The courage of their convictions

Written By: - Date published: 11:21 am, February 26th, 2012 - 68 comments
Categories: activism, Conservation, Mining - Tags: , , ,

While most of us talk about “saving the world” some people act.

I have a lot of respect for the Greenpeace activists, including headline-woman Lucy Lawless, who are occupying a Shell Oil drilling ship, to prevent its departure to start drilling operations in the Arctic.

Now in their third day of occupation atop a high tower, and attracting international attention, the six remaining activists are hanging on in dangerous and difficult conditions.

They planned their protest carefully so as not to endanger others, or interfere with the operation of the ship. But they are breaking the law, and thus all willingly risking the legal consequences (and possible career damage etc).

Of course many from the right wing of politics will condemn them as law breakers. But what is a sane person to do when the law is an ass, and the world has gone mad? In my opinion the actions of these protestors are fully justified, entirely rational, and very very brave. From the guilty comfort of my ergonomic chair and the safety of my keyboard, I salute you all.

68 comments on “The courage of their convictions ”

  1. Anne 1

    Hear, hear… I salute their bravery.

    These are the kind of people whose names will be writ large in the history books.

  2. ianmac 2

    Very true. Courage of convictions and action to go with it. Of course the breaking of law (lawless?) can be a problem. We make laws to protect people and property – don’t we? And breaking laws is always wrong – isn’t it? Remember that the main reason that National Standards were supported by many seemed to be that to not do as the Government said, was breaking the law and lawbreakers should be sacked. Yes?
    In both cases the protests seem to be legitimate. When Authorities appear to ignore concerns (Asset Sales, Crafar Farms, Arctic drilling, National Standards) then the brave must be supported. Go Lucy, lawless or not!

  3. fender 3

    Apparently if Shell have a stuff-up and their oil well starts pumping oil into the Arctic sea just prior to a northern winter theres nothing they can do until the following summer. This means billions of crude could be leaking for months without anything being done to stop it. This would be the real crime and the damage would be far worse than anything we have seen before.

  4. Let the boat sail today as planned with them on board – that’s dedication.
    Has the Welsh Greenman Gareth Hughes joined them yet ? – he said he would today.

  5. Wayne 5

    Firstly why is drilling in the Artic necessarily bad?

    Secondly it has nothing to do with courage, but everything to do with attention seeking by rich Westerners with nothing else to do with their time.

    Most people are working hard to barely make ends meet.

    It is only people with enough financial security, who have time for such self-indulgent nonsense.

    • ron 5.1

      That’s one of the funniest things I ever read this week, Wayne. You’re seriously asking why there ,might be concerns about drilling in the Arctic? I’ll let you look that one up.
      And you’re dismissing the protest because the people protesting have the resources to protest. I agree. I watched a bunch of middle class people wasting their time indulging themselves last night – it was disgusting. Most people are struggling to make ends meet and yet here were all these people in a big stadium wasting their time. The only reason they were there is because they could afford to be self indulgent and waste their time. And as for the players! What a joke. Why weren’t they doing something useful? Like…I dunno…..working to create a safer, more sustainable planet…..?
      Are you suggesting that the only people who should be allowed to protest are poor people who can’t afford to protest? Or are you suggesting that no-one should protest anything?

      • Macro 5.1.1

        He can’t read ron.
        Not even the comment above his own….

        • McFlock 5.1.1.1

          Be fair – it might not have been posted when he started the comment.
          I wouldn’t be surprised if it took him 45mins to look up “self indulgent”.

  6. Wayne 6

    I say the authorities should indulge these protesters wish to be seen as brave, and chase them off the ship with police dogs and batons. Crack their fucking heads.

    • felix 6.1

      Wayne, I wish to apologise.

      In previous threads I’ve called you a racist, a f@cist, a cultural imperialist, a philistine, a homophobe, a hateful little fuck, a totalitarian, an authoritarian, and a number of other unkind things.

      The more you comment here, the more I see that you’re not like that at all.

    • fender 6.2

      You are a total prick Wayneker. You are everything Felix says you are and more.
      Why don’t you get back on your mountain bike and practice your back-flips off the Kelburn Viaduct, and don’t bother wearing a crash helmet as your brain couldn’t become any more damaged than it already is.

    • Macro 6.3

      gezz I never knew dogs were so clever!
      They can abseil an all!
      What an idiot!

      • Wayne 6.3.1

        whoops!

        Maybe then take the tops of their heads off with a 7.62x51mm M40 sniper’s rifle?

        See how long they can continue their protest with half their heads missing. If they can manage that, all power to em!

        God…these types of people make me sick.

        [lprent: Banned permanently. Giving space to such an idiot is making me feel sick. Another fucking gutless armchair warrior without as much intelligence as a rabid dog, and no understanding of what makes a democracy work. Shooting protesters? ]

        [Thanks Lynn. As mentioned before I’ve been tempted to ban this guy repeatedly for some weeks now; instead I fell back on the ‘givem enuff rope’ principle, however sickening it got. In one sense he rather fascinated me. He isn’t a troll in the usual sense, nor is he uneducated or an ‘idiot’.

        Usually trolls know they are being idiots; Wayne on the other hand will make an apparently outrageous statement… and then proceed to defend himself with considerable depth and some skill. He really believes in what he says.

        I took the trouble of showing some of Wayne’s contributiuons to a Chinese colleague of mine last week; her response came in two parts.. one was yes he is almost surely a Chinese national, and two the country is full of these noxious Little Emperors. She thought it was not so much the effect of being a single child, but a whole generation of young men brought up with an aggressively privileged outlook on life. Then she quietly said… “Why do you think I live in this country, so far from my parents?”….RedLogix]

  7. Carol 7

    And this was tweeted by Lawless today:

    http://twitter.com/#!/RealLucyLawless

    RadioNZ has informed us that a Petrobras tanker ran aground off Antarctica 12/11. Cover-up. Follow this story. @GreenpeaceNZ #SaveTheArctic

    And there are also updates on the occupation being tweeted here:

    http://twitter.com/#!/GreenpeaceNZ

  8. grumpy 8

    Sea Shepherd are brave, these are just attention seeking morons chasing a lost cause. Faded TV stars looking for relevance.

    • infused 8.1

      Pretty much. Altho her titties are nice in Spartacus.

      Reading her twitter I am shacking my head. What rubbish.

      • seeker 8.1.1

        infused- you should be very ashamed of this tacky, debased comment about a very courageous and principled mother.

        • grumpy 8.1.1.1

          Nah, nothing she has done (especially Sparticus) has led me to believe she is anything other than an airhead who gets her top off.
          Who next??? Paris Hilton, Britney Spears???????

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1.1

            Paris Hilton has already been seen climbing atop a pole.

          • Carol 8.1.1.1.2

            Actually, Lawless is not a great actress, but I don’t believe she is an airhead. She’s OK in certain acting parts, but she can be quite sharp in interviews. She may turn out to be better in the political arena than as an actor.

            PS: most Hollywood actresses, starlets, airheads and minor celebrities, would make a big effort to avoid being in the public eye in a hard hat and overall, without all the plastic make-up, designer clothes etc., and unable to shower for a few days on end.

            • infused 8.1.1.1.2.1

              She is a good actor. She is great in Spartacus. One of the best shows I’ve seen since Boardwalk Empire.

              It was some just tongue in cheek. Don’t stress guys.

    • fender 8.2

      Yeah looking for relevance grumpy….relevance for the planet to sustain humans in the future, despite the irrelevance of many of those very humans e.g: grumpy, infused (jerking off over Lucys chest), wayne (good riddance wayneker) gosman et al

  9. I have plenty of respect for Lucy Lawless as an actress but none for getting on a ship, and hiding behind slogans. It’s sad she is so dedicated but she doesn’t realise she’s a skirt to hide behind and is probably being used by others the visibility her fame and money brings to the political cause.

