Whilst all the usual suspects were debating how many saints could dance on the head of a pin (and how the market will always save us…another arcane faith) yesterday some real world observers were saying…
Goldman-Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Barron’s issued reports last week forecasting that oil prices will be much higher next year because of a stagnant supply situation. Goldman is saying the Saudis do not have nearly as much reserve capacity as Riyadh and the IEA claim and forecast oil at $140 a barrel next year. Barron’s is talking about oil reaching $150 next spring with spikes to $160 and $170 a barrel. Gasoline will be in the vicinity of $4.50 a gallon.
Recession or depression coming? Just semantics, Chinas growing GDP at 8% per annum so yeah, we will all get electric cars courtesy of the market……at the Warehouse.
If you are a strong believer in the green economy and electric vehicles, then [lithium] demand is going to exceed supply by 2015-2016."
— Peter Secker, CEO – Canada Lithium Corp.
Another PS to the above, Greece and now Italy….(not forgetting the other PIGS). Over at the Automaticearth the following commentary on the current European financial crisis, the spotlight turns to Italy..
European banks’ holdings of Italian debt is 7-8 times bigger than that of Greece. Where it’s taken European leaders forever to accept, as they did today, that there will have to be haircuts for private investors. When time comes to address Italy’s debt, “haircut” won’t be an appropriate metaphor. It’ll be more like putting their heads through a lawnmower, and without anaesthetics.
It appears Greece despite the “bail outs” (with attendant imposed austerity and consequent riots) will default, which may in turn lead to contagion in Italy, Portugal, Ireland etc, who may in turn default.
We are here on two little islands in the South Pacific, Shonkey is busy borrowing money to pay for tax cuts for the rich…and the supply may well dry up. Will this clobber him before the election? How will we respond to IMF bail out austerity schemes??
PIIGS (Portugal,Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. I hate the way they are portrayed as the porcine greed symbol, As you point out; their not)
What is so interesting is the fact that one of the Banks most vulnerable to this collapse is the bank of America in which John Key holds a huge amount of shares. I don ‘t know the exact amount but I would bet you bottom dollar that it could easily be 50% of his wealth in shares in that bank, that is a whopping $ 25 million. People have been killed for less!
If these countries default The French and German banks will cash in on the hedges they made with American banks causing their default too. In fact according to this article they hold 96% of the risk. No wonder they are pushing for bailouts and want to buy the real assets of those countries with their toilet paper money!
Here is a nice comment of Max Keiser on Press TV about raising the debt ceiling and Christine Lagarde of the IMF whom he calls a debt whore. Which I reckon she is too!
There have been bank bailouts by governments before and this is the reason why.
All the banks lend to each other so when one defaults the whole lot suddenly find themselves without the expected amount of money. On a small scale, say that of a single home mortgage default, this isn’t actually a problem but when there’s a major default such as a country not paying out then it will echo around the world bringing down the entire financial system.
This time though, if the PIIGS (Yeah, I hate that acronym as well) default there’s no way that the governments of the world could bailout the banking system. When, not if, the PIIGS default the entire corrupt system will collapse and we’ll drop into a depression that will make the Great Depression look like a summer holiday. But at least we’ll get to see all the corruption that the present socio-economic system has bred and be able to do something about it.
Wow, coming from safe and well protected Holland were storms were plenty full and snow weights heavily on power and telephone lines if they are at all above the ground and it never interfered with those services I have to really get used to the fragility of the power and telephone infrastructure over here. Lightening zapped out telephone and internet connection and it took a full day to get it back up and running again.
Anyway here is a video narrated by Kevin Ryan. Kevin Ryan is a 911 wistleblower. He worked for Underwriters laboratory and was fired for pointing out that this lab had conducted the initial testing of the steel used for the WTC and that the official story was impossible. Here he analyses the NIST rapport on building 7.
Bring on the girls… Brash acts to fight white blokes image (Herald)
Act leader Don Brash says the party needs more young women and brown faces as candidates to more broadly represent New Zealand society at the election.
“Act leader Don Brash says the party needs more young women and brown faces as candidates to more broadly represent New Zealand society at the election.”
Lets see some beneficiary and disabled candidates too, to more broadly represent New Zealand society.
Brash is already a pensioner so they’ve got that angle covered.
The Nats were rightfully castigated for only giving soldiers attending a Crete ceremony $2,000 to get there while Wayne Mapp on the taxpayer credit card enjoyed a $26k luxury flight and stay over. Australia paid the full cost of transport and hotels for their soldiers.
The Nats were made to face up to how appalling it was by a recent newspaper article. Key was apparently disturbed. Mapp has come out and said it was wrong and that they will now pay for the soldiers in the future BUT it will not be backdated. The next trip will be in 5 years time and the soldiers are already into their 90s.
This presents an unusual achievement. National is made to look utterly cynical and cheap at the same time.
If Mr Key is so disturbed by this pitiful resourcing of the event for our veterans, why did he not say anything back during the ANZAC memorial events earllier this year when the $2000 per veteran announcement was made public.
His snake-oil comments are too little too late to have any credibility.
I’m so looking forward to Labour apologists defending Labour for their latest breach of the electoral laws. I wonder what it will be this time.
We have had the following excuses;
The rules were confusing – Complete fail for MPs who by convention don’t have the defense that the laws they wrote and enacted are confusing.
The ref changed the rules – impossible claim given that written warnings have been given for this very same thing and they were ignored.
Others were doing it too – the kind of excuse a kid uses.
It’s the way we have always done it – Right so if I’ve always exceeded the speed limit can I claim that I’ve always been breaking the law and therefore I can’t be prosecuted for it….
The defenders of the indefensible will be busy with this one.
Did you ever get around to producing that letter? I don’t recall seeing it.
It’s the way we have always done it – Right so if I’ve always exceeded the speed limit can I claim that I’ve always been breaking the law and therefore I can’t be prosecuted for it….
No, you imbecile. There had been 14 previous years where the AG could have pulled up that spending and didn’t which tends to indicate that that spending was OK.
I had been driving for 20 years before I got my first speeding ticket – the fact I’d never been caught before then didn’t make any difference.
But hey, you defend the indefensible, keep busy like like I predicted.
I can’t find an online copy of the letter issued by David Henry prior to the 2005 election warning Labour that the pledge card would be considered as electioneering – but your constant apologist stance has motivated me. Watch this space.
I had been driving for 20 years before I got my first speeding ticket – the fact I’d never been caught before then didn’t make any difference.
Think of it this way.
The law bans excessive smoke from cars. You have a car and it smokes but you drive it anyway as it’s not a lot. Every time you drive it you go past a police officer and nothing happens for the first 14 times then, on the 15th time, you get pulled up and given a ticket.
The only thing that’s changed is that it’s not the same police officer any more so why has the small amount of smoke suddenly broken the law after so many times when it didn’t? The law needs consistency and the sudden change in enforcement was an effective change in the rules.
If you’re going to use metaphor at least use one that’s comparable. You didn’t get caught speeding for those 20 years because you weren’t seen not because the police weren’t enforcing the law.
If you’re going to use metaphor at least use one that’s comparable. You didn’t get caught speeding for those 20 years because you weren’t seen not because the police weren’t enforcing the law.
I can tell you one thing Draco, the time I was caught was certainly not the first time I had been speeding. And hey guess what – Like the Labour party in the 2005 election I knew when I was caught that;
a) It was my good luck I had never been caught before.
b) Being caught was my own fault for willfully ignoring the speed limit.
c) The Law had been applied fairly and there was no need to blame the cop ( aka the ref ) for the fact I was caught.
I guess the difference between me and the Labour party was that I didn’t think it was unfair that I got caught when I had driven the same stretch of road hundreds of times at a similar speed before – but not been caught.
No rules were changed… The only bad call that was made was me thinking I wouldn’t get caught simply because I hadn’t been in the past.
The only thing that’s changed is that it’s not the same police officer any more so why has the small amount of smoke suddenly broken the law after so many times when it didn’t? The law needs consistency and the sudden change in enforcement was an effective change in the rules.
Right so the written warning for excessive smoke that you are rushing to hide under the floor mat when you have been stopped and the current police officer is scribbling a ticket – you forgot to mention that in your metaphor..
Here you will see that the The Chief Electoral Office (David Henry – prior to the 2005 election) clearly pointed out that the Labour party were deemed to have broken the law. He even requests an explanation as to why this matter should not be referered to the Police.
Suckers like you bought the “ref changed the rules” line – how foolish you must feel repeating the lies of a corrupt self serving political party who deliberately ignored a written warning then claimed the ref changed the rules.
But you know what I’m feeling generous today so I’ll give you some free advice…here goes…are you ready…it’ll blow your mind…its something you’ve probably never thought of before…
Apoligise for breaking the law, take your punishment with good grace and (this will be the hardest part I know) start following the rules
And apparently now even the Rankin spectre is being summoned to the ACTorrhoid cluster….it’s like herding diseased cats, Rodders is looking sane by comparison…..
Finally, the private sector proves that it understands National’s vision for the future of NZ McJobs.
Notice the implied hostage taking threat at the end around wage rates.
“We’re paying $13 an hour and in the throes of settling with Unite Union soon,” Watson said. “But it will be nowhere near $15 an hour and let me tell you, if we went up to that number the viability of our future development programme would be jeopardised.”
Ironic for a company which makes most of its money internationally from working class customers.
Here is a presentation from Nuclear engineers Arnie Gundersen and David Lochbaum about why Fukushima can happen anywhere where there are Nuclear power plants. It’s about an hour long and devoid of histrionics making it all the more scary in it’s implications.
The struggle to defend our lawful rights to ‘freedom of expression’ continues………..
If you don’t know your rights – you don’t have any.
If you don’t defend the rights you are SUPPOSED to have – you lose them.
So – here we go………………….
FYI
Today, Wednesday 13 July 2011, before 5pm, I, Penny Bright, will apply at the Auckland High Court for orders:
“1.1 Revoking, lifting or ruling as legally invalid, the alleged suppression order of Winkelmann J, which purports to prevent the New Zealand public, and the world at large, from knowing about her Honour’s Judgment granted that same day in 18 criminal prosecutions (CRI2007-085-7842, CRI2007-085-7843, CRI2007-085-7840, CRI2008-004-9108, CRI2008-004-20747, CRI2007-004-23065, CRI2008-004-20022, CRI2007-004-23068, CRI2007-004-23069, CRI2008-004-20748, CRI2007-004-23066, CRI2008-004-20045, CRI2007-063-4445, CRI2007-063-4441, CRI2007-054-4999, CRI2007-063-4472, CRI2008-070-1415, CRI2008-404-342), known collectively as “the Operation 8 prosecutions”.
1.2 Revoking, lifting or ruling as legally invalid, the Minute of Winkelmann J dated 21 December 2010; to the extent that “Minute” intends to – or results in- the New Zealand public or world at large from knowing relevant facts in the prosecution or reasons for suppressing all of Her Honour’s 9 December 2010 Judgment in the Operation 8 prosecution, including such basic and important information as the fact of their indictment on charges.1
(1 Refer to paragraph [1] of the Judgment of Winkelmann J dated 9 December 2010, “Operation 9 prosecutions”) ”
The ‘legislative basis’ upon which I am relying, in order to file this application, lies in CIV 2010 – 404 – 8559 Solicitor-General of New Zealand v Vincent Ross Siemer , Judgment of MacKenzie and Simon France JJ, 4 July 2011.
VINCE SIEMER Solicitor General v Siemer judgment(3) CIV 2010 404 8559 HC Ak 4 July 2011 MacKenzie & Simon France JJ 12 July 2011
[41] ……..
It is open to persons including Mr Siemer to apply to the Court for a variation of the order, or for its removal, but until that is successfully done the order is binding.”
I have been advised by email by the Manager of the Criminal jurisdiction of the Auckland High Court, that :
“Having discussed the jurisdiction issue with my colleagues, I can confirm that the view is that the application should be with the Civil jurisdiction.”
What is arguably patently ridiculous in this situation is that this latest judgment, which is not ‘suppressed’, contains details of the judgment of Winkelmann J which was suppressed.
Vince Siemer is now facing imprisonment for ‘contempt’ for ‘disseminating details of Judge Winkelmann’s decision – which I too have disseminated. I too, am upholding the public’s lawful right to know Judge’s decisions and their reasons for those decisions.
Am I too going to face imprisonment for ‘contempt’ of court?
What ‘LAW’ have I, or Vince Siemer (www.kiwisfirst.co.nz) ever broken?
“[4] There is no basis in law to suppress a court judgment resulting from a criminal prosecution. Such judicial powers are limited to the evidence adduced, the submissions made, publication of the name of any witness or witnesses, or any name or particulars likely to lead to the identification of the witness or witnesses under s 138 of the Criminal Justice Act 1985.
4. s 138 of the Criminal Justice Act 1985 states:
138 Power to clear court and forbid report of proceedings
…….
(5) The powers conferred by this section to make orders of any kind described in
subsection (2) are in substitution for any such powers that a court may have
had under any inherent jurisdiction or any rule of law; and no court shall have power to
make any order of any such kind except in accordance with this section or any other
enactment.
5. It is a violation of natural justice to attempt to enforce a suppression order, with criminal penalties, against the public at large (i.e. not parties to the proceeding) for commenting on, or disseminating, a judgment, without the right to be heard, in a free and democratic society.
6. Similarly, it is an unreasonable restriction on the statutory right of freedom of expression guaranteed under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 for New Zealand citizens to face prosecution and be threatened with loss of their liberty simply for disseminating or commenting on any court judgment – particularly cases pertaining to the ongoing “Operation 8 prosecutions”, which have already been the subject of significant public interest.
7. The order is in direct conflict with the principles of open and transparent justice which have been the hallmark of an honourable and just court system in every egalitarian society, because it effectively makes the judgment secret and unavailable to public scrutiny.
8. The subject suppression order violates a broader interest – that of significant public interest – and the conflict of Justice Winkelmann’s alleged suppression order against this broader public interest has been confirmed in correspondence between the Crown Prosecutor, Mr Burns, in the Operation 8 prosecutions and the High Court in which the alleged suppression order originates.
