Maori Party to stand against Hone
News this morning that (as predicted) the Maori Party will be standing a candidate against Hone Harawira if he forces a by election in Te Tai Tokerau.
This brighter future
Beyond the welfare stereotypes
An Australian report sets out some common myths about beneficiaries, and the facts that disprove them. I have no doubt that a similar pattern of unjustified myths would be found here. Starting with our PM.
Open mike 09/05/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Two term John?
Selwyn Manning’s sources in the National party have confirmed John Key is considering leaving parliament next term even if National wins.
That’s not surprising: Key clearly wants to leave a popular legacy and the hard right agenda National has planned if it wins will make such a legacy unlikely.
Monbiot on the left
George Monbiot on the psychology of political debate (and why we’re all screwed).
Open mike 08/05/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Easy passports for the rich
The National Government has relaxed the rules for so-called business migrants, those who can get easy access to a passport by investing in New Zealand. The Minister is proud that the scheme has now raised $562 million. He says it is part of the government’s economic growth programme.
The Jackel’s week in review
The Jackel’s week in review this week looks at single-parent families, drug laws, nuclear power in the wake of Fukushima, corruption in international carbon credit markets, cuts to DoC, the SAS’s handling of prisoners, skin cancer, NZ music month, food security, the Syrian uprising, and the Libyan bombing campaign. phew!
An excellent question
“We see you on TV a lot. What else do you do?” – schoolkid to John Key at yet another photo-op.
In other news, Key was lying when he said he doesn’t have any choice over his DPS entourage. Helen Clark dismissed her DPS cover for at least 73 days when on private holidays. Key spent $30K of our money taking the DPS to Hawaii.
Some are more equal than others
Gordon Campbell demolishes the Nats’ hasty excuse that the blowout in Key’s diplomatic protection costs is due to a particular threat. He also takes Judith Collins to task for her argument that the police should have an unlimited and unaccountable protection budget , or lives could be put at risk…
Lib Dems hammered
Hard to feel sorry for Britain’s Liberal Democrat Party, who have just been hammered in local elections. Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
Open mike 07/05/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Interesting election May 5
Results are coming in for council elections in England and for the Welsh and Scottish Assemblies.
The most interesting result will be the referendum on Alternative Vote for the whole UK.
It is likely to go down according to the polls.
John Key’s $800,000 funnies
Turns out John Key quite likes making jokes about his DPS entourage.
I wonder if he finds it even funnier that we’re the ones picking up the $800k bill for them.
Cheer up, it’s Friday
Weekend social 06/05/2011
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
Key’s fantasy?
Saying a lot while saying very little
The out of touchness, she burns! In a few short replies, the Nats said so much this week. The stories of perk abuse have been rolling out almost too fast, in fact. Each needs following up, each minister needs to be hounded, but there are so many targets. The galling thing is in a fortnight the Nats will tell us ‘everyone has to tighten their belts’.
Life in the fast lane
Judith Collins has joined the long list of National MPs with their hands buried up to the elbows in the taxpayer’s pockets. She claims it was all within the rules. That doesn’t make it right.
Protocol
Judith Collins has broken protocol to defend John Key’s overuse of the DPS.
Looks to me like the threats they’re most concerned about are the threats to brand Key.
And they’ll pick and chose the rules they want to defend it.
Open 06/05/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Obama comes up Trumps
Watch Obama do Donald Trump like a dinner at the White House Correspondents’ party.
Trump didn’t like it. Crybaby.
Anatomy of a lie
Hone Harawira left himself open to attack with his comments on Te Karere.
But that doesn’t excuse the disgraceful beat-up executed so well by the right’s smear machine.
If this is how the election is gonna play out it’ll be no good for anyone.
$800,000 for PR props
John Key’s vanity has cost us another $800k
And the nats have the gall to tell us to tighten our belts?
What a joke.
Que CERA, CERA & n00b Shanks
Can’t remember if we’ve posted these two funny videos.
Youth jobs scheme
It’s not often that the Nats do anything praiseworthy, so I like to take note when they get it right. Their new youth jobs scheme, even though it only partially reverses their previous cuts, is at least a step in the right direction.
All quiet at the Commerce Commission
Since Paula Redstock was pushed out of the Commerce Commission with a lot of the other brilliant staff, there has not been one cartel or monopoly abuse case prosecuted by the Commerce Commission. This is the very same Commission that was previously saving us millions of dollars each year and paying for itself with its court settlements.
Elitist Nats’ heads in the clouds
Wayne Mapp revealed that Murray McCully’s air force flights to Vanuatu cost $65,000 in fuel alone and that he tried to stop McCully. Meanwhile, Key got a free helicopter ride from a photo-op but decided it was a bad look so he paid $2,000 for a 1 hour flight. Well, you and I paid $2,000. It’s always us lesser mortals who pay as Key and co bounce from cloud to cloud.
Key attacks another journalist
The Nats are obviously worried about public reaction to the recent revelations on the role of the SAS in Afghanistan. And as is usually the case when they feel threatened by a story, the Nats are striking out, trying to discredit or intimidate the source.
US Embassy: Political Objectivity of NZ Media Questioned
Here’s an interesting Wikileaks cable on the ‘objectivity’ of the New Zealand msm, particularly the Herald. The cable relates to the period leading […]
Open mike 05/05/2011
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Rights and privilege
Righto. I’ve just watched the debate between Harawira and Brash on Close Up and about five minutes fifty into the second part Brash had the gall to challenge Harawira on whether he believed everyone should have the same rights.
Fabians lecture
“Capital Gains Tax” with Craig Elliffe and Chye-ching Huang
Venue: Owen Glenn Building, University of Auckland
Time: May 5th, 6:30 PM