The debate over the publication of a "tell all " book by the mother of the Kahui twins Macsyna has been interesting to watch.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
OF BOOKS AND BLOGS
The debate over the publication of a "tell all " book by the mother of the Kahui twins Macsyna has been interesting to watch.
Monday, 27 June 2011
WHO IS WATCHING THE WATCHER??
Its all a bit dododododo Twilight Zone but what would you expect in election year.
THE JUICE ON CACTUS
We are delighted our mate Cactus has started on that tough journey to become an MP for ACT.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
NOPE HOLD THAT THOUGHT - ALASDAIR THOMPSON IS A DICK
Okay he is a dick. This story in the Herald on Sunday will be his final undoing. What a big swinging dick - wanker.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
WE OWE ALASDAIR THOMPSON APOLOGY AND SO DOES NZ
Someone suggested we take a look at the full TV3 interview between Alasdair Thompson and Mihi Forbes.
ROY WAS DUMPED
Heather Roy has gone hard out today to try and convince the country that she is quitting politics on her own terms. This is predictable behaviour from a woman who has always put herself before the party.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
FOR ALASDAIR THOMPSON
Friday, 17 June 2011
CHANNELLING TAMMY FAYE BAKKER
THE GREAT BALLSY BISCUIT MYSTERY
It seems that the prep for the Rugby World Cup is really underway.. But here is an interesting story in the Southland Times from the Deep South. A great Southland Institution - Kayes Kitchen is producing what will be yummy rugby ball bikkies - but they cant say for who... So we have a mystery. Pass it on.
KELVIN DAVIS ENDORSED BY HONE
Our Hone - not the whingy whiny Hone - Hone Key.
We also expect in the final few days that Solomon will concede and tell his supporters to put their votes firmly in behind Davis.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
THE REALITY IS
Woo. Gillard is an odd fish... so like Clark
JULIA GILLARD INTERVIEW ................
PM: “We have always supported the standard structure of the calendar and acknowledge that the public expect a regular system that provides the rhythm necessary for everyday planning and life structures. We feel very strongly about this.”
TV: “So you do agree that tomorrow is Friday?”
PM: “It isn’t important whether it is Friday or Monday. What is important is that unexpected changes don’t interfere with the normal expectations of the public - and this government has a solid record in supporting those expectations.”
TV: “But as today is Thursday, surely you can confirm that tomorrow is Friday?”
PM: “Everything is relative and whether the next day is Wednesday or Sunday is dependent on where you stand at the time. We have never challenged the current system and have the full support of the unions on this. Most intelligent people agree that changes are not required.”
TV: “Well then, what day is tomorrow?”
PM: “Tomorrow is the next day in our plan to further develop our marvelous country in many areas. We plan to continue providing better health care, reduced debt, reduced unemployment, controlled immigration and to be a world leader in controlling global warming.”
TV: “Returning to the question, can you not confirm that Friday is tomorrow?”
PM: “Friday is always around. It has been around many times before and will be around again many more times. Which is why we need - as a responsible government - to plan and organise for the future. Not just for tomorrow, but for our children and their children.
TV: “Prime Minister, the viewers are waiting for your answer on what day you think tomorrow is?”
PM: “We are dealing with bigger issues here. The Friday, Saturday, Sunday thing is not important or relevant to the scheme of things. They need to understand the critical issues and focus on the matters of concern, such as the condition of our nation and how we can continue to develop it so that all may reap the benefit.”
TV: “I’m sorry, we seem to have lost the point here again. Are you saying that it isn’t Friday tomorrow?”
PM: “The reality is that it is not important what day it is. What is important is how we handle the situation - and my government is handling it with solid policies evolved from the mandate the people gave us.”
TV: “But we just want to know if you agree that it will be Friday tomorrow?”
PM: “Let’s remain focused here. It is the nation that is important and we stand fast and rock steady in our dedication to the job in hand In closing, let me say this one more time – we are fully committed to the task and have commissioned a report that will enable us to develop the plans for the future. Thank you.”
TV: “Prime Minister .......??”
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
IPREDICT ADDICTION
We now know why we haven't traded shares since the crash of 87 when we pretty much lost our shirt.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
HONE THE EGG
Yip. thats our prediction. We have consistently said that Hone's problem in the North is that is supporters are of the all Hat no Horse ilk. In other words they are the most moany groany, pack of whingy whiny, look back, look down, blame everyone else, take no responsibility - bunch of losers on the planet.
Monday, 13 June 2011
RANKIN IS CRANKIN
Well well. It seems that outspoken Maori and media slut David Rankin has some supporters on his home turf.
"Let's not pussyfoot around. Ngapuhi has never been part of the Kingitanga. I don't think what he said was wrong. It was the way he said it.
"I sit back and giggle to myself sometimes - he's got balls the size of moa eggs."
For his part, Mr Rankin says he isn't going to change his "shock and awe" method.
"I realise that the media is our new marae. There are 126,000 Ngapuhi. If I was to call a meeting at my marae there'd be 50 people.
"People say Ngapuhi are wild but in reality we want everyone else to put their point of view across. This has started debate.
"Who is critiquing Maori society today? Nobody. You have to have debate otherwise you may as well be Pakehas."
THE SNOBBERY OF DEATH
Sunday, 12 June 2011
The Trouble With Oranges
I have a lease on an orange orchard in southern Lebanon, about 25km from the Golan Heights. The lease is held in partnership with a Palestinian refugee who is one of Ramallah’s representatives for Palestinians to the Lebanese government. He describes himself as “un-factioned”. In fact he has a long time association with US approved Fatah. I think the US approval really only springs from a favourable comparison to Hamas.
People here often seem to be confused about Hamas and Hizbollah. Hamas controls the Palestinian Parliament and governs the Gaza Strip from behind a wall that Israel built. The US and Israel classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation, the UN does not. Unsurprisingly, Palestinians are a bit upset about the wall. It reduces Gaza to a ghetto comparable to the Warsaw ghetto. The Warsaw ghetto existed behind a wall that the Nazis built. Palestinians aligned with Hamas fire primitive rockets and homemade bombs at Israel from behind the wall. Israel strikes Gaza with some of the most sophisticated weaponry in existence today. Israel’s military is US backed and funded. Surgical strike technology notwithstanding, Palestinian casualties vastly outnumber Isreal's. It’s an entirely unsatisfactory situation, given that dead is dead regardless of your ethnicity, political loyalties or religion.
The Sunni and Shia branches of Islam are analogous to Roman Catholic and Protestant branches of Christianity. Sunni and Shia have been known to get a bit fractious with one another through history, as have Catholics and Protestants. Most Palestinians are Sunni. Hizbollah is Shia. It finds its support from Iran and Syria. Iran is predominantly Shia. Syria's government is Shia dominated. The Sunni - Shia juxtaposition is not a specific problem in Lebanon, but it all adds to the tapestry and tension in the region.
Hizbollah is classified as a terrorist organisation by the US and Israel. That is not an opinion universally held. They hold democratic elections in Lebanon. Hezbollah and its allies hold 57 seats in Lebanon's 128 seat parliament. But, Hizbollah’s existence in Lebanon was Israel’s excuse for its invasion and veritable flattening of Lebanon in 2006. I say flattening because they took out most major infrastructure: roads, bridges, telecommunications - and the irrigation to my oranges. The Refugee and me lost 127 young trees. Remarkably in the circumstances, he managed to pay back most of the capital in the years since then. The lease will be sold later this year and I expect the small remaining amount will be paid back along with some capital gain. It was a business deal done on a handshake. It’s turned out quite well, especially when compared to some of my friend’s investments during that period, in Bridgecorp and the like.
The popular protests that have spread across the Middle East have reached Syria. At the moment, the Refugee can’t get our oranges across the Syrian border and through to Dubai where they are supposed to be sold. It’s a problem but he’ll find a way or another market. He always does. Resourceful people, Palestinians. I saw the Queen on TV visiting Ireland. Isn’t it amazing how things can turn around? Catholic France and protestant England were at war for most of the period between 1688 and 1815. They seem to get on pretty well now. They tunnelled through. I hope the Refugee and my oranges make it.
Friday, 10 June 2011
NOW IS THE TIME - ACT
After we posted on the woeful Hillary Calvert last night - the phone started to go off.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
BARMY BINT NEEDS BOOT - ACT NOW.
EXCELLENT SERVICE FROM KIWIRAIL
We were feeling very stupid yesterday - somewhere in the meelee of the day we managed to flip our monthly train pass out of our purse and lose it. We didn't realise we had lost it till we went to retrieve it from our purse on the 4.30 train.
BLOGGER MUFFLED
We like GuytOns gardening stuff but his lefty piffle is tiresome but we defend his right to blog. Indeed we think that blogging is a good way for councillors to stay in touch with their constituents.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
SAVE THE TANIWHA - STOP THE TUNNEL
Yup - Ngati Whatua and the Maori statutory super council board have served the government up a lovely excuse not to proceed with Len Browns silly folly the Rail Tunnel.
SHUDDER THE THOUGHT
We have been enjoying getting back in the saddle after an hiatus of about a decade.
CLARE WHO THE NEW LEFTY CRUMPET IS
Yesterdays narcissistic turn by Clare "Puss in Boots" Curran to use parliament to show her displeasure at a commercial decision by a sporting franchise was odd.
KING OF WISHFUL THINKING
There are as many people who like David Rankin as dont - He must be a thorn in the side of some Nga Puhi.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
CLARE NO TASTE OR MATES?
Clare Curran seems to be as passionate about Otago as we are about Southland. I'm a sixth generation Southlander on one branch of the family tree and 5 generations on the other.
Monday, 6 June 2011
AIRNZ FACEBOOK DEAL CRASH LANDS
We saw a deal from Airnz via facebook a couple of days ago - its was touted as a fantastic deal that would only be accessed via a FB page for on hour on june 6
GOOD FOOD SPOILT BY BAD SERVICE
We had a bit of a tiki tour yesterday - down the the West side of Lake Ferry and then finishing up at the Lake Ferry Hotel. Now the last time we were there was about 2 Christmases ago. We waited for an hour for service then. When the food arrived it was good - really good pub grub. Fish and Chips, burgers and flounders.
Friday, 3 June 2011
SBW - BENEFICIARY BASHER?
Thursday, 2 June 2011
DIGITAL IMMIGRANTS
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
SONNY BILL TO FIGHT A SICKNESS BENEFICIARY??
Well thats the story we keep hearing.. Man has tennis elbow apparently... So if you cant work - how can you fight?