We're under attack, but we are doing all we can to put up some walls. Still, I'm taking bets on how long it'll be before some spammer adds a comment to this post...
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You have the right to free speech as long as you're not dumb enough to actually try it
"Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form." Discuss.
Read MoreLuck has an unlady like way of running out - just ask John Key
It's been a bad week for the government and good for the Greens. Is the luck of the parties turning?
Read MoreThe turning tide for fossil fools
As black waves wash in to the Mount today from Rena, and political gods laugh in the face of adversity, has the tide turned for our PM and risen for the Greens?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 12
UN report finds "systematic" torture of detainees in Afghanistan, including electric shocks, as NATO forces drawdown; After ten years in Afghanistan, US goals for the war remain unclear; Burma to free thousands of prisoners as US claims "dramatic developments" were underway; Investigations into Egypts Coptic clashes; Chinese stockmarket boosted by government intervention; Despite EU warnings, Ukraine jails former Prime Minister; and more
Read MoreWayne Mapp's final Afghan torture test
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp faces his final torture test this week, when UNAMA releases a critical report on mistreatment of prisoners in Afghan detention centres.
Read MoreThe battle for the north – Hone's close call
Hone Harawira hung onto Te Tai Tokerau in the June by-election after he left the Maori Party. But things have changed since then, which means Mana can take nothing for granted
Read MoreIs New Zealand becoming a prison colony?
The Corrections Department wants to build a new 1,000 bed prison at Wiri for $424 million - based on justice sector projections from 2010. The projections for 2011, however, show a new prison is no longer needed
Read MoreLet them eat...err..doughnuts?
American reality - where the uber-wealthy operate under socialism, and capitalism is for the rest. It is a game of nationalised losses and privatised profits, and those occupying Wall St are calling it to account.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 7
Libyan rebels finally enter Sirte with the help of air-strikes (+ analysis); Aid agencies warns of growing humanitarian crisis; Apple founder Steve Jobs dies – tributes flow; Merkel wants more capital to protect German banks; Former Japanese party leader on trial for false accounting; UNESCO clears way for Palestine to join; and more
Read MoreKeep Calm... and your head in the sand
Don't panic, Mr Mannering! The message being delivered by everyone from Europe's finance ministers to the Bank of England seems to be one of wartime stoicism. But is that enough?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 5
Eurozone finance ministers refuse to approve more bailout funds to Greece without more austerity cuts (+ analysis on default); Euro bank stocks continue to slide; China warns of trade war with US; Suicide bombing in Somalia kills at least 70; US likely to pass long-awaited free-trade deals; Panetta criticises Congress on Palestine; and more
Read MoreSome praise for Parliament, rare though that may be
The Justice and Electoral Committee has done a good job on the issue of covert video surveillance. Mostly.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 4
Greece won't make 7.6 percent deficit target, says prime minister; Greek government approves new austerity measures and a plan to force 30,000 public sector workers into early retirement; tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea leaves 15 people dead; International Criminal Court will investigate last year's election violence in Ivory Coast; US could gain $15 billion injection from trade pacts with South Korea, Panama and Colombia; and more
Read MorePolling update: Labour's loss is Greens' gain
Three new polls reinforce an unchanging overall political landscape and underscore a recent trend that is bad for Labour, good for the Greens, and bad for the left generally
Read MoreWhy the bad news isn't as bad as it looks
The double downgrade is exactly what the government didn't want eight weeks out from an election. But is it really so bad? Or does it speak to a larger narrative?
Read MoreThe truth behind the Don Brash strategy
What if Don Brash had an alternative motive for his tactics since his takeover of ACT? Is it all a cunning plan?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 30
German parliament behind EU plan to increase eurozone's rescue fund; Slovakia expected to be biggest obstacle to enacting the eurozone rescue fund expansion plan; experts say Greek debt default is now inevitable; China has warned Asian countries not to hide behind US military backing; two Tibetan monks set fire to themselves to protest Chinese authority; violent incidents in Afghan war up 40 per cent this year; South Africa refuses visitor's visa to Dalai Lama; and more
Read MoreUpdated Poll of Polls – two myths exposed
The race to become the next government is effectively over, but there is intrigue in some of the secondary numbers
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 29
EU President says euro debt crisis "greatest challenge", proposes financial transaction tax; German parliament set to vote on second Greece rescue; Pakistan heaps praise on "all-weather friend" – China; Typhoon in Philippines leaves 21 dead; US and EU criticise Israel for 1100 more illegal homes; Second minister resigns over crackdown on Amazon road protests; and more
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