Synthetic cannabis manufacturers and purveyors should be---

It is becoming increasingly obvious that products that go loosely under the name of ‘synthetic cannabis’ are harmful. There are disturbing reports coming out of our A and an E department about the short term affects and from those who work with clients who have used these products on a long term.  Knowing this just adds weight to recent moves by the Government to make such products either illegal or difficult to gain access to the legal market.’

I think it is time to stop pussy footing around by passing legislation to make all of these products illegal and to close down the outlets who sell them. I am well aware that we could make the same claim for tobacco and alcohol, but that is just a smokescreen to hide behind.

The claim in the Herald today that the manufacturers and sellers of these products are aware of the harmful effects of ‘synthetic cannabis’ but continue to push their products just makes the issue even more important to address. They are taking the same ‘immoral ground’ that suppliers of other harmful products make. Maybe we need a few ‘heavy lawsuits’ against them. They do not have the huge amounts of money behind them that the tobacco and alcohol giants possess, so possibly they could be dealt a ‘death blow’ to knock them out.

Of course, I am dreaming. We know that other products will emerge to take the place of today’s nasty products. It is a never ending battle.

I wanna house! I want it now!

Such is the clarion call from those frustrated Aucklanders (and some other NZers) who want a home but cannot even save for a reasonable deposit, never lone paying the huge mortgage. I am not talking elite homes either here; just a normal three bedroom home in an average suburb.

Probably on the same day a headline will be observed quoting the prices of houses in the towns and secondary cities of New Zealand. Great, you say---why don’t these home seekers move to these towns? ‘We would,’ they reply, ‘but where are the jobs?’

Fair point, so they stay in Auckland, struggling to pay the ever increasing rents and attempting to save for the home that is fast sailing into the distant; never to be achieved.

What can we do as a nation? We can’t even keep up with the housing pressures in Auckland, even if people could afford them. Apparently we need to build 10,000 new homes every year just to tread water as it were, so all the possible new moves by the Government are most likely going to add up to diddly squat.

Are we going to hear the cry for ‘regional development again? Are we going to come up with new solutions whereby people receive help to move and firms become eligible for tax breaks if they make the move to the regions? Some of these things have been mooted in the past, but always being dropped as the financial costs scared the politicians away or the government proposing such policies gets turfed out of office.

Is not this whole issue one that needs a bi-partisan approach? Hell no---- they can’t seem to agree on other issues facing the nation like our bourgeoning need to have an across party policy on retirement, so the chances of any real sense being talked on housing, regional development and the subsequent new jobs, is just going to be ‘pie in the sky’ stuff.

If you are young and wish to own your own home, forget it, unless you are prepared to think outside the square and encourage the political parties to join you. It is going to take a major event that imposes new solutions---an event that overseas, like warfare, increased terrorism or some sort of terrible climatic change.

Why wait for that to happen? Come-on politicians--- get off your butts and talk to one another without point scoring. We cannot let our problems just slip to future generations.

New Zealand's Got Talent---you better believe it!

For ALL of my overseas readers, go to UTube and stick in New Zealands Got Talent and I am sure you will agree. Check it out. Makes me so proud to be a Kiwi.

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.