Open mike 28/03/2019
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7:12 am, March 28th, 2019 - 198 comments
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- Clouds study finds that low climate sensitivity is ‘extremely unlikely’
This is a re-post from Carbon Brief by Ayesha Tandon It is “very likely” that the way clouds change as the world warms will drive further temperature rise, a new study finds. The response of clouds to a change in global temperature – known as the “cloud feedback” – plays a ...9 hours ago - Are We Nudging Enough?
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23 hours ago - Ending conversion “therapy”The government has introduced a bill to outlaw homophobic conversion "therapy": Practices intended to change or suppress someone's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, also referred to as gay conversion therapy, will become a criminal offence under legislation announced today. Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi said today the ...24 hours ago
- The Sin Of Cheapness.
Commodities, Commodities, Everywhere - And None Of Them Are Cheap! No less an authority than the Commerce Commission has determined that New Zealanders are paying too much for their food and groceries. An apparent aversion to aggressive competition has led the dominant players to match one another’s’ prices rather than better ...1 day ago - Should We Trust The Science – Or Ourselves?“Pure” Science: The lesson to be drawn from the history of science, however, is that knowledge is always and everywhere embedded in culture. That the one cannot be separated from the other. Culture can empower knowledge, or suppress it; advance it or divert it to the utmost wickedness. Knowledge goes where it’s told. “TRUST ...1 day ago
- Kids set free to roam on their own feel more confident navigating in adulthood
Vanessa Vieites, Rutgers University The distance from home that kids are allowed to roam and play has shrunk significantly over the last 50 years. That’s largely due to parents’ concerns over safety, especially in cities. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has further restricted children’s independent activity. As a Ph.D. ...1 day ago - Running into Trouble: COVID-19 in Japan during the Tokyo OlympicsDr Leah Grout, Dr Jennifer Summers, Prof Nick Wilson, Prof Michael Baker * The 2020 Olympic Games were originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The delayed event has now opened, with the opening ceremonies held on 23 July 2021 and competitions scheduled to take place through 9 August 2021. ...1 day ago
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- Hate Speech law is unworkable
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- End the Tiwai scamA little over a year ago, Rio Tinto was pleading povery, claiming its Tiwai Point aluminium smelter was unprofitable, and threatening to close it unless it got a government handout to keep it running. Their bluff worked, and we ended up paying the BluffGeld by giving them lower electricity prices ...2 days ago
- Holes in the Tundra: Why Burping Cows Are the Least of Our Worries.2 days ago
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- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Labour’s sacrificing of the poorJacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson like to think of themselves as leftwing politicians. So why aren’t they prioritising and championing the vulnerable at the bottom of society? Since Covid hit they have chosen economic policies that benefit the rich while pushing more into poverty. Increasing inequality was thrown into stark ...3 days ago
- Climate Change: Just predatory delay againAnother day, another story arguing that climate change is Just Too Hard for farmers, and that they should be given more time to wait for a magic technological solution which will cut emissions while allowing them to continue doing exactly what they're doing at the moment. Today, the magic Technological ...3 days ago
- A note on the “jihadi bride.”
I ruffled a few feathers by referring to Gerry Brownlee as a “buffoon” during a radio interview this week. The subject in question was the involuntary repatriation of Suharya Aden and her children to NZ after Australia cancelled her citizenship. Brownlee was blathering about her being a terrorist security threat, ...3 days ago - Militaries plunder science fiction for technology ideas, but turn a blind eye to the genre’s socia...Will Slocombe, University of Liverpool Military planning is a complicated endeavour, calling upon experts in logistics and infrastructure to predict resource availability and technological advancements. Long-range military planning, deciding what to invest in now to prepare armed forces for the world in thirty years’ time, is even more difficult. ...3 days ago
- Still the same questionThe Independent Police Conduct authority has found another case where police used excessive force in making an arrest: A police officer broke a woman’s arm with a baton before dragging her out of her car by the hair following a chase. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found the ...3 days ago
- The Danger from the Extreme Right
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- Zebra Ethics: The Amazon Second Age Series and Lessons from Game of Thrones
Today I stumbled across a genuinely interesting reddit article, which looks at the (positive) influence Game of Thrones may have on the upcoming Amazon Tolkien series: https://www.reddit.com/r/LOTR_on_Prime/comments/oqvi81/amazons_the_lord_of_the_rings_show_going_got/ Essentially, the argument is that the framework of Tolkien’s Second Age material inherently lends itself to “Machiavellian Thriller” stories, rather than to ...4 days ago - The War over Sex and Gender: Kathleen Stock talks to the Free Speech UnionSpeakeasy #1: Free Speech and the War over Sex and Gender from Free Speech Union on Vimeo. ...4 days ago
- Why governments will have to consider the costs of long COVID when easing pandemic restrictionsRichard Meade, Auckland University of Technology With governments worldwide under pressure to ease pandemic restrictions as vaccination rates rise and impatience with border restrictions grows, new threats become clearer. One of the costliest, it is now feared, could be a tsunami of “long COVID” cases. Long COVID is a ...4 days ago
- Taxpayers' Union gets destroyedThe Taxpayers’ Union scored another own goal yesterday when they decided to have a go at well-known journalist David Farrier (not to be confused with David Farrar) over Government funding he’d received to make a documentary.While that slinging match isn’t really worth reporting on, being that it was mainly just ...4 days ago
- Gender-specific health programs address important issues, but risk creating new biasesMatthew Jenkins and Victoria Chinn, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Gone are the days when health programmes were designed to simply punish or reward people to encourage behaviour change. We now know lasting behaviour change is more complex and nuanced, and this has prompted a proliferation ...4 days ago
- Fossil tooth fractures and microscopic detail of enamel offer new clues about human diet and evolut...Ian Towle; Carolina Loch, and Thomas Loho, University of Auckland Teeth can tell us a lot about the evolution of prehistoric humans, and our latest study of one of our species’ close relatives may finally resolve a long-standing mystery. The genus Paranthropus is closely related to ours, Homo, ...4 days ago
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- Hearing loss and social isolation – the silent burdenFeature image: this picture was chosen as it illustrates two elderly people in each other’s company. Tying in with the theme of hearing loss and social isolation, this depicts the importance of connection to each other and the world in which we live. Charlotte Gordon* Untreated hearing loss is a ...5 days ago
- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #30Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 18, 2021 through Sat, July 24, 2021 The following articles sparked above average interest during the week: Extreme rainfall in China: over 25 inches falls in 24 hours, leaving 33 dead, As scientists have ...6 days ago
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- Andrew Geddis: Responding to Elizabeth Rata on Treaty PartnershipsIn a recent post on this site, Prof Elizabeth Rata expressed her concerns at the growth of what she terms “ethno-nationalism” and the role that the concept of a “Treaty partnership” has played in this development. She does so by telling a story about how this idea of a Treaty ...1 week ago
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- Doping has become inevitable at the Olympics. And who wins gold in Tokyo might not be certain until...Jason Mazanov, UNSW Another Olympics is upon us, inexorable even in the face of COVID. With it comes the inevitable, salacious speculation around doping scandals. There have been doping scandals at every Olympics in my lifetime and a few before, reaching back to the middle of the 20th century. Now, ...2 weeks ago
- Baby talk 4: first transfer
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After the March 2019 Christchurch mosque attack, the New Zealand Government set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into matters surrounding the tragedy. The Commission came back with recommendations, including a tightening of laws regarding Hate Speech. The Ardern Government has indicated support for such proposals, but has yet ...2 weeks ago - Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin: can they be more than ‘space’ joyrides for millionaires?Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University and Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his team successfully flew to the “edge of space” on the Unity 22 mission aboard a Virgin Galactic plane on July 12. The event was hailed as the start of space tourism, narrowly beating ...2 weeks ago
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- Green Party welcomes conversion therapy prohibition bill
The Green Party welcomes the announcement by Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi to introduce a bill to prohibit conversion therapy used against Rainbow communities. ...1 day ago - Green Party welcomes Commerce Commission’s draft findings, cautions against wait and hope solution...The Green Party welcomes the findings of the Commerce Commission’s report on competition in the retail grocery sector, which takes aim at the duopoly formed by Woolworths NZ and Foodstuffs. ...2 days ago
- Building back better
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- Securing our recovery: By the numbersOur plan to secure New Zealand’s recovery from COVID-19 is working, with the past three months seeing the second-highest number of people moved off a main benefit into work since records began. ...2 weeks ago
- More Kiwis in work through recovery planThe latest statistics show the Government’s focus on jobs is working. The net number of people on a main benefit dropped by around 11,190 people during the past three months, with around 31,240 people moving off a benefit into work. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party appoints new Chief of StaffThe Green Party has appointed a new Parliamentary Chief of Staff, Robin Campbell. ...3 weeks ago
- Progress in establishment of Aged Care Commissioner
Recruitment for an Aged Care Commissioner will start next month, to ensure greater oversight of New Zealand’s aged care sector. “This sector is responsible for supporting a large and often vulnerable population. While most people are able to access quality care, there have been cases where that care has fallen ...2 hours ago - New record number of homes consentedIn the year ended June 2021, the actual number of new dwellings consented was 44,299, up 18 percent from the June 2020 year. In June 2021, the seasonally adjusted number of new dwellings consented rose 3.8 percent. In June 2021, 4,310 new dwellings were consented, an increase of 3.8 per ...23 hours ago
- Communities backed to tackle wilding pinesTwelve community projects across New Zealand will receive a share of $2 million to carry out wilding pine control, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor announced as part of Biosecurity Week. “Wilding pines are a serious problem that threaten many of the unique landscapes that New Zealanders value. Community groups and trusts ...1 day ago
- Health Minister Andrew Little responding to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation's rejection of ...I was advised last night that the result of the ballot of Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation members have rejected the latest proposal to settle their collective agreement. Let me be clear: the proposal was one they put to the Government. The Nurses Organisation rejected their ...1 day ago
- Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation introduced to ParliamentLegislation has been introduced to Parliament to protect against practices intended to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Introducing the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, Minister of Justice, Kris Faafoi, said the measures proposed were aimed at ending conversion practices which don’t work, are widely ...1 day ago
- New school site for booming West AucklandThe Government will build on a new school site in West Auckland to cope with rapid population growth in the area, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says. The Ministry is working with existing local schools to determine how the 1.5-hectare site at 279 Hobsonville Point Road will be used to support ...1 day ago
- Trans-Tasman travel window to close at midnight tomorrowA further 500 MIQ rooms released for managed returnees from NSW Further Government actions announced today are balanced to provide more certainty for Kiwis wanting to return from Australia, while continuing to protect New Zealand from COVID-19, acting Minister for COVID-19 Response Ayesha Verrall says. The actions were foreshadowed last ...2 days ago
- Govt investing millions in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti schoolsNapier Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools are among those set to benefit from a $16.5 million investment in the Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti region, Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash announced today. The Government has set aside money in Budget 2021 to accelerate five projects in Napier, Hastings, Havelock North ...2 days ago
- Game changing Jobs for Nature investment for NorthlandConservation Minister Kiri Allan has announced Jobs for Nature funding for a portfolio of projects that will create ‘game changing’ gains for nature and communities across Northland/Te Tai Tokerau as part of the Government’s acceleration of the economic recovery from COVID. “This portfolio of 12 projects will see over $20 ...2 days ago
- Third COVID-19 vaccine receives provisional approvalNew Zealand’s regulatory authority Medsafe has granted provisional approval of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older, Acting Minister for COVID-19 Response Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. New Zealand secured 7.6 million doses (enough for 3.8 million people) of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through an ...2 days ago
- Bowel-cancer screening programme is saving livesMore than 1000 New Zealanders have had bowel cancer – New Zealand’s second-most-common cause of death from cancer - detected under the Government’s National Bowel Screening Programme, Health Minister Andrew Little said today. More than 1200 New Zealanders died from bowel cancer in 2017. The screening programme aims to save ...2 days ago
- Govt welcomes draft report on the retail grocery sectorThe Commerce Commission’s draft report into the retail grocery sector is being welcomed by Government as a major milestone. “I asked the Commerce Commission to look at whether this sector is as competitive as it could be and today it has released its draft report for consultation,” Commerce and Consumer ...2 days ago
- Christchurch’s Youth Hub ‘set to go’ thanks to further Government fundingConstruction of New Zealand’s first, purpose-built centre for youth well-being is ready to get underway thanks to an extra $2.5 million of COVID-19 response funding, Housing Minister and Associate Minister of Finance, Megan Woods announced today. “The Christchurch Youth Hub is about bringing together all the things young people need ...2 days ago
- Next step to protect Milford Sound PiopiotahiExpert group lays out plan to better protect iconic UNESCO World Heritage site Milford Sound Piopiotahi and its surrounds Funding confirmed for dedicated unit and Establishment Board to assess the recommendations and provide oversight of the process from here Milford Opportunities Project a test case for transformational change in tourism ...3 days ago
- Funding for projects to reduce waste from construction and demolitionThe Government has announced funding for projects in Auckland and the lower North Island to help reduce construction and demolition waste. “Construction is the main source of waste sent to landfill, and much of this could be reduced, reused and recovered,” Environment Minister David Parker said. “The Government is funding ...3 days ago
- Speech at the launch of the National Hepatitis C Action PlanTēnā koutou katoa. Thank you Anglesea Pharmacy and Te Manawa Taki for hosting this event. As a doctor, I saw first hand the impact of hepatitis C. I met Moana in 2019; she came to the infectious diseases outpatient clinic at Wellington Hospital having tested positive for hepatitis C. Like ...3 days ago
- Plan to eliminate hepatitis C as a major health threat by 2030A plan to eliminate hepatitis C in New Zealand, reducing liver cancer and the need for liver transplants, has been released today by Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. “Around 45,000 New Zealanders have hepatitis C, but only around half know they have it,” said Ayesha Verrall. “Symptoms often ...3 days ago
- School upgrades and new classrooms for West Coast, Tasman and CanterburyA funding injection from Budget 2021 to complete four shovel ready projects and new classrooms at six schools and kura will provide a real boost to local communities, Minister Dr Megan Woods announced today. “This Government has committed to providing quality fit for purpose learning environments and 100,000 new student ...3 days ago
- Warmer Kiwi Homes smashes annual targetThe Government's highly successful insulation and heating programme, Warmer Kiwi Homes, is celebrating a key milestone with the completion of more than 38,000 insulation and efficient heater installs in the year to the end of June, smashing its target of 25,000 installs for the year. “The Warmer Kiwi Homes scheme ...4 days ago
- Exemption granted for Wallabies to enter NZBledisloe Cup rugby will be played in New Zealand after the Australian rugby team received an economic exemption to enter New Zealand. Travel between Australia and New Zealand was suspended on Friday for at least eight weeks following the worsening of the COVID outbreak across the Tasman. New Zealanders have ...4 days ago
- Minister of Foreign Affairs makes three diplomatic appointmentsForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced three New Zealand Head of Mission appointments. They are: Mike Walsh as Ambassador to Iran Michael Upton as Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union Kevin Burnett as Ambassador to Indonesia Iran “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long-standing and constructive relationship with Iran, despite a ...4 days ago
- Enhanced Task Force Green Approved for West Coast and MarlboroughThe Government has activated Enhanced Task Force Green (ETFG) in response to the West Coast and Marlborough floods, Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “To assist with the clean-up, up to $500,000 will be made available to support the recovery in Buller and Marlborough which has experienced ...4 days ago
- Govt support for upgrade of Eden Park players facilitiesMinister for Sport and Recreation Hon Grant Robertson has announced funding to upgrade the players facilities at Eden Park ahead of upcoming Women’s World Cup events. Eden Park is a confirmed venue for the Rugby World Cup 2021, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, and a proposed venue for matches of ...4 days ago
- More jobs and quicker public transport motoring towards West AucklandWork to improve public transport for West Aucklanders and support the region’s economic recovery by creating hundreds of jobs has officially kicked off, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff this morning marked the start of construction on the Northwestern Bus Improvements project. It ...4 days ago
- Government backs critical health researchResearch into some of New Zealanders’ biggest health concerns including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease is getting crucial support in the latest round of health research funding, Health Minister Andrew Little announced today. The funding, awarded through the Health Research Council of New Zealand, covers 31 General Project grants ($36.64 ...4 days ago
- New Bay of Islands hospital facilities to bring services closer to homePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Andrew Little have joined a ceremony to bless the site and workers for Phase Two of the redevelopment of the Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa today. The new building will house outpatients and primary care facilities, as well as expanded renal care ...5 days ago
- Raukokore re-imagined with ‘smart’ relocatable rent to own housingIwi, Crown Partnership Relocatable, fully insulated housing, connected to a new solar plant Provides a pathway to home ownership New housing in the remote eastern Bay of Plenty community of Raukokore shows how iwi and Crown agencies can work together effectively to provide warm, dry, energy efficient homes in a ...5 days ago
- Cabinet accepts Turkish authorities’ request for the managed return of three NZ citizensCabinet has agreed to the managed return of a New Zealand citizen and her two young children from Turkey, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. The three have been in immigration detention in Turkey since crossing the border from Syria earlier this year. Turkey has requested that New Zealand repatriate ...5 days ago
- Govt delivers more classrooms so children can focus on learningExtra Government investment in classrooms and school building projects will enable students and teachers to focus on education rather than overcrowding as school rolls grow across the country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis say. The pair visited Ruakākā School in Whangārei today to announce $100 ...5 days ago
- New station a platform for AirportLink to take offEvery Aucklander with access to the rail network will now have a quick and convenient trip to the airport, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said during the official opening of the new Puhinui Interchange today. The new interchange links the rail platform with a new bus ...1 week ago
- 10 days sick leave for employees deliveredLegislation doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days comes into effect today, bringing benefits to both businesses and employees, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Our Government is delivering on a key manifesto commitment to help Kiwis and workplaces stay healthy,” Michael Wood said. “COVID-19 ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister congratulates Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on Election WinPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern tonight congratulated Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on her victory in the Samoa’s general election. “New Zealand has a special relationship with Samoa, anchored in the Treaty of Friendship. We look forward to working with Samoa’s new government in the spirit of partnership that characterises this ...1 week ago
- Quarantine Free Travel with Australia suspendedQuarantine Free Travel from all Australian states and territories to New Zealand is being suspended as the Covid situation there worsens, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. From 11.59pm today Australians will no longer be able to enter New Zealand quarantine-free. This will be ...1 week ago
- Growing conservation efforts in GisborneA big injection of Jobs for Nature funding will create much-needed jobs and financial security for families in TeTairāwhiti, and has exciting prospects for conservation in the region, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The projects target local communities most affected by the economic consequences of COVID 19 and are designed ...1 week ago
- Flood recovery given further assistanceThe Government is contributing a further $1 million to help the flood battered Buller community, Acting Emergency Management Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Buller is a small community which has found itself suddenly facing significant and ongoing welfare costs. While many emergency welfare costs are reimbursed by Government, this money ...1 week ago
- Funding for five projects to reduce food wasteThe Government is funding five projects to help address the growing problem of food waste, Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “New Zealand households throw away nearly 300,000 tonnes of food every year, half of which could still be eaten. By supporting these initiatives, we’re taking steps to reduce this ...1 week ago
- Temporary Accommodation Service activated for West Coast flooding eventThe Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated today - meaning residents on the West Coast of the South Island and in the Marlborough region hit by flooding over the weekend can now access help finding temporary accommodation, announced Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing) Poto Williams in Westport today. ...1 week ago
- Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from South Australia to New ZealandQuarantine Free Travel from South Australia to New Zealand will be paused from 11.59am (NZT) tonight, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. However, people currently in the state who ordinarily live in New Zealand will be able to return on “managed return” flights starting with the next available flight, ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity by Chinese state-sponsored actorsNew Zealand has established links between Chinese state-sponsored actors known as Advanced Persistent Threat 40 (APT40) and malicious cyber activity in New Zealand. “The GCSB has worked through a robust technical attribution process in relation to this activity. New Zealand is today joining other countries in strongly condemning this malicious ...2 weeks ago
- Remarks to Diplomatic CorpsIt is a pleasure to be with you all this evening. Some of you may have been surprised when you received an invitation from the Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, and I would forgive you if you were. New Zealand is unique in having established a Ministerial portfolio ...2 weeks ago
- Coral Bell: the ‘accidental academic’ who wanted to stop armageddon
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Research Associate, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne ANU Bell School This piece is part of a new series in collaboration with the ABC’s Saturday Extra program. Each week, the show will have a “who am I” ...1 hour ago - Focus on Politics: Education grapples with systemic racism
Podcast - "That every Māori child can see themselves ... valued in the education system." Will moves to bring tikanga and te reo into classrooms work? John Gerritsen and Jamie Tahana investigate. ...1 hour ago - Vaccine resistance in West Papua as covid-19 pandemic ragesBy Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific journalist As with much of Indonesia, the country’s easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua are struggling to contain the spread of covid-19, with the delta variant on the loose. In their latest update, health authorities in Papua province reported 33,826 confirmed cases of the ...2 hours ago
- NZ covid-19 mass vaccination event starts in Auckland – long delaysRNZ News New Zealand’s first mass vaccination event is getting under way in Manukau where 16,000 people are due to receive a covid-19 vaccine in the next three days. The Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau has been set up with 242 booths, and people will file in at their allotted ...2 hours ago
- Opinion by Chris Leitch – Return to orthodoxy the last thing we needOpinion by Chris Leitch, Leader of Social Credit party. Cashflow repeat. Image courtesy of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. See: https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-tools As the Reserve Bank winds down its money creation programme (Quantitative Easing) some economists and commentators are calling for a return to orthodoxy – as if the economic ...2 hours ago
- FAST now says it needs to delay Samoa’s Parliament conveningRNZ Pacific After previous calls for the Samoan Parliament to convene so a national budget can be passed, the ruling FAST Party now says there is no real need to rush to convene Parliament. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said last Saturday that Parliament would meet “in the first opportunity” ...3 hours ago
- Solomons PM warns journalists against ‘yellow journalism’ rumoursPacific Media Watch newsdesk Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the news media that the country’s emergency powers enable the government to target “yellow journalism” and the spreading of misinformation, reports the Solomon Islands Herald. Speaking in Parliament on a motion to extend the covid pandemic State of ...3 hours ago
- Health: Land of the long, white inequity
Friday's first mass vaccination event initially suffered from poor communication with the intended communities. Dr Collin Tukuitonga says that is a problem repeated time and again for Pacific people, who continue to suffer poor health statistics The initial take-up failure of south Auckland’s mass-Covid-19 vaccination event is a clear indication ...4 hours ago - The supermarket duopoly is a disaster for consumers. But don’t bet on a break-up
If you thought this week’s damning report on the state of our supermarkets would augur big changes in the sector, brace yourself for disappointment.This column was first published on Bernard Hickey’s newsletter, The Kākā.The Commerce Commission’s scathing draft review of the Foodstuffs/Woolworths duopoly suggests state intervention that could include a ...6 hours ago - Pouākai – the world's largest eagle
From fable to fact, the world’s largest eagle was once considered a mythical creature. We now know that for a period of time it dominated forests in parts of the South Island. It was a perfect but petrifying predator. A massive bird with hooked beak, talons like tigers’ claws and ...6 hours ago - Short story: XXX, by Emma Sidnam
"One minute we were fully clothed, chaste, and filled with longing, the next it was done. Thank you, she said": a short story by Emma Sidnam On a map, I mark an X for the houses of all the people I’ve slept with. It goes without saying that I avoid ...6 hours ago - The Unity Books children’s bestseller chart for the month of JulyWhat’s the best way to get adults reading? Get them reading when they’re children – and there’s no better place to start than the Unity Children’s Bestseller Chart.AUCKLAND1 In Our Own Backyard by Anne Kayes (Bateman, $22, 13+)After the launch (featuring speeches by John Minto and Chlöe Swarbrick) Jo McColl ...6 hours ago
- We need to talk about down thereWomen’s symptoms are all too frequently dismissed by healthcare professionals, especially when they relate to that shameful region between the legs. It’s time to stop suffering in silence, writes Maia Ingoe.When I was eight years old, I fell off the trampoline. It was a haven among unruly grasses, sitting on ...7 hours ago
- Recipe: Vietnamese pho with garlic sesame tofuHearty and comforting, this twist on a classic is jazzed up with garlicky tofu and beautiful brown field mushrooms. If there is one meal my kids would eat every night, this is it. Even if I up the ante and we venture into the big city to a little food alley ...7 hours ago
- The day I began my journey from Young Nat to committed socialistRobert Reid is a veteran of New Zealand’s trade union movement. But, believe it or not, he was once a committed National Party member.Fifty years ago, on Saturday 31 July, 1971, I left the National Party.Those who know me (or even troll me) as a socialist and trade unionist may ...7 hours ago
- Vaccination rate needs to hit 70% to trigger easing of restrictionsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Seven in ten people aged 16 and over will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID restrictions to begin to be eased, under targets agreed in principle by national cabinet on Friday. Further relaxation and ...13 hours ago
- The Tokyo Lowdown: Day 7 glory
In one of NZ's great Olympic days - three medals on the rowing course - the fairytale of Emma Twigg stands out. LockerRoom's daily wrap of our Kiwi sportswomen continues. Performances of the day Emma Twigg can now finally believe. Many times during her 18-year Olympic journey, the single ...18 hours ago - Week in Politics: Return of Suhayra Aden stirs up debateAnalysis - Harsh words from Judith Collins as it is announced Suhayra Aden can return to New Zealand, another big vaccine delivery clears the way for the programme to ramp up. ...19 hours ago
- India’s vaccine rollout is ignoring the many inequities in its societySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rajib Dasgupta, Chairperson, Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University Some 6 months after India began what is said to be the largest COVID-19 vaccination drive in the world, equitable distribution has been a challenge. A recent instance ...19 hours ago
- We must include more women in physics — it would help the whole of humanitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Office of the Chief Scientist Prajval Shastri, Author provided All around the world, there is an extreme gender imbalance in physics, in both academia and industry. Examples are all too easy to find. In Burkina ...19 hours ago
- No wonder people are confused. Most official COVID vaccine advice is way too complexSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Marie Muscat, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Sydney from www.shutterstock.com As Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow, the message has shifted to urgently “get the jab”. And people’s motivation to get vaccinated is increasing. But with ever-changing advice, many ...19 hours ago
- Curious Kids: do penguins fly underwater?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Belinda Cannell, Research fellow, Research Associate, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock Do penguins fly underwater? – Rhys, age 7, Perth. Indeed they do. They can’t fly through the air but they can fly underwater. In ...20 hours ago
- 3 things we need to get right to ensure online professional development worksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Filia Garivaldis, Senior Lecturer, BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University Shutterstock One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has not changed is the need for employee training and skills development. Although lockdowns have reduced access to offices and increased job insecurity, they have provided ...20 hours ago
- Vital Signs: Uber’s impact on traffic accidents is a lesson in calculating social benefitSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW Twinsterphoto/Sutterstock Uber has been great for some people and bad for others. It has been good for its founders and investors. It has been good for riders who get a convenient and well-priced new ...20 hours ago
- VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on changes in opposition policySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Michelle Grattan discusses the week in politics with University of Canberra Associate Professor Caroline Fisher. This week the pair discuss the extension of the Sydney lockdown, and the anti-lockdown protests which took place over the ...20 hours ago
- HRC To Play A Role In Law Banning Conversion Practices
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata / The Human Rights Commission welcomes the Government’s introduction of the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill. The proposed legislation would criminalise conversion practices . If passed, it would also create a civil ...21 hours ago - Gamblers bet more when in the dark: feedback can curb their online lossesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Newell, Professor of Cognitive Psychology, UNSW Online wagering is the fastest-growing segment of gambling in Australia. It’s a trend of particular concern because losing money through online brokering and betting apps is associated with higher rates of gambling-related harm than other ...21 hours ago
- Conversion therapy 'widely discredited by science' – FaafoiConversion therapy can cause serious harm, says Justice Minister Kris Faafoi, who is introducing the government's planned law to ban the practice. ...21 hours ago
- Not all the millions offered by the Ardern govt have been accepted – let’s see how it fares with...
