The Killing Moon
TV3 have sacked two judges on X Factor NZ, while Jeremy Clarkson is more popular than ever. When is TV going to pull the plug on itself?
And yet the cast of Dirty Politics are still at large in the media
Herald: “Natalia Kills & Willy Moon are no longer suitable to judge X Factor”.
Surveillance newspeak
Key’s attempt to play cute with the semantics of surveillance is part of an international strategy. Here’s Glenn Greenwald at The Intercept.
The Northland coverup
International travel perks for the people who got us into this mess?
The blogosphere leads the way in breaking a story about yet another sack of cash for MPs …
Donate for cyclone recovery
Vanuatu has been badly hit, with many dead, and significant damage. There is a Red Cross donations page here.
Open mike 16/03/2015
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 …
Still making things go boom dangerously
I have been reading Neil Sheenan’s “A fiery peace in a cold war” on the development of the US ICBM forces in the 50s. At the same time I’ve been reading last week’s Economist, including a feature on the current developing arms race in nuclear weapon systems. Quietly falling into another insane arms race.
Two views on Titirangi’s Kauri
Rodney Hide has published a column about the ancient Titirangi Kauri which predictably argues that land owners should do what they want. But John Roughan has argued to the contrary in an article that will make you wonder if he is actually a greenie at heart.
Spying and the terrorism excuse
The next time that John Key says that we spy so as to keep NZ safe from terrorism, could some journalist please please ask him if the PM of the Solomon Islands is a terrorist?
Finally!
Julian Assange to be allowed to answer to accusations…
Heroes and Villains
Thinking authorities in the west have yet discover the difference between their arse and their elbow…
Open mike 15/03/2015
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 …
Chutzpah in Northland
Winston Peters has challenged John Key to a debate in Northland.
Catching up with Key
You can only bungle and lie for so long before people get sick of it. Seems like it’s all starting to catch up with Key at last.
Labour media commentators
Self styled Labour activist Phil Quin has chosen to criticise the party’s commitment to democracy despite the clearly democratic structure the party has. And to repeat criticisms of Labour pre election despite the strong evidence of change that has occurred since. Yet the media go to Phil for comment on what is happening within the Labour Party even though I get the feeling he would prefer that Roger Douglas was still involved, despite the wishes of pretty well everyone else
Open mike 14/03/2015
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 …
Time for the Greens to transcend left vs. right.
The co-leadership race within the Greens has shown that they’re alive and kicking – if nursing a few wounds from the last election. […]
Early heavy voting in Northland
Advance voting only opened on Wednesday in Northland and already double that of the general election. Unusual in a by election for there to be a big turnout, so we will see if it continue.
Nats now threatening Northland
The Nats are now threatening Northland voters with the loss of roading projects and more. Classy.
Are you saving to buy a house?
Are you saving to buy a house? Are you saving more than $1000 a week? If not, you are going backwards.
Terry Pratchett has gone to meet Death
“It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it’s called Life.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Last Continent
Open mike 13/03/2015
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 …
Caption competition
NRT: Legislate in haste, repent before you’ve even started
I/S at No Right Turn on the latest Nat omnishambles – these financial “geniuses” can’t even calculate their own pay rates correctly.
The Second Climate Change Problem
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we’re educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence
National’s Epsom branch to back National in Northland
No need for Mr Gower to get all hot and bothered over this “dirty deal”, it’s just National’s Epsom branch backing the National candidate.
Key crosses a bridge too far
I kid you not but John Key thinks that Dotcom and Hager prevented him from announcing the Northland bridge decaboondoggle. And Sabin is having no effect on the by election campaign.
Save the Paturoa Kauri
A message from the team at #saveourkauri who are attempting to preserve a 500 year old Titirangi Kauri facing the chop. Update: Auckland Council has narrowly voted against supporting the Waitakere Ranges Local Board’s opposition to the felling of the tree.
Open mike 12/03/2015
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 …
A Bright Spark Burning…
A further piece on the peoples’ revolution within Northern Syria.
UPDATED: Developers will save Kauri – for a Price
Was driving through Henderson today toward the City centre and spotted a car with screen painting on its bumper…
“Keep Kauri standing”…
Kathryn Ryan – Let the man talk!
One of my real pet peeves is interviewers who don’t let incredibly knowledgeable people speak to the topic on which they have been invited. Today Judge Peter Boshier was being interviewed by Kathryn Ryan in his capacity as a Law Commissioner.
Spying on penguins
The latest on the spying revelations as they emerge in The Herald. Apparently we’re spying on penguins now.
Open mike 11/03/2015
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 …
Discussion starter for the day…
I’d love to share these two posts with you and pick your brains on what you think!