Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 14 May 2003, 4:54 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
PR Campaign Launched To Hijack The Question Mark
Stateside: A Grim Talk At Berkeley
Air New Zealand And Qantas Try Harder
Jason Leopold: Halliburton War Profits Stitched Up Months Before The War
Floatable Quotables
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To His Photo Op
US Govt. To Challenge EU GMO Moratorium
With One Hand In Their Pockets
Guest Opinion: Why We Still Need The UN
Guest Opinion: What Bin Laden Wants
UQ Wire: 911 Kingpin Mohamed Atta's Federal Ties Deepen
The War On The World's Financial Integrity
Scoop Poems: Democratic Amputation
Katya Rivas's Crusade Of Love

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Meth Debate Tonight
GPJA Newsletter Reveals NZDF Gulf War Involvement
Into The Lion’s Den
Human Cloning Ban Bill Backed
Whose Too Sexy? No Cold Showers For Auckland
Who Will Rid Me Of This…
Fines Flight Clipped
Tightening The Noose
Last Chance To Say Sorry For Spraying Humans
Preb Sounds Forth On Budget
Goff Condemns Bomb Attacks
Mad Flag Law To Stay
Symbols And Warnings Will Save Lives
Nandor Spots A Tertiary Fee Fight Looming
Urban Primary Care Patients Deserve Attention
No Comfort For Kiwi Travellers
To Smack Or Not To Smack???

Scoop Is In The House

– For today’s questions for oral answer see...Questions For Oral Answer Wednesday, 14 May 2003 [1] - EARLIER Q&A - Tuesday's Transcript [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00321.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00311.htm

PR Campaign Launched To Hijack The Question Mark

- It is growing massive. It has become newsworthy. It can be devastating. And yet, it's so simple. - We, the people, have chosen to hijack the question mark. See... Because Bush Won't Answer Questions: "Question W" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00098.htm

Stateside: A Grim Talk At Berkeley

- "We meet at a grim time" Such were the opening words of Tariq Ali's talk on 'War, Empire and Resistance' given in the heart of the military industrial complex at UC Berkeley last week. See... Stateside With Rosalea: Tariq Ali, 8 May 2003 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00094.htm

Air New Zealand And Qantas Try Harder

- Air New Zealand and Qantas filed a submission with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Friday evening in response to the regulator’s draft determination on the proposed Alliance between the two airlines. See... Substantial Concessions Made by Air NZ Qantas [1] . For news on the campaign to stop the merger see... SaveAirNZ.Org.NZ [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0305/S00153.htm
[2] - http://www.saveairnz.org.nz

Jason Leopold: Halliburton War Profits Stitched Up Months Before The War

- Months before the United States military showered Iraq with bombs and missiles, the Department of Defense was secretly working with Vice President Dick Cheney’s old company, Halliburton Corp., on a deal that would give the world’s second largest oil services company total control over Iraq’s oil fields, according to interviews with Halliburton’s most senior executives. See... Halliburton "Tapped" On Iraq Oil Industry In Nov. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00091.htm

Floatable Quotables

- "I saw President Bush on that aircraft carrier in the Pacific yesterday. Incidentally, that's the closest he's ever got to the war in Vietnam." - U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings See... U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings on Bush n Vietnam [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00090.htm

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To His Photo Op

- George W. Bush spoke here last Friday... while he praised the Army's Bradley tank, which is made at the plant, he neglected to disclose one "detail" - namely, that his immediate family stands to make a fortune from the profits being made by United Defense Industries. See... Guest Opinion: The Devil In The Details [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00095.htm

US Govt. To Challenge EU GMO Moratorium

- The US government is likely to announce today that they are taking the first steps towards a WTO challenge regarding EU's GMO de facto moratorium. See... U.S. WTO Challenge On EU Moratorium [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00097.htm

With One Hand In Their Pockets

- The New Zealand Government should immediately withdraw its support for the US case to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the de-facto genetic engineering (GE) moratorium in Europe. The case is an attack on the majority of European consumers, ... See... NZ Govt backs US war on European consumers [1] ALSO: - Greens -New Zealand joins Washington's GE crusade [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0305/S00129.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00337.htm

Guest Opinion: Why We Still Need The UN

- Confronted with a major escalation of high-tech weapons, including new nuclear bombs and the planned militarization of space, humanity stands at a pivotal juncture in history. See... Douglas Mattern: Save The United Nations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00096.htm

Guest Opinion: What Bin Laden Wants

- Though I am utterly opposed to his methodology, I am in total support of Bin Laden’s three demands on the U$A. See... Guest Opinion: Agreeing With Bin Laden [1] MORE: - NewsFlash: Car Bomb In Riyadh Targets Americans [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00093.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00076.htm

UQ Wire: 911 Kingpin Mohamed Atta's Federal Ties Deepen

- For at least four years while living in Hamburg during the 1990’s 911 terrorist ringleader Mohamed Atta was part of a 'joint venture' between the U.S. and German Governments. See... UQ Wire: Atta In Elite US-German Exchange Prog. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00092.htm

