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Open mike 18/04/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 18th, 2012 - 145 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

145 comments on “Open mike 18/04/2012 ”

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  1. tc 1
    18 April 2012 at 6:58 am

    Just reading in granny about Waikato rugby and some financial issues that show they just think they are special then there’s that naki iwi who’ve lost millions run by a former Nat candidate.

    Is this a theme here with former Nat pollys and nat backer in finance companies, iwi, rugby or just coincidence. If it is a theme it’s no wonder they can’t manage an economy as all they seem to understand is plunder without planning.

  2. LynW 2
    18 April 2012 at 6:59 am

    Well well well….

    SkyCity wooed new Govt after failures in court

    What is happening to our beloved country.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10799633

    SkyCity’s deal over pokies in exchange for a national convention centre comes after three failed court attempts to expand its casino business.

    It repeatedly challenged the Gambling Commission over its restrictions – so much that ministers overseeing gambling regulation have been warned about direct lobbying by the casino company.

    SkyCity has not filed a court challenge since the National Government came to power in 2008.

    • David 2.1
      18 April 2012 at 7:30 am

      and the Herald editorialists, who have a strong moral sense about this, are not being convinced by this BS either:

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-government/news/article.cfm?c_id=144&objectid=10799574

      Legislation to allow more cashless pokies aimed at working and benefit poor people (the ones who fill up the place on the Weds and Fridays Sky Say shows they are at capacity) looks like an increasingly dirty deal for the government

    • Jenny 2.2
      18 April 2012 at 7:33 am

      +1.
      More and more of our democracy is being whittled away. Lian Dalziel was on TV this morning talking about new government moves taking power away from Christchurch’s elected councillors.

      • Jackal 2.2.1
        18 April 2012 at 8:17 am

        In reaction to the Council declaring themselves Frack Free no doubt. They also encouraged other councils around New Zealand to do the same, Which National would be livid about. They will make every other excuse in the world, but it’s because Christchurch threatens their mine it, drill it and wreck it for a few dollars policy that the heat is on.

          • Jared 2.2.1.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 8:53 pm

            Id much rather pokies in pubs and clubs around auckland are moved to Sky City than the issue of Sky City installing more.

            • Fortran 2.2.1.1.1.1
              19 April 2012 at 2:02 pm

              Jared – you are right – it is difficult to accept that there is not considerable damage from pokies outside Sky City.
              Close all outside pokies – particularly in Auckland south and centralise them where they can be controlled like those in Sky City.
              Major Sky City money movements are not through the pokies but the tables.

  3. Jenny 3
    18 April 2012 at 7:37 am

    If Brevik continues to claim he is at war.

    Maybe he should be tried as a war criminal.

    • muzza 3.1
      18 April 2012 at 8:01 am

      Quite amazing how one guy almost doubled the previous number of people shot & killed by a single shooter, all before the police got to him, and amazingly never shot him dead – WOW!

      No inconsistancies in the stories either…And of course there was the obligatory “terrorist” exercises by Oslo Police a couple of days before hand….Just like London and NYC before that…

      If you hear anything about terror drills, it would seem the pudent advise would be to head in another direction. – I don’t include the attempted manufacturing of the Uruwera in that, which was so clearly a contrived local beat up!

      I’m sure its all just coincidental though – Send him to the Hague, where it is highly likely he will die waiting for a trial – Prediction, he will be dead one way or another soon enough!

      • Kotahi Tane Huna 3.1.1
        18 April 2012 at 9:06 am

        How repugnant that you exploit this disgusting act to promote a conspiracy theory.

        Shame.

        • muzza 3.1.1.1
          18 April 2012 at 9:15 am

          Opinion = exploiting now does it!

          Perhaps you might have a crack at the queries raised then!

          I have obviously got under your skin, and your ego just can’t handle it.

          • Kotahi Tane Huna 3.1.1.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 9:19 am

            Perhaps you might have a crack at feeling thoroughly ashamed of yourself.

            • muzza 3.1.1.1.1.1
              18 April 2012 at 9:48 am

              I have friends from Noway in Oslo and Stavanger, they are asking questions too, want the truth, and feel they are being lied to!

              The situation was an absolute tragedy, but like the case of French shooter, who in fact on an american no fly list, raises more questions than answers than are being drilled into.

              Questions you again avoid, and in another uncontrolled fit, your massive ego initiates yet another attack…

              • Kotahi Tane Huna …
                18 April 2012 at 10:40 am

                Shame on you, to insist on dragging this tragedy down to your self-aggrandising narrative.

                The fact that there are other paranoiacs out there, and that you are in contact with them, does not surprise me.

                The problem with your “questions” is that you clearly think you know the answers to them – which makes them assertions, not questions. We can easily cut through your rhetoric though: state exactly what you are talking about – put your allegations on the table – put up or shut up. Come on, I’m far too ego-centric and confused to make sense of your witless melange, so I’m afraid you’re going to have to spell it out for me.

              • Vicky32 …
                18 April 2012 at 5:42 pm

                but like the case of French shooter, who in fact on an american no fly list, raises more questions than answers than are being drilled into.

                I have had serious questions and doubts about the French shooter! The story around him changed every day… to start with, he was an unknown right-winger after shooting three Muslim soldiers, and then, after the shooting at the Jewish school, suddenly he was an Islamist…

                • Kotahi Tane Huna …
                  18 April 2012 at 6:34 pm

                  Perhaps the story changed as more information became available – and in fact the early versions were merely speculative?

        • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.2
          18 April 2012 at 9:33 am

          How repugnant that you exploit this disgusting act to promote a conspiracy theory.

          The issue is that one man with an automatic weapon, lots of ammo, after untrained civilian targets…it was going to be a massive tragedy from the start.

          The island was a perfect place to do this – law enforcement was slow and constrained as to how they could get out there.

          If they could have got police on the ground within 10 minutes of the shootings starting many lives could have been saved, but not even our AOS can respond that quickly to an incident down the road.

          • Kotahi Tane Huna 3.1.1.2.1
            18 April 2012 at 9:49 am

            It’s a sad and sordid tale of a fearful mind being whipped into a murderous rage by paranoid extremist rhetoric. Breivik’s conspiracy theories aren’t exactly rare.

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.2.1.1
              18 April 2012 at 10:17 am

              There are whole networks of people like this in Europe that he was tied into, online mostly I understand. And now he gets an international platform for his ideas. Dangerous to the extreme.

              • Kotahi Tane Huna …
                18 April 2012 at 10:24 am

                Three are whole networks, according to Breivik. I suspect he may have overestimated the commitment of the other “members”.

              • muzza …
                18 April 2012 at 10:33 am

                The “online”, “lone wolf” community, hmmm…

                Now that those “nasty arabs” have been dealt with, and AQ being used to overthrow countries, re Lybia, the focus was turned onto the “crazy white, lone wolf scenario”

                Terror groups of “fanatical brown people”, conveniently, and on que becomes, lone wolf terrorist pacts of “crazy white people”..

                Who in this world can possibly be trusted then, if both the brown and white faces have given over to terrorism, as groups, and as individuals?

                – Trust your government, seems the only message!

                • Kotahi Tane Huna …
                  18 April 2012 at 10:42 am

                  What a wanker you are Muzza, fantasising about secret conspiracies. Were you having your wet dreams while children were still being shot?

                  • muzza …
                    18 April 2012 at 10:55 am

                    “What a waaanker you are Muzza, fantasising about secret conspiracies. Were you having your wet dreams while children were still being shot?”

                    – Again, no attempt to address the real questions, no research, no understading – MASSIVE ego
                    – More insults, illustrating fabulous arrogance, resplendent with key buzzwords, “fantasy, secret, conspiracy”.
                    – Actually parroting my use of the term ‘wet dream”, from a few days ago – Oh dear, originality lacking! – I am flattered however šŸ˜‰

                    Just stop with the insults, and see if you can get a grip on your ego, try asking, then have a crack at answering some quesions. Maybe if you get adventurous, try some research!

                    • Kotahi Tane Huna …
                      18 April 2012 at 11:14 am

                      What “questions”? Reality check: you haven’t posed any – you’ve asserted that there are “inconsistencies” (don’t ever become a trial lawyer – you might discover that even eye witness accounts can be “inconsistent”!) you’ve expressed amazement (while revealing your ignorance) that Breivik wasn’t shot. You’ve suggested the fact of a “terror drill” is somehow connected to this crime.

                      Get a clue, Muzza, there will always be “questions” that “must be answered” in an event like this. Have you never heard of “the fog of war”? (No, I’m not saying Norway is at war, I’m making an analogy).

                      While you’re at it look up pattern recognition.

                      But please, if you have a substantial allegation to make, make it. Anything but this relentless procession of winks and nudges. It’s good that you invented the phrase “wet dream” though – congratulations.

                      PS: research ā‰  reading websites

                    • muzza …
                      18 April 2012 at 11:38 am

                      Inconsistencies would be where questions generally stem from, unless you’re happy to swallow Bloke – It seems you are a swallower!

                      “While youā€™re at it look up pattern recognition”

                      – Yes I recognize patterns; they are dead easy to feel once you understand yourself, and the world around you. Clearly, pattern recognition is obviously a problem for you, as you can’t seem to see the patterns in the “terror drills” I referred to that were run prior to Oklahoma City, NYC, London and Oslo, as a start, nor even bother to check out those patterns!

                      “But please, if you have a substantial allegation to make, make it. Anything but this relentless procession of winks and nudges. Itā€™s good that you invented the phrase ā€œwet dreamā€ though ā€“ congratulations.”

                      – No Bloke, you parroted my use it, trying to deflect with nonsense such as “invention” , only serves to make you’re ego look silly!

                      – Go looking for it yourself bro, don’t be lazy and expect anyone to walk you through life, or make demands of others, whose understanding might threaten your self belief system (ego)

                      So just like a couple of days ago, I will leave it to you to get the last word in, and I’ll await the next insult fit from you eagerly…

                      Edit:

                      PS – research does not equal reading websites – LOL, nah of course not, was that meant to be information, or a regurgitation of the stuff you swallow!

                    • Kotahi Tane Huna …
                      18 April 2012 at 12:30 pm

                      Your response to my remark about pattern recognition is the funniest thing I’ve read in a while. Do yourself a favour and actually look it up and actually think about the implications of the information you find.

                      Apart from that, since the rest of your comment amounts to a big nothing – not one substantive word in seven paragraphs – there’s nothing to respond to. Love the cute projection though.

                  • Vicky32 …
                    18 April 2012 at 5:46 pm

                    Were you having your wet dreams while children were still being shot?

                    KTH, shame on you. Your insult is egotistical, mean-minded and unwarranted.

                • Clashman …
                  18 April 2012 at 10:48 am

                  Youre onto it muzza!

