Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 13 October 2003, 4:10 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
OIA Request Reveals Widespread GE Crop Trials Loom
Thousands Demand NZ Must Stay GE Free – FULL COVERAGE
The Supreme Court Battle Is Rejoined
NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:
Amnesty Details Day Against The Death Penalty
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Uri Avnery: Protecting Arafat On The Day Of Atonement
The Latest From Public Address
Thailand Execution Method Switch
Stateside: Arnold The Anointed?
Meditations (Politics): Why Not Elect Oprah Too?
UQ Wire: Breaking Sidney's Book
John Roughan: Silence In The Solomons
Jay Shaft: U.S. Soldiers Speak About Iraq Part One
Chuckman Cartoon: Desperate In America
Satire: The Rush Limbaugh Dittohead/Lemming Nexus
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Govt Rolls Out Road Safety Package
Transport Management Bill Returns With Mixed Reviews
Inaugural Children's Food Awards This Thursday
Parole Problems Continue
Maori DPB Statistics Greeted With Two Interpretations
U2 Can Chat With Pete Hodgson Online This Wednesday
ACT's Latest Letter From Wellington
Family Court Changes Just Window Dressing - Opposition
Winston The Wolf And Annual Leave
Sir Robert Jones' Former Mates Urged To Step Up
Labour's TV Changes Turning Off Viewers
Toll Holdings Tranz Rail Decisions Welcomed

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00098.htm
Thousands March Against GE Around New Zealand

LEAD STORY:
OIA Request Reveals Widespread GE Crop Trials Loom

- Information released under an official information act request shows New Zealand could see hundreds of acres of GE crop trials within a year, putting the lie to government and industry claims that "nothing will happen" if the moratorium on GE is not extended. See... Revealed: Hundreds of Acres of GE trials Planned [1] . See also Greens... Hobbs' claim GE will fund health & ed "bizarre" [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0310/S00088.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00242.htm

Thousands Demand NZ Must Stay GE Free – FULL COVERAGE

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00097.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0310/S00086.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0310/S00092.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00098.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0310/S00035.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00095.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00096.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00093.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00094.htm

The Supreme Court Battle Is Rejoined

- The Green Party today accused right wing political parties of attempting to sacrifice access to justice, as well as accuracy, in their campaign to retain appeals to the Privy Council. See... Misinformation ruling Supreme Court debate [1] MORE: - NZ First - Privy Council Referendum [2] - United Future - Dunne rebuts ACT lie [3] - United Future - Smith: Supreme cynicism from Greens [4] - ACT - ACT Opposes The Politicisation Of New Zealand Courts [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00271.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00261.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00270.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00268.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00267.htm

NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0310/S00044.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0310/S00052.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0310/S00049.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0310/S00053.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0310/S00059.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0310/S00087.htm

Amnesty Details Day Against The Death Penalty

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0310/5533ca9b1cf7c5ee0cb4.jpeg
IMAGE: Focus On Day Against Death Penalty

- Thousands of men and women are on death rows around the world, waiting to be executed by the state. Amnesty Internationals members are constantly writing to governments raising theirs concerns, calling for the prisoners death sentences to be commuted. See... Death Penalty: Cases and developments 2003 [1] ALSO: World Day Against the Death Penalty [2] - EU reaffirms position against the death penalty [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00104.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00103.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00101.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

Middle East

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00109.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00108.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00107.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00106.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00105.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00102.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0310/S00100.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Uri Avnery: Protecting Arafat On The Day Of Atonement

- The most dramatic moment arrived in the evening after Yom Kippur. See... Uri Avnery: Living Shield [1] See also... Guest Opinion: Redeeming The 'Promised Land' [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00104.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00067.htm

The Latest From Public Address

- I was unhappy to learn that author Michael King has cancer. See... Public Address 13/10/03 - Voices [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00110.htm

Thailand Execution Method Switch

- Thailand - This majority Buddhist nation will soon legally kill people by pumping chemicals into their veins instead of shooting them when Bangkok switches later this month to lethal injection, a change condemned by Amnesty International. See... Thailand Switches To Lethal Injection Oct 19 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00109.htm

Stateside: Arnold The Anointed?

- One of the comments that caught my ear during the Governor-elect's ride on a white steed to save California from itself was Schwarzenegger's comment as he left his polling place. Asked how he felt, he said he felt fine and that now everything was in God's hands. See... Stateside: The Man On The White Horse [1] . MORE RECALL RESULT COMMENTARY: - Kidd Millennium - Cartoon: Squeeze Play [2] - John Chuckman - John Chuckman: Cloud-Cuckoo-Land [3] - Jason Leopold - Jason Leopold: From Terminator To Deregulator [4] - Russell Brown - Hard News 09/10/03 - Power craziness [5] - Daniel Patrick Welch - Daniel Patrick Welch: Stay In Bed [6] - Reader Opinion - The fun is over for Arnold [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00107.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00103.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00101.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00087.htm
[5] - http://publicaddress.net/default,hardnews.sm#post749
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00075.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00070.htm

Meditations (Politics): Why Not Elect Oprah Too?

- ''If Arnold Schwarzenegger can be elected governor of California, then Oprah Winfrey can be elected president of the United States.'' So reasons, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Michael Moore. See... Martin LeFevre: American Might and Blight [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00108.htm

UQ Wire: Breaking Sidney's Book

- I am beginning to despise reading. I have lost count of the number of times I have read some passage in a politically-oriented book, and then been uncontrollably motivated to hurl said book against a wall or across the room in fury. See... UQ Wire: The Sins of September 11 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00111.htm

John Roughan: Silence In The Solomons

Part of the fall out from our last five years of social unrest is to deepen the custom of our people keeping quiet when things go wrong. In fact, the greater the crime, the deeper the silence. See... John Roughan: Silence Is Health! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00106.htm

Jay Shaft: U.S. Soldiers Speak About Iraq Part One

- I had the unique opportunity to interview five US military servicemen who just got back from Iraq, or in the case of two men, corresponded with their wives so that I could ask questions of these soldiers by mail. See... US Soldiers to America: Bring Us Home Now [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00105.htm

Chuckman Cartoon: Desperate In America

- Two cartoons by John Chuckman See... Chuckman Cartoons: Wesley Clark In His Own Words [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00102.htm

Satire: The Rush Limbaugh Dittohead/Lemming Nexus

- Nationwide-- In a tragic, unexpected consequence of Rush Limbaugh's admission on Friday that he is addicted to pain pills and has been for the last five years, 47 Rush Limbaugh fans, self-described "Dittoheads," have overdosed on Limbaugh's drug of choice. See... 'Dittoheads' Dead After Overdosing On Oxycontin [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00100.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- I shall exalt the humble and lead him straight to the end of his weariness, without him knowing the qualities that he comes to acquire on the road to the perfect light. See... Katya Rivas: Love and Humility [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00099.htm

Govt Rolls Out Road Safety Package

- The direction for policies to make our roads safer has been spelled out in Road Safety to 2010, released today by the Transport Minister Paul Swain. See... "Road Safety to 2010" released [1] ALSO: - Action needed on road toll 3 Es of road safety [2] - Road Safety Committee welcomes Road Safety Strat [3] - Road Safety Strategy 2010 Weak Says AA [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00254.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00253.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0310/S00094.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0310/S00093.htm

Transport Management Bill Returns With Mixed Reviews

- National Party Transport spokesman Roger Sowry says the much-lauded Land Transport Management Bill is unlikely to provide the magic bullet answer for the country's urgent roading needs. See... Transport Bill fails to go the distance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00266.htm

Inaugural Children's Food Awards This Thursday

- The 2003 New Zealand Children's Food Awards will be held this Thursday, October 16, in the Grand Hall of Parliament House from 11am to 12.30pm. See... Inaugural Children's Food Awards this Thursday [1] and Alexander: And the winner is ... rhubarb! [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00265.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00233.htm

Parole Problems Continue

- The Government is continuing to blindly ignore that its parole laws are far too weak, with the case of a convicted murderer raping a woman within a month of being paroled, says National Police Spokesman Tony Ryall. See... Parole legislation too weak [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00264.htm

Maori DPB Statistics Greeted With Two Interpretations

- Worrying new figures show Maori make up more than 40% of those receiving the DPB, says National Party Welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich. See... New statistics show Labour is failing Maori [1] and the Govt. response… No surge in Maori domestic purposes beneficiaries [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00257.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00263.htm

U2 Can Chat With Pete Hodgson Online This Wednesday

For those who joined us last week, you will be aware that Annette King chatted on line. See... Live Chat with Pete Hodgson - Wednesday 7pm [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00262.htm

ACT's Latest Letter From Wellington

- At midday today there was the first ever joint press conference of the leaders of the centre right parties. See... ACT's The Letter - 13 October 2003 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00260.htm

Family Court Changes Just Window Dressing - Opposition

- ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today labelled proposed changes to the Family Court as nothing more than window-dressing, and accused the Government of just fiddling round the edges rather than addressing the real issue. See... Remove The Family Court Shroud Of Secrecy [1] and Tinkering won't fix Family Court woes [2] . For the announcement see... Govt proposes new initiatives for the Family Court [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00259.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00255.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00251.htm

Winston The Wolf And Annual Leave

- Instead of attacking new New Zealanders, what about something constructive like four weeks' leave? See... Peters and the wolf [1] , Peters Challenge Should Back A Four Week Holiday [2] and some vintage Peters in full howl… Peters Speech: NZ First Convention [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00258.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00247.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00248.htm

Sir Robert Jones' Former Mates Urged To Step Up

- ACT MP Deborah Coddington is seeking to contact anyone who was involved in the setting up of, or standing for, The New Zealand Party which was founded by Sir Robert Jones in 1983. See... Calling All Former New Zealand Party People [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00256.htm

Labour's TV Changes Turning Off Viewers

- The Government must pull the plug on charter TV following a slump in ratings, a drastic dip in the annual dividend and yet another scandal surrounding Brian Edwards, according to National Party Broadcasting spokeswoman Katherine Rich. See... Labour TV turns viewers off in droves [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00244.htm

Toll Holdings Tranz Rail Decisions Welcomed

- “New Zealand is now on track for a better, safer rail system,” Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Transport Minister Paul Swain said today of Toll Holdings’ decision to proceed with the acquisition of Tranz Rail. See... On track for a better, safer rail network [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0310/S00237.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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