A UK study has found that public perceptions of key issues that the Right tries to win votes on are vast exaggerations of reality. What this shows is that Rightwing politicians are succeeding in whipping up false perceptions as a way of wedging working people against each other and against their class interests, and the Left is ceding the ground.
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The ability of doctors to refuse to provide proper healthcare if God says it’s bad is again in the spotlight, with a Blenheim GP refusing to prescribe the Pill to a patient because he decided she needed to have babies, and her views on the matter don’t mean shit. But are we seriously going to label that as an act of “conscience”?
NZ signed a new trade agreement with Taiwan this week. For the first time the reference to labour standards is squarely in the […]
A significant proportion of the media is now heavily invested in the narrative that David Shearer is about to be rolled as Labour leader. As Matt McCarten puts it today “Truth no longer matters” and “civil society is poorer for it”.
My semi-regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. Those stimulating links you wanted to share, but just didn’t fit in anywhere. This week: the problem with Gen Y, Big Data and surveillance, part-time work, happiness and pessimism and Australia’s political culture.
A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.
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Malala Yousafzei must be one of the bravest young women in the world. She was shot by the Taliban for advocating for education of young women but refuses to be silenced. She recently had the opportunity to speak to the United Nations.
Welcome to Poverty Watch, a weekly update on National’s lack of response to the urgent and growing issue of poverty in NZ. This week, extracts from a piece by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. In contrast to our own disinterested government, it sets out what is really required to break the cycle of poverty.
Edward Snowden, now applying for temporary asylum in Russia, has been labeled both as traitor and as whistleblower. Is it a breach of trust to expose state use of surveillance to spy on citizens, especially if it is on behalf of powerful multinational corporations?
Five and a half years ago, Labour’s Electoral Finance Bill was subject to strong criticism, including from the Human Rights Commission. The Herald launched its ‘Democracy Under Attack’ campaign to drive Labour from office. Now, the same voices are coming out against Key’s GCSB law. I assume the Herald has launched a new ‘Democracy Under Attack’ campaign.
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The dispute over Judith Collins’ Wikipedia page has made it into an NZ Herald article, with both Brooking & Clarke43 accused of political bias. Team Collins claim they just edited out defamatory entries. The Herald is looking for Clarke43, who surely does poor PR – praising Collins’ twitter performance.
John Key has criticised the Human Rights Commission for not submitting on time about the GCSB bill. But he fails to understand that the HRC has the obligation to report to him any time a bill may affect human rights. And to compound things he has made a veiled threat about the HRC’s funding.
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
Eric Holder’s connections with New Zealand’s justice system and GCSB is justified by linking international surveillance with transnational organised crime and crimes by citizens: 5 Eyes’ (alleged) defence of democracy, reaches into homes via “domestic terrorism”, (sexual) violence against women & children, and child pornography.
The knuckleheads (tm John Key) in the parliamentary press gallery are concerned about their privacy. Are they concerned about ours too?
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Robert Wade will speak on “Inequality and the We st” in Christchurch tomorrow Friday – 4pm in Lecture Hall A3, Arts Centre, University Drive, Christchurch. His lectures in Auckland and Dunedin have been packed – had to move the venue in Dunedin and could have filled it twice over in Auckland. He is speaking in conjunction with the launch of Max Rashbrooke-edited book “Inequality; A New Zealand Crisis” produced by Bridget Williams Books. All welcome.
Story of a 111 response time.
Our MPs have been warned that if they do not pass the New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill Sky City will take its money and go overseas. With such PR it is amazing they are still in business …
It seems that the Sky City Bill means pokies in Auckland InterCity bus terminal. So much for monitored and controlled environments. Those MPs who vote for this legislation are voting for more social harm, including more suicide. Contact them – ask them not to create more pokie victims.
I/S at No Right Turn on a $2 Billion Transmission Gully scam…
Excellent reporting on Campbell Live last night, with a detailed look at the timeline of events surrounding the GCSB Bill, the Kim Dotcom raid, the appointment of Key’s school chum to head the GCSB, and certain visits between Washington and NZ. This government is dancing to America’s tune, and privacy is under attack.
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I am doing a speech on health and safety tomorrow. Been thinking about Pike. Bernie Monk rang yesterday. Bridges is in Gisborne Herald […]
A full, independent inquiry of the GCSB is needed , as argued by the Green & Labour Parties, and politics lecturer Damien Rogers. NZ First & Dunne – don’t support Key’s dodgy law changes! Key is masking political motives with spin and secrecy. [update] Campbell Live tonight – must see viewing.
In all its red crayon glory.
Multiple reports on Twitter that Key’s grubby Sky City Bill will be a conscience personal vote. If true, I guess we get to see if any Nat MPs have a conscience.
Apparently there was a coup in Labour last night. Missed it? So did Labour. Looks like what really happened was that someone played Garner / Gower. Perhaps the problem lies with relying on well-known Labour insider Cameron Slater as your source.
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Our wonderful leader John Key is able to sell our assets, spend all the money and then some on his favourite projects, pay down debt and maintain our credit rating all at the one time. If you believe this there is a bridge that I would like to show you …
Can democratic parties be successful major parties in modern politics? The media’s drooling obsession with the “man ban” really makes me wonder, particularly with the level of ignorance displayed by Patrick Gower and others.
The ‘Pakeha Party’ has the most Facebook followers of any New Zealand political movement (excepting John Key’s page) That’s in one day of publicity. They’re seriously talking about forming an actual political party. Should we be worried about this apparent reactionary force? Nah. The creation of a ‘Pakeha Party’ would be good news.
