What is the difference between a young man wanting breast augmentation, and a young woman of the same age wanting the same surgery? One will quality for augmentation under affirmative healthcare, the other will not. It becomes very clear what a woman is here.
5. As a result of the difference of biological sex, the hormonal impact on female transitioners is significant. Most male transitioners retain their genitalia, and if so, have a high likelihood of being able to come off their hormonal treatment and retain both full sexual function (which they may have retained anyway) and their fertility. Females, however, will undergo, medically induced menopause, with all it's congruent impacts. They will experience vaginal atrophy, with the possibility of pain during intercourse. The interruption of hormones to their sexual organs, often results in constant pain, which leads onto further surgeries to relieve that pain, including hysterectomies and oophorectomies. Both of which ensure infertility, and will affect the production of female hormones. The oophorectomy will ensure that from that point on, the woman will require synthetic hormone treatment for the rest of their life, even if they detransition. The future cost is locked in. The same is true for men who have an orchidectomy.
6. Not only is this medical care a concern, we are funding the promulgation of this approach in schools, NGO organisations, government departments, and institutions – ensuring that more will be encouraged to seek such treatments.
There is a wealth of reasons why this needs to be discussed on political platforms. There is also for many a benefit here, in seeing how this topic is treated and #NoDebate is achieved by social monitoring.
How this plays out in wider public discourse can be found here in a 2019 article on Transgender Trend which prints a letter that two GIDS professionals sent to the Guardian:
"At the end of our tethers, in the summer of 2017, we wrote this letter and sent it to the ‘Do you know what I’m really thinking?’ column at the Guardian. Although only a couple of years ago, this was a different time. Gender critical therapists did not yet exist, publicly at least. We thought we would lose our careers if anyone traced it back to us. In fact, we were so paranoid that we posted the letter so it would never be traced. One of us then called the Guardian news desk.
Then we sat back and waited. And waited. Our experiences of speaking out to colleagues had already left us fearing that people would label us transphobic and so ignore our concerns. The Guardian’s total lack of response, at the time, to what we thought was mind-changing information confirmed to us that we were on our own. "
Regarding the Auckland mayoralty poll, Farrar and the Taxdodgers Union are not speaking directly to voters, they are speaking to the three far-right/centre-right candidates, urging one or more of them to pull out. He is deliberately suggestive in a post on his blog.
This is not a win for dignity and respect for any elderly woman compelled to share her personal living space with someone of the opposite sex, in a designated single-sex space.
In the spring of 2021, a social worker at Pen Bay Medical Center contacted Sunrise on behalf of Ms. King, who at the time was a patient at the hospital. The facility initially said there was a room available, but upon learning that Ms. King is transgender Sunrise informed the hospital they would not admit her because she requested to reside in a room with a female roommate.
GLAD thinks otherwise, of course:
“The settlement in Ms. King’s case sends an unmistakable message that transgender older adults should be treated with dignity and respect when seeking long-term care services,” said GLAD senior attorney Ben Klein. “The joint resolution between the parties and the Maine Human Rights Commission makes clear that discriminating against an applicant because they are transgender violates the law, and the nondiscrimination Policy and LGBT-competency training required by this settlement are models for facilities across Maine and the nation to follow.”
Yes you are 'people'…unless you are perhaps AI. Your potential concerns are as far as I can see are founded on overseas events and as stated when (the wider) people see direct impact on their lives you may get the engagement you desire….that does not appear to be the case currently….if you can point to evidence otherwise then your chances of getting that engagement will increase.
Multiple times the NZ position and links have been provided. The thread included references to the the cost to the NZ health system.
You may pretend that women here are not speaking of the impact on NZ youth. We have, and will continue to do so.
The impact on women's rights in NZ is also happening here and now.
This is a NZ societal problem, that is following the pattern of overseas countries in regards to #NoDebate, legislation and impacts. That is why overseas links are provided.
I pretend nothing….it is not a concern that I perceive as requiring my attention (or that of anyone I know) nor does it appear to be a concern of anyone enough for it to be presented in the media, I have no accounts of any of this occurring here….all I see/hear is second hand interpretation of a stoush between (possibly academic) naval gazers half a world away….why would I devote any energy to it?
"Every week there are multiple important issues being reported about gender identity ideology and its impact on society. Almost none of it is being discussed in NZ except occasionally in MSM, or in antagonistic exchanges online. Most of what I am reading comes from feminists in the UK, predominantly left wing or centre left. I’ve been told I shouldn’t be talking about this on TS because this is a labour movement aligned blog, but these are fundamental issues that are part of class analysis. Sex sits alongside ethnicity and socioeconomics as the three great axes of class oppression and resistance and liberation."
a mistake I am unlikely to repeat…but you never know.
And just for the record – Poots openly embraces a Russian neo-colonial order. No ifs, no buts, no possible room for misinterpretation:
Vladimir Putin last night heralded a "new world order" as he took potshots at the West in a speech to business leaders.
The Russian tyrant said his country was a "powerful, sovereign nation" and claimed Moscow was entering a new era of dominance.
"We will definitely use the colossal opportunities provided by current times and will be even stronger," he vowed in a speech at St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"It is obvious that the rules, the essence of the new world order, will be set by strong sovereign states," he said.
Countries who resist are "doomed to remain rightless colonies", Putin added.
Putin – whose speech was delayed by a cyber attack on the venue – said sanctions placed on Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine were "mad and pointless".
All the tankies here who claimed he was just a poor misunderstood boy can now slink off in shame. You know who you are.
Interesting comment RL – how did you read, " Poots openly embraces a Russian neo-colonial order" when the text goes on to say, "It is obvious that the rules, the essence of the new world order, will be set by strong sovereign states," he said."
Incidentally, here is an alternative reporting of the same address. Seem to recall that other targets of your venom have expressed the view that the days of being corralled into a world where the US decides who is good and who is bad and who should live or who should die needs to end. The current 'world order' may have had been born of strong principles but they were corrupted long ago by the current 'colonial order'.
As for your smug 'piece de resistance ', it may have applied if you had your facts straight, but would have been no less insulting.
Not impressive, RedLogix. Cherry-picking the bits you want (or did you just skim the biased selection of quotes given in our media?)
I agree with aom, and see you as a more wishfully-thinking 'tankie' than even I used to be when I was young.
This is now a very dangerous situation. Neither side willing to give in, and escalation possible.
I don't think Putin was misunderstood: I think the USA was warned long ago by their own ambassador to Russia about how serious Putin and Russia were about the Ukraine.
But, of course, in your rose-tinted eyes, the USA would never have meddled in Ukrainian affairs, would it?
History will judge, if historians do not get wiped out with all the rest of us.
Constantly telling us how terrible the west is for all of its misdeeds in the past – while at the same time backing an imperial invasion of medieval barbarity happening right now, is the very definition of a traitorous bad faith hypocrisy.
Will no one think of the interminable suffering of the poor souls who initially planned to travel to the Cook Islands to look at potential locations for their upcoming wedding on their own but, after the first two changes, decided to bring their children and parents along as well.
/ /
“This time they’ve changed the flights by a whole day, so we’ve got to stay another night in the Cook Islands and pay for 10 more people’s accommodation,” Gardner said. “There are no other options, so you’ve got to accept it, but it’s like ‘are you guys going to help us out with accommodation?’. You can’t just find that out online.”
In reply to pat's view on gender issues. ‘Reply’ not currently working.
You are right pat.
The majority of people are not interested in the issue. When you take into consideration Climate Change, the potential for calamity due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, famine/pestilence and a worldwide upsurge in extreme violence then it isn’t surprising.
Of course it is an important issue for some, but ramming it down people’s throats is not going to help their cause. By all means put up posts on this site, but I sometimes get the impression there is an attempt to derail other topics under discussion on OM in favour of yet another round of the gender war fracas.
Pat I wanted to ask you but Molly got in first "why does it bother you that we post here?
And we can either follow mistakes made overseas or we can learn from them.
BTW I am absolutely against the increase in funding for these surgeries. Latest evidence from Sweedon shows outcomes are poor (ie. more psychiatric hosptalizations after surgery than before, high rates of suicide and more cardiac problems c/p with controls. This is very good 10 year follow up. So these surgeries aren’t that helpful to the people receiving them and I suspect the “solution” makes the problem worse. Will post link soon.
BTW if there was balanced reporting in the msm about these issues and women weren’t being shut down, it is unlikely I d post on here so
I am completely unperturbed by the posting on gender identity issues on The Standard….my post was in response to the question as to why so few are engaged with the topic for which I offered my perspective….if a small group wish to discuss the subject good luck to you but dont expect ( or demand even) everyone to share your enthusiasm.
…my post was in response to the question as to why so few are engaged with the topic for which I offered my perspective….if a small group wish to discuss the subject good luck to you but dont expect ( or demand even) everyone to share your enthusiasm.
What question? I didn't ask about this. I commented on the fact that gender identity unexamined causes great harm. And I pointed to the actual reason it's not being discussed: the success of No Debate.
I've not seen anything in your comments other than supposition that people aren't interested because transition affects as many people as rare cancers. But how would we know if there's been no public discussion? Further, people in positions of power (academics, medical people, therapists, politicians) are under intense pressure to not speak and not go against the ideology. That means little research, no precautionary principle, and badly written laws and policy. It's not some minor side issue, in the UK people are going to court over this.
Yet if we go the other way and introduce Christianity into the argument people can't wait to join the scrum. Strange world.
Quote:
“Contemporary trends in our culture are constantly changing and need careful attention: some young people experience significant confusion about their gender.”
A subsequent minor (re)lapse (on 17 Feb 2022) was to reply to Molly when a comment of mine (to observer) fell foul – this generated a lengthy exchange that ended amicably enough when I committed to not replying to Molly's comments, and Molly thought that was probably for the best:
This was to be expected if you have been following this issue. However, I didn't expect this situation. I can't blame prison officers. They can't defend themselves. They are underfunded and the hierarchy is useless.
However, Kelvin Davis, a reshuffle survivor, see's things differently.
My short term solution is use new police and army recruits on a rotational basis. That way they get to look evil in the face, unlike the second hand description they get from their instructors. It will also toughen them up both physically and mentally, especially mentally. If these recruits think inmates are only one step up in evolution from monkeys, they will be in for a huge shock to their middle class perceptions. It would also act as a filtering system that allows recruits to think twice about a career that puts them in continual danger.
