I absolutely agree politicians should not be meddling in areas where they have no understanding. But, they do that all the time I suppose, influenced by religion and fear - where the very area of meddling is likely to one they are so uncertain of for themselves.
Absolutely I agree with you too Phil - man itches to manage everything (with usual ingredients of entitlement, arrogance, disregard for other forms of life, dishonesty, shortsightedness, hunger for power…etc…!).
In seeking to manage situations (often of their own making - because unsurprisingly bipartisanship is largely absent) politicians do meddle in areas they know or understand little about. And yes, they often seem to do so motivated by religion / their moral stance or fear. And through ignorance and indifference.
It’s easy to pretend you don’t know about something if you just don’t want to know or care about it. Knowing or caring about it would require them to adopt a different (and likely less palatable) narrative.
"Meddling kids" is a famous phrase from Scooby-Doo, used by the nasty villain at the end of most episodes to describe the group of teenagers and their dog Scooby who foil their plans. The line, "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!", became an iconic catchphrase for the original series “Scooby-Do Where are You!“
We put politicians into the space they occupy…with our vote (or the votes of others) in our democratic system (flawed as it may be). They cannot help themselves…they have to meddle. The adversarial nature of politics tends to encourage meddling to underline the contest of ideas. It’s the meddling that lacks consultation, accountability, honesty and a nurturing mindset that I find most upsetting. But like all things unsettling, I have to find a way to rebalance myself and those I care about.
Receiving a message from the voters in the 2026 Election may mean some of the mean-spirited meddling stops or at least subsides for a while.
The next government will unlock this stupidity, one would hope.
Re the MENopause article… it seems to me that women wouldn’t mind the entertainment of having you explain menopause to the men here. Honest, I’ve been through it and I’m not sure what happened… haha.
And women too. I'm in it and STILL finding out new ways its affecting me. It's been kept way too hushhush for way too long, and consequently no one gets it till they get it or live/work/interact with someone going through it. And then still not fully. It is kind of a safety issue too, I mean wouldn't you prefer to know in certain circumstances your loving wife is imagining 16 different ways to end you, just for leaving your cup in the sink? The struggle is real.
We say the same thing dancing around our cauldrons 🤣🧙♀️ Seriously though, it's something that needs discussing, because so many health issues women face in later years directly result from menopause, either it's own symptoms, of which there is a massively strong that we are just expected to shut up and deal with, or from other serious conditions being brushed off, overlooked and ignore because "you're just going through menopause". Things like cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart issues, depression and mental illness, and so on. "How old are you? Oh its just menopause, nothing we can do." Gaahhh!
If you’re going to do it Nick, I’d offer a little advice, if I may. Pick an outdoor location, make sure you get everything very right, and keep the motor running, just in case🙂
Simeon a Victorian man. Winston an old political man. Christopher an easily bought man. David an egotistical man. All think they know better than the experts. Another bad decision for the thoughtful Chris to overturn.
This is how it's been throughout this government: decide what you are going to do, calculate how you can get away with it, take no professional advice or very dodgy advice, then simply announce it. So much damage to people and environment to undo.
This whole "debate" around puberty blockers is solely about Peters' cynical vote catching. Meanwhile kids that suffer precocious puberty are denied them on a regular basis because of the ridiculous and unproven fears about their long term effects. There have been recent studies that show the negative effects don't persist after stopping them. You're right in thinking that the English study shows signs of major flaws.
Mister Peters is boasting on X that this is all NZ First's doing. The last people I would take advice from as a parent are small minded and small bodied politicians like he and Simeon. Christ (yes I'm looking at you Simeon) life is tough enough without politicians interfering on important clinical decisions that can affect someone's whole life. I dread the day (and may it never come) where abortion is back on the agenda because of Christo Fascist politicians - like it is the US.
If puberty blockers are to be most effective in delaying puberty then they need to be taken before growing person has the hormone 'rush' ie puberty that changes their body forever. This gives time for that person to decide if they wish to then proceed with hormone treatment to develop into the adult that they feel they are. It is reversible. I am just relieved that it is not a decision I ever had to make for myself or be involved in with family. No-one would undertake this lightly.
Nick, If you wish to explain your experience of female menopause to other men then go ahead I think. Most women would feel a bit like you, as Jan says it probably comes with as much mystery to women as we experience the changes in body and mind. Probablly more information and more frequent intervention now but still one of lifes mysteries. Interesting in this context as it really is the reversal of hormone changes that happened at puberty for women.
Every woman's experience of menopause is different some glide through hardly noticing others struggle both physically and mentally. Before there was effective birth control available many women might have enjoyed the freedom of post fertility years!
So long as everything is explained to someone considering the ups and downs of transition through the use of puberty blockers, I don’t see any reason for them to be denied the opportunity to choose what they feel is best for them. We have the choice to live in pain or die with dignity if diagnosed with a terminal illness, so why make those already suffering a life they don’t think appropriate for them, suffer even more?
This egregious ban on the right to choose one’s own life brings to mind a related subject. I wonder how this government feels about eugenics? Do they deny the right for people to order a baby of choice at their local clinic, one with big blue eyes, an IQ of 300, blonde, black or brown hair? One that won’t argue or think for itself. A perfect model for a future of knowledge education to make sure they’re successful in life. Sound familiar? A little gentle gene rearrangement couldn’t possibly harm anyone, could it?
It feels especially egregious that the same medications remain available for "other medical conditions such as early-onset puberty, endometriosis, and prostate cancer" (from RNZ article).
But should those patients be worried now? No answers on that but I assume not.
These "unproven" drugs have been in wide use for nearly 50 years, and remain funded and available for young children (with early-onset puberty, for example). To be clear, NZ First are not "halting any new prescribing" of them; they are simply defining what they can be prescribed for, to leverage them for shallow culture-war purposes. The reality is, the way we use drugs changes as our understanding about them changes—hence, Aspirin is now used far more widely for heart health than pain relief; Ozempic is used increasingly for weight loss instead of diabetes etc... What is at the core of this is ignorant and sheltered NZ First supporters who are still struggling with the idea that a mental health condition (such as gender dysphoria) is as worthy of treatment and consideration as a physical health condition is. The same people who don't believe in puberty blockers for gender dysphoria very likely also don't believe 'depression', 'ADHD', or 'PTSD' are anything other than 'attention-seeking'.
The daughter of a very good friend identified as trans when she was 16. Both parents have been amazing supporting their child but it was not without serious mental health risks, but they came through it thanks to the support of a very helpful community. They went up to University this year, settled and happy. The boy Simeon has few, if any, real-world experience, preferring to follow traditional "family values" of an unchristian dogma and a deliberate misunderstanding of what they should be, of acceptance and understanding!
I found it interesting he didn't actually say 'what study' by whom - as we all know we can find a 'study' that will prove exactly what you want it to - in almost every health area in life! It depends who funds the study and how much money they are being paid doesn't it? I would love Dr Gary Payinder's view on this at least he has the medical knowledge to make a comment? Simeon is way out of his depth here!
Thanks, Nick. It's OK to approach subjects you don't know much about, especially if you acknowledge you don't know much about them. It would be impossible to have personal experience on every topic. And actually both the topics you mention are different for every person going through them. My experience of menopause is badly different from my friends, and if I assume my experience is what everyone experiences I will make mistakes and dismiss other people's experiences.
Likewise puberty blockers. It is a tiny group of people who get them, and each one will have a different reason and experience of them. The politicians actually don't care about the mental health or suicide ideation of this group, it's too small to make a voting difference compared to those that think they know best.
Jacinda preached ‘kindness’, Winston prefers ‘not our kind - ness’. And it gets votes, what is wrong with a lot of us?
I absolutely agree politicians should not be meddling in areas where they have no understanding. But, they do that all the time I suppose, influenced by religion and fear - where the very area of meddling is likely to one they are so uncertain of for themselves.
Absolutely I agree with you too Phil - man itches to manage everything (with usual ingredients of entitlement, arrogance, disregard for other forms of life, dishonesty, shortsightedness, hunger for power…etc…!).
In seeking to manage situations (often of their own making - because unsurprisingly bipartisanship is largely absent) politicians do meddle in areas they know or understand little about. And yes, they often seem to do so motivated by religion / their moral stance or fear. And through ignorance and indifference.
It’s easy to pretend you don’t know about something if you just don’t want to know or care about it. Knowing or caring about it would require them to adopt a different (and likely less palatable) narrative.
Wilful blindness.
We invite politicians to meddle.
"Meddling kids" is a famous phrase from Scooby-Doo, used by the nasty villain at the end of most episodes to describe the group of teenagers and their dog Scooby who foil their plans. The line, "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!", became an iconic catchphrase for the original series “Scooby-Do Where are You!“
We put politicians into the space they occupy…with our vote (or the votes of others) in our democratic system (flawed as it may be). They cannot help themselves…they have to meddle. The adversarial nature of politics tends to encourage meddling to underline the contest of ideas. It’s the meddling that lacks consultation, accountability, honesty and a nurturing mindset that I find most upsetting. But like all things unsettling, I have to find a way to rebalance myself and those I care about.
Receiving a message from the voters in the 2026 Election may mean some of the mean-spirited meddling stops or at least subsides for a while.
The next government will unlock this stupidity, one would hope.
Re the MENopause article… it seems to me that women wouldn’t mind the entertainment of having you explain menopause to the men here. Honest, I’ve been through it and I’m not sure what happened… haha.
Don't encourage me, I was only half joking.
😂🤣😂 Menopause is also a mystery to most woman I knew zero about it nobody talked about it.
It is a relevant to Men & it is to women. If Men better understood what women go through it will improves relationships & debunk stereo types.
Hearing another bloke talk about it might resonate with other blokes.
No pressure, Mate😊🙏❤️
And women too. I'm in it and STILL finding out new ways its affecting me. It's been kept way too hushhush for way too long, and consequently no one gets it till they get it or live/work/interact with someone going through it. And then still not fully. It is kind of a safety issue too, I mean wouldn't you prefer to know in certain circumstances your loving wife is imagining 16 different ways to end you, just for leaving your cup in the sink? The struggle is real.
It is a real struggle and .Im surprised we’re not better at reacting, we sure would if it was a men’s thing.
We say the same thing dancing around our cauldrons 🤣🧙♀️ Seriously though, it's something that needs discussing, because so many health issues women face in later years directly result from menopause, either it's own symptoms, of which there is a massively strong that we are just expected to shut up and deal with, or from other serious conditions being brushed off, overlooked and ignore because "you're just going through menopause". Things like cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart issues, depression and mental illness, and so on. "How old are you? Oh its just menopause, nothing we can do." Gaahhh!
If you’re going to do it Nick, I’d offer a little advice, if I may. Pick an outdoor location, make sure you get everything very right, and keep the motor running, just in case🙂
Press submit and then Thelma and Louise it eh?
You get the idea 👍😀
🤣
Go on...
Simeon a Victorian man. Winston an old political man. Christopher an easily bought man. David an egotistical man. All think they know better than the experts. Another bad decision for the thoughtful Chris to overturn.
This is how it's been throughout this government: decide what you are going to do, calculate how you can get away with it, take no professional advice or very dodgy advice, then simply announce it. So much damage to people and environment to undo.
This whole "debate" around puberty blockers is solely about Peters' cynical vote catching. Meanwhile kids that suffer precocious puberty are denied them on a regular basis because of the ridiculous and unproven fears about their long term effects. There have been recent studies that show the negative effects don't persist after stopping them. You're right in thinking that the English study shows signs of major flaws.
Mister Peters is boasting on X that this is all NZ First's doing. The last people I would take advice from as a parent are small minded and small bodied politicians like he and Simeon. Christ (yes I'm looking at you Simeon) life is tough enough without politicians interfering on important clinical decisions that can affect someone's whole life. I dread the day (and may it never come) where abortion is back on the agenda because of Christo Fascist politicians - like it is the US.
If puberty blockers are to be most effective in delaying puberty then they need to be taken before growing person has the hormone 'rush' ie puberty that changes their body forever. This gives time for that person to decide if they wish to then proceed with hormone treatment to develop into the adult that they feel they are. It is reversible. I am just relieved that it is not a decision I ever had to make for myself or be involved in with family. No-one would undertake this lightly.
Nick, If you wish to explain your experience of female menopause to other men then go ahead I think. Most women would feel a bit like you, as Jan says it probably comes with as much mystery to women as we experience the changes in body and mind. Probablly more information and more frequent intervention now but still one of lifes mysteries. Interesting in this context as it really is the reversal of hormone changes that happened at puberty for women.
Every woman's experience of menopause is different some glide through hardly noticing others struggle both physically and mentally. Before there was effective birth control available many women might have enjoyed the freedom of post fertility years!
So long as everything is explained to someone considering the ups and downs of transition through the use of puberty blockers, I don’t see any reason for them to be denied the opportunity to choose what they feel is best for them. We have the choice to live in pain or die with dignity if diagnosed with a terminal illness, so why make those already suffering a life they don’t think appropriate for them, suffer even more?
This egregious ban on the right to choose one’s own life brings to mind a related subject. I wonder how this government feels about eugenics? Do they deny the right for people to order a baby of choice at their local clinic, one with big blue eyes, an IQ of 300, blonde, black or brown hair? One that won’t argue or think for itself. A perfect model for a future of knowledge education to make sure they’re successful in life. Sound familiar? A little gentle gene rearrangement couldn’t possibly harm anyone, could it?
I am angry about the decision to stop prescribing!!
It feels especially egregious that the same medications remain available for "other medical conditions such as early-onset puberty, endometriosis, and prostate cancer" (from RNZ article).
But should those patients be worried now? No answers on that but I assume not.
Not as cut-and-dried as you might think, see my above comment.
These "unproven" drugs have been in wide use for nearly 50 years, and remain funded and available for young children (with early-onset puberty, for example). To be clear, NZ First are not "halting any new prescribing" of them; they are simply defining what they can be prescribed for, to leverage them for shallow culture-war purposes. The reality is, the way we use drugs changes as our understanding about them changes—hence, Aspirin is now used far more widely for heart health than pain relief; Ozempic is used increasingly for weight loss instead of diabetes etc... What is at the core of this is ignorant and sheltered NZ First supporters who are still struggling with the idea that a mental health condition (such as gender dysphoria) is as worthy of treatment and consideration as a physical health condition is. The same people who don't believe in puberty blockers for gender dysphoria very likely also don't believe 'depression', 'ADHD', or 'PTSD' are anything other than 'attention-seeking'.
The daughter of a very good friend identified as trans when she was 16. Both parents have been amazing supporting their child but it was not without serious mental health risks, but they came through it thanks to the support of a very helpful community. They went up to University this year, settled and happy. The boy Simeon has few, if any, real-world experience, preferring to follow traditional "family values" of an unchristian dogma and a deliberate misunderstanding of what they should be, of acceptance and understanding!
Agree 💯 with what you wrote Nick I remember Jacinda saying she listened to science unlike these morons.
I found it interesting he didn't actually say 'what study' by whom - as we all know we can find a 'study' that will prove exactly what you want it to - in almost every health area in life! It depends who funds the study and how much money they are being paid doesn't it? I would love Dr Gary Payinder's view on this at least he has the medical knowledge to make a comment? Simeon is way out of his depth here!
Does Simeon think he's going to be in Government in 2031
🤣
Thanks, Nick. It's OK to approach subjects you don't know much about, especially if you acknowledge you don't know much about them. It would be impossible to have personal experience on every topic. And actually both the topics you mention are different for every person going through them. My experience of menopause is badly different from my friends, and if I assume my experience is what everyone experiences I will make mistakes and dismiss other people's experiences.
Likewise puberty blockers. It is a tiny group of people who get them, and each one will have a different reason and experience of them. The politicians actually don't care about the mental health or suicide ideation of this group, it's too small to make a voting difference compared to those that think they know best.
I see I didn't spot one typo - 'very different' not 'badly!!