text:
Simon burns his Teal Coalition Bridges
Act I – Post-election, Dealing the Cards
During the post-election coalition negotiations last year, there was much entrails-reading of which way NZ First would move to form a new government. Labour and NZ First? Or National and NZ First?
Then came the novel suggestion from several media and mostly right-leaning political commentators – all with singularly hyper-active imaginations – of a potential National-Green Coalition government. This was mentioned by Laura Walters and Katie Kenny, on 24 September (2017), both writing for Fairfax media; former National PM, Jim Bolger on 25 September, talking with John Campbell on Radio NZ's Checkpoint; Bill English on 25 September; National's deputy Paula Bennett on 29 September; Jim Bolger again on 1 October; Fairfax's Tracy Watkins on 2 October, et al…
The 'cheerleaders' were lining up to "encourage" (and in one instance, demand!) the installation of a 'Teal' Coalition.
Even former cricketer-turned-Mediaworks-AM Show presenter , Mark Richardson, offered his one cent worth of advice to Green Party leader James Shaw to "be a risk taker and back yourself" by coalescing with the Nats. (Though Richardson admitted that a decision by Shaw to coalesce with National would "blow his Party to smithereens". This did not seem to perturb Richardson, a self-confessed National Party supporter.)
Tracy Watkins had to concede that any coalition deal with the Nats was a lengthy, but guaranteed, political suicide mission, "National has used up all its future coalition partners. United Future and the Maori Party are gone and ACT is on life support".
Strangely, Shaw's response was utterly predictable. He would take a phone call from then National-leader Bill English… but…
"It's my responsibility to do so. And we'll have to see what they've got to say. But one of the things I will be saying in return is 'You know we campaigned on a change of government and you know what was in our manifesto … and how incongruous that is to what the National Party policy programme is'."
Act II – Was a 'Teal' Deal the Real Deal?
So how viable would a coalition have been between two political parties that – on the face of things have as much in common as a chicken and a platypus?
Not much, it would seem.
On several occassions, National's current caretaker Leader, Simon Bridges criticised the Green Party's policies on social issues;
"In terms of the Greens, if they were a true environmental party that wasn't focused on other bits and bobs, they could be a party that we could work with and work with strongly," Bridges said on Tuesday.
"You've seen me say that I think actually there is a role for us in the environment.
I do have problems with the fact that they're more than simply an environmental party – a lot of other stuff I disagree with, but on the environment we know… New Zealanders care passionately about this."
"It's a deep red rather than Green. I'm interested in working with them on genuine conservation, environmental issues but not picketing on the streets."
The sub-text of that narrative was for the Green Party to neuter itself. As James Shaw had to point out to Simon Bridges – much like an exasperated parent patiently explaining something to a young child;
"History has shown that people want to vote for parties on a range of issues. We've always said that sustainability is a function of society, of the environment, and of the economy, and you can't disaggregate those things,"
It would not be dissimilar to the Green Party dictating to National to abandon it's close links to corporate interests, the farming sector, and other pro-business lobby groups. A point made by recently-elected Green Party Party co-leader, and former Daily Blog contributor, Marama Davidson;
"They've got to change a lot. It's not good enough that Simon's trying to position himself as all of a sudden caring about our rivers and our water, when his very policies under his party led to the exact environmental degradation that we're seeing. He wanted to open up drilling to our Maui dolphins' home.
They don't understand the connection of the flawed economic model that led to the environmental degradation in the first place. They would have to change a lot, and I don't think that's what they intend to do."
So how 'green' is our true-blue National Party?
Act III – National plays the Green Card
On 28 April, at a so-called "Bluegreens" Forum – a greenwashed front for the National Party – Simon Bridges made much of his party's "green credentials";
"Good environmental practice is crucial for securing the type of future we want for our children and grandchildren.
My view is that people aren't used to hearing a National Party leader talk like this, but I've said right from the start that the environment is important to me and the National Party … The environment isn't an optional extra.
Climate change is going to be one of the most challenging issues of our time. We've made some good progress in recent years, but we need to do much more.
We now need to wrestle emissions down, just staying stable doesn't cut it … We need to incentivise households, businesses, scientists and entrepreneurs to be developing and implementing technological solutions."
Note; the reported comment from Bridges – "Good environmental practice is crucial for securing the type of future we want for our children and grandchildren" – is almost a word-for-word repeat from last year's National's Environment policy on their website;
Most crucially, note Bridges reference to needing " to incentivise households, businesses, scientists and entrepreneurs to be developing and implementing technological solutions".
"Developing and implementing technological solutions" – not reducing reliance on fossil fuels. For National that was a No-Go Area.
Not so for this coalition government.
On 12 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that "There will be no further offshore oil and gas exploration permits granted". She said;
"This is a responsible step which provides certainty for businesses and communities that rely on fossil fuels. We're striking the right balance for New Zealand – we're protecting existing industry, and protecting future generations from climate change."
More than "a step", it was a bold leap – perhaps one of the most radical since New Zealand declared itself a nuclear-free nation on 8 June 1987. Climate change officially became this generation's "nuclear free moment" on 12 April 2018.
Without doubt, it would be an expensive proposition to forego possible, undiscovered, oil reserves that might be worthy millions – billions! – to our country.
But the cost of runaway climate change; increasing CO2; rising temperatures and sea levels; more energetic storms; growing threats of flooding and coastal storm surges; harsher droughts; heavier rains – would cost us billions as well. With rising sea levels and more powerful storm surges, thousands of homes were now within coastal danger zones;
"Climate change will increasingly create severe risks for New Zealand's coastal housing stock. Even a small amount of sea-level rise will substantially exacerbate the costs of flooding and storm surges. Under the most optimistic emissions scenario studied by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global average sea levels will likely rise by between 44cm and 55cm by 2100, and around 1 m with continued high emissions. Across New Zealand, for regions with high-quality data, there are 43,683 homes within 1.5m of the present average spring high tide and 8,806 homes within 50cm."
According to the Ministry for the Environment, the cost of not addressing climate change threats cannot even be accurately ascertained;
The costs of inaction are difficult to quantify as they depend on the actions that the whole world takes to reduce emissions, not just New Zealand. The costs of inaction will be large but are hard to predict accurately and hard to express in monetary terms. This is also the case for modelling co-benefits of action such as air quality and health benefits. Current research and model development is beginning to address these complexities.
As a rough indicator, the cost of the Christchurch earthquakes was estimated to be about $40 billion (in 2015 dollars), which includes $16 billion for residential construction. Around 10,000 homes were demolished due to earthquake damage. Compare that figure with Motu's; "43,683 homes within 1.5m of the present average spring high tide and 8,806 homes within 50cm".
Regrettably, National's green rhetoric and Simon Bridges' pious claims were not matched with more recent stated intentions – intentions that pose a direct threat to the long-term environmental well-being of our country as well as the entire planet.
Despite Simon Bridges asserting that "climate change is going to be one of the most challenging issues of our time. We've made some good progress in recent years, but we need to do much more" – National was going to do everything in it's power to oppose practical solutions to reduce climate gas emissions.
Bridges point-blank refused to "do much more".
Act IV – Blue card trumps Green for Bridges?
Soon after Prime Minister Ardern issued her government's 12 April Declaration, Bridges responded like a child with his favourite toy taken off him;
"If we are the Government in two years we will change it back."
Bridges' double-speak on environmental matters was pointed out by Fairfax's Laura Walters in no uncertain terms;
Bridges had made a point of talking about National's future environmental direction, and saying he would be open to working with the Green Party in the future – something the Greens have said was unlikely to happen.
However, when he was asked about his plans for the environment on Thursday, he was not able to point to any policies, or general policy areas.
In case Bridges protests at being "unfairly misquoted" in the media, his follow MPs were also vociferous in their opposition to the coalition government's decision to curtail further offshore oil and gas exploration. In a recent press release, National's Energy and Resources Spokesperson, Jonathan Young, said;
"The Government's decision to ban gas and petroleum exploration is economic vandalism that makes no environmental sense […]
This decision will ensure the demise of an industry that provides over 8000 high paying jobs and $2.5 billion for the economy.
Without exploration there will be no investment in oil and gas production or the downstream industries. That means significantly fewer jobs.
This decision is devoid of any rationale. It certainly has nothing to do with climate change. These changes will simply shift production elsewhere in the world, not reduce emissions."
And in a bizarre twist, National's own Climate Change spokesperson, Todd Muller, also condemned winding back New Zealand's fossil fuel industry. In the same press release as Jonathan Young, he said;
"The decision makes no sense – environmentally or economically – because less gas production means more coal being burnt and higher carbon emissions.
Many overseas countries depend on coal for energy production. Those CO2 emissions would halve if they could switch to natural gas while they transition to renewable energy.
By stopping New Zealand's gas exploration we are turning our backs on an opportunity to help reduce global emissions while providing a major economic return to improve our standard of living and the environment.
We need to reduce global CO2 emissions. But there is no need to put an entire industry and thousands of New Zealanders' jobs at risk.
The Government's decision today is another blow to regional New Zealand, and Taranaki in particular.
It comes hot on the heels of big decisions that reduce roading expenditure, cancel irrigation funding, and discourage international investment in the regions."
Todd Mueller has the wrong job title. With his unwavering support for the fossil fuel industry and increased roading expenditure, he should be National's Increasing Greenhouse Gas Emissions spokesperson. Nothing that Mueller has said would lead to any reduction in dangerous emissions from burning fossil fuels.
The press release from Young and Mueller was also dated 12 April;
– the same day Prime Minister Ardern released her statement to wind-back oil and gas exploration off our coast. This indicates how long and hard Young and Mueller must have thought deeply on this matter before issuing their press release.
Not content with being advocates for the fossil fuel industry, Simon Bridges announced eighteen days later that a National government would over-turn the coalition government's regional fuel tax in Auckland;
"A re-elected National Party will overturn the Government's regional fuel tax to leave more money in the back pockets of hard-working New Zealand families.
Regional fuel taxes are unfair on New Zealanders. They are regressive, and hit poorer New Zealanders the hardest.
The fuel taxes the Government has announced will leave a typical Auckland family around $700 a year out of pocket.
The regional fuel tax is simply punishing Aucklanders for the Government and the Council's lack of fiscal discipline.
And to Councils I say don't get used to this raid on the back pockets of hard working New Zealanders because a re-elected National Government will repeal this tax."
Bridges attacked Auckland Mayor Phil Goff;
"Auckland Council is a clear case in point. We know it is a free spender of rate-payers money. It was true under Len Brown and it's true under Phil Goff."
Which contrasted with former National Party leader and PM, John Key, who all but endorsed Phil Goff's bid for the mayoralty in 2015;
"Phil Goff has been a very long standing member of Parliament. It was quite a combative relationship when he was leader of the opposition, but there's no question he had a big work rate and he was a very effective minster."
Simon Bridges obviously didn't get the memo from Key's office that Goff "was a very effective minster".
It is also worth remembering that when National was in power, they also raised the petrol excise duty by nine cents per litre over a three year period, with Road user charges increasing similarly. In March 2009, National's Transport Minister, Steven Joyce announced;
"Our preference is for a simpler system which delivers benefits to road users across the board." From 1 October this year motorists will pay an increase of 3 cents per litre in fuel excise duty and drivers of diesel vehicles will pay the equivalent in road user charges. A second 3 cents increase will occur at October 1 next year. Each 3 cent per litre increase includes an annual increase of 1.5 cents per litre scheduled by the previous government.
…these smaller adjustments to roading excise and road user charges across New Zealand will make more funding available for roading across the country."
Evidently, increasing fuel excise taxes for more roads (and thereby more cars) is a good thing. But increasing fuel excise taxes to fund public transport initiatives – thereby assisting in reducing greenhouse gas emissions – is a bad thing. How else could one interpret National's contradictory statements and policies?
National took matters a step further when they announced on Twitter a petition to persuade the coalition government to reverse it's decision to ban offshore exploration;
This wasn't just Opposition for the sake of opposition. National's petition signalled a deep ideological opposition to any steps that would reduce the production of fossil fuels in this country. The prospect of losing revenue from this industry – despite being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – was simply too much for National to contemplate.
National was signalling to all and sundry that given a choice between maintaining the fossil fuel industry and keeping the revenue stream from it – or beginning a slow phase-out and reduced revenue, the winner would always be industry.
And the environment be damned.
So much for the pious sentiments from Bridges at the National's Bluegreen Conference;
"Good environmental practice is crucial for securing the type of future we want for our children and grandchildren."
So with National's antipathy to taking the crucial, hard steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, what was National's reasoning to entice the Green Party into a coalition deal (or at least a confidence and supply arrangement)?
The answer came from Bluegreens co-chairman, Geoff Thompson. Thompson was unequivocally clear in his stated intention to using his front-organisation as a way for National to return to power;
"We're a well-liked party … but it's not good enough. Forty-four per cent [in a recent poll] doesn't get us there so we want to expand and we see the environmental side of the party, that's us, as being an opportunity for that expansion."
For National, "to expand … we see the environmental … as being an opportunity for that expansion" was the answer.
Appealing to the Green Party to work with National would have been made with generous offers.
But the reality is that the Nats would have demanded that the Greens abandon;
- their "red green" "bits and bobs" social policies;
- their policies to move away from oil and gas exploration;
- and policies to improve public transport in Auckland through regional fuel taxes
In short, the Green Party would have found itself neutered on their environmental as well as social policies.
That would have left the Greens with no alternative but to dump their coalition deal, thereby probably triggering an early election. And we all know how voters treat small political parties that cause early elections.
Simon Bridges and his National Party have demonstrated through their opposition to abandoning offshore oil and gas exploration permits that they have very little interest in environmental issues. It is even doubtful they will ever fully honour the Paris Climate Agreement.
As early as 2012, National had already broken it's commitment to include agriculture in the emissions trading scheme;
National's behaviour in the last few months have proven that a coalition with the Green Party is not only impossible – but fraught with danger of broken promises and backsliding on environmental commitments.
National would always give pre-eminence to industry; fossil fuel production, and building roads. Environmentalism, alternative fuels, and public transport would always taken second priority – if at all.
Epilogue – Whatever the game, Physics Wins. Always.
In June 2016, atmospheric carbon dioxide reached 400 parts per million (ppm) at NIWA's Clean Air Monitoring Station at Baring Head, Wellington;
It came a year after it was crossed at the Mauna Loa station in Hawaii, which has recorded a 24 per cent rise in carbon dioxide levels since it began gathering data in 1958.
Last month, the level was passed at the Australian monitoring station at Cape Grim, Tasmania.
Like something out of Neville Shute's post-apocalyptic novel, "On The Beach", but instead of a deadly radioactive cloud, heightened CO2 levels have reached Australia, and shortly thereafter, New Zealand.
In April last year, Hawaii's Mauna Loa Observatory detected CO2 reaching 410 parts per million for the first time in our recorded history.
We should be recording that level about now, here at the bottom of the world.
It is a grim reminder that rising CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide wait for no man (or woman). Not even for Simon Bridges.
Meanwhile, NIWA reported that January 2018 was New Zealand's hottest month on record;
NIWA figures show average temperatures for the month of January across the country was 20.3°C.
The temperature for January normally averages 17.1°.
NIWA climate scientist Gregor Macara said the month's temperatures were unprecedented.
"It was unusual that the entire country seemed to observe temperatures that weren't only above average, but really considerably above average."
"The majority of observation stations we had observed temperatures more than 3° above normal and in fact there are quite a few sites that were 4° above normal which were essentially unprecedented – particularly for this time of year," he said.
While we baked, Simon Bridges and his cronies in the National Party were planning to over-turn any practical steps taken by the current coalition government to do our bit to try to reduce CO2 emissions.
This is why any talk of a Greens coalition with National is ludicrous. National's policies, ideology, and base-support is not compatible with environmental protection.
National is part of the problem.
The Joker in the pack
From April 2014;
"Out of touch" doesn't even begin to cover Simon Bridges and the environment.
Note: All National Party webspages have been downloaded and saved for future reference. (They have a 'habit' of disappearing after a while.)
Radio NZ: NZ First to meet National and Labour today
Fairfax media: The coalitions that could form NZ's 52nd Government and how likely they are
Fairfax media: The day after the election
Radio NZ: Former PM Jim Bolger on how to deal with Winston Peters
Newsroom: National single-minded about its only option
Fairfax media: National wants conversation with Greens, official talks yet to begin
Fairfax media: Greens have a responsibility to talk to National – Jim Bolger
NZ Herald: Grassroots petition calls for National-Green coalition
Fairfax media: Politically Correct – Green Party won't pick up the phone
Fairfax media: AM Show host Mark Richardson's advice to Green Party leader – 'Be a risk-taker'
Fairfax media: Mark Richardson declares himself as a National supporter, does that matter?
Fairfax media: Bridges offers olive branch out to Greens, only to be quickly shot down
Mediaworks: National open to working with Greens, NZ First – Simon Bridges
Mediaworks: National needs to 'change a lot' to get Greens onside – Marama Davidson
Fairfax media: National Party 'resetting our approach to environmental issues' – Bridges
National Party: 2017 Environment Policy
Beehive.govt.nz: Planning for the future – no new offshore oil and gas exploration permits
NZhistory.govt.nz: New Zealand goes nuclear-free
Fairfax media: How climate change could send your insurance costs soaring
Motu: Insurance, Housing and Climate Change Adapation:Current Knowledge and future research
Ministry for the Environment: Modelling the economic costs of New Zealand's intended nationally determined contribution
RBNZ: The Canterbury rebuild five years on from the Christchurch earthquake
NZ Herald: Christchurch Earthquake: 100,000 homes damaged, 10,000 unsavable
Fairfax media: Nats would reverse Govt's decision on oil and gas exploration
National Party: Gas and petroleum decision is economic vandalism
National Party: National to overturn Government's regional fuel tax
NZ Herald: John Key willing to work with Phil Goff
Ministry of Transport: Increases to petrol excise duty and road user charges
Beehive.govt.nz: Regional fuel taxes replaced
Twitter: National – Sign our Petition
Ministry for the Environment: The Paris Agreement
Radio NZ: Farmers' ETS exemption progresses
NZ Herald: Scientists record symbolic milestone, and it's not one to celebrate
NIWA: Baring Head greenhouse gases
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist: The continuing relevance of "On the Beach"
Scientific American: We Just Breached the 410 PPM Threshold for CO2
Radio NZ: January 2018 NZ's hottest month on record
Mediaworks: Minister didn't know park was in drilling plan
Monkeywrench (Sandor.net): The Politics of Green Coalitions – rethinking our strategy and positioning
Monkeywrench (Sandor.net): Which way Winston, and what's in it for the Greens?
Ministry for the Environment: Overview of likely climate change impacts in New Zealand
Other Blogs
The Standard: How a National/Green coalition could work
Previous related blogposts
As predicted: National abandons climate-change responsibilities
ETS – National continues to fart around
National's moving goalposts on climate change targets
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 17 May 2018.
= fs =
Once Upon a Time in Mainstream Media Fairytale Land…
You can feel mainstream media's frustration with the news-vacuum created by the two week period necessary to count the approximately 384,072 (15% of total votes) Special Votes that were cast this election.
