Open mike 25/10/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 25th, 2012 - 52 comments
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52 comments on “Open mike 25/10/2012 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    25 October 2012 at 6:24 am

    ‘
    Wormtongue comes a gutser

    For giving false testimony a police case against gang members is thrown out of court. Two judges have found the police acted improperly in two gang cases. In July Judge Chris Tuohy ruled out evidence because it was “improperly obtained” through “a series of breaches of the defendants’ rights, some of which were significant infringements“. And yesterday, Justice Simon France has ordered a stay of proceedings in prosecutions of those arrested as part of Operation Explorer, a police crackdown on motorcycle gang members.

    The owner of the storage facility ”has certainly been the victim of improper police conduct”, the judge said.

    And the ”the court’s processes can truly be said to have been abused, first by the use of the warrant, and second, by the laying of a false charge”.

    He said judges had been treated ”in a disrespectful way”. A prosecutor and the defence lawyer were also misled.

    He also concluded it was ”a fundamental and serious abuse of the court’s processes”.

    Justice France said: ”The courts are not part of police investigation. There is and can be no suggestion of collaboration. The court is independent, and sworn to treat all who come before it equally and without favour.”

    Justice France also said he was ”surprised” by the lack of insight by the officers ”about the lack of propriety involved”.

    “However one looks at it, a fraud is being committed on the courts.”

    Justice France also said it appeared the police conduct had components of committing criminal offences.

    ”The search warrant would seem to engage section 256 of the Crimes Acts 1961 and the swearing of a false information would seem to engage section 110 of the Crimes Act.”

    The obvious question raised; If a case against gang members can be thrown out of court on the grounds of proven police perjury and law breaking, will the case against Dotcom be thrown out on the same grounds?

    Green party co-leader Russel Norman said it appears the police were playing ”fast and loose with the courts”.

    ”The courts are there in order to protect the rule of law. If the police start playing fast and loose with the courts they are fundamentally undermining the rule of law. In this case it has worked out pretty bad for them.”

    He said the involvement of Detective Inspector Grant Wormald in this case and the Dotcom case raises concerns

    Links:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7858929/Police-errors-see-two-gang-cases-unravel

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/7857337/Case-thrown-out-over-false-arrest

    • Red Rosa 1.1
      25 October 2012 at 7:29 am

      Tolley is completely out of her depth on this issue.

      Her comments on TV3 News last night were from the same script as Paula Bennett.

      There are serious points of law here that go right to the heart of this (or any) justice system.

      Russel Norman has it right.

      • tc 1.1.1
        25 October 2012 at 10:10 am

        Tolley’s depth is a toddlers paddling pool. An average local body polly at best on a good day, the vice chancellor comment from her tenure trying to execute the hollowmens education script sums her up.

    • Murray Olsen 1.2
      25 October 2012 at 12:04 pm

      I’m waiting for Wormald and others to be charged over this. I won’t be holding my breath, but perjury, obstruction of justice and wasting police time are three offences that come to mind immediately. The cops have been getting away with this sort of crap for far too long.

    • Vicky32 1.3
      25 October 2012 at 6:10 pm

      The obvious question raised; If a case against gang members can be thrown out of court on the grounds of proven police perjury and law breaking, will the case against Dotcom be thrown out on the same grounds?

      Let’s hope so!

      • PlanetOrphan 1.3.1
        25 October 2012 at 6:18 pm

        So true Vicky.
        Everyone goes one about Johny Sparkles, and forget Dotcom is still on bail waiting for some response from American authorities.

        How many years before they give up on this one?

        Is the NZ Police force really so Farcical it has to wait for the American authorities to say Jump, before proceeding with an unwinnable case ?

        • Vicky32 1.3.1.1
          25 October 2012 at 6:33 pm

          Is the NZ Police force really so Farcical it has to wait for the American authorities to say Jump, before proceeding with an unwinnable case ?

          I fear that they are, yes…

  2. muzza 2
    25 October 2012 at 7:40 am

    New Zealand Current Account
    – http://www.tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/current-account

    (extend Date Selection to 1965 from drop-down box)

    New Zealand Exports
    – http://www.tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/exports

    (extend Date Selection to 1951 from drop-down box)

    As is plain to see, the more we export, the GREATER our current account deficit gets.

    Why?

    Because (amongst other things), profits from privatised SOEs; foreign owned farms; and foreign owned businesses are repatriated to overseas investors. (Eg; Aussie own banks which recently ‘exported’ $2 billion-plus back to Australia as dividends. That includes the privatised BNZ, and what used to to be the POSB.)

    If an exporter is foreign owned, the more they export, the more profits are made, and more dividends repatriated overseas.

    Which is the prime reason why selling farms – and other exporting companies – to overseas investors is an ultimately self-defeating exercise.

    The data shows the results.

    Data from both graphs are ex Statistics NZ.

    • freedom 2.1
      25 October 2012 at 12:05 pm

      A date adjusted chart* shows a pattern where the next quarter will, most likely than not, produce a deficit of 3.5 – 7 billion dollars. How does the Minister of Finance maintain any confidence that next year we will begin to return to surplus? The universal truth of pattern matrices shows surplus to be an economic anomaly that has occurred only a handful of times in the past forty years.

      *I took it to 1968 for the ‘debt in my lifetime’ factor

  3. Rogue Trooper 3
    25 October 2012 at 8:30 am

    RT: Bani Walid, Libya; US double standards.

    BBC: France-more public spending cuts to come.
    Chinas’ economic stimulus effecting; watch China

    to paraphrase; if we are out of our mind, it is for his sake; if we are in our helpful mind, it is for you.
    🙂

  5. Ben 5
    25 October 2012 at 9:42 am

    On the Green’s QE policy:
    If the NZ to USD exchange rate drops, will that mean we in New Zealand will end up paying more for locally produced goods which are exported to foreign markets?

    We are already expected to pay international prices for milk, meat, etc, and I assume that this price is based on what the NZD value of a unit of product is. If the value of the New Zealand dollar drops, that will mean the NZD value of a unit of product will increase, and because we pay international prices we’ll have to pay extra? Or am I missing something?

    • Lanthanide 5.1
      25 October 2012 at 10:49 am

      Domestic prices are much more inelastic – it’s expensive to change prices on retail shelves and throughout the supply chain. So typically price changes on staples only happen a few times a year. Consumer magazine has a monthly graph where they track the price of milk, butter, cheese, bread and I believe eggs and maybe something else. Last time I looked at it, the line was pretty flat, despite fluctuations in the NZ $ over that period.

      Now, maybe if the $ went from 80c to 60c in the course of a few months, I could imagine some price rises. But I don’t think they’ll be on the same order of magnitude. Just like how the price of crude oil only makes up approx 50% of the retail price of petrol, the raw price of commodities probably doesn’t account for more than 50-60% of the retail shelf price, perhaps even as low as 20-30% if you listen to Fonterra bleating about supermarkets making all the profits.

    • Fortran 5.2
      25 October 2012 at 1:26 pm

      Ben

      you are right – similarly the price of fuel, will go up accordingly, like anything else imported eg TV’s, Computers, and similar electronics.
      Increasing the price of fuel and everything delivered goes up accordingly.

  7. ianmac 7
    25 October 2012 at 11:42 am

    I reckon that Winston has something evil planned for Mr Key. Although Mr Key will not be there at Question Time today the question 9:
    Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by the answers he gave yesterday to supplementary question 5 on Oral Question No 7 and supplementary question 3 on Oral Question No 12?
    Timing is everything so….?

  8. joe90 8
    25 October 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Adam Curtis on Gaddafi and the western establishment.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/2012/10/hes_behind_you.html

  9. karol 9
    25 October 2012 at 3:25 pm

    A step too far by Mr Speaker. 
     
    Labour raised a point of order that Brownlee didn’t answer a supplementary to Sue Moroney’s quesion 11: she asked if the government had discussions with Business NZ when they were drawing up their submission to the PPL select committee.  Brownlee responded that the government did not speak for BusNZ and vice versa.  The speaker ruled that was a valid question.  Peters raised a point of order saying id did not answer the question.
     
    The Speaker’s response to that was out of the Nat government playbook – when questioned blame the opposition.  The speaker said that “…it’s interesting that the member wants questions to be answered. I’m very gratified by that, because it certainly didn’t use to happen in this House.”
     
    The House is increasingly becoming a farce under this government and it’s speaker, with the speaker assisting in the evasions and diversions.

    • Jim Nald 9.1
      25 October 2012 at 4:35 pm

      “it certainly didn’t use to happen in this House”

      Gee. That is quite remarkable coming from this Speaker. He has, up to this point today, damned the House and its proceedings – including the times when he was in the Speaker’s chair. Huh? Whatever will come next ? He will blame something he has been drinking or inhaling for making that remark?

      • karol 9.1.1
        25 October 2012 at 5:06 pm

        Here is the transcript of what was said:

        Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was whether there were discussions, not whether someone spoke with someone, and somebody else spoke with somebody else. The question was very narrow—were there discussions—and that goes to the core of it.
        Mr SPEAKER: I am very interested in the right honourable gentleman wanting questions to be answered. I am very gratified by that, because it certainly did not used to happen in this place. I invite the member to repeat her question.
        Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. What on earth did that mean? That you are criticising every previous Speaker?
        Mr SPEAKER: Order!
        Rt Hon Winston Peters: That you are a paragon of virtue?

        Actually, I understood it to be the speaker meaning that Peters didn’t used to be interested in wanting to answer questions.  But the wording is a bit vague.  Meanwhile, the speaker avoided addressing Peter’s point of order.
         
         

    • blue leopard 9.2
      25 October 2012 at 5:17 pm

      “The House is increasingly becoming a farce under this government and it’s speaker, with the speaker assisting in the evasions and diversions.”

      +1 yes Karol I agree

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    25 October 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it

    In other words, almost half of Israel’s population supports ethnic cleansing. I guess they feel differently about it when the shoe is on the other foot.

    Both apartheid and ethnic cleansing are crimes under international law. Israel stands condemned by its own citizens as a criminal state; it is time the international community treated it as one.

    The truth will always surface no matter how much those who want it hidden try to keep it so. Unfortunately, it does seem to take too bloody long.

  12. Rogue Trooper 12
    25 October 2012 at 4:15 pm

    This laboriously won self-contempt of man.
    -Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals

    Man is an invention of recent date. And one perhaps nearing it’s end.
    -Foucault

    Revisiting Sacks

    “Nietzsche was not a minor figure in the history of European thought. He was by far the most prophetic moralist, or ant-moralist, of modern times. No one saw more clearly the consequence of abandoning Christian ethics, and Nietzsche unhesitatingly drew the (neo) Darwinian conclusion; The strong must eliminate the weak. The Christian principle of caring for the weak was against nature and against the “logic” of power. The Christian idea of the universal love of humanity means in practice, the preference for the suffering and underprivileged: it has in fact lowered and weakened the strength, the necessity, the “lofty” duty to sacrifice men.

    Once the Christian conscience was eliminated, human beings would be forced to become brutal, ruthless, hard; impose their will on others; eliminate the untermenschen, and give full reign to the violence that Christian compassion had emasculated for so long”

  13. Rogue Trooper 13
    25 October 2012 at 4:39 pm

    “Their is no logic that forces us to accept the “hermeneutics of suspicion” of the Marxists, neo-Freudians and neo-Darwinians, that we do not really mean what we say, that all human communication is either deception, or self-deception.

    When the vast literature on the rationalisations, what Claudia Koonz calls the Na%1 conscience, for what the Na%1s did is considered, what is apparent is not only the specific ideals of social Darwinism, but the overwhelming sense of the Authority of Science, whatever the science.

    Nietzsche also asked: Why morality at all? when life, nature and history are not moral; there is no morality written into nature; no is / ought inference that can be made.
    The Talmud says that had God not revealed the commandments (and the gospels) “we could have learned modesty from the cat, industry from the ant, marital fidelity from the dove, and good manners from the rooster”. Yet, equally, we could have learned savagery from the lion, pitilessness from the wolf, and venom from the viper; NActs.

    Civilisations have a way of identifying and pre-empting disastrous patterns of behaviour; taboo, divine command. This was lost in the modern age; Hayek called it “the fatal conceit”; that we know better than our ancestors, that we can calculate the consequences better, circumvent the prohibitions they observed, and achieve what they did not.

    • McFlock 13.1
      25 October 2012 at 5:17 pm

      Darwin wasn’t about “strongest”, he was about “most fit” or “most suited”. There is a reason lions aren’t the dominant species on the planet, even though they are stronger than humans.
               
      Humans got to where we are today through societies, not as individual supermen. 

      • Rogue Trooper 13.1.1
        25 October 2012 at 7:53 pm

        well, while I think of it, all this “alpha male” nonsense comes from unhelpful / anthropomorphic analogies; young lions grouping together to pull down their sire.
        quite unhelpful; sorta like “pooping” where you eat.

        DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE DEMOTE

        (apologies to moderators; just being graphic)

        🙂

  14. karol 14
    25 October 2012 at 6:32 pm

    Just when I thought I had some understanding of TPPA, along comes RCEP, just to set my head spinning again.  Will the NZ government be able to reconcile the 2, play one against the other, or will it just be swivelling betwen bowing to 2 masters?

    In early September 2012, Australia’s trade minister Craig Emerson and the trade ministers of China, Japan, India, Korea, New Zealand and the ten ASEAN countries met in Cambodia and “laid the foundations” for another: a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

     

     
     

  15. captain hook 15
    25 October 2012 at 7:14 pm

    this government is a lame duck government.
    they just out to cause as much trouble as they can now before they get the boot.
    they never really had anything anyway.

  16. mickysavage 16
    25 October 2012 at 7:18 pm

    A day of shame in Parliament today.  On the same day that farmers using their farms as carbon sinks are going to the wall the government’s gut the ETS bill came back to Parliament.

    Under this farmers will pay nothing for the damage they cause, and major polluters will pay just 5%.

    David Cunliffe gave them a tongue lashing.  He had a great theme, that today’s kids will have a harder life because we refused to do something about climate change now.

    He announced that Labour will move to restore agriculture’s entry to the ETS to 2015, restrict international credits to a maximum of 50% so that local credit producers can survive, the 2 for 1 deal will be phased out and there would be ongoing reviews of the price of carbon.

    And Kennedy Graham in that gentle yet direct way of his utterly rubbished the Government’s ineptitude as well as suggesting that Labour should have done more.

    Unfortunately reality, hard analysis and requests for this Government to take responsible steps do not appear to work with this Government. 

    • tinfoilhat 16.1
      25 October 2012 at 7:40 pm

      It’s disgusting that the farmers and the government are getting away with this when the rest of the world is doing their bit.

    • tinfoilhat 16.2
      25 October 2012 at 9:03 pm

      This government are a pack of traitors and along with the farmers are environmental vandals of the worst kind.

      Why can’t we do the right thing when the rest of the worlds farmers are all doing their bit under schemes like the ETS.

    • karol 16.3
      25 October 2012 at 9:07 pm

      Climate disruption.  Climate chaos. Good terms.
       
      I’d  go for a party led by Cunliffe and the woman who was sitting behind him.

  17. ianmac 17
    25 October 2012 at 7:26 pm

    Campbell Live tonight has opened up more amazingly awful exposure of the Christchurch School changes debacle. Really a must watch. In particular is the OIA question. A request to the Christchurch Council for in information on the (Ohuria?) school closure was answered, but included an e-mail from the MOE to tell the applicant that they had no information. That is, tell the CCC to lie. Requests have been declined for other schools yet the CEO wrote to say that every request would be actioned.
    Watch it when it comes up for replay. And be appalled.

    • Anne 17.1
      25 October 2012 at 7:55 pm

      Appalling is almost not a strong enough word for the ChCh school debacle. It is clear the ministry is in total disarray. I’m not a teacher so I can’t really comment on the reasons why, but I suspect it’s a combination of blind ideology and gross incompetence. Perhaps someone can enlighten us as to the identity of the ministry officials involved. They deserve to be named and shamed.

      No-one from the ministry would front up to tell their side of the story. Did Hekia Parata issue instructions to them to keep their mouths shut or else? Probably. She’s a blatant bully like her colleagues Judith Collins and Paula Bennett.

      What a disgusting trio!

      .

      • ianmac 17.1.1
        25 October 2012 at 10:23 pm

        What is so odd is that the Ministry would anticipate a determined response from the schools and the school community. You would think that they would have all the information and correct data ready and waiting. Why not? And in a very public exposure. (Good on Campbell Live) Perhaps the staffing cuts have left the MOE without the talent or numbers to deal with wholesale mayhem.

        I have never used this expression but will now. Gobstopped!!!

        • Dv 17.1.1.1
          26 October 2012 at 2:42 am

          It is really really bad that the school have to Use the OIA to get information about their schools so they can discuss their option.

          Really really odd.

  18. Rogue Trooper 18
    25 October 2012 at 7:31 pm

    “To the extent that we medicalise human behaviour, to that extent we deny freedom and responsibility”

    “A brave new world along the lines of Aldous Huxley’s novel, in which people are kept permanently pacified by mind-altering drugs and virtual experiences”.

    I like rhubarb in moderation (not to be cooked in aluminium) 🙂

    • muzza 18.1
      26 October 2012 at 7:39 am

      But, but, but…..

      His brother ….

      Sir Julian Sorell Huxley FRS[1] (22 June 1887 – 14 February 1975) was an English evolutionary biologist, eugenicist and internationalist. He was a proponent of natural selection, and a leading figure in the mid-twentieth century evolutionary synthesis. He was Secretary of the Zoological Society of London (1935–1942), the first Director of UNESCO, and a founding member of the World Wildlife Fund.

      Internationalist (globalist), eugenics, and natural selection.

      Zero influence on you and your families life, past present or future these people!

  19. Rogue Trooper 19
    25 October 2012 at 7:36 pm

    ooh, cuts to Auckland Councils fundings 🙂

    imo, We need more Judge John Deed

    freakin colonists in the DHB’s; more rhubarb top-down nonsense

    (years ago, I learnt of the “wars of religion” to come; how’s those clay feet holding up?)

    -there is something in the water, from someone that I used to know.
    🙂

    • muzza 19.1
      26 October 2012 at 7:33 am

      As predicted, this will be the model going forward for Auckland Counil – Look at the projected debt increase over the next ten years, then think about how that might be serviced.

      http://www.interest.co.nz/bonds/58080/auckland-council-plans-increase-its-net-debt-percentage-total-revenue-limit-275-175

      The Auckland “Super City” Council wants to lift its net debt as a percentage of total revenue limit to 275% from 175%, to prevent a breach of the existing limit, with its debt forecast to almost treble to NZ$12.5 billion over the next decade.

      And the ratepayers will breath a sigh of relief when their rates bill does not go up quite as much as it might, but in any event they will be paying the bill for those who end up out of work.

      Debt will relieve Auckland of its assets too, its simply a question of time.

      Pre-dic-ta-ble

  20. Rogue Trooper 20
    25 October 2012 at 11:36 pm

    “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his home town”.

    “If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
    If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town”.

    ( indulge in your science fiction while it lasts)

    It is done.

  21. captain hook 21
    26 October 2012 at 9:05 pm

    I am very sorry that I wasted the chief moderators time.
    I will never do it again.
    It was smee’s fault.
    to much rum in the water.
    I have been so scorched and seared by the pol I tical process that I will withdrAW FROM THE ARENa and spend my time learning old folk songs on thye banjo whilst waiting for the revolution.
    can marxism explain why the sky is blue?
    please tell me.

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    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    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, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    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, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    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 ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    15 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    16 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    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 → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    19 hours ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    19 hours ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    20 hours ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    21 hours ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    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 ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    21 hours ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    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.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    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 ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    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 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    24 hours ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    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 ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    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 ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    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 ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    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. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    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 ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    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. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    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 ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    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 ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    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 ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    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, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    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 ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    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. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    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 Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. 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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    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 ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    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 ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    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 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    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. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    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 - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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