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That thing Key promised was unlikely to happen with the TPPA just happened
Beyond the spin that NZers would have a say about the TPPA, beyond the lies of how much money it will make us, beyond the fact it’s an American geopolitical strategy to counter China in the Pacific – is the terrifying reality that the TPPA opens NZ up to foreign corporations suing us if domestic law costs them money.
Key say’s it’s unlikely to happen – it just did.
TPP opponents say Keystone suit shows threat
A legal dispute over the Keystone XL oil pipeline is giving opponents of a Pacific trade agreement a fresh argument in their effort to get the US Congress to kill the pact.
They say the case announced this week, in which TransCanada is seeking arbitration to recover US$15 billion tied to the Obama administration’s rejection of Keystone, shows how foreign companies could use provisions of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement to challenge US policy on the environment and other matters.
“I can’t think of many clearer signals that could have been offered at this moment to show how big a threat the TPP poses to our efforts to keep fossil fuels in the ground,” said Ben Beachy, a senior policy adviser for the Sierra Club, the San Francisco-based environmental group.
The trade pact will encourage oil and gas companies to use arbitration to seek compensation from the United States, he said.
TransCanada argues that by rejecting the pipeline, the Obama administration violated provisions of a different trade deal – the North American Free Trade agreement.
…by signing the TPPA and having it ratified by the necessary members John Key is signing away our ability to pass domestic law without costing us millions in legal fees and opening us up to potentially massive damage claims from unscrupulous corporates.
This is forced trade not free trade.
Helen Kelly should not be a criminal! How to change cannabis laws in 2017
It is a mutilation of justice that a passionate fighter for human rights and worker rights like Helen Kelly is made a criminal by our cannabis laws!
Her current battle against cancer forces her to become a criminal by gaining cannabis oil from the black market. How backwards have we become as a nation when we can have a referendum on the flag, but won’t have a referendum on a drug that has far less damage than many other legal drugs, imprisons thousands, costs millions to enforce, hands vast profits to organised crime and makes legends like Helen Kelly a criminal for seeking it as a pain reliever.
We are behind even America on this for crying out loud. Here is the number of deaths from cannabis overdoses since it was legalised in 23 states in America.
ZERO.
That’s right, zero deaths from overdose. We can’t say the same thing for booze and alcohol.
Let’s reform cannabis laws significantly and create a stringent and strongly regulated market for it while strengthening gambling, alcohol and tobacco laws with the same ruthless state intrusion intended for the cannabis market.
How do we do that? Over January TDB will be publishing a legislative road map cannabis would need to take to become law, it’s hoped this discussion can spark wider debate and get some real movement on these arcane law.
TVNZ glam?
If TVNZ is ‘glam‘ at the moment, I’d hate to see laundry day – I’d prefer they toned down Mike Hosking, not the wardrobe.
How much more laid back can our news get? The mindless junk scripted banter that they throw between sections to let the viewers know that we are moving from big important adult stuff to the jokey sports section is so painfully informal it’s a 50 person Christmas dinner in a small Parnell apartment.
They may as well get the weather guy to pop on an apron, sanders and socks and do a live Barbie with every forecast each night.
How about professional and authoritative? TV3 seems to have completely sold out on that brand element so it can’t be that expensive to buy at the moment.
Dolphin Survival Depends On Kiwis Keeping An Eye On The Sea And On What We Eat
Summer is usually the time for fun visits and evening fish and chips at the beach. But dolphin advocates are reminding New Zealanders to keep an eye out for dolphins both at sea and ‘in their fish and chips’ this summer. Māui and Hector’s dolphin survival requires watching the sea and our fish consumption.
Māui and Hector’s dolphins are the world’s smallest and rarest marine dolphin, found only in New Zealand waters, and come in close to shore during summer. That means they can sometimes be seen from coastal hotspots around the country, but they are also at increased risk of entanglement in both recreational and trawling gillnets at this time. Gillnets are allowed in much of both Māui and Hector’s habitat, ensuring a downward trend in the dolphin population. Gillnets are the biggest known threat to the dolphins, accountable for up to 95% of human caused deaths. Scientists predict Māui could be extinct within 15 years unless this attrition is halted.
Maui and Hector’s dolphins are distinguished by their small size (about 1.8m max), black, grey and white colouring, and rounded dorsal fin. Anyone who spots one of the charismatic wee dolphins from shore or boat should report sightings to the Department of Conservation hotline 0800 DOCHOT. DOC maintain a sightings database which helps inform research and protection.
Verified sightings with as much information about location and time of sighting are essential for dolphin conservation. The public have the eyes on the ground, and can make a huge contribution to knowledge about the dolphins’ distribution. There are only about 55 Māui dolphins, but despite their low numbers, they are sometimes seen in the surf at busy West Coast Auckland beaches like Muriwai and Bethells-Te Henga. All sightings should be reported as soon as possible.
But the Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders group also reminds buyers of fish and chips this summer, to buy carefully given the overlap between New Zealand’s inshore commercial fisheries, and recreational set netting in much of Māui and Hector’s habitat.
New Zealand’s own fishing practices are driving Māui and Hector’s dolphins to extinction. Kiwis shouldn’t buy into that, by not setting nets in the dolphin habitat, (especially where it is illegal), and avoiding trawl caught fish.
This call follows Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ successful ‘ByCatch of the Day’ campaign launched in November highlighting the links between New Zealand’s commercial gillnet fishing and Māui and Hector’s dolphins decline. A petition launched at the time has attracted over 2000 signatures so far.
High profile set net entanglements of other species this summer have highlighted the risk of indiscriminate gill nets. All gill nets should be banned in Māui and Hector’s habitat given their precarious situation. In the meantime, consumers need to be aware of the unsustainable bycatch from New Zealand’s trawling practices, forging the path for these dolphins’ extinction.
TheDailyBlog.nz Top 5 News Headlines Sunday 10th January 2016
5:
Cologne protests over sex attacks: ‘I am full of sorrow for Germany’
The tiny, handwritten sign on a pot of primulas left on Cologne Cathedral’s steps after the first protest of the weekend summed up perhaps the only sentiment everyone in the city could agree with on Saturday: “You shouldn’t hit a woman, even with a flower.”
Germany is struggling to respond to a mass assault of women on New Year’s Eve, and news that people suspected of a role in the violence included asylum seekers. Thousands of people took to the streets this weekend for three different protests to call authorities to account.
The first was a “flashmob” gathering of women with tambourines and banners, with slogans ranging from the flat-out furious to angry black humour. “All the pepper spray in Cologne has sold out, so how can we feel safe?” asked one. They wanted more respect for women across German society, not just punishment for the perpetrators of the New Year’s Eve attacks. They are furious with police who did little to stop the attacks and then apparently covered up the scale of the problem, and officials whose initial response was to warn women to stay “an arm’s length” away from men.
The Guardian
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The Faces and Frozen Landscapes of the ‘Oregon Standoff’
Members of an anti-government militia have now occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in remote eastern Oregon for a week. Saturday marked the seventh day since a handful of armed men showed up at the deserted refuge, closed down for the winter, to make a stand against what they see as an encroaching federal government.
Led by Nevada rancher Ammon Bundy and his brother Ryan, the occupiers started what the media has taken to calling “the Oregon standoff.” But in this cold and desolate landscape of sagebrush and wide-open spaces, the militiamen aren’t really standing off with anybody. There is, quite simply, nobody there but them.
Vice News
3:
Muslim woman ejected from Donald Trump rally after silent protest
A Muslim woman was escorted from a Donald Trump rally on Friday night, after she stood silently behind the Republican frontrunner wearing a shirt that read: “Salam, I come in peace.”
The Guardian
2:
Kosovo protesters clash with police over Serbia deal
Ethnic Albanian protesters have clashed with police in Kosovo after its government agreed to an EU-brokered deal that gives ethnic Serbs in the territory greater local powers.
Several thousand demonstrators were involved in the clashes in Pristina on Saturday over the agreement, which many Kosovans fear will see neighbouring Serbia assert more influence over the country.
The deal could also open the way for Serbians living in Kosovo to receive financing from Belgrade.
Al Jazeera’s Stefan Goranovic said tension between the government and those opposed to the deal had been building up for over the past few months.
Aljazeera
1:
Scores killed in Russian air strikes in Syria’s Idlib
Scores of people have been killed and over 100 others injured in Russian air strikes in Syria’s Idlib province, Al Jazeera has learnt.
The volunteer-run Syria Civil Defence told Al Jazeera that Saturday’s Russian air strikes targeted the town of Maarat al-Numaan, 290km north of the capital, killing at least 43 people and injuring at least 150 others.
“Our volunteers are still in the area that was targeted by the air strikes. They are still trying to help those injured and affected by the attack,” the coordinator for the Idlib Syria Civil Defence told Al Jazeera.
“Many of those injured are in very serious conditions, the death toll is expected to rise,” he added.
In another attack in Idlib province, the Syria Civil Defence said at least three people were killed and four others were injured in air strikes that targeted a school and a fire department in Ariha.
Aljazeera
The Daily Blog Open Mic Sunday 10th January 2016
Announce protest actions, general chit chat or give your opinion on issues we haven’t covered for the day.
Moderation rules are more lenient for this section, but try and play nicely.
Anti-Maori Facebook page despicable racism
As we approach Waitangi Day – here’s and example have how much further NZ needs to still go, an anti-Maori Facebook Page…
…Founded on the 1st December, it is hateful in its depiction of Maori. Here is what it says…
We’re committed to ENDING all pandering to the Maori elite & activists lodging never-ending Claims of anything that will given them money or power!
This is a new page only started a few weeks ago but we have a goal of initially attracting 1,000 Likes (members) all committed to our goal of ENDING the ongoing insanity which is Maori claims. Initially it was land claims but we all know it has now evolved to gifted seats on councils/boards of influence & power, claims for water, rivers and lakes and even the air and sky!
Join now as we will be lifting the profile and actions of this page in 2016. Please jump on board, join the revolution, tell your friends to join and lets see if we can fight back and put a STOP to this craziness! ENOUGH is ENOUGH!
…it is a hate site and should be pulled down immediately. It has disgustingly racist posters and incites hatred. Complain to the Human Rights Commission here.
The TPPA is a death sentence for Indigenous Rights – Te Wharepora Hou
Tangata whenua are strongly opposed to the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement which will be held in Auckland in February.
The TPPA represents a significant and disruptive challenge to Maori.
The New Zealand government has by-passed indigenous involvement at every level. This complete lack of consultation also contravenes the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and this government has no right to sign this trade deal without our free,prior and informed consent.
Similar free trade agreements have had a devastating impact on the rights & lives of Indigenous peoples around the world. Indigenous peoples have been criminalised and rights to their lands and resource have been ignored.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is colonisation by corporation.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is part of the neoliberal structural adjustment programme to diminish and extinguish Indigenous rights forever. The TPPA will intensify and increase negative economic impacts in our communities. Already Maori are extensively over-represented in all negative indices.
The TPPA is a direct denial of the rights of Maori as stated in the 1835 Declaration of Independence and as reaffirmed in the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
The Waitangi tribunal last year confirmed that Tangata Whenua did not cede their sovereignty when they signed the Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Tangata Whenua have long and deeply-held traditional values and understandings of collectivity, of manakitanga , of kaitiakitanga (Caring for Earth Mother), for Tangaroa (god of the sea) and for their children .This is in direct opposition to what is being proposed in the TPPA. The New Zealand government does no have the right to negotiate away our rights under Te Tiriti and our rights as Indigenous peoples.
We oppose corporate Maori like FOMA (Federation of Maori Authorities) who have come out in support of this agreement. These neotribal capitalists are transparent in their greed and their neoliberal modus operandi.
Their bottom line and profit at any cost mentality puts the interests of the dairy industry and the tribal capitalists ahead of a duty of care for our environment and our survival as Indigenous peoples. We will not let our grassroots who are struggling to survive be sold out again.
The TPPA is a “death sentence” for Maori . “It is a gift to the rich that will deepen the divide between narrowly concentrated wealth and mass misery, and destroy what remains of the indigenous society.” This is not the world our tupuna envisioned for us when they signed Te Tiriti.
“Our communities, our whānau, hapū, have the mana for the land. Let us not give that right to big businesses.”
Lifeline Aotearoa receive a deluge of calls over the Xmas break – Lifeline
During the 11-day period from 24 December to 4 January, calls to Lifeline Aotearoa’s crisis lines increased by 16% from its usual volumes.
“We received one call every five minutes from across New Zealand during the Christmas period,” said Ms Lanovski, Lifeline’s Senior Clinical Manager.
“There are a couple of observations to make here. First, there are large numbers of New Zealanders experiencing significant levels of distress in their lives. Over holidays they may feel more acutely distressed while at the same time having less access to supports due to regular services being less available, said Ms Lanovski.
“From the sheer number of high risk calls to Lifeline it seems clear that we need to do more in New Zealand to bolster the resources of the suicide prevention sector,” says Md Lanovski.
Lifeline Aotearoa has experienced counsellors at the end of the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, none of which are funded via the Government. Being able to recruit and train counsellors takes considerable fundraising.
