The frequency of this sort of thing from the MSM starts to look deliberate.
Take the example a few days ago from someone Chapman and journalist extraordinaire Tracy Watkins. The headline was something to the effect “Gain after five years of pain”. Oh really ?
Three out of four private citizens quoted in the article spoke the reverse. Worse, the one out of four who said things are “better overall”, a lady from Khandallah, well she was the one, the smiley one to prove the headline, her and her three kids, whose photograph sat directly below the bullshit headline.
To my amazement later that day or the next Khandallah Lady’s photograph had been replaced by one of Blinglish in full flight. Headline and article remained ???
“Young Bridges shuts down power play……..” ? Forgive me but that’s suggestive of a measure of parliamentary elan on Wee Simon’s part. When you read the article – Not !
“I was 12 at the time”. You’re STILL 12 at THIS time you self-serving, entitled little dupe-prick.
My how things have changed. Sir Keith Holyoake’s vaunted advice to youngsters used to be – “Breath through your nose”.
ShonKey Python’s advice to youngsers – “Talk OUR shit out your mouth……you’ll be looked after”. And so it will be. Elevation in cabinet, flash job somewhere if not there, ambassadorial post. “Whatever – you’ll be looked after”.
That line made me laugh, too, Lanth. Even if NASA had perfected cryogenics without telling anyone, I’m thinking the lack of oxygen would make any such experiments a tad pointless, don’t you?
I recall some talk about it at the time of his death, but it was probably just wishful thinking from fans or the media. If cryogenics could ever work, I would have thought freezing the healthy would have more likelihood of success. It’s funny that the names associated with cryogenics are pretty much always wealthy and ego driven; most people accept their fates in more sanguine way.
Cryonics is the low-temperature preservation of humans and animals who cannot be sustained by contemporary medicine, with the hope that healing and resuscitation may be possible in the future. Cryonics is not cryogenics.
Arrogance chickens coming home to roost and rotting on Chinese wharves. Describe the PRC as having “tentacles” and snuggle up to Taiwan, and sure you’ll get away with it Johnny boy, everyone loves you, remember?….using North Korea and Chavez et al as terms of “devil beast” insult helped too, I’m sure. Smell the fear from here, and watch the media hide its head.
wanted to post this as many will not know about it and many here are still caught up in old world solutions to problems such as poverty and war that have never and will never eliminate these things.
There are however solutions that will eliminate them if we change the way we think and the system we live under……
If this resonates with you please sign the charter and let others know.
@ Polish…. interesting (I’ll have another look when I get more time). First time round though, much to agree with but others not so much – including “greed is a basic human response to scarcity” – when did that happen?
“greed is a basic human response to scarcity”
Yes agree with you completely But felt it better to overlook it given the significant benefits such a shift would bring or everyone.
More and more people are starting to talk about and understand the overall concept, but this is the first time that I have seen it presented in a way that lets people show their support for such a change to our world.
@ Polish – pardon the intermittent nature of replies (ankle biters about).
Yep – agree.
I have a big concern though when, on one hand really punitive and restrictive practices are applied to people simply trying to survive and preserve their rights to protest and contest (in supposed ‘1st world democracies’); yet on the other hand, the greed, the theft, the usury of the likes of politicians and ‘banksters’ is minimised somehow by putting it down to human nature.
There’s something not quite right there.
Yes agree with that too. and I think that what DTB has put (above) would be a much more accurate way of communicating the problem. The only concern I have is whether putting it that way would be more, or less acceptable to the audience (i.e. everyone) that it is intended for.
Example: the three of us have been looking at this for some time and can see the System for what it is. The question is would someone who is completely new to the concepts be able to take your comment DTB…..
“Our system has been designed by the few to reward the few. As such it can’t then go and punish the few for what the system rewards.
Our present system is corrupt by design.”
… and be able to accept that as correct (which I agree it is) or is it a step too far and would it risk alienating them from the overall concept. Even though stating the problem as being one of human nature is not exactly correct, does it put it in a context that is easier to accept and understand for someone who is new to the concepts. Many who are new will be able to look at this, understand it and envisage the different and better world they are talking about but may never have the time or inclination to look a little deeper and understand the true causes for the problems that we have in our world today.
Possibly, possibly not. I know that there are people out there who are successful in the present system who aren’t corrupt but also won’t accept that their wealth is due to systemic corruption. This would mean that we have to show that the present system is corrupt.
I don’t think that’s possible. You have to do two things:
1.) Point out the failings of the present system and
2.) Paint a vision of a better system
Now, people will be getting upset with the present system due to increasing poverty and they’re seeing the increase in corruption as well but we still need to make it clear that these things aren’t acceptable and then we have to show that a better way is possible.
IMO, for the majority of people that happens to be true. It’s the minority that happen to be driven by greed and they’re the minority that we shouldn’t be listening to but who our government does listen to.
Another Seminar/Panel discussion on “Current Threats to the Resource Management Act” – this time in Wellington – Saturday 25 May 1.30pm to 5pm. St Andrews On the Terrace (hall behind church). Hosted by Maryan Street, Labour MP for the Environment. All welcome. Gold coin koha to help cover costs. Speakers : Sir Geoffrey Palmer (original author of the RMA), Neil Deans (NZ Fish & Game) , Guy Salmon (ecologist). Please pass this message on to people in Wellington.
whatever you think of Geoffrey Palmer, Morrissey, its more important that people get to know what is going to happen with the govt changes to the RMA – huge changes, a huge emphasis on economic growth instead of sustaining the environment – an encouragement for developers to just come in and “rip, shit and bust” what remains of the NZ landscape and waters.
I am aware of Palmer being involved in that but can’t see why the rage against him over it. Palmer is a lawyer with a pretty solid professional reputation and he appears to have interpreted the law as he saw it in the framework he was given to operate. Perhaps he wasn’t very wise to get involved in the first place but his actions there don’t seem to justify the vitriol you’ve directed at him.
It was Palmer who authored our anti-smacking legislation, he’s one of the last people I’d think of being pro-Israel so maybe your angst is midirected there.
Your comments show only that you have done no reading on this scandalous topic at all. That was, of course, obvious when you expressed bewilderment that the saintly fellow should be criticised at all.
Your reference to the removal of Section 59 as “anti-smacking legislation” is similarly confused.
You weren’t criticising Palmer, you were abusing and vilifying him. Big difference there. I was wondering at the display of naked malice & spite but I need wonder no more. I’ll leave you to it.
You weren’t criticising Palmer, you were abusing and vilifying him.
I was pointing out that Palmer allowed himself to be used as a stooge of a criminal, outlaw regime—something about which you were, incredibly, unaware. The reading I supplied for you was a fair, balanced and scholarly review of Palmer’s failure to act as a responsible and moral citizen; I could offer my own writing on the subject, of course, but I thought I’d leave it to Mondoweiss. (Not that that would impress you, of course; your comments show that you didn’t bother to educate yourself on this matter.)
Palmer didn’t exactly cover himself with glory with that report. Agreeing to participate, given the terms of reference and the presence of Uribe, was only the first bad move. What he ended up commenting on was a hypothetical situation which had very little to do with the actual events, but was eagerly used by the Israeli government to justify their actions. His performance was that of a toady.
He did come across better than Parker, even managed his by pass of the greens need in printing money policy question well, ( pity would like to have heard a response)
Liked Parker in that labour will “listen” to good ideas – should labour not act and work into their policies these good ideas.
On the nation there was discussion on not only a cgt but also acting on the deductibility of interest for tax purposes on investment properties, this 2nd aspect appears to have been lost on labour and the greens. Instead it is this myopic vision to the answer. Better to be perceived as doing something than providing a real solution.
Yes, CGT is important but I would imagine that if Interest on loans used for investment properties was no longer tax deductible we would get a good number of additional properties immediately on the market increasing supply and reducing the cost of housing. In fact the Greens/Labour have nothing to lose by introducing this, they have already lost any voter who has investment houses through introducing CGT.
Regarding Parker, the more I hear him the more I like him. He is certainly a big step up from Shearer. Labour will not win in 2014 with Shearer as Leader, heard him speak recently, he is hopeless. Parker would be infinitely better leading Labour into 2014 than Shearer (if Cunliffe isn’t available). Labour need to do something about Shearer soon, time is running out.
“Yes, CGT is important but I would imagine that if Interest on loans used for investment properties was no longer tax deductible we would get a good number of additional properties immediately on the market increasing supply and reducing the cost of housing.”
Sounds like a win win, and we might not have to gut the rma to build homes for the middle classes.
“In fact the Greens/Labour have nothing to lose by introducing this, they have already lost any voter who has investment houses through introducing CGT.”
Chris Tremain, minister for fuckstickery has 16 properties and a few parcels of land. He won’t vote for a cgt.
He really won’t agree with having to pay taxes on his investments, but then he’s tory scum. No worry.
Parker looks to be another who’s all mouth & trousers. He’s just been quoted as stating that stopping foreigners buying NZ residential property isn’t Labour policy;
He’s fobbed it off with excuses about there being not enough information on it but Labour are supposed to have a research team and they could start by reading the ‘papers which often make references to properties being bought by foreign investors.
I cannot believe anybody can think the gobblygook combination of neo liberalism and magic Norman spouts is articulate – let alone offers anything to anybody other than those who already have more than they need.
An obsession with debt and balancing the books as per neo liberal agenda.
A further obsession with a capital gains tax which might help a bit as part of a package on housing but won’t lead to the hundreds of houses that need building being built. That will take a government spending money and paying people to actually build them.
A total committment to capitalism which is dependent on growth to survive while still pretending to care about the environment.
Treating treasury projections and figures as if they can be taken seriously when getting it right is a very rare thing for them.
But why pick on Norman? All our MPs and all our political parties (with the partial exception of Harawira/Mana) are capitalist parties. And the Greens have never stated they were socialist or communist in their political economy.
Didn’t see it but can easily imagine. “OK you Aussies, we’ll let you keep Phar Lap (stolen by yous guys anyway) but we keep Norman OK ?
Norman is rather real, that’s the overall sense in my guts when I hear him. Voted Winston last time to ensure the 5%. Otherwise voted Labour all my life.
That’s a pretty good, concise rebuttal from Ken Robinson of the whole notion that subject-related basic skills (reading, writing and ‘rithmetic) are the essential prior building blocks of learning. They aren’t.
So far as any relevant literature on learning – and certainly creativity – that I’m aware of is concerned, the building blocks are curiosity, intrinsic motivation and an environment that supports exploration and provides the available knowledge about, and resources for, whatever the child becomes curious about. The desire to gain a facility with reading, writing, etc. follow as a consequence of that process.
I just can’t fathom the intellectual ineptitude – and lack of evidential basis – that underpins decisions to impose approaches like National Standards upon young children.
Short item on today’s Mediawatch programme on the hypocrisy of Radio Live’s bumptious farming show goon Jamie McKay. This low and insalubrious excrescence from Gore actually had the nerve to pass judgment on ex-National MP Aaron Gilmore for his drunken shenanigans in Hamner Springs; it now transpires that McKay himself has been censured for the same behaviour: threatening bar staff who failed to appreciate his genius and significance.
In the 1990s, McKay used to write a pisspoor sports column in the Southland Times. He was preoccupied with Jonah Lomu, who he pilloried week after week as unintelligent. McKay mocked Lomu’s way of talking, his lack of education (according to McKay) and his “laziness”. In other words, McKay had not watched Lomu play very much, but he had listened to, and absorbed every word spoken by, the motherlode of sporting opinion, Murray Deaker.
Radio Live has a horrifyingly bad line-up of substandard talent, but McKay is arguably the most obnoxious of all of them.
The entire radio rant landscape is awash with folk whose best attribute is their arrogance and bias, leighton, Larry, mike, Danny , Kerry at ZB, basher Veitch and Deeks at Talk Sport then more of the same at key and Joyce’s own radio live soapbox where they specialise in former pollies or wannabe pollies like WJ/JT, laws (don’t worry he will be back) watch out for others like Henry/Hide etc
The entire radio rant landscape is awash with folk whose best attribute is their arrogance and bias, leighton, Larry, mike, Danny , Kerry at ZB…
Kerre Woodham is repellent. Just by chance, in the same Mediawatch programme, Colin Peacock recounted an incident from some years ago, when an intoxicated Woodham was in the limousine of former Deputy P.M. Don McKinnon, proceeding along a street in Wellington. She wound the window down, stuck her head out the window and bawled at a young man: “SHOW US YOUR WHIZZER!”
Yes, well she’s been off the sauce for quite some time now, and while it’s probably not in the nature of a poisonous fungus like you to have empathy, I think it’s pretty poor form to keep throwing someone’s past mistakes in their face when they have overcome them.
Good to see our gallant friend Populuxe1 deciding to gallantly take a little time off from reiterating the lies of the United States and U.K. governments’ spin doctors and gallantly spring to the defence of la hellish dame sans merci….
Yes, well she’s been off the sauce for quite some time now, and while it’s probably not in the nature of a poisonous fungus like you to have empathy, I think it’s pretty poor form to keep throwing someone’s past mistakes in their face when they have overcome them.
If you’re looking for a poisonous fungus, you can’t go past Kerre Woodham; over the years on her godawful radio show, she has….
1.) run a malignant campaign against Chinese dissidents that could have been scripted by the Chinese government;
2.) run an even more malignant campaign against Kirsten Dunne Powell, the woman who was paralyzed after a frenzied kicking by Woodham’s friend and colleague Tony Veitch;
3.) spoken out firmly against the people of Gaza for getting themselves and their homes, hospitals, schools and water mains blasted apart by Israeli air raids and their children roasted alive by Israeli White Phosphorus bombs in early 2009;
4.) delivered a prim lecture via her horrendous Herald on Sunday column to the mother of a boy who had been stabbed to death on a Manurewa street; Kerre Woodham was affronted—not by the murder, but by the mother’s unseemly grieving;
5.) continued to stupefy and depress those unfortunate enough to stray onto NewstalkZB whenever she is snarling forth her sulphurous rancour.
All of this behaviour was, of course, after she came “off the sauce”.
If you like—in fact, even if you don’t like—I’ll post links to all of the above, but for now I’ll let you fulminate a little more and see if you can come up with something a bit more effective than fungally-themed abuse.
Yeah, I knew that; I was just joshing you. I used to be able to recite that poem off by heart once, along with a whole lot of other Keats poems; it was the main part of my schtick back then.
But yours was a good line, too- though I was not happy with the earlier discussion.
