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6:00 am, January 28th, 2024 - 53 comments
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Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.
The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Half a century on, I've just got around to reading The Crack in the Cosmic Egg. The author seems onto it, very deep insight.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Chilton_Pearce
I usually put a marginal sign alongside significant usable points in any book, with a pencil: < . The sign is an arrowhead pointer, and an excellent book ends up featuring oodles of such pointers. This editorial method gives you key points for writing a summary of what the book's primary messages are, which may or may not also motivate an essay blending these with your own thoughts.
This morning I'd like to share one such initial point of his:
Collective ideation collapse seems a suitable description of our random walk into the 21st century that has since ensued, powered by fossil fuels, orchestrated by neolibs of the left/right. Within the banality of this whole you can always find diverse interesting clever stuff happening, fortunately. Frost's small clearing is too long ago – population explosion since has driven the spread of cities until the forest shrinkage became a global crisis, yet as metaphor the dark in the collective mind looms still.
The cosmic egg is nowadays represented by niche in evolutionary theory, and the crack is the path to the future out of that which featured as quest in legend, so its a nifty binary image in the signal becoming a triad when enacted by stepping onto that path & heading for the realm of possibility in the beyond. Doing so collectively is how humans make progress, so while neolib sheeple circle mindlessly in the middle of the paddock, those averse to terminal boredom gradually converge in synch heading for the open gate…
Internet Archive
https://archive.org › stream › Joseph-Chilton-Pearce-Crac…
Stuff reporter provides a useful primer for allocating blame, using the technique `spray & walk away': https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-01-2024/who-should-i-blame-for-wellingtons-water-shortage-a-users-guide
This will suit punters of all shapes & sizes, who have been produced by our neocolonial education system. More experienced blamers will go for the CEO of the org nominally responsible: https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/about-us/governance/wellington-water-committee-3/
Nobody in their right mind would expect a lawyer to be capable of regenerating a neocolonial water distribution! All lawyers ever do is administer conformity to laws.
Seems like a resilience/governance problem. So here's the governance structure: https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/about-us/governance/wellington-water-committee-2/
They put a Labour dude in charge of the thing! A perpetual recipe for evasion of the problem. All the guy needs to do to retain tenure is tell everyone the problem's underground, so out of sight out of mind is the way to retain normalcy.
The dude is not Labour.
Nicholas Oliver Leggett (born 1979) is a former New Zealand politician and, as of 2016, a member of the New Zealand National Party.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Leggett#:~:text=Nicholas%20Oliver%20Leggett%20(born%201979,the%20New%20Zealand%20National%20Party.
He certainly used to be a Labour man. He was a Porirua Councillor and then Mayor from 1998 until 2016. During that time he was a member of the Labour Party. He then ran for Mayor of Wellington City but, because Labour had picked an official candidate in the form of Justin Lester he had to resign from the Labour Party or be expelled.
Unfortunately Lester won and proved to be a terrible Mayor for his only term before he in turn got dumped.
Still, our current and at least in my opinion even worse Mayor in Wellington has a solution to our problems.
Trumpet flourish for her solution "Water Meters". In Tory's own words "Water meters will help us take a smarter approach to identifying leaks and reduce waste".
I can suggest an even simpler solution, and one that they can start doing immediately. Start fixing the ones people report. There is one in my street that has been wasting water for at least 3 months. The water comes out in the middle of the road, runs down the hill and then follows the gutter for a few hundred meters before going down a drain. Not a terribly big flow but assuming 10 litres/minute it will have wasted about 1.3 million litres in the last 90 days.
Twice we have been advised it would be fixed during the "next week". On neither occasion did anything happen.
And yes I did report it on several occasions but nothing happens.
Quote from Tory are from the printed Post of 27/01/2024. I don't have access to the on-line paper.
Material about Leggett is from Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Leggett
I had already included a link, where I got the quote from Legget's wiki page, which pointed out he switched to the National Party, so I don't know why you have linked to it again.
" In August 2016, Labour Leader Andrew Little accused Leggett of being a "right-winger", alleging that his campaign manager for the Wellington Mayoral election was a well-known Act Party figure."
"Leggett then changed allegiance to the National Party later that year citing ideological differences with Labour's leadership"
The National Party was obviously a better fit for Legget.
If memory serves, Tory Whanau was supportive of Labour's Three Waters reforms that would have addressed long-standing water infrastructure issues that existed long before she had become mayor.
National binned the reforms without a replacement solution, so maybe your anger should be directed to Luxon's National led government.
" I don't know why you have linked to it again."
Experience has told me that there is a tendency on the part of one of the moderators to insist on a link to anything I say as a fact. I quoted additional material from the Wiki entry on Leggett so, discretion being the better part of valour, I included a link to the source.
In a comment today, on a different post, I included a comment on something that John McEnroe said. "You cannot be serious". I even included a link to that spectacular rant of his, in case I was said to be inventing it.
I have no idea on whether Tory was, or was not, in favour of the 3 waters scheme. I thought it was a terrible idea though, if anyone is interested. It appeared to allow an unelected group to borrow large amounts of money which would become the responsibility of the ratepayers of the area if they could make no provision for paying of the loans.
I see. You didn't quote any additional material, it was more like a synopsis.
"an unelected group"? who are you referring to? and it was not a general election.
You appear to not know very much about the water reforms that National has shortsightedly got rid of, which will force councils to increase rates.
About the Water Services Reform Programme
https://www.dia.govt.nz/Water-services-reform-about-the-reform-programme
I thought the Kaipara Council covered the Three Waters reforms quite well.
https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/news/post/377-Three-waters-explained
Eight years a Nat. Calling him a 'Labour dude' is like calling Shane Jones a Labour dude. There is a reason why we have the term 'former'; and also the term 'waka-jumper'.
mac1
I don't recall this in NATZAZ campaign'
Pay off for support?
https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/01/26/plans-to-scale-back-ministers-powers-over-foreign-investment/
NZ put on the block to the highest bidder.
NZ citizens the low-cost labour under our wealthy overlords.
All to plan, I would think!
It would appear that NZF has compromised its long held position to enable this, something either TPM or United blocked under the Key led government (or was further than Key would go).
It means investment not in our national interest will go ahead – all so someone who owns something can get a higher price selling to a foreigner (attracted by our lack of CGT).
Robert G Patman has upended the Luxon Govt.’s confused announcements in relation to the Houthi Red Sea attacks and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/27/new-zealands-red-sea-deployment-points-to-a-selective-concern-over-international-law
And this is only the start of the unwinding of NZ's “principles and values”. The future looks bleaker by the day.
The US and probably Luxon are desperate to unlink Gaza and Yemen but this will be increasingly difficult especially with the ICJ ruling and the consequence that all nations are obliged to now intervene to ensure Palestinians are protected.
The US, Canada, Australia and Italy have now ceased funding UNRWA simply on allegations by Israel of involvement of 12 workers in Oct 7 without waiting for the investigation findings. Even if all 12 were complicit, this would be 0.0004% of a staff of over 30 000. This will have huge ramifications for aid to Gaza. Are we about to follow?
https://mondoweiss.net/2024/01/operation-al-aqsa-flood-day-113-a-day-after-icj-ruling-u-s-and-allies-withdraw-funding-to-unrwa/
My bad. As a percentage its 0.04
"The US and probably Luxon are desperate to unlink Gaza and Yemen… "
Bald lies since the Houthis are on record as saying they will continue the attacks until the Israelis stop their attacks on Gaza. Luxon is also on record as repeating the mantra that there is "no link between the Red Sea attacks and the Gaza attacks". Unbelievable!
I also note Luxon's latest buzz word is "values". He has been flinging it around a lot lately:
"my government believes in upholding our values etc. etc…"
when in fact they are dismantling them one by one.
"Are we about to follow?"
Of course.
To be fair, Luxon is both dishonest and deeply stupid.
"…no link between the Red Sea attacks and the Gaza attacks"
Obviously there is a link but it isn't what some people seem to believe (the Houthis support for the Palestinians), because they couldn't care less about them. The link between the two is Iran, who have been arming, training and supporting their fellow Shia groups the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas for years. There aim is to destabilize the middle east, with the ultimate goal being to destroy Israel.
It's fine for the US to give billions to Israel to buy arms to carry out genocide in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, but when a small number of employees in a vast humanitarian aid organisation are accused of something the US doesn't like, funding for humanitarian aid is immediately shut off.
No wonder young people are not going to vote for Biden.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/07/joe-biden-youth-vote-gaza-climate-change
Like sheep into the arms of someone far, far worse.
The GOP are more hardline on support for Israel, are anti-GW action, and would reduce protection for the environment and labour.
Its really just an incredibly crap electoral system largely based on dosh.
So young people and others with a moral compass have to support Genocide Joe rather than Mussolini/Hitler Trump? Jeez. What a choice.
Exactly Grey.
Defence of shipping is in accord with international law.
A nation has a right in international law to take military action in response to an attack.
Patman seems confused by the complexity of some diplomatic circumstances.
The real issue of the moment is the ICJ wants some focus from Israel on the well being of civilians. Yet USA and now the UK have cut off funding to UNRWA, whose work Israel has been impeding – lack of safe areas for operating and lack of supplies getting through.
New Zealand should say its funding will continue because the world should be helping here, not making things worse because of politics.
