Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 28 January 2005, 5:35 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Iraqi Elections About To Make NZ Local Govt Elections Look Like A Spectacular Success
The Iraq Election – Scoop Commentary
Is Rich About To Join Te Heu Heu As Another Sidelined Spokesperson?
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Ivan Eland & Others On The Coming War In Iran
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II: The Ohio Post Election Punchup Continues

SCOOP COLUMNS:
The Latest From Public Address Is There!
Martin LeFevre: A New Theory of Human Nature (Continued)
Democracy Now: Seymour Hersh Talks Torture
William Rivers Pitt Gets Down To The Grassroots
Kamala Sarup: Gender Equality And The HIV Epidemic In Nepal
Book Review: A Look Inside Guantanamo
Devaluing The Greenback – Bush Could Do It If He Wanted
Genevieve Cora Fraser: A Cab Ride In The Terra Sancta
UQ: The New Pearl Harbor By David Ray Griffin

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Progressives Take A Stab At Student Debt Monster
The Happy Prince Misses State Assistance By Centuries
Greens Locate Overtly Political Speech Of Politically Neutral Reserve Bank Governor
Vietnam Veterans Get Document Dump
Bad News For The Lorax Is Good News For NZ
Workers Party Takes Another Swipe At Dr Cullen
Kedgley Urges Government To Put Squeeze On Aussie Asbestos Merchants
Greens Get In behind Sustainable Businesses
Maharey Totally Digs Groovy Gardens
Beehive Bulletin Provides Weekly Smorgasboard Of Political Stories National

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0501/S00148.htm
Have Your Own Regency House Party Or French Revolution

LEAD STORY:
Iraqi Elections About To Make NZ Local Govt Elections Look Like A Spectacular Success

- Senior United Nation's officials considered Iraq's elections on Sunday should not be seen as "a be-all and end-all," but only one in a series of important staging posts "along an evolving transition" as the country emerges from an extremely traumatic chapter in its history. See…Sunday's election in Iraq not 'be-all and end-all' [1] MORE: - UN reviews steps to ensure fairness in Iraqi poll [2] - State Dept. Daily Press Briefing for January 27 [3] - UN – Iraq Electoral Fact Sheet [4] - President Holds Press Conference - Jan 26th 2005 [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00284.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00265.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00331.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00333.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00332.htm

The Iraq Election – Scoop Commentary

- My friend from Baquba visited me yesterday. He brought the usual giant lunch of home cooked food he always brings when he comes to see me. I’m still eating it, actually. I had it again for dinner tonight. Ah, the typical Iraqi meal. See... Dhar Jamail: Here Comes ''The Freedom'' [1] MORE: - No Right Turn: F**k Iraq, Part III [2] - Iraqis To Bush: What Have We Done To Deserve This? [3] - Iraq Election A Sham: Bring The Troops Home! [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00254.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00224.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00238.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00255.htm

Is Rich About To Join Te Heu Heu As Another Sidelined Spokesperson?

- Today speculation in the media mounted that Don Brash's second Orewa speech was about to lead to another National Party spokesperson moving portfolios. After Don Brash's inaugural Orewa speech Georgina Te Heu Heu found herself demoted to the political back blocks. With Rich resisting backing Dr Brash 100% on his Orewa musings will Rich be joining Te Heu Heu? See... Has National's welfare spokesperson been silenced? [1] and Katherine Rich's reply…Steve Maharey Should Concentrate on Welfare [2] MORE OREWA II BACKLASH: - Democrats - Democrats Reject Brash Flashback [3] - CPAG - “Think Of The Children, Dr Brash” [4] - Greens - Brash pot calls Prasad kettle black [5] For Much More See… STORY OF THE WEEK: Orewa II [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00260.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00266.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00203.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00210.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00271.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00241.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00204.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00209.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00207.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00206.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00208.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00205.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00170.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00168.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00164.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00160.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00154.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0501/S00048.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/index.html#lead
Iraqi Election Ballot – Image From State Dept.

Ivan Eland & Others On The Coming War In Iran

- In a recent article in The New Yorker , investigative journalist Seymour Hersh reports that the Bush administration has conducted missions using military special forces on Iranian territory in an attempt to find Iran’s nuclear facilities for possible ... See... Ivan Eland: Should Iran Be The Next Target? [1] MORE WAR CLOUDS OVER IRAN: - Steve Weissman: What If Iran Has the Bomb? [2] - David Traynier: Iran Now, Iraq Then [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00257.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00245.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00244.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00329.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00328.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00324.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00321.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00319.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00318.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00315.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00314.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00309.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00301.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00300.htm

SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II: The Ohio Post Election Punchup Continues

- Ohio's Republican Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell has publicly labeled as ''a complete idiot'' an Election Protection attorney he is attempting to have sanctioned. Blackwell made the derogatory personal attack outside a banquet-laden conference in Columbus being sponsored by Diebold, ES&S, Triad and other voting machine vendors. See... SoS Libels Election Protection Attorney At Junket [1] and 'Political Payback' Nothing New To Ohio Official [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00252.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00165.htm
42 Below Rated In New York Times Review

SCOOP COLUMNS:
The Latest From Public Address Is There!

