Open mike 22/02/2025
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6:00 am, February 22nd, 2025 - 59 comments
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- The untold story of the 2009 defence white paper
Prime minister Kevin Rudd released the 2009 defence white paper in May of that year. It is today remembered mostly for what it said about the strategic implications of China’s rise; its plan to double ...20 hours ago - This is not democracy
When National introduced its bullshit "Treaty Principles Bill", the public reacted with outrage. Over 300,000 of us - more than 5% of the entire population of Aotearoa - submitted on the bill, crashing parliamentary servers. But now, National's stooge committee has decided to dump two-thirds of those submissions in the ...22 hours ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Saturday, March 29
In short this morning in our political economy:Voters want the Government to retain the living wage for cleaners, a poll shows.The Government’s move to provide a Crown guarantee to banks and the private sector for social housing is described a watershed moment and welcomed by Community Housing Providers.Nicola Willis is ...1 day ago - Updates from Rwanda and the Congo – by Zoom
The recent attacks in the Congo by Rwandan backed militias has led to worldwide condemnation of the Rwandan regime of Paul Kagame. Following up on the recent Fabian Zoom with Mikela Wrong and Maria Amoudian, Dr Rudaswinga will give a complete picture of Kagame’s regime and discuss the potential ...2 days ago - Public-Private-Partnerships?
New Zealand’s economic development has always been a partnership between the public and private sectors.Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) have become fashionable again, partly because of the government’s ambitions to accelerate infrastructural development. There is, of course, an ideological element too, while some of the opposition to them is also ideological.PPPs come in ...2 days ago - Australia’s international spending reveals uneven ambition
How Australia funds development and defence was front of mind before Tuesday’s federal budget. US President Donald Trump’s demands for a dramatic lift in allied military spending and brutal cuts to US foreign assistance meant ...2 days ago
- The imperilled truth and the imperilled Herald
Questions 1. Where and what is this protest?a. Hamilton, angry crowd yelling What kind of food do you call this Seymour?b. Dunedin, angry crowd yelling Still waiting, Simeon, still waitingc. Wellington, angry crowd yelling You’re trashing everything you idiotsd. Istanbul, angry crowd yelling Give us our democracy back, give it ...2 days ago - Northern Australia’s economic revival can support defence readiness
Two blueprints that could redefine the Northern Territory’s economic future were launched last week. The first was a government-led economic strategy and the other an industry-driven economic roadmap. Both highlight that supporting the Northern Territory ...2 days ago
- Climate Change: More subsidies for Tiwai
In December 2021, then-Climate Change Minister James Shaw finally ended Tiwai Point's excessive pollution subsidies, cutting their "Electricity Allocation Factor" (basically compensation for the cost of carbon in their electricity price) to zero on the basis that their sweetheart deal meant they weren't paying it. In the process, he effectively ...2 days ago
- Tamatha Paul’s Pile On Is Unjustified
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US President Donald Trump has raised the spectre of economic and geopolitical turmoil in Asia. While individual countries have few options for pushing back against Trump’s transactional diplomacy, protectionist trade policies and erratic decision-making, a ...2 days ago
- Friday 28 March
Jobs are on the line for back-office staff at the Department of Corrections, as well as at Archives New Zealand and the National Library. A “malicious actor” has accessed and downloaded private information about staff in districts in the lower North Island. Cabinet has agreed to its next steps regarding ...2 days ago - The Hoon around the week to March 28
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- The Browns Bay Bird Poisoner
Hi,As giant, mind-bending things continue to happen around us, today’s Webworm is a very small story from Hayden Donnell — which I have also read out for you if you want to give your sleepy eyes a rest.But first:As expected, the discussion from Worms going on under “A Fist, an ...2 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 28-March-2025
Today’s another Friday, and we are almost at the end of March. Here’s another roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. This week in Greater Auckland On Tuesday, Connor pointed out that people tend to like people-friendly cities. On Wednesday, Matt looked at the stadium proposals, ...2 days ago - To counter China’s coercion of Taiwan, we must track it better
The threat of a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan dominates global discussion about the Taiwan Strait. Far less attention is paid to what is already happening—Beijing is slowly squeezing Taiwan into submission without firing a ...2 days ago
- Good Morning Good Morning
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In short this morning in our political economy: Chris Bishop attempted to rezone land in Auckland for up to 540,000 new homes last year, but was rejected by Cabinet, NZ Herald’s Thomas Coughlan reports this morning in a front page article.Overnight, Donald Trump put 25% tariffs on all car and ...2 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #13 2025
Open access notables New coasts emerging from the retreat of Northern Hemisphere marine-terminating glaciers in the twenty-first century, Kavan et al., Nature Climate Change: Accelerated climate warming has caused the majority of marine-terminating glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere to retreat substantially during the twenty-first century. While glacier retreat and changes ...3 days ago - Trump’s critical minerals order may harm Australian interests
US President Donald Trump is certainly not afraid of an executive order, signing 97 since his inauguration on 20 January. In minerals and energy, Trump has declared a national emergency; committed to unleashing US (particularly ...3 days ago
- Is this what government is for?
Aotearoa has an infrastructure shortage. We need schools, hospitals, public housing. But National is dead set against borrowing to fund any of it, even though doing so is much cheaper than the "public-private partnership" model they prefer. So what will National borrow for? Subsidising property developers: The new scheme, ...3 days ago
- Late Capitalism / Early Dystopia FAQ
QUESTION:What's the difference between the National government loosening up the RMA so that developers can decide for themselves what's a good idea or not, and loosening up the building regulations in the early 1990s so that a builder could decide for themselves what was a good idea or not?ANSWER:Well in ...3 days ago - China’s warships reveal more than a need to strengthen the ADF
Last month’s circumnavigation by a potent Chinese naval flotilla sent a powerful signal to Canberra about Beijing’s intent. It also demonstrated China’s increasing ability to threaten Australia’s maritime communications, as well as the entirety of ...3 days ago
- Will Labour take on the oligarchs?
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- Louise Upston ensures beneficiaries can’t pay rent or utilities while Matt Doocey undermines p...
Hi Readers,I’ve been critical of Substack in some respects, and since then, my subscriber growth outside of my network has halted to zero.If you like my work, please consider sharing my work.I don’t control the Substack algorithms but have been disappointed to see ACT affiliated posts on the app under ...3 days ago - Australia’s security architecture must evolve, not regress
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- More F-35s, more tankers: a reliable way to strengthen Australian deterrence
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- Big Business
Think you've had enoughStop talking, help us get readyThink you’ve had enoughBig business, after the shakeupLyrics: David Bryne.Yesterday, I saw the sort of headline that made me think, “Oh, come on, this can’t be real.” At this point, the government resembles an evil sheriff in a pantomime, tying the good ...3 days ago - Thursday 27 March
Kiwis working while physically and mentally unwell is costing businesses $46 billion per year, according to new research. The Tertiary Education Commission is set to lose 22 more jobs, following 28 job cuts in April last year. Beneficiaries sanctioned with money management cards will often be unable to pay rent, ...3 days ago
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In short: New Zealand is spending just a third of the OECD average on primary health care and hasn’t increased that recently. A slumlord with 40 Christchurch properties is punished after relying on temporary migrant tenants not complaining about holes in the ceiling. Westpac’s CEO is pushing for easier capital ...3 days ago - Australia surveys volatile and unpredictable geoeconomics
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- The five-domains update
Sea state Australian assembly of the first Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) shipsets for the Royal Australian Navy began this month at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland. The ship protection system, ...4 days ago
- The five-domains update
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- Signalling Deliberate Reckless Disregard.
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Australia and other democracies have once again turned to China to solve their economic problems, while the reliability of the United States as an alliance partner is, erroneously, being called into question. We risk forgetting ...4 days ago
- Wednesday 26 March
Machines will take over more jobs at Immigration New Zealand under a multi-million-dollar upgrade that will mean decisions to approve visas will be automated – decisions to reject applications will continue to be taken by staff. Health New Zealand’s commitment to boosting specialist palliative care for dying children is under ...4 days ago
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Wednesday, March 26
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One of the odd aspects of the government’s plan to Americanise the public health system – i.e by making healthcare access more reliant on user pay charges and private health insurance – is that it is happening in plain sight. Earlier this year, the official briefing papers to incoming Heath ...4 days ago - Defence budget doesn’t match the threat Australia faces
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- Here is the news at 4.30
Bishop ignores pawnPoor old Tama Potaka says he didn't know the new RMA legislation would be tossing out the Treaty clause.However, RMA Minister Bishop says it's all good and no worries because the new RMA will still recognise Māori rights; it's just that the government prefers specific role descriptions over ...5 days ago - China’s shadow fleet threatens Indo-Pacific communications
China is using increasingly sophisticated grey-zone tactics against subsea cables in the waters around Taiwan, using a shadow-fleet playbook that could be expanded across the Indo-Pacific. On 25 February, Taiwan’s coast guard detained the Hong Tai ...5 days ago
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Yesterday The Post had a long exit interview with outgoing Ombudsman Peter Boshier, in which he complains about delinquent agencies which "haven't changed and haven't taken our moral authority on board". He talks about the limits of the Ombudsman's power of persuasion - its only power - and the need ...5 days ago
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Hi,Two stories have been playing over and over in my mind today, and I wanted to send you this Webworm as an excuse to get your thoughts in the comments.Because I adore the community here, and I want your sanity to weigh in.A safe space to chat, pull our hair ...5 days ago - Tuesday 25 March
A new employment survey shows that labour market pessimism has deepened as workers worry about holding to their job, the difficulty in finding jobs, and slowing wage growth. Nurses working in primary care will get an 8 percent pay increase this year, but it still leaves them lagging behind their ...5 days ago
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- tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-2287094456929079731
Chris Trotter is now on Substack visit him at christrotter418256.substack.com ...6 days ago - Australia should work with South Korea to secure undersea cables
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- Yesterday Once More
All my best memoriesCome back clearly to meSome can even make me cry.Just like beforeIt's yesterday once more.Songwriters: Richard Lynn Carpenter / John BettisYesterday, Winston Peters gave a State of the Nation speech in which he declared War on the Woke, described peaceful protesters as fascists, said he’d take our ...6 days ago - Can we now find out who the real Vladimir Putin is?
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Once upon a time, the United States saw the contest between democracy and authoritarianism as a singularly defining issue. It was this outlook, forged in the crucible of World War II, that created such strong ...6 days ago
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A pre-Covid protest about medical staffing shortages outside the Beehive. Since then the situation has only worsened, with 30% of doctors trained here now migrating within a decade. File Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories shortest: The news this morning is dominated by the crises cascading through our health system after ...6 days ago - Monday 24 March
Bargaining between the PSA and Oranga Tamariki over the collective agreement is intensifying – with more strike action likely, while the Employment Relations Authority has ordered facilitation. More than 850 laboratory staff are walking off their jobs in a week of rolling strike action. Union coverage CTU: Confidence in ...6 days ago
- The permanent Australia-China contest in the South Pacific
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Monday, March 24
Here’s my selection1 of scoops, breaking news, news, analyses, deep-dives, features, interviews, Op-Eds, editorials and cartoons from around Aotearoa’s political economy on housing, climate and poverty from RNZ, 1News, The Post-$2, The Press−$, Newsroom/$3, NZ Herald/$, Stuff, BusinessDesk/$, Politik-$, NBR-$, Reuters, FT/$, WSJ/$, Bloomberg/$, New York Times/$, Washington Post/$, Wired/$, ...6 days ago - Gordon Campbell on Israel’s murderous relapse, and Peters’ sad decline
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Labour shares farmers’ concerns that the Gene Technology Bill is moving too fast. ...3 days ago - Release: Bar still too high for small mental health providers
Small mental health providers will still be locked out of co-funding from the Mental Health Innovation Fund despite a lower threshold. ...3 days ago
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Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...3 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori Call for Mandatory Police Body Cameras
In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...3 days ago
- Release: Kiwis lose faith in job market
Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...4 days ago
- Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt must tackle meth use crisis
New data shows methamphetamine use is spiralling out of control while the Government sits on its hands. ...6 days ago
- “Make New Zealand First Again”
“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt’s continued lack of action on Gaza condemned
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...1 week ago
- Release: National at sea over Defence jobs
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...1 week ago
- Release: National standards returning by stealth
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...1 week ago
- Release: Kiwis still struggling as economy stumbles along
Kiwis aren’t feeling any better off despite figures showing a very slight growth in GDP in the December quarter. ...1 week ago
- Greens call for compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...2 weeks ago
- Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility
The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Luxon quick to give away principled position on nukes
Christopher Luxon seems to have thrown New Zealand’s principled anti-nuclear advocacy under a bus. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must act on Israel’s slaughter of children
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Still no certainty for disability communities
One year on from the Government’s abrupt and callous changes to disability funding, the community still has no idea what the future holds. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party backs volunteer firefighters in their call for ACC recognition
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...2 weeks ago
- Stand Up for Palestine: A Call to Action Against Israels Treacherous Attack
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...2 weeks ago
- MP Views: Living Strong, The Economy, Servicing Our Nation, The Golden Egg, and 4 Year Terms
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...2 weeks ago
- Shane Jones has no shame
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National botches health funding numbers
Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that the Government has put $16.68 billion into the health system over three years is wrong. ...2 weeks ago
- Government tramples on the rights of disabled migrant children
The Green Party is condemning the Government’s move to tighten access to visas for disabled children. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Auckland needs second harbour crossing
Labour supports Minister Chris Bishop’s call for input on the second Waitematā Harbour crossing. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds’ speech to NZ Investment Summit 2025
I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to you today about how we make overseas investment work for all New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour does not support PPPs for prisons
Labour does not support the private ownership of core infrastructure like schools, hospitals and prisons, which will only see worse outcomes for Kiwis. ...2 weeks ago
- Dunedin Futures report should be a wake-up call
The newly released report on the South Dunedin Future Programme must be a wake-up call for our Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Members’ Bill makes wage theft a crime
Workers will now be able to go to the Police and report their employer if they are not being paid wages they’re owed. ...2 weeks ago
- Missed opportunity to stop the stealing of Māori land
The Green Party is disappointed the Government voted down Hūhana Lyndon’s member’s Bill, which would have prevented further alienation of Māori land through the Public Works Act. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour supports sanctions against Israel’s illegal occupation
The Labour Party will support Chloe Swarbrick’s member’s bill which would allow sanctions against Israel for its illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Govt procurement plan cuts wages and trashes the environment
The Government’s new procurement rules are a blatant attack on workers and the environment, showing once again that National’s priorities are completely out of touch with everyday Kiwis. ...3 weeks ago
- Procurement proposals pose risk to people and planet
The Green Party is concerned by the impact the Government’s proposed changes to procurement processes could have on people and planet. ...3 weeks ago
- Just six Government MPs needed to pass Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill
With Labour and Te Pāti Māori’s official support, Opposition parties are officially aligned to progress Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in Palestine. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour’s approach to Māori economy benefits all
Under Labour, the Māori economy went from strength to strength according to the latest report released by MBIE. ...3 weeks ago
- New planning laws to end the culture of ‘no’
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court. “The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build ...6 days ago - New Zealand & India Comprehensive FTA consultation begins
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For anyone having issues posting comments I've cracked the code.
From a phone, enter the letters ziryry in box underneath the 'Submit Comment ' box. Remove the 3.0.
test
ctrl click open new tab gives a reply comment box that works on Mac OS/Safari.
So now we have to trust who the supermarkets trust…
I object to this level of surveillance especially when the 'guardrails' seem non existent.
There should be a massive fine for Foidstuffs to pay and a surveillance stand down of a few months while we get some checks and balances.
I expect the libertarians in parliament to make a song and dance over this eggregious invasion.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360590442/foodstuffs-confirms-security-staff-leaked-golriz-ghahraman-photo-amid-new-privacy-breach
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360590442/foodstuffs-confirms-security-staff-leaked-golriz-ghahraman-photo-amid-new-privacy-breach
Not good enough. Boycott Pak n Slave.
I wonder who else was involved-I think we should be told.
Try Moore Wilson's in Wellington.
It'll set you back but the pastries and cheeses are superb.
It's a warning to the HR departments of large organisations that your IT and tech teams more generally might be a swamp of young and not so young men with pathologically far-right views that originate from their delusion that understanding something about tech makes them superior to others and instantly knowledgeable about the whole world. Musk' s DOGE goons are only the latest manifestation of an old phenomenon. HR departments should be aware of the reputational risk this poses to their organisations.
Guarantee someone was paid to do the leak.
This is a shocking breach of privacy and trust. Business collect a huge amount of information from their customers. I work in the finance and banking sector, it is drummed into all employees from day one. Certainly the operators of the supermarket must be held to account, not just the employees concerned.
Funny how this sort of dirty deed alway,always attacks the left
So they harassed her while she was shopping making it look bad, then leaked the results. Who received the information? That is two parties misusing a system. The recipient passed it as well, so should face some penalty.
Golriz deserves our sympathy. Perhaps fewer customers may make a point to Foodstuffs about this system and the vetting of security personnel, as any system is only as good as those using it and the rules being strictly applied.
