Open mike 19/03/2013

114 comments on “Open mike 19/03/2013 ”

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1. Morrissey 1

   19 March 2013 at 6:46 am

   http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1363592210.html

   The BBC is utterly banal…this Peter Taylor effort almost rivals its ludicrous claim that Andrew Neil broke the story that Saddam had no WMD.

   Letter to BBC journalist Peter Taylor

   Mr Taylor,
   Your new BBC piece and your Panorama TV programme are titled “Iraq: The Spies Who Fooled the World”, only they did not fool the word, did they? The French and Russian governments for example were not convinced Saddam had WMD nor were our own Intelligence services and of course, neither were multitudes of ordinary people around the world, two million of whom marched in London to prove the point.

   It is astonishing to me that after all this time the same old clichés about the world believing Saddam had WMD and how the Intelligence was “wrong” or “failed” can still be trotted out as serious commentary by top BBC reporters.

   Anyone paying attention at the time knew these claims were lies, with the likes of the excellent Glen Rangwala, ex weapons inspector Scott Ritter (hardly a dove), Hussein Kamel, and even Hans Blix debunking the propaganda coming out of Washington and Downing Street as fast as it appeared.

   In the final analysis, it was not Iraqi spies or “Curveball” who fooled the world. The ones who tried to do that were Bush, Blair, Straw, Rumsfeld, Campbell, Rice, Colin “Anthrax” Powell and all the other baying wolves (aided by the BBC) and when they failed they just walked all over International Law and committed the Supreme War Crime of initiating a war of aggression.
   You might have done a report on that at the time but you didn’t…the information was all there and it still is.

   Sincerely,
   Ed Murray

   Honestly, this is “news”?

   ———————————————————————-

   Iraq: The Spies Who Fooled the World
   The lies of two Iraqi spies were central to the claim – at the heart of the UK and US decision to go to war in Iraq – that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. But even before the fighting started, intelligence from highly-placed sources was available suggesting he did not, Panorama has learned…
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21786506

   Panorama: The Spies Who Fooled the World
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rh8hd
   • muzza 1.1

     19 March 2013 at 8:15 am

     How utterly corrupted that this sort of propaganda sees the light of day. I would expect enough people will see through this dros, for the lies that it is!

     The Beeb – Exposed once more!

     Dr David Kelly, Robin Cooke – RIP
2. Raa 2

   19 March 2013 at 6:52 am

   So Jerry Collins carries a 17 inch knife “for protection” .. in the land of the samurai ?

   Talk to a lawyer, Gerry.
   • Morrissey 2.1

     19 March 2013 at 7:14 am

     Is that idiot working for some Yakuza group as an enforcer, perhaps? He certainly LOOKS like one….
     • North 2.1.1

       19 March 2013 at 7:46 am

       Not completely fair to rush to judgment re Collins. Even if he has no legal defence under Japanese law it would pay to wait until it’s clear there are no mitigating factors. We haven’t enough knowledge to down him unequivocally at this point.

       When you boil it down “looks” have nothing to do with much. If they did Dunnokeyo would be the person his demeanour and overall presentation (falsely) promise.
   • North 2.2

     19 March 2013 at 8:17 am

     17 centimetre.
   • David C 2.3

     19 March 2013 at 8:42 am

     17 centimeter knife… reduce your outrage by a factor of 2.54.

     Its a small kitchen knife, if it had been a inch smaller it would have been legal.
     • Colonial Viper 2.3.1

       19 March 2013 at 8:47 am

       Since it was an inch bigger than the limit, that means it’s illegal right?

       Anyways, carrying a 6 inch blade around just for “protection” is illegal and in NZ chargeable under the Crimes Act under most circumstances. And as far as I know, the Japanese are even stricter.
       • chris73 2.3.1.1

         19 March 2013 at 10:18 am

         Apparently an inch than the limit can make a lot of difference…so I’ve been told 😉
         • chris73 2.3.1.1.1

           19 March 2013 at 10:21 am

           Dammit! An inch bigger than the limit…well that jokes ruined
           • Colonial Viper 2.3.1.1.1.1

             19 March 2013 at 10:33 am

             I got the idea the first time haha 😉
           • Colonial Viper 2.3.1.1.1.2

             19 March 2013 at 10:33 am

             Also, welcome back, Sir.
3. The Al1en 3

   19 March 2013 at 7:24 am

   “Labour leader David Shearer says his failure to declare a US-based bank account with more than $50,000 in it on the MPs’ Register of Pecuniary Interests was simply an oversight.”

