This entry was posted on Thursday, September 30th, 2010 at 8:00 am and is filed under Uncategorized.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
117 Responses to “General Debate 30 September 2010”
Labour loves crony capitalism huh? They favour some software companies over others. One question, I wanted to ask Trevor. Can you guarantee that Right Hemisphere will repay back the interest-free loan of which you approved of, from the taxpayer’s pockets?
Changing the right hand rule is great comfort for distraught people who have lost their homes and jobs to the quake Nutional. Really you bunch of spineless pc do nothing creeps are sickening to watch and I foolishly thought the Klarkula era was bad!
Yeah work the sack cloth and ashes routine somewhere else d4j, its getting old and sounds like we’re living in a big who’s the biggest victim competition.
“A Hawera kebab shop owner has been convicted of assaulting his wife after the judge dismissed his claims they were performing a traditional Turkish dance as “nonsense and a lie”.
Good on the judge for convicting this cowardly bully.
“In succession, both the Can’s and their 14-year-old daughter took the stand, saying through a Turkish interpreter that they were dancing and the language barrier meant police had not understood that.
If they have to use an interpreter how do these people get into New Zealand in the first place if they cannot speak english?
I feel sorry for the wife being married to him but she does have the choice to stay or go.
Anyone heard through Australian contacts the names of the players involved in the betting rort that is not going to be made public until after the Grand Final.
plus
D4J
Move on, how long before you actually try and blame the entire quake on a huge conspiracy concocted by National?
Personally very bored now by the earthquake, the people who are worthy citizens appear to be working and getting up and running while the wasters on the TV moaning as per usual.
Second, the election of a ticket or tickets of warmovers or retreads from past administrations is unlikely to allow the Super City council to break decisively from the ways of the past.
Third, there is real appeal in people of high calibre joining the new body with open minds and a commitment to region-wide progress rather than the parochial expertise of the old party blocs.
And, last, in the age of MMP-collaboration at a national level, it is clear that like-minded independents will find ways of working on rates or water or city life that will be the better for being forged in real debate rather than predestined by party logos.
Sounds great. It’s a shame there is no sign yet of this working on a national level. When will it be Independent’s Day for New Zealand?
The political market has the sense to seek out the best qualities of an individual for the mayoralty – to reject overt party-think.
Unfortunately on the national market it’s going to be a hard sell wrestling votes away from the party obsessed electorate, and from the media.
Hey DPF, are you and Nikki Kaye going to be on the Barrier next weekend for the newly extended, full Marathon wharf to wharf run? Ask her to step lightly over my prostrate form……right, off to work. Have a great day all, keep it clean.
pauleastbay…Glad you are bored by the earthquake..It was just another television event for you ..for many of us it was a reality we will never forget..For many children in ChCh it is a nightmare they are still living. How would you feel if you had lost your home? or were sharing a portaloo with everyonelse in your street? How would you cope with more than 1,200 aftershocks?
Sometimes it is just wiser to keep your mouth shut.
Strangely in defense of D4J: why don’t you brown nosing Nat. supporters remind us of who is borrowing, on your behalf, $250 million per week and when will you stop supporting that behavoir?
Or will you undertake to repay it all without stealing from my pocket.
P.S. Of course we have not heard what the upwardly revised borrowings will be since we have bailed out various Nats. in the Sth Island and since the earthquake.
Good if you could let us know the new borrowing program.
@Viking2 – I am by no means a “brown nosing Nat supporter” (I will *still* be giving my vote to Rodney) but criticising an entirely sensible decision because of something not done somewhere completely unrelated? That’s just silly.
Joana, no one denies the true extent of the Christchurch Earthquake, obviously a traumatising experience for the entire region.
Some of us are just fed up with those that insist on using it for pity sake. It happened, we move forward, the country gets on with our so-called progress. We can not afford to dwell on our past misfortunes. There are still things to take care of in other parts of the country, the world has moved on.
Joana, there’s no doubt many Cantabrians will be affected by the earthquake/s for a long time, for some it will have been life changing. But most people outside the area (including politicians) will move on with their normal lives and jobs.
Things like the Haiti earthquake, and the recent Pakistani floods, are also vague memories for most, while the ongoing impact and scale in those places remains huge. At least no one should be starving to death in Christchurch.
Ex-cop in prison for perjury is a story in itself. More interesting is the resolve and determination of one family to keep fighting for justice against the police force Goliath – and to succeed in clearing the name of a young guy who was pranged up and stitched up by a traffic cop.
Only one family – the Potters – believed something was so wrong about the prosecution that they began compiling, as best they could, a case in favour of Mr Cribb’s protestations of innocence.
The people of Alexandra should not have to rely on the work and effort of private citizens, at considerable personal cost, to do the job of the police in bringing the guilty to public justice.
The Potters – the family of the ex-girlfriend of Cribb – deserve a heap of credit for standing up for right. It’s taken 5 years so far, and still more is to be resolved.
Starboard …when is nutional gona start whacking the dpb bludgers..slappers who breed so they can have a taxpayer funded lifestyle..
It sounds like after a sensible delay after the Chch earthquake, after they have completed the cycle track, and changed the give way to the right rule. You know, it’s all about priorities.
Affordable chemical toilets are available right now. One portaloo per street. I am stunned that anyone would suggest that that was the only option. V. Strange.
D4J. I will happily let you find me to debate face to face, and should you go nutty and aggressive. That will be OK too.
Interesting, but not as dramatic as it sounds. although enlightneing.
Kiwis move to Aussie in record numbers
AAP
Last updated 20:09 29/09/2010
New Zealanders are moving to Australia in record numbers, but they arrive already educated and end up working on average harder and longer than Australians, a government study says.
Far from being a drain on the country’s education system and social services, the wave of migrants from across the Tasman is proving to be older, professional and focused on work, says an Australian Bureau of Statistics report released on Wednesday.
So are the Nats. going to stick it tothe union or will they appease them as usual.
Union criticises Nats over battling for Jackson
By KIRSTY JOHNSTON – Stuff
Last updated 08:36 30/09/2010
ARTS MINISTER: Mr Finlayson said yesterday that the Government had sought legal advice from the Crown Law Office confirming that The Hobbit producers had the law on their side.
Relevant offers
Politics
Multimedia: Causes of crashes Give way road rule change confirmed Peters slams foreign investment plans Time running out for MP’s disciplinary hearing Complaints made against judge to be reconsidered $40 million in super city redundancy payouts, says Labour Weekly politics quiz Maori ‘not tangata whenua in Australia’ Government to increase Telecom scrutiny New tests on foreign land sales welcomed
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) says it is furious at Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Chris Finlayson for “taking sides” in the debate over The Hobbit.
Mr Finlayson said yesterday that the Government had sought legal advice from the Crown Law Office confirming that The Hobbit producers had the law on their side in refusing to enter into a union-negotiated agreement with performers who were independent contractors.
CTU president Helen Kelly said that advice was biased towards Jackson and as a lawyer, Mr Finlayson would know that.
Viking, just under four weeks ago I thought we were moving to Oz en-masse.
I agree with Pauleastbays and Pete, most are getting on with their lives down here leaving just the regular whingers and moaners to keep the victimhood going.
The Nats. continuing Achilles Heel.
Bring back Bill Birch. Today.
CTU draws battle lines, backs teachers
5:30 AM Thursday Sep 30, 2010
A union storm appears set to descend on the Government, with the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) yesterday predicting a country-wide fight for better conditions for workers.
Speaking at the Post Primary Teachers’ Association conference in Wellington, CTU president Helen Kelly said plans to restrict union access to workplaces was a “direct attack on the democratic rights of workers”, and that unions would not stand for the attacks on workers’ rights.
“A union storm appears set to descend on the Government, with the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) yesterday predicting a country-wide fight for better conditions for workers.”
Shit thats a turn around from the unions being such big national supporters isn’t it.
This was something our Labour lite government continuously criticized the Klark regime over. Now with a year to go till the election have they actually done anything to turn this around?
Everlasting Fire – I’m offering free one way tickets to Australia to any long term beneficiary. I figure that’s the only way we’re going to close the gap with Oz.
This is interesting. A lawyer has filed a class action law suit against Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch and now head of Freedom Watch USA, has filed a lawsuit against Iranian President Ahmadinejad. The original complaint was filed last year. Now he has expanded it. In the complaint he writes:
“This is a class action seeking damages for assault, supporting terrorism, crimes against humanity, violations of civil and human rights, torture of decedents of Lead Plaintiffs and Members of the Class, committed by Defendants and their agents, and also acting in concert with, aiding, abetting, facilitating, soliciting, directing, orchestrating and conspiring with the Defendant Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution, commonly referred to as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (”IRGC”), Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and other terrorist groups, nation states and their collaborators in those atrocities, in violation of the Law of Nations, international law, the laws of the United States of America and of individual states, including but not limited to the District of Columbia, and the natural laws of man. “
Not sure what that means, or if he can actually physically action it against him.
Heads of state are imune to legal action Fletch. Thats how hes able to wander into the UN and show it up for its utter uselessness and wander off again.
Unless you actually overthrow them. I’m up for it. Current potus looks a eleastical in the spinal region for that though.
“CTU president Helen Kelly said that advice was biased towards Jackson and as a lawyer, Mr Finlayson would know that. ”
So the Helen Kelly is saying that they should not consult the law because the law says the other party is right. Yep, that’s the value of a trade union for you.
Perhaps Andrew Little will introduce legislation to demand that the rule of law only apply when the law supports the side of the unions.
Someone has posted THIS useful gif animation of why the new 2012 Give Way rule is a FAIL.
LOL.
But really, it is stupid to change it. There will be more accidents after with people not knowing wth to do – some people following the new rule, some the old, some falling back on habit. Stupid idea.
Yeah. Particularly problematic in a place like Wellington with narrow streets.
The other one that will confuse some people will be physically small roundabouts (particularly ones too small to have physical ‘hubs’ – such as at the top of Glenmore St in Wgtn)… Where you approach the roundabout and are turning directly left (your first roundabout exit) do you give way to traffic on the right or do they give way to you because you are tuning left.
The answer I am sure is you give way to them because you still give way to traffic on your right on a roundabout, but watch it confuse a bunch of people in practice.
And also wait for the other excuses that will be peddled out if we end up with more accidents and/or deaths at intersections following this change.
“There will be more accidents after with people not knowing wth to do – some people following the new rule, some the old, some falling back on habit. ”
What will be the difference to now? Some seem to know the current rule, some seem to remember the old old rule, and many don’t seem to give a stuff and get away with whatever pushiness they can. You need to know the rule and read what other cars are intending anyway.
It will mean right turners will get stuck more easily at intersections with uncontrolled turns. But:
- it should reduce the rate of impatient right turners getting cleaned up by a straight through
- left turners often pause in case someone may turn right , that flow should improve substantially
- amongst the 1% of polite drivers some will let right turners go when there is an opportunity
- even now I try to avoid right turns when uncontrolled – it’s often quicker to go a block further and then go left around the block
Always thought the rule change to create this was plain stupid so putting it right agin will be good.
Labour left. Nats not quite so left more slightly right.
Brown not fit for top role, says Banks
By Andrew Koubaridis
5:30 AM Thursday Sep 30, 2010
If John Banks wins the Super City mayoralty, he won’t give opponent Len Brown a leadership role because “he’s not up to the job”.
Mr Brown, when asked the same question, offered an olive branch: “I would actually be considering John and asking him if he’d be interested in the corporate side of our council.”
He branded Mr Banks’ comments “old divisive politics” and predicted it wouldn’t work in attracting votes
Earlier in the debate, Mr Banks said he would embrace talent, leave cronyism at the door and could work across the political spectrum,
Banks really is a pratt. Like the leopard his spots ain’t a changin.
Re changes to road rules: there also appears to be a plan to change the right-turn rule at uncontrolled T intersections, but it seems to me that both existing rules are consistent with the simple rule I was taught when learning to drive: “Give way to the right (ie to through traffic); when turning right give way to right turning traffic on your right”. You can see how this works in Fletch’s gif above @11.46.
Certainly some right turners on the “through” road at T intersections ignore the second part of this rule, possibly a consequence of most urban intersections being controlled. And I know there are other issues with the left-turn rule such as uncertainty whether the car behind the left-turner is turning or not, but they don’t seem that big a deal. I am surprised that the AA endorses the proposed changes.
Of course there is another way. I recall when driving in the US asking a friend who has right-of-way in comparable situations. His answer: “Whoever gets there first”. Seems to work! A similar rule also works well in China, with the proviso that in an accident the larger vehicle is at fault, end of story.
While the government is looking at abolishing the right hand turn rule, why don’t they look into some of the rules in the US.
I particularly like the rule, allowing you to turn around the curb at a red light if there is no traffic.
ie, in the NZ context , if you are at a red traffic light, and want to turn left, you may do so as long as there are no cars coming through the green lights. This is quite safe, as you are not crossing any lines of traffic.
Re John Banks, he said on Close Up last night “A lot of the people buy the booze on Bairds Road in Otara, there are five liquor outlets there, they load themselves up, they come into the city, they get boozed on the street and cause trouble for the police.”
A Nigerian drug smuggler who fooled immigration officials to get a job as a hospital psychiatrist was yesterday jailed for 16 months.
Chidozie Emmanuel Onovo, 40, did not reveal he had a criminal history – he was imprisoned in 1999 for two years for importing 4.5kg of cannabis into Britain – when he applied in December 2008 for a New Zealand visa.
After arriving here in January last year, Onovo got a work permit and was employed as a psychiatrist by the Canterbury District Health Board.
..what a joke Immigration NZ are..run by incompetent buffoons and an equally incompetent Minister…the place is a shambles , has been for years and nothing ever gets done about it. Start fixing things Key.
Interesting quiz (MNIJ 12.40), and not too difficult with reasonable general knowledge, ie not particularly related to personal belief. Anyway, I took up your challenge; had to guess at the two US-orientated questions based on perception of where the US might stand, but still managed 15/15.
MNIJ: 14/15 Didn’t know the final question’s answer. I think a more interesting test would be to do with scriptural knowledge of the majority religion of the nation, not necessarily to do with knowledge of where specific scripture would be in the text, but of knowledge of what scripture actually says. Given the results of the study the questions were drawn from don’t seem to me to be counterintuitive in the sense that many atheists/agnostics as self-identified may have tried out other religions whereas the religious, I would think, would be less likely to have looked into other religions and therefore not do as well in terms of general knowledge. My hypothesis would be that the fundamentalists of the majority religion would have a better knowledge but that atheists/agnostics would potentially be up there still in terms of knowledge, particularly as in the USA, being out as an atheist/agnostic is quite frowned upon so there’s more likely to be a conscious and thought out decision to do so.
I think a more interesting test would be to do with scriptural knowledge of the majority religion of the nation, not necessarily to do with knowledge of where specific scripture would be in the text, but of knowledge of what scripture actually says.
If you read the article, they break the questions down by topic and give more detailed results. So, for instance, on the Bible and Christianity, Mormons and Evangelicals did best, followed by Atheists and Jews.
New story today, that Obama is to reinstate the Patriot Act and support more “wiretapping” of the internet.
Of course, there was a huge sh*storm of protest when George Bush came out with it originally, yet when Obama decides to do it, it is met by the MSM and the internet providers themselves with … silence.