My suggestion to Labour- call an early election. Either late November or May next year. You have lost control of NZ.
Skip to the Glossary at the end and see that it is all about "gender" and very little about sex. They refuse to give a definition of "homosexuality" and talk about same gender attraction rather than same sex attraction. Note also the inclusion of a "third sex".
They say that children are "assigned a sex at birth" when the truth is that your sex is determined at conception and is observed at birth – or these days by scans etc before birth.
"Sex assigned at birth: All babies are assigned a sex at birth, usually determined by a visual observation of external genitalia. A person’s gender may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth."
The whole curriculum is absolutely captured by, and infested with "gender ideology".
This is unscientific claptrap and one day quite soon some National Party activist is going to make a grand drama out of it.
The judgement comes from you. As someone who says that statement, I know that there is no judgement intended.
I cannot see another way of simply saying that there is a distinct class of the biological sex of women, and transwomen are not members of that group.
Do you have a suggestion on how to accomplish that?
Your suggestion?
No. I think that the current furore about "women with penises", and "men with vaginas", will diminish over time as some NZers come to realise that the magnitude of the ‘threat’ the trans minority poses was misjudged. I could be wrong – it's just a hope.
Not helpful, nor a solution driven approach. More an ignore those who think it's a problem scenario.
I thought back in October 2021, that it was a misunderstanding around language that interfered with robust discussion on this issue. I understood why some people said TWAW, even though I was not one of them, for the reasons stated. I had difficulty understanding why those that did say it, were so adamant that everyone should join in.
Since that first post, I've found the term women to be erased from medical policies and announcements here in NZ, despite evidence showing that such 'inclusive' language reduces the effectiveness and clarity of messages. I've seen how the conflation of sex and gender in political and public discussions is further hampered by the redefinition of the word woman.
There is no other single word to describe adult human females, which is necessary in advocacy and support in terms of politics, social impacts, medicine and statistics.
I've considered and assessed the problem and agree with the solution that was recognised by many before me.
The word woman is already fully occupied by adult human females.
The rainbow, with all its "pretty colours", does seem to confuse and threaten some, while others feel it should be brighter still. Most Kiwis haven't given the rainbow much thought beyond a few harmless casual comments and a little trivial discrimination here and there – your non-tribal approach can change this and build trusting relationships.
How this situation is not of concern to everyone is an indication of how tribal some seem to be.
Not trying to be clever, just occasionally run out of patience.
Thanks for the link to my relevant post. Don't really understand the relevance or remember using the phrase "neon glare of the rainbow" – but I quite like it.
Is that really my most unforgivable quote? … obviously must try harder.
(BTW, arnica's good for persistent bruising on thin skin.)
An intriguing diversion, but your phrase "neon glare of the rainbow" is "revealing". Little wonder that you quite like it – "pretty colours" and all.
Not seeing how its use is consistent with your apparent concerns about “how tribal some seem to be“, but do hope you will use it more often, in keeping with your “stunning and brave” mindset.
[edit] Thank for the arnica advice – another great example of how your non-tribal approach can build trusting relationships.
As you are contributing no counter considerations, offering no information or articulating other perspectives on this topic, but instead choosing to whinge, I have resorted to the lowest form of wit – sarcasm.
As do I. No whinging here – please use your (non-sarcastic?) phrase "the neon glare of the rainbow", with its "pretty colours", as often as you "quite like it", and its relevance to "how tribal some seem to be" may dawn on you.
On a laptop this morning, so now able to access my comment with the notorious, but somewhat adept turn of phrase "neon glare of the rainbow", to see why it was so memorable. (Phone only provided link to post itself, and all comments were inaccessible.)
Leery as I am of obviously truncated "quotes", I wanted to assure myself that I was indeed the author of the obviously memorable phrase, (kudos to me if that was the case) and have a look at the context.
So, on a post about the lack of medical evidence for children, and the fact that countries that have reviewed existing studies have found harm, and exchange with Sabine about the lack of public discussion, and the self-monitoring on the left led to this:
"Women raising concerns are definitely being treated differently to men raising the same concerns, even as those concerns are ignored.
I feel as if women's rights have almost melted away in the neon glare of the rainbow, and that is powered by all the co-opted institutions and governments who are dazzled by the pretty colours.
How this situation is not of concern to everyone is an indication of how tribal some seem to be."
Colour me red and yellow and pink and green, indigo, violet and blue – I am the witty author. Better still, I find myself in complete agreement with myself, in terms of the context of the post and the conversation that was taking place.
Perhaps you could ask yourself why in a post, with many comments on the very real problem of iatrogenic harm to minors by the adoption of such badly evidenced "affirming healthcare" (with a multitude of links and references to research) your 'takeaway' was offense at the somewhat colourful turn of phrase, "neon glare of the rainbow"?
Your clumsy attempt to imply that it means I have no consideration for others, rather than the clear statement that the movement and it's allies demands no scrutiny or critique is worrying.
Perhaps, not surprising though, because when offered a veritable smorgasbord of evidence and a wide variety of talking points where alternative viewpoints were encouraged and would be valuable, you instead opted for the junk food option of the 'takeaway'.
I thank you for the reminder of the phrase "neon glare of the rainbow". I think it describes succinctly the failure of many to do their due diligence in terms of policies, medical interventions, women's rights and child safeguarding in the pursuit of progressive credentials.
I will be using it again, in such context.
As a relic who lived through the eighties, neon glare has little effect on me, but others with weaker eyes may need to put on their sunglasses and start engaging about content rather than choosing 'a fence' to whinge from.
(Bad punning is a result of losing patience with bad faith engagement. You'll obviously have to learn to deal with it, if you engage again with me without providing any relevant points of discussion, or challenging mine with clarity.)
"Women raising concerns are definitely being treated differently to men raising the same concerns, even as those concerns are ignored.
I feel as if women's rights have almost melted away in the neon glare of the rainbow, and that is powered by all the co-opted institutions and governments who are dazzled by the pretty colours.
How this situation is not of concern to everyone is an indication of how tribal some seem to be.
Thank-you for that quote Molly. I did not see the original.
I'm not removed from your concerns. Indeed I can testify to the accuracy of that statement – at least in general terms.
Years ago, I realised I had knowledge of a tiny group of NZers who were implicated in the preparations occurring in advance of the Rainbow Warrior bombing. I was not listened to (because I was a woman) and the culprits were never arrested and charged. I was not harmed [physically] in the immediate ensuing years but my pets were. Enough time has passed now for me to feel able to talk about it.
Go well with your campaign against the rights of women to be listened to… and to be protected from those who do them harm in whatever way it may be.
Curiously I have 2 children who are teachers and in my discussions with them I have detected no such problem…that may be because as with most of the curriculum it is tempered by the common sense of those implementing it.
If there were instances in NZ of minors being forcibly given hormone treatment or surgery i dont doubt that the opposition and media would all over it like a rash….the opportunity would be too good to miss…as to oddly intentioned (minority) health and/or education advocates it is par for the course and parents will consider it as it warrants….adults are free to make their own minds up, right or wrong.
"If there were instances in NZ of minors being forcibly given hormone treatment or surgery.."
I haven't read any comments mentioning that minors are forcibly given treatment. I, along with others, have pointed out that the current "affirming healthcare" model currently in use for minors in New Zealand, is being abandoned by countries who have reviewed the clinical evidence for such an approach.
Not only have those reviews found that treatment for minors is not beneficial, it results in net harms. NZ follows the WPATH and Yogyakarta Principles guidelines. Neither of which is medically based, or clinically evidenced. For some reason, this information is ignored by NZ media, and also, on political blogs such as TS.
"i dont doubt that the opposition and media would all over it like a rash….the opportunity would be too good to miss…"
Except this might not be the case if commentators and media self-censor and regulate.
Not a fan of Ben Shapiro, but didn't know the story behind the clip so did a search, and found this short video of Ben Shapiro covering the background.
However, I wanted to see how the producers and the others on the show responded to a panelist actually physically grabbing someone by the neck and threatening them with physical violence.
So, after looking I found the whole segment. Timeset it to get the response after the incident. You only need to watch a couple of minutes to see how the blatant violence is ignored and excused:
Now, if Ben Shapiro had grabbed Zoey Tur on the back of the neck and threatened to put Zoey in the back of the ambulance – what would the response have been?
Has the left created a sacred class to be excused from any responsibility at all costs?
Do you really believe that in a climate such as this, you are going to be kept informed by media and the opposition?
Has the left created a sacred class to be excused from any responsibility at all costs?
It does this all the time. What you are finally seeing with this trans activism is the logical outcome of a process going back decades or more.
Frankly I am appalled beyond words – and I do not often use that word – at the butchery of teenage bodies (male and female) being sacrificed at the altar of this mad cult. But then like many men I get the distinct message this is in is some unspecified way all our fault anyway – and it is required we STFU.
I hear you regarding your discomfort and disagreement with aligning with feminists on this issue. I have the same aversion to in any way promoting someone like Matt Walsh, who I find uninteresting for the most part, and has very traditional gender stereotypes which GC feminists have fought against for decades – for both sexes.
However, as my concern is for women's rights and the protection of children from indoctrination and iatrogenic harm, I agree where agreement is warranted. I also acknowledge his circle of influence is not only huge, but is located in a demographic where few GC feminists will be found. He might intrigue his viewers enough to find out more, and we should all endeavour to make sure as much robust evidence, considerations and arguments is out there to find as possible. I post not to annoy but inform, although it often does the former only for certain commenters. That's of little concern to me, I just hope some may read and then go look for themselves.
I consider it a foolish expectation for me to need you to be a feminist before agreeing on this issue. By the same token, I don't really think you'd expect me not to be one.
If you consider the issue regarding the iatrogenic harm on minors to be of concern enough to stand beside those who raise the issue then there is a welcome space there.
Choice to engage – and how to engage – lies with us all.
On the theme of left progressiveness, I've also been surprised at how many topics are approached tribally with an expectation of total agreement or banishment.
The choice of many on the left to be authoritarian when the option was available. Mandates and compulsory vaccinations were treated as the only solution rather than a preferred one.
And I am beyond defending the current narrative that leaves the right as the only proponents of free speech.
Where are our left wing defenders of free speech?
At a time when even left and right should be working together as often as possible, I find myself politically homeless. I don't think I'm alone in this dilemma.
Red Logix, I don't blame men for the what is/has happened with gender ideology. I am a little frustrated that some progressive left wing men are not listening to women who are concerned about gender ideology. But I am frustrated with the women who don't seem to grasp what is going on either.
There is almost total censorship in this country in the msm about how gender ideology pervades most of our institutions and many businesses. The msm, particularly Stuff seem to carry an inordinate amount of material which can either only be considered pro trans. They almost without exception ignore any gender critical views or if they mention them, they use terms like "controversial group SUFW". I have yet to see an article about SUFW which reveals what the organisation is truly about. Even though the Judge in the case in Palmerston North High Court stated that SUFW could not be considered a hate group, they are presented as such by the media.
As the media are not doing their job, I think it is not possible to argue that the problems with gender ideology are only happening overseas.
Looks like the reply problem is fixed. It was a javascript minifier at cloudflare.
However I also found that the license for w3 total cache had disappeared. Chasing that now. Explains a sluggishness that has been showing up recently on the site.
I also have hardware for a new home server (and TS host) arriving. Should all be here by tuesday.
asrock rack x570d2u, The main reason for that upgrade is that it has a acceptable BMC for IPMI on it, and I wasn't that interested in doing a xeon system. If supermicro had a workstation/server board for a desktop AMD, then I'd have gotten that. Ryzen 5700G and 64GB RAM.
The disks will just get pulled from the old system ~20Tb of them. But I will look at upgrading the raid 1 array from TS from IBM 120Gb SSDs to something faster.
The old workstation (Ryzen 1700X) will probably get a facelift with a newer GPU, widescreen, and maybe a 3000 series CPU that the x370 chipset supports. But I don't play games apart from Civ6 these days, so I don't think I can be bothered upgrading it to far.
The 5700G looks damn near perfect for a non-gaming work station. Not too dear. Not too hot at 65W on the TPD. Significant grunt if you're doing anything that can use multi-threaded efficiently.
I'll probably just leave this one as air-cooled. The 1700X it is replacing was a nominal 95W, so I water cooled it just in case. I could hear it on air cooled when I ran long compiles. But I never heard it after I water cooled it.
I used a Asus X370 Prime motherboard last time. Hasn't burped at all in the last 5 years of continuous. I'll probably keep it running as the archive server.
I picked the motherboard this time for an ability to do remote updates without having to have the CPU running. 5 months working in Singapore in 2018 made that a very desirable feature this time around.
That is logical – because v6 had been working well for some days now. I was pleased to see that at long last I could reply on my Android phone reliably all week – something that was always very flaky in the past.
It seemed odd to me that a new version would work well for a week and then fail; therefore the problem lay elsewhere.
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National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Orderimage, ...
Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
Waiting In The Wings:For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSAannounced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
Open access notablesImproving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society:To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
A late change to charter school legislation will cheat educators out of fair pay and negotiating power proving charter schools are just a vehicle to make profit out of our education system. ...
In 2004 te iwi Māori rallied against the Crown’s attempt to confiscate our coastlines and moana with the Foreshore and Seabed Act. This led to the largest hīkoi of a generation and the birth of Te Pāti Māori. 20 years later, history is repeating itself. Today the government has announced ...
It has been five and a half years since the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was established to investigate the abuse of children, young people, and vulnerable adults within state and faith-based institutions. Yesterday, the final report - Whanaketia through pain and trauma, from darkness to light ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take action off the back of the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. ...
On Friday the International Court of Justice reaffirmed what Palestinian’s have been telling us for decades: that the occupation and colonisation of Palestinian lands by Israel is illegal and must end immediately. They also called for reparations for Palestinian’s who have lived under Israeli occupation since it began in 1967. ...
Labour calls on the Government to act after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal. ...
The 53.7 percent rise in benefit sanctions over the last year is more proof of this Government’s disdain for our communities most in need of support. ...
Aotearoa could be a country where every child grows up feeling safe, loved and with a sense of belonging in their whānau and community. But for some of our children, this is far from reality. Instead, they are trapped in a maze of intergenerational harm that they can’t escape on ...
Te Pāti Māori are calling for David Seymour to resign as Associate Health Minister in response to his call for Pharmac to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi. “This announcement is just another example of the government’s anti-Tiriti, anti-Māori agenda.” Said Co-leader and spokesperson for health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. “Seymour thinks it ...
The soaring price of renting is driving the rise of inflation in this country - with latest figures from Stats NZ showing rents are up 4.8 per cent on average while annual inflation is at 3.3 per cent. ...
National’s Emissions Reduction Plan will take New Zealand further from the economy we need to ensure the next generation has a stable climate and secure livelihoods. ...
Following consultation with named parties and thorough consideration of privacy interests, the Green Party is in a position to release the Executive Summary of the final report from the independent investigation into Darleen Tana. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon should be asking serious questions of his Minister for Resources Shane Jones now it’s been revealed he misled the public about a dinner with mining companies that he didn’t declare and said wasn’t pre-arranged. ...
Te Pāti Māori have submitted to the Justice Select Committee against the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The bill will further entrench racism in our justice system and fails to focus on rehabilitation. “Reinstating Three Strikes will empower a systematically racist system and exacerbate the overrepresentation of Māori in ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is set to make a determination on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Bill in the coming weeks. “This legislation will give landlords the power to kick our whānau out onto the street for no reason” said Housing spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “Their solution to the housing ...
“National’s campaign was about tackling crime and the best they can do is a two-year long Ministerial Advisory Group,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
“There are more examples of charter schools failing their students than there are success stories. The coalition Government is driving to dismantle our public school system and instead promote a privatised, competitive structure that puts profits before kids,” Jan Tinetti said. ...
“This government is choosing to deliberately mislead and withhold information, keeping our people in the dark about this government’s agenda and the future of our mokopuna,” said co-leader and spokesperson for Health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. The call comes after the demand from the Chief Ombudsman that Associate Minister of Health, Casey ...
“Today’s climate announcement by Simon Watts makes clear the National Government is simply paying lip service to meeting its climate change targets,” Megan Woods said. ...
National is choosing to make life harder for workers by taking away the rights our communities have fought hard for. Here's how they’re taking workers backwards. ...
Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue. We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views. “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
Tēnā tātou katoa, Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts. “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet. “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks. “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. At the heart of this report are the ...
For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024. “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane. “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says. “This will be our third visit to ...
Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum. While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation. “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan. “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests. Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone. Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
Comment: It was a good two hours into the conversation when Tyrone Marks raised the most basic of questions when I first spoke to him in 2017. “They didn’t explain the things they did to me. They never told me why. And they still haven’t. There’s no explanation for it. ...
Last summer when Matairangi burned, Ginny and Tom stood at the window of their lounge, watching kākā shoot skyward from the burning trees. From the distance, they looked to Ginny like pages torn from books and thrown into a bonfire. It was Tom, voice tight, who told her it was ...
Opinion: The Canadian short story writer Alice Munro – winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 – died in May at the age of 92. Her work was about “the damage people inflict on one another in the name of love”, Deborah Treisman wrote in the New Yorker. ...
This month marks two years since the most powerful telescope ever built sent its first pictures back to earth. From its lofty vantage point, beyond the moon in orbit around the sun, the James Webb Space Telescope was tuned to observe the first stars and galaxies being born soon after ...
Comment: After Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ preview several weeks ago, I had some optimism about the Government’s emissions reduction plan. Now I’ve read the discussion document, that hope has been dashed. How can the Government propose a plan that wants to take New Zealand taxpayers’ hard-earned money, and spend ...
Christopher Luxon: hurdles The little man from National jumps hurdles in his sleep. He’s quite good at it in his dreams and even though the reality doesn’t quite match up you have to give him credit for getting up every morning and crashing into the very first hurdle of the ...
Madeleine Chapman rounds out Death Week on The Spinoff with a final recommendation. You can read all of our Death Week coverage here. Nothing forces you to reflect on your life and relationships quite like proximity to death. For those whose nearest and dearest have died, there are reasonably obvious ...
Whitney Greene takes us through her life in television, including the TV character she’d like to plan a funeral for and her cow lung catastrophe on The Traitors NZ. “If the phone rings, I have to answer it,” Whitney Greene from The Traitors NZ warns as we begin our My ...
Maddie Ballard reviews the debut essay collection of Pōneke writer Flora Feltham.In ‘The Raw Material’, the longest essay in Flora Feltham’s dazzling debut collection, the author heads out for a run after hours of weaving and sees the world turn to textile. “Pounding along the Parade, I saw the ...
Andy Christiansen, one half of the experimental rock-pop duo TRiPS, shares the tunes inspiring the band’s perfect weekend and new release. “Good speakers, good food, good music, no distractions”: that’s all you need to enjoy the psychedelic stylings of TRiPS, a new band formed by Fly My Pretties’ Barnaby Weir ...
Celebrating our quadrennial opportunity to become experts in a bunch of sports we never normally watch.The games of the XXXIII Olympiad are upon us. Paris will host this year’s showcase of sporting and athletic prowess, which means some late-night and early-morning viewing for us in Aotearoa.But what sports ...
The photograph is striking and beautiful, but also disturbing – a reminder that my love for John was often entangled in shame.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.In the spring of 1980, in Dunedin, shortly before his death, someone took a photograph ...
Get to know Babushka, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Babu’s humans, Jo and Isabel, for their support. Dog name: Babushka (Babu for short) Age: 2Breed: Border Collie X poodleIf rescued, ...
Pacific Media Watch A Lebanese photojournalist who was severely wounded during an Israeli air strike in south Lebanon carried the Olympic torch in Paris this week in honour of her peers who have been wounded and killed in the field — especially in Gaza and Lebanon. Christina Assi of Agence ...
The first report in a five-part web series focused on the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women taking place in the Marshall Islands this week.SPECIAL REPORT:By Netani Rika in Majuro Women continue to fight for justice 70 years after the first nuclear tests by the United States caused ...
Christopher Luxon has joined with Australia and Canada's leaders in voicing support for US President Joe Biden's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The 2022 election brought the “teal wave” into parliament. The next election will test whether teals, who occupy what were Liberal seats, and other independents can maintain their momentum. Joining us on the Podcast ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide Pixavri/Shutterstock A major Federal Court class action has been dismissed this week after Justice Michael Lee ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. Plaintiff Kelvin ...
In The Week in Politics: politicians have to decide what to do about child abuse, Health NZ is booked in for major surgery and Darleen Tana returns. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Corbould, Associate Professor, Contemporary Histories Research Group, Deakin University Mainstream media are surprisingly muted at the prospect of the world’s most powerful nation being led for the first time by a woman – specifically a woman of colour, Vice President Kamala ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Bennett, PhD Student, Associate Research Fellow, Deakin University Last week, a drone delivery company called Wing (owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet) started operating in Melbourne. Some 250,000 residents in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs can now order food from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Foo, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, Monash University pikselstock/Shutterstock In the next 40 years in Australia, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged 85 and over will more than triple. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina Grant, Research Associate, Power Institute for Arts and Visual Culture, University of Sydney Jonas Åkerström’s 1790 work, Session of the Accademia dell’Arcadia on August 17 1788.Nationalmuseum/Cecilia Heisser Ever wondered whether you’d have a better chance at winning an Olympic gold ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Jones, Program Lead, Food Governance, George Institute for Global Health wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock On Thursday, Australian and New Zealand food ministers at state, federal and national levels met to thrash out what’s next for health star ratings on packaged foods. Now, after ...
The Abuse in Care report found many Pacific survivors lost their connections to their culture and language, resulting in trauma that has been carried from generation to generation. ...
In the regulatory review, ECC intends to suggest that ERO focus on curriculum delivery reviews rather than the Ministry, because it’s not efficient or effective to have two agencies with radically different approaches climbing over each other. ...
Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori invites the current government to work in partnership with them to develop a pathway forward, including the development of a parallel pathway and meaningful policy and strategy for Kura Kaupapa Māori ...
If you haven’t started watching yet, Tara Ward begs you to reconsider. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. In the world of New Zealand reality television, we have many gems in our crown. There’s the delicious second season of the Celebrity Treasure ...
A new poem by Fiona Kidman. The clothes of the dead I did not keep my mother’s furry red beret for long nor the stringy scarves that adorned the necks of my aunts, although I have kept tag ends of gold, the rings and trinkets they wore, the brooches no ...
The government’s announcement that it will re-open the foreshore and seabed controversy by changing the rules on recognising centuries-old Māori customary title for a third time goes against the rule of law and New Zealand values,” Mr Tipa says. ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Lioness by Emily Perkins (Bloomsbury, $25) Roarrrr! Perkins’ brilliant, award-winning, Marian-Keyes anointed, darkly funny, long ...
The 2004 Act vested ownership of the foreshore and seabed in the Crown, extinguishing any Māori claims to ownership and causing widespread outrage and protests among Māori communities. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antje Deckert, Associate Professor (Criminology), Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Despite the connection between institutional harm and gang membership made clear in this week’s mammoth royal commission abuse-in care report, the government seems unlikely to soften its “get tough on ...
From Lewis Clareburt in the swimming to the start of the rowing – the first seven days of Paris 2024 promise to be big for New Zealand. There are few events that bring the country together quite like an Olympic Games. Nothing quite matches the excitement of getting up in ...
Groundbreaking local science just showed up in the most surprising of places: the season finale of The Kardashians. In the season five finale of The Kardashians last night, several members of the family gathered together in one of their signature empty, cream-coloured rooms to hear test results that had been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University The Middle East is on the brink of a possibly devastating regional war, with hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reaching an extremely dangerous level. Washington has engaged in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Elizabeth Eades, Rheumatologist, Monash University Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune illness, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself. Lupus can affect virtually any part of the body, although it most commonly affects the skin, joints and kidneys. The symptoms ...
A law firm that specialises in working with survivors of abuse in State care is disappointed that the Government fails to recognise that its boot camps can be directly compared to previous boot camps from the 1990s and 2000s. ...
Dying is a natural part of life, like updating your Wof or seeing your hairdresser, but without the word-of-mouth recs that help guarantee a good service. What if we changed that? Dying Reviews received by The Spinoff have had the names of organisations redacted while Hospice NZ collects further data. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Mike Lewinski/Flickr, CC BY On any clear night, if you gaze skywards long enough, chances are you’ll see a meteor streaking through the sky. Some nights, however, are better than others. At ...
Despite having no bars or other designated spaces for lesbians, Auckland boasts a small but mighty lesbian museum. So how did it get here? The past 18 months has brought increasing hostility towards the queer community across Aotearoa. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull’s anti-trans rally in Tamaki Makaurau last March led to a ...
Poneke Antifascist Coalition has invited Wellingtonians to stand in solidarity with the Kanak people at 12pm today outside the French Embassy in Wellington. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University Drones are the signature technology of the Ukraine war. A few miniature aircraft designs were used in the war’s early days, but an incredible array of drones have now evolved. There are different types, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Slee, Associate Professor, Clinical Academic Neurologist, Flinders University Francisco Gonzelez/Unsplash Migraine is many things, but one thing it’s not is “just a headache”. “Migraine” comes from the Greek word “hemicrania”, referring to the common experience of migraine being predominantly ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee White, Senior Lecturer and Horizon Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney Australia was slow to introduce minimum building standards for energy efficiency. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) only came into force in 2003. Older homes ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Sherwood, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney The past century of human-induced warming has increased rainfall variability over 75% of the Earth’s land area – particularly over Australia, Europe and eastern North America, new research shows. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Heynen, Program Coordinator, Sustainable Energy, The University of Queensland A temporary stadium in the Champ-de-Mars, ParisEkaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock As Paris prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the sustainability of the event is coming under scrutiny. The organisers have promoted ...
A night of karaoke and community in a pub that feels like a memory. You’d barely even notice it, unless you knew to look. Tucked away behind a liquor store on busy Constable Street is the capital’s last great pub. Newtown Sports Bar is an emblem of the pub culture ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Wright, Professor in Marine Geology, University of Canterbury Louise Corcoran/Getty Images The decline in the number of doctoral candidates at New Zealand universities is a worrying sign for the country’s effort to build a knowledge-based economy. Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
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In his latest speech, Putin declares Europe to be a colony of the US imperialists.
That this old world order is now over.
Personally I think Putin is overstating the case of Europe's subservience to US imperialism. Putin is overstating the power and influence of US imperialism for his own imperialist motives.
In my opinion this is a declaration of war of one imperialist bloc against another.
Putin thinks the US is in decline and that it is Russia's turn to be the global hegemonic power.
Putin may be right about the first part, but wrong about the second. In my opinion; The world does not need another hegemonic power. The age of imperialism and war needs to come to an end.
https://www.rt.com/russia/557346-putin-spief-speech-takeaways/?
With his speech Vladimir Putin has announced that WWIII for a new imperial redivision of the world has started.
The new leader of the British armed forces, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who assumed command of the British army last Monday, yesterday ordered the British army to prepare to fight in Europe in what he called WWIII.
https://www.world-today-news.com/british-general-warns-his-troops-to-be-ready-to-fight-russia-in-world-war-iii/
What leaves me most concerned is not so much the assorted tankies and traitors who cheer on on the fascists and autocrats – but that the west is far too complacent and to a degree socially degenerate. In this Putin has a point – and he has judged his moment well.
Sanders is correct in his appraisal, that this is round one of a much tougher contest than most people imagine just yet.
+1
As Britain (and presumably other European military forces), prepare for a wider war in Europe. To become a truly global conflict between the super powers, Just as Imperial Japan did when the European powers were last engaged in war in Europe, China may take the opportunity to advance its imperial interests. The known flashpoints where this conflict will break out are the LAC and Taiwan.
https://theprint.in/defence/india-us-to-hold-high-altitude-military-exercise-amid-chinas-alarming-build-up-along-lac/988648/
WWIII edges closer.
Yup. It gets depressing fast.
After that I'm not sure depressing covers it.
Every week there are multiple important issues being reported about gender identity ideology and its impact on society. Almost none of it is being discussed in NZ except occasionally in MSM, or in antagonistic exchanges online. Most of what I am reading comes from feminists in the UK, predominantly left wing or centre left. I’ve been told I shouldn’t be talking about this on TS because this is a labour movement aligned blog, but these are fundamental issues that are part of class analysis. Sex sits alongside ethnicity and socioeconomics as the three great axes of class oppression and resistance and liberation.
One of the most serious aspects is the huge rise in the number of girls seeking to transition in the UK. Gender ideology applauded this, feminists are saying wtaf, girls hate their sexed bodies so much they’d rather have radical surgery and lifetime hormonal treatment than be a gender non conforming girl or lesbian.
NZ Labour just increased funding for transition. This wouldn’t be a problem except for the No Debate and affirmation only political positions that mean medical and psychological services are under pressure to not provide alternative care for distressed youth. If you want to see how badly this can go, read this.
https://twitter.com/victoriapeckham/status/1537756546880380930
Alternate link in case that goes behind a paywall https://archive.ph/iG971
If you are bothered by that being in a conservative paper, understand that the liberal press refused to cover these issues for many years.
https://twitter.com/suzanne_moore/status/1537840392271536128
https://twitter.com/bindelj/status/1537843309846093824
What percentage of people have the inclination, necessity or bandwidth to devote their attention to this in the current environment do you think?
It’s a political choice. People here have plenty of energy for the war in the Ukraine, or another round of bullshit from Nact.
Obviously it matters more to women. And gay people.
Id suggest the overwhelming majority of people dont consider it is or will be an issue for them and if it ever was they would deal with it in their own manner, if they ever consider it at all……meanwhile there is a roof to put over the head and mouths to feed.
maybe people should consider for the following reasons
a. this is tax payer funded surgery – no matter if it goes well or not
b. the issues stemming from these tax payer funded surgeries and the need for further medical intervention will and is already paid for by the tax payer
c. these surgeries are coming with a hefty carbon foot print
d. these children will be the adults of tomorrow – but then why would anyone alive today complain about that, right it does not affect us here today.
e. like with Contergan in Germany it took a while for the medical establishment to understand and accept the side effects of Contergan – the children with no arms. legs and hands protruding from their shoulders, deformed feet etc etc etc, but eventually it got to much, these kids were suddenly everywhere, and people could see the harm and were rightfully shocked by deformities these children were born with due to a pill that should have been taken of the shelf much earlier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide_scandal
f. some – quite a few actually, detransition later in life to find themselves 'nullified' if their genital surgery went fucked beyond believe (i.e. no gentials at all just a urethra), or in need of revisions to keep depth (neo vagina) or in need for a liposuction (if the fake penis is made of upper leg skin/tissues as that is where women (the born ones) typically grow fat – this is for the ones that value girth over length or something, or with life time issues in their arm that provided the tissue/skin/nerve material for a fake penis . Never mind the infections, sepsis etc etc etc. All tax payer funded, and every revision and fixings of another medical problem is too.
I get it, no one cares about males in female prisons, no one cares about males in female sport, or males in female changing rooms. After all this benefits males at the expense of woman (born women) . Something the left and some on the right are quite happy about this. Born women are just low testosterone men, and thus are exactly! (TM) the same as men. No difference between Mum n Dad, no siree, and all that is tax payer funded.
In the meantime we warehouse our homeless who have no roof over their heads to the cost of a million a day in rundown motels. We hand out 300.000 + food grants for people who can’t feed their families and so on and so forth.
So while you don't mind getting kids castrated and sterilised before they even have a notion of sex, lust, orgasm, and maybe reproduction, you might mind the cost that is carried by you, and everyone else around you.
When it touches peoples lives they will devote attention to it…as with everything…until then it remains an academic exercise with no expectation of personal impact.
How many devote their time and energy to researching/discussing/advocating on rare cancers?….those that do have personal experience or academic interest….the wider public dont.
Thanks, Sabine.
The impact on the ongoing health budget, and the consequential reduction in other areas should be discussed more.
Life time hormonal supplements and dealing with the resultant side effects comes at a high cost.
NZ state provision of trans affirming surgeries is either:
1. Cosmetic surgery (Why?)
2. Life-saving surgery (How?)
This is a huge medical intervention budget, that will result in burgeoning future healthcare requirements for those 'treated'. And declining budgets for others relying on the system for treatment.
I can see two sides to this.
One is that any topic or issue ranks somewhere on a ladder of priorities and importance & relevance. It is a personal and political choice to devote attention to it and ‘the cause’. This is often seen as a zero-sum game because of our limited attention spans and time constraints, et cetera.
The other one is that arguably this specific topic area links directly with even bigger and longstanding issue that ought to pique the attention and interest of many more progressively minded people, e.g. here on TS. In other words, it is not mutually exclusive and not a zero-sum game, but rather quite the opposite.
It seems to me that the division seemingly into two camps is artificial, unnecessary, and possibly even deliberate, i.e. divide and conquer. The latter raises the question of cui bono?
neoliberalism and the death cult stands to gain.
Didn't really understand what you are meaning. If you mean there are two sides in the gender/sex wars, then yes, broadly there are. On TS isn't not necessary, people can argue whatever they want. Thing that I find surprising is people going 'oh I tried to say something and got knocked back, so I won't bother again'. I've seen that before but it does seem to be a feature of this debate, as if suddenly people don't want to debate.
And who are they? People of flesh & blood or figments of the imagination?
It’s slightly concerning that you of all people here seem to struggle with understanding what others are saying in this space. So, let me try again, because it was my direct response to what pat and you had said.
As I see it, some view the “gender/sex wars” through a reductionist lens as an isolated issue. As such, one can fairly easily choose to take or leave (dismiss) it. I think this represents pat’s view.
Others may view these wars through a holistic lens as (directly or inextricably) linked to larger issues such as class war, as you pointed out @ 2. As such, one cannot easily ignore and dismiss “gender/sex wars”. I believe this represents your view.
HTH
As an aside, I read of No Debate, women-only spaces, and some perceptions of people not feeling welcome to join the debate (e.g. STFU or scroll on) and it is clear that nothing is clear, that confusion is ubiquitous, and mixed messages are the rule rather than the exception. I’ll leave it for others to judge whether this is an accurate description of ‘the lay of the land’, and, if so, whether it is positive.
These debates are the most highly charged of all, quite possibly because we’re all implicated, one way or another, at a more direct personal level, whether we like it or not. This may also be the reason why this is one of the most difficult issues to debate well and why people disengage, perhaps simultaneously swaying from the holistic view to the more reductionist singular issue PoV in a the-glass-is-half-empty-or-the-glass-is-half-full kinda binary manner.
Physician heal thyself.
It’s terminal, I’m afraid.
It's a controversy in every space: culture, politics, religion, medicine, sex, education, philosophy, and personal identity. And when children (or sports!) are involved people get emotional, unable to explore the issues in a fair minded way. Social media has made an issue that should be a rarefied specialist area of medicine into a toxic culture war.
It is a symptom of a wider identity crisis and loss of unifying narratives within the culture.
(Not to worry, the imperial corporate-military media have created a sparkly new cult for everyone!)
It is a holistic part of regressive efforts to relitigate social change over the last 60 years. That the same arguments are now being turned against gay and lesbian minorities is no surprise. Migrants and disabled people can't be far behind. Fear and othering are easy to tap into when people do not see the bigger picture.
What Sacha fails to even acknowledge is that lesbians have been losing a lot of ground because of GI. Australia is on the cusp of making it illegal for lesbians to exclude males who identify as a woman from gatherings, spaces etc.
Self-ID means that any man can say they are a woman at any time. It's not tied to birth certificates, it's tied to social mores.
Lesbians get banned from lesbian dating apps for saying they only want to date females. This is a safety issue, and it's also a rape culture issue. GI says that a man who identifies as a woman and as a lesbian is a woman and a lesbian. There is no such thing as female homosexuality after that.
It's true there is a conservative push against liberal gains of recent decades. And it's true that GI is *also removing women's rights at an alarming pace, and some left wing men are supporting this.
It's utter bullshit to suggest the problem is only progressive/conservative.
https://twitter.com/alliancelgb/status/1416292515041484802
Don’t really want to comment on the specific commenter other than to say that if he (an intelligent and genuine contributor here who, as far as I can judge, has much in common with you) and you cannot have a constructive discussion about this then there’s little hope left for a wider debate. I’ll leave it at that.
I’m gobsmacked if lesbians or anybody else for that matter cannot choose whom they want to date on dating apps. I did read the article in The Australian but it said nothing about dating apps!?
It's not if, it's already happening and has been for some time. The reason you don't know about it is because gender identity activists have been so successful with No Debate. I know about it because I listen to lesbians talking about it on twitter. There is a huge amount of discussion there about this.
Sacha believes that we are hijacking a labour movement blog. He has repeatedly misrepresented my views and mansplained feminism to me. Then he leaves and won't debate. He's a clear and compassionate thinking person generally, I have no useful explanation for why he is so poor on this and at presenting a coherent argument for his position but instead resorts to the above.
I'm pointing this out because this is a fairly consistent pattern within the war. GC women are open to informed debate. Gender identity people often aren't. I'm quite capable of a constructive conversation, you would have to take it up with him as to why he is not.
Beyond that, in the UK women just got on with organising, and that included constructive conversation. Left wing men can take themselves out of the conversation and women will just carry on without them. The debate isn't dependent on them, and can absolutely carry on. In the UK once people understood what was happening, the debate broadened significantly. That hasn't happened in NZ yet.
I have no desire to meddle in a stoush between you and another commenter. Personally, I think it can be resolved, even amicably, if both persons would wish this.
The topic (of GI wars) has indeed not crossed my radar, for various reasons.
NZ is a fairly small and isolated pool of people, which can be a curse or a blessing.
Personally, I don’t think unilateral debate and outcomes of that (decisions) is a viable way; at some stage others will have to be brought alongside, which is a description of inclusive leadership.
bit of a sore point. After years of watching feminists stop writing here because of the lack of support and because of antagonism from less progressive men, we now have to contend with progressive men actively working against us being here. I can easily write half a dozen posts right now about gender critical issues including what's been happening to lesbians. The reasons why I'm not are important. They're also the reason you and other didn't know about lesbian dating apps.
TWAW means any man who says he is a woman is a woman. That's the end of women's spaces, women's positions, women's sports (although there's been some progress on pushing back on that), women's safety, women's politics, and lesbianism.
Yes, I know it has been a sore point for you for some time and I’m sorry to hear that.
As I observe it, there seems to be a high level of confusion and mutual misunderstanding here on TS about these sorts of things. This has created a perception and thus a confirmation bias that there’s been a gap opening between feminists and progressive men on this site. Of course, there may always be a gap but not necessarily one that cannot be bridged with some respect, honesty & integrity, and whole lot of hard work to really understand what each side is saying (and not saying). Instead of closing/bridging the gap one side has pretty much walked away, the other is about to walk away and very few are left to hold the candle and continue. That doesn’t seem a sustainable situation to me. Best thing is if people could leave their baggage at the door and start afresh but I don’t think that’s realistic (even though I’m a dreamer).
I feel very much like an impartial observer here looking in …
The article and Ms Hoyle's release.
Twelve months on and nothing about the appeal.
https://archive.ph/9g0x4 (the australian)
https://feministlegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FLC-Media-Release-Jessica-Hoyle.pdf
Not sure about that. There really are left wing men who believe that TWAW and therefore should be treated as women and women don't get to have say in that. The position by those men on TS is the same as elsewhere. It's not a misunderstanding, it's a fundamental disagreement.
Not really. There are other progressive men on TS who don't have a problem with feminists debating GI issues.
Who is about to walk away?
There are plenty of GI advocates here. In fact I would say there are more here talking about those issues now than in the past.
been trying to get back to this for days 🙂
I was thinking of the system. In which various people play various parts, and get various benefits or detriments. If the left hacks itself to death over liberalism, neoliberalism laughs all the way to the bank.
I always appreciate people clarifying, and it's not uncommon for me to not understand what people are saying here. So thanks for doing that.
the sex/gender war is easily the most difficult and the weirdest thing I've ever seen in politics.
Ok, thanks.
I agree that liberal thinking is engrained in the system and institutionalised, with all the negative impacts and outcomes that this causes, but I think it is mistake to fight a nameless and faceless system, rage against the machine. We should apply more surgical precision in trying to affect progressive change, hence the cui bono?
The system is a human construct, enabled by and enabling people, but the weird thing is that both beneficiaries and victims seem to be stuck on it (aka TINA) because they don’t know any(thing) better.
Fair comment about asking for clarification (aka when in doubt, ask).
The sex/gender wars do my head it, TBH. It does affect all of us to various degrees but the level of engagement runs from one extreme to the other polar opposite with a huge apathetic (and confused?) mass in between.
Completely agree. Although another dynamic there is people whose politics want system change, but whose personal comfort is ok under neoliberalism and likely to change significantly if we went to a better system. Or they perceive they would lose out because they cannot imagine anything better where everyone’s needs are met. Hence lots of NZers want the housing crisis solved but won't vote for the Greens who would change the system so that the housing crisis can be solved.
Add in the pressures of the pandemic and looming climate crisis and many people are hunkering down rather then stepping into proactive change. I suspect that part of identity politics is entangled in that. It's easy enough to support LGBTI+ on twitter for instance. Makes one feel progressive, but there is a dearth of actual organising around the class issues (sex and socioeconomic. Ethnicity in NZ seems to be doing somewhat better given the influence of Māori in parliament).
I don't see it as nameless and faceless. Labour are obviously running a neoliberal agenda tempered by social democracy and the politics of wellbeing within a country that is now largely neoliberal. It's good they're doing this rather than just straight out neoliberal centrism, but it's still BAU and blocking change. Labour benefit as a party, pro-neoliberalism MPs benefit, the middle classes benefit and so on. Neoliberalism (the system) is adept at colonising the left. Feminists started naming this in the 90s. The increasingly neoliberal mainstream took the bits of the feminist agenda it liked and could live with and integrated it and established it as the bona fide feminism.
Hence we have liberal feminism, choice feminism, lipstick feminism and so on. It's a feminism of how to be ok within the dominant paradigm. They're not feminisms that seek to liberate women by dismantling the patriarchy.
The overlaps between GI and liberal feminism are large and strong.
Catch-up mode.
Neoliberalism is indeed giving many the illusion of prosperity and wellbeing. This same illusion feeds into our collective delusion that although things are not ‘optimal’ yet and now, with a bit more time and patience things will be(come) better and for more people. This is the golden promise of the brighter future ahead that’s within reach of all as long as they work hard, have the right values, make the right decisions and take the right responsibility, et cetera.
Because neoliberalism is engrained and institutionalised, with a huge bureaucratic system behind it, it is the daily reality. For things to change one needs a couple of things: 1) a realisation that BAU is not ok and that change is needed; 2) a vision of a better alternative; 3) a mission on how to achieve the vision. I fear that many are losing confidence in the democratic and political processes and that the diminishing trust and hope will block any meaningful change. Our individual and atomised sense of helplessness, of not being in control or having very little influence over our lives, is growing into a collective Zeitgeist of the same negative feelings and general apathy. Only through an effective political and democratic process of some description (i.e. not the current version) can we hope to achieve a sense of empowerment to affect change and control our destiny.
It is worth noting that giving individuals or groupings in society a sense of empowerment is always resisted the most because once the gate/door is opened a little bit ‘all Hell will break lose’. Empowering people, all people, at all levels of society, that’s where our efforts should be, IMO. And I don’t think this is anything new of profound either.
Unclear if this is your inference (that people aren’t interested because cost of living crisis, covid etc), but two things
Dont think I could be much clearer…its a non issue for people, and if it became one they would deal with it when the time came.
I am also a person Pat. A female person. It is definitely not a non issue for me as a female person any more than equal pay for work of equal value, access to abortion anywhere around the world is a non issue. Is it because it may be an issue that is sometimes cared about and expounded on by women that it is a a non issue. I had actually thought that issues being divided intoot big world issues (men) and little domestic type issues (women) had gone long ago. If not then they should have gone ……
Issues are issues. some issues affect or interest different sets of people but they all affect us as human beings
Enough of this tyranny of others deciding who can speak and what they can speak on. Didn't this go out with the Ark as well.
Onward with the discussion …….the fact that some do not like the populace drawing attention to the fact that sometimes the Emperor has no clothes should be reason to stop us speaking out.
@pat 2.2.2.1
I'm included in 'people', Pat, and this is just some of what 'the issue' is for me:
1. The affirmative healthcare approach that has received additional funding has now had clinical reviews in several countries. Where this has happened, they have all concluded the net result is harm, and adjusted their treatment accordingly.
2. Any therapy funded will be affirmation only, not high quality exploratory, because the culture and the incoming 'conversion therapy' bill so celebrated by the not-bothered people, will actually facilitate the pathway to medical interventions whether appropriate for the individual or not.
3. There are psychological and mental health impacts of hormone treatment, often being given at a time of significant brain growth and maturation. This has consequences often ignored in discussions. Another impact on future well-being and health care needs.
4. What is the difference between a young man wanting breast augmentation, and a young woman of the same age wanting the same surgery? One will quality for augmentation under affirmative healthcare, the other will not. It becomes very clear what a woman is here.
5. As a result of the difference of biological sex, the hormonal impact on female transitioners is significant. Most male transitioners retain their genitalia, and if so, have a high likelihood of being able to come off their hormonal treatment and retain both full sexual function (which they may have retained anyway) and their fertility. Females, however, will undergo, medically induced menopause, with all it's congruent impacts. They will experience vaginal atrophy, with the possibility of pain during intercourse. The interruption of hormones to their sexual organs, often results in constant pain, which leads onto further surgeries to relieve that pain, including hysterectomies and oophorectomies. Both of which ensure infertility, and will affect the production of female hormones. The oophorectomy will ensure that from that point on, the woman will require synthetic hormone treatment for the rest of their life, even if they detransition. The future cost is locked in. The same is true for men who have an orchidectomy.
6. Not only is this medical care a concern, we are funding the promulgation of this approach in schools, NGO organisations, government departments, and institutions – ensuring that more will be encouraged to seek such treatments.
There is a wealth of reasons why this needs to be discussed on political platforms. There is also for many a benefit here, in seeing how this topic is treated and #NoDebate is achieved by social monitoring.
How this plays out in wider public discourse can be found here in a 2019 article on Transgender Trend which prints a letter that two GIDS professionals sent to the Guardian:
https://www.transgendertrend.com/2017-letter-gids-clinicians-ignored-guardian/
Regarding the Auckland mayoralty poll, Farrar and the Taxdodgers Union are not speaking directly to voters, they are speaking to the three far-right/centre-right candidates, urging one or more of them to pull out. He is deliberately suggestive in a post on his blog.
That is how they are interfering.
This is not a win for dignity and respect for any elderly woman compelled to share her personal living space with someone of the opposite sex, in a designated single-sex space.
https://news.yahoo.com/landmark-discrimination-suit-maine-nursing-124309139.html
GLAD thinks otherwise, of course:
https://www.glad.org/post/transgender-woman-reaches-landmark-settlement-with-maine-assisted-living-facility-that-denied-her-a-room/
It seems to be a surprise to a lot of people that women actually value women only spaces.
looks like replies aren't nesting. I'll let Lprent know.
Reply tabs appear not to be working.
@ Molly @3
Yes you are 'people'…unless you are perhaps AI. Your potential concerns are as far as I can see are founded on overseas events and as stated when (the wider) people see direct impact on their lives you may get the engagement you desire….that does not appear to be the case currently….if you can point to evidence otherwise then your chances of getting that engagement will increase.
@pat 8.0
Multiple times the NZ position and links have been provided. The thread included references to the the cost to the NZ health system.
You may pretend that women here are not speaking of the impact on NZ youth. We have, and will continue to do so.
The impact on women's rights in NZ is also happening here and now.
This is a NZ societal problem, that is following the pattern of overseas countries in regards to #NoDebate, legislation and impacts. That is why overseas links are provided.
I pretend nothing….it is not a concern that I perceive as requiring my attention (or that of anyone I know) nor does it appear to be a concern of anyone enough for it to be presented in the media, I have no accounts of any of this occurring here….all I see/hear is second hand interpretation of a stoush between (possibly academic) naval gazers half a world away….why would I devote any energy to it?
@pat 10.0
Since you gather neither information nor insight from posts or comments on this topic, nor provide any, what is your intent in contributing?
And therein lies the problem.
I commented to this….
"Every week there are multiple important issues being reported about gender identity ideology and its impact on society. Almost none of it is being discussed in NZ except occasionally in MSM, or in antagonistic exchanges online. Most of what I am reading comes from feminists in the UK, predominantly left wing or centre left. I’ve been told I shouldn’t be talking about this on TS because this is a labour movement aligned blog, but these are fundamental issues that are part of class analysis. Sex sits alongside ethnicity and socioeconomics as the three great axes of class oppression and resistance and liberation."
a mistake I am unlikely to repeat…but you never know.
And just for the record – Poots openly embraces a Russian neo-colonial order. No ifs, no buts, no possible room for misinterpretation:
All the tankies here who claimed he was just a poor misunderstood boy can now slink off in shame. You know who you are.
Interesting comment RL – how did you read, " Poots openly embraces a Russian neo-colonial order" when the text goes on to say, "It is obvious that the rules, the essence of the new world order, will be set by strong sovereign states," he said."
Incidentally, here is an alternative reporting of the same address. Seem to recall that other targets of your venom have expressed the view that the days of being corralled into a world where the US decides who is good and who is bad and who should live or who should die needs to end. The current 'world order' may have had been born of strong principles but they were corrupted long ago by the current 'colonial order'.
As for your smug 'piece de resistance ', it may have applied if you had your facts straight, but would have been no less insulting.
Not impressive, RedLogix. Cherry-picking the bits you want (or did you just skim the biased selection of quotes given in our media?)
I agree with aom, and see you as a more wishfully-thinking 'tankie' than even I used to be when I was young.
This is now a very dangerous situation. Neither side willing to give in, and escalation possible.
I don't think Putin was misunderstood: I think the USA was warned long ago by their own ambassador to Russia about how serious Putin and Russia were about the Ukraine.
But, of course, in your rose-tinted eyes, the USA would never have meddled in Ukrainian affairs, would it?
History will judge, if historians do not get wiped out with all the rest of us.
This speech speaks for itself – that you would defend such blatant neo-colonialism tells all.
That you believe only one side is practising 'neo-colonialism' (I prefer to call it good old imperialism) also tells it all.
Although this guy plods a bit, I take him as seriously as Al Jazeera’s pro-western slants.
Constantly telling us how terrible the west is for all of its misdeeds in the past – while at the same time backing an imperial invasion of medieval barbarity happening right now, is the very definition of a traitorous bad faith hypocrisy.
Mearscheimer get taken apart by Vexler:
Thanks. Will watch, and report back to you on a later thread.
Will no one think of the interminable suffering of the poor souls who initially planned to travel to the Cook Islands to look at potential locations for their upcoming wedding on their own but, after the first two changes, decided to bring their children and parents along as well.
/ /
“This time they’ve changed the flights by a whole day, so we’ve got to stay another night in the Cook Islands and pay for 10 more people’s accommodation,” Gardner said. “There are no other options, so you’ve got to accept it, but it’s like ‘are you guys going to help us out with accommodation?’. You can’t just find that out online.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/300616084/people-are-suffering-no-imminent-end-to-air-new-zealand-call-centre-crisis
@pat 12.0
Let's have a look at what's conveyed in your first comment @ 2.2 :
"What percentage of people have the inclination, necessity or bandwidth to devote their attention to this in the current environment do you think?"
The reader in me interprets this as:
1. Justify your reason for posting on Open Mike;
2. You have other things you should be doing;
3. Everyone else has other things they should be doing.
No contribution at all, just admonition.
The pattern is recognisable, as is the cowardice in not just clearly saying:
'Shut up, why don't you?'
In reply to pat's view on gender issues. ‘Reply’ not currently working.
You are right pat.
The majority of people are not interested in the issue. When you take into consideration Climate Change, the potential for calamity due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, famine/pestilence and a worldwide upsurge in extreme violence then it isn’t surprising.
Of course it is an important issue for some, but ramming it down people’s throats is not going to help their cause. By all means put up posts on this site, but I sometimes get the impression there is an attempt to derail other topics under discussion on OM in favour of yet another round of the gender war fracas.
Pat I wanted to ask you but Molly got in first "why does it bother you that we post here?
And we can either follow mistakes made overseas or we can learn from them.
BTW I am absolutely against the increase in funding for these surgeries. Latest evidence from Sweedon shows outcomes are poor (ie. more psychiatric hosptalizations after surgery than before, high rates of suicide and more cardiac problems c/p with controls. This is very good 10 year follow up. So these surgeries aren’t that helpful to the people receiving them and I suspect the “solution” makes the problem worse. Will post link soon.
BTW if there was balanced reporting in the msm about these issues and women weren’t being shut down, it is unlikely I d post on here so
@Anne 16.0
"Of course it is an important issue for some, but ramming it down people’s throats is not going to help their cause."
Noted that your rare contributions are solely to pat the backs of those saying: Ssssh!
Simple solution – scroll on, Anne.
This topic might not be a concern for you, but those engaging honestly have provided me with links and information that I value.
Test comment using tinyMCE
Test comment as ckeditor (and reedited)
Test reply, using https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18-06-2022/?replytocom=1895098#respond (i.e. RH click on Reply button in front-end, copy & paste into address bar.
Edit: Open Link in New Tab also works
It is a minify issue. Looks like cloudflare is using something called rocket to minify js.
@ Anker @17
I am completely unperturbed by the posting on gender identity issues on The Standard….my post was in response to the question as to why so few are engaged with the topic for which I offered my perspective….if a small group wish to discuss the subject good luck to you but dont expect ( or demand even) everyone to share your enthusiasm.
FFS Pat, if you're uninterested in a particular topic the polite thing to do would be to just scroll past.
And don't be mistaken by the quantity of participants , many just like to listen, so please don't be so rude.
What question? I didn't ask about this. I commented on the fact that gender identity unexamined causes great harm. And I pointed to the actual reason it's not being discussed: the success of No Debate.
I've not seen anything in your comments other than supposition that people aren't interested because transition affects as many people as rare cancers. But how would we know if there's been no public discussion? Further, people in positions of power (academics, medical people, therapists, politicians) are under intense pressure to not speak and not go against the ideology. That means little research, no precautionary principle, and badly written laws and policy. It's not some minor side issue, in the UK people are going to court over this.
@ Pat.
Yet if we go the other way and introduce Christianity into the argument people can't wait to join the scrum. Strange world.
Quote:
“Contemporary trends in our culture are constantly changing and need careful attention: some young people experience significant confusion about their gender.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/bay-of-plenty/300613838/school-told-trans-student-god-doesnt-make-mistakes–then-they-tried-to-kill-themselves
Blade, there was a broader discussion on this incident on Open Mike 16/6/2022.
Sorry, have trouble linking when I'm on my phone.
Thanks for the heads up. I must have missed it.
To Pat (@12 / 21) – me too. My last major mistake was to provide an honest if ill-advised answer to a question posed at the end of a 13 October 2021 Guest post – didn't end well.
A subsequent minor (re)lapse (on 17 Feb 2022) was to reply to Molly when a comment of mine (to observer) fell foul – this generated a lengthy exchange that ended amicably enough when I committed to not replying to Molly's comments, and Molly thought that was probably for the best:
Now your comments have been linked to “cowardice“, and Anne has also fallen short.
Not all perspectives are equally welcome or easy to understand – that's to be expected.
This was to be expected if you have been following this issue. However, I didn't expect this situation. I can't blame prison officers. They can't defend themselves. They are underfunded and the hierarchy is useless.
However, Kelvin Davis, a reshuffle survivor, see's things differently.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128981532/nearly-800-frontline-prison-jobs-unstaffed-as-guards-quit-in-droves
My short term solution is use new police and army recruits on a rotational basis. That way they get to look evil in the face, unlike the second hand description they get from their instructors. It will also toughen them up both physically and mentally, especially mentally. If these recruits think inmates are only one step up in evolution from monkeys, they will be in for a huge shock to their middle class perceptions. It would also act as a filtering system that allows recruits to think twice about a career that puts them in continual danger.
My suggestion to Labour- call an early election. Either late November or May next year. You have lost control of NZ.
.
Pat – you might like to have a look at what your children/grandchildren/ younger relatives etc are being taught today in New Zealand.
schools. https://hpe.tki.org.nz/guidelines-and-policies/relationships-and-sexuality-education/
Skip to the Glossary at the end and see that it is all about "gender" and very little about sex. They refuse to give a definition of "homosexuality" and talk about same gender attraction rather than same sex attraction. Note also the inclusion of a "third sex".
They say that children are "assigned a sex at birth" when the truth is that your sex is determined at conception and is observed at birth – or these days by scans etc before birth.
"Sex assigned at birth: All babies are assigned a sex at birth, usually determined by a visual observation of external genitalia. A person’s gender may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth."
The whole curriculum is absolutely captured by, and infested with "gender ideology".
This is unscientific claptrap and one day quite soon some National Party activist is going to make a grand drama out of it.
Here you go, folks. Media beat-up of the week.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kaumatua-questions-christopher-luxons-maoridom-guidance-after-potential-tikanga-breach/EXVW5XG2MG5UERO6ZU4TMCR3BQ/?utm_campaign=nzh_tw&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=nzh_tw#Echobox=1655364282-1
@Drowsy M. Kram 24,0
Stunning and brave comment. Join the club over in the corner of the yard.
Must've left a scar for you to be still hurting over a query to your comment in October 2021:
Your suggestion?
Not helpful, nor a solution driven approach. More an ignore those who think it's a problem scenario.
I thought back in October 2021, that it was a misunderstanding around language that interfered with robust discussion on this issue. I understood why some people said TWAW, even though I was not one of them, for the reasons stated. I had difficulty understanding why those that did say it, were so adamant that everyone should join in.
Since that first post, I've found the term women to be erased from medical policies and announcements here in NZ, despite evidence showing that such 'inclusive' language reduces the effectiveness and clarity of messages. I've seen how the conflation of sex and gender in political and public discussions is further hampered by the redefinition of the word woman.
There is no other single word to describe adult human females, which is necessary in advocacy and support in terms of politics, social impacts, medicine and statistics.
I've considered and assessed the problem and agree with the solution that was recognised by many before me.
The word woman is already fully occupied by adult human females.
Transwomen are men.
Clever clever Molly, but imho your brightest and most revealing phrase is:
The rainbow, with all its "pretty colours", does seem to confuse and threaten some, while others feel it should be brighter still. Most Kiwis haven't given the rainbow much thought beyond a few harmless casual comments and a little trivial discrimination here and there – your non-tribal approach can change this and build trusting relationships.
Kia kaha.
Not trying to be clever, just occasionally run out of patience.
Thanks for the link to my relevant post. Don't really understand the relevance or remember using the phrase "neon glare of the rainbow" – but I quite like it.
Is that really my most unforgivable quote? … obviously must try harder.
(BTW, arnica's good for persistent bruising on thin skin.)
An intriguing diversion, but your phrase "neon glare of the rainbow" is "revealing". Little wonder that you quite like it – "pretty colours" and all.
Not seeing how its use is consistent with your apparent concerns about “how tribal some seem to be“, but do hope you will use it more often, in keeping with your “stunning and brave” mindset.
[edit] Thank for the arnica advice – another great example of how your non-tribal approach can build trusting relationships.
Drowsy.
I appear to be failing to make my point clear
As you are contributing no counter considerations, offering no information or articulating other perspectives on this topic, but instead choosing to whinge, I have resorted to the lowest form of wit – sarcasm.
I thought that – at least – you would understand.
(The arnica advice – however -remains valid.)
As do I. No whinging here – please use your (non-sarcastic?) phrase "the neon glare of the rainbow", with its "pretty colours", as often as you "quite like it", and its relevance to "how tribal some seem to be" may dawn on you.
[edit] Thanks again for the arnica advice – might give it a go if needed.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-721/arnica
On a laptop this morning, so now able to access my comment with the notorious, but somewhat adept turn of phrase "neon glare of the rainbow", to see why it was so memorable. (Phone only provided link to post itself, and all comments were inaccessible.)
Leery as I am of obviously truncated "quotes", I wanted to assure myself that I was indeed the author of the obviously memorable phrase, (kudos to me if that was the case) and have a look at the context.
So, on a post about the lack of medical evidence for children, and the fact that countries that have reviewed existing studies have found harm, and exchange with Sabine about the lack of public discussion, and the self-monitoring on the left led to this:
"Women raising concerns are definitely being treated differently to men raising the same concerns, even as those concerns are ignored.
I feel as if women's rights have almost melted away in the neon glare of the rainbow, and that is powered by all the co-opted institutions and governments who are dazzled by the pretty colours.
How this situation is not of concern to everyone is an indication of how tribal some seem to be."
Colour me red and yellow and pink and green, indigo, violet and blue – I am the witty author. Better still, I find myself in complete agreement with myself, in terms of the context of the post and the conversation that was taking place.
Perhaps you could ask yourself why in a post, with many comments on the very real problem of iatrogenic harm to minors by the adoption of such badly evidenced "affirming healthcare" (with a multitude of links and references to research) your 'takeaway' was offense at the somewhat colourful turn of phrase, "neon glare of the rainbow"?
Your clumsy attempt to imply that it means I have no consideration for others, rather than the clear statement that the movement and it's allies demands no scrutiny or critique is worrying.
Perhaps, not surprising though, because when offered a veritable smorgasbord of evidence and a wide variety of talking points where alternative viewpoints were encouraged and would be valuable, you instead opted for the junk food option of the 'takeaway'.
I thank you for the reminder of the phrase "neon glare of the rainbow". I think it describes succinctly the failure of many to do their due diligence in terms of policies, medical interventions, women's rights and child safeguarding in the pursuit of progressive credentials.
I will be using it again, in such context.
As a relic who lived through the eighties, neon glare has little effect on me, but others with weaker eyes may need to put on their sunglasses and start engaging about content rather than choosing 'a fence' to whinge from.
(Bad punning is a result of losing patience with bad faith engagement. You'll obviously have to learn to deal with it, if you engage again with me without providing any relevant points of discussion, or challenging mine with clarity.)
Thank-you for that quote Molly. I did not see the original.
I'm not removed from your concerns. Indeed I can testify to the accuracy of that statement – at least in general terms.
Years ago, I realised I had knowledge of a tiny group of NZers who were implicated in the preparations occurring in advance of the Rainbow Warrior bombing. I was not listened to (because I was a woman) and the culprits were never arrested and charged. I was not harmed [physically] in the immediate ensuing years but my pets were. Enough time has passed now for me to feel able to talk about it.
Go well with your campaign against the rights of women to be listened to… and to be protected from those who do them harm in whatever way it may be.
Thanks, Anne for taking the time to read and consider.
It's more in line with my experience of your comments on topics, and your explanatory reply is appreciated.
Thumb up. Image disappeared.
Oops… I meant “Go well with your campaign FOR the rights of women to be listened to. 😮
Embarrassingly, since I try to take care to read properly, I didn't even notice the slip…![no no](https://cdn2.thestandard.org.nz/wp-content/plugins/ark-wysiwyg-comment-editor/plugins/arkemoticonssk/img/16.gif?x42494)
(These moving emoticons are throwing me off).
I agree with the assumed original, and the corrected update. Respectful listening to all, is an essential part of resolving issues.
Trying for the thumb myself now…![laugh laugh](https://cdn2.thestandard.org.nz/wp-content/plugins/ark-wysiwyg-comment-editor/plugins/arkemoticonssk/img/04.gif?x42494)
@ Visubversa @26
Curiously I have 2 children who are teachers and in my discussions with them I have detected no such problem…that may be because as with most of the curriculum it is tempered by the common sense of those implementing it.
If there were instances in NZ of minors being forcibly given hormone treatment or surgery i dont doubt that the opposition and media would all over it like a rash….the opportunity would be too good to miss…as to oddly intentioned (minority) health and/or education advocates it is par for the course and parents will consider it as it warrants….adults are free to make their own minds up, right or wrong.
"If there were instances in NZ of minors being forcibly given hormone treatment or surgery.."
I haven't read any comments mentioning that minors are forcibly given treatment. I, along with others, have pointed out that the current "affirming healthcare" model currently in use for minors in New Zealand, is being abandoned by countries who have reviewed the clinical evidence for such an approach.
Not only have those reviews found that treatment for minors is not beneficial, it results in net harms. NZ follows the WPATH and Yogyakarta Principles guidelines. Neither of which is medically based, or clinically evidenced. For some reason, this information is ignored by NZ media, and also, on political blogs such as TS.
"i dont doubt that the opposition and media would all over it like a rash….the opportunity would be too good to miss…"
Except this might not be the case if commentators and media self-censor and regulate.
This tweet is an example:
https://twitter.com/hatpinwoman/status/1537922190795911170?s=20&t=BUe1KcQt64evARgXt6Ygsg
Not a fan of Ben Shapiro, but didn't know the story behind the clip so did a search, and found this short video of Ben Shapiro covering the background.
https://youtu.be/Fi9aDLAtVbw
However, I wanted to see how the producers and the others on the show responded to a panelist actually physically grabbing someone by the neck and threatening them with physical violence.
So, after looking I found the whole segment. Timeset it to get the response after the incident. You only need to watch a couple of minutes to see how the blatant violence is ignored and excused:
https://youtu.be/6tj3ULSJV8I?t=526
Now, if Ben Shapiro had grabbed Zoey Tur on the back of the neck and threatened to put Zoey in the back of the ambulance – what would the response have been?
Has the left created a sacred class to be excused from any responsibility at all costs?
Do you really believe that in a climate such as this, you are going to be kept informed by media and the opposition?
@Molly
Has the left created a sacred class to be excused from any responsibility at all costs?
It does this all the time. What you are finally seeing with this trans activism is the logical outcome of a process going back decades or more.
Frankly I am appalled beyond words – and I do not often use that word – at the butchery of teenage bodies (male and female) being sacrificed at the altar of this mad cult. But then like many men I get the distinct message this is in is some unspecified way all our fault anyway – and it is required we STFU.
I am also appalled.
I hear you regarding your discomfort and disagreement with aligning with feminists on this issue. I have the same aversion to in any way promoting someone like Matt Walsh, who I find uninteresting for the most part, and has very traditional gender stereotypes which GC feminists have fought against for decades – for both sexes.
However, as my concern is for women's rights and the protection of children from indoctrination and iatrogenic harm, I agree where agreement is warranted. I also acknowledge his circle of influence is not only huge, but is located in a demographic where few GC feminists will be found. He might intrigue his viewers enough to find out more, and we should all endeavour to make sure as much robust evidence, considerations and arguments is out there to find as possible. I post not to annoy but inform, although it often does the former only for certain commenters. That's of little concern to me, I just hope some may read and then go look for themselves.
I consider it a foolish expectation for me to need you to be a feminist before agreeing on this issue. By the same token, I don't really think you'd expect me not to be one.
If you consider the issue regarding the iatrogenic harm on minors to be of concern enough to stand beside those who raise the issue then there is a welcome space there.
Choice to engage – and how to engage – lies with us all.
On the theme of left progressiveness, I've also been surprised at how many topics are approached tribally with an expectation of total agreement or banishment.
The choice of many on the left to be authoritarian when the option was available. Mandates and compulsory vaccinations were treated as the only solution rather than a preferred one.
And I am beyond defending the current narrative that leaves the right as the only proponents of free speech.
Where are our left wing defenders of free speech?
At a time when even left and right should be working together as often as possible, I find myself politically homeless. I don't think I'm alone in this dilemma.
Read and agreed – more than you know.
Red Logix, I don't blame men for the what is/has happened with gender ideology. I am a little frustrated that some progressive left wing men are not listening to women who are concerned about gender ideology. But I am frustrated with the women who don't seem to grasp what is going on either.
There is almost total censorship in this country in the msm about how gender ideology pervades most of our institutions and many businesses. The msm, particularly Stuff seem to carry an inordinate amount of material which can either only be considered pro trans. They almost without exception ignore any gender critical views or if they mention them, they use terms like "controversial group SUFW". I have yet to see an article about SUFW which reveals what the organisation is truly about. Even though the Judge in the case in Palmerston North High Court stated that SUFW could not be considered a hate group, they are presented as such by the media.
As the media are not doing their job, I think it is not possible to argue that the problems with gender ideology are only happening overseas.
Well for my part I am entirely supportive of The Standard remaining one of the few local public domains where this can be discussed rationally.
Looks like the reply problem is fixed. It was a javascript minifier at cloudflare.
However I also found that the license for w3 total cache had disappeared. Chasing that now. Explains a sluggishness that has been showing up recently on the site.
I also have hardware for a new home server (and TS host) arriving. Should all be here by tuesday.
asrock rack x570d2u, The main reason for that upgrade is that it has a acceptable BMC for IPMI on it, and I wasn't that interested in doing a xeon system. If supermicro had a workstation/server board for a desktop AMD, then I'd have gotten that. Ryzen 5700G and 64GB RAM.
The disks will just get pulled from the old system ~20Tb of them. But I will look at upgrading the raid 1 array from TS from IBM 120Gb SSDs to something faster.
The old workstation (Ryzen 1700X) will probably get a facelift with a newer GPU, widescreen, and maybe a 3000 series CPU that the x370 chipset supports. But I don't play games apart from Civ6 these days, so I don't think I can be bothered upgrading it to far.
Thanks, Lprent.
Haven't been so active of late, probably to the delight of a few few, but do appreciate the effort and time spent on providing this platform.
Picked up the CPU and RAM on Saturday along with a pile of overdue UPS lead heavy batteries (roll on cheaper and lighter lithium UPS units).
Case and power supply arrived this morning.
Just waiting for the motherboard, which DHL say will be tomorrow. I had to get that from Aussie.
I built a pc a few months ago for music production using the 5700g and asus b550 tomahawk. Very impressed with both the cpu and board.
The 5700G looks damn near perfect for a non-gaming work station. Not too dear. Not too hot at 65W on the TPD. Significant grunt if you're doing anything that can use multi-threaded efficiently.
I'll probably just leave this one as air-cooled. The 1700X it is replacing was a nominal 95W, so I water cooled it just in case. I could hear it on air cooled when I ran long compiles. But I never heard it after I water cooled it.
I used a Asus X370 Prime motherboard last time. Hasn't burped at all in the last 5 years of continuous. I'll probably keep it running as the archive server.
I picked the motherboard this time for an ability to do remote updates without having to have the CPU running. 5 months working in Singapore in 2018 made that a very desirable feature this time around.
That is logical – because v6 had been working well for some days now. I was pleased to see that at long last I could reply on my Android phone reliably all week – something that was always very flaky in the past.
It seemed odd to me that a new version would work well for a week and then fail; therefore the problem lay elsewhere.
Same experience for me on my Android phone.
Thanks I prent
Thanks Lprent
My Thanks as well Lprent