Open mike 25/02/2011

68 comments on “Open mike 25/02/2011 ”

• Comments are now closed

1. Pascal's bookie 1

   25 February 2011 at 7:58 am

   It’s a fairly common meme that Obama’s GM bailout was awful and shouldn’t have happened because, although it saved jobs, the company should have been allowed to fail due to supply side jesus. It was widely predicted that the bailout would be a failure.

   It’s a meme that needs some revision, I should think…

   http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/business/25auto.html?_r=1&hp

   …in that it seems to be quite productive. The ongoing opposition to the bailout appears to be more ideological than pragmatic.
2. Carol 2

   25 February 2011 at 8:20 am

   Some analysis of the Rebstock Report from Sue Bradford, which shows how much the proposals are pointing to a complete change in the welfare system:

   http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/rebstock-report-a-little-ripper

   But it would be a grave mistake to think this is the worst of it. Just a few of the group’s other recommendations:

   * All parents on welfare should have ‘ready access to free long-acting reversible contraception’ – the beginnings of an eugenics policy worthy of Nazi Germany. I can well believe the next step will be your privately contracted health advisor suggesting termination should your state directed contraception fail.
   * Forced work for the dole for some people unemployed for six months or longer, and used as a sanctioning technique if you’re causing any bother, including failing drug tests. This workfare to be carried out in the private and community sectors – free labour for private companies, anyone?
   * The introduction of ‘income management’ for some beneficiaries, meaning the state takes almost total control of your life – as trialled in Australia’s Northern Territory.
   * As expected, all working age beneficiaries, including sole parents with young children and babies, and the sick, injured and disabled, will be eligible for one benefit only – Jobseeker Support. Health advisers and doctors will increasingly be used as a mechanism of harassment and control. Most invalid beneficiaries will face an effective benefit cut.

   And more details at the above link. And also, as to be expected, a very good analsyis of the report by Gordon Campbell:
   http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/02/24/gordon-campbell-on-the-welfare-working-group-final-report/

   His 4 main points:
   1. The reforms are benefit cuts in drag.
   2. This is a Manufactured Crisis.
   3. Giving Lip Service to the Needs of Children
   4. Welfare Reform as political theatre.
   • weka 2.1

     25 February 2011 at 8:41 am

     How are they going to get doctors to be compliant with that? I know some will willingly, but many won’t. Will WINZ be telling medical beneficiaries who they can have as a doctor?
     • just saying 2.1.1

       25 February 2011 at 9:57 am

       Yes they will.

       They have said they will use the ACC model of “designated assessors”. Most of these doctors earn way above the odds and will be dependent on the WINZ gravy train for their careers and income. Bonuses for “desired outcomes” help too.
       • weka 2.1.1.1

         25 February 2011 at 11:10 am

         “designated assessors”

         Will they be for getting on a medical benefit? Or reviewing benefits? Or DA reviews? WINZ already has a system of designated doctors for reviewing IB and SB.

         Bradford said this: “Health advisers and doctors will increasingly be used as a mechanism of harassment and control.”

         What does that mean beyond what WINZ already do?
         • just saying 2.1.1.1.1

           25 February 2011 at 2:30 pm

           At the moment the extra money is part of the core invalid’s and sickness benefits. “Supplementary” is highly likely to be discretionary, and/or contingent.

           edit
           This is supposed to be under weka at 2.11. Damned if I know how it got up here.
     • Treetop 2.1.2

       25 February 2011 at 3:06 pm

       I am more concerned with the review process for medical decisions. WINZ designated doctor or your GP has a different opinion to ACC for the same condition. E.g. WINZ doctor says condition will last the next two years and ACC try and boot a person off their system. Either your GP or a WINZ designated doctor can do an invalid medical certificate renewal. GPs are being checked up on by WINZ, by a nurse who does the rounds in all WINZ offices.

       How many people are being booted off ACC onto an invalid or sickness benefit?

       What about a person never having to be reassessed for a disability allowance again because their condition/s are permanent, but they have to inform WINZ if the costs change. Dr states the items required, client states the cost and the provider.
     • Vicky32 2.1.3

       25 February 2011 at 10:05 pm

       Sadly, there will be many, many doctors who will be happy to comply. Many GPs see themselves as businessmen/women rather than health professionals.
       Many doctors, (health professionals generally, in my experience) see themselves as moral guardians, and really let rip with disapproval of their patients (clients’) lifestyle. They’d love the chance to mould society to their desired way.
   • Draco T Bastard 2.2

     25 February 2011 at 10:05 am

     And the NZHerald Editorial is calling this fascistic piece of work from the WWG “rational”.
     • Tigger 2.2.1

       25 February 2011 at 11:15 am

       Other things that are/were rational given the way Granny has chosen to redefine the word:
       Muamma Gaddafi
       The Edsel
       Justin Bieber’s popularity
       That paperclip office assistant in Microsoft Office
       Leg warmers as a fashion trend
   • Lanthanide 2.3

     25 February 2011 at 10:18 am

     “* All parents on welfare should have ‘ready access to free long-acting reversible contraception’ – the beginnings of an eugenics policy worthy of Nazi Germany. I can well believe the next step will be your privately contracted health advisor suggesting termination should your state directed contraception fail.”

     Personally I don’t see anything wrong with this at all. As long as it is entirely 100% optional, with perhaps some words of encouragement, and maybe a monetary incentive in some certain cases also (eg woman who already has 4+ children who seems unwilling to make any effort to change her behaviour). But compulsion should definitely be right out. I also think her second point is really “death panels” revisited.

     Edit: in moderation, I’m guessing for saying death panels. Perhaps that should be removed from the moderation check, because that issue is now mostly passed.
     • lprent 2.3.1

       25 February 2011 at 10:47 am

       As long as it is entirely 100% optional, with perhaps some words of encouragement, and maybe a monetary incentive in some certain cases also…

       Tell me have you ever had to deal with WINZ? There are a number of places in their brief where there is no ‘compulsion’, but effectively they compel because they use sanctions that they have no right to do. Of course if you want to take them to court they will lose. In the meantime they will have cut off your source of income.

       If you want to correct the inherent problem with that, then what I’d suggest is that if someone has exceeded their authority that they have a mandatory prison sentence for the perpetrator and all of their superiors up to an including the minister in charge. That would probably be a sufficient encouragement to stay within the bounds of their authority. Until that happens you can generally assume that given this type of recommendation as not being ‘compulsory’ there will be some arseholes who will abuse it.

       I haven’t had a lot to do with WINZ directly. But some of my relatives have at various times used the social services. Especially during the Shipley years, the attitude coming from the top downwards was to use every available opportunity to make life as hard as possible by any means possible. Abuse of the provisions in legislation is a continual problem in the arseholes in the social services. For instance earlier this week we had a policeman threatening my niece with reporting her to CYFS. Why? Because she went with my grand-nephew to a peaceful demonstration protesting against the recommendations of the WWG. The only thing that was dangerous was the polices actions. But I can just about guarantee that someone in WINZ will be completely stupid about it.

       That isn’t what I paid my taxes for.
       • Lanthanide 2.3.1.1

         25 February 2011 at 1:58 pm

         Haven’t had anything to do with WINZ myself, but it doesn’t surprise me that staffers are forced to ‘compel’ people in order to keep the ministries’ cost down. In some small number of cases, it is probably justifiable (lazy or unresponsive people that won’t do what they should unless pressured) but in the majority it could probably be described as harassment.

         So yeah, it’s likely that this sort of policy would eventually end up being abused also, which is a problem.
         • Jum 2.3.1.1.1

           25 February 2011 at 3:20 pm

           I have had dealings with WINZ in the past as an adviser; you get good ones and bad ones, as in everything. They are instructed to follow the rules and have to ask for advice and permission at several levels in their support of clients. Sometimes the clients a-hole them. Mostly, when you get to that stage of having to front up for help, half of your spirit is already gone.

           Self-employed people I know had a dreadful time, seeing different people at each appointment, being told to bring the same information time after time, being told the most bizarre things (thru’ IRD) about how to handle their debts like running up credit card debt to pay a gst bill – yet at the same time blaming NZers for not operating within their means, even though they have no jobs, but with mounting debt for shelter, power, food.

