Open Mike 25/10/2016

69 comments on “Open Mike 25/10/2016 ”

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1. Paul 1

   25 October 2016 at 6:18 am

   John’s Key’s New Zealand.
   A better future.

   ‘Ridiculous’ Auckland house prices forcing out young in-demand teachers

   Schools were in desperate need of science, technology, engineering and maths teachers, he said, and had got to the point where they were now “robbing each other of teachers”.

   It was a “significant Auckland issue”, he said.

   “We’ve got a perfect storm brewing of this high growth, high student numbers, immigration … and a diminishing pool of quality applicants.

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11734859
   • Muttonbird 1.1

     25 October 2016 at 7:26 am

     The situation has become so bad Post-Primary Teachers Association Auckland western ward executive member Melanie Webber said a colleague told her: “I wish I’d studied harder at school and become a house.”

     🙂
     • AsleepWhileWalking 1.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 8:05 am

       !! : )
     • ianmac 1.1.2

       25 October 2016 at 9:10 am

       Dang! 🙂
2. Paul 2

   25 October 2016 at 6:22 am

   This is the sort of news the corporate media should be telling.
   Arctic Sea Ice Collapse 18—20 October

   https://www.wunderground.com/blog/viddaloo/arctic-sea-ice-collapse-1820-october-annual-average-extent

   Not this
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11734908

   or this
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/85684690/angry-with-noisy-fans-justin-bieber-storms-off-stage-during-concert
   • Cinny 2.1

     25 October 2016 at 8:16 am

     but, but, the lives of the rich and famous, other peoples opinions and click bait are so much more important than the planet we live on that sustains all life.

     What’s happening in the Arctic is fully alarming. But we should not talk about it because the shipping companies are finding it much easier to export with these new trade routes melting through, saves on diesel for the vessels, money is the priority.

     Profit over people, so no need to alarm anyone over the on going devastation and killing of planet Earth.

     I’m so hearing you Paul. The younger generations however are becoming increasingly environmentally aware, I fear one day they will ask us, wtf were we thinking, or rather not thinking. i wonder how many will reveal to their kids that Kim K was a bigger priority to read about than learning or doing something to nurture the earth.
     • Grant Buist 2.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 11:57 pm

       “So, she was like a model or something before she became President?”
   • mary_a 2.2

     25 October 2016 at 10:26 am

     @ Paul (2) … spot on there.

     Nothing will change re msm while this bunch of crooks are in government! Msm will continue taking the heat of the important issues, dancing to Key/Joyce’s tune as directed.

     Media should be asking some hard questions of Key about the reported SAS’s combatant role in Iraq, after he stated NZ troops are strictly there for training purposes only, not to fight! Instead though, msm is concentrating on Key’s plight of being grounded in Australia on his way to India, through a maintenance fault on his NZ air force plane!

     Time to remove this government. The sooner, the better NZ will be.
3. Cinny 3

   25 October 2016 at 7:13 am

   Re the outgoing PM’s plane breakdown… maybe it’s Karma, maybe he was going to Mumbai for more reasons than his tenth or so attempt to talk free trade. Maybe he was going there to help national win the Mt Roskill byelection. Maybe he is looking for dirt on the new political party set up by the rich indian business man? Or maybe the outgoing PM is just a lemon, and everything he touches turns sour. Time for a change, worries about the plane, change the leader.

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/85673878/john-keys-plane-is-grounded-in-australia-en-route-to-india-due-to-a-technical-fault
   • ScottGN 3.1

     25 October 2016 at 7:35 am

     And I see that Audrey Young has begun the blame-game spin job in the herald already.
     • Cinny 3.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 8:05 am

       lolz, myself I’d be looking at the ones responsible for the funds to maintain said aircraft rather than the purchaser.
   • saveNZ 3.2

     25 October 2016 at 10:30 am

     @cinny – JK also likes being out of the country around times of bad news.
4. Cinny 4

   25 October 2016 at 7:46 am

   Are the police to busy protecting themselves at their police stations rather than helping the public?

   Richmond is one of 105 police stations identified as a risk to staff during a nationwide review of station security conducted last year. That means the station can only be open to the public when there is a constabulary staff member available to man the counter resulting in “intermittent closures”.

   Far out the police stations are under manned as it is, but don’t despair, one can always pick up the phone. Around these parts we see the police driving around issuing traffic tickets and hardly ever see them walking around the community. But I shall not despair, their crime prevention sandwich board outside the supermarket makes me feel reassured, no police in sight, just a sandwich board, doesn’t it just make you feel safer? Yeah right.

   https://nelsonlive.co.nz/news/2016/10/richmond-police-station-waiting-new-security/
   • Garibaldi 4.1

     25 October 2016 at 9:35 am

     Look on the bright side Cinny. A sandwich board is less likely to screw you over than a cop.
     • saveNZ 4.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 10:26 am

       Another plus, is that police arrests are down when you have the sandwich board on the job.
     • Cinny 4.1.2

       25 October 2016 at 10:51 am

       unless one is not looking where one is walking… then the sandwich board is lethal, look out kids for the sandwich board patrol. Where’s that OSH? Whom would one have issue with, the supermarket or the police? LMFAO.

       Garibaldi are you saying that the NZ Police are crooked and are screwing over NZ citizens? That is cause for major concern.
       • Garibaldi 4.1.2.1

         25 October 2016 at 11:24 am

         Cinny, I am saying that the police have screwed up many murder cases. I also lost confidence in them after their ’81 Tour ( and post Tour behaviour). I would also not like to be a Maori facing the NZ Police. So yes there is a degree of ‘corruption’ in our Police.
         • Cinny 4.1.2.1.1

           25 October 2016 at 3:33 pm

           agreed
5. Richard Rawshark 5

   25 October 2016 at 8:19 am

   Greenhouse CO2 passed the 400ppm barrier 2015 and looks to be stuck there for generations according to science daily. El Nino has extended this through 2016 and it’s probably going to be above that for generations even if the paris accord is followed through nov 4.

   But the interesting thing I found in the whole article was their reference to intensified farming / agriculture and that rise.

   Now I thought to myself when America’s plains were full of buffalo in their millions and Africa etc , with all the extermination of species , how is the planets life forms producing more methane than even the cows we have.

   Yet our species is at what 6 billion now? We fart to much, stop blaming the cows..

   /morning humour.
   • Richard Rawshark 5.1

     25 October 2016 at 8:19 am

     ho lee crap it’s working YAY..TY LP
6. AsleepWhileWalking 6

   25 October 2016 at 8:31 am

   http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-24/new-critical-report-accuses-herbalife-money-laundering-involvement-drug-trade

   “the company’s success in countries like Mexico and Colombia and the immense amount of undocumented cash that trades hands at the over 40,000 nutrition clubs between the two countries could make for a perfect environment for wrongdoing involving cash.”
7. mauī 7

   25 October 2016 at 8:42 am

   Apparently in WWII we had tens of thousands of American troops landing here on short notice. We built camps for them in 6 weeks, no exaggeration. Many of the structures were prefabricated beforehand so maybe 10 weeks from start to finish.

   If we’re going to continue having mass migration why don’t we do something similar. Start building small townships, cut the regulation, communal living, give everyone a common goal – say try and produce as much food as you can for the neighbouring city, Auckland.
   • Cinny 7.1

     25 October 2016 at 11:09 am

     I’m sure that’s been done before hmmmm… get immigrants in, find somewhere for them to sleep (anywhere is good they are used to worse) and have them work the fields to provide food for the cities (don’t have to pay them much, can overcharge for on site accommodation, make out you’re paying good hourly rates, then off comes their rent, can’t do that with the locals, immigrants are great in that instance, work with accommodation, such a scam).

     I remember now… they are doing at the orchards just around the corner. Thought it sounded familiar. What really blows is the islander orchard workers are such wonderful wonderful people and don’t even realise they are being exploited, as everyones perception is different depending on their life history.

     That would have been a sight to see Maui, the WWII Camps being set up. As it’s coming into summer, maybe they should do the same for NZ Homeless, like little refugee camps for NZ citizens on the outskirts of Auckland.

     Meanwhile due to housing crisis more leases than rentals are being offered, as a result land agents make good $ from tenants on a letting fee’s. And landlords ensure their over priced leases are secure for a certain time frame.

     2017 is getting closer. 2 + 0 + 1 + 7 = 10 = closure and new beginnings, I’m down with that. It’s all about the numbers
     • mauī 7.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 10:22 pm

       Yeah that’s true, I think what I said came out a bit wrong, I wasn’t going for the internment camp model. I’m trying to imagine a better way of doing things that uses resources efficently and has an enhanced social environment.

       I remember seeing a doco somewhere saying that many of the troops going to war had the time of their lives (when they were away from fighting), forming close bonds with their peers and with common goals. Some troops still come back from warzones finding home life is too boring or that the comradery is missing and want to head straight back.

       Our own communities are very splintered and isolated now, with most people too busy working and then sticking to their bungalow after a long day. Even in the weekends, the only flickering signs of community life is the occasional school or church fair, sausage sizzle outside the supermarket. We could really benefit from doing things differently.
       • Incognito 7.1.1.1

         25 October 2016 at 10:31 pm

         An interesting observation that wars and natural disasters generally bring out the best in people and communities (and sometimes the worst).
8. Puckish Rogue 8

   25 October 2016 at 9:18 am

   Well done the ABs, new record for tier one nation wins and showing they can win pretty and win ugly when needed and by the end of the year they might have the overall test win record as well (Cyprus we’re coming for you!)

   For all the people saying its boring that the ABs are winning so much I say appreciate it now because it’ll end and those same people will end up complaining the ABs aren’t winning like they used to

   Michael Cheika, world coach of the year coached the Wallabies to a record as well, first time in over a hundred years the Wallabies have lost two series 3-0 in a year :and they still have a northern tour to go 🙂

   If he thinks the NZ press were mean he’s going to get an almighty shock when he gets to the UK…
   • adam 8.1

     25 October 2016 at 10:01 am

     It’s good the rebuild at Fremantle is going so well, such a shame to see such a stalwart of the club in Micheal Barlow has been let go. Mind you it’s a tough game footy. And the professional era means you has Western Bulldogs this year has made the finals very interesting again.

     It would appear that the week off before the finals campaign really helped the players recover from a grueling season and made for a much more vibrant final series. Not to mention a great game of Women AFL that was a delight to watch. That said, the players association is looking to get a extra week off during the season, to give the players a chance to recover.

     Speaking of the women’s game, as of next year, the full inter state competition begins. http://www.afl.com.au/womens
     • Puckish Rogue 8.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 10:06 am

       Well Gaelic football certainly helped Barretts kicking but just not his conversions, now if only there was a member of the selectors that could help him out:

       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Fox
9. Bearded Git 9

   25 October 2016 at 9:36 am

   [This is not a Clinton/Trump post]

   I was watching a superb doco last night (part of a series) on Franklin Roosevelt showing, among other things, how he won the 1936 US election, taking 46 of the 48 states and 61% of the popular vote! He won by bringing in left wing measures such as union rights, social security, limiting working hours, higher taxes for the rich and pensions. The rich industrialists hated him, calling him a communist/socialist, to which he said (paraphrasing) ‘I love being hated by these guys” and “what I’m doing is just common sense”.

   Andrew Little and the Labour Party take note.
   • Draco T Bastard 9.1

     25 October 2016 at 10:41 am

     +1

     IMO, one of the reasons why Labour is down is because they’re still supporting the failed status quo. They still believe in business rather than the people.
     • Richard Rawshark 9.1.1

       25 October 2016 at 11:07 am

       Because they measure success by measuring the countries performance figures, instead of firstly the happiness of the countries citizens.

       Until these ..know all’s, stop pandering to spread sheets the sooner we will all be better off, within normal common sense boundaries of course, we still have to export stuff and make money, i’m not saying it should not be part of the equation.

       But in all things moderation someone remind the Nats, business focus is just one thing.
       • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.1

         25 October 2016 at 11:11 am

         we still have to export stuff and make money,

         Actually, we don’t.
       • Chuck 9.1.1.2

         25 October 2016 at 11:33 am

         “Because they measure success by measuring the countries performance figures, instead of firstly the happiness of the countries citizens.”

         Some good news for you RR, NZ ranks a respectable 8th for happiness of its citizens.

         http://www.livescience.com/54061-the-world-s-happiest-and-least-happy-countries-according-to-the-united-nations-infographic.html
         • Richard Rawshark 9.1.1.2.1

           25 October 2016 at 11:49 am

           The UN.. right.

           I trust what I can see.. around my neighbourhood, not many like the current government and it’s policies and are unhappy.

           It’s all in how you ask the question.
           • BM 9.1.1.2.1.1

             25 October 2016 at 11:54 am

             Why are they unhappy Richard?, I thought living in Tokoroa would be rather cheap and your money would go a lot further.
             • weka …

               25 October 2016 at 1:04 pm

               Come on BM, even you must know that money doesn’t buy happiness (and especially if you live in a country where your fellow voter thinks you aren’t entitled to enough to live on).
           • Red 9.1.1.2.1.2

             25 October 2016 at 3:54 pm

             You see what you want to see Richard , don’t always trust your senses they are notoriously unreliable, possibly just observe and suspend judgment until the election you may be pleasantly surprised and avoid a lot of angst that most people are not miserable
   • Ad 9.2

     25 October 2016 at 12:18 pm

     Not a useful comparison.
     We’re not facing World War Two, and we don’t have a global Depression.

     Plus, New Zealand’s next election won’t be fought against Hoover, or Forbes.

     It’s going to be fought against John Key, who is a strong Clark-type interventionist running surpluses and strong economic growth.
     • McFlock 9.2.1

       25 October 2016 at 1:54 pm

       well, we do have a bit of an economic slowdown post GFC.

       FDR was also first elected in 1932, not 36.
       • Bearded Git 9.2.1.1

         25 October 2016 at 6:57 pm

         FDR was elected president in 1932, re-elected in 1936 and re-elected (yes for a third term) in 1940 (with 38 of the 48 states).

         I was talking about the 1936 campaign (and forgot to mention a minimum wage policy as well as the rest).
         • McFlock 9.2.1.1.1

           25 October 2016 at 11:40 pm

           fair call.
           Not sure that helps NZLabour get elected from opposition though.
           • Bearded Git 9.2.1.1.1.1

             27 October 2016 at 8:06 am

             In fact he was elected for a fourth term in 1944 but died soon afterwards.
   • Red 9.3

     25 October 2016 at 3:12 pm

     Different times, different world, nothing like now, you can’t impose 20th century solutions, idealology on 21st century problems
   • Peter 9.4

     25 October 2016 at 4:08 pm

     ( Andrew Little and the Labour Party take note. )
     Until they do they will not be getting my vote.
10. adam 10

    25 October 2016 at 9:42 am

    Is it me or is this just get more interesting as the days roll on? Ah Iceland, land of the free and the home of the Sugar Cubes…

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/iceland-braces-for-a-digital-revolution-as-pirate-party-prepares-power-election-2016-a7377456.html
    • Puckish Rogue 10.1

      25 October 2016 at 9:55 am

      Thought you were talking about this lot at first, was most confusing

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugababes
      • adam 10.1.1

        25 October 2016 at 10:08 am

        Why would you think of a English band in a discussion about Iceland?
        • Puckish Rogue 10.1.1.1

          25 October 2016 at 10:28 am

          Half the time I can only skim read whats going on since I’m at work so I read sugababes rather then the sugar cubes
          • adam 10.1.1.1.1

            25 October 2016 at 11:01 am

            I see, now do you know why I said sugar cubes? It was not just for the music context.

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einar_%C3%96rn_Benediktsson
            • Puckish Rogue 10.1.1.1.1.1

              25 October 2016 at 11:58 am

              Never a fan of Bjork I have to say
          • Richard Rawshark 10.1.1.1.2

            25 October 2016 at 11:08 am

            Hmmm … sugar babes eh.. dodgy old man.
            • Puckish Rogue 10.1.1.1.2.1

              25 October 2016 at 12:01 pm

              Oh come on, they’re all in their 30s
              • Richard Rawshark …

                26 October 2016 at 12:25 am

                now maybe… dirtier old man .. borderline stalker. knows their ages.. 🙂
11. joe90 11

    25 October 2016 at 11:20 am

    Somewhere, over the rainbow, tax cuts drive economic growth……

    What’s measured, improves.”

    So said management legend and author Peter F. Drucker about the value of using metrics to define specific objectives within an organization.

    Drucker is no longer with us; if he were, he might want to have a few words with Republican Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas. Brownback, despite promising to measure the results of a “real life experiment” in cutting taxes, has decided to cancel a quarterly report on the status of the state’s economy.

    […]

    A summary of the Brownback record shows:

    Kansas’ gross state product fell behind the six-state region and the nation for the third straight year. (Kansas’ gross state product grew at a faster rate when compared to the region and the nation in three of the five years before Brownback took office in 2011).

    Private industry wages in Kansas grew at a slower pace last year than they did in the region and the U.S. — as they did during the past five years.

    The number of private business establishments in Kansas trailed both the region and the nation for the last year, again continuing a five-year trend.

    By just about every measure, Kansas’ tax experiment has failed to meet the promised performance objectives. Killing the quarterly report won’t change this. If anything — if what Drucker said is right — ending the reporting may make things worse.

    https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-10-24/kansas-ends-bad-economic-news-by-not-reporting-it
12. Richard Rawshark 12

    25 October 2016 at 11:41 am

    RIP NZHERALD.

    I mean anyone had a look at it lately, it’s not even worth going there if your looking for click bait. There stories are stupid, there’s no real news, the opinions are on stupid things..

    It’s pathetic.. what the hell happened it’s not even a raving right wing haven anymore, I don’t think there’s an article of any merit on the whole site!
    • BM 12.1

      25 October 2016 at 11:51 am

      It’s become a news aggregation site.

      I still have a look at the herald, but usually via a link from a blog like this or kiwiblog, that way you don’t have to wade through the dross and click bait.

      It’s a shame but it’s the future of online “news”, a business has to make money otherwise why bother, the herald owners have obviously decided this format is the best/only way to produce a profit.

      Wouldn’t want to be a reporter these days.
      • tc 12.1.1

        25 October 2016 at 2:07 pm

        Reporting exists in public and independant broadcasting but has been systemically purged from MSM.

        Weldons hatchet job on tv3’s campbell and nats removal of stratos being a couple of examples close to home.

        Across the ditch the govt appointees are slowly making inroads at ABC /SBS enabled by a cheering msm who want the taxpayer funded competition removed.
13. Ovid 13

    25 October 2016 at 12:05 pm

    If you have 20 minutes I suggest you watch this. It offers quite a convincing analysis of how those who hope to gain political power must balance competing interests.
    • ianmac 13.1

      25 October 2016 at 4:04 pm

      Wonder how Frank survives in Fiji? The Army is his personal power base I guess. Without them Frank would be gone.
      • Richard Rawshark 13.1.1

        26 October 2016 at 12:20 am

        I had heard that’s only the opinion of those not Fijian.

        I had also heard he was actually very popular amongst his own ethnicity.
        Just saying, not judging.
14. joe90 14

    25 October 2016 at 12:08 pm

    The old hate-monger Jack Chick has finally fallen of his perch.

    https://boingboing.net/2016/10/24/rip-jack-chick-father-of-the.html
    • Puckish Rogue 14.1

      25 October 2016 at 12:50 pm

      A truly horrible man, you start of with something funny like Dark Dungeons:

      https://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.asp

      I mean when I played D & D there certainly wasn’t that many girls playing (unfortunately)

      but then you move onto more disturbing tracts like “Lisa” (don’t google Jack Chick Lisa, seriously don’t its truly f**ked up)

      Try this parody site instead, its quite amusing:

      http://www.weirdcrap.com/chick/archive.html
15. adam 15

    25 October 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Bit of good music to help you through the day.
16. b waghorn 16

    25 October 2016 at 2:59 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11735433

    Winston could have a field day with this one. ird screwing down on the farmers
17. b waghorn 17

    25 October 2016 at 3:08 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/sheep-and-beef/news/article.cfm?c_id=802&objectid=11731984

    If you ever needed an ad for why meat workers should be in a union compare the difference in redundancy for the meat workers being laid off by sff.
18. Siobhan 18

    25 October 2016 at 3:14 pm

    “”It’s not that we oppose these types of people coming in. We just want to know who are they? How are they vetted and what is the back up if something goes wrong?”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/85679007/businessman-threatens-housing-charity-with-lawsuit-if-property-prices-dip-after-they-set-up-shop

    This is where we are at. (well, some of us).
    • Cinny 18.1

      25 October 2016 at 3:54 pm

      what a wanker, owns an insurance brokerage, guarantor of his daughters mortgage, had his knickers in a knot a while back about local businesses not supporting his ‘american car run’ (called it a charity but was run at a loss, creative accounting?).

      Screw the homeless, property values continuing to rise are the number one priority for this new plymouth man.

      And it’s that kind of selfish behaviour that is destroying humanity.
19. adam 19

    25 October 2016 at 4:21 pm

    Direct and to the point. Sexist at points…

    Well done Johnathan Pie
20. weka 20

    25 October 2016 at 11:30 pm

    [In order to keep OM and DR free for other conversations, all comments, link postings etc about the US election now need to go in the dedicated US election discussion here.

    If you are unsure, post in that thread rather than here. It’s not possible for moderators to shift comments from OM to there, so any comments here may get deleted – weka]

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