9. It is relevant to the grounds of this application that Justice Winkelmann gave no reasons for the alleged suppression order, if indeed it was Her Honour’s order, for concealing the public court judgment from the New Zealand public and the world at large. Justice cannot ‘be done or be seen to be done’, if the judgment of ‘what was done’, and ‘why it was done’ is deliberately hidden from the public.
11. The risk to personal liberty against citizens of New Zealand is unacceptable, if the alleged suppression order is allowed to stand. The threat to personal liberty is evident by the recent prosecution of the legal news website publisher Vince Siemer, who is currently facing imprisonment as a sole and direct result of publishing this public court judgment. 2
12. As the applicant has disseminated details regarding this 9 December 2010 judgment to the public, as well as engaged in commentary regarding it, she faces potential prosecution by the State unless the court suppression order – if it is determined by this Honourable Court to be an actual order – is allowed to stand.
13. If Justice Winkelmann’s court ‘order’ has not been based upon the ‘rule of law’, then the public cannot be expected to respect it. If Judges don’t themselves follow the ‘rule of law,’ by basing their decisions upon the ‘rule of law’ – then they are not ‘setting an example’ to citizens which either safeguards the administration of justice, or enhances public confidence in the New Zealand judiciary.
14. The Applicant holds that the real risk to the administration of justice stems from this court ‘order’ which has not been based on the ‘rule of law’ – but has been ‘made up’ by Justice Winkelmann, then enforced by the Solicitor-General David Collins QC, in such an discriminatory and arbitrary way as to constitute an abuse of power which cannot be justified in a free and democratic society.”
In the face of the enormous devastation that is destroying forests across northern Alberta, a peaceful group of people are steadfastly asserting the need to heal the land and waters. On June 25, 2011, the second annual Healing Walk for the Tar Sands brought together Indigenous people, Keepers of the Athabasca, elders, children and supporters, who walked 13 kilometres through the heart of where Syncrude and Suncor extract bitumen on a massive scale.
Overwhelming evidence of torture by the Bush administration obliges President Barack Obama to order a criminal investigation into allegations of detainee abuse authorized by former President George W. Bush and other senior officials.
Overwhelming evidence of torture by the Bush administration obliges President Barack Obama to order a criminal investigation into allegations of detainee abuse authorized by former President George W. Bush and other senior officials, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Obama administration has failed to meet US obligations under the Convention against Torture to investigate acts of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees, Human Rights Watch said.
I HATE robots and there are too many of them, it’s bad enough when you bump into them when calling winz, telstraclear, etc etc But to have one ringing you. Telstra has one that does and I just hang up on it. AS I will for every robot that rings me. Wow 3rd day in a row for Thunderstorms here in Levin..
Yep Animals hate the lightning for some reason, something to do with their senses like birds . It looks like that could be it for a while. handy site tho’ thanks
I have been here a few years now, I like the pace. They work hard and play hard. Have fundraisers and fights, have political tensions and insane parties and generally keep things ticking over while doing their best to smile and help another person when its needed.
All in all a fair microcosm of New Zealand really.
i’m not sure it has blown over looks like round three is just beginning and added hail to the mix.
this is some serious weather. (i have Rage against the Machine on and i cannot hear it)
It was round 3 I just got in after a drive to countdown and had trouble seeing the road it was so hard. We been here about 2 1/2 years and it’s a great place for us. And with my 2 mth old son its nice to be able to walk any where in town. In Summer that is lol today was car day, Yep it drowned out all thoughts of chatter in the car..
It’s your fault for living in Levin! 😀 When I worked for ANZ, I noted that the ANZ branch number for Levin was 666, which a friend of mine who hates that town, said was appropriate..
I too, hang up on robots. Too bad for them!
A few MP’s spoke on the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill in Parliament yesterday. While most showed a good grasp on what they were talking about, Peter Dunne dropped a couple of clangers in his uninspiring and droll speech. Although the bill is in the most part well thought out, it has a number of items that raise concern. The bill proposes to deregulate Thalidomide, which is a terrible drug that has caused more harm than marijuana ever could.
Just heard in Parliament that Blinglish banked the sale proceeds from the sell down of power company shares in the budget but did not allow in future years for the loss of dividend income, on the basis that it was up to the election to confirm the sale would happen.
Blinglish has the nerve to suggest that since the dividends were already in the Budget Labour cannot take them into account when working out the benefit of retaining the power company shares in state ownership!
There are lots of things to be concerned about in AfPak Ian, but that guy doesn’t seem to have too good a handle on them. Maybe he does and is writing to a purpose, but that piece is way, way, too simplistic, and heavily loaded with lines that make me think it is more aimed at shaping western opinion than describing events on the ground.
Few points I look for in any analysis.
Most importantly, do they explain things in terms of interests. ie when they say the ISI has links to the Taliban or other militanst, do they say what pakistan’s interests are, or do they just leave it as a shadow, allowing the reader to think that it’s all just ideological scary muslims determined to slaughter us all in our sleep. First rule is that nations act in the best perceived interest. That is why Pakistan was and is doing what is doing. That is why the Taliban made deals with AQ. That is why Iran nearly invaded in 2000. etc. Interests, not ideology, most often.
Do they talk nearly as much about Iran, India, China and Russia as they do about Pakistan. All these countries have interests, all will act on them. Pakistan is far from being the strongest player in the region.
Do they describe what effect they think the last ten years of western fighting in the region will have on the calculations of the various players; or do they try and paint a picture of everyone just going back to how it was with, for example, the Afghan govt thinking making deals with AQ will not have any consequences, ditto ISI, etc.
There was some ludicrous debate going on in Parliament today. Amongst the rhetoric were a number of gaff’s and outright lies by National MP’s. Most were reasonably inconsequential, but a couple I found rather amusing. After saying that farmers were wrongly singled out for their tax avoidance, National MP David Carter said, and I quote “sheep thieves and dairy farmers.” Talk about foot in mouth disease…
He’s complaining (as Union Sec) that guys have not been paid because he (as Company Director) has been sending in dodgy invoices so his company don’t get paid and his worker’s don’t get paid………..
Who do they go to now???? Unite???? Local Labour MP????
Former chief inspector of coal mines Robin Hughes, with over 40 years of coal mining experience gave evidence yesterday at the Royal Commission of Inquiry concerning the Pike River mine disaster. He said mine safety changes made by the National Government in the 1990’s was the underlying cause for the disaster that occurred 19 November 2010 and claimed 29 lives.
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Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
Through its austerity measures, the coalition government has engineered a rise in unemployment in order to reduce inflation while – simultaneously – cracking down harder and harder on the people thrown out of work by its own policies. To that end, Social Development Minister Louise Upston this week added two ...
This year, we've seen a radical, white supremacist government ignoring its Tiriti obligations, refusing to consult with Māori, and even trying to legislatively abrogate te Tiriti o Waitangi. When it was criticised by the Waitangi Tribunal, the government sabotaged that body, replacing its legal and historical experts with corporate shills, ...
Poor old democracy, it really is in a sorry state. It would be easy to put all the blame on the vandals and tyrants presently trashing the White House, but this has been years in the making. It begins with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and the spirit of Gordon ...
The new school lunches came in this week, and they were absolutely scrumptious.I had some, and even though Connor said his tasted like “stodge” and gave him a sore tummy, I myself loved it!Look at the photos - I knew Mr Seymour wouldn’t lie when he told us last year:"It ...
The tighter sanctions are modelled on ones used in Britain, which did push people off ‘the dole’, but didn’t increase the number of workers, and which evidence has repeatedly shown don’t work. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, ...
Catching you up on the morning’s global news and a quick look at the parallels -GLOBALTariffs are backSharemarkets in the US, UK and Europe have “plunged” in response to Trump’s tariffs. And while Mexico has won a one month reprieve, Canada and China will see their respective 25% and 10% ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. Gondolas are often in the news, with manufacturers of ropeway systems proposing them as a modern option for mass transit systems in New Zealand. However, like every next big thing in transport, it’s hard ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkBoth 2023 and 2024 were exceptionally warm years, at just below and above 1.5C relative to preindustrial in the WMO composite of surface temperature records, respectively. While we are still working to assess the full set of drivers of this warmth, it is clear that ...
Hi,I woke up feeling nervous this morning, realising that this weekend Flightless Bird is going to do it’s first ever live show. We’re heading to a sold out (!) show in Seattle to test the format out in front of an audience. If it works, we’ll do more. I want ...
From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
The PSA have released a survey of 4000 public service workers showing that budget cuts are taking a toll on the wellbeing of public servants and risking the delivery of essential services to New Zealanders. Economists predict that figures released this week will show continued increases in unemployment, potentially reaching ...
The Prime Minister’s speech 10 days or so ago kicked off a flurry of commentary. No one much anywhere near the mainstream (ie excluding Greens supporters) questioned the rhetoric. New Zealand has done woefully poorly on productivity for a long time and we really need better outcomes, and the sorts ...
President Trump on the day he announced tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, unleashing a shock to supply chains globally that is expected to slow economic growth and increase inflation for most large economies. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 9 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 3Politics: New Zealand Government cabinet meeting usually held early afternoon with post-cabinet news conference possible at 4 pm, although they have not been ...
Trump being Trump, it won’t come as a shock to find that he regards a strong US currency (bolstered by high tariffs on everything made by foreigners) as a sign of America’s virility, and its ability to kick sand in the face of the world. Reality is a tad more ...
A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 26, 2025 thru Sat, February 1, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
What seems to be the common theme in the US, NZ, Argentina and places like Italy under their respective rightwing governments is what I think of as “the politics of cruelty.” Hate-mongering, callous indifference in social policy-making, corporate toadying, political bullying, intimidation and punching down on the most vulnerable with ...
If you are confused, check with the sunCarry a compass to help you alongYour feet are going to be on the groundYour head is there to move you aroundSo, stand in the place where you liveSongwriters: Bill Berry / Michael Mills / Michael Stipe / Peter Buck.Hot in the CityYesterday, ...
Shane Jones announced today he would be contracting out his thinking to a smarter younger person.Reclining on his chaise longue with a mouth full of oysters and Kina he told reporters:Clearly I have become a has-been, a palimpsest, an epigone, a bloviating fossil. I find myself saying such things as: ...
Warning: This post contains references to sexual assaultOn Saturday, I spent far too long editing a video on Tim Jago, the ACT Party President and criminal, who has given up his fight for name suppression after 2 years. He voluntarily gave up just in time for what will be a ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is global warming ...
Our low-investment, low-wage, migration-led and housing-market-driven political economy has delivered poorer productivity growth than the rest of the OECD, and our performance since Covid has been particularly poor. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty this ...
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.As far as major government announcements go, a Three Ministers Event is Big. It can signify a major policy development or something has gone Very Well, or an absolute Clusterf**k. When Three Ministers assemble ...
One of those blasts from the past. Peter Dunne – originally neoliberal Labour, then leader of various parties that sought to work with both big parties (generally National) – has taken to calling ...
Completed reads for January: I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson The Black Spider, by Jeremias Gotthelf The Spider and the Fly (poem), by Mary Howitt A Noiseless Patient Spider (poem), by Walt Whitman August Heat, by W.F. Harvey Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White The Shrinking Man, by Richard Matheson ...
Do its Property Right Provisions Make Sense?Last week I pointed out that it is uninformed to argue that the New Zealand’s apparently poor economic performance can be traced only to poor regulations. Even were there evidence they had some impact, there are other factors. Of course, we should seek to ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist China and the Cook Islands’ relationship “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”, says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, as opposition leaders in Rarotonga express a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Mark Brown. In response to questions from the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Donald Trump is moving rapidly to change the contours of contemporary international affairs, with the old US-dominated world order breaking down into a multipolar one with many centres of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ronnie Das, Associate Professor in Data Analytics, The University of Western Australia In the recent Border-Gavaskar series against India, Steve Smith agonisingly missed out reaching 10,000 Test runs in front of his home crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground, falling short by ...
In a brand new documentary series for The Spinoff, comedians and best friends Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester embark on a cross-country quest to find love. Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club is a brand new documentary series for The Spinoff following award-winning comedians and friends Brynley Stent and ...
🚐 Bryn and Ku pack their bags and swap the bleak dating scene of Tāmaki Makaurau for some meet and mingle events in Ōtautahi that will take them out of their comfort zone. ❣️ Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club follows comedians Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester as they head out ...
"The relationship between China and the Cook Islands does not target any third party," the Chinese Foreign Ministry says, as opposition leaders in Rarotonga plan protest. ...
From tradwives to ‘petite blonde’ preferences, this season feels like a throwback for all the wrong reasons, writes Alex Casey. First of all: I know. Complaining about bad stuff on Married at First Sight Australia is like complaining that water is wet. But I’ve been bobbing around in these waters ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a public servant who’s ‘trying to get better’ explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female. Age: 24. Ethnicity: Pākehā and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Assaad, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University Ziv Lavi/Shutterstock Last week, Google quietly abandoned a long-standing commitment to not use artificial intelligence (AI) technology in weapons or surveillance. In an update to its AI principles, which were first ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenainn Simpson, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Florian Nimsdorf / Shutterstock About 400 kilometres northwest of Sydney, just south of Dubbo, lies a large and interesting body of rock formed around 215 million years ago by erupting volcanoes. Known as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mareike Riedel, Senior lecturer in law, Macquarie University The dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents has dominated headlines in Australia in recent months, with calls for urgent action to address what many are calling a crisis. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney For a long time, it seemed refugee law had little relevance to people fleeing the impacts of climate change and disasters. Nearly 30 years ago, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maggie Kirkman, Senior Research Fellow, Global and Women’s Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock You’ve heard of the gender pay gap. What about the gap in medical care? Cardiovascular diseases – which can lead to heart ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Iain White, Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Getty Images Urban planning has a long history of promoting visionary ideas that advocate for particular futures. The most recent is the concept of the 15-minute city, which has gained traction globally. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne Earth is crossing the threshold of 1.5°C of global warming, according to two major global studies which together suggest the planet’s climate has ...
As support for the coalition dips, the PM and his soon-to-be-deputy have engaged in a public war of words. Stewart Sowman-Lund has the details in today’s edition of The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Support slips If there was ever a political honeymoon, or ...
Failure by successive governments has left the South Island’s freshwater in a near disastrous state, the High Court has been told, in a case that could force the Crown to jointly manage water bodies with Ngāi Tahu.Individual Ngāi Tahu leaders, and the collective group Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, are ...
Nearing the end of his career, the world’s greatest unicycle racer chases the sport’s most elusive record. There’s something different about world-class athletes. Even if you know nothing about their sport, you can see it. It’s the way they move – precise, powerful. It’s how they carry themselves – focused, ...
Migrants with money are the focus of new visa settings that the government hopes will boost the economy. Alice Neville explains.What’s all this then? On Sunday, as part of the government’s big plan to kickstart economic growth, changes were announced to the Active Investor Plus visa category, with the ...
Comment: Saturday February 1 was the grim fourth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. The date seems to have gone unnoticed back here in New Zealand. Even before war in Ukraine and then Gaza, Myanmar got little attention. Yet it is the most destructive conflict in our region. The ...
We’re on the brink of a ‘tidal wave’ of misinformation.No one knows the size of it, but there’s a warning that leaving it to the government to sort out won’t work.In the year of local government elections, expect computer-generated content where the sources and authenticity are murky; more complaints about ...
Comment: The next four years are going to bring a terrible information environment, with absurd claims bubbling up from fever swamps overseas The post Paranoia and politics appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Swirly World Sails South, by Andrew Fagan (2012)I feel Andrew is totally under-rated as an author. Alongside his latest book, Swirly World: Lost at Sea, his earlier sailing book is among my favourites. It tells of his trip around New Zealand – via the Auckland Islands. When he set out, ...
A lineup of prominent figures have joined the call to halt the deportation of a mother convicted of inflicting injuries on her baby, as fears grow she could be another victim of a ...
Yasser Abdulaal, who has lived in Ōtautahi Christchurch for five years, said his two sisters had lost their homes in the 15-month-long war. “Toxic wasteland” . . . Palestinians take shelter in tents set up amid heavily damaged buildings in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Image: Al Jazeera screenshot ...
RNZ PacificMarshall Islands Journal editor Giff Johnson says US President Donald Trump’s decision on aid “is an opening for anybody else who wants to fill the gap” in the Pacific. Trump froze all USAID for 90 days on his first day in office and is now looking to significantly ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Mazza, Director, SPHERE NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Care and Professor and Head of the Department of General Practice, Monash University PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Ahead of the government’s response this week ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle It generally ends badly. An old tyrant embarks on an ill-considered project that involves redrawing maps. They are heedless to wise counsel and indifferent to indigenous interests or experience. Before they fail, are killed, deposed or otherwise disposed of, these vicious old men can cause immense ...
The Cook Islands PM is in Beijing to sign an agreement with China - but the government says he failed to consult with NZ on the matter, as is required. ...
Whilst all the usual suspects were debating how many saints could dance on the head of a pin (and how the market will always save us…another arcane faith) yesterday some real world observers were saying…
Goldman-Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Barron’s issued reports last week forecasting that oil prices will be much higher next year because of a stagnant supply situation. Goldman is saying the Saudis do not have nearly as much reserve capacity as Riyadh and the IEA claim and forecast oil at $140 a barrel next year. Barron’s is talking about oil reaching $150 next spring with spikes to $160 and $170 a barrel. Gasoline will be in the vicinity of $4.50 a gallon.
Recession or depression coming? Just semantics, Chinas growing GDP at 8% per annum so yeah, we will all get electric cars courtesy of the market……at the Warehouse.
If you are a strong believer in the green economy and electric vehicles, then [lithium] demand is going to exceed supply by 2015-2016."
— Peter Secker, CEO – Canada Lithium Corp.
Smell the coffee…..have a good day.
Another PS to the above, Greece and now Italy….(not forgetting the other PIGS). Over at the Automaticearth the following commentary on the current European financial crisis, the spotlight turns to Italy..
European banks’ holdings of Italian debt is 7-8 times bigger than that of Greece. Where it’s taken European leaders forever to accept, as they did today, that there will have to be haircuts for private investors. When time comes to address Italy’s debt, “haircut” won’t be an appropriate metaphor. It’ll be more like putting their heads through a lawnmower, and without anaesthetics.
It appears Greece despite the “bail outs” (with attendant imposed austerity and consequent riots) will default, which may in turn lead to contagion in Italy, Portugal, Ireland etc, who may in turn default.
We are here on two little islands in the South Pacific, Shonkey is busy borrowing money to pay for tax cuts for the rich…and the supply may well dry up. Will this clobber him before the election? How will we respond to IMF bail out austerity schemes??
PIIGS (Portugal,Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. I hate the way they are portrayed as the porcine greed symbol, As you point out; their not)
What is so interesting is the fact that one of the Banks most vulnerable to this collapse is the bank of America in which John Key holds a huge amount of shares. I don ‘t know the exact amount but I would bet you bottom dollar that it could easily be 50% of his wealth in shares in that bank, that is a whopping $ 25 million. People have been killed for less!
If these countries default The French and German banks will cash in on the hedges they made with American banks causing their default too. In fact according to this article they hold 96% of the risk. No wonder they are pushing for bailouts and want to buy the real assets of those countries with their toilet paper money!
Spot on, thats what the asset sale frenzy from those who have is all about, seizing future income against flaky worthless paper.
Yep, and it will happen in NZ too if we let them!!!
Here is a nice comment of Max Keiser on Press TV about raising the debt ceiling and Christine Lagarde of the IMF whom he calls a debt whore. Which I reckon she is too!
Cascading failure.
There have been bank bailouts by governments before and this is the reason why.
All the banks lend to each other so when one defaults the whole lot suddenly find themselves without the expected amount of money. On a small scale, say that of a single home mortgage default, this isn’t actually a problem but when there’s a major default such as a country not paying out then it will echo around the world bringing down the entire financial system.
This time though, if the PIIGS (Yeah, I hate that acronym as well) default there’s no way that the governments of the world could bailout the banking system. When, not if, the PIIGS default the entire corrupt system will collapse and we’ll drop into a depression that will make the Great Depression look like a summer holiday. But at least we’ll get to see all the corruption that the present socio-economic system has bred and be able to do something about it.
Wow, coming from safe and well protected Holland were storms were plenty full and snow weights heavily on power and telephone lines if they are at all above the ground and it never interfered with those services I have to really get used to the fragility of the power and telephone infrastructure over here. Lightening zapped out telephone and internet connection and it took a full day to get it back up and running again.
Anyway here is a video narrated by Kevin Ryan. Kevin Ryan is a 911 wistleblower. He worked for Underwriters laboratory and was fired for pointing out that this lab had conducted the initial testing of the steel used for the WTC and that the official story was impossible. Here he analyses the NIST rapport on building 7.
