Ebola--is New Zealand ready?

New Zealanders have been watching the terrible events re Ebola unravelling in West Africa, probably feeling thankful that we are so far away and have a health system that is the envy of many countries. Our isolation has served us well, but one only has to go back to the post-WW1 period to see that we are not immune from the spread of catastrophic diseases. The death toll from that episode in history rivalled the numbers caused by the actual war. Today we hear that a nurse in Australia has retuned from West Africa and is exhibiting some of the symptoms associated with Ebola. It is early days and the brave nurse took all the necessary precautions that whatever she has does not spread. If the disease has reached Australia, the 'ditch' will be just that---a very narrow body of water separating us from our cousins and the high level of contact between our two countries, essentially makes us as one. If it proves that Australia has its first case, it can only be a matter of time before we too face our first case. The question must then be asked---how prepared is New Zealand? We need to hear from our leaders, political and medical, what level of planning has been implemented. We need to know in very clear terms what we need to look out for, amongst those returning from overseas and be able to immediately access health services. The days of the 'flu epidemics' will prove to be small episodes compared to the havoc that could be wrecked if Ebola does arrive in new Zealand. The coming weeks and days are not the chance for political foes to 'strut their stuff.' They must put aside internal wrangling and inter party point scoring. It is also a time where openness is the driving force. Let us also learn form what wed have observed in those countries starting to experience victims of Ebola returning and the development of Ebola-type symptoms. Public panic could easily result and the best way to prevent that is to inform the populace. A good place to start is in our schools. Good teaching can always be the basis to inform families about the moves they should be taking. Our schools can be a very important focus for keeping us all safe. The social media can also step up, but we need to be aware of the more negative side to this very important aspect to our lives. Panic contagion, as a result of misinformation can spread far more quickly than the more traditional sources of information. That must be taken into account and if that means a level of monitoring--am I saying spying?--- then that may have to happen. Monitoring social media is a very sensitive issue, one that reminds us of other times in recent history, one that some states do as a matter of course. Who monitors the 'watchers? New Zealanders have risen to the occasion in the past in times of crisis and we must pull together and face what could be a very testing time in the months ahead. Let's remain open and be prepared to work together!

Native pigeons at sunset and a crazy Jack Russell digging up carpet!

The title hardly says it all. No--the day was full of little surprises and adventures, for me and little Perdy. Everything went as per normal, for a lazy day in the holidays. No calls from agencies for a change and I even managed a nana-nap in the afternoon. That was when Perdy decided that I needed to take her out--well she needed a 'run.' Doug sent a message to say 'his call back day' was over and to come on around. Perdy yelped with happiness as we headed west---that always means something a little different. She placed herself firmly in the middle of the back seat so she could see ahead. Once we passed the bush at Green Bay, she knew we were going somewhere special. Once we arrived at Doug's little house, she became even more excited as I usually leave her in the car, because she just loves to look for cats, but sorry Perdy, it is still the car because we were about to pick Doug up and go for our walk. Ten minutes later, we pulled not the car park outside the water treatment park along the 'drive 'in Titirangi. I parked the car and let her out, intending to let her run for a while before sticking her leash on, something not really legal, but hey---what could a Jack Russell get up to?! She bounded off down the track, sniffing her way along and drawing the odd dismissive look from those without dogs. Just another hundred metres or so, I thought. Everything was just dandy until she stopped in her tracks. Above us a pair of native pigeons were involved in a bit of 'foreplay,' making heaps of noise and more than rustling the branches. Perdy is no prude when it comes to a of sniffing bits and pieces on other dogs but she took exception to the cavorting feathered lovers above. She set up a manic barking, demanding that the two lovers come down and explain themselves. The more she barked the ruder they became; nothing was going to interfere with their garrulous parade. By now Perdy was attracting the attention of other 'dogless' walkers; those in possession of hairy brutes, just smiled, but not the former. Time to retrieve my 'not Retriever.' I have learned through bitter and most frustrating experience that when Perdy is besotted with a rat, cat or feathered 'rat that flys, then my exhortations mean nothing. She feckin ignored me and no amount of displaying little treats meant a dammed thing and even the foulest of utterances were simply consigned to the bucket of useless animal behaviour therapies. So--I decided to ignore her and put my hopes on the alter of luck! I walked with Doug, further down the road and Perdy finally decided to follow--well sort of---she made the mistake of trying to squeeze past me---I pounced on her and had her on her leash before she could say---whatever Jack Russells say when they mean 'feck you boss!' Peace reined and we continued on what turned out to be a 4 kilometre walk and then retuned to Doug's place where a smoked fish pie, home made 'lemoncello' and home baked Louise Cake awaited. Bliss. Not quite! Perdy has one more trick in her hamper! She had no sooner entered Doug's home when she started to sniff around at the carpet. How embarrassing, I thought. Is she gonna piss or worse, present a belated number two? Doug laughed. The explanation was quite simple and very 'Perdy orientated.' It seems that there is a resident possum under Doug's house and he has sort of come to an accommodation with the said 'major pest' in New Zealand's bush. Doug was quite happy to declare a truce so long as the beast did no damage in his beautiful garden. Perdy has other intentions, mainly trying to dig through Doug's carpet and the next hour was one spent in my trying to prevent a final breakthrough. In between consuming the afore mentioned wonderful food and partaking of the offered beverages, which included an old-fashioned coffee, percolated in a retro coffee pot. After a relaxing time in the house on the hill, New Zealand's version of 'a little house on the Prairie,'I persuaded Perdy that it was time to head on home. I look forward to many more nights at the little house with Doug's home cooking and the odd glass of wine. Of course we will need to walk first before rewarding ourselves with the fabulous food. Roll on the next holidays!

Turkey's terrible problem.

It must be very difficult waking up each morning if you are the President or PM of Turkey. Part of you wants to be part of the EU and NATO, enjoying imagined benefits of belonging to such august bodies, while another deeper urge propels you towards being a more significant part of the 'Islamic world.' When you look east you see a region fraught with division (Some would say the same re the west!)where political intrigue and power struggles, underlined by those who use religion to fuel the hate. Add the internal division within Turkey itself, and you would wonder why you ever entered politics, but that thought is quickly put aside as you are no different to other leaders or politicians re your love of power. You ponder the problem of the Kurds, a people who inhabit parts of your country and those bordering Turkey. That they have fought for their own state and continue to exert pressure within Turkey just fogs the issue re the 'new boy on the block,' the so-called ISIS which goes under various labels. It is the latter that threatens the peace on your borders as hundreds of thousands of citizens of Iraq and Syria seek to find safety within your nation. You have a sickening feeling that this group, ISIS is different. It has been suggested that they are partially funded by nations who on the surface say they are aligned to Turkey. they also garner resources through criminal activities and then use these to slowly create a web of terror that their self-appointed leader claims will be a 'Caliphate that stretches from the Euphrates to the Atlantic.' Your choices to meet this threat are limited. Do you thrown the might of the not insignificant Turkish armed forces into the fray that exists just over your eastern border or do you simply close up and let the ISIS takeover the region? You could of course let loose the huge numbers of Kurds who wish to join the fight to save their kindred fighters and relations. You could even supply arms, via other 'friendly' nations, but that could cause elements within Turkey who share the beliefs of the ISIS fighters and that is an area you do not wish ton enter. One thing for sure is that you cannot wait and observe for much longer or the decision will be made for you as your own Kurdish citizens take matters into their own hands. So you have a 'balancing ac' to consider. It comes down to choosing the pathway that causes the least danger to Turkey. One gets the feeling that you are waiting to see if the 'coalition forces, re their bombing, starts to make a difference. Then you will probably unleash the ground troops, massed on the border opposite Kobane. I di not envy the position you are in. However, this may be your chance to reach out to a large portion of your population and if you go the way that includes their wishes, it is only the beginning of a new direction in the history of Turkey; one that is more inclusive. Good luck!

Turkey draws closer to the USA and those opposing ISIS.

