Alex

@shakingstick.bsky.social

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Screenshot of a post from New Zealand Politican Winston Peters: Andrea Vance has written another pathetic butt-hurt ‘opinion piece’ attacking NZFirst. No one cares what you think Andrea. You might think they do in your little Wellington Bluesky bubble full of lanyard-wearing woke lefty losers, but there’s a reason NZFirst support is growing out in the real world. We are travelling around the country every week packing the halls with ordinary kiwis. We run out of seats and people are flowing out the door - we’re winning and you and your mates can’t stand it. We are the enemy of what you stand for and the enemy of your woke mind virus that has infected so much of our mainstream media that you can’t even figure out why no one trusts your industry anymore. Your loser ‘News of the World’ opinions do nothing but confirm we are directly over the target. It’s you, and people like you, that is the reason we are doing so well and why we will win in November - the poetic part is that you don’t even know it.
Photo of the unfolded cover of the Home Brew special edition CD
Photo of The Streets 'Original Pirate Material'
An Auckland software engineer who pressed “record” on his smart glasses without consent while a sex worker was naked in front of him, claiming he did so only to help maintain his erection, has been granted permanent name suppression.
Screen grab of a X conversation between Chris Lynch (midwit rw radio jock) and Deborah Pead (longtime formidable PR powerhouse) Lynch: Oh of course it is Deborah, not with standing that your husband doing the PR for the party. Still giving away freebies to reporters? Or has that practice stopped? Pead: Facts matter. My husband is a farmer. My son is standing for the party. And product samples are long established party of consumer PR. As for whether a wildcard party within striking distance of2 influencing an election is newsworthy, I think the answer remains yes. Lynch: That's a compliment then. You look youthful as ever. Pead: Thank you Chris. And you're every bit as charming as ever. Stay well.
Screenshot of a search on the Free Speech Union's website for the phrase "non disclosure agreements" which shows the total number of results found to be exactly zero.
B/w phone pic of jazz trio 'the guiding tones' with clarinet, acoustic guitar and piano accordion
Photo of graffiti reading "C.I.A is U.t.i of F.B.I"
Most of the disturbances have occurred in Protestant pro-UK unionist areas of Belfast, with Catholic pro-Irish unity districts largely quiet. But Ryan Henderson, the force's assistant chief constable, told reporters there was "no evidence" it had been coordinated by loyalist paramilitaries. Authorities have instead blamed far-right activists for stoking anger on social media.
Photo of the cover of The Black Crowes, by well, The Black Crowes
Photo of the cover of Exile on Main st. by The Rolling Stones
Screen shot of a quote re-tweet of a The Economist post. The mag wrote 'Lenin died on this day 1924. He dismissed our newspaper as "a journal which speaks for British millionaires" I asked if they were 'still mad huh'
It would also contribute $215m toward critical maintenance on the vessels Te Kaha, Te Mana and Canterbury. Penk said New Zealand's prosperity and security depend on the sea. "For many years, New Zealand's geographic distance has been seen as a shield from instability elsewhere in the world." "However, recent events have served as a reminder of how quickly disruptions to international shipping routes can affect economies and supply chains across the globe. The oceans are not a barrier to danger, but a vital national interest that must be actively secured."
Photo of some building somewhere with fancy neo classical columns and brickwork with yhe name "THE HATER BUILDING" in all caps as god intended
Photo of a calssic toastie pie sandwich press cooking up some food on a wet back range
Photo of ingredient list from a pat of Pam's Pure Butter, (the yellow pat in the threads OP) INGREDIENTS Pasteurised cream (milk), salt.
Question No. 2 Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the Opposition) (14:07) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government’s statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister) (14:07): Absolutely. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Does the Prime Minister continue to enjoy the unanimous support of National Party members of Parliament? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Absolutely.
Screencap of a news article where our Luxon is asking "Who are they?" Who exactly is unhappy with his leadership, he wonders.
Screenshot of blusky giving an error message after failing to post a reply to Ben reading 'yeah it's creaky as hell'
B/W phone photo of a pub improv jazz gig at the rogue and vagabond. About the most wellington thing you could imagine. Place is packed 18-70. Bogans to hipsters. Ravers, queers, rastas, suits. everybody vibing.
Iran’s 10-point peace plan Guarantee that Iran will not be attacked again Permanent end to the war, not just a ceasefire End to Israeli strikes in Lebanon Lifting of all US sanctions on Iran End to all regional fighting against Iranian allies Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz Iran would impose a $2m fee per ship transiting Hormuz Iran would split these fees with Oman Iran would establish rules for safe passage through Hormuz Iran would use Hormuz fees for reconstruction instead of reparations
Leon @leyawn if I was in afghanistan I wouldv stopped isis Dan Crenshaw @DanCrenshawTX I was a navy SEAL deployed in Afghanistan and lost my right eye to an explosive improvised device. You have no idea what you're talking about. Leon @leyawn rip to ur eye but im different
Luxon seemed surprised that his ditching Bishop for Simeon Brown as campaign chair would be a talking point. Asked for the rationale he pointed to the "workload" Bishop was under. While Bishop is one of the busiest ministers in Cabinet, that was also the case when he was given the role of campaign chair in the first place. When RNZ asked Luxon who was busier, Bishop or Brown, the prime minister's workload rationale crumbled when he declared they were both busy. He's right, while Bishop is in charge of housing, transport, RMA reform and infrastructure, Brown has the thankless job of being Health Minister and now has energy - one of the biggest issues in town - on his plate. It's a nonsense to say Brown has more time for campaign chair, but Luxon is hardly going to say he's moving Bishop aside because he's sceptical of how supportive the Hutt South MP is of his leadership.
