Open mike 31/12/2012

52 comments on “Open mike 31/12/2012 ”

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1. Dr Terry 1

   31 December 2012 at 8:29 am

   Happy New Year everyone! I have learned so much from your contributions and am grateful. The Standard remains an excellent source of information and debate, such as is seldom found these days.
   Just want to express gratitude, looking forward to 2013.
2. Travellerev another viper 2

   31 December 2012 at 8:29 am

   A nice little doco on the demise of the Celtic Tiger. The country John Key wanted to emulate and the future we have to look forward too as we have $ 112 Billion in Derivatives on our books whose value is based on absolutely nothing.

   (By the way I don’t seem to have access to the WYSIWYG editor anymore)
   • Fortran 2.1

     31 December 2012 at 9:29 am

     Traveller

     $112 billion of derivatives on our books.
     Please be kind enough to guide me where you get these derivative figures from ?
     thanks.
     • muzza 2.1.1

       31 December 2012 at 9:53 am

       http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6671255/Government-in-112b-barney

       This should see you started, get cracking!
       • Travellerev another viper 2.1.1.1

         31 December 2012 at 10:35 am

         Thanks M!
       • Murray Olsen 2.1.1.2

         31 December 2012 at 1:17 pm

         That article doesn’t actually give a figure for the amount of derivatives held. At best, it includes them in a $112 billion figure, but doesn’t specify how much of it they make up.
         • Fortran 2.1.1.2.1

           31 December 2012 at 2:17 pm

           Murray

           Yes, I would like to know what proportion of the $112 billion is in derivatives.
           Being once, some years ago, in business which included international derivatives.
           From which I do have an understanding, which is why I queried the figures.
           • Travellerev another viper 2.1.1.2.1.1

             31 December 2012 at 3:51 pm

             What you want to know is what portion of those derivatives is what kind of derivatives because they are all derivatives.

             But for some reason they changed the generally accepted accountancy practices so they don’t have to tell anyone anymore and especially the ones that are dangerous and could hold liabilities they don’t have to declare anymore. I wonder why?

             But I’m sure Murray can explain it all. He knows everything!
         • muzza 2.1.1.2.2

           31 December 2012 at 3:37 pm

           That Murray is because the books on NZ inc are opaque, and getting to the bottom of them, let alone audited, seemingly not on the menu.

           As you have a PhD, perhaps you can do some research, and then report back, perhaps Dr Sue Newberry will be happy to oblige your interest!

           http://www.consolidation.unisi.it/papers/2-4.pdf
           http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/862/1/thesis_fulltext.pdf

           To get you started, below is a govt financial position, and how it is measured

           http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/ParlSupport/ResearchPapers/3/4/6/00PlibCIP121-New-Zealand-s-International-Investment-Position.htm

           And below is the AKL Council financial report, see if you can identify the derivatives portfolio component

           https://www.nzx.com/files/attachments/162505.pdf
3. beatie 3

   31 December 2012 at 9:44 am

   2012, the year I started reading The Standard. Although I haven’t voted Labour since 1984 and am presently a Mana supporter, thanks guy for informative and entertaining reading.
4. Morrissey 4

   31 December 2012 at 10:09 am

   Will this one finally spell the end of the Honours system?
   VERY EARLY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PRANK
   RODNEY HIDE GETS GIVEN A MEDAL

   DO NOT LAUGH: THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

   ACT buffoon RODNEY HIDE, the man who was so useless that John Banks was seen as preferable to be rubberstamped by the obedient souls of Epsom, has been made a Companion of the Queen’s Service…
   http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/b/img/b7.jpg

   You might well ask: what’s Rodney Hide ever done other than make a fool of himself?

   Well, here are the reasons he is now to be addressed by the rest of us commoners as RODNEY PHILIP HIDE QSO”…

   1.) For his services to body-building….
   http://file.stuff.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/hide_1_69461.jpg

   2.) For his services to dance…
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10386144

   3.) For his services to sycophancy, following his toe-curlingly extravagant praise of his bullying usurper, Don Brash, straight after having the leadership of ACT humiliatingly wrested from him…
   http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2011/04/what-we-discovered-about-don-brash-and-rodney-hide-in-the-past-week/

   4.) For his further services to sycophancy, after he refused to object to fellow thug Tau Henare calling him a “buffoon” and a “jerk-off”—or was it just physical fear that Uncle Tau would kick his arse if he complained?…
   http://www.3news.co.nz/Thick-hided-Rodney-not-worried-by-insults/tabid/209/articleID/118165/Default.aspx?ArticleID=118165

   5.) For his protecting and defiantly PRAISING this dead-child’s-identity-stealing, doctor-assaulting, sexual harasser in his caucus until public disgust finally forced him to (reluctantly) get rid of him…
   http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2009/08/act_mp_david_garrett_credit_nzpa__wayne_drought_3774842844.jpeg

   6.) For his speaking ever so slowly and in a low voice, as he repeats, unchallenged, Ayn Rand’s mad raving dogma on Bryan Crump’s otherwise excellent show on National Radio….
   http://t.qkme.me/3phsr1.jpg

   Have a Happy New Year, you unrecognised oiks—and remember, if you see a deranged old man shouting insults at Māori family groups over the summer, don’t say “Fuck off to Queensland you racist scum”, say “Fuck off to Queensland, Sir Paul.”
   • muzza 4.1

     31 December 2012 at 10:23 am

     Morrissey, I’m sure you realise that the *honours* for public service such as given to Rodney Hide are simply the official thanks for his efforts in delivering the assets of NZ into foreign hands.

     The *award* is for his part in the super-city fraud,(among other things no doubt) , which was of course *mandated* by Dame Margaret Beazley (She of the government departments hatchet team) , with Hide becoming the face of the implementation. We see the irony (corruption) of the elected servants, by the way that Hide was castrated by the very platform he sold himself upon, that of course being the *perk buster* – We see how the system works, where one must invert the message being delivered to be closer to the true intent!

     One does not need to look deeply, or even see RH in order to understand how corrupted the little man is. You can hear it wrapped inside every utterance from his lying, narcissistic mouth, and it will have been a blow to his ego, to have received such a *lowly* recognition!
     • Morrissey 4.1.1

       31 December 2012 at 10:26 am

       Thanks, muzza. In my rage after learning of this travesty, I completely overlooked the things you mentioned.

       More haste, less speed should be my new year’s resolution, I think.

       By the way, judging by the calls to right-wing talk radio this morning, the honours system does not enjoy a lot of respect even by those conservative souls.
       • Morrissey 4.1.1.1

         31 December 2012 at 2:36 pm

         I think you get an Honour more for being a suck-up than a screw-up.

         I wouldn’t be surprised to find John Banks had something to do with Hide being given this minor rank award.
         • Dr Terry 4.1.1.1.1

           31 December 2012 at 5:01 pm

           Surprise that Banks himself did not receive a knighthood for disservice?
           • muzza 4.1.1.1.1.1

             1 January 2013 at 8:43 am

             Banks’ protection comes from the same places the awards originate, but I think we can be assured that Banks will receive *recognition* at some stage, unless he continues to need the protection from the brothers, on account of him contunually cocking up.
   • David H 4.2

     31 December 2012 at 2:27 pm

     Nice to see they are handing out Honours for being a Screw up. That means Key is a shoe in for some tin to hang around his scrawny neck. more shit for his scrap book, as we all know it means nothing, and is only a bad joke. Like the dead, and now Lazarused QC.
     • The Pink Postman 4.2.1

       31 December 2012 at 3:51 pm

       I would not have been surprised if he been given one this time ,in fact I fully expected to him to
       have. Unfortunately we have another two years ,but nothing is more certain than Sir John off Hawaii.
       Which just show what a lot off hogswallop the whole charade is,
       • David H 4.2.1.1

         31 December 2012 at 10:58 pm

         Or Labour could dump the whole shebang and leave ol’ Dunnokeyo hanging, and when he asks what happened, we can say… All together now. “Dunnokeyo”
   • Rogue Trooper 4.3

     31 December 2012 at 4:37 pm

     NOW THATS A HIDING LEAVING A BIG BITE ON THE BUTTOCKS mozza;
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito
     (you are one multi-functional tactical bomber)
     • David H 4.3.1

       31 December 2012 at 11:06 pm

       But just watch out for the Woodworm!
5. LynWiper 5

   31 December 2012 at 10:09 am

   Interesting reading.

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10856689

   Jonathon Scott concludes with “Why does New Zealand have the governments it elects and the policies they pursue? It is not, presumably, because New Zealanders are dumber than Finns. So it must be: education, education, education.”

   Many times I have asked myself this same question. How did the people of NZ, (some my family members, friends and colleagues) vote in this government not once but twice, particularly knowing they were hell bent on selling our assets and blatantly blaming the sufferers of poverty and ill health by beneficiary bashing? How did superannuation retain its mana but other benefits become shameful and bludging?

   When I read peoples view points, especially those of left leanings, I am heartened by the caring, concern and compassion expressed for the common person. The ‘knowing’ that life is less about self and more about community. That what affects one affects all. How does one educate closed hearts and minds? It would appear that for many change only occurs when affected directly…so as more and more families wave their loved ones goodbye as they cross the Tasman or have unemployment and all the misery it brings enter their own homes or start to go without necessities with their wages going backwards… perhaps this is the personal education required and it is only a matter of time…
   • karol 5.1

     31 December 2012 at 10:30 am

     Thank-you, LynWiper. Yes, it is a puzzle and a depressing concern that so many Kiwis, accept the MSM PR for John Key and keep voting for him.
     • Crimson Nile 5.1.1

       31 December 2012 at 10:35 am

       One part of the answer is a near total avoidance of NZ history in the school curriculum. The major depressions of the 1880’s and the 1930’s, the history of our social security system, the major projects successfully undertaken by this country in this country. Building Manapouri, instituting the 40 hour work week, and much more.
       • KJT 5.1.1.1

         31 December 2012 at 2:13 pm

         Especially the role of Unions and Labour Governments in building our society.

         It seems the socialist history of NZ has been wiped from the textbooks.

         I remember when the unions suggested education in peoples rights and responsibilities at work, financial knowledge, and NZ history was vehemently opposed.

         Not many people realise, a Samuel Parnell could be arrested now for advocating a general strike, for a 40 hour week.
         • Crimson Nile 5.1.1.1.1

           31 December 2012 at 2:44 pm

           “Not many people realise, a Samuel Parnell could be arrested now for advocating a general strike, for a 40 hour week.”

           That’s the way both Labour and National want it.
       • Andre 5.1.1.2

         31 December 2012 at 3:42 pm

         “Critical thinking” . Not “critical to remember” .Now that would be a start in the curriculum at school . Philosophy makes you want to learn.
         • Rogue Trooper 5.1.1.2.1

           31 December 2012 at 6:14 pm

           and theology keeps you well within the well
     • Dr Terry 5.1.2

       31 December 2012 at 5:06 pm

       Seldom, in any field I think, are the “best people” elected to be “leader”. We might not like someone who is all too efficient and charismatic!
6. tc 6

   31 December 2012 at 10:11 am

   A happy and safe new year to all, weather should keep the celebrations in door in large parts and here’s hoping the latest cyclone looses its mojo.

   A big year ahead, local body elections, a census, Oz general election oh and that cliffy fiscally thing in the land of the personal arsenal.
7. karol 7

   31 December 2012 at 10:17 am

   Very good new post from Chris Trotter on the way Key’s populism has subverted the old Kiwi ideal of collective egalitarianism, in the service of the neoliberal ideology.

   Neoliberalism’s point of attack was the Kiwi aversion to being bossed around. If nobody’s better than Jack then nobody should be allowed to tell Jack what to do. If nobody’s better than Jack, then Jack’s ideas are a good as anybody else’s. If nobody’s better than Jack then everybody should be treated the same. Taxes should be flat. Bosses and workers should negotiate face-to-face, as equals.(No need for unions – or at least, not compulsory ones.) …

   The old egalitarianism confronted all who stood athwart the path to a fuller life. It did not deny the power of philosophy or science or art: on the contrary, it demanded equal access to that power. The new egalitarianism argues that if Jack is only willing to get with programme he’ll soon realise that the fuller life is already here – to be enjoyed on Jack’s terms, and nobody else’s.

   John Key is both the chief spokesman and ultimate exemplar of this new egalitarian spirit. Is he our master? Yes. Does that mean he’s better than us? No way!
   • LynWiper 7.1

     31 December 2012 at 10:34 am

     Excellent post. Ah, for the return of collective egalitarianism!
8. Brokenback 8

   31 December 2012 at 10:57 am

   This little snippet about Chris Tremain, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Civil Defence, and Associate Minister of Tourism slipped into the media when it will be ignored by all comers deep in holiday mode ……….. yet another thief outed from the Nats Front Bench

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10856594
9. lprent 9

   31 December 2012 at 12:14 pm

   Been blobbing out a bit over the last few days with family and other coding. But I thought I’d mention watching and surprisingly* enjoying Iron Sky. As you’d expect, with a theme of lunar nazi’s, the plot line is completely absurd.

   But it is amusing to watch especially as you pick out the clichés that they’re pushing – for instance there is one scene that is a almost complete reprise of that Hitler scene that everyone rewords. And the way that some of the scenes inside the lunar corridors rip off Castle Wolfenstein… Some of it was so so predictable. But good fun to watch

   And if you can, then watch it on bluray with a true HDTV. Some of the graphics work is pretty damn good. Of course it helps that they were able to do most of it in grey scale.

   Excellent B grade and I suspect heading directly to cult status.

   * I mostly watched it as being one of the few crowd sourced feature films..
   • tc 9.1

     31 December 2012 at 3:32 pm

     Agree, amazing graphics for a B grader, laugh out loud piss taking and knows exactly what it’s about.

     The Palin-esque US president in raptures at a nazi rematch with some of my favourite lines being ‘ I’m just like Franklin D roosevelt, except you know I’m not a spastic’ in a scene that’s probably all too close to the truth.
     • karol 9.1.1

       31 December 2012 at 3:37 pm

       Thanks, for the tip, Lynn and the recommendation, tc. I will watch it first chance I get. I am very interested to see what can be achieved via crowd sourcing for movies.
   • Rogue Trooper 9.2

     31 December 2012 at 6:17 pm

     wait til ya see what i’ve got lined up (if i don’t run outta Time credit b4) must be
     “day of the worker bees”
   • McFliper 9.3

     31 December 2012 at 7:40 pm

     My interest was piqued at crowd-sourcing. They had me at moon nazis.
     One of the few films in 2012 I shelled out for at the cinema.

     I really liked the Laibach soundtrack, too.
   • David H 9.4

     31 December 2012 at 11:15 pm

     Well I did watch Prometheus the other day, I must say I was more than a little disappointed with the storyline. Which is more the pity as I have been looking forward to this movie for a while, being a fan of the Alien story, and it could have been a good 90 minutes spent. Instead I feel I wasted the time on a story that was just too predictable.
     • lprent 9.4.1

       1 January 2013 at 1:29 am

       Watched it weeks ago. Thought that the cgi was good. Story line was weak and really read like a slow rephrasing of Ben Bova’s “As on a darkling plain” – one of his better novels.
       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bova#Non-series_novels
       (some idiot has reedited it into the Watchmen series on Wikipedia?)

       Anyway, I was rather bored with it.
10. joe90 10

    31 December 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Surprised?.

    Update – Clarification:

    Plans were made to assassinate Occupy leaders by sniper fire, but the documents don’t make it clear who was involved with the plans. The FBI did not inform the targets of the assassination plans. It is not clear whether an organization or individual was involved. The document’s source was Texas and it discussed activities in Texas.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/30/1174775/-FBI-Domestic-Security-Alliance-Coordinated-Occupy-Crackdown#
    • Populuxe1 10.1

      31 December 2012 at 4:31 pm

      So no actual evidence connected to the FBI whatsoever. Plans by whom? Tea Party batshit nutjobs for all we know – the document is too heavily redacted to be proof of anything.
    • GregJ Viper 10.2

      31 December 2012 at 8:45 pm

      Actually despite the redaction it is actually quite interesting reading through the document.

      One of the more interesting ones was a complaint to the FBI by a protest group (with similar aims as the Occupy movement) who found a website with information which they found threatening to their protest and they reported it to the FBI as they didn’t trust the local police force (Daytona Beach?).

      The FBI investigated the forum/website and decided that it was verbal “grandstanding” but that there did appear to be several police officers on the forum, though not identifiable to a specific department. It looks like it may have been raised with the local police at a liaison/planning meeting. The finding of the report was:

      “Group appears to be peaceful, and investigator sees no Federal violations. Local police well aware of the protests, and are meeting with Occupy’s core group to alleviate miscues and allow dialogue.”

      Most of it appears to be liaison and information sharing between various police forces, transit authorities port authorities as well as any mentions of the Occupy movement in documents – mainly in briefings about the potential for violence (both against the Occupy movement or those who might seek to take advantage of the movement). Looks pretty routine stuff though.
11. Rogue Trooper 11

    31 December 2012 at 6:49 pm

    -squeaky whinge gets the oil
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f9XiQgMDuw
    (love the clydesdales; worker horses Toddy, workers!)

