Open mike 27/03/2025
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6:00 am, March 27th, 2025 - 93 comments
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- Just what does drive so much of this global, Right-wing populism we all see at present?
Movements clustered around the Right, and Far Right as well, are rising globally. Despite the recent defeats we’ve seen in the last day or so with the win of a Democrat-backed challenger, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, over her Republican counterpart, Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, in the battle for ...3 hours ago - Two-part webinar about the scientific consensus on human-caused global warming
In February 2025, John Cook gave two webinars for republicEN explaining the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change. 20 February 2025: republicEN webinar part 1 - BUST or TRUST? The scientific consensus on climate change In the first webinar, Cook explained the history of the 20-year scientific consensus on climate change. How do ...3 hours ago - Bookshelf: ‘Vampire state: The rise and fall of the Chinese economy’
After three decades of record-breaking growth, at about the same time as Xi Jinping rose to power in 2012, China’s economy started the long decline to its current state of stagnation. The Chinese Communist Party ...5 hours ago - Too complacent, too greedy
The Pike River Coal mine was a ticking time bomb.Ventilation systems designed to prevent methane buildup were incomplete or neglected.Gas detectors that might warn of danger were absent or broken.Rock bolting was skipped, old tunnels left unsealed, communication systems failed during emergencies.Employees and engineers kept warning management about the … ...6 hours ago - It’s time to imagine how China would act as regional hegemon
Regional hegemons come in different shapes and sizes. Australia needs to think about what kind of hegemon China would be, and become, should it succeed in displacing the United States in Asia. It’s time to ...6 hours ago
- We don’t need the fast track to kill fossil fuels
RNZ has a story this morning about the expansion of solar farms in Aotearoa, driven by today's ground-breaking ceremony at the Tauhei solar farm in Te Aroha: From starting out as a tiny player in the electricity system, solar power generated more electricity than coal and gas combined for ...7 hours ago - How world order changes
After the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and almost a year before the Soviet Union collapsed in late 1991, US President George H W Bush proclaimed a ‘new world order’. Now, just two months ...9 hours ago
- Social Contracts Are Breaking
Warning: Some images may be distressing. Thank you for those who support my work. It means a lot.A shopfront in Australia shows Liberal leader Peter Dutton and mining magnate Gina Rinehart depicted with Nazi imageryUS Government Seeks Death Penalty for Luigi MangioneMangione was publicly walked in front of media in ...9 hours ago - Wednesday 2 April
Aged care workers rallying against potential roster changes say Bupa, which runs retirement homes across the country, needs to focus on care instead of money. More than half of New Zealand workers wish they had chosen a different career according to a new survey. Consumers are likely to see a ...10 hours ago - The Green’s Identity Bubble Problem.
The scurrilous attacks on Benjamin Doyle, a list Green MP, over his supposed inappropriate behaviour towards children has dominated headlines and social media this past week, led by frothing Rightwing agitators clutching their pearls and fanning the flames of moral panic over pedophiles and and perverts. Winston Peter decided that ...10 hours ago - Fabian Fundraiser – Twilight Time
Twilight Time Lighthouse Cuba, Wigan Street, Wellington, Sunday 6 April, 5:30pm for 6pm start. Twilight Time looks at the life and work of Desmond Ball, (1947-2016), a barefooted academic from ‘down under’ who was hailed by Jimmy Carter as “the man who saved the world”, as he proved the fallacy ...10 hours ago - That’s Democracy?
The landedAnd the wealthyAnd the piousAnd the healthyAnd the straight onesAnd the pale onesAnd we only mean the male ones!If you're all of the above, then you're ok!As we build a new tomorrow here today!Lyrics Glenn Slater and Allan Menken.Ah, Democracy - can you smell it?It's presently a sulphurous odour, ...11 hours ago - Think laterally: government air and shipping services can boost Australian defence
US President Donald Trump’s unconventional methods of conducting international relations will compel the next federal government to reassess whether the United States’ presence in the region and its security assurances provide a reliable basis for ...11 hours ago
- Reserve Bank, bank capital etc
Things seem to be at a pretty low ebb in and around the Reserve Bank. There was, in particular, the mysterious, sudden, and as-yet unexplained resignation of the Governor (we’ve had four Governors since the Bank was given its operational autonomy 35 years ago, and only two have completed their ...11 hours ago - Luxon’s ‘going for growth’ actually means ‘going for debt reduction’
Long story short: PM Christopher Luxon said in January his Government was ‘going for growth’ and he wanted New Zealanders to develop a ‘culture of yes.’ Yet his own Government is constantly saying no, or not yet, to anchor investments that would unleash real private business investment and GDP growth. ...13 hours ago - Luxon’s ‘going for growth’ actually means ‘going for debt reduction’
Long story short: PM Christopher Luxon said in January his Government was ‘going for growth’ and he wanted New Zealanders to develop a ‘culture of yes.’ Yet his own Government is constantly saying no, or not yet, to anchor investments that would unleash real private business investment and GDP growth. ...13 hours ago
- Life after D-notices: Australia can learn from Britain’s updated system
For decades, Britain and Australia had much the same process for regulating media handling of defence secrets. It was the D-notice system, under which media would be asked not to publish. The two countries diverged ...14 hours ago
- Life after D-notices: Australia can learn from Britain’s updated system
For decades, Britain and Australia had much the same process for regulating media handling of defence secrets. It was the D-notice system, under which media would be asked not to publish. The two countries diverged ...14 hours ago
- Should Auckland demolish Spaghetti Junction?
