Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 4 June 2003, 2:02 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
A Tangled Web Of Iraq WMD Lies Unravels
NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
Aung San Suu Kyi Arrested
Damning Consequences Of GM: Int Scientists Reveal Findings
SCOOP COLUMNS:
Stateside: On The Origins Of Reaganism
Putin's Pluvial Potency Fails The Umbrella Test
John Laughland: A Coup In Peru?
Green Left Weekly Aceh Analysis
Nick Turner: Lies, Damned Lies And Free Trade
Infinite Money = Infinite Mischief
Hard News On Dennis Dutton's Brain Fart
Peace Summit Commentary: Suddenly A Statesman
Katya Daily

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Palmerston North Paedophile Release
Fear Not Tauranga, Winston's On The [Band]Wagon
Feedback To Steve Maharey On Linda Clark
ACC Allegations In New Book
Maharey Defines His Third Way
Call For Suspension Of Tonga From Commonwealth
Ken Shirley Seeks Location Of GE Bottom Line
Margaret Wilson Says Sorry To Taranaki Iwi
Petrol Tax Insufficiently Singular
Why Is Our Wind Power Over There?
A Palace Coup Over The Supreme Court
Copeland Sees Massive BOP Problems
Whistleblowing Review Commissioned

LEAD STORY:
A Tangled Web Of Iraq WMD Lies Unravels

- Here’s what we know so far about Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction: of the 600 or so sites identified by United States intelligence and Iraqi officials as places where the country biological weapons may be hidden, about 100 of these sites have been searched over the past six weeks and not a single spec of anthrax or other WMD has been uncovered. See... War Based On Shaky Evidence & Wrong Intelligence [1] MORE: - William Rivers Pitt – UQ Wire: We Used To Impeach Liars [2] - Dennis Hans - Greatest Hits On Iraq Shows Up Corporate Media [3] - A List Of Lies - Best Of The Blogs: What a Tangled Web We Weave... [4] - Tony Blair Responds - Tony Blair says he is '100 %' behind Iraq evidence [5] - White House - White House's Ari Fleischer On The Search For WMDs [6] - Dennis J. Kucinich - Kucinich Demands Intelligence That Led To War [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00021.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00023.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00006.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00011.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00042.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00062.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00060.htm

NEW ZEALAND NEWS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0306/S00010.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00021.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00020.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0306/S00016.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0306/S00029.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

Israel/Palestine

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00055.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00056.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00049.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00053.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00046.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00054.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00052.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00051.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00050.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00041.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00040.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00031.htm

Aung San Suu Kyi Arrested

- Burma's surprise detention of Aung San Suu Kyi comes amid scattered bombings, a crippling international boycott and demands by Washington for an end to the military dictatorship which blocks her from power. See... Analysis: Aung San Suu Kyi's Re-Arrest [1] ALSO: - NZ Govt - Re-arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi a backward step [2] - Amnesty International - Myanmar: Safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – Amnesty Int [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00010.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00018.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00047.htm

Damning Consequences Of GM: Int Scientists Reveal Findings

- Dozens of prominent scientists from seven countries, spanning the disciplines of agroecology, agronomy, biomathematics, botany, chemical medicine, ecology, histopathology, microbial ecology, molecular genetics, nutritional biochemistry, physiology, toxicology ... See... The Independent Science Panel on GM Final Report [1] ALSO: - "People's Contract" needed GE Contaminates Wheat [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0306/S00005.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0306/S00006.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Stateside: On The Origins Of Reaganism

- On June 6, Proposition 13 celebrates its 25th anniversary here in California. Associated Press correspondent Jim Wasserman, in a story picked up in the San Francisco Examiner yesterday, said it was dubbed "a political earthquake" when it passed and when it passed and was later viewed "as the first shot of the conservative 1980s Reagan Revolution." See... Stateside with Rosalea: Unlucky for most? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00017.htm

Putin's Pluvial Potency Fails The Umbrella Test

- The best forecasters will always follow up a forecast [1] with a report on how things turned out. And in the case of NOAA's forecast for Russian President Vladimir Putin's St Petersburg party Scoop can today report that NOAA was spot on, cloud seeding or no cloud seeding. See... Supercomputer Weather: Rain Rain Won't Go Away [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00167.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00016.htm

John Laughland: A Coup In Peru?

- At least the foreign investors are happy - or so Allan Wagner claims. The Foreign Minister of Peru was defending the decision, taken on 28th May, to declare a state of emergency in the South American state. See... All News Is Lies: Darkest Peru [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00012.htm

Green Left Weekly Aceh Analysis

— Amid mounting reports of civilian casualties and human rights violations by Indonesia's armed forces (TNI), the government is moving to suppress opposition to the so-called “restoration of security” operation in Aceh, Indonesia's northern-most province. See... Civilians, Rights Activists Targeted In Terror War [1] and Foreign Journalists Denied Visas For Aceh [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00022.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0306/S00059.htm

Nick Turner: Lies, Damned Lies And Free Trade

- The debate in this country over Iraq and over New Zealand's chances of a free trade agreement with the US has become mired in lies, distortions, misrepresentations and hypocrisy. See... Lies, Damned Lies And The Iraq Debate In NZ [1] and Scoop Feature: A NZ-US Free Trade Agreement? [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00020.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0305/S00177.htm

Infinite Money = Infinite Mischief

-"Jesper Koll, from Merrill Lynch (Japan), told a Minerals Council of Australia conference that reports of the imminent collapse of the Japanese banking system were nonsense. Mr Koll said because interest rates were zero, banks were infinitely wealthy to the point they could buy a country." See... Sean Corrigan: Infinite Pains [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00019.htm

Hard News On Dennis Dutton's Brain Fart

- Neil Morrison feels that it was "beneath" me to have described Denis Dutton's most recent column in the Herald as an "embarrassing brain fart". "Dutton makes a reasonable argument - if you disagree argue your case." ... See... Hard News 03/06/03 - Arguments [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00015.htm

Peace Summit Commentary: Suddenly A Statesman

- After ignoring the unending bloodshed between Israel and the Palestinians for the first two years of his administration, Bush is being sent out by Karl Rove to burnish up his appearance as a ''statesman''. See... Israel, the Palestinians, Sharon, Arafat and Bush [1] MORE ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE: - Between The Lines - Flawed Mideast Peace Plan [2] - Brian Cloughley - Impartiality in Palestine [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00014.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00013.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00003.htm

Katya Daily

- Write and do not worry. All that comes from Me is good. Do you not understand what you write soon after? Do you know why? Look at the pen. For Me you are the pen that I move making you trace the symbols which express My Words. See... Katya Rivas: All That Comes from Me Is Good [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0306/S00018.htm

Palmerston North Paedophile Release

- It is ludicrous that the innocent family of a TV presenter is told by the court that they have no right to privacy, while the Government decides - without any legal requirement - to hide the identity of a paedophile who is about to restrict the freedoms of Palmerston North children, ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks said today. See... Paedophile's Privacy 'Garbage' [1] MORE: - United Future - Alexander: Corrections has questions to answer [2] - National - Is this a repeat of Ryder? [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00035.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00034.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00032.htm

Fear Not Tauranga, Winston's On The [Band]Wagon

- New Zealand First Leader and MP for Tauranga, Rt Hon Winston Peters has urged the people of Tauranga not to be overly concerned by the recent developments which has seen the Police decide to not enforce the Tauranga Council’s liquor bans, imposed in specific parts of the city. See... Liquor Ban Difficulties Temporary - Peters [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00033.htm

Feedback To Steve Maharey On Linda Clark

All Kiwis should be deeply concerned by the Government's plan to erode the income gap between work and welfare still further, according to National Party Welfare spokesperson Katherine Rich. See... Gap between work and welfare set to shrink [1] MORE: - DPB Campaigners - Maharey Says Benefit Levels Too Low [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00031.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0306/S00017.htm

ACC Allegations In New Book

- Allegations ACC continued to refer clients to a therapist who had been the subject of five sexual abuse complaints surface in a new book to be released this week. See... New book - Broken Silence [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0306/S00014.htm

Maharey Defines His Third Way

- My invitation suggested that I reflect on “the Third Way three years on”; the “renewal of social democracy” and how I, as a former academic sociologist, made the transition to politics. See... Maharey: The Third Way and how I got on to it [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00019.htm

Call For Suspension Of Tonga From Commonwealth

- Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke says the Commonwealth should consider suspending Tonga if that country's king succeeds in ramming through a law eliminating freedom of the press. See... Tonga should be suspended over media gag - Locke [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00030.htm

Ken Shirley Seeks Location Of GE Bottom Line

- Green Party co-leaders are confusing the public with inconsistent messages on their GE `bottom line', ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today. See... Green Man's Bluff [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00029.htm

Margaret Wilson Says Sorry To Taranaki Iwi

- Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson today travelled to Pariroa Pa near Hawera to publicly read out the formal Crown apology to Ngati Ruanui of South Taranaki for acknowledged Treaty breaches. See... Minister's formal Crown apology to Ngati Ruanui [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00028.htm

Petrol Tax Insufficiently Singular

- The Government's now racking up an impressive record of broken promises as yet another pledge to the public is discarded says National Party Transport spokesman Roger Sowry. See... Another promise broken over 'one-off' petrol tax [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00027.htm

Why Is Our Wind Power Over There?

- The National Party's appalled by fresh suggestions that state-owned Meridian Energy is looking at a multi-million dollar expansion into Australian wind farms. See... Should NZ taxpayers fund Aussie investment? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00026.htm

A Palace Coup Over The Supreme Court

- The Prime Minister's call for senior Court of Appeal judges to form the proposed Supreme Court kneecaps the Attorney General's plan for an advisory group to recommend appointments, says National's Justice spokesman Richard Worth. See... Clark outflanks Wilson on new Court debate [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00025.htm

Copeland Sees Massive BOP Problems

- United Future finance spokesman, Gordon Copeland, today detailed specific policies intended to deal with New Zealand's looming balance of payments problem. See... United Future policies to address BOP problem [1] and Copeland warns of looming massive debt problem [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00024.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00023.htm

Whistleblowing Review Commissioned

- State Services Minister Trevor Mallard today announced that he has appointed Mary Scholtens, QC, to carry out a review of the Protected Disclosures Act 2000. See... Review of Protected Disclosures Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0306/S00021.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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