Pro-Israeli apologist-comedians angry about human rights protest
Claim Israeli films “in no way a propaganda arm” for Israeli regime
Just over three years ago, a few months before the murderous Israeli assault on Gaza’s captive population (“Operation Cast Lead”) human rights and justice activists protested against the Toronto Film Festival allowing itself to be used as a theatre for a cynical propaganda exercise by the Israeli state. Upset at this outrageous display of democratic dissent, a group of extreme supporters of the Israeli state went public with their love for the Holy State….
WASHINGTON – A number of Hollywood stars circulated a letter Tuesday protesting a petition calling for a protest over the Toronto International Film Festival for its Tel Aviv-themed event.
The letter, which appeared simultaneously in the Los Angeles Times and the Toronto Star was signed, among others, by Jerry Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen, Natalie Portman, Jason Alexander and Lisa Kudrow.
The letter, which was paid for by Jewish organizations in Los Angeles and Toronto, said, “Anyone who has actually seen recent Israeli cinema, movies that are political and personal, comic and tragic, often critical, knows they are in no way a propaganda arm for any government policy.”
Film festival protesters, which included culture critic Naomi Klein, and directors John Greyson and Richard Fung, said the Israeli films presented at the festival promote Israel’s recent publicity campaign, which seeks to show Israel and Tel Aviv as enlightened, liberal places, without conducting a dialogue on their treatment of Palestinians.
The Toronto festival’s management did not give in to pressure, and showed all ten films in the City of City event, which spotlighted Tel Aviv. Among them were Ephraim Kishon’s “Big Dig,” Assi Dayan’s “Life According to Agfa,” and Keren Yedaya’s “Bride of the Sea.”
Meanwhile, Jane Fonda, who had initially opposed the spotlight on Tel Aviv at the festival, Tuesday released a statement that she had changed her mind.
“I signed the letter without reading it carefully enough, without asking myself if some of the wording wouldn’t exacerbate the situation rather than bring about constructive dialogue,” Fonda wrote on the huffingtonpost.com. She added that the suffering of both sides should be articulated.
This is worrying. Govt querying whether Chief Justice Sian Elias should hear the Maori Water rights claim. Fran O’Sullivan in NZ Herald 22.12.12. I speculate this will be just the start of a govt move to disregard any result from the hearing if it is positive for the Maori Council claim.
Note also Bill English starting to query the legitimacy of the Maori Council. All part of a pr build-up which will allow the Govt to ignore a positive outcome for the Maori Council !
“Should Chief Justice Sian Elias recuse herself from the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Maori water rights claim? ………..
“It would be a big call to challenge the Chief Justice, who has (in fact) presided over at least three Supreme Court hearings in which the Maori Council has been a plaintiff without facing any challenge from the Executive. But Cabinet ministers are understood to have asked Crown Law to look at whether grounds do in fact exist for a challenge, or a request to be made to her to stand aside…………….
“She successfully acted for the council on several high-profile Treaty of Waitangi claims against the Crown in the late 1980s through to the mid-1990s.
“Some Cabinet ministers take the view that because of this strong and lengthy relationship as one of the council’s prime legal advocates, she should recuse herself from the upcoming appeal by the Maori Council against High Court judge Ron Young’s judgment effectively clearing the way for the Government to sell down its shareholding in Mighty River Power.
“At first blush it would seem unlikely Elias would take this step.
…………………………………
“But there have been few …. who have dared to publicly question her role in presiding on such cases.
“When Elias has stood aside it has been when a direct personal conflict has arisen. For instance, when she scratched herself from a Supreme Court case involving jockey Lisa Cropp who had been riding one of the judge’s horses……….
“The water rights case will go straight to the Supreme Court for a full-court hearing on January 31. The single ground for appeal is whether Young was right to dismiss the council’s application to review the Government’s decisions on the sell down of Mighty River Power because of outstanding claims to water rights.
“At Government level there is also concern over the very legitimacy of the Maori Council.
Cabinet ministers such as Bill English – who was second respondent in the council’s High Court action – are sceptical over the council’s standing.
“He contends that it doesn’t really represent the Maori leadership of today…………..”
” The asset sales are a major part of the Government’s fiscal programme………..”
1/ the legality of asset sales, as the owners consent was not sought (all tax payers -referendum)
2/ any validity of building fixed assets around natural resources which is anchored in the treaty regarding access. Is access guarantied under private ownership? And what does this mean in small print?
3/ and really most important, does the government of the day has the right to override the law of the land? Does this then constitute a dictatorship (as they had in eastern Europe not so long ago)?
As citizen of any country these questions would be utmost important. Surprised that the judiciary does not provide advise to parliament before this hits the headlines.
and really most important, does the government of the day has the right to override the law of the land? Does this then constitute a dictatorship (as they had in eastern Europe not so long ago)?
We have seen our country’s governance overturned in large measure, and under constant assault by whatever the latest government is. In this modern age can we have the same approach to democracy and government that we started with in the 1800s??
Since then quite a lot of history and technology has passed by us and through us, like the incessant neutrinos, which we didn’t know much about till recently. We know a lot of new stuff – are we capable of applying that information and fostering some new thinking quickly before all that we built in the past has been carelessly dismantled by the tunnel-visioned and ideology- driven conmen and women who are putting themselves forward with confidence.
It’s not enough to step up to the country having been groomed like a show horse and announce that ‘You can trust me to do the right thing because I look good, and I have confidence in myself and my party. Vote for me even if I have never explained in understandable language what I think is The Right Thing” Our democracy is a sham and not resilient and robust enough to prevail against the being and getting obssessives – their obssession – wealth and consumer goods and power.
Agree that democracy is fragile, not just here in NZ. Having a lot of new technology is not necessary new knowledge. It just means doing the same faster, more efficient, more accurate etc. (looking towards novopay….. đ ). As for the show horse bit, any front person is just that. We all should know that by now. New technology gives any party the means to survey where they stand ever so faster, thus enabling promise answers before we had time to formulate our questions. Yes, this is also happening everywhere.
However, the one institution that ought to keep everything above board, the process clean and fair is the judiciary. The difference between so many consume driven democracies to this new development is the ease with which the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the “wild west” was won with a sheriff in town.
Foreign Waka the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the âwild westâ was won with a sheriff in town.
Agree. You know how to dig the spurs in pardner.
As promised yesterday (I always keep my word), the song I sent to Clare Curran.
I wrote it in a couple of hours after work one evening, and whilst not really being about her, it’s relevant and perfectly captures the moment in time I knew 100% I would never party vote Labour again.
Of course, I wouldn’t ever publish her reply. đ
I can’t sing or play a note on any instrument, and until last April, never written a proper song.
I’m the idiot savant with arguably more idiot than savant, so click the link – It’s only a little quickie. 2.16 of your time. You might even like it.
You’ll know that I’m right and you’ll wish I was so wrong.
The feelings you’ll get, like regret, they last far too long.
I can’t give you any more clearer lines.
I can’t give you any more clearer signs.
Could you feel it? The chemical drift. The chemical drift away.
Could you see it? My chemical twist. My chemical drift away.
I know what it’s like to be right and be so wrong.
The feelings you get, to forget, just takes so damn long.
So I don’t take any more some other time.
I don’t take any more deleted lines.
Did you feel it? The chemical shift. The chemical drifts away.
Did you see it? My chemical drift. My chemical drifts away.
You couldn’t steal it. The chemical gift. The chemical drifts away.