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. In this article, I make a not-entirely-serious case for ripping out Spaghetti Junction in Auckland, replacing it with a motorway tunnel, and redeveloping new city streets and neighbourhoods above it instead. What’s ...14 hours ago - Should Auckland demolish Spaghetti Junction?
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. In this article, I make a not-entirely-serious case for ripping out Spaghetti Junction in Auckland, replacing it with a motorway tunnel, and redeveloping new city streets and neighbourhoods above it instead. What’s ...14 hours ago
- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Wednesday, April 2
In short this morning in our political economy:The Nelson Hospital crisis revealed by 1News’ Jessica Roden dominates the political agenda today. Yet again, population growth wasn’t planned for, or funded.Kāinga Ora is planning up to 900 house sales, including new ones, Jonathan Milne reports for Newsroom.One of New Zealand’s biggest ...16 hours ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Wednesday, April 2
In short this morning in our political economy:The Nelson Hospital crisis revealed by 1News’ Jessica Roden dominates the political agenda today. Yet again, population growth wasn’t planned for, or funded.Kāinga Ora is planning up to 900 house sales, including new ones, Jonathan Milne reports for Newsroom.One of New Zealand’s biggest ...16 hours ago
- Diplomacy is the newest front in the Russia-Ukraine war
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues unabated. Neither side is in a position to achieve its stated objectives through military force. But now there is significant diplomatic activity as well. Ukraine has agreed to ...1 day ago
- The wettest choppiest part
This was my first thought about yesterday's announcement from Winston Peters, ferry-whisperer. Read more ...1 day ago - How to deal with a kangaroo court
In November last year, Te Pāti Māori's Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke spoke for all of us when she led a haka against National's racist Treaty Principles Bill. National and its parliamentary patsies did not like that, so after kicking her out of the house for a day, they sought to drag her ...1 day ago
- AusAID can take USAID’s place in the Pacific islands
One of the first aims of the United States’ new Department of Government Efficiency was shutting down USAID. By 6 February, the agency was functionally dissolved, its seal missing from its Washington headquarters. Amid the ...1 day ago
- The US alliance is precious, but Australia should plan for more self-reliance
If our strategic position was already challenging, it just got worse. Reliability of the US as an ally is in question, amid such actions by the Trump administration as calling for annexation of Canada, threating ...1 day ago
- Monday 1 April
Small businesses will be exempt from complying with some of the requirements of health and safety legislation under new reforms proposed by the Government. The living wage will be increased to $28.95 per hour from September, a $1.15 increase from the current $27.80. A poll has shown large opposition to ...1 day ago
- Not Aprils’ Fools: Government Prioritises Road Cones Over Health & Safety, 6 Nelson Senior...
Summary A group of senior doctors in Nelson have spoken up, specifically stating that hospitals have never been as bad as in the last year.Patients are waiting up to 50 hours and 1 death is directly attributable to the situation: "I've never seen that number of patients waiting to be ...1 day ago - The US has many chip vulnerabilities
Although semiconductor chips are ubiquitous nowadays, their production is concentrated in just a few countries, and this has left the US economy and military highly vulnerable at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. While the ...1 day ago
- Health and Safety changes driven by ACT party ideology
Health and Safety changes driven by ACT party ideology, not evidence said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. Changes to health and safety legislation proposed by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden today comply with ACT party ideology, ignores the evidence, and will compound New ...2 days ago
- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Tuesday, April 1
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- The Government accidentally added us to their group chat
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- Dylan Attempts to Stop a Pig Butchering
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- Febrile elaborate fantasies
They can be the very same words. And yet their meaning can vary very much.You can say I'll kill him about your colleague who accidentally deleted your presentation the day before a big meeting.You can say I'll kill him to — or, for that matter, about — Tony Soprano.They’re the ...2 days ago - National’s ghost ships
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- Red tape that tears us apart: regulation fragments Indo-Pacific cyber resilience
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- Economic Bulletin March 2025
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- Politics of Grievances A Tidal Wave
Willis announces more plans of plans for supermarketsYesterday’s much touted supermarket competition announcement by Nicola Willis amounted to her telling us she was issuing a 6 week RFI1 that will solicit advice from supermarket players.In short, it was an announcement of a plan - but better than her Kiwirail Interislander ...2 days ago
- Not much parliamentary scrutiny
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- TSMC’s $100 billion bet: strengthening ties or weakening Taiwan’s leverage?
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- SOS – Save our streets!
