• JOHN RAINE: It is Time to Resist a New Totalitarianism

    From Gordon@21:1/5 to All on Wed Feb 21 21:17:14 2024
    https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/john-raine-it-is-time-to-resist-a-new-totalitarianism?postId=e8e1b4bb-782e-4bf0-977e-51847bf2229c&utm_campaign=71cec4d7-3e9f-459b-a4a5-312e234f6605&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=a220d291-88f4-4ddb-af9e-
    3379324ed9e3&cid=e36bcf60-913f-4e26-ab99-fdcae136e8c9

    A very good article and explnantion of the decay we are facing.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tony@21:1/5 to Gordon on Thu Feb 22 00:25:25 2024
    Gordon <Gordon@leaf.net.nz> wrote: >https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/john-raine-it-is-time-to-resist-a-new-totalitarianism?postId=e8e1b4bb-782e-4bf0-977e-51847bf2229c&utm_campaign=71cec4d7-3e9f-459b-a4a5-312e234f6605&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=a220d291-88f4-4ddb-
    af9e-3379324ed9e3&cid=e36bcf60-913f-4e26-ab99-fdcae136e8c9

    A very good article and explnantion of the decay we are facing.
    Yes thank you. In my time universities were strongly supportive of freedom of speech and opposed to political interference. But at the same time were open to politiical opinion being expressed freely (consistent with their support of freedom of speech). Now we have an unqualified political person with limited achievement running Otako University - what nonsense.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rich80105@21:1/5 to Gordon on Thu Feb 22 14:45:11 2024
    On 21 Feb 2024 21:17:14 GMT, Gordon <Gordon@leaf.net.nz> wrote:

    https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/john-raine-it-is-time-to-resist-a-new-totalitarianism?postId=e8e1b4bb-782e-4bf0-977e-51847bf2229c&utm_campaign=71cec4d7-3e9f-459b-a4a5-312e234f6605&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=a220d291-88f4-4ddb-
    af9e-3379324ed9e3&cid=e36bcf60-913f-4e26-ab99-fdcae136e8c9

    A very good article and explnantion of the decay we are facing.

    I'm not sure that it does explain the decay we are facing. Much is
    made of the politics of diversity, equity and inclusion in the
    article, but espousal of those values has been a feature of a number
    of governments in New Zealand. David Lange may not have referred to
    the principles in that form, but they were certainly espouses as an
    alternative to the somewhat unprincipled "one man deciding everything' government of Robert Muldoon. Unfortunately, those sentiments were in
    conflict the extreme financial decisions that Roger Douglas believed
    had to be made in the desperation of those times for economic
    survival, but even Roger Douglas, in being part of the establishment
    of the ACT party, believed in some of those values. The principles
    were openly espoused by Jim Bolger - most particularly through seeking
    "equal opportunity" - although again the economic policies of Ruth
    Richardson acted directly contrary to those principles, and Jenny
    Shipley moved away from that direction. Helen Clark's governments
    brought back those principles, and John Key paid lip service to them,
    but in reality again used economics to reward the wealthy and reduce opportunities for less well advantaged children. The Ardern
    governments with Robertson were possibly the first government to have
    a united policy front, seeking to reduce poverty and to provide the
    ideals expressed by Bolger, and including well being as a core
    principle. The Luxon government is a return to pandering to political
    donors and a new acceptance of extremist policies espoused by the
    Atlas Foundation - we are seeing now that concern for cost of living
    is secondary to rewarding landlords and the wealthy.

    The article refers to views of Rob McCullough who wrote: https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/rob-macculloch-vice-chancellor-grant-robertson-he-s-not-qualified-does-not-deserve-the-job-what

    He is correct that the appointment of Grant Robertson who does not
    have a doctorate is a surprise, but it is

    See this article just published by Rob McCullough https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/its-the-world-wrestling-federation-two-big-fat-monopolies-slug-it-out-auckland-airport-vs-air-nz
    and in particular:
    "Many years ago when Bill English was Finance Minister and had an
    "Academic Advisory Group" for awhile that I used to attend, he turned
    to me once and asked, "Oh, so you're from Auckland University - is
    that a University or a property development company?". I thought it
    was a hilarious line - then started thinking maybe he had a point. The
    reason was that a decade ago the University was doing huge property developments & the bosses were pre-occupied tearing down buildings,
    buying and selling land, like in Newmarket, Auckland, and building new
    stuff, all to enhance the on-campus experience. Not a bad aim. But
    that was before Covid, before students were told to go off and study
    online. The reason for this diversion is that we should be asking the
    same question about Auckland Airport - is the company actually running
    an Airport, or is it in the mall, parking & property development
    businesses, which are way more profitable than helping passengers get
    on and off planes?"

