Open mike 21/07/2020

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 21st, 2020 - 57 comments
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Open 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 …

57 comments on “Open mike 21/07/2020 ”

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  1. Sacha 1
    21 July 2020 at 7:35 am

    A break from the bad news. Meet the New Zealander who came up with the 'bubble' concept, Dr Tristram Ingham. https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122163720/dr-tristram-ingham-the-brains-behind-the-covid19-bubble

    “Build your bubble” was the answer he pitched to the ministry. It went alongside messages like “don’t be scared, be prepared” and aligned with the concept of hibernation. The idea was that “you didn't have to wait for the tidal wave to come, you could do something,” Ingham explains.

    “Effectively it was a social contract with people, a set of rules you negotiated with family members or housemates.”

    • Rosemary McDonald 1.1
      21 July 2020 at 8:55 am

      There were so many issues that affect people with disabilities and their families in that article Sacha it is almost impossible to isolate one to highlight.

      The 'bubble' thing…not a novel concept and unsurprising it has been deployed again to make the Lockdown seem a little less scary.

      What struck me about that article is that Dr. Ingham did go into some detail about having to not only reorganise his life but the lives of his extended family in order to ensure his care needs were met. Were his usual carers, the ones he 'cancelled' compensated for loss of earnings?

      Not so easy for others….

      But he doesn’t shy away from the reality of those weeks trapped at home, without carers or support networks, with supermarkets stripped of the basics, online delivery slots impossible to secure and no PPE.

      “Lockdown was pretty traumatic.”

      And he also relates an experience, all too familiar to those with impairments (especially those with high support needs) when engaging with those who effectively control the lives of those not blessed with ACC cover.

      Too often, a disabled person’s voice is not at the table, he says, “or if it is it’s not given the volume it needs”.

      He talks of being at a high-level government meeting where a service provider turned around and said while they didn’t mind “asking” disabled people what they wanted, “we certainly don’t want them on our committee – we want people with skills”.

      Being the only disabled person in the room, that was “horrifying”, he says.

      Fuck me. This guy is an actual doctor….with degrees and a significant disability…and even he is not considered worthy enough to to contribute to the planning and provision of disability supports?

      Unsurprising to we lesser mortals who have tried to engage in good faith with these people, thinking it was simple ignorance that was at the root of their inefficiencies.

      The other issue Dr. Ingham raised was the lack of security in the reforms brought in during April to allow disabled people …

      …the autonomy they’d been asking for, as criteria were loosened for things such as what disability support money could be spent on.

      Now the “million-dollar question” is whether the red tape will be tightened again. “There's a real sense that these changes need to continue,”

      While I am enjoying finally having an income after 20 years of unpaid care provision, this is by no means a secure arrangement. There was a strange email from our IF Host the other day…confused and confusing and asking for clarity produced more confusion.

      And finally….the references to Dr. Ingham being a 'millionaire' in the article makes sense now after this piece on the Natrad this morning.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018755844/covid-19-govt-contractor-paid-400-an-hour-for-help

      • greywarshark 1.1.1
        21 July 2020 at 11:30 am

        Rosemary – burrow not too far into anything from the top these days and look for the 'money' side of it.

        So the real reason why 'they' don't want disabled people at the table is that they don't have the 'money first', obeying the strictures of neolib efficiency skills. They are money-users without awareness of spending limits, not tightly-budgeted people but care-oriented, people-oriented skills; Not Wanted on Board! And the two sides are likely to be often in opposition, and need to listen to and work alongside each other, not freeze each other out.

        • Rosemary McDonald 1.1.1.1
          21 July 2020 at 12:02 pm

          "…not tightly-budgeted people but care-oriented, "

          Thing is GWS, many, many disabled people are, from necessity, extremely 'tightly-budgeted people'. They understand about limited income and having to do more with less.

          They have to be, often having to subsist on pathetic WINZ benefits and having to crawl for every cent extra their begging might produce.

          Those disabled people who are in paid employment more often than not have extra expenses not faced by the abled bodied. (ACC will reimburse these costs, but try getting the MOH or WINZ to offer support.)

