Open Mike 28/01/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 28th, 2017 - 48 comments
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48 comments on “Open Mike 28/01/2017 ”

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  1. Carolyn_nth 1
    28 January 2017 at 6:10 am

    What a bunch of jokers, these US Federal Reserve Bankers: via The Intercept:

    ridiculed and laughed at the unemployed; blamed poor work ethics, drugs, and poor education for people being unemployed; failed to account for the rise in unemployment in the GFC; failed to give explanations of how society failed the unemployed, the under-educated;

    and didn’t explain why they pay a pittance for demoralising jobs, or why wide spread drug taking may be a response to stressful and/or a depressing social and economic context.

    • Whispering Kate 1.1
      28 January 2017 at 10:35 am

      Considering Bankers and others of their ilk consider snorting cocaine as their recreational drug of choice what a bunch of hypocrites they are. Wasn’t there some high flyers who got name suppression for being caught buying cocaine in a Police cocaine heist, here in Auckland recently.

  2. Penny Bright 2
    28 January 2017 at 8:21 am

    Is it ‘done and dusted’ that Jacinda Adern will become the next MP for Mt Albert?

    http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2017/01/the-2016-corruption-perception-index-isnt-worth-the-paper/

    This National Government, in my view, is VERY politically vulnerable on corruption.

    Despite the best efforts of the effectively Government- funded ‘mouthpiece’ Transparency International NZ to put ‘glitter on the stinking turd’ that is this worsening corrupt, polluted tax haven – otherwise purported to be ‘clean, green’ New Zealand?

    No other NZ political party or person, has spent the last TEN years, ‘whistle-blowing’ against corruption as I have, or has produced a comprehensive ‘ACTION PLAN for Transparency and Accountability’ as I have.

    (Have you read it?
    It’s in the linked Press Release 🙂

    Wouldn’t it make much more political sense to have a fiercely INDEPENDENT MP for Mt Albert in the House, to keep the heat on corruption from the INSIDE?

    Rather than an existing MP who does not have these anti-corruption policies or proven track record in fighting for these policies?

    What do YOU think?

    Penny Bright

    2017 Independent candidate Mt Albert by-election

  3. Sabine 3
    28 January 2017 at 8:39 am

    I think Helen Clark just got out of dogde in time

    http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-un-idUSKBN15B1NG?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social

    “”Our goal with the administration is to show value at the U.N. and the way that we’ll show value is to show our strength, show our voice, have the backs of our allies and make sure that our allies have our back as well,” Haley said.

    “For those that don’t have our back, we’re taking names, we will make points to respond to that accordingly,” added Republican President Donald Trump’s U.N. envoy.

    Haley, who was South Carolina’s Republican governor when Trump picked her for the post, has little foreign policy and no U.S. federal government experience.”

    oh dear oh dear…how dare people not support the US.

  4. AsleepWhileWalking 4
    28 January 2017 at 8:41 am

    Quote of the day is this headline:
    http://johngaltfla.com/wordpress/2017/01/26/the-atm-of-today-is-the-phone-booth-of-tomorrow/

    China first to issue digital currency. Beware, with no cash comes complete tracking of spending/investments (there goes any remaining privacy) and more opportunity to tax tax tax…

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1
      28 January 2017 at 10:20 am

      Beware, with no cash comes complete tracking of spending/investments (there goes any remaining privacy) and more opportunity to tax tax tax…

      And the elimination of crime. And a few other advantages as well.

      And just because it’s tracked doesn’t mean that it’s being looked at.

      And then there’s the fact that digital currency is in high use by the private banks that create 97% of our money.

      • KJT 4.1.1
        28 January 2017 at 1:38 pm

        Most transactions are digital already. And subject to “private tax” in the form of transaction charges by the banks.

        Also removes opportunities to dodge tax and launder criminal proceeds. Swings and roundabouts.

      • One Two 4.1.2
        28 January 2017 at 1:58 pm

        “Elimination of crime”

        NO!

        “doesn’t mean it’s being looked at”

        You live in denial or a fantasy land, when it comes to technology

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.1
          28 January 2017 at 2:29 pm

          No, I’m quite aware of technology and it’s strengths and weaknesses.

          As KJT says, almost all transactions are presently recorded by the private banks and yet nobody’s complaining about that. And they can be hacked and looked at as the police treatment of Nicky Hager shows.

          The only defence against that is good rules and enforcement of those rules.

          Thing is, the majority of people will never have their transactions looked at because they’re really uninteresting.

          And, yeah, it completely removes the ability of corporations and rich people to hide their transactions thus dodge tax. If you want a financial transactions tax then this is the only way to go about it.

