Dickens the Man
To be sure, his daughter Katey was correct: Dickens was a wicked man – a very wicked man.
Politics
Everything about politics
The Strange Death of Knowing Stuff
When I read that some educationalists have decreed the novel is now considered ‘problematic’ with its ‘white saviour’ narrative and use of racial slurs, then I can’t but help but despair at how quickly something so culturally significant can be memory holed in the pursuit of progressive ideals.
Coffee, Nicotine: This Is Not Science
This is not science. It is politics dressed up as health. If we applied the standards used for caffeine to nicotine, pouches and vaping would be treated as unremarkable adult choices.
Latest Poll Nightmare for National: Luxon’s Leadership a Sinking Ship
As these poll numbers sink in, expect the ranks of National MPs facing the chop to swell. More and more will lose their seats if this holds up. That reality only grows the ‘anyone but Luxon’ faction within the party.
Exclusive: McCarten’s Receipts Blow the Lid Off MUMA’s Coverup: Lies, Bullying and Union-Busting Exposed in Damning Documents
What’s astonishing is the ostrich-like stance of legacy media. While they’ve chased trivial stories, the Good Oil has doggedly uncovered layer after layer of this scandal.
Has Orwell’s 1984 Become Reality?
The more the process is ramped up, the louder critical voices become (and protests are likely to occur) and, correlatively, the more anxious the neo-fascists become, to close the net around citizens of the world.
Finally, Some Commonsense in Election Laws: No More Freebies and Last-Minute Shenanigans
These reforms were necessary because some outfits have been abusing the system. Now the playing field is a tad fairer. Good on the coalition for sorting it out.
National’s Grim HYEFU Reality: The Economy Isn’t Fixed and Voters Know It
National has work to do...and fast. Otherwise, a lot of those blue seats will turn red next election.
Hipkins’ Gall in Promising a ‘New’ Labour: Same Old Hypocrisy from the Chipster
Hipkins had his shot as PM and it was a dud. Kiwis saw through the spin then, and they’ll do it again in 2026. Save your breath, Chris. No one’s buying.
Nicola Willis’s Blunder: Handing Ruth Richardson a Megaphone She Doesn’t Deserve
How National’s political brains trust missed this is baffling. It is straight out of the playbook. Remember Ronald Reagan’s killer line from 1980: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” Swap in two years and it fits New Zealand like a glove.
Europe’s Forgotten Miracle – Madeira
This should not be treated as an exotic exception. It should be the rule.
Offence Can Only Be Taken, Not Given
When we forget that offence is taken, not given, we trade our emotional autonomy for a fragile comfort – and in doing so, we risk silencing not only those we disagree with, but ultimately, ourselves.