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- Noise Pollution
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- Bishop fighting hard to free up housing supply
Treasury and Cabinet have finally agreed to a Crown guarantee for a non-Government lending agency for Community Housing Providers (CHPs), which could unlock billions worth of loans and investments by pension funds and banks to build thousands of more affordable social homes. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories shortest: Chris Bishop ...3 days ago - 3 percent of GDP for defence is no stretch. We did 2.9 percent in the Cold War
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Monday, March 31
In short this morning in our political economy:Winston Peters will announce later today whether two new ferries are rail ‘compatible’, requiring time-consuming container shuffling, or the more efficient and expensive rail ‘enabled,’ where wagons can roll straight on and off.Nicola Willis threatened yesterday to break up the supermarket duopoly with ...3 days ago - 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #13
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- This is not democracy
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Saturday, March 29
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Questions 1. Where and what is this protest?a. Hamilton, angry crowd yelling What kind of food do you call this Seymour?b. Dunedin, angry crowd yelling Still waiting, Simeon, still waitingc. Wellington, angry crowd yelling You’re trashing everything you idiotsd. Istanbul, angry crowd yelling Give us our democracy back, give it ...5 days ago - Northern Australia’s economic revival can support defence readiness
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- Trump could make Asia more united
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- Friday 28 March
Jobs are on the line for back-office staff at the Department of Corrections, as well as at Archives New Zealand and the National Library. A “malicious actor” has accessed and downloaded private information about staff in districts in the lower North Island. Cabinet has agreed to its next steps regarding ...6 days ago
- The Hoon around the week to March 28
6 days ago
- The Browns Bay Bird Poisoner
Hi,As giant, mind-bending things continue to happen around us, today’s Webworm is a very small story from Hayden Donnell — which I have also read out for you if you want to give your sleepy eyes a rest.But first:As expected, the discussion from Worms going on under “A Fist, an ...6 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 28-March-2025
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- To counter China’s coercion of Taiwan, we must track it better
The threat of a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan dominates global discussion about the Taiwan Strait. Far less attention is paid to what is already happening—Beijing is slowly squeezing Taiwan into submission without firing a ...6 days ago
- Good Morning Good Morning
After a while you start to smile, now you feel coolThen you decide to take a walk by the old schoolNothing has changed, it's still the sameI've got nothing to say but it's okaySongwriters: Lennon and McCartney.Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today, a spectacle you’re probably familiar with: ten ...6 days ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Friday, March 28
In short this morning in our political economy: Chris Bishop attempted to rezone land in Auckland for up to 540,000 new homes last year, but was rejected by Cabinet, NZ Herald’s Thomas Coughlan reports this morning in a front page article.Overnight, Donald Trump put 25% tariffs on all car and ...6 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #13 2025
Open access notables New coasts emerging from the retreat of Northern Hemisphere marine-terminating glaciers in the twenty-first century, Kavan et al., Nature Climate Change: Accelerated climate warming has caused the majority of marine-terminating glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere to retreat substantially during the twenty-first century. While glacier retreat and changes ...6 days ago
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The National Government’s choices have contributed to a slow-down in the building sector, as thousands of people have lost their jobs in construction. ...9 hours ago - Release: Labour supports Willie Apiata’s selfless act
Willie Apiata’s decision to hand over his Victoria Cross to the Minister for Veterans is a powerful and selfless act, made on behalf of all those who have served our country. ...13 hours ago
- Te Pāti Māori MPs Denied Fundamental Rights in Privileges Committee Hearing
The Privileges Committee has denied fundamental rights to Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, breaching their own standing orders, breaching principles of natural justice, and highlighting systemic prejudice and discrimination within our parliamentary processes. The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka ...1 day ago
- Release: Govt health and safety changes put workers at risk
Changes to New Zealand’s health and safety laws will strip back key protections for small businesses and put working Kiwis at greater risk. ...2 days ago
- Release: Kiwis worse off this April thanks to Govt choices
April 1 used to be a day when workers could count on a pay rise with stronger support for those doing it tough, but that’s not the case under this Government. ...2 days ago
- Release: Three more years for Interislander ferries
Winston Peters is shopping for smaller ferries after Nicola Willis torpedoed the original deal, which would have delivered new rail enabled ferries next year. ...2 days ago
- Release: Myanmar junta must stop the airstrikes
The Government should work with other countries to press the Myanmar military regime to stop its bombing campaign especially while the country recovers from the devastating earthquake. ...2 days ago
- Release: National failing to deliver on supermarkets
National is paying lip service to its promises to bring down the cost of living, failing to make any meaningful change in the grocery sector. ...3 days ago
- Release: Labour backs farmers’ call for better process on GE
Labour shares farmers’ concerns that the Gene Technology Bill is moving too fast. ...6 days ago
- Release: Bar still too high for small mental health providers
Small mental health providers will still be locked out of co-funding from the Mental Health Innovation Fund despite a lower threshold. ...6 days ago
- Greens call for Govt to scrap proposed ECE changes
The Green Party is calling for the Government to scrap proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, after attending a petition calling for the Government to ‘Put tamariki at the heart of decisions about ECE’. ...6 days ago - NZ First Introduces Bill That Gives Democracy Back To The People
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill today that will remove the power of MPs conscience votes and ensure mandatory national referendums are held before any conscience issues are passed into law. “We are giving democracy and power back to the people”, says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters. ...6 days ago - Speech: Navigating the New World (Dis)order in Turbulent Times
Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...6 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori Call for Mandatory Police Body Cameras
In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...7 days ago
- Release: Kiwis lose faith in job market
Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...1 week ago
- Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt must tackle meth use crisis
New data shows methamphetamine use is spiralling out of control while the Government sits on its hands. ...1 week ago
- “Make New Zealand First Again”
“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt’s continued lack of action on Gaza condemned
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National at sea over Defence jobs
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National standards returning by stealth
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Kiwis still struggling as economy stumbles along
Kiwis aren’t feeling any better off despite figures showing a very slight growth in GDP in the December quarter. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...2 weeks ago
- Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility
The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Luxon quick to give away principled position on nukes
Christopher Luxon seems to have thrown New Zealand’s principled anti-nuclear advocacy under a bus. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must act on Israel’s slaughter of children
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Still no certainty for disability communities
One year on from the Government’s abrupt and callous changes to disability funding, the community still has no idea what the future holds. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party backs volunteer firefighters in their call for ACC recognition
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...2 weeks ago
- Stand Up for Palestine: A Call to Action Against Israels Treacherous Attack
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...2 weeks ago
- MP Views: Living Strong, The Economy, Servicing Our Nation, The Golden Egg, and 4 Year Terms
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...2 weeks ago
- Shane Jones has no shame
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: National botches health funding numbers
Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that the Government has put $16.68 billion into the health system over three years is wrong. ...3 weeks ago
- Government tramples on the rights of disabled migrant children
The Green Party is condemning the Government’s move to tighten access to visas for disabled children. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Auckland needs second harbour crossing
Labour supports Minister Chris Bishop’s call for input on the second Waitematā Harbour crossing. ...3 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds’ speech to NZ Investment Summit 2025
I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to you today about how we make overseas investment work for all New Zealanders. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour does not support PPPs for prisons
Labour does not support the private ownership of core infrastructure like schools, hospitals and prisons, which will only see worse outcomes for Kiwis. ...3 weeks ago
- Dunedin Futures report should be a wake-up call
The newly released report on the South Dunedin Future Programme must be a wake-up call for our Government. ...3 weeks ago
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Anne puts TINA to bed.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/24/anne-salmond-the-emperors-clothes/#comment-335517
If you don’t know what TINA stands for and its origins, then brush up here.
(sigh..!)
..national/coc propose a reactionary/repressive…and most importantly..a deeply illogical/irrational ..roadside drug testing policy …
..and labour rush to vote for it..
F.f.s…!
That’s a load of negative adjectives there. Why don’t you explain why you think these adjectives apply to the Coalition’s Bill that’s now becoming Act. Use as many ellipses as you need but don’t go dotty …
Ok..
…cannabis stays in the system..so a previous days use will give a positive reaction..how to deal with that..?
Those with legal weed will test positive . .so a cop over-rules a doctor..?..since when..? .how to deal with that..?
Cocaine/meth:…the facts of those drugs mean they do not impair driving…they make the users more alert…and arguably improve their road safety..which is why long distance lorry drivers have traditionally used meth…to stop them from falling asleep at the wheel…
But the real howler around this one…is all those people whacked off their tits on prescription meds..which most definitely do impair driving skills..
And so many old people who gobble down their daily dose of multiple uppers/downers/leapers/screamers…
…and then go hop in their cars…
..is that enough irrational/illogical to be getting on with.. ?
And I would love to hear just why labour voted for this dog’s arse piece of legislation.
Quoting Andy Huggins on YouTube…
"The cop came over and handed me the bag with the tube on it. My troubles really started when I inhaled, then passed the bag over to the cop. YOLO"
Doesn't test impairment.
How would that be able to be done? I know of folks that can consume quantities of electric puha that would stupify The Wailers, but can still function adequately.
None of this excuses impaired driving, obviously roads are part of the commons and respect for other road users is paramount.
That doesn't entitled the state to dispossess a citizen of their property and liberty because a 'spit test' picks up presence of cannabinoids in the system.
As to Labour, centrists gotta centrist.
I know people who smoke a lot (or even a little) and believe they're not impaired. That's a feature of cannabis culture.
Have a read of the rules, they kind of make sense. I don't have an opinion on the usefulness of the legislation, still waiting for some good analysis of the actual Bill.
Unless the spit test has improved remarkably ( it hasn't or else they would be telling us), the wider important point stands, you can test positive and not be impaired. (Yesterday's toot.)
it's not an impairment tests as far as I can tell, see my comment here,
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27-03-2025/#comment-2029748
Define "recent".
I didn't write the rules
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27-03-2025/#comment-2029757
I tried to add: the extra bullshitty part of this, considering impairment or lack of, is the random stop aspect.
Do the saliva test if there's due cause (forgive me if that's not the local terminology).
I can see this impacting our caramel cousins and to fight it you can pay for a private test to be done.
Did Paula Bennett (P testing industry goddess) consult on the legislation?/sarc.
Here's The Greens on this.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20250325_056760000/men%c3%a9ndez-march-ricardo
Menendez sums it up well…
…and I guess we still haven't heard why labour would take the unusual move..of voting in an opposition bill…
.. especially one so fundamentally flawed ..
I'm sure M/PI people will be disporportionately negatively affected, as per usual.
I'm not saying it's a good law, I'm just pointing out that we seem to be arguing without knowing what the law actually intends to do.
The other feature is it convinces users that it's harmless ,has no long term effects on tthe mandatory they're not addicted in some way, unlike drinkers who no it isn't good for them but carry on anyway.
that's interesting, because is it culture or the drug itself that does that? Alcohol is physically addictive in ways that cannabis isn't, so perhaps people that overuse alcohol have a better sense of it because they know what it's like to not be able to stop. Whereas cannabis addiction seems to be more psychological with physical effects, and produces different kinds of downsides that tbf aren't as destructive generally, so maybe the whole chill vibe has lead to the idea that it's not harmful at all.
I'm of 2 minds about this legislation.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/556311/concerns-new-drug-driving-testing-could-detect-medication
People who are going to drive drugged (the illegal drugged) are going to drive, the same way some drunk people are going to drive, and laws don't make any difference to them.
But with regards to medical prescriptions-
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/driving-safely/medication/#:~:text=Check%20to%20see%20if%20you,feeling%20drowsy%20or%20sleepy
It's a self-assessment to decide if you're ok to drive or now, and a lot of people can't recognise it, and are also in denial about their limitations. I certainly know that the type of medication I take could affect me driving (moot point because I'm permanently banned anyway). Muscle weakness, slow reaction times for starters. The symptoms they ask you to check aren't always recognisable, so driving seems quite reasonable.
There's a lot of people out there on the roads who are technically impaired by prescription meds and by rights shouldn't be behind the wheel. They are also the types of meds that are unlikely to show up in drug testing, so what do we do?
Lots of social cannabis users drive who now might think twice about it if there are consequences, especially if there are random police stops. It's about lowering overall risk of accidents.
Of course, and I think we can all agree that can only be a good thing. It doesn't help the problem of impairment by prescribed medication.
