Open mike 17/03/2019

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The trouble with hate speech

Yesterday’s terrorist attack which has resulted in 49 kiwis losing their lives highlights issues brought up by the tour of New Zealand by Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux and the debate about if hate speech should ever be tolerated.

Just outlaw semi-automatic weapons

I’ve used and worked with weapons for large chunks of my life. They’re not there for dickheads. There aren’t any reasons to keep operational semi-automatic weapons in civilian life. Just outlaw them. The conviction for unlawful possession of them requires mandatory imprisonment.

Christchurch: The Next Day

It’s the morning after the horrific attacks in Christchurch. 49 are dead, many more injured. The PM is flying to the city, having announced our gun laws are to be immediately strengthened. The country is reeling, but the fascists are bound to lose.

Open mike 16/03/2019

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Daily review 15/03/2019

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Christchurch Mosque Shooting

There has been a shooting at a mosque in Central Christchurch. Injured people have been seen in the doorway and armed Police are out in force.

UPDATE: The Star is reporting that one person is dead, and there are reports of a second mosque in Linwood being attacked.

UPDATE: A shooter has posted a series of manifestos. It appears to be typical race hate. It also appears that the shooting was live streamed.

UPDATE: The WestPac rescue helicopter is flying over Papanui High School, with what appears to be armed Police leaning out the doors. Papanui is approx 5 kms from the Dean’s Ave mosque. There are also reports that an arrest has been made.

UPDATE: Police confirm an arrest has been made. However the city remains in lockdown until it is clear that there is no further danger. Police also confirm multiple fatalities.

Last UPDATE for the night: 49 dead, 48 injured, 4 fascists in custody. Today has been horrible and tomorrow is going to be a very hard day. Kia kaha, aroha and lets stick together. A people united will never be defeated.

Open mike 15/03/2019

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Daily review 14/03/2019

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Open mike 14/03/2019

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Daily review 13/03/2019

Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

More political interference on Huawei

Here’s another one for the select committee reviewing foreign interference. Visitor from Britain Charlie Parton of the Royal United Services Institute was on Morning Report this morning telling us to avoid Huawei because they are Chinese and different from us. At least he does us a favour by making it clear the matter is political not technical.

Cardinal Pell

Cardinal Pell has been given six years in jail for his crimes against children. But the Catholic Church has a range of other allegations to resolve.

Human Rights decision is quite pointed

A decision released yesterday by the Human Rights Review Tribunal that went against Cameron Slater is very clear. The gratuitous publication of personal details on its own simply isn’t newsworthy in any news medium. The topic has to actually be newsworthy to get the exemption in the Privacy Act for news mediums. 

Open mike 13/03/2019

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Daily review 12/03/2019

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Open mike 12/03/2019

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Magicked-Up Weapons

I’m glad Anne-Marie Brady will get the chance to present her “Magic Weapons” paper to the select committee examining the last election. At long last it might get given some proper critical examination, of its content as well as it provenance. In my opinion it reads like a long list of the blindingly obvious, mixed with a large dose of conspiracy theory. It certainly doesn’t show much sign of the sort of critical thinking one might expect from an academic.

Daily review 11/03/2019

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Open mike 11/03/2019

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No More Investing In Oil Exploration

Norway’s government has announced it is selling out of oil exploration although it will continue to invest in energy companies that have refineries and are engaged in distribution and retail sales of oil and gas products.

Open mike 10/03/2019

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Chelsea Manning Jailed

Whistleblower Chelsea Manning has allowed herself to be jailed for contempt of court. She says it’s a matter of principle. But what principle?

Open mike 09/03/2019

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