Several million dollars have been dished out for projects to build schools, control wilding pine control and what-have-you. Nurses – on the other hand – have turned down the money they were offered. In their case, Health Minister Andrew Little is obviously bemused and frustrated. He was advised last ...21 hours ago - The power of no: Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Black women’s resistanceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathomi Gatwiri, Senior lecturer, Southern Cross University Simone Biles, the US gymnast widely considered “the greatest of all time”, withdrew from the Olympic finals this week, saying: I have to focus on my mental health […] We have to protect our ...22 hours ago
- The discovery of Indigenous children’s bodies in Canada is horrific, but Australia has similar tra...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lilly Brown, Lecturer, The University of Melbourne Content warning: This article contains distressing information on Stolen Generations and residential schools. When I read that the bodies of 215 children had been found in unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops ...22 hours ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending July 30The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 In Our Own Backyard by Anne Kayes (Bateman, $22) From Kete Books: “It’s March 2020 and Liza, her ...22 hours ago
- Rapid antigen testing isn’t perfect. But it could be a useful part of Australia’s COVID responseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Williamson, Professor of Microbiology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Shutterstock Since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 testing in Australia has been performed using highly sensitive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. But this conventional model of ...22 hours ago
- Muller takes more time away
Former National leader Todd Muller, forced to retire by leader Judith Collins and the party caucus, will remain on leave for three more weeks to care for his wife Outgoing National MP Todd Muller will not return to Parliament as planned on Tuesday after taking five weeks leave. The MP ...22 hours ago - Yesterdaze: A gold in synchronised snarking
James Elliott hands out red cards to runners in the reckons relay as he does his best not to put his hand into a power saw The sensation you get when you see that Mike Hosking is trending on Twitter is a lot like the feeling some people get when they ...22 hours ago - Demand at South Auckland mass vaccine event takes organisers by surpriseNew Zealand’s first mass vaccination event proved more popular than expected this morning, with many waiting up to an hour for their jab due to higher than anticipated demand. Justin Latif reports. Shortly after New Zealand’s first vaccination event commenced, reports began filtering in of long wait times for people ...22 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: To Get Here, by Lynn DavidsonA new poem by 2021 Randell Cottage Creative NZ Writer in Residence Lynn Davidson.To get hereI drove through the Kaimanawas (which is the old forest,survivor of brutal winters/ or the wild horses streaming over tussock/or the mountain range) And which translates as treasure or eat the wildor heart-eater or ...23 hours ago
- Everything we learned from Lorde’s recent publicity blitzShe’s Lorde of onion rings and chicken wings, but what else have we learned about the award-winning singer from her run of media appearances?With the impending release of a new album and an upcoming global tour, Lorde has climbed aboard the promotional train, destination everywhere. We watched her get day ...23 hours ago
- COVID has changed policing — but now policing needs to change to respond better to COVIDSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vicki Sentas, Senior Lecturer, UNSW Law, UNSW With rolling lockdowns now part of how Australians live in the pandemic age, important questions arise about corresponding changes in policing. Constantly changing public health orders bring not only confusion but expansive police authority to ...23 hours ago
- Conversion therapy law: Government reveals all the detailsThe government has revealed all the details of its ban on conversion therapy, with a penalty of up to five years in prison for serious harm caused by putting someone through it. ...23 hours ago
- Govt To Jail Parents For Affirming Daughter As Girl, Son As BoyFamily First NZ says that the proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban will be yet another attack on parents’ rights, is fundamentally flawed and unfair, and has been opposed by the Ministry of Health, a government select committee, and by the ...23 hours ago
- There’s no escape from climate change – and NZ should brace for the tariffs imposed by our tradi...
When a magazine as authoritative as The Economist heads up its lead “No Safe Place” , even climate change deniers should sit up and take notice. The Economist” says the most terrible thing about the spectacular scenes of destruction that have played out around the world over recent weeks ...24 hours ago - All sports interviews should be like thisRuby Tui and Michaela Blyde aren’t just brilliant rugby sevens players: the pair look unassailable in the race for ‘best interview at the Tokyo Olympics’ gold.In a world of anodyne, cliche-replete sports interviews, Ruby Tui and Michaela Blyde of the Black Ferns sevens are a coruscating beam of light. Having ...24 hours ago
- Health Minister Andrew Little responds after nurses reject pay offerThe Health Minister is speaking to media after nurses rejected the government's latest pay offer, meaning planned strikes would go ahead. ...1 day ago
- The Salvation Army Supports Proposed Conversion Practices Prohibition BillThe Salvation Army is supporting the proposed Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, which will outlaw this unethical practice. The Salvation Army continues to oppose vilification of, or discrimination against, anyone on the grounds of sexuality ...1 day ago
- New Home Consents Continue To Break RecordsA record 44,299 new homes were consented in the year ended June 2021, Stats NZ said today. “The annual number of new homes consented rose again in the June 2021 year, the fourth consecutive month of rises,” construction statistics manager Michael ...1 day ago
- Te Tiriti O Waitangi And Māori Equity Front And Centre In New Te Pūkenga ReportBoosted outcomes for Māori and te whakatinanatanga o Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice) are key outcomes of Te Pae Tawhiti Insights Report released today. Te Pae Tawhiti is the biggest piece of Te Tiriti o Waitangi self-reflective ...1 day ago
- What the hell has happened to the McFlurry®?Emily Writes has had enough of the lies – an unflurried McFlurry® is no McFlurry® at all.This post was first published on Emily Writes Weekly.At some point it changed. And we just accepted it. We didn’t rise up in the streets and demand our McFlurrys be flurried. And now it’s too ...1 day ago
- EnviroWaste Partners With NZ Food Network To Feed Hungry KiwisEnviroWaste has joined NZ Food Network (NZFN) to put more food on the table for the thousands of Kiwi households experiencing food insecurity. The new partnership will see EnviroWaste working with its large food production clients to ...1 day ago
- Offshore And Returning Kiwi Remain Keen To Contribute To New Zealand’s Prosperity Says Kea ReportThe Kea Future Aspirations survey of offshore and recently returned community members, released today, shows that a significant number of our offshore Kiwi still hope to return to New Zealand despite growing post-covid momentum in key markets. This report ...1 day ago
- The cutting-edge tech helping NZ athletes shave seconds from their timesWhen our Olympic athletes train for their events, it’s no longer enough to have a coach standing on the sidelines keeping an eye on what’s going on. These days, performance monitoring tech is now a staple in every top New Zealand athlete’s training regime. Mirjam Guesgen reports.With the powerful pull ...1 day ago
- Community concern a ‘risk’ to dramatic expansion of school zones and buildings
Today, 6yo Gus Milne wants to talk to the PM about learning to cook in his new class kitchen; his dad would like to talk about the millions invested in school infrastructure ...1 day ago - How a perfect storm of events is turning Myanmar into a ‘super-spreader’ COVID stateSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, University of South Australia Myanmar is facing a catastrophic health crisis that could have ramifications not just for the country’s long-suffering people, but across the region as well. The country is experiencing a major spike in COVID cases ...1 day ago
- If Australia is serious about fixing the culture at parliament, this is the code of conduct we needSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Blair Williams, Research Fellow, Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL), Australian National University Lukas Coch/AAP Australia has been rocked by serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment that have poured out of parliament house this year. In February, former ...1 day ago
- Australia shouldn’t ‘open up’ before we vaccinate at least 80% of the population. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Director, Health Program, Grattan Institute Shutterstock Earlier this month National Cabinet released a four-phase COVID response plan. It wasn’t so much a plan – it had no dates and no thresholds – but more a back-of-the-napkin thought bubble. ...1 day ago
- Pest plants and animals cost Australia around $25 billion a year – and it will get worseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University AAP Shamefully, Australia has one of the highest extinction rates in the world. And ...1 day ago
- Climate change is causing tuna to migrate, which could spell catastrophe for the small islands that ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Seto, Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Small Pacific Island states depend on their commercial fisheries for food supplies and economic health. But our new research shows climate change will dramatically alter tuna stocks in the tropical Pacific, with potentially severe consequences ...1 day ago
- Should the University of Melbourne host the Menzies Institute? The answer hinges on academic freedomSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katharine Gelber, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, The University of Queensland The University of Melbourne will open the Robert Menzies Institute, in honour of Australia’s longest-serving prime minister, in September this year. The presence of board members with close ties to ...1 day ago
- A COVID ‘ring of steel’ around Sydney would play havoc with Australia’s supply chainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flavio Romero Macau, Associate dean, Edith Cowan University Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock If a “ring of steel” was actually placed around Sydney, as suggested by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, the rest of Australia would suffer in ways that aren’t immediately apparent. Completely ...1 day ago
- Friday essay: how ‘Afghan’ coats left Kabul for the fashion world and became a hippie must-haveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Bonyhady, Emeritus professor, Australian National University Masking Afghan coats for sale in Herat, 1974. Shutterstock The London launch of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in May 1967 was a musical and fashion landmark. While the clothes worn by all ...1 day ago
- Live updates, July 30: Nurses resume pay talks after rejecting latest government offerWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for July 30, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.00am: Pay talks resume as nurses reject latest offerThe government’s latest pay offer to nurses has been rejected, with planned strikes in August and September once again on ...1 day ago
- The incredible legacy of Merata Mita’s Patu!As part of an exhibition on the 1981 Springbok tour protest, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision has restored and remastered Patu!, the masterwork of wahine Māori filmmaker Merata Mita and her artistic collaborators. Dan Taipua looks back at the legacy of this cinematic taonga.Patu! is a documentary from a different ...1 day ago
- The Bulletin: Supermarket duopoly laid bare, faces forced competitionGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Supermarket duopoly laid bare, one industrial action ends while another restarts, and window closing for quarantine-free travel from Australia.A couple of years ago former Spinoff staffer Henry Oliver made a very astute observation about the NBR Rich List, and I want ...1 day ago
- Conversion therapy legislation to cover religious groupsThe government's ban on conversion therapy will cover religious groups, but they will still be able to freely express their beliefs. ...1 day ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 30 July
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...1 day ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Friday 30 July
...1 day ago - This week's best-selling books
This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias FICTION 1 Loop Tracks by Sue Orr (Victoria University Press, $35) "Secrets and shame, family and lovers, Loop Tracks scoops all this and more into its orbit, creating a ...1 day ago - Bernard Hickey: A long white tunnel back to the futureOur provincial cities had thriving public transport systems until they were wrecked in the early 1990s. Bernard Hickey visits Whanganui’s extraordinary Durie Hill Elevator to find out how (and why) we should look to the past to get to carbon zero.Follow When the Facts Change on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or ...1 day ago
- New Zealand’s best real estate agent ads, reviewed and rankedIn a hot and overcrowded housing market, real estate agents are having to get creative with their promotion to attract customers and beat their rivals. Michael Andrew ranked some of the most compelling and eccentric ads out there.They’re in every newspaper. They’re on every building. They’re on every bus, bus ...1 day ago
- Commission calls out Pak'nSave's six-month 'specials'
The Commerce Commission's investigation of competition in the grocery market found many items at supermarkets are on sale for half or three quarters of the year. ...1 day ago - Dom Harvey, music radio and the times they are a-Changin'
A top, controversial DJ hangs up his earphones as an industry struggles with how to limit offence, and his station's owner prepares to release a lawyer's inquiry into its culture and misconduct. MEDIAROOM: Dom Harvey and his repertoire of pranks, jokes, personal comments and controversies leave the airwaves Friday morning after 20 years ...1 day ago - Photographer bridging the urban-rural divide
After travelling the country in search of sustainable and environmentally-friendly farms, a photographer is bringing her work to Auckland to show what it means to be stewards of the land Queen Street has been a bit of a Mecca for farmers lately. This month’s Groundswell protest saw a troupe of ...1 day ago - First Kiwi Olympic gymnast still does the splits at 75
As Maddie Davidson becomes our first female Olympic trampolinist, Dido Götz recalls competing in NZ's first gymnastics team at an Olympics - also in Tokyo, but 57 years earlier Dido Götz puts on the elegant felt hat and black blazer with the silver fern, and hangs the well-worn travelling bag over ...1 day ago - Opting out of employer responsibility – the case against Uber
Unions are heading to the Employment Court taking action over Uber's drivers - asking the question when a 'contractor' is really a 'worker', and should be offered worker benefits Earlier this year, the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision, affirming that Uber drivers were not, as previously ...1 day ago - NZ's blindspot on dairy emissions
Big Dairy worldwide is contemplating faster cuts to its emissions but Fonterra, the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Government don't seem to want to discuss doing anything more ...1 day ago
Rabid rottweilers of racism here – who see racism wherever they look – will relish an opportunity to explain why the Islamic race is better than the Christian race. Here’s one: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/brunei-lgbt-whipping-stoning-gay-people-sharia-law-a8841706.html
I ask only that they go further and explain why we ought to tolerate sharia law. It will be helpful to cite usage of sharia by the Sultan of Brunei in support of their rationale.
