General Debate 30 November 2010

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pdm

The North Wind doth Blow
and London will receive snow
at 3am in the morning so they say.

Actually it is more a North Easterly but whatever – snow in London in Autumn is very rae so they say.
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November 30, 2010 8:37am
Manolo

Two monumental hypocrites with an ego to match. Which one is worse?
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/andrewbolt/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/the_concert_no_warmist_would_applaud/
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November 30, 2010 8:37am
RobbieBlack

@Yvette, yes on a more positive note, the cheese, beer and sausages here are great.

Especially the beer.

You go to a supermarket and there are like twenty local brews to choose from.

I go for the Pilseners, Paulaner and Hasseroder mostly.

Not really a Weisbeer fan. Helles is good too.
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November 30, 2010 8:43am
Manolo

Final proof ACT is dying of a painful, slow death: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10690925

Rodney Hide “leadership” has ruined a once promising party.
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November 30, 2010 8:46am
Pete George

All the heat from the North must have migrated here: Sweltering Sunday hottest for November
And all that proves is the weather is variable.

Something more moderate – expectations for Cancun.
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November 30, 2010 8:53am
CraigM

Pete George – “moderate” may have been wishful thinking.

“Cancun climate change summit: scientists call for rationing in developed world”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/copenhagen-climate-change-confe/8165769/Cancun-climate-change-summit-scientists-call-for-rationing-in-developed-world.html
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November 30, 2010 8:59am
Jimbob

The sooner World political powers come to their senses and drop the “global warming” nonsense the better. This method of frightening countries into alternative sources of energy when they need more research and development is back firing. The future direction of the World’s energy requirements needs to be agreed upon in a more mature way than the present hotchpotch approach forced upon us by various Governments “climate change” policies. The present global financial crisis may bring them into the real World.
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November 30, 2010 8:59am
James Stephenson

@Manolo – what was “promising” about that dick Tashkoff next on the ACT list?

As Edward I said: “A man does good business when he rids himself of a turd”.

(I’m not an ACT member btw and the my views are formed entirely on Tashkoff’s public utterances)
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November 30, 2010 9:00am
Adolf Fiinkensein

Au contraire, Manolo. This is an act of rejuvenation. An expunging of toxins. No doubt you’ll be off to join his new party which he can’t quite get around to just yet?
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November 30, 2010 9:02am
Murray

The left and their usefull idiots have been predicting the demise of Act for as long as the party has exisited.

Its not prediction, its wishful verbalising.
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November 30, 2010 9:09am
Don the Kiwi

Tashkoff needs to get a haircut and a real job.
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November 30, 2010 9:10am
Pete George

There’s been a bit of talk about needing a “proper” right wing party. Act manage 1-2%, what level of support would a righter party realistically expect?
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November 30, 2010 9:14am
Manolo

Sorry to disappoint you Adolf, but no, I will not be joining the “new” party. 🙂
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November 30, 2010 9:18am
kowtow

CraigM

Did you post that climate scam article as a joke.?

“Respected scientists and institutions”….they’re discredited arseholes pushing an anti West ,anti wealth,anti trade agenda.

In fact they’re plain mental and our governments are too for going along with this crap!
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November 30, 2010 9:22am
wreck1080

A disaster, apples exports to Australia will resume according to the latest WTO ruling.

Why a disaster?

Because NZ apple prices will increase. The aussies have a lot more spending power, and domestic prices are linked to export prices.

Also, this puts upward pressure on the NZ dollar.Probably not a lot, but some.
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November 30, 2010 9:25am
Pete George

This is doing the rounds, don’t fall for it….

