Latest Opinium/Observer figures suggest current Labour leader is overwhelming favourite to win September contest (Poll released in last 24 hours)
If there were a Labour leadership election with the
following candidates, which, if any, would you vote for ?
Labour Voters only (Note: Labour Voters, not members)
Corbyn 54%
Smith 22%
Don’t Know 20%
Would Not Vote 4%
Approval of Corbyn’s Leadership
Labour Voters only
Approve 54%
Disapprove 24%
Unsure 22%
Meanwhile …
YouGov
Poll of Labour Party Members eligible to vote in Leadership election.
(15-18 July 2016)
Voting Intention
Imagine there was a leadership election and these were the candidates, who would you vote for ?
………….….…….TOTAL
CORBYN …………..54%
EAGLE ……………..21%
SMITH ……………..15%
UNSURE ……………9%
NOT VOTE ………..1%
Corbyn Vs Smith
CORBYN ………….. 56%
SMITH ……………… 34%
UNSURE …………… 7%
NOT VOTE ………… 3%
Corbyn Vs Eagle
CORBYN …………… 58%
EAGLE ………………. 34%
UNSURE ……………. 5%
NOT VOTE ………… 2%
If anything, Labour Voters (a far larger group, of course, than Party members) are even less taken with the PLP’s alternative to Corbyn than the Labour Membership is.
Certainly, Corbyn continues, for the most part, to Poll poorly with the British public as a whole. But the problem for the dominant Blairite-Brownite strand in the PLP is that their candidates always fare even worse. That was true of Kendall and Cooper last year (both of whom were considered considerable less “electable” than Corbyn) and it remains true of first the ambitious Brownite Eagle and now (the “Soft Left” empty suit) Smith.
Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
Uncaring, greedy, selfish.
A woman from Freeman’s Bay.
The third wrong customer was renting skis. As she tried on her boots, she was politely asked where she was from.
“Auckland.”
“How’s the traffic?”
“We own a really big house in Freemans Bay, so we can walk everywhere, we have a Porsche Cayenne in the garage and I have a new Audi but we don’t drive them. I don’t know why anyone without money would live in Auckland, it’s just stupid. We have a big house in the city and a nice big bach on Waiheke.”
“If you can’t afford that,” she continued, “why would you live there? I laugh at people driving in to their jobs from West Auckland.”
Showing off about how rich you are to working people at the start of a long working day is a whole new level of “customer ain’t right”.
You’ll find a lot of that attitude in those suburbs, also st Mary’s bay and grey Lynn seem to be the newly monied but they don’t speak for everyone thankfully.
I meet my fair share from the north shore beachside areas, uber snotty and full of smug superiority which’s a natural fit for their Mp magpie barry.
National play these attitudes to achieve electoral outcomes, winning them 2 re-elections so far and as long as the bubble doesn’t burst may win them a 3rd.
Paul, just to relieve your angst a little, there are plenty of caring, intelligent responsible people living in Freemans Bay too – there, make you feel better?
We cannot afford it when the rich do not pay their fair share, especially wealthy immigrants taking all the houses and using all the infrastructure built by generations of NZers, and pricing half the population out of housing. We are importing inequality
Anyone making more than $250k a year is a waste of resources it would be far better to spread any profits over that all the way down the food chain.
People sitting on empty houses so they can harvest stress free capital gains is unaffordable for the country.
It’s better to ask how much do you really need ?
I make it more like $100k income per individual and we need to get rid of the rentier position altogether. As an individual it’s possible to have a reasonable living standard on ~$50k.
Once you ask how much people need then it really drops down especially once you ask what’s the best way to provide those needs. Just ask which option uses the least resources. Transport is the obvious example in that private cars use the most resources and achieve worse results than public transport.
Of course, the market system is supposed to do that but what we get from the profit drive is the exact opposite. We use more resources providing the least efficient systems and all to provide the rentiers with their unearned incomes.
At $ 100 k how would the shiny ones know they are better than the rest of us?
At $250k they still get to feel like leaders and can still live the bling life but without being able to hoard all the goodies. Of course in this alternate universe of salary caps people would choose careers more on their callings as opposed to their wallet.
“On a Plate” shows how the wealthy justify the unfair system they have set up.
Some insight from @gtiso on twitter:
Friends, I love you, but I don’t understand how you could possibly be surprised that National is so popular.
1. The people who are most hurt by their policies are so comprehensively disenfranchised that they don’t vote. (Not that I blame them.)
2. Of the balance, those that have most to lose–the propertied class–are looked after royally. The rest don’t trust the opposition enough.
Moral of the story: understand what a social base is. Above all, stop saying–I beg you–that people who vote National are dumb or “sheeple”.
But its too late now for Bernie unless Assange leaks something even bigger in the next 48 hours. We could all be in for an interesting ride.
The DNC chair has quit and will take up a special role working for Ms Clintons election campaign.
And then theres the emails showing the media being in cohorts with the Democrats – I wonder if a similar bunch of email leaks would show a media & Nats tie up here in NZ?
Maybe DWS can go back to being; “one of Clinton’s national campaign co-chairs” as she was in 2007/ 2008 (and arguably a role she has already reprised 2015/16). This does put the Sanders team in a good position to hold Clinton to any agreements she has made about recognising the reality of climate change and acting on it.
I am impressed by Sanders’ insistence on addressing the issues and not getting dragged into personal drama.
speaking to CNN on Sunday, Sanders said he found the emails “outrageous”, but said they were “not a great shock to me”.
He said: “I mean, there’s no question to my mind, no question to any objective observer’s mind, the DNC was supporting Hillary Clinton and I’m not shocked by this.”…
But the senator, who endorsed Clinton last month, declined to focus his anger towards her, saving it for Trump. Sanders said he was proud of the concessions his campaign had won from Clinton on the Democratic platform, and praised her vice-presidential pick, Tim Kaine, as “an extremely bright guy, an extremely nice guy”.
“What is most important is defeating the worst candidate for president that I have seen in my lifetime,” he said. “I can’t speak for 13 million people, but I think most of my supporters understand Trump has got to be defeated; we need to elect as many progressives as possible.”
Sanders’ supporters represent a key voting bloc for Clinton, whose support has declined in recent polling. But many of his supporters have expressed distrust of Clinton, and could elect to vote for a third-party candidate, such as the Green party’s Jill Stein.
That; “need to elect as many progressives as possible”, seems the most important focus in a lot of ways. The president is limited by congress, and is in many ways a ceremonial figure (except during times of war – a circumstance I’m sure either candidate could gleefully engineer).
” I had thought he give the Wellington mayoralty a run”.
Wash your mouth out!.
Better yet, cut your tongue out. Don’t give him ideas.
We already have a carpet-bagger from Porirua running. We don’t want another one from the Hutt getting ideas. We already have a bunch of no-hopers in the field. Foster and Ritchie for crying out loud. They make even our current hopeless mayor look (almost) bearable.
I have to say I’m really not impressed by Celia Wade Brown. Living in CHCH the only exposure I get to her is interviews on Morning Report. But she’s always unfailing boosterish for whatever it is the council is doing, just batting away the interviewer questions and repeating whatever line it was she decided put the council in the best light.
She tries to avoid providing actual informative answers to questions wherever possible.
It was clear all along how corrupt the Democratic machine is and that is why I think all you Hillary supporters should take off your blinkers and look at her track record.
Also please note that her running mate is another Wall St plant. Also note that the Koch bros have swung in behind Hillary now. If you don’t know you they are then just google them.
To answer your question, yes, she is better than the alternative. Waayyyy better. Sure, it takes a lot of unemotional research and balanced consideration to see it. But if you look at her previous record in government and keep a sense of perspective about the size of the stains, it’s pretty clear.
Sanders seem to think she is better, and this DNC scandal may ensure that Clinton will make announcements at the convention that she will later find it difficult to weasel out of:
But the senator, who endorsed Clinton last month, declined to focus his anger towards her, saving it for Trump. Sanders said he was proud of the concessions his campaign had won from Clinton on the Democratic platform, and praised her vice-presidential pick, Tim Kaine, as “an extremely bright guy, an extremely nice guy”.
“What is most important is defeating the worst candidate for president that I have seen in my lifetime,” he said. “I can’t speak for 13 million people, but I think most of my supporters understand Trump has got to be defeated; we need to elect as many progressives as possible.”
The senator will speak at the convention on Monday night… “Our campaign was about revitalizing American democracy. I want to see that incorporated into the Democratic platform.”
No offence Andre but I have had a good look at the clinton record, and it is why I made the comparison with berlusconi.
What you need to do is realise that TINA is not an option in the face of unspeakable evil.
Who is at 13% and who is at 8% in the presidential race? Any guesses? But keep falling for the dominant line you must vote for facist b because they are better than fascist A.
This is what inverted totalitarian looks like, asking you to make rational decision about irritation things.
I see that Helen Clarke has been afflicted by the Curse of Key. Ever since he has been advocating for Helen everywhere he goes it seems she has become less likely in her bid to head the UN. Key is the kiss of death. Heard him on RNZ this morning saying that it’s not looking good for her. Wonder why??
Is it a ‘policy’ in the Prime Minister’s Office that the prime minister be told only good news ? If so then whom is it ackshully running New Zealand ? If not so then Key is lying, again. Treating NZ with contempt and brazenly lying.
How will Labour overcome these unintended consequences (below) of introducing a rental housing warrant?
Rental warrants will lead to rent increases.
Moreover, rental warrants will result in less rental supply as homes that don’t meet the criteria are prevented from being tenanted. As a consequence, it will remove a number of cheaper rental homes from the market. Robbing tenants of that cheaper option. Potentially leading to more overcrowding or more tenants having to resort to living in garages or cars.
Wouldn’t it be wiser to build more suitable state homes with the competition created driving the required improvement of a number of private rentals?
Or at least hold off until housing supply has become sufficient, allowing the heat out of the market, making it more difficult for rents to be increased?
They will build more houses. So you think renting out unsafe houses for market rates is acceptable? Come check out Dunedins renting stock, some landlords should be ashamed of themselves, but figures they think they doing the community a service, pfft.
Building new houses is needed.
Upgrading old stock is also needed.
the one does not exclude the other , unless however you have no issue with people being housed in kennels / err houses that would not be considered humane for dogs.
Hmmm, maybe we need to create a humane society for tenants.
The problem is, rental warrants will result in less rental supply as homes that don’t meet the criteria are prevented from being tenanted. Thus, will negatively impact our current insufficient supply, reducing it even further. Giving landlords more scope to further increase rents.
Therefore, introducing warrants before supply has become sufficient will result in a number having to pay more in rent, which one assumes Labour wants to avoid.
mate, please pretty please stop.
it does not result in less rental supply. IF the rentals are so fucking shocking that they would not pass a ‘feel good’ warrantj – and that is all that it is ‘ then the properties should not be rent in the fucking first place. Or at least they should not be rented for more then 50 bucks a week.
So your ‘concern’ is noted.
IF you don’t want the problem resolved then go the fuck a way and leave the place to someone who at least will give it a go.
AS for a warrant, that was shot down by National. Both Labour and the Greens would want one.
nothing, that way renatals can be rubbish dumps at market values and nothing needs to be done.
Gotta love the nothing can / should be done about anything cause its hard work. Hard work! And that ain’t the national way.
Cause nothing says cheap rental then a one room rented to a family and a garage rented for 550 a week. YEi! National Party – Brighter Future Fucking awesome brighter Future !!!!!!!
At least she used the polite version of the quotation.
I am sure a lady like Sabine would never give the version that Lyndon Johnson really used in his description of Gerald Ford.
Most unfair actually. Gerald was a much better athlete than any of the Democratic politicians of the time.
I can see a number of problems with your first solution (a rent freeze). First off, it will merely postpone a rent increase. And two years isn’t enough time to sufficiently increase housing supply.
Secondly, the delay may put landlords off. Resulting in the home coming off the market, thus further reducing rental supply, hence putting further upward pressure on rents.
Properties that fail a WOF won’t be allowed to be tenanted. Therefore, there will be no claim for an accommodation subsidy.
So have a rent freeze for 10 years. What will all these lanlords do with their wof failed houses? Get them to stand empty? So who will pay their mortgage and be their retirement saving plan? maybe all those houses will go on the market for sale, which is good as prices will go down allowing own home buyers a chance.
10 years would give us more time to increase housing supply. But as you pointed out, a number would go up for sale. Shifting the problem to home buyers, while furthering the rental shortfall. Thus, the reduction in rental supply will give those with a warrant more scope to increase rents.
How much price impact that would have on current house prices is hard to gauge (as it largely depends on how many decide to sell). You may find it will only lower the current rate of price increases, but not the high price of housing.
Additionally, as NZ’s wealth is largely tied to housing, one would have to be careful not to crash the market too hard and fast, the consequences of which could domino wide and far.
The question then becomes how palatable will voters find it?
Landlords can’t afford to have a property off the market. They need the rent. So they have to do it up and get it back in the market.
If they don’t need the rent than they can afford to do it up without winge-ing.
They can’t put rents up to high because people will have to stop renting – they’ll go home to mum and dad or couch surf with friends or double-up with relations.
~~~~~~~~~
They could have a rolling WOF regeime – do 10% of rental properties per year – chosen randomly.
Some property owners can afford not to have tenants. We have homes sitting empty because some owners see tenants as a devaluing factor.
On the other hand, some owners are indebted to their eyeballs, thus don’t have the fiscal capacity.
According to some, rents are already deemed to be high. Yet, we have reports of rental open homes being turned into auctions, with a number of prospective tenants offering to pay more to secure the premises.
A rolling WOF would merely result in similar concerns, albeit on a smaller scale.
Paying for the rental houses is chicken feed in 6 easy steps
1) Government requires houses to be warm and snug
2) Landlord gets loan from bank to comply
3) Landlord puts up rent to pay the bank
4) Tenant gets increased rent subsidy from taxpayers to maintain rental stock
5) Landlord has better house and still keeps his/her/their tax losses
6) Banks make more profit on extra loans
Everyones happy and votes for the Government so Government introduces new rental housing improvement rules
Return to 1) and repeat cycle
Only a cynic like me would think this might possibly happen 🙂
I guess Fletchers will get any contract by virtue of it being the go-to housing option for all NZ Governments for the past 90 years.
Then the Government actually need to figure out how to run a housing portfolio in a sensible manner. You know, build the houses without cost over runs, rent them for a fair price, maintain them for a fair price, and have folk at Housing Corp who treat the tenants fairly so the tenantys treat the houses fairly too.
Biggest obstacle to me is the simple issue that it is possible to enjoy alcohol without damaging yourself or becoming obnoxious or hazardous to others. Whereas smoking always damages the user and is obnoxious and damaging to anyone else exposed to it. So it’s a legitimate wowser/nanny state problem you have to overcome before you can start to talk about the health issues with alcohol, whereas with smoking the health issue starts out front and centre.
The black market for tobacco is a way smaller market than a black market for alcohol would be because it’s much easier to make alcohol than grow tobacco.
why?
You make it a law. Just as is done with weed. Anyone brewing, importing, stocking, selling/distributing the stuff should be locked up as suppliers / dealers. Any one using it, or testing positive for use should be locked up as a user.
Just like week.
the world would be a marvelous place, almost anyone will be in prison. Someone will be making money.
You’re going about it the wrong way, The Chairman.
Much easier and less blow back to go with a soft prohibition.
– No more alcohol sales in supermarkets.
– No more private sector liquor outlets (only licensed community boards).
– Alcohol to be sold between 9 am and 5:30pm only, 5 days a week.
– No delivery services.
– No outside store advertising of products (including no online advertising).
etc
The days of the six o’clock swill weren’t that great either. Personally I prefer the cultures where alcohol is something to be enjoyed in moderation (if that’s your thing) and alcohol abuse is frowned upon. France and Spain seem to do ok with it in my experience, for a single worthless anecdotal data point.
No, merely highlighting how (with the surveillance state we’re creating) things are becoming easier to enforce.
Moreover, with the proceeds of crime act (and one doesn’t have to be found guilty of any charge) it will be the Government that will end up reaping the benefits.
“The Serious Fraud Office is investigating after hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars went missing at the Ministry of Transport, ONE News has revealed.” https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/sfo-probes-missing-thousands-transport-ministry-senior-manager-stood-down
“The irregularities were discovered after an internal audit in April.
Ms Harrision was stood down and the Serious Fraud Office called in”
Yet it’s taken all this time for the media to inform the public.
of course, how else would be protecting us from the evil doers of this world. I mean, da man Trump said it, they are out to get us, they hate us for our liberties so we must get rid of them, and Guns……only Guns….and really really big Guns will safe us, from the evil doers and their guns.
have you got any thougths of your own, or you just bored with life today?
I’d reconstruct the NZ Defence Forces into a Pacific Security, Assistance and Infrastructure team.
It would be ready to project military, rescue and engineering assistance throughout the Pacific in anticipation of climate change disasters and refugee relief efforts.
There would also be an increased emphasis on coastal and homeland defence, as well as local resource protection (including Antarctica).
The organisation would not be equipped to backstop NATO or USA in wars against China, Russia or various Middle East regime change efforts.
Why is it necessary for The Chairman to end his comments with; “Thoughts?” (at least thrice in the space of an hour, and that’s just on this one thread)? Maybe he’s not just trying to divert discussion into unproductive cul de sacs (alcohol prohibition FFS!), with his slogan/ questions…
Maybe he is genuinely incapable of having thoughts of his own.
I do find it necessary to say that there is something irritating with a repetitive (possibly insincere) mannerism. And I’m not insinuating this, I’m straight out saying it.
Am I not then impelled by this definition of free speech to question your own purposes in choosing to proclaim these particular questions at this time?
An explosion in the German city of Ansbach, near Nuremberg, has killed a suspected bomber and injured 12 other people, three seriously, police say.
They said a man – “according to our current knowledge the perpetrator” – had died in the blast.
The intended target was not clear but about 2,000 people have been evacuated from a nearby open-air music festival, the Bavarian interior ministry said.
BREAKING: Bavaria's top security official says Ansbach attacker blew himself up after being turned away from music festival.— The Associated Press (@AP) July 25, 2016
Yesterday I listened to an interview on the Financial Survival Network (I think it was with Trevor Loudon) and the guest said he had yet to spot ONE Hillary supporter walking around the streets where he was/
And here is a second confirmation, this time at the DNC with LA Times reporter Matt Pierce (check out at the BERNIE! supporters out in force – they’re everywhere. Pity the whole gig is rigged and Bernie never had a chance and still doesn’t)
It is certainly ambitious to think $28 million over 4 years is anywhere remotely near the amount that would be required. I tend to agree with Nikki MacDonald and Alison Ballance’s response.
This is just the Nats hoping people will stop talking about their failures at housing and economic management. They don’t give a stuff about the environment. They just want to give some of their mates some money while pretending they are doing something worthwhile.
Maybe I’ve misunderstood you Robert, but whether or not, I look forward to discussing this matter at the celebration of a Pest Free Rakiura in 2026.
Strange blog this eh? Full of big wild creative ideas…until the Govt. of the day produces one. Then everyone is wetting themselves with fear at the thought of it!
They haven’t produced one though. Twitter is full of NZ scientists being scathing of the announcement. It’s greenwashing with I would guess some liberal doses of corporate welfare and treats for National’s mates thrown in. This from a government that’s chronically underfunded DOC and now lo and behold it’s going to fund a commercial enterprise? That’s not a big bold idea, it’s neoliberal bullshit.
Rakiura is theoretically doable because of its size and isolation, but try translating that to the mainland. The scale and the territory is hugely problematic.
Compared to addressing climate change or inequality, a pest free NZ is a simplicity. It’s perfectly do-able, and we would be idiot’s not to do this for the generations that come after us.
I think you are letting your political prejudice over-ride your better instincts.
Speaking as someone who has spent many many years working towards the protection of our natural heritage, i would welcome this step forward from anyone, regardless of trivial politics, and if any political entity want’s to up the commitment to this goal. I’m with them.
As a conservationist, I welcome this commitment, and if any political entity want’s to equal or better it, I a ready to support them with any resource I can muster. I’m all ears…
Most of your conservation dreams would come true if you got a green government. Instead I get the impression you would rather support the government that wants the reflected glory from someone elses vision. The paltry sum they’re putting up really shows that they could not give a shit about this vision.
You can assert that all you like, but you’re not actually doing anything other than faith. Don’t believe me, go read what conservation scientists are saying about it.
Of course it’s a worthy ideal. It’s just not based in reality. Plus it’s tainted by the neoliberal ideology. They could just be honest and say here’s the money, we’re putting it into this project. But to make out they will make NZ predator free in that time frame without giving us any detail is just out and out Crosby Textor rhetoric.
Your lack of vision is sad Weka, but consistent with the general tone of defeatist misery that pervades this blog.
I’m happy to say I am involved with many many scientists, conservationists, ordinary people and yes politicians who are not just entirely positive about saving our natural heritage – they are also getting off their arse and simply doing it.
The latest eradication on The Antipodes looks to have been successful. The reality is we seem to have the basic techniques pretty well sorted.
All we need is the commitment, support and determination to resolve the remaining challenges.
Yoo hoo Labour? Greens? Anyone listening out there?
Fuck off. The Greens have been promoting pest eradication for a long time.
But thanks for reminding me that you are in capable of addressing the actual issues* and are just here to slag off the left. Might fine example of positivity 🙄
*for instance, you could have instead responded to Alison Balance’s article, which doesn’t rely on ideology alone but looks at facts (like how and where we are successful and where we’re not). It’s stripped of the political context you will get here that you hate so much, but no, you can’t even bring yourself to look at that.
Could be a great way to create employment if the did a large chunk of it as ground work instead of dumping shit out of choppers.
Apart from intown itself it’s pretty rare to see or hear a possum in rural Taumarunui down from huge numbers in the past.
I haven’t seen the detail (is there any?), but the bit I heard on Checkpoint had me rolling my eyes. Think it through, do you really believe that NZ could be predator free ever, and if you do how that could happen. You’d have to control cat ownership for a start. Think that one through and get back to me 😉
Which makes me think this is just National posturing and throwing some money around to stop the drain of the conservative environment vote to the Greens. Colour me even more cynical and I’ll say there is probably some jiggery pokery going on regards funnelling tax payer money into the private sector (aka corporate welfare).
Having said that, if there is any actual detail, as opposed to feel good PR, I’d be interested to see it.
Just seen this,
Develop a scientific breakthrough capable of completely eliminating one small mammalian predator.
I’m tempted to laugh out loud. Seriously, that’s what they’re banking on? It reminds me of the episode of the West Wing where Bartlett decides he’s going cure cancer.
The islands free of predators is a good thing, and we could do a huge amount creating predator-free places in NZ using existing technology, esp fencing and trapping. But the whole of NZ predator-free? Yeah right.
Easy meat “NZ will be predator free by 2050” the Gnats claim – now I’ve heard pie-in-the-sky and jam-tomorrow – but 2050! The entire Gnat cabinet will be dead before then, (and a good thing too). I expect even a no-hoper like Bill English could produce a surplus by 2050 with a bit of luck. Well, maybe 2100.
Yep me for one .Possums were liberated here to be used as a resource and thats exactly what they are now and could continue being rather than wastfully gotten rid of by the kill em all brigade Largely im picking this money will simply be more money spent on poison which will only benefit poison manufacturers and a few operators .This fund is just a pre election lolly sucker for suckers .
in the main they feed my dogs its very good meat better than anything you could buy unless you could afford surloin or something like that for them ! .the dogs are actively involved in the capture of them also and they just live for the job .Dogs are hunters by nature and this gives them an acceptable outlet for their instincts .I pluck the possums for their fur which i sell once a year or whenever im broke which is a bit more often .Nation wide tho possum hunting is an important industry i dunno how much its worth but i know possom fur is becoming increasingly in demand .Historicly possums have provided income for poor people for a very long time and it i.m.h.o. be a damn shame if they were eliminated forever in nz .As a species mentioned in the grand sceme to eliminate so called preditors from nz by 2050 they represent the lowest hanging fruit of the group deemed to do the most damage to native birds and yet they do the least harm .possum numbers need to be managed and kept low sure but the villification by doc etc is rediculous and a wast of a bloody good resource .appologies for the spelling .
Nice one. I’ve known quite a few people that have made decent money from possuming, but I’m always interested to hear from people that are using the whole body, not just the fur. Do you feed the carcass whole to the dogs or what?
yep i gut them in the field and then just chuck one out each day The top dog will get first dibs and the others follow when hes had his full At the end of the day only the skin and tail will be left tho sometimes labrodor type dogs will come along and even eat those (much to their owners disgust )Dogs thrive on this sort of tucker and like i said before its hard to find meat of this quality on pet food shelves .
The US government has a decision to make here. If it does not come out strongly against this action by the Russian intelligence services now, then when will it? How is our election system not to be considered “critical infrastructure” that foreign governments are forbidden to interfere with, unless they wish to trigger a serious confrontation with the US? If hacking a presidential campaign and dumping its strategy on the Web is not interference and disruption of a critical institution, then what is? Should we wait until foreign operatives interfere with the primary process? Is the red line only to be drawn around hacking actual voting machines and changing the results?
New Delhi: A US-developed weapon system that strikes the atmosphere with a focussed electromagnetic beam is one of the reasons for causing global warming, the government reported on Monday.
[Moved to Open Mike as being off topic. For future reference, if you want to post links to theories about the causes of CC that sit outside the scientific consensus, don’t do it on my posts. It’s a derailment from the topic. Only warning. – weka]
UT’s comment was off topic, so it was moved, but there is nothing stopping the discussion from happening. You’re in Open Mike, One Two. Feel free to make the argument supporting the theory. I’d want to see some evidence.
Hi Weka, no worries I read your note to UT and was replying as an OM comment
That a minister of a major global nation has explicitly fingered the technology, should provide more than enough incentive for investigation by those so inclined
There is a plethora of available information around the technology itself , although the fuctional and operational purpose appears to be shrouded in uncertainty
Presently the discussion regarding technological interference with weather patterns is existing outside of mainstream ‘scientific consensus’
I expect a positional change in a near term time frame
“There is a plethora of available information around the technology itself……..”
Take note of how I’m referring to the specific technology the Indian minister article talked about….
“Presently the discussion regarding technological interference with weather patterns is existing outside of mainstream ‘scientific consensus’”
In the mainstream media there is little to no coverage regarding possible weather manipulation capability of the specific technology referred to by the Indian Minister
Neither does the article you linked to, which is a contextual as well as comprehension fail on your part
Now put the spoon and insults down and stop dribbling all over a comment which was NOT addessed to you!
See if you can resist the natural urges of your ego…
Now you’re just being ignorant. HAARP, which the sadly gullible minister is so excited about, invites graduate and post-graduate students from all over the globe to share in its research.
As such, there is a monstrous quantity of information in the scientific literature about it, which a simple GScholar search for HAARP could have told you, if you weren’t so transfixed by the spoon.
But what about that documentary you saw where the kid says “there is no spoon”, though?
Now I’m playing with your ego and your contemptuous arrogance ,as well as your inability to comprehend simple language, or even stay out of someone else’s conversation
I’ve noticed how you strut around rebutting and refuting using smart alec nuances and know it all techniques. They don’t work, but it’s insightful that you persist with the same sissy tactics over such an extended period of time
Accusation that the Indian minister is “sadly gullible”, serves only as confirmation of the callow nature that exists behind the ‘anonymous persona’
Now that I’ve called you out, stay off my comments!
At the recent RNC horror show in Cleveland, the loons walking around the streets flaunting their automatic weapons was terrifying, the dancing of unhip, embarrassed delegates was mortifying to watch, and the calibre of the speeches—Scott Baio, the beardie from Duck Dynasty, the plagiarist Melania Trump—was an indictment of the Republican Party, not to mention a dire reflection of the state to which politics has sunk in the United States.
But perhaps the most disturbing thing of all was the moral calibre—or lack of moral calibre—of the “reporters”…..
To prevent real climate disaster we have to cut carbon use in the global economy to near nothing in the next ten years.
That’s not going to happen of course.
There is a 30 year lag time between emissions going up into the atmosphere and warming from those emissions becoming measurable.
It’s due to the thermal inertia of the Earth, particularly all the water in the oceans which take a lot of time to heat up.
At the moment we have seen half the heating from the emissions we put up in the 1980s. We have hardly seen any warming from the economic growth of China yet. And we certainly haven’t seen any warming from the four billion tonnes of coal China has burnt in the last 12 months (and we won’t for years).
TL/DR we’re pretty well fucked.
[sorry CV but once we’re in “we’re fucked” comment territory, it’s going to put others off being involved in the conversation. Moved to OM – weka]
we’re fucked huh? oh well sweet i always wanted a big yank tank for a weekend car and hell why back green energy when we can just party on down with fracked oil n gas, drink today for tomorrow we may die.
I like you tend to think we’re screwed, but , we may not be and going around convincing people we’re screwed is most likely to make people give up looking for answers , there by increasing the chance of us being screwed.
I should say that there is a certain irony in asking how we are going to replace motorways, roads and bridges washed out by climate change exacerbated events.
This is hilarious. Like he really doesn’t understand he’s a leading member of a class of predators. I mean there are predators who positively model themselves on him.
If anyone asked me, I would say that dealing with the effects of climate change will become increasingly difficult and then, impossible. What we really need is a post on what we could do to become “a world leader on climate change”.**
In this post we have only been allowed to discuss within the politically safe narrow confines of actions to take to combat the (local) effects caused by climate change, but not about the more controversial and thorny matter of actions to take to combat climate change itself.
[moved to Open Mike as off topic. Jenny you know better than to tell authors here what to write. There are plenty of CC posts on The Standard that look at actions to combat CC politically. Try adding something to the debate instead of trying to derail other, legitimate conversations about CC action – weka]
“I eagerly await a post on, what can be done about that, the role of councils, government and the people in that, related to new coal mines, deep sea oil drilling, public transport, becoming a world leader issues etc.*”
Jenny
“What we really need is a post on what we could do to become “a world leader on climate change”.**
**[To quote Andrew Little]
Jenny
“There are plenty of CC posts on The Standard that look at actions to combat CC politically.”
weka
Name one, and provide a link.
[Take a week off, Jenny, for telling authors what to do. TRP]
There is, according to Anderson, still an outside chance that we can avoid crashing through two degrees.
As you know, I like Prof Anderson.
However I can do my own numbers. Take this for a spin:
You are welcome to try and falsify any or all of the following, and I will be happy to be corrected.
1) Current global warming = 1.0 deg C to 1.2 deg C
2) Current global dimming = a further 1.0 deg C (at least) warming hidden by atmospheric particulates shielding the Earth from the sun, warming which will rapidly appear within 3-4 months of stopping atmospheric pollution
3) Due to the 30-40 year thermal inertia of the system, less than 50% of warming from 1980s emissions have been realised. NB in the 1980s China was only just starting to ramp up its industrial production.
4) ~90% of the warming from the last 10 years GHG emissions have yet to be realised (including the 3 billion tonnes of coal China burnt last year, and the year before and the year before that).
5) The world is currently warming at approx 0.4 deg C per decade with a minimum of 5 decades more warming to occur if we turn off GHG emissions today.
Conservatively, that’s approx 4 deg C locked in for delivery to us in the 2060s, excluding any additional positive feedback loops kicking off, even if all GHG emissions are ended today.
As I said. Happy to be corrected on any of the above points.
[moved to Open Mike. Nothing there about mitigation or adaptation or offering solutions or anything related to the post. You can have this conversation elsewhere – weka]
Local council infrastructure and district planning needs to be designed with a 40 to 50 plus year timeframe in mind.
If there is going to be 4 deg C warming by the 2060s then that has to be a central consideration to the issues in your post.
There is no way you can assess whether “mitigation” or “adaptation” measures will be adequate without this background.
So I am disappointed you moved my comments, and I am disappointed that with your rose tinted glasses you utterly missed its importance and relevance to your post.
It would have been great if you had put those things in your comment. What I saw was you and Bill gearing up for a big maths debate out of context of the post and IMO that’s not appropriate. For reasons that I think you don’t understand.
I know you think I have rose tinted glasses, but that’s because you almost utterly fail to understand my political position on climate change action. You said elsewhere that there was an irony in a post about moving road and bridges and shit. But that’s not why I wrote the post. I didn’t write the post for you and I. I wrote the post for the people experiencing the storm, seeing the reports on Stuff, and starting to think holy shit, this is serious. I wanted them to have a way into the conversation irrespective of whether they comment here or not. If you honestly believe that scaring the bejesus out of the those people and telling them it’s too late is useful, then go ahead and do that. Just not under my posts.
I know that my moderation style on CC posts in particular is a bit out of the ordinary for ts, but if I am going to write here that’s the way it’s going to have to be. I’ve had enough people tell me they want a space that’s proactive, and I want to give that to them. It’s also what I have the energy for. That won’t happen if I don’t moderate.
My comment implicitly expected knowledge of district planning processes and local government infrastructure timeframes.
I am over giving people the soft introduction to this topic. People deserve to know what we are very probably facing in the next 20 to 30 years.
Sugar coating it so they can justify putting climate change down as their number four or five political issue to be managed alongside elective surgery waiting lists and charter schools financing no longer cuts it.
But thats just me; as authors we get to please ourselves so go for it.
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three. ...
Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blogIn 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time.A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced ...
You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
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Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
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While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
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The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
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A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
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New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
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Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
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Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
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Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
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Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
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The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
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Recent Polls of UK Labour Leadership
Latest Opinium/Observer figures suggest current Labour leader is overwhelming favourite to win September contest (Poll released in last 24 hours)
If there were a Labour leadership election with the
following candidates, which, if any, would you vote for ?
Labour Voters only (Note: Labour Voters, not members)
Corbyn 54%
Smith 22%
Don’t Know 20%
Would Not Vote 4%
Approval of Corbyn’s Leadership
Labour Voters only
Approve 54%
Disapprove 24%
Unsure 22%
Meanwhile …
YouGov
Poll of Labour Party Members eligible to vote in Leadership election.
(15-18 July 2016)
Voting Intention
Imagine there was a leadership election and these were the candidates, who would you vote for ?
………….….…….TOTAL
CORBYN …………..54%
EAGLE ……………..21%
SMITH ……………..15%
UNSURE ……………9%
NOT VOTE ………..1%
Corbyn Vs Smith
CORBYN ………….. 56%
SMITH ……………… 34%
UNSURE …………… 7%
NOT VOTE ………… 3%
Corbyn Vs Eagle
CORBYN …………… 58%
EAGLE ………………. 34%
UNSURE ……………. 5%
NOT VOTE ………… 2%
If anything, Labour Voters (a far larger group, of course, than Party members) are even less taken with the PLP’s alternative to Corbyn than the Labour Membership is.
Certainly, Corbyn continues, for the most part, to Poll poorly with the British public as a whole. But the problem for the dominant Blairite-Brownite strand in the PLP is that their candidates always fare even worse. That was true of Kendall and Cooper last year (both of whom were considered considerable less “electable” than Corbyn) and it remains true of first the ambitious Brownite Eagle and now (the “Soft Left” empty suit) Smith.
The more I read about Corbyn the more I like him…
https://off-guardian.org/2016/07/24/corbyn-has-no-mates-in-the-lobbying-business/
Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
Uncaring, greedy, selfish.
A woman from Freeman’s Bay.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11680550
Privilege.
Repulsive.
http://thewireless.co.nz/articles/the-pencilsword-on-a-plate
As Draco says, we can’t afford the rich.
You’ll find a lot of that attitude in those suburbs, also st Mary’s bay and grey Lynn seem to be the newly monied but they don’t speak for everyone thankfully.
I meet my fair share from the north shore beachside areas, uber snotty and full of smug superiority which’s a natural fit for their Mp magpie barry.
National play these attitudes to achieve electoral outcomes, winning them 2 re-elections so far and as long as the bubble doesn’t burst may win them a 3rd.
Paul, just to relieve your angst a little, there are plenty of caring, intelligent responsible people living in Freemans Bay too – there, make you feel better?
Whats “Rich” ?
Earning over xxx?
Nett cash on hand of over xxxx?
Would be interested to hear who it is you think we cannot afford.
We cannot afford it when the rich do not pay their fair share, especially wealthy immigrants taking all the houses and using all the infrastructure built by generations of NZers, and pricing half the population out of housing. We are importing inequality
What is their fair share? I pay 33% on almost all my income – as do most people on decent salaries.
How do you define fair share?
Anyone making more than $250k a year is a waste of resources it would be far better to spread any profits over that all the way down the food chain.
People sitting on empty houses so they can harvest stress free capital gains is unaffordable for the country.
It’s better to ask how much do you really need ?
I make it more like $100k income per individual and we need to get rid of the rentier position altogether. As an individual it’s possible to have a reasonable living standard on ~$50k.
Once you ask how much people need then it really drops down especially once you ask what’s the best way to provide those needs. Just ask which option uses the least resources. Transport is the obvious example in that private cars use the most resources and achieve worse results than public transport.
Of course, the market system is supposed to do that but what we get from the profit drive is the exact opposite. We use more resources providing the least efficient systems and all to provide the rentiers with their unearned incomes.
At $ 100 k how would the shiny ones know they are better than the rest of us?
At $250k they still get to feel like leaders and can still live the bling life but without being able to hoard all the goodies. Of course in this alternate universe of salary caps people would choose careers more on their callings as opposed to their wallet.
The idea is to make it so that they don’t.
You my friend don’t get human nature, anyone who wants to change the world needs a deep understanding of how the hairless ape thinks.
Only a small minority think that way. So, why should we cater to the sociopathic?
“On a Plate” shows how the wealthy justify the unfair system they have set up.
Some insight from @gtiso on twitter:
https://twitter.com/gtiso/status/756049429774290944
Paul is making the point about the fast growing divide between rich and poor, more so than where people live.
Correct. That was my point.
Andrew Little becomes Stuart Little.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/82428687/labour-leader-andrew-littles-new-plymouth-billboard-defaced-by-vandals
Probably help him get some votes 🙂
Andrew may have some explaining to do to his cat when he gets home…
Quite well done, certainly raised a smile here. Snappy suit… the new standard for Labour MPs?
That wont do him any harm….. very funny and somehow apropriate
DWS and DNC. Sanders was right about the vote rigging!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/24/debbie-wasserman-schultz-resigns-dnc-chair-emails-sanders
Yes he was.
But its too late now for Bernie unless Assange leaks something even bigger in the next 48 hours. We could all be in for an interesting ride.
The DNC chair has quit and will take up a special role working for Ms Clintons election campaign.
And then theres the emails showing the media being in cohorts with the Democrats – I wonder if a similar bunch of email leaks would show a media & Nats tie up here in NZ?
Maybe DWS can go back to being; “one of Clinton’s national campaign co-chairs” as she was in 2007/ 2008 (and arguably a role she has already reprised 2015/16). This does put the Sanders team in a good position to hold Clinton to any agreements she has made about recognising the reality of climate change and acting on it.
I am impressed by Sanders’ insistence on addressing the issues and not getting dragged into personal drama.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/24/clinton-campaign-blames-russia-wikileaks-sanders-dnc-emails
That; “need to elect as many progressives as possible”, seems the most important focus in a lot of ways. The president is limited by congress, and is in many ways a ceremonial figure (except during times of war – a circumstance I’m sure either candidate could gleefully engineer).
