Bruce Logan in the Herald promotes the “dangerous fantasy” of Israeli Zionist exceptionalism. Which holds that the calculated, systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians is of course quite the right approach. A curse on your apartheid Logan.
Because (to Logan) all Muslims (Palestinians, people of West bank/Gaza) are murderous terrorists – too much time wasted trying to “appease the unappeasable” Palestinians.
trying to “appease the unappeasable” Palestinians. Zionists.
Maybe Logan is with the ‘Flaxmere Christian Fellowship’ whom are marching on Parliament today, calling on the outgoing government to reject Muzzas decision.
I guess they all forgot about the genocide of thousands of Palestinians by Israel, the control of any building supplies, food, medicine, water etc going into Gaza. Effectively starving the citizens and preventing them from rebuilding their lives after Israel bombed their hospitals, schools, homes etc in the conflict a few years back.
Sounds like the 70 people marching today are just fine with murder, selective Christians they are, obviously ignorant of the ten commandments that they claim to live by. Do not murder, but it’s just fine to support Israel murdering Palestinians.
It’s simply incredible how much death religion has caused, and even more concerning that some cannot see through the facade.
That’s Israeli Zionist exceptionalism for you Cinny. It can paint a blowfly as a butterfly. Who the hell is Apartheid Logan anyway ? This person ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Logan
If so, why does the Herald conceal the Old Testament credentials of its writer ? Just so that, you know, the reader might ‘understand’.
Dang, Bruce Logan is almost 80, and appears to be a writer of religious opinionated propaganda.
It should be law to disclose the political, religious views etc on any opinion article, maybe a link to the authors bio as well. But in this case there is nothing, nada and the Herald does not allow comment, that creates concealed censorship.
“It should be law to disclose the political, religious views etc on any opinion article, maybe a link to the authors bio as well”.
Do you really mean this?
If so why should it apply only to articles in a newspaper? The better read blogs get nearly as many views as some of the newspapers and could be nearly as influential.
After all, it is an opinion you are expressing there isn’t it?
Do you plan to start putting your full name, and a disclaimer giving details of your beliefs when you put any comments on this blog?
If this was required I suspect that 99% of the comments on this, and most other blogs would vanish instantly. Most commenters appear to value their anonymity.
Yup, if there is no way to comment, then a disclaimer would be appropriate. Many news agencies do so already, such as bio’s on their reporters, or a sentence about the reporter by their name on the article.
For example so and so is a Professor at Massey etc etc
By in this instance, it’s just simply
By Bruce Logan.
Alwyn I’m not talking about disclosure of comment makers on blogs, such as you and I.
I’m talking about disclosure of authors of opinion pieces loosely disguised as articles published in nation wide news papers especially if comments are disabled, some call that transparency.
Mmm – does describing yourself as a Christian mean you hold a certain set of beliefs about God, etc., or does it imply that you try to live an ethical life? As the daughter of a Methodist minister I used to get quite exercised about this. In my teenage years I used to tell my parents that I knew more ‘Christians’ at school who had never darkened the doors of a church than I ever found in the church congregation
I feel that if you are willing to label oneself one should walk the talk as well, otherwise it really is just superficial to satisfy someone elses ideals.
Such as calling oneself a Muslim, Buddist, Christian etc but not living the life of one. It’s interesting how many people say what others want to hear to simply avoid any drama. And then again there is much wisdom in choosing ones battles. Everyone is different as are their ideals and ideas, knowledge and such.
Personally we just live by one rule at ours… simple and ancient it is.. Ye harm none do what ye will (that includes harming oneself)
Yuck. Coincidentally a friend started spouting anti Islamic rethoric to me yesterday. Of the Dr bill Warner type – so I watched warners video and most of brigette gabriel vid too.
Hate speech is so off especially when facts are used to bolster the narrative not as the narrative. Bigotry is just so yuck.
But it is important to know what they think to counter it – the lies, the hated, and their real motivation – FEAR.
Apartheid Logan’s motivation is good – ‘Maxim Institute’s mission statement is “to foster ideas and leadership that enable freedom, justice and compassion to flourish in New Zealand” ‘
Noam Chomsky: Israel’s Response to the United
Nations Resolution on Palestine Is ‘Hysterical’
A victory for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
By Ken Klippenstein / AlterNet December 28, 2016
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution 14-0 condemning all Israeli settlements on Palestinian land as having “no legal validity” and amounting to “a flagrant violation under international law.” The resolution goes on to note that Israeli settlements pose “a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security.”
This represents the first UNSC resolution in almost eight years concerning Israel and Palestine, and the first in over 35 years regarding the issue of Israeli settlements. Typically the U.S. would veto resolutions critical of Israel, but in this case, the Obama administration opted to abstain, in effect allowing the resolution to pass.
For comment, AlterNet contacted Noam Chomsky, famed linguist, dissident and professor emeritus of MIT. Chomsky said of the resolution, “The UNSC resolution is essentially the same as UNSC 446, March 1979, passed 12-0-3. The main difference is that then two countries joined the U.S. in abstaining. Now the U.S. stands against the world; and under Trump, in even more splendid isolation, on much more crucial matters as well.”
Following the UNSC resolution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly responded by announcing a halt to his government’s funding contributions to numerous U.N. institutions. Netanyahu called the resolution “a disgraceful anti-Israel maneuver” and blamed it on an “old-world bias against Israel.” Furthermore, he vowed to exact a “diplomatic and economic price” from the countries that supported it.
Shortly thereafter, Netanyahu made good on his threats by personally refusing to meet with the foreign ministers of the 12 UNSC members that voted for the resolution and ordering his Foreign Ministry to limit all working ties with the embassies of those 12 nations. He also summoned the ambassadors to the Foreign Ministry for a personal reprimand over the vote—including, in a highly unusual move, the U.S. ambassador.
Asked about Netanyahu’s response, Chomsky told AlterNet, “The hysterical reaction in Israel and in Congress (bipartisan) reflects their sharp shift to the right in the years since, and the whole incident illustrates quite interesting shifts in world order.”
Palestinian rights advocates have quipped that Israel’s suspension of relations with the UNSC member nations that voted for the resolution—powerful countries including the U.K. and France—has effectively realized a goal of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. AlterNet contacted Omar Barghouti, one of the founders of the BDS movement, to see what he thought of this assessment. Barghouti replied, “This unanimous resolution, despite its many flaws in addressing basic Palestinian rights, has dealt Israel’s colonial designs a serious blow that will inadvertently, yet significantly, enhance the impact of the BDS movement in isolating Israel academically, culturally, economically and otherwise.”
“Israel’s delusional hubris and surreal threats to punish the U.N. and the world indicate above everything else how deeply alarmed it is at fast becoming an international pariah, as apartheid South Africa once was.”
Ali Abunimah, the Palestinian-American founder of the Electronic Intifada, told AlterNet that Israel’s use of diplomatic sanctions against the UNSC member states contradicted its vocal opposition to sanctions advocated by the BDS movement. Abunimah said, “It’s sort of amusing to Israel try to impose sanctions and punish the whole world for this decision…Israel claims that sanctions are illegitimate as a tool except of course when Israel is the one wielding them, whether it’s against Iran or whether against the countries that displeased it.”
…keep Trump too busy with international disputes for him to unleash on the domestic front…
Sounds like an eminently sensible idea.
Btw, the story goes… it was the UK who encouraged NZ to sponser the UN resolution just passed. Looks like UK/US/Aussie/Canada/various European countries and maybe others are collaborating on the vexed question of the two recalcitrant leaders, Putin and Trump.
CV…..Kia Ora Koe !
Yes and it’s a powerful lobby. Golda Meir went to the US either near the end of WW2 or not long
after. Raised $US39 mill’
in around a month. Apartheid Logan’s Loon Tune is grist for its mill.
Is it a surprise? The Australian government’s attitude to Australia’s indigenous population is not a lot different than that of the Israeli government’s attitude to its indigenous population.
“The Australian government’s attitude to Australia’s indigenous population” (or any one else for that matter) ” is not a lot different than that of the Israeli government’s attitude to its indigenous population.”
FIFY
🙂
My ‘ooops’ was related to the fact I had included Aussie as part of the conspiracy, and then included Netanyahu on the undesirable list of leaders. Aussie clearly were not part of the conspiratorial UN/Israel affair.
Apart from that yes, their track record concerning their own indigenous race is appalling. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why they’re keeping out of the argument.
keep Trump too busy with international disputes for him to unleash on the domestic front perhaps
Trump will have a Republican Congress to take care of domestic matters for him. Actually I would say it is more likely that Trump will permit Congress quite a lot of rope to do what they like as long as they don’t encroach on things he values, or things he wants personally to oversee or to harm his re-election.
The danger of Obama’s moves in these areas is that it cuts both ways – at some stage in the future there will be a Democrat again about to enter the White House and as Obama appears to have ignored the unspoken conventions around the transition between US administrations then I’m sure Trump (& the Republicans) will now not feel obligated in their turn (not that I think Trump will be feel particularly bound by conventions anyway).
I doubt Obama fears the GOP controlled Congress in the same way he (and the establishment) fear what Trump may attempt….they are after all the same players he has been dealing with for the past 8 years and they understand the rules of the game….unlike Trump, as he has already amply demonstrated.
And why would I want to be a racist bigot?
However, I reserve the right to call a fool, a fool, when I see one.
I can assure your most esteemed personage, that when drafting papers for Cabinet, I somehow managed to write in a suitably mature and respectful manner.
Trump’s not a “fool.” You may not like his personality, you may not like his manners, you may not like his style, you may not like his politics, but none of that makes him a “fool.”
He’s forced the CEOs of Lockheed Martin and Boeing to publicly announce that they will slash the cost of major procurement projects (the F-35 and Air Force One projects).
He’s lined up foreign investors and CEOs to say that they will create, protect or bring back thousands of jobs to the USA.
And now, US consumer confidence has hit its highest level in fifteen years.
So as I said, I understand that you may not like his manners, style or politics, but Trump is no “fool.”
🙄
Gezz! You really have swallowed the magic juice. CV – I’m sorry for you.
So Business confidence is up – whoop de doo!
But what of the appointment of a fool to his cabinet who wants to see even the most crappy wage they now get in the states go even lower? No body will be able to buy anything anyway. Yeah I guess the businesses will all be rubbing their hands waiting to drop wages to slave levels – but it will come back to bite them very hard on the bum.
If he thinks that he can run the most powerful country in the world by twitter at 3 am in the morning, (without advice from more experienced and knowledgeable people) and not cause a war or serious diplomatic muddle in the process, then he is a stupid idiot.
As for his appointed cabinet – the less said about that bunch of cronies and non-science dull brains the better.
He surrounds himself with ignorance and incompetence in public governance – (running a company – however successfully or not – is not the same as running a country).
If he had any sense, or intelligence, he would not have chosen the pack of incompetents he has.
Nothing is going to end well out of the Chump “presidency”
The Democratic Party will under estimate Trump at their own peril.
It already cost them the election.
If he thinks that he can run the most powerful country in the world by twitter at 3 am in the morning, (without advice from more experienced and knowledgeable people) and not cause a war or serious diplomatic muddle in the process, then he is a stupid idiot.
Unless you understand *why* he is tweeting how can you possibly understand the implications of *what* he is tweeting?
You don’t seem to understand that the states chose change.
That by definition, means doing things differently. Get up to speed. Russia, China and Iran are. I believe they will work it out fine.
Unless you understand *why* he is tweeting how can you possibly understand the implications of *what* he is tweeting?
Oh I know why he is tweeting.. and I fully understand the implications. – And so do his “advisors”. The problem is – he doesn’t understand the implications!.
We have a situation brewing at the moment where China is just biding its time until after the 20th Jan.
Instead of spending all your time reading RT – I suggest you read some of the editorials in China’s “Global Times”. The central Govt sponsored newspaper.
China has so far practiced restraint at Trump’s provocations as he’s yet to enter the White House…. But this attitude won’t last too long after he officially becomes the U.S. president, were he still to treat China in the manner he tweeted today.
and
We shall harbor no illusions, and get ready to wrist-fight with Trump.
and
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, without mentioning Trump’s name, said that whoever tries to destroy China’s core interests would shoot themselves in the foot.
I don’t see that is all pally wally and the snubbing his of nose at the One China policy has certainly angered Beijing. They may well decide that Taiwan is to be annexed forthwith. I don’t see that as a peaceful outcome.
So forgive me if I don’t wear your rose coloured glasses when it comes to viewing the “brilliance” of D Trump.
You didn’t note the multiple confrontations between US and Chinese military forces under Obama?
And the rising rhetoric China has been using against Obama’s actions?
Trump hasn’t been sending bombers and destroyers to harass what China sees as its own territory. Obama has though.
Why so nervous now?
Oh I know why he is tweeting.. and I fully understand the implications. – And so do his “advisors”. The problem is – he doesn’t understand the implications!.
Trump believes he is the big “I Am”.
He is nothing but a spoilt brat, who loves to shoot his mouth off, and show he is “The Boss”. Just look at the way he behaved to those on “The Apprentice” and how he loved to say “You’re Fired!” Throwing his weight about, is what he loves best. Hence his ill conceived tweets whenever something is not to his liking – he reacts without thinking, and seldom rationally. I’m not the only one to notice this – there are the reports of psychiatrists who also note this inconsistent and reactionary behaviour and are concerned enough to go public on the matter.
And yes I fully understand what the implications of some of these tweets may be. I doubt that he does. Bullies seldom have any idea of the damage they do to others lives. Even his own advisors are having difficulty trying to keep up and rationalise his behaviour. As for the the down stream consequences we shall just have to wait and see. He has not shown any appreciation to date, that the task of being responsible for the lives of 320 million people is a somewhat different to running a fleet of Hotels.
As for the growing tension in the South China Sea – the acts of aggression are not of the US but from China, and they are becoming more blatant in their show of force by the day. The US on the other hand, has in fact withdrawn bases from the area.
As for the growing tension in the South China Sea – the acts of aggression are not of the US but from China, and they are becoming more blatant in their show of force by the day. The US on the other hand, has in fact withdrawn bases from the area.
If you are correct in your perspective then the Obama/Clinton “pivot to Asia” has proven to be a failure and Trump inherits the emboldened China and foreign policy mess that the Obama White House created.
Trump believes he is the big “I Am”.
He is nothing but a spoilt brat, who loves to shoot his mouth off, and show he is “The Boss”.
Your analysis is not far short of two dimensional amateur armchair psychotherapy.
As for having a big ego and a big mouth. That’s what the electorate wanted and that’s what they have got. And they are common politicians’ traits, after all.
I have said elsewhere – you may not like his style, his manners or his politics, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he is not highly capable in many different dimensions.
The president-elect oompah-loompah who used a presidential primary debate to reassure voters that his penis size was acceptable was merely being “highly capable” when he reversed 40-odd years of delicate prc-us-taiwan diplomatic waltzes by accepting a single phone call.
The South China Sea dance has been going on for decades: China pushes its boundaries out into international sea and air corridors, someone pushes back with a flight or a ship. China then sends planes or ships out to push back against the pushback. Sometimes there’s a collision, but that’s expected and handled. Fuck, they even make each other’s airfields available for emergency landings. And if things get too hot, they plug a trade discount or whatever and everybody acts a bit casual, because nobody wants a war.
But challenging the one china policy in regards to Taiwan is like trying to touch China’s balls. It’s a really sensitive area, and well outside the regular diplomatic shoving match. That’s why only idiots do it. Or multi-dimensional capables, of course.
I predict that there will be a political landslide next year. The social justice principles of a Bill English led government will resonate in South Auckland and far beyond. Trying to demonise the PM did not work for the last eight years and certainly will not work next year. National are aiming for 60% at the election but may have to settle for less this time. Already there is talk about what Bill would offer the few sensible Greens. Winston is deteriorating even more rapidly and he and both his likely possible successors could comfortably unite with a Bill English led National. Winston may reach election 2017 but has no chance of reaching 2020.
This could lead to to a major realignment of politics and my pick is a Multi-Party Government comprising National (above50%), NZF, Greens, MP, UF and ACT comprising 75% of cast votes.
I predict that fisiani’s comment, having the depth of a cigarette paper, the substance of halitosis and interest value of belly button lint, will fade from the consciousness of any reader unfortunate enough to have looked at it, even before that reader can produce a sigh of resignation at the thought that fisiani feels driven to publish vacuous comments like this, even during the holiday season, when most others let rest their particular disfunctions. Give it a rest, fis.
You hear a lot about this so called social investment approach by Bill English as if it is an item marketed to the public by the National Party. This is a strategy to paint Bill as soft and caring. In reality English has presided over some alarming increases of statistics around social harm since the mid 1990s. His social investment approach nothing but a further redistribution of increasingly scarce resources earmarked for public spending. There’s certainly no evidence to show it is working on any other level.
I think the people of South Auckland see that, and with the withdrawal of National from campaigning in Auckland, their dumping of the housing portfolio, the appointment of Bennett as Auckland issues minister, and their admission of defeat in tackling the problems faced by Aucklanders, I predict the city will fall to Labour in a big way in 2017.
This re-branding of Bill English is interesting and certainly seems to have taken a few people in like yourself, and Jarrod Gilbert who seems to be enthralled by Bill English even though more of his mates are locked up than ever before.
Gilbert’s latest puff piece on Bill’s approach (can’t be bothered finding it) admits but skirts around the huge increase in the prison muster under this government and the equally huge spend on new prisons. Quite how incarcerating more and more disadvantaged people equates to social investment I do not know, and it seems the media doesn’t care to ask.
NZ has a staggering welfare dependency problem, and our entire approach towards welfare has to change. Too many NZ’ers are trapped in long term welfare dependency, and social spending has to be directed towards addressing that.
Lots of people assert that it exists, otherwise there’d be nothing on the spoon that feeds you.
What they have failed to do is demonstrate that it exists, and is not yet another racist rear-guard action that attempts to resuscitate the notion of the “undeserving” poor. Or yet another artifact of right wing hate speech. As the reference I provided finds: ‘the welfare rolls are not filled with the chronically dependent”.
In the NZ context, Gordon Campbell points out that:
Looking across all forms of benefits, 61.4 % of recipients are benefit dependent for four years or less. Only 14.3 % are on benefits for more than ten years – and since those figures include people with chronic physical and mental disabilities, the ratio of those staying on benefits because it is a “lifetime, lifestyle choice’ is lower again.
In short, it exists to divert attention from the causes of poverty and inequality, so that right wingers don’t ever have to face their personal responsibility for the victims of your racism and bigotry.
I think you are racist scum with no original thoughts of your own. Let’s agree to disagree.
Zero is lower than 14.3. You have no basis other than hate-speech for your assertion that the number is mounting.
You are a racist lying parrot with nothing of value or originality to say. If I wanted to read National Party lies I’d go to their website. Let’s agree to disagree.
