Open mike 26/08/2016
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6:00 am, August 26th, 2016 - 140 comments
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- The worth of it all
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...2 hours ago - What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
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3 days ago - Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...3 days ago - Fighting poverty on the holiday highwayTurning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...3 days ago
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Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...4 days ago - At a glance – Is the science settled?On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...4 days ago
- Apposite Quotations.
4 days ago - What’s a life worth now?
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...4 days ago - Howling at the MoonKarl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...4 days ago
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- Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...17 hours ago - Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...17 hours ago - Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect themNews that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...3 days ago
- Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunchesMore essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...3 days ago
- Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals billThe Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...4 days ago
- Government throws coal on the climate crisis fireThe Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...4 days ago
- Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project insteadCancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...5 days ago
- Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priorityA laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...5 days ago
- Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful lawThe Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homesThe National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...1 week ago
- Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on mediaThe action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...1 week ago
- Landlord Government leaves little hope for rentersThe Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...1 week ago
- Opportunity to build a more sustainable economyGreen Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...1 week ago
- Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust pastA significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environmentNew Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to GovernmentTens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention OfficeLabour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- CCC issues warning over further climate delayToday’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets are lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt prioritiesMinister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Methane target review is dangerous duplicationThe Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled studentsThe Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National must take mental health seriouslyMental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwardsThe Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cutsNew Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...2 weeks ago
- Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing planMāori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...3 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...3 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do listThe Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this AprilChanges to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...3 weeks ago
- $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...17 hours ago - Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder listThe Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...19 hours ago
- Judicial appointments announcedAttorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...20 hours ago
- Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in SingaporeEducation Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...21 hours ago
- Value of stopbank project proven during cycloneA stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...21 hours ago
- Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visitForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...21 hours ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac DayScience, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...24 hours ago
- Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...1 day ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...2 days ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...2 days ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...2 days ago
- Government backing mussel spat projectThe Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...2 days ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...2 days ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...2 days ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...2 days ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...3 days ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...3 days ago
- Inflation coming down, but more work to doToday’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...3 days ago
- School attendance restored as a priority in health adviceRefreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...3 days ago
- Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sectorOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...3 days ago
- Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International CongressAssociate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...4 days ago
- Removing red tape to help early learners thriveThe Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...4 days ago
- RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tapeChanges to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...4 days ago
- McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationshipTrade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister LeePrime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...5 days ago
- PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ tiesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...5 days ago
- Antarctica New Zealand Board appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...5 days ago
- Finance Minister travels to Washington DCFinance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...5 days ago
- Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlordsThe coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...5 days ago
- Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being consideredState Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...5 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Iranian strikesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...5 days ago
- Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plansHundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...1 week ago
- Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand ChairHealth Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...1 week ago
- Roads of National Significance planning underwayThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...1 week ago
- Navigating an unstable global environmentNew Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...1 week ago
- NZ welcomes Australian Governor-GeneralPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...1 week ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for WinterAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...1 week ago
- NZ and the US: an ever closer partnershipNew Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...1 week ago
- Joint US and NZ declarationApril 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...1 week ago
- NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperationForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...1 week ago
- Shadow-boxing turns real for Israel and Iran
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...2 hours ago - Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets KPIs on Southeast Asia mission
Power Play - Asked for his own assessment of the visit, the prime minister said he was returning home "excited and energised". ...3 hours ago - Embracing Māori Representation Enriches Democracy, Not Divides It
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...3 hours ago - Anne Salmond: My open submission on this radical, flawed fast-track billThis week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...3 hours ago
- Short story: Finally, by Caoimhe McKeoghThe summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...3 hours ago
- Thomas James is a master of inventionWhen Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...3 hours ago
- All 28 road tunnels in New Zealand ranked from worst to best
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...4 hours ago - How to make the most of your market haulLucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...4 hours ago
- From a library basement comes a fashion historyZoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...4 hours ago
- Rousing farewell for Kiwi doctors flying out to Gaza aid flotilla
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...11 hours ago - Communities Against The Fast-track Heartened By ‘Overwhelming’ Public Response; Disgusted By ‘...With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...13 hours ago
- Renters Rights To Drastically Reduce Under Landlord GovernmentThe Government’s announced changes around tenancy rules set renters’ rights back by nearly a decade. ...13 hours ago
- NZPI Submission on Fast Track Approvals BillOur response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...13 hours ago
- Fast Track Invite List Includes Most Destructive Industries In New ZealandThe new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...13 hours ago
- Eugene Doyle: Helen Clark on why AUKUS isn’t in New Zealand’s national interestCOMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...13 hours ago
- Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consentsThe government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...14 hours ago
- The Week in Politics: Job cuts surge and Waitangi Tribunal troubleAnalysis - It's been a grim week for public servants, while trouble is also brewing between the government and Waitangi Tribunal. ...15 hours ago
- It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...16 hours ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in ManilaThe PM has defended how he's talked up NZ trade on his trip to Southeast Asia, after criticism from his own delegation. ...16 hours ago
- ‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...16 hours ago
- Government signs off $41m clean energy deal with Asian Development BankThe government has committed $41 million to clean energy transition at the Asian Development Bank's Energy Transition Mechanism. ...16 hours ago
- Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...18 hours ago
- Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...18 hours ago
- Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding SqueezeThe Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...19 hours ago
- I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...19 hours ago
- How the coolest little capital is shrinkingIt's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...19 hours ago
- Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...19 hours ago
- Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi TribunalPrime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...19 hours ago
- Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...19 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford GrahamA new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...19 hours ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...19 hours ago
- Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lostVisitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...19 hours ago
- Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job CutsWith New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...20 hours ago
- Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in ManilaPrime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...20 hours ago
- Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreementThe contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...20 hours ago
- Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...20 hours ago
- Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costsChief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...20 hours ago
- The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...21 hours ago
- Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...21 hours ago
- Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going upRoaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...21 hours ago
- What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānauThe Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...21 hours ago
- NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensionsThe commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...23 hours ago
- How superblocks can help reimagine city lifeBarcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...23 hours ago
- Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIEThe public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...23 hours ago
- “Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...1 day ago
- ‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in IndiaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...1 day ago
- Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...1 day ago
- Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period productsYes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...1 day ago
- Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...1 day ago
- Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track LegislationThe Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...1 day ago
- Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...1 day ago
- Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...1 day ago
- Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...1 day ago
- Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-handSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...1 day ago
- ‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration StatusThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...1 day ago
- 20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last yearThe government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...1 day ago
- All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to bestRaglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...1 day ago
- Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation feesResidents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...1 day ago
- New Zealand transport planning has gone off the railsOpinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...1 day ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 19 AprilThe post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
- Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slowsThe transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 AprilLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
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As I am the first (yay!) let me propose an idea… lets try have a day without Trump vs. Reality. Now I know I am guilty of prodding the pro-Trumpers but I never start these discussions.
Lets focus on how we can change NZ’s political landscape and where National has let us all down (i.e. with everything).
Also, I don’t know how many of you are hip-hop fans but this DJ Shadow ft. Run The Jewels is a monster of a tune with an epic video:
https://vimeo.com/180016993
Happy Friday yo!
Sorry, I know you asked for a no-Trump day, but this is too good not to share.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ann-coulter-book-launch_us_57be9461e4b02673444e79f4?section=&
Doesn’t matter what I ask for – this is Open Mike. I have no control 🙂
Oh and Coulter is completely unhinged
How to ensure a day of debate focussed on Trump? Suggest we talk about other things* 😉
Herding cats mate.
*it was a good idea though, although I’m over talking about Nationall too. Talking about what we do is more attractive.
weka @*
Agree most effusively!
Herding cats is easy. All ya gotta do is manage their food.
Here’s a go. We’ll talk about cats.
I have a problem. Felt sorry for a local black stray so have been leaving a small bowl of cat biscuits in the garage each evening. Trouble is, it must be an un-neutered tom and he’s started peeing on things in the garage. I can’t stop feeding him now because it would be cruel. I can’t adopt him (and have him done) as I have a large, beautiful ginger girl who sleeps 20 hours a day on her own sheepskin rug and would not allow another feline to set foot in her house. Now there’s another cat vying for the biscuit bowl and I’m worried I might become known as – God forbid – the “local cat lady”. 😯
What to do?
That’s a tough one. It’s hard eh. You want to look after the poor creature but can’t realistically.
Makes me feel sad 🙁
Do you have a local cat rescue group? They can provide a trap, advice and support, and will probably pay for the neutering. They can probably rehome if the cat isn’t feral.
SPCA might help too. Or come vets have stray cat funds to get cats fixed. The big issue is to get it neutered so it doesn’t add to the feral cat population, and so it isn’t fighting with other cats.
Good advice there Weka.
Well, I’d go ahead and catnap him and have him done anyway. Even if he’s got a human slave elsewhere in the neighbourhood, it’s pretty antisocial for a tom to be freely wandering around in full possession of his nuts. Probably won’t stop him peeing on everything, tho. I s’pose to cover my ass I’d check with the local SPCA or Citizens Advice Bureau just what the laws were around that.
I’d go and build a little shelter outside the garage to put the food in, rather than letting him in the garage. Then if he got friendly over time, I’d consider seeing if I could introduce him into the house. There’s plenty of advice on the web how to introduce cats without them hating each other.
Same for the second stray.
It’s too late, you’re probably already the crazy cat lady. Own it.
*#&@%** 😡
You won’t be asking me for advice again?
Doubt it. 😀
Thanks to all for advice. It was an attempt to introduce some humour as per TheExtremist’s request. Will follow up the suggestions though.
I thought that was pretty good advice Andre.
Yes it was and I will probably follow up on it. I was responding to his last sentence @ 11:36 which was (I presume) as tongue in cheek as my response.
Anyway its kept the subject off the now boring Trump and Clinton debate and it seems to be working.:)
I reckon four or more cats is the level for local notability.
Two is fine 🙂
How many before you become the crazy cat guy? I’ve been as high as three and nobody said anything (that I know of).
Four again. I think it’s gender neutral.
Unless the number of people in your household outnumbers the number of cats, in which case you’ll probably be overheard talking to humans just as much as to felines.
But if you have pets in addition to the cats, especially exotic ones like huge rabbits or a llama, you’ll just be known as the family with the zoo.
Don’t forget the cat just regards you as ‘staff’. If you stop feeding it, it wont be cruel. The cat will just move on to the next free meal place (It’s probably got half a dozen around the neighbourhood anyway).
So there ya go. Problem solved.
Also, that it’s spraying, doesn’t mean it’s not neutered, just that it’s marking your garage as it’s own.
(It’s probably got half a dozen around the neighbourhood anyway).
Don’t think so Brigid. It was very thin. I’ve solved the spraying problem. It’s confined to a table and chair so I drape an old towel over them each day. Remove towel each morning and hang outside, then at end of week wash them and start over again.
I live opposite two schools and it is known people dump their cats there when they no longer want them or they’re shifting somewhere they can’t take them. Too lazy to take them to the SPCA or some other cat agency who might be able to re-home them.
I think I’d have had to admit to cat lady status about 20 years ago when I was feeding 8 strays! There seems to be a sign outside our house that only cats see that indicates a potential home as I have taken in many strays over the years – never once needed to go out and get a cat. I always trap them and get them neutered – it is the only way to control the cat population. Currently have three.
Hint for stopping cats spraying – get some citronella from the chemist and put a couple of drops into water then wipe the surface of anywhere the cat has sprayed. Cats hate the smell and will stop spraying in that area.
Thanks for that Karen. I will definitely try the citronella. It’s good for sprinkling into stagnant water (drains etc.) to prevent mosquitos from breeding too.
You’re a very nice person too Karen, people like you and Anne are heroes in my book. Thanks so much for the advice. 🙂
Abandoned and neglected animals need all the support that they can get. Like I said, you are a very nice person Anne 🙂
Ask Gareth Morgan
Yeah I wanted to talk about music to start with. Ah well
Music to Trump to cats to mosquitos. Not bad for a single sub-thread.
Actually, I came in to view the controversial, the trolling, etc, and was quite intrigued with this.
I’m still just gobsmacked that the best candidates the US can throw up (good choice of words) is Clinton v Trump
No way either of them should be anywhere near the presidency
Yes, they have much in common with the Key Kleptocracy.
No they really don’t. John Key is popular PM that the people of NZ keep voting back in, is someone that manages to make NZ punch well above its weight, especially in trade, manages to maintain cordial relationships with many, much larger economies and will soon win his fourth election
So no not much in common at all
Key resembles Trump – a shoddy charlatan with an interest in girls his daughter’s age, no vision for anything but self enrichment, and incapable of telling the truth about anything. They are media products – they don’t represent their people or anything of value.
“A normal person must
dismiss them with disgust
and weep for those who trusted them”
What kind of two bit analysis is that?; Key is an Investment Bankster at heart, and Clinton is a highly paid apparatchik of the Hedge Fund and Investment Banking Wall St crowd.
Hillary’s vices do not redeem Trump.
Exactly. Succinct and to the point.
Seen Trumps new advisors? Steve Bannon from the alt-right movement (read alt-right as white nationalist, hardcore conservatives) and Darth Vader of the US media Roger Ailes (currently embroiled in major sexual harrasement scandals).
John Key is a greedy, lying crook at heart and has shown being a money trader is not good PM material.
Yes, they really do. They both live on Planet Key for starters.
No, he’s destroying NZ as the increasing poverty and homelessness proves.
Through lies and deception to the people of NZ he makes it look like he’s maintaining cordial relationships.
Yes, they really do. They both live on Planet Key for starters.
– No they don’t
No, he’s destroying NZ as the increasing poverty and homelessness proves.
– Nope, increasing poverty is happening due to increasing population
Through lies and deception to the people of NZ he makes it look like he’s maintaining cordial relationships.
– No hes not a unionist
They both hold the same delusional mindset as Key so, yes they do.
Besides that it’s somewhat more complicated than that guess who’s got the immigration flood gates wide open?
I’ve never seen a union lie whereas there’s over 400 documented lies from John Key.
No, no, no and no, nope, nope and nope.
All a righty apologist needs to know in order to debate, nope, nope, nopedy-nope.
What other argument is fitting when someone talks of Planet Key?
More concerning are those who speak from Planet Key.
Young Master Puckers: “John Key is popular PM”
Not so much these days, young man. Key’s Net Favourability ratings are now pretty damn close to zero (meaning as many voters hold Unfavourable as Favourable views of him). Meanwhile, he’s now consistently polling below 40% as Preferred PM. So, basically, the thrill has gone for voters, he’s lost his Mojo (and saying But look at Andrew’s numbers ! won’t disguise this new, cold hard reality).
Having said that, it’s true that, by comparison with the deeply-disliked Hillary and Trumpie, Key’s mediocre ratings don’t look quite so bad.
Would you agree though that in comparison to any other leader of a NZ political party that he could still be considered popular and if not why not?
Yeah I know it sounds like an antagonistic reply but I am genuinely interested in your view on this
You have just done exactly what swordfish said you would do and they’re right, it’s not disguising reality. Obviously Key is still ‘more popular’ but he’s trending down, which was exactly swordfish’s point that you’ve decided to ignore. So not so much antagonistic as it is a predictable distraction attempt.
Not really though I can how you might take that. Key is trending downwards yes but I think it really does matter to take into account the level from which hes descending in comparison to the level at which his opponents are currently at.
For instance if Key is at 40% and falling and little is at 7% and static then its going to take quite a while for Little and Key to be close and probably not before the next election
The “smelly soap” thing is going to cling.
Actually I disagree on this (surprise surprise) the people who dislike Key have already made up their minds about this, same as the people who like Key and the rest of the population will just be going m’eh about it, I mean its The Edge they have form in doing stupid things anyway
“Yeah I know it sounds like an antagonistic reply”
I’ve never known you to be antagonistic, Puckers. You’re a relatively congenial, relaxed, laid back sort of a bloke. One might almost say: a kind of “Puckish Rogue”.
On the one hand, it’s self-evident that Key is well ahead in the Preferred PM stakes. But that’s just one measure. By no means a trivial matter, but arguably not the be-all and end-all either.
On net Favourability, Little has equalled or found himself marginally ahead of Key over the last 18 months. That’s not to say more people positively Favour Little than Key. They don’t. But more voters hold a positive rather than Negative view of Little (albeit with a fairly large Unsure component – which is natural for an Opposition Leader). By contrast, Key is now a Polariser in the way that Muldoon once was. He’s still Favoured by a marginally greater number of voters than Little is, but by the same token he’s also managed to alienate a significantly larger number of voters than the Opposition Leader.
So, at one and the same time, New Zealand’s answer to The Man of La Mancha manages to be both more popular than Little (larger %) and yet also more disliked (larger %).
Interestingly, Winnie’s moved back into Favourable territory in recent years. Voter perceptions of him had been quite negative during the latter part of the Clark Govt and early stages of Key’s first term. (Goes hand-in-hand, of course, with NZF’s recent revival)
The interesting thing about communicating through words only is how easy it is for the other person to get the wrong idea of what you’re saying.
That’s some good points, I don’t suppose you have Helen Clarks numbers handy because I’d assume she was quite…polarising herself?
>
UMR – Leader Favourability Ratings
(Key vs Clark at same stage in Govt cycle)
Net Positive Ratings
…………………..John Key…….vs……. Helen Clark
2013 …………… + 19 ………………………. + 30 ……………. 2004
2014 …………… + 27 ………………………. + 30………………2005
2015 … (1/2) .. + 19 ………………………. + 28 ……………. 2006…. (1/2)
2015 … (2/2) …+ 13 ………………………. + 22 ……………. 2006 …. (2/2)
Key’s net rating is now down in low single figures.
>
>
Reid Research – Leader Performance Ratings
(Key vs Clark at same stage in Govt cycle)
Net Positive Ratings
(Unfortunately, I don’t have much post-2013 Reid Research data for Key on this particular measure – just one or two bits and pieces. So, I’ll restrict it to Key’s first term)
…………………. John Key …. vs …… Helen Clark
2011 …………… + 55 …………………….. + 59 …………… 2002
2012 ……………. + 30 …………………… + 48 …………… 2003
2013 ……………. + 25 …………………… + 39 ……….. … 2004
So, you can see that Clark’s numbers were superior to Key’s and she wasn’t quite the polariser that some might assume. Mind you, probably fair to say she tended to be respected rather than liked.
I’m not sure it was Clark per se, that made the change.
There was:
a contentious or unpopular anti-smacking bill
The strange journey of Chris Carter
A pledge card that wasn’t the vote winner its authors imagined
Leader appeal or charisma can be important, but it cannot redeem conspicuous non-performance indefinitely.
She is/was a strong leader
Weak characters demand strong leaders. The biggest joke is on Russia.
Be still me heart I thought you were about to do Key V LIttle ratings.
Stuart, we can also add to that list,
The world turning to shit in rather spectacular fashion.
That would have taken out any third term government, of any stripe, in New Zealand.
Those candidates certainly tend to ruin ones faith in primaries as a way to choose candidates don’t they?
Perhaps you should nominate the people who you think should have been chosen.
Looking only at the people who did run I think the best choices would have been Martin O’Malley from Maryland and John Kasich from Ohio.
I don’t think you can suggest people who never attempted to get the nomination. Therefore I don’t count people like Senator Warren, who refused to run, or anyone who withdrew before the first primary.
Only 9% of eligible voters actually chose either of them. The primary system is incredibly flawed, they should all be open and unrestricted.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/08/01/us/elections/nine-percent-of-america-selected-trump-and-clinton.html?_r=0
Can we have an open, unrestricted primary system in New Zealand?
Imagine if anyone at all could vote in the election of a party leader, which is really the equivalent of the US Presidential primaries.
We would end up with John Key being elected as leader of the Labour Party as well as the National Party. It would probably give them a much better chance in the General Election of course.
Some States in the US used to allow this. In 1946 Earl Warren ran in, and won, the primaries of the Republican, Democrat and Progressive parties. He thus ran virtually unopposed in the election.
Primaries aren’t like voting for the leader of a party. There is no point to them in a parliamentary system.
Earl Warren was running for Governor, and cross-filing (running in more that one party primary) was abolished in 1959, so it’s a historical anomaly really.
They have them in the US for Congress don’t they Are you meaning to say it is not a parliamentary system?
“so it’s a historical anomaly really”
Well yes. You did notice that I said “Some States in the US used to allow this”. I didn’t want anyone to think it was still possible.
Yes, both houses of the Congress of the United States have primaries, and yes it is not a Parliamentary system, and yes, I was reiterating that cross-filing hasn’t worked like that for more than 50 years.
mean vid, sick tune, great ending
edit – reply to the extremist, but won’t let me
I know right. I’ve been a DJ Shadow fan since Endtroducing was released.
Go trump ( the Barbara Streisand affect, sorry 😀)
Trump is jackass but he does not pretend to be anything else, Hillary in turn is a completely different matter, allegedly corrupt to the core
As I said, Hillary has had 30 years practice hiding who she actually is and what she actually thinks. Trump is just getting started.
yep, you said… ho hum – so nice you want to get trump up to the speed of clinton (who you hate with a vengeance) – just shows how disconnected with reality you are.
CV hates Clinton so much his reality has warped into supporting a man who has a white nationalist as his campaign manager.
Who is more likely to lead the USA into another war, Clinton who already has form in this area or Trump who it seems like he wants to move a more isolationist agenda?
Trump is very thick with Putin.
I don’t want world war III, but I don’t want Putin overrunning eastern Europe like he’s just signed Ribbentrop II either.
trump is a liar with political inexperience, clinton is a liar with political experience – as cv notes above. Anyone trusting trump is delusional. To say he is more or less likely to do anything is really dreaming – he is a liar, a bigot, a shallow thinker, a kneejerker – oh and he won’t lead the yanks to war – total delusion and idiocy puck
You did note I stated “seems” didn’t you…
seems makes it seem like a nothing comment – I imbued more substance into it than that
nice that we agree 🙂 do you agree that we agree?
So who, in your opinion, is most likely to start a war, Clinton or Trump?
trump
Fair enough
come on mate – tell me about the screaming lambs now
I personally think that, due to her prior actions, Clinton would likely start a war before Trump
cool, we disagree – sorta good cos I struggle when I find I agree with anyone other than a righteous left winger
For what its worth I suspect there’s more then a few lefties that would probably agree with me on this
name 20
Personally, I reckon Clinton and Trump are equally likely to increase US military combat deployments somewhere in the world, most likely Syria, but several spots in Africa and maybe the philipines.
My concern with Trump is that his lumbering oafishness and narcissistic bombast will spark a major confrontation between nuclear powers. If he doesn’t kick off india and pakistan, or nuke someone off his own bat, then his plan to boost NATO forces under different command structures increases the probability of a flashpoint between putin and EU.
Even though SthK and Japan will tell him to get fucked when he demands they build their own nukes, the fact that he even floated the idea means that he has no idea about the geopolitical situation he wants to be a key decisionmaker in.
So “start a war” is even odds. “Start the last war” and Trump is far more likely to do it that Clinton, imo.
Outing people is seriously not cool but they know who they are
This sums up my view of trump and war
“…Trump has said a lot of scary (and racist) things on the campaign trail, from calling undocumented immigrants rapists to saying he’d ban Muslims from the country to urging supporters at his rallies to attack protesters.
But his answer Tuesday night was especially terrifying; it revealed what it means to put an ignorant blowhard with a head full of jagged rocks in charge of enough munitions to blow up the entire world several times over.
Let’s go through his answer. If you didn’t see it in real time, know that you should experience the stomach-churning terror you feel when you climb that first hill on an especially tall roller coaster…
…Hewitt: “Of the three legs of the triad, though, do you have a priority? I want to go to Sen. Rubio after that and ask him.”
Trump: “I think – I think, for me, nuclear is just the power, the devastation is very important to me.”
The devastation is very important to him. That flailing nonsense is the best Trump can manage. A reasonably well-informed fifth grader could come up with something better.
The problem isn’t simply that Trump doesn’t have detailed plans to make sure our nuclear weapons are safely maintained. The problem is that he doesn’t understand even the most basic premise of a relatively simple question. He couldn’t muster a “I’ll make sure we have the most modern, best nuclear arsenal the world has ever seen,” because he didn’t know what he was being asked.
Imagine handing over the nuclear codes to a man with the comprehension skills of Donald J. Trump. Do you honestly believe he would understand the consequences of using them? Trump is obsessed with tough-guy machismo. How much provocation does he need to press that button?…”
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/trumps-terrifying-nuke-answer-at-the-debate-should-end-his-campaign-but-it-wont-20151216
Clinton is far more likely to start minor wars around the world (Syria, Libya, etc.) , and she is far more likely to accidentally start a big fucking war (China, Russia, both) with her neocons friends ramping up the rhetoric in order to raise both tensions and defense procurement contracts.
As for people saying that Trump is more likely to press the button.
Your ignorance is massive.
Obama has green lit the development of a whole new generation of “more useable” low yield precision nuclear weapons which are promised to – get this – cause less environmental damage.
Hillary and her neocon associates actually consider that a nuclear war might be winnable with these kinds of new weapons.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/science/as-us-modernizes-nuclear-weapons-smaller-leaves-some-uneasy.html
your opinions have very low cred in my book because of your fawning of trump – it has sort of coloured my view of even the things you write that make sense – for instance your cc posts when you support a denier – can’t compute that one and given up trying – btw the difference argument you use to justify the above are rubbish so please don’t waste space with it here.
btw – I just think you’ve jumped the shark – no personal animosity though, although you can pontificate a bit but then I have my own wee foibles too so all good 🙂
Your link has absolutely nothing to do with that assertion, nor does it give any indication of what Clinton’s advice to Obama was while he was making that decision.
More to the point, in terms of threats to world peace how does the B21 package compare with Trump’s desire to discard the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?
