Open mike 12/08/2020

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 175 comments
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175 comments on “Open mike 12/08/2020”

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

  2. 2

    Haha. Kim just said on Morning Report that general tenor of the comments coming through was that the only person listeners like less than Judith Collins was her!

    1. 2.1

      I got the impression she was pulling her punches a tad with the Minister this morning.

      Like the professional she is, the aim was to extract vital information rather than fingernails.

  3. 3

    One could speculate that extreme Nats might have been waiting for the PM’s announcement of further Covid in the community last night. What–no one would be that nasty? They might be that desperate though.

    NZ National Party senior, and Board member, “Merv the perv’s” little talkback performance was just the latest illustration that dirty tricks and born to rule psychology run deep in National ranks.

    Most people will hopefully take the news in stride however, and swing back into action, with a lot higher use of masks this time.

  4. 4

    Pretty sad state of Democratic campaign that the most important thing they can announce is who the Vice Presidential nomination is.

    And on the other side, seeing preparations for Republican voter suppression through mailing constraints that amounts to a nationwide version of Lyndon Johnson's team hijacking the boxes in his first Texas Senate result (h/t Anthony Caro).

    1. 5.1

      Standby for the mail in vote backlash from judith the trump copycat.

      Was listening to judith yesterday and dang she sure is a nasty nasty person. Like I knew she wasn't nice, but crikey I didn't realise how horrid she is.

      1. 5.1.1

        Yeah, she's genuinely unpleasant. Probably the last person you'd want in charge of things during a global pandemic. (Well, her and Billy TK, who is borderline delusional.)

    2. 5.2

      My first thoughts on hearing we had an outbreak was that national would make total mischief with it. It was inevitable as covid's still about as per govt/MOH warnings of vigilence etc

      We've an important election, but with an owned media and an opposition full of dirty tricks and no moral compass I do hope kiwi's see them for what they are.

      1. 5.3.1

        Would imagine that you can’t vote at level 3

        Lots of advance voting with socially distanced queues and masks, plus the usual votes at old folks homes, plus overseas. There were nearly 1.24 million advance votes in 2017 inside NZ.

        BTW: This isn’t some third world state like the USA that insists on voting on work days without time off and where corrupt republican officials try to reduce voter turnout by making sure there aren’t enough voting places and allow lines that are kilometers long and take hours to get to vote.

        You really should take more of an interest in our democracy – it will amaze you just how efficient the process is.

        2. 5.3.1.2

          I am not the one comparing it to the US and I don't want a govt decided by 1.24 mill votes.

          It was bad enough last time when it was just one.

  6. 6

    "Borders closed until 2022?" worries Pete George, who goes on to say,

    "I don’t think anyone can predict how long our borders will be closed…",

    despite just having had a punt at it himself.

    Pete's rattled. So much so that he's happy to imply that the Prime Minister is a liar;

    "Ardern says she was first notified at 4pm yesterday. The first positive test result at least must have been known well before then. So why was she only notified then (if she is being honest with us)?" (my bold).

      1. 6.1.1

        There's a woodwork teacher inside of each and every one of us?

        I just hope there isn't an arch-eyebrowed Judith as well! It'd be like a Fellini movie in there!

    2. 6.2

      Ardern says she was first notified at 4pm yesterday. The first positive test result at least must have been known well before then. So why was she only notified then…

      FFS: She was notified after Bloomfield. He was notified after there was a second positive result. There is a reasonably high risk of a false positive in most medical tests. That is why they run confirmation tests.

      This appears to be particularly the case with the covid-19 tests because they tend to get triggered by fragments of other corona viruses like the one in the common cold – that most people carry even when they aren't sick.

      1. 6.2.1

        'There is a reasonably high risk of a false positive in most medical tests. That is why they run confirmation tests.'

        No that is incorrect, the majority of medical tests have a very small risk of false positivity with most the risk is bordering on the insignificant.

        There is certainly a risk of false positivity in PCR testing for COVID19 that is higher than the very low level of false positive testing in most other medical tests.

        1. 6.2.1.1

          You must know the false positive rate of the PCR test used in NZ to detect Covid-19. Why don’t you share your knowledge with us here on TS and make a useful contribution?