           It disgusts me that people with jobs in this country are so nasty to people without jobs. It’s all about the influence from the top; maybe that fits in with the fact that JKeyll and Hide and Co disgust me, having supported moneymen crims, knighting some of them and recompensing them for bad behaviour.

           Any NZers who think that’s okay I hope they lose their jobs too. So there!
     • Vicky32 2.3.2

       25 February 2011 at 10:15 pm

       Lanth, you really don’t get it do you? The woman with 4+ children who won’t change her behaviour is a talkback staple, which I didn’t expect you to buy into (maybe I ought to have done, but never mind.)
       Deb
   • Treetop 2.4

     25 February 2011 at 11:43 am

     I will need to find a link for not National saying they will not cut any benefit, heard this late last week from Key I think. Well looks as though invalid benefit will get cut. Another lie.

     I want to ask Rebstock how a 14 week old baby and their mother are going to form secure attachment? Way too much for a 14 week old baby to go into child care, have waking time with the mother (including breast feeding) and then the wee baby may also be forming attachment with the father at another location. A 14 week old sleeps about 14 – 16 hours a day. This policy borders on abuse as any baby requires consistency and the right to go at its own pace, not be managed to suit the welfare system.

     Some child care facilities for young babies are far too noisy and disruptive. The Welfare Working Group would not have thought about this, as they did not think about attachment or exhaustion on a wee baby. As for the mother having to possibly function on not enough sleep, managing another child and having to run in several directions e.g. child care, school, a job, the GP, shopping, family visits…

     I would like to conduct an experiment with the Welfare Working Group, but use an animated programmed doll and put them through the reality test: the above paragraph.
     • weka 2.4.1

       25 February 2011 at 1:02 pm

       “Well looks as though invalid benefit will get cut.”

       Really? Here’s what I’ve found from the report so far:

       “Recommendation 20: Jobseeker Support
       The Welfare Working Group recommends:

       a) replacing the existing categorical main benefits, the first tier (Unemployment Benefit, Sickness Benefit, Invalid’s Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit, Widow’s Benefit, Independent Youth Benefit and associated emergency benefits) with a single Jobseeker Support payment;

       b) that there be a presumption, until determined otherwise, that people receiving Jobseeker
       Support are required to be actively seeking and available for paid employment, with more
       tailored expectations where people have significant vocational or non-vocational barriers;

       c) that Jobseeker Support:
       i. be paid at the current rates of the Unemployment Benefit for single people, couples and
       people between the ages of 18 and 25. The additional cost components of the current
       Invalid’s Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit, Widow’s Benefit and sole parent rates
       should be converted into supplementary payments (referred to in Recommendation 21
       below). These changes will restructure current rates, but in a manner which retains their
       total value;

       Can people please stop saying that the IB will be cut unless they can back that up? The report is evil no doubt about it, but ill people are going to be feeling enough anxiety without spreading unsubstantiated ideas like their benefit will be cut.

       [lprent: Changed from bold to blockquote – it was too noisy. ]
       • The Voice of Reason 2.4.1.1

         25 February 2011 at 1:17 pm

         “The additional cost components of the current
         Invalid’s Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit, Widow’s Benefit and sole parent rates
         should be converted into supplementary payments”

         So that would be a cut to all those benefits, Weka, including the IB.
         • weka 2.4.1.1.1

           25 February 2011 at 2:11 pm

           Possibly VoR, but look at the whole paragraph including the last sentence”

           “These changes will restructure current rates, but in a manner which retains their
           total value”

           What I took the whole paragraph to mean is that all core benefits will be put on the same low rate. Those benefits currently paid at a higher rate will be then be paid via the supplementaries, in a way that retains their current total value ie. it’s not a cut.

           I’m not saying there isn’t cause for concern (there probably is), and it’s entirely possible I am misreading that paragraph (also, I haven’t read the whole report). Plus, they can put in extra barriers in the supplementary benefit application and review that become in effect cuts for some beneficiaries. But yelling “invalid’s benefit cut!” is unhelpful until we know what is actually intended. It’s still unclear to me.

           (thanks lprent, I can’t figure out how to do a blockquote).
           • Colonial Viper 2.4.1.1.1.1

             25 February 2011 at 2:14 pm

             You need to look one step further. What does going to the same low rate with adjustable supplementaries on top enable NACT to do as a next step?
             • Draco T Bastard …

               25 February 2011 at 2:27 pm

               Cutting the supplementaries.
           • Draco T Bastard 2.4.1.1.1.2

             25 February 2011 at 2:26 pm

             (thanks lprent, I can’t figure out how to do a blockquote).

             Quoting
           • Treetop 2.4.1.1.1.3

             25 February 2011 at 3:38 pm

             “But yelling “invalid’s benefit cut!” is unhelpful until we know what is actually intended.”

             I do not hear that invalid benefit will have a different assessing formula to all other main benefits for supplementaries. This is why I suspect UB will get cut down. Granted figures for supplementaries vary now but they are mostly based on cost.

             How far will the government go? Will they say that you have to live some where cheaper to lessen the supplement.

             Look at the government housing policy. How many new provincial state homes are being built and where. It is my understanding that a person in a HNZ dwelling is $4,000 better off than a person in private rental who receives the accommodation supplement (AS). A person in a HNZ dwelling is $8.000 better off than someone who does not receive the AS in private rental.
             • Treetop …

               25 February 2011 at 3:45 pm

               And the costs are capped.
             • weka …

               25 February 2011 at 5:30 pm

               WINZ are already quite capable of telling people where they can and can’t live based on affordability (had that done to myself a few times). You are right though, if beneficiaries are even more dependent on AS then WINZ can use that to control beneficiaries.

               For myself, as a long term IB recipient, what’s important is how much money goes into my account, not how they structure that at their end. But point conceded, it’s most likely part of a longer term plan to undermine what beneficiaries can get, and making the supplementaries more necessary will involve more paper work and those who are most vulnerable and unable to fight the system will go down.

               I’m both jaded (WINZ are already doing much of what is being talked about in this thread and worse), and overly stressed (I don’t want to read sound bites saying my benefit will be cut, without an analysis of that, and I don’t have the energy or internal resources to read the report myself). Sorry.

               Thanks for looking up the rates, I didn’t have time earlier. If they are going to put IBs on the under 25 rate, that’s a cut of $80 approx per week. Fuck.

               They do seem to be saying though that the overall amount paid won’t drop, so presumably the upper limits on the supplementaries will have to change.

               Anti-spam: shortages
               • Treetop …

                 26 February 2011 at 1:29 pm

                 Weka I included the single NZ Super rate because a lot of people on an invalid benefit have long term health conditions like those on NZ super. I know what it is like to be unwell 24/7 year after year.

                 I am also very concerned for those in Christchurch who may end up on an invalid benefit and I do not want them to be screwed over as this will only add to being overwhelmed by pressure.

                 Kia kaha to all
             • Vicky32 …

               25 February 2011 at 10:28 pm

               “How far will the government go? Will they say that you have to live some where cheaper to lessen the supplement.”
               My late brother was told that back in 2002 (he was on UB for the first time in his life, having been working for an incompetent crook who went bankrupt.)
               He moved, as WINZ wouldn’t pay accomodation supplement even though they ought to have done! Luckily, it being 2002, he managed to get another job, but stayed where he was because he was being cautious.
               As for being better off in an HNZ dwelling – we mostly are, except for the constant bullying. (They’re as bad as WINZ). I’ve just finished the second week of harassment over my IRR… and it’s not over yet. Probably won’t be til mid-year. )
       • Treetop 2.4.1.2

         25 February 2011 at 2:25 pm

         Weka, currently the main invalid benefit rate (IB) is different to the unemployment (UB) and sickness (SB) main benefit rate. I was implying that the rate would be cut. In 1991 they did not cut the main IB rate, but they cut many other main benefit rates.

         Thanks TVoR.

         Weka I agree about not increasing anxiety, but I was stating a fact. The single NZ Superannuation (NZS) rate is higher than the IB single rate.

         The link never works but google A – Z benefits – Work and Income for the following net rates. I have not included a GST component which is up to several dollars (non taxable).

