As a regular round here, I’m getting really sick and tired of Bryce Edwards misrepresenting this place. Bryce is an academic, and analysing the political blogoshere is supposed to be his bread and butter. And yet he continually presents us as a cardboard cut-out of his own creation, in support of his own political worldview. The antithesis of research. He obviously reads very little of this site, and yet feels he knows enough to endlessly repeat: the The Standard is ‘Labour Party aligned’. He hasn’t noticed that TS is the most fierce critic of the Labour Party in the entire blogosphere, and has been for the years now, that I’ve been reading it. And Party supporters make up a minority of both the authors collectively, and of the the regular commenters. It is no more Labour than it is Green, Te Mana, or (sadly) NZ first, marxist, anarchist or ‘other’.
Another of the behaviours that intensely annoy me is his repeatedly misrepresenting TS in support of his hypothesis that within the broader left the ‘leftists’ are in conflict with supposedly much more right-wing, neoliberal “identity”-politics supporters. TS proves the opposite of his theory as the writers and commenters most concerned with ‘identity’ progression and vocal in its support, also tend to be more left wing than the average of their fellow authors or of their fellow commenters.
How about you do a bit more than seek out confirmation of your pet theories, Bryce.?
I agree, Just Saying. When Bryce Edwards started out, his comments were interesting. But now he just copies what others are saying – there’s nothing new or perceptive in his comments, and he’s just become boorrrrrrring. Not worth reading.
Totally agree, just saying. My blood pressure rose rapidly when I saw Edwards’ latest article last night. referring to the TS as “Labour Party aligned”.
I have also noticed over recent months that he regularly includes in his links a certain well read (NOT) blog by someone who no longer comments here – thank goodness. I refuse to name the person/blog but it is mentioned in the last sentence of the paragraph on the GCSB Bill in Edwards’ latest article.
Santi, after being exposed as a liar and a thief yesterday, your observations on anything have no value at all. You’re a fraud.
[lprent: I saw the discussion related to Santi and Bertram yesterday. However I didn’t see anything about “thief”. That looks like a pure flamewar starter. Not exactly the safest thing to do, so I’d suggest that you either point me in the right direction or desist – because it looks like going beyond the “robust debate” ]
It seems to be what becomes of human nature in the new age. Some academics (and journalists) maintain the fire in their belly and are interested in actual research and reasoned critique.
Jon Stevenson for example, plus several others in journalism and academia – often they don’t get a look in – they don’t fit the corporate academic or media model.
Others, once they’ve nestled into their cuddly position and think they’ve become nice and secure – able to pay the weekly bills, frequent the Ponsonby cafe circuit once in a while, pay the daycare, the mortgage et al, and have ‘quality time’ with their young offspring, they just settle down into Muddle Classhood.
You’ll notice its not just limited to academics. Its affected most of the mainstream media’s “journalists” – those bastions of the 4th Estate. Its COMFORTABLE for them and having that disrupted – well its just a hassle really!
Those ‘political commentators’ as well.
The best place to see them all on display is to watch The Nation, or Q+A once a week – or even listen to the nicest man on Earth everyday.
One of the most noticeable in recent time as far as I can see is Greg Boyed. Once actually quite an enquiring and critical journalist when hosting the News bulletin that used to air on TVNZ7. Look at the transition to 7 Sharp. (There’s a cruel joke in there somewhere).
Watch what happens though when there’s a surfeit of them, they’re knocking 40 or 50, and redundancy hits.
The above is a very judgemental opinion – I know! No more so than what’s inflicted on us by the likes of Bryce daily though!
Another Right Royal Bludger for life is born to suck the life out of the British working people, that makes Him if my long departed Grandma was correct the great-great-great grandson of an Irish ‘pisspot emptier’, (chambermaid),and a long dead English King…
Guess that makes you a Nazi supporting, despot loving, Taliban apologist. How many years have you spent in Afghanistan waiting for your head to be shot off again?
While I am neutral on the birth of a royal baby, I have just heard on RNZ News that the birth will be marked by a 21 gun salute in Wellington at midday – just two hours away.
This is the first I have heard of this as a possibility.
Just what our frazzled nerves do not need at present is the boom of cannons – especially those Wellingtonians who have not heard about the salute.
Nah – Pretty standard procedure – 21 Gun Salute when Willliam was born – I would imagine most people would be aware of it or the possibility of it or soon realise what it is for (after all you can hardly miss the news).
It was actually part of the news! The guns banging away (to be fair only three times on the one I heard) Really!!!! Recorded gunfire is news? Lucky this baby was born today otherwise there would have been no news. Anything being passed under urgency while we have no news. Is Mangler Key going over to kiss the baby? Is he going to wear his pounamu suit. Hope the poor little sod(baby) doesn’t have Charlie’s ears.
I have a terrible confession to make. It’s many years (too many to admit to here) since I was living in London and I came across a ‘live’ link outside St Mary’s hospital. I sat glued to it until 3am this morning because I loved watching the passing parade of disparate English folk in all their tasteless but fascinating regalia (or the lack of it) and their delightful accents. I finally gave it away and went to bed and the baby was born and I missed the most interesting bits.
Labour are a complete mess. The party is in disarray. I have a good feeling it’s still being controlled by a certain bullyish leader in New York. So many left over hacks from the Clark Regime still with their nose in the trough. Labour are in for a huge loss next year. They are no longer a party that represents working party and this fantasy of a labour/green/mana/maori/nz first government is a complete joke. It would be the biggest disaster to ever hit NZ. Labour aligning itself with a racist extremist like Hone? Say goodnight Shearer ….
Johnny
Have you been reading detective fiction with ‘cherchez la femme’ as a theme? The old guard in Labour go right back to Rogered Douglas don’t they? Perhaps someone would like to put me right as to whether there are some still here that were around then.
The HYPOCRITES Prime Minister John Key and (now) ‘Independent’ MP Peter Dunne, who are very quick to defend their privacy when they think it’s under attack, now want to legislate against the lawful rights of New Zealanders to privacy.
URGENT!
Protests against the GCSB and TICs Bills have been organised around New Zealand for this Saturday 27 July 2013.
In Auckland, this Thursday, 25 July at 7pm, at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, there will be a Public Meeting at which Kim DotCom (and others) will be speaking.
Where are all the Libertarians and ACT members who supposedly are against ‘Nanny State’ and the lawful rights of citizens to freedom of expression and privacy?
This proposed legislation is BIG BROTHER STATE – on steroids!
Why is ACT MP for Epsom, (the DEFENDANT John Banks) supporting the GCSB Bill?
Can he just please himself when it comes to voting in Parliament, or do ACT members no longer have clear policies and /or principles to which they hold accountable their elected representative?
FYI – this is what I sent directly to Geneva, (for which I have received formal acknowledgment and thanks), as New Zealand’s human rights record is now under review, through the ‘Universal Periodic Review Process’ :
“…. Also, our lawful rights to privacy and our human rights not to be subjected to arbitrary search and surveillance, are currently under attack.
FYI, here is a video and transcript of my raising my concerns directly with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, at a hearing on 2 July 2013, of the Security and Intelligence Committee on proposed changes to the Government Security and Intelligence Bureau Act, which would effectively allow widespread spying on citizens of New Zealand.
How is that 2 members of parliament can hold the country to ransom over a bill to install fascism in our country
It appears no matter what lessons are taught by history it will surely repeat when arrogant fear mongering people run our country
We dont need Keys govt but we do need our democracy
What threat are we to the govt of this country or its security that this little fascist prick can do what he is doing to this country
Fuckin kick your arse if I could
Where are all the Libertarians and ACT members who supposedly are against ‘Nanny State’ and the lawful rights of citizens to freedom of expression and privacy?
Most of them will be in support of the new surveillance state. It’s not for nought that I coined the term: Libertarians: Dictators hiding behind liberal values
They’ll be supportive of anything that protects their privilege.
I have begun to think that (right wing) libertarians, are people who resent any authority telling THEM what to do, but want everyone else, usually those with least privilege, to be in a subservient position to them.
And they do seem to consist of a lot of middle class white males (and a minority of females), who, ultimately support policies that maintain those old boy positions of privilege.
So Penny, as being a candidate for Mayor, what is your view on Auckland home owners not paying rates. Our rates bill has gone up 13% after revaluation?
It’s not that simple any more. In many ways, Australians have progressed while Kiwis have gone backwards. There have been reasonably large protests and a lot of adverse comment in the media. I am proud of many of my Australian friends.
His real “crime” is that he demonstrated how knowledge can be used to empower people, to get them to think as critically engaged citizens rather than assume that knowledge and education are merely about the learning of skills – a reductive concept that substitutes training for education and reinforces the flight from reason and the goose-stepping reflexes of an authoritarian mindset.
This.
One thing I’ve maintained for a while now is that specialisation in learning for work has resulted in a loss of general knowledge and that loss is detrimental to our society as people no longer understand how different parts of society fit together. That lack of understanding then allows them to be more easily conned by the rich and powerful.
Ah, yes. Many working in education have long thought that. I recall a staff member’s retirement speech in a college where I worked in England. The guy was an ex-pat South African – with the then current Thatcher vocationalist changes in mind, he said that would produce excellent technicians without a wider understanding of their work context: workers who would be excellent at following orders without question. He said the 3rd Re1ch produced such excellent technicians for their death camps.
Fantasy world of “neoliberal”/libertarian (?) digital corporations.
I was just looking around to update the connections with Crosby Textor and Big Tobacco, in the light of further revelations about Crosby Textor’s influence on privatising UK Health Care.
Found an article from earlier this year, from the Lancet, that also names lobbying firm Luther Pendragon as one working for Big Tobacco.
Google seemed to think I was searching for Uther Pendragon, allegedly the father of King Arthur.
