Open Mike 27/08/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 27th, 2017 - 133 comments
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133 comments on “Open Mike 27/08/2017 ”

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  1. CoroDale 1
    27 August 2017 at 6:44 am

    A creativity competition – to start the day with both humor and a bit of financial meat.

    Please excuse my legal terms, but are the folk here aware of the orthodox or neo-liberal octopusy of dildos that blocks all innovation around fiscal and financial control? (Well covered in the book “The FIRE Economy”)

    Who has the most creative excuse for “Emergency Powers” for our next Minister of Finance?

    (Sorry, but this is the only realistic way we can save the country – the otherwise required changes to the labyrinth of Finanical and Fiscal Acts would take decades.)

    “Tsunami from falling house prices.” Seems the most obvious. But requires QE to finally implode, or hit the wall in the European Courts. But lets not risk that slow death and warming wars. Lets think quick.

    How about this?

    “Loss of photosynthesis leads to agricultural collapse, as house prices block the sun!”

    “The new Govt declares a national disaster and emergency powers are handed to the new Minister of Finance, Gareth Huges! A break through in NZ politics, creating the first every fully tele-scripted ministerial position. A team of real economics hide in bunkers and gently guide house prices in for landing”

    (We could also give the Finance Minister the secondary roll of Minister of Beach Cricket, which they could safely manage from the Bay of Islands.)

    • Stuart Munro 1.1
      28 August 2017 at 12:12 am

      Ecoterrorism is the obvious scare claim for the flailing right – grants them extraordinary powers and demonizes the part of the left that really frightens them.

      • CoroDale 1.1.1
        28 August 2017 at 5:56 am

        A wise warning Stu, but hope you’re not hinting that I’m flat-earth and fascism – Riddle me this:

        Fly around a globe East,
        Return from the West, right?
        Fly around our globe left,
        You return as Roger Douglas, right?
        Just values, left on the ground,
        The plane never took flight.

        How shall Ardern’s values take their flight?
        Financial innovation, but that’s out of her sight?

        Coming in on a Westerly, not politically from the right.
        It’s values-based centre,
        That’s due to take flight,
        Around this globe,
        Even in the dark of night.

  2. Ed 2
    27 August 2017 at 7:51 am

    This looks intriguing from Tim Murphy at Newsroom.

    ‘Turns out those who said this mad election had one more explosive convulsion to come weren’t wrong. Could be soon. #motherofallscandals’

    https://twitter.com/tmurphyNZ/status/901252037165277184

    • Cinny 2.1
      27 August 2017 at 8:02 am

      Dang! I know the newsroom stories are usually published around 7am week days online.

      Cheers for the link/info Ed, roll on monday morning

    • weka 2.2
      27 August 2017 at 8:23 am

      Just to knock a few things on the head, Murphy has ruled out a sex scandal, or that it’s about Todd Barclay.

      • Ed 2.2.1
        27 August 2017 at 8:41 am

        Bennett?

        • Pat 2.2.1.1
          27 August 2017 at 8:49 am

          is a potential royal flush …suggests a high group….cabinet?

        • Anne 2.2.1.2
          27 August 2017 at 11:09 am

          Bennett is my first pick too Ed. There’s been rumours floating around about her solo mum days for a long time now. And here we are only 4 weeks out from an election and the Deputy PM seems to have gone to ground.

          • Tracey 2.2.1.2.1
            27 August 2017 at 4:43 pm

            She was front and centre today. Telling everyone that Labour do not have the experience to be in Cabinet. Flash back to 2008 Paula

          • Tracey 2.2.1.2.2
            27 August 2017 at 4:46 pm

            If it is about Bennett as a beneficiary it will make me sad. Cos Key and others, including Bennett have done far worse as Cab members and survived.

      • AsleepWhileWalking 2.2.2
        27 August 2017 at 11:51 am

        I’d pick Bennett too, but only because she’s never been this quiet. Either that or some financial insider trading that nobody will be able to follow.

