Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 30 August 2006, 8:38 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Policing: Maori Party Urges Police Minister To Stop Taser Trial
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
Timor Defence: Kiwi Soldiers Prepare To Bug-Out
Crime: Youths To Be Separated From Adults In Prison Vans
Politics: Odds On Labour Re-selecting Field Become Astronomical
Patriotism: Barbara Sumner Burstyn Considers The Virtues Of Local Manufacturing
Politics: Mike Moore Talks Political Sleaze With Agenda
MORE HEADLINES:
Media: Wanna Shoot The Messenger? Here Is Your Target Then
Humour: Kiwi Herald Tackles Good Joker's 'Hilarious' Comments! -

WORLD NEWS:
Annan Reassures Lebanese Leaders Security Council Backs Peace
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
Scoop's Lebanon War Aftermath Analysis Continues
Assassination Attempt On Thai PM Shinawatra

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Anne Else & Tze Ming Mok Ponder The Meaning Of "Bedrock Values"
One Year On: Greg Palast & Ors Recall The Near Death Of The Big Easy
When An Election Is All Over Before The Counting
Regarding The War Clouds Gathering Over Iran
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Michael Collins: Mexico Demonstrates How To Defend Democracy

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Parliament: TV3 Gets Fingered For Mark Footage
Int. Security: PM Thanks Palestinian Authorities On Wiig/Centanni Release
Health: Govt Moves To Increase Subsidy For Low-Charging GPs
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

Policing: Maori Party Urges Police Minister To Stop Taser Trial

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira has urged Police Minister Annette King to stop the taser trial before a New Zealander loses his or her life. The trial is set to begin on this Friday (Sept 1) “There are simply too many unanswered questions,” said Harawira. “The Minister has the responsibility to answer them, because public safety, indeed public lives, are at stake,” Hone Harawira said. See... Stop the Taser trials before somebody dies [1] Background Video: Scoop Video-Podcast WMV: Pressure Mounts On MPs Over Taser [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00513.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00299.htm

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00522.htm

Timor Defence: Kiwi Soldiers Prepare To Bug-Out

- Dili is alive with the sound of high pressure hoses as 44 New Zealand Defence Force personnel prepare to return to New Zealand on Thursday 31 August. The troops are returning after the New Zealand Government’s announcement that the force in Timor Leste is to reduce as the country finds some stability after months of turmoil. In preparing the troops for home, the New Zealand Army has deployed a small force extraction team to Timor Leste. See... Timor troops get ready to come home [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00336.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00497.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00325.htm

Crime: Youths To Be Separated From Adults In Prison Vans

- Youth Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has welcomed a ministerial directive that young prisoners be kept separate from adults in transit following the death of teenager Liam Ashley in a prison van. See... Separation of young prisoners welcomed [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00507.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00316.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0608/S00286.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00486.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00495.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00484.htm

Politics: Odds On Labour Re-selecting Field Become Astronomical

- Should a bookmaker offer odds on embattled Labour MP Taito Philip Field making it back into cabinet while Helen Clark is Prime Minister it would be wise for even the most adventurous punter to keep hold of their cash. In fact, after today's post-cabinet press conference, the odds that Mr Field will be selected to stand as a Labour candidate for the next election would probably be astronomically long. Scoop Audio and Text: PM's Press Conference - A Feast Of Field [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00337.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00482.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00518.htm

Patriotism: Barbara Sumner Burstyn Considers The Virtues Of Local Manufacturing

- We recently returned from six weeks in China. Our work required traveling to many different parts of that vast country. In every corner, at every bend, from obscure villages to major cities we saw pollution. Not the kind of grey smoke, accidental or even intentional toxic discharge that mostly characterizes pollution in New Zealand. But profound, overwhelming, breath taking pollution. Factories pumping noxious gas twenty-four seven, incinerators disposing of eye-watering, lung-clenching waste, dyes of every hue flowing freely into rivers, turgid sludge where once there were streams. See... Barbara Sumner Burstyn: Buy Kiwi-Made [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00351.htm

Politics: Mike Moore Talks Political Sleaze With Agenda

- Earlier this week former Labour Prime Minister wrote a column in the New Zealand Herald in which he complained that MMP has acted as a muzzle on free speech, he went on to say that sleaze seems too easily forgiven that’s why politicians like babies' nappies need changing from time to time. Well Mike Moore was a politician for almost 25 years and he joins me now. Hullo, what makes you think that parliamentary sleaze is more easily forgiven these days? See... Agenda Transcript: Former PM/WTO Chief Mike Moore [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00329.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0608/S00289.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0608/S00492.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00324.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0608/S00058.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0608/S00086.htm

Media: Wanna Shoot The Messenger? Here Is Your Target Then

- The typical New Zealand journalist is a European women in her 30s who works as a reporter for a newspaper, holds a bachelor's degree, has less than five years experience, is paid about $40,000 a year, has no religious belief – and probably speaks French well enough to conduct an interview with Jacques Chirac. See... National Survey of Journalists 2006 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0608/S00480.htm

Humour: Kiwi Herald Tackles Good Joker's 'Hilarious' Comments! -

Responding to the Tauranga MP's comments that 'Islam religion-type people' who wore burqas 'could be crooks hiding guns and should go back to Islam or Iraq,' the Iranian President said that he had a good giggle when he read the comment and he was sure members of Islamic Jihad had also. "No one could possibly believe that anyone with half a brain could make such comments except as a joke," said the President. See... Iranian Leader Calls NZ MP "Good Joker" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00336.htm