WARNING PLEASE READ…. If someone comes to your door and asks you to remove your clothes and dance with your arms in the air…. DO NOT do this…It is a scam, they just want to see you naked , please copy and paste this to your status….l wish l had received this yesterday, l feel………stupid now 🙂
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November 30, 2010 9:30am
joana

Wreck….. the other consequence is that about the time approval was given for our apples ; the Aussies got permission to sell their honey in NZ..This was slipped in quietly. It is disastrous for our honey interests also for horticulture which depends on bees..Aussie honey actually comes from all over the world..it contains anti-biotics. Our honey is as it is advertised ”pure”…it is predicted that our honey will also have anti-biotics added and that our bee populations will be affected..I don’t know all the details but it seemed suspicious that these two decisions came out about the same time..NZ honey is a food and a medicine..Why would any country with ”pure ” honey put this and other industries at risk? Some of you may know more about this..
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November 30, 2010 9:40am
gazzmaniac

joana – why not let consumers decide whether they want “pure” NZ honey or cheaper “impure” Australian honey?
At present honey in NZ supermarkets is like most products and cheaper than in Australia. So I don’t see the problem if Australian producers want to market an inferior product at a higher price.
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November 30, 2010 9:44am
Chuck Bird

@Manolo – the article in the Herald is rubbish. I do not hold any position in ACT but am very active and do voluntary work. One of the jobs I do involves talking to a lot of members to make sure their details are correct. I have also attended a number of regional meetings and other public meeting on issues such as the foreshore and seabed. The latest meeting was last night.

I can state that there is no talk of replacing Rodney as leader. Members in the know are well aware that Rodney made some mistakes which he has acknowledged. However, he has learned by them. The over issue Garrett caused ACT some problems but I was at a meeting where Rodney was asked some probing questions by members. The consensus of meeting was that Rodney handled the situation very well.

I think most members support Rodney highlighting the proposed foreshore and seabed legislation. If the public ignore this issue more than the future of ACT may be at stake. The future of New Zealand depends stopping legislation that will allow the Attorney General to give away beaches including the foreshore and seabed in return for support from the Maori Party.
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November 30, 2010 9:57am
Chthoniid

Umm, how does antibiotics in Australian honey affect NZ bee populations?
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November 30, 2010 9:58am
Rodders

And now for something completely different…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4402359/Live-chat-PM-John-Key
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November 30, 2010 10:06am
Fletch

Oprah’s audience goes wild as she gives each audience member a new VW 2012 Beetle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1br3s6kh6pE&feature=player_embedded#!

Don’t know what to say about that really…
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November 30, 2010 10:20am
starboard

Taxpayers could be paying as much as $178 million to bail out a failed finance company owned by one of New Zealand’s wealthiest families.
The Spencer family, of Auckland, are the backers of Equitable Mortgages which went into receivership on Friday.
The Spencers are in National Business Review’s Richlist with a fortune estimated at $700 million.
Headed by John Spencer, the family made their money in toilet paper.
Mr Spencer owns extensive land holdings in Auckland – including some of the North Shore’s most valuable beachfront – and established Waiheke’s Man O’ War vineyard.

How bad is this ! Its just so wrong.
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November 30, 2010 10:28am
big bruv

Time to bring back the death penalty.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/4403617/Child-kicker-found-guilty-of-murder

This piece of shit should be shot.
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November 30, 2010 10:29am
nickb

re bruv’s comment:

Ngatai-Check, 23, had admitted causing the internal injuries and bleeding that killed two-year-old Karl Perigo-Check on October 24 last year, but maintained he never thought the abuse – which included a roundhouse-style kick – could be fatal.

What a pillar of civilization this bloke is…
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November 30, 2010 10:33am
big bruv

And while the death penalty might be a bit over the top for the prick who did this…

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4404673/Pups-ears-cut-off-with-scissors

I do think that the offender should have his ears cut off, I would be more than happy to do the job.
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November 30, 2010 10:44am
starboard

The offender could face up to five years imprisonment or a $100,000 fine if convicted

…while thats a start…whats the bet the shitbag gets 6 months supervision.
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November 30, 2010 10:53am
Inventory2

@ big bruv and nickb – there’s a simple solution; Rikki Ngatai-Check gets doubled-bunked with his Mongrel Mob cousin Karl Check, the murderer of Jhia Te Tua. Karl Check is, of course, Karl-Perigo Check’s father, and the former partner of the woman that Ngatai-Check moved in on when Check was arrested and jailed.

I guess that it reinforces the old adage that you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family …
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November 30, 2010 11:33am
Fletch

Live chat with John Key on now (from Midday) at Stuff if you want to ask him something

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4402359/Live-chat-PM-John-Key
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November 30, 2010 11:55am
Jack5

Assange – what a self-aggrandizing mongrel. I hope the Swedes lock him up for rape before the Auckland peaceniks are able to offer him Zaoui-type safe haven.

Mind you “safe” might be a delusion for Assange even in lefty Auckland.

The people around Assange who have helped him with his Quixote-style crusade are Assange’s version of Stalin’s “useful idiots”.

Here’s an example of some of the damage Assange has done to non-politicians:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/guywalters/100065834/the-biggest-losers-from-wikileaks-will-be-historians-%E2%80%93%C2%A0thanks-assange/
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November 30, 2010 12:05pm
starboard

Howeird Broads replacement been announced…Peter Marshall.
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November 30, 2010 12:06pm
gazzmaniac

Thanks for the link Jack5
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November 30, 2010 12:15pm
Rodders

Funniest question (so far) to the PM in the live chat on Stuff:

Question: “If you were stuck on a deserted island, which other NZ Member of Parliament would you want to be stuck with, and why?”

John Key: “It’d have to be someone from our side, because I wouldn’t want to spend time with the other lot!
We’ll go with Paula Bennett, because I can be totally confident she would do the talking, and I’d just have to do the listening.”
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November 30, 2010 12:24pm
Fletch

Rodders, a lot of the questions seem to be asking what his fav colour is, and Tv programme – sheesh! Doesn’t look like he’s taking questions about the F&S or the ETS
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November 30, 2010 12:34pm
Rodders

There was a question about the cycleway though, Fletch 😉
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November 30, 2010 12:36pm
southtop

Re: Stuuf live chat
sometime ago (about half an hour) I asked why national has joined the socialist parties in restricting free speech through the electoral finance act
as yet not seen, suspect very heavy moderation as he is answering questions about his favourite colour and tv programme
total b/s pr exercise to date, just smile and wave!
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November 30, 2010 12:37pm
southtop

new commissioner seems to show crusher going for a slow clean out of Helen’s pet plods as Pope n Rickard didn’t get nod.
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November 30, 2010 12:39pm
Fletch

Stuff live chat..

Oh FFS, ‘what is your fav “Arnie” movie…really? People have nothing better to ask?
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November 30, 2010 12:40pm
joana

I haven’t got time to follow up on the honey issue right now but the concern is for our horticultural products..for our own food supply..
On a sourer note Dave Henderson has been declared bankrupt…142 million in debt…NZ’s largest bankruptcy…What a crook. How many CHCH businesses have gone under partly because of him? How many creditors does he have? Why were the two CHCH mayors so sucked in by this guy? Have they never met a conman before? And what of his scientology organization?
He has never been a businessman..only ever a serial borrower. And an Act party supporter..Not a good advert. for Act.
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November 30, 2010 12:49pm
adze

Yeah I had many ‘FFS’ moments during that chat. What did you have for lunch. Really? What are you, 5?

I asked about the NZ/Aus wage gap and the F&S – the former was asked by someone else and the second issue wasn’t addressed at all. 🙁
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November 30, 2010 12:51pm
Fletch

JK chat is over, and didn’t address my question on F&S 🙁

More of a PR exercise I think.
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November 30, 2010 12:51pm
Manolo

He will continue to lie until the very last minute. In fact, Key appears to have been born a a professional liar:
http://www.interest.co.nz/news/i-havent-campaigned-one-thing-and-done-something-different-pm-key-says-your-view
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November 30, 2010 12:54pm
Rodders

afze , did you notice that the person who asked what the PM was eating was called Phil?
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November 30, 2010 12:55pm
Sarkozygroupie

A website dedicated to the life, times and work of British Psychiatrist Anthony Daniels a.k.a Theodore Dalrymple who writes about the crimes of the liberal intelligentsia and the chaos and cultural decrepitude its socialist ideas have unleashed on Britain.