- A bill in the government's programme of proposed legislation has already won widespread public support despite drawing fire from civil liberties groups. The Urban Protocols (And Safety Standards) Bill is intended to make for better living environments and ... See... Public Address 28/01/05 - Ask Ms Manners [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00259.htm

Martin LeFevre: A New Theory of Human Nature (Continued)

- My last column [1] began with the silly debate about the validity of evolution in the USA, and then evolved into a discussion of a proposed new theory of human nature. In this piece, I want to explore what a transmutation in the human brain would mean, and how attention to the movement of thought could bring it about. See... Meditations: A New Theory of Human Nature, Pt. 2 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00197.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00256.htm

Democracy Now: Seymour Hersh Talks Torture

- Four British citizens have been released without charge from Guantanamo Bay after nearly 3 years in custody. They are suing the US government for tens of millions of dollars in damages. See... Seymour Hersh: ''We've Been Taken Over by a Cult'' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00247.htm

William Rivers Pitt Gets Down To The Grassroots

- Kevin Spidel was National Field Director for the Kucinich for President campaign, served as a field organizer for Amnesty International, and currently serves as Deputy National Director for Progressive Democrats of America, which he co-founded in the summer of 2004. See... Ordinary Heroes and the Rising Power of the Roots [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00260.htm

Kamala Sarup: Gender Equality And The HIV Epidemic In Nepal

- Are gender equality and social justice ultimately achievable within capitalism as it is practised today? What does the women's movement need to do to challenge the global trend of economic and political conservatism? See... Kamala Sarup: Is Gender Equality Practised Today? [1] and Kamala Sarup: HIV Infection Among Young Women [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00250.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00251.htm

Book Review: A Look Inside Guantanamo

- In the coming weeks, narconews.com [1] will be publishing the book ''Guantánamo: What the World Should Know'' serially on The Narco News Bulletin. An extended interview of human rights attorney Michael Ratner by Authentic Journalist Ellen Ray, the book provides an in-depth look at one of the great human rights travesties of the Bush administration: the horrific prison camp for suspected "terrorists" in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. See... Review: "Guantanamo: What the World Should Know" [2]

[1] - http://narconews.com
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00249.htm

Devaluing The Greenback – Bush Could Do It If He Wanted

- If George W. Bush was really interested in having China drop its peg to the US dollar he could force the issue. If George Bush actually wanted to see China's Yuan appreciate toward its true value he could simply institute a tariff against Chinese goods. See... Angie Pratt: If Bush Really Wanted To He Could [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00248.htm

Genevieve Cora Fraser: A Cab Ride In The Terra Sancta

- The Jewish cab driver Was fearful that day As we sped away From the militarized airport Toward East Jerusalem Through the passes Where the Arabs attacked As the Zionists advanced Proving their mettle In battle He bragged In battle Not gas chambers ... See... Poem: Jewish Entry into an Arabic Holy Land [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00246.htm

UQ: The New Pearl Harbor By David Ray Griffin

- Americans appear to have an attention span that is relevant to the flicker on MTV. Remember ENRON? I grew up in a slower time when focus and concentration was the rule and multi-tasking, which research has shown to be counterproductive, was unheard of let alone desired. See... UQ Wire: Book Review - The New Pearl Harbor [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00258.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00241.htm
Orewa II - STORY OF THE WEEK

Progressives Take A Stab At Student Debt Monster

- "If we don't make significant moves towards making tertiary education free New Zealand is going to be left behind in the global competition for skilled and talented workers," Progressive Leader, Jim Anderton told an audience of student leaders at the NZUSA. See...Free education becoming an economic imperative [1] MORE: - Govt -Student debt and repayment going down - Mallard [2] - Greens - Government failing tertiary students [3] - United Future NZ - Ogilvy: Students becoming the 'elite poor' [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00280.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00269.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00270.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00278.htm

The Happy Prince Misses State Assistance By Centuries

- Live organ donors will be eligible for financial assistance from 1 February 2005, the Ministers of Social Development and Health announced today. See... Financial assistance for live organ donors [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00267.htm

Greens Locate Overtly Political Speech Of Politically Neutral Reserve Bank Governor

- Don Brash's attack on Families Commissioner Rajen Prasad for criticising his welfare speech is a breathless display of hypocrisy, Green Co-Leader Rod Donald says. See... Brash pot calls Prasad kettle black [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00271.htm

Vietnam Veterans Get Document Dump

- Minister of Defence, Mark Burton today released papers from the Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force archives relating to allegations about the manufacture of Agent Orange in New Zealand. See... Minister releases historic Agent Orange papers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00283.htm

Bad News For The Lorax Is Good News For NZ

- New Zealand and the US are submitting a joint proposal to the World Trade Organisation aimed at tackling non-tariff barriers in the international trade of forest and wood products, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... NZ and US submit joint WTO forestry trade proposal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00282.htm

Workers Party Takes Another Swipe At Dr Cullen

- ACT Leader Rodney Hide today accused Dr Cullen of squeezing workers while sitting atop of record surpluses. See... That surplus is workers' money, Dr Cullen! [1] MORE: - National - Out of worker pockets and into Labour's war chest [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00281.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00276.htm

Kedgley Urges Government To Put Squeeze On Aussie Asbestos Merchants

- Green MP Sue Kedgley is calling on the Government put pressure on Australian construction firm James Hardie to pay compensation to New Zealanders suffering from asbestos-related diseases. See... Govt should go into bat for sufferers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00279.htm

Greens Get In behind Sustainable Businesses

- Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons will be encouraging the growth of sustainable business practices in a speech in Christchurch tonight. See... Fitzsimons encourages sustainable business growth [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00273.htm

Maharey Totally Digs Groovy Gardens

- The winners of the second-annual Housing New Zealand Garden Awards were announced today by Housing Minister Steve Maharey. See... Garden Awards a blooming success [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00272.htm

Beehive Bulletin Provides Weekly Smorgasboard Of Political Stories National

leader Don Brash's Orewa speech this week reveals the same policies the National Party made use of in the 1990s, says Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey. See... Beehive Bulletin - Fri, 28 Jan 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00284.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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