A generation betrayed
Everything that has been presented to the public about our elected governments’ concern for the environment, particularly in regard to climate change, has been a charade for 25 years.
Social issues
The state housing sell-off
If National were serious about their “social housing” spin they would place restrictions on the use and resale of these houses. Without such protections its just another privatisation of public assets.
NSA bulk collection ruled illegal
In the US a federal appeals court has just ruled the NSA’s bulk collection of phone records is illegal.
Caption competition
The Whisky’s In.
Before the turgid post-election hell that the British Establishment will undoubtably unleash…
NRT: There is too much money in our politics
Our political system is awash with money. There is clearly an arms race going on where National is trying to spend everyone else into the ground. National includes significant funding from Auckland property developers and real estate agents, and probably explains their effective disinterest in fixing Auckland housing.
Worst. Excuse. Ever.
Embarrassed? Us?
“John Key … hopes he hasn’t embarrassed New Zealand in the wake of the embarrassing saga, which made headlines worldwide.” Ummm….
Destination: Next Progressive Majority
The Fabian Society invites all those interested to join a discussion with Sir Michael Cullen, Peter Harris, Sarah Helm, Tracey Martin MP, Richard Harman and Lyndy McIntyre at St Andrew’s on the Terrace, Wellington, on Sunday 10th May at 1pm. Ideas on strategy, economy, party relations, communication and organising will all be canvassed. Read more and register here.
Worst. Interview. Ever.
On Radio NZ this morning John Key gave an interview that was cringe-worthy, defensive and accidently hilarious. The man is a joke … and not even an original one.
Ports of Auckland is out of control
Ports of Auckland’s recent behaviour outlines a major weakness with Auckland super city. Corporate interests are able to take precedence over the wishes of our democratically elected representatives.
Prosecuting Key
Very wise of Bailey to dissociate herself from McCready, and make her own decisions about prosecuting Key.
(Image from Emmerson in The Herald)
NRT: National wants to jail people who expose politicians
Interesting post from I/S at No Right Turn on the Harmful Digital Communications Bill.
Key on women’s rights
Key dodges women’s rights issues in Saudi Arabia. For obvious reasons really. In other media coverage of ponytail fallout…
(Image from Emmerson in The Herald)
What do you reckon?
Video clip to make you all chuckle
The pope and climate change
The Pope is calling for action on climate change. Naturally, he is being attacked for it.
Embarrassed for NZ
Spot the difference: Nats on capital punishment
One of these principled statements is not like the other.
Tariffs aHead Of Torture – that’s how to end Torture
Overnight our premier states person, the Prime Minister, announced to International media something he denied to his own citizens due to National Security […]
Gilmore Sutton Key
Don’t be mean to John!
I Fought the Law
A quick look at the legalities of Ponytailgate as it affects the worker, the cafe, the NZ Herald and the PM. There could be court, tribunal and commission hearings that drag on for months, with potential big financial and political implications for the players.
Casual harassment
It was all a bit of fun. Have we become so casual about harassment?
Miliband ko’s Johnson
Miliband ko’s Boris on Andrew Marr show. Marr opined this might be a foretaste of things to come when Ed is PM and Boris has knifed David Cameron, which Rupert Murdoch thinks likely. Johnson flails and Miliband counter-punches – “don’t get rattled, Boris;” same primary school “but not same secondary school;” on back-stabbing accusations “you can do better than Lynton Crosby.”
Last Week Tonight on Key
#casualjohn
Since when was harassing a waitress “casual”? John Key’s “excuse” blew up all over Twitter last night…
Our “casual” PM
Pull the other one… ponytails, minimisation and male privilege
From pulling ponytails to police minimisation, there is a deep problem in our country with attitudes towards women and to sexual violence.
Caption Competition
Keep it seemly!
Pillock of the week
Although John Key clearly wins the award this week for unbecoming insensitive and bizarre behaviour there is a media figure who did their best to provide him with competition. And it is not Rachel Glucina.
Hip throw to the lions
For once I agree with Mike Hosking – the Hip cafe owners are also losers in the fallout from John Key’s ponytail-pull fetish. But not for the same reasons as Mike. It seems Grant and Brown threw their employee to the lions for quite selfish motives. They appear to have betrayed their responsibility of trust and confidence to their employee.
Abusive and creepy
Of all the ways Key could have shot his leadership and his legacy in the foot – this really was the stupidest.
Image from Emmerson in The Herald – definitive.
NRT: National’s hand-wringing on housing
Auckland house prices have exploded again. Houses get more capital gains than their inhabitants do in salaries. So what is the government doing about it? Nothing. They haven’t tried the economic basics.. Capital gains tax to decrease demand, or a building programme to increase supply. Meanwhile National’s landlord MPs laughing all the way to the bank…
Herald’s interview with the waitress – updated
Late night developments, the “hair pull” waitress states that a Herald interview (to be published today) was obtained under false pretences, and she withdrew her consent for it.
Multiple updates on the changing story.
Andrew Little entrusted with delivering a Gallipoli medal
It was touch and go at Wellington Airport as the great-niece of a Gallipoli soldier raced to meet Labour leader Andrew Little to get him to deliver a medal to Turkey on her behalf.
Dear John… UPDATED
UPDATED And another one fingering another little girl’s hair. Not a ponytail but braids. Very brief at 2:15. (h/t ianmac)
International interest in Auckland property market
If the latest ad running in Malaysia and Singapore is anything to go by we can expect more fuel to the Auckland property price flames. “How would you like people in New Zealand, to give you around half their weekly wages?”…