What is wrong with us as a nation?

A 61 year old man died yesterday, simply because no one rang the police or other emergency services. He had been lying in a park for a day and a night and people most definitely saw him and did nothing. I am shocked to the core that we could be so uncaring. Yes, I know that there are homeless people visible on our streets, but surely his condition warranted a closer look. The park is in Dunedin, not a city known for many homeless people anyway. The man was a diabetic. This unnecessary death must be sending shockwaves through ‘diabetic community,’ as any one of them (us) could unwittingly succumb to unconsciousness and suffer the same lack of attention from an uncaring public. There are many conditions that could lead to a similar scenario. All it would take for lives to be saved is for ‘someone to care.’ Would it realty matter if we ‘wasted’ the time of authorities because someone is drunk or ‘out of it’ for some reason, by ringing 111? Would it not be better to overact than to let someone die? Shame on all of us, not just Dunedin! Hell, with the age of cell phones and other technology, surely it is just a matter of taking a few minutes to save a life. I suspect this ‘it’s not my problem’ has permeated throughout our nation to the point that we no longer care. Once again, I really want to be wrong!

www.authorneilcoleman.com
coleman_neil@twitter
 

Let's help our mates in Australia!

Our mates in Australia are yet again in the midst of a terrible bush fire season. Even the New Zealand-like state of Tasmania is recording temperatures in the 40C range, further proving fodder for the advancing fires. Each year we seem to be seeing more of ‘mother nature’ hitting back for our folly of living in the ‘bush.’ Whether this is all the result of ‘global warming’ is beyond me as even the ‘experts’ toss their arguments about like confetti.

What I am sure about is extending the concept of ‘mate-ship’ between Australia and New Zealand. This long relationship is one of the closest in then world. Now is the time when New Zealand must step up. I hear that we are sending a team to Tasmania. No doubt more requests will follow. Why wait? This is what we do well---helping one another, be it floods, fires or earthquakes. Long may our special relationship flourish. We’re coming mate!

 

John Key really is showing his nasty and maybe natural side!

I see that PM Key has overrules the Commerce Commission’s stance on pricing for Broadband. The Commission had ordered Telecom and Chorus (and possibly others) to decrease its price for Broadband. John key then overruled that decision. Is this not a case of Key sucking up to the ‘big boys’---more money for them, but less for us. This is a side of Key and his government that will become the norm. Is he justifying it by saying that the Government will have increased revenue as a result? Not from anything I have seen and once again I am happy to be wrong. If his decision somehow reduce d the ‘spending deficit or if the money went into much needed infrastructure spending then once again I could understand. We all know that the balance sheet is scary but what is his reasoning for this latest anti-consumer action? Watch out as Johnny boy tightens the screws over the next two years. Maybe he will do a ‘Muldoon’ and announce that the ‘cupboard is bare,’ when he losses the next election. Damn---‘what goes around’ seem to ‘come around’ in politics eh. Watch out schools, hospitals and pensioners. OH hell no---- he would be a nutter to interfere with that latter body. I think Gold Card is safe!

Come on Mr Premier---let your people read my blogs!

Hey it's not like I am slating you very much; certainly no more that I do Mr Putin and the Americans. Hell, I even take the piss out of myself-----oops that means I am quite happy to take a 'swipe' at myself----oops I mean I am good at laughing at myself. Does that make you feel better? I have been giving the Americans hell about their stupid gun laws, as are many Americans. Yes, that's a huge difference between the USA (and many other countries)---we can criticise our leaders, openly and not worry too much about 'consequences.' Now, please believe me when I say I admire a great deal about China. I am very happy that a 'green movement,' is gathering momentum in China and that you are finally making real attempts to clean up your environment. After all, you are still on the 'catch-up road,' trying to improve the life of your citizens. So---let your people read my blogs and enter into a free debate about the issues facing us all. I really do want to visit China to see first hand the increadible progress China has made since The Peoples' Party came to power.

Dominion Rd is being touted as 'the culinary Street of New Zealand----really?

Give me a break. Yes it has many restaurants but to really be able to claim that label, I would say that 'diversity' should be a feature. OK, to be a little more kind I will say that there is a fantastic choice of Chinese restaurants and quite a few Thai ones, but apart from a few Indian establishments, the choice is not one that deserves the above label. I live on that Road and enjoy driving towards (or away from) the city, savouring all of the fantastic smells drifting through my open window. What I would like to see is the addition of more cultural experiences; for example: Mexican, Indonesian, Spanish, and Greek----get the idea I am trying to promote? Bring in those and then some and I will say that Dominion Rd can honestly say that it is the culinary capital of New Zealand streets. I look forward to that time so that I can add more restaurant to my favourite Chinese ones. I am sure the owners of the said restaurants would agree; that with more diversity on the DOM. they will stand out more!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

 

What would you do if a family member starts taking 'P'? (Methamthetamine)

There would be very few countries in the world where the taking of illegal and often dangerous drugs is not a problem. Those that say they don’t have an issue probably have their heads in the sand.

New Zealand has a problem with ‘P’ which is our name for Methamphetamine.  It is known by various other names on other countries. The person taking the drug rapidly descends into a dark world where the family, business and individuals do not function as they used to. Families are ripped apart and business cease to exist as the ‘partaker’ takes more and more of the drug to chase the ‘shifting goal posts.’ After those first initial ‘hits’ where a state of euphoria is reached, they never quite hit it again; so begins the quest for that feeling. The problem is, all that ‘was’ starts to disappear as they search for the ‘holy grail.’ Too bad about the collateral damage along the way!

‘Roskill’, my second book, is a book for teenagers and their families. What would you do if your partner enters the world of ‘P’ and you watch as he/she starts to pull away. Your kids find their own way of coping, sometimes putting themselves at risk. Roskill explores this possibility and poses some dangerous solutions. Check ‘Roskill’ out on my website.  It has been recommended by Ron Phillips, author and psychotherapist, who has worked with families for many years. He is also a story teller and his work is widely known in numerous countries. Check out the link to his website and his work through my website. www.authorneilcoleman.com  You can also buy ‘Roskill’ and my other two books, ‘Coastal Yarns’ and ’Talk To Me’ from my site to through www.trademe.co.nz  and finally through me direct at neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com. Just ask and I can arrange delivery and payment.

 Have a great new year.

Is New Zealand all that different to the USA?

Recently we have seen many sad examples of how things can go horribly wrong in the USA. Of course most of you will be thinking about the ‘massacres’ at schools and other places by gun wielding individuals who we later find out have some sort of ‘mental health’ issues. We also see other examples of ‘societal rift’ in the USA. Why is this so?

Firstly, countries like New Zealand take a large part of their news feeds from the USA (and of course the BBC) and given that the Americans have a penchant for their sort of USA-centred news, we are therefore partaking and observing  all that is ‘bad’ and ‘good’ about the USA. Of course we have our own news gathering services but if you did an analysis of the news and the point of origin, then I think you get the picture---right? So NZ and other countries are fed news that gives a picture of the USA on a constant basis. This has happened for a good many years and naturally that has a knock on effect, re how we see the world---as an extension of the USA.

I’m pretty sure many people will disagree with my blunt and simplistic analysis (there we are--- I have given you the words to criticise my ‘position’) and may even react with anger. That’s OK, if it gets you thinking.

I headed my blog with a question---‘Is NZ all that different to the USA?’ Well it is and it isn’t. If you take everything I say in the context that the USA is many times bigger than NZ, both in population and in area, then you may come to the conclusion that in a larger pond there are more ‘creatures.’ The ‘creatures’ I refer to are of course the life-styles, beliefs and ways of behaving. It goes without saying that the bigger ‘pond’ is more diverse and possibly more ‘extreme’ in its variations.

Some people have stated, and here I am only reporting ‘others’ views,’ that “the further one travels from the coast of the USA, the more extreme (yes, and whacko!) the views.” Where does one find most of the ‘survivalists, fundamentalist religions and political views that verge on the ‘laughable?’ OH hell, there goes my chance of visiting such areas! I’m on the lynch list.

Add in of course the slavishly adherent love affair with an Amendment (you know which one I am referring to) that allows and possibly encourages citizens to bear arms; an amendment which was written at a time when the ‘guns’ were only effective at close range and the squirrel had to ‘pose for the camera in order to be hit.’ That icon of law could not and did not take into account the array of ‘weapons’ that would be used in its ‘upholding.’

Now add in my last ‘factor’ for this blog; the fact that nearly one in four teenagers in the USA is on some sort of ‘legal’ medication. God knows how many are on ‘illegal’ ones.’ This figure is a blemish on society and it is possibly replicated in NZ, although possibly on a lesser scale. (We are playing catch-up though) What is it about society that has changed so much in recent generations? Why is society so damaged that a large portion of its members have the need for ‘mental health medication?’  Let’s leave the answering of that for later blogs and for others to add their viewpoints. I merely make the point.

I come to the conclusion that apart from the scale and extremes, New Zealand is indeed following on from the USA. It is more a matter of time and scale that reveals the differences. Luckily, that which we follow is not all bad and the links between our two nations are strong and generally healthy. The USA is reaching a point where it is going to look at its very base building- blocks. The words will fly and we will see even more extreme viewpoints about what is needed to ‘fix it.’ Watch out for some colourful ideas and the politicians who will do their best to mould society in ‘their image.’ For the ‘fundy Christians,’ the word ‘Beast’ will be prominent in their protestations. For the liberals who will be throwing up their hands in disgust, not necessarily in worship, it will all be too much.

We will be watching from NZ and feeling a little smug,  knowing that in a smaller pond we can more easily see what the other ‘creatures’ are up to. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE!

www.authorneilcoleman.com