Open mike 27/02/2019

119 comments on “Open mike 27/02/2019 ”

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1. Pete George 1

   27 February 2019 at 7:30 am

   More claims of incapacitating health and victimhood from vexatious litigants on Whale Oil again yesterday, which not only misrepresents reality. And they think the media publicity was somehow a good thing.

   Nige (blog manager): Just goes to show the influence this site has eh.

   But Whale Oil is not telling it’s readers about the truth of three defamation cases that Cameron Slater is involved in. As a result there are comments like:

   No other journalist in NZ has so many honest people behind him.

   Karma will get them in the end, and the continued growth of WOBH will ensure increasing numbers of people get to hear what’s really going on.

   You might have been temporary lost in some of the battles, but you will win the war.

   Some people are so vindictive they just can’t let go.

   I was wondering how many court cases were still pending and how that was going to be handled. I know you would rather fight on and take it to them, but I’m certain that you are getting the right advice, health comes first.

   You’ve been brutally fearless and a force of nature on the political landscape.
   Stay fearless and apply those traits in your recovery.

   It’s too bad that those responsible for this, the vexatious litigants, will never face the costs they should do.

   As for the litigants not giving extra time, have they not dragged this on for years already?

   The courts have different views.

   [139] It is therefore apparent that the defendants took no heed whatsoever of the description provided by Lang J in his judgment of 18 May 2018 as to the pleading requirements for the defences of truth and honest opinion.

   [140] By adopting this approach, the defendants have entirely failed to plead any facts and circumstances relied on to support their defences of truth and honest opinion.

   [148] Although the effect of my rulings and judgments may appear harsh, this outcome underlines the importance of proper pleading and of compliance with procedural rules and timetable orders. In this case the defendants’ failure to comply with those requirements have resulted in them placing themselves in the situation in which they now find themselves.

   More on facts of the cases that have dragged Slater down: What Whale Oil isn’t telling their readers
   • Adrian Thornton 1.1

     27 February 2019 at 9:10 am

     Not surprising, the right wing have a long and horrible history of mismanagement of money/business and of course our country.

     It couldn’t of happened to a nicer guy.
2. cleangreen 2

   27 February 2019 at 7:36 am

   No surprises here;

   As ‘slimy slater’ will ‘slither’away again to israel; – when the scene gets to ‘ hot ‘as he did last time in 2014 remember? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bbUsLYD78o
3. Patricia 3

   27 February 2019 at 7:39 am

   A young person has successfully completed her 90 day work trial without issues ; now her employer (a small business owner) has stated that he will leave things as they are. No new contract and the young person is anxious that she can now lose the job for no valid reason. She has worked extra hours when asked and has had no negative feedback about her work / time keeping etc. She is also nervous about making a fuss in case that eventuates in dismissal.
   • arkie 3.1

     27 February 2019 at 8:17 am

     The young person is no longer under the trial period, so cannot lose the job for no valid reason.

     If the employer doesn’t give the employee notice by the end of the trial period, then they are no longer on trial and their employment will continue.

     https://www.employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/trial-and-probationary-periods/trial-periods/
     • Sabine 3.1.1

       27 February 2019 at 4:02 pm

       essentially she is now a proper staff with all the rights that entails.

       It would have to be a lot of fuss for something to end in dismissal.
4. mauī 4

   27 February 2019 at 7:49 am

   Ever debated with 5 Gosmans at one time? Tulsi Gabbard finds out what its like.
   • vto 4.1

     27 February 2019 at 9:03 am

     listen to those women – like something out of 1930’s Germany. Heil Hitler…
     • Gosman 4.1.1

       27 February 2019 at 11:17 am

       You think THAT was like something out of 1930’s Germany. Good grief – get some perspective!
       • vto 4.1.1.1

         27 February 2019 at 11:24 am

         It is entirely in perspective, and I would suggest that it is yours that is out of whack..

         1930’s Germany had most ordinary people, mums and dads, in full support of Hitler and all his propaganda. They went about their lives ordinarily and considered their politics and views to be quite normal and not something out of the ordinary – just like these women do today.

         1930’s Germany was not some raging torrent of extreme people – it was normal and peaceable, with people going about their lives and supporting the leader – just like these women are doing today in the US.

         Exactly the same.
         That is the scary thing – the very scary thing.
         If you think about it.

         And of course, Trump holds rallies. As did Hitler.

         The comparison is entirely apt.
         • Sam 4.1.1.1.1

           27 February 2019 at 11:34 am

           Hahaaaaaaaaaa. Reminds me of some one claiming a capital gains tax will do wonderful things when a CGT on its own will just withdraw money from the housing market. I mean these small men and there grand narratives. Hahahahaha.
           • vto 4.1.1.1.1.1

             27 February 2019 at 11:37 am

             did you say something relevant then?
             • Sam …

               27 February 2019 at 11:43 am

               The key word is “Grand Narritive.” You are aware of Hitler and Himmlers special skills in grand narratives are you not?

               Then there’s those with half the skills of the originals.
           • crashcart 4.1.1.1.1.2

             27 February 2019 at 3:41 pm

             Are you implying that we want as much money as we have invested in the housing market?

             I can’t say I agree. It might be good if it was invested in new properties being built so it was actually producing something. Unfortunately the vast majority of it is tied up in old stock and does nothing but grow without producing anything.

             Surely the economy would be far better off if this money was being invested in business.
             • Sam …

               27 February 2019 at 6:22 pm

               Apart of withdrawing money from the property market through a capital gains tax is compensating those that have been adversely effected by high house prices. Meaning raising benefits. So long as a CGT is fixed and not subject to the whims of narcissistic MPs business people don’t really notice a CGT.
     • greywarshark 4.1.2

       27 February 2019 at 4:40 pm

       Don’t like that bit about 5 mins where the gentleman comments on the lack of expression on one of the women’s faces. Too subjective I think. Don’t guide people’s minds, let them hear the discourse and see the approach. Haven’t gone past about 5 mins so don’t know the rest.
5. gsays 5

   27 February 2019 at 9:12 am

   Another one of the musical heroes passes away.
   Mark Hollis died at 64 years of age after a short illness.

   The former singer/songwriter of the band Talk Talk walked away from the music industry at the height of his popularity. He wanted to be a good Dad.

   This is the band in 1984 live.
   https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mBctdtO1Gyg

   Also from his solo album 20 years ago, a little more stripped back and organic:
   https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw0rzonn8qA
   • Herodotus 5.1

     27 February 2019 at 10:44 am

     Sad to hear 🙁
     Great song and Video (IMO !!!)
     
     • I feel love 5.1.1

       27 February 2019 at 1:48 pm

       He was the real deal, him and Adrian Borland of the Sound, hated the music biz… those Talk Talk albums just get better and betterer…
6. Andre 6

   27 February 2019 at 9:40 am

   Some interesting thoughts on food waste and food supply chains.

   https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/26/18240399/food-waste-ugly-produce-myths-farms
7. greywarshark 7

   27 February 2019 at 10:34 am

   Ideologues with targets are petty dictators when they get enough power. Auckland enforcing a 30km hour speed limit over whole city?
   From Transport Blog:
   The Automobile Association supports 40 km/hr on most roads in Auckland’s city centre, and rejects Auckland Transport’s proposed 30 km/hr speed limits, on the basis that 40 has been successful in Melbourne. In response to this, I thought I’d do… …
   https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2019/02/27/melbournes-30-km-hr-speed-limit-trial/

   Many bureaucrat bums often seem to be drawn away from pragmatic decisions and go for the theoretical; away from ‘What if’ thinking which takes in consequences, likely real-world results, to the ‘This will fix the problem, we’ll do it this way’!

   Note: Looking up ideologue or idealogue which?

   Ideologue from Cambridge English Dictionary:
   ideologue definition: a person who believes very strongly in particular principles and tries to follow them carefully. Learn more.
   and
   ideologue from Merriam-“Webster dictionary:
   Ideologue definition is – an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a … How to use

   Quite different emphasis in these two meanings.

   And idealogue:
   idealogue is one given to fanciful ideas or theories, someone who theorizes.
   from wikidiff
8. One Two 8

   27 February 2019 at 10:37 am

   Human Exposure to RF Fields in 5G Downlink – mmW bands

   https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.03683

   While cellular communications in millimeter wave (mmW) bands have been attracting significant research interest, their potential harmful impacts on human health are not as significantly studied.

   Prior research on human exposure to radio frequency (RF) fields in a cellular communications system has been focused on uplink only due to the closer physical contact of a transmitter to a human body. 

   However, this paper claims the necessity of thorough investigation on human exposure to downlink RF fields, as cellular systems deployed in mmW bands will entail

   (i) Deployment of more transmitters due to smaller cell size

   (ii) Higher concentration of RF energy using a highly directional antenna

   In this paper, we present human RF exposure levels in downlink of a Fifth Generation Wireless Systems (5G). 

   Our results show that 5G downlink RF fields generate significantly higher power density (PD) and specific absorption rate (SAR) than a current cellular system.

   This paper also shows that SAR should also be taken into account for determining human RF exposure in the mmW downlink.
9. One Two 9

   27 February 2019 at 10:52 am

   The human skin as a sub-THz receiver – Does 5G pose a danger to it?

   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29459303

   Abstract

   In the interaction of microwave radiation and human beings, the skin is traditionally considered as just an absorbing sponge stratum filled with water.

   In previous works, we showed that this view is flawed when we demonstrated that the coiled portion of the sweat duct in upper skin layer is regarded as a helical antenna in the sub-THz band.

   Experimentally we showed that the reflectance of the human skin in the sub-THz region depends on the intensity of perspiration, i.e. sweat duct’s conductivity, and correlates with levels of human stress (physical, mental and emotional). 

   Later on, we detected circular dichroism in the reflectance from the skin, a signature of the axial mode of a helical antenna. 

   In a recent work, we developed a unique simulation tool of human skin, taking into account the skin multi-layer structure together with the helical segment of the sweat duct embedded in it. 

   The presence of the sweat duct led to a high specific absorption rate (SAR) of the skin in extremely high frequency band.

   In this paper, we summarize the physical evidence for this phenomenon and consider its implication for the future exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum by wireless communication.  

   One must consider the implications of human immersion in the electromagnetic noise, caused by devices working at the very same frequencies as those, to which the sweat duct (as a helical antenna) is most attuned.

   We are raising a warning flag against the unrestricted use of sub-THz technologies for communication, before the possible consequences for public health are explored.
   • Andre 9.1

     27 February 2019 at 11:00 am

     Just wait until they turn the G all the way up to 11. We’ll be awash in hundreds of watts per square metre of radiation in the tens of terahertz bands …

     Oh, wait …
     • greywarshark 9.1.1

       27 February 2019 at 11:42 am

       Have you anything useful to add Andre? Or………….. some time to fill in.
       • Andre 9.1.1.1

         27 February 2019 at 1:37 pm

         Here’s something useful for you, greywarshark: an explanation of data-dredging and p-hacking.

         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_dredging

         It’s a useful pseudo-science tool for those with snake-oil for sale to make an alarmist argument about something that’s not really there and thereby line their pockets by hawking the “remedy”. So far all the links I’ve seen claiming harm from EMFs at the extremely low power levels used for communication show all the signs of being data-dredged bunk.

         If it was just a matter of the gullible getting relieved of a little bit of petty cash, I wouldn’t really care. But all the scare stories are likely to cause significant nocebo effects.

         Nocebo is basically placebo’s evil twin, where people are made to feel unwell by feeding them bullshit scare stories about genuinely harmless things that *could* be harming them.

         https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/is-the-nocebo-effect-hurting-your-health
         • One Two 9.1.1.1.1

           27 February 2019 at 2:03 pm

           Andre, you’re serving no purpose than further expose your low levels of understanding and disingenuous engagement..

           Keep it up…

           A comment you posted last week explicitly endorsed David Gorski…that you did comes as no surprise to me at all…you write the same style and use similar derogatory terms…

           That’s your level…it is reflected in the juvinille name calling you repeatedly use in the comments that you post…

           You are a very long way out of your league by openly stating the scientists to which I have been linking, the research currently available, and their collective requests for greater levels of research to be conducted in safety, while requesting governing bodies apply adherance to the precautionary approach regarding untested, weaponizable technology deployments…

           That you seek to dismiss those medical professionals, scientists and researchers including their archives of work is an open window into your mind, and how you imagine yourself to be…

           You clearly do not understand the technology, nor have you bothered to inform yourself outside what your links , comments and endorsements clearly affirm, is a narrow, highly toxic and ignorant vacuum…
           • gsays 9.1.1.1.1.1

             27 February 2019 at 3:05 pm

             It is the same old story, business comes up with these cracker ideas, profit ensues, therefore good idea, then public health is affected and the expensive claw back of safety begins.

             Witness: thalidomide, asbestos, round-up, surgical mesh…

             It’s hard to be a lone voice up against billion dollar industries.
             Keep it up.
             • One Two …

               27 February 2019 at 5:53 pm

               Cheers, gsays…

               Many voices from a myriad of professional backgrounds, are involved in seeking to expose the substantial risks to public health and the environmemt, posed by pulsed millimetre wave technology…
     • Bazza64 9.1.2

       27 February 2019 at 12:00 pm

       Now now Andre, respect the bold type, he must be right ! He has posted so many times now that I have taken to buying a tin foil lined outfit to wear at all times to protect me from nasty wifi radiation. I also put on sunscreen at night when I go outside if there is a full moon – you can’t be too careful !
       • greywarshark 9.1.2.1

         27 February 2019 at 12:29 pm

         Bazza64 You don’t agree with One Two. I believe that is your stance. Now shut up unless you want to produce some reliable source that refers to some fact about EMF.
         • One Two 9.1.2.1.1

           27 February 2019 at 1:35 pm

           Gw,

           Don’t let the small, closed minds get to you…it’s their problem to figure out and live with…

           They have shown no interest in contributing at a level above name calling…

           VV, 9.1.2.2 appears to endorse the position of ignorant, uninformed and misinformed…perhaps vv was joking…bit strange…something else behind that comment, perhaps…

           What such comments do offer, is a micro view into how, necessary discussions are possible to be sidelined and completely avoided in the mainstream…

           It’s all the same tactic
         • Bazza64 9.1.2.1.2

           27 February 2019 at 1:58 pm

           I have already posted rebuttals to One Two’s articles. But it’s a bit like engaging with flat earthers. You show them evidence but they ignore it because they are smarter than everyone else.
         • Bazza64 Oh you 9.1.2.1.3

           27 February 2019 at 2:05 pm

           Greywarshark

           How about checking out

           https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/feb/17/electromagnetic-radiation-doesnt-make-you-ill-or-give-you-cancer-heres-why

           You will see that Based on sound evidence One Two is spouting rubbish.
           • greywarshark 9.1.2.1.3.1

             28 February 2019 at 9:59 am

             Thanks I will do that. Bazza64
         • Drowsy M. Kram 9.1.2.1.4

           27 February 2019 at 4:57 pm

           Exactly Bazza64, you’ve posted rebuttals.

           What’s not in debate is the enormous (actually, enormous is far too small a word for it; it’s approximately a 1,000,000,000,000,000,000-fold) increase in exposure to anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation in the last 70 years or so – hopefully everyone can agree on that, and that this exposure will continue to increase.

           What’s in debate is the effect of that increased EMF exposure on biological ‘systems’ (humans et al.)

           Respect both Bazza64’s and One Two’s positions – IMHO the experiment is still in progress and the evidence won’t be in for a few generations. After all, even in the developed world Smartphones/WiFi etc. have only been in widespread public use for maybe 20 years (this is a guess, so happy to be corrected).

           I hope Bazza64 is correct (exposure to anthropogenic EMFs is harmless), but unlike Bazza64 I don’t know this yet, and to be honest it seems illogical to be so certain. But I do understand the importance of believing that these EMFs are 100% safe.
       • veutoviper 9.1.2.2

         27 February 2019 at 1:10 pm

         I’ve ordered one but it hasn’t yet arrived – where did you get yours from?

         Great idea about sunscreen at night for full moons – perhaps we should post that on the How to Get There post next Sunday. Grey only likes positive things that people can do to look after themselves and others, so should fit the criteria.

         Obviously all the scientific facts/links that have been produced here over the last few weeks by yourself and Andre have flown over the top of the heads of many here. LOL
       • joe90 9.1.2.3

         27 February 2019 at 1:46 pm

         I have taken to buying a tin foil lined outfit to wear at all times to protect me from nasty wifi radiation

         Tin foil is so fucking yesterday.

         What you need to do is start with a brain coat and then upgrade your wardrobe to a full Faraday suit.
         • veutoviper 9.1.2.3.1

           27 February 2019 at 2:12 pm

           WOW – I want a faraday suit!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing less will do. Thanks, joe90
           • Andre 9.1.2.3.1.1

             27 February 2019 at 2:23 pm

             You’re in Welly, right? Might be some surplus lying around at Weta workshops. Or maybe pick one up from a LOTR tragic that’s pruning the collection.
             • veutoviper …

               27 February 2019 at 2:39 pm

               Good thinking, Andre. I’ll ask around. Perhaps we should all put in and get one for One Two and perhaps some for one or two others?
         • greywarshark 9.1.2.3.2

           28 February 2019 at 10:00 am

           Far-out joe 90
10. Cataractacus 10

    27 February 2019 at 10:56 am

    Have the Brits made up their bloody minds about Brexit ?

    Julius Caesar would have put a legion through their quarreling tribes ..
    • Siobhan 10.1

      27 February 2019 at 12:22 pm

      I wonder if Junker see’s himself as a julius Caesar figure?
      Though the Brits don’t take kindly to Despots do they…he should probably avoid the UK rather than risk meeting up with a bunch of embittered UKIPers and Tory/labour rebels and meeting the same fate as poor old Charles I.
      • Cataractacus 10.1.1

        2 March 2019 at 10:56 am

        The process is opening up tribal fissures previously concealed by imperial interests.
        Junkers strategy is sound. I’m waiting for a Celtic application to join the EU … but it may take a while.
11. greywarshark 11

    27 February 2019 at 11:35 am

    Waikato farm pollution – company had five Fonterra farms. I wonder about the types of farmers who don’t ‘play the game’. How many stubborn old NZ blots and how many of those tip-toeing over their numerous paddocks to keep their expensive shoes clean from overseas, or lateish immigrants?

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/rural/2019/02/waikato-farming-company-undoing-the-good-work-of-so-many.html?ref=ves-vid3
    • Hongi Ika 11.1

      27 February 2019 at 1:41 pm

      …. and we in Auckland are drinking farm fresh Waikato River Water ?
      • greywarshark 11.1.1

        27 February 2019 at 4:36 pm

        How does it have bubbles, each one when viewed with a microscope inscribed 100% Pure?
12. Adrian Thornton 12

    27 February 2019 at 11:38 am

    What US Aid into Venezuela really looks like….

    https://preview.redd.it/jehr9qwpesi21.jpg?auto=webp&s=8dde6cae81541f38941bb38c3aa3936250af1267
    • Gosman 12.1

      27 February 2019 at 12:28 pm

      The reason the US can use humanitarian aid to apply pressure is because the Chavista regime has run down the country so badly that it has millions requiring humanitarian assistance.

      https://www.cartoonmovement.com/cartoon/39432
      • JohnSelway 12.1.1

        27 February 2019 at 1:13 pm

        I’m well to the left of you Gosman but like you I can’t understand why everyone just points the finger immediately at the US ignoring all the horrible realities of just how bad the Venezuelan government have fucked things up
        • Gosman 12.1.1.1

          27 February 2019 at 1:24 pm

          I think it is because it shakes certain people’s faith in their core beliefs. As such it means they can’t accept that the people they thought were meant to represent their political views are messing up so they look to place the blame elsewhere.

          I admire someone like yourself who can acknowledge that a left wing government can mess up really badly. I know you aren’t likely going to change your views politics wise but at least you aren’t so one-eyed you excuse brutality and incompetence.
          • Stuart Munro 12.1.1.1.1

            27 February 2019 at 2:31 pm

            Take a good look in the mirror Gosman – you’re supporting the toppling of a regime by a US backed fascist puppet – nothing unusual for you, or for them.
            • Gosman 12.1.1.1.1.1

              27 February 2019 at 2:47 pm

              There is ZERO evidence that Gaido is a fascist let alone a puppet. What he certainly isn’t is a leader who has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of Venezuelans through economic incompetence and mismanagement not to forget brutal State oppression of those who oppose him.
              • Stuart Munro …

                27 February 2019 at 2:58 pm

                From your Wharton article:

                ““The U.S. government has to walk this very delicate, difficult line in which on the one hand they’re trying to threaten military intervention convincingly enough to scare the Venezuelan military into removing Maduro,”

                Just who the fuck does Gaido think he is, trying to take power at the head of a foreign military intervention?

                Illegally taking power in this fashion is a fascist hallmark – did you think we had forgotten?
                • Gosman …

                  27 February 2019 at 3:25 pm

                  Many nations have had leaders installed after a military invasion that were not fascist. I believe the US reinstalled Baptiste Aristide in Haitit in such a manner. Was he a fascist?

                  However that is irrelevant in that the threat of an invasion is being used to apply pressure. The chance of an invasion is miniscule.
                  • Stuart Munro …

                    27 February 2019 at 3:35 pm

                    The threat of invasion is substantial – the US is always invading other countries, especially those with an abundance of resources.

                    Now that the US have a quisling available in the form of Guaido, all they need is the presidential tweet to go ahead.

                    Even your Wharton article notes however, that US forced regime changes in South America generally make things worse.

                    The best thing would be for the US and Guaido to fuck off, and let the government get on with its job, ideally assisted by neighbouring countries, the UN and the Red Cross or MSF. The US won’t let that happen however, they’ve been fomenting this mischief for decades in the hopes of creating this very kind of excuse to invade.
                    • Gosman …

                      27 February 2019 at 3:38 pm

                      Of course the US invades/is involved militarily with lots of countries. They are the World’s main super power. It would be unusual if they didn’t get involved militarily in other nations. That doesn’t mean they will invade Venezuela nor does it mean they only get involved in nations where there is some sort of economic benefit to them.
                  • Stuart Munro …

                    27 February 2019 at 3:57 pm

                    Unhappily, you have to go back some way to find a US intervention carried out with honorable motives, and further still to find one that succeeded in them. The last unequivocal one was Korea – where they really were welcome, and they did indeed change the situation for the better. Even that outcome was still tainted by the hunting of groups in Jeju-do, bombing refugees of all descriptions, and loading base costs onto a country that at the time was poorer than Somalia.

                    The illegal Iraq invasion, from which the supposed democrats neglected to resile, was nothing more or less than a resource grab. Venezuela, possessing more oil than even Iraq is in the gun for similar treatment. Perhaps you repose some hope that Trump’s ethics will keep him from invading Venezuela? If so you are likely to be disappointed.

