Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 10 July 2006, 8:53 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Politics: Nonagenarian Political Machine Gets The Party Started
Advertising: Have The SPCA Gone Barking Mad With Their Latest Campaign?
Exploitation: Snazzy Footwear Giant Slammed For Ripping Off Workers -
Foreign Affairs: Two Tongan Royals Die In Car Accident
STATE OF IT: Labour President Faces Critics
McCully.co.nz: Road Safety Message Fails to Make Impression On National's Controversial Columnist -
MORE HEADLINES:
Censorship: Censors Graphically Describe Violence of Banned Game
Oddspot: Persecuted Spanish Bulls Arouse Antipodean Exhibitionist's Sympathy -
RECOMMENDED AUDIO:
Intelligence: Kiwi Former MI6 Spy Suspected Of New Agent Names Leak
Tonga: Mourns Death of Heir Apparent, Prince Tu'ipelehake
Cyprus: Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Leaders to Meet
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
American Coup: Michael Collins: Big Dawg Steps Up To Election Fraud Plate
Environment: Pacific Ecologist Winter 2006 Edition Out Now!
Antiquities: Suzan Mazur Returns To The Case Of "Bully Bob" Hecht
Gaza: James Zogby On The Ongoing Attack On Gaza
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Education and Crime: English supports school-child drug testing
Welfare: Unemployment Drops To Levels Not Seen Since Rob's Rule -
Politics: With ACT's The Letters' Demise Robson Seeks Political Punditry Supremacy -
Energy and Environment: Govt Announces Plans to Have Climate Change, Energy Policies
Maori Option: Mixed Interpretations of First Enrolment Figures
Business: People Are Asked For Their Roger Awards Nominations
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Politics: Nonagenarian Political Machine Gets The Party Started

[1] Last evening in the Banquet Hall of the Beehive Labour's 90th birthday celebrations kicked off. The evening's MC was Labour's youngest MP Darren Hughes. Both the Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Party President Mike Williams gave speeches. The PM's speech covered the party's history with especial emphasis placed on the foundation of the party and its ascension to power during the great depression however the 1980s whizzed by in a couple of sentences. See... Young And Old Celebrate 90 Years Of Peoples Party [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00089.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00089.htm

Advertising: Have The SPCA Gone Barking Mad With Their Latest Campaign?

Ana Samways one of the people behind spareroom.co.nz was astounded to discover the SPCA's latest ad campaign involves fake sexual predator advertisements mushrooming around South Auckland. Scoop wants to know just what were those 'creatives' on when they made this stuff up? See... Bad taste SPCA Ads Spring Up In South Auckland [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00064.htm

Exploitation: Snazzy Footwear Giant Slammed For Ripping Off Workers -

Sportswear giant Adidas should stop back-pedalling, support human rights and deliver on its promise to insist on the reinstatement of sacked union leaders at a factory that manufactures its football boots promoted by World Cup stars David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, says international agency Oxfam. "Adidas is now the top sportswear sponsor at the World Cup with France making the final and Germany the semis,"said Kelly Dent of Oxfam International. "But off the field, the company deserves a red card for failing to support the human rights of workers." See... Oxfam red cards Adidas over human rights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00063.htm

Foreign Affairs: Two Tongan Royals Die In Car Accident

- Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed his deep personal sadness over the death of Tonga's Prince Tu'ipelehake and his wife Princess Kaimana in a car accident in the United States. Prince Tu'ipelehake was the Chair of Tonga's National Committee for Political Reform, established last year as a vehicle for discussions on political reform. The Prince and his wife were in the United States to hold consultations with expatriate Tongans on the Committee's work when the accident occurred. See... Peters deeply saddened by death of Tongan royals [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00105.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00111.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00099.htm

STATE OF IT: Labour President Faces Critics

- As Labour moves toward celebrating its 90th birthday, insiders cite post-election debt, fears of defeat in 2008, and talk of a dwindling membership as three factors that lie at the centre of a pesty mood overhanging many party faithful. President Mike Williams corrects the critics and tells Scoop exactly how Labour intends to reform to become the party of choice for Kiwi voters. See... Labour Boss Talks About Debt, Factions and 90ths [1] Scoop Audio (click here to listen): Selwyn Manning and Noelle McCarthy discuss on 95bFM: [2] discuss on 95bFM: Labour's 90th birthday celebrations, challenges, and an interview with its president Mike Williams on claims of debt, factionalism, and distance.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00065.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00066.htm

McCully.co.nz: Road Safety Message Fails to Make Impression On National's Controversial Columnist -

