America First!

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, November 22nd, 2018 - 96 comments
Categories: Donald Trump, International, Iran, us politics - Tags:

Actual press release from the Trump White House.

The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq’s fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria (who has killed millions of his own citizens), and much more. Likewise, the Iranians have killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East. Iran states openly, and with great force, “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Iran is considered “the world’s leading sponsor of terror.”

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave. They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has agreed to spend billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism.

After my heavily negotiated trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Kingdom agreed to spend and invest $450 billion in the United States. This is a record amount of money. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, tremendous economic development, and much additional wealth for the United States. Of the $450 billion, $110 billion will be spent on the purchase of military equipment from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and many other great U.S. defense contractors. If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries – and very happy to acquire all of this newfound business. It would be a wonderful gift to them directly from the United States!

The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone. Indeed, we have taken strong action against those already known to have participated in the murder. After great independent research, we now know many details of this horrible crime. We have already sanctioned 17 Saudis known to have been involved in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi, and the disposal of his body.

Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an “enemy of the state” and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that – this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!

That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!

I understand there are members of Congress who, for political or other reasons, would like to go in a different direction – and they are free to do so. I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America. After the United States, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producing nation in the world. They have worked closely with us and have been very responsive to my requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels – so important for the world. As President of the United States I intend to ensure that, in a very dangerous world, America is pursuing its national interests and vigorously contesting countries that wish to do us harm. Very simply it is called America First!

The world is a very dangerous place!

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-standing-saudi-arabia/

96 comments on “America First! ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. marty mars 1
    22 November 2018 at 8:29 am

    We are officially in Alice in Wonderland territory. All bets are off.

    • DJ Ward 1.1
      22 November 2018 at 9:22 am

      Can you say what was wrong with his comment?

      • marty mars 1.1.1
        22 November 2018 at 9:29 am

        His mouth opened and words came out.

      • te reo putake 1.1.2
        22 November 2018 at 9:30 am

        How about you impress us all by doing your own analysis, DJ? What was good, was was not good. Let’s see if you can identify the issues.

        • DJ Ward 1.1.2.1
          22 November 2018 at 10:35 am

          We ignor realism.
          Iran has long been the enemy of the US. Similar to Cuba the real dispute began when corporate assets were repatriated. Obviously there’s plenty of argument on justification for than in regards to Iran.
          US being Christian has real fears about a religious takeover of a nation by radical Islam. Especially when the state becomes secondary to the religion. Lots of hypocrisy with Saudi Arabia and Israel.
          Iran has threatened the US, consistently, that is undeniable.
          Iraq was a US proxy in the war against Iran.
          Saudi Arabia is now that proxy.

          Iran is involved as stated by Trump in those war effected nations.
          Yemen was a basket case that began a civil war. Saudi Arabia took sides as there hatred of Iran is greater than the US hatred of Iran. If the Saudis stop fighting in Yemen, Yemen will fully become a proxy of Iran.

          Saudi Arabia has a long history of purchasing military equipment from many nations. Stoping US sales will have no effect on the buying of weapons. In effect supporting the military industrial complex of China or Russia. Agian not friends of the US.

      • Morrissey 1.1.3
        22 November 2018 at 9:42 am

        The very first paragraph is a lie. Replace the word “Iran” with “the Jews” and it’s pretty much a Hitler rant from 1938.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.4
        22 November 2018 at 11:14 am

        Everything that he accuses Iran of there is a) no actual evidence for and b) something that the US has done time and time again. In fact, the reason why Iran is a theocratic state itself is because of the actions of the US from when they overthrew a democracy and put in a puppet dictatorship.

        Hypocrisy is what we consistently get from the RWNJs of the world.

        • DJ Ward 1.1.4.1
          22 November 2018 at 12:25 pm

          I you saying Syria has no Iranian troops fighting for them?

          Anyway interesting nation. Originally invaded by the UK and Russia. Staunch US allies until the revolution. The revolution labelling the US the boogeyman as part of its attempt to destroy desires for democracy by its US supporting opponents.

          It’s not the first time the US put in a puppet, aka Key.

          • Draco T Bastard 1.1.4.1.1
            22 November 2018 at 3:42 pm

            I you saying Syria has no Iranian troops fighting for them?

