Search Results

  1. This is how you win

    Written By:  Eddie -  Date published: 2:14 pm, October 29th, 2011 -  68 comments
    Categories: election 2011, labour, national
    Tags:

    Sprout’s post says it all. Labour’s opening address blew National’s out of the park. But I can’t help myself, I have to put in my analysis of why National’s was so awful and Labour’s so good. Almost out of nowhere, Labour has seized the discourse. It is dictating the run of play with its policies, its framing, and, now, with its marketing. This is how you win.

  2. Cult of personality deficit

    Written By:  the sprout -  Date published: 11:40 am, October 27th, 2011 -  37 comments
    Categories: accountability, campaigning, election 2011, john key, labour, leadership, national, phil goff, privatisation
    Tags:

    It’s not surprising that National are trying to run a presidential, personality based election campaign – after all, their policies aren’t going to win many votes from those middle and lower income kiwis who understand them. And up till now, presidentialism has worked very well for National. But it’s also starting to become apparent to […]

  3. Ashcroft – the photo-op Key didn’t want

    Written By:  Mike Smith -  Date published: 9:08 pm, October 26th, 2011 -  24 comments
    Categories: crosby textor, democracy under attack, john key, polls, same old national, uk politics
    Tags:

    Paddy Gower at TV3 reveals Lord Ashcroft, billionaire Tory donor and International Democratic Union treasurer, has come to talk to Key again. Just discussed politics generally, said Key. Politics yes, generally no. Ashcroft’s interests are now devoted to polling and blog communication, and he is very interested in our election. Having seen Cameron miss out on a majority,  he’ll want to help Key to one here.

  4. Do you feel lucky PREFU?

    Written By:  Anthony R0bins -  Date published: 7:22 am, October 26th, 2011 -  72 comments
    Categories: capitalism, debt / deficit, economy, national
    Tags: ,

    The PREFU paints a pretty dismal picture of the economy. The worst case scenario is catastrophic, and (at one in five) I think that Treasury has significantly underestimated the odds.  Do you feel lucky?…

  5. If Epsom & Ohariu were Northland & Te Tai Tonga…

    Written By:  Guest post -  Date published: 7:03 am, October 26th, 2011 -  29 comments
    Categories: democratic participation, MMP, Politics
    Tags:

    Just why is it that the anti-MMP crowd only complain about small parties having too much power when those parties are the Greens?

    Queen of Thorns has a few thoughts on the matter…

  6. Undesirables for Banks

    Written By:  Zetetic -  Date published: 2:11 pm, October 25th, 2011 -  102 comments
    Categories: john banks
    Tags:

    Pamphlets are circling highlighting past comments made by Mr Banks, including anti-homosexuality and racist ideas. Right-wing bloggers say it’s all part of nasty campaign tactics by Labour. “waa, waa, waa” said Farrar and Slater “it’s mean to quote a man’s words when he’s trying to keep his true views secret from the voters”.

  7. Cameron cancels Key photo-op

    Written By:  Mike Smith -  Date published: 7:06 pm, October 24th, 2011 -  16 comments
    Categories: afghanistan, economy, john key, uk politics
    Tags:

    David Cameron has cancelled his planned trip to Japan and New Zealand. He is facing a backbench revolt over European Union membership at the same time as he is trying to intervene in the crucial financial summit trying to sort out problems in the Euro zone on Wednesday. Oh well, one less photo op for John Key – perhaps its just as well as Britain’s future isn’t getting brighter.

  8. Labour day

    Written By:  Anthony R0bins -  Date published: 7:55 am, October 24th, 2011 -  16 comments
    Categories: capitalism, class war, history, labour
    Tags: ,

    On this Labour Day it is good to see that the Labour Party is staying true to its roots, and is out there working for a labour policy to lift the wages and conditions of the workers of New Zealand.

  9. One citizen. One dollar. One vote.

    Written By:  Anthony R0bins -  Date published: 9:38 am, October 23rd, 2011 -  36 comments
    Categories: activism, class war, democratic participation, International
    Tags: ,

    A second message is emerging from the Occupation movement: “One citizen. One dollar. One vote.”

  10. An Occupation Occupied. What’s Next?

    Written By:  Bill -  Date published: 3:31 pm, October 22nd, 2011 -  72 comments
    Categories: activism, community democracy, democratic participation, political education, Politics
    Tags: , , , ,

    Last week, several occupations ‘popped up’ around New Zealand. Well, they didn’t exactly pop up, did they? They weren’t more or less spontaneous, as in numerous countries in the Middle East, N. Africa, Europe and more recently, in Wall Street.

    In New Zealand, there was, and is, no general out-pouring of anger or frustration from across large sectors of society. In New Zealand, the Occupations are contrived…pre-planned and organised.

  11. Some questions in passing

    Written By:  James Henderson -  Date published: 12:47 pm, October 21st, 2011 -  22 comments
    Categories: uncategorized
    Tags:

    + Wouldn’t a Key endorsement of Banks be an admission that a Labour-led government is possible if ACT doesn’t make it?
    + Is the delay in Key’s endorsement because the Nats are worried that revelations will make Banks unelectable regardless and an endorsement will tarnish Brand Key by association?
    +Is it true that ACT is seeking legal advice on removing Banks from the ballot?

  12. No pay rises under Nats

    Written By:  Zetetic -  Date published: 1:26 am, October 19th, 2011 -  81 comments
    Categories: election 2011, labour, Unions, wages, workers' rights
    Tags:

    St. Augustine said “Lord, give me chastity, but not yet”. Was reminded of that reading the Tories’ reaction to Labour’s work and wages policy. Tories say they want you to have higher wages. But not yet. It’s always later. Once you’ve earned it. In the ‘brighter future’. And they’ll scream blue murder any time you demand what you deserve today.

  13. Parallels with the Past

    Written By:  Guest post -  Date published: 11:08 am, October 17th, 2011 -  12 comments
    Categories: brand key, election 2008, election 2011
    Tags:

    On Sunday the 10th of May 2008, John Key gave a speech at the Southern Regional Conference explaining National’s platform for the looming election. It’s an interesting read, and looking back to consider words from the past can uncover some revealing realities about the present

  14. A plan to fix the pay problem?

    Written By:  IrishBill -  Date published: 2:09 pm, October 16th, 2011 -  90 comments
    Categories: Economy, wages, workers' rights
    Tags:

    Word around the traps is Labour is working on a significant new wage policy. Good – like nearly every other deregulated market the labour market has been failing Kiwis for more than twenty years. It’s time to bring some balance back into the system. Let’s just hope Labour has the guts to make a proper job of it.

  15. micky savage: Is it Phil Goff’s time?

    Written By:  notices and features -  Date published: 10:14 am, October 16th, 2011 -  88 comments
    Categories: act, don brash, greens, john banks, john key, labour, national, phil goff
    Tags: , ,

    Two weeks ago I thought that Goff and Labour did not have a chance in this election.  National’s lead in the polls seemed too big, the country still seemed to be in love with John Key and Goff just was not getting the media cut through necessary to change hearts and minds. Then something happened.  The wheels started to fall off National’s well honed machine.

  16. My images of Rena

    Written By:  lprent -  Date published: 1:15 pm, October 14th, 2011 -  20 comments
    Categories: cartoons, disaster, humour, Satire
    Tags: , ,

    From my facebook. Some opportunistic bugger is trying to offload their boat. TomScott in Weellington does his cogent best as does the Herald cartoonist. Then there is my favorite (despite its grammar error).

  17. Key’s Katrina

    Written By:  Anthony R0bins -  Date published: 7:16 am, October 13th, 2011 -  213 comments
    Categories: accountability, brand key, disaster, national
    Tags: ,

    One of the turning points of Bush’s presidency was the failed non-response to Hurricane Katrina.  It’s starting to look now very much as if the wreck of the Rena is John Key’s Katrina moment.

  18. Bad week for Key

    Written By:  Ben Clark -  Date published: 6:37 am, October 12th, 2011 -  55 comments
    Categories: disaster, john key, Media
    Tags: , , ,

    3News has him caught out lying, The Standard has his office caught lying, and his government’s failed to act on the worst environmental disaster New Zealand has had.

    Not to mention the crisis at first five-eighth.

  19. Censoring criticism of Key

    Written By:  Anthony R0bins -  Date published: 10:01 am, October 10th, 2011 -  145 comments
    Categories: john key, radio
    Tags: , ,

    Martyn “Bomber” Bradbury has been banned from appearing on RNZ after strongly criticising Key’s behaviour in the throat slitting incident (video).   Rumour now has it that Key is intending to sue Bradbury for defamation.  Listen to the audio and judge for yourselves.

  20. The denial machine

    Written By:  notices and features -  Date published: 1:42 pm, October 9th, 2011 -  7 comments
    Categories: capitalism, climate change
    Tags: ,

    It’s scary ‘coz it’s true.

  21. Whose side are you on?

    Written By:  Guest post -  Date published: 2:30 pm, October 6th, 2011 -  212 comments
    Categories: minimum wage, poverty
    Tags:

    The PM gets paid $400,000 a year. That’s $45 an hour whether he’s in Hawai’i, talking about his cat, or sleeping. His cleaner, Sosefina Masoe, gets $13.50 an hour. Key has rejected calls to lift the minimum wage for workers like her to $15 an hour. Instead, the Right’s attack dogs have been trained on Mascoe for daring to speak out.

  22. Opportunist

    Written By:  Eddie -  Date published: 4:37 pm, October 5th, 2011 -  244 comments
    Categories: john key
    Tags:

    A man tried to jump into the Parliamentary Chamber today at the end of question time. Yelling something about WINZ, Paula Bennett and John Key, he was caught at the last moment by guards. I have a feeling there’s a sad story behind that. Just as sad was Key screeching “you should be ashamed of yourself, that’s down to you guys” to Labour as the man dangled, before the DPS hustled him out.

  23. A red-zoner on Lab’s Chch policy

    Written By:  Guest post -  Date published: 12:11 pm, October 2nd, 2011 -  5 comments
    Categories: disaster
    Tags:

    Gerry Brownlee has, predictably, been incredibly high-handed and insensitive in his handling of the Christchurch earthquake, especially when it comes to the red-zone. He created a clumsy, one-size fits all, buyout system and a Catch 22 for homeowners wanting to appeal by denying them access to the geotech data they need. Labour’s done much better.

  24. A Smidgen of Truth Escapes the msm

    Written By:  Bill -  Date published: 1:19 pm, September 29th, 2011 -  15 comments
    Categories: capitalism, class war, debt / deficit, Economy, economy
    Tags: , , ,

    It’s not often that ‘bald truths’ escape the filtration of the msm. The video below is an example of one of those rare moments.

  25. Covert surveillance should not be allowed retrospectively

    Written By:  notices and features -  Date published: 3:00 pm, September 27th, 2011 -  55 comments
    Categories: law, national, police, same old national
    Tags: , , ,

    mickysavage at Waitakere News blog  has an analysis of the legal and unconstitutional implications of the Nationals dubious plan to override the courts with poor kneejerk legislation. It is rather disturbing as the action appears to have more to do with electioneering than actual legal need.

  26. Why’s Boscawen really quitting?

    Written By:  Eddie -  Date published: 12:38 am, September 25th, 2011 -  43 comments
    Categories: democracy under attack, election 2011, law and "order", Spying
    Tags: ,

    Out of the blue, John Boscawen has announced he is withdrawing from ACT’s list. It’s an odd departure from an odd man. ‘Family reasons’ is the line. Not exactly creative. Is the real reason National’s ‘fixit’ Bill? Boscawen is a true believer in ACT’s libertarian principles and doesn’t do compromise. Was being asked to sign a retrospective blank cheque the final straw?

  27. A brighter future?

    Written By:  Eddie -  Date published: 12:31 pm, September 23rd, 2011 -  32 comments
    Categories: Economy, tourism
    Tags:

  28. ‘Fixit’ law worse than expected

    Written By:  Eddie -  Date published: 9:31 am, September 22nd, 2011 -  79 comments
    Categories: democracy under attack, law and "order"
    Tags:

    Labour looks almost certain to oppose the Nats’ ‘fixit’ bill. The draft goes far further than previously thought. It doesn’t just try to suspend the effect of a specific Supreme Court decision in a violation of the separation of powers, it gives Police the power to spy on you without a warrant. Chris Finlayson should resign for even proposing such a heinous law.

  29. Werewolf: Ten Myths about Asset Sales

    Written By:  notices and features -  Date published: 1:26 pm, September 13th, 2011 -  27 comments
    Categories: privatisation
    Tags:

    Gordon Campbell at Werewolf has an excellent piece pointing out the flaws in Asset Sales. Here’s a quick summary, but it’s worth the read in its entirety.

  30. Nice Mr Key

    Written By:  Anthony R0bins -  Date published: 9:19 am, September 12th, 2011 -  30 comments
    Categories: brand key, john key, Media
    Tags: ,

    The Stuff interview of John Key in the weekend was better than your average puff piece.  Interesting that Key doesn’t even try to defend his record on its merits.

  31. A school board member writes

    Written By:  notices and features -  Date published: 4:44 pm, September 11th, 2011 -  74 comments
    Categories: education, schools
    Tags: , ,

    The other night I resigned from the bot of my local school. My experience in the field of education is fairly varied, with time on both sides of the chalkface as it were. … the bot has been forced by the government, through the moe to include national standards, and I can’t in good conscience be a party to such foolishness.

The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.