In your mind: Campbell provides no statistics for the alleged dependents. Lower than 14.3 can be anything from zero to 14.2. It is not evidence, no matter how hard you want it to be.
“Lower than 14.3 can be anything from zero to 14.2.”
You making shit up again. If it was zero, he would have said zero, or not even mentioned the category. Instead he said ‘lower again’. Even your own references make you look like an idiot.
If he couldn’t measure it because there aren’t any figures he’d say “lower than”. If he could measure it he’d give the figure.
You’re the one asserting that welfare dependency exists. It’s up to you to prove it does. The fact that various people also think it does is evidence of nothing.
Personally, I think you fixate on it and the other right wing lies Gordon Campbell lists because you can’t handle your personal responsibility for the effects of your witless beliefs.
Not necessarily. But if the figure was zero, it is most likely he wouldn’t have even mentioned it, or would have said it was ‘zero’. Personally I think you posted something that you thought supported your argument without understanding what it actually said.
“There’s a big clue in the fact that Campbell describes them as “myths”. ”
Now you’re evading. That’s not what Campbell says in the point we’re discussing, and it’s not what Campbell says in his commentary. You’re clearly struggling to keep up.
If you ‘click’ (that’s something you can do with your ‘mouse’) on the word in blue – “myths” – in my comment it will take you to the article. Then ‘read’ the ‘headline’.
Oh, and don’t forget that reading is a skill you struggle with. Read it a few times.
I’m going to reset, Bloke, because you’re being slippery.
In your first reference in this discussion, you quoted this:
“Looking across all forms of benefits, 61.4 % of recipients are benefit dependent for four years or less. Only 14.3 % are on benefits for more than ten years – and since those figures include people with chronic physical and mental disabilities, the ratio of those staying on benefits because it is a “lifetime, lifestyle choice’ is lower again.”
I note you gave no link. Leaving that side, you quoted this in support of your denial of welfare dependency. Yet your own quote states that 14.3% are on benefits for more than 10 years, and that there is a further group who are on benefits as a “lifetime, lifestyle choice”.
Those comments directly contradict you seeming ignorance of welfare dependency.
“They mean the author thinks they (the alleged dependents that you can provide no evidence of) might be apocryphal. Myths, even.”
Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps the author is using phrases commonly used without actually passing judgement. It’s irrelevant to your evasion. The author acknowledges there is welfare dependency. Your own reference.
The Social Investment strategy has gone too far when they are put severe pressure on people with mental health issues into employment. Even the most ordinary job will put extraordinary strain on these people and they will end up with worse health issues than ever before. Who is going to help them when they are either sacked or have to quit. Blinglish only ever sees money when he quantifies human beings, everybody has a price tag, his strategy to dig deep into the the well of people who are on benefits is poor judgment and ill advised. We will end up with very ill people out of work and without money and support. Shame on Blinglish for his disgraceful attitude towards the unwell.
Absolutely typical – an 18 page double spaced booklet with more pictures than words to solve all the nation’s social problems – get real- this is a pile of rubbish with discernible internal faults. (quite apart from the external ones) The time line shows only Nact governments giving this any space but the text implies that Labour wanted this too…
And it is essentially rubbish. Nact governments and their policies have caused a great number of these problems,
getting rid of unions dumbed wages down,
only funding rent support payments to private landlords instead of mixing this with state owned housing
etc etc
The real dependency problem is corporations that depend on governments to collect taxes and throw them at lousy private sector schemes “to replace government”
There was sod all to read but there were pictures as well – to simplify the issues for the right of centre individuals no doubt.
Still the point is – the dire circumstances of many individuals is the result of Right Wing policy settings not individual failure.
But with so many corporates and right wing individuals trapped by government dependency (whether it’s a high paying government appointment or a favourable contract for public services) we could use the social investment approach to assess their level of social harm and charge them accordingly.
The evidence for Redbaron’s claim is obvious once you understand what the self-attribution fallacy is. I know you cannot understand how or why, so pretend it doesn’t exist or doesn’t count.
“The evidence for Redbaron’s claim is obvious once you understand what the self-attribution fallacy is.”
No, that’s not good enough. The claim ” the dire circumstances of many individuals is the result of Right Wing policy settings not individual failure” is not my claim, and it is very specific. I would expect there be some evidence. The SAF is not evidence; it is a theory which has it’s own limitations.
The doubling of child poverty between 1984 and today, for example. Wayne Mapp tells us that the 1990s National Party he was a member of increased inequality deliberately.
Whereas you wail your ignorance and denial on a blog.
“The doubling of child poverty between 1984 and today, for example. ”
Setting side the validity of the data you have to use to justify that claim, that isn’t evidence. Child poverty has, for example, increased in Sweden, which is the sort of social democratic country I have seen you and others praise.
“The reason I ask is Mapp’s confession that it was done deliberately by the National Party he was a member of.”
Even you’re telling the truth (which is always questionable), even if Mapp is telling the truth, how do you explain the fact that Mapp was only in government for 6 of the last 32 years?
The official unemployment statistic fell earlier this year as a result of the way it is measured. This is well-documented. It’s sad that you believe that changes anything on the ground.
Unemployment has been dropping for some time. That is based on official data. If all you have left is arguing over the data, you’ve lost. With unemployment falling, and employment rising, the population growth argument you’ve put up is bollocks.
If all you have is claiming credit for a change from inches to millimetres it’s no wonder you vote for incompetence and cruelty. I disagree with the lies you were spoon-fed.
USA is leading here:
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — It will be a happy New Year indeed for millions of the lowest-paid U.S. workers. Nineteen states, including New York and California, will ring in the year with an increase in the minimum wage.
Massachusetts and Washington state will have the highest new minimum wages in the country, at $11 per hour.
California will raise its wage to $10.50 for businesses with 26 or more employees. New York state is taking a regional approach, with the wage rising to $11 in New York City, to $10.50 for small businesses in the city, $10 in its downstate suburbs and $9.70 elsewhere. Some specific businesses — fast-food restaurants and the smallest New York City businesses — will have slightly different wage requirements.
“This $1.50 increase, I cannot even comprehend or tell you how important this will be,” said Alvin Major, a New York City fast-food worker. The 51-year-old father of four helped lead the fight for the increase in his state, one of several successful efforts by fast-food workers and other low wage workers around the country. “The price of food has gone up. Rent has gone up. Everything has gone up. … This will make a difference for so many people.”
New Zealand has a higher minimum wage than any of these US states. In fact as a percentage of average wages NZ is one the highest in the OECD.
Since 2008 the minimum wage has gone up at nearly three times the inflation rate.
However as a gesture in election year it could go from $15.25 to $16.00, rather than say $15.75.
Presumably Labour is going to go for at least $18.00 as part of their campaign strategy. Or if they want a different number at the front, $20.00. That would certainly have people taking notice. But it has risks. A 30% increase in the minimum wage might be seen as economically reckless. But since Standardnistas want a more left wing Labour Party, surely $20.00 for the minimum wage would be proof of that.
There is another ‘fish-hook’ with the minimum wage in the US. I was recently in the US, and I was told by service workers (restaurant waiters) that their minimum wage was actually under $3, but was topped up by tips. The employee had to pay any shortfall between their hourly wage + tip and the MW, but this meant they didn’t effectively earn the MW + tips. When I first heard this I couldn;t believe it, so I checked with several staff and they all confirmed this was the case.
Since when did you prostrate yourself at the feet of Treasury? And did you see in your own link that the Department of Labour point out that an increase DOES cost jobs. Second time today your own link has contradicted your own opinion, Bloke. Well done.
“Thank you for confirming that you cannot understand the point.”
I’ll leave that to others. Frankly it seems clear to me you over reached, and then didn’t have the intelligence to realise it, or the grace to admit it.
A flaccid response that utterly fails to address the point. You need to do more homework, Go read National’s website and regurgitate it all over yourself some more.
I chose $20.000 because it is close to the “living wage” (very slightly higher) but with the advantage that it is a memorable figure.
Just campaigning on the “living wage” will not get cut through. Voters have to ask the question, what does it mean? As a general rule if you have to explain the policy, you have lost much of your audience. If the slogan was “$20, the living wage” then in four words the policy is fully explained. Whats not to like about simplicity?
If Labour wants to campaign on the “living wage” as the minimum, then they should go for it. The voters will judge.
Be prepared to have the Paula Bennett solo -mum sob story to be mentioned at every possible chance.Also get ready for Sir John in the new years honors list.
It’s election year.
Dependable Southlander, Solo mother, Not Sir John but more likely Saint John, Refreshed Cabinet, Housing boom, homelessness cured, poverty abolished, rising prosperity and all conquering all Blacks.
Then there’s Angry Andy lumbered with the nutty Greens. Could be a landslide.
“fund the National party in secret”
You have any evidence at all for this wild claim?
Something in the last 5 years will do.
Thought not. Just wild accusations with nothing at all to back them up.
Unions endorse the political parties that best support the workers rights. They are a voice for working people and their families. http://www.union.org.nz/
If ACT or National are upset about that, maybe they should support our workers a bit better?
There sure are a few corporates on the outgoing governments party donation lists, so much more becomes clear as one reads certain names.
dependable southlander or westie chick in cheap leopard print
solo mother – or in Mike hoskins speak silly women who could not keep that aspirin between her legs with useless parents resulting in her having a child she could not afford – thus domestic purpose benefit dole bludger
student – or domestic purpose benefit dole bludger studying some liberal social degree on some tax payer funded trinket to keep her welfed.
home owner – or doestic purpose benefit dole bludger studying some liberal social degree who buys a home with a taxpayer funded goverment hand out
Minister – who did nothing ever other then help dismantle the widowers benefit (the one that kept John Keys mother in bread and butter), dismantle the domestic purpose benefit into something called the solo parent benefit (now with work requirements at age 3 of the child – something no one ever asked of the dole bludger), dismantle the study aid that she received to study a social liberal degree, dismantle any government aid to buy a house, dismantle state housing one house at a time, dismantle the sick benefit – now people who used to be on the widowers benefit or the sick benefit must be on a job seekers benefit.
yeah, she is gonna be loved, and her story as a single mother who made herself without the help of anyone is gonna wash down lovely with the masses.
the best that women can do is stay in wellington and collect some more tax payer funded largesse while she can.
Quote” A Mormon who said his “heart sank” when he heard that the church’s beloved Tabernacle Choir will perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration has launched a petition to urge the group not to go to Washington, D.C.
“I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The thought of this choir and Mormonism being forever associated with a man who disparages minorities, brags about his sexual control of women, encourages intolerance and traffics in hate speech and bullying, was unacceptable,” Randall Thacker said in a statement. “I immediately knew there were probably thousands of people who felt the same way, so I created the space on Change.org for like-minded Mormons and their friends to share their feelings.”
About 215 of the choir’s 360 members are expected to perform at the inauguration, church officials have told The Salt Lake City Tribune.
By Thursday evening, nearly 19,000 people had signed the petition, which is seeking 25,000 signatures. The petition urges the Mormon Tabernacle Choir not to perform for an “incoming president who has demonstrated sexist, racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic behavior that does not align with the principles and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Most of the signatures are from LDS members around the world, according to Thacker, a lifelong member of the church.
The petition also encourages people to call and write the church to give their reasons for signing. Several mention that Trump’s values are incompatible with Mormonism or that the church should never become associated with politics. One quips: Conservative rocker “Ted Nugent and the choir? I don’t think so!” Another writes: “Horrible values. Separation of church and state. Pay your taxes.” Quote End.
TL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above that was recorded yesterday afternoon above between and The Kākā’s climate correspondent : An independent review panel into the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bayconcluded “that ...
There are now only a few days left to give feedback on the Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024-34 (see our earlier post this week on GPS submission guides). As we’ve reported, the GPS is a disaster for Local Government, so we were particularly interested to hear ...
Willis has pledged to go ahead with the debt-funded tax cuts, despite growing opposition from her own supporters worried about appearing fiscally irresponsible. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for ...
Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure. The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On ...
In 2015, then-Prime Minister John Key announced plans for a huge ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands, banning fishing and mining from 15% of Aotearoa's EEZ. It was bold, it was ambitious, and it suggested that National might actually care about the environment. Except they fucked it up: Key failed ...
1. Who has just been given the accolade New Zealander of the Year?a. The Kokakob. The Cook Strait Ferryc. Fair God. Dr Jim Salinger 2. Which of these is an affront to decent society?a. Dame Edna Everageb. Mrs Doubtfire c. Dr. Frank-N-Furterd. Brian 3. Who is Penny Simmonds?a. The aspiring actress in Big ...
New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure.The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On the face of it, the court found ...
Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own government’s fiscal policies raised issues of substance. ‘Today in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media – sure enough – have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra – that the Budget “will deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – It’s becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-Māori and…. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you don’t like and don’t ...
Don Brash writes – As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins have been conveying how unhappy they are with the tax system. Last week in his valedictory speech, Robertson called for the introduction of a wealth or capital gains tax. And this week Hipkins ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that country’s mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isn’t already pretty well-off? It’s as if protecting landlords’ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of National’s ...
Bryce Edwards writes – When she was campaigning to be Minister of Finance last year, Nicola Willis pledged that she would resign from the job if she failed to deliver tax cuts in her first Budget. Now, it’s that pledge, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ...
Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
The furore. In case you didn’t notice there was a controversy in the weekend involving dolphins in a little town off the South Island. Don’t panic, they haven’t declared independence and resumed whaling, this was simply a sailing event.The problem began when racing was cancelled on the opening day of ...
For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
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Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
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While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
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Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11774448
Bruce Logan in the Herald promotes the “dangerous fantasy” of Israeli Zionist exceptionalism. Which holds that the calculated, systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians is of course quite the right approach. A curse on your apartheid Logan.
Because (to Logan) all Muslims (Palestinians, people of West bank/Gaza) are murderous terrorists – too much time wasted trying to “appease the unappeasable” Palestinians.
trying to “appease the unappeasable”
Palestinians.Zionists.FIFLogan
That opinion piece was crazy.
Maybe Logan is with the ‘Flaxmere Christian Fellowship’ whom are marching on Parliament today, calling on the outgoing government to reject Muzzas decision.
I guess they all forgot about the genocide of thousands of Palestinians by Israel, the control of any building supplies, food, medicine, water etc going into Gaza. Effectively starving the citizens and preventing them from rebuilding their lives after Israel bombed their hospitals, schools, homes etc in the conflict a few years back.
Sounds like the 70 people marching today are just fine with murder, selective Christians they are, obviously ignorant of the ten commandments that they claim to live by. Do not murder, but it’s just fine to support Israel murdering Palestinians.
It’s simply incredible how much death religion has caused, and even more concerning that some cannot see through the facade.
That’s Israeli Zionist exceptionalism for you Cinny. It can paint a blowfly as a butterfly. Who the hell is Apartheid Logan anyway ? This person ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Logan
If so, why does the Herald conceal the Old Testament credentials of its writer ? Just so that, you know, the reader might ‘understand’.
Dang, Bruce Logan is almost 80, and appears to be a writer of religious opinionated propaganda.
It should be law to disclose the political, religious views etc on any opinion article, maybe a link to the authors bio as well. But in this case there is nothing, nada and the Herald does not allow comment, that creates concealed censorship.
“It should be law to disclose the political, religious views etc on any opinion article, maybe a link to the authors bio as well”.
Do you really mean this?
If so why should it apply only to articles in a newspaper? The better read blogs get nearly as many views as some of the newspapers and could be nearly as influential.
After all, it is an opinion you are expressing there isn’t it?
Do you plan to start putting your full name, and a disclaimer giving details of your beliefs when you put any comments on this blog?
If this was required I suspect that 99% of the comments on this, and most other blogs would vanish instantly. Most commenters appear to value their anonymity.
Yup, if there is no way to comment, then a disclaimer would be appropriate. Many news agencies do so already, such as bio’s on their reporters, or a sentence about the reporter by their name on the article.
For example so and so is a Professor at Massey etc etc
By in this instance, it’s just simply
By Bruce Logan.
Alwyn I’m not talking about disclosure of comment makers on blogs, such as you and I.
I’m talking about disclosure of authors of opinion pieces loosely disguised as articles published in nation wide news papers especially if comments are disabled, some call that transparency.
Transparency has a dark side too
http://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=25832
Byung-Chul Han seems to be confused about the difference between transparency, as in open and democratic government, and privacy.
We citizens have every right to inspect and criticise what governments are doing.
The reverse situation does not apply.
The reverse situation applies because government keeps an eye on citizens
http://www.nzsis.govt.nz/our-work/
And criticises what citizens do and say
https://www.hrc.co.nz/your-rights/race-relations-and-diversity/
https://www.dia.govt.nz/Censorship-in-New-Zealand
Mmm – does describing yourself as a Christian mean you hold a certain set of beliefs about God, etc., or does it imply that you try to live an ethical life? As the daughter of a Methodist minister I used to get quite exercised about this. In my teenage years I used to tell my parents that I knew more ‘Christians’ at school who had never darkened the doors of a church than I ever found in the church congregation
I feel that if you are willing to label oneself one should walk the talk as well, otherwise it really is just superficial to satisfy someone elses ideals.
Such as calling oneself a Muslim, Buddist, Christian etc but not living the life of one. It’s interesting how many people say what others want to hear to simply avoid any drama. And then again there is much wisdom in choosing ones battles. Everyone is different as are their ideals and ideas, knowledge and such.
Personally we just live by one rule at ours… simple and ancient it is..
Ye harm none do what ye will (that includes harming oneself)
In an earlier opinion piece on Israel in the Herald they printed a few words about the author;
• Hagai El-Ad is executive director for B’Tselem, an Israeli organisation for human rights in the occupied territories.
But in the piece by Bruce Logan, there is nothing but his name, I wonder why that is?
Yuck. Coincidentally a friend started spouting anti Islamic rethoric to me yesterday. Of the Dr bill Warner type – so I watched warners video and most of brigette gabriel vid too.
Hate speech is so off especially when facts are used to bolster the narrative not as the narrative. Bigotry is just so yuck.
But it is important to know what they think to counter it – the lies, the hated, and their real motivation – FEAR.
Logan is a right wing christian bigot. First director of the Maxim Institute.
Say no more.
In 1986, Bruce Logan tried to have the book The Color Purple by Alice Walker banned. He’s not simply a bigot, he’s a loon.
To make matters worse, he was actually working as an English teacher at the time.
Let’s be charitable Wyndham.
Apartheid Logan’s motivation is good – ‘Maxim Institute’s mission statement is “to foster ideas and leadership that enable freedom, justice and compassion to flourish in New Zealand” ‘
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim_Institute
Noam Chomsky: Israel’s Response to the United
Nations Resolution on Palestine Is ‘Hysterical’
A victory for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
By Ken Klippenstein / AlterNet December 28, 2016
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution 14-0 condemning all Israeli settlements on Palestinian land as having “no legal validity” and amounting to “a flagrant violation under international law.” The resolution goes on to note that Israeli settlements pose “a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security.”