Somewhere I saw it reported a certain restaurant owner was involved as the initial recipient, and that it was passed to Police. That aspect should be investigated thoroughly and similar penalties applied imo.
The police did their bit as well:
The item hadn't actually been "taken" at that point, not even to checkout!
[Note: the "Reply" feature still isn't working properly. My attempted answer to comment #2 above came back with a message saying something like "Rejected because it is spam".]
…. and there doesn't seem to be an edit/delete option offered any more, either.
Can’t see the need for a boycott of the supermarket (at least not over this
), they fired the security guard who leaked the photo.
That she hadn’t left the store but was accused by supermarket staff is not ok though and the supermarket needs to front up on that.
Patricia, I would guess the photo went to the media, it’s a shame that Stuff didn’t explain but it probably protects her privacy.
Why not get an organiser boycott going?
Here's couple of reasons why.
Network building and strengthening.
Practicing people power. When we see the power balance shift when we remove or defer our $.
The unifying strength of a group of people. The morale or belonging is tremendous.
This is readily transferrable to other causes as we see fit-pushing back at councils for their decisions, CC actions…
To punish a foreign corporation for being too laissez faire with our data.
I like boycotts, for the reasons you name.
This is a matter of strategy. You would be asking people to give up their routines around feeding themselves, that's core to many people. What is the cause? A wealthy ex MP from a small political party who's been convicted of shoplifting (not food but posh frocks). Not the cause, but how it will be perceived. Even the actual cause, leaking an instore CCTV still (about a shoplifter!), isn't something most people are going to care that much about.
For a boycott to be effective, you need mass buy in. I can't see that happening over this.
The Greens regularly poll 10-14% now. "Small" they are not.
One person's "A wealthy ex MP from a small political party " is another's female, refugee fighter for human rights.
of course.But my guess is that outside of GP voters and supporters (and not all of those), there aren't that many people that would give up their grocery routines for this cause. What % of the population needs to take part of a boycott to be effective?
I'm also wondering how stupid Ghahraman has to be to put things in her bag after having a shoplifting conviction. Lots of people will assume she was shoplifting again. This is not a useful rallying point.
"..they fired the security guard who leaked the photo."
That is woefully inadequate. No disrespect to security guards meant.. they are at the bottom of the chain. There are white collar folk who argue for and implement this intrusive surveillance.
There will be managers of the security firm contracted to provide security. Are their training and vetting processes up to scratch?
As Patricia says there are a lot of unanswered questions and firing a security guard is nowhere near enough accountability.
It wasn't clear to me if the security guard that got fired was part of a firm, or was an independent contractor.
The issue I see is the leaking of the photo. And auto sending the photo to the police. I also think accusing someone of shoplifting before they've left the shop is not ok. But beyond that are you saying that supermarkets shouldn't be using camera surveillance?
Not so much not using camera surveillance, more, if a big company is going to harvest our biometric data, then there have to be serious and onerous conditions and they need to be enforced. Eye-watering consequences when they are in breach of those conditions.
I take my Mum shopping each fortnight and on the rare occasion we do the self checkout at Countdown, and I have bought a few items too, the machine locks up, accuses us of theiving and an assistant has to come and investigate and unlock till.
Lprent is aware of the commenting and format issues, but didn’t have time to sort it out yesterday. I expect it will be resolved soon.
Looks like it was a single post coming from Greater Auckland. It had some kind of graphic listed as its image. I have changed them to a priority bus default logo and set it to always be on.
About to test the new router.
We live in an upside down political world – an Orwellian, dystopian crazy place.
James O'Brian, a UK talkback host, discusses, or at least, ponders what Keir Stammer should say to Donald Trump – the truth, and face a backlash, or lick his arse to keep on the right side of the most powerful and irrational man in the world.
The same sort of questions could be put to our CEO, though we all know, in advance, what his position will be (and to a large extent, totally understandably) – tell Trump the truth and crash our economy, or tell him how great he is and only get 25% tariffs?
15 mins long.
In terms of an Economist views you want to hear on Trump's it's properly Steve Keen's
The same people who believe in economic theories completely unsupported by real-world data, eg, 'free trade', are the ones who criticise Māori observation of the natural world, and associated language and framing as unscientific.
I think he is mostly wrong.
He is right that inclusion in the first world market as more than a resource supplier is advantageous for other nations.
Their comparative advantage is lower cost/cheaper labour society. Inclusion in that market allows industrialisation – foreign investment/access to industrial tool.
He is right that global capital is advantaged by access to this labour supply. Thus the result of greater returns to those with capital.
But he ignores the returns to (western workers) boomers made on savings for retirement. Of course some nations – did better out of this an others (we through the NZSF and KiwiSaver were late to this).
The extent to which nations (relatively) benefit from changes that grow the entire global market is based on how they act/apply policy domestically. And how that international trade was/is regulated.
US Senators (bi-partisan group) with a different approach to that of Trump.
The GOP say who they are.
The US government bought weapons from US companies (US jobs and corporate profits) and now want the Ukraine to cede land and pay back the USA for the aid.
They do not mention aid from European nations to Ukraine – some of which involved transfer of US made weapons and replacement of their stocks with new purchases.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360590554/ive-had-it-trump-admits-russia-attacked-ukraine-he-blames-zelensky-biden
Re 9 above: what Keen seems to be saying (he speaks so fast with a bewildering array of images etc) is that we cannot leave it up to the free market to decide what is best, because it will always go for the least costly, most profitable option, which may not be in the best interests of their country of origin.
We need, in fact, government intervention, and on a massive scale, a la China, to get the best outcomes.
Is Keen suggesting the age of neoliberalism is over?
Tony, I've found (on an Android) that long hold on reply, 'open in new tab', then you can reply to a person's comment.
That works on computer browsers to.
totooBut still no edit.
He's claiming neo-lib economics in relation to trade is unscientific and not evidence-based.
Yep my half arsed view on neo-liberal economics, globalism is that it's only to suit capitalists.
Eg we (apparently) pay a global price for cheese because globalism. Absolutely no mention of a global wage. Pay parity with Aussies would be a great place to start
India is the largest producer of dairy foods in the world …why not pay parity with them?
It's complicated.
Surely it would be a good thing if the Indian dairy workers wages rose?
Yeah. I do admit the way Steve goes about his videos, he isn't trying to convert people who only understand Neoclassical economics. You kind of have to somewhat understand other economics theories.
Confession, I was subbed before I posted the video
So kind funny whoever is managing the channel was juicing the algo to show up for US libs that wanted:
And instead got
Orange Man tariffs won't work but…
Looks it's fixed now I'll repost the comment here too:
Tony that’s my understanding too. He’s not saying the tariffs by themselves will work like Trump does. Basically, countries need some kind of industrial policy and not leaving it all to market forces. The age of neoliberalism is over, but I said in another OP comment we don’t have a popular alternate to neoliberalism yet.
Tony that’s my understanding too. He’s not saying the tariffs by themselves will work like Trump does. Basically, countries need some kind of industrial policy and not leaving it all to market forces. The age of neoliberalism is over, but I said in another OP comment we don’t have a popular alternate to neoliberalism yet.
Tariffs on China would work in the sense that, if applied selectively, jobs would transfer to other suppliers to the western market.
That said, China is facing a demographic decline and outsourcing low tech/low reward production should be part of its future plan – part of moving to new tech (solar panels/EV/AI/robotics). Little wonder it wants Taiwan (most advanced research in chips) incorporated.
Sanctions on Japan by the USA led to war. Blocking Chinese access to Taiwan's advanced chips is on point here.
For now, the Taiwanese company is building production offshore in the USA and Europe (to secure its independence ability to continue to supply to the western market sans a takeover by China).
The USA-Russia Ukraine deal might lead to another one on Taiwan. GOP fascists seeking continental partners to co-rule the world.
The best we can hope for.
The EU stands by Ukraine.
The EU negotiate a cease-fire, in return for inviting the American forces to leave Europe and be replaced by EU ones in the Baltic, Poland etc.
The EU offering to withdraw from NATO, in return for security guarantees from Russia and a settlement as per Ukraine.
The orange one needs to be quarantined by the grown-ups.
Optimum optimistic.
Will Europe really generate a strong EU alternative to NATO?
If only Poland and Czechoslovakia had stood together.
Poland with EU troops and Ukraine (with an input of volunteers as per Russians in the Donbass 2014).
2022:
'DiEM25 has a plan for peace in Ukraine'
https://diem25.org/diem25-has-plan-for-peace-ukraine/
Yanis VaroufakisToday:
https://x.com/yanisvaroufakis/status/1892138872265404704
Ah, Jonathan Pie – telling it like it really is! (But not if you're easily offended by foul language!!). 5.47 mins long.
