Open mike 25/08/2022

84 comments on “Open mike 25/08/2022 ”

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1. PsyclingLeft.Always 1

   25 August 2022 at 7:09 am

   The Ombudsman has slammed the Otago Corrections Facility for the "unacceptable" use of CCTV cameras in cells there.

   Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said it was "completely inappropriate" that CCTV cameras covered showers and toilets in the prison.

   Concerns over use of force events at the prison, including around pepper spray and record-keeping, were also raised in the report.

   "It is important, as a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that New Zealand is treating prisoners at a certain standard," Mr Boshier said.

   Camera footage of the use of force incidents was reviewed, three of which appeared to show excessive use of force, the report said. One of those was being investigated by the prison as unlawful.

   The review of footage also found ‘‘inconsistent use of de-escalation techniques, and that some staff used unprofessional language’’.

   https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-otago/unacceptable-cctv-cameras-otago-prison-cells

   Sloppiness around documentation in use-of-force incidents at the prison is concerning. Records of these not being completed in a timely fashion and with signatures and dates often missing suggests poor management.

   Lax record-keeping around prisoners’ property was also noted. When staff could not identify a property owner, items would be disposed of.

   Across six months there were 56 property claims, half of them approved and settled under the euphemistic term "staff error".

   This is not a good look in terms of staff attitude. Nor is the observation by inspectors of some staff dismissing reasonable requests and using derogatory terms to describe prisoners. Also, some called prisoners by their surname or referred to them as "inmate".

   https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/poor-prison-practices

   Yea..IMO "some" Corrections staff aye. Certainly heard from at least "one".

   As in the NZ Justice System punishment…wasnt "quite" enough….
2. Adrian Thornton 2

   25 August 2022 at 7:53 am

   Remembering a real American patriot….

   "War Poisons Everybody": Legendary Historian Howard Zinn on His 100th Birthday
   • aj 2.1

     25 August 2022 at 9:59 am

     There will be many people under 30 who have no idea how the world was totally conned into the Iraq War, and I found this a chilling reminder of the power of lies. Something we should never forget.

     A penetrating study of how the news media allowed themselves to be used as war propagandists in the run-up to the war in Iraq, and a good companion piece to this Howard Zinn interview.

     https://youtu.be/GN6ULkxXJ0o
     • Adrian Thornton 2.1.1

       25 August 2022 at 12:22 pm

       "how the news media allowed themselves to be used as war propagandists in the run-up to the war in Iraq"….exactly right, and ever since the USA set the Middle East on fire in that illegal war…pretty much all MSM, but most especially the Liberal MSM, led and cheerleadered by The Guardian, NYT and WAPO, have not seen a Western intervention or war that they have not willingly done the heavy lifting for in terms of propaganda and often straight out disinformation….

       Not sure how the Liberal class and their media morphed so seamlessly into becoming some of the the most bloodthirsty Warhawks on the planet today…but sadly that is where we are…you see it on display on this very site on nearly a daily basis.
       • DB Brown 2.1.1.1

         25 August 2022 at 8:34 pm

         Here's some vindication for some of what you've been saying regarding misinformation running both ways.

         https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/8/25/facebook-twitter-disrupt-pro-us-influence-operation-report
3. Jenny how to get there 3

   25 August 2022 at 8:13 am

   Climate Alarm is deafening

   If humanity can mobilise enormous forces for war on each other.

   Why can't we for war on climate change?

   Heatwave in China is the most severe ever recorded in the world

   A long spell of extreme hot and dry weather is affecting energy, water supplies and food production across China

   This article has been viewed 3092 times in the last 3 hours.

   …..River and reservoir levels have fallen, factories have shut because of electricity shortages and huge areas of crops have been damaged. The situation could have worldwide repercussions, causing further disruption to supply chains and exacerbating the global food crisis.

   …..Hundreds of places have reported temperatures of more than 40°C (104°F), and many records have been broken. Subway stations have set up rest areas where people can recover from the heat.

   On 18 August, the temperature in Chongqing in Sichuan province reached 45°C (113°F), the highest ever recorded in China outside the desert-dominated region of Xinjiang. On 20 August, the temperature in the city didn’t fall below 34.9°C (94.8°F), the highest minimum temperature ever recorded in China in August. The maximum temperature was 43.7°C

   https://www.newscientist.com/article/2334921-heatwave-in-china-is-the-most-severe-ever-recorded-in-the-world/?
   • Drowsy M. Kram 3.1

     25 August 2022 at 12:27 pm

     “We need[ed] to learn how to work with nature, rather than against it.”

     Spaceship Earth didn't start this 'fight', but it will most likely finish it.

     Methane Hunters: What Explains the Surge in the Potent Greenhouse Gas? [23 August 2022]
     Levels of the gas are growing at a record rate and natural sources like wetlands are the cause, but scientists don’t know how to curb it.
     …
     Others are more direct. “If you think of fossil fuel emissions as putting the world on a slow boil, methane is a blow torch that is cooking us today,” said Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, and an advocate of stricter policies to reduce methane emissions. “The fear is that this is a self-reinforcing feedback loop . . . If we let the earth warm enough to start warming itself, we are going to lose this battle.”

     Methane much more sensitive to global heating than previously thought – study [5 July 2022]
     Methane is four times more sensitive to global warming than previously thought, a new study shows. The result helps to explain the rapid growth in methane in recent years and suggests that, if left unchecked, methane related warming will escalate in the decades to come.

     https://www.co2.earth/co2-acceleration
     • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1.1

       25 August 2022 at 12:56 pm

       Because of the cold, those carbon-rich remains never fully decomposed, and the soil preserves them in an icy purgatory.

       Now, though, as the Arctic warms, decomposition is starting up – and it gives off greenhouse gases.

       Scientists know the permafrost contains an enormous amount of carbon – enough to catastrophically warm the planet if it were all released into the atmosphere. But they don't know how fast it can come out and whether changes will be gradual or rapid.

       https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/107379594/a-bizarre-bubbling-lake-symbolises-the-danger-to-earth-as-the-arctic-heats-up?rm=a

       The release of methane and carbon dioxide from thawing permafrost will accelerate global warming and add up to $70tn (£54tn) to the world’s climate bill, according to the most advanced study yet of the economic consequences of a melting Arctic.

       https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/23/melting-permafrost-in-arctic-will-have-70tn-climate-impact-study

       It is estimated that the world’s permafrost contains up to 1,700 billion tonnes of carbon, which is almost double the amount of carbon in the Earth’s atmosphere, and four times more than what has already been emitted by humans as since the Industrial Revolution. If all permafrost were degraded to the point of decomposing, the disastrous effects would be felt all over the world.

       https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/permafrost-thaw-warming-world-arctic-institute-permafrost-series-fall-winter-2020/

       I well remember on "another site" using these Links….climate deniers rubbishing them. There is also a National Geographic article "Arctic Permafrost is thawing fast" which is subscriber ..I read it at Local Library…photos/story are amazing
4. Peter 4

   25 August 2022 at 8:26 am

   Relishing a meal for months before actually eating it is possible. Pondering the occasion before it arrives extends the pleasure.

   When the traditional happens at a quiet, but occupied time we might realise the possibilities of pleasure which we didn't take earlier.

   On January 1st when the traditional happens and 'Sir Trevor' is announced the reactions are going to be so much fun!

   For many that'll make it a 'Merry Christmas and an Unhappy New Year.' That in itself will make it for others a 'Happy New Year "
   • Belladonna 4.1

     25 August 2022 at 4:31 pm

     Surely Trev would stand by his principles, and refuse to accept this outdated monarchist accolade.

     "Mr Mallard said yesterday he did not believe New Zealand should have titular honours"

     https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-abolished-honours-too-soon-says-mallard/5CPYQ6YRPS5UWICOT3NOWWX4RE/
     • alwyn 4.1.1

       25 August 2022 at 4:52 pm

       I can only think of three politicians who turned down the title and took the letters after their name that nobody understands.

       They were Jim Bolger, Jonathon Hunt and Helen Clark. When the Key Government reintroduced the titular form everyone who could seemed to change to the new style.

       I can't see Trevor refusing though, whatever H1 might say.
5. arkie 5

   25 August 2022 at 9:18 am

   Surely, if this is really necessary, contacting and discussing the decision with those schools affected would be the bare minimum consideration.

   Government considers cutting 3000 senior teaching roles from budget

   In a surprise move, the government wants to cut a senior teaching role nationwide so it can cover a hole in its budget.

   …

   Principals contacted by RNZ said they were not aware of the ministry's plan and warned the within-school roles were critical to their work.

   The lead principal for a Nelson Kāhui Ako, Nayland College principal Daniel Wilson, told RNZ the proposal was "very concerning".