I’m sorry to hear that, mac. Do you think I could have handled the poor fellow more civilly?
Hope you enjoyed the public execution, my friend. Although I must say, it gave me no pleasure at all. Putting down poor old Populuxe1 was a task I did not enjoy, but neither was it one I was prepared to shirk.
It was the internet equivalent of shooting a rabid dog: it had to be done, but it’s not an occasion for pleasure.
This “Populuxe1” specimen had several hours to formulate a response to Morrissey, and all he has come up with is that lame and cranky nonsense. It is funny, really, but not for Populuxe1 and those who care for him.
“Chinese supermarkets are beginning to run out of New Zealand beef and lamb as Kiwi meat remains stuck at ports around China. …
It emerged on Friday that all meat exports to China have been blocked from entering the country, possibly since the end of April.
The Government was told of the problem on Tuesday, but made no public statement until yesterday. On Friday it was left up to the Meat Industry Association to insist that there was no food safety issue.
…
The stop at the border could mean thousands of tonnes of New Zealand sheepmeat will either be stuck at port or on the water en route to China. Every Kiwi meat company exporting to China is believed to have been affected.
A top meat-industry source said certification was being used by Chinese authorities as an excuse to protect local pork and poultry industries, noting that China had continued to allow imports of both dairy products and beef hides.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said the issue could cause long-term damage to the industry.
DEAL WITH ‘OTHER CHINA’ ON BRINK OF BEING SIGNED
New Zealand is poised to sign its first free-trade agreement in more than three years, with an announcement of a deal with Taiwan expected in the coming months.
…
Factors said to have complicated the passing of the deal are both New Zealand’s relations with China, where trade has soared since a free-trade agreement was reached, and Taiwan’s own trade negotiations with mainland China.
Trade Minister Tim Groser declined to comment.”
And on the kiwifruit front, two detailed articles on some pretty shonky dealings involving Zespri exports to China – also well worth reading for their revelations.
No need to see what would happen. Fonterra would go broke, for a start. On the positive side, a few Tory business types might end up in Chinese prisons as well.
Thanks for giving us an insight into the intellectual capabilities of the right.
“So just a month after John Key’s Saviour of the Universe trade trip to China, things are not looking so hot on two fronts – meat and kiwifruit.”
All I can say is for Christ’s sake keep him away from India (though I note Joyce has already had a go), as the NActs try and have a bob each way with the BRICS.
Not much has come of the Sth American jaunt either, despite Key’s trumpeting.
Key is the New Zealand version of Sir Les Patterson although many don’t seem to see it. (Wood and trees perhaps)
“A 52-strong trade mission is flying to Indonesia this weekend for two weeks of intensive briefings and meetings.
It is being led by Maurice Williamson and Sir Ken Stevens, who’s chairman of Export New Zealand.
… …. … ”
Probably compensation to MW as he is no longer to appear on Ellen Degeneres’ show as they have not been able to come to agreement and the current series is about to end…. thank goodness. Not at the end of the series – but that MW is not going to appear.
Good to hear Andrew Geddis’s point about the Government banning of Court examination on the Payment to parents of Severely handicapped adult children, getting an airing on National Radio News this morning. See Andrew’s item on Pundit http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/i-think-national-just-broke-our-constitution
Just find a way to dupe countries into seeping it into the water supplies, tell them its good for health get them to pay you, to save on the cost of getting rid of it!
“Ever been hungry at school yourself Eric?” It’s the same as the Panels on The Nation and Q+A. They don’t have a clue on how the real world works. Apart from maybe Bradford.
That’s not what he said, he was talking about the language coming from the government about North Korea and Polish ship yards and Albanian devilbeasts and what have you, and made the point that while there are real issues being debated between NZ parties, the differences are well within the norm for western democratic liberal societies.
Not really supported by increasing social liberalisation, technological democritisation and a number of other things, but then again we know you have very little interest in living in awestern democratic liberal society.
If there were real differences to be debated between the ruling elites’ a, b and c teams he would have welcomed the talk of North Korea and Polish shipyards as a way of emphasising the scale of the differnces.
The corporate flag is dullest beige,
It shrouded oft our heartless fools,
And ere our limbs grow stiff and cold,
Our hearts never run bold.
Then hold the dull standard low.
(chorus)
Within its shade we pretend to live,
As cowards we flinch and as traitors sneer,
We’ll leave the beige flag lying here.
Look round, the consultant loves its blur,
The venal lawyer chants its praise,
In Wall Street its hymns were sung
Chicago School swells the dull throng.
(chorus)
It drooped above our dullest blight,
When all ahead seemed full of light;
It witnessed many a press release,
We must not change its dullness now.
(chorus)
It well recalls the dogmas past,
It gives the hope of Bellamy’s at last;
The menu bright, the cuisine plain,
Of venal right and gastric gain.
(chorus)
It suits today the weak and base,
Whose minds are fixed on self and face
We cringe before the rich man’s frown,
And haul the of what the fuck I can’t remember what it was down.
(chorus)
With head uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward while we fall;
To boardrooms dark and consultancies dim,
This song shall be our parting hymn.
The old socialist anthem, The Red Flag, with a few alterations, more in keeping with the current times and attitudes of the party that calls itself “Labour”.
The people’s flag is palest pink
It’s not the colour you might think
The middle classes stand and cheer
The Labour government is here
We’ll change the country bit by bit
So nobody will notice it
And just to show that we’re sincere
We’ll sing The Red Flag once a year
sigh. it is a sorry state of affairs; ‘eres one from the books-
“A panzer unit cannot be led from ahead”- A Stahlberg. (freakin history revisionists after the War, Federal Constitutional Court, ruled that “all soldiers may be called murderers” and Minister of Health Blum suggesting that because the Wehrmacht held out for so long they enabled the death camps (“The evacuations dependent on the military situation”; Wannsee Conference Protocols (great movie with Branagh) ) yet “Not all roads lead to Auschwitz” – J.C Fest.
This song is more keeping in with what unemployed young people feel about society at the moment i.e.frustration with life and violence go hand in hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkyLAWX5V30
When does New Zealand get it’s own version of the UK riots?
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As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive:Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloittereport for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’sOliver LewisScoop:Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announcedthe Board of Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Orderimage, ...
Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
Waiting In The Wings:For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSAannounced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
Open access notablesImproving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society:To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
A late change to charter school legislation will cheat educators out of fair pay and negotiating power proving charter schools are just a vehicle to make profit out of our education system. ...
In 2004 te iwi Māori rallied against the Crown’s attempt to confiscate our coastlines and moana with the Foreshore and Seabed Act. This led to the largest hīkoi of a generation and the birth of Te Pāti Māori. 20 years later, history is repeating itself. Today the government has announced ...
It has been five and a half years since the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was established to investigate the abuse of children, young people, and vulnerable adults within state and faith-based institutions. Yesterday, the final report - Whanaketia through pain and trauma, from darkness to light ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take action off the back of the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. ...
On Friday the International Court of Justice reaffirmed what Palestinian’s have been telling us for decades: that the occupation and colonisation of Palestinian lands by Israel is illegal and must end immediately. They also called for reparations for Palestinian’s who have lived under Israeli occupation since it began in 1967. ...
Labour calls on the Government to act after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal. ...
The 53.7 percent rise in benefit sanctions over the last year is more proof of this Government’s disdain for our communities most in need of support. ...
Aotearoa could be a country where every child grows up feeling safe, loved and with a sense of belonging in their whānau and community. But for some of our children, this is far from reality. Instead, they are trapped in a maze of intergenerational harm that they can’t escape on ...
Te Pāti Māori are calling for David Seymour to resign as Associate Health Minister in response to his call for Pharmac to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi. “This announcement is just another example of the government’s anti-Tiriti, anti-Māori agenda.” Said Co-leader and spokesperson for health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. “Seymour thinks it ...
The soaring price of renting is driving the rise of inflation in this country - with latest figures from Stats NZ showing rents are up 4.8 per cent on average while annual inflation is at 3.3 per cent. ...
National’s Emissions Reduction Plan will take New Zealand further from the economy we need to ensure the next generation has a stable climate and secure livelihoods. ...
Following consultation with named parties and thorough consideration of privacy interests, the Green Party is in a position to release the Executive Summary of the final report from the independent investigation into Darleen Tana. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon should be asking serious questions of his Minister for Resources Shane Jones now it’s been revealed he misled the public about a dinner with mining companies that he didn’t declare and said wasn’t pre-arranged. ...
Te Pāti Māori have submitted to the Justice Select Committee against the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The bill will further entrench racism in our justice system and fails to focus on rehabilitation. “Reinstating Three Strikes will empower a systematically racist system and exacerbate the overrepresentation of Māori in ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is set to make a determination on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Bill in the coming weeks. “This legislation will give landlords the power to kick our whānau out onto the street for no reason” said Housing spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “Their solution to the housing ...
“National’s campaign was about tackling crime and the best they can do is a two-year long Ministerial Advisory Group,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
“There are more examples of charter schools failing their students than there are success stories. The coalition Government is driving to dismantle our public school system and instead promote a privatised, competitive structure that puts profits before kids,” Jan Tinetti said. ...
“This government is choosing to deliberately mislead and withhold information, keeping our people in the dark about this government’s agenda and the future of our mokopuna,” said co-leader and spokesperson for Health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. The call comes after the demand from the Chief Ombudsman that Associate Minister of Health, Casey ...
“Today’s climate announcement by Simon Watts makes clear the National Government is simply paying lip service to meeting its climate change targets,” Megan Woods said. ...
National is choosing to make life harder for workers by taking away the rights our communities have fought hard for. Here's how they’re taking workers backwards. ...
Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue. We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views. “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
Tēnā tātou katoa, Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts. “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet. “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks. “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. At the heart of this report are the ...
For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024. “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane. “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says. “This will be our third visit to ...
Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum. While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation. “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan. “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests. Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone. Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
Last summer when Matairangi burned, Ginny and Tom stood at the window of their lounge, watching kākā shoot skyward from the burning trees. From the distance, they looked to Ginny like pages torn from books and thrown into a bonfire. It was Tom, voice tight, who told her it was ...
Opinion: The Canadian short story writer Alice Munro – winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 – died in May at the age of 92. Her work was about “the damage people inflict on one another in the name of love”, Deborah Treisman wrote in the New Yorker. ...
This month marks two years since the most powerful telescope ever built sent its first pictures back to earth. From its lofty vantage point, beyond the moon in orbit around the sun, the James Webb Space Telescope was tuned to observe the first stars and galaxies being born soon after ...
Comment: After Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ preview several weeks ago, I had some optimism about the Government’s emissions reduction plan. Now I’ve read the discussion document, that hope has been dashed. How can the Government propose a plan that wants to take New Zealand taxpayers’ hard-earned money, and spend ...
Christopher Luxon: hurdles The little man from National jumps hurdles in his sleep. He’s quite good at it in his dreams and even though the reality doesn’t quite match up you have to give him credit for getting up every morning and crashing into the very first hurdle of the ...
Comment: It was a good two hours into the conversation when Tyrone Marks raised the most basic of questions when I first spoke to him in 2017. “They didn’t explain the things they did to me. They never told me why. And they still haven’t. There’s no explanation for it. ...
Madeleine Chapman rounds out Death Week on The Spinoff with a final recommendation. You can read all of our Death Week coverage here. Nothing forces you to reflect on your life and relationships quite like proximity to death. For those whose nearest and dearest have died, there are reasonably obvious ...
Whitney Greene takes us through her life in television, including the TV character she’d like to plan a funeral for and her cow lung catastrophe on The Traitors NZ. “If the phone rings, I have to answer it,” Whitney Greene from The Traitors NZ warns as we begin our My ...
Maddie Ballard reviews the debut essay collection of Pōneke writer Flora Feltham.In ‘The Raw Material’, the longest essay in Flora Feltham’s dazzling debut collection, the author heads out for a run after hours of weaving and sees the world turn to textile. “Pounding along the Parade, I saw the ...
Andy Christiansen, one half of the experimental rock-pop duo TRiPS, shares the tunes inspiring the band’s perfect weekend and new release. “Good speakers, good food, good music, no distractions”: that’s all you need to enjoy the psychedelic stylings of TRiPS, a new band formed by Fly My Pretties’ Barnaby Weir ...
Celebrating our quadrennial opportunity to become experts in a bunch of sports we never normally watch.The games of the XXXIII Olympiad are upon us. Paris will host this year’s showcase of sporting and athletic prowess, which means some late-night and early-morning viewing for us in Aotearoa.But what sports ...
The photograph is striking and beautiful, but also disturbing – a reminder that my love for John was often entangled in shame.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.In the spring of 1980, in Dunedin, shortly before his death, someone took a photograph ...
Get to know Babushka, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Babu’s humans, Jo and Isabel, for their support. Dog name: Babushka (Babu for short) Age: 2Breed: Border Collie X poodleIf rescued, ...
Pacific Media Watch A Lebanese photojournalist who was severely wounded during an Israeli air strike in south Lebanon carried the Olympic torch in Paris this week in honour of her peers who have been wounded and killed in the field — especially in Gaza and Lebanon. Christina Assi of Agence ...
The first report in a five-part web series focused on the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women taking place in the Marshall Islands this week.SPECIAL REPORT:By Netani Rika in Majuro Women continue to fight for justice 70 years after the first nuclear tests by the United States caused ...
Christopher Luxon has joined with Australia and Canada's leaders in voicing support for US President Joe Biden's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The 2022 election brought the “teal wave” into parliament. The next election will test whether teals, who occupy what were Liberal seats, and other independents can maintain their momentum. Joining us on the Podcast ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide Pixavri/Shutterstock A major Federal Court class action has been dismissed this week after Justice Michael Lee ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. Plaintiff Kelvin ...
In The Week in Politics: politicians have to decide what to do about child abuse, Health NZ is booked in for major surgery and Darleen Tana returns. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Corbould, Associate Professor, Contemporary Histories Research Group, Deakin University Mainstream media are surprisingly muted at the prospect of the world’s most powerful nation being led for the first time by a woman – specifically a woman of colour, Vice President Kamala ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Bennett, PhD Student, Associate Research Fellow, Deakin University Last week, a drone delivery company called Wing (owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet) started operating in Melbourne. Some 250,000 residents in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs can now order food from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Foo, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, Monash University pikselstock/Shutterstock In the next 40 years in Australia, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged 85 and over will more than triple. ...
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Yet another example of a news headline not conveying the substance of the article beneath it. Thank you Fair-And-Balanced-Fax ? Fox ? Faux ?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/8571096/Young-Bridges-shuts-down-power-play
The frequency of this sort of thing from the MSM starts to look deliberate.
Take the example a few days ago from someone Chapman and journalist extraordinaire Tracy Watkins. The headline was something to the effect “Gain after five years of pain”. Oh really ?
Three out of four private citizens quoted in the article spoke the reverse. Worse, the one out of four who said things are “better overall”, a lady from Khandallah, well she was the one, the smiley one to prove the headline, her and her three kids, whose photograph sat directly below the bullshit headline.
To my amazement later that day or the next Khandallah Lady’s photograph had been replaced by one of Blinglish in full flight. Headline and article remained ???
“Young Bridges shuts down power play……..” ? Forgive me but that’s suggestive of a measure of parliamentary elan on Wee Simon’s part. When you read the article – Not !
“I was 12 at the time”. You’re STILL 12 at THIS time you self-serving, entitled little dupe-prick.
My how things have changed. Sir Keith Holyoake’s vaunted advice to youngsters used to be – “Breath through your nose”.
ShonKey Python’s advice to youngsers – “Talk OUR shit out your mouth……you’ll be looked after”. And so it will be. Elevation in cabinet, flash job somewhere if not there, ambassadorial post. “Whatever – you’ll be looked after”.
You’ve cracked it Simon Bro’. Trough Forever !
Your Conspiracies Today Update!
http://exopolitics.org/is-that-a-lizard-on-mars-why-is-nasa-silent/
Yes, that’s what I want to know. Is NASA doing that?
That line made me laugh, too, Lanth. Even if NASA had perfected cryogenics without telling anyone, I’m thinking the lack of oxygen would make any such experiments a tad pointless, don’t you?
Wasn’t Michael Jackson going to be cryogenically frozen? What happened to that plan?
I recall some talk about it at the time of his death, but it was probably just wishful thinking from fans or the media. If cryogenics could ever work, I would have thought freezing the healthy would have more likelihood of success. It’s funny that the names associated with cryogenics are pretty much always wealthy and ego driven; most people accept their fates in more sanguine way.
Aunty Wiki says…
Cryonics is the low-temperature preservation of humans and animals who cannot be sustained by contemporary medicine, with the hope that healing and resuscitation may be possible in the future. Cryonics is not cryogenics.
Cheers, pollywog. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop (sicles)?
To quote one of the comments in that “article”: It’s a rock, Dumbass.”
Arrogance chickens coming home to roost and rotting on Chinese wharves. Describe the PRC as having “tentacles” and snuggle up to Taiwan, and sure you’ll get away with it Johnny boy, everyone loves you, remember?….using North Korea and Chavez et al as terms of “devil beast” insult helped too, I’m sure. Smell the fear from here, and watch the media hide its head.
Hide its head, up its own, preferably up ShonKey Python’s. Aspiration tastes and smells SO sweet.
Maybe he should ask for his flag back.
wanted to post this as many will not know about it and many here are still caught up in old world solutions to problems such as poverty and war that have never and will never eliminate these things.
There are however solutions that will eliminate them if we change the way we think and the system we live under……
If this resonates with you please sign the charter and let others know.
http://www.freeworldcharter.org/en
@ Polish…. interesting (I’ll have another look when I get more time). First time round though, much to agree with but others not so much – including “greed is a basic human response to scarcity” – when did that happen?
“greed is a basic human response to scarcity”
Yes agree with you completely But felt it better to overlook it given the significant benefits such a shift would bring or everyone.
More and more people are starting to talk about and understand the overall concept, but this is the first time that I have seen it presented in a way that lets people show their support for such a change to our world.
@ Polish – pardon the intermittent nature of replies (ankle biters about).
Yep – agree.
I have a big concern though when, on one hand really punitive and restrictive practices are applied to people simply trying to survive and preserve their rights to protest and contest (in supposed ‘1st world democracies’); yet on the other hand, the greed, the theft, the usury of the likes of politicians and ‘banksters’ is minimised somehow by putting it down to human nature.
There’s something not quite right there.
Our system has been designed by the few to reward the few. As such it can’t then go and punish the few for what the system rewards.
Our present system is corrupt by design.
Btw DtB – interesting discussion on Natrad atm – Weber et al.
back in a while
Yes agree with that too. and I think that what DTB has put (above) would be a much more accurate way of communicating the problem. The only concern I have is whether putting it that way would be more, or less acceptable to the audience (i.e. everyone) that it is intended for.
Example: the three of us have been looking at this for some time and can see the System for what it is. The question is would someone who is completely new to the concepts be able to take your comment DTB…..
“Our system has been designed by the few to reward the few. As such it can’t then go and punish the few for what the system rewards.
Our present system is corrupt by design.”
… and be able to accept that as correct (which I agree it is) or is it a step too far and would it risk alienating them from the overall concept. Even though stating the problem as being one of human nature is not exactly correct, does it put it in a context that is easier to accept and understand for someone who is new to the concepts. Many who are new will be able to look at this, understand it and envisage the different and better world they are talking about but may never have the time or inclination to look a little deeper and understand the true causes for the problems that we have in our world today.
Possibly, possibly not. I know that there are people out there who are successful in the present system who aren’t corrupt but also won’t accept that their wealth is due to systemic corruption. This would mean that we have to show that the present system is corrupt.
It would but then does it matter if you can obtain the desired outcome without having to do so..
I don’t think that’s possible. You have to do two things:
1.) Point out the failings of the present system and
2.) Paint a vision of a better system
Now, people will be getting upset with the present system due to increasing poverty and they’re seeing the increase in corruption as well but we still need to make it clear that these things aren’t acceptable and then we have to show that a better way is possible.
Completely agree
IMO, for the majority of people that happens to be true. It’s the minority that happen to be driven by greed and they’re the minority that we shouldn’t be listening to but who our government does listen to.
Another Seminar/Panel discussion on “Current Threats to the Resource Management Act” – this time in Wellington – Saturday 25 May 1.30pm to 5pm. St Andrews On the Terrace (hall behind church). Hosted by Maryan Street, Labour MP for the Environment. All welcome. Gold coin koha to help cover costs. Speakers : Sir Geoffrey Palmer (original author of the RMA), Neil Deans (NZ Fish & Game) , Guy Salmon (ecologist). Please pass this message on to people in Wellington.
“Sir” Geoffrey Palmer is a coward, a toady, an utter disgrace to this nation; he should be shunned by all decent people.
whatever you think of Geoffrey Palmer, Morrissey, its more important that people get to know what is going to happen with the govt changes to the RMA – huge changes, a huge emphasis on economic growth instead of sustaining the environment – an encouragement for developers to just come in and “rip, shit and bust” what remains of the NZ landscape and waters.
“Sir” Geoffrey Palmer is a coward, a toady, an utter disgrace to this nation; he should be shunned by all decent people.”
What’s Palmer done to deserve that level of vitriol? He’s never struck me as a controversial person…
What’s Palmer done to deserve that level of vitriol? He’s never struck me as a controversial person…
Thanks for asking, DH. At last someone with a bit of curiosity. Have a read of the following….
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/09/the-palmeruribe-report-another-attempt-by-israel-to-whitewash-murder.html
I am aware of Palmer being involved in that but can’t see why the rage against him over it. Palmer is a lawyer with a pretty solid professional reputation and he appears to have interpreted the law as he saw it in the framework he was given to operate. Perhaps he wasn’t very wise to get involved in the first place but his actions there don’t seem to justify the vitriol you’ve directed at him.