          Up until the mid eighties, a person with a significant impairment who was in paid employment was expected to fund their own personal cares…funding was means tested and The Powers That Be struggled to get their heads around the fact that a person in a wheelchair needing 50 hours per week of hands on care could also hold down a full- time, mainstream job.

          What a person with experience of receiving care would bring to the service providers table would be practical ideas to improve efficiencies….possibly leading to lowering the providers 'overheads' and potentially reducing their profit making ability. They jealously defend their possies around the trough.

  2. Nick 2
    21 July 2020 at 7:36 am

    Another one bites the dust

    And another ones gone

    And another ones gone

    Another one bites the dust

    • Sacha 2.1
      21 July 2020 at 7:39 am

      Not cool.

      • greywarshark 2.1.1
        21 July 2020 at 11:31 am

        What is warm and right then teacher?

        • Sacha 2.1.1.1
          21 July 2020 at 11:40 am

          what would Jacinda do?

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1.1
            21 July 2020 at 11:44 am

            "When I took over as leader of the Labour Party I was very deliberate in saying that no matter what else was happening in politics, that I was absolutely determined that we within our team would try and change the culture of politics, that we would campaign positively, that we wouldn't involve ourselves in personal politicking or in what people often call dirty politics," she said.

            "In my mind, that if we wanted to restore faith in political institutions, if we wanted a strong democracy, we need people to look to this place and to the politicians and parties within it and have a bit of faith in us."

            • UncookedSelachimorpha 2.1.1.1.1.1
              21 July 2020 at 1:09 pm

              I missed that statement by JA – it is excellent and to a good extent, it is what the coalition has actually done.

  3. Treetop 3
    21 July 2020 at 7:53 am

    So there is no ongoing operational police matter and Collins cannot interfere in an operational matter.

    Collins cannot sack Falloon immediately. Without doubt Falloon needs to be on sick leave.

    So now a pattern of behaviour could be established and if so could the Falloon issue become an operational matter under another act?

    The 19 year old needs a free legal advisor.

    Falloon's resignation is immediate.

  4. Pat 4
    21 July 2020 at 8:35 am

    Its a hard row to hoe finding the perfect politician

    • AB 4.1
      21 July 2020 at 9:54 am

      … unless they've got a large road to show?

      • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1
        21 July 2020 at 9:57 am

        So…

        The roads are just a cover up and National keeps repeating them because they once worked?

      • Pat 4.1.2
        21 July 2020 at 10:25 am

        that would be a road to nowhere in the context

        • greywarshark 4.1.2.1
          21 July 2020 at 11:35 am

          Reminds me of once when I was in Naples staying in a campground outside the city and there was a beautiful but deserted road from the city to a sports stadium that was rarely used. I was told that a firm with Mafia interests had won a contract to build it – it seemed that it was merely a political ploy, an exercise in profit-making from the gummint to their mates.

  5. Reality 5
    21 July 2020 at 8:38 am

    Dave Armstrong's satirical column on being a Nat MP in Stuff today is laugh out loud hilarious.

  6. Incognito 6
    21 July 2020 at 8:41 am

    Only 60 days until Election Day.

    • Just Is 6.1
      21 July 2020 at 3:22 pm

      That's a long time in politics, given the way it's been going since the demise of the leader of the opposition..

      The first one

  7. Tricledrown 7
    21 July 2020 at 8:43 am

    Karma has caught up with National and its Dirty politics The temporary leader of the National disgrace party,one of the major players in Dirty politics, poetic justice .

    Crusher getting Crushed by her own MP's, dirty rats leaving natz stinking ship.

    • I Feel Love 7.1
      21 July 2020 at 8:53 am

      Conversation in the staff room "he shoulda been sacked", so much for crushing, pfft. Oh yeah, the dirty polly busted sending dirty photos to another woman.

