ouch! but a fair call Pat.
i’m a pretty vacuous vegetable at the best of times and for the past few weeks i’ve been a little distracted by the arrival of a new sproutling.
will try harder just as soon as i’m able.
It will be interesting to see if JK and BO have a similar slide in popularity over time as the one that Bush went through ….. 90% after the WTC attacks to 25% when he left office.
Edit
GS
I thought one had a holiday home in Hawaii and only one was born in the USA ?
One of them could turn out to be the greatest and most honest president the USA has ever had.
One of them always said what he thought and stuck by it, even though it was plainly a bad idea.
One of them is the Prime Minister of New Zealand who made a lot of money before becoming prime minister and small minded jealous people hate him for it, instead of applauding him for it.
Brett – Honest like saying you’ll hire no former Washington lobbyists than turning around and granting yourself an exemption to hire former Washington lobbyists. Honest like campaigning on withdrawing troops from Iraq within 16 months and when in office extending that by months and saying the countdown starts now no I mean now (months later) and even then around 50,000 troops will be left – some withdrawl.
Great like setting a terrible precedent and not prosecuting the bushites for torture. Great like actually increaseing the military budget in the midst of a recession. Great like enacting the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in the form of the bank bailouts. Oh yeah he’s made a few token gestures like closing Gitmo, but that doesn’t close all those other prisons around the world or saying the CIA won’t torture, but not actually stopping them from outsourcing that torture. From a man who’s campaign slogan came from a children’s television show (Bob the Builder) and who renamed the war on terror to the overseas contingency operation could we really ever expect real change?
Brett I’m sure you’d be one of the first to criticise Labour’s spending, but what about Obama’s profligate spending? Or is it just that the handsome man gives you a tingly feeling?
And making a lot of money in banking, praiseworthy? You’ll have a hard time convincing many people of that at this time except all those former bankers in Obama’s team (one of the reasons why Obama got more money from Wall st than McCain). I’d rather praise productive people not simply rich people.
is it you? me? brett dale? ; who applauds dickfaces who make money out of other peoples money, always clipping the ticket as it goes past.
I would suggest as per the debacle’ we now reside in – the smartest guy in the room IS NOT That Nice Smiling Man.
most delightful captcha: pagoda served. how apt.
They are all scientifically similar in that they are all male bipedal mammals with an identical number of arms, legs and internal organs. The difference, of course, is that Mr Obama stands for change you can believe in.
Ah yes I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there micky. Obama is definitely the odd one out in that he actually wants to make the world a better place, not just for his cronies but for everyone.
For Obama’s critics, it takes a long time to turn an oil tanker around…..
hehe I was thinking the same myself, was going to say.
I’m not that fussed about what Obama does domestically. Selfish like that, just don’t see it as any of my business. On the torture and the wars, I’m paying attention. Yesterday, in a press conference he took another step, said waterboarding was torture in his opinion. Well fuck-a-doodle-doo. But methods don’t only apply to madness,
There is a story about Pres Johnson and the civil rights movement. He was meeting with activists, and they were making their case. At the end of it he said words to the effect of, yes, I agree with you, now go make me do it.
The release of those memo’s was a big deal. There is enormous establishment pressure not to do anything, and it’s good to see a lot of push back from Obama supporters in the states against that.
Obama himself may be playing it very smart. The absolute last thing I want to see is an investigation get tarred as political payback. That is pretty much the only hope the torturers have. By being visibly reluctant, and yet putting as much info out there as people demand, Obama is countering that narrative. Obama himself cannot prosecute, but by not shutting the debate down, he is allowing the system to work. He called it torture. His justice dept has a legal duty to investigate crimes, and that signal was possibly that he would not stand in the way if Justice, or congress was to take steps. In spite of his rhetoric about moving forward and not looking back. By calling it torture (in his opinion) he has put himself one step more into a box.
Obama needs to keep well out of it politically. It’s up to Congress to reveal more, putting pressure on Justice to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate.
There are other pressure points as well. Bybee ( a memo writer) is possibly up for impeachment from his current gig on a california court, That would be a media shit storm, with much more revelations.
Cheney is demanding the release of supposed documents showing the supposed benefits of the program, but that won’t save him if things turn legal. It’s a purely political play, and in any case, CIA FBI and Military sources have already said his claims are for shit. Arse covering cuts all ways apparently. Also, and too, if Cheney starts to request things be declassified, he is no longer in a position to be doing the cherry picking.
According to the ACLU, there is plenty of video and transcript evidence of the interrogations. Just saying, Dick.
The Spanish courts, (despite ignorant reporting to the contrary) are heading towards prosecutions. That will mean requests for the alleged war criminals to be sent to Spain. The American public won’t like that, but may think having criminal investigations themselves to be the best face saving reason for refusal.
UN officials have already pointed out that by treaty, ratified into US law, there is a duty to investigate allegations of torture.
drip. drip. drip.
Coincidently I’m sure, I read somewhere unreliable that Bush snr, last year, bought a large amount of land, complete with spacious housing, in a South American country without an extradition treaty with the US. Probably an urban myth. But the thing with myths is, even though the words is false, they are all about what’s true.
Jarbury – Why don’t you engage some of the points from “Obama’s critics” instead of just coming up with metaphors. If we’re talking about the direction of this ship he’s done so many things facing the same direction as his predecesors one would have to think he hasn’t even touched the wheel.
Pascal – I get the politics behind leaving it to the Attorney General but really the politics are no real excuse for Obama. He initially wanted to give them immunity and we should remember that. That is absolutely disgusting and it speaks to a deplorable human being. If his equivocating is all down to politics that to me points to cowardly man without principles.
Cheney is demanding the release of supposed documents showing the supposed benefits of the program, but that won’t save him if things turn legal. It’s a purely political play, and in any case, CIA FBI and Military sources have already said his claims are for shit.
That’s not what Obama’s Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair thinks:
“High-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al-Qaeda organization that was attacking this country,”
Let’s not forget that the Obama Justice Department has thrown out a case against the NSA brought on behalf of the Americans who had illegal surveilance conducted on them and that they tried to get a case against John Yoo thrown out.
The absolute last thing I want to see is an investigation get tarred as political payback.
The absolute last thing I want to see is these people getting away with it.
I agree entirely. The cynical manipulation of war crimes for political ends is abominable, but even torturers deserve due process. Also, the longer Obama lets this play, the more of its filth will be exposed and pressure on the actual enablers and perpetrators intensified. They will be babbling wrecks by the time they face the dock.
The absolute last thing I want to see is these people getting away with it.
Quite. I totally hear what you are saying believe me. On all your points.
Where I disagree I think, is that I think Obama might be playing it a smarter way than an all out assault would be. The politics of what we see as the high road may be disastrous. Does that suck? Oh yes. But that’s the reality.
If his equivocating is all down to politics that to me points to cowardly man without principles.
At the end of the day it is going to be politics that gets it done though. If sticking by some principle leads to a higher risk of defeat, then what is the principled thing to do? Especially when the stakes are so high.
And are you sure that his equivocating is genuine, and not tactical? I’m not yet, and that is my point.
I’m not really interested in arguing about whether or not so and so is a bad man or what have you. I just want the process to go ahead with the best chance of success. That being defined by the rule of law being upheld, and future presidents being made aware that they are not above the law.
I think it’s worthwhile to give him some time…. that’s the point. It’s not like this is an easy point of time to fix a country that has had 8 years of suffering under possibly their worst president since….. well for a very long time anyway!
Regarding his foreign policy, clearly nothing is ever particularly easy but I think Obama has taken some good steps forward while at the same time possibly not yet being the ‘saviour’ some hoped him to be. But this is politics, and he has really tried to get cross-party consensus on issues so that the USA can move away from the extremely partisan politics that it has suffered under since the 1970s. Having to shift policies radically away from what Bush did, but at the same time at least try to get some of the republicans on side is no mean feat.
I don’t think Obama is after short-term fixes – he wants to change US politics and the US economy in a long-term way like FDR did. I am reading “The Conscience of a Liberal” by Paul Krugman at the moment (bloody good book by the way) and it would seem that Obama wants to operate in a way that shifts the average US political view back towards the far greater moderation that we saw in the 1940s-1970s. That would mean you can’t fix everything straight away.
You make very valid points. It is not Obama’s fault – but it is his problem to deal with – that the American public have been dumbed down to such an extent that they have no stomach for anything other than discrete, processed Change McNuggets rather than the real and substantive change necessary for America as it is today to survive.
And change is absolutely necessary. Some time ago I read a wingnut article somewhere comparing Obama to Gorbachev. Oddly enough, the comparison was valid, although the talking points and conclusions made weren’t. Obama’s problem is that, just like Gorbachev, he has become the leader of a country that is bankrupt, both metaphorically and literally.
Personally, having a soft spot for capitalism, I’m hoping that Obama succeeds with the USA where Gorbachev very narrowly failed with the USSR. But then, even Gorbachev had some success: that so many countries in Eastern Europe and the former USSR are at least comparatively free today is testament to his hard work.
While I disagree with some of the points you’ve made here PB, it is a tremendously well-thought out response to what I suspect was a rather flippant and trivial original post.
it’s in the eyes – the French have an expression “Il rit jaune – it’s a forced smile and the eyes tell a different story. Obama does not look as though he is holding onto a scalpel at the same time, and is genuinely happy to be photographed.
More than half of people who attend services at least once a week — 54 percent — said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is “often” or “sometimes” justified. Only 42 percent of people who “seldom or never” go to services agreed, according the analysis released Wednesday by the <a href=http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=156.Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Jarbury – The point is I don’t see much change, a couple positive moves, but that doesn’t distinguish him from the likes of Bill Clinton. Better than Bush yes, much better? not really. His bailouts of the banks transferring all that wealth from the poor to the rich is not change from the Bush years it’s just the same old bullshit from the oligarchs. Since he’s been in power he’s ramped up the attacks on Pakistan and he’s going to massively enlarge the operation in Afghanistan. He’s not really even drawing down in Iraq. Leaving 50,000 colonial troops is not much of draw down if you ask me and how much different is that from Bush given that he was going to draw down troop levels as well? To me not much has changed Bush’s war on terror has become Obama’s war on terror. And don’t forget that’s he’s actually increasing the military budget after years and years of ludicrous growth under Bush. When teachers are being laid off because the state’s can’t afford to keep them, when many American’s can’t afford healthcare, when the number of homeless has shot up, Obama is spending more on the military. I’m sorry but this guy doesn’t fill me with hope like he seems to be with some you guys. Comparing Obama to FDR makes me a little quesy. FDR was a fascist corporatist.
I think debate has shifted so far to the right that what should be reasonable left wingers are supporting Obama along with the conservatives here. It’s sickening to me.
Pascal – I think it is plainly obvious that Obama didn’t want to prosecute. he said as much himself repeatedly. So we can say the equivocating is not tactical it is genuine. He was pressured into his current position. See this newsweek article linked to from the Obama fan club Huffington post. So once again it disgusts me that he wanted to let these people get away with it.
Two are puppets with their strings pulled by their self interested moneyed backers. Two are men whose careers were made of the backs of rumour and manipulation.
One is a South Pacific Islander with a holiday home in Hawaii who speaks with English but has difficulty speaking it.
One has a real vision that he has articulated and put into practice on both a local and world stage.
“There is a story about Pres Johnson and the civil rights movement. He was meeting with activists, and they were making their case. At the end of it he said words to the effect of, yes, I agree with you, now go make me do it.”
From your link:
“One transition source, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters, said that Attorney General-designate Eric Holder may be more inclined than other Obama aides to press the matter.”
Eric Holder is the only one that matters. Not Obama, and not the chief of staff, who also was on the record against prosecutions. I don’t really want to keep going over this. The reason Obama can’t be the one to start saying ‘prosecute prosecute’ is that he is the president. It’s not his job, just like it wasn’t Bush’s job to be declaring people terrorists without trials. For him to be doing that would be part of the problem.
It would also make the dynamic immediately politicised in an unhelpful way. The story would become Obama v Bush, Dem v GOP. Rather than The Law v Criminals. It makes the battlefield better for the criminals if that was what happened.
By saying words to the effect that “I have no personal interest in a fight about this, here is what happened” and letting the process go forward, it helps in making it a legal fight rather than a political one. If he really was against prosecutions, why didn’t he fight to avoid releasing the memo’s? He had a better chance in that case than the one he fought, (and lost, coincidence?) about other state secrets. Also bear in mind that the courts may have redacted much more of the memo’s than Obama did, even if they ruled to release them.
I’m well aware of what has been said by who. I’m also aware of what actions have been taken, and I’m just reserving judgment as the process plays out. I don’t think that is unreasonable.
In any case, I doubt we are convincing each other, but that’s my position at the moment. Essentially reserved, pending further actions.
Re your opening paragraph ĂąâŹâ did Johnson borrow that saying (in effect) from FDR.?
To the blogger/standard ĂąâŹâ can I respectfully request that at some point when you play a similar exercize please substitute former Senator Phil Gramm for G.W. Bush – I’d be interested to know whether folks make any comparative with the middle pic above.. loosely this would be about mentors.. in the wider sense of events and happenings that career paths are prone to take..
Pascal – I’ve already said I understand the politics behind it. You make good points. It’s not a matter of convincing each other. The point that you’re not getting is that Obama didn’t want to prosecute. That’s what I’m saying and that’s what is so concerning.
I hope now that Obama’s been forced to give up his original position that they will be prosecuted, but after the John Yoo case, Jewel v. NSA, Obama’s repeated praise of the CIA, I have doubts that any serious attempts will be made.
Eric Holder himself said: “It would be unfair to prosecute dedicated men and women working to protect America for conduct that was sanctioned in advance by the Justice Department,”
The obvious question is why? So you can see why I have little faith in him.