Winston Peters has announced on several occasions that he will wait until the Specials are counted and announced by the Electoral Commission on 7 October, before making any announcements on coalition;
"This will be the last press conference I am going to hold until after the 7th of October… I can't tell you what we are going to do until we have seen all the facts.
I can't talk to you until I know what the 384,000 people who have cast their vote said…"
And you know what? He's 100% right.
All the media pundit speculation; all the ambushing at airport terminals; all the annoyingly repetitive questions are utterly pointless. Peters simply cannot say anything meaningful until 7 October because the 2017 Election has not yet fully played out.
This is not a game of rugby where, after eighty minutes, a score determines a winner and loser (or draw). In this game of "electoral rugby", the score will not be delivered for two weeks.
The media – still feeling the adrenaline from Election Night "drama" – appears not to have realised this. The 24-Hour News Cycle is not geared toward a process lasting days or weeks.
One journalist writing for the NZ Herald, Audrey Young, even suggested that initiating coalition talks before the Specials were counted and announced was somehow a "good thing";
It is surprising that NZ First has not begun talking to National yet, at a point when it has maximum leverage.
Not doing so before the special votes runs the risk having less leverage after the specials are counted should there be no change in the seats, or in the unlikely event of National gaining.
That bizarre suggestion could be taken further; why not announce a government before any votes are counted?
Pushed to maximum absurdity, why not announce a government before an election even takes place? Banana republics fully recommend this technique.
It says a lot about the impatience and immaturity of journalists that they are demanding decisions on coalition-building before all votes are counted. It is doubtful if any journalist in Europe – which has had proportional representation far longer than we have – would even imagine making such a nonsensical suggestion.
Little wonder that Peters lost his cool on 27 September where he held a press conference and lambasted the mainstream media for their "drivel";
"Now frankly if that's the value you place on journalistic integrity you go right ahead, but the reality is you could point to the Electoral Commission and others and ask yourself why is it that 384,000 people will not have their vote counted until the 7th of October.
Maybe then you could say to yourselves that may be the reason why New Zealand First has to withhold its view because we don't know yet what the exact precise voice of the New Zealand people is.
All I'm asking for is a bit of understanding rather than the tripe that some people are putting out, malicious, malignant, and vicious in the extreme."
The mainstream media did not take kindly to the critical analysis which they themselves usually mete out to public figures. They reported Peters' press conference in unflattering terms and a vehemence usually reserved for social/political outcasts who have somehow dared challenge the established order of things;
The Fourth Estate does not 'do' criticism well.
Even cartoonists have piled in on Peters, caricaturising him for daring to impede the [rapid] course of democracy;
Or satirising Peters for being in a position to coalesce either with Labour or National. Despite this being a feature of all proportionally-elected Parliaments around the world, this has somehow taken the mainstream media by surprise;
Perhaps Winston Peters was correct when he accused New Zealand's mainstream media of continuing to view the political landscape through a First Past the Post prism;
"You ran a first past the post campaign in an MMP environment. And things suffer from that."
Without a hint of self-awareness of irony, the usually insightful Bernard Hickey offered this strangely familiar 'advice' to Peters;
It could have been so different. He could have simply said he couldn't disclose his negotiating position until after the counting of the special votes and that he could not say who he would choose. Everyone would have accepted that as a fair stance.
Really? "Everyone would have accepted that as a fair stance"?!
How many timers did Peters tell journalists that he "couldn't disclose his negotiating position until after the counting of the special votes and that he could not say who he would choose" and how many times did those same journalists (or their colleagues) persist?
I have considerable respect for Mr Hickey's researching and reporting skills. He is one of New Zealand's most talented journalists/commentators.
On this point, however, he has over-looked the stubborn persistence of his colleagues in their unrelenting demands on Peters.
That media drivel has extended to journalists reporting on a non-existent, fabricated "story" – a potential National-Green (or "Teal") Coalition.
Nowhere was this suggestion made seriously – except by National-leaning right-wing commentators, National party supporters, and National politicians. It should be blatantly clear to the most apolitical person that,
(a) such a coalition has been dismissed by the Green Party on numerous occassions
(b) such a coalition would be impractical due to wide policy differences between National and the Greens
(c) such a coalition scenario was being made only as a negotiation tactic by National to leverage against NZ First, and
(d) such a coalition would offer very little benefit to the Greens.
Green party leader, James Shaw, had to repeat – on numerous occassions – that any notion of a National-Green deal was out of a question;
"Our job is to form a government with the Labour Party, that's what I said on election night, that's what I campaigned on for the last 18 months and that's what we are busy working on.
I said on election night that I think the numbers are there for a new government and that's what we are working on, so everything else frankly is noise and no signal."
This did not stop the mainstream media from breathlessly (breathe, Patrick, breathe!)
reporting repeating the "story" without analysing where it was emanating from: the Right. Or who it would benefit: National.
Writing a series of stories on an imaginary National-Green coalition scenario, Fairfax 's political reporter Tracy Watkins could almost be on the National Party's communications-team payroll;
Metiria Turei's departure from the Greens co-leadership seems to be what lies behind National's belief that a deal may be possible – she was always cast as an implacable opponent to any deal with National. James Shaw is seen as being more of a pragmatist.
But National would only be prepared to make environmental concessions – the Greens' social and economic policy platform would be seen as a step too far. Big concessions on climate change policy would also be a stumbling block.
On both those counts the Greens would likely rule themselves out of a deal – co-leader James Shaw has made it clear economic and social policy have the same priority as environmental policy.
There is a view within National, however, that a deal with the Greens would be more forward and future looking than any deal with NZ First.
One concern is what is seen as an erratic list of NZ First bottom lines, but there is also an acknowledgement that National was exposed on environmental issues like dirty water in the campaign.
That's why National insiders say an approach to the Greens should not be ruled out.
But Watkins was not completely oblivious to the Kiwi-version of 'Game of Thrones'. She briefly alluded to comprehending that National is pitting the Greens against NZ First;
Senior National MPs have made repeated overtures through the media that its door is open to the Greens, who would have more leverage in negotiations with the centre-right than the centre-left.
Watkins and her colleagues at Fairfax made no attempt to shed light on National's "repeated overtures". She and other journalists appeared content to be the 'conduit' of National's machiavellian machinations as prelude to coalition talks.
Such was the vacuum caused by the interregnum between Election Day and Special Votes day. That vacuum – caused by the news blackout until coalition talks begin in earnest after 7 October – had obviously enabled sensationalism to guide editorial policy.
Writing for another Fairfax newspaper, the Sunday Star Times, so-called "journalist" Stacey Kirk cast aside any remaining mask of impartiality and came out guns blazing, demanding a National Green Coalition;
They should, and the reasons they won't work with National are getting flimsier by the day. But they won't – it's a matter that strikes too close to the heart of too many of their base – and for that reason, they simply can't.
For all their dancing around each other, National is serious when it says it would be happy to talk to the Greens. But it's also serious when it says it knows it has to make big environmental moves regardless.
If the Greens are serious about putting the environment above politics – and the long-term rebuild of the party – they really should listen.
Kirk's piece could easily have emanated from the Ninth Floor of the Beehive – not the Dominion Post Building in downtown Wellington.
The media pimping for a fourth National-led coalition, involving the Greens, would be comical if it weren't potentially so damaging to our democracy. Media are meant to question political activity such as coalition-building – not aggressively promote them in an openly partisan manner. Especially not for the benefit of one dominant party. And especially not to install that political party to government.
One person went so far as launching an on-line petition calling for just such a coalition;
The organisor is one, Clive Antony, a Christchurch "organic fashion entrepreneur". (That's a 'thing'? Who knew?) Mr Anthony explained why he wanted a "Teal" coalition;
"I genuinely think there is common ground between the National Party and the Green Party, which could result in practical policy wins for New Zealand. Environmental issues such as carbon neutrality and social issues like child poverty come to mind."
Mr Anthony happens to be a National Party supporter.
Mr Anthony failed to explain what National has been doing the last nine years to protect the environment; why rivers have continued to be degraded; why the agricultural sector has been left out of the emissions trading scheme; why National has squandered billions on new roading projects instead of public transport; etc, etc. Also, Mr Anthony has failed to ask why National has not willingly adopted Green Party policies in the last nine years.
What has stopped them? Party policies are not copyright. After all, you don't have to be in coalition with a party to take on their policies.
Although it helps if National were honest enough to release official reports in a timely manner, instead of the public relying on them to be leaked;
This is how National demonstrates transparency and integrity. This is the party that attempts to suppress critical information on climate change.
This is the party that some media pundits are clamouring to enter into a meaningful working relationship with the Greens.
As former Green MP, Mojo Mathers pointed out on Twitter;
"Oh my, National love the Greens now do they? Pity they couldn't show some love for the environment over the last 9 years. #NoGreenWash
Dirty coal. Polluted rivers. Industrial dairying. Rising emissions. Billion dollar motorways. Seabed mining in blue whale habitat and more."
Another, former Green MP, Catherine Delahunty, voiced what probably 99.9% of Green Party members are thinking right now;
"I would rather drink hemlock than go with the National Party. The last thing I want to see is the Green Party or any other party propping them up to put them back into power. They've done enough damage."
Green Party (co-)leader, James Shaw, was more diplomatic;
"A slim majority of voters did vote for change, and so that's what I'm working on… We campaigned on a change of Government, and I said at the time it was only fair to let voters know what they were voting for – are you voting for the status quo, or are you voting for change?"
Other individuals pimping for a Nat-Green coalition are sundry National party MPs such as Paula Bennett or former politicians such as Jim Bolger.
All of which was supported by far-right blogger, Cameron Slater's "intern staff", on the "Whaleoil" blog;
"Currently we are sitting in wait for old mate Winston Peters to choose who is going to run the country. After watching all the pundits in media talk about what the next government would look like, it started to annoy me that everyone has been ruling out a National/Green coalition and rightly so as both parties have basically written it off.
A quick Blue-Green arrangement with the appropriate Government Ministries assigned to Green Ministers would kill the NZ First posturing dead and would probably be the death knell for NZ First forever once Mr Peters resigns."
National's pollster and party apparatchik, David Farrar, was also actively pimping for a National-Green Coalition;
When even the far-right are salivating at the prospect of a Blue-Green coalition, you know something is seriously askew.
However, judging by comments posted by Kiwiblog's readers, the prospect of a Blue-Green coalition does not sit well with his audience.
As an interesting side-note, both Whaleoil and Kiwiblog both published their first stories on a Blue-Green coalition around 27 and 28 September. The Tory communications-strategy memo talking up a Blue-Green scenario appears to have been sent to Slater and Farrar at the same time.
It beggars belief that very few media commentators have picked up on what is really the bleedin' obvious: National's strategy is obviously a ploy to leverage against NZ First.
Of all the pundits, only one person seems to have sussed what was really happening and why. Otago University law professor and political commentator, Andrew Geddis, put things very succinctly when he wrote for Radio NZ on 30 September;
Media coverage of the post-election period echoes this existential angst. With Winston Peters declaring that he – sorry, New Zealand First – won't make any decisions on governing deals until after the final vote count is announced on October 7, we face something of a news vacuum.
Commentators valiantly have attempted to fill this void with fevered speculation about who Peters likes and hates, or fantastical notions that a National-Greens deal could be struck instead…
That is as close to sensible commentary as we've gotten the last two weeks.
The 2017 General Election may be remembered in future – not for Winston Peters holding the balance of power – but for the unedifying rubbish churned out by so-called professional, experienced journalists. In their thirst for something – anything!! – to report, the media commentariate have engaged in onanistic political fantasies.
They have also wittingly allowed themselves to be National's marionettes – with strings reaching up to the Ninth Floor.
The National-Green Coalition fairytale promulgated by some in the media was a glimpse into the weird world of journalistic daydreaming. In other words, New Zealanders just got a taste of some real fake news.
Like children in the back seat of a car on a two-week long drive, this is what it looks like when bored journalists and media commentators become anxious and frustrated. Their impatience gets the better of them.
And a politician called them on it;
When the antiquated, binary system of First Past the Post was replaced with a more sophisticated; more representative; more inclusive MMP in the 1990s, our political system matured. Our Parliament became more ethnically and gender diverse. We even elected the world's first transgender MP.
MMP is complex and requires careful consideration and time.
It is fit-for-purpose for the complexities of 21st Century New Zealand.
The Fourth Estate is yet to catch up.
Electoral Commission: Preliminary results for the 2017 General Election
Otago Daily Times: Peters will wait for special vote count
NZ Herald: Winston Peters – 7 per cent of the vote, 100 per cent of the power
Mediaworks: Winston Peters holds press conference to hit out at media's 'speculative drivel'
Liberation: Top tweets about a National-Greens coalition deal
Interest.co.nz: Could NZ First decide to sit on the cross benches and give support issue-by-issue?
Newsroom: Winston's awful start
Fairfax media: Winston Peters launches tirade on media, stays mum on coalition talks
TVNZ: 'Next question!' – belligerent Winston Peters has press pack in stitches after shutting down Aussie reporter
NZ Herald: Attack on media, some insults and stonewalling – Winston Peters comes out firing in press conference
Newstalk ZB: Winston Peters hits out at media in fiery press conference
Radio NZ: Green Party dismisses National-Green speculation
Fairfax media: The Green Party also hold the balance of power, but they don't seem to want it
Fairfax media: National says don't rule out an approach to Greens on election night
Fairfax media: Stacey Kirk – Honour above the environment? Greens hold a deck of aces they're refusing to play
NZ Herald: Grassroots petition calls for National-Green coalition
Fairfax media: Govt sits on climate warnings
Twitter: Mojo Mathers
Radio NZ: 'Snowball's chance in hell' of a Green-National deal
Mediaworks: 'I will hear the Prime Minister out' – James Shaw
Mediaworks: Winston Peters' super leak 'great gossip' I couldn't use against him – Paula Bennett
Fairfax media: Greens have a responsibility to talk to National – Jim Bolger
Radio NZ: Special votes – why the wait?
NZCity: Have patience, says Winston Peters
E-Tangata: Georgina Beyer – How far can you fall?
Other Blogs
Kiwiblog: What could the Greens get if they went with National not Winston?
Kiwiblog: How a National-Green coalition could work
The Daily Blog: Martyn Bradbury – Let's seriously consider David Farrar's offer to the Greens and laugh and laugh and laugh
Liberation: Cartoons and images about negotiating the new government
Previous related blogposts
Election 2014; A Post-mortem; a Wake; and one helluva hang-over
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (tahi)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (rua)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (toru)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (wha)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (rima)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (ono)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (whitu)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign… (waru)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign… (Iwa)
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 7 October 2017.
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Observations on the 2017 Election campaign… (Iwa)
Red-Green, Blue-Green?
There is mischief-making afoot.
Suggestions for a National-Green coalition are being floated by various right-wing commentators, National Party figures, and some media pundits. Despite Green Party Leader, James Shaw, repeatedly ruling out any such possibility – the suggestion continues to circulate.
On election night, as TOP leader Gareth Morgan realised his party would not reach the 5% MMP threshold, he made the bizarre comment that the Greens should join with National in a formal coalition;
"I want them [the Green Party] to do what we would've done if we had been above five, and say to National who are gonna be the Government it's very obvious, we will work with you, we need to work on the environment no matter who the Government is."
To which Shaw predictably responded;
"My view is that he would have been better off backing a party that had similar ideas, like us."
This was reiterated for the NZ Herald;
Shaw said he would not being making contact with National, but he would take a call from National leader Bill English.
"It's my responsibility to do so. And we'll have to see what they've got to say. But one of the things I will be saying in return is 'You know we campaigned on a change of government and you know what was in our manifesto … and how incongruous that is to what the National Party policy programme is'."
On 25 September, right-wing political commentator and mischief-maker, Matthew Hooton, again raised the proposal for a National-Green coalition on Radio NZ's Nine to Noon political panel;
"And then there's the other one, of course, there's the National-Green option, which is favoured by National party members… it's an interesting one…"
On the same day, on Radio NZ's Checkpoint, former PM Jim Bolger repeated the National-Green coalition possibility to host, John Campbell;
"…The Greens might be quietly reflecting on whether they, unique in the world as a Green party, should only link themselves to left-wing politics. Whereas the environment is neither left wing or right wing, frankly. The environment is the environment, it's Mother Earth we're talking about.
And I just wonder whether or not they won't reflect on towards the National government that signed up to the Paris Climate Accords and have set in place the process to reach the goals that was set out there.
So I'd imagine in a quiet back room the Greens might be saying, 'Why? Why are we saying we can only go with one party?', eg the Labour party, and you might watch this space if I was you, John."
Bolger's hippy-like 'Mother Earth' musings was followed by Tracy Watkins. Writing for Fairfax media on 25/26 September, she still laboured under the impression that a National-Green coalition was a real 'thing';
Like Winston Peters, the Greens could theoretically hold the balance of power, after National made it clear it is more than willing to talk turkey with the minor party.
[…] Some senior Nats consider a deal with the Greens more desirable than a NZ First deal – the Green's environmental platform is seen within National as something it could accommodate, particularly after the clobbering it took over clean water during the election campaign.
That highlighted to National that its credibility on environmental issues and New Zealand's 100 per cent pure brand needs some serious work – and a Greens deal would be a simple way to enhance its environmental credentials.
There is also recognition that a deal with the Greens would be more forward looking and more likely to ride the mood for change than a deal with the NZ First, whose policies are more backward looking.
Peter Dunne followed on Radio NZ's Morning Report on 27 September, with his call for a National-Green coalition;
"The best option in my view … is for the Greens to be very bold, work out that they could make significant changes on climate change policy, and go with National."
Note that this suggestion came from Peter Dunne, who recently chucked in his own political career rather than facing Labour's Greg O'Connor at the ballot box.
Where was Dunne's own boldness?
What happened to his own United Future Party?
Even a chat-show's sports commentator put his two cents worth in. The AM Show's Mark Richardson suddenly decided that commentating on grown men kicking balls around wet paddocks wasn't enough of a challenge for him. Duncan Garner decided to prompt Richardson to offer the public his suddenly new-found "political expertise".
Richardson complied, and sagely advised;
AM Show sports commentator Mark Richardson is dipping his toe into the political pool again, this time splashing his ideas at the leader of the Green Party.
Introduced by his colleague Duncan Garner as a "political expert", who has "decided that you [Green Party leader James Shaw] should listen to him and this is what he wants to say."
The cricketer-turned-broadcaster challenged Shaw to form a coalition government with National, following the stalemate reached in Saturday's election.
I just want to say James," said Richardson, directly to camera, "be a risk taker and back yourself, but not only back yourself, back that band of hopeful young administrators you take with them (sic)," he said.
How 'delightful' that National supporters and other sundry right-wingers are encouraging the Greens to be "bold" and "risk takers". After all, if such an unlikely coalition were to eventuate, the damage wreaked upon the Green Party wouldn't impact one iota on the likes of Morgan, Hooton, Bolger, Dunne, Richardson, et al. But it sure as hell would destroy the Greens and eliminate the Labour Party's only reliable potential coalition partner.
Game over for the Left.
So no surprise that a whole bunch of people on the Right and media have suddenly focused on the Green Party;
- For media pundits, they are suffering from boredom and a debilitating psychological effect called 'lackofheadline-itis'. With coalition negotiations unlikely to commence until Special Votes have been counted and announced on 7 October, manufacturing "news" by positing a fantasy fairy tale of the Greens linking up with National creates headlines. It's as close to fake news as we'll get with the msm.
- For National Party supporters – such as AM Show sports commentator Mark Richardson (see above) – such a deal with the Green Party would lend legitimacy to a fourth term National government. Make no mistake, the Green Party is a powerful brand, and the Nats want it. Badly.
- For the National government, should any such a coalition eventuate, the kudos for any environmental gains would inevitably be snapped for themselves, as it did with the home insulation deal it made with the Green Party in 2009;
Success for that programme was claimed solely by the Nats;
But as the fate of small parties such as ACT, United Future/Peter Dunne, and the Maori Party demonstrated with crystal clarity, snuggling up close to the National Party goliath is akin to trying to cuddle up to a ravenous lion. It will not end well.
Just ask Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox.
So National would benefit two-fold.
By contrast, it is unclear what gain (if any) the Greens could hope to achieve.
National and sundry right-wing commentators should knock off trying to use the Green Party as pawns in any negotiations with NZ First. Trying to use the Green Party as "leverage" will simply not work. The Green Party refuses to be anybody's "lever".
Just to be absolutely clear – because evidently, having it in writing, in black and white, on the Green Party website – is insufficient for some people;
Matthew Hooton can't count
Also on Radio NZ's Nine to Noon political panel on 25 September, right-wing political commentator, Matthew Hooton, stated that National's vote on Saturday was better than previous elections;
"Admittedly partly as a result of the decline of the Conservative Party, National has won more votes, got a higher proportion of the vote than it did in 2014 and 2008…"
It is unclear what Hooton has based that assumption on, as his statement is contradicted by the Provisional Results from the Electoral Commission.
According to the Commission's website, the National Party gained the followed percentage and individual votes for 2008, 2014, and 2017;
|Election Year
(* Preliminary results)
The numbers are clear; National's vote has fallen by 132,000 and their percentage of the Party Vote has fallen by over one percentage point from 2014. (And whilst National's Party vote percentage was higher this year than 2008 – they still suffered a drop in actual votes by 54,585.
Even the demise of Colin Craig's Conservative Party (aka, CCCP) failed to lift National's poll results.
Whichever way you look at it, the tide is beginning to ebb on National's fortunes.
Stuart Nash wins Napier outright
Following the 2014 General Election, I pointed out that Stuart Nash's win in the Napier seat was due more to Garth McVicar splitting the right-wing vote, allowing Labour to slip through to victory. As I reported on 26 September, 2014;
Nash did not "win" Napier.
The National candidate, Wayne Walford lost the electorate when Garth McVicar from the Conservative Party split the right wing vote in the electorate. Remember; electorate contests are still fought using First Past the Post – not by any proportionality or preferential voting.
The actual results were;
McVICAR, Garth: (Conservatives) 7,135
NASH, Stuart: (Labour) 14,041
WALFORD, Wayne: (National) 10,308
Add McVicar's 7,135 to Walford's figures, and the combined 17,443 would have trounced Nash easily.
On Election Night 2017, Stuart Nash did not had the benefit of a popular Conservative Party candidate splitting the right-wing vote. Instead, he won the seat outright;
|Stuart Nash (L)
|David Elliott (N)
|Laurence Day (CCCP)
* Figures provisional.
Not only did Nash retain his overall majority, but McVicar's 7,135 votes from 2014 appears to have been evenly split between Nash and Elliott.
This time, Nash can legitimately assert that he won the Napier seat without vote-splitting creating an artificial majority, as happened three years ago.
Winston Peters waiting for Special Votes
It's not often that I agree with NZ First leader, Winston Peters. But on 27 September he told the media;
"This will be the last press conference I am going to hold until after the 7th of October… I can't tell you what we are going to do until we have seen all the facts.
I can't talk to you until I know what the 384,000 people who have cast their vote said… please don't write the kind of thing saying someone has moral authority…we are not first past the post here."
He's right.
Until Special Votes are counted, making statements to the media is an exercise in futility. It would be pandering more to the dictates of the 24-hour news cycle rather than offering anything constructive to the public.
At this point the media will have to exercise patience and simply accept that until Special Votes are counted, nothing can (or should) happen.
The democratic process cannot; must not; should not, revolve around the 24-hour news cycle.
The Curious resignation of Wayne Eagleson
Something very, very curious has transpired in the dark coridors of power in the Beehive. The Prime Minister's Number 2, right-hand man, Wayne Eagleson announced his resignation on 25 September.
Eagleson was one of several high-ranking National figures who were informed that Winston Peters had received a superannuation overpayment.
On 26 September, both English and Eagleson vigorously denied leaking – or having knowledge of who might have leaked – information on Peters' superannuation overpayments;
"It didn't come from the National Party." – Wayne Eagleson
"No, not all. I take people by their word that no action was taken by my staff in making that information public." – Bill English
Now, aside from the fact that Bill English has already shown himself willing and capable of telling lies, by repeating Steven Joyce's fabrications over Labour's "$11.7 billion hole" and "increased personal taxes", there remain an interesting question regarding the statements made by the Prime Minister and Wayne Eagleson.
Namely this: How can either English or Eagleson know with absolute certainty that the leaking of Peters' personal superannuation details did not come from someone/anyone connected to the National Party?
If they truly know – with 100% certainty – that no one in the National Party leaked the information; how do they know this? How is that possible?
In fact, it is not possible.
In that respect, both English and Eagleson are covering up the possibility that the leak emanated from someone within the National party or government.
And if both men are willing to take that small step to cover-up the merest possibility of an internal National Party leak… would it be too much of a stretch to assume that one or both are fully aware of who the leaker is?
Why did Eagleson resign – especially at this very crucial time of coalition negotiations?
And what does Winston Peters know of why Eagleson resigned?
One salient fact fact is indisputable: someone did leak that information. The question is not who was responsible – but who else knew who was responsible.
Wayne Eagleson knows more than he is letting on, as does Bill English.
Winston Peters has had his 'utu'.
Mediaworks: A phone call between National and the Greens would be a short one
Radio NZ: Nine to Noon Political Panel – 25.9.2017 (alt.link)
Radio NZ: Former PM Jim Bolger on how to deal with Winston Peters (alt.link)
NZ Herald: Green Party leader James Shaw rules out contacting National
Fairfax media: The Green Party also hold the balance of power, but they don't seem to want it
Radio NZ: Morning Report – Dunne predicts 'blood on the floor'
Fairfax media: Mark Richardson declares himself as a National supporter, does that matter?
NBR: Govt launches 'Warm Up NZ' programmed
National Party: 10 ways National is helping families get ahead
Green Party: How you vote has never been so important
Electoral Commission: New Zealand 2011 General Election Official Results
Electoral Commission: New Zealand 2008 General Election Official Results
Electoral Commission: Preliminary results for the 2017 General Election
Electoral Commission: 2014 Election Results – Napier (Alt.link: Wikipedia – Election Results – Napier)
Electoral Commission: 2017 Election Results – Napier (Provisional)
Otago Daily Times: Peters will wait for special vote count
Mediaworks: Bill English's chief of staff quits – but wants NZ First deal first
Radio NZ: Timeline – Winston Peters' superannuation overpayments saga
Mediaworks: As it happened – Parties prepare for election negotiations
Other Blogs
The Standard: How a National/Green coalition could work
Previous related blogposts
Election 2014; A Post-mortem; a Wake; and one helluva hang-over
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (tahi)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (rua)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (toru)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (wha)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (rima)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (ono)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (whitu)
Observations on the 2017 Election campaign… (waru)
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 28 September 2017.
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One Day Out with Green Team #5
Hutt Valley, 19 August – As part of my contribution to the Green party election campaign, I joined the Green's Billboard Team #5. Our team was assigned to the Rimutaka Electorate – and it was an eventful day…
We began at 10am, assembling at a private residence in the Lower Hutt suburb of Woburn. Teams were assigned suburbs throughout Lower Hutt and the Rimutaka Electorate. Vehicles were loaded with timber; corflute sheets of varying sizes; nails, and tools. The weather was cloudy, but sunny and the day continued to warm.
But we were on limited time. The weather forecast was not brilliant for the afternoon. We would have to do as much work as possible in the limited time available.
Team number 5 headed north.
Our first stop; Waiwhetu Road in Lower Hutt, to replace a small corflute with a larger one on a private residence's fence. Private residence's fences are a fast, cheap, easy way to put up billboards. Usually no framing is required, just nails or staples. Five minutes and the job is done.
Then on to Upper Hutt.
The team had previously erected several billboards over the previous weeks and were well-experienced in the technique. Recent rain had softened the ground, making it easier to drive in the stakes to which legs and support-struts were attached;
(Note: not all team members were included in these images. Some did not want to be photographed, others were working on other billboard frames.)
The soft ground that made our work so easy would prove to be problematic later on.
Several households throughout the electorate were happy to have smaller corflutes attached to their fences;
The team moved to existing billboards, repairing damage caused by vandals in one instance – and by recent windgusts in another. At Gibbon Street, Green Party members charitably re-erected an ACT Party billboard that had been knocked over by vandals;
Support for the Green Party took an unusual turn when – at one house – I was invited to come for dinner later. (I declined the gracious offer.) It was a difficult decision; the aroma of a spicy Indian dish wafted through the open door as we sought permission from the home-owner to place a placard on her fence.
Around mid-day, a small disaster struck the team. The ground on which our vehicle had parked was softer than we had thought, and quickly became bogged down. No amount of muscle-powered pushing and other 'tricks' worked.
At that moment, Labour's Rimutaka MP, Chris Hipkins and his wife and child were driving past in his trademarked red 4X4.
He slowed and leaned out his window;
"Do you guys need any help?"
