General Debate 29 June 2010

June 29th, 2010 at 9:29 am by David Farrar
Tags:

138 Responses to “General Debate 29 June 2010”

  1. Whafe (648) Says:

    Oh we cant have traumatised prisoners, so we are told….

    Ban them smoking now…

    It is called accountability, do the crime, do the time

    This country is becoming more of a joke by the day………….

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  2. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    The Readers Digest Most Trusted People 2010 list – media/politically edited.
    No Brian Edwards, Duncan Garner or Christ Carter.

    1. Corporal Bill Apiata, Victoria Cross recipient
    2. Kevin Milne, presenter of Fair Go
    3. Sir Peter Snell, scientist and former Olympian
    4. Margaret Mahy, children’s author
    5. John Kirwan, former All Black and mental illness spokesperson

    14. Mike McRoberts,3 News anchor and 60 Minutes presenter
    18. Daniel Vettori, New Zealand cricket captain
    18. Queen Elizabeth II
    23. Robyn Malcolm, actor
    28. Sir Stephen Tindall, The Warehouse founder
    29. Simon Dallow, One News anchor
    30. Jim Mora, radio host
    33. John Campbell, presenter of Campbell Live
    34. Garth McVicar, Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman
    34. Mark Sainsbury, Close Up host
    43. Garth Morgan, economist and philanthropist
    44. Sir Peter Gluckman, scientist
    51. Howard Broad, Police Commissioner
    61. Keisha Castle-Hughes, actor
    62. Bob Parker, former TV host, mayor of Christchurch
    64. Alan Bollard, Governor of the Reserve Bank
    65. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister
    67. Paul Henry, host of Breakfast Show
    68. Graeme Hart, businessman
    70. John Key, Prime Minister
    71. Sir Bob Jones, businessman
    72. Terry Serepisos, businessman, host of The Apprentice NZ
    73. Russel Norman, co-leader, Green Party
    74. Eric Watson, entrepreneur
    75. Lockwood Smith, politician
    76. Phil Goff, Labour Party leader
    77. Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister
    78. Pita Sharples, co-leader Maori Party
    79. Mark Bryers, businessman
    80. Winston Peters, leader, New Zealand First
    81. Tariana Turia, co-leader, Maori Party
    82. John Banks, mayor of Auckland
    83. Rodney Hide, leader,ACT Party
    84. Sir Roger Douglas,ACT politician
    85. Hone Harawira, Maori Party politician

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  3. hj (4,089) Says:

    #85
    “The Maori population was about 1 million when the Europeans came. We had a stable society with our own social controls, our own conservation methods, our own rules of behaviour towards one another.

    When Pakehas (white people) came, they brought crime and diseases which almost wiped us out. The population dropped to 40,000 between 1800 and 1900. More died from disease than the big wars we had with the Pakehas. The population is now around 500,000-600,000.”
    http://newzeal.blogspot.com/search?q=Hone+Harawira

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  4. hj (4,089) Says:

    Whose story? History teachers exposed
    By Catherine Delahunty
    http://blog.greens.org.nz/2010/06/25/whose-story-history-teachers-exposed/

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  5. tom hunter (3,852) Says:

    ….and will pull that as the link failed

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  6. MikeNZ (3,234) Says:

    http://www.nzcpr.com/Weekly235.pdf

    well worth reading

    A study released last year by the OECD on child wellbeing painted a grim picture of the status of children in New Zealand. It found that New Zealand children lived in poor conditions – average family incomes in New Zealand were low by OECD standards and child poverty rates high. In terms of the “health and safety” of children we ranked next to bottom – 29th out of 30, with by far the highest rate of youth suicide and an above average rate of child mortality.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  7. stephen (4,063) Says:

    Pete George, there’s a great little post on that at the Dim Post.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  8. tom hunter (3,852) Says:

    Just to start the morning with some humour – check out this YouTube mashup – Pixar’s The Wire

    Whoever did this must know both Toy Story and The Wire to a stone cold level of dialog detail.

    They possibly could have done some of the over-dubbing a little better – the most accurate take is where Stinky Pete utters the great line:
    You McNulty, are a gaping asshole! We both know this

    Pitch perfect match.

    Hat Tip: Not PC – which I find rather surprising as this sort of grim, nihilistic, hopeless view seems more of a piece with what Dim would find.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  9. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Most trusted people–
    4 Margaret Mahy, children’s author
    6 Sir Peter Jackson, film director
    8. Alison Holst, celebrity chef and author
    9. Irene van Dyk, netballer
    12 Dame Malvina Major,opera singer
    – rather a list of New Zealanders that other New Zealanders may vaguely recognise.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  10. nickb (2,206) Says:

    Yes!!!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10655186

    Fuck you, Obama. Good to see (well, the conservative wing anyway) standing up for Americans’ constitutional rights.

    Not so the four liberal flunkies, but what would you expect.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  11. exaybachay (19) Says:

    I’m amazed that Readers Digest found 500 people who had all had dealings with those people. Surely it wouldn’t just be a list of projected emotional values?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  12. American Gardener (554) Says:

    Communities should have the right to ban guns if they wish. It is interesting that you refer to the liberal judges as “flunkies” because they do not do as you wish. They are not flunkies, they are exercising their responsibilities.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  13. backster (1,804) Says:

    Iwonder on what grounds anyone would TRUST Winston he rates ahead of HONE who at least is honest .

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  14. nickb (2,206) Says:

    “they are exercising their responsibilities.”

    And they must do so to uphold the US Constitution. Does the US Constitution expressly allow for the banning of handguns?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  15. tom hunter (3,852) Says:

    Oh come on DPF – I know it’s a New Zealand blog but the passing of Al Gore and Senator Robert Bryd surely merits an entire post and thread of it’s own – for black humor as much anything else.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  16. Manolo (10,206) Says:

    23. Robyn Malcolm, actor
    29. Simon Dallow, One News anchor
    33. John Campbell, presenter of Campbell Live

    Really? As a nation, NZ must be sinking fast.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  17. American Gardener (554) Says:

    Then there is something wrong with the constitution and it needs to be changed.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  18. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    My faith is surveys is restored.

    NZ’s most hated vegetable revealed

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  19. alex Masterley (1,169) Says:

    Brussel sprouts? I love ‘em. Pity my wife doesn’t share the enthusiasim.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  20. side show bob (3,660) Says:

    Three cheers for the American Supreme court. Gun ownership is a citizen right not a state right. This should put the wind up those lefty soft cock states that seek to thumb their noses at the Constitution. Shit I bet the Kenyan is spewing his progressive arse off, I love it.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  21. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    Gun ownership is a citizen right not a state right.

