Steven Joyce's claim that there was a $11.5 billion hole in Labour's budget is at one level correct. But it was National's ineptitude and failure to fund things which was the cause. Take for instance Auckland's Transport network. After nine long years it is a…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Israeli troops have shot dead three protesters along the Gaza border, hours after the United Nations human rights chief criticised Israel for using “excessive force” against demonstrators. I don't know how many Palestinians have been shot dead or wounded by live ammunition on preceding Fridays. I haven't…
There is some back end discussion on moderation. We'd like feedback on aspects of it. From time to time, people have asked who or how moderation decisions are regulated or managed. The short answer is that they aren't. A proposal to address that was first…
Politically it was a quieter week this week. Parliament not sitting does this. And the Labour-Green-NZ First Government announced a new fully funded Auckland Transport Alignment Project and hogged the limelight. National tried to claim that it would have done all this and more anyway. …
I want you to imagine a world in which all but a handful of countries – where politicians really have to answer to real live people, where their policy decisions really can and do change if they are held up to enough scrutiny from the…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
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 …
Seventeen witnesses, including on duty doctors and patients who offer testimony contradicting western claims of a chemical attack in Douma, are simply part of an "obscene masquerade." Apparently. Which begs the question of what it would take for western officials/governments, or for western corporate/mainstream/liberal media…
I know a few Tamiheres. They are a large westie family and some of their mokopuna got into the odd spot of bother. Nothing too serious generally, although David's history was not good. But they were always staunch. I was surprised at the result of…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Minister Phil Twyford and Mayor Phil Goff announced the ATAP, the transport programme for Auckland for the next ten years. At $28 billion it is the largest civil infrastructure programme since World War II. That $28 billion comes from: - $8.45 billion of borrowing and…
Like many of you, I’ve been very frustrating by how petty some of the attacks on the new government are, and I’m not just talking the daily ‘breaking news’ Op-Eds! One of the most annoying attacks, and one that has been getting a fair bit…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
When Metiria Turei laid bare the jagged hell of New Zealand's social insecurity system, many of those who have been subjected to its downright aggressive culture of denial and persecution were hopeful that a newly elected government would make huge compassionate strides in the area.…
Today is Anzac Day, 103 years since ANZAC forces began the Gallipoli campaign. The Herald list of ANZAC Day services are here. Auckland Peace Action is hosting an alternative Picnic for Peace for ANZAC Day this Wednesday, April 25th at the Auckland Domain rotunda at…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
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 …
There's a good piece over at reimaginingsocialwork.nz dismantling the bullshit that's oozing from parliament's select committee process. I'm not a social worker, and I've found myself questioning whether I even support the concept or not. Because if social work is geared towards 'helping' people cope…
Mark Meechan is a 30 year old Scots guy, and he just got in some deep shit for taking the piss. In his own words that set context for a video he made - Ma girlfriend is always rantin' and ravin' about how cute and…
National, like Rust, does not sleep. The events of dirty politics showed a sophisticated calculated roll out of damaging news to media to willing participants who then broadcast the news in the most damaging way. The most important aspect was the use of a compliant…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
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 …
Many of you may have noticed there has been another recent upsurge in counter-culture and attacking queer people, including recent salvos from a certain fellow known to claim natural disasters are punishments for queerness. https://twitter.com/BishopTamaki/status/986697482284380160 Some of us Requested A Sign From God as to…
Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has given a speech where he has stated that capitalism is coming to an end because it is making itself obsolete. From the Independent: The former economics professor told an audience at University College London that the rise of giant technology corporations and artificial…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …