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August 31, 2024 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 31 August 2024

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General Debate

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Scott

I got the Act newsletter recently and it highlights the Act policies that have been enacted by the Coalition government. It’s an impressive list, particularly the initiatives on race relations. As we know the previous govt was all in on cogovernance, secretly implementing the He Puapua report.

Act policy initiatives include:
– “The Māori Health Authority is gone, the very idea of a health system divided in two is anathema to a party that believes in each person having the same basic right to healthcare, regardless of ancestry”
– Military style academies for serious youth offenders
– Section 27 cultural reports gone
– Labour’s prison reduction target gone
– Three waters gone
– Local referendums on Maori wards now required
– Kainga Ora tenants can now be evicted for repeated anti social behaviour
– Section 7AA, the Treaty clause of the Oranga Tamariki Act, is going
– Other initiatives include, The oil and gas ban will be gone this year.
– Charter schools are back.
So I think that’s an impressive list. This govt has hit the ground running and is rolling back the agenda of the worst govt ever. More power to them I say. 😎
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August 31, 2024 8:02am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Agreed, Scott. It’s easy to moan about what hasn’t been done, but it’s important to sniff the roses as one passes through life.
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:16am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Perhaps the usual suspects on here could say this. How are any of those points above been labour lite
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:06pm
- peterwn
  
  The trick now is to give Chris Hipkins and the Green Party enough rope …..
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:35am
  - AitchW
    
    Sadly, for a significant part of the population, Labour et al can do no wrong.
    Don’t believe me? Take a look at the standard.org.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:51am
    - Matt Long
      
      Don’t confuse the deranged shouting into the ether at The Standard for public opinion.
      Opinion polls, and the public service are much more concerning.
      
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      August 31, 2024 10:05am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Some usual subjects have gone a bit quiet on socials, especially ones that argue over the slightest post against the Marxists .
      
      As each improved piece of data coming through which appears to be daily at present.
      
      The huge lift in business confidence threw them off the other day. Crap like government is lying, even though it was the business confidence survey that is for the next 12 months, not the previous, they can’t understand that lower inflation and interest rates change people’s out look, the left are so delusional
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:18pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Hipkins has already hung himself, two points come to mind. The gutless apology after Luxon gave councils a stir up, only for Nats to explain after Hipkins apologised that if councils wanted to partner with government on large infrastructure projects they need to get back to basics, that made Hipkins look like a small weak turd.
    
    Then he stated Maori did not cede sovereignty, no pm in history including himself have stopped so low.
    
    And don’t get me started on his over turning oil and gas.
    
    I have noted recently older Labour MPs speaking on their own outside of Hipkins, I am sure the axe is above Hipkins head, he will be lanced like a boil before Christmas or straight after
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:12pm
- pdm
  
  ACT has hit the ground running Scott.
  
  Simeon Brown, Nicola Willis and Erica Stanford have hit the ground running too.
  
  Chris Bishop has appeared in short flashes and Louise Upston works hard on an unenviable portfolio – the rest of National not so much.
  
  Casey Costello and Shane Jones have led the way for NZ First – more walking than running while Winston has been at his best Overseas or taunting the Greens and Maori Parties.
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:44am
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    Which party is behind the initiative to remove treaty clauses from legislation? NZF? This is an absolutely vital measure.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:09am
    - kowtow
      
      I’ll believe it when I see it .
      
      This is the party that put Ardern into office .The most radicalising , anti democratic , pro treatyism party in history.
      
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      August 31, 2024 9:30am
      - AitchW
        
        Remember the old sketch on TV about Tim Shadbolt? “I don’t care where as long as I’m mayor”?
        That could easily be Peters, “l don’t care how as long as I’m in government.”
        (Not as lyrical, but you get the idea…)
        
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        August 31, 2024 9:42am
      - Tom Hunter
        
        IIRC it wasn’t a sketch: Shadbolt actually said that – his typical sense of humor – when some TV reporter badgered him about running for mayor in Invercargill after losing it in Manakau.
        
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        August 31, 2024 10:09am
      - slightlyrighty
        
        “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant.
        
        and the meant that I meant was to be in Governmeant!”
        
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        August 31, 2024 10:24am
      - AitchW
        
        Thank you Thom for the correction. Dear ol Tim always did have a good sense of self deprecation!
        
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        August 31, 2024 10:48am
      - Scooter
        
        And Arden couldn’t even list the 3 articles, Willie had to whisper them to her.
        
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        August 31, 2024 11:09pm
    - pdm
      
      It seems to be well submerged at the moment PP.
      
      Winston happy to let ACT and David Seymour take the flak.
      
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      August 31, 2024 9:46am
  - Damocles11
    
    Shane Jones is a blowhard, let me know when a new mine is built or a gas field turned on. All talk, no action. Costello spends all her time fending off questions about her links to the tobacco industry. Being hammered with questions in ‘the house’ is hardly leading the way.
    
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    August 31, 2024 2:01pm
- Nigel Kearney
  
  Nothing much about reducing the size of government. That doesn’t seem to be their focus any more.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:35am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Do you really think that is a top priority at present? Geez, the shambles Labour left is utterly disgraceful, let’s sort the economy and make life easier for level headed hard working taxpayers first should we? Any talk of parliament size surely would be in second term when the economy is allowed to breathe again
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:23pm
- Grunter
  
  Scott – I agree with your sentiment. But the reality is, if this is as good as it gets the country is still buggered.
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:36am
  - AitchW
    
    To be fair Grunter, the government has only been in power for almost a year. It’ll take a huge effort and many years to undo the damage done by 6 years of the Ardern, Robertson, and Hipkins kindergarten.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:50am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      9&1/2 months since they were sworn in
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:25pm
  - bjools
    
    If the rate of change continues, that could be a big “IF”.
    Remember the “working groups” of the first year of Ardern?
    When NOTHING got done, then about 2 years of Covid (contributing to the Damage),.
    Therefore most of the damage caused by their “policies” may be said to have been done in about 3-4 years.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:11am
    - AitchW
      
      What ever came of all those working groups? How much did they cost? Who gained the most financially from them?
      They were a disgrace. Governments are elected to make decisions not to pay others to advise them on what to do.
      Contrast Ardern’s seemingly innumerable working groups to Luxon’s progress.
      Love him or loathe him, he had a 100 day plan which was largely completed. Ardern was the worst NZ ever. What a dismal failure.
      
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      August 31, 2024 2:15pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    The public service are burning money.
    First priority of the government should be to put out the fire.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:15am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      They are getting on with that, let’s not forget what Willis said. Cost savings and streamlining will continue on
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:27pm
    - AitchW
      
      It’s hard to put out the fire with a hostile and petulant public service, aided and abetted by the PSA and the media, lighting a new fire every time one is extinguished.
      
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      August 31, 2024 2:17pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Luxon has said from day one as leader health authority is gone, he always stated no special services for a select few, I received my first hip replacement on need, I was going to be waiting a long time, as soon as the new government moved to health by need, then I was fixed in 6 months 6 days after first specialist, my first hip was shocking and life was a struggle
  
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  August 31, 2024 12:04pm
  - AitchW
    
    That’s really encouraging G. My hips feel like they’re on their last legs, and I suspect that I’ll be getting new ones before I retire. Medical insurance only covers so much, if I can get it done publicly I’ll do it.
    It’s nice to know that I won’t be behind others in less pain…..
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:40pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      My left hip had completely dropped, it made my leg about an inch shorter, my right hip that was not too bad after the left had been done is getting worse, they have said they will do it mid November to early December which would be great
      
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      August 31, 2024 1:11pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

More crappy reporting, this time from Radio NZ. The cafe owner is blaming the economy for bad sales, and thinks a coffee should be $8+.

Time for a reality check. Raglan Roast do a flat white for $4 – and you get six of them if you put $20 in their honesty book – and they do a roaring trade.

As always in retail, the 4Ps (product, promotion, place, price) matter. Cafes in Manners St (emergency housing adjacent) and Dixon St (student accommodation adjustment) are just not in prime locations. The fact is that Wellington and probably other parts of the country have too many cafes.

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/526678/wellington-cafe-suffers-worst-sales-day-ever-as-public-sector-job-cuts-bite
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August 31, 2024 8:14am
- AitchW
  
  Nothing is stopping him from charging $8 for a coffee! Of course he’ll never sell another flat white…
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:02am
- bennerg
  
  I did a little spreadsheet on the “Real cost of coffee” based on a home coffee machine, and retail costs. We use a Breville, and our first one lasted four years, so machine cost is accurate. This is for a Flat White – so Long Blacks would be less.
  
  item cost number cost/cup
  machine $600.00 7300 $0.08
  coffee beans $8.00 40 $0.20
  milk $4.00 6 $0.67
  power $0.05
  Syrup $3.00 20 $0.15
  
  Cost per cup $1.15
  
  A rough estimate for a cafe including labour and basic overheads came up with a result of $2.61 per cup. That would vary of course with location and number of cups served per day. Also machine and bean cost would potentially be a lot less than I assumed so a cost of $2 possible, so $5 per cup then is a reasonable retail cost.
  
  Also I am concerned that if you wish to have a non-milk alternative, you get charged $1 extra, also a vanilla or caramel shot adds another $1. Assuming the amount of “milk” is 200ml, then the differential cost per litre between low fat milk and, for example soy, is around $1, making the cost differential only 20 cents.
  
  The syrups are likewise expensive, especially when you consider that they are simply water and sugar (caramel), with a little essence added for the vanilla one. We make our own as greatly reduced cost. It’s real easy!
  
  Oh, we also paid $20 for an evening class on using an expresso machine, how to get a good expresso, and how to “froth” the milk properly. Well worth the cost.
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:46am
  - wsk12345
    
    Rerunning your numbers on my home machine gets me to nearer $2 per cup
    
    Assuming the very expensive machines used in cafes use work out at a similar cost per cup, you then need to add labour – assuming $25 per hour, doubled for cost of employment, and say 30 coffees per hour, that’s nearly $2 in labour. Plus paper cups/washing/table service. Plus a half hour machine clean end of the shift. Plus rent and other overheads.
    
    I can see how they are making no profit at $5, unless you are a “hole in the wall” pumping out coffees for peak hours. And labour is the main offender – minimum wage is too high for an entry level job.
    
    It’s rare I have coffee out these days. Mine is better than produced in most cafes.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:32am
    - bennerg
      
      There are many factors in the cafe environment to make our estimated costs actual, as most cafes are selling other goods (food etc), vary one owner operated to full on “restaurants”. So it really needs a more comprehensive analysis per the real environment.
      
      Like you I tend to prefer my own coffee, made just like I like it, and tinged with the satisfaction of having done it myself. Plus the kudos from the wife ….
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:25pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Yes, no where has anyone mentioned the cost of renting an establishment, the cost of delivered to business, and some pluses even hire the coffee machines, trying to work out the cost of coffee on what it costs at home is a futile exercise
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:36pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Wsk
      Good point about the labour cost.
      The NZ labour market is skewed to give low value workers more than they are worth, and this seems to trickle up through to the higher wage jobs in the interest of parity as opposed to value.
      So, everyone is overpaid, and pay more to live, because of the policy of keeping new workers insulated from the reality of economics.
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:49pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Labour costs use to be 1/3 of the cost of business, that was until Arden tried to tell us that the economy had not immediately been hit by her steep rises in min wage, min wage went up almost 50% in her 6 years of Marxist damage, you can only put prices up so much till you lose to many customers.
    
    Some places only sell coffee, usually that is sorted by not needing staff outside the owner, but that is a different type of business, if coffee is the only revenue stream, then possibly the cost does need to be $8
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:34pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      G
      “if coffee is the only revenue stream, then possibly the cost does need to be $8”
      
      The customer doesn’t care about the business structure.
      Unless the $8 cofevee is 1/3 more desirable than a $6 cofevee then no one will buy it. The customer won’t consider the $8 cofevee worth $8 of their own labour ( money)
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:58pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        I understand that, but I can see why they are saying it should be more, the min wage is what is pushing small businesses to the wall
        
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        August 31, 2024 1:13pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Correct.
        Minimum wage has strangled the economy.
        Let employees and employers negotiate wages.
        There are some jobs I would do for nothing just to learn the skills.
        
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        August 31, 2024 1:55pm
- bjools
  
  Upticked.
  But for some sympathy for the Cafe…
  The rent on storefront premises is horendouis, caused largely by the ridiculous rates on those properties.
  Don’t forget the large numbers of water leaks that would effect opening and even access for customers.
  Council to take some blame?
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:16am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Yeas, and cafes who sit on streets pay a fee as well
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:37pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Most places around here are $5.50-$6 for coffees, clearly $8 is up a bit
  
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  August 31, 2024 12:28pm
- Dougal10
  
  I bet the actual sale of beans is up in nz , good home coffee machines are in the $700 to $800 bracket and they make better coffee than half the so called barristers out there . A few years ago the person making you the takeaway coffee gave a shit now they just kind of throw it at you in most places . Much nicer to make a couple at home in good insulated cups and you are good for a 3hr trip.
  
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  August 31, 2024 7:15pm
  - Anthony Melchett
    
    Majority of cafes now run by immigrants who look at you with disdain while they make you the worst coffee you have ever had. Can’t get one at all at Auckland Airport now.
    
    Hard to make a coffee if you don’t drink them yourself. Went back and asked them who tuned up their machine and just got the blank stare
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:03pm
  - alphabeatrium
    
    A bialetti is $70, less on a Briscoes sale, less again on TradeMe, and takes up no benchspace…
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:20pm
Colville

Had the pleasure of a couple of minute chat with David Seymour last night at the Hastings ACT meeting.
Asked him about his views on nuclear energy for New Zealand.
In short he thinks it’s inevitable but too hard for any politician to start that conversation. They would get swamped with the negative views and media.
Nice bloke.

Treaty protesters made a bit of noise for a few minutes until they were asked to leave politely. One lady had to be threatened with the handcuffs by police and police got a round of applause for their smooth dealings with them.
All in all a great meeting, only downside was there wasn’t a cash bar open at the venue. On a Friday night!
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August 31, 2024 8:15am
- pdm
  
  Good turnout Colville?
  
  I got left without transport and could not make it right at the last minute.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:48am
  - Colville
    
    I was told 150 had RSVPed
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:46am
Cassandra

In these gloomy days I thought readers may like to know that in 1751 the Prince of Wales died when hit by a cricket ball. It is the only instance in cricket history of play stopping reign.
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August 31, 2024 8:18am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  His epigram:
  
  “Here lies poor Fred who was alive and is dead,
  Had it been his father I had much rather,
  Had it been his sister nobody would have missed her,
  Had it been his brother, still better than another,
  Had it been the whole generation, so much better for the nation,
  But since it is Fred who was alive and is dead,
  There is no more to be said!”
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:42am
- Mike
  
  I’d love to believe this was true, but sadly it doesn’t appear to be so:
  
  Frederick died at Leicester House at the age of 44 on 31 March 1751 (20 March OS). In the past this has been attributed to a burst lung abscess caused by a blow from a cricket or a real tennis ball, but it is now thought to have been from a pulmonary embolism.
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick,_Prince_of_Wales#Cricket
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:43am
  - Vinicius
    
    When Frederick died someone wrote this epigram.
    
    “Here lies poor Fred who was alive and is dead,
    Had it been his father I had much rather,
    Had it been his sister nobody would have missed her,
    Had it been his brother, still better than another,
    Had it been the whole generation, so much better for the nation,
    But since it is Fred who was alive and is dead,
    There is no more to be said!”
    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick,_Prince_of_Wales#Death
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:38am
  - John Loveridge
    
    Don’t let the facts stand in the way of a good joke, Mike.
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:55pm
- In Vino Veritas
  
  Cass, this story is not true. Frederick Prince of Wales actually caught a cold and then suffered a pulmonary embolism at the ripe age of 44.
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:53am
  - Cassandra
    
    You’re spoiling a wonderful story with facts? Actually there is doubt and secondly the cricket tale is in this morning’s Times (which is often wrong but at least is infinitely better than Stuff).
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:08am
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  Oh very good. OK now let’s see if anyone knows which European monarch was killed by a monkey, and how said monkey changed the course of history.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:12am
  - Mike
    
    Alexander, briefly king of Greece in WWI and after. Any event ‘changes to the course of history’, but one king’s death in a turbulent region doesn’t seem that momentous.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:28am
    - Pope Punctilious II
      
      Well it wouldn’t have been “momentous” if the Greeks hadn’t replaced Alexander with a pro-German king, and if the Brits hadn’t responded by withdrawing their support for the Greek cause. Though probably more momentous still was your Soviet friends’ rearmament of the Turks.
      
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      August 31, 2024 10:03am
      - slightlyrighty
        
        I wonder what the world would look like if it wasn’t for Wallace Simpson.
        
        If Edward hadn’t abdicated, would the United Kingdom have had a Pro-Nazi Monarch during WW2, and what would be the flow on effects?
        
        Would the Empire have joined the Axis? Would that have been the catalyst for a republican Great Britain?
        
        Would British Palestine have become Israel?
        
        Would NZ and Australia become republics?
        Lot’s of “what if’s”.
        
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        August 31, 2024 10:30am
- BananaLlama
  
  He died after being struck by a cricket ball and don’t let any boring snoozefests tell you otherwise.
  
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  August 31, 2024 12:13pm
Damocles11

‘The Fabian Society is a socialist organisation whose purpose is to advance the principles of social democracy and democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist effort in democracies, rather than by revolutionary overthrow.’

Everything wrong with the NZ Mainstream Media can be encapsulated by the below video and the Fabian’s summary of its contents.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TIbZchagTZM&t=158s

‘Kia ora Fabian friends
Our panel targets some of the key issues for Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori. What is the job ahead for the progressive parties if they are to win power.
Hear from:
Simon Wilson – Senior Writer, NZ Herald
Bridie Witton – Press Gallery reporter for Stuff
Danyl McLauchlan – writer and regular contributor to (RNZ’s) Saturday Morning
Ollie Neas – freelancer published in the Guardian, Listener, North and South, Spinoff’
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August 31, 2024 8:21am
- fightingtemeraire
  
  Their crest is, or was at one time, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They are named after a Roam General who was known as the Procrastinator. They just work quietly behind the scenes. The whole Fabian Society world wide is not v large.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:49am
  - Damocles11
    
    Well it appears ‘the Fabian Society’ have branches in many countries and are best described as a ‘think tank’. I don’t like the idea of this shadowy ‘Fabian Society’ spreading its malign tentacles here and undermining our democracy.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:59am
    - Don Beckett
      
      Helen Clark is a Fabian Socialist to name just one – I think Margaret Wilson was also. Also includes the likes of George Bernard Shaw, and I think possibly Pres. Woodrow Wilson of the USA. Stand to be corrected on Wilson.
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:18pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  I don’t have a problem with the Fabian Society per se. People are entitled to their views & as long as they compete via the ballot box, well & good.
  
  The problem I have is with any public pulpit commentator who does not declare their allegiance. The fourth estate claim a privileged position in being the channel between politicians and the public; the quid pro quo is that they must be studiously neutral.
  
  Featuring on a Fabian Society panel would seem to be crossing the line.
  
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  August 31, 2024 1:46pm
Fender

Nice little letter to read on a Saturday morning

Hastings and Havelock North Health Centre Newsletter August 2024.

Dear Patients and Whānau,

Changes to rangatahi / youth funding for those aged 14 – 24 yrs of age
Hastings Health Centre (HHC) have been advised by Te Whatu Ora, that as of the 1st September 2024, changes are being applied to the rangatahi/youth funding across Hawkes Bay.
The funding for GP or Nurse consultations in general practice for all rangatahi/youth, aged between 14yrs – 24yr group will no longer be available for all. New eligible criteria have been applied, and will be restricted to the following:

· Must currently reside in Hawkes Bay, and aged between 14yrs – 24 yrs and are:

· Māori and/or Pacific, or
· CSC card holders and/or
currently residing in Quintile 5 areas, or
· Have been diagnosed with one of the following long-term conditions:
o Type 1 Diabetes
o Cystic Fibrosis / Bronchiectasis
o Asthma requiring immunotherapy (Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab)
o Cardiovascular disease
o Congenital / Genetic conditions
o Auto immune Disease – Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease, Juvenile RA
o Bipolar / Schizophrenia
o Previous admission to the Mental Health Unit in past 24 months
o Neurological
o Cancer
o Kidney Disease
For all other rangatahi/youth, this unfortunately means that there will be charges for consultation:

At the HHC Urgent Care – funding for rangatahi/youth is restricted to the following:
· Must currently reside in Hawkes Bay, aged between 14yrs – 24 yrs, and:
· Are Māori and/or Pacific, or
· CSC card holders and/or
· Currently resides in Quintile 5 areas
It is important that you understand that this change is being applied to all General Practices across Hawkes Bay, and we are all very disappointed. Please appreciate that our staff do not have any ability to influence change on this decision, so please do not direct anger or frustration towards our staff. If you would like to feedback regarding the changes to funding for our rangitahi/youth, please direct feedback to Health Hawkes Bay or contact Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora. Website details below.
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August 31, 2024 8:25am
- pdm
  
  Received that by email yesterday from Hastings Health Center.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:53am
  - Biscuit
    
    Shocking, pdm…
    
    CentRe.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:10am
- Cassandra
  
  “All other rangitahi” is clearly nonsense – the free service applies to all Maori, regardless of health or wealth. Racism still alive and well in NZ.
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:14am
- Phronesis
  
  It should be illegal to discriminate on the basis of race.
  How would any other business in NZ get on charging different prices on the basis of race?
  But somehow it’s OK when the Government does it. But then I guess it’s only health care. It’s not like it’s life and death //
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:19am
  - Swifty
    
    “It should be illegal to discriminate on the basis of race.“
    
    I thought it was.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:52am
    - Nigel Kearney
      
      Unfortunately not. Getting rid of the section below would instantly wipe out much of this nonsense. Far more than defining treaty principles or removing treaty references from legislation.
      
      s73(1) Human Rights Act 1993
      
      Measures to ensure equality
      (1)
      Anything done or omitted which would otherwise constitute a breach of any of the provisions of this Part shall not constitute such a breach if—
      (a)
      it is done or omitted in good faith for the purpose of assisting or advancing persons or groups of persons, being in each case persons against whom discrimination is unlawful by virtue of this Part; and
      
      (b)
      those persons or groups need or may reasonably be supposed to need assistance or advancement in order to achieve an equal place with other members of the community.
      
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      August 31, 2024 1:02pm
      - mawm
        
        As members of the UN we are bound to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965). Our government even submits reports to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the CERD Committee) on how well we are implementing the convention.
        
        What does our report say? Could do better?
        
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        August 31, 2024 3:22pm
      - alphabeatrium
        
        That’s code for “it’s not racist if it’s done for Maoris”, even though that’s some disturbing doublethink.
        
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        August 31, 2024 11:26pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  ‘Please appreciate that our staff do not have any ability to influence change on this decision, so please do not direct anger or frustration towards our staff’.
  
  Things that make you go hmmm.
  
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  August 31, 2024 1:49pm
- Manu-Rau
  
  I don’t care what anyone says. This is ethnic cleansing, by another name.
  
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  August 31, 2024 2:06pm
hookerphil

Norm Kirk died this day – 50 years ago this day. I remember hearing about it when stopping at the Oamaru public toilets on a bus trip back from Dunedin in a representative Canterbury Rugby team. If I remember people found it very hard to believe it was true.
As a Waimate resident now, Big Norm is buried in the Cemetery here. He is actually almost beside another Norman Kirk who over the years must have caused some confusion for visitors looking for the grave.
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August 31, 2024 8:31am
- David Garrett
  
  Hooker: Wow, fifty years…I was actually holidaying with my older sister in Island Bay at the time. Big Norm died in a Catholic sisters’ hospital about two kms from my sister’s house. He was only 51, but had numerous health problems, mostly because of weight. As I recall he wasn’t really obese by today’s standards.
  
  And up here in the Kingdom, obesity takes on a whole new meaning!
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:37am
  - Mike
    
    He was in poor health most of his life – unfit for war service – and didn’t look after himself very well.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:03am
    - Cassandra
      
      He visited my unit in Vietnam, so I spent a couple of hours talking to him. He was obese and suffering in the heat. Nice, decent and caring man but typical of those days in the Labour Party not a huge idea of where the money actually comes from.
      
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      August 31, 2024 11:45am
    - Manu-Rau
      
      One wonders whether having to keeps aspects of his personal life under wraps added to the stress in his life, to the point of eventually pushing him over the edge.
      
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      August 31, 2024 2:04pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Sir Bazil. Arthur, ex governor general is also buried there.
  
  60 years since Kirk died. Seems like yesterday, but like you I was in Christchurch representing Otago with pool swimming the day that happened
  
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  August 31, 2024 12:42pm
  - Manu-Rau
    
    Basil Arthur was never Governot General.
    
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    August 31, 2024 2:02pm
  - CJames
    
    He was MP for Timaru, wasn’t he? Inherited the knighthood from a Barony from memory. IIRC the only thing notable about his political career was it length.
    
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    August 31, 2024 2:23pm
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      Speaker of the House. Convenient for Labour in one way, in that he didn’t have to accept a knighthood, which was commonly awarded to the Speaker back in the day.
      
      He was a concrete layer at one time, his father was a publican. Presumably descended from a remittance man.
      
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      August 31, 2024 2:28pm
  - peterwn
    
    He was not a Governor-General nor a Knight of the realm. He was a hereditary Baronet, a title inherited from his father. This entitled him to use ‘sir’ although he was reluctant to do so. He was Speaker in David Lange’s 1984 government but died in office in 1985.
    
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    August 31, 2024 2:33pm
    - Manu-Rau
      
      Indeed. He was gay, and died without issue, which is why the baroncy died with him.
      
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      August 31, 2024 3:57pm
      - NeverMindTheBollocks
        
        Ah – no. Sir Basil had two wives and three children, including a son who inherited the baroncy.
        
        You must be thinking of someone else.
        
        https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Arthur
        
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        August 31, 2024 7:47pm
artemisia

Bruce Cotterill on councils and their magic money tree in the Herald today (paywalled).

I like the fact that we are finally recognising, to use the Prime Minister’s own words, that “there is no magic money tree sitting in Wellington”. It’s nice to see a government making the tough calls on spending rather than one presiding over a lolly scramble of taxpayer cash. My only hope is that the PM and his team don’t stop at councils, and that they deliver the same message to the many others who continue to stand in line waiting for their share of the handouts.

Talking of standing in line and lolly scrambles, I see that tougher rules around emergency motels have started. That million dollars of taxpayer cash a day is now reducing. Though it is noted that quite a few rules were already in place, just allowed to slide by the previous government. Because reasons, like, oh, OPM?

The usual suspects say it’s a disaster and more families will be living in cars and under bridges. But clearly those that have recently left did have alternatives and preferred cheap, warm and mates next door. Until there was a wee bit of a push.
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August 31, 2024 8:33am
- Damocles11
  
  Cotterill just restating the opinion of many, including plenty on this site & lots of ‘ordinary Kiwi’s’ who are also embattled ratepayers. Uncle Tom Cobbley has exactly the same view. Why anyone would *pay money* to The Herald to read some blokes opinion is totally beyond me.
  “Opinions are the cheapest commodities on earth. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon anyone who will accept them.”
  – Napoleon Hill
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:39am
  - Don Beckett
    
    Opinions are like ar*e holes – every body’s got one.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:42am
- kowtow
  
  Talking of councils ; the near unanimity among them ( to date)in retaining Maori wards tells you how far they are from their electorates , their contempt for democratic principles and processes and indeed their fitness for purpose.
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:54am
  - imalwaysright
    
    The gangs seem keen on the maori wards.
    Lots of discretionary funding to tap into with the added advantage of the local councillors being easily intimidated.
    Local government will soon become a bigger gravy train than central government.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:26am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Rent the mob
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:43pm
    - Bridgenag
      
      Yes….. “We know where you live……..”
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:51pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Correct. And if you don’t comply the “iwi” will advise the council of the “cultural significance” of your property.
        Next thing you hear before you are homeless is a waiata in your driveway.
        People may think this flippant, but it is already here.
        
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        August 31, 2024 1:15pm
- kowtow
  
  Talking of councils and magic , this article is well worth the time .
  Gary Judd KC on BBH.
  
  ‘Our politicians, bureaucrats, academics, judges, lawyers and others who could speak out, cannot continue to propagate, or to stand by and allow others to propagate myths and fantasies as a platform for laws and policies. If they do, they stand condemned: for taking the country back to a primitive state in defiance of the advances in human knowledge, or — if they just stand by — of a lack of political responsibility or even cowardice’
  
  https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/gary-judd-kc-return-of-the-primitive-a-world-of-ignorance-and-superstition
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:33am
- MCōs
  
  The other day yet another water main burst in Wellington. This time under Kent Tce
  Is there any sort of programme in place to get ahead of the crumbling ancient water infrastructure in the capital? This is hyper expensive work or will broken pipes be repaired as required?
  What’s happening with the derelict central library, town hall and city gallery?
  Is the Reading cinema just going to remain abandoned?
  The Terrace Tunnel is too small and there’s been talk of a second Mt Victoria Tunnel for as long as I can remember and nothing ever happens
  The Cook St ferry service is dangerous and needs some sort of upgrade
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:06am
  - lifesgood
    
    Wellingtonians deserve all they get. They constantly vote in left wing MPs and their lefty/green mayor is the laughing stock of New Zealand. They need their heads read and need to stop moaning because they asked for it.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:23am
    - MCōs
      
      Doesn’t matter the political stripe of the councilors the pipes are still going to bust, the buildings are still going to require seismic strengthening, the tunnels are still under capacity (& being SH1, government responsibility)
      
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      August 31, 2024 11:03am
      - Pineapple Lumps
        
        The political stripes seems to effect the colour of the stripes on the pedestrian crossings, the amount of funding spent on non-essential spending ie Reading Cinema, and subsequently the amount of deferred spending on essential asset maintenance. Unfortunately for Wellington ratepayers accruing maintenance deficit is going to keep coming home to roost. Eventually it will be frustration at the lack of bathing facilities and drinking water that will force a change in voting behaviour. But it is a very painful reactive way to get back to basics!
        
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        August 31, 2024 2:12pm
      - Anthony Melchett
        
        It does, because left wing mayors prefer to install road furniture instead of fixing infrastructure.
        
        They see running a city as a chance to fund their own virtue projects, not a chance to actually manage a city which is quite boring but necessary work
        
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        August 31, 2024 11:27pm
  - CJames
    
    Is Bluebridge danerous? Or is it only the Interislander? I thought after Aratere failure, the latter had the riot act read to them. They now have to up both their routine and condition maintenance. The reports are supposed to be audited as well.
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:43pm
    - Taieri
      
      Blame Maritime NZ.
      The flag state is responsible for enforcing regulations applying to the ships registered under its flag. In practice this is done by very comprehensive Flag State Inspections. If, as in the case of Bluebridge, a ship is registered elsewhere (Bahamas) Maritime NZ still has the authority in form of the Port State Inspections. This authority in NZ arises from the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control. Again, the Port State Inspections can be very comprehensive and very thorough.
      A good inspector can find many deficiencies. At the same time, many deficiencies may remain undiscovered. At the end of the day it’s up to the technical management to keep their ships in a good order. So, it’s a compromise between the available budgets and the actual requirements.
      
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      August 31, 2024 1:08pm
  - peterwn
    
    The City Gallery (in the former Library building) is functioning almost as usual. The Central Library is not derelict, it is currently undergoing earthquake strengthening and will re-open when the work is complete. Work is recommencing on the Town Hall project – that is the one building that should have been bowled. The old and new city admin buildings on the Wakefield St frontage are being demolished and will be rebuilt.
    
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    August 31, 2024 2:42pm
Damocles11

Narratives around healthcare workers:

Labour in power: ‘There’s a shortage of doctors and nurses globally, this shortage has been looming for a long time and sadly there are no easy solutions.’

Coalition in power: ‘Why is there a shortage of nurses? What is going on? Why isn’t there a doctor at Dargaville Hospital? Why aren’t we overflowing with doctors and nurses? National must be defunding our health system, typical National. Reti is incompetent’.
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August 31, 2024 8:34am
- Biscuit
  
  Damocles11, Labour are missing a big chance here.
  All they need to do is to get Ginny Andersen to do another of her street polls to ‘prove’ that all was hunky-dory under their last administration…
  But maybe not:
  I can see it now:
  Ginny: Between 5pm on (xxx) last year and the following Tuesday there were 15% more doctors in New Zealand than there were in the timeframe I surveyed last week.
  Competent reporter (let’s call him Benedict Collins): Wasn’t (xxx) the week when the international doctors conference was held at the Wellington White Elephant? Cherry-picking again, aren’t you?
  Gunny: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:12am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Go look at the stats of how many have been hired this year. 1800 nurses had been hired since the start of the year, many many doctors as well as radiologists, you can not force people to live where they do not want to.
  
  Its the same with gps, you can not force a doctor to specialise in gp services
  
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  August 31, 2024 12:46pm
  - AitchW
    
    I do wonder though, how many nurses have buggered off to Aussie this year?
    
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    August 31, 2024 4:21pm
Fender

Isn’t it weird how an assassination attempt can be swept off the news so quickly. Love or hate him anyone in that position it should be huge news
Former professional protection officer Dan Bongino gives inside information here in trial

https://youtu.be/qCP-m9NXQ28?si=g6S-0oueAdYvAFuF
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August 31, 2024 8:34am
- Ghost
  
  How has it been swept off the news? Just the other day I was reading an article about it. It hasn’t been swept off the American news. That’s also not a trial….
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:22am
  - Ghost
    
    Come on down voters, answer, how it has been swept off the news
    
    1 day ago
    
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/analyst-says-photo-of-gun-used-in-trump-assassination-attempt-blood%20donation%20typesxplains-burning-question/vi-AA1pBhrR?ocid=BingNewsVerp
    
    https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/morning-brief-trump-assassins-weapon-seen-for-first-time-india-edges-past-uk-in-critical-research-and-more/ar-AA1pCnRr?ocid=BingNewsVerp
    
    2 days ago
    
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/fbi-says-attempted-trump-assassin-also-searched-for-info-on-rnc-dnc/ar-AA1pAPAo?ocid=BingNewsVerp
    
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/fbi-identifies-no-motive-or-foreign-links-in-trump-assassination-attempt/ar-AA1pBb3r?ocid=BingNewsVerp
    
    https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-08-28/gunman-in-trump-assassination-attempt-saw-rally-as-target-of-opportunity-fbi-official-says
    
    6 hours ago
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/watch-trump-tells-dr-phil-whos-to-blame-for-assassination-attempt-during-interview-im-the-opponent/ar-AA1pILa3?ocid=BingNewsVerp
    
    Shit load of articles online if you read the news
    
    How about broadcast
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3bq5L23jW8&pp=ygUNdHJ1bXAgYXNzYXNpbg%3D%3D
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNGciUKLggY&pp=ygUNdHJ1bXAgYXNzYXNpbg%3D%3D
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCvLpvBphnc&pp=ygUNdHJ1bXAgYXNzYXNpbg%3D%3D
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_K1il5hGcM&pp=ygUNdHJ1bXAgYXNzYXNpbg%3D%3D
    
    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D28xGRwd-h4
    
    Certainly not swept off the news
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:57am
- NothingLeft
  
  Looks like it was just a frustrated/ nihilistic/ narcissistic incel aiming to self delete with extreme notoriety. Other than colossal perhaps deliberate incompetence of secret service there is likely little more to it.
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:22am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Good video clip, thanks.
  Things are being covered up. Bongino knows this, he knows how the Secret Service is supposed to work. The SS has been infiltrated by Democrats. On July 13th, more and better agents were sent to cover Jill Biden at her rally. So Trump got second rate agents by design. Look at that one agent who tried to re-holster her gun 5 or more times. Amateurs.
  Yes there is a cover up. SS seem to be corrupt but nobody is in the crosshairs. Cheatle headed for the hills.
  
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  August 31, 2024 12:06pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    Correct.
    And why did they keep him on the stage and then lift him to his feet? There could have been a dozen shooters waiting to kill him.
    How did they know it was safe to stand him (and them) up?
    
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    August 31, 2024 1:24pm
    - Ghost
      
      Because the safest place in that entire area was laying down on stage behind the bulletproof banner on the front of the stage. Once the all clear is given they moved him surrounded by agents.
      
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      August 31, 2024 1:30pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Yes Ghost, agents like the silly[Mod – deleted] that could not re-holster her gun 5 times!
        
        4 2
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        August 31, 2024 2:56pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      I think you will find Trump stood rather than get lifted. He is very defiant.
      Don’t know about the dozens of shooters, everyone is screened. No mention of Thomas Crooks being screened so he must have had the gun very well hidden previously – and the detonator on him.
      Some things are not falling into place and Bongino’s ex-SS experience tells him that.
      
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      August 31, 2024 2:55pm
      - Ghost
        
        Ah no, he wasn’t screened because he was outside of the area. Bongino Spent that day streaming live a shit load of bullshit that wasn’t true.
        
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        August 31, 2024 3:20pm
Bridgenag

Friday Funnies: Rebranding in Progress
“Emotional Support Tim” to the rescue.

https://open.substack.com/pub/rwmalonemd/p/friday-funnies-rebranding-in-progress?r=1aj1bv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
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August 31, 2024 8:43am
- Gravelroad
  
  Have any of the legions of left-wing feminists in the US had anything to say about their brave, joyful Presidential candidate, Ms Harris, going on a TV interview with a man sitting beside her for advisory support and protection?
  Too funny.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:17am
  - bjools
    
    Q:
    Can you imagine, as President, Harris takes him with her to summit to resolve the Ukraine war?
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:31am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Pure comedy to watch that. Stop the War with word soup salad.
      
      3 2
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      August 31, 2024 2:57pm
      - mawm
        
        Her incompetence (and his) is on display for the whole world to see. The Democrats don’t care, all they want is a live body as President as that person will not be running the country.
        
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        August 31, 2024 3:31pm
- H. Upmann
  
  “The most powerful governments in the world can’t solve homelessness.
  But they can change the earth’s temperature if you pay more taxes…”
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:51am
Yvette

Reappointments to the Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Group
Pursuant to section 15 of the Taumata Arowai–the Water Services Regulator Act 2020 and section 28 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, I am pleased to appoint
Riki James Ellison
as the Chair of the Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Group, for a term of three years, commencing on 29 August 2024 and ending on 29 August 2027, and reappoint
Bonita Joanne Bigham
as a member of the Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Group, for a term of three years, commencing on 29 August 2024 and ending on 29 August 2027.
Dated at Wellington this 29th day of August 2024.
Hon SIMEON BROWN, Minister of Local Government.
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-go4300

Why is there NOT a Taumata Arowai Islamic Advisory Group? – a Destiny Church Advisory Group or Pastafarian Advisory Group?

The New Zealand Government and all its services should be secular
_________

Under Labour, the Water Regulator (Taumata Arowai) had to respond to Māori Advisory Group, so while people protested co-governance at the proposed Entity level, 3 Waters would have been fully responsible to a total governance position of the Māori Advisory Group.
So why is this Māori Advisory Group still there?
Maori should have their Mana o te Wai religious ‘world’view submitted and considered in the same way as any other community grouping.
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August 31, 2024 8:45am
- pdm
  
  In my opinion Taumata Arowai should be disbanded.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:55am
  - Mod88
    
    And put yet another Mahuta out of a job – How Dare You.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:58am
    - Yvette
      
      Mod88, I understand Tipa Mahuta has now been replaced, but it is the whole Maori Advisory Board which should be relegated to the status of any community group which can make self-financed submissions to Government on water services matters.
      The Treaty may reference Maori possessed waters but not everybody else’s.
      
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      August 31, 2024 11:39am
  - Yvette
    
    pdm, Taumata Arowai is the Water Regulator, supposedly replacing a Health New Zealand function.
    It is te Puna, the Maori Advisory Council, which should be disbanded, as it represents te Ao Maori, the Maori religious ‘world’view, which is out of place in a secular Government.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:43am
    - pdm
      
      Fair point Yvette.
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:54pm
Fender

Recent comments over the last few days have been quite comical in there absolute mockery of anyone who has a different view or questions or even suspects something doesn’t quite pass the sniff test.
Moon landing, I think most have some questions over the first mission, doesn’t mean they all were faked
Vaccines, people claim to be stats trained then provide some stats to back their safety claim
What has history taught us about stats and there easy manipulation
Perhaps we all need to add an “In my opinion “ to be more civil to each other.

As its coming up Sept I would like to say I spent easily 2years down the 911, the Oklahoma bombing, the London tube bombings rabbit hole.
I don’t know all the answers and do not believe all the conspiracies but I Challenge anyone to show me a pic or video of the Pentagon with any proof of plane wreckage. It was live on our tv screens if you remember back.

Its obvious that some things are taken advantage of in the confusion to further a cause. Lessons learnt in Ww2 about how to mislead your enemy with fake newspapers, dead bodies with suitcases full of papers etc worked so well the lies are now used on their own people.
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August 31, 2024 8:52am
- Mike
  
  Moon landing, I think most have some questions over the first mission
  
  No, they really don’t. It might make some people feel better to imagine their fringe beliefs are shared by ‘most’, but that really isn’t the case.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:36am
  - David Garrett
    
    Mike with multi names: Well there’s a first…an uptick from me.
    
    Anyone who believes the first moon landing was in any way faked is either ignorant in the true sense of that word or a complete fuckwit.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:56am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    When you tell morons that 6 flights went to the moon and had people walk on the moon they don’t believe you, they say only own landed, they haven’t got a clue.
    
    The astronaut that used his golf driver on the moon was on the third landing in 1971 the astronaut was Shepherd who was not on the first landing
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:50pm
  - Fender
    
    yes sorry badly worded, meant most amongst those who have some doubts/ reservations not most as in everybody par say.
    
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    August 31, 2024 6:27pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      No, I meant morons
      
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      August 31, 2024 7:40pm
    - Benedict Yu
      
      That was also badly worded. 😕
      
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      August 31, 2024 8:33pm
- Benedict Yu
  
  Oh no. 😭
  
  “Moon landing, I think most have some questions over the first mission…”
  
  No most don’t.
  
  “Challenge anyone to show me a pic or video of the Pentagon with any proof of plane wreckage.”
  
  When a plane “crashes”, say an emergency landing away from an airport, the pilot is trying desparately to save the plane. The impact forces are usually ameliorated by these efforts.
  
  In the case of the pentagon attack, the plane was directed at the building at several hundred kilometres per hour. On impact, the fuselage, and the people, entered the building. It would have turned to vapour, liquid, and pieces the size of a thumb nail. IIRC, the outer ring of the pentagon collapsed at the impact point.
  
  A parallel example of such an impact was the Silk Air tragedy where the pilot decided to sucide by pointing the passenger plane at the ground at full power. No wreckage there either.☹️
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SilkAir_Flight_185?wprov=sfla1
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:40am
  - Ghost
    
    I think you are wasting your time with this one
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:48am
    - Benedict Yu
      
      Makes me feel better. 😂 I’m off to buy a pork bun for brunch.
      
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      August 31, 2024 10:08am
      - Biscuit
        
        I have Sushi planned, Benedict.
        
        Well, a combination of Sushi and Sashimi…
        
        I can put away that stuff until it comes out of my … oh, you KNOW where it comes out?
        
        Me bad…
        
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        August 31, 2024 10:14am
      - MCōs
        
        My wife has some pork buns in the freezer
        Disappointment meal
        The sort of food she eats when she can’t think of anything else
        
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        August 31, 2024 12:39pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        “I’m off to buy a pork bun for brunch.”
        
        Don’t drop it on your foot.
        
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        August 31, 2024 1:28pm
  - Ra Henare
    
    Just a small correction in your comparison.
    Flight in to the Pentagon was within regular flight profile.
    
    Silkair was a vertical dive from 35,000ft and estimated to reach supersonic speed with aircraft breaking up on descent before crashing in to a river.
    
    Wreckage was recovered from the Silkair Crash!!
    
    I recommend the best information comes from the Flight Accident Report.
    
    https://reports.aviation-safety.net/1997/19971219-0_B733_9V-TRF.pdf
    
    If you are short on time. Skip to pages 6,7,8.
    Lots of wreckage recovered.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:49am
  - Fender
    
    several hundred kms per hour, what the same as when they crash into a mountain that pops out of nowhere then,
    “It would have turned to vapour, liquid, and pieces the size of a thumb nail.”
    your just making stuff up here
    
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    August 31, 2024 6:32pm
- Dave
  
  Here you go, Fender. Scroll down to #2 for a picture of the Pentagon and some plane wreckage. The other sections are worth reading too.
  
  https://www.historyrundown.com/top-5-reasons-911-was-not-an-inside-job/
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:01am
  - Fender
    
    I’ve seen all those photos and they don’t pass the sniff test for me,
    Probably 150 hours plus of docos, videos, both for and against,watching trials etc to say a plane with its wingspan and engines at widths apart made that small hole in the building and then shattered into pieces the size of thumbnails or vapourised is not viable, you can clearly see the top floors collapsed down into the hole ,there are very unvapourised office items hanging from the torn floors in other closeups of the damage, your saying none of the tail or external wings tips even made a mark on the walls, fuel can only burn at a max temp,yet it vapourised all the evidence, plane engines are reasonable large items and you spot them at crash sites all the time. All security camera footage was gathered including the cameras along the top of the building hit yet we have seen one pathetic clip released showing the supposed crash, why? pilots have sworn affidavits that no one could have turned and flown the descent path supposedly taken by the amateur pilots,
    I’m not trying to convince anyone to change their minds as that’s pointless and for every claim there is a debunking site. Does that automatically mean debunking sites are always right or would there be some reason that if there was something to cover up a debunking site could be promoted to basically be taken as gospel. There was alot of money, insurance and rushed law changes made because of that day that as always , started with a mock drill where all the normal air defense was conveniently miles away, and the radio was fill of confused chatter. Funnily the same as what happened in CHCH with Tarrant and the london tube. I find it quite fascinating how coincidences just keep happening.
    Would you trust these people
    https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Operation_Northwoods_document_-_%22Justification_for_U.S._Military_Intervention_in_Cuba%22_memorandum.pdf
    
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    August 31, 2024 6:23pm
  - Fender
    
    https://www.historyrundown.com
    gee that looks really impressive site
    looks totally legit
    why did you even bother if thats all you have
    
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    August 31, 2024 6:43pm
- JackRabbit
  
  Fender, I totally believe they landed on the moon. 😉
  
  But there are over 100 leaf blower manufacturers trying to get access to the Apollo technology.
  There is the age old problem of trying to leaf blow to get leaves off the garden, without disturbing the top soil. NASA cracked that problem decades ago.
  
  NASA was able to land the Lunar Module on top on the Lunar dust which had the consistency of baking flour, and despite thousands of pounds of thrust during landing did not create a crater or a sandstorm.
  
  Aircraft manufacturers are also wanting the technology, so that they can land jet aircraft, including VTOLS in the Sahara, without creating craters the size of an olympic swimming pool, and a dust storm that rivals the siz eof the dust cloud at 911.
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:47am
  - CJames
    
    No Jack you are still on conspiracy duty.
    In a vacuum, no wind, no air movement, no eddies so no disturbance of dust outside direct blast area from the thrusters. Just basic physics which you seemed to have failed at.
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:51pm
    - JackRabbit
      
      Have you ever worked with particles in a vacuum?
      I have.
      
      Your comments are at odds with Newtons first 3 laws of motion.
      
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      August 31, 2024 1:30pm
    - JackRabbit
      
      And your comments are at odds with Newtons first 3 laws of motion.
      
      Any particle, including those as part of the thrust output, continue on unimpeded until they strike something, because they are in a vacuum.
      
      It is a fundamental law of physics, without which, the universe would not exist in the way we know it.
      
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      August 31, 2024 1:42pm
    - CJames
      
      I work with vacuum chambers the size of a house but they are only about 50mbara so there is still flow and gas movement. The moon is as close to an absolute vacuum as you can get.
      As I wrote ” so no disturbance of dust outside direct blast area from the thrusters. ” The flow doesn’t go sideways which is what is needed to blow dust out of way. The dust directly underneath the thrusters would have settled as soon as it was out of blast zone. No air, no suspension of dust. The blast zone denuded of dust can be seen in the photo https://www.gadcollection.com/en/p/photographers/nasa-en/apollo-en/apollo-11-lunar-module-footpad-as11-40-5926/
      Just lunar gravity there- the feather and the hammer of Apollo 15
      
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      August 31, 2024 2:39pm
      - JackRabbit
        
        The dust directly underneath the thrusters would have settled as soon as it was out of blast zone.
        
        Newtons First Law:
        “A body remains at rest, or in motion at a constant speed in a straight line, except insofar as it is acted upon by a force.”
        
        There is no such thing as the “blast zone”. Particles emitted from the thrusters, at thousands of pounds of force, into a vacuum, will continue in a straight line until acted upon by a counteractive force or solid object.
        
        That principle, is what allows the following to work:
        Incandescent lighting
        Neon Lighting
        Argon Lighting
        Electronic Vacuum Tubes
        X Ray Machines
        Radio Waves
        
        It is how radio waves can be received from Voyager 1 and 2 at from billions of km’s with not much more than the power of a UHF / VHF radio.
        
        It is how Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 can travel 15 billion kms on next to no power.
        
        In fact it is what makes space travel possible. Traveling long distances on inertia alone.
        
        And these laws are well understood by millions of people in the sciences, who work with them all the time.
        
        The full power of the exhaust would hit the moon dust at the same velocity as they exited the thrust aperture, with little loss energy, either kinetic or heat.
        
        Don’t argue with me. Argue with Newton.
        
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        August 31, 2024 3:51pm
- surfing
  
  You seem to have lost your grasp on reality.
  
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  August 31, 2024 1:40pm
In Vino Veritas

Sitting in London reading today’s Mail, Keir Starmer has had the Iron Lady’s portrait removed from the 10 Downing St study. The room is called the Thatcher Room and Starmer is being accused of, among other things, “astonishingly petty vindictiveness”. Starmer of course, has refused to comment.
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August 31, 2024 8:59am
- AitchW
  
  The left has no respect for history. Look at the way it removes statues and monuments, and besmirches the reputations of those rightly revered for their deeds, ignoring the context of the times.
  Look at how some now revile Churchill for God’s sake.
  It’s further proof of the left’s pettiness, vindictiveness, and petulance.
  I hope that history will see them for what they are.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:32am
  - Mike
    
    Who knew that historical reputations could change? Presenting Churchill as an unalloyed hero does him no service – his flaws and mistakes are simply part of a fascinating life.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:05am
- Mike
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  How dare the prime minister change anything in his official home and office.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:37am
  - Benedict Yu
    
    He does not own it.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:45am
    - AitchW
      
      The left in the UK is totally unhinged about Baroness Thatcher. Its glee over her death was despicable.
      It cannot conceive of any opinion other than its own and is implacably hostile to considered debate.
      God help America if it elects Trump, the left will go full retard!
      
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      August 31, 2024 9:58am
    - Mike
      
      That’s why I wrote ‘official home and office’.
      
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      August 31, 2024 10:02am
      - CJames
        
        I believe his official home is just a flat on the top floor. The rest of the building is the equivalent of the Beehive’s 9th floor.
        
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        August 31, 2024 12:53pm
- mogg
  
  Would Margaret Thatcher’s portrait want to be in an office with Kier Starmer?
  I hear he wants to replace it with a portrait of Labour’s long serving First Lady Diane Abbot.
  
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  August 31, 2024 1:18pm
kowtow

NZME , Herald ,have an article on the proposed Candace Owens visit .
Under a headline “Fear over far right activist’s NZ tour”

It makes a very big play on her alleged anti semitism and mentions the rise of anti semitism here particularly since Oct 7 .

In respect of that anti semitism it appears to me to be home grown with many of our own MP’s actively involved , possibly even uncritically and constantly reported by NZME itself ……

….is Owens “far right” , is the headline mis/disinformation , or just full on Fake news.
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August 31, 2024 9:04am
- All_on_Red
  
  Its a pity she got distracted by all this, ahem, nuttery, as her original message is still true that single parent families and the lack of fathers has caused so much destruction to the black people.
  
  And you’re right about anti semitism being rife amongst some of our own MPs and how silent their enablers in the Media have been in not calling them out on it.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:31am
  - Mike
    
    Candace Owens is a nutcase. Full stop.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:38am
    - Benedict Yu
      
      No not full stop. Most of her views are sensible.
      
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      August 31, 2024 9:46am
      - Mike
        
        Wheen people say things such as
        
        I’m not a flat earther. I’m not a round earther. Actually, what I am is I am somebody who has left the cult of science. I have left the megachurch of science because what I have now realized is that science, what it is actually, if you think about it, is a pagan faith.
        
        it’s safe to disregard them as serious people.
        
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        August 31, 2024 10:00am
      - MCōs
        
        Probably find most of anyone’s views are quite sensible
        Make the trains run on time and all that
        It’s the remaining 20% that are obnoxious and this woman has plenty of those
        
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        August 31, 2024 11:13am
      - RichardX
        
        How many bat-shit crazy beliefs can a person hold and still get a pass for having “sensible” views?
        
        People can believe true, or even “sensible” things for fallacious reasons.
        
        A person can believe 10 things because they believe X, whether X is a religious text or a misunderstanding of science or indoctrination or any number of other flawed epistemological foundations.
        
        5 of those 10 things may actually be true but that is independent of why the person believes them.
        
        I find it far more relevant to understand why the belief is held.
        
        I consider someone who states “I have left the megachurch of science because what I have now realized is that science, what it is actually, if you think about it, is a pagan faith.” to be bat-shit crazy independent of how many “sensible” views they hold.
        
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        August 31, 2024 11:50am
      - JackRabbit
        
        @Mike
        
        I have now realized is that science, what it is actually, if you think about it, is a pagan faith.
        
        Yet she goes on the internet and media, which in her world only exists as a pagan faith.
        
        I don’t agree with you often Mike, but you are not wrong on this one.
        
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        August 31, 2024 2:20pm
      - cmm
        
        Mike: I have left the cult of science too, and I am a scientist (got the degrees and everything).
        
        I think it is important to not to take what people say out of context.
        
        Here, the “cult of science” does not means that she dismisses all science or will not use the fruits of science. It means that she does not believe that science and scientists should be followed with cult-like or religious fervour.
        
        And they should not. Far too many people put science (and scientists) on a pedestal.
        
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        August 31, 2024 5:31pm
  - Benedict Yu
    
    This Candace Owens thing is reminding me of the Kellie Jay Keen hysteria.
    
    It is ironic that the media is focusing on her so called anti Israel views. The left in New Zealand are more rabidly anti Israel than Candice Owens. I have never heard Candice cheer for Hamas.
    
    Candace is very outspoken about the transgender cult, especially as it affects children. The New Zealand and Australian media have so far not picked this up, or I may have missed it.
    
    If she is allowed into New Zealand, I expect that she will face hysteria. It is only a matter of time before the left discover that she can be attacked for her views on homosexuality (which I disagree with) and the transgender cult.
    
    TBH I would be surprised if she was allowed into Australia. IIRC the Australian Minister banned a couple of anti vaccine activists a few years ago. They had planned a speaking tour.
    
    The only people who should be banned from speaking in New Zealand are criminals and those who want to incite death or violence.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:57am
- imalwaysright
  
  The label of antisemite seems to be applied to anyone asking questions about history involving Jews, or criticising someone who happens to be Jewish, or criticising the government of Israel.
  Regardless of the facts, this causes suspicion and resentment.
  Being curious or critical isn’t necessarily antisemitic.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:41am
- Paulus
  
  We should remain an open Society and let her make an application for a Visa.
  Let her speak as that justifies our future, whether we agree with her or not
  I will not listen to her anyway.
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:00am
oldpark

Pop goes the Weasels.Wonder how Wellington Ratepayers feel when their Regional Council Rates have gone up circa 20%. Yes the holier than thou so called Councilors have been exposed of big noting around the world spending Ratepayers money on ratepayer funded airfare and of course circa five star hotels on some type of nondescript conferences . One of them amongst a lot more stands out.
A conference fee of $2881 dollars in Las Vegas. Go figure that lot .
Dosn’t seem to worry the Regional Councilors big noters and spenders. Yes just whack it on the Ratepayers to the tune of 20.55% increase on top of the other gouged rate from Wellington City Council another 16.5% on top of the money grab .
Check out the names of the holier than thou so called Regional Councilors you will be glad you did .
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August 31, 2024 9:22am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Can’t you provide a link to this stuff? Otherwise it is meaningless.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:59am
  - oldpark
    
    @Benedict Yu 9.59am
    
    Under Andrea Vance on Local Government page A4 Todays “The Post” check it out factual beats the hell out of meaningless .
    
    [Mod – adding link]
    
    https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350395688/greater-wellington-regional-council-spent-200k-overseas-trips
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:16am
    - oldpark
      
      Thank you Mod much appreciated.
      
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      August 31, 2024 10:45am
- MCōs
  
  From what I can gather that’s out of a budget of more than a hundred million per annum
  Doesn’t justify the expenditure, of course, except there’s no details of what they did
  Our PM must spend a lot on trips abroad and I noticed Bishop or someone popped up at the Olympics
  Then there’s the infamous speaker’s tours
  Trouble is we’re miles from anywhere down here
  
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  August 31, 2024 11:33am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  “Figures provided show international air travel represented 0.14% of Greater Wellington’s total organisational emissions in 2022-23 (46.6 tonnes of CO 2 e). Provisional data for 2023-24 amount to 17.5 tonnes of CO 2 e.”
  
  Paid for by ratepayers.
  
  “We aim to eventually balance our gross emissions, including those from flights, with carbon removals arising from our native forest restoration work in regional parks,” the statement said.
  
  Also paid for by ratepayers.
  
  Perhaps Nobel prize winning Councillor Thomas Nash could have put his hand in his own pocket.
  
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  August 31, 2024 2:36pm
  - cmm
    
    Using native forest to balance CO2 emissions is bollocks accounting.
    
    Unless wood is harvested and used in building etc, it just goes into a perpetual life cycle of dying, rotting and growing again. How does that remove carbon from the atmosphere?
    
    If anything, it increases the eCO2 because a percentage of the CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere falls on the forest floor where it rots. Some of that turns into methane which has a higher eCO2 than the original CO2.
    
    Of course that mathane will at some stage break down into CO2 and water, but agriculture isn’t allowed to use that argument so why should Wellington City?
    
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    August 31, 2024 5:39pm
    - Pope Punctilious II
      
      Actually some old-growth forests continue to accumulate carbon for many centuries. This recent paper demonstrates that net C accumulation by old-growth forests was overstated by earlier work, but does nevertheless occur:
      https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03266-z
      Two things influence the duration of the C sink effect in forests – the longevity of the largest trees, and the decay rate of their wood. For example, in NZ rata tree logs take centuries to decay, while the trees that replace them accumulate more C.
      
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      September 1, 2024 8:30am
- John Loveridge
  
  They’re all hypocritical bastards.
  
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  August 31, 2024 3:17pm
Souvlaki

A poem for Chris Luxon to read ….
https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2024/08/derek-mackie-and-im-feelin-screwed.html?m=1…
& hopefully reflect on…..
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August 31, 2024 9:25am
SPC

All roads to Ellis Park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXDdeQjKqw8
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August 31, 2024 9:25am
Jinky

Watched the video of the gang members haka in the council chambers up in Hawkes Bay. Mayor and the council were joining in! Glad I don’t pay rates to that mob.
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August 31, 2024 9:35am
All_on_Red

Great new Ad from RFK Jnr
Very funny
https://x.com/iAnonPatriot/status/1829298981224251724?
Possibly directed at his extended Family…

Bonus
Trump campaigns new Ad after the catastrophe which was Harris’s edited and stage managed interview
https://x.com/mattmargolis/status/1829539781329797201?
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2024/08/30/trump-vance-campaign-uses-kamalas-cnn-interview-in-devastating-new-ad-n4932118
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August 31, 2024 9:35am
- Mike
  
  I thought the Trump campaign was a bit busy atm pretending they don’t want to ban IVF.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:40am
  - All_on_Red
    
    Heh, if we are going to list the things Kamala Harris pretends to support then we’re going to need a bigger blog!
    She gaslights more than you do
    Yes, that bad!
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:57am
    - Mike
      
      The republicans are the dog that caught the car. Their positions on reproductive health are wildly unpopular and now they are caught between pretending they care and not wanting to upset the fundie nutcases.
      
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      August 31, 2024 12:18pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Ha, now do how the dems dog has caught the car, which is the jew hating progressives.
        Harris had to sacrifice choosing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to appease them
        Imagine the riots at the DNC Convention if she had picked him. Couldn’t have that.
        That might cost her the State and the Election
        
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        August 31, 2024 1:21pm
      - Mike
        
        I know you were upset that the democrats made a good VP pick and a successful convention, but there’s no need to be silly.
        
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        August 31, 2024 5:09pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Oh dear
        Looks like I’m wrong
        You are far better at gas lighting than kamala
        Because you don’t know how I feel do you
        
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        August 31, 2024 7:01pm
  - Conservatarian
    
    Are you talking about the state Bill in California which will require insurers to cover IVF (average cost USD $24k per round according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
    
    The Bill changes the definition of infertility for insurance purposes to include “a person’s inability to reproduce either as an individual or with their partner without medical intervention.”
    
    The new definition therefore allows the alphabet mafia to claim they are “infertile” and qualify for insurance coverage for IVF.
    
    Ah, “the party of science”.
    
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/california-legislature-approves-insurance-infertility-231203219.html?guccounter=1
    
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    August 31, 2024 12:43pm
bennerg

Thinking about how our media operates, I was piqued by a recent comment by RFK Jnr in his interview with Dr Phil:

“He said Big Pharma ads on TV news aren’t just about pushing products—they’re there to dictate content.

Kennedy witnessed this firsthand.

Roger Ailes, the founder of Fox News, admitted to Kennedy that he had a family member injured by a medical product containing mercury but said he couldn’t give Kennedy a platform to talk about the issue because “70% of our revenues are coming from pharmaceutical companies.”

Ailes told Kennedy, “If any of my hosts allowed you on TV, I’d have to fire them. And if I didn’t, I would hear from Rupert [Murdoch].”

Kennedy explained, “Those [pharmaceutical] companies are advertising not just as a platform for selling products but also because they can dictate content. They can make sure that whoever is on that news show is toeing a line.””

I was reminded by a fact that has not had the real exposure it should have, that being during Covid, the govt paid media through the PJF, but it also paid far more money in paid advertising revenues.

The upshot of this is, how to have a media that is not dependent upon such revenues, and still remain in business? Also without government or other special interest group influence over content, perspective, and balance in reporting.

Ideas anyone?
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August 31, 2024 9:39am
- Mike
  
  It hasn’t ‘had the real exposure it should’ because Kennedy’s anti-science crankery has limited, and diminishing, appeal to people with normally functioning brains.
  
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  August 31, 2024 9:45am
  - bennerg
    
    Mike, if you listen to RFK’s latest video, you can see he is talking sense. The figures don’t lie.
    
    Him being called an ‘anti vaccine crackpot” is just part of the propaganda spread by the all powerful Big Pharma – ad hominum attacks that then avoid any need to justify the terrible state of health in the USA, as well as here in NZ.
    
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    August 31, 2024 3:23pm
- imalwaysright
  
  Wishful thinking would be to have editors worthy of the title.
  
  By the way, NZ is the only other western country that allows pharma advertising.
  
  13 2
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  August 31, 2024 9:54am
- Benedict Yu
  
  I have no solution for America. 🙁
  
  In New Zealand it is simple. The Public interest journalism fund should be dead and never repeated.
  
  The vaccine mandates should never be repeated unless some disease comes where the unvaccinated are actually going to kill people. Not sure what that is.
  
  The advertising for the covid vaccines should have lasted 2 weeks. “there is a vaccine. Get it if you want it. Or not. Up to you.”
  
  As for other government advertising, it should be killed, well mostly. “Road to zero”. No.
  
  Anti drunk driving. 😡🙄 Alcoholics don’t stop drinking and driving because they see an ad.
  
  ACC advertising. Why?
  
  And so on.
  
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  August 31, 2024 10:06am
  - Cassandra
    
    Of course you’re right in principle but re the journalism fund I’m tempted to fight fire with fire. Labour and its cronies will bring it back so why not empower it for the right side? And while I’m about it the re-education camp at Waiouru for selected media folk still has great appeal. 😇 to ensure clarity.
    
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    August 31, 2024 10:23am
  - Mike
    
    I’d say that as a general principle advertising has an effect, otherwise no one would advertise products or services. Where government advertising campaigns are likely to have a positive effect on public health and safety they should be considered. IIRC the auditor-general has guidelines about g0vernment advertising. I don’t know whether those go so far as examining cost-effectiveness.
    
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    August 31, 2024 11:59am
    - Inandout
      
      Mike, some ads fall on deaf ears such as the matey chap who urges people to get the Covid jabs – so long as you haven’t had covid in the last 6 months. I think all drug ads should be banned from radio because athough our health dept probably has coolers full of covid boosters it is Pfizer who clips the ticket.
      
      13 3
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      August 31, 2024 12:45pm
      - Benedict Yu
        
        Seriously? All the people that were going to get the covid vaccine got it within a time frame. I used to monitor the data daily. Even after the daily doses slowed to a trickle, the expensive ads kept going.
        
