Open Mike 20/05/2018
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6:00 am, May 20th, 2018 - 68 comments
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- Treasury warns deeper recession worsening Budget deficit
The gift that keeps giving: David Seymour has now opened a split in the coalition over the future of National’s promise to build a new medical school. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and ...36 minutes ago - Weekly Roundup 22-November-2024
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Record Numbers: The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, which began at the tip of the North, and the tail of the South, on 11 November, culminated outside Parliament on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, in one of the largest demonstrations in New Zealand’s political history.ACCORDING TO TE ARA, the Ministry of Culture ...2 hours ago - The Rush To Blame “The Activists”
Activists are such easy scapegoats. The right and center have been conditioned for decades to roll their eyes at all protests. The left are easily aggravated over students leading movements they see as belonging to grownups, who have more important concerns like the economy and whether the trains come on ...2 hours ago - Cutting Through An Inundation of Dipshit Racists
Hi,Watching New Zealand from afar offers a strange perspective. It can be a good thing — distance from Aotearoa helped keep me sane while I reported on abuse at New Zealand’s biggest megachurch over the course of a year. It helps fuel my silly podcast. But it can also be ...3 hours ago - This is bad news
The speech yesterday by Treasury’s Chief Economic Advisor warning that the books are in worse shape than forecasted looks like it’s part of a softening-up process for either more cuts or a longer wait to get back into surplus. The speech was a highly unusual public preview of Treasury’s Half-Yearly ...4 hours ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47 2024
Open access notables Projected increase in the frequency of extremely active Atlantic hurricane seasons, Lopez et al., Science Advances: Future changes to the year-to-year swings between active and inactive North Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) seasons have received little attention, yet may have great societal implications in areas prone to hurricane ...13 hours ago - Chicken Kiev
Chatting in the supermarket this morning, I found I needed to lunge for the chicken drumsticks.Coping mechanisms: who hasn’t felt a greater need for them lately?When it all gets too much, I turn to demonstrating handy butchery hacks.It wasn’t that she’d said anything wrong, our friend, not at all. We ...17 hours ago - The year is 2024 and it’s 1984
This is written in response to the highly significant open letter from a group of economists that was today addressed to Christopher Luxon. The year is 2024, and it’s 1984. The country is reeling from a record Olympic medal gold haul, while the globe grapples with the choice of the ...18 hours ago - The IPCA has failed
Back in 2022, RNZ took an in-depth look at the "Independent" Police Conduct Authority and its handling of killings by police. These are the most serious test of oversight, and you would expect the police's use of lethal force to receive the most severe scrutiny. But despite the police regularly ...22 hours ago - Thursday 21 November 2024
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived at Parliament on Tuesday – the size is being debated but estimates range from 42,000 to 100,000. The Prime Minister is defending not attending due to some of the organisers being affiliated with Te Pāti Māori. The national gang patch ban came into force ...22 hours ago - ‘These budget cuts are counter-productive and make no sense’
I spoke to former Productivity Chair Nana this morning about the letter he and a group of other economists sent to PM Christopher Luxon to urge the Government to urgently suspend cuts to spending and investment for the sake of the economy, struggling businesses and the wellbeing of vulnerable ...23 hours ago
- ACT’s Astroturfing & A Co-ordinated Attack on Te Pati Māori
Unity on the Streets / Unity at the TableAfter the Hīkoi, all three right wing Coalition leaders came together to push the idea that the 42,000 - 50,000 + strong Hikoi was somehow less potent and brave, and more illegitimate than the energy and crowd displayed.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon 20-November: ...1 day ago - Durability of carbon dioxide removal is critical for stabilizing temperatures
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- Economists call on PM to suspend budget cuts for the sake of the economy
Nicola Willis’ budget cuts are under fire from economists for having no clear rationale and worsening the recession. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 21: The news at ...1 day ago
- The end of policing by consent
National has appointed a new police commissioner. And he explicitly rejects policing by consent: Asked if he subscribed to policing by consent, he said he did not. “I don’t talk about policing by consent. I talk about trust and confidence, and it is fundamentally important that the police have ...2 days ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill: A Who’s Who