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/82433937/labour-mp-trevor-mallard-vacates-hutt-south-electorate-to-apply-for-speaker-position
Is this Labours revenge for the current speaker?
It’s good news though. Now Labour just has to put him at 83 on the list.
I think he knew he was going to lose the seat so he’s trying for the better job although I had thought he give the Wellington mayoralty a run
” I had thought he give the Wellington mayoralty a run”.
Wash your mouth out!.
Better yet, cut your tongue out. Don’t give him ideas.
We already have a carpet-bagger from Porirua running. We don’t want another one from the Hutt getting ideas. We already have a bunch of no-hopers in the field. Foster and Ritchie for crying out loud. They make even our current hopeless mayor look (almost) bearable.
I have to say I’m really not impressed by Celia Wade Brown. Living in CHCH the only exposure I get to her is interviews on Morning Report. But she’s always unfailing boosterish for whatever it is the council is doing, just batting away the interviewer questions and repeating whatever line it was she decided put the council in the best light.
She tries to avoid providing actual informative answers to questions wherever possible.
Frustrating.
She is a politician! What else do you expect?
I don’t find most politicians frustrating. So that’s not my expectation.
It was clear all along how corrupt the Democratic machine is and that is why I think all you Hillary supporters should take off your blinkers and look at her track record.
Also please note that her running mate is another Wall St plant. Also note that the Koch bros have swung in behind Hillary now. If you don’t know you they are then just google them.
And Michael Bloomberg is about to endorse her as well. And yet she is still waaaay better than the alternative.
I’d rather have Hillary appoint 2-3 members of the supreme court, than Trump (or his successor).
Rather have Hillary than any Republican let alone Trump.
https://www.reddit.com/r/EnoughTrumpSpam/comments/4teoxl/a_final_response_to_the_tell_me_why_trump_is_a/?st=iqzmksud&sh=4b7cf77d
But is she?
The fact I can even ask that questions, makes a mockery of the lesser than two evils argument.
I’m not seeing much difference if you want to be honest about it. trump is more like mussolini and clinton is more like berlusconi.
Or let me put it this way,
Two rotten apples, the one slightly less rotten is better how? It’s not, both will make you sick if you eat them.
That Clinton is more like Berlusconi comment gave me a horrible mental image I will never unsee.
To answer your question, yes, she is better than the alternative. Waayyyy better. Sure, it takes a lot of unemotional research and balanced consideration to see it. But if you look at her previous record in government and keep a sense of perspective about the size of the stains, it’s pretty clear.
Sanders seem to think she is better, and this DNC scandal may ensure that Clinton will make announcements at the convention that she will later find it difficult to weasel out of:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/24/clinton-campaign-blames-russia-wikileaks-sanders-dnc-emails
[this is pretty much a contraction of what I said at greater length at 5.1.1 above]
No offence Andre but I have had a good look at the clinton record, and it is why I made the comparison with berlusconi.
What you need to do is realise that TINA is not an option in the face of unspeakable evil.
Who is at 13% and who is at 8% in the presidential race? Any guesses? But keep falling for the dominant line you must vote for facist b because they are better than fascist A.
This is what inverted totalitarian looks like, asking you to make rational decision about irritation things.
Re the olympic village story
Herald
Rio Olympics: Australia boycott ‘uninhabitable’ athletes’ village
Stuff
Rio Olympics athletes’ village deemed uninhabitable two weeks before opening ceremony video
ODT
Kiwis happy, Aussies boycott Games village
Weird
I see that Helen Clarke has been afflicted by the Curse of Key. Ever since he has been advocating for Helen everywhere he goes it seems she has become less likely in her bid to head the UN. Key is the kiss of death. Heard him on RNZ this morning saying that it’s not looking good for her. Wonder why??
Because the leader of the UN is informally chosen on a rotational basis and the former eastern bloc believe its their turn?
Figueres is the best candidate anyway.
Is it a ‘policy’ in the Prime Minister’s Office that the prime minister be told only good news ? If so then whom is it ackshully running New Zealand ? If not so then Key is lying, again. Treating NZ with contempt and brazenly lying.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11680537
Implausible denial of knowledge
Either
A. A fool not to be trusted
B. A liar
C. Both of the above
My poll shows 98% chose C, 2% B and 15% A. Margin of error + – 45%
Looks about as valid as a Roy Morgan!
I love it how the Roy Morgan is just not liked on here any more. Must be all those years of rogue polls.
McCully has had Zika and now Smith drinks paint thinner. That explains it all.
Especially when they won’t reveal how he got Zika, dirty old man.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/video-hillary-clinton-a-threat-to-all-humanity-world-war-iii-is-on-the-table/5537686
How will Labour overcome these unintended consequences (below) of introducing a rental housing warrant?
Rental warrants will lead to rent increases.
Moreover, rental warrants will result in less rental supply as homes that don’t meet the criteria are prevented from being tenanted. As a consequence, it will remove a number of cheaper rental homes from the market. Robbing tenants of that cheaper option. Potentially leading to more overcrowding or more tenants having to resort to living in garages or cars.
Wouldn’t it be wiser to build more suitable state homes with the competition created driving the required improvement of a number of private rentals?
Or at least hold off until housing supply has become sufficient, allowing the heat out of the market, making it more difficult for rents to be increased?
Thoughts?
They will build more houses. So you think renting out unsafe houses for market rates is acceptable? Come check out Dunedins renting stock, some landlords should be ashamed of themselves, but figures they think they doing the community a service, pfft.
We know Labour plan to build more homes. But shouldn’t they at least hold off on the warrants until they achieve that goal?
no. we can walk and chew gum.
Building new houses is needed.
Upgrading old stock is also needed.
the one does not exclude the other , unless however you have no issue with people being housed in kennels / err houses that would not be considered humane for dogs.
Hmmm, maybe we need to create a humane society for tenants.
The problem is, rental warrants will result in less rental supply as homes that don’t meet the criteria are prevented from being tenanted. Thus, will negatively impact our current insufficient supply, reducing it even further. Giving landlords more scope to further increase rents.
Therefore, introducing warrants before supply has become sufficient will result in a number having to pay more in rent, which one assumes Labour wants to avoid.
mate, please pretty please stop.
it does not result in less rental supply. IF the rentals are so fucking shocking that they would not pass a ‘feel good’ warrantj – and that is all that it is ‘ then the properties should not be rent in the fucking first place. Or at least they should not be rented for more then 50 bucks a week.
So your ‘concern’ is noted.
IF you don’t want the problem resolved then go the fuck a way and leave the place to someone who at least will give it a go.
AS for a warrant, that was shot down by National. Both Labour and the Greens would want one.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/69168659/english-wont-adopt-labours-extreme-housing-warrant-of-fitness
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/69307464/phil-goff-rental-homes-need-a-warrant-of-fitness-to-keep-kids-healthy
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/51HansD_20150318_00000032/healthy-homes-guarantee-bill-first-reading
https://www.greens.org.nz/policy/fairer-society/housing
Unfortunately, it will result in less rental supply. And you’ve put nothing up to refute it.
Moreover, improving the quality of a home will give landlords more scope to increase rents. Especially in regions with high demand.
I want the problem solved and even highlighted how above.
What I don’t want is a solution that will merely create or exacerbate our current problem (high rents, overcrowding, etc).
yes, i can see what needs to be done.
nothing, that way renatals can be rubbish dumps at market values and nothing needs to be done.
Gotta love the nothing can / should be done about anything cause its hard work. Hard work! And that ain’t the national way.
Cause nothing says cheap rental then a one room rented to a family and a garage rented for 550 a week. YEi! National Party – Brighter Future Fucking awesome brighter Future !!!!!!!
Doing nothing is not a solution. Nor is it what I highlighted above.
Unfortunately, it seems you don’t have one that addresses the concerns.
Lets hope Labour can do better when the same concerns are put to them.
What’s with all the f bombs ? Hardly gives legitimacy to your points
Evidence please. I like the optimism though.
At least she used the polite version of the quotation.
I am sure a lady like Sabine would never give the version that Lyndon Johnson really used in his description of Gerald Ford.
Most unfair actually. Gerald was a much better athlete than any of the Democratic politicians of the time.
“Rental warrants will lead to rent increases.”
Two possible ways of preventing this outcome.
1. A rent freeze (of about 2 years after compliance) on properties that fail a WOF.
2. Properties that fail a WOF cannot attract an Accommodation Subsidy…(and landlords with multiple unwarrantable properties face criminal charges)
I can see a number of problems with your first solution (a rent freeze). First off, it will merely postpone a rent increase. And two years isn’t enough time to sufficiently increase housing supply.
Secondly, the delay may put landlords off. Resulting in the home coming off the market, thus further reducing rental supply, hence putting further upward pressure on rents.
Properties that fail a WOF won’t be allowed to be tenanted. Therefore, there will be no claim for an accommodation subsidy.
So have a rent freeze for 10 years. What will all these lanlords do with their wof failed houses? Get them to stand empty? So who will pay their mortgage and be their retirement saving plan? maybe all those houses will go on the market for sale, which is good as prices will go down allowing own home buyers a chance.
10 years would give us more time to increase housing supply. But as you pointed out, a number would go up for sale. Shifting the problem to home buyers, while furthering the rental shortfall. Thus, the reduction in rental supply will give those with a warrant more scope to increase rents.
How much price impact that would have on current house prices is hard to gauge (as it largely depends on how many decide to sell). You may find it will only lower the current rate of price increases, but not the high price of housing.
Additionally, as NZ’s wealth is largely tied to housing, one would have to be careful not to crash the market too hard and fast, the consequences of which could domino wide and far.
The question then becomes how palatable will voters find it?
Landlords can’t afford to have a property off the market. They need the rent. So they have to do it up and get it back in the market.
If they don’t need the rent than they can afford to do it up without winge-ing.
They can’t put rents up to high because people will have to stop renting – they’ll go home to mum and dad or couch surf with friends or double-up with relations.
~~~~~~~~~
They could have a rolling WOF regeime – do 10% of rental properties per year – chosen randomly.
