Open mike 30/03/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 30th, 2023 - 125 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:


Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

125 comments on “Open mike 30/03/2023 ”

  1. Ad 1

    Hipkins is announcing the new Auckland harbour crossing this afternoon. There's been over 7 years worth of modelling and testing for it to be a tunnel.

    The problem for this government is that it is now beset by long term announcements – either in infrastructure or in governance and systems – that either don't arrive or have negligible palpable difference to any citizen. Announcements just don't have political effect.

    Great that he's trying to bring some momentum back from an utter political disaster week. But as an election year political tactic it isn't going to work.

    • Sanctuary 1.1

      I agree. If they really want to win, they need to do something dramatic and immediate, like making the first 10-15k of income tax free.

    • bwaghorn 1.2

      ""But as an election year political tactic it isn't going to work.

      Yeah it's shit imagine a politician doing things for the long term good instead of pandering to the moron swing voters

      • Ad 1.2.1

        Under Ardern we had 5 years of managerial bullshit and crisis cash redistribution. As a result of this 'long term good' does anyone here feel any improvement in the health system, road and rail transport system, education system, poverty alleviation system, public housing system, immigration system, justice system, or any other part of New Zealand public services?

        No we don't.

        This is what you get with really bad policy delivery over 2 terms, and it is Hipkins' core political headwind.

        • bwaghorn 1.2.1.1

          Sounds like it was an announcement abouta possible plan maybe, 5 possible options ,hardly spades in the ground

          • Ad 1.2.1.1.1

            It announced that they have gone backwards by multiple years.

            And any option will cost between $15-$25 billion in 2023 dollars.

            • bwaghorn 1.2.1.1.1.1

              I had hoped Hopkins was a roll ya sleeves up crack heads and make shit happen guy, not looking that way.

              Labours very lucky the nats and act arnt worthy of my vote

        • roblogic 1.2.1.2

          Labour under Ardern rebuilt hospitals, made huge inroads into the housing crisis, and put a ton of work into water reform. They also stated plans for fixing rail infra and set the goal of "Road to Zero" for the NZTA

          It sucks that those plans were derailed by an apocalyptic pandemic that's still claiming more lives than the road toll and wrecking the health system. The media is bored with that story though.

          https://twitter.com/SoonLeeNZ/status/1612301909230227456?s=20

          • bwaghorn 1.2.1.2.1

            Maintenance on hospitals is a basic government job,

            When's rail starting to the airport, ?

            Recession is the only thing that's stopped the runaway housing train,

            Yes covid was a fucker but you can't ride that pony for ever, I'd bet there's a few illnesses that kill more than cars

            • SPC 1.2.1.2.1.1

              Orr created the 2021 bubble and the 2022 correction began before the OCR rise reaction to inflation, which will be confimed as leading to recession (official once the March quarter figures are released).

              • pat

                Orr created the conditions that enabled the (extension of) the bubble….there is a subtle difference, one that allows the RBNZ to disclaim responsibility to a degree.

                • SPC

                  Yes, but could have installed tighter lending conditions for investors once it was clear that the pandemic monetary policy and government wage subsidy had secured the economy (rather than let them speculate by buying up existing property assets).

                  • pat

                    Yes they could (should) have…but the increased borrowing (credit creation) was determined by the banks and individuals…in many cases to their detriment.

                    They can claim they wernt responsible for banks lending (risk) criteria.

                    Greed (or easy money) makes for poor decision making

          • Ad 1.2.1.2.2

            NZTA network is worse.

            Rail network regional and national is worse.

            Ferry network regional and national is worse.

            Road toll has got worse.

            None of the water reforms have landed other than set up a regulator.

            No part of our health system has improved.

    • Bearded Git 1.3

      "utter political disaster week"

      Come come

      One aging useless right wing minister got rid of. I have never forgotten Nash attacking the two billion dollar backpacker industry…stuck up idiot stuck in the past.

      • Roy Cartland 1.3.1

        He was in the wrong party. Always felt that about him. Can't wait to see him defect, good riddance.

    • Bearded Git 1.4

      Just released minutes ago.

      It's actually easy. The cheapest option, according to the release, is a light rail/biking/walking bridge parallel to the existing bridge.

      Just do it.

    • RedLogix 1.5

      Good. I wish the engineering teams who have put so much into this the best with it.

      The network of tunnels commonplace in the big Australian cities work remarkably well; this tunnel should be a wonderful asset.

      • Ad 1.5.1

        Yes this would be a decade of work worth putting ones' shoulder to.

        Seriously needs a tunnel congestion charge just like Sydney does for all of its tunnels.

        The extensive spread of Auckland Warkworth to Pokeno is 110 kilometers and is accelerating with more development, requiring more people living on the periphery and travelling longer and longer across the isthmus.

        No, there will never be a public transport alternative to most of this.

    • pat 1.6

      Desperate and dumb….it will probably have the desired effect to a degree.

  2. James Thrace 2

    Feels like the last few days on twitter has been full of performative heteros telling the “other” queers who voice dissenting views as to the abhorrent way that the TRAs acted on 25 March. Its notable that the performative heteros tend to say how they expect the “rainbow” community to be, and can’t engage in debate except to say there is no debate. When (typically the performative straight male “allies”) are asked if they would sleep with a self identified woman with a penis, they tend to prevaricate saying it isn’t about them, or they block. Seems to me a lot of straight people are just performative fuckwits demanding acceptance & unable to listen to those with concerns.

    • Robert Guyton 2.1

      I've been doing some background reading, as instructed by some here, and found this very good: https://overland.org.au/2019/05/what-is-gender-critical-anyway-on-essentialism-and-transphobia/

      • Molly 2.1.1

        If you are referring to me Robert – and apologies if you are not – it was reading comprehension that you appeared to be having trouble with.

        No point in going for quantity if the quality of comprehension is still poor.

        After making it past the opening sentence, "Transphobes are having a moment in Aotearoa" it seemed to get progressively worse.

        TBH the reasoning is best expressed by this:

        It may be a good time, then, to examine what being ‘gender critical’ actually means.

        At first blush, the phrase ‘gender critical feminist’ is essentially meaningless: all feminism is ‘gender critical’ by definition. The TERF label is at least partially descriptive, since exponents of this ideology are certainly trans-exclusionary, but it may be too generous to suggest that they are either radical or feminists. Feminism is a big tent, but it is hard to welcome into it a group so dedicated to returning us to the values of the Victorians.

        At this point I realised I'd read this before and decided not to waste more of my life continuing.

        I will say that the closing paragraph does not express the concerns of many who are called TERFs at all:

        "TERFs ultimately tie rights to body parts. Their approach seems to be that, because women were originally oppressed to some extent because of their bodies, their rights should be forever tied to qualities within those bodies, when in fact the precise opposite is true. Their reactionary ideology, with its obsession with binary gender essentialism, is actively harmful to all genders. TERFs aren’t even calling back to the second wave – they’re calling back to the first wave. Their ideas are over one hundred years old, and they aren’t good ones."

        • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1

          I accept your apology, Molly.

          Still curious as to the personal attacks you're indulging in. Not sure why you believe I'm a poor reader and have comprehension problems or why you feel you should broadcast your opinion about that.

          • Molly 2.1.1.1.1

            Basically, because it doesn't appear that you read comments before responding.

            For example, you've posted a link and I have commented on that link, and your response is limited to your acceptance of my apology and a query about how I see your contributions.

            The article you posted, is written by someone who assumes they know what concerns many women hold. If they had had the opportunity to listen to some of the NZ women speak on the weekend, they may have realised that their assumptions were wrong. But that opportunity for clarity didn't happen.

            Your responses, often show another version of this lack of listening and comprehension. No matter what people write you either ignore it, redirect, or take a really strange interpretation of it to run with.

            It's a form of silencing, in that words exchanged with you are lost somewhere in between the writing and the reading.

            • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1.1.1

              What a curious comment, Molly.

              You indicated that reading the material I had linked-to was a waste of your life.

              I'm not sure why you'd want to waste any more of it engaging in discussion about it.

              Perhaps, if you'd like an answer from me about any particular matter, you could ask a question, rather than cast a vague net of words. That would make it easier to know where your interest lies.

              • Molly

                "Still curious as to the personal attacks you're indulging in. Not sure why you believe I'm a poor reader and have comprehension problems or why you feel you should broadcast your opinion about that."

                Don't put forth a query if you don't want an answer.

                "Perhaps, if you'd like an answer from me about any particular matter, you could ask a question, rather than cast a vague net of words. That would make it easier to know where your interest lies."

                Experience has shown this makes little difference.

                • Robert Guyton

                  Give it one more go, go on! 🙂

                • Robert Guyton

                  Molly, are you trans-exclusionary?

                  • Molly

                    In what way?

                  • Shanreagh

                    What does that even mean Robert?

                    You haven't defined it?

                    Then all you need to ask

                    Are you are Radical

                    then

                    Are you a Female

                    And voila you've made up the initials of Terf.

                    What about:

                    GCF

                    I'm one.

                    I don't believe in gender woo woo though if someone wants to describe themselves as a cat or a cabbage or a 'lesbian transwoman' then I'll laugh or go OMG or say 'contradiction in terms' along with the rest.

                    Lesbians are women who love other women.

                    I believe in the male sex and the female sex. Of course there are Intersex but the small in proportion to the huge numbers of babies born.

                    Woman: an adult female human being

                    Man: an adult male human being.

                    • Shanreagh

                      I don't believe in gender woo woo though if someone wants to describe themselves as a cat or a cabbage or a 'lesbian transwoman' then I'll laugh or go OMG or say 'contradiction in terms' along with the rest.

                      Or be my usual respectful self even though some of the ideas are wacky.

                      Until they come for my rights or the rights of the females/female children in my family.

        • Tabletennis 2.1.1.2

          To Robert Guyton – from your linked article:

          Gender essentialism is the idea that there is an innate, immutable ‘womanness’ or ‘manness’ which expresses itself in what we consider ‘femininity’ or ‘masculinity’.

          If you now add TRANS – in front gender essentialism than the article makes sense. Otherwise the article is: just throw it in the bin.

          The Paradox Institute, science based educational videos, could help to bring you up to speed with this kind of falsehood. Because there is more than one way to be a women or to be a man.
          https://www.theparadoxinstitute.com/watch/is-sex-bimodal

      • weka 2.1.2

        Dimsie is an anti-terfer. I'm curious what you learned from reading that.

          • Molly 2.1.2.1.1

            Read it.

            Full of assumptions and inaccuracies, peppered with assertions.

            eg: "The rights of people to be themselves, love who they love and not be targeted by misguided, hate-fueled anger and abuse"

            "I was there for a shared kaupapa that says no to stirring up fear and hysteria designed to marginalise a group of people."

            "And like Posie Parker doesn’t publicly defend the neo nazis who always rock up to support her rallies. "

            ecetera…

            I think it is a piece written by someone uninformed of the concerns women hold, that she was given the opportunity to hear by being present at a #LetWomenSpeak event.

            Yet she doesn't recognise her part in supporting a #DoNotLetWomenSpeak kaupapa.

            • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.1.1.1

              "The rights of people to be themselves, love who they love and not be targeted by misguided, hate-fueled anger and abuse"

              Applies to all, I reckon.

              "I was there for a shared kaupapa that says no to stirring up fear and hysteria designed to marginalise a group of people."

              Ditto.

              "And like Posie Parker doesn’t publicly defend the neo nazis who always rock up to support her rallies. "

              Does she publicly defend the neo nazis? Do they always turn up (I don't know).

              Interpreting those statements depends on one's point of view, doesn't it. No wonder the matter is confused!

              • Molly

                "Interpreting those statements depends on one's point of view, doesn't it. No wonder the matter is confused!"

                Actually interpreting these statements depends on ones level of knowledge to quite a significant degree. The fallacies are easier to spot for those who know more.

                Have you read LawfulN's link yet?

          • Liberty Belle 2.1.2.1.2

            Oh the irony of this comment (from Tova):

            "The rights of people to be themselves, love who they love and not be targeted by misguided, hate-fueled anger and abuse. " (my bold).

            • Molly 2.1.2.1.2.1

              There's a few such pearlers from Tova.

              (As I read them I looked down to see if I was fading out of existence – but No – I made it to the end, fully intact. smiley)

              • Liberty Belle

                smiley

              • Robert Guyton

                Indeed, the irony is thick (both ways) 🙂

                • Shanreagh

                  Really, I'd like you to explain what your sentence (just a little) please rather than casting words into space.

                  • Robert Guyton

                    "The rights of people to be themselves, love who they love and not be targeted by misguided, hate-fueled anger and abuse."

                    Some people appear to fervently believe that Posie threatens the rights of people to be themselves, love who they love and not be targeted by misguided, hate-fueled anger and abuse.

                    Do you see what I mean?

                    • Shanreagh

                      No.

                      You'll have to explain who these people are

                      and not be targeted by misguided, hate-fueled anger and abuse."

                      If you answer Terfs or women you, and they, are wrong.

                      This has been a whole lot of what I call bullkaka or woo. You ask to find out, for people to give examples and no-one can tell you, Their propagandists have told them.

                      If you are lucky they might tell you that their mother's aunty's friend's cousin's partner heard someone say something derogatory in the pub but as they were a bit under the weather they may have misunderstood.

                      Where does this leave actual women?

          • weka 2.1.2.1.3

            Tova O'Brien is a journalist. What's your point Robert? Because it looks like you wanted to post an anti-terf opinion piece and then when I pointed out that she is anti-terf, you bring in TO so say what exactly? Here is another woman how has a belief about something?

            Dimsie uses anti-terf rhetoric. I'll just keep pointing out the context of the links you are posting. Any time you want to step out of the culture war and engage meaningfully, let me know.

            https://terfisaslur.com/

            https://twitter.com/coccinellanovem/status/1637202317329027075

            • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.1.3.1

              Tova is pro-trans-rights, I suppose. The images/messages you posted, weka, do you mean them to shock? It seems you've picked extremely violent examples in order to shock. It seems unusual for you to do that.

