Open mike 26/10/2024
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6:00 am, October 26th, 2024 - 28 comments
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- End Game
Related articles belowIntroductionRecently, I’ve been having some delays in putting pen to paper.It’s not because I’m short on words -Verbosity seems to be one of the banes of my life. And it’s not because there isn’t enough content: I just whipped up a long list from the past few days.So, ...46 minutes ago - Rowdy scrappers, beautiful birds
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- Thursday 21 November 2024
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A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious ...2 days ago - Speech at United States Business Summit 2024
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Ka mihi ki te mana whenua ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Kia ora and good morning everyone. Thank you Fran and Simon for inviting me here today, and importantly your leadership of this forum over several years now. I want to acknowledge David Gehrenbeck, Deputy ...2 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...2 days ago
- District Court Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Rebecca Guthrie as a District Court Judge. Judge Guthrie was admitted to the bar in 1997 following her graduation from the University of Canterbury in 1996 (LLB, BA). She commenced her legal career in Hastings in 1997 before moving to London in ...2 days ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...2 days ago
- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...2 days ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...2 days ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
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- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...3 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...3 days ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...3 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
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- Better support for victims of sexual violence
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- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
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- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...3 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...3 days ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...3 days ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
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- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
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- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...4 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...4 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...4 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...4 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...4 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...5 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...5 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...5 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...5 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...5 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...5 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...5 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...5 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...5 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...5 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...6 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...6 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...6 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...6 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...6 days ago
- All Blacks end of year tour: What we learned
Analysis - There's plenty to talk about including TJ Perenara's statement during the haka, Jamie Wall writes. ...4 hours ago - ‘To love is to move towards freedom’: Parliament’s newest MP makes their maiden st...
Green MP Benjamin Doyle has joined the 54th Parliament a year into its term. Their maiden statement emphasised the need for radical love. ...9 hours ago
- Live: Minister absent on crucial day as climate talks near collapse
Small island and vulnerable nations walked out of climate finance negotiations on Saturday afternoon in Baku, Azerbaijan, protesting a process they say excluded their participation and views.The COP29 talks are now on the edge of collapse on the crucial issue of a new global finance goal, as the summit has ...10 hours ago - Hīkoi hats: Why are so many people wearing red berets?
For the march to Parliament, many young wahine donned a red beret. It's a pōtae steeped in history and symbolism. ...12 hours ago
- An Ode to .. Erica Stanford
Mean Girl HighSchool swot Jan Tinetti hurries to classAs the bell rings.Slouching against the lockers,Mean Girl Erica lies in waitWith her surly gang of Teen Delinquents.Erica whispers somethingAnd leers horribly at Jan at she scurries past.Jan’s lip trembles,And a hot tear rolls down her face.The Meanies all cackle with gleeAnd ...13 hours ago
- Behind the Banner: Inside the hīkoi mō te Tiriti
Over nine days, rangatahi and veterans of past hīkoi walked shoulder-to-shoulder to take their message to Parliament. Ella Stewart and Cole Eastham-Farrelly were there. ...19 hours ago - Concern Regarding Inconsistent Designation Of Terrorist Organizations
While it is important to maintain strong alliances, it is equally crucial to uphold our Kiwi values of fairness and justice. New Zealand has always prided itself on its commitment to equality and human rights. ...20 hours ago
- New Zealand Government’s Racially Divisive Treaty Principles Bill Passes First Reading
By voting for the bill and allowing it to proceed to the select committee, the coalition parties are enabling ACT—an extremely unpopular party that received just 8.6 percent in the 2023 election—to dominate political discourse, posturing as the party of ...22 hours ago
- Fiji’s Immigration Minister steps down temporarily over ‘unauthorised’ passports for cult memb...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Pio Tikoduadua has ordered an inquiry into the “possible unauthorised issuance of passports” by immigration staff and “offered to step aside temporarily from role”. In a statement on Thursday night, Tikoduadua said the passports in question were issued to the children of ...1 day ago - A 4.45 billion-year-old crystal from Mars reveals the planet had water from the beginning
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron J. Cavosie, Senior lecturer, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University JPL-Caltech/NASA Water is ubiquitous on Earth – about 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by the stuff. Water is in the air, on the surface and inside rocks. ...1 day ago
- COP29 summit runs overtime as finance talks falter over ‘insult’
“Is it a joke?”That’s what Bolivian diplomat Diego Balanza said on Wednesday in Baku, Azerbaijan, when asked by a reporter about the possibility of the new global climate finance goal (the NCQG) landing at just US$200 billion a year. Developing countries have been pushing for a number in the trillions, ...1 day ago
- The Weekend: What would you march for?
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. When I was a junior writer at The Spinoff, Simon Wilson joined the team as Auckland editor. He’d been the editor of Metro for many years and was easily the most experienced journalist in the room. So if we both happened to ...1 day ago - Short story: Freefall, by Owen Marshall
Gordon was meant to be with him on that hike. It wasn’t high mountain stuff, but it was rugged, and it’s always sensible to have a companion when that far into the back country. They’d planned to do it in two days and knew each other’s capabilities. But Gordon got ...1 day ago
- Celebrating families who give the ultimate gift
Amy Ng-Thomson’s first time walking up One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie was six months after a lung transplant.“It was a beautiful March day, and I always do it in March now… seeing the blue skies, the views, feeling the breeze, I get the sense that she’s with me every time I go ...1 day ago
- ‘You bring your whole life to watching TV’: Critic Diana Wichtel on a life in review
The veteran reviewer takes us through her life in television, including the allure of property shows, the crushing end of Campbell Live, and the review that got the most hate mail. Having reviewed television for The Listener for over three decades, award-winning critic Diana Wichtel has chronicled the medium through ...2 days ago
- Can poets drive? A sociocultural investigation
Of all the stereotypes about poets, perhaps the most enduring cliche is that poets can’t drive. But what evidence do we have to back that up? A non-driving poet attempts to find out the truth. Bob Dylan said it. Jo Shapcott said it. Wendy Cope said it. Martin Amis said it, ...2 days ago
- How to read a poem: selections from Slender Volumes by Richard von Sturmer
The latest in a semi-regular series that breaks down a poem to analyse what it’s really trying to tell us. I’ve been interested in Richard von Sturmer’s work since I saw him perform at Wellington’s LitCrawl years ago. He was compelling, using his whole body to thump out a poem, ...2 days ago
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Psychedelic folk singer Arthur Ahbez shares his perfect weekend playlist. Arthur Ahbez will likely wake up this weekend with breathing exercises informed by Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof, and perhaps a bit of yoga. That’s an ideal Saturday, but if he can’t get to it, it’s because life’s responsibilities have ...2 days ago
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HEATHER DU PLESSIS-ALLANI was driving down the middle of the road and Barry who was sitting next to me said,BARRY SOPER“Watch where you’re going!”HEATHERBy which he meant of course the idiots driving on either side of us, but mainly in the left lane. And he had a good point. Because ...2 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Selma Hedlund, Postdoctoral Associate at Center of Forced Displacement, Boston University History is full of examples of governments using forced segregation against ethnic minorities. From settler colonialists coercing Indigenous peoples into reservations, Nazis forcing Jews into ghettos or the United States ...2 days ago
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The Maritime Union also has zero faith in government assurances of a gold standard for ships used for the trade. ...2 days ago
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Shane Jones says the offshore oil and gas ban is "the worst political decision" he has ever been involved with. ...2 days ago
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A series of frantic text messages from Andrew Bayly to government staffers amid scrutiny over his actions at a winery have been revealed. ...2 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Grantham, Lecturer in Communication, Griffith University Shutterstock The federal government’s proposed social media ban for under-16s has sparked widespread debate, affecting millions of young Australians, their families and educators. But will it actually work? While the aim behind this ban ...2 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Crosby, Professor, Monash University Chichimaru/Shutterstock Australia has a seriously big “nest egg”. The Future Fund – our sovereign wealth fund set up in 2006 – now manages about $230 billion. Specifically, its remit is to “invest for the benefit ...2 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Stokes-Parish, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Bond University Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock If someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, they may only have minutes to live. Doing CPR (cardiopulmonary resusciation) can increase their chances of survival. CPR makes sure blood keeps pumping, providing oxygen to ...2 days ago
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The unit will be up and running by early next year, Children's Minister Karen Chhour says. ...2 days ago
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In-person submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill will all be held at Parliament or by video call. ...2 days ago
- ‘Got my support’ – Christopher Luxon stands by Erica Stanford after ‘stupid ...
The prime minister says it wasn't appropriate behaviour but that Erica Stanford had apologised. ...2 days ago
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The first arrest was made just three minutes after midnight, with 11 more to come. ...2 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Hanaghan, Senior Research Fellow in Latin Christianity in Late Antiquity, Australian Catholic University Warning: this article contains mild spoilers. When Gladiator I was released in 2000, I was a high school Classics student and the film brought Classical literature to life ...2 days ago
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
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Pre-election satire in the US.
Luxon big noting in Samoa. ‘Deeply disturbed’ about malignant peters allegations in Parliament, under Privilege. Was he DEEPLY DISTURBED about Bayley. Who didn’t declare shares and then went on a misguidedly SUPERIOR rant against an employee of Winery who was there to do his job. Only one loser there and it wasn’t the employee.
I hope Verall? keeps on with her enquires into Costello’s (obvious to everyone) blatant dodging of her downright dishonest catering to tobacco lobbyists.
Is malignant peters trying to change the narrative there by casting aspersions on Verall under the security of Parliament Privilege?. His usual sneaky manoeuvre. Too scared to bring it out in a public place.
I was so amazed by the double standards and unashamed hypocrisy in the same week that I thought I'd post it here, but Ffloyd beat me to it.
Seems to me that Bayly did what he did to show off in front of his circle, and Luxons trying to show off in front of his circle.
No wonder Luxon has confidence in Bayly.
Hope Labour keeps up with the Costello thing, too, but also why an email from citizen to MPs was withdrawn by the IT department. That can’t be coincidence.
One email to the Leader of the Opposition as far as I know. Coincidence? Sounds fishy. Is there a real inquiry or one you have when you don't have an inquiry?
I note Ayesha Verrall has gone quiet which is a good idea until the 'facts' are revealed.
Of course he is. He's a nasty piece of work.
A wee report from the circuses department of Bread and Circuses.
Went to see Thom Yorke at the Arena in Auckland last night.
Epic show, great lighting and visuals and excellent sound. A trip through his back catalogue and a couple of newbies.
Highlights for me was a gentle stripped back Let Down, a BIG dancy Pak't Like Sardines and Lucky on acoustic guitar as the closer.
Life's too short to not go to these sorts of events and the pollies will still be there next week to struggle against.
Another landscape destroying fast-track shambles here in the Whakatipu Basin near Queenstown.
https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/planned-growth-swapped-for-opportunistic-development-coronet-village-opponent/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
"[Expert landscape architect] Mr Baxter says it appears that the scale of the Coronet Village development would be contrary to the key relevant landscape-related objectives and policies of the Operative and Proposed District Plans.“These objectives and policies are in place so the amenity values (or quality) of the environment are maintained or enhanced by any development," he says in the statement."From the information that has been made public, it appears that Coronet Village does not avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects of activities on the environment, and does not maintain or enhance the landscape character.""
The NZ public are entirely excluded from making submissions on the intrusive development under the fast-track legislation. Neither is there any requirement to reference the district plan. Appeals cannot be made to the Environment Court.
long past time that New Zealanders took to the streets and did meaningful protest. I won't hold my breath about Queenstown doing that though 😉
If it changes voters’ minds about automatically voting National, that's good enough. A vote abstention in 2026 is just as powerful as a pro-lw vote.
And council elections could also firm up opposition to our governing parties. National is burning through its goodwill.
I wonder if this development includes accommodation for underpaid workers, or if they'll have to commute from even further away.
Welcome to totalitarian corporatism.
https://xcancel.com/TheTNHoller/status/1849797479648141561
US teens addicted by vapes get class-action payout.
NZ teens should begin something similar. Nicotine is one of the most addicted drugs around. Around a third of people get hooked, higher than heroin, alcohol and meth, which are around 10-15%.
Asa Winstanley for the Electronic Intifada recently published an article that brought together all the evidence that has emerged over the last year showing Israeli responsibility for hundreds of deaths of Israelis on Oct 7. This includes interviews of apache pilots and tank commanders detailing their decisions to open fire on unidentified civilians and the more than 1000 cars that were turned into burnt out hulks.
Days later Winstaley's home was raided by UK police and all hard drives and electronic equiptment confiscated. He is not the first Palestinian voice to be attacked in this way nor will he be the last. No charges have yet been laid but he has been banned from posting on social media.
https://electronicintifada.net/content/how-israel-killed-hundreds-its-own-people-7-october/49216
Israel has killed somewhere around 180 journalists in the time of genocide. There are now only 3 or 4 active journalists in Gaza and these have now been listed as terrorists, superimposing a large target over the "Press" on their flak jackets. No outside journalsts are allowed in Gaza.
Jabalia in northern Gaza is littered with dead bodies. All three remaining hospitals have been turned to rubble with ICU patients and others unable to be moved inside. There are no longer any functioning ambulances. Displaced residents are force marched along streets by IDF soldiers. Fighting age men are seperated, beaten and stripped, hancuffed and interrogated for hours before being carted off to torture centres. Most people are injured and many will die from their wounds due to infection and compromised immune systems weakened by famine and disease. It was recently reported that Israel has prevented the entry of 250 000!! aid trucks into Gaza.
You have to laugh at Peter’s lack of irony concerning conflicts of interest. If he has a concern about Verall? and he DOESNT have a concern about Costello, who is hiding behind peters pinny, denying all the blatantly obvious corrupted measures she has taken to follow alleged orders from tobacco lobbyists, then he is enabling Costello. Pretending not to know anything does not make her innocent of alleged strategies she has employed.
Winnies dramatic denunciation of the person who supposedly had not declared her Conflict of interest was worthy of a third rate actor trying out for a bit part and totally over egging it.
I laughed out loud. …
.’Sorry. ….Next please!’ He sounded like he was angling for a public hanging.
Hes like an old ham ready for the Abbatoir squealing all the way . Just imo.
Verall thumbs up 👍
Costelloe thumbs down.
Peters was noticeably slurring his words on RadioNZ when making his silly and unjustified attack on Verall.
Is he really going to be fit to take NZF into the next election?
Found on X today: 14 Characteristics of Fascism
https://xcancel.com/MrsButters/status/1849442632948191683#m
Another good one was the "7 key principles of Authoritarianism"
https://x.com/MrsButters/status/1849836383004754241
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360465949/trump-threatens-jail-election-officials-political-operatives-if-he-takes
For the record, I despise Trump.
Ao/NZ has its own mini Brexit/Trump regime doing the same shit. And we have fewer checks and balances
They no longer have SCOTUS in its role.
They have determined that POTUS is ex cathedra when acting as POTUS.
They have the POTUS appointment system – with the Project 2025 ambition to go eliminate resistance (in ways that go beyond HUAC).
Look on the bright side. Trump is aging rapidly. Like Stalin, it's a time-limited autocracy. Because he is the brand, the popularity dies with him.
JD Vance (and the Governor of Florida) have SCOTUS for decades, esp if they can replace Thomas and Alito in the next 4 years – the order of rule is more than the one (brand Trump) who installs it.
The whole Republican party is awash in grifters, Trump is only their temporary king, they will find another.
They are so insane that news orgs like CNN have to actively filter out the psychos – they missed one yesterday: MAGA Pundit "Jokes" About Assassinating Journalist Mehdi Hasan
2 wkts for the test
WON IT Yah
Does anyone else see, in the comments above, the crazy juxtaposition of bread and circuses, which we willingly consume, with the madness of emperors and generals?
Aotearoa/New Zealand has won recently cricket and netball series, rugby tests, won sailing cups, and cycled, swum and run our way to glory, and we pay to see the circuses brought into our homes. along with the lies, the distortions and the hate as the oceans rise, the rain falls, and fascist reality is fashioned from the sociopathy of rulers.
As the movers and shakers of spaceship Earth continue to screw up this iteration of civilisation, sport can be a palliative distraction – just leave the politics at home!
One more observation on “bread and circuses, which we willingly consume“.
Go the Silver Ferns, but it's (only) sport, for goodness sake. Some media descriptions of (non-contact) sporting wins seem ungracious to me – violent even. And to what end?
I wonder how the Ancient Roman Times would have reported on the latest Colosseum games?
In similar terms? Astute observation, DMK.