Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 12 March 2003, 3:42 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Guest Essay: The True Spirit Of America
Jason Leopold: Is the United States headed for World War III?
Big Orange And Deadly – USAF Unveils It's Latest Toy
Ways To Stop War (1) – US Court Case Advances To Hearing
Ways To Stop War (2) – US Economy Implodes
Ways To Stop War (3) – March 15th Protests
Ways To Stop War (4) - A Save The World Cyberkit
Ways To Stop War (5) – Pray
The Young And The Writeshuss
US @ The UN: Do As We Say Not As We Do
USA Coup: Which Country Is The Land Of The Free?
Firas Al-Atraqchi: The Birth Pains Of Empire
If At First You Don't Convince, Lie, Lie Again
Castro: Resisting the Doctrine of Pre-emptive Strike
Coercing A Coalition: The Global Bully
George W's Presser Looked Peculiar In Saudi Too
Rumsfeld: What I Meant To Say About Great Britain Was…
Venezeula's Crisis Is Not Going Away
Gush Shalom Warns Of IDF Plans For War Crimes
Daily Katya Rivas's Passion

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
NZ Govt Supports International Criminal Court Inauguration
NZ Speaks Out At UN
Lock Dog Owners Up For Longer
Unemployed Turning Into Vegetables Under Labour
Maharey Accused Of Bribing Unemployed
George Urged To End His Nap
Recidivist Fines Debtor Forgiven $19,000
Soviet Techniques Used On Soviet-Style Health Model
Discussing Improving Building Regs.
Power To Change Speed Limits Delegated To Local Bodies
United MP Flies A New Supreme Court Kite
Fulfilling Responsibilities To Te Reo
National Catches A Taniwha

Guest Essay: The True Spirit Of America

- The American People themselves are as good or bad as any one else in the world. They cannot be held responsible for the litany of horrors and the actions carried out in the past by their leaders. Or the crimes that their present leadership is about to unleash. See... Guest Opinion: The American Tragedy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00073.htm

Jason Leopold: Is the United States headed for World War III?

- Last week, at a Pentagon “town hall” meeting between Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and members of the U.S. armed forces, someone asked Rumsfeld if the U.S. decides to invade Iraq what would the U.S. do if the situation in North Korea boils over while troops are fighting a war in Iraq? See... Jason Leopold: Meanwhile... On The Eastern Front [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00074.htm

Big Orange And Deadly – USAF Unveils It's Latest Toy

- U.S. Air Force images of the MOAB – "Mother Of All Bombs" – being prepared for testing, plus a link to video of it going off. See... Images: World's Biggest Bomb (10 Tonnes) Tested [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00160.htm

Ways To Stop War (1) – US Court Case Advances To Hearing

- series of links to stories concerning the progress of a US First Circuit Court of Appeals case seeking to restrain the US Administration from going to war in Iraq. In the latest development the court has surprisingly moved to hear the case. See... US Appeals Court Agrees To Hearing Of Iraq Case [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00084.htm

WaysTo Stop War (2) – US Economy Implodes

- Inside Washington, there's a war going on that is not being covered by anyone. While the Bush administration is determinably marching to war, buying and strong-arming leaders of friendly nations to go against the democratic will of their people and coming up with the up-front bounty to pay others like Turkey, it has been six days running since we hit the national debt ceiling. See... Ed Henry: Silent War.. The Bomb Is In The Treasury [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00079.htm

Ways To Stop War (3) – March 15th Protests

- The warmakers can still be stopped, and they know it. If it hadn't been for the worldwide uprising against the war the carnage would have started months ago. We can and must intensify the mobilization for March 15. See... Emergency Convergence March 15 to Stop Countdown [1] . See also... John Kaminski: Thomas Jefferson Calling [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00158.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00063.htm

Ways To Stop War (4) - A Save The World Cyberkit

- Save a few precious minutes for something that can work - Uniting for Peace! Uniting for Peace (UN Resolution 377) empowers the General Assembly to call up peacekeeping troops when the Security Council is blocked - like it has been for months. See... An Emergency Kit To Stop The War - U.N. Res. 377 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00151.htm

Ways To Stop War (5) – Pray

- The leaders of New Zealand’s major national churches have asked all their congregations to pray for peace in the Middle East this Sunday, March 16. See... Church Leaders Pray for Peace Initiative [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00085.htm

The Young And The Writeshuss

- Featuring HOT GOSS FROM PARLIAMENT with (allegedly) New Zealand’s finest investigative journalist, Sneaky R. Wilson. See... THE NEW WRITE - 10th March 2003 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00084.htm

US @ The UN: Do As We Say Not As We Do

- In considering US threats to France concerning its planned use of a UNSC Veto vote to stop a Resolution authorising war on Iraq it is worth reviewing some history. See... Use Of The Veto On UN Resolutions By The USA [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00085.htm

USA Coup: Which Country Is The Land Of The Free?

- Santa Clara County, of all jurisdictions in America, should have known better. They could have started by looking at Florida. See... Now Your Vote Is The Property Of A Private Corp. [1] ...and SCOOP: AMERICAN COUP FULL COVERAGE [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00080.htm
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

Firas Al-Atraqchi: The Birth Pains Of Empire

- During the Iraq-Iran war, which bled in excess of one million fatalities on both sides from 1980 to 1988, Iraq was touted as the defender of the Arabs' Eastern Gate from the Persian Horde. The U.S. Reagan administration at the time realized that, if Iraq fell, the entire oil-rich Arab Persian Gulf would succumb to Iran's virulent brand of Shiite Islamic governance, stripping the U.S. and the West of vital oil supplies. See... Pax Americana: The Building Of Empire [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00078.htm

If At First You Don't Convince, Lie, Lie Again

- Dictator Bush and his wimpy quisling suckups at the New York Times, CNN, and Fox have proved that Adolf Hitler's strategy was right — if you tell a lie enough times it soon becomes the truth in the public mind. See... John Kaminski: The Dream In Flames [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00083.htm

Castro: Resisting the Doctrine of Pre-emptive Strike

- These are hard times we are living in. In recent months, we have more than once heard chilling words and statements. In his speech to West Point graduating cadets on June 1 2002, the United States president declared: "Our security will require transforming the military you will lead, a military that must be ready to strike at a moment's notice in any dark corner of the world." See... Fidel Castro: War on the Dark Corners of the World [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00082.htm

Coercing A Coalition: The Global Bully

- Bullying often manifests itself as threats, verbal abuse, physical abuse and making others do things that they don’t want to do. The literature on this subject says that most bullies are not liked. Mr. Bush should spend some time reading the bullying literature. He might get some insight into why millions of people in our world dislike him and his government so intensely. See... Reader Opinion: The Global Bully [1] MORE ON COERCING A COALITION: - BTL - U.S. Coalition of the Willing or the Coerced? [2] - COHA - Mexico On The UN and Iraq - Arm-Twisting Diplomacy [3] - Greens - Floating Council Members Urged To Reject US Bribes [4] - Kofi Annan - Annan appeals for Security Council unity [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00081.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00069.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00133.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00170.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00143.htm

George W's Presser Looked Peculiar In Saudi Too

- The world is getting weird, isn't it? Did anyone else get a creepy sort of "pod people" feeling while witnessing those journalists stand and present their questions at that White House press conference? Was it scripted and staged? Sure felt like it. See... John Cory: The Sucker Punch [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00077.htm

Rumsfeld: What I Meant To Say About Great Britain Was…

- Q: Sir, support for a possible war is shrinking rapidly in Great Britain. Would the -- two questions. Would the United States go to war without Great Britain? And two, would the role of the British in an initial assault be scaled back? See... DoD News Briefing Mar 11 - Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers [1] and Rumsfeld Clarifies Comment About Attacking Sans UK [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00156.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00155.htm

Venezeula's Crisis Is Not Going Away

- Acting Assistant Secretary of State Curtis Struble met with diplomats from Brazil Mexico, Chile, Portugal and Spain, in Brasilia on Monday to discuss the prospects for an electoral solution to Venezuela's simmering political crisis. See... Scant Prospects Emerge From Meeting On Venezuela [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00153.htm

Gush Shalom Warns Of IDF Plans For War Crimes

- To: Soldier / Civilian / IDF Civil Employee – WARNING: Powerful factors in Israel may intend to take advantage of the American attack on Iraq in order to transfer parts of the Palestinian population. See... Shouting Before It Happens - Warning To IDF Advert [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00152.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion

- Now let us go to the story of My Passion… The story that shall give glory to the Father and holiness to other chosen souls… See... Katya Rivas: The Last Supper [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00076.htm

Babylon Express - Savage Sardonic Satire
http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=bex
SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO THE PRINT EDITION!

NZ Govt Supports International Criminal Court Inauguration

- Foreign Minister Phil Goff today welcomed the swearing in of the first 18 judges who will sit on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. See... NZ welcomes inauguration of ICC judges [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00196.htm

NZ Speaks Out At UN

- "Three weeks ago the New Zealand Government’s statement to this Council urged that the diplomatic process be allowed to run its course with respect to the crisis over Iraq." See... NZ statement on Iraq to the UN Security Council [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00194.htm

Lock Dog Owners Up For Longer

- United Future justice spokesman Marc Alexander today backed the call from dog attack victim Carolina Anderson's father for a stiffer sentence for the dog's two Auckland owners. See... Alexander backs Carolina's Dad [1] MORE: - National - Government can't procrastinate on tougher dog laws [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00193.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00184.htm

Unemployed Turning Into Vegetables Under Labour

- ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff and Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today slammed Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey for allowing New Zealand's unemployed to vegetate on benefits. See... Unemployed Vegetate Under Labour [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00192.htm

Maharey Accused Of Bribing Unemployed

- ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today slammed Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey for putting the wants of the Beneficiaries Unions over the needs of the taxpayer. See... Minister Must Earn Support, Not Buy It [1] and Maharey Just A Puppet On A String [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00191.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00179.htm

George Urged To End His Nap

- ACT New Zealand Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today called on Police Minister George Hawkins to wake up and take a reality check, in the face of police statistics showing that violent crime and drug use are on the rise. See... Wake Up, George [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00190.htm

Recidivist Fines Debtor Forgiven $19,000

- ACT New Zealand Associate Justice Spokesman Deborah Coddington today expressed outrage that a recidivist offender has had $19,000 in fines wiped by a district court judge. See... New Defence Against Crime: "I'm Unemployed" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00189.htm

Soviet Techniques Used On Soviet-Style Health Model

- Cutting patients from surgery waiting lists is simply what has to happen under New Zealand's outdated, Soviet-style public health model, ACT Health Spokesman Heather Roy said today. See... Two Old Parties Cling to Rotten Health System [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00188.htm

Discussing Improving Building Regs.

- The Minister of Commerce, Lianne Dalziel, today released a discussion paper on the regulation of New Zealand’s building industry. See... Building Review Discussion Paper released [1] MORE: - National - Govt cuts thousands from surgery lists [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00185.htm

Power To Change Speed Limits Delegated To Local Bodies

- Councils and Transit New Zealand will be able to change speed limits in their areas under a new rule signed by Transport Minister Paul Swain. See... Councils given power to change speed limits [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00186.htm

United MP Flies A New Supreme Court Kite

- United Future justice spokesman Murray Smith today called for a further select committee inquiry into the Supreme Court Bill, to look at a South Pacific and Commonwealth appeal court if the link to the Privy Council is abolished. See... Widen Supreme Court inquiry; look at int court [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00183.htm

Fulfilling Responsibilities To Te Reo

- Mäori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia encourages whänau, hapü, iwi and Mäori communities to participate in the consultation about 'He Moemoeä Ngätahi mo te Reo Mäori' - A shared vision for the future of Te Reo Mäori' as government seeks to fulfil its responsibilities ... See... Consultation starts on the Mäori Language Strategy [1] or Ka tïmata te whiriwhiri körero mö te Rautaki Reo [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00182.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00181.htm

National Catches A Taniwha

- The National Party has uncovered a document that proves some Maori are taking a deliberate stand to block development. See... Leaked document 'smoking gun' of RMA abuse [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00180.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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