Open mike 25/07/2015

97 comments on “Open mike 25/07/2015 ”

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1. Gosman 1

   25 July 2015 at 7:56 am

   Venezuela’s steady economic decline is accelerating as expected due to the leftist policies of the current regime.

   http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21659764-government-prints-money-hyperinflation-looms-crackers-caracas

   I do find it hilarious that a website publicising the prices of goods is somehow regarded by the regime as a weapon of economic sabotage. Leftist thinking is so totally screwed sometimes.
   • Tricledrown 1.1

     25 July 2015 at 8:31 am

     Gooseman the US prints money the EU is in the process of printing 1.4 trillion dollars.
     Are they wrong.
     Your a right wing fundamentalist who’s policies are being foisted on Greece their Economy has been in continual decline.
     Argentina had the same policies foisted on them by the World Bank and IMF it caused a continual decline in their Economy.
     So both left and right wing fundamentalist are bad for economies
     • Gosman 1.1.1

       25 July 2015 at 8:37 am

       Except right wing policies eventually lead to economic growth whereas left wing economic policies like that in Venezuela eventually lead to economic collapse. A simple question for you. How can you see Venezuela getting out if the mess they are in other than to ditch their leftist economic policies such as price controls and rationing and following more right wing ones?
       • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1

         25 July 2015 at 12:44 pm

         Except right wing policies eventually lead to economic growth

         That’s a bullshit article of a bullshit faith

         Economic growth for the top 1% or top 5% maybe
         • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1

           25 July 2015 at 2:09 pm

           +1

           Right-wing policies always lead to collapse as The Great Depression and the GFC proved.
           • dv 1.1.1.1.1.1

             25 July 2015 at 2:13 pm

             and the Asian melt down in 1999?
             And not to forget 1987
       • Tricledrown 1.1.1.2

         26 July 2015 at 10:10 am

         You Are joking when do right wing policies work not ever show me an economy that hasn’t relied upon a mix of policy including printing money and stimulating their Economy.
         Find an economy that relies purely on the free market.
         Gooseman it doesn’t exist.
         Greece is suffering as much as Venezuela, Venezuela’s command and control economy is as bad as Greece’s Right wing Austerity programming.
         Trade embargoes CIA destablization the Drug lords control of 40% of Venezuela’s population fuelled by the failed war on drugs.
         Greece fucked over by Goldman Sachs and their ratings agencies.
         Now bailed out with printed Ponzi money at exorbitant rates.
         Where is your free market Goose.
         The UK printed £100s of billions .
         All the big trading blocks have printed trillions to stimulate growth the minions (NZ govt borrowed $70 billion the NZ private Sector have borrowed at least $100billion on speculative investments)eventually this house of card will fall over so where eventually is your Free market economy.
         Tell us all Guillible Gosman.
     • Paul 1.1.2

       25 July 2015 at 8:57 am

       Libya?
       Iraq

       And other countries where your friends applied their Shock Doctrine?
       • Gosman 1.1.2.1

         25 July 2015 at 9:12 am

         Ummm…. what right wing economic policies are being followed in those places?
         • Colonial Viper 1.1.2.1.1

           25 July 2015 at 12:45 pm

           No silly, those are applications of the USA’s right wing policies.
   • half crown 1.2

     25 July 2015 at 8:47 am

     How’s the economy going in the Ukraine Gosman?
     • Gosman 1.2.1

       25 July 2015 at 9:13 am

       Why do you think the Ukrainian government is right wing when it is in fact still very State dominated.

       This link highlights what the problem with Ukraine’s economy – The State.

       http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26767864
       • half crown 1.2.1.1

         25 July 2015 at 9:28 am

         You can say that again. State dominated by a pack of right wing thugs aided and abetted by America. You still haven’t answered what I asked, I never asked you if the government was right wing
         But I will ask again. How is the economy going in the Ukraine.
         • Gosman 1.2.1.1.1

           25 July 2015 at 10:27 am

           Really badly as a result of the State playing too big a role in the economy. It needs to reform the economy so that the private sector is able to operate without the corrupt and oppressive influence of government.
           • Blue Horseshoe 1.2.1.1.1.1

