Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Wellington Cables

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  • Simon Grigg, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    So long as you're not there to sell lamb.

    lamb flaps...

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Simon Grigg,

    NZ gets upset by the severe abuse of the global passport system and it’s, were are told, all about selling stuff to the non-Israeli Middle East.

    I'm finding it interesting just how much of the US "analysis" comes down to buying and selling. Says a lot about their view of the world

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    NZ gets upset by the severe abuse of the global passport system and it’s, were are told, all about selling stuff to the non-Israeli Middle East. I’m guessing there will be no issue for me going into the US next time on a stolen passport then?

    I think there is a middle ground where it was both a bad thing for the Israelis to do and a highly opportune event for the NZ government. Cf the current news about the shechita ban, which seems unfortunately linked to cabinet ministers' halal meat export prospects. I'm afraid the impact on buying and selling is very much part of New Zealand governments' decisions.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    the current news about the shechita ban, which seems unfortunately linked to cabinet ministers’ halal meat export prospects. I’m afraid the impact on buying and selling is very much part of New Zealand governments’ decisions.

    Perhaps this current government's decisions, but the article notes that:

    Papers show that officials repeatedly spelled out to successive agriculture ministers how small the domestic kosher market was - about 2000 chickens a year and no more than 300 sheep - and that banning it could breach the Bill of Rights.

    That advice continued right up to the current minister David Carter - who banned it anyway.

    which shows that previous governments had the sense to do the right thing, when lobbied by trade interests.

    cf this particular snippet:

    Prime Minister John Key - who has Jewish roots - said he had "no concerns" with the way Carter made his decision.

    Fuck. If Key was any more relaxed, he'd be comatose.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    I think there is a middle ground where it was both a bad thing for the Israelis to do and a highly opportune event for the NZ government.

    Yeah, of course. The irony though lies in the US comment that such is but a 'flap'. Have you been through the US immigration process since 9/11?

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to nzlemming,

    Prime Minister John Key - who has Jewish roots

    Does Bronagh know?
    (that's about as serious as I feel right now)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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