The engagement/conflict metric machine is insatiable in its desire for blame/harm/blood/suffering.

Toxic for a democracy, because it’s not really about accountability.

And because of that disconnect, there's no getting out of the death spiral.

Maybe this is the natural death process? A way for Westminster systems to terminate a government midstream? I dunno. But it does also feel like it's just a school of sharks smelling blood and going at it.

...the degree to which Luxon is under pressure because there is a stream of stories about his imminent demise is a kind of mic-in-front-of-speaker loop.

The news cycle has become completely disconnected from anything in the real world. He's losing because he's losing.

ANALYSIS: Government set to reduce Treaty in legislation to lowest possible standard - what it means Sweeping changes to Treaty clauses across 23 laws could lower te Tiriti to its weakest legal standard, reshaping how it influences decisions in health, environment and beyond.

Lovely to see Māni Dunlop still reporting and doing an excellent job of it.

This is the kind of in-depth look at an issue I like to see in our national media. @manidunlop.bsky.social Keep up the good work.

If it's true they should report on it. But without names or evidence being provided by reporters neither you nor I know what the actual facts are.

The only fact we can be certain of is that twice in the last few weeks the press gallery have got very excited about a coup that hasn't happened.

If you called a confidence vote on the press gallery I would vote no confidence.

Why wouldn't I question whether people who treat politics like a game and approach wāhine Māori politicians very differently to pale stale males are being fast and loose with the facts?

Chloe is magnificent. And spot-on.

Comic of the beetle from the cover of Massive Attack's "Mezzanine" meeting the crab from the cover of The Prodigy's "Fat of the Land".

Hi this joke is for me

Two Mourning Doves at a bird feeder with a built-in camera. One dove is in profile, very close to the camera, and appears to be looking at it, and the other dove is further back, but also looks like it’s staring straight into the lens.

These two Mourning Doves at my feeder cam look like they just rang my doorbell because Tony Soprano sent them to collect a debt I owe.

To tie these threads all together, Luxon gave a press conference and talked about the things kiwis care about above political drama and did not once mention the ongoing emergency in the city he was speaking in or the loss of property and quite possibly life that those caused.

The bar is so fucking low and yet "we won't work with racists" is still too much for the Labour Party.

Labour have made it very clear that they're not prepared to stand up for communities being targeted by hate. Pathetic.

The Chrisis continues

#nzpol

Presumably someone in the press gallery knows who's been leaking, if those leaks do in fact exist. Maybe time to reveal their identities instead of playing silly little games eh

So that's the second time in a few weeks the press gallery have told us Luxon's end is nigh and it hasn't come to pass. Starting to get the impression the press gallery might just be making shit up, rather than reporting on the actual issues.

it'd be so easy. just needs a headline.

a vote for labour is a vote for shane jones

Something fitting about a party which has spent this term trashing Wellington at every opportunity being consumed today with internecine dramas, indifferent the city's attempts to dig itself out from a disaster.

Absolutely.

There is one Chris I'd like to see given the old heave ho bsky.app/profile/pete...

Feel like I'm the only person who doesn't want Luxon rolled. Not because I'm a fan, but because the alternatives are so incredibly unappealing they make me want to puke.

I have to go out in this weather later today for an appointment with you oral hygienist which, frankly, right now seems like a massive societal failure.

There is an insane and disturbing amount of vile Anti-Indian sentiment about and parties need to respond to it. They can respond by trying to capitalize on it like NZF, or they can reject it. Ignoring it and hoping for the best only rewards those capitalising on it. It's also moral cowardice.

The fact that Labour still haven't (and likely won't) rule out a potential coalition with this disgustingly bigoted party tells me everything I need to know about Labour's values

Cute that this BS is running back to back with an AI nonsense wastes everyone's time and resources article. Despite being a Susan Edmonds article, this does a better job of presenting the negative reality of GenAI than Microsoft trying to up their stock price. www.nzherald.co.nz/business/ai-...

This Is Just To Say

I have turned off
the AI features
that were in
the update

and which
you were probably
hoping
to monetize

Fuck you
they were stupid
so unnecessary
and so annoying

Not a furry but I've still got a constant supply of quality bear content being sent my way ✌️

the faster we wipe "look at this random jackass!" from our communities the healthier our communities are

Embarrassing & infuriating. We get talentless incompetence because these blokes always choose each other and it’s endemic. They’re pandered to and coddled their whole lives and the racism and misogny they sit atop of blocks talented competent people from political, business and public service roles.

The thing that makes me really TRULY furious about the likes of Luxon is that he's undeniable proof that any talentless dickhead can achieve power and money if they're White Male Cis Able-bodied and kiss the Right arses.

He's an absolute fuckwit, yet somehow he's still PM.

Fucking embarrassing.

I don't want a continuation of "we couldn't possibly afford to do that" for things that are basic, just and necessary. I want bold and fair government, not centrist bullshit.