          • One Two 4.1.2.1.1
            28 January 2017 at 2:48 pm

            The issues/effects which will arise from a ‘cashless society’ are not technological in essence

            And you clearly have no idea how corporations and ‘rich people’ operate and structure their financial affairs!

            • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.1.1.1
              28 January 2017 at 4:36 pm

              The issues/effects which will arise from a ‘cashless society’ are not technological in essence
              No, they’re about peoples fear of what they’re buying being known to the government. For some strange reason, they don’t have this fear of private banks having that same information.

              And you clearly have no idea how corporations and ‘rich people’ operate and structure their financial affairs!

              Well, that’s the difference between what we have now and a truly cashless society where there is no bank money. The structure will be known, their transactions will be known and so will the fact that they’re avoiding paying taxes. Well, that latter is already known but the present structure prevents anyone from getting the necessary information together to prove it.

              • One Two …
                28 January 2017 at 5:36 pm

                1. Do you understand who/what controls ‘money creation’ inside the current frameworks?

                2.Do you understand who/what is driving the ‘digital currency’ agenda?

                3. Can you explain how in your utopian ‘cashless society’ the existing money masters are not the future money masters?

  5. AsleepWhileWalking 5
    28 January 2017 at 8:46 am

    Here’s one of my favourite skeptics, James Corbett commenting on cashless society

    • Once was and others etc 5.1
      28 January 2017 at 12:38 pm

      Bang on the money!
      Whether or not you buy into the idea that it was Modi’s wish to clean up black money, the implementation was/is one of the most ham-fisted things I’ve ever experienced – and that leads to the idea that it wasn’t really about ‘black money’ at all.

      When he came to power, he stated he wanted to give every family a bank account – a noble gesture in as much as it was a way of employees not being ripped off/underpaid/etc.
      Why then did he not wait UNTIL that had been achieved, or at least provided many more people to get one.
      The people most affected are the most vulnerable – the poor, and those such as crop farmers (who are obliged to pay minimal tax anyway) who contribute to feeding the nation and to export earnings – they’re underpaid and receive SFA as a percentage of the final ‘earn’ from their endeavours.

      Modi knows the black money is most evident in areas such as contruction, things like wedding palaces during the wedding ‘season’, jewelery, etc. (It still is – despite the programme of demonetisation)
      The cost has been immense – even if you happen to just be standing in a line waiting to get into a bank, and a few half-starved people feint around you – often spent a sizable portion of their daily currency quota just getting to the bank from a remote village.
      And then when you do get into a bank, the Bank Manager and his (note I say HIS) employees consider themselves Gods, and those, whose money they guard and manipulate are mere rabble. And if they attempt to protest – well there’s always a vintage shotgun toting security guard to whip ’em into line. (No concept of a customer or ‘service’ – concepts under which they are attempting to trade on)

      IF Modi had been genuine, he’d have done what seems to me as the bleeding obvious:
      – Waited till his wish to give every family – or at least a majority a bank account.
      – Made sure the banking infrastructure was actually up to it.

      – Rather than going for the ‘big bang’, he’d have simply announced there was going to be ‘new currency issued’. I.e. nothing more. The real holders of black money would have remained oblivious and not tried to find ways of burying their ill-gotten gains at the expense of the poor. (He simply caused many to bury their black money in jewelry, in property with Rajastan or Italian marble, etc. etd. Oh …. and in political donations to the BJP and others). The State Police in some areas found people burning vast wads of 1,000 notes, rather than having to explain, and incur 200% penalty.

      – Next, he’d have printed enough 2,000 and 500 rupee notes (indeed overprinted), AND ensured they were distributed around the nation

      – THEN he’d have announced withdrawal of present currency. The tax department would be investigating large deposits and their source anyway. At least an exchange of 500 rupee notes would not have been as critical and would allow those on subsistence income to survive – even though experiencing a little hardship.

      Corbett really does raise some valid points. As Modi will learn (eventually), even the poor are not fucking stupid. I say ‘eventually’ because it might not be during this election round …. but nothing’s permanent and hidden from scrutiny when the natives eventually get restless and beat the drums.

      Penny Bright’s comment above is also interesting …. At least in India, you KNOW there’s corruption – it’s overt, and unless you’re not a complete mug, it’s expected.
      Whereas in ‘little ole NuZull’ (and amongst the Nation of Global Corporatism), it’s covert, driven by a sense of entitlement often – and cronyism [just check out Frank’s crony watch for a start].
      Let’s just hope it doesn’t end violently, but I’m seeing signs that it will

  6. Fisiani 6
    28 January 2017 at 9:01 am

    Looking forward to the speeches. Will Angry be an orator and win over Green doubters or will Turie offer more bribes? This will be a beauty contest to divide up the Luddite 40%. Will it be L 28 G 12 or L 26 G 14? Meanwhile the country prospers and wages far outstrip inflation. Progress is all around enjoy the speeches I hope they bring a ray of sunshine.

