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
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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
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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
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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?
Open Mike 30/01/2017
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Andrew Little – State of the Nation speech
The text of Andrew Little’s State of the Nation speech delivered today.
Labour Greens joint State of the Nation livestream and discussion
Be part of the movement to change the Government. Sunday 2pm.
Updated with speeches
Trump’s Muslim travel ban
Welcome to the new America.
Open Mike 29/01/2017
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Peter Thiel’s citizenship and consequent questions of corruption
Journos have been looking at how Peter Thiel gained citizenship. Not because he shouldn’t have been made a citizen. But it was done without any public notice using a special section of the immigration act. That reeks of a corruption route by a minister or officials. Reasons need to be made public for this and other decisions done this way.
The cost of education
National needs to do something to address spiraling education costs in both the secondary and tertiary sectors.
Petition for medicinal cannabis
Good to see that Nikki Kaye is doing so well after her cancer scare. Also good to see her changing her mind on an important issue. Please sign the petition to allow doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis.
Maybe Trump is what the left needed
Donald Trump’s ascendancy to power presents the left with the chance of showing that progressive politics is a much better choice than the alternative.
Open Mike 28/01/2017
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