He just needs to get John Ansell to run an advert and do a bit of blogging. Act – chick magnet and brown brothers?
“Act leader Don Brash says the party needs more young women and brown faces as candidates to more broadly represent New Zealand society at the election.”
Lets see some beneficiary and disabled candidates too, to more broadly represent New Zealand society.
Brash is already a pensioner so they’ve got that angle covered.
How is this for cynical politics.
The Nats were rightfully castigated for only giving soldiers attending a Crete ceremony $2,000 to get there while Wayne Mapp on the taxpayer credit card enjoyed a $26k luxury flight and stay over. Australia paid the full cost of transport and hotels for their soldiers.
The Nats were made to face up to how appalling it was by a recent newspaper article. Key was apparently disturbed. Mapp has come out and said it was wrong and that they will now pay for the soldiers in the future BUT it will not be backdated. The next trip will be in 5 years time and the soldiers are already into their 90s.
This presents an unusual achievement. National is made to look utterly cynical and cheap at the same time.
If Mr Key is so disturbed by this pitiful resourcing of the event for our veterans, why did he not say anything back during the ANZAC memorial events earllier this year when the $2000 per veteran announcement was made public.
His snake-oil comments are too little too late to have any credibility.
Mapp is still a creep.
Apparently his frak-up over mistreating war veterans is now something that the WHOLE NATION needs to apologise for on his lame selfish behalf.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10738155
I probably should have added Mapp to the comment but the buck stops with Key
I’m so looking forward to Labour apologists defending Labour for their latest breach of the electoral laws. I wonder what it will be this time.
We have had the following excuses;
The rules were confusing – Complete fail for MPs who by convention don’t have the defense that the laws they wrote and enacted are confusing.
The ref changed the rules – impossible claim given that written warnings have been given for this very same thing and they were ignored.
Others were doing it too – the kind of excuse a kid uses.
It’s the way we have always done it – Right so if I’ve always exceeded the speed limit can I claim that I’ve always been breaking the law and therefore I can’t be prosecuted for it….
The defenders of the indefensible will be busy with this one.
Did you ever get around to producing that letter? I don’t recall seeing it.
No, you imbecile. There had been 14 previous years where the AG could have pulled up that spending and didn’t which tends to indicate that that spending was OK.
I had been driving for 20 years before I got my first speeding ticket – the fact I’d never been caught before then didn’t make any difference.
But hey, you defend the indefensible, keep busy like like I predicted.
I can’t find an online copy of the letter issued by David Henry prior to the 2005 election warning Labour that the pledge card would be considered as electioneering – but your constant apologist stance has motivated me. Watch this space.
Think of it this way.
The law bans excessive smoke from cars. You have a car and it smokes but you drive it anyway as it’s not a lot. Every time you drive it you go past a police officer and nothing happens for the first 14 times then, on the 15th time, you get pulled up and given a ticket.
The only thing that’s changed is that it’s not the same police officer any more so why has the small amount of smoke suddenly broken the law after so many times when it didn’t? The law needs consistency and the sudden change in enforcement was an effective change in the rules.
If you’re going to use metaphor at least use one that’s comparable. You didn’t get caught speeding for those 20 years because you weren’t seen not because the police weren’t enforcing the law.
I can tell you one thing Draco, the time I was caught was certainly not the first time I had been speeding. And hey guess what – Like the Labour party in the 2005 election I knew when I was caught that;
a) It was my good luck I had never been caught before.
b) Being caught was my own fault for willfully ignoring the speed limit.
c) The Law had been applied fairly and there was no need to blame the cop ( aka the ref ) for the fact I was caught.
I guess the difference between me and the Labour party was that I didn’t think it was unfair that I got caught when I had driven the same stretch of road hundreds of times at a similar speed before – but not been caught.
No rules were changed… The only bad call that was made was me thinking I wouldn’t get caught simply because I hadn’t been in the past.
Right so the written warning for excessive smoke that you are rushing to hide under the floor mat when you have been stopped and the current police officer is scribbling a ticket – you forgot to mention that in your metaphor..
Draco
Please visit this link to find out just how dishonest your beloved Labour party are.
http://web.archive.org/web/20060627174518im_/http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/archives/lab2.JPG
Here you will see that the The Chief Electoral Office (David Henry – prior to the 2005 election) clearly pointed out that the Labour party were deemed to have broken the law. He even requests an explanation as to why this matter should not be referered to the Police.
Suckers like you bought the “ref changed the rules” line – how foolish you must feel repeating the lies of a corrupt self serving political party who deliberately ignored a written warning then claimed the ref changed the rules.
That doesn’t tell me anything as all the relevant information has been cut from it you moron.
You stay in denial Draco…. It’s probably the only way you can have any faith in the current Labour party.
No no no you don’t understand, parliamentary services said it was ok so we didn’t/couldn’t be bothered to do any further work on the matter
There all sorted now lets move on shall we
Exactly. Labour was assured by Parliamentary Services that the spending was not party promotional nor electioneering.
You are so full of shit
Check this out:
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2011/07/goffing-it-up.html
http://dimpost.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/vicious-circle/
and thats from lefty blogs
But you know what I’m feeling generous today so I’ll give you some free advice…here goes…are you ready…it’ll blow your mind…its something you’ve probably never thought of before…
Apoligise for breaking the law, take your punishment with good grace and (this will be the hardest part I know) start following the rules
CV
You never answered this question in another thread;
Do Parliamentary Services indemnify political parties from being accountable for breaking the law?
Just overheard this being read out on Radio New Zealand.
“Sri Lankan asylum seekers should think about seeking to stand for the ACT party, they let anyone in …”
That’s funny.
And apparently now even the Rankin spectre is being summoned to the ACTorrhoid cluster….it’s like herding diseased cats, Rodders is looking sane by comparison…..
Think that being in a professional job is going to mean a big employer is going to treat you better?
Maybe. Maybe not.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10738106
My experience has been that employers will seize every opportunity to treat people like rubbish… 🙁
Finally, the private sector proves that it understands National’s vision for the future of NZ McJobs.
Notice the implied hostage taking threat at the end around wage rates.
Ironic for a company which makes most of its money internationally from working class customers.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10738079
Here is a presentation from Nuclear engineers Arnie Gundersen and David Lochbaum about why Fukushima can happen anywhere where there are Nuclear power plants. It’s about an hour long and devoid of histrionics making it all the more scary in it’s implications.
US nuclear regulatory authorities have no procedures covering spent fuel pool emergencies. None.
Nor do they have procedures covering what to do if station blackouts exceed battery time. None.
And typical US nuclear powerplants have only half the emergency backup battery time of Fukushima (4hrs compared to 8hrs).
wtf 😯
thanks for the link travellerev, was great
(great as in DDT, Challenger O rings, asbestos and paraquat are also ‘great’)
Cheers CV,
I aim to please. LOL. But yeah, that’s how it is.
Hi folks!
The struggle to defend our lawful rights to ‘freedom of expression’ continues………..
If you don’t know your rights – you don’t have any.
If you don’t defend the rights you are SUPPOSED to have – you lose them.
So – here we go………………….
FYI
Today, Wednesday 13 July 2011, before 5pm, I, Penny Bright, will apply at the Auckland High Court for orders:
“1.1 Revoking, lifting or ruling as legally invalid, the alleged suppression order of Winkelmann J, which purports to prevent the New Zealand public, and the world at large, from knowing about her Honour’s Judgment granted that same day in 18 criminal prosecutions (CRI2007-085-7842, CRI2007-085-7843, CRI2007-085-7840, CRI2008-004-9108, CRI2008-004-20747, CRI2007-004-23065, CRI2008-004-20022, CRI2007-004-23068, CRI2007-004-23069, CRI2008-004-20748, CRI2007-004-23066, CRI2008-004-20045, CRI2007-063-4445, CRI2007-063-4441, CRI2007-054-4999, CRI2007-063-4472, CRI2008-070-1415, CRI2008-404-342), known collectively as “the Operation 8 prosecutions”.
1.2 Revoking, lifting or ruling as legally invalid, the Minute of Winkelmann J dated 21 December 2010; to the extent that “Minute” intends to – or results in- the New Zealand public or world at large from knowing relevant facts in the prosecution or reasons for suppressing all of Her Honour’s 9 December 2010 Judgment in the Operation 8 prosecution, including such basic and important information as the fact of their indictment on charges.1
(1 Refer to paragraph [1] of the Judgment of Winkelmann J dated 9 December 2010, “Operation 9 prosecutions”) ”
The ‘legislative basis’ upon which I am relying, in order to file this application, lies in CIV 2010 – 404 – 8559 Solicitor-General of New Zealand v Vincent Ross Siemer , Judgment of MacKenzie and Simon France JJ, 4 July 2011.
VINCE SIEMER Solicitor General v Siemer judgment(3) CIV 2010 404 8559 HC Ak 4 July 2011 MacKenzie & Simon France JJ 12 July 2011
[41] ……..
It is open to persons including Mr Siemer to apply to the Court for a variation of the order, or for its removal, but until that is successfully done the order is binding.”
________________________________________________________________________________
I have been advised by email by the Manager of the Criminal jurisdiction of the Auckland High Court, that :
“Having discussed the jurisdiction issue with my colleagues, I can confirm that the view is that the application should be with the Civil jurisdiction.”
What is arguably patently ridiculous in this situation is that this latest judgment, which is not ‘suppressed’, contains details of the judgment of Winkelmann J which was suppressed.
Vince Siemer is now facing imprisonment for ‘contempt’ for ‘disseminating details of Judge Winkelmann’s decision – which I too have disseminated. I too, am upholding the public’s lawful right to know Judge’s decisions and their reasons for those decisions.
Am I too going to face imprisonment for ‘contempt’ of court?
What ‘LAW’ have I, or Vince Siemer (www.kiwisfirst.co.nz) ever broken?
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1985/0120/latest/DLM78862.html?search=ts_act_Criminal+Justice+Act+1985_resel&p=1#DLM78862
KEY GROUNDS UPON WHICH THIS APPLICATION IS BASED:
“[4] There is no basis in law to suppress a court judgment resulting from a criminal prosecution. Such judicial powers are limited to the evidence adduced, the submissions made, publication of the name of any witness or witnesses, or any name or particulars likely to lead to the identification of the witness or witnesses under s 138 of the Criminal Justice Act 1985.
4. s 138 of the Criminal Justice Act 1985 states:
138 Power to clear court and forbid report of proceedings
…….
(5) The powers conferred by this section to make orders of any kind described in
subsection (2) are in substitution for any such powers that a court may have
had under any inherent jurisdiction or any rule of law; and no court shall have power to
make any order of any such kind except in accordance with this section or any other
enactment.
5. It is a violation of natural justice to attempt to enforce a suppression order, with criminal penalties, against the public at large (i.e. not parties to the proceeding) for commenting on, or disseminating, a judgment, without the right to be heard, in a free and democratic society.
6. Similarly, it is an unreasonable restriction on the statutory right of freedom of expression guaranteed under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 for New Zealand citizens to face prosecution and be threatened with loss of their liberty simply for disseminating or commenting on any court judgment – particularly cases pertaining to the ongoing “Operation 8 prosecutions”, which have already been the subject of significant public interest.
7. The order is in direct conflict with the principles of open and transparent justice which have been the hallmark of an honourable and just court system in every egalitarian society, because it effectively makes the judgment secret and unavailable to public scrutiny.
8. The subject suppression order violates a broader interest – that of significant public interest – and the conflict of Justice Winkelmann’s alleged suppression order against this broader public interest has been confirmed in correspondence between the Crown Prosecutor, Mr Burns, in the Operation 8 prosecutions and the High Court in which the alleged suppression order originates.
9. It is relevant to the grounds of this application that Justice Winkelmann gave no reasons for the alleged suppression order, if indeed it was Her Honour’s order, for concealing the public court judgment from the New Zealand public and the world at large. Justice cannot ‘be done or be seen to be done’, if the judgment of ‘what was done’, and ‘why it was done’ is deliberately hidden from the public.
11. The risk to personal liberty against citizens of New Zealand is unacceptable, if the alleged suppression order is allowed to stand. The threat to personal liberty is evident by the recent prosecution of the legal news website publisher Vince Siemer, who is currently facing imprisonment as a sole and direct result of publishing this public court judgment. 2
12. As the applicant has disseminated details regarding this 9 December 2010 judgment to the public, as well as engaged in commentary regarding it, she faces potential prosecution by the State unless the court suppression order – if it is determined by this Honourable Court to be an actual order – is allowed to stand.
13. If Justice Winkelmann’s court ‘order’ has not been based upon the ‘rule of law’, then the public cannot be expected to respect it. If Judges don’t themselves follow the ‘rule of law,’ by basing their decisions upon the ‘rule of law’ – then they are not ‘setting an example’ to citizens which either safeguards the administration of justice, or enhances public confidence in the New Zealand judiciary.
14. The Applicant holds that the real risk to the administration of justice stems from this court ‘order’ which has not been based on the ‘rule of law’ – but has been ‘made up’ by Justice Winkelmann, then enforced by the Solicitor-General David Collins QC, in such an discriminatory and arbitrary way as to constitute an abuse of power which cannot be justified in a free and democratic society.”
________________________________________________________________________________
Full copies of correspondence, including the wording of the ‘Application for Order’ is available on http://waterpressure.wordpress.com
Cheers!
Penny Bright
Unexpected Earthquake Observation #23;
Walking around with a constant subconcious eye tilted to what is above your head.
Witnessing the Tar Sands Dead Zone: Asserting the need to heal.
In the face of the enormous devastation that is destroying forests across northern Alberta, a peaceful group of people are steadfastly asserting the need to heal the land and waters. On June 25, 2011, the second annual Healing Walk for the Tar Sands brought together Indigenous people, Keepers of the Athabasca, elders, children and supporters, who walked 13 kilometres through the heart of where Syncrude and Suncor extract bitumen on a massive scale.
Overwhelming evidence of torture by the Bush administration obliges President Barack Obama to order a criminal investigation into allegations of detainee abuse authorized by former President George W. Bush and other senior officials.
Overwhelming evidence of torture by the Bush administration obliges President Barack Obama to order a criminal investigation into allegations of detainee abuse authorized by former President George W. Bush and other senior officials, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Obama administration has failed to meet US obligations under the Convention against Torture to investigate acts of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees, Human Rights Watch said.
Report: Getting Away with Torture
And to keep us beneficiaries on our toes they are going to have a robot ring us up….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5278302/Benefit-debtors-to-get-call-from-machine
I HATE robots and there are too many of them, it’s bad enough when you bump into them when calling winz, telstraclear, etc etc But to have one ringing you. Telstra has one that does and I just hang up on it. AS I will for every robot that rings me. Wow 3rd day in a row for Thunderstorms here in Levin..
that one about an hour ago was a doozy, sounded like Thor did a belly flop on the roofing iron
Now that the retired heading dog is as deaf as a post I thought she’d be over her thunder phobia but the lightning is scaring her half to death now.
http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/content/lightning-radar
Yep Animals hate the lightning for some reason, something to do with their senses like birds . It looks like that could be it for a while. handy site tho’ thanks
Yes has now blown over, but has flooded the section. Oh so you around Sunny Levin too freedom ?
I have been here a few years now, I like the pace. They work hard and play hard. Have fundraisers and fights, have political tensions and insane parties and generally keep things ticking over while doing their best to smile and help another person when its needed.
All in all a fair microcosm of New Zealand really.
i’m not sure it has blown over looks like round three is just beginning and added hail to the mix.
this is some serious weather. (i have Rage against the Machine on and i cannot hear it)
It was round 3 I just got in after a drive to countdown and had trouble seeing the road it was so hard. We been here about 2 1/2 years and it’s a great place for us. And with my 2 mth old son its nice to be able to walk any where in town. In Summer that is lol today was car day, Yep it drowned out all thoughts of chatter in the car..
It’s your fault for living in Levin! 😀 When I worked for ANZ, I noted that the ANZ branch number for Levin was 666, which a friend of mine who hates that town, said was appropriate..
I too, hang up on robots. Too bad for them!
This site gets 93/100 on Google Page Speed, with *higher* scores being better.
http://pagespeed.googlelabs.com/#url=http_3A_2F_2FWww.thestandard.org.nz&mobile=false
Edit: originally thought high score was bad, edited to correct. Guess this isn’t a big deal after all.
Reefer Madness
A few MP’s spoke on the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill in Parliament yesterday. While most showed a good grasp on what they were talking about, Peter Dunne dropped a couple of clangers in his uninspiring and droll speech. Although the bill is in the most part well thought out, it has a number of items that raise concern. The bill proposes to deregulate Thalidomide, which is a terrible drug that has caused more harm than marijuana ever could.
Just heard in Parliament that Blinglish banked the sale proceeds from the sell down of power company shares in the budget but did not allow in future years for the loss of dividend income, on the basis that it was up to the election to confirm the sale would happen.
How dishonest is that?
Very but fairly typical of National.
I’d say it’s fraud.
And corruption and lying but the NACTS don’t care, with Smith as Speaker of the house the lying can continue unabated.
What? Is he serious?
Imagine if that was taken by a small business (or indeed a large business) to a bank or investor as part of a loan or investment application ………….
You would get laughed straight back out the door and your credibility would be shot.
Bill English clearly does not even know the basics of business and here is in Minister of Finance.
Shocking. Deceptive. Fraudulent. And with our money. Rod Petricevich eat your heart out.
Agreed vto.
Here is the proof …
Blinglish has the nerve to suggest that since the dividends were already in the Budget Labour cannot take them into account when working out the benefit of retaining the power company shares in state ownership!
So you sold the business you own but still expect to receive all the pay and profits from it after that?
Fraking Bill English.
Every RWNJ believes he can outsmart gravity with a bit of clever talking.
Well, it is a step change, probably not the one people were expecting when National promised it but it is still a step change.
Scary stuff
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/81541,news-comment,news-politics,afghanistan-if-were-not-careful-ww3-is-imminent
Iran and Pakistan have been managing nuttiness in Afghanistan for decades, I think they will keep pretty cool heads.
There are lots of things to be concerned about in AfPak Ian, but that guy doesn’t seem to have too good a handle on them. Maybe he does and is writing to a purpose, but that piece is way, way, too simplistic, and heavily loaded with lines that make me think it is more aimed at shaping western opinion than describing events on the ground.
Few points I look for in any analysis.
Most importantly, do they explain things in terms of interests. ie when they say the ISI has links to the Taliban or other militanst, do they say what pakistan’s interests are, or do they just leave it as a shadow, allowing the reader to think that it’s all just ideological scary muslims determined to slaughter us all in our sleep. First rule is that nations act in the best perceived interest. That is why Pakistan was and is doing what is doing. That is why the Taliban made deals with AQ. That is why Iran nearly invaded in 2000. etc. Interests, not ideology, most often.
Do they talk nearly as much about Iran, India, China and Russia as they do about Pakistan. All these countries have interests, all will act on them. Pakistan is far from being the strongest player in the region.
Do they describe what effect they think the last ten years of western fighting in the region will have on the calculations of the various players; or do they try and paint a picture of everyone just going back to how it was with, for example, the Afghan govt thinking making deals with AQ will not have any consequences, ditto ISI, etc.
The Price of Cheese in the Wild West
There was some ludicrous debate going on in Parliament today. Amongst the rhetoric were a number of gaff’s and outright lies by National MP’s. Most were reasonably inconsequential, but a couple I found rather amusing. After saying that farmers were wrongly singled out for their tax avoidance, National MP David Carter said, and I quote “sheep thieves and dairy farmers.” Talk about foot in mouth disease…
Ha! Maybe parliament needs to be quarantined !!!!!
If quick enough to avoid contagion and spread, just a quarantine for Cabinet would be sufficient.
Who is Calvin Fisher????
Is the Managing Director of a demolition company also his employee’s Union official?
Is this company sending in dodgy invoices and is Calvin using his Union hat to try to pressure EQC through the media to get paid?
Did he take over the company recently from a woman who defrauded his own union??
What implications for the Unions and Labour here for their attacks in EQC, CERA, Brownlee etc?
Ah, good old Company Unions! Banned for good reasons. Chinese picking them up now in their slow evolution towards improved workers rights.
Hi CV, understand he’s the big cheese at the Amalgamated Worker’s Union and his staff haven’t been paid.
Wierd eh????
He’s complaining (as Union Sec) that guys have not been paid because he (as Company Director) has been sending in dodgy invoices so his company don’t get paid and his worker’s don’t get paid………..
Who do they go to now???? Unite???? Local Labour MP????
Deregulating for Disaster
Former chief inspector of coal mines Robin Hughes, with over 40 years of coal mining experience gave evidence yesterday at the Royal Commission of Inquiry concerning the Pike River mine disaster. He said mine safety changes made by the National Government in the 1990’s was the underlying cause for the disaster that occurred 19 November 2010 and claimed 29 lives.