Now you’ve freed it. My chemicals drifts. My chemical drift away.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you or me.
Says I, “But Joe, you’re ten years dead,”
“I never died,” says he.
“I never died,” says he.
Ten years ago today Joe Strummer died. The foundation set up in his name, Strummerville, works to give young musicians in third world countries a voice. Today would be a good day to make a small donation, if readers felt inclined. Cheers.
Except that under MMP small parties are major parties. Look at the power that Peter Dunne has been wielding in recent years.
But even if we just look at Labour and National, I have to quote you to yourself đ
“My younger brother who has a life-long disability (and while he can paint roofs, you would not wish what he has on your worst enemy) says he can always tells when National is in power because WINZ or itâs equivalent of the day, go from being merely depressing to deal with ⌠to utterly miserly, malicous and mind-fucking.”
That’s a significant difference. I know what people are trying to do when they say there is no difference between left and right anymore. But I think it is a flawed strategy, partly because it denies the reality of people like your brother, and partly because it’s dishonest.
Yes there is a difference … you are quite right to quote my brother’s observations. They certainly go about the business of government differently.
But at a fundamental level there is not as much difference as they would like to pretend … Labour for instance shows no sign of being willing to reduce our carbon use by 10% the first year they get into power.
Nor challenge the power of money.
#9. Yes. Wrong and silly interpretation of something else more interesting.
I guess my problem with the line that left and right mainstream parties are the same is that it stops us from understanding what is different and the usefulness of still voting on the left. It also encourages people to not vote at all.
The other area where the difference is notable is community based funding. Lots of funding dries up under NACT, and returns under Labour. I think even more so under Labour/Greens. Making change is easier under a left wing govt than a right wing one.
I think it would be better for people to be more complex in what they say. I’ve found the recent discussions on ts about Labour, the left/right struggle within the party, and the degree to which different Labour govts are to the left or right of others very helpful. Understanding those subtleties helps us make decisions.
regardless of who is in power (small medium or large parties) the real problems never get fixed. All you have is a shift of a few degrees to the left of to the right every 3 years. I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. Why? I now realize that ‘the current System’ is the problem and the barrier to do what is required to fix things.
Increased life expectancy, social security, universal education etc etc demonstrate that elements of the current system are in fact the solution. I would need to be pretty well convinced that what you are serving up is at least as good as what we already have in terms of ability to deliver good outcomes.
Fomenting discontent about “the system” is counter-productive when it is “the system” that has produced a range of positive changes already. As for future changes, put in the hard yards that transform a progressive idea into an act of parliament.
The best analogy I can think of is what happened after the Roman Empire collapsed.
While at one level there was an objective reduction in the standard of living for a small minority of very wealthy Romans and their minions in the colonies who supervised the inlet end of the various ‘wealth pumps’ of the empire … for the vast majority of peasants and slaves nothing much changed.
And what came after was not a complete reversion to what came before the Romans and Greeks before them. Latin and the Classics were not forgotten. The Christian and Islamic empires various built upon this legacy … eventually resulting in the modern world.
The difference is the level of technological advancement that we have achieved.
As an example (albiet a little simplistic admittedly) …The entire world could move to using completely renewable energy but Money and its role in the current system is a barrier to doing this. Remove money and you still have the resources and technology to do this.
Yeah its a fair comment bloke, and one which has been evident while getting into the current state the world is now in. Unfortunately of current course that same system will be inverting on itself for many, and currently is in front of our eyes, and will continue to eject more people into, then from the bottom layers!
The system will eat itself, or should I say eat those, who the system does not want to cater for any longer!
I do agree that the present system, could be helpful if harnessed, but I do not see how that is possible, given the driving forces!
Spose we could all just keep voting every three year and hope for a miracle!
If nobody votes the system fails.
Does govt have a mandate if only 30% of eligible voters vote and of that number the winning party receives 16% of the vote?
It would be a difficult term if you are trying to push through policies with a mere 16% public support. It also shows up yet another flaw in the system
you can have all of those things and more under a new system but you can add to the list
massive reduction in crime
elimination of starvation
people having more free time to do the things that they are passionate about and spend more time with that are important to them (friends and family).
‘The system’ that you have so much faith in is the only thing man has ever build that he must then work for in order to survive. All other things that man has built make life easier not harder.
It is time we evolved again
Their are certain things that everyone on the entire planet should have an inalienable right to, all culminating in the ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Food
Clothing
A safe loving home
an education
Money has evolved within the system it is time we evolved from needing to use it.
It has now become a barrier in order for people to be able to obtain the tings that they want and more importantly need to live the happy and fulfilling life that we ALL need.
If you designed the system from scratch around what people need and want with a view to having mechanisms in place to supply those things you would not even have money in the equation.
You would have a govt in an administrative role that is there to serve the people. Not to dictate to them as we have now.
I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. Why? I now realize that âthe current Systemâ is the problem and the barrier to do what is required to fix things.
Can’t change the current system without voting. Of course, you need to have a political party that will change the present system and there doesn’t appear to be one of those around.
agreed revolution does get a little bloody – it would be easier for an influential party to understand what is possible and provide a vision on how to get their. Certain smaller steps would need to be taken first to ‘adjust’ the political landscape. Such a party could introduce policy like feeding kids in schools thus helping to ensure the get a good education. Then perhaps a policy around housing to ensure that there are affordable homes and to get the message out that everyone should have the opportunity to have their own home… đ
“I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. ”
Well thanks mate for abandoning the most vulnerable people to a NACT future. Actually, forget thanks, fuck you.
It is much easier to make change under a left wing govt. If you choose to not vote, you are essentially acquiescing to NACT and allowing them free reign. You think it’s bad now? Give them another term or two.
The things I want to see fixed will not be fixed under a left wing govt either. The things I want to see fixed are fixable but not within the current system.
Furthermore the govt is their to represent the will of the people. There are many instances on both sides L&R where the complete opposite is true. If a party were advocating a move away from the current system to a new constitution and were to give people back the power (direct democracy) then I would vote. Until then you will remain forever locked in a cycle of shifting a couple of degrees to the left and then a couple of degrees to the right.
If I vote I am responsible for the mess they create and perpetuate as are you and whoever else votes and thus by doing so perpetuates a broken system.
I’m in no way responsible. I didn’t vote them in. In fact by not voting at all I didn’t support and therefore perpetuate the system unlike those who did vote.
I see you still haven’t learned the simple art of posting a comment without making a snide remark or name calling OTV…..
Not clutching anything… more have made the concious decision to no longer participate and support something I don’t believe in.
If the system was an alcoholic. You are saying yoeah its not ideal whilst handing the alcholic the bottle. I on the otherhand am simply refusing to supply the bottle.
I have informed a certain MP what I think is needed and policy that has some out could be sheer coincidence… alternately he may have listened. I have seen many things that lead me to believe we are getting closer to the world I want to see as more and more people waake up.
I did once clutch at the driven snow, I too got wet. Then I dried myself, Stood back from the situation figured out why it didn’t work and am now on a different path.
Less and less people aare voting each time around. More and more people are becoming disenfranchised with the system. For it to change, I believe both types of people are needed. Those like me who do not participate and those like you who do. Both need to be vocal about what they feel isn’t working.
One of two things will then happen.
The system will change (slowly) – and more people like me will start participating again.
Or
The system won’t change and more people like you will stop participating and the system will come to a point where change is forced upon it.
Either way there will be change.
One other thing. If the brave new world you’re advocating is based on the drivel in your “10 signs that you are fully awake” you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.
The people who believe that garbage are too delusional and disorganised to ever represent a serious threat, but yes, in the vanishingly unlikely event that policy based on internet conspiracy memes and quasi-spiritual mumbo-pocus became the norm. Or any other bunch of fact-free, thought-free dogma.
By the way, before you can claim that I support the bogey-men you have to show that they exist. Good luck with that – your ten commandments barely even articulate the situation in the USA, let alone the South Pacific.
already read it but I didn’t see it as an instruction manual on how I should live my life…..
The path that has lead me to the conclusion that the ‘Bogeymen’ as you put it exist has been through research in reading books and the application of common sense and logic. None of it has been gleaned from websites. Their is much information and evidence to support it, you only have to look. Unfortunately doing so for many shatters their nice comfortable reality of what they think they know about the world. In fact the global elite and shadow govt count on the fact that you won’t want to step outside your comfort zone and have a look and then make up your own mind.
As for not understanding english OTV I asked…….
Wow so you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive warâŚ..?
You would take up arms so that if you and your neighbour have fierce ideological disagreements you can consider them your enemyâŚâŚ?
You would take up arms to support the global elite in implementing one world control of the planetâŚâŚ?
You would take up arms to ensure that our media remains biased and would defend against having unbiased mediaâŚ.?
but I guess in the original I did leave off the question marks so if you need an out to answer than there it is, but the questions were not about whether the global elite and shadow govts exits, They were exactly as stated:
Question – So you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive war? etc. etc. The normal and expected response is that you would either confirm that Yes you would take up arms for this or No you would not…….
Given that you haven’t supplied such a response the onlything we have to go on
is your orginal somewhat surprising statement.
“If the brave new world youâre advocating is based on the drivel in your â10 signs that you are fully awakeâ you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.”
Which by itself is a resounding Yes to the questions I put to you and certainly not something I’d expect from someone that appears to support the left although to be fair I have never seen you state that either.
A few months ago grant Robertson signalled at an environment event with cunliffe that uncompromising dogma must change.
Shearer signals for a new direction.
Cunliffe states too loudly about fundamental change needed due the forth coming systemic problems.
Now we have Helen Clark commenting about climate change.
These people deal in facts not dogma by their nature, life history and education.
Now we have the weight of the Fabians guiding hands linking reputable academics and economist to the powers within labour.
We have in my local community rise of intra connected organisation all realising we need a new direction away from dogmatic ideology from within the left block and from the current paradyme.
The electorate is waking up to the need for a new direction, a new paradyme, a transition to a new system of equality, fairness and opportunity for all not just a few well connected.
It’s not socialism or Investment capitalism both are failed polarised systems.
labour need unity, harmony and reconnection to the electorate as fore front party in the red green brown coalition.
In true modern labour we must trust as time is pressing….too many starve now.
To understand a polli or any person one need historical reference to that person past and present to understand or predict future statement of viewpoints.
I think deep down within labour is a pragmatic progressive heart with a long tern vision or pathway.
Look for the next two years for labour to slowly signal change and adapt the electorate to what is needed….can’t scare the voter by radicalised messages that the imbedded tories and captured msm can manipulate.
Question.
Which labour poli was a teacher and union rep and promoted SOE to expand invest offshore?
Which party must capture both the centre voter and also the marginal turned off voter in the long term.
1: While it was an american slant, it did say major parties, of which Mana are not, and none of the NZ parties are going to challenge the system. Waiting to hear talk about controlling our sovereign monetary system/supply….waiting…waiting…waiting…
9: What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not – I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!
Agree that the wording is not great, but certainly the points of interest around any such subject matter, numerous.
1. yes muzza, that’s a given. You missed my point though. I think framing the issue in that way marginalises the already marginalised by denying their reality, and fudges over what is a complexity. I’m not suggesting that people say the parties are significantly different, I’m saying we should be looking at the differences as much as the similarities.
9. “What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not â I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!”
What evidence can you offer that you are not a figment of my imagination?
And if you think that I’m in agreement with the mainstream with regards to consensus reality you are mistaken.
There was a letter in the Dom/Post this morning from a Keith Williamson of Raumati Beach.
It was about Hekia Parata and says, among other things that “List MPs shouldn’t be eligible for Cabinet roles”.
My first thought was, in effect, “How stupid can you be”.
Then I thought about it and decided that it was a great idea and that it should be applied retrospectively.
Look at the advantages. Winston Peters would never have been Foreign Minister. Michael Cullen would never have been Minister of Finance. We must immediately recover any money they were paid as ministers and declare any laws put through the house under their lead as being null and void.
Even better is the effect this would have in the future. No Green MPs will be eligible for Cabinet office!
Yes, and Winston was member for Tauranga.
I was just trying to point out, sarcastically, how silly the letter writer was when they argue that losing in Poriru meant she has no mandate.
I simply do not understand the mind processes of people who argue that, in an MMP Parliament, losing in an electorate contest should disqualify one from Parliament.
Needless to say these *stories* are the lower end shennagigans which occur when the various intelligence/military centered factions, who control the show, then decided to outwardly exhibit the arm twisting and blackmail that goes on at the highests levels, by *outing* Petreaus, and his phillandering ways.
Kind of like how Hillary *apparantly* fainted, concussed herself, but didn’t go to hospital, or some shit like that.
Quite how anyone imagines humanity will slow its own decline with this foot on its own throat, I do not know!
Yes. Thanks for this, felix. It is another one for my collection. And still government’s don’t seem to see the problem of concentration of the news media ownership by big corporates – or they like it.
In a day that has seen news reports of poverty stricken kiwiâs in their hundreds lined up outside charity food depots and conversely politicians, the likes of Prime Minister John Key, holding out their hands for unwarranted pay-rises, another sinister story involving the evasive and forgetful John Key has surfaced.
Watched the vid in the link and the story those guys relate sounds absolutely plausible.
The moral of the story being to never take a politician at their word…never mind one who has a track record for being fast and loose with promises. And expect members of a Goon Squad to behave like goons.
Ok, then, point out the error in construction and rewrite it correctly, Moz. The only potential grammatical problem I see is the word ‘to’, which is not needed, but doesn’t hamper the sentence structure unduly.
‘their’ is spelled correctly, btw, so your ‘sic’ is an error. Nothing worse than a failed pedant, pal!
No, it applies to all politicians. Believe they’ll do something only when they actualy do it, not when they promise it.
And the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language. Otherwise, we would not be also cautioned against accepting the word of female politicians, just male ones.
Standing up for the politically correct mangling of the language, our good friend McFliper writes that “the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language.”
Of course, such punctiliousness is a sign of nothing but good intentions. However, people who care about the language and don’t want to see it hijacked by spurious gender-equality fanatics will find a way to write the same sentence without being badgered into using ridiculous and pathetic “alternatives”.
So instead of poor old Bill conscientiously and absurdly writing “never take a politician at their word”, which is patent nonsense, he could with just a little effort have come up with “never take the word of a politician”.
It’s easy if you try.
Alternatively, of course, you can keep observing the LooneyFem dictates from the 1970s.
I don’t think so, ‘never take a politician at their word’ sounds like commonly accepted usage to me. Usage defines language, not the other way around. This phrasing has been around long before people started feeling they should use he/she or his/her where gender is indefinite.
Personally I find ‘never take a politician at their word’ more elegant than ‘never take the word of a politician’. Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
After, rightly, upbraiding me for flying off the handle and injudiciously challenging Bill’s use of “their” as a catch-all, our friend mike then has a go at my writing style….
Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
Reading that friendly but stern admonition, I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had “too many notes.”
“I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had âtoo many notes.â”
I’m sure you are the only one. (The Mozart of blogging you ain’t.)
and moi brother? (before i take take the slater to task)
be quick (quick and the Dead); only got a wee credit. (and obviously, I can find you; I fought the Law… and I won) ha ha ha
Typical Slippery, the little shyster probably got a huge thrill out of the whole unsavory little episode made all the more delicious in that psychopath’s pea brain by Him having engineered the whole thing with His big mouth,
Personally, and not wanting to be overly critical of the judiciary, i think the judge got it wrong with placing both these 2 individuals on alcohol bans, christ sakes they are both unemployed and voted for the Slippery little shyster, a more fitting bail condition would have been for the judge to have them placed in the stocks and publicly stoned…
Just thought i would drop abit of info from one of our young people and how he views NZ’s
financial situation, this young guy was 20-25, we were waiting in que at the warehouse,
they were busy as, we got talking politics and the state of nz’s economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014, he said he is the only one that talks sense and
he is more experianced, he also said his friend was a teacher and also had trouble with
no-no-pay and he thought they should just go back to the old system, ,but good on him,he has a great handle on the political scene, we wished each other merry christmas and we were both off into the big blue yonder.
We should have more faith in our young people,they really are our future,they may have
limited voices, but they are watching and understanding politics.
First of all:
“we got talking politics and the state of nzâs economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014” — this provides no context to try and pass on any idea that this guy has any political understanding beyond, potentially, watching the 6pm nightly news. When his chosen solution to the current mounting unemployment, the selling out of our social contract etc etc is to ‘continue to reduce debt’ then he is merely parroting those wonderful guys who got us in this hole in the first place… and then to say he will vote Winston?
*sigh*
If you are going to try and tell a story about how our youth are engaging with politics, at least provide examples in context rather than just saying “we done talked the politic stuff and he seemed like he was capable of stringing some words together that weren’t ‘John’ and ‘Key'”
There was no story, it was an interesting encounter, i believe our young people have a voice, as i did when i was that age,it was interesting listening to him, he seemed capable of having his own views,if he wants to vote winston, surely, that is his democratic right,
Your attitude to my post is one of dismissing what could be a valuable insight into how
someone of that age group thinks and views politics.
Obviously the time was short and not all topics could be discussed.
It is important to hear and listen to the young potential voters,this is good politics.
Wishing you a nice christmas and all the best for 2013.
I think the point vv is making : here was a young man who has recognised politics affects everybody and he is willing to think about it. He’s young and a bit naive, but he’ll learn as he gets older and wiser. Hell, he sounds like he knows more than I did in my early twenties. Good for him.
Recognition to Chris Finlayson for the Te Atiawa and Ngati Koata settlements. He’s an effective capable National Minister in action, working closely at every step with Maori. Finlayson definitely deserves his QC.
Finlayson is a mere functionary in an ongoing process and deserves nothing, as a representative of those who offended against Taranaki Maori He has been well paid throughout the process,
The real ‘ups’ need be extended to those Taranaki Maori who have never let the flame of the torch be extinguished,those who are no longer with us but passed on the ‘take’ to the next generation never knowing whether their voices would ever be heard…
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Governmentâs official website – arrived in Point of Orderâs email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive  Melissa Lee â as may be discerned from the screenshot above â has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Governmentâs focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes –Â Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu â often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the governmentâs readiness to make urgent changes to âthe resource management systemâ through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes donât go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a âmedia summitâ to discuss âthe state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalismâ. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes –Â This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
 Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for âfast trackâ consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill â currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes-Â The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you arenât wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said âSince we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that âNew Zealandâs economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerfulâ. They also believe that âNew Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerfulâ. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
âYou talking about me?âThe neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hallâs âGlide Timeâ caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veteransâ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veteransâ affairs spokesperson Greg OâConnor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxonâs management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last yearâs severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labourâs environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our countryâs most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his memberâs bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Todayâs advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Governmentâs newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealandâs urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Distinguished guests - Â It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Â Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Â Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. âOur Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin  NgÄ mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho  Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.  I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĹ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĹ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĹ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sectorâs role in the export-led recovery of the economy. âI am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Governmentâs support for the revitalisation the sector.  "New Zealandâs wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Muskâs vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandelaâs grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesnât normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australiaâs inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and itâs now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
PĹneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealandâs complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the RĂĄkĂłczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).SĂĄndor HegedĹąs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesnât really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didnât really want to, because of a war they didnât ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the publicâs democratic right to have âa fair sayâ and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard â in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
Iâm on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Heraâs help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener youâre likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
âNever again - No AUKUSâ was the message of the wreath laid at this morningâs national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now sheâs very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice â both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high schoolâs head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble. Â Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhireâs 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.  My World War I Poem  Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging.  Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihanâs gorgeous and sad debut KĹhine, Noelle McCarthyâs memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend NgÄhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australiaâs University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourneâs Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australiaâs inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and itâs now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this weekâs Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealandâs coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Leeâs spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammageâs Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australiaâs forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmersâs third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief â beyond the tax cuts â although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Leeâs recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmannâs defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Leeâs âforensicâ and ânuancedâ application of law ...
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The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayersâ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of âsix decades of treacheryâ over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazineâs 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish Iâd writtenIf I wish Iâd written a ...
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âThree Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.â ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunalâs report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallaceâs debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that heâs always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe itâs something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. Sheâs ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whÄnau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says âoutlook not greatâ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, itâs not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
Pro-Israeli apologist-comedians angry about human rights protest
Claim Israeli films “in no way a propaganda arm” for Israeli regime
Just over three years ago, a few months before the murderous Israeli assault on Gaza’s captive population (“Operation Cast Lead”) human rights and justice activists protested against the Toronto Film Festival allowing itself to be used as a theatre for a cynical propaganda exercise by the Israeli state. Upset at this outrageous display of democratic dissent, a group of extreme supporters of the Israeli state went public with their love for the Holy State….
Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen and Natalie Portman slam Toronto Film Festival protest
Jewish actors sign letter in L.A. Times and Toronto Star against protest of festival over homage to Tel Aviv.
by Itamar Zohar and Natasha Mozgovaya | Sep.16, 2009 | 1:29 AM |
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/2.209/seinfeld-sacha-baron-cohen-and-natalie-portman-slam-toronto-film-festival-protest-1.7828
WASHINGTON – A number of Hollywood stars circulated a letter Tuesday protesting a petition calling for a protest over the Toronto International Film Festival for its Tel Aviv-themed event.
The letter, which appeared simultaneously in the Los Angeles Times and the Toronto Star was signed, among others, by Jerry Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen, Natalie Portman, Jason Alexander and Lisa Kudrow.
The letter, which was paid for by Jewish organizations in Los Angeles and Toronto, said, “Anyone who has actually seen recent Israeli cinema, movies that are political and personal, comic and tragic, often critical, knows they are in no way a propaganda arm for any government policy.”
Film festival protesters, which included culture critic Naomi Klein, and directors John Greyson and Richard Fung, said the Israeli films presented at the festival promote Israel’s recent publicity campaign, which seeks to show Israel and Tel Aviv as enlightened, liberal places, without conducting a dialogue on their treatment of Palestinians.
The Toronto festival’s management did not give in to pressure, and showed all ten films in the City of City event, which spotlighted Tel Aviv. Among them were Ephraim Kishon’s “Big Dig,” Assi Dayan’s “Life According to Agfa,” and Keren Yedaya’s “Bride of the Sea.”
Meanwhile, Jane Fonda, who had initially opposed the spotlight on Tel Aviv at the festival, Tuesday released a statement that she had changed her mind.
“I signed the letter without reading it carefully enough, without asking myself if some of the wording wouldn’t exacerbate the situation rather than bring about constructive dialogue,” Fonda wrote on the huffingtonpost.com. She added that the suffering of both sides should be articulated.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/2.209/seinfeld-sacha-baron-cohen-and-natalie-portman-slam-toronto-film-festival-protest-1.7828
And Jane Fonda, as usual, was simply bewildered.
This is worrying. Govt querying whether Chief Justice Sian Elias should hear the Maori Water rights claim. Fran O’Sullivan in NZ Herald 22.12.12. I speculate this will be just the start of a govt move to disregard any result from the hearing if it is positive for the Maori Council claim.
Note also Bill English starting to query the legitimacy of the Maori Council. All part of a pr build-up which will allow the Govt to ignore a positive outcome for the Maori Council !
“Should Chief Justice Sian Elias recuse herself from the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Maori water rights claim? ………..
“It would be a big call to challenge the Chief Justice, who has (in fact) presided over at least three Supreme Court hearings in which the Maori Council has been a plaintiff without facing any challenge from the Executive. But Cabinet ministers are understood to have asked Crown Law to look at whether grounds do in fact exist for a challenge, or a request to be made to her to stand aside…………….
“She successfully acted for the council on several high-profile Treaty of Waitangi claims against the Crown in the late 1980s through to the mid-1990s.
“Some Cabinet ministers take the view that because of this strong and lengthy relationship as one of the council’s prime legal advocates, she should recuse herself from the upcoming appeal by the Maori Council against High Court judge Ron Young’s judgment effectively clearing the way for the Government to sell down its shareholding in Mighty River Power.
“At first blush it would seem unlikely Elias would take this step.
…………………………………
“But there have been few …. who have dared to publicly question her role in presiding on such cases.
“When Elias has stood aside it has been when a direct personal conflict has arisen. For instance, when she scratched herself from a Supreme Court case involving jockey Lisa Cropp who had been riding one of the judge’s horses……….
“The water rights case will go straight to the Supreme Court for a full-court hearing on January 31. The single ground for appeal is whether Young was right to dismiss the council’s application to review the Government’s decisions on the sell down of Mighty River Power because of outstanding claims to water rights.
“At Government level there is also concern over the very legitimacy of the Maori Council.
Cabinet ministers such as Bill English – who was second respondent in the council’s High Court action – are sceptical over the council’s standing.
“He contends that it doesn’t really represent the Maori leadership of today…………..”
” The asset sales are a major part of the Government’s fiscal programme………..”
There are three issues here really.
1/ the legality of asset sales, as the owners consent was not sought (all tax payers -referendum)
2/ any validity of building fixed assets around natural resources which is anchored in the treaty regarding access. Is access guarantied under private ownership? And what does this mean in small print?
3/ and really most important, does the government of the day has the right to override the law of the land? Does this then constitute a dictatorship (as they had in eastern Europe not so long ago)?
As citizen of any country these questions would be utmost important. Surprised that the judiciary does not provide advise to parliament before this hits the headlines.
Foreign waka 2.1
We have seen our country’s governance overturned in large measure, and under constant assault by whatever the latest government is. In this modern age can we have the same approach to democracy and government that we started with in the 1800s??
Since then quite a lot of history and technology has passed by us and through us, like the incessant neutrinos, which we didn’t know much about till recently. We know a lot of new stuff – are we capable of applying that information and fostering some new thinking quickly before all that we built in the past has been carelessly dismantled by the tunnel-visioned and ideology- driven conmen and women who are putting themselves forward with confidence.
It’s not enough to step up to the country having been groomed like a show horse and announce that ‘You can trust me to do the right thing because I look good, and I have confidence in myself and my party. Vote for me even if I have never explained in understandable language what I think is The Right Thing” Our democracy is a sham and not resilient and robust enough to prevail against the being and getting obssessives – their obssession – wealth and consumer goods and power.
Agree that democracy is fragile, not just here in NZ. Having a lot of new technology is not necessary new knowledge. It just means doing the same faster, more efficient, more accurate etc. (looking towards novopay….. đ ). As for the show horse bit, any front person is just that. We all should know that by now. New technology gives any party the means to survey where they stand ever so faster, thus enabling promise answers before we had time to formulate our questions. Yes, this is also happening everywhere.
However, the one institution that ought to keep everything above board, the process clean and fair is the judiciary. The difference between so many consume driven democracies to this new development is the ease with which the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the “wild west” was won with a sheriff in town.
Foreign Waka
the law of the land is being called into question and at the same time nibbled on to favor special interest. THIS is a big worry, my friend. Because it is the living law that safeguards democracy. Even the âwild westâ was won with a sheriff in town.
Agree. You know how to dig the spurs in pardner.
As promised yesterday (I always keep my word), the song I sent to Clare Curran.
I wrote it in a couple of hours after work one evening, and whilst not really being about her, it’s relevant and perfectly captures the moment in time I knew 100% I would never party vote Labour again.
Of course, I wouldn’t ever publish her reply. đ
I can’t sing or play a note on any instrument, and until last April, never written a proper song.
I’m the idiot savant with arguably more idiot than savant, so click the link – It’s only a little quickie. 2.16 of your time. You might even like it.
Track four from the album Human (R)evolution @ http://www.al1en.org
Chemical Drift
You’ll know that I’m right and you’ll wish I was so wrong.
The feelings you’ll get, like regret, they last far too long.
I can’t give you any more clearer lines.
I can’t give you any more clearer signs.
Could you feel it? The chemical drift. The chemical drift away.
Could you see it? My chemical twist. My chemical drift away.
I know what it’s like to be right and be so wrong.
The feelings you get, to forget, just takes so damn long.
So I don’t take any more some other time.
I don’t take any more deleted lines.
Did you feel it? The chemical shift. The chemical drifts away.
Did you see it? My chemical drift. My chemical drifts away.
You couldn’t steal it. The chemical gift. The chemical drifts away.
Now you’ve freed it. My chemicals drifts. My chemical drift away.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you or me.
Says I, “But Joe, you’re ten years dead,”
“I never died,” says he.
“I never died,” says he.
Ten years ago today Joe Strummer died. The foundation set up in his name, Strummerville, works to give young musicians in third world countries a voice. Today would be a good day to make a small donation, if readers felt inclined. Cheers.
http://www.strummerville.com/
DJ and friend Don Letts is also doing a show in Joe’s honour:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0072pzt
“if you’re after getting the honey, then you don’t go killing all the bees”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYwPc6UNmo
âif youâre after getting the honey, then you donât go killing all the beesâ:
Although, for some people, “killing all the bees” is a laughing matter….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0
10 signs that you are fully awake…..
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/10-signs-that-youre-fully-awake.html
Not a bad list, but number 1 is bullshit. No difference between ACT and Mana/Greens? Pull the other one.
Number 9 is just embarrassing. No wonder the mainstream doesn’t take people like that seriously.
errrm … I was thinking that neither ACT nor Mana/Greens are MAJOR parties.
No. 8 is indeed the logical end-game. All the big problems facing the world are global in nature, therefore their solutions have to be global as well.
