Open mike 18/09/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, September 18th, 2019 - 54 comments
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54 comments on “Open mike 18/09/2019 ”

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  1. Rapunzel 1
    18 September 2019 at 7:19 am

    Media watchdogs are likely to be very busy in coming months, possibly followed by litigation lawyers, the many misleading headings and conflation of some events and facts has heightened the stakes on that. It seems that trial by media, although in this case it came a wee bit after the event but gave a fairly basic issue some apparent validity and definitely "legs". The case of the closed restaurant and loss of jobs shows how negatively everyday working NZers can be affected by whispering campaigns and trial by media. It seems that a swift response and advocacy of mediation and apology from the Human Rights Commission was not enough, the worth of the complaint was of issue anyway but it was dealt with – or was till media decided to pursue it. What is overlooked is that everyday NZers are subject, with no recourse or any attention, to abuse and punitive practices in the workplace. Often they are young and inexperienced with no recourse.

  2. Sanctuary 2
    18 September 2019 at 7:44 am

    Holy sweet Mary mother of Jesus is Barry Soper a churlish old prick or what? I mean does that old codger wake up in the morning with his old man aches and decide it is time to come up with another angle for a story that is a nasty as he is? He really needs to stop acting like an outraged baby boomer who just got told his discount coupon has expired.

    And Simon Bridges on Radio NZ just now… Simon Bridges is a complete blathering idiot. Everytime he juxtaposes anything to do with the Christchurch terrorist attack with a claim that "everyday New Zealanders" are not interested just makes me want to puke. 51 "everyday New Zealanders" were killed you fucktard. Trying to divide us over this makes you utterly unfit to lead.

    The New Zealand right is full of ill tempered old men, splenetic and rude white men and has an enormous screeching dork leading its main political vehicle.

    • marty mars 2.1
      18 September 2019 at 8:05 am

      + 1 good rant

      • In Vino 2.1.1
        18 September 2019 at 8:02 pm

        I agree with Marty. I have not read Soper's lament, but I feel inspired by Sanctuary's summation. Maybe I can now stomach reading downward-Soper's actual item – unless it is behind paywall, of course.

    • Rapunzel 2.2
      18 September 2019 at 8:12 am

      Well said, sadly "ill tempered old men, splenetic and rude white men" are not the ones, and are they actually even interested in, who will reduce any cases of abuse that have arisen or the other ones across the country that the public never hears of and the media pay no attention to.

    • Peter 2.3
      18 September 2019 at 8:55 am

      Is it fair to pick on Soper for being churlish and waking up each morning determined to come up with another angle for a story that is nasty and negative? I mean he has all his colleagues at NZME competing every day to be the best at doing exactly the same thing.

      • tc 2.3.1
        18 September 2019 at 11:07 am

        Which will escalate across many fronts to attempt an influence over the sheeple as we close in on the 2020 GE.

        Get used to it until a govt has the bollocks to take down this theatre of spin. It's not that hard to do once you have the political will to sort it out.

        And there you have it as the msm will squeal like stuck pigs if they lose their ineffective and self serving self-regulatory body which perpetuates the spin.

    • sumsuch 2.4
      18 September 2019 at 9:55 pm

      Soper is so solid in his social democratic (or NZ, if you like) foundation he's forgotten about it. The 20/30 % percent who have fallen beneath is of no conception to him.

  3. Agora 3
    18 September 2019 at 8:08 am

    I think part of the appeal of Jacinda as PM is the iconography of mother and child in our culture. People generally need nurturing skills after trauma.

  4. Quasimodo 4
    18 September 2019 at 8:21 am

    The EU27 just wants Britain to go ..

    ‘It was, by any standards, an unusual spectacle: the leader of the European Union’s second-smallest country deciding to empty-chair the British prime minister at what was supposed to have been a joint press conference after their meeting.’

    ‘Johnson has talked, repeatedly, of “real signs of movement” in Berlin, Paris and Dublin on getting rid of the backstop, the perennial obstacle to a Brexit agreement. “A huge amount of progress is being made” in the negotiations, he insists.’

    ‘For EU officials, the regular meetings with Johnson’s special envoy do not even qualify as “negotiations”. There are grave doubts, after his suspension of parliament and failure to advance any concrete proposals, that the prime minister wants a deal at all – and, should one be achieved, that he could get it through parliament.’

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/16/bettels-anger-highlights-a-bleak-truth-the-eu27-just-wants-britain-to-go

    • Treetop 4.1
      18 September 2019 at 9:06 am

      Looks like the outcome may have been better had May stayed on as the PM. Johnson was going to do no better due to the stubborness of the EU.

      The House of Commons could have shown more unity instead of having shouting matches. Probably will still have shouting matches instead of finding solutions to manage the adjustment.