You’re confusing race vs religion
I’m referring to their tendency to do that, actually! 🙄
“Someone said something upsetting. Can I upset you too. Can I repeat their shitty views here while posing as a concerned citizen”
Smilies are out already. So human and filled with emotion aren’t you.
Do you think you’ve been picked on? Where did the bad man touch your argument?
I suggest you go to Brunei, a one twat delegation, and sort it out.
Random irrelevancies all you are capable of this morning? Get some fresh air, do a few exercises, tai chi, to help clear your head…
WTB has got you in one.
Inability to get to the point is well-worth demonstrating, you think. Dunno if it’s quite the brilliant idea you seem to think it is.
Yeah franksplain it again for us cos we dum
+1
Can I ask you Mr Frank Sir?
What’s your tipple?
I’ll save up real hard so I can send you a case down Courier Post, and another for the Beige Badger
Nice of you to offer, OWT, but I can afford my own no problem. 🍷
You’re confusing race vs religion
That’s what has happened over the mosque attacks though, surely …. the call of racism has gone out, yet it was a religious attack
both are all mixed up at the moment I think
DF’s issue is entirely legitimate
DF is an idiot. He read one verse of the Quran (in the context of the terrorist manifesto) and decided it required changing. Then he began to tell us how the terrorist has a point, based on this verse and more from the killers mind Dennis was happy to quote.
Now let’s just get a few words of his post above and take a look
“the christian race”
and
“the Islamic race”
A muppet by any other name would sound as stupid.
Being disingenuous is cool? Or confused? If you genuinely have never heard of satire, there’s a quick remedy: google it. 😎
Definitely confused. Your methods and jokes are well over my head.
Sure. But this religious attack has already been deemed a racist attack by many. I think the horse has bolted.
… side track… religion pfftt … science is continually eating away at it, and has been for eons. Dolly the original cloned sheep should have raised alarm bells with the religious in the world…. yet like all extremists the religious* block, deny, re-define etc..
.. it would be good to be around in a few more hundreds of years to see where science and religion have got to… methinks science will continue to explain and define more and more of the unknown/religious as simply previously unexplained physical realities…
.. like science explained the sun as a burning thing and not a god
.. like science explained the spiritual/soul as a subset of the physical via dolly the sheep.
.. like science could well explain a ‘creation event’ in the future
.. like science could well explain that a ‘creator’ existed and still does – elsewhere in the universes, as a physical entity right now, made up of carbon and iron or some such
It is certainly unfortunate that this world contains many iterations of doctrine that condemn ‘others’ and even incite violence. The world also contains a majority of faithful who have adopted more peaceful memes from said doctrines.
Personally, I think (some of) the worlds religions are a two edged sword. On the one hand they provide community service where governments fail. They also add the all important human contact to such services. Many work tirelessly to help societies less fortunate and are commendable. Others use piousness and scripture to persecute their fellow man. Often churches have both groups present in the one fellowship.
In all of this, the crazy world, Trump, Brexit, terrorist extremism from both ends of the scale as well as famines, drought, fires, flooding, corruption, exploitation, random nutters, poverty and financial uncertainty, and of course global warming….
We desperately need leadership. Churches swell in the vacuum.
Good people use religion, theism, or atheism, to do good.
Arseholes, use it to do bad.
No, religion will never die, just change form.
Look at the anti-vaxxers. That’s a faith that denies all scientific evidence. Look at the many conspiracy theorists (including those within the Muslim community who have publically claimed it was all a Jewish plot).
Not to mention neoliberalism. It’s a fucking cult – it’s neither explanatory nor are its ostensible benefits reproducible. But still we’re stuck with it because of the number of less acute pencil heads who’ve momentarily got their paws on the levers of power.
Science is not all things to all men. Faith in our fellow humans is gold. Those who have faith in a higher being often are calm in their certainty.
Mind you a certain Destiny fellow has shaken that!!
Yes, ignorance is bliss, for some people Patricia.
You do know that science and religion are not mutually exclusive, don’t you?
Yes, a certain astronaut (John Glenn) found science and religion not mutually exclusive, as many others who went to space after him did as well.
They gained a sense of perspective perhaps.
Vto stay in compassion mate you get ugly fast when your fear takes hold. Just think it through and I’m saying this from compassion believe me.
Que? Sorry, I don’t follow..
So foreign nation of choice wasn’t trying to disarm nz readying us to be invaded.
Geez can you imagine being a white supremacist and going to a gun meet right now, theyweren’t policing their own now everyone blames them for losing their toys.
Na they’re to fucking thick to blame the person /people who cost them there toys .
Its the gubimints fault .
Some of the memes floating around out there boogle the mind in their stupidity and it’s amazing how many gobble them up and shear them .
I hope you are reporting them. Be brave and we can get to a better place.
I wouldnt call them racist just fucking dumb .
I have pointed out the stupidity of memes to those dumb enough to shear them to my page . Hopefully it sunk in a little.
I suspect in this case that theracism wasn’t against a particular race, it was that the religion he picked was in his mind “not white”.
It’s the typical trash man being Mr Trash again. Jacinda or any one else can not walk around the APEC conference with there heads held high while Brunei is legally allowed to stone gays to death. It’s just a matter of time before homosexuality is completely normal in society so a hardline fundamentalist religious group will not gain a majority in any APEC or associated forum. You’re just complete trash.
Bit early for you to be on the piss again isn’t it? Still in the AM in Aus?
So that white wash you was seeing magically cleared right up or are you faking it again?
Maybe you should reread what I wrote, and get your parents to help you with the larger words.
You were mind reading again. Like I said, makes you trash.
Because that was such a big call for guessing whate a white supremacist might be motivated by?
Why it’s much easier measuring internal factors like hormones so when guys or even girls get into fight mode they’ll release a shot of adrenaline which is objective. But it’s more subjective to measure external factors like what some one might say because people lie all the time so it’s like untrustworthy and as I say, trash.
Hormones.
totally relevant as to whether the fucker committed a racist attack or whether that’s a misnomer.
Wait a sec. So if hormones are irrelevant, I’ll have to question whether you are talking about a human or some sort of machine, perhaps an AI or something. There are plenty of studies that say that hormones play a huge part in why people fight. People pick up on pheromones all the time and want to duke it out. Hitler was one such guy who was disgusted by germs, Jew germs specifically which is much more measurable than saying every German is rascist, Y’know? I happen to like Germany, doesn’t make me a rascist.
Seriously, you are either taking too many drugs or not nearly enough drugs.
The thread is simply a semantic issue about whether the attacks could reasonably be described as “racist”, even if Islam is a religion that crosses ethnic boundaries.
My position is that a racist act doesn’t need to be against a single “race”, it can be for a single “race”, as well. Yes, hormones are irrelevant to that semantic discussion.
Yeah, I just don’t care about semantics or true believers or something as much as you do. All I care about is if some nut case gets so emotional it motivates the nut to do something criminal and preventing that. Other wise people are free to do what ever, say what ever. And I say that because of the Urewera raids, like one chance tip off about what some nastiness some one said cause so much preventable harm. And you are like trying to pin the same rhetoric on people, just this time white peoples and that’s just immoral by my objective standards, trash basically.
Two points:
No, that’s not remotely close to what I actually wrote.
Secondly, if you’re not interested in a semantic discussion, don’t include yourself in a semantic discussion.
So do you agree that in this case that theracism wasn’t against a particular race, it was that the religion he picked in his mind “not white”. ? So do you agree because I don’t, I literally don’t care for semantics. I just don’t believe that too people should agree all the time just to have a debate so, what you have to say for yourself.
If you don’t care for a semantic debate, don’t include yourself in a semantic debate.
I don’t include myself in discussions about sport, because I don’t care for such discussions. I don’t care about Married at First Sight, so I don’t include myself in discussions about that.
As for whether a racist attack must be restricted to being against one ethnicity, or whether that description could also include an attack against every ethnicity except a particular one, that is a semantic discussion in which you have no interest.
So why do you even ask?
So the question I asked you was do you agree that in this case that theracism wasn’t against a particular race, it was that the religion he picked was in his mind “not white”. ? Yes, or no?
As I originally said, yes, I suspect that might be the case for that particular fucker. An anti-semite hates Jews, but I suspect this guy hated everyone he didn’t regard as “white”. As in he is a “white supremacist”.
Yeah, and my premis was that by any “objective” standard, measuring how many times he says his race is purer is more measurable, now I’m not going to write a list of rascist rhetoric for every one to see because we need to be able to spot these guys but it is measurable. Or that they put up walls so thick that it makes it difficult for ideas to cross contaminate potential extremist ideology. I hope you’re following me so far because there’s not much value in semantics catching national security threats when there are fix targets that spooks can knock off.
Ok so a terrorist attack is kind of a random event. But if you’ve got the history you’ll be able to see that it’s not so random after all, it’s measurable and we can prevent this stuff through internal observations.
Well, that leads into another discussion about the validity of using past measurements to predict human behaviour, the holy grail of silicon vally, wall st, and the soviet central planning bureaucracy.
It doesn’t work, because the inputs required to substantially change the outputs are much smaller and more numerous than can ever be measured. So you come up with an “objective” metric (and objectivity in automated data collection and analysis is a whole other issue) and you find pretty quickly that it unfairly targets some groups while other rogue anusses plan their massacres in secret.
