There appears to be a whole lot of bother and proposed solutions for regulating social media use by politicians without anyone truly working out whether the consequences of regulation outweigh what actually can be achieved. Do we really want to put voter engagement at risk?
Read Morefreedom of speech
Freedom of speech means what we want it to mean
In New Zealand, freedom of speech doesn't have to be, and currently isn't, exclusively concerned with preventing the state from punishing people for speech. Nevertheless, people sometimes claim that freedom of speech has to take on that narrow meaning.
Read MoreSouthern and Molyneux: hard questions and no easy answers
As a society, must we let obnoxious provocateurs have a public stage? How do we decide when others must bear the burden of their speech?
Read MoreNo Gareth, you shall not go to the debate tonight
Gareth Morgan's attempt to have the High Court thrust him into tonight's TVNZ minor party leaders' debate failed. On the whole, taking everything into account, that's probably a good thing.
Read MoreJust because it's been done before doesn't make it right
Auckland Transport appears to think that selling houses is a more important activity than trying to influence how people may vote. Is this just a sign of the times, or are they simply wrong?
Read MoreA foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
Would it be unfair to say that David Farrar considers the mental anguish anti-abortion protestors cause to women about to undergo a termination procedure matters less than the annoyance a voter may feel at having to refuse to accept a political party leaflet? Maybe it would, so read on and decide for yourself ... .
Read Moremea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa
Gerry Brownlee has made me see the error of my ways. Two plus two equals five, and Nuk Korako's #noluggageleftbehind bill is a sterling contribution to the very fabric of New Zealand's democracy.
Read MoreWho will be the first blogger that Winston Peters puts in jail?
Are you a blogger who knowingly writes lies about your political enemies/friends in an effort to sway how people vote? Winston Peters has just won a court case that could see you get jailed for up to 2 years.
Read MoreThat's why flags are such ugly things
Why do our Supreme Court judges hate our glorious war dead so much?
Read More