Archive for May, 2017
Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
First published on Werewolf
One of the enduring myths of the conservative right is that poverty is primarily a state of mind, and that welfare assistance only corrodes the mindset necessary for people to pull themselves out of poverty. Such views have been given a new lease of life by Ben ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on the causes of poverty
Monday, May 29th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
The main reason Theresa May chose to call a snap election for June 8 in Britain was because the Tories firmly believed that a British Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn couldn’t and wouldn’t pose any threat. Instead, the Conservatives’ original 21 point lead has come tumbling ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on the twists in the UK election
Friday, May 26th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
It may seem like Oliver to be so bold as to ask the Finance Minister for more gruel – but what the Dickens, Steven Joyce… is this Budget really as good as it gets? Supposedly, the public was going to receive significant rewards – an election year ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on yesterday’s Budget
Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
So Martin Matthews, our current Auditor-General wishes he could have detected “earlier” the fraud that occurred on his watch at the Ministry of Transport. Hmmm. But he could have detected it earlier, surely? That’s the point. Reportedly, some junior members of his staff had been trying to ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on (not) taking responsibility, terrorism porn, and Dylan’s 76th birthday
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017
First published on Werewolf
At an official level, our “she’ll be right” attitude routinely spills over into a keen resentment of anyone who suggests the outcomes may be less than satisfactory. Oversight at any level of performance is not New Zealand’s strong suit – from our one-chamber Parliament on downwards.
The ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on the Navy’s dealings with Fat Leonard, and Twin Peaks
Monday, May 22nd, 2017
First published on Werewolf
Will New Zealand still be willing to pursue its recent trade overtures to Iran, now that US President Donald Trump has used his speech in Riyadh to single out Iran as the main source of terrorism and instability in the Middle East? Trump did so only hours ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on the demonising of Iran
Friday, May 19th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
So, according to the Prime Minister, we all have an obligation to get in behind his zombie TPP deal, because of all the “jobs and income” it will bring in its wake. Really? That’s hilarious. This new “TPP 11” deal is entirely a pig in ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on Bill English’s bizarre new/old trade deal
Friday, May 19th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
OK, and since we’re all barrelling towards the Budget and beyond … how useful a thing really is National’s programme of building 34,000 houses, as a solution to the crisis of housing affordability? Answer: not very. The details are here.
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on housing, exploding lap-tops and Jon Taplin
Tuesday, May 16th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
As PM Bill English flies off to Japan with his business delegation today, his discussions with Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will focus on how to keep the TPP trade pact alive, now that the United States has bailed. It is much, much easier to see what ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on dealing with Japan over the TPP
Monday, May 15th, 2017
First published on Werewolf
When someone like Alfred Ngaro is being paid circa $350,000 a year (in salary and perks) you’d think he wouldn’t have to learn on the job about the basic moral rules of his role. Evidently not though, so here goes. Mr Ngaro, the money you were threatening ...
Posted in Articles | Comments Off on Gordon Campbell on Alfred Ngaro’s standover tactics