President Obama's sitcky-outy ears are getting a fair bashing for his perceived dithering over what to do next in Afghanistan. But maybe we'll be better off for his serious evaluation of the situation as opposed to what happened with Vietnam... and then Iraq
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 18
Obama calls for human rights, changes mind on Copenhagen; Pirates capture North Korean chemical tanker; IAEA demands "clarification" from Iran; Taiwan banks to open in China; and more
Read MoreThe ETS mess: ACT gets it right
If you appreciate irony, yesterday’s select committee report on the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment is a must-read
Read MoreA fuss about not much: the truth about a trade deal
New Zealand is once again in a tizz about a free trade deal with America. The reality state-side, however, is a long way from the rhetoric as a glance at the US media will tell you
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 17
Obama, in China, urges more balanced trade (+ analysis); Aung San Suu Kyi seeks meeting with junta; Netanyahu: "no substitute" for Palestinian negotiations; UN head and Pope call for stabilised world food prices; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – Our issues with Karzai
New Zealand has quietly raised four crucial human rights issues with Afghanistan. But what happens if President Karzai’s new government fails to respond?
Greens break up with Nats: government and media response
Pundit’s scoop this week got a muted response, from both ministers and the media
Read MoreWhat's in a backbench MP's package?
It's taken months, but we finally know that a backbencher gets a total package around $180,000. Revealing those sort of details is the only way to bring the rules and public expectation back into line
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 13
Ambassador says no more troops without improved governance; Thaksin accuses Thai leaders of "false patriotism"; Yemen says no to Iran military aid; Trade likely sticking point in Obama's China visit; and more
Read MoreMr Netanyahu, tear down this wall
While the world was focused on celebrating twenty years without the Berlin wall, perhaps it should have used the occasion to call for the breaching of Israel's wall which is contributing to the misery millions.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 12
Obama nears Afghanistan troops decision, advisers support 30,000; Chinese economic growth accelerates; Cambodia refuses to extradite Thaksin; new EU president to be announced next week; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 11
Military tension between North and South Korea intensifies; analysts say North Korea provoked the clash; Obama administration promotes US military bases pact with Japan; Palestinian Authority could collapse; Maoist activists protest in Nepal; Democrats question healthcare reform costs in US; and more
Read MoreIdeology destroys energy efficiency
The former Greens co-leader questions why, given its "retrograde vision" for energy efficiency, the National Government wanted to collaborate with the Greens in the first place
Read MoreAfter the honeymoon, divorce: Greens break up with National
The Greens have walked away from part of their working arrangement with the government. Jeanette Fitzsimons revealed exclusively to Pundit a relationship breakdown in the energy efficiency and conservation portfolio
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 10
Iraq passes election law; Dalai Lama visits India; North Korean military takes control of economy; China pledges billions of dollars of aid to Africa; abortions rights activists plan to block US healthcare bill
Read MoreHide & Harawira: sorry should be the hardest word
Hide's apology is out of kilter with earlier statements and behaviour, while any apology from Harawira would deman both him and us. It's no wonder voters have a low opinion of these crisis-time converts
Read MoreHone Harawira, his wife and me.
HH, his wife and Me/ Fucked off to Paris to have a sight-see/ Too much beauty in one foul sweep/ And the brilliant sun made me blind on the beach/ So I made it back to confusion row/ Where encased in four walls my mind could cope/ We live in hope
Read MoreColourblind political science: mistaking Green for blue
Bryce Edwards has been blogging about the Greens’ abandoned social justice agenda, saying they’ve nothing to offer the left. Russel Norman says that’s “bullshit”
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 6
United Nations to pull half its staff out of Afghanistan (+ background); Australia's Christmas Island refugee detention centre compared to Guantanamo; International Court to investigate Kenyan violence; Israel and Syria dispute weapons ship; and more
Read MoreMums share far too much information
Mummy blogging is so yesterday—now new parents are posting their birth videos online
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