Mueller Report Complete
The Mueller report has dropped. The next few days are going to be crucial for the Trump presidency.
International
The power of compassionate politics
Jacinda Ardern has shown over the past week that she is one of the country’s best leaders.
Mike Hosking’s unusual take on the Christchurch massacre
Mike Hosking has delivered an analysis of the Mosque murders that omits saying the massacre occurred in a mosque or that all the victims were of the Muslim faith or that the terrorist was a right wing extremist.
‘Heroes’
A few musings on heroism.
Ardern backs students striking for climate change
Jacinda Ardern has publicly supported the School students strike about climate change and urged them not to underestimate the power of their voices.
More political interference on Huawei
Here’s another one for the select committee reviewing foreign interference. Visitor from Britain Charlie Parton of the Royal United Services Institute was on Morning Report this morning telling us to avoid Huawei because they are Chinese and different from us. At least he does us a favour by making it clear the matter is political not technical.
Cardinal Pell
Cardinal Pell has been given six years in jail for his crimes against children. But the Catholic Church has a range of other allegations to resolve.
Brexit Vote Live
Theresa May’s final Brexit deal is voted down by the UK Parliament. What next?
Magicked-Up Weapons
I’m glad Anne-Marie Brady will get the chance to present her “Magic Weapons” paper to the select committee examining the last election. At long last it might get given some proper critical examination, of its content as well as it provenance. In my opinion it reads like a long list of the blindingly obvious, mixed with a large dose of conspiracy theory. It certainly doesn’t show much sign of the sort of critical thinking one might expect from an academic.
Bad: The Michael Jackson Hysteria
Radio stations around the world are banning the music of Michael Jackson. What have his records done wrong?
Jihadi Justice
Should we let the ‘Bumbling Jihadi’ Mark Taylor back into NZ? What message do we send the world if we don’t?
Venezuela, China and Russia
In the new world order of robber barons in which most states are collectively so weak that they no longer effective resistance against large corporations, we should start to view states as diplomatic fronts for corporations.
Kim Hill eviscerates Chris Christie on National radio
Chris Christie agreed to be interviewed by Kim Hill about his recently released book. It seems like he did not know what he was letting himself in for.
Cohen Testifies: LIVE
Live video coverage of Michael Cohen’s testimony to the House Oversight committee
Brexit; Labour Finally Backs A Second Referendum
Events in recent days have forced UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn into backing a second Brexit referendum. Labour are now aligned with the majority of British voters, but is it too little too late?
GCSB head Hampton gazumped by Pompeo
On Wednesday GCSB chief Andrew Hampton told a Select Committee there was absolutely “no pressure” publicly or privately on his decision to block Huawei. On Thursday US Secretary of State Pompeo publicly warned that “United States would not be able to partner with or share information with countries that adopt Huawei Technologies Co Ltd systems.” What a difference a day makes.
Musing on independent breakaways in the UK.
Britain has an interesting political system, one that in many respects we share. The effect is to realise new streams of political effect without revolution. Usually not as a result of actual electoral success, but because it causes shifts in the positions of the major parties that form the governments.
The Independent Group Grows
In the UK, 3 Conservative MP’s have now aligned themselves with the 8 dissenting Labour MP’s in the ‘Independent Group’. What does this mean for both parties and how will it affect Brexit?
Bernie runs again
Bernie Sanders has announced he will seek the Democratic candidacy for the presidency and has described Trump as being a pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and someone who is undermining American democracy.
What China crisis?
Claims that New Zealand is at a crisis point in terms of its relationship with China appear to be somewhat overegged.
Walls and Bridges
It’s been a horror week for two leaders and a leader who will never be leader.
TRP casts a wary and weary eye over three political zombies whose time appears up.
And, oh, Jeremy Corbyn.
Spark vs Spooks
Spark wants Huawei’s 5G technology because its the best and the cheapest. The GCSB spooks don’t want us to have it because 5Eyes and because the US has yanked their chain. The Prime Minister says no decision has been made – the media and the world think it is a goneburger. We should support New Zealand’s Spark, not US corporate interests.
What does the right have against Venezuela?
Simon Bridges has claimed that the Government is going to follow a “Venezuela model” in making much needed reform of the Polytechnic sector. But no one knows what he means.
The problems with America’s political system
In a series of simple questions shows all that is wrong with the American political system.
Trump restarts Nuclear Arms race
Donald Trump has announced that the US will be withdrawing from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and Russia has also given notice. Stand by as the nuclear arms race restarts.
Liam Neeson Under the Cosh
Actor Liam Neeson has made a sensational confession to stalking black men with the intent to kill. No, that’s not the plot to his latest movie, it’s apparently a true story. But what is the wider truth?
UPDATE: Added video of a new Liam Neeson interview regarding the incident.
Trump’s brilliant strategy to dismantle US dollar hegemony
Polymath economist Professor Michael Hudson’s latest article is a geopolitical panoramic masterpiece, sparked by outrage at a series of concurrent events on January 31 which he predicts means that 2019 will be the “year of global fracture.” Definitely worth a read.
Auckland’s yellow jacket protest
Some observations on yesterday’s yellow jacket protest in Auckland. Basically it was pretty mundane but continued vigilance is important.
Migrant’s picnic this weekend at Tamaki Makaurau
Love Aotearoa is hosting a migrants welcome picnic tomorrow afternoon in Auckland at the same time that the New Conservatives are holding a rally to complain about immigrants being treated properly.
The world cannot afford to have billionaires
American politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has said that it is immoral to have a world that allows for billionaires. She may well be right.
I’m so tired of you America
Every day it’s getting harder to even wake up and hear of the latest outrage to political decency in the United States.
Trump’s Worst Day
The Trump shutdown is over, as the doofus President waves the white flag. And in Florida, his trusted advisor Roger Stone is led away in handcuffs to face charges of lying to the Mueller enquiry. Good times, people, good times!
Venezuela Coup
A coup attempt is underway in Venezuala. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has declared himself interim President. There is no immediate response from President Nicholas Maduro, who appears to still retain the support of the military.
That federation campaign
There’s an ad campaign that says “New Zealand is doing Australia better than Australia is”, and recommends federation of New Zealand with Australia and Jacinda being the first Prime Minister. Maybe it’s time.
Enter Sandmann
The young racist who was filmed smugly grinning at a native American elder has put out a statement justifying his actions. Trump will be proud. Bigly proud.
The stoopid it burns …
Donald Trump has tweeted that he wants there to be more global warming.