Power cut off, woman dies

[Mr. Peanut]

An unfortunate circumstance. I don't see the point in jumping up and down about it though.

Fucking media feeding frenzy if you ask me, nice to see politicians jumping on the gravy train too.

"Mr Sheehan said after the machine went off Mrs Muliaga had become faint, had difficulty breathing, and complained of headaches and being unable to see, before collapsing."

If she had time to say that, how about calling an ambulance Mr Sheehan?

[Beemer]

"Mr Sheehan said after the machine went off Mrs Muliaga had become faint, had difficulty breathing, and complained of headaches and being unable to see, before collapsing."

If she had time to say that, how about calling an ambulance Mr Sheehan?

I emailed Close Up but they didn't refer to my comments - bet they won't tomorrow either as I basically said what you did. If she had collapsed and died within minutes, you could understand the outcry, but she was alive for THREE HOURS - surely enough time for her family to seek help.

Those contractors get given all sorts of sob stories and unfortunately they are paid to do a job, not get involved in the politics. Most power companies require a doctor's certificate before they will believe you and even her doctors are saying they gave her the oxygen as a back up, not for 24-hour use.

[Hitcher]

I am beginning to feel that the two events were little more than an unfortunate coincidence, rather than cause and effect. But there is faint hope of explaining that to the professionally indignant who are baying for the head of John The Baptist on a plate because they see political mileage in that.

[oldrider]

If you can be prosecuted for dangerous driving, you should be able to be prosecuted for dangerous writing or reporting!

Doesn't personal responsibility exist in New Zealand any more? John.

[Steam]

If you can be prosecuted for dangerous driving, you should be able to be prosecuted for dangerous writing or reporting!

Yeah, we need to have less free speech, we can't have people saying things that aren't certified by some higher authority as being guaranteed true.

[oldrider]

Yeah, we need to have less free speech, we can't have people saying things that aren't certified by some higher authority as being guaranteed true.

Quite agree with your inference but with freedom comes responsibility and consequence of action. John.

[MD]

Good to see the Hospital spokesperson pointing out that the machine was not a life support or life saving machine - it was for providing temporary assistance with breathing, as Hitcher said, not intended for 24/7 use. It seems there was an underlying serious medical issue behind the media smokescreen.
The media take on this is pissing me off.

At the risk of sounding like a heartless bastard and racist, this family have been here 6 years and I wonder how much they have drained from our health system in that time and will do over their unhealthy lives. The family and especially the kids were at the upper end of obesity, even by island standards. Gosh, I wonder why they have health problems? Double gosh, I wonder who will pay for the treatment?

[Babelfish]

two words: "natural selection"

How sad that a a family is raised t such a degree of robotic support that none of them could proactively defend their household within a modern society. Apparently able to converse freely with the television cameras, they had obviously undertaken a days intense lesson in english as such communication was seemingly impossible for either the last seven weeks dealing with the power company, or talking to the miriad of relatives that could have plugged mummy in.

Ok, a bit harsh but to a degree this is backlash to a pathetic media frenzy yet again stirring up mayhem soup from megre ingredients. I do feel for a family that has lost their mother, and how much the must be looking for someone to blame, but they have nobody but themselves.

If anyone thinks that you no longer have to struggle to survive in this world, here's an example of what happens when you think you no longer have to work toward doing so.

[LilSel]

Its hard on the employess of the SOE too... Abuse galore

[terbang]

Gosh, I wonder why they have health problems? Double gosh, I wonder who will pay for the treatment?

Gosh I guess that just like you and I they, being working people, would have also paid TAX in the last 6 years. Get the point..?

Take a long hard look at yerself in the mirror and ask yourself: Would I be spitting the same Xenophobic vitriol if it had been someone in my own family. Unless you are Maiori, then you also cannot deny your own immigrant roots. Seems some have forgotten that.
Sheesh, listing to all the bigoted, and in some cases white supremest attitudes dressed up as 'sounds a bit harsh' here makes me feel a bit ashamed to use the term Kiwi...

[Lias]

Jeez Lias I just Googled yer signature: Its not even an origional and is word for word here:Turner Diaries written by:

I know where it comes from (Gee I can google too!).. I still like the quote.

My old man and many other Kiwis went to war against these ideals and others.
I truly hope you are only taking the piss..?

Both my grandfathers fought in WW2, and my foster father fought in malay and vietnam. They put their lives on the line for the right of both of us to have differing opinions.

Gosh I guess that just like you and I they, being working people, would have also paid TAX in the last 6 years. Get the point..?

Take a long hard look at yerself in the mirror and ask yourself: Would I be spitting the same Xenophobic vitriol if it had been someone in my own family. Unless you are Maiori, then you also cannot deny your own immigrant roots. Seems some have forgotten that.
Sheesh...

Even maori are immigrants, surely you know the story of the hawaiki and the 7 great waka? My personal opinion (which I'm fairly sure you will disagree with) is that recent immigrants should arrive in NZ speaking proper english, with enough money to support themselves, and should get no subsidised services (such as healthcare) for 5-10 years after they obtain citizenship.

You talk of us taking a look in the mirror, can you honestly say that you would ever let your families power bill be so overdue it was disconnected? I know I've lived on the bones of my arse at times yet I've never had my power cut off. If I had a relative who needed power for their health I'd be even more vigilant.

Few other things I'll comment on as well. The family (excepting the father) were all extremely obese. Seems like the family could afford to eat well but not pay the power. They were also talking about "compensation" with 24 hours of their mothers death. That makes me doubt their story and motives even more. If your mothers just died normal peopel dont start asking for a payout right away!

[terbang]

Both my grandfathers fought in WW2, and my foster father fought in malay and vietnam.

Which side were they on..?

[Lias]

Which side were they on..?

All 3 served in the NZ Armed Forces

[SimJen]

the family watched her die for 2 hours.....they said so themselves.
The son said he wanted to call an ambulance but the mother wouldn't let him.
Stupid bastards, if it was my mother I would have got the ambulance within 10 minutes no matter what she said......
Media is taking the wrong end of the story as usual.
Media bullshit.

[LilSel]

'Trade unionists and community activists will picket outside Mercury Energy';s headquarters this afternoon, following Mrs Muliaga's case. '

Oh great... I guess that means we're on lockdown again... No ciggie breaks for me today!!