Break Up Social Media Itself
It is time to regulate the power of cyber criminals and cyber monopolies.
Politics
Deep stuff
Manaakitanga
Jacinda Ardern this week expressed the hope that this Government will bring back Manaakitanga, in other words to show respect, generosity and care for others.
Waitangi Day and Australia Day
Australia Day (January 26th), like Waitangi Day (February 6th) often divides our countries as much in its silence as anything else.
What should happen at Waitangi
The ideal occurrences this year at Waitangi would be …
Shock horror right wing think tank thinks NZ not very democratic
National’s cheerleaders are pushing an international report which suggests that New Zealand’s democratic system is only slightly better than average in world terms. But the organisation behind the report and the methodology used need some checking.
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori
The language is the life force of the mana Māori. Which is why the Government and the Opposition should pledge support to ensure it survives and thrives.
Is it time to Nationalise Auckland?
It has been a decade now since Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide proposed amalgamating all of Auckland’s city councils into one enormous entity by dumping much of the Royal Commission’s proposals. Well it’s time to hold its results to account.
Israel fights back
In what may be the first of a number of publicity stunts Rabbi Shmulay Boteach has placed a full page advertisement in the Washington Post condemning Lorde and New Zealand for showing solidarity with Palestine.
2018 mental flossing: Power
Following the change in Government, the question is, who is in control on either side.
Why Christmas is good
Why the concept of christmas is a good thing.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Why the latest Star War movie may contain inspiration and meaning for left wing activists.
Jian Yang wanted to help the SIS with recruitment
Matt Nippert has made further revelations about Jian Yang including that he lobbied on behalf of an unsuccessful applicant for a security sensitive job with the New Zealand Defence Force and that he disclosed to Auckland University but not to Immigration that he had worked for a PLA University.
The Medicinal Marijuana Bill
Will the Medical Marijuana Bill just introduced into Parliament be as effective as proponents wish?
Flynn cuts a deal while Trump scrambles
Donald Trump’s response to news of the arrest of Michael Flynn suggests that charges closer to the office of the President may be close.
Right loses its shit after former criminal lawyer discovered to have acted for bad people
Elements on the internet have claimed that Green MP Golriz Ghahraman must be a genocide supporter because she once acted as a defence lawyer in a war crimes tribunal.
Appalling men and great art
There have been some great artists face some appalling allegations. Would they have been as successful if their great crimes had been exposed?
Social Democracy is still alive
With socialist governments in rapid decline right across the world, and just a very few social democrat governments re-emerging after many years out of power, it’s useful to remind ourselves of what governmental combinations are working well.
Beyond the steel cage of consumerism
The best state for human nature…
Heather Du Plessis-Allan wants New Zealand to be more radical
Heather Du Plessis-Allan has shown herself to be a radical progressive in her latest Herald column.
The Accidental Bodyguards of Capitalism
What does it mean to look beyond capitalism? We do not yet know what it will look like because we have not yet ventured out from our caves.
Election autopsies
US democratic activists have conducted a number of reviews on what went wrong at the last election. The conclusions they have reached could helpfully inform New Zealand political activists on what to do in 2020.
Labour and rural voters
In recent years Labour has allowed National to dominate rural politics. Maybe it is time for Labour to think about reaching out to rural voters and suggest to them that a progressive vote is in their interests.
Jian Yang and his residence application
Just before the election news broke that National MP Jian Yang had previously taught in a Chinese University training spies. A recent OIA release of his immigration application raises further issues.
Let’s do this
With a change of Government it is a time for a change in the public entities that run New Zealand.
National loses itself
It seems that National’s use of Eminem’s song lose yourself was not so legal.
Begone, capitalism! You don’t own me
Do we want to be owned by capitalism and stay in its trap of wage and debt slavery, or do we want to boldly go to post-capitalism, whatever that might be.
Austria and Europe
Europe is showing a worrying trend to the right as anti immigration parties are voted into office. Austria provides the latest example.
This is the day *
* but delays are possible.
Into the Vortex of Confirmation Bias: why we won’t be able to figure out which way Winston will go…
Every morning, as the waiting for Winston to decide continues to fray my fragile psyche, I can look at myself in the mirror, contemplate my own frenzied speculative hopes for an Ardern Prime Ministership, and immediately think of a host of strong social-methodological reasons why all such speculation is futile.
Is there a Role for the Governor General in Coalition Formation?
MMP is challenging the traditional role of the Governor General in determining who should lead the Government after an election.
Arrival
Incognito writes about the need for a new narrative in politics and how the Green movement is providing one that takes us beyond neoliberalism and unfettered capitalism.
Cameron Slater makes valuable contribution to blog defamation jurisprudence
Cameron Slater and friends and clients are in the High Court defending a claim that he defamed three health researchers. They tried to have the case kicked out but failed. The judgment makes for an interesting read.
Indigenous and green politics require changes in perspectives
One of our key political challenges now is to broaden the understanding of what matters.
The political strategy of Winston Peters
The Winston Peters interregnum provides New Zealand with the opportunity to work out what are core values and what can be the subject of compromise.
Today is the last day to enroll – and you should
Today is the last day you can enroll to vote in the election. Historically far too many people in the 18-24 age group have not enrolled. The same again would suit the Nats very well indeed.
Update: Newsroom: “A record turnout of early voters suggests a youthquake in action – and the polls might be wrong.”
Update: If you are trying to enrol and the queues are long, here are the other ways you can do it, including online!
Update: you can enrol up until midnight Friday online, and then vote at a polling station on Saturday. Details here.
Anger and compassion
It seems that a man set himself on fire in parliament grounds today.