Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics (Friday 4/2)

Monday, 7 February 2005, 1:07 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Hawkins Hit Out At Time Magazine Paedophile Article
Matt Robson: Our Man In Havana
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
STORY OF THE WEEK: Meditations On The Iraq Election
SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II: The Battle Of Ohio Rages On

SCOOP COLUMNS:
The Week In Parliament With Kevin List
Hard News & More Is There!
St Molesworth On Why Jonathan Hunt Is Great
Kamala Sarup On The Crisis In Her Homeland
Simon Pound: Being PC-Free In Grey-Lynn
Sam Smith On The Myth Of Capitalism
'Texan' Thaksin Shinawatra Seeks A New Mandate
Majorie Cohn Reports On The Hope Of Porto Alegre
A Kansan Septuagenarian On Social Security Reform
Sonia Nettnin: What Comes Next In Palestine?

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Government Forced To Dig Deep For Judy Bailey's Pay Rise
Scoop Was In The House
Progressive Party Heralds Extra School Social Workers
Greens Unphased By Power Blackout Threat
Marc Alexander Gives His Views On Other Political Parties
The PM And Richard Worth Have One Thing In Common
Green Party Accuses National MP Of Being Sympathetic To Maori
John Key Concerned By Australian Tax Cutting
Ken Shirley Packs Bags For Waitangi
Scandinavia Leaves United Future MP Cold
Former PM Still Finds Time For Legislation
Peter Dunne Gets To Head Constitutional Select Committee
Prince Charles Comes Down Under In March

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

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http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0502/3325e9cfd4ce8004c500.jpeg
Beijing's New Year Gift To Wellington

LEAD STORY:
Hawkins Hit Out At Time Magazine Paedophile Article

- The Minister of Police, George Hawkins, completely rejects the assertion made in Time magazine that NZ has a weak anti-child pornography regime. "Our policing of this pernicious and immoral trade is second to none – and we certainly aren't a haven for paedophiles," said Mr Hawkins. See... Minister happy with thorough inquiry [1] MORE: - ACT - Labour makes NZ "haven for paedophiles" [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00103.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00084.htm

Matt Robson: Our Man In Havana

- Whilst politicians in New Zealand gnash their teeth about the unemployed, Progressive MP Matt Robson has been studying a country with little unemployment, tough crime policies and excellent education and health care – could this fair land be the inspiration for NZ politicians? See…robson-on-politics 4 February [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00118.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00049.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00048.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00047.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00046.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00045.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00044.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00043.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00042.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00039.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00038.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK: Meditations On The Iraq Election

- The pictures of joyous Iraqis voting in their first election after American forces deposed the tyrant Saddam Hussein were heartwarming and heart wrenching. How painfully they contrast with the Conduit-in-Chief’s State of the Union address… See... Meditations (Politics): Freedom and Entanglement [1] MORE ELECTION COMMENTARY: - Michel Chossudovsky - Disinformation On Voter Turnout In Iraqi Elections [2] - P. Buchanan - Nationalism & Pragmatism In Iraq’s Election [3] - W. David Jenkins: Looking Past The Ink [4] - What They're Not Telling You About the 'Election' [5] - Ivan Eland: Are Iraqi Elections a Panacea? [6] - William Rivers Pitt: The Story of the Ghost [7] - Russell Brown - HARD NEWS 01/02/05 - A new chapter [8] - Freepressed.com - Saddam Requests Recount In Battleground Provinces [9] For Much More See… Elections In Iraq (Part 1) [10] & (Part 2)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00058.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00054.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00041.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00044.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00026.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00022.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00011.htm
[8] - http://publicaddress.net/default,1828.sm#post1828
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00009.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0501/S00288.htm

SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II: The Battle Of Ohio Rages On

- Ohio Attorney-General's attack on election protection attorneys draws mountain of documentation on state's stolen election, including new study on exit polls. See... A Mountain Of Docs On Ohio's Stolen Election [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00049.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00062.htm
The Week In Politics – Katherine Rich & More

SCOOP COLUMNS:
The Week In Parliament With Kevin List

- The peace and good will of the Christmas season evaporated in a storm of hysterical speeches in Parliament and rancid recriminations following yet another Dr Don Brash, Orewa speech. See... A Mean Spirited First Week Back At Parliament [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00062.htm

Hard News & More Is There!

- Readers outside Auckland may have taken the icons of weeping grey cloud which have signified Auckland's week on the MetService site as an indication that the weather has, in fact, been cr*p... See... Public Address 04/03/05 - Fog Of Summer [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00060.htm

St Molesworth On Why Jonathan Hunt Is Great

- Top 10 reasons Jonathan Hunt qualifies as one the 20 greatest living New Zealanders. See... Top 10 Reasons Jonathan Hunt Qualifies As Great [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00059.htm

Kamala Sarup On The Crisis In Her Homeland

- "We (India) will continue to support the restoration of political stability and economic prosperity in Nepal, a process which requires reliance on the forces of democracy and the support of the people of Nepal," emphasized the Foreign Ministry. See... Kamala Sarup: Crisis In Nepal [1] MORE: - His Majesty The King Of Nepal Makes The Right Move [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00056.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00061.htm

Simon Pound: Being PC-Free In Grey-Lynn

- There are a few sure-fire ways to spoil a nice Grey-Lynn dinner party. I’d say that there are four topics that are certain, certain, to upset the mood and leave fellow guests thinking that you are a baby-eating, male (a term often wielded as an insult) ... See... Simon Pound: How To Become A Pariah In Grey-Lynn [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00052.htm