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  7. Robert Guyton 7
    28 January 2017 at 10:46 am

    The ArchDruid’s having a dark day.

    “There’s a certain bleak amusement to be had from the fact that one of the central themes of this blog not that many years back—“Collapse Now and Avoid the Rush”—has already passed its pull date.”

    Have a read, if you will, and decide for yourself whether he’s, as is usually the case, on the button (chilling allusion intended 🙂

    http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/how-great-fall-can-be.html

    • marty mars 7.1
      28 January 2017 at 11:13 am

      I have found his position on trump unpalatable. He is a conservative and a Freemason and a very good writer. It has enlightening to me to realise that I can like a lot of what he says and disagree strongly on other points.

      “Collapse Now and Avoid the Rush” has been my mantra for years now – I recommend it 🙂

  8. Robert Guyton 8
    28 January 2017 at 10:53 am

    Crowd funding to by an environment centre – if you’ve always wanted to assist in a great community project, but didn’t know how, I’ve blogged on one more-than-worthwhile PledgeMe opportunity , right here in Riverton (apologies for the linky-self-promotion, I hope to be forgiven here)

    http://robertguyton.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/crowd-funding-for-environment-centre.html

  9. Stephanie Rodgers 9
    28 January 2017 at 11:01 am

    Here’s my speaking notes from this week’s Wellington Fabians discussion, on the political prospects for 2017.
    https://bootstheory.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/the-political-prospects-for-2017-living-our-values/

    • Rosemary McDonald 9.1
      28 January 2017 at 1:39 pm

      That’s sort of where I’m coming from with regard to the upcoming election.

      You try not to make it ‘all about [insert special interest group here]’, but when successive governments have failed that group and the future is looking worse…then demanding specific policy statements on specific issues is almost a duty.

      Labour failed to have a specific policy for disability supports (for non ACC) in 2014…they had an airy fairy ‘living ordinary lives’ type statement but failed when it came to specific issues. The devil resides and thrives in the detail.

      I will never apologise for making securing my vote conditional on having specific policy statements on specific issues.

      Enjoyed the read, Stephanie.

  10. locus 10
    28 January 2017 at 11:33 am

    I’m watching RT television news right now. (RT is the Russian state’s main international news organisation)

    In the space of 10 minutes, this is the world according to RT:
    – The far left are rioting against Donald Trump (lots of gory violence and molotov cocktail shots)
    – The mainstream controlled US media is guided by an outdated model that doesn’t recognise the new reality
    – All of the foreign media are trying toshow how bad it is here in Russia
    – The mainstream media are in bed with Hilary Clinton
    – The Chinese state enslaves workersand children to work in coal mines
    – Marine le Pen is on her way to becoming president
    – The media in the US are acting like anti American strategist
    ….. and people quote and trust RT as a trustworthy news source?!

    • mauī 10.1
      28 January 2017 at 12:17 pm

      And when was the last time New Zealand’s state tv channel provided any decent geopolitical analysis? Or interviewed a respected independent journalist? Or showed a decent investigative journalism documentary?

      RT does this regularly.

      • Foreign waka 10.1.1
        28 January 2017 at 2:54 pm

        Quite right, TVNZ programing……rugby, …sport,….golf,…..cricket,…an accident on highway xyz,…sport,….kerfuffle regarding Waitangi,….rugby 7’s,…..water shortage looming in HB, ….cricket,….sport, sport, sport….that will keep them quiet.

        • locus 10.1.1.1
          28 January 2017 at 10:29 pm

          interesting premise Foreign waka …
          does TV programming reflect what the majority of viewers want to watch, (more viewers, more advertising revenue) or is it that viewers are ‘influenced’ by the prevalence of the topics on TV so their viewing preference is moulded by those controlling the programming – who possibly want to “keep them quiet”

          I haven’t recently watched NZ television so I’m not sure how far it’s designed to ‘keep people quiet’ – my observation on RT was more about the framing of every topic presented

          when national TV media – like RT – is entirely state controlled and there is a demagogic leader, the framing and content of their national and international broadcasting is engineered to promote what is most in their own interest.

