Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics (Hello 2004!!!)

Friday, 16 January 2004, 3:49 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

NOTE TO EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS: Happy New Year everybody! And welcome back to Scoop's daily email news headline service. Full normal services resume as of today, though a look at the site will confirm that many NZers (and politicians) remain on holiday still. Cabinet will be back at work on the ninth floor of the Beehive from next Tuesday. Meanwhile the team hear at Scoop are looking forward to providing an even better service this year than we have provided over the last four - The Scoop Team

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
UK Peace Activist Tom Hurndall Dies
'P' Concern Tops New Year Agenda In Parliament
NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Amnesty Targets Cuba’s Clampdown on Internet Access
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
EDITORIAL: Pro-Nuke Pro ‘Preventative War’ Cost Of U.S./NZ Free Trade Deal
Stateside: Where Rosalea Gets Metaphysical About The Moon
Hard News & More Is There!
Meditations: Descartes Was Wrong
Norma Sherry On The Patriot Act & The New Year
Cartoons….
Paul O'Neill To Go Into Hiding After Outing Bush
Why Blair Is In Bush's Pocket – PINR Explains
Cochabamba vs NYC - The Christmas Difference
Democrats Missing The Point On Black Box Voting
UQ Wire: John Buchanan The Republican Who Roared
MORE HOLIDAY PERIOD COLUMNS:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Cullen Urged To Explain His Dollar Options – Again
Coddington Vs Maharey On Maori Special Tertiary Ed. Grants
Cyclone Victims Should Play Ball Before Getting Assistance – ACT
The Kids Are Allright - Maharey
Taupo Land Occupation A Harbinger - Ryall
Brothel Keeper Privacy Hypocritical
Police Too Busy To Help Asian Students
Law Still Soft On Child Porn Users - United
PM Accused Of Stealth Republicanism
NZ Should Reexamine US Supply Flights To Oz Via Chch

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=israelpalestine
UK Peace Activist Tom Hurndall Dies

LEAD STORY:
UK Peace Activist Tom Hurndall Dies

- You may have already heard that Tom Hurndall died this evening. His family and supporters have called for a vigil outside Downing Street tomorrow, Wednesday, at 5.30pm (G.M.Time). Bring candles, placards, media. See... Peace Vigils Worldwide Morn Tom Hurndall’s Death [1] ALSO: Thomas Hurndall died this past evening [2] - UK Mother Writes: The Israeli Army Shot My Son [3] - Update On Tul Karem Refugee Camp Invasion [4] - FULL COVERAGE:Scoop feature: Israel/Palestine Crisis

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00105.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00103.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00094.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00104.htm

'P' Concern Tops New Year Agenda In Parliament

- Government-funded research and programmes designed to reduce drug problems in society would be decimated in the unlikely event that the National Party ever found itself in a position to implement its promise to hand out large tax cuts for the rich, Progressive Party leader, Jim Anderton said today. See... Nat's Tax Cuts Would Cut Ability To Combat Drugs [1] MORE: - National - Enough talk - "P" trade must be smashed [2] - ACT - Labour Fails To Protect Public From Drug 'P' [3] - United Future - Drugs survey another nail in Greens' coffin [4] - Greens - Greens urge methamphetamine inquiry [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00100.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00096.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00101.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00091.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00098.htm

NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0401/S00062.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0401/S00017.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0401/S00016.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0401/S00045.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0401/S00014.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0401/S00012.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0401/S00038.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0401/S00037.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0401/S00044.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0401/S00017.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0401/S00035.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0401/S00012.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0401/S00045.htm

Amnesty Targets Cuba’s Clampdown on Internet Access

- Amnesty International today expressed concern at the impact on freedom of expression and information of Cuba's new law restricting internet access. See... Cuba: Further bans on freedom of expression [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00100.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

Israel Further Restricts Visitors To Palestinian Territories - The Israeli Military has imposed new restrictions on visitors to the Palestinian Territories. Visitors to the West Bank and Gaza Strip are now required to apply for permission and obtain written authorization from the Civil Administration. See… Israel's Restrictions Further Isolate Palestinians [1] MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00097.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00101.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00099.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00098.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00093.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0401/S00091.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
EDITORIAL: Pro-Nuke Pro ‘Preventative War’ Cost Of U.S./NZ Free Trade Deal

- New Zealand’s nuclear free policy is the first rung of a long ladder leaning toward securing a free trade deal with the U.S. Most certainly NZ will also be required to embrace the international law breaking U.S. policy of ‘Pre-emptive Defence’. See... Accepting PreEmptive Defence Cost Of U.S. FTA Deal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00033.htm

Stateside: Where Rosalea Gets Metaphysical About The Moon

- Many moons ago, when I was let go by TVNZ (like, who hasn't been?), I chose the bag containing some career counseling instead of the money. I discovered that I have no ambition, dislike responsibility, but like to do a job that very few people do. ... See... Stateside: What Does It Mean For Me, Me, Me? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00039.htm

Hard News & More Is There!

- Anybody else caught the Maori Television Service showreel on channel 33 on Sky Digital? Anybody else think that, on that showing, MTS will be well worth a look? I'm glad they've made the decision to produce popular television: Marae DIY and all... See... Public Address 15/01/04 - Fun And Games [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00049.htm

Meditations: Descartes Was Wrong

- He should have said: I think, and therefore I am divided. Then perhaps the world would not be so divided between East and West, North and South, Christianity and Islam. See... Martin LeFevre: Dissolving the Roots of Division [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00044.htm

Norma Sherry On The Patriot Act & The New Year

- Art often imitates life. If you happened to watch a recent episode of 'The Practice', than you got a fair dose of reality. I could feign superiority and tell you it was quite by accident that I tuned in, but the truth is since Sharon Stone opened the new season with James Spader I became a new devotee. See... Norma Sherry: Truth is Stranger Than Fiction [1] . See also more Norma… Norma Sherry: I Believe [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00041.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00047.htm

Cartoons….

- See… Kidd Millennium Cartoon: Bin Forgot [1] , Chuckman Cartoon: There Goes The Neighbourhood [2] and Kidd Millennium Cartoon: A Message From Mars [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00056.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00054.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00051.htm

Paul O'Neill To Go Into Hiding After Outing Bush

- Former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill announced Wednesday that he would be undergoing plastic surgery and entering the Federal Witness Protection Program before he finds himself "sleeping with the fishes." See... O'Neill To Enter Witness Protection Program [1] MORE ON THE O'NEILL SHOCKER: - Jason Leopold - O’Neill’s Claims Against Bush Supported By Letters [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00053.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00046.htm

Why Blair Is In Bush's Pocket – PINR Explains

- One of the results of al-Qaeda's unprecedented terrorist attack on the United States in September of 2001 was to thrust the United Kingdom into a new and conspicuous geopolitical role. See... Power & Interest News Rept: The U.S.-U.K. Alliance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00052.htm

Cochabamba vs NYC - The Christmas Difference

- A couple of weeks ago I was in New York, walking up a snowbound Fifth Avenue and watching the holiday season in the USA in full bloom - the neck-twistingly tall tree in Rockefeller Center adorned with enough lights to replace the stars… See... The Ten Differences Of Christmas (Bolivia vs USA) [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00050.htm

Democrats Missing The Point On Black Box Voting

- There's something strange going on in the Democratic Party. While George Bush's buddies dominate the vote counting business with no apologies to anyone about this rather incredible conflict-of-interest, Democrats are sending mixed signals on this continuing train wreck for democracy. See... Dems Mixed Signals in Voting Technology Debate [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00048.htm

UQ Wire: John Buchanan The Republican Who Roared

- I stand before you today less as a candidate and more as a messenger and the message I bear is simple and stark. We have all been lied to about 9/11, the country is in mortal danger and only you can make it right. See... UQ Wire: "They wanted it to happen" - J. Buchanan [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00045.htm

MORE HOLIDAY PERIOD COLUMNS:

- John Chuckman - President From Podunk Drilling Inc. [1] - Ramzy Baroud - What Invaders Have in Common [2] - Bernard Weiner - Inside Karl Rove's Diary [3] - Jason Leopold - Bush Should Be Facing ‘A Long, Hard Slog’ [4] - Manuel Valenzuela - Decline and Failure of U.S.-Imposed Capitalism in Latin America [5] - Dr. Ilan Kelman - Disaster Diplomacy is Dead! Long live Diplomacy! [6] - John Roughan - Honiara, the Country's First Classroom! [7] - Lea Barker - Attack of the PAC Women [8] - Lea Barker - Stateside with Rosalea: On Being An Immigrant [9]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00055.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00043.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00042.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00040.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00036.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00038.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00037.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00034.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00020.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00035.htm
Black Caps Captain Flemming works with key batter McMillian on his form - Scoop Image: Nelson Park Napier.

Cullen Urged To Explain His Dollar Options – Again

- National Party Leader Don Brash says the pressure is increasing on Finance Minister Michael Cullen to explain the so-called 'options' he talked about for controlling the New Zealand dollar. See... More pressure on Michael Cullen to explain options [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00097.htm

Coddington Vs Maharey On Maori Special Tertiary Ed. Grants

- ACT New Zealand Tertiary Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington today accused the Labour Government of promoting racial inequities by continuing its practice of preferential funding for select ethnic groups in tertiary institutions. See... Labour Promotes Racial Inequities? Again [1] and Coddington Corrected On Maori Supplementary Grants [2] . See also NZUSA... Funding for Maori and Pasifika students [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00089.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00099.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0401/S00016.htm

Cyclone Victims Should Play Ball Before Getting Assistance – ACT

- ACT New Zealand Associate Commerce Spokesman Stephen Franks today renewed his call for Foreign Minister Phil Goff to assure New Zealand taxpayers that Niue doesn't bite the hand that feeds it, before its spends tens of millions of dollars restoring the living standards of 1700 Niueans. See... Goff Must Explain Niue's Spending Proposals [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00095.htm

The Kids Are Allright - Maharey

- Students are reaping the advantages of New Zealand’s buoyant employment market and are being placed into summer jobs of longer duration, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today. See... Great summer for student employment [1] and NZUSA…Benefit should be there for students who need it [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00093.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0401/S00017.htm

Taupo Land Occupation A Harbinger - Ryall

- National Party Law and Order spokesman Tony Ryall says the intimidation of Taupo residents by Maori occupying a lakeside reserve is likely to be the first of many such cases. See... Taupo intimidation case the first of many [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00092.htm

Brothel Keeper Privacy Hypocritical

- Hypocrisy, secrecy and double standards are already showing through as the first licences are being handed out to brothel-keepers under the Prostitution Reform Act, United Future's Gordon Copeland said today. See... No-names a mockery of 'straight' business claims [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00090.htm

Police Too Busy To Help Asian Students

- A report that international students have been denied police assistance comes as no surprise to Pansy Wong MP, National's Asian Relationships spokesperson. See... Inaction by stretched police no surprise to MP [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00087.htm

Law Still Soft On Child Porn Users - United

- The fact that only eight of 26 people convicted of child pornography offences in New Zealand last year were jailed indicates that the full seriousness of such crimes is not being reflected by the judiciary, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today. See... Eight jail terms for child porn not enough [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00084.htm

PM Accused Of Stealth Republicanism

- Discarding the Crown from the Army's crest is just another example of the Government's republicanism by stealth in action, says National's Constitutional Affairs spokesman Dr Wayne Mapp.See... PM pushing republicanism by stealth [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00083.htm

NZ Should Reexamine US Supply Flights To Oz Via Chch

- The Green Party wants New Zealand to re-examine the use of the Harewood base at Christchurch airport for US supply flights to Pine Gap, in light of Australia buying into"Star Wars". See... Green MPs protest Star Wars link [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0401/S00082.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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