Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 12 May 2006, 4:11 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

- Scoop has 3 Power®balls to give away. Two of them of the high tech variety that allow you to hold office competitions over who can make it go the fastest. See... Scoop Competition: Win A Powerball!

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Satire: Pear Shaped Email Press Conference - Some Theories
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Foreign Affairs: Murray Ditches Rugby – Pens Love Letter To Bush Administration -
Transport: Gas Mask Clad Electric Bus Supporters Brave Stormy Weather -
Mother's Day: Statistics New Zealand Reports on a Mother of a Year
Kiwi Pride: NZer Runner-Up in Marine Animal Scaring Device Competition
RECOMMENDED AUDIO:
Entertainment: Capital Fun For The Fiscally Challenged This Weekend -
Art: Old, Glamourous And Artistic Photos Coming To ChCh -
MORE HEADLINES:
Pacific: Australia Works At Building Regional Capacity in Counter-Terrorism
PNG’s Bougainville: Armed Clash
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Energy - Dave McArthur's Bonus Joules
Postal Diplomacy: The President Of Iran's Unanswered Mail
Spooks: Are You Paranoid Yet?
Polls: American's Believe Bush Stole Election Then Lied America Into War
Media: Greg Palast's The Armed Madhouse - Audio, Contents & Introduction
Media: Back When The Bird Really Was The Word
MORE SCOOP COMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Leaky Homes: Policy Announcement Fails to Match Alleged Leak
Prisons: Government Goes to Work on Prison Work Schemes
Taxation: Aussies Get Tax Cuts in Budget
Energy: NZ Gets One Thumb Up in OECD Review
Health: Proposed Cigarette Warnings to Make Smoking Even Less Pleasant
Family Violence: Extra Money for Violence Prevention in Budget
Education: Greens Score Budget for Environment Ed
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Satire: Pear Shaped Email Press Conference - Some Theories

[1] After Winston Peters' tabling of leaked emails in Parliament, the question on everyone's lips is - what was Don Brash thinking at that press conference? Through various sources, Scoop has received a number of documents purporting to be internal National Party transcripts of the briefing before that fateful standup. We're not sure which one is genuine, but logically, one of them must be. You be the judge! See... Lyndon Hood: Brash's Press Conference Prep [2] HOW THE LEAK ATTACK BACKFIRED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00190.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00190.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00212.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00211.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00215.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00214.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00170.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00231.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00232.htm

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00276.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00236.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00212.htm

Foreign Affairs: Murray Ditches Rugby – Pens Love Letter To Bush Administration - [1]

- The National Party has signalled bi-partisanship in the quest to repair the US relationship. The improvement of relations with the most powerful nation on Earth - our second largest trading partner - is simply too important to fall victim of domestic politics. There have been signs of progress. Most visibly, overt signals from Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill that he is pushing the case for change in Washington. See... www.mccully.co.nz 12 May 2006 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00304.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00304.htm

Transport: Gas Mask Clad Electric Bus Supporters Brave Stormy Weather -

Green Party Transport Spokesperson Sue Kedgley and a team of Green Party supporters braved torrential rain at the at the Courtenay Place bus stops this morning. Ms Kedgley was busily organising a petition challenging Land Transport New Zealand's funding of the trolley buses. "LTNZ will fund trolley buses only if they are treated as though they are diesel buses. That is quite absurd. See... Torrential Rain Fails to Deter Trolley Activists [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00192.htm

Mother's Day: Statistics New Zealand Reports on a Mother of a Year

- To acknowledge all mothers' hard work and caring, Statistics New Zealand is marking Mother's Day on Sunday, 14 May with some facts about new mothers in 2005. - There were 57,740 live births compared with 58,100 in 2004. - There were 30,250 first-time mothers, representing 53 percent of all live births. See... Figures on Mothers Delivered [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00105.htm

Kiwi Pride: NZer Runner-Up in Marine Animal Scaring Device Competition

- The world’s albatross species could be saved from being accidentally caught in fishing gear thanks to innovations emerging from WWF’s International Smart Fishing Gear Competition. Runner-up, New Zealander Chris Carey of Independent Fisheries Ltd, competed with fishermen from all over the globe. See... Kiwi number 8 wire ingenuity runner-up in international competition [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0605/S00038.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00299.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO:

Scoop Audio: Lyndon Hood and David Haines on Dunedin's Radio One discuss email leaks, National leader Don Brash, NZ First leader Winston Peters, Telecom... Scoop Audio: Scoop co-editor, Selwyn Manning, and 95bFM's Simon Pound discuss how National Party leader, Don Brash, has 'not done himself any favours' [1] over the latest email leak fiasco. Should his MPs sack him? Also, a host of Govt Budget day predictions. Scoop Audio: Kevin List discusses on Radio Active: KiwiFM bailout; Don Brash emails and Exclusive Brethren… [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00188.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00169.htm

Entertainment: Capital Fun For The Fiscally Challenged This Weekend -

The Big Look-See is a weekend of free fun and discovery for all Wellingtonians who’ve ever been curious about what goes on behind the scenes in the creative Capital and want to have a good old-fashioned nosey! A totally free event, The Big Look-See is hosted by 15 venues around the Wellington Region and involves over 20 high-profile arts and cultural organisations. See... The Big Look See – Free Fun In Wellington [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00110.htm

Art: Old, Glamourous And Artistic Photos Coming To ChCh -

Photographer Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) was renowned for his images of elegance, glamour and style. His influence on portrait photography was profound and lives on today in the work of many contemporary photographers such as David Bailey and Mario Testino. See... Cecil Beaton Portraits [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0605/S00108.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00264.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00251.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00106.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00105.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00088.htm

Pacific: Australia Works At Building Regional Capacity in Counter-Terrorism

- Neighbouring countries will be assisted with a greater capacity to counter-terrorism and serious crime in our region under measures announced today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison. As part of a $92.8 million package to enhance counter-terrorism capacity in our region, the Australian Government will provide the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with funding of $25.0 million over four years, and the Australian Customs Service with $7.1 million over three years. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will receive the remaining funding for a range of measures to boost the capacity of regional countries to combat the threat of terrorism. See... Building Regional Capacity in Counter-Terrorism [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00205.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00204.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00203.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00202.htm

PNG’s Bougainville: Armed Clash

- Members of the Me’ekamui force, who are allegedly linked to money scam operator Noah Musingku, have fired at police in the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, but no deaths or injuries were reported. The acting police chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Kamuai, says there were several clashes reported in the Buin and Siwai areas of South Bougainville between the Me’ekamui rebels and police. See... Armed clash in PNG’s Bougainville [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00186.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00200.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00198.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00197.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00195.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00183.htm

Energy - Dave McArthur's Bonus Joules

- (In which Chapter Bonus Joules explores how our current image of the nature of energy came to rule human consciousness and who made the rules.) Bonus Joules asks the Minister of Energy the Big Scientific Question. See... Bonus Joules: Gods of Energy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00185.htm

Postal Diplomacy: The President Of Iran's Unanswered Mail

- What drives American foreign policy as much as - if not more than - ideology is male insecurity mitigated occasionally by women secretaries of state trying to prove that they can act just as insecurely as males. It is a foreign policy led by an intelligentsia that went to Ivy schools or Georgetown but wishes it had played football for Notre Dame. See… The Unanswered Mail Of Insecure Males [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00195.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00177.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00171.htm

Spooks: Are You Paranoid Yet?

- The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY. See... Links: NSA's Database of Americans' Phone Calls [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00202.htm

Polls: American's Believe Bush Stole Election Then Lied America Into War

- In the first poll of its kind, OpEdNews.com , in the second OpEdNews/Zogby People's poll has learned that except for viewers of right wing news show, Fox News, poll respondents believe that the 2004 presidential election was stolen. See... Poll: 2004 Election Was Stolen ('Cept Fox Viewers) [1] & Bush Lied About Iraq, Has No Right to Attack Iran [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00200.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00198.htm

Media: Greg Palast's The Armed Madhouse - Audio, Contents & Introduction

- President Jeb Bush declared his reelection victory early, in August, before the machines were fully programmed, but the results were nevertheless assured. President Jeb accepted a call from “Hillary Kerry Gore”—the virtual candidate, put up as quadrennial opponent, designed to lose—who always made the same moving concession speech, “American democracy has triumphed again,” written for her by Karl Rove. The official voting won’t take place until November. “Our nation,” Vice-President Kate Harris assures us, “is safer and more prosperous than at any time in our history.” See... Audio: Larry David On How Kerry Won In '04 [1] & Greg Palast's New Book: The Armed Madhouse [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00183.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00216.htm

