@schmechf.bsky.social
Interested in the environment, biodiversity, health, and science. Citizen of the USA and Aotearoa/ NZ. He takata te tiriti ahau. Like trying to understand the 'why' and hidden agendas in politics ('follow the money').
Reposted
I wish more people were aware of this. Considering the scale of the threat, the media's near-silence is both remarkable and culpable.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Hello, foreign oligarchs and corporations! Please come and sue the UK for billions | George Monbiot
The case of a planned Cumbrian coalmine shows how governments around the world are being threatened by litigation in shadowy offshore courts, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM
I wish more people were aware of this. Considering the scale of the threat, the media's near-silence is both remarkable and culpable.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted
By the numbers, Clarence Thomas has been treated to:
• At least 38 destination vacations;
• 26 private jet flights;
• 12 VIP passes to pro & college sporting events;
• 2 stays at luxury resorts;
• 1 standing invite to an uber-exclusive golf club
(Published 2023)
• At least 38 destination vacations;
• 26 private jet flights;
• 12 VIP passes to pro & college sporting events;
• 2 stays at luxury resorts;
• 1 standing invite to an uber-exclusive golf club
(Published 2023)
Clarence Thomas’ 38 Vacations: The Other Billionaires Who Have Treated the Supreme Court Justice to Luxury Travel
The fullest accounting yet shows how Thomas has secretly reaped the benefits from a network of wealthy and well-connected patrons that is far more extensive than previously understood.
www.propublica.org
June 30, 2025 at 3:00 AM
By the numbers, Clarence Thomas has been treated to:
• At least 38 destination vacations;
• 26 private jet flights;
• 12 VIP passes to pro & college sporting events;
• 2 stays at luxury resorts;
• 1 standing invite to an uber-exclusive golf club
(Published 2023)
• At least 38 destination vacations;
• 26 private jet flights;
• 12 VIP passes to pro & college sporting events;
• 2 stays at luxury resorts;
• 1 standing invite to an uber-exclusive golf club
(Published 2023)
Reposted
#RSB Article on The Post: "Red-tape bill risks cost blow-outs, climate backsliding, officials warn" by Andrea Vance.
NZ Treasury warns of big costs.
Article is paywalled. We have a subscription. Sharing this saved version is tidier than quotes via screenshots.
#NZpol
archive.ph/QYz6i
NZ Treasury warns of big costs.
Article is paywalled. We have a subscription. Sharing this saved version is tidier than quotes via screenshots.
#NZpol
archive.ph/QYz6i
archive.ph
June 28, 2025 at 3:25 AM
#RSB Article on The Post: "Red-tape bill risks cost blow-outs, climate backsliding, officials warn" by Andrea Vance.
NZ Treasury warns of big costs.
Article is paywalled. We have a subscription. Sharing this saved version is tidier than quotes via screenshots.
#NZpol
archive.ph/QYz6i
NZ Treasury warns of big costs.
Article is paywalled. We have a subscription. Sharing this saved version is tidier than quotes via screenshots.
#NZpol
archive.ph/QYz6i
David’s bill running up against more daylight. And his attack campaign on individuals - paid for by taxpayers.
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Damning advice warns red-tape bill risks cost blow-outs, climate backsliding
Regulation Minister David Seymour argues good regulation pays for itself and that public servants don’t like the bill because it will make more work for them.
www.thepost.co.nz
June 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM
David’s bill running up against more daylight. And his attack campaign on individuals - paid for by taxpayers.
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Reposted
"Only 8% of the 805 miles the state identified for construction is complete, which has cost taxpayers more than $3 billion to date..."
www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/t...
With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall program
Texas officials suggested the federal government could pick up construction. However, during President Trump’s first term, his administration built about one-third of what the state was able to put up...
www.texastribune.org
June 20, 2025 at 2:06 AM
"Only 8% of the 805 miles the state identified for construction is complete, which has cost taxpayers more than $3 billion to date..."
www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/t...
Reposted
"the proportion of children in the survey who reported good or very good health reduced from 82.6% before NZ's two large Omicron waves to 66.9% after these waves"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Image is from the latest Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovidKids #LCKids #novid #LongCovid
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Image is from the latest Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovidKids #LCKids #novid #LongCovid
June 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
"the proportion of children in the survey who reported good or very good health reduced from 82.6% before NZ's two large Omicron waves to 66.9% after these waves"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Image is from the latest Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovidKids #LCKids #novid #LongCovid
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Image is from the latest Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovidKids #LCKids #novid #LongCovid
Reposted
Call privatisation of health what is is - a huge money heist of NZ taxpayers' money & our future. Private charges double, triple, more for the same procedure. Who's winning, #newzealand and who gave this Coalition right wing a privatisation mandate? Complimentary article -
#kiwi
#nzhealth
#kiwi
#nzhealth
Mammoth Money Heist
Simeon Brown's privatisation push might meet short term KPIs, but at what significant, national cost?
mountaintui.substack.com
June 17, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Call privatisation of health what is is - a huge money heist of NZ taxpayers' money & our future. Private charges double, triple, more for the same procedure. Who's winning, #newzealand and who gave this Coalition right wing a privatisation mandate? Complimentary article -
#kiwi
#nzhealth
#kiwi
#nzhealth
Reposted
Reminder: the Trump admin put a 22-year-old in charge of the country’s domestic terrorism prevention office.
He graduated college last year. And has no known national security expertise.
But he did work for the Trump campaign.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
He graduated college last year. And has no known national security expertise.
But he did work for the Trump campaign.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
“The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention
One year out of college and with no apparent national security expertise, Thomas Fugate is the Department of Homeland Security official tasked with overseeing the government’s main hub for combating v...
www.propublica.org
June 14, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reminder: the Trump admin put a 22-year-old in charge of the country’s domestic terrorism prevention office.
He graduated college last year. And has no known national security expertise.
But he did work for the Trump campaign.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
He graduated college last year. And has no known national security expertise.
But he did work for the Trump campaign.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted
Consumer NZ have made their sunscreen database free to the public and you don't have to be a member! www.consumer.org.nz/articles/con...
Consumer NZ’s 2024 Sunscreen Database Launches: A Powerful Tool for Safer Sun Protection
Consumer NZ has updated its popular free online sunscreen database, offering New Zealanders a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for summer.
www.consumer.org.nz
June 12, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Consumer NZ have made their sunscreen database free to the public and you don't have to be a member! www.consumer.org.nz/articles/con...
Reposted
Check out the most recent round of SPF testing done by the Aussie consumer group Choice, e te whānau. They tested 20 and SIXTEEN didn't meet their SPF claims?! www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbei...
11 sunscreens sold in New Zealand don't meet SPF claims - report
16 out of the 20 popular sunscreens tested didn't meet the mark, including one that was wildly out of reach.
www.rnz.co.nz
June 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Check out the most recent round of SPF testing done by the Aussie consumer group Choice, e te whānau. They tested 20 and SIXTEEN didn't meet their SPF claims?! www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbei...
Reposted
In 2024, nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises.
“We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.” - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Learn more: unicef.link/4klPVdc
“We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.” - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Learn more: unicef.link/4klPVdc
May 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
In 2024, nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises.
“We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.” - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Learn more: unicef.link/4klPVdc
“We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.” - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Learn more: unicef.link/4klPVdc
Reposted
Brand new updated details on how the tax bill enriches rich people, advantages private schools over all other charities, hurts public schools, creates a tax shelter and hurts states. With state by state numbers!
House Tax Bill Enlists the Wealthy to Spread Private School Vouchers
The House tax plan cuts charitable giving tax incentives for donors to most nonprofit groups while roughly tripling the incentive available to donors to groups that fund private K-12 school vouchers. ...
itep.org
May 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Brand new updated details on how the tax bill enriches rich people, advantages private schools over all other charities, hurts public schools, creates a tax shelter and hurts states. With state by state numbers!
I just voted! Vote for NZ's Fungus of the Year 2025: interactives.landcareresearch.co.nz/foty/
Vote for NZ's Fungus of the Year 2025 - Manaaki Whenua Interactives
interactives.landcareresearch.co.nz
May 17, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I just voted! Vote for NZ's Fungus of the Year 2025: interactives.landcareresearch.co.nz/foty/
Reposted
If there were ever a time to call your members of Congress and tell them to vote NO on a bill, now would be the time.
202-224-3121
202-224-3121
The tax breaks in the GOP's "big beautiful bill" would disproportionately help the wealthy — with the richest 1% reaping 25% of the benefits.
Meanwhile, it would kick nearly 9 million people off Medicaid over the decade and slash food assistance programs.
Reverse Robin Hood.
Meanwhile, it would kick nearly 9 million people off Medicaid over the decade and slash food assistance programs.
Reverse Robin Hood.
May 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
If there were ever a time to call your members of Congress and tell them to vote NO on a bill, now would be the time.
202-224-3121
202-224-3121
Reposted
Hey is anyone else really angry that Simeon Brown hid the SIGNIFICANT risks of outsourcing to private hospitals from the public? Why this is not plastered all over news outlet is beyond me - Stuff could easily find "clicks" if they wanted to.
Warnings about serious risks in surgery outsourcing blanked out by Simeon Brown's office
Simeon Brown was told of serious risks in outsourcing surgeries to private hospitals, but his office withheld most of the information.
www.rnz.co.nz
May 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Hey is anyone else really angry that Simeon Brown hid the SIGNIFICANT risks of outsourcing to private hospitals from the public? Why this is not plastered all over news outlet is beyond me - Stuff could easily find "clicks" if they wanted to.
Reposted
Newark air traffic crisis takes terrifying turn — with just one controller to oversee up to 180 takeoffs and landings: ‘Pure insanity’ nypost.com/2025/05/12/u...
Exclusive | Newark air traffic crisis takes terrifying turn — with just one controller to oversee up to 180 takeoffs and landings: ‘Pure insanity’
One air traffic controller (ATC) and a trainee will operate every flight in and out of Newark between 6.30pm-9.30pm — despite 15 staffers being the standard requirement for a shift.
nypost.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Newark air traffic crisis takes terrifying turn — with just one controller to oversee up to 180 takeoffs and landings: ‘Pure insanity’ nypost.com/2025/05/12/u...
Reposted
RFK Jr. update
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, posted photos on Sunday of himself and his grandchildren swimming in a contaminated Washington creek where swimming is not allowed because it is used for sewer runoff.
RFK Jr. Swims in Washington Creek That Flows With Sewage and Bacteria
www.nytimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
RFK Jr. update
Reposted
Today's news roundup:
-ICAO rules Russia was responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines' MH17 flight in 2014
-One in five Gazans face starvation, report warns
-White House Correspondents’ Association "disturbed" by exclusion of wire services from Air Force One
👇
www.justsecurity.org/113316/early...
-ICAO rules Russia was responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines' MH17 flight in 2014
-One in five Gazans face starvation, report warns
-White House Correspondents’ Association "disturbed" by exclusion of wire services from Air Force One
👇
www.justsecurity.org/113316/early...
Early Edition: 13 May, 2025
A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the past 24 hours.
www.justsecurity.org
May 13, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Today's news roundup:
-ICAO rules Russia was responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines' MH17 flight in 2014
-One in five Gazans face starvation, report warns
-White House Correspondents’ Association "disturbed" by exclusion of wire services from Air Force One
👇
www.justsecurity.org/113316/early...
-ICAO rules Russia was responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines' MH17 flight in 2014
-One in five Gazans face starvation, report warns
-White House Correspondents’ Association "disturbed" by exclusion of wire services from Air Force One
👇
www.justsecurity.org/113316/early...
Reposted
Rough! A new study in Science used 14 years of citizen science data tracking the populations of 495 bird species in North America. 75% of species are in decline. One silver lining: almost every species had spots where numbers had grown, which might provide conservation insights.
May 13, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Rough! A new study in Science used 14 years of citizen science data tracking the populations of 495 bird species in North America. 75% of species are in decline. One silver lining: almost every species had spots where numbers had grown, which might provide conservation insights.
Reposted
May 18th is a special day in #Cascadia. In 1980, it was the day Mount St. Helens erupted and reminded us of the immense power of nature in the Pacific NW. It's also unofficially #CascadiaDay, a day to work toward a more free, independent and sustainable #bioregion. What are you doing to celebrate? 🇱🇸
May 13, 2025 at 12:30 AM
May 18th is a special day in #Cascadia. In 1980, it was the day Mount St. Helens erupted and reminded us of the immense power of nature in the Pacific NW. It's also unofficially #CascadiaDay, a day to work toward a more free, independent and sustainable #bioregion. What are you doing to celebrate? 🇱🇸
Reposted
It seems the ideology of privatisation is more important than value for money. ‘Outsourcing to private hospitals was more expensive than expanding public sector capacity, & building new or refurbishing hospitals was also needed, Health NZ execs told Brown in January.1/3
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Health NZ aims to cut surgery waitlists by outsourcing to private hospitals, extending doctors' hours
And it also plans to ask surgeons to work longer hours in a bid to cut the waitlist.
www.rnz.co.nz
May 13, 2025 at 5:01 AM
It seems the ideology of privatisation is more important than value for money. ‘Outsourcing to private hospitals was more expensive than expanding public sector capacity, & building new or refurbishing hospitals was also needed, Health NZ execs told Brown in January.1/3
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted
The House Ways and Means tax bill released today is skewed in favor of rich people, is even more costly than the original 2017 law, and fails to deliver for working-class families and small businesses.
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
May 12, 2025 at 11:42 PM
The House Ways and Means tax bill released today is skewed in favor of rich people, is even more costly than the original 2017 law, and fails to deliver for working-class families and small businesses.
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
Reposted
Thanks to all our paying subscribers for pushing this one over 100 likes. I've now opened it up for full public reading, listening and sharing. Chur! NZ economy sliding into wintry deep freeze thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-c...
NZ economy sliding into wintry deep freeze
NZ Steel surprised at Govt investment freezes; Car sales slump; Housing market stalls
thekaka.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Thanks to all our paying subscribers for pushing this one over 100 likes. I've now opened it up for full public reading, listening and sharing. Chur! NZ economy sliding into wintry deep freeze thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-c...