This represents the first UNSC resolution in almost eight years concerning Israel and Palestine, and the first in over 35 years regarding the issue of Israeli settlements. Typically the U.S. would veto resolutions critical of Israel, but in this case, the Obama administration opted to abstain, in effect allowing the resolution to pass.
For comment, AlterNet contacted Noam Chomsky, famed linguist, dissident and professor emeritus of MIT. Chomsky said of the resolution, “The UNSC resolution is essentially the same as UNSC 446, March 1979, passed 12-0-3. The main difference is that then two countries joined the U.S. in abstaining. Now the U.S. stands against the world; and under Trump, in even more splendid isolation, on much more crucial matters as well.”
Following the UNSC resolution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly responded by announcing a halt to his government’s funding contributions to numerous U.N. institutions. Netanyahu called the resolution “a disgraceful anti-Israel maneuver” and blamed it on an “old-world bias against Israel.” Furthermore, he vowed to exact a “diplomatic and economic price” from the countries that supported it.
Shortly thereafter, Netanyahu made good on his threats by personally refusing to meet with the foreign ministers of the 12 UNSC members that voted for the resolution and ordering his Foreign Ministry to limit all working ties with the embassies of those 12 nations. He also summoned the ambassadors to the Foreign Ministry for a personal reprimand over the vote—including, in a highly unusual move, the U.S. ambassador.
Asked about Netanyahu’s response, Chomsky told AlterNet, “The hysterical reaction in Israel and in Congress (bipartisan) reflects their sharp shift to the right in the years since, and the whole incident illustrates quite interesting shifts in world order.”
Palestinian rights advocates have quipped that Israel’s suspension of relations with the UNSC member nations that voted for the resolution—powerful countries including the U.K. and France—has effectively realized a goal of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. AlterNet contacted Omar Barghouti, one of the founders of the BDS movement, to see what he thought of this assessment. Barghouti replied, “This unanimous resolution, despite its many flaws in addressing basic Palestinian rights, has dealt Israel’s colonial designs a serious blow that will inadvertently, yet significantly, enhance the impact of the BDS movement in isolating Israel academically, culturally, economically and otherwise.”
“Israel’s delusional hubris and surreal threats to punish the U.N. and the world indicate above everything else how deeply alarmed it is at fast becoming an international pariah, as apartheid South Africa once was.”
Ali Abunimah, the Palestinian-American founder of the Electronic Intifada, told AlterNet that Israel’s use of diplomatic sanctions against the UNSC member states contradicted its vocal opposition to sanctions advocated by the BDS movement. Abunimah said, “It’s sort of amusing to Israel try to impose sanctions and punish the whole world for this decision…Israel claims that sanctions are illegitimate as a tool except of course when Israel is the one wielding them, whether it’s against Iran or whether against the countries that displeased it.”
…….
Read more…
http://www.alternet.org/world/chomsky-israels-response-unsc-hysterical
DANG ! BREAKING NEWS… it’s all on like Donkey Kong, Obama sure is making his exit known, once again this changes everything.
US expels Russian diplomats over cyber attacks
RT report for contrast
first the Israelis and now the Russians…….keep Trump too busy with international disputes for him to unleash on the domestic front perhaps
…keep Trump too busy with international disputes for him to unleash on the domestic front…
Sounds like an eminently sensible idea.
Btw, the story goes… it was the UK who encouraged NZ to sponser the UN resolution just passed. Looks like UK/US/Aussie/Canada/various European countries and maybe others are collaborating on the vexed question of the two recalcitrant leaders, Putin and Trump.
I wish them every success.
Edit: Add Netanyahu to the list.
Ooops… Australia has announced it does not support the UN resolution. That figures. They’ve elected the most right wing govt. in their history.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/321462/australia-doesn't-back-un's-israel-action
Typical. They want it both ways.
Both the Australian Coalition and Labor Parties have been thoroughly compromised by the pro-Zionist lobby.
CV…..Kia Ora Koe !
Yes and it’s a powerful lobby. Golda Meir went to the US either near the end of WW2 or not long
after. Raised $US39 mill’
in around a month. Apartheid Logan’s Loon Tune is grist for its mill.
Is it a surprise? The Australian government’s attitude to Australia’s indigenous population is not a lot different than that of the Israeli government’s attitude to its indigenous population.
“The Australian government’s attitude to Australia’s indigenous population” (or any one else for that matter) ” is not a lot different than that of the Israeli government’s attitude to its indigenous population.”
FIFY
🙂
My ‘ooops’ was related to the fact I had included Aussie as part of the conspiracy, and then included Netanyahu on the undesirable list of leaders. Aussie clearly were not part of the conspiratorial UN/Israel affair.
Apart from that yes, their track record concerning their own indigenous race is appalling. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why they’re keeping out of the argument.
Thanks, Macro. I hadn’t forgotten Australia’s shameful treatment of refugees, but had just restricted my focus for that one comment.
The UK you say? Must be on the verge of a big arms deal.
Trump will have a Republican Congress to take care of domestic matters for him. Actually I would say it is more likely that Trump will permit Congress quite a lot of rope to do what they like as long as they don’t encroach on things he values, or things he wants personally to oversee or to harm his re-election.
The danger of Obama’s moves in these areas is that it cuts both ways – at some stage in the future there will be a Democrat again about to enter the White House and as Obama appears to have ignored the unspoken conventions around the transition between US administrations then I’m sure Trump (& the Republicans) will now not feel obligated in their turn (not that I think Trump will be feel particularly bound by conventions anyway).
I doubt Obama fears the GOP controlled Congress in the same way he (and the establishment) fear what Trump may attempt….they are after all the same players he has been dealing with for the past 8 years and they understand the rules of the game….unlike Trump, as he has already amply demonstrated.
a loose political cannon.
Anyone willing to bet that there will be 35 US diplomats expelled from Russia by Monday?
I expect they have their bags packed already…
Why spoil a good relationship?
The Chump will overturn the expulsions in a few weeks so it’ll be all sweet.
Do you refer to Obama as ‘The Chimp’?
You’ve made claims of holding ‘senior positions’, yet write your thoughts in a juvenile manner
And why would I want to be a racist bigot?
However, I reserve the right to call a fool, a fool, when I see one.
I can assure your most esteemed personage, that when drafting papers for Cabinet, I somehow managed to write in a suitably mature and respectful manner.
Response !!!!! Macro. I take it that was the cabinet of ’36…….
Trump’s not a “fool.” You may not like his personality, you may not like his manners, you may not like his style, you may not like his politics, but none of that makes him a “fool.”
What he says and does, does remind quite a few that he is a fool imo.
He’s forced the CEOs of Lockheed Martin and Boeing to publicly announce that they will slash the cost of major procurement projects (the F-35 and Air Force One projects).
He’s lined up foreign investors and CEOs to say that they will create, protect or bring back thousands of jobs to the USA.
And now, US consumer confidence has hit its highest level in fifteen years.
So as I said, I understand that you may not like his manners, style or politics, but Trump is no “fool.”
🙄
Gezz! You really have swallowed the magic juice. CV – I’m sorry for you.
So Business confidence is up – whoop de doo!
But what of the appointment of a fool to his cabinet who wants to see even the most crappy wage they now get in the states go even lower? No body will be able to buy anything anyway. Yeah I guess the businesses will all be rubbing their hands waiting to drop wages to slave levels – but it will come back to bite them very hard on the bum.
Consumer confidence is up to the highest level in 15 years.
That’s what the Trump election has done.
(You seem to like the term “fool”.)
You have to ask yourself a very simple question. Will Trump’s appointees run their own typical corporatist Republican agenda?
Or will they do what they have been appointed for: run the populist Trump Agenda.
Yes, it is yet to be seen but I am betting that they will run the Trump Agenda. Or be fired.
If he thinks that he can run the most powerful country in the world by twitter at 3 am in the morning, (without advice from more experienced and knowledgeable people) and not cause a war or serious diplomatic muddle in the process, then he is a stupid idiot.
As for his appointed cabinet – the less said about that bunch of cronies and non-science dull brains the better.
He surrounds himself with ignorance and incompetence in public governance – (running a company – however successfully or not – is not the same as running a country).
If he had any sense, or intelligence, he would not have chosen the pack of incompetents he has.
Nothing is going to end well out of the Chump “presidency”
The Democratic Party will under estimate Trump at their own peril.
It already cost them the election.
Unless you understand *why* he is tweeting how can you possibly understand the implications of *what* he is tweeting?
You don’t seem to understand that the states chose change.
That by definition, means doing things differently. Get up to speed. Russia, China and Iran are. I believe they will work it out fine.
NZ will have to as well.
Unless you understand *why* he is tweeting how can you possibly understand the implications of *what* he is tweeting?
Oh I know why he is tweeting.. and I fully understand the implications. – And so do his “advisors”. The problem is – he doesn’t understand the implications!.
We have a situation brewing at the moment where China is just biding its time until after the 20th Jan.
Instead of spending all your time reading RT – I suggest you read some of the editorials in China’s “Global Times”. The central Govt sponsored newspaper.
and
and
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, without mentioning Trump’s name, said that whoever tries to destroy China’s core interests would shoot themselves in the foot.