      • Jackal 3.1.2
        18 April 2012 at 9:21 am

        You’ve got to wonder why the Police uncuffed the bastard so he could give the Nazi salute. I thought they weren’t going to give him a platform to promote fascism? This just makes Norway look bad.

      • Te Reo Putake 3.1.3
        18 April 2012 at 10:46 am

        “… all before the police got to him, and amazingly never shot him dead”.
        Ā 
        He rang the cops twice to arrange his surrender after he couldn’t find any more kids to kill. He then disarmed himself and waited for them to get to the island.
        Ā 
        Have to agree with KTH; your whole comment is pathetic muzza, and you should be ashamed for not thinking it through before posting.

      • Bored 3.1.4
        18 April 2012 at 11:13 am

        Muz, if my grandmother could get the whole National Party caucus on Somes Island using the same artillery Brevik had the cops would not get there in time. AAnd she could quite easily park the car (complete with time bomb) outside some government office on the Terrace and walk to the ferry to Somes.

        I had a look at the “inconsistencies”, the one thing conspiracy theorist seem to regularly do is ascribe “intelligence” to Intelligence organisations. That is a big leap of faith. No conspiracies here, just a failure to prevent.

    • Colonial Viper 3.2
      18 April 2012 at 8:20 am

      +1

    • mike e 3.4
      18 April 2012 at 5:51 pm

      jenny agreed first he should be sent to guantanamo

    • rosy 3.5
      18 April 2012 at 6:13 pm

      “If Brevik continues to claim he is at war. Maybe he should be tried as a war criminal.”

      That’s exactly what he asked for. I’m pleased the justice system turned him down. He’s either insane or a criminal – definitely not a soldier.

  4. Pete George 4
    18 April 2012 at 7:58 am

    The asset sale 49% ownership loophole is unresolved.

    John Key has said “trust us”. I trusted him last term, he kept his word on asset sales. But if National include an allowance in the MOM bill for greater than 49% stakeholding through non-voting shares I can’t see it being anything other than a breach of agreement.

    Peter Dunne has emphasised to me the importance of government retaining control through majority voting rights – I agree with this. But it’s not enough, it ignores campaign and C&S commitments.

    John Key’s word, National’s written agreement, and United Future’s pledges, need to be reflected in the legislation. Or I have a major problem with it.

    http://yournz.org/2012/04/18/asset-sales-49-ownership-at-risk/

    • vto 4.1
      18 April 2012 at 8:11 am

      Good on you Pete, go hard. Most NZers understand this as being 51% ownership, not just 51% control.

      Whenever someone says “trust me” you have to watch out. They should never have put themselves in a position where that has to be said. It indicates creaking failures in the particular system.

    • mickysavage 4.2
      18 April 2012 at 8:22 am

      Well done Pete. Ā Be staunch …

    • Colonial Viper 4.3
      18 April 2012 at 8:23 am

      Pete George, you’re like the waterbuffalo who comfortably enters inside National’s cottage, except you suddenly find that your tail can’t quite fit through the door. Fucking laughable.

      • Pete George 4.3.1
        18 April 2012 at 8:46 am

        Yeah, right. One has to either back an imperfect government – I’ve backed both National and Labour led governments – or you’re pissing in the desert.

        This is a relatively minor issue for National, they could proceed and still keep their word this term – if it wasn’t for the C&S, which I think is a big issue and important principle.

        • muzza 4.3.1.1
          18 April 2012 at 8:59 am

          “They could proceed and still keep their word this term”

        • Jackal 4.3.1.2
          18 April 2012 at 9:08 am

          Key’s not going to try convincing you until the privatisation goes through Pete. Then he will listen to whether you like it or not… yeah right! 70% against MOM privatisation, who cares. Just like the opinion of scientists and judges, Key can find another public opinion that suits him. Selling more than 51% to your rich mates, priceless!

    • Frida 4.4
      18 April 2012 at 9:00 am

      Keep up the pressure Pete.

    • marsman 4.5
      18 April 2012 at 9:10 am

      When John Key opens his mouth you know he is lying. When John Key says ‘trust us’ you know he’s going to shaft you.

    • Herodotus 4.6
      18 April 2012 at 9:17 am

      Well done P2. Key seems hell bent on achieving a surplus by 2014, no matter what the consequence. It is becomming apparent that there is a limited plan to progress NZ, when we need money just allow a few more pokkies to pay for it.

      • Colonial Viper 4.6.1
        18 April 2012 at 9:38 am

        The surplus is merely a convenient theoretical cover for the 1%’s appropriation of NZ wealth.

        Surplus could be achieved within 12 months should we wish to design a taxation policy for the top 5% to achieve it.

  5. vto 5
    18 April 2012 at 8:13 am

    Big day in Christchurch.

    Our wise and magnificent leaders are about to tell us what we must do.

    But, as shown by Doug Graham’s pathetic showings recently, these people who make these decisions are bloody average so don’t expect much.

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    18 April 2012 at 8:26 am

    Dairy prices fall 9.9% overnight; dairy index down 17% since end of last year

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10799688

    Well, there is some pain headed this way now.

  7. muzza 7
    18 April 2012 at 9:07 am

    What I especially love from the “business desk” is the lack of explanation…you could be forgiven for thinking that things in Europe are about….to….turn….around

    Who brought the Spanish debt, it did not say…

    Why are the equities markets up, again it didn’t say…

    These are questions which , if the article does not answer, the article is worthless!

    People read this dross, and believe all is well!

    • Jim Nald 7.1
      18 April 2012 at 9:31 am

      Well and truly into the era where nation-states (and their citizens) are on their knees and being held captive or blackmailed.

