95bFM: The Wednesday Wire with Paul Deady 04/06/08
The bFM WIRE Today: 12 - 2pm weekdays
For links toWindows Media Player & 128kbps Streams Go To:
The Wednesday Wire Hosted By Paul Deady
04/06/08
1220 – Paul Yeo, Chief Exec. Travel Agents Assoc. of NZ
The United States Homeland Security has gone and done changed the rules for entry into the so-called land of the free.
As of January next year, visitors from countries which don't require a visa, and that includes us here in NZ, will have
to register online at least 3 days before entering the country. Prime Minister Helen Clark doesn't know why they've
introduced the move, but suspects it will enable their immigration to weed out undesirables. Green MP Keith Locke used
slightly stronger language in saying it's bureaucracy gone mad in the name of the war on terror. At twenty past 12 I'll
be speaking to (above). He says it'll make an already unpleasant entry process even more obtrusive, and gives people
another reason to avoid the US, which it seems they're already doing.
1240 – Andrew Little, EPMU on NZPA Job Cuts
At twenty to one (above) the national secretary for the EPMU, which is the journalist's union, will be talking to me
about the job cuts lined up at the NZPA. They're the country's largest news agency responsible for the bulk of our
syndicated news. Andrew reckons the staff losses will undermine the public's right to be informed, and a move like this
in an election year shows that the NZPA is neglecting its public duty.
1300 – Neil James, Exec. Director of the Australian Defence Assoc.
_Crossing the ditch at one o'clock when I'll be speaking with (above). Their website says they're Australia's only truly
independent, non-partisan, community-based, public-interest guardian organisation and 'think-tank' on defence and wider
national security issues. Big news over there is the fulfillment of Kevin Rudd's promise to withdraw combat troops from
Iraq. They'll be steadily trickling home over the next few months. But will the same troops just be shipped off to the
other front in the so-called war on terror in Afghanistan? How will this affect the once buddy-buddy relationship
between Australia and the US? And most importantly, what lessons have been learned from fighting in a war which Rudd
himself has admitted was based on false pretense?
1320 – Counterclockwise
Selwyn Manning's back for counterclockwise today at 1320, where he'll be taking a look at the emerging influence of
Russell Norman over the Green Party. Their conference over the weekend in Auckland spurred an seemingly endless number
of news stories – slow news week? - and this morning more still! Number 8 on the Green's List Mike Ward has decided to
step aside and allow Norman, number 10, a seat in Parliament before the election. This means Nandor will leave
parliament before the election and allow Norman to leapfrog Ward into a parliamentary seat. (not literally). So, no-more
infighting in the party?
1340 – Book She Read, Interview with Stefan Merrill-Block, author "The Story of Forgetting"
And to finish the show, I'll play a great interview our book reviewer Sally did last week with (above) which we talked
about a couple of weeks ago. The book and it's author have received glowing press like this: A Fresh, beguiling novel -
NY Times; Extremely moving, incredibly satisfying – BBC book panel; A rare works of near-genius...touching, inventive
and intelligent – The Independent; and Block…is a talent to celebrate and remember – USA Today. They talk about how it
feels to taste such success at a very un-ripe young age of 26, and how fantasy can help people deal with the harsh
realities of a disease as harrowing as early-onset alzheimers.
Aucklanders can tune in at 95 on the FM dial.