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194 Responses to “General Debate 25 February 2011”
Solidarity among dictators. By the way, has Helen Clark phoned Muammar yet?
Nicaragua prez call Gaddafi to expresses support
Nicaragua’s leftist President Daniel Ortega says he has telephoned Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to express his solidarity. Ortega says he has called several times this week because Gadhafi “is again waging a great battle” to defend the unity of his nation.
Human rights groups say more than 200 people have died as Libyan security forces crack down on protesters.
Ortega has long been an ally of the Libyan leader, based in part on a shared distrust of the United States.
He says that “it’s at difficult times that loyalty and resolve are put to the test.”
Oh, I forgot Todd-the-Troll-who-writes-threatening-emails-when-his-trolling-privileges-are-revoked.
Grendel: I think it was his offensive comment on the first earthquake thread, which politicised a tragedy that was only just unfolding, that got the guy banned. It was a disgusting comment.
It’s bloody marvelous. I saw some GD commentator yesterday saying that jackoff got 20 demerits in one of the Chch threads and hit the 100 limit.
Unfortunately I don’t feel much like taking advantage of the clean sheet with the Chch disaster ongoing: that rather puts the union fights in the US, the ME firestorm, and the rest of the world in the backseat.
A different ban list – I don’t know if this is funny or sad.
[lprent: Now I don't threaten bans, I warn when people are likely to get one so they have an opportunity to modify their behavior. You appear not to understand the difference so you're now banned for a week as an educational experience about why it pays to listen to the people moderating when they talk about your behavior. ]
February 25th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Shit starbord is so right and clever, I’m going to alter my entire faith based belief system entirely on the strength of his t shirt slogan!
Or I might use my own brain.
It was a valid comment. Most people do not believe in a higher being due to the random injustices that occur here on Earth. I have a friend in Christchurch who knows people who have died and has posted a similar status update on FB regarding how she is an atheist. This time there will be no Christians proclaiming the earthquake to be a miracle due to its timing.
You have to laugh at the utmost stupidity of this young criminal:
Burglar who posted on victim’s Facebook pleads guilty
Note to thieves: when robbing a place, the best way to make a clean getaway is not to post your picture on the victim’s Facebook page. And if you do, scram out of town/country as fast as you can!
Otherwise, you’ll be like Rodney Knight Jr., who couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a pic of himself holding his victim’s cash and post it on the Facebook page of a reporter’s son, the same reporter whose house he just robbed.
It was a bloody stupid comment and the argument is identical to saying that people risking their lives or surviviors being found alive is evidence that god does exist.
And indicidual having a crisis of faith is not conclusive evidence of anythign other than their own pyscology.
Evangalical atheists taking the oportunity of this disaster in an effort to get people to agree with them is as offenive as P/M using it for political points scoring and scammers taking money from people.
I was amused to hear Kim Hill describe National as a ‘low-tax party’, when interviewing John Key this morning. Dear-o-dear Kim, you really must get out more. Words of the day: “revenue neutral tax cut”.
A sensible decision by the minister and officials.
Census cancelled over Christchurch earthquake
The March 8 census has been cancelled following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.
Announcing the decision in Wellington this morning, Mr Williamson said holding the census would be unfair to the people of Canterbury and that the data might not be reliable.
He said Government Statistician Geoff Bascand had informed him that the 2011 census could not be completed successfully.
..In your eyes , maybe. You are entitled to think what you like. I think most of the shit you write is fucked up but I dont comment on it as I am aware you are entitled to your own bent views.
How more pathetic can the useless United Nations be? FFS, Lybia sits on the Human Rights Council!
The Human Rights Council is notorious for showing an anti-Israel bias and being slow to condemn blatant human rights abuses by countries aligned with certain members of the 47-member council.
As it happens, Libya earned a seat on the Human Rights Council in 2010 — a point that will likely come up for debate when the council meets for a special session Friday. U.S. diplomats plan to back an effort to kick Libya off the council and name a special investigator to look into atrocities committed on protesters rebelling against Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi.
The Messiah promised transparency and an end to lobbying during his presidential campaign. Two years later the facts prove he lied, as any othe politician.
Caught between their boss’ anti-lobbyist rhetoric and the reality of governing, President Obama’s aides often steer meetings with lobbyists to a complex just off the White House grounds — and several of the lobbyists involved say they believe the choice of venue is no accident.
It allows the Obama administration to keep these lobbyist meetings shielded from public view — and out of Secret Service logs kept on visitors to the White House and later released to the public.
The White House scoffs at the notion of an ulterior motive for scheduling meetings in what are, after all, meeting rooms. But at least four lobbyists who’ve been to the conference rooms just off Lafayette Square tell POLITICO they had the distinct impression they were being shunted off to Jackson Place — and off the books — so their visits wouldn’t later be made public.
There’s an element of the left that sees the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to ramp up the vitriol towards Ket and his colleagues. I don’t know about you guys, but it sickens me.
Have they announced a replacement for Anand Satyanand as Governor General yet?
If not, then we should definitely give it to Bob Parker. Seriously, after watching the news coverage over the last few days THAT is the guy I want wielding the reserve powers of the Crown if there is a constiutional crisis in New Zealand.
There’s an element of the left that sees the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to ramp up the vitriol towards Ket and his colleagues. I don’t know about you guys, but it sickens me.
It sickens me too.
The lefties behind these despicable attacks are mediocrities, people who have achieved little in life, other than spreading misery by teaching class division as unionists, teachers, and academics.
The policies of envy rule their miserable lives, therefore they will always be against successful people, those prepared to stand up and do things.
Courage Wolf – Though raised a Catholic I am relatively agnostic in my ‘religious’ beliefs- i:e I havn’t got a damn clue as to the ‘mysteries of the universe’….It does bother me, however, how many professed ‘Athiests’ are crowing and gloating over social network sites and blogs in the wake of this horrendous disaster…apparently this somehow proves them right??
The shallowness of evangelical atheists proclaiming bad things = no God is not balanced by good things happening = God.
You are entitled to your religious beliefs like many others but I fail to see why it is so important to for you to ram it down everyones throat.
Is it that you are actually not sure and feel insecure in your standpoint so that oft and vocal proclamation of your belief system brings you comfort?
February 25th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Courage Wolf – Though raised a Catholic I am relatively agnostic in my ‘religious’ beliefs- i:e I havn’t got a damn clue as to the ‘mysteries of the universe’….It does bother me, however, how many professed ‘Athiests’ are crowing and gloating over social network sites and blogs in the wake of this horrendous disaster…apparently this somehow proves them right??
As far as I’m aware most of the gloating comes from religious people praising God for helping them or praying to God for help. Tell me how many professed atheists are crowing and gloating over this? As I mentioned above, my friend who has damned Christianity on her FB update has done it out of anger about knowing people who have died. The last thing they need is people talking about superstition.
The Luddites’ tax proposal and assault to the finances of middle-class NZ.
In my view, the ETS tax should be scrapped and the money temporarily diverted to Canterbury’s reconstruction.
Paying to rebuild Christchurch: A small temporary earthquake levy
Friday, 25 Feb 2011 | Blog post
Contact: Russel Norman MP
While the horror of Christchurch’s second earthquake continues to unfold, those of us not immediately involved in the recovery can begin to plan for the rebuilding of a city and the livelihoods of those who live there.
The question that immediately comes to mind is how are we going to pay for the recovery and reconstruction?
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) and private insurance will cover most of the cost to private property. Everything else—the hospitals, the roads, the rail, the sewerage—will likely be borne by central government. More borrowing by central government is being contemplated.
As a practical, principled response to the Christchurch earthquake, the Green Party is putting forward for discussion the idea of a small temporary earthquake levy on all income earners over $48,000.
To make it fair, the levy would fall on those most able to pay it. Those earning between $48,000 and $70,000 a year could pay up to an additional one per cent income tax, while those earning over $70,000 could pay up to an additional two per cent income tax to help pay for the reconstruction of Christchurch. (People earning less than $48,000 and all those living in the Christchurch region would be exempt from paying the levy.)
Anyone who comes onto my property here in Christchurch and professes to be someone they are not eg Building Inspector , Warden , an ” Official ” …they will leave said property in a body bag. Just giving fair warning.
Courage Wolf – I have family and friends who have been injured and a friend who is missing. But I don’t feel compelled to turn my anger/grief into some strange rant about other’s personal beliefs. We all deal with things in our own ways. I wonder if your friend would be so quick as to ‘damn’ Buddhism and Maori spiritual beliefs as she has been to ‘damn’ that awful evil Christianity? I have always found it amusing how courteous and respectful professed ‘Athiests’ are when the subject of the Dalai Lama is raised- He is always somehow exempt from such scoffing and criticism….anyway..I have no issues with people wanting to ‘pray for miracles’ if that makes them feel better…On Stuff and other news comments site many Athiests have come out in ridicule of them, and I find that extremely hypocritical and in exceptionally poor taste.
“I don’t see Redbaiter running riot these days, has he had the boot as well?”
Very little reason to read Kiwiblog these days. More or less the same fifty or so posters over and over. A big yawn. There are one or two interesting posters (Hi Tom) but for the most part, its predictable endlessly rotating drivel.
February 25th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Courage Wolf – I have family and friends who have been injured and a friend who is missing. But I don’t feel compelled to turn my anger/grief into some strange rant about other’s personal beliefs. We all deal with things in our own ways. I wonder if your friend would be so quick as to ‘damn’ Buddhism and Maori spiritual beliefs as she has been to ‘damn’ that awful evil Christianity? I have always found it amusing how courteous and respectful professed ‘Athiests’ are when the subject of the Dalai Lama is raised- He is always somehow exempt from such scoffing and criticism….anyway..I have no issues with people wanting to ‘pray for miracles’ if that makes them feel better…On Stuff and other news comments site many Athiests have come out in ridicule of them, and I find that extremely hypocritical and in exceptionally poor taste.
Obviously your generalisations must apply to all atheists. I for one have zero respect for the Dalai Lama. That’s as ridiculous as me claiming that all Christians are fervent supporters of Hillsong Church pentecostalism. Yes, Christianity is evil and one reason it gets damned the most is because it is the most prominent religion in this country. My friend is not turning her anger/grief into other peoples’ personal beliefs – she is sharing her own personal beliefs, just as many Christians are sharing their own personal beliefs by praising God for saving them. If you read this blog then you will note the website set up by fundamentalist Christians blaming the earthquake on sin – that likewise is exceptionally poor taste. Plus, I treat Christian prayers with the same view as I would treat a Muslim praying to God – both in my view are superstitious and give false hope that some imaginary superior being somehow has a hand in this. I am against institutions such as Churches deluding people, it is something to be raised at a more appropriate time (e.g. at a university debate about religion).
If that takes off and in the, so far, unlikely event that a revolution bowls King Abdulah and
radical islamists get a hold there watch out for a world wide explosion of islamic terrorism.
Osama might be able to go back home soon.
Plus your going to need to mortgage your house to fill your gas tank.
Poor little Israel. The middle east situation just gets worser and worserer.
The earthquake tax is now up for discussion. The Herald has a poll running that shows 71% in favour. I voted against, just so you know.
I don’t think much of the Green’s proposal, although they do address one of my concerns, which is, naturally, that anyone affected by the earthquake should not be landed with an extra tax impost.
It seems to me to be an ideal time to sell infrastructure bonds to the general public and institutional investors to fund the rebuilding, with a return only of the rate of inflation.
The bonds could be issued for a 10 year term, with the option for the buyers to not exercise the right of redemption at that time.
This ensures that people who can’t afford extra tax don’t get hit and allows the institutions to invest in a public good.
In addition, the government should reverse its last tax cuts package, which was unfairly skewed against low income earners and is actually counterproductive for economic growth, as any Economics 101 student could tell you. (Disclosure: yes, I and my wife would pay more tax)
In fact, it should return to the individual and corporate tax rates that proved so successful for Labour, although perhaps extend WFF to ensure tax decreases actually go to those who both need them and will spend the money, thus stimulating the economy.
@ Luc
So any “Economics 101 student” could me why taking money from middle NZ and giving it to the poor will increase the capacity of and investment in our productive sectors as opposed to consumption.
Wow
…they can’t legally do it. Would this be an appropriate use of Brownlee’s emergency earthquake powers? People bought the tickets expecting to have a chance at the winnings, though on the other hand no one expects to win anyway…
31 year old woman has appeared in court this morning in relation to the theft of $6,782,000 from Westpac bank in April 2009.