Life at the Bottom: The Worldview that makes the Underclass

http://www.skepticaldoctor.com/Life_at_the_Bottom.html

A truly inspired and highly recommended read.
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November 30, 2010 12:56pm
adze

Nope Rodders, why?
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November 30, 2010 12:57pm
Rodders

adze, I wondered why Phil couldn’t have waited till after 2pm, then he could have put down a parliamentary question 😉
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November 30, 2010 12:59pm
Rodders

Here is a summary. Possibly some of the questions were asked from a school classroom?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4405719/PM-John-Key-Kumara-chips-to-currency
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November 30, 2010 2:00pm
gazzmaniac

So when will JK be doing an online Q&A with voters?
Yes it’s great to see he’s got time for school kids, but he also has to address some of the serious concerns we have.
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November 30, 2010 2:05pm
david

Rodders, Phil would have had to wait a week. Next sitting day is 7 December
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/Programme/9/4/d/00CLOOCThisWkProgramme1-House-sitting-programme.htm
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November 30, 2010 2:06pm
Rodders

Thanks for checking that david. Perhaps that’s why Phil couldn’t wait (he might believe that a change in diet is his only hope in closing the gap with National.)
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November 30, 2010 2:08pm
Manolo

Thank you, Sarkozygroupie.
I’ve located the book you mentioned and will get it soon; it promises to be a good read.
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November 30, 2010 2:36pm
joana

Britain fears islamic fury over Wikileaks report…so privately diplomats write what they think..how surprising.
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November 30, 2010 2:56pm
Manolo

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9JQ56EG0&show_article=1

Who would like to move to Ecuador, after all?
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November 30, 2010 3:20pm
rouppe

Did anyone else see Steve Maharey’s piece in the Dominion Post today?

I read it and thought “Ummmmm so what did you do about this during the ten years you were in power and had all the advantages of the global boom at your disposal?”

WFF: Give people in work more money, and do little to nothing for the unemployed.
Interest free student loans: Give away free money but not expect any intellectual payback from the recipients. In fact no payback of any kind!

Then jump ship when the writing was on the wall and have the gall to pontificate from his academic armchair

Dork
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November 30, 2010 3:32pm
Sarkozygroupie

You are welcome Manolo.

I’m just reading it for the second time. It was truly enlightening, and turns a group of loose ideas and random annoyances with the appalling state of the liberal world into a very tight and compelling, rational, intellectually rigorous argument for a return to traditional and conservative values, where judgements are made (and it is not shameful to do so) so as to enable one’s considered response to a situation, and zero intolerance of all behaviour (or 100% tolerance where anything goes) is not normal. The precision prose is a joy to read.

Much like Alexander McCall Smith from Scotland who authored the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, when he was lecturing in Botswana in medical law there. He also uses beautifully structured language. I can also highly recommend this series. It is a gentle treatment of the human condition and at the same time provides a very interesting picture of Botswana (and surrounding Africa) and its people, the Setswana.

http://www.mccallsmith.com/botswana.htm
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November 30, 2010 3:41pm
Manolo

Rouppe, I read it too and am able to appreciate Maharey’s stupidity well deserving of an Olympic medal.

The promoter of many wasteful initiatives during his days in power now claims innocence about their consequences. You can almost sense Maharey’s arrogance and condescencion. He knows better; after all he is an academic and former minister of a socialist government.

Smarmy Maharey should have never held office.
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November 30, 2010 3:46pm
MikeNZ

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/11/emp-attacks-what-the-us-must-do-now

I well remember the Iranians practising launching Scuds from container ships a year or so ago.

What would life be like for us if the USA fell over like this scenario?
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November 30, 2010 4:21pm
Hurf Durf

A world where Leslie Nielsen is dead but Julian Asshat continues to breathe is not a world I want to be a part of.
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November 30, 2010 4:36pm
Kris K

This marks the day Islam won

And if you think that headline is an exaggeration, go read the whole thing at Gates of Vienna.

“Today, in 21st century Western Europe, our right to free speech is being shut down quietly and systematically with an effectiveness that the commissars in the old Soviet Union could only dream of. A milestone in this ominous totalitarian trend will be reached tomorrow, 28 November 2010, when the member states of the European Union are required to implement an innocuous-sounding legal provision known as the “Framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia”, or, more fully, the “Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law.” According to the final article of the Framework Decision, “Member States shall take the necessary measures to comply with the provisions of this Framework Decision by 28 November 2010.

… Even worse, a complaint made by a member state does not have to be “dependent on a report or an accusation made by a victim of the conduct”, nor does the alleged offender have to be “physically present in its territory”. […]

When there are enough Muslims living in Europe — and it doesn’t have to be a majority of the population, just somewhere around fifteen or twenty percent — we will be living under Islamic law, and not the laws that presently govern us.
[continues]

This is about prohibiting criticism of Islam. Nothing else.

This is the reality that many totally miss: You don’t have to have anywhere near a majority of the population to be Muslim before Sharia becomes the law of the land. And how many nations within the EU are already approaching the likely 15-20% threshold?

And even us here in New Zealand and Australia, where Muslim immigrant percentages are relatively low compared to Europe, are more than aware of the already increasing demands by Islam for respect of Sharia, and that we be sensitive to Islamic practices and observances.

[Hat tip: Crusader Rabbit; KG]
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November 30, 2010 4:53pm
Herman Poole

Unbelievable, the casting agent who told the English Pakistani holidayer that Hobbits were light skinned has ben sacked.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/4405419/Racist-Hobbit-casting-agent-sacked
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November 30, 2010 5:01pm
mawm

Sarkozygroupie – Setswana is the language that the Tswana speak and McCall Smith was born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He lives in Scotland.
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November 30, 2010 5:01pm
gazzmaniac

Herman – perhaps he could have said she wasn’t suitable for the role. Whether or not it’s appropriate to not cast someone because of their colour is irrelevant – it should have been handled better.
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November 30, 2010 5:08pm
dad4justice

big bruv wants to cut offenders ears off and kill animal abusers.
I sincerely hope this wacko is detained in a secure mental facility. What a nutbar of the highest order. All the traits of a very disturbed and dangerous individual.
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November 30, 2010 5:21pm
kowtow

Talking of Maharey,does anyone recall him referring to a place such as “no persons land”?

I came across a reference a few years ago but can’t put my hand on it.

His valedictory speech in parliament was nasty too…….hard working, English immigrant working class stock,anti monarchist……when I were young lad,faux socialist shite.Like the rest of them.
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November 30, 2010 5:23pm
Jimbob

Andrew Gawith in today’s Herald gives another serve to the agriculture sector. Andrew and his bosom buddy Gareth Morgan despise farmers as they get most of the funding from the banks and people wanting to buy global equities miss out. Poor Andrew misses out on clipping the ticket . Then they sell the farm and get all that tax free capital gain, can I smell some envious over tones here. With the global population growing and Asian countries becoming more wealthy, any agricultural land in a very favourable climate for growing food like NZ, is going to become more valuable. The return on capital may not be great, but has always been the case, costs to farmers are horrendous compared to other businesses, as there are many people in line to clip the ticket.
As for global equities, well they are in for another bath. Optimism in financial markets is waning, we may get a Christmas rally, but it will probably not last. I know where I will be putting my money, no where near Andrew Gawith, that is for sure.
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November 30, 2010 5:26pm
Hurf Durf

Then:

“The documents appear to have been acquired illegally and contain all manner of private information and statements that were never intended for the public eye, so they won’t be posted here.” Andrew Revkin, Environment Editor, New York Times Nov 20, 2009.

Now:

“The articles published today and in coming days are based on thousands of United States embassy cables, the daily reports from the field intended for the eyes of senior policy makers in Washington. The New York Times and a number of publications in Europe were given access to the material several weeks ago and agreed to begin publication of articles based on the cables online on Sunday. The Times believes that the documents serve an important public interest, illuminating the goals, successes, compromises and frustrations of American diplomacy in a way that other accounts cannot match.” New York Times editorial 29/11/2010

Hypocrisy, progressive-style.

Important public interest. Hmmm. Right now, I’m reading a cable about the rest and recuperative habits of the Kazakhstani political elite. How is that in the “public interest?”
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November 30, 2010 5:35pm
Fletch

Kris, thanks for the link. It looks very bad for European freedom of speech
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November 30, 2010 6:37pm
Fletch

WTF? From Sideswipe on the back of the NZ herald today –

PR disaster for BP

Darryn writes, “I was at a BP Service Station on Saturday morning and overheard an elderly lady saying to staff behind counter that she didn’t know how to use the pumps. The staff member replied: ‘Sorry love, but there are written instructions on the end of the pump. If you still have problems, there is an 0800 number to ring. Phone that and they will ring us here and we can then send someone out to help you.’ Thankfully, a member of the public overheard and was more than happy to help her fill her car.”

Are they purposely going out of their way to be unhelpful?
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November 30, 2010 6:44pm
Pete George

Sounds unhelpful Fletch, they didn’t tell her she’s not allowed to use her mobile at the serviceless station.
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November 30, 2010 7:09pm
Fletch

Tweet by Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia –

@wikileaks Speaking as Wikipedia’s co-founder, I consider you enemies of the U.S.–not just the government, but the people.

Well said.
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November 30, 2010 7:10pm
reid

This is the reality that many totally miss: You don’t have to have anywhere near a majority of the population to be Muslim before Sharia becomes the law of the land. And how many nations within the EU are already approaching the likely 15-20% threshold?

Kris one presumes you’re familiar with Albert Pike and his three world wars prediction? Now the people who are doing this are the western legislators aren’t they, not the Muslim legislators. And just precisely why on earth do you think they are betraying their own western countrymen? Why? Do you think the Muslims are forcing them to do this? How? Why are they being this peculiarly politically correct over a group of foreigners. Why aren’t they doing it for Asians for example. Why are they betraying their own, their beloved countrymen, for Muslims? Why?

Re: Assange. Heard on news tonight they think this latest is from his same source. Knowing what he’s like, I would not be surprised at all if he’s got secret stuff he won’t ever publish unless they kill him or harm him, and they don’t know where he’s hidden it. It’s quite an interesting illustration of the principle of free speech: if you don’t believe in it for those whom you despise, you don’t believe in it at all.
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November 30, 2010 8:34pm
side show bob

Did anyone catch Nigel Farage giving the European parliament their pedigrees, Nov 26, he’s not holding back, they all look like they have swallowed dead rats. There is a transcript and you tube video on prison planet.
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November 30, 2010 8:48pm
big bruv

SSB

Thanks for the tip re Farage, it is a magnificent video clip to watch.
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November 30, 2010 9:42pm
reid

Yes SSB. Fantastic.

[speaking of the EU preventing Ireland from calling an election till they signup to the bailout]…if you rob people of their identity, if you rob them of their democracy, then all they are left with is nationalism and violence. I can only hope and pray that the euro project is destroyed by the markets before that really happens.

Interesting this slow-mo global geopolitical-economic train-wreck over-decades, isn’t it.
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November 30, 2010 10:36pm
Pete George

There is another bunch of States that have been United a lot longer that doesn’t have the best of economies at the moment either.
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December 1, 2010 6:36am
Sarkozygroupie

Mawm,

Yes, it’s been some years since I read the series, and I wrote that yesterday off the top of my head from memory. I stand corrected that the people of Botswana are known as Batswana (women) or Motswana (men). The language of Botswana is Setswana, and the word is also used to describe the way of life. Thanks for jogging my memory on that.

I think of McCall Smith as being from Scotland since he is a Rhodesian-born Scottish national, and although born in Southern Rhodesia returned to Edinburgh for tertiary education early on in his life, and has lived there since 1984 after returning from his three years in Botswana.

All in all his books, whether set in Gaborone, Edinburgh or elsewhere, are an excellent read in my opinion.
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December 1, 2010 9:20am

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