Open mike 30/01/2025

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 30th, 2025 - 82 comments
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82 comments on “Open mike 30/01/2025 ”

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  1. Tony Veitch 1
    30 January 2025 at 6:13 am

    A few days ago, Alwyn got all breathless and agitated when I suggested the rich would benefit from a crash in the USA/World economy.

    Thom Hartman outlines three reasons/methods why and how the billionaires will do well out of a market in freefall!

    7.45 mins long.

    Hold on to your hats, we’re in for a wild ride!

    • Incognito 1.1
      30 January 2025 at 9:28 am

      You may want to link to Alwyn’s alleged comment and also de-risk that you’re barking up the wrong tree here.

      FYI, I take a dim view of commenters who take a swipe at other commenters to score make a point.

    • alwyn 1.2
      30 January 2025 at 5:30 pm

      I see now where you got your story about Getty buying up big on the day after the crash. As I showed a few weeks ago that would have been a very good way of losing around 80% of your money.

      I also have my doubts on relying on the memory of an 80 year old Gloria Swanson remembering back 50 years to her days of stardom.

      The basic premise that seems to be pushed is that people who are "cashed up" can make enormous amounts of money by buying up all the low priced shares, That sounds fine provided you accept that they have to get the timing right. It isn't going to work for Musk of course. How can he possibly get to the cashed up state, given that most of his wealth isn't liquid? He owns about 20% of Tesla, 42% of SpaceX and almost all of X (Twitter) I believe. Stakes that large cannot be considered to be liquid. If he tried to cash up the companies' value would crash. It isn't like you or I selling our few thousand FPH and WBC shares where we can get rid of them in about 2 minutes.

      I will still stick to my belief that Trump showed no sign of crashing the economy in his first term and isn't really in a position to gain from doing it now.

      • Dennis Frank 1.2.1
        30 January 2025 at 6:39 pm

        Trump showed no sign of crashing the economy in his first term and isn't really in a position to gain from doing it now.

        Yeah but the loose cannon thing could cause it regardless. Hedge funds bet against the market, so any such bet only ever seems a good idea when most players are clinging to a delusion (as in the gfc). Since T is more delusional than most top capitalists, he's unlikely to spot the opportunity & profit by a bet on it.

        Come the mid-term, his policies may not have made America great again. Loss of confidence in the dream could create a market slide ominous enough to seem close to a crash. The system requires mass confidence to work properly…

        • alwyn 1.2.1.1
          30 January 2025 at 6:58 pm

          This debate started, back on the 5th January with the comment

          "It's hard to escape the conclusion that Trump intends to crash the US economy (and, as the saying goes, when the US sneezes, the world catches cold) and the world economy, for selfish reasons of his and his billionaire backers!".

          You are suggesting something a bit different to that when you say "Yeah but the loose cannon thing could cause it regardless.".

          I quite agree with you on that. I think Trump is crazy and what you say might happen. It won't be because he intended to do it though and that was what the original claim, which I was disputing, proposed.

          • Dennis Frank 1.2.1.1.1
            30 January 2025 at 7:43 pm

            Yes I agree re lack of intent. His agenda is a blend of personal stuff & social niche context which I only have a vague idea about despite reading all the best books on it, yet his narcissism will inevitably steer the outcome, primarily via legacy. His self-image has been doing quite a shift since he won again – you can tell by his eyes & body language. I suspect he's now got a focus on making a splash on history. A bunch of quirky geopolitical re-configurations that seems like a circus play for the media is just the start. There's a significant character test in the pipeline (first crisis)…

            Have you read anything by John Perkins, the US govt operative doing liaison with foreign states back in the '70s/'80s? Blew the whistle when he retired, went into the jungle & learnt shamanic practices. His book about shapeshifting nicely balanced empirical discovery with self-transformation of outlook. Too adventurous for most conservatives, of course, but he's sensible & clever enough to present it with aesthetic finesse in respect of blending ethos & realpolitik. Didn't like the CIA eliminating foreign leaders after he'd negotiated a good deal with them. Didn't seem right. So he started a business instead (consultancy) which grew & became very successful.

            Trump doesn't need hotshot negotiators working for him until he gets out of his depth. The interesting part is his team, and how fast they go until reaching use-by date, like sky-rockets…

  2. Jenny 2
    30 January 2025 at 6:54 am

    Netanyahu makes a speech advocating to get back to the genocide.

    Our media play along, screaming headlines proclaim Hamas breaching the ceasefire agreement by not releasing the name of one of the captured woman soldier being released, as evidence of a breach of the ceasefire agreement and justification for returning to war..

    Meanwhile Israeli shooting and killing of civilians in Gaza, in breach of the ceasefire agreement (even one of their own civilians) completely ignored by Western media.

    Five-year-old among two killed in Israeli attacks amid Gaza ceasefire

    Israeli forces continue ceasefire violations as thousands of Palestinians try to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

    ….Five-year-old Nadia Mohammed al-Amoudi was killed and three people were wounded after the Israeli army shelled a horse cart late on Monday in al-Jisr, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp, the Wafa news agency reported.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/28/five-year-old-among-two-killed-in-israeli-attacks-amid-gaza-ceasefire

    Yeah, but Hamas got a name wrong on some list.

    • Bearded Git 2.1
      30 January 2025 at 7:46 am

      There is a cartoon floating around on social media showing the IDF walking out of the door to Gaza and through the door to the occupied West Bank.

      Look out for flimsy pretexts to massacre West Bank Palestinians. (Not Jewish so-called "settlers" of course.)

    • Subliminal 2.2
      30 January 2025 at 9:49 am

      It appears that the first foreign leader to visit Trump will be a war criminal wanted by the ICC.

      https://www.dw.com/en/israel-netanyahu-first-visit-trump/a-71441398

    • Psycho Milt 2.3
      30 January 2025 at 3:46 pm

      From the linked article:

      The Israeli army said in a statement an aircraft “fired to repel suspicious vehicles” in central Gaza that were moving north in an area that is “not approved for passage according to the agreement”. The statement added that Israeli forces also fired on a Palestinian man in north Gaza who “posed a threat to them”.

      • Bearded Git 2.3.1
        30 January 2025 at 11:22 pm

        Surely a couple of warning shots over their heads would have sufficed?

        • Morrissey 2.3.1.1
          31 January 2025 at 10:46 am

          No, they have no right to fire any kind of shot in Gaza. The same applies for the Occupied Territories in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.

  3. Descendant Of Smith 3
    30 January 2025 at 8:32 am

    There's something seriously wrong with this man. His evasion of acknowledging what seems obvious conflict of interest seems typical these days.

  4. Jenny 4
    30 January 2025 at 8:46 am

    Palestinian Support Network Aotearoa, PSNA, have launched a public campaign to identify and confront serving IDF soldiers enjoying their leave here.

    Politicians and media outlets have expressed outrage, accusing PSNA of encouraging vigilantism.

    It is the government that is encouraging PSNA's action, with their lack of action.

    Vigilantism is encouraged when governments don't uphold the law.

    As signatories to the genocide convention, our government are bound to uphold international law on the prevention of genocide.

    The government know who these serving soldiers are.
    The very least they could do is question them as to their involvement in war crimes, as Australia has does.

    The other criticism of the PSNA campaign to identify and confront serving IDF soldiers holidaying here, "How does PSNA or their supporters know if they are IDF or not?"

    The answer to that one is simple, If you have ever come across Israeli hikers or holiday makers, as I have done, they will proudly tell you, in the belief that New Zealand supports Israel's dispossession and mass murder of Palestinians. (And on the surface of it, they are not mistaken).

    If I had a hotline then I would have rung it.

    PSNA Press release:

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and the New Zealand Jewish Council have lined up to protect Israeli soldiers in New Zealand on “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

    “We are not surprised to see such a predictable lineup of apologists for Israel and its genocide in Gaza from lining up to attack a PSNA campaign with false smears of anti-semitism”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto.

    “Why is concern for the sensitivities of soldiers from a genocidal Israeli campaign more important than condemning the genocide itself?”

    https://business.scoop.co.nz/2025/01/28/predictable-lineup-of-apologists-for-israel-attack-psna-campaign/

    • Jenny 4.1
      30 January 2025 at 11:31 am

      '

      "The government know who these serving soldiers are.
      The very least they could do is question them as to their involvement in war crimes, as Australia has does….." Jenny @4

      Well how about that.

      Better late than never, I suppose.

      Breaking News:

      The PSNA campaign to identify serving IDF soldiers coming here and confront them about their involvement in committing atrocities has already borne fruit.

      The far right American think tank, the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, FDD reports that the New Zealand government has just slapped a questionaire on all visiting IDF soldiers.

      • Soldiers Required to Reveal Sensitive Information: New Zealand has begun requiring Israelis who apply for entry visas to report details of their military service by filling out two separate questionnaires. Questions posed ask for sensitive details, including the locations of military bases, military ID numbers, and whether prospective Israeli visitors have “committed or been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses.” New Zealand’s new policy follows the. ordeal of two Israeli siblings who attempted to visit their great-grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, in Austrialia last December and were asked whether they had engaged in “war crimes” or “genocide.”
      • Pro-Hamas Creates IDF Soldier Hotline: A New Zealand-based pro-Hamas group, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), recently caused outrage by calling on New Zealanders to call a hotline if they spotted any Israeli soldiers or reservists vacationing in the country. “We need your help to track them down so we can let them know they are not welcome here,” the group stated.
      • Hezbollah Affiliated Group’s Lawfare Against Israelis: Elsewhere, pro-Hamas organizations such as the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) have identified Israeli soldiers or officials through social media and have sought to bar them from traveling abroad. Last month, HRF submitted a complaint to a court in Brazil against an Israeli soldier vacationing there. Complaints against Israeli soldiers and reservists have also been filed in South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Belgium, France and other countries.

      https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/01/28/new-zealand-imposes-idf-service-questionnaires-on-visiting-israelis/

      • Dennis Frank 4.1.1
        30 January 2025 at 1:27 pm

        Our bureaucrats seem to be getting it right:

        An analysis of INZ statistical data indicates that the rejection rate for Israeli visa applications to New Zealand during the war has been approximately four percent. This is not unusually high compared to previous years or the rejection rates for citizens of other developed countries. https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-zealand-requires-israelis-to-disclose-idf-service-details-as-condition-for-entry/

        Although I agreed with Minto's moral stance, the viability of his campaign depends on discovery of genocide doers when they come here. Privacy law is designed to prevent such accountability ever happening – which is why the left & right continue to support it, presumably. We don't know if those 4% rejects are doers or not.

      • Psycho Milt 4.1.2
        30 January 2025 at 3:55 pm

        Is that breaking "news" or breaking "misinformation?" I've seen the claim in a couple of places and both link to that Times of Israel report. The NZ Immigration web site says Israelis fill in an ETA visa waiver form the same as tourists from other visa waiver countries. That form may well ask about military service.

        • Jenny 4.1.2.1
          31 January 2025 at 7:18 am

          Psycho Milt @4.1.2

          30 January 2025 at 3:55 pm

          Is that breaking "news" or breaking "misinformation?" I've seen the claim in a couple of places and both link to that Times of Israel report…..

          I first saw it reported on an American Right Wing think tank, and only saw it on Times of Israel page later.

          From the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy FDD website;

          New Zealand has begun requiring Israelis who apply for entry visas to report details of their military service by filling out two separate questionnaires. Questions posed ask for sensitive details, including the locations of military bases, military ID numbers, and whether prospective Israeli visitors have “committed or been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses.”

          Seems pretty solid to me.

          As to this "news" being "misinformation". Does this misinformation include the account given to the Times Of Israel by an Israeli soldier, who claimed he was turned back at the border under this new policy?

          From the Times Of Israel report on this "new" policy:

          …..At least one soldier who served in Gaza during the ongoing war against Hamas has been denied entry to New Zealand. He said that this was a direct result of his answers to the questionnaire, while noting that he said he had not been involved in war crimes in Gaza……

          https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-zealand-requires-israelis-to-disclose-idf-service-details-as-condition-for-entry/

    • David 4.2
      30 January 2025 at 1:00 pm

      Jenny vigilantism should never be encouraged. It will only lead to violence, and I doubt that you would want to have it directed towards yourself.

      • Subliminal 4.2.1
        30 January 2025 at 3:22 pm

        Holding war criminals to account is the opposite of vigilantism. Its what properly functoning democracies do.

        • David 4.2.1.1
          30 January 2025 at 5:17 pm

          That’s what the police and our courts are for.

          I very much doubt that there are any war criminals in New Zealand. There are however many child killers and abusers wandering our streets.

      • Jenny 4.2.2
        30 January 2025 at 3:52 pm

        Absolutely, vigilantism thrives when the authorities don't act on their legal responsibilities.

        Luckily our government seem to have woken up to this fact, and are taking action.

        From the 'Times of Israel':

        New Zealand requires Israelis to disclose IDF service details as condition for entry

        Israelis applying for a tourist visa are being asked about the dates of their service, the locations of their bases, and whether they have ‘been involved in war crimes’…

        …..New Zealand requires Israelis to disclose IDF service details as condition for entry.

        Israelis applying for a tourist visa are being asked about the dates of their service, the locations of their bases, and whether they have ‘been involved in war crimes’…

        …..At least one soldier who served in Gaza during the ongoing war against Hamas has been denied entry to New Zealand. He said that this was a direct result of his answers to the questionnaire, while noting that he said he had not been involved in war crimes in Gaza……

        https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-zealand-requires-israelis-to-disclose-idf-service-details-as-condition-for-entry/

        "…he said he had not been involved in war crimes in Gaza," But was still denied entry?

        [I can only guess that providing misleading or false information on this questionnaire, must also be grounds for denying entry]

        And justice is served.

        No need for NZ citizens to out this war criminal.

        • David 4.2.2.1
          30 January 2025 at 5:23 pm

          Jenny, you along with Mr Minto seem to be making a mountain out of a molehill. It’s hardly likely that there are any war criminals here in New Zealand. Although I’m sure some would wish it to be so, if only to give themselves something to be upset about.

          • tWig 4.2.2.1.1
            30 January 2025 at 5:46 pm

            Hardly likely, but not impossible. AI methods like the Lavender system were used by the IDF to sign off on human targets, for bombing or sniper attacks, including the most low-level of Hamas members, estimated at ~100k. Various levels of Hamas members were assigned 'acceptable' collateral damage scores, from 100+, to 5-15 at the lowest level.

            '…the Israeli program "Where's Daddy?" tracked suspected militants until they returned home, at which point "the IDF bombed them in homes without hesitation, as a first option. It's much easier to bomb a family's home." '.

            'a United Nations special rapporteur, stated that if reports about Israel's use of AI were true, then "many Israeli strikes in Gaza would constitute the war crimes of launching disproportionate attacks". ‘

            So anyone along this AI decision chain bears some responsibilty for disproportionate response.

          • Jenny 4.2.2.1.2
            31 January 2025 at 4:36 am

            David @4.2.2.1

            30 January 2025 at 5:23 pm

            …It’s hardly likely that there are any war criminals here in New Zealand.

            Hi Dave, maybe, but we can be pretty certain that thanks to the immigration department, that there is at least one less.

            The immigration department must have had very good grounds to doubt the word of the this Israeli soldier, when according to TOI he told them, "he had not been involved in war crimes in Gaza,",

            Governments through their Intelligence and security services are far better resourced than you or I or Mr Minto to determine that. And that is as it should be. Maybe to get the government to accept their legal duty to screen these soldiers was the purpose of Mr Minto's campaign.

    • Psycho Milt 4.3
      30 January 2025 at 3:51 pm

      The fact that Minto and his pals don't like Israelis doesn't give them carte blanche to harass Israeli tourists. How would he like it if right-wingers set up a phone hotline asking people to dob him in whereever he goes so that local right-wingers can let him know what they think of him?

      • lprent 4.3.1
        30 January 2025 at 4:08 pm

        How would he like it if right-wingers set up a phone hotline asking people to dob him in whereever he goes so that local right-wingers can let him know what they think of him?

        As far as I am aware, that is still the case, as it has been the case for decades. Along with photos of his house, address, and anything else they can dredge up. Just trying to remember the name of the nutbar (last name begins with a ‘A’) who actively ran a site with exactly that purpose that actively targeted my niece about animal rights activism, and me about running this site. It wasn’t particularly secure. Minto was on that as well

        And of course the police and SIS have exactly that in place, and there appears to have always been considerable leakage.

        • Jenny 4.3.1.1
          31 January 2025 at 9:42 pm

          The PSNA campaign to identify war criminals holidaying in this country pales behind the Right's campaigns against peace activists and progressives.

          In the same vein as 'A' but worse, is Betar US

          Owen Jones Beginning @2:24 minutes:

          Where to begin. Now this so-called 'Terror Watch Agency', says it is monitoring, tracking and exposing what it calls terrorist supporters' hateful acts. And anti-Semitism worldwide.

          Claiming to use artificial intelligence to identify activists who try to protect their identities with masks and scarves, and so on.

          In response to Betar's post about getting attendees, at a vigil for a murdered 5-year-old girl deported, they tweeted in Hebrew, 'Blessed Are You O Lord our God, king of the universe who has given us life and established us and brought us to this time'.

          Betar offered their own poster, labeled a counter-protest. And in big letters;

          'Stand Against the People Who Use Hind as a Human Shield In Order To Fake a Genocide'

          In my opinion the policing of war criminals should be left up to the proper authorities.

          With their action, the PSNA has brought attention to the fact that IDF war criminals may be entering the country, leading to the authorities to take action to vet them..

      • Populuxe 4.3.2
        30 January 2025 at 4:25 pm

        I expect he's quite used to it actually. But it's worth noting that cyberstalking for the purposes of harassing people is against the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, and that applies to Minto and his haters.

        • tWig 4.3.2.1
          30 January 2025 at 5:52 pm

          Altho no one in NZ has ever been prosecuted or charged under this part. I presume that the organisation's aim is not to threaten, but to politely approach these visitors and ask them to justify Israel's war. Or even breeze past wearing clothing or badges to show support for Palestinians.

          • Psycho Milt 4.3.2.1.1
            30 January 2025 at 6:48 pm

            According to his ad, the aim is to "let them know they're not welcome in New Zealand," with it left up to the individuals harassing the Jew to decide what form that should take.

            • Muttonbird 4.3.2.1.1.1
              30 January 2025 at 6:55 pm

              You're doing this combining of Israeli and Jew which is a very handy strategy for hardliners who wish to have their actions protected by the suffering of millions in occupied Europe.

              Stop it.

              • Populuxe …
                30 January 2025 at 9:13 pm

                I can't say that I've seen many of Minto's stalwart following observing the nicety of that particular distinction. Nor was Minto ever especially quick to correct them.