    As has been pointed out by government, Otago University does have some financial issues - and some of those relate to buildings, and to the
    need for increased production of more graduates, perhaps particularly
    from their medical School - with possible new competition from Waikato
    where Neil Quigley (perhaps also not the most academically qualified,
    although he does have a doctorate) made a clearly partisan political
    approach to National to support a new medical school in Hamilton.

    Robertson is well qualified to deal with conflicting financial
    desires, while keeping in mind the people elements of the job -
    turning out as many graduates as possible across a range of
    disciplines. He is also well able to manage conflicting demands for
    more money now, and to be aware of the political issues where
    universities, like local government, are seeing that the current
    government wants to make more decisions from Wellington, rather than
    Labours policy of supporting local democracy.

    We do not train medical doctors to be Chief Executives of Hospitals,
    although some do obtain those positions similarly a Doctorate in other disciplines does not necessary give organisation development
    understanding, personal management skills for large and diverse teams,
    or financial acumen.

    I suspect Grant Robertson will do well in the role, but it may not be long-lasting purely because there are silly prejudices about
    qualifications - most who become Vice-Chancellor have been many years
    away from getting that qualification. I have not tried to find other
    previous examples of politicians taking on such a job but here is a
    recent one: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/former-vice-chancellor-receives-honorary-doctorate/

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tony@21:1/5 to Rich80105@hotmail.com on Thu Feb 22 02:26:15 2024
    Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:
    On 21 Feb 2024 21:17:14 GMT, Gordon <Gordon@leaf.net.nz> wrote:

    https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/john-raine-it-is-time-to-resist-a-new-totalitarianism?postId=e8e1b4bb-782e-4bf0-977e-51847bf2229c&utm_campaign=71cec4d7-3e9f-459b-a4a5-312e234f6605&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=a220d291-88f4-4ddb-
    af9e-3379324ed9e3&cid=e36bcf60-913f-4e26-ab99-fdcae136e8c9

    A very good article and explnantion of the decay we are facing.

    I'm not sure that it does explain the decay we are facing. Much is
    made of the politics of diversity, equity and inclusion in the
    article, but espousal of those values has been a feature of a number
    of governments in New Zealand. David Lange may not have referred to
    the principles in that form, but they were certainly espouses as an >alternative to the somewhat unprincipled "one man deciding everything' >government of Robert Muldoon. Unfortunately, those sentiments were in >conflict the extreme financial decisions that Roger Douglas believed
    had to be made in the desperation of those times for economic
    survival, but even Roger Douglas, in being part of the establishment
    of the ACT party, believed in some of those values. The principles
    were openly espoused by Jim Bolger - most particularly through seeking
    "equal opportunity" - although again the economic policies of Ruth
    Richardson acted directly contrary to those principles, and Jenny
    Shipley moved away from that direction. Helen Clark's governments
    brought back those principles, and John Key paid lip service to them,
    but in reality again used economics to reward the wealthy and reduce >opportunities for less well advantaged children. The Ardern
    governments with Robertson were possibly the first government to have
    a united policy front, seeking to reduce poverty and to provide the
    ideals expressed by Bolger, and including well being as a core
    principle. The Luxon government is a return to pandering to political
    donors and a new acceptance of extremist policies espoused by the
    Atlas Foundation - we are seeing now that concern for cost of living
    is secondary to rewarding landlords and the wealthy.

