Guest and sponsored opinion pieces published on The Daily Blog, offering diverse perspectives within clear editorial guidelines.
Earlier this month, the touchy Indonesian military commander in chief, Gatot Nurmantyo, set off a mini diplomatic storm with Australia. He took offence at teaching materials in use at a Perth military base where some of his officers were being trained.
Superficially much media coverage is being given to Israeli soldier Elor Azaria’s being found guilty of manslaughter, after shooting a 21-year old Palestinian who posed no threat.
I am reliably informed that the I.D.U. rate (positive drug test results) at SERCO Wiri is at least 25%….i.e. one quarter of the prisoners have tested positive for drug use
New Years celebrations are bitter sweet, reflecting past failures and future hopes. Except New Year today has lost its significance. It is a cultural hangover alienated from its origins as the celebration of mid-winter. While observing Matariki (literally the ‘eyes of god’) in Aotearoa celebrates the mid-winter as recognition of the renewal of life, it is as a cultural ritual detached from economic reality.
In essence then the National led Government has washed its hands of any direct involvement in providing housing in Tauranga and a well-respected charity – the IHC, has provided it with the cover and the excuse to do this.
Sleepy New Zealand might feel a world away from the political storms brewing in the US and Europe. We are not as isolated as it may seem. The NZ election might not be til next year, but 2016 showed important possibilities and dangers for those who want to see progressive change.
The US State Department has denied an entry visa to 15 year old Palestinian Ahed Tamini . She has been invited by FOSNA (Friends of Sabeel North America) to take part in an US speaking tour beginning in mid-January, No Child Behind Bars , Living Resistance.
Deliberately excluding route protection for future rail to the airport is one of the most irresponsible planning decisions I have witnessed during my time in Auckland local government.
People have been digesting the appointment of Stephen Bannon as Trump’s chief strategist and the sudden rise in overt racism and Nazi symbology. There are people saying “Heil Trump”, giving Nazi salutes, and spray-painting swastikas in alarming numbers. The US is a large, populous, diverse country, but there is clearly something of significance here beyond just a few ignorant teenagers with spraycans and emotional issues.
Psychology tells us we have huge, indomitable confirmation bias. We find rational arguments to justify our intuitive position. Is it so hard to believe, when a candidate like triggers ALL of the modules in our morality matrix, that he won? That in a polarised election the one who ticks all the morale boxes was going to lose?