Members of the public are rightly concerned when unable to secure prompt Police attendance at burglaries, but are promptly nabbed for being marginally over the speed limit. There is a legitimate debate to be had about Police priority-setting. And questions to be asked about the extent to which the Police fixation with traffic offences is the result of political direction. See... www.mccully.co.nz - 7 July 2006 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00103.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00101.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nzhttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00099.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nzhttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00058.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nzhttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0607/S00016.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nzhttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0607/S00033.htm

Censorship: Censors Graphically Describe Violence of Banned Game

- The Office of Film and Literature Classification has classified the computer game Reservoir Dogs "objectionable". The Classification Office made this decision because Reservoir Dogs tends to promote and support the infliction of extreme violence and extreme cruelty by encouraging the player to perform, and then by showcasing in slow motion, the most extreme forms of violence and brutality for the purpose of entertainment. See... Reservoir Dogs Computer Game Banned [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00059.htm

Oddspot: Persecuted Spanish Bulls Arouse Antipodean Exhibitionist's Sympathy -

Yesterday in Pamplona Spain, New Zealander Nadine Frew joined more than 1,000 other people from around the world, most of them wearing nothing but plastic bullhorns and red scarves, for PETA's fifth annual headline-grabbing, head-turning Running of the Nudes in Pamplona, Spain, a humane and festive alternative to the cruel Running of the Bulls and the bullfights that follow. See... NZ Activist Bares All For Bulls' Sake [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00052.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO:

RDU Audio: Scoop's Kevin List joins Wammo to discuss [1] the big issues of the week. Issues under the microscope this time are: Beneficiaries, police ticket quotas, soccer and drinks. RDU Audio: The Prime Minister Helen Clark joins Wammo to discuss: [2] 90th Birthday Parties; All about the weather; The pleasures of walking in the snow; What to do with beneficiaries; And Kyoto. Scoop Audio: Scoop's Kevin List discusses on Wellington's Radio Active [3] welfare and how former Labour MP John Tamihere has called for the Government to fund Maori beneficiaries through independent trusts. Scoop Audio: Selwyn Manning and Adelaide Radio's Peter Godfrey discuss: [4] Kiwi former spy Richard Tomlinson questioned by French DST. ALSO Discussed: Govt orders welfare dept to probe beneficiary clusters; Weather continues to affect Kiwi travel plans.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00067.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00068.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00043.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00042.htm

Intelligence: Kiwi Former MI6 Spy Suspected Of New Agent Names Leak

- Selwyn Manning reports that New Zealander and former British MI6 operative, Richard Tomlinson, was taken in for questioning by French DST agents on June 29 on suspicions that he was behind further leaks of MI6 agent names. MI6 and Tomlinson have been struggling within a legal-labyrinth since Tomlinson was sacked by the spy agency in 1995. He was arrested in 1997 under the British Official Secrets Act, and served time in prison accused of placing lists of MI6 officers on websites. See... Intelligence: NZ's Tomlinson Draws MI6 Wrath Again [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00040.htm

Tonga: Mourns Death of Heir Apparent, Prince Tu'ipelehake

- The Tongan government has officially announced the death of the King's nephew, Prince Tu'ipelehake, paving the way for the country to go into mourning. The prince - who worked with commoners towards democratic reform - was killed in a car accident in San Francisco last night with his wife Princess Kaimana. The two were killed when a teenage driver hit their vehicle at high speed at Menlo Park near Palo Alto. See... Tonga announces that 2 royals killed by car [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00159.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00157.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00155.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00160.htm

Cyprus: Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Leaders to Meet

- The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will hold face-to-face talks tomorrow in the presence of the top United Nations political officer to discuss how to resolve the decades-old inter-communal conflict on the Mediterranean island. See... Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to meet [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00153.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00165.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00154.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00152.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00146.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00144.htm

American Coup: Michael Collins: Big Dawg Steps Up To Election Fraud Plate

- Former President Clinton spoke to the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies on June 17, 2006. He gave the keynote address which covered a number of topics. He even provided his answer to "the fundamental nature of the 21st century" - "interdependence." Former President Clinton Raises Cain - Almost [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00045.htm

Environment: Pacific Ecologist Winter 2006 Edition Out Now!