                    The moral case for invasion that could exist, and might have under a less venal and self-serving administration does not exist here – Maduro is probably both more competent and less personally corrupt than Trump – that bar is pretty goddamn low.
                    • Gosman …

                      27 February 2019 at 4:05 pm

                      Pretty sure what they did in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo did not benefit the US greatly and lead to a massive change in relation to the security situation in that area of the World.
                    • Stuart Munro …

                      27 February 2019 at 6:28 pm

                      @Gosman well of course Bosnia was better than most US actions – the UN & NATO were there to temper their aggression and contain their extreme rightwing nutjobbery. And the fighting was real, not US instigated in hopes of creating a casus belli.

                      You need a better example than that to sanitize invading Venezuela.
                    • Gosman …

                      27 February 2019 at 6:32 pm

                      I’m not santising anything here . I wouldn’t approve of a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. I think the US can provide support for a transition to a democratic Venezuela by non violent means.
                    • Stuart Munro …

                      27 February 2019 at 6:59 pm

                      @ Gosman

                      By threatening the military with invasion in hopes they remove Maduro? Face it, the US is not competent to manage the affairs of Venezuela. Better leave it to the locals, who of course will not choose US pawns or puppets.

                      This whole crisis is of US instigation – take their badfinger out and things will be able to improve.
        • Siobhan 12.1.1.2

          27 February 2019 at 1:24 pm

          Americas concern for Venezuelans is heartwarming…but if feeding the poor and supporting the folk of other Nations is their goal there are a few places they should help out first..there is a reason Red Cross and the UN want nothing to do with this ‘aid’.

          https://www.worldvision.org/hunger-news-stories/5-worst-spots-hunger

          https://www.concernusa.org/story/worlds-ten-hungriest-countries/

          Then again…maybe charity starts at home..

          http://www.cc.com/video-clips/cbbn22/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-third-world-health-care—knoxville–tennessee-edition
        • Stuart Munro 12.1.1.3

          27 February 2019 at 2:27 pm

          Watch a little film called The War on Democracy and you’ll get the general idea.

          It’s on Pilger’s website, http://johnpilger.com/videos/the-war-on-democracy
          • Gosman 12.1.1.3.1

            27 February 2019 at 2:56 pm

            Pilger has well and truly jumped the shark in relation to being a serious journalist. He is now an apologist for any regime that is anti-American/Capitalist.
            • Stuart Munro 12.1.1.3.1.1

              27 February 2019 at 3:04 pm

              This film was produced quite some time ago. I imagine you haven’t seen it – or you wouldn’t be quite so ready to make those ill-informed comments about Venezuela that characterize your current pathology.
        • Gabby 12.1.1.4

          27 February 2019 at 3:50 pm

          Something to do with sanctions I expect selwy.
        • Adrian Thornton 12.1.1.5

          27 February 2019 at 3:58 pm

          Maybe read this piece before taking sides one way or another.
          https://grayzoneproject.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/

          Personally I have not taken sides, I just believe Venezuelans should be able to decide their own future and destiny, without aggressive outside influence.

          Unlike Gosman who has never seen an US intervention that hasn’t given him a hard on.
          • Gosman 12.1.1.5.1

            27 February 2019 at 4:07 pm

            No, there are plenty of US interventions that were largely counter-productive. They just aren’t as many as you like to think they are.
            • adam 12.1.1.5.1.1

              27 February 2019 at 5:36 pm

              You are still a war fetishist sucm bag on this issue though Gosman. Too soon…
              • Gosman …

                27 February 2019 at 5:54 pm

                i believe I have actually stated that I think military intervention by the US in Venezuela would not be useful so you have nothing to back up that claim against me.
                • adam …

                  28 February 2019 at 1:54 am

                  But you just moaned about the attempted smuggling designed as aid over the weekend, and poo pooed the Venezuelan government for stopping the illegal importation of arms.
                  • Gosman …

                    28 February 2019 at 2:04 am

                    Providing aid is not the same as militarily intervening.
                    • adam …

                      28 February 2019 at 11:15 am

                      I like your attempt at spin. Aid is coming into Venezuela from all over the world, none of which is not being stopped. The exception was from the US – because it is not aid – it is an attempt to start a war.
        • adam 12.1.1.6

          27 February 2019 at 5:33 pm

          Who here has done that John Selay? Name some names. Otherwise you just making shit up.
      • Hongi Ika 12.1.2

        27 February 2019 at 1:42 pm

        Gosman wher do you get all your B/S from ?
        • Drowsy M. Kram 12.1.2.1

          27 February 2019 at 1:46 pm

          Like Baldrick, Gosman has “an inexhaustible supply“.
          • Hongi Ika 12.1.2.1.1

            27 February 2019 at 1:52 pm

            Gosman should be starring in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
        • Robert Guyton 12.1.2.2

          27 February 2019 at 3:13 pm

          Here?
          http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2019/02/how-big-is-your-army.html
13. marty mars 13

    27 February 2019 at 12:27 pm

    Oh dear, toys out the cot time lol

    “Labour has turned down its former MP John Tamihere’s bid to rejoin the party.”

    https://amp.rnz.co.nz/article/24156d71-203b-43f7-acf0-b02b48e422f3
    • Hongi Ika 13.1

      27 February 2019 at 1:48 pm

      Probably didn’t say some very smart things about some of the Labour Party Women, everyone knows however there was no need to be derogatory towards them especially when discussing people’s sexual preferences.

      We are now living in the Modern World where anything goes depending what you like under the bed covers, different strokes for different folks. Just look what the National Party MP’s get up to in Wellington, JLR and the girl from down South.
      • greywarshark 13.1.1

        27 February 2019 at 4:46 pm

        Everything doesn’t go. There are some barriers, lines in the sand. Possibly they fear that they will be curvy ones for John T. Phil needs a second term I think. What do Auckland lefties think of him?
    • Gabby 13.2

      27 February 2019 at 3:51 pm

      He doesn’t understand why. I reckon they think he’s a bit of a frontbottom.
      • Tamati Tautuhi 13.2.1

        27 February 2019 at 8:18 pm

        I am confused who is the front bottom you lost me on that one ?
14. Drowsy M. Kram 14

    27 February 2019 at 1:12 pm

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1902/S00089/nz-universities-slip-in-qs-world-university-subject-rankings.htm

    Chris Whelan says rankings are influential tools. “International education is New Zealand’s fourth largest export earner, and rankings strongly influence decisions being made by students, as well as countries, top researchers and research institutes about who they will, or won’t, study or work with.”

    “Students in Australia are funded at around 27% more per student than those in New Zealand; students in Canada 60% more; in the UK 73% more; and in the US around 97% more. This is why New Zealand is slipping behind other countries in the rankings and struggling to maintain quality overall.”

    Education is a business. The best strategy for more generous funding is to show what a nice ‘little’ earner it is. The model is stuffed.

    https://www.educationdive.com/news/how-many-colleges-and-universities-have-closed-since-2016/539379/
15. gsays 15

    27 February 2019 at 1:50 pm

    It is the same old story, business comes up with these cracker ideas, profit ensues, therefore good idea, then public health is affected and the expensive claw back of safety begins.

    Witness: thalidomide, asbestos, round-up, surgical mesh…

    It’s hard to be a lone voice up against billion dollar industries.
    Keep it up.
    • gsays 15.1

      27 February 2019 at 3:04 pm

      oops, meant to be a reply to one two up thread.
      i shall reply in the appropriate spot.
16. Hongi Ika 16

    27 February 2019 at 1:50 pm

    Latest rumour I heard in the Pub last week, Baby Nat may be joining NZF, mind you I heard that from an NZF supporter, don’t know whether Winston would approve after the unkind words Baby Nat has said about him.
    • ianmac 16.1

      27 February 2019 at 7:58 pm

      Who is Baby Nat?
      • Tamati Tautuhi 16.1.1

        27 February 2019 at 8:20 pm

        The little schoolboy chap from Epsom.
17. Chris 17

    27 February 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Hope the AAAP take this refusal to the Ombudsman. Advice to government surely can’t be a defence to withholding it in this case. The report is research, not advice, so should be released.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1902/S00263/welfare-expert-advisory-group-report-should-be-made-public.htm
18. Bruce 18

    27 February 2019 at 1:58 pm

    From the Herald Before he left with his girlfriend about 10.30pm, he consumed three cans of bourbon and cola, and a quarter of a cannabis joint.

    The headline ….. Stoned Driver ….. Yea rite
19. Gosman 19

    27 February 2019 at 2:28 pm

    A very good article on options for Venezuela for getting out of the mess they are in

    http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/venezuela-extricate-crisis-recover/
    • adam 19.1

      27 February 2019 at 5:40 pm

      Spin and lies. Sheesh any chance you could stop with that ah Gossy? You know the opposition have been in power for two years, and what have they done to fix the economy – nothing. All they have done is blame the president. What a bunch of silly little two year olds.
      • Gosman 19.1.1

        27 February 2019 at 5:55 pm

        In power? What do you mean the opposition have been in power for two years?
        • adam 19.1.1.1

          28 February 2019 at 1:48 am

          WOW, just WOW. So how did your boy name himself president?
          • Gosman 19.1.1.1.1

            28 February 2019 at 2:00 am

            Your definition of “In power” is very broad.
    • Milly 19.2

      27 February 2019 at 9:20 pm

      You need to read a wider variety of sources.
20. mosa 20

    27 February 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Looks like another major oil spill this time in the Solomons.
    The marine reserve is in danger with 60 tonnes of oil already in the sea with another 600 tonnes ready to spill.
    Another Exon Valdez unfolding.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/383432/oil-spill-disaster-unfolds-in-solomons-marine-reserve
    • greywarshark 20.1

      28 February 2019 at 9:55 am

      Reminded me of Tauranga and Rena. Stuck on reef. Spilling destroying. Does anyone on the Right get the connection with one of the reasons for not drilling for oil in our sea and fishing area?
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rena_oil_spill

      And I guess we are going to help the Solomons – they have a hard time recovering from blow after blow.
21. Fireblade 21

    27 February 2019 at 4:05 pm

    The National Party are a bunch of incompetent Idiots.

    National Party pulls Gerry Brownlee Facebook ad following Advertising Standards Authority complaint

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/110902970/national-party-pulls-gerry-brownlee-facebook-ad-following-advertising-standards-authority-complaint
    • mac1 21.1

      27 February 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Don’t let senior Nat MPs near taxation figures or the directorship of companies, digging for swamp kauri, trade deals with desert dwelling sheep farmers, flag referenda, or stairwells and airport doorways.

      Incompetent. Reckless. Shonky. Out of touch. Bullies. Entitled twits.
    • Gabby 21.2

      27 February 2019 at 6:54 pm

      Poor ol’ poo finger has Jeery’s back but not totally convincing.
22. Nic the NZer 22

    27 February 2019 at 9:42 pm

    Two detailed posts on the ongoing scam at the core of neo-liberal economic policy.

    http://bilbo.economicoutlook.net/blog/?p=41690

    http://bilbo.economicoutlook.net/blog/?p=41671
23. Eco Maori 23

    28 February 2019 at 11:12 am

    This putting down of tangata whenua O aotearoa /supperssion is state sponsored it is put on TV morning and night. All the bad stats about the smallest % of Maori doing dumb shit. I say even there dumb actions are state sponsored to give the neanderthals who actually run the state more fuel to shit on Maoris mana.
    Do these state people who push/pay for all the bad news into the MEDIA that is mostly about MAORI care that there ACTIONS are hurting OUR mokopunas MANA AND WAIRUA NO there brains are wire BIG EGOS they are selfcentered fools who only care about there hold on power CAN NOT HAVE the supperssion they have had running against Maori eroded away by a——— To late fools all your opperssion of the last 150 years is being blown away by ————– so stop this foolish game and lets build a happy healthy equaly socioty for all. You Can Not Stop Maoris Getting Our Mana Back
    Kids report racism, bullying and violence prevalent themes in life

    A new report has found that the majority of Kiwi kids are flourishing- but some still face significant challenges.
    As part of “What Makes A Good Life?”, more than 6000 young people described their experiences growing up in New Zealand.
    More than 90 percent of respondents said they lived in a warm dry home and more than 70 percent said they felt respected and valued.
    One rangatahi from Auckland recalled how people at their school often joked about Māori prison and drug rates.
    This was echoed by another respondent who said Māori were often the target of negative and harmful stereotypes.
    “Crackheads, drug dealers, crime, Black Power, domestic violence, hood rats, window washers, pōhara, hori, gangs, alcoholic parents.”
    Young people in state care reported dealing with similar problems.
    One 16-year-old girl spoke of how she had been stigmatised at school because of her situation.
    “Something I always have to deal with at school is the stigma. When people find out you’re a foster kid they’re like ‘oh you’re an orphan, whose house did you burn
    down.”
    Those under the Youth Justice System said they felt they had been “written off” by the adults in their lives.
    Personal finances were also a strong talking point – with respondents noting that while money wasn’t everything, it was a necessary part of life
    One young person from Dunedin said a good life to them looked like “having enough for the basics, plus a little bit more”.
    Young women in particular mentioned how the price of products like pads and tampons could sometimes prove too high.
    Last year, a survey of 5000 women by the charity KidsCan found that nearly a third of respondents struggled with period poverty.
    Ka kite ano links below

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/383370/kids-report-racism-bullying-and-violence-prevalent-themes-in-life
24. Eco Maori 24

    28 February 2019 at 11:48 am

    Here you go the cops are blinded by racism even the brown ones as there cultures center on being loyal to the FORCE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Hd79LuDuk
    ANA TO KAI
25. Eco Maori 25

    28 February 2019 at 1:19 pm

    I say not enough is being dune to correct the wrongs served up to Tangata Whenua the state still feed US what drips off there plates 0.3% . They spent more on locking us up over six years than what has been spent on the whole Treaty OF Waitangi settlments you see they don,t want to give Maori to much power just lip service the state servants who stay in power when goverments change that is were the real control on NZ policy lies neanderthal bigots the are.
    But Its is better to have a goverment in power that respects the lower classes that one that serves the wealthy like the last ones in power as 97% of Maori are poor .
    Owen Sinclair: Fighting the racism in our health system
    . I have a Māori father and a Pākehā mother, but I didn’t meet my father until I was in my early 20s. I grew up in West Auckland with my mother, so I was raised by my Pākehā family. We were pretty poor, but we had a very loving household.
    My grandparents actually lived, at that stage, on Waiheke Island. That was before it was the glamorous, rich suburb of Auckland it is now. I spent a lot of my holidays and childhood running around there. It was a pretty privileged upbringing when I look at it. I didn’t have much money, but I had a fishing rod and a bike and all that sort of stuff.
    When I was about 10, I went to Dilworth School in Auckland. It’s a boarding school, and you had to be poor and have just one parent to go there.
    My iwi is Te Rarawa. I think I was about 18 or 19, maybe a bit younger than that, when I decided I wanted to get in touch with my Māori whānau. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time.
    ince meeting my father, I’ve had very regular contact with him. I’m not the oldest. There are a few younger than me. I know them quite well. Interestingly, I’ve just got in contact with a half-sibling who I’d never met before.
    So that’s how it went. It was an amazing journey for me. It put all the pieces in place in my life. I know where my marae is. I can recite my whakapapa, and I have regular contact with my Māori family, although I never grew up with them.
    My father’s name is Owen Tatana. He was married once, and he named his son, from that marriage, Owen. It’s funny when we’re all in the same room and the phone goes and they say: “Is Owen here?” Or when we go on the marae together and it’s Owen, Owen and Owen.
    I left school with pretty good grades and became an engineering cadet. I did that for a while and then did an engineering degree. But I didn’t really like that. I was made redundant, but I’d already decided that I was going to become a doctor — or try to become a doctor.
    I was able to get into medical school under the Māori and Pacific entry scheme. And, after I was qualified, I decided to become a paediatrician.
    I’m currently working in Waitākere Hospital as a general paediatrician. There are only six Māori paediatricians in New Zealand. We’re all pretty busy. We don’t have a network or anything, but we all sort of know each other.
    I also give lectures on Māori health to fifth-year medical students at Auckland University.
    It’s hard to work out what to do to help Māori when you first become a doctor, and even in my job now. We’re quite reactive, for want of a better word. We tend to sit in hospital and wait for people to come to us.
    It was on pertussis, which is whooping cough — and it identified a mass of inequalities between Māori and non-Māori.
    Māori rates of pertussis are 1.6 to 2.6 times higher than non-Māori. Specific data for Māori has been recorded only since 1989, and over that period, Māori have always had higher rates.
    In my thesis, I tried to identify all of the reasons for why that should be — which is related to the system, poverty, and care, and all that sort of stuff.
    The inequality in pertussis is actually related to all of the inequalities in New Zealand society that Māori have. So it’s everywhere.
    I’m trying, through a number of mechanisms, to work out a way forward to raise the awareness of Māori health and equality. I think everyone knows about the inequalities, but it’s what do you do about it that matters.
    The inequalities in our health system are well documented. So are the historical contributions to that inequality. But more of us need to understand why Māori and Pasifika — in fact, any people who are doing it tough financially — seem to be less well-served by our medical system than others in different demographics around the country.
    You gave a speech last November at the NZ Anaesthesia Annual Scientific Meeting in Auckland, about how systemic racism is to blame for our glaring health inequalities.
    How hard is it to get that message across? Even using the racism word, as you did in your speech, can be challenging. I’m not uncomfortable with the word, but others seem to be. What’s been the reaction and in what context were you using the r-word?
    You do have to be a little bit careful in using that. When I give this talk, I don’t use the word “racism” until near the end of the presentation
    KA KITE ANO links below
    P.S OUR TIME WILL COME SOON but don,t threat Pakiha we looked after you.
    Like when you were sold a bunch of lies from the NZ Company and landed here from Britain ripped off and no land so we will treat you correctly once again
    https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/owen-sinclair-fighting-the-racism-in-our-health-system/
26. Eco Maori 26

    28 February 2019 at 3:26 pm

    Eco Maori Has more morals in my little finger than the entire injustice system of NZ will let you know later what has gone down.
    
