The American storyline is that Libya is now a free country. But the truth is that the armed groups supported by the US in 2011 do not today adhere to the rule of law – but only the rule of the gun. Libya today is like a Wild West.
Even after six MMP elections some commentators still don’t understand that we now live in a multi-party democracy, and that it’s the combination of parties which gain the most party votes that will form our government.
one of his priorities should be improving the relationship between Labour and the Greens. This would benefit both parties, and make the Labour/Green alternative more appealing to the voters.
There are several unanswered questions, in the wake of the Snowden revelations, about the GCSB’s contribution to the US National Security Agency’s global surveillance programme.
How easily the convenience of modern computer systems is turned against us. Just because it is more economical for Parliamentary Service to have all MPs emails on one big server this doesn’t give the Service the right to pry into the activities of the elected servants of the people.
Is the NSA subsidizing the GCSB either in money or provision of sophisticated equipment? If it is, this might explain the refusal of Prime Ministers Clark and Key to give out any information as to the cost to the taxpayer of the Waihopai spy station.
Being absorbed into the Five Eyes also restricts New Zealand’s ability to conduct an independent foreign policy. No less stupid is John Key’s promotion of the GCSB Bill and the Telecommunications Interception Capability Bill requiring all telecom and internet firms to be “intercept capable”.