It will only take about ten million dollars to fix!

I am talking about the terrible figures Northland has for Rheumatic Fever and the complications that causes. It is totally unacceptable that we should have this ‘third world’ disease in a country that can clearly afford to fix the problem. In the Herald this morning, it was said that less than ten million dollars will fix the homes that are poorly insulated and that in itself is enough to make the problem almost disappear. Maybe that is a simplification but we must not allow out kids to be disadvantaged, when it is not a problem they have any control over.

If it is a monetary consideration and the government has to cut from other budgets, then they should go ahead. I am equally sure that businesses could come to the ‘party’ and help us celebrate better health and life chances for a segment of our population that has suffered for far too long. Fix the problem, now.

What's the big deal?

No doubt people, including political party members will try to make a big deal out of the fact the Paula Bennet has admitted that WINZ paid for some beneficiaries to fly to Australia to take up job offers. Why is that portrayed as being a bad move?

Anyone with half a brain that they can use to assist them with the maths will quickly realize that this is a good move on behalf of the tax payers. Perhaps they can even pay the money back, but even if they didn’t, surely the figures add up to being a positive move for treasury.

Sometimes I give National and the Ministers who have responsibilities for various port folios plenty of stick, but this time I say very loudly, back off!

Goodbye Pork Pie 6--I didn't know the battery was in the boot!

I'M LONLEY ALREADY!

YES, THERE'S THE BATTERY--IN THE BOOT!

But then again, where esle could you fit it? There ain't much room in the tiny engine compartment. The mini looks so alone now that the students have gone for thier holidays. They kept coming back, day after day to work on the car. Now I guess it's time for their real holidays. I suspect their minds will be on the little mini, all alone in the workshop, with nothing but the tools, mice and ghosts of things past for company. Don't worry; I shall soon be a gleaming delight. The holidays will be over and the students will be back to finish what they started.

Values Education--just another name for religious studies

Today the Herald highlighted an issue that has been going on for quite some time in many schools; that of religious studies under the guise of ‘values education.’ A school north of Auckland has been caught out putting a young student in a ‘naughty corner,’ to read a book while other students partake in bible studies. It appears that the ‘instructors’ are devout Christians and to a certain extent the school is encouraging this approach.

New Zealand has a system whereby those students and parents who do not want to take part in this instruction, are able to opt out. That opting out should not be such that its leaves the students isolated and feeling that they have done something wrong.

Who are these ‘teachers and instructors?’ How do we know exactly what they are doing? The very fact the school principal and the organization behind the instruction have not come out and answered some fairly important questions is somewhat disturbing. We in New Zealand have for a long time recognised the division between church and state. In a multicultural society this is even more important.

I have nothing against religious studies being taught by qualified teachers, where the students have genuinely opted in as is the case in some secondary schools and the fact that they open the door to all religions is a good thing.

I have a lot against pressuring kids by the very nature of the ‘exclusion methods’ practiced by the school in question. They don’t seem to understand the damage that they can inflict by their ‘holier than thou methods.’ It is time to look at the question of ‘religious instruction’ in an open manner and come up with a system that is much safer. Those delivering such lessons must be open to scrutiny and appraisal, just like teachers and other professionals.

Guess which one I am! (I know what's coming)

There are three people in the picture and one of them is me. I am either going to have the Bariatric surgery or if you get the wrong one, a sex change. The picture was from a BBQ I attended in the weekend. There were about 15 present and the kids did what kids do---they checked each other out and had a ball.

Here’s the recipe for the simplest ‘take to the party dessert’ you could possibly make.

Crumble a cheap Xmas cake (I got mine from the supermarket---to for NZ$8) into the bottom of a dish. Pour on some store brought custard then top with berries. I was lucky enough to have some growing. If you wanted to tart it up a bit, spread some whipped cream (Not sure what you call that in the USA---NO it’s not cream that I am punishing!) over that, of course the berries would then go on top of that. Finally to be really decadent, break up some chocolate flake and sprinkle on the top. There were so many other desserts, so I didn’t have to do that. Yummy and filled our tummies. I couldn’t take a picture because they ate it before I could.

If Israel builds the settlements on the West Bank, it's goodbye peace!

Firstly, let me state clearly that Israel is a fact; it is a nation state recognized by the world and has the right to exist within its borders and not be threatened by outside forces, whatever they may be. Anything less than that is unacceptable.

Israel has had a difficult history as it has had to fight for its very survival in some major wars. As a result it has built up a rock solid defensive ‘wall’ around its territory. It has also illegally occupied more land and held on in the belief that it was creating some sort of buffer-zone. Let’s face it; the borders are problematic when it comes to defending the country.

The latest move by Israel to build thousands of houses on land that one day will be part of the new Palestinian state is a worrying development. What does Israel hope to gain, other than some false sense of security? Who would live under such circumstances, unless Israel intends to further increase its landmass, by conquering more land and therefore leaving these new housing estates well behind the new borders? Are these settlements modern day defensive Kibbutz?

Israel is placing itself in a dangerous position re support from countries who have traditionally been her allies, at least in the UN. The latest actions are tantamount to telling the UN to ‘bug off’ and leave Israel to her own devices.

I am the last to wish violence and war upon any nation, but can Israel not see the ramifications of the actions; that they also amount to yet another challenge to her neighbours, be they moderate or extremist, bent on driving the ‘Jews into sea.’ That is the possible conclusion to this sorry affair. For Israel’s sake and her neighbours, I hope that this is not so.

What more evidence do you need to get out of Auckland?

The latest figures for house prices in Auckland have taken another leap. Unlike ‘The Great Leap Forward’ in China in the 1950’s, this leap is one that does nothing to help those seeking to buy into the Auckland market. Not a good comparison you may say, but I was just trying to show you I had heard of that event in far off China. There is a link in that many Chinese may be buying property here and therefore pushing the prices up further, so there you are, there is a connection.

If there is even the slightest possibility for you to find employment in the provinces, go for it. Wouldn’t it be great, having a bigger disposable income? Imagine those overseas trips and the new car that you could never afford, if you remain in Auckland. The only problem is---that job!

OK-- let’s say thousands of Aucklanders leave for the provinces. That in itself would generate jobs in various forms: schools, services, retail and many other areas. If those same people brought any capital, then maybe that could create new opportunities. Is there a role for the Government to become involved in some way here? Probably not this Government, but they have done some strange things of late---take for example their vote re Palestine. That one came out of the blue.

Are you seriously considering a move? If so--- where? There are many lovely cities and towns in both Islands. Go north or south, young men and women, and as for us oldies----? The cities and towns elsewhere offer boundless attractions.  I’m sure we can make new friends. Only problem---will they accept us smart-arsed JAFAs?

PS---By the way; it's not that I don't like Auckland. I may be an ex Naki boy but I have lived here in Auckland for many decades and i love the place, but each time I see Egmont/Taranaki, I feel something.