Clinton running for president
As expected, Hillary Clinton has announced her candidacy in next year’s presidential election.
Who is Miranda Devine?
Miranda Devine is the person who recently wrote a really obsequious article on John Key in the Daily Telegraph where she described him as one of the best Conservative Prime Ministers in the world. But a reading of her other published material suggests that caution should be applied before applying too much weight to her opinions.
Open mike 13/04/2015
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Which Deficit?
So, the much-touted and long-awaited government surplus looks unlikely to arrive this year. Is that a surprise? No. Does it matter? Not much. […]
UK Labour to crack down on tax cheats
UK Labour have promised “all-out war on tax avoidance and evasion”. NZ Labour should follow suit.
A police investigation – Part One
There’s nothing particularly wrong with Bryce Edwards’ article except that it ignores how National Ltd™ Police Ministers have successively sat by and done nothing in response to the on-going police failings.
Open mike 12/04/2015
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NZ emissions disaster in The Herald!
Well knock me over with a feather. The disaster that is NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions has broken out of the ghetto of Twitter and Parliament TV, and made it on the front page of the (digital) Herald.
Caption competition
Head of Mediaworks Mark Weldon and his mate John. Be nice about it …
The magical disappearing surplus
John Key and National have staked a huge amount of their credibility on returning the country’s books to surplus this financial year. Looks like they are going to fail.
O’Sullivan on Campbell, Weldon and Key
So it’s not just loonie leftie bloggers noting the political element to the attack on Campbell Live.
Open mike 11/04/2015
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Daily review 10/04/2015
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas 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.
Dear Maccas, Burger King and Wendys, about those zero hour contracts
Following its success in persuading Restaurant Brands to do away with zero hour contracts Unite Union has set up a webpage where people can email these organisations.
Blogger on breaching name suppression charges gets name suppression
A blogger charged with breaching suppression orders protecting the names of others has obtained interim name suppression. This is not a joke …
Campbell live and politicisation of media
The attack on Campbell Live appears to be political.
If you can’t afford children…
Open mike 10/04/2015
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Daily review 09/04/2015
This is an experimental post to see how a second open mike type post would work. Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas 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.
Save Campbell Live!
It looks like NZ’s last outlet for daily TV investigative journalism is going to be axed. TV3’s owners, Mediaworks, are going to focus all their resources into propping up the odious Paul Henry’s breakfast show. The bad taste jokes don’t end there, though. Campbell Live is going to be replaced with a comedy show. No, really. Updated with links to petitions.
The education horse race
On the one hand the government are pushing for more and more NCEA passes to feed the league tables, and on the other they are acknowledging that those passes are no longer enough to suggest success at Tertiary level and tightening criteria to exclude students. Mixed messages, perverse incentives, a giant shambles.
National’s social housing policy in action
For those who are wondering how National’s “social housing” policy is going to work in practice, The Herald today has a piece that gives a pretty fair idea.
The Winston Principle
Some people, Left and Right state they won’t vote for New Zealand First while Winston is its leader. Various reasons are given including […]
Restaurant Brands to end zero hour contracts
Unite has achieved a significant victory by persuading Restaurant Brands to do away with zero hour contracts and to guarantee minimum working hours for staff.
Open mike 09/04/2015
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Daily Review 08/04/2015
This is an experimental post to see how a second open mike type post would work. Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas 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.
West Auckland Labour meeting on housing
Details of a public meeting hosted by the West Auckland Labour MPs about housing issues to be held tomorrow night.
Blog rankings
Cutbacks for Children’s commissioner – do we care?
The office of the Children’s Commissioner is cutting back work due to funding pressure. Not that you would know about it, from the almost complete lack of media coverage.
Governments protecting paedophiles
Last week National shut down Peters’ attempt to introduce a Bill on paedophile name suppression. Presumably this was out of petty spite at Peters’ Northland victory, but in the context of the Thatcher revelations this was surely an issue that would have been worth debating.
What is happening in the National Party?
Trouble is brewing in National’s ranks. In a series of recent tweets occasional Standard commenter Matthew Hooton outlines his reasons for now opposing John Key’s Government.
Open mike 08/04/2015
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 …
Daily review 07/04/2015
This is an experimental post to see how a second open mike type post would work. Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas 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.
Greenpeace activists on oil rig
John Oliver and Edward Snowden on surveillance
The brilliant John Oliver on the Patriot Act and surveillance. Includes a face to face interview with Edward Snowden, and extensive discussion of dick pics.