    How far does that right go? Is it a right for every citizen, or just for those citizens deemed responsible enough?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  22. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    I’ll drink to that Bob:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TC2xTCb_GU

    Classic from Whale. :)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  23. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Manolo – “Really? As a nation, NZ must be sinking fast.

    Not New Zealand as a nation – just some, to whom Reader’s Digest fills a similar gap as does the Woman’s Weekly for others

    “Very deep,” said Arthur, “you should send that in to the Reader’s Digest. They’ve got a page for people like you.”
    The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Chapter 2

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  24. American Gardener (554) Says:

    “This should put the wind up those lefty soft cock states” – this is an insane statement. What is wrong with a community wanting to control lethal weapons in their community ?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  25. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    “What is wrong with a community wanting to control lethal weapons in their community ?”

    Will someone shoot this stupid commie wank?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  26. side show bob (3,660) Says:

    I suspect it has less to do with a “community wanting to control lethal weapons” but more to do with big lefty government that just hates the idea of a well armed population. But of course there should be restrictions on those in society that are bad bastards or are few beers short of a six pack. NZ has one of the highest firearm ownership in the world and we do not have the problems the states do, so banning gun ownership would not seem to be the problem. May I humbly suggest that jumping on constitutional rights is not the answer to your problems.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  27. eszett (2,025) Says:

    # American Gardener (370) Says:
    June 29th, 2010 at 10:41 am

    Then there is something wrong with the constitution and it needs to be changed.

    The US constitution explicitly gives the right to every red blooded right winger to own a penis substitute.
    Some right wingers here wish they had too.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  28. tristanb (1,117) Says:

    TV3 was announcing the Readers Digest poll about brands last night. Like all the newspapers they misrepresented this as “New Zealand’s most trusted brands” rather than “A statistically small sample of people who are suckered by marketing’s most trusted NZ brands”

    * Heinz Watties was first – you’ll never be a kiwi ’til you love American-owned Heinz sauce.
    * Toyota, a NZ-manufacturing legend, complete with a traditional Maori name, was up there.
    * Sony was also high-rating, a company that hid software on their CDs that would prevent a user’s computer from copying CDs (if it didn’t break it). Also every device has a proprietary cable/battery/memory card making them expensive to maintain.

    It’s good to see the troughers Rodney Hide and Roger Douglas towards the end of the trusted people list. Not so great to see John Kirwan at the front.

    The only knowledge gained from this lists is that the Readers are old, computer illiterate, depressed, left-wing, monarchists. And that good “kiwi-image” marketing and publicity is useful if you want to target this group.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  29. KiwiGreg (2,860) Says:

    “What is wrong with a community wanting to control lethal weapons in their community ?”

    Well nothing, except its unconstitutional to do so in the US. Wouldnt seem to have a lot to do with NZ

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  30. side show bob (3,660) Says:

    Johnboy, priceless . Afraid my collection pales in insignificance.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  31. side show bob (3,660) Says:

    Eszett and how is your left wing vagina?.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  32. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    “The US constitution explicitly gives the right to every red blooded right winger to own a penis substitute.”

    As usual a complete misrepresentation by an idiot. The US constitution also allows lefties the right to own firearms. (This is undoubtedly in a misguided attempt to stop them going blind from too much masturbation).

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  33. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    “I suspect it has less to do with a “community wanting to control lethal weapons” but more to do with big lefty government that just hates the idea of a well armed population.”

    The first thing Adolf did was take all the guns from the Jews.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  34. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    MikeNZ 10:02 am,

    http://www.nzcpr.com/Weekly235.pdf

    well worth reading

    A very good article indeed, Mike.
    You can certainly see what the results of 30+ years of feminist agenda driven laws and policies have had to the detriment of the nuclear family; where both biological parents are involved in, and committed to, the raising of their children. Especially the importance of the role of the father as both the provider and protector of his wife and children. With many fathers today being largely absent from the family, and from their role as protector, we see the clear link between their absence and increasing child abuse; usually committed by other men in the mother’s life who have free reign without the presence of the children’s father.

    Without addressing this fundamental issue, and without removing the related bad laws and policies, it is hard to see any diminishing of child abuse, or for that matter any change in the associated increasingly downward trend in positive outcomes where our nation’s children are concerned. For example, in the areas of youth suicide, crime, educational performance, respect for others, etc. Or that our children might have a general desire to be contributing members of society when they enter adulthood, and not least, that they might go on to become good parents themselves, having had this modelled to them by their own parents.

    Until governement(s) and the average citizen recognises that the two (biological) parent family is the foundational building block of society, and that it needs to be protected and empowered, then things will only continue to get worse in our society – worse for all of us.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  35. tom hunter (3,852) Says:

    The US constitution explicitly gives the right to every red blooded right winger to own a penis substitute.
    Some right wingers here wish they had too.

    Eszett, I know that you hold this blog and its commentators in the deepest contempt but is the place really unworthy of anything better than tired, old, faculty lounge jibes like this one – or is your impotent sense of humor telling us something about yourself?

    Revealing the deep scars from Womens Studies 101 – it’s never pretty.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  36. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    GO SINGAPORE…!!!!!

    Yeeehaawww..!!!!

    Scar this POS for life-

    “Swiss national Oliver Fricker has been sentenced to five months jail and three strokes of the cane. The 32-year-old IT consultant pleaded guilty to trespassing into the SMRT Changi Depot and spray-painting two train carriages.”

    Notice guys, no time and money wasted on bullshit “rehabilitation, family conferences, counselling etc etc”. Just jail and a few good whacks. (Not enough whacks IMHO)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  37. American Gardener (554) Says:

    “Will someone shoot this stupid commie wank?” – as usual an intelligent and thoughtful response.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  38. American Gardener (554) Says:

    It is easy being a rightie – you just swagger around with your hard-on suggesting simplistic black and white solutions to problems and then verbally abuse anyone who questions you.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  39. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    I know there are problems with many family structures (or non-structures). But what can be done about it?

    How can two (biological) parent families be protected and empowered? While at the same time accepting that it’s not always possible or safe to have two (biological) parent families, and that there has to be a degree of choice?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  40. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    Pete George 10:45 am,

    My faith is surveys is restored.

    NZ’s most hated vegetable revealed

    From your link:

    Of the thousands of people surveyed, only 16 said the brussel sprout was their favourite vegetable.

    Make that ’17′ – brussel sprouts really are my most favourite vege – “Yum, bring ‘em on”.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  41. Sonny Blount (1,761) Says:

    Gun ownership is a citizen right not a state right.

