Open Mike 29/09/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 29th, 2016 - 86 comments
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86 comments on “Open Mike 29/09/2016 ”

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  1. Manuka AOR 1
    29 September 2016 at 6:46 am

    Background on the new candidate for UN Sec Gen:
    http://www.dw.com/en/why-kristalina-georgieva-is-the-best-choice-for-un-secretary-general/a-35917687
    Georgieva’s home, Bulgaria, is on the front line of the refugee crisis, a neighbor to Turkey and a mere 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away from Aleppo in Syria, the symbol of one of the most terrifying conflicts in the world. Bulgaria is also very close to Ukraine and Moldova, two countries locked in a frozen conflict with Russia. Georgieva brings the experience of having seen the iron curtain fall and the subsequent changes in Eastern Europe. She has the support of many countries in the region. And she might even be acceptable to Moscow: Georgieva lived there for two years during her time at the World Bank, she speaks good Russian and knows who is who.

  2. Colonial Viper 2
    29 September 2016 at 8:44 am

    US House and Senate veto Obama’s protection of 9/11 sponsor Saudi Arabia.

    9/11 victims families can now take Saudi Arabia to court.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/senate-overrides-obamas-veto-sept-11-bill

    • Psycho Milt 2.1
      29 September 2016 at 9:23 am

      I do feel a certain sense of schadenfreude at the rod the House and Senate are making for the US government’s own back. As the head of the CIA points out:

      The most damaging consequence would be for those US government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our country. The principle of sovereign immunity protects US officials every day, and is rooted in reciprocity. If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger.

      Yup. If those suits against Saudi Arabia go ahead, expect a chain of sovereign immunity removal in other countries. The US has a lot to lose from this. Maybe the representatives and senators are imagining the USA can intimidate other countries that want to reciprocate its removal of sovereign immunity, but if so they’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise.

      • Murray Simmonds 2.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 7:12 pm

        Quite so PM and CV.

        The significance of this event should not be underestimated, because it means that at last America is moving towards a position where it could be held accountable for its warmongering and other crimes against humanity. . . .

        That is what Obama is referring to in his comment on “unintended consequences” in the video clip,

        EVERYONE should view the clip in the” Zero Hedge” link given above in CV’s posting.

        And then sit back with a pottle of popcorn to watch as the USA worms its way out of the dilemma that they have now gotten themselves into.

        Can’t wait to see John Olliver’s take on it!

        • Murray Simmonds 2.1.1.1
          29 September 2016 at 7:18 pm

          Oh, and by the way, just where exactly were OUR sovereign rights while Obama and co. were trying to ram the PPTA and TISA down our throats?

          What comes around goes around, perhaps?

          Gee, thanks, Timmy boy and Johnny boy.
          Idiots, one and all!

    • DISTURBED 2.2
      29 September 2016 at 12:42 pm

      Colonial Viper, Bang on mate.
      No bloody thanks to Obama eh! He blocked their rights so he should be tried for war crimes?

      Obama has the Government stacked with Muslims already in very high places did you know?

      Sounds a bit frightening !!!    
      I know that some of you aren’t enthused about Donald Trump but it does explain some things.

      This is absolutely unthinkable that nobody, especially the CIA, would have noticed this….Trump is starting to look better all the time.

      This information has all been checked, then double checked… it is 100% Correct.

      That’s why there is such an alarm within US government, since Trump’s statement about temporary suspension of migration of Muslims to US until US authorities make sure there is a proper concept of safe penetration of US territory.

      People are stunned to learn that the head of the U.S. CIA is a Muslim! Do hope this wakes up some! Until it hits you like a ton of bricks read it again, until you understand!

      We now have a Muslim Government in the US ! 

      John Brennan, current head of the CIA converted to Islam while stationed in Saudi Arabia.

      Obama’s top adviser, Valerie Jarrett, is a Muslim who was born in Iran where her parents still live.

      Hillary Clinton’s top adviser, Huma Abedin is a Muslim, whose mother and brother are still involved in the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt!

      Assistant Secretary for Policy Development for Homeland Security, Arif Aikhan, is a Muslim .