Sam Smith On The Myth Of Capitalism

- The economies of developed countries no longer demand the amount of work by most of their citizens that helped to create the myth of capitalism. Changes in technology, outsourcing, and labor intensiveness have made and will continue to make a growing ... See... The Pariah Economy & The Rise Of Social Bigotry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00057.htm

'Texan' Thaksin Shinawatra Seeks A New Mandate

- BANGKOK, Thailand -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra boasts he and U.S. President George Bush "are both Texans" and following the success of his superpower ally, expects to be re-elected on Sunday (Feb. 6). See... 'Texan' Thai PM Plans To Follow In Bush Footsteps [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00055.htm

Majorie Cohn Reports On The Hope Of Porto Alegre

- The Fifth Annual World Social Forum (WSF) held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from January 26-31 garnered almost no media coverage in the United States. Timed to coincide with the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the WSF drew 155,000 activists from ... See... Marjorie Cohn: Another World Is Possible [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00053.htm

A Kansan Septuagenarian On Social Security Reform

- In the public debate over the proposed ''reform'' of Social Security, the Democrats are being accused of ''trying to scare the old folks'' by opposing the eventual destruction of the most successful social program in our history. See... Mary Pitt: America's Seniors Are Not Cowards [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00051.htm

Sonia Nettnin: What Comes Next In Palestine?

- Recently, I saw Jean-Luc Godard’s latest film, ''Notre Musique.'' Godard provides an innovative, cinematic view of violence and war against ethnic groups and indigenous people. He includes the Palestinians. See... Israel-Palestine Conflict – What’s Really Next? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00050.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00032.htm
Address In Reply - Nine Leaders, Nine Speeches

Government Forced To Dig Deep For Judy Bailey's Pay Rise

- "Labour is so desperate to make its prescriptive charter work that it is throwing more money at the same organisation that the public has come to associate with a culture of extravagance," says National Party Broadcasting spokeswoman.See... TVNZ feasts at taxpayer expense [1] MORE: - ACT - TVNZ funding Labour election year ploy [2] - Govt - Govt. sets direction for future of broadcasting [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00121.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00105.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00102.htm

Scoop Was In The House

– For Thursday's Q&A see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 3 Feb. 2005 [1] . Wednesday's see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer - 2 February [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00090.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00061.htm

Progressive Party Heralds Extra School Social Workers

- "Four Hornby area schools are soon to get the services of a dedicated social worker. That's good news for roughly 600 students attending Hornby Primary, Gilberthorpe, Sockburn, and St Bernadette's schools," Jim Anderton, Progressive MP for Wigram said ... See... More social workers for Christchurch schools [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00123.htm

Greens Unphased By Power Blackout Threat

- Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says Transpower is scare mongering with its claims that Auckland will face blackouts if its proposed new giant transmission lines are not built. See... Transpower Scare Mongering With Blackout Claim [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00120.htm

Marc Alexander Gives His Views On Other Political Parties

- Another year and sets of fresh statistics are in the making. As a society that is often introspective, we seem very keen on the numbers for everything, whether it's the inflation rate, crime rate or sport scores. See... Marc My Words - 4 February 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00115.htm

The PM And Richard Worth Have One Thing In Common

- Kilimanjaro There are seven summits in the world which draw climbers to them. They are Everest, McKinley, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Vinson, Kosciusko, and Kilimanjaro. I was beaten back on Aconcagua in 2002 because of the snow and an unfulfilled ambition. See... News Worthy - 4 February 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00114.htm

Green Party Accuses National MP Of Being Sympathetic To Maori

- The Greens are delighted that National appears to be championing Maori customary rights over the foreshore and seabed. See... Greens applaud Nat support of Maori rights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00113.htm

John Key Concerned By Australian Tax Cutting

- National Party Finance spokesman John Key says New Zealand risks losing more skilled labour and investment to Australia, given the news from across the Tasman that further tax breaks are planned for workers. See... NZ at risk as Australia looks at cutting taxes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00112.htm

Ken Shirley Packs Bags For Waitangi

- ACT Whip Ken Shirley today said he was pleased to respond to the invitation from Eruera Taurua and Te Hapae Ashby to represent ACT at the political forum at Te Tiriti O Waitangi Marae on Saturday at 2pm. See... Shirley attends Waitangi celebrations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00111.htm

Scandinavia Leaves United Future MP Cold

- Prime Minister Helen Clark can cite Scandinavian models all she likes, but for many parents something is rotten in the state of Denmark with the Government's "clinical" approach to families, United Future deputy leader Judy Turner said today. See... 'Clinical' Govt has no feel for families [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00110.htm

Former PM Still Finds Time For Legislation

- Sir Geoffrey Palmer has been appointed as Chair of the committee. Other new appointments are: See... New Legislation Advisory Committee appointments [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00109.htm

Peter Dunne Gets To Head Constitutional Select Committee

- United Future leader Peter Dunne was today elected chair of Parliament’s constitutional arrangements select committee. See... Dunne elected constitutional committee chair [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00068.htm

Prince Charles Comes Down Under In March

- Its time to dust off your Union Jacks and practice singing 'Land of Hope and Glory' as the future King of England will be gracing Otago, Wellington and Auckland with his presence in early March. See... PM announces visit by Prince of Wales [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00101.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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