            I don’t know and don’t care. If the government of Syria invited them in then that’s there concern.

            I do care about the US supported Islamists in Syria that are causing an unnecessary war and apparently doing the US’s bidding.

            Staunch US allies until the revolution.

            No they weren’t. The US installed puppet shah may have been but I doubt that the people were. After all, it’s difficult to like the country that overthrew your elected government and then put in place a dictator that performed all sorts of atrocities on the people.

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAVAK

            Basically, there’s a very good reason why the revolution succeeded against the US’s wishes.

            • DJ Ward 1.1.4.1.1.1
              22 November 2018 at 4:06 pm

              Absolutely. But they were allies.

              The people’s wishes are often different from the governments wishes. Many did not agree with Vietnam but we sent troops anyway.

              People like Morrissey would probably like Israel to be destroyed. The government would prefer a peaceful settlement and freedom as an independent nation for what’s left of Palestine.

              Iran was far more western, like Afganistan, before the religous extremists who hate the US took power.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                22 November 2018 at 4:56 pm

                Iran was far more western, like Afganistan, before the religous extremists who hate the US took power.

                Are you purposefully ignoring the role that the US took in bringing about the Islamist revolution?
                Do you really think that ‘Western’ includes death squads that Iran under the US supported Shah had?

                Yes, Iran and the majority of Iranians hate the US and the west – they have very good reason.

                The US and a hell of a lot of the rest of the ‘West’ have been attacking the ME under different guises and excuses for centuries. The present action of the US and other Western powers in Syria are just another action in that ongoing war.

                • DJ Ward …
                  22 November 2018 at 9:11 pm

                  You didn’t comment on the quote you highlighted. Are you saying they were not more western than today. The treatment of women, clothing rules, education (Afghanistan, not Iran as it has the same 2:1 bias towards females as NZ).

                  You went on a bit af a rant on history that I’m not 100% on, but I new about everything you said.

                  You can go back a bit further by the way.
                  Alexander the Great.

                  Don’t forget The Mongolians.

                  Technically if you believe in Sky Fairies, they were all wiped out by the great flood as well.

              • Morrissey …
                22 November 2018 at 8:25 pm

                People like Morrissey would probably like Israel to be destroyed.

                Idiot. Your ignorance is plain to everybody on this site, and now so is your flagrant dishonesty.

                Go back to Whaleoil, you moron.

                MEMO EDITORS

                Is this fellow to be allowed free rein to make such incendiary false statements? Are there no standards of basic truthfulness and integrity on The Standard any more?

                • DJ Ward …
                  22 November 2018 at 8:39 pm

                  I said probably. You do do a lot of Jew behavour is bad posts. What is your position on Israel then? You seem a little possessed by it, which is fine, but I’m confused by your motive for those posts.

                  I have never once posted on Whale Oil. The only time I’ve even read something there is if a comment links to it, and that’s very rare.

                  Your comment.
                  “Idiot. Your ignorance is plain to everybody on this site, and now so is your flagrant dishonesty.”

                  I apologise if I offended you.

                  • Morrissey …
                    23 November 2018 at 9:32 am

                    I said probably. You do do a lot of Jew behavour [sic] is bad posts.

                    What the FUCK? You ignoramus, what the HELL are you talking about?

                    What is your position on Israel then? You seem a little possessed by it, which is fine, but I’m confused by your motive for those posts.

                    “Possessed” by it? I post about sports, New Zealand politics, the media, literature, education, movies—a whole range of topics. You, with nothing to back it up, claim I am “a little possessed” by Israel. Your statement is worthless.

                    I have never once posted on Whale Oil. The only time I’ve even read something there is if a comment links to it, and that’s very rare.

                    You should. That’s your intellectual level, I’m afraid.

                    Your comment.
                    “Idiot. Your ignorance is plain to everybody on this site, and now so is your flagrant dishonesty.” I apologise if I offended you.

                    You “apologise” in the same breath as your marginally literate claim that I “do a lot of Jew behavour is bad posts.”

                    MEMO TO ADMINISTRATORS OF THIS SITE:

                    Are people like this fellow free to post heinous and fantastic accusations like he has? Is something going to be done about this or not?

                • Ed …
                  22 November 2018 at 8:40 pm

                  We have a new troll.
                  DJ Ward …….

