Open Mike 25/02/2017
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6:00 am, February 25th, 2017 - 60 comments
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- All I Want For Christmas
The worms will live in every hostIt's hard to pick which one they eat the mostThe horrible people, the horrible peopleIt's as anatomic as the size of your steepleCapitalism has made it this wayOld-fashioned fascism will take it awaySongwriter: Twiggy Ramirez Read more ...2 hours ago - The 1 Good Thing Left In Journalism
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Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...1 day ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
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It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
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The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
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The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...6 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...6 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
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Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
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The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...7 days ago
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The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
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The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
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Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...2 hours ago - Drive safely this summer
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...2 hours ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...1 day ago
- PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...3 days ago
- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...3 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...3 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...3 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...3 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...4 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...4 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...4 days ago
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The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...4 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...4 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...4 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...5 days ago
- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...5 days ago
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...5 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...5 days ago
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...5 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...5 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...5 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...5 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...5 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...5 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...5 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...5 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...5 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...6 days ago
- NZ’s Z Energy renames stations with ‘correct’ kupu
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The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...4 hours ago
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Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...7 hours ago - The real story behind the Government’s maths narrative
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...7 hours ago
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- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...8 hours ago
- Govt walks away from infrastructure alliance
The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...8 hours ago
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- The Secret Diary of .. Luxon at Xmas
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...2 days ago
- Stand by for cricket’s Smash Palace
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From The Spectator of all sources, but…when they start complaining, you know something’s giving way behind the facade.
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2017/02/brexit-rise-superliar/
The author argues that in the past, the political lie was something almost furtive, the liar hoped to get away with it, knowing that there was a difference between truth and falsehood.
In contrast, the post-truth ‘superliar’ is brazen about their lies, which are of huge magnitude, contradictory and have extreme consequences. They do not care about the difference between truth and falsehood, and instead of being furtive, they dare you to contradict them and bully their critics into silence.
I’m not sure that the past was not so rosy, but even Nixon had enough of a conscience to use his lies to conceal.
Apart from the big, yuge orangest one and UK PM May, which is the example in the article, there are plenty of virulent little Trumpoids to provide examples, the obvious ones being Key, Blinglish, Smith on water (and Mapp shaking his pom poms from the sidelines).
Nick Cohen fails to make a case. It seems clear (from his article) that people formerly opposed to brexit are now favouring it only because of the referendum result and not from personal conviction. This doesn’t make them “superliars”. Cohen sounds like a “remainer” pissed off because the referendum went the other way.
You quoted Nick Cohen, who is one of the nastiest, sleaziest, most dishonest lite-thinkers in Britain—and that is very lite indeed. That makes you look very foolish indeed, rhinocrates.
Mikesh, Morrissey, read my first sentence.
Sorry, rhinocrates, I shot from the hip again, without checking. You’re one of the good guys, I reckon, and I’m a trigger-happy charlatan.
Please accept my apologies.
Gladly – I know where your heart is.
It fucks with the heads of the people trying to translate it into other languages, too.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/translating-trump-stupid-japan_us_58b07942e4b060480e078f19?4zlef5oucmhx5hfr&
This Civilian fellow is going to give me a heart attack one day. Scrolling through the blog feeds… his opening paragraphs can be horrifying until you get to the bottom and see who has written them. 😮
http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/starved-tigers-and-bears-to-be-introduced-to-new-zealand-as-bio-control-measure-against-humans/
Not to mention this:
http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/government-vows-that-by-2040-90-of-new-zealands-rivers-will-be-vaguely-liquid-in-nature/
I see that the Cawthron Institute is praising the Nick Smith farce on water.
Is the Cawthron Institute to be trusted?
There is a formidable long list of scientists on their books!
This “long list of scientists on their books” includes one Dr. Nick Smith.
http://www.cawthron.org.nz/people/trust-directors/
More wage and benefit drops under neoliberalism in the US…
‘I was naive’: after losing healthcare battle, factory workers fear next blow
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/24/union-strike-momentive-stephen-schwarzman-blackstone
Tories getting a touch jittery ?
Matthew Hooton Retweets Marcus Lush
(1) Marcus Lush
@marcuslush
“Bill English’s loyalty to mate Nick Smith will cost him the election.”
(2) Matthew Hooton Retweeted Marcus Lush
@MatthewHootonNZ
“I don’t agree it’s certain. But if there is a @nzlabour, @NZGreens, @winstonpeters, @AeMarika govt, Nick Smith will be to blame.”
@MatthewHootonNZ
“Eternal rule of NZ politics #629: If Nick Smith is involved, it will be a total fuck up.”
Andrew will shortly offer nick a Knighthood,– to keep him on keeping on. Wonderful long time supporter.
control the message, control the media, control the message
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/us/politics/white-house-sean-spicer-briefing.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0
when it begins, it begins…
Well the message is already controlled day in day out my corporate media anyway, even here. Trump is just doing it overtly. Removing those players I dont see as a necessarily bad thing.
Lets say Morgan became our president and banned Shrewshubbery, stuffed and Juan news from media reporting. Many would enjoy the freedom from the daily dose of spin I would bet.
the funny thing about the corporate controlled media meme is that both the right and left accuse it of being the lapdog of the other – I think that tells the story about this.
imo it is not the spin that is the problem – they all spin – it is our susceptibility to believing the spin especially when it fits with our narrow and self interested worldview.
banning media is the start of a very dangerous slippery slope and I’m sure The Dump is quite happy for that slipping to start – hides his lies and incompetence and bigotry for a start.
its all good, he is gonna bring peace, with the Russians, and the Syrians and Israel, and he is gonna be a Nationalist, and anti globalist, and he is gonna drain the swamp, and he is gonna show it to everyone how good he is, and shit.
If the US of A humans loose a few of their rights, that’s ok, cause insert what ever reason.
Getting hot in the kitchen….
https://twitter.com/ZeddRebel/status/835211502433013766
Brilliant move, keep denouncing the media, then when they attempt to tell any shocking truth’s about Agent Orange he will call them out as liars and the public will believe him. God help ‘Murica
Memories.
(video inside)
https://twitter.com/kenvogel/status/835219520541364225
Brilliant act of subversion
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/24/someone-at-cpac-handed-out-russian-with-trump-written-in-bold/
I guess those news media entities that were banned from the White House presser would have reported it
“Brilliant act of subversion”? You must be kidding. There was nothing brilliant about the Democratic National Committee’s absurd strategy of telling lies about Trump being a Russian pawn. Nobody with an IQ above room temperature believes a word of those lies.
Nothing has to be true these days Morrissey – it just has to be a meme.
God, miravox, I hope not. If that’s the case, we’re doomed. (To quote Private Fraser)
I do like a good bit of protest theatre.
Yep, that was excellent trolling.
Paul Robeson’s songs and deeds light the way for the fight against Trump
by JEFF SPARROW, The Guardian, Monday 20 February 2017
http://normanfinkelstein.com/2017/02/23/the-one-and-only-and-i-do-not-mean-obama/
In contrast to Paul Robeson and Harry Belafonte, this is how less thoughtful singers engage in politics…
You don’t like Bruce Springsteen???
I like many of his songs, but I lost a lot of respect for him when he endorsed Hopey Changey. That was bad enough in 2008, but to do it again in 2012, after four years of Hopey Changey’s bailing out Wall Street bankers, drone murders in Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq and Syria, supporting ISIS and its affiliates in Syria, supporting Israel’s “right” to massacre Palestinians at will, smashing democracy in Honduras and Haiti, deporting undocumented immigrants—Trump is not doing anything new—and persecuting journalists and political dissenters and whistle-blowers, it’s unforgiveable.