Kara Hurring was met at Auckland International Airport this morning by members of the Rotorua CIB before appearing in the Manukau District Court.
Nice.Although, it sounds like the husband was the real perpetrator.
And as to the mindless “give the powerball jackpot to Christchurch”.
Ignoring (as has already been pointed out) the illegality of this, how about all the people who think this is such a great idea NOT buying a lotto ticket and donating their own money to the quake?
In fact, it should return to the individual and corporate tax rates that proved so successful for Labour, although perhaps extend WFF to ensure tax decreases actually go to those who both need them and will spend the money, thus stimulating the economy.
After a long diversionary route comrade Luc gets to the nub of the matter by showing his undying admiration for Clark/Cullen’s regime.
No, a return to the higher taxes and middle-class welfare benefit (a.k.a. WFF) policy is not the solution to achieve a prosperous New Zealand.
The socialists, who squandered almost a decade of economic boom, have no moral authority to tell the country what to do.
Those supporting “give the powerball jackpot to Christchurch” could prove their mettle and pledge to give all their gambling winnings to Christchurch (not just the jackpot if it is struck).
And I don’t think they’ve thought it through. Apart from the obvious legal side of it – they couldn’t have a draw and then take it off whoever would have won. Do they suggest no draw and all winnings this weekend are contributed? No one else would buy tickets, so tough on early gamblers. There’s many flaws in a naive idea.
I agree that appropriating this money would be a really hamfisted way of getting a bit of cash. It certainly wasn’t consensual on the part of people buying the tickets. If they do decide to do it however, how many punters are really going to object, even privately?
Yes, the NY Times has a particular political slant, but this piece about New Jersey governor Chris Christie doesnt paint him as a madman or a saint. It stresses that most US states are in a deep financial hole,and Christie is one governor who has decided to stop digging.
The hypocritical Gore and followers love the green colour of the dollar, while shouting their “passion” for the environment.
New Soros investment fund, profiting off Obama’s ‘green energy’ push, hires top Obama energy aide
George Soros — whom we’re always told is not serving his own economic interests at all by promoting liberal politicians and big-government policies — is launching a new investment fund that plans to profit off of the “green energy” boom, which is entirely dependent on government subsidies supported by the groups Soros funds.
As the press release puts it, this fund will “leverage technology and business model innovation to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and emissions, harness renewable energy, and more efficiently use natural resources, among other applications.” As Soros puts it in the same release: “Developing alternative sources of energy and achieving greater energy efficiency is both a significant global investment opportunity and an environmental imperative.”
So, yeah. The big-government policies advanced by the liberal outfits he funds — like Center for American Progress — will enrich the companies in which Soros is investing.
The press release casually mentions whom Soros is hiring to run this new fund: Cathy Zoi, who was Barack Obama’s “Acting Under Secretary for Energy and Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.”
An Al Gore acolyte, Zoi was Obama’s point-woman on subsidising green tech. Now she’s going to work for George Soros to profit off of subsidised green tech.
You sound like every Labour party hack in history….
The moment ANY cut backs are mentioned you immediately postulate the money will come from hospitals etc. Such a loop back!
No I suggest the USELESS areas of government spending; Ministry of (insert leftist cause here)
What i don;t get with this ‘poll’ showing people supporting a levy for the earthquake is, have they not already given money?
most people have donated what they could. if you have already donated why do you feel the need to make the government inefficiently take more away from you.
or is it (like the greens) some people see value in forcing others to do something above what they have done willingly. do they not value personal charity? why the desire to make the state involved in everything.
i wondered if the moment the idea of a levy came out that somehow, the ‘poor’ would be exempt. if you are earning under 50K and have two kids you pay no tax, so have not contributed anyway, and now you get another free pass?
I have donated what i felt i could afford right now. being self employed i have to be careful of cashflow. there is a chance that there will be a runon effect from the quake that will hit my business, or it could boost it. once i can see how its going i may be able to donate more. i assume others are in a very similar position, or if PAYE will donate some each pay. what part of this requires any force from the state?
Manolo – Cathy Zoi already has a pedigree for profiting from obvious conflicts of interest:
…she herself has large holdings in two firms that could directly profit from policies proposed by the Department of Energy.
Among Zoi’s holdings are shares in Serious Materials, Inc., the previously sleepy, now bustling, friend of the Obama White House whose public policy operation is headed by her husband. Between them, Zoi and her husband hold 120,000 shares in Serious Materials, as well as stock options. Reporter John Stossel has already explored what he sees as the “crony capitalism” implied by Zoi being so able to influence the fortunes of a company to which she is so closely associated.
In addition, the disclosure forms reflect that Zoi holds between $250,000 and $500,000 in “founders shares” in Landis+Gyr, a Swiss “smart meter” firm. She also still owns between $15,000 and $50,000 in ordinary shares.
“Smart meters,” put simply, are electric meters that return information about customer power usage to the power company immediately and allow a power company to control the amount of power a customer can consume. These smart meters are a central component of the Obama administration’s plans to reduce electricity consumption as part of the “smart grid.”
There certainly seems to be a never ending queue lining up to pick the pocket of the taxpayer. Here, there, everywhere.
If I’m to believe in the universal right to collectively bargain then there must similarly be the right for taxpayers to also bargain as collectives. We should be able (in groups small and large) to withhold our contributions until our demands are met, and to do so without threat of recrimination.
RN certainly has a itch that requires constant scratching with his obvious dislike of normal labour rights for civil servants.
There are lots of statistics being thrown around in the Wisconsin example, but perhaps the most notable is that the governor, Scott Walker, besides enthusiastically accepting the offer of a “good time” from a caller whom he thought was David Koch, has authorised 170 million dollars of tax cuts to corporates.
The excuse is always that it creates jobs when, in reality, it’s just part of a race to the bottom that exacerbates inequality and is another step towards the complete destruction of the middle class. For the ultimate consequences of that, just look at the Middle East today.
It’s not so funny that the loony right, although praising the free market (of which freely bargained for conditions are a part) always see the path to growth one of reducing incomes! That’s why they love the exploitation of kids via Youth rates.
However, this must be a real killer for RN: according to the NZ Herald, the restriction on collective bargaining does not apply to salaries. Why would a new governor use up so much political capital for so little gain? Not to mention the fact that all the unions involved have all already agreed to the cuts the governor asked for!
And RN still hasn’t answered the inconsistency I pointed out to him that sees Police and Fire Service personnel exempted from the bill (although they are still joining the opposition).
But isn’t wonderful to see the American public taking their cue from Arabs. mainly Muslims, even, on effective demonstrations?
I suppose the immigration department are the equivalent here?
Mind you it might not have the effect you desire. I know of an incident where a Somali didn’t want to be deported so when they tried to move him he smeared his own shit all over himself.
This wowser’s suggestion would delight Shane Jones.
A ridiculous idea from a bunch of killjoys that should not, must not, be heeded.
Treat alcohol like adult movies, MPs urged
Displaying alcohol in supermarkets should be treated in the same way as dirty movies are displayed in a video store, the Alcohol Reform Bill select committee was told yesterday.
Alcohol Action said the proposals adapted by the Government from a Law Commission report into alcohol reform did not go far enough. Alcohol should not be easily accessible and should not be displayed at the front of stores or with other products such as fruit and vegetables, the group said yesterday.
“Supermarkets are treating alcohol like it’s a commodity rather than a drug,” spokeswoman Professor Jennie Connor said. “It should be treated like dirty movies, they should be in one corner of the supermarket at the back.”
Luc, you keep arguing in favour of public servants to have the right of collective bargaining. On the flip-side what rights do taxpayers have if they wish to bargain for better terms? To be consistent you’d have to accept that groups of taxpayers could withdraw their tax ‘contributions’ as a tool in the bargaining process. Bring it on.
DavidR 2:02pm. Hmmm Womens Affairs, most of the Quangos, Maori [racist] Affairs … there’s a long list that could be greatly reduced or eliminated. Socialists with BAs in Art History and ‘Climate Science’ would have to find jobs in the real world.
BB; Does that post about the Greens mean you are having second thoughts?
Last week Rodney was the object of youir distain.
Would be nice if you were to get it right, like right as in politics.
RN is once again avoiding the real debate, which is: what is really behind this attempt in Wisconsin to curtail worker rights?
Being anti-collective bargaining as a matter of ideology is entirely valid, as is an anti-union stance, but when specific arguments are being advanced, as they are by the Wisconsin governor, which, when fact-checked, can be seen to be at variance to reality, then one is entitled to wonder just what the governor is hiding.
So let’s stick to the matter at hand, RN, and not hive us all off on irrelevant tangents.
(PS Just watching the fundamentalist Christians Oliver North and Sean Hannity enthusiastically praying for the death, preferable slow and painful, of the Libyan dictator – ahh, Christians, don’t you love them?)
Just watching the fundamentalist Christians Oliver North and Sean Hannity enthusiastically praying for the death, preferable slow and painful, of the Libyan dictator..
What’s wrong with that? I’m an atheist, but all the same I wish the dictator Gaddafi dies a long and painful death at the hand of his executors.
Luc, the real debate is the principle of whether public sector unions should have the same collective bargaining rights as private sector unions. I know you’re in favour of it, you just don’t have any sound reasons to back up your position. You’re playing Cleese’s part in the Argument Clinic.
In the private sector the employer faced with a collective bargaining for their rights can ultimately just close down the business and start again if the demands are too egregious. What option does the taxpayer have when collective bargaining is allowed in the public service?
Stop obfuscating and present some sound reasoning. So far you’re all piss and wind.
Can you point to a university in New Zealand that has a degree course in “Climate Science”?
I just checked the Auckland University website, and found no such thing. The reason is because climate covers so many aspects of science, including maths, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, etc etc. No Climate Science category, sorry to burst your bubble.
One would have to be a pretty superb polymath to become an expert in everything to do with climate! Which just points out how stupid some on here are when they think anyone who has an opinion on climate change should somehow get qualified in all these aspects, like, overnight.
Generally, climate scientist are specialists in one aspect who add their work to that of other disciplines, and build up a body of evidence for a credible conclusion.
On quake day, John Key was due to meet the American free-masons/banker globalists who seem to be preparing for a global fascist-neoliberal hybrid world order by forming the world into regional blocks first. The explosion that caused the quake was the size of an atomic weapon (quote CNN). These two facts are a little creepy put together, but this website is just quite amazing. lol
Reagan fired famously fired the air traffic controllers.
There is no way you can ever postulate to me that governments are victims of unions. It’s a victimisation syndrome taken to extremes.
My argument is that human rights, including labour rights, should not be subject to discrimination on the grounds of who the employer is. Having said that, public sector unions are generally subject to tight regulations on their right to strike. As is the case in Wisconsin. A poster above mentioned teachers calling in sick as a means of circumventing the anti-strike laws.
What you are doing is introducing arguments that are not being utilised in the Wisconsin dispute.
Now hearing on Fox News that State Troopers are scouring the state for the Democrats. The land of the free, huh?
Since when is it compulsory to provide a quorum to one’s opponents?
“For a case study in how public-sector unions manipulate both supply and demand, consider the example of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, the CCPOA lobbied the state government to increase California’s prison facilities — since more prisons would obviously mean more jobs for corrections officers. And between 1980 and 2000, the Golden State constructed 22 new prisons for adults (before 1980, California had only 12 such facilities). The CCPOA also pushed for the 1994 “three strikes” sentencing law, which imposed stiff penalties on repeat offenders. The prison population exploded — and, as intended, the new prisoners required more guards. The CCPOA has been no less successful in increasing members’ compensation: In 2006, the average union member made $70,000 a year, and more than $100,000 with overtime. Corrections officers can also retire with 90% of their salaries as early as age 50. Today, an amazing 11% of the state budget — more than what is spent on higher education — goes to the penal system”
Actually, I do wonder what Key is negotiating with the Americans at this time of media black-out. John Key basically has carte blanche to do what ever the hell he likes now, and be free from public scrutiny. This is the time when vigilance against tyranny is most needed. However emotionally difficult it may be to accept – you must resist the natural urge to shoot the messenger.
John Key, along with the American Bankers want an ANZAC currency. This is what they were due to discuss on the day of the quake. What i want to know now is, what has happened to those talks? Are they being carried out now by Key’s underlings? Or perhaps Key’s superiors in the New York Banking community where he made his millions? Can we expect the news to cover these things at the moment?
Two and a Half Men to stop filming. Shame, one of my favourite shows. Mind you if they replaced it with a reality show just following Sheen around with a camera it would probably be even better.
I spotted this statistical snippet in last weekends SST, that natural catastrophes have increased in number from 30 in 1970 to 130 last year. I don’t know the provenance for that statistic, so I went looking for more information.
Munich Re’s natural catastrophe database, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, shows a marked increase in the number of weather-related events. For instance, globally there has been a more than threefold increase in loss-related floods since 1980 and more than double the number of windstorm natural catastrophes, with particularly heavy losses as a result of Atlantic hurricanes.
The rise in natural catastrophe losses is primarily due to socio-economic factors. In many countries, populations are rising, and more and more people moving into exposed areas. At the same time, greater prosperity is leading to higher property values. Nevertheless, it would seem that the only plausible explanation for the rise in weather-related catastrophes is climate change. The view that weather extremes are more frequent and intense due to global warming coincides with the current state of scientific knowledge as set out in the Fourth IPCC Assessment Report.
{Why do Fox trot out Dick Morris – he’s always so wrong!}
Corage wolf at 1010 says “most people do not believe….”
I think our last census shows NZ to be over 60% Christian. (Iwill take a correction from any clever fellow with a link )
The ME is full of Muslims who definitly believe. Africa probably has very few aetheists. South America, thanks to the conquistadors is very Roman.
Asians are a mix of many religions.
Where are Coward woofs “most people”,Dawkins is not a majority.
I had a thought that the Govt. take over the Pike River coal mine, it has 4-6 Billion dollars worth of coal in it. Open cast it and all profits to the Christchurch rebuild.
Nobody should have a problem with that. Would a greenie be so heartless?
# kowtow (966) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Sorry to reignite.
Corage wolf at 1010 says “most people do not believe….”
I think our last census shows NZ to be over 60% Christian. (Iwill take a correction from any clever fellow with a link )
The ME is full of Muslims who definitly believe. Africa probably has very few aetheists. South America, thanks to the conquistadors is very Roman.
Asians are a mix of many religions.
Where are Coward woofs “most people”,Dawkins is not a majority.
I probably should have made it more grammatically correct but of course had you quoted my full sentence you would see that I was saying the reason most people do not believe in God is because of injustice, i.e. the reason most people who do not believe in God out of those who do not believe in God do not believe in God is because of injustice
Of course as you would know Jesus also said those who claim to believe in Him and utter His name will not necessarily enter into the afterlife – what with God saying to them: “Away from me, evildoers, I never knew you,” and what have you. I daresay this accounts for quite a few of that 60% that don’t necessarily subscribe to the idea of receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and speak in tongues whilst falling over during the Sunday morning Pentecostal power-pop God is superman and better than ice-cream singing sessions.
“Munich Re’s natural catastrophe database, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, shows a marked increase in the number of weather-related events. For instance, globally there has been a more than threefold increase in loss-related floods since 1980″
heck Luc, are you telling us you believe what a great big evil capitalist corporate poor bashing corporate like Munich Re says?
Also real scientists look at the data from the 1800′s which show clearly there is no increase…They dont really think data from 1980 to 2010 is long enough to judge a climate trend. Nice try though.
State troopers scouring Wisconsin for the MIA democrats who are getting paid for avoiding
doing their duty is just like truant officers looking for kids who are wagging it.
Why is it that virtually the only field of endevour where total incompetents have the protection
of their union and are never fired is school teaching ?
Why is it that performance based pay is sacreligiuos to the PPTA
I heard recently that in New Zealand of over 300 teachers who were investigated for being
useless, totally useless, illiterate nincompoops, only one has been dismissed.
How does that work ?
Anyone interested to the answer as to why school teachers are never dismissed when they prove to be
useless incompetants i will draw you a picture and spell it out for you later today,
Think about it.
starboard,I’ve just noticed the number after your moniker…….argghhhh,deduct 1000 which of course is one milleneum and we are left with arghhhh the mark of the BEAST arrgghhhh.
If , if you then are the BEAST then there must be a God ………proof at last,here on kiwiblog, a sign.!!!!!
and Luc you can put your questions now , not to God but to the Beast that will be called starboard. Here ,here on kiwiblog, all answers to the mystery that is life on Earth . From our very own starboard.
Hey All Red – got a link to a peer reviewed journal, preferably on the ISI master list of journals for your “real scientists” findings of no increase in weather events since 1800?
Also, 30 years is exactly the time period used worldwide to define climate as opposed to weather.
[useless trivia]1666 was also the year of the great fire of London, and another period of ‘end times’ hysteria because of the 666 number.
In a few posts starboard you’ll be up to the (English) Bill of Rights [/useless trivia]
A beautiful woman crushed in the earthquake..you wouldnt meet a nicer person..an air traffic controller here in chc..why?
Why not the scum who stole the power generators? Why the good people? Where is this God? I want some questions answered. You bastard. Tell me why.
The slackcaps 85 for 6 ,fuck stay there NO ONE will notice this team of rubbish slackers has not returned home. Should i call them crapcaps or slackcaps so many insults so little time
And they trot out the usual lies. But then, de Freitas is pretty good at that himself.
Talking about 2yos – ours is pretty tough at the moment. She has late sleeps then won’t sleep again till 9 or so!
Yay! We made our ton!
All Red – don’t forget the other .7C that’s in the pipeline. It coming at ya, and it’s going to hit like a freight train! The tragedy here, living in sweetly temperate NZ, is that we can safely ignore the misfortunes of those already suffering from climate change. But of course, these are overwhelmingly black/brown and Muslim, so we don’t care, do we?
Oh and starboard if you are thinking of waving guns around you could start worse by pointing them at the skinheads that stole those generators…. lowlife pieces of shit
When you start posting credible peer-reviewed journal articles (or sources where these are referenced), you are wasting our time. Any of us can invent data and doctor graphs to make them look the opposite of what they really mean.
Every credible government, every single national science academy and 98% of scientists actively engaged in climate research all agree with the IPCC consensus reports, which are very conservative. I am sure the next will convey more urgency.
Their is no scientific uncertainty about the broad fact that the planet is in an energy imbalance which is causing warming. The uncertainty is about the effects of that warming, and report after report indicates that the changes are coming faster than previously believed.
And you all need to understand this: the hockey stick graph was reviewed under the orders of the US Congress and not only found valid, but its reach (ie handle, if you like) was extended back another 500 years or so.
Any of us can invent data and doctor graphs to make them look the opposite of what they really mean.
So you would be referring to the Hockey Stick effect then? (oh yes, I see you are desperately trying to. Keep clinging Luc, you must have a shred of fingernail left yet.) Or perhaps the eradication of the Himalayian Glaciers within 25-odd years? Or, really, just any old piece of IPCC-endorsed material?
Oh and starboard if you are thinking of waving guns around you could start worse by pointing them at the skinheads that stole those generators…. lowlife pieces of shit
Does the fact this family has been heavily featured in the media over the last few days in photo galleries mean these guys did it knowing what the family was going through, or was it all just a coincidence, out of the thousands of other properties, they just happened to chose that one.
Depends who they are doesn’t it. Really looking forward to seeing their faces on TV.
Luc are you still wanking on about AGW science as if that makes any diff at all? Fuck is it because now phil’s been banned you have to fill-in for awhile? So you get all fanatical about something about which all the arguments are the same and whatever you quote and whatever I or anyone else quotes makes no difference at all?
Get off it mate, we know what you think, we just think you’re quite wrong. Change the subject.
# starboard (1,674) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
A beautiful woman crushed in the earthquake..you wouldnt meet a nicer person..an air traffic controller here in chc..why?
Why not the scum who stole the power generators? Why the good people? Where is this God? I want some questions answered. You bastard. Tell me why.
Answers simple if you think about it.
You are not likely to get killed lying around some scummy house whereas those beautiful people go to work and suffer the consequences.
These scum should be sent to Singapore jails.
One of the things I will never get about the left is they way that so many of them are prepared to make excuses for the low life who loot, rob and steal during a crisis like the one we have in Christchurch.
No trouble reid – change of topic: A good day for us.
Our kind neighbour (just below us) took out some trees today and added another $20,000 at least to our house value by widening our view of the inner harbour. We look directly out onto the Greenhithe bridge, can see both ends it and surrounding vista, and can now actually see our Hercules land on the other side of the harbour.
You are not likely to get killed lying around some scummy house whereas those beautiful people go to work and suffer the consequences.
..The poor girl was in the city mall shopping..she got crushed by falling masonry..she was on her way to buy an engagement ring with her partner…bastard God you fuckin tell me why…show yourself and explain…you bastard.
Good on ya for doing it Luc but next time IIWY (if I were you) I’d try something a bit more dynamic, like:
joanna, re: alleged Gaddafi assassination, got a link?
-or-
bastard God you fuckin tell me why…show yourself and explain…you bastard
G-d’s justice is unfathomable. Look what He has allowed in the past and will continue. This is not an issue for those with faith but please don’t imagine we don’t also ask the question.
Johnboy (4,310) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I’m really pissed they have canned the census.
I wanted to see if I could not do four of them without getting caught.
I’ve got a better record than the Wizard of Oamaru and I don’t even de-materialize like he can.
I can match you, census for census and would have easily made four.
Maybe this god fellow lives in NZ and also had a run going – for a fellow who has a habit of mass murdering children to get back at their parents an earthquake to avoid a census should be easy.
I didn’t watch much of the nz innings but saw the last wicket. I think we had 4 or 5 overs to go and could have got 15 or so in ones or twos. So what does he do — tries to get 20 off one ball. I remember that when the needle was coaching the Orblax anyone running the ball out in front of the posts would be reduced to a quivering mess in the changing rooms. Maybe time for some more needle. If any batsman does that sort of shit they should be too bloody scared to go back to the dressing room. They should be bloody well ashamed of themselves. How did the others go out? Give their wickets away?
Ah well, cricket’s kaput, but I’ll keep an eye it on once toddler has gone to sleep in front of her cartoons. I’d put her to bed but her Mum’s sick and sleeping and baby would wake her up bawling about going to bed.
Time for a quick catch up on Al Jazeera; watch the latest http://www.democracynow.org with Amy Goodman;catch up on Rachel Maddow at msnbc, then maybe see if Keith Olberman has got started on Al Gore’s channel.
No this was for a time in the 70′s mistaken for heaven when Jesus Christ Superstar West End show landed here and everyone started calling it God-Zone. However that didn’t last after the 1987 crash and it’s been pretty subdued since then.
I spent the afternoon watching Glenn beck, Bill O’Reilly, Hannity and some aging blonde whose name I forget. Only while running around after toddler, I admit.
I like Bill – he’s a grandfatherly type but boy, is he fucked up bigtime in his politics and his idea of FACTS (that five letter obscenity for right wing loons)!
Anyway, I forgot to let you guys know, the Federal Govt in the US is no longer defending the DOMA (act that says marriage can only be between a man and a woman) so it’s only a matter of time before gay marriage is widespread in the US. The lovely Rachel Maddow looked pretty happy at the news. I wonder why?
the Federal Govt in the US is no longer defending the DOMA (act that says marriage can only be between a man and a woman) so it’s only a matter of time before gay marriage is widespread in the US.
Why that’s wonderful news Luc. Isn’t it super that the institution of marriage which I understand goes even beyond Western civilisation is being undermined by the superficial value of lust.
I don’t know about you Luc but personally I’m very very happy about that and think it’s a very good thing indeed, not. Cause I’m afraid Luc I don’t buy the “human right” argument. I’m afraid I don’t agree that preventing gay couples from becoming indistinguishable from straight couples in every way is an abuse of human rights. I’m afraid I think there are deep psychological dynamics that happen within straight families which don’t happen in gay families. The male-female dynamics of a straight family with father mother son and daughter more accurately reflect the actual microcosm of real life and that’s just the simple fact of it.
It’s amazing how many useful idiots there are isn’t it.
It is always interesting when the non believers start cursing a God they don’t believe in for an event that is as natural as rain, day and night, and the changes in the seasons.
NZ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for earthquakes.
It is up to us to learn about, and then live in harmony (as best we can) with the land we live on.
A tragic loss of life is sometimes the only thing that causes us to shift our values to where they need to be, these people don’t need to die in vain , they can save many lives in the future if we approach this terrible event the right way.
Luc Hansen 3:55 pm. Is there no ‘climate science’ degree? I was being a tad facetious. I should have said Art History and ‘Gender Studies’. That is to say degrees in subjects where you can waffle on, and still get a pass. Not like engineering or math.
As anti-government forces and demonstrators draw nearer to Libya’s capital, Tripoli, Qaddafi appears to be further losing his grip on power.
In an attempt to appease the masses – possibly inspired by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who promised his subject $36 billion in benefits to stave off any potential revolutionaries – Libya’s besieged leader on Friday pledged a 150% increase in some government workers’ wages and promised to give every family $400.
Libyan state television announced the increase and said each family would receive $400 to help them cope with the rising food prices.
The horrible Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, and tireless Democratic leader defender of the poor:
Chocolate strawberries among extravagant demands by Nancy Pelosi as she spent $101,000 in two years on services while travelling with US Airforce
The former House Speaker was showered with a cornucopia of gourmet food and alcohol as she travelled over 90,000 miles around the world in just nine months last year – all courtesy of the US Air Force.
On one overseas excursion, her office even wrote to the USAF asking for strawberries dipped in dark chocolate as a birthday treat.
The documents, uncovered by political corruption watchdog Judicial Watch, reveal that the US taxpayer was billed for $101,429 (£64,000) in Mrs Pelosi’s in-flight services over a period of two years. One internal Air Force email sent on March 25, 2010 said: ‘The speaker’s office is requesting egg salad sandwiches on wheat toast with fruit for dessert.
‘It’s the speaker’s B-Day tomorrow so we’re also asking for something like chocolate covered strawberries (dark chocolate preferred)…’
Yvette, just to be clear, I’m not saying it isn’t a tragedy. And I was there, right in it. A man died less than 100m down the road from where I was. I think that was a tragedy.
But starboard is trolling, trying to use a 3rd formers understanding of religion to score points in some game he thinks is important. My post was just to turn his spurious questions around on himself.
Interesting that you mention engineering and maths – two vital components of climate research. Along with the other sciences like physics. I can attest to the fact that i never found much “waffle room” in physics.
# Shunda barunda (1,530) Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 12:31 am
It is always interesting when the non believers start cursing a God they don’t believe in for an event that is as natural as rain, day and night, and the changes in the seasons.
NZ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for earthquakes.
It is up to us to learn about, and then live in harmony (as best we can) with the land we live on.
A tragic loss of life is sometimes the only thing that causes us to shift our values to where they need to be, these people don’t need to die in vain , they can save many lives in the future if we approach this terrible event the right way.
It is always interesting when the believers start praying to a God they believe in for an event that is as natural as rain, day and night, and the changes in the seasons.
NZ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for earthquakes.
It is up to us to learn about, and then live in harmony (as best we can) with the land we live on.
A tragic loss of life is sometimes the only thing that causes us to shift our values to where they need to be, these people don’t need to die in vain , they can save many lives in the future if we approach this terrible event the right way.
As one of the worlds most committed atheists I have to say that at time like this the I can see the value in religion for those who believe.
Over the coming weeks many people will start to crack up, some will turn to booze, some may even turn to drugs, others will turn to religion, I think most of us would agree that a few hundred new followers of middle eastern superstition is preferable to people becoming drunks or druggies.
I see nothing wrong with it at all, at times like this religion can be a good thing, just as long as they do not try and tell me how to live my life or try and force me to change based on their beliefs.
Luc Hansen 1:12pm It’s quite possible to BS your way through university by taking a bunch of soft humanities subjects, and ending up with a ‘BA’. Then you can go and work as a ‘policy analyst’ and have a job for life.
Maori politicians are being used as political pawns by mainstream parties, Hone Harawira has told a Native American news service.
According to Indian Country Today Media, the former Maori Party MP, who is now an independent, said: “Maori people who hold office with white parties are basically ignored. They are trotted out to do a speech, and then kicked out of the room when the decisions are made.”
When asked about the importance of dedicated indigenous seats in parliament, he added: “At that level it’s about learning the skills of macro management, rather than bullshitting yourself that you’re part of the government, because the white boys will kick you out.”
You can say what you like about Harawira, but no one doubts his sincerity when it comes to fighting for the poor. This is a constituency screaming out for a staunch champion. In Harawira they’ll get one.
I suspect Harawira’s new party will get one to three seats from his party list in addition to his own. As a consequence, even if the Maori Party leadership stuck with National after the election they would be neutralised by Harawira if he got other MPs in with him. Hell would freeze over before Harawira went with National.
Given that the Maori seats will overwhelmingly support Labour on the party vote, it’s quite possible all seven MPs will back a Labour-led government as part of a joint negotiation strategy.
Taking into account there will be more than 120 seats in the next parliament (in the event that the Maori Party wins more electorate seats than its party vote), the National Party, even with Peter Dunne and Act, will need 47 per cent of the party vote to win a majority. Last election they got 45.
Any takers for John Key sleepwalking to victory now?
I suspect Harawira’s new party will get one to three seats from his party list in addition to his own.
I suspect McCarten is dreaming, The MP get a poor party vote, how will Harawira do much better?
…but no one doubts his sincerity when it comes to fighting for the poor.
I’d rather speak for myself on that – I don’t doubt his sincerity when it comes to fighting for the “poor me”.
I also don’t doubt his apparent lack of reality.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:00 am
Umm…
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:02 am
Haha, Gaddafi blames Bin Laden and drugs!
He shared too many hash pipes with Bin, all alone in the cold desert at night, with the camels and their humps, plotting against the USA.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/25/3148404.htm
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:03 am
Solidarity among dictators. By the way, has Helen Clark phoned Muammar yet?
Nicaragua prez call Gaddafi to expresses support
Nicaragua’s leftist President Daniel Ortega says he has telephoned Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to express his solidarity. Ortega says he has called several times this week because Gadhafi “is again waging a great battle” to defend the unity of his nation.
Human rights groups say more than 200 people have died as Libyan security forces crack down on protesters.
Ortega has long been an ally of the Libyan leader, based in part on a shared distrust of the United States.
He says that “it’s at difficult times that loyalty and resolve are put to the test.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/22/AR2011022203086.html
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:13 am
There is no God. Take my word. No God would have let this mess eventuate down here in Christchurch.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Maximum trolling by starboard…. nice
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:25 am
It’s amazing what can happen in a matter of days – general debate threads are readable again!
- No D4J, so no D4J-Big Bruv biffo.
- No Philu, so no Philu-baiting and general mentalness.
- No MyNameIsTroll, so no anti-religious crusades.
Anyone else on the ban list that I’ve missed?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:27 am
I’ve been keeping a low, low profile.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:29 am
how did mynameistroll get banned? i must have missed that. get rid of yesweidiot and its getting even better.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:31 am
I go off on stupid drunken rants when I get off the beer and hit the hard liquor.
Please just try to ignore them, if you can.
Apologies for those who cannot.
I think DPF is starting to ignore them (I hope, I squeak).
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Shit starbord is so right and clever, I’m going to alter my entire faith based belief system entirely on the strength of his t shirt slogan!
Or I might use my own brain.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:39 am
Oh, I forgot Todd-the-Troll-who-writes-threatening-emails-when-his-trolling-privileges-are-revoked.
Grendel: I think it was his offensive comment on the first earthquake thread, which politicised a tragedy that was only just unfolding, that got the guy banned. It was a disgusting comment.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:46 am
I don’t see Redbaiter running riot these days, has he had the boot as well?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:49 am
Nomestradamus
It’s bloody marvelous. I saw some GD commentator yesterday saying that jackoff got 20 demerits in one of the Chch threads and hit the 100 limit.
Unfortunately I don’t feel much like taking advantage of the clean sheet with the Chch disaster ongoing: that rather puts the union fights in the US, the ME firestorm, and the rest of the world in the backseat.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:52 am
It looks like Todd the idiot has started a blog called The Jackal
I presume it is him as on Frogblog he posts links and states I have posted…
Will be interesting to see how it develops
First impression looks good.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:54 am
A different ban list – I don’t know if this is funny or sad.
Probably both.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Nice one from Tim Blair- Gillard has started breaking campaign promises.
Vote:http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/these_people_govern_australia/
February 25th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Murray (6,887) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Shit starbord is so right and clever, I’m going to alter my entire faith based belief system entirely on the strength of his t shirt slogan!
Or I might use my own brain.
It was a valid comment. Most people do not believe in a higher being due to the random injustices that occur here on Earth. I have a friend in Christchurch who knows people who have died and has posted a similar status update on FB regarding how she is an atheist. This time there will be no Christians proclaiming the earthquake to be a miracle due to its timing.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:12 am
You have to laugh at the utmost stupidity of this young criminal:
Burglar who posted on victim’s Facebook pleads guilty
Note to thieves: when robbing a place, the best way to make a clean getaway is not to post your picture on the victim’s Facebook page. And if you do, scram out of town/country as fast as you can!
Otherwise, you’ll be like Rodney Knight Jr., who couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a pic of himself holding his victim’s cash and post it on the Facebook page of a reporter’s son, the same reporter whose house he just robbed.
Stupid is as stupid does.
http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/24/6123003-burglar-who-posted-on-victims-facebook-pleads-guilty-?gt1=43001
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:14 am
It was a bloody stupid comment and the argument is identical to saying that people risking their lives or surviviors being found alive is evidence that god does exist.
And indicidual having a crisis of faith is not conclusive evidence of anythign other than their own pyscology.
Evangalical atheists taking the oportunity of this disaster in an effort to get people to agree with them is as offenive as P/M using it for political points scoring and scammers taking money from people.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:17 am
At Gaddafi, he reads the black book, Dictator Action rule 100,666:
“When all is lost, to save corrupt dictator ass, turn to the USA and blame common enemies of USA.”
This could be trouble for Bin later.
“We have your enemy. Come and get him and save us. Forget all that anti-USA stuff we said. That was how we say, just a jokie.”
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Under the influence of (Al Qaeda), gotta love Gaddafi.
Next time I get pulled over by a traffic cop, I will be saying, sorry, I am under the influence of Al Qaeda!
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:25 am
I was amused to hear Kim Hill describe National as a ‘low-tax party’, when interviewing John Key this morning. Dear-o-dear Kim, you really must get out more. Words of the day: “revenue neutral tax cut”.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:42 am
A sensible decision by the minister and officials.
Census cancelled over Christchurch earthquake
The March 8 census has been cancelled following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.
Announcing the decision in Wellington this morning, Mr Williamson said holding the census would be unfair to the people of Canterbury and that the data might not be reliable.
He said Government Statistician Geoff Bascand had informed him that the 2011 census could not be completed successfully.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708648
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:04 am
“It was a bloody stupid comment “.
..In your eyes , maybe. You are entitled to think what you like. I think most of the shit you write is fucked up but I dont comment on it as I am aware you are entitled to your own bent views.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:05 am
How more pathetic can the useless United Nations be? FFS, Lybia sits on the Human Rights Council!
The Human Rights Council is notorious for showing an anti-Israel bias and being slow to condemn blatant human rights abuses by countries aligned with certain members of the 47-member council.
As it happens, Libya earned a seat on the Human Rights Council in 2010 — a point that will likely come up for debate when the council meets for a special session Friday. U.S. diplomats plan to back an effort to kick Libya off the council and name a special investigator to look into atrocities committed on protesters rebelling against Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:06 am
Well, a god could have.
Neptune, Poseidon and Ruaumoko are all gods of earthquakes, so one of them could have.
An omnipotent, omniscient, monotheistic, all-loving god, though, well that throws up some philosophical problems.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:09 am
Here’s a question or two for you:
Who were the better band, Pink Floyd or Joy Division?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVc29bYIvCM
Well, we know who made more money.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Does anyone know who the pricks are that put up the “fozzy interviews the government” posters?
Again, some of them are pasted on shop windows on our shopping street – paste smeared everywhere on the glass.
What a pack of w*nkers.
I guess that part of the “caring left” doesn’t care about the poor worker who has to clean up their mess. Again.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:11 am
All religious people are Atheist minus 1.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@Manolo
Time for us to pull out of the UN and work on building quality bilateral relationships?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:19 am
By the way, the guy hanged himself a few years later.
Watch the movie Control, if you are interested.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:24 am
The Messiah promised transparency and an end to lobbying during his presidential campaign. Two years later the facts prove he lied, as any othe politician.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/50081.html
Caught between their boss’ anti-lobbyist rhetoric and the reality of governing, President Obama’s aides often steer meetings with lobbyists to a complex just off the White House grounds — and several of the lobbyists involved say they believe the choice of venue is no accident.