Federal law enforcement and national security officials are preparing to seek sweeping new regulations for the Internet, arguing that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is “going dark” as people increasingly communicate online instead of by telephone.
Essentially, officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications — including encrypted e-mail transmitters like BlackBerry, social networking Web sites like Facebook and software that allows direct “peer to peer” messaging like Skype — to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order. The mandate would include being able to intercept and unscramble encrypted messages. The bill, which the Obama administration plans to submit to lawmakers next year, raises fresh questions about how to balance security needs with protecting privacy and fostering innovation. And because security services around the world face the same problem, it could set an example that is copied globally.
More Islamic Re-writing of History … with a little Blackmail thrown in for good measure
Looks like the (Muslim) Turkish government is attempting to re-write history, yet again, regarding the Assyrian Genocide carried out during WWI. By complaining to the Australian Government about the monument in Sydney commemorating the Assyrian Genocide, and that if “something” isn’t done to remedy the situation then there is an implied threat that the Gallipoli battlefields survey may be held up. Sounds like blackmail to me.
Turkey may delay a survey of its Gallipoli battlefields with New Zealand and Australia in protest of a World War I monument built in Australia, the Turkish ambassador to both countries said Wednesday.
Oğuz Özge, Turkey’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, told Radio New Zealand that a monument in Sydney commemorating the deaths of around 750,000 Syriacs was “quite unacceptable.”
The monument, erected by Syriac community leaders, refers to the alleged killing of the Syriacs by Ottoman troops as “genocide.” Government Minister Chris Bowen was photographed at its unveiling last month.
“This is quite concerning to the Turkish government, and as long as remedial action is not taken we intend to do something on the part of the Turkish government,” Özge said.
Archaeologists from Turkey, New Zealand and Australia are due to begin mapping the Gallipoli peninsula, the scene of a bloody World War I offensive seen as a key moment in Australian and New Zealand history, next week.
A final decision to suspend the Gallipoli survey had not yet been taken, but Özge said it “could be, until we find a way out.”
“We hope to see the Australian government do something about [the monument],” he said. “We are in touch with the Australian authorities. … It is our intention to find a way out which would be satisfactory to us all.”
Ian McGibbon, New Zealand’s representative in the Gallipoli survey, said the row had cast next week’s trip to Turkey into doubt, adding that the project had been several years in the making.
“I suspect it may eventually be next year now,” McGibbon told NZPA. “I guess we just wait until the issue is resolved.”
McGibbon said the exercise aimed to provide a detailed archaeological map of the battlefields where 11,500 Australian and New Zealand troops died in an offensive aimed at wresting the Dardanelles Strait from the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of modern Turkey.
Turkey’s foreign minister had earlier condemned the monument in Sydney’s southwest region, blaming people who “want to poison the perfect relations between Australia and Turkey and intend to rewrite history for political gain.”
And also related to the Assyrian Genocide Memorial in Sydney:
A Sydney memorial dedicated to the alleged Assyrian genocide during World War one has been vandalised. [...]
The memorial opened earlier this month, to controversy and elevated racial tensions between Turkish and Assyrian communities.
In December of last year Turkish ambassador Oguz Ozge warned that the decision to allow the $70,000 memorial jeopardised Australia’s relationship with Turkey and threatened to divide the community. [...]
No doubt the Turkish government will expect New Zealand to exert pressure on Australia – it will be interesting to see how Key and Co respond to this ‘implied’ threat from Turkey.
[Redbaiter 11:30 am] Good to see Fox thrashing the steam powered media. It’d be nice to see them buy out Can West.
That way we’d get some reliable broadcast news here.
I hope New Zealand Police are making good progress investigating the immigrant vote rigging.
Not much more than a weeek 2 go.
I wonder if being charged with attempting to rig is enough to disqualify or do you need to be convicted.
Is not speaking English a mittigating factor ?
A lot of these poor people are just confused according to one candidate.
Kris – Turkey has a secular government….it is not Muslim, despite 90+% of Turks being muslims
I know that’s the argument, but I believe the reality on the ground is quite different. And there’s no question that more radical elements of Islam within Turkey are gaining a stronger voice.
I see building consents are down in August. They are on a downward move, and Australia had a shocker today as well. Have anyone here recently tried to get a building consent. I only want to build another garage, and submitted simple plans. Not good enough, wind bracing calculations, soak pit, water tightness, anchorages, manufactures details of profiled metal systems, etc, etc. This was the letter I received after having three goes at getting it right to what they advised me. They are just playing games. I went to a designer and he said the plans were fine, admitted that the demands are normal for this council and showed me a four inch high stack of A4 paper that was notes to build a standard three bedroom house, plus another small stack of the plans. The regional council said you do not need a consent to put rain water off your roof into the river, he wondered want I was talking about. More games. The attitude from these guys makes you want to vomit. No wonder this country is in the toilet.
I’ve been listening to the radio, and there have since been 2 people taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries. My husband was on one of the trains following and last I heard from him, he is stuck in Porirua. Not enough buses and too many people.
At the time I posted, I didn’t know there were any injured. Of course I hope they will be ok, with no long-term damage.
My purpose in posting was to give anyone travelling home a heads-up. As my own husband was affected, I thought to warn others who may not have known. Sometimes people can organise lifts if they know there is a reason to.
..each applicant must provide INZ with a verified police clearance from country of origin..no verified police clearance , no entry into NZ.
He omitted some information, didn’t mention living in England where he was convicted. It was picked up by Immigration when he applied for residency. He has now been sentenced for fraud on his application ommisions. Seems like the system has been working reasonably well. Very difficult to check everything they are not told about.
not good enough Mr George…anyone applying for a visitors visa into NZ needs to be looked at inside out and back to front. If INZ were up with the play and running competently they would have picked up on this criminal. As I said before , INZ is a bad joke run by a bunch of pillicks. Even their old boss was a criminal…how bad is that ?
The immigration dept is wondering what it is going to do with the Nigerian when he finishes his sentence…Any suggestions??
The deportation Tribunal was subsumed into the new monstrosity Immigration org..which is fronted by an overpaid, inarticulate bozo..They are busy giving licenses to all and sundry..This org needs more attention..Maybe one of you knows more about it?? The deportation Tribunal was reasonably effective which is I suppose why it was done away with.
Tattoo on his forehead ” CRIMINAL”..export him back to where he came from now…flag the prison sentence..why should I pay for the piece of crap to live in one of our 5 star lockups?
And what about the overpaid wallys at Canterbury DHB who employed him as a psychiatrist? The CEO is on about 600 thousand a year..there about six managers including two very obese woman on over 200 thous. , There are at least 60 managers and admin people earning over 100 thousand…and none of these people could spot a fake psychiatrist.
There is one thing in NZ which never changes…Noone in any govt body is ever held responsible for anything.
Well the Hr manager and the nut house manager should both be on their way out the door.
HR because they failed very basic checking. Gees a phone call is not that expensive and for any good HR system would be mandatory. No doubt they did a physcosymetric thingy and he ticked all the boxes. What blathering idiots.
And then his HOD said no one ever complained about his work. Well how would they know.Was he ever checked?
Tiny needs to ask some hard questions of the CHCH DHB.
Steve – I don’t think MyBrainOnCrack is phool, different shade of stupidity. Pollywog probably is though. I think the islander stereotype schtick he/she/it puts on is a cover story. MNIJ is just a troll, I doubt he believes much of what he says, he’s just trying to be stupidly offensive on any topic.
It will just be swept under the carpet..Psychiatrists prescribe horrendous drugs for people..some of the modern drugs cause diabetes etc..I would like to hear from some of his patients. There is a world wide shortage of psychiatrists because young doctors are not interested in this field but this shouldn’t mean any old fake can get employed. What was his salary?