    The article refers to views of Rob McCullough who wrote: >https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/rob-macculloch-vice-chancellor-grant-robertson-he-s-not-qualified-does-not-deserve-the-job-what

    He is correct that the appointment of Grant Robertson who does not
    have a doctorate is a surprise, but it is

    See this article just published by Rob McCullough >https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/its-the-world-wrestling-federation-two-big-fat-monopolies-slug-it-out-auckland-airport-vs-air-nz
    and in particular:
    "Many years ago when Bill English was Finance Minister and had an
    "Academic Advisory Group" for awhile that I used to attend, he turned
    to me once and asked, "Oh, so you're from Auckland University - is
    that a University or a property development company?". I thought it
    was a hilarious line - then started thinking maybe he had a point. The
    reason was that a decade ago the University was doing huge property >developments & the bosses were pre-occupied tearing down buildings,
    buying and selling land, like in Newmarket, Auckland, and building new
    stuff, all to enhance the on-campus experience. Not a bad aim. But
    that was before Covid, before students were told to go off and study
    online. The reason for this diversion is that we should be asking the
    same question about Auckland Airport - is the company actually running
    an Airport, or is it in the mall, parking & property development
    businesses, which are way more profitable than helping passengers get
    on and off planes?"

    As has been pointed out by government, Otago University does have some >financial issues - and some of those relate to buildings, and to the
    need for increased production of more graduates, perhaps particularly
    from their medical School - with possible new competition from Waikato
    where Neil Quigley (perhaps also not the most academically qualified, >although he does have a doctorate) made a clearly partisan political
    approach to National to support a new medical school in Hamilton.

    Robertson is well qualified to deal with conflicting financial
    desires, while keeping in mind the people elements of the job -
    turning out as many graduates as possible across a range of
    disciplines. He is also well able to manage conflicting demands for
    more money now, and to be aware of the political issues where
    universities, like local government, are seeing that the current
    government wants to make more decisions from Wellington, rather than
    Labours policy of supporting local democracy.

    We do not train medical doctors to be Chief Executives of Hospitals,
    although some do obtain those positions similarly a Doctorate in other >disciplines does not necessary give organisation development
    understanding, personal management skills for large and diverse teams,
    or financial acumen.

    I suspect Grant Robertson will do well in the role, but it may not be >long-lasting purely because there are silly prejudices about
    qualifications - most who become Vice-Chancellor have been many years
    away from getting that qualification. I have not tried to find other
    previous examples of politicians taking on such a job but here is a
    recent one: >https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/former-vice-chancellor-receives-honorary-doctorate/
    Maharey has a MA in Sociology - it was not honorary and he used it for year while teaching at university. His is nowhere near the same as Robertson.
    Your obsession with qualifications means that you miss the point.
    Robertson is not qualified, Maharey was and still is, the elapsed time since qualifiying is irrelevant. Robertson cannot do any good at the job because he is not fit for it. Just like you.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rich80105@21:1/5 to All on Thu Feb 22 16:15:11 2024
    On Thu, 22 Feb 2024 02:26:15 GMT, Tony <lizandtony@orcon.net.nz>
    wrote:

    Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:
    On 21 Feb 2024 21:17:14 GMT, Gordon <Gordon@leaf.net.nz> wrote:
    https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/john-raine-it-is-time-to-resist-a-new-totalitarianism?postId=e8e1b4bb-782e-4bf0-977e-51847bf2229c&utm_campaign=71cec4d7-3e9f-459b-a4a5-312e234f6605&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=a220d291-88f4-4ddb-
    af9e-3379324ed9e3&cid=e36bcf60-913f-4e26-ab99-fdcae136e8c9

    A very good article and explnantion of the decay we are facing.

    I'm not sure that it does explain the decay we are facing. Much is
    made of the politics of diversity, equity and inclusion in the
    article, but espousal of those values has been a feature of a number
    of governments in New Zealand. David Lange may not have referred to
    the principles in that form, but they were certainly espouses as an >>alternative to the somewhat unprincipled "one man deciding everything' >>government of Robert Muldoon. Unfortunately, those sentiments were in >>conflict the extreme financial decisions that Roger Douglas believed
    had to be made in the desperation of those times for economic
    survival, but even Roger Douglas, in being part of the establishment
    of the ACT party, believed in some of those values. The principles
    were openly espoused by Jim Bolger - most particularly through seeking >>"equal opportunity" - although again the economic policies of Ruth >>Richardson acted directly contrary to those principles, and Jenny
    Shipley moved away from that direction. Helen Clark's governments
    brought back those principles, and John Key paid lip service to them,
    but in reality again used economics to reward the wealthy and reduce >>opportunities for less well advantaged children. The Ardern
    governments with Robertson were possibly the first government to have
    a united policy front, seeking to reduce poverty and to provide the
    ideals expressed by Bolger, and including well being as a core
    principle. The Luxon government is a return to pandering to political >>donors and a new acceptance of extremist policies espoused by the
    Atlas Foundation - we are seeing now that concern for cost of living
    is secondary to rewarding landlords and the wealthy.

    The article refers to views of Rob McCullough who wrote: >>https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/rob-macculloch-vice-chancellor-grant-robertson-he-s-not-qualified-does-not-deserve-the-job-what

    He is correct that the appointment of Grant Robertson who does not
    have a doctorate is a surprise, but it is

    See this article just published by Rob McCullough >>https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/its-the-world-wrestling-federation-two-big-fat-monopolies-slug-it-out-auckland-airport-vs-air-nz
    and in particular:
    "Many years ago when Bill English was Finance Minister and had an
    "Academic Advisory Group" for awhile that I used to attend, he turned
    to me once and asked, "Oh, so you're from Auckland University - is
    that a University or a property development company?". I thought it
    was a hilarious line - then started thinking maybe he had a point. The >>reason was that a decade ago the University was doing huge property >>developments & the bosses were pre-occupied tearing down buildings,
    buying and selling land, like in Newmarket, Auckland, and building new >>stuff, all to enhance the on-campus experience. Not a bad aim. But
    that was before Covid, before students were told to go off and study >>online. The reason for this diversion is that we should be asking the
    same question about Auckland Airport - is the company actually running
    an Airport, or is it in the mall, parking & property development >>businesses, which are way more profitable than helping passengers get
    on and off planes?"

    As has been pointed out by government, Otago University does have some >>financial issues - and some of those relate to buildings, and to the
    need for increased production of more graduates, perhaps particularly
    from their medical School - with possible new competition from Waikato >>where Neil Quigley (perhaps also not the most academically qualified, >>although he does have a doctorate) made a clearly partisan political >>approach to National to support a new medical school in Hamilton.

    Robertson is well qualified to deal with conflicting financial
    desires, while keeping in mind the people elements of the job -
    turning out as many graduates as possible across a range of
    disciplines. He is also well able to manage conflicting demands for
    more money now, and to be aware of the political issues where
    universities, like local government, are seeing that the current
    government wants to make more decisions from Wellington, rather than >>Labours policy of supporting local democracy.

    We do not train medical doctors to be Chief Executives of Hospitals, >>although some do obtain those positions similarly a Doctorate in other >>disciplines does not necessary give organisation development
    understanding, personal management skills for large and diverse teams,
    or financial acumen.

    I suspect Grant Robertson will do well in the role, but it may not be >>long-lasting purely because there are silly prejudices about
    qualifications - most who become Vice-Chancellor have been many years
    away from getting that qualification. I have not tried to find other >>previous examples of politicians taking on such a job but here is a
    recent one: >>https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/former-vice-chancellor-receives-honorary-doctorate/
    Maharey has a MA in Sociology - it was not honorary and he used it for year >while teaching at university. His is nowhere near the same as Robertson.
    Your obsession with qualifications means that you miss the point.
    Robertson is not qualified, Maharey was and still is, the elapsed time since >qualifiying is irrelevant. Robertson cannot do any good at the job because he >is not fit for it. Just like you.

    So you accept that an MA (assisted by Lecturing experience) is
    adequate, but you appear to believe a BA with Honours degree plus 28
    years experience at very senior political levels is not. The selection
    has been made within current rules for such appointments, whatever we
    think we will find out whether it was a good appointment as time goes
    on.

    One of the surprising facts that this has disclosed is the disparity
    in remuneration for the role of Vice-Chancellor compared with senior politicians:
    PM $471,049
    Deputy PM $334734
    Cabinet Minister $296007 (So that is what David Seymour gets
    compared with the higher amount for Winston Peters)
    Leader of Opposition 296,007
    Member of {Parliament $163,961
    Vice-Chancellor Otago University $629,000
    Vice-Chancellor Auckland University $755,000

    Sure there are perks available to senior politicians - their
    superannuation is very generous, and a lot of expenses are paid, but
    it is a surprising difference.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)