It allows the Obama administration to keep these lobbyist meetings shielded from public view — and out of Secret Service logs kept on visitors to the White House and later released to the public.
The White House scoffs at the notion of an ulterior motive for scheduling meetings in what are, after all, meeting rooms. But at least four lobbyists who’ve been to the conference rooms just off Lafayette Square tell POLITICO they had the distinct impression they were being shunted off to Jackson Place — and off the books — so their visits wouldn’t later be made public.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:26 am
There’s an element of the left that sees the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to ramp up the vitriol towards Ket and his colleagues. I don’t know about you guys, but it sickens me.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Have they announced a replacement for Anand Satyanand as Governor General yet?
If not, then we should definitely give it to Bob Parker. Seriously, after watching the news coverage over the last few days THAT is the guy I want wielding the reserve powers of the Crown if there is a constiutional crisis in New Zealand.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:40 am
It sickens me too.
The lefties behind these despicable attacks are mediocrities, people who have achieved little in life, other than spreading misery by teaching class division as unionists, teachers, and academics.
The policies of envy rule their miserable lives, therefore they will always be against successful people, those prepared to stand up and do things.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Courage Wolf – Though raised a Catholic I am relatively agnostic in my ‘religious’ beliefs- i:e I havn’t got a damn clue as to the ‘mysteries of the universe’….It does bother me, however, how many professed ‘Athiests’ are crowing and gloating over social network sites and blogs in the wake of this horrendous disaster…apparently this somehow proves them right??
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:48 am
The shallowness of evangelical atheists proclaiming bad things = no God is not balanced by good things happening = God.
You are entitled to your religious beliefs like many others but I fail to see why it is so important to for you to ram it down everyones throat.
Vote:Is it that you are actually not sure and feel insecure in your standpoint so that oft and vocal proclamation of your belief system brings you comfort?
February 25th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Longknives (8) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Courage Wolf – Though raised a Catholic I am relatively agnostic in my ‘religious’ beliefs- i:e I havn’t got a damn clue as to the ‘mysteries of the universe’….It does bother me, however, how many professed ‘Athiests’ are crowing and gloating over social network sites and blogs in the wake of this horrendous disaster…apparently this somehow proves them right??
As far as I’m aware most of the gloating comes from religious people praising God for helping them or praying to God for help. Tell me how many professed atheists are crowing and gloating over this? As I mentioned above, my friend who has damned Christianity on her FB update has done it out of anger about knowing people who have died. The last thing they need is people talking about superstition.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Fire at MSD building
Friday, 25, Feb, 2011 8:22AM
There’s an emergency call out in progress behind Parliament.
A heavy contingent of appliances are attending a fire at the Ministry of Social Development Building in Bowen Street.
All vehicle access into Bowen Street is closed from both The Terrace and Tinakori Road.
Will this help BB.
Vote:Perhaps they will lose all the blugers bank accpunt no’s and details. We live in hope.
February 25th, 2011 at 11:59 am
The Luddites’ tax proposal and assault to the finances of middle-class NZ.
In my view, the ETS tax should be scrapped and the money temporarily diverted to Canterbury’s reconstruction.
Paying to rebuild Christchurch: A small temporary earthquake levy
Friday, 25 Feb 2011 | Blog post
Contact: Russel Norman MP
While the horror of Christchurch’s second earthquake continues to unfold, those of us not immediately involved in the recovery can begin to plan for the rebuilding of a city and the livelihoods of those who live there.
The question that immediately comes to mind is how are we going to pay for the recovery and reconstruction?
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) and private insurance will cover most of the cost to private property. Everything else—the hospitals, the roads, the rail, the sewerage—will likely be borne by central government. More borrowing by central government is being contemplated.
As a practical, principled response to the Christchurch earthquake, the Green Party is putting forward for discussion the idea of a small temporary earthquake levy on all income earners over $48,000.
To make it fair, the levy would fall on those most able to pay it. Those earning between $48,000 and $70,000 a year could pay up to an additional one per cent income tax, while those earning over $70,000 could pay up to an additional two per cent income tax to help pay for the reconstruction of Christchurch. (People earning less than $48,000 and all those living in the Christchurch region would be exempt from paying the levy.)
http://www.greens.org.nz/node/25515
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:59 am
I’m unable to decide, but post-Syd Floyd were much, much better than New Order.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Anyone who comes onto my property here in Christchurch and professes to be someone they are not eg Building Inspector , Warden , an ” Official ” …they will leave said property in a body bag. Just giving fair warning.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Courage Wolf – I have family and friends who have been injured and a friend who is missing. But I don’t feel compelled to turn my anger/grief into some strange rant about other’s personal beliefs. We all deal with things in our own ways. I wonder if your friend would be so quick as to ‘damn’ Buddhism and Maori spiritual beliefs as she has been to ‘damn’ that awful evil Christianity? I have always found it amusing how courteous and respectful professed ‘Athiests’ are when the subject of the Dalai Lama is raised- He is always somehow exempt from such scoffing and criticism….anyway..I have no issues with people wanting to ‘pray for miracles’ if that makes them feel better…On Stuff and other news comments site many Athiests have come out in ridicule of them, and I find that extremely hypocritical and in exceptionally poor taste.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
(People earning less than $48,000 and all those living in the Christchurch region would be exempt from paying the levy.)
They haven’t thought that one through very well. Gives the impression of trying to sound good rather than be practical.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
“I don’t see Redbaiter running riot these days, has he had the boot as well?”
Very little reason to read Kiwiblog these days. More or less the same fifty or so posters over and over. A big yawn. There are one or two interesting posters (Hi Tom) but for the most part, its predictable endlessly rotating drivel.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Longknives (9) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Courage Wolf – I have family and friends who have been injured and a friend who is missing. But I don’t feel compelled to turn my anger/grief into some strange rant about other’s personal beliefs. We all deal with things in our own ways. I wonder if your friend would be so quick as to ‘damn’ Buddhism and Maori spiritual beliefs as she has been to ‘damn’ that awful evil Christianity? I have always found it amusing how courteous and respectful professed ‘Athiests’ are when the subject of the Dalai Lama is raised- He is always somehow exempt from such scoffing and criticism….anyway..I have no issues with people wanting to ‘pray for miracles’ if that makes them feel better…On Stuff and other news comments site many Athiests have come out in ridicule of them, and I find that extremely hypocritical and in exceptionally poor taste.
Obviously your generalisations must apply to all atheists. I for one have zero respect for the Dalai Lama. That’s as ridiculous as me claiming that all Christians are fervent supporters of Hillsong Church pentecostalism. Yes, Christianity is evil and one reason it gets damned the most is because it is the most prominent religion in this country. My friend is not turning her anger/grief into other peoples’ personal beliefs – she is sharing her own personal beliefs, just as many Christians are sharing their own personal beliefs by praising God for saving them. If you read this blog then you will note the website set up by fundamentalist Christians blaming the earthquake on sin – that likewise is exceptionally poor taste. Plus, I treat Christian prayers with the same view as I would treat a Muslim praying to God – both in my view are superstitious and give false hope that some imaginary superior being somehow has a hand in this. I am against institutions such as Churches deluding people, it is something to be raised at a more appropriate time (e.g. at a university debate about religion).
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Last space shuttle launch
Nothing else to replace it soon.
Oh the mediocrity.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Day of Rage. Saudi Arabia. March 11
If that takes off and in the, so far, unlikely event that a revolution bowls King Abdulah and
radical islamists get a hold there watch out for a world wide explosion of islamic terrorism.
Osama might be able to go back home soon.
Plus your going to need to mortgage your house to fill your gas tank.
Poor little Israel. The middle east situation just gets worser and worserer.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
The earthquake tax is now up for discussion. The Herald has a poll running that shows 71% in favour. I voted against, just so you know.
I don’t think much of the Green’s proposal, although they do address one of my concerns, which is, naturally, that anyone affected by the earthquake should not be landed with an extra tax impost.
It seems to me to be an ideal time to sell infrastructure bonds to the general public and institutional investors to fund the rebuilding, with a return only of the rate of inflation.
The bonds could be issued for a 10 year term, with the option for the buyers to not exercise the right of redemption at that time.
This ensures that people who can’t afford extra tax don’t get hit and allows the institutions to invest in a public good.
In addition, the government should reverse its last tax cuts package, which was unfairly skewed against low income earners and is actually counterproductive for economic growth, as any Economics 101 student could tell you. (Disclosure: yes, I and my wife would pay more tax)
In fact, it should return to the individual and corporate tax rates that proved so successful for Labour, although perhaps extend WFF to ensure tax decreases actually go to those who both need them and will spend the money, thus stimulating the economy.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
wow, here are some good candidates for old sparky:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708665
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
It’s another Concorde moment alright.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
No need Luc, we’ll just wind back the increases public servants have received since 1999. Problem solved painlessly.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@ Luc
Vote:So any “Economics 101 student” could me why taking money from middle NZ and giving it to the poor will increase the capacity of and investment in our productive sectors as opposed to consumption.
Wow
February 25th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
There’s a proposal of sorts to give the cash from Saturday night’s lotto win to the earthquake appeal – http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4703056/Give-Lotto-prize-to-Christchurch-group
…they can’t legally do it. Would this be an appropriate use of Brownlee’s emergency earthquake powers? People bought the tickets expecting to have a chance at the winnings, though on the other hand no one expects to win anyway…
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
31 year old woman has appeared in court this morning in relation to the theft of $6,782,000 from Westpac bank in April 2009.
Kara Hurring was met at Auckland International Airport this morning by members of the Rotorua CIB before appearing in the Manukau District Court.
Nice.Although, it sounds like the husband was the real perpetrator.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
No, the government shouldn’t do it. Never.
Vote:It would be a dreadful step on a slippery slope, and would set a very bad precedent..
February 25th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Eleven hundred Wisconsin teachers called in “sick” recently. It was the only way to “legally” strike without breaking their no-strike contract clause.
Of course, the right to an education for their pupils is of no importance to them and their supporters.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@ lance – no it’s just the last flight of Discovery, the oldest shuttle still flying. There are 2 more shuttle launches scheduled.
Just think if NASA had stuck with disposable rockets instead of all the waste associated with the shuttles we could be on Mars by now
.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Re: the lottery thing. How much has the Lottery Grant board got in the kitty at the mo?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
And as to the mindless “give the powerball jackpot to Christchurch”.
Ignoring (as has already been pointed out) the illegality of this, how about all the people who think this is such a great idea NOT buying a lotto ticket and donating their own money to the quake?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
After a long diversionary route comrade Luc gets to the nub of the matter by showing his undying admiration for Clark/Cullen’s regime.
No, a return to the higher taxes and middle-class welfare benefit (a.k.a. WFF) policy is not the solution to achieve a prosperous New Zealand.
The socialists, who squandered almost a decade of economic boom, have no moral authority to tell the country what to do.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Re: the lottery thing. How much has the Lottery Grant board got in the kitty at the mo?
The draw on Saturday’s meant to be 12 mil, but dunno how much they’ve got sloshing about.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Those supporting “give the powerball jackpot to Christchurch” could prove their mettle and pledge to give all their gambling winnings to Christchurch (not just the jackpot if it is struck).
And I don’t think they’ve thought it through. Apart from the obvious legal side of it – they couldn’t have a draw and then take it off whoever would have won. Do they suggest no draw and all winnings this weekend are contributed? No one else would buy tickets, so tough on early gamblers. There’s many flaws in a naive idea.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I agree that appropriating this money would be a really hamfisted way of getting a bit of cash. It certainly wasn’t consensual on the part of people buying the tickets. If they do decide to do it however, how many punters are really going to object, even privately?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Gaddafi’s funniest effort to date came in his latest rambling diatribe.
He said he couldn’t understand why people wanted to get rid of him. Queen Elizabeth had been in power longer and no-one was trying to overthrow HER…….
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
If you only read one newspaper story today, I recommend it be this one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/magazine/27christie-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Yes, the NY Times has a particular political slant, but this piece about New Jersey governor Chris Christie doesnt paint him as a madman or a saint. It stresses that most US states are in a deep financial hole,and Christie is one governor who has decided to stop digging.
h/t Whaleoil
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
RightNow @ 1.16pm – “we’ll just wind back the increases public servants have received since 1999. Problem solved painlessly.”
