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Bad law making – GCSB Bill

Written By: - Date published: 12:10 pm, August 21st, 2013 - 29 comments

Grant Robertson & David Cunliffe explain how the GCSB Bill is bad law (especially section 8 & related sections). It doesn’t provide adequate oversight or safeguards against the wholesale spying on New Zealanders. A clarifying statement from the PM is not good law. Andrea Vance demystifies the Bill.

When fear tactics backfire 2 – and GCSB roundup

Written By: - Date published: 8:20 am, August 21st, 2013 - 46 comments

John Key (the PM who has on multiple occasions overspent the budget on his own protection staff) really dug himself a hole when he accused opposition leaders of wanting to “run for the hills” in case of a terrorist attack. Not only did David Shearer get to remind him of the occasions that he has been under fire – and run to help – but now some other voices have chimed in too.

When fear tactics backfire

Written By: - Date published: 2:47 pm, August 20th, 2013 - 93 comments

John Key’s fear tactics backfired badly when he tried to smear David Shearer…

GCSB- Questions?

Written By: - Date published: 2:31 pm, August 20th, 2013 - 58 comments

John Key has been twisting himself out of shape answering questions about spying on New Zelanders by the GCSB under the GCSB amendment Bill that is currently before the House. [Update] Video Qu One & Three [Update] Qu 1 transcript.

Would you trust this politician?

Written By: - Date published: 12:46 pm, August 19th, 2013 - 25 comments

As inspired by Toby Manhire…

1938 14

Written By: - Date published: 7:24 am, August 18th, 2013 - Comments Off on 1938 14

A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.

Key vs Campbell: the transcript

Written By: - Date published: 1:22 pm, August 15th, 2013 - 272 comments

The interview of John Key by John Campbell last night on Campbell Live (on the GCSB Bill), showed what a formidable spin merchant Key can be.  It is important to understand Key’s MO.  This is a work in progress – transcript of the first 10.44 12.27 mins. completed.

John Key – in contempt

Written By: - Date published: 8:30 pm, August 12th, 2013 - 71 comments

John Key shows contempt for New Zealanders and democracy in refusing to talk about the GCSB Bill and saying New Zealanders care more about snapper quotas. Campbell Live discovers some Kiwis are well informed and have views on the GCSB Bill.

This is/is not democracy

Written By: - Date published: 1:05 pm, August 12th, 2013 - 106 comments

The Nats’ PR-managed conference stifled democratic debate & bright ideas, and diverted from significant issues.  Armstrong attempts to talk it up, while exposing Key’s win-at-all-costs ruthlessness. Meanwhile: speakers announced for democratic meeting to Kill the GCSB Bill [Updated – Hagar also speaking]. [Update: Gordon Campbell – ‘Nanny National‘]

1938 13

Written By: - Date published: 8:05 am, August 11th, 2013 - 5 comments

A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.

Labour supports Plunket

Written By: - Date published: 12:47 pm, August 8th, 2013 - 61 comments

Another good policy announcement from David Shearer.

“The problem gambler”: Key & SkyCity

Written By: - Date published: 12:05 pm, August 8th, 2013 - 10 comments

Brand Key – CEO of NZ Inc, speculator, gambler, spinmeister – epitomises the “neoliberal revolution”.  Gambling & other consumerist addictions are blamed on the individual. A court case against SkyCity shows the contradictory links between gambling, smoking, corporate influence & “insatiable consumerism.”

Hypocrisy in the House: GCSB Bill

Written By: - Date published: 10:11 am, August 7th, 2013 - 46 comments

The debates during last night’s filibuster if the GCSB amendment Bill exposed the hypocrisy of John Key, and hangers on Peter Dunne and John Banks: as seen in  the videos of the speeches by Goff, Cunliffe and Peters.

1938 12

Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, August 4th, 2013 - 1 comment

A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.

Hand of control?

Written By: - Date published: 6:43 pm, August 3rd, 2013 - 59 comments

John Key’s artwork is labeled, “Hand of government”. Does John Key think he is the sole element of government?  What delusion is this?  I look at some definitions of “government”.  What title would you give this (alleged) work of art?

Waking up the fourth estate

Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, August 1st, 2013 - 39 comments

Is this what it takes to wake up the fourth estate so they truly fulfill their role to speak truth to power?  Andrea Vance is mad as hell about the “hacking” of her phone records.  Press freedom and all our democratic rights are in danger.  Stop the GCSB Bill!

The non-resident property speculators are….?

Written By: - Date published: 10:03 am, July 30th, 2013 - 50 comments

An NZ Herald Editorial exposes John Key’s politically motivated spin against Shearer’s housing policy, but also takes some swipes at the “left”. Gower misleads, by repeating Key’s “anti-Asian” smears, supported by the eg of a website targeting South African property speculators.

John Banks and racism

Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, July 30th, 2013 - 19 comments

At the moment there are plenty of racists trying to accuse Labour of racism. I might put together a post on the Iwi/Kwi Orewa Nats later on, but in the mean time I give you – John Banks.

Jonolism or Journalism?

Written By: - Date published: 7:44 pm, July 29th, 2013 - 50 comments

Patrick Gower’s report on TV3 6pm News tonight, on Labour’s housing for Kiwis policy, shows what is wrong with corporate infotainment TV news.  He gets tonight’s award for Jonolism.  Here’s hoping the Campbell Live tonight will show Gower how it should be done. [Update: Campbell interviews Ferguson]

Labour’s new housing policy – Shearer on Q+A

Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, July 28th, 2013 - 702 comments

David Shearer on Q+A just set out new policy on housing, proposing restrictions on overseas buyers. It’s another big policy move from Labour…

1938 11

Written By: - Date published: 8:22 am, July 28th, 2013 - 6 comments

A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.

The Auckland Protest

Written By: - Date published: 7:33 pm, July 27th, 2013 - 49 comments

GCSB protest-15Some photos from today’s Auckland protest.  It was a great occasion.  The question needs to be though, where to from here?  This momentum needs to be built on.

GCSB Bill opposition heats up

Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, July 26th, 2013 - 123 comments

GCSB KeyThe stop the GCSB Bill meeting in Auckland last night was well attended and had a series of high quality presentations made.  A series of protests are planned for this weekend.  Momentum is building …

A king is born: Long Live Inequality!

Written By: - Date published: 10:54 am, July 25th, 2013 - 87 comments

UK children born on the same day as the new prince will get a silver penny: but their lives will be vastly different.  Left foot Forward spells out the inequalities between these new born.  John Key gushes over the new prince, while his government slashes, burns and fuels inequalities.

Winston Peters, King Maker

Written By: - Date published: 8:49 am, July 25th, 2013 - 109 comments

Winston_Peters smilingWinston Peters may be the king maker after the next election.  No wonder that John Key has started to court the person he said as a matter of principle he would never have in his Government.

John Key: These are my principles …

Written By: - Date published: 7:53 pm, July 24th, 2013 - 43 comments

… and if you don’t like them, I have others.  Key once said he’d never have Peters in any government he led, now he’s reconsidering. Peters is playing hard to get, and Gower tries to be part of the story as usual, promoting 3 News’ own poll.

Don’t let them be sidelined: Surveillance Bills

Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, July 22nd, 2013 - 38 comments

Let’s not sideline the GCSB and related surveillance Bills.  It’s about democracy, and against further consolidation of the power of the international, “neoliberal” corporate elites.  Nation wide demos this Saturday; public meeting in Auckland this Thursday evening. Phil Goff resists, but bends a little too far. [Update]  Protest poster

On the Labour leadership

Written By: - Date published: 2:57 pm, July 21st, 2013 - 207 comments

Over the last few weeks Labour has been in a state of agitation as the party, the affiliates and even the caucus have come to the realisation that the Shearer project has failed.

1938 10

Written By: - Date published: 7:41 am, July 21st, 2013 - 5 comments

A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.

John Key, Crosby & corporate lobbyists

Written By: - Date published: 10:26 am, July 16th, 2013 - 40 comments

Joining the dots: David Cameron is under fire for his links with lobbyists for big tobacco & big oil, via his link with Lynton Crosby.  John Key, with links to Crosby Textor, has also bowed to big tobacco. Networks of Influence.

Len is standing again

Written By: - Date published: 7:33 am, July 16th, 2013 - 40 comments

len-brownLen Brown has announced that he will again seek Auckland Super City’s mayoralty.  I know this will provoke a mixture of views but style wise I think he is great and substance wise he has had successes but should have done more with MUNZ, the living wage project and Sky City.