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/safety/Alerts/driving-impairment.asp
If a qualifying drug is identified, a medical defence is available for the use of prescription medicines for drug driving offences:
Except a lot of people don't read the caution with driving warning that appears on the patient info leaflets, and too many doctors don't even mention it. In my opinion, people who drive medication-impaired, whether or not they crash, deserve some sort of punishment. I acknowledge my driving ban influences my views on this, people have just got to learn that driving is a privelige, not some god-given right.
I think it is more a case of labour giving a textbook example of the incrementalism that has so blighted them…for so long ..
Being seen to be doing something about something…but not really achieving much at all..
That..and hipkins ongoing lifting of his skirt/flirting with national…around the idea of a grand coalition between the two…
And this legislation is reason number 53 why users should get themselves a script for legal weed ..
..and the standard reply to police should be: 'i will test positive..because I used some of my prescribed medicine yesterday'…
Yup, that'll work…
/
The legislation gives police powers to undertake random roadside saliva tests, similar to drink-driving enforcement.
Drivers who return a positive result will have their saliva sample sent for further laboratory testing. If that subsequent test finds qualifying drugs and an indication of recent use, the drivers would be issued a fine and demerit points.
Two positive roadside tests would be required before a driver is prohibited from driving for 12 hours.
Under changes made at the committee stage, drivers will be able to challenge the result once an infringement notice has been issued following a positive test, by paying a private analyst to test the oral fluid sample.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/547547/drug-driving-testing-legislation-passes-despite-concerns
I haven't driven anything since 2010 and frankly that's just as well. Tiredness I found was so damn dangerous – maybe someday they will find an easy way to measure fatigue. Never tried and have no interest in trying meth. I will concede weed affects reaction times but i used to find with the enjoyment of the action of driving the focus on performing the task and absence of aggression to be positives. With alcohol, as well as the physical impairment, the aggression increase and the attacks of leadfoot driving were absolutely the most dangerous.
so long as you have an actual prescription and receipt for purchase.
And then what, dive on, sir? I don't think so because afaik, the law hasn't changed and returning a positive test will be sanctioned despite any actual prescription and receipt for purchase.
dunno, I haven't read the Bill. Have you?
I have and cannabis, actual prescription and receipt for purchase or not, is a qualifying drug.
11A Persons not to drive or attempt to drive while blood contains evidence of, or oral fluid indicates, use of qualifying drug
(1)
A person may not drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle while—
(a)
the person’s blood contains evidence of use of a qualifying drug (see sections 57A(1) and (2), 57B(1) and (2), and 57C(1) and (2)); or
(b)
the person’s oral fluid indicates use of a qualifying drug (see sections 57A(3), 57B(3), and 57C(3) and (4)).
(2)
A person’s blood contains evidence of use of a qualifying drug if—
(a)
the blood concentration level of a listed qualifying drug exceeds the tolerance level for the drug; or
(b)
the blood contains any level of an unlisted qualifying drug.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), a person’s oral fluid indicates use of a qualifying drug if the results of a first oral fluid test and a second oral fluid test subsequently undergone by the person are positive and indicate the use of the same qualifying drug.
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2022/0005/latest/whole.html
oh good, maybe you can clarify. Does the infringement kick in for any presence of any of the said drugs, or does it have to be a certain level?
@ weka..
I carry a prescription container in my glove box…at all times..
And I urge others to do the same…
It's not going to get you off the hook should you return a positive roadside test.
But it will be the basis to fight it…
.. I'm up for that…
..and I would factor in an anecdote told me by a prescribing doctor…
One of his patients at one love..smoking a large spliff..
..three cops walking towards him…
..one cop asks him if he has a prescription for that..
..he nods ..and the cops didn't even break stride..
..unsure how that factors into all this…
Basis to fight what, driving under the influence of a qualifying drug?
Good luck with that….
a prescription for cannabis? Are you getting high from that?
Nah..!
Just proof of my legal use…
..but I felt ' high' when I got my first script…
..a definite/literal feeling ..
..induced by casting off the shackles of prohibition …
..it felt quite liberating..
..(yet another reason for users to go legal..)
My first response is, do they have they science based research to indicate a sufficiency to prove to the level of driving impairment?
1.alcohol
2.THC
3.amphetamines of various types
MDMA is prescribed for PTSD, others a form of amphetamine for ADHD. If the level of drug presence is not to the level of impairment, it should pass the test.
An irony is that some who use meth now, to remain alert, will be less safe, if tired. Tired truckers and speed are both dangerous.
Some effort to not victimise people, and not make things worse is part of legislative work.
It's nice that we have a new tech device, but …
as far as I can tell it's not a test for impairment, it's a test for recent use,
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/547547/drug-driving-testing-legislation-passes-despite-concerns
There is an impairment level for alcohol, why not for others?
It's poor legislation on this ground alone.
Thus those with PTSD and ADHD are going to be messed around with. They do not need this.
If there is not an impairment level standard, it is just a means to identify and punish drug users under "road safety".
It reminds one of tests to block those who smoked at the weekend from working. Now from roads on following days.
This is not road safety legislation, it is a fraud.
The article indicates sufficient reason – harm to so many New Zealanders who would be driving safely – to question the credibility of all those who voted for it.
Because blood alcohol is an easy measurement that correlates closely with impairment. This is not true of other drugs afaik. So the legislation can't be condemned because other drugs aren't the same as alcohol.
@ weka..
But it can be 'condemned' for all the other flaws highlighted in this thread .
..surely…?
you'd have to be more specific.
Comment 2.1.1..
