Top Scoop Stories – 22 December 2008 News Summary
Gordon Campbell: All Hail Arcadian Days Of Summer
Mixed Messages At A Time Of Economic Stress: Why does the council wish me a Merry Christmas?
State Of It: Police SIG Unit Wasted On Tag-Busting?
Joinery: Key Forges Novel Cabinet Committee Arrangement
Public Service Messages: Former Nat Campaign Manager Focuses On Road Safety
Mysteries: Why Did Bill Remove Full Employment As A Policy target
Santarchy: Kapiti Mayor Accused Of Santaism
Economy: Deficit Expands Due To Petrol
Happy Birds: Granddad celebrates 21st birthday at Mount Bruce
Foreign Affairs: Anderton Interrogates Kiwibank Ad Critic
Aviation: British Airways and Qantas call off merger
Economy: NZ heading for bigger deficits; more room to cut rates further
Out of Work? Wanted: Sit Vac Glossary
A Word From Afar: Brief On The Use Of Informants In Intelligence Operations
Gordon Campbell: New Zealand Needs To Change Tack On Fiji
J. Sri Raman: India's Right Wing Wants Nuclear War
Uri Avnery: Tzipi’s Nation-State
Try that One on for Size: Al-Zaidi Puts Iraq Back on the Map
David Swanson: The Best Defense Iran Could Have
Wackiness: NZ Is A Country Of Crazy Jandal Stories
Life Saving: Angel Rings Prevent Early Visit To Meet Angels
Photo Essay: Wellington Phoenix Two-for-One
Pop: Coldplay Announces Plan To Invade NZ
Temporary Art: Wellington Barricades Fall After One Day
Africa: $92 Million To Ease Plight Of Somalis
Gaza: Israeli Forces Demolish Sheikh Jarrah Protest Camp
Burma: Japan To Take In Myanmar Refugees
Video: Voices Of Dissent: Activism & American Democracy
Genocide: Rwanda: UN Court Jails Ex-Military Leader
Richard S. Ehrlich: Canadian and Americans Accused of Sex Crimes in Thailand
Tuition: Achieving Quality Education Will Cost
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LEAD STORY
------------Gordon
Campbell: All Hail Arcadian Days Of
Summer
Over the next fortnight or so, the
mainstream media will be providing Year in Review space
fillers aplenty, so enough already for the Barack Obama/John
Key recaps, and lets all try to forget that Sarah Palin and
Owen Glenn ever existed… Personally, I’d like to thank
anyone/everyone who has dropped by this column over the last
seven months. More
»[1]
[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-2008-and-a-holiday-beyond-politics/
NZ POLITICS
------------ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00207.htm [2]
Mixed
Messages At A Time Of Economic Stress: Why does the
council wish me a Merry Christmas?
Lindsay
Shelton writes: The Wellington City Council wants me to
have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I discovered
the council’s message when I was waiting for a bus – not
exactly the place where you expect to receive seasonal
greetings. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00402.htm
State
Of It: Police SIG Unit Wasted On
Tag-Busting?
Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning
writes that investigations into the Police special
investigations groups reveal that it had used a complaint of
tagging to dig into the private life of a peace advocate,
political groups, and a US owned defence company. Was this a
waste of Police resources? More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00364.htm
ALSO:
- Pepper sprayed activist to court over provocateur [2]
- Undercover agent fiasco strengthens inquiry call [3]
- Gilchrist sent naked photos of teenager to police [4]
- Media notice: Video evidence exposes Broads lies [5]
- Brief On Informants In Intel Operations [6]
- Unite Union leader condemns police spying on union [7]
- EPMU calls for Commission of Inquiry into spying [8]
- Police spy scandal - Union may call stopwork [9]
- Union wants answers from police [10]
- No Right Turn: Police spied on case against them [11]
- Hard News: Need to Know [12]
- On the matt: NBR's Gibson on Police Spying [13]
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00250.htm [2]
[3] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00251.htm [3]
[4] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00278.htm [4]
[5] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00279.htm [5]
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00358.htm [6]
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00253.htm [7]
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00252.htm [8]
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00258.htm [9]
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00261.htm [10]
[11] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2008/12/police-spied-on-case-against-them.html" target="_blank [11]
[12] - http://www.publicaddress.net/5584" target="_blank [12]
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/16787.html [13]
Joinery:
Key Forges Novel Cabinet Committee
Arrangement
Details of the make-up of the new
National-led Government’s Cabinet committees were
announced today by Prime Minister John Key. “A new
development is the inclusion of support party Ministers as
members of Cabinet committees,” says Mr Key. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00247.htm
Public
Service Messages: Former Nat Campaign Manager Focuses On
Road Safety
Transport Minister Steven Joyce is
urging motorists to take care on the roads this festive
season. “Summer holidays should be a time for kicking back
and relaxing with family and friends but too many Kiwis end
up grieving for their loved ones after avoidable tragedies
on our roads.” More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00246.htm
ALSO:
- Top Stop Spots Create Great Road Trip Traditions [2]
- Have a safe and happy Christmas [3]
