American political right -spectacular self-harm

Written By: - Date published: 9:51 am, July 29th, 2017 - 42 comments
Categories: us politics - Tags: , , , ,

I know that insane news out of America has become predictably ho-hum, but really, this week has been stunning. For an overview see: Donald Trump’s manic, fantastical and utterly disastrous week, and White House week of chaos ends in open warfare.

The antics new White House communications director are a standout train wreck. Must read: Anthony Scaramucci Called Me to Unload About White House Leakers, Reince Priebus, and Steve Bannon, and dishonourable mention: The 35 most eye-popping quotes from Anthony Scaramucci’s CNN interview.

Of more practical significance, last night saw the final implosion of the Republican’s insane hatred of “Obamacare”. They couldn’t replace it. They couldn’t replace it again (and again). Then they couldn’t repeal it. Then they couldn’t even “skinny” repeal bits of it. Seven years of political posturing shown up for the madness that it was. There is now a real risk that the Republican administration will break healthcare deliberately and burn their own people out of spite. That’s the level of right-wing politics in America.

How much worse will it get?

https://twitter.com/EconomistOnce/status/891020224987885569

42 comments on “American political right -spectacular self-harm ”

  1. Andre 1

    Gee, you didn’t even mention that Priebus has been dumped. Guess it’s all moving so fast…

    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/28/politics/john-kelly-chief-of-staff/index.html

    As for the Obamacare repeal debacle, as usual it’s women quietly doing the work behind the scenes and taking the heat to do the right thing, then a showboating male waltzes in at the last second and takes the credit.

    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/28/16055132/murkowski-collins-mccain

    • joe90 1.1

      The new guy.

      As head of SOUTHCOM, Trump’s pick for Homeland Security secretary facilitated atrocities across the Americas.

      […]

      This will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with US involvement in Latin America, but I’ll say it anyway: SOUTHCOM does some really bad things.

      From 2011 until last February, the man who will soon sit in the “war on terror’s” front office oversaw a command whose recent misdeeds range from buying overseas sex with military money and circulating slur-filled emails about the commander in chief to sheltering a Chilean war criminal, plotting the Honduran coup, and putting guns in the hands of Colombian death squads.

      https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/12/trump-kelly-homeland-security-southcom-colombia-honduras/

      • Andre 1.1.1

        I can’t think of a nicer bunch of people for him to exercise his talents on than Trump staffers.

      • joe90 1.1.2

        Oh dear.

        ( paywalled with no cache available / private window did the trick)

        IDENTIFYING THE WORST member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet is no easy task. From Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently mocking the state of Hawaii to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson being completely over his head to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and HUD Secretary Ben Carson being, well, Betsy DeVos and Ben Carson, the competition is fierce.

        This week, however, a new strong contender emerged: Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

        Trump abruptly replaces chief of staff, naming John Kelly

        When Kelly, a former decorated Marine general, was nominated to be head of Homeland Security many hailed the pick and said Kelly would bring competence and sanity to an administration lacking in both qualities.

        Not so much.

        https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2017/04/25/homeland-security-john-kelly-unhinged/viy0TgjP0p54ovFHDWO8KJ/story.html

  2. Sanctuary 2

    The Preibus move could be the beginning of the end for Trump. Preibus is extremely powerful in the GOP establishment. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell described the attacks on Priebus as “beyond stupid” and condemned a super PAC aligned with Mr. Trump that started an ad campaign against Senator Dean Heller, Republican of Nevada, after he said last week that he opposed the health care bill (in this case, they will probably allow the democrats to win the seat in the mid-terms).

    All up, the crazy wing of the GOP – as in, so crazy it makes the Tea Party faction look sane – has declared open war on the GOP establishment by sacking Preibus. The GOP has no one but itself to blame for this melt down, it is like any extremist ideological organisation that breaks into factions, you know, Peoples Front for the liberation of Judea, the Judean Peoples Front, the Front for the Liberation of Judea, etc etc etc.

    Ultimately though what sacking Preibus does is open the door for a bi-partisan majority to impeach Trump in the senate. Up till now, I didn’t think that was possible – but if the GOP establishment decides Trump has crossed a political Rubicon, then the Russia investigation will do just nicely for them.

    • Andre 2.1

      There’s still the factor that there’s still hard-core Trumpkins that will continue to worship the malignant orange homunculus no matter what he does. Any Republican that votes to impeach or convict will earn their eternal wrath.

      So the only Republicans that will dare to do that are the ones that don’t want to run again, or the few from states where Trump is very unpopular but antipathy to Dems is stronger, such as Utah. There’s only maybe half a dozen Repug senators that fit that description, well short of the 19 that would be needed to get to the 2/3 majority needed to convict in the Senate.

      Even firing Sessions, a former member of the chummy senate club, is unlikely to rile senators enough that they’ll put their political future at risk to do the right thing.

