Open mike 20/05/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 20th, 2016 - 114 comments
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114 comments on “Open mike 20/05/2016 ”

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  1. Gangnam Style 1
    20 May 2016 at 6:20 am

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/77578966/joining-the-queue-at-work-and-income-where-no-one-seems-happy

    “Go see Work and Income,” said Prime Minister John Key, advising the homeless and unfortunate. We did.”

    Tales of misery & despair, kick ’em while they are down.

    • tc 1.1
      20 May 2016 at 6:35 am

      Stuff should do a comprehensive piece about WINZ and follow up on ‘customers’ who get given incorrect advice and assistance due to the incompetence and attitude that pervades since Pullya stamped her mark on it.

      Focus on the humiliation ‘customers’ are put through, the massive screw ups WINZ keep making, the privatisation that’s gone on with all these ‘providers’, the dysfunctional beauracracy Nats have rolled out etc.

      I was appalled at the ticket clipping going on in delivering some services to a needy friend. Services that used to be delivered by WINZ direct outsource party now sees WINZ sitting 3 layers back washing their hands….ahh that brighter future.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 11:36 am

        I was appalled at the ticket clipping going on in delivering some services to a needy friend.

        Huge amount of ticket clipping going on through WINZ now and all it does is channel government money into private hands. It provides no discernible result in getting people jobs or helping them in any way.

        • Kevin 1.1.1.1
          20 May 2016 at 12:37 pm

          And nothing makes my blood boil more than the wage ticket clipping by labour supply companies.

          We now have corporates ticket clipping on government contracts, like the print contract for example, where you have companies who are equipment suppliers winning a contract and then outsourcing the production.

          It should be illegal.

          • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1
            20 May 2016 at 1:52 pm

            Should be. IIRC, a few years ago the air-force got their Orions upgraded. Went through the tendering process and an offshore company (either Canadian or US) got the contract. They then subcontracted SafeAirNZ to do the work. SafeAir had also put in a tender but hadn’t won it.

            The offshore company was nothing but a ticket clipper siphoning money away from NZ.

    • Paul 1.2
      20 May 2016 at 6:45 am

      Just another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.

      Although set in the UK, Ken Loach’s new film could easily be a scene at WINZ in New Zealand.

  2. Stunnedmullet 2
    20 May 2016 at 7:01 am

    Another day of moaning and bleating on open mike ?

    • Paul 2.1
      20 May 2016 at 7:13 am

      Wow.
      Someone who thinks it’s OK to leave people in the streets and in cars.
      Another cruel, greedy and selfish representative of the neo-liberal cult.

    • dv 2.2
      20 May 2016 at 8:27 am

      SO why have you started the moaning then?

    • Colonial Viper 2.3
      20 May 2016 at 8:47 am

      Don’t you give a shit about fellow Kiwis?

      Or would you prefer that we talked about the best Nothern Hemisphere beach destinations for a winter get away?

    • Stuart Munro 2.4
      20 May 2016 at 8:56 am

      Leave that sheep alone!

    • vto 2.5
      20 May 2016 at 8:59 am

      another day of stunnedmullets walking around with carrots stuck up their arses

    • left for dead 2.6
      20 May 2016 at 9:30 am

      Bugger off then, clearly you need another bump on the head, only slightly stunnedmullet.
      you clearly have not read about and policy.

      edited

    • ianmac 3.1
      20 May 2016 at 9:14 am

      Sadly our Education system is going in the opposite direction b Waghorn. Testing, testing of knowledge already known. Little boxes. What happened to discovery?

  4. Paul 4
    20 May 2016 at 7:03 am

    Enough money for a motorway to get to one of the Dear Leader’s holiday homes…..

    ‘New Zealand Transport Agency has been working on plans to extend the four-lane highway to Warkworth…..’

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/304307/plans-for-auckland-to-whangarei-motorway.

    ………but not enough to house the citizens of the country.
    Just another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.

    • Andre 4.1
      20 May 2016 at 7:55 am

      Sorry Paul, you’ve just pushed one of my buttons.

      I live in Auckland, my olds live outside of Warkworth. So I use the Auckland-Warkworth road regularly. Yes, it does need upgrades. It does NOT need an all-new autobahn the Germans would be proud of.