    How far does that right go? Is it a right for every citizen, or just for those citizens deemed responsible enough?

    Well of course, same as for every other right. Are you really this stupid?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  42. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    “brussel sprouts really are my most favourite vege” Your sick Kris! :)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  43. Sonny Blount (1,761) Says:

    I know there are problems with many family structures (or non-structures). But what can be done about it?

    How can two (biological) parent families be protected and empowered? While at the same time accepting that it’s not always possible or safe to have two (biological) parent families, and that there has to be a degree of choice?

    What was happening when two parent families were more prevalent? They were obviously empowered then.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  44. Sonny Blount (1,761) Says:

    It is easy being a rightie – you just swagger around with your hard-on suggesting simplistic black and white solutions to problems and then verbally abuse anyone who questions you.

    bigot

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  45. MikeNZ (3,234) Says:

    Redbaiter (10124) Says:
    June 29th, 2010 at 11:43 am
    First thing Adolf did was take all the guns from the Jews,/i>

    That’s what the UN apparatchiks, EU Dhimmis, Arab loving Scandanvians, Islamic world and Obama Democrats want to do now with making no nukes in Mid East.

    Heres what Israel faces and we will get if we keep voting these clowns into office.

    http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-vanesveld-gaza-20100627,0,5317748.story

    The slim owner of Gaza City’s Gallery cafe has sharp eyes and a sharp tongue. It’s easy to imagine him conversing with artists and actors — he is also a theater director — far into the night. But he crossed a line. He allowed female patrons at his cafe to smoke hookah pipes and to talk with men. He ignored demands by plainclothes police to rein in “immoral” behavior. In early May, police interrogated and accused him of having extramarital affairs. To persuade him to confess, they beat him with a 2-inch-thick, leather-covered bamboo rod for 50 minutes, and later forced him to stand on one leg for two hours.

    http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-the-price-for-gilad-shalit-will-rise-the-longer-israel-waits-1.298770

    “We will not settle for Shalit and, God willing, the freedom fighters will succeed in kidnapping more soldiers as Israel doesn’t understand anything but the language of force,” Meshal added.

    These people got voted into power and Obama has given them $28 million of US taxpayers money knowing what they are about and like. money decent US citizens need spent in their communities.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  46. Sonny Blount (1,761) Says:

    Then there is something wrong with the constitution and it needs to be changed.

    GDP (PPP) per capita

    6 United States 46,381

    33 New Zealand 26,708

    Bloody useless constitution right?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  47. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    Pete George 12:03 pm,

    I know there are problems with many family structures (or non-structures). But what can be done about it?

    How can two (biological) parent families be protected and empowered? While at the same time accepting that it’s not always possible or safe to have two (biological) parent families, and that there has to be a degree of choice?

    More ‘questions’, but no ‘solutions’ from our friend Pete.
    How about you come up with a few suggested solutions, Pete, so we can, you know, have a meaningful debate!?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  48. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    ” Not so the four liberal flunkies, but what would you expect.”

    Notice the Republican Party’s spineless objections to this commie traitor Kagan being proposed for the Supreme Court by Obama’s gangsters?

    The language they use to object is so mild. There should be widespread outrage that this soviet flunky should even be under consideration as a Supreme Court Judge, and that outrage needs to be led by the Republicans, but they are so hopelessly intimidated by the left it is incredible.

    Symptomatic of what’s going on everywhere the left have been successful in implementing their strategy of “political correctness”, surely one of worst evils they have ever been responsible for.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  49. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    I don’t know the answers Kris, I see it as being very difficult. You can’t force people to live in certain family structures. It may only be possibly through education but it would take time at best.

    You were suggesting something needed to be done, I wondered how you thought it could be done.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  50. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    “How about you come up with a few suggested solutions, Pete”

    He’s utterly useless. A typical lobotomised commie completely devoid of any ability to think outside the soviet model.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  51. MikeNZ (3,234) Says:

    How can two (biological) parent families be protected and empowered? While at the same time accepting that it’s not always possible or safe to have two (biological) parent families, and that there has to be a degree of choice?

    Pete
    you start by stating very clearly that we want first prize for our kids and first prize is Dad and Mum until they leave school.
    Secondly you change any laws that don’t fit with this and sack all the lefty social workers who have attacked traditional family in the past.
    Thirdly, you make sure all state policy helps the kids first, which means shared parenting and dads and Mums equally.
    Fourthly you make sure the tax laws and laws like the child support act reflect shared parenting and fairly.
    http://www.nzcpr.com/guest199.htm
    Fifthly just as we make drink driving unacceptable so we make having babies out of wedlock and screwing around unacceptable in our society because that is not what is best for our kids.
    We should especially pillory those so called celebrities who behave in this way and not vote for any local or national politician who doesn’t agree with my post :-)

    there there’s a start.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  52. MT_Tinman (2,288) Says:

    # American Gardener (372) Says:
    June 29th, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    It is easy being a rightie – you just swagger around with your hard-on suggesting simplistic black and white solutions to problems and then verbally abuse anyone who questions you.

    While it’s so hard being a leftie being a leftie – having to do all that swaggering without being able to achieve the hard-on.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  53. starboard (2,447) Says:

    brussel sprouts…beautiful..but they must be young.. dont boil the shit outa ‘em til they turn yellow, mushy and go sour…steam them for 4-5 minutes only and serve with freshly ground black pepper and butter… oohhh yeah…come here sprouty…

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  54. exaybachay (19) Says:

    MikeNZ @ 12:19pm what do you call this kind of inquistion for our times?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  55. Viking2 (9,612) Says:

    So Johnkey has suddenly woken from his slumbers and realized thatthe ETS is gonna screw everyone that uses electricity.
    Oh dear. whatto do with the ETS.
    Should have listened to those with more brain power than Nick the Noddy.
    To late to cry and blame others now. No way was it ever going to stop at $3 per week. When did Key last go grocery shopping or pay a power bill let alone work for a basic wage to pay those bills with.
    Always the same with nouveaux rich. No bloody idea how the other half live nor how they survive.

    If we think we have poor now wait till later in the year. They will be joined by farmers and manufacturers and ex[porters who will loose their competitive edge.
    Kepp on borrowing John so we can go broke quicker and get it over with.

    The Government has admitted concern at double-digit power price hikes, but says its only reaction will be “persuasive” statements to the companies.

    The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions, takes effect on Thursday.

    Some power companies have blamed the scheme for price hikes being passed on to consumers.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3864875/PM-concerned-over-power-price-hikes

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  56. Viking2 (9,612) Says:

    and here is how he justifies the rort. Some people are just too dumb to learn.