      Homeland Security Adviser, Mohammed Elibiary, is a Muslim .

      Obama adviser and founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam al-Marayati, is a Muslim.

      Obama’s Sharia Czar, Imam Mohamed Magid, of the Islamic Society of North America is a Muslim .

      Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighbourhood Partnerships, Eboo Patel, is a Muslim .

      Nancy Pelosi announced she will appoint Rep Andre Carson, D-Ind, a Muslim , as the first Muslim lawmaker on the House of Representatives Permanent Select
      Committee on Intelligence, of all things!

      It would make Carson the first Muslim to serve on the committee that receives intelligence on the threat of Islamic militants in the Middle East!

      He has suggested that U.S. schools should be modelled after Islamic madrassas,
      where education is based on the Quran!!!

      Last but not least, our closet Muslim himself, Barack Hussein Obama.

      It’s questionable if Obama ever officially took the oath of office when he was sworn in.

      He did not repeat the oath properly to defend our nation and our Constitution.

      Later the Democrats claimed he was given the oath again, in private.

      Yeah, right. 

      CIA director John Brennan took his oath on a copy of the Constitution, not a Bible??

      Valarie Jarret wrote her college thesis on how she wanted to change America into a Muslim friendly nation and she is an Obama top advisor! Congressman, Keith Ellison took his oath on a copy of the Qur’an, NOT the Bible!

      Conservative Congresswoman Michele Bachman, R-MN, was vilified and verbally tarred and feathered by Democrats when she voiced her concern about Muslims taking over our government!

      Considering all these appointments, it would explain why Obama and his minions are systematically destroying our nation, supporting radical Muslim groups worldwide, opening our southern border, and turning a blind eye to the genocide being perpetrated on Christians all over Africa and the Middle East!

      The more damage Obama does, the more arrogant he’s become! Our nation and our government has been infiltrated by people who want to destroy us!

      It can only get worse!

      In his book Obama said, “if it comes down to it,  I will side with the Muslims”. 

      If you fail to pass this one on,  there’s something wrong……somewhere !

      Common sense doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden !

      [Dude, please don’t cut and paste whole sections of other people’s material. If you are going to use other people’s words, identify that you are quoting them, so it’s clear which is your opinion and which is the opinion of others. And if you are going to post racist, bigoted and highly inaccurate blatherings again, you can expect to be asked to prove your assertions or piss off. Cheers. TRP]

    • Gabby 2.3
      29 September 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Does that mean they can sue Bush minor and his crew?

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      29 September 2016 at 10:41 am

      As the song says:
      Anything’s legal as long as you don’t get caught.

      The problem that National has is that they’re getting caught.

      • Wensleydale 3.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 11:37 am

        It’s more of a problem for the rest of us though, given that National don’t seem to give a shit about getting caught. In fact, they’ve become increasingly blatant as the years have rolled on. These days, Key is just like, “You know what New Zealand, I just DGAF anymore. Suck it up and move on.”

  4. Robert Guyton 4
    29 September 2016 at 8:49 am

    Hugh Pavletich says all this:

    NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT (DESERVEDLY) GETS HAMMERED IN ROY MORGAN POLL

    Posted at … http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2016/09/links-28-september-2016/

    It’s not just the low paid who are being squeezed out of Auckland’s housing market, its affecting middle income earners too | interest.co.nz

    https://www.interest.co.nz/property/83775/its-not-just-low-paid-who-are-being-squeezed-out-aucklands-housing-market-its

    By Greg Ninness

    It will now take a typical Auckland couple nearly eight years to save a 20% deposit on their first home, compared to about four years in other main centres, according to Interest.co.nz’s Home Loan Affordability Report.

    The report tracks how long it would take typical first home buyers in each region to save a 20% deposit on the REINZ’s lower quartile selling price in their region.

    The income calculations assume both partners work full time and earn the median weekly wage for people of their age group (25-29) in each region and are able to save 20% of their take home pay to put towards a deposit. … read more via hyperlink above …

    Pollsters Roy Morgan says National Party support is at its lowest level since before 2013 election; now behind potential Labour/ Greens Alliance | interest.co.nz

    https://www.interest.co.nz/news/83792/pollsters-roy-morgan-says-national-party-support-its-lowest-level-2013-election-now

    Housing campaigner predicts spiralling house prices will be Key’s ‘Waterloo’ | Stuff.co.nz

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83627043/Housing-campaigner-predicts-spiralling-house-prices-will-be-Keys-Waterloo
    0 24 LOG IN TO REPLY REPORTSEPTEMBER 28, 2016 11:15AM

  5. Robert Guyton 5
    29 September 2016 at 8:56 am

    Hugh says this also:

    Hugh Pavletich

    Mood of the Boardroom: CEOs call for English to sort housing shortage – Business – NZ Herald News

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11716779

    CEOs fear children won’t own homes – Business – NZ Herald News

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11716804

    Mood of the Boardroom: Bosses to Government – act on housing – Business – NZ Herald News

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11717271
    0 3 REPORTSEPTEMBER 28, 2016 7:18PM

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    29 September 2016 at 8:58 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11718547

    Things are at a contrary stage when a National leader is praising a former Labour leader to the skies, a Green Party co-leader is boasting about being embraced by big business and a Labour leader is denying the centre exists.

    There is another well-known historical figure who had the same surname as Little and a similar problem with fear of things that didn’t exist. His first name was Chicken.

    • Jenny Kirk 6.1
      29 September 2016 at 9:16 am

      Perhaps if you got out and about a bit more Puckish Rogue, you’d understand what Andrew Little has been saying. There’s more to politics than just aiming at the mythical ‘centre’.

      He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.

      He also said “there’s talk about the centre of politics but that’s not how most people see politics …. and it says nothing about values, principles or a vision of the country and the future we might aspire to.
      “The people I meet are a mix of views and backgrounds and most describe themselves as being in the middle. …. What they care about is to have a government delivering on housing, education, health, community safety, the economy.
      “In all of these areas, people in the middle are missing out under National ….”

      These quotes are on the NZLP Facebook 26 Sept.

      • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 9:36 am

        To paraphrase the obvious: “Well he would say that wouldn’t he”

        “He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.”

        Maybe he needs to speak to people outside of union meetings?

  7. Richard Rawshark 7
    29 September 2016 at 9:38 am

    This is getting ridiculous, Don FKN Brash comes out saying he’s backing Winston to stop Maori bla bla bla bla..

    Just what Winston wanted Don Brash telling everyone he’s great.

    That’s real low from National

  8. marty mars 8
    29 September 2016 at 10:19 am

    Sorry to drop the vibe. Morena the tv program – my gods it is absolute fucken shit – aimed at vacuous aucklanders who want baby botox, and interspersed with te reo Māori which is probably how they got the funding. Maybe I b harsh.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1
      29 September 2016 at 11:20 am

      TV simply isn’t worth your time. Far better to play games on the PC, or board games or even just staring off into space.

      • marty mars 8.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 1:47 pm

        True – and after a couple of long overnighters it is good to just be still. I think I’ll go to the beach soon. Ta

      • alwyn 8.1.2
        29 September 2016 at 2:55 pm

        I have offered this before but a TV has a use for your final suggestion of “just staring off into space”.
        If you turn on your TV and tune it to a frequency that has no broadcast you get, or at least you did on an old analogue unit, “snow”.
        About 1% of the “snow” comes from the microwave background radiation that is a remnant of the big bang.
        You are not just looking into space. You are looking at the creation of the Universe. If that doesn’t impress you nothing will.

  9. Takere 9
    29 September 2016 at 10:29 am

    Matua Brash is back. He’s calling for “Democracy” and Maori are “privileged” this time round & has a bunch of suckers signed up already. Who’s going to buy into this shit this time round? … http://www.hobsonspledge.nz

    • framu 9.1
      29 September 2016 at 10:56 am

      Theres one sure way to put the brakes on anyone talking about this – ask them if they will give up their lifestyles to take on that which fits the stats for average maori

      pretty sure brash wont be giving up his life of privilege to do that in a hurry

    • marty mars 9.2
      29 September 2016 at 1:50 pm

      Yep the same old lies by the same obnoxious crew of had beens and never wases – it would be sad if it wasn’t so pathetic.

  10. Penny Bright 10
    29 September 2016 at 10:38 am

    Little coverage of this ground-breaking bribery and corruption trial currently happening at the Auckland High Court?

    How big is this corruption ‘iceberg’ that is being exposed regarding contracting by Auckland Transport?

    “Corruption at council widespread, says Crown”

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/matt-nippert/news/article.cfm?a_id=644&objectid=11717850

    “….Yesterday, at the start of what is expected to be a seven-week trial at the High Court at Auckland, fringe mayoral candidate and self-styled anti-corruption campaigner Penny Bright sat for a while in the front row of the public gallery.  …”

    I’m the only Auckland Mayoral candidate who has been ‘blowing the whistle’ for years about, in my view, the corrupt ‘conflicts of interest’ at Auckland Council, and with Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs).

    I’ve also attended 5 International Anti-Corruption Conferences, and put hundreds of hours into my one A4 page ‘Action Plan for transparency and accountability for local and central government and judiciary’.

    Ask how many from mainstream media have asked for an interview with me, as an Auckland Mayoral candidate on this issue?

    Yep – NONE.

    In my view, the effective mainstream media manipulation of this 2016 Auckland Mayoral election, in order to help steer the majority of electors into voting for the candidate the major of BIG business (and commercial property developers) want you to have (Phil Goff), is simply beyond belief.

    I’m a third-time Auckland Mayoral candidate, who polled 4th in the only poll that counts, the 2013 election with 12,723 votes.

    Hardly ‘fringe’ Matt Nippert!

    Unlike all the other 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidates, I’ve had 20 years experience in Auckland local government, as a full-time, self-funded ‘Public Watchdog’ community activist, helping to defend the public and the public interest.

    I’m not doing this for the money.

    Which arguably makes me VERY dangerous politically, because nobody ‘owns’ me.

    If you want an Auckland Mayor with a proven track record of standing up to, in my view, the corrupt corporate 1% who are bleeding Auckland locals and local communities dry, it’s really simple.

    MAYOR tick BRIGHT!

    TICK it and FLICK it.

    One little tick to help make history!

    Time for an Auckland ‘BREXIT’ moment?

    I think so.

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • Wensleydale 10.1
      29 September 2016 at 11:48 am

      That’s why they sideline you, Penny. That’s why they roll their eyes, and say, “Oh, that’s just Penny Bright. She’s “a bit of a character”, which is a euphemism for calling you a loon, basically. When they control the narrative and have the media treating alternative candidates as fringe elements, then the establishment gets a big grin on its face and a warm, cosy feeling in its gut.

      • Red 10.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 12:44 pm

        Or the alternative maybe she is a loon who does not pay her rates and then wants to represent the rate payers

        • Wensleydale 10.1.1.1
          29 September 2016 at 5:21 pm

          Well, that’s a conversation you and Penny need to have. I’m sure she’ll feel overwhelmingly compelled to justify herself to you.

        • The Chairman 10.1.1.2
          29 September 2016 at 6:08 pm

          The admission of bribery (coupled with the fact the culture of corruption has become so inbred it has been described as normalised) strongly indicates there’s good reason to be concerned with the council’s fiscal expenditure.

          Therefore, I see little merit in your asserted alternative, Red.

          In fact, in light of the current exposure, I’m surprised more ratepayers aren’t joining Penny in her crusade.

          • Chris 10.1.1.2.1
            30 September 2016 at 1:36 am

            It’s always been interesting that Penny makes more sense than any of the candidates put together but nobody’s got the guts to say she’s on to something. It’s very easy for the numb nuts status quo to dismiss her because she doesn’t quite fit their frame. It’s a never-ending modern day Emperor’s Clothes.

  11. Morrissey 11
    29 September 2016 at 10:47 am

    The longest 90 minutes of Donald J. Trump’s life condensed to 24 seconds:
    Hillary’s dressed as a man in this clip…

  12. Morrissey 12
    29 September 2016 at 11:09 am

    Horrifying thought experiment: Imagine if “Sir” Robert Jones
    was a woman. I believe she would be pretty much like THIS woman….

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/82811152/passenger-slaps-flight-attendant-because-she-wouldnt-carry-her-bag

    • alwyn 12.1
      29 September 2016 at 12:39 pm

      Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones? You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
      I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP, or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.

      • gsays 12.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 5:42 pm

        i’ve seen bob jones punch someone who got out of a helicopter.

        • alwyn 12.1.1.1
          29 September 2016 at 6:13 pm

          “seen bob jones punch”
          I don’t think you did in fact.
          Unless you were one of the TV people who chased Bob when he was fishing.
          The blow wasn’t caught by the camera when Bob was pestered by TVNZ reports when he was fishing.
          It appears as if the cameraman was pushed over by Bob who then headed into the bush. A reporter then followed him into the bush.
          He came back with blood coming down his face after Bob had apparently hit him but the blow wasn’t, I understand, captured on camera.
          Who hasn’t been tempted to punch one of the TV reporters? I’ll bet Helen Clark was very tempted to belt John Campbell in 2002.
          https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/eyewitness-news-bob-jones-punches-reporter-rod-vaughan-1985
          I was told of Bob’s remark in court after he was charged and fined. Apparently he asked the magistrate whether he could pay twice the amount and hit the reporter again.

          • gsays 12.1.1.1.1
            30 September 2016 at 6:41 pm

            oops… yes, that recollection sounds right.
            funny how we can convince ourselves that we have seen something we haven’t.

      • Morrissey 12.1.2
        29 September 2016 at 6:28 pm

        Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones?

        You think I’m jealous of Bob Jones? Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is? As his recently traumatised friend Donald J. Trump can attest, all the money in the world can’t get you peace of mind, or respect.

        2.) You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?

        I’ve seen him bashing—cold cocking—a completely unprepared television journalist in 1985. I’ve also heard one of Jones’s fawning acolytes, Richard Griffin, admiringly recount to Jim Mora about an occasion where Jones snatched a cell-phone off a man in a restaurant and threw it into a rubbish bin. And, just last year, a snarling, drooling Jones was forced off an Air New Zealand flight because of his loutish and illegal behaviour.

        3.) I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP,

        How do you know Mallard started that? The “other MP” was that arch-provocateur Tau Henare, a waste of space if ever there was one in parliament.

        4.) ….or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.

        Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists, do they? Do please provide the evidence….

        • alwyn 12.1.2.1
          29 September 2016 at 7:15 pm

          “Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is”.
          Well no actually. He seems a very happy chappie to me.

          “I’ve seen him bashing”. I suggest that, unless you were one of the TVNZ television crew you didn’t see it at all. There is no doubt he did assault the obnoxious reporter who had been told in no uncertain terms to leave Jones alone to his fishing.

          “How do you know Mallard started that”
          That was a line Helen Clark tried. She, like you couldn’t get it to fly. I suppose you think Michael Cullen marched Mallard over to the National offices and made him apologise even though Henare had started it?
          Or that Trevor pleaded guilty in Court, even though he was an innocent, wronged party?

          “Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists”
          Why on earth should you expect me to produce evidence for things you seem to be claiming? Did you even read what I said and which you quote? I said senior National Party figures, although I could probably have included senior Maori Party figures as well.
          Try ” More recently, brothers John and ­Wikitana Popata assaulted Prime Minister John Key at Te Tii Marae in 2009 – an act that their uncle, Hone Harawira, then a Maori Party MP, gave every ­impression of excusing.” from
          http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/features/give-peace-a-chance-2/

        • Naki man 12.1.2.2
          29 September 2016 at 9:24 pm

          “Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they?”

          No they prefer to follow a twelve year old boy home, beat the shit out of him then steal his whale bone necklace.

          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10894035

  13. ianmac 13
    29 September 2016 at 12:08 pm

    On my Mac – Firefox the columns on the right “Comments, Replies Opinions” is stuck on the 27th. Anyone else? Same on Chrome.