I don’t see that is all pally wally and the snubbing his of nose at the One China policy has certainly angered Beijing. They may well decide that Taiwan is to be annexed forthwith. I don’t see that as a peaceful outcome.
So forgive me if I don’t wear your rose coloured glasses when it comes to viewing the “brilliance” of D Trump.
You didn’t note the multiple confrontations between US and Chinese military forces under Obama?
And the rising rhetoric China has been using against Obama’s actions?
Trump hasn’t been sending bombers and destroyers to harass what China sees as its own territory. Obama has though.
Why so nervous now?
How is it that you know any of this?
Trump believes he is the big “I Am”.
He is nothing but a spoilt brat, who loves to shoot his mouth off, and show he is “The Boss”. Just look at the way he behaved to those on “The Apprentice” and how he loved to say “You’re Fired!” Throwing his weight about, is what he loves best. Hence his ill conceived tweets whenever something is not to his liking – he reacts without thinking, and seldom rationally. I’m not the only one to notice this – there are the reports of psychiatrists who also note this inconsistent and reactionary behaviour and are concerned enough to go public on the matter.
And yes I fully understand what the implications of some of these tweets may be. I doubt that he does. Bullies seldom have any idea of the damage they do to others lives. Even his own advisors are having difficulty trying to keep up and rationalise his behaviour. As for the the down stream consequences we shall just have to wait and see. He has not shown any appreciation to date, that the task of being responsible for the lives of 320 million people is a somewhat different to running a fleet of Hotels.
As for the growing tension in the South China Sea – the acts of aggression are not of the US but from China, and they are becoming more blatant in their show of force by the day. The US on the other hand, has in fact withdrawn bases from the area.
If you are correct in your perspective then the Obama/Clinton “pivot to Asia” has proven to be a failure and Trump inherits the emboldened China and foreign policy mess that the Obama White House created.
Your analysis is not far short of two dimensional amateur armchair psychotherapy.
As for having a big ego and a big mouth. That’s what the electorate wanted and that’s what they have got. And they are common politicians’ traits, after all.
I have said elsewhere – you may not like his style, his manners or his politics, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he is not highly capable in many different dimensions.
That showed you, macro. 🙂
The president-elect oompah-loompah who used a presidential primary debate to reassure voters that his penis size was acceptable was merely being “highly capable” when he reversed 40-odd years of delicate prc-us-taiwan diplomatic waltzes by accepting a single phone call.
The South China Sea dance has been going on for decades: China pushes its boundaries out into international sea and air corridors, someone pushes back with a flight or a ship. China then sends planes or ships out to push back against the pushback. Sometimes there’s a collision, but that’s expected and handled. Fuck, they even make each other’s airfields available for emergency landings. And if things get too hot, they plug a trade discount or whatever and everybody acts a bit casual, because nobody wants a war.
But challenging the one china policy in regards to Taiwan is like trying to touch China’s balls. It’s a really sensitive area, and well outside the regular diplomatic shoving match. That’s why only idiots do it. Or multi-dimensional capables, of course.
Trump plays 7D chess. You’re not expected to keep up
Everyone else at the table is playing poker. And they’re all armed.
I’m glad no one offered to take me up on the bet.
Getting caught in moderation bummer – everything in moderation especially moderation.
Lionel Nation: how to be a truth warrior
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCyccHjFvgI
The tenth day around Christmas – quotes about friendship.
I predict that there will be a political landslide next year. The social justice principles of a Bill English led government will resonate in South Auckland and far beyond. Trying to demonise the PM did not work for the last eight years and certainly will not work next year. National are aiming for 60% at the election but may have to settle for less this time. Already there is talk about what Bill would offer the few sensible Greens. Winston is deteriorating even more rapidly and he and both his likely possible successors could comfortably unite with a Bill English led National. Winston may reach election 2017 but has no chance of reaching 2020.
This could lead to to a major realignment of politics and my pick is a Multi-Party Government comprising National (above50%), NZF, Greens, MP, UF and ACT comprising 75% of cast votes.
*YAWN*
I predict that fisiani’s comment, having the depth of a cigarette paper, the substance of halitosis and interest value of belly button lint, will fade from the consciousness of any reader unfortunate enough to have looked at it, even before that reader can produce a sigh of resignation at the thought that fisiani feels driven to publish vacuous comments like this, even during the holiday season, when most others let rest their particular disfunctions. Give it a rest, fis.
Stop the ad hominems that clearly breach policy and try to explain what is actually wrong with my sensible post.
“what is actually wrong with my sensible post” –
In such an event where is the mechanism to turf this cozy coalition out, at need? Which legislation applies?
Is this the start of yet another 1000 year reign?
Is NZ, so nostalgically in love with FPP, going to tolerate so fuzzy an arrangement?
The details, fisiani – are notably absent from your sensible post.
However, dreams are still free.
Please enjoy the coming year.
You hear a lot about this so called social investment approach by Bill English as if it is an item marketed to the public by the National Party. This is a strategy to paint Bill as soft and caring. In reality English has presided over some alarming increases of statistics around social harm since the mid 1990s. His social investment approach nothing but a further redistribution of increasingly scarce resources earmarked for public spending. There’s certainly no evidence to show it is working on any other level.
I think the people of South Auckland see that, and with the withdrawal of National from campaigning in Auckland, their dumping of the housing portfolio, the appointment of Bennett as Auckland issues minister, and their admission of defeat in tackling the problems faced by Aucklanders, I predict the city will fall to Labour in a big way in 2017.
This re-branding of Bill English is interesting and certainly seems to have taken a few people in like yourself, and Jarrod Gilbert who seems to be enthralled by Bill English even though more of his mates are locked up than ever before.
Gilbert’s latest puff piece on Bill’s approach (can’t be bothered finding it) admits but skirts around the huge increase in the prison muster under this government and the equally huge spend on new prisons. Quite how incarcerating more and more disadvantaged people equates to social investment I do not know, and it seems the media doesn’t care to ask.
If you want to understand the SI approach, this is an excellent resource https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/nz/Documents/public-sector/What-is-social-investment-nz.pdf. That material shows that the SI approach is a conversation this country has been having since 1997.
NZ has a staggering welfare dependency problem, and our entire approach towards welfare has to change. Too many NZ’ers are trapped in long term welfare dependency, and social spending has to be directed towards addressing that.
First you need to demonstrate that welfare dependency exists, because you are a racist parrot with zero credibility.
Stupid Racist denies welfare dependency.
http://igps.victoria.ac.nz/WelfareWorkingGroup/Downloads/Final%20Report/WWG-Final-Recommendations-Report-22-February-2011.pdf
http://www.nzcpr.com/understanding-welfare-dependency/
http://ips.ac.nz/publications/files/e3b5e3549a1.pdf
http://www.ssc.govt.nz/bps-reducing-dependence
Lots of people assert that it exists, otherwise there’d be nothing on the spoon that feeds you.
What they have failed to do is demonstrate that it exists, and is not yet another racist rear-guard action that attempts to resuscitate the notion of the “undeserving” poor. Or yet another artifact of right wing hate speech. As the reference I provided finds: ‘the welfare rolls are not filled with the chronically dependent”.
In the NZ context, Gordon Campbell points out that:
In short, it exists to divert attention from the causes of poverty and inequality, so that right wingers don’t ever have to face their personal responsibility for the victims of your racism and bigotry.
I think you are racist scum with no original thoughts of your own. Let’s agree to disagree.
” the ratio of those staying on benefits because it is a “lifetime, lifestyle choice’ is lower again.”
So even your own quote agrees that it exists. Well done Bloke. Another time you have been proven wrong. The number is mounting.
Zero is lower than 14.3. You have no basis other than hate-speech for your assertion that the number is mounting.
You are a racist lying parrot with nothing of value or originality to say. If I wanted to read National Party lies I’d go to their website. Let’s agree to disagree.
“Zero is lower than 14.3. You have no basis other than hate-speech for your assertion that the number is mounting.”
The number that is mounting is the number of times I’ve caught you out.
Here’s a summary of your latest gaffe:
“What they have failed to do is demonstrate that it exists, ”
“the ratio of those staying on benefits because it is a “lifetime, lifestyle choice’ is lower again.”
Talk about foot in mouth.
Yawn. I disagree with the propaganda you were spoon-fed.
” I disagree with the propaganda you were spoon-fed.”
There was no propaganda. Just you contradicting your self.
In your mind: Campbell provides no statistics for the alleged dependents. Lower than 14.3 can be anything from zero to 14.2. It is not evidence, no matter how hard you want it to be.
Maninthemiddle demonstrating basic innumeracy again.
“Lower than 14.3 can be anything from zero to 14.2.”
You making shit up again. If it was zero, he would have said zero, or not even mentioned the category. Instead he said ‘lower again’. Even your own references make you look like an idiot.
If he couldn’t measure it because there aren’t any figures he’d say “lower than”. If he could measure it he’d give the figure.
You’re the one asserting that welfare dependency exists. It’s up to you to prove it does. The fact that various people also think it does is evidence of nothing.
Personally, I think you fixate on it and the other right wing lies Gordon Campbell lists because you can’t handle your personal responsibility for the effects of your witless beliefs.
Everything you write here confirms that.
” If he could measure it he’d give the figure.”
Not necessarily. But if the figure was zero, it is most likely he wouldn’t have even mentioned it, or would have said it was ‘zero’. Personally I think you posted something that you thought supported your argument without understanding what it actually said.
There’s a big clue in the fact that Campbell describes them as “myths”. Do you know what a myth is? After all, your mind is crippled by them.
“There’s a big clue in the fact that Campbell describes them as “myths”. ”
Now you’re evading. That’s not what Campbell says in the point we’re discussing, and it’s not what Campbell says in his commentary. You’re clearly struggling to keep up.
It’s only the headline. I think you’re full of shit and hate, and everything you write confirms it.
Get over it.
“It’s only the headline.”
No it’s not. A few days ago you denied welfare dependency even existed. Your credibility is shot.
If you ‘click’ (that’s something you can do with your ‘mouse’) on the word in blue – “myths” – in my comment it will take you to the article. Then ‘read’ the ‘headline’.
Oh, and don’t forget that reading is a skill you struggle with. Read it a few times.
I’m going to reset, Bloke, because you’re being slippery.
In your first reference in this discussion, you quoted this:
“Looking across all forms of benefits, 61.4 % of recipients are benefit dependent for four years or less. Only 14.3 % are on benefits for more than ten years – and since those figures include people with chronic physical and mental disabilities, the ratio of those staying on benefits because it is a “lifetime, lifestyle choice’ is lower again.”
I note you gave no link. Leaving that side, you quoted this in support of your denial of welfare dependency. Yet your own quote states that 14.3% are on benefits for more than 10 years, and that there is a further group who are on benefits as a “lifetime, lifestyle choice”.
Those comments directly contradict you seeming ignorance of welfare dependency.
Notice the ” quote marks around the phrase “lifetime, lifestyle choice”.
Do you know what they mean? I doubt it. After all, English comprehension isn’t your strong-point.
They mean the author thinks they (the alleged dependents that you can provide no evidence of) might be apocryphal. Myths, even.
“They mean the author thinks they (the alleged dependents that you can provide no evidence of) might be apocryphal. Myths, even.”
Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps the author is using phrases commonly used without actually passing judgement. It’s irrelevant to your evasion. The author acknowledges there is welfare dependency. Your own reference.
The Social Investment strategy has gone too far when they are put severe pressure on people with mental health issues into employment. Even the most ordinary job will put extraordinary strain on these people and they will end up with worse health issues than ever before. Who is going to help them when they are either sacked or have to quit. Blinglish only ever sees money when he quantifies human beings, everybody has a price tag, his strategy to dig deep into the the well of people who are on benefits is poor judgment and ill advised. We will end up with very ill people out of work and without money and support. Shame on Blinglish for his disgraceful attitude towards the unwell.
I’m not sure what you describe would be part of a SI approach. Do you have an example?
Racists like you need government sponsored amygdalectomies. That would be a social investment that would return dividends galore.
Anti-Semites like you should get back on your meds.
🙄
Absolutely typical – an 18 page double spaced booklet with more pictures than words to solve all the nation’s social problems – get real- this is a pile of rubbish with discernible internal faults. (quite apart from the external ones) The time line shows only Nact governments giving this any space but the text implies that Labour wanted this too…
And it is essentially rubbish. Nact governments and their policies have caused a great number of these problems,
getting rid of unions dumbed wages down,
only funding rent support payments to private landlords instead of mixing this with state owned housing
etc etc
The real dependency problem is corporations that depend on governments to collect taxes and throw them at lousy private sector schemes “to replace government”
Obviously you didn’t even read it.
There was sod all to read but there were pictures as well – to simplify the issues for the right of centre individuals no doubt.
Still the point is – the dire circumstances of many individuals is the result of Right Wing policy settings not individual failure.
But with so many corporates and right wing individuals trapped by government dependency (whether it’s a high paying government appointment or a favourable contract for public services) we could use the social investment approach to assess their level of social harm and charge them accordingly.
” the dire circumstances of many individuals is the result of Right Wing policy settings not individual failure.”
Evidence?
The fact that all the right wing propaganda on the subject is based on the self-attribution fallacy.
May I suggest we don’t feed the rwnj trolls in 2017.
Evidence?
Evidence.
” the dire circumstances of many individuals is the result of Right Wing policy settings not individual failure.”
Evidence?
Yes: the self-attribution fallacy is a well-known phenomenon that accounts for the things right wingers believe about individual success and failure.
Read about it and discover the evidence for yourself.
“Read about it and discover the evidence for yourself.”
I’m really not interested in the inner workings of your imagination. I am asking for evidence for RedBaron’s claim.
The evidence for Redbaron’s claim is obvious once you understand what the self-attribution fallacy is. I know you cannot understand how or why, so pretend it doesn’t exist or doesn’t count.
You probably deny climate physics too.
“The evidence for Redbaron’s claim is obvious once you understand what the self-attribution fallacy is.”
No, that’s not good enough. The claim ” the dire circumstances of many individuals is the result of Right Wing policy settings not individual failure” is not my claim, and it is very specific. I would expect there be some evidence. The SAF is not evidence; it is a theory which has it’s own limitations.
The doubling of child poverty between 1984 and today, for example. Wayne Mapp tells us that the 1990s National Party he was a member of increased inequality deliberately.
Whereas you wail your ignorance and denial on a blog.
“The doubling of child poverty between 1984 and today, for example. ”
Setting side the validity of the data you have to use to justify that claim, that isn’t evidence. Child poverty has, for example, increased in Sweden, which is the sort of social democratic country I have seen you and others praise.
Did right wing scum in Sweden do it deliberately?
“Did right wing scum in Sweden do it deliberately?”
Now you’re just being silly.
The reason I ask is Mapp’s confession that it was done deliberately by the National Party he was a member of.
So I was thinking that Sweden probably has scum like you and him too.
“The reason I ask is Mapp’s confession that it was done deliberately by the National Party he was a member of.”
Even you’re telling the truth (which is always questionable), even if Mapp is telling the truth, how do you explain the fact that Mapp was only in government for 6 of the last 32 years?
He was a member of the 1996 government and is in a better position to know than you are.
“He was a member of the 1996 government and is in a better position to know than you are.”
He was in government for 6 of the last 32 years. Hardly significant.
Oh? I thought we had record low unemployment etc etc.
Record high employment.
The inevitable consequence of population growth.
Not if jobs aren’t being created. And with unemployment dropping, your petty little argument collapses.
The official unemployment statistic fell earlier this year as a result of the way it is measured. This is well-documented. It’s sad that you believe that changes anything on the ground.
Unemployment has been dropping for some time. That is based on official data. If all you have left is arguing over the data, you’ve lost. With unemployment falling, and employment rising, the population growth argument you’ve put up is bollocks.
If all you have is claiming credit for a change from inches to millimetres it’s no wonder you vote for incompetence and cruelty. I disagree with the lies you were spoon-fed.
Get over it.
It isn’t a change from inches to millimetres. The way we measure unemployment is based on an international standard. If you don;t like it, tough.
Yes, I know you believe that very very hard. I don’t: get over it.
I love it I love it ! FizzyUnis. Or as says a Saudi person I know ……….”I Lick It Alot!”
You’re still licking it I see Fez.
Am current rating the chances of a National Government at the end of next year at 3:2. This is well down on my previous estimates.
However, if National play the shell game that I expect, Labour will have nothing to respond with and National’s odds will go up to 3:1 for.
Also, Greens to have near zero possibility of reaching 14%.
USA is leading here:
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — It will be a happy New Year indeed for millions of the lowest-paid U.S. workers. Nineteen states, including New York and California, will ring in the year with an increase in the minimum wage.
Massachusetts and Washington state will have the highest new minimum wages in the country, at $11 per hour.
California will raise its wage to $10.50 for businesses with 26 or more employees. New York state is taking a regional approach, with the wage rising to $11 in New York City, to $10.50 for small businesses in the city, $10 in its downstate suburbs and $9.70 elsewhere. Some specific businesses — fast-food restaurants and the smallest New York City businesses — will have slightly different wage requirements.
“This $1.50 increase, I cannot even comprehend or tell you how important this will be,” said Alvin Major, a New York City fast-food worker. The 51-year-old father of four helped lead the fight for the increase in his state, one of several successful efforts by fast-food workers and other low wage workers around the country. “The price of food has gone up. Rent has gone up. Everything has gone up. … This will make a difference for so many people.”
http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Pay-to-rise-for-millions-as-19-states-increase-10825088.php
Take note Bill….
New Zealand has a higher minimum wage than any of these US states. In fact as a percentage of average wages NZ is one the highest in the OECD.
Since 2008 the minimum wage has gone up at nearly three times the inflation rate.
However as a gesture in election year it could go from $15.25 to $16.00, rather than say $15.75.
Presumably Labour is going to go for at least $18.00 as part of their campaign strategy. Or if they want a different number at the front, $20.00. That would certainly have people taking notice. But it has risks. A 30% increase in the minimum wage might be seen as economically reckless. But since Standardnistas want a more left wing Labour Party, surely $20.00 for the minimum wage would be proof of that.
There is another ‘fish-hook’ with the minimum wage in the US. I was recently in the US, and I was told by service workers (restaurant waiters) that their minimum wage was actually under $3, but was topped up by tips. The employee had to pay any shortfall between their hourly wage + tip and the MW, but this meant they didn’t effectively earn the MW + tips. When I first heard this I couldn;t believe it, so I checked with several staff and they all confirmed this was the case.
A gradual increases in the MW, as NZ has been doing, is sensible, but the evidence linking increases in MW rates to job losses is powerful. http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-evidence-is-piling-up-that-higher-minimum-wages-kill-jobs-1450220824.
Powerful enough for Treasury to point out that it doesn’t exist.
The difference between you and them is that you are a racist Quisling wailing your denial on a blog.