    PM admits public face hefty ETS bill
    By Adam Bennett
    Top Debate 4:00 AM Tuesday Jun 29, 2010

    1. Facebook
    2. Twitter
    3. Email
    4. Print

    Photo / Alan Gibson
    Photo / Alan Gibson

    Households will bear more than their fair share of increased energy costs when the next phase of the emissions trading scheme takes effect on Thursday, Prime Minister John Key has acknowledged.

    The Sustainability Council recently suggested households would bear half of the cost of the ETS during its first five years despite accounting for just 19 per cent of all emissions.

    Yesterday, at the start of a week in which the transport and electricity sectors come under the ETS, the PM conceded that “a disproportionate amount” would be paid by households under the scheme.

    “But that’s because if we are too heavy handed with businesses … on day one, that runs the risk of those very same households potentially losing their jobs. That’s just the balance here.”

    Mr Key said the initial heavier burden on households was the scheme’s “entry point” and over time most of the further costs would fall on industry.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10655155

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  57. Manolo (10,206) Says:

    The ETS is a crock of shit dumped on all New Zealanders.

    Key and Smith know that, so they are now coming with feeble excuses to thwart the price hikes. The cost of living will go up because of this deadly pair and the lack of courage in the National Party, where no one is prepared to confront Smith on this matter.

    This new tax will damage New Zealand’s competitiveness in the global market to the greenie Smith’s delight.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  58. dad4justice (7,339) Says:

    Thanks for nothing John Key !!!

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  59. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Asked what he could do to stop power companies hiking prices, Brownlee said he had “persuasive” power.
    “What consumers should do is have a look at what the price on offer is and then make their own choice about whether or not they want to pay that price.”

    No campaign to explain the ETS, no website, or mail-drop, It’s just happening.
    Sit in the dark like fucking mushrooms and wait for the next load of horse manure – and there is more on the way.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  60. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    The power supply companies have ETS bills to pay for some reason, but pass the costs on to the public. So how is that a stick to beat the power companies into doing anything differently. No organisation should be able to pass on ETS costs – they should change the way they do business or pay out lesser dividends, until they become emission compliant.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  61. Fletch (4,409) Says:

    65. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister
    67. Paul Henry, host of Breakfast Show

    Hmmm, really?
    I consider Helen Clark to be the brussel sprout of trusted NZers.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  62. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    Pete George 12:16 pm,

    I don’t know the answers Kris, I see it as being very difficult. You can’t force people to live in certain family structures. It may only be possibly through education but it would take time at best.

    You were suggesting something needed to be done, I wondered how you thought it could be done.

    Did you actually read the link in Mike’s 10:02 am comment, and then the one in his 12:19 pm comment, Pete?
    They pretty much spell out ‘why’ we’re in the state we are – progressive/feminist/anti-family laws and agenda driven policies. The solution is pretty much as Mike outlined in his 12:19 pm comment – essentially turn the clock back to a time before all this evil BS was brought in.

    And your suggestion to address this “through education” actually highlights the problem: It’s through progressive indoctrination masquerading as ‘education’ that half of this BS even made it into law in the first place. Many of those in the teaching profession are just socialist lackeys pushing the socialist/progressive doctrine – they are a big part of the problem.

    And just as Mike suggested that we “sack all the lefty social workers who have attacked traditional family in the past”, so too should we remove these pathetic excuses for teachers from our education system.

    There you go, Pete – problem solved – not that hard, really.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  63. exaybachay (19) Says:

    Yvette @ 12:49, sure and here we have a PM saying that route would result in job loses. It’s basic politics again.

    “What consumers should do is have a look at what the price on offer is and then make their own choice about whether or not they want to pay that price.”

    Here Brownlee is saying that the only voice households have is their vote and to some degree making it known to PM via protests etc. He’s saying that green ideals cost cash. So Brownlee doesn’t agree with ETS and is saying this stuff in public. Either there is trouble in the Blue corner, or Key is doing one of his, “We’ll threaten them with it, rescue them from themselves and take the credit.”

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  64. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    Yvette 12:43 pm,

    “Asked what he could do to stop power companies hiking prices, Brownlee said he had “persuasive” power.
    “What consumers should do is have a look at what the price on offer is and then make their own choice about whether or not they want to pay that price.” ‘

    No campaign to explain the ETS, no website, or mail-drop, It’s just happening.
    Sit in the dark like fucking mushrooms and wait for the next load of horse manure – and there is more on the way.

    And if you’re an elderly person living in the ‘deep south’ not only will you be ‘in the dark’, you’ll probably ALSO ‘choose’ not to turn the heater on and will end up freezing to death – quite literally.

    This is going to cost Key and National whatever remains of the ‘popular vote’.
    This whole fiasco should be subject to a binding referendum on whether we even want or need an ETS.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  65. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    Fletch 12:51 pm,

    65. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister
    67. Paul Henry, host of Breakfast Show

    Hmmm, really?
    I consider Helen Clark to be the brussel sprout of trusted NZers.

    Some of us actually like brussel sprouts, Fletch – please change your metaphor ;)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  66. starboard (2,447) Says:

    concern at double-digit power price hikes, but says its only reaction will be “persuasive” statements to the companies

    bawhahahahhahah!!! I bet the power companies will be shiitin in their pants ! Fuck you Key. Fuck you Smith. You’ve sold us down the river…bastards…

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  67. bearhunter (859) Says:

    “The first thing Adolf did was take all the guns from the Jews.”

    Rubbish. He didn’t get around to that until 1938.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  68. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    “There you go, Pete – problem solved – not that hard, really.”

    No, solutions suggested, that’s a lot different to solved.

    “essentially turn the clock back to a time before all this evil BS was brought in.”

    Essentially impossible…

    “And just as Mike suggested that we “sack all the lefty social workers who have attacked traditional family in the past”, so too should we remove these pathetic excuses for teachers from our education system.”

    All social workers? Or just those you and Mike deem to be those “who have attacked traditional family in the past”?

    Changing laws to benefit some ahead of others?

    “Thirdly, you make sure all state policy helps the kids first, which means shared parenting and dads and Mums equally.”

    Not clear what you mean by that. All kids first? Or just those kids who live in the “ideal” family structure?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  69. American Gardener (554) Says:

    “Bloody useless constitution right?” – so what is the link between guns & GDP ?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  70. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    More braindead questions as always based on uninformed and twisted premises. What an utter waste of time.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  71. Colonel Masters (420) Says:

    Can anybody tell me if MPs pay from their own pocket the cost of electricity supplied to their private homes?

    My guess is that many run “home offices” so this would be subsidised by the taxpayer, no?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  72. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    Hey Gardner, you evil little soviet mole, get your damn government off my freedom.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  73. big bruv (11,255) Says:

    “Then there is something wrong with the constitution and it needs to be changed. ”

    There is nothing wrong with the constitution, it is the way that special interest groups have convinced certain judges on the supreme court have perverted it (along with corrupt politicians and powerful lobbyists).

    Despite what the NRA have to say the constitution does not give all American citizens the right to carry a gun at all times, the problem is that any special interest group will always try and bend thing to suit their argument.

    Mind you, given that gun crime is rampant in the USA it is a bit like closing the door after the horse has bolted.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  74. American Gardener (554) Says:

    As I thought, no link between freedom to carry guns and GDP.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  75. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    ” given that gun crime is rampant in the USA ”

    Mostly in the black ghettos the left have created as part of their quest for ultimate power.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  76. dime (6,442) Says:

    theres a few rumors going around of a US strike on Iran.

    talk of airfields in Georgia and Azerbaija being used by the US. Stratfor think they wouldnt be used though.

    “Iran has declared a state of war on its northwestern border and is pouring Revolutionary Guards units with equipment into the Caspian region against what Tehran claims are US and Israeli forces concentrated on army and air bases in Azerbaijan ready to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

    the yanks now have 3 carriers in the gulf… war games going on..

    “The exercise had 60 American F-16 fighter jets landing at Israeli Air Force facilities from bases in Germany and Romania, refueling and taking off with Israeli fighter bombers to practice long-range bombing missions over the Red Sea and the Mediterranean and drill air-to-air combat along the way.”

    will be interesting to see what happens. saber rattling before the next round of “negotiations”??

    debka.com is always worth a look.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  77. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    “As I thought, no link between freedom to carry guns and GDP.”

    Thankfully those Americans who repelled the British in the War of Independence weren’t possessed of such ignorant ideas.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  78. Nomestradamus (2,403) Says:

    Pete George:

    I’ve been reading through this thread and just had to log in on my mobile to ask you this: why don’t you share your opinion (as Kris K and others have politely and not-so-politely suggested) instead of deconstructing other commenters’ positions? I think this has pretty much been the case since you started commenting here; why are you always like this?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  79. Colonel Masters (420) Says:

    Re prisoners’ smoking:

    Generally speaking I would say that these people should not be singled out for special favourable attention. But it is a slap in the community’s face to seek to prolong their lives. The sooner they are gone from our midst the better.

    Cigarettes should be FREELY available to anybody in prison who wants them. I am sure there are studies identifying which are the most hazardous.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  80. Manolo (10,206) Says:

    “It is common for crime in American cities to be highly concentrated in a few, often economically disadvantaged areas. For example, San Mateo County, California had a population of approximately 707,000 and 17 homicides in 2001. 6 of these 17 homicides took place in poor, largely Black and Hispanic East Palo Alto, which had a population of roughly 30,000. So, while East Palo Alto accounted for a mere 4.2% of the population, about one-third of the homicides took place there.”

    Crime is NOT rampant in the United States. It is confined to some areas where minorities reside. Ask any citizen of Detroit or Chicago about it.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  81. American Gardener (554) Says:

    Exactly how is the right to bear arms related to GDP Russell ? I am not expecting an answer given you consistently answer a question with either verbal abuse or an irrelevant right wing slogan.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  82. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    Nomestradamus, I do often share my opinion. I expressed opinion on this issue. Kris and Mike have suggested something so I think it was reasonable to ask how they thought it could be achieved. I agree partially at least with what they are saying.

    To clarify – there are a lot of crappy family situations in our society, to the detriment of many kids. I don’t think (my opinion) there are any easy solutions. At best we can find ways of trying to improve things over time.

    I do often ask people to expand on statements they make (as people do of me). There are often ideological idealists here suggesting things should be changed to their utopian preference, with no practical way of achieving anything near that. Our society is very complex, you can’t just say something should be different and it fixes itself overnight.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  83. wreck1080 (2,924) Says:

    John Key is a loser.

    He is whining that the power companies are saying power prices are going to increase by more than 10%.

    John Key thinks this is inexcusable, but, isn’t this just what he wants? Higher power prices supposedly means less carbon emissions .

    And, that is precisely what John Key wants. SO, don’t whine john key, you are getting exactly what you want.

    Nick Smith and JOhn key are bloody disgraceful. Global carbon emissions will not change one bit, but they get to prance around like a couple of dimwits.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  84. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    BTW Nomestradamus, I also often deconstruct and reconstruct my own position over the course of discussions here. I sort of thought this was one of the uses for a blog like this, to state, debate, discuss, and learn. Some seem to see it as simply a soapbox opportunity, but quite a few people have discussions too.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  85. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    “I am not expecting an answer”

    Well that is exceptionally bright of you, and great that you’ve finally caught up. Not many sane people are interested in answering the lame falsely premised questions of some fifteen year old girl who (from past experience) due to absolutely crippled comprehension skills and a complete lack of knowledge of history, and no ability whatsoever to think outside the soviet square that is her intellectual home, doesn’t understand the answers when they are given anyway.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  86. Manolo (10,206) Says:

    Poor English football fans becoming the butt of many jokes:
    “I can’t believe we only managed a draw against a rubbish team we should easily have beaten. . . . I’m ashamed to call myself Algerian.”

    “The England team visited an orphanage in Cape Town today. “It’s heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope,” said Jamal, aged six.”

    Courtesy of Not PC.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  87. dime (6,442) Says:

    Oxo are introducing a new white oxo cube with a red cross on it in support
    of the England team. It’s called the laughing stock!

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  88. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    One English headline after the last games was “Rout of Africa”.

    After the game, as the English players trudged off, an English supporter yelled out “The whole team is useless!”
    Another supporter yelled “Don’t take any notice of him, he just repeats what everyone else says!”

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  89. big bruv (11,255) Says:

    Is there a more irritating speaker in the house than Nick Smith (Green MP’s aside)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  90. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Margaret Wilson was a very irritating Speaker. (specially when she screeched).

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  91. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    FIFA would consider adding two extra officials who would act as goal judges, one at each end of the field. They are not interested in allowing technology for decision making – there are major complications if games had to be stopped whenever something needed checking.

    “Matters pertaining to the rules of the game were handled by the International Football Association Board. FIFA holds four votes on the eight-member board. The other members are the sport’s founding federations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Six votes are needed to alter an existing rule or install a new one, making FIFA’s agreement essential to any proposed changes in the rules.”

    Remarkable that so few still have control of the most global of sports.

    (right thread this time)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  92. Sonny Blount (1,761) Says:

    “Bloody useless constitution right?” – so what is the link between guns & GDP ?

    I didn’t mention guns, just the constitution. Although I can give reasons.

    Why is Americas GDP PPP nearly twice ours?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  93. Sonny Blount (1,761) Says:

    American Gardener

    Go to this page and download the pdf ob_257_full text

    http://english.wodc.nl/onderzoeksdatabase/icvs-2005-survey.aspx?cp=45&cs=6798

    On page 36 and 42 you will find the oveall summary that shows far higher crime rates in NZ and the UK than the US. In NZ we are particularly bad for sexual assaults, theft from a car, and burglary.

    Burglary and theft are bad for productivity. The fact that you may be met by a hail of bullets when you break into a house in the US is a factor that keeps these crimes lower over there.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  94. RightNow (5,465) Says:

    Evidence of racial discrimination from the Obama administration:
    “Citizens would be shocked to learn about the open and pervasive hostility within the Justice Department to bringing civil rights cases against nonwhite defendants on behalf of white victims. Equal enforcement of justice is not a priority of this administration.”

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jun/25/inside-the-black-panther-case-anger-ignorance-and-/?page=1

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  95. side show bob (3,660) Says:

    You have to laugh when you hear the left claim 747kevin’s down fall was because of his retraction of the Aussie ETS. Fuck the wankers never give up, can’t wait for Gillard to push the same line. They are so dishonest they can’t even admit the the vast majority of Aussies saw an ETS for the bullshit it is. Now Shonkey and the useful idiot will provide further fodder on why an ETS should be avoided at all costs.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  96. big bruv (11,255) Says:

    It is not just the left who have been conned into accepting that Krudd’s back down on the ETS is to blame, many on the right believe that bullshit as well.

    Rudd only backed away from the ETS because Abbot was making such huge inroads into Labors lead in the polls.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  97. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    “They are so dishonest they can’t even admit the the vast majority of Aussies saw an ETS for the bullshit it is.:

    I will be keen to see what the vast majority of Aussies tell them to do with an ETS through an Election. I would think that may be why it is valid for as much noise be made this side of the Ditch, that Aussies notice.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  98. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    “Rudd only backed away from the ETS because Abbot was making such huge inroads into Labors lead in the polls.”

    Alas Johnkey/Nick the nutter will not have to back off due to Goofys huge inroads into their lead in the polls.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  99. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Matilda Valsant

    Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil,
Not caring the smoke rolled bold and free.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched the smoke roil and coil
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
    No more will your emissions risk outback conditions
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Up rode the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred
Down came the troopers One Two Three
    Rudd rejected it, but Gillard’s resurrected it
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
Whose that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker-bag
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman sprang in to the billabong
    Fuck off mate, and stick your EST
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda
    Pay for everything, and then an extra fee
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

    apologies Johnboy
    - Les moutons peuvent sans risque frôler

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  100. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    well my misplaced html screwed that up! Merde!

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  101. Inventory2 (8,898) Says:

    Anyone else seen Jane Clifton’s column in this week’s Listener? It’s brilliant!

    http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2010/06/outrageous-labour.html

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  102. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Bravo Yvette. Seule technicité.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  103. reid (13,655) Says:

    “Make that ’17′ – brussel sprouts really are my most favourite vege – “Yum, bring ‘em on”.”

    How do you have them, Kris? Seriously. I hate them but know they’re excellent for me.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  104. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Food for thought:

    Let’s put the pensioners in jail, and the criminals in a nursing home.

    This way the pensioners would have access to showers, hobbies,

    and walks, they’d receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental

    and medical treatment, wheel chairs etc. and they’d receive money instead of

    paying it out.

    They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be

    helped instantly, if they fell, or needed assistance.

    Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be

    ironed and returned to them.

    A guard would check on them every 20 minutes, and bring their meals

    and snacks to their cell. They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

    They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counseling, pool, and education,

    simple clothing, shoes, slippers, P. J.’s and legal aid would be free, on request.

    Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard, with gardens.

    Each pensioner could have a PC. TV. Radio, and daily phone calls.

    There would be a board of directors, to hear complaints, and the guards

    would have a code of conduct, that would be strictly adhered to.

    The “criminals” would get cold food, be left all alone, and unsupervised.

    Lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week.

    Live in a tiny room, and pay $700.00 per week and have no hope

    of ever getting out. Justice for all.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  105. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    What a handsome pair. Money well spent?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10651533

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  106. gravedodger (1,195) Says:

    Back to the England exit.
    Osama Bin Laden has issued a tape and to prove he is alive and well, made reference to England’s departure from the 2010 world cup.
    Rubbish said a CIA analyst that could have been made any time in the last 44 years.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  107. Hurf Durf (2,860) Says:

    Urgh, Mad Cath.

    Richard took the rohe of Te Atiawa and did in-depth research with history teachers. He found only 3 percent were teaching the Maori topics which are an option in the curriculum. His research supports the results of the New Zealand History Teachers Survey which are also disturbing. Although four new Treaty education topics were added to the curriculum in 2001 these were only being taught by 3 percent of teachers nationally.

    You know why? Because it’s FUCKING BORING. No one gives a shit about your “education ideas,” which consists of guilting children into accepting massive guilt taxes and encouraging them to vote for crazy ladies who sing in parliament when they’re older. The Coalition in the UK has the right idea – they’ve drafted Niall Ferguson to craft a history curriculum that doesn’t exist of a disjointed mishmash of World War II, Slavery and Tudor Monarchy. If only we had a similar figure here. Oh well.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  108. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    MikeNZ 12:19 pm,

    http://www.nzcpr.com/guest199.htm

    The above article Mike linked to is very interesting and worth a read:

    NZCPR Guest Forum
    Stuart Birks
    Director of the Centre for Public Policy Evaluation, Massey University.
    27 June 2010
    Agenda denial and framing – the Child Support Act 1991

    It in turn links to an article by Ian Wishart on the Feminist/Lesbian “sisterhood” which has operated within the Labour Party for the last 30+ years:

    The Velvet Underground – Labour’s quiet revolutionaries

    [Excerpt]

    Despite that, Goodger argued that merely capturing people’s hearts and minds didn’t go far enough, that “the sisterhood” had to take control of the Government from within. “The deep roots the [Labour] party has in the working class, through the unions, makes it objectively an ally of the women’s liberation movement. Feminists working within the Labour Party can do much to further the cause of women’s liberation.” Again, John Tamihere’s account of what has happened to Labour eerily reflects that 1973 plan of action. “Oh yeah, there’s definitely a ‘machine’ all right. It’s formidable. It’s got apparatus and
    activists in everything from the PPTA all the way through. It’s actually even built a counterweight to the Roundtable – Businesses for Social Responsibility. Its intelligence-gathering capabilities are second to none.” Having those activists in place, with the power to write laws and decide what children will be taught in schools, is a dream come true for what Opposition MPs are calling “the lesbian/feminist cabal” running the Labour Government.