      • Ernesto Lynch 4.1.1
        18 September 2019 at 11:36 am

        Ascribing "stubobornness" to the EU in the context of the Brexit negotiations is unfair and inaccurate.

        The EU have shown the patience of Job in the face of gross incompetence, petulance, ignorance, rudeness, mendacity and above all inflated senses of entitlement and exceptionalism on the part of the English Tories.

        [Why do you keep changing you User Name and e-mail? I have warned you before about this. Your comments will continue to go into Auto-Moderation until you learn to play by the rules – they are not that hard to adhere to – Incognito]

        • Incognito 4.1.1.1
          18 September 2019 at 12:01 pm

          See my Moderation note @ 11:36 AM.

        • Treetop 4.1.1.2
          18 September 2019 at 12:48 pm

          I do think that Johnson is entitled to actually be listened to with the same conditions that May was. Brexit may be over in 6 weeks and it is too much for the EU to accommodate talks with Johnson.

          Do you not think that the EU need to have a policy of a country exiting the EU?

          The EU has shown me that they do not understand the politics of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

          Probably the EU has a policy to wring every dollar out of the UK that they can.

          • JohnP 4.1.1.2.1
            18 September 2019 at 1:53 pm

            Johnson has been asked to supply a workable alternative to the already established Withdrawal Agreement, given he wishes to make significant changes to it.

            So far, he has failed to actually present that workable alternative – while retaining the Theresa May red-lines which stemmed from her lack of a majority in the House of Commons and the need to have the DUP as their confidence and supply partner.

            The E.U hasn't changed its position in nearly a year now – 'you wanted the agreement to do these things, we have agreed on that. Now you want to change the agreement, so you must also present what it is you want to change it to'.

            That’s not unreasonable. The EU has waited patiently since Article 50 was triggered as May realised she didn’t have the numbers to pass an agreement, destroyed her majority in the 2017 election, became even more in thrall to the hardliners and the DUP which rendered any agreement impossible to pass anyway, then it failed repeatedly and Article 50 was extended and then they changed leader to Johnson who is now running a minority Government because he sacked all the MPs who didn’t want a No Deal.

            None of these above events were caused by the EU, they were entirely created by the Conservative Party.

            Johnson is posturing. There isn't a workable solution which incorporates the Brexit his hardline MPs and support staff advocate, there never has been. But he's got to act like the E.U is the one in the wrong to his home audience.

            For someone who's spent their entire political career seeking the office, he's making a dreadful bilk of it.

            • Treetop 4.1.1.2.1.1
              18 September 2019 at 6:42 pm

              No one could have forseen the Conservative Party imploding to the extent it has.

              Johnson may have been able to provide alternative solutions were he to have had support.

              The only way forward is a hard Brexit as no party in the House of Commons are in a position to change May's deal.

              I liked your summary.

            • Ad 4.1.1.2.1.2
              18 September 2019 at 6:56 pm

              Johnson is going to deliver Brexit and then win the next election riding the chaos that fits his leadership style perfectly.

              To have a chance of defeating him, Labour and the Lib Dems will need to act in perfect unison until the next scheduled election in 2022. That would lock the Conservatives in until 2026: 15 years.

              Defeat for Boris os not looking likely at this point.

              Conservatives look on course to use the Brexit chaos in 2020 to install a really hard line deregulated society – far more in line with the fully free market US society.

              • JohnP …
                18 September 2019 at 7:22 pm

                I still think there's an election coming in November and it's going to be ugly as hell but Labour/SNP might be a coalition afterwards.

                I also absolutely believe the Lib Dems will line up with the Tories in coalition again, because they're that awful.

        • Treetop 4.1.1.3
          20 September 2019 at 9:18 am

          EU confirms Britain submitted papers outlining Brexit deal amendments.

          Like I said stubborn.

    • francesca 5.1
      18 September 2019 at 11:30 am

      Its a Rorschach test for me , what people make of Assange .

      There's no doubt he's a political prisoner who is being psychologically tortured and held up as an example to deter the others.It would not surprise me if he commits "suicide" Epstein fashion .If this was happening in Russia or China, the outrage, the thundering righteousness, on these pages would be deafening.

      We're fucked, when so many are so willingly credulous, so afraid of being considered conspiracists, so terrified of not having the "correct" views

      We're done I'm afraid, and I'm kind of done with this site

      But thanks for the media lens link

      • Adrian Thornton 5.1.1
        18 September 2019 at 12:19 pm

        Yes I agree, it is quite disheartening to see so many seemingly intelligent 'lefties' get completely get sucked in so easily by obvious bullshit time and again..talk about useful idiots.

        Talking of useful idiots here is a pretty funny and informed show that has just started on youtube called useful idiots, hosted by Matt Taibbi and Katie Halper…might perk you up a bit, I know does for me.



