Chris Trotter tries to argue that Clinton is ‘progressive’.
Comments below show what most think of that.
One says.
Take up gardening, Mr Trotter. It’s getting embarrassing. Of course there are differences between Clinton and Trump, but both could lead us to war. Clinton would do it deliberately and Trump would blunder into it.
and for what it is worth, US American will not vote for their President on the ‘war’ issue.
the US Americans have no issue going to war as long as the war is fought somewhere else. They will however vote for ‘progressive’ things such as health care, well funded schools, the much re-build of infrastructure etc, and on the other side of the aisle they will vote for ‘second amendment’, they will vote to outlaw abortion, they will vote to expel Obama Care (while flawed and still to expensive has provided insurance for several million of people).
I don’t understand why people don’t get this. War in its abstract, overseas form is not something that a democrat or a republican will vote on. They will vote on domestic issues as much as the National Voter in NZ voted to keep is Capital Gains.
Politics begins at home, so that notion that these guys are going to do something good for the world is just useless. They will vote for the one that will bring back jobs, bring back a bit of pride, bring back the bacon so to speak. They will do the same here.
Nothing to do with progressive or conservative.
and yes, much like here , they – the voters – individually care very little about how their vote will affect someone else far far away.
I don’t know, judging by the dogpile I got when I tried to argue that Clinton is a right-wing democrat, (which she evidently is if you look at how weak her “wins” against corporations are, and her stances on anything but healthcare, and even the details of what she supported and opposed during the healthcare reform) a lot of people here wouldn’t disagree too loudly with her being a progressive, because apparently she’s left-of-centre in their view, as opposed to someone right-of-centre who gets away with it due to her party ALSO being on average right-of-centre, despite being the leftmost option.
See I wouldn’t go quite that far, she’s probably at about the same place economically as John Key, but is more commited to being a liberal than he is at the very least.
That said, in a less corrupted political system, she would probably be more left-wing, so while she’s objectively right-wing, it is fair to say that she’s also typical for a Democrat in many ways.
In many ways Trump is more left wing. What we are seeing is he disintegration of labels. The Republicans see themselves as the voice of the disenfranchised worker and middle classes,, while the Democrats fasten onto the bankster feed tube and embrace identity politics.
Trump is a populist. He’s not very left-wing as a principle, but he supports some left-wing positions that Hillary doesn’t. (or more genuinely than she does such as on opposing TPP)
But more than being left or right, the most relevant label for Trump is that he’s an authoritarian, and not just in the small way that conservative policians engage in authoritarianism by restricting small liberties here and there. Trump outright has no problem with banning media, inciting violence, and requiring proof of allegiance. He belongs in the garbage with the other dictators and would-be-dictators of the world.
Yes, she is a conservative as was her husband and now Obama. I think that US Americans still have ways to go before they would vote for a true progressive. They had Kucinic, heck look what happened to Carter and his Solar Cells on the White house …..
But, she is still more to the left than anyone on the republican side in regards to gender (especially the right to choose, the right to control ones fertility etc), education, infrastructure, race and yes even poverty.
Is she a lefty, nope and I don’t think she ever sold herself as one, but she is in the US american sense a progressive.
“In a statement to Business Insider on Wednesday, Rich family spokesperson Brad Bauman thanked investigators and implored high-profile figures to stop attempting to “politicize” Rich’s death by perpetuating unfounded theories about the shooting.
“The family welcomes any and all information that could lead to the identification of the individuals responsible, and certainly welcomes contributions that could lead to new avenues of investigation,” Bauman said in the statement.
He added:
“That said, some are attempting to politicize this horrible tragedy, and in their attempts to do so, are actually causing more harm that good and impeding on the ability for law enforcement to properly do their job. For the sake of finding Seth’s killer, and for the sake of giving the family the space they need at this terrible time, they are asking for the public to refrain from pushing unproven and harmful theories about Seth’s murder.””
There is selective commenting going on over there. I posted a comment upholding Trotter’s line of thought… not because I’m a Clinton fan but because I detect the same sort of one-sided hysteria creeping in to the anti-Clinton rants as is happening in Britain with the anti-Corbyn rants. Comment never appeared. It’s happened before so don’t think I’ll bother to go there again.
They have a really irritating moderation setup where quite a few comments simply disappear when posted to appear later once moderation is done. I find it pretty much impossible to hold a conversation over there.
Anne. I too thought Trotter’s comments were more convincing than the Blogspot rants. Blogspot was just random insults with little or no substance. Trotter was at least right or wrong trying to present a substantial argument.
Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 2
Now, the problem is: how can we force the entire National Party (and the Labour Party too) to watch this short 7 minute clip? It should be required viewing for all aspiring and incumbent members of parliament!
That was a fairly reasonable run through of free trade.
Not convinced that VAT acts as a de-facto tariff though. The example he gives (German made cars) means, as I understood it, that a German consumer will pay 19% VAT on any new car, no matter where it’s been manufactured…so no advantage to German car manufacturers on that front.