It was Palmer who authored our anti-smacking legislation, he’s one of the last people I’d think of being pro-Israel so maybe your angst is midirected there.
Your comments show only that you have done no reading on this scandalous topic at all. That was, of course, obvious when you expressed bewilderment that the saintly fellow should be criticised at all.
Your reference to the removal of Section 59 as “anti-smacking legislation” is similarly confused.
You weren’t criticising Palmer, you were abusing and vilifying him. Big difference there. I was wondering at the display of naked malice & spite but I need wonder no more. I’ll leave you to it.
You weren’t criticising Palmer, you were abusing and vilifying him.
I was pointing out that Palmer allowed himself to be used as a stooge of a criminal, outlaw regime—something about which you were, incredibly, unaware. The reading I supplied for you was a fair, balanced and scholarly review of Palmer’s failure to act as a responsible and moral citizen; I could offer my own writing on the subject, of course, but I thought I’d leave it to Mondoweiss. (Not that that would impress you, of course; your comments show that you didn’t bother to educate yourself on this matter.)
Palmer didn’t exactly cover himself with glory with that report. Agreeing to participate, given the terms of reference and the presence of Uribe, was only the first bad move. What he ended up commenting on was a hypothetical situation which had very little to do with the actual events, but was eagerly used by the Israeli government to justify their actions. His performance was that of a toady.
Shearer v Norman on Q&A
Norman has to be the next Finance Minister.
So articulate with answers rather than just whinging from Parker
He did come across better than Parker, even managed his by pass of the greens need in printing money policy question well, ( pity would like to have heard a response)
Liked Parker in that labour will “listen” to good ideas – should labour not act and work into their policies these good ideas.
On the nation there was discussion on not only a cgt but also acting on the deductibility of interest for tax purposes on investment properties, this 2nd aspect appears to have been lost on labour and the greens. Instead it is this myopic vision to the answer. Better to be perceived as doing something than providing a real solution.
Yes, CGT is important but I would imagine that if Interest on loans used for investment properties was no longer tax deductible we would get a good number of additional properties immediately on the market increasing supply and reducing the cost of housing. In fact the Greens/Labour have nothing to lose by introducing this, they have already lost any voter who has investment houses through introducing CGT.
Regarding Parker, the more I hear him the more I like him. He is certainly a big step up from Shearer. Labour will not win in 2014 with Shearer as Leader, heard him speak recently, he is hopeless. Parker would be infinitely better leading Labour into 2014 than Shearer (if Cunliffe isn’t available). Labour need to do something about Shearer soon, time is running out.
“Yes, CGT is important but I would imagine that if Interest on loans used for investment properties was no longer tax deductible we would get a good number of additional properties immediately on the market increasing supply and reducing the cost of housing.”
Sounds like a win win, and we might not have to gut the rma to build homes for the middle classes.
“In fact the Greens/Labour have nothing to lose by introducing this, they have already lost any voter who has investment houses through introducing CGT.”
Chris Tremain, minister for fuckstickery has 16 properties and a few parcels of land. He won’t vote for a cgt.
He really won’t agree with having to pay taxes on his investments, but then he’s tory scum. No worry.
cut you some American Recordings black at the base of last night’s white Soul Train.
Parker looks to be another who’s all mouth & trousers. He’s just been quoted as stating that stopping foreigners buying NZ residential property isn’t Labour policy;
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884650
He’s fobbed it off with excuses about there being not enough information on it but Labour are supposed to have a research team and they could start by reading the ‘papers which often make references to properties being bought by foreign investors.
“residential”; 8% at current rates, though expected to inflate.
Yep, that would be Labour – not trying to scare the wealthy in any way. This, of course, results in NZ continuing to decline and increasing poverty.
speaking of which; “interest rates likely to rise sooner, rather than later.” -Bill English, today.
Parker could be finance minister. But only if National win.
Jeez
I cannot believe anybody can think the gobblygook combination of neo liberalism and magic Norman spouts is articulate – let alone offers anything to anybody other than those who already have more than they need.
Please, some specific policy criticisms, or specific criticisms of his statements, if you have any.
An obsession with debt and balancing the books as per neo liberal agenda.
A further obsession with a capital gains tax which might help a bit as part of a package on housing but won’t lead to the hundreds of houses that need building being built. That will take a government spending money and paying people to actually build them.
A total committment to capitalism which is dependent on growth to survive while still pretending to care about the environment.
Treating treasury projections and figures as if they can be taken seriously when getting it right is a very rare thing for them.
And so it goes.
But why pick on Norman? All our MPs and all our political parties (with the partial exception of Harawira/Mana) are capitalist parties. And the Greens have never stated they were socialist or communist in their political economy.
Didn’t see it but can easily imagine. “OK you Aussies, we’ll let you keep Phar Lap (stolen by yous guys anyway) but we keep Norman OK ?
Norman is rather real, that’s the overall sense in my guts when I hear him. Voted Winston last time to ensure the 5%. Otherwise voted Labour all my life.
Sometime I’ll vote Green.
This is a great article…and guy has nailed “creativity”, and what can go wrong with teaching under the dead hand of politicians.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/17/to-encourage-creativity-mr-gove-understand
semantic, as opposed to declarative, understanding.
That’s a pretty good, concise rebuttal from Ken Robinson of the whole notion that subject-related basic skills (reading, writing and ‘rithmetic) are the essential prior building blocks of learning. They aren’t.
So far as any relevant literature on learning – and certainly creativity – that I’m aware of is concerned, the building blocks are curiosity, intrinsic motivation and an environment that supports exploration and provides the available knowledge about, and resources for, whatever the child becomes curious about. The desire to gain a facility with reading, writing, etc. follow as a consequence of that process.
I just can’t fathom the intellectual ineptitude – and lack of evidential basis – that underpins decisions to impose approaches like National Standards upon young children.
curiosity, intrinsic motivation and supportive environments life-long effects. 😀
“Don’t You Know Who I Am?”
No. 1: JAMIE McKAY
Short item on today’s Mediawatch programme on the hypocrisy of Radio Live’s bumptious farming show goon Jamie McKay. This low and insalubrious excrescence from Gore actually had the nerve to pass judgment on ex-National MP Aaron Gilmore for his drunken shenanigans in Hamner Springs; it now transpires that McKay himself has been censured for the same behaviour: threatening bar staff who failed to appreciate his genius and significance.
In the 1990s, McKay used to write a pisspoor sports column in the Southland Times. He was preoccupied with Jonah Lomu, who he pilloried week after week as unintelligent. McKay mocked Lomu’s way of talking, his lack of education (according to McKay) and his “laziness”. In other words, McKay had not watched Lomu play very much, but he had listened to, and absorbed every word spoken by, the motherlode of sporting opinion, Murray Deaker.
Radio Live has a horrifyingly bad line-up of substandard talent, but McKay is arguably the most obnoxious of all of them.
The entire radio rant landscape is awash with folk whose best attribute is their arrogance and bias, leighton, Larry, mike, Danny , Kerry at ZB, basher Veitch and Deeks at Talk Sport then more of the same at key and Joyce’s own radio live soapbox where they specialise in former pollies or wannabe pollies like WJ/JT, laws (don’t worry he will be back) watch out for others like Henry/Hide etc
that is interesting; Laws had been pleasant to listen to in his absence.
The entire radio rant landscape is awash with folk whose best attribute is their arrogance and bias, leighton, Larry, mike, Danny , Kerry at ZB…
Kerre Woodham is repellent. Just by chance, in the same Mediawatch programme, Colin Peacock recounted an incident from some years ago, when an intoxicated Woodham was in the limousine of former Deputy P.M. Don McKinnon, proceeding along a street in Wellington. She wound the window down, stuck her head out the window and bawled at a young man: “SHOW US YOUR WHIZZER!”
Yes, well she’s been off the sauce for quite some time now, and while it’s probably not in the nature of a poisonous fungus like you to have empathy, I think it’s pretty poor form to keep throwing someone’s past mistakes in their face when they have overcome them.
Good to see our gallant friend Populuxe1 deciding to gallantly take a little time off from reiterating the lies of the United States and U.K. governments’ spin doctors and gallantly spring to the defence of la hellish dame sans merci….
Yes, well she’s been off the sauce for quite some time now, and while it’s probably not in the nature of a poisonous fungus like you to have empathy, I think it’s pretty poor form to keep throwing someone’s past mistakes in their face when they have overcome them.
If you’re looking for a poisonous fungus, you can’t go past Kerre Woodham; over the years on her godawful radio show, she has….
1.) run a malignant campaign against Chinese dissidents that could have been scripted by the Chinese government;
2.) run an even more malignant campaign against Kirsten Dunne Powell, the woman who was paralyzed after a frenzied kicking by Woodham’s friend and colleague Tony Veitch;
3.) spoken out firmly against the people of Gaza for getting themselves and their homes, hospitals, schools and water mains blasted apart by Israeli air raids and their children roasted alive by Israeli White Phosphorus bombs in early 2009;
4.) delivered a prim lecture via her horrendous Herald on Sunday column to the mother of a boy who had been stabbed to death on a Manurewa street; Kerre Woodham was affronted—not by the murder, but by the mother’s unseemly grieving;
5.) continued to stupefy and depress those unfortunate enough to stray onto NewstalkZB whenever she is snarling forth her sulphurous rancour.
All of this behaviour was, of course, after she came “off the sauce”.
If you like—in fact, even if you don’t like—I’ll post links to all of the above, but for now I’ll let you fulminate a little more and see if you can come up with something a bit more effective than fungally-themed abuse.
Reading this, ah, discussion, makes me think of Keats, and sympathise with his character in “La Belle Dame sans Merci”.
“And this is why I sojourn here, 45
Alone and palely loitering,
Though the sedge is wither’d from the lake,
And no birds sing.”
Except I’d use a question mark.
“Stand ye calm and resolute
Like a forest close and mute
With folded arms and looks which are
Weapons of unvanquished war.
What is Freedom? Ye can tell
That which slavery is too well
For it’s very nature has grown
To an echo of your own.”
-P.B.S
“And this is why I sojourn here, 45
Alone and palely loitering,
Though the sedge is wither’d from the lake,
And no birds sing.”
Well, if the belle dame is 45, still alone and still palely loitering, she needs to get on with it. No wonder she’s accosting wandering knights.
That was line 45, Morrissey.
But yours was a good line, too- though I was not happy with the earlier discussion.
Merci.
That was line 45, Morrissey.
Yeah, I knew that; I was just joshing you. I used to be able to recite that poem off by heart once, along with a whole lot of other Keats poems; it was the main part of my schtick back then.
But yours was a good line, too- though I was not happy with the earlier discussion.
I’m sorry to hear that, mac. Do you think I could have handled the poor fellow more civilly?
Merci.
Pas du tout, mon ami.
That’s a pwned if ever I saw one 😆
That’s a pwned if ever I saw one.
Hope you enjoyed the public execution, my friend. Although I must say, it gave me no pleasure at all. Putting down poor old Populuxe1 was a task I did not enjoy, but neither was it one I was prepared to shirk.
It was the internet equivalent of shooting a rabid dog: it had to be done, but it’s not an occasion for pleasure.
Go on, tell me she’s a Mossad agent as well. No doubt she bleeds Christian babies to make motza balls as well, you horrid little puffball of spite.
Go on, tell me she’s a Mossad agent as well. No doubt she bleeds Christian babies to make motza balls as well, you horrid little puffball of spite.
Nope, you’re still not hitting the spot, buddy. That’s desperate. You’ve got nothing left in your quiver of tiny arrows.
It’s Popnogruts after that down-trou.
This “Populuxe1” specimen had several hours to formulate a response to Morrissey, and all he has come up with is that lame and cranky nonsense. It is funny, really, but not for Populuxe1 and those who care for him.
For them, these must be desperate times.
Corporal Morrisey your fake moustache has fallen off.
You talking to me, Baldric? How about you sod off?
So just a month after John Key’s Saviour of the Universe trade trip to China, things are not looking so hot on two fronts – meat and kiwifruit.
Stuff has a couple of good articles up this morning.
Firstly, a revealing and detailed article on the NZ meat shipments being held up at the Chinese border which is well worth reading in full
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/8690268/China-customs-issue-keeps-NZ-meat-off-shelves
“Chinese supermarkets are beginning to run out of New Zealand beef and lamb as Kiwi meat remains stuck at ports around China. …
It emerged on Friday that all meat exports to China have been blocked from entering the country, possibly since the end of April.
The Government was told of the problem on Tuesday, but made no public statement until yesterday. On Friday it was left up to the Meat Industry Association to insist that there was no food safety issue.
…
The stop at the border could mean thousands of tonnes of New Zealand sheepmeat will either be stuck at port or on the water en route to China. Every Kiwi meat company exporting to China is believed to have been affected.
A top meat-industry source said certification was being used by Chinese authorities as an excuse to protect local pork and poultry industries, noting that China had continued to allow imports of both dairy products and beef hides.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said the issue could cause long-term damage to the industry.
DEAL WITH ‘OTHER CHINA’ ON BRINK OF BEING SIGNED
New Zealand is poised to sign its first free-trade agreement in more than three years, with an announcement of a deal with Taiwan expected in the coming months.
…
Factors said to have complicated the passing of the deal are both New Zealand’s relations with China, where trade has soared since a free-trade agreement was reached, and Taiwan’s own trade negotiations with mainland China.
Trade Minister Tim Groser declined to comment.”
And on the kiwifruit front, two detailed articles on some pretty shonky dealings involving Zespri exports to China – also well worth reading for their revelations.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/8690353/Suitcases-of-cash-in-kiwifruit-scandal
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/cropping/8686533/Something-rotten-in-our-kiwifruit-exports
I wonder if the meat shipment shoddy paperwork resolution is related at all to the Zespri situation?
Ahh of course. Looks like the Chinese might get their missing Kiwifruit import duties (with interest) sooner rather than later…
Switch off the milk powder, play the game and see what happens.
Play a game of brinksmanship against China?
No need to see what would happen. Fonterra would go broke, for a start. On the positive side, a few Tory business types might end up in Chinese prisons as well.
Thanks for giving us an insight into the intellectual capabilities of the right.
“So just a month after John Key’s Saviour of the Universe trade trip to China, things are not looking so hot on two fronts – meat and kiwifruit.”
