The Press on Mercury Energy
The Press editorial yesterday compares what is happening with Mercury Energy to the Salem witch trials:
There is an uncomfortable sense of potentially inconvenient facts being trampled down before they can have an airing. If there is any “justice” at play here, it is the type pioneered in Salem a few hundred years ago.
Probably the safest bet about the circumstances surrounding Folole Muliaga’s death is that there will be more to it than has so far been clear. The Government, the Prime Minister and all those grandstanding should now pull back and let the full truth be found – not the version of it which best suits any wider agenda.
Hear hear.
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June 7th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Given that the PM has used this sad event for political posturing, will the truth now come out? Will our gutless mainstream media actually be honest and balanced about the events, or will they not risk alienating the Government?
This was such a pathetic attempt, by too many people to play judge & jury without knowing the full facts, or choosing which facts to highlight.
Why didn’t the media take the PM to task over her hypocritical stance on this issue?
Mercury made a terrible mistake. The ADHB let Mrs Muliaga down and the welfare system let her down. Where does the buck stop for all those agencies…hmmm. All 3 are government agencies, all are systemically broken.
The only component of this that the PM isn’t ultimately responsible for, is the families own (lack of) action. For that, only they can take responsibility.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:52 am
That’s a perception that hasn’t been helped by the Wicked Witch of Mount Albert wading in and slagging off Mercury Energy. She’s nailed her colours to the mast (or should that be broomstick??), and should the numerous inquiries exonerate Mercury, she will end up looking even more out of touch.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:55 am
06 06 2007
Police Commissioner Howard Broad
Office of the Commissioner
PO Box 3017
Wellington
Dear Commissioner
I allege that some parties involved in Mrs Muliaga’s health care failed to observe the following sections of the Crimes Act 1961
151 Duty to provide the necessaries of life
157 Duty to avoid omissions dangerous to life
Mrs Folole Muliaga, possibly terminally ill, was released into the care of her family by hospital authorities. Despite the Electricity Commission’s guidelines, power was disconnected.
In a short time she lost her eyesight, became unconscious and died.
Her death is being investigated and my allegations need to be addressed in the course of the investigations.
Yours sincerely
June 7th, 2007 at 8:57 am
gee, helen was invited to the funeral but from the comments here we can see who are cackling around the fire of discontent.
Priceless to hear the haters stewing in their own venom
June 7th, 2007 at 9:19 am
The Police sure are lucky to have you Frank, I doubt they even knew those provisions existed until you pointed them out. Keep up the good work Sherlock.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Selma
Do you think she would have been invited if she hadn’t already turned up (unannounced) a few days earlier in what most people now regard as nothing more than a piece of blatant political theatre??
Also, the role of PM is undoubtedly a very busy one. I’m sure the family wouldnt have been too distraght if she’d been unable to attend, if you get my drift…..
June 7th, 2007 at 9:30 am
You can tell you’ve got a lazy thinker when
a) they think the ‘witch-hunt’ orginated in Salem
b) they haven’t even bothered to check when the Slaem witch-hunts were (“a few hundred years ago”)
c) they write “Probably the safest bet about the circumstances surrounding Folole Muliaga’s death is that there will be more to it than has so far been clear” – indicating they’ve actually got no information whatsoever and haven’t done any research.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:31 am
But, New Zealand thrives on hysterical witch trials!
We are a society of blame and entitlement, and this is encouraged by the only people that are thriving in this mad country apart from coporate big wigs, the manufacturers of Prozac, therapists, counsellors and politicians, teaching us how to take a hand out and blame others for our own failures.
We wrap our children in cotton wool and they think they are invincible, they no longer no what it is to get a bad grade or a harsh word, and when the first thing goes wrong it startles them and leads to huge problems as seen in our increasing statisitcs particuarly in the white middle class teens and young people, of self-harm and depression.
Our politicians need to bring back education along with hand outs, or how will people learn to fend for themselves?.
If English is/was a problem for the Muliaga family why not start there and teach them how to access resources?
Why must somebody else be responsible for our health, wealth, and mental well being?. We have choices we can be well, healthy and responsible we just have to choose to be.
