Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 20 October 2005, 10:41 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
3rd Term Labour Progressive Govt. Cabinet Lineup Announced
POLITICAL REACTION:
MORE REACTION:

Air NZ Workers Shattered By Engineering Workshop Decisions
TePapa Protest: After The Clowns Were Sent In
Santas Hope Spirit Of Christmas Future Gees Up Fairfax -
NZPA Photography Launches With Gruelling Assignment -
Bullock Gets More Than A Bollocking For Repeated Media Appearances -
Woolly Valley Gets Fleeced For Early Fashion Shows -
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Who Wrote The Anonymous Forward To Al Franken's New Book?
US Rep. John Conyers Writes To Rumsfeld
MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Marc Alexander Casts A Former MPs Eye Over Coalition Formation
Michel Chossudovsky: More On The Basra Breakout Mystery
Jason Leopold Updates Plamegate As Indictments Rumoured To Be Near
Hard News & More From Public Address
William Rivers Pitt Proposes Questions For Bush's Pitbull
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
AUDIO: Rod Donald On The Shafting Of The Greens
Jill Pettis Steps Down From Her Whipship
Yank Think Tank Welcomes Winston's Words
Sue Bradford Warns CTU About The Election's Bad News
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

3rd Term Labour Progressive Govt. Cabinet Lineup Announced

[1] - Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced a major reallocation of ministerial portfolio responsibilities. Helen Clark said that the government was renewing and refreshing itself for the third term in government. "Experienced ministers need new challenges and we have a significant number of new ministers to fill the slots of those retiring," said Helen Clark. See... Ministerial portfolios allocated [2] & Audio & Images: Clark Cabinet Press Conference [3] . Earlier: Cabinet elected [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00100.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00100.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00240.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00088.htm

POLITICAL REACTION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00115.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00113.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00107.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00112.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00111.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00110.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00106.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00103.htm

MORE REACTION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00164.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00162.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00161.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00160.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0510/S00061.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0510/S00060.htm
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[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0510/S00072.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0510/S00071.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0510/S00070.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0510/S00069.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00155.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0510/S00056.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00158.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00156.htm

Air NZ Workers Shattered By Engineering Workshop Decisions

- Air New Zealand engineers are shattered to learn that 600 of them could lose their jobs. The company today announced that it proposes making 600 of the 2100 engineers redundant in July next year. See... Air NZ engineers shattered by job losses [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0510/S00352.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00165.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00116.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00114.htm

TePapa Protest: After The Clowns Were Sent In

- More than 70 people took part in an action organised against the Weapons Defence Industry Association conference held at Te Papa on Tuesday. The action, which was organised by Peace Action Wellington, involved a large sit-in/blockade in front of Te Papa which lasted for about two and a half hours, and also a blockade in front of an armoured vehicle. Twenty people in all were arrested, from charges ranging from obstruction, trespass and assault of police officers. See... Weapons Conference, Tank Blockaded: 20 Arrested [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00153.htm

Santas Hope Spirit Of Christmas Future Gees Up Fairfax -

Nine workers from the tiny, Fairfax-owned Kapiti Observer in Paraparaumu are on strike and picketing outside their office near the Coastlands shopping centre – dressed in Santa suits. It’s their seventh strike since July, and they are angry that their employer doesn’t seem to be getting the message. See... Santas picket newspaper [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0510/S00326.htm

NZPA Photography Launches With Gruelling Assignment -

The New Zealand Press Association, in a dramatic departure from its traditional role as the national news agency, has launched its photo and graphics arm, NZPA Images, to coincide with the start of Auckland Fashion Week. And for the first time, NZPA photographers were there to capture the rapture, posting more 100 images on the new http: http:www.nzpaimages.co.nz website in the first day alone. See... NZPA Images Service Launches With Fashion Week [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0510/S00351.htm

Bullock Gets More Than A Bollocking For Repeated Media Appearances -

Probation Officer Josie Bullock was dismissed today for breaching the Department of Corrections’ Code of Conduct by publicly criticising the Department’s policies for managing offenders. General Manager Probation & Offender Services, Katrina Casey said, “An investigation found that Ms Bullock had intentionally and repeatedly breached the Code of Conduct, constituting serious misconduct. See... Corrections Confirms Dismissal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00149.htm

Woolly Valley Gets Fleeced For Early Fashion Shows -

Insidious Fix is all about original knitwear becoming the perfect compliment to any style in any age group but with a twist of mischief. Described as avante garde, youthful and cutting-edge, Insidious Fix's fashion knitwear is innovative and original. This design ethos combined with a commitment to delivering quality apparel, has seen the company grow rapidly and gain the confidence of retailers and customers alike. See... Air NZ Fashion Week: Insidious Fix Images [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0510/S00140.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00167.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00166.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0510/S00353.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0510/S00059.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0510/S00073.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00152.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00151.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00150.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00159.htm

Who Wrote The Anonymous Forward To Al Franken's New Book?

- When Al Franken asked me to write a foreword to this astonishing and profoundly moving book, he had only one condition: that I remain anonymous. “Why?” I asked. “Having a big name like mine on your cover would be an enormous feather in any author’s cap.” “That’s exactly the point,” he responded. Al, you see, is too modest to want to call attention to the fact that he and I are such close friends. Typical Al. He always hides his light. I reluctantly agreed to his condition, but in return I extracted one of my own. In exchange for concealing my famous identity, I demanded total control over the text of this foreword. See... The Truth (with Jokes) by Al Franken Avail. Oct 25 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00315.htm

US Rep. John Conyers Writes To Rumsfeld

- Dear Mr. Secretary: We write about reports that journalists who were embedded with U.S. forces in Iraq were given security clearances. In her recounting of discussions with Scooter Libby, the Vice President's Chief of Staff, New York Times reporter Judith Miller, disclosed her belief that she had a security clearance. She specifically wrote, "[d]uring the Iraq war, the Pentagon had given me clearance to see secret information as part of my assignment 'embedded' with a special military unit hunting for unconventional weapons."1 She also noted she was not certain whether her clearance was in existence at the time she met with Mr. Libby. See… Conyers Letter To Rumsfeld Re: Judith Miller [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00328.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00331.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00330.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00327.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00324.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00322.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00320.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00319.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0510/S00317.htm

Marc Alexander Casts A Former MPs Eye Over Coalition Formation

- Nothing in politics is so simple that it can't be misunderstood. The closed-door coalition shuffle is mercifully at an end. And did it take its time! We had an election over a month ago and we got what we least expected: a result that should have come with the instruction 'some assembly required'. See… Marc Alexander: A Government at Last! Yeah Right [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00243.htm

Michel Chossudovsky: More On The Basra Breakout Mystery

- Captain Ken Masters, British chief police investigator in Basra died under mysterious circumstances. The cause of death was not mentioned. According to a Ministry of Defense spokesman, his death was "not due to hostile action" nor to natural causes. See... Basra Prison Break Investigator Mysteriously Dies [1] . Earlier: Were British SAS Soldiers Planting Bombs in Basra? [2] & Ghali Hassan: Iraq - Resort to Deception [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00242.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00052.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00054.htm

Jason Leopold Updates Plamegate As Indictments Rumoured To Be Near

- Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is trying to determine whether Vice President Dick Cheney had a role in the outing of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame-Wilson, individuals close to Fitzgerald say. See... Cheney's Role In Plame Outing Under Scrutiny [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00241.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00226.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00225.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00198.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00199.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00194.htm

Hard News & More From Public Address

- Having noted Paola Totaro's love letter to New Zealand this week, it seems only fair to also acknowledge Douglas Davis's unintentionally hilarious account for The Spectator of "visiting Auckland the other week" and finding it "even more dour and dull than I remember" from 30 years... See... Public Address 19/10/05 - Doing A Lot [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00239.htm

William Rivers Pitt Proposes Questions For Bush's Pitbull

- Appointing a person with no judicial experience whatsoever to the Supreme Court is by no means an unprecedented act. Indeed, some of the most influential Justices ever to serve never wore the robe before assuming that high seat. See... William Pitt: Some Questions for Harriet Miers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00238.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00237.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00236.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00235.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00234.htm

AUDIO: Rod Donald On The Shafting Of The Greens

- Today, the afternoon after what was clearly not a high point in the political history of the Green Party, 95Bfm News Director Noelle McCarthy interviewed Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald about the election 2005 coalition negotiations, their outcomes and the elevation of Winston Peters to Foreign Minister. See... BFm Audio: Noelle McCarthy IV With Rod Donald [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00230.htm

Jill Pettis Steps Down From Her Whipship

- On election night I said the Labour team would fight to regain the Whanganui electorate for Labour. I intend to help lead the fightback and I will not be continuing as Senior Government Whip in the new Labour-led government, MP Jill Pettis said. See... Senior Government Whip Steps Down [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00108.htm

Yank Think Tank Welcomes Winston's Words

- The New Zealand United States Council today welcomed incoming Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ positive comments about the relationship with the United States. See... Winston Peters’ US Comments Welcomed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00157.htm

Sue Bradford Warns CTU About The Election's Bad News

- The new government is bad news for unions and bad news for New Zealand workers, Green Party Industrial Relations Spokesperson Sue Bradford told the CTU Biennial Conference in Wellington this morning. “While New Zealand First presents a mixed picture in its approach to worker issues it has mostly voted against the ERA, reforms to ACC and most other related legislation.,” Ms Bradford said. See... Workers And Unions Should Be Wary of New Govt [1] & Sue Bradford Speech to CTU Biennial Conference [2] ALSO AT THE CTU CONFERENCE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00099.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00104.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00095.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00102.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00101.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00098.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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