Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 24 August 2004, 6:01 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Scoop Exclusive: Health Ministry Says Anti-Meningitis Vaccine Commentary Dangerous
The Day After The Day Of Destiny
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Bush Meets With Defence Cronies And Press At Crawford
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
PM's Presser: Enough Is Enough All Right For Helen
Are Destiny NZ Marchers A Persecuted Minority?
The Civil Union Bill Is Important Legislation For NZ
Gay Marriages Banned In Missouri
National Leader Worried NZ Heading Back To Fonzie's Era
Meningitis Vaccine Is Safe According To MOH
Kiwi Activist Gets First Hand Look At Palestinian Life
Terrorism Experts Credentials Questioned
9/11 Cellphone Calls Examined
The Clash Of Civilizations Thesis Debunked
No Time For Anti Bush Vote To Be Splintered
Know Your Rights In America 2004

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
ACT Backs Brash's Slash The Pension Plan
Govt Increases FB Tax-Rate On Low-Interest Loans
Nats Say $10million Not Enough For Research Compo
Govt Approves Motueka Conservation Package
MacMaster Named New Ambassador To Iran
Carter Says Racial Harmony Group True People's Reps
Greens Say Heal Sick Hospital System
When Calorie Counting Wont Work
Right Wants To Dabble Over Power Reforms Again
Maharey Says Schools Improving Under Labour

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0408/S00251.htm
The Day Of Destiny - Scoop's Full Coverage

Scoop Is In The House

- For today's questions see... Questions for Oral Answer - Tuesday, 24 August [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00391.htm

LEAD STORY:
Scoop Exclusive: Health Ministry Says Anti-Meningitis Vaccine Commentary Dangerous

- Yesterday Auckland-based journalist Jon Eisen issued Scoop with an article examining the safety of New Zealand's Meningococcal vaccine. Scoop approached the Ministry of Health to comment on his findings. It has done so refuting Eisen's claims. Here Scoop publishes both sides of this most important issue and calls for the medical fraternity including researchers and medical students to analyse the detail and offer feedback on their findings. See... MOH: Meningitis Commentary Is Inaccurate And Dangerous [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00248.htm

The Day After The Day Of Destiny

- Waves of emotion. Rolling sound overpowering thought. Chanting. Black shirts. Black and red. The sound of the haka. Twelve year old boys shouting 'Enough is Enough.' Placards. Love and friendship. Fear and anger. Fists being raised to cries of 'Jesus.' See... Jordan Carter: Our Place, Our Country Too [1] News & Commentary: - Images: Views And Counter Views At Destiny Protest [2] - Rev. Margaret Mayman - Speech Christians for Civil Unions at Parliament [3] - PM's Presser: Enough, Polls, Iran & NZ Troops [4] - Public Address 24/08/04 - The New Black [5] - Big News: "Your Hatred Is Intolerable" [6] - David Miller: Why I Support The Civil-Union Bill [7] RELATED: Jim Shultz: Echoes of Discrimination [8] Scoop Images: - Kevin List Images: Enough (Civil Unions) Is Or Isn't Enough [9] - Dylan Packman Scoop Images: Civil Union Protests In Lambton Qy. [10] See also… STORY OF THE WEEK: The Day Of Destiny [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00250.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00249.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00220.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00247.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00245.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00238.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00237.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00244.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00233.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00232.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0408/S00251.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00213.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00229.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00226.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0408/S00288.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0408/S00277.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00228.htm
Bush Meets With Hawks At His Texas Ranch

Bush Meets With Defence Cronies And Press At Crawford

- "We talked about transformation issues. We spent some time talking about the reconfiguration of our forces around the world, to better be able to keep the peace. And, Mr. Secretary, I thank you for your leadership on that issues." See... Bush Meets With Defence Chiefs In Texas [1] ALSO:State Dept. Daily Press Briefing for August 23 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00228.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00227.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00216.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00219.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00226.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00225.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00222.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!

- An attractive Maori woman in her thirties leaps out of a taxi and heads up the street with her son, who is about eight. They're both wearing 'Enough is Enough' t-shirts. She runs as fast as her shoes will permit and he's running as fast as he can to keep. See... Public Address 24/08/04 - The New Black [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00245.htm

PM's Presser: Enough Is Enough All Right For Helen

- IN THIS EDITION: Enough is Enough Rally The Latest Polls The Iranian Foreign Minister's Visit NZ Defence Force Personnel Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. See... PM's Presser: Enough, Polls, Iran & NZ Troops [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00247.htm

Are Destiny NZ Marchers A Persecuted Minority?

- Well, the Destiny march is over. Everyone has had enough. The Destiny party wanted to make an impact and they did - even if only one MP came out and mingled with the crowd. See... Big News: "Your Hatred Is Intolerable" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00238.htm

The Civil Union Bill Is Important Legislation For NZ

- I would have considered myself an ideal person to have on the ‘Enough is Enough’ march yesterday. After all, I am a heterosexual male, christened in the Church of England and raised by two parents, male and female, who are still together after. See... David Miller: Why I Support The Civil-Union Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00237.htm

Gay Marriages Banned In Missouri

- Current political events often carry in them the echo of history. Earlier this month, when the citizens of Missouri voted two-to-one to adopt a state constitutional ban on gay marriages, one could hear the echoes of another vote on civil rights four. See... Jim Shultz: Echoes of Discrimination [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00244.htm

National Leader Worried NZ Heading Back To Fonzie's Era

- At a time when most of the focus of political attention is on the extraordinary mess which the Government has created with its seabed and foreshore policy - with a belated ministerial sacking, a by-election, a hikoi, and all the rest - it is worth remembering. See... Brash-Report - No. 29, 5 May - The Holidays Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00241.htm

Meningitis Vaccine Is Safe According To MOH

- Yesterday Auckland-based journalist Jon Eisen issued Scoop with an article examining the safety of New Zealand's Meningococcal vaccine. Scoop approached the Ministry of Health to comment on the findings. It has done so and refutes Eisen's claim. See... MOH: Meningitis Commentary Is Inaccurate Dangerous [1] ...

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00248.htm

Kiwi Activist Gets First Hand Look At Palestinian Life

- Damian Clarke is a 31 year old from Miramar in Wellington, NZ and is currently in Palestine under training with the International Solidarity Movement - a group of internationalists campaigning for peace in the Middle East. Damian is writing to. See... Damian Clarke's Update From Palestine - 2 [1] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00235.htm

Terrorism Experts Credentials Questioned

- Rohan Gunaratna will take part in a week-long seminar on terrorism and counter-terrorism organised by the Religious Studies Department at Wellington's Victoria University. See... Terrorism Expertise of Rohan Gunaratna Questioned [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00236.htm

9/11 Cellphone Calls Examined

- The 9/11 Commission's Report provides an almost visual description of the Arab hijackers. It depicts in minute detail events occurring inside the cabin of the four hijacked planes. See... UQ Wire: The 9/11 Cell Phone Calls [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00243.htm

The Clash Of Civilizations Thesis Debunked

- Instantly, instinctively, and unrelentingly, the American establishment has framed the attacks of September 11, 2001, in the language of a clash of civilizations. The Islamic terrorists attacked America because they hate our highest values, our freedom. See... The Clash Thesis: A Failing Ideology? [1] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00242.htm

No Time For Anti Bush Vote To Be Splintered

- Below is a short list of positively frightening power-grabs by the Bush Administration that will curl your hair -- and, I hope, provide reasonable justifications for a Kerry vote by those still undecided or those leaning toward Nader or other alternative. See... Bernard Weiner: The White House Horrors [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00240.htm

Know Your Rights In America 2004

- The FBI or local police ring your doorbell. They've come to ask a few questions, they say. Just part of a routine investigation or community outreach program. See... Steve Weissman: When The Feds Come Knocking [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00239.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00231.htm
New Defence Headquarters Contract Signed

ACT Backs Brash's Slash The Pension Plan

- Don Brash’s plan to cut the pension has received a boost with the leader of National’s support party, Rodney Hide, seeking a 10 per cent cut to national superannuation. See... Superannuation under threat again: ACT backs Brash [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00402.htm

Govt Increases FB Tax-Rate On Low-Interest Loans

- The prescribed rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low interest, employment-related loans will rise from 7.50 percent to 8.02 percent from 1 October 2004, Revenue Minister Michael Cullen announced today. See... FBT rate for low-interest loans up [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00406.htm

Nats Say $10million Not Enough For Research Compo

- The Government's $10 million biotechnology grants fail to compensate for the tens of millions of research dollars the Government has recently lost overseas, says National's Science spokesman Dr Paul Hutchison. See... Grants fail to compensate for lost research [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00404.htm

Govt Approves Motueka Conservation Package

- A Water Conservation Order to preserve the natural state of the Motueka River has been approved by the government, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said today. See... Motueka River conservation order approved [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00403.htm

MacMaster Named New Ambassador To Iran

- New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Iran, who will also be accredited to Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be career diplomat Hamish MacMaster, Foreign Minister Phil Goff announced today. See... Goff names new Ambassador to Iran [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00399.htm

Carter Says Racial Harmony Group True People's Reps

- Ethnic Affairs Minister today Chris Carter welcomed participants in the "Way forward for Racial Harmony" forum at Parliament. See... Racial Harmony gathering shows the real NZ [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00398.htm

Greens Say Heal Sick Hospital System

- The Green Party is urging the Government to guarantee freedom of speech and greater autonomy to District Health Boards, ahead of this year's local body elections. See... Greens back call for DHB reform [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00396.htm

When Calorie Counting Wont Work

- Green MP Sue Kedgley today urged the Government to investigate a 'fat tax' starting with soft drinks to tackle the growing problem of obesity, as proposed by Diabetes New Zealand and Fight the Obesity Epidemic, in combination with other measures. See... Radical approach to fighting obesity needed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00395.htm

Right Wants To Dabble Over Power Reforms Again

- ACT New Zealand Energy Spokesman Ken Shirley today accused the Labour Government of stalling New Zealand's electricity reforms with a dangerous slide back to State domination. See... Labour Stalling Electricity Reforms, Says Shirley [1] ALSO: Electricity Reforms Need Kick-Start Now [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00394.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00387.htm

Maharey Says Schools Improving Under Labour

- Acting Minister of Education Steve Maharey has offered to arrange a briefing on school operational funding and deficits for United Future MP Bernie Ogilvy. Contrary to what Mr Ogilvy claims, the financial position of schools has been improving under Labour… See... Schools doing better under Labour-led government [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00388.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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