Plus what kay…and others have highlighted..
from 2.1.1.
Is the law going to catch any use, or just above a certain level?
Muck like workplace testing, to an upper limit to account for passive/casual contact.
if your argument is that evidence of recent use isn't sufficient reason to stop someone driving, then I would agree depending on how recent the test is meant to capture. Someone who smoked cannabis yesterday isn't still going to be stoned. So we lack information in this thread.
What 'information' is lacking..?
People will test positive for cannabis up to 72 hrs after consumption…
How in anyone's name is that either logical..or rational…?
what level on testing is deemed sufficient to stable recent and get demerit points?
Dunno the specifics of that..but a heavy session the nite before would likely still read high the next morning..despite the intoxication being long gone..
I'll wait until I know how the process works.
Pithy version
It will do more harm than good and is in breach of civil liberties.
I welcome our Supreme Court indicating its contempt.
here's the legislation if anyone else wants to read it and make sense of the testing.
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2024/0069/latest/whole.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_drug_resel_25_a&p=1#LMS965582
sorry, that's the amendment bill, so not very easy to read.
This, just this.
Ash Sarker's analysis goes a long way to explaining the staggering difference in social attitudes between young men and young women.
But it got me thinking – if Labour or the Greens really wanted to reconnect with young men, they'd run an ad series on SM where a guy has an emotional journey from living this kind of life to discovering socially useful work, and turns down a lonely night of working at some flash restaurant to go help out with his local scouts group or whatever.
Haven't watched the link but I will later.
One thing, from yr comment resonates. Males, generally enjoy, acknowledge and are drawn to the idea of something bigger than themselves.
Be that sports teams/ groups, scouting, church etc. All things that have lost value in today's society.
Sarkar is often pithily on the mark. Though I'm not sure her observation is a new one. I remember from long ago the observation (from someone I've forgotten) that young women are validated simply by who they are, while young men are validated only by what they do. Young women can 'be', young men must 'become'. That may be an age-old dynamic, but in the modern world everything and anything can and must be monetised, with corrupting effects. The idea that 'becoming' can be achieved through something other than self-obsession and personal gain – through socially useful work for example – is something to hang on to and promote.
It seems to be true of young men focusing on what they want to become, but it's also true of many young women. Social pressure from media, social media, fashion industry, etc is strongly focused on how young women present visually: thin, young-looking, conventionally feminine rather than being assertive, and/or more butch looking, etc: ie to be looked at rather than to be appreciated for what they are, to be appropriately submissive on many occasions, and on limited ways on what they do: ie should care for others and be less into striving for their own development and success in society.
Social pressure does put more stress on the things men do, giving an idea of what young men are to strive for in terms of individual social, political and employment success.
Was the US Houthi Strike chat group using Signal a bungle or intended? Paul Buchanan at Kiwipolitico poses some interesting points…
https://www.kiwipolitico.com/2025/03/signalling-deliberate-reckless-disregard/
to quote his para #5
“5) There are reports that Signal was used to avoid Freedom of Information ACT (FOI) and Official Records Act (ORA) scrutiny. This was recommended by Project 2025 to eliminate information data that might be considered prejudicial or controversial if made public under the FOI or as part of ORA obligations (since apps like Signal permanently delete conversations once they are closed, so no records of them are kept). Deliberately trying to circumvent the ORA is illegal. Think of the historical precedent: Nixon’s Watergate tapes;”
Thanks for that…
Lefties should have a copy of project 2025…
..as a reference/explainer asset…
White House comms focus on, the invitation to the journalist onto the chat, appears to be the diversion to distract people from noticing.
It's started already. At this rate they can write off the mid-terms as a means of reining in the Trump gang.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-signs-executive-order-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-in-federal-elections/ar-AA1BEvLK
It's birth certificates or passports for ID. Otherwise birth certificates and drivers licenses (state photo ID if they have no drivers license). Or birth certificates, marriage certificate (change of name) and drivers licenses.
A passport does it all in one, but most Americans do not have one.
It’s bureaucratic obstructionism.
I'd be more worried about mail in voting restraint* (subsequent reduction in options for early voting in targeted areas and also fewer voting booths on the day will follow).
Taking over US Post and mail in votes having to be received by election day*.
That many Americans have to vote on a day they are required to work is the kicker here.
Blatant voter suppression.
Dr Hugo Z Hackenbush
@MangyLover
Remember when the far right Heritage Foundation found only 193 official findings of mail in voter fraud. In 30 years. Out of 250 million?
https://x.com/MangyLover/status/1853562227543937068
https://electionfraud.heritage.org/
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-voting-elections-executive-order/
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-anti-voting-order-draws-furious-pushback/
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/with-new-order-trump-tries-to-kill-off-vote-by-mail/
Remember, during one election speech, Trump promised the audience, vote for me this time, and you’ll never have to vote again.
Yep..!
The coup will be going down before the mid-terms…
Hence the urgency with which trump is filling all areas of gummint/military with his supporters..
He already has the supreme court stacked with those who support him…
So…a bit of civil unrest…a state of emergency declared by trump…then military rule/elections suspended…
That’s how ya do it…
That is exactly the way I see it happening. Get the (non-MAGA) population angry, to the point of physical violence, and voila martial law.
I predict mid-2026.
Also add ex-prisoners, who have a labrynthine process to re-register, and who have been incorrectly prosecuted for alleged voter fraud.
With the disproportionately high incarceration rate for african-americans, this is another example of systemic racism via disenfranchisment.
Realistically, most of the people being described as 'disenfranchised' don't actually vote.
And, the argument about it preventing criminals from voting, is unlikely to be seen as a problem by the vast majority of the population (a crim is a crim, even when they're released from jail.)
