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November 19, 2010. A methane explosion ripped through the mine on the West Coast. Twenty-nine workers died. The mine had inadequate ventilation, faulty equipment, non-functioning gas sensors, and no safe emergency exit. Management knew. The Trade Union knew. Government regulators knew. Widows Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse met  with Workplace Safety Minister Brooke van Velden on the 15th anniversary of the Pike River disaster. Anna Osborne  said after the meeting,  “I don’t know, I’ve come out of there still feeling really unhappy because there’s just no guarantees that people who go to work are going to return home safely,” Workplace Safety Minister Brooke van VeldenRead More →

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I watched Jack Tame on TV One (Sunday 9 November 2025)  interview Stephen Rowe, from The US CATO Institute,  a visiting  American PR non-stop talker who threw the word “freedom” around as if it was prepared and given free with every big Mac hamburger and a fizzy drink.  I was angry and shocked at this Trump like figure who got much more airtime than his thin content deserved. But we are a country of “free speech”. So will I shut up? NO!!!!!! He made think of George Orwell. This PR man is not responsible for promoting any war, but his style of talking could alsoRead More →