             25 July 2015 at 2:01 pm

             Still loitering like a wet fart, are you Gossip

             Flaunting your Venezuelan fetish again like a pre-programmed idiot

             Gossip must play the banjo
2. Facetious 2

   25 July 2015 at 8:15 am

   Venezuela is a basket case economy. With the collapse of the price of oil, Maduro’s government is desperate for cash. The country is in desperate needs of imported goods. The joys of socialism.
   • Tricledrown 2.1

     25 July 2015 at 8:23 am

     Under the previous right wing murderist facist dictators propped up the US before the 1950’s then by the CIA post 1950 Venezuela has been no different .
     The Drug lords control large areas of Venezuela their profits help the CIA run covert operations .
     Venezuela is a basket case full stop.
     • Gosman 2.1.1

       25 July 2015 at 8:33 am

       Because it was badly run before that excuses how badly run it is now in your mind does it?

       Venezuela used to be regarded as one of the better performing nations in Latin America. No more though. Largely due to left wing policies and ideas that are very similar to those expressed by many here.
       • mickysavage 2.1.1.1

         25 July 2015 at 8:39 am

         No solely due to the collapse in the price of oil.
         • Gosman 2.1.1.1.1

           25 July 2015 at 8:44 am

           Lots of nations that rely on oil have not had their economies implode due to the fall in the price of oil. Venezuela seems to be rather unique in that regard. Might have something to do with the massive increases in government spending when the price of oil was higher. Still don’t you lefties think spending more on social services is always a good idea?
           • mickysavage 2.1.1.1.1.1

             25 July 2015 at 8:57 am

             But it is such a silly argument.

             Country A has a socialist government.

             Country A’s economy is failing.

             Socialism is therefore bad.

             Facetious’s argument is the same although he does admit the collapse of the oil price is part of the problem.

             Although I do agree that relying on one export, be it oil or milk, is a very unsafe thing to do.
             • Gosman …

               25 July 2015 at 9:11 am

               Except it is the left wing policies that are causing the economic hardship I Venezuela. What us happening there us entirely predictable. The government imposes price controls on goods. What do you think will happen? Of course there is shortages. The government subsidizes the price of oil so it us dirt cheap. What do you think will happen? Of course people smuggle it to neighbouring countries to me easy money. The government spends billions on social services when it has not money to pay for it. What do you think will happen? Of course inflation sky rockets.
               Do you not see how one leads inevitably to the other?
               • Draco T Bastard …

                 25 July 2015 at 4:04 pm

                 I can certainly see how allowing greedy, sociopathic people control over the economy would result in that which is what RWNJ policies do.
               • Clemgeopin …

                 26 July 2015 at 12:17 am

                 What is your explanation for the super free market non socialist capitalist king country in the world, USA, to be in massive government debt exceeding 18 Trillion dollars ($18,000,000,000,000) with interest alone being over 3 Trillion dollars per year ($3,000,000,000,000) and its total national debt being at over $61 trillion dollars ($61,000,000,000,000,000) and growing like there is no tomorrow?
         • nadis 2.1.1.1.2

           25 July 2015 at 3:17 pm

           not really due to the drop in oil prices. I have a piece of research from April 2014 which showed Venezuela (at the time) needed an oil price of $121 per barrel just to break even…….
       • freedom 2.1.1.2

         25 July 2015 at 12:18 pm

         http://i.imgur.com/CjNUUHh.png
         a little something for the mantelpiece Gosman 🙂
   • joe90 2.2

     25 July 2015 at 8:49 am

     There’s a rather large elephant in the room too.

     http://www.voanews.com/content/are-race-and-class-at-the-root-of-venezuelas-political-crisis/1886458.html

     http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10547
     • The lost sheep 2.2.1

       25 July 2015 at 9:16 am

       The elephant in the room is the elephant that is not in the room.

       Where are all the successful socialist economies that prove that socialist economics work, and Venezuela’s failure is an aberration?
       • Bill 2.2.1.1

         25 July 2015 at 9:32 am

         Where are all the market economies that work?

         Okay, give me one nation that is a part of the global market economy where there are no levels of onerous poverty and no corresponding small ultra rich clique and where health and education and adequate shelter are equally available to all?

         Venezuela is no different to any other potential examples for the question I asked above. Venezuela is a part of the global market economy, but Venezuela practices a fair amount of intervention. It isn’t a command economy though.

         So, what have the interventions done? Decreased poverty and illiteracy? Increased access to health care, food, adequate shelter etc? Yes.

         What has the market economy done? Gone into a recession/depression.
         • Colonial Viper 2.2.1.1.1

           25 July 2015 at 12:42 pm

           A renewed and fierce global downturn is already underway…
         • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.1.2

           25 July 2015 at 2:12 pm

           +1

           Well said Bill.
     • Sanctuary 2.2.2

       25 July 2015 at 9:17 am

       I was about to say there is a significant racial/class subtext in Venezuela. I ran into a bunch of all-white, well off (better off than me, anyway) Venezuelans who showed up on their own yacht in Ibiza a few years back. They were lovely, until you got to know them and then you heard a little of their views of things back home.

       Based on that experience I agree with the comment in one of the articles posted above:

       “…White supremacy endures in Venezuela often resembling the United States and other settler colonial countries founded on conquest and slavery…”
       • Colonial Viper 2.2.2.1

         25 July 2015 at 1:04 pm

         Those are the kinds of people who utterly despised Chavez educating ordinary people in poor towns on the importance of participating in the political process. (Which generally involved ensuring that people could read and write so that they could interpret the Venezuelan constitution and participate in elections.
   • Paul 2.3

     25 July 2015 at 8:54 am

     How’s the economy going in the Ukraine?
3. half crown 3

   25 July 2015 at 9:16 am

   Hey Gosman, You are always ranting on about Venezuela, how the socialist’s are running it in to the ground and how socialism doesn’t work, Well mate it works very well in this country for :-
   Reo Tinto
   Warners
   Grants to private schools
   and the latest bail out by Parata of a Charter School.

   Just to name a few.
   • Gosman 3.1

     25 July 2015 at 9:20 am

     Do you support those policies in NZ then? I know I certainly don’t.
     • Colonial Viper 3.1.1

       25 July 2015 at 9:40 am

       NZ is developing its own corrupt crony capitalist class that is enamoured with foreign corporations and foreign money, just like Venezuela, and I reckon you do support it.
       • Skinny 3.1.1.1

         25 July 2015 at 10:40 am

         A crisp millitary salute to that CV. It has sent Gosman to ground, he probably had to get into his cheerleading kit readying himself for slippery John’s interview on The Nation.

         After watching Key’s half cut pitch I notice the narrative has moved strongly towards privatisation. Unfortunately for the Nats Serco has flattened the tire and the wheel has come off. Good interview with Kelvin Davis, right now I think Key would prefer that Hone had beat Kelvin in the TTT seat.
     • half crown 3.1.2

       25 July 2015 at 9:43 am

       “This link highlights what the problem with Ukraine’s economy – The State.”

       Yeah but they don’t say Socialist state.

       Hey mate I am not going to debate with you further as you talk nothing but crap
       You have a very simplistic point of view and that is right wing good left wing terrible. Anybody with an once of intelligence knows it is not as simple as that

       Personally I am not a socialist though the way the world is going it is driving me more to the left, but I have a very strong social conscience, and as I have said before when I was a kid thank the fuck other right wingers thought the same. This is something this breed of greedy bastards don’t understand the word let alone practice.
     • half crown 3.1.3

       25 July 2015 at 9:53 am

       Do you support those policies in NZ then? I know I certainly don’t.

       Are you another non society Randian fuckwit who follow the likes of Rimmer Got your Hologram sign yet?

       Who gives a shit who and what I support
4. Gangnam Style 4

   25 July 2015 at 9:28 am

   Very thoughtful article on what it is like in NZ prisons by one of the ‘Urewera 4’ Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara http://www.putatara.net/2015/07/serco-debate/
5. Gangnam Style 5

   25 July 2015 at 9:40 am

   http://www.putatara.net/2015/07/serco-debate/ one of the ‘Urewera 4’ writes a very thoughtful article on NZ prisons & that they are all badly run, & makes an interesting point that tax payers are funding gang training & recruitment, would now like to see the jamboree of right wing regulars here get their knickers in a twist about that!
6. dv 6

   25 July 2015 at 10:17 am

   Is there something going on in NZ that Gosman etal don’t want discussed?

   This feels like desperate distraction by Gosman.
   • Draco T Bastard 6.1

     25 July 2015 at 2:18 pm

     Privatisation is failing across the board just as the Left, back in the 1980s, predicted it would. Just as it did back in feudal times.