    It’s worth reading the whole article.
    And it’s scary just how much of what was planned over thirty years ago has become a reality over the intervening years; much of it during Labour’s last three terms under Helen Clark – one of the original architects of many of these changes.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  109. reid (13,655) Says:

    “He said Australia had a system were lighters were bolted to walls in smoking areas, meaning prisoners could smoke nowhere else.”

    That’s a bloody good idea.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10655318

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  110. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Food for Thought 7:26
    An excellent idea Johnboy, but you missed a major benefit for the swap – the elderly would then have the underfloor heating.
    That would be so much better than cowering in the freezing cold, facing increases in fees as rest homes pass on the ETS increases that the power companies are passing on.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  111. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Two generals and counting. David Petraeus is a very brave General indeed.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/3866407/Stanley-McChrystal-to-retire-following-sacking

    Note:
    McChrystal was the Pentagon’s choice to run the war following a year of Taliban advances in 2008 and early 2009. He replaced General David McKiernan, also a four-star Army general, after McKiernan was fired for failing to apply the counterinsurgency strategy McChrystal represented. McKiernan retired from the Army almost immediately.

    Never before in the field of human conflict has a spade beaten two four stars.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  112. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    reid 7:20 pm,

    “Make that ’17′ – brussel sprouts really are my most favourite vege – “Yum, bring ‘em on”.”

    How do you have them, Kris? Seriously. I hate them but know they’re excellent for me.

    Hi Reid, pretty much as per how Starboard outlined:

    starboard 12:24 pm,

    brussel sprouts…beautiful..but they must be young.. dont boil the shit outa ‘em til they turn yellow, mushy and go sour…steam them for 4-5 minutes only and serve with freshly ground black pepper and butter… oohhh yeah…come here sprouty…

    I’m not a vegetarian by any means, but I could sit down to a nice pile of Brussel Sprouts, prepared as above, and be quite satisfied without adding anything else. Yummo – my mouths salivating at the thought!

    [Apologies to Johnboy et al who obviously have non discerning palates regarding the delights of this delicacy]

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  113. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Aucun du besoin frisson trop dans le froid si vous caressez une RAM.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  114. reid (13,655) Says:

    Motorists face rego shock with ACC rise

    An issue with ACC is that it can’t or doesn’t offer no-claims bonuses because it’s a no-fault scheme. So people like me who by fortune, hasn’t ever had to use it, pay as much as people who have.

    A second issue with ACC is that its graduated – levy based on income.

    I personally don’t see the need to change either of those parameters, but surely a just quid-pro-quo is having my and everyone’s contribution tracked over our lifetimes and if it came to the end and I’d never used it, I get a big cheque at the end. Or if I’ve got heaps of credit as opposed to debit and something bad happens, that I get Rolls Royce treatment in priority and service.

    That’s doable and just, isn’t it?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  115. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Servez un bel agneau de ressort sur un lit de cuire des pousses à la vapeur et vous pouvez me convertir Kris.

    ( Meilleur invitez Yvette aussi bien). :)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  116. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Has National screwed up a little with the prison smoking ban issue.
    John Tamihere, Celia Lashlie and others [whether authorities or not] are publicising the policy as a crackdown aimed at appealing to redneck middle New Zealand, rather than any health or safety matter.
    But, one day in, and just over a year to go, “Threats from prisoners to guards are already being widely reported as a result of the looming smoking ban in prisons, the Corrections Association says.”
    So will National end up backing down, or will they go head-on with the country’s prisoners. Who really runs the prisons?
    With Government Ministers having now stated there is a second-hand smoke issue in prisons, what choice have ACC or OSH, when the next prison officer brings a complaint?
    And was double bunking mentioned yesterday? It has been now.
    [And, re the smoking ban, Corrections Association President Beven Hanlon told NZPA some prisoners were getting the wrong end of the stick and blaming Corrections officers for the ban, but the first he had heard of it happening was in the news media on Sunday. That's a bloody good start]

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  117. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    Another prize fuck up by out of touch commie elitists-

    http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/7484727/shock-poll-as-labor-support-slides/

    What idiots to think Woody Woodpecker would do it for them.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  118. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    “Threats from prisoners to guards are already being widely reported as a result of the looming smoking ban in prisons, the Corrections Association says.”

    That’s the last reason they should back down.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  119. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    “”but the first he had heard of it happening was in the news media on Sunday. That’s a bloody good start]”

    You can almost see why the bloody teeches are pissed. Still they only have themselves to blame for being so bloody bolshie.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  120. Viking2 (9,612) Says:

    So Johnboy woke this morning to the realization that he’s been conned by the Greenies. Diddums. That he didn’t have the nuts to call those of his cabinet that would stop it proceeding (and there are more than a few), together to put it on hold will be his regret for a long time. Oh he won’t admit it but he will know its true.

    Q+A with Johnkey.
    How much is it going to cost us John. Oh just $3.00 a week per household. Well that’s the officials (read Noddy Smiths) advice.
    But John my power rise is going to cost me more than that.
    Ah well don’t worry cause I’m gonna tell the power companies not to rip you off. We don’t think they should.
    Now Gerry says that we can’t stop them but we can talk to them.

    Oh well that’s all right then but what about my petrol bill. That’s more than an extra $3 as well.Are you going to tell BP not to waste any more oil so it won’t cost me so much. They currently are pouring it all over the gulf because they can’t keep it in storage.

    Again Gerry says not to worry. When we get drilling here it just won’t be allowed to happen. I mean we will have rules and regulations that say Petrobas is not allowed to have a malfunction. And anyway if they do the East Coast horis will use it for the beach fires cause Doc won’t let them burn the driftwood no more. kind of a win win for them. the hori’s I mean.

    Well John what about the cow farmers. Its gonna cost them a bomb. Minimum $100 a week. I know Bonkers Bollard and all think that diary farmers are to much in debt now so how is taking more money from their pockets going to help them
    John (Carter that is ), reckons they are doin OK and can afford it. Just means they won’t be able to have such a long winter holiday in Fiji this year. Just as well too cause we can’t go on having them supporting the big banana fella up there when we just can’t beat him down. Also with this Robin Brooke thing now we wouldn’t want our tit pullers to start behaving like that now, would we?

