Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
@alans-world.bsky.social
James Baldwin —'I can't believe what you say, because I see what you do.'
Reckons own, Facts immutable.
Irish/Scots/Filipino Aotearoan Socialist in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington.
POLITICAL BLOG (so we're clear AF where I stand!)
http://tiny.cc/ncwf001
Reckons own, Facts immutable.
Irish/Scots/Filipino Aotearoan Socialist in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington.
POLITICAL BLOG (so we're clear AF where I stand!)
http://tiny.cc/ncwf001
Pinned
The ultimate "National Security Directive" for any Nation lies not in its ability to pummel people, but to commit to real people-oriented policies that bring a Nation together *meaningfully* to prevent severe mass alienation from each other: health, housing, education, employment.
#NZpol
"Over the next decade we will make sure poorer people transition to a "tough shit, should have paid the highest premium there is" model (and even then that might not do it), when it comes to buying and protecting property (don't worry! The richest will always be bailed out, it's just fair)."
"Over the next decade we will make sure poorer people transition to a "tough shit, should have paid the highest premium there is" model (and even then that might not do it), when it comes to buying and protecting property (don't worry! The richest will always be bailed out, it's just fair)."
Over the next decade NZ will transition to a “personal responsibility” risk model when it comes to buying and protecting property, Simon Watts told a private insurance event.
Climate minister: Post-disaster full value property buyouts will one day be a thing of the past
Over the next decade NZ will transition to a “personal responsibility” risk model when it comes to buying and protecting property, Simon Watts told a private insurance event.
dlvr.it
November 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
#NZpol
"Over the next decade we will make sure poorer people transition to a "tough shit, should have paid the highest premium there is" model (and even then that might not do it), when it comes to buying and protecting property (don't worry! The richest will always be bailed out, it's just fair)."
"Over the next decade we will make sure poorer people transition to a "tough shit, should have paid the highest premium there is" model (and even then that might not do it), when it comes to buying and protecting property (don't worry! The richest will always be bailed out, it's just fair)."
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
A London family wants £180k a year tutor for one-year old child to help him become an English gentleman.
Tutor must have gone to "the right kinds of schools", knowledge of horse riding, skiing, the arts and music.
This is the real island of strangers where class wars are inculcated at young age.
Tutor must have gone to "the right kinds of schools", knowledge of horse riding, skiing, the arts and music.
This is the real island of strangers where class wars are inculcated at young age.
Tutor sought for £180k job to teach baby to become a 'gentleman'
The advert seeks
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 AM
A London family wants £180k a year tutor for one-year old child to help him become an English gentleman.
Tutor must have gone to "the right kinds of schools", knowledge of horse riding, skiing, the arts and music.
This is the real island of strangers where class wars are inculcated at young age.
Tutor must have gone to "the right kinds of schools", knowledge of horse riding, skiing, the arts and music.
This is the real island of strangers where class wars are inculcated at young age.
#NZpol
IRD person says: "... it's got to be paid back... do you really need to give out this loan, can you avoid it or is there another way?"
Another way?
You mean FUNDING EDUCATION PROPERLY TO F'N START WITH, LIKE SANE COUNTRIES DO?!
Oh I see! Another of those "mature" convos we'll *avoid*!
IRD person says: "... it's got to be paid back... do you really need to give out this loan, can you avoid it or is there another way?"
Another way?
You mean FUNDING EDUCATION PROPERLY TO F'N START WITH, LIKE SANE COUNTRIES DO?!
Oh I see! Another of those "mature" convos we'll *avoid*!
'Dinner or debt': Pensions cut to cover student loan payments
'Dinner or debt': Pensions cut to cover student loan payments
One Taupō pensioner says she is still facing a $58,000 student loan from a business degree she took two decades ago.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 10, 2025 at 5:22 AM
#NZpol
IRD person says: "... it's got to be paid back... do you really need to give out this loan, can you avoid it or is there another way?"
Another way?
You mean FUNDING EDUCATION PROPERLY TO F'N START WITH, LIKE SANE COUNTRIES DO?!
Oh I see! Another of those "mature" convos we'll *avoid*!
IRD person says: "... it's got to be paid back... do you really need to give out this loan, can you avoid it or is there another way?"
Another way?
You mean FUNDING EDUCATION PROPERLY TO F'N START WITH, LIKE SANE COUNTRIES DO?!
Oh I see! Another of those "mature" convos we'll *avoid*!
#NZpol
Arsonist planning a future fire wants us to have a mature conversation about why burning down the house is a more efficient than simply dismantling it brick by brick, and surely we can all get behind this and move on now?
Arsonist planning a future fire wants us to have a mature conversation about why burning down the house is a more efficient than simply dismantling it brick by brick, and surely we can all get behind this and move on now?
He talks as if we’ve not done this before and suffered the shitty consequences. Fuck of you empty suit, you’ll be overseas living the high life while the rest of pay the price for your stupid decisions.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
NZ needs to have a ‘mature conversation’ about selling state assets, PM says
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has indicated asset sales could be included in National’s manifesto for the 2026 election.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
#NZpol
Arsonist planning a future fire wants us to have a mature conversation about why burning down the house is a more efficient than simply dismantling it brick by brick, and surely we can all get behind this and move on now?
Arsonist planning a future fire wants us to have a mature conversation about why burning down the house is a more efficient than simply dismantling it brick by brick, and surely we can all get behind this and move on now?
#NZpol
He's just gaslighting us again. He can *say* "there has to be places for them to move to" but they've done NOTHING truly meaningful to encourage *any* of that.
He complains of the impact of 501's... that the previous Nat govt didn't do anything meaningful about either.
He's FULL. OF. SHIT.
He's just gaslighting us again. He can *say* "there has to be places for them to move to" but they've done NOTHING truly meaningful to encourage *any* of that.
He complains of the impact of 501's... that the previous Nat govt didn't do anything meaningful about either.
He's FULL. OF. SHIT.
Government 'got to sort out' homeless in Auckland CBD, PM Christopher Luxon says
Government 'got to sort out' homeless in Auckland CBD, PM Christopher Luxon says
Central government and Auckland Council are considering how they can move homeless people out of the CBD ahead of summer.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 10, 2025 at 1:26 AM
#NZpol
He's just gaslighting us again. He can *say* "there has to be places for them to move to" but they've done NOTHING truly meaningful to encourage *any* of that.
He complains of the impact of 501's... that the previous Nat govt didn't do anything meaningful about either.
He's FULL. OF. SHIT.
He's just gaslighting us again. He can *say* "there has to be places for them to move to" but they've done NOTHING truly meaningful to encourage *any* of that.
He complains of the impact of 501's... that the previous Nat govt didn't do anything meaningful about either.
He's FULL. OF. SHIT.
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has responded to Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon after he called her a “witch”, saying, “If I had the power to make spells... I would use it to stop your crimes once and for all.”
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ihrv92
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ihrv92
November 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has responded to Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon after he called her a “witch”, saying, “If I had the power to make spells... I would use it to stop your crimes once and for all.”
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ihrv92
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ihrv92
#NZpol
Seymour is doubling down on his and the ACT Party's followers intent to make this country some kind of Last Stand of The Eternally Victimized Whiter than White Dudes of the World... Who Somehow Still Have All The Power But Are Still The Real Victims™️.
A manipulative, deceitful *racist*.
Seymour is doubling down on his and the ACT Party's followers intent to make this country some kind of Last Stand of The Eternally Victimized Whiter than White Dudes of the World... Who Somehow Still Have All The Power But Are Still The Real Victims™️.
A manipulative, deceitful *racist*.
Public agencies are offering staff te reo Māori and Māori-Crown relations training, but senior ministers say this isn’t how public funds should be spent
Seymour says his ministry shouldn’t offer te reo lessons on taxpayer dime
newsroom.co.nz
November 8, 2025 at 7:50 AM
#NZpol
Seymour is doubling down on his and the ACT Party's followers intent to make this country some kind of Last Stand of The Eternally Victimized Whiter than White Dudes of the World... Who Somehow Still Have All The Power But Are Still The Real Victims™️.
A manipulative, deceitful *racist*.
Seymour is doubling down on his and the ACT Party's followers intent to make this country some kind of Last Stand of The Eternally Victimized Whiter than White Dudes of the World... Who Somehow Still Have All The Power But Are Still The Real Victims™️.
A manipulative, deceitful *racist*.
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
So the one to 25,000 bad apples in the NYPD are "self-deporting?" What a great way to weed out the most prejudiced assholes. Congratulations, New York City!
November 8, 2025 at 12:20 AM
So the one to 25,000 bad apples in the NYPD are "self-deporting?" What a great way to weed out the most prejudiced assholes. Congratulations, New York City!
#NZpol
Look man, it's Saturday, the weather is quite passable, and we're all just at various stages of trying to stop it going totally feral before the Mug of Destiny clocks us all over our collective heads... can we deal with some of this on Monday at least?
Look man, it's Saturday, the weather is quite passable, and we're all just at various stages of trying to stop it going totally feral before the Mug of Destiny clocks us all over our collective heads... can we deal with some of this on Monday at least?
November 8, 2025 at 4:43 AM
#NZpol
Look man, it's Saturday, the weather is quite passable, and we're all just at various stages of trying to stop it going totally feral before the Mug of Destiny clocks us all over our collective heads... can we deal with some of this on Monday at least?
Look man, it's Saturday, the weather is quite passable, and we're all just at various stages of trying to stop it going totally feral before the Mug of Destiny clocks us all over our collective heads... can we deal with some of this on Monday at least?
Is it?
All very well complaining about the most extreme members of *your Party* "corrupting the right's understanding of both economics and morality" and "cutting off all the legs of the stool" when he himself was busy holding some saws and pretty obviously "corrupting" a few ideas, COUGH.
All very well complaining about the most extreme members of *your Party* "corrupting the right's understanding of both economics and morality" and "cutting off all the legs of the stool" when he himself was busy holding some saws and pretty obviously "corrupting" a few ideas, COUGH.
November 8, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Is it?
All very well complaining about the most extreme members of *your Party* "corrupting the right's understanding of both economics and morality" and "cutting off all the legs of the stool" when he himself was busy holding some saws and pretty obviously "corrupting" a few ideas, COUGH.
All very well complaining about the most extreme members of *your Party* "corrupting the right's understanding of both economics and morality" and "cutting off all the legs of the stool" when he himself was busy holding some saws and pretty obviously "corrupting" a few ideas, COUGH.
#NZpol
"All of the economists I speak to..." say we're recovering says Nicola Willis.
Brad in person, Brad on the television AND Brad on the telephone then? Amaaaazing🙄
"Jobs are always the last to recover..." she continues, having presided over a Govt that *sacked 1000s without good reason*.
"All of the economists I speak to..." say we're recovering says Nicola Willis.
Brad in person, Brad on the television AND Brad on the telephone then? Amaaaazing🙄
"Jobs are always the last to recover..." she continues, having presided over a Govt that *sacked 1000s without good reason*.
If the official unemployment rate for Pacific people is 12%, dollars to donuts the rate for Pacific youth is closer to 20%.
Then there's this cn*t 'I am very confident we are in a recovery. All of the economists I speak to think that the economy is currently growing...'
Oh please
#nzpol
Then there's this cn*t 'I am very confident we are in a recovery. All of the economists I speak to think that the economy is currently growing...'
Oh please
#nzpol
Pacific communities hit hardest by rising unemployment - Stats NZ
The unemployment stats for Pacific peoples is more than double the national average, and the highest of any other ethnic group in New Zealand.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
#NZpol
"All of the economists I speak to..." say we're recovering says Nicola Willis.
Brad in person, Brad on the television AND Brad on the telephone then? Amaaaazing🙄
"Jobs are always the last to recover..." she continues, having presided over a Govt that *sacked 1000s without good reason*.
"All of the economists I speak to..." say we're recovering says Nicola Willis.
Brad in person, Brad on the television AND Brad on the telephone then? Amaaaazing🙄
"Jobs are always the last to recover..." she continues, having presided over a Govt that *sacked 1000s without good reason*.
Once again, we'll have to tap the sign...
November 7, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Once again, we'll have to tap the sign...
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
#NZpol
Maaaaaaybe we need to remind ourselves about what 'trusted' operators like Serco and their supposed "best international practice" rep brought us last time a National led government favoured them for contracts here...?
Posts from the then-Key era and it's insane we have to revisit it again?!
Maaaaaaybe we need to remind ourselves about what 'trusted' operators like Serco and their supposed "best international practice" rep brought us last time a National led government favoured them for contracts here...?
Posts from the then-Key era and it's insane we have to revisit it again?!
![Serco's general policy internationally, especially the last time they bid for NZ's infrastructure services...
"Company insiders say Serco had a policy of undercutting rivals to win more contracts. Richard Johnson, a former Serco executive who big for government deals - although not the asylum contract - says 'the pressure came down from on-high [at Serco] to grow and win more contracts at almost any cost while the government customer was, and is, awarding the contracts to the cheapest bidder, without adequate consideration of which corners that would mean cutting"
Reported originally in the Financial Times](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:g2vydxyrdgz6z4ph3xbzunj3/bafkreicld5g55dm3a7skcggqkb5vlvqgqbrttgtr6gv7qqd4uwnu4xbgna@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 4:52 AM
#NZpol
Maaaaaaybe we need to remind ourselves about what 'trusted' operators like Serco and their supposed "best international practice" rep brought us last time a National led government favoured them for contracts here...?