      There is a genuine problem at the Hill road intersection in Warkworth, and continuing development along SH1 is causing problems. So a motorway-grade bypass around Warkworth does make sense, essentially along the route proposed for the all-new motorway.

      There is a genuine safety problem with the corners at Schedewy’s hill. A short cutting or tunnels to straighten the alignment and provide a continuous passing lane up the hill would eliminate the problem.

      There is a minor bottleneck/safety problem at the Pohuehue Viaduct. Doubling up the viaduct is a quick,easy complete fix.

      All this could be done for roughly a third the cost of the new autobahn while delivering very nearly all the benefits. Scaling back the work between Puhoi and Warkworth would also allow a much sooner start on the safety problems at Dome Valley and a bypass around the bottleneck at Wellsford further north.

      If the traffic volumes ever get high enough to justify it, the rest of that part of SH1 goes through sparsely populated easy terrain that would easily allow widening for more lanes.

      The proposed all-new Puhoi-Warkworth motorway is simply a gratuitous waste of money. And ironically, because it will require its users to go a long way north of Warkworth then backtrack south to get to Omaha, it won’t even save Dear Leader significant time on his trips to his bach.

      Rant endeth.

      • Chooky 4.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 8:41 am

        +100…who owns the motorway road construction companies ?…who has shares in them?…who is running down rail?…who is getting advice from Goldman Sachs?

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11262662

        http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/treasury-hires-goldman-sachs-run-ruler-over-kiwibank-bd-136461

      • Colonial Viper 4.1.2
        20 May 2016 at 8:46 am

        A note that you cannot create sealed roads without the use of fossil fuels both used in the hot mix which gets put down, and the vehicles needed to prepare and finish the surface.

        • Andre 4.1.2.1
          20 May 2016 at 9:06 am

          The machinery and vehicles to prepare and finish the surface can all run electrically, as can the vehicles that run on the finished road. While the bitumen used as a roading material creates all kinds of problems of its own, it contributes very little to climate change.

          • Pat 4.1.2.1.1
            20 May 2016 at 9:09 am

            Even the EV industry don’t make that claim….I have yet to see anyone within the industry claim that heavy trucks and machinery are viable electrically….perhaps you have a link?

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.2
          20 May 2016 at 11:44 am

          Try telling the Romans that.

          • Pat 4.1.2.2.1
            20 May 2016 at 11:48 am

            Lol…very good…I draw your attention to the following… “an acceptance of performance restrictions are the best we can hope for in the medium term”

      • Jenny Kirk 4.1.3
        20 May 2016 at 9:11 am

        and to both Andre and Paul – the most ridiculous aspect of all this, is that currently TNZ is widening the road all the way down the northern side of Brynderwyn – which didn’t need it, and totally leaving alone the south side of the Bryn which is the awkward twisty winding narrow road – which does need some upgrade !! The massive roadworks on either side of the northern part of Bryn is OTT ! Extraordinary ! Seems like a massive waste of money, technology, and whatever else.

        • Tarquin 4.1.3.1
          20 May 2016 at 10:51 am

          I reckon they should have got “Alice” the tunneling machine from Waterview and driven straight through from Atlas Concrete to the Glenmohr road intersection. That would fix everything.

          • Kevin 4.1.3.1.1
            20 May 2016 at 12:40 pm

            Nice idea but TBM’s are built specifically for only one job. Then the get shipped back broken up and rebuilt for the next job.

            Diameter of the cut and the type of rock being cut governs the design of the cutting head.

            • Pat 4.1.3.1.1.1
              20 May 2016 at 2:52 pm

              except for the ones used for Manapouri……still buried there apparently

        • Expat 4.1.3.2
          20 May 2016 at 10:59 am

          And Jenny, they’ve been working on that northern side for the last 2 years, with restricted speed and a reduction in lanes, this adds to the transport costs, since very little freight is moved by train. With time and money spent on the Bryn’s over the last 30 years, they could have put a tunnel through and made it much safer.

          The roads through most of Northland have been neglected for decades, if you compare vehicle traffic numbers to those on some of the pristine south island roads, it really is a bit of a joke, heck, the road to Cape Reinga had the last 30k’s finally sealed only 7 years ago, its a major tourist destination.

          • Colonial Viper 4.1.3.2.1
            20 May 2016 at 3:11 pm

            Well, the Grow Northland Rail Campaign has been actively trying to force pollies and others to relook at the issue of Northland transport.

