In a house, apartment, motel unit or even in a mini-bus parked in your neighbour's section, something dangerous may be happening!

Have you witnessed those distressing scenes on TV when the police raid a home near you, where the drug, 'P' (methamphetamine) is being 'cooked.' There  is nothing culinary about the process; it is one that ends up enslaving its users and the people pushing this poison are often putting their young children who live in the same house at extreme risk, from the chemicals used and the possibility of an explosion.
New Zealand has been fighting this scourge on society for the last decade and we are nowhere near bringing the evil practice to an end. The recent furore re the so-called 'legal highs,' is also part of the problem. I know that people have always looked for ways to escape, experiment and push away their problems. Society has legal substances that many of us use, and the damage done by these is huge. 'P' and the now 'illegal highs' are similar in the way they take over the behaviours and lives of those using them. I work with young people, every day and I see the damage that either their use of those substances does to them, those near them, often family members, that result from their exposure to the use, production and selling of 'P.' Businesses are lost, families split and the health and welfare of the young people in the families is put at risk.
I have written a book, ROSKILL, that explores the effects on a family when the father enters the dark world of 'P.' This nook is for all parents who do what they tell their kids not to, and for young people, so that they can seek out help when those who should no better, follow dangerous pathways. Go straight ton the link at Amazon to buy your copy.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/047325655X
 

China---do you like New Zealand stories---the real ones, not the 100% pure stuff

To my many readers in China---if you want to read a real New Zealand story, not the glossy touristy ones, then go and check out my website and buy a copy of ROSKILL, my hard-hitting novel of what can happen when a family member enters the dark world of 'methamthetamine' (we call it 'P' in NZ). You can either buy my book via my website or through Amazon. Just search for ROSKILL BY NEIL COLEMAN. After next week you will be able to download the e-book version and if you buy a hard-copy you will get the e-book version free. Go to www.authorneilcoleman.com or to Amazon and do the search. I hope you enjoy my book and pass the links on to your friends. You can also go straight to the link   http://www.amazon.com/dp/047325655X
Thanks,
 Neil Coleman

ROSKILL is alive and well. Hard-copy available on Amazon.

Finally-----ROSKILL is available after a great deal of hard work from the team. It reads better, it feels better and it totally looks better. Now, I need you to buy it and later in the week to download it. If yu buy the hard-copy ($US 15) you will get the E-book version as well for free (After Friday). You can go to Amazon and search for the book (ROSKILL BY NEIL COLEMAN) or get it via my website www.authorneilcoleman.com  Just go to the 'book' page and you will see the link. Please review the book and pass the links on to your circles.  Thanks for your suppport. This time!

ROSKILL is live again--the new/improved edtion Use this link to Amazon

It has takne a while but Roskill is finally back in its much improved format. Just go to the link
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0473256554X
  GO order and enjoy. The freebie donwload for the Kindle will happen when you order hard copy---that will happen in a few days, but the hard copy is available now. Ignore that 'used price ($61)  Just look to the right and you will see US$15. Much cheaper.

Boko Haram---what does it take to bring an end to their brutal actions?

Yet again, Boko Haram murder and plunder, this time in a village where many are dead and the village destroyed. Where is it in their book, the same one that most Muslims read, that justifies such actions? We know their position re females; one that is at odds with most Muslims, and we know that they hate any education for girls that is seen as anything approaching the ‘western model,’ but the hate, fear and murder that they inflict is totally beyond understanding. The Taliban have acted in similar ways but even they seem to be trying to present (unsuccessfully, so far) a more human side. Who is leading BH? What do they want?

Nigeria has acted slowly in response to the kidnapping of the girls three weeks ago and even now, that they have invited the USA to help (The UK has also offered to help) it may be too late to return the girls home to their families. Given the latest attack on a village, it appears that BH is intent on turning Nigeria into an ungovernable failed state. I very much doubt that the vast majority of Nigerians will accept that fate and they are letting their Government know. The world watches but it must act.

#Bingbackourgirls

China's need for food. A dilemma.

As China becomes increasingly affluent, there seems to be a change in what this huge nation ‘eats.’ Whilst the ‘traditional’ and extensive cuisine still retains a massive following, there is also an emergence of a wish to ‘eat from other cultures,’ along with the accompanying ‘beverages.’ New Zealand is well placed to take advantage of this movement as the rich and middle classes seek out new culinary experiences. This is good for New Zealand and draws us together as nations. New Zealand continues to import large amounts of Chinese manufactured goods and in return exports to China. Overall, most seeing this two way trade as a ‘win win’ situation.

I have read reports that as more and more Chinese move to the cities the rural population is becoming smaller, often leaving behind the elderly and the very young. This imbalance will have huge implications for China in the future. The agricultural base is now very different from that of just a few decades ago and for China to be able to feed itself, there is going to be a need to import more food or for China to become heavily involved in ‘joint-ventures,’ with other countries. Some would see this as a negative. For me, it depends on the relationship. I am not in favour of ‘any’ nation buying up huge amounts of land in developing countries and then imposing a ‘monoculture’ on that country. Unless the local farmers are part of the deal, I see more negatives.

China must feed its people, and the way forward is going to be fraught with difficulty; ones I hope that New Zealand plays a part, re a solution rather than creating other unforeseen problems around pollutions and unequal economic sharing.  China has ‘arrived’ as one of the most significant economies in the world, and NZ must take advantage of this, but on ‘equal terms.’

Boko Haram strikes again, in the 'name of God.'

At various times in history, many people have suffered at the hands of ‘extremist groups or megalomaniac despots; just take Hitler, Khmer Rouge, the Taliban and Boko Haram. There have also been times in history whereby the actions of profit seeking movements have caused havoc to societies or even huge regions of the world. Take the terrible translocation of millions of Africans from the various parts of Africa; a movement that was fed by greed on the part of the ‘suppliers and the buyers and middlemen who made vast profits.

Most people think that slavery no longer exists but they would be wrong in that assumption. Modern day slavery is alive and well and the actions of Governments around the world have not stopped the illegal traffic and the human suffering it continues to cause.

When Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds of young women from a school in Nigeria it took a while for the ‘Western’ world to react. Yes, there was the original reporting of the actions of that extreme group that labels all ‘Western education as a sin,’ hence the name of the group, but it was only when prominent British politician entered the fray that the world sat up and noticed. That this group uses religion to ferment and justify its actions is repugnant, to Islam and to all other religions, except for the most extreme of adherents. Unfortunately the minority groups that promulgate such belief hold a power that far exceeds their numbers. Moderates may speak out but not with the ‘conviction’ that Boko Haram and the Talban do. Of course history is littered with examples of minority groups who have gained and held power, simply because they go to extremes that more moderate groups fear to tread.

The Nigerian Government is in disarray re the kidnapping of the young women, only recently even acknowledging that it even took place, making claims that they will find the victims of this heinous act. They have even accepted the help of the British and USA to help find and return the young women to their families. I fear that it may well be too late as the girls have already been transported across the border to face sad and terrible futures.

The issue is not one that the Islamic world can resolve on its own. This is a ‘world’ issue, an extension of what can happen when extremist groups are able to flourish. Yes, we have heard that such groups only operate because conditions exists which they can fed into discontent, but in this example and that of the Taliban, there needs to be a united approach, backed by all nations as it cannot be contained within a small geographic area—it affect all nations, one way or another. The place of the UN has never been more urgent in finding a solution to both finding the young women and also to curb the excesses of extremists throughout the world. When one major player tries to play various segments of their populations against another or ignores what is happening even within its own borders, or helps a group in a ‘competitors’ area, then we are all the losers as further atrocities are committed against the citizens of the ‘world.’

Nigeria is an example of what can happen if we do not face this threat together, all religions, and all nations.