Martin Durkin: The Great Global Warming Swindle

Originally broadcasted March 8, 2007 on British Channel 4. A documentary, by British television producer Martin Durkin, which argues against the virtually unchallenged consensus that global warming is man-made. A statement from the makers of this film asserts that the scientific theory of anthropogenic global warming could very well be "the biggest scam of modern times." A must see for truth-seekers everywhere...

Andrew Bolt: 11 Cool Facts on Warming to Calm Down Your Sobbing Child

I promised you a list — easy to print out — of scientific facts that should stop children from being terrified that global warming will kill them. It's time to fight this hysteria, especially after Greta Thunberg's breakdown at the United Nations. Here's the list. Distribute widely.

NO, GLOBAL WARMING WON’T KILL YOU

Are you terrified by claims that global warming is an “existential threat”? That there will be a “great winnowing” and “mass deaths”? That we face “the collapse of our civilisations”?

Karl du Fresne: Peak craziness reconsidered

I wrote a column a few weeks ago suggesting we had reached peak craziness. Alas, I was wrong.

Exhibit A: One morning last week I heard the actress Robyn Malcolm assert on Morning Report that the role of Gandalf in the proposed Amazon TV production of The Lord of the Rings should be played by a woman. And not just any type of woman, but specifically by a kuia (or as she put it tautologically, “an old Maori kuia”).

Henry Armstrong: The Tyranny of the Minorities

In 1835, Alexis De Tocqueville published his seminal treatment on “Democracy in America” - a must read for every university student studying political science in our universities. His main theme was the despotic tendency of majoritarian democracy (you know, majority rule) epitomised by our long gone first past the post (FPP) system of democratic representation. The old FPP system arguably served New Zealand well, with its guaranteed Maori seats and, yes, occasionally, a minority party edging its way into parliament - remember Social Credit?

A significant example where FPP accommodates minority parties is of course the UK where the UDP, Scottish Nationalists and Lib-Dems all have representation.

Donald Foster: The Enigma of Negative Interest Rates

The background:

As the contagion of the 2008 global financial crash (GFC) spread, central banks fought to restore confidence in global financial systems and re-generate economic growth. The main levers used were to lower interest rates and expand debt (quantitative easing/money printing) in the hope that it would be used productively to generate growth, stimulate inflation and with it the incentive for consumers to spend.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 22.09.19

Saturday September 28, 2019

News:
Should the Hamilton city council have elected Māori seats?

Yes:
Rudi du Plooy: Very emotive topic. There is great value in getting the Māori perspective on issues. How that fits in with a democratically elected governing body is a different thing altogether. I think it would be foolish not to have the input of Māori. Currently we have to function within the confines of the law.

NZCPR Weekly: Dangerous Alarmism

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week we look into dangerous climate alarmism including the use of children, our NZCPR Guest Commentator British journalist Melanie Phillips shares concerns that the climate movement is becoming a cult, and our poll asks whether you believe that the Government’s zero carbon policy is aimed at saving the planet or whether the goal is to undermine economic freedom and expand government control.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.  

GWPF Newsletter: World’s Leaders Turn On Greta Thunberg After She Sues France And Germany

UN Climate Summit Flops Despite The Children’s Crusade

In this newsletter:

1) World’s Leaders Turn On Greta Thunberg After She Sues France and Germany
The Times, 26 September 2019
 
2) UN Climate Summit Flops Despite The Children’s Crusade
Jo Nova, 25 September 2019

GWPF Newsletter: Solar-Climate Theory Casts New Light On The History Of Chinese Civilisation

Chinese scientists find evidence for 500-year solar cycles, shaping 8,000 years of China's civilisation

In this newsletter:

1) The Solar-Climate Theory Casting New Light On The History Of Chinese Civilisation
South China Morning Post, 24 September 2019
 
2) Synchronous 500-Year Oscillations Of Monsoon Climate And Human Activity In Northeast Asia
Nature Communications, 11 September 2019

John H. Hinderaker: Exposing Junk Climate Science

This twelve-minute video by Tony Heller of Real Climate Science, released just yesterday, does a great job of exposing the deceptive use of data on which climate alarmism depends. 

Heller begins with the National Climate Assessment that recently went out to journalists and policymakers. It included a set of charts and graphs that superficially seemed to support the claim that we are experiencing alarming changes in the Earth’s climate, as summed up in this graphic. Click to enlarge:

Chris Trotter: Who Will Be Fed Next To The Hungry Gods Of Politics?

Before Jacingrant There Was Gracinda: Grant Robertson and his 2014 running mate, Jacinda Ardern. She stood at his side: loyal and obliging, as she had ever been. The media dubbed this duo “Gracinda” – a sort of political “Brangelina”. The other young people who worked alongside Robertson were also ambitious for their hero. Even in defeat they stayed with him. Even as his running mate climbed, seemingly effortlessly, towards the Iron Throne of leadership, their faith in his star did not waver. There are thrones, yes, but there are also powers-behind-thrones.

IS THAT IT? The resignation of the Labour Party President, Nigel Haworth, and the departure of the young man at the centre of the allegations currently engulfing the Labour Party? Is that the sum total of the axe-wielding? That, and the QC’s inquiry? Is nothing more being contemplated by the Prime Minister and Labour Leader? Will the hungry gods of politics be satisfied with such a meagre offering?

GWPF Newsletter: Green Bloodbath

China’s Tesla Fights For Survival, Germany Slips Into Recession

In this newsletter:

1) Green Bloodbath: After $5 Billion In Losses, China’s Tesla Fights For Survival
Bloomberg, 22 September 2019
 
2) New Climate Package May Hit Germany’s Top Companies With €Billions
Reuters, 20 September 2019 

Delingpole: Fact Checking Alarmist Kids’ False Claims at Climate Crisis Hearing

“I want you to unite behind the science,” said Greta Thunberg to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

Finally, something on which the pig-tailed 16-year-old Swedish climate activist and I can agree. I too believe passionately that if the world’s governments are going to spend upwards of $1.5 trillion of our money a year on ‘combating climate change’ then at least they ought to have some credible evidence that this expenditure is necessary.

Perhaps, I thought, some of this credible evidence might be presented at today’s Climate Crisis Hearing, subtitled ‘Voices Leading the Next Generation on the Global Climate Crisis.’

Instead, all that I heard was the usual junk science, fake statistics, left-wing agitprop, and scaremongering nonsense regurgitated by kids — some claiming to have mental health issues — who’d been brainwashed at school by their left-wing, know-nothing teachers.

Bob Edlin: Fancy dress companies should review their offerings in the wake of Trudeau’s folly

We wonder if Sparkling Strawberry Ltd – and other businesses which provide fancy dress costumes – have been obliged to review the range of garments they offer.

We mention SparklingStrawberry, based in Cheshire in the UK, after stumbling upon its website and running through its list of Fancy Dress Party Ideas:

Here’s a few fancy dress ideas to inspire you when planning your Birthday, Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s Eve or Hogmanay fancy dress costume party. If you need any more excuses to throw a fancy dress party then you’ll find 52 reasons towards the bottom of this page.

An Alice in Wonderland party is one idea, but some of the suggestions in connection with this seem problematic.  The Mad Hatter, for example.  This is bound to give offence to the mentally enfeebled and/or their families.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 15.09.19

Saturday September 21, 2019

News:
Finance Minister Grant Robertson meets with Fletchers about Ihumātao
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has met with Fletcher Building as the Government tries to end the impasse at Ihumātao.

The Herald has confirmed the building company and Robertson met in the Beehive on Friday to discuss the situation.

Karl du Fresne: It's way past time to reclaim and honour our history

I remember almost nothing of the history I learned at secondary school. This is odd, because history interests me.

As a kid I would pore over my uncle Dick Scott’s illustrated history of New Zealand, Inheritors of a Dream. I still have it on my bookshelf.

At Central Hawke’s Bay College in the 1960s I was taught history by Brian Davies, one of the few teachers I remember with any affection. 

Barry Soper: Ihumātao - the lingering migraine for the Beehive

It was being touted as a possible Foreshore and Seabed issue for the Government.

That's the issue that spawned the birth of the Maori Party and drove a wedge between Helen Clark's Labour Government and Maori that took years to repair.

The Ihumatao land dispute certainly has the potential to cause significant division now that it's been "settled". It's the expectation of those who were involved in arriving at this point that could become a lingering migraine for the Beehive.

The Maori King Kingi Tuheitia proudly proclaimed that he had successfully guided mana whenua of Ihumatao to a unified position - they want the disputed land back.

Brian Giesbrecht: Not even Justin Trudeau is above the law

Nearly a month ago, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called on the RCMP to investigate the Prime Minister’s conduct in the SNC-Lavalin case. 

Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion had found that the Prime Minister had breached Section 9 of The Conflict of Interest Act, when he repeatedly and improperly pressured then-minister of justice and attorney-general Jody Wilson-Raybould to consider a deferred prosecution agreement with SNC-Lavalin. Ms. Wilson-Raybould had made clear to the Prime Minister that she would do no such thing.

Since then, the RCMP have been examining the issue closely; however, they have not launched an official investigation. As reported by The Globe and Mail on Tuesday, the RCMP’s examination has been blocked by the federal government’s refusal to lift cabinet confidentiality.

The RCMP says it will pause its examination during election season, but it should reconsider.

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Government has made a mistake over Ihumātao

Let me ask you this question: Why did the Prime Minister make the mistake of calling the Maori king in to sort out the problem at Ihumātao? 

I call it a mistake for a reason. Because this has made the Ihumātao situation a lot worse than it was seven weeks ago.

Seven weeks ago we were dealing with a bunch of young people camping out on the land in protest and demanding that the government return the land. Now, we dealing with a bunch of young people and the mana whenua apparently and the Maori King, all demanding that the government return the land.

So I think it’s fair to say this is not what the Government wanted the King to do.

NZCPR Weekly: Implausible PM

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week we investigate the scandal involving a former staff member in the Prime Minister’s office that has rocked the Labour Party and threatened the credibility of the PM, our NZCPR Guest Commentator David Farrar shares his explanation of why the Labour Party did not remove the staffer, and our poll asks whether you believe the Prime Minister when she says she did not know the allegations against her former staff member were of a sexual nature – until reading an account of events in the media last week.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.  

GWPF Newsletter - New Coal Boom: Global Decarbonisation Efforts ‘Stall’

Coal Power Booming In China & South Asia

In this newsletter:

1. Global Decarbonisation Efforts ‘Stall’, Pushing Climate Goals Out Of Reach
EurActiv, 19 September 2019

2. The New Coal Boom: China Plans 200 New Coal Power Plants
Reuters, 19 September 2019 

GWPF Newsletter: China & India Demand $100 Billion For Climate Action On Eve Of UN Climate Summit

India's Share Of Total Global Primary Energy Demand Set To Double By 2040, Asia To Dominate World Economy

In this newsletter:

1. China And India Demand $100 Billion For Climate Action On Eve Of UN Climate Summit
Climate Home News, 18 September 2019
 
2. China’s New Climate Policy: Tackle Climate Change With Adaptation & Reforestation 
Reuters, 18 September 2019

GWPF Newsletter: Politicians Are Going Cold On Climate

Europe’s Climate Hypocrisy Exposed

In this newsletter:

1) Politicians Are Going Cold On Climate, Despite The Hype
Graham Lloyd, The Australian, 17 September 2019 
 
2) Europe’s Climate Hypocrisy Exposed
Balkan Green Energy News, 10 September 2019

Christopher Monckton: Greenhouse gases do not cause runaway global warming

More...

Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup - Claims of a #MeTooLabour “cover-up” in the Beehive

Its increasingly looking as if the Beehive has been involved in some sort of “cover-up” of sexual assault allegations in the Labour Party. For that reason, it’s almost inevitable that further heads will roll – it’s just a question of whose.

The Prime Minister herself is under immense pressure and scrutiny over any role she might have played in an attempted cover-up. The consensus amongst political journalists and commentators seems to be that her statements about what happened are no longer credible, and her honesty and “MeToo credentials” are now being openly questioned.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 8.09.19

Saturday September 14, 2019

News:
A hope for the history of Aotearoa
It started with the unveiling of a plaque in Parliament to commemorate the New Zealand Wars. But in front of a crowd of figureheads from iwi across the motu, the Prime Minister announced that New Zealand history will be taught in all schools and kura by 2022.

The voices of six Te Ātiawa women begin to karanga. As the sound adorns and echoes the walls of Parliament, the many faces of iwi from across the motu enter the Grand Hall preparing to make history.

Karl du Fresne: New Zealand - shining light, or breeding ground for violent extremism?

You may not have heard of the Somalian refugee Guled Mire. He was in the news last month when he appeared before a parliamentary select committee urging the government to remove what he described as a racist restriction on refugees from Africa and the Middle East.

He was referring to a policy introduced in 2009 which requires refugees from those regions to have existing family connections in New Zealand in order to be resettled here.

Speaking in support of a World Vision petition asking for the restriction to be lifted, Mire said it was an unnecessary and racist requirement that shut vulnerable people out.

Mike Hosking: Jacinda Ardern's explanations not good enough

The trouble with explaining, especially in politics, is it often leads to more questions.

The fact the Prime Minister, who is ending her worst week in office by about several country miles, decided to hold a last-minute press conference indicates just how worried they are about the sex scandal that has enveloped, not just the Labour Party, but her personally.

And that is why it has become as big as it is.

Henry Armstrong: So Farmers and Businesses “Have Nothing To Fear” According to Ardern?

When the debate on a Capital Gains Tax was in full swing, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was widely quoted as assuring farmers and small business owners that if a CGT were to be introduced, they had nothing to fear.

The productive sector and indeed most New Zealanders, quickly saw through this disingenuous claim and made their views known. The Ardern-led government quickly dropped that proposal-at least for now.

It seems the Ardern-led government learned nothing in the process.

NZCPR Weekly: Questions of Credibility

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week we raise questions over the Prime Minister’s credibility including over policy decisions regarding green hydrogen, freshwater regulations, and the teaching of New Zealand history in schools, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Michael Coote shares a tribute to New Zealand’s first Governor, Captain William Hobson, who died 177 years ago this week, and our poll asks whether Maori tribal groups should be involved in decision-making over the control of fresh water.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.  

Melanie Phillips: The staggering hypocrisy of the Remainers’ legality gambit

The hue and cry about Boris Johnson breaking the law if he refuses to request an extension to Article 50, as demanded by the law that parliament has now passed, is beyond staggering.

Yes, the prime minister should obey laws based by parliament. But what if those laws are themselves the product of an abuse of process? Don’t any Remainers care about that? (please don’t all answer at once.)

GWPF Newsletter: Anti-Carbon Tax Campaigner Wins Canadian Province Elections

Germany’s Christian Democrats Reject Carbon Tax

In this newsletter:

1) Anti-Carbon Tax Campaigner Wins Canadian Province Elections
Bloomberg, 11 September 2019

2) Canada Election Poll: Climate Change, Oil And Gas Shaping Up As Top Issues
The Catholic Register, 11 September 2019 

GWPF Newsletter: Green Suicide

Climate Hysteria Is Killing Germany’s Car Industry

In this newsletter:

1) Green Suicide: Climate Hysteria Is Killing Germany’s Car Industry
Bloomberg, 9 September 2019

2) Renewables Threaten German Economy & Energy Supply, McKinsey Warns In New Report
Michael Shellenberger, Forbes, 5 September 2019

Bob Edlin: In all the excitement, don’t forget that Brexit is a long game

Boris has his opponents where he wants them.  Can he now deliver a decisive blow?

In a week of see-sawing Parliamentary drama, folk are losing sight of the fact that political stability requires the UK’s European policy to be durable – that is to survive repeated popular votes.

That takes parties with an ideology that can compete for the centre ground.  In an insightful piece in the Daily Telegraph, Allister Heath details how Boris Johnson has remade his party in the space of a few months (albeit that circumstances have been much in his favour).

Dave Hill: Climate Crisis - What crisis?

Whanganui District Council has declared a "Climate Crisis". What exactly does this mean? Most people I asked had difficulty specifying this. The dictionary defines crisis as 'emergency; disaster; calamity'.

There is acknowledgement that councillors are attempting to highlight the effects climate change 'might' have on the population. Attention is drawn to the word 'might'. The majority of the increasingly alarmist predictions give prominence to the words 'might', 'could' and 'should'.

Henry Armstrong: The Problem Of “Presentism”

In 1952 my parents sold the family home for one thousand NZ pounds or around $2000. Today that home is worth at least $500,000 so obviously they were diddled, were had, gazumped and swindled!

A Massey University lecturer in Communication (no less), “discovered” that William Massey had at some stage at least a century ago, made what this person considered, ( using presentist standards), to be “racist” comments .He demanded that the university change it’s name and expunge this dreadful person from it’s history and achievements.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 1.09.19

Saturday September 7, 2019

News:
Disappointed': Race Relations Commissioner on Hobson's Pledge local Govt campaign
The production of an inflammatory pamphlet addressing racial separatism within local government has disappointed the race relations commissioner.

The pamphlet, designed by Hobson's Pledge, would be distributed through New Zealand in the coming days and asked voters to be wary of council candidates.

GWPF Newsletter: German Wind Lobby Demands Endangered Species Protection To Be Watered Down

German Wind Farm Expansion Threatens Species Extinction

In this newsletter:

1) German Wind Lobby Demands Endangered Species Protection To Be Watered Down
Daniel Wentzel, Die Welt, 4 September 2019
 
2) German Wildlife Foundation Criticises Wind Lobby Attack On Species Protection 
Pressportal, 5 September 2019

Bruce Moon: Let the Past be the Past

It is sometimes said that half the truth is worse than a lie and indeed in any formal oath, the whole truth is required.  Anything less may lead to false conclusions and inappropriate action.

So why does Dover Samuels, as reported by Radio NZ on 3rd September say “the Crown” should apologise to Maoris who had been beaten as children for speaking in Maori at school and that this “had been a deliberate policy on the part of the Crown to disempower his generation” without giving the full story?  

Barend Vlaardingerbroek: When guns become part of popular culture

Mass shootings are becoming alarmingly common news fare. The USA leads the way in terms of sheer numbers but they have been on the increase elsewhere as well.

There are complicating factors when looking at this phenomenon. For one thing, a mass shooting is only one form of mass killing. Bombs, knives, axes and motor vehicles outshine guns as the preferred means of bumping off people in various countries, and comparisons based purely on incidents of mass shootings may be misleading.

Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup - Labour’s KiwiBuild reset disaster

The Government has been widely panned over its major announcement yesterday on housing. There are a few positive takes on the “reset”, but generally it has been viewed as an embarrassing backdown at best, or at worst a sell-out of those needing the housing crisis addressed. One political journalist has even branded yesterday’s announcement as “easily the worst day politically” for the Labour-led Government so far.

This criticism isn’t just politicking from conservatives or the right. The most severe criticism has come from progressives and the left. This isn’t really surprising because – as with Jacinda Ardern’s capitulation on the capital gains tax – the announcement suggests the Government has essentially given up on bringing transformational change to the housing crisis. Many of those who might be sympathetic or supportive of the Government are those most deeply disappointed with what Housing Minister Megan Woods is now doing with KiwiBuild.

Bob Edlin: Maori demand “partnership” in new cancer agency

A modern-day interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi – contentiously bringing “partnership” into considerations –  is encouraging Maori demands for equal representation on a new health agency.

The government has announced it will establish a national Cancer Control Agency by December as part of a 10-year strategy, which includes achieving cancer survival equity by 2030.

This triggered a Maori health leader’s insistence on equal representation within the new agency and her call for Maori to decide what this means in practice.

NZCPR Weekly: The Tragedy of Suicide

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week we investigate New Zealand’s suicide tragedy, our NZCPR Guest Commentator former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson outlines the link between cannabis use, mental illness, and violent crime, and our poll asks whether you agree with former Prime Minister Helen Clark that smoking marijuana is “hugely less harmful than alcohol or tobacco”.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.  

Guy Steward: Changing the World or Trashing the Nation.

I was quite busy last week and wasn’t aware of the move for suggestions for a “If I Wanted New Zealand to Fail” video - see HERE. 

Prior to discovering it, coincidentally I had put down a few thoughts along similar lines.

Here are some that came to mind.

Firstly, bring in mind-altering thought-suppressing drugs and dope as much of the population as you can up to the eyeballs. A significant percentage would be rendered docile by the sweet-smelling weed and non-compos-mentis by meth. Much easier to control people who can’t think clearly!

Michael Coote: Event to commemorate the death anniversary of Governor William Hobson

British naval captain William Hobson (1792 - 1842) was the first and final Lieutenant Governor (30 January 1840 - 2 May 1841) of New Zealand when it was part of the British Crown colony of New South Wales. 

Thereafter he served as the first Governor (3 May 1841 - 10 September 1842) of the newly separated British Crown colony of New Zealand. 

Due to the colonial governmental transition under Hobson, New Zealand avoided becoming a state or dependency of Australia. 

GWPF Newsletter: German Ministers Who Don’t Enforce Green Policies May Face Jail Sentences

Climate Hysteria Threatens Germany's Car Industry

In this newsletter:

1) German Ministers Who Don’t Enforce Green Policies May Face Jail Sentences
AFP, 2 September 2019 
 
2) Climate Hysteria Threatens Germany's Car Industry
Yahoo Finance, September 2019