David Horatio Waterbed SeymourFringe politician and dweeb transformed successfully by ThinkTank money into a well-oiled soundbite robot.Currently programmed to say: Equal rights for all New Zealanders Equal rights for all New Zealanders Equal rights for all New Zealanders Was previously programmed to say:I am a proud libertarian andI am a ...2 days ago - Kinleith mill closure shows need for industrial strategy
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to deliver an economic and industrial strategy for regional manufacturing, rather than just expressing sympathy for job losses, following the announced closure of Kinleith mill in Tokoroa. “The closure Kinleith mill in Tokoroa is not just devastating for ...2 days ago
- 27% of kids going hungry, up from 21% in a year
One in four Kiwi children live in households where food runs out often or sometimes. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, November 20: The lead: The official annual Health Survey found sharp ...2 days ago - Transport modelling is an illusion
This guest post by Tim Adriaansen, an advocate for accessibility and sustainable transport, originally published on LinkedIn and cross posted here with permission. People prefer cars, right? Probably not. Here’s why. Granted, most people in English-speaking countries use a car to get around. This simple reality underpins our transport ...2 days ago
- Young Maori take over
Neither Wellington nor Parliament has ever seen anything like it before. The Police said there were more than 40,000 but however many there were, yesterday’s Hikoi to Parliament was a monumental event. It was almost three times the Foreshore and Seabed martch of 2004 and many,many times bigger than ...2 days ago
- Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Aftermath
The euphoria from yesterday’s hikoi may be transitory, but is no less valuable for that. It is pretty rare for the left to feel itself to be in the overwhelming majority, and speaking as the voice of the people. Lest that momentum be lost, the organisers will no doubt be ...2 days ago - Sabin 33 #3 – Solar panels generate too much waste and will overwhelm landfills
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Mr David Seymour crawling up to the ceilingThe sun don't shine the sun don't shine the sun don't shine at allMamma Pappa say you should go to school, I don't know what forNow that I've grown up and seen the world and all its liesSong: Southside of Bombay"Ake, ake, ake" ...3 days ago - Submit to defend te Tiriti!
The Justice Committee has called for submissions on National's racist and constitutionally radical Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill. Submissions can be made at the link above or by post, and are due by Tuesday, 7 January 2025. But I'd get in quick, in case National grows a spine ...3 days ago
- We need to talk about Kevin
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family has a Drunk Uncle Kevin in there somewhere. If your Kevin is anything like the ones I know, he was getting along happily enough without having to think too much about the Treaty Principles Bill apart from bloody good job, onya guys ...3 days ago - The hikoi
Like everyone else (everyone who wasn't there, anyway), I've spent the morning watching the hikoi march on Parliament. The pictures are astounding: parliament grounds and the surrounding streets are full, and there are still people backed up along Lambton Quay. The police are estimating 35,000 people, and that's a floor ...3 days ago
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There were urgent moves yesterday at Parliament to try and defuse the tension building up over ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill. The Bill’s author, ACT leader David Seymour, told reporters that he understood the Justice Select Committee met yesterday to discuss how long it should take to consider submissions on the ...3 days ago
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3 days ago - Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Arrival, And Tyler Childers
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In a manner of speakingI just want to sayThat I could never forget the wayYou told me everythingBy saying nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me everythingSongwriter: Winston TongNext Tuesday, the subscription price for Nick’s Kōrero will ...4 days ago - Monday 18 November 2024
The NZNO have announced a nationwide strike for December over its pay dispute with Health NZ, who have put a 1 per cent cap on pay rises. The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti and Treaty Principles Bill remain front and centre in the media, with the impacts of the Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke-led ...4 days ago
- Shipley warns Seymour’s bill is ‘inviting civil war’
The divisive Treaty Principles Bill is not just a risk for the National Party, it’s a risk to civil order and unity, warns a National Party grandee. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on ...4 days ago - A clearer network for the City Rail Link?
