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Open Mike 12/09/2026
20 comments on “Open Mike 12/09/2026”
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Are you aware of the term "projection" re read my comments and instead of resorting to ad hominem see if you can construct a coherent response.
Climate is a hot button topic used to divide the working class as clearly evidenced by your approach. My understanding of anthropomorphic CC is just that- a man made issue due to population and industrialisation. My point is "think global act local" places the burden on ordinary people who minimal agency to effect change at scale. This is a problem caused not only by industrialisation but capitalism itself. Until that system is kicked to touch we will never solve this problem.
Why destroy jobs chasing ideological goals that we literally have zero control over. China builds more GW in coal powered powerplants per year than our entire grid, have you travelled to Delhi recently where 30 odd million people emit more CC gases than 20 NZ's?
Unfortunately there is no easy solution since every single person alive generates climate emissions and the alternatives to fossil fuels are not sufficiently available or scalable. We in NZ are extraordinarily blessed with vast renewables but many countries are not and have very little alternative to fossil fuels.
In an economy based on consumption and the current religion of neo liberal economics fundamental change that makes a difference is almost impossible. Especially when your neighbours generates millions of tons more climate emission than you do and appear to not care one bit.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
In the USA a bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act is which aims to compel tech companies to pay for the infrastructure associated with data center development, has passed unanimously out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It is proposed to go to the House this week.
This is happening because of:
"…fears about the [Data Centre] issue’s political volatility ahead of the midterms are continuing to grow as voters complain about rising energy prices as a result of data center proliferation."
If they are worried about rising power prices due to DC's in the USA, NZ should be similarly worried. The Greens moratorium on DC's, while rules are put in place forcing DC builders to pay for and provide power for their DC developments, is a must.
In my post yesterday I noted that the just-opened biggest windfarm in NZ would only provide 71% of the power for the new DC being built in Southaland.
If the Houthis have taken out the Saudi east-west pipeline and constricted the Red Sea passage, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I'd say the US petro+military complex haven't learnt much a d at 89% combustion car use neither have we.
Whole lot more hurt coming g.
It was an attack out of Iraq that hit the East-West pipeline.
It may not be out for long.
They can still use the Sumed pipeline (Suez canal bypass), but the Red Sea will be as difficult as the S of H now (and without the US ships).
8M to 5M (E-W) to less via Sumed (and all long route to Asia) will have an impact.
Peaking now to US$100 per barrel.
https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/crude-oil
Got up to $107 in the early hours.
This hard on we have for burning carbon is catching us out. It will hurt this country bad, if we don't adapt.
We need more renewables, and fast – with the north in dire straights. That said seeing more BYD's than ever up here, which is good. Plus more panels, personally would like to see more urban wind capture systems up and going. Heaps of industrial places they could be in.
Evie: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EW_qMBZZDGM&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv
For the ignorant, Evie of dangerously informed has a 10 min geopolitical backgrounder to Houthi interest in the entry to the Red Sea.
According to Lloyds ‘Capture of Mokha and advances towards Perim Island strengthen Houthi surveillance and strike options around the Bab el Mandeb, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints'
The Houthis state that only Saudi ships are a target, and other traffic is safe.
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1158425/Houthis-seek-to-reassure-shipping-after-Mokha-seizure-but-analysts-warn-Saudilinked-vessels-remain-at-risk
This site on world shipping stays pretty up-to-date on issues.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:amzpvaf7juduztuxue7tjxvh
OSINT Radar has a short summary of the much greater vulnerability of Bab el-Mandeb, the chokepoint the Houthis are after.
Attacks on vessels from Perim Island do not require radar, as is needed in the Strait of Hormuz, but can launch on visual identification only.
Saudi's oil markets are >70% through this eastward point. Shipping insurers may also refuse to insure Saudi oil cargoes.
With the Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan mutual aid pact signed last month, Pakistan says it would send support if war came to SA itself. Meantime it’s pursuing diplomatic meetings with Iran.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news-analysis/2026/9/11/why-pakistan-is-talking-to-iran-as-the-houthi-saudi-fight-escalates
The US has lost both its hard power (functional bases, armaments) and its soft power (boogeyman status) in the ME. Bet Netanyahu is seriously regretting pushing Trump into an attack on Iran. Israel has become much more exposed as a result.
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https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/11/welfare-botch-up-shows-the-real-world-cost-of-govts-rushed-lawmaking/
It’s crystal clear that the ideological rush by National is at the root cause for the shameful shambles. How many more ticking time bombs are waiting to explode and hurt New Zealanders? To undo this potential damage & destruction will be akin clearing mines and take years although it seems to me that this could be good use of AI, i.e., fight National Party & Coalition slop with anti-slop AI.
What National and ACT coupled with old man poo, are ideological stink bunnies of the worst order??!?
It's just like liberalism to deteriorate into some sort of hellscape wither by incrementalism or by hard and fast action. It's a flaw, one we should really getting around to addressing.
The government in charge of the IDF are just sick, sick, people.
Up the wahs
Had a wee talk to a Green door knocker and it firmed up my voting ideas based on observation and expectations.
I'm going to party vote for Green to ensure they stay high. For electorate vote I will go to Labour whose sturdy legs will enable us to climb over the Wall of Death!* – candidate is okay.
I won't be going to anyone on the right – 'They lie in their teeth, which are false!' Saying, I like. And Opp can hop it – they are being spoilers for the wishful – give people what they ask for but not enough and then blame them when it doesn't work at all well which was patently obvious from the start.
Well, why are you accusing a green voter of 'wrecking jobs'?
This government has wrecked the Public Service, small and large businesses, and their brief. 'Gather all the Public money for the Private sector.', oh and destroy any worker rights.
This statement 'they do it more/too!!' That is a weak position on pollution. If you believe it is hopeless, why bother?
The same shite where we say They are all the same!! No they are not.
Some will try to save life, while others hoard their tools and say… 'not one of ours.'
We want to change the government, as they are not representing us. Out in 26.
This should have attached to the item below by Bloke.