I’ll ask the health reporter at the Press to follow this up but I am not holding my breath. The HR manager has probably rec’d a pay rise .
Kris K
Thanks for the info on on Assyrian genocide. I love the SBS saying “alleged”,then they wonder why so much MSM is held in disdain by us the ignorentia,as they’d see us.
Turkey secular? One of the biggest elitist myths perpetuated. Another is that Turkey is European!
I came across a quote ascribed to Ataturk but cant source it along the lines that a true Turk was a Sunni and of Turkish ethnicity.
It’s General Debate so I can bring the matter up about;
POSTAL RATES INCREASE.
I am so old that I was a philatelist when postage was 3d a letter. So I have seen numerous price hikes in postage. But I was surprised today. I timed it well; I ran out of 50 cent stamps this afternoon and went to get some 60 cent stamps. Yeah, may I have a 100 box of sixty cents stamps. I was offered a box and the polite saleswoman suggested that I might take two boxes. Why? Because these stamps which cost 50 cents today will cost 60 cents tomorrow and serve the purpose of 60 cent stamps tomorrow.
Two boxes? No, I will have four boxes. They will do for the Christmas cards in 2011.
A very unusual price rise.
Western economic problems – and NZ’s – boil down to low birthrate, argues an interesting article listed on the excellent web site Arts and Letters Daily
Excesses of feminism, breakdown of marriage, the pill, mass abortion of foetuses… how would you stop this and revert to families and kids?
If this argument is valid and correct, religious fundamentalism will win. The optimists, especially the female ones, better hope its Christian fundamentalism rather than the ruthless, medieval Islamic fundamentalism.
Turkey secular? One of the biggest elitist myths perpetuated. Another is that Turkey is European!
Turkey has a secular, Muslim government, as opposed to previously when it was essentially a secular army dictatorship. But the “secular” is slowly, inevitably, morphing into Muslim. It’s called democracy, boys and girls, people power. Don’t we all value democracy?
Is Turkey European?
Well, is Israel European?
How does one define European?
Is the US European, even though “Europeans” (ie whites) will soon be outnumbered?
Turkey is a Muslim state. Muslims put religion before government. If New Testament Christians had the same philosophy perhaps, just perhaps, we would all be safer, happier.
2.5% increase in GST = 1.25c increase. But hang on. You can’t charge 1.25c. You can’t even charge 5c. The ONLY possible answer is to put the stamp up by 10c to cover the 1c cost increase!
This from a business whose Letters unit has been suffering from revenue decline for years as electronic media take over the old pen & paper, and people stop sending physical mail! Their solution? Put the price up by 20% – 10c to cover 1c!!! Perhaps they have ‘found’ the essence of the problem – but they just don’t see it yet?
Put an economist in charge – good or bad economist, doesn’t matter. Any old economist (or even someone who only passed ECON101) who understands the impact of price on the demand curve. The headline by Christmas is “postal services will be cut to 2 days a week deliveries so that NZ Post can right-size the Postie workforce to match an even sharper decline in postal mail.
Luc posted at 10.07 his answer to falling birthrate: convert to Islam.
If that was everyone’s free and open choice, no problem. But once Islam gains a majority it tends to become undemocratic forced conversion, Luc. Like the initial spread of Islam: convert or die. And there’s no going back. An apostate from Islam is outside the protection of the law.
Luc might well have been right in the pre-atomic era to forecast that the Muslims are coming. Now I think it may all end up in radioactive ashes. Better dead than a Muslim slave – especially if you are the half of the world that is female.
As for Luc’s 10.04 question:
Is the US European, even though “Europeans” (ie whites) will soon be outnumbered?
Depends on how you would racially class Latin Americans. I think many, perhaps most, would class themselves as “white”. So would be many northern Asians, and indeed their skins are often whiter than those of Europeans.
Race is a pretty loose means of classification, Luc. It’s passe, useless — merely inflammatory, IMHO.
Islam has never been convert or die. That’s just crap. And I don’t think Latinos would call themselves European.
As for your objection to my suggested definition of “European,” can you suggest an alternative and tell us just how and why Turks don’t fit, since that’s the suggestion I was replying to.
Tauhei Notts (745) Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
yeah strnage that it just happened to be in sync with the gst rise.
My local post shop has been telling all the customers to by extra for the past month.
reckon that the post knew about the gst increase a month ago?
Luc” islam has never been convert or die…thats just crap..” Where do you get your information from? It was convert or die for my neighbours in SEA..it was convert or get beheaded , and this has been the case for millions throughout history.
Perhaps you should study history.
On another point about having children..at least our modern day children are mainly well looked after. Many muslim children are neglected , how do think 12/13/14 year olds would cope as mothers..Another thing they like to keep hidden is the fact that their countries are full of overflowing orphanages…in places like Malaysia there is a growing problem with abandoned babies..
Usually Hamas terrorists fire rockets on Sderot during the morning, when there is the maximum concentration of Jewish children going to school. Many Holocaust survivors in the city must take sedatives and tranquilizers. In Sderot there are large stocks of medicines for the shock treatment. It is estimated that more than half the population of Sderot suffer from stress or other psychiatric syndromes. After years of missile fire on the city, groups of children are in “regression”; they do not want to sleep alone, receive low grades at school, and fear leaving home.
I Imagine it must be the same for the Arab kids in Gaza.
Imagine what it would be like if NO rockets or mortars were fired at Israel?
September 30th, 2010 at 8:04 am
..ooohhh yeah…
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Can anyone remember the following story from a few years ago when Labour was in government? It was Clark & Trevor’s taxpayer Santa Claus project.
‘Success story’ Right Hemisphere may shed jobs
Labour loves crony capitalism huh? They favour some software companies over others. One question, I wanted to ask Trevor. Can you guarantee that Right Hemisphere will repay back the interest-free loan of which you approved of, from the taxpayer’s pockets?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Giddidy giddidy gi … bugger.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Changing the right hand rule is great comfort for distraught people who have lost their homes and jobs to the quake Nutional. Really you bunch of spineless pc do nothing creeps are sickening to watch and I foolishly thought the Klarkula era was bad!
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:18 am
D4 – How long after the quake should a government wait before making decisions on anything else?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Yeah work the sack cloth and ashes routine somewhere else d4j, its getting old and sounds like we’re living in a big who’s the biggest victim competition.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:21 am
The power brokers of the Bilderberg Group recently met and apparently one of the key discussion topics was global cooling???
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100055500/global-cooling-and-the-new-world-order/
Some of the over 2000 comments are excellent, this was one gem:
“Who is going to conduct/prosecute the “Global Warming” Nuremberg? (And can the guilty be hanged?).”
Even John Key gets a mention re his extreme u-turn over his views on the whole scam. World famous.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Oh yes National’s job creation is the cycle track. Silly me, do watch the pot holes John.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:27 am
“A Hawera kebab shop owner has been convicted of assaulting his wife after the judge dismissed his claims they were performing a traditional Turkish dance as “nonsense and a lie”.
Good on the judge for convicting this cowardly bully.
“In succession, both the Can’s and their 14-year-old daughter took the stand, saying through a Turkish interpreter that they were dancing and the language barrier meant police had not understood that.
If they have to use an interpreter how do these people get into New Zealand in the first place if they cannot speak english?
I feel sorry for the wife being married to him but she does have the choice to stay or go.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:27 am
..when is nutional gona start whacking the dpb bludgers..slappers who breed so they can have a taxpayer funded lifestyle..
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Anyone heard through Australian contacts the names of the players involved in the betting rort that is not going to be made public until after the Grand Final.
plus
D4J
Move on, how long before you actually try and blame the entire quake on a huge conspiracy concocted by National?
Personally very bored now by the earthquake, the people who are worthy citizens appear to be working and getting up and running while the wasters on the TV moaning as per usual.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:32 am
dad4justice (6,725) Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Oh yes National’s job creation is the cycle track. Silly me, do watch the pot holes John.
No wonder you are lonely, bitter and twisted is such an unattractive feature of the human condition.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Haha wish we could debate face to face.
Vote:Do have a nice day. I will leave it for petey gal who will post next.
Haha.
September 30th, 2010 at 8:34 am
The Herald editorial looks at Independents versus party affiliated candidates.
Sounds great. It’s a shame there is no sign yet of this working on a national level. When will it be Independent’s Day for New Zealand?
Unfortunately on the national market it’s going to be a hard sell wrestling votes away from the party obsessed electorate, and from the media.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Hey DPF, are you and Nikki Kaye going to be on the Barrier next weekend for the newly extended, full Marathon wharf to wharf run? Ask her to step lightly over my prostrate form……right, off to work. Have a great day all, keep it clean.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:42 am
pauleastbay…Glad you are bored by the earthquake..It was just another television event for you ..for many of us it was a reality we will never forget..For many children in ChCh it is a nightmare they are still living. How would you feel if you had lost your home? or were sharing a portaloo with everyonelse in your street? How would you cope with more than 1,200 aftershocks?
Vote:Sometimes it is just wiser to keep your mouth shut.
September 30th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Strangely in defense of D4J: why don’t you brown nosing Nat. supporters remind us of who is borrowing, on your behalf, $250 million per week and when will you stop supporting that behavoir?
Or will you undertake to repay it all without stealing from my pocket.
P.S. Of course we have not heard what the upwardly revised borrowings will be since we have bailed out various Nats. in the Sth Island and since the earthquake.
Vote:Good if you could let us know the new borrowing program.
September 30th, 2010 at 8:48 am
SOCIALISM IS EVIL
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:55 am
@Viking2 – I am by no means a “brown nosing Nat supporter” (I will *still* be giving my vote to Rodney) but criticising an entirely sensible decision because of something not done somewhere completely unrelated? That’s just silly.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Joana, no one denies the true extent of the Christchurch Earthquake, obviously a traumatising experience for the entire region.
Some of us are just fed up with those that insist on using it for pity sake. It happened, we move forward, the country gets on with our so-called progress. We can not afford to dwell on our past misfortunes. There are still things to take care of in other parts of the country, the world has moved on.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Joana, there’s no doubt many Cantabrians will be affected by the earthquake/s for a long time, for some it will have been life changing. But most people outside the area (including politicians) will move on with their normal lives and jobs.
Things like the Haiti earthquake, and the recent Pakistani floods, are also vague memories for most, while the ongoing impact and scale in those places remains huge. At least no one should be starving to death in Christchurch.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:10 am
joana says:
2 Earthquakes 1 Portaloo?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:19 am
joana says:
Hi, I’m Johnny Knoxville and this is Portaloo tip over challenge.
Now YouTube that shit people. It’s what YouTube was created for.
Are there any pictures about on the web of these Portaloo villages and what organised Tourist coach trips drive pass them?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Ex-cop in prison for perjury is a story in itself. More interesting is the resolve and determination of one family to keep fighting for justice against the police force Goliath – and to succeed in clearing the name of a young guy who was pranged up and stitched up by a traffic cop.
The Potters – the family of the ex-girlfriend of Cribb – deserve a heap of credit for standing up for right. It’s taken 5 years so far, and still more is to be resolved.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Javier Hernández Balcázar scores for Man United.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:32 am
It seems that Andrew Williams is determined to go out in a blaze of glory
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2010/09/is-williams-defamatory-mayor-too.html
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Starboard …when is nutional gona start whacking the dpb bludgers..slappers who breed so they can have a taxpayer funded lifestyle..
It sounds like after a sensible delay after the Chch earthquake, after they have completed the cycle track, and changed the give way to the right rule. You know, it’s all about priorities.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Affordable chemical toilets are available right now. One portaloo per street. I am stunned that anyone would suggest that that was the only option. V. Strange.
D4J. I will happily let you find me to debate face to face, and should you go nutty and aggressive. That will be OK too.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Guy, spade and a bag of lime. Civilisations managed to rise and flourish without the help of Thomas Crapper and Sons.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Interesting, but not as dramatic as it sounds. although enlightneing.
Kiwis move to Aussie in record numbers
AAP
Last updated 20:09 29/09/2010
New Zealanders are moving to Australia in record numbers, but they arrive already educated and end up working on average harder and longer than Australians, a government study says.
Far from being a drain on the country’s education system and social services, the wave of migrants from across the Tasman is proving to be older, professional and focused on work, says an Australian Bureau of Statistics report released on Wednesday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/4180948/Kiwis-move-to-Aussie-in-record-numbers
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:20 am
So are the Nats. going to stick it tothe union or will they appease them as usual.
Union criticises Nats over battling for Jackson
By KIRSTY JOHNSTON – Stuff
Last updated 08:36 30/09/2010
ARTS MINISTER: Mr Finlayson said yesterday that the Government had sought legal advice from the Crown Law Office confirming that The Hobbit producers had the law on their side.
Relevant offers
Politics
Multimedia: Causes of crashes Give way road rule change confirmed Peters slams foreign investment plans Time running out for MP’s disciplinary hearing Complaints made against judge to be reconsidered $40 million in super city redundancy payouts, says Labour Weekly politics quiz Maori ‘not tangata whenua in Australia’ Government to increase Telecom scrutiny New tests on foreign land sales welcomed
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) says it is furious at Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Chris Finlayson for “taking sides” in the debate over The Hobbit.
Mr Finlayson said yesterday that the Government had sought legal advice from the Crown Law Office confirming that The Hobbit producers had the law on their side in refusing to enter into a union-negotiated agreement with performers who were independent contractors.
CTU president Helen Kelly said that advice was biased towards Jackson and as a lawyer, Mr Finlayson would know that.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4181258/Union-criticises-Nats-over-battling-for-Jackson
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Viking2:
Is that a reference to the Government obeying the law that Labour enacted, foolishly (IMHO) protecting the deposits in finance companies?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Viking, just under four weeks ago I thought we were moving to Oz en-masse.
I agree with Pauleastbays and Pete, most are getting on with their lives down here leaving just the regular whingers and moaners to keep the victimhood going.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:26 am
And the Nats. endorsed and continued with bells on.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:29 am
The Nats. continuing Achilles Heel.
Bring back Bill Birch. Today.
CTU draws battle lines, backs teachers
5:30 AM Thursday Sep 30, 2010
A union storm appears set to descend on the Government, with the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) yesterday predicting a country-wide fight for better conditions for workers.
Speaking at the Post Primary Teachers’ Association conference in Wellington, CTU president Helen Kelly said plans to restrict union access to workplaces was a “direct attack on the democratic rights of workers”, and that unions would not stand for the attacks on workers’ rights.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10677078
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:32 am
“A union storm appears set to descend on the Government, with the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) yesterday predicting a country-wide fight for better conditions for workers.”
Shit thats a turn around from the unions being such big national supporters isn’t it.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:43 am
“Kiwis move to Aussie in record numbers”
This was something our Labour lite government continuously criticized the Klark regime over. Now with a year to go till the election have they actually done anything to turn this around?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Everlasting Fire – I’m offering free one way tickets to Australia to any long term beneficiary. I figure that’s the only way we’re going to close the gap with Oz.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:04 am
This is interesting. A lawyer has filed a class action law suit against Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
Not sure what that means, or if he can actually physically action it against him.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Heads of state are imune to legal action Fletch. Thats how hes able to wander into the UN and show it up for its utter uselessness and wander off again.
Unless you actually overthrow them. I’m up for it. Current potus looks a eleastical in the spinal region for that though.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:17 am
V2,
“CTU president Helen Kelly said that advice was biased towards Jackson and as a lawyer, Mr Finlayson would know that. ”
So the Helen Kelly is saying that they should not consult the law because the law says the other party is right. Yep, that’s the value of a trade union for you.
Perhaps Andrew Little will introduce legislation to demand that the rule of law only apply when the law supports the side of the unions.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:30 am
CABLE NEWS RACE TUES., SEPT. 28, 2010 FOXNEWS O’REILLY 3,154,000 FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,306,000 FOXNEWS BECK 2,161,000 FOXNEWS GRETA 2,115,000 FOXNEWS BAOER 2,049,000 FOXNEWS SHEP 1,744,000 MSNBC MADDOW 1,018,000 MSNC OLBERMANN 999,000 MSNBC O’DONNELL 860,000 MSNBC SHULTZ 711,000 MSNBC HARDBALL 663,000 CNNHN GRACE 561,000 CNN COOPER 560,000
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Most annoying Television advert…
1. That stupid new National Bank advert, what moron approved it and what message did he think it was sending?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I so agree!! I have to switch the channel or turn the sound down. It’s like some really bad Dr Seuss ripoff that really gets on my nerves.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Someone has posted THIS useful gif animation of why the new 2012 Give Way rule is a FAIL.
LOL.
But really, it is stupid to change it. There will be more accidents after with people not knowing wth to do – some people following the new rule, some the old, some falling back on habit. Stupid idea.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Sweet little Austin Healey Sprite though…
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Viking 2
So you agree. Both Labour and National voted for the law that required the government to bail out those investors.
Nice to see some balance and fairness here.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Most annoying Television advert
..that fucken ad for some insurance company that says ” poochy “on the number plate…and some little bastard kid laughing..or trying to laugh…
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Fletch,
Yeah. Particularly problematic in a place like Wellington with narrow streets.
The other one that will confuse some people will be physically small roundabouts (particularly ones too small to have physical ‘hubs’ – such as at the top of Glenmore St in Wgtn)… Where you approach the roundabout and are turning directly left (your first roundabout exit) do you give way to traffic on the right or do they give way to you because you are tuning left.
The answer I am sure is you give way to them because you still give way to traffic on your right on a roundabout, but watch it confuse a bunch of people in practice.
And also wait for the other excuses that will be peddled out if we end up with more accidents and/or deaths at intersections following this change.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Wilders is in in the Netherlands.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
“There will be more accidents after with people not knowing wth to do – some people following the new rule, some the old, some falling back on habit. ”
What will be the difference to now? Some seem to know the current rule, some seem to remember the old old rule, and many don’t seem to give a stuff and get away with whatever pushiness they can. You need to know the rule and read what other cars are intending anyway.
It will mean right turners will get stuck more easily at intersections with uncontrolled turns. But:
Vote:- it should reduce the rate of impatient right turners getting cleaned up by a straight through
- left turners often pause in case someone may turn right , that flow should improve substantially
- amongst the 1% of polite drivers some will let right turners go when there is an opportunity
- even now I try to avoid right turns when uncontrolled – it’s often quicker to go a block further and then go left around the block
September 30th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Always thought the rule change to create this was plain stupid so putting it right agin will be good.
Vote:Labour left. Nats not quite so left more slightly right.
September 30th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Brown not fit for top role, says Banks
By Andrew Koubaridis
5:30 AM Thursday Sep 30, 2010
If John Banks wins the Super City mayoralty, he won’t give opponent Len Brown a leadership role because “he’s not up to the job”.
Mr Brown, when asked the same question, offered an olive branch: “I would actually be considering John and asking him if he’d be interested in the corporate side of our council.”
He branded Mr Banks’ comments “old divisive politics” and predicted it wouldn’t work in attracting votes
Earlier in the debate, Mr Banks said he would embrace talent, leave cronyism at the door and could work across the political spectrum,
Banks really is a pratt. Like the leopard his spots ain’t a changin.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Re changes to road rules: there also appears to be a plan to change the right-turn rule at uncontrolled T intersections, but it seems to me that both existing rules are consistent with the simple rule I was taught when learning to drive: “Give way to the right (ie to through traffic); when turning right give way to right turning traffic on your right”. You can see how this works in Fletch’s gif above @11.46.
Certainly some right turners on the “through” road at T intersections ignore the second part of this rule, possibly a consequence of most urban intersections being controlled. And I know there are other issues with the left-turn rule such as uncertainty whether the car behind the left-turner is turning or not, but they don’t seem that big a deal. I am surprised that the AA endorses the proposed changes.
Of course there is another way. I recall when driving in the US asking a friend who has right-of-way in comparable situations. His answer: “Whoever gets there first”. Seems to work! A similar rule also works well in China, with the proviso that in an accident the larger vehicle is at fault, end of story.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
telecom:
“Frankly, wasting taxpayer funding and private investment on duplicating a network that is half way complete is economic madness,” Boyd said.
he he, telecom wants their monopoly. They just hate the thought of having competition.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
15/15 – How many believers can equal that?
It seems that religious belief does not equal knowledge about that which is believed.
I let my children read the bible’; that’s why they’re atheists.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Maybe but he is right. Why should the taxpayer fund this?
Vote:Oh that’s right we can just borrow another 1.5 billion on the tax payer.
Oh Gosh
September 30th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
While the government is looking at abolishing the right hand turn rule, why don’t they look into some of the rules in the US.
I particularly like the rule, allowing you to turn around the curb at a red light if there is no traffic.
ie, in the NZ context , if you are at a red traffic light, and want to turn left, you may do so as long as there are no cars coming through the green lights. This is quite safe, as you are not crossing any lines of traffic.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Re John Banks, he said on Close Up last night “A lot of the people buy the booze on Bairds Road in Otara, there are five liquor outlets there, they load themselves up, they come into the city, they get boozed on the street and cause trouble for the police.”
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/super-city-mayoral-race-too-close-call-3808765
Has Banksie been taking campaign tips from Melissa Lee ?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
from stuff
A Nigerian drug smuggler who fooled immigration officials to get a job as a hospital psychiatrist was yesterday jailed for 16 months.
Chidozie Emmanuel Onovo, 40, did not reveal he had a criminal history – he was imprisoned in 1999 for two years for importing 4.5kg of cannabis into Britain – when he applied in December 2008 for a New Zealand visa.
After arriving here in January last year, Onovo got a work permit and was employed as a psychiatrist by the Canterbury District Health Board.
..what a joke Immigration NZ are..run by incompetent buffoons and an equally incompetent Minister…the place is a shambles , has been for years and nothing ever gets done about it. Start fixing things Key.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I particularly like the rule, allowing you to turn around the curb at a red light if there is no traffic
..it’ll never work in NZ…its too sensible..
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
V2, maybe, but Banksie is correct, Brown’s a trougher without any redeeming social graces or business experience.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Interesting quiz (MNIJ 12.40), and not too difficult with reasonable general knowledge, ie not particularly related to personal belief. Anyway, I took up your challenge; had to guess at the two US-orientated questions based on perception of where the US might stand, but still managed 15/15.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@ starboard
How can Immigration be expected to check for possible criminal histories in all countries in the world for every potential immigrant?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
He’s one for Maurice Williamson’s next speaking engagement.
“Two Middle East mothers are sitting in a cafe chatting over a plate of tabouli and a pint of goat’s milk.
The older of the two pulls a bag out of her purse and starts flipping through photos. They start reminiscing.
”This is my oldest son, Mujibar. He would have been 24 years old now.”
”Yes, I remember him as a baby” says the other mother cheerfully.
“He’s a martyr now though” the mother confides.
“Oh, so sad dear” says the other.
