I finally found the words, in a comment at The Standard, to explain something I've been feeling for years about the Waitakere Man thesis: I keep thinking about how to express this exact idea: that the whole Waitakere Man myth says way more about Chris…
John Key spoke some appalling misrepresentations of facts in the House today, rewriting history in a way that seems to suit "Crazy" Colin Craig's possible coalition bottom lines. In Question Time Key said this in response to questions about the up-coming referendum on Asset Sales:…
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here. Radio New Zealand management have confirmed that they are in talks with controversial broadcasters John Tamihere and Willie Jackson about a new afternoon radio show.…
Never wonder again why National is opposed to any kind of wealth tax, including capital gains tax, and would rather tax hard work instead. Never wonder again why there's hundreds of millions of dollars for uneconomic irrigation projects but crumbs to feed hungry kids. Just…
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhf7UR2yjBs&feature=player_embedded David Cunliffe nailed John Key with a series of questions in Parliament today and I have never seen Key look so uncomfortable. The questions neatly boxed Key into an indefensible position. Key agreed that Pike River mine would have been illegal in Australia but…
Today in the House, leaders of political parties spoke to John Key's motion on the Typhoon in the Philippines. Russel Norman read out a statement that was spoken by Philippines climate negotiator Naderev "Yeb" Saño told the delegation at the 19th United Nations Framework Convention…
In a wordy op-ed piece in today's Herald, Judith Collins once again sidesteps the questions posed to her in Parliament last week on pre-trial and trial processes for sexual abuse cases by Jan Logie and Andrew Little. The Minister for No is now dead keen…
And from the statement of the bleedingly obvious file the Herald recently reported on a Massey University study that found that those with a spinal cord injury who are covered by ACC are more likely to get back to work while those who don't receive assistance start a…
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The byline "just saying what everyone's thinking" has echoes of Crosby Textor's famous "are you thinking what we're thinking" dog whistle campaign for the UK Conservatives in 2005. Maybe the conservatives are getting CT advice.
The seeming purpose of having competition is to prevent monopoly pricing and excessive profits but, as Steve Keen shows, all businesses use the same pricing model with about the same level of profits. If they did use the pricing model that economists say that they…
You'll remember that, back in 2009, Bill 'Double Dipton' English was caught claiming an 'out of town' allowance - intended to pay for non-Wellington-based MPs' accommodation in the capital - to pay the mortgage on his family home in Karori. Key's solution was to let…
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I finally got up the courage to trawl through Tracy Watkins' hagiography to John Key and found something interesting at the end. The Dom has made a table of main economic and fiscal measures comparing where they are now to where they were in 2008…
It has been a strange week. I have found myself in complete agreement with people who I do not normally agree with. I found myself in the unusual position of supporting Matthew Hooton on his stance on Chorus and I then cheered him on as…
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I just watched "Locked Up Warriors" on 101 East on Al Jazeera. It is pretty sobering to watch. The message I got from it: Maori in soul destroying poverty; too much money spent on prisons; not enough money and government support of low income communities;…
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Press release: Stop Rape Now: National day of action against rape culture [...] The Roastbusters fiasco is another explicit reminder that there are huge problems with the way our society addresses sexual violence. We demand an end to rape and all forms of sexual violence.…
This week in Parliament Judith Collins was in full-on "no" mode - no to alternative trial process for sexual abuse cases, and no to changes to the law of evidence in sexual abuse cases. She was responding to questions from Jan Logie and Andrew Little…
So the exodus has started. So far seven National MPs have announced that they will not stand next year in the general election and the impression that these announcements were made with their arms firmly wedged up their back is strong. Chris Tremain has…
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Apparently the police don't like this image. I really can't see why not. They have been sitting on complaints about a pack of juvenile rapists of children for 2 years - why? This parody offers a reason by way of satire. If the police don't…
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here. Thank you for expressing an interest in tendering for a contract in connection with our planned ultra-fast broadband project (“UFB Project”). We have set…
Another National MP has announced that she will stand down at the next election. Kate Wilkinson has announced that she will be standing down in 2014. Her seat of Waimakariri will attract a lot of attention. With the likely boundary changes it should become a…
Recent revelations show that much more needs to be done to prevent and respond to the trauma resulting from sexual assault and rape. It has also been a difficult time for many people following the reports and engaging in discussions. Ally Garrett provides a very…
Parliament's Chief Nanny has been in full flight this week, trying to slap down questions from Jan Logie and Andrew Little about trial processes for sexual abuse cases. You can watch her here and here, or read the transcripts here and here. Jan Logie's question…
National's been working hard to keep wages down for the 5 years. They've weakened union laws, introduced fire at will, opposed $15 minimum wage and the living wage. And it's worked: 46% of workers got no raise last year, another 18% got less than a…
In a sure sign that Len Brown intends to see this term out he will table a draft budget today for the Auckland Council that proposes a living wage for Auckland Council and CCO employees. The policy will eventually cost $3.75 million per annum which is…