This reminded me of “Palantir” (name taken from the fantasy world of Lord of the Rings), Peter Thiel’s company, which also operates in NZ. Then came across his new NZ-based venture, a iOS app that provides a virtual dream world that customers can explore – based on climbing Everest:
The San Francisco-based startup’s revenue model is based around intent marketing, selling advertising tailored to the steps and goals users upload to the site. For instance if someone’s goal is to hike the Tongariro Crossing, tourism operators can suggest ways to get to National Park and camping stores can do deals on hiking gear.
“We know what people want to do, that’s the most valuable data in the world … We want to ultimately provide people with great suggestions for the things they need to achieve their goals. We’re working on how to do this in a thoughtful way and make the purchase as seamless as possible,” says Pedraza.
neoliberal dreamweavers? Everest – coming to a country near year, packaging your country, and selling it overseas for their profit.
Ack! Slip of the wrist and I lost a comment I’d typed on yesterday’s Open Mike porn filter thread.
But, I could re-construct some of it here.
I began agreeing with weka on the need to counter the damaging porn, especially when it is misogynistic and involves children.
However, I am also wary of the way such filters can block LGBTI sites, and especially how it can block access for those that most need it. It can be used as a way of harrassing and suppressing those who are already relatively powerless.
Earlier this morning I looked at the site for Palantir Technologies (the firm linked to providing the software for US surveillance agencies like the NSA and founded by Peter Thiel).
One of the things Palantir aim to do is to provide technologies to combat “child exploitation”, which they link to “human trafficking”.
In my post on the <a href='http://thestandard.org.nz/the-long-reach-of-5-eyes-not-in-our-name/“Long reach of 5 Eyes” I wrote about how issues of human trafficking, domestic violence and child porn are being used as a point of access by the state agencies to surveillance of people’s computers.
In the early 80s in London, a flatmate reckoned our phone was tapped as a result of her acting, at the time, in a Gay Sweatshop play. She said all people involved in Gay Sweatshop productions got their phones tapped, and that the signs were all there on our phone. Since then, I have been extremely wary about the uses of state surveillance on those who are already marginalised. And more evidence has come to light about how that happens: eg in the submissions to the GCSB Bill.
Filtering porn sites, will not help to stop damaging porn and its industrialisation/corporatisiation by profiteers. It will merely result in the producers, promoters and users of such porn becoming more sophisticated.
There is already discussion on the internet that Cameron’s war against internet porn will soon extend to things like: internet sites featuring terrorist and extremist Islamic ideology, and how-to self harm/suicide/euthanasia information.
Clearly those things can be damaging to young people as well, and should be banned. From there, grounds would exist to limit access how-to information around the use and enjoyment of elicit drugs, etc. Definitely wouldn’t want young people to be learning about that stuff either.
Since then, I have been extremely wary about the uses of state surveillance on those who are already marginalised. And more evidence has come to light about how that happens: eg in the submissions to the GCSB Bill.
In general I think we need to be a lot more skeptical of government powers and intentions. One important thing to remember is that we are not guarding against how a David Lange, Helen Clark or Jim Bolger might have used these increased technological powers, but how a future Muldoon or Holland (or even worse) would.
To be fair, there is probably “discussion on the internet” to the effect that PRISM is a tool for aliens to control our minds.
Basically, my objection to government internet filters is not so much the idea of the Great Firewall of China being implemented so nobody can report black helicopters, but more a combination of that and the fact that it doesn’t really work. So while the same old perversions will be going on online, mum and dad will happily think that they’ve blocked the nasty sites and be unaware that their teenage son has the latest TOR build because they let him surf the web and play computer games in his room with the door locked.
And, like now, the child pornographers will be caught because someone paid by credit card, or the police got a warrant to search his server while he was detained for filming up skirts (so he couldn’t switch it off and let encryption and/or electromagnets do their job), or a distinctive tattoo was on file from previous charges, or because the teacher thought that the photoshop “swirl” function was as good as redaction, or because someone could get a shorter sentence by testifying about other people’s crimes.
Well, the other angle on this is political of course, that Cameron is making a big noise about how he cares for the well being of kids, while impoverishing families by the many thousands per month.
I enjoy how McFlocks fears always manage to pereate through his comments.
Black helicopters, mind control, aliens etc!
It’sout of your hands McFlock, and those who you and others here, deem to be beneath you, are already right, they always were, and they always will be!
Well, right up until it’s made illegal, and the infomation/communication channels locked down and controlled, until everyone, is learning/repeating, only what they system wants you to!
Get used to it bro, the conspiracy theorists, have been proven to be correct!
Edit: See J90 link below about pine gap..was not many years ago, people blew the existence of pine gap off, as conspiracy!
I enjoy how you’re a fucking moron who doesn’t realise the difference between a “conspiracy theory” that rests more on evidence than supposition, and the bullshit you serve up on a daily basis.
You are beneath me, that’s why, for example, I didn’t bother responding to any of your idiotic comments today.
Although it’s quite obvious that you think you have an intellect vastly superior to everyone else here – how’s your personal, unreviewed, ethically-unexamined experiment on us going? Still the lead investigator for Project Onan?
You are beneath me, that’s why, for example, I didn’t bother responding to any of your idiotic comments today.
But you did, didn’t you!
Thanks, McFlock, I needed the giggle, truth always finds it’s way out.
Good to know you read the link I posted today, while showing restraint to not reply, most likely (I’d like to give you credit for) because you’re a man of humility!
I’m no better than anyone, I have explained this to you before, it’s just stages of the journey, and some are further along theirs than others, that’s all!
Yeah, I tend to respond to morons when their comments specifically about me have no bearing on reality.
As for being “no better then anyone” and following it up with that “further along” the journey drivel, what a load of shit. That’s just you pretending to be humble but not being able to stop your ego leaking all over the screen. You’re a delusional idiot, pure and simple, and frankly I’d prefer it if you kept me out of your fantasies.
I wrote about how issues of human trafficking, domestic violence and child porn are being used as a point of access by the state agencies to surveillance of people’s computers.
It was reported that Bridger had been watching violent porn only hours before he killed April, and anti-porn campaigners have seized on the chance to draw a causal link. It’s the latest development in a handy alliance between social conservatives, antiporn feminists and those who seek to restrict access to communications technology for more sinister reasons.
Internet porn is also being targeted in the name of protecting young people. That child murder has not increased since online pornography became widely available does not matter, and nor does the fact that we already have strict laws against the possession of images of child abuse.
I remember reading an article about co-option, where people who really do want to limit peoples freedom (decrease democracy) are using the language of the liberals to bring about an enhanced police state often with the support of the liberals who would normally oppose these things.
I remember reading an article about co-option, where people who really do want to limit peoples freedom (decrease democracy) are using the language of the liberals to bring about an enhanced police state often with the support of the liberals who would normally oppose these things.
The controllers, long ago were able to master the mind of the masses, they are many steps ahead at all times, the techniques are transparent, but require a degree of awareness!
The controllers simply identify, locate then manipulate the next point of access they require, then direct the journey to the desired outcome, using the tools they have, which is all of them!
The challenge is for people to understand the danger they are in, however with the controllers of modern life having dulled the innate ability to sense danger, the challenge is going un-met!
Will the challenge be met? No I believe that time was lost, many years ago!
“Filtering porn sites, will not help to stop damaging porn and its industrialisation/corporatisiation by profiteers.”
True. The value in family filters is to protect children, not influence the porn industry.
“It will merely result in the producers, promoters and users of such porn becoming more sophisticated.”
Why? I imagine that most of the people that don’t turn the filter off aren’t porn users anyway. And those that are will get their internet porn somewhere else.
I take your point about the effect on the GLBTI communities and people, although I’d still like to see some discussion about the technology (beyond superficial “there is no technical solution” and “all govts are all evil therefore its all bad”).
The value in family filters is to protect children,
And it doesn’t do that either. Filters are, inevitably, quite easy to get around. That’s been true ever since they first came on the market last century.
I don’t know about that Draco. You are treating this as if everything is equal (eg all children have the same level of expertise). I’d be more interested to know the detail.
They’re on the bloody internet thus they don’t need the expertise – just the knowledge of how to find it and if they don’t have that then one of their friends will. Someone’s already mentioned the Tor Network. Children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.
The harm that children need protecting from is the harm that adults do to them and an internet filter won’t help there at all.
“Children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.”
Some children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.
fify.
So you don’t think ten year olds watching rape porn has a negatie effect on them?
“Well educated and supported about sex” – good luck with mandating that then. If a parent personally has not seen violent porn, how could they educate their children to process what they are seeing in a healthy way (assuming they even knew their child was watching that kind of porn). I’m not convinced that you understand the issues around much porn defining heterosexual relationships in negative ways re women and the effects of that, so again, how could you support children in dealing with that?
I suspect there are large parts of the politics of this that you might be unaware of. If you are interested, there are some interesting discussions on feminist blogs about women who have partners that watch alot of porn and how that affects their sex lives, including the kinds of sex women are expected to have because their men are getting their ideas from internet porn in particular about what women should do. The social implications here are serious IMO, as we have generations of young men in particular being influenced (alongside many other influences obviously).
“Some children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.”
What percentage of kids will use tech to bypass family filters?
Again, I think you are treating things as if they are all the same. If kids really want to smoke cigarettes then making it illegal won’t stop them. But it does reduce the number of kids smoking. Which is good.
Of course if you think that smoking isn’t bad for kids, then it’s easy to argue against restrictions.
“Well educated and supported about sex” – good luck with mandating that then.
So, you think it’s better for us adults to continue to fail our children and that all that needs to be done is for the government to put in filters that don’t actually work?
IMO, I think we, as a society, should just become more open about sex and teach children to ask first.
Here is a simple way to look at the ‘feasibility of the technology’:
Is there a way in which we, as humans, could define pornography and ensure that there is universal agreement as to what is porn and what is not porn?*
If there answer to do question is no, then it can’t be done. Even if we had actual people reviewing every site on the internet and defining at is porn or not porn, there would still be disagreement on the filtering process. Of course, in practice, the filtering will be done by computer, which will make filtering even worse, as the computer can only look for patterns in the material and there will inevitably be false positives and false negatives.
* It isn’t as simple as one might think. What about nude art? Mills & Boon books?
The Australian ex-Minister of Broadcasting wanted to ban pictures of small adult breasts, because he thought they encouraged paedophilia. Good Labor man, that one.
Porn/not porn isn’t the issue. The issues are whether different kinds of porn have negative effects on individuals or society that outweigh the rights to freedom of producers and consumers of porn. It’s not about morality, nor prudery, it’s about safety, the rights of children to be free from harm, and the rights of women to challenge misogyny.
“Of course, in practice, the filtering will be done by computer, which will make filtering even worse, as the computer can only look for patterns in the material and there will inevitably be false positives and false negatives.”
So? I have to put up with that crap from google every time I search for anything
How can it NOT be the issue? I thought this discussion was about whether filtering porn was feasible or not. Surely we need to be able to define what porn is before we can filter it?
So? I have to put up with that crap from google every time I search for anything
The false positives might be LGBTI sites, or pages describing how to practice safe sex, or STIs. Children will not have access these pages and be more exposed to harm, rather than less. You are far too eager to dismiss this issue for someone who claims to care about protecting children from harm.
I suppose I wasn’t really thinking about 8yr olds needing to access websites on safe sex or STDs.
It’s not so much that I dismiss the issue, as I dismiss when people say things like “we can’t tell porn from not porn therefore we shouldn’t bother”, or “we can’t build useful filters therefore we shouldn’t bother”. Present some alterate solutions if you want me to take your point seriously.
Considering all the factors which are most damaging to childrens mental and physical health, where does porn rate again?
How many households in poverty or reliant on the benefit even have broadband? Good ol PM Cameron, he knows how to target the constituency of nervous middle class parents worried what their kids are looking up in their bedrooms on their new MacBook Air.
“Considering all the factors which are most damaging to childrens mental and physical health, where does porn rate again?”
That’s a good question (assuming it wasn’t rhetorical). I’d put it in the context of how much damage is being done to children and society by the sexualising of children and childhood.
I really don’t give a shit about what Cameron thinks, and was more interested yesterday in what others were saying in the UK about this issue. I’m not running afer Cameron’s idiocy, I’m taking the opportunity to discuss issues that liberal people should have come to terms with a long time ago.
I’m not running afer Cameron’s idiocy, I’m taking the opportunity to discuss issues that liberal people should have come to terms with a long time ago.
Yes, liberal people should have come to terms with government censorship and restrictions on the internet a long time ago.
It’s not so much that I dismiss the issue, as I dismiss when people say things like “we can’t tell porn from not porn therefore we shouldn’t bother”
But you aren’t even trying to engage on this issue. You just keep repeating slogans about protecting children from harm or women from misogyny. Anyone who disagrees with you is ‘dismissing’ the issue.
My point was that we cannot agree on what is porn or not porn. Some ultra-conservatives might suggests that all nudity should be filtered, as well as sites giving safe sex advice to teenagers or those dealing with LGBTI issues, as these are morally wrong. More liberal people might say that material dealing with nudity is okay but not hardcore material. In any case, government-imposed filtering provides the opportunity for one group to dictate what material is appropriate or not, and this opens the door for certain groups in society to push their moral views onto others.
I suppose I wasn’t really thinking about 8yr olds needing to access websites on safe sex or STDs.
I never said that 8 year olds would need access to these sites. The term ‘children’ in this case would apply to all those under 18, and therefore include teenagers as well. It seems to me that you are deliberately misconstruing the meaning of my comment.
“My point was that we cannot agree on what is porn or not porn. Some ultra-conservatives might suggests that all nudity should be filtered, as well as sites giving safe sex advice to teenagers or those dealing with LGBTI issues, as these are morally wrong. More liberal people might say that material dealing with nudity is okay but not hardcore material. In any case, government-imposed filtering provides the opportunity for one group to dictate what material is appropriate or not, and this opens the door for certain groups in society to push their moral views onto others.”
We already make decisions that some groups in society don’t like. Think abortion. Or the age of sexual consent.
As I said, this isn’t a moral issue (not in the way you mean). The fear that moral groups in the future will gain power and impose conditions on others exists irrespective of this issue.
“I never said that 8 year olds would need access to these sites. The term ‘children’ in this case would apply to all those under 18, and therefore include teenagers as well. It seems to me that you are deliberately misconstruing the meaning of my comment.”
No, I was letting you know what I was thinking about when I talk about child protection. By the time someone’s of the age that their peer group is sexually active, issues of safety are different. I think this is where it is more complex, and where it overlaps with the issues of misogyny and how porn often portrays relationships between women and men.
I’ll just say it again. I’m not dismissive of the issues being raised (the difficulty of creating useful filters, govt surveillance). I’d just like to see those issues discussed by people who also care about how the porn industry affects society. I’m not sure that conversation is happening here. What I am hearing is that there really isn’t that much wrong with porn, and the stuff that is wrong, we either can’t do anything about it or it’s a separate issue. That’s not good enough.
I’m also largely unconvinced by the blanket argument that the internet can’t be controlled. It’s controlled all the time. The debate should be about who controls what and when. Talk details and I’ll be more sympathetic.
The issue of the effects of porn on society is a complex one, and I don’t think it is necessarily bad. For example, I am quite sure that I have seen some evidence that access to porn reduces sexual violence, with the one explanation for this being that the use of porn helps people to fulfil their fantasies or urges in a safe manner.
One thing I am quite sure of though, is that going around and telling men that porn is bad because it is misogynistic or portrays male-female relationships poorly is not going achieve a lot, mainly because men are not really thinking about the images portrayed in that much detail (even if it is true). A better approach to reduce or alter porn use might be to point out that porn (and sex in general) is actually being used to manipulate men into buying (or doing) something by taking advantage of a strong biological urge inherent in many men.
wtl, if you go back and read all my posts on this topic today and yesterday, you will see that I don’t treat porn as one thing. So nowhere have I made a blanket statement that porn is bad because xxx. I’m talking about specific kinds of porn, and who accesses them. You might want to have a think about why you are assuming that I think porn in general is somehow bad, because that idea isn’t coming from me.
“A better approach to reduce or alter porn use might be to point out that porn (and sex in general) is actually being used to manipulate men into buying (or doing) something by taking advantage of a strong biological urge inherent in many men.”
By all means, try that approach for yourself. Please don’t tell me how to approach porn as a political issue until you understand where I am actually coming from.
“The issue of the effects of porn on society is a complex one, and I don’t think it is necessarily bad. For example, I am quite sure that I have seen some evidence that access to porn reduces sexual violence, with the one explanation for this being that the use of porn helps people to fulfil their fantasies or urges in a safe manner.”
Please stop treating porn as one thing and all the same. Please go and educate yourself on the connections between different kinds of porn and violence and how women get affected (I also think some kinds of porn are bad for men too). Then come back with some credible citations for what you just claimed.
At one point I was using a dictionary and the definition of porn and erotica were exactly the same. Given the present dictionary definition of pornography perhaps we should just start calling it erotica.
oops .. this seems to have slipped out of place in the answers …
Hi Karol .. did you see the several weekend Guardian/Observer links I posted on Lynton Crosby, The Lizard of Oz, on Open Mic just a couple of days ago ..
And one of those links reported Luther Pendragon resigned from the tobacco PR which thusly cleared the way for Lynton Crosby and his $10 million contract. .. October 2012 I think it was ?
(So tempted to sign off as Morgana, but resisting I am !)
Again for you:
Here the several links :
“David Cameron urged to probe claim that aide had £6m tobacco deal — Lynton Crosby comes under renewed fire over Philip Morris links as row over cigarette packaging rages on” July 20
Hopefully one day you will write to expose how it affects us here … so many factors now combining including the Crosby destruction of the NHS .. alcohol, tobacco, fracking, health depts .. all here, same same with Key et al following his scripts.
And although there’s nothing new or surprising about Australia taking part in US lead atrocities the most recent revelations about these activities certainly do their bit to fuel the fire.
That’s metadata gathering for you in action. And almost certainly teamed with Waihopai.
And yes Muzza … it used to be the stuff on much-derided conspiracy theory ! Cost Oz a couple of Prime Ministers as I recall; one missing and presumed dead no body ever found, the second removed from office by then GG. Nugan Hand and all that. Worth remembering while we continue to oppose this current GCSB bill.
I guess I must be on the list now, if I wasn’t already !
People on the left have known about Pine Gap, Waihopai, Mt. John and a few other places for 30 or 40 years. If you only just found out, it’s not because of any conspiracy.
I could use the same comment style in your direction but another topic, lets take a look:
People who read/research have known that geo-engineering and weather manipulation, has been going on for about 60-70 years now, but accelerating in velocity, over the past 10-15.
The fact you have not bothered to do anything to learn about it, does not make it a conspiracy theory!
@ Morissey (where ever you are)
OMG MOG OMG OMFG LOL ROFL ROFFL!
The nicest man on Earth was just talking about X Fekta (?)
…. Domnuk Beardin (?)
It was really deep and meaningful stuff, and what we ALL need to know!
…. but, but but you know what?
He used the labels “legubrious” and “ephemera”
Legubrious Ephemera – NOTHING like the nicest, most artikyalit man on Earth’s “show” though.
It was memorable – I’ll treasure it, I’ll remember it for life!
Now there’s some guy called Nick singing the descant
I have done much crystal ball gazing and entrail reading about the Labour Party lately. Today I got thinking about the change that happened to the Listener a few years ago, when it was decided that is should lose its left wing bias and cater to “the middle.”
Who still reads it? A few loyalists who appreciate Jane Clifton and Diana Witchel, a few people for whom it remains a habit, a few incidental people who are captured by a headline at the checkout. The shiny people ate whom it is aimed do not read it, being more inclined to flick through Vogue or Cuisine. However, it has enough turnover to keep paying Pamela Stirling, and it is no longer a vehicle for the left.
This I think is the plan for the Labour Party under Shearer, with dissenters getting shuffled to the back benches or advised to leave. So what if it never rises above 30%. If the plan works it will still generate enough votes to pay a leader and a few shadow ministers, but most importantly, it will cease to be a vehicle for the left. It will be the political equivalent of the Listener.
As an aside, I grew up with the Listener, and bought it pretty much every week of my adult life until about five years ago. The only think I really missed were the TV pages and the cryptic crossword. Since I no longer have a TV and the internet is a better source of info on TV shows, it doesn’t matter. Occasionally I see the Listener in a dairy and am tempted to buy one, but then I look at the cover and it invariably has me grimacing before I’ve even opened the front page. My parents and siblings still read it, it suits their white, liberal middle class sensibilities well (they don’t seem to have noticed the slide to the centre, or maybe they don’t care).
I do read Toby Manhire online sometimes.
btw, I think the Listener started to go down hill when Gorden Campbell left.
Olwyn – I have to say this is one of the most perceptive comments I have seen on this blog. Something needs to change, I don’t know what it is, but I fear that the Labour Party is doomed to getting only a third of the vote, unless something dramatic changes. I don’t know what that change might be. But, as you point out, Labour is doomed to irrelevance and/or niche market unless something changes. And I don’t mean a leadership change. Once upon a time Labour stood for something, and now, I don’t know what that is any more. I am an ageing baby-boomer who cut his political teeth at the Princes Street branch. My children, who would have joined the Labour Party as I did all those years ago, see no relevance in Labour at all. They don’t read the Listener either.
Thanks Tinshed, I agree that something needs to change. We desperately need a solid opposition right now, and for the next generation to find reason to engage politically.
My two children – or adults as they really are – see the Greens as the only real alternative. The Labour Party simply doesn’t connect with them – it has no relevance to their view of the world and its issues. To some extent me too. I grew up on notions of Socialism and Social Democracy. Reading the New Left Review was the part of what we did to stay in touch. But, sad to say, I really can not connect with the current parliamentary Labour party. I feel guilty to feel that very few of them seem worthy of the heritage of the party they now represent. Perhaps as this is my problem, but it concerns me deeply that less than 1/3 of the country now support the party of Savage, Fraser, Nordmeyer, Kirk, or Clark who were such titans of 20th century New Zealand. They all made such a difference. This lot, not all. Nothing.
Newsroom reporting Fran Mold is Shearer’s new CoS: “newsroom.co.nz understands there has been disquiet in Labour ranks about poor political management in the leader’s office…A former NZ Herald and TVNZ reporter Mold was originally employed by former leader Phil Goff and played a key role behind the scenes in the 2011 election campaign.”
And we know how well that went!
The loss of Cameron is more concerning. A very smart guy, very talented. I won’t speculate on the dynamics that led to this departure – since I have absolutely no idea, but it’s disappointing all the same.
NYT reporting how Goldman Sachs turns aluminum into billions in profits by warehousing and hoarding world stocks forcing prices up …. legally, but what criminals they are.
and it seems copper is next on the list …
“Over the past three years, Goldman has raised the price of aluminium by buying a huge warehouse and intentionally slowing down service so they could charge higher storing fees. These fees, handed down to consumers, have netted Goldman Sachs over $5 billion. And there’s nothing illegal about it.”
and this in NYT in same investigation report:
In 2011, for instance, an internal Goldman memo suggested that speculation by investors accounted for about a third of the price of a barrel of oil. A commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal regulator, subsequently used that estimate to calculate that speculation added about $10 per fill-up for the average American driver. Other experts have put the total, combined cost at $200 billion a year.
Physical hoarding (of commodities), and hoarding of commodities via war – See how the oil wars in Iraq, for example have not lead to greater supply or cheaper fuel, in fact the opposite has happened, as was the intended result.
It why the worlds supplies are being so aggressively hunted down, not for money, for control!
Wars are manufactured for many reasons, resource control, is at the top of the list. Resource control can come in the form of so called commodities, or resource control by population control.
All wards are banker wars, and all commodities are controlled by very specific interests, with not only the financial prices which the end consumer does see, but in the technology, which the end consumer will never see!
Something for Wellington and Marlborough, for being stalwarts in the face of adversity. For taking arms against a sea of continent and by opposing get tossed around. For holding on. For thinking, my god, what have I done.. ?
For Fuck’s Sake….. breathlessly, on TV3 Late News (probably the same at 6.00 pm)……..the Royal Hairdresser has been seen “entering” the hospital. Cut and colour for wee bubby maybe ?
Yes…..I know…….Kate and Wills and bub are gonna be on the balcony soon.
Meantime here in NZ there are kids whose fucking hair is falling out with scabies, affliction of the poor, because the poor little buggers at 2 and 3 years of age scratch it out.
I know it’s churlish not excitedly to join in the rejoicing for people who’ve had a kid who’ll be driven home in a Bentley with police outriders.
You know……..as a human being I’m genuinely happy for them, but really……..
There was a lovely photo of Julia Gillard with knitting needles aloft before she was replaced with ruddy Kevin. – Former prime minister Julia Gillard was photographed knitting a kangaroo for the royal baby in Women’s Weekly. Photograph: Women’s Weekly
The baby which was once destined to get a kangaroo personally knitted by a sitting prime minister will now receive an arguably less sentimental gift from its subjects in Australia – a zoo research project funded in his name.
As the world celebrated the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s son by lighting up iconic landmarks in blue and even sending the couple condoms, Kevin Rudd announced a bilby research project at Taronga Zoo would be given $10,000 in funding in the name of the future monarch as a gift.
As for the difference between student and prisoner behaviour, you’d expect that a prison population might be more jaded and distrustful, and therefore more likely to defect.
The results went exactly the other way for the simultaneous game, only 37% of students cooperate. Inmates cooperated 56% of the time.
Oh, look at that, economists were wrong – yet again.
Two things don’t surprise me here. The first is that economists are wrong. The second is that prisoners were less selfish than students. Prisoners, and crims in general, have a common enemy in authority, and learn early on that a lot is at stake if they cooperate with that enemy. Students are getting more and more indoctrinated into the selfish sociopathic rubbish that comes with neoliberalism.
It’d be interesting to give this test to politicians from all our main parties. My guess is that Mana and Greens would cooperate, some in Labour would, and NAct would be chomping at the bit to inform on each other. You wouldn’t even need to run it with Dunne.
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
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 year’s 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, Labour’s 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 country’s 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 Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
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 Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s 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. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
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 Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - 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. 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. 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. “Our 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 Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I 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 Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s 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. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
Opinion: PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used widely in everyday consumer items such as textiles, packaging, and cookware, popular for their water, grease and stain-repellent properties. However, the very properties that make PFAS so attractive to manufacturers are also what ...
NONFICTION 1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)’ This is the hottest book in New Zealand, number one with a bullet in its first week, selling more than any overseas title, and demand is so huge that it’s already been reprinted. A ...
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A warning – suicide is discussed in this podcast New Zealand’s own long-running soap Shortland Street doesn’t hesitate to kill off its much-loved characters. But would TVNZ dare to kill off our favourite soap? That’s the fear as times get tough in television – even though it’s been pointed out ...
Essay: If the Crown harms children, how do you hold it accountable? Analysis by Aaron Smale in light of the Waitangi Tribunal court decision. The post The Crown versus Māori Children appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan resistance leader has condemned the United Nations role in allowing Indonesia to “integrate” the Melanesian Pacific region in what is claimed to be an “egregious act of inhumanity” on 1 May 1963. In an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A key part of the Albanese government’s political strategy is to fill the news cycle with its presence and messaging. Ministers are deployed to the maximum, even when they’ve little to say. This week ...
Recent extreme weather events showed the importance of a well-functioning insurance system, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs minister Andrew Bayly. ...
By Jo Moir, RNZ News political editor, and Craig McCulloch, deputy political editor New Zealand’s Labour Party is demanding Winston Peters be stood down as Foreign Minister for opening up the government to legal action over his “totally unacceptable” attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. In an interview on RNZ’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute The Conversation, Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall ...
The Wellington-based Reserve Force soldier is now almost three years into his New Zealand Army career with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. ...
"The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff," Fitzsimons said. ...
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10901478
As a regular round here, I’m getting really sick and tired of Bryce Edwards misrepresenting this place. Bryce is an academic, and analysing the political blogoshere is supposed to be his bread and butter. And yet he continually presents us as a cardboard cut-out of his own creation, in support of his own political worldview. The antithesis of research. He obviously reads very little of this site, and yet feels he knows enough to endlessly repeat: the The Standard is ‘Labour Party aligned’. He hasn’t noticed that TS is the most fierce critic of the Labour Party in the entire blogosphere, and has been for the years now, that I’ve been reading it. And Party supporters make up a minority of both the authors collectively, and of the the regular commenters. It is no more Labour than it is Green, Te Mana, or (sadly) NZ first, marxist, anarchist or ‘other’.
Another of the behaviours that intensely annoy me is his repeatedly misrepresenting TS in support of his hypothesis that within the broader left the ‘leftists’ are in conflict with supposedly much more right-wing, neoliberal “identity”-politics supporters. TS proves the opposite of his theory as the writers and commenters most concerned with ‘identity’ progression and vocal in its support, also tend to be more left wing than the average of their fellow authors or of their fellow commenters.
How about you do a bit more than seek out confirmation of your pet theories, Bryce.?
I agree, Just Saying. When Bryce Edwards started out, his comments were interesting. But now he just copies what others are saying – there’s nothing new or perceptive in his comments, and he’s just become boorrrrrrring. Not worth reading.
Totally agree, just saying. My blood pressure rose rapidly when I saw Edwards’ latest article last night. referring to the TS as “Labour Party aligned”.
I have also noticed over recent months that he regularly includes in his links a certain well read (NOT) blog by someone who no longer comments here – thank goodness. I refuse to name the person/blog but it is mentioned in the last sentence of the paragraph on the GCSB Bill in Edwards’ latest article.
