24 June 2004

More Imitation? We Are Flattered

New Zealand First Law and Order spokesperson Ron Mark today congratulated the National Party for adopting New Zealand First’s "three strikes and you're out" policy as part of their Law and Order package to be announced on July 4.

The policy was written as part of New Zealand First’s 2002 manifesto to deter recidivist offending and can be read in full on the party website www.nzfirst.org.nz. The National Party version is unlikely to be as tough as New Zealand First’s but that will come as no surprise to those who recall Nationals soft stance on crime when in Government.

“One must now accept that Don Brash and the National Party are finally facing up to the reality that career criminals need to be told enough is enough”, said Mr Mark

“Without New Zealand First’s influence, National may have succeeded in their plans to slash Police numbers during their last term of Government. This raises the question as to whether their decision to adopt our policies can be trusted at all.

“If we can be of further assistance to the National Party, or Mr Ryall their Law and Order spokesman specifically, as to policies they should adopt, I urge them to contact me directly as I have a basket of ideas designed to improve policy services to all New Zealanders. Alternatively they can continue their search for good policy on our website”, concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>