Saturday, July 30, 2005

Banging Byron

Byron Kelleher has a new girlfriend. The story is here. Scroll down a few stories.
Pics of her are here.
WARNING: THIS IS R 18 STUFF.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

The Right to Health Care

The Canadian Supreme Court has recently ruled that Quebec legislation prohibiting private medical insurance infringed citizens' rights to life and security.


All the judges in the majority (4:3 split decision) ruled that the legislation was arbitrary and therefore contrary to principle of fundamental justice, because it was not rationally related to the objective of protecting the public health system. The judges said that the citizens simply wanted a court order allowing them to take out insurance; not any ruling that the government spend more money nor that the public waiting lists be reduced. The majority went on to explain that the citizens' rights were impinged upon because the government imposed 'exclusivity and then failed to provide public health care of a reasonable standard within a reasonable time'.

In some interesting comment, the minority judges said (amongst other things) that there was no 'constitutional right to spend money' and repeated a warning from an earlier case against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms becoming an'instrument of better situated individuals to roll back legislation which has as its object the improvement of the condition of less well advantaged persons'. The minority was also concerned about shifting the design of the health system to the courts and wondered whether it was rhetorical to ask how much health care is reasonable enough.

The decision is controversial in Canada which has interesting 'rights' legislation. And, Canada struggles with its aboriginal issues as much as New Zealand does. Although New Zealand rights legislation does not enable us to challenge arbitrary legislation such as the case here, it is unlawful under the Human Rights Act to discriminate on age or disability.

It is doubtful whether an analagous argument of this nature would occur here. But this case shouldn't go unnoticed in this part of the world.

Smacking bill past 1st hurdle


Sue Bradford's anti-smacking bill has passed its first reading and has gone to select committee.

I am against this bill. I don't believe there is any link between a gentle smack disciplining your child and violence/abuse. As a dad of a 5yr old, I don't see it. It ain't there.

Lucyna of SirHumphrey's has covered the issue well as has Zen Tiger.
I know the criminal justice system having been a police officer and also having done some criminal defence work in my now occupation as a lawyer. As stated, I am also a dad. I feel adequately qualified to comment on both the legal and social aspects and can confidently say section 59 works well. Simply because there is the occasional erroneous case (if you believe the media that is) should not lead to such an overreactive law change.
My pick is that the bill will gather dust in the select committee unless Labour is re-elected with the Greens tagging along. If so, it could quite easily be part of coalition talk. That would be a shame. I won't go as far to say it would be disastrous. But I will say the whole thing is unnecessary.

Bill English on Campus


Bill English came to Victoria University today to discuss Nationals Tertiary Education Policy, he spoke to about 100 students in the quad, his speech was good, but I was even more impressed with the way he dealt with the AUS staff protesting behind him and the hecklers in the crowd as well as his answering of questions. He attacked Labours policy pointed out Nationals and then followed up by answering questions from several hostile members of the gathered crowd very well. Early on there may have been a fair amount of booing but as he just answered every question by the end there were more people clapping than booing and this must be a sign that students are not as dumb as Labour seem to think they are.

This is a good sign, Students will not all fall for this carrot.

You can't trust Labour.

Quoting JFK

This is what I posted on Sir Humphreys as my opinion of the new Labour Carrot.

Well, thats nice for those that can sit at home and don't have to pay rent, wow I wish that was true, for me all my parttime work money goes into me surviving and trying to live. Not that I agree with Labours policy, It is a me me me policy. I think it is appropriate at this time to quote one John F Kennedy...different topic but very valid in these circumstances.."Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" All the ppl who are going to support this policy are those who are greedy and thinking about themselves, but the issue here is that it is going to screw the economy, and result in a ballooning of Student debt as more people borrow and only repay minimum amounts why would you try to pay it off early when it isn't costing you anything to have it.

I don't understand how anyone can see this as a good thing, It is trying to grab the votes nothing more, I have had a few rants about this already and am in the mood to carry on for a while, I love how people these days jump at a policy that suits them without thinking of the effect it could have on the country as a whole the wider effect of this policy is going to mean people will just stay in the country a few years longer to earn some interest free time before they head overseas there is no way they will want to stay afterwards when they realise that their tax dollar is funding the next generations Student debt, the previous generations Super, and the generation we are in right now is going to be F***ed over. Look at it like this the previous generation received free education if they wanted it and now free Superannuation as well, while this generation of Youth are paying their own way through University and then by the time they get to retirement there will be no Super fund left and they will have had to try and save for themselves while bringing up kids and paying a ridiculous tax rate to cover all of this....ok this is turning into a rant...The long and the short of it is that this policy will screw over the country crippling it financially and will not stop the Brain Drain.

Other Posts on this topic

In my own words
Student Policy
Helen's Carrot
On DPF
Debt Projections
Labours Policy
On KiwiPundit
Loan Analysis
On NZPundit
Summing up the Loans Bribe
Cullenomics
Cathy O
Labour gives away free money
On G-man
Labour goes all Kim
On Competent Prime Minister
Can I get policy with that bribe?
On Sir Humphrey's
Kids Not Silly
Loan Bribe
Leftists
On Spanblather
Good News Day
On About Town
Yippie
Return of the Jedi

There are many more posts out there, these are just a few.


"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" - John F Kennedy

This was Gooners change to JFK's words
"Ask not what your country can give to you, but what you can give to your country" - Gooner

I thought this was an awesome Update for the quote for this moment

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Labour Bullies the Nerd

3 News had a story about young voters and their views on the election. The main points of the story being that we have extreme access to information and are willing to go out there and get it. Politicians are suprised at how much we know, and we won't believe what they say, but will look for our own iformation on it. Then the comment of the story came out when they suggested that Labours plan of attacking Don Brash may back fire as noone likes someone who bullies a nerd and this appears to be what Labour and Helen are doing. So it was an amusing story to say the least.

Labours Pledge

DPF posted these pledges on his blog. I thought they were brilliant and would like to make some comments on each one if I can.


Number 1...This sounds just like Helen Clark, coming straight from Micheal Cullen, I don't wanna give you MY money (Scrooge McCullen)

Number 2...Well don't we already have this system, oh of course Helen wants to continue the stupidity...You will never fail again WooHoo

Number 3...George Hawkins get him out of there

Number 4...Well this would be better than the current system, I would love to be able to send in my vote so as to decide what to spend the $10 million on, even though I would rather have the money in my back pocket

Number 5...Waiting lists for waiting lists, oh my god is that why the waiting lists have decreased I thought they were putting more operations through

Number 6...Oh they want to let us go faster :D But retrospectively just so she can get off, well I suppose we could allow it, Remember though Comrade Helen is above the law, so it shouldn't matter.

Number 7...My own Law, hmmmmmmm, I don't know what I want Helen you tell me what I want.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Radical Islam preached at Auckland University?

There are claims that radical Islam is being preached at Auckland University.

Apparently a Muslim student is saying propaganda for groups supporting suicide bombings is being well received and spread on campus. The university's Muslim Association says that's not true.

The postgraduate student advocating the notion says propaganda from Hizb ut Tahrir, a group banned in Britain and Germany, has been distributed to students. And he says the Saudi charity organisation Al-Haramain shut down last year for funding Al Queda has sent speakers to Auckland.

The university's Islamic Association rejects the comments.

Helen Comes Clean

Helen has finally come out and announced the date we all knew for the election, Sept 17th has been the date around for months and she has finally come out and confirmed it.

I think that this has been ridiculous as she said she had already decided on a date and just didn't want to tell us I thought MMP was supposed to open government up more and make it more honest. I would love to see set dates so that unless the government falls apart or elections are set to a certain date, otherwise they are all just going to play around all year, every election year this isn't on.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Labour won't let you have an opinion

The beauty of a democracy is that you can pretty much voice your educated view on anything without the weight of the state bearing down on you. If you don't like what is being said you can either do nothing or argue against it. Under Labour, there is a third option - have a government official threaten the writer with legal action, even including a lack of job prospects, if it's published.

A keen economics student from Canterbury University wrote a paper, Eradicating meningoccal disease in New Zealand: Is it worth it? To whom? And who decides? where the student argued the $200 million spent on the vaccination programme might have been better spent. It was such a good paper it was presented to the New Zealand Associaiton of Economics conference in June 2004 and also to a public health seminar at Victoria University a few weeks later. The paper was also put on the Association's website but was withdrawn at the student's request because
the student feared for job prospects after an academic who was a Health Ministry consultant on the vaccination programme threatened legal action.
Don't you dare take a view that opposes the regime. You will be sued and have no career prospects in the public sector.

If Labour is re-elected, Hate Speech will be next, further curtailing freedom of expression. The repealment of section 59 is also a possiblity. Don't let this happen.

Linked article

Daft teachers code

The PPTA has published another full-page ad in today's SST. It demonises bulk funding and like the other full page ads it has had recently constantly reminds the reader of what 'one party' did when it was in government. Yet the PPTA appears silent on the daft teachers code put forward by the other bastion of Labour boneheads, the NZEI (New Zealand Educational Institute).

This code replaces the eight-page hands-off code introduced after the Christchurch Civic Creche case where the deluded and paranoid thought because a gay person dared to work in a creche that he was automatically a paedophile. Severe over-reaction ensued.

The 'new' code is great. Under it teachers can physically touch students (phew!)
but must be careful of squeezing kids' shoulders and hugging or eye contact that might be misconstrued.
I can just see my five year old being intelligent enough to 'misconstrue' eye contact from her teacher. And if she falls over in the playground, she mustn't have her shoulders rubbed or be hugged because that is the first step to abuse aye!

When I was at university, feminists wrote 'articles' on how opening a door for a woman was akin to date rape. I wonder if these feminazis are now working at NZEI?

What utterly absurd drivel all this is.

Linked article

Man Shot, Not Terrorist?

The man who was shot in the London Underground may not be a terrorist and have nothing to do with the attacks either. Here is the story as it appeared, the London police have adopted a new shoot to kill policy....So I guess we are all guilty til proven innocent.

WARNING: DO NOT RUN FROM POLICE

I don't think that this is right, as much as you shouldn't run from Police, they police had tackled him and were holding him down when they shot him in the head 5 times...this is horrendous, as much as I encourage harsher sentences the person must be proven guilty.

Does this come under police brutality??

Update: Just saw a news update...and it turns out that it has been confirmed the man was not a terrorist and had no links to the attacks, so I guess the Police should think before they shoot. This is gross injustice, this could've been anyone they had no proof of anything they just decided to shoot him as he was looking suspicious, if this was the case here I would've been shot by now....this is not on.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Kiwis in Iraq left on their own

The consequence of constantly deriding an ally, and even posssibly having a minister in your government make derogatory comments about it is that your ally will soon say 'push off. We've had enough of your crap'. And so the US may have done just this. What's happened?

"Kiwis working in Iraq have been stripped of vital security protection in a move some fear is retribution for New Zealand's refusal to support the American-led war".

How does the government respond?

"...the Government disputes it has been snubbed by the United States and will not intervene. It has repeated warnings that Kiwis should not be in Iraq and that those who go should expect little help if in trouble."


As the story says:

"An estimated 1000 New Zealand civilians are helping to rebuild the war-torn nation, working in an extremely dangerous environment with suicide bombings, gunfights and kidnappings".

And what does Goff say:

"New Zealand was recognised for its contributions but had no hand in deciding policy in Iraq. The Government would not be asking the US for an explanation".

The workers are not happy:

"...New Zealand has made a tremendous effort for its size, as usual, but to be treated like this, and dismissed as irrelevant and third rate is insulting to all Kiwis,...we are open to vastly increased risk from suicide bombers and car bombs. The Kiwis here are in huge danger now and we're supposed to be an ally...countries that had supported the war, including Australians, had retained the security protections".

And, 'the only conclusion we can draw is that it's payback for New Zealand's failure to join the war. The Yanks have done it to South Africans and the Swedish too.'

Yep. I reckon that's a good conclusion.

Link.

Mallard on Agenda

This morning Trevor Mallard has appeared on agenda, He has been on to talk about Education and also about his claims that National is being funded by Americans. The beginning was about how the per student tertiary funding has gone down since abour came in to power, then that the Education sectors funding when as a percentage of GDP has gone down. Next was how much money is being put into the bureaucracy in the education sector, and justification of this amount, but of course being a Labour minister on the Govt funded program helps doesn't it...He never answered any of the real worries and had excuses when he did give an answer, typical Labour passing the buck.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Stand by your man

When you were at school and a bully or bullies stood over smaller, less able kids, or even your friends, what did you do? Did you:

A. Say I will not get involved because any decision to get involved would not be in my interests and needs decision by consensus; or

B. Stand up to the bullies, telling them to shove off; and also telling them you would stand by the kid being bullied because they were your friends and friends stick together?

Labour party members would take option A. Further, they would also probably ask for a mandate to get involved from any students association or after a consensus was achieved by like minded students.

Others would take option B. Option B members are made up of people like Bush, Blair & Howard. It seems Brash is inclined toward option B too, as is Simon Power:

"National would support its close allies the Australia, the US and Britain "when and wheresoever our commitment is called upon".

He said this last year. The Nats. disowned it saying it was a personal opinion of his.

Don't disown it. Own it. Adopt it. And stand up to the bullies who are called terrorists.

After all, if you don't you only get pushed around even more.

Labour plan Backfires

Labour (in particular Trevor Mallard) have attacked National saying that they have recieved funding from overseas in particular one US Billionaire, yet when asked today the particular billionaire stated he had previously funded Labour campaigns, but never National...Suprisingly Trev could not be reached for comment today and Helen Denies it.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Snowballs and the PM

Loved this story from today's Herald:


PM hit by snowball during travel show filming


Prime Minister Helen Clark was hit with a snowball at Treble Cone skifield yesterday.

A young man who threw the snowball was spoken to by a police officer from the Diplomatic Protection Squad, but not arrested.

Helen Clark was being filmed by the BBC for a travel show called Departure Lounge.

Inspector Bruce Blayney of the Diplomatic Protection Squad says a young man threw the relatively small snowball, hitting Helen Clark on the back. She appeared not to notice.

Mr Blayney said the man was not being malicious and it was simply a case of misguided high spirits.

Ski area manager Jackie Van Der Voort says the man is a Treble Cone season pass holder. She will be speaking to him and insisting he write a letter of apology to the Prime Minister.

Ms Van Der Voort says his action showed a lack of respect, but the incident has been blown out of proportion.



Snowballs explode upon impact. Much like Labour party policy.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

The Marrrrvelous Greenie

If you wondered what John Campbell's political persuasions were wonder no more. Here is a small list of his latest stories:

Tuesday 19 July, Alternative transport & Nandor Tanczos on cannabis fines.
Plus, a story on the dangers that can be present when filling up the car - naked flames, cellphones and static electricity.

Monday 18 July, A story on conserving resources - the house of the future with an earth roof and which relies on heat conservation, solar water heating and a wind turbine. Plus a boat that runs on vegetable oil. Maybe your car could do the same?

Wednesday 13 July: THE POISONING OF OUR LAKES

Here's the story precise:

Lake Okaro lies in the Central North Island.. It's future as murky as its water. The lake bed is smothered in silt.. Depriving it of oxygen and threatening all forms of life. Why is it happening and how can we fix it?

Tuesday 12 July: THE BLACK CAPS & ZIMBABWE

John speaks exclusively to Morgan Tsvangirai, the charismatic opposition leader who tells us why the Black Caps shouldn't tour. And we hear from Henry Olonga. He's been brought to New Zealand by the Green Party, to discuss the Black Caps Tour of Zimbabwe.

Nice to know some real MSM in-depth investigative analysis going on here a few weeks out from an election. What's scary is that he gets 240,000 viewers.

Race based government

Congress is considering setting up a race-based government for Native Hawaiians.

Some congressional staffers are calling it 'the worst bill most voters have never heard of.' The legislation 'would create an independent, race-based government for Native Hawaiians' which will 'hand benefits to as many as one-fifth of the state's population and could inspire mainland groups such as Hispanic separatists to seek similar spoils, should they ever gain enough political leverage.'

Read more here.

Making the lefties squeal



So George Bush appoints a right wing conservative to the Supreme Court. So what? He's the boss. He can do what he wants. After all it was Helen Clak who said 'the government's role is whatever the government defines it to be.' Let's no forget Cullen's 'We won, you lost, eat that' statement.

I love seeing flaky, coward lefties squeal. And if we can believe the article Bush isn't finished yet.

Election on trust and credibility

Helen Clak reckons the Labour party can fight the election on trust and credibility. Good luck to them. Where would she like to start? Six Ministers she has lost? Doonegate? Paintergate?

Feel free to add to the list. When I have a list large enough I will email it to Clak and Jordan Carter who has also pushed this button today.
Not a fight they can win I reckon.

Link.

Overkill

Gee, what a heinous crime this is and what a total over the top response by the Council. I wonder where OSH, Commerce Commission and ACC were? I hope the ladies involved weren't making misleading statements as to their abilities so as to invoke breaches of the Fair Trading Act? If so, the Commission should definitely have been there.

And I hope they paid their ACC levies. Prosecute the buggars!

Also, if STD's were passed, OSH should try and extract the maximum $200,000 fine for a hazardous workplace.

I thank the Council for spending my rates money on private investigators. Did they go undercover? I might ask the Mayor that.

And, eighteen months work. Well done. By the way Council, Onewa Rd has been blocked for 20 years. It takes hours to get onto the motorway. I see the Police there most mornings fining people for daring to travel down the wrong lane, but you seem to have forgot OSH, ACC, etc.

Thanks for getting your priorities right. Not!

John Key

I want the National party to be the highest polling party at the election. Please don't think otherwise. But just because I want it so does not mean they should be criticised and scrutinised like any other party. This just made my blood boil.

Yesterday John Key said this about ACT's tax policy:

"National was not looking at "extremist" policies like Act...

Today he says this:

"...John Key wants New Zealand to adopt the low-tax model that Ireland used to transform itself into the "Celtic Tiger"...first-hand experience tells me it's a real winner," he said.

"Mr Key, the former head of investment giant Merrill Lynch's global foreign exchange operations, shifted a swag of business to Ireland in the 1990s to take advantage of the 10 per cent preferential tax rate which then applied for foreign investors in financial services. Ireland has since set the company tax rate at 12.5 per cent for all firms after a decade-long economic boom"
.

Is he serious?

One day he says no flat tax, the next day the Herald quotes him as saying he wants flat tax. In fact, he wants a flatter tax than ACT!

He must do better than this flip-flop within the space of two days!

Link.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

United Future takes drugs.

Seriously, I quote:

"United Future is the only party that unequivocally takes drugs..."

Link.

Name Suppression

I am actually getting a little (a lot actually) tired of name suppression in criminal cases.

Please don't lecture me on the respective merits of each side of the argument. I have heard it all before.

The Law Commission thinks these should be the rules:

Name suppression in criminal cases

R155 Publication of identifying details of a person charged with an offence before they appear in court should be prohibited unless the person consents.

R156 After a person is charged, there should be a general presumption that publication of their name or identifying particulars should be prohibited until the substance of the case is gone into by the court. Exceptions should be made in certain circumstances.

R157 Where a request for name suppression of a victim in criminal proceedings is made, that request should be granted unless it would not be in the interests of justice to do so.


What has got me stirred up is the Mt Maunganui case (link) and this case.

I think this principle needs serious attention. There should either be blanket prohibition or blanket publication. Soon the internet will take this issue over. If it hasn't done so already.

National's tax 'cuts'.

I for one am really looking forward to National's tax policy. After so much hype, build up and expectation it had better be good or my pick is that it could hurt them in the polls.

The timing of personal tax rates is expected a few after Clark announces the election date.

John Key has given no details of the personal tax cuts. But what does the Herald say about them today:

"...they are expected to offer relief through a combination of threshold movements, rate cuts and minor changes to Labour's Working for Families tax credit and income assistance package. Mr Key said any major changes to Working for Families would only come once National was in power, because of its complexity".

So, a mish-mash of this, that and the other. Sounds no better than Cullen's budget where he adjusted this, played with that and then dressed them up as "tax cuts". In short, it sounds dopey.

Oh, what else did Key say: "National was not looking at "extremist" policies like Act's where the government would play virtually no role, Mr Key said".

Extremist? My opinion of Key has dropped tenfold. Brash supports Act's tax policy. Will Key stand up and call his leader "extremist"? That is the statement of a confused man. But then, am I surprised?

Key is now all boxed in after signing up to the Cullen Fund, ($2 billion a year) which restricts National. National is, as Rodney says, all "hot air" on tax. It talks big then retreats as it did with welfare, Cullen Fund and nuclear ships.

And what does a real economist think?

"Brendan O'Donovan said he believed there was scope for tax cuts - and maintaining current spending plans in areas such as welfare, health and education...tax cuts allow the expansion of the economy's productive capacity by leaving more for private investment, stimulating employment and attracting people to work and stay in New Zealand."

National won't deliver tax cuts. It will deliver a mish-mash of this, that and the other. It will be no better than Cullen's budget. National is bound to retreat into its conservative shell.

Does National really want to win?

Colin James wrote a piece in the Herald this morning explaining National's predicaments should it be able to form a government. I am unable to link it so have summarised it below. It is definitely worth reading and pondering over, despite what Aaron Bhat's thinks. In essence the summary is as follows

1. No party ever wants to lose an election, but if it has to lose one, this might be just the one, judging by the economic forecasts.

2. Economic storms ahead could sink the ship post election.

3. National has a management problem post-election, should the numbers point to a Don Brash government that needs Peters alongside.

Some good economic reasons for not rushing to take office hold now:

* GDP growth is slowing.

* The rise in house prices is slowing. Householders will not be able to borrow much more on the paper value of their houses. So they will not spend so freely. If they start to worry about their debt, they may spend less.

* Oil prices are high. They might ease as world growth eases, but growth in China and India might push in the other direction, and in any case sub-$1 petrol is now only a memory. Other prices will rise, too, cutting retail sales volume.

* The exchange rate is falling which means higher inflation just as growth is slowing - the reverse of the boom spiral of the past few years. Higher inflation means interest rates can't fall.

* Australia is slowing and world commodity prices should ease as world growth slows. Exporters will be less profitable, which is bad news for Auckland in 2006.

* Real wages and salaries will go on rising for a bit, which might offset the forces driving a retail spending fall but will eat into already constrained profits. Investment will slow, which will slow productivity growth.

* Falling profits will cut into Government revenue in the 2006-07 year, just when John Key, if he is Treasurer, would be trying to fund at least one and maybe two tranches of election-winning income tax cuts.

4. Cullen, despite his spending, has kept a fat fiscal cushion.

5. Come 2008, a Brash government would be unlikely to have narrowed the Tasman incomes gap much, if at all (even though Australia is now deregulating its wages). It would need two or three terms.

6. And even that scenario would require a pretty free policy hand. What if he needed New Zealand First?

7. Peters last week told Brash his tax cuts are unaffordable. One reason is that Peters is not a small-Government conservative like Brash. He believes in active Government spending to help the little people - especially old little people - whom he sees himself as representing.

8. To the extent Peters might constrain Brash's tax cuts, household net incomes would be lower and spending lower and profits lower. Closing the gap with Australia would take even longer.


All of the above is enough reasons why National needs ACT (I wrote that, not Colin James!).
 

Which Famous Leader Am I??

I followed DPF into doing this test and have ended up with this result..



What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com


You should all watch out I am Saddam, this amuses me I didn't even think of him coming in.

Which Leader Am I?

The Wizard of Hide

I saw this cartoon in the Dominion this morning and thought it was very appropriate to our current election campaign. Rodney's steed is getting angry and as much as his armour may be glistening it is not helping the steeds campaign, ACT needs to work with the National party not against them.

Sorry Cartoon was too big for the page.

Monday, July 18, 2005

America goes mad

Have you ever been or are you now involved in

espionage or sabotage or
in terrorist activities or
genocide or
between 1933 and 1945 were you involved , in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies?

This is from DPF, It was on his declaration to get into the states with a visitors VISA. I think they have actually lost the plot, surely noone in the world is stupid enough to answer yes.

I have seen some stupid things in my time, but this really takes the cake. I like Davids idea to leave it balnk and ask customs for a definition of genocide, or terrorism.


Corruption?

From this week's Letter:

CORRUPTION

As previously reported Clark used her parliamentary leaders fund to put up 133 bus stop ads telling voters “You are better off with Labour”. Such party political ads cannot be paid for from taxpayer money and must be repaid. Ken Shirley lodged a complaint. The Parliamentary Services Commission ruled the expenditure was illegal and Clark must repay the money. On Thursday Speaker Wilson, Clark’s close friend, said in this case because it promoted the budget, she was making an exception, and Clark need not repay the money! Thought - if ACT had put up bus stop ads saying “You get real tax cuts with ACT” would they be OK, or is there now a different rule for govt parties? Ken Shirley has referred the matter to the Auditor General.  Read the documents and you be the judge. Go to www.act.org.nz/corruption.  

Go ahead and laugh as much as I did. Wilson is a lawyer to. Well actually she has never worked as a lawyer, ever. She is an academic and such people tend not to see the wood for the trees. That is, of course, if she is actually looking for the wood. Dishonest, spend your money as we like, socialists. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Only Labour cares

Just heard Helen Clark on the radio this morning saying that only Labour cares about a strong economy for the present and the future and the other parties will put anything on the bonfire for political gain.

May I suggest it is this pointing finger, I know best, nanny state attitude which has led to the current poll ratings. Keep it up Helen. We are laughing all the way to the polling booth.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Let's talk MMP

In my real life as a lawyer, I get to deal with people in business. Some of these people want to set up companies with fellow business mates, and some want to establish joint venture companies. Before they make these serious decisions they all come to me (and my boss!) with a plan, they have talked about their plans and they have strategised on how they can make an impact in the market. In essence, they talk beforehand to limit/avoid mess afterwards.

Yet, in MMP our parties seem to be doing the exact opposite. They all seem to avoid talking beforehand at all costs, when some of them could clearly benefit from some planning, strategising and mutual cooperation.

MMP is all about collaberation. It is a deal making system. I find it difficult to understand why the parties leave it until after they have spent their money to talk with their 'friends'. That seems bizzare.

I realise politics is politics and difficult to equate with business. But the analogy is the same. Unless ACT and National sit down NOW and talk about how they can govern in 9 weeks time, we will have a left wing government.

I have said this before, National has one certain coalition option, ACT. Labour has 5! Come on guys. Bury the hatchets and put Labour/NZ First/Greens/Jim Andertonovich to bed. Now!

Tax cuts = more money for Government

This is very interesting.

Of course, the left will always find something to moan about. And they did here. A few select quotes:

"Let's see if we can get this straight: When tax revenues fall and budget deficits go up, it's bad news. But when tax revenues rise and deficits decline, it's still bad news.

At least that seems to be the way a sizable chunk of Washington is reacting to this week's report from the White House budget office that the federal deficit is down by nearly $100 billion this fiscal year, that the deficit as a share of GDP is down to 2.7% (very near its historical average), and that this is all happening because tax receipts are surging by more than 14%. Uncle Sam is having a better year so far than even Paris Hilton, but half of the Beltway is depressed".


Does the below sound familiar? The same noises are being made here. Lucky Winston doesn't want to embark on a spend up aye!

"There is a looming budget problem, but it has nothing to do with the Bush tax cuts or insufficient tax revenue. It is a government spending crisis, especially the liabilities that politicians have promised to retirees in Social Security and Medicare. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that spending as a share of our national output based solely on current promises will surge from about 20% today, to 25% in 2025 and to 34% by 2040".


Finally:

"So thank heaven for the tax cuts that have helped to spur the economy that is now throwing off higher tax revenues...those revenues are now rising back to their modern average as a share of GDP, just as supporters of the tax cuts predicted. And if the tax cuts are made permanent, and as the economy grows and incomes continue to rise, Americans will be paying even more in taxes as they move into higher tax brackets. The real windfall here isn't for the rich but for Washington..."


Hat tip: Sir Humphrey's

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Only 7 years!

Here's an update on Jono's blurb below. Can you really, honestly believe he only got 7 years? Must be a misprint. Has to be 70. Surely.

Link.

TVNZ & Judy Bailey

Read this and tell me whether it will be concluded before the election. Yeah, right.

It is actually not the concern of Helen Clark. If she doesn't like the salary, then sell TVNZ and don't make it a political issue.

The Golden Bear



Jack Nicklaus is one of my favourite ever sportsmen. In fact I reckon he is one of the greatest sportsmen ever.

At his peak he battled Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson. During a period of 18 years he only ever finished out of the top 6 in a British Open on one occasion. He defined the modern game. He worked harder than anyone and his course management was second to none.

I remember studying him when I was hooked on the game. I idolised him during my late teens. He is simply the best. I wish him well in his retirement.

Wanna be a cop?

Anyone who thinks the Police: 1) don't try or care, or 2) aren't understaffed must read this article.

Jason Hewett is a good friend of mine (mentioned toward the end). I enjoyed this read.

Oh No!

I read the headline and panicked. Thankfully it's not Helen who will benefit.

Article.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Harsher Sentences

The Justice system in New Zealand is a joke. We have Graham Capill get 9 years, he will be out early. Thats a load of crap he has ruined those girls lives.
Then we have murder set at 18 or so years, this is just not on, and the guy who drove his car off the bridge in Hamilton, killing 3 girls and running away when he could clearly hear the screams of the third that died down river...he got 7yrs. OH MY this is outrageous, how can we let this continue. I am a huge advocate of Harsher sentences and so many of these crims reoffend, lock them up and throw away the key.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Campaign meeting

Tonight I was at a campaign and candidate meeting at the ACT office in Newmarket. There were approximately 25 candidates/campaign people, a couple of fundraisers and Muriel was there too.

The mood was somewhat electric.

It was also very optimistic.

Okay, ACT might be down a little in the polls, but we have been there before - in fact every time since 1996! We started off the 1996 campaign at 1.5% and got close to 6%! People wrote us off then, 1999 & 2002. They are doing it now too. *Sigh*

ACT is in very good heart, let me reassure you. We will give as good as we get this election and some. I have said this before and I will keep saying it. You write off ACT at your peril. This election will see swinging and tooing and froing like never before. It won't be over until polling day and ACT will be there charging right to the bitter end.

Remember this too. Only a party vote for ACT will ensure a change of government. You know who ACT will support in government. To keep Winston toward the centre (where he thinks the votes are) he will go with Labour. After all, to go with the Gnats again would label him as a Tory through and through. Nothing more. Nothing less. And he won't want that.

ACT website

Aaron said a while ago that one sign of party machinery was its website. Check out ACT's new one. Fantastic.

Here.

Ice Hockey

It looks like the NHL may have finally come to an agreement about the collective bargining. I just found this so it looks good for the new season of Ice Hockey to start in late september. I have missed it so much.

Transparency

Rodney Posted this on his blog.
I agree with what he has to say this supposed transparency under MMP hasn't actually come to fruition it would be great if it had...another example would be the 'surplus' Cullen has never revealed his real 'surplus' and uses strange terms that the public don't understand. but there are more.


Zimbabwe

Something to mull over while you sip your Chardonnay and eat your stir fried noodles:

Please pray for these people.

A letter from Zim......

Sent in by John Winter:

I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and ZPF. The darkest hour is always before dawn. We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next. I mean they are actually plowing down brick and mortar houses and one white family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK's and bulldozers and demolished
their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was "too close to the airport"..so we are feeling extremely insecure right now. You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help - but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave so that is not an option. I just ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive vibes... that's all.

You can't just be in denial and pretend its not going on. To be frank with you, its genocide in the making and if you do not believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which says we are IN level seven (level 8 is after its happened and everyone is in denial). If you don't want me to tell you these things then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need you to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say - oh well, that's what happens in Africa. This government has GONE MAD and you need to publicize our plight or how can we be rescued? You can't just say "oh you attract your own reality". The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0 Celsius with no food water, shelter and bedding are a reality.

Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's wife with two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to sleep outside. We already support 8 people and a child on this property and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is water. How can I take another family of 4 - and yet how can I turn them away to sleep out in the open?

I am not asking you for money, or a ticket out of here - I am asking you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and I want you to pass on our news and pictures and don't just press the delete button for God's sake. Help in the way that you know how. Face the reality of what is going on here and SEND OUT THE WORD. The more people that know
about it, the more chance we have of United Nations coming to our aid. Please stop ignoring and denying what's happening. Would you like to be protected from the truth and then if we are eliminated how would you feel? Surely you would say "if only we knew how bad it really was we could have helped in some way". I know we chose to stay here and so we "deserve" what's coming to us. For now we ourselves, have food, shelter, a little fuel and a bit of money for the next meal - but what is going
to happen next? Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you because if they get a hold of those I can't fight for my rights.

We no longer have SW radio which told us everything that was happening because the government jammed it out of existence - we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to photograph. If we had reporters here they would have an absolute field day. Even the pro government Herald has written that people are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton destruction of everyone's homes which are supposed to be "illegal but which a huge percentage of them actually do have licenses for. Please my children - have some compassion and HELP by sending out the articles and personal reports so that something can be DONE.

Graham Capill

Just got sentenced to nine years which is nine years too little.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Trade NOT Aid

Africa needs trade not aid. The proof is this quote from this article:

Over the last 50 years, sub-Saharan Africa has received more than $1 trillion in aid, or more than $5,000 dollars in today's terms for every man, woman and child on the continent. And yet today many African countries are poorer than they were 50 years ago.

At the time of independence, many African states had a higher per capita income than much of Southeast Asia. Today, however, more than 300 million Africans are living on less than a dollar a day, while South Korea, to take one example, which was much poorer than many African countries around the time of their independence, is now 37 times richer.

Yet the seemingly endless flow of aid continues while we hear tales of donor fatigue. But it is Africans who are actually suffering from donation fatigue.

Experience has shown that aid on its own does not achieve the intended good and can cause harm. In many cases it has simply fed the greed of corrupt leaders. The proposed wholesale cancellation of debt could result in sweeping away good practices in countries struggling to achieve independence and rewarding leaders of failed or failing states who have never aspired to it.

Gotcha!

One down, many more to go.

Link.

BSA & Zaoui

This is ridiculous.

I actually don't know what is more absurd. The fact Zaoui is allowed to enter this country like he did; the fact he's still here; the fact you can't offer an opinion without some peacenik running off to the BSA; or the fact that Vivienne Parre didn't have the guts to want her name released!

Of course, Vivienne has an agenda. She is linked to this organisation.

Good on Mark Bennett. Say what you want (as long as it's not defamatory or profane). I expect Vivienne to be first off the block in favour of hate speech.

Not while I'm alive Viv.

Kyoto costs

So, for the first time Treasury has costed Kyoto.

This costing is based on unknown demand/supply and with a dollar at 71c against the $US. The Government, when the bungle was first announced, estimated $500 million. It seems that was fairly accurate.

There is no reason for NZ to be signed up to Kyoto until the USA and Australia have signed. We are but a drop in the ocean and our signature is tokenism, at best.

There is only one party which has said they would pull out of Kyoto. The cost is unnecessary.

Tana Umaga is to blame



Tana Umaga is clearly to blame. Can't you see it. just like Sir Clive did?

Court order prevents Potter leak

This story doesn't fit in our general sections, but it is interesting to see how quickly a leak can be covered. In Canada there was a leak of a "few" Harry Potter books. The publishers sought a court order to gag those who had read the book. The order prevents anyone disclosing all or part of the plot to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ahead of its worldwide release on 16 July.Those returning the book will be rewarded with a JK Rowling autograph.
The Harry Potter books have so much hype surrounding them these people could be able to tell so much that only a small number of people know about.

This follows the 2003 case where JK.Rowling sucessfully sued a newspaper for realeasing plot details to the previous book, which they recieved from a couple who managed to purchase a book before the release date.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

OSH, ACC & R.I.P

When the new OSH regime came into force one of the main concerns of employers was not so much the extremely punitive sanctions but the fact employers were barred from insuring against the risk. Now we have double dipping as exemplified by this case and no ability for employers to counter the risk via insurance.

ACC needs to go to be replaced with voluntary insurance. If Labour is relected I don't fancy the chances of insurance being allowed as the EMA hope.

Link.

Brash & Peters on property

How these two will ever get on I don't know. Their divergent views are no better illustrated than this.

Peters will never realise (or at least admit publicly) that markets go up and down. It is simply fallacious for him to say that it is getting easier for foreigners to buy property here. The OIC is not an easy system to go through. Even when you make it through, the Resource Management Act has to be overcome. Ask Shania Twain.

Peters' reasoning on rising property values is similarly misguided. Sure, immigration has been a factor. But subsidies to Kiwis won't ever help this. The best thing we can do is to cut taxes, or as Dr Don says here 'reform' them.

Winston is very sure that the answer is big government, big spending and big taxes. His first action after becoming Treasurer was to cancel the “Birch tax cuts”. He opposed Ruth Richardson not just ideologically but pragmatically. Peters believes, (and there is evidence to support him), that NZ’ers like government doing things for them. As Treasurer, Peters began a massive $5 billion spend up. He still believes but for the Asian crisis and Shipley firing him, he would have spent his way to victory.

He also believes in trade barriers and "import substitution". NZ First's economy policy is a massive throwback. In key respects, it's *way* to the left of Labour.

I still expect him to plump for National given the chance. Being Winston isn't about making sense.

This article emphasises that quite clearly. Let's hope Dr Don doesn't find this out.

Viagra Culture

The wonderful thing about science is the amount of 'studies' one can undertake.

Link.

Election date

Jono, I'll see your election date post and trump it with this.

I like the last sentence. The fact Dr Don wants an election sooner rather than later can only confirm one thing can't it. It will be as late as possible.

National wants to take advantage of their billboard campaign and good recent poll results. Labour will see value in doing nothing yet, sitting back knowing exactly how to time their run based on a date only they know of.

September 24 is looking good. And by that time people will be heartily sick and tired of hearing about National's tax cuts. The reality is the public only tune in about two weeks out. A long way to go before we get to that time.

Election Date

Speculation about the Election continues as it gets nearer to the date that Labour will be able to call it and the whole thing is getting ridiculous, I think that Labour will almost have to wait til september now, as it is not going to be to their advantage to go early. They are losing it in the polls but the election is definitely not over it is going to come down to the wire. This election could go either way at the end and is really a race to the posts.

Election Date: Sept 24th

Monday, July 11, 2005

It's not over by a long shot

I want to make brief comment on several comments appearing in blogs (and the MSM in parts) that the election is over and the government will be National/NZ First. My points:

1. The prize is for first across the finish line, not first across the start line.
2. MMP produces wierd results. Case in point - Peter Dunne got 6.6% last time in the space of about 7 seconds.
3. If NZ First had gone with Labour in 1996, we would have had 9 years of a centre left government (if it lasted).
4. In 1978 & 1981 there were more votes for Labour than National. A Social Democrat Party (Social Credit) got 16% of the vote in 1978 and 22% in 1981.
5. We had Labour governments in 1984, 1987. If things had been slightly different in 1978 & 1981 we could have had them then too. We could have had one in 1996. We have had one in 1999 & 2002. So, since 1978 we could quite easily have had 8/10 Labour governments.

The electorate in New Zealand is essentially egalitarian, and as the above shows, tends to show support toward social democratic Labour. There is ample evidence of this.

People who say the result is all but over need a serious reality check. This will go down to the wire, and probably beyond.

Winston & The Letter

Both Aaron and Jordan have reprinted pieces of Prebs' letter today. Both seem intent on interpreting what Prebs said as bad news for the centre right. In fact, Aaron has been ramping up the chances of Winston rather a lot lately.

He quoted parts of the Letter on his blog today to do with strategic voting. He seemed to omit this bit from the Letter so I'll reproduce it just in case he overlooked it:

NOT THREE TIMES

Peters has been a minister twice. Both times it has almost destroyed him. As Minister of Maori Affairs his personal popularity went into free fall. He blamed the “dry” policies of Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. He determined next time to be Finance Minister. He was and his popularity fell again. He survived by just 34 votes in 1999. (We are still looking for them). Commentators have speculated Peters will do a United Party and refuse to join the government. Being outside government has not saved United and Dunne has now said he wants to be in the cabinet. Peters himself is all about power, perks and prestige; he hates the backbenches and longs for ministerial power and prestige.


REMEMBER


It is not just the public but also the commentators’ memories that are short. On election night in 1996 everyone including Clark thought it was going to be a Labour/NZ First government. Peters said it was because the Alliance would not give an assurance of support, (Alliance’s vote was needed for a majority) - he went with National.

BIG GOVERNMENT

Peters believes in big government, big spending and big taxes. His first action after becoming Treasurer was to cancel the “Birch tax cuts”. He opposed Ruth Richardson not just ideologically but pragmatically. Peters believes, (and there is evidence to support him), that NZ’ers like government doing things for them. As Treasurer Peters began a massive $5 billion spend up. He still believes but for the Asian crisis and Shipley firing him, he would have spent his way to victory. His first preference is a coalition with Labour, on his terms. Clark and Cullen were willing in 1996, what’s changed? Whenever Peters wants to silence Cullen he threatens to publish the coalition agreement Labour signed with him.

My fisk on this is that a vote for Winston Last is nothing short of madness.

Well I have been away from blogging for a while

Formula 1

Last night Formula one was at Silverstone and continued in the face of the recent terrorist attacks in London. I have to feel sorry for Takuma Sato, whose car refused to restart after the minutes silence for the victims of the bombings meaning he started a lap down.
The Race completed the comeback of Mclaren, with Montoya winning the race after coming from third on the grid to the lead in the first few corners, Raikkonen would have to be disappointed to have come from 12th to 3rd, he started 12th after taking a 10 place drop in the grid after having to change his engine earlier in the weekend and he drove a spectacular race to finish third.
The Mclaren team has improved hugely since the beginning of the season while Ferraris chances are slowly slipping away.

Sir Clive Dipshit



In case you can't read the text, it says the following:

"Lions Coach Sir Clive Woodward shows an image of the Kennedy assassination in which Tana Umaga is clearly the 2nd gun-man on the Grassy Knoll during a press conference in Wellington last night".

Sunday, July 10, 2005

German Ironman



I will be watching Cameron Brown's effort here with interest. You can get it live here if you're a multisport geek like me.

Link.

UPDATE: 2nd. Came off the bike 15 minutes down and could only make up 8 minutes of it. Here's looking @ Hawaii now. Winner was Norman Stadler who won Hawaii last year so overall an excellent effort.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Gay cops

This makes me shake my head.

Recruitment should be based on ability, not sexual orientation. Don't be confused that Police won't favour gays over other applicants when recruiting. It happened with Asians, Polynesians, Maoris and females. I loved this quote:

"By enlarging the police culture, it gives you a better understanding on how we can best serve the communities which we are in."

Here's a message for Lynne Turner: "Why not just serve the public irrespective of gender or sexual orientation"?

Some other doozies:

"We (police) take people on their abilities and not their (sexual) orientation."

Then, how Ms Turner, will you recruit gays if you don't take sexual orientation into account? Of course you will take it into account.

"Ms Turner said the best way of helping gay and lesbian communities was to boost their numbers within police ranks".

No, the best way is to stop writing traffic tickets and get your dipshit Minister and Commissioner off their arses!

Anyhow, maybe gays don't want to join the police. They'll join if they want to serve not because you come knocking on their door.

*Sigh*.

Proud to be a Keewee

Despite all the rubbish we hear daily this is a great country to live in.

Link.

Ann Hartley's Billboards

Last weekend I posted this

Election time?

I noted two of Ann Hartley's billboards along my road during the weekend. These weren't billboards that advertised meetings (allowed), rather they said something like: "Who can? Ann Can. Two ticks Labour" or something similar.

I know that local bodies allow election advertising within either one or two months of polling day (approximately). I'm not sure of North Shore City's rules but I will find out today if I can.

This could mean that the election is within two months time (ie before September 17 as the MSM believes) because if it was at this date then Ann Hartley is breaking the rules, not that rorty Labour would care. If NSCC rules allow for one month then we could see an election very shortly, before the end of July. That is unlikely because Parliament is currently in a four-week recess and they would have to convene before breaking up. So my bet is an election in late August, allowing for the two months for Ann's billboards and also allowing for parliament to reconvene and then depart again in time for a three week campaign period. August 20 or 27 is looking good I reckon.

UPDATE

They weren't there today! Maybe some over exuberant campaign person? They were quite small billboards and possibly able to be taken down quickly.

TODAY - 9 July

Many, many up today. I phoned the Council and queried the legality of this. I was told it was illegal (as I thought). But, the enforcement officers don't work weekends so they couldn't do anything about my complaint! That is why Hartley puts them up and takes them down on the weekends - nothing can happen!

Labour is good at breaking electoral laws (bus stop advertising). They won't get away with this next weekend. I have a cunning plan!

Friday, July 08, 2005

Experimenting





After watching Sir Humphreys go through a metamorphosis I decided I needed to experiment with this blogging thing.

Stephen Franks Unleashed

This is very good and is food for thought:


Terrorism: When ends justify means.

Last night’s terrorism uncovered scars I’d never seen on a Chinese friend I’ve known for nearly 20 years. Trembling with rage, she repeated over and over “Muslim wild pigs”.  I murmured some silly warning about stereotyping. She wasn’t listening. She was back 35 years ago, age 13, huddling terrified in the family shop cradling her 20-year-old sister who had just had a huge hole blown in her back by a shotgun. Her other sister, 18, was lying beside them in a spreading pool of blood from the shattered pelvis that has kept her in a wheel chair ever since.

No one was ever brought to justice from the mob that fanned out from the mosque to attack their Chinese neighbours.

She set me reflecting on the nature of evil. How often it is tied to high-minded rhetoric. Perhaps only small differences determine whether a theology or ideology produces violence, corruption and tyranny, or produces instead, as Tony Blair called it last night, “civilization’s” respect for the innocent. How often our leaders strive to trivialize these vital differences. How fragile are hard won principles in the face of high-minded claims of more urgent morality.

My experience at Phil Goff’s all-party briefing on the cricket tour earlier this week came to mind. All the other parties opposed the tour. Their argument was only about who should stop it and who should bear the cost, the cricketers, or the Government.

On the scale of moral blackness it is on a different planet, but they share a thread of common reasoning with the religious London murderers. They are equally indifferent to the distinction between personal or individual moral responsibility, and collective responsibility. They believe in group punishment.

Essentially the tour stoppers want to impose group punishment on Zimbabweans who have done no wrong and have no power to stop the wrong. They want to ‘send a message’ to the wrongdoer Mugabe by inflicting loss on innocent third parties. They equate those myriad individual citizens with the state, the collective, and its baboon leader. Yet many of those individuals would hate him with more reason and intensity than any calculating politician here.

In both cases the civilian innocence of those who pay the price may be an attraction. They are not collateral damage. They are the objects. Those frothing to send a message feel that their willingness to break normal moral limits to punish the innocent underscores their anger and sincerity.

The others at Mr Goff’s Beehive briefing took it as obvious that ends justify means. Sometimes they do. People unavoidably pay a collective price for the misdeeds and wrongs of their leaders. But collective punishments and using wrong means to pursue noble ends are very steep slippery slopes. At the very least there is an onus on those urging collective punishments to weigh the gains against the costs. Very dear principles are at stake.

Yet the briefing included absolutely no assessment of the practical impact of the proposed tour ban. No alternatives were compared. ACT was considered immoral for asking.

There are plenty of ways in which the cricketers could make Mugabe wish they had never come. Perhaps humiliating Zimbabwe on the pitch is too tall an order, but there are plenty of more serious and subtle ways in which television coverage could draw attention to Mugabe’s thuggery.

Mr Goff offered no evidence that the tour will support Mugabe. There is precious little evidence that boycotts are effective. Afghanistan was liberated from the Russians by force and the Moscow Olympic boycott simply damaged sport and the Los Angeles Olympics. 

Freedom of association means nothing if it can be denied whenever a majority thinks it would be better to shun some people.

Touring does raise moral questions. I hope the cricketers leave Mugabe in no doubt about their feelings. But politicians have no moral right to tell cricketers to do something that political correctness has prevented them from doing themselves.

Mugabe now owes his power to Mbeki of South Africa. Instead of holding their African mates accountable, Labour politicians have continued the fawning of their anti-apartheid days, most notably at the recent Durban conference, where the Hon Margaret Wilson supported the third world hypocrisy of African countries blaming the US for the world's ills.

For Helen Clark and Phil Goff to make this stand is like publicly boycotting a restaurant for paying mafia protection money, while privately begging to stay on the mafia’s cocktail party list.

The superficial political calculation at Mr Goff’s briefing said it all. Political relics of the 70s are fomenting a “stop the tour" wave of hysteria, glorying in the echoes of their salad days.

“Stop the thug” as a goal is too risky for them. They have flocked to be seen with Mbeki and there are too many African skeletons in the Labour closet.

Labour railed at what they termed Muldoon’s insult of Mugabe in 1981. Mugabe was demanding that the New Zealand government simply ban sports links. Muldoon excused Mugabe’s indifference to niceties like freedom of association with the comment, “when you’ve been in the jungle for a few years shooting people, it’s a bit difficult to understand”. For days international headlines condemned this rudely truthful observation.

Ironically, Muldoon was then resisting false African claims that the Commonwealth’s 1977 Gleneagles agreement obliged NZ to ban sports contacts with South Africa. We haven’t heard a thing from Africa about that precedent since Mugabe’s racism became too naked for even Labour leaders to ignore.

Instead, Labour rushed to send Chris Laidlaw to open a High Commission in Harare. It had nothing to do with the interests of New Zealand. Its job was to hand out aid that propped up Mugabe and to host streams of Labour visitors who came to fawn on him.

It continued even though they knew that Mugabe had borrowed ruthless Korean troops to murder between 5000 and 10,000 of his tribal enemies in Matabeleland. Labour howled racist at anyone who predicted exactly the disaster that has befallen the Zimbabwe people. They labeled as “colonialists” people who sought more sensitivity to human rights from freedom fighters.

At least this week Mr. Goff denounced the Maori Party’s Pita Sharples for excusing Mugabe’s actions as “ a bit of tough and tumble” while the regime which “has just been released from colonialism [tries] to find their own feet.”

Chris Trotter foams that ACT’s position is “obscene”.  As I apologised for my silly soothing words to my Chinese friend this morning, I did not feel obscene. I felt superficial. But Mr Trotter has tried to whitewash the philosophies behind the greatest obscenities of the past 100 years. It is the collectivists who’ve preached that the end justifies the means.

Mr Trotter’s comrades see ACT’s focus on personal responsibility, and constraints on what rulers may do under the rule of law, as mere property owners’ quibbles. He is dead wrong. Tyrannies feed on group privileges and rights. They are defeated by individuals who take responsibility, and by protecting the rights of those individuals.


Judge the philosophies by their outcomes. By their fruits you shall know them.

 

Air New Zealand

As before I can't link this so it's partially pasted. But first a comment.

There's nothing like a socialist spending your money. It's very easy to do. It's also very easy for a socialist to lose your money for you. I like the last two sentences of this article. People blame the USA for having no 'out' strategy in Iraq. Well, Helen Clark and Michael Cullen have no 'out' strategy for AIR NZ shareholding. Cullen was very quick this year to tell people to invest in the stockmarket. He has made the classic mistake of not knowing when to sell. Dimwit.

Fuel price puts Government's Air NZ investment on edge

By Rachel Pannett


Sky-high oil prices mean it is not just consumers noticing their wallets are lighter.

Air New Zealand's share price is under pressure and the Government is now close to being in the red on the billion-dollar investment it made to save the airline from bankruptcy.

The Government paid $885 million in 2001 and a further $150 million last year, or an average of 26 cents a share, for its 81 per cent stake.

After a five-for-one share consolidation last August, that average is $1.30 in today's terms - just one cent below Air New Zealand's closing price of $1.31 (down 4c yesterday).

The difference between what the Government paid and what the shares are now worth?

A mere $8 million.

Taking holding costs and dividends into account, the Government is well out of pocket.

Compared with a high of $3.03 (in today's terms) reached in May 2002 - when Air New Zealand announced a "no frills" revamp of its domestic services designed to turn the business around - the Air New Zealand investment is looking decidedly dubious.

At that point the Government was $1.34 billion in the money.

Only briefly in 2001 when the airline was teetering on collapse have the shares traded lower than yesterday's closing price.

They hit an all-time low of 88c (in adjusted terms) on September 24, 2001, when the idea of placing Air NZ into statutory management was being considered...

Goldman Sachs JBWere aviation analyst Peter Sigley says Air NZ will face "a considerable earnings headwind over the coming period".

The airline has about 60 per cent of its fuel hedged at US$50 a barrel for 2006, but with Goldman Sachs JBWere predicting oil prices will remain this high until then, it will need to buy a good share of its fuel on the volatile spot market.

"The reality is that it is burning a hole in their pocket so something has to be done," Sigley said...

It looks as if Air New Zealand, and the Government, could be in for tough times ahead.

"With oil prices at US$60, the shares are only going to go one way," Direct Broking's Ken Allen said: "Lower".

Not the brightest cop in the world

This from Friday's Herald. i can't link it so I have copied and paste it.

Constable faces trial over P bags
 
08.07.05

By Elizabeth Binning

A South Auckland policeman has been committed for trial on charges of stealing the drug P from work and giving it to his friends.

It is alleged Constable Joseph Rawiri pocketed two bags, one of which contained a small crystal of the drug methamphetamine, during a search of a car in January.

Yesterday he pleaded not guilty to both charges in a depositions hearing at the Manukau District Court.

In a brief of evidence his partner on the night, Constable Kiley Dalbeth, said the pair pulled over a car in Manurewa because they thought the driver was in breach of bail conditions.

A search by Rawiri of the driver, passenger and inside the car uncovered cannabis and a glass "P-pipe".

Mr Dalbeth searched the car boot and found two bags, one of which contained the P crystal.

In a statement Rawiri gave to police before his arrest, he said the bags were empty apart from specks of crystal or powder.

He said he planned to throw them out at the station but forgot and instead took them home where his friends and girlfriend were trying to "hook up a deal" for P.

In his statement he said he gave the bags to them, inviting them to have whatever they could get out of the bags. He also said he smoked P "heaps" before joining the police.
 

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Terrorists in London

London has been hit. Stand by for more. Underground and buses. Holy hell.

CNN has the initial story here.

Sir Humphrey's has excellent coverage.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

National's 'tax' policy release.

Just thought I'd put my comment on it here, as taken from Jordan's blog.

Yeah, real good stuff aye.

The policy is a backward step.

What New Zealand needs is comprehensive tax cuts without strings attached, so we can make up their own minds how they spend our money without having National or Labour telling them us how to do it.

National's policy is a total abandonment by the party of any principle of sound tax design and the philosophy that hardworking Kiwis should keep more of the money they earn with no strings attached. Who keeps all their daycare receipts? Very burdensome. Then you have to hire accountants to do your return etc. What a nonsense.

National's policy complicates the tax system. It only lets you keep more of your money if you send your children to daycare. It discriminates against parents who stay at home and look after their children.

The best policy is ACT's tax policy of dropping the top tax rate to 25c in the dollar and extending the 15c rate up to $38,000. That will allow parents to afford childcare if that is their choice, or to spend their money looking after their children as best they see fit.

National is returning to complication. What's next? Tax rebates for paying off student loans or saving for retirement.

Don Brash is already compromising National's principles. Unsurprising really.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

The verdict

I have been following this trial with interest. Here is the Stuff story on the verdict as soon as it came out. I wonder now if the suppresison orders will be lifted. If they are I expect widespread debate.

Pack rape accused found guilty
05 July 2005

BREAKING NEWS
Four men were this morning found guilty of abducting and raping a woman at Mt Maunganui 16 years ago.

The men, aged 40, 46, 47 and 53 had pleaded not guilty in the High Court at Wellington to the charges.

The woman, who is now 37, said that in January 1989, she was lured to a beach hut on the pretext of having lunch with one of the men, and was raped there.

The men said she was a willing partner in a group sex session.

Key details in the trial have been suppressed.

Two of the men were acquitted of charges of sexual violation with an object.

The verdicts came at the end of 12 hours of deliberation, following a two and half week trial.

They were returned just before midday by the jury of eight women and four men.

All four men will be sentenced on August 5.

Monday, July 04, 2005

RSA meeting

Had a meeting tonight at the Takapuna RSA with my fellow North Shore candidates. Muriel was there and struck a chord as she always does.

There was a very 'angry' feeling in the air. People are sick and tired of Labour's social agenda's taking priority over real issues. I confirmed that if they are reelected the next two pieces of social engineering are hate speech and the repealment of s 59. Helen Clark has already said she wants Sue Bradford's bill before a select committee so it can be debated. Yeah, like debate will change their minds. Being in the RSA also struck home how affected they are by the antismoking law. Hopefully Muriel's private members bill will change that.

I also managed to persuade a fellow blogger to turn up, Adolf Fiinkensein of Sir Humphrey's fame. He is very astute and both him and his wife are very nice people but not ACT people. Nevertheless they maintained a lot of interest and we might just sneak a party vote out of them both yet!

For all those interested, we are hosting another one on 18 July at the same venue where Rodney and Muriel wil both be in attendance. You must all come. Feel free to email me off site for details.

Finally, good on the veterans. There is nothing like drinking a pint in the RSA with those who risked their lives so we could have ours. Tremendous.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Lions/politics

I believe there are parallels bewteen sport and politics (and life in general I suppose) in how things are dealt with.

With the Lions we have these: Spin over Substance and a Matrix barmy army (what you see is not necessarily what is there).

In Spin over Substance, we had THAT tackle. Then we had Woodward come out last night after the test blaming poor refereeing in two of the AB's tried. It was actually the way he said it:

"If we hadn't had (winger's name goes here) taken out we might not have seen that try, but I don't want to go down that track".


He said the same thing again over another try.

In the Matrix, we have had the flop of the barmy army. There was a story in page A2 of the SST today (can't link it sorry) that said the barmy army doesn't exist and is has been way over publicised. A bar owner on Dunedin ordered $5,000 more beer only to have no-one turn up after the Otago game.

Spin over substance. Matrix barmy army/surplus. Sound familiar?

The creme de la creme will be a Lions whitewash this weekend. Expect another whitewash in a few more weekends time.

And hot on the heels of closing the gaps comes...

This article.

The second paragraph shows how government involvement in education CTG isn't working either.

I am all in favour of bulk finding, naturally. I am also strongly in favour of competition.

Of course all the ideas and beliefs opined here have been proposed by ACT for years, yet the silly old SST and Stuff harp on about how it is National's idea. *Sigh*

Closing the Gaps

Stephen Thomas Cooper had this to say on his blog yesterday:

A blogger would be ashamed...

John Armstrong's piece today in the Herald was disconcerting in its raw ineptitude. It was so poor that even a casual read after you've just woken up produced the "what on earth are you talking about?" effect.

Take this gem:

"It is why Clark dumped "Closing the Gaps" with barely a second thought".

It is great to see that our media have taken to reading minds. Not. This is wrong on quite a few fronts.

The whole article is full of these little statements, that assert a commonly held belief, but as expert political anylisis really don't cut it.

The Herald was never going to do Labour any favours, and probably few people read Armstrong's piece anyway, but it is just really irksome that every article he has written in the last year has talked glowingly of Brash and doggedly ridiculed Clark and Cullen.

Then came these comments (inter alia)

Gooner said...
They did drop it because they realised their socialist policies couldn't close them as the latest OECD report confirmed: the gap actually got wider in the last three years.

Oliver said...
Calling Labour socialist is akin to calling National christian conservative: it just isn't the case.

Stephen Thomas Cooper said...
Gooner - yes, Labour is SOOOO socialist that rich people have made more progress under a Labour Government than under a National one. Sorry if everyone getting ahead is a problem for you; part of the problem with closing the gaps is that we have had an economic boom and that kind of negated the impact - the same with Maharey's MoSD initiatives such as the jobs jolt; it was superceded by the best employment rate in twenty years...

I added a comment after this.

Here is my take on CTG.

There are only three ways to get wealthy. You can create it (Eric Watson, John Banks etc); you can inherit it (the Royal Family); or you can win it (Lotto). I've never heard of anyone becoming wealthy by having it redistributed to them by a government.

When CTG was implemented, Labour really extolled its virtues. It was going to cost $400 million (approximately) and was going to bridge the gap between the poor and rich.

Yet when the latect OECD report came out, it said the gaps have got wider! CTG hadn't worked. Sure, poverty *might* have been partially alleviated, depending on how you measure it, but the 'poor' were still getting poorer comparatively. Was this foreseeable?

"Steve Maharey promises not to allow government programmes to be captured by the privileged amongst Maori hierarchies. Such assurances are implausible when the Maori societal model being propped up simply is not democratic. It's incongruous for a democratic society to invent legislative machinery to protect enclaves within which individual property and human rights are denied.

In conclusion, Mr Maharey's government has some serious reconsideration to do. Improving the lot of the poor while opening the gaps is a possibility his government denies - and currently markets are punishing New Zealand for that phobia."


Gareth Morgan said this five years ago (link). He's a smart man.

Smarter than Smarmy Maharey from Helen Clark's dairy.

It is incredulous that Stephen Cooper blames strong economic growth for failing to close the gaps. Read his reply to me again:

'part of the problem with closing the gaps is that we have had an economic boom and that kind of negated the impact'

He also blames the tight labour market on Maharey's failed jobs policies.

'the same with Maharey's MoSD initiatives such as the jobs jolt; it was superceded by the best employment rate in twenty years...'

In other words, Stephen is saying the government can't beat the market.

Exactly Stephen. Governments don't create wealth. Governments don't create jobs. A free society does.

When will Labour understand this?

Election time?

I noted two of Ann Hartley's billboards along my road during the weekend. These weren't billboards that advertised meetings (allowed), rather they said something like: "Who can? Ann Can. Two ticks Labour" or something similar.

I know that local bodies allow election advertising within either one or two months of polling day (approximately). I'm not sure of North Shore City's rules but I will find out today if I can.

This could mean that the election is within two months time (ie before September 17 as the MSM believes) because if it was at this date then Ann Hartley is breaking the rules, not that rorty Labour would care. If NSCC rules allow for one month then we could see an election very shortly, before the end of July. That is unlikely because Parliament is currently in a four-week recess and they would have to convene before breaking up. So my bet is an election in late August, allowing for the two months for Ann's billboards and also allowing for parliament to reconvene and then depart again in time for a three week campaign period. August 20 or 27 is looking good I reckon.

UPDATE

They weren't there today! Maybe some over exuberant campaign person? They were quite small billboards and possibly able to be taken down quickly.

Friday, July 01, 2005

Wish this guy was Finance Minister

Loved this quote from the Herald:

"But he rejected any links between the wage dispute and the return of capital. The payout was "quite separate from issues about keeping our balance sheet efficient and paying shareholders back money that is essentially theirs", said Huse."

Huse is the CEO of Auckland Airport and is 'paying back shareholders their money'!

What's Aotearoa's CEO doing with our money?

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