            • Expat 4.1.3.2.1.1
              20 May 2016 at 3:33 pm

              And so they should, the rail link goes all the way through to Kawakawa, but Iv’e never seen a train on it, except for the local steam train ride in Kawakawa on weekends.

              Winston was also pushing for development of the rail system into Northland as part of an economic development plan.

      • left for dead 4.1.4
        20 May 2016 at 9:50 am

        Hello Andre, just wondering , what happened too the toll road going that way ?

        • Andre 4.1.4.1
          20 May 2016 at 9:58 am

          You mean the SH1 toll motorway from the Grand Drive, Orewa exit to the Johnstone’s Hill tunnels between Waiwera and Puhoi? $2.30 per trip.

          I didn’t have much argument with building this bit of road, since it bypassed Orewa and Waiwera, and it would have been quite difficult upgrading the old SH1 since it went over difficult terrain.

          • left for dead 4.1.4.1.1
            20 May 2016 at 10:16 am

            Ta, a bit vague on that area I once visited and loved but also made me very sad, a great example of rich and some very poor people.

            edit: excuse the use of “great’

          • Expat 4.1.4.1.2
            20 May 2016 at 3:39 pm

            That plan to run the motorway through there was in place since the mid 90’s, some of the locals in the back of Waiwera weren’t too happy though, a lot sold and moved.

  5. Penny Bright 5
    20 May 2016 at 8:24 am

    The Online Media Standards Authority (OMSA) will release its decision on my complaint against posts made about me on Whale Oil Beef Hooked – at 12 noon today, Friday 20 May 2016.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  6. Chooky 6
    20 May 2016 at 8:50 am

    Cough cough…so it wasn’t Saddam Hussein…it was USA’s friend Saudi Arabia?…in cahoots with what insiders?

    ‘Americans must know ‘shocking’ details of 9/11 report classified pages – congressmen’

    https://www.rt.com/usa/343679-report-classified-saudi-congressmen/

    ‘9/11 and Iraq: The War’s Greatest Lie’

    http://antiwar.com/blog/2013/03/18/911-and-iraq-the-wars-greatest-lie/

    ( Travellerev you were correct afterall)

  7. Johnnycomelateyly 7
    20 May 2016 at 9:49 am

    Anyone expecting to see an apology from Andrew Little today?

    • Puckish Rogue 7.1
      20 May 2016 at 11:03 am

      Why, I mean even from my centre-right position I can say Labour have had a good week, the medical marijuana announcement will get them votes and by working with National on the housing issue they’re showing they can put major issues above petty politicking

      • Expat 7.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 12:45 pm

        PR

        I have to congratulate you on your balanced comments, a shame more on the right don’t emulate your behavior, and even some on the the left as well.

        • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1.1
          20 May 2016 at 12:58 pm

          Thank you, it was the post on The Standard being broken that made me think…I mean I thought I was being non-sexist but that was from my own pov so maybe I was contributing to this site being unfriendly towards women

          It also coincided with a post on Whaleoil which I was not happy about (I posted something about it on here but it got edited and fair enough too) because it involved revenge porn and that was way over the line

          So then I decided I’d think less about point scoring and being antagonistic and be a bit more positive and see what happens

          I mean I still think National will win the next election but that doesn’t change the fact that Labour have had a pretty good week

          • Expat 7.1.1.1.1
            20 May 2016 at 1:19 pm

            PR

            I recently went to k1w1 blog, and after reading the dribble and constant BS, attacks on the left, and really disgusting behavior, I came to the conclusion that yourself and others (BM) were actually fairly reasonable by comparison, and could understand why you comment here, rather than there.

            Everyone has the right to put forward their own point of view, and I’ve noticed a toning down by yourself recently, we may not convert you here, but, hearing both sides of an argument always offers balance.

            I put you in the same category as Hone Harawera, where I don’t necessarily agree with what you (or he) have to say, but respect you for your strong commitment to what you believe in, it’s a worthy human trait.

            • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1.1.1.1
              20 May 2016 at 1:26 pm

              Well I wouldn’t go that far ( I still have a lot of work to do and I’m easily side tracked) but thanks, I guess its that thing about treating others how you yourself want to be treated which is always easier said then done

            • Chuck 7.1.1.1.1.2
              20 May 2016 at 6:03 pm

              Expat think about what you just write…

              “I recently went to k1w1 blog, and after reading the dribble and constant BS, attacks on the left, and really disgusting behavior,”

              I can confirm 100% that Kiwi blog readers have the same opinion of TS.

              Its all in the eye of the beholder dear fella.

              • Expat …
                20 May 2016 at 6:53 pm

                I suppose it is if you only have one eye, those bloggers over there have no social conscience at all, so no, they’re not the same at all, in this blog here today, where is the attack on the right???…………my point.

          • Robert Guyton 7.1.1.1.2
            20 May 2016 at 1:50 pm

            No longer puckish or rogue?
            Hard to believe and I mean that most sincere.

            • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1.1.2.1
              20 May 2016 at 2:20 pm

              Its still Puckish because I have a hard time spelling mischievous without auto correct 🙂

              I guess I’d like a more pleasant atmosphere for posting (I’ve long thought that most people on here would get along quite well down at the pub) and if I want a more pleasant atmosphere then I suppose have to be more pleasant as well

              • Robert Guyton …
                20 May 2016 at 3:01 pm

                After a prolonged period of sly provocations and insults, Puckish Rogue wants to be nice.
                Nice.

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  20 May 2016 at 3:27 pm

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRBak_2X3Do

                  Well tell you what, judge me on my comments over the next few weeks and see if I’m sincere or not

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    20 May 2016 at 4:17 pm

                    “Well tell you what, judge me on my comments over the next few weeks and combine those with those I’ve made over the past few weeks and see if I’m sincere or not.

                    Fify and will do!

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      20 May 2016 at 4:24 pm

                      Also, on a completely unrelated subject, is there a “gardening for dummies”-type book you’d recommend for newbies?

                      I’ve never gardened and my wife kills everything she plants and we’re going to build a garden in our back yard and I’d like to get hold of a basic easy to follow guide

                    • instrider []
                      20 May 2016 at 5:05 pm

                      The Yates guide used to be a general primer. Not sure if it is still published. An old version should still be largely relevant as gardening hasn’t changed that much. If they recommend the use of DDT though you might want to seek some advice 🙂

                    • BM …
                      20 May 2016 at 4:58 pm

                      Compost, shelter from the wind. sun and water.

                  • McFlock …
                    20 May 2016 at 4:54 pm

                    Fair call.
                    I’ll try to do my bit 🙂

                  • b waghorn …
                    20 May 2016 at 5:28 pm

                    Start with silver beet , unkillable stuff !

                  • Ad …
                    20 May 2016 at 6:38 pm

                    Don’t lose your edge Puckish; the doomies and moisties here need a serve now and then. 😉

          • Rosemary McDonald 7.1.1.1.3
            20 May 2016 at 2:50 pm

            “…it was the post on The Standard being broken that made me think…”

            Such was the purpose, and your sincere engagement with the thread was noted and appreciated.

            In the old days, we used to call it “consciousness raising”.

            (and speaking about the blog where real Kiwis hang out…I will have a look now and then to see how the other half lives and am constantly amazed at how popular the comments that are nothing less than hate speech are.)

            • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1.1.3.1
              20 May 2016 at 3:29 pm

              It must be gratifying to know that what’s posted isn’t always in vain, keep up the good work.

              • Gangnam Style …
                20 May 2016 at 3:49 pm

                Hows Far Harbour PR? A mate of mine got it last night (mega huge download!) & he said its just like…FO4! But he’s set up his lounge for sleeping he’s not going to move from the game the whole weekend he reckons.

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  20 May 2016 at 4:12 pm

                  I like it, it finally has a lever action rifle (I like using lever actions) and the setting is quite atmospheric, I’ve only played a couple of hours of it because my employers prefer it when I turn up to work

                  I’m not going to be doing much this weekend either, I’ll be stocking up at the supermarket and that’ll be me

                  I actually rate the Bethesda games (from best to least):

                  Skyrim: the storyline is epic, the music is first rate and I’m a D & D geek from way back

                  Fallout: New Vegas: the setting and the antagonists were quite enjoyable

                  Fallout 3: Really good, interesting story and voice casting is really good (Malcolm McDowell in particular)

                  Fallout 4: The gameplay is an improvement, especially the aiming and the look of the game is better as well but the story just left me a bit…meh (mind you my wife liked the storyline so its probably just me)

                  However its Fallout 4 which means its still better then most games out there

    • Naki man 7.2
      20 May 2016 at 3:03 pm

      “Anyone expecting to see an apology from Andrew Little today?”

