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The Yes Men have become famous for impersonating people and organisations in an effort to make political points. They’re now being sued by […]
all_your_base
Gutless backdown will cost money and lives
So, National has failed to act on drink driving. The Director of the National Addiction Centre calls it “scandalous”. While recidivist and youth […]
I’d phone a friend but they’re all Young Nats too
Halfcaste interviews a selection of Young Nats at their recent conference. Interviewer: “What’s your favourite tribe?” Young Nat: “To be honest I don’t […]
Crowdsourcing the deficit
Why let politicians have all the fun? Now the British public can get in on the service slashing action too – via Facebook. […]
State housing decline will leave families out in the cold
Stuff reports that under Minister Phil Heatley, Housing NZ will manage additions of only 275 houses for each of the next two years. […]
Bypassing the media
Not long after The White House Correspondents’ Association met with Obama’s Press Secretary to complain about limitations on their access, The White House […]
YouTube launches political campaign toolset
Today, Google launched a new set of tools to help political candidates and activist organisastions engage with constituents and citizens.
From the Google Public Sector Blog:
We want to do our part to make sure candidates and campaigns have the tools to stay close to voters, who now expect to hear and see much more from their elected officials than ever before.
Key breaks Kiwibank pledge
In the May budget Key broke his pre-election promise not to raise GST.
Today, in the House, Jim Anderton foreshadowed what looks like the next unequivocal promise that’s set for the chop.
Anderton pointed out that during the 2008 TV3 Leaders’ Debate Key promised not to sell Kiwibank “ever”.
The video is embedded below.
Kerre Woodham on three strikes law
Kerre Woodham’s just penned an endorsement of the three strikes act.
She admits that it probably won’t do what it sets out to do. She accepts that it might be unjust. She understands that it will be expensive. Nevertheless she supports it.
Here’s why…
The science of motivation
From the RSA, a short video based on a seminar by Dan Pink.
Dan was once Al Gore’s speechwriter.
Here he “illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace”.
Barrier residents deserve real representation
The Dominion Post has revealed that only hours after criticising National’s plans to mine on Great Barrier, Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye was […]
There’s such a thing as ‘too relaxed’
Tracy Watkins recently observed of Key’s reluctance to front the media post-budget that:
“Mr Key has refused all but three requests to be interviewed by National Radio’s Morning Report so far this year. That must be unheard of among modern-day prime ministers…”
She puts his avoidance of the tough questions down to a desire to protect his brand.
Second thoughts on three strikes
“Three strikes” is likely to become law today. This video shows that three strikes legislation hasn’t worked overseas. It’s unlikely to work here. It’s a crime bill that is not expected to deter or reduce crime and may increase murders.
The Bechdel Test
“The Bechdel test†requires a movie to pass three questions:
1) Does it have two or more women in it (who have names)?
2) Do they talk to one another?
3) Do they talk to one another about something other than a man?
This two minute video explains…
World Bank opens up its data
As well as releasing its yearly report on World Development Indicators last month, the World Bank opened up its data. It has included a […]
A declaration of contempt
As John Key smiled and assured his National Party constituents that the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is aspirational, symbolic and […]
Dimming down night classes
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association have just launched a YouTube video protesting National’s hugely unpopular cuts to night classes.
Click through to check it out.
Stalk your MP with new iPhone app
A group called PublicZone have just released an iPhone app aimed at staying in contact with (UK) MPs a little easier. The app […]
Keynes and Hayek rap
In Fear the Boom and Bust, John Maynard Keynes and F. A. Hayek, two of the great economists of the 20th century go […]
Logorama
Update: Link’s dead but I found this trailer on youtube
Gerry’s gift to future generations
(Sort of a) caption contest
Someone’s noticed that during her recent Tea Party speech Palin had “Energy”, “Tax,” and “Lift Americans Spirits” written on her hand – she used […]
Corporation to run for US Congress
Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to allow unlimited corporate funding of federal campaigns, Murray Hill […]
Police recruitment campaign steps up a gear
It was probably well intentioned – and to be fair we don’t know the full facts yet – but on the face of […]
Charlie Brooker’s school of news production
His formula appears to have been faithfully replicated here. Our only significant divergence is the recent inclusion of a live cross to the […]
The Public Domain Manifesto
The public domain, as we understand it, is the wealth of information that is free from the barriers to access or reuse usually […]
Classic
Spotted on Stuff.
The fighting fourth estate
The Herald can be bad, but it’s not yet a patch on Fox News. From The Guardian: “What a bunch of warmongers we […]
The blue greenwash
Mike Britton, the general manager of the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society, writes today in the Dom about the gap that appears […]
Can’t wait
More at: theyesmenfixtheworld.com
A solar future?
You can read more about it here.
Corporate welfare
I’ve got no problem with the government helping out those who are genuinely in need but forcing the taxpayer fork out $400 million […]
Apps.gov
‘In these tough economic times, the government must buy smarter,’ said Vivek Kundra, the US federal chief information officer, as he unveiled the […]
Tim O’Reilly on “Gov 2.0”
Five years ago Tim O’Reilly coined the phrase “Web 2.0”. Now, in this post at TechCrunch, he argues it’s time for “Gov 2.0”. […]
Michael Laws, ambassador
From The Guardian: It used to be loony left local government that attracted ridicule. Now it is the outpourings of mad mayors. …[UK mayoral […]
Political debate done right
The last video I posted had Democratic Congressman Barney Frank taking the fight to a woman in the audience of a townhall meeting […]