Open mike 12/11/09
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you…
Socialism is Democracy
This hilarious stoush between Moore and CNN’s Wolf Blitzer is worth a look too. Hat tip: The kids at the Workers Party.
Eek! ANGRY BLACKMAN
OK, so Hone says If I should be suspended for my language, he [Phil Goff] and his mates should be lined up against […]
Brownlee: Not an ardent follower of fashion. Merely obsolete.
One of the things that has surprised me about the government and Brownlee’s energy policy is that it is so mundane and 20th […]
And the winner is…
There were only really two ministers in the race for the first Grabby. Rodney Hide betrayed his own supposed principles by using his […]
Politicisation of ACC continues
Frogblog has another example of the continuing politicisation of the public service under National. I meant to post on this a while back, […]
Spin cycle finally into 1st gear
I’m all for cycle-ways but excuse me if I don’t get all silly over John Key knocking a post in the ground in […]
Key’s hand-washing powers Phil
I don’t know if the two are related but this is my theory du jour. John Key keeps washing his hands of both […]
Ngapuhi embarrassed by Harawira
Check out this press release: Maori Leader Rejects Harawira Apology as “Embarrassing” and issues his own apology Ngapuhi Leader and senior relative to […]
Rules don’t apply to Key’s ministers
Another day, another minister breaking the rules. On the Dental Artistry website, Rodney Hide has written: ‘Thanks for the fantastic job! I was […]
Privatising water
Although the topic has had a turbulent and confused couple of weeks, it seems that National want to privatise Auckland’s water supply. Govt […]
Open mike 11/11/09
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you…
Foreshore and Seabed – where to from here?
There has been much furore today over Hone Harawira’s latest comment that: If I should be suspended for my language, he [Phil Goff] […]
Nat Green split
I’ve been saying for a while now that folks should be reading Pundit. Recent excellent new author there Claire Browning has a real […]
Equality Trust
Fancy a link to a well laid-out repository of comparative social statistics with sound credentials, all arranged to demonstrate why inequality is bad […]
To [insert region here] or not [insert region here]
Looks like Nicky Wagner’s having the same trouble* as Jackie Blue: …the National-led Government is committed to helping more children take part in organised […]
Yeah, nah, too far
We all use language sometimes that’s too stong and we regret. Hone Harawira apologised today over his choice of words in the “white […]
The Grabbies
Introducing ‘The Grabbies’, the prize for the minister who tops the field in corruption and/or abuse of taxpayer dollars. So, who win the […]
Half Key’s Cabinet at the trough
The Dompost reveals that more ministers have been using their MP’s privilege to work around the standard John Key claimed to have set […]
Jackie Blue: Committed to [insert region here]
An alert reader who, for reasons one can only wonder about, was on Jackie Blue’s website spotted this: Tuesday, November 3. 2009 Launch […]
Climate Change: The Looney Lord Responds
Rob Salmond The other day I posted a critique of Lord Monckton’s recent presentation, which purports to show that global warming is not […]
Remuera mayor discovers there are other parts of Auckland
Lord Mayor of Remuera John ‘barking mad’ Banks has (mis)fired the first shots of his campaign by producing some strip advertisements outlining the […]
Open mike 10/11/09
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you…
End of year polls
Not much to say but spotted the new Roy Morgan: The latest NZ Morgan Poll shows support for John Key’s National-led Government is […]
Laws needs an education
I told myself I’d never do a post on pathetic publicity groupie Michael Laws, so here I am failing to live up to […]
Farrar vs the facts
I’ve never quite understood why David Farrar, who is after all paid to do statistical work, insists on performing transparent statistical tricks on […]
Tolley: national standards could be disaster
The man National credits with coming up with the idea of national standards has warned the incompetence of Education Minister Anne Tolley could […]
Hide repays, what about the others?
Earlier this year, John Key stated: “I’ve told [my ministers] if they want to take their partner, they can do it, but they pay for […]
Unemployment up, productivity up
Like here in New Zealand, unemployment continues to climb in America. And one of the results is soaring productivity. (sources: 1,2) But wait, […]
Open mike 09/11/09
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you…
Foreshore and Seabed debate in context
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not well understood by most New Zealanders, including most of the politicians that make up our main political […]
Rodney puts on his best chastened little boy voice
You just have to listen to this. After “solid reflection” Rodney has realized that despite being adamant for several days that he’d done […]
‘Let’s wait & see’ – do-nothing PM
If you think that John Key gets a lot of soft coverage, John Armstrong explained why yesterday: Key’s soaring popularity has made him […]
Not walking the talk
I’m not against Prime Ministers making limited use of Airforce aircraft when necessary – when commercial flights or (better) surface travel aren’t practical. […]
Walking the talk
A shout out on a Sunday to a family who are walking the talk: Pastor Murray Smith preaches a message of generosity in […]
McCarten on capitalism
Matt McCarten’s Herald column this week is a call for every working New Zealander to go and see Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love […]