Question Time open thread
Due to popular demand, here’s an open thread for discussion of today’s Question Time. Knock yourselves out.
Sockpuppet of the right
After yesterday’s early release of Roger Douglas’ Orewa speech set for 6pm this evening one of our (bafflingly tenacious) readers has sent us […]
Minimum wage rise a small but important victory for the Left
Great, through concerted pressure the Left managed to force a 9-cent an hour real increase in the minimum wage from National/ACT. A 9 cent an […]
On the minimum wage referendum
The Unite Union has reacted to the Government’s miserly adjustment to the minimum wage by initiating a referendum on tying the minimum wage […]
More than words
I see the Maori Party has come out saying the increase in the minimum wage to $12.50 an hour isn’t enough, and that […]
Ironically, nothing ever goes right for Roger
Roger Douglas has his big debut speech tomorrow night in Orewa. He’s been working hard and sucking the (tax payer funded) parliamentary library […]
Control group
I’ve got to admit there are days I wonder whether the National Party really have swung leftward. I mean I know they are […]
Trying to live on 500K/yr in NYC
President Obama wants to set US$500,000 as the top pay for banking executives whose firms accept government bailout money. From Boing-Boing: The lead story in […]
Labour calls for $13 minimum wage
Phil Goff has come out strongly in anticipation of today’s minimum wage announcement from the Government with a call for an immediate increase […]
Es ist mein teil
This year, the economy will shrink (at least) 1%. At the same time, the population will grow 1% (at least, growth may be […]
Just a little respect
David Farrar has a wee post where he laments that he is rarely credited when he breaks stories that are then picked up […]
Who cares if it’s just PR?
There is a rumour in the Dom Post and the Herald that the minimum wage will be announced today and the Nats are […]
Thoughts with our neigbours across the Tasman
It doesn’t seem appropriate to write a detailed post on the horrific fires raging across in Australia. But at the same time I […]
In for a penny
Key’s old arm cast has sold for $18,500 on Trademe. The money will go to the Fred Hollows Foundation to help blind people in […]
Right desperate to sully Clark legacy
When John Key was elected he was wise enough to be magnanimous in victory, acknowledging Helen Clark’s considerable skill and integrity throughout her […]
Interesting speculations
The Sunday Star Times will probably have an article out tomorrow about the possible nomination of Helen Clark to the position of head […]
Sanctimonious tall poppy cutter.
There is no doubt that the Granny crew were hurt when their own ‘poll’ showed that people considered Helen Clark was the greatest […]
Rainbows tame Waitangi
Gosh what a difference a few years can make when it comes to symbols of national identity. Not so long ago National had […]
The praiseworthy and the pitiful
The praiseworthy and a pitiful is a weekly compilation of some of the comments we’ve seen around the traps that warrant some response, […]
Lowering his standards ever lower
Just when Farrar had made me happy, as I explain in this post, and had even been quite funny in his retort, he […]
Employment numbers have both good and bad news
The new employment data for the December quarter are out and they’re surprising reading. Now, the media will grab hold of the headline unemployment figure. At 4.6%, […]
Govt to sell your kids junk food
Education Minister Anne Tolley has just put out a press release announcing the following: ‘As part of the National Government’s commitment to reducing […]
Half truths
Across the Tasman Kevin Rudd has announced a huge recovery package. Here at home, National is merely tinkering around the edges. Key’s standard […]
Always look on the bright side
Clown incites lawbreaking.
Clown Rodney Hide is the Minister of Local Government. He is also the lead clown of the long-time opposition circus that is the […]
Better than nothing
I’ve just had a read of John Key’s speech today announcing measures to help small and medium businesses through the recession. And my […]
Does that make sense?
I know when I write a post that if two statements in the post seem to disagree someone will quickly point out the […]
DPF and Whale make me happy!1!
There’s been a story that I have been dreading having to respond to because it is so low, dishonest, and despicable. Truth be told, […]
Fonterra set to simmer
Lawyer Stephen Price has rubbished Fonterra’s claim that the Chinese sub judice status of the Sanlu case prevents Fonterra releasing documentation of their communications. Price […]
A view from the coalface on RMA reforms
Our guest RMA expert, offers an analysis of National’s proposed changes to our resource management framework: National’s phase one RMA review document looks […]
First thoughts on RMA changes
We’ve got an expert guest post coming on National’s newly announced RMA changes. I’ve got a few brief(ish), non-expert thoughts first (which, hopefully […]
The return of DL Wellington
Drinking Liberally Wellington is back for the new year. Brian Easton, one of our leading left-wing economists, is speaking. Doubtless, he’ll have some […]
Car crushing fist of the State
Despite being remarkably quiet throughout a spate of serious police controversies, Police Minister Judith Collins has finally risen to the challenge of leadership […]
Does raising the minimum wage really hurt employment?
National’s excuse for illegally* failing to complete the annual review of the minimum wage is that it wants to ensure any increase doesn’t […]
I understand now
Over the past few weeks, I and many others have been shocked by the sudden, appalling change in John Armstrong’s writing. Having long […]
A musical interlude : Mary Poppins – a tale for our times
The stage has often been the realm where society holds itself up for examination and consideration, but who amongst us would have picked […]