Turkey has been in a difficult position for many years. It has struggled to find an identity that works re the Muslim world and that of being part of the EU. It's influential leader who has been to the fore for more than a decade has often played a hard line with the West so it is interesting to note that now, he is putting a hand out to the efforts to defeat ISIS. That is for the simple reason that ISIS now provides a real threat to Turkey. Turkey needs to surmount its desire to deal to its own Kurdish issue because the ISIS is far more dangerous. Do not be surprised if we see a friendly Turkey,' one that takes part in the battle to extinguish the plans of that dangerous group, that enslaves people and creates so much suffering in the regions it takes over. Turkey is being pragmatic; it understands the bigger threat. Perhaps this new spirit can transfer into the other issues in Turkey---those that have curtailed free speech and the rights of minorities. Time will tell. This is of course nothing new--Turkey has always had this difficult balancing act.' What we are witnessing is just a modern day version od an age-old problem.

Sweden and many other countries are reading my blogs ---welcome

I am so pleased when I se yet another country rereading my blogs and therefore getting access to my endless ramblings on Facebook. Sure I talk a lot about Roskill, my book about the terrible scourge of 'P'(Methamphetamine) in New Zealand society, or for that matter on every society. So if you are in Sweden, Columbia and all of the dozens of other countries, regularly reading my blog----go to my website and follow the links at the bottom of the page so you can download Roskill or buy the hard copy. Roskill is a book that all teenagers should read and parents too, so that they can gain an understanding of how the actions they take so very seriously affect the behaviours of their children. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Power cuts in Auckland---a sign of the ways things will be under a 'protfit-driven' regime?

Auckland prides itself as a wonderful place to live, with beautiful harbours and a 'kind' climate. It boasts superb facilities and its citizens supposedly enjoy a way of life , not achievable in many cities overseas. For many that picture is true, but ask the struggling 'poor,' including those earning less than a 'liveable wage' and they will not recognise that description as being relevant to them. Now look at what is becoming a 'feature ' of life in Auckland; fairly regular power cuts, resulting in massive inconvenience for a large area of the city. Those people living elsewhere, simply shrug their shoulders and even smile' as they see Aucklanders 'suffering.' That scenario is not uncommon in other countries where one city almost dominates the economy. The question has to be asked why these power cuts are occurring. Some would point to old infrastructure, where modernizing has not happened to keep pace with the growing population and need for ever more power. This needs to be put alongside the policies of various governments in recent decades to 'privatise electricity production and supply with the accompanying 'need to make a profit' for shareholders, with an increasing number of the later being overseas 'stakeholders.' The 'social contract' that has existed in the past is but a figment of our historical memory. New Zealand's energy sector is now dominated by 'private enterprise,' with the slow degrading of services as they cream off the profits. I am not saying that 'profit' is a dirty word but I am saying that their neglect (I include the State owned portions of the sector, because they too must make a profit under the present philosophy!)re maintaining and improving infrastructure has led to the situation we are observing in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand. Sure we have the Greens and others espousing a more 'alternate-driven' form of supplying energy needs, but even those would be administered under the same philosophical political dogma we are seeing with the present National Government. As long as the 'profit' motive dominates, then expect more of what we have been seeing of late. Expect the blackouts to increase and even with the advent of a more 'sustainable policy of development' (including the solar, wind and tide options)there is no real light at the end of the tunnel, because we have drifted way beyond the point where an easy fix is possible. One only has to look at British Rail to see what happens when profit is the God! What our forefathers built up, in a State-owned system for energy supply has virtually been given to the new 'masters' of NZ, the National Party and its friends. However they too, as consumers will be affected as the system continues to break down. I wonder how the 'Remuera brigade' are responding as they struggle to keep their tropical fish warm and alive! It is only when they are affected, joined perhaps by farmers losing supply in the rural areas, that we will see an outcry sufficient to take a long and hard look at what has happened since the 'selling' of our hard won state assets, became a dominant political strategy, one pursued by both major parties, but ensconced re the National/Act Parties! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Roskill---Interview with author Neil Coleman

Click on the following link to view my interview on TVNZ. https://www.dropbox.com/l/TN9WB8g2HTjkWt0C37QX9r