Werewolf #15 - Miscarriage Of Justice Issue

Hi and welcome to the September issue of Werewolf, which highlights a practical way to restore public confidence in the justice system. Ever since the Arthur Allan Thomas case in the 1970s, there has been a rash of public disquiet over the outcome of several major criminal cases – either because the verdict seemed plainly wrong, or because it relied on highly suspect evidence. In both Britain and Scotland, an independent body has been set up to investigate convictions where new evidence (or further analysis) has raised genuine concern that the original convictions were unsafe. In this issue, Werewolf interviews Professor Graham Zellick, the former head of that body in Britain between 2003 and 2008, as to why New Zealand needs the same kind of investigative watchdog on our justice system, and how such an organization would work.

The Supercity mayoral contest finally reaches a climax early next month, and this issue features an in-depth interview with leading candidate Len Brown about his views on the democratically flawed system that he may inherit, and how he plans to make it work. In other stories, James Robinson describes the learning curve he went through to track down someone stalking him on the Internet, while Rosalea Barker surveys the prospects for high speed rail between LA and San Francisco. Also in this issue Denis O’Reilly updates New Zealand’s current moves to combat the social and personal damage done by P, and Lyndon Hood casts his satiric eye at Simon Power's blitzkrieg campaign to get rid of all those messy and inefficient freedoms we associate with the Justice system.

The Classic children’s book this month is Catherine Storr’s haunting novel for young adults called Marianne Dreams. In this issue The Complicatist music column features Sleigh Bells, Joanna Newsom, Fang Island (and others) in a line-up of best new music so far in 2010 along with Youtube samples to back up our selections. In the Milestone Movies column, Brannavan Gnanalingham discusses the Spike Lee move Do The Right Thing and shows how racial preconceptions still drive much of the discourse about Lee’s film. In Cartoon Alley this month, Gordon Campbell talks about his affection for the Golden Age comic series Futura, while Brent Willis provides a new episode of Ranga the Ape. Tim Bollinger offers a new episode of his strip Little Eye plus a fascinating review of a book on Japanese manga kamishibai, or ‘paper theatre.’

Werewolf exists as a thank you’ to Scoop.co.nz supporters, and to provide a fresh outlet for writers and cartoonists. If you’d like to be part of it, email me at gordon@werewolf.co.nz. and we can talk about it. Thanks to Alastair Thompson for helping to post this issue.

Cheers,

Gordon Campbell

Werewolf/Scoop

gordon@werewolf.co.nz

The contents of this edition are:

When Justice Fails
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/when-justice-fails/
Like Britain, should we create an independent body to investigate miscarriages of justice? An interview with Professor Graham Zellick
by Gordon Campbell

Rage Within The Machine
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/rage-within-the-machine/
How to track down – with a bit of luck – your Internet stalker
by James Robinson

Sunshine Superman
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/sunshine-superman/
An interview with Supercity mayoral contender Len Brown
by Gordon Campbell

P: Let’s Give It A Miss
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/p-lets-give-it-a-miss/
If much of the P sold here originates in Asia, what – if anything – are Asian political and community leaders doing to help stem the trade?
by Denis O’Reilly

and from last month's edition…
John Key Gets In Touch With His Feminine Side
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/07/john-key-gets-in-touch-with-his-feminine-side/
Using a softline pitch to women, to sell hardline policies
by Gordon Campbell

Left Coasting : The Golden State’s Silver Bullet
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/left-coasting-the-golden-states-silver-bullet
The proposed high speed rail link between Sacramento – San Francisco – Los Angeles is already hitting some speed bumps
by Rosalea Barker

From The Hood : Absolutist Simon Power Corrupts Absolutely
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/from-the-hood-absolutist-simon-power-corrupts-absolutely/
Simon is so powerful nobody’s allowed to argue with him
by Lyndon Hood

Milestone Movies : Do The Right Thing (1989)
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/milestone-movies-do-the-right-thing-1989/
Spike Lee’s critics fade to black
by Brannavan Gnanalingham

Classics : Marianne Dreams (1958)
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/classics-marianne-dreams-1958/
The waking is the hardest part
by Gordon Campbell

The Complicatist : Sleigh Bells, Joanna Newsom etc.
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/the-complicatist-sleigh-bells-joanna-newsom-etc/
So far, so good – the best new music from 2010
by Gordon Campbell

Cartoon Alley
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/werewolf-cartoon-alley/
Reviews, commentary and comics from local artists
by Werewolf

Cartoon Alley: Reviews and commentary #12… Gordon Campbell
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/cartoon-alley-reviews-and-commentary-12-gordon-campbell/
My Favourite ( Recent) Comic : Futura
by Gordon Campbell

Cartoon Alley: Reviews and commentary #11… Tim Bollinger
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/08/cartoon-alley-reviews-and-commentary-11-tim-bollinger/
‘Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater’ – By Eric P. Nash
by Tim Bollinger

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