        If it is Bennett I hope its over quickly.

        • millsy 2.2.2.1
          27 August 2017 at 12:10 pm

          Someone actually told me that they reckoned if National got rid of Paula Bennett they would do a lot better in the coming election.

      • Tracey 2.2.3
        27 August 2017 at 4:42 pm

        Nats dug dirt on Left?

    • Matiri 2.3
      27 August 2017 at 12:49 pm

      Maybe why John Key resigned and others involved.

    • Carolyn_nth 2.4
      27 August 2017 at 2:29 pm

      One more sleep until the #motherofallscandals

      • Ed 2.4.1
        27 August 2017 at 2:32 pm

        Any ideas?

        • Carolyn_nth 2.4.1.1
          27 August 2017 at 3:15 pm

          Nothing more than what others have mentioned. I’ll wait.

          Nat’s top table (tax fraud, funding fraud, dirty politics, cash-for-policies, surveillance scams, etc); Kingmaker NZ First; Kingitanga?; gambling; collateral damage as in involvement in foreign wars.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.4.1.1.1
            27 August 2017 at 3:52 pm

            Assuming it damages the National Party, that is.

            • Carolyn_nth 2.4.1.1.1.1
              27 August 2017 at 4:27 pm

              Hmmm… yes. An alternative might be NZ First – some party gaining by the loss of GP, UF, and NZF leaders….? And something to do with gambling.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                27 August 2017 at 6:32 pm

                Another alternative is that it damages the Greens or Labour and/or National, the Greens and Labour or any combination of the above.

                The Mother of All [political election] Scandals probably has to involve the government in some way, but who cares? We’ll find out soon enough.

                • Carolyn_nth …
                  27 August 2017 at 6:41 pm

                  We will find out soon enough.

                  I have come to the conclusion that the mention of Royal Flush, in the context of “explosive convulsions” in this election so far, is a reference to adding to the collection of party leaders who have stepped down. i.e.

                  Key, Turei, Little, Dunne…. and?

                  And possibly to do with racing or gambling.

        • Sans Cle 2.4.1.2
          27 August 2017 at 5:15 pm

          National’s phone call to the Russians, in search of election influence in the face of sliding polls, was busted?

        • mary_a 2.4.1.3
          27 August 2017 at 7:37 pm

          @ Ed (2.4.1)

          Could it be this I wonder, which is just breaking on Newshub? Peters being overpaid superannuation. More to come I believe.

          http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/winston-peters-admits-being-overpaid-on-superannuation.html

    • One Two 2.5
      27 August 2017 at 7:03 pm

      English

      Away…

    • Keepcalmcarryon 2.6
      27 August 2017 at 7:40 pm

      Not Winnie’s super overpayment? Bit of a fizzer. (royal flush, Winnie king maker)?

      • mary_a 2.6.1
        27 August 2017 at 8:04 pm

        @ Keepcalmcarryon … (2.6)

        I guess it depends on how much he was overpaid by. From 2010 to 2017 is a seven year period, so it could be a fair bit of money he was overpaid by WINZ. Newshub broke the news, link below …

        http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/winston-peters-admits-being-overpaid-on-superannuation.html

        From reading the item Peters didn’t seem too happy about being contacted by media and at first more or less told the journalist he wasn’t going to discuss it at the present time. Then decided (probably after a few words with his spin doctor) to contact the media himself and give ‘his side’ of the story.

        You’d think, being in his position, Peters would be fully aware of what his super payments should be. After all, most super recipients know what they are paid each fortnight!

        According to Newshub the story is still unfolding … “more to come.”

        Be interesting what is released tomorrow, whether or not this is the #motherofallscandals, or there is something else out there!

        • Keepcalmcarryon 2.6.1.1
          27 August 2017 at 8:16 pm

          Agree.
          The Winnie thing plays straight to the nats- the greens on the ropes, any hit to nz first in terms of votes likely go to national, and labour runs out of running mates.
          Dirty politics 101.
          Fortunately looks like a pretty lame ” scandal” so far. Desperation?

        • Pete 2.6.1.2
          27 August 2017 at 9:05 pm

          Most super recipients know what they are paid each fortnight. Most super recipients don’t get what Winston gets by automatic payment from Parliament.

          Many super recipients would have the money go into their bank account and never check, it started, it keeps going in, it happens and keeps happening. And, I’d proffer, a lot have an idea of ‘sort of’ how much it is but the actual amount they wouldn’t know.

          A lot getting super are on the bones of their arse and know about every dollar. For a helluva lot it’s just money going in.

    • Keepcalmcarryon 2.7
      27 August 2017 at 9:05 pm

      That twitter feed is hilarious btw

  3. Cinny 3
    27 August 2017 at 7:55 am

    Is Nationals modus operandi to neglect our country and our people, and then come election time to offer solutions to the problems they have created in the first place?

    Cause that’s what it’s been feeling like these last few weeks.

    How about yesterday when National were giving labour a hard time about their health announcements… oh they are copying us… ummm pot, kettle, black, much?

    In the last forty years I’ve never seen an election like this one.

    How about David Tua proudly standing behind Jacinda showing his support yesterday, and the masses of people that came out to see her, support her and hear her speak? Wow!!!

    How about those close up camera angles of Bill in Queenstown as he attempted to offer some bait of freedom camper rule changes?
    Close up camera angles so as not to reveal the lack of supporters around him (all I saw were a few of his Mp’s) and a young lady in the background.

    Wonder what will happen on the election campaign trails today?

  4. marty mars 4
    27 August 2017 at 8:27 am

    Nice article – interview with JA and some good questions/answers around some Māori angles – Kia ora Dale.

    https://e-tangata.co.nz/news/jacinda-lofty-goals-and-small-town-values

  5. Cinny 5
    27 August 2017 at 8:28 am

    “Mōrena_Can @matuashane win the National safe seat of Whangarei? We’ve got the results of our #NZQandA @ColmarBruntonNZ snap poll”
    https://twitter.com/NZQandA

    On Q+A this morning… live stream link, starts at 9am
    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/live-stream-q-a-q15157?autoPlay=4362722438001

  6. James 6
    27 August 2017 at 9:04 am

    An amazing game of rugby last night with the win against the wallabies. And then the black ferns beating England.

    Now for the big fight today.

    Great weekend of sport for those of us who enjoy it.

    • Bearded Git 6.1
      27 August 2017 at 10:50 am

      Always hate to agree with you James, but that was the best game of rugby I have ever seen.

    • AB 6.2
      27 August 2017 at 10:58 am

      At least 2 Australian tries were against the run of play. The intercept and the one from the base of an Australian scrum that collapsed so fast the NZ defence lost shape. So always felt NZ were likely to win though Wallabies played well in the 2nd half. Overall pretty ugly and error-riddled I thought. Personally looking forward to summer and Kane piling on the runs agains WI and England. New Labour government in place by then too so it will be “all good”.

    • joe90 6.3
      27 August 2017 at 11:10 am

      Hmm, it’s a toughie, the tax dodging thug who leaves most of the women in his life bloodied, beaten and afraid for their lives versus the loud mouthed Irishman…..nah not my thing. But you go right ahead Jimmie, spend your forty bucks and who knows, you might even crack a Connor….

      /

      • millsy 6.3.1
        27 August 2017 at 11:32 am

        A bunch of wealthy WASPs watching a black man and an Irishman bash the crap our of each other.

        Seems a bit Mandingo-ish to me.

        And that weigh-in ceremony felt like homo-erotic porn to me.

        • marty mars 6.3.1.1
          27 August 2017 at 12:22 pm

          They should make the whole show – fighters, ref, and crowd clothes free and cut the pretense imo – not sure what sort it is but it is porn.

    • Andre 6.4
      27 August 2017 at 11:34 am

      You getting excited about seeing more of these guys?

    • joe90 6.5
      27 August 2017 at 8:45 pm

      And again, the interwebs don’t disappoint.