All I can say is for Christ’s sake keep him away from India (though I note Joyce has already had a go), as the NActs try and have a bob each way with the BRICS.
Not much has come of the Sth American jaunt either, despite Key’s trumpeting.
Key is the New Zealand version of Sir Les Patterson although many don’t seem to see it. (Wood and trees perhaps)
Put India to one side for the moment – Indonesia is next on the “hit (or miss”) list
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10884543
“A 52-strong trade mission is flying to Indonesia this weekend for two weeks of intensive briefings and meetings.
It is being led by Maurice Williamson and Sir Ken Stevens, who’s chairman of Export New Zealand.
… …. … ”
Probably compensation to MW as he is no longer to appear on Ellen Degeneres’ show as they have not been able to come to agreement and the current series is about to end…. thank goodness. Not at the end of the series – but that MW is not going to appear.
Good to hear Andrew Geddis’s point about the Government banning of Court examination on the Payment to parents of Severely handicapped adult children, getting an airing on National Radio News this morning. See Andrew’s item on Pundit
http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/i-think-national-just-broke-our-constitution
Koch coke.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/business/energy-environment/mountain-of-petroleum-coke-from-oil-sands-rises-in-detroit.html?_r=0
Just find a way to dupe countries into seeping it into the water supplies, tell them its good for health get them to pay you, to save on the cost of getting rid of it!
Job Done!
“Assumption Park” in Motor City.
PUBLISHED ON THE NBR 🙂
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/breakfast-schools-it-just-doesnt-work-ck-140329
Breakfast in schools: it just doesn’t work
Eric Crampton | WEEKEND REVIEW
#4 by Penny Bright 24 hours ago
Ever been hungry at school yourself Eric?
Have you bothered asking hungry kids who have been receiving ‘food in schools’ to find out what THEY think about this issue?
Penny Bright
___________________________________________________________________________
‘Anti-corruption /anti- privatisation’ campaigner
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
discussed in Poverty Watch, HMS Illustrious, Invincible Class (R06).
“Ever been hungry at school yourself Eric?” It’s the same as the Panels on The Nation and Q+A. They don’t have a clue on how the real world works. Apart from maybe Bradford.
Lost sons come home to roost
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884577
Siege, mentality
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884531
More on “the good oil”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-bans-refillable-olive-oil-bottles-and-dipping-bowls-in-bid-to-end-food-fraud-8622049.html
Asteroids Impact
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/asteroid-nine-times-the-size-of-the-qe2-liner-to-sail-pass-earth-8621999.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/17/nasa_osiris_rex_asteroid_sampling_mission/
On the anti-ship missiles Russia delivered to Syria
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10065665/US-brand-Russias-decision-to-send-missiles-to-Syria-as-ill-timed-and-unfortunate.html
and other rebel miscellania
Unlocking the perception of Time
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/19/time-warped-claudia-hammond-review
The ‘secret’ Life of Salinger
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/18/jd-salinger-secret-life-exposed-documentary
DANIEL DENNETS SEVEN TOOLS FOR THINKING (title)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/19/daniel-dennett-intuition-pumps-thinking-extract
Does anyone know how to reply to Robert Guyton’s blogsite ? I just get a blank screen and no action when I try to comment on his clever pics.
seems to work for me – I’ve left him your message
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22579346
lawl
David Parker really let the cat out of the bag on Q&A today when he said National, Labour and the Greens are all the same really.
At least he is honest!
That’s not what he said, he was talking about the language coming from the government about North Korea and Polish ship yards and Albanian devilbeasts and what have you, and made the point that while there are real issues being debated between NZ parties, the differences are well within the norm for western democratic liberal societies.
Which is the problem especially considering that that norm has been moving to the right for the last 30+ years.
from the side-view mirror Draco, Google Glass
Not really supported by increasing social liberalisation, technological democritisation and a number of other things, but then again we know you have very little interest in living in awestern democratic liberal society.
Hmmm, you seem to be talking out your arse again.
If there were real differences to be debated between the ruling elites’ a, b and c teams he would have welcomed the talk of North Korea and Polish shipyards as a way of emphasising the scale of the differnces.
The corporate flag is dullest beige,
It shrouded oft our heartless fools,
And ere our limbs grow stiff and cold,
Our hearts never run bold.
Then hold the dull standard low.
(chorus)
Within its shade we pretend to live,
As cowards we flinch and as traitors sneer,
We’ll leave the beige flag lying here.
Look round, the consultant loves its blur,
The venal lawyer chants its praise,
In Wall Street its hymns were sung
Chicago School swells the dull throng.
(chorus)
It drooped above our dullest blight,
When all ahead seemed full of light;
It witnessed many a press release,
We must not change its dullness now.
(chorus)
It well recalls the dogmas past,
It gives the hope of Bellamy’s at last;
The menu bright, the cuisine plain,
Of venal right and gastric gain.
(chorus)
It suits today the weak and base,
Whose minds are fixed on self and face
We cringe before the rich man’s frown,
And haul the of what the fuck I can’t remember what it was down.
(chorus)
With head uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward while we fall;
To boardrooms dark and consultancies dim,
This song shall be our parting hymn.
“The Beige Army”; ditchoo write that ditty nocratic one?
The old socialist anthem, The Red Flag, with a few alterations, more in keeping with the current times and attitudes of the party that calls itself “Labour”.
puttees fillings : 😀
Here are the words by Leon Rosselson:
The people’s flag is palest pink
It’s not the colour you might think
The middle classes stand and cheer
The Labour government is here
We’ll change the country bit by bit
So nobody will notice it
And just to show that we’re sincere
We’ll sing The Red Flag once a year
They can’t even be fucked doing that nowadays.
sigh. it is a sorry state of affairs; ‘eres one from the books-
“A panzer unit cannot be led from ahead”- A Stahlberg. (freakin history revisionists after the War, Federal Constitutional Court, ruled that “all soldiers may be called murderers” and Minister of Health Blum suggesting that because the Wehrmacht held out for so long they enabled the death camps (“The evacuations dependent on the military situation”; Wannsee Conference Protocols (great movie with Branagh) ) yet “Not all roads lead to Auschwitz” – J.C Fest.
Night – Elie
gotta hand it to some of the officers of the Wehrmacht…they did try and get rid of the man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claus_von_Stauffenberg
the real bad news of course was not the professional military, it was the SS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_SS_Division_Totenkopf
yes; owned a lot of SS literature; haven’t kept it. Tomorrows another day.
About them blokes and their efforts ..short address to dodge/
http://preview.tinyurl.com/a6m39wd
Here’s a great song by Rosselson, “A World Upside Down” sung by Dick Gaughan.
This song is more keeping in with what unemployed young people feel about society at the moment i.e.frustration with life and violence go hand in hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkyLAWX5V30
When does New Zealand get it’s own version of the UK riots?
Hey Morrissey Friend. Thought you might like this. Sorry, I don’t have the vigour anymore to respond.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8680530/Ex-TV-hosts-new-recipe-for-success
You do know the identity of the Spouse/Mouse ? Or perhaps /House, depending ?
Hmmmm…. Mrs Mora looks in very good nick for someone who works in fast food all day.
[Insert silly joke about foot-longs…]
Hey North – spouse of Mary Lambie is Jim Mora host of The Panel on Nat Rad week days from 4 – 5pm.
Pacific people in poverty
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8693071/Pacific-people-suffering-say-Sallies