Nigel Robertson

VANITY FAIR Last weekend, Iran, one of the world's oldest, most storied civilizations, was attacked by two countries: the US, which adorably is about celebrate its 250th anniversary; and Israel, which is younger than Liza Minnelli.

Oof

David Pope in Canberra Times

you ever sometimes think about how Frankenstein was a cautionary tale about instrumentalizing life by boiling it down to only its parts, and withholding love and the ability to learn in a safe environment, ultimately undermining personhood?

I think about that sometimes.

Day 78 of Level 4uel Lockdown - Anti-walx activists plan a convoy to Wellington from Invercargill but run out of fuel before they reach Gore. A planned Parliament Grounds protest is attended by Winston Peters and Bryce Edwards.

We should be honoured to host, teach and learn from these people not exclude them. I'm ashamed of our government.

Sending this to the Beehive...

Muslims fear hate rising as seventh anniversary of Christchurch mosque attack approaches As Muslims in Christchurch prepare to mark seven years since 51 people were murdered while worshipping at two mosques in the city, there are fears hate is again on the rise.

The hate is definitely rising again. Destiny Church preaching exclusion and marching it too, white supremacist groups with 'remigration', and every Facebook-comment-section-Joe who's decided it's antisemitic not to hate Muslims. Remember March 15. We HAVE to do better.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Day 68 of fuel restriction level 4: Chris Bishop announces at 1pm that gas bbqs can only be used to cook steaks to medium rare or bloodier.

Wastewater testing shows Covid cases increasing There has also been an increase in hospitalisations from Covid as New Zealand enters its ninth Covid wave.

“Wastewater testing is showing an increase in Covid cases, and hospitalisations are on the rise as New Zealand enters its ninth Covid wave.”

Get a booster✔️
It’s a wave✔️
Mask✔️
Stay home if sick✔️
Point made about lack of RAT accessibility ✔️

Nice to see health reporting being taken seriously here.

NZ has lined up with 'MAGA US states' on oil, former Marsden Point boss says While others are switching to renewables, we're "going down the 1980s path", David Keat says.

“Keat maintained the current global energy shock should be viewed as a strategic gift by the government.”

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Excerpt from RNZ article last year: The Defence Minister wants to see New Zealand develop lethal weapons for international export through the help of tech companies.

I agree with Willis about peace being good. I take it then, that the govt will finally condemn the US & Israel for their acts of aggression, and that Willis will have a word to her fellow minister about the wickedness of warmongering.

That's our tariffs going up

Chuck and Mary found all the accommodation already taken in Picton. They tried sheltering overnight in a shop doorway but kept being moved on by the local constabulary.

It also seems timely to note that these were ferries with hybrid engines, which would’ve helped wean us off our fossil fuel reliance.

Do we know if the new ones have hybrid engine tech? #nzpol

Cartoon. Title: “Poked” Picture shows NZ First leader Winston Peters as a used car salesman. He’s leaning against a clapped out mini-van with a COVID sign on top. He’s saying, “Yep, there’s a bit of mileage in it yet!”

NZ First leader Winston Peters calls for another inquiry into Covid-19, this one to examine vaccine injuries.
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Covid #PublicHealth

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP 6 ReTruths 16 Likes Mar 12, 2026, 10:00 AM A

So I don’t think a sitting president has ever threatened the life of a soccer team coming to their country’s World Cup?

Who benefits from Nats/Act/NZF #FossilFuel energy policy? Oil companies. And who just gave Nats/Act/NZF a $100k each? Oil companies- Greymouth Petroleum. And who pays the price? Ordinary people w higher cost of living. And we have to pay extra tax for the LNG import terminal.

This is now folks, get your booster, mask, test & take care out there.

“It’s going to be infecting thousands of people every day, giving some people Long Covid and obviously putting people in hospital and killing some people,” epidemiologist and professor of public health Michael Baker” #kikorangi

ACC change a rushed answer to the wrong problem

Opinion from Auckland University: A bill passed under urgency that allows the Govt to claw back a wider range of welfare payments from ACC backpay makes a mockery of due process, writes Susan St John.

“I don’t sleep well because of fascism and climate collapse Copilot. What do you suggest?”

Whānau, remember how the far-right tried to take over Internet NZ last year and we kicked their butts? They haven't learned, and they're trying to do it again this year. Register by March 31st ($21 for a year) so you can vote in the AGM and send them packing again. members.internetnz.nz

Our government isn't scared of the Godzilla power up noise. It is sedately 'monitoring the situation'.

Wow! Had a look. I see a 2026 copyright on the bottom so someone is still there! I agree, the export tool is not working.

I got one yesterday as a walk in to my local pharmacy. No cost. I know other pharmacies do walk-ins too. I could also book with my GP.

If, like me, you joined InternetNZ last year to ensure your point of view was not overwhelmed when it came to board election (thanks) and AGM voting, then it's coming up time to renew your membership to continue that mission.

If you didn't join last year, maybe you'd like to this year?

Hmm, just reread and sure those final paras didn't appear for me earlier. Could be user error of course! I also don't think original version I read had the question about how many boosters the author had.
Anyway, happier with his quotes now!

It seems a strange take from Michael Plank. I wonder how aligned the writing is with what he said. You definitely want to maintain population level immunity through vaccination, not infection.

US responsible for deadly missile strike on Iran school, preliminary inquiry says Strike that killed at least 175 people, most of them children, reportedly due to targeting mistake by US military planners * Minab school bombing: a visual guide A preliminary US military investigation has reportedly determined that Washington was responsible for a deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school in February that killed scores of children. According to the New York Times, quoting unnamed US officials and others familiar with the initial findings, the investigation has concluded that the strike on 28 February on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building was the result of a targeting mistake by the US military planners. Continue reading...

US responsible for deadly missile strike on Iran school, preliminary inquiry says

Wales set to mandate solar panels on all new builds from 2027 Updated building regulations effectively mandate solar installations for new domestic and commercial buildings in Wales from early 2027

Solar panels as standard are on their way. www.businessgreen.com/news/4526775...

A cartoon by Ron Cobb (1975), showing a shadow of US B-52 bomber above cratered landscape. Two people who look like Vietnamese peasants look up; one says “they’re having problems with their economy again.”

This is from 1975.