Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics
TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Howard Bullies NZ and PIF Into Taking West Papua Off Agenda
PC Eradication Blitzkreig Results In Friendly Fire Casualty
Up Go Mortgage Rates For Christmas – Bollard Raises OCR
Brash Keeps Key And English Close To Him In Opposition Reshuffle
Think About Your Animals On Guy Fawkes Night: SPCA
Kiwi Dancers Off For Hard Out Month In Blighty
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES
'Naki Locals Sort Out What the Soviet Army Couldn't
SCOOP REPORT
We’ve Got Mail – Are Your Thoughts And Opinions In This Lot?
MORE SCOOP REPORTS
Greenpeace Disappointed With Conclusion Of Pacific Forum
MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
SCOOP COLUMNS:
Russell Brown: Groupthink Comedy
Howard Laws to Ban You from Criticising Australia
Out There… Brian Carter’s The Night Sky
Thai PM Tells Islamic Conf. Official To Read Koran
William Rivers Pitt: As The Plamegate Waiting Game Drags On…
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY
OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Pamphlets That 'Delighted' Don Brash Lead To Police Investigation
Government Minister's Party Wants to Sit with Opposition
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES
POLITICAL COLUMNS
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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
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Howard Bullies NZ and PIF Into Taking West Papua Off Agenda
Scoop Report by Alastair Thompson in PNG [1] - According to NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark The Pacific Forum leaders did not discuss the controversial issue of West Papua at their summit in Madang, in spite of an expectation before the forum by both herself and the Secretary General that they would do so. The news will be a blow to the Free West Papua movement who are staging a rally today outside on Ella Beach near the conference venue. See... West Papua Not Discussed - Petition Not Presented [2] + Sludge Report #170 – Don't Mention The War [3] + Clark & Urwin Make Friends With Pacific NGOs + FULL COVERAGE: SCOOP’S FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT FEATURE. [4] + SCOOP INVESTIGATION - HIV/AIDS In The Pacific
PC Eradication Blitzkreig Results In Friendly Fire Casualty -
National's policy of 'PC Eradication' has already started to backfire horribly, says Steve Maharey. "This morning Dr
Mapp said he would 'eradicate' the Human Rights Commission's advocacy role because it was too PC."Thirty minutes later
National's Paul Hutchison came out in support of the Human Rights Commission's advocacy report on access to public
transport for people with disabilities. See... National's PC policy backfires [1] And Paul Hutchison's release regarding disabilities...Disabled face discrimination in public transport [2]
Up Go Mortgage Rates For Christmas – Bollard Raises OCR
- The Reserve Bank has increased the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 7.00 per cent. Reserve Bank
Governor Alan Bollard said: "As noted in our September Monetary Policy Statement, medium term inflation risks remain
strong. Persistently buoyant housing activity and related consumption, higher oil prices and the risk of flow-through
into inflation expectations, and a more expansionary fiscal policy are all of concern. See... Reserve Bank increases OCR to 7.00 per cent [1] ALSO:Nats - Cullen plays role in interest rate hike [2] Act - Homeowners have Clark to thank for high interest [3] Greens - Interest rate rise bad for business and workers [4]
Brash Keeps Key And English Close To Him In Opposition Reshuffle -
National Party Leader Don Brash today announced a reshuffled lineup of spokespeople. "Bill English's elevation to No 3
underlines the critical role he will continue to play as part of the wider leadership team. See... Brash unveils new-look lineup [1] ALSO:Govt - Political Correctness Eradication? please explain [2] National - Putting an end to political correctness [3]
Think About Your Animals On Guy Fawkes Night: SPCA
- Checklist Attached - The Royal New Zealand SPCA has issued a call for special care to be taken of animals on and
around Guy Fawkes Night. The Society has also released a checklist aimed at reducing the harm and fright that animals
suffer as a result of fireworks. "There's no doubt that the period around Guy Fawkes night is a time of terror for very
many animals. Fireworks, with their screeches, flashes and loud explosions, can be a horrifying experience for them,"
says the Royal New Zealand SPCA's National Chief Executive, Robyn McDonald. See... SPCA Calls For Care Of Animals On Guy Fawkes [1] ALSO: Fire Service - More Kiwis think fireworks sales are a fizzer [2]
Kiwi Dancers Off For Hard Out Month In Blighty -
Four of New Zealand's top young contemporary dancers from Footnote Dance Company head to the UK this week to immerse
themselves in the international contemporary dance world. The opportunity to embark on an intensive month-long work-out
with some of the best contemporary dance companies and choreographers in the world is a professional development
initiative instigated by Footnote's Director Deirdre Tarrant. See... Footnote Dancers Take Off! [1]
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Maori Party Condemns Rising Prison Population [1] 83,000 Fewer New Zealanders On Benefits [2] AIDS Foundation Calls To End Stigma [3] Fairfax Re-Examines Work of Sacked Journalist [4] Muhammad Ali’s Daughter Helps Out With Parkinson's Week [5]
'Naki Locals Sort Out What the Soviet Army Couldn't -
Three Taranaki locals are currently serving in Afghanistan as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT).
