Partial credit
Yay, more infrastructure spending during a recession. That’s the right thing to do – stimulate the economy and spend while the price of […]
Thoughts arising from the press gallery drinks
I had some good conversations with journos at the press gallery drinks. We’re often critical of the media, and sometimes specific journos, and […]
Good one Bill II
It’s good to see Bill English acknowledge the last government has left New Zealand in a good position to face the economic crisis. […]
The Big Three
I was listening to some of the old White Stripes when I got home this evening when this song came on. Given the […]
Police spied on Unite Union too
Matt McCarten, head of the Unite Union, has just released emails showing police informant Rob Gilchrist gave the police spy unit details about […]
Bludgin’ ain’t so easy
So, I’m out of work. I was employed on a contract and when it came up for renewal the boss told me business […]
Bill Ralston on police spying
Bill Ralston usually gets stirred by posters at The Standard for what he says. I’ve generally liked him after seeing him give some […]
It’s bad, what to do?
The latest Treasury economic forecasts are out and, in a continuing pattern, they not only make worse reading than the previous updates but […]
The final cut
Good one Bill
Bill English has stopped the sale of BlueScope’s Taharoa ironsands business to a Chinese investor based on the fact that it won’t bring […]
Gratitude
I haven’t commented on the maiden speeches yet (we’re doing some analysis later) but I can’t let this stand. Aaron Gilmore, the bottom-ranked National […]
Somewhat suspicious
Gerry ‘sexy coal’ Brownlee has spent today ripping apart more anti-climate change laws. Today, under urgency and without the opportunity for the public […]
Merry Christmas from National
National’s decides to hit workers in the pocket: ACC Minister Nick Smith yesterday said levies would increase from $1.40 to $1.70 for every […]
Who else are they spying on?
Gordon Campbell raises a good question in his latest Scoop column – are the Police also using paid informants to spy on mosques? […]
Time to reconsider Hobsonville
After initially saying they would cap the number of state houses, National/ACT’s Housing Minister Phil Heatley actually got informed. Despite the good work […]
Impressions of the House
First question time – the teams square off. Let the games commence. So what was the vibe? Well both sides kept getting their […]
Enough already – no more tests please
When I went to my first parent/teacher interview I was amazed at the breadth of markers against which my daughter’s performance was being […]
The limits to tolerance of the police
On discovering that her boyfriend had been spying on her and her friends for the police, and the consequent violations of her expectation […]
Be pragmatic
A fundamental of social democratic politics is full employment. It is sometimes said that work is the best form of welfare. When people […]
Garth McVicar – racist
Here’s a quiz. Can you name the one killing that has seen Sensible Sentencing’s barking mad Garth McVicar support the killer and argue, in […]
He’s a fan
Just in: Coldplay to play at Vector Arena on March 18th. No word yet on whether John Key has managed to get tickets.
Howard – some advice on what questions to ask
Yesterday, Howard Broad made statements about the targets of the SIG (Special Investigation Group) to National Radio. Interview with Howard Broad on his […]
A bad start, don’t expect improvement
We’ve seen a plethora of commentators criticising the National/ACT’s performance thus far. Colin James sums it up well: Key’s past week was mixed […]
No ReStart for Fire at Will even if unfair
So much for all National’s fine words about probation periods and job creation. Today’s Dominion reports that ReStart will not be available for […]
Shameful
And so the Maori Party’s sell-out of its own people continues. Hot on the heels of the party’s vote to take money out […]
Estonians to vote by mobile phone
Last Thursday, while our new government was making it easier for businesses to fire employees, politicans in Estonia were making it easier for […]
From clean and green to grey and grubby
Tourism New Zealand has recently launched its dedicated YouTube channel – Have Your Say – where tourists can post video messages about their experiences while […]
Making a mockery
Shock news as Key’s media trainer praises Key Bill Ralston thinks Key is doing just super, which is perhaps to be expected since […]
US ‘shoes-for-guns’ program in Iraq backfires
[The shoe-thrower is a journo from a Baghdad newspaper taking his opportunity to make his feelings known during Bush’s surprise farewell visit to […]
Rod Oram: The global crisis is real
As usual an insightful analysis from Rod Oram on the need for our political and business sector leaders to better come to grips […]
Cui bono?
I’m no lover of the car industry but it’s interesting to see why the effort to put together a bailout for US carmakers […]
Police Special Investigations – A fundamental lack of humanity
Aside from all the democratic, political and moral issues raised by the Police’s behaviour, there is a fundamental lack of humanity in their […]
No Right Turn: Police State
No Right Turn has written in his cogent style on the police spy issue. With the kind permission of No Right Turn, I’ve […]
Judith Collins – thoughtless idiot
Nothing is quite as important to a democracy as activist groups that engage in peaceful protest for change. In the past these are […]
Sunday Star Times
My niece Rochelle Rees has uncovered some unsavory practices operated by element of the NZ Police directed at peaceful protest groups. You can […]
Back in another life
I’ve actually had time to start reading blogs again. As some people are probably aware (mostly the climate change deniers), my first degree […]