Open mike 09/04/2013

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 145 comments
Categories: open mike

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

145 comments on “Open mike 09/04/2013”

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

  1. 1

    Eighty-five. Who’s going to be miffed if they aren’t on the GCSB’s list?

    That’s a pretty big fail, from Key and Clark. “Control”, says the law.

      1. 1.1.1

        it’s funny that a report which, among other things, deals with leaks from the GCSB is also leaked.

    1. 3.1

      She insisted something be done about the Greenhouse Effect. I suspect she saw it as competition.

      1. 3.1.1

        She had a background in the sciences so would have been better able to comprehend the future problems related to the Greenhouse Effect. It’s the one thing for which she can be given some credit. Pretty much the only one as far as I am aware.

        2. 3.1.1.2

          I have no problem believing that her ideology would have trumped any scientific training. At best, if she had seen an opportunity for English finance capital to make a few quid from it, she would have taken a position against global warming. I don’t think her attacks on the miners were a sign of environmental consciousness either, but I may be biased.

      1. 5.1.1

        TPPA will affect the way we make our laws in that we will have to consider outside corporate interests

      2. 5.1.2

        question Roflcopter…
        in your world does the recently passed ‘Monsanto is now above the Law’ Bill in the USA affect the TPP here in NZ ?

        P.S. It is a trick question, because no-one knows what is in the TPP.

        1. 5.1.2.1

          I think it is critical we understand the secret travesty of how this bill came into law in the US last week — and these are people and a government we are supposed to trust in a secret agreement like TPPA ?

          Jon Stewart of The Daily Show has the full story — yes, told comedically obviously, but it is the most astute analysis I have seen of what happened. It is beyond unimaginable — it was not only secret, it was anonymous. Take a few minutes please and see how it worked and duped everyone …

          We are sitting ducks to Monsanto’s GM plans for our food crops. Beware, here there be muilti-headed dragons ..

          http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-3-2013/you-stuck-what-where-now-

          ( Rosy .. hope you see this.)

          1. 5.1.2.1.1

            (No edit button ?) I should have said that Jon Stewart’s is the ONLY astute analysis of what actually occurred last week. Please, watch if you can.

  6. 6

    I know we should not speak ill of the dead but Thatcher is perhaps the strongest case there is against this. Single handedly she wrecked the UK and it is in a mess now because of what she did.

    May she rest in peace.

        1. 6.4.1.1

          “Give her a state funeral – because a lot of people will want to pay their last respects, and a lot more people will want proof that she’s really dead”.

          “It’ll be the first time that the 21 gun salute shoots the coffin.”

          “What’s the point of holding the funeral in London? Surely if they held it up North there’d be a lot better turnout, because there’d be loads of people in the streets having a party.”

          (The state funeral). “How much do you think it’s gonna cost? 3 million. For 3 million we could give everyone in Scotland a shovel and they would dig a hole so deep that we could hand her over to Satan personally.”

    6. 6.6

      Fav line so far is the plans for her grave have been released and there’s concern the dancefloor isn’t big enough.

  8. 8

    A brave woman, firm in her beliefs. Beliefs which weren’t massively changed by Blair or Major and she was right about the Euro.

          1. 8.1.1.1.1

            Considering there is no evidence Thatcher was aware of Savilles behavior anymore than the next person then yes it is pretty low.

              1. 8.1.1.1.1.1.1

                So you need it to be spelled out in a simpler fashion? OK.

                There is no evidence whatsoever that Thatcher knew of any of Savilles crimes and to insinuate that Thatcher may have aided or abetted one of the most serious pedophiles in modern history based entirely on personal speculation is pretty low indeed.

                1. 8.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                  I resent your insinuation toward me. There is no evidence whatsoever that I have insinuated any such thing about that horrible subhuman cretin Thatcher.

                  Very low, Contrarian, even for a contrarian.

    2. 8.2

      “firm in her beliefs”

      That’s not actually a compliment if the beliefs are vicious, anti-human and abhorrent.

      “Beliefs which weren’t massively changed by Blair or Major”

      Further harsh condemnation of the dead from chris73.

          1. 8.2.1.1.1

            True but I like to make sure that what i write is what i mean otherwise i end up apologizing for something, which i don’t like doing

    3. 8.3

      Homicidal psychopaths are pretty firm in their beliefs too,
      does not make them right or good or worthy of the unending platitudes that will vomit forth from the chambers she ruled with that never tiring Iron Fist.

    5. 8.5

      lol. Right about the Euro. fair enough, but that’s not the only things she believed.

      laws passed on her watch banning councils from doing anything that might ‘support homosexuality’.

      opposed the reunification of Germany.

      and that’s without getting into the famous stuff about the Mandela, or South American despots.

      She’s a complicated figure, but I find the defence of her that she was ‘strong’ to be an odd one. SFW? Lot’s of awful people are strong as well as good people.

      1. 8.5.1

        To be fair to chris, there’s not a hell of a lot nice anyone can write about her without resorting to vague generalised value judgments about supposed character traits.

        The nasty factual stuff is easy cos it’s all a matter of public record.

  9. 9

    Welcome to Hell, Mrs Thatcher

    We have a special chamber ready just for you.

    Your infernal friends,

    Saddam Hussein
    Milton Friedman
    General Pinochet
    Ronald Reagan
    General Suharto

    1. 9.1

      Dali Tambo, son of former ANC president Oliver Tambo.

      My gut reaction now is what it was at the time when she said my father was the leader of a terrorist organisation. I don’t think she ever got it that every day she opposed sanctions, more people were dying, and that the best thing for the assets she wanted to protect was democracy.

      Many lives were lost. It’s a shame that we could never call her one of the champions of the liberation struggle. Normally we say that when one of us goes, the ANC ancestors will meet them at the pearly gates and give them a standing ovation. I think it’s quite likely that when Margaret Thatcher reaches the pearly gates, the ANC will boycott the occasion.

      http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2013/apr/08/miliband-clegg-local-elections-cameron-madrid

    2. 9.2

      and that big chair with the unpleasant aroma and the spiky cushions in the corners is for Kissinger when he finally shakes loose the mortal coil, the little stools surrounding it are reserved for the Bush family and their cohorts

      1. 10.1.1

        And your reality check is she was leader for 11 years, for 11 years the public of Great Britain voted her in and irrespective of what some lazy miners “up north” and (admittedly quite talented) musicians said or say she was a great leader and the UK is better off because of her decisions

        1. 10.1.1.1

          Reality check No.2:

          A minority supported her, and she left Britain more unequal and divided. Perhaps you may have heard that Scotland will hold a referendum on secession next year.

        2. 10.1.1.2

          ” irrespective of – some lazy miners “up north” ”

          I do wonder, truely, if you have ever done a day’s hard labour in your entire life ?

          Let alone day after day in conditions not fit for moles let alone human beings. Have you ever had to watch your entire industry get stolen by foreign profiteers as your daily wage shrinks and your communities crumble, all so a hegemony of hate can be dumped on you from above. (wow that sounds familiar) Maybe then you would begin to understand what all those people fought and died for. A livelihood. Self respect. Families and Communities. However faulted and mistaken the Industry was, coal built the Industrial Revolution and subsequently the tool that you now yield with the aplomb of a rabid meerkat.

          A revolution that forever altered our world. Built on the broken backs of men women and children, enslaved by circumstance, but still proud enough to know that they were contributing to their Nation. Now when that Nation [ie some genetic inbreds who have their mates sit in silly wigs and spout meaningless bs to other twits who then lie to the people that asked them to represent them] decides that the industry that revolutionised the world can be run cheaper elsewhere, did they get thanks for the generations of sacrifice? Did they get new jobs? Whole communities were destroyed as severely as if the very bombs their coal had helped to build were used against them. You have the gall to call coal miners lazy.

          All I know is I am glad The Standard has very clear rules because yet again, my self-restraint was most certainly tested by your ignorance. Chris73, I ask you to reconsider your foolish words, on this and many many topics. Maybe just spend some time thinking on this life you obvioulsy have no respect for, and the lives lost for you to have it.

            1. 10.1.1.2.2.1

              And yet you’re happy to use the term, lazy towards workers under conditions, which in all liklihood you have never experienced.

            3. 10.1.1.2.2.3

              I’ve done more hard labour and in worse conditions then you sunshine

              Nobody who has worked hard has such a contemptuous view of workers as you have expressed on this forum. You are a liar.

              1. 10.1.1.2.2.3.1

                +1.

                Besides, chris lost any last glimmer of respectability when he admitted that his anecdotes, which he writes as if they’re true stories from his own life, may or may not be true.

          3. 10.1.1.2.3

            Excellent work freedom! Excellent! now considering “work” anecdotes “chris”, I dare ya. Go on, I mutherfuckin wager you; (all this mornings comments by the rider shall be moderated from Belarus, CCCP)

        4. 10.1.1.4

          dont forget she was never voted out by the public, never lost an election, so the people voting must have seen that the great policys of Thatcher were working.

          2. 10.1.1.4.2

            “the people voting must have seen that the great policys of Thatcher were working.”

            You terminal fool, Thatcher’s great policies had nothing to do with working.

        5. 10.1.1.5

          All people like Thatcher, Key, and Douglas do is take the infrastructure and social benefits built up by generations of workers under conditions of union militancy and social democracy and destroy it to the advantage of the bank accounts of their own mates. They create nothing except division, bigotry, and hatred. There is no great talent to what they do apart from that needed to deceive the electorate. They contribute less to society than any of the beneficiaries or unionists they enjoy marginalising. They are truly scum.
          I mourn their deaths as I would mourn the eradication of cancer.

    3. 10.3

      Can’t believe you posted that chris. It shows her as either barking mad, ill-informed, or deliberately deceptive – depending on how charitable you feel.

      Certainly didn’t “skewer” anyone in this clip, although her good mates Suharto and Pinochet did, as did many of her family’s clients around the world.

  11. 11

    from Obama

    “With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend. As a grocer’s daughter who rose to become Britain’s first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered.”

    and where does a shattered glass ceiling go ?

    2. 11.2

      “…there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered.”

      Especially when you send your Air Force to Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and Iraq to bomb the houses with the glass ceilings in them.

  12. 12

    The proof is there, how the Ministry of Social Development has through the controversial Dr David Bratt, who is their “Principal Health Advisor”, and who follows a similar approach while interpreting and applying the perverted “bio psycho social model” for assessing and rehabilitating sick and disabled as Professor Mansel Aylward from Cardiff University, is INFLUENCING how DOCTORS assess and fill out WORK CAPACITY MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS for WINZ.

    A look at a document found online, issued by the MEDICAL SERVICE of the AUCKLAND CITY MISSION for starters, exposes the result of intensive lobbying of GPs by so-called “Health and Disability Coordinators” that MSD and WINZ employ:

    http://www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz/uploads/file/Calder%20Centre/Sickness%20Benefit%20explanation.pdf

    Background report, showing from where the Missions Medical Centre evolved:
    http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/mission-possible/1036109/

    Doctors working for the Mission’s “Calder Centre” appear to willingly accept the “expectations” that MSD and hard line, indeed biased, Dr David Bratt impose on them, by even quoting comments made by him, that were published in a NZ Doctor article titled ‘Harms lurk for benefit addicts’ on 01 August 2012:

    http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/in-print/2012/august-2012/1-august-2012/harms-lurk-for-benefit-addicts.aspx
    (try to “google” it if it does not show)

    That article raised concern by a well educated, independent reader, whose partner is a doctor, but who like many doctors in NZ prefers not to “comment” on the conduct of colleagues:

    http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/in-print/2012/august-2012/29-august-2012/questioning-the-direction-of-msd-policy.aspx
    (“google” ‘Questioning the direction of MSD policy’ by Tim Walker Nelson, NZ Doctor 29 Aug. 2012 if not showing)

    Health and Disability Coordinators are special advisory and liaison staff that MSD use to “advise” GPs on expectations the Ministry and therefore also WINZ have of doctors, and they “inform” about policies, are involved in the selection process of GPs to work as “designated doctors” for WINZ, and naturally are managed, mentored and instructed by the Principal Health Advisor and the Principal Disability Advisor.

    A “summarised” job description for such a position recently advertised can be found here:
    http://www.jobseeker.co.nz/job/Disability-Coordinator-0b3f38117d62c6a6d6a8471d26ca3c98
    (I have a more detailed, official one in PDF file format at hand)

    For years now, Health Work Force NZ (staffing and training agency as part of the Ministry of Health, headed by Dr Des Gorman, another “hard liner” in the medical profession), and the Medical Council and naturally the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners have worked, to bring about “changes” to the training program of GPs. One does not need to speculate too much, that there are also “messages” sent through the senior “trainers” and the heads of mentioned organisation, that impact on how training will be conducted, what it will include, and that certain “expectations” by government ministries will flow in.