There ARE thoughtful and intelligent singers and entertainers, but Bruce Springsteen is not one of them.
“You can pass on my respects to the grand mufti, but I will not cover myself up” – Marine Le Pen when offered a scarf to wear to a recent meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/politics/le-pen-soars-in-french-polls-to-top/
Corrupt fascist visits country, sneers at religious majority’s conventions, fascists cheer.
/
Respect and such …..but hey, she is white, and the white minority is very very fearful that they will become obsolete and loose grip on power. So lets be rude it will gain her some points.
Never mind, that in France there are many many families that are of mixed races and cultures. But then she too will make France Great Again!
It’s very annoying when a nationalist authoritarian is giving the regular politicians lessons in liberalism. This ought to be not worth reporting, because it ought to be unremarkable – no public figure in a western democracy should let foreigners dictate their wardrobe. It’s a story because people in France know their mainstream politicians would fold, unlike Le Pen. They should stop leaving her free gifts to pick up.
Bet she covers up when she enters St. Peter’s in Rome.
The people running a venue have a right to impose a dress code for visitors to the venue. An individual doesn’t have a right to impose a dress code on other individuals. Do try and keep up.
the sign of the times
“He pledged “one of the greatest military build-ups in American history” and to “totally obliterate” the Islamic State terrorist group.
“Nobody will dare question our military might again,” Trump said.”
http://www.smh.com.au/world/donald-trump-among-friends-uses-conservative-political-action-conference-speech-to-attack-media-20170224-gul3so.html
yep we are very safe in this world – as safe as being tired up in a cage with a crazed hungry rat.
Ok, so he’s going to build a huge US military, but he’s not going to use that overseas? Wasn’t that the deal, that vote against Clinton because Tr*mp was less of a warmonger? I guess the Islamic obliteration will happen by non-military means.
😉
How’s he going to “bomb the shit out of ’em” non-militarily? He personally going to take a crash course in making IEDs?
He is gonna drown then in lethal bibles dropped from the most beautiful fighter jets ever.
and send troops to syria, and have ‘save zones’ and shit.
The big question.
Will Jeremy Corbyn last until next Election.
The Tories swept aside Labour, which had held the Cumbria seat for 80 years, to record the first by-election gain by a sitting government in 35 years.
Mrs May said the success showed her party’s broad appeal across England.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he will stay on after it won a separate by-election in Stoke Central.
But one Labour MP has urged him to consider his position following the Copeland loss.
You think they should go with a proven winner like Ed Miliband, do you?
So long as Corbyn continues to be white anted by his own parliamentary party, British Labour will continue to lose.
Just like NZ, there are those in Labour who would rather lose than become a Democratic socialist party, as they were in the 50’s.
Teresa May still wants to impose austerity and privatisation on Britain, rolling back the state to levels unseen since the Walpole era.
Just to clarify the tories “swept aside” a Labour candidate that was selected by the local Labour Party rather than by Jeremy Corbyn, the electorate takes in Sellafield which is a nuclear power plant and one of the biggest employers in the area – Corbyn is against nuclear power, Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson spent the last week of the by-election criticizing their own party, all of the media in England (including the Guardian and the Independent – shame on both of them) have carried predominantly negative stories about Corbyn for the last 2 years, Corbyn has had to fight for the leadership twice in the last year because of the Blairite Labour MPs being against his leadership but the membership of the party have elected him overwhelmingly both times…it is a wonder that Labour managed to get as close as they did to the tory candidate in Copeland. By the way, Labour beat UKIP to win Stoke on the very same day – Stoke is considered Brexit heartland, and the Labour candidate beat the new leader of UKIP – considering both results simultaneously suggests that there are other factors at play rather than the never-ending cacophony of media-led noise about Corbyn’s leadership credentials.
