Open Mike 26/07/2017

196 comments on “Open Mike 26/07/2017 ”

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1. AsleepWhileWalking 1

   26 July 2017 at 6:39 am

   It’s so bad inside that pensioners can’t bring in shopping trolleys.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/95092628/pensioner-told-by-work-and-income-guard-you-cant-leave-your-hat-on
   • tc 1.1

     26 July 2017 at 6:54 am

     national have taken every step to intimidate the unfortunate. Look carefully and there’s a juicy security contract behind those WINZ guards of course.
     • Ed 1.1.1

       26 July 2017 at 7:10 am

       Thd ferocity of the attack by the corporate media pit bulls like Soper, Armstrong and Hosking on Metiria would suggest her comments were a real threat to the owners of this country.
       • Anne 1.1.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 9:48 am

         And here’s the latest attack from the most vile of them all:

         http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11895130

         Well, aside from Hooton.
     • AsleepWhileWalking 1.1.2

       26 July 2017 at 7:15 am

       It would be better if they funded all beneficiaries to have access to internet/scanners and permit remote access for everyone. That way they could do without the guards/humiliation/lack of toilets/reception etc.
       • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.2.1

         26 July 2017 at 8:18 am

         It would be better if beneficiaries never had to endure the human rights abusers at WINZ ever again. I don’t care whether they’re just following National Party orders or not.

         Human rights abusers belong in court, not in offices.
         • garibaldi 1.1.2.1.1

           26 July 2017 at 8:59 am

           So true OAB.
         • AsleepWhileWalking 1.1.2.1.2

           26 July 2017 at 10:05 am

           Yes indeed
         • greywarshark 1.1.2.1.3

           26 July 2017 at 1:19 pm

           Get rid of WINZ completely, have a UBI and have an Office of NZ Citizen Support which will be about citizens getting the help they need, and choosing what hours they are going to put in to help with NZ Social Infrastructure. All will be encouraged to do something they can manage, even an hour a week, and the able bodied and minded will be expected to do from 3-7 hours a week.

           This would apply to all ages, and even to the bed-ridden or non-mobile who could do something small from home or hospice. If people want to live-long, then they can be integrated life-long in their society and not feel useless. This will be universal for anyone wishing to live in NZ full or part-time, and participate in public health ad other amenities whether they are receiving a pension or subsidy or not. Then the country has to recognise that all people drawing money from the government are contributing to society.

           Parents will be learning at workshops etc. on human relationships, psychology, physical and mental oriented skills, child psychology through different ages, self-care and relief when needed, and efficient systems for running a house, also workshops on gardening, small woodwork and handyman jobs, and home focussed, cooking, cleaning, sewing and knitting. It will be called learned helpfulness, and be full of positive vibes. Parents without transport will be able to catch buses, jeepney-type or contracted taxis that come to the door, and make it easy to attend.

           That would be a whole new start and the country would embrace its young people and parents. Most of our woe would go!
           • KJT 1.1.2.1.3.1

             26 July 2017 at 1:59 pm

             It used to be called “night classes”.
     • Ethica 1.1.3

       26 July 2017 at 8:49 am

       The money is not going to the guards though. They are at the bottom of the pile of any juicy contract. Unfortunately, some seek someone even less powerful to intimidate. They are just copying the bullying behaviour of the bosses.
     • james 1.1.4

       26 July 2017 at 10:28 am

       I think that a lot of the guards came in after the WINZ murders by Tully.

       (For which a poster on here called him a hero) (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-02092014/#comment-878213)

       WINZ do need to protect their staff – so it is not unreasonable that they have guards.

       When I was young (18ish) I worked at what was then Social Welfare – (IT Side) – but was made to spend time at the counter to understand what it was like for customers.

       I always remember the abuse a lot of staff received – sometimes from drunk or stoned people. When all the time trying to do the best they could to help.

       I doubt that it has gotten any better.
       • garibaldi 1.1.4.1

         26 July 2017 at 11:57 am

         Well James it would be fair enough to say that you aren’t well known on this site for your empathy towards the poor.
       • mpledger 1.1.4.2

         26 July 2017 at 12:03 pm

         Perhaps they needed the courage that being drunk or stoned gave them to actually deal with what they are going through and with (pre-)WINZ.

         No wonder people get frustrated when the people they are dealing with are actually IT workers rather than social welfare workers.
         • marty mars 1.1.4.2.1

           26 July 2017 at 12:34 pm

           Yep nightmare scenario having some it dick trying to bullshit about what they aren’t entitled to.
         • james 1.1.4.2.2

           26 July 2017 at 12:54 pm

           I wasnt actually doing case work.
       • Ed 1.1.4.3

         26 July 2017 at 12:12 pm

         Have you watched I Daniel Blake?
       • Draco T Bastard 1.1.4.4

         26 July 2017 at 12:18 pm

         WINZ do need to protect their staff

         They wouldn’t need to if they treated people with respect and actually helped them rather than abused them.
         • james 1.1.4.4.1

           26 July 2017 at 12:55 pm

           Any evidence that the people who were shot had treated Tolly badly at al?
           • Draco T Bastard 1.1.4.4.1.1

             26 July 2017 at 1:21 pm

             IIRC, there have been two times over the last twenty odd years where WINZ staff have been killed. Both times was WINZ was refusing to help when the people actually needed help.
           • Stuart Munro 1.1.4.4.1.2

             26 July 2017 at 2:36 pm

             He was homeless – they screwed him around instead of helping him.
       • McFlock 1.1.4.5

         26 July 2017 at 2:32 pm

         Well, the guards are effective against little old ladies. Wouldn’t have done shit against Tully, though.

         But I’m not actually against guards on premises.

         I’m against guards on the door demanding ID, receptionists who refuse to make an appointment when you’re in the goddamn branch and insist you call the call centre in order to make an appintment to speak to the person 4 metres away from both of you, long application forms, and a myriad of other pointless barriers placed between people in need and the assistance that can help them.
         • greywarshark 1.1.4.5.1

           26 July 2017 at 9:51 pm

           I didn’t know it was as bad as that. Government is doing its best it seems to keep the smelly humans away from the department offices that are supposed to help.

           Eventually they will do everything through machines by machines and they can get on with whatever they think they should do with their time at the expense of our country if you can call it that by that time. More just a giant ‘waiting station’ or ‘people processor’.
   • Carolyn_nth 1.2

     26 July 2017 at 7:35 am

     Meanwhile, on Newsroom, by Bernard Hickey:

     A toxic mix of low wage growth and fast-rising rents

     Two reports released within 24 hours of each other neatly summarise the state of New Zealand right now. They showed the wealth of the richest sprinting ahead with property values, while the poorest are struggling with stubbornly low wages and fast-rising housing costs. Bernard Hickey reports on a tale of two New Zealands.
     • AsleepWhileWalking 1.2.1

       26 July 2017 at 10:23 am

       This is what Stuff should have top of the page on their site. Instead they discuss the mental health of David Bains Mum (as offensive as it is out of date and irrelevant), and the fact Turei didn’t have a job during university but found time for political campaigns. God. This fucking country and it’s media.
       • marty mars 1.2.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 12:38 pm

         Yep or why they cant say how many people recieving assistance have committed suicide.
       • greywarshark 1.2.1.2

         27 July 2017 at 10:50 am

         Those subjects in the media indicate the shallow intellect of this country. We seem incapable of reflection, and self-correction. The national intellect instead revolves around judgment of others who haven’t got money, those who are struggling and who complain (persons of no standing), getting things for ourselves and then getting more, and the latest style in the various ways of displaying our persona to others.

