Open mike 27/07/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 27th, 2021 - 32 comments
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32 comments on “Open mike 27/07/2021 ”

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  1. Adrian Thornton 1
    27 July 2021 at 8:23 am

    As we seem to be under a barrage of anti-China propaganda at the moment, I thought it was probably an idea to look into a few more rational and real world views on this growing world super power..for those interested here are a couple of interesting takes…

    From Behind the News a fascinating interview with Professor of Economics and author Isabella Weber

    Chinese economic reform: how they dodged the shock therapy bullet.

    https://kpfa.org/episode/behind-the-news-july-8-2021/

    and from theAnalysis.news an interview with Professor of History Gerald Horne

    Can U.S. Remain an Asian Power?

    • Incognito 1.1
      27 July 2021 at 8:46 am

      Thanks Adrian, always good to get a new perspective. Given that the clips are one hour and 37 min long, respectively, could you please provide your take on those “interesting takes”? A bit of personal commentary and analysis might help to engage others and kick off a good and positive conversation here.

      • Adrian Thornton 1.1.1
        27 July 2021 at 9:29 am

        I am not going to get into my own views on this current Anti-China campaign emanating from the US, UK and Australia…and sadly now New Zealand.

        The reason I put up those links was for critical thinkers to view/listen to them for themselves if they so wish, and maybe add a little something to their own understanding of this dangerous moment…which I might add is so full of unsubstantiated information disseminated as fact by all western MSM…RNZ being one of the worst offenders in NZ.

        Just trying to add a bit of balance, that is all.

        • Incognito 1.1.1.1
          27 July 2021 at 4:36 pm

          Hi Adrian,

          The idea is that one comes here with a personal opinion or view and argues for it, and hard if necessary. This can be supported with an appropriate link, which is a must when making a claim of fact and assertions, as you know.

          This site is not a news aggregator like Scoop nor a news site on which we have to provide balanced impartial (e.g., non-partisan) news reports.

          One doesn’t just dump links (AKA link-spamming as per this site’s Policy) or worse, YouTube clips, and walks away.

          Political analysis and making political points that can be debated here is the kaupapa of this site. Nobody here can discuss things with a person(s) who wrote something that one links to. Similarly, nobody here can discuss things with a person(s) featuring in a YouTube clip. Commenters can engage and discuss things with other commenters here. That is what this forum is for and about.

          If one doesn’t want to engage or discuss here with others and join in genuine debate in good faith, they might be considered a troll. Trolls are not fictional creatures that live under bridges; they are real and make life difficult on open forums and Social Media.

          HTH

    • Ad 1.2
      27 July 2021 at 12:48 pm

      The CCP has led the Chinese people through some of the most vile, cruel and damaging economic reforms that have occurred in human history. They began straight after the Revolution and didn't stop for 30 years. So there's no point any analyst talking about China with a 10-year historic analysis.

      China has bigger and deeper problems than the United States.

      The first is demography: it's ageing so fast that it's going to depopulate fast, which is economically calamitous.

      The second is leadership: It's Xi Jinping that has led them down the strong nationalist authoritarian route, and there's simply no succession plan of any kind for any of his positions, and unlike democracies no mechanism to do so either.

      The third is the rest of its non-allies: it's offending pretty much everybody and is rapidly making everyone form blocs against them.

      After that comes all the territorial disputes and its view of Western containment. If it doubles down on its nationalistic displays in India, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the South China Sea, we may well see regional stoushes turn into regional wars with US active involvement if asked. Then we'll see the reality of fools talking about the Indo-Pacific.

      The post-World War II international order, built to promote economic cooperation and avoid war, may not be able to withstand the stress of China’s mounting challenges from within. A war between the West and China is still a remote possibility, but perhaps not as remote as it once seemed.

  2. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 2
    27 July 2021 at 8:31 am

    Paul Buchanan, Counter-terrorism experts, discussing the Aden repatriation on Morning Report, described Gerry Brownlee as 'an absolute buffoon!'

    Hmmm, no, can't say I disagree.

    • Incognito 2.1
      27 July 2021 at 8:39 am

      Why and where is the link? I can call anybody a buffoon without saying why, but it would be rather pointless and not much of a political point, wouldn’t it? Paul Buchanan doesn’t strike me as a buffoon who would call others buffoons for the sake of it.

        • Incognito 2.1.1.1
          27 July 2021 at 9:02 am

          Ta, that answers one half.

          • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 2.1.1.1.1
            27 July 2021 at 9:46 am

            He called Brownlee a buffoon for wanting the government to broadcast everything they know about Aden and her arrival/integration back into NZ society.

            As Buchanan pointed out, Gerry really shouldn't be scared of one young woman, and the real reason behind the governments reticence is probably to protect the woman and her children from islamophobes in this country. As he said, there has never been an islamic terrorist attack in NZ, but plenty of low-level nutters having a go at Muslims, as well as a major massacre.

            • AB 2.1.1.1.1.1
              27 July 2021 at 11:40 am

              "Gerry really shouldn't be scared of one young woman"

              He's not – he's bargaining that enough people aren't really listening and will sort of, in a half-arsed way, think that the Government is letting terrorists into the country. Facts don't bother him. It's the slow drip drip of bullshit culture wars that eventually results (as we saw in 2008) in enough people screaming "the socialists are telling me what to think" and "prise my beloved incandescent lightbulbs from my cold dead hands!" They take the public for morons – and sometimes it works.

            • Incognito 2.1.1.1.1.2
              27 July 2021 at 1:00 pm

              yesyesyes

              A great and helpful response, and much appreciated, thank you!

        • aom 2.1.1.2
          27 July 2021 at 9:23 am

          Priceless! Gerry Brownlee has been called out for being a buffoon. It can't be repeated often enough or loudly enough!

          Let's not forget that Brownlee is the former Foreign Minister who was pretty quick to wind back NZ's moral position at the UN (Resolution 2334,) when human rights abuses were involved!

          • tc 2.1.1.2.1
            27 July 2021 at 10:23 am

            His own electorate didn't want him back. Not very nice given all he did for them after the EQ, my what a fickle bunch.

            • Pingao 2.1.1.2.1.1
              27 July 2021 at 10:56 am

              Reply to tc

              Two points – Brownlee's electorate was largely unscathed in the earthquakes, and he is generally held in very low regard across much of Christchurch as a result of his actions and words after the earthquakes (at least among the people and communities most affected). I say this as someone who was red-zoned (lost my home and community and whole neighbourhood) and as someone who continued to live in the eastern suburbs.

          • Morrissey 2.1.1.2.2
            27 July 2021 at 11:06 am

            Brownlee's buffoonery features in this little dramatic representation of a National caucus meeting in 2005….

            https://thestandard.org.nz/walkergate-mp-quits/#comment-1727532

  3. pat 3
    27 July 2021 at 9:50 am

    Government appears to be losing the support of a very disillusioned Bernard Hickey.

    https://thekaka.substack.com/p/dawn-chorus-the-scandal-of-worsening

  4. Macro 4
    27 July 2021 at 11:33 am

    G.O.P. to Punish Cheney and Kinzinger devil

    WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Furious at Representative Liz Cheney and Representative Adam Kinzinger for participating in the January 6th commission, the G.O.P. leadership in the House is punishing the two rogue Republicans by forcing them to spend an hour with Ted Cruz.

    Speaking to reporters, the House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, said that the decision to subject the two dissidents to an hour with Cruz “should leave no doubt about how seriously we take their offense.”

    “Make no mistake,” he said, “an hour with Ted Cruz is the ultimate punishment.”

    According to McCarthy, Cheney and Kinzinger will be locked in a room with Cruz, who will then speak, uninterrupted, for an hour on a topic of his choosing.

    “Ten minutes in, they’ll come to regret what they’ve done,” McCarthy predicted. “No one has lasted fifteen.”

    McCarthy’s decision to subject the two Republicans to an hour of Cruz drew a strong rebuke from Representative Cheney’s father, the former Vice-President Dick Cheney. “Much as I have been a longtime supporter of torture, this goes too far,” he said.

  5. weka 5
    27 July 2021 at 12:38 pm

    The Longwood Loop EV van has arrived!

    The Van has arrived! Anna and Robyn picked it up today from Invercargill and it is now in Riverton. It is easy to drive, has lovely comfy seating.

    …

    We have 3 advertisements to go on part of the van, but what about the rest of the van? Send us some ideas or artwork to make it special and easily recognised!

    https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=781161675913109&id=252536315442317

  6. ianmac 6
    27 July 2021 at 1:02 pm

    Maybe all farmers should investigate this experience with Regenerative farming. Thicker soil means better growth.

    Fed up with the effects of repeated droughts, regenerative farming has 'worked wonders' for a Hawke's Bay farmer

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/125826673/fed-up-with-the-effects-of-repeated-droughts-regenerative-farming-has-worked-wonders-for-a-hawkes-bay-farmer

  7. Jimmy 7
    27 July 2021 at 2:41 pm

    How crazy. What happens now that the jury cant reach a unanimous verdict.

    Eli Epiha trial: Jurors unable to reach unanimous decision on attempted murder charge – NZ Herald

  8. Robert Guyton 8
    27 July 2021 at 3:47 pm

    For RedLogix' pleasure!

    Space, the final…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch

  9. weka 9
    27 July 2021 at 3:58 pm

    And people wonder why so many disabled people distrust the MoH.

    https://twitter.com/Jenene/status/1419856562542112768