In today’s episode of Solid Ground, Simon covers the news of the day and take your comments and questions. Topics include:
📌 Strategic Voting & Value Your Vote — A recap of yesterday’s Political Playback special on strategic voting, plus Family First’s Value Your Vote resource at valueyourvote.nz — breaking down party leader votes and MP voting records on matters of faith, principle, and family.
📌 New NZ Road Rules (1 October) — Four new road rules take effect today: 1.5m passing distance from non-motor vehicles, parents cycling with kids on footpaths, e-scooters in bike lanes, and giving way to buses pulling out in 60km/h zones.
📌 Flydubai Hijacking Attempt — A co-pilot attacked the pilot on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv in an apparent 9/11-style hijacking attempt. Passengers intervened and a tragedy was averted.
📌 Accountability — Tauranga Council CEO departure following the Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy, and the ongoing lack of accountability for MBIE’s $50M software failure.
📌 Eiffel Tower CEO Resigns — After forcing female staff to leave for a Hindu religious group visit, the Eiffel Tower CEO has stepped down. A reminder that Western values — including equal treatment of men and women — must be upheld.
📌 Canadian Euthanasia Ad — A look at a TV ad running in Canada promoting assisted suicide, and the disturbing paradox of celebrating “beauty” while choosing to end life.
📌 NZ University Rankings Sliding — Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury, and others continue to drop in world rankings as universities prioritize DEI, climate activism, and political indoctrination over academic excellence.
📌 The Absurdity of Progressive Thinking — From nail polish being called “white supremacy” to buttons being “sexist” to enjoying a rural pub being labelled “far-right” — the growing absurdity of viewing everything through a lens of oppression.
📌 Read Beyond the Headlines — Media misreporting on executions and crime stories involving trans-identified individuals, and why you should always look beyond the headlines. 🔔 Tune in tonight (Thursday) — Political Playback is live at 5 PM with Bob and me discussing the political news of the week.