                1. 6.2.1.1.1.1.1.1

                  Ah, I see the whataboutery false equivalence pathetic response being wheeled out again.

                  Why do some commenters feel it is too hard to make a useful contribution here, ever so small or brief, yet don’t blink an eyelid or raise an eyebrow posting innumerous vacuous comments?

      1. 8.1.1

        That one is just odd. I reverted back from WordPress 5.5 to 5.4.2 – which should have fixed it. But it hasn't.

        Mutter… mutter.. Might have to live with that for the day.

    1. 9.1

      "Our leader, Leighton Baker, on the latest lockdown replete with undemocratic process.”

      "This is crazy stuff. It's ridiculous!".

      Yep.

    2. 9.2

      Best question from Mike Will:

      "What goes through the minds of these people when there is a total eclipse?"

    1. 10.1

      There have been several updates over the last day (most recent was the wordpress 5.5 update this morning). It hasn’t shown up in the remote tests.

      I’d suggest that you try force a couple of reloads first to get the css and javascript loaded again.

      I’m ok on my Androids. Tell me what OS version and browser so I can try the combo.

        1. 10.1.1.1

          Yep. That is an bug. They are loading in some places and not in others. I’ve disabled the desktop site caching for a while to see if that is part of the issue.

    1. 11.1

      Rosemary – what has that item about jobs got to do with keeping people who can't do more than a brain-damaged baby alive? Who can't ever have a clear thought, feed themselves, understand anything, control themselves to do simple stuff, are destructive and sometimes violent.

      You are afraid of the possibility of disabled people not being respected for what they are, and not receiving the support that enables and facilitates their lives. I am thinking about people being allowed to die when they have no existence or awareness left for them, if they have no volition or when they wish especially if there is no-one who will adequately look after them.

      When the person is loved and cared for it is a different matter; they are bonded with that person. Hinewehi Mohi tells how she managed to raise her daughter with cerebral palsy in this news report from 2013:

      Twelve Questions: Hinewehi Mohi – https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11112205

      And this is about her music therapy for disabled and an award ceremony which her now adult daughter was able to attend (in the video clip). https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=12267202

      This is one philosopher's thoughts on what should be possible for parents of disabled babies which have been rejected by the disabled community. 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/19/peter-singer-event-cancelled-in-new-zealand-after-outcry-over-disability-stance

      With older people, a nurse who has spent time in a secure unit for dementia patients described it to me as awful and dangerous as you can be violently attacked. The patients sound like zombies, stumbling around clawing at the doorlock mechanism.

      We have to face these unpleasant issues occurring in our own locations. We can't just ignore them as we do people suffering overseas – everywhere in the world is suffering from harsh and avoidable problems, and that continues with Covid-19 an addition.

      Very damaged people and those decayed at the end of life are suffering from an unavoidable problem, when the brain and body are too far gone there is no life possible for them that can be lived and enjoyed. So Rosemary be glad that you live in a country that will do stuff for you, be grateful as we all should be. Don't spend all your time trying to villify anyone who speaks reality, and an ethical process for ending such lives.

      1. 11.1.1

        Who can't ever have a clear thought, feed themselves, understand anything,

        Thanks Greywarshark, you make this sooo easy!

        How do you know they don't ever have a clear thought? They don't understand anything?

        And as for feeding themselves…all human infants would be culled if that is your measure.

        ….control themselves to do simple stuff, are destructive and sometimes violent.

        So…I'll repeat the question my partner just asked your mate DTB. What about recidivist offenders…the violent, those with seemingly no control?

        Not so very long ago kids like Chloe would have spent their entire lives in an institution…often with little or no social interaction or mental stimulation. All your evaluations of Ryan would have been applied to many of these children. You have no idea, do you? As I said last night…luckily for you and your ilk most kids with Down Syndrome are terminated these days. The parents who choose to allow life most often treat the child like any other…and in many cases these kids thrive. No-one knows how these children are going to develop…and with the right interventions and supports most can do 'better'.

        Sadly, here in NZ, people like you are in the majority and keep voting in wankery governments that fail term after term to fund proper supports.

        a nurse who has spent time in a secure unit for dementia patients described it to me as awful and dangerous as you can be violently attacked.

        I spent two years, and nine months of my second pregnancy working night shift in such a unit. And yes…can be a challenge, no doubt about that. One does try to remember that these are fellow humans who had real lives and families and fuck me…I'd hope when I'm sundowning and drooling in my soup some other low aid carer might remember that too.

        But you won't have to worry about that will you? You'll get your EOLC Bill passed and all will be well.

        1. 11.1.1.1

          Hi Rosemary, sorry about the belated tautoko for your reply to DTB and grey. I saw the original comment while on the phone, and was reassured to see your reply.

          This abitrary judging of life is problematic and damaging.

          The value of a life is not able to be quantified in physical or mental fitness. In fact, many of the more atrocious and appalling acts of humankind were most likely implemented by the "fittest" amongst us.

          Such a limited way of thinking, that discards life and the values and gifts that can be provided in many forms.

          I'm disappointed to read such ideas on this blog, and despair that financial quantifying is offered up as a reason.

          1. 11.1.1.1.1

            Kei te pai, Molly. Appreciated…smiley

            I'm disappointed to read such ideas on this blog, and despair that financial quantifying is offered up as a reason.

            Yes, the New Left. Gotta love 'em.

            Probably the most heartbreaking aspect is that two commenters can explicitly call for the elimination of a particular class of human and it raises not a ripple of interest from the individuals here inclined to cry "Hate Speech!"

            Sadly, last time I checked our Human Rights legislation omits disability as grounds for a claim of discrimination.

        2. 11.1.1.2

          I support your comments and experience Rosemary. Amazing in my lifetime (I'm mid 40s) people who were paraplegic were put in those institutions where they'd lie on their backs in these large cubby holes, & look at the world through a mirror above them. For years! Lifetimes.

          1. 11.1.1.2.1

            I hope all you people who are so strong that every baby lives, actually back up your principles by supporting those damaged people with such limited lives. Talk the talk and walk the walk or you are empty vessels.

  12. 12

    .
    A Few Random Reckons

    Guessing it'll be significantly more than 3 days (indeed may have been a little white lie by the Govt to soften the blow).

    Presumably a few Aucklanders have assumed the same … hence the brief Supermarket Panic-buying deja vu … wonder if we'll see another toilet paper frenzy with fist-fights breaking out in the Household Cleaners, Personal Hygiene & Toiletries isle?

    And wondering if it's already spread elsewhere .. even if in dribs & drabs …

    … 2 Christchurch retirement villages in partial lockdown after residents began displaying signs of respiratory illness (maybe COVID, maybe not)

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300079635/two-christchurch-retirement-villages-in-partial-lockdown-after-residents-swabbed-for-covid19

    Postponement of the Election would not entirely surprise me.

      1. 12.1.1

        So, Occam's Razor holding fast, although nobody in the family first identified worked at the airport, the localised outbreak might have been identified within a couple of degrees of infection.

        But then there's the Rotorua trip to worry about. Sigh.

    2. 12.2

      Postponement of the Election would not entirely surprise me.

      It would surprise me. They have been planning on handling an election in a full lock down since April. And the electoral commission have to assume that the situation of community spread and lock downs could continue all of the way to November or very early December. Which is as late as they could have it without pulling heavily on reserve powers and declaring one of the states of emergency.

      May as well do it as early as possible rather than run the risks of a possibly worsening situation. The use of reserve powers should be avoided if at all possible.

      1. 14.1.1

        I seem to recall similar happening here when David Cunliffe was leader of NZ Labour. In both cases the grass roots voted in the leader that they wanted and many MPs and other leaders of the parties cut them down.

        We actually see this across the world in representative democracies. The rich do not want the people to actually have power. Actual democracy would go against them and they know it. When a politician says that someone has to make the hard decisions what they really mean is that they're going to do something that will be bad for the majority of people, that the majority of people don't want them to do but that the rich want and so it will be done anyway.

        1. 14.1.1.1

          You're making the mistake of thinking that "grass roots" party members are in any way representative of the general public. Or even the smallish segment of the general public that's vaguely interested in politics.

          Political party members tend to skew towards obsessives with just a limited range of topics they have strong feelings about. Which makes them poor judges of what appeals to the general public. Particularly after they gather themselves into echo chambers.

          1. 14.1.1.1.1

            You're making the mistake of thinking that "grass roots" party members are in any way representative of the general public.

