The gaps in our omicron plans; The winners and losers in the ‘rekovery’; Glimpses of the end of the Powell Put; A longer tunnel to later emissions cuts; Charts, numbers & quotes to note; A fun thing
My son is at Otago Uni and was in a flat complex last year, and next door was no other than the daughter of Team Mike Hoskings. Whereas my son is being supported a bit by Dad and and then by student loan, said daughter of Team Hoskings, who's dear old Dad I figure earns several times more than me, is through some fancy accounting trickery, on the student allowance.
My niece, recently graduated, tells me the children of all of New Zealands wealthiest are on the student allowance.
How? You ask. And How can they look themselves in the mirror? you ask. And How can they go on the radio day in day out with such outrageous hypocrisy? you ponder.
I don't know, but the rich do what they like and find a way to do it, and they do everything they can to keep things from changing.
Sir Dove Myer Robinson’s 1972 rail plan was ahead of it's time. And looking at today's solutions, the time has run out. The continued sprawl of the city will become its own downfall. I believe there are limits to growth of cities, how efficient they can be shaped and adapted to be or how inefficient it becomes based on status quo thinking, with a lack of foresight and a backbone on getting the real work done (forging ahead despite unpopular self serving opinions). Lack of action and further inaction on immediate climate friendly public transportation projects is going to make the pain and suffering more real for those who are already struggling, and the generations to come.
1. Evidence that Putin is an oligarch? - No one has been able to find his millions yet.
2. Crimea? The people are Russian and voted overwhelmingly to join with Russia. Historical accident that Crimea belonged to Ukraine because of gifting by Khrushchev of Crimea to Ukraine. The infamous 'Little Green Men'? were already at the Russian military base stationed there. (Obvious Hollywood scripting that one)
4. The (verbal) agreement between Reagan and Gorbachov? NATO would not move closer to Russia after the fall of the wall. Since then many countries have joined NATO moving closer to Russia. Eek! The USA would love if that happened to them. NOT!
5. Novoroyssia? (New Russia)? Breakaway states in Eastern Ukraine. Because of 'colour' revolution, the person voted in, Yanokovich, had to flee for his life. Here is a recording of Victoria Nuland (She appears on the TV1 'news' as a 'bringer of truth') and Geoffrey Pyatt (US Ambassador to Ukraine) Discussing who they wanted in the new Ukraine govt. https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/feb/07/eu-us-diplomat-victoria-nuland-phonecall-leaked-video. There's a whole story here that you haven't even come close to getting right.
6. Why would Russia want the Ukraine or any of the ex USSR states? Many, including Ukraine are basket cases economically and Russia would be up for the cost. The eastern States? Russia could have taken them during the first war between East and West Ukraine. Instead after a reported call from Merkle to Putin(Who knows?) to prevent NATO soldiers being killed in a 'cauldron' formed by Novorossiya. After following this war closely, I know there was a cauldron formed, but it never 'closed' and the Ukraine soldiers were released, rather than decimated. (that Putin, he's such a killer)
7. Yes Putin is ex KGB, G H W Bush ex CIA (CIA you know the ones with the rendition sites in Romania, Guantanamo , Poland Lithuania allowing the CIA to carry out illegalities, legally (sort of) I very rarely hear that tagged to him making him a 'conniving', 'murderous' demon, when considering his war forays. https://theintercept.com/2018/12/05/george-h-w-bush-1924-2018-american-war-criminal/, comparatively, he certainly was.
If you want to know more about the Ukraine and fill in the missing gaps, this guy is very knowledgable. https://patrickarmstrong.ca/ Russian Observer. I know it's not the BBC, etc and obviously presents 'alternative' facts. But evidence to back up his reports can be found in many sources.
And for good measure, here is Lavrov, Russian foreign minister with Russia's considerations. Believe him or not. But it's always good to hear 2 sides of the story isn't it?
The most vulnerable to serious consequences and all the workers needed are being at serious risk no N95 masks in evidence, no adequate treatments until April. So the psychopaths in charge who are glib about the vulnerable’s needs have once again been out to lunch, missing in action and on holiday instead of doing the job they are paid handsomely to do.
Another brilliant exposition Bernard. The Question is would the Bald headed boardroom bandit(Nat) or the young Neoliberal capitalist who wants to make it easier for me to kill myself (Act) have done any different? God help us they probably would leave it for “the market” to solve as in U.S. “the market” makes beautiful Widgets but has never solved a social problem as it has created them all since the industrial revolution. The idiots who drive Ford Rangers excepting the very few that need them think that “Thumbing their nose” at Climate change is smart but their unborn will hate them in the next 50 years. One has to hope the human race will become extinct and evolution will produce something better on the planet.
Hi Bernard, thanks for an excellent long article to read over the Auckland long weekend.
I agree that the Government Tunnelled Rail option just won't happen as National/Act will become the government and cancel it - this rail option is another example of the current government appearing to do something while really doing nothing.
terrific stuff - took a while to read.
in Five things to note, third paragraph (starting: Firstly on Tuesday):
superseded
"Team Mike Hoskings"....
My son is at Otago Uni and was in a flat complex last year, and next door was no other than the daughter of Team Mike Hoskings. Whereas my son is being supported a bit by Dad and and then by student loan, said daughter of Team Hoskings, who's dear old Dad I figure earns several times more than me, is through some fancy accounting trickery, on the student allowance.
My niece, recently graduated, tells me the children of all of New Zealands wealthiest are on the student allowance.
How? You ask. And How can they look themselves in the mirror? you ask. And How can they go on the radio day in day out with such outrageous hypocrisy? you ponder.
I don't know, but the rich do what they like and find a way to do it, and they do everything they can to keep things from changing.
Nice one Team Hoskings and ilk.
Congrats Bernard
You got quoted in the Press editorial this morning for your $1 trillion asset gain and $400 million beneficiary debt rise.
Lets hope you're allowed more than 15 minutes of fame.
Sir Dove Myer Robinson’s 1972 rail plan was ahead of it's time. And looking at today's solutions, the time has run out. The continued sprawl of the city will become its own downfall. I believe there are limits to growth of cities, how efficient they can be shaped and adapted to be or how inefficient it becomes based on status quo thinking, with a lack of foresight and a backbone on getting the real work done (forging ahead despite unpopular self serving opinions). Lack of action and further inaction on immediate climate friendly public transportation projects is going to make the pain and suffering more real for those who are already struggling, and the generations to come.
Re Ukraine;
1. Evidence that Putin is an oligarch? - No one has been able to find his millions yet.
2. Crimea? The people are Russian and voted overwhelmingly to join with Russia. Historical accident that Crimea belonged to Ukraine because of gifting by Khrushchev of Crimea to Ukraine. The infamous 'Little Green Men'? were already at the Russian military base stationed there. (Obvious Hollywood scripting that one)
4. The (verbal) agreement between Reagan and Gorbachov? NATO would not move closer to Russia after the fall of the wall. Since then many countries have joined NATO moving closer to Russia. Eek! The USA would love if that happened to them. NOT!
5. Novoroyssia? (New Russia)? Breakaway states in Eastern Ukraine. Because of 'colour' revolution, the person voted in, Yanokovich, had to flee for his life. Here is a recording of Victoria Nuland (She appears on the TV1 'news' as a 'bringer of truth') and Geoffrey Pyatt (US Ambassador to Ukraine) Discussing who they wanted in the new Ukraine govt. https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/feb/07/eu-us-diplomat-victoria-nuland-phonecall-leaked-video. There's a whole story here that you haven't even come close to getting right.
6. Why would Russia want the Ukraine or any of the ex USSR states? Many, including Ukraine are basket cases economically and Russia would be up for the cost. The eastern States? Russia could have taken them during the first war between East and West Ukraine. Instead after a reported call from Merkle to Putin(Who knows?) to prevent NATO soldiers being killed in a 'cauldron' formed by Novorossiya. After following this war closely, I know there was a cauldron formed, but it never 'closed' and the Ukraine soldiers were released, rather than decimated. (that Putin, he's such a killer)
7. Yes Putin is ex KGB, G H W Bush ex CIA (CIA you know the ones with the rendition sites in Romania, Guantanamo , Poland Lithuania allowing the CIA to carry out illegalities, legally (sort of) I very rarely hear that tagged to him making him a 'conniving', 'murderous' demon, when considering his war forays. https://theintercept.com/2018/12/05/george-h-w-bush-1924-2018-american-war-criminal/, comparatively, he certainly was.
If you want to know more about the Ukraine and fill in the missing gaps, this guy is very knowledgable. https://patrickarmstrong.ca/ Russian Observer. I know it's not the BBC, etc and obviously presents 'alternative' facts. But evidence to back up his reports can be found in many sources.
And for good measure, here is Lavrov, Russian foreign minister with Russia's considerations. Believe him or not. But it's always good to hear 2 sides of the story isn't it?
https://sputniknews.com/20220128/war-danger-boorish-diplomacy-and-uss-cossacks-in-europe-best-bits-from-lavrovs-big-interview-1092581152.html
Internationally this man is renown for being at the top of the diplomatic game.
The most vulnerable to serious consequences and all the workers needed are being at serious risk no N95 masks in evidence, no adequate treatments until April. So the psychopaths in charge who are glib about the vulnerable’s needs have once again been out to lunch, missing in action and on holiday instead of doing the job they are paid handsomely to do.
To add no rat tests available and inadequate MIQ spaces and organisation.
Another brilliant exposition Bernard. The Question is would the Bald headed boardroom bandit(Nat) or the young Neoliberal capitalist who wants to make it easier for me to kill myself (Act) have done any different? God help us they probably would leave it for “the market” to solve as in U.S. “the market” makes beautiful Widgets but has never solved a social problem as it has created them all since the industrial revolution. The idiots who drive Ford Rangers excepting the very few that need them think that “Thumbing their nose” at Climate change is smart but their unborn will hate them in the next 50 years. One has to hope the human race will become extinct and evolution will produce something better on the planet.
Keep it up.
Patrick Medlicott
Hi Bernard, thanks for an excellent long article to read over the Auckland long weekend.
I agree that the Government Tunnelled Rail option just won't happen as National/Act will become the government and cancel it - this rail option is another example of the current government appearing to do something while really doing nothing.