The War On The World's Financial Integrity

- The Federal Reserve's May meeting was superbly timed to ramp the US bond market. The huge refunding went without a hitch thanks to the Fed's concern, exquisitely voiced in the official statement, that deflation risks now outweigh inflation risks. See... The War On Terror Reaches The Financial Markets [1] and SRA Commentary: War As You Like It [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00089.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00085.htm

Scoop Poems: Democratic Amputation

- Two poems written prior to the end of the recent war in Iraq. They are reproduced here in anticipation of the next war. See... Scott Kendrick: Two War Poems [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00088.htm

Katya Rivas's Crusade Of Love

- My husband, of whom I had so many proofs of special affection, does not truly recognize the virtues God gave him. But I knew him in the course of many adversities and could always admire the way he faced them. See... Katya Rivas: Joseph, the Most Saintly Love [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00087.htm

Meth Debate Tonight

- Parliament is due tonight to debate the motion relating to the reclassification of methamphetamine to class A from class B as well as classifying four similar drugs. See... Parliament moves on methamphetamines [1] ALSO: - ACT - Meth Re-Classification Just The First Step [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00314.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00338.htm

GPJA Newsletter Reveals NZDF Gulf War Involvement

- The HMS Marlborough is a British warship that took part in the invasion of Iraq. According to a press statement by the NZ Defence Force the Marlborough 'led a force of four ships, including HMAS ANZAC' that 'provided Naval Gunfire support to UK Commandos ... See... Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #34 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0305/S00121.htm

Into The Lion’s Den

- Foreign Minister Phil Goff leaves for the Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Japan later today on a trip that will also take him to Malta, Greece, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. See... Goff to PALM, Europe, Israel Palestinian Authority [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00336.htm

Human Cloning Ban Bill Backed

- The Green Party will work to strengthen the long-overdue Bill banning human cloning and regulating other reproductive technologies, Sue Kedgley MP said today. See... Greens will strengthen human cloning Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00342.htm

Whose Too Sexy? No Cold Showers For Auckland

- A contractual anomaly could see Aucklanders escaping cold showers even if the rest of the country has to endure them, according to National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee. See... Auckland may escape cold showers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00341.htm

Who Will Rid Me Of This…

- For the second day running National Party Leader Bill English is raising serious questions about the Prime Minister's integrity. See... PM caught fudging answers again [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00340.htm

Fines Flight Clipped

- The Courts and Criminal Matters Bill, which contains provisions designed to stop “hard core” fines defaulters leaving the country, was introduced to the House today. See... Fines collections at airports [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00339.htm

Tightening The Noose

- Courts Minister Margaret Wilson welcomes the release of a consultation document on civil court fees and urges the legal profession, interest groups and the public to respond. See... Civil court fees discussion document [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00330.htm

Last Chance To Say Sorry For Spraying Humans

- The last scheduled aerial spray day in the summer Painted Apple Moth campaign was today welcomed by Green Party MP Ian Ewen-Street, by repeating his call for the Biosecurity Minister to meet the poisoned population face to face. See... Last spray day - last chance to listen [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00334.htm

Preb Sounds Forth On Budget

- Richard Prebble’s Speech Notes, Pre-Budget Press Conference - Delivered at 11.30am in ACT New Zealand Caucus Room. See... Tomorrow's The Day for Tax Cuts [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00332.htm

Goff Condemns Bomb Attacks

- Foreign Minister Phil Goff today condemned the terrorist bombings in Riyadh and offered his sympathy to the families of people killed and wounded. See... Goff condemns Riyadh bombing [1] ALSO: - Goff - NZ trio safe after bomb attacks in Saudi [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00329.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00317.htm

Mad Flag Law To Stay

- Green MP Keith Locke is disappointed at the government's refusal to repeal a 1981 law against "dishonouring" the New Zealand flag. See... We don't need legislation to be patriotic [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00328.htm

Symbols And Warnings Will Save Lives

- New water safety signs containing symbols instead of words should help reduce the worrying number of ethnic people drowning in New Zealand, Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter said today. See... New Water Safety signs to prevent drownings [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00327.htm

Nandor Spots A Tertiary Fee Fight Looming

- Green MP Nandor Tanczos said today that the Government risked growing resentment if it continued to neglect the plight of tertiary students in New Zealand. See... Fight looms over fees, warns Nandor [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00326.htm

Urban Primary Care Patients Deserve Attention

- Port Waikato MP Dr Paul Hutchison is accusing the Health Minister of abandoning a South Auckland general practice and its patients. See... Health Minister abandons patients [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00325.htm

No Comfort For Kiwi Travellers

- The Kiwi traveller can take no comfort from the re-shaping of the deal that would give Qantas a big stake in New Zealand's national airline, according to the National Party. See... Kiwi travellers still lose in revamped air deal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00324.htm

To Smack Or Not To Smack???

- The government has agreed that decisions on changes to the law on the physical punishment of children will follow a public education campaign on alternatives to smacking which will begin next year, the ministers of Social Services and Employment, Justice and ... See... Future decision on physical punishment of children [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0305/S00322.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

Contact Alastair Thompson

• Linkedin
• Twitter - @althecat
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz