Open Mike 29/12/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, December 29th, 2017 - 107 comments
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107 comments on “Open Mike 29/12/2017 ”

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  1. James 1
    29 December 2017 at 8:30 am

    The 10 best things trump has done in his first yeear of office.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11966657

    Enforced President Barack Obama’s red line against Syria’s use of chemical weapons

    Taken a surprisingly tough line with Russia approving a $47 million arms package for Ukraine, sent troops to Poland’s border with Russia and imposed new sanctions on Moscow for violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

    Recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Four American presidents promised to do it, but only one actually did.

    Withdrew from the Paris climate agreement helping usher in a new age of American energy development.

    Got NATO allies to kick in $12 billion more toward our collective security

    Virtually eliminated the Islamic State’s physical caliphate

    Admitted he was wrong on Afghanistan and reversed Obama’s disastrous withdrawal.

    Enacted historic tax and regulatory reform that has unleashed economic growth.

    Installing conservative judges who will preside for decades

    Delivered the coup de grace that ended the Clinton political machine

    Was not aware that 4 presidents had said they were going to recognise Jerusalem.

    The guy is doing well.

    • Ed 1.1
      29 December 2017 at 8:37 am

      ‘Enacted historic tax and regulatory reform that has unleashed economic growth.’

      Given the rich a massive tax hike and made America even more unequal.

      Why is that good?

      http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/senate-tax-cuts-donald-trump-rich-us-vote-republican-vote-result-latest-a8088196.html

    • Psycho Milt 1.2
      29 December 2017 at 8:43 am

      You have one seriously fucked-up concept of the word “best.”

      • Ed 1.2.1
        29 December 2017 at 8:50 am

        No wonder he doesn’t understand the word ‘socialism ‘ if his vocabulary hasn’t reached ‘best’ yet.

        • James 1.2.1.1
          29 December 2017 at 10:00 am

          If you read it (or had basic comprehension skills you would see that was the word used by the author.

          • Ed 1.2.1.1.1
            29 December 2017 at 10:02 am

            You agreed with the article.
            ‘The guy is doing well.’

          • Psycho Milt 1.2.1.1.2
            29 December 2017 at 10:31 am

            Posting it here implies endorsement of the author’s views, as does the endorsement you wrote underneath the quoted section.

            • Wensleydale 1.2.1.1.2.1
              29 December 2017 at 12:01 pm

              He’s just trying to get a rise out of you. Why else would you post a “Hooray for Trump!” article on TS? It’s like posting a “Hooray for Helen Clark!” article on WhaleOil. Don’t take the bait.

              • Stunned mullet …
                29 December 2017 at 1:17 pm

                Yep it was some pretty transparent trolling even by James’ standards.

                I do note the author of the original piece in the WAPO has said they also intend to publish the ten worst things Trump has done in their opinion – it will be interesting to see the lists side by side.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.2.2
        29 December 2017 at 10:54 am

        +111

        He pretty much listed the worst things that Trump and his administration have done.

    • halfcrown 1.3
      29 December 2017 at 8:58 am

      Is this a wind up James?

      • Grey Area 1.3.1
        29 December 2017 at 9:35 am

        Yes.

      • James 1.3.2
        29 December 2017 at 9:55 am

        No it’s a link from the paper as published in the Washington Post.

        • Ed 1.3.2.1
          29 December 2017 at 9:59 am

          There is a link and it is a wind up.

          • James 1.3.2.1.1
            29 December 2017 at 10:02 am

            You’re not big on understanding opposite views to your own are you.

            Now I can see why you think Venezuela is a success- ay comrad.

            • adam 1.3.2.1.1.1
              29 December 2017 at 2:45 pm

              Venezuela is not the economic basket case you lot spin. Anyone else remember the toilet paper lie Gosman ran with – that one was the supermarket chains deliberately not buying toilet paper to sell, to create a crisis so the western media could go – look the Venezuelan government is so bad, it run out of toilet paper.

              Let’s face facts shall we, most of the militant right wing in Venezuela are racist – how do you defended them james?

              How do you defend your right wing buddies killing Black Venezuelans on the street? I’d be interested to see that James, I really would.

              Seeing as you brought Venezuela up.

    • Psycho Milt 1.4
      29 December 2017 at 10:41 am

      Was not aware that 4 presidents had said they were going to recognise Jerusalem.

