Let’s talk mental health
With the news about Jami-Lee Ross being taken into care, now’s a good time to talk about mental health, and how it should be handled in politics.
The Mariana Trench Fix.
The Mariana Trench is pretty huge. And deep. And if the idea is to fill a hole in the ground with ‘stuff’, then it’s a fair sized hole to be filling, right?
Caption contest
Keep it seemly.
Everything is awesome
National is trying to say that everything is fine with Simon Bridges’ leadership, that he has handled the Jami-Lee Ross crisis well and that his leadership is assured. I beg to differ.
Open Mike 21/10/2018
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Saudi Arabia Admits Killing Khashoggi
Saudi Arabia sensationally fesses up to killing missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But it was all his own fault, apparently.
What are we waiting for?
We seem to be waiting for something? But what is it?
Open Mike 20/10/2018
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Jami-Lee Ross: But Wait, There’s More!
Jami-Lee Ross has twisted the knife a little further into Simon Bridge’s back this arvo, releasing a second tape and announcing he won’t be quitting Parliament. Turns out he may need the income to fund a divorce.
Daily Review 19/10/2018
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Trademe advertises National List MP position for sale
Some wag on Trademe has advertised National Party list positions for sale.
Two Chinese are more valuable than two Indians
The repercussions of Jami-Lee Ross’s expulsion continue to be felt. Disclosures about complaints regarding Ross’s behaviour are difficult to reconcile with what Bridges and Bennett have said recently. And National’s relationship with ethnic groups has taken a battering.
Open Mike 19/10/2018
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Daily Review 18/10/2018
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No smoking gun but plenty of sunlight from Bridges tape
Maybe not a smoking gun, Jami-Lee Ross’s tape recording of Simon Bridges sheds plenty of sunlight on the influence that money can buy within the National Party, casual racism endemic within National, the manipulation of ethnic communities and, most importantly, insights into the wielding of “soft power” by China.
Censorship again.
I’m not a great fan of George Monbiot. And Alex Jones is rubbish. But …
The Jamilee tweets
Jami-Lee Ross has released the tape of his talking with Simon Bridges where the suggestion was made that two Chinese MPs would be more valuable than two Indian MPs. And Melanie Reid has published an article containing the allegations of four women against Ross of inappropriate behaviour.
Open Mike 18/10/2018
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Daily Review 17/10/2018
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Khashoggi
A counter to the “heroic dissident” narrative.
Saudi Arabia and the United States
Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that the U.S. resident and investigative reporter did indeed die in their embassy in Turkey.
Mutually assured destruction
Paula Bennett has broken the understanding that MPs do not refer to each other’s private lives. And Jami-Lee Ross has alleged that a $100,000 donation was split so that it did not have to be declared and it has been confirmed that National then nominated the donor for a Queen’s Birthday Honour.
MAFS Botany
The Botany by-election is an opportunity for National to woo a future party leader. There’s an obvious candidate if the Tories have the nerve to propose.
Open Mike 17/10/2018
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Daily Review 16/10/2018
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Ross resigns, to lay corrupt practices complaint against Bridges with police
Jamie-Lee Ross will seek to win a by-election as an independent. Says that Simon Bridges is corrupt and unlikeable and that he could prove it. Refutes Simon Bridges claim against him of harassment of women. Said the by-election would be a referendum on Bridges’ leadership. Updated: Simon Bridges responds – what he doesn’t say is more interesting
Jami-Lee Ross Doubles Down; Resigns From Parliament
Jami-Lee Ross is to resign from Parliament amid further claims about unlawful activity from Tory leader Simon Bridges. Ross says he will stand in the Botany by-election. Ross also says he will lay a complaint against Bridges with the Police.
National’s caucus meeting today – nothing to see here
All eyes will be on National’s caucus meeting today. And Simon Bridges will need to explain what Jami-Lee Ross meant when he said that he had recorded a conversation where he was asked by Bridges to break the law.
Open Mike 16/10/2018
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Daily Review 15/10/2018
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Civil war breaks out in National’s ranks
Jami-Lee Ross has gone public and announced that he will be blamed for the leaking of Simon Bridges’ travel information and said that he will continue to speak publicly about the issue.
Retail Fuel politics
New Zealand is now getting truckie protests about fuel prices reminiscent of the first term of the Helen Clark government. This is no doubt the start of many protests to come from truckie and consumer alike.
National leaks again
Duncan Garner has this morning revealed further leaked information from within National concerning Simon Bridges’ disastrous polling and indicating that he received a donation from a company with links to the Exclusive Brethren.
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For a Better New Zealand?
A new political party has emerged with what could be loosely described as a stunning website.
Open Mike 15/10/2018
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A Bigger Better Budget!
An odd detail or change was buried within the IPCC report that came out last week.