Gordon Campbell on the media normalisation of Trump
We all supposedly agree that the media is going to hell in a tabloid handbasket, but the trends to the contrary can be a bit harder to spot.
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the transport options, post earthquake
The configuration of rail, road and shipping likely to emerge in the longer term, post earthquake, still remains opaque.
Gordon Campbell on the government’s tax cuts fixation
Long before the earthquake hit, the dodginess of the government tax cuts programnme was evident in the language of its packaging.
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
One significant factor Morgan does have going for him is that doesn’t appear to regard success or failure in ordinary political terms.
Gordon Campbell on the US election home stretch
Once again at the business end of a US election, the result will hinge on the same old bits of geography as always
Gordon Campbell on news from the US election eve
“The Cubs Have A Smaller Chance Of Winning Than Trump Does”
Yet as we now know…yesterday, the Chicago Cubs concluded their incredible World Series comeback run with an 8-7 victory
Gordon Campbell on the latest McCully fiasco
Well, as Auditor-General Lynn Provost has just found in her long-awaited report into the Saudi sheep deal: plenty.
Gordon Campbell on the Police (and MSD) abuses of power
Apparently, the Police have deliberately abused the powers of detention they possess under the Land Transport Act…
Gordon Campbell on plastic bag activism, and street harassment
What has aroused the ire of Act Leader David Seymour this time is the introduction of a Greens private members bill to the ballot process, “calling for a 15 cents levy on plastic bags to reduce pollution.”
Gordon Campbell on the Surplus, And Bob Dylan
To quote the distinguished Nobel laureate, “Something is happening here, and you don’t know what it is, do you Mr Jones?”
Gordon Campbell on how the political centre is a mirage
Since the GFC, the myth of the centre ground has been amply documented.
Gordon Campbell on dairy farming, the battle for Mosul and drugs in sport
Arguably, the last thing New Zealand needs is for the current levels of dairy production to return to profitability anytime soon.
Gordon Campbell on child poverty, and John Coltrane
John Key’s rationale for refusing to throw the state’s resources behind reducing child poverty is the lamest excuse since “The dog ate my homework.”
Gordon Campbell on privatising education, and the Amen Break
John Quiggin’s argument on market experiments seems especially relevant to this country at a time.
Gordon Campbell on the Key style of crisis management
At yesterday’s post Cabinet press conference Key was in his finest wide- eyed “Problem? What problem?” mode.
Gordon Campbell on Judith Collins’ efforts at self correction
Prisoners may be entitled to an earlier release than expected – and compensation – unless of course, the government buries its mistakes by changing the law.
Gordon Campbell on our posturing at the UN
New Zealand is currently chairing the 15 person Security Council for the last time during our two year term on the Council.
Gordon Campbell on welfare blackmail, and the therapeutic use of drugs in sport
Reportedly, beneficiary parents who refuse to disclose the intimate details of their child’s conception stand to have their benefits substantially docked.
Gordon Campbell on the government’s selective lethargy
It will take months before Cabinet gets a proposal on whether to re-classify 17 year old youthful offenders as juveniles, rather than as adults.
Gordon Campbell on The Rise of the Sewbots
Automation is starting to wipe out millions of the jobs in the footwear and garment sweatshops of Asia
Gordon Campbell on housing illusions, and libertarians for Trump
The truly irritating aspect of the government’s response to the Auckland housing crisis is its insistence merely cranking up the housing supply will bring prices down
Gordon Campbell on government complacency, and Mother Teresa
By now, we shouldn’t be surprised by the Beehive’s disinterest in the country’s social problems.
Gordon Campbell on Apple’s unpaid tax issues
Reportedly, Apple owes Ireland $US14 billion in unpaid taxes, plus interest.
Gordon Campbell on the challenges of Keytruda funding
The availability of the new generation of anti-cancer drugs in NZ has been driven by political decisions, as much as by medical ones.
Gordon Campbell on the Judith Collins charm offensive
Suddenly, Judith Collins is everyone’s new best friend.
Gordon Campbell on the end game in Spain
A few interesting international stories that have largely flown beneath the radar this past week
Gordon Campbell on the funding changes in special needs education, and Uber
The plan to strip out support for older “special needs” children to meet the existing shortfall in funding for special needs in ECE defies belief…
Gordon Campbell on the waning fever for the Olympics
NZ spent more money to send our biggest team… you could say our haul in Rio cost more per medal and fewer were earned per athlete than ever before
Gordon Campbell on Chinese steel dumping, and the 60s revival
It will take six months for us to even find out if anyone has yet laid an anti-dumping complaint about China’s steel dumping
Gordon Campbell on Havelock North’s water issues, and extreme vetting
Having belatedly advised Havelock North about the pollution of their water supply, local authorities seem to prematurely see light at the end of the tunnel