Climate change is this Government’s nuclear free issue
The results of the Zero Carbon Bill negotiations are due to be announced shortly. This Government has a political imperative to make sure that the final proposal is resolute.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Death by a thousand cuts
It has been reported that John Key has shown some support behind the scenes for Judith Collins. And someone in National’s caucus has leaked to Newshub that MPs were told not to leak to Newshub.
The ides of April
National’s first caucus meeting in a while is scheduled for today. And the leaks are continuing.
Slushiegate
Simon Bridges has decided to attack Corrections management for installing slushie machines designed to help cool prison guards in full uniform and heavy stab proof vests on hot days.
How To Get There 28/4/19
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
Should white supremacists be preferred over ISIS?
According to media sources in the United States Twitter won’t autoban white supremacists because too many GOP Politicians would be banned.
Splitters!
David Moffett, a Former board member of the New Conservative Party has announced the launch of a new new conservative party.
Regulating social media
Is it possible that the zeitgeist for global social media regulation is peaking at the right time, and the big tech giants will accede?
Sri Lanka
A junior Sri Lankan Minister has suggested that the recent bombings was an ISIS inspired response to the Christchurch mosque bombings. But others are not so sure that this is right.
Everything Should Be Made As Uncomfortable As Possible, But No Less Comfortable
When providing a voluntary carbon-offset scheme, make it as simple as possible, but not simpler, and tell people about it.
Kiwi Cultural Cringe is Alive and Well
New Zealand is too small for high-achievers and star-performers and does not offer enough challenges and rewards.
Confirmation bias
The internet neatly divides us into separate isolated tribes with polarised views of what are the issues and what is reality. How do we engage in a civilised discussion to educate each other and reach a consensus of what we should be doing?
How To Get There 21/4/19
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
Don’t Rock The Titanic!
The pace of politics of transformation is glacial but it is unstoppable.
The Mueller report
Robert Mueller’s report has now been released and questions are being asked at the benign spin that the White House has been allowed to engage in to describe it before its release.
Easter Miracle: JC Rises Again!
TVNZ have just announced a surprise return for NZ’s favourite sermoniser.
About the CGT decision
With the benefit of hindsight the decision not to proceed with a capital gains tax was almost inevitable.
CGT Dumped
The Government has announced that there will be no Capital Gains Tax. It’s a shame, but it’s good politics.
Should he stay or should he go?
Tova O’Brien has reported that different National MPs are speaking out against Simon Bridges and that a coup against him may be in the offering.
Trump’s border problem
Donald Trump has considered taking some extraordinary steps to quell a surge in migration through the southern boarder of the United States.
1 NEWS Colmar Brunton Poll April 2019
The latest 1 News Colmar Brunton Poll is out and it says that a Labour/Greens Government is what NZ wants. Oh, and we quite like Jacinda Ardern.
Nat MP Nuk Karako Quits
Nat List MP Nuk Karako has unexpectedly announced his retirement, effective next month.
National’s culture review shambles redux
Simon Bridges has given a train wreck of an interview this morning on Radio New Zealand’s morning report about National’s culture review. It appears that National is keeping the report secret because of fears that the report may be leaked.
Reflections on Free Speech and Public Discourse
Silencing dissonant voices only leads to more and stronger dissonant voices and further radicalisation.
Assange Must Be Extradited
There is no doubt that Julian Assange should be extradited when his UK jail sentence ends. Justice demands it.
Stuart McCutcheon thinks students are too sensitive
Auckland Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon has attracted the ire of Auckland students by suggesting that their concern with recent evidence of fascist behaviour at Auckland campus is because they are being too sensitive.
How To Get There 14/4/19
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
The latest Reid Research poll
The latest Reid Research suggests that Labour is almost at the stage where it could rule alone. And National is getting into danger territory.
Assange Arrested
Julian Assange has been arrested by British Police inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London after his asylum was revoked.
UPDATE: Assange has been convicted of skipping bail and the US has requested his extradition.
Black Hole
The first image of a black hole has been released. It’s brighter than expected, but kinda underwhelming.
Bridges’ emotional junior staffer problem
The emotional junior staffer incident shows that National’s internal discipline is poor and that leaks are continuing.
National’s culture review shambles
National’s internal cultural review has been completed but two female MPs most affected by recent events were not interviewed.
Tough, swift leadership needed to police social media
The government has been rightly lauded for swiftly acting to ban assault weapons after the Christchurch massacre, but is its failure to decisively call social media giants to order just as weak and unacceptable as the failure to act on Aramoana massacre back in 1990?
MSSA Bill reported back
The Finance and Expenditure Select Committee has reported back the Arms Amendment Bill which will ban the general availability of military style semi automatic weapons with only modest changes.
Are We Expecting Too Much Of Our Political Leaders?
Political leaders must have expert knowledge on many topics and near-perfect recall. No naps allowed and no room for error.
But, Rugby!
On top of RSA bigots baying about the use of a prayer on ANZAC day, rugby fans are getting exercised about the possibility of the Canterbury team changing its obviously offensive name. Apparently empathy with the innocent dead in Christchurch only lasts until kick off.