Yep Corbyn is a winner, he can be assured he has the full support of the Conservative party even if his own MPs and the mass of the uk population think he is a walking disaster Stick with it Jerry I say
“The high cost of housing “hanging over” young families is a result of the efforts to protect the environment in Auckland and other big cities, Prime Minister Bill English says.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11807509
“battle lines being drawn…”
https://youtu.be/BWTqj5lvkFs
Go Bill…
Nothing like picking a fight with the good burghers of the leafy suburbs in election year. Going to be really interesting watching him sell high density development next door to the party faithful in the inner city suburbs, or dismantling the covenant structures on most subdivision developments of the past 20 years.
It’s another lightbulbs moment all over again.
Too funny, maybe the outgoing government isn’t aware that with out an environment there can be no economy. And blaming someones rules on furniture placement and plant arrangement, isn’t going to fix the housing crisis.
Geezzz Billy the public aren’t that stupid, they won’t believe for a moment that the environment is to blame for the housing crisis.
‘stop children… what’s that sound.. everyone look what’s going down’ epic clip Marty, loved that, ty for posting.
Hopefully Andy disagrees.
Swimmable rivers plan obviously not going down too well. That nice Mr Key has broken his media silence. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11807522
Yep, they’ve been forced to call in air support. I’m sure they didn’t want to wheel out Key so early having been less than 3 months out of the job.
The Tom Scott cartoon in todays Dominion Post (page C4) captures it nicely, but I have not been able to find it on the Stuff website – are cartoons politically ‘censored’ for publication on the web?
“Two men were yesterday jailed for their role in the country’s largest bribery case and Auckland Transport revealed six other staff left their jobs after investigations began into the scandal.
The episode has triggered warnings from the Serious Fraud Office that the case has not been completely closed – and that corruption required a toxic culture to grow.
Former Auckland Transport senior manager Murray Noone and Projenz managing director Stephen Borlase were sentenced at the High Court at Auckland to five years and five years six months respectively after being found guilty of bribery and corruption.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11805571
First shots fired in Trumps war against the Media. Certain news media were not allowed into Whitehouse news briefing..
Outlets in the meeting:
Franco Ordonez, McClatchy
CBS, Margaret Brennan (pool)
Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones (pool)
Washington Times
Washington Examiner, Gabby Morrongiello
One America News Network, Trey Yingst
NBC, Hallie Jackson
ABC, Cecilia Vargas
Fox News, John Roberts
AFP, Andrew Beatty (pool)
Reuters
Hearst (pool)
Bloomberg, Justin Sink (pool)
Fox News, John Roberts
Emel Bayrak, TRT-TURK (pool)
News outlets kept out of the meeting:
DailyMail.com
Buzzfeed
Roll Call
New York Times
Politico
The Hill
Real Clear Politics
CNN
BBC
Al Jazeera
New York Daily News
The Guardian
.
The ban is the latest round in Spicer and his boss’s war with the media – dubbed the ‘opposition party’ by Bannon.
‘The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!’ Trump tweeted
He doubled down Friday morning at CPAC, mocking the ‘Clinton News Network’ and continuing to call the ‘fake news media’ the ‘enemy’.
‘They’re very dishonest people,’ he said. ‘They’re very smart, they’re very cunning and they’re very dishonest.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4257770/WH-locks-certain-reporters-briefing.html#ixzz4ZehawjIT
just because we all need a moment of bearsies
Perez v Ellison for DNC Chair.
Sinve the two are ideologically indistinguishable, did Obama push Perez to run just to shore up his and Clinton’s (failed) party machine?
With Harry Reid and Elizabeth Warrenn on the same side (Ellison), I’m inclined this time to go with their judgement.
Or to protect the dems from the consequences of egregious folly?
I’m thinking of having a war on the media myself – if anybody can join in.
Specifically, my nukes will be directed at TVNZ-owned DUKE channel, which has no plans to screen any more Samantha Bee.
Will she turn up somewhere else… behind a double paywall, perhaps?
Or has she been no-platformed because of her political stance?