- Enjoy Christmas lights safely [4]
- Auckland harbour patrols boosted for summer [5]
- Christmas/New Year liquor ban [6]
- Liquor bans aimed at improving community safety [7]
- Don’t let drinking ruin your holiday season [8]
- Keep food safe this summer [9]
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00274.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00238.htm [3]
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00234.htm [4]
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00232.htm [5]
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00260.htm [6]
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00247.htm [7]
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0812/S00099.htm [8]
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0812/S00098.htm [9]
Mysteries: Why Did Bill Remove Full Employment As A
Policy target
Council of Trade Unions Economist
Peter Conway says that the removal of full employment and
equitable distribution of income as objectives in the Policy
Targets Agreement is a worrying sign, and has called on
Finance Minister to explain the move. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00263.htm
Santarchy:
Kapiti Mayor Accused Of Santaism
KCDC Councillor
Lyndy McIntyre has slated Mayor Jenny Rowan for acting alone
in ejecting a group of Father Christmases from the Council
Chamber. Cr McIntyre told Kapiti Independent News the Santas
were led by “ a guy who wanted to come along to public
speaking.” More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00268.htm
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00265.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00246.htm [3]
BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH
------------Economy:
Deficit Expands Due To Petrol
For the year
ended September 2008, the current account deficit was $15.5
billion (8.6 percent of GDP), Statistics New Zealand said
today. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00444.htm
Happy Birds: Granddad celebrates 21st birthday at Mount
Bruce
There’ll be extra reason for celebration
at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre in the
northern Wairarapa on New Years Day, with a special someone
turning 21. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00058.htm
Foreign
Affairs: Anderton Interrogates Kiwibank Ad
Critic
"This man needs a funny bone transplant,"
was the response of Kiwibank founder Jim Anderton to the
recent description by former BNZ chairman Kerry McDonald of
the Kiwibank 'join the resistance' advertising campaign as
'reprehensible' and 'outrageous'. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00245.htm
Aviation:
British Airways and Qantas call off merger
Qantas
Airways Limited (Qantas) and British Airways Plc (BA) are
announcing that after detailed discussions about a potential
merger of the companies, talks have ended. Despite the
potential longer term benefits for Qantas and BA... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00421.htm
ALSO:
- Greenpeace New Zealand Inc v Genesis Power Ltd [2]
- Aylwin v New Zealand Police [3]
- Rebecca Katszi Li v The Queen [4]
- Glenharrow Holdings Ltd v Inland Revenue [5]
- Ben Nevis & Ors v Inland Revenue [6]
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00268.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00271.htm [3]
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00269.htm [4]
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00427.htm [5]
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00426.htm [6]
Economy:
NZ heading for bigger deficits; more room to cut rates
further
Dec. 18 - New Zealand’s government
finances are heading for wider budget deficits over the next
few years on a weaker track for economic growth that will
give the central bank more room to cut rates, according to
the Treasury’s latest forecasts. More
»[1]
[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1811
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00241.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00414.htm [3]
Out
of Work? Wanted: Sit Vac Glossary
Duncan
Graham writes: Is NZ the land of opportunity where all
who want work can work? The old adage of Buyer Beware
applies in the job market as much as used car yards. Fed up
with your job and want something new? Like planning an
overseas trip it’s best to learn the language before
take-off. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00345.htm
COMMENT
------------Gaza:
The Untold Story
Ramzy Baroud writes:
It’s incomprehensible that a region such as the Gaza
Strip, so rich with history, so saturated with defiance, can
be reduced to a few blurbs, sound bites and reductionist
assumptions, convenient but deceptive, vacant of any
relevant meaning, or even true... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00372.htm
A
Word From Afar: Brief On The Use Of Informants In
Intelligence Operations
Paul Buchanan
writes: A Word From Afar: Paul Buchanan writes that some
argue that infiltration of legitimate anti-status quo
organizations is anti-democratic and intimidatory. They may
well be correct in that assessment. But he says there is a
backdrop to this issue. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00358.htm
Gordon
Campbell: New Zealand Needs To Change Tack On
Fiji
In every crisis there is an opportunity, and
Commodore Bainimarama has given the new National-led
government the chance to rescue New Zealand from the dead
end policy stance of the Clark government... More
»[1]
[1] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/new-zealand-needs-to-change-tack-on-fiji/
J.
Sri Raman: India's Right Wing Wants Nuclear
War
Mumbai's terrorist outrage of November 26
has found a response truly matching it in madness. A call
for a nuclear war - and nothing less - has come as the
culmination of warped and warlike reactions to the
traumatizing tragedy, which has claimed a ... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00341.htm
Uri
Avnery: Tzipi’s Nation-State
In this tale,
an American politician gets up and declares: The United
States was founded by British Protestants who were
persecuted in Europe for their Puritan beliefs. Therefore,
the United States is an Anglo-Saxon Protestant state. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00370.htm
Try
that One on for Size: Al-Zaidi Puts Iraq Back on the
Map
Remi Kanazi writes: I can't lie. I've
watched Iraqi journalist Montather Al-Zaidi whip those two
shoes past George Bush's head more times than I can count. I
loved it; I even got into the corny jokes about the Red Sox
drafting Al-Zaidi in the spring (cementing my belief that
Iraqis... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00323.htm
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00342.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00301.htm [3]
David
Swanson: The Best Defense Iran Could
Have
Given the fates of the other two members of
Bush's axis of evil, some would argue that the best defense
Iran could have would be a nuclear bomb. They would,
however, be wildly wrong. The best defense... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00325.htm
LIFESTYLE
------------
Wackiness: NZ Is A Country Of Crazy Jandal Stories
DHL announces the winners of the “can we
handle your jandal story” competition Auckland, 19
December 2008 – It is official: New Zealand is a country
of crazy jandal stories. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00439.htm
Life Saving: Angel Rings Prevent Early Visit To Meet
Angels
The installation of ‘angel rings’ at
high risk rock fishing spots on Auckland’s west coast
beaches could help save lives this summer, but wearing a
lifejacket should still be the number one priority for rock
fishers. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00225.htm
Photo Essay: Wellington Phoenix
Two-for-One
In what will be the last home game
this year for the Wellington Phoenix, players turned out in
force to promote tomorrow night’s match against the
Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00351.htm
Pop:
Coldplay Announces Plan To Invade NZ
Chugg
Entertainment today confirmed that Coldplay will visit New
Zealand following their eleven arena shows in Australia next
March. The show will be part of their “Viva La Vida”
world tour, in support of their new album of the same name.
More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00166.htm
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00174.htm [2]
Temporary
Art: Wellington Barricades Fall After One
Day
Car wrecks, discarded furniture and other
urban detritus barricaded Stout Street at the corner of
Lambton Quay in central Wellington for 24 hours on Sunday.
This large-scale art intervention, created by British
artists Heather and Ivan Morison, was part of the year-long
One Day Sculpture series. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00147.htm
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00328.htm [2]
WORLD
------------Africa:
$92 Million To Ease Plight Of Somalis
The United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today
appealed for $92 million to ease the plight of some 250,000
Somalis living in one of the world’s oldest and most
congested camps in Kenya and to meet the needs of new
arrivals from ... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00474.htm
Gaza:
Israeli Forces Demolish Sheikh Jarrah Protest
Camp
Israeli forces have again demolished the
protest tent established in Sheikh Jarrah, Occupied East
Jerusalem, built on Palestinian private property in support
of the evicted al-Kurd family and the 18 Palestinian
families who currently face eviction ... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00494.htm
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00463.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00497.htm [3]
Burma:
Japan To Take In Myanmar Refugees
The United
Nations refugee agency has welcomed Japan’s decision to
introduce a pilot resettlement programme to accept Myanmar
refugees in Thailand starting in 2010, making it the first
country in the region to launch such an initiative. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00473.htm
Video:
Voices Of Dissent: Activism & American
Democracy
I'm writing to invite you to watch my
film, Voices Of Dissent: Activism & American Democracy, on
KTEH, Public Television of San Jose, Channel 54 (Comcast 10)
this coming Monday 12/22, at 11 pm. There will also be an
encore showing very early morning on ... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00493.htm
Genocide:
Rwanda: UN Court Jails Ex-Military Leader
A
United Nations court today sentenced the alleged mastermind
behind the 1994 massacre of hundreds of thousands of people
in Rwanda and two co-defendants to life imprisonment for
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00444.htm
Richard
S. Ehrlich: Canadian and Americans Accused of Sex Crimes
in Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand -- A Canadian who
allegedly arranged for Americans to sexually abuse
"prepubescent" boys in his home for payment, while he taught
at a prestigious school in Bangkok, was arrested in London
by the U.S. Justice Department ... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00361.htm
Tuition:
Achieving Quality Education Will Cost
Achieving
the goal of quality education for all by 2015 will require
countries to devote greater funds to this critical sector
and to address the growing shortage of qualified teachers,
according to a United Nations meeting that concluded today
... More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00442.htm
ENDS