That the 19% VAT is dropped if the car is exported doesn’t strike me as meaning that German car manufacturers get an advantage over US car manufacturers in the US market either.
But maybe I missed a detail.
I still think the clearest example to use for illustrating what free trade is and how it works, is that of the British – chopped off the thumbs of Indian weavers to ensure that Indian cotton was processed in Paisley, Manchester etc.
He starts off using the words comparative advantage while describing absolute advantage. He ends by describing sales taxes (GST, VAT) as a tariff.
Now, he’s absolutely right that the so called free-trade deals have made things worse after protectionist policies made things better. But by getting those two things completely wrong he’s undermining the entire argument.
Thank you 44 South. That does sum it up well.
There is a great doc. series called “The Unknown War” which details the Russian role in WW2. It is a real eye-opener to see what Russia endured and how they won the war for us all.
Also I like watching Putin when he has press conferences – he has a great grasp of the issues and addresses them with sound reasoning.
It is easy to regard countries as suprahuman beings that think and take decisions and do things. Practically speaking, countries consist of a small number of people, usually men, who make decisions for reasons often selfish, pathologically aggressive, pecuniary, delusional, misinformed, or actually psychopathic in the psychiatric sense.
That sounds about right and what you end up with when only a few people are making the policy decisions rather than the entire nation.
Parata parades the achievement levels creeping forward but what are the kids loosing? This says it all for parents and grandparents and meddling politicians.
Above all else, we taught her to fear failure. That fear is what has destroyed her love of learning.
And that is what our education system has been doing to a lot of people for a very long time. Not passing a course is seen as a failure and that brings persecution in various forms from all quarters. That persecution breeds fear.
DTB. A science friend never answered the questions posed by his kids. Instead he would muse seriously the question, and add another question. The kids are both seriously curious enquiring adults now.
Surveys of NZ classrooms show that kids do not ask questions. They just answer the teacher’s ones. No time they say but…
Silver Fern Farms is having its special shareholder meeting about its takeover by Shanghai Maling today. Apparently, control of the Board and of appointing the Chief Executive from New Zealand interests to Shanghai Maling doesn’t constitute a “major transaction” under the Companies Act 1993, so a special resolution of shareholders is not required.
The Companies Act says a company must not enter into a major transaction unless the transaction is approved by special resolution.
NZFirst has been leading the political charge to oppose this sale.
Separate but related, NZFirst’s Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill has been pulled on the Parliamentary ballot yesterday. United Future and the Maori Party are likely to have the deciding vote.
Silver Fern Farms is by a fair shake the largest meat processor in New Zealand, and dominates the South Island. It’s one of New Zealand’s largest exporters. They have 19 processing sites across the country. At peak season they employ around 7,000 workers. Those 16,000 farmers are also shareholders.
I am pretty pissed off that this has even got this far.
We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.
We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.
Yep, it seems the only people who can see the damage to our society that foreign ownership produces is everybody except economists, politicians and RWNJs. Unfortunately, it’s the politicians making the decisions often in corruption with the RWNJs.
I attended that meeting – and a few others like it – as a member of the community.
He lays the blame on ARC and the 2008 Parliament for the MUL.
It’s a redirection at best, and misdirection at its worst.
While attending the Unitary Plan workshops, I came across a hard copy of proposals that would offset the likelihood of land banking. This was produced by Auckland Council, and I only picked up the single copy that was there alongside the rest. My attempts to find an online copy that afternoon – for posting to the community – failed.
Included in this document was reference to a number of mechanisms that could be employed by Auckland Council. One was “capital value uplift” tax. ie. if your property was rezoned, then you would pay a tax on the increased capital equity when you resold (at increased value) or developed.
This alongside an increased land tax on undeveloped residential land, would have mitigated some of the issues he points out in his article.
I raised these choices in a few subsequent meetings, most particularly memorable with John Duguid, Head Planner in charge of the Unitary Plan. He dismissed it immediately, as having been discounted as an option. By who – he didn’t say.
I now wonder if I picked up a document that was not available to the public for discussion. It was a very small turnout in Freeman’s Bay, and I spent a few minutes talking to a very tired but personable Len Brown.
I wonder if it was a document inadvertently left on the public consultation table.
The Unitary Plan consultation did appear to start off with the best of intentions, but the process – from my perspective – is now controlled by the usual suspects and short-term thinkers.
I would imagine the main reason why it was rejected is that the Auckland City has no legal power to impose such a tax.
The city, or any local govt, can only impose rates and charges for services delivered.
Taxes, and such a thing as a “capital value uplift’ tax would certainly be a tax, are the domain of central government. There is no way it could have been characterized as a rate.
And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose. Any new tax or increased tax requires an act of parliament.
Many cities around the world, London included, have such a tax.
If you are stating that legislation cannot be changed regarding local government, then I disagree.
In the last few years there have been many changes to the local government acts at national level. (Including the capping of development charges that are then subsidised by the ratepayers.) A government is in place to make changes to benefit citizens and residents long term – or it is not. An act of parliament to invoke this tax around the country is a good outcome. And that tax can be returned to the council’s for specific community uses, I have no problem with that.
Your opinion that tax should remain the domain of central government ignores the rates (if not the GST on those rates) paid to local governments.
The issues of unfettered or badly designed development is felt at local level.
And mitigation or considered planning has to be at that level, else disconnected communities result.
Examples of this is apparent in the consolidated Auckland Council, and could be noticed even in some of the larger district councils, where the smaller communities were neglected or disregarded.
And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose.
I disagree with that for four reasons:
1. A city/region should have control of the land within it’s borders and be able to make decisions for the betterment of the city including adding taxes to alter behaviour in regards to that land
2. The central government should only be setting broad policy that the city/region then make local laws to uphold
3. The central government is not accountable to the rate payers at all
4. Central government doesn’t have the information or the flexibility to govern the regions as well as the country whereas the local councils do. It’s actually why we have local councils and not just central government
She describes Andrew Little as waxing desperate with imagination. She’s the one waxing desperate…
And how about this:
In an astonishing and undignified episode, he tongue-lashed Wellington mayoral candidate Nick Leggett and left-wing commentator Phil Quin, and humiliated his Napier MP Stuart Nash.
Left wing commentator Phil Quin? Who is she trying to kid? He’s the one who resigned publicly and dramatically over the “Chinese sounding names debacle” she claims later in the article. Yeah… Phil Twyford as been fully vindicated since.
Have always suspected Ms Vance is a two-faced journo. Now I know.
And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.
Davis excepted (I have a lot of time for him), what’s in her drinking water that’s fried her brain?
I used to have some respect for Andrea Vance but this opinion piece looks like it was written by Matthew Hooton. What absolute nonsense!
Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal, despite all attempts by some to claim otherwise. Most of us were relieved when Andrew Little exposed Leggott as a rightwinger with Act support, and were also pleased to see Nash brought into line.
Leggott, Pagani, and Quinn have been plotting to move Labour rightwards for years but it is clear that they no longer have any influence within the party. Cosgrove and Goff are on their way out and they are obviously panicking. That Vance bought their spin is deeply disappointing.
Recall we had trolls smearing Vance as a Labour stooge, well maybe half true (right wing Labour stooge?), no matter, I was always weary of her opinions as she was always a ‘Labour did it too’ repeater. Pal of Pagani maybe?
I’m picking she threw his name into the ring to give the ‘cabal’ some respectability.
Bear in mind where Vance learned her trade… The News of the World. She’s brought their trademark underhand tactics with her. I should not be surprised if she wasn’t doing a bit of a counter-spin job for the govt. because they are under a lot of pressure at the moment.
I actually think Vance is one of the better journalists we have in that she does usually do research.
This article suggests to me she is friendly with Josie Pagani who often appears on TVNZ to represent the left (even though she is not at all left) and Vance has all too easily swallowed the Pagani/Leggott spin. Poor effort from someone who should know better.
You could be right Karen. After all Vance is new to NZ. Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics (no doubt thinks she does) so could be easily mislead by the likes of the Paganis/Quins or Leggotts of this world. It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about. Eg. Andrew Little.
“And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.”
Vance should be ashamed to think she’s any sort of journalist to invent such deliberate fabrication. It’s reminiscent of The News of the World semi- criminal rubbish.
Vance is cooking up drama for ratings….Andrew was absolutely correct to explain to Stuart Nash it is “not a good look”…What about Vance asking Nash what his game is? If Hekia was doing a speaking engagement with Justin Lester, would Key have something to say?? We can’t even imagine it as it would not happen, cheers Stu, managed to divide people again.
It made Mr Little look like a strong leader imo , minions need chipping into line occasionally , ( I know because I ‘ve had the odd boss chip me when needed)
Where have you been in the last few weeks? Estate agents, financiers, journos (the real ones), various other expert commentators have been publicly condemning the govt. for not reining in the foreign based speculators who are the main driver of the escalating house prices and ALL of them are conceding that the most significant group are from China. The only people NOT conceding this fact is the govt. who are manipulating the figures in an effort to conceal the truth. Everyone knows it except Chuck – and his little band of fellow rwnj cohorts.
Regardless of the source, I guess they are the govt’s manipulated/massaged figures you are quoting. The govt’s lying through their teeth and anyone with any nous knows it. Hence the reason so many financial and real estate experts have been going public with the truth. Easy enough to disguise their foreign-based credentials by arranging for NZ based associates to ostensibly buy the properties while the money is coming from off-shore investors who remain incognito.
Yes the delay in the second round of money laundering legislation in which nz is an outlier suggests incompetence,or a requirement to check with the governments corporate sponsors.
There were 57,678 property transfers in total over the three months (second quarter). Only 1749 of them involved foreign buyers and 1560 foreign sellers, both including trusts and businesses.
So to be clear – are you saying that foreign based speculators are THE main driver of escalating house prices in Auckland?
Yes.
1. They’ve got far more money than the majority of people in NZ
2. As Poission points out, even a small increase in demand will adversely affect house prices and 20% isn’t a small increase.
I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:
Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.
Which means that you recognise it as an attack piece.
Every Asian looking person from that point at an auction or open home were tarred with Twyfords “attack piece”.
Unfortunately, that was already happening because people were already noticing that auctions for housing were being dominated by Asians. Twyford just put the figures together to show that the housing market was dominated by non-resident Asians.
“I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:”
“Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.”
Ok got it.
No my view is its not an attack piece. When I said Little made it very easy – it was because he shot from the hip. Labour has been infighting for years over this subject, the last thing it needed was for Little to throw petrol on the fire.
Vance responds to a tweet offering a more rational view of the feedback Nash got from Little:
“the point I was trying to make is there should be room for more ideas and less nastiness!”
Talk about “nasty” Andrea?
Dickhead alan duff gets some learning from Leonie Pihama
“Each column written by Alan Duff is yet another repetitive Once Were Warriors theme. We continually get themes of: Once Were Losers, Once Were Whingers, Once Were Drop Outs… the list goes on and within it the themes continue to reflect what is in fact Alan Duff’s inability to grasp the fundamental underpinning issues of the impact of colonisation, and how that has specific and particular consequences for Indigenous Nations. This is somewhat ironic, given that the position Duff takes in virtually every column is a reflection of those impacts, and are reflected constantly as the justification for Māori people being bashed by him on regular basis. Perhaps it is because Mr Duff has never taken to the time to seek out pathways for understanding his own self hatred and the hegemony of that. Hegemony, being the internalisation of self hatred, and the internalisation of the belief that to be successful in this society is to act, write, speak and live as the reflection of your coloniser (The definition is provided here as the column indicates that Mr Duff has difficulty with such terms as hegemony, colonisation and imperialist arrogance – all of which are states of being that are reflected in Mr Duffs column).”
@ No Right Turn:
“(Clinton on TPPA) I oppose it now, I’ll oppose it after the election and I’ll oppose it as President,” the Democratic nominee told supporters at a factory in Michigan.”
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Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
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Chris Trotter tries to argue that Clinton is ‘progressive’.
Comments below show what most think of that.
One says.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/08/11/hillary-clinton-progressive/
http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/youre-not-proper-progressive.html
and for what it is worth, US American will not vote for their President on the ‘war’ issue.
the US Americans have no issue going to war as long as the war is fought somewhere else. They will however vote for ‘progressive’ things such as health care, well funded schools, the much re-build of infrastructure etc, and on the other side of the aisle they will vote for ‘second amendment’, they will vote to outlaw abortion, they will vote to expel Obama Care (while flawed and still to expensive has provided insurance for several million of people).
I don’t understand why people don’t get this. War in its abstract, overseas form is not something that a democrat or a republican will vote on. They will vote on domestic issues as much as the National Voter in NZ voted to keep is Capital Gains.
Politics begins at home, so that notion that these guys are going to do something good for the world is just useless. They will vote for the one that will bring back jobs, bring back a bit of pride, bring back the bacon so to speak. They will do the same here.
Nothing to do with progressive or conservative.
and yes, much like here , they – the voters – individually care very little about how their vote will affect someone else far far away.
A nice healthcare plan isn’t much use under a cloud of radiation!
yes dear.
I don’t know, judging by the dogpile I got when I tried to argue that Clinton is a right-wing democrat, (which she evidently is if you look at how weak her “wins” against corporations are, and her stances on anything but healthcare, and even the details of what she supported and opposed during the healthcare reform) a lot of people here wouldn’t disagree too loudly with her being a progressive, because apparently she’s left-of-centre in their view, as opposed to someone right-of-centre who gets away with it due to her party ALSO being on average right-of-centre, despite being the leftmost option.
If she were in NZ she’d be considered to the right of John Key and not by a small margin either
See I wouldn’t go quite that far, she’s probably at about the same place economically as John Key, but is more commited to being a liberal than he is at the very least.
That said, in a less corrupted political system, she would probably be more left-wing, so while she’s objectively right-wing, it is fair to say that she’s also typical for a Democrat in many ways.
In many ways Trump is more left wing. What we are seeing is he disintegration of labels. The Republicans see themselves as the voice of the disenfranchised worker and middle classes,, while the Democrats fasten onto the bankster feed tube and embrace identity politics.
Trump is a populist. He’s not very left-wing as a principle, but he supports some left-wing positions that Hillary doesn’t. (or more genuinely than she does such as on opposing TPP)
But more than being left or right, the most relevant label for Trump is that he’s an authoritarian, and not just in the small way that conservative policians engage in authoritarianism by restricting small liberties here and there. Trump outright has no problem with banning media, inciting violence, and requiring proof of allegiance. He belongs in the garbage with the other dictators and would-be-dictators of the world.
+1
Yes, she is a conservative as was her husband and now Obama. I think that US Americans still have ways to go before they would vote for a true progressive. They had Kucinic, heck look what happened to Carter and his Solar Cells on the White house …..
But, she is still more to the left than anyone on the republican side in regards to gender (especially the right to choose, the right to control ones fertility etc), education, infrastructure, race and yes even poverty.
Is she a lefty, nope and I don’t think she ever sold herself as one, but she is in the US american sense a progressive.
Exactly Sabine.
And another one bites the dust! Still think the Clintons are wonderful?
http://www.infowars.com/friends-of-dnc-linked-shawn-lucas-freaked-out-by-his-death/
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/dnc-seth-rich-wikileaks-politicize-2016-8?r=US&IR=T
“In a statement to Business Insider on Wednesday, Rich family spokesperson Brad Bauman thanked investigators and implored high-profile figures to stop attempting to “politicize” Rich’s death by perpetuating unfounded theories about the shooting.
“The family welcomes any and all information that could lead to the identification of the individuals responsible, and certainly welcomes contributions that could lead to new avenues of investigation,” Bauman said in the statement.
He added:
“That said, some are attempting to politicize this horrible tragedy, and in their attempts to do so, are actually causing more harm that good and impeding on the ability for law enforcement to properly do their job. For the sake of finding Seth’s killer, and for the sake of giving the family the space they need at this terrible time, they are asking for the public to refrain from pushing unproven and harmful theories about Seth’s murder.””
There is selective commenting going on over there. I posted a comment upholding Trotter’s line of thought… not because I’m a Clinton fan but because I detect the same sort of one-sided hysteria creeping in to the anti-Clinton rants as is happening in Britain with the anti-Corbyn rants. Comment never appeared. It’s happened before so don’t think I’ll bother to go there again.
This comment?
They have a really irritating moderation setup where quite a few comments simply disappear when posted to appear later once moderation is done. I find it pretty much impossible to hold a conversation over there.
Yes it was. It wasn’t there yesterday evening and it wasn’t there this morning – and they’ve printed it twice. Yep. It’s too hit and miss for me too.
One may be an accident, two gets suspicious….but fifty?
Looks like I was a bit short. More like 90!
http://www.freewebs.com/jeffhead/liberty/liberty/bdycount.txt
Anne. I too thought Trotter’s comments were more convincing than the Blogspot rants. Blogspot was just random insults with little or no substance. Trotter was at least right or wrong trying to present a substantial argument.
Thom Hartmann explodes the myth of ‘free trade.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROf1arimLH8
Now, the problem is: how can we force the entire National Party (and the Labour Party too) to watch this short 7 minute clip? It should be required viewing for all aspiring and incumbent members of parliament!
That was a fairly reasonable run through of free trade.
Not convinced that VAT acts as a de-facto tariff though. The example he gives (German made cars) means, as I understood it, that a German consumer will pay 19% VAT on any new car, no matter where it’s been manufactured…so no advantage to German car manufacturers on that front.
That the 19% VAT is dropped if the car is exported doesn’t strike me as meaning that German car manufacturers get an advantage over US car manufacturers in the US market either.
But maybe I missed a detail.
I still think the clearest example to use for illustrating what free trade is and how it works, is that of the British – chopped off the thumbs of Indian weavers to ensure that Indian cotton was processed in Paisley, Manchester etc.
He starts off using the words comparative advantage while describing absolute advantage. He ends by describing sales taxes (GST, VAT) as a tariff.
Now, he’s absolutely right that the so called free-trade deals have made things worse after protectionist policies made things better. But by getting those two things completely wrong he’s undermining the entire argument.
The latest post over at “Fred On Everything” re Trump/Clinton and Russia sums it up pretty well.
Thank you 44 South. That does sum it up well.
There is a great doc. series called “The Unknown War” which details the Russian role in WW2. It is a real eye-opener to see what Russia endured and how they won the war for us all.
Also I like watching Putin when he has press conferences – he has a great grasp of the issues and addresses them with sound reasoning.
This one?
That sounds about right and what you end up with when only a few people are making the policy decisions rather than the entire nation.
Well done Luuka, from being ranked 28th in the world and qualifying last to storming to silver is a fantastic effort
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83091604/rio-olympics-2016-luuka-jones-reaches-womens-canoe-slalom-final
Well done lads, doing what you need to do and doing better then anyone else
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83090966/rio-olympics-2016-backtoback-mens-pair-gold-medals-for-hamish-bond-eric-murray
Parata parades the achievement levels creeping forward but what are the kids loosing? This says it all for parents and grandparents and meddling politicians.
“The truth—for this parent and so many others—is this: Her child has sacrificed her natural curiosity and love of learning at the altar of achievement, and it’s our fault. Marianna’s parents, her teachers, society at large—we are all implicated in this crime against learning.”
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/08/when-success-leads-to-failure/400925/?utm_source=atlfb
And that is what our education system has been doing to a lot of people for a very long time. Not passing a course is seen as a failure and that brings persecution in various forms from all quarters. That persecution breeds fear.
DTB. A science friend never answered the questions posed by his kids. Instead he would muse seriously the question, and add another question. The kids are both seriously curious enquiring adults now.
Surveys of NZ classrooms show that kids do not ask questions. They just answer the teacher’s ones. No time they say but…
Silver Fern Farms is having its special shareholder meeting about its takeover by Shanghai Maling today. Apparently, control of the Board and of appointing the Chief Executive from New Zealand interests to Shanghai Maling doesn’t constitute a “major transaction” under the Companies Act 1993, so a special resolution of shareholders is not required.
The Companies Act says a company must not enter into a major transaction unless the transaction is approved by special resolution.
NZFirst has been leading the political charge to oppose this sale.
Separate but related, NZFirst’s Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill has been pulled on the Parliamentary ballot yesterday. United Future and the Maori Party are likely to have the deciding vote.
Silver Fern Farms is by a fair shake the largest meat processor in New Zealand, and dominates the South Island. It’s one of New Zealand’s largest exporters. They have 19 processing sites across the country. At peak season they employ around 7,000 workers. Those 16,000 farmers are also shareholders.
I am pretty pissed off that this has even got this far.
We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.
SIlverfern says it doesn’t matter what gets decided today, the deal is going ahead regardless.
^^^^ THIS
Totally agree Ad.
QFT.
Yep, it seems the only people who can see the damage to our society that foreign ownership produces is everybody except economists, politicians and RWNJs. Unfortunately, it’s the politicians making the decisions often in corruption with the RWNJs.
Gordon Copeland has an article in the Herald today: ARC’s urban boundary to blame for evil of land banking.
I attended that meeting – and a few others like it – as a member of the community.
He lays the blame on ARC and the 2008 Parliament for the MUL.
It’s a redirection at best, and misdirection at its worst.
While attending the Unitary Plan workshops, I came across a hard copy of proposals that would offset the likelihood of land banking. This was produced by Auckland Council, and I only picked up the single copy that was there alongside the rest. My attempts to find an online copy that afternoon – for posting to the community – failed.
Included in this document was reference to a number of mechanisms that could be employed by Auckland Council. One was “capital value uplift” tax. ie. if your property was rezoned, then you would pay a tax on the increased capital equity when you resold (at increased value) or developed.
This alongside an increased land tax on undeveloped residential land, would have mitigated some of the issues he points out in his article.
I raised these choices in a few subsequent meetings, most particularly memorable with John Duguid, Head Planner in charge of the Unitary Plan. He dismissed it immediately, as having been discounted as an option. By who – he didn’t say.
I now wonder if I picked up a document that was not available to the public for discussion. It was a very small turnout in Freeman’s Bay, and I spent a few minutes talking to a very tired but personable Len Brown.
I wonder if it was a document inadvertently left on the public consultation table.
The Unitary Plan consultation did appear to start off with the best of intentions, but the process – from my perspective – is now controlled by the usual suspects and short-term thinkers.
Molly,
I would imagine the main reason why it was rejected is that the Auckland City has no legal power to impose such a tax.
The city, or any local govt, can only impose rates and charges for services delivered.
Taxes, and such a thing as a “capital value uplift’ tax would certainly be a tax, are the domain of central government. There is no way it could have been characterized as a rate.
And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose. Any new tax or increased tax requires an act of parliament.
Many cities around the world, London included, have such a tax.
If you are stating that legislation cannot be changed regarding local government, then I disagree.
In the last few years there have been many changes to the local government acts at national level. (Including the capping of development charges that are then subsidised by the ratepayers.) A government is in place to make changes to benefit citizens and residents long term – or it is not. An act of parliament to invoke this tax around the country is a good outcome. And that tax can be returned to the council’s for specific community uses, I have no problem with that.
Your opinion that tax should remain the domain of central government ignores the rates (if not the GST on those rates) paid to local governments.
The issues of unfettered or badly designed development is felt at local level.
And mitigation or considered planning has to be at that level, else disconnected communities result.
Examples of this is apparent in the consolidated Auckland Council, and could be noticed even in some of the larger district councils, where the smaller communities were neglected or disregarded.
I disagree with that for four reasons:
1. A city/region should have control of the land within it’s borders and be able to make decisions for the betterment of the city including adding taxes to alter behaviour in regards to that land
2. The central government should only be setting broad policy that the city/region then make local laws to uphold
3. The central government is not accountable to the rate payers at all
4. Central government doesn’t have the information or the flexibility to govern the regions as well as the country whereas the local councils do. It’s actually why we have local councils and not just central government
What a load of discombobulated crap from Andrea Vance.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/opinion-little-doing-poor-job-telling-labours-story
She describes Andrew Little as waxing desperate with imagination. She’s the one waxing desperate…
And how about this:
Left wing commentator Phil Quin? Who is she trying to kid? He’s the one who resigned publicly and dramatically over the “Chinese sounding names debacle” she claims later in the article. Yeah… Phil Twyford as been fully vindicated since.
Have always suspected Ms Vance is a two-faced journo. Now I know.
Further excerpt:
Davis excepted (I have a lot of time for him), what’s in her drinking water that’s fried her brain?
Pagani on the Labour front bench…aaaarrrrghhh my day ruined….
Apparently that would be the front bench of a new party. One that, like Act, will have to make deals with National to even get into parliament.
I used to have some respect for Andrea Vance but this opinion piece looks like it was written by Matthew Hooton. What absolute nonsense!
Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal, despite all attempts by some to claim otherwise. Most of us were relieved when Andrew Little exposed Leggott as a rightwinger with Act support, and were also pleased to see Nash brought into line.
Leggott, Pagani, and Quinn have been plotting to move Labour rightwards for years but it is clear that they no longer have any influence within the party. Cosgrove and Goff are on their way out and they are obviously panicking. That Vance bought their spin is deeply disappointing.
Recall we had trolls smearing Vance as a Labour stooge, well maybe half true (right wing Labour stooge?), no matter, I was always weary of her opinions as she was always a ‘Labour did it too’ repeater. Pal of Pagani maybe?
Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal.
I’m picking she threw his name into the ring to give the ‘cabal’ some respectability.
Bear in mind where Vance learned her trade… The News of the World. She’s brought their trademark underhand tactics with her. I should not be surprised if she wasn’t doing a bit of a counter-spin job for the govt. because they are under a lot of pressure at the moment.
You need your own episode on X-Files.
I actually think Vance is one of the better journalists we have in that she does usually do research.
This article suggests to me she is friendly with Josie Pagani who often appears on TVNZ to represent the left (even though she is not at all left) and Vance has all too easily swallowed the Pagani/Leggott spin. Poor effort from someone who should know better.
You could be right Karen. After all Vance is new to NZ. Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics (no doubt thinks she does) so could be easily mislead by the likes of the Paganis/Quins or Leggotts of this world. It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about. Eg. Andrew Little.
Wow…are you suggesting that Vance cannot think for herself?
Easily mislead…why? because Vance is female? that’s how you sound Anne.
Could you not accept that maybe Vance wrote the article based on “her considered opinion”? instead of getting nasty…
Pffft… reading what’s not there. Anyone can do that. I take it you are a typical misogynist male trying to project your failings on to a female? 😎
“Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics”
“so could be easily mislead”
“It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about”
No, I am on solid ground here Anne…you don’t like what Vance has said so you play the “poor wee thing” BS…
From what I can see, Vance says what she thinks…if it critical of the left or right I don’t care.
Chuck-Now that’s a real troll attempt at diversion. Unconvincing though.
Anne..add a Pffft from me too.
“And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.”
Vance should be ashamed to think she’s any sort of journalist to invent such deliberate fabrication. It’s reminiscent of The News of the World semi- criminal rubbish.
Vance is cooking up drama for ratings….Andrew was absolutely correct to explain to Stuart Nash it is “not a good look”…What about Vance asking Nash what his game is? If Hekia was doing a speaking engagement with Justin Lester, would Key have something to say?? We can’t even imagine it as it would not happen, cheers Stu, managed to divide people again.
It made Mr Little look like a strong leader imo , minions need chipping into line occasionally , ( I know because I ‘ve had the odd boss chip me when needed)
she used to work for “News of the World” for sure she is cooking up drama for ratings. Good call
Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.
And as for Phil Twyford…39.5% of houses are sold to people with Chinese sounding names…yeh right “Phil has fully vindicated” NOT!!
Where have you been in the last few weeks? Estate agents, financiers, journos (the real ones), various other expert commentators have been publicly condemning the govt. for not reining in the foreign based speculators who are the main driver of the escalating house prices and ALL of them are conceding that the most significant group are from China. The only people NOT conceding this fact is the govt. who are manipulating the figures in an effort to conceal the truth. Everyone knows it except Chuck – and his little band of fellow rwnj cohorts.
Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.
Twyford took a leaf out of Winston’s bag of tricks and ran with it.
Ah, more lies from a RWNJ – as expected.
The evidence is that foreign speculators are pushing up house prices here in NZ, in Canada and other places around the world.
But, of course, you knew that.
“Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.”
Draco please read again…”NOT the main driver”.
Any buyer in the market (when supply is limited) can be said to have an effect on escalating house prices.
So to be clear – are you saying that foreign based speculators are THE main driver of escalating house prices in Auckland?
46% of residential house sales in AK are to investors.
Of that number 5% are to offshore domiciled foreign investors,and a further 15% to temporary visa holders aka foreign investors.
remove 20% of the players from any market it will contract ie elasticity you do understand that part don’t you?
Regardless of the source, I guess they are the govt’s manipulated/massaged figures you are quoting. The govt’s lying through their teeth and anyone with any nous knows it. Hence the reason so many financial and real estate experts have been going public with the truth. Easy enough to disguise their foreign-based credentials by arranging for NZ based associates to ostensibly buy the properties while the money is coming from off-shore investors who remain incognito.
Yes the delay in the second round of money laundering legislation in which nz is an outlier suggests incompetence,or a requirement to check with the governments corporate sponsors.
There were 57,678 property transfers in total over the three months (second quarter). Only 1749 of them involved foreign buyers and 1560 foreign sellers, both including trusts and businesses.
Yes.
1. They’ve got far more money than the majority of people in NZ
2. As Poission points out, even a small increase in demand will adversely affect house prices and 20% isn’t a small increase.
Then you are plainly wrong Draco.
They have an effect…but are NOT the main drivers.
Ah, so you admit that it’s an attack piece.
Not sure what you mean Draco…
But if you are referring to Twyford’s Chinese sounding names…yes it was. Stir up the locals re – Asians are buying up your houses.
Every Asian looking person from that point at an auction or open home were tarred with Twyfords “attack piece”.
Personally I have friends of Asian decent who coped it firsthand. And they are NZ citizens and had been for a long time.
I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:
Which means that you recognise it as an attack piece.
Unfortunately, that was already happening because people were already noticing that auctions for housing were being dominated by Asians. Twyford just put the figures together to show that the housing market was dominated by non-resident Asians.
“I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:”
“Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.”
Ok got it.
No my view is its not an attack piece. When I said Little made it very easy – it was because he shot from the hip. Labour has been infighting for years over this subject, the last thing it needed was for Little to throw petrol on the fire.
Vance took notice and reported it.
upchuck
http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/lawyer-chinese-house-buyers-will-get-around-ban-2016062116
http://www.interest.co.nz/property/83067/nzs-populaton-grows-fastest-rate-ever-year-june-back-surging-migration
https://croakingcassandra.com/2016/08/08/perhaps-20-more-terms-in-office-will-be-enough/
Quin is on a par with the Conservative’s Stringer. Even his friends don’t like him.
The man truly is a pig.
You need to get out more…..as in don’t get all your information from the same sources.
I could resort to the rantings of infowars’ blow addled fuckwits.
But I won’t.
Vance crucifies Andrew Little https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/opinion-little-doing-poor-job-telling-labours-story
That would be one of the leaders of the block that is level with National in the polls and rising.
Vance shows shes just another jonolist, like we needed proof.
Vance responds to a tweet offering a more rational view of the feedback Nash got from Little:
“the point I was trying to make is there should be room for more ideas and less nastiness!”
Talk about “nasty” Andrea?
Better late than never – Zeynep Tufekci updated her article on the dumping of the details of female voters in Turkey.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zeynep-tufekci/wikileaks-erdogan-emails_b_11158792.html
Bolton, huh.
/
http://www.iraqwar.org/bolton.htm
Do you have any commentary on Hillary, Joe?
Or are you a Clinton Crime Denier?
ABT
Had to look up ABT in the urban dictionary and it was an interesting read…
Dickhead alan duff gets some learning from Leonie Pihama
“Each column written by Alan Duff is yet another repetitive Once Were Warriors theme. We continually get themes of: Once Were Losers, Once Were Whingers, Once Were Drop Outs… the list goes on and within it the themes continue to reflect what is in fact Alan Duff’s inability to grasp the fundamental underpinning issues of the impact of colonisation, and how that has specific and particular consequences for Indigenous Nations. This is somewhat ironic, given that the position Duff takes in virtually every column is a reflection of those impacts, and are reflected constantly as the justification for Māori people being bashed by him on regular basis. Perhaps it is because Mr Duff has never taken to the time to seek out pathways for understanding his own self hatred and the hegemony of that. Hegemony, being the internalisation of self hatred, and the internalisation of the belief that to be successful in this society is to act, write, speak and live as the reflection of your coloniser (The definition is provided here as the column indicates that Mr Duff has difficulty with such terms as hegemony, colonisation and imperialist arrogance – all of which are states of being that are reflected in Mr Duffs column).”
https://tewhareporahou.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/just-another-excuse-to-bash-maori-a-reply-to-alan-duff/
Hat tip – Kim
Wow ,well done Leonie. If only the bloody stupid Herald would print that!
Dickhead marty mars repeats verbatim half the discourse he provides a link to …why ??does he think we cant read ?
Half? Back to school fool.
It is appropriate to quote with a link so people know what the link is like. 101
@ No Right Turn:
“(Clinton on TPPA) I oppose it now, I’ll oppose it after the election and I’ll oppose it as President,” the Democratic nominee told supporters at a factory in Michigan.”
Wow! Hope it works out that way. Meanwhile Key is going ahead with a rushed omnibus Bill to change our laws to fit TPPA.
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/the-tpp-is-dead.html
Ps. Forgot to post this this morning. Too late?