The dire probabilities of unusual weather

Written By: lprent
Date published: - 32 comments

In Morning Report yesterday there was a clear question and statement on the difference between weather events and climate. This is a question that always seems to confuse our CCD’s (climate change deniers and skeptics). So it is worth examining it a bit in the view of some of the unusual weather that has been happening recently. A increased frequency of such events is going to be the main effect of climate change over time, leading eventually to famines.

The age of recession sharpens class war

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 23 comments

So, it looks like we’re heading back into recession. We’re going to have to get used to the idea that we can’t depend on perpetual economic growth to deliver rising living standards to all. We could make nearly everyone wealthier with a fairer distribution of wealth but the opposite is happening. This is simply class war; a battle over shares of a diminishing prize. And we’re letting the rich win.

The new food crisis

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 21 comments

Climate change, peak oil, resource exhaustion, and over-population are combing to cause a new food crisis. Grains supply half the calories we consume directly and feed much of our live-stock. The prices of those are skyrocketing because supply can’t match demand. Starting with Russia, major exporters are limiting the amount they send abroad to keep what they have for their own people.

Unions launch name and shame

Written By: r0b
Date published: - 144 comments

John Key challenged the unions to “put up or shut up”. So they’re going to put up. The CTU has launched a campaign to name and shame businesses that are abusing the fire at will (90 day probation) bill. It’s a campaign based around personal stories. Heather Smith tells the first of many…

Open mike 13/08/2010

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 21 comments

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Slippery old Ryall

Written By: IrishBill
Date published: - 26 comments

Tony Ryall’s been running significant health-cuts under the radar for a while now.

But with the heat going on down south he’s breaking out the “spot check” story to show he’s in touch.

He’s a slippery old bugger…

Strong field emerges for Labour

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 16 comments

Idle speculation about possible contenders to be the Labour candidate in a by-election seems to be the most important issue of the day. Labour has a good field to choose from it appears, while National will have to choose Parata or publicly slap her down. There are bigger isues at the moment but once the race is underway, it will be a microcosm of next year’s election.

The cycleway & the coming benefit cuts

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 42 comments

Attacking beneficiaries won’t solve the real problems. There aren’t enough jobs, the recession is not really over. Rather than dealing with that, this government is carving off an ever large slice of our shrinking national wealth for their rich buddies. The poor and the jobless are turned into figures of public spite by a government of the rich which will cut to their meagre benefits will be pay for tax cuts for the rich.

Student loan penalties

Written By: r0b
Date published: - 75 comments

One of the worst effects of student loans is to drive young graduates overseas. What could possibly be stupider? So it’s good to see a policy from this government that is at least a step in the right direction.

Open mike 12/08/2010

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 28 comments

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Nats fear flood of justice

Written By: Zetetic
Date published: - 14 comments

Finlayson says that paying compo to women abused by cops would “open the floodgates”. In other words, he reckons all the other claims that would come out of the woodwork would cost too much. What’s right is right. No matter the cost. ‘Floodgates’ is just an admission that the hundreds have been harmed. This government doesn’t have the guts to do right by them.

Holmes truths on useless Nats

Written By: r0b
Date published: - 38 comments

In his own surreal and ultra-privileged way Paul Holmes has discovered the recession. And it seems to have shaken him up a bit. Paul cuts loose with some Holmes truths about the useless Nat government. But in claiming that there is no alternative Holmes reveals nothing but his own lack of vision…

Small-minded leadership hurts us all

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 22 comments

So disappointing to see that the Auckland Regional Council didn’t even bother to respond to an offer by the designer of a personal rapid transport system to use his design to solve the woeful public transport from Auckland airport to the city. This kind of small mindedness is endemic throughout government, especially with the Nats in charge.

Laban to step down

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 41 comments

Winnie has been a great MP for Mana and is a pillar of the Pacific community. Her focus on the electorate and community that put her in office is something that a lot of other MPs could learn from. There’ll be strong competition to be Labour’s candidate in the by-election. National’s will be Hekia Parata, who’s of the Melissa Lee school of campaigning. Should be fun.

Open mike 11/08/2010

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 28 comments

Open mike is your post. It’s open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes […]

Key govt turn backs on police sex victims

Written By: Eddie
Date published: - 44 comments

It just gets worse: “The Government has rejected a secret forum’s recommendation that 10 women who alleged sexual misconduct by police officers get reparation.” Sadly, I think this is just the Nats being cheap and unwilling to face their responsibilities. They don’t care about the victims of police abuse, they care about saving a few dollars to pay for tax cuts.

Welfare working group tries to create a crisis

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 43 comments

The benefit system is not unaffordable, the best way to lower its cost is to create jobs. But it is clear that is not on the Welfare Workings Group’s agenda. Their job is to paint beneficiaries as bludgers, the welfare system as broken and expensive. Their job is to pave the way for welfare cuts to pay for tax cuts that will leave the poorest Kiwi families more impoverished. They’ve made a good start.

All hail honourable leader’s birthday

Written By: Eddie
Date published: - 30 comments

Rapturous crowds of workers from the People’s Information Services spontaneously gathered in the Beehive theatrette yesterday to praise Beloved Leader of People’s Constitutional Monarchy of New Zealand, Honourable John Key, on the anniversary of his birth. “Comrades! I thank you!” said Honourable Key to the sighs of the crowd. One young cadre presented Beloved Leader with a birthday card.

Fabians Lecture Tonight

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 5 comments

What Will Fix New Zealand’s Economy?
In Auckland: Room 260-206, Owen G Glenn Building, University of Auckland Business School, 12 Grafton Rd
Time: 5.30-7.30pm

Tory welfare bashing

Written By: r0b
Date published: - 100 comments

If the political world can be split into Left and Right, is there any issue which is better at dividing us than welfare? Inevitably, the Tory attack on welfare has begun. The Rebstock report “dutifully deliver[s] the findings the government wants to hear”.

Open mike 10/08/2010

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 35 comments

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Heatley’s crocodile tears on state housing

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 17 comments

Phil Heatley says he fears for the future of state housing. I can’t help but agree, but the problem is that it is Heatley and his government that are making the future of state housing so dire. They have cancelled investment in new state houses and declared the existing stock for sale. Now, Heatley has to cheek to say the charitable sector will have to step in where his government is failing.

A four year term?

Written By: Marty G
Date published: - 46 comments

According to the Herald (which, helpfully, doesn’t provide any details) a new survey from the Business Council for Sustainable Development shows “strong support for extending the period between general elections.” Referenda in 1967 and 1990 strongly rejected a four-year term, has public opinion mysteriously shifted? Do you think four years is a good idea?

Iraq war profiteers

Written By: r0b
Date published: - 15 comments

I regard the invasion of Iraq as one of the most shameful events in America’s history. The made up cover story about “weapons of mass destruction” was quickly shown to be a lie. It was always about the oil. And for too many of those on the ground it was always about lining their pockets with billions of dollars worth of slush money.

I’m So Dizzy

Written By: Bunji
Date published: - 44 comments

The rate at which National have been spinning of late is giving me nausea. It can’t be long until they get to the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide scenario of declaring black to be white and getting run over on the nearest zebra crossing.

Open mike 09/08/2010

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 21 comments

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The Carter question

Written By: IrishBill
Date published: - 75 comments

Many in the media seem to want a nice quick expulsion of Chris Carter from the Labour party.

But it doesn’t work like that in a democratic organisation – if it did, it wouldn’t be democratic for long.

Rethinking Growth

Written By: Bunji
Date published: - 82 comments

For the last several decades the over-riding mantra across western governments has been that what is important above all else is economic growth. Now is the time to question whether it should still be our main aim and guiding light.

Open mike 08/08/2010

Written By: notices and features
Date published: - 14 comments

Open mike is your post. It’s open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes […]

National’s Economic Plan Found

Written By: Guest post
Date published: - 10 comments

After half a government term of insisting that NACT had an economic plan, it has been ‘misplaced’. The full plan, said by informed sources to have been found in a brief case (along with a pie and a men’s magazine) and written on the back of an old rental expenses claim form, reveals that the government expects significant economic development will be lead by the construction of a single national transport infrastructure, namely a National Cycleway.

Do we feel lucky?

Written By: r0b
Date published: - 23 comments

“Global climate talks appear to have slipped backward after five days of negotiations in Bonn, the chief U.S. delegate said Friday, adding that some countries were reneging on promises they made last year to cut greenhouse gas emissions”.