New Zealand govt to give GCSB power to spy on citizens

RNZ | 15 Aug 2016 New spy laws considered by Cabinet Cabinet is considering new legislation for New Zealand’s spy agencies this morning, with a view to introducing the bill to Parliament this week. Above: the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)’s spy base at Waihopai, near Blenheim.  A recent review recommended the Government Communications Security…

Free speech and a gay horse

NZCPR | 12 Aug 2016 “The freedom to criticise or ridicule ideas – even if they are sincerely held beliefs – is a fundamental freedom of society. In my view the right to offend is far more important than any right not to be offended… because one represents openness – and the other represents oppression.”…

Hillary Clinton hates Muslims

ECN | 10 Aug 2016 It’s really interesting how easily terms like racist, homophobic and Islamophobic are thrown around. We use these terms so much these days that they have pretty much lost all meaning. Throughout the 2016 presidential election, protesters, analysts and politicians have accused Republican nominee Donald Trump of being all three of…