Filed under: Journalism, Politics | Tags: Amnesty International, Beijing, China, Freedom, Human Rights, Journalism, Olympics, Sports
Amnesty International have said China’s human rights situation has deteriorated, not improved, despite being awarded the hosting rights of this years Olympic Games. Upon being awarded the games, China promised to uphold the values of human dignity associated with the Olympic tradition, promising increased freedom for journalists, better health and education programmes for its citizens and an improvement in human rights, but the international human rights organisation says this has not occurred. In a report entitled “The Olympics Countdown: Broken Promises”, AI has documented greater restrictions on dissidents, with the organisation’s deputy director Rosanne Rife saying the Olympics have led to a deterioration in human rights in China.
“Specifically we’ve seen crackdowns on domestic human rights activists, media censorship and increased use of re-education through labour as a means to clean up Beijing and surrounding areas,” said Rife.
So was it right for the International Olympic Committee to award the games to Beijing? (more…)
Filed under: New Zealand Election 08, Philosophy, Politics | Tags: Christianity, Corrections Department, Crime, He Korowai Whakapono, Offenders, Prison Fellowship, Restorative Justice, Rimutaka Prison, Victims
The news that a prisoner has been beaten within an inch of their life at the faith-based He Korowai Whakapono unit at Rimutaku Prison will further jeopardise the future of the facility and the Prison Fellowship not-for-profit organisation that runs it. The inmate is believed to have suffered brain damage in an attack with a pool cue and was taken to Wellington Hospital. This is probably the last thing the Prison Fellowship wanted to happen, as it is only months away from closure, due to a desperate lack of funds. (more…)
Filed under: religion | Tags: Allah, Female Genital Manipulation, God, Human Rights, Islam, Koran, Meat, Muhammad, Muslim, Nigeria, religion, Women's rights
Currently the number one read story on the BBC News website as I type, is a story about pieces of meat that have the name of Allah spelt out in Arabic in the gristle. Nigerians have flocked to a restaurant in Bernin Kebbi to see the pieces of beef with the alleged inscription. The owner of the restaurant who found the pieces says, “When the writings were discovered there were some Islamic scholars who come and eat here and they all commented that it was a sign to show that Islam is the only true religion for mankind”. I sure hope not. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: 2008 Election, Capitalism, Chris Trotter, Conservative, Election, Farmers, Labour, Marxist, National, New Zealand, Politics, Sunday Star Times
Chris Trotter’s latest Sunday Star Times column reflects the desperation of the left as Labour plummets in the polls, and National threatens to obtain enough votes to govern alone. He pleads with those voters who have abandoned Labour for National to think about who are National’s core supporters they will be joining. He then proceeds to attack the “cockies”, the “rich” and the “reactionaries”, like a rabid Marxist only can. And I agree with what he has to say. Well, not entirely! (more…)
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: Confusing, Herald, Journalism, Kidnapping, Ma Xin Xin, Misleading, New Zealand, North Shore
Like most people, I love a happy ending. So I was relived when I read online that five-year-old Ma Xin Xin had been found alive, just down the road from her Albany, North Shore home where she was taken.
None would have been more relived than her family, although if the Herald is to be believed, her grandparents were not too distressed by her being taken. I could not help but ponder what the Herald meant by this line here: (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: Diplomacy, Elections, Human Rights, Humanitarian Crisis, Inflation, MDC, Morgan Tsvagirai, Politics, President, Robert Mugabe, Sanctions, Torture, Vote rigging, War, Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation
Zimbabwe’s political crisis continues to become ever more dire, with heinous political violence, skyrocketing inflation and a seemingly impotent international community. Having South African friends and having known people who had fled Zimbabwe, I have followed the situation closely. When Morgan Tsvangirai clearly beat Robert Mugabe in the Presidential election on March 29, and with MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) faring well in the parliamentary vote, I optimistically, and naively, felt the country may turn for the better, as did many others. Now over 3 months on, that hope is almost entirely extinguished as Mugabe has claimed a landslide victory in an uncontested presidential run off vote and diplomacy is making little headway. Farcical as the charade was, Mugabe appears to feel he has been legitimised and continues to slate the world that conspires against him. (more…)
Filed under: History, Politics | Tags: Abel Muzorewa, Bush War, Elections, History, Ian Smith, Inflation, Joshua Nkomo, Land Reform, Mugabe, Politics, Rhodesia, Zanu, Zapu, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part One: Prosperity to Pain: How did it get this bad?
Here’s a bit of background on Zimbabwe, sourced from a few websites, although mainly old wikipedia. A lot of the articles on Zimbabwe have disputed neutrality and a lack of citations. Feel free to comment if there are any errors!
Formally Rhodesia and then Zimbabwe Rhodesia, Zimbabwe came into existence following the Bush War (1964-1979), with Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union and Joshua Nkomo’s Zimbabwe African People’s Union fighting the government forces of Ian Smith and then Abel Muzorewa, eventuating in the transition to majority rule in 1980. The country was then granted independence from Great Britain on April 18 of the same year. In 1965, Ian Smith had declared that “not in one thousand years, not in my lifetime” would black majority rule come to his country, but fifteen years later he had retired to his farm, ousted from power by Mugabe’s liberation movement. (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: democracy, Elections, MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, Politics, President, Robert Mugabe, Violence, Vote rigging, Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part Two: Democracy: Is there promise in the polls?
Following the first vote in March there was an air of excitement, as interested parties and onlookers envisaged the coming end of an era. Zimbabwe and the world waited in suspense for the results to come, expecting the worst, hoping for the best. Indications showed the MDC had fared well, and Mugabe’s Zanu-PF was looking at electoral defeat. As time dragged on, punters speculated the outcome and the likely consequences: Will Mugabe attempt to stuff the ballots in his favour, or will he negotiate a dignified exit? The MDC even engaged in dialogue with the military and some Zanu-PF members of parliament. The Zimbabwean electoral commission took an age to release results, first confirming MDC success in the parliamentary polls, before declaring that no candidate had reached the necessary majority of votes in the presidential election. In keeping with Zimbabwean Electoral Law, a run off vote would have to be taken, between Tsvangirai, who received 49 per cent of the votes, and Mugabe, who received only 41 per cent. (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: African Union, Botswana, Britain, China, Commonwealth, Diplomacy, Kenya, Morgan Tsvangirai, Power sharing, Robert Mugabe, Russia, United Nations, United States, Unity Government, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part Three: Diplomacy: Can’t we just talk about it?
Behind the scenes, whilst condemnations are conveyed, grand speeches made and newspaper columns are scribed, negotiations are taking place to try find a solution to the Zimbabwe problem. The international community, led mainly by Britain and the commonwealth, Europe and the United States, are attempting to pressure Mugabe’s regime into submission, and criticised China and Russia for not supporting moves against Mugabe. Within Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Zambia have been the most vocal against Mugabe, and are eager to get other African countries to oppose the regime more openly. The African Union, and in particular South Africa, are trying to negotiate with Mugabe and mediate between the two parties. These talks have not been without their critics. South Africa has been at the thick of both the diplomacy, and the criticism. (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: African Union, Britain, Burkino Faso, China, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia, Morgan Tsvangirai, Robert Mugabe, Russia, Sanctions, South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, United Nations, United States, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part Four: Sanctions: Can we starve this disease?
Attempts to bring sanctions in against the Mugabe regime failed recently at the United Nations, with Russia and China using their Security Council vetoes, claiming the situation in Zimbabwe did not threaten international stability. South Africa also opposed the motion saying the sanctions would interfere with their attempts to bring about a national unity government. South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki also claimed the sanctions could provoke a civil war. Burkina Faso’s ambassador, Michel Kafando, who voted for the motion said, “As a means of exerting pressure, it could help”. Both Britain and the United States, who put forward the motion, were disappointed China followed Russia’s move to veto the sanctions, with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband saying “it will appear incomprehensible to the people of Zimbabwe”. (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: Botswana, Britain, Human Rights, Humanitarian Crisis, Invasion, Iraq, Kenya, MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, Nick Clegg, Pius Ncube, Raila Odinga, Robert Mugabe, United States, War, Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part Five: Invasion: Time to send in the troops?
Is it time to resort to military action? If it is apparent that diplomacy is doomed to fail and lives are being lost through politically and racially motivated attacks, how long can the international community insist dialogue while people are dying? Does it become morally necessary to overthrow the regime through force?
The case has been made by some. Citing humanitarian reasons, the head of Zimbabwe’s one million Catholics Pius Ncube said in 2007:
“I think it is justified for Britain to raid Zimbabwe and remove Mugabe.
“We should do it ourselves but there’s too much fear. I’m ready to lead the people, guns blazing, but the people are not ready”. (more…)
Filed under: History, Politics | Tags: Edward Chikombo, History, MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, Nelsen Mandela, Nelson Chamisa, Politician, Politics, President, Rhodesia, Robert Mugabe, South Africa, Torture, Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part Six: Alternative: Who is Morgan Tsvangirai?
There is a consensus, at least in the West, that Mugabe is a pretty bad man, to apply a typical Kiwi understatement. But who is the man most would have replace him? Who is Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the MDC, who decimated Mugabe in the polls, all those weeks ago? (more…)
Filed under: Philosophy, Politics | Tags: Auckland, Capitalism, Employment, Labour, Migrant workers, New Zealand, Recycling, Techonology, Unemployment
A few weeks back, whilst interning at the New Zealand Herald, I wrote a story on the changes to Auckland and Manukau Cities’ residential recycling system. Switching from plastic crates to wheelie bins, collection trucks would use a mechanical arm to collect the bins, replacing the guys who throw the rubbish into the truck manually. The trucks will now only need to be manned by one person, the driver, leaving two or three people on the truck out of a job. The companies involved told me that they would try move staff into other areas if operation (either commercial collection or other regions of Auckland) as best they could, but it was likely that around 60 people would be out of a job.
At the time, as much as sympathised with those losing their jobs (I spoke to few on the streets out east), I was not too sure it was such an important story, as council contracts must change all the time, some people must lose jobs, but others surely gain them in the process. The new recycling plant must be employing a fair few people too. But the story is not about contracts, or even the fact jobs are lost. It is how they are lost. The robots are taking over. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, Music, Philosophy | Tags: Blink 182, Bob Geldoff, Joe Strummer, Journalism, Journey, Music, Music Journalism, Pink Floyd, Violent Femmes
It’s a little disconcerting to want to describe the days surrounding a funeral as some of the ‘best nights’ in a very long time. But that’s exactly what this week has been. It’s been a time of catching up with old crowds – some I haven’t seen in years, some I didn’t care to – and reminiscing about the old days.
One moment of the past few days has stuck in my mind and so I figured it’s the perfect time to finally make that first post I was invited to months ago (yes, I’m a slack bastard).
The other night while a few of us were chilling on a couch, over a few beers and stories, others were in another room, a bedroom converted into a studio, creating a track in memory of the one who had passed.
And it got me thinking, and it got us talking, about the insane amount of power that something as simple as music can have. (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: punk, anti flag, pennywise, bad religion, religion, Politics, Strung out, Music, Punk is dead, Crass, Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Dead Kennedys, Rise Against, UK Subs, Minor Threat, Me first and the gimme gimmes, Strike Anywhere, NOFX, The Living End, Mad Caddies, Rancid, Transplants, Propangandhi, Frenzal Rhomb
What the punk?
“Yes that’s right, punk is dead
It’s just another cheap product for the consumers head
Bubblegum rock on plastic transistors
Schoolboy sedition backed by big time promoters
CBS promote the Clash
Ain’t for revolution, it’s just for cash
Punk became a fashion just like hippy used to be
Ain’t got a thing to do with your or me” Punk is Dead – Crass
“Punk died in the 1980s. I wish they’d stop trying to resurrect it. I’ve debated this over and over. Punk is dead, kids. Get over it.” Urban dictionary
“Punk rock isn’t any more alive and thriving today than psychedelic rock or new wave. As far as the broader culture is concerned, it’s been dead for awhile and it ain’t coming back.” J.P. Gorman
Is punk dead? Having now fractured into so many sub-genres, it can be easy to see why people would look back 20-30 years if asked what music is punk. Additionally, considering the only punk music that gets any real exposure is pop punk, with lyrics typically about romance or bratty teenagers, or emo, which I will refrain from attacking, it is understandable that many people would believe the punk ethos to have either died, or to have dispersed elsewhere. However my friends, punk is not dead. It has, however, evolved and thankfully matured from its chaotic and often unintelligent infancy. (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, Nuclear Weapons, Oil Prices, Petrol
Every time tension in the Middle East increases oil prices rise. Recently we’ve had the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the Hezbollah-Israel conflict and now tensions over Iran and Israel. Am I wrong, or is the only country who is threatening pre-emptive strikes Israel? Iran has increased the tension too, but have only, as far as I am aware, said they would strike Israel in retaliation to any future Israeli strikes. Please don’t refer to the famous “wipe Israel off the map” Ahmadinejad comments, because I know they were taken out of context. The country which has nuclear weapons is Israel, the country which is talking about attacking another state is Israel and the country which has recently engaged in conflict is Israel. Iran does not have nukes, and by most reliable accounts is not in the process of acquiring them. It is Israel who is stirring the pot. Leave the pot alone! Every time an Israeli official engages in more ridiculous warmongering comments, I have to spend more at the pump. So please, stop with the propaganda and stop wasting my money!
Filed under: Journalism, Politics | Tags: ACT Party, BBC, Britain, Dancing with the Stars, David Cameron, Emily Bronte, George Osborne, Gordon Brown, Heathcliff, New Statesman, Rodney Hide, Tony Blair, Wuthering Heights
In an interview with the New Statesman, British prime minister Gordon Brown was told some women say he reminds them of Heathcliff, from Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, to which Brown replied it was “absolutely correct” to make this comparison.
“Maybe an older Heathcliff, a wiser Heathcliff,” Brown said.
Brown did mention that he did not lose his temper like the Bronte character, who is considered a cruel and violent “anti-hero”. So how exactly does Brown consider himself to be like this character, and why does he remind women of Heathcliff? Why is this even a story? (more…)
Filed under: Politics | Tags: Anti-establishment, Bicycle, Cars, Crude, Economics, Hybrids, Middle East, Oil, Oil Prices, Petrol, Public Transport, punk, Sheiks
Seems like only yesterday we were fretting about petrol prices climbing towards the $2 a litre mark. News website polls asked readers what they would do if the black stuff became that expensive, and by memory most people replied that would have to seriously reconsider their driving habits. Well now we are well over that point, floating around $2.20. So what are we going to do? The politicians appear impotent, no matter how disgruntled the public. Add to the strife, the price of everything else goes up as a result of the soaring prices. Is there not something we can do?
I don’t do a lot of driving, even less now that I usually bus into town for university each day. Yet I am still refilling a lot more frequently than I was this time last year, when I did much more driving. No matter what I do, much of my expenditure is fuelling my wee little Pulsar hatchback. (more…)