          RT excels at presenting national and international stories and views that enhance Putin’s and Russia’s image at home and abroad, and which subtly (and at times blatantly) are intended to turn people against their opponents and enemies

          At least in countries that practise democratic values it’s still possible for the media to present criticism of the state or the leader without fear of losing their jobs – or as is the case in countries like Russia, fear of losing their lives

    • NewsFlash 10.2
      28 January 2017 at 5:15 pm

      Oh, so free speech in Russia still exists does it?

  11. marty mars 11
    28 January 2017 at 11:34 am

    Good idea

    “A veteran group of squatters has occupied an empty £15m central London property purchased by a Russian oligarch in 2014 and opened it as a homeless shelter.

    The extensive, five-storey Grade ll-listed Eaton Square property was bought by Andrey Goncharenko, a little-known oligarch who has bought a number of luxury properties in London in recent years.

    The squatters – Autonomous Nation of Anarchist Libertarians, known as ANAL – said they entered the building through an open window on 23 January and have accommodated about 25 homeless people so far, many of whom had been sleeping rough around Victoria station.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/27/squatters-open-oligarchs-empty-london-property-as-homeless-shelter?CMP=twt_gu

    So needed to

    “New rough sleeper figures published this week have revealed an increase of 16% from last year, to more than 4,000.

    More than 200,000 homes have been empty for more than six months, according to new government figures.”

    The time for empty houses is gone – the time for homelessness is gone.

    • weka 11.1
      28 January 2017 at 1:18 pm

      In NZ someone could start with empty state houses.

      • marty mars 11.1.1
        28 January 2017 at 1:25 pm

        yep and lots of empty holiday homes here too

        • weka 11.1.1.1
          28 January 2017 at 1:31 pm

          where would people have holidays if they had squatters in them?

        • Alan 11.1.1.2
          28 January 2017 at 1:41 pm

          so the concept of private property doesn’t fit with your view of the world
          marty?

          • KJT 11.1.1.2.1
            28 January 2017 at 1:46 pm

            Depends how they made the money for the property.

            Leveraging off tax payer utilities, and infrastructure, while avoiding taxes would disqualify many of our wealthiest people. Whose property, is it?

          • marty mars 11.1.1.2.2
            28 January 2017 at 1:53 pm

            not really – it’s pretty overrated imo

            I do like people making homes that they can feel safe in, that they can build memories, and generations, without being moved on though – if private property is the vehicle we use to manifest that then I can accept a bit of it.

  12. joe90 12
    28 January 2017 at 2:28 pm

    This shit will make the recent fake news shenanigans seem quaint.

    http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/fake-news-technology?

    • greywarshark 12.1
      28 January 2017 at 3:31 pm

      joe90
      WTF. Will we have to listen to live feed ourselves to know we are getting the truth?

  13. joe90 13
    28 January 2017 at 3:25 pm

    Holocaust remembrance day and Trump has signed an order indefinitely banning all Syrian refugees fleeing the horrors of ISIS/civil war.

    http://myfox8.com/2017/01/27/tension-rises-as-first-phase-of-trumps-muslim-shutdown-takes-shape/

  14. joe90 14
    28 January 2017 at 3:54 pm

    Apparently pumpkin pinochet is big on revenge.

    “Our goal with the administration is to show value at the U.N. and the way that we’ll show value is to show our strength, show our voice, have the backs of our allies and make sure that our allies have our back as well,” Haley said.

    “For those that don’t have our back, we’re taking names, we will make points to respond to that accordingly,” added Republican President Donald Trump’s U.N. envoy.

    Haley, who was South Carolina’s Republican governor when Trump picked her for the post, has little foreign policy and no U.S. federal government experience.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-un-idUSKBN15B1NG?

  15. Morrissey 15
    28 January 2017 at 6:28 pm

    More on the hapless Professor Lawrence Krauss

    Yesterday this board was embroiled in quite a stoush after I posted up a critique of some ignorant partisan comments by one Lawrence Krauss, who is supposed to be working as a scientist….
    https://thestandard.org.nz/doomsday-clock-moves-forward/#comment-1292322

    As the debate raged yesterday, something nagged at me. I had a vague memory I’d come across Krauss in the past, and I had the feeling he was less than impressive.

    And now, thanks to the wonders of Boolean algebra, I’ve been able to track down some incriminating video evidence of this pitiful stooge in action. Here he is trying to match wits with someone far more serious and well informed than him. Just like his ridiculous anti-Russian broadside yesterday on RNZ National, Krauss comes out of it looking very, very foolish. For those who don’t know much, like our friend HDCAFriendlyTroll, Krauss is the tongue-tied ditherer shuffling the papers …