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February 23, 2023 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 23 February 2023

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General Debate

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Yvette

Anyone who watched this simple possible headline –

West Coast MP Maureen Pugh says she is yet to see a response by Minister James Shaw to a local council request for actual evidence before impacting rate-payers on man-made climate change.

– morph in less that 24 hours into this actual headline –

A National MP who says she is “yet to see” evidence of man-made climate change will be given a reading list from the deputy leader of the party.

– should know that indeed the fourth estate has now definitely become the fifth column, and the only real question is – Did the media do this by itself, or did it have any contact with the Prime Minister’s Office for advice or instructions?

I tend to believe it was an “in-house” hit-job even although several media outlets were involved – and that leaves the question: Why?

Perhaps some political media watcher and commentator like Bryce Edwards can tell us.
If he is not part of the media spreading the miss-information and dis-information that media so emphatically warned us of
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February 23, 2023 8:01am
- lastmanstanding
  
  So how do you feel if you need surgery in 25 years time and the surgeon was at school when Hipkins was Minister of Education. As a result of falling education standards and lack of attendance the Universities and Medical Schools had to lower their entry standards and teaching levels to ensure the required number of surgeons graduated.
  As a result the cohort of surgeons had a significant lower skill level than in 2023.
  Think about it because that is going to be the reality.
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:18am
  - mawm
    
    Surgeons learn their skills after leaving medical school. The lowering standards of medical schools has resulted in doctors not having the broad base of knowledge previous generations of them did. It seems as if the focus of medical schools is to stream trainees into a speciality as soon as possible, some of which make the wrong choice, and train them only in that speciality.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:30am
    - lastmanstanding
      
      But if they dont have the base knowledge that is taught in schools they will struggle later. I recall a few years ago Auckland Uni had to give first year Law students remedial reading because they couldnt comphrehend the law texts. Go figure.
      
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      February 23, 2023 9:59am
    - Ian Boag
      
      The lowering standards of medical schools has resulted in doctors not having the broad base of knowledge previous generations of them did
      
      Interesting. Is there any backup for this claim?
      
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      February 23, 2023 12:45pm
      - mawm
        
        Yes.
        
        [Mod – when confirming there is evidence, please provide links rather than just commenting yes]
        
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        February 23, 2023 1:06pm
      - Keith White
        
        How about – The two accrediting bodies for American medical schools stated (Nov 2021) say that meritocracy is “malignant” and that race has “no genetic or scientific basis”.
        
        So, how do you think graduates from those accredited medical schools will turn out?
        
        Note also that discouraging vital genetic testing directly endangers children. But then, we kill so many in the womb – and in NZ we can now kill them up until birth – that maybe some see this as a feature not a bug.
        
        Abortions are now available “on request” in NZ until 20 weeks, and then after that provided two doctors approves the procedure as being “clinically appropriate”. So, abortion until birth on demand.
        
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        February 23, 2023 5:46pm
    - Keith White
      
      “Surgeons learn their skills after leaving medical school.”
      
      Not fully correct. 5th and 6th years are times when we built on anatomy / dissection knowledge and started to do actual procedures with guidance and supervision – and informed consent.
      
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      February 23, 2023 3:44pm
  - Yvette
    
    Lastmanstanding, I am not entirely sure why you have asked this question in relation to what I wrote, but if I suspected a Kiwi surgeon suffered medical school insufficiencies and Hipkins education syndrome, I would ask for a better qualified Indian surgeon and a Philippines nurse – racial diversity, you see?
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:33am
    - Keith White
      
      Agree Yvette, but will there be any such people allowed in NZ in case they make the ‘local product’ of the Woke Medical Schools look bad.
      
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      February 23, 2023 3:46pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    All becoming a dog’s breakfast.
    I am happy though. Highly unlikely I will be around in 25 years, that would make me 95!
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:44am
  - GJM
    
    Correction – the Special People get first dibs, and have to meet lower standards, so a lot of students with better marks are unable to get into med school because they picked the wrong ancestors.
    This is one reason for a declining skill and education level of medical staff.
    Not much you can do but assume anyone of that group off Special People is a diversity hire, and get someone else. I like my kiwi-Chinese doctor.
    
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    February 23, 2023 2:14pm
    - Cassandra
      
      I consulted an SP doctor who failed to diagnose a tumour, with the result, 8 months later, that I have a permanent disability. While I’m not suggesting he was incompetent I must say I do have a nagging doubt – would my usual Pom GP have diagnosed the problem and thus saved my health? The consequences of affirmative action are obvious, there’s alway the doubt.
      
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      February 23, 2023 2:42pm
    - Keith White
      
      A notice from Auckland University’s medical school shows of the 287 places on offer in 2023, an increasing number are reserved for Maori and Pacific Island students – up from 70 last year to 103, while “general entry” places are being reduced – from around 120 down to 94. And while A grade levels are necessary for ‘general entry’ candidates, C grades are sufficient for the Maori and Pacific students. Merit is definitely secondary to race for NZ doctors.
      
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      February 23, 2023 3:49pm
- Chuck Bird
  
  Luxon, cannot show Maureen proof that the cyclone was caused by human emissions as he claims.
  
  Science should demand all scientists agree. The video about Dr Steven Koonin, author of Unsettled is under 10 minutes.
  
  The shameless attack on a climate change dissenter
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj0vWlLCmmI
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:36am
  - The Redbaiter
    
    Chuck- Under the leadership of Willis/Luxon, the National Party is completely lost. Even those MPs you might have thought you could rely on to think rationally and repel the odious group think that pervades the climate religion have been turned.
    
    Check out the statements and who has made them in this graphic, and then you’ll know the National party is no longer.
    
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    February 23, 2023 12:03pm
    - blue collar
      
      Bugger it redbaiter , you’ve just ruined my last hope for national .
      I was thinking , maybe just maybe Luxon is on to a winner here and doing a Cindy .
      Virtue signalling to the young swing voter for whom , is more than likely , into the man made climate change crap .
      Get their votes , hold the centre , then renege once in office .
      Seems it’s rife in national .
      Oh well great news for my party ACT . I can see them hitting the 20’s now .
      Just imagine , ACT 26% …. National 25% . I’d be stoked , Seymour would hands down be the better prime minister
      Keep it up national !
      
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      February 23, 2023 5:26pm
  - Wayne Mapp
    
    Chuck
    As you well know, climate change scientists say that the frequency and intensity of cyclones will increase with global warming. They don’t say this specific event was directly caused by global warming.
    Your proposition therefore doesn’t stand up. It is a strawman argument.
    The evidence indicates that the frequency of severe storm events has increased in recent years, which of course is not to say there haven’t been severe storm events in the past. There have been.
    National accepts the science of anthropogenic climate change. That then becomes an obligation on all of it parliamentary representatives, or at the very least, they don’t publicly contradict that position. Political parties, particularly in a relatively small parliament, require that sort of discipline on all sorts of issues.
    In a large parliament like the UK parliament it is easier to accept dissidents. They are usually kept well away from the centre, and their view are clearly seen as not part of the political position of that party.
    
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    February 23, 2023 4:27pm
    - Chuck Bird
      
      “As you well know, climate change scientists say that the frequency and intensity of cyclones will increase with global warming. They don’t say this specific event was directly caused by global warming.”
      
      Wayne should you not include “some” before climate?
      
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      February 23, 2023 4:51pm
    - Chris Nisbet
      
      “They don’t say this specific event was directly caused by global warming”
      Politicians absolutely have been making that claim though. Our climate minister for one. Why doesn’t he listen to scientists? Is he a science denier?
      
      As for flooding events, the IPCC says this…
      “The SREX (Seneviratne et al., 2012) assessed low confidence for
      observed changes in the magnitude or frequency of floods at the
      global scale”, saying that some places are getting more floods and other fewer.
      
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      February 23, 2023 5:03pm
    - Chuck Bird
      
      “They don’t say this specific event was directly caused by global warming.”
      
      I quote Luxon
      
      Cyclone Gabrielle is “no doubt” a result of climate change, National Party leader Christopher Luxon has said.
      
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      February 23, 2023 5:57pm
- Matt Long
  
  The answer to Climate Change questions is simple; yes, of course climate change is real, humans have caused massive changes to the planet and we need to be ready future weather events.
  However we don’t need to follow moronic policies that will bring the majority of our country into poverty, cause people to freeze in winter for lack of energy or cause food shortages.
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:54am
  - Matt Long
    
    The nice thing about MPs failing to follow The Climate Narrative is it shows support is soft for the radical socialist proposals National has currently signed up to.
    And while Luxon was able to keep his MPs in line on The COVID Narrative and the radical leftist agenda there there’s room to hope on climate change.
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:02am
  - Widogast Corwin
    
    That is definitely a problem in New Zealand. If you criticise the Government’s climate change policies, some of which are moronic, you are labelled a “denier”. Cancelled.
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:45am
  - notreadyet
    
    exactly what I do, telling the next 2 generations that they can be mindful of issues while still maintaining a similar or better standard than I enjoyed by not tipping the world upside down
    
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    February 23, 2023 12:00pm
  - Loddenthinks
    
    Your answers contain two non-sequiturs. Climate Change may be real, in that the climate has been changing for billions of years and will continue to do so.
    
    Humans have not caused “massive changes to the planet” and even if they had, changes to the planet have no impact on the climate, which is an incredibly complex series of inter-related factors, none of which are under the control of man. It’s the height of arrogance to believe otherwise.
    
    I guess I’m as much of a “climate denier” as I am an “anti-vaxxer” which is to say, not at all.
    
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    February 23, 2023 2:51pm
    - Matt Long
      
      My statement is a sound byte for public consumption. Of course the question is more nuanced.
      
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      February 23, 2023 4:47pm
- Ignoranus
  
  All they’ve got to do is provide the proof in a way we can all understand and they can’t even do that.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:27am
- The Redbaiter
  
  For those curious on the issue of who/what Willis/Luxon ordered Maureen Pugh to read, see link below. Whereas some may accept the IPCC report as science based, the other three sources are IMHO merely rabid green left propagandists (who wish to use govt to force compliance with their unproven theories.) Fancy the leader of the Nats recommending the leader of the UK Green Party as a source of wisdom!
  
  That Luxon and Willis are using such sources as the means to arrive at their own “beliefs” confirms the views of many here and on other blogs that they should not even be in the National party let alone leading it.
  
  The bottom line to all of this is that Sid Holland’s National Party has been purposefully infiltrated and commandeered by the green left. A deliberate plan to marginalise the very views the party was set up to protect and promote.
  
  Vote for the National Party today at your own peril. The list of reading material.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:51am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Oh ffs, worry about your own party who is on board with climate change
    
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    February 23, 2023 12:15pm
    - blue collar
      
      Brother red does seem like a blue baiter doesn’t he G ?
      Not my party so meh .
      ACT need national though … So hv a [Mod – deleted]
      
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      February 23, 2023 5:32pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

So, gays who have already contracted HIV and then catch monkeypox have very bad outcomes.

How dumb, not to mention selfish, do you have to be to continue having unprotected sex when you are already HIV positive.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/21/horrific-form-of-mpox-found-to-affect-people-with-advanced-hiv
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February 23, 2023 8:01am
- Ghost
  
  Ah, you don’t have to have unprotected sex to get monkeypox
  
  Human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or recently contaminated objects. Transmission via droplet respiratory particles usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts health workers, household members and other close contacts of active cases at greater risk. However, the longest documented chain of transmission in a community has risen in recent years from 6 to 9 successive person-to-person infections. This may reflect declining immunity in all communities due to cessation of smallpox vaccination. Transmission can also occur via the placenta from mother to fetus (which can lead to congenital monkeypox) or during close contact during and after birth. While close physical contact is a well-known risk factor for transmission, it is unclear at this time if monkeypox can be transmitted specifically through sexual transmission routes. Studies are needed to better understand this risk.
  
  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
  
  Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
  
  Direct contact with mpox rash and scabs from a person with mpox, as well as contact with their saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and areas around the anus, rectum, or vagina
  This direct contact can happen during intimate contact, including:
  
  Oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus of a person with mpox
  Hugging, massage, and kissing
  Prolonged face-to-face contact
  
  https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/if-sick/transmission.html
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:12am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    While it’s true that there is more than one way of contracting Monkeypox, the fact that its incidence centres on gay men tells its own story.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:25am
    - sirknz
      
      And their pets in some instances.
      
      Nobody in the media wants to talk about how kids were getting it as well…
      
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      February 23, 2023 10:47am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Mandate to make masks be worn 24/y
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:48am
    - Ghost
      
      Where waiting for the UFO invasion and everyone has to wear chastity belts to protect from probes
      
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      February 23, 2023 9:50am
- dubya
  
  I guess as dumb and selfish as the straight blokes with outstanding child support arrears, who continue to impregnate every Tracey and Shaniqua in their neighbourhood?
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:42am
  - Libertarians are right
    
    Damn right. Dumb and selfish isn’t unique to any specific sexuality, race or gender.
    
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    February 23, 2023 11:08am
Chuck Bird

Act Meetings

Kiwi families are struggling to keep their heads above water with rising interest rates. Our streets are lawless. And we’re being divided against each other with co-government.

ACT is ready to take on the real issues this country faces with a raft of common-sense solutions. At the next election, a new coat of paint – from red to blue – won’t be enough to save our country. The last five National Governments opposed Labour’s policies while in opposition but then kept them. We can’t afford to have National babysit Labour’s policies again.

ACT is the circuit breaker to that pattern. A vote for

ACT is a vote to make sure promises to repeal Labour’s policies are kept. Changing the Government next year isn’t enough – we need to change direction.

This is your invitation to be a part of our movement for real change. We hope you’ll join us at our public meeting in Hamilton.

When

March 02, 2023 at 6:00pm – 7pm

Where

Waikato Indian Association Hall
82 Duke St
Building 3
Frankton
Hamilton 3204
New Zealand

For other meetings

https://my.act.org.nz/events
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February 23, 2023 8:02am
- hmmokrightitis
  
  At the risk of repeating myself, ACT are the least bad option.
  
  Seymour threw his values under the first Covid bus that drove past – along with supporting our rights under the BORA, and then, even worse, calling for mandatory vaxxing of kids.
  
  Think about that. Mandatory. Forced. No option.
  
  From the “Party of Freedom”.
  
  Yes, Ill probably hold my nose and vote for him, but he is beneath contempt. He is as venal and opportunistic as the rest of them.
  
  At least with labour and national we can expect lies and “flexibility”. I thought ACT had a backbone, supported the rule of law. Now, yeah nah.
  
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  February 23, 2023 8:08am
  - Chuck Bird
    
    “ACT are the least bad option.”
    
    That is a sensible position and certainly better than not voting or voting for a party that will not make 1%.
    
    There are things in Act I do not like but that is the same with any party.
    
    What made me resign from National and support Act is Luxon supporting Shaw and shafting our farmers.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:28am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Where has Luxon shafted our farmers? He states he will haul back on Labours draconian emission charges, and work with farmers to get their own plan together, THE PLAN THAT FARMERS HAD PUT TOGETHER, but had the rug pulled from with underneath them by this rotten lying government
      
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      February 23, 2023 12:20pm
      - Dougal10
        
        He has shafted farmers by putting muller in as agriculture spokesperson , that is a direct shafting of farmers .
        
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        February 23, 2023 1:41pm
      - Chuck Bird
        
        Below is the response I got from Todd Muller.
        
        Hi Chuck
        
        Personally, I do think the world is in a climate emergency. The challenge as it always has been is to get global action as opposed to global speeches and talk fests.
        
        I am in strong agreement with Scott that we have to get NZ action in a sensible place – function of ETS price, available technology, and sensible conversations with larger emitting sectors to build a plan – cutting cows and stopping NZ steel etc.
        
        Kind regards
        Todd
        
        That was before he got to be the spokesman for climate change as well as agriculture.
        
        I spoke to him at field days about taxing methane which he is in favour of. I asked him how many ppm of methane was in the atmosphere. He did not know. I asked him what its half-life was and he did not know that either. I named experts here and overseas who believed methane was not a problem as it was a trace gas. He said we have experts who have different opinions. He could not name his experts.
        
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        February 23, 2023 2:28pm
      - Cassandra
        
        Chuck’s conversation with Muller sums up the whole problem with National – the climate change spokesman and he knows bugger all about the detail. He should not be in parliament – a first class, A grade liability. And a bit of a dork to boot. Not a lot going for him – one of those MPs, rife in the Labour Party, who is in the best-paid job he’ll ever have.
        
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        February 23, 2023 2:49pm
      - Justitia
        
        Luxon is Todd Muller 2. Why do National think corporate a*se-lickers make effective political leaders?
        
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        February 23, 2023 3:46pm
      - Wayne Mapp
        
        Cassandra,
        Given you follow politics, surely you know Todd Muller held a much higher paying jobs in Zespri before he became an MP.
        
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        February 23, 2023 10:11pm
    - blue collar
      
      Crikey brother Chuck , that muller is deranged !!!
      What a tosser . Cull cows ? No idea about anything . Why is he even still in the party ?
      Muller and national are clearly dangerous .
      
      50% act vote or the country is screwed . Put Steve Otto in as a list mp aswell 😁 , will need a few straight shooters to fill the ranks .
      
      Seriously . Sorry G the giant , nats hv lost the plot . How can you trust a party with lunatic policy and deranged mp’s ?
      
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      February 23, 2023 5:44pm
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    That’s a bit harsh, Hmmo. Without disagreeing with your central point, it’s important to see everyone, even politicians, in the round.
    
    David Seymour’s clear thinking and speaking sees him head, shoulders & torso above his political rivals, who are metaphorical pigmies in comparison.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:29am
    - mawm
      
      Has he clearly spoken about digital ID, the WHO pandemic plan, CBDC, WEF, etc? All these things politicians don’t want to take a public position on because privately they support them?
      
      It’s fertile ground for Winston.
      
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      February 23, 2023 9:36am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Where has Luxon shafted our farmers? He states he will haul back on Labours draconian emission charges, and work with farmers to get their own plan together, THE PLAN THAT FARMERS HAD PUT TOGETHER, but had the rug pulled from with underneath them by this rotten lying government
        
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        February 23, 2023 12:21pm
  - mandk
    
    Yes, ACT have been no better than Labour, the Greens and National, when it comes to vaccine mandates, over-riding the BoR, and their attitude to the anti-mandate protesters.
    
    I wish a pox on all their houses.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:36am
  - Random T Person
    
    I’m in the same boat hmmo. I have many many failings, but lack of principle isn’t among them. So I won’t vote for venal, unprincipled people. I can’t bring myself to do it.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:43am
  - cmm
    
    If you don’t vote for ACT then you’re basically giving Labour and National a half-vote each.
    
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    February 23, 2023 11:21am
    - Steve Todd
      
      So, in the alternative, you would agree that if you don’t vote for the Greens then you’re basically giving Labour and National a half-vote each?
      
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      February 23, 2023 11:32am
    - Lucia Maria
      
      That’s the old line that keeps us entrenched in the 2 party system. If you vote for someone you know that you won’t get in (but hope they will) you send a msg to the politicians who think they can do whatever, and people will still vote for them.
      
      There is power in the protest vote, because if it comes down to it, if the party you think is the least bad is not going to a thing to stop what is happening, what IS the point in voting for them at all?
      