      “We are in this all together”:
      http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/apr/17/eurozone-crisis-japan-firewall-imf

      Breaking news: Japan gets roped in (thank you very much for the $60 billion … oh hello, IMF, and what are you wearing today, beautiful Christine Lagarde?). Spain is ok for now. Markets overnight were smiling. (New Zealand dollar up.)

      Next stop, errrr … Italy? And who to rope in to get a bail out? Ummm, China? The poor Chinese. You remember the Opium Wars? Well, they have been repackaged and will be sold to you as Debt Wars (against you and peoples of the world).

    • muzza 7.2
      18 April 2012 at 1:37 pm

      Followed up with this cut and paste from the AP desk!

      “Governments are cutting spending and raising taxes in Europe, the United States and Japan, dragging on growth, the report said. And banks are also reducing their debts, particularly in Europe. That’s reducing lending and also slowing growth”

      – Lol banks are reducing their debt – No mention of how this is happening, no mention of why they can’t lend because they are insolvment. No, its just the fact that the banks are actually insolvent, and being bailed out by “sovereign nations” and via the IMF loans to Greece for example, currency swaps with the FED, and the like…

      Carry on!

      • vto 7.2.1
        18 April 2012 at 2:36 pm

        This is all the slowest moving and most gigantic train wreck the world has seen. Until people realise that the point of no return has already been passed – then it will be all on and extremely rapid.

        It is a wonder people can even see in Europe and the US such is the proliferation of smoke and mirrors.

        Don’t leave your money in one of them multi-national banks is all I can say.

        • Kotahi Tane Huna 7.2.1.1
          18 April 2012 at 4:54 pm

          Iceland, the elephant in the room that undermines the narrative. Do you see how they addressed the “point of no return” in a “gigantic trainwreck” and yet the sky inexplicably failed to fall on their heads despite the fact that it was “all on and extremely rapid”?

          The IMF is citing them as a case study – is the “truth” a little more complex than will fit into conceited soundbites? Does that collapse the conspiracist waveform much?

      • muzza 7.2.2
        18 April 2012 at 3:30 pm

        Its as if they have these stories on standby, just waiting to roll them out on queue

        “New Zealand consumer confidence lifted in April, suggesting a pick-up in the local economy as households feel more optimistic about their financial well-being”

        – I wonder what might happen if the truth was reported all those years ago!

        • Jim Nald 7.2.2.1
          19 April 2012 at 8:48 am

          One day roses, another day rats, and then roses again, but quickly followed by rats ~ ad infinitum.

          Volatility is the name of the latest money game.

          Money traders and speculators make more money, more quickly with yoyo-ing market sentiments.

          And after a bit of cheer yesterday, here is a bit of gloom today from the IMF:

          “European banks remain under pressure from weak growth and high debt repayments and need to strengthen their balance sheets by reducing assets and increasing their capital to regain investor confidence, the IMF said in its latest Global Financial Stability Report.”

          “Investor”? Who is that?

  8. Morrissey 8
    18 April 2012 at 9:29 am

    “The most moral army in the world”

    IDF Soldiers Support Officer Over Activist Attack

    More than 80 Israeli soldiers and reservists have signed a petition of support for a military commander who was filmed assaulting a Danish pro-Palestinian activist.

    Lieutenant Colonel Shalom Eisner was suspended after the video emerged showing him hitting Andreas Ias in the face with an M16 rifle as he tried to disperse a demonstration.

    The incident happened on Saturday when a group of foreign and Palestinian cyclists attempted to block a main road near Jericho to protest against Israelā€™s occupation of the West Bank.

    Lt Col Eisner told military investigators that two of his fingers had been broken in an attack by the Danish campaigner before he retaliated with his weapon.

    Mr Ias, an activist with the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement, responded that any claims that he had used violence were a ā€œcomplete lieā€.

    The Palestinian cameraman who filmed the incident also insisted that the activists had been conducting an entirely peaceful protest. Several other activists were reported to have been injured in scuffles with Israeli troops.

    In a letter to the Chief of Staff of Israelā€™s military, Lt General Benny Gantz, 83 soldiers, officers and reservists who have served under Lt Col Eisner said that he was a ā€œmoral and ethicalā€ commander.

    They called for his years of military service, upholding Israelā€™s ā€œvaluesā€, to be taken into account.

    The Israeli Defence Forces have removed Lt Col Eisner from his position as deputy commander of the Jordan Valley Territorial brigade while the investigation continues.

    Denmarkā€™s ambassador to Israel has called for the Israeli military to provide clarification following the incident.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the officerā€™s actions saying: ā€œSuch behaviour has no place in the Israeli defence forces or in the state of Israel.ā€

    President Shimon Peres has expressed his ā€œshockā€ at the attack.

    http://uk.news.yahoo.com/soldiers-support-officer-over-activist-attack-125819750.html

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      18 April 2012 at 9:40 am

      Of course, after all it is highly moral to smash your enemies in the face, and immoral not to do so.

      • Bored 8.1.1
        18 April 2012 at 10:57 am

        Seems Yahweh is alive and active with the “Chosen People”. And if you believe this nonsense you can declare your enemies unfavoured by your God and smite them with impunity. They can be labelled “unter-menchen”, “infidel”, etc, anything to make them lesser mortals in the eye of your faith / ethos. Its been going on for a thousand years, this is just the latest Crusader state and it will go the same way as the rest of them, just a matter of time.