27. Eco Maori 27

    28 February 2019 at 4:35 pm

    It only takes 1.5 degrees over the human temperature max a fine ballance that being alive than that ballance tips into death
    Humans are frogs in hot water of climate change, research says
    CNN)The extreme weather that comes with climate change is becoming the new normal, so normal that people aren’t talking about it as much — and that could make them less motivated to take steps to fight global warming, according to new research.
    Researchers analyzed more than 2 billion social media posts between 2014 and 2016. What they found was that, when temperatures were unusual for a particular time of year, people would comment on it at first. But if the temperature trend continued and there were unusual temperatures again at that time the following year, people stopped commenting as much.

    Dianne Feinstein’s climate change discussion with schoolchildren gets heated
    The authors of the study, published in Monday’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, believe that this is a sign that because of memory limitations and their own expectations and biases, humans may not be the best judges of temperature change. The experience of weather in recent years, rather than over longer historical periods, determines the baseline that people use to evaluate the current weather.

    It’s the “boiling frog” effect, an urban legend about an experiment that involves putting a frog in a pot of boiling water, where it quickly jumps out. But if it’s put in a pot of tepid water on a stove and the heat is gradually increased, the frog will stay in the pot until it dies, because it doesn’t feel a difference until it’s too late.
    In other words, people may not recognize the signs of human-caused climate change until it’s too late.
    “I think it is quite surprising how quickly the effect of these temperatures decline,” said study co-author Frances Moore, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of California, Davis.
    Moore said she doesn’t think people are adapting to e extremes. They’re still “pretty miserable” in extreme heat or extreme cold, but they stop talking about it on social media, and that’s a concern.

    ‘Extinction crisis’ threatening global food supply, UN report warns
    “People will be worse off if they stop talking about it,” Moore said. “People’s memories are short, compared to the time scale of climate change. We need to be aware of the disconnect when we communicate about climate change.”
    The disconnect could be bad news for those who want to motivate leaders to do something about it. Officials could also be adjusting to the “new normal” and not feel the urgency needed to create policies necessary to stop what’s causing climate change.
    “This is a very interesting paper and an interesting approach,” said John Cook, a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, who researches cognitive science but who was not involved in the new research.
    He doesn’t believe that the study’s conclusion is wrong, but he says it conflicts with the data his colleagues have been collecting.
    Surveys from the center have found a growing awareness and concern about climate change and the climate change people are seeing in their own communities.
    Ka kite ano links below

    https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/25/health/climate-change-boiling-frog-study/index.html
28. Eco Maori 28

    28 February 2019 at 4:40 pm

    Here you go a good video for my above post.
    
29. Eco Maori 29

    28 February 2019 at 6:43 pm

    Kia ora Newshub There you go cowboys in Christchurch I would never live down there. There you go te civil servant have more power than the government .
    I have given Eco Maoris opinion on the injustice system many times it takes care of its own.
    Fires in Tasman Paddy nice Orchard down there I no some other places that would grow good fruit and vegetables. What about vehicles muffler sparks Paddy that could have started the fire .
    I say a fireworks ban is needed especially with the dryest hottest environment on record just te boys toys scare the shit out of children and animals and causes a lot of fires.
    I have done a bit of studying on Korean culture quite interesting.
    Yes beauti cosmetics needs to be regulated some people don’t have the skills to navigate the snake oil sellers. It is shown with people being fooled into believing the climate change denier lies and voting for someone who is actually kick them in the ASS sheep I say very vulnerable it’s the government job to protect te tangata
    That’s a big mess the train crash in Egypt some people have no control of their emotions. Its cool that Christchurch gets more funding for mental health its needs the extra money $79 million for mental health treatments after the earthquakes and what has been going down there.
    That was cool the smallest baby boy born ever to live leaves te hospital Ka pai.
    Ka kite ano
30. Eco Maori 30

    28 February 2019 at 7:21 pm

    Kia ora James and Mulls from The Crowd Goes Wild. Mulls you wish he was your grandad te great golfer. Te mullet have to join the Duncan on the Rock radio station.
    Mulls you love your basketball I quite enjoyed watching basketball.
    Anna I love sailing anything to do with Tangaroa and Awa not fly fishing tho.
    It a bit harder having a interaction with a sports show when Eco Maori can not comment about our sports Stars as some unusual phenomenon happens Ka kite ano P.S te Mokopunas are a handful
31. Eco Maori 31

    1 March 2019 at 8:58 am

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.
    https://youtu.be/SKprXO-f2pM
32. Eco Maori 32

    1 March 2019 at 3:16 pm

    Te sandflys are allways trying to attack my MANA and every time they just a to it FOOLS.
    https://youtu.be/fKopy74weus
33. Eco Maori 33

    1 March 2019 at 5:33 pm

    Every time the attack my MANA they give me more MANA
34. Eco Maori 34

    1 March 2019 at 5:34 pm

    Every time the sandflys attack my MANA they give me more MANA
35. Eco Maori 35

    1 March 2019 at 6:00 pm

    My device is playing up
    • Muttonbird 35.1

      1 March 2019 at 6:21 pm

      I reckon you’d be good as a character on a TV series about local life in Rawene or Kohukohu. It would be a bitter comedy featuring life on ground in modern Hokianga and a story of where New Zealand is headed in the very place where two peoples met.

      Your comments here are writing the lines for your character.

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