      Let the parties look at the lost votes and weep and wonder what they could have done better.
      
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      February 23, 2023 1:17pm
      - Chuck Bird
        
        Are you referring to parties that are polling at less than 1%?
        
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        February 23, 2023 3:23pm
      - Lucia Maria
        
        Hi Chuck, I’m referring to all of them in my comment. Is there a specific sentence you are wondering about?
        
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        February 23, 2023 4:09pm
      - Chuck Bird
        
        I wondered if you were just referring to parties that definitely will not get in or included ACT which will not be government but be a support party ike the Greens.
        
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        February 23, 2023 4:32pm
      - Lucia Maria
        
        Chuck, in terms of the “protest vote”, I was referring to parties that are not currently in Parliament. Whether they will get in or not really depends on if people think the current lot represent them. I’m now at the stage where I don’t think following the herd is the wise thing to do.
        
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        February 23, 2023 5:39pm
    - Random T Person
      
      So be it; if ACT wanted my vote, it’s leader could have acted in accordance with his own professed principles especially WRT mandates and so on.
      
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      February 23, 2023 2:40pm
    - Its only I
      
      Personally I think this election cycle is offering the worst candidates in living memory.
      
      Its like having no other choice other than picking one or two arsonists to guard a hay barn, party walled to an orphanage renting space above a fireworks factory and Mapp gas bottling plant.
      The only difference between the candidates are their “claimed” methods of ignition and your only real hope is the winner doesn’t rock on up to the job in flame tank….surprise Mother******s!
      
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      February 23, 2023 3:13pm
- Drone
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  @Chuck Bird sadly a vote of any kind for ACT will reduce the likelihood of National taking the government benches at this years election. This is not saying that the ACT policies and party leader are deficient but that the votes they take will come from historic National voters..
  
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  February 23, 2023 8:11am
  - septic skeptic
    
    Firstly, how on earth do you figure that votes for ACT reduce the likelihood of a Nat/ACT coalition winning????
    Secondly, you are wrong in assuming all ACT voters would vote National as a second choice. I for one would most likely not vote at all.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:12am
    - lastmanstanding
      
      For the first time I will be 2 ticking ACT whereas previously it was Nats for seat and ACT for Party.
      The Nats have betrayed the Party’s founding principles. It is no longer the Party of freedom of speech as witnessed by Luxon. It is no longer the Party of small Government. It is no longer the Party of individual responsibility. It is no longer the Party of low tax. It is Labour/Greens lite.
      
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      February 23, 2023 10:04am
      - Chuck Bird
        
        “For the first time I will be 2 ticking ACT whereas previously it was Nats for seat and ACT for Party.”
        
        I will be voting National for my electorate vote as I like my electorate MP and voting Act for my party vote. If I was in a different electorate I might vote 2 ticks Act.
        
        If we have a National lead government that does not mean Luxon will be PM for 3 years. In Oz they have rolled PMs.
        
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        February 23, 2023 10:15am
      - Cassandra
        
        Me too, my MP in Tauranga is not up to much. Two ticks for ACT.
        
        4 1
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        February 23, 2023 2:52pm
      - kowtow
        
        The most important and immediate issue is ;
        
        get rid of this regime .
        
        If that means holding your nose and giving a Nat your electorate vote then do it .
        
        Voting for an Act candidate in an electorate seat when it’s hopeless while you could get one more Nat across the line is sensible , bigger picture strategy .
        
        Every vote counts .
        
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        February 23, 2023 3:24pm
  - Yabster
    
    Drone that doesn’t make sense at all- its about the % of the centre right party vote – whether its 40/10 Nat/ACT or 35/15- -still the same result
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:15am
  - RoboRob
    
    The whole reason I am comfortable voting for ACT is that I know my vote goes towards an ACT / NAT govt. The choice between the two parties is only the relative strength of each in a future coallition.
    
    21 1
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    February 23, 2023 9:37am
  - Steve Todd
    
    I don’t agree with your reasoning.
    
    To keep this response simple, let’s say all Party votes cast in October will be for the five parties currently in parliament, and the Māori Party wins at least one electorate, i.e. there will be no wasted votes.
    
    Let’s say, as at right now, National is destined to receive 40% of the votes (48 seats) and ACT 15% (18 seats) – total 66 seats. Let’s say Chuck’s exhortation this morning strikes a chord with voters and National end up with 35% of the Party votes (42 seats) and ACT with 20% (24 seats).
    
    The total is still 66 seats, but with ACT having more influence in the resulting government.
    
    The reason why you might be right has been put forward by peterwn, at 8:17AM, below: “The all important soft centre left vote could be scared off voting National if they think hard right ACT policies would dominate.”
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:51am
- ClanMcleod
  
  Chuck – we were divided against each other over covid. What is the Act position on the disastrous interventions and abuses imposed on those who dared oppose the “single source of truth”?
  I’m having trouble getting any party to tell me where they currently stand.
  
  We now have indisputable evidence that all of the measures imposed had negative outcomes. And no, we can’t just “move on”. That period was among the worst abuses power and human rights by any NZ government ever and all politicians were worryingly silent while it happened.
  
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  February 23, 2023 8:15am
  - Widogast Corwin
    
    I agree that we should not move on. There will be a reckoning. The government must acknowledge that what it did was insane.
    
    I don’t know why David Seymour supported the vaccine mandates. I wish that he would now acknowledge that he was wrong.
    
    Having said that, I am a member and (modest) financial supporter of ACT. The party still offers the only hope of changing the direction of the country.
    
    39 2
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    February 23, 2023 8:22am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      Widogast – I fully concur with your comments. But the sooner a politician realises that this is not an issue that is ever going away, the sooner we can have the much needed conversation.
      
      We need to identify what was done wrong (almost everything) and take measures to ensure it never happens again.
      
      We need a politician with a spine but NZ apparently doesn’t have one.
      
      22 1
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      February 23, 2023 8:32am
      - mawm
        
        It is going to happen again. Not one NZ politician has spoken up about the WHO pandemic plans being formulated that will take away our national and individual sovereignty. Our government, irrespective of its colours, will be at the head of the queue in signing up to it.
        
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        February 23, 2023 9:42am
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Luxon things he has a spine now, after taking away someone’s free speech.
        Everyone in National from Luxon down to List ran for cover.
        I am disappointed in all you coward bastards.
        
        23 4
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        February 23, 2023 9:57am
      - Paulus
        
        Whats wrong with Chippy he has a flexible spine, according to what he is told.
        Like Groucho Marks !
        
        6 1
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        February 23, 2023 1:31pm
    - Random T Person
      
      I too was a member and modest financial contributor. When David Seymour replied to a direct email I sent him about the protest, asking why he wasn’t listening to his constituency who were right there on his doorstep, he repeated Trevor and Jacinda’s slurs that these were dangerous, deluded rabble to be avoided. Being among those rabble, yes, I took that personally and told David he had strayed from his principles. David didn’t like that, and nor should he. Doesn’t make it any less true.
      
      16 1
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      February 23, 2023 9:48am
      - Matt Long
        
        “these were dangerous, deluded rabble to be avoided.”
        This is view I take of all the current crop of MPs, I will not meet with them and I certainly won’t vote for them.
        
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        February 23, 2023 10:32am
  - Caine9
    
    The trouble is that the love affair with Ardern had all rational thinking shoved out of the way.
    Furthermore, there remains a significant majority that still irrationally believe that had we had National in power we would all have died!
    St Cindy was our saviour and any criticism is met with a ferocious attack on the sanity of the perpetrators of such criticism.
    The current pm is still riding that wave. Many were sick of Ardern, but still believe they did the best possible.
    They are wrong.
    We must critique, we can’t allow the government to just move on in the vague hope that the electorate will forget everything and give them another term.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:30am
  - Chuck Bird
    
    I am not sure what Act’s policy is on mandates. I do not agree with all Act’s policies. What stopped me from supporting Act is David’s position on moral issues like euthanasia and abortion.
    
    I would think there are very few people who agree with all of any party’s policies.
    
    I posted about where Act will be in the near future.
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:22am
    - Lucia Maria
      
      Chuck,
      
      ACT wants to increase eligibility for euthanasia. That is why I will not vote for them. It doesn’t stop.
      
      7 5
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      February 23, 2023 1:23pm
      - Chuck Bird
        
        I am not happy with that either.
        
        4 1
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        February 23, 2023 5:05pm
- peterwn
  
  And what difference is ACT really going to make? ACT cannot realistically threaten to go into coalition with Labour. The best ACT can do is to negotiate a few policy gains around the edges. The all important soft centre left vote could be scared off voting National if they think hard right ACT policies would dominate.
  Anyway all in all would help increase support for NACT and do its bit to help win the election.
  
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  February 23, 2023 8:17am
  - septic skeptic
    
    Don’t be so gloomy peterwn. For sure Luxon will try to do “Labour with a dash of competence”. But I expect ACT will insist on some key portfolios and a change in direction.
    We would of course be far better off with Seymour as PM
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:21am
    - Random T Person
      
      I agree whole heartedly with this. Luxon is Labour with a blue tie. Willis is Labour with a blue rinse.
      
      20 4
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      February 23, 2023 9:49am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Better off with Seymour as PM? Yup, the lying schoolboy is way out of his depth.
      
      10 1
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      February 23, 2023 10:03am
    - peterwn
      
      “But I expect ACT will insist on some key portfolios and a change in direction.”
      And what will happen if Chris L and Nicola give ACT the bird on this? Go into coalition with Labour? The only thing ACT could do is to not support National so National loses a confidence vote meaning an election. Trouble with this is Labour/ Greens may win.
      
      6 3
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      February 23, 2023 10:14am
      - Sideoiler
        
        <blockquote…And what will happen if Chris L and Nicola give ACT the bird on this? ….
        
        There won’t be a National Government!
        It is however likely to be a National/ACT government.
        The number of seats that ACT holds will hopefully help the National party grow a pair.
        If you think that National will govern alone, then like Luxon & Willis you have failed to read the room properly.
        
        16 2
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        February 23, 2023 11:04am
      - Jimbob
        
        I think you all have the cart before the horse. Labour have to be voted out first, to discredit the party or leader, that is the only way to make this happen is counterproductive.
        You are doing the media and the Labour party’s job for them.
        
        4 2
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        February 23, 2023 11:15am
  - Chuck Bird
    
    Peter, the more votes Act gets the more leverage they get. If National will not negotiate in good faith with Act then Act could offer then confidence and supply. Then National would have to negotiate for any bill they want to be passed.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:22am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      No response to the valid questions re covid Chuck. Is there a blanket order to never engage? It certainly seems like it.
      
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      February 23, 2023 9:28am
      - RoboRob
        
        Any party has a position on a number of policies. No party is going to have policy that 100% aligns with what you want.
        
        No party in NZ has a Covid stance that matches what a number of people on this blog want. That being the case you either dont vote or make your selection based on their other policies.
        
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        February 23, 2023 9:41am
      - Chuck Bird
        
        I am not going to support all Act’s policies. I advertised their meetings and particularly the one in Hamilton. I suggest you go to one near you and put your concerns to David.
        
        12 0
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        February 23, 2023 9:41am
    - RoboRob
      
      At the rate national are going it is possible that Act could be a significant portion of the coalition. If ACT are >20% of the coalition it will be impossible for National to ginore their policy positions.
      
      14 0
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      February 23, 2023 9:39am
    - Matt Long
      
      Confidence and Supply for ACT without a strong coalition agreement would result in ACT making few policy gains.
      Toddy will reach out to the Greens with whom he has a strong negotiating history for climate change and environmental policy. (Farmer bashing. )
      They’ll be able to work with Labour to pass the enhanced and reframed 3 Waters, and Natural and Built Environments Act, and Co Governance will get a shiny 🆕 paint job.
      
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      February 23, 2023 10:15am
    - peterwn
      
      I will repeat a comment I made elsewhere today:
      “… Go into coalition with Labour? The only thing ACT could do is to not support National so National loses a confidence vote meaning an election. Trouble with this is Labour/ Greens may win.”
      So effectively ACT would be holding a gun to its head while trying to negotiate with National. And guess who has proven negotiating skills – Chris Luxon as negotiating skills would have been a major ingredient of his business success.
      
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      February 23, 2023 2:10pm
      - Matt Long
        
        Agree, except I’m yet to see evidence of Luxons negotiation skills.
        
        4 0
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        February 23, 2023 4:53pm
      - peterwn
        
        Re Matt at 4.53pm –
        Shakespeare Sonnet 137 first line.
        
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        February 23, 2023 6:00pm
  - Widogast Corwin
    
    What are some examples of “hard right ACT policies”?
    
    9 0
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    February 23, 2023 10:56am
    - peterwn
      
      The sort of policies that some people here think that National should grow a pair of balls and adopt.
      
      2 4
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      February 23, 2023 2:18pm
- artemisia
  
  Working for Families, interest free student loans, ‘first year’s on me’, not to mention covid billions. Massive spraying of free money. Political suicide to run on removing it.
  
  National did do some tweaking, but IMO better to run on growing the pie, cancelling nice-to-haves and racially targeted funding, holding holders of contracts and other taxpayer funding to account.
  
  And smashing deficits out of the park via our massive resources under the land and under the sea.
  
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  February 23, 2023 8:37am
- MCōs
  
  Our streets are certainly lawless.
  Someone let their dog slip it’s lead the other day and it shit outside my house.
  
  4 8
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  February 23, 2023 10:21am
  - Don Beckett
    
    That dog must read Kiwiblog. 😉
    
    11 1
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    February 23, 2023 11:23am
    - MCōs
      
      Intelligent dogs around these parts, but they’re still just dogs, Mister D.
      
      5 1
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      February 23, 2023 11:35am
      - Don Beckett
        
        🙂
        
        5 0
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        February 23, 2023 2:21pm
Warren

Many New Zealander’s deserve the Government they are going to get in 2023, a different Prime Minister but the same message lies and more lies to cover up the Labour Party’s incompetence and their blatant attempts to make New Zealand poorer with policies that only help the poor and penalizes hard working New Zealander’s.
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February 23, 2023 8:07am
- Random T Person
  
  Just to pull you up on that a bit, Warren. Policies to ‘help the poor’ almost always have the opposite effect.
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:51am
  - Don Beckett
    
    Yes. That policy would have to be like:
    – convincing them that education is very important in life.
    – That collecting the dole is limited to 6 months, and no-one still living with mum & dad can get the dole.
    – That work is actually enjoyable as it gives self fulfilment & satisfaction.
    
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    February 23, 2023 11:27am
    - I remember when
      
      no-one still iving with mum & dad can get the dole.
      
      so they go flatting.
      
      0 1
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      February 23, 2023 2:13pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        So how do they pay for their flat ? No dole after 6 months which include any other benefit.
        
        0 0
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        February 23, 2023 2:24pm
peterwn

A young woman was completely let off a drink drive charge where she was 4 times over. She also resisted the police when arrested. Judge said “Despite police opposition to a discharge, they did however recognise the high level of support and the future she had which stood to be harmed by a conviction.” One has to ask what the heck? If she was so wonderful and apparently had a great future surely she would have had the self control not to get into a drink drive situation. I hope the Police appeal against her acquittal without conviction.
Compare with X a former workmate of mine. Knew him for 10 years or so. A very competent worker with no employment issues. Driving is part of the job. A few years after I left the job he had a drink-drive, one of the contributing factors would have been the recent loss of his wife. As far as I know he took it on the nose and did not physically resist the police. He would have deserved the same mercy as the judge would have shown to that woman, but he was just merely a blue collar worker.
Makes me sick thinking about it.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/young-woman-who-drove-drunk-and-kicked-a-police-officer-walks-from-court-with-clean-slate/R3RJXHT3MNHRPCKWH23OTLRZOA/ (not paywalled)
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February 23, 2023 8:09am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Maybe that Woman’s employer was the Judge’s brother? We will never know.
  
  8 0
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  February 23, 2023 10:08am
  - Nickc2
    
    her father’s earlier Mongrel Mob connections
    IMO, her father’s connections would reveal she was one of the favoured race in NZ and Kelvin Davis doesn’t like their numbers swelling the prison population.
    
    23 0
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    February 23, 2023 10:16am
    - Jack5
      
      Prison numbers have been falling. Labour has been letting them out and putting them up in motels and cheap hostels in city centres and even in a tourist spot like Rotorua.
      
      10 0
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      February 23, 2023 1:18pm
      - Random T Person
        
        Gee and while all that’s been happening, crime has mysteriously spiralled out of control. Weird huh.
        
        6 0
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        February 23, 2023 2:43pm
      - peterwn
        
        I did not suggest that she be incarcerated.
        
        0 0
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        February 23, 2023 6:03pm
godruelf

Question time might be worth a look this afternoon with the leaders traditionally away on Thursdays. Questions to the PM will go to the Deputy. Will be interesting to see Nicola/Brooke up against Carmel and see how that goes
13 0
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February 23, 2023 8:14am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Carmel is in Fiji I think.
  Jaspinda trick.
  
  5 0
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  February 23, 2023 10:09am
  - Paulus
    
    Isn’t Chippy in Hawkes Bay today again ?
    
    2 0
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    February 23, 2023 10:30am
igm

Act must now become a rational choice for those who are disgusted with the attitude of National. Seems they are only interested in things woke and maybe the leader is a disciple of WEF/UN/WHO policies.
29 2
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February 23, 2023 8:14am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Somewhere else I read that Luxon is a WEF fan.
  
  8 2
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  February 23, 2023 10:10am
- Jack5
  
  ACT is a minority coalition partner unless it gets a swag of electorate seats.
  
  2 3
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  February 23, 2023 1:19pm
- peterwn
  
  And Labour could be the choice of those fed up with Hipkins and Jacinda but do not want to risk ACT ruling the roost with way out right wing policies.
  
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  February 23, 2023 2:15pm
Simon

Basically Luxon is on the same page as the greens are when to comes to harming society and lowering living standards over man made climate fraud.

When National get kicked out after 3 or 6 years National would have laid the foundation for massive expansion of govt control over everyone’s day to day lives by woke left via the perverted abuse of technology.

A much worst govt is yet to come and it will be utterly enabled by National & Luxon.
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February 23, 2023 8:14am
- Prince
  
  Your hatred of Luxon is odd.
  
  10 9
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  February 23, 2023 9:37am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    He is pissed off like me. Luxon showed his true colours in taking away Maureen Pugh’s free speech. That is what Tyrants do.
    
    25 2
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    February 23, 2023 10:12am
    - Prince
      
      MP’s who are affiliated to a party do not have ‘free speech’.
      They are expected to follow the party policies and positions.
      This isn’t new, or unique.
      
      4 2
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      February 23, 2023 1:50pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Nope, that’s block voting, like Labour and the Union do. “Unanimous Vote they say” That is wholesale bullshit. Vote as I tell you is socialism/communism.
        Over the years we have had quite a few who represent us (the public) vote the opposite of what the Electorate or the Party Vote supporters wanted.
        
        7 0
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        February 23, 2023 2:19pm
      - MCōs
        
        Put it another way.
        That’s why they joined the party.
        If it’s not for them they can try to change the party from within, or leave and become an independent.
        
        2 2
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        February 23, 2023 2:23pm
      - MCōs
        
        You mean ‘crossed the floor’?
        Name some
        
        1 1
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        February 23, 2023 2:25pm
      - Sideoiler
        
        @ MCos.
        Try Damien O’Connor and Rino Tirikatene.
        http://parliamenttoday.co.nz/2014/06/two-labour-mps-cross-the-floor/
        
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        February 23, 2023 3:03pm
      - Cassandra
        
        Only in NZ, elsewhere MPs frequently question things. Pugh was not going against National policy, unless National policy is to agree with Shaw on everything.
        
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        February 23, 2023 3:03pm
      - Wayne Mapp
        
        Steve,
        I was in the National Party caucus for 15 years. As a member of the caucus you do not have the freedom to express views that are directly contrary to party policy. That is the agreement that MP’s and candidates have specifically made in agreeing to stand as a National Party candidate.
        As I have previously stated, it is different in larger parliaments like the UK where the two main parties are large enough to accommodate some dissent from the party line. But not in NZ. Often the largest party in a government only has 40 or so MP’s. So everyone has to be part of the team all the time. And do nothing that could embarrass the Parliamentary Party and its leadership.
        
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        February 23, 2023 10:29pm
- coge
  
  Vote National, get Greens. Whatever the result.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:11am
- Lucia Maria
  
  Looks like the National Party laid the original foundations in 1992 by signing onto Agenda 21. Maybe they just thought they had to be in on the action, because everyone else was and were clueless, or maybe they knew what they were doing. Either clueless or evil, both are bad when in power.
  
  7 1
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  February 23, 2023 1:27pm
- Random T Person
  
  Yeah it won’t lower Luxon’s living standards though now will it.
  
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  February 23, 2023 2:44pm
Kurious Kiwi

Brilliant article. I love the step by step breakdown of the covid saga. Im not so sure about the conclusions. She could also be a narcissist, a megalomaniac or an attention seeking WEF puppet, but many will be glad shes gone.

https://off-guardian.org/2023/02/07/jacinda-ardern-saint-or-psychopath/

It is interesting how much of the murky history has Hipkins fingerprints on it. He may yet turn out to be even worse. 😵‍💫
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February 23, 2023 8:24am
- Justitia
  
  Thanks for posting, an excellent article.
  
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  February 23, 2023 3:51pm
Nickc2

Do you think Biden is prepared to drag the US & NATO into a war with Russia to prevent the Republicans from winning the next US election?

Uptick YES
Downtick NO

Comments welcome.
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February 23, 2023 8:28am
- kowtow
  
  I find it mind boggling that the great and the good of this planet are obsessing over a trace gas when the Big Powers are doing more and more war talk and possibly sleep walking us into literal obliteration.
  
  16 2
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  February 23, 2023 9:24am
  - mawm
    
    The US is like a poker player who has bid on a bad hand… and keeps on raising the bid hoping the bluff will work. Putin sees the US expressed desire to break Russia as real and as an existential threat.
    
    7 1
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    February 23, 2023 9:55am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  It is the Pentagon Generals who want the War, all sitting in their Pentagon offices while it happens. They are partly controlling Biden, as is Obama.
  
  4 2
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  February 23, 2023 10:22am
- virtualmark
  
  Assuming your premise is correct … why would a US/NATO war with Russia prevent the Republicans from winning the next US election?
  
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  February 23, 2023 3:15pm
  - Nickc2
    
    I believe Biden dreams of himself as being the greatest POTUS since JFK and being brave enough to take on the Russians. I also think he will not want his capitulation to al Qaeda to be used against him in time of an election/war.
    
    2 0
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    February 23, 2023 4:03pm
  - Keith White
    
    The EMP will reprogram the Dominion voting machines to give Biden an even greater majority of dead voters.
    
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    February 23, 2023 6:56pm
Raphael

“Hey, Clint” is attacking National for changing their position on the RUC discount in the last two weeks.

Well it’s not like we haven’t had a major natural disaster since then that may have shifted positions a little. Oh Wait.
https://twitter.com/ClintVSmith/status/1628305201743679491
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February 23, 2023 8:32am
softail 1450

3rd time lucky, Old Joey trips and eats the steps as he climbs up onto his aircraft while exiting Poland, hes such a great ” strong healthy vibrant” 80 year old, ha ha ha .
14 0
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February 23, 2023 8:34am
- kowtow
  
  He does that ridiculous jog for the cameras to prove his virility , but can’t manage a set of steps.
  
  Pathetic theatre.
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:27am
Scooter

Maybe Cyclone Gabrielle will be a true test of Labour compared with National’s time with the Christchurch earthquake and how the handle the rebuild etc. Sure Labour and Cindy have had crisis but nothing compared to now, with having to rebuild infrastructure, which with their track record is not great.
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February 23, 2023 8:35am
Maggie's partner

Why won’t anyone ask Hipkins about the RSE workers in Hawke’s Bay, and how they fared as a result of the cyclone?
14 0
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February 23, 2023 8:40am
- MCōs
  
  Surely that’s a question for the people that brought them out here as cheap labour to pick fruit.
  They should either arrange alternative employment and accommodation or flights back home.
  
  6 6
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  February 23, 2023 9:46am
- Ian Boag
  
  ask Hipkins about the RSE workers in Hawke’s Bay
  
  How are they his problem?
  
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  February 23, 2023 1:38pm
Maggie Pie

RIVERS-OF-SLASH

The Brylcreem Kid still into ‘victim blaming’…..

https://twitter.com/1NewsNZ/status/1628239569337327618
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February 23, 2023 8:40am
- I remember when
  
  I note that stated police action includes ‘reassurance patrols’.
  Its like painting with pastels.
  Naturally an undefined number, and no mention of what type (drive by or foot), time of day or where these patrols were occuring.
  
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  February 23, 2023 9:06am
  - kowtow
    
    Did I hear “proactive engagements” is also a thing .
    
    Once upon a time , in a dim distant unwoke past these things were a routine police duty coming under “beat policing” and didn’t need silly names.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:32am
kowtow

Newsroom’s Marc Daalder , piggybacking on the newshub witch hunt ,pack attack against MP Maureen Pugh is of the opinion that acceptance of science is a pre requisite for being one of our elected representatives.

‘ It speaks to both a callous disregard for the mounting toll of victims of climate change and an irrationality we wouldn’t allow on other issues. Would anyone trust an MP who was a flat earther to make the best decisions for their constituents and their country?’

What would the stand of these self proclaimed science embracing journalists be on MP’s who are actual science deniers when it comes to chromosomes and sex .

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/climate-deniers-should-not-be-mps
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February 23, 2023 8:42am
- Chuck Bird
  
  How about banning communists.
  
  19 0
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  February 23, 2023 9:12am
  - NothingLeft
    
    Communists in our day and age are either colossally ignorant or evil misanthropes.
    
    Serious question: what are we going to do about the large percentage of population who lose their jobs and likely become unemployable due to advancing AI in the next decade? UBI? They’ll turn far left in their voting preferences with their careers in tatters.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:57am
    - Keith White
      
      “Soylent Green is UBI recipients!” – new slogan for a new millenium!
      
      (…the original 1973 Soylent Green movie was set in… 2022).
      
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      February 23, 2023 5:58pm
- Widogast Corwin
  
  “that acceptance of science is a pre requisite for being one of our elected representatives.”
  
  Good grief. That is too funny. I have seen no evidence that any Ministers in this government have an understanding of science. Journalists are even worse.
  
  The “vaccine passes” were in direct contravention of evidence that the vaccines did not stop transmission of the virus. They slowed the transmission for a few months. The ads on the radio “Vaccinate the kids to protect grandma” were lies.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:03am
- Widogast Corwin
  
  and an addendum…
  
  Now that the school science curriculum is being wrecked, the next generation of New Zealand adults will have a distorted understanding of science. They will think that the powers of the Earth Mother are as real as the laws of thermodynamics.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:05am
- Libertarians are right
  
  The Left hate science and democracy but love using them as weapons to hit people with.
  
  Like with Covid, they start with a pretty reasonable position: vaccines will help fight Covid, man made climate change has a negative effect on weather.
  
  The problem is that in both cases, science wasn’t actually able to prove it. All we had was hypothesis that most scientists agree on.
  
  That creates an issue for the Left as “the Science is settled” gives them far more power than “scientists believe this to be true but aren’t actually capable of proving it”.
  
  Shaw was asked in his capacity as a Minister to show the proof (by a party other than Pugh). Proof that doesn’t exist. So, instead of admitting that, the Greens and the media go after the person doing their job, asking for Shaw to do his job. By attacking Pugh they hide the fact that Shaw doesn’t actually have the proof.
  
  Again, I think it’s obvious that we have some effect on climate but it’s impossible to prove how much and that’s what the Left don’t want to admit.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:53am
  - Ehlana
    
    All science ever has is a current hypothesis. That’s the point of science, surely, that the discovery of new information can rebut the existing hypothesis, which is then reformulated to take account of the new information. And stands until something else comes along to change it.
    
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    February 23, 2023 2:47pm
- Lucia Maria
  
  There go most of the current Parliament. Maybe even all the journalists, if they were to adhere to these types of standards, given the utter failure of both MPs & journalists to understand science in recent times.
  
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  February 23, 2023 1:30pm
- Cassandra
  
  Daalder is yet another lefty American refugee. We should deport all of them. We had enough last century with lefty Poms.
  
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  February 23, 2023 3:07pm
Scooter

Don’t feel so bad for rail in NZ, Spain is having “issues”.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/02/21/unspeakable-botch-spain-spends-258-million-on-trains-that-are-too-big-for-its-tunnels
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February 23, 2023 8:44am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Who is to blame? Well the guy that did not make the tunnels big enough of course.//
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:26am
  - Matt Long
    
    Is this related to the beastiality story from yesterday?
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:41am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Not getting that at all. Bad joke about a chihuahua?
      
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      February 23, 2023 2:20pm
kevn

@Maggie… Someone needs to drop wood for brains to HB for a while. Get him on a shovel or man a road block at a remote area to check on how things actually are there.
Patronising pr*ck.
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February 23, 2023 8:46am
- Ruawai
  
  Sorry Kevn, can’t see Wood wanting to get his hands dirty.
  
  8 0
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  February 23, 2023 8:55am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Promise him a nice new chrome plated shovel and a cameraman.
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:28am
- alex Masterley
  
  Dont be silly.
  Wood is Minister for Auckland.
  There would be a demarcation dispute if he turned up in the “Bay”.
  
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  February 23, 2023 8:56am
  - Bobba Fret
    
    Isn’t Grant Robertson the cyclone recovery minister for down there.
    
    9 0
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    February 23, 2023 9:04am
    - kevn
      
      @Bobba… robberson has a crook back. No help at all. All he can do is write cheques.
      
      7 0
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      February 23, 2023 9:17am
      - Don Beckett
        
        But cheques are banned by banks now, aren’t they?
        
        2 2
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        February 23, 2023 10:14am
  - kevn
    
    @Alex… Ok, Auckland ‘needs’ wood (like a hole in the head) so send do-little.
    
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    February 23, 2023 9:06am
I remember when

Bowalley Road:
“But, if we are, indeed, entering a Churchillian ‘time of consequences’, then a moment’s reflection should tell us that the ‘mitigation’ ship has sailed.
The best we can hope for is a geovernment committed to doing everything within its powers to help us adapt to unstoppable global warming.”

Yes, no government action, that didn’t improve river and flood protection measures, would have made any difference to Cyclone Gabrielle outcomes.
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February 23, 2023 8:49am
- Muttonbird
  
  Abandoning ‘mitigation’ surely leads to even worse consequences down the road, requiring ever increasing ‘adaptation’.
  
  1 17
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  February 23, 2023 9:30am
  - Don Beckett
    
    So where is this increasing adaptation a proven necessity? It is purely climate modelling, and that has proven almost completely wrong over the last 30 years.
    If you take your climate history studies back further than the 1960’s, you will see dramatic climate events worse than now in the 1930’s, the 1870’s the Little Ice Age in the 15th, 16th & 17th centuries. The Medieval Waring period, the Roman warm Period.
    We know that in ancient BC times there were Major climate events.
    Please provide us with your conclusions after you have made a study of the above.
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:21am
    - Ignoranus
      
      Thank you, thank you, wonderful to read the truth – they hide it from us in here.
      
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      February 23, 2023 11:17am
sirknz

Joe Biden visits Ukraine (possibly to pick up Hunter’s last few paycheques if the memes are to be believed) and the propaganda pieces are flowing again: https://archive.fo/jsvMg

A lovely puff piece on a female Ukrainian drone pilot who looks like an ordinary girl doing extraordinary things. so full of emotion and danger, more than any Nancy Drew story could ever wish for…
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February 23, 2023 8:49am
redeye

If we were really in a climate emergency don’t you think the Climate Change minister would want to get as many people on board as possible? That’s what he’s being paid to do.
Yesterday he had the perfect opportunity to recruit a large number of climate heretics by providing just a sliver of evidence.
Instead he chose to play politics.
I don’t think he believes it himself.
Reading the media in this country I think they’re the same. Not one of them has fronted with anything but slogans.
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February 23, 2023 8:51am
- Chris Nisbet
  
  Apparently, Luxon has access to literature that was so convincing that Pugh shifted from a logical thinking person to true “we’re all going to die!” believer in a matter of hours.
  I want to see this literature – presumably, the evidence it contains must be truly awesome.
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:38am
  - Matt Long
    
    Literature, AKA Nicola shrilly screaming, don’t undermine the party line or next time I’ll scream louder and longer.
    A terrifying prospect.
    
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    February 23, 2023 10:46am
  - coge
    
    I too would be curious as to what literature Luxon possesses. He doesn’t appear to have many books on his shelf.
    
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    February 23, 2023 11:14am
- Ignoranus
  
  Climate alarmists are terrorists.
  
  10 1
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  February 23, 2023 11:11am
Biscuit

Only 6 Kiwiblog posts up and running as I type (8.59 am)?

That wondrous new Prime Minister of ours has cured all the nation’s ills ALREADY and has left nothing for anyone to complain about?
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February 23, 2023 9:01am
- Don Beckett
  
  He reminds me of the person involved when I was going through ‘Political Transplant Patients’.
  The surgeon found that he was to perform an Anal transplant on a politician. The operation went well, but the new Anus rejected the politician. 🙂
  It obviously wasn’t an English politician, because in another situation where 3 surgeons were discussing the ideal ethnicity for transplants, one said:” I like Americans – they’re all nuts & bolts – just get the correct gauge & thread & its simple”.
  The second surgeon said,” Nup. the Japanese are the easiest – they’re all printed circuits – slide the onld one out & the new one in. Done.”
  The third surgeon said, “No way – The Aussies are much simpler than that. They have only two working parts – the mouth & the arsehole, and they’re both interchangeable.”
  (Hope none of my Aussie mates read Kiwiblog. 😆
  Mind you, when I told that joke when living in Oz, it was the Poms who were the brunt of the joke. 🙂 )
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:33am
Lee C

“Rivers of Filth” – a term used to describe ordinary kiwis who had the temerity to protest against vaccine mandates. You see, they challenged the Government and well, you can’t have that n a democracy, can you?i

But Looters, organised gangs ripping people off, people pointing guns at others who are out there trying to make the place safe, and guess what?

A conspicuous silencre from the same people who only a year ago were spouting about ‘keeping people safe’ and ‘law and order’.

Well, I got my own opinions about what constitutes a River of Filth, and I would put the current crop of self-seeking parasites – sorry, politicians – and their hand-servants in organised crime as amongst the more buoyant features of it.

Feel free to disagree and down-tick if you approve of organised crime, hypocrisy and terrorism.

It’s a free country.
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February 23, 2023 9:01am
- Ignoranus
  
  Vaccines are a govt plot to control our hormones.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:24am
Maggie Pie

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO Hmmm 🙁

‘Clinton aide linked to Jeffery Epstein, found shot and tied to a tree with an electrical cord around his neck is ruled a suicide’

https://mol.im/a/11759771

So my only question is….

Did he tie himself up to the tree first then shoot himself, or, did he shoot himself first THEN tie himself up to the tree?
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February 23, 2023 9:16am
- Ghost
  
  Should have ruled it euthanised, he had a terminal illness, he knew the Clinton’s
  
  10 1
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  February 23, 2023 9:21am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Cops ruled ‘suicide’ because they want to stay alive.
  Hey Hillary, what is the body count now?
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:32am
- cmm
  
  No weapon found, so he also got rid of the gun before shooting himself and then tying himself up.
  
  12 1
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  February 23, 2023 11:28am
Steve Otto(North Shore)

The page is still down. This Co – Governance thing is a highly important thing. So high that someone has gone to the trouble of shutting it down. Can only be one outfit doing this, and they have a lot of power, with top European Lawyers.
Somehow I had a felling that this may happen, but I am informed all of the posts and comments are safely stored in a cloud.

[Mod – Steve can you stop putting this link up for a while, the site is up but every page links to a crypto site, so until that is fixed for people’s safety leave the link out]
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February 23, 2023 9:37am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  After posting I did think about leaving the link may cause more issues.
  Thankyou for correcting, MOD.
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:34am
I remember when

Plans for train workers to fine fare dodgers: Kapi-Mana News.
Wellington’s public transport operator Metlink is working with police to give staff the power to dish out $500 fines to people caught not paying their fare.
If a person is unable to provide evidence of payment, an enforcement officer may ask them to provide their name, address, phone number and date of birth.
The officer may also direct them to disembark or not board the relevant transport service.
If the individual is unable to comply with these directions, the maximum penalty jumps to a fine of $1000.
Metlink’s move to the electronic Snapper system has already lead to rising tension between transport officers and a large section of the public.
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February 23, 2023 9:47am
- mandk
  
  I travel on the Hutt Valley line, where there are no entry/exit barriers. This means it is easy to forget to Snap on and off.
  
  A $10 penalty for forgetting is irksome, but a $500 fine seems outrageous.
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:26am
mandk

https://www.nbr.co.nz/economics/rbnz-foolish-to-hike-ocr-this-week-eaqub/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HEADS+UP%3A+RBNZ+foolish+to+hike+OCR+this+week%3A+Shamubeel+Eaqub&utm_campaign=NBR+Newsletter%3A+2023-02-23+09%3A21%3A00

Eaqub is a soft in the head numpty.

The RBNZ did exactly what they should have done, and Orr was correct in saying the response to the cyclone damage should be fiscal, coupled with private sector insurance pay-outs.
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February 23, 2023 10:06am
- Jack5
  
  Hesitated for a nanosecond … pay to read Eaqub?
  
  😆😂🤣
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:04am
  - mandk
    
    not personally
    
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    February 23, 2023 11:41am
Grunter

Looks likely that China is about to do some sort of deal with Russia that creates an even tighter Russia-China alliance (trade and military). Meanwhile, Biden’s teleprompter continues to spew out escalation rhetoric. Neither development is unexpected under the scenario of full-on WW3.
Back in 1962 JFK talked down his warmongering Generals from pushing red buttons and averted nuclear missiles. I doubt that dopey Joe has that in him. And he is now probably the only person that can avert a horrible outcome. God help us.
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February 23, 2023 10:10am
- virtualmark
  
  Would be a big call for China to abandon their current quasi-neutrality and instead overtly support Russia.
  
  They’d risk alienating the EU and USA … who their economy is dependent on. Where relationships are already strained.
  
  And what would China gain? What would be the benefit?
  
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  February 23, 2023 3:18pm
Ghost

Surely an invasion of peoples privacy

A website that allows tenants to see how many properties their landlord owns has recorded more than 188,000 searches, according to its creators.

Despite being under scrutiny from both the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) the creators say no one has asked for the website to be taken down.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131300716/website-allowing-tenants-to-see-what-landlords-own-records-188000-searches
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February 23, 2023 10:11am
- mandk
  
  If a landlord is incorporated in any way, it is easy enough to find out how many properties they own through the NZ Companies Register.
  
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  February 23, 2023 10:22am
Maggie Pie

Any others in the fam been the beneficiary of Genesis-Energy’s largesse?

Received a ‘txt alert’ from them last nite……

“To make things easier for you at this time we have extended the due-by date of your recent bills by 2 weeks”

All our power accounts with them have the same due-by date of the 27th. I’m pissed off now that we paid them early.
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February 23, 2023 10:14am
- cmm
  
  Early payment discounts are racist.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:49am
rouppe

Oh goodie. A new Pfizer booster shot.

Hands up who is going for that?
7 4
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February 23, 2023 11:12am
- the deity formerly known as nigel6888
  
  Yeah, that’s a hard no, and a fuck off if you ask again.
  
  This boat has sailed.
  
  8 1
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  February 23, 2023 11:48am
- Ghost
  
  Oh bugger, I haven’t had the first shot so I can’t have a booster…..
  
  8 1
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  February 23, 2023 11:50am
- Widogast Corwin
  
  Good grief.
  
  Uptake of the second booster shot in the 50 – 64 age group was 30 percent. These folk who took up the second booster have now had FOUR shots. How many of them are now going to have a FIFTH shot?
  
  Take up of this new offer in the 30 – 50 age group will be pathetic – I doubt it will be more than 10 percent.
  
  ““Getting a Covid-19 vaccine is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself, your kaumata and whanau,” Verall said.””
  
  Yeah good luck with that. The vast majority of Maori adults don’t believe you.
  
  Here is an idea to “protect whanau”. Get them to give their kids the MMR vaccine. You know the one that actually stops disease in its tracks and has a 50 year safety record.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:50am
  - mawm
    
    One probably needs to look at the table in Appendix 1. Apparently these data are from a FOIA request. The author has cautioned that he’s still working on verifying them.
    The data for unvaccinated look bad but the deaths that occurred in the first 2 weeks after vaccination were counted as unvaccinated which skews the data.
    
    https://stevekirsch.substack.com/p/new-zealand-government-data-shows?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=548354&post_id=104172927&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
    
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    February 23, 2023 1:51pm
    - I remember when
      
      The figures aren’t very reassuring for the 80+ age groups who are considered a priority group.
      
      3 1
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      February 23, 2023 2:48pm
- Mike
  
  Yes for me.
  But you dO yOur OWN rSErch.
  
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  February 23, 2023 11:57am
  - rouppe
    
    Good for you.
    
    I won’t be getting it because:
    * I’ve not caught covid yet
    * I therefore believe the steps I’ve already taken to be sufficient
    * I no longer believe anything this government has to say about covid or Vaccinations for same
    * I’ve just spent 3 weeks in SE Asia in heavily populated cities and caught only a stomach bug.
    
    But you do you
    
    14 2
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    February 23, 2023 12:10pm
    - MCōs
      
      I caught covid just before Christmas.
      That’s more than two months ago.
      A dozen or more in the whanau have also caught covid.
      We’ve all been vaccinated and apart from myself everyone else has fully recovered in a few days.
      I drew the short straw and have long covid!
      
      3 4
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      February 23, 2023 1:06pm
      - Ghost
        
        What are your symptoms with long Covid?
        
        4 1
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        February 23, 2023 1:17pm
      - MCōs
        
        In my case it varies a little each day, but generally my energy levels are down to some extent.
        I can’t mow the lawns & walking to and from the shops is an effort (1,5km) on the odd day it’s possible at all.
        If I put in the grunt one day I pay for it the next!
        The mornings are worst so I have to get up, shower, shave & make breakfast before about nine.
        I talked to the young bloke next door who owns a building company. He ran out of energy mid afternoon.
        It’s more common than I’d thought, but not two months.
        Oh dear. No fun at all.
        
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        February 23, 2023 2:16pm
      - Ghost
        
        Hmmm, it sounds like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which I have read long Covid can cause
        
        3 1
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        February 23, 2023 2:19pm
      - rouppe
        
        @MCos
        
        To be honest, those symptoms pretty closely represent me for at least the last 5 years.
        
        I go to bed tired, wake up tired, and am tired throughout the day. Half my energy seems spent on pushing aside the brain fog so I can concentrate on my job. At the end of the day I’ve no motivation to do anything outside work.
        
        Doctors have generally just shrugged their shoulders, and the best they can come up with is “lose weight”.
        
        I could do with losing some weight, but I can still see my, err, toes when I look down, and when a doctor who can’t do that tells me to lose weight, my bullshit radar goes off.
        
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        February 23, 2023 2:50pm
      - MCōs
        
        I’ve lost about 7-8kg without thinking about it.
        
        2 0
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        February 23, 2023 3:07pm
      - kowtow
        
        rouppe
        
        Long c.
        
        I reckon it’s bollocks.
        
        Correlation is not causation.
        
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        February 23, 2023 3:41pm
Nickc2

Well, it was only a matter of time before we had Maori Science thrust up us.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/health-minister-ayesha-verrall-announcement-on-new-covid-19-vaccine/XCKJ6N6KTJAQ3A3TECGCOWYR5I/
Wait for the mandates now eh?
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February 23, 2023 11:27am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  To be fair – mandates for Maori only.
  
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  February 23, 2023 12:08pm
- kevn
  
  @Ghost… Long covid can be the alt/buzz word for an adverse jab reaction.
  
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  February 23, 2023 1:36pm
  - Widogast Corwin
    
    I really doubt that. It occurs in equal frequency with unvaccinated folk.
    
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    February 23, 2023 6:47pm
    - fernglas
      
      Given that the recent UK figures show first, that death rates are now about the same across all ethnicities, and second, that death rates are the same regardless of vaccination status, surely the country would be better off using this money for Cyclone relief?
      https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/22/minority-ethnic-risk-dying-covid-ons-figures-show
      
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      February 23, 2023 7:57pm
Ghost

The number of people unaccounted for in flood-affected areas of the Eastern District has dropped dramatically.

Hawke’s Bay Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team leader Ken Cooper said on Thursday it was now down to single figures – largely due to police narrowing the criteria to people in flood-affected areas.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/hawkes-bay/131310343/cyclone-gabrielle-number-of-people-unaccounted-for-drops-to-single-figures–usar
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February 23, 2023 11:33am
- Blog-aholic
  
  The may no longer unaccounted for but are they still in alive?
  
  6 1
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  February 23, 2023 11:38am
  - Ghost
    
    Since many have been contacted once phone and power was restored i doubt dead people can answer the phone.
    
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    February 23, 2023 11:43am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      They do in the US. They vote as well.//
      
      14 6
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      February 23, 2023 12:10pm
      - MCōs
        
        There’s people out there can’t find their loved ones.
        That’s no small thing, Steve.
        
        8 0
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        February 23, 2023 12:31pm
      - Ghost
        
        Yeah, police are saying the number they have of uncontactable people is 152
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hawkes-bay/131310343/cyclone-gabrielle-usar-says-unaccounted-in-single-figures-police-say-its-152
        
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        February 23, 2023 12:48pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        MCos, I know that. I have been in that situation thanks. Is your lack of humour that bad you can’t even take a light joke?
        Must be a leftie. Born without a sense of humour.
        
        2 4
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        February 23, 2023 2:24pm
Jack5

NZ gang member had 3D-printed gun in Auckland.

Things have moved along since American right-wing anarchist Cody Williams was selling 3D machines and programs to make receivers for assault-style rifles.

Not only home-made firearms. Here’s an American entrepreneur working on 3D-printed (35 metres tall) space rockets, and the second link is to 3D housing (could this be applicable for NZ’s housing crisis).

https://www.space.com/relativity-space-company-terran-1-launch

AND

https://all3dp.com/2/best-companies-building-3d-printed-houses/
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February 23, 2023 11:34am
- cmm
  
  The 3D printed guns caused a lot of handwringing but they really are not a factor in public safety etc.
  
  All the plastic ones are complete crap and far more dangerous to the person firing them than anyone else.
  
  The fancy metal sintered 3D printing that they use to make titanium hips etc will make a stronger gun. However that’s not a hobby-grade 3D printer.
  
  If someone wants to make a gun at home, they can make a really cheap (and safe) gun using nothing more than $20 of hand tools: drill, hammer, hacksaw etc.
  
  If they really want to get flash then they can spend $2k on a cheapo NC milling machine.
  
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  February 23, 2023 12:02pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Two pieces of pipe, a pipe cap and a nail.
    Drop in a 12Guage, quickly move the pipes, nail hits detonator – bang.
    
    2 0
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    February 23, 2023 12:13pm
    - Keith White
      
      PNG raskols are routinely armed with 12G pipeguns. And they rarely suffer self-inflicted wounds. They gots the engineering down to a crude, safe art.
      
      3 0
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      February 23, 2023 6:04pm
  - Jack5
    
    CMM is correct in that Cody Wilson’s “Ghost Gunner”, widely described as a 3D printer, was a small, $US1200, CNC milling machine that ran a program he supplied. With early 3d printers (of plastic material) coming out at the time, Wilson’s product (the receiver of an assault-style rifle) was widely described as 3D printed.
    
    The second link outlines the distinction between CNC machining and 3D printing.
    
    https://www.wired.com/2014/10/cody-wilson-ghost-gunner/
    
    CNC v. 3D printing:
    
    https://www.americanmicroinc.com/resources/cnc-machining-3d-printing/
    
    3 0
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    February 23, 2023 12:21pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      For terrorists, it only has to work once.
      
      3 1
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      February 23, 2023 2:26pm
      - Mike
        
        Is it still the case in the US that owning a firearm make a person more likely to be killed by a firearm?
        
        0 6
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        February 23, 2023 2:35pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

This is how you buy votes LOL
https://valiantnews.com/2023/02/breaking-trump-flies-to-ohio-with-clean-water-supplies-for-east-palestine/
4 1
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February 23, 2023 11:47am
- virtualmark
  
  Yep. Give them bottles of Trump Water. That (checks notes) must have been bottled no later than 2010.
  
  Lol.
  
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  February 23, 2023 3:14pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Trump brings water, cleans out a McDonalds of big macs, and gives away MAGA hats.
https://valiantnews.com/2023/02/ohio-trump-brings-mcdonalds-and-maga-hats-to-east-palestine-offers-hope-to-citizens/

He is not going to wind 2024 my left tit.
5 2
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February 23, 2023 11:54am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  WIN*
  
  3 0
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  February 23, 2023 12:18pm
  - NothingLeft
    
    He’s too old and his net negatives are too high. De Santis is more likely.
    
    2 2
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    February 23, 2023 2:57pm
Maggie Pie

I recall about ten years ago Melbourne was judged ‘The-Worlds-Best-City’

Even Auckland was in the running I think?

Well this is what a decade of lefty Mayors, only too willing to suck-hole Labor Governments does for the place…..

https://twitter.com/Aristocles12th/status/1628134934249611264

We’ve got a lot riding on Mayor Brown here. He’s off to a good start.
11 2
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February 23, 2023 12:06pm
MCōs

Where’s Mayor Wayne Brown?
Last I heard the old codger got a sore back picking up a 40kg load.
It’s one thing to be seen to be mucking in, but that’s overdoing for a bloke of his age.
4 8
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February 23, 2023 12:20pm
- Jack5
  
  Whoops, started a joke about the wrong Mayor Brown….
  
  5 1
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  February 23, 2023 12:33pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

The United Spot. Joe and Pete – Ohio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHh6i8HD6o
4 1
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February 23, 2023 1:01pm
MCōs

Here’s an idea if someone you love fancies a kitschy present
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2512514/delivery-driver-makes-off-with-b50k-money-bouquet?fbclid=IwAR3BELq0v9aqTCxPrHngQjdwPHg-147y3hFVxFRBJZHR26kQfA9rA1AzLEs
4 0
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February 23, 2023 1:16pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Bit sad that isn’t it? $NZ2300? She got a gift out of it anyway.
  
  3 1
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  February 23, 2023 2:33pm
Ghost

From China

US Hegemony and Its Perils

Introduction

Since becoming the world’s most powerful country after the two world wars and the Cold War, the United States has acted more boldly to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, pursue, maintain and abuse hegemony, advance subversion and infiltration, and willfully wage wars, bringing harm to the international community.

The United States has developed a hegemonic playbook to stage “color revolutions,” instigate regional disputes, and even directly launch wars under the guise of promoting democracy, freedom and human rights. Clinging to the Cold War mentality, the United States has ramped up bloc politics and stoked conflict and confrontation. It has overstretched the concept of national security, abused export controls and forced unilateral sanctions upon others. It has taken a selective approach to international law and rules, utilizing or discarding them as it sees fit, and has sought to impose rules that serve its own interests in the name of upholding a “rules-based international order.”

This report, by presenting the relevant facts, seeks to expose the U.S. abuse of hegemony in the political, military, economic, financial, technological and cultural fields, and to draw greater international attention to the perils of the U.S. practices to world peace and stability and the well-being of all peoples.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjbxw/202302/t20230220_11027664.html
5 2
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February 23, 2023 1:37pm
- kowtow
  
  So , tell us what you think.
  
  2 0
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  February 23, 2023 3:42pm
  - Ghost
    
    China are legitimising a coming china usa war.
    
    3 0
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    February 23, 2023 3:50pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      With Russia as a backup?
      
      2 1
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      February 23, 2023 4:15pm
      - Ghost
        
        https://tass.com/politics/1580567
        
        China and Russia will together continue to stand up for the key goals and principles of the UN charter and decisively oppose hegemonism and bloc confrontation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, following a meeting in Moscow between Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), member of the CCP Politburo Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
        
        2 0
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        February 23, 2023 5:15pm
    - Cinematic
      
      Heh, only if China is deeply delusional.
      
      0 0
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      February 23, 2023 6:59pm
      - Ghost
        
        China recently passed their Reservists legislation
        
        https://www.chinajusticeobserver.com/a/china-passes-first-legislation-for-reservists#:~:text=On%2030%20Dec.,2023.
        
        They’re preparing for war. General Mike Minihan has said he feels the usa and china could be at war by 2025. Xi Jinping Has told the military to prepare for war.
        
        0 0
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        February 23, 2023 7:35pm
Hugh Jarse

Fresh from their latest famous five adventures berating the great unwashed for harassing and bullying their beloved Prime Minister, the media bully and harass a National MP for daring to express a non authorised opinion. Knowing only they have the ability to have an opinion printed or broadcast they shine behind their shield of sanctimony. They have successfully prevented any deviation from the authorised doctrine. Parasites the lot of them.
10 2
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February 23, 2023 1:52pm
- Mike
  
  Wasn’t that MP already judged by one of the last few leaders?
  “Yeah, she’s f**king useless”
  
  3 8
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  February 23, 2023 2:38pm
  - Libertarians are right
    
    If that was the standard none of the Labour MPs would be allowed any air time either.
    
    10 0
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    February 23, 2023 3:07pm
    - kowtow
      
      The context of mike’s quote is far more important .
      
      Donations from rich folk with possible overseas connections for a seat in parliament .
      
      That’s the real nub of the matter .
      
      3 1
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      February 23, 2023 3:45pm
  - Hugh Jarse
    
    Mike not sure what your point is, [Mod – debate what is said without the personal attacks]
    
    In my view Pugh is entitled to having her own view without being bullied and harassed by the feral media. In her electorate her view will be a pretty common one and I don’t think the media have done themselves any favours, when they hector her the way they did they do the same to her electorate and a large part of New Zealand who don’t necessarily believe the party line.
    
    You never know one of these days your view may be the abhorrent one if the science becomes disproved. Things do tend to have their day.
    
    10 1
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    February 23, 2023 4:02pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Hear hear, what that man/woman said.
      Maureen Pugh is a List MP, but yes there is an Electorate that she represents.
      Hon Damien O’Connor holds that Seat.
      
      6 1
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      February 23, 2023 4:22pm
Maggie Pie

TRENDING 😎

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown confirms Council CEO Jim Stabback resigned “….for personal reasons”

LOLO!!

https://twitter.com/AkldRatepayers/status/1628509349139169282
9 1
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February 23, 2023 2:15pm
Stu2

Stuff reports there is going to be an enquiry into slash and forestry practices, headed by Hekia Parata (ex-National cabinet minister) who lives in Gisborne.

I’m pleased to see her there.

She has no need to cover for labour ministers who have been ineffective, and whatever actions they suggest might happen no matter who is in power.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131315345/government-orders-inquiry-into-forestry-slash-after-cyclone-gabrielle
5 1
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February 23, 2023 2:24pm
- Mike
  
  Parata has always been happy to work for a government of whichever color that pays her for her (very) valuable time.
  
  5 12
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  February 23, 2023 2:40pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

What the Chinese Spy Balloons were looking for:
https://twitter.com/mirandadevine/status/1625181560369561604
4 1
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February 23, 2023 2:46pm
- Ghost
  
  Still no photos of the other objects they claimed to have shot down
  
  3 0
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  February 23, 2023 4:03pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Shut shop, because it may expose Chinese Spys in the US, and who they are sleeping with.
    
    2 1
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    February 23, 2023 5:49pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      https://billingsreport.com/democrats-defend-biden-nominee-who-worked-for-two-communist-chinese-spy-organizations/
      
      2 1
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      February 23, 2023 5:52pm
Swifty

An insight into recent Irish concerns about immigration:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vUUI6A0WfbY
3 1
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February 23, 2023 3:13pm
- Mike
  
  Are they still upset with the English for conquering them and colonizing their island?
  
  1 6
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  February 23, 2023 5:25pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

NORTH KOREA FIRES ICBM MISSILE CAPABLE OF REACHING CALIFORNIA: SHOULD WE CARE?
I don’t believe Jong-un is crazy enough to do a first strike as we have missiles that could wipe out his entire country.
We can thank Bill Clinton for this. He gave North Korea 2 nuclear reactors, fuel, and $250 million in cash in exchange for the promise that they would not create a nuclear bomb.
https://billingsreport.com/north-korea-fires-icbm-missile-capable-of-reaching-california-should-we-care/
9 2
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February 23, 2023 3:35pm
- Mike
  
  But your idol Trump (“we fell in love”) fixed all that, right?
  
  2 4
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  February 23, 2023 5:23pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Oh no Mike, Joe is fixing it right now.
    Trouble is, does Joe Biden know he is doing this?
    
    3 1
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    February 23, 2023 6:29pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Get a load of this leftist/communist shit:
https://finishtherace.com/eric/george-soros-now-pushing-technology-to-cool-the-earth-could-causing-massive-number-of-deaths/
3 1
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February 23, 2023 6:04pm

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