Smartest guy in the room
The Government signed a deal with Peter Thiel that socialised the losses and allowed him to privatise the gains of the joint venture fund that the parties entered into.
A good week for Labour and Greens
Following on from their joint “state of the nation” it’s been a good week for the political left in NZ. Here’s a roundup.
Poverty and health
Socioeconomic status is a major health risk factor. Not exactly a surprise is it.
Open Mike 04/02/2017
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 …
Daily Review 03/02/2017
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 …
“Middle East leftovers”
Compassionate conservatism in action. No wonder English was so tame in his criticism of Trump’s Muslim ban.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Ouch Ouch Ouch!
Diplomacy in the age of Trump is going to be a real blast. Just ask Australia.
Open Mike 03/02/2017
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 …
Daily Review 02/02/2017
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 …
Bill’s big policy flop
Fair to say that Bill English’s “big” policy announcement today was a total flop.
Andrew Little well received in Dunedin
(Photo – Peter McIntosh the Otago Daily Times)
Peter Thiel’s Libertarian Dream – for New Zealand?
From a Business Insider article in the OIA papers: Thiel is a long-term thinker, so what’s the big picture? What could the contrarian investor see in a country of 4 million people whose economy is based on agriculture and tourism? Maybe Peter Thiel wants to turn New Zealand into the next Silicon Valley. Or maybe even the libertarian utopia of his dreams.”
O’Connor and Jackson for Labour
Like many, I have mixed feelings about these developments, but on balance I am in favour of the “broad church” approach
The Peter Thiel citizenship grant
The Peter Thiel paper dump raise more questions than they answer and hints at ongoing communication with National ministers and that John Key approached Thiel to make the donation subsequently made to Key’s earthquake fund.
Unemployment rate up
Despite National’s fiddling the figures on the way unemployment is counted, the unemployment rate is on the rise again.
Open Mike 02/02/2017
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 …
Daily Review 01/02/2017
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 …
Date of the 2017 election
Labour gets serious about regional development
Labour is serious about regional development. It is proposing a 10 year $200m package of regional initiatives. The first of these was just announced in Dunedin.
Good night, and good luck
Donald Trump’s attack on human rights is nothing new. American history has many examples of attacks on basic rights.
Morgan in Mt Albert
Via NewsHub: Gareth Morgan and his party to contest Mt Albert by-election?
English condemned
Interim PM Bill English is getting a hammering for his “weak and indecisive” response to Trump’s Muslim ban.
A message to Bill English
A touching cartoon message to Bill English on why he should increase New Zealand’s refugee intake.
Open Mike 01/02/2017
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 …
Daily Review 31/01/2017
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 …
The constitution is screwed
Trump goes full fascist and fires the acting Attorney General for daring to question his Muslim Ban order.
And in Canada…
One border and a world of difference away…
Shock after shock
Understanding shock events is part of the solution.
Then hope
Hope and action are also part of the solution.
A PM but not a leader
Bill English has failed his first test of real leadership. Compare and contrast, English and Little’s responses to the Muslim ban.
Update: The image is Emmerson’s take in The Herald.
Open Mike 31/01/2017
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 …
Americans Killed By Terrorists since 9/11.
Killed in the USA?
Justin Lester: No matter where you come from, you are welcome here
The PM may not know where he stands but the Mayor of Wellington does.
NRT: Embarrassing
I/S at No Right Turn writes on a political refugee – from Australia.
The Labour Green 2017 campaign launch
Yesterday’s joint Labour Green state of the nation event was effectively a campaign launch for the 2017 election. And it went well.
Will English speak up on Trump’s ban?
World leaders are condemning Trump’s Muslim ban. What does the PM of our country have to say on the matter?