Bracewell and Ryder: the answer is easy for their 'indiscretions.'

I was listening to talk-back radio on Sunday and the callers were once again lambasting Ryder and Bracewell for their latest ‘indiscretions.’ Apparently (and there are probably more stories to come) the two went out the night before a Test Match (that’s in Cricket, for my readers who wouldn’t have a clue about what I am talking about) and had a few drinks. Jeeze, in days gone by, no one would have even noticed!

People were saying, ‘drop them from the squad,’ amongst other over-the-top, holier than thou suggestions, about how to deal to these two excellent cricketers. I heard people going on about in this ‘professional age’ of sport that such behaviours shouldn’t be tolerated. OK, that’s fine, but please remember these guys are typical young guys who ‘press the boundaries’ so if we want to see them ‘hit the boundaries’ then lax up people. Sure they need a reminder and I say that they just need to have happen what I read about today---repeatedly, so they got pinged where it hurts---in their pockets---they got fined! That’s all we have to do and what better way of learning the new etiquette of ‘professional’ sportsmanship and behaviours. Mind you, if this was in Australia, they’d be ‘bloody heroes’ for being pissheads!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Should New Zealanders have the 'freedom' to fight in other peoples' wars?

I loosely recall the words of a famous song that said something like, ‘freedom’s just another word for nothing else to do.’ Those words, even if wrongly quoted seem quite pertinent now that there is a discussion about New Zealanders fighting in Syria possibly having their passports revoked. That is a serious step and one that cannot be taken lightly. We have had other times in our history whereby, our citizens have gone overseas to fight against tyrannical despots or leaders they see as being non-democratic. Take the Spanish Civil War, when people from all over the globe went to fight for both sides of the war.

John Key needs to be careful about what should happen to the New Zealanders going to fight in Syria. If they are shown to be fighting for ‘terrorists’ (who decides that?) organizations and then expect to return to NZ, then perhaps there is an issue with their supposed ‘radicalization’; something that we can well do without in NZ.

We do not want to import the politics of the Middle East. We have had immigrants from other nations in the past who have come to NZ for the specific reason to escape the ‘troubles’ from their homelands. The last thing they wish to see is a rebirth of the same old failed ideas here in NZ, the new home with new hopes. One needs only to think of the Irish or Lebanese arrivals, all who have fitted in well and contributed to NZ society.

I can see ramifications for this debate that could threaten our strong belief in ‘freedom of choice,’ but I can also see that if a ‘returnee’ brings back the fight to NZ, then we are entering an area that is fraught with danger. We must have this discussion and one that is held widely. We do not want knee-jerk reactions; ones that politicians will use for their own purposes here; to retain power.

 I am not saying that John Key is doing that---- yet. But---we must be aware of the potential to ‘bring back trouble’ from foreign wars. We most definitely do not need to do that. So---go carefully, Mr Key, and let’s not have emotional unhelpful arguments from those opposed, but without real policy of their own. I am hardly a Government supporter, but this is the time for some very careful and rational thinking, from all side of the political spectrum. Is that what we are going to get?

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Japanese Whalers take a more strident stance!

Each year we see the Southern Ocean become a battleground between Japanese Whalers and various groups trying to stop the practise the Japanese label as ‘Scientific research.’ Of course we all know that this is just a way of continuing the slaughter of whales, a practice that the vast majority of the world’s nations abhor, some to the point of putting real pressure on Japan. We also know that Japan, especially under the ‘guidance’ of their new PM (Abe) is beginning to fight back. We have seen collision in the dangerous seas off the Antarctic coastline and it won’t be long before there are deaths. Yesterday we saw a Japanese vessel enter NZ’s EEZ, something that is not illegal, but it does represent a ramping up of the actions taken by the Japanese to discourage ‘protest’ vessels from their increasingly dangerous actions. Whilst I am on the side of the ‘anti-whalers,’ I would like to see them take measures that do not endanger lives.

There must be other ways in which to pressure the Japanese. Given their actions in the Northern Hemisphere around a group of Islands that they dispute access to with the Chinese, I suspect that we are in for some torrid times. I hope that level heads prevail on both sides. I hope even more that we are not witnessing a revival of old Japanese wishes to play a belligerent role in world affairs. A return to the past has no winners.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Big 'wets, big drys and then the big burns.' At what stage will Aussie head for--------

It just has to be said----- Australia has been called the ‘lucky country’ for quite some time as it reaps the benefits of ‘digging its wealth from under the ground and of course, its other attractions. Of late though, we have seen some economic portents that do not sit well for many Australians.

They have a new Government that is hell-bent on ‘reforming’ the economy and read into that an attack on the working classes, as he attacks unions and decimates the manufacturing sector. If you add in the ‘God-sent’ factors; namely the vagaries of climate and the constant bush fires, then one wonders how much longer Australia can hold to its once famous ‘lucky’ reputation.

It seems that the ‘season for the fires now rolls into one where there are cyclones and flooding. Was it always like this or is what we are witnessing something man-made---dare I say it? (Tony will be writhing in anger at the very thought of being wrong!)---- ‘Climate Change?’

Either way, whether I am correct or way off in my surmise, things are not looking good for the huge Island continent. Australia’s population is increasing at a faster rate than ours in New Zealand, but is this factor not going to make the above forces of nature even more noticeable as resources become stretched to fit the newbies into the narrow coastal ‘inhabitable strip?’

Guess what?---Aussies will be heading for ‘pastures greener,’ like to NZ because they may not be welcome in other countries, but by then perhaps NZ will have enacted laws that make the transition a little more difficult, like not giving the rights that we currently give to newly arriving Aussies. Couldn’t you just see that coming? I don’t think Tony and his predecessors did? Of course, we will need a Government in NZ that doesn’t kowtow to their big brother across the ditch. Hell--- wasn’t there a movie a few years ago that fantasised about a ‘real Aussie invasion?’  Just joking, aren’t I?

Of course I am kidding. New Zealanders would welcome the Aussies and long as they leave some of their attitudes behind them.  It’s OK to bring the ‘never -say-die’ sporting approach though. Of course they will have to take their turns behind the Poms too.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Leave the Ukraine alone---does everybody need to get their 'bit?'

I guess it is Ukraine's strategic geographic position in a 'sensitive' area of the world that makes it a target for Russia and the USA/EU. Both are doing their best to 'drag Ukraine into their sphere of influence. I do not doubt that Russia will win in the end because it had been poring agents and using other methods for years to gain back it's former subjugated ally from the former Soviet Union. It is quite prepared to use bully-boy tactics just as the West uses other less obviously 'heavy means.'
I suspect that Russia is prepared to go to the edge in order to achieve its aims. Lets face it, Russia never left the Crimea and has been sending in Russian citizens to booster the numbers those who would naturally ally with Russia. All it needs now is an incident that could lead to a full-blown invasion but that will probably not be necessary, as the beleaguered nation pulls itself apart.
Ukraine is a divided nation and the only real solution will probably be one whereby it 'splits' into a 'pro-Russian' sector and one leaning towards the West. Is that so bad? What must happen though is that Ukrainians are left to make that choice for themselves. Somehow, other powers are not going to let that happen, hence more suffering for the Ukrainian people.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Judge how free you are by the extent to which the 'truth'can be reported!

I have written a great deal (via my blogs) about many aspects of freedom, corruption, cheating, and the more negative aspects of life in a number of countries, including my own. Of course on the 'freedom to express your thoughts and beliefs metre', there is a huge difference between those nations. In some, no such right exists and in others there is an apparent downward slide as megalomaniac leaders or groups take hold over their respective countries.
I have often criticised the USA for a number of reasons and I have 'shoved the stick' at our neighbours across the ditch; Australia, but not for lack of freedoms (yet!). But, it has to be said that in the USA it is still possible for a large range of views, being expressed and lived, ranging from the 'cult-like' groups who espouse certain religious/cultural beliefs, right though to the abhorrent actions of racists marginal sectors who still hold to old, dangerous and badly informed criteria. Those groups of course are under constant surveillance.
The USA is a huge country and that such a range of espoused beliefs should come as non surprise. These groups quote the Constitution as the basis for their right to exists and for now, who am I to challenge that, even if others suffer because of that?
If we look at the less extreme in the USA, it is not hard to see enacted every day on our TV screens and other media, the constant belittling of the leader of the USA, The President. On one hand we have the likes of Fox TV who seem to be constantly trying to curtail his Obama Care along with many other aspects of his Presidency. Fox can do this, just as other news outlets can proclaim him as their 'hero.' This is how it has been for a long time in  the USA, even though at times there have been curtailments upon the freedom of the press and others to express their views. Take the time in the 50's when a certain head of a major Governmental organization took it upon himself to throw a spanner in the 'freedom works.' That period in American history has gone but not forgotten, because it must not be, or it will arise again.
The difference between the USA and it's 20thC rival the USSR and now Russia, is that the tradition of free speech in the USA runs so much deeper and one that many (on the extreme) would take up arms to defend that right. In that respect at least I can understand the position some on the' gun lobby' side take, but I still will not be swayed that unfettered gun ownership protects democracy.
The differences between the USA and Russia are huge. For every move that any President in the USA takes that may threaten freedom of then press, there is strong opposition, but the Russian leadership is able to take a move on the opposite direction, as we are witnessing on a daily basis. You can be assured that any thawing , is just for the time when the world is focussed on the Sochi Games. After that is all over, the regime will resume it's stranglehold over any voices who dare to criticise the new oligarchy.
I suspect that the USA will hold itself up as a 'torch to freedom,' and Russia will be there on the other side, as the Great Pretender.' The rest of us will be merely observers in a process that is way beyond our influence.
Those who are most influential in the USA will continue to play the 'balancing act' that they have pursued for decades; allow open discussion, but find ways to control anything that threatens their existence as the main power brokers within the USA. Compared to what we are witnessing (and not seeing) in Russia, such moves are lost in the comparison between the 'extreme' and the--well moderate. I know which country I would feel 'less threatened.' Then again, there is a lot to be said for living in a small 'democratic' country at the bottom of the South Pacific, where we all know one another, and still have the capacity to change things, if we bother to get off our butts!
www.authiorneilcoleman.com

I am being 'watched.' Paranoia--the next stage of my 'journey!'

It's true, my every move is under intense surveillance, around the house that is, because outside the home, I can divert the attention, or invite others to take up the slack. Yes, from the time I awake and sometimes when I am asleep, I get this indubitable feeling that my very existence is being observed, traced, learned and then acted upon. The ultimate goal of the 'watcher' boils down to one aspect only. It is quite simple and one that is probably acted upon on a huge scale throughout my wonderful country; I (and you) are being observed, not via satellites and hidden cameras; no, nothing as sophisticated as that, but through the simplistic eyes of a 'being' that loves us. You reckon I am talking about 'God,' I guess and thinking that I have undergone an epiphany of sorts. Nah----it's even more simple and one I know you can relate to if you have a DOG! Yes, I cannot shake the inevitable set of events that begins before I awake to a new day. Perdy, my Jack Russell, just knows when I am not going to work. She figures out that the timing is different and that I don't seem to be in a rush, that I take my time cooking a delectable (bit small) breakfast, that I don't put on my better shoes, that I wear different shorts and T-shirt. She dammed well figures out that a 'walkies' is on the cards,' and I am therefore obliged to centre my morning around her needs. Yes, I (we ) am being stalked in our own homes and no amount of complaining to the UN or any other august body will change it. So---we/me must accept out fates. Let's face it---it is after all entirely in our best interests to get up, get ready and take a morning walk. OK, Perdy---you win---again and for the foreseeable future.May it be a long one.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

You are being 'watched.'