      • Johan 2.1.1

        To Andre,

        “There’s only maybe half a dozen Repug senators that fit that description, well short of the 19 that would be needed to get to the 2/3 majority needed to convict in the Senate.” Flawed!
        The real problem in your analysis is that in 2018 the US has their mid-term elections with some 33 seats in the Senate up for grabs, not to mention seats available in the House of Representatives. Thus impeachment can very well be on the cards.
        Under Trump the Republicans are on a very slippery downward slope. We saw it with Senator John McCain, in a highly significant move, casting the deciding vote not to ditch ObamaCare. For the Republicans, having a majority in the House of Reps and Senate, while not to support Trump legislation is most significant. The lack of support for Trump is due to a possible backlash by voters in individual states against Trump’s unpopular proposed policies.

        • Andre 2.1.1.1

          In 2018, the Democrats are defending 25 of those senate seats and the Repugs are only defending 8.

          Of those 25 the Dems are defending, 10 are in states the Chump won. Only one of the seats the Repugs are defending is in a state Clinton won (Dean Heller in Nevada). In Arizona, Jeff Flake (and possibly a second vacant seat if McCain makes an early vacancy) are vulnerable. Then the next most vulnerable seats are the likes of Ted Cruz in Texas , Bob Corker in Tennessee.

          So let’s imagine the Dems get really lucky and do outstandingly well in 2018 and successfully defend all their seats, and pick up 4 more (Nevada, Arizona x 2, plus one more). That only gets them to 52 senators, so 15 Repug senators would still be needed to flip for conviction to remove the Chump. That still looks very very unlikely. What’s more likely is the senate Dems are still the minority after 2018 with at best 50 seats.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2018

  3. Trump sitting back smirking. I think it will work out for the don – time for another rally. The mooch has been unleashed for a reason – fear, purge, acquiescence.

    • Johan 3.1

      That is the problem for Trump, he runs the presidency like he would his multi times bankrupt business empire. For this reason Trump will continue to become unstuck, as he keeps rearranging the chairs on the Titanic. The Founding Fathers of the United States have installed a system of checks and balances, specific for the people that characterizes the Trumps and Nixons.

  4. Ad 4

    Hang in there Trump.
    The Dems have still got another year minimum before they sort their own shit out.

    Still, fun to watch.

  5. RedLogix 5

    I keep wondering exactly what it will take for some grown-ups to stride firmly into the Oval Office, grasp him by both elbows and say “OK you’ve had your fun, time for beddy bys”.

    Everyone keeps saying the military won’t do it and I can see why. But at what point will they have no other option?

    • lprent 5.1

      Probably about the time that he orders a military action that the military cannot stomach and can’t see any rationale for. To date it appears that hasn’t happened.

    • Ad 5.2

      The American people will start to react properly when they lose something they feel they deserve.

      If the Republican healthcare proposals go through and Obamacare dies, that would be a significant moment.

      American citizens will become the right kind of conservative if such a major loss occurs.

  6. bwaghorn 6

    that scaramuci is straight out of The Sopranos, it just keeps getting better , crazy times .

  7. greywarshark 8

    Here is a story about Trump – always interesting and it may enhance our understanding of him and USA politics, or not.

    https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-tower-luxury-high-rises-dirty-money-international-crime-syndicate
    Trump’s Russian Laundromat
    How to use Trump Tower and other luxury high-rises to clean dirty money,
    run an international crime syndicate,
    and propel a failed real estate developer into the White House.

    • Mrs Brillo 8.1

      Thanks for that link. Wondered how the US Mafia and the Russian Mafia intersected. Looks like Trump is the smoking gun. Shocking stuff.

      • greywarshark 8.1.1

        It seems that we are being run by the mafia. We have been told that private enterprise is more efficient than government.

        The mafia are good at what they do – impose taxes on citizens calling it ‘protection money’ – which is what we thought we had a government for.

        Maybe the mafia can do it better than the government – private enterprise slips onto the seat that government has kindly vacated. Sad how dumb we are.

  8. So we would rather have Obama, then,…OK, ….

    Has Trump done this sort of thing as of yet?

    Obama Orders Children Murdered! RED ALERT URGENT … – YouTube
    Video for Obama Orders Children Murdered you tube▶ 13:31

    • You illustrate why the 2am postings are never a great idea.

    • rhinocrates 9.2

      They’re not murdered, they’re sent to slave labour camps on Mars!

      (Infowars? Oh jeez)

      • WILD KATIPO 9.2.1

        And so ,… the very same news sources you get your data from are the same ‘ trusted ‘ news outlets that you rail against and criticize ?

        Make up your mind, please. Its either one or the other.

        And if the facts are the facts ?

        Why try and deny em ?

        Point is ,- is Trump a kid killer as opposed to Obama and Killary ( Libya) …?

        No.

        Got a problem with that?

  9. HYPOCRITE’S !!!

    Let you who are without sin , – cast the first stone !!!

    – JESUS of NAZARETH.

    ……………………………………….

    John 8:7

    King James Bible

    So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

    • This was in the context of the legalistic and misogynistic religious beliefs of the middle east in ancient Judea.

      It was recorded that first the scribes, then the Sadducee’s , then the Pharisee’s left silently one by one until that blood thirsty crowd dispersed as they realized they were nothing but hypocrites in demanding the letter of the law without the compassion of the law . It was revolutionary and it was a contributing factor in Christs brutal execution because he spoke truth to power and challenged corrupt authority.

      A lot like Metiria Turei has.

      You deride Trump continually but deny Obama and his potential successor Hilary Clinton were not murderers. Yet it was in Clinton’s own words that ” we came , we saw , he died” regarding Muammar Gaddafi.

      Clinton,- the cowardly murderer by stealth. The murderer from afar and by subterfuge and by stealth. The same who channeled arms to ISIS via the Clinton foundation for Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

      And all for the sake of destabilizing Europe for a One World Government.

      Whose side are you really on ?

      Luke 3:7

      And he said to the crowds who were coming to him to be baptized, “Offspring of Vipers! Who has instructed you to flee from the wrath that is coming?”

      – John the Baptist .

  10. And btw ?

    I would agree with some,… Bernie would have been the best bet. By far.

    But the American public voted Trump. Partially because he spoke the language of the Pittsburgh workers. He knew his target audience.

    But you have got to admit,… Trump has not followed in the smarmy , hypocrisy of the warmonger Bush or Obama , or the Dems hopeful ,.. Clinton.

    All of them bloodthirsty warmongers . So he is there whether we like it or not. And no matter the constant barrage of derogatory MSM emanating from the USA – and in so many , many cases , – almost in child like churlishness and petty titivation , … the fact is , he is surrounded by deep state vested interests who can only but dream of his removal.

    And one would have to be a simpleton to not at least start to question the most basic reasons of WHY … is Trump such a threat… and just WHO stands to gain by his removal , and therefore WHAT could be the possible motives of his opponents… I would hope you would at least try to placate your assumptions by understanding that this current world system is not ruled by the President of America or the Leader of Russia or China or India … but by the financiers of Europe.

    And even more specifically , – by the financiers of the London square mile , – the ‘ City of London ‘ square mile to be more precise. And even then , … your research should not just reach a simple conclusion with the mere original ‘ Bauer’ / ‘ Rothschild’s ‘ family of Bavaria,… but should reach back into history far beyond that…

    If you cannot even do that ,…

    You are mere babes .

    Here is a hint:

    The Masonic Conference of Wilhelmsbad 1782

    The 1782 Congress of Wilhelmsbad: The Illuminati Takeover
    https://www.biblebelievers.org.au/wilhelms.htm

    Or even try Gary Wayne :

    Genesis 6 Conspiracy: Nephilm (Giants) Plan to enslave … – YouTube
    Video for gary wayne genesis 6 you tube▶ 1:17:11

    • jcuknz 11.1

      Long before Trump won out [or perhaps ‘lost’ ] I foresaw an impossible situation with his own party wildly against him, it would have been the same for Clinton too.
      Then my son, who is in the American medical scene, commented “Republicans have had eight years to work out an alternative to Obamacare and haven’t settled on anything”

      • WILD KATIPO 11.1.1

        Did Obamacare extend to the mutilated children in the middle east caused by Obama’s drone strikes signed off on every Tuesday , though ?

  11. LivinInTheBay 12

    Why would talented people want to be potus? They’d be paid a fraction of their worth on the open market, and then if they did be open to abuse 24/7.

    Not only that but whichever side of the political divide you sit, US politics is broken. It costs so much just to run for office that you end up beholden to those that got you there. And that’s not even starting in the awful partisanship that goes on into account.

  12. Sanctuary 13

    Like I remarked to a friend of mine who actually holds an office within the GOP in Washington, there is nothing that is wrong in US politics that can’t be traced back to corruption, followed closely by racism.

    Destroying the public educations system? Corrupt officials taking money from private educational corporations.

    Prison population explosion? The corruption and racism of the prison-industrial complex is legendary.

    The massive defense budget? The titanic corruption of the US defense companies.

    She agreed with me, but the problem is that culture wars come first. So in the USA, both sides agree on the problem, but they hate each other to much to do anything concrete about it.

    • … ” Destroying the public educations system? Corrupt officials taking money from private educational corporations.

      The massive defense budget? The titanic corruption of the US defense companies ” …
      ………………………………………………..

      Which is interesting because those were two of the issues Eisenhower warned about way back in the early 1960’s in his farewell speech. Over 50 years ago.

  13. Stuart Munro 14

    It should’ve been McCain – he’s still the non-nutbar conservative right – killing the bill was more presidential than anything we’ve seen from Trump.

  14. popexplosion 15

    Republicans control congress, and so passed Obama care broken, now voters like healthcare Republicans have to fix it and as Trump promised make it better, well that was until his breaking a election promise over transexualsin the military…

    Do we really want an old my way or the highway grand dictator running nz?

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    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    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
    17 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
    20 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
    20 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
    22 hours 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
    24 hours 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
    7 days 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 ...
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    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

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