The harm Elon Musk is doing because of the myth they could find the money for their tax cuts.
They've arrived.
/
Ooh look. UK anti-trans activists, and vocal anti-trans journalists, including JK Rowling think Trump is fantastic, and a feminist icon. Trump, the (final) solution for woke everything.
‘Though trans-exclusionary feminism originated with a subset of radical American feminists in the 1970s, Lewis notes that the ideas found little support in the US beyond a tiny fringe of eco-feminists and the explicitly anti-feminist religious right. Anti-trans thinking survived and thrived in the UK, however, becoming part of establishment feminism, only to be “exported back to the US in the 21st century like an unholy boomerang”, she says.’
[Full link for those that found it difficult to see:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/21/sophie-lewis-feminism-far-right%5D
[please don’t misrepresent the politics of political figures to readers. It distorts the debate, and makes the left look like fools. Alwyn has addressed the claim that JKR thinks Trump is fantastic below and provided evidence to the contrary. I’ll also respond in a comment with reference to what she was saying in the original tweets – weka]
First they came for the trans…..
/
https://sfba.social/@alfredtwu/113506987706901341
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KTVI) – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, claiming the international coffee chain has violated federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
In a lawsuit formally filed Tuesday, Bailey claims the company engaged in race-and-sex-based hiring practices, unlawfully segregated employees and offered certain training and employment benefits exclusively to select groups.
[…]
The filing, citing employment data from 2020 and 2024, asserted that Starbucks’ workforce has become “more female and less white” over time. Bailey contends that the coffee chain uses quotas to shape its workforce and board of directors, arguing that its policies disadvantage other employees.
https://thehill.com/business/5140951-missouri-attorney-general-sues-starbucks-anti-discrimination-laws/
how revisionist. They've been dismantling abortion rights since 2016.
And today's so called "Trans Rights" activists are preaching an ideology which is at its base and its heart homophobic and misogynistic. They have battened onto the Gay Rights movement like giant ticks, hid behind our flag and stolen the good name we spent the last century working for.
yep. And lol just seen the cartoon has free speech as one of the things falling later on. Not just the Americans that don't get irony.
" including JK Rowling think Trump is fantastic, ".
Would you care to share your evidence for this claim? When I looked for it I found that she thought Trump was entitled, like everyone else, to freedom of expression. However she seems to think, in general, that Trump is an awful person.
"JK Rowling has said that while she finds almost everything that Donald Trump says “objectionable”, he still has her full support to come to the UK and “be offensive and bigoted there”." and "his freedom to speak “protects my freedom to call him a bigot”, just as those critics who have claimed that she is trying to convert children to satanism with the Harry Potter books “are at liberty” to do so, and she is “free to explain that I’m exploring human nature and morality, or to say ‘you’re an idiot’, depending on which side of the bed I got out of that day”.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/17/jk-rowling-defends-donald-trumps-right-to-be-offensive-pen-america
She doesn't hesitate to defend herself against the people on the left who want to take away her freedom of speech.
"Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit back at Twitter users who threatened to burn her books following her criticism of President Trump."
"Another Twitter user posted: "You're a grown ass woman whose entire career is based on stories about a nerd who turns people into frogs. Stay out of politics."
Rowling responded "In – Free – Countries – Anyone – Can – Talk – About – Politics.
"Try sounding out the syllables aloud, or ask a fluent reader to help."
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38842695
Now where, apart from your imagination do you get the idea that she thinks highly of Trump?
mod note.
And Vance thought the same of Trump in 2016. But if someone delivers your wishlist…no matter how politically suspect…
According to Rowling this January, it's a small portion of the vocal left's fault for decrying transphobia which resulted in Trump gaining power.
On X, "Rowling's post included a photo of Trump surrounded by applauding female athletes as he held up the executive order he had just signed, as well as a message for "the left" who adamantly fought to allow biological males to compete in women's sports." https://www.yahoo.com/news/jk-rowling-mocks-left-trump-153855334.html
From Lewis’s interview I quoted before:
‘Though there are thought to be fewer than 10 trans athletes among the more than half a million competing in college sports in the US, it was this sports-related executive order that prompted certain, trans-exclusionary feminists to declare Trump’s feminist bona fides.’
Hate the sinner, love the sin.