We all nodded. No way were we going to turn down his offer of assistance. Besides which, there was probably a clause in the Labour-Greens Memorandum of Understanding on this kind of scenario; "each Party will help each other out in the event of getting bogged down in mud".
Yep, it's there. Somewhere.
After some careful towing, Chris managed to extricate our vehicle. Had the election been that day, we probably would've voted for him on the spot, in sheer gratitude.
Thanks, Chris! Labour-Green co-operation at it's finest!
So on top of putting up a dozen billboards on frames and fences, Team #5 managed to engage in some inter-party co-operation; Green members re-erecting an ACT billboard, and a Labour MP coming to our rescue!
Now if only Parliament could work like that.
If we want to change the government, we have to work for it. That means going out and campaigning for Labour, the Greens, or Mana Movement. It won't happen by itself – only People Power can do it.
We have four weeks to do it, people.
Copyright (c) Notice
All images stamped 'fmacskasy.wordpress.com' are freely available to be used, with following provisos,
» Use must be for non-commercial purposes.
» Where purpose of use is commercial, a donation to Child Poverty Action Group is requested.
» At all times, images must be used only in context, and not to denigrate individuals or groups.
» Acknowledgement of source is requested.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 20 August 2018.
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From TV's "The Nation" – Patrick Gower and James Shaw have a heart-to-heart
Saturday, 12 August – On TV3's 'The Nation, Patrick Gower interviewed the Green Party's remaining co-leader, James Shaw;
For a while, the interview was low-key, with Gower exercising old school journalistic professionalism. It's as if someone slipped him a nice camomile tea laced with a couple of shots of bourbon and just a smidgeon of valium.
The interview progressed well, with James Shaw being somewhat irritatingly 'coy' about the Green's campaign re-set. Gower kept his frustration in check as Shaw did the dance of the Seven Veils, but without the peeling-away of said veils.
Then, at 6:10 into the interview, there was this jaw-dropping exchange between Gower and Shaw;
Patrick Gower: Well, an important aspect of that is what Metiria Turei's venture around this benefit fraud was all about, which was empowering the disenfranchised. Now, where do they sit — those people that she tried to reach, or, as you've argued, did reach now they've seen someone who's stood up for them slapped down and destroyed, effectively? What message does that send to those people that you were trying to reach that this is what happens when someone speaks up for you?
James Shaw: Yeah, Patrick, I have to say that's been a huge personal concern for me is — what message does that send? And so it is a really important part of our campaign that the people that have come forward over the course of the last four weeks in response to Metiria's campaign who said, 'Finally, I feel like there's someone in the House of Representatives who actually represents me,' we are going to be speaking directly to those people and say, 'The Green Party is here for you. We still stand for you.' And it is our goal to end poverty. I mean, Metiria herself said that is was always bigger than her.
Patrick Gower: Yeah, but what do those words mean when what they see is she stood up for them and she was taken down by her own party in some senses? You guys didn't stand behind her.
James Shaw: Patrick, we absolutely stood behind her. She had the full support of me, the caucus, the party executive. I mean, we had thousands of volunteers all over the country.
Now – what's wrong with Gower's comments?
Why – when listening/reading his words – does one feel rising nausea and anger?
And why does the word "hypocrisy" ring loud?
Perhaps I've crossed over into a Parallel Universe… Bernie Sanders is still President of the United States, right?
Mediaworks/TV3: The Nation – Patrick Gower interviews James Shaw (video)
Scoop media: The Nation – Patrick Gower interviews James Shaw (transcript)
Previous related blogposts
Some background info for Guyon Espiner
Time to speak up for Metiria Turei!
Time to speak up for Metiria Turei! (Part Rua)
The most grievous betrayal of all – two so-called "Green" MPs who should know better
Metiria Turei has started something
Acknowledgement for cartoon:
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 13 August 2017.
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text: July 20 / LumiFit Interesting Facts about Coconut Oil That You Didn't Know Perhaps you've noticed that the oil racks in the supermarket are filled up with coconut oil. In case you were wondering, coconut oil is not only exotic, but it's also healthy. Here are a few interesting facts about coconut oil that you didn't know. Some time ago, coconut oil and dairy were stigmatized as sources of saturated fat and hence dismissed as unhealthy. Food magnates responded by giving rise to a wave of low and no-fat products that replaced them on the supermarket shelves. Eggs, butter, and coconut oil were banned, and processed vegetable oils took their place. Finally, many years of research have started to pay off, with medical journals recently publishing myth-debunking scientific findings that prove that foods containing saturated fat DO NOT MAKE YOU FAT. Numerous studies show that fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3 are essential to our health, stimulating metabolism and promoting weight loss. Thanks to enlightening recent research, healthy fat-rich foods, including coconut oil were redeemed, gaining a reputation of a healthy and nutritious powerhouse. Dietitians now embrace coconut oil as a good source of healthy fats and give it their vote of confidence. Coconut oil can be found in a wide variety of food products such as coconut cream, and in some gluten-free, vegan and paleo desserts. Health Benefits and Facts about Coconut Oil, Cream, and Milk Coconut Oil consists of two-thirds medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), which are easily absorbed by the gut and converted into energy. As coconut oil does not need insulin to be processed, the pancreas can be at ease, which helps prevent and reverse type-2 diabetes. Rich in lauric and caprylic acids, which both have a reputation of bacteria and virus busters, coconut oil is also known to stimulate the immune response. Because it does not burn at high heat, this oil is an excellent alternative to processed oils for cooking and frying. Vegans can use it in smoothies and baking, adding a nutty flavor to the final product. It is also a common ingredient in energy bars. The amazing benefits of coconut oil do not end here! Coconut oil is also fantastic for skin care. It has protective effects against free radicals, can slow down the skin aging process, improving the overall aspect of skin. Coconut milk and cream Both coconut milk and cream contain a significant amount of vitamins C, Folate, vitamin E and B6. Coconut milk is particularly rich in vital nutrients such as zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, calcium and protein. Coconut milk and water are also high in medium-chain fatty acids, adding all their associated health benefits to your cup. That is why coconut milk and cream are the main ingredients in a vegan or paleo cook's kitchen. Moreover, someone following a vegan or paleo meal plan will apparently stay away from dairy, not to mention that if you're lactose intolerant, coconut milk and cream are perfect alternatives to lactose-rich products. There are gazillion ways you can use coconut, either as frosting on cupcakes, delicious coconut milk ice cream, you name it! Coconut flour is made from the meat of the coconut and is rich in fiber and protein. For those of you following a gluten-free diet, the good news is that coconut flour is entirely gluten-free. So you can use it without feeling a tug on your heartstrings when you use for making bread, muffins and any other snacks you may think of. Coconut-based products have been part of many traditional cuisines for centuries, enjoyed for their particular flavor and value for their health benefits. Americans have kept away from coconut due to the deep-seeded myth that the saturated fat in coconut oil was unhealthy. With recent research pointing to the contrary, holistic dietitians embrace coconut for its numerous benefits and gluten-free content. Especially now, with food allergies on the rise, people are looking for ways to incorporate healthy fat into their diet, and coconut-based products gain more terrain. Fat in Coconut Oil Despite the health benefits coconut oil has been associated with, a lot of buzzes has been going on around the amount of saturated fat contained in coconut oil and its impact on health. Is it good or is it bad? Coconut (and implicitly coconut oil) is one of the foods placed by scientists and nutritionists alike on edge between good and bad for your health. If you're confused about how much coconut oil and coconut-based products, in general, you should consume, don't worry, not even experts can agree 100%. The main reason for the confusion is the difference in use between coconut oil in cooking and coconut milk and or coconut flesh. While both the American Heart Association and the National Heart Foundation shun coconut, both their websites feature recipes that contain coconut milk, albeit a low-fat version. Let us dig a little bit further. Although all greens and generally all foods that are of plant origin are widely promoted as health boosters, you need to know that coconut oil contains between 85 and 90 percent saturated fat. Saturated fats are dominant in animal foods such as meat and dairy and are dismissed as bad and unhealthy. Delving deeper into this coconut oil controversy, the amount of saturated fat in coconut oil exceeds that in butter (64 percent) or beef (40 percent). So to what extent is it good or bad for you? We all know that too much-saturated fat is bad for health because it causes 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels to spike, which in turn increases the risk of developing heart disease. However, the presence of the two words 'too much' says it all, meaning that in moderate amounts it raises no risk. Moreover, not all saturated fats are equal. Unlike saturated fats of animal origin, the saturated fat in coconut oil also raised 'good' HDL cholesterol levels, which is good for your health. Saturated fat is categorized differently depending on the number of carbon atoms its molecule has. Approximately half of the saturated fat found in coconut oil is 12-carbon variety (lauric acid). This amount is higher than in most of the other plant-based oils and is thought to account for increasing HDL levels. Plant-based oil though is more than sources of fats, they are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients that are good for our health. Consequently, their overall effects on health can only be predicted by changes in LDL and HDL levels. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you can occasionally experiment using it instead of butter or vegetable shortening to make pie crust or other baked goodies that require a certain amount of fat. Like Thai food? Give coconut oil a heads up then, because you will need it to prepare your favorite Thai dish. In regards to the way that consumption of coconut oil may influence heart disease, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support that. Most of the research focused on the effects of coconut oil on cholesterol levels. While coconut oil's capacity to boost 'good' cholesterol levels may tip the scales in its favor, don't use it more than occasionally, after all, it is high in saturated fat which is only beneficial in moderate amounts. According to a study conducted by a group of Dutch researchers, consumption of fats that are high in lauric acid as coconut fat is more beneficial to your health and can alter your cholesterol profile for the better compared with fat rich in trans-fatty acids (a form of unsaturated fats created during the manufacturing process of biscuits and pastries), which are worse than saturated fats especially if your cholesterol levels are above normal values. Furthermore, a number of studies have examined the health condition of people whose diets are rich in coconut oil, flesh, and milk and found that when their whole diet is taken into account, coconut actually proves to be a beneficial and health boosting component. Professor Mark Wahlqvist, director of Monash Univesity's Asia Pacific Health and Nutrition Centre, examined the health of people living in West Sumatra for about 25 consecutive years. Coconut oil and other coconut-based goods are stapled elements of West Sumatran cuisine, especially among the inhabitants of the Minangkabau region, but its use has dropped significantly with the advent of packaged foods just ready to be thrown into the microwave. At the same time, coronary heart disease cases have been on the rise, Professor Wahlqvist says. The reason behind it could be, he further explains, that while these people do consume a high amount of coconut oil (extensively used in cooking) and other coconut-based products, they also associate these with a high intake of fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. In fact, the use of coconut oil encourages consumption of fish and veggies, as those of you who love Thai fish curry can appreciate. Professor Walhqvist also found that it was not the amount of fat (be it saturated or unsaturated) in the subjects' diet that made a clear distinction between a healthy and an unhealthy heart, and that was the lower or higher intake of meat, eggs, sugar, carbohydrates, and cholesterol. People suffering from any form of heart disease tended to consume more meat, eggs, sugar and have a higher intake of cholesterol and protein and a lower intake of plant-based protein and carbohydrates, being less likely to eat soy, rice or cereals. What is of note is that coconut consumption as milk or flesh was the same for both healthy and unhealthy individuals. Chances are however if you do cook with coconut milk, you'll be using plenty of fresh vegetables and maybe some tofu, fish or chicken. While dietitians do not recommend replacing olive oil with coconut oil, you can use it every once in a while in the same way that you can use coconut milk or other coconut-based products provided that you associate these with a hefty amount of fresh veggies and lean meat. More Facts about Coconut Milk The more researchers study coconut milk, the more interesting facts about it they reveal. Here's what you need to know. Coconut oil controls weight A 2009 study found that women who consumed coconut oil lost weight, including those who were predisposed to or suffering from obesity. Easier to digest, coconut oil protects the body from insulin resistance. Want to try coconut oil for weight loss? Add one teaspoon to your diet and incrementally work your way up to four teaspoons daily. Coconut oil smoothes digestion Suffer from digestive issues or frequent belly bloat? Coconut oil is the solution! Research shows that coconut oil alleviates digestive symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome and tummy bugs. The fatty acids in it act as antibacterial agents and help keep the bad bacteria like candida or parasites that are responsible for poor digestion at bay. This nutty oil manages type 2 diabetes According to a new and revolutionary study conducted by the Gavan Institute of Medical Research, coconut oil reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes fighting insulin resistance. MCFA fats help improve insulin sensitivity, experts suggest, small as they are they easily penetrate cell walls and are quickly processed. In this way, we do not only pack less fat, but we also tend to react better to insulin. It boosts immunity Did you know that the fatty acids contained in coconut oil (lauric, caprylic and capric acids) also have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties? Researchers have confirmed it and because of these amazing qualities of these key compounds, the exotic nutty oil can kick start your immune system. Lauric acid, for instance, contains the highest amount of MCFA (around 75 percent). In the digestion process, the body converts this fat into monolaurin, which is said to work miracles against viruses like herpes, flu, cytomegalovirus, helicobacter pylori and yeast such as candida. It jump starts metabolism A study published in the Journal of Nutrition shows that coconut oil can boost a lazy metabolism. Participants who consumed two tablespoons of coconut oil on a daily basis torched more calories than those who consumed less, researchers say. A properly functioning metabolism not only boosts the immune system but also keeps the extra pounds away. Coconut oil slows down skin aging Apart from adding a wonderful flavor to your curries, it's more to coconut oil than meets the spoon. The fatty acids in it also act as hydrating agents, soothing the skin and softening the fine lines, slowing down the aging process and wrinkling. Apply coconut oil directly to your skin daily and you will see the results in the mirror! You can use it both for face and body to give your skin a healthy, youthful glow. For optimal results, it's best to use additive-free virgin coconut oil. Fry on Rich in medium-chain saturated fatty acids, coconut oil has a higher smoking temperature than the majority of the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils. That's what makes it a good option for deep frying or any recipes that require high-temperature cooking. Furthermore, unlike olive oil, which oxidizes at high temperatures, coconut oil doesn't. So, fry on! Forget about sugar cravings Craving for some sweet? Try a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil instead for a change, it'll do the trick. That's because 'good' fat fills you up faster than sugary carbs. Want to cut back on sugar? Coconut oil is a must-have item in your pantry. Very many of us do not realize that constant hunger (cravings) is an indication that our body is not properly fed. With the right amount of fats and protein, you can give your body the exact amount of fuel it needs to produce energy, feel good, and quit sugar. Easy cook Coconut oil is an easy-cook oil. Here's a nutritious suggestion you can try. Ingredients: 1 teaspoon organic coconut oil 1 cup almonds (or walnuts) 1 cup organic dates 3-4 tablespoons raw cocoa powder Shredded coconut (preservative-free) Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender. Mix into small-bite-size balls and add the shredded coconut. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. More Coconut Oil Savory Recipes No-Bake Yummy Coconut Bars Ingredients: ½ cup shredded coconut (sugar-free) 2 cups raw, salt-free cashews 1 cup Medjool dates (pitted) ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup and 2 tablespoons coconut butter 1 tablespoon coconut oil Directions: Preheat the oven to 350oF. Sprinkle the shredded coconut on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven for about 3 minutes. Stir and let it cook for an additional 2 minutes or until it becomes golden-brown and fragrant. When it's done, set the toasted coconut aside and toast the cashews in a baking sheet for about 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add the coconut, cashews, dates, cinnamon, and salt to a blender. Blend until the ingredients turn to crumbs. Throw the coconut butter and ½ tablespoon of coconut oil into the mix. Continue to blend until the whole mixture becomes compact. If it's too dry, add another ½ tablespoon of coconut oil. Now, line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper, letting two sides hang over the side of the pan. Dab some coconut oil on the pan, just a bit to help stick the parchment to the sides of the pan. Press the yummy mixture firmly into the pan. You can use plastic foil to help it flatten out evenly. Put it into the freezer and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Take it out and slice it into 8 bars. Wrap each bar individually and store in the refrigerator or freezer. Still, want a candy bar? Coconut Oil Apple Crisp Ingredients: Apples: 4 chopped apples 2 tablespoons almond meal 1 teaspoon cinnamon Topping: ¾ cups and 2 tablespoons coconut oil (in liquid form) ½ cup organic honey 1 ¼ cup rolled oats ½ cup chopped pecans ½ cup almond meal 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt Directions: Preheat oven to 350oF. Dab a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with a bit of coconut oil. Spread the apples, almond meal and cinnamon in a single layer across the baking dish. Whisk the honey and coconut oil together until smooth. Add the rolled oats, pecans, almond meal, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. Pour the coconut oil and honey mixture over and stir until homogenous. Add the oat mixture over the apples and cover evenly. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the topping becomes a light brown hue. Allow it 15 – 20 minutes to sit. Brown Sugar Sriracha Sesame Popcorn Ingredients 1/3 cup corn kernels 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons srirarcha 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted) 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil Directions Mix the corn kernels and coconut oil together and add them into a brown paper bag. Fold the top down a few times so it doesn't unfold. Put it into the microwave and bake for 2- 2.5 minutes or until the kernels are popped. Take the bag out, open it and pour the kernels into a large bowl and allow some time to cool down a bit. In another bowl, whisk the sugar, srirarcha and butter together. Put it in the microwave and leave it there for 20 seconds, remove and whisk until combined. Drizzle the mix over the popcorn in layers (drizzle, toss, drizzle again and toss until the popcorn is fully coated), then sprinkle the sesame seeds on and drizzle the toasted sesame oil and toss. Enjoy! Now that you have an idea of how to use coconut oil in and out of the kitchen, enjoy cooking! Want a healthy, flawless skin, massage coconut oil before bedtime and you'll love the results! Don't miss out on our health and beauty tips and tricks. Enhance your light and if something really catches your eye, spread the word across the world, we don't mind! Share on facebook Share on twitter

subset: commoncrawl


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Create the event at the official launch of a new window, strategic product for the brand. Constraint: this innovative window had already been presented at the last BATIMAT show. The subject had therefore been deflowered.
Everything is based on the concept of maternity, to announce the birth of this new product, but also to inscribe it in the universe of hospital buildings for which it is particularly intended. To attract a lot of interest from the architects and business partners of WICONA, we asked them to be the parents of this new window. What is a reality, since they are involved in the design of WICONA products. Prior to this external communication, we approached the employees WICONA by asserting, in the same way, their responsibility in this birth.
• Teasers for employees, prescribers and customers sent in several waves
• Dedicated website
• Interactive movie with real-time customization
• Birth Kit for sales assistance
• Display
• Professional Press Announcements


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Aromatic Life
A few tips to get us through the Sunny Summer!
For Summer Colds & Stuffy Noses
Try placing 1-2 drops of Eucalyptus on a cotton ball and tuck inside your pillowcase.
For children or the elderly use Eucalyptus Smithi as the other is too harsh.
A Summer Cooling Recipe
With the hot summer months ahead a great recipe to try is a Peppermint and Tea Tree foot lotion.
Cooling Peppermint and the antibacterial, antifungal properties of Tea Tree make this a great summer treat. Take 8oz. of any unscented lotion, add 20 drops Peppermint, 20 drops Tea Tree and 20 drops of Rosemary essential Oil. Blend in a measuring cup and pour into a bottle.
Use as needed to revive tired feet. This blend will be energizing so you may not want to
use it to close to bedtime.
Deodorant Body Splash:
Vinegar–4 oz
Vodka–3 teaspoons
Grapefruit–9 drops
Lavender–5 drops
Lemon–6 drops
Peppermint–3 drops
Rosemary–4 drops
Sage–6 drops
Add to 2 cups purified water. Blend the oils together, add them to the vodka, and shake well. Let settle for half an hour, then add the vinegar and shake well. Pour mixture into 2 cups purified water and shake well. Finally, pass the liquid through a paper coffee filter. The longer you leave the essential oils in the vodka and vinegar mix before adding to the water, the stronger the scent will be.
Romantic Glowing Shells
Create Bergamot-scented candles that will glow all evening. Collect then thoroughly rinse seashells and add tea lights, removing out tins. Melt paraffin wax and carefully fill the seashells. Add two
to three drops of Bergamot oil to the wax, while it is still soft and melted. The fragrance will rise with the heat of the flame. Other essential oils may be used.
For Summer Colds with Chest Congestion
Try a steam inhalation with essential oil of Green Myrtle. A good expectorant for respiratory complaints.
Pamper Your Feet this Summer
Regular foot massage benefits the whole body.
Here are some ideas for blends to help refresh
those tired and sometimes swollen feet.
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Chamomile
10 ml or 1/3 oz carrier oil
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Peppermint
in 10 ml carrier oil
If you stand on your feet all day here is
a treatment to help with swelling and circulation.
1 drop Cypress
1 drop Lavender
add to a bowl of warm water to which about 12 smooth
round pebbles have been added.
Roll the soles of your feet slowly over the pebbles
for a few minutes, then dry your feet
Summer First Aid
Keep a blend of Lavender and Tea Tree on hand
for First Aid this summer. It's more effective
than either of the oils used alone.


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Sisters (French Literature)
Brigitte Lozerec'h
Mathilde Lewly--a lady painter on the sunrise of the 20 th century--has accomplished notoriety one of the Parisian avant-garde. She and her husband, additionally a skilled younger artist, pursue their separate visions part via aspect in a Clichy atelier, galvanized through the inventive ferment that surrounds them. however the couple are threatened through the shadow of Mathilde's little sister, Eug?nie: because the ladies' unexpected departure from their local England, Eug?nie has been made up our minds to vault the 8 years isolating her from Mathilde. Now, wolfed by means of envy and haunted through a earlier she by no means truly skilled, the "little one" hurls herself into the creative and private lifetime of her elder sister. it's the start of a fierce competition, an emotional tug-of-war, performed out opposed to the bohemian rebel of the final century's wildest years. yet will the 1st international War's surprising and brutal eruption enable Mathilde to flee this intimate clash and accomplish her destiny?
She have been a mum or dad despatched by means of my father. In years now I'll be thirty, my mother's age on the time. I'm attempting to get a true experience of the intensity of her bewilderment in these days, even if i've got no young ones. correct then, regardless of how tough i attempted to visualize her utter grief, I couldn't see how on my own she was—because we have been there! I'd now not but spotted that she not sat down on the piano; it were months . . . simply really lately have i noticed that she'd given it up within the months whilst.
challenging to think, yet I now not felt a lot for my mom. It looked as if it would me that she had enable pass of my hand while we'd come from England to France, and that from then on had saved the easiest of herself for the infant, now "the child." To my nice astonishment, i discovered I wasn't sorry that she had. If I'd stayed along with her, I'd possibly have met a similar destiny as my sister. Eugénie used to be regularly bored and consistently were, while I by no means was once. I simply didn't wish the kid to consume me alive with the intention to fill her personal.
yet I continuously stored my sketchbook and pencil in my handbag or my pocket, and sometimes I'd make speedy sketches of highway scenes or the folk at the café terraces. i used to be watching for getting away. it'd be an experience. 28 Frédéric had prolonged a call for participation to Eugénie on the Willon exhibition; she acknowledged she'd come to go to us sooner than the 12 months used to be up. To my nice astonishment, she tiptoed in, while she ultimately took us up on that unlucky encouragement—as although she used to be this sort of.
Steam hung for an fast within the reduced in size timber at the slopes of the Estérel. So we regularly knew what time it was—not that we cared. whilst i glance again on all our years jointly, that stopover at to Agay is the time that is still the happiest of my married lifestyles. the load of my early life had dropped away; i used to be a well-known painter who was once profiting from her entire freedom for the 1st time. after which, I skilled huge happiness within the fingers of the fellow I enjoyed. It were simply ten years considering the fact that.
Inquisitory. Mahu or the cloth. Trio. MANUEL PUIG, Betrayed by means of Rita Hayworth. The Buenos Aires Affair. Heartbreak Tango. RAYMOND QUENEAU, The final Days. Odile. Pierrot Mon Ami. Saint Glinglin. ANN QUIN, Berg. Passages. 3. Tripticks. ISHMAEL REED, The Free-Lance Pallbearers. The final Days of Louisiana crimson. Ishmael Reed: The performs. Juice! Reckless Eyeballing. The negative Threes. The negative Twos. Yellow again Radio Broke-Down. JASIA REICHARDT, 15 trips Warsaw to.


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Los Angeles rockers DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY are premiering their most compelling and euphoric video to date, "Far Away." Their ode to mortality faces the question of life and death, and analyzes a reflective conversation in the mind of vocalist Michael Orlando. "I believe the imagery in this video will resonate with a lot of people," Orlando states. "Not only does it deal with longing and loss, but with mental illness. Songs should make you feel something and the music video should bring that feeling to life."Watch the video "Far Away." Continue Reading →
Articles Tagged As "dead-girls-academy"
Video Premiere DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY
DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY New Video
Los Angeles rockers DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY and Kerrang! Magazine are premiering the captivatingly cinematic and haunting music video for the crowd favorite hit 'Cannibal,' from the band's debut album Alchemy, available everywhere now.
Watch the Music Video "Cannibal."
New Video From DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY
Before their album arrives tomorrow, DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY have premiered their latest visual masterpiece 'Everything,' taken from their debut Alchemy. The album hit shelves tomorrow as the band prepare for the their second jaunt on the Vans Warped Tour starting next week, June 21, outside their L.A. hometown in Pomona, CA.Watch the Music Video "Everything." Continue Reading →
DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY Debut New Video
Los Angeles rockers DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY have premiered the pulsing, captivatingly cinematic, sonically and visually arousing, anthem inducing new music video for "No Way Out" from their debut full-length album, Alchemy. Alchemy was written and produced by Ronnie Radke of Falling In Reverse and mixed and mastered by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (Trivium, Sevendust, Alter Bridge). This video proves that in your face, pissed off, rebellious, rock music is alive and well in 2018 and still breaking the rules. Accompanying the video, the band shares details behind the album, track listing and additional tour dates.Continue Reading →


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Monday, April 22, 2013
If you really knew me {part 1}
8 comments:
- AnonymousMonday, 22 April, 2013
I LOVE Christmas too!! It's the best time of the year!! I wish I could get our tree up year round, ha!ReplyDelete
This is such a great series, I really like that you're doing it in three parts though and love that you elaborated on each one with pictures. I'm right there with you, I always want to know more about the person behind the blog too not just what they're doing this week!ReplyDelete
Very cute! Its always so fun to find out more about the bloggers behind the blogs I love reading! I also love to decorate for all different holidays!ReplyDelete
:) Thank you for sharing!
:) Rebecca
This is such a cute post and a great idea! Once I get a few more followers, I may have to do something similar! It's nice getting "to know you"! :)ReplyDelete
This is such a great idea! We have so much in common! I also had my first (volunteer) job at a daycare, I'm awful with directions (I just somehow know where to go, but I couldn't tell you how I got there), I get stressed out when things don't go as I planned, I love blogging and I LOVE going on trips!ReplyDelete
We'd get along so well. :)
Your family is gorgeous, btw!
You and your sisters are so cute and you look very much alike! We have the same vision journey. I can't wait to get laser surgery. Imagine being able to see when you wake up! xxReplyDelete
Such a great idea! I love the 4th of July décor.ReplyDelete
Christmas is my favorite Holiday too!!! It's just so cheery and I love decorating for it!ReplyDelete


text:
Tip: For everyone who demand a very particular TLD like .COM or .US, etcetera, but it is not available, attempt to make several small modifications to the spelling of your respective domain. For instance, you can include dashes in between the independent words of your domain to make it read better! Likewise, you may use numbers when there is such a chance to change any counting words - 1stinplastics.com as a substitute for firstinplastics.com.
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Date: 12/24/2016
Bisbee is the big bucks, but the most fun you can have in Cabo is the WON Tuna Jackpot, the LARGEST tournament on the calendar and a pay out this year of over $700,000 and with affordable entry fees and flexible rules this is a tournament for anybody to be able to fish.
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At Field Service USA two weeks ago in Palm Springs, CA—the biggest field service conference of the year—there were many common themes being discussed in the sessions, round tables and exhibit hall.
One theme kept coming up, 'With all the baby boomers retiring, how do we do a better job of attracting the next generation of field technicians, the Millennials?'
We interviewed nearly 50 Millennial field technicians and used leading industry research to create an infographic that tells you what you need to know:
- Current supply and demand of Millennial workers
- Best practices for attracting Millennials
- Their most-wanted technology list
Like the infographic and want to learn more best practices for hiring the next generation of field technicians? Watch our On-Demand Webinar "Fixing the Technician Resource Gap: Win the Talent War for Millennial Technicians" to learn:
- Current state of field technicians in the labor force
- Profile of real-life Millennial field technicians – get inside the mind of tomorrow's service agents
- How to improve your technician recruiting, hiring, training and development
- The real-world benefits of using a contingent technician workforce