Some property owners can afford not to have tenants. We have homes sitting empty because some owners see tenants as a devaluing factor.
On the other hand, some owners are indebted to their eyeballs, thus don’t have the fiscal capacity.
According to some, rents are already deemed to be high. Yet, we have reports of rental open homes being turned into auctions, with a number of prospective tenants offering to pay more to secure the premises.
A rolling WOF would merely result in similar concerns, albeit on a smaller scale.
Paying for the rental houses is chicken feed in 6 easy steps
1) Government requires houses to be warm and snug
2) Landlord gets loan from bank to comply
3) Landlord puts up rent to pay the bank
4) Tenant gets increased rent subsidy from taxpayers to maintain rental stock
5) Landlord has better house and still keeps his/her/their tax losses
6) Banks make more profit on extra loans
Everyones happy and votes for the Government so Government introduces new rental housing improvement rules
Return to 1) and repeat cycle
Only a cynic like me would think this might possibly happen 🙂
or you could cut out the ticket clipping and (government) build and rent the houses themselves….and with less debt
A good idea.
I guess Fletchers will get any contract by virtue of it being the go-to housing option for all NZ Governments for the past 90 years.
Then the Government actually need to figure out how to run a housing portfolio in a sensible manner. You know, build the houses without cost over runs, rent them for a fair price, maintain them for a fair price, and have folk at Housing Corp who treat the tenants fairly so the tenantys treat the houses fairly too.
Probably too big of an ask.
“Probably too big of an ask.”
Judging by recent form one would have to say it is….and yet we managed it for decades…what changed?
You reckon they’re unintended?
Should NZ be looking at being alcohol free by 2025?
Thoughts?
Why?
To save lives and help prevent the overall damage it creates.
How would you do it?
Similar to smoking.
Biggest obstacle to me is the simple issue that it is possible to enjoy alcohol without damaging yourself or becoming obnoxious or hazardous to others. Whereas smoking always damages the user and is obnoxious and damaging to anyone else exposed to it. So it’s a legitimate wowser/nanny state problem you have to overcome before you can start to talk about the health issues with alcohol, whereas with smoking the health issue starts out front and centre.
Even moderate alcohol consumption puts you at heightened risk of cancer, according to a new study.
Read more: http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/health/even-moderate-drinking-can-cause-cancer—study-2016062712#ixzz4FNtOR600
Since ethanol is a neurotoxin and all round metabolic poison/anti-septic, one shouldn’t be surprised.
Alcohol is a poison. And if taken in large enough quantity (in a small time frame) can kill you.
Being drunk is merely the side effect of a small dosing.
Just what we need – rampant bootlegging & armed cops…
That (the blackmarket) doesn’t seem to bother the anti-smoking brigade.
Nor do they seem too concerned about the increase in related crime – dairies being robbed etc.
The black market for tobacco is a way smaller market than a black market for alcohol would be because it’s much easier to make alcohol than grow tobacco.
Most smokers are highly addicted. Most drinkers aren’t. Moreover, most smokers smoke daily, most drinkers don’t.
Therefore, it is unlikely the demand for black market alcohol will be as strong.
of course, we could classify it as we do with marijuana. Prison sentences and all.
Long live the prohibition and the private run prison complex. 🙂
Make it a health issue.
Impossible to enforce.
why?
You make it a law. Just as is done with weed. Anyone brewing, importing, stocking, selling/distributing the stuff should be locked up as suppliers / dealers. Any one using it, or testing positive for use should be locked up as a user.
Just like week.
the world would be a marvelous place, almost anyone will be in prison. Someone will be making money.
Where there is a will there is a way 🙂
Alcohol is very different to other drugs in that just about anyone can manufacture it.
But there is no will at all to change the current rules.
So, no will = no way.
With the growing use of cameras and the big data state we are creating, you’ll be surprised how easy things will become to enforce.
You’re going about it the wrong way, The Chairman.
Much easier and less blow back to go with a soft prohibition.
– No more alcohol sales in supermarkets.
– No more private sector liquor outlets (only licensed community boards).
– Alcohol to be sold between 9 am and 5:30pm only, 5 days a week.
– No delivery services.
– No outside store advertising of products (including no online advertising).
etc
The days of the six o’clock swill weren’t that great either. Personally I prefer the cultures where alcohol is something to be enjoyed in moderation (if that’s your thing) and alcohol abuse is frowned upon. France and Spain seem to do ok with it in my experience, for a single worthless anecdotal data point.
So you want to hand a cash cow to crooks and encourage going full surveillance.
wtf
No, merely highlighting how (with the surveillance state we’re creating) things are becoming easier to enforce.
Moreover, with the proceeds of crime act (and one doesn’t have to be found guilty of any charge) it will be the Government that will end up reaping the benefits.
“The Serious Fraud Office is investigating after hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars went missing at the Ministry of Transport, ONE News has revealed.”
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/sfo-probes-missing-thousands-transport-ministry-senior-manager-stood-down
“The irregularities were discovered after an internal audit in April.
Ms Harrision was stood down and the Serious Fraud Office called in”
Yet it’s taken all this time for the media to inform the public.
Sue Moroney writes about it on TDB.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/07/25/come-clean-simon-bridges/
Should the Government be spending up to $20 billion on New Zealand’s Defence Force over the next 15 years?
Thoughts?
of course, how else would be protecting us from the evil doers of this world. I mean, da man Trump said it, they are out to get us, they hate us for our liberties so we must get rid of them, and Guns……only Guns….and really really big Guns will safe us, from the evil doers and their guns.
have you got any thougths of your own, or you just bored with life today?
We’ve got people living in cars, but you’ve got no problem with $20 billion being spent on defence?
Do you think we may have our priorities wrong?
I’d spend $25B in defence over that same time but boy would i spend it differently
Interesting.
And what would you cut (or increase taxes on) to cover the extra expenditure?
How much would you like to see being spent on housing?
I’d reconstruct the NZ Defence Forces into a Pacific Security, Assistance and Infrastructure team.
It would be ready to project military, rescue and engineering assistance throughout the Pacific in anticipation of climate change disasters and refugee relief efforts.
There would also be an increased emphasis on coastal and homeland defence, as well as local resource protection (including Antarctica).
The organisation would not be equipped to backstop NATO or USA in wars against China, Russia or various Middle East regime change efforts.
That depends on how wisely they spend it. Going by our track record I don’t think they are capable of making the correct decisions.
Our poor track record indeed.
Why is it necessary for The Chairman to end his comments with; “Thoughts?” (at least thrice in the space of an hour, and that’s just on this one thread)? Maybe he’s not just trying to divert discussion into unproductive cul de sacs (alcohol prohibition FFS!), with his slogan/ questions…
Maybe he is genuinely incapable of having thoughts of his own.
Is it necessary to insinuate there is something wrong with me seeking your thoughts?
Moreover, in seeking your thoughts I’m helping generate discussion – not divert it.
After all, this is open mike.
I do find it necessary to say that there is something irritating with a repetitive (possibly insincere) mannerism. And I’m not insinuating this, I’m straight out saying it.
There is no insincerity. I’m merely asking questions and seeking your thoughts.
Free speech means little without the right to question.
Am I not then impelled by this definition of free speech to question your own purposes in choosing to proclaim these particular questions at this time?
They are genuine political questions and the timing has no real relevance.
How you feel about them is your prerogative.
” the timing has no real relevance.”
Indeed
You know it.
They were just a couple of questions I decided to put on open mike.
It’s an open mike political discussion thread. How is discussing defence spending unusual or off topic?
Bugger.
An explosion in the German city of Ansbach, near Nuremberg, has killed a suspected bomber and injured 12 other people, three seriously, police say.
They said a man – “according to our current knowledge the perpetrator” – had died in the blast.
The intended target was not clear but about 2,000 people have been evacuated from a nearby open-air music festival, the Bavarian interior ministry said.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36880758
Apparently Little is in South Dunedin today, anyone know what he is doing specifically?
Andrew Little
@AndrewLittleMP
In South Dunedin today to talk with locals about the unique challenges facing the community @clarecurranmp @DavidClarkNZ
https://twitter.com/AndrewLittleMP/status/757360908926464000
Housing and Urban renewal.
Flushing out rogue party elements lol.
lol.
Lol
Heh
Andrew Little’s South Dunedin’s St Patrick.
Swimming lessons?
Where are all those Clinton voters?
Yesterday I listened to an interview on the Financial Survival Network (I think it was with Trevor Loudon) and the guest said he had yet to spot ONE Hillary supporter walking around the streets where he was/
And here is a second confirmation, this time at the DNC with LA Times reporter Matt Pierce (check out at the BERNIE! supporters out in force – they’re everywhere. Pity the whole gig is rigged and Bernie never had a chance and still doesn’t)
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-07-24/meanwhile-dnc-philly
I’m telling ya these spin doctors have taken manipulation to a whole new level creating entire followings for candidates.
Goodness me. What a terrible disease this forgetting virus is. Key has had it for years and passes it on to his little helpers like McClay.
“Trade Minister Todd McClay has revealed officials have been “for months” examining reports that China could retaliate against an investigation into steel dumping and has apologised to Prime Minister John Key for not seeking more detail on the issue.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/82453210/trade-minister-admits-officials-had-known-about-china-trade-retaliation-fears-for-months
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11681006
Ok now that’s a good start and ambitious as well, is there anyone who thinks this isn’t a good idea?
It is certainly ambitious to think $28 million over 4 years is anywhere remotely near the amount that would be required. I tend to agree with Nikki MacDonald and Alison Ballance’s response.
Nikki Macdonald Retweeted Alison Ballance
Laughable. When I looked at it, conservative estimate was $25 billion. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/8461303/Can-New-Zealand-really-be-pest-free …Nikki Macdonald added,
Alison Ballance @AlisonBallance
NZ is 268,021 km². Govt putting in $28M to make NZ pest-free. Antipodes Is mice eradication almost $4M for 22 km² http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/201808226/antipodes-island-mouse-eradication-successfully-completed …
This is just the Nats hoping people will stop talking about their failures at housing and economic management. They don’t give a stuff about the environment. They just want to give some of their mates some money while pretending they are doing something worthwhile.
Plus they have cut DOC’s budget by 11% since getting into government:
http://chewydata.com/samples/160526-Budget2016/HotTree.html#expenditure.real.2008.2576
And of course they are doing nothing about climate change which is going to have a catastrophic effect on NZ’s flora and fauna.
Spot on Karen, thanks for the links.
+1
+2, its a PR exercise.
No dont let Nat or Lab/Grn anywhere near this!
It requires ethics, common sense, and good science.
This cannot be and must never be a “free market” project
I really hope it never gets off the ground, the potential for huge damage to environment and diversity is too likely
Its just a political distraction ploy and some tax money for mates. Lets just leave it at that
Pie.
In the sky.
Maybe I’ve misunderstood you Robert, but whether or not, I look forward to discussing this matter at the celebration of a Pest Free Rakiura in 2026.
Strange blog this eh? Full of big wild creative ideas…until the Govt. of the day produces one. Then everyone is wetting themselves with fear at the thought of it!
They haven’t produced one though. Twitter is full of NZ scientists being scathing of the announcement. It’s greenwashing with I would guess some liberal doses of corporate welfare and treats for National’s mates thrown in. This from a government that’s chronically underfunded DOC and now lo and behold it’s going to fund a commercial enterprise? That’s not a big bold idea, it’s neoliberal bullshit.
Rakiura is theoretically doable because of its size and isolation, but try translating that to the mainland. The scale and the territory is hugely problematic.
With all respect Weka, you are talking bollocks.
Compared to addressing climate change or inequality, a pest free NZ is a simplicity. It’s perfectly do-able, and we would be idiot’s not to do this for the generations that come after us.
I think you are letting your political prejudice over-ride your better instincts.
Speaking as someone who has spent many many years working towards the protection of our natural heritage, i would welcome this step forward from anyone, regardless of trivial politics, and if any political entity want’s to up the commitment to this goal. I’m with them.
As a conservationist, I welcome this commitment, and if any political entity want’s to equal or better it, I a ready to support them with any resource I can muster. I’m all ears…
Most of your conservation dreams would come true if you got a green government. Instead I get the impression you would rather support the government that wants the reflected glory from someone elses vision. The paltry sum they’re putting up really shows that they could not give a shit about this vision.
yeah but they have a plan to invest that money and make some more. And then unicorns will fly out of the bums of kiwis and save all the other birds.
You can assert that all you like, but you’re not actually doing anything other than faith. Don’t believe me, go read what conservation scientists are saying about it.
Of course it’s a worthy ideal. It’s just not based in reality. Plus it’s tainted by the neoliberal ideology. They could just be honest and say here’s the money, we’re putting it into this project. But to make out they will make NZ predator free in that time frame without giving us any detail is just out and out Crosby Textor rhetoric.
Your lack of vision is sad Weka, but consistent with the general tone of defeatist misery that pervades this blog.
I’m happy to say I am involved with many many scientists, conservationists, ordinary people and yes politicians who are not just entirely positive about saving our natural heritage – they are also getting off their arse and simply doing it.
The latest eradication on The Antipodes looks to have been successful. The reality is we seem to have the basic techniques pretty well sorted.
All we need is the commitment, support and determination to resolve the remaining challenges.
Yoo hoo Labour? Greens? Anyone listening out there?
Fuck off. The Greens have been promoting pest eradication for a long time.
But thanks for reminding me that you are in capable of addressing the actual issues* and are just here to slag off the left. Might fine example of positivity 🙄
*for instance, you could have instead responded to Alison Balance’s article, which doesn’t rely on ideology alone but looks at facts (like how and where we are successful and where we’re not). It’s stripped of the political context you will get here that you hate so much, but no, you can’t even bring yourself to look at that.
A vacuous innumerate cheerleader says what?
Here you go, Allison Balance’s detailed look at the issue,
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/201809596/predator-free-nz-ambitious-and-under-funded
Could be a great way to create employment if the did a large chunk of it as ground work instead of dumping shit out of choppers.
Apart from intown itself it’s pretty rare to see or hear a possum in rural Taumarunui down from huge numbers in the past.
I haven’t seen the detail (is there any?), but the bit I heard on Checkpoint had me rolling my eyes. Think it through, do you really believe that NZ could be predator free ever, and if you do how that could happen. You’d have to control cat ownership for a start. Think that one through and get back to me 😉
Which makes me think this is just National posturing and throwing some money around to stop the drain of the conservative environment vote to the Greens. Colour me even more cynical and I’ll say there is probably some jiggery pokery going on regards funnelling tax payer money into the private sector (aka corporate welfare).
Having said that, if there is any actual detail, as opposed to feel good PR, I’d be interested to see it.
Just seen this,
Develop a scientific breakthrough capable of completely eliminating one small mammalian predator.
I’m tempted to laugh out loud. Seriously, that’s what they’re banking on? It reminds me of the episode of the West Wing where Bartlett decides he’s going cure cancer.
The islands free of predators is a good thing, and we could do a huge amount creating predator-free places in NZ using existing technology, esp fencing and trapping. But the whole of NZ predator-free? Yeah right.
Bold.
Outflanked both the Greens and Labour on conservation, a policy area that has leftie supporters by the truckload. No party will oppose it.
It also gets them very close to donors as programme sponsors, who might otherwise not donate to political parties. So it’s excellent politics.
Any MP who complains about it is simply blaming themselves for having failed to convince their caucus of the same thing.
Plenty of NZ scientists complaining about it.
cool National has put those 200 votes at risk
Let’s ignore the experts in the field then. Righto, good job, that’ll help change the government.
Headline grabbing tripe to deflect from scrutiny elsewhere. This policy looks like something the Nats have had in the wank bank for some time.
No substance to it at all.
Well lets see what the Greens (and Labour) counter it with…this is classic National party strategy under Key.
Strategy which has had the opposition in tatters over the last 8 years.
They shouldn’t counter with anything because it’s cheap, crap, headline policy.
They are going to ban cats and rats, are they? Good luck with that.
“They shouldn’t counter with anything because it’s cheap, crap, headline policy.”
Then they will fall into the trap…a lazy 50k party votes for the Nats from potential Green lite (Labour collection) voters…maybe more.
Rubbish. It’s only the existing RWNJ Key voter (like yourself) who gets seduced by this sort of diversionary and insincere headline grabber.
That’s the exact response the Nat strategy team will be hoping for Muttonbird.
The existence of RWNJ’s are only in the minds of LWNJ’s 🙂
Are you admitting the government are doing this for votes and votes alone?
Curious.
Easy meat “NZ will be predator free by 2050” the Gnats claim – now I’ve heard pie-in-the-sky and jam-tomorrow – but 2050! The entire Gnat cabinet will be dead before then, (and a good thing too). I expect even a no-hoper like Bill English could produce a surplus by 2050 with a bit of luck. Well, maybe 2100.
More like policy on the hoof because they’ve had a bad focus week. Bit like the $5000 bribe to get homeless people out of Auckland.
Yep me for one .Possums were liberated here to be used as a resource and thats exactly what they are now and could continue being rather than wastfully gotten rid of by the kill em all brigade Largely im picking this money will simply be more money spent on poison which will only benefit poison manufacturers and a few operators .This fund is just a pre election lolly sucker for suckers .
what do you do with the possums?
in the main they feed my dogs its very good meat better than anything you could buy unless you could afford surloin or something like that for them ! .the dogs are actively involved in the capture of them also and they just live for the job .Dogs are hunters by nature and this gives them an acceptable outlet for their instincts .I pluck the possums for their fur which i sell once a year or whenever im broke which is a bit more often .Nation wide tho possum hunting is an important industry i dunno how much its worth but i know possom fur is becoming increasingly in demand .Historicly possums have provided income for poor people for a very long time and it i.m.h.o. be a damn shame if they were eliminated forever in nz .As a species mentioned in the grand sceme to eliminate so called preditors from nz by 2050 they represent the lowest hanging fruit of the group deemed to do the most damage to native birds and yet they do the least harm .possum numbers need to be managed and kept low sure but the villification by doc etc is rediculous and a wast of a bloody good resource .appologies for the spelling .
Nice one. I’ve known quite a few people that have made decent money from possuming, but I’m always interested to hear from people that are using the whole body, not just the fur. Do you feed the carcass whole to the dogs or what?
yep i gut them in the field and then just chuck one out each day The top dog will get first dibs and the others follow when hes had his full At the end of the day only the skin and tail will be left tho sometimes labrodor type dogs will come along and even eat those (much to their owners disgust )Dogs thrive on this sort of tucker and like i said before its hard to find meat of this quality on pet food shelves .
That’s great. I agree about the quality. Very close to a wild diet and what animals evolved with.
Oh boy…..
The US government has a decision to make here. If it does not come out strongly against this action by the Russian intelligence services now, then when will it? How is our election system not to be considered “critical infrastructure” that foreign governments are forbidden to interfere with, unless they wish to trigger a serious confrontation with the US? If hacking a presidential campaign and dumping its strategy on the Web is not interference and disruption of a critical institution, then what is? Should we wait until foreign operatives interfere with the primary process? Is the red line only to be drawn around hacking actual voting machines and changing the results?
http://arstechnica.com/security/2016/06/guest-editorial-the-dnc-hack-and-dump-is-what-cyberwar-looks-like/
Barack Obama used the expression, “I’ve got your back,” twice in his
presidency: first, for Israel, second, for Debra Wassermann Schultz.
As the adage says, You can judge a man by the company he keeps.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/23/us/politics/dnc-emails-sanders-clinton.html?smid=nytcore-ipad-share&smprod=nytcore-ipad&_r=1
Pretty sure he said something similar to the investment bankers in his first 6 months of Presidency, at the height of the GFC
You’re right, Viper! Thanks for the reminder.
New Delhi: A US-developed weapon system that strikes the atmosphere with a focussed electromagnetic beam is one of the reasons for causing global warming, the government reported on Monday.
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-us-developed-weapon-system-is-responsible-for-global-warming-says-government-340015
[Moved to Open Mike as being off topic. For future reference, if you want to post links to theories about the causes of CC that sit outside the scientific consensus, don’t do it on my posts. It’s a derailment from the topic. Only warning. – weka]
Good old ‘scientific consensus’ eh
Trying to understand using information subsets, is hardly ideal and its not as if weather manipulation is a recent technology or strategic objective
Comments made by the Indian Environment minister should garner front page news
Another brick from the wall
UT’s comment was off topic, so it was moved, but there is nothing stopping the discussion from happening. You’re in Open Mike, One Two. Feel free to make the argument supporting the theory. I’d want to see some evidence.
Hi Weka, no worries I read your note to UT and was replying as an OM comment
That a minister of a major global nation has explicitly fingered the technology, should provide more than enough incentive for investigation by those so inclined
There is a plethora of available information around the technology itself , although the fuctional and operational purpose appears to be shrouded in uncertainty
Presently the discussion regarding technological interference with weather patterns is existing outside of mainstream ‘scientific consensus’
I expect a positional change in a near term time frame
the discussion regarding technological interference with weather patterns is existing outside of mainstream ‘scientific consensus’
You actually believe this drivel? Cluebat: when someone approaches you with a plastic spoon full of drivel, you don’t have to eat it.
Google Scholar is full to the brim with papers such as this one:
A Combined Mitigation/Geoengineering Approach to Climate Stabilization
Now you know the facts, stop lying.
Nobody was adressing you, were they..
Yet there you are with a sniveling remark and insulting overtone
Not even the hint of a response to the ‘scary’ suggestion made by the Indian Environmental Minister
Clever Boy!
Now you know it’s a lie, I wonder if you’ll look more sceptically at the contents of the spoon, and the hand holding it.
“There is a plethora of available information around the technology itself……..”
Take note of how I’m referring to the specific technology the Indian minister article talked about….
“Presently the discussion regarding technological interference with weather patterns is existing outside of mainstream ‘scientific consensus’”
In the mainstream media there is little to no coverage regarding possible weather manipulation capability of the specific technology referred to by the Indian Minister
Neither does the article you linked to, which is a contextual as well as comprehension fail on your part
Now put the spoon and insults down and stop dribbling all over a comment which was NOT addessed to you!
See if you can resist the natural urges of your ego…
Now you’re just being ignorant. HAARP, which the sadly gullible minister is so excited about, invites graduate and post-graduate students from all over the globe to share in its research.
As such, there is a monstrous quantity of information in the scientific literature about it, which a simple GScholar search for HAARP could have told you, if you weren’t so transfixed by the spoon.
But what about that documentary you saw where the kid says “there is no spoon”, though?
Now I’m playing with your ego and your contemptuous arrogance ,as well as your inability to comprehend simple language, or even stay out of someone else’s conversation
I’ve noticed how you strut around rebutting and refuting using smart alec nuances and know it all techniques. They don’t work, but it’s insightful that you persist with the same sissy tactics over such an extended period of time
Accusation that the Indian minister is “sadly gullible”, serves only as confirmation of the callow nature that exists behind the ‘anonymous persona’
Now that I’ve called you out, stay off my comments!
Yeah, OAB, ya bastard, using facts and high-falutin’ actual knowledge to bully people. You’re so meeeeaann!!!!
“Stay off my comments”
Yap yap, little dog.
Did Ilse Koch Speak at the Republican Convention?
At the recent RNC horror show in Cleveland, the loons walking around the streets flaunting their automatic weapons was terrifying, the dancing of unhip, embarrassed delegates was mortifying to watch, and the calibre of the speeches—Scott Baio, the beardie from Duck Dynasty, the plagiarist Melania Trump—was an indictment of the Republican Party, not to mention a dire reflection of the state to which politics has sunk in the United States.
But perhaps the most disturbing thing of all was the moral calibre—or lack of moral calibre—of the “reporters”…..
https://plus.google.com/106968887180620203232/posts/hTL2o129tR3
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/07/scott-baio-rnc-speech
Don’t complain Trump now 3% ahead of Clinton in latest CNN poll.
To prevent real climate disaster we have to cut carbon use in the global economy to near nothing in the next ten years.
That’s not going to happen of course.
There is a 30 year lag time between emissions going up into the atmosphere and warming from those emissions becoming measurable.
It’s due to the thermal inertia of the Earth, particularly all the water in the oceans which take a lot of time to heat up.
At the moment we have seen half the heating from the emissions we put up in the 1980s. We have hardly seen any warming from the economic growth of China yet. And we certainly haven’t seen any warming from the four billion tonnes of coal China has burnt in the last 12 months (and we won’t for years).
TL/DR we’re pretty well fucked.
[sorry CV but once we’re in “we’re fucked” comment territory, it’s going to put others off being involved in the conversation. Moved to OM – weka]
Can you please read the update at the bottom of the post, thanks.
we’re fucked huh? oh well sweet i always wanted a big yank tank for a weekend car and hell why back green energy when we can just party on down with fracked oil n gas, drink today for tomorrow we may die.
It’s today’s primary and high school kids who are really screwed.
Old bastards like you and I are fine.
The kind of vehicle you drive is irrelevant.
I like you tend to think we’re screwed, but , we may not be and going around convincing people we’re screwed is most likely to make people give up looking for answers , there by increasing the chance of us being screwed.
nah; unless people know the full extent of the coming problem they won’t accept the full steps we need to take in the next fifteen years.
And if we only take insufficient quarter measures, we really will be screwed.
No probs Weka.
I should say that there is a certain irony in asking how we are going to replace motorways, roads and bridges washed out by climate change exacerbated events.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11681006
This is hilarious. Like he really doesn’t understand he’s a leading member of a class of predators. I mean there are predators who positively model themselves on him.
Don’t deal with the problem, deal with the effects
If anyone asked me, I would say that dealing with the effects of climate change will become increasingly difficult and then, impossible. What we really need is a post on what we could do to become “a world leader on climate change”.**
In this post we have only been allowed to discuss within the politically safe narrow confines of actions to take to combat the (local) effects caused by climate change, but not about the more controversial and thorny matter of actions to take to combat climate change itself.
I eagerly await a post on, what can be done about that, the role of councils, government and the people in that, related to new coal mines, deep sea oil drilling, public transport, becoming a world leader issues etc.*
*[my emphasis]
**[To quote Andrew Little]
[moved to Open Mike as off topic. Jenny you know better than to tell authors here what to write. There are plenty of CC posts on The Standard that look at actions to combat CC politically. Try adding something to the debate instead of trying to derail other, legitimate conversations about CC action – weka]
Name one, and provide a link.
[Take a week off, Jenny, for telling authors what to do. TRP]
As you know, I like Prof Anderson.
However I can do my own numbers. Take this for a spin:
You are welcome to try and falsify any or all of the following, and I will be happy to be corrected.
1) Current global warming = 1.0 deg C to 1.2 deg C
2) Current global dimming = a further 1.0 deg C (at least) warming hidden by atmospheric particulates shielding the Earth from the sun, warming which will rapidly appear within 3-4 months of stopping atmospheric pollution
3) Due to the 30-40 year thermal inertia of the system, less than 50% of warming from 1980s emissions have been realised. NB in the 1980s China was only just starting to ramp up its industrial production.
4) ~90% of the warming from the last 10 years GHG emissions have yet to be realised (including the 3 billion tonnes of coal China burnt last year, and the year before and the year before that).
5) The world is currently warming at approx 0.4 deg C per decade with a minimum of 5 decades more warming to occur if we turn off GHG emissions today.
Conservatively, that’s approx 4 deg C locked in for delivery to us in the 2060s, excluding any additional positive feedback loops kicking off, even if all GHG emissions are ended today.
As I said. Happy to be corrected on any of the above points.
[moved to Open Mike. Nothing there about mitigation or adaptation or offering solutions or anything related to the post. You can have this conversation elsewhere – weka]
Sorry, too late at night to figure out how much of the thread to move. Here’s the comment it was replying to,
http://thestandard.org.nz/climate-change-on-our-doorsteps-literally/#comment-1208944
Local council infrastructure and district planning needs to be designed with a 40 to 50 plus year timeframe in mind.
If there is going to be 4 deg C warming by the 2060s then that has to be a central consideration to the issues in your post.
There is no way you can assess whether “mitigation” or “adaptation” measures will be adequate without this background.
So I am disappointed you moved my comments, and I am disappointed that with your rose tinted glasses you utterly missed its importance and relevance to your post.
It would have been great if you had put those things in your comment. What I saw was you and Bill gearing up for a big maths debate out of context of the post and IMO that’s not appropriate. For reasons that I think you don’t understand.
I know you think I have rose tinted glasses, but that’s because you almost utterly fail to understand my political position on climate change action. You said elsewhere that there was an irony in a post about moving road and bridges and shit. But that’s not why I wrote the post. I didn’t write the post for you and I. I wrote the post for the people experiencing the storm, seeing the reports on Stuff, and starting to think holy shit, this is serious. I wanted them to have a way into the conversation irrespective of whether they comment here or not. If you honestly believe that scaring the bejesus out of the those people and telling them it’s too late is useful, then go ahead and do that. Just not under my posts.
I know that my moderation style on CC posts in particular is a bit out of the ordinary for ts, but if I am going to write here that’s the way it’s going to have to be. I’ve had enough people tell me they want a space that’s proactive, and I want to give that to them. It’s also what I have the energy for. That won’t happen if I don’t moderate.
My comment implicitly expected knowledge of district planning processes and local government infrastructure timeframes.
I am over giving people the soft introduction to this topic. People deserve to know what we are very probably facing in the next 20 to 30 years.
Sugar coating it so they can justify putting climate change down as their number four or five political issue to be managed alongside elective surgery waiting lists and charter schools financing no longer cuts it.
But thats just me; as authors we get to please ourselves so go for it.