Open mike 10/09/2022

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 93 comments
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93 comments on “Open mike 10/09/2022”

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      1. 1.1.1

        I think you nailed it. I have huge respect for the Queens loyalty and work ethic. But apart from that royalty doesn't feature in my life. I have no interest.

          1. 1.1.1.1.1

            I'll rephrase to put your mind at ease.

            ''I think you nailed it. I have huge respect for the Queens loyalty and work ethic. Apart from that royalty doesn't feature in my life. I have no interest.''

      1. 1.2.1

        For the child in all of us.

        ….They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace –
        Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
        We looked for the King, but he never came.
        "Well, God take care of him, all the same,"
        Says Alice.

        They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace –
        Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
        They've great big parties inside the grounds.
        "I wouldn't be King for a hundred pounds,"
        Says Alice.

        They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace –
        Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
        A face peered out, but it wasn't the King's.
        "He's much too busy a-signing things,"
        Says Alice.
        ….

        "Do you think the King knows all about me?"
        "Sure to, dear, but it's time for tea,"
        Says Alice.

        https://allpoetry.com/Buckingham-Palace

  2. 2

    That's suits me just fine…..I really like Crass…

    …and am also in solidarity with the Republican Irish, and all other nations that have suffered under a long and brutal history of devastating British Royal imperialism……but then there seems to be plenty of modern imperialists around here so I get the tacit connections…

    1. 2.1

      Fascinating band were Crass. Time has helped with understanding where they were coming from – as a young teenage musician they both attracted and repelled me.

      Their political conviction was particularly strong. It must have really galled them how popular they became, and how they were forced to embrace the capitalist system they so despised in order to satisfy the demand for their music (which definitely isn't to everybody's taste).

      Cheers for the reminder Adrian.

      Here's the lyrics for that song in case you didn't understand the accent:

      You have this life, what for? Tell me.
      Spend it on shit, your ignorance appals me.
      You serve me your morals, changed for a fiver,
      Upright citizen, Penthouse subscriber.
      You won't print the word, but you'll beat up the wife,
      In your ignorant, arrogant, terminal life.
      You have this life, you deprive me of mine,
      With your twisted, imbalanced idea of sin.
      That revolves around money; how much are you bought for?
      A tenner, a fiver, is that what you're caught for?
      I'm sick of your pride, you think you can rule me,
      With crappy judgement from your respectable majority.
      Majority of what? You self oppressed idiot,
      I'm not going to carry you, I'm no compatriot.
      How many times do I excuse and forgive
      The damage inflicted by the way that you live?
      I hold my vision against your oppression,
      Your final defence, your only possession.
      I'll show you the blood, but you'll still point the gun,
      If the money's enough, or can you show you're a man?
      To your submissive wife, desperate whore,
      Home loving, mothering, stifling bore.
      You have this life, you twist and abuse it,
      Morals and money and media controls it.
      Can't you see the dead children, blood in the street?
      Every fist that you raise is a corpse at your feet.
      Every time you are bought, I don't care the amount,
      You are the rapist, dealing in death count.
      And you do this with mercenary morals, you shit,
      Oh, you've been told about dignity down in the pit.
      Respectable working man, honourable wife?
      A waste of energy and an insult to life.

      And here's some information about the album Station of the Crass.

      https://en.apoplife.nl/in-1979-crass-release-their-ultimate-statement-stations-of-the-crass/

      They got their name from a line in David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" song – "the kids was just crass"

      1. 2.1.1

        Yep, I swapped my Sid Vicious t-shirt (that I printed) when I was about 13 to a pommy punk for his Crass t-shirt…crass were my political awakening and I never looked back.

        Love them or hate them (which many did) they had an original and unique sound…which is not nothing in the world of music….more than 99.9% of bands manage to achieve.

    2. 2.2

      Yep that's the Val Doonican number I'd be expecting.

      If Anarchists could write the equivalent of God Save The King to a thousand voices in a cathedral, they'd probably pack the streets.

      Meantime, most enjoy the singalong.

    3. 2.3

      riffer

      10 September 2022 at 8:26 am

      Fascinating band were Crass. Time has helped with understanding where they were coming from….

      We could probably all do with understanding where all the passionate young anarchists are coming from.

      ….Can't you see the dead children, blood in the street?
      Every fist that you raise is a corpse at your feet.
      Every time you are bought, I don't care the amount,
      You are the rapist, dealing in death count.
      And you do this with mercenary morals, you shit,
      Oh, you've been told about dignity down in the pit….

      Luckily the young still have clarity of vision and the passion and courage to stand up to the sort of bloody savagery railed against by Crass

      My name is Ilya. I’m an anarchist living in Ukraine. I left Russia a few years back because of the crackdown on the entire anarchist movement…..

      …..Our platoon also has anti-fascist movement members who aren’t anarchists, so I’m going to speak for myself: Putin's invasion is not a war between two states. It’s a war between Putin’s regime and Ukrainian society. In my opinion, the Ukrainian state is corrupt, oligarchic, and neoliberal. I’m not too fond of it. However, Ukrainian society has a lot more freedom and pluralism than its Russian and Belarusian counterparts; than almost all of its neighbors. Turkey is no better than Putin’s Russia, while Poland and Hungary have swayed considerably towards conservatism lately. The Ukrainian state exerts considerably less control over its citizens’ private lives. Since Russia decided to export its authoritarian Mordor-style regime, Ukrainian society needs protection.

      https://theins.ru/en/politics/251492?fbclid=IwAR2t8ivPpZw0cxZLJFZsUEKvJIuxG6Joo3qr0zq0bEApIfjxGvt8BW3fq8M

    1. 3.1

      Like the usual front page headlines, the hysterical TV shock explosive news coverage, political journos trying to justify their existence and the obligatory David Seymour exposure, it was all nothing. It all ends up a footnote on the bottom of page 27.

      1. 3.2.1

        Perhaps some realised their frustration was misdirected. A most salient point:

        Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said it was great to have Shaw “back alongside me.”

        “Over the last five years, I have seen first-hand how hard James has pushed Labour to take more radical climate action. Much like me, he gets frustrated at the slow pace of change and wants to see the government move much faster than it is.

        “There is one simple way we can all make sure the next government takes more urgent action to address climate change and inequality – and that is by electing more Green MPs.”

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/474500/james-shaw-re-elected-as-green-party-co-leader-by-delegates

        1. 3.2.1.1

          Many frustrated people are or become armchair critics and/or keyboard warriors with very little to offer by way of constructive criticism, new ideas, or solutions. There’s another political party that’s tailored for them and it ain’t the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s not for the fainthearted to turn something negative into something useful, constructive, and positive.

          1. 3.2.1.1.1

            There was much talk of the dissatisfaction of the activist and youth wings of the Greens being responsible for Shaw's deselection, they are not among those I'd associate with disengaged and dismissive criticism. The open dialogues with members that the leadership reelection required largely appears to have reassured these groups. I hope it has sharpened their focus on the real brake on our Governmental response to climate change.

            1. 3.2.1.1.1.1

              When you operate under a consensus model pro-active engagement and re-engagement is a must, as is trust and being reasonable. It seems to have worked well and this is what one would have expected. It did also highlight how very few people in MSM and elsewhere struggle to understand this concept and context and how they’d rather jump to wrong conclusions than to listen, learn, and understand.

    4. 3.4

      So, the whole thing was a storm in a tea-cup brought on by a miniscule bunch of anarchists? The Greens need to do a little bit of thinking about how to overcome such pointless and costly activity – in more ways than one.

      1. 3.4.1

        The Greens need to do a little bit of thinking about how to overcome such pointless and costly activity…

        Maybe – I kinda like the way the Greens show us it's possible to do things differently.

      2. 3.4.2

        I will take the democratic structures in the Greens over what passes for democracy in other political parties. Grassroots democracy is sometimes messy but that is the price for including all voices. I doubt there are anarchists within the Greens, liberterian socialists or similar sure, but not anarchists.

  4. 4

    "Aaron Hawkins 7

    He presents as the smartest person in the room. Mr Hawkins is a polished performer in council meetings and typically chairs them well. He is articulate, intelligent and a formidable debater. A progressive agenda maintained momentum under his watch and the city is investing significantly in fixing ageing infrastructure. Mr Hawkins rubs some people up the wrong way, both in the community and within the council. He is endorsed by the Green Party and this is not to everyone’s taste. Not all of his witty asides go down well. A question mark hovers over his people skills. His rivalry with Jim O’Malley appears to be needless and does little credit to either man. There have been grumblings about the ways information is, or is not, shared. Mr Hawkins’ principles are clear. He is an advocate for meaningful climate action, for not leaving the disadvantaged behind and he is socially liberal. Showing due respect to mana whenua is a priority for him, and increasingly for the council, and Mr Hawkins has been prepared to front this. His communication with media has improved. The direction of his waka is clear, but is he taking enough people with him on the journey?"

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dunedin-city-council-how-they-rated

    1. 4.1

      Easily gets our votes.

      Portobello cycleway is fantastic.

      Pt Chalmers to Dunedin cycleway opening next April.

      Hawkins delivers.

            1. 4.1.2.1.1.1

              You're pretty tiring, but on record Hawkins supported all of Cull's key budget priorities, and as importantly has continued them. They are all published votes inside the LTP over multiple years that you can find yourself.

              Just as importantly Hawkins successfully pushed for the George Street upgrade. And got it.

              You will also see NZTA fold against the one way system, again on Hawkins' leadership with the Minister.

              If you are looking for a budgetary reason to rail against Hawkins, you need to keep digging.

              Whereas Hawkins has the record, the decisions, and the delivery to gain the votes perfectly legitimately. He's gained his ODT score of 7 with ease.

              1. 4.1.2.1.1.1.1

                Pretty tiring"your the one pontificating here,I hardly say boo and If on that rare occasion,the likes of you come down with your micro aggression.
                Pleased to see you realize their are more than two around the table.

      1. 5.1.1

        More to remove the wealth effect,which excites animal spirits.

        Even apart from the instability due to speculation, there is the instability due to the characteristic of human nature that a large proportion of our positive activities depend on spontaneous optimism rather than on a mathematical expectation, whether moral or hedonistic or economic. Most, probably, of our decisions to do something positive, the full consequences of which will be drawn out over many days to come, can only be taken as a result of animal spirits – of a spontaneous urge to action rather than inaction, and not as the outcome of a weighted average of quantitative benefits multiplied by quantitative probabilities

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_spirits_(Keynes)

        Look at the NZ housing bubble,where 42% price increases occured,as a mix of easy money and irrational behaviour.

        Now you can save 765$ a day by not buying a house in AK ( the rate of depreciation since Jan)

        1. 5.1.1.1

          Now you can save 765$ a day by not buying a house in AK ( the rate of depreciation since Jan)

          Couple more months at that rate and I'll have saved enough for a 20% deposit smiley

        3. 5.1.1.3

          Unfortunately people dont understand that 'asset values' are ultimately a function of output…or those that do are short term in view.

          1. 5.1.1.3.1

            Most of the on demand bourgeios have never seen double digit inflation,and the accompanying creative destruction,as value and demand transfer to productive sectors.

  6. 6

    Aaron Hawkins' quiet competence in promoting forward-thinking measures needs the strongest possible support from prospective Council members and voters to elect them who would NOT be " rubbed up the wrong way".

  7. 7

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300684095/retrial-request-denied-over-alleged-benefit-fraud-worth-7285

    This case highlights the very dangerous practice MSD engages in all the time, which is to equate legal marriage plus living under the same roof as unassailable proof that two people are "married" for benefit purposes. The damage this behaviour causes people, lives turned upside down, is immeasurable.

    In this case Theresa Jeffries had the guts to take them on. Most people don’t, and MSD knows this.

        1. 7.1.1.1

          TBH – I think that most National voters would have regarded her as the 'deserving poor' [NB: this is my interpretation of their belief]

          This all seemed to be around the time when her ex-partner was seriously ill and dying, and she was looking after him (you can still care for someone, especially in a time of trouble, even if you're no longer 'married').

          This sounds like bureaucracy gone mad, rather than a principled decision.

          And, especially, trying to appeal the decision – looks like a lawyer saying 'OMG we may have a bad precedent here, we must appeal' – rather than considering any ethical principles or the disproportionate impact on the individuals.

          The worst part of bureaucracy, is that it is blind to individual circumstance – the same 'rules' apply to all.

          1. 7.1.1.1.1

            A lot of the trouble happens, and in a way is even more insidious, where admissions to fraud are elicited by MSD's insistence that they're telling people the correct legal test for what constitutes a relationship. There's already a bunch of myths around this like 'he stays more than 3 nights a week so it's a relationship' so it's already easy for MSD to sound like they know what they're talking about. "Sorry, but the law says your relationship stops you from being entitled to a benefit, so admit the relationship now and things will be easier later". Most of these cases we don't see, especially at the time they happen, but we know it's standard practice so the aftermath is all around us. Wrongfully established debts, often very large debts, imprisonment, needless tearing apart of families etc etc.

            Theresa Jeffries fought back, most people don't, and even amongst those who do there are still cases like Kathryn Harlen's:

            https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60189fe639b6d67b861cf5c4/t/62fde84265e4b8504354a69b/1660807241435/CPAG-KathrynDaughters-Story-Aug2021.pdf

            Then there are attitudes like these to combat:

            https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/06/just_give_us_our_20_a_week.html

            There are difficulties are at all levels. Surely individual entitlement is the only way to deal with this problem.

            1. 7.1.1.1.1.1

              I agree about the individual entitlement in principle.

              Where I'm not so keen is the situation where a family member (usually a woman aka Mum) chooses not to be in paid employment, because the father earns so much – and the family only 'works' if there is an actual caregiving parent – rather than two absentee ones.

              I'm not so keen that Mum should get a benefit under those circs…..

      1. 9.2.1

        Ninety years ago Stalin used mass deportations to clear the way for the Russification of Eastern Europe. Poots is his natural heir.

        Ukraine denounced Russia’s “filtration” scheme at a United Nations Security Council meeting Wednesday.

        Deputy Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said Ukrainians forced to head to Russia or Russian-controlled territory are being killed and tortured.

        Hayovyshyn told the Security Council that thousands of Ukrainian citizens are being forcefully deported to “isolated and depressed regions of Siberia and the far east. The Ambassador said 2.5 million people have been deported, including 38,000 children.

        https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-new-09-07-22/index.html

    3. 10.3

      I thought Trotter's take was bad, but this pile of horseshit from WSWS is worse. It blames Labour for the crisis that has taken decades to create, whereas most of the blame lies with Teflon John Key and his "rockstar economy" not the government that's actually trying to fix it.

      Homelessness worsens dramatically in New Zealand under Labour – World Socialist Web Site (wsws.org)

      This government is facilitating an unprecedented boom in housing development of all types and combatting the conditions that led to this situation. What's the WSWS solution? Bloodshed and violent revolution. What a repulsive outfit

              1. 10.3.1.2.1.1.1

                no probablies…the stock is listed, whereas your dashboard includes 'expected builds'….definitions matter.

                You cant live in 'expected builds'

                The spin doctors are earning their money.

                1. 10.3.1.2.1.1.1.1

                  Wrong. The HUD dashboard "shows what has been delivered by the end of the month", that's why it only goes up to July 2022. I suspect your PDF is based on different definitions – it is already based on a different time frame.

                  1. 10.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.1

                    "Delivery and planned supply shows:

                    • the additional public homes currently planned to be added to the total stock between the current month and the end of the financial year"

                    “planned’….end of the financial year…that would be in 2023.

                    1. 10.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.1

                      That is the future facing definition of "delivery and planned supply". I think you've clicked the wrong tab.

                      The tabs for "Public homes" and "Change in public homes" are separate numbers.

                    2. 10.3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.2

                      I think you will find they are (deliberately) conflating the two…you may note no defined number of delivered public homes since 2017, only a monthly figure.

                      It is quite simple …KO have a stock of housing they can distribute to those on the waiting list, and that stock number is contained in their stock take….and it isnt 10,000 (+) larger than it was in 2017

                      and P.S….if we were to maintain the the public housing ratio we enjoyed in the 1970s we would require an additional approx 50,000 public houses over 2107 today….. a fact they are well aware of but id suggest they wont target for economic/political reasons

    2. 11.2

      Had the pleasure of mentioning the payout, and the potential velvet price this year which is looking very good because of sanctions on Russia who account for half world production (we're most of the other half) to a couple of farmers moaning about the price of everything….. fucking lefty, always sees the bright side…

      Poor buggers are probably going to be paying tax because everything is too damn expensive, not paying those prices…

        1. 11.2.1.1

          I can't see much changing with fert prices for some time. We've become as dependent on cheap Russian fert supply as Europe has for gas. Going to be a tough transition but hopefully to a better place.

          1. 11.2.1.1.1

            It is similar to oil dependence since there's not much elasticity with not enough developed alternatives. Yet high price for the existing input is the only useful signal away from dependence.

            Farmers brace as costs spiral, one fertiliser up 125 per cent, feed an extra $30,000 a year – NZ Herald

            I have sneaking suspicion that if farmers don't push for import alternatives, the 3 Waters entities are just going to regulate the crap out of those farmers anyway. Maybe farmers have that sneaking suspicion as well.

            1. 11.2.1.1.1.1

              It's coming out well over 125% once it's on the ground, especially if comparison is over several years. There's some heavy reassessment of priorities going on at present. Unfortunately this is probably going to lead to much greater intensification rather than less as inputs are applied in conjunction with irrigation to get best return. Won't be much work going into hill country for a while.

              There's a change in the rhetoric going on too, it's He Waka Eke Noa and transition now and the Groundswell thing isn't mentioned. Farm manager came back from a Farm Focus Group last week talking carbon credits on grey shrubland and fencing requirements for wild animal exclusion.

          2. 11.2.1.1.2

            Peter Zeihan has been warning on fertiliser for some time. I forget when he first brought this up, but his key message is that at the moment we are still essentially eating last years crop.

            From a global perspective the impact of famine is still ahead of us.

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