Annan Reassures Lebanese Leaders Security Council Backs Peace

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today met with Lebanese leaders, offering his reassurances that the UN and the international community stood firmly behind efforts to implement the Security Council resolution that ended hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah earlier this month. See... Annan meets with Lebanese Prime Minister [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00371.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00362.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00369.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00366.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00364.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00361.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00360.htm

Scoop's Lebanon War Aftermath Analysis Continues

- Nothing in Israel’s second Lebanon war seems to have worked according to plan. Quite apart from the various military and social aspects, the post-war period does not seem to follow the pattern either. See... Salbe: The Daily Briefing - After The Lebanon War [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00349.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00333.htm

Assassination Attempt On Thai PM Shinawatra

- BANGKOK, Thailand -- After surviving what he described as an assassination attempt, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday (August 25) a car bomb, packed with explosives near his house, was a plot by military officers to stage a coup. See... Thai PM Says Assassination Attempt Part Of A Coup [1] & Assassination Attempt On Thai PM Shinawatra [2] MORE RICHARD EHRLICH:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00327.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00304.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00311.htm

Anne Else & Tze Ming Mok Ponder The Meaning Of "Bedrock Values"

- I knew it was a long time since the last Letter, but I hadn’t realised HOW long. I have a good excuse, of course: I was finishing off my PhD, otherwise known as “getting doctored”. Then I went away for a while to recover, and when I got back, I discovered ... See... Letter from Elsewhere: Bedrock values [1] & Public Address 28/08/06 - Women Elsewhere [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00334.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00332.htm

One Year On: Greg Palast & Ors Recall The Near Death Of The Big Easy

- DON'T blame the Lady. Katrina killed no one in this town. In fact, Katrina missed the city completely, going wide to the east. It wasn't the hurricane that drowned, suffocated, de-hydrated and starved 1,500 people that week. See... Hurricane Expert Threatened For Katrina Warnings [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00350.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00322.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00260.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00261.htm

When An Election Is All Over Before The Counting

- On August 25, 2006, "Scoop" revealed that there was something very wrong with Brian Bilbray’s swearing in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Republican Bilbray allegedly defeated Francine Busby in a close and controversial special election in California’s 50th Congressional District. There were immediate cries of foul and demands for both an investigation and a recount. The problems were well publicized before the swearing in. See... Election Nullification 2: Speaker's Special Source [1] . See also... Congressional Election Nullified – Nobody Noticed [2] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00338.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00316.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00344.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00324.htm

Regarding The War Clouds Gathering Over Iran

- Once again we are being prepared for another devastating war in the Middle East. A terrorist group is “allegedly” discovered planning to blow-up 6 aircraft in UK. Another group is “discovered” in Germany planning to blow-up a train. Then UK warns whole Europe about the threat of terrorism. Then there are “loud” accusations that Iran has been trying to buy Uranium from Congo followed by a small retraction. Then there is the release of the 9/11 sound tapes of the fire-fighters along with the release of the emotional movie “9/11”. And finally we have the President of the United States warning us about the threat of Islamo-Fascism. See... US vs. Iran - Is An Attack Inevitable? [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00328.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00348.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00346.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00323.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00321.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00353.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00352.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00330.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00315.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00335.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00347.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00345.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00343.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00326.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00320.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00319.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00331.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00325.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00341.htm

Michael Collins: Mexico Demonstrates How To Defend Democracy

- The Mexican peoples’ democracy movement and their leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador are modern heroes of democracy and to all who demand clean elections. They recall the heroics of the Ukrainians with one important difference. See... The Mexican People: Heroes of Democracy [1] & in Spanish El Pueblo Mexicano: Héroes De La Democracia [2] MORE NEWS FROM MEXICO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00269.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00268.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00303.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00292.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00342.htm

Parliament: TV3 Gets Fingered For Mark Footage

- TV3 banned from filming in Chamber for three days TV3 camera operators have been banned from filming in the Chamber for three sitting days, starting tomorrow. The Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, said she took this action because of TV3’s serious and premeditated breach of the rules by filming MP Ron Mark when he did not have the call to speak. See... TV3 banned from filming in Chamber for three days [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00492.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00323.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00496.htm

Int. Security: PM Thanks Palestinian Authorities On Wiig/Centanni Release

Prime Minister Helen Clark today welcomed the release of the New Zealand cameraman held hostage in Gaza, Olaf Wiig, and his companion, American journalist Steve Centanni. Helen Clark expressed the gratitude of the New Zealand government for the tremendous co-operation of the Palestinian authorities. See... Statement From PM Re. Hostage Release [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00475.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00476.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00493.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00318.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00352.htm

Health: Govt Moves To Increase Subsidy For Low-Charging GPs

- General Practices that charge very low fees will receive extra government funding to make sure they can continue to provide services for their often high need communities, Health Minister Pete Hodgson announced today. $43 million over four years will be invested in practices that voluntarily agree to maintain their fees within a very low threshold - zero fees for children 0-5 years, $10 for 6-17 year olds, and $15 for adults. See... $43 million invested in high need practices [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00480.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0608/S00101.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0608/S00099.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0608/S00098.htm

MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00514.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00511.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00504.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00503.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00500.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00494.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00489.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00487.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00499.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00501.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00515.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00502.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00510.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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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