      Imagine bragging that a 28 year old went 10 rounds with a 40 year old who retired 2 years ago #MayweathervMcgregor— New Whip In Avi🙏 (@PrimeCarmelo) August 27, 2017

      //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

      https://twitter.com/hashtag/MayweathervMcgregor

  7. Jenny Kirk 7
    27 August 2017 at 10:14 am

    My goodness, the Labour Party vote in Whangarei has increased dramatically from last election – according to Colmar-Brunton Poll on Q & A this morning. Last election it was about 14% – now its risen to 37% with the Nat Party vote at 41%. (NZF 16%).
    The sitting Nat MP still has a striking majority poll – 42%, with Shane Jones at 24% and Labour’s Tony Savage at 22%.
    I think Mr Jones will have to put a deal more work in to catch up with Shane Reti.

    • Union city greens 7.1
      27 August 2017 at 10:37 am

      Yes, the party vote is very interesting in that snap poll.
      2014 had nats on 50ish and labour under 20.
      Today it shows 41 to 37. Not a bad sounder in a safe? blue seat.

    • Bearded Git 7.2
      27 August 2017 at 10:49 am

      Wow….that is some % change.

      My only worry about this election is that people who really lean Green will get swept up in JA’s charisma and vote Labour such that the Greens don’t get 5%. This is unlikely I know (the Greens have polled over 10% for 6 years) but if this happened it would doom us to a coalition with Winston.

      A progressive government needs the Greens, and the way things are going it is entirely feasible that Labour 40 Greens 8 could be the result enabling just these 2 parties to form a government.

    • swordfish 7.3
      27 August 2017 at 11:16 am

      Whangarei

      2017 CB Poll … 2014 Party Vote

      Labour 37% …… 18% … + 19
      Greens 4% ………10% … – 6
      L+G 41% ………… 28% … + 13

      NZF 16% …………13% … + 3
      Oppo 57% ….…..41% … + 16

      Nat 41% ….…….. 50% … – 9
      Other 2% ….….…. 9% … – 7

      Nat +
      Other 43% ..……. 59% … – 16

      ( Other largely Right Bloc – Govt)

      • ScottGN 7.3.1
        27 August 2017 at 7:06 pm

        Q & A tended to focus on the candidate vote in this poll which is what they do I guess. But I thought the Party Vote numbers in what has been a safe National seat for a long time are pretty amazing. Ardern has got Labour to within the margin of error with National and Lab+Greens equals National. Imagine what the Party Vote swing is like in seats that Labour tend to do better in.

  8. Incognito 8
    27 August 2017 at 11:30 am

    While the election campaign is in full swing and the Jacinda Tsunami and poll storms are battering the country I look for solace in places elsewhere.

    I found this very good blog post on The essence of neoliberalism

    http://thoughtleader.co.za/bertolivier/2017/06/04/the-essence-of-neoliberalism/

    For good measure here also is the link to original article (translated from French) by Pierre Bourdieu: http://mondediplo.com/1998/12/08bourdieu [it’s not the easiest read]

    Utopia of endless exploitation

    The essence of neoliberalism

    What is neoliberalism? A programme for destroying collective structures which may impede the pure market logic.

    Although written in 1998 now, more than ever before, and here in NZ, as much as elsewhere in the so-called developed world, it strengthens the argument that neoliberalism has been and is catastrophic and thus urgent action is required to move away from it as soon and fast as is feasible.

    • Sans Cle 8.1
      27 August 2017 at 12:11 pm

      I have another older article, lest we forget the bigger picture.

      Green Capitalism: The God That Failed by Richard Smith – Truthout, from 2014 (it’s an old article, but a goodie)
      This is not a quick read, but is well worth spending a spare half hour on this review article.

      Ardern stated that climate change is her generation’s nuclear issue. If she is serious about this, Labour needs to sort out the intractable problem facing progressive environmentalists/conservationists/survivalists: that of avoiding economic suicide and massive social unrest as humanity switches away from it’s current economic system.
      If it is not just political rhetoric from Ardern, then Labour NEEDS the Green Party. Utopian thinking, but my ideal would be that Ardern with the Greens leads the charge in a positive transformative process, that gets replicated across the world. We have had transformative progressive social policies in the past…..why not again now?

      • Tracey 8.1.1
        27 August 2017 at 4:53 pm

        Ido not hold your bteath. Thanks for the links

      • Incognito 8.1.2
        27 August 2017 at 5:31 pm

        A brilliant albeit very long read, thank you.

        A (more) succinct post by George Monbiot Natural Language suggests that there are some (read: environmental) issues that cannot be measured in/by money and that environmental harm & destruction cannot be redeemed by money.

        Anybody who suggests or argues differently has an agenda to generate profit at the expense of the environment and ultimately of (human) civilisation; he/she is sui-ecocidal.

        • Sans Cle 8.1.2.1
          27 August 2017 at 7:22 pm

          Great Monbiot article – thanks for link. Raises lots of interesting questions and thoughts for me.
          1. Yes, words matter: how we frame political discourse is important.
          2.I think the framing of the term “natural capital” is important, as it couched the debate in the language of business and economics. Businesses and government’s had to pay attention to it. Natural capital brought values to the debate, which were largely ignored prior to that. So Costanza et al did a great service in the 1990s in this regard.
          3. Yes, there are limits to natural capital as a useful construct. It is anthropocentric and self serving to humans. Maori value sets and their sharing of those value sets to pakeha are a good example here in NZ of natural capital limitations. (Natural capital is completely inadequate to encompass Maori values, although there is some overlap). We are unique in Aotearoa that we have a rich set of, sometimes competing, values: which make this a great country. Maori tirelessly protect their cultural and spiritual values, and teach the rest of us so much. That needs to be celebrated more, and strengthened at a political level.
          4. Monbiot says that awe of nature is akin to religion. I agree with that. I think my political belief set is an act of faith, based on my life experiences and how I have come to view the world. I think everyone else’s political leanings are also a belief set, though very few people acknowledge that!….and most people think they are “enlightened”, “rational” and correct in their political belief. All I know is that we all are wrong. There are no absolutes. Science, knowledge and understanding proves us wrong, time and time again.
          5.I find the cognitive/behavioural theories fascinating; particularly how we revert from an individualistic and selfish neoliberal system to a more collective, common good. I think Lin Ostrom did a huge service in this regard, again, as she brought it to the economic and business debate.
          Whew! A lot of thoughts from the succinct article! Thanks

  9. eco Maori/kiwi 9
    27 August 2017 at 11:35 am

    I support Death taxes because whom needs money when one is dead well maybe if one is cryogenically frozen. And the theory works in the future then one would need money after death. Obama backed Death taxes as they would not put a strain on our elderly citizens. like I have said before don’t pick on the elderly as $370.00 a week in tuppence .
    Our elderly s peoples health are slowly deteriorating there eye sights mobility e.c.t.
    We need to give death tax a name that is not so scary. Most of our elderly want to contribute more to have a better society. But not when they need there money the most.!!!!!!!!!!
    I support U.B.I as with the technology that is coming to us rapidly most jobs will be obsolete driving checkout staff lawyers planners e.c.t. Because of this fact I will encouraging my Moko,s to become computer coders as this industry is a safer bet to be around longer than most other jobs.
    And with the U.B.I IT would level out the employment advantages that foreign workers have over our local work force and encourage our youth to work and pass a work culture on to our children / moko. I want to see a government that taxes large multinational company’s and not put this issue in the to hard to achieve basket.
    A government that takes on all these issues that we have to make our society fair and human for everyone that lives in New Zealand

  10. mac1 10
    27 August 2017 at 11:49 am

    It struck me while musing on the All Black victory how that chimes with the rise of the Labour Party under Ardern. Down 17 Nil and to come back and then with a bit of smart passing score the winning try, taking the lead just before the final whistle.

    To refuse to take the easy penalties but to always stay positive and believing, playing for good field position, possession and the chance to score tries.

    And to recognise the positive role of the leader, in re-energising the team and supporters, in staying focussed and with quiet but evident authority playing the game to the rules and in true spirit of sportsmanship.

    Notice also that the opposition were not bagged but given due praise for their contribution.

    And finally, to note that the opposition failed because their kicking game (for that part of the analogy read “attack ads”) kept hitting the posts and not going over the bar.

    Sure hands, tackling the problems squarely, fairly and head on, few infringements, capable substitutions, self-belief, a good game plan and ability to react to adversity and to adapt.

    My team!

  11. joe90 11
    27 August 2017 at 12:05 pm

    I knew this prick was a bad hombre but I didn’t realise just how awful he is.

    We've been covering Joe Arpaio for more than 20 years. Here's a couple of things you should know about him… 1/many— PhoenixNewTimes (@phoenixnewtimes) August 26, 2017

    https://twitter.com/phoenixnewtimes/status/901263384087334914

    • weka 11.1
      27 August 2017 at 12:14 pm

      that’s a very good twitter thread.

      • joe90 11.1.1
        27 August 2017 at 12:35 pm

        This, too..

        My first law-related experience was as a lowly intern in DOJ civil rights division in 2008. They were on the case of this dude Joe Arpaio.— Jay Willis (@jaywillis) August 26, 2017

        https://twitter.com/jaywillis/status/901312778790686721

        ..and JJ on the larger picture – succor to extremists.

        The pardon of Joe Arpaio is wrong. The guy violated the 4th Amend repeatedly & shat on our judicial system. But there's another problem. 1/— JJ MacNab (@jjmacnab) August 26, 2017

        https://twitter.com/jjmacnab/status/901485168900284416

        • Ad 11.1.1.1
          27 August 2017 at 2:01 pm

          The longer Trump uses ethnic division stories as his primary political fuel, the more he crushes Democrat capacity of switching core narratives back to wages, labour, education, and tax as core Democrat issues.

          Trump is touring Arizona – and soon Texas – to prepare his 2020 run for the White House, one electoral college vote at a time.

          What he needs is more Charlottevilles, more Arpaios, more stories that assist in grouping poor and middle class white together, against poor minorities. That eradicates any Democrat discussion of class mobility.

          When’s the last time we heard about the Democrat re-start of issues important to them?

          Trump may be down, but every state he visits, he shows he’s not out and he’s damn smart.

          • Macro 11.1.1.1.1
            27 August 2017 at 2:14 pm

            I think this sums him up best:

            • Ad 11.1.1.1.1.1
              27 August 2017 at 2:46 pm

              Trevor Noah is funny about the theatrical bits, but really weak on “the other half of the Presidency: governance”.

              Trump is doing substantive though unseen things without Congress or the Senate – because Like Obama he can’t trust them.

              The big key to Trump’s substantive governance record is to be a superior marketer: if you get 10% of what you’ve promised, you’ve won big because you promised big. Obama’s gradualist approach was the opposite.

              I am not yet sure who will be more effective after two terms: Obama or Trump. Trump is already going to leave a legacy in which the White House is absorbed into the Pentagon, submerged into commercial benefits of corporations, and no longer has any diplomatic power. Those are all big changes from the scandal-free and highly disciplined Obama White House.

              Trump’s other big legacy may well be to accelerate the permanent eclipse of the tv MSM, and the rise of web discourse as most powerful messenger in US life.

              • Macro …
                27 August 2017 at 4:48 pm

                Oh FFS! This is governance??
                It’s simply pandering to the gun lobbying, red neck, xenophobic, racist, dipsticks who unfortunately constitute around 30% of the US population.
                As he will soon fail to deliver anything to them, through failing to build his “beautiful” wall, failing to deliver his “beautiful” health plan (for which they will pay nothing and receive free medication and health care), failing to deliver more higher paying jobs (as the US economy collapses in around a months time because the administration runs out of money), and failing on just about everything else to deliver a more caring society; even these slow learners will eventually wake up to the fact that they have elected the most incompetent blowhard that it is possible to imagine. He couldn’t govern his way out of a paper bag! He hasn’t spoken to Mitch in weeks –
                and the last time they spoke on the phone it was according to reports rather heated.
                Even the Republicans are now circling. It will only take 17 Republican Senators to wake up to the fact that their election chances are rapidly eroding, and that he is doing unconscionable damage to the country and his impeachment will occur.

                • Ad …
                  27 August 2017 at 5:27 pm

                  We don’t have to like it, and certainly the Republicans don’t like it.

                  But here’s the thing. Trump could deliver absolutely nothing except a sky-wide shit-rainbow of failures and he could turn the trick into his own personal victimhood. Kinda “Mr Smith Goes To Washington” for the Dukes of Hazzard set.

                  Think as if you were preparing his 2020 campaign bid by electoral college votes:

                  – Signal to the northern states that you will approve any pipeline or pastoral lease or mine they want.
                  – Signal to the central east that you respect their culture (Charleston), and will keep as many coal mines going as possible (Kentucky)
                  – Signal to the south that you will protect the dominant race (Arpaio + Wall)
                  – Signal to the New York and Atlanta tv elites that you will neutralize them with unprecedented offense
                  – Isolate the remaining California and north-east states.

                  There you have the preparation to harvest those electoral college votes, just like last time.

                  • CoroDale …
                    27 August 2017 at 6:02 pm

                    “We don’t have it like that,..”(Ad)

                    True bro, life is totally different in the Shire. Hobbits do Democracy the honest Kiwi way.

                  • Macro …
                    27 August 2017 at 7:25 pm

                    Yes I can see what he is doing with his campaign rallies as well as you Ad – but you overlook the fact that he is leaking support by the day.
                    http://www.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
                    Furthermore, Impeachment gets closer by the day. The current Grand Juries focus on Flynn, Manafort, Trump Jnr, and Krushner. While they have been given the signal to say nothing with this unspeakable “Pardon”, were he then to Pardon one of these, we can rest assured all hell will break loose, and strengthen the resolve of many conservatives who value their constitution.
                    Furthermore, the recent departures of Bannon and Gorka represent a loss of Alt Right influence in the White House (which will disappoint many of the lunatic fringe). And now that Chief of Staff Kelly will personally supervise all correspondence that goes across Trump’s desk we can hopefully expect less scatter brained and many times contradictory pronouncements to delight the red neck masses.
                    Interestingly in the last few days Trump’s job approval rating is below 40% in three key states that won him the White House. Six-in-10 voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin also say Trump’s conduct as president has embarrassed them.
                    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/new-polls-show-trump-s-presidency-stands-perilous-ground-n794436

                    • Ad …
                      27 August 2017 at 7:33 pm

                      Bannon is much better as a proxy than inside the White House. He can see that.

                      I’m not convinced Trump will be impeached at all, no matter how good Muller’s case gets.

                      I agree that he’s not doing well.

                      It’s just, everyone else (especially any Presidential contenders in either the Republican or Democratic parties) is doing even worse.

  12. Keepcalmcarryon 12
    27 August 2017 at 12:38 pm

    This what corruption of our political process looks like
    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96019247/national-party-auctions-off-ice-axe-signed-by-sir-edmund-hillary-to-raise-funds-for-campaign

    “Deep-pocketed donors, mostly wealthy Chinese business leaders, filtered through the doors after 6pm for one of National’s more lavish fundraising dinners and auctions.”
    ”
    A Chinese community leader said such appearances would hold enormous prestige within the culture.

    “The implied Chinese business culture is around guanxi, which means relationship. Whoever won that dinner would be highly regarded because they hold a special bond with New Zealand Prime Minister.””

    Which party has the strictest policy on political donations?

