Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 2 June 2004, 4:38 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: A Candid Interview With Uber-Reporter Robert Fisk
NZ Defence Helicopter Damaged During Arabian Sea Operation
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
UN Peacekeepers Begin Work In Haiti
Iraq's New Government Receives Annan's Blessing
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & More Is There!
Fighting Talk Digest
Martin LeFevre: Unmediated Perception
Ramzy Baroud: Rafah, Jenin, Khan Yunis, Zeitun
Wasserman: The Founding Fathers (& Mothers) Were Liberals
Ivan Eland: Courting Disaster In Iraq
Genevieve Cora Fraser: She Hid Her Sorrow
Bernard Weiner: The Peace Movement
Between The Lines: The Realities Of Iraq
Thom Hartmann: PNAC Pretensions At Empire Nothing New

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Brash - "NZ Not On Radar Screen" For US FTA
Budget 2004: ACT Leader Unsurprised At Absence Of Budget Bounce
Budget 2004: State Housing In Auckland
Court Fee Increases No Way To Justice
Smacking As A Child Health Issue
Brash Urged To Rein In Ryall On Police Confidence
Cullen Seeks Answers On National's Super Fund Policy
Progress On High Speed Internet Research Backbone
Franks Says Cullen Responsible For Activist Judicary
Maui Gas Agreement Reached
New NZ Contribution To Disarmament
New Plans For Waitaki Water Legislation

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

Anita McNaught Interviews Robert Fisk (Transcript)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00009.htm
Eating Media Lunch - Great Southern Television

LEAD STORY:
A Candid Interview With Uber-Reporter Robert Fisk

- " But we are doing everything wrong [in Iraq] ; everything we do is exacerbating this country towards what could be a civil war, which I suspect some people would like. It’s only a matter of time before we hear our leaders who led us into this appalling war say: We gave them every chance, but the people don’t deserve it. " See... Eating Media Lunch: Anita McNaught IVs Robert Fisk [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00009.htm

NZ Defence Helicopter Damaged During Arabian Sea Operation

- On 22 May the Seasprite helicopter onboard the frigate HMNZS Te Mana suffered damage during a routine engine run. Damage to the structure of the Seasprite occurred following the development of significant ground resonance vibration during this engine run. ... See... NZ Defence Seasprite Helicopter Damaged [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0406/S00025.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00012.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0406/S00010.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0406/S00007.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0406/S00019.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0406/S00008.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0406/S00021.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0406/S00017.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0406/S00016.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0406/S00014.htm

UN Peacekeepers Begin Work In Haiti

- The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which was formally launched today, will assist the people of Haiti on numerous levels in tackling the complex challenges they face, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today. See... UN Launches Peacekeeping Operation In Haiti [1] MORE: - Amnesty Intl. -Haiti: Protection of human rights essential [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00021.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00013.htm

Iraq's New Government Receives Annan's Blessing

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed the announcement of Iraq's interim government as "a new beginning," while calling for continued vigilance about the country's security situation. See… New Iraqi Government Marks New Start, Annan [1] MORE: - Governing Council Head Serves As Interim President [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00019.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00018.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00017.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00015.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00014.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00011.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00010.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00009.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0406/S00008.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & More Is There!

- It would seem counterintuitive - absurd, actually - that the Internet in New Zealand could become more expensive and less efficient, but that's an entirely likely outcome of the way its two biggest players, Telecom and TelstraClear, seemed poised to take ... See... Public Address 02/06/4 - Peers And Dominators [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00021.htm

Fighting Talk Digest

- The other week I got a phone call with the Good News. The Destiny New Zealand Political Party was coming to Wellington! Knowing, as they did, I wanted to live in a decent society but that looking at the TV I could see that this wasn't the case, they had ... See... Latest Fighting Talk From Fighting Talk [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00022.htm

Martin LeFevre: Unmediated Perception

- One of my sitting places is under a great sycamore on the banks of a small stream in the middle of expansive fields, with a view of the canyon and hills beyond town. See... Martin LeFevre: Unmediated Perception [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00020.htm

Ramzy Baroud: Rafah, Jenin, Khan Yunis, Zeitun

- Foreign sounding names of so distanced and disturbing a reality. All that we know of them is what media has selectively determined to impart, if we are interested to hear the story. See... Ramzy Baroud: Celebrating Life In Rafah [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00019.htm

Wasserman: The Founding Fathers (& Mothers) Were Liberals

- The rightist ''conservative'' media moguls who hate ''liberals'' actually hate a free America. Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, Hannity and O'Reilly, the Weekly Standard and Wall Street Journal---they all rant at some unspecified species allegedly left of center. See... Those Who Hate Liberals Really Hate A Free America [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00018.htm

Ivan Eland: Courting Disaster In Iraq

- President Bush’s strategy in Iraq is now clear. And I don’t mean the five-point rehash of existing platitudes found in his recent ''major'' speech at the Army War College. I’m talking about the real, behind-the-scenes plan. See... Ivan Eland: Bush's Real Strategy In Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00017.htm

Genevieve Cora Fraser: She Hid Her Sorrow

- A tribute to Palestinian artist Marie Jabaji Tamari, world renowned for her floral tapestries, photographed and published by Turbo Design and the Institute for Jerusalem Studies in "Spring is Here, Embroidered Flowers of the Palestinian Spring," text by Tania Tamari Nasir. See... Poem: Cloaked in Garments of a Palestinian Spring [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00016.htm

Bernard Weiner: The Peace Movement

- The speed with which the anti-war forces have coalesced and influenced the general mood of the country about Iraq has amazed the peace-movement. See... Quicker Than Vietnam, & "Worse Than Watergate" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00015.htm

Between The Lines: The Realities Of Iraq

- Bush "Stays Course" on Iraq Plan But Confronts Difficult Military and Political Reality - Interview with Wayne Madsen, investigative reporter, formerly with the National Security Agency, conducted by Scott Harris See... Wayne Madsen - Bush's Military & Political Reality [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00014.htm

Thom Hartmann: PNAC Pretensions At Empire Nothing New

- Having lived in Germany and extensively interviewed many (now elderly) former members of Hitler's Nazi Party (and one spy for him) for a book I was writing on the religion of the Nazis, I can say categorically that Hitler had (or at least his people believed he had) a Vision. See... The Choice Is Between Empire and Democracy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0406/S00013.htm

Finance Minister Michael Cullen Addresses The Media
http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=budget2004
Click for FULL COVERAGE BUDGET 2004

Brash - "NZ Not On Radar Screen" For US FTA

- After a meeting with US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in Washington today, National Party Leader Don Brash says it's clear New Zealand is not on the radar screen for a free trade deal with the US. See... Free trade discussed at Don Brash's US meetings [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00057.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK

Budget 2004: ACT Leader Unsurprised At Absence Of Budget Bounce - ACT Leader Richard Prebble said he was not surprised that the budget had failed to lift Labour's poll rating, and in fact, "I predicted it". See... Poll Shows Voters Not Fooled [1] MORE POST BUDGET VIEWS: - Don Brash - The Brash Report - No. 31, 2 June 2004 [2] - Jim Anderton - Anderton's Enews Covering 16 to 31 May 2004 [3] - Winston Peters -Working For The Real Economy [4] - Rodney Hide - Budget Turns $20 Hard Labour Into 16 Cents [5] - Michael Cullen - Michael Cullen Speech to CEO Club Function [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00047.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00051.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00017.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00043.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00041.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00034.htm

Budget 2004: State Housing In Auckland

- New funding provided in Budget 2004 will enable Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) to further increase the number of homes it is acquiring in the Auckland region, Housing Minister Steve Maharey announced today. See... State housing boost for Auckland announced [1] and Maharey Speech: Housing Aucklanders in need [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00037.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00038.htm

Court Fee Increases No Way To Justice

- The Government's decision to significantly increase court fees puts a lie to its promise to provide better access to justice, United Future justice spokesman Murray Smith said today. See... Smith: Raised court costs a mockery of justice [1] MORE: - National - Family Court fees hit vulnerable [2] - National - 450% increase in court fees is 'tax by stealth' [3] - Greens - Justice not blind, it comes in designer sunglasses [4] - NZ First - Government Prices Justice Off The Market [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00046.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00028.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00029.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00040.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00039.htm

Smacking As A Child Health Issue

- Physical punishment of children is associated with the development of antisocial behaviour in children, as well as poorer academic achievement and adjustment to school, according to a review of research by Otago University's Children's Issues Centre. See... Physical Punishment A Health Risk For Children [1] REACTION: - National - Give parenting back to parents [2] - Greens - Smacking report vindicates Greens’ call for change [3] - Govt. - Maharey corrects National’s misinformation [4] - United Future - Smith: Research proves odd, mild smack ok [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0406/S00011.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00052.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00055.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00059.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00056.htm

Brash Urged To Rein In Ryall On Police Confidence

- National Party leader Don Brash needs to tell New Zealanders whether the conservative party upholds the law or favours disorder, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today. See... National shouldn't pander to lawbreakers [1] . See also Tony Ryall... Confidence in police drops as tickets rise [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00050.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00032.htm

Cullen Seeks Answers On National's Super Fund Policy

Finance Minister Michael Cullen today challenged National finance spokesperson John Key to come clean on his plans for the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. See... Come clean, National [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00049.htm

Progress On High Speed Internet Research Backbone

- Research, Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson today announced the next phase in the development of a super high speed internet link between universities and research organisations in New Zealand and overseas. See... Govt announces spur-high-speed research internet [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00045.htm

Franks Says Cullen Responsible For Activist Judicary

- While Deputy Prime Minister Dr Michael Cullen may have correctly woken up to the risks of judicial activism, he is responsible for inviting the judges to make law, ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks said today. See... Cullen In A Glasshouse [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00042.htm

Maui Gas Agreement Reached

- The Crown has reached an agreement with other parties to the Maui gas contracts that will ensure gas reserves from the Maui field are maximised, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said today. See... Maui gas agreement improves energy security [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00036.htm

New NZ Contribution To Disarmament

- New Zealand is taking further steps to help stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, Foreign Minister Phil Goff and Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Marian Hobbs announced today. See... Further NZ contribution to disarmament [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00024.htm

New Plans For Waitaki Water Legislation

- The government has decided on a way forward with its special Waitaki Catchment legislation, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs announced today. See... Government announces way forward for Waitaki Bill [1] MORE: - NZ First - New Zealand First Hopeful On Waitaki Bill [2] - United Future - Baldock: UF backs Waitaki catchment Bill [3] - Greens - Waitaki changes don't get Govt off the hook [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00020.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00035.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00022.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0406/S00018.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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