Posts by Neil Morrison
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And what exactly was the strategic value for Australia being in Iraq? Self defense? The only possible rationale was to ingratiate themselves with the US, which was exactly the same reason NZ sent a token force however briefly. It's hardly rocket science Neil.
I was being snippy. But there were a lot of people, even some conservatives, who believed that getting rid of a dictator was the sort of thing democracies should be in the habit of doing. It's an argument in its own right - that may some faults - but it demands a bit more of an effort to counter than the "Bush's poodle" one.
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They're unlikely to be quite as subservient and submissive to Washington as Howard has deemed necessary in recent years.
Maybe some people actually agreed with Bush. The world doesn't have to be all S&M. But I suppose it's a less intellectually demanding approach to take with those one disagrees with - you don't really have a mind of your own.
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To be quite blunt, I'd take anything anyone in the US has to say about Iraq with a grain of salt - and a whole case of tequila.
I'm less in need of excuses for a few margaritas although anything about the war does tend to bring on a craving for some strong medicine.
But it's interesting that the leading Dems are making these noises - why would they be?
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Maybe Labour will do a bit of a u-turn on flying Ozzie troops to Iraq in a year or so -
AN INCOMING Democratic president of the US would look to Australia to keep its troops in Iraq as long as possible, for up to a further three years, say advisers to the leading candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Clark might even find a request for NZ troops from Clinton or Obama difficlut to refuse.
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but he's a lot like Christopher Hitchens
except for the height and drinking prowess. But there's a similarity of sorts in their rhetorical style. Sometimes you like what the write even when one disagrees but at others you dislike what they write even when one agrees.
The main problem I have with Trotter is that he has a rather romantic belief in a "working class" (which Labour is continuously in the process of betraying). I've come to the conclusion that there's a complex web of competing interests in society which changes from issue to issue.
But on the other hand I do share to a small extent his dislike of Identity Politics. But that's an eternal question - is the relationship to the means of production the essential contradiction?
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I found her explanation for not initially contacting the police, that they might have done it, rather odd.
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We don't really know what she means by "close to home". It may mean within the National Party or it may not. She appears to be framing things mainly as "not necessarily bagging Labour".
It's hard to see just what any of Brash's opponents within National would get from inside her apartment that would be useful, as political ammunition that is.
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given that he's been inactive for over two years now...
If it could be shown he knew (and of course he did know) of Dewar's actions then getting rid of him might get a lot easier. But I think the police deserve brownie points for observing the letter of employment law even when it clearly makes life uncomfortable for them.
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Clint Rickards not only should not be one of our most senior policemen, he should not be in the force at all.
Agreed but it's now a matter of employment law. He's still got rights in that area, which is why he's still a cop although suspended. It will be interesting to see just how the police try and manoeuvre him out and if Dewar's conviction makes that any easier.
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Ed - Science isn't neutral & alot of it is very much racist, reflecting the bias or (willful) ignorance.
You'll have to come up wtih specific examples of this rather than a generalised skepticism about genes influencing behaviour. The evidence that Ed presents is reputable. I can't see how you can claim "a lot" of science is racist.
It's interesting that we can talk about "ethnicity" but not "race".
One other factor is the younger demographic of Maori. More younger men means more violence.