Polity by Rob Salmond

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Polity: TPP, eh?

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  • izogi, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I caught the end of some bloke reporter on Story trying to pretend he was a protestor and basically lampooning everybody – very unedifying non-reporting, patronising prick ruminated on how people were just confused and angry.

    I saw that too, afterwards. On Friday Julian Lee (the Story guy) then wrote a response to the criticism he received.

    Prior to Toni Street’s closing about threats to babies, Seven Sharp also did exactly the same thing at the same time on the other channel. It must be fashionable. Both were really copies of a satire thing Ben Uffindel did weeks ago, but he wasn’t pretending to be a journalist at the time.

    Thing is, it’s valid to point out that many protesters don’t clearly understand the detail of what they’re protesting about. What made it bad, on both channels, was the context of doing that in the middle of such a woefully narrow and highly opinionated slant that each 7pm show was presenting.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald,

    What MSM overlooked was the fact that we wabble wowsers also had to get into the central city by 9 am for the first march, and by midday for the second.

    There was also a bus strike to contend with. Listening to bulletins on Natrad, we were fairly sure we could get a bus from Jellico St carpark (big enough mobility carparks to fit our 7m Bus) to Aotea Square... if we were at the bus stop by 8 am. Didn't pan out like that, but just as we were resigning ourselves to having to deal with the Auckland mobility taxi service...an angel appeared, and miraculously transported us to the pit of dissension.

    Others we spoke with had driven in from the 'Burbs and found the off ramps closed...they merely drove to the next unoccupied off ramp. Many of these people were, like ourselves, not Auckland streetwise....yet we somehow made it.

    Where there's a will...

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Public finance and national economic policy do seem the black arts of modern life. And in fact the experts say New Zealand is riding a wave of changing practice that is far more radical than most people understand.

    Former Canterbury University accountancy lecturer Dr Susan Newberry, now professor of accounting at Sydney University's business school, still keeps a fascinated eye on the "New Zealand experiment". And some of what she sees she finds a little alarming.

    In a paper published by Public Money and Management in January, she fingers the mythical nature of our Earthquake Recovery Commission's (EQC) Natural Disaster Fund – which she sees as part of a bigger story about how the government now freely shuffles its assets around within the national balance sheet.

    And in another heavy-hitting paper published in Critical Perspectives in Accounting last year, Newberry raised a red flag on New Zealand's financialisation of its sovereign debt.

    Does the average Kiwi know the country's balance sheet now has a derivatives exposure of $180b, she asks? That is rather a lot of those "financial weapons of mass destruction".

    source

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Smoke and mirrors is National Inc's motto. NZ is john Key's plaything.
    So because NZ has done exactly what was the GFC after the GFC, we should be just fine. Err ok.

    The government's full derivative exposure is now massive at 90 per cent of GDP

    How is that a good thing ?

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Despite the Key-friendly journos portraying the thousands of people who took part in the Auckland TPPA protest as just the usual bunch of losers, not all media are blindly promoting the government line.

    Respected business journalist Rod Oram has consistently provided detailed commentary and analysis. Likewise, John Campbell on RNZ is doing a great job. Thanks guys!

    If I took only one thing away from the public meeting with Jane Kelsey and Lori Wallach, it's that the signing of the TTP means nothing until it's been ratified by all parties. According to Wallach, that may never happen because all of the major US presidential candidates are opposed to the deal.

    She says that in that case, the biggest risk for NZ is that we change a number of our laws -- labour, intellectual property, etc -- in preparation for a ratification which never eventuates. She cited a similar US / Korea agreement as precedent and I imagine Key & Co already have a list of law changes intended to make NZ more "corporate friendly".

    If the TPP is ratified, the scary monster for me is the Investor State Disputes Settlement (ISDS) process. While that could potentially cost our country billions, it's not so much legal action by US corporates as the mere threat of legal action which might force our government to alter policies. We've had a taste of this already with the Saudi sheep scandal, although there's a good chance that the threatened legal action in that case was merely a McCully invention to cover up some blatant bribery.

    And don't forget, cancelling a law change following threats has happened in NZ already.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    An open letter to TPP protesters from Steven Dildo Joyce

    All protesters are anti-trade... ISDR more helpful than hindrance "... trust us... blah... blah... blah.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald,

    It's Our Future have put out a new bulletin to those on the mailing list.

    For those who follow interweb trends

    First, top related queries were “what is tppa”, “tppa facts”, etc. This implies that the people doing most of the searching don’t know much about the TPPA (and that the government, which ostensibly represents the will of the people, has done a fairly poor job of informing them about such a huge issue).

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    John Key booed off stage at Big Gay Out

    Donned in a pink polo shirt, Mr Key took to the stage alongside National MPs Nikki Kaye and Maggie Barry. But a group of about 30 protesters clutching banners and shouting anti-TPPA slogans drowned out his short speech, and the prime minister then left the stage to loud booing.

    But of course it had nothing to do with the TPPA really…

    Speaking to media immediately after his speech, Mr Key said he’s expected the reaction but stressed it was from a small group of individuals who did not support the National government.

    What a dil.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    John Key booed off stage at Big Gay Out

    And he was glitterbombed at the event. But I doubt the message is getting through to him.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Mr Key said...it was from a small group of individuals..

    The Herald has a video online which gives the impression that the group of individuals may have been a little larger than Key suggests.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood,

    It's a world of laughter, a world of fears....

    https://boingboing.net/2016/02/25/disney-offers-to-deduct-contri.html

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    Boing-boing also reports on "corrupt misogynist strongman John Key" ...... "I'll stay in TPP's economic suicide-pact even if the USA pulls out"

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    corrupt misogynist strongman

    2 out of 3 aint bad

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    .

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    Oops. (Not announced yet)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    .
    Oops. (Not announced yet)

    I can still see the 'point' (.) of it though.!
    :- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    Sorry. An impulsive post that apparently I shouldn’t have :( Not completely pointless but a fool stop.

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    TPPA Roadshow-of-strength on now...
    MFAT is on the road selling the unsellable - there was one in Chchch on March 11 - did anyone at the Press report on it? Not that I can find - only Chris Trotter seems to have noted it and attempts to link to reportage of it by Josie Butler - but the unhelpful Press link doesn't take you there - go to: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/03/12/guest-blog-josie-butler-why-i-attacked-the-tppa-roadshow/
    ...it appears that the Government is using Defence Personnel as well as Police to distance themselves from the enquiring populace (not to mention yappy lap dog Sean Plunket!) - seems heavy handed for our little democracy.

    The word "heavily" is used advisedly. According to the reportage of Josie Butler (who staged a peaceful protest at the event and was escorted from the auditorium) the roadshow was not only protected by upwards of 30 police officers, but also by 40 members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Butler's reportage further alleges that the roadshow had at least one other protector – its government-appointed chairman, broadcaster Sean Plunket.
    If Butler's description of the proceedings is accurate, then it is fair to say that Plunket has opted for an alarmingly heavy-handed approach to chairing these gatherings. Participants are restricted to asking questions of the presenters and will be interrupted aggressively if they so much as attempt to contextualise their queries. Hecklers are summarily ejected.
    What was presented to New Zealanders as an opportunity to participate in a free and frank discussion of the costs and benefits of the TPP, is being experienced by those attendees not already convinced of the agreement's benefits as little more than a crude propaganda exercise. Even worse, these meetings are alleged to have been conducted in a fashion that treats dissent as a hostile and potentially criminal act.

    NB: next one is in Wellington, 18 March, Westpac Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington. Registration closes: 15 March - Today!!

    More roadshows will be held in other regional centres in the coming months. Locations are likely to include Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson, Palmerston North, Tauranga, and Whangarei. Updates will be published on this website, or you can contact tpp@mfat.govt.nz if you would like to register to be updated.

    They must have been so impressed with their Flag roadshow turn outs that this was the best way to appear 'transparent'...
    Not sure if Auckland has had their one or whether the Govt is too scared to even try ....

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Not sure if Auckland has had their one

    Oh yes. Where do you think they got their over-the-top security ideas from?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    aaah so that's Auckland sorted and informed then.

    <aside> this was interesting from BoingBoing
    https://boingboing.net/2016/03/13/usa-uses-tpp-like-trade-court.html

    The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was on track to deliver deploy 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022 ("more than the current solar capacity of the world’s top five solar-producing countries combined") but because India specified that the solar panels for it were to be domestically sourced, the USA sued it in WTO trade court and killed it.

    Good old USA - always keen to help, or is that poke its nose into other countries' business...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    The Dunedin TPP.. ra..ra..ra meeting was held yesterday. Unlike Jane Kelsey's meeting last month which overflowed the hall, this one only attracted "dozens" of people.

    As Mr Walker was welcomed to speak by moderator and right-wing pundit Sean Plunket, TPP protester Rosemary Penwarden played circus music and began chanting ‘‘This is a circus''.

    She was accompanied from the room by the security guards, who were a notable feature of the event.

    The roadshow was also marked by a heavy police presence outside the Dunedin Centre and those wishing to enter had to offer photo identification.

    Photo ID required to listen to Plunker and his team emit government spin? No thanks.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to Alfie,

    Photo ID required to listen to Plunker and his team emit government spin? No thanks.

    If I interpreted it correctly (can anyone confirm?), then I found Josie Butler's account of photographs being taken of attendees even more disturbing. Surely security cameras would be enough in the modern world of paranoia about crowds a TPPA presentation might attract. Do they need mug shots of everyone just in case any individual attendee does something "bad"?

    I guess it's part of a thing to help identify potential troublemakers at future roadshows, and probably any number of other events for the next 30 years. Is it too much of a conspiracy to think there could be a security firm somewhere, contracted to document people's comments and dissent in a file against their identity and mugshots?

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    Lots of security. I’m hearing some of the MFAT team looked decidedly uncomfortable. I think they were fearing something more than a nurse with a pink thing …

    Or maybe just scared of looking like dorks?

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to izogi,

    Equally disturbing is Josie's report that the military were heavily involved.

    The guards asked for my ID, and whilst I was getting it out I noticed one of the guys had an army badge pinned to his lapel, I asked him if he was military and he confirmed that all security present today were army personnel.

    30 police and 40 military personnel... for a "public consultation"? Excuse me, but when was martial law declared in NZ?

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • kw,

    So what was the ratio of security to attendees at the various events?

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2014 • 30 posts Report Reply

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