Energy’s Iron Triangle.
For those who don’t trawl through all the comments; a little personal background. I’ve been fortunate enough to have just finished up a […]
Social issues
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Power across the Tasman
Australia is likely to have less of an issue with raging bush fires this year. La Niña is likely to give a break to the droughts with a wetter East Coast. Doesn’t stop record heatwaves as is happening at present. Climate change in action. What is also happening is equally predictable – the power systems get affected as well. Interesting to consider for similar climate issues here hitting our power.
Stuff apologises for decades of racist reporting
In a headline I thought I would never read this morning Stuff has apologised for decades of racist reporting, and has in its own words “grappled with the truth that our journalism has often unfairly portrayed Maori, ranging from racist to blinkered”.
Auckland’s tree protection problem
Currently in Auckland far too many of our magnificent trees are not protected. Here are some thoughts on what the Government and Auckland Council should do to change this.
The Speech From The Throne
I’m sure one needs a particular depth of political nerdiness to give a flying fig about such things, but since I am one of those, these are my highlights from the speech from the throne to Parliament this week.
Maiden Speech – Ibrahim Omer take a bow
Ibrahim Omer, refugee, trade unionist, and living wage advocate gave his maiden speech today in Parliament. If you want to watch an outstanding speech and shed a tear or two watch this.
Comrade David signals radical rewrite of Act’s living wage policy
Comrade David Seymour has signalled that Act may argue for a minimum wage of $50 per hour.
South Australia’s new Covid strain
During a week in which two Covid vaccines have been announced there is disturbing news coming out of Australia where a new more potent strain of the virus has appeared in South Australia.
Trump’s chances of winning the Presidential Election through legal action
To win the Presidential Election Donald Trump has to win multiple legal challenges in multiple states. So far his cases have not gone very well.
They Are Not Morons
Donald Trump will be back for another go at the Presidency in 2024. Progressives should underestimate the possibility of his winning. Unless the remaining centre-left generates strategies that are executed so well that people feel the difference good politics makes, the elements of populism arising again will stay ready like the elements of a bomb.
The million MAGA muppet march
America is in some trouble. Covid19 is surging. The third wave is hitting hard. Suddenly 100,000 daily new infections is not a scary possibility, 200,000 is. And a group of Americans have been persuaded that Trump has had the election stolen off him.
Covid and contact tracing
News of a new community case in Auckland, and the need for us all to be taking precautions and keeping track of our movements and contacts.
Some men just want to see the World burn
Normally when you lose an election you say nice things about the winner and make way for them. But is Trump doing this in the US of A? No sirree. From refusing Biden transition resources to instructing officials not to cooperate with Biden’s team to mass sackings of Defense officials to various failed cases Trump is obstructing the transition every step of the way.
COVID19 Vaccine and New Zealand’s K-Shaped Recovery
IF the discovery of a potential Covid vaccine looks like a new dawn, let’s not forget that this is the accelerating point of the K-shaped recovery New Zealand have been dreading. Our already rich are on the line heading upwards. They are getting richer because of a range of our Government policies.
What should the left make of the US election result?
Now the dust is settling on the US election result the one question I have is why was it even close?
Lawyers, guns and money
Over in the United States of America the country is descending into chaos. But so far the farcical type of chaos as opposed to the violent type of chaos and this is a good thing.
Donald Trump’s letter to Joe Biden
It is customary for outgoing Presidents to leave for the incoming President a short letter of introduction. The Standard has managed to obtain a early draft copy of Donald Trump’s letter to Joe Biden drafted while he was playing golf.
If Biden wins, then what?
I hope that I am not tempting fate by saying this but a Biden presidency seems almost inevitable. But presuming he prevails the transition is going to be one of the most difficult and most important in America’s history.
Blood sucking leeches blame young for blood supply crisis
The Property Investor Federation’s executive officer has expressed the opinion that every time a first home buyer buys a house it makes the housing crisis worse.
Labour’s cabinet
Some details of the new Cabinet announced today by Jacinda Ardern.
UK Labour suspends Corbyn for stating the obvious about anti-semitism in the Party
Following a report into anti-semitism in the UK Labour party, Corbyn said it exists in the Party but it is over-stated and the campaign against it is politically-motivated by opponents inside and outside the Party. He was instantly suspended from the party and had the whip removed by leader Sir Keir Starmer, which seems excessive and will cause further discord. Corbyn is not an anti-Semite.
The reeferendum fails
The referendum seeking to decriminalise cannabis appears to have failed narrowly although special votes are still to be counted.
Could the real Labour Party please stand up
We need to get the Labour government to focus on decreasing inequality and poverty in all its forms and effects. The new government needs to show that Labour has changed the country for good. Otherwise there’s no reason to vote for them in 2023.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a hell hole paradise dystopian democracy
Fox News has seized upon a four month old video of Jacinda Ardern to suggest that New Zealand has a terrifying new response to the disease and are throwing people into quarantine camps.
Justice Coney Barrett appears to be a climate change denier
Newly appointed Republican and Trump supported Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is not convinced that humans are changing the world’s climate. Meanwhile China and Japan are convinced and have announced dates by which time they intend to be carbon neutral.
Melbourne gets on top of Covid
Yesterday the city of Melbourne recorded its first day of no new reported covid infections in nearly five months. At the same time in America the White House has effectively said that control is too difficult and that it is giving up.
Labour day
Enjoying your weekend? Thank a unionist!
What should Labour do in the next three years?
With the hand brake gone and the Government’s policy platform already complete what should the Labour Government set out to achieve this term?
Kelvin for DPM
Some thoughts on who the country’s Deputy Prime Minister should be.
Rangitata and the Future of the National Party
As National reels from the disastrous 2020 election result could a policy based on high tech agriculture represent a way back?
The Trump Biden debate
Discussion post for this afternoon’s live US Presidential debate.
Why Can’t The Ministry of Works Just Build Houses Like 1935?
We don’t have a government like the Labour government that formed in 1935.
Some consequences of Chloe Swarbrick’s win
What are the lessons to be learned from Chloe Swarbrick’s election night win of Auckland Central.
Later Jami-Lee
It appears that this election will be the swan song of Jami-Lee Ross’s political career with his final political act being eviscerated publicly by Tova O’Brien in an interview.
O Winston I love you
Some reasons for us to miss Winston’s exit from politics.
Jacinda or Judith?
With election day tomorrow those who have not voted already need to decide, do they want Jacinda Ardern or Judith Collins to be the next Prime Minister.