Russia will find an excuse to invade Ukraine!

Russia has put its forces on alert on the pretext that Russians living in the Crimea are in danger and that it must protect its Black Sea Fleet. These are merely excuses for what it has intended for a long time---to reclaim what it once had as part of the Soviet Empire. While it is true that there are a large number of  Russians living in the Eastern part of Ukraine and that they favour stronger ties with Russia and indeed may even wish to return to the Russian fold, that does not excuse a military intervention on the part of the 'back-to-the-past, Russia.' 
Russia is going down a road very similar to what Hitler did when he invaded Poland at the start of WW2, using the pretext that German citizens were endangered. History does repeat and I sincerely hope that the result is not a conflagration that could draw in the armed forces of Europe and the USA. Step back before it is too late, Russia (and the USA need not make inflammatory statements) and enter a dialogue to find out what the Ukrainian people wish, even of that means some sort 'partition.' This is not the time for 'big power bullying, from 'any' source! There must be a peaceful resolution because the alternative is just too terrible!
www.authorneilcoleman.com
 

It's election year---2014. I am going to blog my thoughts! Take this as Part One!

2014 has been called a ‘bloggers heaven,’ particularly if they are observers of politics. It’s is election year in New Zealand and I am going to join the group of people who regularly contribute their ‘unbiased’ thoughts. I admit to favouring the slightly ‘left of centre in NZ,’ and I openly own up to having joined the Labour Party; however if that means that I come in for some stick for criticising party policy or individuals, then I fully expect to earn some rebuke or even to get tossed out of the party. Being in a party has never sat comfortably with me; if that means following the party line, so maybe I have sown the seeds of my own expulsion by admitting to these ‘serious political failings.’

I am not going to sit by and watch stupid games that are so often played by members of all political parties, especially at election time. I am not going to take as the ‘truth,’ utterances from party leaders or minions, just because that is ‘their policy!’

When I hear or read about ‘policy’ that resonates with me I shall say that I like it, be it from Labour, the Greens or anyone else. Where I see stupidity I shall also highlight it. If I find that I have said something that is wrong, re policy or any other comments I have made, I shall say I am wrong or have changed my mind.

New Zealand is at a crossroads as to what we want for our future. We have sold off much of what is valuable re our State Assets. We have gone down a pathway that is driven by economic theory that claims ‘Trickle Down’ as its basis. I believe this to be a misnomer; it should have been called ‘Trickle Up,’ because that is what has happened. A smaller tiny group at the top now owns about 85% of the wealth in NZ. I find this abhorrent. The gap between rich and poor has never been as large, in my lifetime that is.

With the above statement, I think you can see where I am at the moment, and I admit to having that colouring my viewpoint. But, once again, when I listen to some of the statements by some politicians on the Left/Green alliance, I am sometimes not in agreement. Equally, occasionally, I hear and read policy from the National Party that is not totally divergent from my own beliefs. That does not make me a National Party supporter. Let’s face it: much of the legislation passed in parliament, is supported by both major parties!

NZ First also holds true to a few policies that, due to my ‘age’ feel comfortable for me. Hey I want to be able to use my Gold Card in a few years so watch out any political who meddles with the gains that Winston has helped to bring about!

OK, the scene is set. Take this posting as NUMERO UNO!

www.authorneilcoelman.com

111111 yip all the ones for the number of hits on my blog site.

Sure, it's a long way from my goal of one million hits on my blog site, but it pretty cool anyway. Thanks for all the support. Watch out for the relaunche in the next few days of my website---
www.authorneilcoleman.com

The 'season of plenty and promise,' is nigh in New Zealand.

March is nearly upon us in New Zealand and I always feel the abundance and promise of a wonderful ‘harvest,’ of all things good that NZ produces at this time of the year. Sure, apples and other fruit have ben available in their delightful tasty freshness for a few months now, but it is the flush of harvest at this time of the year that delivers so much promise. It seems that everything, from wine to whisky and the crispy offerings from the soil are now in abundance. It times gone by, housewives (that’s how it was then folks) were busily engaged in salting, preserving and later freezing the abundance from the backyard gardens and orchards. That still happens to a degree, hopefully with the help of the ‘partner,’ in whatever form he or she may take, but the source of the sheer profligate produce may be from places other than the urban garden.

Still, one cannot help noticing the displays in our fruit shops and supermarkets as well as the stalls on the roadsides. We should dip our fingers into our pockets or bring out the ‘cards’ and celebrate this incredible time of the year. It is a time that ‘shows up NZ as truly being 100% pure,’ despite the detractions we had in the past year.

May we all enjoy the benefits of living ion this wonderful country. Go forth and sample the delights; be it from a bottle or the gardens.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Being a bit 'ugly' can be beautiful! You better read on.

It is not always the prettiest or the best presented that wins the day. The best cover does not always carry deliver the promise of a great story. The dog with the best 'papers' doesn't always turn out to be the most loyal friend. 'Where's he going with this?' you ask.
No, I am for a change not talking about my little Jack Russell, but I can of course at the drop of a hat.
I am thinking of something so much more simple, something that may be near you; in your drive or hanging over the fence between you and your neighbour.
How many of you have walked past that funny looking fruit, that is not at all as pretty as those 'beauties' in the fruit shop? You know, those huge delectable golden queens that seem to go by several different names now and variations on a theme. You get them home and they are hard, so you stick them in the fruit bowl, waiting for them to reach that perfection you associate from your youth. Yes they taste---OK, but there is often a tinge of disappointment when you bite into the flesh.
'Oh well; that's just how it is you say,' accepting yet another example of modern day life.
Now, take another look at those smaller and possibly slightly deformed fruit, some of which may even have the spots that appear, tending to discourage you from capturing their less than promising taste. YOU ARE MAKIN A HUGE MISTAKE!
Take the plunge---pick a few, leaving some for your neighbours. If they are not quite soft, they only take a day or too and they really do live up to their promise, small and less than pretty though they may be. The hidden treasure is within and the taste lives up to and exceeds your wildest dreams. Expect a taste explosion and maybe you will take better care of that ugly old tree, lichen-covered though it may be. Give it some love, care, some pruning and possibly a light spray of the 'natural' care brands. You will be surprised at how you will be rewarded. Golden Queen from the little old tree---you are indeed royal.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Our State (peoples') Assets are all but gone!

One day we will look back at the time when successive governments sold off New Zealand’s valuable State Assets with anger. We will rue the day when from Rogernomics to the present Key Government, the very best of our collectively built up and owned treasures have been sold off, sometimes for a price that is less than their real worth. What for? To pay off debt we are told.

We have seen the same pathway followed by Conservative Governments in the UK, then only to see the buyers flog off the   some of the assets, run them down and then need the State to come back in to support them; name the railway system.

IN New Zealand’s case the driving force has been to reduce the amount of money owed by the state and to take the State out of ownership, selling to those who can afford; namely overseas and local investors. Either way, much of what we had taken a century to build up has been sold off, to make friends of the Government richer and reducing the investment by New Zealand as a whole in strategic assets.

We are going to rue the day of this repugnant selling of our assets as overseas owners begin to exert an influence in our economy that leaves us without the power to make important decisions about our future. All that is left now are smaller remnants of what was once a ‘public portfolio ‘ of assets and the only one left is the water that falls into our rivers and lakes. There have even been moves in that direction too. We must not let that happen.

I advocate a buying back process, much like we saw re Air NZ. We should wait until these companies face pressure re profits and then watch their price fall. We used to balance that out between good times and bad under the State ownership model, but in a profit only driven model, there comes a time when we can buy back the assets. Let’s do this and keep them where they belong. 

Under private ownership there is no moral or social conscience behind the running of these assets. NO account is taken about providing services to all NZers or employment for NZers.  We have entered a time whereby NZ is carving itself up to be made available to the highest bidder. Is it that we are going to be charged for the very air we breathe because there is precious little left to sell?

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Mugabe's minions name the 'top 200,' Homosexuals.' Shades of Nazi Germany here, me thinks!

Even if that silly old fool,’ Mugabe, dies very soon, I very much doubt that the evil policies he has overseen re a number of issues will chnage, but his treatment of gay people in Uganda comes to mind most. That he has overseen the ‘naming of the top 200 homosexuals,’ is paramount to a death sentence in his Uganda. He has made his nation a pariah nation, far worse than anything emanating from Russia, where at least the opposition still has a tenuous hold re social issues. Opposition to Mugabe and his policies is becoming weaker by the day and the party that supports him will not give up the reigns of power once he departs.

No amount of policy statements from the UN and other world leaders seems to be making any difference, and the call for sanctions will not be effective unless there a way is found to shield the person in the street from them. Unfortunately those at the top always seem to be immune to economic sanctions. They still manage to put food on their tables and have access to what we take for granted in New Zealand.

Of course Mugabe is not alone in his anti-gay actions re gays in Africa, but he is by far the worst. Nigeria comes close second. We cannot let these ‘evil’ policies remain unchallenged and world leaders need to step up and bring the offenders back into the fold.

www.authorneilcoleman.com