Posts from the then-Key era and it's insane we have to revisit it again?!
Maaaaaaybe we need to remind ourselves about what 'trusted' operators like Serco and their supposed "best international practice" rep brought us last time a National led government favoured them for contracts here...?
Posts from the then-Key era and it's insane we have to revisit it again?!
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
OKC just finished a memorial to honor the lunch counter sit-in that Clara Luper and her students did in 1958.
kfor.com/news/local/c...
kfor.com/news/local/c...
November 7, 2025 at 2:45 AM
OKC just finished a memorial to honor the lunch counter sit-in that Clara Luper and her students did in 1958.
kfor.com/news/local/c...
kfor.com/news/local/c...
Shouting "extreme" about him shows how RW things have slid, certainly at the Establishment-level.
The real extreme is tolerating a society where billionaires simply buy the entire political system, then whine even *louder* they're *held back" as they set dismantle everything with near impunity.
The real extreme is tolerating a society where billionaires simply buy the entire political system, then whine even *louder* they're *held back" as they set dismantle everything with near impunity.
New Zealanders do too
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’
Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Shouting "extreme" about him shows how RW things have slid, certainly at the Establishment-level.
The real extreme is tolerating a society where billionaires simply buy the entire political system, then whine even *louder* they're *held back" as they set dismantle everything with near impunity.
The real extreme is tolerating a society where billionaires simply buy the entire political system, then whine even *louder* they're *held back" as they set dismantle everything with near impunity.
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
We don't cross picket lines, and in this case, we'll for SURE want to gleefully and mercilessly drag the shit out anyone who does and claims they needed to.
BREAKING: After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless Starbucks finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
Starbucks unionized workers say they'll strike on Nov. 13 if coffee giant doesn't finalize contract
Union members say they are ready to strike on the chain's Red Cup Day if Starbucks doesn't finalize a contract with their union by then.
www.cbsnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:27 AM
We don't cross picket lines, and in this case, we'll for SURE want to gleefully and mercilessly drag the shit out anyone who does and claims they needed to.
"Ceasefire" update...
In the Gaza Strip, Israel’s military is targeting eastern areas of Khan Younis and Gaza City with intense artillery fire, despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that took effect nearly a month ago. The shelling is targeting farms, homes and other civilian areas.
November 6, 2025 at 4:52 AM
"Ceasefire" update...
#NZpol
"Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey was not personally aware that PSN had written to him" and then basically said it's HNZ's problem, see ya later guys... got other problems to sort out... like tax breaks... and tobacco lobbyists... busy day an' all, can't stop now...
"Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey was not personally aware that PSN had written to him" and then basically said it's HNZ's problem, see ya later guys... got other problems to sort out... like tax breaks... and tobacco lobbyists... busy day an' all, can't stop now...
Lifeline to cut operations if funding shortfall not plugged
Lifeline to cut operations if funding shortfall not plugged
A mental health support service says it will have to reduce its operations if it cannot plug a $2 million shortfall.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 6, 2025 at 4:15 AM
#NZpol
"Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey was not personally aware that PSN had written to him" and then basically said it's HNZ's problem, see ya later guys... got other problems to sort out... like tax breaks... and tobacco lobbyists... busy day an' all, can't stop now...
"Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey was not personally aware that PSN had written to him" and then basically said it's HNZ's problem, see ya later guys... got other problems to sort out... like tax breaks... and tobacco lobbyists... busy day an' all, can't stop now...
Reposted by Alan (not ekshully a B'Stard)
Your reminders that the stock market isn’t the economy, and unchecked corporate greed isn’t compatible with a moral or thriving society.
November 6, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Your reminders that the stock market isn’t the economy, and unchecked corporate greed isn’t compatible with a moral or thriving society.
#NZpol
"Under current regulations, the government's income related rent subsidy does not apply for council housing tenants - only community and state housing tenants.
Te Toi Mahana was formed to solve that problem. But only new tenants, currently about 14 percent, could access the subsidy."
🧐🙄
"Under current regulations, the government's income related rent subsidy does not apply for council housing tenants - only community and state housing tenants.
Te Toi Mahana was formed to solve that problem. But only new tenants, currently about 14 percent, could access the subsidy."
🧐🙄
Wellington social housing tenants frustrated at rent hikes
Wellington social housing tenants frustrated at rent hikes
This is despite the cost of private rentals falling across the city.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 6, 2025 at 1:30 AM
#NZpol
"Under current regulations, the government's income related rent subsidy does not apply for council housing tenants - only community and state housing tenants.
Te Toi Mahana was formed to solve that problem. But only new tenants, currently about 14 percent, could access the subsidy."
🧐🙄
"Under current regulations, the government's income related rent subsidy does not apply for council housing tenants - only community and state housing tenants.
Te Toi Mahana was formed to solve that problem. But only new tenants, currently about 14 percent, could access the subsidy."
🧐🙄
OK, so, starving your own troops is certainly one way to reduce spending... but saying to your troops to now get food from the countries your govt has been pretty much screaming non-stop are "toO woKe" and "nOt PayiNg tHeiR wAy" is... probably not appreciated much, by anyone involved.
NEW: The US Army website for its bases in Bavaria, Germany told its soldiers and employees that it might need to obtain free food from the German government during the US government shutdown.
The Army later altered publication to remove a list of food banks, but we have the original text here:
The Army later altered publication to remove a list of food banks, but we have the original text here:
US Army Tells Soldiers to Go to German Food Bank, Then Deletes It
The initial 'Shutdown Guidance' for the US Army Garrison Bavaria included instructions to go to German food banks.
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 1:12 AM
OK, so, starving your own troops is certainly one way to reduce spending... but saying to your troops to now get food from the countries your govt has been pretty much screaming non-stop are "toO woKe" and "nOt PayiNg tHeiR wAy" is... probably not appreciated much, by anyone involved.
#NZpol
"His proposed solutions included ditching a “completely unacceptable” plan for a cycle lane in favour of another lane for motor vehicles."
So, the "plan" is to *add more traffic*... to *an existing choke point*... everyone is *currently*... ALREADY MAD ABOUT?
The stupid is *off the scale*.
"His proposed solutions included ditching a “completely unacceptable” plan for a cycle lane in favour of another lane for motor vehicles."
So, the "plan" is to *add more traffic*... to *an existing choke point*... everyone is *currently*... ALREADY MAD ABOUT?
The stupid is *off the scale*.
It almost like just increasing car infrastructure rather than offering better public transport and alternative options doesn't really work 🤷
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Long queues and baffled drivers: New $152m flyover drives minister mad
Simeon Brown is calling for urgent changes to a new $152 million flyover, saying it has created long evening delays and confusion for motorists.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
#NZpol
"His proposed solutions included ditching a “completely unacceptable” plan for a cycle lane in favour of another lane for motor vehicles."
So, the "plan" is to *add more traffic*... to *an existing choke point*... everyone is *currently*... ALREADY MAD ABOUT?
The stupid is *off the scale*.
"His proposed solutions included ditching a “completely unacceptable” plan for a cycle lane in favour of another lane for motor vehicles."
So, the "plan" is to *add more traffic*... to *an existing choke point*... everyone is *currently*... ALREADY MAD ABOUT?
The stupid is *off the scale*.
#NZpol
Oh Lorde, that Viv Beck was really trying not to admit they want people criminalised for being homeless, but that's basically what she is saying.....
Oh Lorde, that Viv Beck was really trying not to admit they want people criminalised for being homeless, but that's basically what she is saying.....
November 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
#NZpol
Oh Lorde, that Viv Beck was really trying not to admit they want people criminalised for being homeless, but that's basically what she is saying.....
Oh Lorde, that Viv Beck was really trying not to admit they want people criminalised for being homeless, but that's basically what she is saying.....
#NZpol
There really isn't any huge lesson from Mamdani for us, it's just the lesson we already know, have indeed tried before ourselves, yet seem to have forgotten in the last 50 yrs in particular. It's dead simple:
Neoliberalism kills.
Have actual policies.
Fucking turn up.
See, not hard at all.
There really isn't any huge lesson from Mamdani for us, it's just the lesson we already know, have indeed tried before ourselves, yet seem to have forgotten in the last 50 yrs in particular. It's dead simple:
Neoliberalism kills.
Have actual policies.
Fucking turn up.
See, not hard at all.
November 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM
#NZpol
There really isn't any huge lesson from Mamdani for us, it's just the lesson we already know, have indeed tried before ourselves, yet seem to have forgotten in the last 50 yrs in particular. It's dead simple:
Neoliberalism kills.
Have actual policies.
Fucking turn up.
See, not hard at all.
There really isn't any huge lesson from Mamdani for us, it's just the lesson we already know, have indeed tried before ourselves, yet seem to have forgotten in the last 50 yrs in particular. It's dead simple:
Neoliberalism kills.
Have actual policies.
Fucking turn up.
See, not hard at all.