Might Bainimarama Skip the Country?

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People are refused bail because they are dangerous or could skip bail and not return for a court hearing.

But these could be acceptable times. While it's unheard of for a prime minister to allegedly assault an opposition MP, breaking his glasses, to the best of my knowledge,  a democratically elected prime minister never, ever, anywhere, has used his attendance at  international fora to skip a country, never to return.

Recent Examples of Media Anti-Labour Coalition Bias

It is vital for a healthy democracy that the media keep the public properly informed. If you wonder whether this is the case in New Zealand, you may also care to ponder the political bias of our media which seems to be telling us this government is getting everything wrong.  Not once or twice, but over and over again.  Just look at the online print media headings over the past few days:

From the NZ Herald, one of NZME's media stable that reaches 3.2 million readers and viewers daily. NZME is largely Australian owned. Here's a list of its news, sports and entertainment profile.

Prasad and Chaudhry join FTUC peaceful workers gathering

  

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   National Federation Party Leader Biman Prasad and Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry have joined the peaceful workers gathering at the Fiji Teachers Union office carpark along Berry Road in Suva today being organised by the Fiji Trades Union Congress.

PM Bainimarama Allegedly Assaulted NFP President, Pio Tikoduadu. UPDATED.

Pio Tikoduadua (L), PM (R). pn475

UPDATED Sunday 11 August. The incident was well covered in the Fiji media.  My summary is that the Speaker refused to comment on the incident when asked to do so by MP Pio Tikoduadua, saying he can only comment on what he sees or hears. The Attorney-General, speaking in defence of PM Bainimarama, said the MP had made personal remarks about the PM, telling him he should get his own house in order before criticising others. There is some doubt whether "house" referred to Bainimarama's family or the parliamentary House. My reading is the latter was clearly intended, but Bainimarama may not have taken it this way.  This, however, is a poor excuse for a physical attack by a prime miniser on another member of parliament. As the matter is now with the police, further comment would seem improper, unless there are new developments.  My thanks to those who sent me copied pages from The Fiji Times. -- ACW



AUTHORISED BY: - Pio Tikoduadua President   Friday, August 9, 2019

NFP President assaulted by Prime Minister

Friday August 9, 2019 will go down in the history of our nation as a shameful day when the Prime Minister of our nation, surrounded by his bodyguards,   twice assaulted a honourable Member of Parliament.  The incident happened around 11.40am when I was walking out of Parliament after moving and  replying to my Motion caling for a Special Parliamentary Committee to be established to look at the national problem of drugs in Fiji.

Making Political Capital Out of Whitebaiting

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SevenSharp, that broadcasts after the NZTV1 6pm news, is intended as light and humorous entertainment — and it is well advised to stay that way.

It is not a place for flippant, political commentary but if it chooses to comment, the commentary should be informed and impartial.   Monday's programme broke this rule with extended commentary on whitebait fishing.

Party based on Race Attracts Some who are Racists: SODELPA should condemn these remarks

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A lawyer and member of parliament who thinks Indo-Fijian women adulterous and Indo-Fijian men stab their women — and Taukei women and men do not, or have copied this behaviour from Indo-Fijians— claims he is not a racist.

SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu says he does not see his comments that he made that the stabbing of a partner is a ‘vulagi’ or foreign way of doing things for the iTaukei and have been brought in by the descendants of indentured labourers from British India or that Indo Fijian women having extra-marital affairs is rife, as racist and degrading comments.

Our trail of tears: the story of Ihumātao by historian Vincent O'Malley

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The usual Pākeha reporters, quick on opinions and short on facts (need they be named?) see  the Ihumātao debacle as a simple case of some Maori breaking the law, and Jacinda Ardern allowing them to get way with it by halting further action while calling for all parties to join in discussion.  I see this a step by a wise Prime Minister, anxious to ensure all sides are properly heard. Historian Vincent O'Malley sees it as another example of an unfair and unresolved past. -- ACW

The tino rangatiratanga flag is seen at Ihumātao as the day draws to an end for protesters on the land on Friday 26 July (Photo: RNZ)

The current standoff at Ihumātao has deep roots in the legacy of colonialism and land confiscation. Historian Vincent O’Malley writes in The Spinoff about how it was taken by the Crown, and why that matters today.

NO POSTINGS FOR A DAY OR SO

I'm really sick with the flu. The jab I had a while back offered no protection to  a new strain of the virus.  Back in action ASAP. 


 You can keep the ball rollng by adding your comments on happenings to this post????? 

Why So Little Maori and Pasifika Literature, and Why this Question is Important

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• Why is there so little Maori and Pasifika creative writing?
• Why is there no course in Maori and Pasifika Literature in English taught in any of our universities? 
• Why are these questions important?

Read what Dr Tina Makareti has so say in e-tangata.

How Capitalism Holds on: Left-Wing Thoughts on the Business Round Table, and more

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This article is written by an American about America but much applies elsewhere. We also have an influential Business Roundtable and compliant media.

"Since the 1980s, the Business Roundtable has run roughshod over American workers by using the federal government to:

• Reduce consumer protections,
• Obstruct employment stimuli,
• Weaken unions,
• Implement "free trade" agreements that spur offshoring and tax havens,
• Ease environmental protections,
• Increase corporate subsidies,
• Loosen rules on corporate mergers and acquisitions,
• Open avenues of profit in the private healthcare system,
• Privatize education and social programs,
• .... and block efforts to make corporate boards more accountable.

 READ MORE.

An Aussie View of Solomon Island "Change Makers"

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To move a country from  supposedly and actually "underdeveloped" to "developing" and developed" requires a corpus of change makers: opinion and action people who lead by example in a number of fields at national and grassroots levels.  

My line up in the Pacific would include government and ministerial leaders, leaders of NGOs, school and university teachers, feminists, youth leaders, churches, agriculturalists, entrepreneurs, village elders.  

I would not, among my first choices, have chosen those chosen by the Austrlian Broadcasting Commisssion: an athlete, a football player, a fashion designer, a tattoo artist, and  a film maker, each with a "meaningful connection to Australia" ... though they are no doubt more glamorous than my choices, and the film maker has possibilities.  Yet I suppose they could all help, one step removed. -- ACW
READ ON 

Weekend Reading 20-21 July 2019

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Three postings scheduled:

• An Aussie View of Solomon Islands "Change Makers" (We used to call them change agents) 
• How Capitalism Holds On: a left wing view
• Why so little Maori and Pasifika literature? 

There could be more on Sunday.

 It's also your chance to catch up on what you may not have read during the week such as "How the Pacific is measuring up" and my reflections on "Just a bit racist" and Little Black Sambo. Your opinions, as always, are welcome.    Enjoy the weekend. -- ACW

"Those who make the ground fertile for hatred are equally guilty... Maybe it's not correct to say the Neo-Nazi boys are back in town. They're been here all the time." -- Cathrin Schaer from Berlin  in the NZ Listener