At this point most people are still understandably frightened of this.
Except that under MMP small parties are major parties. Look at the power that Peter Dunne has been wielding in recent years.
But even if we just look at Labour and National, I have to quote you to yourself đ
“My younger brother who has a life-long disability (and while he can paint roofs, you would not wish what he has on your worst enemy) says he can always tells when National is in power because WINZ or itâs equivalent of the day, go from being merely depressing to deal with ⌠to utterly miserly, malicous and mind-fucking.”
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15122012/comment-page-1/#comment-563096
That’s a significant difference. I know what people are trying to do when they say there is no difference between left and right anymore. But I think it is a flawed strategy, partly because it denies the reality of people like your brother, and partly because it’s dishonest.
And #9?
Yes there is a difference … you are quite right to quote my brother’s observations. They certainly go about the business of government differently.
But at a fundamental level there is not as much difference as they would like to pretend … Labour for instance shows no sign of being willing to reduce our carbon use by 10% the first year they get into power.
Nor challenge the power of money.
#9. Yes. Wrong and silly interpretation of something else more interesting.
nice summation of #9.
I guess my problem with the line that left and right mainstream parties are the same is that it stops us from understanding what is different and the usefulness of still voting on the left. It also encourages people to not vote at all.
The other area where the difference is notable is community based funding. Lots of funding dries up under NACT, and returns under Labour. I think even more so under Labour/Greens. Making change is easier under a left wing govt than a right wing one.
I think it would be better for people to be more complex in what they say. I’ve found the recent discussions on ts about Labour, the left/right struggle within the party, and the degree to which different Labour govts are to the left or right of others very helpful. Understanding those subtleties helps us make decisions.
regardless of who is in power (small medium or large parties) the real problems never get fixed. All you have is a shift of a few degrees to the left of to the right every 3 years. I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. Why? I now realize that ‘the current System’ is the problem and the barrier to do what is required to fix things.
“…the current Systemâ is the problem…”
Increased life expectancy, social security, universal education etc etc demonstrate that elements of the current system are in fact the solution. I would need to be pretty well convinced that what you are serving up is at least as good as what we already have in terms of ability to deliver good outcomes.
Fomenting discontent about “the system” is counter-productive when it is “the system” that has produced a range of positive changes already. As for future changes, put in the hard yards that transform a progressive idea into an act of parliament.
The best analogy I can think of is what happened after the Roman Empire collapsed.
While at one level there was an objective reduction in the standard of living for a small minority of very wealthy Romans and their minions in the colonies who supervised the inlet end of the various ‘wealth pumps’ of the empire … for the vast majority of peasants and slaves nothing much changed.
And what came after was not a complete reversion to what came before the Romans and Greeks before them. Latin and the Classics were not forgotten. The Christian and Islamic empires various built upon this legacy … eventually resulting in the modern world.
The difference is the level of technological advancement that we have achieved.
As an example (albiet a little simplistic admittedly) …The entire world could move to using completely renewable energy but Money and its role in the current system is a barrier to doing this. Remove money and you still have the resources and technology to do this.
Yeah its a fair comment bloke, and one which has been evident while getting into the current state the world is now in. Unfortunately of current course that same system will be inverting on itself for many, and currently is in front of our eyes, and will continue to eject more people into, then from the bottom layers!
The system will eat itself, or should I say eat those, who the system does not want to cater for any longer!
I do agree that the present system, could be helpful if harnessed, but I do not see how that is possible, given the driving forces!
Spose we could all just keep voting every three year and hope for a miracle!
If nobody votes the system fails.
Does govt have a mandate if only 30% of eligible voters vote and of that number the winning party receives 16% of the vote?
As far as I know 30% turnout is a legitimate way to form govt.
It would be a difficult term if you are trying to push through policies with a mere 16% public support. It also shows up yet another flaw in the system
you can have all of those things and more under a new system but you can add to the list
massive reduction in crime
elimination of starvation
people having more free time to do the things that they are passionate about and spend more time with that are important to them (friends and family).
‘The system’ that you have so much faith in is the only thing man has ever build that he must then work for in order to survive. All other things that man has built make life easier not harder.
It is time we evolved again
Their are certain things that everyone on the entire planet should have an inalienable right to, all culminating in the ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Food
Clothing
A safe loving home
an education
Money has evolved within the system it is time we evolved from needing to use it.
It has now become a barrier in order for people to be able to obtain the tings that they want and more importantly need to live the happy and fulfilling life that we ALL need.
If you designed the system from scratch around what people need and want with a view to having mechanisms in place to supply those things you would not even have money in the equation.
You would have a govt in an administrative role that is there to serve the people. Not to dictate to them as we have now.
The system has served its purpose but is no longer doing so
(perhaps with the exception of Gay Marriage)
Can’t change the current system without voting. Of course, you need to have a political party that will change the present system and there doesn’t appear to be one of those around.
I believe that the system has been changed many times throughout history without voting đ
Revolution can work. Gets a little bloody though.
agreed revolution does get a little bloody – it would be easier for an influential party to understand what is possible and provide a vision on how to get their. Certain smaller steps would need to be taken first to ‘adjust’ the political landscape. Such a party could introduce policy like feeding kids in schools thus helping to ensure the get a good education. Then perhaps a policy around housing to ensure that there are affordable homes and to get the message out that everyone should have the opportunity to have their own home… đ
“I will no longer vote as in the big picture it is not going to fix the real problems. ”
Well thanks mate for abandoning the most vulnerable people to a NACT future. Actually, forget thanks, fuck you.
It is much easier to make change under a left wing govt. If you choose to not vote, you are essentially acquiescing to NACT and allowing them free reign. You think it’s bad now? Give them another term or two.
The things I want to see fixed will not be fixed under a left wing govt either. The things I want to see fixed are fixable but not within the current system.
Furthermore the govt is their to represent the will of the people. There are many instances on both sides L&R where the complete opposite is true. If a party were advocating a move away from the current system to a new constitution and were to give people back the power (direct democracy) then I would vote. Until then you will remain forever locked in a cycle of shifting a couple of degrees to the left and then a couple of degrees to the right.
If I vote I am responsible for the mess they create and perpetuate as are you and whoever else votes and thus by doing so perpetuates a broken system.
Cry-baby. If you don’t vote guess what? You’re still “responsible”.
I’m in no way responsible. I didn’t vote them in. In fact by not voting at all I didn’t support and therefore perpetuate the system unlike those who did vote.
I see you still haven’t learned the simple art of posting a comment without making a snide remark or name calling OTV…..
I see you are incapable of discussing politics without whining, like Bart Simpson that “I didn’t do it.”
Of refusing to participate unless we do things your way, and packing a sad when we don’t.
Cling hard to the purity of that driven snow you’re clutching.
PS: I feel your pain, PP. I really do. I used to clutch at the driven snow too. It melted. I got wet.
Eventually I cottoned on to the fact that the rules of the game weren’t going to change to suit me.
Not clutching anything… more have made the concious decision to no longer participate and support something I don’t believe in.
If the system was an alcoholic. You are saying yoeah its not ideal whilst handing the alcholic the bottle. I on the otherhand am simply refusing to supply the bottle.
I have informed a certain MP what I think is needed and policy that has some out could be sheer coincidence… alternately he may have listened. I have seen many things that lead me to believe we are getting closer to the world I want to see as more and more people waake up.
I did once clutch at the driven snow, I too got wet. Then I dried myself, Stood back from the situation figured out why it didn’t work and am now on a different path.
