Open mike 26/04/2015

117 comments on “Open mike 26/04/2015 ”

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1. NZSage 1

   26 April 2015 at 6:41 am

   I’m no fan of Rodney Hide and maybe we’re not getting the whole story but this all appears very odd and maybe worrying for all of us.

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11438698&ref=rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
   • tc 1.1

     26 April 2015 at 7:58 am

     Welcome to a state of affairs he helped create not expecting to be subject to it, oh the irony and still took his inside contacts and the soapbox at granny he enjoys to shake a form of reply out.

     Welcome to life outside the beltway bubble rortney.
   • RedBaronCV 1.2

     26 April 2015 at 9:52 am

     Sounds very odd – a private investigator undertaking the questioning after being summons issued and sworn in by a government official.
     When to the govt web page for insolvency
     I see the official assignee looks like they only investigate under the bankruptcy act and the companies act.
     I assume that they only investigate under bankruptcy if someone claims assets / income has been hidden in the process. Does this just leave companies act offences then? What would you do if you didn’t have a column like Rodney.
     • hoom 1.2.1

       26 April 2015 at 12:36 pm

       Hide wouldn’t be the first former ACT MP who got in shit for dodgy business practices.
   • philj 1.3

     27 April 2015 at 8:31 pm

     Lol Rodney. Karma comes around! hahaha
2. Paul 2

   26 April 2015 at 7:57 am

   On ANZAC Day Key speaks of New Zealand’s nationhood and sovereignty.
   And the day after we’re reminded he’ll sign the TPP and sign away our rights and freedoms.
   He is a traitor.

   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-brown/the-transpacific-partnership_b_7136112.html
   • tc 2.1

     26 April 2015 at 8:04 am

     Key works for American interests and Nat party backers, if those interests dont happen to be in NZ best interests then tough luck voters.
   • Once was Tim 2.2

     26 April 2015 at 8:51 am

     a rather sickening interview with Lucy Hockings too on BBC WN where he speaks of our respect of democracy and freedom.
     That whole concept of ‘the ANZAC spirit’ is rather interesting. It’s something that seems to exist amongst various peer groups (such as the military, fire service, police, family groups spread across two nations), but which is immediately fucked up by politicians on each side of the Tasman Sea. (e.g. Howard’s rule changes that put Kiwis at a disadvantage as non-citizens/deprivation of healthcare/welfare etc despite paying taxes – how frikken ANZAC spirited is THAT?!)
3. NZJester 3

   26 April 2015 at 7:59 am

   I see the NZHerald has a story this morning about performance artist Cherry Lazar having a show coming up on the 7th of May at the Jewelry Shop Gallery 79 Rue Charlot in Paris, France.
   Cherry real name Stephie is the daughter of a famous ponytail puller.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11438715
   Would be interesting to see what art critics think of her work.
   • Visubversaviper 3.1

     26 April 2015 at 8:42 am

     I recall when one well known NZ artist was asked to comment on her work he said something about how artists should not be asked about that sort of material.
   • les 3.2

     26 April 2015 at 8:57 am

     she has very luxuriant ponytails!
     • Molly 3.2.1

       26 April 2015 at 9:14 am

       les, somewhat reassuring to note your lack of knowledge in this area – Cherry Lazaar is sporting “pigtails” – a completely different hairstyle. 🙂
   • Paaparakauta 3.3

     26 April 2015 at 9:36 am

     The timing is interesting. Has Glucina been on the phone to Paris recently ?
     • Paul 3.3.1

       26 April 2015 at 10:53 am

       Too much of a coincidence.
       We know the Herald’s political colours after the Glucina story.
       I’d predict they’ve had this ‘story’ on the backburner for a while.
       The Herald is an extreme right wing tabloid rag.
   • ianmac 3.4

     26 April 2015 at 9:49 am

     Somewhat ironic that her art is to champion the rights of women.
     • Robespierre 3.4.1

       26 April 2015 at 10:04 am

       She would not last long in Wellington’s current blustery weather
       http://metservice.com/towns-cities/wellington/wellington-city
   • Stephanie Rodgers 3.5

     26 April 2015 at 10:04 am

     I am as always a little leery of bringing Stephanie Key into any discussion about NZ politics. It’s typically been used as an excuse to objectify her and demean her art in order to get in a dig on her father.