  8. Dennis Frank 8
    21 July 2020 at 8:54 am

    Biden's Brer Fox strategy continues to trend him as winner: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/national/

    As a general matter, nothing he’s said has made much of an impression one way or the other. His campaign, understandably, hasn’t tried hard to change that. It knows that it benefits if the election is solely a referendum on Trump—and is acting accordingly. On the other hand, Trump should know that it hurts him if the election is solely a referendum on him—yet persists in making it one anyway. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/07/15/the-unappreciated-shrewdness-of-the-joe-biden-campaign-364844

    I heard Trump on the radio earlier this morning saying that Democrat-controlled cities are "worse than Afghanistan". Due to the riots being worse in those cities, apparently. Like how he told the US governors a while back "you've got to dominate!" And also this morning `if I weren't in the whole country would go to hell'. Yet dominance and scaremongering are getting him no traction.

  9. Tricledrown 9
    21 July 2020 at 9:04 am

    Now Winston has hired a Dirty political operator from the Brexit campaign.

    Winston's popularity is finally fizzling out,desperate flailing around getting involved with a very Dirty operator won't revive his back to the past popularity.

    • Tricledrown 9.1
      21 July 2020 at 9:16 am

      Russian interference in Brexit covered up exposed after the UK election.

      Winston has lost it flailing around trying to regain popularity at all costs.

      This is a dumb strategy after all the Nats Dirty politics Winston will be seen in the same light.Desperation.

      • Gabby 9.1.1
        21 July 2020 at 12:28 pm

        Will he demand the dirty tricks brigade be allowed into the country under essential skills, or will they smear from a distance?

    • Gabby 9.2
      21 July 2020 at 12:26 pm

      Isn't Arron Banks a self-professed leader of people up the garden path? ie liar?

  10. joe90 10
    21 July 2020 at 10:22 am

    Rotten to the core.

    ‘Go back into a room with a predator? No thank you’

    For one former staffer from the Botany office of independent MP Jami-Lee Ross, the idea of going back to work for someone who made lewd comments towards her is “disgusting”. Yet this is exactly what her employer suggested.

    A new investigation for the Parliamentary Service has substantiated a number of complaints about his behaviour towards staff, adding to a long list that includes allegations of bullying and sexual harassment that has resulted in mental health implications for several former staffers.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/go-back-into-a-room-with-a-predator-no-thank-you

    • RedBaronCV 11.1
      21 July 2020 at 12:06 pm

      This tiktok link seems to be transfering a lot of data onto my computer which is taking time then to respond – rather than giving just a link that when clicked on then brings up the audio/video.

      Given it seems to be an app which has a dubious background/ reputation is this okay? Personally I don't watch audio/ video links

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 11.2
      21 July 2020 at 1:17 pm

      BRILLIANT!!

  12. Just Is 12
    21 July 2020 at 11:34 am

    Here's a great article on positive politics, leading by example.

    An interview with TVNZ

    The tide is turning in NZ politics, Nationals grip on immorality is receeding, fast..

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/pm-says-she-wasnt-interested-in-dirty-politics-after-learning-andrew-falloon-scandal-before-national

  13. greywarshark 13
    21 July 2020 at 12:06 pm

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/421649/contractors-paid-millions-to-help-with-government-s-covid-19-response

    $400 an hour – cheap! That's the way the money goes (in neolib NZ), Pop goes the weasel.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_Goes_the_Weasel | An alternative meaning which fits better with the theme of "that's the way the money goes" involves pawning one's coat in desperation to buy food and drink, as "weasel (and stoat)" is more usually and traditionally Cockney rhyming slang for coat than throat and "pop" is a slang word for pawn.

    • OnceWasTim 13.1
      21 July 2020 at 5:16 pm

      Stroke of luck he was close by in the Rapa and not up to much. They'd been shuffling through the roladex of old boy contacts with impressive C.Vs, and by chance, there was a 'nice guy' at hand – probably just tending his Llamas. or testing the local wine, or talking about old times with spook retirees around some gorgeous Greytown restaurant.

      We should really count ourselves lucky, or they'd have had to bring in someone from the Western Empire at twoice the proice

  14. Rosemary McDonald 14
    21 July 2020 at 2:37 pm

    A gleam of light in the murk..https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/421655/world-rugby-considers-transgender-ban

    Hopefully common sense and science will prevail.

    "The latest peer reviewed research confirms that a reduction of testosterone does not lead to a proportionate reduction in mass, muscle mass, strength or power. These important determinants of injury risk and performance remain significantly elevated after testosterone suppression. "

  15. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 15
    21 July 2020 at 2:39 pm

    Wow! Question Time in parliament. Just watched question 2 – the leader of the opposition to the PM.

    Jacinda great in her answers, cutting Collins to shreds, and Julie-Ann and Winstone joined in.

    Not an auspicious start for the new LoTO.

    • Just Is 15.1
      21 July 2020 at 3:30 pm

      It's been the most entertaining afternoon TV I've seen in a while.

      It was certainly much better entertainment than most comedy shows.

      Mallards pretty fair

    • Gabby 15.2
      21 July 2020 at 5:04 pm

      Has Hammish cutPrice crowed about joodee crushing jacinda yet?

  16. ianmac 16
    21 July 2020 at 2:45 pm

    Headline in the Herald:

    'Stardust' vs 'the Crusher'; Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins face off in Parliament.

    Derek Cheng tries to tilt. The effect of Collins questioning on Transport petered out like a wet blanket in my view. On the length of time to start/finish programs like rail to airport, Jacinda answered, "As the Member well knows it sometimes takes a very long time to get what you want." (General laughter.)

    Score: Jardern 1 Collins 0

    • Devo 17.1
      21 July 2020 at 3:22 pm

      Clickbait headline, don't give them what they want (your views)

      • I Feel Love 17.1.1
        21 July 2020 at 3:29 pm

        I don't need too, she'll blame it on drinking and someone stole her phone, mea culpa, etc … I defended her the other day, I'll never read anything of hers again, she's lost it.

        • Just Is 17.1.1.1
          21 July 2020 at 3:36 pm

          Leopards don't change their spots.

          These persistant events plaguing the Nats must be quite overwhelming for her, having to recognise the reality of the National Party in full colour.

  18. AB 18
    21 July 2020 at 3:37 pm

    It's always terrible when the young die – and I will miss the thoughtful Michael Brooks especially from my list of alternatives to mainstream pap. He gave me a new word "pabulum" (or "pablum") and an example of radical humanism impressive in someone so young.

  19. ianmac 19
    21 July 2020 at 4:08 pm

    '

    Labour list MP Raymond Huo has announced he will be retiring at the election.

    Huo was elected in 2008 and was Labour’s first Chinese MP. He has been accused of having close links with “united front” groups linked to the Chinese state, but has denied this.

    “I am proud to have been Labour’s first Chinese born MP,” Huo said in a statement.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300062284/labour-mp-raymond-huo-retiring-from-politics-at-election

    • Treetop 19.1
      21 July 2020 at 7:06 pm

      I read the link, no mention made of the part the police played. I need to chase up what part the police played. Possibly Falloon was told that were more complaints to be made the case would be reopened.

      The way I read it the complainant would have felt let down by the police decision.

      This belongs in 17.

  20. Eco Maori 20
    22 July 2020 at 8:25 am

    Kia Ora

    The Am Show.

    Awsome New Plymouth is setting up a Maori ward.

    That's is cool online business interest is booming.

    I say get some plant setup to remanufacture our plastic waste into floats for mussel and fish farms.

    CONGRATULATIONS Greta.

    Ka kite Ano.

  21. Eco Maori 21
    22 July 2020 at 6:57 pm

    Kia Ora

    Te Ao Maori Marama.

    Yes Maori have to grab opportunity's to provide a better future for their people.

    All councils should have more Maori included in the discussion and decision.

    Ka kite Ano.

  22. Eco Maori 22
    23 July 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Kia Ora

    Newshub.

    Snowing on the moanga and down south the ski fields operators will be smiling.

    That's is cool NZ tourist touring in mass instead of going overseas.

    That's is sad the Tuatara being eaten by a rat such ancient creatures they are.

    Ka kite Ano.

  23. Eco Maori 23
    23 July 2020 at 6:56 pm

    Kia Ora

    Te Ao Maori Marama.

    That's is cool Te puia sorting out their issue with the Government.

    Cool Te Tairawhiti Hauora are working together to provide better health and wellbeing outcomes for their Tangata.

    Ka kite Ano.