This article in the huffington post concludes thusly:
So, what should Obama do about all this? And what he will do? Bush, Cheney and the other leading officials who ordered torture or issued legal opinions supporting it ought to be investigated and if found legally liable, indicted, tried, and, if convicted, punished. But clearly, that’s not going to happen. Obama is not prepared to divide the country still further and take important time and energy away from the effort to end the Bush Depression and establish badly-needed health, energy and education policies, among others. (Maybe Obama should release or pardon the few small fry torturers now being punished since the big fish will get away)
Congress or somebody else may appoint a commission or two to investigate–but to no prosecutorial end. And, as I’ve written before, no way will Obama permit any Bush officials to be prosecuted abroad. Remember, even the lowliest U.S. private soldier serving abroad is protected by status of forces agreements from being punished by a host country for carrying out official duties. And, however illegal or immoral, torture was an official duty ordered by Bush.
The most likely outcome of this whole business will be that nobody will be punished (I don’t even think the Senate will try for, much less accomplish, the simplest punitive step, a two-thirds vote to remove Judge Bybee from office). And the failure to punish those responsible for torture will become, for those of us on the left, the equivalent of right-wing complaints against abortion, stem cell research and gay marriage. There will continue to be much fuss, but no satisfaction. I hope I’m wrong.
I think you are being a bit unrealistically harsh on Obama Quoth. He didn’t present himself as “the most liberal President the US will ever have”. He presented himself as someone probably to the left of Clinton, but definitely not left enough to scare the American public.
Remember, the USA has had a pretty damn conservative government since at least 1980. What may seem to be pretty extreme right-wing policies to us (no government funded healthcare) are seen as normal there. It sucks, but it’s the case. I believe that over time Obama will make a significant change to that situation, however it will take him 8 years to do that. If he goes too extreme then he’ll get kicked out in 2012 and we’ll end up with a bloody Republican president again! I would expect Obama to be a little more extreme in the changes he makes if he can win the 2012 election and if there’s a Democrat dominated congress throughout that time.
I think in some ways Obama’s biggest legacy will be the changed position the USA has on climate change talks. Something might happen now.
Jarbury – You’re right about climate change that has been a great change and there will be many other positive changes. But nevertheless, we must be ruthlessly critical of all people in positions of authority. It saddens me to see many lefties not being critical enough when it comes to Obama. It reminds me of how much the left has lost its way. I’m not being overly harsh on Obama I’m being realistically critical. He’s not that liberal, just a tad more than the last guy and he’s certainly not left wing. There will be positive changes, but the Afghanistan war, Pakistan, the bailouts, Israel-Palestine, military spending, it’s all just a continuation of same old policies, not change, with maybe a bit of window dressing here and there. Lefties would harshly criticise Bush if he did many of the things Obama has done and so Obama should be given the same ruthless treatment. He’s not going to make great changes, no matter how many terms he gets, not because its unfeasible or unpalatable to the American public (just look how much support he’s got there) no its because it’s unpalatable to him, because he is not who you think he is, Jarbury. That’s clearly demonstrable from his actions, not his lack of them, since he’s been in office.
I’m not sure whether it’s that possible for Obama to be particularly ‘left’ with regards to foreign policy. US foreign policy is, in many ways, the biggest of big oil tankers to turn around. Their climate change policies are a huge step in the right direction, and I guess I’ll wait and we where he’s at military wise in four years time.
I’m more heartened by the domestic policies I hope to see from him. Unlike NZ the US is embarking upon a “Green New Deal” and I think that’s a critical step in the right direction. I also have high hopes that Obama will finally do something about US health care – which is an utter embarrassment for a country of that wealth.
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Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you arenât wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said âSince we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Te PÄti MÄori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veteransâ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veteransâ affairs spokesperson Greg OâConnor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxonâs management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonightâs court decision to overturn the summons of the Childrenâs Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about MÄori without evidence, says Te PÄti MÄori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. âThe judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last yearâs severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labourâs environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our countryâs most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te PÄti MÄori Justice Spokesperson, TÄkuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, MÄori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te PÄti MÄori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. âThis act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.â Said Te PÄti MÄori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te PÄti MÄori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mĆ TÄmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with MÄori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his memberâs bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Todayâs advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. âWe know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,â Dr Reti says. âEvery day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikoheâs new $14.7 million sports complex. âThe completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,â Mr Jones says. âThis facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Petersâ engagements in TĂŒrkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.  âReturning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,â Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen â good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood â a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - Â It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Â Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Â Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. âOur Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin  NgÄ mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho  Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.  I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĆ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĆ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĆ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our Whatâs Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scoutâs human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird â she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including âterribleâ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking âdo you have what it takes to be a popstar?â 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar â a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldnât stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes â while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. Itâs not often an episode of a childrenâs cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but thatâs exactly what happened this week when ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people ⊠and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minuteâs silence to mark the âblood debtâ owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. âA promise to most people is a promise,â Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an âadministrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the countryâs major TV network of broadcasting âpropagandaâ backing Israelâs genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to menâs ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock âChildhoodâ and âdementiaâ are two words we wish we didnât have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The governmentâs Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9â17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Thereâs been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russiaâs war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peaceâs new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a womanâs hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Booksâ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingwayâs Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time â ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australiaâs fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The âWicked Gameâ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didnât stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from âWicked Gameâ, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called đ, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao MÄori and remove many specialist MÄori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
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Clearly Obama’s the odd one out. The reasons are so numerous….
Two of them are from Hawaii.
I fondly recall The Sprout’s first post. He had put so much effort in, even a bit of analysis, trying to support his argument. Those were the days.
Sigh.
ouch! but a fair call Pat.
i’m a pretty vacuous vegetable at the best of times and for the past few weeks i’ve been a little distracted by the arrival of a new sproutling.
will try harder just as soon as i’m able.
Great news dude. Congrats.
One of them has a flag behind them?
Two US presidents vs one NZ Prime Minister………….
It will be interesting to see if JK and BO have a similar slide in popularity over time as the one that Bush went through ….. 90% after the WTC attacks to 25% when he left office.
Edit
GS
I thought one had a holiday home in Hawaii and only one was born in the USA ?
They’re all pretty much the same to me. Interchange them and you’d pretty much get the same terrible result.
Boy Bush, Key Boy and Brown Fella? Hard choice no comment. I don’t have much time for pollies. They give me the shits!.
I’m sure its mutual.
I have emails from Bush and Key boys, but have not recieved one from the smiling Brown Donny Osmond lookalike.
What does that tell you?
đ
d4j can name two of them but goes straight for the race comment on the third?
Dubya and Goober left of Obama, WTF!
One of them could turn out to be the greatest and most honest president the USA has ever had.
One of them always said what he thought and stuck by it, even though it was plainly a bad idea.
One of them is the Prime Minister of New Zealand who made a lot of money before becoming prime minister and small minded jealous people hate him for it, instead of applauding him for it.
Oh no, there has been applause, its just that the right are the only ones still clapping – like seal puppies.
Brett – Honest like saying you’ll hire no former Washington lobbyists than turning around and granting yourself an exemption to hire former Washington lobbyists. Honest like campaigning on withdrawing troops from Iraq within 16 months and when in office extending that by months and saying the countdown starts now no I mean now (months later) and even then around 50,000 troops will be left – some withdrawl.
Great like setting a terrible precedent and not prosecuting the bushites for torture. Great like actually increaseing the military budget in the midst of a recession. Great like enacting the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in the form of the bank bailouts. Oh yeah he’s made a few token gestures like closing Gitmo, but that doesn’t close all those other prisons around the world or saying the CIA won’t torture, but not actually stopping them from outsourcing that torture. From a man who’s campaign slogan came from a children’s television show (Bob the Builder) and who renamed the war on terror to the overseas contingency operation could we really ever expect real change?
Brett I’m sure you’d be one of the first to criticise Labour’s spending, but what about Obama’s profligate spending? Or is it just that the handsome man gives you a tingly feeling?
And making a lot of money in banking, praiseworthy? You’ll have a hard time convincing many people of that at this time except all those former bankers in Obama’s team (one of the reasons why Obama got more money from Wall st than McCain). I’d rather praise productive people not simply rich people.
Two who have been accused of war crimes by Idiot/Savant, vs one who hasn’t?
nup, can’t pick it.
who is the odd one out sprout?
is it you? me? brett dale? ; who applauds dickfaces who make money out of other peoples money, always clipping the ticket as it goes past.
I would suggest as per the debacle’ we now reside in – the smartest guy in the room IS NOT That Nice Smiling Man.
most delightful captcha: pagoda served. how apt.
Easy, Key is not the ruler of a country that is committing war crimes and genocide in Iraq, Afghanistan and lord knows where else.
I have just finished reading Pilgers updated “The new rulers of the world” This may not go well for my entire belief system. My head hurts.
You surprise me BB. Good luck on your journey.
The one on the right is not a dozy twat like the two on the left ???
They are all scientifically similar in that they are all male bipedal mammals with an identical number of arms, legs and internal organs. The difference, of course, is that Mr Obama stands for change you can believe in.
Also, the other two wish they were Obama.
Ah yes I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there micky. Obama is definitely the odd one out in that he actually wants to make the world a better place, not just for his cronies but for everyone.
For Obama’s critics, it takes a long time to turn an oil tanker around…..
it takes a long time to turn an oil tanker around
hehe I was thinking the same myself, was going to say.
I’m not that fussed about what Obama does domestically. Selfish like that, just don’t see it as any of my business. On the torture and the wars, I’m paying attention. Yesterday, in a press conference he took another step, said waterboarding was torture in his opinion. Well fuck-a-doodle-doo. But methods don’t only apply to madness,
There is a story about Pres Johnson and the civil rights movement. He was meeting with activists, and they were making their case. At the end of it he said words to the effect of, yes, I agree with you, now go make me do it.
The release of those memo’s was a big deal. There is enormous establishment pressure not to do anything, and it’s good to see a lot of push back from Obama supporters in the states against that.
Obama himself may be playing it very smart. The absolute last thing I want to see is an investigation get tarred as political payback. That is pretty much the only hope the torturers have. By being visibly reluctant, and yet putting as much info out there as people demand, Obama is countering that narrative. Obama himself cannot prosecute, but by not shutting the debate down, he is allowing the system to work. He called it torture. His justice dept has a legal duty to investigate crimes, and that signal was possibly that he would not stand in the way if Justice, or congress was to take steps. In spite of his rhetoric about moving forward and not looking back. By calling it torture (in his opinion) he has put himself one step more into a box.
Obama needs to keep well out of it politically. It’s up to Congress to reveal more, putting pressure on Justice to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate.
There are other pressure points as well. Bybee ( a memo writer) is possibly up for impeachment from his current gig on a california court, That would be a media shit storm, with much more revelations.
Cheney is demanding the release of supposed documents showing the supposed benefits of the program, but that won’t save him if things turn legal. It’s a purely political play, and in any case, CIA FBI and Military sources have already said his claims are for shit. Arse covering cuts all ways apparently. Also, and too, if Cheney starts to request things be declassified, he is no longer in a position to be doing the cherry picking.
According to the ACLU, there is plenty of video and transcript evidence of the interrogations. Just saying, Dick.
The Spanish courts, (despite ignorant reporting to the contrary) are heading towards prosecutions. That will mean requests for the alleged war criminals to be sent to Spain. The American public won’t like that, but may think having criminal investigations themselves to be the best face saving reason for refusal.
UN officials have already pointed out that by treaty, ratified into US law, there is a duty to investigate allegations of torture.
drip. drip. drip.
Coincidently I’m sure, I read somewhere unreliable that Bush snr, last year, bought a large amount of land, complete with spacious housing, in a South American country without an extradition treaty with the US. Probably an urban myth. But the thing with myths is, even though the words is false, they are all about what’s true.
A+
Jarbury – Why don’t you engage some of the points from “Obama’s critics” instead of just coming up with metaphors. If we’re talking about the direction of this ship he’s done so many things facing the same direction as his predecesors one would have to think he hasn’t even touched the wheel.
Pascal – I get the politics behind leaving it to the Attorney General but really the politics are no real excuse for Obama. He initially wanted to give them immunity and we should remember that. That is absolutely disgusting and it speaks to a deplorable human being. If his equivocating is all down to politics that to me points to cowardly man without principles.
That’s not what Obama’s Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair thinks:
Let’s not forget that the Obama Justice Department has thrown out a case against the NSA brought on behalf of the Americans who had illegal surveilance conducted on them and that they tried to get a case against John Yoo thrown out.
The absolute last thing I want to see is an investigation get tarred as political payback.
The absolute last thing I want to see is these people getting away with it.
I agree entirely. The cynical manipulation of war crimes for political ends is abominable, but even torturers deserve due process. Also, the longer Obama lets this play, the more of its filth will be exposed and pressure on the actual enablers and perpetrators intensified. They will be babbling wrecks by the time they face the dock.
Quite. I totally hear what you are saying believe me. On all your points.
Where I disagree I think, is that I think Obama might be playing it a smarter way than an all out assault would be. The politics of what we see as the high road may be disastrous. Does that suck? Oh yes. But that’s the reality.
At the end of the day it is going to be politics that gets it done though. If sticking by some principle leads to a higher risk of defeat, then what is the principled thing to do? Especially when the stakes are so high.
And are you sure that his equivocating is genuine, and not tactical? I’m not yet, and that is my point.
I’m not really interested in arguing about whether or not so and so is a bad man or what have you. I just want the process to go ahead with the best chance of success. That being defined by the rule of law being upheld, and future presidents being made aware that they are not above the law.
I think it’s worthwhile to give him some time…. that’s the point. It’s not like this is an easy point of time to fix a country that has had 8 years of suffering under possibly their worst president since….. well for a very long time anyway!
Regarding his foreign policy, clearly nothing is ever particularly easy but I think Obama has taken some good steps forward while at the same time possibly not yet being the ‘saviour’ some hoped him to be. But this is politics, and he has really tried to get cross-party consensus on issues so that the USA can move away from the extremely partisan politics that it has suffered under since the 1970s. Having to shift policies radically away from what Bush did, but at the same time at least try to get some of the republicans on side is no mean feat.