         Taking an interest in politics indicates dissatisfaction with the status quo which has been established by our betters. How dare Turei take this tone! Who does she think she is? And she hasn’t complied with all the requirements and filled out forms correctly. Disgraceful. And thinks it important to gain skills for a self-supporting life and to guide her child to the same ways for being responsible, pleasant, practical and socialised people.

         We are like deviant bower birds who have adopted the habits of the shining cuckoo which leave their eggs and rearing of young to greywarblers’ nests. In winter they fly away to warmer climes like New Guinea so they are just irresponsible. Really they are like those immigrants who are making use of us and ripping us off as they go.

         With that summary in mind it is understandable why we are in our present hole,
         short of nests.
   • Red 1.3

     26 July 2017 at 10:00 am

     Oh the inhumanity
   • Chris 1.4

     26 July 2017 at 11:24 am

     I agree the hat thing is a bit OTT, but have no problem with the trolley given the Ashburton tragedy.

     Probably could do with a proper area to leave them though
     • weka 1.4.1

       26 July 2017 at 12:14 pm

       Remember Aramoana? Probably should have stopped all single white men from living in small towns.
       • Draco T Bastard 1.4.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 12:19 pm

         +1
       • Chris 1.4.1.2

         26 July 2017 at 12:53 pm

         It’s called common sense.

         If you want to over hype the issue, then we both can.

         I take it you have no problem with groups of people running into banks wearing tinted crash helmets waving around sticks or making kindergartens open spaces where the public are free to wonder in and out playing with kids?
         • weka 1.4.1.2.1

           26 July 2017 at 1:00 pm

           I definitely think WINZ shouldn’t let groups of people running into their offices wearing tinted crash helmets waving around sticks. But since you brought it up, banks should now not let people wear hats in banks nor let elderly people bring in their wheelie shopping bags. Good idea there Chris, put it out there and see how that goes down. Oh, and all people who want to go into a bank have to show ID and prove they have a good reason for going in there. And if they get angry about being expected to do all those things, then they’re be put in a register that is shared with all the other banks.
         • Draco T Bastard 1.4.1.2.2

           26 July 2017 at 5:34 pm

           What you call ‘common sense’ is more the stupidity, bigotry and arrogance of RWNJs.I
2. tc 2

   26 July 2017 at 7:02 am

   Channel surfing last night and there was hooton on the banter soapbox doing what he does best.

   Wonder if lusk and eade appear as slater and williams have, it’s quite a DP roll call.
   • Ed 2.1

     26 July 2017 at 7:12 am

     It’s amazing the access Hooton gets. It really helps if you’re repeating the establishment line.
     He gets all that airtime, yet a story about grandparents being humiliated by WINZ is shutdown.

     Was Metiria’s questioning of the failing welfare state challenged by Hooton?
   • ianmac 2.2

     26 July 2017 at 9:23 am

     And Hooton was able to spout his toxic anti Labour anti Andrew bullshit like he does on 9 to noon. He gets it in then talks mildly about other matters on hand.
     I think Banter is quite interesting in a basic raw way. Unlike the other smooth talk shows.
   • mauī 2.3

     26 July 2017 at 6:58 pm

     He’s now called “Michael Hooten” according to the listing. A new fun, loungy chat show bringing on a wringer who wants to demolish the Labour Party. I wonder what that does for the ratings..

     https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/banter
3. dv 3

   26 July 2017 at 8:17 am

   HUH

   Hosking says news reading is an artistic pursuit.

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11895125

   So is he saying he makes up the news?
   • garibaldi 3.1

     26 July 2017 at 9:06 am

     Thanks dv. Just listening to Hosking praise himself is spew inducing. How anyone can stand his superciliousness beggars belief.
     • alwyn 3.1.1

       26 July 2017 at 10:21 am

       There is no law that requires you to listen to him.
       Are you really that much of a masochist that you have to torture yourself in this way?
       Turn off the radio. Turn off the TV.
       Get outside and sniff the flowers.
       • garibaldi 3.1.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 12:03 pm

         That’s exactly what I do alwyn. I was responding to dv’s link. We do not watch/listen to any of the commercial channels, and have not for several years because of their total toadying to the Natz ( which is precisely what they are paid to do).
         • Red 3.1.1.1.1

           26 July 2017 at 1:11 pm

           Yep it it’s clause 7b of his employment contract, how did he survive under 9 years of labour with this clause I dont know, he’s real smart or labour are real dunces
   • Cinny 3.2

     26 July 2017 at 9:17 am

     Hosking still justifying his pay rate whilst refusing to disclose it.

     Gosh he is getting old now, wonder what he would do for a job if removed from media? Maybe that’s his issue, that he doesn’t know how to do anything else but talk shite and support the local casino.
     • Anne 3.2.1

       26 July 2017 at 10:39 am

       There must be a fellow staffers who have a good idea what Hosking is earning so why don’t they leak it? I’m picking his annual income is well over $1million per annum – maybe as high as $2million – and that’s without the additional perks. And we’re paying the bulk of that salary.

       Setting aside the law which is frequently an ass, there’s no doubting who is the real criminal and it ain’t Metiria Turei. Hosking is fleecing tax-payers of millions of dollars for third rate performances on TV and radio and imo that is a far more serious crime than Metiria’s 2000 dollars per annum all those years ago.
       • Sam C 3.2.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 11:17 am

         “setting aside the law”. That’s the problem Anne. Do we all just go about our lives, setting aside the laws we don’t agree with, or like or that inconvenience us?

         Is that what you’d propose?
         • garibaldi 3.2.1.1.1

           26 July 2017 at 12:09 pm

           Sam C, that is what the vast majority of the well heeled do with rorting the system. They set aside the law by using lawyers and accountants etc.
           Show me the tradie who doesn’t do jobs under the table and those who seek those savings etc etc . We are all guilty of it to some degree or other.
         • Anne 3.2.1.1.2

           26 July 2017 at 12:12 pm

           P*** off you sanctimonious prick
           • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1.2.1

             26 July 2017 at 12:23 pm

             That’s an ad hominem attack.
         • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1.3

           26 July 2017 at 12:22 pm

           Do we all just go about our lives, setting aside the laws we don’t agree with, or like or that inconvenience us?