”And this is my second son, Khalid. He would have been 21.”
”Oh, I remember him,” says the other happily, ”he had such curly hair when he was born.”
”He’s a martyr too” says the mother quietly.
”Oh, gracious me . . . ” says the other.
”And this is my third son. My baby. My beautiful Ahmed.
He would have been 18”, she whispers.
“Yes” says the friend enthusiastically, ”I remember when he first started school”
”He’s a martyr also,” says the mother, with tears in her eyes.
After a pause and a deep sigh, the second Muslim mother looks wistfully at the photographs and, searching for the right words, says . . .
“They blow up so fast, don’t they?”
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Or, if he’s speaking in the UK or USA -
With all servicemen amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan, but you’re going to have a fucking good Paralympics team in 2012
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
MNIJ: 14/15 Didn’t know the final question’s answer. I think a more interesting test would be to do with scriptural knowledge of the majority religion of the nation, not necessarily to do with knowledge of where specific scripture would be in the text, but of knowledge of what scripture actually says. Given the results of the study the questions were drawn from don’t seem to me to be counterintuitive in the sense that many atheists/agnostics as self-identified may have tried out other religions whereas the religious, I would think, would be less likely to have looked into other religions and therefore not do as well in terms of general knowledge. My hypothesis would be that the fundamentalists of the majority religion would have a better knowledge but that atheists/agnostics would potentially be up there still in terms of knowledge, particularly as in the USA, being out as an atheist/agnostic is quite frowned upon so there’s more likely to be a conscious and thought out decision to do so.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
If you read the article, they break the questions down by topic and give more detailed results. So, for instance, on the Bible and Christianity, Mormons and Evangelicals did best, followed by Atheists and Jews.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
New story today, that Obama is to reinstate the Patriot Act and support more “wiretapping” of the internet.
Vote:Of course, there was a huge sh*storm of protest when George Bush came out with it originally, yet when Obama decides to do it, it is met by the MSM and the internet providers themselves with … silence.
September 30th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
More Islamic Re-writing of History … with a little Blackmail thrown in for good measure
Looks like the (Muslim) Turkish government is attempting to re-write history, yet again, regarding the Assyrian Genocide carried out during WWI. By complaining to the Australian Government about the monument in Sydney commemorating the Assyrian Genocide, and that if “something” isn’t done to remedy the situation then there is an implied threat that the Gallipoli battlefields survey may be held up. Sounds like blackmail to me.
And also related to the Assyrian Genocide Memorial in Sydney:
No doubt the Turkish government will expect New Zealand to exert pressure on Australia – it will be interesting to see how Key and Co respond to this ‘implied’ threat from Turkey.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
[Redbaiter 11:30 am] Good to see Fox thrashing the steam powered media. It’d be nice to see them buy out Can West.
That way we’d get some reliable broadcast news here.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Kris – Turkey has a secular government….it is not Muslim, despite 90+% of Turks being muslims
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I hope New Zealand Police are making good progress investigating the immigrant vote rigging.
Vote:Not much more than a weeek 2 go.
I wonder if being charged with attempting to rig is enough to disqualify or do you need to be convicted.
Is not speaking English a mittigating factor ?
A lot of these poor people are just confused according to one candidate.
September 30th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Everybody looking forward to the 7c increase in fuel prices tomorrow?
Let’s hope we get a real National government next time around.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
RichardX 3:53 pm,
I know that’s the argument, but I believe the reality on the ground is quite different. And there’s no question that more radical elements of Islam within Turkey are gaining a stronger voice.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Train crash just north of Porirua, Wellington.
Hope no one else in this area is trying to get home in a hurry.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Train crash north of Porirua……
And the stupid Greens want to force us all onto public transport.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I see building consents are down in August. They are on a downward move, and Australia had a shocker today as well. Have anyone here recently tried to get a building consent. I only want to build another garage, and submitted simple plans. Not good enough, wind bracing calculations, soak pit, water tightness, anchorages, manufactures details of profiled metal systems, etc, etc. This was the letter I received after having three goes at getting it right to what they advised me. They are just playing games. I went to a designer and he said the plans were fine, admitted that the demands are normal for this council and showed me a four inch high stack of A4 paper that was notes to build a standard three bedroom house, plus another small stack of the plans. The regional council said you do not need a consent to put rain water off your roof into the river, he wondered want I was talking about. More games. The attitude from these guys makes you want to vomit. No wonder this country is in the toilet.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Lucia Maria (354) Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Train crash just north of Porirua, Wellington.
Hope no one else in this area is trying to get home in a hurry.
Yes, let’s hope people can get home in time to watch Shortie St, never mind if anyone was killed/injured, must keep our priorities right.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
MyNameIsJack,
The news story – which was linked in Lucia’s comments – was very clear that there were no serious injuries reported.
Unlike some, at least her priority does not seem to be making nonsense statments for what can only be auto-erotic purposes
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@ starboard
How can Immigration be expected to check for possible criminal histories in all countries in the world for every potential immigrant
..each applicant must provide INZ with a verified police clearance from country of origin..no verified police clearance , no entry into NZ.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
bhudson, here here . What a piece of work MNIJ is.
Vote:you can replace work with another 4 letter word of your choice.
September 30th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I’ve been listening to the radio, and there have since been 2 people taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries. My husband was on one of the trains following and last I heard from him, he is stuck in Porirua. Not enough buses and too many people.
Bhudson, thanks!
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Yeah, fuck the injured, they’ll just end up being 2 more bennies for you lot to bash.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Further to RichardX’s comment at 3:53 pm,
Here’s what the current Turkish Prime Minister said back in 1998:
Kind of blows the “Turkey has a secular government” assertion out of the water. And remember, this was back in 1998; twelve years ago.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
MNIJ
have a read of the last few comments you made.
You brought this on yourself.
Be nice.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Jack,
At the time I posted, I didn’t know there were any injured. Of course I hope they will be ok, with no long-term damage.
My purpose in posting was to give anyone travelling home a heads-up. As my own husband was affected, I thought to warn others who may not have known. Sometimes people can organise lifts if they know there is a reason to.
Don’t read more into my comment that that.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
He omitted some information, didn’t mention living in England where he was convicted. It was picked up by Immigration when he applied for residency. He has now been sentenced for fraud on his application ommisions. Seems like the system has been working reasonably well. Very difficult to check everything they are not told about.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
MyBrainOnCrack – you truly are a nasty fuckwit piece of trollshit aren’t you ?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
not good enough Mr George…anyone applying for a visitors visa into NZ needs to be looked at inside out and back to front. If INZ were up with the play and running competently they would have picked up on this criminal. As I said before , INZ is a bad joke run by a bunch of pillicks. Even their old boss was a criminal…how bad is that ?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
The immigration dept is wondering what it is going to do with the Nigerian when he finishes his sentence…Any suggestions??
Vote:The deportation Tribunal was subsumed into the new monstrosity Immigration org..which is fronted by an overpaid, inarticulate bozo..They are busy giving licenses to all and sundry..This org needs more attention..Maybe one of you knows more about it?? The deportation Tribunal was reasonably effective which is I suppose why it was done away with.
September 30th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Tattoo on his forehead ” CRIMINAL”..export him back to where he came from now…flag the prison sentence..why should I pay for the piece of crap to live in one of our 5 star lockups?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I like that,
Vote:MyBrainOnCrack …. not the phool is it … eh?..
September 30th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
starboard, that is expensive. A bullet costs how much?
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
And what about the overpaid wallys at Canterbury DHB who employed him as a psychiatrist? The CEO is on about 600 thousand a year..there about six managers including two very obese woman on over 200 thous. , There are at least 60 managers and admin people earning over 100 thousand…and none of these people could spot a fake psychiatrist.
Vote:There is one thing in NZ which never changes…Noone in any govt body is ever held responsible for anything.
September 30th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
…true true..he is a drug smuggler…one copper tip be it !
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Well the Hr manager and the nut house manager should both be on their way out the door.
HR because they failed very basic checking. Gees a phone call is not that expensive and for any good HR system would be mandatory. No doubt they did a physcosymetric thingy and he ticked all the boxes. What blathering idiots.
And then his HOD said no one ever complained about his work. Well how would they know.Was he ever checked?
Tiny needs to ask some hard questions of the CHCH DHB.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Steve – I don’t think MyBrainOnCrack is phool, different shade of stupidity. Pollywog probably is though. I think the islander stereotype schtick he/she/it puts on is a cover story. MNIJ is just a troll, I doubt he believes much of what he says, he’s just trying to be stupidly offensive on any topic.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
It will just be swept under the carpet..Psychiatrists prescribe horrendous drugs for people..some of the modern drugs cause diabetes etc..I would like to hear from some of his patients. There is a world wide shortage of psychiatrists because young doctors are not interested in this field but this shouldn’t mean any old fake can get employed. What was his salary?
Vote:I’ll ask the health reporter at the Press to follow this up but I am not holding my breath. The HR manager has probably rec’d a pay rise .
September 30th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Kris K
Thanks for the info on on Assyrian genocide. I love the SBS saying “alleged”,then they wonder why so much MSM is held in disdain by us the ignorentia,as they’d see us.
Turkey secular? One of the biggest elitist myths perpetuated. Another is that Turkey is European!
I came across a quote ascribed to Ataturk but cant source it along the lines that a true Turk was a Sunni and of Turkish ethnicity.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
It’s General Debate so I can bring the matter up about;
Vote:POSTAL RATES INCREASE.
I am so old that I was a philatelist when postage was 3d a letter. So I have seen numerous price hikes in postage. But I was surprised today. I timed it well; I ran out of 50 cent stamps this afternoon and went to get some 60 cent stamps. Yeah, may I have a 100 box of sixty cents stamps. I was offered a box and the polite saleswoman suggested that I might take two boxes. Why? Because these stamps which cost 50 cents today will cost 60 cents tomorrow and serve the purpose of 60 cent stamps tomorrow.
Two boxes? No, I will have four boxes. They will do for the Christmas cards in 2011.
A very unusual price rise.
September 30th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
..just watchin programme on tv1 about Thailand…now THATS what I call a real prison…
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Western economic problems – and NZ’s – boil down to low birthrate, argues an interesting article listed on the excellent web site Arts and Letters Daily
Excesses of feminism, breakdown of marriage, the pill, mass abortion of foetuses… how would you stop this and revert to families and kids?
If this argument is valid and correct, religious fundamentalism will win. The optimists, especially the female ones, better hope its Christian fundamentalism rather than the ruthless, medieval Islamic fundamentalism.
The article:
http://www.bigquestionsonline.com/columns/phillip-longman/demography-and-economic-destiny
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Turkey has a secular, Muslim government, as opposed to previously when it was essentially a secular army dictatorship. But the “secular” is slowly, inevitably, morphing into Muslim. It’s called democracy, boys and girls, people power. Don’t we all value democracy?
Is Turkey European?
Well, is Israel European?
How does one define European?
Is the US European, even though “Europeans” (ie whites) will soon be outnumbered?
Turkey is a Muslim state. Muslims put religion before government. If New Testament Christians had the same philosophy perhaps, just perhaps, we would all be safer, happier.
And dreams are free.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Hahaha. Good ol’ NZ Post.
2.5% increase in GST = 1.25c increase. But hang on. You can’t charge 1.25c. You can’t even charge 5c. The ONLY possible answer is to put the stamp up by 10c to cover the 1c cost increase!
This from a business whose Letters unit has been suffering from revenue decline for years as electronic media take over the old pen & paper, and people stop sending physical mail! Their solution? Put the price up by 20% – 10c to cover 1c!!! Perhaps they have ‘found’ the essence of the problem – but they just don’t see it yet?
Put an economist in charge – good or bad economist, doesn’t matter. Any old economist (or even someone who only passed ECON101) who understands the impact of price on the demand curve. The headline by Christmas is “postal services will be cut to 2 days a week deliveries so that NZ Post can right-size the Postie workforce to match an even sharper decline in postal mail.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Easy peasy.
Convert to Islam.
The Muslims are coming…
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Just noticed DFF’s poll about removing GST on fresh fruit and veges.
84% AGAINST!!!
WTF!!
I thought this was the low tax site!
I mean, at least it’s a start. Then we could advocate removing ALL GST.
Then ALL TAX
YAY!
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Luc,
Great news. The “Complete Twat Tax” idea has been dropped – that will save you an absolute fortune
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Luc posted at 10.07 his answer to falling birthrate: convert to Islam.
If that was everyone’s free and open choice, no problem. But once Islam gains a majority it tends to become undemocratic forced conversion, Luc. Like the initial spread of Islam: convert or die. And there’s no going back. An apostate from Islam is outside the protection of the law.
Luc might well have been right in the pre-atomic era to forecast that the Muslims are coming. Now I think it may all end up in radioactive ashes. Better dead than a Muslim slave – especially if you are the half of the world that is female.
As for Luc’s 10.04 question:
Depends on how you would racially class Latin Americans. I think many, perhaps most, would class themselves as “white”. So would be many northern Asians, and indeed their skins are often whiter than those of Europeans.
Race is a pretty loose means of classification, Luc. It’s passe, useless — merely inflammatory, IMHO.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
bhudson – re economists. Economics was invented to give clairvoyants credibility.
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
kaya,
Haha. Ok. A clairvoyant then!! Couldn’t be worse than what they’ve got (by the looks)
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
jack
Islam has never been convert or die. That’s just crap. And I don’t think Latinos would call themselves European.
As for your objection to my suggested definition of “European,” can you suggest an alternative and tell us just how and why Turks don’t fit, since that’s the suggestion I was replying to.
bhudson
That was a quick wank!
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Luc,
You seem to have lost any semblence of a snappy cumback. Perhaps you need to have a little rest.
Or then again, perhaps just be you. As I noted above, its tax free for you!
Vote:September 30th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
bhudson
Can you actually think for yourself or are you just a serial aggressive?
Vote:October 1st, 2010 at 7:59 am
Tauhei Notts (745) Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
yeah strnage that it just happened to be in sync with the gst rise.
My local post shop has been telling all the customers to by extra for the past month.
reckon that the post knew about the gst increase a month ago?
Vote:October 1st, 2010 at 9:57 am
Luc” islam has never been convert or die…thats just crap..” Where do you get your information from? It was convert or die for my neighbours in SEA..it was convert or get beheaded , and this has been the case for millions throughout history.
Perhaps you should study history.
On another point about having children..at least our modern day children are mainly well looked after. Many muslim children are neglected , how do think 12/13/14 year olds would cope as mothers..Another thing they like to keep hidden is the fact that their countries are full of overflowing orphanages…in places like Malaysia there is a growing problem with abandoned babies..
Vote:October 2nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/sheltering-for-the-next-war-15490
Usually Hamas terrorists fire rockets on Sderot during the morning, when there is the maximum concentration of Jewish children going to school. Many Holocaust survivors in the city must take sedatives and tranquilizers. In Sderot there are large stocks of medicines for the shock treatment. It is estimated that more than half the population of Sderot suffer from stress or other psychiatric syndromes. After years of missile fire on the city, groups of children are in “regression”; they do not want to sleep alone, receive low grades at school, and fear leaving home.
I Imagine it must be the same for the Arab kids in Gaza.
Vote:Imagine what it would be like if NO rockets or mortars were fired at Israel?