On CNN today--

It is so sad to see items that I have just viewed on CNN today. The sight of a twelve year old being so vastly overweight and the affect it is going have on his health; not in the distant future, but now, is mind-boggling.  The list of foods this kid eats and the quantities make my intake look like a diet. I have taken the piss out myself in my ‘Fat Bugger’ blogs, but all joking aside, the fact remains that we are killing our kids. We are cutting decades off our kids’ lives and I include NZ in that claim too.

I feel angry and would it not be unfair of me to claim that overfeeding our kids with the rubbish they demand is nothing short of ‘child abuse?’ The diabetes, asthma and many other afflictions are conditions that we should not be seeing until later adulthood---- not in the childhood and teen years.

What is it going to take, to reverse this trend? Is this the first generation of children who are not going to live as long as their parents or grandparents? Even with new medical techniques and drugs, we are not going to be able to turn these figures around, without major changes in the way we all see food. Coming from me, this all may sound a bit rich, but look again at my blogs and at what stage in my life I am writing them. My doctor once told me that his first aim was to get me to an age, whereby I will be able to collect a pension or superannuation as we call it in NZ. Well he has nearly got me there because that age for me will be 65. (They are gradually raising that age until it hits the late 60’s. That should occur in about 20 years.

I hate to say this, but unless things change dramatically, many of today’s kids and teenagers are not going to make that age. Will the Government of the day be happy about the savings they will make in the budget? That is very cynical of me, but I think you know what is driving my ramblings---- my shock at seeing day after day, the issue described above.

I want to put up the next chapter of The River Always Flows

Yes--- I need more hits on 'The River Always Flows,' and I need feedback ogt see where I take the story--- just a few words--come on! My head is full of ideas but I want this to be a bit more collaberative. Just go to the blog titlled--- 'The River Always Flows,' and yes, I am open to a begtter title. Maybe that will become apparent once you have read a few chapters.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Some say that The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the one of the best movies they have seen. Others say it is a movie for elderly people. I say that I laughed my tits off and had to moderate my laughing. I chose to go for a matinee session with some of the Ladies I walk my dog with. There were only about 20 people there at the Lido in Manukau Rd, Epsom, so my laughs most definitely would have been notices.

I didn’t care. It was an experience that I had not had since I had seen Kinky Boots a few years ago, after which I had to see a heart specialist because I had these pains that I thought was a heart attack. Thank God, such visits are free in NZ, because it was a little embarrassing--- I had laughed so much that I strained my chest muscles--- I think that is what he said. Well, today I was careful not to strain, but laughing was the order of the day.

I love those English actors like Judi Dench and Maggie----they have so much class and they make the story come alive. Whist the setting is exotic, the issues ring true and one has a sense that such a story could happen. In many ways the theme is timeless and could happen across cultures. I think the director handled the strands of the story in a sensitive way, leaving the audience smiling but challenged.

I think that the Brits have this knack to take our everyday fears and aspirations and bend them into a film that makes us look at ourselves and then gently allow us to let go and laugh at our failings. They do it time after time.

India is without doubt a land of contrast; the poor living alongside the rich and powerful. It is a land of contradictions; take the still thriving cast system for example. You get the feeling that despite the rapid progress made in many areas of Indian society, there is still an underlying connection to past beliefs and practices.  I wonder what Indian mover goers make of this film. Perhaps, we can get some feedback from my Indian readers. (There’s a challenge).

I am going to go again, next week with another friend. Seeing a film twice is not a thing I usually do, so that puts this movie right up there for me.

The sharks are circling.

Picture a small boat near Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest Island. Now imagine a huge Great White shark, circling the boats while the scientists attempt to tag the magnificent beast. Any hopes of tagging other sharks are out of the question as the larger shark chases them away. Apparently there are about 120 Great Whites in the vicinity of the island. New Zealand is part of a worldwide programme to protect this much maligned species.

Perhaps you shiver at the thought of entering the water in these locations, but don’t worry; you would have to be pretty brave on anther count--- the water is damned cold. So leave the sharks to do their thing and think about other circling sharks; namely the Republican candidates that now number three after Santorum’s exit.

The three are, to quote Santorum, ‘bright lights on the hill,’ fighting for the real America (my words). What a horrible thought. He will now throw in his lot with the winning candidate, so over the next few months we better take a much closer look at Romney’s policy statements. I am sure that the news media in the spirit of good journalism will dig up some of his past statements, to put before the voters and he will no doubt clarify his ‘vision’ for  the USA. It is going to be interesting and sometimes frightening. On the other hand, when the pressure comes on, we may see the real Romney and his hidden supporters; the ‘grey men in suits,’ as they influence his statements. I am not talking about the usual lobby groups that press any Presidential candidate, but something more sinister.

I am loath to bring religion into the debate, but I can’t help feel the faith he espouses, somehow being a part of what he would bring if he was successful. I do not see him in the same light as we would have viewed Kennedy. Kennedy was of course Catholic, and there were concerns that his faith may have been a negative factor with the voters. That is all history now and the USA grew by electing him.

I am not on the ‘ground’ in the USA. I am curious to know what you all think of Romney. I don’t recall any of you saying anything about Romney’s faith. Is it a ‘no go’ area? Am I bringing it up because no one will give a stuff what a Kiwi thinks?  Let me know if you can. I may get slapped down for exhibiting some sort of religious intolerance and you may be trapped because you don’t want to say what you really think.

Throw away the PC crap and let loose. I hope I haven’t made myself unwelcome by saying something that may be on the tip of your ‘collective tongues.’

I’m off to see a movie--- Hehehhe--- don’t k now the title---something about Marigold--- Should be a real laugh

 Will let you know. Give Romney a ‘shug’ from me.

Road tolls--- do we need them?

The question of road tolls has been around for years. Many of us remember the tolls on the Auckland harbour bridge and those booths where we had to line up to pay our twenty cents (or whatever it was in pre-decimal days). If one got stuck behind a driver, ill organized with the correct change, then we can relate to the now common road-rage phenomenon.

The date is alive and well again, with calls for those using the ‘needed ‘motorways to pay for their construction. It is touted that such a solution is the only fair way to meet the growing demand on our present system. What about ‘public transport?’ others say, perhaps of a greener leaning.

The answer(s) is not simple. It will need to be a uniquely New Zealand solution, because we differ from some of the countries put forward as shining examples. Any debate must take into account some salient factors.

New Zealand is a country of well less than five million people, with a taxation base to reflect that. We are also a nation with difficult topography; long and narrow, two main islands and mountainous. We are not a Germany, with a more easily connected ‘shape’ or a vastly bigger population. These factors alone, make planning and implementation of a national road network a major issue. If you add the necessity for rail and other public transport, then the problem is confounded. The simple fact is that New Zealand is never going to be able to have a ‘profitable system, if it goes down that pathway. We have to accept the fact that there is going to always be level of subsidization.

‘I don’t want to pay more taxes!’ you cry? It is the same argument put forward for a robust public health system, or social welfare net. You can’t have it both ways. Pay less and you get less, or pay in another way; social disconnectedness and a system catering only for those who pay. I say that transport is a little different, if there is a choice.

New Zealand has long has a collective psyche of sticking up for the ‘small person,’ for those who cannot help themselves. However, it feels like this is changing. We are becoming a less ‘caring nation,’ something we share with many western democracies. The political spectrum reflects that in that both major parties are fighting for the middle ground. Both the Labour and National Parties have moved to a more centrist stance, meaning that there is less and less difference between them in basic policies. One could also say that ‘Leadership,’ perceptions drive the voters’ choices on Election Day, rather than political manifestos.  When did you last read one? As for the other parties; they are generally more populist in nature, apart from the Greens, who possibly attempt to stay true to their real core policies.

What then do we do about the question of tolls on proposed new motorways? There have been many suggestions about how they should be funded, ranging from the State funding to all out user pays options. Some say, stick a tax levy on every litre of fuel purchased. Isn’t that already in existence and it is supposed to go to road and transport needs?  Others suggest a government/private relationship, where the cost is born by both parties, with the State owning the road after an agreed period wherein the Private consortium collects tolls.

Auckland and Wellington both have issues around funding road and rail projects. The debate is endless, with little progress. There is an argument that if tolls are allowed, then it should be on all Auckland (and possibly Wellington) motorway construction. Listen to the talkback radio shows and you will hear the total frustration and different viewpoints.

‘If we let them put tolls on us, you know they will be permanent,’ some say. Possibly, but what is the choice--- higher taxes (in different guises) or paying every time you travel on a motorway? Collecting tolls, is no longer an issue with modern technology, so those talking about holdups at toll booths are way out of focus in their thinking. ‘It will make the cost of transporting goods more expensive,’--- Will it? Would not the more efficient timing and less use of fuel, make up for that?

One only has to look at Australia to see the possible use of tolling our major motorways, Melbourne in particular. They represent a bigger version of NZ, but have the huge distances and relatively small population compared to the USA and Europe. Melbourne has a larger tax base than cities like Auckland and Wellington, but they suffered from the same transport issues that we face. They have already had the debate that NZ faces, and they are getting on with it. They are using the tolling system on the new motorways and the public has reluctantly accepted it.

One way we can plan for the future is to extend the use of bus lanes, where railway is not planned. The North Shore example is going to be extended, providing an efficient and fast pathway to the central city. There is the difference between Australia and NZ. Just get on and do it. If we find that tolling doesn’t work or penalizes a section  of our society, then bring some sort of ‘subsidy’ in, but don’t let the problem become so bad that we will end up -paying even more in the future, and that will be for tinkering rather than going for broke. We can’t leave it in  the hands of the politicians alone. Speak up!

Not one person killed on our roads this long weekend

What a wonderful day to wake up this sunny (again!) Tuesday morning. You may have heard by now--- but we did not have one fatality on the roads. This figure is the lowest since records began in the 1050’s. No that doesn’t mean that we didn’t have cars back then, but it a tremendous result. There are many reasons for this.

1) The roads are better.

2) Our cars are safer now, with better breaking etc.

3) There has been a huge effort to educate the public to drive more safely---speed and alcohol         free driving.

4) Police have been out in force, with little tolerance for more a few kilometres over the limit.

5) The weather has been superb.

Long may this last. The only down side to this weekend’s figures is that 5 people drowned. The same beautiful weather brought people out in droves to our beaches, hence the exposure to the often dangerous rips. Perhaps the lifeguards were not on duty at those beaches and NZers’ love affair with boats and sailing would have been a factor. I know for sure that the traffic was well down in Auckland, so we know where a few million people went--- to the beaches, lakes and rivers.

Now, wouldn’t it have been great if our optimism was reflected everywhere--- like in those parts of the world where the bomb and gun rules; where governments shoot and maim their own people, where religious intolerance forces people to live lives where fear is paramount.

If only we could feel that people could believe in the word, ‘hopeless, minus the less.’

Do Australians love Kiwis?

Well that depends on who is asking and under what circumstances. If we are beating them at rugby or cricket, then the answer is somewhat skewered. It is pretty obvious that Aussies hate being beaten by their little cousins across the ditch. If the reverse is happening, then, yes they love us, because they have us just where they want us----below a peg or two.

They certainly don’t love us when Kiwis figure in their crime statistics. Why would they? There is enough crime there without us going and joining in, although I would hypothesise that Kiwis are not disproportionately represented in illegal acts. I think that most of the Kiwis heading to the land of OZ are some of our best. It is more than greener pastures they seek. They are looking to put their toes in a bigger pond. Maybe they are seeking to leave behind, aspects of their own country that have gotten stuck in their collective craws.

Part of me has wanted to try the big country to our west, but I am not easily disposed to up roots and move anywhere at my stage in life. One of my dreams is to rent a campervan and travel around and across the continent, probably in a convoy of about 5 vehicles. I don’t fancy such a proposition on my own. I know what my mechanical skills are like and I would also wish to have a local as part of this convoy, experienced in the ways of the Aussie flora and fauna.

For me it all comes down to----yes I love the ‘over there’ but I belong ‘over here.’

Hugs to you, Aussie coussies.