Gleichschaltung is an interesting German word meaning synchronisation or coordination. In the context of German history it was used to describe the process of Nazification in the mid-1930s; that is, establishing a system of totalitarian control and coordination over all aspects of German society. Gleichschaltung in motion I first came across it in a pieceContinue reading “Gleichschaltung and the far right momentum: lessons for New Zealand”
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When a falsified ‘golden handshake’ is neither ‘golden’ nor a ‘handshake’
On 7 May The Post published a paywalled article by Tom Hunt under the eye-catching heading of Wellington council’s $200k-plus club quietly keep personal grievance pay: Alleged ‘golden handshake’ for Council staff. Legislate amendment to reduce employee protection At the heart of the issue is a recent amendment to the Employment Relations Act thatContinue reading “When a falsified ‘golden handshake’ is neither ‘golden’ nor a ‘handshake’”
Inhumanity of US economic sanctions against Cuba – infant mortality and starvation; time to end New Zealand’s silence
Cuba is facing a humanitarian crisis that has been caused by an unjustified escalation of an unjustified over 60-year old economic war by the most economically and militarily powerful country in the world, the United States. Increasing infant mortality and the use of starvation are part of the escalation’s inevitable outcomes. But there is noContinue reading “Inhumanity of US economic sanctions against Cuba – infant mortality and starvation; time to end New Zealand’s silence”
Do Wellington floods, climate change and wealth accumulation equal “suicidal capitalism”?
On 20 April the Science Media Centre published expert responses to the overwhelming Wellington floods which hit the wider region with such unexpected suddenness, intensity and devastation: Expert reactions to Wellington floods. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little: “a level of rainfall that is truly tropical and would be extreme even in the tropics” Among the expert reactionsContinue reading “Do Wellington floods, climate change and wealth accumulation equal “suicidal capitalism”?”
Making sense of the Opportunity Party: ripples or wave
A small political party outside Parliament is starting to make political ripples. It is the Opportunity Party; until recently it had ‘The’ at the start of its name and ‘Opportunity’ was pluralised. The ripples arise out of some recent credible opinion polls suggesting that the party was within striking distance of the 5% threshold forContinue reading “Making sense of the Opportunity Party: ripples or wave”
Why does the United States have it in for Cuba so badly and for so long?
The 1959 Cuban revolution was in direct response to the coup in 1952 launched by Fulgencio Batista which overthrew an emerging Cuban democracy and replacing it with his dictatorship. Young Fidel Castro first tried to oppose military coup by legal means Among those who opposed the coup was a young lawyer called Fidel Castro whoContinue reading “Why does the United States have it in for Cuba so badly and for so long?”
Iran, US imperialism and New Zealand lapdog
When Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was assassinated in the opening stages of the US-Israeli war against Iran, I did not mourn. Khamenei was not someone who deserved to be mourned notwithstanding my contempt for the increasing use of assassination by aggressor nations; in this case the United States and Israel. Ayatollah KhameneiContinue reading “Iran, US imperialism and New Zealand lapdog”
Class political warfare via employment law
In 1894 the new reforming Liberal government passed the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It was recognised as landmark legislation and contributed to Aotearoa New Zealand’s reputation at the time as a progressive social laboratory. This laboratory also included women’s suffrage and old age pensions. William Pember Reeves: architect of landmark 1894 legislation The ActContinue reading “Class political warfare via employment law”
Courageous words from an unbreakable spirit
This post is much longer than usual. It is also different because it quotes extensively from a courageous Palestinian leader imprisoned for much longer than the legendary Nelson Mandela. Such was the impact on me of his insights following his release that I judged it best to let him speak as much as possible inContinue reading “Courageous words from an unbreakable spirit”
Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize!
Readers familiar with my politics might be perplexed at least (shocked at worse) by the heading to this post. Trump acolyte Shane Jones should lead the charge Let me go further. Arguably Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading Trump acolyte, NZ First deputy leader and cabinet minister Shane Jones, should publicly advocate for the government to getContinue reading “Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize!”
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