        Unfortunately as we wait these latter day Nazis will cause a lot of pain and grief for all.

      • Vicky32 8.1.2
        18 April 2012 at 6:04 pm

        Of course, after all it is highly moral to smash your enemies in the face, and immoral not to do so.

        I have been reading about that on the Guardian and here:
        http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/israel-and-palestine/120416/danish-government-seeks-information-be

    • muzza 8.2
      18 April 2012 at 11:09 am

      “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the officerā€™s actions saying: ā€œSuch behaviour has no place in the Israeli defence forces or in the state of Israel.ā€

      “President Shimon Peres has expressed his ā€œshockā€ at the attack”

      – Two of the worlds worst war criminals feigning shock !

  9. Johnm 9
    18 April 2012 at 10:07 am

    Hi All
    Here’s a brilliant little video only 2 minutes long demonstrating that modern Extreme Weather events are Climate Change in action as the hydrological cycle continues to become more extreme.

    Link:http://www.commondreams.org/video/2012/04/17-0

    • LynW 9.1
      18 April 2012 at 10:48 am

      Thanks for the link Johnm
      Quite fitting it is being held on May 5th, also International Midwives Day. Birth, life, families and a healthy planet all share a common link. šŸ™‚

    • Johnm 9.2
      18 April 2012 at 12:52 pm

      Climate Change:

      The Siberian Permafrost continues to melt producing lakes which absorb heat more effectively and releasing increasing amounts of methane formerly frozen and trapped.
      In some ways the biggest News Stories of our time: The Mega Mega Scoops of the Century are:

      1. Climate Change is real and increasing.
      2. Peak Oil and the end now of the exponential growth Oil Age.

      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRbi9CfEjbc&feature=related

      These realities are it seems just too big for us to cope with so we just deny them and continue with BAU- not that really we have a choice.

  10. Jackal 10
    18 April 2012 at 10:43 am

    Farrars engineered accusations

    The risk to New Zealand’s horticultural industry from slack GE trial controls cannot be overemphasized. In 2009, New Zealand had exports and domestic sales of $6 billion, making horticulture a top performer and crucial for our economic stability…

  11. Tiger Mountain 11
    18 April 2012 at 11:48 am

    Protest tonight at GI Auckland, assemble 5.30pm at Public Library Line Rd, march to GI Police station. Trains run from Britomart to GI.

    Nasty bash ups by cops last night including John Minto and the usual banning orders being issued as left activists and local resident activists protest at state house removals. Joe Carolan has been forbidden to associate with John Bernard Minto which could be awkward given they work for the same union!

    Anyone that can make it should.

    http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/17284
    https://www.facebook.com/ManaParty

  12. Te Reo Putake 12
    18 April 2012 at 11:58 am

    Minto Barred?

  13. Tiger Mountain 13
    18 April 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Not absolutely sure yet Reo, though part of Carolanā€™s bail terms forbid him ā€œto enter the Glenn Innes area or be found within the Glen Innes areaā€.

  14. captain hook 14
    18 April 2012 at 12:42 pm

    the bloody tories just cant keep their grubby little fingers off anything that belongs to someone else.

  15. Penny Bright 15
    18 April 2012 at 1:28 pm

    URGENT!! SEEN THIS?
    (Forwarded in the public interest by Penny Bright – Sue Henry doesn’t have a computer)

    PRESS RELEASE: TAMAKI HOUSING GROUP

    “Brutality used to enforce Housing Minister Phil Heatley’s Northern Glen Innes land grab.”

    “It’s an appalling state of affairs when a large contingency of Police are used to enforce a Government policy to privatise State Housing stock,” says Tamaki Housing Group Media Spokesperson Sue Henry.

    “There were a number of serious casualities at the disgusting fiasco at the Silverton Ave address in Glen Innes North last night. There have been accounts of serious injuries to onlookers including the hospitalisation of a female State Housing tenant.”

    The Tamaki Housing Group want an immediate moratorium on any further demolition or removals of State Housing stock.

    “Where is the mandate and upon what lawful basis are any of these state housing assets being removed?” asks Sue Henry.

    “Tonight an urgent meeting of the community has been called at 5.30pm, outside the Glen Innes Public Library (108 Line Rd Glen Innes) to help save our Housing State assets, and defend our basic human rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.”

    http://www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/aboutthelibraries/locationsandhours/gleninnes.aspx
    Contact: Sue Henry
    Ph (09) 575 634
    _______________________________________________________________

  16. Morrissey 16
    18 April 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Is John Howard the most dishonest Australian prime minister ever?
    You might have to reconsider…

    “This is a war with a purpose. This is a war with an end.”
    —Julia Gillard, on the Afghanistan occupation
    National Radio News, 12:30 p.m., Wednesday 18.4.12

    • muzza 16.1
      18 April 2012 at 1:51 pm

      Well Gillard got into her current role by lying and backstabbing, which removes wiggle room post coup!

      The continued path is the only option you have available after being put into such a position.

      Gillard is one of the most horrid globalist puppets doing the rounds, they just seem to get worse and worse…

      Wonder when we will actually lose the right to a vote, can’t be too far away….probably be a slightly more honest system if it was just admitted we already live under dictatorships!

  17. Dave Kennedy 17
    18 April 2012 at 3:21 pm

    With the Glen Innes protest we are seeing a return to the dark ages of New Zealand Policing:
    http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/police-image-tarnished-again.html

  18. Tony P 18
    18 April 2012 at 4:19 pm

    This may not mean much to some people but to me it’s sad. The great drummerĀ Levon Helm of The Band is in the last stages of his life.

