8 ms·

I am really impressed lately with New Zealand (it started with this MP speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSGOK5jC9I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSGOK5j

by klaut 13y ago

I am really impressed lately with New Zealand (it started with this MP speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSGOK5jC9I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSGOK5jC9I). Finally a country that is trying to correct the nonsense that are software patents.

aidos 13y ago
Don't be. This is the same country in which the PM thinks it's ok to literally walk out of a Q&A session with the press regarding a widely disputed bill that's being rushed into law.
- lostlogin 13y ago
  Rushed into law is normal now. I must see the statement Passed Under Urgency most weeks. This is what happens when you give a banker the reins (reigns?).
  - mkingston 13y ago
    Did you ever do that thing in primary school where you put one finger in each corner of your mouth and say "My Dad's a national banker"? If you didn't, I acknowledge that it's weird, but it was funny when I was eight. Anyway, back to the point! We can now do the same and say "John Key's a National banker". Not that I dislike the National Party in general. Just the current National Party.
mkingston 13y ago
Kiwi here. As another commenter mentioned, don't be. Overall, I think things are going downhill. The New Zealand Law Society recently reported to the UN Human Rights Council indicating that we've passed a number of laws recently that are in breach of human rights. - We've very recently passed an odious bill to legitimise spying on NZ citizens. - We've recently passed a bill that cannot cannot be challenged in court. (IANAL, don't ask me how this can be the case). - We've recently passed a bill (copyright infringement) that presumes guilt. The report identifies more: http://www.lawsociety.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/68541/United-Nations,-Universal-Periodic-Review-17-6-13.pdf http://www.lawsociety.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/685... In 2010 many New Zealanders staged a huge protest against mining conservation land (owned by the government, accessible to everyone). The government stood down. Yesterday I discovered permits for mining exploration have been granted on conservation land. Technically, this is land that was not under explicit discussion in 2010, but it unquestionably violates the spirit of the protests. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11115354 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&o... http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10642083 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objecti... We're one of the few western democracies that hasn't banned or restricted shark finning. We'd rather have an estimated NZD 6m/yr (IIRC). We'll have a few million dollars instead of an entire species (Maui's dolphin). Another shameful example of our PM in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmF5b_t3PjA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmF5b_t3PjA That's all I can think of for now. Sorry to burst your NZ bubble.
- mkingston 13y ago
  Upon re-reading my comment, I should probably clarify: the government backed down on mining conservation land.

by klaut 13y ago

aidos 13y ago

Don't be. This is the same country in which the PM thinks it's ok to literally walk out of a Q&A session with the press regarding a widely disputed bill that's being rushed into law.

lostlogin 13y ago
Rushed into law is normal now. I must see the statement Passed Under Urgency most weeks. This is what happens when you give a banker the reins (reigns?).
- mkingston 13y ago
  Did you ever do that thing in primary school where you put one finger in each corner of your mouth and say "My Dad's a national banker"? If you didn't, I acknowledge that it's weird, but it was funny when I was eight. Anyway, back to the point! We can now do the same and say "John Key's a National banker". Not that I dislike the National Party in general. Just the current National Party.

mkingston 13y ago

Kiwi here. As another commenter mentioned, don't be. Overall, I think things are going downhill. The New Zealand Law Society recently reported to the UN Human Rights Council indicating that we've passed a number of laws recently that are in breach of human rights. - We've very recently passed an odious bill to legitimise spying on NZ citizens. - We've recently passed a bill that cannot cannot be challenged in court. (IANAL, don't ask me how this can be the case). - We've recently passed a bill (copyright infringement) that presumes guilt. The report identifies more: http://www.lawsociety.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/68541/United-Nations,-Universal-Periodic-Review-17-6-13.pdf http://www.lawsociety.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/685... In 2010 many New Zealanders staged a huge protest against mining conservation land (owned by the government, accessible to everyone). The government stood down. Yesterday I discovered permits for mining exploration have been granted on conservation land. Technically, this is land that was not under explicit discussion in 2010, but it unquestionably violates the spirit of the protests. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11115354 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&o... http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10642083 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objecti... We're one of the few western democracies that hasn't banned or restricted shark finning. We'd rather have an estimated NZD 6m/yr (IIRC). We'll have a few million dollars instead of an entire species (Maui's dolphin). Another shameful example of our PM in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmF5b_t3PjA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmF5b_t3PjA That's all I can think of for now. Sorry to burst your NZ bubble.

mkingston 13y ago
Upon re-reading my comment, I should probably clarify: the government backed down on mining conservation land.