    • Macro 9.1

      Talkabout absolute nonsense! Yes LL’s presence gets media attention both in NZ and around the world.. But she stands up for what she knows is right, and has done so for some years now.
      This protest is not about slogans, it’s about drawing attention to the environmental dangers of oil exploration in the Arctic, and the consequences to global warming of trying to continue with business as usual.

    • muzza 9.2

      Or maybe she actually gives a fuck, and understands that her “being well known” will gain more peoples attention, than if she were a nobody…..sad as that might be, given the importance of the cause/message I wouls say that more attention would be preferred to less!

      Lets get a piece going about who on the boards actually actively participates somehow other than blog…

      Off you go Monique!

      • Colonial Viper 9.2.1

        Hey don’t grumble, Monique is doing her bit by providing “a skirt” for Peter Dunne and Pete George to hide behind!

  10. Good on you Lucy, I admire your courage.

    BUT, even if every human left the planet tonight, the environment will still hit temperatures that will lead to the extinction of all manuals. We are locked into runaway GW now, peak oil is just the icing on the cake, go home and relax, it is all to little to late, the human experiment is just about over, and in several million years time, life will carry on, without us.

    Watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMWzjrRiBg An animated documentary about resource depletion & the impossibility of infinite growth on a finite planet…. or why KiwiSaver will never payout, at least to people under 55 😉

    Greenpeace like the green party are part of the problem
    watch this to understand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hx-G1uhRqA even Capitan Paul Watson agrees

    • McFlock 10.1

      even if every human left the planet tonight, the environment will still hit temperatures that will lead to the extinction of all manuals.

       
      at least the automatics will be okay, then. I was worried for a moment.

      • grumpy 10.1.1

        Well spotted McFlock. However, it’s a bit obvious how desperate the AGW flat earthers are getting now their “science” is being blown apart – from both sides…..

        • McFlock 10.1.1.1

          “blown apart”? In your dreams.
           
          I just disagree with the concept of futility of action.

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1

            Its the futility of inaction which is going to get us. Mind you, I dont think climate change is the problem our civilisation faces. That’s 100 years down the track. Significant energy depletion is a mere 5-10 years away, and the early crests of it are already buffetting us.

        • Robert Atack 10.1.1.2

          Not that I should be replying to a non person, but just for the record I bet the ten year old kid who spotted the kings naked butt, and spoke up about it, couldn’t spell to well?
          But good laugh anyway )
          McFlock
          Bailing steerage with a thimble wouldn’t be a futile action to you?
          We are passed the point of no return, the ice berg is in the rear view mirror, you can dream as much as you like about ‘positive action’ it doesn’t matter, the only thing you can do is discourage any new children, and that is not to make the environment better, or even slow what is under way, it will just mean every child NOT born is one that will not suffer what is already in action, and that is as positive as I can be. Hence my middle name.
          Even the occupy movement was about just getting a bigger cut of the pie, which is in fact the planet.
          So do whatever cranks your handle, but don’t fool yourself that it will change a bloody thing.

          • McFlock 10.1.1.2.1

            Meh.
             
            In that case I might as well grab a laugh where I can – you’re the one who suggested we should be relaxed about it!
              
            Interesting philosophical point about hether not living is better than living in the next 70 years. Should we all just suicide now?

            • Grumpy 10.1.1.2.1.1

              The more I think about it, Tamar Iti had the right idea…….

            • Robert Atack 10.1.1.2.1.2

              70? more like 25years )
              http://www.youtube.com/user/oilcrash1#p/a/f/0/yOq2A_SGTYA
              http://www.youtube.com/user/oilcrash1#p/a/f/1/q4Czw3Y_ARE

              Suicide, will only reduce personal suffering, many many people will choose this option though. Better to top yourself than be stored for food … ala The Road.
              It is not my fault in anyway, I do not have children, as much good luck as good management.All I’m doing is pointing out the facts, you can get as insulting and cry baby as you like, throw as many tantrums as you like, it still doesn’t change a thing, ‘we’ didn’t deal with reality when it might have done some good, so now it is reality’s turn to deal with us.
              If you have children then bad luck, but again it is not my fault, if you have children under 10 then I guess if I had done a better job maybe I could have saved you some heartache, but alas I was just one broken arssed nut job back then.
              http://oilcrash.com/articles/struggle.htm

              • McFlock

                tantrums? I just made a joke based on a typo. And really, if it’s all futile and we’re all dead within 25 years, who gives a shit whether we go there laughing or just constantly saying “but we’re all doomed, you know”.
                       
                I just think the real terror of existence is turning up to a dinner party to find you at the table.  

                • Draco T Bastard

                  And really, if it’s all futile and we’re all dead within 25 years, who gives a shit whether we go there laughing or just constantly saying “but we’re all doomed, you know”.

                  The most important thing now is to pass along how we screwed up and how some people didn’t want to listen.

                  • McFlock

                    But if Robert’s right, there’s nobody to pass it on to.
                    What are we going to do- etch a message for aliens or intelligent dinosaurs “it wasn’t me”?
                         
                    And if we go to Mad Max, they won’t give a shit. They’ll have other things to worry about.
                          
                     

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Very doubtful that the population of the planet will fall under 1.5B or maybe 2.0B under all but the very worst case scenarios. Humans are pretty damn good at surviving.

                    • McFlock

                      I tend to agree, but think that’s probably a low count. But better than zero.

                • Sorry McF not talking about your manual comment as a ‘tantrum’ I’m talking about things like protesting, the ‘Arab spring’, people going out on strike for better conditions, the occupy movement, etc,
                  Thinks are fast going to crap, that is what post peak oil looks like, it will only get worse, it has to.
                  Lets pretend that ‘we’ could reverse what is in motion, to even come close to changing what is in motion we would need something like 80% unemployment, no personal cars, no flying, no luxury cruses, and a moratorium on new children.
                  Now I know no one is going to go along with voluntary destitution, Key and co are heading in the right direction as far as slowing down the insane breeding numbers in NZ, but it is just not enough.
                  And when I started trying to wake up the general dumb public 12 years ago, I thought all I needed to do was show people the facts, alas people just did not want to know, and it was an utter waste of $25,000+ and thousands of hours of effort.
                  Just for fun I would love to hear what you have been up to over the past decade, and what you plane to do to inform people?
                  This was my attempt http://oilcrash.com/articles/struggle.htm now you do better. .

                  • McFlock

                    What have I been up to in the last ten years? Getting drunk, smoking, and working on safety issues in my local community, among other things.

                    I think what we’re seeing now aren’t so much the effects of peak oil (although it’s helped with food prices) as the transition from global dominance of one power into the commercial and military dominance of another power.

                    But there will probably be water wars in the next twenty years. Personally I’m wondering if Israel will take a bit more of Syria and Lebanon in the period after Assad tumbling (not 100% that he will fall, but it will jiggle the board in interesting ways if he does).

                    I think NZ will miss most of the interesting times in the short (decades) period, though. We’re nice and far away, with enough places in between us and anyone else that other powers will step in before the imperialist armies get here.

                    It’s the AGW and ocean acidification that have potential to screw us.

                    $25k? Should have spent it on whiskey.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      I think what we’re seeing now aren’t so much the effects of peak oil (although it’s helped with food prices) as the transition from global dominance of one power into the commercial and military dominance of another power.

                      And that is a power transition driven by many factors, including energy prices. Higher fuel costs is effectively a tax on every dollar of GDP that the productive economy produces.

                      I’d also argue that for the US, Iraq and Libya were projects partly driven by peak oil (a lack of cheaper easier oil reserves); and the massive cost and logistical complexity of the Afghanistan war is absolutely to do with fuel supply shortages.

