us politics

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Kamala Harris (2)

Chavez: 28 July 1954 – 5 March 2013

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:21 am, March 6th, 2013 - 231 comments

Chavez was too young to die, but he is a significant figure in South American politics. A controversial figure in Venezuela, the full story has yet to be written of his contribution to his country, his impact on the left & world politics.

TPPA: US, corporate dominance – let’s do ACTION!!

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:00 am, March 5th, 2013 - 38 comments

TTPA talks under way in Singapore. Jane Kelsey leads critical discussion in NZ: Obama skewing the agenda in favour of US corporates; pharmaceuticals, internet, copyright & more; John Key’s dodgy figures. In Aussie today, a seminar on the TPPA & corporate dominance over women’s rights & health provisions.

Sequester USA

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:35 am, March 3rd, 2013 - 35 comments

As the result of their political deadlock, automatic sequestration (budget cuts) have been triggered in America. This won’t end well for the economy – or the Republicans.

Obama talks the talk on climate change

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:45 am, February 14th, 2013 - 38 comments

The first State of the Union of Obama’s second term was widely anticipated. As many hoped, Obama made a strong statement on climate change. Good start – now let’s see words become actions – please…

The unreported & off the cliff

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:58 am, January 2nd, 2013 - 12 comments

Over the last year some issues have been under-reported, some ignored: the climate/environment, subversive FBI activities, bankster rorts, decline of democracy, the need for new left & green politics. Some news has been overdramatised, some masks the real needs. And the “fiscal cliff”?

America’s gun tragedy

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:56 am, December 15th, 2012 - 143 comments

Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends, and the many victims of America’s latest shooting incident. It’s the seventh in 2012, part of a rapidly increasing trend. I don’t think America will ever seriously confront the gun lobby and take steps to end this madness. That’s America’s real gun tragedy.

2 storms and a rocket

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:30 am, December 14th, 2012 - 42 comments

With the GFC, changing climate and resource depletion, the struggles of the powerless get over-looked. Asia-Pacific has been described as the focal point of a new cold war. Storms in Samoa and the Philippines, a rocket launch from North Korea. How should we respond?

TPP protests – Day 1

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:59 am, December 3rd, 2012 - 9 comments

A week of [updated: video] protests against the secretive TPP began today outside entrance to Sky City Convention Centre, where the latest round of TPP negotiations are being held. The majority of Kiwis are not happy with the secrecy. Jane Kelsey & Canadian Peter Clark identify problems.

TPP Negotiations Auckland next week

Written By: karol - Date published: 8:21 pm, November 30th, 2012 - 16 comments

The next round of secretive TPP negotiations is in Auckland next week, 3-12 December. John Key will be lovin’ it! A National Day of Action & world wide protest on Saturday 8 December, – it’s about NZ independence, economy and sovereignty. Update: protest events 3-8 Dec

Sunday Reading

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 9:30 am, November 25th, 2012 - 14 comments

My regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. Those stimulating links you wanted to share, but just didn’t fit in anywhere. This week: politicians, economies, elections, feminism and climate change.

Gaza – not acceptable!

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:59 am, November 19th, 2012 - 100 comments

While most of us have been strongly focused on the Labour Party Conference, an appalling act of slaughter has been going on.

Jon Stewart having too much fun

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 12:22 pm, November 10th, 2012 - 3 comments

Jon Stewart’s Daily Show on the 7th – the day after the American elections – is a classic. Stewart is having more fun than is seemly or decent!

We are all Latino now

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:48 am, November 9th, 2012 - 92 comments

Rabid Republican partisan Bill O’Reilly lamented the demise of “the white establishment” on Fox News. Take away the bitterness, prejudice, and racism, and O’Reilly is correct about some of the facts. Obama was elected by “minorities”, as predicted the Latino vote was particularly significant. Will an all white ticket win the presidential election ever again?

Community Organiser beats Money-market Man

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:28 am, November 8th, 2012 - 45 comments

Donald Trump says it’s not democracy, but that is essentially the story of the US election campaign. In the end, Democrat on-the-ground organisation beat Republican billion-dollar PACs. Obama’s background as a community organiser was crucial, while the Republican money came from the old economy. A good win, and much food for thought for us.

More positive news from US elections

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 8:38 am, November 8th, 2012 - 36 comments

Fran O’Sullivan must be shaking her head in confusion – her endorsement of Mitt Romney failed to get him over the line. Maybe she’ll find succor in these referenda results: 5 out of 5 states voted in favour of legalising marijuana. 4 out of 4 voted in favour of marriage equality. California has watered down its 3 strikes law. And Florida voted against banning public funds for abortion.

US election: live

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 1:58 pm, November 7th, 2012 - 64 comments

Obama wins.
Stuck in a hotel room in the US, with cable TV, fast internet and not a lot else – I’ll keep you up to date with what’s happening. It’s been an incredibly negative campaign – $2.5 billion spent on the presidential race at last count, mostly on deriding the other guy. Still, the Oracle, Nate Silver has Obama at 91% odds to win. I’ll try and keep an eye on all the close races – because who controls the Senate and the House matter very much too.

What will the new president do about Climate Change?

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 10:37 am, November 7th, 2012 - 107 comments

Voting starts. What will the new president do about Climate Change? For good or ill, America has a tradition of global leadership. When it comes to climate change America needs to lead more actively in the world – not from behind, but from the front. Will Obama be that president? Will Romney? Or will we have to wait another four more terrible years of rudderless inaction?

Sunday Reading

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 9:30 am, November 4th, 2012 - 1 comment

My regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. This week: inequality, language on social media, and feminism.

Sandy’s wake-up call

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:34 am, October 31st, 2012 - 33 comments

If any good can ever be said to come from a natural disaster, then let the good of Sandy be its function as a clear and present wake up call. It’s a crisis, and it’s an opportunity.

Will Sandy decide the election?

Written By: James Henderson - Date published: 7:47 am, October 30th, 2012 - 53 comments

The US Presidential election is close. Really close. The political futures markets favour Obama about 2 to 1 but polls of the nationwide popular vote and the polls in key states, such as Ohio and Virginia, are essentially tied. Enter the October surprise – Sandy, the latest ever recorded Atlantic storm, now coming ashore and pounding key battleground states.

Obama v Romney 3

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:56 am, October 23rd, 2012 - 11 comments

The third and final debate kicks off in about 2 hours. As always, check out The Guardian live blog.

Obama v Romney 2

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:52 pm, October 17th, 2012 - 33 comments

Against (almost) all precedent, the presidential debates seem to matter this time round. Obama v Romney, the second debate, is in progress. Check out live coverage at The Guardian.

US Justice and Dotcom’s birthday

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 1:20 am, October 15th, 2012 - 9 comments

Judith Collins is going to the US and isn’t going to raise the Dotcom case we are told. I’ll bet the US Justice Department is though. They knew for a year Dotcom was going to be arrested on his birthday.

Jon Stewart for President

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:39 am, October 10th, 2012 - 9 comments

Did you see the Jon Stewart vs. Bill O’Reilly mock presidential debate – “The Rumble in the Air Conditioned Auditorium”? Is it too late to get Stewart on the ticket for November?

Of Hollywood, Hobbits & NZ-US politics: Episode II

Written By: karol - Date published: 8:17 am, October 4th, 2012 - 66 comments

As Key heads off to the US to promote the NZ film industry, I look back at the Hobbit union-busting case and the issues it raised. Will Key’s latest mission to Hollywood, boost the economy, increase jobs and provide benefits to the NZ film industry? Or will it actually undermine the NZ’s economy and democracy, further Americanising NZ’s culture along with it?

Sunday Reading

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 9:30 am, September 30th, 2012 - 17 comments

My regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. This week: Obama the Tory, fish, Planet Key and the UK’s hit political single.