I hope that’s sarcasm. If not, which public servants would you take it from – hospitals? ambulance crews? firemen? police?
cheers
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
The hypocritical Gore and followers love the green colour of the dollar, while shouting their “passion” for the environment.
New Soros investment fund, profiting off Obama’s ‘green energy’ push, hires top Obama energy aide
George Soros — whom we’re always told is not serving his own economic interests at all by promoting liberal politicians and big-government policies — is launching a new investment fund that plans to profit off of the “green energy” boom, which is entirely dependent on government subsidies supported by the groups Soros funds.
As the press release puts it, this fund will “leverage technology and business model innovation to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and emissions, harness renewable energy, and more efficiently use natural resources, among other applications.” As Soros puts it in the same release: “Developing alternative sources of energy and achieving greater energy efficiency is both a significant global investment opportunity and an environmental imperative.”
So, yeah. The big-government policies advanced by the liberal outfits he funds — like Center for American Progress — will enrich the companies in which Soros is investing.
The press release casually mentions whom Soros is hiring to run this new fund: Cathy Zoi, who was Barack Obama’s “Acting Under Secretary for Energy and Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.”
An Al Gore acolyte, Zoi was Obama’s point-woman on subsidising green tech. Now she’s going to work for George Soros to profit off of subsidised green tech.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/02/new-soros-hedge-fun-profiting-obamas-green-energy-push-hires-top-
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@DavidR
You sound like every Labour party hack in history….
Vote:The moment ANY cut backs are mentioned you immediately postulate the money will come from hospitals etc. Such a loop back!
No I suggest the USELESS areas of government spending; Ministry of (insert leftist cause here)
February 25th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
What i don;t get with this ‘poll’ showing people supporting a levy for the earthquake is, have they not already given money?
most people have donated what they could. if you have already donated why do you feel the need to make the government inefficiently take more away from you.
or is it (like the greens) some people see value in forcing others to do something above what they have done willingly. do they not value personal charity? why the desire to make the state involved in everything.
i wondered if the moment the idea of a levy came out that somehow, the ‘poor’ would be exempt. if you are earning under 50K and have two kids you pay no tax, so have not contributed anyway, and now you get another free pass?
I have donated what i felt i could afford right now. being self employed i have to be careful of cashflow. there is a chance that there will be a runon effect from the quake that will hit my business, or it could boost it. once i can see how its going i may be able to donate more. i assume others are in a very similar position, or if PAYE will donate some each pay. what part of this requires any force from the state?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
DavidR – I’m sure you’re smart enough to look at the context behind the comment.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Manolo – Cathy Zoi already has a pedigree for profiting from obvious conflicts of interest:
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/more-global-warming-profiteering-by-obama-energy-official/
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Thank you, RightNow.
I’m starting to understand what the Messiah meant by his motto “Hope and Change”.
A crook surrounded by crooks. I commend to your attention Michelle Malkin’s “Obama: Culture of Corruption”.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
There certainly seems to be a never ending queue lining up to pick the pocket of the taxpayer. Here, there, everywhere.
If I’m to believe in the universal right to collectively bargain then there must similarly be the right for taxpayers to also bargain as collectives. We should be able (in groups small and large) to withhold our contributions until our demands are met, and to do so without threat of recrimination.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Quiz time folks……
Name the first Kiwi political party to use the Christchurch tragedy to score cheap political points?
.
.
.
.
.
That’s right, the dirty, stinking communist wankers also know as the Green Party.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4703110/Call-for-levy-to-rebuild-Christchurch
I used to simply dislike the Greens, now it is full blown hatred, they are nothing but scum who have no decency at all.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Remember all those people the EPMU managed to mobilise for the Mana by election?
How come they cannot mobilise the same amount of people to help in Christchurch?
Or is it that there are no votes in it?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
RN certainly has a itch that requires constant scratching with his obvious dislike of normal labour rights for civil servants.
There are lots of statistics being thrown around in the Wisconsin example, but perhaps the most notable is that the governor, Scott Walker, besides enthusiastically accepting the offer of a “good time” from a caller whom he thought was David Koch, has authorised 170 million dollars of tax cuts to corporates.
The excuse is always that it creates jobs when, in reality, it’s just part of a race to the bottom that exacerbates inequality and is another step towards the complete destruction of the middle class. For the ultimate consequences of that, just look at the Middle East today.
It’s not so funny that the loony right, although praising the free market (of which freely bargained for conditions are a part) always see the path to growth one of reducing incomes! That’s why they love the exploitation of kids via Youth rates.
However, this must be a real killer for RN: according to the NZ Herald, the restriction on collective bargaining does not apply to salaries. Why would a new governor use up so much political capital for so little gain? Not to mention the fact that all the unions involved have all already agreed to the cuts the governor asked for!
And RN still hasn’t answered the inconsistency I pointed out to him that sees Police and Fire Service personnel exempted from the bill (although they are still joining the opposition).
But isn’t wonderful to see the American public taking their cue from Arabs. mainly Muslims, even, on effective demonstrations?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
You have to laugh at the brazen attempt by the Luddites to score political points at the expense of the Christchurch tragedy.
The Greens are known harbingers of misery, but this call from Norman and deranged companions gets the top prize for stupidity.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Manolo 11:40 I guess that’s reason #958 to loathe the left.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
heh, this is funny: http://falfn.com/CrusaderRabbit/?p=5150#more-5150
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Longknives 12:14 Yes, they’re pretty selective who they go after aren’t they? Speaking of the Dalai Lama; is his number two the Dalai Alpaca?
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I suppose the immigration department are the equivalent here?
Mind you it might not have the effect you desire. I know of an incident where a Somali didn’t want to be deported so when they tried to move him he smeared his own shit all over himself.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
This wowser’s suggestion would delight Shane Jones.
A ridiculous idea from a bunch of killjoys that should not, must not, be heeded.
Treat alcohol like adult movies, MPs urged
Displaying alcohol in supermarkets should be treated in the same way as dirty movies are displayed in a video store, the Alcohol Reform Bill select committee was told yesterday.
Alcohol Action said the proposals adapted by the Government from a Law Commission report into alcohol reform did not go far enough. Alcohol should not be easily accessible and should not be displayed at the front of stores or with other products such as fruit and vegetables, the group said yesterday.
“Supermarkets are treating alcohol like it’s a commodity rather than a drug,” spokeswoman Professor Jennie Connor said.
“It should be treated like dirty movies, they should be in one corner of the supermarket at the back.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10708513
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Luc, you keep arguing in favour of public servants to have the right of collective bargaining. On the flip-side what rights do taxpayers have if they wish to bargain for better terms? To be consistent you’d have to accept that groups of taxpayers could withdraw their tax ‘contributions’ as a tool in the bargaining process. Bring it on.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
DavidR 2:02pm. Hmmm Womens Affairs, most of the Quangos, Maori [racist] Affairs … there’s a long list that could be greatly reduced or eliminated. Socialists with BAs in Art History and ‘Climate Science’ would have to find jobs in the real world.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Funny to see unionistas holding up signs saying ‘Defend Democracy’ at a rally to support their ‘rights’ to extort money from the taxpayers.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
BB; Does that post about the Greens mean you are having second thoughts?
Vote:Last week Rodney was the object of youir distain.
Would be nice if you were to get it right, like right as in politics.
February 25th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
RN is once again avoiding the real debate, which is: what is really behind this attempt in Wisconsin to curtail worker rights?
Being anti-collective bargaining as a matter of ideology is entirely valid, as is an anti-union stance, but when specific arguments are being advanced, as they are by the Wisconsin governor, which, when fact-checked, can be seen to be at variance to reality, then one is entitled to wonder just what the governor is hiding.
So let’s stick to the matter at hand, RN, and not hive us all off on irrelevant tangents.
(PS Just watching the fundamentalist Christians Oliver North and Sean Hannity enthusiastically praying for the death, preferable slow and painful, of the Libyan dictator – ahh, Christians, don’t you love them?)
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
What’s wrong with that? I’m an atheist, but all the same I wish the dictator Gaddafi dies a long and painful death at the hand of his executors.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Luc, the real debate is the principle of whether public sector unions should have the same collective bargaining rights as private sector unions. I know you’re in favour of it, you just don’t have any sound reasons to back up your position. You’re playing Cleese’s part in the Argument Clinic.
In the private sector the employer faced with a collective bargaining for their rights can ultimately just close down the business and start again if the demands are too egregious. What option does the taxpayer have when collective bargaining is allowed in the public service?
Stop obfuscating and present some sound reasoning. So far you’re all piss and wind.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Say, David Prosser
Can you point to a university in New Zealand that has a degree course in “Climate Science”?
I just checked the Auckland University website, and found no such thing. The reason is because climate covers so many aspects of science, including maths, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, etc etc. No Climate Science category, sorry to burst your bubble.
One would have to be a pretty superb polymath to become an expert in everything to do with climate! Which just points out how stupid some on here are when they think anyone who has an opinion on climate change should somehow get qualified in all these aspects, like, overnight.
Generally, climate scientist are specialists in one aspect who add their work to that of other disciplines, and build up a body of evidence for a credible conclusion.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
On quake day, John Key was due to meet the American free-masons/banker globalists who seem to be preparing for a global fascist-neoliberal hybrid world order by forming the world into regional blocks first. The explosion that caused the quake was the size of an atomic weapon (quote CNN). These two facts are a little creepy put together, but this website is just quite amazing. lol
http://bobparkerengineeredthechchquake.blogspot.com/
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
magic bullet, you’re the reptilian one. Get lost, you lowlife.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
The reptilian thing is just nuts. That quote is demonstrably true.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
RN
Reagan fired famously fired the air traffic controllers.
There is no way you can ever postulate to me that governments are victims of unions. It’s a victimisation syndrome taken to extremes.
My argument is that human rights, including labour rights, should not be subject to discrimination on the grounds of who the employer is. Having said that, public sector unions are generally subject to tight regulations on their right to strike. As is the case in Wisconsin. A poster above mentioned teachers calling in sick as a means of circumventing the anti-strike laws.
What you are doing is introducing arguments that are not being utilised in the Wisconsin dispute.
Now hearing on Fox News that State Troopers are scouring the state for the Democrats. The land of the free, huh?
Since when is it compulsory to provide a quorum to one’s opponents?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
“For a case study in how public-sector unions manipulate both supply and demand, consider the example of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, the CCPOA lobbied the state government to increase California’s prison facilities — since more prisons would obviously mean more jobs for corrections officers. And between 1980 and 2000, the Golden State constructed 22 new prisons for adults (before 1980, California had only 12 such facilities). The CCPOA also pushed for the 1994 “three strikes” sentencing law, which imposed stiff penalties on repeat offenders. The prison population exploded — and, as intended, the new prisoners required more guards. The CCPOA has been no less successful in increasing members’ compensation: In 2006, the average union member made $70,000 a year, and more than $100,000 with overtime. Corrections officers can also retire with 90% of their salaries as early as age 50. Today, an amazing 11% of the state budget — more than what is spent on higher education — goes to the penal system”
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
The basis of my support for collective bargaining can be found in the http://www.amnesty.org.au/about/comments/21681/
Specifically:
Slam dunk, really, RN.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Actually, I do wonder what Key is negotiating with the Americans at this time of media black-out. John Key basically has carte blanche to do what ever the hell he likes now, and be free from public scrutiny. This is the time when vigilance against tyranny is most needed. However emotionally difficult it may be to accept – you must resist the natural urge to shoot the messenger.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
It seems the revolution is spreading. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360487/Public-sector-workers-gold-plated-pensions-halved.html
Freedom for the taxpayer!
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Hey Luc – go get the dictionary and look up ‘trade’.
Slammed and dunked little guy.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
To magic bullet
bang bang
Just to be first
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
John Key, along with the American Bankers want an ANZAC currency. This is what they were due to discuss on the day of the quake. What i want to know now is, what has happened to those talks? Are they being carried out now by Key’s underlings? Or perhaps Key’s superiors in the New York Banking community where he made his millions? Can we expect the news to cover these things at the moment?
All very interesting questions IMO.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Two and a Half Men to stop filming. Shame, one of my favourite shows. Mind you if they replaced it with a reality show just following Sheen around with a camera it would probably be even better.
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/02/24/cbs-reportedly-shuts-half-men-season-charile-sheen-behavior/
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Very good Luc – minor internal laugh…
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
V2
Where did you ever get the idea I was a Green supporter?