Less and less people aare voting each time around. More and more people are becoming disenfranchised with the system. For it to change, I believe both types of people are needed. Those like me who do not participate and those like you who do. Both need to be vocal about what they feel isn’t working.
One of two things will then happen.
The system will change (slowly) – and more people like me will start participating again.
Or
The system won’t change and more people like you will stop participating and the system will come to a point where change is forced upon it.
Either way there will be change.
One other thing. If the brave new world you’re advocating is based on the drivel in your “10 signs that you are fully awake” you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.
“I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.”
Wow so you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive war…..
You would take up arms so that if you and your neighbour have fierce ideological disagreements you can consider them your enemy……
You would take up arms to support the global elite in implementing one world control of the planet……
You would take up arms to ensure that our media remains biased and would defend against having unbiased media….
The world I want is pretty simple it’s one that is set up to satisfy the needs and wants of those living in it in a fair and equitable manner. I
Are you sure your not a closet right winger….?
The people who believe that garbage are too delusional and disorganised to ever represent a serious threat, but yes, in the vanishingly unlikely event that policy based on internet conspiracy memes and quasi-spiritual mumbo-pocus became the norm. Or any other bunch of fact-free, thought-free dogma.
By the way, before you can claim that I support the bogey-men you have to show that they exist. Good luck with that – your ten commandments barely even articulate the situation in the USA, let alone the South Pacific.
you’d make a good politician with the way you avoided each and every question.
start with the book Behold a Pale Horse ….that is of course if you are open minded enough to look at the possibilities….
Avoided? Is English your second language?
“…before you can claim that I support the bogey-men you have to show that they exist.”
I’m not defending myself against your delusional fantasies other than to note their fantastical nature.
PS: Start with the book “The Art of War”, that is of course if you are open minded enough.
already read it but I didn’t see it as an instruction manual on how I should live my life…..
The path that has lead me to the conclusion that the ‘Bogeymen’ as you put it exist has been through research in reading books and the application of common sense and logic. None of it has been gleaned from websites. Their is much information and evidence to support it, you only have to look. Unfortunately doing so for many shatters their nice comfortable reality of what they think they know about the world. In fact the global elite and shadow govt count on the fact that you won’t want to step outside your comfort zone and have a look and then make up your own mind.
As for not understanding english OTV I asked…….
Wow so you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive warâŚ..?
You would take up arms so that if you and your neighbour have fierce ideological disagreements you can consider them your enemyâŚâŚ?
You would take up arms to support the global elite in implementing one world control of the planetâŚâŚ?
You would take up arms to ensure that our media remains biased and would defend against having unbiased mediaâŚ.?
but I guess in the original I did leave off the question marks so if you need an out to answer than there it is, but the questions were not about whether the global elite and shadow govts exits, They were exactly as stated:
Question – So you would take up arms to defend the right to pre-emptive war? etc. etc. The normal and expected response is that you would either confirm that Yes you would take up arms for this or No you would not…….
Given that you haven’t supplied such a response the onlything we have to go on
is your orginal somewhat surprising statement.
“If the brave new world youâre advocating is based on the drivel in your â10 signs that you are fully awakeâ you have a problem, because I would be prepared to take up arms to defend what we have against any attempt to replace it with that bullshit.”
Which by itself is a resounding Yes to the questions I put to you and certainly not something I’d expect from someone that appears to support the left although to be fair I have never seen you state that either.
A few months ago grant Robertson signalled at an environment event with cunliffe that uncompromising dogma must change.
Shearer signals for a new direction.
Cunliffe states too loudly about fundamental change needed due the forth coming systemic problems.
Now we have Helen Clark commenting about climate change.
These people deal in facts not dogma by their nature, life history and education.
Now we have the weight of the Fabians guiding hands linking reputable academics and economist to the powers within labour.
We have in my local community rise of intra connected organisation all realising we need a new direction away from dogmatic ideology from within the left block and from the current paradyme.
The electorate is waking up to the need for a new direction, a new paradyme, a transition to a new system of equality, fairness and opportunity for all not just a few well connected.
It’s not socialism or Investment capitalism both are failed polarised systems.
labour need unity, harmony and reconnection to the electorate as fore front party in the red green brown coalition.
In true modern labour we must trust as time is pressing….too many starve now.
Then perhaps Grant has listened after all…..
To understand a polli or any person one need historical reference to that person past and present to understand or predict future statement of viewpoints.
I think deep down within labour is a pragmatic progressive heart with a long tern vision or pathway.
Look for the next two years for labour to slowly signal change and adapt the electorate to what is needed….can’t scare the voter by radicalised messages that the imbedded tories and captured msm can manipulate.
Question.
Which labour poli was a teacher and union rep and promoted SOE to expand invest offshore?
Which party must capture both the centre voter and also the marginal turned off voter in the long term.
Hi Weka,
1: While it was an american slant, it did say major parties, of which Mana are not, and none of the NZ parties are going to challenge the system. Waiting to hear talk about controlling our sovereign monetary system/supply….waiting…waiting…waiting…
9: What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not – I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!
Agree that the wording is not great, but certainly the points of interest around any such subject matter, numerous.
1. yes muzza, that’s a given. You missed my point though. I think framing the issue in that way marginalises the already marginalised by denying their reality, and fudges over what is a complexity. I’m not suggesting that people say the parties are significantly different, I’m saying we should be looking at the differences as much as the similarities.
9. “What can you offer evidentially, that says there is not â I always wonder whats up with people are unable to think past what has been the *agree/understood* limits of human knowledge!”
What evidence can you offer that you are not a figment of my imagination?
And if you think that I’m in agreement with the mainstream with regards to consensus reality you are mistaken.
There was a letter in the Dom/Post this morning from a Keith Williamson of Raumati Beach.
It was about Hekia Parata and says, among other things that “List MPs shouldn’t be eligible for Cabinet roles”.
My first thought was, in effect, “How stupid can you be”.
Then I thought about it and decided that it was a great idea and that it should be applied retrospectively.
Look at the advantages. Winston Peters would never have been Foreign Minister. Michael Cullen would never have been Minister of Finance. We must immediately recover any money they were paid as ministers and declare any laws put through the house under their lead as being null and void.
Even better is the effect this would have in the future. No Green MPs will be eligible for Cabinet office!
Cullen was electorate mp in Dunedin but to free up time and concentrate his effort on the treasury bench he became. List mp.
Yes, and Winston was member for Tauranga.
I was just trying to point out, sarcastically, how silly the letter writer was when they argue that losing in Poriru meant she has no mandate.
I simply do not understand the mind processes of people who argue that, in an MMP Parliament, losing in an electorate contest should disqualify one from Parliament.
Apologies if this has already been posted, but jeebers: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/20/bernstein-murdoch-ailes-petreaus-presidency
Hey Felix,
Nice work, you’re cottening on.
Needless to say these *stories* are the lower end shennagigans which occur when the various intelligence/military centered factions, who control the show, then decided to outwardly exhibit the arm twisting and blackmail that goes on at the highests levels, by *outing* Petreaus, and his phillandering ways.
Kind of like how Hillary *apparantly* fainted, concussed herself, but didn’t go to hospital, or some shit like that.
Quite how anyone imagines humanity will slow its own decline with this foot on its own throat, I do not know!
Yes. Thanks for this, felix. It is another one for my collection. And still government’s don’t seem to see the problem of concentration of the news media ownership by big corporates – or they like it.
Hard to know what to make of this, but the usual players are involved, and it fits the trend of behaviour
Watched the vid in the link and the story those guys relate sounds absolutely plausible.
The moral of the story being to never take a politician at their word…never mind one who has a track record for being fast and loose with promises. And expect members of a Goon Squad to behave like goons.
“The moral of the story being to never take a politician at their [sic!] word…”
Your sentence is politically correct in an absurd and discredited way, but a grammatical nonsense.
Your message is excellent, however. Keep it up!
Ok, then, point out the error in construction and rewrite it correctly, Moz. The only potential grammatical problem I see is the word ‘to’, which is not needed, but doesn’t hamper the sentence structure unduly.
‘their’ is spelled correctly, btw, so your ‘sic’ is an error. Nothing worse than a failed pedant, pal!
What renders the sentence nonsensical is the use of the word “their” instead of “his”.
But you know that, of course.
No, it applies to all politicians. Believe they’ll do something only when they actualy do it, not when they promise it.
And the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language. Otherwise, we would not be also cautioned against accepting the word of female politicians, just male ones.
Standing up for the politically correct mangling of the language, our good friend McFliper writes that “the use of the plural in the English language is an accepted way of avoiding needlessly gender-specific language.”
Of course, such punctiliousness is a sign of nothing but good intentions. However, people who care about the language and don’t want to see it hijacked by spurious gender-equality fanatics will find a way to write the same sentence without being badgered into using ridiculous and pathetic “alternatives”.
So instead of poor old Bill conscientiously and absurdly writing “never take a politician at their word”, which is patent nonsense, he could with just a little effort have come up with “never take the word of a politician”.
It’s easy if you try.
Alternatively, of course, you can keep observing the LooneyFem dictates from the 1970s.
Bullshit Morrissey, “their” is applied to the indefinite singular to denote possession. It’s nothing to do with gender or feminism or the jews.
FFS if you’re going to lecture people on grammar you could at least learn some.
If it was good enough for Jane Austen, Lord Byron and Charles Dickens it’s good enough for me.
http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/austheir.html#X1a
Fair enough. As they say in parliament, I withdraw and apologize.
Did you have to apologise with a bloody ‘z’ though? đ
I make a point of writing clearly and simply, my friend, and you know that perfectly well, having followed my oeuvre for the last couple of years.
I don’t think so, ‘never take a politician at their word’ sounds like commonly accepted usage to me. Usage defines language, not the other way around. This phrasing has been around long before people started feeling they should use he/she or his/her where gender is indefinite.
Personally I find ‘never take a politician at their word’ more elegant than ‘never take the word of a politician’. Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
After, rightly, upbraiding me for flying off the handle and injudiciously challenging Bill’s use of “their” as a catch-all, our friend mike then has a go at my writing style….
Bill always has a very nice and clear writing style to my eyes, whereas I find yours a little wordy. A rather conspicuously and abradingly verbose and prolixious style or, perhaps more accurately, if you will, a jejune grandiloquence which is both imperceptive and injudicious.
Reading that friendly but stern admonition, I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had “too many notes.”
I don’t give a monkey’s what some toff told Mozart. Orwell said to write simply and that’ll do for me.
“I am sure I am not the only one to immediately recall the story of the Austrian emperor taking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart aside and advising him that his music had âtoo many notes.â”
I’m sure you are the only one. (The Mozart of blogging you ain’t.)
and moi brother? (before i take take the slater to task)
be quick (quick and the Dead); only got a wee credit. (and obviously, I can find you; I fought the Law… and I won) ha ha ha
Typical Slippery, the little shyster probably got a huge thrill out of the whole unsavory little episode made all the more delicious in that psychopath’s pea brain by Him having engineered the whole thing with His big mouth,
Personally, and not wanting to be overly critical of the judiciary, i think the judge got it wrong with placing both these 2 individuals on alcohol bans, christ sakes they are both unemployed and voted for the Slippery little shyster, a more fitting bail condition would have been for the judge to have them placed in the stocks and publicly stoned…
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF WHALEOIL
Slater dishes it out to Standard regular
This morning I ventured out of my comfort zone and signed onto the notorious “Gotcha” blog run by Cameron “Whaleoil” Slater.
Within minutes I was cowering in the ditches, having drawn hostile fire after just four posts….
“Well if you don’t like my readers, or my blog you can fuck off.” —Whaleoil
Gotta say: that guy is no L. Prent.
http://gotcha.co.nz/
Stop giving him any link love (even no follow links help him) then by making sure you don’t type in the URL without breaking it up.
“LINK LOVE”.
I like it!
Just thought i would drop abit of info from one of our young people and how he views NZ’s
financial situation, this young guy was 20-25, we were waiting in que at the warehouse,
they were busy as, we got talking politics and the state of nz’s economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014, he said he is the only one that talks sense and
he is more experianced, he also said his friend was a teacher and also had trouble with
no-no-pay and he thought they should just go back to the old system, ,but good on him,he has a great handle on the political scene, we wished each other merry christmas and we were both off into the big blue yonder.
We should have more faith in our young people,they really are our future,they may have
limited voices, but they are watching and understanding politics.
First of all:
“we got talking politics and the state of nzâs economy this young guy
said he just wants our debt to be paid and he did not like either national or labour,but he
thought Winston will have his vote in 2014” — this provides no context to try and pass on any idea that this guy has any political understanding beyond, potentially, watching the 6pm nightly news. When his chosen solution to the current mounting unemployment, the selling out of our social contract etc etc is to ‘continue to reduce debt’ then he is merely parroting those wonderful guys who got us in this hole in the first place… and then to say he will vote Winston?
*sigh*
If you are going to try and tell a story about how our youth are engaging with politics, at least provide examples in context rather than just saying “we done talked the politic stuff and he seemed like he was capable of stringing some words together that weren’t ‘John’ and ‘Key'”
There was no story, it was an interesting encounter, i believe our young people have a voice, as i did when i was that age,it was interesting listening to him, he seemed capable of having his own views,if he wants to vote winston, surely, that is his democratic right,
Your attitude to my post is one of dismissing what could be a valuable insight into how
someone of that age group thinks and views politics.
Obviously the time was short and not all topics could be discussed.
It is important to hear and listen to the young potential voters,this is good politics.
Wishing you a nice christmas and all the best for 2013.
I think the point vv is making : here was a young man who has recognised politics affects everybody and he is willing to think about it. He’s young and a bit naive, but he’ll learn as he gets older and wiser. Hell, he sounds like he knows more than I did in my early twenties. Good for him.
That is why I have always said that NZF has a constituency…
Poll question you won’t see on Stuff
Did the PM say he was going to pay for the guys’ dinner at the Green Parrot ?
Yes ? or No ?
sorry muzza, not sure how i missed your post above
Recognition to Chris Finlayson for the Te Atiawa and Ngati Koata settlements. He’s an effective capable National Minister in action, working closely at every step with Maori. Finlayson definitely deserves his QC.
Finlayson is a mere functionary in an ongoing process and deserves nothing, as a representative of those who offended against Taranaki Maori He has been well paid throughout the process,
The real ‘ups’ need be extended to those Taranaki Maori who have never let the flame of the torch be extinguished,those who are no longer with us but passed on the ‘take’ to the next generation never knowing whether their voices would ever be heard…
I predict next year a brief intensification of matters and affairs. Being the last fling, already past its date.
Strike me down if I’m wrong but there is a change in the air. A change to the peaceful and goodness