This post was originally published on Linked In by Nicolas Reid. It is republished here with permission. Auckland is now just a year or so away from having the keystone of its urban rail network complete. As I wrote about here, the City Rail Link will be a literal game changer for ...4 days ago
- National’s support base is wobbling
If ACT leader David Seymour intended the Treaty Principles Bill to drive a wedge into National’s support base, he may well already be succeeding. By midnight on Thursday after the Maori Party haka in Parliament, National MPs were being deluged with emails and messages from their members calling them out ...4 days ago
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..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Self-appointed “Bishop” and proto-fascist, Brian Tamaki was at it again on 16 November, blocking Auckland’s southern motorway, SH1.This time, the target of his ire wasn’t the Civil Unions Act; covid lock-downs; mask mandates; or ...5 days ago - Rip up a bill, lead a haka are words to live by
I cannot stop grabbing people by the lapels, or shoulders, or similar, and raving at them about the tiny miracles in my ears.I can hear again! There could not be a more satisfied customer in all the world.In a noisy cafe I am even catching words that Karren cannot, she ...5 days ago - Unintended Consequences
Take the baitYou pay the priceIt's much too lateFor good adviceYou know and I know that our good things' throughBecause there's consequences for what we doConsequences for me and youWriters: Kevin Robert Hayes, David Nagier, Bonnie Adele Hayes.Fallout from the first readingOne News began last night by saying that tens ...6 days ago - Thank you, driver!
Today, Saturday 16th of November, is Auckland Transport’s Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Saturday 16 November marks the third annual Auckland Transport (AT) ‘Bus Driver Appreciation Day’, and this year we are encouraging all of New Zealand to thank their driver or let the bus go first if you are in ...6 days ago
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Hi,If I was to accurately sum up my mental state over the week, I’d just say that I got a huge fright from my own shadow.I’d nipped out for an 11pm neighborhood stroll, just to calm down after a day of stress and screens. The Cure and Fazerdaze’s new record ...6 days ago - We Are Not Listening
The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
7 days ago - More lawlessness from National
On Tuesday, sick of government stonewalling, the Waitangi Tribunal issued a rare court order, ordering the Minister of Health to release unredacted documents within 48 hours showing its reasoning for disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. The government's response to the lawful order of a court? Yeah, ...7 days ago
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Yesterday, under cover the the biggest political fight of the year, National quietly - covertly, even - introduced anti-foreign interference legislation. The bill is the product of a years-long work-program aimed at countering shit like this and this, and there's unquestionably a need to do something to counter foreign states' ...7 days ago
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A few months ago, I was in an audience watching a Haka-Kapa and as I watched children dance and sing and sway and shout and beat, I couldn’t help but think “The Haka represents the best of us.”Yes, yes - there will be a thousand voices that rush forth to ...7 days ago
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St Mary’s Bay housing left hanging: Climate risk is systemically underestimated in the climate scenarios used by central banks, and a new report warns 10,000 houses are set to become uninsurable in Aotearoa. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in ...7 days ago
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The Treaty Principles Bill continues to dominate political news, with it passing its first reading in the House. Parliament was briefly suspended and Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke suspended for 24 hours after leading a haka that was joined by opposition MPs and the public in the gallery. Willie ...1 week ago
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Day One of the Treaty Principles Bill…and everyone got what they wanted, and did what they liked. Heated words were exchanged. Culturally appropriate acts of outrage were performed. David Seymour got to play the victim card. Willie Jackson got kicked out of class. A comically red-faced Mr Speaker bellowed “Order, ...1 week ago
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You can pay a great deal of money for the services of a KC. So just what would some peerless legal writing from 40 or so of them be worth, do you reckon?Priceless, that’s what. It’s not even the half of it, but this is my favourite part of the ...1 week ago - D-day for the government
The government's Treaty Principles Bill is up for its first reading today - bought forward in a rush in a desperate effort to avoid the hikoi which is currently marching on Wellington. But the Prime Minister won’t be there for it – he’s literally running away to Peru! But he ...1 week ago
- 97% of submissions did not want no-cause evictions, Trump chooses a Russian spy for US Intelligence ...
Good morning, and I’m sorry I’ve been away for a couple of days.I’ve been focusing on the Hikoi, and also testing out sentiment on the Treaty Principles Bill. It’s complicated, and the Treaty Principles Bill will be debated in the House today. The Government’s own lawyers have told them the ...1 week ago - Government must vote down ACT Members Bill that would undermine workers’ rights
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to vote down an ACT Party Members Bill that would undermine workers’ rights by making it easier for employers to fire workers. Last week ACT MP Laura Trask’s Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill was ...1 week ago
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The State would like to remind you that they are in control. They manage your employment prospects, and can destroy the job market you and yours rely on by mass-cancelling construction projects, cutting funding, and firing a good chunk of our public servants. They wield the mechanisms that provide scrutiny ...1 week ago - The Weight of the World
As the weight of the world Hangs on your shoulders The weight of the world Starts to take over again And over again All that you once loved, now you hate So slowly relearn how to meditate To have and to hold And never let go Can you feel it ...1 week ago - Thursday 14 November 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill is set to have its First Reading in the House today, as the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti continues. More than 40 KCs have written to the Prime Minister and Attorney-General outlining their “grave concerns” about the substance of the Treaty Principles Bill, while an academic and ...1 week ago
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- An opportunity for a pro-growth tax switch
As the Hikoi against it swells into the tens of thousands, KCs call on National to kill off ACT’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 14: The ...1 week ago
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As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...16 hours ago
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The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...17 hours ago
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Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...20 hours ago
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National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...20 hours ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...23 hours ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...24 hours ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...1 day ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...2 days ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
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- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...2 days ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...5 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...7 days ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
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Get your daily dose of useless Libertarian delusions at Stuff today with Damien Grant, who reckons that New Zealand isn’t a racist or sexist country,
What is it about Libertarians that they always manage to shit on other people’s liberty?
And Stuff gives the scumbag a platform.
Don’t click.
Libertarians are strange in that they seem to think that only they should have liberty and everyone else should do what the libertarians tell them to do.
In other words, they’re authoritarian with them being ‘special’.
Libertarians believe in liberty unless you want to join a trade union.
Boom. Great one liner there.
Oddly, he actually lauds Trade Unions in this particular article.
He does consider it is the duty of Trade Unions to guard against bullying but at the same time his political ideology is that of people who seek to crush Trade Unions.
This is typical of the confused libertarian speak of Grant, Seymour, and Farrar.
FIFY
It is entirely deliberate to be confusing!
known dickhead must be light on clicks lol
“What is it about Libertarians that they always manage to shit on other people’s liberty?”
In a word ….. smugness
I’m fairly sure most people would see me as having my priorities skewed way over to protecting the environment to the point of being somewhat callous towards people issues. But even from that viewpoint, it seems weird to me that this arse Augustine Lau goes to jail over damaging trees, but not for shitting all over people by exploiting them in unsuitable unsanitary illegal ‘housing’.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/104044119/prison-term-for-damaging-trees-not-heavyhanded-appeal-court-rules
https://www.interest.co.nz/property/90720/notorious-property-managerdeveloper-augustine-lau-speaks-out-about-why-hes-dog-box
But, but…he’s providing housing for the homeless…saving them from the bus shelters…
“Lau claims the Council also has double standards; prosecuting him for breaching the Resource Management Act in the process of housing vulnerable people, but allowing people to sleep at bus stops and in cars.
Positioning himself as the victim in the situation, he says he’s simply trying to help reduce the number of homeless by providing often temporary accommodation.
“I try to help Auckland Council solve some of the problems,” he says.”
Great piece Andre, thanks for posting. Provides excellent insight into the minds of these people.
A practiced victim by the sounds of it
Lau sounds much like that other victim of the scummy masses; Dame Strange-Corset.
RMA has jail time penalties. Other nasty things he has done probably dont.
It’s about choice. You can choose to die in the gutter rather than live in unacceptable rental accommodation, and so it’s your fault if you choose to survive.
What is wrong with these people?
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/357771/oz-bank-confirms-children-s-accounts-manipulated
I’d say a fairly predictable result of poorly thought out incentives in an overall culture of Greed is Good.
I think the key line at the start.
When the ‘target’ or KPI is the bonus and one’s performance is measured in bonuses you know that they have things back to front. It is an easy lazy tool for (HR) managers and bean-counters and serves those who’re full of self-entitlement and greed and want to climb the corporate hierarchical ladder at any cost with most bonuses to be collected at the top, of course (Ponzi scheme). No wonder that productivity is at a low level; everybody is chasing short-term self-interest – isn’t that the neoliberal dogma?
Because higher wages should just be handed out for people turning up to eat there lunch?
Pretty sure you’re not that stupid. I could be wrong though.
“Their” lunch. Not yours. Piss off.
Nah, that would be grossly unfair to the people that don’t turn up.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103684598/national-party-boycotting-parliaments-business-committee
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/money/103791140/Former-minister-We-got-it-wrong-on-tax-incentives
No tax on kiwi saver . That sounds like a winner
Scum.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-94482/Prince-Harry-I-took-drugs.html
I am curious.
Who are you classing as scum?
Do you mean Prince Charles, Prince Harry or the Daily Mail?
I hope you mean the paper. Please tell me so.
The actions of Harry, at that time, seem completely understandable and Charles seems to have taken a very sensible action.
Snorting cocaine and consorting with prostitutes are misdemeanours. They’re private matters. What makes him lower than scum is what he’s done in Afghanistan….
http://www.3news.co.nz/world/report-of-prince-harrys-taliban-kill-mission-denied-2012122411#axzz3iAdyhxOy
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/4712507/Air-return-for-Big-H-the-killer.html
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/31/prince-harry-nicknamed-big-h-by-army-comrades.html
https://aotearoaawiderperspective.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/big-h-the-afghan-killer-aka-prince-harry-of-the-royal-house-of-saxe-coburg-and-gotha-aka-winsor-descendent-of-vlad-the-impaler-aka-as-dracul/
I see the first thing you link to is a denial. Why don’t you accept it.
The second is claims by the Sun. Do you really think that it is a reputable source of anything? It is the paper whose main claim to fame was topless women on page 3 wasn’t it?
It is about as good a newspaper as the Daily Mail.
I won’t bother looking at the last 2 links. They look about as reliable as comments in The Standard or in Whale Oil.
Wasn’t he involved in Afghanistan?
He shot Afghan peasants from a gunship helicopter. That makes him a hero, and it’s why he rejoices in the blokey nickname of “The Big H.”
Gawsh @ Morrisey!!!!!
Doncha know the poor boy is British!!! and that the poor boy’s mumsy hasn’t been around to provide him with guidance during his former years?
“Pa” and his horse are still around of course, as is his bro’ who is faced with the possibility of having to step up to occupying the throne, so we need to make allowances.
PLEASE! have some decency! Let him ride on the memories of his mumsy and her principles.
While you are essentially right. Rules of engagement mean they would have to be armed before you can fire from the helicopter.
Then of course, they see the Brits as invaders who they can fire at.
Like the rules of engagement being followed here?….
Saw Amy Adams on TV this morning. Wow. Shes so much sharper and better at her spin lines than Bridges.
Is this another case of the man gets the top job but isnt as capable as the woman runner up ?
Morrissey. Is that true? Genuine question.
Why are you asking Morrissey about reality?
As I recall it, the ginger wonder was initially a frontline combat infantry officer in Afghanistan, but got evacuated when it was leaked he was there (as a high profile target he was basically a walking increase in combat intensity). So he retrained as a copilot/gunner and went back in a slightly more rear-echelon and securable capacity.
He could have volunteered from the get-go to fly rescue helicopters lifting idiots off Ben Nevis, or a comfy staff position. He volunteered for people to shoot at him.
I’ve never been a fan, and I sure don’t like the concept of the monarchy or even his taste in fancy dress, but he gets points for that.
Skin in the game.(Nassim)
Even today, monarchs derive their legitimacy from a social contract that requires physical risk-taking. The British Royal family made sure that one of its scions, Prince Andrew, took more risks than “commoners” during the Falkland war of 1982, his helicopter being in the front line. Why? Because noblesse oblige; the very status of a lord has been traditionally derived from protecting others, trading personal risk for prominence—and they happened to still remember that contract. You can’t be a lord if you aren’t a lord.
https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/skin-in-the-game-9780241247471/extracts/1783-skin-in-the-game
He volunteered for people to shoot at him.
Yes, those Afghan villagers and shepherds he targeted posed a mortal threat to him in his helicopter gunship.
…he gets points for that.
Peasants are 10 points. Extra for an Afghan child?
Tnuous grip on what I wrote there, moz
Just don’t forget that Morrissey trash-talking someone doesn’t automatically make them a good person 😉
Just don’t forget that Morrissey trash-talking someone doesn’t automatically make them [sic] a good person.
We know you’re a good guy, Bloke.
lol very true.
But someone who volunteers for combat isn’t all bluster – unlike mozza
“someone who volunteers for combat isn’t all bluster”
Yes indeed, shooting people from a helicopter gunship involves more than simply bluster. You are correct, sir!
frontline combat infantry officer
Tenuous isn’t the half of it.
His first deployment was Iraq with his battalion, but that was cancelled, The 2nd was Afghanistan in a different role calling in airstrikes and other patrol duties.
After that he then changed to learn helicopter flying and 5 years after his first tour in Afghanistan he was back for 20 weeks with a attack helicopter squadron.
His brother as the direct heir wouldnt have been sent to a war zone, thats why he ended up rescue helicopter squadrons
oh true – never consciously made that connection in my noggin. I thought I’d just taken the rescue thing at random.
Funny how minds work.
Quote of the Week
No. 1: alwyn: “Why don’t you accept it?”
This is, quite unintentionally, the funniest and saddest thing we have seen all week….
Quote of the Week is a series devoted to garnering the most pathetic, most deluded, most bewildered, most slavish comments on the World Wide Web. It is compiled by Morrissey Breen and Serena Sopwith Fotherington for Daisycutter Sports, Inc.
This may well be Open Mike but it is really poor form to try and humiliate any commenter as you are doing.
If you want to see more people leave The Standard because you disagree with them, you will turn this place into an echo-chamber.
I don’t want him to leave. I want him, and others who are quick to accept government lies, to think a little bit.
Oh, that’s right, you’re quite a zealous disciple for all that Russian conspiracy nonsense, aren’t you….
You can do that, and mind your manners and cease the hounding of commenters who disagree with you.
Who else has left The Standard?
Anyone who thinks Prince Harry, Willie Apiata and all the others shooting up
Afghanistan are “heroes” should listen to Afghani commentators like Malalai Joya….
Do an actual post on Afghanistan.
Set it out.
Watch the video. Or read this….
https://chomsky.info/200209__-2/
Are they fucking kidding?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12055234
In the case of KiwiBuild, the Government feels affordable housing should not be restricted only to those on low or modest incomes.
No income test for Kiwibuild homes. That means modest incomes (whatever that is) get to compete with high incomes, pushing prices up and defeats the entire point of Kiwibuild.
I’m reminded (again!) that I voted L/G by default, not out of love.
Are they having other *feelings* we should know about?
Labour offer neoliberalism.
A milder strain of the virus.
But neoliberalism none the less.
And it was they that imported the cult into the country.
Douglas, Prebble and the leaders of the neoliberal coup d’état need to see their day in court.
And tried for treason.
And sentenced.
Severely.
