Open Mike 29/12/2017
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The joy of biking
As I prepare to fly out of NZ yet again for work, I’m contemplating how much my personal transport has changed over the years. These days I most ride a e-bike. Faster than a car for my commute because of the frigging Auckland traffic. Effective exercise without too much pain. And a lot of fun.
Who is the white dude of the year?
Ben Torkington has proposed on twitter that there should be a white dude of the year competition. Who should be the inaugural winner of this esteemed competition and why?
2018 mental flossing: Power
Following the change in Government, the question is, who is in control on either side.
Open Mike 28/12/2017
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RealMe and online government – good when it works
The only thing worse than standing in queues with lumps of paper is having a website system that isn’t functioning. It is a first world problem I know. But having the government’s systems not be down for maintenance during the holidays is a good idea. There are no queues to form at the passport office because they are on holiday.
Open Mike 27/12/2017
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The right loses its shit after a public servant accidentally tweets from the wrong account
An accidental tweet from a Government account has led the right to claim the existence of all sorts of conspiracies.
Ain’t Gonna Play
New Zealand musician Lorde has announced that she will respect the boycott of Israel and not perform there.
Open Mike 26/12/2017
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Holiday Reads (and watches)
All the best for the summer break.
Open Mike 25/12/2017
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Why Christmas is good
Why the concept of christmas is a good thing.
Open Mike 24/12/2017
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Doofus of the week – Christmas edition
Doofus of the week Christmas edition is awarded to Jordan Williams for criticising Jacinda Ardern for entering into the spirit of Christmas through #nzsecretsanta and for comparing socialism to Father Christmas.
This. Almost.
It’s not perfect. Maybe it’s a start.
A Christmas Rabbit-hole.
Just some light-hearted musings.
Open Mike 23/12/2017
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Another fine example of Bill English’s aspiration for young Kiwis
Apparently the government’s fees-free policy will “soak up staff out of McDonald’s”. Education instead of McJobs – Oh Noez!
Teggtalk: Trump-Like Climate Science Meddling by NZ Ministers
Denis Tegg has been responsible for showing that the previous Government stonewalled and hid a report prepared by the Ministry for the Environment which warned local bodies of the threats posed by sea level rises caused by climate change.
Another middle finger?
With just over half the votes counted, it looks like Catalonia has opted to ditch Spanish central rule.
The United Nations gives Trump the middle finger
The United Nations has responded to Donald Trump’s threat to cut aid funding if it voted to condemn America’s decision to recognise Jerisalem as Israel’s capital by overwhelmingly support the decision.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Why the latest Star War movie may contain inspiration and meaning for left wing activists.
Open Mike 22/12/2017
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Tumbleweeds from National on the Tax Working Group
A month ago Labour announced that Sir Michael Cullen would chair the tax working group and the National Party was cock-a-hoop! Steven Joyce […]
Jian Yang wanted to help the SIS with recruitment
Matt Nippert has made further revelations about Jian Yang including that he lobbied on behalf of an unsuccessful applicant for a security sensitive job with the New Zealand Defence Force and that he disclosed to Auckland University but not to Immigration that he had worked for a PLA University.
The Medicinal Marijuana Bill
Will the Medical Marijuana Bill just introduced into Parliament be as effective as proponents wish?
The End of Life Choice Bill
We recently got the first reading on the End of Life Choice Bill, which aims to create a controlled regime for euthanasia. What are the pros and cons of the Bill?
Open Mike 21/12/2017
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National brings its B game to social media
A couple of recent examples suggests that National’s social media game is well below standard. And Judith Collins is no longer the Parliamentary Queen of twitter.
Germany and New Zealand Redux
New Zealand and Germany are both successful societies, with proportional democracies, strong economies, underpinned by strong public institutions and legal frameworks, and consistently believe that we are going in the right direction. But both countries rely on MMP and coalition governments. What will happen to the support parties?
Gareth Hughes: Passing a motion and other Parliamentary jargon
Democracy misunderstood is democracy denied.
Broadcasting Standards Authority finds Mike Hosking’s election comments about the Māori Party inaccurate and misleading
“Further, his comments the following evening were confusing and insufficient to correct the inaccurate information for viewers.”
Open Mike 20/12/2017
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The new government’s approach to climate change
The Government has announced the phasing out of the granting of permits for oil gas and coal extraction. Greenpeace thinks there should be a ban on new permits being granted.
The future of the USA
Left and right are used to predicting the accelerated decline of America, but are we now seeing it before our eyes and in our lifetimes?