      You weren’t aware of it because, like so much else that author writes, the claim is a steaming pile of bullshit. Back in the 90s, Congress passed a law describing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and requiring the executive to move its embassy there. Successive presidents since have signed a waiver preventing that from happening on “national security” grounds, having sufficient cognitive faculties (even Bush!) to recognise what a stupid fucking idea it was. The current PotUS, having made a specialty of stupid fucking ideas, won’t sign the waiver.

    • Brigid 1.5
      29 December 2017 at 1:04 pm

      “Virtually eliminated the Islamic State’s physical caliphate”.
      No actually that’s not correct.

    • Craig H 1.6
      29 December 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Lowering taxes can increase growth if taxes are high enough, but that level is around 80%.

  2. Ed 2
    29 December 2017 at 8:41 am

    ‘Recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.’

    Increased tensions in the Middle East significantly.

    Why is that good?

    • Ed 2.1
      29 December 2017 at 9:04 am

      To use Sanctuary’s style

      ‘A catastrophe for the Middle East with tensions increasing and a disaster for US influence as it surrenders yet another global leadership position.

      However, from an Zionist and evangelical POV probably a good thing. Israel gets to do what it wants and fuck the Palestinians and the evangelicals who voted for Trump the US can afford to dream about the Rapture now that Trump has fulfilled biblical prophecies.

  3. Ed 3
    29 December 2017 at 8:42 am

    ‘Withdrew from the Paris climate agreement helping usher in a new age of American energy development.’

    Ignored all warnings scientists are telling us about impending catastrophic climate change.

    Why is that good?

    • Wensleydale 3.1
      29 December 2017 at 12:03 pm

      It isn’t. None of it meets the definition of “good” in any way, shape or form. James knows that. He’s just trolling for shits and giggles.

  4. Sanctuary 4
    29 December 2017 at 8:45 am

    “…‘Withdrew from the Paris climate agreement helping usher in a new age of American energy development.’…”

    A catastrophe for the planet with climate change accelerating and a disaster for US influence as it surrenders yet another global leadership position.

    However, from an isolationist, plutocratic POV probably a good thing. The USA gets to do what it wants and fuck the rest of us and the plutocrats who run the US can afford to buy their way out of the consequences of climate change.

    • Ed 5.1
      29 December 2017 at 9:07 am

      ‘An expert in Chinese intelligence Peter Mattis told Newsroom from the US that someone who attended and then taught at the Air Force Engineering College and attended the language institute would almost certainly have been an officer in China’s PLA and member of the Communist Party.’

    • Carolyn_Nth 5.2
      29 December 2017 at 9:17 am

      Newsroom are re-posting older articles and calling it “Summer Newsroom”. I guess the writers are mostly on holiday.

      • Ed 5.2.1
        29 December 2017 at 9:27 am

        It says updated 28th Decrmber

        • Carolyn_Nth 5.2.1.1
          29 December 2017 at 9:30 am

          Did you read to the end? At the bottom, it says:

          This article was first published September 13, 2017.

          • Ed 5.2.1.1.1
            29 December 2017 at 9:48 am

            Good point

          • halfcrown 5.2.1.1.2
            29 December 2017 at 11:36 am

            “Did you read to the end? At the bottom, it says:
            This article was first published September 13, 2017.”

            So what! It still doesn’t alter the fact that we have a communist spy in the National Party. The more it is published hopefully more New Zealanders become aware of it. We certainly cannot rely on the MSM to publish anything about this and rock the cosy National party boat

            • Wensleydale 5.2.1.1.2.1
              29 December 2017 at 12:07 pm

              One man’s Communist spy is another man’s generous donor and useful cog in the National Party misery engine. The fact that they don’t seem at all concerned about it should tell you all you need to know about the National Party. “Delivering for New Zealanders!” Tee hee.

          • Pete 5.2.1.1.3
            29 December 2017 at 12:14 pm

            Something published on September 13 2017 says, “An expert in Chinese intelligence Peter Mattis told Newsroom from the US that someone who attended and then taught at the Air Force Engineering College and attended the language institute would almost certainly have been an officer in China’s PLA and member of the Communist Party.”

            Is it still true on December 29th? Is it still interesting to some people?

            • Carolyn_Nth 5.2.1.1.3.1
              29 December 2017 at 12:19 pm

              It’s still true, but the article could give the wrong impression that it is new information.

              It is after all headed as “news”.

  7. Sabine 7
    29 December 2017 at 9:40 am

    unleashing economic growth by increasing taxes on the working population

    ahhhh, yeah, can you feel the economic anxiety of the white male worker (all other workers need not apply as their anxiety is not economic but is only there to push ‘ identity politics’)

    https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/msnbc-reporter-at-tax-office-people-with-wheelchairs-and-crutches-are-rushing-in-to-avoid-trumps-tax-hike/

  8. Zorb6 8
    29 December 2017 at 9:44 am

    From the evidence I’ve seen, I’d like to see Peter Thiel and Dr Yang,stripped of their citizenship status ,neither brings anything to the table for the majority of NZ’ers and their mode of application sends the wrong messages to the rest of the world.

    • Ed 8.1
      29 December 2017 at 9:52 am

      ‘their mode of application sends the wrong messages to the rest of the world.’

      That is the issue.
      Being rich and powerful should not be a passport.

    • James 8.2
      29 December 2017 at 9:59 am

      What about Bill Lui?

      • weka 8.2.1
        29 December 2017 at 10:06 am

        What about him?

        • James 8.2.1.1
          29 December 2017 at 10:38 am

          Does the poster think he should be stopped if his citizenship status also ?

          • Zorb6 8.2.1.1.1
            29 December 2017 at 10:52 am

            Which Bill Lieu are you talking about?.There seems to be a number of them.

            • James 8.2.1.1.1.1
              29 December 2017 at 7:18 pm

              The one given citizenship in a special ceremony by labour

              • Andre …
                29 December 2017 at 8:25 pm

                If it was up to me, yeah I’d have a darn good go at revoking Bill Liu’s citizenship. But apparently Internal Affairs thinks that’s not going to happen.

                “Under the Citizenship Act, the Minister can “deprive” someone of citizenship if it was procured by “fraud, false representation, wilful concealment of relevant information, or by mistake”.

                “Shane Jones was aware of the concerns surrounding Mr Liu’s character at the time of making his decision to grant him citizenship in 2008,” said the advice from Internal Affairs.

                “Therefore, it is unlikely there are grounds to that Mr Liu is deprived of his citizenship as it was not procured by fraud, false representation, wilful concealment of relevant information, or by mistake.” ”

                http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11905478

                However, it appears Jian Yang might not be as safe. Since the information published to date suggests he willfully concealed relevant information.

  9. Fireblade 9
    29 December 2017 at 10:21 am

    James, I generally enjoy reading this site, but I wish you (and BM) would fuck off and find somewhere else to place your idiotic comments.

    • Psycho Milt 9.1
      29 December 2017 at 10:30 am

      God forbid you should come across opinions you don’t like…

      • James 9.1.1
        29 December 2017 at 10:40 am

        There are a few on here like that. Then they just resort to what they think is personal abuse or insults.

        I can only assume that they treat their “loved ones” in real life like that as well.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 9.1.1.1
          29 December 2017 at 11:08 am

          James, you have resorted to personal abuse or insults on multiple occasions on this site. I’m happy to list a few of the more obvious examples if you like.

          Does your use of personal abuse mean that I would be correct to assume that you treat your “loved ones” in real life like that as well, and would this assumption be insulting to you?

          • james 9.1.1.1.1
            29 December 2017 at 11:54 am

            If thats how you wish to spend your afternoon – then feel free.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 9.1.1.1.1.1
              29 December 2017 at 12:17 pm

              Only if you like, James. It might take me 15 minutes to find and list a few choice examples, but (as I said), I’m happy to do it if you like.

              • David Mac …
                29 December 2017 at 12:45 pm

                I think James responds in kind but it’s rare to see him take the first punch, he retaliates. Someone of his political persuasion that came out swinging wouldn’t see the day out.

                He brings colour to these threads. A little Ying in a sea of Yang. It’s helpful to know where others’ heads are at. I welcome a contrary or alternative view, conversing with a mirror is stink fun.

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  29 December 2017 at 1:28 pm

                  Thanks DM, “a little Yin” sounds about right. The value of the ‘colour’ that James’ contributions bring to these threads is in the eye of the beholder.

                  I wish him well with his afternoon fishing. No doubt he will share his success on this site in due course.

                  • David Mac …
                    29 December 2017 at 1:36 pm

                    Onya Drowsy.

                    I suspect he has been blissfully unaware of my exploitation but James is my unpaid intern. I have charged him with drawing my attention to anything that appears on Kiwiblog or the Whale with a newsworthiness rating over a 5. Thanks to his monitoring and research, now I only check those sites out when Rome is apparently burning.

    • cleangreen 9.2
      29 December 2017 at 10:45 am

      Fireblade,

      James & BM are atagonists nothing nore than national trolls who cant get over looosing power so they just come here to shit on us winners.

      They are sick puppies so Fireblade we are behind the call you made to rid these worthless antagonists.

      • solkta 9.2.1
        29 December 2017 at 10:51 am

        “we”

        you the queen or somethin?

      • Zorb6 9.2.2
        29 December 2017 at 10:55 am

        You over react.Because their opinions do not align with your own,it does not make them any less worthwhile.How boring would the place be, if everyone simply nodded in affirmation as they marched along to the same tune.

        • JanM 9.2.2.1
          29 December 2017 at 11:44 am

          If you stopped reacting so much every time they say something to wind you up they’d soon get sick of it and maybe go away. Ever watched kids in a playground?

      • halfcrown 9.2.3
        29 December 2017 at 11:41 am

        “They are sick puppies so Fireblade we are behind the call you made to rid these worthless antagonists.”

        Sorry, can’t go along with that Clean. After all, we pride ourselves about free speech and frankly, I like to read their comments as at times when they don’t have a rush of blood to the head they do write some very good counter arguments.

        • Anne 9.2.3.1
          29 December 2017 at 12:11 pm

          I agree with you halfcrown. When they’re trolling and winding people up I can’t be bothered with them, but both are capable of reasoned debate and BM especially has shown that he has a good sense of humour. Just a pity they don’t stick more to the positive side of their characters.

          • Grey Area 9.2.3.1.1
            29 December 2017 at 3:27 pm

            Don’t know if James displays “reasoned debate”. I’d have to give him C- at best. Both he and BM have nasty streaks but BM’s is more cutting while James’s is more like slinging sh*t.

            Examples from one thread yesterday:

            “You realise how stupid you sound?”

            “Moron”.

            “Or you could educate yourself- your posting of shitty YouTube clips to try to support an unsupportable view dosnt cut it for “education”.”

            “You are an idiot”.

            While both irk me I do sometimes have to at least consider some points BM makes but James not so much.

            • Ed 9.2.3.1.1.1
              29 December 2017 at 4:12 pm

              All directed at me.

              • james …
                29 December 2017 at 6:13 pm

                There is a reason for that – You are not as intelligent as the majority of posters on here – despite what you may believe.

                (IMHO of course).

                • Ed …
                  29 December 2017 at 6:27 pm

                  Another piece of verbal abuse.
                  Is this how you treat your loved ones at your large bbq?

                  • James …
                    29 December 2017 at 7:20 pm

                    Nah – I don’t have any loved ones on the “ed scale”.

                    Having another BBQ tomorrow – I’ll raise radish for you.

                • Grey Area …
                  29 December 2017 at 7:20 pm

                  So you abuse those you perceive as “not as intelligent as the majority of posters here”. There is a word for people like you and it’s – bully. And as soon as someone says IMHO you can be sure they are being anything but humble.

            • james 9.2.3.1.1.2
              29 December 2017 at 6:07 pm

              of course 1/2 quotes – but thats all good.

      • james 9.2.4
        29 December 2017 at 11:57 am

        LOL – NOW its about being a “winner” and a “Loser” – thats hilarious.

        and despite your thoughts – well over it – dosnt bother me in the slightest – In fact I think I was one of the first to come here and congratulate Jacinda.

        As for me being “worthless” and you being a “winner” – well I guess thats subjective.

        From your post – you dont sound like much of a “winnner” in life. In fact you come across rather bitter.

        Anyway – its a beautiful day – so Im off fishing. Have a good one.

      • Stuart Munro 9.2.5
        29 December 2017 at 6:32 pm

        Certainly the noise to signal ratio from them is generally pretty high.

  10. joe90 10
    29 December 2017 at 10:43 am

    Yiannopoulos is suing Simon and Schuster for declining to publish his book.

    I went to the New York county clerk’s website and found this filing. It includes the entire manuscript with allllllll the editor’s comments as exhibit B. https://t.co/fb9yptldbO— Sarah Mei (@sarahmei) December 28, 2017

    https://twitter.com/sarahmei/status/946347142012051456

    https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/946347142012051456.html

  11. eco maori 11
    29 December 2017 at 11:50 am

    I’m certain that the longest surviving dynasty would have had a society that got the big picture which is it the people it’s the people who make a humble happy health society a equal society is a happy society. Not one we’re the Kings piss over the rest of society it’s common sense and the west don’t get it there have been dynasty that have ruled for 1000 years we can learn a lot from the past the neo liberals have no common sense idiots Kai kaha

  12. Tim 12
    29 December 2017 at 12:09 pm

    Anyone following the Wilfred Laurier debacle? I missed this from earlier but looks like the university finally at least apologised to Lindsay.. And all this over a bizarre argument about the compelled use of nonsensical pronouns

    http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/wilfrid-laurier-universitys-president-apologizes-to-lindsay-shepherd-for-dressing-down-over-jordan-peterson-clip

  13. Rosemary McDonald 13
    29 December 2017 at 1:13 pm

    Why on earth would bees be in the sea?

    Drifting in on the tides to sting swimmers and beachwalkers?

    And not just a few….but according to reports…thousands.

    Don’t know about anyone else, but this seriously bothers me.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/347165/whangamata-inundated-with-dying-bees

    • Stunned mullet 13.1
      29 December 2017 at 1:19 pm

      Could be the lack of rain this Summer ? We need the services of Ruud Kleinpaste to give us an informed opinion.

    • Carolyn_Nth 13.2
      29 December 2017 at 1:38 pm

      Bees need water. I have read a few sites. It seems salt is OK at a certain level for bees. They will only fly up to 3 miles looking for a water source. Once one us found, they all tend to return to the same source.

    • joe90 13.3
      29 December 2017 at 1:43 pm

      I’m worried too, but google says dead bees washing up on the beach isn’t an uncommon event so I doubt it’s a sign of the next great dying.

      https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/14/a-different-dimension-of-loss-great-insect-die-off-sixth-extinction

      • In Vino 13.3.1
        29 December 2017 at 7:19 pm

        It seems likely to me that a hive split, with the new queen taking a swarm away with her. Poor navigation took her out to sea a bit, where (who knows how?) she perished and the rest of the workers etc went down with her, then floated back to the beach. I grew up next to a lake, and quickly found that it was risky to pick up a drowning bee, because as they drown their sting comes out. Just picking them out of the water provides enough pressure for you to be stung.
        So I don’t think there is anything new or sinister about this – just a swarm gone astray near the beach.

  14. OnceWasTim 14
    29 December 2017 at 1:25 pm

    Is anyone here surprised at the presence of JFK in this story?
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100241472/fisheries-trial-ends-abruptly-after-seven-months-with-guilty-pleas-entered-to-122-charges
    The only surprising thing is that Stuffed have made the association in the story (or rather the gatekeeper editor has allowed Marty Sharpe to indulge us ll with is brillince as an up and coming journalist) with their former oikonuk oidull.
    Times are a changing.
    Shit! I wonder the fate of Talley, and all those complicit. Don’t panic quite yet tho’ gNatzies – there are still quite a few favours you can call in.

    • OnceWasTim 14.1
      29 December 2017 at 4:01 pm

      Actually, they probably saw the judge was Bill Hastings and realised he has a fairly sharp bullshit detector.

    • Draco T Bastard 14.2
      29 December 2017 at 10:48 pm

      She said the skippers’ collusion was necessary and gained by cash payments and continued employment.

      Do what the capitalists want or you end up with nothing.

      This is not freedom. It is oppression by the rich.

    • stunned mullet 16.1
      29 December 2017 at 3:09 pm

      I wonder what would happen to the responsible person at RT if they ran similar poll of Russian politicians and included Putin or one of his friends.

      • NewsFlash 16.1.1
        29 December 2017 at 4:40 pm

        Does RT have a responsible person, isn’t it regarded as the most unreliable news outlet?

        • mauī 16.1.1.1
          30 December 2017 at 5:57 am

          Yup it gained a large online following because the traditional networks were so upfront with their audience for so long that people were looking for a reasonable fake news outlet.

      • Stuart Munro 16.1.2
        29 December 2017 at 8:03 pm

        Most likely their friends would end up wondering too. Indefinitely.

  17. adam 17
    29 December 2017 at 2:50 pm

    Gotta love the Welsh.

  18. Ed 18
    29 December 2017 at 4:11 pm

    The Herald loves rich people. It gets so excited talking about how much money they have.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11967298

    • David Mac 18.1
      29 December 2017 at 8:08 pm

      They’re stories that tweak emotions in many of us. Good ‘Click me’ fodder.

      What a dude Hart is. I see his tub launched in 2015 is on the market, he needs a bigger one. When is enough enough? Have a wander through the no longer suitable 107m Ulysses.

      • David Mac 18.1.1
        29 December 2017 at 8:40 pm

        The guy that can walk through that boat and arrive at the assumption: ‘I need something better’.

        He’s gotta make the nominee list for White Dude of the Year.

        Grow a heart Hart.

  19. greywarshark 19
    29 December 2017 at 4:55 pm

    Some very nice arcapella Christmas Carols from Assyrians.