Media: Back When The Bird Really Was The Word

(APN) ATLANTA - It's difficult to talk about the leftist scene in Atlanta in the 1960's and 70's without someone bringing up The Great Speckled Bird, the leftist alternative newspaper which influenced so many minds of the time. But what was The Bird? Who ran it and how did it operate? Atlanta Progressive News has conducted extensive interviews and uncovered vast archives of The Bird's back issues, to explain this historical phenomenon to our progressive readers of today. See… Jonathan Springston: Great Speckled Memories [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00178.htm

MORE SCOOP COMENT & OPINION:

NEW ZEALAND:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00204.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00187.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00184.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00179.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00176.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00173.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00201.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00182.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00180.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00175.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00196.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00174.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00199.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00197.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00172.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00194.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00193.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00186.htm

Leaky Homes: Policy Announcement Fails to Match Alleged Leak

- Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove today announced a major shake-up of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) that will stop gaming of the system, hold building industry professionals to account and get leaky homes fixed faster. See... Shake-up for Leaky Homes Service [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00286.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00297.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00292.htm

Prisons: Government Goes to Work on Prison Work Schemes

- Significantly increasing the number of prisoners in work and training is the aim of the new Prisoner Employment Strategy, Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor said today. The three-year strategy, the Prisoner Employment Strategy 2006-2009, which was launched today, provides a framework to increase the range, quality, and relevance of employment-related opportunities for prisoners. See... Aim to get more prisoners into work [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00265.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00291.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00122.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00270.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00128.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00298.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00275.htm

Taxation: Aussies Get Tax Cuts in Budget

- National Party Leader Don Brash says all New Zealanders should be concerned by the latest twist in Australia's raid on our best and brightest. "The significance of the across-the-board tax cuts announced overnight in Australia should not be overlooked," says Dr Brash. "For New Zealand this means more competition for the skills that we need to keep our economy growing. See... Aust launches raid on our best and brightest [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00217.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00219.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00219.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00224.htm

Energy: NZ Gets One Thumb Up in OECD Review

- The IEA applauds New Zealand’s steady commitment to liberalised energy markets, but urges government to finalise its climate policy and comply with its oil stock obligation... “New Zealand has been a model of energy market liberalisation for many IEA countries, a feat made more remarkable given the country’s small size and isolation. See... New Zealand 2006 Review Press Release [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00113.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00252.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00251.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00246.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00284.htm

Health: Proposed Cigarette Warnings to Make Smoking Even Less Pleasant

- Associate Minister of Health Damien O'Connor today released a consultation document proposing large, graphic images of health problems on the front and back of tobacco product packets. O'Connor describes the move, aimed at discouraging smoking, as "truth in labelling". See... Scoop Audio, Images: Cigarette Warning Consultation Document Launch [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00167.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00224.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00071.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00074.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00078.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00221.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00080.htm

Family Violence: Extra Money for Violence Prevention in Budget

- A $9 million investment in family violence prevention services is a key part of the government's commitment to strong families, says Child Youth and Family Services Minister Ruth Dyson. The $9 million, spread over four years, represents a 20 percent increase in government funding and will go towards non-government community service providers... See... More money for family violence prevention services [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00220.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00093.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00094.htm

Education: Greens Score Budget for Environment Ed

- Education for sustainability will get a major boost in this Budget with a big increase in environmental education spending over the next four years thanks to a Green Party Budget initiative. Greens' Education Spokesperson Metiria Turei says she is thrilled to announce $13 million dollars over four years for environmental education support for teachers and school children. See... Environmental education to get a huge boost [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00218.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00221.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0605/S00035.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00070.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00075.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00277.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00281.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00253.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00251.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00250.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00252.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00272.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00257.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00261.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00271.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00270.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00289.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00269.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00268.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00263.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00255.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00259.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00258.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00267.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00264.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00293.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00275.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00290.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00280.htm
[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00284.htm
[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00273.htm
[27] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00288.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00301.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00287.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00283.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00191.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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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