Open mike 20/05/2015

29 comments on “Open mike 20/05/2015 ”

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1. North 1

   20 May 2015 at 7:48 am

   My God ! ‘Jihad Jizzing John’ Banks interviewed by Espiner on RNZ just now……ever digging himself a deeper hole like a mole on steriods. The fevered shrillness of it. Hilarious !
2. aj 2

   20 May 2015 at 8:08 am

   Firing in every direction and using very emotive langauge to divert from the exact point Guyon pinned him on.
3. Charles 3

   20 May 2015 at 8:26 am

   A few weeks ago I said that over the past 30 years the only technology I’d keep to make my life better would be the dishwasher. Turns out there is something else, just discovered it, even though it uses 30 year-old technology. It’s a motorised hand-held squeegy that sucks water off windows.
   If, like me, you aren’t living in a temperature-controlled mansion, you’ll get condensation on your windows over the winter. Mark Ellis and the HRV people can’t help, delightful as they are. So if you have $30 to spare, get down to The Warehouse and pick up a Kensington brand window vacuum cleaner. They’re currently 50% off. Or you can buy a Karcher from mitre10 for around $150. Yeah right.
   If you’ve ever spent 30 mins a day wiping windows dry with towels, you’ll understand.
   * This is not a paid ad, I am not afilliated with a brand or a company.

   In more serious news,
   The Daily Blog asks:

   “Sooooo(ooooooooo), what if there was evidence that John Key had been pulling the hair of other women, too, not just A.B.?”

   My reply is that even if John Key resigned today, even if there was a snap election set for January 2016, Labour and the Greens and Maori Party and whoever else would still need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, and have policy that could be made to work, and control their mouths bodies and use their brains, and avoid running anyone over with the campaign bus. Politics 101 would still be in effect.
   Since NZ is firmly in the grasp of populism, and politicians legislate and make policy for whatever the population will condone in act, word or thought, whatever entertaining sideshow emerges next (regardless of the important issues it may attract) it is our (the people’s) responsibility to keep our hair on and stay focussed on the long game.
   There’s no gain, no bonus, to having Labour in power for one term on the back of reality Tv shock-style elections – effectively a caretaker government for National – and then a rapid return to National. National might even quite like that: voters get the taste of John Key out of their mouths, the National Party have (feel) no remorse to expunge, and business resumes “as usual”.
   Poverty doesn’t end with John Key leaving office. Industrial relations don’t improve with John Key resigning. Environmental issues don’t go away the afternoon John Key gets on plane to Hawaii.
   • Tracey 3.1

     20 May 2015 at 2:02 pm

     Consider this Charle (apart from energy efficiency issues in your home):

     When contenders for male co-leader of the Green Party couldn’t recall the exact rate of inflation, the media, the talk-back and anyone who could type vilified them and suggested they could not be taken seriously…

     Mr English (Minister of Finance) can’t say what if any effect the new financial line in the sand over iinvestment property will have…

     Given so many don’t think the Greens have any economic literacy, shouldn’t there be double the outrage when a man claiming such literacy and holds the highest financial position in the nation, can’t say what if any effect the new rule will have on housing?

     But there isn’t. Until we crack that riddle poverty is here to stay.
4. North 4

   20 May 2015 at 9:25 am

   Indeed Charles ! Major resource has gone into painting His Gaucheness an Everyman god. He’s a mere proxy. His departure enriched and beknighted will signal the commencement of the next step towards cold, bloodless men/
   women further subjugating the Everyman, ironically assisted in that goal by guess whom, the Everyman.
5. thatguynz 5

   20 May 2015 at 10:42 am

   So Dr Mapp, you often prevaricate and posture around the TPPA on the basis that nobody has seen it yet and its just a standard free trade arrangement (despite people consistently telling you otherwise).

   Perhaps you may have a view on why a US government insider who seemingly is slightly more informed about trade deals than you, would post an article like this?

   http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/05/tpp-elizabeth-warren-labor-118068.html#.VVt5Xkbih1B
6. ianmac 6

   20 May 2015 at 10:45 am

   John Banks. Andrew Geddis traverses the Banks issue pretty fully at Pundit.
   …”But lets also not forget why all this happened. John Banks filed a false return of election donations for the 2010 Auckland mayoral election….”
   http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/if-you-want-people-to-believe-you-are-honest-then-its-best-not-to-file-false-donation-return
   • Tracey 6.1

     20 May 2015 at 2:13 pm

     EXACTLY

     Yesterday a number of new posters were proclaiming some kind of virtue in Banks because of the decision. They are correct he has been aquitted… BUT he still signed off a legal declaration without reading it… which is either stupid or duplicitous. Neither make shim worthy of any further public office. He also has a history of NOT reading stuff… Hujlich (as Executive Director)

     “The three Huljich brothers met John Banks in the 1970s when they frequented his cafe.[1] In 2007, Peter Huljich, son of Chris, with the support of Banks and former National Party leader and Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash set up a “boutique funds management company” in downtown Auckland, partly to manage the Huljich family’s extensive investment portfolio…”

     “John Banks is to become executive chairman of Huljich Wealth Management and says he is looking forward to the new role.
     Wednesday, October 13th 2010, 11:52AM 1 Comment

     “I’ve been a founding shareholder and a director of the company since its inception in 2007. On 1 November, I’m able to return to a more substantial role and am very pleased to be taking on this additional responsibility.”

     He says Huljich Wealth Management now manages one of the largest KiwiSaver schemes in the country, with more than 90,000 members.

     He says Huljich is also expanding its operations into managed funds and insurance with both areas of business offering exciting possibilities.

     Brash has been the chairman of the company since the beginning, and executive chairman for the last seven months.

     He took leave of absence from the board of the ANZ National Bank in order to be executive chairman of Huljich.

     Banks says because the ANZ National Bank now has a wholly-owned funds management business of its own, Dr Brash feels that in returning to the board of the Bank he should step down from the board of Huljich.

     “We thank him, and wish him every success,” says Banks.

     Huljich will appoint another director to take Dr Brash’s place in due course.”

     http://www.goodreturns.co.nz/article/976497439/john-banks-becomes-chairman-of-huljich.html

     http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/heat-john-banks-over-kiwisaver-scheme-3395381

     What is it with ACT people and the need to expunge the truth?

     Mr McCready alleges that Mr Banks was referred to as an executive director of the company until 2008, when concerns began to emerge about its operations.

     Since then, the word “executive” has been removed from his title.

     “Mr McCready alleges that Mr Banks was referred to as an executive director of the company until 2008, when concerns began to emerge about its operations.

     Since then, the word “executive” has been removed from his title.”

     Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/business/act-leaders-in-private-fund-probe-2013022408#ixzz3adndxBgR

     Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/business/act-leaders-in-private-fund-probe-2013022408#ixzz3adndxBgR
7. Maui 7

   20 May 2015 at 10:57 am

   A comparison of the change the flag public meetings vs nz climate change public meetings

   https://twitter.com/eey0re/status/600595968082497537
8. Puckish Rogue 8

   20 May 2015 at 11:13 am

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/68698372/decision-on-campbell-live-today-say-supporters

   – Well hopefully Campbell Live is finally put out of its misery, its had a good run at 10 years but its past its prime
   • b waghorn 8.1

     20 May 2015 at 12:53 pm

     If you’re going to get the reaction you want you really must try harder.
     • Puckish Rogue 8.1.1

       20 May 2015 at 1:01 pm

       Not really after a reaction, just stating the obvious
9. Redbaiter 9

   20 May 2015 at 12:47 pm

   Two conflicting acts by Bill English on flag issue- here is a statement from Parliament Today March 12th this year.

   Mr English said he personally was biased in favour of the current flag because he knew what it was, …

   Yet here is his name on a petition organised by http://www.nzflag.com, a decidedly pro-change organisation who advocate for referenda only as a means to change the flag.

   So if English is as he said himself “baised in favour of the current flag” why is his name to be found on a petition organised by a strongly pro flag change site that provides no argument at all for retaining the present flag?

   Either English supports the present flag or he’s a charlatan and a hypocrite.
   • thatguynz 9.1

     20 May 2015 at 1:06 pm

     How can this be, I find myself agreeing with Redbaiter!

     +1
   • felix 9.2

     20 May 2015 at 1:22 pm

     Bill English a charlatan and a hypocrite. Now here’s felix with the weather.
   • Tracey 9.3

     20 May 2015 at 1:56 pm

     you seem surprised?

     he also says he has no idea if the new tax threshold for investment properties will make any difference.

     remember the hoo-ha when potential Green Party leadership contenders couldn’t adequately recall the current inflation rate?? The Minister of Finance what effect, if any, a new financial measure will have…

     those who can explain how that tallies feel free to explain.
10. felix 10

    20 May 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Here is 9 and a half minutes of your life that you’ll never get back. The good news is it’s also 9 and a half minutes the Melissa Lee wasn’t operating a vehicle, talking to a child, or making any decisions: http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/37007

    Drinkers, try doing a shot every time she says “actually”.

    Personal highlights:

    “You know, I wasn’t here in NZ back in 1925 when radio nz actually began.”

    “You know, when podcasting first started, I didn’t even know what it was.”

    Oh there’s also some stuff about how radio nz should be finding ways to get funding from businesses.
    • Colonial Rawshark 10.1

      20 May 2015 at 2:10 pm

      Oh there’s also some stuff about how radio nz should be finding ways to get funding from businesses.

      Yep. It’s called taxation.
      • felix 10.1.1

        20 May 2015 at 2:41 pm

        😀 Indeed.
    • Tracey 10.2

      20 May 2015 at 4:11 pm

      when you read north and south on carrick graham and you consider the types of people national has been selecting you know it isnt coincidence
    • the pigman 10.3

      20 May 2015 at 7:21 pm

      Dangerous and stupid. My wife used to work with her in a professional capacity and, despite her vaulting ambition, she was widely regarded by her subordinates as pretty unhinged. Also, frighteningly esspuhraaayshunll for her son… poor kid.

      And poor public broadcasting.
11. Tracey 11

    20 May 2015 at 1:53 pm

    ”
    Russell Brown
    ‏@publicaddress

    I’ve read Peter Newport’s North & South story on Carrick Graham. It’s very good: measured, nuanced, pointed, timely.”

    I also read it this morning and take my hat off to Newport. It reminds us that balanced journalism exists out there. It’s fascinating to read Grahams real or feigned contempt for the bias to the left of TV and newspapers… I say feigned because you just don’t know when he is playing a part of being himself.

    There is a kind of emotional disconnectedness about how he views what he does that is worrying (to me anyway).

    Of equal interest is the hard work and time put into trying to get elements of our Government apparatus to respond to queries about Katherine Rich’s appropriateness to be on a certain Health Board given her behaviour in another capacity.

    I don’t agree with Newport in his seeming agreement with Graham that we have to harden up and grow thick skins to deal with people like him and Slater, rather than suggesting Grahams compass is cracked… it appears (on the face f it) to buyinto Graham’s entire MO which is to get his framing accepted.

    BUT I don’t believe Mr Graham comes out of the article in any better light than before.

    He works with one Cameron Brewer (Auckland Councillor and Nat/ACT MP in waiting). Mr Brewer is paid $101,900 pa by ratepayers to work for them as a Councillor. BUT he works as a consultant with Graham as well… he only works part-time…

    Last time a prominent would- be ACT politician claimed to work only part-time he ended up in trouble…

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11420097

    Former MP for National (Clem Simich) son makes up the triumvirate…

    It makes me wonder what kind of children the current crop of Nat MP’s are spawning.
12. Philip Ferguson 12

    20 May 2015 at 2:24 pm

    One of the interesting things about the same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland on Friday is the long list of who has come out for a ‘yes’ to same-sex marriage vote on Friday. The police federation, rugby icon Brian O’Driscoll, the devoutly Catholic two-term president Mary McAleese, as well as the usual list of actors (Colin Farrell etc) and writers (Roddy Doyle etc) who you would expect are calling for a ‘yes’ vote.

    Brendan O’Carroll who, as ‘Mrs Brown’, is probably Ireland’s most popular comedian has released a short video from ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ supporting gay marriage; the video has gone viral with several million views.

    See updated article: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/irish-society-and-politics-and-the-referendum-on-gay-marriage/

    And for Dunedin folk, see: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/talk-will-south-of-ireland-be-first-country-to-vote-for-same-sex-marriage/
13. Puckish Rogue 13

    20 May 2015 at 4:04 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11451738

    – Good, this sort of travesty of justice should never happen again
    • Armchair Critic 13.1

      20 May 2015 at 9:58 pm

      Exactly. And it’ll never happen again if filth like John Banks declare their election donations honestly in the future, rather than engaging in monstrous deceptions.

      Personal responsibility and all that, right? Sure, he resigned from parliament, and if he keeps that up by sticking to running mediocre cafes, bad restaurants and dodgy investments schemes, rather than running for public office then he might faded into obscurity, as he almost deserves to.
14. Halfcrown 14

    20 May 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Now this is a bit of fun, So to all the good people who come here being left or right take it for what it is.

    On TV1 news, there was a news item that said they have arrested the gang that did the
    Hatton Garden breakin. It was stated that they have arreseted two pensioners.

    My mind started to work overtime and perhaps someone may have the answers to my questions which are.

    1. Cam Morons pension is so dismal that they had to do this to survive, or,

    2. How were they descovered? Did one of them leave a Zimmer frame behind.
15. The Chairman 15

    20 May 2015 at 9:09 pm

    National’s alternative to Labour’s Kiwibuild?

    The Government could be poised to announce joint ventures with big overseas developers to build large swathes of housing.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/68710603/could-the-government-fund-more-housing-using-foreign-money
    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      20 May 2015 at 9:13 pm

      foreign billion dollar hedgefunds like Blackstone would love to be NZ slum lords
      • The Chairman 15.1.1

        20 May 2015 at 9:39 pm

        Fostering further returns offshore.

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