I agree. As a visitor I’d say The Standard is a Green Party blog, not Labour’s.
Far more people here support Norman than Shearer.
But you’re not a visitor. You live here.
Like a rat in the ceiling chewing on the wiring.
or, in one memorable instance, the water pipes.
Santi, after being exposed as a liar and a thief yesterday, your observations on anything have no value at all. You’re a fraud.
[lprent: I saw the discussion related to Santi and Bertram yesterday. However I didn’t see anything about “thief”. That looks like a pure flamewar starter. Not exactly the safest thing to do, so I’d suggest that you either point me in the right direction or desist – because it looks like going beyond the “robust debate” ]
According to Wikipedia Ben Johnson introduced the term “to describe as a plagiary someone guilty of literary theft.”
Perhaps someone should ask Santi to prove their claim that “The words are all mine.”
Given that Santi’s comment http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-22072013/#comment-666261
is word for word the same as Alwyn’s earlier comment on Kiwiblog.
Seems to fit Ben Johnsons definition of literary theft to me.
It seems to be what becomes of human nature in the new age. Some academics (and journalists) maintain the fire in their belly and are interested in actual research and reasoned critique.
Jon Stevenson for example, plus several others in journalism and academia – often they don’t get a look in – they don’t fit the corporate academic or media model.
Others, once they’ve nestled into their cuddly position and think they’ve become nice and secure – able to pay the weekly bills, frequent the Ponsonby cafe circuit once in a while, pay the daycare, the mortgage et al, and have ‘quality time’ with their young offspring, they just settle down into Muddle Classhood.
You’ll notice its not just limited to academics. Its affected most of the mainstream media’s “journalists” – those bastions of the 4th Estate. Its COMFORTABLE for them and having that disrupted – well its just a hassle really!
Those ‘political commentators’ as well.
The best place to see them all on display is to watch The Nation, or Q+A once a week – or even listen to the nicest man on Earth everyday.
One of the most noticeable in recent time as far as I can see is Greg Boyed. Once actually quite an enquiring and critical journalist when hosting the News bulletin that used to air on TVNZ7. Look at the transition to 7 Sharp. (There’s a cruel joke in there somewhere).
Watch what happens though when there’s a surfeit of them, they’re knocking 40 or 50, and redundancy hits.
The above is a very judgemental opinion – I know! No more so than what’s inflicted on us by the likes of Bryce daily though!
Switched on to RNZ around 8am – royal news. Switched off. Just switched back on to RNZ – still royal baby news. Spare me!
Royalty watching isn’t my thing, but whenever I caught glimpses of the media pack surrounding the birthing suite all I could think was that poor lady!
nothing to stop the family opting out.
Another Right Royal Bludger for life is born to suck the life out of the British working people, that makes Him if my long departed Grandma was correct the great-great-great grandson of an Irish ‘pisspot emptier’, (chambermaid),and a long dead English King…
Guess that makes you a Nazi supporting, despot loving, Taliban apologist. How many years have you spent in Afghanistan waiting for your head to be shot off again?
What? I get the Nazi bit – you mean Pwince Hawwy in his Nazi uniform, but you’ve lost me with the rest.
While I am neutral on the birth of a royal baby, I have just heard on RNZ News that the birth will be marked by a 21 gun salute in Wellington at midday – just two hours away.
This is the first I have heard of this as a possibility.
Just what our frazzled nerves do not need at present is the boom of cannons – especially those Wellingtonians who have not heard about the salute.
Nah – Pretty standard procedure – 21 Gun Salute when Willliam was born – I would imagine most people would be aware of it or the possibility of it or soon realise what it is for (after all you can hardly miss the news).
veutoviper
It was actually part of the news! The guns banging away (to be fair only three times on the one I heard) Really!!!! Recorded gunfire is news? Lucky this baby was born today otherwise there would have been no news. Anything being passed under urgency while we have no news. Is Mangler Key going over to kiss the baby? Is he going to wear his pounamu suit. Hope the poor little sod(baby) doesn’t have Charlie’s ears.
I have a terrible confession to make. It’s many years (too many to admit to here) since I was living in London and I came across a ‘live’ link outside St Mary’s hospital. I sat glued to it until 3am this morning because I loved watching the passing parade of disparate English folk in all their tasteless but fascinating regalia (or the lack of it) and their delightful accents. I finally gave it away and went to bed and the baby was born and I missed the most interesting bits.
You should have stayed tuned. You missed this.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2563045/fish-move-as-oceans-warm
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cia-backs-630000-study-into-how-to-control-global-weather-through-geoengineering-8724501.html
What strikes me is the mention of $630k as the cost, is simply a joke number, why not $666!
Either way, this is little more than another confirmation piece, of what has been going on!
Labour are a complete mess. The party is in disarray. I have a good feeling it’s still being controlled by a certain bullyish leader in New York. So many left over hacks from the Clark Regime still with their nose in the trough. Labour are in for a huge loss next year. They are no longer a party that represents working party and this fantasy of a labour/green/mana/maori/nz first government is a complete joke. It would be the biggest disaster to ever hit NZ. Labour aligning itself with a racist extremist like Hone? Say goodnight Shearer ….
lolz, Clark has got a world to sort out, her former colleagues of 34 MPs are on their own.
Johnny
Have you been reading detective fiction with ‘cherchez la femme’ as a theme? The old guard in Labour go right back to Rogered Douglas don’t they? Perhaps someone would like to put me right as to whether there are some still here that were around then.
The HYPOCRITES Prime Minister John Key and (now) ‘Independent’ MP Peter Dunne, who are very quick to defend their privacy when they think it’s under attack, now want to legislate against the lawful rights of New Zealanders to privacy.
URGENT!
Protests against the GCSB and TICs Bills have been organised around New Zealand for this Saturday 27 July 2013.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1307/S00233/protesting-the-gcsb-tics-bills-nationwide.htm
In Auckland, this Thursday, 25 July at 7pm, at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, there will be a Public Meeting at which Kim DotCom (and others) will be speaking.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1307/S00264/urgent-public-meeting-stop-the-gcsb-bill.htm
Where are all the Libertarians and ACT members who supposedly are against ‘Nanny State’ and the lawful rights of citizens to freedom of expression and privacy?
This proposed legislation is BIG BROTHER STATE – on steroids!
Why is ACT MP for Epsom, (the DEFENDANT John Banks) supporting the GCSB Bill?
Can he just please himself when it comes to voting in Parliament, or do ACT members no longer have clear policies and /or principles to which they hold accountable their elected representative?
FYI – this is what I sent directly to Geneva, (for which I have received formal acknowledgment and thanks), as New Zealand’s human rights record is now under review, through the ‘Universal Periodic Review Process’ :
“…. Also, our lawful rights to privacy and our human rights not to be subjected to arbitrary search and surveillance, are currently under attack.
FYI, here is a video and transcript of my raising my concerns directly with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, at a hearing on 2 July 2013, of the Security and Intelligence Committee on proposed changes to the Government Security and Intelligence Bureau Act, which would effectively allow widespread spying on citizens of New Zealand.
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/?p=195
GCSB – Penny Bright vs John Key ”
What is happening here is a DISGRACE people!
What are YOU going to do about it ?
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption /anti-privatisation’ campaigner
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
Penny, the people have shown they will take anything given!
The people have spoken, baa baa baa
How is that 2 members of parliament can hold the country to ransom over a bill to install fascism in our country
It appears no matter what lessons are taught by history it will surely repeat when arrogant fear mongering people run our country
We dont need Keys govt but we do need our democracy
What threat are we to the govt of this country or its security that this little fascist prick can do what he is doing to this country
Fuckin kick your arse if I could
Most of them will be in support of the new surveillance state. It’s not for nought that I coined the term:
Libertarians: Dictators hiding behind liberal values
They’ll be supportive of anything that protects their privilege.
I have begun to think that (right wing) libertarians, are people who resent any authority telling THEM what to do, but want everyone else, usually those with least privilege, to be in a subservient position to them.
And they do seem to consist of a lot of middle class white males (and a minority of females), who, ultimately support policies that maintain those old boy positions of privilege.
Pay your rates. Or shut up. Preferably the latter.
ABS, do the things Penny talks about make you uncomfortable?
Are you in on the theivery?
Perhaps you can tell us here, what you’re doing by way of active involvement!
Cut your hedge. Put your rubbish out. Insulate your house. Chew all food 32 times. Or shut up.
“Pay your rates. Or shut up. Preferably the latter.”
Oh ABS. I’ve often noted that people who get angry about Penny’s rates protest are really trying to silence her dissent.
And there you go, admitting out loud that you care more about shutting her up than you do about her paying.
Sort of QED I think.
So Penny, as being a candidate for Mayor, what is your view on Auckland home owners not paying rates. Our rates bill has gone up 13% after revaluation?
Could they lend us Kevin Rudd for a few weeks ? Or perhaps just Therese Rhein ?
Key might then meet his Waterloo ..
ALP would win Federal Election. ALP 52.5% cf. L-NP 47.5%
http://roymorganresearch.createsend5.com/t/ViewEmail/j/F0ADAE0946692108/50F269E34E94CB84C68C6A341B5D209E
I wonder if the boat people agreement with PNG is going to help or hurt Rudd. Silly question, it is Australia after all.
It’s not that simple any more. In many ways, Australians have progressed while Kiwis have gone backwards. There have been reasonably large protests and a lot of adverse comment in the media. I am proud of many of my Australian friends.
How do you know it will be a boy ?
How do you know it will be spam?
Henry Giroux at Truthout The Violence of Organized Forgetting. Well worth the read.
This.
One thing I’ve maintained for a while now is that specialisation in learning for work has resulted in a loss of general knowledge and that loss is detrimental to our society as people no longer understand how different parts of society fit together. That lack of understanding then allows them to be more easily conned by the rich and powerful.
Ah, yes. Many working in education have long thought that. I recall a staff member’s retirement speech in a college where I worked in England. The guy was an ex-pat South African – with the then current Thatcher vocationalist changes in mind, he said that would produce excellent technicians without a wider understanding of their work context: workers who would be excellent at following orders without question. He said the 3rd Re1ch produced such excellent technicians for their death camps.
Yes. With two teenagers in the house, education in it’s many guises is one that come up often for discussion.
I value the internet for making available these articulate views.
Yes. Thanx
Fantasy world of “neoliberal”/libertarian (?) digital corporations.
I was just looking around to update the connections with Crosby Textor and Big Tobacco, in the light of further revelations about Crosby Textor’s influence on privatising UK Health Care.
Found an article from earlier this year, from the Lancet, that also names lobbying firm Luther Pendragon as one working for Big Tobacco.
Google seemed to think I was searching for Uther Pendragon, allegedly the father of King Arthur.
This reminded me of “Palantir” (name taken from the fantasy world of Lord of the Rings), Peter Thiel’s company, which also operates in NZ. Then came across his new NZ-based venture, a iOS app that provides a virtual dream world that customers can explore – based on climbing Everest:
neoliberal dreamweavers? Everest – coming to a country near year, packaging your country, and selling it overseas for their profit.
Stick people in a misinformed escapist fantasy world while they continue to consolidate power and control over the real world.
Ack! Slip of the wrist and I lost a comment I’d typed on yesterday’s Open Mike porn filter thread.
But, I could re-construct some of it here.
I began agreeing with weka on the need to counter the damaging porn, especially when it is misogynistic and involves children.
However, I am also wary of the way such filters can block LGBTI sites, and especially how it can block access for those that most need it. It can be used as a way of harrassing and suppressing those who are already relatively powerless.
Earlier this morning I looked at the site for Palantir Technologies (the firm linked to providing the software for US surveillance agencies like the NSA and founded by Peter Thiel).
One of the things Palantir aim to do is to provide technologies to combat “child exploitation”, which they link to “human trafficking”.
In my post on the <a href='http://thestandard.org.nz/the-long-reach-of-5-eyes-not-in-our-name/“Long reach of 5 Eyes” I wrote about how issues of human trafficking, domestic violence and child porn are being used as a point of access by the state agencies to surveillance of people’s computers.
In the early 80s in London, a flatmate reckoned our phone was tapped as a result of her acting, at the time, in a Gay Sweatshop play. She said all people involved in Gay Sweatshop productions got their phones tapped, and that the signs were all there on our phone. Since then, I have been extremely wary about the uses of state surveillance on those who are already marginalised. And more evidence has come to light about how that happens: eg in the submissions to the GCSB Bill.
Filtering porn sites, will not help to stop damaging porn and its industrialisation/corporatisiation by profiteers. It will merely result in the producers, promoters and users of such porn becoming more sophisticated.
There is already discussion on the internet that Cameron’s war against internet porn will soon extend to things like: internet sites featuring terrorist and extremist Islamic ideology, and how-to self harm/suicide/euthanasia information.
Clearly those things can be damaging to young people as well, and should be banned. From there, grounds would exist to limit access how-to information around the use and enjoyment of elicit drugs, etc. Definitely wouldn’t want young people to be learning about that stuff either.
In general I think we need to be a lot more skeptical of government powers and intentions. One important thing to remember is that we are not guarding against how a David Lange, Helen Clark or Jim Bolger might have used these increased technological powers, but how a future Muldoon or Holland (or even worse) would.
To be fair, there is probably “discussion on the internet” to the effect that PRISM is a tool for aliens to control our minds.
Basically, my objection to government internet filters is not so much the idea of the Great Firewall of China being implemented so nobody can report black helicopters, but more a combination of that and the fact that it doesn’t really work. So while the same old perversions will be going on online, mum and dad will happily think that they’ve blocked the nasty sites and be unaware that their teenage son has the latest TOR build because they let him surf the web and play computer games in his room with the door locked.
And, like now, the child pornographers will be caught because someone paid by credit card, or the police got a warrant to search his server while he was detained for filming up skirts (so he couldn’t switch it off and let encryption and/or electromagnets do their job), or a distinctive tattoo was on file from previous charges, or because the teacher thought that the photoshop “swirl” function was as good as redaction, or because someone could get a shorter sentence by testifying about other people’s crimes.
Well, the other angle on this is political of course, that Cameron is making a big noise about how he cares for the well being of kids, while impoverishing families by the many thousands per month.
I enjoy how McFlocks fears always manage to pereate through his comments.
Black helicopters, mind control, aliens etc!
It’sout of your hands McFlock, and those who you and others here, deem to be beneath you, are already right, they always were, and they always will be!
Well, right up until it’s made illegal, and the infomation/communication channels locked down and controlled, until everyone, is learning/repeating, only what they system wants you to!
Get used to it bro, the conspiracy theorists, have been proven to be correct!
Edit: See J90 link below about pine gap..was not many years ago, people blew the existence of pine gap off, as conspiracy!
I enjoy how you’re a fucking moron who doesn’t realise the difference between a “conspiracy theory” that rests more on evidence than supposition, and the bullshit you serve up on a daily basis.
You are beneath me, that’s why, for example, I didn’t bother responding to any of your idiotic comments today.
Although it’s quite obvious that you think you have an intellect vastly superior to everyone else here – how’s your personal, unreviewed, ethically-unexamined experiment on us going? Still the lead investigator for Project Onan?
dickhead.
But you did, didn’t you!
Thanks, McFlock, I needed the giggle, truth always finds it’s way out.
Good to know you read the link I posted today, while showing restraint to not reply, most likely (I’d like to give you credit for) because you’re a man of humility!
I’m no better than anyone, I have explained this to you before, it’s just stages of the journey, and some are further along theirs than others, that’s all!
Yeah, I tend to respond to morons when their comments specifically about me have no bearing on reality.
As for being “no better then anyone” and following it up with that “further along” the journey drivel, what a load of shit. That’s just you pretending to be humble but not being able to stop your ego leaking all over the screen. You’re a delusional idiot, pure and simple, and frankly I’d prefer it if you kept me out of your fantasies.
You’re free to believe what you like, McFlock, but it will continue to be exposed around you, as it has been, with increasing velocity!
A similar point made in this article as well.
I remember reading an article about co-option, where people who really do want to limit peoples freedom (decrease democracy) are using the language of the liberals to bring about an enhanced police state often with the support of the liberals who would normally oppose these things.
frickin sheeple
The controllers, long ago were able to master the mind of the masses, they are many steps ahead at all times, the techniques are transparent, but require a degree of awareness!
The controllers simply identify, locate then manipulate the next point of access they require, then direct the journey to the desired outcome, using the tools they have, which is all of them!
The challenge is for people to understand the danger they are in, however with the controllers of modern life having dulled the innate ability to sense danger, the challenge is going un-met!
Will the challenge be met? No I believe that time was lost, many years ago!
“Filtering porn sites, will not help to stop damaging porn and its industrialisation/corporatisiation by profiteers.”
True. The value in family filters is to protect children, not influence the porn industry.
“It will merely result in the producers, promoters and users of such porn becoming more sophisticated.”
Why? I imagine that most of the people that don’t turn the filter off aren’t porn users anyway. And those that are will get their internet porn somewhere else.
I take your point about the effect on the GLBTI communities and people, although I’d still like to see some discussion about the technology (beyond superficial “there is no technical solution” and “all govts are all evil therefore its all bad”).
And it doesn’t do that either. Filters are, inevitably, quite easy to get around. That’s been true ever since they first came on the market last century.
I don’t know about that Draco. You are treating this as if everything is equal (eg all children have the same level of expertise). I’d be more interested to know the detail.
/facepalm
They’re on the bloody internet thus they don’t need the expertise – just the knowledge of how to find it and if they don’t have that then one of their friends will. Someone’s already mentioned the Tor Network. Children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.
The harm that children need protecting from is the harm that adults do to them and an internet filter won’t help there at all.
“Children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.”
Some children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.
fify.
So you don’t think ten year olds watching rape porn has a negatie effect on them?
“Well educated and supported about sex” – good luck with mandating that then. If a parent personally has not seen violent porn, how could they educate their children to process what they are seeing in a healthy way (assuming they even knew their child was watching that kind of porn). I’m not convinced that you understand the issues around much porn defining heterosexual relationships in negative ways re women and the effects of that, so again, how could you support children in dealing with that?
I suspect there are large parts of the politics of this that you might be unaware of. If you are interested, there are some interesting discussions on feminist blogs about women who have partners that watch alot of porn and how that affects their sex lives, including the kinds of sex women are expected to have because their men are getting their ideas from internet porn in particular about what women should do. The social implications here are serious IMO, as we have generations of young men in particular being influenced (alongside many other influences obviously).
“Some children determined to see porn on the net will see porn on the net and, IMO, doing so won’t actually harm them if they’ve been well educated and supported about sex.”
What percentage of kids will use tech to bypass family filters?
Again, I think you are treating things as if they are all the same. If kids really want to smoke cigarettes then making it illegal won’t stop them. But it does reduce the number of kids smoking. Which is good.
Of course if you think that smoking isn’t bad for kids, then it’s easy to argue against restrictions.
So, you think it’s better for us adults to continue to fail our children and that all that needs to be done is for the government to put in filters that don’t actually work?
IMO, I think we, as a society, should just become more open about sex and teach children to ask first.
Here is a simple way to look at the ‘feasibility of the technology’:
Is there a way in which we, as humans, could define pornography and ensure that there is universal agreement as to what is porn and what is not porn?*
If there answer to do question is no, then it can’t be done. Even if we had actual people reviewing every site on the internet and defining at is porn or not porn, there would still be disagreement on the filtering process. Of course, in practice, the filtering will be done by computer, which will make filtering even worse, as the computer can only look for patterns in the material and there will inevitably be false positives and false negatives.
* It isn’t as simple as one might think. What about nude art? Mills & Boon books?
The Australian ex-Minister of Broadcasting wanted to ban pictures of small adult breasts, because he thought they encouraged paedophilia. Good Labor man, that one.
Porn/not porn isn’t the issue. The issues are whether different kinds of porn have negative effects on individuals or society that outweigh the rights to freedom of producers and consumers of porn. It’s not about morality, nor prudery, it’s about safety, the rights of children to be free from harm, and the rights of women to challenge misogyny.
“Of course, in practice, the filtering will be done by computer, which will make filtering even worse, as the computer can only look for patterns in the material and there will inevitably be false positives and false negatives.”
So? I have to put up with that crap from google every time I search for anything
How can it NOT be the issue? I thought this discussion was about whether filtering porn was feasible or not. Surely we need to be able to define what porn is before we can filter it?
The false positives might be LGBTI sites, or pages describing how to practice safe sex, or STIs. Children will not have access these pages and be more exposed to harm, rather than less. You are far too eager to dismiss this issue for someone who claims to care about protecting children from harm.
I suppose I wasn’t really thinking about 8yr olds needing to access websites on safe sex or STDs.
It’s not so much that I dismiss the issue, as I dismiss when people say things like “we can’t tell porn from not porn therefore we shouldn’t bother”, or “we can’t build useful filters therefore we shouldn’t bother”. Present some alterate solutions if you want me to take your point seriously.
Considering all the factors which are most damaging to childrens mental and physical health, where does porn rate again?
How many households in poverty or reliant on the benefit even have broadband? Good ol PM Cameron, he knows how to target the constituency of nervous middle class parents worried what their kids are looking up in their bedrooms on their new MacBook Air.
“Considering all the factors which are most damaging to childrens mental and physical health, where does porn rate again?”
That’s a good question (assuming it wasn’t rhetorical). I’d put it in the context of how much damage is being done to children and society by the sexualising of children and childhood.
In terms of sexualisation in society, Cameron has already made it clear that P3 girls are still welcome at the dairy next to the school
“In terms of sexualisation in society, Cameron has already made it clear that P3 girls are still welcome at the dairy next to the school”
Not sure what your point is there CV. You think more porn is ok because some porn already exists?
Surely you can see that not all porn is the same.
I’m thinking if the real issue is sexualisation in society, Cameron’s just given you a nice big irrelevant distraction to run after.
I really don’t give a shit about what Cameron thinks, and was more interested yesterday in what others were saying in the UK about this issue. I’m not running afer Cameron’s idiocy, I’m taking the opportunity to discuss issues that liberal people should have come to terms with a long time ago.
<blockquoteIn terms of sexualisation in society, Cameron has already made it clear that P3 girls are still welcome at the dairy next to the school
Well spotted, CV – Distraction, it most certainly is!
With a helping of known outcome, thrown in!
Yes, liberal people should have come to terms with government censorship and restrictions on the internet a long time ago.
“Yes, liberal people should have come to terms with government censorship and restrictions on the internet a long time ago”
True.
ahhhh, hilarious, “liberal progressives” who are actually just waiting for state authoritarianism to do its good in the world.
But you aren’t even trying to engage on this issue. You just keep repeating slogans about protecting children from harm or women from misogyny. Anyone who disagrees with you is ‘dismissing’ the issue.
My point was that we cannot agree on what is porn or not porn. Some ultra-conservatives might suggests that all nudity should be filtered, as well as sites giving safe sex advice to teenagers or those dealing with LGBTI issues, as these are morally wrong. More liberal people might say that material dealing with nudity is okay but not hardcore material. In any case, government-imposed filtering provides the opportunity for one group to dictate what material is appropriate or not, and this opens the door for certain groups in society to push their moral views onto others.
I never said that 8 year olds would need access to these sites. The term ‘children’ in this case would apply to all those under 18, and therefore include teenagers as well. It seems to me that you are deliberately misconstruing the meaning of my comment.
“My point was that we cannot agree on what is porn or not porn. Some ultra-conservatives might suggests that all nudity should be filtered, as well as sites giving safe sex advice to teenagers or those dealing with LGBTI issues, as these are morally wrong. More liberal people might say that material dealing with nudity is okay but not hardcore material. In any case, government-imposed filtering provides the opportunity for one group to dictate what material is appropriate or not, and this opens the door for certain groups in society to push their moral views onto others.”
We already make decisions that some groups in society don’t like. Think abortion. Or the age of sexual consent.
As I said, this isn’t a moral issue (not in the way you mean). The fear that moral groups in the future will gain power and impose conditions on others exists irrespective of this issue.
“I never said that 8 year olds would need access to these sites. The term ‘children’ in this case would apply to all those under 18, and therefore include teenagers as well. It seems to me that you are deliberately misconstruing the meaning of my comment.”
No, I was letting you know what I was thinking about when I talk about child protection. By the time someone’s of the age that their peer group is sexually active, issues of safety are different. I think this is where it is more complex, and where it overlaps with the issues of misogyny and how porn often portrays relationships between women and men.
I’ll just say it again. I’m not dismissive of the issues being raised (the difficulty of creating useful filters, govt surveillance). I’d just like to see those issues discussed by people who also care about how the porn industry affects society. I’m not sure that conversation is happening here. What I am hearing is that there really isn’t that much wrong with porn, and the stuff that is wrong, we either can’t do anything about it or it’s a separate issue. That’s not good enough.
I’m also largely unconvinced by the blanket argument that the internet can’t be controlled. It’s controlled all the time. The debate should be about who controls what and when. Talk details and I’ll be more sympathetic.
The issue of the effects of porn on society is a complex one, and I don’t think it is necessarily bad. For example, I am quite sure that I have seen some evidence that access to porn reduces sexual violence, with the one explanation for this being that the use of porn helps people to fulfil their fantasies or urges in a safe manner.
One thing I am quite sure of though, is that going around and telling men that porn is bad because it is misogynistic or portrays male-female relationships poorly is not going achieve a lot, mainly because men are not really thinking about the images portrayed in that much detail (even if it is true). A better approach to reduce or alter porn use might be to point out that porn (and sex in general) is actually being used to manipulate men into buying (or doing) something by taking advantage of a strong biological urge inherent in many men.
wtl, if you go back and read all my posts on this topic today and yesterday, you will see that I don’t treat porn as one thing. So nowhere have I made a blanket statement that porn is bad because xxx. I’m talking about specific kinds of porn, and who accesses them. You might want to have a think about why you are assuming that I think porn in general is somehow bad, because that idea isn’t coming from me.
“A better approach to reduce or alter porn use might be to point out that porn (and sex in general) is actually being used to manipulate men into buying (or doing) something by taking advantage of a strong biological urge inherent in many men.”
By all means, try that approach for yourself. Please don’t tell me how to approach porn as a political issue until you understand where I am actually coming from.
“The issue of the effects of porn on society is a complex one, and I don’t think it is necessarily bad. For example, I am quite sure that I have seen some evidence that access to porn reduces sexual violence, with the one explanation for this being that the use of porn helps people to fulfil their fantasies or urges in a safe manner.”
Please stop treating porn as one thing and all the same. Please go and educate yourself on the connections between different kinds of porn and violence and how women get affected (I also think some kinds of porn are bad for men too). Then come back with some credible citations for what you just claimed.
At one point I was using a dictionary and the definition of porn and erotica were exactly the same. Given the present dictionary definition of pornography perhaps we should just start calling it erotica.
😈
oops .. this seems to have slipped out of place in the answers …
Hi Karol .. did you see the several weekend Guardian/Observer links I posted on Lynton Crosby, The Lizard of Oz, on Open Mic just a couple of days ago ..
And one of those links reported Luther Pendragon resigned from the tobacco PR which thusly cleared the way for Lynton Crosby and his $10 million contract. .. October 2012 I think it was ?
(So tempted to sign off as Morgana, but resisting I am !)
Again for you:
Here the several links :
“David Cameron urged to probe claim that aide had £6m tobacco deal — Lynton Crosby comes under renewed fire over Philip Morris links as row over cigarette packaging rages on” July 20
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/20/cameron-lynton-crosby-contract-philip-morris
“David Cameron under attack over fracking firm links to Lynton Crosby” July 19
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/19/david-cameron-fracking-lynton-crosby?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
“Lynton Crosby: David Cameron’s Lizard of Oz” ( love it !) July 20
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2013/jul/21/lynton-crosby-cameron-lizard-oz
And in future, perhaps we all offer him this marvelous name, Crosby, Lizard of Oz !
Thanks yeshe. Useful links.
Hopefully one day you will write to expose how it affects us here … so many factors now combining including the Crosby destruction of the NHS .. alcohol, tobacco, fracking, health depts .. all here, same same with Key et al following his scripts.
Thx Karol.
Tuesday Cain and her dad Billy provided a little relief but reading some of the responses meant normal levels of misanthropy were soon restored.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/22/proud-daughter-anti-abortion-placard
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/tuesday-cain-labelled-a-whore-for-holding-antiabortion-sign/story-fni0do1x-1226683546833
And although there’s nothing new or surprising about Australia taking part in US lead atrocities the most recent revelations about these activities certainly do their bit to fuel the fire.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/pine-gap-drives-us-drone-kills-20130720-2qbsa.html
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/05/29/pine-m29.html
Not many years ago, Pine Gap was also disregarded as the stuff of conspiracy!
That’s metadata gathering for you in action. And almost certainly teamed with Waihopai.
And yes Muzza … it used to be the stuff on much-derided conspiracy theory ! Cost Oz a couple of Prime Ministers as I recall; one missing and presumed dead no body ever found, the second removed from office by then GG. Nugan Hand and all that. Worth remembering while we continue to oppose this current GCSB bill.
I guess I must be on the list now, if I wasn’t already !
People on the left have known about Pine Gap, Waihopai, Mt. John and a few other places for 30 or 40 years. If you only just found out, it’s not because of any conspiracy.
Oh Murray, come on, just stop!
I could use the same comment style in your direction but another topic, lets take a look:
People who read/research have known that geo-engineering and weather manipulation, has been going on for about 60-70 years now, but accelerating in velocity, over the past 10-15.
The fact you have not bothered to do anything to learn about it, does not make it a conspiracy theory!
See how that works, and have another link!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cia-backs-630000-study-into-how-to-control-global-weather-through-geoengineering-8724501.html
You’re funny.
Shorter, ignorance doesn’t make for a conspiracy.
http://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/works/34026/images/29527/
Of course it does Joe, not in silo of course!
Lies and deceit, also create ignorance!
U.S Exponential debt, ahead of the curve
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-07-22/can-us-economy-keep-exponential-chart
The Four Most Rigged Economic Indicators
http://moneymorning.com/2013/07/22/the-four-most-rigged-economic-indicators/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+USMoneyMorning+%28Money+Morning%29
Who knew ? Or rather, who doesn’t know ?? Good read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/opinion/sunday/why-men-need-women.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hpw
I always thought boobies had something to do with it
oh dear Winsome Smith, oh dear.
@ Morissey (where ever you are)
OMG MOG OMG OMFG LOL ROFL ROFFL!
The nicest man on Earth was just talking about X Fekta (?)
…. Domnuk Beardin (?)
It was really deep and meaningful stuff, and what we ALL need to know!
…. but, but but you know what?
He used the labels “legubrious” and “ephemera”
Legubrious Ephemera – NOTHING like the nicest, most artikyalit man on Earth’s “show” though.
It was memorable – I’ll treasure it, I’ll remember it for life!
Now there’s some guy called Nick singing the descant
Has the tide turned? Can David Shearer ride the waves to victory?
His people are not sure …
http://www.surf.co.nz/forum/surfing-chat/7746/?pid=214366
He’s not leaving a sinking ship, he’s just in the mood for a swim …
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8953732/Shearer-senior-staff-shuffles
I have done much crystal ball gazing and entrail reading about the Labour Party lately. Today I got thinking about the change that happened to the Listener a few years ago, when it was decided that is should lose its left wing bias and cater to “the middle.”
Who still reads it? A few loyalists who appreciate Jane Clifton and Diana Witchel, a few people for whom it remains a habit, a few incidental people who are captured by a headline at the checkout. The shiny people ate whom it is aimed do not read it, being more inclined to flick through Vogue or Cuisine. However, it has enough turnover to keep paying Pamela Stirling, and it is no longer a vehicle for the left.
This I think is the plan for the Labour Party under Shearer, with dissenters getting shuffled to the back benches or advised to leave. So what if it never rises above 30%. If the plan works it will still generate enough votes to pay a leader and a few shadow ministers, but most importantly, it will cease to be a vehicle for the left. It will be the political equivalent of the Listener.
Very good Olwyn!
As an aside, I grew up with the Listener, and bought it pretty much every week of my adult life until about five years ago. The only think I really missed were the TV pages and the cryptic crossword. Since I no longer have a TV and the internet is a better source of info on TV shows, it doesn’t matter. Occasionally I see the Listener in a dairy and am tempted to buy one, but then I look at the cover and it invariably has me grimacing before I’ve even opened the front page. My parents and siblings still read it, it suits their white, liberal middle class sensibilities well (they don’t seem to have noticed the slide to the centre, or maybe they don’t care).
I do read Toby Manhire online sometimes.
btw, I think the Listener started to go down hill when Gorden Campbell left.
I think it went uphill when Finlay MacDonald left. He was obsessed with the “middle class”, whatever that is…
It was 1000 times better with Finlay as editor than it is now.
Olwyn – I have to say this is one of the most perceptive comments I have seen on this blog. Something needs to change, I don’t know what it is, but I fear that the Labour Party is doomed to getting only a third of the vote, unless something dramatic changes. I don’t know what that change might be. But, as you point out, Labour is doomed to irrelevance and/or niche market unless something changes. And I don’t mean a leadership change. Once upon a time Labour stood for something, and now, I don’t know what that is any more. I am an ageing baby-boomer who cut his political teeth at the Princes Street branch. My children, who would have joined the Labour Party as I did all those years ago, see no relevance in Labour at all. They don’t read the Listener either.
Thanks Tinshed, I agree that something needs to change. We desperately need a solid opposition right now, and for the next generation to find reason to engage politically.
My two children – or adults as they really are – see the Greens as the only real alternative. The Labour Party simply doesn’t connect with them – it has no relevance to their view of the world and its issues. To some extent me too. I grew up on notions of Socialism and Social Democracy. Reading the New Left Review was the part of what we did to stay in touch. But, sad to say, I really can not connect with the current parliamentary Labour party. I feel guilty to feel that very few of them seem worthy of the heritage of the party they now represent. Perhaps as this is my problem, but it concerns me deeply that less than 1/3 of the country now support the party of Savage, Fraser, Nordmeyer, Kirk, or Clark who were such titans of 20th century New Zealand. They all made such a difference. This lot, not all. Nothing.
Olwyn That’s a good comparison. That I can relate to.
Newsroom reporting Fran Mold is Shearer’s new CoS: “newsroom.co.nz understands there has been disquiet in Labour ranks about poor political management in the leader’s office…A former NZ Herald and TVNZ reporter Mold was originally employed by former leader Phil Goff and played a key role behind the scenes in the 2011 election campaign.”
And we know how well that went!
The loss of Cameron is more concerning. A very smart guy, very talented. I won’t speculate on the dynamics that led to this departure – since I have absolutely no idea, but it’s disappointing all the same.
And again, the saying comes to mind:
You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
From NASA — Earth from Saturn photographed by Cassini spacecraft two days ago … so beautiful !
How tiny and fragile we are ..
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA17171
click on wallpaper for larger image
Dunno why but you’re link didn’t work for me. This one does.
Thanks yeshe – awesome!
The state of the polls, via Danyl McLaughlan and Peter Green.
http://imgh.us/nzpolls20130723a.svg
“temporarily unavailable” – yep – matches up with my view of the value of political polls.
http://gawker.com/goldman-sachs-took-5-billion-from-consumers-by-moving-861862148
NYT reporting how Goldman Sachs turns aluminum into billions in profits by warehousing and hoarding world stocks forcing prices up …. legally, but what criminals they are.
and it seems copper is next on the list …
“Over the past three years, Goldman has raised the price of aluminium by buying a huge warehouse and intentionally slowing down service so they could charge higher storing fees. These fees, handed down to consumers, have netted Goldman Sachs over $5 billion. And there’s nothing illegal about it.”
and this in NYT in same investigation report:
In 2011, for instance, an internal Goldman memo suggested that speculation by investors accounted for about a third of the price of a barrel of oil. A commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal regulator, subsequently used that estimate to calculate that speculation added about $10 per fill-up for the average American driver. Other experts have put the total, combined cost at $200 billion a year.
The direct NYT Business link if you don’t want Gawker’s summation ..
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/business/a-shuffle-of-aluminum-but-to-banks-pure-gold.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Its how all commodities are manipulated!
Done with psychical hoarding/wars, as well as virtual, via futures markets etc!
Imagine what else humanity is being kept away from, if everything else is uses as a weapon!
Wow! Where can I get one of these psychical hoarding/wars, Captain Onan? Spiffy!
Physical hoarding (of commodities), and hoarding of commodities via war – See how the oil wars in Iraq, for example have not lead to greater supply or cheaper fuel, in fact the opposite has happened, as was the intended result.
It why the worlds supplies are being so aggressively hunted down, not for money, for control!
Wars are manufactured for many reasons, resource control, is at the top of the list. Resource control can come in the form of so called commodities, or resource control by population control.
All wards are banker wars, and all commodities are controlled by very specific interests, with not only the financial prices which the end consumer does see, but in the technology, which the end consumer will never see!
Something for Wellington and Marlborough, for being stalwarts in the face of adversity. For taking arms against a sea of continent and by opposing get tossed around. For holding on. For thinking, my god, what have I done.. ?
For Fuck’s Sake….. breathlessly, on TV3 Late News (probably the same at 6.00 pm)……..the Royal Hairdresser has been seen “entering” the hospital. Cut and colour for wee bubby maybe ?
Yes…..I know…….Kate and Wills and bub are gonna be on the balcony soon.
Meantime here in NZ there are kids whose fucking hair is falling out with scabies, affliction of the poor, because the poor little buggers at 2 and 3 years of age scratch it out.
I know it’s churlish not excitedly to join in the rejoicing for people who’ve had a kid who’ll be driven home in a Bentley with police outriders.
You know……..as a human being I’m genuinely happy for them, but really……..
Welcome to the new royal boy.
There was a lovely photo of Julia Gillard with knitting needles aloft before she was replaced with ruddy Kevin. – Former prime minister Julia Gillard was photographed knitting a kangaroo for the royal baby in Women’s Weekly. Photograph: Women’s Weekly
The baby which was once destined to get a kangaroo personally knitted by a sitting prime minister will now receive an arguably less sentimental gift from its subjects in Australia – a zoo research project funded in his name.
As the world celebrated the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s son by lighting up iconic landmarks in blue and even sending the couple condoms, Kevin Rudd announced a bilby research project at Taronga Zoo would be given $10,000 in funding in the name of the future monarch as a gift.
NB Bilby desert dwelling marsupial omnivore
They Finally Tested The ‘Prisoner’s Dilemma’ On Actual Prisoners
Oh, look at that, economists were wrong – yet again.
Two things don’t surprise me here. The first is that economists are wrong. The second is that prisoners were less selfish than students. Prisoners, and crims in general, have a common enemy in authority, and learn early on that a lot is at stake if they cooperate with that enemy. Students are getting more and more indoctrinated into the selfish sociopathic rubbish that comes with neoliberalism.
It’d be interesting to give this test to politicians from all our main parties. My guess is that Mana and Greens would cooperate, some in Labour would, and NAct would be chomping at the bit to inform on each other. You wouldn’t even need to run it with Dunne.