    Dr Des Gorman is holding high positions in many institutions:
    http://www.conference.co.nz/gp13/speakers/panel_session_speakers/des_gorman

    (a summary of his back-ground, he will be a key senior speaker again at this year’s GP conference in Wellington, and his controversial past role as advisor and assessor for ACC is not forgotten).

    Another likely speaker at this years GP conference, is also expected to be Dr Bratt in his role as “Principal Health Advisor” – from MSD, who is likely to once again present his “views” and pseudo scientific findings on the “benefits” of work, and the “harm of being on a welfare benefit” for his employer Work and Income:

    http://www.gpcme.co.nz/pdf/GP%20CME/Friday/C1%201515%20Bratt-Hawker.pdf

    Of general info, but not revealing much here:
    http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/developments-in-general-practice-training

    But what is clear from the document issued by the doctors working for the Medical Service at the Auckland City Mission is, MSD do assert strong influence now on how doctors in general work with them, as most doctors will at some time have to complete medical certificates that WINZ expects from clients and doctors’ patients to establish benefit entitlement on health and work capacity grounds.

    HOW INDEPENDENT ARE DOCTORS IN NEW ZEALAND – in view of such developents?

    The draconian, in some ways almost “fascist”, “work sets you free” approach to illness, disability and welfare appears to become commonly accepted in the wider medical profession, due to very concerning developments!

    1. 12.1

      Well said Xtasy. This goes directly to Karol’s post on Thatcher.

      “…action, political will, and policies based in sound evidence and humane values is not enough. In order to work towards a more inclusive, fairer world without poverty and destructive divisions, there is a need to find a way to counter the extensive networks, power and reach of the “neoliberal” elites.”

  13. 13

    For further info – or correction:
    There appears to be another annual conference for GPs in Rotorua, at which Dr David Bratt from MSD is listed as speaker on health and welfare issues:
    http://www.gpcme.co.nz/speakers.php

    His name is shown there, and for memory, last year he appears to have presented this PDF and verbal presentation to doctors at such a meeting:
    http://www.gpcme.co.nz/pdf/2012/Fri_DaVinci_1400_Bratt_Medical%20Certificates%20are%20Clinical%20Instruments%20too%20-%20June%202012.pdf
    (pages 3, 16 and 33 display his now well known “view” that benefit dependence has the same “dangers” as “drug dependence”)

    This conference is apparently organised by the New Zealand Medical Association.

    1. 13.1

      Professor Mansel Aylward, former Chief Medical Officer for Department of Work and Pensions in the UK – under Maggie Thatcher’s government, by the way, will also speak at that Rotorua annual conference for GPs just mentioned, see the Sunday sessions, 23 June 2013, at the ‘Main Conference’ (click program on the website, for which the link is provided).

      AND Dr Des Gorman will speak there also! Talk about all the “work ability” hardliners mixing and mingling at such places.

      So under the radar, not mentioned by MSD, Paula Bennett, Tony Ryall and others, the highly controversial “Sir” Prof. Mansel Aylward is still doing his tours in NZ, lobbying hard for the work test approaches and regimes that have been introduced into the UK, and in 2011 led to over 1,100 deaths, due to people not coping with stress, work requirements while they could not work, and due to committing suicide.

      The agenda is progressing, and NO public consultation is taking place, how damned revealing! ANY TRUST in welfare reforms, and how doctors and specialists in NZ operate, risking to breach their own professional codes???

      Revealing, all this, is it not?

      http://www.whywaitforever.com/dwpatosbusiness.html

      http://mikesivier.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/unum-atos-the-dwp-and-the-wca-who-gets-the-blame-for-the-biopsychosocial-saga/mansel_aylward/

      http://mikesivier.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/unum-atos-the-dwp-and-the-wca-who-gets-the-blame-for-the-biopsychosocial-saga/

      http://atosvictimsgroup.co.uk/2012/05/31/how-many-disabled-people-will-the-dwp-atos-kill-eventually-the-crematoriums-and-graveyards-will-be-overflowing-at-this-rate/

    2. 13.2

      I’m in favour of the legalisation of recreational drugs, except for the one which causes neoliberalism. I think your description of Bratt’s views as perverted is totally accurate. His followers in the UK are, in my opinion, already responsible for deaths among the disabled. The guy is an enemy of humanity.

  14. 14

    In the article “Ex-spy boss lashes out at PM’s claims” by Adam Bennet there is a curious bit right at the end which I found interesting
    Senior sources have told the Herald that the person suspected of leaking information to Labour about that briefing – including claims Mr Key was not only briefed about the Dotcom surveillance, but joked about it – had been identified and had now “lawyered up”.

    If the report establishes a leak, the GCSB’s legislation carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.
    By Adam Bennett Email Adam
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10876297

    2. 14.2

      GCSB’s legislation carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.

      Yes spying on NZ citizens, is also a criminal offence providing for a couple of semesters at rock college.A very dangerous game for the plantiffs.

      .

      1. 14.3.1

        Key may have met his match in Ferguson AmaKiwi.

        He was a former fighter pilot based at Ohakea. Those fighter pilots were the creme de la creme of the Air Force. He rose to Squadron Leader and it’s my understanding he was a popular leader who put the safety and welfare of his pilots first. He became Commander of the Air force Base at Whenuapai in the early 1990s and the rest is history. A born leader.

        With a background like that he out-classes John Key in every way. Key knows it and he’ll continue to discredit him at every turn. Good luck John. You’ll probably end up in a courtroom like your idol, Rob Muldoon.

        1. 14.3.1.1

          I’d debate your definition of attack pilots as the “creme de la creme” of the RNZAF, Anne. My pedantic hat tells me that the Skyhawks were not fighters, but attack bombers. While the pilots undoubtedly were very skilled, they also needed tibia no longer than a certain length. Too long, and they couldn’t use the ejection seat and were therefore not eligible for Skyhawks. There well may have been helicopter, transport, or maritime reconnaissance pilots with equal skills, but a couple of cm taller. This is without thinking of the ground staff, navigators etc.

          1. 14.3.1.1.1

            Skyhawks were multirole aircraft, and in the 1960’s and 1970’s were considered fairly capable air to air interceptors. For instance they were used for many years at TOPGUN as the main adversary aircraft. But yes, they were usually used in the ground strike role.

  15. 15

    I see Ian Wishart has written a penetrating book on politics or apparently. Daylight Robbery – anyone read this?

  16. 16

    Margaret Thatcher and misapplied death etiquette
    by GLENN GREENWALD, The Guardian, 8 April 2013

    ‘News of Margaret Thatcher’s death this morning instantly and predictably gave rise to righteous sermons on the evils of speaking ill of her. British Labour MP Tom Watson decreed: “I hope that people on the left of politics respect a family in grief today.” Following in the footsteps of Santa Claus, Steve Hynd quickly compiled a list of all the naughty boys and girls “on the left” who dared to express criticisms of the dearly departed Prime Minister, warning that he “will continue to add to this list throughout the day”. Former Tory MP Louise Mensch, with no apparent sense of irony, invoked precepts of propriety to announce: “Pygmies of the left so predictably embarrassing yourselves, know this: not a one of your leaders will ever be globally mourned like her.”

    This demand for respectful silence in the wake of a public figure’s death is not just misguided but dangerous. That one should not speak ill of the dead is arguably appropriate when a private person dies, but it is wildly inappropriate for the death of a controversial public figure, particularly one who wielded significant influence and political power. “Respecting the grief” of Thatcher’s family members is appropriate if one is friends with them or attends a wake they organize, but the protocols are fundamentally different when it comes to public discourse about the person’s life and political acts. I made this argument at length last year when Christopher Hitchens died and a speak-no-ill rule about him was instantly imposed (a rule he, more than anyone, viciously violated), and…

    Read more…
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/08/margaret-thatcher-death-etiquette

    1. 16.1

      Ya gotta love football fans.

      http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/margaret-thatcher-dead-saw-what-1818338

      This Sunday is North East derby day – Newcastle United will play Sunderland at St. James’ Park, a fixture that is usually overloaded with bile from both sets of supporters.

      If the powers-that-be think that a minute’s silence for the Iron Lady will be appropriate, they’ll find that the fans are more unified in their response than they’ve ever been.

    2. 16.2

      well, Christopher Hitchens is putting out fires, continuously, as we write, so, he is unable to come to the phone right now…

      1. 16.2.1

        One of Christopher Hitchens’ unfunny little ongoing jokes was his his insistence that he had a powerful lust for Mrs Thatcher.

        If only there was an infernal edition of Big Brother being livestreamed, we could sit back and enjoy the spectacle of the unspeakable in full pursuit of the insufferable.

        1. 16.2.1.1

          The original quote of the unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible works very well if translated into Portuguese.

  17. 17

    CRIMINALISING PROTEST AT SEA IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE IN A ‘FREE AND DEMOCRATIC’ COUNTRY AS NEW ZEALAND IS SUPPOSED TO BE!

    Please SHARE SHARE SHARE!!!

    Sign the Statement Now
    http://www.greenpeace.org
    Protect the right of New Zealanders to protest at sea: Reject the Anadarko Amendment!

    This is important folks!

    If you don’t know your rights – you don’t have any.

    If you don’t defend the rights you’re supposed to have – you lose them.

    New Zealand for multinational companies and overseas investors?

    I don’t think so.

    HUMAN RIGHTS – NOT CORPORATE RIGHTS!

    Penny Bright

    3. 17.3

      yes, apparently there are some clear Human rights, democratic rights abuses in this surreptitious legislation; could be time for the rider to re-arm (ha ha ha P. shine a light on yourselves why don’t you). 😉

  18. 18

    So who dreaded the thought of everyone going on about how wonderful MT was when they read about her death??

  19. 19

    while i am here; for a freakin’ small country, we sure generate some news;
    there is just too many people asking for money from the queen,
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10876345
    while another judge hits out at “drinking culture”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10876295
    could be Key is “smokin dope” himself; (brother John)
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10876297
    thank the Lord for whakapapa
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10875389
    finally, the Reserve Bank makes some noise; how far shall we stretch the bubble?
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10876259

    and an increased demand for “natural burials”; well thank the Lord for that; all that prime real estate…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49G1A1aw3A4
    (thanks to Japan’s QE, TWI now 78.14)
    Read em’ and weep

  20. 20

    furthermore, in the neo-lib paradise MICHAEL;
    from ONE News, Key appears to have reverted to Denial mode now.

    another ‘thin edge of the wedge’- FB charging to message those beyond ‘ friends of friends’.

    Post Tenebras Lux
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1754367/
    (you are in the wrong League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Pop)

    these “85” spied upon could have breached the Defense Act and the Privacy Act; (how much are people gonna take up the back door? hmmm? hmmm?)

    meanwhile, Lester Levy (now that IS a funny handle); “decreased, increased, funding” in the health sector; while there is a general decrease in majority of OECD countries.
    -however, in NZ, according to ASMS, there is lack of overall strategic direction in health.Do Not Worry says Lester, we are workin on the internal culture of DHBs.

    But wait, there’s more; David Round (Independent Constitutional Review chairman) “putting principles of treaty into constitutional review will be “disasterous” “. Really! Is that right? well, te Mob may disagree wit chu. 🙂

    for Ennui;
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8wxj8dI5bQ
    for louise
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIPNBIwqZNY
    for the non-drinkers amongst us…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFYOHrwi-W8
    (some Hot Chocolate)
    and, imho, the song of the month…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbQ0Cb6h3Ew
    oops, stomp on that one, meant

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kq0vPSadqU
    (Glory, Glory, Hallelujah 🙂 )
    or,
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zufpr8BwY9U
    …in HB, they like to keep things fresh and light, so bring your Big City weary arse down here.

  21. 21

    Oh wow, and this week’s government privacy breach comes from…. The Ministry of Justice.

    The full enchilada – passwords, access to alter financial transactions, and access to sensitive personal information all wide open (apparently from the website).

    Fuck sake.

  22. 22

    I remember the haughty, hectoring old bag Thatcher for the hissing reaction she gave some poor journalist at the time of the French bombing of the Rainbow Warrior, when it was suggested the bombing as state-sponsored terrorism merited the same denunciation she gave other complicit states.

    She was a mad control freak, liar, obssessive, and to come right down to it…….a cheap snob. That particularly despicable breed of Tory, the snob. No tears for her here. In her vainglory she was instrumental in the deaths of many, many, many. And in retirement she personally gave succour to Pinochet when the High Court confined him to some country estate in Surrey.

    See YouTube “The Day Margaret Thatcher Dies” – Pete Wylie I think.

  24. 24

    well, observations from the Q.T.

    so, “if NZ is better than what we see in other parts of the world (La garde, you freakin mis-pronouncing idiots)” then who is BS-ing who we ask you.

    must say, the Govt. appeared muted for a change; maybe a reality check going on; i.e. what a liability Key, English, Brownlee, Parata, Bennett et al are turning out to be for Noo Zillund.

    do you think Amy Adams, and Katrina Shanks might have a touch of “Downs” themselves? Projection much, we ask you:

    Cosgrove on MRP; “66 Thousand and 600 and 66 Dollars in fees per person?” you have to be pullin’ our legs…

    David Carter-“I wonder whether…” (asks acting PM for more detail).

    re this Kitteridge Report; Excellent questioning by Dr Russell Norman; apparently the “leaked” document was ‘locked” in the PM’s office…FFS

    btw, DPS, when the rider has ridden over Bennett, he will then roll on down the road to that idiot fascist Sabin and on round the bend to the blonde bimbo Macindoe (where do we get these people from, some swamp?)

    Brownlee: EQC staff cannot yet e-mail attachments and must stay back after school for sanding.
    (shut-down of e-mail until some “certainty”; well, who is the tail, and who are the dogs..)

    and to further the point Gareth Hughes on the supplementary leg. to the Crown Minerals Bill
    “BOR breaches, International Law breaches and breaches of democratic rights! Baa.

    Freakin sleepy Hobbits, or what.

      1. 26.1.1

        no clock here so ave a gander at these (while i peruse the Thatcher threads) 😉
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC3KcX8eQ3c
        (last night, another soldier)

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFECyiPS9Tg
        (Propaganda)

        Eye Candy
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUu0HUMJLPo

        THE REAL THING budgies
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9otg_Cm50RE
        The Queen is Dead, Long Live The Queen!!!
        ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh6KCehWE8M )
        2001 (for R.socrates)
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3sqvxnJ3Cw
        (who needs to eat; bananas anyone?)

  28. 28

    National Party have a mock up of spoof news like a pop magazine. The blurb for Maggie Barry says she writes on Roses, Wisteria and Radical Welfare Reform. The flowers that most likely grow in that garden area would be Love-Lies-Bleeding.(Tassel flower or Amaranthus).

  30. 30

    So WE HAVE IT NOW!

    It appears that was the last debate and vote that occured a short time ago tonight in Parliament – on the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill!

    Votes were 59 against and 61 in favour. Yes, that is IT!

    The Maori Party voted with 2 votes against, so one of their MPs appears to have abstained or whatever.

    The Na(t)zis have – with their “support” muppets Banks and Dunne – pushed throught he most mean spirited, draconian and senseless “welfare reforms”, which will from the time of introduction and implementation in mid July this year see to it, that many beneficiaries (most of whom have NO DAMNED CLUE what will hit them) will face radical changes, severe restrictions, harsh and firm expectations and sanctions if they do not cooperate.

    This will change New Zealand, I am sure, and while this country has already become a rather divided, untrusting, competing and mean place, it will get even worse.

    The damned SHIT MEDIA of this land has not even reported one damned bit about it, the political current affairs and news reporters have treated it as insignificant, and consequently the public has very little ideas what is involved.

    So the last speaker, I think it was that stupid “cop” from up north, a Nat MP, even cheekily teased the opposition, what the problem was, he asked, as there was nobody protesting in the streets, nobody discussing it on talkback and nobody being opposed.

    Hey, does anybody not realise yet? NZ is run like a DICTATORSHIP of sorts, where key powers are in the control of certain key decisionmakers and lobby-groups. Welcome to the Dictatorship of Aotearoa NZ.

    Thank you “Dear Leader”, John The Shining Light and Key to Hell!

  31. 31

    So UK Labour seem to be warming to the adjusted Atos work capacity testing regime again, as atosvictimsgroup have detected:

    http://atosvictimsgroup.co.uk/2013/04/07/liam-byrne-and-the-labour-party-finally-joins-up-with-the-nasty-party-did-we-really-expect-anything-else/

    If that is anything to go by, perhaps we will see Shearer’s Labour “warm” to the newly passed “welfare reforms” pushed through by Na(t)zis here in NZ also, once they have been implemented and are running?

    I am waiting with interest, to see how Labour will stand on welfare at the coming elections!

    NO TRUST, I must say, despite of the odd good speech against the new bill in Parliament tonight. Thanks to Sua William Sio, though.

    But the only truly great speech that an opposition MP held tonight, that was the one by Jan Logie, Greens!

    Thank you Jan!

    Stay firm on course in welfare matters, please, many of us need this and rely on you!!!

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