    • Mrs Brillo 12.1
      27 August 2017 at 3:52 pm

      Whilst there are some Chinese values I would not mind to see figuring more prominently in New Zealand life – respecting and taking care of the elderly, and respect for education, for just two examples – the purchasing of influence this describes is just pernicious.
      Using piles of dosh to cosy up to the big man in the village does not benefit the general public.
      It is a tradition we can do without. No thanks. Keep it in China.

  13. Craig H 13
    27 August 2017 at 1:03 pm

    At the Labour Party rally in Christchurch at Riccarton Racecourse, starts at 1pm, standing room only and people are outside to watch as well.

    Let’s do this!

  14. Craig H 14
    27 August 2017 at 1:31 pm

    intent://video/?id=%7B10154942124866452%7D&ref=msite%2F#Intent;scheme=fb;package=com.facebook.katana;end

    • CoroDale 15.1
      27 August 2017 at 6:10 pm

      Starting? When did it stop? That’s MSM propaganda, bro.

      They are buying our houses on 1% interest rates, hello! To stimulate, Mr Growth. Damm de dooo doo dumm.

  16. rhinocrates 16
    27 August 2017 at 1:35 pm

    Michelle Obama murdered Joan Rivers to prevent being outed as transgender!

    More loopiness from CV’s favourite investigative journalist. File it alongside child slave camps on Mars and Pizzagate:

    https://rdtdaily.com/alex-jones-michelle-obama-penis-may-murdered-joan-rivers/

    I never ceased to be amazed that people here were referring to Infowars as a serious source last year.

    • Macro 16.1
      27 August 2017 at 2:25 pm

      The trouble is, it is a serious source for a significant minority of US voters – around 30+% it would appear – that and Faux and Fiends.

    • Glenn 16.2
      27 August 2017 at 4:43 pm

      Joan Rivers cracks a joke and it is taken seriously.

      Transsexual or not…Michelle is intelligent, good looking and Obama is a lucky guy.

      Jeez they are a loopy lot over there.

      • Incognito 16.2.1
        27 August 2017 at 7:18 pm

        That would be a real cracker of a joke as Joan Rivers died almost three years ago.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 16.3
      27 August 2017 at 8:30 pm

      Lack of housing in this country is scandalous

  17. Ad 17
    27 August 2017 at 1:55 pm

    National launches its 2017 campaign with its core plank: second language teaching.

    I am amazed that they failed to signal tax cuts despite the reasonable growth and surplus forecasts.

    They won’t break into core Labour policy territory trying to win votes in education.

  18. Draco T Bastard 18
    27 August 2017 at 3:31 pm

    The government never needs to borrow at interest. In fact, it never needs to borrow at all.

  20. ScottGN 20
    27 August 2017 at 8:14 pm

    Gee that newshub piece on the Nats education gambit today with the back and forth between English and Kaye looked pretty shit. Not the first time in this campaign he’s hesitated and deferred to the relevant minister.

  21. JC 21
    27 August 2017 at 9:06 pm

    Think piece for this eve…

    “The environment, already a hot topic in this election, will be the greatest policy challenge for the next government, writes Rod Oram…..”

    “There is a clear party-political divide on these three biggest environmental issues of climate, water and legislation:

    On one side, National is arguing for more of the same that has got us into this mess, while ACT wants wholesale abandonment of even those measures, and NZ First has a hodgepodge of contradictory policies.

    On the other side, Labour, the Greens and The Opportunities Party clearly articulate the challenges, are ambitious for change and have substantial policies to deliver on the strategy the OECD advised in March in its 10-year review of our environmental performance:

    “Developing a long-term vision for a transition towards a low-carbon, greener economy would help New Zealand defend the ‘green’ reputation it has acquired at an international level.”

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/08/26/44728/column-oram

  22. joe90 22
    27 August 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Houston TV station livestream –cars submerged, people trapped, rescues underway

    edit: oh, and tornado warnings too

    edit: floodbanks over topping with four days of rain forecast

    http://www.khou.com/weather/houston-weather-forecast/62951506