                • Jenny …
                  31 January 2025 at 8:46 am

                  The crime of Apartheid is internationally recognised as a crime against humanity, a crime that the International Court of Justice has just ruled that Israel is guilty of.

                  John Minto has been a life long campaigner against racism and apartheid.

                  To accuse John Minto of being anti-Jewish, is in my opinion, almost as bizarre as Netanyahu accusing the United Nations General Assembly of being anti-Semitic for voting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Or accusing both the ICC and the ICJ of being anti-Semitic for merely holding hearings on the evidence of genocide in Gaza.

                  Accusing life long anti-racist campaigner John Minto of being anti-Jewish, is almost as bizarre as accusing Jewish Israeli Holocaust scholar, Omer Bartov of being a self hating Jew.

                  Holocaust scholar says Israel has committed genocide in Gaza

                  November 22, 2024

                  Holocaust and genocide scholar Omer Bartov has changed his mind about the war in Gaza. He now believes Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians.

                  Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd speaks with him during a week that the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and a top-ranking member of Hamas…..

                  https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/11/22/holocaust-scholar-israel

                  • Populuxe …
                    31 January 2025 at 10:04 am

                    I make it a policy never to argue with monomaniacs.

                    • Morrissey …
                      31 January 2025 at 10:42 am

                      I make it a policy never to argue with monomaniacs.

                      Translation: I got nuthin'.

                    • Jenny …
                      31 January 2025 at 1:36 pm

                      monomaniac

                      noun

                      1. a person exhibiting an exaggerated or obsessive enthusiasm for or preoccupation with one thing.

                      Have you ever considered Populux, that this "one thing", is the "ONE THING' that you don't want raised, or argued?

                      P.S. If you look back over my comment history you will see that I have commented on many more than just, 'One Thing'. For instance my last comment here, before this one, was about AI

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-31-01-2025/#comment-2022991

                      Therefore, I conclude that lacking any rebuttal your accusation, that I am a "monomaniac', strays into ad hominem territory.

                      ad hominem

                      adjective

                      1. an argument or reaction directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.
  5. Macro 5
    30 January 2025 at 9:15 am

    What a disgusting individual!

    NZ First refuses to back down over 'xenophobic' comments

    Jones's attitude on morning report this morning was absolutely appalling. Link above

    • Obtrectator 5.1
      30 January 2025 at 10:41 am

      I'm beginning to find Jones' photos even more repellent than tRump's.

    • Dennis Frank 5.2
      30 January 2025 at 11:23 am

      Yet he is merely providing what the system of democracy was created for. Competitive posturing is normal politics. Shane is a proud nationalist & doesn't want to be "frog marched to the altar of climate cultism."

      "I know the Greens have a host of colourful and strange members, but if you want to take on New Zealand's Nationalist party… return fire will happen." "Look it's a Mexican stand-off, I wouldn't worry about it too much," Jones said. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540319/nz-first-refuses-to-back-down-over-xenophobic-comments

      After hearing Jones' latest comments, Menéndez March said the prime minister's silence and lack of condemnation spoke volumes.

      Lux could issue a statement along these lines: "Shane & Ricardo are doing competitive posturing in a Mexican stand-off. They are keeping boredom at bay, and thereby performing a vital social function." The PMs silence probably indicates that his political advisor hasn't yet figured out this framing…

      • weka 5.2.2
        30 January 2025 at 3:45 pm

        I'm so glad you're neither an MP nor a staffer or advisor.

        You appear to be shitposting for the hell of it. Or maybe you do really believe what you say. In which case, I agree, too much macho, let's put women in charge.

        Meanwhile, what Jones and Peters are actually doing is actively and intentionally fomenting racism as a form of promoting populism. At this point in history, that's a precursor to fascism. They are powermongers misusing parliament to gain power.

        You are intelligent enough to understand the dynamics at play, which begs the question of why you are shitposting instead of addressing them.

        Absolute shame on the Speaker and any other party in parliament that doesn't speak out against this. I don't feel this way often, but I am ashamed of NZ today.

        • Dennis Frank 5.2.2.1
          30 January 2025 at 4:04 pm

          Well, I'm with you on the emotional intelligence side of things. Problem is, democracy didn't incorporate that into its design. I dunno the lingo you are using so can't comment on that really but if it implies satire I can see the point of it.

          So I was commenting on the basis of how the system conditions the behaviour of the participants. It is essentially Green: it is a view of ecosystemic relations.

          Re Luxon & Speaker, its feasible they are mulling the matter over. If they perceive a relevance for moral stances in parliamentary process, then they have the option of leading on that basis. They both lead in their political roles. If they head down that road, we get guidance and may adjust our views accordingly.