I read that and couldn’t find a quote saying that anyone can buy a KiwiBuild home. That aspect of the article stunk of the writer, or editor, being a bit mischievous. Particularly with the herald ramping up the mortgage porn through their One Roof section of late.
They are probably conflating this,
“Twyford said last week that officials were looking at a scheme which would allow a third party such as a bank or a government agency to co-own a property by taking on a share of the mortgage.” to mean that anyone can have an interest in a Kiwi Build property.
Ramzy Baroud.
See him whilst he is in New Zealand.
This was him in Australia.
http://www.ramzybaroud.net/ramzy-baroud-speaking-at-the-rally-for-gaza-in-sydney-video/
And in Auckland
https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/05/19/gaza-under-siege-but-palestinians-will-never-give-up-says-author/
I dimly remember the last few posts from that idiot CV before he was permabanned. He rabbited on about hardened targets and how that was the way to protect students from shooters.
Turns out just weeks later the latest victims were in a school with exactly the sort of plan CV trumpeted as being the way forward. Armed teachers and staff and two full time armed marshals in the hallways.
Turns out CV’s thinks, and gun-toting trigger happy yank thinks, don’t add up to dry shit in terms of protecting life.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/104058683/santa-fe-school-had-a-shooting-plan-and-armed-officers–still-10-people-died
It’s funny how you make posts like that now, but I don’t recall any of his interactions here being the intellectually one sided exchanges you seem to characterise them as. Look him up on twitter and take him on directly if you’re all that.
I already waste too much time on the two or three forums I do contribute to so I’m not about to start tweeting CV who I think is a bitter loser anyway. A bitter loser who mysteriously abandoned whatever social conscience he once pretended to have.
And, I did take him on on this forum on this very issue. I won and he was perma-banned so why the fuck would I revisit that on Twitter?
My post above is vindication of the defeat of his ideas and posting ability at The Standard because he promoted hard targets, brave gun-toting cops, and other Trumpisms which have all been proven ineffective by the events in Texas.
Go back and look it up.
This article describes everything which is wrong about this country.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2018/05/more-auckland-houses-for-sale-but-fewer-buyers.html
US unfriended .Not going to the waltz in Vienna.
http://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-meet-with-france-britain-russia-and-china-to-save-iran-nuclear-deal-report/a-43857576
Good morning the AM SHOW about 6 months ago I warned about a biosecurity breach Eco Maori said more money need to be spent to stop a out break like this I heard that had happened but the virus Mycoplasma was already here so why did I have these concerns .
Well it was because of that farm in Mango MAF already new about that shocking farm the state of the stock was bad that farm should have been shut down years ago.
But you know what MAF is its a retirement home for x sandflys who have the cover there m8 ass at all cost so the culture in the new MPI has to be changed so this mess does not happen again Duncan I agree with you stop the movement of the cows not doing that shows me that they are still trying to protect there production next season an not focused on controlling that virus.
Aziz I now some one that was in the same situation as you hes a good person thats shows eco maori saying war is for idiots .
Eco Maori has started a new job in the recycling business
I think the horses in Australia should be controlled even tho I love my horses the endangered wild fauna should be protected there are millions of horses around Papatuanuku. Ka kite ano P.S the sandflys were playing up in Tauranga yesterday
I was listening to Mark Sainsbury talk back radio show he was descusing the Te mata Peak issues now I’m not getting to much into the debate but the council should have considered consulting Nga Kahanunu about the track know that it is a sacred place also one caller said I’m not racist but the Maoris straight away her first few words make her a racist full stop so stop kidding your self’s and try an be a intelligent person and self examine yourself Ana to kai Ka kite ano
And what would you call this type of behavior link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/103955989/walkout-on-mori-greeting-portays-prejudice-and-ignorance-in-new-zealand-culture
Ka kite ano
“This festival was his hunting ground.”
Weinstein accuser vows justice at Cannes….
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/104052973/this-festival-was-his-hunting-ground-weinstein-accuser-vows-justice-at-cannes