   What a twat. Fancy not remembering you have more than $50k stashed offshore.
   Next.
   • just saying 3.1

     19 March 2013 at 7:43 am

     It would be interesting to know how much is in that account, and whether he also forgot to inform the tax department…..
     • just saying 3.1.1

       19 March 2013 at 7:44 am

       Or maybe the tax-evasion amnesty was just the reminder he needed…..
       • just saying 3.1.1.1

         19 March 2013 at 9:17 am

         http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872124

         To be fair, in the above, Shearer says the account was known to the tax department, and that it was while filling in his tax return, that he realised his omission.
   • BM 3.2

     19 March 2013 at 7:50 am

     Typical champagne socialist,waffles on about the poor and down trodden but has so much extra coin floating around he forgets that he has an account with 50k in it.
     Wouldn’t be surprised if he wipes his arse with $100 dollar bills.
     • risildowgtn 3.2.1

       19 March 2013 at 7:55 am

       @ least he wont be wipin em with KIWIRAIL Shares ae
       • BM 3.2.1.1

         19 March 2013 at 7:59 am

         He should be, that’s all the Kiwi rail shares are good for.
         • risildowgtn 3.2.1.1.1

           19 March 2013 at 8:09 am

           hes not the one with said kiwirail shares
           Ask ya mate Key
           • chris73 3.2.1.1.1.1

             19 March 2013 at 8:13 am

             Snigger
     • just saying 3.2.2

       19 March 2013 at 7:58 am

       Probably much more than $50k – that’s just the minimum sum required for it being declarable in the register. UN execs are extremely well remunerated.
       • BM 3.2.2.1

         19 March 2013 at 8:04 am

         Not implying the Shearer has done anything dodgy, but I could imagine with the amount of money sloshing through the UN, it would be very easy to “misplace” a few million here, couple of mill there.
         Just checked, 12 billion dollars a year is the amount of money the UN collects.
         • Murray Olsen 3.2.2.1.1

           19 March 2013 at 8:10 pm

           It looks a lot to me like you’re implying something dodgy. I am not going to say you’re a spineless piece of garbage for making that post, I’m going to state it clearly. You are a spineless piece of garbage for making that post.
     • The Al1en 3.2.3

       19 March 2013 at 8:02 am

       Him having money isn’t the problem, as long as he earned it and paid his taxes, no worries.
       The problem is, even if taken at his word and it was a simple oversight and not a devious tactical brain fade, it’s another example of incompetence and proof that caucus have got it terribly wrong.

       Shearer out, Cunliffe in. Give the vote to the whole party, now.
       • risildowgtn 3.2.3.1

         19 March 2013 at 8:11 am

         I totally agree
         • yeshe 3.2.3.1.1

           19 March 2013 at 9:19 am

           +1
       • prism 3.2.3.2

         19 March 2013 at 11:08 am

         +2
     • grumpy 3.2.4

       19 March 2013 at 11:26 am

       MORE than $50,000, could be $500,000 for all we know.
     • felixviper 3.2.5

       19 March 2013 at 11:54 am

       “Typical champagne socialist,waffles on about the poor and down trodden but has so much extra coin floating around he forgets that he has an account with 50k in it.”

       Ladies and gents, the paucity of right wing thinking.

       BM you’re an idiot. You’ve just pointed out that Shearer, although rich, still gives a shit about those not so well off.

       And your feeble one-track mind working overtime with your withered black heart calculates this as a human failing.
   • muzza 3.3

     19 March 2013 at 8:29 am

     What else has Shearer conveniently forgotten then!

     This is a dsigraceful exposure, of those who are parachuted into positions, because they are able to be controlled.

     That is why Shearer is in his role, because he is controlable, just like the caucus who put his there!

     NZ inc is rotten little cess pool, where the leader of the largest *left* party, *forgets* he has a bank account with at least tens of thousands in it.

     Would be interesting to know what was actually in there, and where else in the world he has *forgotten* about bank accounts, or other back story questioning information!

     Sheaer you plant!
     • SpaceMonkey 3.3.1

       19 March 2013 at 8:51 am

       Looks like brain fades are a prerequisite to being the PM
     • Sailor Sam 3.3.2

       19 March 2013 at 10:59 pm

       So David Shearer is the clean “non-politician” that Labour sees as the answer to John Key.
       Just another grubby bastard with his snout in the trough!
   • AsleepWhileWalking 3.4

     19 March 2013 at 9:34 am

     What a twat. A US bank account Ugh.
   • Ant 3.5

     19 March 2013 at 9:51 am

     The account probably holds more money than most New Zealanders earn in a year, not a good look to forget about that kind of sum.
     • grumpy 3.5.1

       19 March 2013 at 2:26 pm

       Rumour is that it’s well into 6 figures……
       • Pascal's bookie 3.5.1.1

         19 March 2013 at 10:06 pm

         I heard 37 figures. he uses it to pay all the scientists in the world to tell lies. Not just the climate scientists, the evolutionists too. Keep digging grumps. the truth is out there.
     • felixviper 3.5.2

       19 March 2013 at 10:35 pm

       I don’t think anyone is seriously suggesting he forgot about it, Ant.
   • Dr Terry 3.6

     19 March 2013 at 12:27 pm

     How many further “oversights” are we to expect?
   • saarbo 3.7

     19 March 2013 at 4:07 pm

     By framing it “anyone but cunliffe”, Shearer’s supporters in caucus justified making a dopey idiot as leader, when it comes to ‘anyone’, they really seemed to have gone for the bottom of the barrel. I just read on Kiwiblog why he wouldn’t be able to justify purchasing Mighty River shares back if Labour was in government, he is simply a hopeless politician.

     He will fuck things up in next years election. I am absolutely certain of it.
     • Grumpy 3.7.1

       19 March 2013 at 9:54 pm

       $US320,000.
     • Grumpy 3.7.2

       19 March 2013 at 9:55 pm

       $US320,000………and in one of those evil family trust accounts……
       • felixviper 3.7.2.1

         19 March 2013 at 10:03 pm

         Why do you call it evil?
4. DH 4

   19 March 2013 at 8:19 am

   The card carrying National supporting Herald editorial writer is at it again;

   “Editorial: Give private sector a go at Solid Energy”

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10872114

   I’ve been trying to figure out for quite a while who this person is, been leaning towards that Roughan character lately the writing style seems similar as are the views expressed.

   It’s pretty disgraceful when a leading newspaper like the Herald stoops to printing such blatantly biased error-ridden crap as editorials.
   • vto 4.1

     19 March 2013 at 9:17 am

     Anonymous crap too. Not worth the paper it’s written on.

     Always thought the same about all editorials. Written by some oafish ex-journalists who for lordy knows what reason seem to think that their opinion is worth reading.
     • DH 4.1.1

       19 March 2013 at 9:45 am

       “Anonymous crap too. Not worth the paper it’s written on.”

       I disagree there. Editorials carry considerable weight with the general public, they’re explicitly expressing the view of the ‘Herald’ rather than just a “Letter to the Editor” opinion piece that other commentaries are seen as.

       People who are politically active view the press differently to the general public, the public tend to view the media as a trusted institution that’s unbiased politically. The editorial is seen by many as an arbiter of neutrality, cutting through the left/right dichotomy and presenting a reasoned and balanced view.

       It pays to remember that a good 80-90% of the population get their information from the media only and it’s the manner in which news & information is presented by the media that influences most people’s views. The media is very powerful.
     • Melb 4.1.2

       19 March 2013 at 3:40 pm

       “Anonymous crap too.”

       Do you feel the same about blog postings and comments using anonymity or pseudonyms?
       • ghostrider888 4.1.2.1

         19 March 2013 at 6:49 pm

         not all of us hide in the grave
   • Draco T Bastard 4.2

     19 March 2013 at 9:35 am

     He obviously doesn’t understand that SoEs work under private business rules, ergo, the private won’t do it any better.
   • Dv 4.3

     19 March 2013 at 11:01 am

     Yes – Pike River worked really well in the private sector.
5. clashman 5

   19 March 2013 at 8:22 am

   I see Shearer still cant make a decision on anything. In yesterdays Herald column by Bryce Edwards , he is reported as saying that Labour would “look at” the carpark tax if (and thats becoming an increasingly big if imo) they were the next Govt.
   Is this the new Labour strategy? “We are not ruling it out but were not ruling it in”, “We will have a look at it when in Govt.”
   I’d line the Nacts up against the nearest wall if I could, but I’m beginning to have doubts as to whether I want these dithering fools anywhere near the reins of power.
   • tc 5.1

     19 March 2013 at 8:42 am

     And he hands the gov’t and their MSM mates a $50k+ stick with which to be beaten further with, nothing he’s said or done shows that Labour will be anything other than a minor party under him in 2014.

     How’s that speakers role you covet like the power mad egotist you are looking now Trev ?
   • Enough is Enough 5.2

     19 March 2013 at 12:26 pm

     David can’t make a call on anything because he doesn’t know what he stands for. When making a decision he can’t fall back on his core principles like most politicians from the right and left because he doesn’t have any core principles.

     Encouraging signs from across the ditch where the Labor caucus is realising what the rest of the country has known for weeks. The current leader can’t win and despite their hatred for Rudd, he needs to be restored.

     http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/ministers-turn-on-pm-20130318-2gb8r.html

     How many similarities are there between Labor and NZ Labour?

     Came on this indecisve fool has to go…
     • Murray Olsen 5.2.1

       19 March 2013 at 8:16 pm

       I wouldn’t believe anything from the S&M Herald. It suits Murfax and Stoneheart to portray Labor as divided, with Rudd being the great white hope. I think changing leaders now would be even more disastrous for them. Their real problem in Australia is that Labor is about as left wing as NAct, and the Liberals are getting more like the US Teabaggers every day.
6. karol 6

   19 March 2013 at 8:44 am

   Interesting press release from the Soil and Health Organisation. They present evidence that organic farming copes better in droughts, citing examples int he US, and the way organic farms are coping in NZ’s current drought. And organic crops do a lot better in droughts than GE ones.

   A 2007 study led by Ivette Perfecto, of the University of Michigan, showed that in developing countries, where the chances of famine are greatest, organic methods could double or triple crop yields. (1) This is also supported by a similar study conducted by the United Nations in 2010. (3)…

   By contrast, Soil & Health – Organic NZ is getting reports that organic farmers in the North Island are generally doing better in the drought than their conventional counterparts. Armed with better soil structures and water-holding capacity, the use of a diversity of pasture species including deep-rooted species like chicory that withstand drought better, and tree crops and shelterbelts, they have been able to protect their animals and their incomes. Some are even capitalizing on their investments by selling baleage for additional stockfeed which is now in high demand.

   So it’s not just that lack of pesticides or GE crops that make organic farms more drought resistant, but the alternative practices used, such as pasture diversity.
   • Rosie 6.1

     19 March 2013 at 10:06 am

     Hi Karol. Its a crying shame that NZ farmers, orchardists and crop growers have been so slow and reluctant to adopt organic techniques and an organic growing ethos. The benefits to our environment, worker safety, and export potential are so very clear given the body of research on the subject as well as the physical evidence – such as the example you have given above.

     I remember visiting an organic apple orchard, many years ago. By contrast we were invited to view to the neighbouring conventional apple orchard. What a difference. Where as the soil was parched with deep cracks around the base of the trees from excessive use of the herbicide round up and the had less fruit on the branches the organic orchard actually felt lush as well as showing more abundant fruiting. Why would you stick with growing methods that damage the soil structure? It seems so backwards.

     Despite the slowly growing numbers of growers and farmers that have abandoned the conventional methods over the decades we still have a huge challenge to make organics mainstream. This is partly because the prevailing attitudes of farmers such as “farmboy” who you engaged with on the topic of the amnesty over the weekend (What a dick!!)and Nathan Guy as the Minister for Primary Industries tend to block any progress our small body of organic growers have made.
   • Bill 6.2

     19 March 2013 at 11:46 am

     Would there be anything too wrong with following those farming practices while still not going completely organic? I’m tending towards thinking ‘probably not’. Meanwhile – the market, the market, the market….worst practice returns maximum gains. The market advantage afforded through economy of scale demands centralised, mechanised and homogenised farming practices. And if the waste skyrockets, then so what? It’s a high volume/ low cost game where the returns from sheer volume only have to outstrip the losses from inefficiencies. So they ain’t changing any time soon.

     Meanwhile, smaller farmers are squeezed out of market access because they just can’t compete against the high volume/low cost model.

     Maybe governments need to subsidise small farmer/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?
     • Rosie 6.2.1

       19 March 2013 at 12:34 pm

       Hi Bill. Certainly growers and farmers would do well to adapt their practices without going completely organic, if that suited their needs and the needs of the market.(Yeah! The Market!) If there goal was to become a certified grower/farmer and obtain a biogro (or other) certification for example they they would need need to strictly adhere to organic growing principles and techniques to meet the requirements of the certification. This requires dedication and commitment and not everyone can put their resources into such a project.

       Farmers and growers can greatly reduce their reliance upon agri chemicals without reducing their productivity. Just one example is herbicide use. Its just not necessary. There are more sustainable methods available(eg Yealands wines use sheep to graze in their vineyards) if you feel it necessary to remove weeds, which in some cases can compete for nutrients with pasture and crops. However, a well balanced biologically active soil features less weeds, which typically thrive in poor soil. By reducing chemical use they save money too, but not lining the pockets of the likes of Monsanto, Dow, NuFarm etc.

       “The market, the market, the market, worst practice returns maximum gains”
       Yes, market needs dominate methods of production. Its all about the ease of the market to profit over and above the needs of the earth to be productive at a natural and sustainable rate. Its all back to front. Small ethical and organic producers only have access to a very limited market, unless they are contract growers for Heinz or Fonterror (increasingly less for Fonterror as they are turning away from Organics)

       “Maybe the governments need to subsidise small farmers/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?”
       Indeed. It would so beneficial in so many ways but I can’t see that happening with having a Fed farmers dairy farmer from Levin in charge of the MPI. I’d like to be proven wrong but I’d say his blinkers are well and truly in place.
     • Draco T Bastard 6.2.2

       19 March 2013 at 3:39 pm

       Maybe governments need to subsidise small farmer/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?

       I’m coming to think that the government needs to mandate use of organic farming. The damage and pollution of the standard industrial ways is too much for the community to endure.
7. just saying 7

   19 March 2013 at 8:55 am

   A comedic history of Karl Marx, courtesy of ‘Against the Current’ blog:

   http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/the-mark-steel-lectures-karl-marx.html

   And gentle whimsy from Giovanni at ‘Bat Bean Beam’:

   http://bat-bean-beam.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/idea-for-movie-in-which-aliens-invade.html
8. yeshe 8

   19 March 2013 at 9:17 am

   Is this news about charter schools .. it is to me !! Herald this morning on Ombudsman ordering Banks to release funding papers .. but this at the very end has my blood boiling this morning … clearly, this is why Gnats are pushing so hard ..

   “Charter schools would get money for set up costs and property funding that their private-sector backers would be able to keep if a school folded.”

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872032

   Hard to believe this can be true.
   • tc 8.1

     19 March 2013 at 9:23 am

     yup, charter schools is simply more taxpayer funded corporate welfare masked as education.

     No wonder Brian Tamaki’s licking his lips and probably ordering another Harley.
   • AsleepWhileWalking 8.2

     19 March 2013 at 9:41 am

     ?? WTF??? I finally see opportunity to get on the property ladder….
   • Dv 8.3

     19 March 2013 at 11:03 am

     So the business plan is

     Start a charter school.

     Run it for a year.

     Crash the school so it fails.

     Walk away.
     • tc 8.3.1

       19 March 2013 at 11:31 am

       Then sell the land and buildings as you effectively won it from the taxpayer by being in with the NACT inner circle.
       • Dv 8.3.1.1

         19 March 2013 at 12:03 pm

         No comment about the harm to the kids!!

         Why don’t we prevent the harm to the kids and just give them the money!!

         Cut out the middle man and all the red tape associated with starting up the schools.
   • prism 8.4

     19 March 2013 at 11:29 am

     Further about schools in private/public mix. What controls over, what protections? Will leaky schools be the next blot on our horizon?
     http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/8372059/Hutt-school-ignores-advice-to-refund-parents
9. Draco T Bastard 9

   19 March 2013 at 9:25 am

   Is DRM to become part of HTML 5?

   After Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee’s keynote talk at SXSW, he answered a question about the controversial plan to add DRM to next version of HTML. HTML 5, a standard currently under debate at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the latest battleground in the long-running war over the design of general-purpose computers. Berners-Lee defended the proposition, and claimed that without it, more of the Web would be locked up in un-searchable, unlinkable formats like Flash.

   Some in the entertainment industry have long harboured fantasies about redesigning computers to disobey their owners, as part of a profit-maximisation strategy that depends on being able to charge you piecemeal for the right to use the files on your hard-drive.
   • DH 9.1

     19 March 2013 at 10:07 am

     Doesn’t look good, note the bit about patents and then connect the dots to the TPPA. Not stretching a long bow to see a TPPA HTML region coding emerging is it.
   • tc 9.2

     19 March 2013 at 10:16 am

     HTML5 worries all those who harbour proprietary ambitions, Apple with the iApps especially.
10. travellerev 10

    19 March 2013 at 9:39 am

    Tonight I will be in Auckland to listen to Hordur Torfason. The guy that started the insurrection against the banks in Iceland. He will speak at Auckland Uni so if you have nothing to do, want to meet me (I’m 6, 2″ so easily recognizable) AND listen to Hordur talk about how Democracy is done feel free to join me. here is a link to Kim Hill’s interview with him:
11. ghostrider888 11

    19 March 2013 at 11:10 am

    so in Ak, 1 in 10 are prepared for an earthquake or an emergency. (i recommend small tins of salmon and cabin biscuits; rice if you have a heat source, and plenty of water stored)
    -cost of preparation (how about the cost of not?)
    -language barriers

    apparently the NZX fell over Cyprus
    IMF warns of a falling dollar
    -inflationary pressures
    -our Current Accounts Deficit places alongside Italy, Spain and Greece according to the C.E of NZIER

    regarding farming practices; “the status quo leads to peasantry”- Connor English. Yep!

    12500 damaged hospital rooms in ChCh; “operating out of a construction zone”

    Syrian planes fire rockets into Lebanon
    Iraq heading for full-blown civil war- Jon Stephenson

    about the share-market and lies; I watched this business commentator pimp investment in the market on 3 News some months ago, and when he concluded his spiel, even he could not prevent the quiver of deceit at the sides of his mouth…

    God Bless Alice In Chains

    In The House Of The Interpreter
    http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/in-the-house-of-the-interpreter-a-memoir-by-ngugi-wa-thiongo-8368336.html

    “you keep on moving and you don’t write a book.”-Robert Plant :Man of Steel

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AyqskAvrmo/USy3FxoYNGI/AAAAAAAAF5o/wr5llgJnQSg/s1600/BRMC+MERCY+LEX+KY.jpg
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rebel_Motorcycle_Club
    BRMC
    • prism 11.1

      19 March 2013 at 12:17 pm

      ghost
      I wondered at the advice from the IMF boffin that would assist our economy – having more savings. Has one of our fabulous musicos set this into a song? Making more savings when it gets beyond a tipping point then lead into a small recession because of the lack of money being spent, reduces national income and then there is a failure to raise total savings, and is well known in economics as the Paradox of Thrift.

      If he emphasised getting the balance right between home-run and owned businesses, home-owned and run businesses in other countries, and foreign-owned businesses here at home. he would have made more practical sense. But why should the IMF break with tradition.
      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1

        19 March 2013 at 4:00 pm

        Profit is a dead weight loss. It’s the reason why we need ever increasing amounts of money and, due to the fact that our monetary system is based upon debt, why we end up with ever increasing amounts of debt which eventually can’t be paid.
    • Draco T Bastard 11.2

      19 March 2013 at 3:57 pm

      (i recommend small tins of salmon and cabin biscuits; rice if you have a heat source, and plenty of water stored)

      Last time I looked the sun shone most days and so a heat source is easy and remarkable cheap.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cooker and a video.
12. ghostrider888 12

    19 March 2013 at 11:11 am

    even Key is conceding the risks of a housing bubble.
    • SpaceMonkey 12.1

      19 March 2013 at 11:13 am

      He should know… based on his time at Merrill Lynch.
      • Colonial Viper 12.1.1

        19 March 2013 at 1:10 pm

        Generalise the case to investment asset class bubble…
13. Arfamo 13

    19 March 2013 at 11:24 am

    Interesting article in the Herald Today: Government Must Insure Our Savings. Why doesn’t it?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10872059
    • muzza 13.1

      19 March 2013 at 2:13 pm

      It doesn’t insure savings, because *we*, in NZ are treated as lab rats, except *we*, don’t realise it!

      Let’s see how the govt (that would be , *we*), respond, should *we*, realise their bank accounts are not protected, and deposits are lost!

      Banks have a taxpayer funded underwrite, or a deposit holder underwrite – Not ideal either way, as *we* will have to pay.

      Make the banks pay for their own stability!
    • Draco T Bastard 13.2

      19 March 2013 at 3:54 pm

      National quietly plans to impose the Cyprus solution in NZ

      Something I didn’t know: National is quietly planning to impose a Cyprus-style bank-robbery should a bank fail in New Zealand:

      Seems that such a report has been known to the government for some time and they’re looking at putting in place the necessary laws to steal from people.
14. prism 14

    19 March 2013 at 11:41 am

    How do things become the latest craze? How do you get people wanting to do something – make it the in thing? Like voting for instance!! I wonder if there is anything to learn from the findings in this book. Worth a look. From Radionz 9tonoon this morning Tues 19.
    9:36
    Jonah Berger is assistant professor of marketing at the Wharton School and author of the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On. (10′02″)
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon
15. prism 15

    19 March 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Good news for us all. Farmers in beef and sheep have got together and are going to amalgamate
    if they get enough further support. This is timely, like just in time. We must stop the trend to greater and greater dairying. All us eggs in one basket – drop it and…runny us.

    See extensive report.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/130737/green-light-for-red-meat-restructuring
    Meat company representatives including the chairmen of the two big co-operatives, who also attended the meeting, indicated that companies are talking to each other about the industry structure.
    A similar project for mass amalgamations failed in 2008, despite strong farmer support, when the two biggest meat processors could not agree.
    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      19 March 2013 at 1:14 pm

      The chiefs within the two big players need to see past their personal differences and get this deal done. The red meat industry has been badly lagging dairy, and one reason is the inability to get a united front going in the international market place, and also in internal supply chain management.
      • prism 15.1.1

        19 March 2013 at 9:26 pm

        cv
        yes I can’t wait for positive things in business to happen in and for NZ. This could be a turning point.
    • ghostrider888 15.2

      19 March 2013 at 1:24 pm

      yes, an encouraging muster
16. bad12 16

    19 March 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Is converting CO2 to methanol the path to the future of energy, according to these people the answer is a big yes,

    http://www.co2tomethanol.com/

    Seems strange tho to be burning it in a car engine thus producing more co2 to the atmosphere, but, a hell of a lot less than simply burning oil products in car engines and leaving the co2 in the atmosphere…
17. infused 17

    19 March 2013 at 2:54 pm

    wow the house is a cluster fuck today… I’ve never watched this new speaker, but man is he getting stomped.
18. infused 18

    19 March 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Well Chris Hipkins got destroyed.
19. aerobubble 19

    19 March 2013 at 3:25 pm

    From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

    Capitalism, without any limits or social intervention, will seek to take rent by obstructing peoples ability and extorting those in need. Education cost will rise, those found in need with have to pay considerably more than the wealthy to rectify their positions.

    We live in an abundant world where nobody need starve, shiver, or succumb to poor medical outcomes. So why is the world so badly distorted? Have western world government forgotten
    why we have governments?
    • Draco T Bastard 19.1

      19 March 2013 at 4:14 pm

      Have western world government forgotten why we have governments?

      No, they just have a different view as to why we have governments. They seem to think that government is there to enrich the already rich rather than to look after everyone.
20. Chris 20

    19 March 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Well I do not think that Chris Hipkins was destroyed by any answer that joyce gave.He was destroyed by the speaker himself who let joyce go on and on about Labour starting the Novapay and not answering the question asked. And I do not understand how Labour can be at fault as they were not the ones who signed Novapay off AGAINST advice. But every time the nits are asked a question they always revert to Its Labours Fault and are always upheld by the sssspeaker.He is a shocking disgrace. AND BY THE WAY when key was recently reminded of his own stance about taxing car parks in 2005 when he said he would not be part of a Government which raised this he responded that his statement was made three elections(9 yrs) ago and that in Opposition Ministers do not have access to all the information that Governments do. Hypocritical what! And where is hekia parata?
21. Te Reo Putake 21

    19 March 2013 at 3:52 pm

    ”I am not going to feed speculation that feeds on itself and goes very, very silly. I made it very clear up there that I am a strong supporter of the Prime Minster and that what you read is media speculation feeding on itself endlessly.”

    No, not DC this time:

    http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/carr-says-pm-has-his-support-20130319-2gbpe.html

    PS, yes, the article does contain a typo. Who needs subbies, eh? Digital chocolate fish to the first one to spot it!
22. AsleepWhileWalking 22

    19 March 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Quote: Crown prosecutor Megan Jaquiery said the complainant consented

    Who was this complainant? A nine year old boy who has alleged sexual abuse. *grrr* THIS IS NOT CONSENT.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872192
23. gobsmacked 23

    19 March 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Duncan Garmer interviewing Shearer, 4.45 pm Radio Live.
24. bad12 24

    19 March 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Legislation is due back in the House this week paving the way for ‘youth rates’ to be imposed in a far harsher manner than they are now,

    ‘Youth rates’???= the acclimatization of young New Zealanders to slave wages where the basics of life are just affordable and nothing else,

    the Herald online is running a poll on the question,the results so far,

    Yes to youth rates 23%

    Maybe to youth rates with a graduated system based upon age 31%

    Not to youth rates 46%…
25. muzza 25

    19 March 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Report: Russian Company Offers to Bailout Cyprus in Exchange for Gas Exploration Rights

    http://www.weeklystandard.com/keyword/Gazprom

    Interesting!
26. Penny Bright 26

    19 March 2013 at 5:10 pm

    NZ FIRST – FIRST NZ POLITICAL PARTY TO CONFIRM THAT THEIR MPS WILL NOT PURCHASE SHARES IN MIGHTY RIVER POWER!

    Well done NZ FIrst!

    ____________________________________________________________________

    “1) For the public record, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, please confirm – will YOU purchase shares in Mighty River Power, if they become available?

    – YES or NO?

    2) Is this the agreed position of the political party which you represent, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament?

    – YES or NO? ”
    ____________________________________________________________________

    No to Q1
    Yes to Q2.
    Denis O’Rourke
    NZ First List MP
    ____________________________________________________________________

    19 March 2013

    Dear Members of the NZ House of Parliament,

    The ‘Switch Off Mercury Energy’ group, are looking forward to your replies to the following ‘Open Letter’.

    (Thank you Tau Henare, for your prompt response.)

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

    A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy group.

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.

    …………..

    _______________________________________________________

    ‘Open Letter’ to all New Zealand Members of Parliament – re: the purchase of shares in Mighty River Power

    14 March 2013

    Dear New Zealand Member Of Parliament,

    Please be reminded that the final vote on the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Act 2012, was 61 – 60

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Debates/Debates/e/8/e/50HansD_20120626_00000012-State-Owned-Enterprises-Amendment-Bill-Public.htm

    A party vote was called for on the question, That the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

    Ayes 61
    New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.
    Noes 60
    New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 3; Mana 1.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    1) For the public record, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, can YOU please confirm – will YOU purchase shares in Mighty River Power, if they become available?

    – YES or NO?

    2) Is this the agreed position of the political party which you represent, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament?

    – YES or NO?

    Please be advised that your reply will be made available to both the media and the public.

    Your prompt response would be much appreciated.

    Yours sincerely,

    Penny Bright

    A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy group.

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.
27. bad12 27

    19 March 2013 at 5:46 pm

    Tariana Turia comes up with a way forward for the Maori Party leadership jam, She says all 3 of them can be leaders,

    Te Ureroa Flavall tho will be ‘a lesser’ leader than the other 2 as neither have any plans of giving up their Ministerial positions,

    Pita Sharples, who has great things on His mind you know, like paying off His mortgage, reckons He is keeping His tiro warm on the leather of the Ministerial limo until death overtakes Him,

    My advice to Pita is not to mock the cold hand of death…
28. bad12 28

    19 March 2013 at 5:55 pm

    Slippery the Prime Minister gave a good impression of someone having been forced to dine on dead rats for far too long while announcing that the tax upon laptops and i phones will not be going ahead,

    Smile’n’wave seems to have become a con trick of the past for Slippery who seems to have lost His humor recently, (lolz internal poll results do that to you),

    Cheer up Slippery, just think in under 18 months we all get to tell you to F off and you can disappear to Hawaii leaving NZ smelling a little better for your departure…
29. bad12 29

    19 March 2013 at 6:49 pm

    Slippery the Prime Minister in the true vein of having no sense of responsibility whatsoever is proposing that those other organizations that demand and get rewarded for not having one either will be allowed to ransack your bank account should said banks look likely to be come insolvent,

    Look on in horror over the weekend as the IMF and European union told Cyprus to ransack the bank accounts of it’s citizens did you,

    Well Slippery’s National Government looks like it is going to give it’self the power to do the same to anyone with cash in a New Zealand bank account…
    • karol 29.1

      19 March 2013 at 7:05 pm

      As in Russel Norman’s press release.

      Open Bank Resolution (OBR) is Finance Minister Bill English’s favoured option dealing with a major bank failure. If a bank fails under OBR, all depositors will have their savings reduced overnight to fund the bank’s bail out.

      “Bill English is proposing a Cyprus-style solution for managing bank failure here in New Zealand – a solution that will see small depositors lose some of their savings to fund big bank bailouts,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

      …

      Dr Norman questioned the Government’s insistence on pursuing Open Bank Resolution when virtually no other OECD country uses it.

      “Open Bank Resolution is unprecedented in the world. Most OECD countries run deposit insurance schemes which protect people’s deposits up to a maximum ranging from $100,000 – $250,000,” Dr Norman said.

      “OBR is not in line with Australia, which protects bank deposits up to $250,000.

      “A deposit insurance scheme is a much simpler, well-tested alternative to Open Bank Resolution. It rewards safe banks with lower premiums and limits the cost to taxpayers of a bank failure.

      “Deposit insurance will, however, require the Reserve Bank to oversee and regulate our banks more closely – a measure which is ultimately the best protection against bank failure.”

      As someone with money in the bank, saved for my retirement I feel a little annoyed. However, I am lucky to have that money and would survive such a tax. Generally the housing market gets priority over people like me with money in low risk accounts, which aren’t really earning a lot of interest. Why aren’t they trying to rein in banks re- their role in fueling the housing bubble? Ultimately, it’s people on the lowest incomes that will suffer most with policies that continue to favour the banksters.

      I understand the government or Reserve Bank are looking at insurance on deposits up to $20,000.

      NRT on it,

      which links to the full RBNZ plan.
      • Pascal's bookie 29.1.1

        19 March 2013 at 8:32 pm

        Cyprus Bill English
    • ghostrider888 29.2

      19 March 2013 at 7:08 pm

      tellus about it bad
    • muzza 29.3

      19 March 2013 at 7:46 pm

      Having pocketed trillions of euros and dollars in bail out money, now the owners of the banks are coming for the deposits, this is very predictable. Once the same owners pull the plug on the markets, the final stop is to finish destroying public services, then finally the pensions schemes which remain!

      Why does NZ continue to find itself being the, *first, or only* in so many situations which are clearly going to cause major damage when they blow up in our face!

      Why do so many people not tune in, and why of those that do, is there simply no traction.

      Internet killed the pro-tes-star
      • ghostrider888 29.3.1

        19 March 2013 at 8:59 pm

        that last line is interesting muzza
30. ghostrider888 30

    19 March 2013 at 7:07 pm

    well,
    Q.T

    Joyce evades CC acknowledgement, unlike English…

    Brownlee; 3.5 minute road travel times are a “savings and boost to the economy”

    Gr8 to see DC at least given a question; humility is coming along nicely; nicely slayed and Dunne!

    Nwz: Joyce backdown, however, “going to Datacom could be as dysfunctional as Novopay”
    who’d be a teacher aye?

    Dotcom: more embarassing stuff for the police and the spooks. (they should employ me, I tell ya, I see the Blue writing on the wall); “what a cock-up” to para. Robertson.

    Farmers now pleading to IRD and the rural services sector; RD1 anyone? hello Christina 🙂

    Lawless http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212450/
    somthin’ watchable outta the ol’ US of A
    “now you give my regards to Special Deputy Yule (come back now) (have you seen the Bootleggers tarred and feathered?)

    “they sold us out Jimmy, time we all picked a side”.
31. North 31

    19 March 2013 at 8:49 pm

    How many out there are happy with the loud, aggressive fellow from the Insurance Council on Campbell Live tonight ?

    He said that insurance companies delaying settlement costs them money, claiming inferentially that wilful delay does not happen therefore, of course. He did not say that delay which results in hugely reduced payouts because the punch-drunk, desperate, often needy insured finally settle for what is offered by the insurance company, which of course does pay. To put an end to the health threatening anguish of it. Unfair and wrong as it might be. To resume living a life albeit a reduced one.

    So fuck that arsehole and his aggression. In true arrogant, greedy arch-capitalist style he suffered us the “deny” tactic and all is meant to be well. And I’ll root my boot if his anecdotal stuff about some US insurance guy at a conference in Australia apparently asking about how the people of Chrictchurch are getting on, is any indication of insurance company rorts not occurring.

    The other guy on the show , the professor of whatever, has written a book which includes in the title the words delay, deny and defend. I know the US produces some pretty shonky professors in quarters, charlatans, but until this guy is shown to be one I’m much happier with his contribution.

    I can’t step out of this writing this post to check out the credentials of the NZ Insurance Council but from memory it’s a body comprised of the insurance companies themselves rather than an independent watchdog so to speak, so ask yourself.
32. ghostrider888 32

    19 March 2013 at 9:04 pm

    …better put this here
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zl7S1LaPMU
    afore Qu. crucifies me
33. ghostrider888 33

    19 March 2013 at 9:06 pm

    oops, better put THIS here,
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/18/porn-meat-consuming-it-freedom
    before Qu. crucifies me…
    • just saying 33.1

      19 March 2013 at 9:28 pm

      Who exactly is Qu ghostrider888?

      Wouldn’t be QoT that you are obliquely referring to?

      Seems from the thread on rape culture that you have a problem spitting out what you want to say. That you’d prefer to make controversial, but suitably cryptic, hits and runs than argue your corner.

      Is this more of the same?
34. North 34

    19 March 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Something has been niggling at me. Not until after I’d submitted the post above did it come – the resemblance of the Insurance Council prick on Campbell Live tonight, in demeanour and physically, to that angel of kindness aka narcissistic lunatic Bill O’Reilly of Fux News.
35. ghostrider888 35

    19 March 2013 at 9:17 pm

    something else to get ones’ teeth in to
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/mar/19/philippines-political-support-reproductive-health
    Overlawyered?
    http://overlawyered.com/2013/03/claim-depictions-rights-violations-pop-entertainment-may-violate-u-n-guidelines/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=claim-depictions-rights-violations-pop-entertainment-may-violate-u-n-guidelines

    THE CASE AGAINST FEEDING EVERY STARVING CHILD
    http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/the-case-against-feeding-every-hungry-child/274072/

    now, off home to a corned beef and some stir-fried veges
36. Tim 36

    19 March 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Melanie Reid attacked while investigating a story for 3rd Degree!
    LOL ….. we’ll here comes a bitch fight if ever there was.
    Me thinks the receivers picked on the wrong sort of ‘gal’

    As someone once said ..”no matter how long it takes” …… etcetera.

    If I were anyone associated with THAT receiver, I’d be watching my back

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