But that is all separate from the semantic “was it a racist attack” discussion you included yourself in.
So in one word they don’t think it’s “immoral” to be like spying on your own citizens or even friends and family.
Um, everything you just wrote was either incorrect or nonsensical. Starting with “in one word”.
Was in quotation marks as “immoral” was the one word. So what I’m saying is your data or statements is them getting interviewed and reported. Maybe like filling out a questionnaire for being like rapped of ideas so if you give that questionnaire to grandma she’s going to say what the fuck, no, who likes getting mind fucked for ideology and then she’ll watch coronation street that same night. It’s just dumb and nothing to orient national security measures around.
If you were more specific in your phrasing and more conventional in your grammar and vocabulary, you might be able to communicate your ideas more effectively.
The thing about kiwi culture is we obviously value the right to vote and human rights in general, if most people don’t want those rights to apply then it’s not going to happen by consensus. So in this case you might want to establish that viewing content is wrong, is that where you are going with that?
And what has that got to do with whether the fuckers attack was racist or not?
Sam
You say homosexuals have been stoned to death. And I have heard of erring females condemned to this in some countries. That is bad – are you in a group which protests against this.? When you hear of this happening will you let us know who you are protesting to and we can join and add to the number. If enough people notice perhaps, on a change of leader there would be a change of heart.
Why would we protest? IMO there’s no need to protest because Brunei and New Zealand are members of APEC and we have trade and foreign relations that go back to WW2. Any self respecting prime minister would have the issue top 10 on there things to do at APEC. Like stoning people to death is barbaric and would be enough to get your country thrown out of APEC.
sam
You are probably a great guy. But never become a politician otherwise the compromises you will have to make to achieve things for your country will fragment you so much you will fall in flakes on the floor.
Every country has a stain that won’t wash out, and it pays to remember that and not look at each other’s dirty linen while sitting at meetings with other countries about mutually important matters.
I have heard of so many really terrible things in my lifetime that if I concentrated too much on any one of them I would go mad. It is like looking at the sun – you can’t stare at it without hurting yourself. I
do hope you understand analogies otherwise I am wasting my time.
And I do hope that you can take suggestions to your heart and brain and learn from them, I fear from reading your numerous missives that they don’t get far in. And I suggest that you who are so shocked at what happened, do something personal to protest it. If you try it you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you aren’t like the people who are so callous, and have shown them how different you are.
So then what if I argue that votes or those opinions are superficial?
But is your judgment worth a dime? Do you know what superficial opinion is like when you see it?
None of your comment makes any sense.
1. Islam and Christianity aren’t races.
2. Why would anti-racists necessarily even have a view on whether “Christendom” (for want of a better term) is “better” than the Umma, let alone feel the urge to hold forth on the subject?
3. I haven’t noticed any anti-racists claiming we should tolerate Sharia law (in this country, at least). Or did you mean “tolerate Sharia law” anywhere in the world including Brunei? That would be even less likely.
1. You don’t get satire? 2. No idea. 3. I have. No.
Will they franky? Says who?
Literalism, Gabby? So early in the day? Do you also do push-ups before breakfast?
If you’re fishing for admission that I used a rhetorical device, happy to oblige…
Is that what fuckups are called now franky?
ha ha make me laugh Gabby – remind me of a previous poster Felix who used to sprinkle these pages with delightful one-liners of wit and mirth
Yes I remember Felix vto. Maybe the smartest contributor ever to grace this site. His one/two liners were pithy and always went straight to the heart of the topic under discussion. He floored those who tried to up-end him. One day one of them went too far and it turned nasty. Felix got up and walked away never to return. Gabby does remind me of him too.
Yes exactly, he was great.. and as you say impenetrable..
Same here; I think everyone learned very quickly to not rub the kitty up the wrong way 🙂
Reminds me a bit of a mate of mine at the pub. Me, I’m mouthing off all the time on everything and anything. Others aren’t shy of sharing an opinion. S is usually pretty quiet. But every so often when one of us (usually me) is in full flight and takes an instant to draw breath, S will say (at most) half a dozen words that just deflate me completely and cause much laughter.
It really is an art form
No, still called push-ups. I leave them to younger folk. Running on the beach just downhill from here is way better. 🏃 + 🧘♂️
You certainly pushed that one right up franky.
Nah, to be fair I can’t take the credit. The Sultan is the dude on the day. Exemplary demonstration of sharia law to leftists everywhere, so they can explain why it ought to be tolerated. I encourage them not to hold back any longer. Get started!! 😎
I put up a comment on dishonest debating tactics not long ago in the, somewhat forlorn hope, that some would get the hint, and make an honest attempt to discuss, solutions.
Rather than having “pissing contests”.
Those who just want to “win the debate”, or show how clever they are, are just playing games, not helping.
Look up straw man, Frank.
Please point to the posts, specifically from The Standard where lefties have given you cause to ask for them to:
“explain why it [Sharia Law] ought to be tolerated”
You are looking for fuel to take to another blog.
“They said Sharia Law’s all good”
I can only speak for myself. But I’d hazard
No, we (the left on TS) did not approve of, or ever argue for, Sharia Law. Your claim is repulsive, your motives? WTF is wrong with you mate?
Almost bannable, imo.
You haven’t heard of sin by omission? It’s a traditional thing. The danger I’m alerting everyone too is that tolerance of islam means tolerance of sharia law.
I agree that implementation of sharia law as per the Sultan or Saudia Arabia etc is not currently attempted here (as far as I know). If the Islamic community has issued an official statement that it will not be used in Aotearoa, well and good. We need citation as proof to provide reassurance.
Shooting the canary in the coal-mine is a dumb response imo. Best to address the actual issue.
Bullshit Dennis.
Does my toleration of Christianity, mean I tolerate the Catholic view on “apostasy” homosexuality or womens rights?
Obviously not.
Something else for you to look up. False equivalence,
It’s a good metaphor, that canary.
Only worth listening to when it falls silent.
Man who reads his first verse of the Quran days ago imagines himself
‘the canary in the coal-mine’
and supposes that he has some important insight.
Reads Terrorist manifesto, right wing rants, concerns over extremist government in Brunei…
Calls for reassurance from New Zealand’s ‘Islamic community’.
Delusional, and a bigot?
Still nobody addressing the actual issue. Wonder why evasion is so appealing? It was last year that a media report featured the verse that proves the prophet required his follower to kill unbelievers, WTB. Who would actually want to read the Koran?? Certainly not me, so stop spinning your usual misrepresentations of others.
How many times have I already told you here that I’ve never wanted to read that manifesto due to the likelihood psychic contamination. Yet still you wrote “Reads Terrorist manifesto” – in order to prove yourself a liar?? Such behaviour seems a more worthy candidate for banning. Why would any moderators here want to tolerate such deliberate lying? You ought to apologise.
And I did not call “for reassurance from New Zealand’s ‘Islamic community’”. Re-read what I wrote! I pointed out how that community could reassure the kiwi public. Allay fears about sharia law. I hope they do so. Peaceful assimilation requires it.
Still trying to get people banned eh Dennis. You really are a lot less smart than you think you are. Remember the other day with Mickey you thicko? Youre becoming a parody poster, a joke. Thank God you never got near power.
You’re also misrepresenting me. First time I ever suggested behaviour here could deserve a ban! Get a grip Marty. Just because you feel unable to address the moral issue is no excuse.
“Who would actually want to read the Koran?? Certainly not me”
You just keep going, like an energizer dunny.
You were quoting the terrorists views here, don’t be lying, wayback knows.
Untrue – you did it to me too Dennis. If you grip it any tighter mate the toothpick will snap. Funny how you like running against the tide – just a big ego wank to you, you seem to lack any idea of others. Sad.
Most Westerner’s never read the Bible, much less the Quran. Even many believers don’t.
But having a reasonable working knowledge of the former, and made an attempt at understanding the latter, what I can say is that most people are going to encounter the English translation of the Quran with almost total bafflement. It’s written in a language that is largely incomprehensible to the modern mind, it’s history, it’s allusions and that it’s really only understood at multiple levels of abstraction simultaneously are a challenge to even the serious student.
Personally I got some distance into it and found it too hard. So I’m not posing as any kind of expert.
The other big challenge is that most Westerners will instinctively compare Muhammad with Christ, when realistically the better comparison is with Moses. The trajectory of both their ministries meant they were not only the pivotal spiritual source for their followers, but were also responsible for the civil administration of substantial communities in their own lifetime.
Nor do most modern people have much grasp of how entirely different the nature of Arabian society was in that era. It was an extremely tribal and fractured society, placing a high value on prowess in battle, while at the same time boasting highly developed poetic literary tradition. There really was nothing resembling the ‘rule of law’ as we would recognise it.
So when modern people look at sharia law what we miss is that compared to the relative barbarity it replaced, Islamic Law was highly enlightened. For instance the usual tribal punishment for theft was for a posse of young bloods to track down the suspected offender and disembowel him on the spot. When Muhammad required a minimum number of witnesses, due process and the removal of the left hand little finger for the third offense; it would have been regarded as absurdly liberal by the people of the time.
Hey, WTB, trying to pretend you can’t tell the difference between reading the Koran and commenting on selected quotations from it in the media just insults the intelligence of every reader of what you wrote. Is that really your purpose? You usually come across as smarter than that.
Plus it’s the only quote from it that I’ve ever felt the need to comment on. Due to the apparent fear & motive of the shooter.
Suitable context for relative judgment, RL. People tend to move on. Too bad ideologies don’t move with them, eh? I have no problem with the general practice of islam. I’m only targeting the toxic bit, which is maintained via ideology down through the centuries.
If I did it to you then I’m sorry Marty. It isn’t part of my conscious way of contributing, so I suspect it was just how you perceived something I wrote (not my intended meaning).
Also, ego is a seeming thing. I’m aware of the extent to which I fight the good fight as per childhood Christian brainwashing. If my conscience did not require me to do so on an issue by issue basis, I would relinquish that motivation. I’m old enough to!
But someone ought to represent the centrist view here as a positive alternative to partisan leftists. Have you noticed how easily I identify common ground with non-partisan leftists here? And you sometimes – you seem to oscillate between both stances. I just wish you would copy me & play the ball, not the man. Consensus never develops if participants polarise on a personal basis.
@ Dennis yep fair enough.
The right are a problem. Centrists are also a big problem imo. You Pete George, red logix all push the middleman line and I think it is dishonest because you enable the right and dilute solid left thinking and actions so really you may as well be right as far as I’m concerned. The velvety smooth tones dripping with false concern make my skin crawl when middlemen do it. So yeah nah.
Thing is, the concern isn’t actually false! Dunno why you would even want to try that stance on. Can you really not detect genuine motivations in others?? Doing so is part of emotional intelligence, which you do exhibit in other respects. It’s vital to how groups function. I’m aware it ain’t easy online, of course.
Way to miss the point. ffs you’re a frustrating bastard – bet you’ve heard that before. You aren’t an ally you’re on the other side imo for the reasons above.
@marty
So I’ve been contributing here for 12 years and it’s all a fake? That is an impressive long bow you have there.
Nor am I a centrist, politically I’m moderate left with a libertarian streak.
But you are correct; us moderates who in fact comprise at least 90% of the political spectrum, are capable of working with people of all persuasions, and we are the ones who stand in the way of radicals like you imposing yet another mad, utopian revolution every 10 minutes or so.
So yes I do understand why you shit on me so. If indeed I was a fake you wouldn’t get so angry with me all the time.
Ever thought that rather than being “partisan”, we are responding to an observed reality.
Whereas the fence sitters are pretending to be concerned and looking for solutions, when in reality it is all bloodless to them, so long as their comfortable middle class boat, doesn’t get rocked.
The fact is for everyone to do better, some of us have to give up a little, socialism. And I am one who has enough income to be paying higher taxes. A small price to pay to live in a decent society.
Mad utopian revolution. Like the first Labour party, you mean?
I haven’t seen anyone, you call “partisan left” advocating anything more extreme than Democratic socialism, in a mixed economy. Not much different from the statements of our present Prime Minister.
Your concern is noted, but it doesn’t help even one young person into a home, or a decent job, when you support those who are doing the harm.
so long as their comfortable middle class boat, doesn’t get rocked.
What the same middle class boat that everyone aspires to in order to escape poverty and insecurity?
Did you know that globally there are now more people in the middle class, more people who have escaped poverty than any time in all of human history? 3.8 billion people, more than half of humanity?
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2018/09/27/a-global-tipping-point-half-the-world-is-now-middle-class-or-wealthier/
So exactly why do you want that boat rocked again?
@ red yep you stand in the way and obstruct and distract and dilute left thinking. You are a roadblock to the future. Your fakeness is you think you add value to the left – you don’t imo you add value to the right.
How to miss the point again @Red.
We have more people in poverty in New Zealand, than we ever had.
Despite having more physical resources per capita than almost any other country.
I have a picture in my mind of a nice doggie with a stick and the game is to drop it and then the other picks it up and throws it. And doggie runs after it swiftly and happily and brings it back. And part of the game is the doggie holds onto it and won’t drop it so it can be thrown again, until encouraged by the other; ‘Drop it, drop, drop’.
Should the doggie be left holding the stick and the game finish?
Should it be left to hold the stick and beat everybody with it?
As everyone knows who has a dog, this game can go on for hours.
In the dog’s mind it is fun and a very fulfilling and satisfying activity
but the other involved has to decide when to stop and do something else. The game then is put on hold, and the those involved go away and attend to other pursuits.
Perhaps someone could report other newsworthy events so we can switch focus? But I’m already in the garden pulling wet weeds. Still at least one dark frog in the rainwater tub.
Attended Taranaki 2050 workshop on people & talent session 3 yesterday. Still amazed that the govt is actually providing a design-for-resilience process. Impressed with both the format and conduct of their process too. Full marks to the coalition + Greens again!
DF
Next Sunday in the How to get there post – Would you put up a small – even bulleted – report of what impressed you about the event’s outcomes, please? And what you think about the Labour Coalition’s plans and directions and achievements in them so far?
It sounds so interesting to hear positives is so good and what you think we should look for government progress in, and perhaps what isn;t being grasped satisfactorily. Regards to you. Woof, wag.
Had been thinking of doing so. Hope I will remember to. Pulling together impressions, commenting on design & process…
“Pence’s ascent to the second most powerful position in the U.S. government is a tremendous coup for the radical religious right. Pence — and his fellow Christian supremacist militants — would not have been able to win the White House on their own. For them, Donald Trump was a godsend.”
” Horror that a candidate who ran on a platform of open bigotry, threats against immigrants and Muslims, and blatant misogyny will soon be president is now sinking in. ” https://theintercept.com/2016/11/15/mike-pence-will-be-the-most-powerful-christian-supremacist-in-us-history/
Here’s a Muslim man answering dennis s negative Muslim stereotyping ,,,,, it’s probably best he says it ….. as dennis s sort always complains about the Muslim community not condemning enough ….
Tweets by QasimRashid
The draconian nation of Brunei to enforce capital punishment for LGBT
•This is barbaric & has no semblance w/Islam & human rights
•UK heavily funds & supports Brunei—that must end
•Brunei’s own leadership is corrupt & evil This is wrong. It must stop.
The article reports the UK has thousands of troops in Brunei and buys oil from Brunei. Moreover Brunei was a UK colony until 1984 & its anti-LGBT laws were enacted during that colonial period. It’s a wealthy dictatorship supported by a world superpower. Horrible combination.
The danger of fighting monsters is that you risk becoming a monster yourself.
On the fact that every frontline New Zealand police officer now has a compulsory glock on their hip, (alongside their tazer).
That police with fully automatic weapons attend every public event.
That the National Party are seeking even more intrusive powers, and even lesser accountability for our spy agencies.
I am totally against the routine arming of police, for many reasons.
But. I agree with it for the next few weeks, as an measured response to an immediate threat.
Given the police commissioner has put a time limit on it.
Like you, I don’t think the spies need any more power.
They have shown they cannot be trusted with those they have.
The spies need more adult supervision.
Doesn’t attract the sort of person who wants to be a spy. 🙂
Love drives out hate
The son of a Japanese immigrant who fought for New Zealand, makes a powerful statement against xenophobia and fascism at the age of 95.
Glenn McConnell is a journalist and student. He writes a fortnightly column for Stuff. His view of the manifesto suppression:
“I’ve seen people online offering to distribute the document via less well moderated sites than Facebook, in retaliation against the censor. The rare banning is simply a warning shot. It’s virtue-signalling in its greatest form. It lets people know that, if they share views like that, they really have no place in New Zealand. They are not “us”.” https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/111574053/were-banning-their-comments-manifesto-and-books–lets-stop-and-talk
“As valiant as our campaign to silence racism may seem, what we really need to do is understand it. We’ll need to meet people, in real life. Perhaps the only good thing of these past days has been meeting people. I’ve seen diversity and genuine interest from strangers in one and other. It has restored a sense of heart during a time that has seemed so dark. Maybe we also need to reach out to those who share views similar to the attacker. Our only other option is to live under a surveillance state.”
He’s getting dangerously close to having an open mind, eh? Leftist brain police will have to bombard him with denial. Hippie advocacy of peace, love & understanding prevailed over the mainstreamer’s ethos of war, hate and misunderstanding during the seventies, but perhaps we are due to repeat the cycle…
This is your expert’s advice
“We’ll need to meet people, in real life.”
You are correct, that’s ‘dangerously close to an open mind’, and the left will undoubtedly be upset by the concept of sunlight and human relations.
Thanks for the wisdom.
“Maybe we also need to reach out to those who share views similar to the attacker.”
We’ve seen you doing exactly that. What a humanitarian.
Unlike you to give credit where it’s due, but I appreciate the momentary lapse. 😇
I think this is a much better example where censorship might be considered OTT, but maybe still worth a debate:
The word: cyclist.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12216990
Indeed a good example. Who would have thought that cyclist is dehumanising? However, social science research would need to establish a solid basis for deciding that the word does have that effect in the minds of most drivers.
People who drive motor vehicles franky. Please don’t dehumanise them or Nanelle will get upset. I’m sure the people who conduct research have done a fine job for the person who teaches at a place where people go to learn stuff after they finish learning stuff at the places where people under 18 go to learn easier stuff.
I imagine certain phrases can become ‘curses’ rapidly in social media where meme generation is a full time preoccupation for some.
There are some drivers who feel the road is solely their domain, and cyclists are encroaching on it. While I think entitlement is a large part of the issue, it comes from both sides. We’ve all seen the clips of cyclists two-three abreast on winding country roads – and cyclists have all been cut off at some point…
Again, two aggrieved sides, escalation, words traded, sides taken.
Across the road from me a Professor who cycles. Next door a tradie with a pick up. Neighbors and friends.
Neither the enemy, but when I drive the cyclists are annoying, and when I cycle the cars are dangerous. The (slight) dehumanising aspect occurs in a split second. The brain keeps this rot in check so I can drive A-B and all involved get home safely.
The driver who thinks the road is theirs, the cyclist who thinks the road is theirs, both part of the problem. imo.
I think referring to cyclists as people on bicycles has merit. But is it all a bit silly?
You’re right – there’s a silly side plus a serious side. I’ve encountered the `cyclists two-three abreast’ thing myself several times. I wonder if they are deliberately breaking the law or if the law got changed & I never noticed.
I became a competitive driver in Auckland & Sydney traffic, ended up always beating others to the gap in the traffic flow, but nowadays take it real easy. I know how road rage kicks in fast.
Absolutely agree to take it easy.
My advice to any friends visiting AK is to give themselves an extra half hour for their journeys across town. So if traffic hits they’re still ok not frothing. Phones help too. Pull aside and let your destination know you’re in traffic it takes the pressure right off.
And I always take some reading with me, for when traffic is light I get to relax before meetings. Others might prefer something else to reading.
I think it would be useful to spread memes/public education something around when you see a cyclist – it is a human on a cycle – when you see a car – it is a human in a car. Obviously more catchy than that…
From drivers vs cyclists to humans in cars and humans on bikes.
The main reason why cyclists don’t always keep closely to the left is to prevent motorists from cutting them off at intersections, pinch points, bridges and roundabouts.
Every cyclist frequently has the experience of a car or truck coming dangerously close at a point where the rider has no room to move, and as a matter of simple survival they quickly find the best tactic is to move to the centre of the lane for a short period to stop this from happening.
Then when space permits the rider or group will generally move back closer to the left. Cyclists riding in large groups are almost always moving at a reasonable speed usually > 40km/hr and while people love moaning about these ‘lycra-clad road rats’, for the most part they really don’t hold motorists up for more than 30secs or maybe a minute or two at worst.
While the road code does give guidance around motorists to leaving a 1.0 or 1.5m passing distance, the reality is that there are many places where achieving that is not possible.
http://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/2015/11/13/mythbusting-what-a-safe-passing-rule-means/
Years back I was riding somewhere in the South Is near Timaru heading onto a bridge, when an NZR bus roared past at full speed, frighteningly close. I crossed the bridge and a bit shaken took a break on the other side. I still recall my shock at finding a distinct little pile of NZR bus paint on the buckle of my roadside pannier.
Good link that RL, A most important point is made:
” If it is a narrow road, then generally the safest option is to overtake using the next lane over, when the way is clear. If it’s not safe to overtake due to oncoming traffic, then slow down and wait – it’s what you would do if it was (say) a slow-moving tractor. It’s interesting how so many drivers jump straight to the default option of trying to squeeze past between a bike and an adjacent motor vehicle”
In cities one reason not to keep left is car door openers – a real hazard.
Back when I biked frequently I used to reckon on one close call a week, and the only real solution is to keep as far as possible away from drivers. Things like the free left turn bikes take at lights are a safety thing – they put space between you and trouble.
Park cars, when the driver exit, they can’t see a cyclist, the further left the more in the blind spot. So good drivers know this, and govt should lower speed to 30 in tightly parked areas.
@ Soddenleaf
There is actually a simple cure for the car door bike killers. In the Netherlands, drivers are taught to open doors with the inside hand, which tilts the shoulders and makes looking behind much easier – no risk of cricks in necks.
As an (almost) daily cyclist, the biggest thing motorists need to remember is, cycles are allowed to ride in the lane. Not confined to the left of the white line where the parked cars, glass, bits of metal, sharp stones etc reside. If I am passing parked cars I allow for someone opening the door.
I understand the arguments from both sides and in general it boils down to tolerance. I have had quite a few arguments with people over the ‘rights’ of cyclists but I have found that asking them whose fault it is why kids no longer find it safe to bike to school usually shuts them up.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216713
Not really sure how being licensed, have a WOF and Rego contributed to this situation…
There is such an unsatisfactory story here. Cyclists are not being looked after. Everyone is disadvantaged who is trying to be responsible and not use cars.
* A cyclist is doing good for themselves and the planet.
* But there is not a safe lane for them.
* If they go for too long in the way of a car the driver can’t use the car effectively. So has to dawdle behind the cyclist. and holds up a line of traffic at 10-20km when the road was built and planned for 40 km up.
* Bikes on pavements – I hadn’t realised that adults aren’t legally allowed to ride there, just children. I don’t notice adult cyclists paying much attention to the law, and both adults and schoolboys in my area are menacing pedestrians without concern as they whip by either silently, or alarmingly with bells announcing I’m coming – get out of my way.
* If one runs into me and I fall over and sprain or break something, who cares? Who pays for my doctor visit, for the extra dressings I need, for my pain relief, for my lost opportunities while I recover at home stiff and sore? Who recompenses me for the loss of my freedom to move relaxed and peaceful on the footpath without the constraint of awareness, to enjoy my surroundings without being compromised by vehicles that can harm me?
* Cyclists involved in an accident have those same problems.
So they move onto the footpath and endanger pedestrians and behave just like the drivers they are avoiding.
* The effect of cyclists children and adults on the footpath is
that pedestrians have to be on the watchout as if they are walking on a road with slowish traffic; a pavement, is supposed to be a safe haven from vehicles on the road, but is now a path taken over by two-wheeled vehicles, mobility carts, scooters and now Lime scooters.
Ways forward:
* All bicycles with a chain and pedals, even little ones must have a licence with number plates, not too costly but enough to cover the adminisration and number plate costs. This will put in people’s and children’s minds that they are driving a moving vehicle and they must take care, and avoid pedestrians, not the other way round.
* Same for mobility scooters which will be required to use the footpath unless it is too narrow etc. (On the road mobility scooters are really dangerous as their riders are often away in another world, or in a bubble of entitlement that doesn’t include being courteous to other road users.)
* Anyone who runs into someone or causes an accident should, as part of a code of behaviour which will be drawn up and publicised continually to bike and mobility riders, have to help the person they have struck or caused to fall, and leave their licence number.
** And car imports should gradually be reduced, cars should go back to normal size not be high, metal, tiny houses.
* Public transport increase.
* Legitimate taxi companies set up an arrangement where you can place an order for one at a set price, but choose to register for a shared route going to your destination with the cost apportioned. This might take people to a rail hub, a bit like a small bus but would come to your door. There would be a flag fall fee for registering for the shared ride.
* Uber drivers have to pay a flag-fall to the government for each ride. And the system have to pay a user-free for use of the roads.
* Roads should where possible have a wide left hand lane for bikes.
* Planners should stop doing just the same as they do overseas as we are different. Other systems may not work in NZ. Give them a try in some places but not blanket over a whole area.
* Bicycles and bus and truck drivers should have special understandings of each other, be encouraged to see themselves as special, worthy people, looking out for each other; bicycles good for the planet and trucks and buses hauling things and people around – helping, working for community and our business. Each aware of the other and trying to be very clear about hand signals and being aware of future moves.
* Bicycles to have rear mirrors on handlebars so they know what is behind.
* Lime scooters zipping past my place or on city footpaths always a bit fast are going to be more than an irritation.
* There needs to be a tiny, inexpensive Court to deal with infractions (and perhaps fractures) on the footpath so that pedestrians and other users have somewhere to meet and settle who should pay costs after injury and damage. And an established level of violence is to be allowed. Hitting someone over the head with a handbag just okay, but if it has a brick in it, no. Using a bottle will be forbidden. Slapping with gloves means a fine or cycle pumps at dawn with seconds present.
And there should be a code of conduct – pedestrians must not stand having long conversations in the middle of the path; no poking umbrellas through the bicycle spokes, or at riders. Water pistols would be allowed, but not containing indelible dyes.
I have written down all the thoughts that came to me. We need to make changes and I thought that would be a nice lot to start with. No doubt there will be some helpful comments on these.
I’m definitely learning things here I’d not fully considered before with regards to cyclists on roads.
I think more public education is required – education in the points cyclists and car drivers are making here, and other relevant points of course.
Life saving education. Bonus – making the roads more pleasant to be on.
Time management
Respect
Understanding the other’s perspective and situation (a mile in the others shoes)
Re-humanising fellow travelers
WTB= ” I think more public education is required – education in the points cyclists and car drivers are making here,”
What about truck drivers too?
2400 truck movements pass every day on Napier’s roads to Napier port so how do you intend to police the trucks?
Answers please?
Camera surveillance perhaps like Tauranga had on noisy trucks??
14 Feb 2014 12:55 pm | NZ Transport Agency
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/noise-camera-a-sound-initiative/
NZ Transport Agency
1. Media releases
Noise camera a ‘sound’ initiative
14 Feb 2014 12:55 pm | NZ Transport Agency
The NZ Transport Agency is working with the Road Transport Association NZ, Log Transport Safety Council, and National Road Carriers to reduce engine braking noise through a trial in Tauranga.
A ‘noise camera’, which has been installed on SH2 Takitimu Drive near the Elizabeth St roundabout, is at the centre of the trial.
Transport Agency Freight Director Harry Wilson says the camera, a first for New Zealand, photographs only those trucks using noisy engine brakes.
“Answers please?”
I don’t have answers.
The conversation will require all road users and persons cleverer than me at the table. There’s obviously misunderstanding on both sides (cyclists/motorists) as to road rules regarding cycling, and motorists ‘rights’.
Maybe the process would be something like: Work out exactly what’s what – data, law and the views/experiences of road users and experts, see if things might need a tweak to improve safety and then tweak, package in laymans terms a guide for all road users, disseminate the information broadly.
I like the noise cameras, clever.
Two abreast is legal. You just have to think of them as just another slow vehicle. Like the old guy with a cap driving at 30 k.
Also riding in front of a car to ensure your safety, on a road or roundabout where it is too narrow for the car to pass you against oncoming traffic, without pushing you off the road.
Some Car drivers often think they have an absolute right to pass a bike, and a tractor or any slower vehicle, in any situation. Or to turn left in front of you.
The rules say you cannot pass unless you can do it safely. Same as with any vehicle which holds you up. That means being able to keep at least 1m from the bike.
I’ve biked in just about all New Zealand cities. Most car drivers are actually OK. Often they simply don’t see you. Something you have to allow for. Their focus is on other cars. I’ve decided Auckland drivers drive with their eyes shut 🙂
It is only in Wellington, I’ve had car drivers deliberately try and run me over.
I stopped cycling into uni in Auckland it was too dangerous. Rain made road surfaces reflective and shiny, sun made buildings reflective and shiny, pedestrians darting across, buses weaving in and out… I walked.
Sensory overload!
Much nicer walking, and often just as fast as the backed up traffic.
Two abreast was illegal when I passed my driver test & got my licence in ’67. Either that or I’m now so old memory is unreliable.
http://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/2013/06/16/can-you-ride-two-abreast/
“Many cyclists believe that the law is completely on their side with this behaviour, as the Road Code (and the underlying legal Road Rules) allows cyclists to ride two abreast. However the rules do not give cyclists the right to ride two abreast in all circumstances. For example, they must resume cycling single-file when passing to the right of another vehicle, including a parked vehicle. Technically this makes it rather hard to ride next to your mate on many urban streets; you’d be constantly switching back and forth between one and two abreast.”
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/cyclist-code/about-cycling/rules/
Always ride as near as you can to the left side of the road. If you are holding back traffic you must move as far as possible to the left side of the road to allow traffic to pass, as soon as you can. However, you do need to cycle in a sensible position on the road to keep safe. See Cyclist responsibilities for more information.
Two cyclists can ride next to each other but should take into account the keep left rule and not hold back traffic. Three or more people cycling next to each other is illegal, except in the case of a road race that has been given traffic management approval from a road controlling authority.
It’s actually a pretty balanced article, DF just quoted the bits that are the cons against censoring nazis.
The amount of effort to lift your foot slightly off the accelerator or softly push the break pedal is nothing compared to those cyclists using all their energy in all weather. It astounds me how impatient drivers are, just calm the fuck down. Sure there are idiot cyclists, but there are a screaming lot of bully car drivers out there.
I’m trying to keep out of the cycling debate.
The cycling debate is othering.
Othering is easy when you are in a car and they are in lycra.
A related example: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HdgVcGjzgR4
I doubt there’s ever been a war in Yemen without British involvement.
At least five members of Britain’s special forces have reportedly been injured in gun battles in Yemen. If true, the story has serious implications because the British government has long insisted that it is not a party to the conflict.
https://medium.com/@Brian_Whit/british-forces-injured-in-yemen-is-uk-now-a-party-to-the-conflict-7149fc0efcbd
Well technically it may have “serious implications” but who really cares about Yemen when the papers are full of Brexit.
The “man on the Clapham Omnibus” – (the famous average Joe in England) worries about himself and whether Brexit will affect his holiday in Spain this year.
May is toast, so who is actually worrying about Yemen? Surely not her, and it wont sell papers but for one day, Then its back to Brexit and how it will affect our holidays in Spain.
The yankers mightn’t have even told Maybot there were pommies in Yemen.
Were they hit by fragments of wedding guests?
You’se kin pry mah BBQ tongs from mah cold deed hands.
Kiwi Nationalism.
Rugger version – you can take the ‘Crusaders’ name from my…
Yeah…
Ha ha – oh yes there fuckin’ is matey! I’ll be feeling both joy and happiness when yours finishes.
I usually find that somewhere between 45-55% of the nation finds joy and happiness in the end of a high profile politicians career.
Tho the numbers may have been higher when Bill Birch pulled the pin
Poor Jacob isn’t nearly as smart as his dad Bill.
It will be interesting to know who has been pressing this guys buttons in Christchurch, I doubt very much he is a “Lone Wolf”, I think some of the other shooters at the Bruce Rifle Range should be investigated by the SIS ?
I had the same impression from the ex-soldier who joined that gun club, was dismayed by the culture, and never went back! Saw him interviewed a couple of times, thought he was a credible witness.
I’m sure the authorities are all over it. Unless someone’s cousin / school chum would rather they weren’t.
I would think that the other shooters at Bruce Rifle Range will have been investigated thoroughly in the past week or so.
To not do so would be negligent
So disgusting and the cause of SO MUCH SUFFERING – just horrendous.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/111311921/we-finally-know-the-true-extent-of-abuse-in-state-care-it-is-shocking
That article was originally published on the morning of the 15th. I recall Siobahn and myself, both as former foster parents, had a brief discussion about these dreadful stats. This was before our world exploded.
Significant is that the the numbers are high because Oranga Tamariki are collecting and recording the data differently….there may not actually be more abuse…it is that the abuse is being counted.
Also relevant is the breakdown of which particular type of person involved with the care of these children is attracting the greatest number of complaints…and type of complaint.
And when Oranga Tamariki fail to act decisively on notifications from concerned neighbours… https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/385757/little-waihi-residents-vow-that-2yo-nevaeh-jahkaya-whatukura-ager-s-death-not-in-vain
This whanau’s world was exploding in full public view, in the glare of the media spotlight, and none of the authorities the neighbours expressed their concerns to about the wee girl’s safety stepped in to save her life.
Yes I wanted to bring it back to awareness for some – for others like us we havent forgotten it – just timing really.
It is so difficult to rejoin/trust society when state sanctioned caregivers are in fact tormentors and abusers. Especially where folk then go to other authorities only to be patronised and have it all swept under the carpet.
And so a new generation arrive with anti-social tendencies created by society.
I remember you posting on the 15th about this. I left a poem there as it’s all a bit close for comfort to talk at length about here.
I met Shane in State ‘Care’.
Shane
He was 14 and he slept
Curled up in our dog kennel
Under an old cooking apple tree
That had seen
It was better, he said
than the last foster care
and the one before that
and back through the years
He had the prettiest longest eyelashes
This side of the Caribbean
and he
Won hearts and minds
and he
Broke them again
The prize, he said, is Doctor’s bags
Chemists shelves
And surgery swag
As he lit out from his captors
Once more
He was caught then escaped
Till too aged for such japes
Then they took him to Waikeria
To grow old.
I’d like to think that it is understood that not all ‘state sanctioned caregivers’ are/were tormentors and abusers…
Most of us did our very best…realising that in many cases it would never be enough.
I can say with some certitude that all of the children we cared for needed to be removed from their family home to ensure their immediate safety. The myth that authorities are constantly cruising, seeking to violently remove perfectly happy children from safe and loving homes needs to be debunked once and for all.
It simply isn’t true in the vast number of instances. And when they are tardy in responding to reports of children at risk…yet another dead child.
That the authorities (because who the hell knows what we’ll be calling them next restructuring) don’t place these children in safe environments and don’t provide much needed support for these children and their new (hopefully temporary) families is the true crime.
The fact that so many children’s homes are so absolutely dysfunctional, and there seems to be no imperative to find out why is a national disgrace.
“Most of us did our very best…realising that in many cases it would never be enough.”
I absolutely agree. And if not for people like yourself in the system, some of us would have had no hope.
What got/still gets me is that there have been no significant improvements in the care and protection of children since I was officially an ‘at risk’ child some fifty odd years ago.
Yes. There’s so much that works in society, but why aren’t we actively taking on feedback and fixing the things which aren’t working and especially causing harm? BAU finds it inconvenient? Too simplistic…
Perhaps we are at least in some areas now making progress. For me it seems the wheels grind interminably slower for those aware of the issues.
e.g. Some people have been fighting on climate change for half a century or maybe more, that’s got to be SO frustrating. I was a late tagger on, maybe 20 years, still feeling a bit tired of talking about it 😉
I remember someone caring for a young child who came to them without any of the personal management milestones, and was helped greatly. Soon she could use the toilet, didn’t do it all in her pants/naps. But each time she went back home to visit she would return having reverted to the default system she had adopted in all the basics. It was very hard to deal with and it seemed that keeping her in touch with home was possibly spoiling her development, retarding her so she would be behind her peers as she grew up. It also made foster care of her more difficult than it should have been, and more demanding on the rest of the household.
This week, there have been two opinion pieces commenting on gangs following to the Christchurch massacres. Stuff’s offering from Mike Yardley, was based on old prejudices, unsubstantiated assumptions and was dripping with cynicism and insulting language. In it he advocated legal changes which would presume gang members should not share the same rights as others and indicated that gangs should be disposed of by the State using violent means. To add flavor, he referenced a comment by the Minister of Police that was at odds with the aspirational, inclusive and kindness of the Prime Minister that have gained international respect. The rant was obviously poorly researched, ill-considered and lacked the insight and eloquence of Paito Fatu, the inspirational president of the county’s largest Mongrel Mob chapter. In summary, he depicting a country where the ‘good people’ are constantly being assaulted in a war with gang members who are armed to the teeth with semi-automatic rifles that they won’t surrender. A strange commentary when it was white supremacy that stirred the pot. Stuff carried the opinion piece at the most inopportune of times but at least had the decency to remove it from the website within hours. On the other hand, today’s Herald carries an informed nuanced opinion piece by a qualified researcher and expert, Jarrod Gilbert (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216426).