The Israeli appointee supported 2 interim decisions – end to incitement and improved well-being for the civilians, so the least that Israel and those who support its right to self-defence can do, is not play politics and get more aid in.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268
Shipping that is in the service of the Israeli genocide is no longer legal. Nations are on notice that any support of the destruction of the Palestinian people will bring consequences. The UNSC resolution supporting free passage in the Red Sea has now been superseded by the ICJ ruling. The ICJ is in effect the supreme court of the UN. To have the UNSC resolution and the ICJ ruling effective at the same time would be ludicrous.
A further consequence of the ICJ ruling is that the naval blockade of Gaza is now illegal. There are only two options that would allow the proper fulfillment of the protection orders given the infrastructure damages in Gaza. Either a complete ceasefire by Israel or a massive maritime aid convoy.
The ICJ did not mention any of that in its ruling. You've extrapolated a lot out of what it did say.
Israel has destroyed almost all hospitals. 85% of the Gazan population is internally displaced and at best, living in tents. It is winter. There is little to no access to food and no sanitation. Famine and disease are already taking hold. These kinds of deaths will now be tallied up in the list of genocidal behaviour. Famine and disease are not legitimate weapons of war. Neither is freezing to death. To prevent these kinds of deaths is exactly what the ICJ judgement is about and at this stage, it will take a massive humantarian effort. A naval blockade of Gaza makes this impossible. Continuing the destruction of Gaza makes this impossible. Israel is so far down the rabbit hole of destruction that these are the only options by which they can comply with the conditions that have been set
You must consider his pen name and its meaning.
"subliminal"
adjective
PSYCHOLOGY
Of course he can make out these ideas.
Thank you Alwyn
Further evidence this government stands for nothing other than the money it receives from large corporate backers.
New Zealand backs away from deep-sea trawling restrictions.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350157805/new-zealand-backs-away-deep-sea-trawling-restrictions
Also fast tracking development of coastal fisheries, mining on conservation land etc.
Waitangi is a long way for an old fart to drive.
Does anybody know of a peaceful/silent protest happening closer to auckland to demonstrate our disgust at the governments treaty proposals
Hoots on Nact's wilful disingenuity.
.
Act’s strategy seems to be to offer fake Treaty principles to the public, generate a few hundred thousand supportive online select-committee submissions, hold six months of heated hearings, hope for civil unrest, produce polls showing a majority wishes the Treaty had been written by Mill, and then accuse National of siding with Māori radicals against “mainstream New Zealanders”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/national-and-act-are-failing-the-good-faith-test-over-treaty-principles-bill-matthew-hooton/MTKZFN6HPFBFDIT3GIYOKEFWAM/
https://archive.li/eOrVe
And right on cue:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350160501/acts-david-seymour-promises-real-change
No. I didn't watch the video. Listening to 45 minutes of him was too much to ask.
A small taster:
That word "values" again. We've got three years of values, values and more values.
What values I hear you ask? We'll never know.
One rule for all (no Treaty, no UNDRIP), one income tax rate for all (no CGT, no wealth tax, no estate tax, no land tax, no stamp duty), one voucher to access (X Y and Z) providers. Only one party can provide liberty from other – those of ethnic or racial difference, those of lower income, those with less wealth.
Majority values, just do not expect any morality. Epsom values, our school zone.
Finish with a truth, lock out the underclass (when they cannot afford the rent).
What a Charade this "Values" laden government is!! What they say, and what they do are two different planets. Unity and Values Tui Tui .. Forked tongues!!!
Typical Randian nonsense from Seymour. The pinnacle of human achievement shall be the extraction and abuse of resources, environmental and human, for profit.
The legal stuff
The Ugandan justice’s opine that this is a matter for diplomacy and not the court explains her voting.
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/making-sense-of-the-icj%27s-provisional-measures-in-south-africa-v.-israel
Benjamin Nethanyahu's reaction, is similar to that after Oct 7, which led to statements by Gallant and Herzog that the court found incitement to genocide. Reaction, rather that a considered response. The sort of thing one would expect of the Religious Zionists group (fascists) created by Netanyahu to pose Likud as of a new centre.
The singular practice of a response by overwhelming force and then negation of any call for restraint.
When the Ottoman empire practiced this in the region pre 1900, a ME legend was created, of the flea that bit a Turk and the camel which hosted the flea was killed. A reference to collective punishment.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/350160567/netanyahu-defiant-after-un-court-ruling-deaths-gaza-offensive-continue
It is past time, Gantz demonstrated that the decision to appoint Gallant ahead of him in 2010-2011 was wrong and why. Gallant’s Dahiya doctrine getting rewarded despite the international cost reprised here on steroids.