Similar to the way Ardern managed Covid, knowing every case number, where they came from and how the virus may have been transmitted, Willis has been meticulously monitoring how much of each fuel type we have and need, almost to a point of obsession - knowing the names of the ships heading in and exactly how much fuel they have on board. In the middle of Budget season, it’s hard to imagine she is getting any sleep.
Post from Sally Jenkins @sallyjenx.bsky.social "This is really smart. Amazed at the hysteria over the ascendance of a woman entrepreneur who clearly knows how to cover and sell news and who's not afraid to take on a mob." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ archiv... Don't Bet Against Bari Weiss The new editor in chief of CBS News triumphs over her critics. www.theatlantic.com
Apropliaty drunken arse photo of the beehive with the ninth floor lights burning bright at 1 am
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had not seen it, and Trump has not been briefed on it, nor was he using it to inform his policy decisions, one senior White House official said. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that the Defense Intelligence Agency was “one of many intelligence agencies at the Pentagon that plans for every worst possible outcome.” “One assessment does not mean the assessment is plausible, and it’s dangerous for the media to cherry pick the worst case scenario to scare the American people,” Parnell said. “I have been present for every briefing on this matter, and the six month closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an impossibility and completely unacceptable to the Secretary of War. The Pentagon was well prepared for the Iranian regimes attempts to close the Strait, and we are working to address this challenge at the direction of the Commander in Chief.”
Screenshot of the headline of a CNN article with 5 reporter by-lines that reads "US furiously seeks to avert potential monthslong closure of Strait of Hormuz"
In 2015, the terminal facilities on the island were operated by the National Iranian Oil Company.[1] Following the beginning of the 2026 Iran war on 28 February 2026, analysts interpreting satellite imagery noted that Iran apparently expected Kharg Island to become a target in an upcoming conflict and therefore had started to reduce the amount of oil in storage there since early February 2026. Although the facilities on Kharg were initially not attacked, only nine of the oil tanks were estimated to be full by 7 March 2026, compared to 27 in mid-January.[6] In March 2026, it was reported that Israel was considering bombing the island, while the US was favouring the idea of seizing the island.[4]
Luxon said none of his Cabinet colleagues have told him to reconsider his future. He said "all of them" back him. He said the only polling he takes note of is his National's own internal polling which gets processed in the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister was in Wellington this week as Parliament was sitting, and headed to Masterton on Thursday to the Golden Shears. Luxon is often in the regions on a Thursday, as are other party leaders, but unusually did not hold a media conference and currently has no plans for one on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Black and white photo of a brass horn, possibly a flugel horn, that has seen better days and is currently hung ornamentally on a hook near the roof of shed
If not politics, then what connects the members of the Epstein Class? It’s not just riches. Some members are not particularly wealthy, but they’re richly connected. They trade on their prominence, on whom they know and who will return their phone calls. They exchange inside tips on stocks, on the movements of currencies, on IPOs, on new tax-avoidance mechanisms. On getting into exclusive clubs, reservations at chic restaurants, lush hotels, exotic travel. Most members of the Epstein Class have seceded into their own small, self-contained world, disconnected from the rest of society. They fly in one other’s private jets. They entertain at one other’s guest houses and villas. Some exchange tips on how to procure certain drugs or kinky sex or valuable works of art. And, of course, how to accumulate more wealth.
Along with food, Parikh said he is concerned about soda and claimed he always mixes it with alcohol “to sanitize it.”
Mangione still faces murder charges in a separate case brought by state prosecutors. Federal murder statutes carry different legal requirements than comparable state laws, and Garnett said federal law required Mangione's murder and weapons charges to be tied to another crime of violence. Stalking, the judge said, did not meet this requirement because it was neither "inherently" violent nor always intentional. Garnett acknowledged that the average person might be bewildered by the dismissal.
Black and white photo of a bluegrass jam session with about a dozen people playing in a small marquee style tent
Blurry as all get out picture of some trad times players performing for a crowd that absolutely fucks with that
Cellphone photo of a fiddle player and a guitarist performing in front of a crowd. Stage lighting is pink and blue. It's not particularly well focused or anything so you're not missing much if you cannae see it but essentially remember that this sort of Irish trad is essentially house music. A fact of which I've long been convinced, but which is reinforced by my lad telling me that his fella from the University informs him the guitar part is nae thing but a drum part really. House is house, what can I say.
Black and white photo of a jam session. Piano player is foregrounded and in the background are guitar, fiddle and accordion players
Photo of a band playing in front of a crowd gathered under a large hanger style tent, stage lighting is green and there are fairy lights in the structures architecture
Screenshot of the article linked to in the post I am quote-posting. It starts as follows before the paywall curtain mercifully descends: This was one of the NZ Herald’s top stories of 2025. Leaders aren’t necessarily the best people to talk about their own leadership styles, but in Christopher Luxon’s case, he is an expert. He is not only the leader of the country, but he has studied
Face the facts. Then act on them. It's the only mantra I know, the only doctrine I have to offer you, and it's harder than you'd think, because I swear humans seem hardwired to do anything but. Face the facts. Don't pray, don't wish, don't buy into centuries-old dogma and dead rhetoric. Don't give in to your conditioning or your visions or your fucked-up sense of... whatever. FACE THE FACTS. THEN act.
A Nobel Prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred 9. jan 2026 The Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute receive a number of requests for comments regarding the permanence of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s status. The facts are clear and well established. Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time.
Photo of the album covers of: Twinset: It's a summer feeling Nathan Hanes: Squire for hire The Lantern: Black spider stomp Fat Freddy's Drop: live at matterhorn Salmonella dub: one drop east
Screenshot of the YouTube clip linked to in the original post. First comment is highlighted and reads 'POV: you're an ICE agent'
David Seymour can suck my arse. There was and is a deal, you know. But you can lie about what it says. But there was a deal. And we know what it said, and we know what it meant. And we know it was broken and we know who broke it. There was deal. But yes, you can lie about it, and what it says. We know it was broken and we know we can't put that right. Not fully. But we can try. But you'd rather cry that you're misunderstood. And I see you. I hear your words about justice and fairness and see you claiming the mantle of everyone from Jesus himself to Martin Luther King, jr. But none of it changes the fact that there was deal. Or that you can lie about what it meant. But my people were finnians, and levellers, They were diggers, yeah and Jacobites too. They didn't come half way around the world to be made into liars by a prick like you.
A screenshot of the Cricinfo tab from the 4th Ashes test showing that England won by 4 wickets on the second day, the final runs being 4 leg buys
Photo of the cd cover of the Billy Bragg & Willco collaboration album 'mermaid avenue'
First pour of the now ready imperial stout. Taste notes: this stout does not piss about
What the newly announced plan includes: Exploring the idea of one agency responsible for transnational and serious organised crime Developing new methods for sharing information and data between agencies Putting into action a package of actions on methamphetamine harm Strengthening communities and addressing harm through 'Resilience to Organised Crime' initiatives. "It's about better accountability," Costello said. "It's about focusing our resources where they most need to be. "Sometimes we get swallowed up with keeping busy and forget to identify what the outcomes are. We really want to get some strong outcomes, because organised crime effectively needs organised government to respond to it."
Photo of a 21st birthday sculpture. An interpretation of the traditional '21st key' but it is a wood saw cutting into polished drift wood with implied invitation for guests to sign the saw with the vivid maker pen provided
Photo of a pyramid of empty beer crates decorated with Xmas lights etc
It's rare for a federal grand jury to reject charges because the process is stacked in the government's favor. At the grand jury stage, prosecutors need only to convince 12 of at least 16 grand jurors that they met the probable cause threshold, a much lower standard than the unanimous "beyond a reasonable doubt" requirement for securing a conviction before a jury during a trial.
Screenshot of a Ben Thomas tweet about the Willis Richardson debate yarn that reads as follows: The funny part of this is that (1) if you were doing this as a false flag op you would script it to go exactly how it has so far, but (2) given the people involved there is a basically zero percent chance this is a false flag
A screenshot of a 2024 facebook post from the UN in Geneva. Caption on the photo reads: "Thoughts and Desires", a sculpture adorning the park since 2017, was donated by Azerbaijan to UN Geneva on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the country's UN membership. The photo shows a large sculpture in a park setting. The sculpture appears identical to the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize statuette given to Donald Trump by FIFA in 2025
What have we? It's a crop of the latest cover of the NZ woman's weekly magazine. They are attempting to tempt us with a feature article about 'Christmas with the Luxons', which might sound like either an old timey recording of a family band singing carols or a 90 minute seasonal comedy movie about meeting the potential in-laws by ill-advisedly deciding that the best time to do that is Christmas. It's neither of those things however, which is revealed by the subheading 'Hope and Healing. There's so much to look forward to' over an image of Mr and Mrs Luxon in the basic bitch photographical styling of the NZ woman's weekly's accustomed format. I could describe it but just imagine the taste of banana instant pudding and you will have the aesthetic. The result in toto is of course existential terror.
My share, bottled
Watts said a "fair and balanced voting system" would ensure both regional and urban interests were represented in decisions about land and water.