Since when did you prostrate yourself at the feet of Treasury? And did you see in your own link that the Department of Labour point out that an increase DOES cost jobs. Second time today your own link has contradicted your own opinion, Bloke. Well done.
Oh, and here’s more:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2016/03/22/proof-perfect-that-the-minimum-wage-costs-jobs-from-new-york/#71f6eab816a0
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2016/04/01/higher-minimum-wages-cost-jobs-shrink-the-economy-and-make-everyone-poorer/#2f879ad2694b
Yawn. Right wing lies aren’t evidence of anything. Treasury is but one of many sources saying the same thing.
You are a racist lying parrot with nothing of value or originality to contribute. If I wanted to read National Party lies I’d go to their website.
Let’s agree to disagree.
Treasury say no, DoL say yes. As do many other sources.
But the reason you believe it is that you uncritically swallow any right wing lie you’re spoon-fed.
The reason I believe what I believe is because I trust my sources. And I don’t contradict myself of make shit up, like you do.
In your mind.
Thanks for confirming my estimation of your critical faculties.
“In your mind.”
No, in writing. Here on this blog. You make shit up Bloke.
That would be you using “pwned” arguments in direct violation of site policy. It means nothing.
“That would be you using “pwned” arguments in direct violation of site policy. ”
Not at all. I can prove you make up shit. Your claim recently about Likud is one example.
The fact that you cannot understand why saying “if you do that it will be a declaration of war” is a threat is on you. Own it.
“The fact that you cannot understand why saying “if you do that it will be a declaration of war” is a threat is on you.”
The fact that you can’t understand that Netanyahu’s words referred to NZ’s actions, not Likud’s is on you.
😆
Thank you for confirming that you cannot understand the point.
“Thank you for confirming that you cannot understand the point.”
I’ll leave that to others. Frankly it seems clear to me you over reached, and then didn’t have the intelligence to realise it, or the grace to admit it.
You can’t compare us with the USA as their tax(es) regime is totally different.
If the minimum wage is that good, how come 40% of those in poverty are actuall WORKING? (These are called the “working poor”.)
Get e clue, Wayne, starting here:
http://www.inequality.org.nz/understand/
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/307458/10-percent-richest-kiwis-own-60-percent-of-nz's-wealth
http://www.closingthegap.org.nz/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/68600911/income-inequality-how-nz-is-one-of-the-worst-in-the-world
There is a good reason it’s called a “Living Wage”:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/77378686/New-Zealand-living-wage-rate-of-19-80-to-kick-in-July-1
Hell, try te Google… here ya go, fixed it for ya https://www.google.co.nz/?gws_rd=ssl#q=inequality+in+New+Zealand
What fairy-tale right wing conservative all white country do you live in?
You equate inequality with poverty. The two are not necessarily mutually entangled.
They are both caused by inadequate income. That close enough for you?
Wrong. Two people can have different incomes yet both be on adequate incomes. This is something that the left just cannot grasp.
A flaccid response that utterly fails to address the point. You need to do more homework, Go read National’s website and regurgitate it all over yourself some more.
Let’s get this straight. Are you suggesting the only acceptable society to you is one where everyone receives the same incomes?
No. What kind of complete fuckwit would think that.
So, which part of this statement do you no agree with:
” Two people can have different incomes yet both be on adequate incomes. “
There is a third category: those who don’t have adequate income. Homeless working families, for example.
That, and the obvious fact that you don’t understand how inequality works. No, I’m not going to do your homework for you. Google it.
That depends entirely on the level of the living wage, not some arbitrary increase to the minimum wage.
As soon as you let go of why we have a minimum wage, you get into the “why not make it a gazillion dollars” bullshit.
A left wing government would put the minimum wage at a living wage level, whatever that might be.
McFlock,
I chose $20.000 because it is close to the “living wage” (very slightly higher) but with the advantage that it is a memorable figure.
Just campaigning on the “living wage” will not get cut through. Voters have to ask the question, what does it mean? As a general rule if you have to explain the policy, you have lost much of your audience. If the slogan was “$20, the living wage” then in four words the policy is fully explained. Whats not to like about simplicity?
If Labour wants to campaign on the “living wage” as the minimum, then they should go for it. The voters will judge.
Thanks for your concern.
Australia’s Get Up Movement has been very effective this year. It’s a great model of mobilising ordinary citizens
https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/core-member-2016/2016-reportback/2016-s-most-memorable-moments?t=XnYqZiw07&utm_content=16427&utm_campaign=Our_movement_in_action&utm_source=blast&utm_medium=email
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XanyPq5BcoA
Be prepared to have the Paula Bennett solo -mum sob story to be mentioned at every possible chance.Also get ready for Sir John in the new years honors list.
It’s election year.
Dependable Southlander, Solo mother, Not Sir John but more likely Saint John, Refreshed Cabinet, Housing boom, homelessness cured, poverty abolished, rising prosperity and all conquering all Blacks.
Then there’s Angry Andy lumbered with the nutty Greens. Could be a landslide.
…and you haven’t even mentioned our German friends latest noises about playing sugar daddy to anyone stupid enough to take his cash.
At least he gives openly rather than all the RWNJ who fund the National party in secret.
“fund the National party in secret”
You have any evidence at all for this wild claim?
Something in the last 5 years will do.
Thought not. Just wild accusations with nothing at all to back them up.
Ummm Alwyn here is the proof that some fund the National party in secret
There is such a thing as Donations Protected from Disclosure. Seems RWNJs love to do it with both ACT and the outgoing government. MPledger was correct.
http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/bulk-upload/documents/donations_protected_from_disclosure_-_general_election_2014.pdf
Donations Protected from Disclosure Paid Out
–
July 2012 to June 2015
ACT New Zealand
26 March 2014
$43,350
The New Zealand National Party
26 March 2014
$43,350
The New Zealand National Party
30 May 2014
$86,350
Conservative Party
30 May 2014
$10,000
ACT New Zealand
27 June 2014
$43,000
http://www.elections.org.nz/parties-candidates/registered-political-parties/party-donations/donations-protected-disclosure
Some more spreadsheets for you
Kisses Cinny xxx
Chump change compared with the massive sums spent by unions against the wishes of their members.
Try and spin it anyway you can Fisiani but ….
Unions endorse the political parties that best support the workers rights. They are a voice for working people and their families.
http://www.union.org.nz/
If ACT or National are upset about that, maybe they should support our workers a bit better?
There sure are a few corporates on the outgoing governments party donation lists, so much more becomes clear as one reads certain names.
http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/bulk-upload/documents/national_return_of_donations_and_loans_2014.pdf
That’s so wrong as to be utterly laughable. Much like most of what you post.
Oh I have no problem with him giving. It’s the ones who will prostitute themselves for the wealth of a rich criminal that I despise.
dependable southlander or westie chick in cheap leopard print
solo mother – or in Mike hoskins speak silly women who could not keep that aspirin between her legs with useless parents resulting in her having a child she could not afford – thus domestic purpose benefit dole bludger
student – or domestic purpose benefit dole bludger studying some liberal social degree on some tax payer funded trinket to keep her welfed.
home owner – or doestic purpose benefit dole bludger studying some liberal social degree who buys a home with a taxpayer funded goverment hand out
Minister – who did nothing ever other then help dismantle the widowers benefit (the one that kept John Keys mother in bread and butter), dismantle the domestic purpose benefit into something called the solo parent benefit (now with work requirements at age 3 of the child – something no one ever asked of the dole bludger), dismantle the study aid that she received to study a social liberal degree, dismantle any government aid to buy a house, dismantle state housing one house at a time, dismantle the sick benefit – now people who used to be on the widowers benefit or the sick benefit must be on a job seekers benefit.
yeah, she is gonna be loved, and her story as a single mother who made herself without the help of anyone is gonna wash down lovely with the masses.
the best that women can do is stay in wellington and collect some more tax payer funded largesse while she can.
Alex Jones finally snaps (who would have thought he’d last this long?). The Gloves Come Off: Media Tycoon Alex Jones to Sue Facebook and Wash Post
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/12/no_author/no-mr-nice-jones/
this is funny.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/petition-mormon-tabernacle-choir-trump-inauguration_us_5865b505e4b0de3a08f7ded4
Quote” A Mormon who said his “heart sank” when he heard that the church’s beloved Tabernacle Choir will perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration has launched a petition to urge the group not to go to Washington, D.C.
“I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The thought of this choir and Mormonism being forever associated with a man who disparages minorities, brags about his sexual control of women, encourages intolerance and traffics in hate speech and bullying, was unacceptable,” Randall Thacker said in a statement. “I immediately knew there were probably thousands of people who felt the same way, so I created the space on Change.org for like-minded Mormons and their friends to share their feelings.”
About 215 of the choir’s 360 members are expected to perform at the inauguration, church officials have told The Salt Lake City Tribune.
By Thursday evening, nearly 19,000 people had signed the petition, which is seeking 25,000 signatures. The petition urges the Mormon Tabernacle Choir not to perform for an “incoming president who has demonstrated sexist, racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic behavior that does not align with the principles and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Most of the signatures are from LDS members around the world, according to Thacker, a lifelong member of the church.
The petition also encourages people to call and write the church to give their reasons for signing. Several mention that Trump’s values are incompatible with Mormonism or that the church should never become associated with politics. One quips: Conservative rocker “Ted Nugent and the choir? I don’t think so!” Another writes: “Horrible values. Separation of church and state. Pay your taxes.” Quote End.
The rich just keep getting richer.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11774884
Thats what happens when you have investments Paul.