          Until then, I can't see how Ricardo can claim to be representing a Green political position on an ethical basis, since he's pretending to complain about racism whilst not providing any evidence for such behaviour in parliament. I prefer that our politicians get it right when they accuse each other of racism & xenophobia, which means acting in accord with standard definitions of those terms. Still, if you were to write an essay quoting those to prove Ricardo was right, I would read it with considerable interest. I do have an open mind…

        • Bearded Git 5.2.2.2
          30 January 2025 at 11:27 pm

          Agree totally weka about your comments re the post.

          But the logic that one man makes an idiotic post means all men are idiots is even dafter. Please don't tar us all with the same brush.

          • weka 5.2.2.2.1
            2 February 2025 at 1:49 pm

            I definitely don't think all men are idiots, not even most

            My comment about putting women in charge was a satirical poke at Dennis' comment.

            But I do also believe that underneath neoliberal capitalism and colonialism is the patriarchy. That doesn't mean that all men are bad/idiots, but men are afforded more privilege under that system than women, children and the rest of life.

            Unfortunately at this time, the threat from that system is existential to all of life. One of the biggest barriers we face is men's unwillingness to give up power.

            I also believe that women and men are not only socialised differently, but some of our cultural evolution arises from biology. Hence women, generally, will take care of others more readily, because they are not only used to doing this through pregnancy, birth and childrearing, but it is hardwired into women's bodies to do so.

            Again, this doesn't make men bad/wrong. I think the patriarchy has done quite the number on men, taking them out of their inherent abilities and functions as well. The problem is how to restore human societies to something sane. One way would be to cede power to women for a period of time. Women, collectively, will share power, so I'm not talking about a role reversal where women subjugate men.

            There is historical evidence for this in indigenous societies, including in NZ. The patriarchy isn't how we've done things for most of human history, it's not inevitable, and we're reaching the end of its tenure. Either we change to egalitarian or we die.

            • weka 5.2.2.2.1.1
              2 February 2025 at 1:51 pm

              lots of liberals are of the idea that men and women are equal and thus we should no longer talk about difference (imo, this is a neoliberalisation of the feminist struggle for liberation). What I'm saying is we are different and we should take advantage of those differences for the sake of us all.

    • Incognito 5.3
      30 January 2025 at 3:23 pm

      The X-word is now the new R-word: NZ is xenophobic as fuck. Even though NZ is a nation of migrants, paradoxically.

      It’s in the Science System Advisory Group report, chaired by NZ’s foremost ‘honest broker’ and eminent ‘knowledge broker’ who advocates for evidence-based policy-making. So, it must be true.

  6. ianmac 6
    30 January 2025 at 10:03 am

    Who is confident that Brown cares about the pressures on the Health system? Well we should worry about the actions he took to increase risks from transport.

    New minister's track record doesn't bode well for our health
    By Kirsty Wild & Alistair Woodward

    https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/30/new-ministers-feeble-track-record-doesnt-bode-well-for-our-health/?utm_source=Newsroom&utm_campaign=26d65c1cec-Daily_Briefing+30.01.2025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_71de5c4b35-26d65c1cec-95522477&mc_cid=26d65c1cec&mc_eid=88a3081e75

  7. Dennis Frank 7
    30 January 2025 at 11:44 am

    Chris Trotter's critique of Sir Geoffrey Palmer's stance on democracy gets to the point.

    A candidate who conformed to the accepted rules of the political game, and comported himself as a reasonable and responsible member of the political class, would never have placed himself at the head of an angry populist revolt. https://democracyproject.nz/2025/01/30/chris-trotter-which-sort-of-people-liberal-versus-populist-democracy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chris-trotter-which-sort-of-people-liberal-versus-populist-democracy

    liberal democracy, far from enacting the will of the people, is dedicated instead to enacting the will of the right sort of people. The populist impulse, which Trump embodies, arises when the wrong sort of people are finally convinced that their urgent concerns and fundamental interests form no part of the liberal-democratic agenda – and never will.

    Establishment elites serve the control system, not the people. Leftists, when I was an angry young man, used the slogan `power to the people'. Then they got into govt & betrayed the people. Trump has discovered that the groundswell of resentment caused by that betrayal is a useful political resource.

    the successful populist movement seeks to infuse its collective strength into the sinews of an irresistible political Leviathan, point him in the direction of its foes – and let him go to work.

    The gfc's takedown of the American middle class made enough people into losers that the Republican pretence of caring seemed better than the Democrat lack of remorse. That lack is not due to causal guilt – merely guilt by association. Obama's failure to punish Wall St was deemed a signal of collusion…

    • Populuxe 7.1
      30 January 2025 at 3:43 pm

      Trotter's main dissatisfaction with the political elite of the left is that it won't let him in, hence his pivot to the Free Speech Union, an Atlas-adjacent group that mostly advocates for the economic elite of the right.

    • SPC 7.2
      30 January 2025 at 5:35 pm

      Trotter is not champion of radical action in favour of the poor, he opposed a CGT (and presumably estate tax etc) on the grounds his boomer property owning generation would not like it.

      Trump provides a vehicle for illiberal impulses, as populist champion of the reactionary and nationalist chauvinism both. All while his actions serve the oligarchy and business class more than any other.

      Trotter himself is one here feeding this with his concern about Maori as a threat to democracy, and silence on the issue of the governments reformist radicalism. Hardly in the left wing tradition I would have thought.

  8. tWig 8
    30 January 2025 at 12:04 pm

    Barbara Edmonds discusses the issues around the Digital Services Tax, which was to be introduced from 1 Jan this year, but which was deferred by Willis. At BHN from 30min.

    and at 1 hour talks about what Labour would do to stimulate growth.

  9. Muttonbird 9
    30 January 2025 at 1:29 pm

    Why does the media allow this particular minister to get away with claiming innocence? Chour here reverses the funding cuts she herself ordered OT to make, and then blames them for the distress and disruption.

    Do your job, journalists!

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540373/minister-overrides-oranga-tamariki-decision-to-pull-funding-from-barnardos-helpline

    • Incognito 9.1
      30 January 2025 at 2:34 pm

      Chhour is one of the many beauticians in the Coalition who carefully manicures and pulls out the selected eye-lash here & there to show off cosmetic prowess and to create an optical illusion in the smoky mirrors that she knows what she’s doing. None of this superficial tinkering can hide the fact that they want to cut & grow and cut & grow and cut & grow, which used to be a hairdresser’s motto in the 70s.

      Soon they can shift all the blame on AI, as there won’t be many public servants left to put up with these shambles, or technology infrastructure & support.

  10. Mike the Lefty 10
    30 January 2025 at 1:32 pm

    "A great day for New Zealand", said the National MP, Chris Bishop.

    Was he describing National's pledges to lower the cost of living, reduce child poverty, increase access to public health or reduce the crime rate?

    No he was referring to increasing the speed limit on a stretch of road in the Wairarapa where even his officials have told him will save a whole THREE MINUTES of travelling time.

    Three minutes!

    Think of all the economic development, productivity gains and confidence that this three minutes saving will bring! – they were all gushing whilst clad in their spotless unused visibility jackets especially brought out for the occasion.

    This really is a government that aims low.

    http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540233/speed-limits-start-going-back-up-full-list-of-roads-announced

    • Kay 10.1
      30 January 2025 at 3:20 pm

      Labour did it so we're going to reverse it.

    • Subliminal 10.2
      30 January 2025 at 3:46 pm

      60kms over the Whangamoa hill out of Nelson now 100km. Its ridiculous. Every corner will now need a safe speed warning. All the 80 and 90 km between Nelson and Blenheim now 100km with the resulting competition to pass trucks and renewal of the blood bath of fatalies and serious injury.

      • Mac1 10.2.1
        30 January 2025 at 4:47 pm

        I once worked out that a truck travelling from Blenheim to Nelson, a 114 km route, at these higher speeds would save about 16 minutes, but no truck can travel roads at their 90 km/h open road speeds, especially over the Whangamoa saddle, so the time for the trip takes longer.and the consequent time savings are less. There is an appreciable time difference between speed limit times when factors like gradient, cornering and traffic flow are included.

    • Mac1 10.3
      30 January 2025 at 4:41 pm

      SH2 Featherstone to Masterson is 52km. At 80 km/h will take 39 mins, at 100 km/h will take 31.2 mins and trucks at 90 km/h will take 34.6 mins. The figure of three minutes saved from the Ministry looks sound.

      Travelling 50 kms at 90 versus 80 will cost more fuel. The truckers themselves estimate a 10% fuel saving for every 10 km/h drop in speed.

      There is also the factor of safety where increased speeds mean more serious injuries sustained in accidents.

      • Mike the Lefty 10.3.1
        30 January 2025 at 5:31 pm

        The speed reduction on that particular piece of road was truthfully rather stupid because there is only one proper bend on it (at the Tauherenikau Race Course) and it wasn't a particularly dangerous stretch of road as far as accidents go. What was needed was a speed reduction on that short stretch by the racecourse entrance on the corner across the bridge down to 70 km/hr and the rest left at 100 km/hr but somehow nobody thought of that.

        But what gets me is how the CoC acts like Peter Pan trumpeting how clever they are for increasing a few speed limits when there are so many more pressing matters they should be tackling, like unemployment, the cost of living, etc…

        But I suppose these are rather dullsville for a government that is only interested in how well the rich are faring and the speed fantasies of Ford Ranger drivers.

    • Bearded Git 10.4
      30 January 2025 at 11:34 pm

      Locals are ropeable about the stupidity and waste of money resulting from increasing the speed limit from 80 back to 100 on the very windy road to Milford Sound.

  11. adam 11
    30 January 2025 at 3:20 pm

    This is happening in Australia – the far right is showing it's hand.

    • tWig 11.1
      30 January 2025 at 6:05 pm

      Probably not the far-right, I hate to say, but pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel state.

      • Jenny 11.1.1
        31 January 2025 at 11:27 pm

        Police are "suggesting" some sort of conspiracy "above" the perpetrators

        What we know about Tammie Farrugia and Scott Marshall, the pair allegedly linked to the Dural caravan explosives

        By investigative reporter Amy Greenbank and Ethan Rix13h ago

        …..with police suggesting those involved do not appear to hold a "specific ideology" and that there was a level of 'coordination above those perpetrating the offences'.

        https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-31/tammie-farrugia-scott-marshall-caravan-explosives-dural/104876144

        adam @11

        “This is happening in Australia – the far right is showing it's hand.”

        tWig @11.1

        “Probably not the far-right, I hate to say, but pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel state.”

        According to police and Prime Minister Albanese, not far right, or pro-Palestinian left, but paid criminals with no ideological ax to grind.

        Who is their paymaster, we may never know. It could be the far right it could be the far left, it could be a false flag. We just don't know.

        ‘Paid actors’ could be behind some antisemitic attacks, Albanese says

        AFP investigating if ‘criminals for hire’ have been behind at least some recent incidents across the nation

        Dan Jervis-Hardy, Josh Butler and Rafoa Touma

        Wed 22 Jan 2025 03.37 GMT

        Anthony Albanese says it appears some of the perpetrators behind a spate of antisemitic attacks in New South Wales and Victoria could have been paid actors rather than ideologically motivated offenders, seemingly confirming the target of police investigations……

        ……“Part of our inquiries include who is paying those criminals. Where those people are, whether they are in Australia or offshore, and what their motivation is.”

        Albanese would not disclose further details about the AFP investigation, or speculate on which country the foreign actors potentially behind the attacks might be from.

        But he did confirm that paid actors, rather than people motivated by anti-Jewish ideology, were believed to be behind the attacks.

        “….as the AFP commissioner said yesterday, that some of these are being perpetrated by people who don’t have a particular issue, aren’t motivated by an ideology, but are paid actors.”

        ….the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, asked why Albanese had not previously discussed the AFP’s investigation publicly.

        “When did the prime minister find out that there were foreign players? Are these state actors or organised crime groups? Or are they antisemitic groups? What did the prime minister know?” he said.

        On ABC’s RN Breakfast earlier in the morning, the shadow home affairs minister, James Paterson, also said the suggestion of potential overseas involvement was a “gravely serious claim” that warranted urgent clarification from the prime minister.

        “This either means, if it is true, if it is confirmed, that a transnational terrorist organisation is sponsoring attacks in Australia or potentially that a foreign government is engaging in state-sponsored terror targeting the Jewish community,” he said.

        Albanese said after the meeting that 36 people had been charged with “antisemitic related offences” in NSW and 70 arrests had been made in Victoria.

        Burke said “there will be more” arrests and charges levelled against those allegedly behind such incidents.

        © 2025 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. (dcr)

        This MO doesn't fit either the ideologically driven far right, or the ideologically far left who both tend to relish committing their own acts of terror. it is pretty unheard of for either of them to pay someone else to do it on their behalf.

        The good news is that it appears that these attacks on Australian synagogues are not home grown. This would be a relief to a lot of Australians.

        So who could these 'foreign actors' be?

        Having 106 Aussie crims on your payroll takes a bit of dosh.

        The list of possible state actors with this much dosh to splash around Down Under and with an interest in doing so, is quite small, it could be Iran, it could be Israel. Israel does have an image problem at the moment and have been trying hard to conflate anti-Zionism, with anti-Semitism. These attacks would play to that narrative.

  12. tWig 12
    31 January 2025 at 9:21 am

    Or Iran. Swedish authorites said last year that 'the Iranian government had been using criminal networks within Sweden to carry out violent acts against other states, groups and individuals.'

    And who may be behind the execution in the last week of a Swedish ex-Iraqi anti-islam campaigner who burnt a Koran.

    • Jenny 12.1
      1 February 2025 at 8:30 am

      tWig @12

      Or Iran. Swedish authorites said last year that 'the Iranian government had been using criminal networks within Sweden to carry out violent acts against other states, groups and individuals.'…..

      I suppose it could be Iran, but what could their motive be?

      Have any Australians been publicly burning the Koran?

      Have there been any attacks on mosques in Australia?

      Brenton Tarrant was an Australian.

      Maybe the Iranians confused Australia with New Zealand?

      Maybe the Iranians couldn't find enough NZ crims prepared to take their money?

      False Flag, or Iranian terrorists. We may never find out.

      The main thing is we must not let these attacks divide us.