     If you really want to know what “art critics” think of her work you could try reading the article, which extensively quotes a the gallery owner, who’s also a fine art photographer, on the subject.
     • Robespierre 3.5.1

       26 April 2015 at 10:25 am

       “The definition of beauty is different everywhere, but the sense of self-confidence and power is universal,” Key said in a statement to the Herald on Sunday from gallerist Trevor Mansfield.

       http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11438715

       Hmm .. Ayn Rand ? ‘Might makes right’ ? Or just self-realisation ?
     • Skinny 3.5.2

       26 April 2015 at 11:20 am

       I do not see any need for people mentioning Key’s daughter whatsoever. Smacks of desperation after all she is making her own way in the world.
       • whateva next? 3.5.2.1

         26 April 2015 at 12:31 pm

         Still pondering on the impact this young woman will have on her generation??
         Power and money behind her, she has chosen a very deliberately provocative way to express herself, what she is expressing could very easily be….take your clothes off and be outrageous girls, try to shock, and attract attention.
         Might get her a long way, and she has people to fall back on, but average kiwi young women can’t afford to risk it, let alone make a living out of it.
         In fact one young kiwi woman dared to speak up, and be “strong” when repeatedly “touched” in her workplace, and look what has happened to her.
         • Stephanie Rodgers 3.5.2.1.1

           26 April 2015 at 12:39 pm

           And again, I see no need to bring Stephanie Key into a conversation about Amanda Bailey.

           If Stephanie Key had actually done something relevant to the story besides “be John Key’s daughter and make art which shocks some people” it would be a different story, but attacking a young woman because her father is a prat is simply unnecessary.
           • whateva next? 3.5.2.1.1.1

             26 April 2015 at 2:04 pm

             Not attacking her akshully,
             she is inviting questions by her own actions, and I am asking….”What impact will your actions have on your peers?”
             Would ask the same of any person on the public stage , including Amanda Bailey, although her message to be a “strong woman” is pretty clear, and respectful of women
       • whateva next? 3.5.2.2

         26 April 2015 at 2:09 pm

         Her own way???? Don’t be soooo naive.
       • Murray Rawshark 3.5.2.3

         26 April 2015 at 4:01 pm

         I sort of agree, except that I doubt if she is making her own way in the world. How much would enrolment in the private American art school in Paris cost? It’s a bit like Abbott’s daughter, who won a previously non-existent scholarship to a private design school. Totally on merit, apparently.

         The story is not so much what the two of them are doing, but how politicians are using their positions to build dynasties. It’s very American.
     • Incognito 3.5.3

       26 April 2015 at 12:04 pm

       Your comment prompted me to read the article, reluctantly. I don’t quite get the “art” stuff and the message that she’s trying to convey is lost on me, I’m afraid.

       BTW, when I saw #divonnelesbains (Pole dance Studio – dlb) under one of the Instagram photos in the Herald article my brain played tricks on me and I read “divine lesbians”. Perhaps I did get Cherry Lazar’s message after all?

       The Herald would never have published this if she wasn’t Key’s daughter; she ain’t Lorde, Eleanor Catton, or Lydia Ko, as far as I can tell.

       The French seem to have an interesting relationship with food and sensuality; when I saw La Grande Bouffe for the first time I was intrigued and puzzled.

       It’s almost lunch time …
   • NZSage 3.6

     26 April 2015 at 10:15 am

     Interesting she is not leveraging the family name… or has it become a liability these days?
     • Stephanie Rodgers 3.6.1

       26 April 2015 at 12:40 pm

       Radical third option: like many, many artists before her she’s chosen to use a pseudonym for artistic reasons.
       • Scintilla 3.6.1.1

         26 April 2015 at 8:48 pm

         Stephy doesn’t protect that pseudonym very well, though, does she. As she is her own subject, she is an images search away and that is just how she wants it – a bit of a tease, all part of that reclaiming “the naughty girl” in a fearless and amusing fashion. And all about the cult of celebrity. Perhaps she’s being ironic ….pffft. Whatever, she really doesn’t want your alliance or protection.
         • Stephanie Rodgers 3.6.1.1.1

           27 April 2015 at 12:31 am

           Many artists perform under pseudonyms despite their real names being well known, so I’m not sure what your point was, and I’ll protect any young woman who’s being subjected to petty personal attacks just because some leftwing douchebags think it’s a clever way to destroy her father.
           • whateva next? 3.6.1.1.1.1

             27 April 2015 at 1:34 pm

             left wing douchebags with daughters who are struggling through uni, trying to find part time work to sustain them through masters, in the hope of one day making a meaningful contribution to society.
             Stop “rescuing” Stephanie and hear what people who aren’t being precious are saying, without prejudice.
             • Stephanie Rodgers …

               27 April 2015 at 2:20 pm

               I have no problem with being “precious” when a young woman is being exploited, and I don’t give a toss what your personal circumstances are. Sexism is sexism – and sexist put-downs like “being precious” are, too.
             • tracey …

               27 April 2015 at 2:46 pm

               struggles thru uni justify villifying a young woman cos you dont like her father? what meaningful contribution do you want to make?
               • whateva next? …

                 27 April 2015 at 3:05 pm

                 I have worked for 30 years in the health service, at the shop floor, and am proud of doing so. I am proud of my daughters working hard to do the right things in life.
                 Clearly you do not understand, mine, and others point regarding Key’s daughter.
                 You are patronising, blinkered and out of touch, I doubt young Stephie gives a toss about your “protection”, she doesn’t need it, and …

                 ” and sexist put-downs like “being precious” are, too”

                 umm, left wing douchbags? and what is “sexist” about “precious”?
                 Don’t worry it’s a rhetorical question, and I am not interested in being patronised by either of you any further.
     • miravox 3.6.2

       26 April 2015 at 7:38 pm

       Lazar is her grandmother’s family name, I think.
       • veutoviper 3.6.2.1

         27 April 2015 at 2:37 pm

         Correct. John Key’s mother was Ruth Lazar. John Key’s older sister, Susan, now uses the name Susan Lazar.
     • felix 3.6.3

       27 April 2015 at 3:12 pm

       Nothing unusual about using a pseudonym, protected or otherwise.

       Her father’s money likely provides some useful leverage, but I doubt his name would mean a lot for her career.
   • whateva next? 3.7

     26 April 2015 at 10:26 am

     hey, the emperors daughter’s got no clothes on!
     • ianmac 3.7.1

       26 April 2015 at 10:51 am

       🙂
   • b waghorn 3.8

     26 April 2015 at 10:27 am

     I wouldn’t get to excited about it , its just one of the idle youth of the rich finding a way to fill there days in.
4. freedom 4

   26 April 2015 at 8:29 am

   Meanwhile in the ”are we surprised?’ pile
   http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11437319

   “Turner’s departure follows a relatively smooth path for the company since its banker owners put the firm into receivership and emerged last November as the new shareholders of the company.”
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11286388

   ” The company was subsequently sold to MediaWorks Holdings Limited, a syndicate of banks and equity companies,” – Mediaworks website

   bankers owning media companies always seems so obvious 😉
   • ropata 4.1

     26 April 2015 at 9:13 am

     Can you tell the story without linking to that corporate propaganda outlet?
     These people have no moral qualms about outing a waitress who clearly didn’t want to be the centre of a media shitstorm.

     donotlink.com
     • freedom 4.1.1

       26 April 2015 at 10:12 am

       Fair question ropata, and yes I (we) should use donotlink more often because we still need to present the original information. As we all know, when we quote stuff, rather than having trust and confidence in others’ integrity the rwnj’s, who need a dictionary a flow chart and six weeks of HR work-shopping to digest the definition of those terms, stand on their crumbling soapboxes and scream ‘citation – source – lies – etc’

       On a side issue – Although using donotlink does hurt their search ratings it still creates page hits at the source which helps get them $$$ – unless I am completely misunderstanding how it works so would appreciate any clarification on that.
       • ropata 4.1.1.1

         26 April 2015 at 10:24 am

         I think that when using donotlink, the NZH will still get a page hit, but won’t be able to track you or improve their google rank.

         Appreciate the info anyway, it is a serious concern when the MSM is entirely controlled by one or two powerful corporations.
       • freedom 4.1.1.2

         26 April 2015 at 10:25 am

         If you don’t want to visit donotlink.com every time you use the service, you can also put “http://www.donotlink.com/” before the website’s url like this:

         http://www.donotlink.com/www.example.com/rwnj/education.html
5. marty mars 5

   26 April 2015 at 8:39 am

   My heart is going out to Nepal and the people after this earthquake – I have friends over there, no word about them or from them.
   • Once was Tim 5.1

     26 April 2015 at 9:02 am

     +1 @ Marty. There are deaths and damage across northern Indian states as well (Haryana Punjab UP Bihar W Bengal etc. – thankfully India appears to be responding with aid to Nepal promptly)
   • rawshark-yeshe 5.2

     26 April 2015 at 11:35 am

     Catastrophic. I watched Times of India TV until the end of daylight over there last night .. here’s a link, though it has become more India-centric this morning.

     Kudos to Indian gvt for having C130’s landing at Kathmandu airport before the light disappeared … very swift and compassionate response to help this impoverished land.

     There was very brief footage from Pokhara, whcih was almost the epicentre with 7.9 only 2 kms underneath them .. the photo I saw showed a road where one side of the cracked surface was about 30-50 feet higher than the other side. Horrors.

     http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earthquake-in-north-India/liveblog/47047920.cms

     and also this for anyone who has been to this very sacred Buddhist site …

     http://indianexpress.com/article/world/neighbours/iconic-swayambhunath-stupa-stands-amidst-the-rubble-of-its-complex/

     Also Tibet has suffered great damage and many deaths being reported.

     Wish you well in finding your friends Marty … I have many friends there and the days will be very long while we wait.

     (Maybe the Chinese govt will recconsider its’ ill-thought- through plans to build a road tunnel under Everest and the Himalayas through to Kathmandu. What could possibly go wrong.)
     • rawshark-yeshe 5.2.1

       26 April 2015 at 12:21 pm

       correction … not C130’s but Globemaster C17’s … thx
6. ropata 6

   26 April 2015 at 9:10 am

   Death toll is up to 1130. Arohanui Nepal…
7. Colonial Rawshark 7

   26 April 2015 at 9:10 am

   US Gov abandons Yemeni Americans in war zone – Russians evacuate them

   Chinese and Russian governments have been busy evacuating international citizens out of Yemen, while the US state department has provided no travel assistance and has been advising its own nationals to stay in the war zone.

   Russia has now evacuated over 1700 people from 20 countries out of Yemen.

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_KHO4B9bc8
   • ropata 7.1

     26 April 2015 at 9:23 am

     Meanwhile the Syrian civil war has produced 3.5 million refugees and a wave of mass drownings as desperate people flee the bombs and bullets and poisonous gas.
8. weka 8

   26 April 2015 at 9:32 am

   Pity about the new smilies. Not as clear as the old ones I think (on the laptop, haven’t looked on the phone). Was that a wordpress upgrade thing?
   • freedom 8.1

     26 April 2015 at 10:22 am

     it’s not just my eyes then 🙂
     imho, they are poorly designed ill-defined messes, take “evil” for example, it doesn’t look evil at all, more like a hungover grape 👿

     whatever happened to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
     • weka 8.1.1

       26 April 2015 at 1:00 pm

       😈

       That’s twisted. I have to look really closely to see what it is saying.
     • idlegus 8.1.2

       26 April 2015 at 7:57 pm

       “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” seems to be antithesis to IT types, look how often you turn on FB or something similar & everything has changed for whatever reasons.
       • Draco T Bastard 8.1.2.1

         27 April 2015 at 12:48 am

         Nothing is perfect and believing otherwise is detrimental to making the world a better place. In this case, though, nothing was actually fixed. Whoever designed those icons seems to have fallen for fashionable nonsense:

         Before iOS 7, icons were highly differentiated. You could immediately discern which app belonged to which brand, and you knew the app’s purpose.

         In iOS 7, Apple has done away with the concept of branding. Popular companies like Facebook have eagerly followed suit not only in their icon concepts, but in their palettes too. One might assume that Apple bought Facebook given the striking similarity of their icon designs post-iOS 7.

         Notice Apple’s Remote app and Safari in comparison to Facebook’s Messenger. Or consider Apple’s Game Center in relation to Facebook’s Groups. Each app, Apple or Facebook has roughly the same appearance.

         This is true not only of Facebook. Almost universally, the designers at the standard-setting tech companies throughout the industry immediately employed flat design as an opportunity to increase their efficiency and prove their adherence to trends.
   • Draco T Bastard 8.2

     26 April 2015 at 11:42 am

     Yeah, can’t say I like the new smilies. The new ones just don’t have the character that the old ones had.
   • McFlock 8.3

     26 April 2015 at 12:38 pm

     eeep, I’ll just check ‘old faithful’, the rolly-eyes:

     🙄

     edit: boooo. Now I’ll have to use my wordiness to express that sentiment.
     • freedom 8.3.1

       26 April 2015 at 1:22 pm

       and they no longer roll [insert actual rolling eyes emoji here]
9. travellerev 9

   26 April 2015 at 10:56 am

   My take on Anzac day On Bravery, Anzac Day And Lies, Damn Lies.
10. phillip ure 10

