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.
Something odd I’ve noticed: After an act of terrorism (or other highly publicized egregious act of politically motivated violence), we customarily have a hashtag or a display-pic filter showing solidarity with the victim – indeed, often going so semi-ludicrously far as to claim that we “ARE” the Victim. (I’m sure we all remember #JeSuisCharlie etc.)
After creating a Cabinet who will be used against him, the decision by Bill English to not stand in the Mt Albert by-election next year is his first shrewd decision.
“It was twenty years ago today,” according to the famous Beatles’ track, that “Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play”. Unfortunately, the files on my computer don’t go back quite that far. What I can show you, however, is how “the one and only” Helen Clark taught Labour’s band to play exactly fifteen years ago today.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of Russia or Putin in any way shape or form, but when compared to the last 50 years of the CIA, having to put up with some whining that a Russian Agent hacked the Democratic Party’s emails seems pretty lame.
A year ago, the force that is Judith Collins was looming upon us like the sort of saw-toothed smile with a fin on top you might see in a crashing wave just before it breaks. She’d come howling back from the political wilderness to find herself once again promoted back to Cabinet. Two weeks ago, she was in (upset) contention for the National Party’s top job – and the leadership of the nation.
English’s cabinet reshuffle is bewilderingly dangerous for Bill’ longevity as leader.
“CONSERVATIVE LEFTISTS” espousing “conservative leftism” have become a thing. The term is applied (neither generously nor kindly) to those ageing members of the broader New Zealand Left whose understanding of progressive ideals was forged in the 1960s and 70s. Generally speaking, conservative leftists are depicted as political has-beens whose only continuing contribution to the progressive cause involves standing in its way.
The Left and Progressive movement must wake the fuck up to what National’s neoliberal free market immigration policy has actually done in 8 years and Bernard Hickey’s must read column today helps add numbers to urgency of that change…
Catherine Delahunty and Stefan Browning stepping down from the Greens at the next election is a mixed blessing and speaks to the new shifting power blocs in the Green Party conclave.
