Open mike 20/07/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 20th, 2016 - 66 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

66 comments on “Open mike 20/07/2016 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Stunned mullet 1
    20 July 2016 at 6:44 am

    Yes quite right, there’s more than enough intellectually incompetent self opinionated wankers about already.

    [lprent: Opps. Hit send to OpenMike by accident. Need to write a revert function. ]

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      20 July 2016 at 8:16 am

      That really wasn’t unexpected. A lot of world leaders, especially in the developing nations, still cling to fossil fuels to drive their growth rather than looking to develop far better and sustainable Green Tech. Hell, we’ve still got ‘leaders’ that look to the 19th century model of development rather than accepting that we just can’t do that any more.

      • Pat 2.1.1
        20 July 2016 at 8:38 am

        although Duterte appears to be a head case, a position like this from the leader of a nation of islands suffering tangible CC impact already is certainly unexpected from my position……kick back may be expected, but from there?

  3. Jenny 3
    20 July 2016 at 7:11 am

    “Climate change needs to be treated with more urgency, says scientist”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11676325

    Leading climate scientist James Renwick comments on the failings in latest government paper on the environment that singles out climate change as an environmental research priority for New Zealand..

    The document set out a range of research questions, emerging ideas and capability needs, spanning from innovative techniques to slash methane emissions from ruminant animals, to risk-mapping and improved policies.
    But Renwick, who is travelling the country in a speaking tour raising awareness around climate change, said where the document was “less impressive” was the language around the scope and urgency of the issues.

    “It talks about a future with ‘relatively intact’ natural ecosystems and about the ‘trade-offs’ between environmental protection and economic growth,” he said.

    He noted the document pointed to a roadmap for the next two decades, by which time the globe’s budget of carbon emissions to keep warming below 2C would be spent, at present emissions rates.

    “Yet, the first 20-year vision given under the climate change theme is New Zealand understands the pathways that can lead to a low-carbon economy that will support its international commitments, as if we have 20 years to work out what to do.”
    Significant action needed to begin immediately, and emissions had to start coming down as soon as possible, he said.

    “While the Government has an Emissions Trading Scheme and is investing in agricultural emissions research, there is no hint that the country’s total emissions are decreasing, or are expected to decrease at any time in the coming 20 years.”

    However this latest government paper on the environment gets a more favourable response from another scientist, who said she welcomes the report.

    Echoing the strategy of the Green Party, Dr Macinnis-Ng deflects the criticisms raised by Professor Renwick around climate change, by steering the subject away from climate change, toward a less controversial, establishment approved, environmental direction.

    Dr Cate Macinnis-Ng, a senior lecturer in biological sciences at the University of Auckland, , said she welcomed the “broad scope and wide coverage” of the document.
    New Zealand had a number of pressing environmental challenges, specifically freshwater issues, invasive pests and ongoing soil degradation.

    I expect that Dr Macinnis-Ng will be getting a warm invitation to address a Green Party meeting soon, (not so much Professor Renwick).

  4. Paul 4
    20 July 2016 at 7:42 am

    Nick Smith.
    Train wreck interview with Guyon Espiner.

    Admits there is no affordable housing.
    Admits immigration is a cause of house prices (contradicting Stephen Joyce).

    Advice to young families ‘Be patient.’
    This mob are a disgrace.

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1
      20 July 2016 at 8:21 am

      This mob are a bunch of psychopaths whose policies are debilitating the country.

      • Chooky 4.1.1
        20 July 2016 at 9:57 am

        yes and it looks like they want to spread the housing crisis to the rest of New Zealand…as if there are NOT New Zealanders struggling to afford housing there out in the provinces!!!

        …personally I am for the idea of bringing the value of all NZ housing down by 40% and stopping overseas investment in NZ housing

        ….New Zealand housing stock for New Zealanders only!

        …as it is all these so called remedies are just making the situation worse for New Zealanders who can least afford a house in their own country!

        …it is an utter disgrace!

      • indiana 4.1.2
        20 July 2016 at 10:00 am

        http://aca.nine.com.au/article/9142606/new-zealand-slice-of-heaven

        Ummm…what do you mean by debilitating the country?

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.1
          20 July 2016 at 10:03 am

          The increasing homelessness
          The increasing poverty
          The decreasing capabilities of the economy as stuff that should be done here is done elsewhere
          The over reliance on agriculture
          The decreasing health system
          The beneficiary bashing

          The list goes on and on and on.

          • indiana 4.1.2.1.1
            20 July 2016 at 11:09 am

            …and yet NZ is very desired country to live in. What keeps you in NZ if its all doom and gloom?

            • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.1.1.1
              20 July 2016 at 11:42 am

              …and yet NZ is very desired country to live in.

              We’re still better than many other places but that doesn’t mean that this government isn’t turning us into a facsimile of those hell-holes.

              What keeps you in NZ if its all doom and gloom?

              1. This is my home
              2. I think we should work to make the place better rather than just giving up and going somewhere else
              3. I have no desire to live, or even go, anywhere else.

            • North 4.1.2.1.1.2
              20 July 2016 at 12:45 pm

              Desired ? Yeah someone from overseas said that and according to Indiana that negates the realities on the ground here. Immaturity and cheapness of thought there Indiana, as to be sociopathic. Try being the little 12 year old girl TA who was living in a van with about 5 family members. As she told the Weak Man Key, it’s not easy being her. Meanwhile he and McLay are swanning around in Jakarta claiming not to remember what went down in China the week before = covering the lies they told this week and got sprung on. Disgraceful people !

    • esoteric pineapples 4.2
      20 July 2016 at 9:01 am

      It seems the Reserve Bank caved in to pressure from the government to try and do something about house prices, so it is going to make it even harder for New Zealand first home buyers in order to stifle demand at the same time as overseas buyers can continue to push up the market indefinitely. By next year’s election average Auckland house prices will be well over $1 million while even fewer New Zealanders will be able to buy a house.

    • Bearded Git 4.3
      20 July 2016 at 10:38 am

      Agreed Paul. Smith’s arguments were:

      1. Houses are unaffordable in Akl.
      2. Be patient.
      3. There is no rule 3.

      Be patient for how long? And under this government what exactly are you being patient/waiting for? Apart from a few crappy small scale initiatives that don’t work they have shown no inclination to put in place a strategy to make houses affordable to first home buyers.

      Key never was a “big picture” PM. He is a fiddler around the edges PM who will soon be spending more time in Hawaii.

    • Muttonbird 4.4
      20 July 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Nick Smith to young Auckland families – give up, go somewhere else, we don’t want you here.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/82280935/housing-minister-nick-smith-says-firsthome-buyers-in-auckland-need-to-be-patient

      • North 4.4.1
        20 July 2016 at 10:53 pm

        Wow……..Nick Smith’s absolutely amazing……..John Key’s government has fixed this housing “challenge”.

        Fuck you’re an arsehole Nick. A dirty reflexive liar. Like it just flows off your tongue. Lies.

  5. Stuart Munro 5
    20 July 2016 at 8:09 am

    According to the SMH a recent Roy Morgan in Australia showed that although official ‘unemployment’ is 5.8%, 18.8% of the workforce is in fact unemployed. I’m curious what the real unemployment rate is here in John Key’s cruel and stupid neo-liberal nightmare.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      20 July 2016 at 8:23 am

      Well, we do know that 0.6% of the workforce who are unemployed and looking for work are no longer classed as unemployed because they used that most efficient of vehicles for looking – the internet.

    • TC 5.2
      20 July 2016 at 9:13 am

      Polls in oz that ask the question ‘Do you have enough work…’ Over the last 5 years have shown rates triple the official unemployment rate.

      As the nats have shown official stats are rubbery and easy to manipulate, just ask judith about police stats.

  6. Ad 6
    20 July 2016 at 9:31 am

    Is anyone thinking that the world is getting far more brittle than it was even last year, and we’re in for some kind of rupture?

    • Gangnam Style 6.1
      20 July 2016 at 9:37 am

      A lot of chickens finally coming home to roost.

    • Puckish Rogue 6.2
      20 July 2016 at 9:41 am

      Maybe but then I’d imagine that people were thinking the same thing during the cold war in the 80s, the Cuban missile crisis, Vietnam, WWII and so on

      Eventually though the push back against mass immigration into the West will at some point begin and things will then subside back to normal (or what passes for normal these days) in a couple of years (being one of the drivers though I’m sure there are others)

      I also could be completely and utterly wrong and we could be headed for a global breakdown in law and society

    • mauī 6.3
      20 July 2016 at 10:24 am

      Massive economic, resource and political changes are underway. If you don’t like change this era isn’t going to be fun, things aren’t going to be boring either. Lets hope that people’s suffering is at the low end and we do our best to minimise it.

  7. Chooky 7
    20 July 2016 at 10:00 am

    Blair called to account at last…lets hope this is a precedent for other politician warmongers who play with sovereign countries and people’s lives

    ‘Blair in the dock: Bereaved military families crowdfund nearly £50k to sue former PM over Iraq’

    https://www.rt.com/uk/352097-iraq-blair-court-crimes/

  8. Andre 8
    20 July 2016 at 10:06 am

    Trump the Putin puppet? Does this explain some of our local commenters’ enthusiasm for him?

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gop-trump-russia_us_578e44bae4b0a0ae97c37acd?section=

    • Chooky 8.1
      20 July 2016 at 10:11 am

      ha ha…Trump wants detente with Russia(quite sensible) NOT risk a third world war, unlike Killary and friends

      • joe90 8.1.1
        20 July 2016 at 10:51 am

        Yeah, you have Drump’s word, the US will only indulge in racist pogroms, torture, reprisal killings and indiscriminate bombardment.
        /

        • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1
          20 July 2016 at 7:06 pm

          You’re talking about Obama’s 8 years.

          Oh, and Guantanamo Bay is still open after all his promises way back in 2006/2007, and all those known innocent men still blindfolded and kept on their knees in orange jump suits.

    • Puckish Rogue 8.2
      20 July 2016 at 10:14 am

      Trump might be the closest thing we have to a real-life comments section 🙂

      • Andre 8.2.1
        20 July 2016 at 10:18 am

        Well, we can be fairly confident he won’t plagiarise anyone. Even if it’s only coz he can’t put together a coherent sentence that’s long enough.

  9. Chooky 9
    20 July 2016 at 10:17 am

    Will the New Zealand Labour Party’s chickens come home to roost?…Maori Party and Mana merge?…in a joint effort to take ALL the Maori Seats off Labour?

    (sigh… too bad Labour did not cooperate with Mana/internet over the TTT electorate and not stand Kelvin against Hone…thereby losing the united Left a win in the last Election ….)

    ‘Deciphering the machinations in Maori Party – and Mana’

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201808945/deciphering-the-machinations-in-maori-party-and-mana

    “New Maori Party president Tukoroirangi Morgan says talking with Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira is a “no brainer”. RNZ’s Maori issues correspondent Mihingarangi Forbes gives her view.”

    ‘New Maori Party president offers olive branch to Harawira’

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201808934/new-maori-party-president-offers-olive-branch-to-harawira

    “The Maori Party’s new president is on a mission to repair one of the most bitter fallouts in Maori politics – the division between the Mana and Maori parties. We talk to Tukoroirangi Morgan about just how he thinks he can make this happen.”

    • te reo putake 9.1
      20 July 2016 at 10:25 am

      I’ve been contemplating the Maori Party recently, chooky. While they have no hope of getting all 7 seats and realistically they would be thrilled to just retain the one they have, a tie up with what’s left of mana does make sense. There is a slim chance Hone could win back TTT if the MP endorsed him and you’d have to hope that Hone could drag the MP to the left, which might make a Lab/Green government more likely. But, really, the best thing would be for the Maori Party to get no seats at all and be dumped into the dustbin of history. They’ve chosen to be part of a Government that has made life worse for most maori. They deserve to be punished by their voters for that decision.

    • North 9.2
      20 July 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Snobbery was inherent in the Labour Party attitude to Hone in the 2014 campaign. And a little bit of “Born To Rule TTT”.

  10. ianmac 10
    20 July 2016 at 10:34 am

    “…and be dumped into the dustbin of history.”
    Key always said that the Maori electorate should be closed down, at least he said so until National became the Government. The loss of the Maori Party would be a big step in that direction.

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    20 July 2016 at 10:45 am

    Gotta catch ’em all? It’s a lot easier if you’re white.

    Pokemon Go illustrates systemic inequities. The tech-savvy, mostly male Ingress players who built this map didn’t just happen to end up where they did: A neighborhood’s tax base determines how good the local public schools are. Because white people earn more money on average, their kids get to go to better public schools. Those kids who have better backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are better suited to help games like Ingress create maps. Now, they’ve got a leg up on the most popular smartphone game on the planet — and they’re safer when they play it. That’s how systemic inequity works: It influences every facet of life, even in augmented reality.

    Essentially, a self-reinforcing built in bias.