                      You can see the US military urgently moving to low fuel foot print technologies, surgical drone strikes instead of massive strategic bombers and this is one of the driving motivations. Interestingly, the US military is way ahead on peak oil thinking. They have to be since an armored division can chug down a million litres of fuel a month without blinking.

                    • McFlock

                      Fuel costs hit China, too. Not as badly because of the trade surplus with the US, but still there.
                          
                      Libya and Iraq definitely involved oil, but I think more as cash for the corporate interests than oil scarcity per se. Afghanistan was largely an afterthought operation, as indicated by the priority given it compared with Iraq by the Bush presidency.
                         
                      Drones are popular because they’re cheap and hard to detect, compared with a B52. That’s why they’re especially useful in precision operations and going across borders – the old “whoops, we accidentally lost contact, fucking microsoft” excuse, with no Francis Gary powers to contradict you.
                       
                      They still used the full spectrum of aircraft. And they still run tanks with jet engines.
                       

      • felix 10.1.2

        It’s always polite to leave a manual in the glove box for the next species who gets to drive your planet.

        Although you’d expect them to know the basics like checking the oil and keeping an eye on the temperature.

  11. Drakula 11

    I love Lucy!!! Good on you, may a thousand fortunes fall on you, you are showing the world what a dangerous and stupid risk these oil companies are prepared to take for the sake of the old retrograde technology and the almighty dollar!!!!

  12. james 111 12

    Would be really great if the ship weighs anchor and steams off with them up the mast all the way to Alaska.
    Then make them fly back at their own cost after slapping them with a very hefty fine for tresspass absolute muppets, not getting the media exposure they want all going a bit pear shape really

    • Galeandra 12.1

      Still looking for some strictly biological satisfaction then, James? A bit of really visceral hate– better than sex, eh?

  13. Gosman 13

    It be interesting to see a list of the laws that people here deem confortable with breaking. I suspect it would fit nicely with their ideological bias. I presume it wouldn’t include tax evasion or people refusing to follow regulations regarding their private property.

    The trouble is if you decide which laws to follow and which to ignore you open yourself up for a world of unintended consequences.

    I have no problem with lawful protests but if you disagree with a law work to get it changed to something you would prefer. That is after all what democracy is all about.

    • McFlock 13.1

      The sound of a tool who’s “just following orders”

    • Pascal's bookie 13.2

      Gossy, civil disobedience is a profoundly democratic act, and one that at heart relies quite precisely on a deep respect for the rule of law.

      the point you seem to miss is that people engaging in civil disobedience are not asking to be able to ‘do whatever they want’. Nor are they saying that ‘the law shouldn’t apply to me’.

      The main thing they doing is saying ‘arrest me, and see how it works out for you, politically speaking’.

      They may or may not be wise in such a request. That goes without saying. But id sdoesn’t change the fact that what they are doing is democratic in nature. they are throwing themselves against the state, and seeing if the demos will stand with, or against, them. You can’t get much more democratic than that.

      ‘Do as you’re told’, isn’t actually a very democratic way of going about protest.

    • fender 13.3

      Yes you are so right Gosman;
      It would be far better to donate large sums of cash to the Nact cause in order to change the laws, how silly are these protesters don’t they know the appropriate RWNJ method of change(?).

  14. I’m not saying it’s a good idea to frig around in the Arctic. I am saying if you are going to enter politics make sure you’re not being pimped out for no real gain.

    http://nowoccupy.blogspot.com/2012/02/strange-men-take-advantage-of-lawless.html

  15. grumpy 15

    I understand the boat is moving now – probably to refuel. Further, that if they stay on the boat after it sails, the offence is piracy.

    She will be arrested and we can only wait to see if the resulting charges are enough to interfere with her immigration status in the US. Might be a career ending protest.

    Well done to the slogan spouting air head.

  16. Bored 16

    Lucy’s presence has been worth the media cover for her cause….now its time to get off the boat and leave.

    In case anybody is unaware that I am decidedly sympathetic with the message of the protesters here is the downside. Lucy will no doubt travel to Auckland across bitumen roads in a petroleum guzzling vehicle which has a few hundred barrels of embedded oil energy contained in its manufacture. And when she makes her next Hollywood movie its off on a petroleum product consuming aeroplane.

    Nice protest but the issue is so much greater than saving the Arctic or a few whales. Its systemic, and whilst awareness gets raised it offers the general public (you and I with our petroleum based lifestyle) nothing but warm fuzzies.

  17. Kevin 17

    Ms Lawless is now the poster girl for Greenpeace and no doubt we will hear more from her in the future.
    The issue which she is campaigning against, oil exploration in the Arctic Circle, has been under way for many years:
    http://en.mercopress.com/2011/08/31/exxon-clinches-arctic-oil-exploration-deal-with-a-russian-government-company
    http://www.industryweek.com/articles/study_urges_canada_to_suspend_arctic_oil_exploration_due_to_disaster_risk_25563.aspx
    Therefore Lucy’s protest is relatively late to the issue.

  18. johnm 18

    Good on Lucy Lawless! Though for a ageing 60s person like me it seems all too late.Whatever happens climate change will process on, I think we need to predict and adapt including voluntary population reduction. However:

    Really great article about these issues for those who can’t be bothered to worry about them too much!Only limited time to consider. Shows the position we are now in as a global civilisation.

    “climate change, Peak energy & resources” by Alice Friedemann

    “Until a miracle happens, scientists and some enlightened policy makers are trying to extend the age of oil, reduce greenhouse gases, and so on. But with the downside of Hubbert’s curve so close, and the financial system liable to crash again soon given the debt and lack of reforms, I don’t know how long anyone can stretch things out.”

    Refer link:http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-02-25/peak-energy-resources-climate-change-and-preservation-knowledge

    “The 1% can’t justify their wealth or the current economic system once the pie stops expanding and starts to shrink. The financial crisis will be a handy way to explain why people are getting poorer on the down side of peak oil too, delaying panic perhaps.
    Other evidence that politicians know how serious the situation is, but aren’t saying anything, are Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s youtube videos (Urban Danger). He’s the Chairman of the peak oil caucus in the House of Representatives, and he’s saying “get out of dodge” to those in the know. He’s educated all of the representatives in the House, but he says that peak oil “won’t be on their front burner until there’s an oil shock”.

    Fossil fuel age – fossil energy based civilisation – by product: emissions and climate change with temporary exponential growth now at an end plus environmental destruction – hubbert downside = dramatic decline of the previous. Very different World heading our way! Sorry if that’s scary! Really!

  19. Conway Captain 19

    Once again we have the hypocritical attention seeking Z lister star protesting about oil drilling.

    This is a person building a huge mansion in Orakei using cranes, concrete etc, flies around the world making movies that use a lot of natural resources, drives bug flash cars and then prptests about oil drilling.

    Wears synthetic fibres, natural fibres that have been grown using oil based fertilisrers etc and then grand stands.

    • felix 19.1

      I drive a car.

      Does that mean I’m not allowed to complain about the oil industry? What about the motor industry?

      If I drive on roads, am I not allowed to complain about the government?

      Please explain the rules, I’m finding them confusing.

    • fender 19.2

      ey ey captain, cant protest these things if you dont live a stoneage existence.

      get real captain con way

  20. johnm 20

    Climate Change is happening and if we burn the rest of the Oil and Coal Climate Hellish disruption at the least can be expected.

    “Why Britain could face years of freezing winters because of the dramatic decline in Arctic sea ice
    There is less Arctic sea ice now than there has been at any time in the past 1,450 years.

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2107255/Why-Britain-face-years-freezing-winters-dramatic-decline-Arctic-sea-ice.html#ixzz1ncRUyouO

    “Imagine the Arctic as a (huge) domestic freezer with the thermostat keeping the freezer well below freezing. Now turn off the power (and probably add warmth from climate change). When frozen solid, the freezer would keep most of it’s cold in a small area……but now, as it warms, very cold water (and air) begins to spread out. In terms of your domestic freezer, there’s now a spreading puddle of melting ice on the floor. Makes sense therefore that the chilling effect will move away from the poles – albeit to a lesser degree as it comes across warmer climates to the south, giving us some quite nasty winters to come.”

    But if we go cold turkey on fossil fuels our ancient sunlight civilisation crumbles back to to an 18c energy diet without the small population of that time. We are darned if we do and darned if we don’t.

    When is the return of a AFewKnowTheTruth going to happen; he’s pretty clued up on all this?

  21. johnm 21

    Again showing Lucy Lawless and Greenpeace are right: Part of the devastation of fossil fueled climate change will be even bigger forest fires :

    “There Will Be Fire: The ‘Carbon Bomb’ ‘Waiting to Be Ignited’
    Scientist: With climate change fires will become more frequent, more intense and harder to stop.”

    refer link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/02/27-2

    “I am not a religious person, but I do see this as punishment for stupidity and greed. We have dishonored God, which to me is the gift of the life-giving planet earth and the ability of people to act with intelligence and love. Sadly, as always, it is the innocent people and creatures who will suffer the most. To me, the most important thing we can do is to cut down on fossil fuels IMMEDIATELY. That will mean confronting the corporations who are so heavily invested in this and drastically revising what we think we need. I truly do not see any other path for the viability of most life on earth. ”

    To me, the most important thing we can do is to cut down on fossil fuels IMMEDIATELY. That will mean confronting the corporations who are so heavily invested in this and drastically revising what we think we need. I truly do not see any other path for the viability of most life on earth.

    The above is the point of the protest

  22. johnm 22

    Must be all Sci-Fi surely? Climate Change can’t really be that bad ,anyway it hasn’t happened yet.

    “Crossing the line as civilization implodes”

    “Humanity is putting its foot on the accelerator even though the world’s top scientists and governments have repeatedly explained we are headed over a cliff. The people who will suffer the most are people who have not contributed to this impending catastrophe — future generations and the poorest among us.

    This is such a colossally immoral and unethical act — collectively and in many cases individually — that most people, including the overwhelming majority of the so-called intelligentsia, simply choose to ignore it on a daily basis. That won’t save a livable climate, however, nor it will stop future generations from cursing our names.”

    Refer link:http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-02-27/crossing-line-civilization-implodes-heartland-institute-peter-gleick-and-andrew-r

    The issue is a bit more important than a charge of trumped up “Burglary” on an oil derrick.

    “Even the formerly reticent Lonnie Thompson explained why he and other climatologists are speaking out: “Virtually all of us are now convinced that global warming poses a clear and present danger to civilization.” He continues:

    That bold statement may seem like hyperbole, but there is now a very clear pattern in the scientific evidence documenting that the earth is warming, that warming is due largely to human activity, that warming is causing important changes in climate, and that rapid and potentially catastrophic changes in the near future are very possible. This pattern emerges not, as is so often suggested, simply from computer simulations, but from the weight and balance of the empirical evidence as well.”

  23. johnm 23

    James Hansen explains the grave consequences of not tackling Climate Change. To charge Lucy Lawless with burglary is a sign of the incredible petty mindedness even imbecility of our leaders.

    Link: http://www.commondreams.org/video/2012/03/07-0

    Hansen dramatically explains that due to the forcing of increasing co2 levels the Earth is picking up and retaining the energy equivalent of 4000 Hiroshima bombs every day 365 days a year. He also talks of positive feedback loops such as melting tundra and permafrost and ice sheet melt.

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  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 hours ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    20 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

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