Daily review 05/03/2019

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 167 comments
Categories: Daily review

Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

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

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

167 comments on “Daily review 05/03/2019”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

      3. 1.1.3

        Ms Ardern is brilliant. She wipes the floor with him every time.

        Heard her being interviewed on the jihadi guy. The interviewer appeared to be trying to get her to say she felt compassion for him and she just didn’t go there. Very skillful.

        And yes Bridges is hapless

        1. 1.1.4.1

          God what a load of dribble Audrey writes.

          It’s completely pointless questioning because the govt haven’t even said yet what bits they will support of the tax working groups recommendations

        3. 1.1.4.3

          It’s a hospital pass that Ardern keeps passing to herself, and she will keep getting smashed. She has no commercial experience and pretending that her time at an NGO is sort of kind of like running a small business is cringeworthy.

          1. 1.1.4.3.1

            She should just say that if they think a society or a country is like a business – no wonder they left the place in such an effing mess.
            No comparison, no discernible equivalence, entirely different sorts of human beings required for the two jobs.

            1. 1.1.4.3.1.1

              There are too many poorly-run businesses in NZ. People believing it’s somehow a qualification to govern a nation is a reflection of the same unambitious ignorance.

            2. 1.1.4.3.1.2

              She should just say that if they think a society or a country is like a business – no wonder they left the place in such an effing mess.
              No comparison, no discernible equivalence, entirely different sorts of human beings required for the two jobs.

              People in NZ who own small businesses (think “John Smith Plumber Ltd”) are worried about how the Tax Working Group’s recommendations might affect them.

              Whenever the PM says something like “Trust me I understand your concerns I know all about the pressures of owning a small business because I was once President of the International Union of Socialist Youth” that sounds so tonedeaf it’s practically a let them eat cake moment.

              These moments are entirely avoidable. She just needs to stop claiming that she’s ever had any involvement or experience in running a small business, or that her sheltered taxpayer-funded political work history has given her any sort of understanding of what it’s like to work in a small self-owned business. But for some reason she keeps making these hospital passes, and she keeps getting smashed.

    2. 1.2

      My God they’re in a rage over the latest polls! This is when the true character of the “nasty party” is laid bare for all to see.

      This line of questioning has started with the Prime Minister, but it will likely spread to include other ministers. The constant needling and efforts to discredit them over something in their past will be an attempt to provoke one or more of them into losing their cool.

      However, I get the impression Trevor Mallard saw it coming and he’s ready for them.

      1. 1.2.1

        You bet Anne, and the “nasty” party hasn’t even got a head of steam on yet. If Labour internal polling is correct wait till the next round of colmar/Reid polls are released, then we will see the true ugly face of blue panic.

    1. 2.1

      Long past time we had a bit more shipping. Wasn’t so very long ago we were a major shipping nation.

      1. 2.1.1

        Really efficient and inexpensive transport but all the former coastal shipping companies have all been sold off I believe, and new ships don’t come cheap.

        1. 2.1.1.1

          The skills don’t either. Pretty new ships with raw crews tend to lose a bit of paint. That said, coastal trade boats are well within local capacity to build. If govt were serious about reducing carbon, getting freight on water would be a priority.

    2. 2.2

      Whanganui port- Castlecliff
      https://www.castlecliff.nz/port

      Castlecliff port in the 18th & early 19th centuries was the transit point for goods into and produce out of the central North Island region. Improvements in road transport however made the last half century one of decline for the port.
      It would take some freight away from Wellington port and the cross channel ferries. And if Wellington was damaged by an earthquake, there would be an alternative link with the South Island.

      Trucks could divert to Whanganui, perhaps passing through New Plymouth and taking the fairly flat coastal route to the Whanganui port and from there would be an apparently direct sea route from there to Motueka.

      Also wikipedia says there is a secondary rail line –
      Marton – Wanganui – Hawera – New Plymouth for freight only.

      There is no rail from Motueka, the freight for further south would have to go by truck either by the inland route to Maruia, Springs Junction, Culverden and then Christchurch.

      Or going to Marlborough it would be the route across the twisty Whangamoas, quite a good road but quite a climb, then flat to Blenheim. There is a railway platform there and a loading site there. Presumably it would go on the Main North Line betweeen Picton and Christchurch.

      Information from Kiwirail Freight –
      Using the rail network
      From fixed schedule shuttle trains designed specifically for container movements, to domestic freight trains, or ‘hook and tow’ options for those customers with their own equipment.KiwiRail Freight is a cost-efficient linehaul transport provider for bulk-commodity or containerised freight.

      In November 2018 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that KiwiRail is to get $40 million from the Provincial Growth Fund, to provide a year-round service by the Coastal Pacific and to upgrade the Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton stations.[11]

      KiwiRail committed to inland freight hub
      15 November 2018 9:09AM
      The Government’s $40m investment in a new freight hub near Palmerston North will ready the Manawatu-Whanganui region for the coming freight growth, KiwiRail’s Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says.

      Northland rail investigations on track
      31 January 2019 2:02PM
      Video of speeches made by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Minister of Regional Development Shane Jones, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle and KiwiRail Chairman Greg Miller is available here: https://youtu.be/2R1v2fDR6kE
      (https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/news-and-press-releases

      (https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-41.072561,173.5736909,10z

              2. 3.1.1.1.1.1.2

                It beggars belief that some of these people don’t know teenagers, excl the part where they got their hands – or some of them did – on alcohol you would hope that someone would have blown the whistle very loud at the time. I actually have three daughters and none got “out and about” until they knew exactly how to extracate themselves from problems. As far as I am concerned it was a missed opportunity to all concerned to show just what can happen if people don;t step up and call bad behaviour out.

            2. 3.1.1.1.1.2

              I was just wondering whether Gosman & James are part of Goebbels Family and can whakapapa themselves back to Josef Goebbels and the German Regime in WW11.

              Can anyone on TS enlighten me ?

      1. 3.2.1

        That isn’t really fair. If you’re spending your life waiting for the climactic moment an alleged sex offender appears in court you’re entitled to stay at home frothing at the mouth and not getting out more.

      2. 3.2.2

        Sad little thing our James sitting behind the computer all day tapping away on the keyboard, you really should get out and smell the roses, rosemary is very good for Mental Health & Memory.

      3. 3.2.3

        Its Jimmys under daks, the elastic is too tight causing RWS. Either that or the batteries are flat and require re juicing. BM has the opposite syndrome only confined to his right hand, or he may be left handed.

        Tick tick tick tick tick………. ninety nine……tock!

    3. 3.3

      I agree If what I’ve read is true, explosive and should be highly damaging to those involved.

      Tick Tock, Tick Tock.

      1. 3.3.1

        Okay so you and James have info – well shit it must be true because you wingnuts would never bullshit now would you. Luckily the left aren’t as thick as you two or your gnat puppet masters. Lol try again losers.

        1. 3.3.1.1

          Did I say it was true?

          We’ll find out sooner or later when the court case begins, no doubt someone will turn up and verify.

          If true though and it’s not covered by the media.I’II have grave concerns about the long term future of NZ.

          Banana republic here we are.

          1. 3.3.1.1.1

            So you’ve heard a heinous rumour and if the MSM don’t cover it then that will be proof for you that we are a banana republic?

            Lol that’s silly.

              1. 3.3.1.1.1.1.1

                Here me thinking the Panama papers proved that Key turned us into a Banana republic. It’s so funny that you think it any better.

          2. 3.3.1.1.2

            Personally I’m more worried about John Key using the SIS to discredit Phil Goff, and his use of stroke victim Cameron Slater to do hit jobs on his opponents.

            Now that was dangerous.

          3. 3.3.1.1.3

            Most of NZ knows who it is and the case will have an outcome no doubt but very many NZ parents have had an occasion to dwell on things that happen so unless you believe that that any failings or sins “of the children” should always be visited on the parents it is by comparison in that regard a non-event.

            1. 3.3.1.1.3.1

              I’m guessing people don’t “know”.

              Remember the gayford rumours – there is still a chance the rumour on this is wrong also.

              We just have to wait and see.

              And yes people should be held to account for their actions or lack thereof.

              1. 3.3.1.1.3.1.1

                Sad little thing our James sitting behind the computer all day tapping away on the keyboard, you really should get out and smell the roses, rosemary is very good for Mental Health & Memory.

              2. 3.3.1.1.3.1.2

                Jimmy you really should have a wash put your nappies on and jump into bed, and have a good nights sleep.

                You could not help bringing up the Gayford rumors again could you ?

                1. 3.3.1.1.3.1.2.1

                  You are obviously a little slow – I was using that as an example of how rumours can be wrong.

                  I’ll type slower for you so you try to keep up.

              3. 3.3.1.1.3.1.3

                It’s no more wrong than when everyone knew who Dowie was or the TV personality and in all those cases the person as a sole individual was judged on their actions just as they should be in this case unless people try to politicse it which is exactly what is being hinted at and threatened here regarding people not even present.

                1. 3.3.1.1.3.1.3.1

                  We will have to wait and see if the rumours are correct or not. If they are it will make sense then – don’t want to say more as being careful not to get into the details of the rumour.

                  1. 3.3.1.1.3.1.4.1.1

                    Yeah. Sometimes you’re mildly humourous, occasionally even constructive.

                    But when you’re in your little perverted rumour-spreading mode, you really are a vile piece of shit. You take every opportunity to let people’s imaginations run wild, and remind everybody of other lies (which you hasten to say are untrue, despite taking the effort to remind people and pique their curiousity about the rumours).

                    Rather than not-spreading spreading ugly slanders and rumours, why don’t you cheerlead the fine efforts of the the top-performing National party caucus membership and leadership? I guess not only do you guys have nothing now, you don’t even have anything in the pipeline.

                    But no matter how desperate you are, you ain’t like the shadders or BM handles. You can do so much better than trying to get people to google slanders.

              5. 3.3.1.1.3.1.5

                James @ (3.3.1.1.3.1) Your final statement …

                “And yes people should be held to account for their actions or lack thereof.”

                Absolutely agree.

                However …

                Why is it then John Key was not held to account for assaulting a waitress for six months, despite her telling him to stop on several occasions?

                Predatory behaviour from someone in a powerful position, abusing his status toward a young woman he obviously considered inferior to himself!

                  2. 3.3.1.1.3.1.5.1.2

                    @ indiana … regardless of how she drew attention to her plight, why wasn’t John Key made accountable for constantly touching the young woman over a fairly long period of time, which disturbed her?

                    Wouldn’t be easy to get authorities to believe a humble waitress laying an assault complaint against John Key would it? She deserved much better treatment than that she received.

                    Accountability long overdue here!

        2. 3.3.1.2

          I said rumour. I have no info.

          Still better thick than providing underaged kids alcohol and letting them get sexually abused.

            1. 3.3.1.2.1.1

              No not correct. I’m just looking forward to the truth coming out and the bad guy being charged and named.

              Any other fallout is just candy.

              1. 3.3.1.2.1.1.1

                You’re waiting for a train wreck and hoping for casualties and people to be destroyed. Do you say daily prayers that the country craps out so you can gloat? You seem the type.

                1. 3.3.1.2.1.1.1.1

                  I’m looking forward to people being held to account.

                  If it goes as per the rumour – the people who get destroyed will deserve it.

                  2. 3.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2

                    James … you state ….

                    “I’m looking forward to people being held to account.”

                    Still brings us back to one lecherous former PM being held to account doesn’t it?

                    On your obviously strong belief in being accountable for one’s actions (and I’m with you all the way on that one), you still haven’t answered my previous question re John Key and his dirty touchy touchy feely feely behaviour towards a young woman, as well as several young girls!

                    I’d appreciate a response from you on that topic as well as the one you are throwing around on TS today.

          1. 3.3.2.1.1

            I mean trust you to make this about boosting your reputation. There’s something awful about people who chase virtual ambulances.

              2. 3.3.2.1.1.1.2

                (Deleted and edited by moi): Don’t need to double up on the rhetoric. Couldn’t have said it better than Muttonbird myself.

                  1. 3.3.2.1.1.1.2.1.1

                    How am I even meant to take praise from someone like you, BM. You just had a go at me for being an algorithm. It’s very abnormal to be snooping around sexual assault cases and making claims of insider information. The victim and there families would rightly say to you who the fuck are you? Just stop embarrassing yourself.

          1. 3.3.2.2.1

            It’s ok when National does it.

            Big-noting is a right winger’s form of virtue signalling and it’s generally approved of.

          2. 3.3.2.2.2

            Interesting isn’t it. When it was a sex assault after a Sat. night Young Labour event the media went into overdrive for weeks on end. You would have thought the entire Labour Party Council was to blame.

            A young Nat does the same thing – or even worse by the sounds of it – and apart from a brief report not a whisper from the MSM.

            When it happens to the National Party sanity prevails and no-one accuses National of being at fault. But Labour….

              1. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1

                From the link:

                The woman was taken to a room where he allegedly grabbed her face, tried to kiss her and keep her from her friends, at one stage pulling her away from them by her wrists. When she got out of the room and left the flat she was pursued across a road and to a fast food outlet’s toilet area as the man allegedly continued to try to grope her.

                My understanding from the Labour story at the time… it was a quick grope at the actual event but he did not pursue his victims. Admittedly he did it to more than one young woman but the Young Nat incident sounds a lot more serious and frightening for his victim.

                But of course you hard-right misogynistic males know better than another woman don’t you.

                1. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1.1

                  I love that you minimise it to a quick gripe as opposed to a serious sexual assault against several people – at least one male as well.

                  Then you play the misogyny card – pathetic.

                  But must be a lot more serious because Anne’s a woman and says so – blissfully overlooking a police investigation that says otherwise.

                  Funny old world where trying to kiss someone is a lot more serious than putting your hand done people’s pants when they don’t want it.

                2. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1.2

                  Anne, James might just be indulging in pathetic political point-scoring, but I too detect the whiff of misogyny in some of ‘his’ comments.

                  James‘ muck-raking highlights his lack of self-awareness – really sad.

                  1. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1.2.1

                    Do you agree with Anne’s evaluation that one sexual assault was “a lot more serious” than the 4 resulting in criminal charges ?

                    1. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1.2.1.1

                      Honestly have no direct knowledge or expertise regarding these events, so my opinion would be next to worthless. [Check out the “Fair witness” concept.]

                      But, for what it’s worth, I think they are events for our (hopefully adequately resourced) courts to evaluate, and adjudicate on.

                3. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1.3

                  Yes Anne please be quiet while james mansplains why you are wrong. He knows some rumours off his suspect webmates so sit back…

                  1. 3.3.2.2.2.1.1.3.1

                    i didn’t say she was wrong. I said she was minimising the sexual assaults of others and being pathetic in playing the misogyny card.

              1. 3.3.2.2.2.2.1

                While we are waiting on Anne’s rating system for sexual assaults – let’s compare and contrast the follow up by national and labour on the matters.

                1. 3.3.2.2.2.2.1.1

                  From memory they lied about knowing who the Young Nat abuser was.

                  I guess you can’t blame the Nats in that instance because lying is their default reaction to any situation and they seem incapable of changing.

      3. 3.3.3

        And you probably wouldn’t believe the VERY credible rumours about why John Key resigned.

        Lets just say it involved a female called XXX XXXXX. And old workmates were able to confirm certain aspects of the story. Or am I skating on thin ice there?

  4. 4

    Well over due for engine size to be reflected in vehicle registration costs. 3+lt tank suv models should exponentially incur taxes way more than a piddly 1lt run-about. Note, the kids still get to school on time, you’ve just used way less fuel and created less emissions to get them there. Sure, it may not look as good outside the cafe in front of your chosen social group and yes, you’ll sit lower on the road when driving so that feeling of superiority will dissolve faster than the planet’s chances of survival, but until we get really clinical with our thinking on climate change, at least you’ll still be able to pay much more for the privilege of your ‘choice’ while your vehicles are still permitted on the roads.
    Don’t know why it hasn’t been done here before.

      1. 4.1.1

        Nope, clearly there some smaller engine cars which cost more than some bigger engine vanities, so that argument is poo.

        I support huge tax hikes for bigger engined vehicles.

      3. 4.1.3

        That’s merely the cost of purchasing a big vehicle. It doesn’t address the ongoing costs of big vehicles on the road.

        Also that GST is offset against GST received when purchasing a business vehicle.

    3. 4.3

      The Nats changed it to be the other way around, indirectly. The ACC part of rego varied according to frequency of injury to occupants, never mind what happened to people in the other car or to pedestrians. So my 1994 Landrover Defender was rated as safer (cheaper ACC band) than my 2001 Daihatsu Sirion with ABS, airbags, pretensioning seatbelts, properly engineered crumple zones and a properly engineered collapse zone on the bonnet …

          1. 4.3.1.1.1

            Yup.

            It’s just as well I have no shame whatsoever about what kind of car I’m seen in.

            But you might be surprised at how much fun a 1.3 manual like mine actually is.

          2. 4.3.1.1.2

            I have a Toyota Passo, which is bascially a rebadged Sirion and its a good car. Can turn on a dime, good on petrol, speedy, and if you fold the rear seats down, you can load it up with all sorts of stuff.

              1. 4.3.1.1.2.1.1

                James as Mad Max?

                Or maybe Peter ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (sooooo manly):
                “I feel the need, the need for speed.”

                What a Goose – “It’s a limit, not a target.”

              2. 4.3.1.1.2.1.2

                I have had no issues with my cars acceleration and velocity capabilities. It might not be a V8 turbocharged Holden like you have, but it does the job,

    1. 5.1

      How about this EV? Fastest car on the road.

      https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47418405

      “What’s really special about the Pininfarina Battista, recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is this: it’s all-electric.
      So, here are some stats. Maker Automobili Pininfarina claims its Battista does 0-62mph in less than two seconds, 186mph in less than 12 seconds, has a top speed of more than 250mph, and does 280 miles on one charge.
      Its brake horse power (bhp) is equivalent to 1,900, about twice that of a Formula 1 car (a decent-sized Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling car, has a bhp of between about 84 and 138).”

      It would certainly blow my Leaf away.

    1. 6.1

      F and G don’t have a lot of love for farmers and I really don’t blame them.

      So many arseholes doing bad shit and getting away with it because the regional councils are stacked with farmers who set the rules and penalties.

      It’s something I wished National had worked on but unfortunately, politics, core voter stock, can’t upset them too much.

      It’s really up to labour and the Greens, to get it sorted.

      1. 6.1.1

        It goes a little further – the Gnats themselves have infiltrated irrigation bodies to lift the value of their own farms, pushing them through by overriding environmental advice and pulling crap like stacking ECan (and I hear the Southland version) with nodding dogs.

        The average farmer is not nearly the problem that these ambitious clowns are.

      1. 6.2.1

        The muppet spits out press releases almost daily that are more appropriate for someone who’s running for some insignificant Fed Farmers committee. And all aimed at the lowest core nat supporter. I’m wondering wtf is going on, has their poling started showing Mark Patterson (NZF local) making some ground in the rural heartland.

        As for Queenstown the guy hasn’t a clue about the place, he came out with one today blaming tourism for the congestion we have. It’s bad, but only during the week, tourism is a 7 day industry, it doesn’t have weekends. There’s no congestion in the weekend. The problem is all the development and new people from the Nat’s SHAs and unfettered development without proper planning.

        Today’s effort, https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion-queenstown-buckling-under-strain

        1. 6.2.1.1

          Poor planning has delivered the housing and infrastructure problems we have now and it doesn’t look like anyone has learned thing.

          Those calling for removing urban boundaries and cutting red tape around consent just don’t have a clue about how much damage unplanned building does.

          I mean, how do you get those people to and from work?

        2. 8.1.1.2

          What are you doing Pat – show us a path to follow while we do our walking.
          What’s your line. Environment? What’s your present focus?

          1. 8.1.1.2.1

            that line is becoming somewhat tired GWS

            Rationing with a sinking lid, wartime footing …and forget about cross party support…take leadership, its why they were elected.

        1. 9.1.1.1

          That’s all good.

          This is what I advocate in this new era of fake news attacks and bizarre controversy manufacture from the Nats. Even today Bridges ran with a Hosking interview, in parliament for God’s sake, in an attempt to discredit the PM on the after-school jobs she had as a teenager.

          I advocate jumping on this stuff early and hard but I must say some commenters here don’t see this as a good response, instead preferring to rely on those dated rules of conduct: good faith argument, and robust discussion.

          I’m sorry but that shit don’t work no more.

            1. 9.1.1.1.1.1

              I think you’ve shot your load tonight, champ.

              Tomorrow’s another day – you might like to dust off that citizenship application.

  11. 11

    Looking at transport and at NZRail news releases it is plain that they have been working hard to make rail a good freight option. This from 2012 when they were setting up a dedicated Auckland to Christchurch through freight service.https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/news/176/129/Palmerston-North-train-unlocks-possibility-for-super-freight-service-to-Christchurch.html

    Palmerston North train unlocks possibility for ‘super’ freight service to Christchurch
    15 August 2012 1:01PM

    Dedicated overnight rail freight services are being introduced between Auckland and Palmerston North in September.

    These new services are expected to play a critical part in the plan to increase KiwiRail’s share of the domestic freight business over the length of the country.

    Their introduction will enable the development of a “super” service from Auckland to Christchurch and free up capacity on other premier freight services heading down the North Island Main Trunk to Wellington, Christchurch and beyond, says KiwiRail Freight General Manager Iain Hill.

    “By introducing this new service offering we are able to better streamline all our premier services, making them more destination-specific. In particular it gives us the opportunity to run a pure Auckland to Christchurch service, specifically tailored to the ‘just in time’ market.”

    The introduction of the new services has been made possible by improvements to the business over the past 12 months.

    ‘The new locomotives and wagons, and the lengthened Aratere have unlocked previous bottle necks on the network and we now have the capacity and the capability to do this, “he says.

    “In the short term it means we are well set up for the peak season this year. And in the medium term it means we will be in a strong position once the rebuild of Christchurch gathers momentum and economic recovery begins.”

    At present volumes destined for Palmerston North, the key distribution hub for the lower North Island, are carried on a number of services which continue to Wellington and Christchurch.

    The introduction of the new Palmerston North service, will enable one of the other services to be set up as a 32-wagon Auckland to Christchurch service, leaving Auckland at 10.00 pm, arriving in Wellington in time for a critical Aratere sailing, and then arriving in Christchurch early on day two.

    Palmerston North is an increasingly important distribution hub for the lower North Island. The south-bound service service, which will consist of around 30 wagons departs Auckland at 18.10PM and is scheduled to arrive at 06.15AM in Palmerston North.

    And they have done worthwhile things on pay, bridge innovation, and electric locos.

    Landmark pay deal struck at KiwiRail
    27 August 2018 1:01PM
    The Rail and Maritime Transport Union and KiwiRail have today signed a landmark pay deal which will see a flat rate of higher pay applied across all 2319 of its members, rather than the usual percentage increase for workers.
    Read more

    Innovative KiwiRail bridge recognised
    15 October 2018 11:11AM
    A North Island bridge that was the first in the world to feature innovative seismic strengthening technology has been named one of the country’s outstanding concrete structures.
    Read more

    Electric locomotives to continue with Government investment
    30 October 2018 1:01PM
    The Government’s commitment to fund the refurbishment of KiwiRail’s ageing electric locomotives on the North Island Main Trunk line will provide additional capacity as rail continues its freight growth, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says.

    1. 11.1

      “it is plain that they have been working hard to make rail a good freight option”

      The last govt told them to focus only on freight, yes.

    2. 11.2

      Was going to mention a couple of things from the New Zealand Railway Observer for this quarter. That last Government wouldn’t do and what this current Government is doing IRT investment to KiwiRail IRT freight, passenger services and infrastructure. The last which has not seen much money allocated to infrastructure since 90’s which has been on a ad-hoc basis since then.

  12. 12

    Marshall Mathers is determined to protect his music and is going after the hapless Nats again.

    Dildo Joyce has slithered off so I guess it’s the guy who forces women to sign NDAs so they don’t talk, Peter Goodfellow, who will be in the firing line.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/111053864/eminem-heads-to-the-supreme-court-to-appeal-second-damages-decision

    And:

    Eminem, worth $100m in 2018 according to Forbes, had said he would donate any damages he received to relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey, which ravaged southern Texas in late August 2017.

    It’s shocking that the National Party of New Zealand would steal money from victims of Hurricane Harvey.

  13. 13

    King’s College, London study looks at the disinformation and propaganda techniques employed by Kremlin mouthpieces Sputnik and RT.

    Media outlets RT and Sputnik perform a “damage control” function for the Russian state during incidents such as the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal and deploy a range of tactics to project Russian strength and construct news agendas.

    This is the first comprehensive study of how RT and Sputnik sow confusion and division in the UK and beyond. It is based on an analysis of nearly 12,000 articles published in English by the two outlets and over 150,000 online articles by UK news outlets. The articles were collected between May and June 2017, and in March 2018, in the immediate aftermath of the Skripal poisoning.

    […]

    The range of competing narratives around the Skripal incident included:

    • 32 narratives relating to the response of the UK and its allies to the Salisbury poisoning, including that the response is driven by inherent “Russophobia”, that the investigation was a “witch hunt” and that the UK’s response to the poisoning was illegal.
    • 20 narratives about Novichok – the substance identified as having been used in the poisoning – including that it could be from the UK, the US, Ukraine, Iran, or a number of other European or post-Soviet states.
    • 16 narratives about the Skripals themselves, ranging from the allegation that links to organized crime explain the poisoning, to claims that Yulia Skripal brought the nerve agent into the UK and that the Skripals were never, in fact, poisoned.
    • Seven narratives that constitute conspiracy theories, including that the poisoning was set up by the UK or by the intelligence agencies of a third country in order to harm Russia, and claims that the incident was a hoax, with the poisoning never having taken place.

    https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/research-analysis/weaponising-news

    https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/assets/weaponising-news.pdf

  15. 15

    Nashy’s on the case.

    Why do I get the feeling there’s going to be some sudden and quick relocations of rich pricks in the months ahead. 😅

    “New Zealand taxpayers are strongly advised to check they have correctly accounted for their offshore investments. If not, they should make a voluntary disclosure to Inland Revenue without delay,” Mr Nash said.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/384028/anti-tax-evasion-data-sharing-network-expands-to-90-countries

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