    26 April 2015 at 11:02 am

    a song for john key..

    http://whoar.co.nz/2015/a-song-for-john-key/
11. Barbara 11

    26 April 2015 at 11:28 am

    Hey folks, can anyone explain why it was LA International Airport where John Key had to make his hurried apologies over the ponytail interfering, while on his way to Turkey. Is there some other place he had to be, before his ANZAC appointment – isn’t the usual flight path to Europe via Singapore, Hongkong etc – seems odd to be going a very long way around – was he seeing Warner Brothers over Kim Dot Com maybe?? Have I missed something in the media???
    • Paul 11.1

      26 April 2015 at 11:43 am

      The US is home from home for Key.
    • freedom 11.2

      26 April 2015 at 12:05 pm

      Don’t know exactly where he went on the way over, but the PM did deliver a speech at the International Peace Summit in Turkey, where he said ““New Zealand must play a role, along with others here today, in standing up to the brutality and extremism of ISIL,”

      He then went on to the ANZAC Centenary events to show how much he respects the fallen. On the way back he has the NZ Ambassador’s “Networking reception” in Dubai with his “business delegation”. You know Dubai, that place that also beheads people, stones women, kills homosexuals and lashes journalists but apparently we’re cool with them doing all that.
      • rawshark-yeshe 11.2.1

        26 April 2015 at 12:25 pm

        tragedy is Key would not even notice …. Dubai is where the money is and likely the underpinnings of his next job … Bandar Key and all that.
      • veutoviper 11.2.2

        26 April 2015 at 1:16 pm

        On the way over to Turkey, it appears that he went via LA (where he was interviewed) and then onto Turkey (possibly with a transfer at London?).

        He is visiting not only Dubai on the way back to NZ (arriving May 1), but also Saudia Arabia and Kuwait, with a trade delegation which includes amongst others, Michelle Boag. Perhaps he could leave Michelle in Dubai or Saudia Arabia ….

        Full details here.
        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/68055160/john-key-hopes-for-talks-with-saudi-royals
        • veutoviper 11.2.2.1

          26 April 2015 at 1:45 pm

          Sorry, did not see Barbara’s comment. From what I saw on the media and Twitter, Key would only have been in LA an hour or so at the most on this trip.

          Travel to Europe via LA is just as common as via Asia these days, as the via LA routes often fly the shorter route over the Artic rather than across the US and then the Atlantic.
      • freedom 11.2.3

        26 April 2015 at 1:26 pm

        for a depressing read, here’s the world according to Amnesty international
        https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol10/0001/2015/en/
      • Murray Rawshark 11.2.4

        26 April 2015 at 4:10 pm

        Waitresses know their place in Dubai. They get flogged if they complain about what powerful men do to them. FJK will love it.
        • rawshark-yeshe 11.2.4.1

          26 April 2015 at 9:18 pm

          murray … have a look at #27 below …
    • Realblue 11.3

      26 April 2015 at 12:30 pm

      Last time I went it was Auk-LA-London
12. hoom 12

    26 April 2015 at 1:00 pm

    Confirming again what international surveys repeatedly find: Lots of NZ managers are overpaid idiots
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/68046042/mondayisation-causing-a-headache-for-employers

    Its really not that hard:
    -If your staff worked on Saturday then that was their Public Holiday.
    -If they didn’t then Monday is the Public Holiday.
    -If you manipulated the Roster to try to not have to pay them extra then whichever of those days they would normally have worked is the Public Holiday, there is no way out.
    • Draco T Bastard 12.1

      26 April 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Yep, the headache only comes when the managers try to avoid obeying the law.
13. Draco T Bastard 13

    26 April 2015 at 1:28 pm

    Champion Racehorse
14. rawshark-yeshe 14

    26 April 2015 at 1:31 pm

    love elizabeth warren .. calling on obama to put up or shut up and make tppa documents public

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/25/elizabeth-warren-tells-ob_n_7142850.html
15. burt 15

    26 April 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Look what you unionist lovers of big monopoly state control will bring to NZ If you get things your way;

    Venezuela Reaches the Final Stage of Socialism: No Toilet Paper
    • Murray Rawshark 15.1

      26 April 2015 at 4:17 pm

      Cato Institute: an unimpeachable source. In any case, if FJK ever visits Venezuela, he can just take Mike Hosking along and Bob’s your uncle.
      • ropata 15.1.1

        27 April 2015 at 9:48 pm

        The Cato institute’s version of “capitalism” is racketeering, market manipulation and dirty politics under a veneer of free enterprise.

        Ever heard of confirmation bias burt?
    • joe90 15.2

      26 April 2015 at 4:38 pm

      Seems getting toilet paper isn’t the problem, the problem is the hotelier can’t get toilet paper at the correct price.

      “In the black market you have to pay 110 bolivares [$0.50] for a roll of toilet paper that usually costs 17 bolivares [$ 0.08] in the supermarket,” Camacho told Fusion. “We don’t want to participate in the corruption of the black market, and I don’t have four hours a day to line up for toilet paper” at a supermarket….
      • burt 15.2.1

        27 April 2015 at 11:54 am

        I think you’ll need to read a little further than the link I provided to get the full picture. But I guess if you haven’t noticed that socialism always fails yet then you won’t be wanting to read the full context of the failure of one size fits all state monopoly in Venezuela.

        If you google around this subject you will find that like always in socialism the state has willingly served it’s own best interests and that is the problem in a nutshell.
        • tracey 15.2.1.1

          27 April 2015 at 2:57 pm

          and when capitalism fails 95% of a population your answer is

          “please sir can i have more”
        • ropata 15.2.1.2

          27 April 2015 at 3:51 pm

          Venezuela has a complex history and its suffering is mostly due to US commercial imperialism and its elites strip mining out all the wealth for themselves. The oil price has collapsed and the USA is indulging in propaganda games.

          Why is it that oil states without nukes get picked on like this?
        • ropata 15.2.1.3

          27 April 2015 at 7:53 pm

          I googled the subject and found that Denmark is the no.1 Happiest Nation on Earth.
          • ropata 15.2.1.3.1

            27 April 2015 at 8:16 pm

            I also found this article

            The Danes, by old tradition, have been accustomed to the concept that the land belongs to the people. The rapid industrialisation and land enclosures of the 18th and 19th centuries, begun in England, saw this tradition come under sustained attack; attacks which grew more intense as industrialisation grew.

            In 1957 the Justice Party, together with the Social Democrats (Labour) and the Radical Left Wing Party (Liberals actually) formed what was to become the most prosperous ever Danish Government – later termed the Ground Rent Government.

            It was therefore generally expected that after formation of the government, some kind of land value taxation would be introduced. Land speculation ceased immediately. Legislation on taxation of increased land value was prepared, presented to parliament and passed.

            After three years in power, Denmark had no foreign debt, no inflation and an unemployment level of 1%, considered full employment.
            • ropata 15.2.1.3.1.1

              27 April 2015 at 8:20 pm

              burt,
              As it’s the 100 year anniversary of WWI, did you know that Britain was on the verge of a peaceful social revolution when one maniac in Sarajevo plunged the world into war?
              • ropata …

                27 April 2015 at 8:59 pm

                hey burt,
                it’s natural to turn a blind eye to the problems inherent in the current capitalist paradigm, everyone is doing it.
        • Draco T Bastard 15.2.1.4

          27 April 2015 at 10:39 pm

          burt, you’re still a delusional idiot by ignoring reality and history. Reality and history show that it’s always capitalism that doesn’t work.
    • Draco T Bastard 15.3

      26 April 2015 at 8:09 pm

      What’s causing any shortages in Venezuela isn’t socialism but capitalism as the capitalists demand their blood price.
16. Philip Ferguson 16

    26 April 2015 at 3:14 pm

    Workers who resisted militarism in the early twentieth century here, while pursuing the class war vigorously:
    https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/26/opposing-war-abroad-fighting-the-class-war-at-home-radical-workers-in-new-zealand-1905-1925/
17. greywarshark 17

    26 April 2015 at 3:20 pm

    On the British coming election. Catchy description.
    http://whoar.co.nz/

    General election 2015: the main parties are all staring into a pitch-black night of the soul
    Andrew Rawnsley
    The Tories set out with a plan so simple that even the dimmest of their candidates could be expected to follow it. Say often enough that Ed Miliband isn’t up to being prime minister. Say often enough that the economy is now doing well. Say often enough that Labour’s numbers don’t add up. Add amplification from your allied propagandists in the rightwing press and the Conservatives roll back to power.

    It sounded quite plausible. To many Labour people, it sounded terrifyingly plausible. At the outset of the campaign, there was deep neuroticism in Labour’s ranks. For the Tory plan is one that has traditionally worked in British politics. When a party has the lead on economic competence, the preferred candidate for prime minister, the advantages of incumbency, plus the majority of press support and the most money, the conventional rules of political gravity say that they ought to win.
18. marty mars 18

    26 April 2015 at 3:54 pm

    I really am in a bit of a quandary about this

    firstly I believe in equality
    secondly I believe the Treaty should actually be enacted and that Māori should be recognised as partners in our country
    thirdly I really feel for the sentiment Mae espouses regarding reflecting diversity and our changing ethnic makeup
    fourthly I don’t see gender being overtaken at all – but is this just a oppression olympic position?

    “Bank of New Zealand’s newest director, Auckland lawyer Mai Chen, says ethnic representation has now overtaken gender as one of the biggest concerns for boardrooms.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/68042718/top-lawyer-calls-for-more-asians-on-boards

    should I really care about the boardroom? Is it an issue or is it a manifestation of the bigger, larger, deeper issue of diversity?
    • Murray Rawshark 18.1

      26 April 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Who goes to the boardroom shows which groups are being bought off. Having an Asian woman on the board of ANZ will not stop the bank ripping off customers any more than having Thatcher as PM made Britain a better place for women. We should be doing away with private banks and their boards, not trying to disguise them as inclusive.
      • greywarbler 18.1.1

        27 April 2015 at 12:05 pm

        Maori have long recognised that with the present welcoming of moneyed migrants they would become just another minority in their own country. Instead of the bi-cultural sharing in running the country, they would just be part of the multi-racial mix.

        And there is pressure always to follow this line from many pakeha and now from the competitive, clever Asians who have come here to make their mark and their wealth. They may be family oriented, but are more individualistic than traditional Maori with their whanau and hapu tradition with shared land and resources.
19. Clemgeopin 19

    26 April 2015 at 4:04 pm

    The Stuart McIntyre case – The pitfalls of social media and work

    [He was sacked today for his tweets]

    https://accidentalaussie.wordpress.com/2015/04/26/the-stuart-mcintyre-case-the-pitfalls-of-social-media-and-work/
    • Murray Rawshark 19.1

      26 April 2015 at 4:27 pm

      I didn’t think Murdoch owned SBS yet. In Oz it is almost seen as treasonous to question the official myths, and NAct is trying hard to import the same sentiment. The big media is soon going to be indistinguishable from that of North Korea, except that the flag shown on each page will be different.
20. joe90 20

    26 April 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Who woulda thunk it.
    /

    WASHINGTON — The secrecy surrounding the National Security Agency’s post-9/11 warrantless surveillance and bulk data collection program hampered its effectiveness, and many members of the intelligence community later struggled to identify any specific terrorist attacks it thwarted, a newly declassified document shows.The document is a lengthy report on a once secret N.S.A. program code-named Stellarwind. The report was a joint project in 2009 by inspectors general for five intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and it was withheld from the public at the time, although a short, unclassified version was made public. The government released a redacted version of the full report to The New York Times on Friday evening in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/25/us/politics/value-of-nsa-warrantless-spying-is-doubted-in-declassified-reports.html
21. Shane Le Brun 21

    26 April 2015 at 5:34 pm

    My latest blog post on medical cannabis, this time calling for use in terminal cancer.
    http://yournz.org/2015/04/26/medical-cannabis-and-cancer-a-call-for-compassion/

    Also, United in Compassion, a group that is winning with policy change in Australia, is coming to NZ, we need submissions to send to the RH Peter Dunne from Medical Cannabis patients, there supporting friends and family, and Medical Practitioners. If you can help, please contact me, Philip Ure, please get in touch. see the post here….
    https://www.facebook.com/MFMCNZ
22. Anne 22

    26 April 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Chris Trotter writes a good post:

    http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/weep-zealandia-weep.html

    And what about the likes of your humble correspondent? That endangered species known as the “Fourth Estate”? Are New Zealand’s journalists, commentators, newspaper columnists and bloggers to be guided now, in the fulfilment of their professional ethical obligations, by the shining example of Rachel Glucina?

    Final paragraph. Nice one.
23. rawshark-yeshe 23

    26 April 2015 at 7:16 pm

    paddy gower reported in 3news that bandar key did not get is royal family meeting in dubai today. paddy said he has been bumped, with no idea of whether he will be ‘un-bumped’ tomorrow.

    😀
    • ropata 23.1

      27 April 2015 at 4:03 pm

      but.. but.. NZ flew the flags at half mast and everything!

      they probably don’t want to be seen with Key the international embarrassment.
24. rawshark-yeshe 24

    26 April 2015 at 7:19 pm

    lprent .. any chance we can have the old face icons back please ? these new ones are very tiny!!
25. joe90 25

    26 April 2015 at 7:36 pm

    Vile people.

    It is 2 p.m. and Muhammad Hashem*, 14, has walked several kilometers home in the blistering Jordan Valley heat after working a back-breaking seven hours, with only half an hour’s break, in the agricultural fields of the Israeli settlement Tomer, north of Jericho.

    He is too weary to stand as his picture is taken and there are dark bags under his eyes from exhaustion.

    Muhammad is one of hundreds of Palestinian children who has dropped out of school and started working for low wages in exploitive conditions to ensure some Israeli agricultural settlements prosper, aided and abetted by Palestinian middlemen who are employed by the Israelis as managers of these agricultural fields.

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently released a 74-page report entitled
    “Ripe for Abuse – Palestinian Child Labor in Israeli Agricultural Settlements in the West Bank.”

    http://www.dw.de/israeli-settlements-profit-from-palestinian-children/a-18395612
    • Draco T Bastard 25.1

      26 April 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Ah, capitalism at its finest.
26. felix 26

    26 April 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Just spotted this new tune from Darren Watson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrmbxtr09k

    Nice.
27. Draco T Bastard 27

    26 April 2015 at 8:10 pm

    But the biggest advantage of horse-race journalism is that it permits reporters and pundits to “play up their detachment.”
28. idlegus 28

    26 April 2015 at 8:51 pm

    bit of a twitter battle going on & this link came up, http://laudafinem.com/2015/04/21/whale-oil-hack-dirty-politics-new-zealand-police-arrest-cyber-activist-with-strong-labour-party-connections/ just thought i’d bring it up coz the standard gets a mention. might also be part of those ‘rawshark’ got arrested rumours the other day.
    • idlegus 28.1

      26 April 2015 at 9:04 pm

      a ‘twattle’?
    • rawshark-yeshe 28.2

      26 April 2015 at 9:19 pm

      bloody awful if it’s true.
      • Murray Rawshark 28.2.1

        26 April 2015 at 9:32 pm

        I doubt if this Ben guy is Rawshark. Ben comes across as a big noting idiot, yet Rawshark managed to stay out of the limelight. I don’t think Lauda Finem consistently gets things right either.
        • Colonial Rawshark 28.2.1.1

          26 April 2015 at 9:42 pm

          Yep. Ben is a master of BS. Very insincere.
        • rawshark-yeshe 28.2.1.2

          26 April 2015 at 9:48 pm

          thx murray and CR ..
    • joe90 28.3

      26 April 2015 at 9:31 pm

      ??

      B
      ‏@B3nRaching3r

      Now your slandering ass is following me, @Laudafinem ? Did you seek comment from me before you ran your lines? Put my family and I at risk?.

      https://twitter.com/B3nRaching3r/status/592248089479491584
      • idlegus 28.3.1

        26 April 2015 at 9:41 pm

        some weird shit is going down, lots of suff abuot the standard https://twitter.com/B3nRaching3r following this page, hes updating it every few minutes at the moment
29. Draco T Bastard 29

    27 April 2015 at 12:33 am

    The thought police are out in force:

    A HIGH-PROFILE SBS reporter has been fired after tweeting “highly inappropriate and disrespectful comments” about the Anzacs.

    He mentioned the truth and some idiots found this offensive. Seems that it was going against the culture and lies that the people in charge want to propagate.
30. Rodel 30

    27 April 2015 at 6:59 pm

    I’d be more proud of NZ had Key’s wife had followed Michelle Obama, Condoleezza Rice and Princess Diana in refusing to comply with misogynist cultural nonsense all for the hope of a financial deal… but I guess that’s the key way of wheeling and dealing.
31. david 31

    27 April 2015 at 7:21 pm

    Bill English last week commented that even though housing was experiencing excessive demand over supply in Auckland, the rest of the country was fine and the problem was unique to Auckland.

    Is this the start of the government backing out of the problem? By passing Auckland off as the country’s problem child?

    How about it doing more to keep people in the regions?
32. philj 32

    27 April 2015 at 8:28 pm

    Oh Rodders. Nothing to Hyde nothing to fear! lolol hahaha.

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