I don’t think Obama is after short-term fixes – he wants to change US politics and the US economy in a long-term way like FDR did. I am reading “The Conscience of a Liberal” by Paul Krugman at the moment (bloody good book by the way) and it would seem that Obama wants to operate in a way that shifts the average US political view back towards the far greater moderation that we saw in the 1940s-1970s. That would mean you can’t fix everything straight away.
You make very valid points. It is not Obama’s fault – but it is his problem to deal with – that the American public have been dumbed down to such an extent that they have no stomach for anything other than discrete, processed Change McNuggets rather than the real and substantive change necessary for America as it is today to survive.
And change is absolutely necessary. Some time ago I read a wingnut article somewhere comparing Obama to Gorbachev. Oddly enough, the comparison was valid, although the talking points and conclusions made weren’t. Obama’s problem is that, just like Gorbachev, he has become the leader of a country that is bankrupt, both metaphorically and literally.
Personally, having a soft spot for capitalism, I’m hoping that Obama succeeds with the USA where Gorbachev very narrowly failed with the USSR. But then, even Gorbachev had some success: that so many countries in Eastern Europe and the former USSR are at least comparatively free today is testament to his hard work.
While I disagree with some of the points you’ve made here PB, it is a tremendously well-thought out response to what I suspect was a rather flippant and trivial original post.
I forgot to add, two of them are w&%kers …
>>>They are all scientifically similar in that they are all male bipedal mammals with an identical number of arms, legs and internal organs.<<<
But that would imply that Bush has a brain.
Fret not DS…
A male chimpanzee is a (sometimes) bipedal mammal with an identical number of arms, legs and internal organs…
Two have been heads of state, one is a tosser
The answer is that all three attended Harvard College, but only Obama (J.D) and Bush (MBA) graduated.
Key is, in fact, the only one of the three not to possess a graduate degree.
One is the personification of humanity’s progress; a beacon of hope, and possible key to our species’ endurance.
One is the personification of a chimpanzee; a key and abiding exemplar of historical impediments to progression.
One is Key. Who gives a rat’s arse.
it’s in the eyes – the French have an expression “Il rit jaune – it’s a forced smile and the eyes tell a different story. Obama does not look as though he is holding onto a scalpel at the same time, and is genuinely happy to be photographed.
Too true. Cover that Key smile with your hand and look deeply into his eyes. There ain’t no warmth in there!
Andrew Sullivan on torture, Jesus Wept.
More than half of people who attend services at least once a week — 54 percent — said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is “often” or “sometimes” justified. Only 42 percent of people who “seldom or never” go to services agreed, according the analysis released Wednesday by the <a href=http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=156.Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Jarbury – The point is I don’t see much change, a couple positive moves, but that doesn’t distinguish him from the likes of Bill Clinton. Better than Bush yes, much better? not really. His bailouts of the banks transferring all that wealth from the poor to the rich is not change from the Bush years it’s just the same old bullshit from the oligarchs. Since he’s been in power he’s ramped up the attacks on Pakistan and he’s going to massively enlarge the operation in Afghanistan. He’s not really even drawing down in Iraq. Leaving 50,000 colonial troops is not much of draw down if you ask me and how much different is that from Bush given that he was going to draw down troop levels as well? To me not much has changed Bush’s war on terror has become Obama’s war on terror. And don’t forget that’s he’s actually increasing the military budget after years and years of ludicrous growth under Bush. When teachers are being laid off because the state’s can’t afford to keep them, when many American’s can’t afford healthcare, when the number of homeless has shot up, Obama is spending more on the military. I’m sorry but this guy doesn’t fill me with hope like he seems to be with some you guys. Comparing Obama to FDR makes me a little quesy. FDR was a fascist corporatist.
I think debate has shifted so far to the right that what should be reasonable left wingers are supporting Obama along with the conservatives here. It’s sickening to me.
Pascal – I think it is plainly obvious that Obama didn’t want to prosecute. he said as much himself repeatedly. So we can say the equivocating is not tactical it is genuine. He was pressured into his current position. See this newsweek article linked to from the Obama fan club Huffington post. So once again it disgusts me that he wanted to let these people get away with it.
Two are puppets with their strings pulled by their self interested moneyed backers. Two are men whose careers were made of the backs of rumour and manipulation.
One is a South Pacific Islander with a holiday home in Hawaii who speaks with English but has difficulty speaking it.
One has a real vision that he has articulated and put into practice on both a local and world stage.
“He was pressured into his current position.”
“There is a story about Pres Johnson and the civil rights movement. He was meeting with activists, and they were making their case. At the end of it he said words to the effect of, yes, I agree with you, now go make me do it.”
From your link:
“One transition source, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters, said that Attorney General-designate Eric Holder may be more inclined than other Obama aides to press the matter.”
Eric Holder is the only one that matters. Not Obama, and not the chief of staff, who also was on the record against prosecutions. I don’t really want to keep going over this. The reason Obama can’t be the one to start saying ‘prosecute prosecute’ is that he is the president. It’s not his job, just like it wasn’t Bush’s job to be declaring people terrorists without trials. For him to be doing that would be part of the problem.
It would also make the dynamic immediately politicised in an unhelpful way. The story would become Obama v Bush, Dem v GOP. Rather than The Law v Criminals. It makes the battlefield better for the criminals if that was what happened.
By saying words to the effect that “I have no personal interest in a fight about this, here is what happened” and letting the process go forward, it helps in making it a legal fight rather than a political one. If he really was against prosecutions, why didn’t he fight to avoid releasing the memo’s? He had a better chance in that case than the one he fought, (and lost, coincidence?) about other state secrets. Also bear in mind that the courts may have redacted much more of the memo’s than Obama did, even if they ruled to release them.
I’m well aware of what has been said by who. I’m also aware of what actions have been taken, and I’m just reserving judgment as the process plays out. I don’t think that is unreasonable.
In any case, I doubt we are convincing each other, but that’s my position at the moment. Essentially reserved, pending further actions.
PB,
Re your opening paragraph ĂąâŹâ did Johnson borrow that saying (in effect) from FDR.?
To the blogger/standard ĂąâŹâ can I respectfully request that at some point when you play a similar exercize please substitute former Senator Phil Gramm for G.W. Bush – I’d be interested to know whether folks make any comparative with the middle pic above.. loosely this would be about mentors.. in the wider sense of events and happenings that career paths are prone to take..
Right you are, It was FDR.
Pascal – I’ve already said I understand the politics behind it. You make good points. It’s not a matter of convincing each other. The point that you’re not getting is that Obama didn’t want to prosecute. That’s what I’m saying and that’s what is so concerning.
I hope now that Obama’s been forced to give up his original position that they will be prosecuted, but after the John Yoo case, Jewel v. NSA, Obama’s repeated praise of the CIA, I have doubts that any serious attempts will be made.
Eric Holder himself said: “It would be unfair to prosecute dedicated men and women working to protect America for conduct that was sanctioned in advance by the Justice Department,”
The obvious question is why? So you can see why I have little faith in him.
This article in the huffington post concludes thusly:
I think you are being a bit unrealistically harsh on Obama Quoth. He didn’t present himself as “the most liberal President the US will ever have”. He presented himself as someone probably to the left of Clinton, but definitely not left enough to scare the American public.
Remember, the USA has had a pretty damn conservative government since at least 1980. What may seem to be pretty extreme right-wing policies to us (no government funded healthcare) are seen as normal there. It sucks, but it’s the case. I believe that over time Obama will make a significant change to that situation, however it will take him 8 years to do that. If he goes too extreme then he’ll get kicked out in 2012 and we’ll end up with a bloody Republican president again! I would expect Obama to be a little more extreme in the changes he makes if he can win the 2012 election and if there’s a Democrat dominated congress throughout that time.
I think in some ways Obama’s biggest legacy will be the changed position the USA has on climate change talks. Something might happen now.
Jarbury – You’re right about climate change that has been a great change and there will be many other positive changes. But nevertheless, we must be ruthlessly critical of all people in positions of authority. It saddens me to see many lefties not being critical enough when it comes to Obama. It reminds me of how much the left has lost its way. I’m not being overly harsh on Obama I’m being realistically critical. He’s not that liberal, just a tad more than the last guy and he’s certainly not left wing. There will be positive changes, but the Afghanistan war, Pakistan, the bailouts, Israel-Palestine, military spending, it’s all just a continuation of same old policies, not change, with maybe a bit of window dressing here and there. Lefties would harshly criticise Bush if he did many of the things Obama has done and so Obama should be given the same ruthless treatment. He’s not going to make great changes, no matter how many terms he gets, not because its unfeasible or unpalatable to the American public (just look how much support he’s got there) no its because it’s unpalatable to him, because he is not who you think he is, Jarbury. That’s clearly demonstrable from his actions, not his lack of them, since he’s been in office.
I’m not sure whether it’s that possible for Obama to be particularly ‘left’ with regards to foreign policy. US foreign policy is, in many ways, the biggest of big oil tankers to turn around. Their climate change policies are a huge step in the right direction, and I guess I’ll wait and we where he’s at military wise in four years time.
I’m more heartened by the domestic policies I hope to see from him. Unlike NZ the US is embarking upon a “Green New Deal” and I think that’s a critical step in the right direction. I also have high hopes that Obama will finally do something about US health care – which is an utter embarrassment for a country of that wealth.
Two of them are bible bashers, one’s not…