USA--the two party state? You have quite a connundrum.

The USA holds itself up as a paragon of virtue when it comes to defending the right of countries to have a democratic system of government. It goes way beyond its borders to promulgate that right for other countries perceived as been less than perfect, or to put it more bluntly, are run by despotic regimes. Hell, the USA even went as far as destabilizing a democratically elected leftist government in Chile back in the 70’s. What the hell was the USA defending then; other than the fear that another near communist nation would take hold in the ‘America?’

Of course it is less than about democracy and more about hegemony; oil, trade and other influence that are the real driving forces. The ‘fight for democracy’ is nothing more than a convenient mirage behind which the real more sinister agenda hides.

No country can hold itself up as a beacon of freedom and democracy in its purest form. It simply does not exist. The fact is; that the USA is a two party state; with tweedle dum and tweedle dee as the two main presenters. Very few people for example would even know that there are more than two contenders in the upcoming presidential election. The fact that the Greens have a candidate or the Libertarians amongst others goes under the mainstream media circus.

I had to learn about the ‘others’ through Russian TV (RTV). Before Russia gets all excited about having a free media outlet, don’t forget that it is easy for them to allow open criticism of the USA and the Western media in general. That so-called freedom is one that is Putin-sanctioned, in that it is convenient for him and allow him to hold up Russia as the real purveyors of free speech. Tell that to the demonstrators who fill the streets on various issues, ranging from the Pussy Riot furore through to other issues facing the vast majority of people in Russia.

My point? --- Freedom is but a word. Democracy is something to hold as a right but one that is easily eroded. In New Zealand, we are only marginally better and that is more about our size---we ‘know’ our politicians. They are the guy or woman next door. We can kick them out quite easily.

My final point----- How many of the citizens in the USA and other countries actually take place in the democratic process? How many register to vote and follow through? I know that fewer than 40% of the people in the USA are disenfranchised. They do that to themselves; by choosing not to take part. Their reasons range from distrust of the system to being genuinely disenfranchised. So this election is one whereby one of the candidates (not from third parties) will be elected by a minority of those eligible to vote.

Get out and vote, Americans and look for that third party candidate on the ballot. Ooops, that may mean splitting the vote and letting in a President who has some pretty wacky beliefs. How are you to know whether he is able to separate Church from State?

Albania---wow

What a nice surprise to see Albania reading my blogs. I'd love to know more about your country. Welcome.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Good move Tariana----be inclusive

Today The Herald reported that Tariana Turia is calling for Pakeha to become members of the Maori Party. This is itself is a call that has been long overdue. Many Pakeha probably feel ‘threatened’ by the spectre of the Māori Party making policies that may have been perceived to be anti-Pakeha. I do not necessarily see it that way, but perceptions are important.

For years Tariana has been making announcements, along with her co-leader and other members that most definitely tweak the collective consciences of many New Zealanders. These pronouncements have been challenging for many other NZers to say the least.

What’s happened, Tariana? Is this a genuine move or is it purely political and based on the need to garner more Pakeha votes?  To be fair, I must say that Tariana has softened her approach of late and this latest move does not really surprise me. I have always liked her motherly approach—sort of like Mother Gaia, from the Greens---you remember that lovely ex co-leader.

I think back to that famous phrase that ‘we are one people’ and wonder if this move is one that lends weight to that claim. We are actually ‘many people’ but Maori have a special position in this country. Their sad demise, due to past colonial policies is historic fact. I understand that many hold grievances for past deeds, imposed on them. Perhaps Tariana’s words are ones of hope in our continued shared journey towards a happier nation. I shall watch with interest.

Books on Trade me

Check out trade Me to find various combination possibilities. You can buy the older versions of Coastal Yarns and Roskill for really cheap prices (they are not on my website   www.authorneilcoleman.com) . The reaosn I am doing this is to clear my stocks od first printings. As with mnay self-publishers, gertting my books to be perfect, without any mistakes re typos or spacing is a tall order My typing is 'legend' and proofreaders make mistakes too. I have learnt a great deal about publishing and hopefully that will all mean better books and more 'esposure.' If you get a bit sick of me pushing my books, either 'understand the need to push' or use the delete button.
Thanks for your support. 

I hope the Australians bring their troops back from Afghanistan too!