        On drink driving, the people who get caught may have driven drunk hundreds of times. They don’t need an ad to tell them it is wrong.
        
        Then there is “road to zero”. We have all encountered the mad people who cause mayhem on the roads. They are not going to change because of a TV ad. They are on drugs, or have anger management issues. The money would be better spent getting them off the roads.
        
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        August 31, 2024 8:43pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      “I’d say that as a general principle advertising has an effect..”
      
      No shit Sherlock ?
      Understatement of the century.
      
      4 3
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      August 31, 2024 1:39pm
MCōs

Our recent combined tax reduction of about $8.60 odd per fortnight just about cancels out our rate increase of $10 per fortnight
Can’t grizzle about that!
5 1
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August 31, 2024 12:15pm
- Inandout
  
  MC, aren’t we fortunate being ratepayers?
  
  4 2
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  August 31, 2024 12:47pm
- Manu-Rau
  
  You, and someone else, only got $8.60 between you? What’s wrong you you?Maybe you both should have tried harder in school.
  
  That might explain why you are so perpetually embittered.
  
  3 2
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  August 31, 2024 4:31pm
  - Ghost
    
    superannuitants will only benefit by $9
    
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/budget-2024-tax-cuts-explained-whats-in-it-for-you/CTMRUYLIL5GPTAMUZVYDB7VJPA/
    
    I think you’ll find he’s on the pension
    
    2 0
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    August 31, 2024 4:49pm
- Mike
  
  Didn’t Nicola Willis tell you it would be like an early Christmas?
  
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  August 31, 2024 5:16pm
Swifty

Hey MCos, you need to tell me who my heartthrob is (apart from Margaret Thatcher) – you had me stumped yesterday.
5 1
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August 31, 2024 12:30pm
- Swifty
  
  Maggie Thatcher gives me the horn…..
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyN76YugQyc
  
  1 1
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  August 31, 2024 3:47pm
KH

Tuku Morgan as the next Maori King.
What would we call him.
4 5
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August 31, 2024 1:35pm
- Damocles11
  
  King Tarau Roto I
  
  1 1
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  August 31, 2024 2:04pm
- AitchW
  
  Who does the Maori king rule over?
  
  3 2
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  August 31, 2024 2:45pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Observe carefully…
    
    Once the Tainui faithful… Now I think Te Pati Maori voters as well.
    
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    August 31, 2024 9:23pm
- Paulus
  
  Boxer King of course !
  
  7 1
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  August 31, 2024 2:51pm
- John Loveridge
  
  It seems to be very quiet in Huntly. Are they having trouble deciding who will next occupy the fabled Kumara Throne?
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:26pm
Damocles11

‘Chief executive Paul Thompson acknowledges RNZ National’s radio ratings are “concerning” and “a cause for soul-searching.”’
Yet he keeps going with the DEI hires and the relentless Leftism. 🤦🏻‍♂️

‘Shayne Currie asked Thompson what lapsed listeners were saying. “We’re probably going to have to go and ask some more questions, because I’m not sure we have the full picture.”’🤦🏻‍♂️
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August 31, 2024 2:06pm
- Tom Hunter
  
  Die MSM, Die 🙂
  
  5 4
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  August 31, 2024 5:41pm
- Burtland
  
  Willie turned national radio into a maori titanic – radio for non-maori speaking maori seems to be working
  
  The broadcaster has dropped 35,300 listeners between the first GfK radio ratings survey of 2024 and the second, latest survey.
  
  Morning Report down to 347,400 from 376,500 this year
  Nine to Noon dropped to 264,100 from 286,600 this year
  Checkpoint down to 188,600 listeners, from 217,800 this year.
  Saturday Morning has 195,400 listeners, down from 211,100
  
  RNZ is hoping its new Saturday Morning pairing, Susie Ferguson and Johanna Forbes, will be able to turn the titanic around.
  
  the abysmal performance is hidden from taxpayers behind a paywall.
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider-rnzs-radio-ratings-drop-a-cause-for-soul-searching-says-ceo-rebecca-wrights-news-plans-mediaworks-and-auditor-part-ways-rod-vaughan-tribute/BDW6HTJF2BFHRP27X2OTWKYIYI-2/
  
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  August 31, 2024 5:53pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    RNZ is hoping its new Saturday Morning pairing, Susie Ferguson and Johanna Forbes, will be able to turn the titanic around.
    
    I barely survived the first 20 mins of the pair this morning.
    But as I had tuned out from Kim Hill years ago, I doubt I’ll be suffering RNZ withdrawal symptoms any time soon.
    
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    August 31, 2024 6:46pm
    - Bridgenag
      
      Yes…… I grieve for what was now again though
      
      2 0
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      August 31, 2024 7:12pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        The older I get, the less I can tolerate radio/TV banter/idle-chatter….. and the more I appreciate silence.
        
        7 0
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        August 31, 2024 7:20pm
    - fightingtemeraire
      
      Has Minurangi Forbes reverted to her English name now???
      
      5 0
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      August 31, 2024 7:32pm
  - Benedict Yu
    
    I stopped listening solely because of the mix of Maori and English in the same broadcasts. I am unaware of any country that tries to combine two languages in one broadcast. For example a mix of Flemish and French. Because there would be riots.
    
    It is a bit like if someone was explaining something to you in English but decided to helpfully throw in some Arabic phrases. You would stop listening.
    
    That is exactly what has happened to RNZ. IMO it is a bigger factor than their political bias. That is something I can take account of in listening.
    
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    August 31, 2024 8:49pm
Steve Todd

Another rambling, incoherent, speech from Donald Trump.

Trump’s Scary Spiraling Isn’t Funny Anymore

Trump’s repeated word salad proves he’s losing it

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITRyDBByBpM [9:12].

The splurge says—

“There’s no questioning it… former president Donald Trump can’t keep his thoughts straight. Cenk Uygur, John Iadarola and Francesca Fiorentini discuss on The Young Turks.”

Sad.
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August 31, 2024 3:58pm
- Conservatarian
  
  “proves” he’s losing it?
  
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  August 31, 2024 6:15pm
- All_on_Red
  
  I think what is sad is those who support sexist pigs like the misogynist Cenk Uygur.
  Sure says a lot about them.
  Heres a clip of Uygur getting taken apart by Michael Knowles and poor Cenk loses his temper.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwkZDO6iYfk&list=WL&index=18
  Given his awful attitudes towards women it wouldn’t surprise me if he beats his wife.
  But it seems hes the hero of the incel left- must be because he’s SO manly, oh well.
  
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  August 31, 2024 6:37pm
Steve Todd

Another very informative discussion between Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci, on The Rest is Politics US.

Trump’s Got A Secret Weapon

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyB4C8JpVHI [46:38].

“Every presidential candidate has been interviewed with their vice president over the last 30 years.” Source: Anthony Scaramucci.

The splurge says—

“What is Donald Trump’s secret weapon? Which voters are being won over by Kamala Harris who weren’t won over by Biden? Which popular Republican politicians are secretly rooting for a Kamala Harris presidency?

“Join Anthony and Katty as they answer all these questions and more.

“00.00 Intro
01:03 Did the DNC cut through to voters?
04:20 Trump shouldn’t be written off
08:21 Trump’s secret weapon
11:58 Is Trump on message?
19:07 A Trump collector card?!
22:22 Break
22:25 Please subscribe people
23:11 Harris vs. Trump – debate prep
30:31 Trump’s 2016 field operation recap
33:53 Harris’ campaign in Georgia
41:10 Question on Governor Brian Kemp
45:44 Outro.”

At 16 minutes, Katty says, that this time, Trump really wants to win. In my opinion, that is primarily because he believes one-term presidents are losers.

It’s well worth watching. Again, there are interesting snippets of information throughout you won’t get anywhere else.
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August 31, 2024 5:29pm
- Conservatarian
  
  Using the words “Trump” and “weapon” in the same sentence is yet another dog whistle by these Demonrat operatives to all the violent lawless antifa communists and Justice Department employees already plotting their next attempt to murder Trump.
  
  Disgraceful language.
  
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  August 31, 2024 6:20pm
- All_on_Red
  
  “Every presidential candidate has been interviewed with their vice president over the last 30 years.” Source: Anthony Scaramucci.
  Pardon my skepticism and not believing what the little Mooch says but do you have a Citation to support this or is this just made up rubbish for the gullible?
  Cause you know Todd, you have been caught before making stuff up…
  
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  August 31, 2024 6:40pm
Damocles11

One News taken over by the death of ‘the Maori Monarch’, in reality a chief of Tainui. People with European ancestry are allowed to retain nothing of their culture, Maori had chiefs…..they’ve culturally appropriated the Monarchy and are rubbing our noses in it. Why don’t all the other Iwi get a King and the same amount of carry on, what makes Tainui so special, did they conquer the other tribes or something?
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August 31, 2024 6:13pm
- AitchW
  
  Tainui have lots more settlement money than the other tribes….
  
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  August 31, 2024 8:31pm
Jack5

Another reminder for New Zealand horse-syndicate members whose race horses were sold to China.

A Chinese farrier tends to the hooves of neglected horses.

Don’t give up on the 11min 30sec video early. It gets worse.

https://youtu.be/tkBrNeuGwl8?si=us9rFgbC_cUz1Bh8
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August 31, 2024 7:12pm
Pope Punctilious II

TVNZ lost $85M during the last financial year. Oh dear, what a pity, never mind.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/350397145/tvnz-posts-85m-loss-amid-extremely-challenging-period
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August 31, 2024 7:56pm

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