Open mike 30/05/2023

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61 comments on “Open mike 30/05/2023”

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  1. 1

    I am working with many wonderful Russians and Ukrainians at Volunteer Tbilisi which helps feed, house and support Ukrainian refugees. Here’s a few comments about how those Russians that chose to leave Russia over the war feel about Russia and their lives. These are people who have made a moral decision and acted on it.

    They see no hope any time soon of things changing in the Kremlin. If Putin goes the next thug waits in line. They talk of major apathy in Russian society and a complete lack of interest in political affairs or looking at ideas. Information for the apathetic, is via Kremlin-controlled TV.

    Many are embarrassed to say they come from Russian. It helps to explain that you understand that the Russian government and the Russian people are different. I say that I like talking to Russians so I can better understand why Russia went to war. They reply they do not know, they think about it often.

    They say there is a saying in Russia that for people like them, you have three choices: be killed, go to jail or leave. If the men return they will be sent to war. Their choice would be jail. Many have family and friends in Ukraine and have lived there, or in one case a Ukrainian mum and a Russian dad. Relationships have broken down because one half supports the conflict and the other doesn’t.

    Life away from their homeland is about planning which country to settle in, learning languages and keeping in touch with those left behind. Some have best friends that support the war. They are often the people a country needs to develop and prosper and they feel sad about this. They have zero interest in their young children being taught/misled in a Russian school.

    They cheerfully help Ukrainian refugees by giving their time packing bulk foods into bags for distribution, cleaning, organising housing, counseling and doing administration. As they talk in Russian the words Putin and Kremlin crop up a lot. They discuss Russian history, living in Siberia and one tells of her love of the buildings and art in St Petersburg but says that going back is just too uncomfortable in the midst of Putin’s madness.

    We show empathy for their situation, and for their mantra “it’s very difficult but not impossible”. We hug, say good luck and goodbye.

    https://www.facebook.com/volunteers.tbilisi/
    – explains the work done and has several heart felt pieces written by Russians that left

    https://kovcheg.live/en/ark/#recource
    an organisation that helps Russians that left because of the war

    https://iditelesom.org/en/
    have helped around 10,000 people evade conscription, leave the country, find asylum and more

    1. 1.1

      Good on you mate. We had a Russian woofer here she was a child phsycologist and a seasoned traveller. You couldnt ask for a nicer more competent person we left her in the house while we took a break. She went back a few months before the war to look after her mother and she said in the first few days that "Nobody wants this, it is so wrong ". After the first week or so her comments became very guarded but she is a sad young woman.

  4. 4

    Georgia GOP district chair would like to know why Big Globe won’t stop shoving round-Earth propaganda down peoples throats.

    “All the globes, everywhere” Taylor said later in the discussion. “I turn on the TV, there’s globes in the background … Everywhere there’s globes. You see them all the time, it’s constant. My children will be like ‘Mama, globe, globe, globe, globe’ — they’re everywhere.”

    https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kandiss-taylor-globes-anti-flat-earth-brainwashing-1234741082/

    https://archive.li/Wmyzy

  6. 6

    Police high speed pursuits. What has it ever achieved?

    "The police know all these decades of police pursuits, the amount of innocent people that have died, and yet, in the face of a tragedy in the weekend, they're upping their police pursuits and hoping for a different outcome? That's insanity."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/490933/that-s-insanity-man-whose-daughter-was-killed-in-police-pursuit-criticises-relaxing-of-rules

    Sadly..terribly..most have been young kids. Chasing them to death, IMO is not an answer. Well maybe RW arseholes would (and certainly do ) differ.

    On that…

    A long-serving Greymouth police officer has been convicted of dangerous driving after clocking speeds of 214kmh during a police chase involving two teenagers who were not old enough to drive.

    214 kmh ?! wtaf….

    And..I absolutely rate the Probationary Police passenger who..

    Cross had been driving a marked patrol car on July 3 last year and had a probationary officer as a passenger.

    In a victim impact statement, the officer described being scared and fearful for herself and the two young people they were pursuing, from Greymouth to Ross.

    She had children the same age and had since undergone counselling for that fact alone.

    It was lucky no-one had been killed or injured as a result of the high speeds, she said.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/officer-convicted-over-high-speed-chase

    1. 6.1

      Do you have a suggestion to manage the frankly dangerous driving? (note: this is predominantly not as a result of police pursuit)
      Innocent motorists (i.e. people who have nothing to do with the criminal and dangerous driving) have been killed.

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/two-people-killed-in-wrong-way-crash-on-waikato-expressway/VSFFNYHNUZGULL7DGXVVLBXHOM/

      There seems to be no doubt that the number of people (especially young people) driving in a frankly dangerous manner seems to have increased, since police pursuits have been curtailed. And increased numbers believe they can get away with crime (robberies, ram raids) if they just drive aggressively enough.

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/police-pursuit-policy-change-followed-by-dramatic-increase-in-fleeing-drivers/5TEUSPPQMRESBKROAAWCOADOG4/

      And, teens who have been committing crimes are continuing to do so, even after arrest– some resulting in serious injury and death.

      The driver, named by police as Morocco Tai, 15, died soon after, when a stolen car crashed on Bairds Rd in Otara about 6am after failing to stop for police.

      Police have this afternoon confirmed the driver was an occupant in a car that was driven the wrong way down an Auckland motorway on September 22.

      In that instance, the car was eventually stopped on Great South Road. Morocco was charged with aggravated robbery, endangering transport and aiding a driver in a dangerous matter.

      https://www.1news.co.nz/2017/10/09/driver-15-killed-in-south-auckland-pursuit-crash-today-was-in-car-caught-on-video-travelling-wrong-way-up-motorway/

      While I support non-court action, if it is going to work in helping these kids turning their lives around. It needs to be accompanied by more effective action, against those who continue to commit crime – and threaten the community.

      Driving in a highly aggressive and dangerous manner at high speed, is not a victimless crime.

      1. 6.1.1

        Obviously we do not have the laws or resources to deal with these young offenders who are rogue and lawless thrill seekers on a Death Wish.

        1. 6.1.1.1

          Most of them are going through the stage where their testicular capacity vastly exceeds their cranial capacity. We have bred that into humanity for centuries as we have needed "cannon fodder". We certainly have the laws, but the resources are not what they should be.

          2. 6.1.1.1.2

            Beside the fact that "most" are indeed young…if not children, they dont all have "testicular capacity". As in, more than a few, are young girls.

            And If wanting another viewpoint….

            The Children's Commissioner does not think police pursuit policy should have changed, instead wanting the causes of offending addressed.

            https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/490964/police-are-the-ambulance-at-the-bottom-of-the-cliff-children-s-commissioner-on-pursuits

      2. 6.1.2

        Driving in a highly aggressive and dangerous manner at high speed, is not a victimless crime.

        Who said it was? Me? And…beside that, you just took my post..about fatal police pursuits, and headed off on your own tangent. As you do.

        Anyway..

  7. 7

    We have a major problem with Delinquent Youth here in NZ and a Multi Agency Approach needs to be taken to the problems, successive Government's need to address the problems rather than putting their heads in the sand.

  8. 8

    Kathleen Stock is speaking at the Oxford Union tomorrow (4am NZT). Not sure how long it takes to appear on youtube https://www.youtube.com/@OxfordUnion/videos

    Students have been trying to stop her speaking because she says humans can't change sex, biological sex matters, trans people should have their rights upheld, and so on.

    1. 8.1

      Thanks for the reminder. Judging by Dr Stock's interview with Kim Hill, I would not expect anything radical. She is eminently reasonable and not an assertive outspoken personality, more of a thoughtful and reflective scholar. I hope the protesters actually listen because Stock is compassionate and balanced, wanting the best for all

    2. 8.2

      Not to worry Weka .Oxford is going to make "welfare resources" available to the students who finds such notions as "its impossible to change sex" deeply upsetting

    4. 8.4

      I think she may prove less polarizing than Posie Parker, from the interviews I've heard.

      A good person perhaps, to progress the issues.

      1. 8.4.1

        yes. Very different to KJK. Stock is a left wing, feminist, lesbian, philosopher and writer. Self described moderate who believes trans people have rights. Someone progressives, even liberals, can take seriously.

      2. 8.4.2

        Actually Stock is brilliant, reasoned and really handled the interview in the link exceedingly well.

        She also did amazingly well with Kim Hill, whose has jumped on the gender ideology band wagon.

        I have to say, Posie Parker has done an enormous amount for the GC cause in NZ. She has really peaked a lot of people who weren't quite sure what was going on. SUFW were inundated with women wanting to join around the time of Posie. New FB groups formed that are gender critical or querying the gender orthodoxy. One group boasted some thousand members in a matter of weeks. People could see through the BS being said about her.

        1. 8.4.2.1

          Can I just add to that about women joining the GC cause. It is no secret that I am connected involved with GC groups. I haven't come across women who are alt right or Nazis in these groups.

        2. 8.4.2.2

          Re Posie Parker, may I suggest it was the reaction to her that peaked people's interest in the matter.

          The interesting thing was the law has already been passed in NZ, but one would think otherwise considering the protest against her.

          The protesters largely blew for themselves.

        1. 9.1.1.1

          Read reviews on reputable sites like Techradar and looked for one with good internet traffic speed that didn't collect data (since apparently that's something to look out for) and had worldwide access to Netflix, and the reviews confirmed that. Access to Netflix ruled out quite a few (before Ironsocket, we used Tunnelbear until it stopped working with Netflix).

          Once we had a short list, then I picked the one that was the cheapest with the best sale discount (Black Friday is an excellent shopping time).

  10. 10

    Good that Parliament is back in session. Today's popcorn session at question time saw Hipkins, Robertson and Anderson in fine form against the 'wit' of Luxon, the dread seriousness of Willis and the cheekiness of Seymour. Worth a watch in a rerun.

    Then we had just finish Megan Wood finish with a very important factual statement that had National not sold off state houses and instead built at the rate that Labour is doing now, there would be an extra 20,000 houses now.

    1. 10.1

      Ginny Anderson is one stroppy female! Once again, she made Mercenary Mitch look very ordinary, and Act's Chris Bailey even thicker!

        1. 10.1.1.1

          Have a listen to today's QT in the House and find out. First you will learn how to deal with a dishonest questioner who only gives part quotations. Then you will learn about 1800 extra police and not only dealing wth crime but the causes of crime. Or you can read it all in Hansard.

          1. 10.1.1.1.1

            Re the 1800 extra police. In a recent interview, Ginny was informed the Police Association say the 1800 extra police is not enough and they could now do with another 1800 extra.

            This was largely due to the time it took to deliver the initial extra 1800 promised.

            At around 3:05 into the audio in the link below.

            https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/ginny-andersen-police-minister-concedes-the-increase-in-crime-isnt-just-down-to-more-reporting-of-crime/

            As for not only dealing with crime but the causes of crime. When are they going to address poverty?

            1. 10.1.1.1.1.1

              "As for not only dealing with crime but the causes of crime. When are they going to address poverty?"

              When will the wealthy share their wealth? When will tax evasion end? When will people understand what society means? Kindness? Sharing? Peace? Cooperation?

              "They" is actually "us"………..

              1. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1

                We've recently had a group of wealthy New Zealanders calling on the Government to tax them more.

                https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/group-of-rich-new-zealanders-want-to-pay-more-tax/TGEQJBXMOVDKNDJHGQDNFHHF7I/

                The Government has largely ruled out tax changes in this term.

                But the question remains, when are they going to address poverty?

                Surely, the longer they leave it, the more social harm it causes? Thus, further robbing the Government of funding as they are forced to address the growing wider harms.

                1. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                  We also have political parties who are saying tax us less.

                  What Ginny Anderson said in QT yesterday bears repeating. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20230530_20230530_18

                  "What I will note is that not only were front-line services diminished under the previous Government but significant numbers of police stations around New Zealand closed when the member was in Government."

                  And, " I would like to say that that figure is too high that's why we are committed to bringing it down. It was not brought down under the previous Government, when there was not front-line investment in services and, further, there was not investment in family harm services in our communities. We know for a fact that young people in New Zealand were left in homes, exposed to rates of family harm and 10 years later, those young people are presenting in our criminal justice system."

                  1. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                    Well that is a great example of leaving things to fester.

                    So again, when are they going to address poverty? The election is coming up soon and Labour may be gone, so what are they waiting for?

                  2. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2

                    While some things are being done to advance those feeling the pain, I should have been more precise.

                    Back in 2019 The Welfare Expert Advisory Group completed its report making 42 key recommendations.

                    Well it's now 2023 and the Government has come under fire.

                    Anti-poverty campaigners say the Government has been “woefully slow” after promising to reform the welfare system five years ago…

                    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/weag-welfare-overhaul-update-govt-defends-146b-programme-while-anti-poverty-campaigners-say-woefully-slow/HYL5CB5O7ZHFXMBQDQHG2E4N34/

                    So when I was asking when are they going to address poverty, I was referring to the implementation of all the recommendations from the report.

                    Apparently, we have crime on the up, a cost of living crisis deepening and more family harm being reported. So why are the Government still holding back?

                    Don't they want to win the next election?

                    1. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1

                      Some things will get 'better' (for some); most will get 'worse' (for most.) It's our trajectory – 'unacceptable' don't enter into it.

                      A few years ago Gluckman and Hanson wrote 'Mismatch'.


                      As a result, write Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson in Mismatch, we have created a modern, artificial world that is painfully out of tune with our evolved bodies.

                      The unprecedented footprint of our wonderous (for some) global civilisation is evidently mismatched with spaceship Earth.

                      When will Earth overshoot day fall this year?
                      We know that thinking about overshoot can be overwhelming—we’re right there with you. First, we should mention that we’re not ecological resource- or climate-“doom-and-gloom” people. We’re also not over-optimistic, “change-your-lightbulbs-and-we’ll-be-OK” types, either. We’re realists. Somewhere in the middle.

                      A Lab/Green govt may do a better job of protecting impoverished Kiwis from the worst of the inevitable immediate consequences of Earth overshoot, but in the long term there are no guarantees – apart from the guarantee that future generations will marvel at how many were useless moaners, myself included.

                  3. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3

                    Just to put things into perspective. At the same time the Government was doing little for the impoverished, they were reportedly overseeing the largest transfer of wealth in NZ history.

                    According to Bernard Hickey, the Labour Government, supported by the Green Party, has presided over the biggest transfer of wealth in the history of New Zealand.

                    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018828257/the-cost-of-the-pandemic-the-financial-winners-and-losers

                    1. 10.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3.1

                      “I'm really surprised that the business community are not, frankly embarrassed that as a collective whole, they have just taken $19 billion from the taxpayers of New Zealand, seeing their assets rise by almost a trillion dollars, and are not looking to repay that to rebuild the social contract that we have.”
                      – Hickey [January 2022]

                      Yep, and we know that from the start of the pandemic, Nats have bleated on about businesses needing more support – go figure.

                      Ardern accused of making New Zealand businesses 'sacrificial lambs' in Covid-19 lockdown [21 Apr 2020]
                      National party leader Simon Bridges scraps political truce, telling PM extending lockdown does more harm than lifting it.

                      MP – More support for business needed [16 Sept 2021]
                      Botany MP Christopher Luxon says small business owners need help urgently to survive the Covid-19 lockdown.

                      Taking care of business – National's plan has shimmer but is it safe? [21 Oct 2021]
                      National leader Judith Collins launches her party’s Back in Business plan.

                      Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Yes, indeed. Time and time again, members opposite called on us to give further support to the business community. We did give significant support, over $20 billion, but the National Party prefers an approach of untargeted support through tax cuts for the wealthiest New Zealanders. That's not our policy. [20 Sept 2022]

                      The wealth is out there, but its (re)distribution is a conundrum.

                      "Recently, a business owner began crying as she told me how her staff are struggling to make ends meet, but the business is also struggling and can’t afford higher wages." –
                      – Luxon                       [5 March 2023]

          2. 10.1.1.1.2

            I don't think poverty is the only predictor of criminality or poor health outcomes.

            The Dunedin longitudinal study has demonstrated this in there outstanding research (I have linked this before and will link again if required).

            They found poverty was a contributer to outcomes such as crime, poor health and addiction a more compelling factor was what children scored on a scale of self control. The more self control children had the better their life outcomes were (and yes poverty plays a role too). This bit of information is gold and why it isn't a key feature in policy, I will never understand.

            As someone who was brought up in a family where the police use to be called when I was a child (some nights it was safer to roam the neighbourhood that be inside) and whose mother had to leave my father before there was a DPB, I kind of resent having the poverty thing as the sole reason for crime. Despite the trauma and the financial struggle my family experienced, I was brought up with good values about honestly.

            1. 10.1.1.1.2.1

              Not the only factor but a wide-ranging factor nonetheless. For example, it plays a role in family violence, overcrowded or unsafe housing and mental health, which can all potentially lead a number to crime.

    1. 11.1

      I doubt he's deep enough for that title!!

      What's te reo for speed bump, slows progress, heads the right shape.

    2. 11.2

      It is confusing to me to have to deal with an individual with an extra ‘e’ in his name. This is not a name in one of the official languages of parliament nor one closely related: allegedly Greek, Hebrew or Russian origin.

      I propose all journalists anglicise the name of the brown weasel to Simon, until all this confusion settles down. Himiona would also be acceptable as an official language.

  12. 12

    A classic case where the facts of a case and narrative about it are at a total disconnect.

    A man has a rare health problem (one in 6 cases here a year*) in early April and within 6 weeks it is diagnosed and treatment begins.

    Claims of a breakdown in the health system because a GP does not identify the cause of some pain and a first misdiagnosis after a test*, then the case is cited on Maori TV as another case of a lack of access to health care for Maori.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/05/elite-athlete-jason-wynyard-s-agonising-wait-for-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment.html

    If it had been a women’s health problem. Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrom – it might have taken years.

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