    • Tiger Mountain 18.1
      18 April 2012 at 4:34 pm

      Good on you Tony P, I had noticed via the net Levon doing quite a lot over the last several years. I watch the ā€œLast Waltzā€ at least once a year and it is amazing the youngā€™uns that enjoy it too. Like most of the Band except Robbie, he can sing too! A life most of us can only imagine having lived.

    • tc 18.2
      18 April 2012 at 4:36 pm

      Very sad, great feel player (as opposed to being a technical by the numbers player) with a great voice alongside other similiarly gifted musos like robbie robertson.

      Checkout Scorsese’s ‘The last waltz’, captures him and many other fine musicians in flight.

      • Dave Kennedy 18.2.1
        18 April 2012 at 5:10 pm

        I agree tc “The last Waltz” is one of the great rock movies and Levon was one of the stars:
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VShpcqd3zE

      • felix 18.2.2
        18 April 2012 at 6:54 pm

        One of the marks of a great drummer is playing the song, not just the beat. Levon is one of those for sure, you could listen to the drum tracks of something like “The Weight” in isolation with no other instruments and still follow and enjoy the song fully.

        And as others have noted, a great singer too. A class act all round.

  19. james 111 19
    18 April 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Fantastic day to day for all NZ workers to hear that two large mulintationals (Heinz Wattie being one) are closing plants in Australia,and bringing the production to NZ tocreate more jobs. The primary cause was because the Labor regulations in Australia were far to restrictive making the production costs to high. Just goes to show what happens when you build plants in places like Melbourne where costs are so high to manufacture because of their Labor laws, and lack of productivity.
    It also shows how important the employment law reforms were that National put in place to make our country more attractive to investment, not to mention the 90 day bill which has also helped. Im sure all of you on this blog will be supporting this move ,and the increase of jobs for New Zealanders.

    • freedom 19.1
      18 April 2012 at 5:06 pm

      jobs are jobs, that is a good thing and there can be no doubt about that.

      yup the ongoing aspirations of NZrs will be sustained by the crapshoot opportunity to can fruit for 90 days. Now if only we could get some toothpick sanding contracts we would really be showing the world a thing or two.

    • McFlock 19.2
      18 April 2012 at 5:07 pm

      Becoming the Mexico of Australasia is a sign that NZ is going in the right direction. National’s “Brighter Future” will have arrived when CCF advertises that for a single dollar a day Australians can sponsor a poor NZ child. /sarc

      • james 111 19.2.1
        18 April 2012 at 5:10 pm

        Well Victoria might become the Bangladesh of Australia unless they get their Labour rates down, and the unions tow the line.

        • McFlock 19.2.1.1
          18 April 2012 at 5:15 pm

          riiiiiight.
          Ā  Ā Ā 
          I pity them in Victoria, what with their higher wages and lower unemployment rate. It’s a dystopian vision of what New Zealand might become /sarcĀ 

          • Colonial Viper 19.2.1.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 6:40 pm

            Reminds me of that Herald story saying that Australian businesses were sick of Gillard and envious of Key’s better economic policies.

            What a frakking larf.

    • Kotahi Tane Huna 19.3
      18 April 2012 at 5:09 pm

      lol James3 you are celebrating the fact that we are one of what you would call “third world” countries that jobs get outsourced to.

      Yay! We can compete because we’ve got cheap labour! Are you awake?

      • james 111 19.3.1
        18 April 2012 at 5:14 pm

        There are people out there Kotahi that dont get paid by union dues every week ,and want jobs. They want to work this is a great opportunity for them to work. Whilst I am on Union delegates what sort of hours do they work. I work for myself if I dont work I dont get paid. My understanding was that the delgates work for their providers the workers.
        There is one particular EMPMU delegate not to far from me who is always home at 9.00am , and back again by 2.30 pm
        Are their hours and work ethics very similar to that public service comedy show we use to have on TV here called gliding on?

        • Colonial Viper 19.3.1.1
          18 April 2012 at 5:20 pm

          Trust you to celebrate the loss of workers jobs James. Where is the much vaunted private sector wealth creation? All I see is a corporate ripping wealth out of one Australian community, putting a little bit back in another NZ community, and pocketing the difference for their investors.

          What kind of “wealth creation” is this? Wealth for the 1% or the 0.1% perhaps.

          • james 111 19.3.1.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 5:23 pm

            Glad the jobs are coming to NZ Viper does anything make you happy? Smile its a beautiful day out there

            • Colonial Viper 19.3.1.1.1.1
              18 April 2012 at 6:37 pm

              So corporates playing countries off against each other, making workers on one side lose big while another side get a few crumbs while they pocket the rest makes it a sunny day?

              Of course – for the top 1% who pocket the dividends.

              Glad the jobs are coming to NZ Viper does anything make you happy?

              Not at the cost of Australian workers. This is not “wealth creation” this is a race to the bottom of the barrel.

        • Vicky32 19.3.1.2
          18 April 2012 at 6:08 pm

          There is one particular EMPMU delegate not to far from me who is always home at 9.00am , and back again by 2.30 pm

          How do you know? Do you spy on her? šŸ˜€

          • james 111 19.3.1.2.1
            18 April 2012 at 9:06 pm

            Cant miss it car is always parked on main road

            • fender 19.3.1.2.1.1
              18 April 2012 at 9:21 pm

              Yuck, you are an anti-unionist and you stalk a delegate.

              Mr Plod needs to investigate your activity sick boy.

              • james 111 …
                18 April 2012 at 9:34 pm

                no twisted again i just drive past it each day noting its inactivity, but hwy should that surprise me I guess

        • rosy 19.3.1.3
          18 April 2012 at 6:17 pm

          “There is one particular EMPMU delegate not to far from me who is always home at 9.00am , and back again by 2.30 pm”

          So s/he works part-time then. Has kids too? Sounds like school hours, I didn’t take you as a person to be against flexible work hours, jimmy3.

          • felix 19.3.1.3.1
            18 April 2012 at 6:32 pm

            “So s/he works part-time then. Has kids too?”

            Yep, if s/he existed. Which s/he doesn’t.

          • Te Reo Putake 19.3.1.3.2
            18 April 2012 at 9:22 pm

            I’m with Felix on this one. Jim Jim is lying. But even he weren’t, can I just point out that the EMA employs HR consultants who work from home using laptops, data cards and smartphones, what with this being 2012 ‘n all. The non existent neighbour is probably just juggling work and life like most of us do and working wherever she and her laptop happen to be. Welcome to the world of wired work, James.

            • McFlock 19.3.1.3.2.1
              18 April 2012 at 9:32 pm

              More to the point, what does our little failed Scottish king do for a living, that he can spend all day sitting outside someone’s home šŸ™‚

            • mickysavage 19.3.1.3.2.2
              18 April 2012 at 9:35 pm

              I am all for freedom of speech and the protection of political discourse and the ability of holders of minority views to be allowed space to state those views publicly.

              But James 111 is an illiterate troll and a waste of bandwidth. Ā He does not have the decency to even address the points of view put to him. Ā Pete George at least engages and holds to his views, even though we think those views are ill founded.

              James 111’s comment about Glen Riddell the other day was the last straw. Ā I reckon he should be banned …

              [lprent: Hasn’t done anything that I’d notice as a moderator. As a commentator, I’d have to say that he makes trolls look intelligent. He appears to be too stupid to recognize any argument more subtle than an anal probe. Please aliens – take him away…. Mind you. He is a perfect candidate for Irish.. Anyone have a book open? ]

    • Draco T Bastard 19.4
      18 April 2012 at 5:24 pm

      Ah, a RWNJ celebrating the race to the bottom that his favoured policies bring about.

  20. james 111 20
    18 April 2012 at 5:06 pm

    Just in case you wanted to read the article other companies are Woolworths, Imperial Tobaco. They love the lower rate of unionisation in NZ compared with Australia, and the fact that penalty rates are much less.
    Just goes to show if try to force to much in a hourly rate out of an employer they will move or change the way they operate. They have to in order to stay competitive very similar to POA compared to POT you cant be paying $65 per hour for actual hours worked just doesnt add up

    http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=12245329364f8e1daee6fd5310417c

    • mickysavage 20.1
      18 April 2012 at 5:23 pm

      According to James 111’s logic all wages should be halved and safety requirements done away with. Ā After that everyone will have jobs! Ā But no one will want to live here …

  21. prism 21
    18 April 2012 at 5:17 pm

    james 3 Don’t inflate the figures in your argument. $65 per hour isn’t part of the wage structure under discussion.

    • james 111 21.1
      18 April 2012 at 5:19 pm

      Prism that was the figures released by the company for actual hours worked as they had to pay for them to be on stand by im sure I can find the info again for you if you want was very revealing

  22. bad12 22
    18 April 2012 at 5:22 pm

    It appears that ”the brighter future” is about to arrive in spades,the announced dairy pay-outs to the farmers will come in about a dollar a kilo lower next year,

    Translated that equals about a billion dollars less of economic activity in the New Zealand economy as well as a further hole in the Governments revenue from taxes,

    It would appear that ”our competitors” are fast catching up in terms of dairy production with demand from places such as China softening as their ”economic growth” falls to 6% or so,

    The current recession will obviously continue well into the future and its easy to see why Slippery and the entourage are wandering round the near east with the begging bowl out,

    For Labour and the Greens we would suggest that the tax policy of both party,s be thrashed out now rather than at a point where they become the elected Government,

    Our suggestion being that GST either be lowered back to 12.5% or be done away with altogether and a stringent ”no holes” financial transaction tax be implemented…

    • james 111 22.1
      18 April 2012 at 5:26 pm

      Yeaa right and capital gains tax on everything that moves!! and pension age will move to 70 that will be a winner.
      Tax Tax and more Tax is there another economic model that the left might have? As I said the problem with socialism is what happens when you out of spending other peoples money you have nothing left ,and no plan

      • McFlock 22.1.1
        18 April 2012 at 5:32 pm

        The problem with neoliberalism is what happens when you guzzle at the trough and pay for it by borrowing with other people’s money.

        • james 111 22.1.1.1
          18 April 2012 at 5:59 pm

          Mcflock
          Absolutely agree with you and Labour was going to borrow another 2.7 billion than National in election year promises, and have added another 1.8 billion since then, the party of borrowers

          • Draco T Bastard 22.1.1.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 6:10 pm

            james, it’s NACT that are borrowing hand over fist to give our wealth to their rich mates.

          • McFlock 22.1.1.1.2
            18 April 2012 at 9:26 pm

            Mcflock
            Absolutely agree with what my single remaining (but sadly diseased) brain cell imagined you said

            FIFY

      • fender 22.1.2
        18 April 2012 at 5:37 pm

        Oh great we have the homophobic, EPMU delegate stalking dropkick back.
        Was hoping you would be too embarressed to return, but no sadly we have to be tortured by this fool some more.