  14. alwyn 14
    29 September 2016 at 12:29 pm

    Where on earth did the Green Party get the dopey David Clendon?
    And how did they ever make him the spokesman for anything?
    He came out with this stupid press release last week and hasn’t had the common sense to withdraw it.
    https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/disastrous-corrections-department-needs-overhaul
    The Corrections Department was using an interpretation of the law that had been approved, I understand on four occasions, by the Court of Appeal.
    Then when the Supreme Court come up with a different opinion Clendon blames them for a “disastrous mistake”.
    Just what did he expect Corrections to do?
    Ignore the decisions by the Court of Appeal when they were the most senior court to pronounce on the matter.
    I e-mailed him asking this question but he hasn’t deigned to reply. With Parliament in recess I suppose he has toddled of to sunnier climes to rest up from the exhausting time list MPs have to tolerate when they come out of their slumber and have to attend Parliament again and actually do something.

  15. ropata 15
    29 September 2016 at 1:31 pm

    While TRP is poking CV with a stick on another thread 😉 …

    "fire can't melt steel beams" maybe so but it can really mangle them #911noconspiracy from https://t.co/6QU9bGE51Q pic.twitter.com/WzAcUSycw3— ɥɔsǝdɐd qoɹ (@ropata) September 28, 2016

  16. Muttonbird 16
    29 September 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Could the right wing people who visit please rip into Sir John Kirwan who has apologised to its victims for and on behealf of rugby? Just that some consistency would be great after the hysterical bashing of David Cunliffe for doing the same.

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11719190

    • ianmac 16.1
      29 September 2016 at 3:26 pm

      +1 Muttonbird though it was more the Media who thrashed David?

    • mauī 16.2
      29 September 2016 at 3:31 pm

      Nice one Mb.

    • McFlock 16.3
      29 September 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Good on Kirwan

    • Puckish Rogue 16.4
      29 September 2016 at 4:01 pm

      I might be wrong but I thought he was apologising on behalf of an institution, an institution of which he is one of its most respected members

      • McFlock 16.4.1
        29 September 2016 at 4:30 pm

        “I would just firstly like, on behalf of all rugby people, to apologise to the victims. Personally I think what’s happened is terrible. There’s a wider issue that you guys need to take up, a 17-year-old drinking in town,” Kirwan said.

        “If you go into any city centre at the moment our youngsters are binge drinking so there’s a wider issue.

        “What’s happened has been horrible for the game and we need to stand up and take responsibility for it. I think they are doing that, however late, but we don’t know the details either.”

        What position does he have in the “institution”?

    • Bob 16.5
      29 September 2016 at 4:28 pm

      I missed the part were Sir John Kirwin said “sorry for being a rugby player”.
      Cunliffe never apologised to victims of abuse, he apologised for being a man which apparently made him an abuser, and by inference, all men are abusers. Massive difference.

  17. Poission 17
    29 September 2016 at 2:28 pm

    US senate and congress tell obama to bugger off on 9/11 veto

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37498033

    • Gabby 17.1
      29 September 2016 at 8:08 pm

      They’re a bunch of fuckwits. Wait til half the bars in Boston get sued for collecting for the IRA.

  18. Muttonbird 18
    29 September 2016 at 2:59 pm

    Guys and girls, today’s set up and beat down of Don Brash’s trip back to Orewa is a 9th floor strategy which has crept in recently. It involves far right ACT, ACT sympathisers, or ex-ACT personages putting forward policy clearly unacceptable to the middle, ordinary voter. The next step is the current government (preferably the prime minister) then criticises said far right thinkings, thereby appearing moderate and socially responsible.

    Recent examples:

    Economists calling for a deliberate crashing of house prices.
    Seymour claiming National to the left of Clark and calling for a ministry for men.
    Brash today rehashing his Orewa speech for Key to gleefully knock down.
    Also today the productivity commission calling for deregulation of tertiary education (a day or so after NZ universities performed well in an international study).

    The far right libertarians are a useful tool for the current government to portray themselves as moderate and caring.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/john-key-don-brash-a-broken-record-with-new-lobby-group-2016092914

  19. Jenny Kirk 19
    29 September 2016 at 3:20 pm

    Plus a distraction, of course, Muttonbird, from reports like this showing the middle-class being affected by the housing crisis.

