Open mike 20/01/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, January 20th, 2020 - 62 comments
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62 comments on “Open mike 20/01/2020 ”

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  1. Sanctuary 1
    20 January 2020 at 7:15 am

    *switches on radio* Yay! Morning Report! Real journalism! 🙂

    … oh…. what is this? Soggy, empty calorie, warmed over news typical of decayed late neoliberal news agendas everywhere? A diet of trivial scandals, stupid gotchas, centrist journalists running self-important crusades against the enemies of business of usual, moral panics, Meghan Markel and regurgitated claptrap from the Daily Mail?

    *switches radio off* *sigh* 😐

    NZ media is basically fucked from top to bottom.

    • bwaghorn 1.1
      20 January 2020 at 7:32 am

      The rnz news bulletin Alexa found me reckons jones and winston are behaving a bit shady and hashed over bridges donation splitting.

      • Sanctuary 1.1.1
        20 January 2020 at 7:37 am

        Centrist crusader Guyon Espiner spent his summer looking for a marginal gotcha on Shane Jones.

        Whats the meta? Centrists are out to mire NZ First in financial "scandals" big time in election year, starting from Episode 1 2020, whilst studiously refusing to take seriously the the massive stench of corruption and treason that surrounds the entire neoliberal business and political establishments relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.

        • Peter 1.1.1.1
          20 January 2020 at 8:24 am

          I'd heard Guyon Espiner had left his previous role to pursue one allowing more 'in-depth' investigations. In-depth? Hearing him on air this morning it seems like the Olympic high diver is now jumping into puddles. And if there isn't a puddle, peeing on the floor to create one.

          In the way a player in sport being called off and replaced having their, "I was enjoying it, I would loved to have stayed on," turning into the headline "player slams coach," Espiner was fiddling with a chat that was a discussion that was a meeting that was a briefing that was a presentation.

          He would have had fun with Judith Collins dropping in for a casual cup of tea on the way to a Chinese airport!

          • Sanctuary 1.1.1.1.1
            20 January 2020 at 8:32 am

            I saw on twitter that the whole "story" has turned to custard after a car crash interview with one of the chief protagonists.

            This is classic centrist journalism that opens the whole damn MSM up to charges of fake news. A cooked up gotcha "scandal" of slim substance against a party that presents itself as anti-establishment , whilst the elephant in the room – the deliberate attempt to corrupt our business and political elites with a flood of laundered foreign cash from the CCP – is ignored because it would sour to many insider relationships and require to much hard work and might upset some important people.

            The problem is most of our senior journalists see themselves as part of the establishment, and view stories through of lens of how they (as in "they" being the establishment) "manage" it's perception through to the public. THAT is the real nub of the growth of the fake news credibility crisis for the MSM, not social media.

            • Anne 1.1.1.1.1.1
              20 January 2020 at 9:42 am

              A cooked up gotcha "scandal" of slim substance…. whilst the elephant in the room – the deliberate attempt to corrupt our business and political elites with a flood of laundered foreign cash from the CCP – is ignored because it would sour too many insider relationships and require too much hard work and might upset some important people. (my bold)

              That behaviour has been occurring for the past 40 years – since the Muldoon reign of terror. Think Erebus among others… important people up to no good… must keep it under wraps. What about the victims? Oh, stuff the victims. It's more important that important people who were up to no good don't get their reputations tarnished.

            • Kevin 1.1.1.1.1.2
              20 January 2020 at 12:01 pm

              Spot on.

        • gsays 1.1.1.2
          20 January 2020 at 8:43 am

          " a marginal gotcha on Shane Jones. " I assume this is a reference to what and when Minister Jones knew, in regards to NZ Future Forest Products Limited.

          While not following this closely, there is something smelly about it. I understand NZFFP hasn't received any public money. Minister Jones' careful oratory whenever this subject comes up rings alarm bells.

          The whole NZFFP reason for being is murky.

          Deputy Prime minister's lawyer, Brian Henry, his son David Henry and latterly Winston Peter's housemate,Jan Trotman, are Directors. NZFFP is owned by Kinleith Continuation LP, of which, we can only know David Henry is involved. Other partners etc are not listed.

          How much money do these people need?

          Edit, not to take anything from yr larger point, the shady goings on of funding for the 2 biggest political parties.

          • Peter 1.1.1.2.1
            20 January 2020 at 2:22 pm

            Maybe the smelly thing is that the story involves Jones and NZ Future Forest Products Limited.

            Maybe Minister Jones' careful oratory is because he doesn't even have to say something and it's 'smelly.'

            Maybe his careful oratory is because (as I've already said) a meeting is a chat is a discussion is a briefing that becomes a full blown detailed presentation with back and forth and wheeling and dealing and plotting and scheming.

            The fact that someone chatted with someone is enough for you to say 'shady goings on.' the problem mightn't be with what happened or what was in Jones' head, but yours.

            And asking how much money do these people need? A whole ocean full I suppose because that's what we were put on planet earth for isn't it? If such a situation involved John Key we'd be calling him a genius and saying he should be given a knighthood for his acumen.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 1.2
      20 January 2020 at 7:36 am

      Not entirely true, Sanctuary, They did say the SFO whitewash sorry decision on the money laundering by the Natz will be announced soon.

      I'm not holding my breath.

      • Sanctuary 1.2.1
        20 January 2020 at 8:11 am

        I agree. When it comes to dirty money, the two establishment parties – Labour and National but especially National – are given the benefit of the doubt of the loosest interpretations of laxly applied laws, whilst eveyone else is held to much higher standard of guilty until proven innocent on the slightest infraction. It is immensely frustrating.

    • Anne 1.3
      20 January 2020 at 9:29 am

      It'll be better next week after Auckland Anniversary day. It always is – she says fingers tightly crossed.

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    20 January 2020 at 7:25 am

    Biden goes Green! Establishment freaks out! Interviewer verges on disbelief, then safely retreats into polite scepticism: https://newrepublic.com/article/156249/joe-biden-climate-radical-now

    "Joe Biden may have stumbled into supporting one of the most radical climate proposals of the primary. The moment came in an interview, published Friday, with members of The New York Times’ Editorial Board, which has been conducting a series of sit-downs with Democratic primary candidates."

    Keep calm, he may have just had a senior moment. Or temporary insanity. Alzheimers perhaps? It worked for Reagan.

    "Were Biden to faithfully follow his commitment to the Paris goals and plan as outlined to the Times, he would push for not only a rapid, managed decline of the fossil fuel industry, but the creation of a binding international trade regime with the power to materially discipline any nation—including the U.S.—failing to scale back emissions and carbon-intensive exports. This would be a game-changer in American foreign policy, essentially upending the world order as we know it in the interest of building a low-carbon world."

    If. What, a liberal faithfully adhering to a commitment? You've got to be kidding! Still, he may have accidentally tossed a curve ball into the presidential campaign. The US media elite would have to swing in behind him, as it always does with liberal leaders. Murdoch would have to take stock of the situation. The old socialist within could join up with younger son James, and tell the older son `mate, it's time to go with the flow'. If that happens, Trump will feel obliged to sail his ship with the new wind.

    Without Fox behind him, Trump would face a severe handicap in the presidential campaign. He needs everything he can get to relegate the effect of impeachment. My bet is that he won't tough it out – he'll realise he too must go with the flow. Expect Trump to abandon climate denial some time in the next few months. But only if Biden is not having a senior moment!

    • Jenny How to get there 2.1
      20 January 2020 at 7:59 am

      Maybe the anointed DCCC candidate got spooked by the rising fortunes of Democratic Party outsider Bernie Sanders.

      But does anyone believe he will carry through?

      Like you (and it seems everyone else), I am a wee bit sceptical.

      • Dennis Frank 2.1.1
        20 January 2020 at 8:20 am

        Could be. The bomber got snooty yesterday: "Bernie was a feminist well before Warren was a Republican." https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/01/19/bryce-edwards-guardian-column-culture-wars-and-why-sanders-vs-warren-is-the-class-vs-identity-politics-schism-on-the-left/

        Now, now, Martyn. That ain't nice. "Sanders vs Warren represents the great Class vs Identity Politics schism on the Left and those woke Identity Politics activists won’t tolerate the patriarchy robbing them of another female candidate for President so expect the name calling and tribal social media lynch mobs that make them about as a popular as Donald Trump at a Queer Intersectionist Feminist Folk Festival to erupt if Bernie wins." Mmm, there is that, but he could still do with a nice cuppa tea to settle him down.

        He goes on to quote Bryce Edwards from the Guardian: "Culture wars are concerned with debates relating to ethnicity, gender, sexuality, human rights, discrimination, free speech and civil liberties. Elements of the political left – especially in the Labour and Green parties – are increasingly associated with campaigns in these areas, and often their stances are not shared by many mainstream voters.

        "…hilariously for daring to point out that many woke Identity Politics activists are alienating more voters than they are winning over, Bryce has been immediately decried on Twitter by those very same alienating woke Identity Politics activists."

        Yeah, the woke do Pavlov's Dog real well – just push the button & they will bleat on cue. "I think the identity politics left in NZ are more focused on cancelling voters than recruiting them." Actually, no. No such focus because they aren't intelligent enough to connect cause and effect. The vote cancellation they produce is cause by their inadequacy – which they lack the self-knowledge to become aware of.

        "If Sanders can re-establish Class as the foundation for the Left, we can pull back working class voters from realigning with the Right and there might be a chance to avoid the madness of right wing Demagogues. If Sanders loses, we are doomed to right wing populism."

        I query the validity and relevance of class nowadays, and I have seen no evidence of Sanders making the slightest attempt to validate it in the new millennium. I'd welcome any such attempt, but seems to me Martyn is afflicted by a false assumption. An apt quote from Bernie explaining how the middle & working classes can be simultaneously helped by the Democrats could prove me wrong. Let's see it!

        • Sanctuary 2.1.1.1
          20 January 2020 at 8:42 am

          Warren's tactic have backfired anyway, her polling has tanked in recent days.

        • AB 2.1.1.2
          20 January 2020 at 12:42 pm

          Sanders' support for Medicare for all, free public college, forgiving of student debt and higher minimum wages, will do materially more for the vast majority of women than anything any other candidate is proposing.

          Plus, given that Sanders also urged Warren to stand in 2016, was "respectful and encouraging" to Gabbard, that his support base is majority female, and that 40-year old t.v. footage can be found of him encouraging schoolgirls to get involved in politics – one can only conclude that his 'sexism’consists solely of not being a woman. No doubt Sanders would also rise from the grave (if he could) to support some future AOC presidential bid – not because she is female, but because she has the right values and moral framework.

          He seems to be opposed/detested by a cadre of affluent, liberal women who are prepared to see poor and working class (and increasingly ex-middle class) women not receive the material benefits of a Sanders presidency, simply in order to have a woman as president.

  3. gsays 3
    20 January 2020 at 8:08 am

    Hey folks, the time has come to move on from windows 7.

    Any recommendations for an OS from the Standardistas?

    I am not overly tech savvy and I do not like windows 10. I mainly use laptop for You Tube, some streaming and a wee bit of games ( Civ 6, Elder Scrolls/Skyrim).

    Thanks, in advance, for any input

    • Sanctuary 3.1
      20 January 2020 at 8:43 am

      If you are not overly tech savvy, then just stick to Windows 10.

    • Jimmy 3.2
      20 January 2020 at 9:28 am

      Windows 10

    • Sabine 3.3
      20 January 2020 at 9:43 am

      if it is only the view of windows 10 that gives you displeasure you could use some add ons that would make it look like Windows 7.

      this is what Partner says, who is IT man when not putting out fires.

      that way you have the support for your games while still having the feel of Windows 7.

      https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/

      I hope that information is helpful. 🙂

      • Anne 3.3.1
        20 January 2020 at 10:42 am

        @gsays

        Yep. It has the feel of Windows 7 because it's really only 7 with an up-graded format. I'm not a tech savvy person either but had no trouble coping with the change.

        I recommend W 10.

    • ianmac 3.4
      20 January 2020 at 9:52 am

      Get a Mac.

      • weka 3.4.1
        20 January 2020 at 11:01 am

        🙂

      • mac1 3.4.2
        20 January 2020 at 11:35 am

        🙂

      • tc 3.4.3
        20 January 2020 at 2:56 pm

        Totally unless you want to get your head around linux and running a VM, fantastic options that will reuse the existing hardware, however mac's the easier way out.

        MS have screwed the user experience in W10 with continuous deployment and an OS that struggles with stuff W7 nailed years ago like multiple monitors and allowing the user to choose when to patch not Redmond, WA which does it whilst you work and can crash the laptop.

    • lprent 3.5
      20 January 2020 at 11:11 am

      I’ve used Kubuntu (KDE frontend on ubuntu linux) for many years. I’ve used that on everything from smallish ARMs, 10 year old laptops, the up to the moment laptops, high end workstations, and through to the server that runs TS. Not worth using on on hand helds.

      Provides a nice clean and very versatile desktop that doesn’t chop and change all over the place. You can make it as complicated as you like (I don’t). Ubuntu is pretty stable as platform. Recently it has been getting faster as the kernel updates get tighter and better organised.

      It is way better then windows for most network issues – a big consideration for me as I’m almost entangled in networks all day.

      Civ6 on Steam for Linux runs perfectly – I usually play for an hour (or two) each day (my zen moments). Look up the other games on steam or gog. You’ve probably never going to get the up to the moment first person shoot-em-ups. But I prefer things I have to think about.

      I do a lot of both embedded and desktop / server code for Linux. I like debian or yocto when I build securely locked down systems. But ubuntu is what I use to build with. It has a ideal balance between security and freedom. It is my preferred work and development platform.

      I also use and code for windows (since 1985), android (for the last 5 years) and even reluctantly OSX or frigging iOS (I really don’t like touching apple software – their development licensing really annoys me).

      • lprent 3.5.1
        20 January 2020 at 11:19 am

        Looks like Skyrim has problems on Steam for linux. http://www.matthewbuscemi.com/blog/2019-07-02-how-i-got-skyrim-to-work-on-linux.html

        You have to use Proton to do it. Generally I find that the aggravation factor of fiddiling around with proton is too high to be bothered with.

        Since Civ5, all of the sim family has been pretty seamless on steam.

        • Wensleydale 3.5.1.1
          20 January 2020 at 1:59 pm

          Skyrim and Fallout 4 both run fairly well under the latest release of Proton. The major stumbling block seems to be the audio, which is finicky and prone to latency issues. There are couple of launch parameters you can use in Steam to get them to work properly and they're totally playable, but as you said, some people just want a fire and forget solution as opposed to tinkering. And I can understand that.

    • Brigid 3.6
      20 January 2020 at 1:18 pm

      Ubuntu or any other Linux OS.

      You can install a windows emulator to run games etc e.g.WINE or Virtual Drive

    • Wensleydale 3.7
      20 January 2020 at 1:54 pm

      Linux.

      It's free, and the days of wrestling with it like it was an eel smeared in margarine are well and truly over. If you want something that looks, acts and runs just like Windows (pretty much — but without all the telemetry harvesting and four-hour-long updates), I can recommend Linux Mint, or if you'd rather support a Kiwi-made distribution, Linux Lite. (Linux Lite has a ton of help available, the forums are really supportive as opposed to those infested with sarcastic neckbeards prone to screaming at you for asking how to copy a file, and it runs like a greased whippet.) Thanks to Steam's Vulkan API, you can play Windows games on Linux. I play Skyrim SE, Fallout 4 and Civilization 5 on Pop!-OS, and they run fine. Not everything will run, but a ton of titles that previously wouldn't even consider running, now perform flawlessly. Unless you're using some fancy proprietary software that absolutely HAS to run on Windows, abandon ship and come to the nerdy side. It's nice here… and you don't spend hours of your life watching a spinning wheel while someone in Redmond reads your browsing history.

  4. Jenny How to get there 4
    20 January 2020 at 8:09 am

    Australia needs to end its coal export business.

    It is Australia's biggest contributer to climate change.

    It seems however that the current government of Australia, has no intention of doing so and in fact is in the process of increasing and expanding the coal export industry with approval for many new export industry coal mines.

    By refusing to take this vital first move Australia is symptomatic of the whole world.

    And why we will not end climate change. And why climate change will end us.

  5. Dennis Frank 5
    20 January 2020 at 9:52 am

    Here's an in-depth appraisal of a realistic path to victory for Bernie Sanders: https://thebulwark.com/this-is-how-bernie-wins/

    With an antitrump reputation, this bunch of principled conservatives aren't flavour of the month, but they seem sensible enough to be worth reading.

    "He’s not as strong as Biden in the Rust Belt, but he’s probably strong enough to get the job done. (Trump is in so much trouble in Michigan that Mike Bloomberg is +6 against him there.) But Bernie’s problems with educated suburban voters are probably enough to cost him Virginia and Florida. At which point he’s down to 280 electoral votes and he needs to hold on to everything else, or expand the map. Which would probably mean making big plays in Ohio and Iowa."

    "One of the defining features of the last three years has been an emerging argument from both the progressive left and the nationalist right that the free market is overrated."

    Hey, when the left and right agree on economics, everyone ought to pay attention. Watch this space! Framing how to spin the emerging consensus, later on this year, will be the key to the future.

    • Ad 5.1
      20 January 2020 at 11:25 am

      Bernie gifts it to them.

      The attack file will be a metre deep.

      Anti war

      Pro green

      Anti rich

      Pro immigrant

      A total gift.

  6. Anne 6
    20 January 2020 at 10:51 am

    How long will it be before Simon Bridges declares (or infers) it was the Labour Party wot did it:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12301755

  7. Ad 7
    20 January 2020 at 11:25 am

    National Party headquarters broken into and laptops stolen.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12301755

    Anyone game to venture a decent conspiracy?

  8. Siobhan 8
    20 January 2020 at 12:19 pm

    Well, there's a reasonable chance of Bernie getting the nod*..unfortunately he'll be tied up with the impeachment trial for the foreseeable future…leaving Biden to help steer the Democrats towards a spectacular election defeat.

    *And Warren, (as a Senator) though she seems to have shot herself in the foot..as was to be predicted by anyone with even the most casual interest in her career..

    ..oh well.

    At least that way Obama won't have to step in and 'save' us from the horror of 'President Bernie'..

    https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/barack-obama-2020-democrats-candidates-biden-073025

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/17/barack-obama-old-white-men

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  9. tc 9
    20 January 2020 at 3:04 pm

    I see Piers Morgan's named a fair bit in chancery court doc's in the UK as the tabloids continue to prevent the phone hacking scandal making a court appearance with out of court settlements.

    I'd almost forgotten about that as the MSM has soooo cleaned up it's act…..yeah right.

  10. Eco maori 10
    21 January 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Yes there should be some safety measures at our Airports boarders to screen for the new virus.

    The 4 day work week will be OK for salary workers but hourly rate workers will lose out.????.

    The best diet is throwing sugar out of your differently no sugary drinks.

    Ka kite Ano

  11. Eco maori 11
    21 January 2020 at 6:55 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    The 7 will be exciting this year in Hamilton I might get a seat.

    Its awesome to see the koro play basketball and talking about their mokopuna.

    That's is cool Nesian Mystic band are getting back together to do some waita mahi
    Yes we have to taonga our wetlands as they filter the Wai before it goes back into Tangaroa and teach our tamariki about the great mahi wetlands actually do

    Ka kite Ano

  12. Eco maori 12
    22 January 2020 at 8:45 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    Its great that the government is investing in Railways this mode of transport is much more efficient than other models of transportation. Did you know aviation fuel is not taxed.????.

    Gisborne is a great place beaches hunting diving fishing with minimal traffic.

    Ka kite Ano

  13. Eco maori 13
    22 January 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Ka pai Greta that's the way keep up the great mahi.

    The sky city convention centre is a mess.

    Ka kite Ano

  14. Eco maori 14
    22 January 2020 at 6:51 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Climate change is going to have the biggest negative impact on the poorest tangata in the whenua now tangata whenua make up the majority of the poor.

    That's the system the top get all the Kai and little for the tamariki.

    Iwi creating mahi for tangata is the way to go developing their whenua and growing export crops is awesome.

    Ka kite Ano.

  15. Eco maori 15
    22 January 2020 at 6:58 pm

    That's brilliant Maori art keep up the good mahi.