Q&A with Andrew Little 3pm Sunday
At 3pm on Sunday, Andrew Little will be on The Standard for discussion with questions from our audience of ardent left-wingers, greens, those who are just interested, and the odd troll with a fenestration obsession.
Headbutting Bunnies
I watched the NRL Grand Final last Sunday night and pleased to see the Rabbitohs win. But I was sickened by what I saw from James Graham – two tackles led with his head fractured Sam Burgess’ cheekbone and saw David Tyrell stretchered off the field with concussion, not to return. Burgess should also have been taken from the field, and head tackles outlawed as they are in American football.
Weekend social 10/10/2014
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
ANZ staff striking
All the best to the ANZ staff who are on strike today.
Noam Chomsky on Student debt
Have Student loans made current University Students less radical?
Onya, Granny!
Today’s Herald editorial raises important questions about the police search of Nicky Hager’s home. “Inconvenient and embarrassing disclosures do not justify police actions to uncover journalistic sources. The effect of such raids is to intimidate such people from approaching media to disclose uncomfortable truths.”
Progressive social media
Now that the dust is settling on the 2014 general election it is a good time for progressives to review our and our opponents’ use of social media and what can be done better. And how do we respond effectively to the approach of the right which is now thanks to Nicky Hager painstakingly clear.
Who is trying to shut down Hager defence fund?
The Hager defence fund stands at over $41,000 $43,000 $44,000 and still climbing. But some mean-spirited wingnuts are trying to have it shut down…
Open mike 10/10/2014
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 …
Check the polls – we’re off to war!
“It all depends on the question you ask” – this was John Key’s resp0nse to a question as to whether he had concerns about the SAS identifying air-strike targets that might kill civilians. Farrar/Curia will no doubt be in the field now asking questions to find out how to make New Zealanders comfortable as off to war we go.
Even the police sense the hypocrisy
It looks like even the police can sense the rank smell coming off their theft of Nicky Hager’s systems and documents. They ignored a complaint about Cameron Slater two years ago. But the police are still on a holiday. This looks like a limp PR exercise by the police to prove that they aren’t John Key’s poodles. Updated.
Harawira’s recount bid did not “backfire”
The usual Tory cheerleaders have been quick to heap further bile on Hone Harawira.
Then there were three
Andrew Little has formally announced that he is also seeking the Labour Party leadership.
Hager defense fund approaching $35K – Make that 40K
The legal defense fund for Nicky Hager is approaching $20,000 $25,000 $35,000 $40,000. Why not help it over the line?
The terrorism card
Terrorism is whatever John Key wants it to be.
Open mike 09/10/2014
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 …
NRT: We don’t need new laws to fight terrorism
John Key has been busy lying about the need for yet more ‘anti-terrorism’ laws. How many do the police and security forces need? As NRT points out, are they just too lazy to use the ones they already have? Or is this just because John Key wants to get his own plastic sword? Surely we pay him enough to buy his own?
Aussie police raid – plastic sword discovered!
Last month the Australian covered “the biggest anti-terrorism raid in Australia’s history” extensively, complete with picture of sword “that police claim they were planning to use” according to Channel 10. Yesterday it turned out that the sword was plastic. Oz Police had a lot to say about the raid, but are staying quiet on the sword.
Hager defense fund about to hit 20K – make that 25K
The legal defense fund for Nicky Hager is about to hit $20,000 $25,000. Why not give a little?
John Key’s police poodles
The search of Nicky Hager in response to a complaint by Cameron Slater contrasts strongly with the lackadaisical investigation of a similar complaint by Matthew Blomfield against Cameron Slater. I guess the police take things seriously if you are a friend of John Key, just as they did in 2011 with the teapot tape saga. How far has John Key corrupted the police?
Cause of poverty and inequality found!
Good news citizens! The National government has revealed unto us today the cause of poverty and inequality.
Open mike 08/10/2014
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 …
NRT: A surprise policy
Remember National’s social housing policy? The one they campaigned on? The one that talked about how much money they were spending and was all about upgrading and investing in state houses? Somehow, post-election, its transmogrified into selling off a third of the state housing stock. John Key lying to voters as usual eh?
Defend Nicky Hager
We can contribute to his defence fund here. It’s one way to help – this is going to be a long fight.
Labour Day essay competition (Southern)
“Labour Day is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Monday of every October. What important events, conflicts and values in history does Labour Day signify? What lessons from that are especially relevant to young New Zealanders working and studying today?”
Jason Ede located
How far will the harassment of Hager go?
Hager has said that he will go to prison rather than reveal the identity of the Rawshark / Whaledump hacker.
Two tier strategy on spying
Key ditching responsibility for the GCSB and SIS, and adopting the newly created title of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, is another example of the dirty politics two tier strategy.
Open mike 07/10/2014
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 …
About those other police complaints …
Police action in obtaining a warrant to search Nicky Hager’s home in politically charged circumstances raises issues why in other politically charged incidents no similar action has been undertaken.
Police raid Hager
Breaking news, police raid Nicky Hager.
On Navel Gazing and Looking Out.
As the NZ Labour Party stands on the cusp of some soul searching, it might want to note that there are alternatives to pointless navel gazing.
Auckland power outages
Well the power just went out at work at 1315. Looks like the Auckland is getting the rolling outages as they repair the […]
Polity: National’s new ministry: Key fires himself!
Key has basically fired himself from most of his Security and Intelligence responsibilities. This is a big change.
The long reach of “5 Eyes”: re-post
With Chris Finlayson just announced as minister in charge of GCSB & SIS, I thought it appropriate to re-post something I published on The Standard back in July 2013: links 5 Eyes’ attorney generals, cyber-security, Dotcom, etc.
Mediawatch on the media orgy
RNZ’s Mediawatch is a bright spot in the media wilderness! This weekend’s episode examined the media’s orgy of hyperbole and spin on the Labour leadership contest. Well worth a listen.