  12. Andre 12
    20 July 2016 at 11:15 am

    Six months ago this would have been bizarro fantasy from…say, Douglas Adams. Now it’s all factual truth.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-north-patterson/leading-the-lemmings–the_b_10988724.html

    • gsays 12.1
      20 July 2016 at 12:55 pm

      thanks andre for the link.

      his Superbity,
      his Vacancy, brilliant.
      reminds me of another leader.. i can’t quite put my finger on…

    • Colonial Viper 12.2
      20 July 2016 at 7:03 pm

      The only reason that you could have thought it a “bizarro fantasy” is by misunderstanding the real situation on the ground. Trump however, got it.

    • TC 13.1
      20 July 2016 at 2:02 pm

      Hilarious and scary all at once having seen it in action by many a ‘dropped in’ exec complete with the rest of the slogan kitbag.

  15. Chooky 15
    20 July 2016 at 3:02 pm

    This is thought provoking and a discouragement for indulging in war against other countries…it can come back to bite you

    ‘France descending into militarized state ruled by fear’

    https://www.rt.com/op-edge/352041-france-militarized-dystopia-state/

    …”French citizens, as with other Western countries, need to ask themselves: do we really want to live like this? That is, under a permanent siege of fear and arbitrary state power that is also expressing itself in despotism, as seen in the banning of public protest to cuts in workers’ rights and economic austerity policies.

    It may not lead to an immediate eradication of terrorism, but the way forward is for citizens to demand accountability of their governments. Washington, London and Paris – the chief NATO powers – must not be allowed to trample on international law by launching wars and covert plots for regime change in sovereign countries.

    Western governments and political leaders must be prosecuted for crimes against peace. When have they ever?..

    and

    ‘Britain’s ‘forgotten generation’ of impoverished, mentally damaged military veterans’

    https://www.rt.com/uk/352082-veteran-ptsd-poverty-ssafa/

  16. Murray Simmonds 16
    20 July 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Joe Biden visit to NZ to meet . . .umm, . . . wotzhizname:

    THE IDEAL:

    ‘Look Joe, here in NZ we don’t give a monkey’s about the self-appointed role of the U.S. as the World’s policeman. if China wants its 9-dash line in the South China sea, that’s fine by us. And we don’t want to encourage terrorism in NZ by committing more troops to Afghanistan or IRAQ or anywhere else for that matter. S o o o o o – Sorry!”

    THE REAL:

    “Yes, Joe, yes, yes, anything you say. Of course we can – and will.
    And please give my love to Barack – I’m looking forward to meeting him on the golf course again soon.”

  17. Morrissey 17
    20 July 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Jim Mora’s crass and ill-informed comments are still stinking up the airwaves
    The Panel, RNZ National, Wednesday 20 July 2016
    Jim Mora, Brodie Cane, Sue Wells, Caitlin Cherry

    4:35 p.m. …

    That idiot Jim Mora has just compared Melania Trump’s sub-kindergarten-level plagiarism to Johnny Cash’s rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues”. He wasn’t being ironic or deliberately employing black humour: he was serious.

    A little later, he mentioned another infamous example of plagiarism, then made another cretinous statement: “Was it really so bad what Joe Biden did because he was obviously inspired by a great idea from Kinnock?”

    Why on earth is Mora still on radio?

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/frenzy/biden.htm

    • Paul 17.1
      20 July 2016 at 5:02 pm

      It’s great to have you back dissecting this appalling show.
      Did you hear him fawning to the braying Boag yesterday?

      The Panel – one hour of first world problems enunciated by the privileged class of New Zealand. Today’s inisights: Sue Wells on how she spent $10k on her teeth and Brodie Kane tells us New Zealand is great because her family cares for her.

      Neither obviously have a clue of the ravages destroying the fabric of society for the working class.

    • North 17.2
      20 July 2016 at 5:42 pm

      I understand your concern Morrissey but the truth is as follows – Mora is an affable ‘chatty’ whose reputedly Mensa level intelligence has been subjugated to the overwhelming caution of NEVER being seen as antipathetic to power. He’s a willing cipher in the world of Crosby Textor and ‘John’. Poor man enjoying no respect. Gratitude perhaps from those he so gratutitously serves, but no respect.

      Michelle Boag would’ve fixed a few invites to Parnell Xmas BBQs to keep the snob/weakling assured of his (humph) pedigree. Parnell BBQs are very potent for nothing people. Ask Billy Boy Ralston.

    • Gabby 17.3
      20 July 2016 at 8:40 pm

      Sue Wells savoured every long drawn out syllable in her fascinating account of something or other. At least she seemed to find it entertaining.

    • North 17.4
      20 July 2016 at 10:02 pm

      Mora’s still on radio because he licks the arse of power. Brilliant dinner guest I’m sure but a nothing fuck nevertheless !

  18. North 18
    20 July 2016 at 5:03 pm

    The best 59 minute watch for a long time. George Galloway and others on BBC Question Time – post-Chilcott, post-Brexit.

    ‘Georgous George’ near his indefatigible best.

    His best was this – found it easily by googling “George Galloway Owns US Congress” – was a US Senate committee ackshully where it was sought to project on George the corrupt raison d’etre of prominent US Republican senators.

    Finally, there’s this – reputed to be the best George comeback ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHaR3Z8yTAM

    • Paul 18.1
      20 July 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Look out for this film he’s made about Blair. Out in the UK at the end of the month.

      • North 18.1.1
        20 July 2016 at 6:08 pm

        Yes. So looking forward to that. A very close friend of mine, for years and years and years a UN “international civil servant” as he fashions himself, hardly radical, recently remarked to me that Blair is “the most hated man in Britain”.

        The misdeeds, the lies, and the amassing of fabulous wealth post-Iraq, and even post-Chilcott I’ll bet, would explain that assessment.

        Yeah……put the bastard on trial ! For the blood his machinations spilt. And the wife. Went to Australia to give an after dinner speech for some charity. Mongrel charged a hundred grand. Her office has never denied it. These are the scum who have control of this world. And the Weak Man Key, the willingly weak man Key, is not a shred different.

    • Colonial Viper 18.2
      20 July 2016 at 7:00 pm

      Galloway in front of the US House committee was just awesome.

      • North 18.2.1
        20 July 2016 at 10:12 pm

        Shit CV……you hoha me sometimes but good to be with you re George. A true person !

  19. Paul 19
    20 July 2016 at 5:05 pm

    The banks are worried.

    Bank boss warns of property market mess

    There are storm clouds on the horizon for sure and when they break who knows what will happen.
    One thing is certain, if employers start laying off staff because exports to an uncertain world are dropping, those people won’t be able to afford their mortgages and when that happens they will sell their houses. If unemployment rises and the dollar drops, overseas investors will cash in their chips and sell, most probably in a stampede.
    The Baby Boomers who have become property investors in recent years based on shallow deposits will soon realise what I’m already seeing – more and more rental properties where owners either can’t find a tenant, or the rent can’t cover the mortgage. Salaries and wages have hardly changed whilst house prices have risen – this can’t continue so it’s a matter of when, not if, the market adjusts.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11678081
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11678082

    • North 19.1
      20 July 2016 at 6:16 pm

      And that’s when we’re gonna get the Herald crying tears on it’s front page for the poor ‘investor’ whose mongrel tenants denied him/her their birthright, viz. to get rich at the expense of poor people who’ve got fuck all.

      Well for mine…….good job ! Frankly I don’t even care if those tenants smashed your place over. You invoked “The Market” to rape them, sickening wannabe John Key, well before they hit back. Good job !

  20. mac1 20
    20 July 2016 at 5:33 pm

    Hoo boy. What a portrayal of Donald Trump by his ghost writer partner on his book The Art of the Deal, Tony Schwartz.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/us/politics/trump-book-tony-schwartz.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0

    An article in the New York Times in which such gems as “I should have named the book, “The Psychopath”, ” are found. Nothing new, really!

  21. Andrea 21
    20 July 2016 at 9:27 pm

    It all seems to have gone quiet on the ‘export a crim Kiwi from the Lucky Country’ front so we’re not hearing enough – or pushing enough – for the other captives on Australia’s ‘offshore islands’.

    How do you get through to the like of Peter Dutton?

    Our WINZ is Bad. Their immigration is borderline evil.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/20/the-terrible-true-story-of-mr-eaten-fish-manus-island-cartoonist

  22. North 22
    20 July 2016 at 10:38 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11678189

    The Weak Man Key is gonna go down in history as just that. An effete showboat, a weak man dependent for backbone on Crosby Textor. Such a terribe shame. New Zealand really was special once. Now we have a ponce to reflect us. Oh God !

  23. ianmac 23
    20 July 2016 at 10:59 pm

    The Key Government is desperate to not be blamed for when the bubble bursts. They see it is better to be accused of inaction rather than the unholy mess that will happen when the crash happens.
    Labour’s fault. Council’s fault. Bank’s fault. Australia’s fault. But please, please do not blame the Key lot!