      I assume you are talking about threats of legal action over comments he made about the owners of a hotel chain.
      Can the Labour Party afford to defend a defamation case?
      It will be interesting.

      • Gangnam Style 7.2.1
        20 May 2016 at 3:51 pm

        I wonder if the Hagamans can stand scrutiny into their finances? Should be very interesting indeed, Mcully been quiet the last month or so, busy setting up other ‘deals’ maybe.

        • Puckish Rogue 7.2.1.1
          20 May 2016 at 4:20 pm

          Much as I enjoy political shenanigans I’m predicting this will basically peter out into nothing, as you say the Hagamans probably don’t want too many journalists poking around their business and Andrew Little probably doesn’t want to go to court

        • Chuck 7.2.1.2
          20 May 2016 at 5:41 pm

          Its nothing to do with “I wonder if the Hagamans can stand scrutiny into their finances?”. Other than the donation is question.

          The Hagamans are hoping Little is stupid enough take this to court…which I guess about 40 minutes ago they received Littles response.

    • joe90 7.3
      20 May 2016 at 5:46 pm

      This will be fun.

      “See you in court” – that’s the message from Scenic Hotel Group founders, the Hagamans, to Labour leader Andrew Little.

      Little looks set to face defamation proceedings after ignoring an ultimatum and failing to apologise to the Hagamans.

      In a statement from Lani Hagaman she said she would “see Mr Little in court” after he failed to retract and apologise his comments that a Niue resort deal they were awarded “stunk to high heaven”.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/80229406/andrew-little-not-revealing-if-hes-dodged-a-legal-threat-and-apologised

      • greywarshark 7.3.1
        20 May 2016 at 8:35 pm

        That could be a forerunner of law cases which will be seen after TPPA signing.

  8. NZJester 8
    20 May 2016 at 10:05 am

    A big negative story about the New Zealand’s fishing industry and their quotas has popped up on the BBC News website.

    A leaked New Zealand government memo casts serious doubts on the sustainability of fish that are widely used in McDonald’s restaurants. The document shows that the government was aware of made-up data and illegal practices such as the dumping of vast quantities of unwanted fish.

    McDonald’s fish: Row over sustainability ‘cover-up’
    By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent.
    http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36316246
    Will we see any real action on this from the National Government, or just a whitewash probe to make out they are doing something about it while our seas are over fished?

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1
      20 May 2016 at 11:57 am

      Just another whitewash. This government is quite happy with the corrupt practices reported as they generate profit and they just don’t give a shit about the environment. Hell, as the fish stocks decline prices and profits will go up.

      • NZJester 8.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 1:40 pm

        If they can’t sell to customers like McDonald’s due to loosing the illusion our current fish stocks are sustainable the price might go down as they will only be able to sell to places that don’t give a damn but will never pay top dollar.

  9. Rosemary McDonald 9
    20 May 2016 at 11:45 am

    MARCH FOR MOKO

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/80175342/hamilton-will-march-for-moko-on-sunday

    “On Sunday, Kiwis will be walking their streets in memory of Moko and in support of cultural change.

    Hamilton organiser Katrina Williams felt compelled to do something in response to Moko Rangitoheriri’s death.

    “I want to make the point that this is an issue that needs to be looked at further. People come together to march for the TPPA and for environmental causes.

    But children are dying. Who is marching for them?”

    Actually, Kristina…we did march, in Hamilton 16 years ago after Mereana Edmonds was beaten to death by her mother and her partner. Again…CYFs were told…and did nothing to save this child.

    So, we marched, (or wheeled as the case may be) and some of us became foster parents so at least when CYFs did shift their arses and uplift an at risk child…there would be at least one more safe home for them to be loved and cared for while the grown ups got their shit together.

    NOTHING has changed.