         UB and SB single rates are the same:
         18 – 19 years (at home) $129.41
         18 – 19 years (away from home) $161.76
         20 – 24 years $161.76
         25 plus $194.12

         IB single rates
         16 – 17 years $196.35
         18 plus $242.63

         NZS single rates
         Single living alone $327.14
         Single, sharing $301.58

         Gives an idea of main benefit rates, supplements have not been included e.g accommodation supplement, disability allowance, child care costs.
3. sunny 3

   25 February 2011 at 8:46 am

   Hello all, I want to thank everyone for the education I have been receiving reading your blogs. I am an American that is considering looking for another country to live in. For many of us in the US, New Zealand has been thought of in a very favorable light. Most here think NZ has kind people, caring of their environment. I have been very surprised at how similar the problems are between our countries. I had not realized that big money was also trying to destroy NZ. Take it from me you do not want to go down the road USA has gone. Our government is basically a mafia run by big money Wall Street criminals. Sadly our Media is controlled by those same money interests with Rupert Murdock and Fox news (Faux news as some call it). The US has become an aggressor nation. If you turn on the media (which is almost all right wing) you will get a 24 hr a day barrage of hate directed at the working class. What is crazy is that working class people agree with this garbage; they have become brainwashed fools. Sadly I noticed that on the NZ blogs there was a similar flavor to our American blogs. For example, I read a blog where a person had commented on the NZ government bullying through legislation. Next there was a reply from a “TightyRighty” who calls the poster various uncouth names and blathers about stupidly. Why is it Conservatives can not have an intellectual conversation ; it always gets lowered to name calling . It is so sad to see. I am curious to see if NZ has been infected by Murdock and other right wing big money media. We have a man named Rush Limbaugh in the US that has been spewing hate on the radio for over twenty years now. You can follow the decline of our country into ignorance and selfishness with the minor popularity of this show. While there are not a majority that listen to him, they are the loudest and more crazy of our populatio, as well as, gun wielding scary. America has lost civility and compassion as a nation. Good friends, that once were sensible, and now presently listen to these propaganda programs are full of hate and racism. I don’t want to make it sound like all American’s are awful, but too many have gone to the dark side. If you want to be a greedy jerk, come to America. We won’t prosecute you, in fact you can be governor of a state if you like. My state of Florida just elected a guy to Governor that robbed the federal government of BILLIONS of dollars. He was fined the most ever for Medicare fraud: 2 billion dollars, but of course no jail time. And then we elect this scum to governor. He is presently gutting all public programs, privatizing every thing to give his buddies contracts, and taking us back to the stone age socially and financially. Can’t forget to mention tax breaks for the Millionaires while raising the taxes on workers.
   So is New Zealand still a country worth considering for a reasonable, hard working guy that wants his neighbors to enjoy a good life with health care and relative safety as himself? Appreciate your time reading this and any comments. Sunny

   PS Maybe you could swap a NZ wingnut for me, just a thought
   • Lanthanide 3.1

     25 February 2011 at 10:21 am

     I’d rather live in NZ than the US, and from the sound of it, you would to.

     But realistically, economically, you’d be better off looking at Australia. I believe they have stricter immigration entry requirements though.
     • the pink postman 3.1.1

       26 February 2011 at 4:22 pm

       And snakes and floods and bush fires .Plus a racist outlook for anyone who is not a white Anglosaxon Christian . Plus a shocking and disgracefull record for Aboriginals .Aotearoa has a number of red necks but thet are not the majority. However we do have a number of people who are easely conned . Plus a political Right-Wing that is very very well,organized and very rich. However the average NZender is one of the best,
   • Treetop 3.2

     25 February 2011 at 1:17 pm

     Being happy depends on the type of life style you are after. If you want space and like the out doors, (nature) you will be able to experience this. Just stay away from any finance company and anything which does not have a government guarantee to it where money is concerned.
   • mickysavage 3.3

     25 February 2011 at 1:18 pm

     Kia ora Sunny

     Politics is truely international and the same tricks are found everywhere.

     New Zealand is fundamentally a cool place, our wingnuts do not have guns! Yet …
     • jimmy 3.3.1

       25 February 2011 at 4:30 pm

       Its cool that your thinking of here sunny. As these guys said we do have our wingnuts and Limbaughs (mostly found on a radio station called radio live, the main tv ones have thankfully been moved along) and we were/are the neoliberal poster child so the economy is needing a good overhaul, but otherwise I think NZ is a great place. The banner on the side called NZ on screen is a documentary collection and would be a good introduction to some of the important aspects of our history, someone elses country and patu! are my favourites.

       Were allowed to choose between more than two political parties and our constitutional system isnt as stuck as your one seems to be (my appologies if that comes accross as a criticism of the constitution, its just the 2nd amendment just seems to have been hijacked), so the political system might be refreshing.

       On the outdoors side we have it all, especially if your the hunting or general outdoors type, and the schools are generally very good if you have kids.

       Wherever you end up have a good one sunny!
   • Armchair Critic 3.4

     25 February 2011 at 4:55 pm

     We could swap you for Paul Henry
4. Akldnut 4

   25 February 2011 at 8:58 am

   This is amazing! received as an email floating around at work.

   This is pure brilliance. Take a moment to watch it – you won’t regret it.

   This is only a 1 minute, 44 second video and it is brilliant. You needs sound so make sure you read as well as listen…forward and backward.

   This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. The contest was titled “u @ 50″& nbsp;by AARP. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it.

   Lost Generation
   • ianmac 4.1

     25 February 2011 at 9:30 am

     Breathtakingly true but also very very clever! Well spotted Akldnut.
     • Jim Nald 4.1.1

       25 February 2011 at 5:06 pm

       That is very clever.
       I don’t want to spoil the fun for others who will yet watch it but it is palindrome-like … with a twist!
   • LynW 4.2

     26 February 2011 at 6:05 pm

     Very inspirational. That is simply superb! Thank you.
5. ianmac 5

   25 February 2011 at 10:27 am

   Just received a message that “there will be no Census in 2011”. Seems fitting really. There are more important issues to solve.
   • Akldnut 5.1

     25 February 2011 at 10:37 am

     Unusual – just had a census guy come thru 2 days ago asking whether or not staff lived on site.

     Better doouble check – might be organised crime.
     • ianmac 5.1.1

       25 February 2011 at 10:46 am

       I am a Census Enumerator and we were asked to suspend deliveries from Wednesday and now Cancelled. The HQ is in Christchurch and databases, text messaging which is part of the operation this time, has failed. But more importantly perhaps was that people’s concerns were on more serious concerns. Wise decision.
       • Treetop 5.1.1.1

         25 February 2011 at 11:17 am

         I had a census form dropped off earlier in the week with the option to complete the form online. When it came to having a visitor in my home on 8 March I was told that a form would have to be dropped off for them on the night. I found this to be time consuming. Why could the guest/visitor not just bring their form with them on the night?

         I raised that the online option could be problematic due to the demand. I was told that some people had already filled out their census form online and that this was permissible.

         Certainly a few curly ones to sort through this census.
         • ianmac 5.1.1.1.1

           25 February 2011 at 11:37 am

           You could have filled in the forms and some one would have picked them up after the 8 March.
           Or you could have filled in the forms online straight away, and thrown the paper forms away untouched. (A text message would have been sent to the collector by HQ to show your online forms were done.) Simple. Easy. Safe.

           A visitor could not use a form issued from elsewhere because the internet number on the top of the form would be wrong. Ring the 0800 help line and an Enumerator would have dropped a new form within an hour or so.
           Next time 🙂
           • Treetop 5.1.1.1.1.1

             25 February 2011 at 12:08 pm

             Thank you I learnt something new today about census form filling.
   • Draco T Bastard 5.2

     25 February 2011 at 10:56 am

     Decision on 2011 Census

     Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson and Government Statistician Geoff Bascand today announced the 8 March 2011 Census will not be held.

     But, as I/S puts it:

     Any comment from the Minister on how he plans to comply with s23 Statistics Act 1975?

     “The census… shall be taken by the Department in the year 1976 and in every fifth year thereafter”

     Of course, the law doesn’t say that it has to be March 8 but it does have to be this year.
     • Armchair Critic 5.2.1

       25 February 2011 at 11:14 am

       I expect that the Statistics Act can be over-ridden by the CERRA, and the legal requirement to hold a census this year removed.
       As much I despise the CERRA, and the cross-party support for it, I think this is an appropriate use. The census is meant to identify the current and typical state of the country. Recent events, beyond the control of the government, have made this impossible.
       The data collected during the census are the basis for numerous important planning processes. Chucking the huge upheaval around the earthquake into planning processes would be, at best, misleading. However the planners who use the data would realise that the data are flawed and would probably not use them.
       The story of the earthquake is an important one, which must and will be told. But using the census to tell the story is inappropriate, it’s much better done by the media, historians, academics, artists, scientists and all the variety of manifestations of community we already have.
     • Regstalin 5.2.2

       28 February 2011 at 11:38 am

       The postponement of the 2011 census – while quite justifiable on pragmatic grounds – is a disaster. Think of it like this – the 2011 census would have given us the after (2006 is the before) for the global financial crises impact on New Zealand. We have some national and regional data but for analysis at finer spatial scales there is nothing else – unless a rather clever plan B emerges pretty smartly we will have no idea of how this played out at a community level and the carnage that has been wrought will only be marked by anecdotes.
6. travellerev 6

   25 February 2011 at 10:32 am

   Hello everyone reading this blog living in Auckland.

   Sunday afternoon I will be speaking at a political rally organised by Penny Bright.
   You can find the address at my blog as I’m not sure whether I am allowed to give out addresses here. The address is not a private but a public one but I want to abide by the rules set on this blog.

   The subject will be a response to a remark John Key made in reaction to a question posed by Penny Bright at a meeting with him recently.

   Here is the link to the video of this event.

   It will be my pleasure to prove that Merrill Lynch was not a properly run bank (as in “honest”. LOL) during his tenure and that both the Bakers Trust and Merrill Lynch went bankrupt as a result of their corruptness and not as a result of mere bad management and the role John Key had during his tenure at both banks as a leader in the development and use of financial derivatives such as mortgage derivatives which are currently collapsing our financial system.

   Oh, and how John Key acquired his moniker the “smiling assassin”.

   I hope to see you there.
   • ianmac 6.1

     25 February 2011 at 10:56 am

     We saw the Penny Bright question a few days ago. Felt a bit sorry for John. He looked a bit sick or depressed? Good luck on your conference a long way from here.
     • travellerev 6.1.1

       25 February 2011 at 11:49 am

       Good,

       He got away with his scams for way to long.
       I am working on a slide show for people to use if they want to educate people about the banking scams and John Key’s place in all this.

       When it is finished I will put it on my blog for downloading. I heard people were using my flyers as material to spread around at rallies and other gatherings. I think that is great.. So if you feel like doing something download those and print them for free to distribute.

       I invested in one of those permanent ink supply systems to make it affordable.

       Cheers

       Ev
     • Deadly_NZ 6.1.2

       25 February 2011 at 5:09 pm

       I emailed the video and the timings to David Cunliffe lets hope he asks some questions in the house too.

       “Sadly I did Not make any profit” What a tosser.
       • travellerev 6.1.2.1

         26 February 2011 at 5:32 pm

         I think some of my presentation will be videoed. Maybe you can send that to David Cunliffe too.
7. todd 7

   25 February 2011 at 10:41 am

   Hi, You can read an open letter to the Labour Party here:

   http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/02/open-letter-to-labour-party.html

   So there was painter-gate, so you stuffed up with the foreshore and seabed, so there was lots of GE going on, so New Zealand slipped further into poverty, so you built heaps more jails, so you allowed radioactive product to secretly be shipped, so you fracked the place up, so what! These things, pale in comparison to what’s happening now.
8. Oscar 8

   25 February 2011 at 1:31 pm

   http://iceagenow.com/Engineer_concurs-Christchurch_could_be_headed_for_volcanic_eruption.htm
9. Oscar 9

   25 February 2011 at 1:42 pm

   http://iceagenow.com/Engineer_concurs-Christchurch_could_be_headed_for_volcanic_eruption.htm

   Paul Fazey, Senior Reconciliation Engineer for Rio Tinto makes the assumption that Christchurch may be heading for a volcanic eruption.

   Lynn – Your point that volcanic activity is linked with shallow quakes is only based on current evidence. Who’s to say that this is the same for all volcanic activity? Banks Peninsula was formed before our lifetime, so who’s to discount the theory that volcanic activity here may be marked by more serious quakes preceding an eruption.
   • Draco T Bastard 9.1

     25 February 2011 at 2:37 pm

     Your point that volcanic activity is linked with shallow quakes is only based on current evidence.

     And what other evidence would science in general be based upon?
     • mcflock 9.1.1

       25 February 2011 at 3:20 pm

       Yeah – and the scientifc method doesn’t realy utilise the “who’s to say it might not happen?” system too much.

       Rational risk assessment is good. Fixation on a single “eeeeep!” point can blind us to more likely hazards. Hey, it might happen – you could be Cassandra and get your eruption. But how likely is it? Compared to other geological activity, or the risk and expense of evacuating?
       • Oscar 9.1.1.1

         25 February 2011 at 5:44 pm

         4% chance happening apparently.

         sounds familiar.
         • mcflock 9.1.1.1.1

           25 February 2011 at 5:54 pm

           Really? Someone has specifically calculated a 4% probability of ChCh being hit by a volcano? Timeframe?
10. todd 10

    25 February 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Here’s another blog all about fracking:

    http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/02/about-fracking.html

    Fracking is a process of accessing natural gas and oil by drilling into the Earth’s crust and then forcing large amounts of water, sand and a vast array of chemicals at high pressure down into the shale below. A blast fractures the shale bed around the well. This allows natural gas and oil deposits to flow freely back up to the surface, but can also allow the chemical slurry to penetrate into the water table below.
11. Fisiani 11

    25 February 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Idiot/Savant at NRT .
    No need for options. Clearly Idiot after latest posting on Census postponement and inability to understand what an aftershock is.
12. Carol 12

    25 February 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Christchurchquake anti-GLBT hate site is now off the air, so it looks like people’s complaints have had an effect.:

    http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_9984.php

    A message on the website’s URL reads “this website you were trying to reach is temporarily unavailable … Please check back soon.”

    The site’s owner is asked to contact Bluehost as soon as possible.

    Complaint calls and emails have flooded into the site’s host over the past few days and despite Bluehost telling those who have expressed disgust that it could not take action without a court order, the site can not currently be viewed.
13. Colonial Viper 13

    25 February 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Brilliant: Turning the Working Class against itself

    “We’re just a little bit afraid, like an old man who is trying to make his way, but is lost,” he said. “We used to be the big boys on the block, but the rest of the world is catching up with us in so many ways.”

    Richard Freeman, an economist at Harvard, said he saw the hostility toward unions as a sign of decay in society. Some working-class people see so few possibilities for their lives that it is eroding the aspirational nature that has long been typical of Americans.

    “It shows a hopelessness,” he said. “It used to be, ‘You have something I don’t have; I’ll go to my employer to get it, too. Now I don’t see any chance of getting it. I don’t want to be the lowest one on the totem pole, so I don’t want you to have it either.’ ”
14. Pascal's bookie 14

    25 February 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Gary McCormick reads a new poem about the quake towards the end of this panel segment, (about 75% of the way through). I’ll not do it the disfavour of transcription, folks should hear Gary read it, (and the reaction of the panel), but he introduces it thusly:

    “… I did write something, over the last couple of days when I picked myself out of the, off the ground in Christchurch the other day and looked around and saw the absolute pandemonium and misery and destruction, and I wrote a poem called What the drummer said to the drum. It’s short so I’ll just launch into it, and it’s pretty tough but ah, there is another side to this whole experience and I think it is about anger, and I don’t see there’s anything wrong with that. I think we we have the right to be angry as well, so here’s the poem…”

    http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/aft/aft-20110225-1640-The_Panel_-_part_2-048.mp3
    • Pascal's bookie 14.1

      25 February 2011 at 7:26 pm

      Start ‘er up at about the 12:30 mark

Links to post

1. The Standard: posted on 24 February 2011 at 5:14 pm
2. I have to (reluctantly) support Whaleoil on a course of action. « The Standard: posted on 25 February 2011 at 3:37 pm

• Comments are now closed

• Log in
• Donate
• Contribute post

• Articles RSS