      • Morrissey 22.1.3
        18 April 2012 at 5:52 pm

        James, you are out of your depth. You need to read a few books.

      • Colonial Viper 22.1.4
        18 April 2012 at 6:08 pm

        Tax Tax and more Tax is there another economic model that the left might have?

        Well, maybe you prefer the Bill English road of borrow, borrow, and more borrowing?

        • mike e 22.1.4.1
          18 April 2012 at 6:19 pm

          CV sell your best assets off so you can borrow more so you can sell the rest of your assets!
          Jturd your figures are wrong just an out and out lie up there with gosman.
          Labour leader shearer cans first $5,000 tax free policy
          Borrowing Bills English is $ 3 billion short on predictions lower tax take due to tax cuts and weak economy.

          • Colonial Viper 22.1.4.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 6:43 pm

            I really disagree with getting rid of that tax free threshold. More Labour Party centrism.

            • mike e 22.1.4.1.1.1
              18 April 2012 at 7:53 pm

              me too CV Labour with shearer is boring and predictable.
              Cunliffe should have been leader.

      • mike e 22.1.5
        18 April 2012 at 6:25 pm

        Jturd is that why all the economies that are growing are taxing and spending and the economies that are in recession or depression are retrenching and giving tax cuts to the few wealthy.
        Jturd show me a right wing economy that is growing come on easy question ,
        Jturd the answer is there is none not one.

        • james 111 22.1.5.1
          18 April 2012 at 9:09 pm

          How about Switzerland?

          • mickysavage 22.1.5.1.1
            18 April 2012 at 9:18 pm

            And Switzerland’s tax policies?

            • james 111 22.1.5.1.1.1
              18 April 2012 at 9:38 pm

              Micky he said right wing they are very right wing nothing about tax policies I rest my case

              • mickysavage …
                18 April 2012 at 9:44 pm

                James 111 I do not trust you. Ā Links please. Ā Switzerland is actually quite community focussed and therefore left wing …

              • fender …
                18 April 2012 at 9:58 pm

                “I rest my case”

                I rest my empty head on the keyboard and when I woke up my old sock was stuck to the side of my face.
                FIFY

              • Jackal …
                18 April 2012 at 10:08 pm

                mike e said “right wing economy” james 111, which encompasses a countries tax system.

                Switzerlands economy is dependent on a steady tide of foreign investment. As other countries experience instability, people are looking for a secure haven to keep their money. Switzerland has experienced GDP growth of 2.7%. They do have problems with hot money schemes though and there are a number of new rules being implemented to toughen up the system with things like information sharing agreements with other countries.

                Switzerland is a republic confederation of 26 cantons (states), which all have varying degrees of taxation. About the only thing you can say is right wing is that they don’t have a CGT. Their constitution is devised from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

              • rosy …
                18 April 2012 at 10:10 pm

                And here’s me thinking that jimmy3 defines Labour as left-wing because it is apparently a ‘tax and spend’ government.

      • bad12 22.1.6
        18 April 2012 at 6:39 pm

        So you decry the Slippery National Government its borrowing of billions of dollars of ”other peoples money”???,

        Seems to fall well within your ”spending of other peoples money” as does selling off 49% of profitable assets which National are hell bent on accomplishing this term,

        So what happens when Slippery,s ‘international Monetarism’ has sold off the very profit making assets used as the basis upon which it borrows all of ”this other peoples money”???,

        Its relatively simple,Slippery swans off to the island hide-away to congratulate himself for an ugly little financial mess He has made of the country,s economy leaving Labour and the Greens with a economy perched upon the edge of the chasm, a daramticly falling Government revenue from taxation limiting any ability to borrow more and creeping up to the point of not being able to service Slippery and National,s debt for tax cuts loading,

        At 2014 with such a debt loading, an unequal tax burden on the lower income earners, a dollar trading far too high and falling export receipts there will need be in place a new Government of the left’s means to stabilize the economy and promote internal growth,

        A Financial Transaction Tax,the dramatic cutting of the GST tax and a State Housing program financed by the use of Quantitative Easing in such a case will not be a ‘wish list’, such will become a necessity…

  23. feijoa 23
    18 April 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Yeah great,……..working in a tobacco factory………brighter future…………what a great future for my kids……………..

  24. Jackal 24
    18 April 2012 at 8:36 pm

    Police brutality in Glenn Innes

    The Police have used excessive force to disband a peaceful protest, obviously singling out and arresting John Minto because of his activism and seriously injuring an elderly lady who had to go to hospital…

    • felix 24.1
      18 April 2012 at 9:00 pm

      A National PM using the NZ Police to violently attack and assault ordinary kiwis in order to get his policies enacted?

      Crikey, it’s just like, um, every fucking National PM before him.

      John Key and the NZ Police. What a bunch of dicks.

  25. hellonearthis 25
    18 April 2012 at 10:07 pm

    I see John Key is going for popular hero points in Indonesia, http://www.3news.co.nz/Default.aspx?TabId=1607&articleID=250856&ce17407

    It made that Kiwi Diplomat in Algeria a popular hero when he got involved in a so called kidnapping/custody battle. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6522078/Kiwi-who-faced-gunmen-has-position-axed-Labour-says

    Maybe John Key is going for some popular score as well. I wonder if he’s using the Secret service to help score a win here or just letting the Indonesian ‘we don’t care about human rights’ police to install some happy good times justice for John Key there.

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