           That’s what National seems to do all the time.
     • Red 3.2.2

       26 July 2017 at 1:13 pm

       Probably does not need the money, a bit like Paul Henery who we all miss.
4. greywarshark 4

   26 July 2017 at 9:07 am

   Someone dead at a railway station in Auckland which means a 3 hour wait for usual travellers as services are shut down. This is an unacceptably long time when it prevents the running of mass transport. I am assuming that it is largely to conduct a police investigation and take samples and photos from the site. There has to be a police investigation but the time taken to deal with the matter is far too long. There should be an emergency team that can deal with the matter so that there can be resumption of normal and necessary activity for others.

   I have been told that sometimes road accidents and consequent closures have lasted far longer than required for police to deal with it, and that the attitude has been far from as expeditious as it should have been.
   • Psych nurse 4.1

     26 July 2017 at 4:31 pm

     So a body on the line is a hold up,a body on the line is usually a suicide, real hindrance for someone.
     • greywarshark 4.1.1

       26 July 2017 at 9:45 pm

       Right go for the emotional response. It is a very focussed one at any time, people are dying all the time and we don’t cancel the day and go home. What I am saying is the procedures need to speed up so people can attend to their work and other duties. Some of us have self-imposed duties to try and make the world a better place, and we have to get to work too. If we can get a change of heart in our government there will be less of these sad stats.
       • Rightly or Wrongly 4.1.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 11:23 pm

         First World Problem/Moan I suggest.

         Perhaps think about the deceased’s family who will want answers to questions about why he/she died.

         Takes time to gather that evidence – real life isn’t CSI – don’t solve cases in 5 minutes; between ad breaks.

         And if the deceased is no longer complete it takes time to locate and treat the remains with dignity.

         3 hours is pretty good i would have thought – often roads are closed for 6-7 hours.
         • greywarshark 4.1.1.1.1

           27 July 2017 at 11:50 am

           That is part of my point Rightly. Roads closed for 6-7 hours. Matters need to be attended to promptly. Also I have been told that in one case a road was left closed for hours after the important stuff was attended to.

           In this case the body would need to be gathered up and handled carefully and considerately. Evidence gathered, 1 hour plus could hardly be avoided.
           It needs to be kept to a minimum, the transport cleared as soon as reasonably possible. People are needed at work, they need work to get wages, the wages are earned by doing their job, and multiplied by hundreds, it is a great loss to businesses and individuals.

           The more it happens, the more likely there will be more committing suicide or becoming stressed beyond return. Emotion and reason have to be balanced. It’s not something to be resigned and accepting about.
5. Peroxide Blonde 5

   26 July 2017 at 9:17 am

   ……..the topic I will focus on today, is the dangerous drift towards racial separatism in New Zealand, and the development of the now entrenched Treaty grievance industry. We are one country with many peoples, not simply a society of Pakeha and Maori where the minority has a birthright to the upper hand, as the Labour Government seems to believe.

   I’m dizzy at reading this heady stuff from Don Brash in 2004. I’m looking forward to what Willie Jackson has to say on Saturday in Orewa Rotary. Ticket in handbag!

   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0401/S00220.htm
   • greywarshark 5.1

     27 July 2017 at 12:29 pm

     Peroxide Blonde
     You seem to be colour oriented. Why blonde? And peroxide, is that a healthy treatment? It might be cancer producing as hair dyes and chemicals are very quick to penetrate skin layers. Do you think we should all look the same, and have one standard hair colour? Should it be blonde? Does everyone of importance have to be blonde? So many questions.

     What if I like my racial separation, culture and look? Your link goes back to 2004. Many things and thoughts have occurred since Don Brash’s speech then. Are you having trouble adjusting to the new thoughts? Life is full of adjustments and choices and somewhere people have to find something worthwhile to believe in, something that allows for everyone to be respected and honoured.

     Do you feel that Don Brash speaks for that, or for you alone and your cohort? How is that going to bring about a happy society where all are respected? Don’t you want that, and if not respect then do you want happy society, and if not happy, do you want a society, and if you don’t want that what sort of crap do you want going on around you?
6. Karen 6

   26 July 2017 at 9:27 am

   This article by Graham Adam about Paula Bennett and her unsuitability for her role as Deputy PM is very good:

   http://www.noted.co.nz/currently/politics/why-paula-bennett-is-trouble-for-the-national-party/
   • garibaldi 6.1

     26 July 2017 at 12:17 pm

     Thank you Karen .Love the bit about Paula likes the way NZers give people a second chance. Doesn’t seem to apply if the person is in the Greens does it?
     • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1

       26 July 2017 at 12:40 pm

       And also doesn’t apply if the people are:

       Homeless
       Poor
       Solo mothers
       Solo fathers
       Disabled

       In fact, it only seems to apply to rich people and National ministers.
       • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 2:40 pm

         It’s not just second chances either – Nick Smith’s been given more lives than a herd of cats.
         • greywarshark 6.1.1.1.1

           27 July 2017 at 1:07 pm

           A ha well Gareth Morgan is the man to deal with him. I know who I’d rather have, and a few less cats, perhaps with micro chips. I don’t know what sort of chip N Smith needs but please someone find one suitable.
7. Bearded Git 7

   26 July 2017 at 9:53 am

   Checkpoint did a great job last night with its story of the chaos in the ICU unit at Dunedin Hospital. Only 6 ICU beds, just increased to 8 and there will be 10 in 13 months time where I heard someone say they need 18. Morning Report continued the story this morning saying “bumping” (where an operation is cancelled at the last minute due to lack of resources) is co common it has become a joke in the wards.

   Another news story doing the rounds yesterday (at least on RNZ) was a report that said that poor people in Auckland now pay more than 50% of their income in housing costs.

   Chronic public (not private) health under-funding and a housing crisis. Surely Labour’s no-tax-cuts to help solve these issues coupled with the Green’s more humane benefit regime will resonate on 23rd September?
   • adam 7.1

     26 July 2017 at 10:17 am

     Coupled with a bunch of POME wankers who gutter the NHS, are now siting in admin and top managerial roles in our hospital system.

     This is privatization by making the public system fall over.

     They should be called on this rubbish, ever day.
8. greywarshark 8

   26 July 2017 at 10:27 am

   From DTB and I take issue with the below about public servants. https://thestandard.org.nz/how-much-is-mike-hosking-paid-by-tvnz/#comment-1357478

   ‘Bumbling incompetence in management in public service’. Sounds like a spray of grumbling about everybody but ‘me’ being bumbling. I think it is a carry-on from the mantra of there being fat in the system, and cutting it out and getting a lean running machine will result in exponential gains in productivity etc.

   When it comes to the public service try looking at Harrison and the psychopathic way she ran her manor. See below. ‘the caravan of love’. If the people could just get on with their jobs with adequate mentoring by managers they would achieve and be proud of their department’s efforts and effectiveness. All the rest is an excuse for ego-flashing.

   Instead they can be prey to the machinations of human resources gurus with team building projects that bear no relation to their work. There are vanity projects meant to get compliance which can be expensive and involve considerable disruption to work and private life, going rock climbing for instance, something where you push yourself beyond your normal boundaries. Getting teamwork and compliance could be accomplished easier by giving them squaddie army drill and forming a marching team with flash uniforms performing at contests and high days an holidays.

   Some business entities pay staff to do work day in the community for the community, but that is more private business. When you work in the government you are supposed to be doing that, so don’t have to put yourself out getting involved with the public in some helping way.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/94917859/Fraudster-Joanne-Harrison-and-the-Ministry-of-Transports-caravan-of-love
   and
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/92621016/clandestine-rendezvous-plotting-revealed-in-joanne-harrison-transport-ministry-fraud-case
   and
   https://www.reddit.com/r/newzealand/comments/6k2tpj/fyi_ministry_of_transport_has_put_all_the_joanne/
   and
   More in google under keywords – Joanne Harrison and team building in Transport

   The public service has been degraded by the cult of neo liberalism and PR management and particularly the complete lack of trust in the public service workers and any agencies receiving government funds and input, The lack of acceptance of responsibility for proper and correct management of government, obssessive accoounting for every hour and every penny, unreasonably high targets, by targeting itself of chosen outcomes instead of overall performance to a mission and vision statement, and by the desire and determination of the neoliberal government to cut government to matchbox size and then set that alight, after its functions have been passed over to profit-making entities in the private sector.
   • Draco T Bastard 8.1

     26 July 2017 at 12:47 pm

     From DTB and I take issue with the below about public servants.

     That wasn’t me but DoublePlusGood.
9. james 9

   26 July 2017 at 10:35 am

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95110555/metiria-turei-campaigned-for-political-parties-but-didnt-work-while-committing-benefit-fraud

   The story continues…. I dont think that this exactly strengthens her argument.
   • Ad 9.1

     26 July 2017 at 10:41 am

     Unless the Greens increase their vote by 2% on polling day, the result will be pinned on Turei.
     • james 9.1.1

       26 July 2017 at 10:52 am

       Not unfair I think.
       • Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 5:09 pm

         And if that Green vote is strong, James’ll be singing Metiria’s praises from the roof-tops.
     • Stuart Munro 9.1.2

       26 July 2017 at 2:56 pm

       It may happen – there’s this anomalous poll that’s been running recently that hasn’t resulted in the traditional Gower gotcha story:

       http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/new-zealand-election-2017-the-big-issues-have-your-say.html

       The Greens have been doing uncharacteristically well – now a self-selected poll isn’t likely to be valid unless the numbers are very large – but Metiria’s stand is the best candidate to explain the result if it is not an artifact of poor sampling design.
   • Anne 9.2

     26 July 2017 at 10:54 am

     Well of course she didn’t work you ass. She had a tiny baby. It’s a 24 hr job you know or perhaps you don’t know being an ignorant red-neck.

     I won’t be wasting my time reading a crappy newshub (?) article but so what… if she did actively help out in a campaign. She probably stuffed envelopes somewhere with baby sleeping in her pram alongside her. Jesus, the bigotry and misogyny from these right wingers is mind boggling.

     Even Mums with new born babes are allowed to go out and have a bit of social contact with other people.
     • marty mars 9.2.1

       26 July 2017 at 10:58 am

       Yep James and ilk I’ll have no fucken idea. Their paltry brains cannot compute probably because they are immature, sad, right wing wankers.
       • james 9.2.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 11:02 am

         I have more idea than somebody who wont even read the link then makes false assumptions.
         • marty mars 9.2.1.1.1

           26 July 2017 at 11:06 am

           Yeah you probably aren’t sad are you – what a dim creep you are James.
         • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1.1.2

           26 July 2017 at 12:50 pm

           No, really, you don’t.
     • james 9.2.2

       26 July 2017 at 11:01 am

       Perhaps if you read it – she was actually standing for seats – not just stuffing envelopes.

       Thats not just helping out.
       • james 9.2.2.1

         26 July 2017 at 11:12 am

         Of course they are – and a good thing when they do.

         Whats not OK is standing for parliament and committing fraud at the same time.

         See – its the fraud bit that is the bad bit – you understand that right?
       • Stuart Munro 9.2.2.2

         26 July 2017 at 11:55 am

         Political participation is a human right James.

         You don’t lose it just because a useless far-right government dooms half the country to poverty.
         • Sam C 9.2.2.2.1

           26 July 2017 at 1:57 pm

           oh, so HALF the country lives in poverty now, does it? Citation needed.
           • Stuart Munro 9.2.2.2.1.1

             26 July 2017 at 2:43 pm

             Home ownership is headed south of 50%.

             This waster government has done nothing to deal with the trend – ergo half the country is in poverty or headed that way.

             Try to keep up.
             • Sam C …

               26 July 2017 at 2:54 pm

               So not owning a home is now a sign of poverty, is it?

               First I’ve heard of that being used as a measure. I’m trying to keep up, but it is difficult when you just keep making stuff up.
               • Stuart Munro …

                 26 July 2017 at 3:03 pm

                 I’m not making stuff up – you’re failing to extrapolate from the data – NZ now has the most unaffordable housing in the OECD. And far from the best wages.

                 Even the meanest intelligence can join those two dots to conclude that not owning a home predicates poverty.

                 You might recall Shamu (the economist, not the anthropocidal orca) used to maintain that renting was fine and this obsession with owning your own home didn’t matter. He has reversed that stance, in one of those rare (vanishingly rare among economists) instances of observation overturning theoretical bias.

                 Try to keep up.
                 • Sam C …

                   26 July 2017 at 3:14 pm

                   “Even the meanest intelligence can join those two dots to conclude that not owning a home predicates poverty.”

                   I disagree with your conclusion that not owning a home predicates poverty, which must mean I have no intelligence, according to you.
                   • Stuart Munro …

                     26 July 2017 at 3:17 pm

                     Cheer up – There may be a few abyssal flatworms that can still look up to you.
       • McFlock 9.2.2.3

         26 July 2017 at 3:01 pm

         BWAHAHAHA

         McGillicuddy Serious and ALCP campaigns are NOT the same as running for labgrnnat, by any stretch of the imagination.

         Except, apparently, in a feverish tory’s warped little brain. Fuck, were you even being serious? Did you omit a sarc tag or smiley face, maybe?
   • weka 9.3

     26 July 2017 at 11:02 am

     So beneficiaries aren’t allowed to have lives? No agency to choose how they spend their time? Not allowed recreation? Pleasure? Fun?

     The irony here in the latest round of righties feeling offended is that she chose to spend her time doing politics. Quelle horreur that beneficiaries might have a political voice. And of course they haven’t, which is why we are in the situation we are today as a country, where for the first time in 30 years the political class have stepped up and given the underclasses an actual voice not just talked about them.
     • james 9.3.1

       26 July 2017 at 11:15 am

       “No agency to choose how they spend their time? Not allowed recreation? Pleasure? Fun?”

       Of course not.

       But you dont get to spend all your time going for government (which she was) then saying that she had no choice but to defraud the government for money.

       If things were so dire that she had to defraud $ or her child was going to be hungry – then surely the choice to perhaps work as opposed to campaigning for government would have delivered a better outcome.

       But – thats her choice – stand for the serious party – and not work and defraud the government.
       • weka 9.3.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 11:39 am

         She didn’t spend all her time going for govt. She had a baby, was raising it and going to law school.

         “If things were so dire that she had to defraud $ or her child was going to be hungry – then surely the choice to perhaps work as opposed to campaigning for government would have delivered a better outcome.”

         Yes, as I just said, you think that beneficiaries, esp solo mums, aren’t allowed to have spare time or consequently agency in how they spend that time or have fun or a life. You think that you should get to decide what is best for benes or solo mums.

         Don’t worry, we get it, this has been the message for many decades now. It’s not new. Now that Turei is pushing back, it’s being exposed for the piece of shit values that it is.
         • garibaldi 9.3.1.1.1

           26 July 2017 at 12:25 pm

           This total denigration of Metiria by the right is to totally close down any analysis/discussion of the Greens humane social welfare policy. They will push this to the max. I’m surprised the Greens didn’t realise that this would happen, after all it is text book procedure to shoot the messenger.
           • weka 9.3.1.1.1.1

             26 July 2017 at 12:30 pm

             Yes, and pretty sure they did realise this but decided it was worth the risk. That task now for lefties, progressives, and anyone who gives a shit, is to make sure the narrative gets changed permanently to one of beneficiaries are people too. There is so much in that that underpins all of neoliberalism.
         • Draco T Bastard 9.3.1.1.2

           26 July 2017 at 12:52 pm

           +111
         • Red 9.3.1.1.3

           26 July 2017 at 1:03 pm

           Solo mums can do what they want just don’t expect society to fund it beyond the necessities, if they want more take ownership of your own life and make the right choices You don’t have the right to unilaterally decide you are above the law or determine what you feel what you are entitled to Tough but thats life No one owes you a living
           • weka 9.3.1.1.3.1

             26 July 2017 at 1:08 pm

             aka “it’s better to starve then bend the rules”. Actually, more like, it’s better for those people over there that I hate to starve than for them to be helped. Works both ways.
             • Red …

               26 July 2017 at 1:15 pm

               The starving narrative is bs weka and you know it, like she had no other choices to avoid starvation, granny and indeed loses dad was going to sit by and let that happen as one example, get real
               • weka …

                 26 July 2017 at 1:24 pm

                 If you think there are no kids and parents and other benes in NZ that don’t routinely go without adequate food and nutrition, you are either extremely naive or extremely stupid. Much more likely is you are just a bigot who doesn’t give a shit.
                 • Red …

                   26 July 2017 at 1:52 pm

                   In Meteria case it’s BS, don’t extrapolate my point, please also desist with standard left wing attack lines it gets a bit boring and is not an arguement , you forgot, projecting, hating the poor, only the left care , racist homophobic, mysoginist ( just to save you the time)
                   • weka …

                     26 July 2017 at 1:56 pm

                     At 9.3.1.1.3 you talked about solo mums. That’s what I am responding to.

                     If all you can do is post hatred against the poor, then yes I will keep pointing it out.
                   • adam …

                     26 July 2017 at 2:04 pm

                     Boohoo poor red, can’t handle being called out on the narrow bigot he is. Boohoo, cry me a river.
                   • McFlock …

                     26 July 2017 at 3:08 pm

                     Love how you know her situation 20 years ago better than she did and does, Red.
           • adam 9.3.1.1.3.2

             26 July 2017 at 2:02 pm

             Self defeating there red. the necessities mean food and roof over your head. Which when national reduced the benefits by 25% meant the necessities were not covered. And she fudged it to get the necessities.

             But sure live in you deserving and undeserving poor lala land. Where we have the western worlds largest homeless problem, growing poverty and the highest suicide rates.

             No one owes you a living, so does that mean you support an end to inheritance laws?
             • garibaldi …

               26 July 2017 at 3:20 pm

               To Red @9.3.1.1.3.
               All I can say about your comment there is that you typify what is wrong with this Country.
               Your total lack of empathy is telling.
               Try walking a mile in someone else’s shoes for once.
       • adam 9.3.1.2

         26 July 2017 at 2:07 pm

         defraud the government – what about apple? Not seeing you jump up and down about that. But a few hundred dollars, and it’s the end of the world. James go sort out your priorities mate, you’re in amoral land.
       • Robert Guyton 9.3.1.3

         26 July 2017 at 5:36 pm

         And sleep, James! Turei slept at times during the night when her baby was new-born, when she could have been seeking work!
         Drag her into the courts, I say! Berate her for her idleness; sleeping when she could have been applying herself to lifting herself out of her self-made mire with a good yank on her boot-straps! James is right in thinking there’s no place in the ACT Party for Metiria!
   • Cinny 9.4

     26 July 2017 at 11:28 am

     It’s really interesting the media beat up against Meti, she’s fronted to questions by media, isn’t hiding, MSD are still to take action from a situation that happened near on 30 years ago, and on it goes.

     Maybe since the law is so fickle on words, if Meti had described someone as a boarder rather than a flatmate, there would be no issue.

     Now she is being slammed for doing voluntary work rather than paid work? Slammed for taking an interest in politics while studying because she realised some of our laws are archaic and wanted to take action to do something about it. How dare she! (sarc.)

     Meanwhile… WHAT”S ON THE TAPES TODD? How’s that police investigation going? Why was the PM avoiding giving straight answers in question time yesterday? Why won’t you talk to media Todd?
     • Draco T Bastard 9.4.1

       26 July 2017 at 12:54 pm

       Meanwhile… WHAT”S ON THE TAPES TODD? How’s that police investigation going? Why was the PM avoiding giving straight answers in question time yesterday? Why won’t you talk to media Todd?

       QFT

       The National Party supporters never question the actions of their own leaders which highlights their hypocrisy.
       • Robert Guyton 9.4.1.1

         26 July 2017 at 5:17 pm

         Glenys and Bill were talking about Todd. Todd took his recording to Bill to demand an explanation. Imo.
     • Sam C 9.4.2

       26 July 2017 at 2:00 pm

       “Near on 30 years ago” would make it 1987. There you go, making shit up again.
       • Draco T Bastard 9.4.2.1

         26 July 2017 at 5:28 pm

         You do understand that that particular language indicates that it’s not precisely accurate don’t… you?

         Oh, wait…

         RWNJ, is too stupid to understand basic language syntax.
       • Cinny 9.4.2.2

         27 July 2017 at 7:13 am

         Mhmmm near on 30 years ago Sam, almost 3 decades, more than 2 decades, so near on 30 years ago, closer to 30 than 20.

         Sam, what’s on the tapes? Once it is disclosed what is on the tapes, the public will be shocked. True story, NZ is a small place, especially the south island, confidentiality agreement prevents me from sharing more. JS
   • Bearded Git 9.5

     26 July 2017 at 12:34 pm

     @ James So she shouldn’t have been involved in politics because she was poor? You would have her working at McDonalds while paying for childcare for her baby-that is for a pittance.

     She was working unpaid for the public good by being involved in politics-that is a job. All power to her.
10. millsy 10

    26 July 2017 at 10:37 am

    So all those people who carry on about Turei faithfully declare all their taxable income to IRD then?
    • james 10.1

      26 July 2017 at 10:45 am

      Im guessing some wont – but I agree that they should be prosecuted as well.

      Dosnt make her actions right.
      • weka 10.1.1

        26 July 2017 at 11:03 am

        This is the level of ridiculous. James wants to prosecute the teenager who mows my lawns for doing cashies.
        • james 10.1.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 11:09 am

          I would prefer to start with people that have committed multiple years of fraud and work our way down.
          • weka 10.1.1.1.1

            26 July 2017 at 11:41 am

            Sure, but you still want to go after the lawn-mowing teenager too. Because the rules are more important than the people.
          • Stuart Munro 10.1.1.1.2

            26 July 2017 at 2:47 pm

            Why not do it by scale James – the size of benefit ‘frauds’ is eclipsed by frauds like SCF and Apple’s tax evasion. Time is neither here nor there.
            • Grafton Gully 10.1.1.1.2.1

              26 July 2017 at 7:00 pm

              Whatever. Why the fuck didn’t she repay then go public. Fuck I’m so pissed off with fucking Turei !!!! I would normally vote Labour but the thought of this sanctimonious fucking fraudster in a Labour led governemnt really turns me off.
              • Stuart Munro …

                26 July 2017 at 10:40 pm

                Gosh – big frothing frenzy.

                Audit Gerry’s term with CERA and you’ll find enough fraud to give him a ten stretch – Collin’s illegal kauri exports likewise. So why make a fuss about Metiria now? Hasn’t offended in decades – and small potatoes anyway.

                Did she break your meme?

                Or is it that the Gnats’ record is indefensible and she’s the only one you’ve figured out how to attack?
        • Anne 10.1.1.2

          26 July 2017 at 11:10 am

          And the solo Mums whose friends try to help out by paying them cash to do their housework.
          • james 10.1.1.2.1

            26 July 2017 at 11:11 am

            again – I would prefer to start with people that have committed multiple years of fraud and work our way down.
            • marty mars 10.1.1.2.1.1

              26 July 2017 at 11:16 am

              Weak little James – let’s start with YOU.
              • weka …

                26 July 2017 at 11:41 am

                James is perfect.
                • marty mars …

                  26 July 2017 at 11:56 am

                  Yes – unless the facts and the law are involved – oh and courage, integrity and honesty – don’t want to mention those pesky concepts.
                  • weka …

                    26 July 2017 at 12:11 pm

                    Value too, and moral relativity.
              • Stuart Munro …

                26 July 2017 at 3:15 pm

                The IRS did that in the US for a while – turns out there’s a strong correlation between RW nutjobbery and tax evasion.
            • Draco T Bastard 10.1.1.2.1.2

              26 July 2017 at 12:56 pm

              I’m with you on this one james. We’ll start with the National Party.
        • Red 10.1.1.3

          26 July 2017 at 12:49 pm

          Hope your paying living wage to your lawn mowing teenager ie walking the talk and not avoiding paying tax to suppprt welfare system to keep your costs down
          • weka 10.1.1.3.1

            26 July 2017 at 1:58 pm

            I do pay them a living wage.
          • KJT 10.1.1.3.2

            26 July 2017 at 2:06 pm

            No. Because I pay for their food and housing as well.
      • Robert Guyton 10.1.2

        26 July 2017 at 5:38 pm

        Prosecute everyone; only then can you be sure you’ve punished to ne’er-do-wells and skivers! ACT now!
    • Bearded Git 10.2

      26 July 2017 at 12:38 pm

      Yes all of those tips, cash jobs, gifts etc.

      Turei was trying to bring her income up to to a living wage so that she could support her baby-some crime that.
      • Red 10.2.1

        26 July 2017 at 1:17 pm

        Or support the lifestyle she wanted and having a baby, that’s probably more closer to the truth and where she differs from the great majority of law abiding solo mums
        • adam 10.2.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 2:12 pm

          I think you will find the majority after ruthinasia fudged the system. They had to. Another example of the economic disconnect from you lot. It’s outstanding how much in lala land you all are.

          No issues with housing

          No issues with homelessness

          No issue with suicide

          No issues with a welfare system paying below necessity

          Just hate, and up on a pedestal telling the rest of us how to live.

          What a great guy you are red, a great guy.
        • bearded git 10.2.1.2

          26 July 2017 at 5:05 pm

          have u ever taken cash or a benefit that should have been declared and not declared it?
        • Robert Guyton 10.2.1.3

          26 July 2017 at 5:40 pm

          Red “probablicises”. A hush falls over the crowd. “Red’s problicising!” a small child whispers, awed.
11. james 11

    26 July 2017 at 10:52 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11895215

    Well – that came as a shock – or not.

    Guess its smarter than a silly cup of tea.
    • weka 11.1

      26 July 2017 at 11:07 am

      Entirely as predicted. The Greens don’t stand in Ōhariū, National tell their voters to vote for Dunne.
      • james 11.1.1

        26 July 2017 at 11:11 am

        Yep – at least National allow their voters to make a choice. Greens and Labour pull their candidate.
        • marty mars 11.1.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 11:18 am

          There is NO choice idiot – that is what billshitter is saying – vote THIS way if you want …
          • Wayne 11.1.1.1.1

            26 July 2017 at 1:02 pm

            Marty mars,

            At least try and be consistent.

            The National candidate will be on the ballot paper, so people do have a choice. In contrast the Greens have actually puled their candidate in the expectation that all Green voters will vote for the Labour candidate.

            So less choice on the left side than on the right.
            • marty mars 11.1.1.1.1.1

              26 July 2017 at 1:10 pm

              Billshit.

              The edict from Bill says it all – learn to read or listen please.
            • Psycho Milt 11.1.1.1.1.2

              26 July 2017 at 1:11 pm

              Must be awesome to be the National candidate who gets to play patsy while your leader tells the National voters in your electorate to vote for some other guy. It takes a character like Paul Goldsmith to do it – someone who could write hagiographies of John Banks and Don Brash obviously doesn’t have any requirement for self-respect. I should be surprised National’s been able to find a second candidate so lacking in standards, but for some reason I’m not.
            • weka 11.1.1.1.1.3

              26 July 2017 at 1:13 pm

              What’s the name of the Green candidate that was pulled, and which electorate?
        • weka 11.1.1.2

          26 July 2017 at 11:21 am

          It would be very odd if Labour also pulled their candidate from Ōhāriu.
12. Morrissey 12

    26 July 2017 at 11:10 am

    A message to the sheep of Ohariu and Epsom

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95119031/english-calls-for-tactical-voting-in-epsom-ohariu-to-elect-support-party-leaders

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W19ZkFqGT-M/SWvN9B6coBI/AAAAAAAAAp0/5vZxk8xGxUk/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Ram+harness+(SM).jpg
    • Chris 12.1

      26 July 2017 at 11:31 am

      Don’t get the issue

      It’s no different from the Labour working with the Greens or Maori working with Mana.
      • Morrissey 12.1.1

        26 July 2017 at 12:08 pm

        Neither the Greens nor Mana advocate incest.

        http://www.spcs.org.nz/act-leader-jamie-whyte-stands-by-incest-comments-nz-herald/
        • Chris 12.1.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 12:15 pm

          I would never vote for ACT, but he doesn’t advocate incest.

          Unless you want to post an article where he actually does
          • Morrissey 12.1.1.1.1

            26 July 2017 at 12:21 pm

            Unless you want to post an article where he actually does

            I just did. in 12.1.1. Maybe you’d like to click on it?
            • Chris 12.1.1.1.1.1

              26 July 2017 at 12:34 pm

              It doesn’t advocate it

              Unless I misread it. It says he doesn’t like it, but why should people intervene if between to consenting adults

              “He said he was “very opposed” to incest.”

              “I don’t think the state should intervene in consensual adult sex or marriage, but there are two very important elements here – consensual and adult”

              Again. Where does he advocate incest?
              • Psycho Milt …

                26 July 2017 at 12:46 pm

                He doesn’t. Morrissey just has a serious problem when it comes to distinguishing between his personal prejudice and rational analysis. It’s not an uncommon problem, but tends to make for obviously and woefully incorrect comments.
              • Draco T Bastard …

                26 July 2017 at 1:01 pm

                The bit where he says that the state shouldn’t intervene between consenting adults.
      • weka 12.1.2

        26 July 2017 at 12:10 pm

        Where have Labour said don’t vote for our candidate vote for this GP/Mana candidate instead?
        • Chris 12.1.2.1

          26 July 2017 at 12:13 pm

          You don’t think not actually putting a candidate up so they don’t split the opposition votes is just as bad?
          • weka 12.1.2.1.1

            26 July 2017 at 12:15 pm

            Where have Labour not put up a candidate?
            • Chris 12.1.2.1.1.1

              26 July 2017 at 12:36 pm

              They have worked with the Greens and and have agreed to not stand a Green candidate.

              Unless you think this comes for free, then it is just as much collusion
              • weka …

                26 July 2017 at 12:47 pm

                Ok, so Labour don’t have any deal with any other party about not standing candidates or telling their voters to vote for other party’s candidates. Nor have they chosen to not stand in one of the marginal electorates. Glad we got that cleared up.

                The Greens, who have almost never runs serious candidates in the seats, and afaik have never stood candidates in all seats, have chosen to not stand in certain seats for a range of reasons, including cost. But they have no deal with Labour and they haven’t told their voters to vote for other party’s candidates.

                And you think this makes Labour and the Greens the equivalent of National telling its voters to vote for another party because that’s the only way it can govern?

                Riiiight.
                • weka …

                  26 July 2017 at 12:48 pm

                  Just to make it easy for your. If Labour really did want to do this, they’d have put Kelvin Davis high on the list and told TTT voters to seat vote Harawira and they’d have done a deal with the Greens to also not stand in TTT.
    • Alan 12.2

      26 July 2017 at 12:15 pm

      Morrissey – Doctors, dentists, accountants, business owners, school teachers, lawyers, policeman/woman, social workers, nurses, retirees – these are some of the good people i know in Epsom that you refer to as sheep – who the fuck are you to smear these good people just because they don’t agree with your political view.
      • Morrissey 12.2.1

        26 July 2017 at 12:20 pm

        The sheep are the ones who allowed themselves to be herded to vote—against all their better instincts—for the likes of such reprehensible, comical characters as Rodney Hide and the disastrous Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte. I doubt many social workers, nurses, teachers or indeed anyone who is compos mentis would have obeyed the cup of tea directive.
        • Psycho Milt 12.2.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 12:52 pm

          That’s high-grade bullshit, for two reasons:

          1. Epsom is a very rich neighbourhood. It’s unlikely voting ACT goes very much against the instincts of many of its wealthier residents.

          2. National supporters in Epsom are unlikely to feel dubious about satisfying the request “Please vote for the ACT candidate so that National gets an extra MP.”
      • marty mars 12.2.2

        26 July 2017 at 1:04 pm

        Those poor bastards in epsom – ‘its not fair we vote for rubbish, we get rubbish and we are told off by the unwashed, unwaged and unworthy – what about us? Has anyone given a thought for how tough it is with 3 cars and only 2 drivers – why won’t someone fix that problem. It’s racist is what it is’.
13. mauī 13

    26 July 2017 at 11:25 am

    The 8th synthetic cannabis death in a month. Fricken hell do something, poor kids are dying.

    What’s the bet in a couple of weeks there will be a watered down drug action plan announced that doesn’t do anything but is spoken highly of in the medias.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11895225
14. weka 14

    26 July 2017 at 11:27 am

    Twitter lolz.

    “Potentially the greatest thread in the era of the Trump presidency” – Obama

    https://twitter.com/GCSB_spy/status/889973598361763840
    • Psycho Milt 14.1

      26 July 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Oh, God! I laughed out loud while also feeling shame for taking pleasure in cruelty against the cognitively-challenged.
      • weka 14.1.1

        26 July 2017 at 1:10 pm

        I wish I’d kept the tweet the other day about how many people googled Scaramouche.
        • Psycho Milt 14.1.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 1:13 pm

          That was the first thing I thought – “Oh, like in Bohemian Rhapsody. Oh, wait, that was Scaramouche.”
          • Stuart Munro 14.1.1.1.1

            26 July 2017 at 4:16 pm

            Trump could use a Rafael Sabatini superman about now.
15. marty mars 15

    26 July 2017 at 11:37 am

    I’ve been thinking about Diana and her boys. It really struck me how they had suppressed much emotions around the death of their mum and that by talking about that had helped them remember her and consolidate the loss and carry on with life. Imagine now being those boys and your mother had killed herself. There are a lot of kids, parents, siblings and friends dealing with the sudden loss of their loved ones. So much stuff to work through – the guilt, sadness and fear. How many people receiving assistance have killed themselves? No one counts them so we don’t know. How many kids dealing with the suicide of a parent who was receiving assistance? We don’t count them, we don’t know.
16. Ad 16

    26 July 2017 at 11:59 am

    Interesting critique of the New Zealand Greens here.
    Essentially, in Wellington they are great at getting elected, but really poor at getting anything Green actually done.

    A Green credibility problem.

    http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=101313
17. Morrissey 17

    26 July 2017 at 11:59 am

    Dos muy estúpidos músicos puertorriqueños

    You’ve probably heard that Spanish pop record “Despacito” over the last few weeks, by a couple of Puerto Ricans called Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi. It’s the most popular piece of Latin nonsense since the gorgeous “Ketchup” song of fifteen years ago—indeed it’s now the most played song ever, in any language.

    Among those who have heard it are supporters of the democratic government in Venezuela. One of them had the inspired idea of doing away with the inane original lyrics and turning it into an anthem of hope and support for democratic values…

    http://www.nbcnews.com/video/remix-of-despacito-from-venezuela-s-president-nicolas-maduro-1008281667983

    Great idea, right? Improving a piece of dreck, recycling a piece of meretricious rubbish like “Despacito” is part of a timeless and honored tradition.

    Sadly, however, the perpetrators of the original were not happy. Both Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have unleashed blimpish and confused outbursts against the democratic Venezuelan government: “Your dictatorial regime is a joke,” claimed Fonsi—or was it Daddy Yankee?—and the other one (Fonsi? Daddy Yankee?) claimed that “the Venezuelan people are crying out for their freedom.”

    So what motivated these two Puerto Rican pop-putzes to indulge in the most absurd display of bewilderment since Jared Leto and Kevin Spacey declaimed at an awards ceremony? Well, just have a look at Daddy Yankee’s murky past: he’s a self-declared “Christian”, and a Republican, and voted for John McCain in 2008. You can be sure he’s a Rump supporter as well. He hates democracy…..

    http://hollowverse.com/daddy-yankee/

    Luis Fonsi doesn’t seem to have any ideas about anything. I’m pretty sure all the energy of this anti-democracy rant comes from Daddy Yankee, and that Fonsi just follows his lead.

    There are many thoughtful and well informed Puerto Rican commentators, such as Juan González, Ululy Martinez and Oscar Lopez Rivera. However, as is so often the case, the Puerto Ricans getting nearly all the publicity at the moment are—thanks to the political choices of the media—two unfeasibly ignorant, lazy, and stupid ones.
18. AsleepWhileWalking 18

    26 July 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Jim Rogers predicts worst crash in his lifetime is on it’s way
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLZ05zvZqVk
    • Draco T Bastard 18.1

      26 July 2017 at 1:15 pm

      Currency-issuing governments can keystroke their outstanding debt into oblivion

      That’s a really important point. It means all that ‘debt’ upon a government’s books can be written off instantly while making no difference to the economy.
19. Tautoko Mangō Mata 19

    26 July 2017 at 2:05 pm

    Who actually writes the bile that Hosking reads in his NZH column and video?
    Why does he say at 2min08 “I hope I’m reading this right” if he wrote it himself? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11895130

    And to be picky, the absurd heading
    Mike Hosking: Metiria Turei should know – knowledge of a crime is a crime itself
    means that a hell of a lot of criminal lawyers must be committing crime. By this measure Bill English is probably a criminal too.
    • KJT 19.1

      26 July 2017 at 2:11 pm

      Bill English Is, “a criminal”. He rorted his accommodation allowance.

      Something that would get most people sacked, and probably reported to the police.
20. Ad 20

    26 July 2017 at 2:11 pm

    Is this the start of the end of the combustion engine?

    With Britain following France’s lead, it won’t be long before it is adopted by the entire E.U. as well so long as Merkel can withstand the pressure.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/25/britain-to-ban-sale-of-all-diesel-and-petrol-cars-and-vans-from-2040

    Note also London is imposing a 10 Pound charge on hundreds of thousands of older vehicles – because they are far more likely to be more polluting.

    Can we expect any party in New Zealand to propose such a move?
    • weka 20.1

      26 July 2017 at 2:21 pm

      2040, bit late by then. If I buy a petrol car in 2039 someone will still be driving it 20 years later.
    • adam 20.2

      26 July 2017 at 2:31 pm

      Oh my – wanting to grow hemp – bad, medical cannabis – bad, and a side issue – will lose election. Purposing somthing that will not help one bit – election winner.

      The sad part is people will swallow that crap whole.
    • Gabby 20.3

      26 July 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Maybe, when we’re all living in Auckland.
21. ianmac 21

    26 July 2017 at 2:48 pm

    Winston just asked in QT, if National were preparing to sell Transpower. WOW!
    Denied of course by Joyce. Letter tabled.
    Q6. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his statements; if so, how?
    • ianmac 21.1

      26 July 2017 at 2:59 pm

      Winston’s question:
      https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=196207
      • ianmac 21.1.1

        26 July 2017 at 4:53 pm

        “Finance Minister Steven Joyce denies plans to sell off Transpower.”
        Who knows. Might be a long term plan though Joyce says businesses are always putting up propositions. Mmmmm..
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11895459
22. Red 22

    26 July 2017 at 7:16 pm

    Little was terrible this morning on breakfast with Jack Tame, the man has trouble putting coherent sentences together or thinking on his feet Surely the simple answer to Tame line of question to catch angry out in regard to what will dropping 30000 in immigration have on our GDp would have been, “nothing as per capita nothing will change” , little was right it was a stupid question but he got owned by Tame with a even more stupid lack of an answer and could not shut it down, beyond stuttering every labour policy and mother pie statement as an answer, must do better, epic fail
    • weka 22.1

      26 July 2017 at 7:47 pm

      Right winger concern troll offers lefties advice about how to win election 🙄
    • Robert Guyton 22.2

      26 July 2017 at 7:52 pm

      Red’s bored and Red’s boring.
      • Incognito 22.2.1

        26 July 2017 at 10:25 pm

        Bored people bore people.
23. dad4justice 23

    26 July 2017 at 7:53 pm

    The green party is doomed.
    • Robert Guyton 23.1

      26 July 2017 at 7:59 pm

      dad4 – you’ve stumbled into a decent blog-space here, accidentally, I’m sure and you’ll be feeling insecure and not a little bit alien!
      Quick! Get back to Kiwiblog before you catch something! This place is awash with rational thinking and consideration: scoot!
      • RedLogix 23.1.1

        26 July 2017 at 8:02 pm

        Now now Robert, no need for the hasty. Seeing d4j back here has made me come all over nostalgic.
        • weka 23.1.1.1

          26 July 2017 at 8:09 pm

          me too! (well not really).
          • Robert Guyton 23.1.1.1.1

            26 July 2017 at 8:17 pm

            RedLogix – my heart too, skipped a beat at the signature on the 7:53pm comment, and while I stand in awe at the elegant simplicity of dad’s comment, unencumbered as it is by any weight, depth or value, I clearly remember the path dad’s comments, when in train, take; the inevitable downward, pride-defying spiral that always ended with a graceless splat-landing and banishment by the moderators to place where dull mischief foments and flippery-feet flap.
    • sam green 23.2

      26 July 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Doomed I tell ye- Doomed! 👹
24. halfcrown 24

    26 July 2017 at 8:04 pm

    Actually, it was Tuesday morning Red Tuesday the 25th. I saw that and I have got to agree, that little obnoxious prat, another Hoskins in the making definitely had a “gotcha” moment with Little. I don’t think little has problems in answering I think his main problem is he hasn’t a strong commanding voice. However wasn’t the little arseole smug about it, it was written all over his dial that said, ” aren’t I a clever little shit.”
    Tried a similar exercise with Metiria Turei this morning didn’t he, and boy didn’t he come a cropper, she shut the little prat well and truly up and was he fucking pissed off about it his face was like thunder.
    • Ed 24.1

      26 July 2017 at 9:28 pm

      Tame has been groomed for this role for years.

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