When it failed last time, Israel had to hand over 1000 Hamas prisoners to get one captured IDF person back. Some do not learn from history – Hamas made the move because Gallant was Defence Minister and could be played.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoav_Gallant
The 37th government of Israel (the most inept in its history) had advance warning.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html
Seymour says he believes in "equal opportunity for all"!
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/seymour-slams-opposition-to-treaty-bill-takes-aim-at-key-ardern-in-state-of-the-nation-speech/ar-BB1hmh67?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=0f8647e572274aba8c61568a29326154&ei=28
Does that mean he supports 100% inheritance tax?
Well, not until after he inherits. He's a silver spoon boy. Clearly evident by the whinging when someone disagrees with diddums
The GOP on Capitol Hill explain that they are not hypocrites, they merely support the powerful against the weak – not international law, not collective security.
They will cut off aid to Ukraine and provide hope to those in the Kremlin that want to rule to NATO borders and then wait for the USA to withdraw from co-operation with Europe in trade and security (Trump's isolationism).
They will support Likud's rule over Palestinians from the river to the sea. Part of their Christian Zionism, or more simply God and mammon prosperity religion (belief where America is blessed, if they support Israel has become their imperial religion – outcome of their creationism and end time judgment fundamentalism cultural heritage).
If you have any other explanation for this …
https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-01-25/ty-article-magazine/.premium/republicans-are-looking-at-netanyahu-for-how-to-combat-bidens-post-war-gaza-plans/0000018d-4162-d35c-a39f-eb7a4a6e0000?gift=77e2c95918264f3585e10ec0d656c57a
Where have all the ram raids gone……..
Just asking for a friend…
Still there, but less reported???
Still happening.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350160632/second-michael-hill-jewellery-store-targeted-many-days
Where’s the comment from the local MP? Mark Mitchell. MIA?
Not a peep out of Sunny Kaushal either.
The ram raid publicity was obviously politically motivated, it shows how a significant number of voters are easily manipulated……or you could say 'rightly ram raided'….
Great question re ram raids, love to know the answer. Seriously… All a campaign by dairy owners? Paid by their trade association? What was the role of the tobacco industry? Who set up any Facebook pages? Are ram raids still happening? Should be, its summer. Or was it great policing, social services?
My guess, joking… the dairy owners kids diddit. Grabbed the gear, gave it back to the owners, insurance for the rest and a grant for security. And a new government. Win, win, win.
If only the experts had warned someone, anyone….
//
24 hours of Brexit failures
Collapsed trade deals, rising food prices, more border checks and not enough flowers for Valentine’s Day – thanks a bunch
Edwin Hayward
[…]
The UK government gave up trying to renew our temporary rollover trade deal with Canada
[…]
Incoming border checks were deemed to increase the cost of our imported food and drink by £200 million a year
[…]
There were warnings that the new incoming border checks could lead to flower shortages in the run-up to Valentine’s Day
[…]
The EU is setting up an Entry-Exit System that will collect biometrics from every passenger
[…]
France’s Constitutional Council blocked a preferential visa clause in a new French immigration bill
[…]
Health sector professionals warned that the EU is planning to bulk buy key medicines and establish a shared stockpile for its 27 members
[…]
Rishi Sunak’s pledge that all new laws will be screened to ensure they do not create trade barriers in the Irish Sea is causing ructions
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/24-hours-of-brexit-failures/
https://archive.li/Q50tD
( links https://twitter.com/edwinhayward/status/1750673173069140381 )
I have a brother who lives in Ireland. He tells me that he used to buy a lot of stuff online from the UK when they were in the EU. It was easy and thigs would be delivered in one or two days.
Now – it is hard, there is Customs stuff and a whole bunch of extra problems. So, he now buys from France, or Belgium, or Spain and still gets the same delivery times and none of the problems.
It was always about the planes.
.
The State Department said it would allow the sale of some $23 billion worth of fighter jets and equipment to Turkey, among the final steps in a much delayed transaction that has severely strained the relationship between Ankara and Washington.
The sale of the 40 F-16 fighter jets and upgrades to dozens of other jets became linked to Sweden's accession to NATO, with the U.S. postponing the transfer of the Lockheed Martin-produced aircraft until the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan approved Sweden's membership this past week.
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/27/1227418505/f-16s-turkey-sweden-nato-kurds-greece
Looks like Labour members have sent a strong message to the Labour Council – re introducing a CGT of some sort:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/michael-wood-among-familiar-faces-to-win-labour-election-as-party-mulls-tax-discussion/MB3XPAEYIBFULNDNCMEP7RD6YQ/
Kia ora whano .
The sandflies can’t catch me legally so they cheat and use the mental health act to lock me up.
and they have people going around spreading the lies about my mental health.
In reality the sandflies have been shitting on my Mana for years .
my mental health is and has always been perfectly fine
ka kite ano