Weekend social 07/11/2014
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
Elective surgery waiting lists
The Nats have been manufacturing “good news” stories in health by creating a system that turns away one third of the patients in need.
TPPA protests Saturday
Noel Pearson remembers Goff Whitlam
A wonderful speech given by Noel Pearson given at the State Memorial Service for Gough Whitlam. Well worth a watch.
Nats’ selective science
Dita De Boni in the Herald takes the Nats to task for their selective use of science, and Sir Peter Gluckman proposes gagging scientists.
Open mike 07/11/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
NRT: Betrayal at Pike River
I/S at No Right Turn on the Pike River decision.
Paid parental leave bill faces defeat
The first repercussion of the election result is the almost inevitable defeat of Sue Moroney’s Paid Parental Leave private member’s bill. The Government is clearly determined to prevent her from getting credit for raising and highlighting an issue of importance to Kiwi families.
Million Mask March
On the other side of the world the Million Mask March is underway.
Reds under the beds
Governments have always used external threats (real or not) to expand their powers. Supposedly “small government” types seem the most keen to grab more powers, for some strange reason.
Open mike 06/11/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Turei for peace & freedom: rejects politics of fear
Metiria Turei delivered a very strong speech in response to Key’s ministerial statement on national security. I give her a standing ovation! Update #1: link to video of Turei’s speech. #2 -YT video Turei’s speech. Link to Kennedy Garham’s speech
Key on ISIS
Key’s much heralded speech on terrorism / ISIS is a mixed bag. As expected it will be used to justify unnecessarily increased surveillance powers. But at least we aren’t sending combat troops.
Campbell Live on ‘Feed the Kids Bill’
The main message from Campbell Live last night is we really need the “Feed the Kids” Bill to pass it’s first reading: then the Bill will go to Select Committee, so everyone can have a conversation. Update: reading postponed ‘cos Key’s war statement debate gets priority.
One News promoted climate crank
After a strong reaction, TVNZ has taken down video and an article featuring a climate change denialist crank.
Partially Privatised Power Companies Chief Executives’ salaries surge
Chief executive remuneration packages in the privatised power companies have surged post float.
NRT: Wealth transfer
John Key’s latest answer to the housing crisis: bigger subsidies for private landlords! Subsidies to private landlords simply result in rent increases. It doesn’t increase the housing supply. But ole JK just likes screwing over young first home buyers..
Housing policy shambles
National’s sale of state housing assets and other aspects of housing policy is stupid at all levels. Which is probably why they are confused themselves about it.
Open mike 05/11/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Feed the Kids Bill – act today
Only one day to support the Feed the Kids Bill.
Bilateral mobility a bad idea
Who wouldn’t want the option of easy access to Britain, and hence Europe? But, hang on…
Campbell & Gould on neoliberalism
Yesterday’s Werewolf contained a fascinating discussion between Gordon Campbell and Bryan Gould on neoliberalism and the economy. It should be required reading for Labour leadership contenders!
Open mike 04/11/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
ImperatorFish: A plea for help
I don’t usually ask for help, but this is different. I have made a lot of enemies, and some of them are determined to destroy me. I have managed to clad some of the roof of my house with aluminium foil, but funds are tight. If you don’t give me money it will make you a bad person
Polity: Newsflash: Houses are assets
Prime Minister John Key, in his capacity as Prime Minister, promised no asset sales this term in the run up to the last election. But now they are selling assets – state houses.
About climate change …
The IPCC has released a further report refining previous research and announcing with practical certainty that climate change is happening because of the production of greenhouse gasses. It proposes that we stop burning fossil fuels, and change the electricity generation system so that by 2050 the vast bulk of the world’s power is produced by renewable means. The diagnosis is clear as are the remedies. And meanwhile Tim Groser thinks the Greens are to blame for the recent drop in the milk price …
Where would you spend $26 million?
If you were the NZ government, with $26 million to spend, what would you spend it on?
Labour leadership hustings video
In case you haven’t been able to make it to any of the leadership hustings, here’s the speeches from the Nelson meeting last week.
Open mike 03/11/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Moving away from the politics of fear
Politics from a position of fear is never going to be successful. Politics based on conviction and the ability to put forward a sound argument is a much better strategy. Yes, anyone selected is going to be subject to attack. But there’s no point in allowing that to cloud our judgement.
Grant Robertson live Q&A
Grant Robertson will be joining us live here tonight at around 7:30pm. As usual all comments / questions will be strictly moderated.
The bad blogger
It looks like Cameron Slater has finally woken up to the costs of walking over legal boundaries. Rather than dealing with the numbers of people who don’t like him or his actions. He instead has concocted a paranoid conspiracy theory. Oh, and he wants others to pay for his mistakes. Typical.
Should Right-wing newspapers just shut up?
In the spirit of Philip Matthews…
Conservation Week
How much is too much?
In England there is a couple who own nearly 1,000 houses, who previously evicted beneficiaries in favour of Eastern European immigrants but who have recently taken to evict immigrants with too many children. And in Uruguay there is a former President who used to give most of his salary to charity, who lived in a farmhouse rather than a palace and who drove a VW Beetle rather than a limousine. Which particular form of humanity should be in charge?
Open mike 02/11/2014
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …