Open mike 09/09/2022

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 150 comments
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150 comments on “Open mike 09/09/2022”

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

    1. 2.1

      Raise you a Lemmy Kilmister…

      No rush to become a Republic, lots to sort out regarding the “Crown” and enduring colonial fall out affecting this country’s working class–Māori and Tauiwi alike.

  3. 3

    A majority of New Zealanders: "Let us become a republic"

    Grey Lynn socialists: "Great idea! Let's elect president Helen Clark!"

    National Party members: "If we must, appointing Sir Graeme Hart is the way to go!"

    Rural NZ: "Screw you all, let’s annoint Richie McCaw by popular proclaimation as president!"

    Maori: "Bloody Pakeha, surely the Maori King is the logical choice!"

    Everyone six months of bickering later: "Let's stick with Charles III"

    1. 3.1

      For some time Charles acted for the Queen as the GG does here.

      Given the GG acts on behalf of the Crown and performs the same role as Charles will in the UK, why not give them the title Crown Governor?

      PS Charles 111 will be defender of faith, whereas his mother was defender of the faith – a subtle change (there is already a ministry of faith in the UK and a minster of faith to recognise the multi-cultural nation they are today).

        1. 3.1.1.1

          I was replying to a post with the use of Charles “111” and so typed those numbers in – OK I could have borrowed the Latin numeral form from online for King Charles III.

          Using the Latin numerals is common – eg Queen Elizabeth II. And no one presumes she has her own cricket team.

    2. 3.2

      Why have anyone?

      After all our "Head of State is a strictly ceremonial position with no legal power"!

      Or as the Aussies found out, the residual power to overturn an elected Government, is an undemocratic colonial relic.

      1. 3.2.1

        Technically that would mean directly electing the PM/President as in France and USA (and the person choosing their cabinet), which can separate the head of state (and cabinet appointees) from having a majority in parliament.

        Nations such as Ireland have separate elections for President as head of state and the PM as head of government comes from the parliamentary election result.

        1. 3.2.1.1

          That is a constitional convention in those countries.

          Not set in concrete.

          In fact, should a "Democracy" have a head of State?

          Surely in an actual Democracy, not our pretend one, "The people are Soveriegn"?

          Or. Should we bow to reality, and just appoint whoever is the Chairman of the Aussie bank that currently makes the most profit in NZ, and stop pretending?

          1. 3.2.1.1.1

            The point of the head of state, separate from government. is to represent the interests of the peoples sovereignty – as to constitutional practice, so as to be a check on authoritarianism.

            The pertinent thing is to define the role in those terms, the UK is somewhat constrained by the Crown tradition of calling the people subjects (of the authority).

    3. 3.3

      ''Everyone six months of bickering later: "Let's stick with Charles III"

      If we are lucky, most New Zealanders will come to that conclusion.` If we are unlucky, most New Zealanders will believe we are mature enough to become a republic. The Queens death couldn't have come at a more inopportune time for the affairs of both Britain and New Zealand.

    5. 3.5

      Yep – so many other problems on our plate that nobody has any appetite for wrangling over constitutional arrangements. It'd make 3 Waters look like a love-fest.

      1. 4.2.1

        smiley Yes, can't speak for Shanreagh … but I certainly started drinking heavily after reading Robert's outrageous “zee” comment. Two shandys down & now on to my third sarsaparilla.

      2. 4.2.2

        ?????

        Would love to know what you are on about. But never mind.

        Zee is a US abomination Zeds unite! Long live the Zeds

        Could even go Charge of the Light brigade crazy like

        Zeds to the left of them
        zeds to the right of them
        Zeds in front of them
        Volleyed and thundered;
        Written at with shot and shell,
        Boldly they wrote and well,
        Into the jaws of spell
        Into the mouth of hell
        Rode the six zeddred.

  5. 5

    Looking forward to a UK royal cabal cut down to about the same size as that of Sweden.

    A slimmed down team of King and Consort, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge plus kids, Princess Royal Anne. Say 5.

    And no taxpayer subsidy at all, apart from maybe Met security.

    Baby steps to abolition.

  6. 6

    Whoa, does this mean all our money will change?

    It is pretty strange.

    No one under 80 can remember another monarch. All sorts of stuff will change, letterheads, money, all sorts of stuff.

    A chap on the radio just made the mindblowing observation that the Queen’s first PM (Winston Churchill) was born in 1874. Her last, Liz Truss, was born 101 years later in 1975. She really spanned the era from the age of Empire to Brexit Britain.

    Elizabeth II was an exemplar of another age – a person who put service above her individuality. It was a sense of service informed by her deep religiousity and patriotism and good on her for that.

    Elizabeth II was Queen, and the Queen was her, there was no seperation. A superhuman effort of repression of the id in the service of a role and of an institution in the service of her country.

    1. 6.1

      Imagine the panic in the drug dealing world if you said all cash notes must be changed over to one with Charlie's head on it in 6 months or it's rendered obsolete!!

  7. 7

    I scrolled down the Herald to see 'Mike Hosking sobs on air' as the news broke.

    At a symbolic moment a totally symbolic reaction. A person without an iota of empathy, a person who leads a horde representative of no empathy and understanding of the human condition and the lives and struggles of ordinary people, wallowing.

    2. 7.2

      That is quite revolting. A evil man devoid of compassion who makes his living by denigrating those below him and making the lives of others a misery. To elevate and employ his own emotion for further gain while spending his entire life abusing people for showing theirs is obscene.

      1. 8.1.1

        Wouldn't Liz Truss have to resign the prime ministership and be re-appointed by King Charles, albeit that it would probably be a mere formality? And what about our own GG and PM?

    2. 8.2

      Presumably when they met it was noted that there was an Elizabeth to carry on, but that the new/next monarch would be expected to be on the throne for longer than her own time at No 10.

    5. 8.5

      I guess the Queen knew what women are, and thus decided that Liz Truss was better then the alternative. In the meantime Keir Starmer is about as exiting as warmed up omlette from yesterday. Sadly so.

      however dear Liz Truss is going to work and thanks to Boris signing of on fracking licenses on his last day i guess Britain is going to invest in their own energy creation. After all, those electronic gadgets and items driven by electricity need to be charged with something and compost is not doing it.

      Trigger alert, this is from the Daily Fail.

      https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11193045/Energy-bills-frozen-2-500-TWO-YEARS-says-Truss.html

      Energy bills will be frozen at £2,500 for TWO YEARS: Liz Truss unveils 'extraordinary' £150bn plan to counter Putin and subsidise household costs while businesses get 'equivalent' support for six months – as she backs fracking and using North Sea reserves

      • Liz Truss is set to ease the pain of energy bills for households by freezing them at a typical level of £2,500
      • New PM insisted that failing to take action on the scale of the Covid response would damage the economy
      • But Ms Truss also warned that major changes are needed to shore up Britain's long-term energy supplies

      The freezing of the prices is not gonna do much for the very poor and poor, but for a first day announcement this is not bad for a tory. Lets see what Keir Starmer proposes.

      In saying that Englands issue is not the R/U war, it is the fact that they sell electricity to Europe for profit and thus shorten the supply to their citizens.

    6. 8.6

      don't know about funny, but the Brits have some hard reckoning coming and the symbolism of the death of the Queen, committed to public service, and the rise of the PM, committed to the death cult, is poignant and timely.

    8. 8.8

      It was more likely that even though she was the highest paid beneficiary in the UK, if not the world, the daunting prospect of the cost of having to warm the Royal Apartments at Buck House over the coming winter, or moving to the granny flat in California with Harry and Meghan.

    1. 9.1

      Thank you higherstandard.

      There are occasions where dignity should supersede politics.

      The Queen was a remarkable woman.

      King Charles at 73 will find the role a burden.

      Other issues will have their time.

        1. 9.1.2.1

          He's been the butt of endless derision and jokes yet he's a very intelligent and thoughtful person.

          He was made the scapegoat over the Diana fiasco yet he had been just as wronged as Diana was. And now the ugly side of the English personna are doing it again to Meghan Markle and Harry.

          It must have broken the late Queen’s heart.

          1. 9.1.2.1.1

            I don't know if you ever read any of the so-called 'black spider memos', letters he wrote to ministers as a concerned and well-informed citizen. They were poorly received, but were anything but an abuse of sovereign power. Ministers really don't like suggestions of what to do, perhaps because what they choose to do is often poorly thought out.

  10. 10

    I hope that the Queen finds peace in what ever is after life. That she be united with her late husband, her parents, her ancestor. That she rests in peace and that peace be with her family.

    2. 10.2

      It was the Virgin Mary's presumed birthday on September 8 (double edged born into the world then years later leaving this world for another place).

      Background

      The date was chosen because it was of Virgo and before the Jewish time of Tabernacles (harvest gatherings at David's city). A 20 year old women leaving Egypt was counted in that census (in Egyptian the name means beloved, in Hebrew bitter herbs – used to flavour lamb) and a 20 year old women would go the place of her family origin for the harvest gathering. This to honour the Qum (means to to raise up – the tent set up on exodus journey).

      The detail is that the Jewish calendar begins Oct 7 3761BCE and in 7BCE Oct 7 was the 14th day of the month – the harvest festival began on Oct 8th.

      The Queen and a life of observed service.

  11. 11

    Also, a big victory for the Ukraine is in the offing.

    They telegraphed an offensive in Kherson, drew all Russia's remaining reserves west of the Dniepr then cut them off by destroying the bridges and launching an offensive there before delivering the surpise blow at Kharkiv. Maskirovka indeed. If this is indeed what happens, it will be a studied and storied victory.

    The Russian army has been routed near Kharkiv, Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 100km and are currently fighting outside Kupiansk. This is big deal since it cuts off the main supply route to the Russian army concentration in the Izyum salient and traps them on the wrong side of the Oskil river. They'll almost certainly have to retreat across the Oskil river all the way back east to the next supply hub at Svatove – and they'll most likely have to leave all their heavy equipment behind. Basically, it potentially signals the end of the Russian army in the Ukraine.

    In the Kherson salient 20,000 Russians are effectively cut off – again, they'll be forced to retreat or surrender in the next few weeks leaving all their equipment behind.

    If this turns into a complete Russia rout then even the re-conquest of the Crimea by the Ukraine comes into play.

    Russia is now at an inflexion point. Either they consider ending the war or face total defeat or they use nuclear weapons to try and restore the situation.

    1. 11.1

      If this turns into a complete Russia rout then even the re-conquest of the Crimea by the Ukraine comes into play.

      If the Russians lose Crimea the oil regions around the Caspian Sea will be in danger. Would another 'barbarossa' be launched, this time by NATO?

      1. 11.1.1

        The Ukrainians have never indicated any desire to seize Russian territory.

        It is hard to see Putin surviving a major rout of his army, his successor will be able to negotiate a ceasefire that satisfies the Americans.

        1. 11.1.1.1

          It is hard to see Putin surviving a major rout of his army…

          He will just send generals into involuntary internal exile if he continues to follow the Russian Imperial tradition.

          Otherwise there is always the Stalin model…

          Blaming the performance of generals is usually the default behaviour for the strategic failures of the despots.

        2. 11.1.1.2

          The Ukrainians have never indicated any desire to seize Russian territory.

          The Ukranians have made no secret of their desire to win back Crimea, which course is Russian territory.

    2. 11.2

      A rout may be the fastest way to end the war.

      If Russian morale breaks, and it is not stellar, further casualties will be greatly reduced.

      Ukraine have consistently outplayed their notional strength. Perhaps some of them would like to coach the ABs.

    3. 11.3

      "Either they consider ending the war or face total defeat or they use nuclear weapons to try and restore the situation."

      The exact same situation Nixon faced in Vietnam.

      Luckily for us the US chose the former not the latter.

    1. 12.1

      Surely it should read, "it'll get better before it gets worse".

      Or…National Party : house prices plunge, expert warns it'll get worse before it gets better.

      QV general manager David Nagel

      He said with more new homes due to hit the market and adding to an already healthy supply, the downward trend in house prices will continue.

      https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2022/09/national-house-prices-plunge-expert-warns-it-ll-get-worse-before-it-gets-better.html

      Yeah National…party.

    2. 12.2

      Considering that many houses doubled in GV in the last two years the prices can fall quite a bit and not make any dent.

      I feel for the guys that bought over the last three years. They are stuffed.

      1. 12.2.1

        Typical misplaced sympathy from the fake left. The guys that bought over the last three years still own a house, something which an increasing number of people were never going to be able to do.

        Where is your sympathy for them?

        1. 12.2.1.1

          look i bought a house real cheap – very cheap as essentially uninhabitalbe at the time – we fixed a lot. that house is now double in value. On the counts of nothing actually for what its worth.

          However i do not 'own' the house, the bank does. I own the mortgage. 🙂 And hte poor saps who bought at inflated rates over the last few years for all the wrong reasons are going to be stuck in mortgages that are not worth the paper they are printed on. Even if they manage to sell they are still on the hook for the rest of hte mortgage.

          But then, i guess its their own fault for believing government – all will be well, banks – here have a cheap entry rate, the estate agents – houses will never loose value, etc. Sucks to be them, right?

          A the kindness of the real left towards its young and old in this country is just always astonishing. So kind, so very very kind.

          Btw, did you know that many people can lose houses that they paid for because they can no longer serve the rates that are based on GV? Did you know that the government collects a huge amount of GST on these inflated rates? LOL. How secure are you my dear in your house or rental?

        2. 12.2.1.2

          .

          Typical misplaced sympathy from the fake left

          It's your jaw-dropping lack of self-awareness that gets me every single bloody time.

          But then, this does appear to be very much the Woke modus operandi … accuse others of your own core, defining characteristic. Not surprising that recent research in psychology has emphasised machiavellianism (along with the other Dark Triad traits) as core components of the authoritarian Woke personality.

    4. 12.4

      Agreed Mutton….but a 5.5% drop in house prices is hardly a "plunge". Prices need to come down at least 30%, and that would be good news.

      1. 12.4.1

        If you buy a home to live in, it has more than monetary value.

        Those who see houses as a stepping stone to wealth are half the problem.

        Those who buy rentals and turn them into Air B&B are lowering long term rentals available. Those who build for that purpose… ok.

        Those who spruik to the young with a sprat (money back) to catch a mackerel (expensive mortgage) are todays Highway Robbers. imo.

  13. 13

    Time to seriously consider what we'll call out head of state when we renounce the monarchy.

    President is undeniably (and as it happens) deliberately dull.

    Naturally governor, chancellor, premiere, chairman, etc and all the monarchic titles are too loaded.

    A Māori title is the natural next step to further our unique identity, but what?

  14. 14

    Exposing the far limits of medical science.

    If the super wealthy have any social utility at all, it is to push the envelope and exploring the limits of what is possible. With all the latest and best of medical science at her disposal. I was expecting HRH to live to at least 100.

    Disappointing.

    1. 14.1

      A broken heart and loneliness can not be cured by any medicine. Never mind what her bout with covid did to her body. But it was clear for anyone to see that the joy of life left her when she buried her husband.

      1. 14.1.1

        As John Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world, said, "Money doesn't buy happiness, it buys you a comfortable standard of misery".

        May the death of this sad autocrat be the death of autocracy around the world, including here.

        May our government not waste one cent of public money commemorating the death of HRH.

          1. 14.1.1.1.1

            Why?

            She is going in her role as NZ's PM. NZ is a member of the Commonwealth and there would be n expectation she would be there. She's not going over to gate crash the event.

            Does this mean, in your view, she should pay for her official cars and pay rent for her office and for living in Premier House?

  15. 15

    ‘More than minor’: Planned dairy farm complex faces strong opposition

    Southland District Council resource management planner Alexandra Smith has recommended the application for the proposed development near Lake Te Anau be declined and submissions have been made public ahead of a hearing on the matter at the end of this month.

    The Department of Conservation and mana whenua are among those who have opposed the application.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/%E2%80%98more-minor%E2%80%99-planned-dairy-farm-complex-faces-strong-opposition

    Well, thats certainly changed the situation somewhat !

    1. 15.1

      "Environment Southland has defended its consent to the dairy development as an environmental improvement.

      Integrated catchment management general manager Paul Hulse said the site had been used for "a number of years" to graze stock over winter on crop or pasture.

      "It was assessed that the addition of a wintering barn will mitigate the potential for nutrient and sediment losses to water, as compared to the stock wintering outside.

      "The consent they now have restricts the discharge of effluent to a maximum area of 150ha and depth of discharge to 5mm in order to mitigate the potential for leaching or run-off of contaminants to freshwater."

      Mr Hulse said the location had a mix of soil types, some of which were free draining.

      However, Environment Southland determined the effects on the environment did not meet that threshold for public notification.'
      (From above link)

      1. 15.1.1

        That is, as maybe…However this was also in my Link…

        In recommending the proposal be declined, Ms Smith said the dairy-barn complex would have the "largest footprint proposed in the Southland region".

        The scale of the proposed winter barn complex — more than 14 times greater than what the rules permit — meant it could not integrate with the landscape.

        It would add to existing effects of the business already adversely affecting the landscape, and earthworks from the proposed construction could also contaminate waterways and harm the nearby Waiau River ecosystem.

        "I am of the view that the proposal will result in adverse effects on the environment that are more than minor," Ms Smith said.

        https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/%E2%80%98more-minor%E2%80%99-planned-dairy-farm-complex-faces-strong-opposition

  16. 16

    I know some are a wee bit sad Queenie's carked it but as a descendant of people who suffered because of the British aristocracy's penchant for violence, subjugation and theft, I couldn't give a rats.

    2. 16.2

      And spare us King Charles III.

      The first Charles lost his head (deservedly so), the second presided over the most licentious court in British history (and that's saying something) – so how will the third f*wit go?

      Time we became a republic!

      1. 16.2.1

        how will the third f*wit go?

        The bar is low.

        duplicitous and delusional

        – Samuel Gardiner

        Restless he rolls from whore to whore
        A merry monarch, scandalous and poor

        – John Wilmot

        Oh, God. I'll just live inside your trousers or something. It would be much easier!

        – Himself

      2. 16.2.2

        I think he will go quite well. He will never be as popular as the Queen, but he was way ahead of his time. We laughed at him for his weird beliefs regarding organics and regenerative agriculture and environmental issues. Now those issues are mainstream. We even have a political party based on those issues and the use of pronouns. Although I think the latter is something the new king will have to be brought up to speed on.

        1. 17.1.1.1

          Not to mention hosting Syrian dictator Basha Assad the only Middle East ruler to ever to overnight at Buckingham Palace.

          You know this guy.

        2. 17.1.1.2

          ''Fwiw, i know few people who two days before they die still work a full day of work. She did.''

          I know none. In the NZ context, Dr Golan Haami, the first Maori to graduate from the Otago Medical School, was helping his patients while on his death bed in hospital. Pity this guy was a Maori, otherwise he would've been a well known Kiwi.

            1. 17.1.1.2.1.1

              I remember his death well. I was watching Steve Rickards, 'On The Mat', wrestling programme when that programme was interrupted to announce Kirk's death. That would have been on a Saturday if I remember correctly. A nurse who was on duty later recounted she had a funny intuition all was not right with Kirk, so she went to his room, but he had passed on.

  18. 18

    Good on the young ones.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/victims-of-rapist-jayden-meyer-speak-as-hundreds-take-to-the-street-in-protest/M5USSVGFB2SUPUGHFZBTTA5DX4/

    Speaking to Open Justice, the girls – who have automatic name suppression – have described the lasting impact of the rapes and sexual violation they suffered at the hands of Jayden Meyer, who was 16 at the time of the offending.

    "Life doesn't prepare you for the horrors others' actions can inflict. Nor does it prepare you for the mental strain 16 months through the courts can cause," said one of the girls on behalf of the five victims. "This boy's actions have caused a lifetime of trauma and hurt."

    "Many have expressed that nine months isn't a suitable punishment against the 10 charges he's been convicted of. Considering, in our view, a lack of acknowledgement shown by both the offender and his family, justice doesn't feel as though it has been served in this case."

    snip

    yesterday afternoon more than 100 people gathered in Hamilton and at least 500 at Mt Maunganui's Mount Drury reserve in support of the victims – and to voice their concerns at the sentence.

    Students Amy Griffiths and Grace Hunt said they believed the sentence was a "slap in the face".

    "It's truly terrifying how you can rape underage children and get … a nine-month home detention sentence," Hunt said.

    "It's scary, it's really terrifying.

    "Rape culture is pretty prominent among young people, you hear people's experiences all the time. It's time to take a stand."

    snip

    According to district court documents recently obtained by Open Justice, all five victims were aged 15 at the time of the offending.

    In one instance the sex was initially consensual but Meyer raped the girl when she refused to be with him for a second time that night. On another occasion, he filmed the rape of another unconsenting girl. A third rape happened while his victim was asleep in bed.

    In the most graphic of the attacks, Meyer raped a teen in a bush after they had been at a party. The fifth girl was sexually violated.

    I hope that these young ones will be better adults then the one that sentenced that guy to the trauma of 9 month Home D.

    1. 18.1

      Yes I find it unbelievable that sentence of home D. As has been pointed out to me, we do not know all the details, but IMO that judge needs a rocket up her (unless judges have been ordered to reduce prison numbers).

      I hope due to the public outcry, they at least release more details and justify to the public why the home D was allowed.

      What next? this bloke gets home D?

      Sockburn fatal stabbing: Zakariye Mohamed Hussein admits street murder; shocking past revealed – NZ Herald

      2. 18.1.2

        What would you do with Meyer? Put him in an adult prison for 10 years, or 20? Would you want to live next door to him when he gets out after that? Maybe shut him up for life – happy to pay the taxes to fund all the extra prisons and staff are you? So maybe it's best (i.e. cheaper and final) to take him behind a bush and shoot him then – are you up for that?

        You offer no answers and you have no answers. Your sympathy for the young women concerned appears to be entirely bogus and opportunistic. You are sh*t-stirring and using the 'soft on crime' slogan in order to help get the Nats elected. Contemptible.

        1. 18.1.2.1

          Yes, i would lock him up for life.

          in fact i would lock him up for five life sentences. One for each girl.

          But he will be allowed out in 9 month, and chances are he will continue to rape.

          BTW, What would you do with a serial rapist that at 16 years of age has already raped 4 girls and assaulted a fifth girl? Give him 9 month home D or even less? maybe a pat on the shoulder? Give him a candy bar? Tell the girls to shut up?

          And have a good look at the youngsters protesting this injustice. And ask yourself if these young ones are going to be national voters or what ever party is still valid when they come of age because of that injustice?
          Think. Seriously Think.

        2. 18.1.2.2

          Yes I'm happy to pay more taxes to keep him in a juvenile prison and keep him off the streets else we get the re-offending like in the story of Mohamed in Stockburn in 18.1 above. He cant re-offend while behind bars.

          I guess in your view my thinking is flawed as I believe in a justice system for the victims (not what's best for the offenders).

        3. 18.1.2.3

          Just like this dude here should have not been released on parole.

          While on parole he had 14 special conditions including remaining at his property between 9pm and 6am daily, to attend psychological, alcohol and drug assessments as well as not possessing, using or consuming alcohol or other drugs unless prescribed by a health professional.

          The conditions were to last six months following this release.

          In releasing Brider, the board assessed him as a high risk of violent offending and a moderately high risk of sexual offending.

          “It is trite that most offenders pose a risk,” The board decision said. “The test is whether that risk is undue…” “While there is risk, it is the board’s view that the risk is not undue.”

          His statutory release date for the rape was February 4, 2022.

          he got out, bought his tools of the trade and killed.

          Brider broke in after midnight.

          Bonilla-Herrera had an app on her phone that recorded noise made during night. It recorded the start of her attack.

          She says, “excuse me” before Brider told her to “shut up” and threatened to cut her throat.

          A struggle ensued.

          During the next 10 minutes, Brider continued to threaten to kill her, and bound her using a bedsheet and masking tape. Several punches could be heard.

          She begged him not to kill her.

          Brider then took her into the lounge, where the struggle continued.

          She tried to run from him, but was stabbed several times, including in the chest.

          She suffered 51 separate injuries. She died by the door. Brider returned home, showered and disposed of items used in murder.

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129806897/man-who-murdered-christchurch-neighbour-was-on-parole-for-brutal-rape

          i am all for prisons being emptied of non violent people who did some stupid shit in their life and chances are will never re-offend. But violent men and women should be treated differently.

      3. 18.1.3

        Jimmy, it seems both of us would like the same thing. We both want a suitable sentence for a serious crime.

        The difference is that I am willing to trust that the judge has ruled according to the evidence and the principles of sentencing that judges follow whereas you condemn the judge (who you say is a woman which would in my eyes more predispose towards a tougher sentence for a crime like multiple rape) and demand to see the justification after proferring your condemnation.

        I just found this as a guide to why judges sentence as they do. https://www.lawteacher.net/lecture-notes/principles-of-sentencing.php

      4. 18.1.4

        … (unless judges have been ordered to reduce prison numbers).

        Again, you show your profound ignorance of the NZ judicial system and the independence of the judiciary even though others have already explained this to you.

        Enlighten us who could, would and should order the judges to reduce prison numbers. How does this work in NZ?

  19. 19

    Luxon's broken promise …

    He said the report on Sam Uffindell would be done by a QC. It's taken so long that it is now impossible for that to happen. Resign!

    wink

    1. 19.1

      Now to be completed by a KFC, and kept secret like the colonel's spices. Take away justice, indeed….. a salt and sauce and taste that won''t go away.

  23. 23

    Friday dump.

    Robertson releases response to Infrastructure recommendations and says government will spend 61.5 billion$ on infrastructure, over the next 5 years.

    The foremost problem to a large tome full of words,is that we have no money.The second part of the problem is we are in a high interest rate regime,with significant constraints on supply (as Europe closes industry that will be needed for infrastructure)

    https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2022-09/govt-response-nz-infrastructure-strategy-sep22.pdf

    1. 23.1

      I'll have a look over the weekend.

      They don't have the ability to reconcile:

      – 8 years to the 100% renewables goal

      – New RMA that doesn't accelerate major energy projects

      – Too few skilled workers

      – Very very thin capital base

      – Few Tier 1 companies prepared to take a punt on NZ

      They are writing cheques with their mouth that their ass can't cash.

      1. 23.1.1

        About right.

        Finance is the problem,along with using european energy models to provide capital guidance for say pumped hydro (wait to consumers get a big hit to provide capital servicing charges)

  24. 24

    I wonder if there was the traditional call of "The Queen is dead – long live the King!".

    But seriously, I was no particular lover of the British monarchy but did respect her late majesty – she kept working and doing her duty to the end.

    However I think that republican aspirations, which have been on hold out of respect for her majesty, will now gather momentum now that she has passed.

    1. 24.1

      The news that next Tuesday Parliament will adjourn for a whole week has just made me a little more republican. A day of tributes, fine. Pay respect, make the speeches, then adjourn for the day.

      But putting everything on hold for a week is excessive. Most people got up and went to work this morning.

      1. 24.1.1

        I think we would be charged by our off-shore friends and allies as showing disrespect to the late Queen. I think its is just the debating chamber shenanigans is it not?

        2. 24.1.2.2

          Well, it's not a hereditary position to hold until death, at least in a democratic republic. So it doesn't happen often, they are usually ex-heads in retirement and when they die – yes, it is mostly BAU.

            1. 24.1.2.2.1.1

              Presidents overseas are basically in two categories: majorly political, like USA and France) and minor (more ceremonial, like Germany and Ireland).

              If NZ became a republic I'm pretty certain we'd choose the latter, leaving real power in Parliament. We'd still have a Gov-Gen in all but name. Nobody's advocating the American system, AFAIK.

              No, I don't have examples from overseas because when the German/Irish Presidents die we don't notice, which is kind of the point.

            2. 24.1.2.2.1.2

              Monarchs don’t die very often either, do they?

              Not British/NZ monarchs, obviously. But that's the thing – we don't notice what we don't notice. Many European monarchies are more low key than the Windsor soap opera, and better for it.

          2. 24.1.2.2.2

            Hume argued quite succinctly for the strengths of a constitutional monarchy,and the stability that it provided during the change of governments.

            "It is well known, that every government must come to a period, and that death is unavoidable to the political, as well as to the animal body. But, as one kind of death may be preferable to another, it may be inquired, whether it be more desirable for the British constitution to terminate in a popular government, or in an absolute monarchy? Here, I would frankly declare, that though liberty be preferable to slavery, in almost every case; yet I should rather wish to see an absolute monarch than a republic in this island. For let us consider what kind of republic we have reason to expect. The question is not concerning any fine imaginary republic of which a man forms a plan in his closet. There is no doubt but a popular government may be imagined more perfect than an absolute monarchy, or even than our present constitution. But what reason have we to expect that any such government will ever be established in Great Britain, upon the dissolution of our monarchy? If any single person acquire power enough to take our constitution to pieces, and put it up anew, he is really an absolute monarch; and we have already had an instance of this kind, sufficient to convince us, that such a person will never resign his power, or establish any free government. Matters, therefore, must be trusted to their natural progress and operation; and the House of Commons, according to its present constitution, must be the only legislature in such a popular government. The inconveniences attending such a situation of affairs present themselves by thousands. If the House of Commons, in such a case, ever dissolve itself, which is not to be expected, we may look for a civil war every election. If it continue itself, we shall suffer all the tyranny of a faction subdivided into new factions. And, as such a violent government cannot long subsist, we shall at last, after many convulsions and civil wars, find repose in absolute monarchy, which it would have been happier for us to have established peaceably from the beginning. Absolute monarchy, therefore, is the easiest death, the true Euthanasia of the British constitution.

            "Thus if we have more reason to be jealous of monarchy, because the danger is more imminent from that quarter; we have also reason to be more jealous of popular government, because that danger is more terrible. This may teach us a lesson of moderation in all our political controversies."

            From Huxley (1879)

            https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18819/18819-h/18819-h.htm

  26. 26

    Hair and scalp clinics around the world are overwhelmed with patients suffering hair damage after a severe outbreak of forelock tugging sweeps the globe.

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