Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 21 July 2003, 3:44 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
The Death Of Dr David Kelly – Was It Really A Suicide?
… Meanwhile Across The Atlantic, Another Suicide Is In The News
Wellingtonians March In Support Of GE Moratorium
NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:
GWB's Plans To Meet Abu Mazen Fail To Impress
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:
SCOOP COLUMNS:
US Election Scoop In The NZ Listener
US Election Scoop On PBS
Cheney Plans Iraq Carve Up Well Before The War
BUY THIS! The Green Room 002
Cartoon: The Village People Bring GWB On
Cartoon: Bliar Talks To The US Congress
Rohan Quinby On The ARC Rates Rise
STORY OF THE WEEK: WMD Evidence Tampering (Week 2)
Tenet Points The Finger At Wolfowitz Ctte.
Not In Our Name Seeks Accountability
Katya Daily

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
On The Summit: NZ New World Netball Champions
Is The Govt To Back-Down Over Flatu-Tax?
At Least Five Years Of Legal Prostitution
Life For A Life: ACT
Nats Launch Sea Bed and Foreshore Website
Action Needed Over Lake Rotoiti Environmental Crisis
Investment Or Debt: Child Support Debt All Time High
Let’s Consider When Smacking Becomes Physical Abuse
GST Payments To TLA’s Clarified
Have Public Accountability Safeguards Been Dodged?
Hijacking Of ChCh Bus: Marc Makes A Point
Is Division And Separation Outcome Of Justice Hui?
Prebble’s The Letter Is In
Gang Shootout Highlights True Danger
Rotorua Schools At-Risk Joint Venture Announced

LEAD STORY:
The Death Of Dr David Kelly – Was It Really A Suicide?

- In the 48 hours since the death of UK WMD scientist David Kelly several key pieces of evidence concerning his final hours and frame of mind have now come to light. Notably they do not point to a seemingly suicidal or internally tortured end for the scientist who has taken to the grave the truth about his relationship with the UK PM's office and the alleged "sexing up" of Iraqi WMD intelligence. See... Dr Kelly's Final Hours Did Not Indicate Suicide [1] RELATED: - BBC - BBC Statement On Death Of David Kelly [2] - David Kelly - Examination Of Dr David Kelly July 15 [3] For MUCH more on this issue see… STORY OF THE WEEK: WMD Evidence Tampering (Week 2)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00165.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00275.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00254.htm

… Meanwhile Across The Atlantic, Another Suicide Is In The News

- Miquel Rodriguez, an assistant U.S. attorney who was hired by Kenneth Starr to conduct a grand jury investigation of Foster’s death, tells how Starr and others blocked his efforts to expose the cover-up of a murder by previous investigators. He resigned rather than participate in another cover-up. Vincent Foster Murder Evidence Released [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00277.htm

Wellingtonians March In Support Of GE Moratorium

- There was a upbeat and colourful march on Saturday through Wellington. Citizens banded together to say 'No to GE' and to make the moratorium permanent. See... Images: Wellingtonians March For GE Moratorium [1] . See also… Alliance Support For Wellington GE Rally [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0307/S00103.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0307/S00105.htm

NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00354.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0307/S00106.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0307/S00102.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0307/S00191.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0307/S00189.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0307/S00091.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0307/S00088.htm

GWB's Plans To Meet Abu Mazen Fail To Impress

- George Caesar, the Imperator of the new Rome, likes Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). He has invited him to the White House and showers him with compliments. See... Uri Avnery: Caesar's Favor [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00265.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

Middle East

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00272.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00267.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00261.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00270.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00255.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00274.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00273.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00271.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00266.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00251.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00269.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00260.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00268.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00259.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00258.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
US Election Scoop In The NZ Listener

- What do possible election fraud in the United States and a small, independent website based in New Zealand have in common? The word "scoop". See... Scoop Link: NZ Listener - Inside The Black Box [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00164.htm

US Election Scoop On PBS

- Another interesting story appeared this week in my inbox from New Zealand claiming that Diebold voting machines in the U.S. (Diebold apparently makes most of the voting machines used in the U.S.) have major security flaws that allow manipulation of elections. See... Scoop Link: Robert Cringely - Voter Flawed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00158.htm

Cheney Plans Iraq Carve Up Well Before The War

- Cheney Energy task force documents... contain a map of Iraqi oilfields, pipelines, refineries and terminals, as well as 2 charts detailing Iraqi oil and gas projects, and ''Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts.'' See... Cheney Task Force Docs: Maps Of Iraqi Oilfields [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00252.htm

BUY THIS! The Green Room 002

- LOOP Recordings Aot(ear)oa present: The Green Room 002: Wahine The second instalment in this series showcases the spirit and voices of women in NZ. See... The Green Room 002: Wahine [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0307/S00089.htm

Cartoon: The Village People Bring GWB On

- Cartoon by kiddmillennium.com… See... Kidd Millennium Cartoon: Macho Macho Man… [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00162.htm

Cartoon: Bliar Talks To The US Congress

- Cartoon By John Chuckman… See... Chuckman Cartoon: History Will Forgive Us [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00161.htm

Rohan Quinby On The ARC Rates Rise

- I am taking back all the good things that I have been saying about the Auckland Regional Council. At least, this Auckland Regional Council. They may just manage to set back the development of a comprehensive public transit network for another hundred years. See... ARC's Rates Risk Public Transit [1] . See also... Hard News 18/07/03 - Spinning The Rates Rise [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00159.htm
[2] - http://www.publicaddress.net/default,hardnews.sm#post544

STORY OF THE WEEK: WMD Evidence Tampering (Week 2) Tenet Points The Finger At Wolfowitz Ctte.

- When George Tenet, the director of the CIA, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee last week, he said an ad-hoc committee called the Office of Special Plans, headed by Wolfowitz, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith and other high-profile hawks rewrote the intelligence information on Iraq that the CIA gathered and gave it to White House officials to help Bush build a case for war, according to three Senators on the intelligence committee. See... Tenet - Wolfowitz Ctte. Gave Dubious Intelligence [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00157.htm

Not In Our Name Seeks Accountability

- A major news poll shows that 56% of Americans now stand with The Not In Our Name Project (NION) in believing that Bush administration officials were “hiding important elements of what they knew” or were “mostly lying” (CBS News, July 10th, 2003). See... NION Demands Bush Admin. Be Held Accountable [1] For MUCH more on this issue see… STORY OF THE WEEK: The Niger Row (Week 1) [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00250.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00163.htm

Katya Daily

- My hour will soon strike for the joy of many souls and the sorrow of others… My messages of love, preparing humanity to face with atonement and penitence the evil that is approaching, are neither heard nor put into practice. See... Katya Rivas: My Hour Will Soon Strike… [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0307/S00160.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0307/S00103.htm
IMAGES: Wellingtonians March For GE Moratorium

On The Summit: NZ New World Netball Champions

- Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard today congratulated the new world netball champions, the Silver Ferns, who fought hard to beat Australia in a heart-stopping final in Jamaica today. See... Congratulations to world champs Silver Ferns [1] ALSO: National’s Bill English - Congratulations Golden Ferns [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00367.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00370.htm

Is The Govt To Back-Down Over Flatu-Tax?

- The Government is set to back down on it proposed flatulence tax, says National's Agriculture Spokesperson David Carter says See... Labour will have to backtrack on flatulence tax [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00355.htm

At Least Five Years Of Legal Prostitution

- Comments by Women's Affairs Minister Ruth Dyson to a United Nations committee show the Government has no intention of reviewing the decriminalisation of prostitution for at least five years, National says. See... Breast feeding mum sells sex legally [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00354.htm

Life For A Life: ACT

- Wairarapa people are absolutely right to be outraged that mass murderer Raymond Ratima is eligible for a parole hearing - he was given a life sentence, and there is no reason why he should not remain locked up for life, ACT New Zealand Justice ... See... 'Life' Should Mean Just That [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00371.htm

Nats Launch Sea Bed and Foreshore Website

- In a bid to encourage more open debate on Maori claims to ownership of New Zealand's beaches and seabed, the National Party is launching a web-site that discusses the issue. See... No deals on beaches and seabed [1] ALSO: English - Labour misjudging beaches issue [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00369.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00353.htm

Action Needed Over Lake Rotoiti Environmental Crisis

- National Environment Spokesperson Nick Smith is asking the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment to intervene over a serious environmental crisis at Lake Rotoiti, which has been closed for public health reasons. See... National Asks For Intervention Over Lake Rotoiti [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00352.htm

Investment Or Debt: Child Support Debt All Time High

- ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today demanded to know what Labour intended to do about spiralling child support debt, which has now reached $711,000,000 - double the $350 million it was when Labour became Government. See... Child Support Debt Out Of Control [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00368.htm

Let’s Consider When Smacking Becomes Physical Abuse

- The Government must immediately repeal the Crimes Act section that lets parents physically punish their children, following a report showing child abuse is increasing, Green MP Sue Bradford said today. See... Report Highlights Smacking Provision Repeal Need [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00361.htm

GST Payments To TLA’s Clarified

- The government will introduce legislation to clarify GST law in relation to certain payments imposed by local authorities under the Resource Management Act, Revenue Minister Michael Cullen announced today. See... GST law on payments to local authorities [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00360.htm

Have Public Accountability Safeguards Been Dodged?

- National Party Leader Bill English says Helen Clark and Sports Minister Trevor Mallard ducked the proper checks when hatching the plan to spend nearly $34 million taxpayer dollars challenging for the America's Cup. See... Mallard bypasses checks on yacht race funding [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00358.htm

Hijacking Of ChCh Bus: Marc Makes A Point

- Last Friday a Christchurch bus carrying fourteen passengers was hijacked by a youth with a fake firearm. The police finally stormed the bus, bringing the 80-minute ordeal to a halt. See... Marc My Words [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00366.htm

Is Division And Separation Outcome Of Justice Hui?

- Government dithering on Maori issues is behind the weekend call for an separate Maori Law Commission, which would only drive New Zealand further down the road of division, says National's Justice spokesman Richard Worth. See... No case for Maori Law Commission [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00363.htm

Prebble’s The Letter Is In

- The Letter believes Bill English has the votes to suspend Maurice Williamson on Tuesday. There is no support for the Pakuranga MP who has been badmouthing not just Bill English, but also the caucus, all year. See... ACT's ''The Letter'' - Monday, 21 July [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00362.htm

Gang Shootout Highlights True Danger

- Last week’s rival gang shooting in the Bay of Plenty reminded New Zealanders of just how dangerous criminal gangs are. See... Gangs Gaining the Upper Hand [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00359.htm

Rotorua Schools At-Risk Joint Venture Announced

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced today that three Rotorua intermediate schools have been awarded funding for a joint project to help at-risk students who are not engaging in mainstream education. See... Fund supports Rotorua education project [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0307/S00356.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