    Headline in Herald Business News – Middle income earners locked out of housing
    “So it is not just the lowly paid who are being kept out of home ownership by Auckland’s inflated house prices and low income growth, it is now middle income earners as well,”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11718983

  20. The Pink Postman 20
    29 September 2016 at 3:33 pm

    Brash has suggested that his anti-Maori party may make a contribution to
    NZ1. Even the suggestion should alert the Labour party of the danger of having any coalition with Peters or his Party . Labour needs to strive for very vote without any help from the the Tory party in drag NZ1.

    • ropata 20.1
      29 September 2016 at 5:51 pm

      Brash is a liability and a sideshow, Peters is too savvy to go anywhere near that fool. Peters has only contempt for the bankster set who have sold NZ down the river for the last 30 years (sadly Labour has been a big part of that)

    • Daveosaurus 20.2
      29 September 2016 at 6:42 pm

      Just another white-supremacist shitbag who should be sent back to whatever third-world hole his ancestors came from. Although (assuming the radio announcement was right when they said it was being donor-funded) this time it’s only more white-supremacist shitbags who’ll be wearing the cost of yet another Don Brash failure…

  21. Draco T Bastard 21
    29 September 2016 at 3:58 pm

    Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill

    This bill aims to encourage certain offenders to complete their community-based sentences. The bill would allow all or part of an offender’s benefit to be stopped if they have repeatedly failed to comply with a community-based sentence.

    Because making people, who already can’t afford to live, even worse off will most definitely cause them not to commit more crime.

    /sarc.

    • Craig H 21.1
      29 September 2016 at 7:47 pm

      You know how it is – it’s much cheaper to spend $70,000 on a year’s prison sentence than $11,000 on a year’s benefit…

  22. Murray Simmonds 22
    29 September 2016 at 4:46 pm

    This is well worth a look . . . . (You need to look at the video clip)

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/obama-responds-veto-override

    here’s OBAMA saying, in effect,: We don’t want to be held “ACCOUNTABLE” for all the “Good” (his words)/WARMONGERING (my words) that we have done around the world.”

    And there, in a nutshell, is America’s legacy for the 20th/21st Century.

    (I hope John Key has been sitting up and listening!)

    Pffffffttttt.

    • Draco T Bastard 22.1
      29 September 2016 at 4:55 pm

      “It has to do with me not wanting a situation in which we’re suddenly exposed to liabilities for all the work that we’re doing all around the world.”

      If you’re worried about that then you probably shouldn’t be doing that work because the people you’re doing it to obviously don’t want you to.

      • Murray Simmonds 22.1.1
        29 September 2016 at 5:30 pm

        Yep, DTB.

        And its also a fine example of how “GLOBALISATION” can come back to bight you in the arse. (Unintended consequences”, as Obama put it, without admitting as much . . . .)

        Karma’s a bitch!

        But then again, it won’t be those “Champions of globalisation”, the corporations, who end up paying . . .; .it’ll be you, and me, the little taypayers.

        • Draco T Bastard 22.1.1.1
          29 September 2016 at 8:02 pm

          But then again, it won’t be those “Champions of globalisation”, the corporations, who end up paying . . .; .it’ll be you, and me, the little taypayers.

          QFT

  23. Colonial Viper 23
    29 September 2016 at 5:08 pm

    Yesterday I posted footage of Clinton doing a rare campaign rally, at a large community college in N.C.

    A total of 70,000 students attend the various campuses of Wake Technical College, with staff and faculty numbers on top of that.

    She got 1,440 people in her audience on campus.

    At yesterdays Trump rally in Melbourne Florida, Trump got a turn out of 10,000 to 12,000.

    And today, Gallup released a poll suggesting that interest in turning out to vote amongst Democratic voters – particularly younger ones – is declining steeply compared to 2004, 2008 and 2012.

    Registered Democrats who will definitely vote at 16 year low

    Just 65 percent of Democrats plan to vote in the election, and it’s just 47 percent among all voters aged 18-34, a trend that has the party worried about the lack of enthusiasm for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gallup-democrats-who-will-definitely-vote-at-16-year-low/article/2602965

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  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

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  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

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    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

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  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

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  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

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  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

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  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

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  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

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  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

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  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

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  • Update on global IT outage

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  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

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  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
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