In 2014 the New Zealand Left must have more on its agenda than “win power”. We should want to create a better New Zealand, and doing that is about so much more than economic policy (which is also, obviously, important). It has to touch everything. And it’s going to take people working in different areas on different parts of the plan to make it all happen.
I finally found the words, in a comment at The Standard, to explain something I’ve been feeling for years about the Waitakere Man […]
Bob Jones has produced another disgusting “opinion piece”, and the New Zealand Herald has once again been disgusting enough to publish it. I […]
It’s time I face up to a harsh reality, folks. I’m just never going to be taken seriously as a political commentator.
In a previous post at The Standard I did a wee bit of math and came to the conclusion that National has already […]
The latest poll results are [fantastic/terrible]!
The ability of doctors to refuse to provide proper healthcare if God says it’s bad is again in the spotlight, with a Blenheim GP refusing to prescribe the Pill to a patient because he decided she needed to have babies, and her views on the matter don’t mean shit. But are we seriously going to label that as an act of “conscience”?
Would it kill our journalists to add just the tiniest bit of fact into their Labour-scandal-obsessed feeding frenzy?
The National Party are the good economic managers, right? So why are they spending money we don’t actually have yet?
Today in Texas, a small victory was won for reproductive rights, thanks to this kickass senator.
The conservatives are back, telling lies and trying to ignore the fact that humans enjoy sex and teenagers have minds of their own – and they’re getting media pickup. Don’t fall for it!
On this coming Wednesday’s episode of The Vote – our monthly break from the awfulness that I hear is 3rd Degree – a […]
The NZ Transport Agency’s “Drive Social” programme looks like one gigantic waste of money, and the Greens are hammering it. Key’s response? “They just want everyone to cycle everywhere.” Is he looking a little tired to anyone else?
Abortion has a long and dramatic history in NZ, but it’s not a history we talk about, or remember. And remembering that history is vital to our continuing push for reproductive rights today. That’s where Alison McCulloch comes in, with a new, brilliant, history of the struggle so far.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust does not support vigilantism. From a certain point of view.
Councillor Bruce Wilson thinks it’s a “joke” to say we should sterilise Maaori women who smoke. If you don’t think he should resign for his racism, let’s consider if he should resign for being too ignorant to function.
New Zealand First is fronting a forum on sex work in South Auckland, and its spokesperson is concerned about underage sex workers. What could possibly go wrong?
Paula Bennett has found one group of beneficiaries who she doesn’t think are bludging scum! Surely this is a feelgood story, and not a workaround tactic to bash other beneficiaries, right? Bueller?
Oh look, once again Family First’s rhetoric fails to match its reality.
Rape culture is a culture in which rape and sexual violence are common, and in which prevalent attitudes, norms, practices, and media normalize, excuse, tolerate, or even condone rape. (Thanks, Wiki!)
And if you want a really clear example of it, look no further than Steubenville, Ohio.
The 2013 Census is pretty limited in its treatment of gender. Unfortunately, there’s no practical way to make your feelings heard this time around.
Family First’s arguments against basic human rights continue to be absurd – now apparently we’re all going to forget what “husband” and “wife” mean.
Yet again, Patrick Gower digs deep to find a story where there really isn’t one.
An accidentally-mis-addressed email from ACC’s HR department reveals much-needed changes are going to be made to their sensitive claims unit.
The concept of a living wage is one that just makes good sense to me. A wage should be enough to live on, right? Because it’s a wage? Because what’s the point if it doesn’t?
Another day, another bigot trying to derail the marriage equality conversation by bringing up polygamy. Just ignore them, people. Because we’re winning this one.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again here: a Labour victory in 2014 isn’t necessarily better than a National victory in 2014.
I know I criticise David Shearer a lot, but if I sound bitter it’s just because I totally thought he would turn out to be Jesus.
Going on previous form, Camp Shearer seem to think a successful caucus vote in February will silence all criticism of his parliamentary leadership of the Labour Party. Boy, are you all wrong.
So, recent polls have shown a minor upward blip for Labour. A minor downward blip for National. Ergo, David Shearer must immediately appear […]
Brian Edwards is the latest to wade into the “anonymous bloggers” debate. I’ve previously posted about the reasons people use pseudonyms, and my personal “justifications” for […]
As the Government Administration Committee hears submissions on the Marriage Equality Bill, one committee member is doing his best to make the whole thing a clear illustration of how pathetic homophobes are.
The results are in, the dust is settling – but where to now for Labour when the cries for “unity” seem to be more about making one side STFU?
I’m sorry, David Cunliffe, for the part I have played in your downfall. Wait a minute, what?
The truth is out. Under Patrick Gower’s incredibly cunning questioning, I have confessed that I will challenge Shearer in February.
So, in an effort to make a post not calling for the head of David Shearer, I decided to take a look at […]