“There are over 120 volunteers working for Lifeline Aotearoa. Their contribution to New Zealand communities is invaluable, but to Lifeline Aotearoa each volunteer costs approximately $1,200 in training. This cost is solely to provide the volunteers with the relevant education and preparation so that they can maintain the outstanding level of care and professionalism Lifeline staff are known for”, said Ms Lanovski.
Everyone on the team hopes that progress would be made over 2016 to secure Government funding so that Lifeline can continue its essential work.
Local Palestine supporters stand with Brazil – Poneke Palestine Working Group
The Poneke Palestine Working Group will rally at the Brazil embassy in Wellington (Mon 11th January 2016, at noon.) The event is to support the Brazil government’s refusal to accept Israel’s new ambassador designate to Brazil, along with over 30 Brazilian groups.
Brazil has caused a diplomatic storm by rejecting the appointment of Argentinian born Dani Dayan because of his role in Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank. Dayan is envoy of the Yesha Council which lobbies to seize Palestinian land for colonisation and settlements.
Poneke Palestine Spokesperson Kat Goodman says the Brazilian government and NGOs have taken a courageous stand.
“We support Brazil’s principled rejection of Dani Dayan. Accepting him as ambassador would be to accept the occupation he represents.” Ms. Goodman says.
“Dayan is a leader of the illegal settlement movement. Israel must stop choosing expansion over peace,”
In 2004 The International Court of Justice determined that Israel’s settlements in the West Bank violate international law. Israel has since then continued to militarily seize Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and build new settlements.
Tel Aviv threatened to downgrade relations with Brasilia if it did not accept Dani Dayan as its choice
for ambassador on 28 December.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has said Israel’s settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are deeply unhelpful and undermine a two state solution.
Goodman said New Zealand needs to do more. “For a start, we should follow the European Union in making sure exports from the illegal Israeli settlements don’t sneak in here unidentified – like SodaStream.”
Goodman is also a member of Jews for Justice Aotearoa. “We are totally against the settlements and violence,” she says.
“Dayan lives in Ma’aleh Shorom, a settlement in the West Bank. He claims to be against violence, but he was head of the Yesha Council which funds settler attacks.”
Settler attacks killed Ali Dawabsheh, an 18-month-old Palestinian baby burned to death when settlers set fire to his family home in the occupied West Bank in July 2015.
Stop union busting at International Flavors & Fragrances Turkey! – IUF
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International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a leading supplier of specialty ingredients to the global processed food industry, has responded to the organization of a union at its factory in Gebze, Turkey with mass dismissals.
The IUF-affiliated Tobacco, Drink, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Tekgida-Is) in Turkey organized workers at the Gebze factory last year and the Labour Ministry recognized the union as the bargaining unit on June 18, 2015. Workers formed a union in response to poor working conditions and there have been allegations of serious health and safety concerns. IFF challenged this decision at the local labour court and dismissed 30 workers between July and September for exercising their right to join a union. Following the dismissal of a prominent union supporter, Tekgıda-Is organized a protest action in front of the factory gate and issued a press statement on September 7 calling on IFF to respect union rights and stop pressuring workers to resign from their union. CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE to IFF, telling the company to immediately reinstate the 30 dismissed workers to their jobs, respect union rights and start negotiating with Tekgida-Is in good faith. |
Workers jailed for protesting illegal mass terminations at Philip Morris Pakistan – IUF
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| Thirty-five workers were arrested in the city of Mardan on January 6 for peacefully protesting the brutal instant termination of 141 employees at the Pakistan subsidiary of tobacco giant Philip Morris International. Workers were informed of the mass terminations on November 21 when they arrived to work only to learn that dismissal letters would be sent to them by post.
With the support of the local union, whose President Abrar Ullah was among the arrested, workers launched a continuous round of protests at the factory gate after management refused to discuss the terminations and began pressuring workers to accept the illegal dismissals. To add to the pressure, police were called to the factory gate when the protest began. On January 6, workers gathered with their union officers to present a Charter of Demands to management when police arrested 35 protestors under the Maintenance of Public Order law, which allows for up to 90 days detention without charges. A solidarity delegation from the IUF-affiliated Pakistan Food Workers Federation (PFWF), which had hoped to meet with the workers demonstrated outside the police station following the mass arrests. The arrested workers were then shifted to Bannu Jail, some 250 kilometers from Mardan and notorious as a prison for incarcerating Taliban activists. The PFWF and the IUF will continue to support and assist the workers, who have vowed to continue the fight. CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT authorities calling for the immediate release of the workers and their union President. |