     In fact, the one lesson we should draw from the last 5000 years of recorded history is that privatisation and wealth owned by the few always fails.
   • Paul 6.2

     25 July 2015 at 11:56 pm

     Is it
     a) the housing crisis in Auckland caused by a lack of rules to stop NZ and foreign speculators
     b) the imminent collapse of our economy due to crashing dairy prices
     c) prison crisis
     d) the imminent signing of the TPPA
     • Clemgeopin 6.2.1

       26 July 2015 at 12:28 am

       e) The Saudi sheep gate and the coming resurrection of J. Collins.
7. Chooky 7

   25 July 2015 at 10:20 am

   Here is the scale of the housing problem…anyone who denies this is ignorant or disingenuous…this applies to Australia …..and New Zealand

   http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/wall-of-chinese-capital-buying-up-australian-properties-20150628-ghztdf.html#ixzz3gVPV2Oew

   ….”That’s roughly $32 billion,” says Tee. “The Canadian government said: ‘We don’t want your money anymore’ and that capital is now hitting the Sydney market.”
   “There is a mountain of liquidity. China is bursting with flight capital. They can’t go to the US, they can’t get it into Singapore anymore, or Hong Kong.”
   Tee’s comments come at a time of increasing concern that a generation of young Australians have been locked out of the property markets of Melbourne and Sydney due to spiralling house prices….

   Tee says recent figures in the media which put Chinese investment in the Sydney property market at 25 per cent of total sales were too low. He says it might be twice this level but it is hard to tell because of the lack of transparency on ownership.
   Most Chinese purchases hide behind trustees and proxies. Third parties such as friends and relatives were often used.
   “Chinese students are being paid 2 per cent of the purchase price of the property to purchase property on behalf of relatives,” says Tee.

   Another person au fait with Chinese property transactions in Australia told Fairfax Media it was simple for Chinese investors to get around the foreign capital restrictions.
   “The money never really moves. In a simple example, Kunlun is a forex trading and money exchange company. It has bank accounts in many countries with significant cash balances. So if someone wants $40 million in Australia they put the money in a Kunlun China account and Kunlun transfers the money from their Australian accounts to the person’s friend’s Australian account.
   “Kunlun is just one example – any large trading multinational will hold large reserves of cash in each country so they can effect a transfer with an internal paper transaction. No banks or government scrutiny involved. And given that they don’t do effective reporting in this country, who will ever trace it?…”Kunlun is just one example – any large trading multinational will hold large reserves of cash in each country so they can effect a transfer with an internal paper transaction. No banks or government scrutiny involved. And given that they don’t do effective reporting in this country, who will ever trace it?
   “The current situation is that one of the best assets a local Chinese can have is a permanent Australian residence. They will have ‘friends’ lining up to ‘loan’ them money to buy properties in Australia.
   All the government needs to do is follow the cash.”
   Sadly, for a generation of young homebuyers it seems the government is not interested in following the cash. Otherwise our politicians, of both major parties, would have introduced the second tranche of AML legislation by now and real estate agents would have to prove that their clients’ funds were legitimate.
   • Colonial Viper 7.1

     25 July 2015 at 12:47 pm

     Property boom has been going on unchecked in Sydney for more than 10 years. The Chinese are just the latest factor.
     • Chooky 7.1.1

       25 July 2015 at 1:13 pm

       admit it….crisis by massive scale of buy up of scarce housing resources now!

       …when up to 50% of your housing stock is being bought up by Chinese

       ….and this said by an HONEST Chinese ( this is not racism…this is fact)

       …we are betraying New Zealand youth and New Zealanders to allow this to happen!
       • Colonial Viper 7.1.1.1

         25 July 2015 at 5:42 pm

         Blame the Chinese all you like, it won’t change a thing.
         • Chooky 7.1.1.1.1

           25 July 2015 at 6:26 pm

           who says I am blaming the Chinese…that is your spin…I am citing facts given by Chinese

           …..I am blaming this Nact Government for not getting statistics and not putting controls on overseas buy up of scarce New Zealand houses …which should be for New Zealanders

           …jonkey Nact are betraying young New Zealanders and future generations of New Zealanders

           …you think it is right that New Zealanders are priced out of their own country ?

           ….I thought you were supposed to be a Lefty!…and a supporter of the Labour Party?…seems that is all pretence
           • Colonial Viper 7.1.1.1.1.1

             25 July 2015 at 6:30 pm

             NZers were priced out of Auckland by 2005; your outrage is a decade too late. Ban foreign buyers, but houses in Auckland will stay over $500,000 and out of reach.
             • Chooky …

               25 July 2015 at 7:34 pm

               who says I am outraged….and too late…only you

               for your information many New Zealanders have been concerned about foreign ownership of New Zealand assets and property for a very long time…more than 35 years in the case of CAFCA ( but I guess before your time)

               eg. New Zealand First, the Greens and CAFCA

               http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/

               http://www.historicalwatchdog.blogspot.co.nz/

               …I would add many Labour Party members and supporters are also concerned…especially recently when the scale of buy up has been massive and New Zealanders are being priced out of their own land
               • Chooky …

                 25 July 2015 at 9:38 pm

                 New Zealander’s land and culture and assets are in danger of being sold for a song…like Greece

                 http://www.rt.com/shows/keiser-report/310334-episode-max-keiser-786/

                 “In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss Greek prime ministers bearing referendums as privatisation schemes move full steam ahead as billionaires and celebrities begin buying up Greek islands on the cheap.

                 In the second half, Max interviews Eddy Travia of Coinsilium.com about the company’s upcoming IPO on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in London. Coinsilium Group facilitates the implementation of blockchain technology products and services alongside media and corporate advisory services.”

                 Some things are too important to sell….some things should not be sold!
8. The Fairy Godmother 8

   25 July 2015 at 10:51 am

   I listened to this interesting TEDX talk this morning about how humans have taken over the world due to the ability to work collectively, flexibly with imagination. Everything from economic systems to money to corporations to religion are really only the result of a story which enough people believe. Perhaps we need to start imagining and telling some new stories about how the world could be.

   http://www.ted.com/talks/yuval_noah_harari_what_explains_the_rise_of_humans?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button__2015-07-24
   • greywarshark 8.1

     25 July 2015 at 8:03 pm

     Fairy Godmother
     If you can find some new stories for us, I think we will listen and be heartened. Sp here’s hoping.

     I like ones about people doing things that present problems and ask us to stir ourselves and direct our interests in the right way.
     I have written about the man who comes all the way from Murchison to sell woollen socks at the local market.
     There is the woman at the market whose husband died recently after being nursed through a long illness from a car crash, she is 64 and is being harried into getting a job so has some months of that before she is, thankfully, 65 and entitled to retirement. She was there on the Greens desk, because she is so solidly behind the precepts of humane and thoughtful living.

     Forest and Bird have people going round trying to get funds for an onslaught on the uncaring barbarians that we have elected, to try and save the Maui dolphin off the west coast of North Island, off Taranaki. They and other sea creatures are badly affected by the nets that local and foreign fishers are using. The filaments are too fine and don’t deflect the sonar signal of the fish that swim right into them unaware.
     I thought it was just the size of the mesh, but it is also the thinness of it causing the deaths. I am short of money but promised to talk about it to the young German lobbyist, who explained very well, probably gets a commission and was just a wee bit sorry that I couldn’t commit.

     But perhaps we need more stories about things that are happening and changing things for the better, with humans at the forefront, and technology as an aid, not a substitute.
9. Penny Bright 9

   25 July 2015 at 11:24 am

   Oh dear – to say Mischele Boag was not pleased to see me this morning outside Sky City, where I was standing, quietly and peacefully as delegates entered the Casino for their 79th Conference, would have to be a bit of an understatement?

   “Good morning Mischele!” I called, in a friendly way.

   “Pay your rates Penny! Pay your rates!” was Mischele’s angry response.

   “I will once the Council tells us where the money is being spent,” I replied.

   “Don’t you support transparency Mischele?” I asked as she flounced off, in an obviously poisonous mood.

   Maybe she didn’t like the wording on my placards?

   Most National delegates were friendly, including Nick Smith, who didn’t reply to my question,

   “What’s in the TPPA for dairy Nick?”

   Maybe he didn’t hear the question – to be fair.

   In fact – it was such fun – I think I’ll go back for the lunch break, and let my placards do the talking …..