          • Gabby 1.1.4.1.2
            22 November 2018 at 5:03 pm

            Why would anybody be saying that dud4? That’d be mute or sutin.

          • KJT 1.1.4.1.3
            23 November 2018 at 6:19 am

            The USA, and UK, toppled Iran’s democratic government in the 50’s. And installed a despotic dictatorship, the Shah.
            Despite that Iran has signed a non proliferation treaty with the USA.
            It is elements in Saudi Arabia that were responsible for the twin towers. The same organisation the US armed in Syria. The same organisation that Iran opposes. FIFY.
            Most of your statements are nonsense, just like Trump’s.

      • Ed 1.1.5
        22 November 2018 at 4:51 pm

        What was right with it?
        Are you deliberately trolling?

        • DJ Ward 1.1.5.1
          22 November 2018 at 7:54 pm

          He outlined his administrations position on the matter. In that regard it’s correct. That’s different from my Personel view.

          My Personel view is people that believe in sky fairies like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, are crazy. Nothing’s sane when dealing with crazy people.

          The US is an independent collection of states and is free to trade with monsters for all I care. Saudi Arabia, or more correctly a small group within Saudi Arabia is responsible for what happened. Trump is not responsible in any way, nor should any US Buisiness be punished for individuals actions.

          Trump can’t just say we will not trade with this nation. The senate makes those decisions.

          Has NZ suspended trade with Saudi Arabia?
          Has NZ suspended trade with Russia over the UK, Russian poisonings?
          Has NZ suspended trade with Israel for extrajudicial killings?
          Has NZ suspended trade with China for the ethnic cleansing in China?

          To call the press release “Alice in wonderland” is a bit TDS.

          The reality is this. The press release was aimed at the sharemarkets. Cutting 100’s of billions from the economy could cause what is clearly an overheated market to collapse. Trumps obligations are to the people of the US, not you.

          New Zealand is not immune from the global repercussions of things going bad in the US.

      • soddenleaf 1.1.6
        23 November 2018 at 10:10 am

        Trump is only one facet in the problem; Khashoggi as the US resident. Also Trump has options that meet King Salmans own standards, trust and justice, he just is giving time for the Saudis to choose their own future. I.e. do nothing or not.

        Brilliant undermining move on the part of a Arab neighbor, trumped up charges on a UK doctorate student. Brilliant ad for anyone working in a region where they bond foreigners, kill their own messengers, and now fix up the learned. Look past the bling, have they really just been sniffing oil fumes too long. With partners like this no wonder Iran is winning.

    • Stunned Mullet 1.2
      22 November 2018 at 9:22 am

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    22 November 2018 at 8:36 am

    Thanks for that. Fair enough, as far as it goes. The game will change if any of the 17 implicates the CP but since they’re all under the regime’s control that’s highly unlikely. If Trump is clever enough, he will insist that the Saudis send the 17 to Turkey to enable prosecution. If Turkey then provides them with the option of minimal punishment for acting on political orders, and Trump supports them in that, the CP will become expendable…

    • DJ Ward 2.1
      22 November 2018 at 9:37 am

      Good comment. I think that Trumps comment is a version of propaganda in general but you picked out the important point.

      Behind the scenes, the crown prince is a marked man and will likely be replaced.

      The only issue with that is internally in Saudi Arabia he has shown himself to be a powerful, nasty, individual. He has proven with other actions that he will destroy anybody that gets in his way. This recent murder is in this guys playbook.

      Trump says he has personally spoken to the leadership on 5 occasions asking if the Prince did it. They have denied it. Trump also says as you point out, they may know he did it but are yet to prove it.

      Having a good understanding of Trump, my guess is when it’s 100% proven Trump will put the knife in demanding change.

    • soddenleaf 2.2
      23 November 2018 at 10:13 am

      Saudi Arabia isn’t just facing trump ire. The CP has no legacy, and it looks by the week his Dad won’t either. It’s called a heavy weight tied to leg dropped in the ocean.

      • Dennis Frank 2.2.1
        23 November 2018 at 10:29 am

        You think? House of Saud has a century of supreme power behind them, in which domestic competition has been totally eliminated. For your scenario to be realistic, it would have to be a family decision – effectively, a no-confidence vote. Inasmuch as insiders rarely report dissent, we have no basis to assume an imminent shift as far as I know. This tribe-sized family is unique on the global stage.

  3. WeTheBleeple 3
    22 November 2018 at 8:46 am

    Yep. Keeping oil prices down to benefit the world will actually fuck us all.

    Just hope that orange prick is gone in two years and the Dems can thwart him every time he starts on the national security horseshit.

    Mass murder for profit, this is his pivot now. Propagation of chaos and division is all this man has done. Oh, and feed the rich.

    Divest from US companies. Fuck em.

    • Brutus Iscariot 3.1
      22 November 2018 at 9:12 am

      You’re assuming that the establishment disagrees with him. Ties with Saudi go deep into US political circles (both Republican and Democrat).

      A Clinton White House would certainly see a continued cosy relationship.

      What has really happened behind the scenes is that the US have said to MbS – “we will save you (from your internal enemies), but you are now ours”. The first thing they’ve done in return is pump more oil to lower prices – and in future will be even more compliant.

    • DJ Ward 3.2
      22 November 2018 at 9:47 am

      Yemen started under Obama. Please explain.
      Syria started under Obama. Please explain.

      He has announced removal of direct military support in Yemen.

      Last time oil prices rose significantly it triggered the GFC. The next time we get a GFC NZ has no significant reserve capacity for debt to smooth out the effects. Aucklands house price bubble will collapse along with huge job losses.

      • WeTheBleeple 3.2.1
        22 November 2018 at 10:57 am

        There’s plenty to be done; namely, retrofit our country, and save the planet and it’s diversity of inhabitants. Then we can worry about housing bubbles and market speculation.

        House price bubble collapsing, well, as you said: it is a bubble.

        A bauble.

        Divesting from oil and moving into sustainable power generation means we no longer have to worship at the alter of these false deities.

        • DJ Ward 3.2.1.1
          22 November 2018 at 11:05 am

          I’m very pro renewable energy. But as I’m also a realist, I’m not anti oil.

          You don’t save anything from a position of poverty and disorder.

          Positive change is enabled with stability and economy with capacity to invest in change.

      • Tricledrown 3.2.2
        22 November 2018 at 11:18 am

        DJ Ward your full of it no significant capacity for debt pure lies we have one of the lowest govt debts in the world.
        The last GFC didn’t hardly dented Auckland housing prices
        Scare mongering pathetically

        • DJ Ward 3.2.2.1
          22 November 2018 at 12:05 pm

          I’m not scare mongering.
          We had low debt. National used debt to cushion the blow. In doing so it propped up the banks ability to maintain what is an inflated market. Your correct that the result was just a stalling in the market rather than a fall.

          Presently we have debt capacity but that takes NZ into heavily in debt. A step closer to a failed economy.

          Stock markets are overheated and corrections are taking place. Tech stocks have recently dropped 20% as speculation and real incomes clash.

          You are very wrong in thinking much higher fuel prices would not trigger financial instability. Even the recent stock market burp coincided with fuel price rise.

          If you took at a loan today at 4% to buy an Auckland house, maxing you income out to get in the market, your in danger. If interest rates go to 6%, a not unreasonable possibility that persons payments rise by 50%. They will loose everything.

          We have low government debt but dangerously high banking debt.

          Scaremongering is the opposite of putting ones head in the sand.
          I was just commenting.
          The scaremongering was in your mind.

          • Tricledrown 3.2.2.1.1
            22 November 2018 at 12:32 pm

            More scaremongering when markets are down interest rates go down.
            You understand very little about economics.

      • Gabby 3.2.3
        22 November 2018 at 5:12 pm

        Yennah dud4.
        Yennah dud4.
        Don’t try and blame the Barmer for middle east shitholism.

        • DJ Ward 3.2.3.1
          22 November 2018 at 5:55 pm

          Actually if you read my comment.

          I stated a fact, in both cases.

          The intimacies of that fact is open to broader analysis.
          You imply that the US engaged in no military actions or supporting actions prior to the arrival of Trump.

          Blame?

          Yemen is a poorer nation with the same religous conflicts that Iraq has. Yemen groups were engaged in piracy. Obama is not responsible for Yemen and on that basis neither is Trump. Unless you have double standards, then you might be correct.