Signaller Genna Capper from New Plymouth, is a communications support operator within Kiwi Base who also goes on
patrols. he says her highlights have been meeting Afghanistan's President Karzai and interacting with the children of
Bamyan Province, even getting some to dance for her on patrol! See... Taranaki Trio's Tour of Duty [1]
SCOOP REPORT:
Scoop News: Peters "Definitely Not" Attending Pacific Forum - [1] NZ Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, will not be attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Papua New Guinea this week. Pacific leaders, including those from PNG, New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, Nuie, Solomon Islands have gathered in Port Moresby to discuss issues impacting on the Pacific. See... Scoop News: Peters Will Not Attend Pacific Forum [2]
We’ve Got Mail – Are Your Thoughts And Opinions In This Lot? -
The following is a selection of feedback and other unsolicited email received by Scoop recently. Included in this
monumental grab bag of readers opinions is a treatise on Roger Kerr's recent Business Roundtable musings and a heartfelt
plea for Pierce Brosnan to stay on as Bond – James Bond. See... Scoop Feedback: Controversial New James Bond [1]
MORE SCOOP REPORTS:
Satire Hood: Election Predictions as of 14 Sep 2005 [1] Smiles As Ministerial Employment Contracts Signed [2] A Week of It: Iraq, The Return Of The Brethren, and other oddities.Kevin List: Flashback: National And The Seabed and Foreshore [3] Kevin List: The Hunt Is On For Coalition Constructing MPs [4]
Greenpeace Disappointed With Conclusion Of Pacific Forum
- *Port Moresby, Thursday, October 27, 2005 *Pacific Island leaders meeting at the 36th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
have taken "one step forward and two steps back" according to Greenpeace Australia Pacific. "The decision to develop a
regional agreement on bottom trawling is a step forward to address this destructive practice. This lays the groundwork
for Pacific countries to be leaders in supporting the international call for a ban on high seas bottom trawling," said
Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner, Lagi Toribau. See... One step forward, two steps back at Pacific Forum [1] 36th Pacific Island Forum Official Communique [2] + FULL COVERAGE: SCOOP’S FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT FEATURE. [3]
MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:
New Ambassador for EU Delegation to Australia [1] Spain/Morocco Must Be Held Accountable For Abuses [2] Côte d’Ivoire: Threats hang heavy over the future [3] Brazil: 9 years of missed opportunities for human rights [4] UN Report Cites Lebanese, Syrian Involvement In Deaths [5]
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SCOOP COLUMNS
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Russell Brown: Groupthink Comedy -
The National Party might have harnessed its talent, old and new and set out on a course of informed opposition to the
new government, and the presentation of robust policy alternatives. Instead, it chose to make an appointment that makes
it look like a comedy act. Yes, among the spokesmanships announced by Don Brash yesterday is Wayne Mapp on "Political
Correctness Eradication". See... PUBLIC ADDRESS 27/10/05 – Groupthink Comedy [1]
Howard Laws to Ban You from Criticising Australia
- In the wake of terrorist threats against Melbourne and more bombings in Bali, the Australian government is attempting
to pass draconian new anti-terrorism laws. The draft of the legislation had originally been kept secret, but last week
it was leaked by ACT Chief Minister John Stanhope, who while approving it, believed that legislation with such an impact
on civil liberties should be open to public scrutiny and debate. John Howard seems to regard this as practically
treason. But fortunately he'll soon have the tools to combat this sort of betrayal of Australian values, because the
legislation would modernise the law relating to sedition. See... No Right Turn: Sedition in Australia [1]
Out There… Brian Carter’s The Night Sky
- In the Summer months with warmer nights, looking at the stars and planets becomes a pleasure, instead of a cold
ordeal. Planets: November is a fairly good month for viewing the planets. Venus, Mars and Saturn will be visible for the
whole of the month. Mercury will be visible for the first half of the month and Jupiter will be visible for the last
half of the month. See... The November Night's Sky [1] ALSO:NZ, Australia Ready For Next Generation Telescope [2]
Thai PM Tells Islamic Conf. Official To Read Koran
- BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's Buddhist prime minister angrily told the Saudi Arabian-based Organization of Islamic
Conference to "read the Koran" before criticizing his military crackdown in the south, where more than 1,000 people have
died in the worst Islamist insurgency outside Iraq. See... Thai PM Tells Islamic Conf. Official To Read Koran [1]
William Rivers Pitt: As The Plamegate Waiting Game Drags On…
- 8:12 am - Wake, sling blankets aside, startling cat into sudden flight. 8:13 am - Pull up New York Times web site,
scan for news of Fitzgerald indictment. 8:14 am - Thump head repeatedly on desk, further confusing already-rattled cat.
See... William Rivers Pitt: Diary of a Plamegate Junkie [1] MORE: Ray McGovern - Cheney's Chickens Come Home to Roost [2] Jason Leopold - Judith Miller's Unusual Relationship With Iraq Grp [3] Jason Leopold - Cheney's Role In Plame Outing Under Scrutiny [4] William Rivers Pitt - The Heart of the Matter [5] Norman Solomon - Judith Miller, the Fourth Estate, & Warfare State [6] Scoop Link - Judith Miller & NYT Come Clean [7] David Swanson - Peering Under the Plame Outing [8]
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:
Sol Salbe - West Bank Shooting: Why It Pays To Read Hebrew [1] Martin LeFevre - Open Letter to Incoming President of Tanzania [2] Ramzy Baroud - Myths About Iraq Must Be Dispelled For War To End [3] Mark Drolette - The Law? Bushies Fart In Its General Direction [4] Ernest Partridge - The Illusion of Normality [5] Narconews - A Week of Drug War Summits in South America [6] Jason Miller - Surrender Is Not An Option [7] MR Josse - Nepal: Poll Boycott Will Be Political Hara-Kiri [8]
Michel Chossudovsky: More On The Basra Breakout Mystery
- Captain Ken Masters, British chief police investigator in Basra died under mysterious circumstances. The cause of
death was not mentioned. According to a Ministry of Defense spokesman, his death was "not due to hostile action" nor to
natural causes. See... Basra Prison Break Investigator Mysteriously Dies [1] . Earlier: Were British SAS Soldiers Planting Bombs in Basra? [2] & Ghali Hassan: Iraq - Resort to Deception [3]
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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)
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Pamphlets That 'Delighted' Don Brash Lead To Police Investigation -
Prior to the election Don Brash explained to BFM's Noelle McCarthy that during a meeting with the Exclusive Brethren he
became aware that they were planning to attack the Government. McCarthy: So you were aware that this group was going to use other methods besides the power of prayer to support the National
Party? Brash: I knew they were going to issue some pamphlets attacking the Government, and I said, "That's tremendous. I'm delighted
about that because the Government is lousy and should be changed." Today it became known that the Chief Electoral Office
has referred a complaint concerning the pamphlets that 'delighted' Dr Brash to the police. See... Brethren group face police probe over election [1] And …Brethren to face police over use of false address [2] BACKGROUND:Chief Electoral Office - Election Advertising and the Electoral Act 1993 [3] BFM Transcript - Don Brash Admits On BFM to Prior Knowledge of Brethren Pamphlets [4]
[5] SCOOP VIDEO: Greens Victim Of Dirty Tricks CampaignScoop Report - Don Brash, Civil Unions & The Exclusive Brethren [6]
[5] SCOOP VIDEO: Greens Victim Of Dirty Tricks CampaignScoop Report - Don Brash, Civil Unions & The Exclusive Brethren [6]
Government Minister's Party Wants to Sit with Opposition
- The Green Party says New Zealand First's demand to sit on the opposition side of the debating chamber is both
arrogant and ignorant. New Zealand First MP Peter Brown today said that even though the Greens planned to abstain from
giving the Government confidence and supply votes, he believed his party should have first call to sit on the opposition
benches. See… Greens - Winston must honour his marriage of convenience [1] ALSO…Act - Winston Must Sit With Government He Supports [2] National - Peters should sit with Labour - Brash [3]
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:
NZ Govt - 83,000 fewer New Zealanders on benefits [1] National - Circuit-breaker needed for South Auckland gangs [2] National - Cullen's record as Attorney-General Attacked [3] National - Police numbers guarantee wanted [4] Green Party - Students being punished for university's failures [5] Green Party - Interest rate rise bad for business and workers [6] Maori Party - Maori Party Condemns Rising Prison Population [7] ACT - Homeowners have Clark to thank for high interest [8] ACT - Private prisons the answer to overcrowding crisis [9] ACT - Police deserve congratulation on Zero Tolerance [10] Progressive Party - Anderton to visit flood damaged region on Sunday [11]
POLITICAL COLUMNS:
ENDS