Author Archive
A manifesto
See also James Taylor’s wonderful advice: ‘The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time…’
Winston Peters — no stars in his eyes about John Key’s GCSB Bill
New Zealand First Party leader Winston Peters is one of the current NZ Parliament’s most experienced MPs, a lawyer, and someone who (whether you agree with him or not) has thought and spoken about NZ’s constitutional issues for decades. Here’s his interview on TVNZ’s Q&A programme this morning about John Key’s controversial proposed expansion of […]
Another day in paradise
Life is pretty good. I know I’m lucky. I appreciate it, too. – P See also: A great way to spend a Sunday morning and Rain, followed by an earthquake. Hello Auckland.
Shearer on Shearer — on Radio NZ’s Focus on Politics
I listen to a couple of Radio NZ podcasts fairly religiously each week: Mediawatch and Focus on Politics. The latest (Friday’s) helping of Focus on Politics featured a good-length interview with Labour Party leader David Shearer by RNZ political editor Brent Edwards. I found it interesting, and noted it was far from the um-er stammering […]
Spotted in comments on Fran O’Sullivan’s double-minded article on the SkyCity casino licence extension deal with John Key
Fran O’Sullivan is a smart person. I do sometimes wish she’d be more forthright, however. Her article ‘Too soon to say if SkyCity deal is buy of the century‘ seems a brave attempt to couch mild criticism of the John Key/Steven Joyce/SkyCity ‘negotiation’ (cough) with a semblance of evenhandedness by dredging up the former Labour […]
William Shakespeare’s ‘Star Wars’ {snort}
Watch the trailer:
Two comedians speak up against animal testing
The ACT Party’s sole MP John Banks faced mockery and disrespect for his stand against animal testing in recent Parliamentary debate about amendments to the Psychoactive Substances Bill. Some people questioned his sanity or his social policy ‘priorities’. That’s a pretty harsh assessment, I thought when I heard it, but fair enough. Fair comment. A […]
Misplaced trust (‘I’m telling you this in strictest confidence.’)
Yeah, this happens … JK Rowling on the leak that saw her ‘secret’ pen name John Galbraith leaked to the world (turns out lawyer Chris Gossage, sworn to secrecy, blabbed to his wife’s best friend who tweeted it): Rowling said that “only a tiny number of people knew my pseudonym and it has not been […]
Celebrating cartoonists. Art and politics.
Ah, the power of creating an immersive imaginary world. And yeah, it’s ART alright. No question. Garry Trudeau’s very sharp Doonesbury is still my all-time-favourite for all kinds of reasons. Locally (New Zealand) I like Tom Scott (see this & this) with honourable mentions (gee, I cite them here at The Paepae frequently enough!) to […]
A old joke with a new twist cites @PeterDunneMP
Spotted in East Tamaki today: Nice reference to United Future Party’s re-registration woes and Peter Dunne’s recent … er … elevated public profile. Smart advertising. – P PS the reverse side is a reference to Tony Soprano!
Simon Bridges #PantsOnFire poster for the record
Simon Bridges may pretend to be ‘chuffed’ about this. I don’t think so. pic Greenpeace NZ via @Elipsister
Susan Sontag on writing
Someday (today’s not the day) I will try to express how much I have been inspired by the writing, or better put: the thoughtful reflections of Susan Sontag. She is one of my heroes. I felt lucky to have found her, with her book On Photography. It touched me. Changed my consciousness. Maria Popova, another […]
The Press Gallery thinks it’s sooo #badass …
Here’s to the knuckleheads.* Affectionately, – P * Yeah, I bought the T-shirt. 🙂 Top pic: Scott Griessel bottom: Universal Studios
When you can’t trust the Night Watchman. @MediawatchNZ on Duncan Garner’s spasm
Here’s Radio NZ’s Mediawatch review of the (let’s be kind): pre-reporting of a Labour Party leadership coup, and Duncan Garner’s part in further lowering the public’s trust in the media — if that was possible. [Discussed earlier in my post, Leave Duncan Garner alone! (And stop blaming the weed.)] It’s worth a listen. — extract […]
Another option: Turn the other cheek
Wow, I hadn’t seen this message from Eleanor Roosevelt to John F. Kennedy responding to his complaints about her public criticism of him. Sharp! Gee, I must consider adopting that approach. 🙂 Via @BeschlossDC