I wish the Aussies could bring back their troops from Afghanistan, just like NZ is about to do. The Aussies have lost lives there too; just like the troops and construction teams from other countries.

We all know that the Taliban will return and unless the people of Afghanistan call upon their Muslim neighbours to help prevent that happening, then history has told us that no amount of meddling from the West or the Russians (under the guise of the former Soviet Empire) will result in victory.

I would accept our involvement under the flag of a UN team that included a massive contribution from oil rich Arab countries. I would also hope that the Aussies bring back the translators and their families who have been so loyal to their troops, endangering the lives of their families.

My hope is that the Talban evolves into a more benign force but unlike the Vietnamese Communist who have shown a more pragmatic approach, the Taliban are driven by extreme fundamentalist dogma, more like that which resulted in the slaughter we witnessed in Cambodia. It took a powerful neighbour to knock that group off their pedestals. It is not the West that can achieve the same in Afghanistan--- we are not wanted there. The solution has to be found from within and from the region itself. Our part is to support that process. If and only when the situation is safe, should we send in construction teams.

Bring your men and women back Australia.

I didn't want our troops in Afghanistan--but bring back the interpreters!

There would be a good deal of disagreement amongst New Zealanders about the merits of whether our troops should be Afghanistan, fighting what I believe is an unwinnable war. We just don’t learn from history and keep making the same mistakes and for those who think we could ever win---read your history books!

Having said that, I feel deeply for the children and women of Afghanistan as they face the prospect of the return of the Taliban, an evil, medieval throwback. That they use religion as justification for their actions makes a mockery of the religion they purport to hold so close to their bloodless hearts. The Muslim world needs to play a far bigger role in the fight to find peace in Afghanistan; perhaps a contraction in terms.

There is another group in Afghanistan who has worked tirelessly beside NZ troops. They are the translators who have risked the lives of themselves and their families by being so closely involved with our troops.

Tonight we have heard that 26 translators and hopefully their families will be allowed to come to New Zealand. They have earned their place and I applaud the decision of the Government in making this move. Come and enjoy the peace that your own country has been unable to provide. From what I have seen of your fellow Afghanis who have chosen to come here, you will do well and contribute to NZ society. That you could not find those opportunities in your own country is sad. Welcome to your new home.

Herbalife--I don't know what to call this blog!

I didn’t really know what to call this blog. Maybe I should have called it ‘Fat Bugger 10---or is it 11. Either way it is in the same context as the other ‘Fat Bugger’blogs I have written. It is about me and my attempts to get to a healthy weight, without resorting to drastic surgery. I am too old to qualify for the free hospital option----that’s for people under 50 and I am way past that.

So I try to walk my weight off and watch what I eat. The trouble is I watch the food and then eat it. You have all heard the silly ‘sea food diet joke (not). I won’t repeat it here.

I have tried them all and I have come to the conclusion that diets don’t work for the vast majority of people. Yes, they lose weight, quite fast in many cases, but nearly all of them (that means me) out it back on and then some. The so-called yoyo dieting thing is not good for us.

It’s about lifestyle you say. Of course it is but just calling a diet lifestyle and then been attacked by your own body’s reactions to a diet don’t work for most people either. What am I going to do? OK, I have settled for a bit of a compromise. My partner is setting up a website whereby he can sell the Herbalife products.  Once it’s up and running I shall provide a link to his website. You can be anywhere in the world to access the products.

Normally when someone like me espouses the effectiveness of a certain product, they sing the praises of that product. I am not going to do that. I shall simply report on what I have found. I am not going to do the whole programme. Each of us is different and I shall take what I know about myself and do my own thing.

There is no way that I could stick to the complete programme. Separating me from real food is never going to work, so what I shall do is replace my midday meal or sometimes breakfast with the drink that Herbalite provides. I can see that it has all of the nutrients that I need, so that in itself is a good thing. If I take it in the middle of the day, when I am busy, I won’t be so tempted to add- on other food.

I shall do this for the remainder of the school year and tell you what happens. In the meantime I shall try to watch what I eat in the way of portion size and also continue to walk my Jack Russell. Hell, just watching her burns off calories.

If I cheat I shall tell you. Let’s see what happens AND IF I HAVE LOST WEIGHT I SHALL REVIEW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.

I just had the first drink and I definitely feel full.  Over to me now I guess. So, this is not an advert. It is me reporting on what I find.