Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Sue Bradford on recent developments in the area of protest and state surveillance
Left wing activist and former Green politician Sue Bradford posted an article at Pundit which I’ve just seen. She shares several valuable insights. I recommend you read it. A bad week for left activist paranoia by Sue Bradford writing at pundit.co.nz Army to gain new powers over protesters; GCSB spies on New Zealanders; new single […]
Evoking the spectre of external threat to justify spying on your citizens
The NZ prime minister has evoked ‘Reds under the bed’ style threats to national security to justify extending the already broad powers of the nation’s spy agencies, and aiding co-operation between them. Read the paragraph below and tell me it’s not redolent of the vacuous and deceitful ‘sexed-up dossier’ that Tony Blair used to justify […]
Uncertainty vs certainty. Growing out of old beliefs.
“Doubt is uncomfortable, certainty is ridiculous.” — attributed to Voltaire It can be useful and enlightening now and then to try seeing the world (or an issue, at least) from someone else’s point of view — a bit like taking a car for the proverbial “spin ’round the block to see how she handles”. Donald […]
Proposed merger of the GCSB and the SIS?
‘OUTRAGE’ is an overused word, bit it fits in this instance. The GCSB has laws banning operations to engage in surveillance of NZ’ers or those who have been granted permanent residence. They have been doing so for years, as part of ‘agency assistance’ to the Security Intelligence Service. One of the ‘balancing’ questions I ask […]
Our heroes are personal
Here are Judith Collins’ comments marking the death, at 87, of Margaret Thatcher. Good on her for laying out her thoughts and beliefs like this. Yes, some might see them as polarised and polarising. But they’re worth a read and convey an insight. Today, my facebook page will be devoted to Margaret Thatcher. I well […]
Apropos the ‘reputation as a liar’ thing for John Key
More on the issue of the public perception (reputation) of the NZ prime minister and his veracity, here’s Otago University’s Bryce Edwards’ take on it, from TV3’s Frontline this morning: “As usual with these scandals, it’s not the so-called ‘crime’ in the first place… it’s the cover-up. It’s how the politician handles things, and he’s […]
John Key toughens up? “Forearmed is forewarned (sic), I’m going to change.”
I enjoy the rough and tumble of Radio LIVE’s duo Willie & JT. I’ve said before their ‘political hour’ is a highlight with its irreverent argy-bargy. Who can forget Willie Jackson’s rejoinder to Matthew Hooton “right wing fascist mongrels like you”? They’re an oasis. The show offers a refreshing, robust counterpoint to the earnest, often […]
John Key is getting a reputation as a liar
This, from Emmerson in the NZ Herald today is pretty sharp: The euphemisms — ‘economical with the truth’, ‘not forthcoming’, ‘selective’, ‘evasive’, ‘spin’, ‘telling porkies’ — continue to fly (like pigs?) but how long will it be before the media and others in the mainstream start to describe the New Zealand prime minister’s performance by shorter, sharper […]
Monochrome. I knew it!
From Andrew Sullivan … Yep. Makes perfect sense. – P You might be interested in reading this: Tribalism.
Upskilling New Zealand’s spooks & spymasters
The New Zealand government is looking for ways to upskill its spies and those who supervise them. A recently-advertised pre-tender document calls for an innovative supplier of training services (which is how it got to me) to equip ‘senior officials’ and ‘executives’ within ‘the security sector’. According to a Notice of Information published by the […]
Boris Johnson plays the ‘What people really want to know’ card — futilely
Eddie Mair presents an afternoon news and current affairs show, PM, on BBC Radio 4 which I listen to two or three times a week on my TuneIn Radio app. Mair is undoubtedly one of the best interviewers I have ever heard, and I’ve worked with/for a few good ones in my time. He is […]
Judith Collins promotes her tame attack blogger
In a cold, lonely world, it’s good to know there are some things you can rely on. Like the visceral partisan loyalty of National Party attack blogger Cameron Slater. Cameron demonstrates his earnest support for his pick for next leader of the National Party: Papakura MP Judith Collins. Strictly speaking, Ms Collins is only his […]
My favourite right wing vixens branch out
My two favourite right wing vixens Louise Mensch and Cathy Odgers (Cactus Kate) have, for the moment, moved on from right wing politics and launched into the highly competitive, challenging arena of skincare and make-up product reviews and beauty tips. (No kidding.) These two women certainly don’t need to soften their image as far as […]
Howick Deputy Chair Adele White speaks up: Tells Chairman Michael Williams his failure to properly address his recent drink-driving conviction and his manipulative bullying is damaging the Howick Local Board’s reputation
Deputy chair of the Howick Local Board Adele White addressed the disgraced chairman Michael Williams at the Board meeting last night [11 March]. Ms White, famously in these parts, stared down an attempt by the chairman to remove her as Deputy on flimsy grounds see: Bunfight at Howick Local Board. With her permission, these are […]
No confidence vote in chairman Michael Williams PASSED but he remains in place.
I attended tonight’s meeting of the Howick Local Board and watched them pass this: (a) That the Howick Local Board expresses no confidence in the chairmanship of Michael Williams as a result of his criminal conviction on 22nd February 2013. But fail to pass this: (b) That Michael Williams be requested to resign from the […]
