NZ Banks are very worried…
New Zealand banks (which are really Australian banks) are REALLY worried for us (oh, and for themselves).
Social issues
uncategorized
Open mike 25/02/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
ISIS. Crowdsourcing a solution.
So, we’re off to Iraq. If the answer to ISIS isn’t sending Kiwi troops, what do Standardistas think practical alternatives might be?
EDIT: Key announces 143 troops to go to Iraq and support staff.
Open mike 24/02/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Labour the Greens and NZ First
An alternative view to Te Reo Putake’s proposal that Labour should support Winston Peters in the Northland by election. I believe that Labour should stick to its current plan and endorse Willow Jean Prime.
Stand by Your Man
Sometime in the next few days, Winston Peters will announce whether or not he will stand in the Northland by-election. He should run unchallenged by the left and Labour and the Greens should endorse him for the greater good.
The Precariat Charter – Guy Standing – Wellington 19th Feb
Professor Guy Standing will discuss the ideas in his new book ‘A Precariat Charter; from Denizens to Citizens” in Wellington on Thursday 19 February at St John’s Church Hall, Willis Street at 5:30pm. “Throughout history, class-based revolt has led to the creation of charters of demands, from the Magna Carta to South Africa’s Freedom Charter. It is now time for a Precariat Charter.” All welcome
Tory “charity”
The Government is planning to make charities pay for police background checks. You can’t make this stuff up!
Labour’s Betrayal Continues
It might well be in Labour’s best interests to cut the crap now and go into coalition with the National Ltd™ Cult of John Key. It would be the honest thing to do. Kiwis will then know where the boundaries lie and who actually is working to oppose the implementation of the wider neo-liberal ideology.
Global divestment day
“We are demanding institutions do what is necessary to avert the climate crisis by divesting from fossil fuels. Together, we are making fossil fuels history.”
How does #nzpol do on Facebook?
Feinstein Doak has a post up with the Top Political Facebook Posts of 2014, and the results are interesting.
A calculated feeding of the beasts within
The social democracy of my youth has radically collapsed into our current culture of individualism, privatisation and personal greed.
What did Key know about Sabin’s issues?
Now that Mike Sabin has resigned attention is on what John Key knew and when.
Queensland and Northland
The conventional wisdom re the Queensland election late last year was ”that converting (Labor’s) current tally of nine seats into the 45 needed for a majority will be a bridge or more too far.” Anastascia Palaszczuk was obviously not conventional but was wise enough to dare to win on community issues. A community-issue based campaign in Northland could also spring a surprise here.
The Northland by-election
A by-election is imminent – so how does Labour win in a safe National seat?
National MP Mike Sabin resigns
UPDATED: Northland MP Mike Sabin has resigned.
Taxpayers Union Press Release on Eleanor Catton
The Taxpayers Union has responded to Eleanor Catton’s comment that New Zealand is dominated by money hungry politicans who do not care about culture by demanding she pay back funding used on her six month residency. Way to prove her point boys.
investing in social cohesion
experiences of solidarity and support can be found across the planet. they aren’t particularly hard to find, these many instances of kindness and humanity. so why does it feel like we live in a world that is incredibly hostile?
Open mike 22/01/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Open mike 21/01/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Top 1% own 50% of world wealth: Oxfam
Winnie Biyanyima of Oxfam is one of six co-chairs at the Davos World Economic Forum. She says her role is to challenge the powerful elites, and she goes armed with a new report that shows that on current trends by next year the world’s richest !% will hold more wealth than the other 99%. She’s got some good ideas on what to do about it too.
Shortlist for GCSB Chief announced
It makes for great reading and throws the net wider than last time… just Check it out here
Open mike 12/01/2015
The Authors of The Standard are now in holiday mode. Posting will be less regular and dependant on individual author enthusiasm.
The Hypocrisy of Hate
You’d think that with all the WW1 commemorations going on at the moment it would make us more vigilant about our freedom and security, not sleep-walking towards another Holy Crusade (in the name of the God of Money and Father of Fossil Fuels), seduced by slick liars and the gods of commercialism and greed.
National knew about Sabin allegations since before the election
The Sunday Star Times has revealed today that the inquiry into Mike Sabin started before the last election and that senior National figures knew about it. And it appears that two private members bills he drafted have disappeared. The questions has to be asked, why is he still the chair of Parliament’s Law and Order committee. And when did John Key find out about the allegations?
If the voice fits….?
Politics has traditionally been men’s business. Gradually women have come to be given more space in this sphere of public activity. However, there are still strains of traditional masculine values evident in political activity, organisation and debate. How much does Key trade in
bloke-iness?
Have a right royal Christmas and a Brighter 2015
A message from the throne of the right honourable, but close enough to touch it, Sir, John Key.
Imperator Fish: Let’s hear them out
Sky City wants the taxpayer to help cover the increased cost to build its new Auckland convention centre. They agreed to build the convention centre in return for the government giving the casino a licence extension and allowing it to operate more gaming machines…. So…
Where to the nation?
Left wing politics in New Zealand bends most of its attention and energy inwards onto the nation state. This is of course understandable […]
2014 man of the Year
Two prominent New Zealand men voiced their opinion on a serious aspect of life in New Zealand this year, let’s rate them…
Mike Sabin is in trouble
Northland MP Mike Sabin is facing a police enquiry and a by election is possible.
We need to talk about the F word… closely followed by the V word.
Feminism is a reaction. A position. A belief that women should, by right, be entitled to all the same ‘privileges’ as men: fair pay, high quality free education, control of their own money (and bodies), freedom to choose who to love and how to act. Freedom of movement, association, dress, beliefs. Respect as an equal. Opportunity. Equity in decision-making. A voice.
Open mike 19/12/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 18/12/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …