Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 16 June 2003, 3:39 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
The WMD's That Can't Be Found
NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
ALP's Simon Crean Lives To Fight Another Day
SCOOP COLUMNS:
Bush's Diary Reveals Views On His Impeachment
ZZZZZzzzzzt Scoop Has Feedback
Uri Avnery: Militarism In Israel
Aziz Choudry: Free Trade By Stealth
Stateside Election Watch: George Dag
The Natives Are Restless
Katya Daily

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
All Aboard The Washington Junket
Old Arguments Against Privy Council Removed Says ACT
Pro-Whaling Nations Stack Int. Commission
GPJA Newsletter 37
Sutton Speaks To Cow Cockies
Prebble’s The Letter
Bill, Remember To Pack McCully
Horomia Accountable On TMP Scandal
Agriculture Income Drops
Promises of Free Annual Diabetes Tests Must Be Honoured
Govt Must Deal With Its Own Separatist Agenda
Curriculum Stock-Take Announced
Victims Ought Not Be Questioned By Alleged Offenders
Coddington Compares Blighty To NZ… Again
Applauding Social Entrepreneurs
Rural Sector Benefits From Web-Portal
Laying The Way For Defence Future
CEO Dismissal Justified

LEAD STORY:
The WMD's That Can't Be Found

- Mass media’s obligation is to fulfill the critical role of fourth estate, the defenders of public interest. The term is frequently attributed to the nineteenth century historian Thomas Carlyle who ranked the press above and apart from the three Estates of Parliament. His perception was based on the media being the watchdog that continually held the barbarians at the gates. See... Kidd Millennium: Free the Fourth Estate [1]

….AND….

After several years teaching high school, I've heard all the excuses. I didn't get my homework done because my computer crashed, because my project partner didn't do their part, because I feel sick, because I left it on the bus, because I had a dance recital, because I was abducted by aliens and viciously probed. See... UQ Wire: The Dog Ate My WMDs [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00106.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00101.htm

NEW ZEALAND NEWS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00259.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0306/S00057.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00170.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00169.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00168.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00167.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0306/S00066.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0306/S00062.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

Middle East

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00203.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00225.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00224.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00223.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00220.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00219.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00202.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00211.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00216.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00213.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00205.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00212.htm

ALP's Simon Crean Lives To Fight Another Day

- Australian Labour Party Leader Simon Crean has been re-elected leader of the Labor Party in a meeting of the party's 92 strong parliamentary caucus this morning. See... Crean Remains Leader Of Australian Labor Party [1] and images….Scoop Images: Head To Head – Crean vs Beazley [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00109.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Bush's Diary Reveals Views On His Impeachment

- Dear Diary: The war went well. We licked those Iraqi towelheads real quick. We didn't get Saddam, though, which is more than a little embarassing, since we also didn't get Osama in Afghanistan. Makes me look bad. See... Bernard Weiner: A Peek Inside Bush's PostWar Diary [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00111.htm

ZZZZZzzzzzt Scoop Has Feedback

In This Edition: Right To Self-Representation - NZ Involvement In Iraq - Mother Or Father - To Be Or Not To Be! See... Scoop Feedback: Kidnapping, Iraq, Gender Confusion [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00108.htm

Uri Avnery: Militarism In Israel

- A week after the ship of peace was solemnly launched on its perilous voyage from Aqaba harbor, it was hit by a torpedo. It is not yet clear whether it is wrecked or can continue on its way in spite of the damage. See... Uri Avnery: Children of Death [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00107.htm

Aziz Choudry: Free Trade By Stealth

- Expanding the liberalization agenda through bilateral agreements is a stealthy step-by-step approach which could prepare a multiple launchpad for more comprehensive multilateral agreements. Aziz Choudry details moves afoot to challenge this neo-liberal tactic. See... Bilateral Deals Are No Fairytale [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00104.htm

Stateside Election Watch: George Dag

- That George is such a dag, isn't he, pretending to fall off the Pratmobile! I'm sure he was just taking its inventor's advice - given at a recent college commencement ceremony - to make it your choice in life to do something really, really difficult. Whatever. It was the sort of publicity that cannot be bought. We hope. See... Stateside with Rosalea: Taking a flying leap [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00103.htm

The Natives Are Restless

- A real resistance movement seems to be starting up in Iraq. Although the Pentagon and Donald Rumsfeld are blaming attacks against US troops on Saddam supporters and Baath Party members, it looks like a countrywide uprising is starting. See... Major Iraqi Uprising Looming In Near Future [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00105.htm

Katya Daily

- Even if every heart would turn hard, I would always continue to be equally sweet with My creatures. No one can move Me to anger because I am peace in essence; only through the effects, demanded by My justice, can you believe that I am moved to anger. See... Katya Rivas: I Am Peace In Essence [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00102.htm

http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=israelpalestine
IMAGES: IOF Builds Several Peace Roadblocks In Hebron

All Aboard The Washington Junket

- National Party Leader Bill English has decided to join a team of his MPs heading to Washington today to discuss foreign affairs, trade and defence matters with Congressmen, Senators and officials in Washington. See... English joins MPs on Washington trip [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00259.htm

Old Arguments Against Privy Council Removed Says ACT

- United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair plans to remove Ministerial input from the appointment of judges to the proposed top court in the UK -this removes one of the odd arguments pushed those supporting the dumping our right of appeal to the ... See... UK Supreme Court Move Good News for New Zealand? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00251.htm

Pro-Whaling Nations Stack Int. Commission

- The International Whaling Commission is balanced on a knife-edge after new efforts by pro-whaling nations to stack the membership of the commission, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said today. See... Progress on whale conservation in jeopardy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00258.htm

GPJA Newsletter 37

- The decision by the New Zealand government to join the occupation of Iraq has been condemned by GPJA and others but warmly welcomed by the United States. The government claim that this is separate from the US/UK occupation is belied by the fact that ... See... Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #37 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0306/S00089.htm

Sutton Speaks To Cow Cockies

- Hon Jim Sutton Minister of Agriculture Dairy Farmers of New Zealand council meeting, Wellington Speech Notes 16 June 2003 See... Jim Sutton Speech To Dairy Farmers of New Zealand [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00269.htm

Prebble’s The Letter

- The cabinet is in general agreement that Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia, should go but is divided over whether his firing will cause more or less political damage. See... The Letter 16 June 2003 - Horomia Must Go [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00268.htm

Bill, Remember To Pack McCully

- My advice to Bill English is: don't leave home without McCully, said Progressive MP Matt Robson today. See... McCully: Don't leave home without him [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00267.htm

Horomia Accountable On TMP Scandal

- As the scandal that's raging around Maori Broadcaster Te Mangai Paho deepens, the National and ACT Parties are accusing the Government of employing two standards of accountability, one for Maori and one for everyone else. See... Buck stops with Minister in TMP scandal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00266.htm

Agriculture Income Drops

- Deer, dairy and drought affected farmers are bracing themselves for lower farm incomes and have modified their spending patterns accordingly, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... MAF Monitor Farm Results Show Income Drop [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00265.htm

Promises of Free Annual Diabetes Tests Must Be Honoured

- New Zealand First has called for the Government to increase funding so that its promise of free annual checks for diabetes can be honoured. See... Policy Sunk By Poor Resourcing And Buck-Passing [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00264.htm

Govt Must Deal With Its Own Separatist Agenda

- New Zealand First has urged the Government to not stop with the suspension of Te Mangai Paho CEO Trevor Moeke but to deal with its own separatist agenda and the gravy train that accompanies it. See... Don't Stop There Urges Peters: Minister Must Go [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00263.htm

Curriculum Stock-Take Announced

- The results of a three-year stocktake of the New Zealand curriculum are now available, the Associate Minister of Education, Marian Hobbs announced today. See... National Curriculum Stocktake Available [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00262.htm

Victims Ought Not Be Questioned By Alleged Offenders

- National's Justice spokesperson says victims of violent crime should not have to face cross-examination by alleged offenders accused of the crime. See... Kidnap trial sparks call for law review [1] ALSO: ACT Wants Self-Defence Right To Stay - ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today disagreed with the National Party on restricting self-defence rights, and reiterated that the abuse of process during the Burrett trial did not warrant a change in our law - or any tinkering with ... See... Protect Legal Self-Defence Rights, Says ACT [2] MORE: ACT: Fixing Abuse Of Process Is In The Court's Hands [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00261.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00256.htm

Coddington Compares Blighty To NZ… Again

- This week I went to the House of Commons for Prime Minister's question time and I was appalled to realise how far the New Zealand Parliament has strayed from the Westminster system. For a start, New Zealand - unlike Britain - doesn't have a session whereby ... See... Liberty Belle Visits Commons For PM's Questions [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00260.htm

Applauding Social Entrepreneurs

- Stunning examples of human innovation have been rewarded today with the announcement of the first round of the Social Entrepreneur Fund in Wellington. See... Hand up not hand outs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00257.htm

Rural Sector Benefits From Web-Portal

- The government web portal is an important online tool for farmers and others in the rural sector, providing remote access to more than 4500 services and information resources from a single website, State Services Minister Trevor Mallard said today. See... Government web portal important for rural sector [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00255.htm

Laying The Way For Defence Future

- Minister of Defence Mark Burton today opened the newly upgraded runway at Ohakea Air Force Base. The event marked the first Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP) project to be completed, and represents a major step towards the RNZAF’s future consolidation ... See... Runway a milestone in the Govt’s Defence Plan [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00254.htm

CEO Dismissal Justified

- National's Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich and ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide say the Government had no option but to fire Te Mangai Paho chief executive, Trevor Moeke. See... Te Mangai Paho boss must go [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00252.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.

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