Until recently I used the terms ‘hard right’ and ‘far right’ interchangeably. Certainly, dictionary definitions didn’t substantively differentiate. Broadly speaking they refer to people in political parties or other organisations with extreme rather than moderate or compassionate rightwing views. However, in part influenced by observing the behaviour of the ACT and NZ First parties inContinue reading “Far right cannibalising the mainstream rightwing; implications for New Zealand”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Ignoble Nobel: from Hitler to Kissinger to Machado
Much to the disappointment of US President Donald Trump, on 10 October the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Maria Corina Machado. In the words of the Committee the award was “…for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transitionContinue reading “The Ignoble Nobel: from Hitler to Kissinger to Machado”
A sinking heart over Palestine non-recognition decision
After a period of political ‘game playing’ over making an announcement, insensitive given the tragic circumstances of the genocide in Gaza and increasing Palestinian expulsions on the West Bank, the Government has advised the United Nations General Assembly that it is not recognising Palestinian statehood. Winston Peters announced unconvincing non-recognition decision The decision was announcedContinue reading “A sinking heart over Palestine non-recognition decision”
Rhyming holocausts from the Herero in early 20th century to Gaza today
From time to time people assert that history is repeating itself. I don’t necessarily agree, depending on how far one wants to drill down. However, history does rhyme a lot (echo a lot is another way of expressing it). I thought of rhyming (or echoing) history when reading a paywalled article by Israeli-American historian OmerContinue reading “Rhyming holocausts from the Herero in early 20th century to Gaza today”
The Misrepresentation of Luddism
Whenever the terms Luddism and Luddites are used they are invariably used in a negative or derogatory manner. Calling something Luddism and people Luddites is intended as an insult, sometimes forcefully so. This is because it is associated with machine smashing by rural English labourers in the early 19th century. In other words, smashing theContinue reading “The Misrepresentation of Luddism”
There is a plot Mr Luxon: Its ethnic cleansing of Palestinians based on biblical justification
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost the plot” and has condemned attacks on Gaza. It is among the strongest language the New Zealand leader has used against Netanyahu and comes amid reports of intense aerial attacks on Gaza after Israel’s decision to launch a fresh military operation. These areContinue reading “There is a plot Mr Luxon: Its ethnic cleansing of Palestinians based on biblical justification”
When the privatising rubber hits the climate change denial roads
First a disclosure. I’m the co-owner of a plug-in hybrid car. It cost in the vicinity of $20,000 more than if it had been completely petrol fuelled. A key factor in the purchase decision was to make a small contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Then along came the National-ACT-NZ First coalition government’s decision to introduceContinue reading “When the privatising rubber hits the climate change denial roads”
A poser for Labour Party: Tax wealth or tax capital gains
Veteran political journalist Vernon Small’s latest regular paywalled column in Stuff’s Sunday Star Times (3 August) has brought to life a subject that by its very nature can put many people to sleep – tax wealth or tax capital gains: A choice Labour may come to regret. Small was previously an advisor to the former LabourContinue reading “A poser for Labour Party: Tax wealth or tax capital gains”
David Seymour and the political left
If there was a ‘most prolific blogger while still being consistently thought-provoking’ award it would be hard to beat Bomber (Martyn) Bradbury and his The Daily Blog (TDB). His writing is turbo-charged and opinionated but underpinned by powerful compassion and a strong sense of both justice and outrage towards injustice. For me he has beenContinue reading “David Seymour and the political left”
How to justify 400,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza: Ask ‘Zelda’
I have published three previous blog posts on Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza by means of genocide. Ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank is also occurring although through violent repression rather than genocide. The first (5 March) discussed Zionist Israel’s close supportive relationship with South Africa under apartheid and, sinceContinue reading “How to justify 400,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza: Ask ‘Zelda’”
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