It may go down well with the left-wing intelligensia – but they're already in agreement with you. It will leave the right wing and centre, entirely unmoved.
The majority of the US voting population (as in the people currently registered to vote, and who regularly do vote) – don't see a problem with turning up with ID. They might grumble a little about the 'bureaucracy' – but it's not even a significant inconvenience for them. Especially if its presented as a patriotic duty to prevent criminal non-citizens voting [Yes, yes I know, the numbers who've actually done so are minuscule, but it's the message which is being sold]
You might have greater success by attacking the law on patriotic grounds. 'No government can tell me that I have to have a stinkin' piece of paper to vote in this man's America'
But, even if they won on this issue, would the Democrats actually be better off at the polls? I seriously doubt it. And they'll have used up a lot of political capital to get there.
It's a political distraction.
That
1.democrats can only win the House with a majority of the popular vote is down to gerrymandering.
2.exploiting the movement of those who rent (within areas) to remove people from rolls has more impact on those registered as democrats
3.limiting booths in some areas with more registered democrats
4.limiting early voting
5.obstructing mail in voting
6.requiring people to vote on a working day
it is not to distract democrats, but to let them know that the GOP prefer a system that is deliberately unfair to their opponents.
Like blocking an Obama nomination to SCOTUS for a year.
None of that is changed by this new legislation.
And, clearly, it wasn't sufficiently important to the Dems when they were in government during the last several administrations, to fix. So it can't be a major concern for them.
The executive order includes restrictive rules for mail in voting.
Democrats at federal level cannot change state practice, without GOP buy in.
I don't see what your argument is. Are you complaining that some states have Republican leadership, and therefore wouldn't (in the future) follow a Democratic federal lead?
Surely the same would hold true for the current situation, where Democratic states can choose not to follow a Republican federal lead.
Or is it that it's only Trump who has thought to issue executive orders?
Of course, now the principle has been established, future Democrat Presidents can follow suit.
It seems incredibly unlikely that dropping the mail in option, is going to significantly change the voting balance.
Taking California, for example, a heavy mail-voting state. Over half the registered voters are Democrats, while only 25% (and dropping) are Republicans. It would require heroic levels of voter disenfranchisement to change the Senate/Congress results at mid-terms or full elections.
The idea of a POTUS trying to advantage their party keeping control of the House at the half-term in this way, is unique.
It is a bit like the McConnell blocking the POTUS 44 nomination of Garland to SCOTUS in 2016.
An original corruption.
Other can follow it and make it bi-partisan, is that your view?
I don't see any serious attempt to leverage the vote.
1. The vast majority of the people that *may* be disenfranchised, currently don't vote.
2. The States like California, which have large percentages of mail-in votes – are not swing States. Even the most pessimistic view of the outcome of this legislation, doesn't envisage that it will turn California Red!
3. If it turns out that 'ordinary' US voters (many of whom are Republicans) are unable to vote (which seems highly unlikely ATM) – the Republican Party would be taking swift action to protect their voting base.
It's a storm in a teacup.
While I don't think that the changes are necessary (I don't think there has been significant vote fraud in the US for decades) – the changes are relatively harmless to actual voters. And the more frothing outrage that the Democrats engage in over criminals not being able to vote, the more centrists they alienate; and the more bandwidth they consume with issues which don't matter to swing voters.
This is not a losing strategy for Trump.
Focusing on the economic impacts of things like his tariffs – is a much more effective strategy for the Democrats.
And, yes, I think that the door to executive authority that Trump has opened, won't be easily closed. It will be used by Democrats in the future.
Bomber rightly criticises the local Zionist org: https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/03/27/the-israel-institute-of-nz-and-their-definition-of-anti-semitism-must-be-challenged/
Caring folk get to be made fearful by means of a trendy label, so they will end up too scared to adopt an sjw stance in public life. Tedium threatens, you may respond; the syndrome they use as propaganda tool has been effective for years (it destroyed Corbyn).
I think both left and right politicians are too scared to tell the truth about Israelis & Palestinians both being mostly semitic. Pretending that the commonality doesn't exist keeps everyone safe from reality. Trump used `alternative facts' to invoke this collective imaginal realm but partisan grouping in such mental clouds usually accomplishes little other than solidarity in your favourite part. Common ground works better for progress.
The government chose Rainbow as head Commissioner overseeing the HRA, despite or because of his epic rant about McCully over the UNSC Resolution in Dec 2016.
By the way the other person critical of it was Winston Peters, but on the grounds of not having been formally decided at a Cabinet n meeting.
The Greens have called it genocide….. don't they count Dennis?
Have they informed the media that its one bunch of semites doing genocide on another bunch of semites? I expect not! It would help folks to reframe on all these spurious claims of one side being antisemitic if they did so. Semites claiming other semites are antisemitic would reduce such behaviour to a farce in the public mind.
Then we could all move on, because the Israelis would pick up on the ebb tide of sympathy and figure that they'd better get real to earn respect. They've been riding on that holocaust victim thing for too long already.
A Venezuelan gang invaded the USA, and now leftists have combined with judges to stop Trump ejecting them: https://www.pahomepage.com/hill-politics/appeals-court-wont-lift-boasbergs-order-blocking-alien-enemies-act/
Seems like he didn't call them Maduro agents – a missed pr opportunity. If it goes to the Supreme Court next, I expect the SC will focus on the war thing. Has Trump actually declared war on illegal immigrants? If not, no such war exists. The US govt's war on drugs is analogous: a bipartisan success story now in its 56th year of operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_drugs
So the SC would have to decide to support the leftist view that the gang invasion was imaginary or the rightist view that it was real.
So the SC would have to decide to support the leftist view that
the gang invasion was imaginary or the rightist view that it was realdue process should be followed to avoid legitimate asylum seekers like Andry Hernandez being caught up in the magat fever-dream and being sent to El Salvadorian mega prison despite having no gang affiliation.fify
//
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/venezuelan-asylum-seeker-deported-sent-to-el-salvador-mega-prison/3662760/
In an ideal world, a Supreme Court decision ought to address all primary dimensions of any issue it addresses for both moral and economic reasons (don't avoid one just to be economic or it will return to clog up the justice system).
btw, if you're interested in the challenges to tRump's executive orders etc.
This public resource tracks legal challenges to Trump administration actions. If you think we are missing anything, you can email us at lte@justsecurity.org. Special thanks to Just Security Student Staff Editors Anna Braverman, Isaac Buck, Rick Da, Charlotte Kahan, and Jeremy Venook, and to Matthew Fouracre and Nour Soubani.
The Tracker is part of the Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of the Trump Administration’s Executive Actions. Readers may also be interested in signing up for our free Early Edition roundup of news and our end-of-day newsletter with Just Security articles from the day (We respect your privacy. We do not use your email address for any other purpose except to automatically send you the requested email.)
The Tracker was first published on Jan. 29, 2025 and is continually updated. Last updated March 27, 2025.
https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
Wow, I'm impressed! T can boast to the public that he's giving the legal system a thorough work-out. Involved judges will soon be complaining that they've got muscles in their head that they didn't even know they had!
For the circuses section, the Guardian interviews Marlon Williams on his new album in Te Reo Māori. There's a doco due in May on its production, too. Love Marlin's voice, and song writing.
If you don't know who he is, try his duet with Aldous Harding, in the video list here, where they sing about their breakup.
He's coming to Palmy. The Regent
We got tkts a couple of weeks ago.
Very Excite.
Oh dear another addiction to worry about
https://futurism.com/the-byte/chatgpt-dependence-addiction
I can report that my middle-aged daughter & Italian husband (they live in Rome) both switched from averse sceptic to enthusiastic user in recent months. The tool gave them impressive career-facilitating advice (they have different careers) that in each case was specific to their (separate) situations.
She told me you just log onto their website and use it for free, said I ought to check it out. I admit to coasting into the slow lane when I retired a decade ago but I've been reading multiple books continuously since the late '80s so I'll likely encompass the gizmo sometime soon…
I am currently working on a daily news bulletin concept…curated by me…assisted by AI…
As someone who spent a decade making news stories for TVNZ long ago, I have an interest in your operational design. In principle, I reckon leftist entrepreneurs are a sub-species deserving of help due to being so rare. I admit my approval would depend on the interface style & media content selection but I suspect you'll go for younger folk than me so that's irrelevant eh?
I will be aiming at all ages… intelligence being the only criteria heh .!
..and basically doing an upgrade on what I did for quite awhile @ whoar co.nz…
A curation of the local/international news of the day..
..but also much much more..involving entertainment/music etc etc…
I see the presenter being voiced by me…but the imagery being the depiction of me when young ..done for me by Chris Knox…bless him..!
I am seeking software that will enable me to sit to present…but the imagery will be that cartoon…a talking cartoon…. synched to what I am saying..and an image that can live on…(Hat tip to max headroom..)
..and will also operate as an open door training option..
I think the concept will work well on the various options available..and a large viewership will earn a lot of money…but as significantly will be a voice presenting that essential viewpoint ..
I repeat…this will be a not for profit..I am not doing this for personal wealth..
..I want something that has the best chance of carrying on after me..
..and it will be configured that the board can toss me out should they choose..
..I expect to earn my role ..on an ongoing basis ..
That's the bare bones of where I am at the moment..
Hope that clarifies what I intend..
Hey that all seems excellent as a vision outline & operational scenario.
Max Headroom was always well-conceived, well-written and presented too. Chris Knox became a close friend of my 2nd wife after Toy Love played a gig at our night-club (The Squeeze) in summer/autumn 1980.
We watched him do the thing with the broken beer bottle jagged edge down his fore-arm till the blood ran out in various dribbles during a song but I wasn't a fan (older generation chasm). However she's told me enough about him since (they both lived near each other in Grey Lynn for years) that I know he could be a suitable role model for quirky style…
Nothing wrong with a media op making a profit btw, since the common interest lies in how it gets shared around, and I like your prioritising of continuance as part of the design. Inter-generational sharing is what folks need to develop more nowadays, but it ain't easy.
Chrs…!
Heh ..!.. it's developed further over the course of the evening,…
It's a wonderful thing…the mind…the mind's eye…
Calls for some commission to investigate fluoride.
No new information would result, just an examination of information from abroad.
The issue of because of a new policy to have it in water supply nationwide.
Europe's use is voluntary. Fluoride is naturally present at low levels in most drinking water in England and Wales. Germany for example
AI
Most nations that provide it with drinking water reduced it towards the level to those with the lowest ones historically (Ireland and Singapore) – 0.5.
The USA is currently at 0.7 (not compulsory 60-70% coverage).
Our rate is still the historic one, at 0.7 to 1.0, which is high, we should have gone to 0.5-0.7 when making it nationwide.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/26/rotorua-water-to-be-fluoridated-by-friday-deadline/
National will do nothing and let NZF campaign on freedom of councils to decide, to remain in parliament.
A referenda
a in all water, or not.
b in all water at the current rate or 0.5-0.7 or 0.5
c in water as councils decide.