   Penny Bright

   TPPA – WALK AWAY!
   • Chooky 9.1

     25 July 2015 at 11:55 am

     +100… GO PENNY…we are with you!
   • greywarshark 9.2

     25 July 2015 at 8:12 pm

     You’re worth more than a penny, Penny. Wearing down stone is slow, but you keep persisting. Apparently a primitive method of splitting stone is to pour water and salt into a crack when the weather is freezing. So unexpected results may occur with your simple methods of fronting-up used frequently.
   • Clemgeopin 9.3

     26 July 2015 at 1:02 am

     Good on you Penny. I admire your dedication and hard work for great causes you fight for. Wish all voters in a democracy were as clued on as you. It is people like you that really deserve national awards of honour.
10. DH 10

    25 July 2015 at 11:55 am

    I’ve been watching the newspapers for reports on the court ruling on the Problem Gambling Foundation case. I haven’t seen any news at all, has anyone else seen anything?

    The absence of media coverage is mystifying because it’s big news and very much in the public interest. The judge found countless breaches of the Mandatory Rules for Procurement by Departments with the extent being so great there were strong grounds for concluding bias and conflicts of interest.

    People might recall the Problem Gambling Foundation were the harshest critics of SkyCity and it was alluded at the time they were refused the new contract because of their objections against SkyCity.

    Yet more fuel to the fire of the SkyCity deal so why aren’t the media reporting on it….. or has that question just answered itself?
    • ianmac 10.1

      25 July 2015 at 12:29 pm

      DH I referred yesterday to Andrew Geddis column @ Pundit. Covers the ground very well.
      http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/bliss-was-it-in-that-dawn-to-be-alive
      • DH 10.1.1

        25 July 2015 at 12:38 pm

        Thanks ianmac, wrong link though….

        http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/the-governments-problem-with-problem-gambling

        He does cover it well and further reinforces my puzzlement over the lack of media coverage. It is genuinely newsworthy.
        • ianmac 10.1.1.1

          25 July 2015 at 12:51 pm

          Thanks DH. My error.Tried to find exactly when this decision was reached. Think it was very recent so will watch MSM with interest.
    • Ergo Robertina 10.2

      25 July 2015 at 12:44 pm

      It was covered on Checkpoint.
      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201763588/black-eye-for-health-ministry-in-big-win-for-gambling-workers

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201763610/anti-gambling-jobs-saved-by-high-court
      • ianmac 10.2.1

        25 July 2015 at 12:52 pm

        Note National Radio acted. Papers? Not yet.
        • Ergo Robertina 10.2.1.1

          25 July 2015 at 1:04 pm

          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11485857

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/70497630/problem-gambling-foundation-beats-ministry-of-health-in-court
          • ianmac 10.2.1.1.1

            25 July 2015 at 1:43 pm

            Thanks Ergo. The paper reports were pretty neutral in tone compared to the emblazing of minor Opposition errors.
          • DH 10.2.1.1.2

            25 July 2015 at 1:57 pm

            Thanks Ergo Robertina. Either I’ve been missing what was in front of me or they were well buried, I’ve been watching both Stuff and the Herald for reports since Thursday and saw neither of those.
11. Denise Frost 11

    25 July 2015 at 1:26 pm

    I’m afraid I can’t agree with the comments about prisoners being given the right to votes. As I see it, being sent to prison means being denied rights and privileges and one of the basic privileges is the right to vote. While someone is incarcerated they should not be given the right to vote, apart from anything else can you imagine the distortion that would be caused as prisoners would likely vote against the current government because it was under the current government that they were lock up! I don’t see any problems with them resuming the right to vote once released from prison though as they have returned to society with all its rights and privileges associated with that freedom.
    • Treetop 11.1

      25 July 2015 at 3:38 pm

      When a person can cast a vote this can lead to better circumstances. I do not know if inmates are ever polled. It appears that some surveys are required in NZ prisons and/or some research. I do not think that Serco would be in favour of a survey or a research project.
    • Sirenia 11.2

      25 July 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Denise, people are sent to prison AS punishment not FOR punishment. Being locked up is punishment enough. They are still humans with human rights, including access to voting.

      Although under this government people are being sent to prison for more and more punishment regardless of the severity of their original crime.
      • Anne 11.2.1

        25 July 2015 at 6:30 pm

        Thank-you Sirenia for saying what needs to be said.

        Every person – I repeat EVERY PERSON- has the right to vote. To disenfranchise anyone is an act of treachery. There are many criminals who don’t go to prison and the majority of them are wealthy and/or powerful so can buy/blackmail their way out of punishment.