          Let’s see. Obama policy in Iraq resulted in ISIS gaining strength. Obama supported the rebels in Syria as pro Israel, anti Assad policy. While Bush created the mess, specifically related to oppression of opportunity for the minority (no 2) religion in Iraq, Obama failed to address the underlining resulting civil war, and let the result, ISIS develope for far to long.

          What does dud4 translate too, sorry I’m not a millenial snowflake, but I converse in plain English. With spelling mistakes.

  4. Micko 4
    22 November 2018 at 8:49 am

    I thought this was satire, until I got to the link at the bottom. An example of Poe’s law, but operating in the reverse direction.

  5. Cinny 5
    22 November 2018 at 9:14 am

    Sounds like Saudia Arabia first, rather than America.

    Maybe if a business leader, a beauty queen or hollywood star had been murdered instead of a journalist he would have a different outlook.

    Of course it would have nothing to do with jared kushner being so buddy buddy with MBS.

    • Michelle 5.1
      22 November 2018 at 9:36 am

      Sounds like trump family first more like it and America second

    • soddenleaf 5.2
      23 November 2018 at 10:18 am

      beats me how the U.S. wins by telling dissenters not to expect help from the U.S. given how they nedd Intel on both enemies and friends alike. Anyway how is killing a us resident coz he writes stuff people pay to read, and interfering in a u.s. election any different, it’s the same motivation, too mess with America. Making America Great again, hardly.

  6. Nick 6
    22 November 2018 at 9:28 am

    Anything decent or coherent from tfrump was an honest mistake (the first honest thing he’s done) . Hopefully the dems, and the independents can lame duck him long enough to minimize anymore damage he’s doing to the world.

    • DJ Ward 6.1
      22 November 2018 at 9:59 am

      At least he had the intelligence to go into a debate unequiped intellectually, while the superstar intellect Clinton had to be given the questions and prepared answers. Clinton still lost the debate.

      Just saying.

      People are making a childish mistake when they call Trump stupid.

      Actually he just signed a bipartisan prison reform law that is more Labour like than Labour can manage. So no lame duck sorry, he’s too smart for that to happen.

      He is actually a Democrate, who was rejected by the Democrates, so he did the smartest thing in US political History. He stole the Republican nomination.

      • boggis the cat 6.1.1
        23 November 2018 at 12:11 am

        Trump could well be the stupidest US President so far. He is certainly an infantile, vain, despicable, and craven petty tyrant.

        If you approve of such a person, then it doesn’t reflect well on you.

        • DJ Ward 6.1.1.1
          23 November 2018 at 12:57 am

          As far as I’m concerned as soon as you used the term stupid to describe Trump you revealed you don’t have a clue what your talking about.
          The use of the term infantile was childish.
          Vain indicates you think your better than him, which is vanity.
          Despicable is a strong word for a person with no criminal convictions.
          Craven petty tyrant is interesting because you used the word petty which is completely appropriate for your comment. I have no idea how you came to the conclusion he is a coward or that he is a cruel and oppressive ruler.

          Diagnoses TDS.

          • McFlock 6.1.1.1.1
            23 November 2018 at 1:33 am

            You think it’s all just a contrivance? Calling the burnt town he was just looking at “Pleasure” instead of “Paradise”, the line about raking the forests, the tweets, the transparent corruption of deploying troops to the border before the election and drawing them down after it, and so on?

            It’s a possibility that passes my mind every so often, but I suspect it’s more a case of “cometh the hour, cometh the narcissistic and stupid piece of shit”.

  7. SaveNZ 7
    22 November 2018 at 9:28 am

    I’d say siding with Saudi about a cold blooded murder, has just lost Trump the election.

    (unless the Democrats screw it up, by being completely out of touch an go with an identity politics campaign aka vote for me, I’m a women! or having dirty in fighting against the more left of their democrats or still pressing the pro globalisation buttons).

    • Morrissey 7.1
      22 November 2018 at 9:46 am

      Since when did siding with a country about cold blooded murders cost any U.S. president an election?

      How many times did Obama meet with Netanyahu before the 2012 election?

      • SaveNZ 7.1.1
        22 November 2018 at 10:06 am

        I think a taped torture and murder extensively internationally published around the world of a US citizen and journalist, with the president saying meh, has struck a cord. Even republicans can’t stomach it.

        Other presidents had their security forces create distraction, in this case, Trump is directly undermining his own CIA.

        US don’t like weakness and Trump giving Saudi a free pass on this, also after 9/11 makes US look weak. People are getting wise to the Iran/Syria bogeyman story in the Middle East as why the US always covers Saudi’s arse.

        It is the Democrats election to lose and lets hope they did some soul searching on how they got so lazy, complacent and out of touch, that Trump beat them last time.

        • DJ Ward 7.1.1.1
          22 November 2018 at 10:59 am

          How is he undermining the CIA. It was the CIA who investigated and showed him their findings. They believe the Prince did it, but have not proven it.

          The President does not control the CIA.

          I’m pretty certain the Saudi regime is feeling the pressure over this.

          The Democrates are too rapt up in identity politics, the never Trumpers, irrational things like Russian collusion. Plus some very radical socialists. The biggest boogeyman for the Democrates is they have no stand out candidates for president. Trump will have 5 years practice and will be a formidable opponent.

      • North 7.1.2
        24 November 2018 at 9:23 am

        Bad Man Morrissey !
        You’re do-doing your bad stories do Jews thingy of Ward’s accusatory fascination.
        Jeepers Morrissey !!!

        • Morrissey 7.1.2.1
          24 November 2018 at 9:43 am

          Ward, like Gosman, is some fool from the National Party. Like Gosman, he’s a waste of time.

    • JessNZ 7.2
      22 November 2018 at 2:48 pm

      The Saudis had clear links to the 9/11 mass murders that were never seriously investigated (commission LOL), but GW Bush has yet to admit or be held accountable for his protectionism.

      https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/16/911-report-release-saudi-arabia-us-relations

      Most Republican voters will barely acknowledge that Khashoggi was a person (wrong colour) much less someone they should care about and act on (weird story, sounds like a movie, happened in a country they couldn’t find on a map, full of non-white people).

      You should hear them reinvent the facts any time a nonwhite person gets murdered by police or violent armed racists in the US, or their hometowns. And by 2020, few will remember Khashoggi at all.

  8. Cinny 8
    22 November 2018 at 11:41 am

    The Iranian Foreign Minister put out a tweet yesterday in response…. made me laugh.

    “Mr. Trump bizarrely devotes the FIRST paragraph of his shameful statement on Saudi atrocities to accuse IRAN of every sort of malfeasance he can think of.

    “Perhaps we’re also responsible for the California fires, because we didn’t help rake the forests – just like the Finns do?”

    https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1064951977174581249

  9. Gosman 9
    22 November 2018 at 12:26 pm

    I’m not sure what the issue here is.

    The US has decided to make Saudi Arabia their key Arab ally in the Middle East to counter the influence of Iran. I personally don’t think they should do this because of the Islamic ideology underpinning that country but I can also see why they would given the amount of money and oil the Saudi’s have and the lack of any other alternative in the region (Iraq was a potential alternative but seems to be closer to Iran than the US at the moment).

    All the US is doing here is engaging in realpolitik. The Saudi regime is unpalatable but it is less unpalatable than the alternative.

    • Bewildered 9.1
      22 November 2018 at 1:24 pm

      Yep people tend to confuse individual morales with the morales of the state, completely different contexts The state has a lot of power to do and does things for the greater good that no individual can do or would be wrong Thus the US decision by way of trump as democratically elected leader is completely rationale and morale from a US point of view, State sanctioned murder on behalf of the Saudi king is not

  10. joe90 10
    22 November 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen

    Lying pricks.

    This was a local war until Saudi Arabia intervened, and consequently Iran began supplying low level support to Houthi insurgents.

    • Bewildered 10.1
      22 November 2018 at 2:27 pm

      Yes Iran is a virtue of peace love and harmony in the region (sarc)

      • ianmac 10.1.1
        22 November 2018 at 3:34 pm

        Bewildered can you name one country attacked by Iran in the last 200 years?
        Can you name more than ten countries USA has attacked in the last 200 years?

        • Gosman 10.1.1.1
          22 November 2018 at 4:08 pm

          The Ottoman empire, Russia, and Afghanistan were all attacked by the country that is now known as Iran in the past 200 years. They also invaded the US embassy in 1979

          • ianmac 10.1.1.1.1
            22 November 2018 at 4:21 pm

            Russia V Iran 1828
            Ottoman V Iran 1823
            Afghanistan boundary changes for ages and a bit hard to identify attacks.

            Hardly the warlike image used by Trump, certainly not in recent history. However USA heavily sponsored Iraq to try and invade Iran in the 1980s but Iran repelled the American efforts. Poor losers?

            • Gosman 10.1.1.1.1.1
              23 November 2018 at 12:52 pm

              The US did not encourage Iraq to invade Iran in 1980. They may have turned a blind eye to it and latter provided (limited) intelligence information to the Iraqis but Iraq was never a close ally of the US in the 1980’s

          • Ed 10.1.1.1.2
            22 November 2018 at 4:53 pm

            And the U.S.?

        • Bewildered 10.1.1.2
          22 November 2018 at 5:37 pm

          Have not got time to go through list but Japan and Germany are to good ones from nz point of view

          On Iran see Gosmsn

      • Gabby 10.1.2
        22 November 2018 at 5:17 pm

        One extreme to the other beewee.

  11. Ad 11
    22 November 2018 at 4:01 pm

    The global left is being squeezed out by populists, fundamentalists, militants and tyrants.

    We don’t need to turn into Kissingers but we need to get our heads around this and engage.

    • boggis the cat 11.1
      23 November 2018 at 12:18 am

      It looks to me like ‘the left’ is making a strong come-back in the US. That bodes well if it continues.

      Also, on the subject of ‘the global left’; there has been a resurgence in leftist student activism in China (of all places). Interesting interview on this topic here: https://youtu.be/3szD60z53yc

  12. gsays 12
    22 November 2018 at 4:13 pm

    My initial response was that there was breathtaking honesty when trump said about not wanting to rattle the Saudis because they spend so much money with the US corporations.

    In a nutshell, why we are stuffed.

    • Bewilderd 12.1
      22 November 2018 at 5:34 pm

      Yep same reason we don’t want to rattle Chinese or the US, it’s simply geopolitics you can’t change. Countries will always have competing interests, relative bargaining positions and priorities requiring trade offs, concessions and picking your battles To think otherwise is naive

  13. Macro 13
    22 November 2018 at 9:36 pm

    Here is the opening statement of an op ed written by Fred Ryan who is publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post. (the paper for which Khashoggi wrote). Fred Ryan served as an assistant to President Ronald Reagan.

    A clear and dangerous message has been sent to tyrants around the world: Flash enough money in front of the president of the United States, and you can literally get away with murder.

    In a bizarre, inaccurate and rambling statement — one offering a good reminder why Twitter has character limits — President Trump whitewashed the Saudi government’s brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In the process, the president maligned a good and innocent man, tarring Khashoggi as an “enemy of the state” — a label the Saudis themselves have not used publicly — while proclaiming to the world that Trump’s relationship with Saudi Arabia’s 33-year-old crown prince was too important to risk over the murder of a journalist. Whatever objections people may have to our turning a blind eye to Khashoggi’s assassination, the president argued, they do not outweigh the (grossly inflated) revenue we can expect from U.S.-Saudi arms deals.

    My bold.

  14. R.P Mcmurphy 14
    23 November 2018 at 7:13 am

    war is like love. it will always find a way; Bertolt Brecht: ‘Mother Courage’

  15. greywarshark 15
    23 November 2018 at 8:35 am

    The morning tennis game DJW against all comers is on; DJW shows stamina and cunning, will his moves dominate the brave little TS who often show innovative moves and bring ebullience to the fore against bullying from RW doggedness?

  16. Robert Glennie 16
    24 November 2018 at 12:26 pm

    At the start of 2015 if one had said Trump would be President a good many including myself would have laughed out loud. But starting later that year, step by step, not only has he become President, but the barometer for American credibility is in free fall with no idea where the bottom of the abyss is – if there even is one.

    Just today I saw that he was having another go at getting transgenders out of the U.S. military, which I assume means the L’s, the G’s, the B’s in L.G.B.T. are next. Which kind of undermines his supposed support for the U.S. military by denying it potentially thousands of recruits.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 hours ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T01:59:41+00:00