NZ Labour Party appoints Matt McCarten as Chief of Staff

The New Zealand Labour party has strangely appointed Matt McCarten as Chief of Staff.  This is a bizarre move if they actually plan to win government - surely they would need to chase the center vote.  This appears to be a move aimed at winning back the Green vote, maybe to shore up a shot at the 2017 election.

Chances are it may have the opposite effect, in that it drives the center left away. 

Given Matt McCarten's outwardly hostile and offensive comments towards Jews and Israel, I can only hope that Labour never get close to power while he is around.  While he is, the Green party are looking more centrist - especially when you consider he last came from Mana.

No evidence in Khazar theory

There's no chance this will convince people, but a study shows there is no evidence in the theory that Ahkenazi Jews are descended from Khazars.

The most important quote of course is this:

Of course, the fact that a major study finds no basis to the Khazar theory won’t make it go away. But next time you run into some academic promoting it, check their motives. they should be worn visibly on their sleeve.

Some of Auckland's gay community support their own persecution

This is really strange.  You think a Gay Pride march would be supportive of countries which support freedoms and equality, whilst against those which are against.

Not so a group in Auckland.  Someone compared "Queers for Palestine" a bit like "Turkeys for Thanksgiving".  It doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I look forward to them attending Gay Pride week in Gaza City.  I hope they like motorcycle rides, but it might not be quite what they expect.