Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 13 February 2003, 3:08 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
Millions To March Against War – Links Galore!
Govt Changes to GM Release in New Zealand
Greens Say Govt’s GE Laws Flawed
Rolling Out The Bogey-Man
The Criminal Case Against George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Et Al.
Jason Leopold: James Baker’s Plans For An Oil War
Not Important? Think Again!
Firas Al-Atraqchi: Who’s Next?
Bernard Weiner: The Arrogance Of Power
U.S. Crude Oil Imports Fall Again
An Invitation To Think & Talk About Sex
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Dunne’s Views On Air NZ Deal Confirmed By OIA Release
Unwanted Ngawha Prison Costs Treble – Inquiry Call
Ron Mark Alleges Drivers License Corruption
33 Year Sentence For RSA Killers
Maharey Suffering From Premature Smugness
Cardiac Funding Redirection Concerns
Roading Work Celebrated In The Big (Car) Smoke
NZ First Joins The Arsenic Timber Treatment Crusade
Biting New Zealand Business
Retailing Hours Working Group
Australian Treasurer Visiting Next Week
Immigrant Numbers Ignorance Resignation Call
Trade Hawks Talk Turkey

Scoop Is In The House

– For today’s questions for oral answer see... Questions For Oral Answer - Thursday, 13 February [1] - Q&A Transcripts - Wednesday [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00198.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00197.htm

Millions To March Against War – Links Galore!

- As of 13th of February folk in 484 locations around the world (including Antarctica!) had registered their intention to protest on February 15th against war in Iraq. This weekend’s protests are expected to be the biggest ever public mobilisation against war. See... Scoop Links: A WORLD UNITED AGAINST WAR! [1] MORE: - Greens - Greens urge big turn-out for peace [2] - Jennifer Van Bergen: The March - February 15th [3] - Greenpeace CTU Joint Letter to PM on Iraq [4] - Wellington Anti-War Action This Saturday [5] - Young Labour - USA: Stick with the United Nations way [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00092.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00212.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00088.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00090.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00088.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00083.htm

Govt Changes to GM Release in New Zealand

- The government has announced changes it wants to make to the main legislation covering genetic modification (GM) in the latest step in its programme to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. See... Govt announces proposals for genetic modification [1] ALSO: - Full Govt. Press Kit On New GE Laws - Public consultation on amendments to the HSNO Act [2] - About the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification [3] - Other work underway to implement decisions [4] - Next steps [5] - Work progressing on Treaty principles amendments [6] - Institutional Biological Safety Committees [7] - Proposals to streamline laboratory research [8] - "Fast-track" for emergency medicines [9] - Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act [10] - Amendments to improve HSNO Act operations [11] - Strict civil liability and civil penalties regime [12] - Minister's call-in powers extended [13] - Conditional release – how it would work [14] - New category for release of new organisms [15]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00161.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00175.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00174.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00173.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00172.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00171.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00170.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00169.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00168.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00167.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00166.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00165.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00164.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00163.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00162.htm

Greens Say Govt’s GE Laws Flawed

- The Government's new GE laws fall far short of protecting the public from the mistakes of genetic engineers, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today. See... New GE laws fundamentally flawed [1] MORE REACTION: - National - GM regulations will add layers of uncertainty and [2] - GE Free Canterbury - Government has got to be joking [3] - Fed Farmers - Farmers Cautiously Optimistic about HSNO Changes [4] - GE Free NZ - Anger as Government capitulates to industry on GM [5] - Greenpeace - Government GE precautions like a condom with holes [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00155.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00205.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00087.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00086.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00085.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00081.htm

Rolling Out The Bogey-Man

- Osama bin Laden rose from the dead yet again on Tuesday to prophesy doom and death for America. This is nothing new; he has been clawing his way out of various burial holes for seventeen months now, and always manages to strike fear into the American heart by way of the American media and the Bush administration at exactly the moment when incredibly important shifts in history are in the offing. See... UQ Wire: Osama Rallies Muslims, Condemns Hussein [1] MORE: - Scoop Editorial - MSNBC Struggles To Report Osama’s Views Of Saddam [2] - Firas Al-Atraqchi: Misleading the Public [3] - State Dept. - Richard Boucher Interview on Al-Jazeera [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00087.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00081.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00082.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00137.htm

The Criminal Case Against George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Et Al.

- Where is the line between investigative discretion and obstruction of justice? What level of forewarning of attack is so compelling that failure to order protective measures makes officials liable to prosecution for reckless endangerment? See... UQ Wire: The Crimes Of 9/11 (Part 1) [1] and UQ Wire: The Crimes Of 9/11 (Part 2) [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00079.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00091.htm

Jason Leopold: James Baker’s Plans For An Oil War

- Why is it so difficult to accept the fact that America’s thirst for oil is the primary reason for waging a war against Iraq? For months, foreign journalists have reported that the United States has been running low on oil—a fact—and only by using military force in Iraq would the U.S. be able tap into the region’s oil wells to meet the threat of supply shortages here. See... Jason Leopold: It’s the Oil, Stupid [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00090.htm

Not Important? Think Again!

- “They’ve got some crazy people over there…” - Thus spake Congressman John Murtha about the Pentagon, and truer words were never spoken. See... NITA: The Imperishable Primacy of Interests [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00089.htm

Firas Al-Atraqchi: Who’s Next?

- They've pretty much tried it all; blaming Saddam for anthrax, West Nile Virus, 9-11, and ties to terrorists. They showed us cartoons of roving sci-fi labs in Iraq's hyperspace (because, apparently, no one has seen the mobile labs let alone provide proof they exist), movies of Saddam being kissed on the armpits (sure, that's a good reason to launch a hygienic war), and played audio of two incompetent Iraqis who just sit their saying 'yes,yes' over and over again. See... What's Next? War Against France, North Korea? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00086.htm

Bernard Weiner: The Arrogance Of Power

- There is a direct connection between the Columbia shuttle disaster, the U.S. reaction to the Twin Towers/Pentagon attacks, and the coming war with Iraq: the arrogance of power. See... Arrogance: What Is It Good For? Absolute Disasters [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00085.htm

U.S. Crude Oil Imports Fall Again

- U.S. crude oil imports (including imports going into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) averaged 7.2 million barrels per day last week, a decline of nearly 1.2 million barrels per day from the previous week, and the lowest weekly average since early 2000. See... US Petroleum Data For The Week Ending February 7 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0302/S00092.htm

An Invitation To Think & Talk About Sex

- The Family Planning Association challenge to New Zealanders this Valentines Day is to think and talk more about sex. See... Think more about sex on valentines day – FPA says [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0302/S00016.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- My daughter, so beloved. You all ask Me, why this avalanche of messages? I do not want to sadden you, although I said that My messages had ended for the group, I had My reasons for it. See... Katya Rivas: These Notebooks ... Your Daily Bread [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00084.htm

Dunne’s Views On Air NZ Deal Confirmed By OIA Release

- United Future leader, Peter Dunne, said today his opposition to the proposed Qantas takeover of Air New Zealand had been confirmed by the partial release of the Treasury papers advising the Government on the deal. See... Dunne alarmed by Air NZ papers [1] MORE: - Govt - Air NZ papers released on www.treasury.govt.nz [2] - ACT - Air New Zealand: Response by Richard Prebble [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00210.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00139.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00149.htm

Unwanted Ngawha Prison Costs Treble – Inquiry Call

- National is calling for an Audit Office investigation into the Corrections Department's handling of the Ngawha Prison project, which has now trebled its original budget. See... Ngawha Prison project cost trebles [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00196.htm

Ron Mark Alleges Drivers License Corruption

- New Zealand First MP Ron Mark says bribery and corruption has become part of the drivers’ licence test. See... Corruption Drives Into Driving Tests [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00195.htm

33 Year Sentence For RSA Killers

- Justice Potter's thirty-three year non-parole period is a great improvement from the past, but a just criminal justice system would not have had to wait for months, ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks said today See... Why the Wait For RSA Killer Sentence? [1] MORE: - National - More answers needed on RSA murder case [2] - United Future - Alexander: 33-year sentence a good start [3] - Govt: Wilson - Errors Acknowledged In Bell Case [4] - Govt: Goff - Goff welcomes Bell sentence [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00203.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00204.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00213.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00209.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00208.htm

Maharey Suffering From Premature Smugness

- ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today challenged the Labour Government's gloating over recent unemployment figures. See... Minister's Smugness Premature [1] . See also... Nats Invited to see how job schemes slashing unemployment [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00202.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00194.htm

Cardiac Funding Redirection Concerns

- Revelations that money intended for cardiac operations in Wellington has been diverted to other areas shows the serious structural problems in the health system, said National's Health spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott. See... Cardiac funding bypass puts lives at risk [1] MORE: See... Minister Sees The Light - At Long Last [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00206.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00201.htm

Roading Work Celebrated In The Big (Car) Smoke

- Early work on the Upper Harbour Corridor was celebrated today as Minister of Transport Paul Swain and North Shore mayor George Wood placed the first survey pegs for the second Upper Harbour Bridge section of the Upper Harbour Corridor project. See... Work on Upper Harbour Corridor Begins [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00200.htm

NZ First Joins The Arsenic Timber Treatment Crusade

- “Alternative timber treatments are needed for use in our playgrounds,” said New Zealand First Family Affairs spokesperson Barbara Stewart, after the American Government confirmed that there is a risk of cancer for children who use playgrounds made with arsenic treated timber. See... Playground Timber Must Be Investigated [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00191.htm

Biting New Zealand Business

- The lack of business savvy being displayed by the Government is beginning to bite, according to the National Party Forestry spokesman Brian Connell. See... Govt policies biting on business [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00188.htm

Retailing Hours Working Group

- Labour Minister Margaret Wilson has set up a five-person working group to help sort out the inconsistencies in the country’s shop trading hours legislation. See... Shop Trading Hours Working Group established [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00187.htm

Australian Treasurer Visiting Next Week

- The future direction of CER will be high on the agenda when Australian Treasurer Peter Costello visits New Zealand next week as the guest of Finance Minister Michael Cullen. See... Busy agenda for Costello visit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00186.htm

Immigrant Numbers Ignorance Resignation Call

- New Zealand First has demanded the immediate resignation of the Immigration Minister who admitted in Parliament during question time today that she did not know how many immigrants arrived in New Zealand last year. See... Don't Know Minister Must Go Now Says Peters [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00180.htm

Trade Hawks Talk Turkey

- The draft World Trade Organisation agriculture paper was “like the proverbial curate's egg ? good in parts”, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Agriculture Paper Meets Some Reform Objectives [1] and and from the Trade Liberalisation Network… Op-Ed Comment: The Good in GATS [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00178.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00079.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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