Gilbie has no idea aomy.
Its becoming so hard to tell who these ‘good people ‘ are,
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-king-urges-support-for-good-people-hours-before-polls-open
thank some deity for bertold brecht
Sonny Fatu inspired nothing but fear for a long time. The name is legend in some circles and it aint good. A supposed change of heart is commendable, but cynicism is not unreasonable (not talking about the news attack pieces but people in general).
I commend the man for his current stance. It is up to him to show if he is posturing or genuine. We love redemption stories, and they do occur. If Sonny can turn it around, there’s hope for a lot of bad bastards.
Address addictions, they make bad stuff worse and healing much harder.
Address hate by humbling yourself in the service of others more vulnerable than yourself. When love is given, love is received, not before.
Service to your community builds pride.
Staying your hand shows strength. Especially where you are stronger physically.
Re-establish ties to culture and family where broken. Be patient. Where family is not present build new ties based on love and respect.
It’s so much better being part of the world than hating it. Despite the fact some may have lists of grievances against them, it is not an excuse to cause harm.
You could find good news every day if you sought it out. Even better, you could create good news.
Some might think I’m patronising, they have no idea of the shit I’ve survived to be here.
It’s so much better being part of the world than hating it.
This.
Some might think I’m patronising, they have no idea of the shit I’ve survived to be here.
No it was always clear you were being honest and authentic to your own story …
Still overly defensive I guess.
Yardley’s piece is still there….https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/111533164/despite-their-sorrow-over-the-terror-attacks-nz-gangs-have-not-changed
…and Gilbert is not entirely 100% without a modicum of skepticism, in fact he says…
” There will be sceptics, of course, and that isn’t just understandable; it’s probably healthy.
Not only are the Mongrel Mob responsible for some of New Zealand’s most notorious crimes – think Ambury Park 1986 – but they have also been apt to bite the hand that helps them.
In 2012 a chapter in Dunedin were given access to $20,000 of Whanau Ora funding and they promptly used it to set up a cannabis growing operation. Entrepreneurial, for sure, but not what was envisaged.
So people are right to cast a narrow eye to see how this plays out, but the evidence thus far is there to see. ”
If the days of a father with peripheral Mob connections saying his 15 year old daughter deserved the ‘block’ for hanging around the gang house are over…I’ll be on the road to optimism.
As Gilbert says….these guys are getting old…hopefully they’ll use the last of their ‘influence’ for positive change.
aom
Thanks for link to Jarrod Gilbert. It is interesting to know what he is thinking after his in-depth period being in contact with gangs and knowing how they tick.
As for Mike Yardley, here is a man who apparently free lances and writes in a punchy style, well flavoured so to speak. He does a bit of everything, likes travel, and is probably waiting for his next assignment there. In the meantime he needs to provide some lucre in his pocket and the gangs are reliably colourful and rambunctious.
There is hope for good things from gang initiatives that have come up FTTT and I looked at Denis O’Reilly? the other day for some background. We can give more positives to him and the other leaders who want to find a place where they can be good citizens able to make their way legally whether pakeha or Maori.
You mention Paito Fatu and if he and his Mongrel Mob cohort want to move in a positive direction, that’s good, and the good they have achieved so far should be cause for a happy smile from citizens and with a willingness to support further steps. So let us hear less of Mike Yardley popping up for a fast buck, and more from the Mongrel Mob going after the decent life which should be due to everybody in this society who cares to be a good citizen, whether they wear a suit coat or a leather jacket showing a golf club, or other, logo on it.
A provincial election has been called in Canada’s smallest province Prince Edward Island. The Greens are currently leading in the polls. Should they win they will be the country’s first Green government at provincial level. Islanders will also vote in a referendum on electoral reform asking if they want to stay with FPTP or switch to MMP.
https://globalnews.ca/news/5065522/poll-pei-election/
Shit Scott I drove around PEI (Prince Edward Island in February 1976 as a resident Kiwi in Toronto before leaving Canada.
They are the most friendly folks I have ever met, and a lot of residents there spend all winter in the pubs there, and it reminded me of the west coast of South Island here.
I can see why they would vote for ‘Greens’ as it is a horticulture industry and fishing mainly.
There was a settlement at the south east side of PEI that is called New Zealand.
I stopped at the store and we three kiwis signed the log book of visitors and there was the library of evidence that explained how it was named after a Mariner from NZ was sailing around PEI in the early 1900’s about 1910 i think from memory and he capsized his boat on a reef there and set up their life there afterwards.
You have to hand it to Claire Trevett. Her articles are always well put together, and often very funny. He latest offering is both:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216819
This bit:
LOL
Claire and Hooten have had to go back over a decade to any Labour leader responsibility for lack of gun control.
Anytime they want to hold National’s last three terms to account would be good.
Hooten’s shocking bias against Labour and in defence of National undercuts any rational message he may have.
Hooten = RWNJ
Oh i paid a million for my home, no, wait you paid two… …these peolple selling homes to each other to tap capital gain are bottom of the barrel capitalists. Creaming the top for no advantage to the economy. End the private tax on us all, tax capital gains now.
A fairly charitable read of the situation from the Washington Post:
When it comes to foreign invaders, we must be vigilant:
https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/The-Wiggles-tickets/artist/705291
Is the ‘big red car’ a communist trojan horse?
Does the song ‘toot toot chuga chuga’ encourage our infants to use cocaine and beer?
And what of ‘hot potato’ – a reference to the contentious immigration debate?
In the Herald today there is an article stating that The Wiggles have Sold Out.
Who to?
They’ll deny it, of course, but we mustn’t give them any wriggle room.
Thank you – I needed a smile after wading through all that combative stuff!
Pence? Does he even believe the moon exists wtf is going on here – just out right bullshit or a way to get the big rockets fixed for spacearmy.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2019/03/pence-america-will-put-astronauts-back-on-the-moon-in-five-years
Yay to space science. Boo to the posturing.
One could argue the Earth has more pressing issues, but others might argue the Earth is cooked and we need an escape capsule.
Others might simply argue 😉
I am a self confessed space geek. I don’t go too deep into it as all that math is well over my pay grade. But I absolutely love the imagery and commentary returned by excursions and experts.
This stuff fires the imagination, lends wonder and discovery to jaded minds.
To Pence it is a PR tool. A powerful PR tool for an administration direly in need of PR.
Murica!
Yeah – funny. A few days saying “no collusion”, then when the news starts saying “no ,i>conclusive evidence of collusion” we’re back to the moon lol
They need the space suits, first.
The comments under the article are funny.
I’m picturing an earlier meeting in which the administration agreed on the need for a bold new initiative to inspire the American people, something like JFK’s announcement that the US would send astronauts to the moon, and Pence noting down “inspring new initiative – astronauts to moon.”
Damn – is Trump getting all his policy from Iron Sky?
So proud of our people, of our youth. Thank you.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/rnz/teacher-shuts-down-hate-speech-wake-terror-attack
Here on Earth we stand living our our potentially wonderful lives of everyday impact of new ideas, new vistas, change and building on the past, retaining, holding what we can of the good, and trying to learn from the bad. A full time job. Exploring caves with features built up over a the course of a thousand lifetimes. And the capitalist creations made from thousands of ideas and agreements and tokens have built the money system that strips Earth of its resources and denies people the ability or right to have a place to stand and live and be themselves.
Instead capitalism has tilted the playing field where the people stand so that most of us will slide, fall off and die. Then the money-mad materialists will use the requisitioned required resources to send a man and woman to the moon for a permanent base. They know so much that when they look up to the sky they don’t see heaven, religious fantasies are for fools. They have better, scientific fantasies. It’s doing things and utilising the money system that fires the sagging dolls of capitalism as pictured in the Alex cartoons in The Telegraph, limited to their rat runs and their figures on screens.
Caves:
Caves reveal past climate change
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/2018688270/caves-reveal-past-climate-change
US wants permanent moon base in five years
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018688550/us-wants-permanent-moon-base-in-five-years
(They will go that far just to get away from those pesky Mexicans?)
Alex – just double click for size.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/alex/alex-archive/
Former White House adviser Steve Bannon believes President Trump will “come off the chains” and “go full animal” on his political opponents. “He will use it to bludgeon them,”
https://nypost.com/2019/03/25/bannon-predicts-trump-to-go-full-animal-now-that-russia-probe-is-over/
Bannon expects the next year in politic to be the most vitriolic since the civil war.
Fasten your seat belts, world.
well he should know, right?
I would agree with that assessment.
The Billion dollar fix.
In the days preceding the official conclusion of the Mueller Report, Brad Parscale, Trump’s campaign manager, was on a trip to Romania, where he outlined a $1 billion dollar strategy to get the U.S. President re-elected in 2020.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tudormihailescu/2019/03/24/trump-campaign-chief-outlines-1-billion-strategy-for-2020-on-trip-to-romania/amp/
Latest is;
This will be exposed in documents being released soon.
Republican Senior Lindsey Graham press release; He claims; –
George Soros Billionaire bankrolled a campaign to get a phony Russian collusion case against Donald Trump from Russia/Ukraine contacts under Hillary Clinton before his election as an ‘insurance policy’ should he win that election.
The case began when “A secretive Washington firm that commissioned the dubious intelligence dossier on Donald Trump is stonewalling congressional investigators trying to learn more about its connections to the Democratic Party.”
“The Senate Judiciary Committee is also investigating whether the FBI has wrongly relied on the anti-Trump dossier and its author, Christopher Steele — the old spy who was hired by Fusion GPS to build a Russia file on Trump — to aid its ongoing espionage investigation into the Trump campaign and its possible ties to Moscow.”
We know this was fake information now of Russian Collusion between Trump debunked by special Council Mueller.
https://nypost.com/2017/06/24/inside-the-shadowy-intelligence-firm-behind-the-trump-dossier/
How to sell a massacre part 2 is up
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/australia-nation-offered-change-voting-system-cash-190327170846167.html
Oh deary me…
Thanks WTB for the link, much appreciated.
NRA targeting NZ social media users
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216973
‘From the cradle to the grave’
The Welfare State still lives
We have Corporate Welfare, where the government spends $1.7 billion protecting investors in the collapsed South Canterbury Finance, and another $1.48 billion bailing out AMI insurance when they wouldn’t pay out their insurance claims after the Christchurch Earthquake.
Now the Government say they will cover the losses of Spec Builders.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/383859/what-does-the-crown-underwrite-of-kiwibuild-homes-mean-for-taxpayers
Good to know spec builders are being looked after,
Meanwhile, as spec builders get paid for houses left standing empty, for lack of buyers.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/107698218/at-least-3600-homeless-in-auckland-but-problem-could-be-worse-than-count-results-show
Kia ora Newshub It’s good that Facebook has started to ban the hate group from their site.
Its is awesome that the joint year of tourism with China and Aotearoa is underway Kelvin.
I seen the stats on the Sips tamariki being abuse more mess our humane Government has to clean up.
NO comment on brexit. The Tauranga Council need to get its – – – – they created the environment for the poor homeless people I drove through greeaton quite a lot I never seen that many homeless that shop owner looks like he has a personal problem with poor people – – – – – – – -. It gives me hope that someone is challenging this law in the courts.
With the elite school issues in America at the minute that is how the systems work in America and around the world?????????.
Thunder birds car in Britain Lloyd it looks like a classic and its getting a lot of interest from potential buyers Ka pai. Ka kite ano
Kia ora Te ao Maori News
Its looks like the government needs to do some more research on classification of manuka honey everyone knows the best Manuka Honey comes from the place where it was first discovered and has the highest % of the good stuff in it Te tairawhiti. Sea Lords has to clean up its act.
Its cool to see te tai tokerou kapa haka is on the up ka kite ano P.S I see
Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.
Kia ora R&R With the emrgenc of super bugs part of the problem is drug companies pushing the sale of antibiotics hence the bugs mutanta and become rasistance to drugs. That is another reason money it’s not profitable for the company’s to develop the drugs so government has to step up and make sure the drugs are being research and develop.
That is the reason why we need to protect Tane Mahuta Wild life because one of the plants /animals that are going EXTINCT could hold the cure for humam AILMENTs.
We best learn fast to save these species from extinction if not that could be the down fall of humans.
We also should research old Maori medicines to. I agree with him tangata go to the DOCTOR. Live longer to guide OUR Mokopuna up there ladders of Life. Ka kite ano