Blaming someone else only leads to more hurt and grief, for the often innocent people that get caught in the cross fire. You are only the victim of your own attitude.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:42 am
I can’t understand what all the fuss is about, as according to liebour we don’t have a underclass, for example, the rich boys play yachtfinks getting sun burnt on tax payer dollars, just like the hip pop tour and frogs in flight debacles.It can fairly argued that political geeks caused this nightmare by creating dehuman SOE’s like mercenary energy , as the insanity shown by our despicable Prime Minister smacks of hypocrisy. Wasn’t she a Cabinet Minister when they decided in their insidious/ foolish wisdom to set the sale of century in motion – selling state assets and starting the SOEs (Lest I forget her cohorts Kullen and Goffy)? As a result power is up 40% since, Theresa Gatting joins the billionaires $ club, and I am a waiting for a coal train to come crashing into my house as the sub standard tracks need billions spent on them (I don’t want the bitch at my funeral!!) These political creeps spawned the culture of greed in the first place, however now the stupid delinquents in parliament want to regulate ensuring that the ghastly mistake does not happen again? Look I don’t know about whether John Key is the answer (but I do hope so?), however surely this deranged grand standing bitch PM should be the subject of a compulsory mental health treatment order in the first instance. My friend Sigmund told me that Hulun Klark is the liar of the century, and she is very lucky that there is an appalling lack of management action to tackle chronic over crowding in our hospitals (Frustration with health management =“ paralysis by analysis” ) being the only reason why the bitch is not in a straight jacket. Snap election please, snap, snap, snap …..
June 7th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Grant said..
“Selma
Do you think she would have been invited if she hadn’t already turned up (unannounced) a few days earlier in what most people now regard as nothing more than a piece of blatant political theatre??”
Grant – I was informed on Saturday by a journalist friend that his agency had been advised of the PM’s visit by the PM’s media office – in contradiction of her “claim” that she hoped that no media would be there – a totally false, almost laughable claim given the media presence at the Muliaga home!
June 7th, 2007 at 9:52 am
The way that Mercury has handled this whole thing has just been a disaster, regardless of the faqcts of the matter. Their CEO should resign.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Selma – you presumably include Peter Dunne in your haters list, as he also has said he think the death is being exploited.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Inventory2
Why am I not surprised to hear that??
Thanks
G
June 7th, 2007 at 10:07 am
I’m surprised the Press have gone as far back as the Salem trials. Christchurch 1992 and the Civic Creche is a more recent example of a witch hunt.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I’m surprised the Press have gone as far back as the Salem trials. Christchurch 1992 and the Civic Creche is a more recent example of a witch hunt.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Absolutely Ross,
Sidey tried again in 2005, and her superior Zelas also had historical input. Christchurch is very good at these.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:49 am
The PM was invited to the funeral.
she went and paid her respects to someone whose death has been the focus of public discussion in NZ for over a week now..
how has she actually expolited the death? She has said Mecury seems to have failed to live up to expectatiosn and the govt will look at forcing better behavious from SOEs after this tragedy.
what would you be saying if she hadn’t attended the funeral?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Sam-
Yet somehow this ‘lazy thinker’ manages to post several interesting (if sometimes controversial) posts on his blog daily, attracts thousands of visits from all over the world and the political spectrum, (including yourself!) many of whom feel compelled to comment on his ‘lazy thoughts’.
Keep up the good work Sam!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Sam Dixon – oh why bother ….NICE words the PM said “that the spirit of forgiveness that radiated from this family is far more than humanly expected “, ( but the prayer smellon !!)
Are you a weasel spin doctor for his alien wench ?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I’m puzzled by your earlier post Sam Dixon, so, to clarify your point Sam,
Are you trying to say that the Salem witch hunts happened somewhere else, other than Salem?
Might want to check that one mate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials
Did they not happen a few hundred years ago?
Better check that one too!
Furthermore, DPF says he’s suspicious that there’s more to the case than meets the eye… Burn the bastard!!! How unreasonable of him.
You’re on fire today old chap!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Helmet no chance in hell of lazy thoughts coming from you, as a sledge hammer wouldn’t dent your cranium.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:41 am
“she went and paid her respects to someone whose death has been the focus of public discussion in NZ for over a week now..”
Sam, she went so that people could see her there. No other reason at all
“what would you be saying if she hadn’t attended the funeral?”
I’d be saying, ” Maybe she’s discovered a sense of decorum”
And before you really get on your high horse: Yes, I think Mercury’s disconnection policy is a bit harsh: No, I dont believe, given the information that has surfaced since the initial sensational headlines, that Mercury is responsible for this poor woman’s death.
G
June 7th, 2007 at 11:43 am
“Given that the PM has used this sad event for political posturing, will the truth now come out? Will our gutless mainstream media actually be honest and balanced about the events, or will they not risk alienating the Government?”
Unfortunately, much like the smacking debacle where instead of committing to re-enacting section 59 if elected John Key’s pussy sucking was seen by voters as a grand stand, 99% of the population will see Clark’s attacks as noble and holy, the one who stands up for the little people, has a sense of justice and values over capitalism and greed, greatly overwhelming the 0.0000002% of the population who read Kiwiblog and see that she truly doesn’t give a flying shit.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Helmet -
I’m quoting the Press editoral and calling that lazy thinking. I dont’ think DPF’s a lazy thinker at all and do not accuse him of such.
Lazy reading on your part?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Sam says “what would you be saying if she hadn’t attended the funeral?”
Duh, well, Sam, I would say then that she has exercised some long overdue emotional intelligence and left the family to their grief.
You must remember, that although Mrs Muliaga died several hours after the power cut, there are many other mitigating circumstances that contributed to her death.
Clark has seized this opportunity to grandstand to the PI communnity as she desperately needs that Mangere seat.
When has she ever shown concern at the untimely death of kiwis?
Did she go to any of the funerals of people that have died unnecessarily under our health system?
She is a septic deceitful person and this country should be ashamed to have her as PM
June 7th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
dad4justice..ha ha..you are not very fond of our Helen are you.I picked it because I’m bright that way.See if you can use these words in your next post …crapulous,abominable rancid and cankerous.Betcha can’t.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Oh dear. this is hurting the NP.
Events dear boys, events.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I bet that dad4justice has a hot for Helen Clark.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Isn’t it interesting that the left have no intelligent debate, they can only resort to ridicule.
I guess they have learned that from HC when she is on the losing streak.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Sonic said….”Oh dear. this is hurting the NP.”
Sorry mate, I don’t see the connection. It’s not John Key that makes staged media appearances at the homes of the dead, it’s not Bill English who has already tried and sentenced Mercury, it’s not Power, Brownlee or anyone else in the National caucus that the Press is climbing into.
The only person being hurt by this is the Rt Hon Helen Elizabeth Clark – the closing paragraph of the Press editorial sums it up well…
“The Government, the Prime Minister and all those grandstanding should now pull back and let the full truth be found – not the version of it which best suits any wider agenda.”
June 7th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Sonic said….”Oh dear. this is hurting the NP.”
Sorry mate, I don’t see the connection. It’s not John Key that makes staged media appearances at the homes of the dead, it’s not Bill English who has already tried and sentenced Mercury, it’s not Power, Brownlee or anyone else in the National caucus that the Press is climbing into.
The only person being hurt by this is the Rt Hon Helen Elizabeth Clark – the closing paragraph of the Press editorial sums it up well…
“The Government, the Prime Minister and all those grandstanding should now pull back and let the full truth be found – not the version of it which best suits any wider agenda.”
June 7th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
“Oh dear. this is hurting the NP.”
yay for Sonic, he/she has accepted that Clark got involved in this sad case purely for electioneering purposes. How pathetic. I’m sure that should there be a rise in the polls in the coming weeks she will consider it a job well done…..and she will never ever think of this poor family again.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
John Key must quietly smiling to himself. He has kept out of this debate, as should all politicians.
He can watch by the sidelines while Clark self destructs into oblivion.
And, yes, Craig, she will not think of this family again. She thinks she has made political mileage, but in reality, she has shown herself as the conniving,unscrupulous person she is…yet again
June 7th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Not only does this incident shows how Helen Clark is disconnected from reality, it is another step on the road from her disconnection from power.
Wouldn’t that be a fine epitath.
Mercury fiasco disconnects spinster PM from Power!
June 7th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
No no no – Dad4Justice hasn’t yet reached his daily quota for use of the word “utopian” in his crazed rantings.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Just to get the tally off to a flying start: utopian, utopian, utopian
June 7th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Salem!
It’s a wonder you didn’t compare it to HITLER or MUGABE!!
June 7th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Hey Frankie Boy – still posting your boring complaints?
“Dear Commissioner
I allege that some parties involved in Mrs Muliaga’s health care failed to observe the following sections of the Crimes Act 1961
151 Duty to provide the necessaries of life
157 Duty to avoid omissions dangerous to life”
So let’s analyse this “complaint” of yours:
Frankie Boy alleges = SERIOUS allegation?
some parties = Frank doesn’t know law from lore (his creative fictional writings)
[blank space] = no substantiation of the allegations made
By the way Frankie Boy – someone forgot to supply your pills. Wanna allege that they are in breach of their duty to avoid omissions dangerous to life (ie yours)??? And how many other “investigations” do you have on the boil? So laughable!
June 7th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Hey, has anybody thought that if the Milagas had enough money they wouldnt have been in arrears forthe power bill
Has any journo asked whether they were entitled to (and, more appropriately were receiving) WFF assistance and accommodation supplement from WINZ
If not, how can they be expected to pay the power bill?
June 7th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
It’s bad enough that we are being ripped off for power.
Imagine how it must be for low income people.
Terrible!
June 7th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I can tell you lots of people struggle on low incomes – good people let down by system – children suffer while we all cover it all up in the big bureaucratic inertia of big nanny government .It is very sad .
June 7th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I thought they burnt the witches at SALEM as they were PRETTY and aroused the local religious nutters, Helen could crack a mirrow so no risk of burning ,BURY her under reinforced concrete, i see sonic,and antisemantic ruth are back , the voice of peter davis and the living goddess, she who must be obayed, KILLER of poor south auckland islanders , shit mercury and tiny stream earned $ 85000000 in 6 monthes, You can kill heaps of people for that obcene profit, GO HELEN AND CULLEN THE NEW RICH SOCIALISTS ITS THEIR MONEY NOT OURS,,remember
June 7th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Dad4Justice – heard of Working for Families? It’s Labour’s flagship package designed to help the poor. Are you receiving any state-funded benefits by the way?
June 7th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Well Klark has held herself forth as an expert witness against Mercury Energy if Sheehan and his whanau decide to sue Mercury for damages…She made the same type of accusations against Constable Abbot following the Taranaki incident, though she accused him of racism as well before she found out he was darker than the man he shot. She had no such prescience though in deciding that Taito Field was a hardworking conscientious minister just doing his job, and then declining to answer all questions on the grounds that an inquiry had been commenced.
June 7th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Sneaky Clean asks, “ Are you receiving any state-funded benefits by the way?”
I know this could be seen as a breach of rules about self interest but on the requirements of personal sanity I feel rather obliged to put this liarbogey communist member out of its misery and with all due respect and without prejudice I will clear my throat, spit, oik, that’s better and answer , fart , pardon me MADam speaker ;
Yes I am happy to announce I am in the Auntie Hellon Club – invalids benefit dropped into kiwibank weekly – child support – courtfines go West – blah – blah is paid by state in the family file merry go round . I have been a member since my life was unjustifiably invaded by BIAS cops, judges, lawyers, nutbar feminazi social workers, twisted psychologists, bent psycho nut bars, and SIS freaks? Why? What for ? but I don’t worry I beacuse I asked Ministers of Justice and Corrections for a job LAST WEEK as I want to chuck the computer over the neighbours fence ( ALL my expenses are for computer ask the guys at shop – I rock a mean hard drive – booommmm ) so the un micro chipped pitbull can savagely destroy it . Bye –bye dear Sneaky Clean, kiss, kiss , yuck, yuck , is you’re real name Sandra, Heather, Peter or Kay? Good angle from my silly, low live enemy and I would expect nothing less. Would you like me to post my job application documents dear? When LIES backfire they become real lethal- especially when they’re propelled with the gun powder of truth.
When the WALLS COME DOWN lal lal lal
June 7th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Bet the MSM hasnt got the guts to find out how much money was going into that household each week and were it was going out to.Sky dish on the roof is always a good start No hoper gumint flunky jurnos wont have the balls to get onto it. I mean how hard is it to figure out.And the real joke is that the Socialists the all caring all hand wringing bastards allowed it to happen on their watch. I mean if Clark is as bloody good as shes painted out to be how come this happened.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Vexatious Litigant.
The section of the Crimes Act quoted is clear.
It is clear that it is applicable in this case.
It is clear that a number of factors contributed to this tragedy.
The only matters (not necessarily factual) the public are aware of, is that the patient was allowed home with a power operated machine to assist the breathing, in addition to medicines appropriate to her condition.
Beyond that it is conjecture and needs to be investigated.
I have made the Allegation under this section of the law as it has wide spread implications and is one of which the public need to be aware, but one which you deride.
Today we read about a newly born baby that was wrapped in a plastic bag and left to die.
Vexatious Litigant do you think the baby was denied the necessaries of life?
What about those who are removed from hospital surgical waiting lists and subsequently die? Did they have the plug pulled on them?
What of women who have breast cancer and have been denied possible lifesaving drugs?
Forget about useless guide lines and get something with teeth that people can understand and know that departure from procedures bring penalties.
Frank
June 7th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Sam- If that’s the case, yes lazy reading on my part. Please accept my apologies for any implied nastiness.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Just watched Pacifica. What a crock. Husband and work age kids clearly out of work and positioning themselves for a nice taxpayer funded payout. Mum dead – very sad stopped taking drugs by all acounts and if she needed oxygen so desperately she should still have been sucking tax payer dollars in a hospital.
Seemingly they were recividist bad payers as they couldn’t call an ambulance as their phone was cut off!!
Just watch for Helen Klark to milk this for all its is worth to her. She needs it!