    Nature, enter me; thats the fourmyula Don!

    What about When The River Runs Dry?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD-58aVlPYk

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrPrl3l-UB8
    Ring any bells?

    any symbol may be “intimidating”; picture this,
    your telephone number; picture this;
    a sky full of thunder…
    I will give you my finest hour
    the one I spent, watching you shower…

    Now, while everybody’s entitled to an opinion, free speech, Not!
    (believe there is a mole in the hole)

    Puddly-KISS (keep it simple) I find helpful, although I have outgrown
    -“I Was Made For Lovin’ You, “Shandi” and “Sure Know Something”; dropped the mask

    Tell us a story, tell us a story, tell us a story, so we can paint it Red
    The Man With ONe Name, King of Glory
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqj61J-J8s
    we have to carry some sort of cross, be it voluntary, or involuntary
    and, I believe, he’s Everywhere; just a takes Time to become a servant
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFqg2HfljEg
    (I understand this is not everybody’s Way, yet I am livin Day to Day proof, so far, that His Way
    Works; a theory yet to be disproved)

    or, we could always waltz
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvPFhR4D2eU

    -Little Joe
12. Rogue Trooper 12

    31 December 2012 at 7:31 pm

    something to Hack into;
    http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Hacker-Warns-of-State-Spying-/story.xhtml?story_id=130004HFKKYK

    heres a Chinese puzzle
    http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/World+News

    News of the World
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_of_the_World_%28album%29
    (no need to enter the rat race)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTDWvM9BaRI

    RNZ-our Groser emissions have gone up-Kennedy Graham-our carbon costs are going to compound
    as the markets get sharper

    Giddy up- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2W3aG8uizA

    ya sure gotta friend in The Breeze, unlees you’re basing Operation Deep Freeze

    Happy New Year to the Bereans- Verria Excellent; keep to the left Berm of the mountain-side

    Mum Ford and Sons are a catchy band to escort you through life’s trials and tribulations.

    here’s a Brave New World
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPJNKuC1ARw
    (We’re Blood Brothers)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SDrqr4gb9U
    These Colours Don’t Run
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhboyKhhaCw

    Hallowed Be Thy Name
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J51LPlP-s9o

    -Charlotte
13. Rogue Trooper 13

    31 December 2012 at 7:55 pm

    i only read cam magazine when we are looking for the same steam roller so any bait is wasted
    (bait-shy); leave it for possums caught in the headlines

    There must be something in the water in H.B Brooke, makes me feel like you do

    NZH-“Chemical Warfare” Brothers (along with Propaganda); the drugs don’t work, they just make things worse; get a new drug, One won’t make ya sick-Huey, Dewey, Lewis and The News; it’s Not
    Morse code, and I think to myself What A Wonderful World. Upon This church we shall build our
    Rock.

    SuperTramp, Give a little bit, or Crime of The Century? (Right, right you’re bloody well right)
    http://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/supertramp/
    or
    Radar Love-Golden Earring

    Gonna Sink The Nisshin Maru, gonna run her down, sink The Nisshu Maru, she’s gonna run aground

    talkin with an Army Officer, he says the spiraling down of society and poverty winding up is obvious (Architecture)
    to him and he’s 80; been S.A all his life, born into it (like me)

    Fall onto this
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPsMqcmA0K8

    -Peter (Deep, It Cuts You Up. Bauhaus-“Telegram Sam”)
    • Rogue Trooper 13.1

      31 December 2012 at 8:43 pm

      press inserts
      -Gaza suffering under an attack of H1N1
      -Eva Morales has further nationalized energies and utilities
      -Are Hauraki lowering The Jolly Roger, Devlin eggs, and i was just startin’ a roll
14. Rogue Trooper 14

    31 December 2012 at 9:29 pm

    some light reading I flicked through
    William Boyd- Ordinary Thunderstorms
    Victor Villasenor- Beyond Rain of Gold
    Lieut. Col. Don Woodland- Picking Up The Pieces
    John Agar -Science in The Twentieth Century and Beyond
    Brian Clegg -Light Years
    Tyler Stoddard Smith- Whore Stories
    Colm Toibin- Love In A Dark Time : gay lives from Wilde to Almodovar
    Dannion Brinkley with Kathryn Brinkley- Secrets of The Light

    “At fifteen, I set my mind upon learning. At thirty, I took my stand. At forty, I had no doubts.
    At fifty, I knew the will of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was attuned. At seventy, I follow all the desires of my heart without breaking any rule”

    -Confucius

    Brian Sibley- The Thomas The Tank Engine Man :the story of the Rev. W. Awdrey and his really useful Engines

    (overlooked some new Trout Fishing book; idle thoughts and I don’t believe the fish enjoy being out of water; tickle them if you’re hungry)

    and, to balance the scales covering our eyes;

    Daniel Pick- The Pursuit of the N. Mind : H., Hess and the analysts
    Bill Yenne- Himm : Master of The Dark Arts; Himm. Black Knights and The Occult: Origins of The
    SS.
    Ralf Georg Reuth- Goebb :The Mephistophelian Genius Of N. Propaganda

    It’s a Livin Thing…It’s a givin’ thing…what a terrible thing to lose…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiYdFbH4nNw -Lynn
    (theres’ gonna be a Showdown)

    p s. e = mc2 : Big Audio Dynamite

    Happy New Year and this Big Little Book The Big Questions : God by Mark Vernon is Excellent
    (like The Standard)

    6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument,

    6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure,

    7:3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever,

    7:6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi /s

    7:7 And without a doubt, the lesser person is blessed by the greater,

    7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be change of the law,

    7:14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothin’ about priests

    7:21 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever””

    7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

    28 Degrees Celsius tomorrow; out with the old and in with the new.

    Love Will Tear Us Apart (thanks for the aroha)

    -John Wayne (howdy Pilgrims)
    • The Al1en 14.1

      31 December 2012 at 10:00 pm

      To be one hundred percent honest with you, Rogue, I have no idea what that’s about, but as an avid 2000AD reader, Gunnar’s still got your back

      Get an old Xbox1 off trade me, and I’ll send you the Rogue Trooper game.
      Promise
15. xtasy 15

    1 January 2013 at 12:16 am

    HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 ALL!

    A new year that may prove to be more crucial, more markable, more course determining than the tit for tat kind of political year 2012 has started.

    I am NOT celebrating at all, choosing to spend a quiet night at home, even reading on here and writing this post.

    When living in Europe I remember how the New Year was much celebrated, with heaps of fireworks and special shows on television, for those not able or interested to go out and party, but here NADA!

    There was this nonsense hype talk about Freeview a few years back, but now that TVNZ has done a deal with Sky, it seems Freeview is the poor and ignorants’ choice for televised programs.

    Gone have Stratos, gone has TVNZ7, gone will soon be Triangle (in Auckland), and Maori TV, which is only broadcasting half of the day, is the only truly publicly funded broadcasting channel still running.

    TVNZ with One and Two are low level crap, TV3 is always struggling to survive and bear in mind the paymasters, and Prime is the little open channel, that Sky share with the rest of the downtrodden, unable or unwilling to afford Sky.

    Why not go all the way and set up international satellite TV access for your home, if you want to spend money, or soon we may have more on the internet.

    Broadcasting in NZ is dying, and it is dismal what is left. Radio NZ is the only radio service still really “publicly funded”. Even that is being compromised more and more.

    I hold this shit government accountable to ruin what was left of it, and Steven Joice and Key deserve to be locked away for this, for many years, in solitary confinement.

    NZ broadcasting is becoming totally commercialised bored-casting, and it is a total disgrace, when compared what the rest of the “developed” world in Europe and even the US and certainly Australia is able to still keep alive.

    Shame, shame and shame on you rotten lot, who brought this about!
16. kiwicommie 16

    1 January 2013 at 2:04 am

    Sky has a total monopoly, it is like Telecom before unbundling.
    • xtasy 16.1

      1 January 2013 at 2:58 am

      Strange how the supposed “free market” goes exactly back to old forms of power and dominance, but not for the benefit of all, it is the clear result of free market ideology and policy, as every market player of significance will only see a monopoly as the ultimate goal to achieve.

      You are correct and that is where NZ is heading.

      Replacing more publicly and state owned assets, enterprises and whatever, with a cream on the cake serving for the profit oriented private enterprise advocates and investors.

      No wonder Hooton and Fran O’Sullivan are now even trying to lobby via the Standard now!?

      Wakey, wakey, those that have not celebrated too much and drunk too much tonight.

      All the best anyway.

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