              • weka

                weka: Dimsie is an anti-terfer. I'm curious what you learned from reading that.

                RG: I guess Tova's persona non grata here on TS now [+link to new article, without any explanation]

                My impression is that you too are an anti-terfer. So I posted, again, what that means.

                Yes, the image is shocking. Imagine talking about women's rights and being subjected to that continually.

                • Robert Guyton

                  I don't know who "Dimsie" is, weka.

                • Robert Guyton

                  weka – does it come down to this: many people fervently believe that Posie was promoting ideas that caused many in the trans community to fear for their well-being?

                  • weka

                    only if you want to render invisible thousands of women who've been working on women's sexed based rights for nearly a decade. And ignore the serious levels of abuse that have been aimed at women in that time. And if you want to support No Debate. And if you want to ignore child safeguarding and the fact that many countries, including now NZ's own MoH are starting to review transitioning on of children thanks to the efforts of GCFs and other GC people.

                    Otherwise, no.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      Many people (don't) fervently believe that Posie was promoting ideas that caused many in the trans community to fear for their well-being?

                    • weka []

                      why are you commenting as if women and their rights aren’t central in this?

                    • Robert Guyton

                      Freedom of speech isn't the central issue?

                    • weka []

                      You’d have to say what you mean by freedom of speech for me to answer that.

                  • Shanreagh

                    Well they are wrong.

                    They are products of their own propaganda and the consequences of No Debate.

                    Many women support Trans rights as they can relate as having been through oppression as women.

                    What we draw the line at is the loss of our own identities as women and all the women's issues that are our now but won't be soon

                    eg

                    sex based rights including access to safe spaces

                    safeguarding of children's identities so they can grow up as children to adults without being part of adult cult dogma

                    and many others that you will know of if you have done unbiased reading.

              • Shanreagh

                Not picked to exaggerate Robert. You saw the posters on 25/3. C**t, suck my girl dick etc. They reached a crescendo ove rthe weekend after a week of building up. people like katherine stock and others from the UK have been harassed, even to the point of having to go to safe houses, withdraw from public life for periods.

                I have muted many of them & v blocked others as my desire to learn did not go that far.

                I had someone tried to hack my twitter handle to include 'is a nazi' in it.

                Even on the few relatively mild trans supporters I am following women are universally regarded at Nazis.

                It is hard to maintain a level of good will in their cause, when the purpose in life of some is to violently attack women with words, and with just plain violence as they did to the 70 year in Auckland with a fractured skull.

                I am pretty sure that woman's rights to safe spaces without intact males will be able to be met somehow if people can find level headed people to talk to.

                I am finding gt support ie realism from the LGB lobby particularly a Gay lobby group in the UK

                Trans lobby has been very intolerant of Lesbians. We have a knowledgeable poster here, Visubversa, who knows how extreme the ant Lesbian actions and words have been. Read her posts.

                • Molly

                  "I had someone tried to hack my twitter handle to include 'is a nazi' in it."

                  What the hell, Shanreagh… I've always found your posts to be respectful even if you disagree.

                  Hope your account is protected now.

          • Stuart Munro 2.1.2.1.4

            She was persona non-grata after a few weeks vitriol on Covid updates.

        • Shanreagh 2.1.2.2

          I used to follow her unitl I realsied that she did not support womens' rights or issues.

          I've just read that the elderly woman who was bashed at the let womne speak event has a fractured skull

          ManaWāhineKōrero12:51 AM · Mar 30, 2023

          'It has been revealed that the 70yr old woman who was brutally assaulted in Auckland on Sat, has a fractured skull. She is safe and being cared for by loved ones & wishes to remain anonymous. In the aftermath of the state sanctioned violence unleashed upon NZ women wishing to exercise our right to peacefully assemble & speak, we are helping women who attended with counselling services if they so wish.'

          • Shanreagh 2.1.2.2.1

            Perhaps this will be enough for PM to jump off his 'on the one hand this on the other hand that' stance that the violence on 25/3 could be shared. I doubt he will though he seems blinkered.

            It would have been easy to condemn the violence as did a UK minister in terms of what actually happened.

            Ah me……….we've joined them in a world of madness not of our own making.

            Off to

            1) write complaint to IPCA, as suggested by SUFW about NZ Police not being guided or learning from the poor policing at the Hobart event, SUFW got back to me this morning

            2) Donating to the fund for counselling for women who attended waiting to speak or listen on 25/3 who were terrified/hurt by the violence shown against them.

            #Let women speak

            #Stand up for women

            #The whole world is watching

      • LawfulN 2.1.3

        If you read that kind of stuff, don't expect to learn anything useful. The author makes a fundamental mistake about a minute into the article. You'd be better off reading something written by an expert who understands the underlying issues rather than a journalist who is looking to score points.

        I thought this was useful when I read it, but there are likely other articles that are just as good.

        https://medium.com/@mary.leng/where-metaphysics-meets-politics-in-gender-critical-feminism-1fe565e2093a

        • Molly 2.1.3.1

          Thank you, have bookmarked that.

          From the closing paragraph:

          What I would like to say is that, so long as we recognise both sex and gender identity as separate politically important features, and keep language that allows us to discuss these features separately, then it strikes me that the ‘spaces’ issue should not and does not admit of a one size fits all answer. In each case we need to ask the question why this service/space/provision has been designated as woman only? And we need to ask on a case by case basis whether, given this justification, interpreting ‘woman’ as ‘female’ or as ‘female-identified’ would undermine that justification….

          The article is worth further quotes, but it's probably best read in full.

          • Visubversa 2.1.3.1.1

            And may I ask who will be the "we" sitting in judgement as to whether women have any continuing right to the sex based rights and protections we have managed to claw out over the last couple of hundred years? Probably the same people who denied us those spaces and rights, are resentful that we got them and that we still have them.

            • Molly 2.1.3.1.1.1

              True. That is one of the more relevant aspects that is not recognised or addressed in the wider discussion.

              But the article has some good points for Robert to read to start to get the gist of the discussions that he is currently not a part of.

            • LawfulN 2.1.3.1.1.2

              You're reading too much into it. She's just talking about how female-only spaces are justified using many different reasons. Some of those justifications may allow for transwomen to be fairly excluded; some not.

              The 'we' in this case just appears to mean any fair minded person judging the stated justification for female only spaces. For example, the case for excluding transwomen from having their books on a women's fiction shelf in a bookstore is a lot less compelling than excluding them from women's boxing.

              • weka

                For example, the case for excluding transwomen from having their books on a women's fiction shelf in a bookstore is a lot less compelling than excluding them from women's boxing.

                Unfortunately while this was true in the past, the aggressive push to colonise women's culture means that there is a compelling case to be made about library shelves. Putting a trans women section within women's section might be an appropriate compromise (assuming there is such a thing as a women's section).

                • LawfulN

                  Yes, but it's a lot less compelling than the justification for exclusion from boxing given that nobody will permanently injured or die if you do the bookshelf thing. Replace the books with some other anodyne example if you like.

                  • weka

                    I would say less compelling, rather than a lot less compelling because the latter implies that it wouldn't matter. I'm pointing out that in the current milieu, it does matter.

                    • LawfulN

                      This is why you are going to lose. The average person will be difficult to persuade about these peripheral issues—hardly anyone cares about books because hardly anyone reads.

                      Because too many GCFs lump these peripheral issues in with things that everyone thinks matters—like women's physical security—people won't take you seriously. Just like Labour and the Greens won't take you seriously because they know they own you.

                      Gender critical feminists need to pick their battles better. Go for the big stuff first. Worry about the little stuff later. Eventually, both sides will have to compromise. It's just going to happen.

              • Shanreagh

                For example, the case for excluding transwomen from having their books on a women's fiction shelf in a bookstore is a lot less compelling than excluding them from women's boxing.

                Why wouldn't they have separate section for transwomen, so men, women, transwomen?

                I find all the women's writers on women's issues compelling as they speak to me about women's issues.

                Men/transwomen I would find interesting as commentary as they are not women.

        • Robert Guyton 2.1.3.2

          What was the fundamental mistake about a minute into the article?

          • LawfulN 2.1.3.2.1

            Where she starts talking about gender essentialism. She's attributing to gender critical feminists a view they do not hold.

            "Gender essentialism is the idea that there is an innate, immutable ‘womanness’ or ‘manness’ which expresses itself in what we consider ‘femininity’ or ‘masculinity’."

            https://overland.org.au/2019/05/what-is-gender-critical-anyway-on-essentialism-and-transphobia/

            Gender critical feminists do not believe this. They believe (roughly) that there is a sex binary and that gender is a social construct assigned to people based on that sex binary, which happens to be hierarchical, and therefore objectionable. Their main aim is to separate females as a sex class from the gender roles society assigns to them—this was the overriding aim of radical feminism roughly from the start.

            The author makes a rookie error.

            • weka 2.1.3.2.1.1

              this. GCF positions aren't a secret, so it begs the question of why Dimsie doesn't know this or chooses to misrepresent it.

              • LawfulN

                Probably because being a bad faith actor works. The same underlying reason that her allies attacked the Albert Park event – they feel that they are right, that they can get away with it, and that acting unfairly is justified if it furthers their goal.

                • weka

                  I find it hard to tell how much is bad faith, and how much is that they really just don't understand the GCF position. Both I guess, but also the latter is a wilful ignorance at this point.

      • Liberty Belle 2.1.4

        Hey, the author may not have to harbour her paranoia about gender critical feminists for too long. If the world follows Canada, they'll all be in jail.

      • Shanreagh 2.1.5

        This is part of a post that came to me as part of a sign on site. The context is a letter to respond to a friend who thinks that the other is 'transphobic' This word together with other transactivist buzz words such as 'Terf '& 'Nazi' is what many of us get thrown at us when we try to respond from a women's rights & issues point of view. These are world-wide trans ways to respond and you can see them appearing against women all round the globe.

        "It's very difficult—without radically changing one's basic and reasonable understandings and experiences of the world—to avoid being transphobic.

        • I believe that the sexes are more real and hence more socially important than gender identity. That makes me transphobic.
        • I believe that the bodies of males and females have different capabilities from each other. That makes me transphobic.
        • I think it is mad to have males competing with and against females in female sport events. That makes me transphobic.
        • I think it is wrong and cruel to subject female prisoners to males in their cells. That makes me transphobic.
        • I think transing children is abusive, and stopping their natural healthy growth is extreme abuse. That makes me transphobic.
        • I fail to celebrate, and actually find it tragic when people wish to surgically remove healthy, functioning parts of their bodies. That makes me transphobic."

        https://theministryhasfallen.substack.com/p/guest-post-an-explainer-to-an-old

        The letter is full of sensible words and has some good advice for what we can do to make spaces safer for women and children.

        I cannot get on to the site to comment, as even though I have a nom de plume, it keeps giving my email address. This probably my error. I will fix soon.

        I was hoping that an author from TS could seek an Ok to quote the whole sensible piece on here.

    • RosieLee 2.2

      I'm sick to death with all this nonsense. People are free to sleep/have sex with whoever they like. Why does it have to become a virtue signalling, labeling, publicity and attention seeking thing? And I’m not going to join a selfrighteous hate group either.
      Enough already.

      • Molly 2.2.1

        You don't seem to understand what the issue is RosieLee.

        It's not about sexual orientation – although that protected characteristic has also been affected – it is about the failure of legislators and policy makers to consider the impacts of the changes they are making. And so the impacts have been far reaching across many sectors of society.

        That is why it is a political discussion, one that was avoided by a No Debate stance in NZ.

      • Visubversa 2.2.2

        Why do you think this has to do with sexual orientation Rosie? You possibly think that because gender ideology has used the good PR built up built up by the Gay Liberation movement for decades, and because decades ago, the vast majority of trans people were same sex attracted.

        These days – even the words "same sex attracted" are referred to as "a transphobic dogwhistle" and many institutions have redefined homosexuality as "attraction to the same gender" rather than "attraction to the same sex".

        The faces of todays Trans Rights movement are much more like Alex Drummond than Carmen or Georgina. Google "Alex Drummond Stonewall" and you will find Alex – 50 something, no hormones, no surgery, does not even shave off the beard. Identifies as a woman and as a lesbian – basically because he is still the same straight man he was before he put on the skirt.

        Lesbians who say no to people like Alex are told that we are bigots and transphobes.

      • Charlotte Rust 2.2.3

        On the surface a reasonable idea if you are open minded but many are not. Just ask gay men or lesbians how their experience of their sexual preferences being aired has gone for them over the past 50-70 years.

    • weka 2.3

      nailed it James.

    • Corey 2.4

      Yes indeed, the majority of LGBT people who are once again utterly disgusted with the actions of a small but vocal minority of "queer" activists and their allies who are making the entire community look bad and making life harder for the rest of us are being once again told that we have some internal phobia and are bigots and ought to shut the fuck up.

      The allies are the worst tbh, they say the craziest shit and just encourage the TRAs.

      These people glamourize the stonewall riot as if the stonewall riot was what got LGBT people equal rights and not the following decades and decades of peaceful activism, coalition building and court cases after stonewall

      Increasingly, queer activists think violence achieves things because of their warped views of stonewall's significance but at the same time mock and belittle the peaceful activism that actually changed laws because in their minds it's never been worse to be LGBT+ despite it being the best time in history.

      And because their allies and media and left wing politicians constantly reinforcing their opinions and constantly telling them that trans people are in the middle of a genocide queer activists are starting to get violent.

      As for what happened in America as a queer person I've been saying for years that this is what has been happening and that it's going to end in tragedy and laughed at…

      Whether you are on the left or right , If you live in a social media bubble where everyone agrees with you, if you have no real connection to society outside your bubble and the media and pandering politicians constantly tell you you're a victim and at risk if being replaced/ exterminated, it's no surprise that you'll get violent.

      The greatest threat to human existence other than climate change is that we have 8 billion people all living in alternative realities curated by algorithms which reinforce all of our beliefs and opinions and dehumanize those who disagree with us m.

      • Visubversa 2.4.1

        Quite right Corey.

        If I see a book about Gay Liberation and any sort of Gay Rights history I check the index for "Marsha P Johnson". If it says that Marsha was a trans activist who started the Stonewall riots and that started Gay Liberation, I put it back on the shelf. None of those things is true. Malcolm was a gay man who did drag. He came late to Stonewall. He worked for Gay rights certainly, but that struggle had been going on for a long time before Stonewall.

        The Mormons convert the dead – the Transcult transes the dead.

      • Molly 2.4.2

        Yes, agree. Particularly with this and your last sentence:

        'The allies are the worst tbh, they say the craziest shit and just encourage the TRAs.

        These people glamourize the stonewall riot as if the stonewall riot was what got LGBT people equal rights and not the following decades and decades of peaceful activism, coalition building and court cases after stonewall."

        Note: I consider the ref to TRAs here to be to a very small percentage of the transgender community. Usually, but not always men with a transgender identity who are threatening and aggressive.

      • gsays 2.4.3

        I value your view, analysis and vernacular Corey.

      • Thanks Corey, well put.yes

      • SPC 2.4.5

        A good post, but I would quibble about this part

        The allies are the worst tbh

        The advocacy for self ID is/was a problem (support for this from allies may have been mistaken), the attacks on some transsexauls as transcum by self ID transgender women and non binary TRA's was another – then there was the exhibitionist tone of the dicks in female places (hardly being respectful). Some would have found this reminiscent of the shibboleth about lesbians needing a man/male nurse in an institution of care.

  3. Joe90 3

    Decarbonising industrial processes with the "box of rocks" concept.

    https://twitter.com/drvolts/status/1640060077527924737

    • Sanctuary 3.1

      India is in serious risk of a massive wet bulb event in the next few years that could, in a country where the ruling classes view the poorest of their fellow Indians with complete indifference, lead to a human catastrophe.

      https://twitter.com/PGDynes/status/1640386018451812356

      • tsmithfield 3.1.1

        India already has an incredibly hot in summer. My ex-brother in law who is from Pakistan said that cricket is played in the cooler months in India because people would likely die if they tried playing outdoors in summer.

        So, I don't think they would want it getting too much hotter over there.

      • ianmac 3.1.2

        When I was in Al Ain inland Emirates, the temperature was frequently in the 40s. But very very dry. I could find no insect life. The imported Asian labourers were expected to do the physical work but were not expected to work in temperatures above 50degrees. For some reason the official thermometer never made it above 49degrees.

        What on earth will happen to the Indians who have to work in order to live. The vast population would spread to where? Mothers, fathers and the kids. Help.

  4. Hunter Thompson II 4

    There has been controversy lately over some writing which is said to be a poem about Captain Cook.

    If you want really powerful poetry, read "The Colonel" by Carolyn Forche (1981), available on the web. It deals with brutality in El Salvador. Just don't expect iambic pentameter.

  5. Sanctuary 5

    Looks like Tova and Duncan are doing their bit to take the heat out of the jobs market….

  6. Ad 6

    Great to see Republicans and Democrats agree to formally repeal Congress’ 1991 and 2002 authorizations for military action in Iraq.

    https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/29/tim-kaine-todd-young-iraq-00089369

    We are so overdue to see a debate in Parliament about AUKUS and any side hussles NZDF and MoD are preparing.

    I want to see Labour+National fully debating and then fully agreeing any new Defence posture, before the US Pacific Defence Undersecretary and the Australian ADF slide us into something we simply have no mandate over.

    If the US Congress can get over their divisions and rescind war orders, well we can generate the same debate as well

  7. tsmithfield 7

    Weka et al.,

    I have a thought for how you could advance your cause on the women's rights issues you have been outlighting over recent weeks.

    That is, why not aim for a CIR with a question such as: "Females should not have to share their exclusively female areas with people with penises".

    I think this type of question crystalises one of the main issues in terms that most could understand.

    I imagine responses to this type of question would quickly pass the 200k threshold, and would get a fairly overwhelming response in favour in a referendum.

    • Ad 7.1

      It would not be difficult to get a Human Rights Commission decision on this point to successfully follow the BORA implications and also be practical. That would assist local and central government departments who own and operate the great majority of shared public facilities in this country.

  8. Blade 8

    Today FM pays the price for being woke. Given the FM crew is probably well and truly pissed by now, the 5pm meeting with management should be a hoot. Richardson may have to keep an eye on Duncan Garner.

    Should Sean Plunket ever get a radio spectrum spot, ZB may also lose a solid chunk of their listeners.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300842932/theyve-fed-us-today-fm-staff-go-to-the-pub-stations-fate-due-to-be-announced-at-5pm

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/mediaroom-radio-ratings

  9. weka 10

    Putting this here so I can find it later. Man punches elderly woman. The tweet’s interpretation is a misrepresentation

    https://twitter.com/brutalnz/status/1641234529955504128

  10. weka 11

    And this, list of intimidation of women, decapitate terf sign

    https://twitter.com/aja02537920/status/1617143815306989568

  11. For Robert from the collection from Weka above.

    A documentary made in 2017 by Maria MacLachlan who was assaulted by Trans activists at Speakers Corner.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG58r8bm4Pw

    So you can see how long this madness has been with us.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • SPEECH: To the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 by the Honourable Andrew Little MP, New Zealand Ministe...
    New Zealand’s most recent defence assessment identified climate change and geostrategic competition as the two greatest security challenges to our place in the South Pacific. To the first issue, partners engaging and re-engaging with Pacific Island Countries are finding that climate change is a security and existential threat in our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Govt supporting more rangatahi into training and employment opportunities
    The government is continuing to support rangatahi in providing more funding into Maori Trades training and new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes across Aotearoa. “We’re backing 30 new by Māori for Māori Kaupapa employment and training programmes, which will help iwi into sustainable employment or progress within their chosen careers” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Energy self-sufficient marae reopens with support of Government investment
    Murihiku Marae was officially reopened today, setting a gold standard in sustainable building practices as well as social outcomes for the people of Waihōpai Invercargill, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “The marae has been a central hub for this community since the 1980’s. With the support of $9.65 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • First major Whangārei public housing project in a generation complete
    The first major public housing development in Whangārei for decades has reached completion, with 37 new homes opened in the suburb of Maunu today. The project on Tapatahi Crescent and Puriri Park Road, consists of 15 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom, 7 three-bedroom, 8 four-bedroom and 3 five-bedroom homes, as well as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Trade Minister to represent New Zealand trade interests abroad
    Trade and Export Growth Minister Damen O’Connor will depart tomorrow for London to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting and then to Paris to vice-chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. “My travel to the United Kingdom is well-timed, with the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UK FTA) ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill to boost national fuel resiliency introduced
    The Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill would: boost New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security enable the minimum stockholding obligation regulations to be adapted as the energy and transport environment evolves. “Last November, I announced a six-point plan to improve the resiliency of our fuel supply from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Faster ACC payment top-ups and fairer system
    The Government is making sure those on low incomes will no longer have to wait five weeks to get the minimum weekly rate of ACC, and improving the data collected to make the system fairer, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said today.  The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Compulsory code of conduct for school boards introduced
    A compulsory code of conduct will ensure school board members are crystal clear on their responsibilities and expected standard of behaviour, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti said. It’s the first time a compulsory code of conduct has been published for state and state-integrated school boards and comes into effect on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen annual conference.
    Tena koutou katoa and thank you, Mayor Nadine Taylor, for your welcome to Marlborough. Thanks also Doug Saunders-Loder and all of you for inviting me to your annual conference. As you might know, I’m quite new to this job – and I’m particularly pleased that the first organisation I’m giving a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Govt to support councils with buyout and better protection of cyclone and flood affected properties
    The Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties. “From the beginning of this process ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government delivers changes to reduce pokies harm
    The Government has announced changes to strengthen requirements in venues with pokie (gambling) machines will come into effect from 15 June. “Pokies are one of the most harmful forms of gambling. They can have a detrimental impact on individuals, their friends, whānau and communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government delivers 1800 additional frontline Police
    The total Police workforce is now the largest it has ever been. Police constabulary stands at 10,700 officers – an increase of 21% since 2017 Māori officers have increased 40%, Pasifika 83%, Asian 157%, Women 61% Every district has got more Police under this Government The Government has delivered on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister Mahuta talks Pacific ambitions at the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ summit
    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta met with Korea President Yoon, as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, during her recent visit to Korea.  “It was an honour to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the first Korea – Pacific Leaders’ Summit. We discussed Pacific ambitions under the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government drives $2 billion of business research and development
    The Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Achieving lift off: National Space Policy launched
    The next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New science and creative technologies wharekura announced
    A new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Freedom Camping changes a win for the environment
    Protecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system   The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speeding up the family court, reducing stress on families
    A new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • UK FTA delivers benefits from today
    New Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today.  “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Next steps to reform outdated surrogacy law
    The Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Defence Minister to attend Shangri-La Dialogue
    Defence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand–China science relationship affirmed
    Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Supporting a strong future for screen sector
    5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate  Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence
    Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programme
    The Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today.  “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said.  “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act review
    The Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today.  “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapu
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapu
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Security support to Solomon Islands extended
    Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ Summit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilience
    Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023
    Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert system
    Over 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement
    ENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
    Elizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Tourism transformation starts with people
    Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Tourism transformation starts with people
    Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānau
      Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions    Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support  are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānau
      Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions    Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support  are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government’s work for survivors of abuse in care continues
    The Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-06-03T02:20:50+00:00