            No I'm not because it doesn't matter. The majority of the party wanted those people as their party's leader. People in power were frightened by this and so took actions to remove them.

            Political party members tend to skew towards obsessives with just a limited range of topics they have strong feelings about. Which makes them poor judges of what appeals to the general public.

            Again, it doesn't matter. The grass roots of the party were voting for who they wanted not whom was more acceptable to the general public in the eyes of some petty bourgeoise.

  15. 15

    Nats also want thousands of international students here so those private education outfits and Auckland University can make money. Hope the more people hear and see Collins they will be even more appalled by her viciousness.

    1. 15.1

      Think you are confusing make money, with going broke, and having to lay-off half their staff.

      Maybe you should talk to Chippy about his expectations on them still having to make a profit or being taken over by him, which would be a very bad thing.

      1. 15.1.1

        If the University of Auckland have "to lay off half their staff" because they can't access international students, then the university council has chosen a seriously unsustainable business model. The free market giveth, and Covid taketh away, but don't expect 'our' universities to change their neoliberal ways.

        "The university’s press release on Tuesday packages the slashing of jobs and the reduction of courses as part of a vision, as astigmatic as it might have been. The point being made here is that such reductions were always on the table, factored and measured. There was a “redesign” of the university’s “course architecture”, one designed to “remove much of the complexity” of what was being offered. This is crude code for job cuts, staff losses and, as is the norm, the continued thriving of the vampiric handlers at the top end of the management spectrum. They won’t be offering their heads on the platter of accountability any time too soon."
        https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2003/S00100/coronavirus-offerings-and-job-losses-university-reliance-on-china-bites.htm

  16. 16

    Guardians not been that flash over Oz covid either throwing their quarantine regime under the bus.

    Community transmission (6 suburbs) that ozzy don't give a F, I'm all right Jack and an ineffective lockdown seem much bigger issues.

  22. 22

    $2 per disposable mask at Supermarket or chemist, and it is already impossible to find any that are longer lasting – How are families under financial pressure suppose to survive?And what should Friday be extended – both the cost and the availability of masks.
    And then you have the environmental aspect to deal with.

  23. 23

    Judith Collins is a bat out of hell. Huge headlines spitting venom. It’s ALL Jacindas fault for letting Covid back in through the borders. I thought the latest ones were community transmission? Anyway. Let’s politicise the hell out of this says Judith. Bet she’s hoping for a few more deaths to validate her claims of disarray and shambolic mismanagement.

    And, she’s not only a thoroughly nasty person but she is also a FRUMP. Doesn’t matter how she dresses she still looks like a frumpy old bag lady.

    3. 23.3

      She'd love nothing more than for this to explode because it's the only way she stands a chance of winning. People need to die, the plague needs to spread, and Judith will be cackling with malevolent glee throughout it all and snarling, "Yes! Everything's going according to plan!" Her strategy is essentially to stoke fear and apportion blame. "The country's falling sideways off a cliff, and it's all Ardern's fault!"

      Keep calm and carry on, New Zealand. We did it once, we can do it again.

      1. 23.3.1

        even were it to spread, will people really think Collins in the answer? She's sounding like someone totally out of control, she's not very reassuring at all.

  24. 24

    Reverted to WordPress 5.4.2 which fixed the reply. Fixed some cache issues in the mobile version that were breaking CSS and Javascript.

    The comment count is still outstanding (and really odd). I'll try for a reboot on the database – but I suspect I will have to fix that later in the day.

    1. 24.1

      ATM, I got yesterday's daily review showing One Comment, today's Open Mike showing 12 (there's at least 24) and Biden Harris now showing three.

      Seems it may have started counting again after the revert.

    2. 24.2

      Fixed the comments count. I had a filter in to check for the number of trackbacks and ping backs to remove them from the count. It looks like there was a change to the field that it was discriminating on.

      Fixed. It will now be slightly high if a trackback or pingback is in a post. But I will fix that later.

  25. 25

    Something a little less heavy !! to enjoy especially if you agree with SNL and the "More Cow Bell" sketch. Love the guitar solo, Great Canadian band.



  26. 26

    Dissolution of Parliament has been deferred it seems, going by the PM’s statement this morning. That decision may be regretted sooner rather than later, as the move is on from National to push back the General Election date.

    1. 26.1

      Deferred to next Monday .

      The election will be delayed a month. There will be a month at Level 3 nationwide – they willl have no choice. Collins will have a month in the Bridges committee role.

            1. 26.1.1.1.1.1

              Have they identified the source of community infection yet? The MoH contact tracing capabilities and capacity were improved and met the criteria after the scathing report of the audit by Dr Ayesha Verrall.

              1. 26.1.1.1.1.1.1

                Have they identified the source of community infection yet?

                Close but no cigar, expect the most likely source to be identified by Friday once the suspect source personnel are tested through today/tomorrow and results returned.

                The most disappointing aspect is there appears to have been little testing amongst personnel involved in the return and isolation of inbound passengers at Auckland airport.

                2. 26.1.1.1.1.1.1.2

                  Suspicions from the MOH is that the leakage is from a quarantine facility,and testing of ALL staff at the facilities is to be undertaken.

                  As the extent of the spread is unknown,there are a number of other issues that need to be addressed such as immediate border closure (due to limitations in both quarantine facilities and the availability of ICU beds) and a north /south transport suspension of human cargo.

    2. 26.2

      A longer stretch of pain listening to campaigns but may have it's plus side with Judith running out of "fake news". Incredibly irresponsible to public safety, how she's deemed herself an essential worker, flouted her level 3 travel ban to get in front of camera's in Wellington.

      And this dick Bridges suffering from losing limelight too as a disgusting first response.

      " Let’s be honest about how problematic a 19 Sept election in under 40 days is. I’ve just cancelled public meetings and a lot of volunteers doorknocking. Meanwhile, Labour, while suspending campaigning, continues with all machinery of Govt and thus the power of the airwaves." (Twitter Simon Bridges)

      The media no less appaling in lack of resposibility in giving space to politicising other's fears.

      1. 26.2.1

        Arguably, the Leader of the Labour Party is at more of a disadvantage than the quasi-Leader of the National Party. One is looking after a strong team of five million while the other one is herding a ragtag of fifty-odd MPs, give or take a few who jumped the sinking ship, and Merv.

      2. 26.2.2

        It's all brilliant chess from Ardern. wink

        Get the opposition to demand that the government doesn't face the voters. She can keep announcing new election dates, then … oh dear, another case.

        It's rare – and bizarre – for a government to stay in power because the opposition desperately want them to, but that's what National have been reduced to.

  27. 27

    I now understand labour’s election slogan

    ”let’s get moving” back into lockdown

    [Still trolling? This is your second warning – Incognito]

      1. 27.2.1

        Having a bit of fun, not trying to start a flame war, is it trolling to go against the prevailing narrative with a bit of humour

        will stop if upsetting

        2. 27.2.1.2

          I was just about to give your third strike warning and a short-sharp ban, which I’ve deleted (for now). What you consider as ‘humour against the prevailing narrative’, I see as stupid trolling and repeating your past behaviour. You may have to explain what you mean by “the prevailing narrative”. I was convinced I will save Moderators much time by banning you until after the election at least but you now you show your kind side; make it work!

          2. 27.2.1.2.2

            Done,

            my sense of prevailing narrative is that no one really wants to talk about government accountability here , more so how can we externalise failure here and project on the opposition

            Joking I thought maybe a less harsh and in your face approach

            1. 27.2.1.2.2.1

              If you frame it that way, it becomes a false dichotomy and not conducive to good faith discourse here. That’s what you’re doing and I think you’re doing it deliberately, as you were doing in the past.

              For now, I’ve given you the benefit of a tiny amount of doubt. You can build up your ‘credit’ here, if you choose so.

  28. 28

    Well one positive of this renewed outbreak is that customers are scanning the tracking code and sanitising as they come in the gallery. Since we opened after lockdown the compliance has been effectively zero, less than 1%.
    Today, 100%. And it’s quite busy for a change. Everyone’s got their phones in hand and ready. Even noticing people turning away from shops that aren’t displaying codes

  29. 29

    If the Government and helpers manage to quickly contain/identify the out break, this would shower praise for the efficiency on the Government and shower sparks from Judith, especially as she is the one who sets out to politicise the outbreak.

    1. 29.1

      I agree if Government can close this down in a week, all kudos to them and election is over rover. I however don’t think virus will accomodate this chain of events I also think Government have really failed at the border. Tough I know but their planning, risk mitigation, resources etc has not being enough. Is this Jacinda direct fault, no, but the buck stops with her 250k of Aucklanders that where working yesterday, are not today, let alone the impact on business, both big and small. It’s simply not good enough and what aboutism and we are doing better than others does not cut it

      1. 29.1.1

        "Is this Jacinda (sic) direct fault, no, but the buck stops with her "

        There ya go, Incognito. Red's resigned.

      2. 29.1.2

        Can you please make your point in a clearly articulated way that’s intelligible so that we can turn your monologue into a robust debate here? For example, how do we move forward from L2/3 into next week? What needs to be done to go down to L1 and when? Et cetera. As it stands, you sound like JC’s speech notes for the next meeting of the local Merv Fan Club.

        1. 29.1.2.1

          The only way we move down alert levels is if

          source of infection is found next 3 days

          very few new cases arise and it can be ring fenced as a cluster

          This I suggest won’t happen , so it will be level 4 or level 4.1 ( ie a few more things open re learning from last lock down ) next week for 4 weeks at least

          Above is assuming elimination remains the strategy, this should be contested at least

          i won’t post any more, to many sensitive souls No hard feelings 😊

          1. 29.1.2.1.1

            You seem confused about what triggers L4 (whatever L4.1 is?).

            Just as well that you “won’t post any more” for the next 3 days and “next week for 4 weeks at least”.

            1. 29.1.2.1.1.1

              breaking my rule Incognito but just to answer your question

              L4, is Alert level 4, 4.1 is simply if we go to 4 I think they will fine tune the rules based on the last lock down

              Was that really that difficult to interpret and a need for me to spell it out, especially In context of the discussion

              1. 29.1.2.1.1.1.1

                Yes, you’re making up things “only when it suits you”. There is no L4.1, there won’t be an L4.1, L4.1 would be more severe than L4, as it is not a version number but a grading number of severity (of health risk).

                No more rule breaking or you will experience Ban B4.1.

                1. 29.1.2.1.1.1.1.1

                  Ok where splitting hairs

                  A lotto ticket that if we go to alert level 4 the rules under as such will be slightly different than when we where previously in alert level 4

                  using 4.1 is like Web 2.0, It doesn’t really exist but helps to highlight a point I think you are being overly harsh here re “making stuff up”

                  1. 29.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1

                    you're betting that government requirements have changed due to new information analysed in the last few months?

                    Obviously the nats aren't in power. They'd just announce more roads.

                  3. 29.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.3

                    Yup, you’re making stuff up all the time. You also don’t know the difference between chronology and hierarchy. Placing bets on things getting worse is just sick, IMHO.

        2. 29.1.2.2

          There are promising signs of finding the source. I think that the 50 year old male working in the Cool Store near Auckland Airport had been off sick for over a week. He worked in an office. That part would be trackable.

          The woman visiting Rotorua was visiting tourist sites but not in close contact.

          Don't trust my memory and maybe it is my friendly optimism writing.

          1. 29.1.2.2.1

            Ta

            Finding the source and neutralising the spread by isolating all close contacts ASAP. Then test, test, and test and wait keeping fingers, arms, legs, and toes crossed.

  30. 30

    National party campaign launch conference agenda -:

    THEME :- NATZ- A BEING IN SEARCH OF MEANING.( sorry Plato)

    * Apologies: None, we didn't do
    anything !

    * Debate sesh: "My superiority
    complex is better than yours. "

    *Guest Speaker. Merv on " The
    silence of wearing slippers for
    an ambush."

    * Economy protection and Covid
    response . More Property buying
    sesh.
    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/05/the-number-of-properties-owned-by-mps-revealed.html

    * Tin foil hat making so the
    Academics can't scan your brain.
    (personal preference for the 2nd model )
    https://youtu.be/PS8dNzRhMgk

    * Learning sign language
    https://www.adl.org/hate-symbols?cat_id%5B153%5D=153*

    * Rote mantra classes to memorize
    our "facts". Repeat after me,
    'Jacinda's on my Shitlist'. Again!

    * Using I.T. How to use secret
    modes for dummies. Practical
    sesh sending pics.

    CLOSING ADDRESS from our hero.

    "What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening."
    " I think if this country gets any kinder or gentler, it's literally going to cease to exist." To be blunt, people would vote for me. They just would. Why? Maybe because I'm so ….the best at freaking everything!"

    PARTY ANTHEM SING ALONG.

    https://youtu.be/_MLBfwblps8
    Hoochie Coochie Chuck Berry , "I want you to play with My Ding a ling."

    ( sick bags needed for the sketch artist in video)

  31. 31

    Dirty filthy Nats want Election shifted to next year! (J. Collins on Nat Radio just after 3pm).

    This Govt. has made a significant tactical mistake by not dissolving Parliament right on schedule–and it may bite them and most of us ordinary citizens if they don’t get their act together immediately. Unecessary appeasement is one of the worst political crimes–particularly with another poll (UMR) out with Nats on 28%! and Labour still over 50%, again.

    1. 31.1

      30 minutes to make a 1 point press conference

      'Transparency , you're so into transparency Judith.

      Masks?

      Social distancing yes, but after Judith spat her venom, Jerry upped and put his hands on the podium.

      Poor Redunant Reti , GP sad Ashley didn't talk to him.

  33. 33

    Seen some support for the infected family but apparently the Americold worker had been off work sick for 9 days prior to today. And a group of them trucked off to Rotorua on the weekend while one was symptomatic.

    Sure, they got themselves tested in the end but far too late.

    The idea was that if you were sick, you stay home and seek advice from your doctor or the health-line, not sit at home silent and otherwise take a road trip down country.

    1. 33.1

      Easy to say in hindsight, but with no community transmission around, and no links to a known case, I doubt many kiwis would go in for testing.

      1. 33.1.1

        Thought about this. If I was sick, there's no way my work would allow me onsite. That's because that industry has very high safety protocols generally and did a lot of work on getting sign off from MoH about working post-covid.

        If I showed any symptoms for more than a day I would be straight down to the doctor and would voluntarily isolate. It’s not about testing, it’s about getting advice from your doctor.

        1. 33.1.1.1

          It’s not about testing, it’s about getting advice from your doctor.

          Perhaps he believed that he couldn't afford to go to the doctor. I haven't seen anywhere saying that going to the doctor suddenly got free. I could have missed it but if so then so could he.

        2. 33.1.1.2

          And what are the chances that your typical hetero, working class male volunteers to go to the doctor to see if they have a disease that appears to have disappeared.

        3. 33.1.1.3

          Muttonbird @ 33
          It seems that one of them went to a medical clinic in West Auckland about a week ago that were not able to test her for Covid so told her to go straight to the nearest Covid testing facility. She returned to the clinic a couple of days ago and they established she never went to be tested.

          Now that centre has had to close in order to be deep cleaned.

          I have to agree with Muttonbird… there does seem to have been a lack of responsibility in at least a couple of the four Covid victims in question.

          1. 33.1.1.3.1

            That's what I'm reading, Anne.

            Person felt sick, went to the doctor, so far so good, was referred for a Covid test, DIDN'T DO IT.

            This person has probably cost New Zealand several billion dollars. Kids’ sport, and maybe even school, for the rest of the year? Forget it.

  34. 34

    Why is Paula Benefit, still a National Party MP and employee of the state, allowed to run anti-government propaganda in her position as radio host. Why even is she allowed to take up that role while still being paid by the taxpayer?

      1. 34.1.1

        There should be a law against it. What's to stop any and all politicians having their own radio show?

        Benefit is still a National Party MP and her statements on her radio show should be considered campaigning for the party and authorised as such.

        1. 34.3.1.1

          It actually surprises me you don't think beneficiaries should be allowed to earn a bit extra because they are paid by the tax payer.

    4. 34.4

      Because people are allowed to take side jobs, as long as they pay the extra tax.

      Not that you have shown she is being paid for it.

      1. 34.4.1

        Oh yeah, working two jobs is a specialty of Paula Benefit's…

        But central to this is the unauthorised campaigning she is doing for the National Party while still one of their MPs and drawing a salary from the hard working taxpayer.

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