Open mike 13/07/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
1981 Molesworth St commemoration
I was in the middle of the scrum on Molesworth Street on the night of July 29th 1981 when marchers were batoned by the police. A front-rowers’ collective has organised a 30-year anniversary commemoration at the Loaves and Fishes for Friday 29 July, and invite others to join them for a night of reminiscing and celebrating. Tickets are $15 to cover costs. If you would like to attend contact Paul Tolich 0275 935595 or Sue Ryall 021 380 176.
National Contributes to Africa’s Misery
The Jackel draws attention to National’s cuts to aid spending. It’s politically easy for the Nats to slice a few mil here, a few mil there from money that doesn’t end up being spent in New Zealand, but it’s morally bankrupt. As famine once again strikes the Horn of Africa, we are failing in our moral duty and international commitments to help.
The get ACC levy con
After coming to office, National cried ‘crisis at ACC’ as an excuse for raising levies, cutting cover, and privatisation. Suddenly, the ‘crisis’ has disappeared and good ol’ National is cutting your ACC levies, back to where they were before National raised them. Now, just forget who put them up in the first place, and tick the blue box in November.
Key shoots himself in foot over CGT
Capital gains is a good policy that build’s the credibility of Labour’s economic and fiscal plan. Labour’s brilliantly run pre-launch has sparked interest and discussion. The destruction of John Key’s economic credibility has been a welcome side benefit. And it is a blow, Vernon Small points out, that Key has inflicted on himself.
A real plan to save the world does exist
A feasible plan to power 100 percent of the planet with complete renewables exists. This plan excludes Nuclear and Biofuels, which the Scientific American authors of this plan also considered to be ultimately unsustainable technologies as well. Instead this plan revolves around Wind, Water and Solar – WWS
Police to investigate TVNZ
Police have launched a criminal investigation in to TVNZ’s Sunday piece on Christchurch “looter” Arie Smith. Why?
Open mike 12/07/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
“Crusading” News of the World or “sanctimonious” Guardian?
In today’s DomPost Andrea Vance has a tell-some-of-it op-ed piece about her days working the the Scottish edition of the News of the World. In it she says “it was The Guardian that has, rather sanctimoniously, pursued the News of the World.” I’ve been following this story closely and found that put-down offensive. Contrast it with how Rebekah Wade pursued Clare Short (pictured).
English to go over asset sales lie?
Labour has been chipping away at National’s case for asset sales for months. The hole in the budget has been exposed, the ‘mum and dad investors’ myth has been quashed, the efficiency argument has been broken. Now, Bill English has been caught out lying to Parliament over advice that shares would go to foreign buyers. He’ll be forced to resign.
Maori Party chooses oblivion
There were two ways that the Mana vs Maori Party confrontation could have gone. Cooperation could have been could for both, competition will see both diminished. Guess which option the Maori party has chosen…
Elitist watch: Wayne Mapp
Wayne ‘Tipple’ Mapp went to Crete recently with veterans to commemorate our heroic defeat there in World War 2. Naturally, the old fellas who risked their lives and lost their mates 60 years ago got pride of place, like their Australian counterparts, eh? Nope. Mapp stayed in 26K of luxury while the vets had to fend for themselves.
Experts warn Welfare Working Group
Paediatrician Professor Innes Asher has written an open letter to the Welfare Working Group lauding their aims, but warning that their recommendations will […]
Corporate debt is the problem – not the answer.
We keep getting told that government is the problem and that the private sector is the answer. But the reserve bank numbers clearly show that it is the problem. When are the private sector going to deal with their burgeoning debt levels?
When will Key rule out working with Brash?
ACT adman John Ansell has resigned in the fallout from the race-baiting ad he designed for ACT, which Brash proudly endorsed. The Maori Party has effectively ruled out working with ACT. Isn’t it time for John Key to do the same? He cannot avoid responsibility. ACT lives or dies at his word. If National doesn’t try to win Epsom, that is an endorsement of Brash’s racism.
Open mike 11/07/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Holes in the too-hard basket
The Tax Working Group canvassed the many reasons why New Zealand should have a capital gains tax, before rejecting it by majority decision on the basis it was too complex and hard to administer. According to Auckland University’s Professor Craig Elliffe and Chye-ching Huang this is not borne out by the example of South Africa’s successful introduction of a CGT in 2001. Surely if the South Africans can make such a tax work our officials can too.
Newscorpse
Murdoch-watchers have long known there’s something rotten in the Newscorp media empire. The extent and reach of the phone hacking scandal in Britain has finally seen the biter bit by its own corruption. Murdoch sought power over governments around the world to entrench his extreme right-wing ideology. From Thatcher to Cameron, all were supported by Murdoch’s tabloid papers into Parliament. Now Murdoch may need the BSkyB deal to provide enough cashflow to stay alive as Miliband proposes to introduce legislation to stop it.
Sweeping the board
The genius of Labour’s (not yet official) capital gains tax is not just the policy itself but the way it has picked the public mood. Support has been near-universal. The Left loves the fairness aspect – workers won’t be subsidising landlords anymore. The Right loves the implications for capital allocation, interest rates, and the exchange rate. The Nats look isolated and hysterical.
Cheeky darkie Holmes at it again
In which racist Paul Holmes parades his prejudices. Again.
Protests in the North and South
Yesterday, hundreds of parents protested cuts to early childhood education on Queen St and gave Phil Goff a 60,000 signature petition to take to Wellington. 1000 people in the Octagon called on the government to consider Kiwi jobs when awarding contracts. What is wrong with the priorities of this government that puts tax cuts ahead of kids and job?
Open mike 10/07/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Maths not a strong point
English’s Budget that counted asset sale revenue but not costs appears to be part of a wider maths problem for our Finance Minister. Perhaps this explains the Double Dipton affair.
Exit, stage right
It’s a big call, I know, but I’m pretty sure we’re seeing the end of the ACT party happening right before our eyes.
Britain’s Watergate?
At a Downing Street press conference, Cameron said: “The deeper truth is this… because party leaders were so keen to win the support of newspapers we turned a blind eye to the need to get on top of the bad practices.” Cameron said he would have taken Rebekah Brooks’ resignation. Watch this space – others may now be seeking his. Just like Watergate, this story grows legs by the day and is now certain to be long-running. Cameron could well go the way of Nixon for the same reason – cover-up.
Climate change laffs
Comedy duo Armstrong and Miller (who has a degree in quantum physics) take on climate change deniers and do-nothingers with disarming humour.
The case for raising super age
We are going to have to have this debate some time. Maybe it will be possible now that Labour has shown how to stare down supposed “electoral suicide”.
Open mike 09/07/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Big Push Reminder
Tomorrow, Rain or Shine (indoor alternate venue ready for rain…), Queen St, Auckland: 10.30am Gather, 11am March, 11.30 sausage sizzle and kids entertainment…
Friday lolz
Even Bill’s readers like the CGT…
Cleaning up Kiwiblog
It’s a tough job, but somebody has got to do it…
Weekend social 08/07/2011
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
Current events
Key walks into Labour’s CGT trap
It has been a rare and sincere pleasure to see National walk straight into a trap carefully laid by Labour. Goff and his team haven’t even publicly confirmed their capital gains tax policy but proponents to the Left and Right are winning the pre-launch media framing for them, while Key’s contradictory ranting is undermining his credibility.
Vote for change ad competition
Vote for Change, Peter Shirtcliffe’s anti-MMP vehicle a grassroots movement discussing the need for change in the electoral system, has launched an ad competition for their movement. There’s $10,000 in prizes. I guess they raised the money from cake stalls. We encourage to submit your entries to VfC, and send them to us too!