        • phillip ure 5.1.1.1
          18 September 2019 at 6:16 pm

          i met tulsi gabbard when she was a child – running around with a bunch of other children..

          she has grown up to be a very impressive person..(what a great voice/presence..)

          i think she could be president in 2024..and that would be a very good thing..

          interesting fact about tulsi gabbard..she has never eaten animal flesh..

          and it doesn't seem to have done her much harm..eh..?

      • Brigid 5.1.2
        18 September 2019 at 12:24 pm

        +1000

        I whole heartedly agree with all you've said Francesca.

        I expect a deafening silence from those who don't though, as they really have no argument to the contrary.

      • gsays 5.1.3
        18 September 2019 at 1:10 pm

        I tend to agree with you francesca.

        Around these parts, we seem divided not so much along lines, but by tall brick walls.

        I have to admit keeping my head down when Assange popped up because of the vitriol generated by folk over allegations.

        It would be sad if you decided to go. We definitely need more views and voices that don't drink the kool-aid and swallow everything the Guardian dishes up.

    • gsays 5.2
      18 September 2019 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks for the link Adrian, interesting and mildly disturbing reading.

      I used to think that it was a trait of conservatives- the willing ignorance of an angle that didn't suit their purposes or politics. Clearly folk who would claim to be progressive practice that habit as well.

      • Adrian Thornton 5.2.1
        18 September 2019 at 3:35 pm

        @gsays, "I used to think that it was a trait of conservatives"…etc, I have been saying exactly the same thing since 2016, it's like since Hillary lost, more than half the people I used to read or listen to on the Left (including here on TS) instantly turned off their ability to think critically…it has been astounding to watch, and very very sad.

        It would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago Lefties falling in behind the FBI like a heard of sheep…like I say, very very sad.

    • weka 5.3
      18 September 2019 at 1:33 pm

      The two things that stand out for me about that are article are this (bearing in mind the further I read the less I was reading properly):

      1. Assange is being held in extreme conditions. Putting aside the writer's view is that this is a political act, what are the authorities saying is the reason?

      2. Having a go a Monbiot for not covering the story more comes across as kind of petulant. Criticising the MSM generally makes sense, but picking out one journalist as being at fault seems a failing strategy if one wants to be taken more seriously. What was the point?

      Meanwhile, google tells me that a handful of left/liberal MSM have lots of articles on Assange from this year.

      • gsays 5.3.1
        18 September 2019 at 2:08 pm

        Hi weka, in regards to Monbiot, my take is that he is a journalist held in very high regard by 'the left'.

        Journalistically speaking, Wikileaks/Assange/Manning has to be the most important issue of the last eight years.

        Whether the lack of articles by him, on Assange, is his decision (not wanting to step on the metaphorical landmine) or an editorial one we do not know.

        The article wasn't just having a crack at the one journo. It did go on to similarly criticize Owen Jones, another journo of the ilk of Monbiot.

        • weka 5.3.1.1
          18 September 2019 at 2:16 pm

          If Monbiot needs to choose between writing on the climate crisis or Assange, I'd want him to write about climate.

          • gsays 5.3.1.1.1
            18 September 2019 at 3:13 pm

            I don't see it as a binary choice: climate or abuse of state power.

            I guess you aren't the target market for the article.

            • weka 5.3.1.1.1.1
              18 September 2019 at 8:34 pm

              Probably, but I think it's more that I don't know why Monbiot (or Jones) was singled out. Not every journo has to cover all things. If the Guardian haven't covered the Assange news well, that's fair critique (I don't know if they have or haven't).

          • Adrian Thornton 5.3.1.1.2
            18 September 2019 at 3:19 pm

            I am sure a competent journo could easily handle covering two stories over a six month period.

            If we (the public) really want to know what various governments and/or corporations around the world are really thinking about climate change, and how they will or won't take action going forward, we will most probably end up getting lots of that information via wikileaks..including you, but we will no doubt be get a lot less leaking generally now that they are making such a brutal example of Assange, with pretty much no push back from MSM, infact support from many.

            • weka 5.3.1.1.2.1
              18 September 2019 at 8:36 pm

              If the critique is that the Guardian hasn't covered the Assange news, that's worth exploring. But saying that any one journo should have done x doesn't make sense to me. Why Monbiot?

    • Bearded Git 5.4
      18 September 2019 at 6:06 pm

      Excellent link Adrian-thank you.

      The treatment of Assange is scandalous. I have seen at least one doco that tells teh real story-I'm sure others have been suppressed.

      I used to worship the Guardian-now it is a rag. Read "The Canary" online for a bit of perspective.

  7. cleangreen 7
    18 September 2019 at 9:57 am

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/climate-change-now-global-warming-researchers-say-more-support-required-despite-55-million-government-investment

    Covering Climate Now: Global warming researchers say more support required despite $55 million government investment

  8. adam 8
    18 September 2019 at 11:45 am

    The opioid crisis – odd phrasing – I think maybe the opioid death march would be a better description. Has some major corporate players, who helped make it what it is – here is a interview of one of the worst – sheesh must be nice to be that rich and get away with murder.

    Good news the important part is in the first 9:45 min. Also Lee Camps style can be a bit off putting, but well worth it.



    • gsays 8.1
      18 September 2019 at 3:31 pm

      One of the consequences of direct to consumer advertising.

      Only legal in the U$A and Aotearoa.

      In the States, Purdue (Sacklers ccompany) have agreed to pay up to $12B to settle various lawsuits, are going to file for bankruptcy and dodge any responsibility. Justice American style.

  9. Kevin 9
    18 September 2019 at 12:39 pm

    I find the more I watch him, the more I like him 🙂

  10. marty mars 10
    18 September 2019 at 12:41 pm

    Yes, good. History in the making. The righting of wrongs in the making. Mana being shown and utilized for the people.

    The Māori king, Kiingi Tūheitia, says mana whenua have finally reached consensus over what to do with Ihumātao – they want it back.

    The announcement was made this morning, with Kiingi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII saying he had successfully guided mana whenua of Ihumātao to a unified position.

    "Mana whenua agree they want their land returned, so they can make decisions about its future," he said.

    "Kiingitanga has conveyed the views of mana whenua to the government and urged it to negotiate with Fletchers for the return of Ihumātao to its rightful owners."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/399023/mana-whenua-reach-decision-on-ihumatao-land

  11. alwyn 11
    18 September 2019 at 2:13 pm

    I imagine our Mps will be wetting themselves when they see this story.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-17/victorian-premier-to-become-highest-paid-state-leader-pay-rise/11520214

    Does anyone doubt that the same thing will happen here when the current Government change the way that MPs salaries are set? Put in an "independent" commission to give you a lovely big increase and then claim it had nothing to do with you?

    11.8% or so all round. Meanwhile they tell other people that nothing over 2% is affordable. Amazing isn't it? And nothing to do with the MPs of course.

    No wonder they are going to change the system here. At the moment the increases are tied to the average Public Sector increase. That may be unfair, but only because the increases are larger there than they are for the typical person in the Private Sector, but at least there is something to hold them back.

    Go back to the old system as the current Government want to and there will be nothing to keep them under control. Nobody seriously believes that an "independent" commission appointed by the Government of New Zealand will do anything other than give their masters whatever they want. Nudge, nudge, wink wink of course. And if you aren't generous we will replace you.

    Greedy bloody lot are our MPs, aren't they? Just like their Australian cousins.

  12. greywarshark 12
    18 September 2019 at 4:25 pm

    Don McLean – This is life, this is primetime, this is living in the USA.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/115876229/girls-age-changed-from-11-to-22-before-she-was-allegedly-abandoned-in-rented-apartment

    (This is the start of a peculiar story that seems grown out of present dysfunctional society. This couple adopted a girl from Ukraine who apparently had a genetic disorder. They also had adopted a boy with autism. The stuff media item dated 18 September 2019.)

    The girl: She had travelled from Ukraine to the rolling hills and cornfields of Indiana, only to wind up on her own in a strange city. When police checked in with the girl in September 2014, it had been more than a year since she had seen or heard from her adoptive parents, who had changed her age from 11 to 22 on official documents and rented her an apartment before moving to Canada and leaving her behind.)

    The boy – …Before the criminal charges were filed last week, the pair were best known as the parents of "boy genius" Jake Barnett, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2. Warned that he might never speak or have normal social interactions, Kristine began tutoring him at home. By the age of 12, when he was profiled in the Indianapolis Star, Jake was taking college math classes and was being courted for research positions.

    ..the Barnetts became prominent advocates for children with autism. Early in 2012, CBS' 60 Minutes devoted a segment to 13-year-old Jake Barnett, who they described as a "a math and science prodigy." A diminutive dark-haired young girl dressed in a white cardigan can be seen in some of the footage, sitting quietly at a family dinner.

    In 2013, Kristine Barnett's memoir, The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism was published by Random House. NPR book critic Maureen Corrigan wrote in The Washington Post that the book was "compulsive reading," adding, "Barnett not only fights heroically on Jake's behalf, she also beats down every other obstacle that life hurls at her and her family."…

    That same year [2014] the Barnetts filed for divorce, according to the station. Though Jake still lives in Canada, where he is pursuing a PhD in quantum gravity at the Perimeter Institute, both Michael and Kristine have moved back to Indianapolis…

    "This is going to end up on a TV show," an anonymous law enforcement official told WLFI [TV-18, Lafayette, Indiana?]…

    (Children with difficulties being turned into money-earners, promotion material for adoptive parents who might abandon them if they do not prove winners. This is an ugly underbelly of clean-cut American society.)