President Morsi is fooling himself.

One would hope that Egypt can find peace and enter a period of improved economic activity. Egypt must forge its own future and work out what is best for the nation. President Morsi however is fooling himself and making false claims about the so-called approval of his constitution.

How can he claim victory when fewer than 33% voted in the two rounds, just completed? He claims 64% support from the voters and in a sense that is correct. But take the full picture into account and the approval rating for his constitution would be far less.

I can only guess at the reason for the low turn-out and while I am not about to label the vote as corrupt, I can speculate that many did not vote as a way of showing their disapproval and also that most voters are not used to a ‘democratic’ model and therefore did not ‘trust’ the process. It is not so long ago that voting under a virtual one-party state, headed by Mubarak and his clique, does not lend itself to engendering a fair and transparent result.

The opposition, consisting of non-Muslim Brotherhood parties and groups were not well organized. Such organization only comes with practice. The Brotherhood was well on the way to achieving such a political machine as it provided opposition to Mubarak.

Where to from here? The ‘West’ must keep its interfering hands off Egypt. Only Egypt can work through this difficult period. If the populace wants an Islamic state, we have to accept that, but it is the process that causes so much concern and the future of the region as a whole is directly linked to the events in Egypt. We can but hope that Egyptians take up the challenge and work through the ramifications of electing a government that may well curtail their freedom in the future.

Merry Xmas 'World.'

Merry Xmas to the whole world from New Zealand, the first to see the sun on Xmas day. Well, that is how it should be on this joyous summer morning. In Auckland that ain’t so as it is raining. If I was further south it would be a beautiful day. To make matters worse, I am heading north to Omana, where they are receiving the tail of a tropical cyclone.

This does not matter, as it’s the spirit of the day that counts. My day began by taking Perdy for a run down at the bay. I had given her a Xmas toy to play with while I had a quick breakfast and I am surprized that she has not totally destroyed it. She insists on attacking the squeaky insides of the toy. I reckon she will have it in pieces by the time I return from Xmas lunch later this afternoon. Unfortunately I can’t take her to my brother’s beach home, because their cat is fierce towards any other animal that dares to approach.

Tonight I will host a few friends for a simple late dinner. I say that because we would all have stuffed ourselves with traditional fare at lunchtime. That means turkey, ham and all the trimmings and then a huge trifle with the accompanying bits; so you know how we will feel after lunch. To make it slightly uncomfortable will be the fact that, yes it’s raining, but it is also horribly humid. Imagine about 25C and 95% humidity. Not nice. Still, there will be several heat pumps going to cool us down. That sounds kind of funny eh---heat pump! I guess you know how they work.

What will I do with Perdy? Don’t worry, I shall make a huge fuss of her and take her for another run later. Dinner is already on, in the slow cooker; a simple Indonesian chicken dish with rice and greens. I shall nod in the direction of tradition by serving ice cream and my version of a Xmas cake trifle—simple and easy to make. I am sure I have blogged it in the past. Go and seek it out.

I wish you all a peaceful Xmas; at a time when many people have to face terrible conditions, ranging from war to famine. I shall give you more than a passing thought today. I don’t care what faith or ethnicity you are---just feel my good wishes, even those of you I have slated this year.

Peace.

Neil

Hey Brits---head to Christchurch!

Yeah---if you are a tradesperson, like anythiing to do with reconstruction---head on down under and make a space for yourself. Christchurch needs you and now trhat the earthqaukes have all but gone, things have settled.
Don't you know that Christchurch is more British than almost anywhere. You can see Miranda on very corner and a bit of 'little Britain' every which way you turn.
Just Goggle New Zealand House and ring them or go to the NZ Immigration site--make sur eit's the official one tho innit.
Come on, all the poms I know luv it here eh. We don't have no white Xmas but if you av an inkling for a great life, head on down ere  mate.
Cheers
  Neil=======

Merry Xmas, Belgium

Is it snowing in Belgium? Are you planning your Xams dinner? I send my best wishes from 'down under,' where Xmas is a time for the beach and swimming. Yes, it's all a bit upside down here. Just once in my life, I'd love to have a white Xmas. Peace and love to you all.
Neil Coleman
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Does the NRA really represent what is best for the USA?

The USA stands out as a nation that has almost one gun for every person. It has a murder rate from the use of guns that way numbers any other nation, even some of the almost ‘non-government’ nations in the Third World. Of course the fact that many Americans can afford them partly explains that.

The sight of a NRA spokesperson calling for guns to be in every classroom just shows how whacko these gun-loving idiots have become. How many teachers would or could go along with that? The very making of the statement indicates just how sick the USA has become.

There is an historical underpinning to the gun ownership issue in the USA, ably supported by the media in all its forms. Some would say the culture of violence as an entertainment form just exacerbates the whole issue. Add that to the ‘lonely young men,’ who lack all connection to the real world and you have a ticking bomb. The combination of mental illness and weapons availability will have ramifications over and over again. There is also another ‘as yet not reported’ nasty lurking out there.

Do you not wonder that some sort of competition is going on here? Are these ‘sad individuals’ involved in some sort of, ‘I can beat that number of killings and be famous?’ Conspiracy territory, maybe? ----but give it a bit of brain time.

So far the spokespersons for the NRA are doing little to make a coherent case for ownership of the more extreme type of guns. Each time they open their mouths, one is left wondering just where the USA is heading. Do they really want a nation that is armed to the teeth, to battle all manner of perceived threats? Just as another nation is about to have a debate about the violence towards women, the USA needs to take stock of its history and ask themselves if ‘new thinking’ needs to emerge. If India can embark on its most necessary debate, I am sure that the USA can and must do the same about their love affair with guns.

Charter Schools---now Treasury has doubts!

Today, the Herald reported that Treasury has doubts that Charter Schools will improve student performance. What a revelation from this highly influential body! Let’s once again cut to the point: Charter schools are simply going to happen for only one real reason; the agreement that National has with the Act party in order to get their support. Any other reason on the part of the Government is based on spurious reports that have been rejected by most academics.

What would treasury know about what is considered effective teaching? Their job is to advise the Government on financial matters, not academic achievement, so when they make a statement like that reported in the Herald, one has to wonder at the level of support the Government has for its ‘soon to be failed policies.’

Maybe we are in for yet another U-turn from this flip flop Government, but I bet it will be under the hegemony of yet another Minister of Education.

India is awash with anger at the latest brutal rape!

Yes, I know that my header is provocative and may offend some of my Indian readers. That is not my intention; I am most supportive of the changes that this huge nation has made over the last decade or so. India is a huge economy with a growing middle-class. It is this group that will force changes that are so necessary in India.

Every country needs to look at the position of women in society and New Zealand too, has a way to go before women are represented at all levels of society and the economy. Brutal; rapes happen here too but action is swift when charges are laid. Having said that, the ‘bubble of silence’ exists here too; whereby many women to not go to the police.

The rape that has made the news of the world in India and the subsequent riots brings to light the plight of many women. A combination of corruption, inaction and old views makes the situation for many women one that this proud nation needs to address. That so many men feature in then protests does signal a ray of hope. Politicians will of course align themselves with these protesters in the hope that their own inaction will be lade less of.

I doubt that the protestors will go away this time. Their anger highlights the position of women and girls and will spread to the villages where no doubt the situation is even worse. Out of this new movement, many strong women will emerge, replicating the success of previous famous Indian women.

It is easy to say that women in neighbouring countries suffer an even worse plight, but now that the flame of indignation has been lit, Indian women are on a march, possibly looking to their iconic Gandhi; the leader who knew how to bring about change. India’s neighbours and other countries around the world will be taking note of events in India, but the struggle for women’s rights; to be safe, to be educated and to be represented fairly in the political institutions should be the aim of this new movement.

The women of India are a massively undervalued economic and social grouping. Their march has barely begun. Old attitudes are and will continue to be challenged, in increasingly strident forms. Such a move is long overdue; free from socio-religious tradition. Of course we in other countries can but watch from the sideliners, as it is Indians who will force their own changes. I cannot help but wish them strength and courage; something that Indians have never lacked.