Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 21 February 2003, 4:17 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop: Where Life Imitates Art
American Coup: The Insecure Voting Company Responds
UQ Wire: MalcontentX Muses On February 15
Jason Leopold: When Editors Cross Dangerous Lines
Scoop Cartoon: Who's Leading Who & Who's Next
Guest Opinion: Standing Up To Global Bullies
Naked In Nuhaka – Leo Returns
Scoop Was In The House
A Memo To TV Talk-Show Bookers
Tony Blair To Meet Pope Saturday
BIG NEWS INVESTIGATES ACC - PART 5
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Say Yes To Peace - Thursday 27 February
PM Wipes Out In A Knowledge Barrel
Traffic Cops Hit The Spot
Green Peace Crusade Hits Campuses
The Government's View Of Itself
More Cows & Grapes, Less Sheep
Looking After Kiwi Kids
These Are The Days Of Our Select Committees
Marc Alexander Talks Prostitution Reform
Disabled Old People To Become A DHB Responsibility
Tackling 'P'
Wellingtonians Deserve A Better Rail System
Wilson Threatened With A Roasting
Sports Disputes Tribunal
Independence For Police Complaints

Scoop: Where Life Imitates Art

- The tin-pot dictatorship of a poor country with a rich natural resource becomes the focus of a war plotted by foreign powers and commercial interests, then fomented by a clueless press. So goes the plot of Evelyn Waugh’s novel Scoop, a hilarious satirical assault – on Realpolitik, Third-World governance, and journalism – which offers Cassandra-like premonitions of today. See... ‘Scoop’ On Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00159.htm

American Coup: The Insecure Voting Company Responds

- According to Salon.com , Diebold Election Systems, now denies that a program patch was ever applied to the Georgia voting machines: "We have analyzed that situation and have no indication of that happening at all." See... USA Coup: Black Box Voting Asks Who's Lying? [1] MORE: - Scoop Link - USA Coup: Salon.com Investigates Voting Machines [2] - For The Record - USA Coup: Voting Machines In Georgia And Maryland [3] ...and SCOOP: AMERICAN COUP FULL COVERAGE [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00158.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00157.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00156.htm
[4] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

UQ Wire: MalcontentX Muses On February 15

- We are gathered here today, in numbers that fill this heart with hope and strength to face the great weight of tasks which lie before us. See... UQ Wire: Feb. 15th, 2003 - A Poem [1] MORE F15 COVERAGE: - Howard's End - – World Protests Irrelevant Says Bush [2] - GLW - The Largest Coordinated AntiWar Protest In History [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00155.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00136.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00141.htm

Jason Leopold: When Editors Cross Dangerous Lines

- The New Republic , the 89 year-old “liberal” journal of politics and the arts, has shifted its editorial stance recently by publishing stories that support a war with Iraq and criticize the Democratic party for its weakness, according to a story in Wednesday’s New York Observer. See... New Republic Chief Editor Tells Bush To Bomb Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00154.htm

Scoop Cartoon: Who's Leading Who & Who's Next

- According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz Daily, during a meeting with U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton yesterday, Sharon said that Israel was concerned about the security threat posed by Iran, and stressed that it was important to deal with Iran even while American attention was focused on Iraq. See... John Chuckman Cartoon: Out Of His League [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00153.htm

Guest Opinion: Standing Up To Global Bullies

- The world’s countries must unite with their peoples against global bullying. Global democracy as expressed through the United Nations must now establish itself once and for all, prove it is what it was set up to be and not an “irrelevant” body, or window-dressing for the masses. See... Global Democracy Versus Global Bullying: Who Wins? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00152.htm

Naked In Nuhaka – Leo Returns

- Well, another summer has passed on the sunny east coast, though frankly I find it difficult to ascertain whether its all about to end or its actually just beginning. See... Naked in Nuhaka: Wairoa Star [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00150.htm

Scoop Was In The House

- For yesterday's Questions of the Day (and answers) from Ministers see… Questions Of The Day Transcript - 20 February '03 [1] - EARLIER Q&A – Tuesday's Transcript [2] - Wednesday's Transcript [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00388.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00325.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00345.htm

A Memo To TV Talk-Show Bookers

: - The latest New York Times/CBS poll says 59 percent of Americans think Hans Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei are on to something with these inspections. Give the dynamic duo more time, say the 59 percent. If Saddam is hiding WMD, let’s find those weapons and destroy them. If Blix and ElBaradei can certify in a few months that Iraq is “WMD free,” even better, as there’ll be no need to go to war to achieve President Bush’s stated goal of disarming Saddam. See... Public’s Pro-Inspections Posture Is M.I.A. on TV [1] and for earlier instructions for the media see… Dennis Hans: I'm Calling You Out [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00139.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00120.htm

Tony Blair To Meet Pope Saturday

- British Prime Minister Tony Blair is one of the many direct contacts John Paul II is pursuing in his efforts to ensure a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis. See... John Paul II to Receive British Prime Minister [1] . Meanwhile …British nationals in Iraq advised to leave [2] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00201.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00198.htm

BIG NEWS INVESTIGATES ACC - PART 5

- Accident victims seeking rehabilitation from ACC are not being advised of their entitlements despite receiving “fact sheets” emphasising that case managers will explain all services a claimant is entitled to apply for and receive. See... ACC claimants are not advised their entitlements [1] MORE: - Part 1 - ACC staff knowingly flout ACC legislation [2] - Part 2 - ACC case manager and assessor collude [3] - Part 3 - Dodgy Assessments Used To Rid ACC of Claimants [4] - Part 4 - How some ACC assessments predetermine outcomes [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00151.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00108.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00114.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00125.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00137.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- Eternal Father, I thank You because Your infinite Love has saved me, even against my own will. Thank You, my Father, for Your immense patience, which has waited for me. See... Katya Rivas: Adoration [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00149.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00159.htm
The 'Scoop' On Iraq

Say Yes To Peace - Thursday 27 February

- Rally at parliament to coincide with the visit of the European parliament delegation, with speakers including: See... Say NO to war and YES to peace [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00152.htm

PM Wipes Out In A Knowledge Barrel

- The Prime Minister has been wiped out by the Knowledge Wave, ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said today. See... Knowledge Wave Wipes Out Helen Clark [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00401.htm

Traffic Cops Hit The Spot

- A big decrease in deaths on New Zealand’s state highways since 1999 is attributable to an effective Highway Patrol, say Police Minister George Hawkins and Transport Minister Paul Swain. See... Highway Patrol proving effective say Ministers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00405.htm

Green Peace Crusade Hits Campuses

- It is time for students to get active and challenge the system, said Green MP Metiria Turei who launches a nationwide tour of tertiary campuses on Monday. See... Tour Of Duty An Anti-War Crusade [1] and Media Advisory Orientation tour gets green light [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00404.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00398.htm

The Government's View Of Itself

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard has announced the roll- out of world-leading assessment tools aimed at significantly boosting the literacy and numeracy skills of the nation's primary school students. See... Beehive Bulletin – Friday 21 February 2003 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00402.htm

More Cows & Grapes, Less Sheep

- The national dairy herd has increased to 5.3 million cattle as at 30 June 2002 according to New Zealand's latest agricultural census. See... Stats Confirm the Growth of Dairy Farming [1] and Agri Census Reveals Surge in Wine Grape Plantings [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00154.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00153.htm

Looking After Kiwi Kids

- The Minister of Social Services and Employment, Hon Steve Maharey, has today released the Care and Protection Blueprint 2003 which provides an action-based plan for improving processes and practices amongst care and protection agencies. See... Care and Protection Blueprint 2003 [1] and Child abuse and neglect partnership blueprint [2] MORE: - ACT - Blueprint: Promises We've Heard Before [3] - DPB Campaigners - Same Old, Same Old, Steve [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00151.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00390.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00403.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00155.htm

These Are The Days Of Our Select Committees

- There were 16 committee meetings, all in the parliamentary complex, and there was one site visit to Auckland. See... Select committee business From 14 Feb to 21 Feb [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00397.htm

Marc Alexander Talks Prostitution Reform

- The Prostitution Reform Bill passed the second reading in Parliament last Wednesday by the slimmest of margins (56 to 62). See... Marc My Words... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00396.htm

Disabled Old People To Become A DHB Responsibility

- Funding for disabiity support services for older people will be transferred from the Ministry of Health to district health boards from 1 October 2003, Associate Health Minister Ruth Dyson said today. See... Older people's disability funding transferrred [1] and National's response…. Risk to aged care funding [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00395.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00399.htm

Tackling 'P'

- Jim Anderton says the Ministerial Action Group on Alcohol and Drugs has a list of 30 items they are considering in order to address drug and alcohol abuse. See... Government tackling methamphetamines [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00394.htm

Wellingtonians Deserve A Better Rail System

- New Zealand First has called on the Government to take urgent action to fix the Wellington commuter rail system which has become a shambles, affecting thousands of people who rely on it for public transport. See... Rail Shambles Unacceptable Says Brown [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00393.htm

Wilson Threatened With A Roasting

- New Zealand First corrections spokesperson Ron Mark has described the Corrections Minister’s claim that the early release of prisoners at Christmas reduces re-offending as ridiculous. See... Corrections Minister Is The Xmas Goose [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00392.htm

Sports Disputes Tribunal

- Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard is impressed with the calibre of the seven members of the Sports Disputes Tribunal announced today by SPARC. See... Sports Disputes Tribunal Launched [1] and Sports Disputes Tribunal Members Announced [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00391.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0302/S00112.htm

Independence For Police Complaints

- Legislation introduced today will enhance the independence of the Police Complaints Authority, Justice Minister Phil Goff said. See... Bill to enhance independence of Police Complaints [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00389.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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