2015 hottest year. By. Far.
Another attempt to minimise the significance of poverty
A piece yesterday foreshadows a report on poverty from right-wing lobby group “The New Zealand Initiative”. It’s (surprise!) another attempt to minimise the significance of poverty in NZ – and it’s another big distraction…
Open mike 21/01/2016
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 …
Sanders vs Trump
Sanders is increasing his lead over Clinton in early states. Trump has just been endorsed by Palin. A Sanders vs Trump face off doesn’t seem as unlikely as it used to.
Rightwing populism is the new normal – Gary Younge
Gary Younge is a feature columnist with the Guardian. In this film he explains why the Trump phenomenon is a symptom of current societal change.
Johno Smith explains why he tried to save the Titirangi Kauri
Johno Smith has appeared in the Waitakere District Court and has pleaded guilty to trespass. He has set out his reasons for trespassing in an effort to save an ancient Kauri.
Herald Bingo
Can be used either as a bingo card or as a drinking game.
Open mike 20/01/2016
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 …
Building a mass movement
Republished by request, and permission from Stephanie Rodgers at Boots Theory
[Content note: mentions of transphobia, sexual violence and violence against people of colour]
Kingi Taurua says Government not welcome to Waitangi if TPPA signed
Ngāpuhi kaumātua and spokesperson for Te Tii Marae Kingi Tairua has announced that because of the lack of consultation if the TPPA is signed the Government will not be welcome at Waitangi.
62 vs 3.6 Billion
Ever widening inequality generates ever more astonishing statistics – suck up economics in action. The super-rich are laughing all the way to the bank.
Open mike 19/01/2016
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Skill shortages and reaping what you sow
Data released to the Sunday Star-Times shows a huge decline in numbers of tertiary students, including declines in many key skills and fields. Various explanations are offered, only one of them makes sense…
John Campbell returns
John Campbell’s return to broadcast media is imminent.
Robertson / Labour on the future of work
It’s a good thing that one of the major parties is thinking seriously about the future…
Open mike 18/01/2016
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 …
Not all research is created equal
A recent “research” report on alcohol, funded by brewing company Lion, has been in the news lately. Sadly, not everything that purports to be research is honest research.
Robin Grieve does not understand the IPCC report
The Herald has printed an opinion piece by ex ACT candidate Robin Grieve Robin Grieve which claims that the IPCC has said we have nothing to worry about climate change when a cursory reading of the report suggests otherwise. What is it with the quality of Herald opinion pieces presented by former ACT candidates?
Open mike 17/01/2016
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 …
What to do about poverty (and a suggestion to the media)
An excellent piece on poverty by Lizzie Marvelly in The Herald this morning poses a question to which we already know the answer. (Plus some bonus rambling on the media.)
The unexpected oil crisis
The world is currently facing a problem that even a few years ago was unthinkable. Oil is cheap and demand has dropped out of the market. What are the geopolitical implications of this?
Open mike 16/01/2016
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 …
NZ first in the world!
Gender Pay Gap: Average Wage Graph telling
Now maybe it’s because I’m a bloke, but looking at this graph I couldn’t help but think: wouldn’t it be better to close the pay gap for women by increasing their wages rather than decreasing men’s?
How to improve pay gender equality
It’s been a hardy annual finding of late – the pay gap between males and females is getting steadily worse. History suggests that Labour governments have some answers…
Really David Farrar?
David Farrar has criticised AUSA for refusing to publicly endorse a Pro Life Auckland offer of assistance to solo mother students and thereby stopping assistance occurring. There is one problem though, AUSA did nothing of the sort.
Open mike 15/01/2016
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Go Bernie!
New Zealand’s alternative 1984
What would have happened if in 1984 David Lange had exerted control and appointed a centrist rather than right wing Labour cabinet?
TPP circus rolls on
The new year begins much as the old one ended, with secrets, evasions and dissent over the TPP and what it means for NZ.
Open mike 14/01/2016
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Boots Theory: Move left to win? Move left to win!
Boots Theory on the American Working Families Charter, how they are trying to move the Democratic Party to the left, and possible lessons for New Zealand.
Royal Bank of Scotland to investors: “Sell everything”
The Bank of Scotland has advised advised its clients to brace for a “cataclysmic year” and a global deflationary crisis.
Open mike 13/01/2016
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★
Te Reo Putake spins the black circle and has a listen to Bowie’s final album, Blackstar.
National’s vision for New Zealand’s future
Stephen Joyce has had published an opinion piece in this morning’s Herald which extolls the virtue of free trade and ignores the pitfalls. Such as those shown this week when TransCanada sued the US Government for rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline contract.