    Yet, we will go and support this new generation of activists….

    for these guys….http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/73717177/Special-investigation-New-Zealand-s-shameful-record-of-child-abuse

  10. Penny Bright 10
    20 May 2016 at 1:27 pm

    This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a complaint has been upheld (albeit ‘in part’) against Whale Oil Beef Hooked, by the Online Media Standards Authority.

    http://www.omsa.co.nz/decisions/bright-v-whale-oil-beef-hooked-16012/

    BrightvWhaleOilBeefHooked(16/012)

    Content: “Can Penny Bright Explain This?”

    Publisher: Whale Oil Beef Hooked

    Complainant: P. Bright

    Click here to view full Decision

    The complaint was by and about Penny Bright, a 2016 Auckland City Mayoral candidate and the use of a Watercare water meter at her property in Auckland.

    The content was headed “Can Penny Bright Explain This?” and was written by Cameron Slater. It made statements about Ms Bright and recent Court action about outstanding rates. It included photographs of Ms Bright’s property and water meter with statements and questions about whether Ms Bright had done something to bypass the property’s water meter.

    The majority of the Complaints Committee agreed that the content was opinion, albeit expressed using statements about facts that were controversial and disputed. As the majority agreed the content was opinion, Standard 1- Accuracy did not apply. The Committee also ruled the complaint was not upheld under Standards 2, 5 and 6.

    However, the complaint was upheld under Standard 3 – Fairness. The content had focused on Ms Bright and made assumptions based on photographs and information from sources without giving Ms Bright an opportunity to comment prior to publication. The Committee took into account Ms Bright’s candidacy for the 2016 Auckland City Mayoral campaign and her public stance relating to water restrictions but did not consider this was sufficient to justify publication without a right of reply in the public interest.

    In summary, the complaint was upheld under Standard 3 Fairness, and not upheld under Standards 1, 2, 5 and 6.

    Ruling date: 17 May 2016

    Outcome: Upheld, in part
    _________________________________________________________________

    Cameron Slater picked on the wrong woman.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • Expat 10.1
      20 May 2016 at 3:27 pm

      Good on you Penny for holding him accountable, another black mark against the rissole.

    • James 10.2
      20 May 2016 at 6:01 pm

      Typical penny. Not upheld on the majority of your complaints and a small victory being upheld on just the one.

      so as usual you are wrong more than you are right.

      • McFlock 10.2.1
        20 May 2016 at 6:14 pm

        lol

        “On just the one”? How many standards do you expect slater to get away with breaching?

        But I agree, his loss to Penny is small compared to being done for his hacking contract, being caught trying to hide behaind the name suppression he denies others, withdrawing an appeal recently, and probably more to come. 2016 certainly seems to be the year that various judicial and regulatory authorities have had quite enough of mr slater…

      • Expat 10.2.2
        20 May 2016 at 6:41 pm

        James

        Slater is an unsavory character by any ones standards, his attack on the Standard is just another example, yet you seem to endorse him, good luck with that, he’s got a lot less integrity than Penny Bright, and a history of character assassination, that’s why he and JK are such good friends.

      • Penny Bright 10.2.3
        20 May 2016 at 8:08 pm

        This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a complaint has been upheld (albeit ‘in part’) against Whale Oil Beef Hooked, by the Online Media Standards Authority.

        Facts are facts and truth is truth.

        Sorry that isn’t to your liking.

        There is more to come on this matter …..

        Penny Bright
        2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  11. adam 11
    20 May 2016 at 1:53 pm

    A rally for the Guy whose losing…

  12. Richard McGrath 12
    20 May 2016 at 2:01 pm

    News from the socialist paradise of Venezuela:

    1) Despite having more proven oil reserves than any other country, Venezuela is now importing oil

    2) Inflation in Venezuela is now 720%. The Maduro regime has defaulted on paying for the banknotes it has to have printed abroad

    3) Caracas has ranked in the three most dangerous cities in the world for at least the past four years

    4) There are shortages of food, toilet paper, medicine and diapers

    5) Starving Venezuelans are hunting dogs, cats and pigeons

    6) There is collapse of the public health system where even gloves and soap have disappeared from hospitals and cancer treatment is available on the black market

    7) Electricity shortages have forced the government to adopt a 2 day working week

    8) 13,000 doctors have fled the country over the past 10 years. Cubans sent in to replace them have also defected (700 of them to Colombia)

    Viva la revolution!

    • Colonial Viper 12.1
      20 May 2016 at 3:14 pm

      This will be the US’s fifth (or is it sixth) soft coup in South/Central America this century. Some of which were run by Obama.

      • Wayne 12.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 4:06 pm

        CV,
        What is your evidence that the US is behind it. In fact the BBc journalist on BBC radio reporting on this said he could find no such evidence and he went there specifically looking for it. And if you answer that the BBC is a corrupt US biased organisation I will not regard that as evidence.
        Next you will also be saying that are behind the impeachment of Brazil’s President.
        To me both cases look like the people of both countries are fed up with incompetence. Not about the US at all.

        • Pat 12.1.1.1
          20 May 2016 at 4:14 pm

          “Next you will also be saying that are behind the impeachment of Brazil’s President.
          To me both cases look like the people of both countries are fed up with incompetence”

          so a country fed up with incompetence replaces the president with her assistant and forms a government made up of?……the incompetent members of the existing governing body…..most of whom are under investigation for corruption!

          Right….nothing to see here….move along.

          • greywarshark 12.1.1.1.1
            20 May 2016 at 8:26 pm

            Greek Yanis Varoufakis suggests something different in politics that would lead to better governance in Brazil and all round the world. A UBI?

            Yanis Varoufakis’ amazing reframe of Basic income
            Yanis Varoufakis produced half-hour video presentation and question-and-answer session. It was an address for the Future of Work Conference, in Zurich, Switzerland, 5th May 2016, at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. In this presentation Yanis Varoufakis, totally reframes the concept of how wealth is created in nations and the societies they structure.

            He argues for a new view of minimum basic income, not as a safety net to save people who may fall, but a foundation on which people can stand to rise up as productive citizens. His presentation includes the new technological context that for the first time in history, smart machines will eliminate far more jobs than they create. This then, according to Varoufakis, necessitates a basic income for all citizens.

            https://yanisvaroufakis.eu/2016/05/13/review-of-my-talk-basic-income-is-a-necessity-examiner-com/

            • Pat 12.1.1.1.1.1
              20 May 2016 at 8:30 pm

              am sure there are better models for SouthAmerica and the rest of the world, my comment was to reflect the fact big US interests fingerprints are all over both Venezuela and Brazil…..guess Wayne forgot to dust.

        • adam 12.1.1.2
          20 May 2016 at 6:41 pm

        • Tricledrown 12.1.1.3
          20 May 2016 at 9:40 pm

          The BBC yeah right.
          Loaded board by Crosby Textor.
          Venezuela has been corrupted by American foreign policy for over 100 years nasty murderous dictatorships.
          Panama papers show wealthy Venezuelan Bankers taking vast sums out of their economy.

        • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.4
          20 May 2016 at 10:37 pm

          hi Wayne the new Brazilian president was/is a US intelligence asset, as revealed by wikileaks.

      • NZJester 12.1.2
        20 May 2016 at 8:52 pm

        Hell a lot of the soft coups now are not being done by America at all but by the greedy rich 1% who want to suck a lot of the poor but asset rich countries dry.
        God help New Zealand if they ever actually find a good commercial pocket of oil here as what is left of our democracy will be gone in a flash with the help of the National Party as they sell us out even more than they have been already.
        The corporate raider in the past looked for companies that had a lot of assets but not much working capital. Brought up the companies cheap and then kicked all the employees out of work and sold all the assets for a big quick profit. Companies got wise to that and that is why a lot now don’t own a lot of their own assets but rent building and outsource the manufacture of products to keep themselves asset poor and safe from corporate raiders. Those raider have now spotted a lot of countries are asset rich but capital poor just like the businesses they raided in the past and so are ripe for the picking via buying out the politicians in those countries so they can strip out the assets cheap and sell for a big profit.

    • adam 12.2
      20 May 2016 at 6:33 pm

      Sight some proof please Richard McGrath.

    • adam 12.3
      20 May 2016 at 6:50 pm

      Plus look at my arguments with Gosman about this, because the shortages are a outright lie, orchestrated by the opposition. The toilet paper shortage, was a complete con job drummed up by the supermarket industry.

      The privatised public health system has collapsed, and about time too. If you don’t understand how the medical system works in Venezuela, might be a good idea you don’t comment on it. When you understand how it works then make coherent comments about it.

      I’m shocked you did not bring up police suppression, and shooting of civilians, always the go to for those who get their media from corporate sources.

      I’m over this, but I suppose Venezuela is next. Can’t have the people in charge, it’s bad for business.

  13. instrider 13
    20 May 2016 at 4:42 pm

    Hmm the left got all in a strop when key Said labour and the greens were siding with murderers and rapists in Australia.

    And here from the “whoever would guessed it files” what do you know http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/80200101/Aussie-deportee-pleads-guilty-to-historic-sex-offences

    Wonder if Kelvin will be visiting this poor innocent?

    • Expat 13.1
      20 May 2016 at 6:27 pm

      Well his name wasn’t Rolf Harris obviously, cos Rolf denied the charges, but he’s still in jail though.

      Just a thought Instrider, are there no murders or rapists living in NZ?………and how many deny doing any wrong, I know of at least one “prominent” NZer.

      You ask if Kelvin will be visiting this innocent, yet the article say’s he admitted the charge, how can you be innocent and admit to the charge, I’m confused, are you sure you know what your on about, or just trying to make stuff up?………..

      • Gangnam Style 13.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 11:43 pm

        Stir shit more likely Expat, prob on the piss again bashing the keyboard in rage & spite, I think he needs a hug.

        • greywarshark 13.1.1.1
          21 May 2016 at 2:47 pm

          Sounds like the sort of hug he needs is the one used in the Heimlich maneuver.

  14. Once Was Tim 14
    20 May 2016 at 6:28 pm

    Stevie Choice and Jonkey moight jis hev ta call in some favours before too long me thinks.
    Despite all their attempts at manipulation and spin. there are one or two of those pesky, inconvenient members of the 4th (and prolly 5th) Estate that are beginning to get just a little pissed off with their bullshit and attempts to muzzle.

    The Gummint’s shortcomings with its housing policy (is it a policy – or is it just a suck it and see brainfart?) are becoming so fucking obvious to all but the ideologically driven dolt. DPF and CT will be selecting overdrive and wondering whether there is another super slippery oil on the market yet. (Bit of a shame that policy on R & D was fucked). The spin isn’t working here, or in OZ, or in the UK. Seems to me the natives are getting restless.

    Then we have those pesky little celeb journalists uncovering the Munstry of Primary Industries shortcomings (going forward).
    How DARE they put Nafe Goi on the spot like that! On top of that, there are a couple of half-decent journalists that are on to MPI, it’s CEO and it’s Munster’s case.
    I’m thinking to myself….. No amount of Nafe’s learnings going forward would save him – that is, had we had any sort of ethical governance. Desperate as he is to throw his fishals under a bus to save his own cowardly arse, he’s affording himself about as much cred as that very ergly specimen ez the Munster in charge of all things to do with Dirty Filthy Bennies en hearsing, and leopardskins, and general uglyness (going forward)

    It seems populist policy, spin, bullshit and a slick suit will only disguise muppetry and complete incompetence for so long

    • Once Was Tim 14.1
      20 May 2016 at 6:52 pm

      Ekshully, I wuz also thinking …. Nafe might just have to ekshully read that bloody report going forward – Fuck me! what a bloody incinvenience!
      David! David! John! John Bro! Cum save me!!!! Maaaate! That bitch Rinny Ryan and that cnut Michaek Morrah are on my case and my petticoat is showing – plus John!!! I never did inhale!!! I promise (going forward), and I rilly rilly loik the loifstyle – plus woifey is “on-board”.

      OK Nafe! I got your bek…jiss ez long ez you gone done a bit of work!. How’s about that MPI CEO – Thompson? Can we throw him?
      Yea Nah. All cool Bro

      • North 14.1.1
        20 May 2016 at 11:03 pm

        Once Was Tim – this is beautiful stuff…….diction and delivery both perfect. Wonderful for the mind’s eye !

        • The lost sheep 14.1.1.1
          20 May 2016 at 11:42 pm

          Firk!
          Ive alreedy rekorded th song. (if ya dont mind me rippin off ya intellectual rights etc)
          It skreems blood and guts and truuth and ruth and bruce and all that uther stuff that maakes yr blood boil and yr heart singe and fucks yr neighbores off no end!!!
          Yr a master piece ‘once was tim’.
          Pure poetree!!!