   …

   The Education Ministry said any outcomes from the collective agreement negotiations beyond June 2023 would be funded.

   It did not explain why the within-school roles were selected for a cut and what effect it would have on Kāhui Ako.

   Despite the decision to seek an end to the within-school teacher role, a briefing paper from July last year showed the government was keen to expand the scheme.

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473459/government-considers-cutting-3000-senior-teaching-roles-from-budget
   • Mac1 5.1

     25 August 2022 at 9:38 am

     It's not clear from the article whether the unions involved knew of this proposal. The NZEI did not seem at all surprised and PPTA were not in favour but neither said they were uninformed. That issue should have been clearly stated in the article.

     Is the task to inform principals of collective agreement proposals the union or the government's role? In other words, as the article writes of the principals' concerns at being unaware and unconsulted, and seemingly blames government, is that fair, or just more 'gotcha' journalism?

     Anyway, it's a proposal to be discussed at the award talks and what the contracts say will be carried out.
     • Belladonna 5.1.1

       25 August 2022 at 4:39 pm

       I don't see how it could be the job of the unions (representing teachers) to communicate the MoE's proposals (or bargaining positions, or whatever they are) to principals. That is surely the job of the MoE.

       Now, it's possible that they got communication ducks out of line (meaning to communicate both to the NZEI and PPTA at the same time as school principals – so there were no surprises – and no early leaks) – and didn't get to the principals in time.

       However, not all schools are participating in Kāhui Ako, and not all of them have those staff based in their schools. It would have seemed to be a simple exercise to have got the list, and ensured that those principals were informed that this discussion was on the table.
   • Peter 5.2

     25 August 2022 at 11:00 am

     It would be interesting to see an assessment of the value of Kāhui Ako. All over the country.

     Does the raw headline "Government considers cutting 3000 senior teaching roles from budget" convey the reality of what the programme not being funded will do? If the programme is of value can it be picked up under the normal staffing levels and management units?
     • Belladonna 5.2.1

       25 August 2022 at 4:46 pm

       I'm not qualified to assess the value of Kāhui Ako. As with many policies, I think that the outcomes are variable.

       However, the staffing funding is what enables senior or field expert teachers from one school, to coach, train and co-teach with staff in other schools. If there is no funding, it won't happen. Individual school funding is set based on the number of pupils enrolled – not on the wider needs of the school cluster.

       Given the quote from Hipkins in the article, from last year, about wanting the program to be expanded and more flexible – I do wonder if this is an internal MoE idea, rather than a government one….
   • Patricia Bremner 5.3

     25 August 2022 at 11:08 am

     Perhaps the time for goal setting has passed, and now it is time for resources like trained teachers and materials?
6. Anne 6

   25 August 2022 at 9:50 am

   Maybe the Finnish prime minister needs to look closely at who some of her friends are:

   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/finland-prime-minister-sanna-marin-apologises-for-party-photo-at-summer-home/ZVLSIZ5CADQMM5JZPNOGUTNKLM/
   • weka 6.1

     25 August 2022 at 12:01 pm

     why? Her friends did something stupid, she's apologised, it's pretty small stuff in the scheme of things.
     • Tony 6.1.1

       25 August 2022 at 1:13 pm

       Are you aware her and her friends were singing "We are the flour gang" flour is slang for cocaine.
       • mpledger 6.1.1.1

         25 August 2022 at 2:09 pm

         Are you aware that she took a drug test and her results came back negative? Others have said she was singing along to a Finnish pop song that mentions "jallu," a Finnish alcoholic drink.
       • joe90 6.1.1.2

         25 August 2022 at 2:21 pm

         Are you aware her and her friends were singing "We are the flour gang" flour is slang for cocaine.

         Nazi parrot parrots.
         /

         https://twitter.com/jmkorhonen/status/1560575898885058560
     • Anne 6.1.2

       25 August 2022 at 1:14 pm

       Two friends at the least did something very, very stupid and in the process placed the prime minister of Finland in a very, very embarrassing position.

       The offence was not so much that it was a somewhat compromising photo, but rather it was posted on Facebook for all the world to see. Who needs enemies with friends like that.
       • mpledger 6.1.2.1

         25 August 2022 at 2:16 pm

         I'm not sure it embarrassing for her as she was raised by lesbian parents. It's more that other people are embarrassed because they only find intimacy between straight people acceptable.
         • Anne 6.1.2.1.1

           25 August 2022 at 5:01 pm

           The embarrassment I was referring to is that the party was a private affair and it is astonishing that "a friend" saw fit to post a photo on Facebook given the host was the country's prime minister. As I said… who needs enemies with a friend like that.
   • Populuxe1 6.2

     25 August 2022 at 3:26 pm

     Maybe people shouldn't be so thirsty for salacious Russian agitprop
7. Blazer 7

   25 August 2022 at 10:29 am

   They say its lonely at the top…and crowded at the…bottom….'you know you're…worth it'!

   Fletcher Building CEO's $6.8m pay is 'not justified', professor says | Stuff.co.nz
   • Barfly 7.1

     25 August 2022 at 10:48 am

     Time for an extra tax bracket for the 500k a year plus earners IMO.
8. SPC 8

   25 August 2022 at 10:56 am

   Living with Trump – A shared psychosis
9. Sabine 9

   25 August 2022 at 11:13 am

   this is sexy….

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/green-travel/300670303/germany-launches-worlds-first-fleet-of-hydrogen-passenger-trains

   German officials launched what they say is the world's first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains Wednesday (local time), replacing 15 diesel trains that previously operated on non-electrified tracks in the state of Lower Saxony.

   The 14 trains use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity that powers the engines. snip

   The trains manufactured by French company Alstom are operated by regional rail company LNVG on routes between the northern towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude.

   Alstom says the Coradia iLint trains have a range of up to 1000km and a maximum speed of 140 kph.

   I love trains.
   • PsyclingLeft.Always 9.1

     25 August 2022 at 11:52 am

     Hi Sabine. Trains are indeed awesome. And that Train looks so Futuristic…Now ! Also so efficient as freight movers : ) However I still think NZ Trains should be Electrified.

     As the comments on your link also check

     Possibly different Germany?
     • Sabine 9.1.1

       25 August 2022 at 11:58 am

       not sure what you mean with 'different Germany'.

       I approve of all trains. I love all trains. And given a chance would always opt for a train journey to my destination rather then car/plane.

       But this is happening in East Germany – ex DDR. And hope fully it will become the norm.

       Never could understand why Wellington gave up the Electric Trolley Busses. That too was a really neat way going about town and to / from work.
       • PsyclingLeft.Always 9.1.1.1

         25 August 2022 at 12:17 pm

         Hi oh sorry i could maybe have put "different situation in Germany as to Hydrogen availability." : )

         Absolutely re the Electric trolley buses. Dunedin had too : )

         It was progressively closed from 1969, with the final route closing in July 1979. However the 1979 oil crisis resulted in part of the network being reopened the next month. It closed again in March 1982

         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolleybuses_in_Dunedin

         Oil…Crisis ? hmmm Maybe Get those E Trolley Buses going again !
   • Chris 9.2

     25 August 2022 at 12:06 pm

     Hope they don't call it the Hindenburg.
     • Sabine 9.2.1

       25 August 2022 at 12:23 pm

       nah they don't.

       i think its a bit safer then the Hindenburg was, and is definitively closer to the ground then the Hinbenburg was. 🙂

       Designed in the southern French town of Tarbes and assembled in Salzgitter in central Germany, Alstom’s trains – called Coradia iLint – are trailblazers in the sector.

       The project created jobs for up to 80 employees in the two countries, according to Alstom.

       Commercial trials have been carried out since 2018 on the line with two hydrogen trains but now the entire fleet is adopting the groundbreaking technology.

       The French group has inked four contracts for several dozen trains between Germany, France and Italy, with no sign of demand waning.

       https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/24/germany-inaugurates-worlds-first-hydrogen-powered-train-fleet
       this is exciting news.
10. aom 10

    25 August 2022 at 11:17 am

    How much are the US paying for our NZ mercenaries?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473469/100-nz-defence-personnel-likely-in-ukraine-at-any-one-time-former-soldier
    • Barfly 10.1

      25 August 2022 at 11:40 am

      IMO NZ fighters there aren't doing it for financial reward they are doing it because they have the skills, physical capability and they feel a moral need to assist Ukraine resist the Russian invasion.
      • Tony 10.1.1

        25 August 2022 at 1:16 pm

        In Barflys opinion the NZ mercenaries are there for the moral support of the most corrupt nazi infested regime in the Western world, What an ignorant opinion to hold .. but hey! thanks for the laugh.
        • Incognito 10.1.1.1

          25 August 2022 at 3:49 pm

          Nobody is laughing at your ignorance. Stop twisting other people's words.
          • Tony 10.1.1.1.1

            25 August 2022 at 5:29 pm

            Display my ignorance Incognito and I will laugh with you? I merely repeated what he said, where is the twist?
            • Incognito 10.1.1.1.1.1

              25 August 2022 at 5:51 pm

              Here are some insight into the motivations of those who join the fight in Ukraine:

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473487/corporal-dominic-abelen-confirmed-as-new-zealander-killed-in-ukraine

              Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University Wellington, foreign fighters and international law researcher Marnie Lloydd told Midday Report enlisting in another country's military was not currently prohibited by New Zealand law.

              "Nor is it prohibited in general terms to join an armed group overseas," Lloydd said.

              "New Zealand's actually always kept open the possibility of foreign enlistment, so in another state's forces and also certain types of foreign fighting."

              Some forms of foreign fighting, like being a mercenary [my italics] or joining a terrorist group were criminalised.

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473469/100-nz-defence-personnel-likely-in-ukraine-at-any-one-time-former-soldier

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018855480/former-nz-soldier-in-ukraine-proud-to-see-other-new-zealanders-on-front-line

              Barfly called them “NZ fighters”, which you twisted into “NZ mercenaries”.

              Your ignorance and word twisting is on full display here and you’re lying about it too claiming that you “merely repeated”, which is clearly not true. If it was a ‘mere repeat’, you could have quoted verbatim, but you didn’t do that, did you now? You were not even paraphrasing, you were twisting.

              Here’s one for you: provide evidence to support your bold claim that Ukraine is “the most corrupt nazi infested regime in the Western world”. Put up or shut up.
              • adam …

                25 August 2022 at 6:06 pm

                The Ukrainian oligarchs being far right nut bags, so you mean apart from banning of opposition parties, putting out lists of journalist they want to arrest, and using human shields?

                Anyone defending either the Russian or Ukrainian Oligarchs at this point is an idiot.
                • Incognito …

                  25 August 2022 at 6:16 pm

                  WTF are you blathering on about? What kind of stupid framing a question (to me?) is that?
                  • adam …

                    25 August 2022 at 7:24 pm

                    Sorry not purrfect Incognito.

                    But you seem to be under the illusion the Ukrainian ruling class is democratic and nice.

                    And not inspired by racism and anti-democratic practices.
                    • joe90 …

                      25 August 2022 at 8:07 pm

                      And not inspired by racism and anti-democratic practices.

                      So you're inspired by the rapist’s, murderer’s, torturer’s, mutilator’s and thieve’s blatant disregard for the human rights, their denial of the agency of millions, and their brutal, genocidal war of imperial conquest against the Ukrainian people?

                      //
                    • Incognito …

                      25 August 2022 at 8:21 pm

                      But you seem to be under the illusion the Ukrainian ruling class is democratic and nice.

                      Really? What gave you that idea? Your bow is so long it reached all the way to LaLa-Land.
                    • adam …

                      26 August 2022 at 3:29 am

                      I see joe90 is dribbling shit again, I've been pretty constant Russian invasion = war crime. War = Oligarchs making working folk die for no reason.

                      But then again a war monger like you joe90…
                      
                      [You have form attacking others here with your typical outbursts (aka brain farts) and no constructive points for debate, e.g. https://thestandard.org.nz/should-we-just-settle/#comment-1879634. This is your warning – Incognito]
                    • Incognito []

                      26 August 2022 at 8:39 am

                      Mod note
              • Tony …

                25 August 2022 at 7:24 pm

                Incognito you are coming across as a very stressed cat, how's the blood pressure? relax and I will answer the claim of Ukraine being the most corrupt nazi infested regime by asking you to name one more corrupt than Ukraine, go on point out a more corrupt European regime? you can't so that makes it Ukraine by obvious deduction, barfly twisted mercenary into fighter, I untwisted his words and the essence of his rant was the mercenary was there in moral support, yea right! he was killed on the front lines in the East, which is where Ukraine nazis are killing Russian speaking Ukrainians and he was kia.

                [You don’t set the rules here. You don’t refuse to answer a question about your bold claim by asking a counter-question. You don’t get to move the goal posts from “the Western world” to “European”. You don’t get to untwist and then re-twist someone else’s comment because you think it was a rant. You don’t get to make bold claims based on your absurd assumptions about a dead Kiwi fighting with or close to “Ukraine Nazis” “on the front lines in the East” and the ugly implications this might evoke. You don’t get to troll this site with your twisted BS. This is your warning – Incognito]
                • Incognito …

                  25 August 2022 at 8:38 pm

                  Mod note
                  • Tony …

                    25 August 2022 at 9:10 pm

                    My counter question answers the question, and happy to leave it with Western total corrupt regimes, can you name me a more corrupt one than Ukraine please? It's called a logical deductive argument and acceptable to most academics but not you and easy up on the bold print buddy it makes you come across like the school prefect.The mercenary was kia on the front lines in the Donbass. I didn’t twist his words he used the wrong identification of the kia, he was a mercenary, a soldier of fortune, do a little independent analysis and you might be a more broad minded prefect cog.
                  • adam …

                    26 August 2022 at 3:32 am

                    Really? What gave you that idea?

                    Well the way you jump on anyone who says Ukrainian is a sack of shit government. Or the war is bad for working folk. Or indeed anyone who does not follow the official line.
                  • adam …

                    26 August 2022 at 10:03 am

                    Your link don't work.
                    • Incognito …

                      26 August 2022 at 10:08 am

                      Now it does, for you too.
    • Sabine 10.2

      25 August 2022 at 11:59 am

      Enough for them to go there and lose their lives.
      • Barfly 10.2.1

        25 August 2022 at 12:19 pm

        Do you really think that money is their motivation?
        • Blazer 10.2.1.1

          25 August 2022 at 12:33 pm

          I certainly…do.

          What else could it be!
        • Sabine 10.2.1.2

          25 August 2022 at 12:35 pm

          Yes. That and maybe a sense of adventurism, maybe even a believe in doing the right thing, but money is a reason for people to sell their skills as soldiers / mercenaries to a foreign country. The only difference with the Ukraine war vs Iraq war is that the Ukraine war is approved by the 'left' 'left leaning' people.

          In the Iraq war we called these guys 'mercenaries' and we complained a lot about Halliburton and Blackwater/Xe – just to name two of the companies that make good money out of war and death.

          And the US paying the NZ government to send NZ troops to a war zone in which we have absolutely no reason to send anyone too, is in this case the company that enjoys the money.

          Btw, I am stil waiting for Nato to officially fight for the Ukraine with the footsoldiers provided by the member states/countries. So far its crickets. But i guess if they were to call on the Members to send proper troops in big numbers to defend Ukraine at the Members costs, a lot of the countries that go rooo raahhhh at the idea of sanctions and pretend outrage, would get real quiet at the idea of coffins coming home and at the idea of paying for these coffins to come home.
11. Sabine 11

    25 August 2022 at 11:54 am

    [deleted] Good. Should have happened much much earlier.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/men-who-caused-national-scandal-plead-guilty-to-historic-sexual-offending/MEFIXPXKGMCB7RRJNB5Y3IXD24/
    • weka 11.1

      25 August 2022 at 12:04 pm

      Very good. Good they've pleaded guilty but agree it should have happened a long time ago.

      weird NZH didn't name the scandal.
      • Sabine 11.1.1

        25 August 2022 at 12:08 pm

        To protect the public from knowing just how much the Police gave no fucks about girls being plied with alcohol and then getting gang raped? People could get angry if they knew that.
      • Sabine 11.1.2

        25 August 2022 at 12:10 pm

        I also approve of this.

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/online-frenzy-after-sex-offender-brock-turner-spotted-in-united-states/UQQSBARVPPILXYM4NVYISXZ3Q4/
        • Peter 11.1.2.1

          25 August 2022 at 1:03 pm

          I'd seen the warnings about Turner on US sites. If a black kid from the neighbourhood with a history of using drugs like Turner what sort of sentence would he have got?

          One thing which made it more infamous was to do with his father: "Turner’s father had called on the judge to grant his son probation, saying that he had already paid “a steep price … for 20 minutes of action”.

          https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/06/father-stanford-university-student-brock-turner-sexual-assault-statement

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_v._Turner
    • Terminally Disgruntled 11.2

      25 August 2022 at 4:37 pm

      We finally get close to some justice for those girls, and you want to cock it up by breaching suppression orders?? How clever of you. They will be named eventually, so in the meantime perhaps you could suppress your need for instant gratification.
    • Belladonna 11.3

      25 August 2022 at 4:53 pm

      No comment from [deleted]?
      • gsays 11.3.1

        26 August 2022 at 6:58 am

        OK, I will take the bait, why would that person have a comment?
        • Incognito 11.3.1.1

          26 August 2022 at 8:00 am

          That person's name has been deleted for a reason, so please don't tempt fate, thanks.
          • gsays 11.3.1.1.1

            26 August 2022 at 3:17 pm

            Roger.

            As in ok, not that I think a Roger is involved.
12. tsmithfield 12

    25 August 2022 at 11:59 am

    I wonder if National will stand a candidate in Sharma's electorate in the next election, and rather support Sharma to hold it?

    Strategically it is a risk free option that could end up with an Epsom type outcome for National. As it is an electoral seat, if National were to lose it, they would be no worse off due to proportionality and the list. But, if Sharma were to hold it, and buddied up with National, then National would have a lot to gain in terms of overhang.
    • weka 12.1

      25 August 2022 at 12:06 pm

      Yeah but then they'd have to deal with a loose unit until the next election (and perhaps the one after).
      • Sabine 12.1.1

        25 August 2022 at 12:09 pm

        Who knows, maybe he is better of in the N party. How many seats can L lose before it becomes an issue?
      • tsmithfield 12.1.2

        25 August 2022 at 12:11 pm

        I guess it depends on how the polls are looking closer to the time. If it is looking close, then it could be an option. But if National looks like they are well ahead, then probably not worth the drama.
    • Peter 12.2

      25 August 2022 at 12:54 pm

      National will stand a candidate and most likely win the seat. They'll be hoping Sharma destroys Labour's chances by standing. Sharma hasn't got a hope in hell given his behaviour.
    • observer 12.3

      25 August 2022 at 12:57 pm

      I don't know if it's "risk-free", given his behaviour. Has he met the National whips?

      The likely outcome would be news bulletins like … "And today Gaurav Sharma has alleged this and that, and Christopher Luxon has spent the day denying this and that. In other news, National launched a vote-chasing policy which we'll briefly mention after we've covered the scandal …"
      • tsmithfield 12.3.1

        25 August 2022 at 3:20 pm

        I guess if he was independent he wouldn't be subject to National's whips?
        • observer 12.3.1.1

          25 August 2022 at 3:53 pm

          But in the scenario you suggest he wouldn't be "independent". National would be giving him a free run, and that's going to cost.

          Of course he wouldn't be subject to whips in the narrow sense of sitting in a caucus. But there's a quid pro quo. He'd have to keep recording those phone calls when the Nats "bully" him by calling in their favours.

          Incidentally Labour would love this deal to happen ("See, we told you what he was!"). But it won't happen.
    • Jimmy 12.4

      25 August 2022 at 4:16 pm

      I don't think National would want Sharma. I think they will stand their own candidate and have a good chance of winning the seat.
      • Matiri 12.4.1

        25 August 2022 at 5:32 pm

        Tim Macindoe held the seat for National, lost it to Sharma and is a List MP now. Expect he wants the seat back!
13. Ad 13

    25 August 2022 at 2:26 pm

    Impressively gutsy victim gets hard earned institutional apology:

    Wronged academic gets public apology as high-profile #MeToo case comes to an end | Stuff.co.nz
    • Sabine 13.1

      25 August 2022 at 3:42 pm

      Good on her for seeing it through.
14. Jimmy 14

    25 August 2022 at 4:22 pm

    Well lets hope this guy never gets home detention.

    Anthony Wheble jumps out of High Court dock, interrupts own sentencing – NZ Herald
15. logie97 15

    25 August 2022 at 5:57 pm

    It would appear that Mallard has offered an apology to Peters for trespassing him at the occupation earlier this year.

    Perhaps Peters could now apologise to the rest of New Zealand for helping to inflame the protest by supporting the 5 percent and countenancing their behaviour. Or perhaps they are the 5 pcnt that he hopes to gain to get back into parliament.
    • Tony 15.1

      25 August 2022 at 9:58 pm

      logie97, Where exactly did it appear Mallard offered an apology to Peters? and if you think only 5% were and are inflamed you have an election shock coming to you ..
      • Belladonna 15.1.1

        25 August 2022 at 10:43 pm

        Reported here

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/473503/speaker-apologises-for-issuing-winston-peters-with-trespass-notice

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