    John, I hear that there are quite a few Auckland wideboys and lawyers (same thing to us), piling into forestry. MM reckon they will make a killing and send that blonde dousy what’s her name, Dippylock ( hey guys no relation to the other Dopey Locke ) from the sec com into a real tiz. (Tizhard to distinguish between the Dippy lock and the Dopey Locke, but we digress). Seems the new game will be to lease a patch, grow some
    trees, collect the ETS cash, sell the carbon rights and then roll over leaving the taxpayer with the bill.
    John, do you think the taxpayer should fund this new rort?

    Nick tells me foresters aren’t like that.
    Probably not, but lawyers are.
    Well I’ll just have to get Chris (Findlayson that is ) to consult the treaty about this.
    Cause if the trees are grown on the foreshore they(the hori’s), may have customary rights to the pine needles.
    John, do you think we should get rid of the Maori seats?
    John, John where are you going John?

    He doesn’t know and unfortunately neither do we.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  121. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Maybe if she got her partner to dye her blonde do you think Red?

    Not that I have anything against Reds. :)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  122. Kris K (3,570) Says:

    En effet Johnboy – quelque chose se passe avec un agneau rôti au printemps Nice – ma viande préférée absolue. Et je pourrais étendre à dîner pour trois.

    [That middle bit didn't translate to anything like what I wrote: "- anything goes with a nice roast spring lamb -"]

    Speaking of which, it must be time for my dinner – Night all – enjoy your Brussels, Reid ;)

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  123. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Should I change my alias Viking2?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  124. Pete George (17,916) Says:

    It’s a bit too early to judge on one Aussie poll, that must just about have been taken straight after it unfolded. There’s only one poll that’s going to count, they might hold off for that to try and let things settle in. Or it could go pearshaped – they will have known the risks.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  125. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    • “Threats from prisoners to guards” That’s the last reason they should back down.
    • You can almost see why the bloody teeches are pissed. Still they only have themselves to blame for being so bloody bolshie.

    See? The prisoners are pissed, guards likewise. Banning smoking is prickly enough. General public is sick of prisoners being under-sentenced and over indulged. National wants to show they’ll sort those bloody prisoners out. All a volatile little hornets nest? Nes pas?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  126. Redbaiter (13,197) Says:

    “Justice Minister Simon Power today outlined a range of measures to help victims of crime that come into force on July 1.They include the introduction of police safety orders for victims of domestic violence when police do not have enough grounds to make an immediate arrest. The on-the-spot orders will allow police to remove an alleged offender from a home for up to five days to “calm things down”, Mr Power said.”

    What a fucking disgrace. Anyone out there still stupid enough to think our governments, National or Labour, are ever going to amount to anything but a bunch of anti-liberty tyrants??

    This is a fucking disgrace and proof that National (and Power in particular) are just another pack of leftist barbarians with no respect for or knowledge of traditional law- namely that in civilized English countries where the rule of law applies, the accused is innocent until proven guilty, and no ignorant fucking copper should have the power to act as judge and jury.

    Disgraceful. Power and National should both just fuck off and stop pretending they’re here to supply any kind of opposition to Labour. The Nats are just as bad, merely the other side of the same disgusting statist coin. Taking us down the same slippery slope into tyranny.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  127. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    I was drawing the parallel between springing it on the prison officers in your quote Yvette and doing the same to the teachers and saying the teachers deserve it to some extent because they are auto-lefties.

    I think OUR government needs to be a bit more subtle and a tad less gung ho.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  128. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    L’agneau de rôti avec Kris K pourrait être un lieu de rendez-vous sûr, il pas, Johnboy ?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  129. dad4justice (7,339) Says:

    Simon Power allows police to run with false allegations when the domestic violence card is played. Where do falsely accused men go to after they are booted from their homes Mr Justice Minister Lawyer Type Creep?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  130. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    Kris ne serait pas partie au comportement non chrétien Yvette.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  131. dad4justice (7,339) Says:

    Maybe I should ask the Feminazi Minister of police? Hi Crusher got a spare bed?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  132. reid (13,655) Says:

    >May Wang company invests in Genesis Research

    UBNZ Funds Management, the potential purchaser of the Crafar dairy farming empire, has taken a 19.9 per cent stake in Auckland-based biotechnology company Genesis Research and Development Corp.

    Ever get the feeling someone thinks we’re such a fucking idiot we won’t notice?

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  133. Tauhei Notts (1,296) Says:

    The New Zealand Manufacturers & Exporters Association is holding a forum on 20th July.
    It is titled;
    “Consistant Culture of Excellence”
    If anybody reading this is intending to attend the forum would you please remind them how to spell “consistent”.
    “Excellence?”
    It is the sort of thing one would expect in a school report written by a member of the N.Z.E.I or P.P.T.A.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  134. Johnboy (11,276) Says:

    “Ever get the feeling someone thinks we’re a fucking idiot?”

    Old Chinee remedy. Well known to curee overloaded Gweilo wallet syndrome.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  135. Yvette (2,428) Says:

    Sorry, Johnboy – I thought ‘bloody teeches’ was a slang word for ‘guards’ – my mistake.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  136. nickb (2,206) Says:

    “Then there is something wrong with the constitution and it needs to be changed.”

    AG, the US Constitution is the greatest document in the world, and the document on which the greatest and most prosperous nation in Western civilization is founded upon.

    Coincidence? I think not.

    Luckily, many American’s still believe in the above statement, despite the efforts of people likw you and Barack Obama to marginalise, misinterpret, and ignore it. A great day for freedom in ths US. Especially because it gets the commie brigade so wound up.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  137. MikeNZ (3,234) Says:

    Redbaiter (10136) Says:
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    agree Red.
    Safety order, tell that to all the women bashed after so called protection orders applied for.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote
  138. Hurf Durf (2,860) Says:

    America is not NZ. Not our concern. They could as well all go and kill each other as far as I’m concerned.

    In fact I’m really enjoying the BP oil spill at the moment — hope it carries on forever and totally fucks them up.

    Just like I rejoice everytime one of their number gets their arms and legs blown off in a roadside bomb in Iraq, or stops a bullet in Afghanistan.

    Really, anything stupid that the Americans do to hasten their own demise should be actively encouraged.

    Just like if I saw Adolf Hitler about to commit suicide. I’d say ‘go ahead buster’!

    The demise of the US, afterall, will be a good thing for the rest of the world.

    Ladies and gentlemen, the left wing.

    Vote: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0 You need to be logged in to vote

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.