I think anyone who is talking about whether Clinton or Trump would be more likely to start a war, and especially anyone talking about their stance on nuclear weapons, needs to watch this interview:
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/03/trump-asks-why-us-cant-use-nukes-msnbcs-joe-scarborough-reports.html
He seems stupider than Palin, if that were possible.
I guess the top brass of the military could choose to resign on the spot, rather than accede to his orders if they would put the US in greater danger.
Extremist. That’s an exceptionally powerful fantastic new video/mini movie from DJ Shadow and run the jewels.
I put it up on my faceblab page yesterday instead of here because I thought some one might find it offensive.
This track is a banger!!! The video says alot about our useless elite powerful masters
I know right, a fucking smoking tune
Talking of Clinton, this funny clip was interesting. The zoomed in image of a Secret Service man standing beside Clinton and holding a thing which was allegedly an emergency hyperdermic. Off we go again on health issues.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11700526
Pen with seizure control medication.
hahahahahhahahahahhahaha.
Oh wait, you actually believe that.
Kind of strange they would hire a body guard that needs seizure meds though.
Hahahahaha
This will help:
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/learning-from-failure-modest.html
So will this.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/stephen-colberts-tinfoil-hat-explains-gop-conspiracy-theories_us_57beb7a1e4b04193420d99f3?
A long way off or a few weeks away?
Drones were extremely dangerous machines which had the potential to kill people if they collided with a vehicle.
The razor sharp rotor blades could also inflict severe injury or death said X-craft Enterprises director Philip Solaris.
X-craft is a CAA approved drone operator providing emergency, forestry, commercial, farming and survey services using fixed wing and multi-rotor drones.
Solaris said pizza delivery by drones was a long way off due to strict Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations and health and safety laws.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges said the (Domino’s drone delivery) trial was a valuable opportunity for the CAA.
New aviation rules came into effect in August last year to regulate and enable the use of drones for recreational and commercial purposes in New Zealand.
CAA spokeswoman Philippa Lagan said because Domino’s application was under consideration, it could not comment publicly on it.
Domino’s will be able to fly pizza deliveries later this year if its application to carry out operation is approved, she said.
A decision was expected to be made in a few weeks’ time.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/83529739/dominos-using-drones-to-deliver-pizza-to-new-zealand-homes
Thoughts?
A sci fi tech guy called Solaris!
Universe just Moebius-ghosted its own machine.
Pizza delivery girl jobs on the line due to tech. Retraining I guess is the answer (lol)
My thoughts
Al-Jazeera has a documentary on at the moment called Drone. It is about the scary manufacture and use by Obama and others of drones killing innocent civilians.
Henry interviewed some dick from Domino Pizza’s, who was explaining the new proposed drone delivery service. Henry asked this guy how would they be so accurate in the delivery and this twat said it uses military technology to make sure it gets to where it should go. On TV1 News last night prat Bridges was foaming at the mouth how WUNDEROUSE this was going to be.
An open message to Dominoe Pizza’s,
First, shove your Pizza’s right up your arse. Also, since a kid I have been a dead shot with a catapult, and my property is a no-fly zone.
UK Labour boycotts G4S, G4S refuses to provide security for Labour Conference, Labour Conference may need to be cancelled
This is a first grade f-up in progress.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/25/labour-conference-in-peril-g4s-will-not-provide-security
Or it’s a conspiracy. Who gains from a canceled conference? Not Corbyn. Not the fresh wave of renewal washing through UK Labour.
A canceled conference is like dropping a fetid ten tonne liquid jobby into all of that.
No remits. No policy renewal/formulation/endorsement or whatever else happens at conferences.
By a quite remarkable coincidence, UK Labour’s Deputy Leader Tom Watson bares a striking resemblance to “a fetid ten tonne liquid jobby”
http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/640/media/images/55611000/jpg/_55611200_jex_1180646_de27-1.jpg
Ahem,*bears
Is it just me or is Watson vaguely reminiscent of a younger Gerry Browlee?
http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/632B/production/_86078352_tomwatsongetty.jpg
VS
http://www.radionz.co.nz/assets/news/40065/eight_col_original_1M1A2304.jpg?1436480017
No. They’re like two completely different green round things in a pod, Grant. 🙂
Or maybe …
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/media/images/83473000/jpg/_83473971_027536785-1.jpg
VS
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/media/10938533/gerry-brownlee-3-getty_w452.jpg
Or maybe even …
http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/E992/production/_88749795_88749592.jpg
VS
http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/6/w/z/7/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620×349.18fnlg.png/1454485815066.jpg
That’s twenty tonnes of shite between the two of them..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/25/labour-left-humiliated-after-g4s-turns-down-last-ditch-plea-to-p/
G4S, which has provided security at the event for 20 years, is understood to be concerned about staff safety after Labour voted for a boycott over its prison contracts and links to Israel.
It follows a warning from Len McCluskey, the Unite boss, that the conference could be cancelled unless a provider is found urgently.
Sources close to the company warned that the short notice it was given and previous incidents at the event, including staff being spat at and verbally abused, made it impossible for G4S to accept the offer.
I’m personally not surprised they don’t want to do business with Labour
What’s even more surprising (actually no it’s not) is that Labour doesn’t have the expertise internally to conduct its own ad-hoc security operation, staffing and managing it via Labour supporting working class former security, police and armed forces personnel.
Hell, in the old days, you’d just put a couple of hundred Labour membership coal miners on the job. Not many of them around any more.
Yeah.
These days you need reasonable odds that your venue security know how to get someone out without braining them, won’t use their position as an opportunity to harrass people, and know how to spot a threat beyond “brown skin”.
Or at least have the reasonable expectation that your supplier has done those checks and training.
Dunno what the regulatory environment for venue security in the UK is though.
Indeed. In fact, if I were a corporate outfit like G4S I would try and ensure that the bureaucratic standards, health and safety regulations and paperwork requirements were so extensive that it basically snowed under every small security operator.
Yeah, damned safety regulations. Bureaucracy gone mad. What’s a little restraint asphyxia or neck injury between friends?
Large event with thousands of attendees. Party conferences are routinely the targets of protestors, and on occasion terrorists and nutbars with weapons. If security mishandle a situation there will be cameras there to record it and people willing to use it to humiliate the client organisation. The article linked to above said 100 security staff – most of those would be pulling long hours. They all need proper clothing and equipment. These days camera and operations staff will be needed. Communication protocols will need to be organised and integrated with the police and event centre management. Everyone needs a radio and spare batteries on a charger, frequencies can’t block each other, and probably a couple of different nets will be required. All staff will need to be aware and able to operate within the legal and media anvironment – no clocking off or being provoked by youtube wannabes.
Oh, and maybe knowing how to not deal with a suspicious device would be an advantage.
But yeah, let’s just recruit a few likely lads every morning, what could go wrong…
OK I guess that G4S’s operational record to date inspires confidence to meet those complex requirements.
Better than a “couple of hundred Labour membership coal miners”, anyway.
Besides, haven’t heard anything too bad about their event security – it’s the prisoner treatment they get bagged for.
Nobody really cares how you mistreat prisoners, but if clients cancel a venue because their customers got roughed up, you lose a contract.
Can labour uk do anything without turning it into a cluster buck?
It’s the undead hand of Mandelson…
“Corrections has been ordered to reconsider its decision not to allow journalist Mike White to report on the first-ever meeting between Gerard Hope and Scott Watson.”
Good show chaps.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11700533
Surprise! Fake Babies Actually Make Kids Think Teenage Motherhood is Awesome
Oops 😈
Wanna win?
” Movements for social change that want to win always take each temporary defeat as a learning experience, draw lessons from the failure, and change their tactics, strategy, and framing of the issue based on those lessons, then fling themselves back into the struggle with a better chance at victory. They also look at other movements that succeed and ask themselves, “How can we do the same thing with our cause?” Movements for social change that respond to failure by reaching for excuses and trying to convince themselves and everyone else that the battle could never have been won in the first place, on the other hand, get a shallow grave and a water-color epitaph.”
It’s about climate change.
“And the movement against anthropogenic climate change? If you’ve been following along, dear reader, you’ll already have noticed that it fell victim to all four of the bad habits just enumerated—the four horsepersons, if you will, of the apocalyptic failure of radicalism in our time. It allowed itself to be distracted from its core purpose by a flurry of piggybacking interests; it got turned into a captive constituency of the Democratic Party; it suffers from a bad case of purity politics, in which (to raise a point I’ve made before) anyone who questions the capacity of renewable resources to replace fossil fuels, without conservation taking up much of the slack, is denounced as a denialist; and it has consistently pandered to the privileged, pursuing policies that benefit the well-to-do at the expense of the working poor. Those bad habits helped foster the specific mistakes I enumerated in my earlier post-mortem on climate change activism, and led the movement to crushing defeat.”
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/learning-from-failure-modest.html
“Archdruid – by a long way the wankiest name ever for a blogger – is the biggest Cassandra out there. They revel in the idea of defeat, because it absolves them of agency and hence the responsibility for action in the actual world.
The climate change activists are winning. The deniers are a fringe who get ridiculed. Almost all world governments are aligned on goals that were never deemed agreeable. Who knows whether we meet them, but that’s a different point to persuasion. Spare me from this wank about “crushing defeat”.
Give yourselves a break on environmentalism as well. No MSM media outlet directly celebrates environmental destruction anymore.
Same goes for water quality in New Zealand – we are seeing a really rapid turnaround in commentary, and there’s more to come. Just reflect back to the kind of coverage environmentalists got in the 1980s and 1990s, not that long ago.
YOU are SO judgmental – and you base it on malformed understandings, deliberate mistruths and incomplete nay childish interpretations of what you think is coming up. Because let’s be honest, you haven’t really read much of the archdruid have you, the name even is anathema to you because of your christian beliefs. You know as little of JMG as you do the Māori King – yet you are oh so quick to try and put the boot in – sad and pathetic or just your loving belief system???
Happened to read this about Fox News’s Sean Hannity in the New York Times-
“Mr. Hannity’s show has all the trappings of traditional television news — the anchor desk, the graphics and the patina of authority that comes with being part of a news organization…..But because Mr. Hannity is “not a journalist,” he apparently feels free to work in the full service of his candidate without having to abide by journalism’s general requirements for substantiation and prohibitions…….”
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/22/business/media/sean-hannity-turns-adviser-in-the-service-of-donald-trump.html
And thought- one could substitute ‘Hoskings’ for ‘Hannity’.
just saying….
Or Henry, Gower, Soper, williams, smith etc etc
TC yes but I think those on your list regard themselves as journalists (I dunno who Williams and Smith are).
The main difference being Hoskings has stated that he’s not a journalist so like Hannity he assumes carte lanche
blanche
Contrast this news with the situation in NZ
“There was a record German budget surplus (18.5bn Euros and +1.2% of German GDP) after Q2 growth of 0.4%…. “The run of surpluses has allowed Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to increase state spending on roads, housing and digital infrastructure ahead of federal elections in 2017, while sticking to his goal of running a balanced budget.” (Reuters)”
A government that can do this would get my support. “increase state spending on roads, housing and digital infrastructure”, but in NZ prioritise state spending on education, housing and health. Get on with it !!!!!
I’d say thats possible because they don’t bribe their voters with tax breaks .
From wikipedia
”Income tax rate in 2015[edit]
No income tax is charged on the basic allowance, which is €8,354 for unmarried persons and €16,708 for jointly assessed married couples. Beyond this threshold, the marginal tax rate increases linearly from 14% to 24% for a taxable income of €13,469 (€26,938 for married couples). In the subsequent interval up to a taxable income of €52,881 (€105,762 for married couples), the marginal tax rate increases linearly from 24% to 42%. The last change of rates occurs at a taxable income of €250,730 (€501,460 for married couples) when the marginal tax rate jumps from 42% to 45%. The course of the marginal tax rate and the resulting average tax rate are depicted in the graph to the right.”
.
.Hillary Clinton.
. How does she do It ? A confident list of alleged faults is held against Hillary, including hidden crimes, massive corruptions; money laundering, plus a highly retarded mind, coupled with constant (non proven) serious deformations of her self abused body and numerous illnesses.
It surprises me that Protestant Fundamentalist weirdos have not burned the witch at the stake.
It further surprises me that Hillary is condemned without defence here on The Standard.
But of course, New Zealand is full of rednecks that spend their life destroying competent women. They bash women up. Why,because unlike Hillary, they are perfect. Better than that, they are Males.
.
I don’t mind Hillary and out of all the contenders I hope she becomes president.
In the minds of the impressionable,Trump’s propagandist meme generator has successfully implanted ‘crooked Hillary’, ‘weak Hillary’, ‘mentally unstable Hillary’ and is now working on ‘sick Hillary’.
I wonder what’s the next adjective he’ll use? Oestrogenic? menopausal? OMG he might even call her womanly!
As has been stated so many times, neither candidate is suitable . What a crazy thread today. How come rape culture didn’t pop up ?
‘
. + 100 Rodel
. I see the trolls have woken up. It amazes me that they don’t like women. Neither does their redneck hero.
.
. Their entire life is a fantasy. A two yr old fantasy.
.
.
Hillary and Bill Clinton are failed human beings!
Morally and ethically in serious default, both having committed, and been complicit in war crimes around the world
The Clinton cartel murder count is in the millions between them and their counterparts The Bush family cartel
If you’re comfortable sweeping what little you might have bothered to read regarding history under the mat, thats your choice, but don’t be so ridiculous as to use gender bias as a smear against those who can see the criminality oozing from every pore of Hillarys skin
Learn some techniques that can help you critically evaluate information in a more decerning manner
Your frequency is low
.
One Two
Nothing wrong with your counting.
. The Trump could soon have his finger on the Nuclear Bomb.
. Then your tortured worries over Hillary could soon be over eh. Everything will be so much better One Two. Won’t it?
.You detest the Clintons. Who else do you loath. ? don’t be shy. Spit it out. Go on.
.
Three cheers for the loathers and the haters – rednecks all of them.
.
.
Advice from Aunty Chooky
Talking about spooks in your iphone….(time to go back to landlines and watch out for strange men up telegraph poles?)…in other words keep your iphone under the sofa and OFF!
‘Apple upgrades security after alleged Israeli group’s spyware attack on Arab activist’
https://www.rt.com/usa/357233-apple-security-israeli-spyware/
“A botched hack attempt using “sophisticated spyware package” allegedly tailored by an Israeli group on the iPhone of an Arab activist has triggered Apple to issue an “important” security update for its mobile operating system, iOS.
The attackers tried to lure Ahmed Mansoor, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based human rights activist, with text messages embedding a suspicious link to “secrets” about detainees tortured in Arab jails.
Not a stranger to his government’s crackdown, from imprisonment and travel bans to spying, Mansoor did not take the bait, but instead sent it to the Canada-based security lab.
“It was a wise move,” Citizen Lab said in a release. “Mansoor’s unfortunate experiences are the gift that won’t stop giving.”…
…”If Mansoor clicked on that link with “secrets,” his iPhone would have been turned into a “sophisticated bugging device,” and UAE security agencies would be able to turn on his iPhone’s camera and microphone, record his and everything surrounding Mansoor.
“They would have been able to log his emails and calls — even those that are encrypted end-to-end. And, of course, they would have been able to track his precise whereabouts,” Citizen Lab said.
The developer behind what the Lookout team called “the most sophisticated attack we’ve seen on any endpoint” is believed to be an Israeli-based, US-owned NSO Group that speaks of itself as a “cyber war” company.
It is known to have participated in a similar attack on a Mexican journalist, who reported on corruption by Mexico’s head of state and an unknown target or targets in Kenya…