        To blithely say as you have said Denise Frost that prisoners be denied their sovereign rights shows a level of ignorance which is sadly all too common among right-wing NZers.
        • Treetop 11.2.1.1

          26 July 2015 at 12:01 pm

          The way I see it, you are a human being whether you are on the inside or on the outside.
    • Colonial Viper 11.3

      25 July 2015 at 5:39 pm

      Denise Frost. Do you mean that prisoners (who are the people in society most affected by the strong coercive powers of the state – and often the same, people most let down by the state) should also then have no say in the running of that state?

      In contrast to you, I believe that a NZ prisoner remains a citizen of NZ, and there are rights which are inalienable to such a status: such as voting and as access to their local MP.
    • greywarshark 11.4

      25 July 2015 at 8:20 pm

      @Denise
      That’s a bit simple. You stop being a citizen when you go to prison? And the simple and censorious want to stop them ever having a vote.even when they come out.

      Yet how many people are out there commiting offences who aren’t yet in prison. And those who have stolen millions and been able to avoid prison, unlike someone who has done something annoying or stolen something replaceable.

      We would like those in prison to come out better, not try to erase them for ever from being citizens. There is a case for withholding voting for a very few who are more bad than mad, but the rest should be encouraged to use the time to work out a new plan, get new skills, and go forth and act rightly.
    • McFlock 11.5

      25 July 2015 at 9:47 pm

      A “right” is not a “privilege”.

      Prison is detention for the safety of the community and, theoretically, punishment and time for reflection and rehabilitation.

      Concomitant abuse of rights is just a dick move.
12. Draco T Bastard 12

    25 July 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Simulation shows ‘unavoidable’ 3m Auckland sea level rise

    Professor James Hansen, formerly of NASA and now of Columbia University, and 16 other climate scientists argue in the study that a safe limit to global warming decided by politicians in 2009 may actually lead to disastrous ice melt.

    Well, I suppose those extended wharves that Auckland Ports want won’t be worth it after all.
13. greywarshark 13

    25 July 2015 at 2:14 pm

    I’ve been consulting Homer Simpson on matters of State.
    Asked what I should say to Labour as to why they weren’t successful in winning the last election he suggested an oblique approach.
    Ooh, a graduate student huh? How come you guys can go to the moon but can’t make my shoes smell good?
    He said the reply might be tedious and result in me exclaiming –
    Sweet Merciful Crap!

    But then I became unsure of the value of his clear-sighted consideration of my problem when he asked –
    Hey, can you take the wheel for a second, I have to scratch my self in two places at once.
    And I thought that was too similar (but more vulgar) to USA politician President Lyndon Johnson’s put-down of an opponent who, he said in a sanitised version, couldn’t do two things at once, walk and chew gum for instance.

    I gave up after his next confidential statement –
    Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh.
    http://www.angelfire.com/hi3/pearly/homer/quotes-homer.html
14. Saarbo 14

    25 July 2015 at 2:28 pm

    One thing is clear from the National Party Conference…National Party is more than happy to sell NZ land to cash rich foreigners.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/279671/english-backs-lotu-iiga-at-party-conference
15. adam 15

    25 July 2015 at 3:50 pm

    We are not alone.

    Great video, great analysis.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgP_U4SzYd4
16. adam 16

    25 July 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Clarke and Dawe – Ineluctable

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4RcJ5Uwg4A
17. ianmac 17

    25 July 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Just back from the Book Writers Festival with Nicky Hager. When asked if he had thought about what chance National had of winning or not at the last election he said that he believed that National were having their doubts.

    “So to lift their chances they tossed Judith Collins out of their hot air balloon to make it rise higher.”
    So apt!
18. rod 18

    25 July 2015 at 5:31 pm

    I see they have found Planet Key, He will be pleased. Cheerio John.
19. sabine 19

    25 July 2015 at 7:07 pm

    i really would like someone to explain this too me, cause really it confuses me.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11486547

    A wealthy couple who have donated generously to the National Party are cashing up more than $26 million of property in Auckland.

    Zhao Wu Shen and Susan Chou have given more than $370,000 to National through their company Contue Jinwan Enterprise Group, or in the name of Ms Chou, since 2010.

    Mr Shen was also the biggest shareholder in Mega until selling his 25.9 per cent stake this month and resigning from the board of the online encryption service founded by Kim Dotcom.

    The sale of the Mega shares comes as the Hong Kong-based couple try sell more than $26 million of property in Auckland, including a luxury home on a cliff top in Herne Bay with a council valuation of $11.5 million, which sold last month.

    Once owned by Rich Listers Colin and Jennifer Giltrap, the 2049sq m site was bought by Mr Shen and Ms Chou for $10.75 million in late 2013 – one of the most expensive homes sold in Auckland that year.

    But the 695sqm mansion is just one of a number of properties Mr Shen and Ms Chou are cashing up.

    Listed as students on the electoral roll, the couple also sold a clifftop mansion in Howick for $7.5 million in May and another Auckland home for $1.6 million last year.

    ———————————————————————————————————————

    lets leave the reflexive screams of racism aside for a moment please.

    SO they are listed as studends on the elctoral role, they are multimillionaire students that were Main Share holders of Mega and donors to National.

    does this read like a bond novel, or is it just me?
    • John Shears 19.1

      25 July 2015 at 7:54 pm

      And they are stated in the article as being Hong Kong based as well as being listed as students? forget the racism it just smells to me.
      • sabine 19.1.1

        25 July 2015 at 8:03 pm

        no the thing gets me they a held the main shares of Mega aka Dotcom and own multiple million dollar properties and are students who gave 370.000 to National.

        Bond, my name is Bond.

        that can’t be for real?
    • Anne 19.2

      25 July 2015 at 8:02 pm

      SO they are listed as students on the electoral role,… (typos fixed).

      That’s enough to tell anyone that… all is NOT what it seems in certain property investment portfolios.

      But even more telling… they have given more than $370,000 to the National Party. And there’s your reason why this govt. is refusing to release information that could confirm or otherwise whether Chinese foreign investors are distorting the Auckland market. I would take a guess the Nats are richer to the tune of several million dollars courtesy of foreign property speculators. You scratch our back and we’ll scratch yours. Bloody disgusting!
      • sabine 19.2.1

        25 July 2015 at 8:04 pm

        typos, i am so good at them. really i am bad at writing, typing is easier then hand writing tho,. thanks for fixing my butchering of ze english language 🙂

        and yes, that whole article is just strange.
        • Anne 19.2.1.1

          25 July 2015 at 8:05 pm

          😉
      • greywarshark 19.2.2

        25 July 2015 at 8:54 pm

        I think they need to cut their fingernails and keep their hands to themselves before the gouging and troughing spreads any more bloody disgusting stats around.
20. yip 20

    25 July 2015 at 8:05 pm

    Just read this, maybe some of the people turn down houses as they are broken down crap.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70545026/Paula-Bennett-signals-crackdown-on-state-tenants-who-turn-down-houses
    • Anne 20.1

      25 July 2015 at 8:09 pm

      The state houses in the photo look like they’re in good condition and well looked after. What’s the bet they’re privately owned and are no longer state houses.
      • yip 20.1.1

        25 July 2015 at 8:35 pm

        Yes who knows about those houses, but in that photo the third house from the left is covered in dirt or mold or both.
        Drive around Glenn Innes aggressive pit bulls are it seems everywhere.
        GI has so many problems that a family with kids may turn down a state house in that area for safety reasons.
21. dv 21

    25 July 2015 at 8:51 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70546135/nick-smith-eyes-ways-to-boost-private-sector-role-in-building-resource-consents

    Nick Smith eyes ways to boost private sector role in building, resource consents

    Wants to allow private co to give consents.

    Private building co wind up under lim liability and the liability falls on council so they are very pedantic

    SO if the is a problem with private constant then they will be liable so they will then be very pendandtic or wind up.

    Sound like Serco
    • Brigid 21.1

      25 July 2015 at 10:07 pm

      Yup. Privatisation by stealth.
22. greywarshark 22

    25 July 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Have you got a journalistic project that you want to complete, but can’t get enough money or time to do it?

    If so, a Bruce Jesson journalism award may be able to help. Applications for the 2015 awards are now open, and close on Friday 18 September.

    There are two awards, a senior one to fund a planned journalistic project and a journalism student award for work that has already been published.

    The senior award is unique in New Zealand because it funds time and research costs of up to $4000 in advance for projects that could be newspaper or magazine articles, reports on the internet, books, films, radio or TV documentaries or “any other publication which is aimed at, and accessible by, the general public of New Zealand or any part of New Zealand”.
    http://www.brucejesson.com/?page_id=14

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