- Golden leaves pile high on the ground here as autumn gives way to winter's bare trees. Nature's abundance and beauty creates, sustains and inspires us all. But for how long will it continue to sustain us in the extravagant way rich countries and multinational corporations promote as a way of life? See... Pacific Ecologist Editorial: Healthy Communities [1] & Pacific Ecologist - issue 12, winter 2006 - CONTENTS [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00087.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00086.htm

Antiquities: Suzan Mazur Returns To The Case Of "Bully Bob" Hecht

- "Bully Bob" Hecht is best known for escorting Italy's priceless Sarpedon Euphronios vase to the US in 1972 and selling it for personal profit to a private museum that gets public funding -- the Metropolitan Museum of Art; his price was $1million. Hecht is also known for his threatening fist, including an attempted assault on this writer. See... "Bully Bob" Hecht And The Euphronios Questions [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00085.htm

Gaza: James Zogby On The Ongoing Attack On Gaza

- Today I thought of Kitty Genovese. Some of you won't remember her, but many in my generation will recall the horror and shame they felt after hearing the story of how she was raped and stabbed to death on a New York City street in 1964. What shocked the nation was the fact that 37 witnesses heard Kitty's cries but did nothing to help. Years later, social scientists, studying this disturbing passivity, termed it the "Genovese Syndrome." See… James Zogby: Watching Gaza "The Genovese Syndrome" [1] MORE: Tanveer Jafri - A Hindrance in World Peace- Central Asia Conflict [2] Tel Aviv Notes - Operation "Summer Rains" - Aims, Methods, Outcomes [3] Green Left Weekly - Palestine: Israel Escalates Brutal War [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00082.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00074.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00057.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00055.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

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[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00064.htm
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Education and Crime: English supports school-child drug testing

- National's Education spokesman, Bill English, says he supports principals and boards of trustees who choose to use drug testing in their schools. "These schools are making an effort to deal with a serious social issue - National backs them in this, and parents and communities should too. See... Bill English on drug testing in schools [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00100.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00096.htm

Welfare: Unemployment Drops To Levels Not Seen Since Rob's Rule -

New Zealand's Unemployment Benefit numbers have broken through the 40,000 barrier for the first time in 24 years. Work and Income quarterly figures show that at the end of June this year, 39,572 New Zealanders were registered unemployed. The last time Unemployment Benefit numbers were under 40,000 was in 1982. See... Unemployment Benefit smashes 40,000 barrier [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00074.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00043.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00082.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00076.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00070.htm

Politics: With ACT's The Letters' Demise Robson Seeks Political Punditry Supremacy -

I've had feed-back from my prediction National will lose again in 2008. Let me outline three reasons for my confidence: The economy: The Labour-Progressive-Green (LPG) bloc won 47.6% (41.1% + 5.3% + 1.2%) of votes cast last September midway through a six-month period of zero economic growth. See... Robson-on-Politics July 5 2006 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00029.htm

Energy and Environment: Govt Announces Plans to Have Climate Change, Energy Policies

Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues David Parker today released government papers on energy and energy efficiency, and a report looking at the government's direction on climate change policy. "Across the world, countries are grappling with the challenges posed by dramatic price increases, constraints on traditional fuels supplies, and the impacts of climate change. They are all closely related," Mr Parker said. See... Climate change work programme [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00035.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00036.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00037.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00042.htm
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[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00047.htm
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[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00019.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0607/S00008.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0607/S00043.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0607/S00044.htm
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[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00040.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00049.htm

Maori Option: Mixed Interpretations of First Enrolment Figures

- "As we have learnt very quickly in the Whare Miere - it's all in the numbers. We believe just 4000 enrolments are needed to gain another seat" said Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader of the Maori Party. The Party's four MPs have embarked on a national tour of Maori communities to promote the Option. Last week the MPs toured through Tamaki Makaurau, Te Tai Tokerau and Te Tai Hauauru. Today, the Maori Party is spreading visits between two electorates See... Maori Party buoyed by Maori Option results [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00044.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00045.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00022.htm

Business: People Are Asked For Their Roger Awards Nominations

- The Roger Award is for The Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand in 2006. Nominations are now open for the annual Roger Award, which is organised by the Christchurch-based groups Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and GATT Watchdog. Criteria: The criteria for judging are by assessing the transnational (a corporation which is 25% or more foreign-owned) that has the most negative impact in each or all of the following categories: Economic Dominance - Monopoly, profiteering, tax dodging, cultural imperialism... etc... See... Nominations Now Open For 2006 Roger Award [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00012.htm

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[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00061.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00060.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00059.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00058.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00065.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00099.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00095.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00083.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00079.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00064.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00067.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00066.htm
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[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00054.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00089.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00103.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00060.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00098.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00097.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00029.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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