While more and more damaging information on Bloombergs past (and present) keeps surfacing, the media and DNC soft pedal on their coverage or critique of him..wonder why?, I suspect it is because as it turns out (if you hadn't worked this out already) liberal centrists in both the media and the establishment DNC care more about maintaining their power and stature and privilege than they do about rising to a supposed higher moral ground or fighting so called foreign interference or for that matter any other attack they have rightly leveled at Trump..yes, as it turns out, as soon as they found their own Trump in the disgusting form of Bloomberg, they are fine with all the shit that make Trump supposedly so dangerous…and in my opinion far more dangerous…
Here's the thing about the centre and especially the liberal centre, they tried to tell us they were post ideology, but we know that was a complete fantasy on their part…but what they have proved beyond a doubt is they are post operating within a moral or ethical framework of any kind.
Howdy BG, that is exactly my point, the so called centre left liberals have moved so far right that they can no longer be regarded as being the self described moderates that they sell themselves as, no they are extremists who have shown that they will defend their ideology at any cost.
If following Corbyn's plight hasn't made that plainly clear, then surely following the democratic primaries has, especially now Bloomberg is in the mix.
It's a simple and obvious truth, almost no-one regards themselves as unreasonable, extreme or evil … no matter what we believe or do. And yes it applies to myself as much as anyone.
Warren for the primary. Then whoever is the Dem nominee for the general, even if it's Biden or Bloomberg. Though if it's either of those two, I'll need my full hazmat suit and a serious drinking sesh before ticking the box, dropping it in the envelope and mailing it off.
I've got no problem with just about anything Bernie would try to do as prez. I'm just doubtful he'll actually be able to achieve any of it. Because he has achieved astonishingly little for his decades in Washington, has demonstrated zero ability to put together a coalition to hash out a compromise on legislation that needs a majority in the House and 60 senators to pass.
If Bernie is the Dem nominee, disgust with the Tangerine Palpatine may be enough to get him into the Oval Office. But there will be a lot of voters that will then go on to tick the local Repug for House and Senate, specifically to be a handbrake on Bernie.
Whereas a Dem nominee whose positions are a bit closer to the top of the normal distribution on most issues may actually end up with a House and Senate that is willing to pass something. Or at least a simple majority in the Senate, to be able to confirm judges and Cabinet posts.
I don't think many commentators here actually understand the complexities of US politics. I think if Bernie is to be the successful Democrat nominee, then much will depend on whom he chooses as his running mate. Trump for instance chose Pence to successfully win the backing of the white religious right, and they will remain faithful to the tangerine dick, as long as he continues to trample over the rights of women, latinos, blacks and muslim; notwithstanding the fact that he is the most corrupt person to have ever been appointed to the office.
There are promising signs, that with the right person running, it might be possible for Democrats to win a majority in the Senate. Susan Collins for instance is now vulnerable in Maine – despite the fact that she won a sizeable majority at her last election.
I do think that the events over the past few weeks are slowly beginning to sink into the consciousness of some, if not all, American voters that their democracy, if not already trashed, is seriously under threat right now. And the blame will certainly land on Republican Senators who abysmally failed to uphold their duty of office.
Bernie is polling 9% ahead of Trump inhead to head……shame Warren lost credibility because she suggested taxes would have to rise to pay for universal health care. Sounds like a bargain to me.
The Dems need to net a minimum of 3 seats in the senate to do anything.
Doug Jones is a real long-shot to keep his Alabama seat.
Cory Gardner (CO) and Susan Collins (ME) look vulnerable, but even if those flip, 2 more are needed.
With Bernie as the nominee, which senate seats do you think the Dems will flip? Thom Tillis (NC)? Joni Ernst (IA)? Either of the Georgia seats? Martha McSally (AZ)? John Cornyn (TX)? Either of the Georgia seats?
Beyond those, it really gets into wild fantasy, like flipping Moscow Mitch's KY seat, of Lindsey Graham (SC). Or Tennessee or Montana.
Just supposing it's Jeff Sessions. As far as Trump is concerned he is not a patch on his current head poodle in the DOJ. Well will have to wait and see on 3 March. 🙂
@ Red Logic, 'Pretty much everyone regards their own position as reasonable and moderate' I know that you are saying that in good faith, but I just don't agree with holding that view, I think that advocating that position is a copout…by extension you could say that Pol Pot regarded their position as reasonable etc.
It is high time that we as progressives (as they are doing in the US and UK) say our ideology is right (for this time and space in history) and the Right (and centrists) have had their turn and failed, their ideology just plainly dosen't work for most of the humans on the planet or for that matter the planet either..end of story, so get the hell out of our way!
by extension you could say that Pol Pot regarded their position as reasonable etc.
And that was precisely my point; they almost certainly did. As did any of history's monsters. As Andre said, self-awareness is a rare and fleeting thing.
And your argument would be much more persuasive if so called 'progressives' had a better track record. Not all new ideas are good ones, some like marxism turn out to be utter catastrophes.
their ideology just plainly dosen't work for most of the humans on the planet or for that matter the planet either
Yet even the most cursory comparison with how people lived 200 years ago demonstrates that most humans on the planet are a lot better off. Of course the world isn't perfect, but you have to ask 'compared to what?'
And demanding that the 50% of the human race who identify as conservative to STFU, is not a stable basis on which to introduce enduring and constructive change. You are going to have to work with them, and learn to frame your ideas in terms they understand and can live with. Indeed the best way to get a conservative on board with a progressive idea is to show them how to make a buck at it.
well, pol pot and hitler might have conceded that their positions were extreme (because the measures they took were extreme compared to what most people would have considered). But I suspect both thought their positions were logical and reasonable. And they might well have regarded everyone else as being grossly negligent, and their measures weren't as far as they could have gone and therefore they were "moderate" by that measure.
But I don't know anyone who's gone "my beliefs are extreme and unreasonable, I recognise this, but that's how I vote".
Whenever I take one of those "Political Compass" type quizzes, I always end up near the edge of the map, with the line from my spot to the centre passing close by the Greens. And the Greens' support is generally a mere single digit.
So I'm well aware my actual political views are extreme in comparison to the general population. But I'm not interested in convincing anyone of the purity of my thought. I'm interested in progress towards what I believe in, no matter how small. And I'm particularly disappointed when power is held by those that want to move in a direction opposite to my beliefs. So I support whomever is closest to my position that actually has a decent chance of gaining and exercising power.
Same here; I always end up close to the left hand edge on the economic axis, but fairly midway on the authoritarian/libertarian axis. Like you I realise this makes me a real outlier and while I am comfortable in my own skin about this, it also means as you put it well 'I don't have to convince anyone of the purity of my thought'.
And certainly I cannot claim any privilege to force my views on anyone.
The bugger of it is, sometimes it means I feel the need to choke down a large dead rat and support someone that actually wants to move a bit in the opposite direction to my beliefs.
That happens when the only other alternative wants to move hard and fast in the opposite direction to my beliefs. I'm really not looking forward to that huge serving of week-dead roadkill rat in November, served up by Biden or Bloomberg.
Looked into basalt fibres a few times. But every time there was a grade of glass or polymer fibre that was a better fit for the application.
For compatibility with steel, IIRC there's some very specific chemical environments where basalt works a bit better than glass. But generally glass is inert enough there's not a significant difference.Further comments really need to be specific to what properties need to be compatible with steel, some are close (eg thermal expansion), some are way off (eg modulus, strain to failure).
If toughness is a major criteria, my first impulse is that S2-glass is likely to be better, unless it's in one of those specific chemical environmnents where basalt shines.
Marine. The thermal expansion compatibility and toughness was what took my attention, plus the low permeability. I need about 20kg of epoxy based fairing compound to go over an epoxy primer on clean steel, then topped by more epoxy high build and then urethane. Flake looks the right fit, but I can't find an Australian source and I was wondering if it would be worth importing.
Given the relatively small scale of this experiment I'm not sensitive to cost … but thanks for the sanity check.
If were ever to step into the world of pain involved in trying to fair something using epoxy loaded up with milled fiber, I'd just use whatever the local composites supplier had. The tiny extra performance from basalt in an application like that will make negligible difference in final performance.
But I would be super careful to understand the epoxy involved to be sure it was a good choice.
And I'd be super careful to finish the glass-filled fairing below the final surface and skim with something nice and easy to sand. I really wouldn't enjoy trying to sand back a heavily fiber-filled fairing compound. But then, I'm seriously lazy.
The UK and US elections are a real world demonstration of “hegemony” aka pervasive dominance.
Neo liberalism is maintained by ideological force inclusive of media and psychology, as much as by state force in Western style countries. Associated consumerism and hyper individualism foster the familiar “dog eat dog” approach to most areas of life, that make it harder to organise and involve people in public affairs.
Bloomberg’s “me me me” spend millions campaign vs Bernie’s street by street organising could not be a clearer contrast.
Agree. Brexit queered the pitch big time. With hindsight the least worst solution was there all along–Labour would respect and implement the Brexit Referendum vote diligently, and implement its domestic manifesto too.
Recent erosion rate ~2m/yr (Google Earth images over ~7.5 years)
Width of camp to base of old sea cliff ~40m
So, ~20 years at current rate (although camp would be unusable before that)
But, as you say say, increase in storms (due to more energy in the system) + sea level. So likely increase in erosion rate (assuming no increase in sediment supply). Something like a cliff collaspe south of the camp might temporarily halt or reverse erosion as longshore drift goes northward.
Yup … absolutely godawful. I try to hold back from any ME threads because I'm aware of the utter impossibility of any positive outcomes under the current conditions. Anything anyone does or doesn't do is pretty much damned from the outset by intractable positions and reductionist arguments.
I feel terrible for the people in this story, but I personally believe this is a tragedy with roots beyond human comprehension, and it's climax is nowhere in sight.
I've visited Syria under Bashar. From that experience, I'm firmly of the view he is a thoroughly nasty POS. When there was an uprising of locals wanting to rid themselves of him, they deserved the support of everyone that values human rights and a people's right to self-determination.
But fuck, when assorted outside powers saw the opportunity for a willy-waving proxy war, and local evil opportunists saw openings to push their own twisted agendas, it pretty quickly became very difficult to work out where one's sympathies should lie.
But one thing remained constant, labeling all the opposition to Assad as "headchoppers" was always a simple smear that only served the propaganda pushed by liars on the side that was initially clearly in the wrong.
Thanks for that. I realise that visiting a country doesn't make anyone any kind of expert, but it does create a connection and a sense of place and history that is worth listening to.
In the 80's I spent considerable time as a visitor to a number of marae, but notably this one near Taumaranui. My grandfather is Ngati Porou. When we lived in Masterton we saw much of what Ward writes about first hand. Everything he is saying is based in a grim reality that is impossible to deny.
I totally agree with his conclusion, until people are willing to take some responsibility for their choices it is impossible to help them.
At the same time I'm still willing to accept that people's bad choices don't arise in a vacuum. History does matter in that it creates context.
Two perspectives that I believe are both valid and essential. Reductionist arguments that exclude one or the other are the barrier to progress …
If this leads to hapu taking ownership of the problems then I'd support it. Of course there will be some who will take this self determination and attempt to parlay it into separatism, but that's another question.
I think the idea that the govt (any govt) can solve social issues (not sure if thats the correct term) is one of the biggest barriers to overcome
The govt can set the agenda, can set policies, can create (or destroy) jobs etc etc but in the end its family, whanau, community etc etc that will have a greater effect in stopping (well not stopping because it'll never end) this
Yes. Helping people is incredibly hard, it's more likely to compound the problem than help if you blunder in with 'one size fits all' solutions as govts are bound to try.
Family is always the most intimate, powerful influence on us all … for good or bad.
Well well well Puck. I agree with you for once. I guess though that Governments can set up a society that values everyone no matter who or where but the essence of the National tribe is stated as everyone for themselves. If you ain't one of them it is because you are lazy. (An elderly friend of mine is a staunch National man yet he does so much for others including creating a growing inclusive rugby club to cater for young people where they just play the game for fun.)
It is a nebulous idea but to declare a wish for people to help others and value kindness might have better results than the above self centred ones.
Hone Harawira was the last MP to seriously push “Feed the Kids”, well done Hone! and now Labour via the coalition Govt. have actually started a $45mill year 1-8 lunch trial.
So why are they not trumpeting this fact. Embarrassment that it is necessary at all? don’t be whakama Labour–Scandinavian countries provide nutritious meals to their school children. It is wise spending.
National by various accounts, and the evidence on social media, has a number of IT people polluting online forums with reactionary nonsense, so why cannot the Govt just issue announcements about positive things it has done?
I am as critical as anyone on the Labour Caucus support for the neo liberal consensus that has essentially frozen political progress in time, around the early 2000s, but fer crissakes I still support necessary reforms and people should perhaps be told about them?
Wonder if Assange's beaks are going to offer evidence to back this claim.
Donald Trump offered Julian Assange a pardon if he would say Russia was not involved in leaking Democratic party emails, a court in London has been told.
The extraordinary claim was made at Westminster magistrates court before the opening next week of Assange’s legal battle to block attempts to extradite him to the US, where he faces charges for publishing hacked documents. The allegation was denied by the former Republican congressman named by the Assange legal team as a key witness.
Assange’s lawyers alleged that during a visit to London in August 2017, congressman Dana Rohrabacher told the WikiLeaks founder that “on instructions from the president, he was offering a pardon or some other way out, if Mr Assange … said Russia had nothing to do with the DNC [Democratic National Committee] leaks.”
The argument being made by the Assange team is that the request for extradition by the US is entirely political in nature, and because of that, it should not be proceeded with. By presenting this fact of a possible pardon should Assange produce a hard drive or some other such device that showed that the hack of Clinton's emails was not done by the Russians 😉 then that would relieve a monkey off of T's back – and we know how sensitive he is to that accusation of collusion with his mate Vlad.
The statement was made by a Edward Fitzgerald QC in court. The code of conduct to which he has sworn includes:
“you must not knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead the court. That includes not making a submission or representation which you know is untrue or misleading.”
Over the past few days we have seen that T is open to giving his friends a free pass from jail in return for some quid pro quo. So it is extremely likely that despite the efforts at the time of the "adult in the WH", John Kelly, to prevent such an offer being made, it would not be surprising if it was.
Anyone else just watch the live evisceration of Bloomberg in the debate (on MSNBC).
They called him out to release women in non-disclosure agreements to freely speak, and he wouldn't do it. He could barely get a word and dropped the ball every time he was handed it. It's half time and second half about to commence.
Yeah – I've have heard that come Super Tuesday the berg will have melted away by then. Here is hoping . Having said that I'm also hoping that he honours his promise to fund the advertising for the successful nominee. Some of his ads so far have been hugely hard hitting and very successful in reaching the target audience
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Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
Opinion: PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used widely in everyday consumer items such as textiles, packaging, and cookware, popular for their water, grease and stain-repellent properties. However, the very properties that make PFAS so attractive to manufacturers are also what ...
NONFICTION 1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)’ This is the hottest book in New Zealand, number one with a bullet in its first week, selling more than any overseas title, and demand is so huge that it’s already been reprinted. A ...
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A warning – suicide is discussed in this podcast New Zealand’s own long-running soap Shortland Street doesn’t hesitate to kill off its much-loved characters. But would TVNZ dare to kill off our favourite soap? That’s the fear as times get tough in television – even though it’s been pointed out ...
Essay: If the Crown harms children, how do you hold it accountable? Analysis by Aaron Smale in light of the Waitangi Tribunal court decision. The post The Crown versus Māori Children appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan resistance leader has condemned the United Nations role in allowing Indonesia to “integrate” the Melanesian Pacific region in what is claimed to be an “egregious act of inhumanity” on 1 May 1963. In an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A key part of the Albanese government’s political strategy is to fill the news cycle with its presence and messaging. Ministers are deployed to the maximum, even when they’ve little to say. This week ...
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While more and more damaging information on Bloombergs past (and present) keeps surfacing, the media and DNC soft pedal on their coverage or critique of him..wonder why?, I suspect it is because as it turns out (if you hadn't worked this out already) liberal centrists in both the media and the establishment DNC care more about maintaining their power and stature and privilege than they do about rising to a supposed higher moral ground or fighting so called foreign interference or for that matter any other attack they have rightly leveled at Trump..yes, as it turns out, as soon as they found their own Trump in the disgusting form of Bloomberg, they are fine with all the shit that make Trump supposedly so dangerous…and in my opinion far more dangerous…
Here's the thing about the centre and especially the liberal centre, they tried to tell us they were post ideology, but we know that was a complete fantasy on their part…but what they have proved beyond a doubt is they are post operating within a moral or ethical framework of any kind.
To call them "centrists" is a stretch A.T.-I suggest that Bloomberg is to the Right of Soimon's party in NZ.
Howdy BG, that is exactly my point, the so called centre left liberals have moved so far right that they can no longer be regarded as being the self described moderates that they sell themselves as, no they are extremists who have shown that they will defend their ideology at any cost.
If following Corbyn's plight hasn't made that plainly clear, then surely following the democratic primaries has, especially now Bloomberg is in the mix.
Pretty much everyone regards their own position as reasonable and moderate …
heh, speak for yourself…
It's a simple and obvious truth, almost no-one regards themselves as unreasonable, extreme or evil … no matter what we believe or do. And yes it applies to myself as much as anyone.
True self-awareness is such a rare and fleeting thing. Projection, on the other hand …
When will you be posting that your voting for Trump this year? Just waiting for that Bernie nomination?
Warren for the primary. Then whoever is the Dem nominee for the general, even if it's Biden or Bloomberg. Though if it's either of those two, I'll need my full hazmat suit and a serious drinking sesh before ticking the box, dropping it in the envelope and mailing it off.
I've got no problem with just about anything Bernie would try to do as prez. I'm just doubtful he'll actually be able to achieve any of it. Because he has achieved astonishingly little for his decades in Washington, has demonstrated zero ability to put together a coalition to hash out a compromise on legislation that needs a majority in the House and 60 senators to pass.
If Bernie is the Dem nominee, disgust with the Tangerine Palpatine may be enough to get him into the Oval Office. But there will be a lot of voters that will then go on to tick the local Repug for House and Senate, specifically to be a handbrake on Bernie.
Whereas a Dem nominee whose positions are a bit closer to the top of the normal distribution on most issues may actually end up with a House and Senate that is willing to pass something. Or at least a simple majority in the Senate, to be able to confirm judges and Cabinet posts.
Exactly.
I don't think many commentators here actually understand the complexities of US politics. I think if Bernie is to be the successful Democrat nominee, then much will depend on whom he chooses as his running mate. Trump for instance chose Pence to successfully win the backing of the white religious right, and they will remain faithful to the tangerine dick, as long as he continues to trample over the rights of women, latinos, blacks and muslim; notwithstanding the fact that he is the most corrupt person to have ever been appointed to the office.
There are promising signs, that with the right person running, it might be possible for Democrats to win a majority in the Senate. Susan Collins for instance is now vulnerable in Maine – despite the fact that she won a sizeable majority at her last election.
https://www.newsweek.com/republican-susan-collins-democratic-challenger-holds-slim-lead-2020-maine-senate-race-new-poll-1488122
I do think that the events over the past few weeks are slowly beginning to sink into the consciousness of some, if not all, American voters that their democracy, if not already trashed, is seriously under threat right now. And the blame will certainly land on Republican Senators who abysmally failed to uphold their duty of office.
Bernie is polling 9% ahead of Trump inhead to head……shame Warren lost credibility because she suggested taxes would have to rise to pay for universal health care. Sounds like a bargain to me.
The Dems need to net a minimum of 3 seats in the senate to do anything.
Doug Jones is a real long-shot to keep his Alabama seat.
Cory Gardner (CO) and Susan Collins (ME) look vulnerable, but even if those flip, 2 more are needed.
With Bernie as the nominee, which senate seats do you think the Dems will flip? Thom Tillis (NC)? Joni Ernst (IA)? Either of the Georgia seats? Martha McSally (AZ)? John Cornyn (TX)? Either of the Georgia seats?
Beyond those, it really gets into wild fantasy, like flipping Moscow Mitch's KY seat, of Lindsey Graham (SC). Or Tennessee or Montana.
The democrats should adopt the slogan, the Democratic party, well be the resistance when we finally get control of all branches of government.
It's an all in arm wrestle as who is to be the repugnant nominee in Alabama though.
Just supposing it's Jeff Sessions. As far as Trump is concerned he is not a patch on his current head poodle in the DOJ. Well will have to wait and see on 3 March. 🙂
Agreed Andre. I have seen polls on 538 that say the Republicans will hold on to the Senate.
@ Red Logic, 'Pretty much everyone regards their own position as reasonable and moderate' I know that you are saying that in good faith, but I just don't agree with holding that view, I think that advocating that position is a copout…by extension you could say that Pol Pot regarded their position as reasonable etc.
It is high time that we as progressives (as they are doing in the US and UK) say our ideology is right (for this time and space in history) and the Right (and centrists) have had their turn and failed, their ideology just plainly dosen't work for most of the humans on the planet or for that matter the planet either..end of story, so get the hell out of our way!
by extension you could say that Pol Pot regarded their position as reasonable etc.
And that was precisely my point; they almost certainly did. As did any of history's monsters. As Andre said, self-awareness is a rare and fleeting thing.
And your argument would be much more persuasive if so called 'progressives' had a better track record. Not all new ideas are good ones, some like marxism turn out to be utter catastrophes.
their ideology just plainly dosen't work for most of the humans on the planet or for that matter the planet either
Yet even the most cursory comparison with how people lived 200 years ago demonstrates that most humans on the planet are a lot better off. Of course the world isn't perfect, but you have to ask 'compared to what?'
And demanding that the 50% of the human race who identify as conservative to STFU, is not a stable basis on which to introduce enduring and constructive change. You are going to have to work with them, and learn to frame your ideas in terms they understand and can live with. Indeed the best way to get a conservative on board with a progressive idea is to show them how to make a buck at it.
well, pol pot and hitler might have conceded that their positions were extreme (because the measures they took were extreme compared to what most people would have considered). But I suspect both thought their positions were logical and reasonable. And they might well have regarded everyone else as being grossly negligent, and their measures weren't as far as they could have gone and therefore they were "moderate" by that measure.
But I don't know anyone who's gone "my beliefs are extreme and unreasonable, I recognise this, but that's how I vote".
Whenever I take one of those "Political Compass" type quizzes, I always end up near the edge of the map, with the line from my spot to the centre passing close by the Greens. And the Greens' support is generally a mere single digit.
So I'm well aware my actual political views are extreme in comparison to the general population. But I'm not interested in convincing anyone of the purity of my thought. I'm interested in progress towards what I believe in, no matter how small. And I'm particularly disappointed when power is held by those that want to move in a direction opposite to my beliefs. So I support whomever is closest to my position that actually has a decent chance of gaining and exercising power.
Same here; I always end up close to the left hand edge on the economic axis, but fairly midway on the authoritarian/libertarian axis. Like you I realise this makes me a real outlier and while I am comfortable in my own skin about this, it also means as you put it well 'I don't have to convince anyone of the purity of my thought'.
And certainly I cannot claim any privilege to force my views on anyone.
The bugger of it is, sometimes it means I feel the need to choke down a large dead rat and support someone that actually wants to move a bit in the opposite direction to my beliefs.
That happens when the only other alternative wants to move hard and fast in the opposite direction to my beliefs. I'm really not looking forward to that huge serving of week-dead roadkill rat in November, served up by Biden or Bloomberg.
Total off topic. Have you any experience with Epoxy/Basalt composites?
Specifically I'm looking to optimise toughness and compatibility with steel.
Venn diagram says it all.
Looked into basalt fibres a few times. But every time there was a grade of glass or polymer fibre that was a better fit for the application.
For compatibility with steel, IIRC there's some very specific chemical environments where basalt works a bit better than glass. But generally glass is inert enough there's not a significant difference.Further comments really need to be specific to what properties need to be compatible with steel, some are close (eg thermal expansion), some are way off (eg modulus, strain to failure).
If toughness is a major criteria, my first impulse is that S2-glass is likely to be better, unless it's in one of those specific chemical environmnents where basalt shines.
Marine. The thermal expansion compatibility and toughness was what took my attention, plus the low permeability. I need about 20kg of epoxy based fairing compound to go over an epoxy primer on clean steel, then topped by more epoxy high build and then urethane. Flake looks the right fit, but I can't find an Australian source and I was wondering if it would be worth importing.
Given the relatively small scale of this experiment I'm not sensitive to cost … but thanks for the sanity check.
Cheers.
If were ever to step into the world of pain involved in trying to fair something using epoxy loaded up with milled fiber, I'd just use whatever the local composites supplier had. The tiny extra performance from basalt in an application like that will make negligible difference in final performance.
But I would be super careful to understand the epoxy involved to be sure it was a good choice.
And I'd be super careful to finish the glass-filled fairing below the final surface and skim with something nice and easy to sand. I really wouldn't enjoy trying to sand back a heavily fiber-filled fairing compound. But then, I'm seriously lazy.
lol … indeed. That's why I was planning on a generous layer of HB sandable epoxy. But yes you are probably right.
The UK and US elections are a real world demonstration of “hegemony” aka pervasive dominance.
Neo liberalism is maintained by ideological force inclusive of media and psychology, as much as by state force in Western style countries. Associated consumerism and hyper individualism foster the familiar “dog eat dog” approach to most areas of life, that make it harder to organise and involve people in public affairs.
Bloomberg’s “me me me” spend millions campaign vs Bernie’s street by street organising could not be a clearer contrast.
@Tiger Mountain, exactly right +1
corbyn lost on Brexit….fully 50% of Labour's 2015 pro Brexit vote switched to Bojo in 2017
Agree. Brexit queered the pitch big time. With hindsight the least worst solution was there all along–Labour would respect and implement the Brexit Referendum vote diligently, and implement its domestic manifesto too.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/real-estate/119630604/classic-kiwi-campground-for-sale-after-owners-pull-out-of-seaside-development
Another coastal campsite up for grabs. Let's hope the government snaps it up and makes it DOC campsite.
It was gutting to see what happened to the Opoutama campsite on the Mahia peninsula a few years back. Such a lost opportunity.
If we haven't learned enough from that to ensure it doesn't happen again there's something wrong.
In between rising sea levels and likely increased storms, how long do you reckon until that bit of land becomes sea?
Very roughly:
But, as you say say, increase in storms (due to more energy in the system) + sea level. So likely increase in erosion rate (assuming no increase in sediment supply). Something like a cliff collaspe south of the camp might temporarily halt or reverse erosion as longshore drift goes northward.
Not sure its worth the $1.6M…
Every time I get deluded into thinking I might be the nerdiest commenter here, someone comes along to set me straight.
Curiouser and curiouser…
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/world/lawyer-assange-was-offered-us-pardon-if-he-cleared-russia/ar-BB10aAm7?li=BBqdg4K&ocid=mailsignout
What's happening in Syria now that Asshat and Pootee know their hands are completely free …
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/world/its-like-the-end-of-the-world/ar-BB109K9J?li=BBqdg4K&ocid=mailsignout
Yup … absolutely godawful. I try to hold back from any ME threads because I'm aware of the utter impossibility of any positive outcomes under the current conditions. Anything anyone does or doesn't do is pretty much damned from the outset by intractable positions and reductionist arguments.
I feel terrible for the people in this story, but I personally believe this is a tragedy with roots beyond human comprehension, and it's climax is nowhere in sight.
I've visited Syria under Bashar. From that experience, I'm firmly of the view he is a thoroughly nasty POS. When there was an uprising of locals wanting to rid themselves of him, they deserved the support of everyone that values human rights and a people's right to self-determination.
But fuck, when assorted outside powers saw the opportunity for a willy-waving proxy war, and local evil opportunists saw openings to push their own twisted agendas, it pretty quickly became very difficult to work out where one's sympathies should lie.
But one thing remained constant, labeling all the opposition to Assad as "headchoppers" was always a simple smear that only served the propaganda pushed by liars on the side that was initially clearly in the wrong.
I've visited Syria under Bashar.
Thanks for that. I realise that visiting a country doesn't make anyone any kind of expert, but it does create a connection and a sense of place and history that is worth listening to.
Heres something some apologists, politicians and media types should have a read but they won't
https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/our_stories/maori-victims-of-crime-tk79/
Pssst – you can leave off everything from the ? onwards in links like that. eg: https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/our_stories/maori-victims-of-crime-tk79
Thanks for that, it turns out you can learn something new everyday
Spread the joy 🙂
In the 80's I spent considerable time as a visitor to a number of marae, but notably this one near Taumaranui. My grandfather is Ngati Porou. When we lived in Masterton we saw much of what Ward writes about first hand. Everything he is saying is based in a grim reality that is impossible to deny.
I totally agree with his conclusion, until people are willing to take some responsibility for their choices it is impossible to help them.
At the same time I'm still willing to accept that people's bad choices don't arise in a vacuum. History does matter in that it creates context.
Two perspectives that I believe are both valid and essential. Reductionist arguments that exclude one or the other are the barrier to progress …
Oh yeah agreed.
If this leads to hapu taking ownership of the problems then I'd support it. Of course there will be some who will take this self determination and attempt to parlay it into separatism, but that's another question.
I think the idea that the govt (any govt) can solve social issues (not sure if thats the correct term) is one of the biggest barriers to overcome
The govt can set the agenda, can set policies, can create (or destroy) jobs etc etc but in the end its family, whanau, community etc etc that will have a greater effect in stopping (well not stopping because it'll never end) this
Yes. Helping people is incredibly hard, it's more likely to compound the problem than help if you blunder in with 'one size fits all' solutions as govts are bound to try.
Family is always the most intimate, powerful influence on us all … for good or bad.
Well well well Puck. I agree with you for once. I guess though that Governments can set up a society that values everyone no matter who or where but the essence of the National tribe is stated as everyone for themselves. If you ain't one of them it is because you are lazy. (An elderly friend of mine is a staunch National man yet he does so much for others including creating a growing inclusive rugby club to cater for young people where they just play the game for fun.)
It is a nebulous idea but to declare a wish for people to help others and value kindness might have better results than the above self centred ones.
Hone Harawira was the last MP to seriously push “Feed the Kids”, well done Hone! and now Labour via the coalition Govt. have actually started a $45mill year 1-8 lunch trial.
So why are they not trumpeting this fact. Embarrassment that it is necessary at all? don’t be whakama Labour–Scandinavian countries provide nutritious meals to their school children. It is wise spending.
National by various accounts, and the evidence on social media, has a number of IT people polluting online forums with reactionary nonsense, so why cannot the Govt just issue announcements about positive things it has done?
I am as critical as anyone on the Labour Caucus support for the neo liberal consensus that has essentially frozen political progress in time, around the early 2000s, but fer crissakes I still support necessary reforms and people should perhaps be told about them?
Thanx TM, I didn't know that.
I remember Hone saying that funding the kai in schools could come from bringing home the troops from Afghanistan.
It got my vote.
Wonder if Assange's beaks are going to offer evidence to back this claim.
Donald Trump offered Julian Assange a pardon if he would say Russia was not involved in leaking Democratic party emails, a court in London has been told.
The extraordinary claim was made at Westminster magistrates court before the opening next week of Assange’s legal battle to block attempts to extradite him to the US, where he faces charges for publishing hacked documents. The allegation was denied by the former Republican congressman named by the Assange legal team as a key witness.
Assange’s lawyers alleged that during a visit to London in August 2017, congressman Dana Rohrabacher told the WikiLeaks founder that “on instructions from the president, he was offering a pardon or some other way out, if Mr Assange … said Russia had nothing to do with the DNC [Democratic National Committee] leaks.”
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/19/donald-trump-offered-julian-assange-pardon-russia-hack-wikileaks?
While it's a fascinating detail, I can't see how it fits into an argument against extradition.
Is it part of making a case that the extradition request is retribution by the Spraytan Stalin for a dirty political deal gone wrong?
The argument being made by the Assange team is that the request for extradition by the US is entirely political in nature, and because of that, it should not be proceeded with. By presenting this fact of a possible pardon should Assange produce a hard drive or some other such device that showed that the hack of Clinton's emails was not done by the Russians 😉 then that would relieve a monkey off of T's back – and we know how sensitive he is to that accusation of collusion with his mate Vlad.
The statement was made by a Edward Fitzgerald QC in court. The code of conduct to which he has sworn includes:
Over the past few days we have seen that T is open to giving his friends a free pass from jail in return for some quid pro quo. So it is extremely likely that despite the efforts at the time of the "adult in the WH", John Kelly, to prevent such an offer being made, it would not be surprising if it was.
Anyone else just watch the live evisceration of Bloomberg in the debate (on MSNBC).
They called him out to release women in non-disclosure agreements to freely speak, and he wouldn't do it. He could barely get a word and dropped the ball every time he was handed it. It's half time and second half about to commence.
Yeah – I've have heard that come Super Tuesday the berg will have melted away by then. Here is hoping . Having said that I'm also hoping that he honours his promise to fund the advertising for the successful nominee. Some of his ads so far have been hugely hard hitting and very successful in reaching the target audience
YES, it was a beautiful moment 🙂