As for Winston Hide…..there is no chance he will ever get my vote either.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I spotted this statistical snippet in last weekends SST, that natural catastrophes have increased in number from 30 in 1970 to 130 last year. I don’t know the provenance for that statistic, so I went looking for more information.
This, from one of the giant reinsurance companies mentioned in the article, is informative: http://www.munichre.com/en/media_relations/press_releases/2010/2010_09_27_press_release.aspx
Especially,
{Why do Fox trot out Dick Morris – he’s always so wrong!}
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
I spotted this biography on the AFLCIO website:
http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/history/history/meany.cfm
I wonder what George Meany had to say about the idea of public sector unions?
““It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government.”
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/02/18/the-first-blow-against-public-employees/fdr-warned-us-about-public-sector-unions
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Is Magic Bullet another alias for Trevor Mallard?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Hey pentwig – thanks for supporting tyranny. Please play again.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Sorry to reignite.
Corage wolf at 1010 says “most people do not believe….”
I think our last census shows NZ to be over 60% Christian. (Iwill take a correction from any clever fellow with a link )
The ME is full of Muslims who definitly believe. Africa probably has very few aetheists. South America, thanks to the conquistadors is very Roman.
Vote:Asians are a mix of many religions.
Where are Coward woofs “most people”,Dawkins is not a majority.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Friday Funny: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5474333318_d79c8022ee_z.jpg
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
I had a thought that the Govt. take over the Pike River coal mine, it has 4-6 Billion dollars worth of coal in it. Open cast it and all profits to the Christchurch rebuild.
Vote:Nobody should have a problem with that. Would a greenie be so heartless?
February 25th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
# kowtow (966) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Sorry to reignite.
Corage wolf at 1010 says “most people do not believe….”
I think our last census shows NZ to be over 60% Christian. (Iwill take a correction from any clever fellow with a link )
The ME is full of Muslims who definitly believe. Africa probably has very few aetheists. South America, thanks to the conquistadors is very Roman.
Asians are a mix of many religions.
Where are Coward woofs “most people”,Dawkins is not a majority.
I probably should have made it more grammatically correct but of course had you quoted my full sentence you would see that I was saying the reason most people do not believe in God is because of injustice, i.e. the reason most people who do not believe in God out of those who do not believe in God do not believe in God is because of injustice
Of course as you would know Jesus also said those who claim to believe in Him and utter His name will not necessarily enter into the afterlife – what with God saying to them: “Away from me, evildoers, I never knew you,” and what have you. I daresay this accounts for quite a few of that 60% that don’t necessarily subscribe to the idea of receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and speak in tongues whilst falling over during the Sunday morning Pentecostal power-pop God is superman and better than ice-cream singing sessions.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Where is this God ? I seek him but he has not come.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I don’t actually seek him, starboard, but if he happened over my way I’d have some tough questions to ask that prick!
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
“Munich Re’s natural catastrophe database, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, shows a marked increase in the number of weather-related events. For instance, globally there has been a more than threefold increase in loss-related floods since 1980″
heck Luc, are you telling us you believe what a great big evil capitalist corporate poor bashing corporate like Munich Re says?
Vote:Also real scientists look at the data from the 1800′s which show clearly there is no increase…They dont really think data from 1980 to 2010 is long enough to judge a climate trend. Nice try though.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
State troopers scouring Wisconsin for the MIA democrats who are getting paid for avoiding
doing their duty is just like truant officers looking for kids who are wagging it.
Why is it that virtually the only field of endevour where total incompetents have the protection
of their union and are never fired is school teaching ?
Why is it that performance based pay is sacreligiuos to the PPTA
Vote:I heard recently that in New Zealand of over 300 teachers who were investigated for being
useless, totally useless, illiterate nincompoops, only one has been dismissed.
How does that work ?
February 25th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Anyone interested to the answer as to why school teachers are never dismissed when they prove to be
Vote:useless incompetants i will draw you a picture and spell it out for you later today,
Think about it.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
argghhh
starboard,I’ve just noticed the number after your moniker…….argghhhh,deduct 1000 which of course is one milleneum and we are left with arghhhh the mark of the BEAST arrgghhhh.
If , if you then are the BEAST then there must be a God ………proof at last,here on kiwiblog, a sign.!!!!!
and Luc you can put your questions now , not to God but to the Beast that will be called starboard. Here ,here on kiwiblog, all answers to the mystery that is life on Earth . From our very own starboard.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
shit I know..I just noticed that myself.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
kneel before me…
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
..and now its magically changed to 1668..
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
What mystery, starboard?
Hey All Red – got a link to a peer reviewed journal, preferably on the ISI master list of journals for your “real scientists” findings of no increase in weather events since 1800?
Also, 30 years is exactly the time period used worldwide to define climate as opposed to weather.
What’s the bet you just hide under a rock?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
[useless trivia]1666 was also the year of the great fire of London, and another period of ‘end times’ hysteria because of the 666 number.
[/useless trivia]
Vote:In a few posts starboard you’ll be up to the (English) Bill of Rights
February 25th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
ah well back to me rum.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
73-6….need I tell anybody which side is batting?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
red rum?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Ain’t gonna be much suspense in this one – may as well leave the beer in the fridge.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Luc
No rock just putting a 2yo to bed.
Try this. Some nice graphs for you and links to papers by:
Global Tropical Cyclone Activity -Dr Ryan Maue
Crompton and Macaney (2008)
Bureau of Meteorology -Tropical Cyclone Trends
http://joannenova.com.au/2011/02/questions-real-journalists-ought-to-be-asking-about-yasi/
Read and learn. You really need to give up on some of your sources
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Luc, you probably should read this too. That positive feedback from radiative forcing aint happening to get that “extra” 2-4 degrees. Thats why we are only seeing .7 per century, and after 30 years the anomaly is now only .083 above the start point -source UAH series
Vote:http://www.drroyspencer.com/latest-global-temperatures/
http://joannenova.com.au/2008/10/the-missing-hotspot/
February 25th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Coruba and coke…just booootiful..
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Say, has anyone seen my graph of global world population lying around? It’s shaped like a hockey stick.
Having a nice home-brewed ale myself.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
ahh, Sauvignon and the sweet feeling of having fisked a moron.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
A beautiful woman crushed in the earthquake..you wouldnt meet a nicer person..an air traffic controller here in chc..why?
Vote:Why not the scum who stole the power generators? Why the good people? Where is this God? I want some questions answered. You bastard. Tell me why.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
“just putting a 2yo to bed.” you lucky lucky bastard. I can’t get mine to sleep before at least 8!
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
The slackcaps 85 for 6 ,fuck stay there NO ONE will notice this team of rubbish slackers has not returned home. Should i call them crapcaps or slackcaps so many insults so little time
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Ice Beer here, not usually a drinker but made an exception tonight.
Always a bit suspicious of wine drinkers…
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Luc……Luc….where have you gone?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
starboard you from chch? You alright down there mate?
Bruv just shut up already. In the time it took me to walk home we went from 60-2 to 80-6.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
nah mate Im not good. Ive seen to much.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
nickb
You walked home?…are you a closet Green?
There are things called cars that you can use.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
starboard
Then get the hell out for a few days mate, you and your family are welcome here.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Shame on you.
Vote:Only three beverages are worth drinking: fine wine, good beer and single malt whisky.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Alan Jones challenges and exposes the liar Australian Prime Minister Gillard.
http://www.2gb.com/index2.php?option=com_newsmanager&task=view&id=8186
Hat Tip: TrueBlue
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I’m here, I’m here…
I’ve got a Jo Nova link for you too. I’ve been really enjoying following Shelly in the comments thread for the announcement of a deniers conference!
http://joannenova.com.au/2010/09/join-us-in-sydney-friday-october-1/
Some of them even quote Monckton! FFS!
And they trot out the usual lies. But then, de Freitas is pretty good at that himself.
Talking about 2yos – ours is pretty tough at the moment. She has late sleeps then won’t sleep again till 9 or so!
Yay! We made our ton!
All Red – don’t forget the other .7C that’s in the pipeline. It coming at ya, and it’s going to hit like a freight train! The tragedy here, living in sweetly temperate NZ, is that we can safely ignore the misfortunes of those already suffering from climate change. But of course, these are overwhelmingly black/brown and Muslim, so we don’t care, do we?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Id love to BB and thank you for the offer. We are outa here May 2nd for 6 weeks overseas and the time cant come quick enough believe me.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Thats no good mate, sorry to hear.
Do you have a holiday home etc you can make it to?
I can’t speak for people down there but I would be getting out for a few weeks if I could
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
121 – 7
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Oh and starboard if you are thinking of waving guns around you could start worse by pointing them at the skinheads that stole those generators…. lowlife pieces of shit
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Lol Luc, I can just see you grinning to yourself as you troll through comment threads looking for someone dumb enough for you to feel superior to.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
All Red
When you start posting credible peer-reviewed journal articles (or sources where these are referenced), you are wasting our time. Any of us can invent data and doctor graphs to make them look the opposite of what they really mean.
Every credible government, every single national science academy and 98% of scientists actively engaged in climate research all agree with the IPCC consensus reports, which are very conservative. I am sure the next will convey more urgency.
Their is no scientific uncertainty about the broad fact that the planet is in an energy imbalance which is causing warming. The uncertainty is about the effects of that warming, and report after report indicates that the changes are coming faster than previously believed.
And you all need to understand this: the hockey stick graph was reviewed under the orders of the US Congress and not only found valid, but its reach (ie handle, if you like) was extended back another 500 years or so.
But, I know, facts mean nothing.
PS A peer-reviewed study on Tibetan glaciers by those who know them best: http://zh.scichina.com/new_web_en/News.asp?id=850
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Luc,
So you would be referring to the Hockey Stick effect then? (oh yes, I see you are desperately trying to. Keep clinging Luc, you must have a shred of fingernail left yet.) Or perhaps the eradication of the Himalayian Glaciers within 25-odd years? Or, really, just any old piece of IPCC-endorsed material?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Oh and starboard if you are thinking of waving guns around you could start worse by pointing them at the skinheads that stole those generators…. lowlife pieces of shit
Not to mention these guys here.
Does the fact this family has been heavily featured in the media over the last few days in photo galleries mean these guys did it knowing what the family was going through, or was it all just a coincidence, out of the thousands of other properties, they just happened to chose that one.
Depends who they are doesn’t it. Really looking forward to seeing their faces on TV.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Luc are you still wanking on about AGW science as if that makes any diff at all? Fuck is it because now phil’s been banned you have to fill-in for awhile? So you get all fanatical about something about which all the arguments are the same and whatever you quote and whatever I or anyone else quotes makes no difference at all?
Get off it mate, we know what you think, we just think you’re quite wrong. Change the subject.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
All Red
For comprehensive rebuttal of Dr Roy Spencer see here
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Unconfirmed reports…that Gaddaffi has been assassinated.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I’m really pissed they have canned the census.
I wanted to see if I could not do four of them without getting caught.
I’ve got a better record than the Wizard of Oamaru and I don’t even de-materialize like he can.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
It was obviously a mercy killing by the fashion police joana.
http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://nehandaradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Muammar-Gaddafi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nehandaradio.com/2010/09/01/gaddafi-calls-african-migrants-%25E2%2580%2598starving-and-ignorant%25E2%2580%2599/&usg=__vAhL7tmBTT5VUtvE3UmuRTP264w=&h=393&w=610&sz=64&hl=en&start=90&zoom=1&tbnid=CqO1CFx6_-kdOM:&tbnh=145&tbnw=208&ei=8VZnTZbrKYyosQO-nOCmBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgaddafi%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1507%26bih%3D803%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C2128&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=343&vpy=226&dur=5921&hovh=180&hovw=280&tx=184&ty=113&oei=eVZnTd_IEYiosAPg1tjuBA&page=4&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:90&biw=1507&bih=803
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
# starboard (1,674) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
A beautiful woman crushed in the earthquake..you wouldnt meet a nicer person..an air traffic controller here in chc..why?
Why not the scum who stole the power generators? Why the good people? Where is this God? I want some questions answered. You bastard. Tell me why.
Answers simple if you think about it.
Vote:You are not likely to get killed lying around some scummy house whereas those beautiful people go to work and suffer the consequences.
These scum should be sent to Singapore jails.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
196 – 8…..is there a glimmer of hope?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
One of the things I will never get about the left is they way that so many of them are prepared to make excuses for the low life who loot, rob and steal during a crisis like the one we have in Christchurch.
Why on earth do they defend them?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
No trouble reid – change of topic: A good day for us.
Our kind neighbour (just below us) took out some trees today and added another $20,000 at least to our house value by widening our view of the inner harbour. We look directly out onto the Greenhithe bridge, can see both ends it and surrounding vista, and can now actually see our Hercules land on the other side of the harbour.
Nice BBQ view
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Maybe not…….206 all out.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Gotta look after your supporters BB.
Take a look at the Green/Labour line up.
Only a low life would vote for a bunch of retarded, losers like them.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
You are not likely to get killed lying around some scummy house whereas those beautiful people go to work and suffer the consequences.
..The poor girl was in the city mall shopping..she got crushed by falling masonry..she was on her way to buy an engagement ring with her partner…bastard God you fuckin tell me why…show yourself and explain…you bastard.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
thats right..you cant can you..you dont exist. Yeah whatever…strike me down..pfft.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Good on ya for doing it Luc but next time IIWY (if I were you) I’d try something a bit more dynamic, like:
joanna, re: alleged Gaddafi assassination, got a link?
-or-
bastard God you fuckin tell me why…show yourself and explain…you bastard
G-d’s justice is unfathomable. Look what He has allowed in the past and will continue. This is not an issue for those with faith but please don’t imagine we don’t also ask the question.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Starboard, to take an alternative view of it … if there is no God then how is anyone dying in an earthquake a tragedy? How is it “unfair”?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Johnboy (4,310) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I’m really pissed they have canned the census.
I wanted to see if I could not do four of them without getting caught.
I’ve got a better record than the Wizard of Oamaru and I don’t even de-materialize like he can.
I can match you, census for census and would have easily made four.
Maybe this god fellow lives in NZ and also had a run going – for a fellow who has a habit of mass murdering children to get back at their parents an earthquake to avoid a census should be easy.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
I didn’t watch much of the nz innings but saw the last wicket. I think we had 4 or 5 overs to go and could have got 15 or so in ones or twos. So what does he do — tries to get 20 off one ball. I remember that when the needle was coaching the Orblax anyone running the ball out in front of the posts would be reduced to a quivering mess in the changing rooms. Maybe time for some more needle. If any batsman does that sort of shit they should be too bloody scared to go back to the dressing room. They should be bloody well ashamed of themselves. How did the others go out? Give their wickets away?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Ah well, cricket’s kaput, but I’ll keep an eye it on once toddler has gone to sleep in front of her cartoons. I’d put her to bed but her Mum’s sick and sleeping and baby would wake her up bawling about going to bed.
Time for a quick catch up on Al Jazeera; watch the latest http://www.democracynow.org with Amy Goodman;catch up on Rachel Maddow at msnbc, then maybe see if Keith Olberman has got started on Al Gore’s channel.
Just a quiet Friday night.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
I’m beginning to understand, Luc.
Maybe this G-d fellow lives in NZ
No this was for a time in the 70′s mistaken for heaven when Jesus Christ Superstar West End show landed here and everyone started calling it God-Zone. However that didn’t last after the 1987 crash and it’s been pretty subdued since then.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
How did you do it Tinnie?
I just tossed it in the fire and told them I had posted it when they came round.
Never heard anymore.
When I used to fill them in I used to lie like buggery.
I really feel it is every citizens duty to fuck the bureaucrats at every opportunity.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Be fair reid
I spent the afternoon watching Glenn beck, Bill O’Reilly, Hannity and some aging blonde whose name I forget. Only while running around after toddler, I admit.
I like Bill – he’s a grandfatherly type but boy, is he fucked up bigtime in his politics and his idea of FACTS (that five letter obscenity for right wing loons)!
Anyway, I forgot to let you guys know, the Federal Govt in the US is no longer defending the DOMA (act that says marriage can only be between a man and a woman) so it’s only a matter of time before gay marriage is widespread in the US. The lovely Rachel Maddow looked pretty happy at the news. I wonder why?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
the Federal Govt in the US is no longer defending the DOMA (act that says marriage can only be between a man and a woman) so it’s only a matter of time before gay marriage is widespread in the US.
Why that’s wonderful news Luc. Isn’t it super that the institution of marriage which I understand goes even beyond Western civilisation is being undermined by the superficial value of lust.
I don’t know about you Luc but personally I’m very very happy about that and think it’s a very good thing indeed, not. Cause I’m afraid Luc I don’t buy the “human right” argument. I’m afraid I don’t agree that preventing gay couples from becoming indistinguishable from straight couples in every way is an abuse of human rights. I’m afraid I think there are deep psychological dynamics that happen within straight families which don’t happen in gay families. The male-female dynamics of a straight family with father mother son and daughter more accurately reflect the actual microcosm of real life and that’s just the simple fact of it.
It’s amazing how many useful idiots there are isn’t it.
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
reid
Who says you are useful?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Johnboy
The census form can be a bit of a laugh, when you get to the bit about naming the people in your house that evening I like to write down names like…
1 Mr N Mandela
2 Mr J Lennon
3 Mr G Best
4 Ms P Anderson
5 Mr J Christ
How the hell would they know you are telling porkies?
Vote:February 25th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
virtualmark – “… if there is no God then how is anyone dying in an earthquake a tragedy?”
Because, from many accounts, it appears to hurt like fucking hell, and that seems a tragedy.
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 12:31 am
It is always interesting when the non believers start cursing a God they don’t believe in for an event that is as natural as rain, day and night, and the changes in the seasons.
NZ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for earthquakes.
It is up to us to learn about, and then live in harmony (as best we can) with the land we live on.
Vote:A tragic loss of life is sometimes the only thing that causes us to shift our values to where they need to be, these people don’t need to die in vain , they can save many lives in the future if we approach this terrible event the right way.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:12 am
Luc Hansen 3:55 pm. Is there no ‘climate science’ degree? I was being a tad facetious. I should have said Art History and ‘Gender Studies’. That is to say degrees in subjects where you can waffle on, and still get a pass. Not like engineering or math.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 6:35 am
big bruv 8:30pm. They’re defending their voting base.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 7:24 am
Johnboy (4,311) Says:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
How did you do it Tinnie?
I just told them I was somewhere else and filled in the form there – after they finally found me which I made sure wasn’t easy.
As you noted no one ever checked.
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 7:30 am
Gaddafi trying to bribe the insurgents. These are desperate times for the (hopefully) soon-to-be-hanged dictator.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2011/0225/Libya-s-Qaddafi-offers-400-per-family-as-rebels-close-in-on-Tripoli
As anti-government forces and demonstrators draw nearer to Libya’s capital, Tripoli, Qaddafi appears to be further losing his grip on power.
In an attempt to appease the masses – possibly inspired by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who promised his subject $36 billion in benefits to stave off any potential revolutionaries – Libya’s besieged leader on Friday pledged a 150% increase in some government workers’ wages and promised to give every family $400.
Libyan state television announced the increase and said each family would receive $400 to help them cope with the rising food prices.
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 11:22 am
The horrible Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, and tireless Democratic leader defender of the poor:
Chocolate strawberries among extravagant demands by Nancy Pelosi as she spent $101,000 in two years on services while travelling with US Airforce
The former House Speaker was showered with a cornucopia of gourmet food and alcohol as she travelled over 90,000 miles around the world in just nine months last year – all courtesy of the US Air Force.
On one overseas excursion, her office even wrote to the USAF asking for strawberries dipped in dark chocolate as a birthday treat.
The documents, uncovered by political corruption watchdog Judicial Watch, reveal that the US taxpayer was billed for $101,429 (£64,000) in Mrs Pelosi’s in-flight services over a period of two years. One internal Air Force email sent on March 25, 2010 said: ‘The speaker’s office is requesting egg salad sandwiches on wheat toast with fruit for dessert.
‘It’s the speaker’s B-Day tomorrow so we’re also asking for something like chocolate covered strawberries (dark chocolate preferred)…’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351005/Air-Taxpayer-Chocolate-strawberries-extravagant-demands-Nancy-Pelosi-travelled-world-courtesy-US-Airforce.html
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Yvette, just to be clear, I’m not saying it isn’t a tragedy. And I was there, right in it. A man died less than 100m down the road from where I was. I think that was a tragedy.
But starboard is trolling, trying to use a 3rd formers understanding of religion to score points in some game he thinks is important. My post was just to turn his spurious questions around on himself.
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
To David Prosser
Interesting that you mention engineering and maths – two vital components of climate research. Along with the other sciences like physics. I can attest to the fact that i never found much “waffle room” in physics.
Cheers
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
# Shunda barunda (1,530) Says:
February 26th, 2011 at 12:31 am
It is always interesting when the non believers start cursing a God they don’t believe in for an event that is as natural as rain, day and night, and the changes in the seasons.
NZ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for earthquakes.
It is up to us to learn about, and then live in harmony (as best we can) with the land we live on.
A tragic loss of life is sometimes the only thing that causes us to shift our values to where they need to be, these people don’t need to die in vain , they can save many lives in the future if we approach this terrible event the right way.
It is always interesting when the believers start praying to a God they believe in for an event that is as natural as rain, day and night, and the changes in the seasons.
NZ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for earthquakes.
It is up to us to learn about, and then live in harmony (as best we can) with the land we live on.
A tragic loss of life is sometimes the only thing that causes us to shift our values to where they need to be, these people don’t need to die in vain , they can save many lives in the future if we approach this terrible event the right way.
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
As one of the worlds most committed atheists I have to say that at time like this the I can see the value in religion for those who believe.
Over the coming weeks many people will start to crack up, some will turn to booze, some may even turn to drugs, others will turn to religion, I think most of us would agree that a few hundred new followers of middle eastern superstition is preferable to people becoming drunks or druggies.
I see nothing wrong with it at all, at times like this religion can be a good thing, just as long as they do not try and tell me how to live my life or try and force me to change based on their beliefs.
Vote:February 26th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
‘ere!
What the hell’s wrong with being a drunk?
The rest I agree with, people need gods.
I have several.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:19 am
Luc Hansen 1:12pm It’s quite possible to BS your way through university by taking a bunch of soft humanities subjects, and ending up with a ‘BA’. Then you can go and work as a ‘policy analyst’ and have a job for life.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:58 am
The thug Harawira speaks after his expulsion from the racists’ party. As usual, he blames the white man.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/4709372/Maori-MPs-just-pawns-says-Hone/
Maori MPs just pawns
Maori politicians are being used as political pawns by mainstream parties, Hone Harawira has told a Native American news service.
According to Indian Country Today Media, the former Maori Party MP, who is now an independent, said: “Maori people who hold office with white parties are basically ignored. They are trotted out to do a speech, and then kicked out of the room when the decisions are made.”
When asked about the importance of dedicated indigenous seats in parliament, he added: “At that level it’s about learning the skills of macro management, rather than bullshitting yourself that you’re part of the government, because the white boys will kick you out.”
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 8:12 am
Comrade MacacaCarten weekly column in support of the thug Harawira:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10708966
You can say what you like about Harawira, but no one doubts his sincerity when it comes to fighting for the poor. This is a constituency screaming out for a staunch champion. In Harawira they’ll get one.
I suspect Harawira’s new party will get one to three seats from his party list in addition to his own. As a consequence, even if the Maori Party leadership stuck with National after the election they would be neutralised by Harawira if he got other MPs in with him. Hell would freeze over before Harawira went with National.
Given that the Maori seats will overwhelmingly support Labour on the party vote, it’s quite possible all seven MPs will back a Labour-led government as part of a joint negotiation strategy.
Taking into account there will be more than 120 seats in the next parliament (in the event that the Maori Party wins more electorate seats than its party vote), the National Party, even with Peter Dunne and Act, will need 47 per cent of the party vote to win a majority. Last election they got 45.
Any takers for John Key sleepwalking to victory now?
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 8:30 am
McCarten: Harawira expulsion may be Key’s undoing
It’s more likely it will be Harawira’s undoing.
I suspect Harawira’s new party will get one to three seats from his party list in addition to his own.
I suspect McCarten is dreaming, The MP get a poor party vote, how will Harawira do much better?
…but no one doubts his sincerity when it comes to fighting for the poor.
I’d rather speak for myself on that – I don’t doubt his sincerity when it comes to fighting for the “poor me”.
Vote:I also don’t doubt his apparent lack of reality.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Also note that the other racist low life party the Greens are quick to agree with John Hatfield.
Both Hatfield and the Greens deserve each other, their is nothing more sickening than a middle class liberal with white man’s guilt syndrome.
Vote: