Hi Ya South Korea!

It's so good to see South Korea, the land of Hyundai, Samsung and lots of other fabulous products. I would say that of course or you would be judging me for my decision to buy so mnay Korean Producst. My phone, computer, TV and car are all made in SK. I am most satisfied with  them all. Bring it on I say. However, I just can'r get into that Gangnam style. OK, I admire anyone who can be so sucessful. Now show us some more SK (note, I don't say the same for your nutcase neighbours to the North) music. NOw all I need is some great Korean food. Luckily, we have many Korenas living in NZ, so that's also easy to get. SWelcome, South Korea.

If Brendan Horan is guilty of the reported deeds he-----

Brendan Horan is facing serious credibility issues. If the actions reported in the media are correct, then he must step down and vacate his seat in Parliament. Winston Peters is no fool and if he believes that Mr Horan has gone a few steps too far, then the 'smoke must have substance.'
I do not know why the leglsilation in Parliamnet that went under a 'Sunset clause' was framed in that manner, becuase is this not an issue would have solved the whole vexed issue.
However, there needs to be a process that makes sure that Brendan Horan has been treated fairly. Then and only then should we see the back of this MP. I hope the next person on the 'list' for New Zealand First is capable and of excellent character. At times like this, one hopes that the selection and placement process is robust.

It will only take about ten million dollars to fix!

I am talking about the terrible figures Northland has for Rheumatic Fever and the complications that causes. It is totally unacceptable that we should have this ‘third world’ disease in a country that can clearly afford to fix the problem. In the Herald this morning, it was said that less than ten million dollars will fix the homes that are poorly insulated and that in itself is enough to make the problem almost disappear. Maybe that is a simplification but we must not allow out kids to be disadvantaged, when it is not a problem they have any control over.

If it is a monetary consideration and the government has to cut from other budgets, then they should go ahead. I am equally sure that businesses could come to the ‘party’ and help us celebrate better health and life chances for a segment of our population that has suffered for far too long. Fix the problem, now.

What's the big deal?

No doubt people, including political party members will try to make a big deal out of the fact the Paula Bennet has admitted that WINZ paid for some beneficiaries to fly to Australia to take up job offers. Why is that portrayed as being a bad move?

Anyone with half a brain that they can use to assist them with the maths will quickly realize that this is a good move on behalf of the tax payers. Perhaps they can even pay the money back, but even if they didn’t, surely the figures add up to being a positive move for treasury.

Sometimes I give National and the Ministers who have responsibilities for various port folios plenty of stick, but this time I say very loudly, back off!

Goodbye Pork Pie 6--I didn't know the battery was in the boot!

I'M LONLEY ALREADY!

YES, THERE'S THE BATTERY--IN THE BOOT!

But then again, where esle could you fit it? There ain't much room in the tiny engine compartment. The mini looks so alone now that the students have gone for thier holidays. They kept coming back, day after day to work on the car. Now I guess it's time for their real holidays. I suspect their minds will be on the little mini, all alone in the workshop, with nothing but the tools, mice and ghosts of things past for company. Don't worry; I shall soon be a gleaming delight. The holidays will be over and the students will be back to finish what they started.

Values Education--just another name for religious studies

Today the Herald highlighted an issue that has been going on for quite some time in many schools; that of religious studies under the guise of ‘values education.’ A school north of Auckland has been caught out putting a young student in a ‘naughty corner,’ to read a book while other students partake in bible studies. It appears that the ‘instructors’ are devout Christians and to a certain extent the school is encouraging this approach.

New Zealand has a system whereby those students and parents who do not want to take part in this instruction, are able to opt out. That opting out should not be such that its leaves the students isolated and feeling that they have done something wrong.

Who are these ‘teachers and instructors?’ How do we know exactly what they are doing? The very fact the school principal and the organization behind the instruction have not come out and answered some fairly important questions is somewhat disturbing. We in New Zealand have for a long time recognised the division between church and state. In a multicultural society this is even more important.

I have nothing against religious studies being taught by qualified teachers, where the students have genuinely opted in as is the case in some secondary schools and the fact that they open the door to all religions is a good thing.

I have a lot against pressuring kids by the very nature of the ‘exclusion methods’ practiced by the school in question. They don’t seem to understand the damage that they can inflict by their ‘holier than thou methods.’ It is time to look at the question of ‘religious instruction’ in an open manner and come up with a system that is much safer. Those delivering such lessons must be open to scrutiny and appraisal, just like teachers and other professionals.

Guess which one I am! (I know what's coming)

There are three people in the picture and one of them is me. I am either going to have the Bariatric surgery or if you get the wrong one, a sex change. The picture was from a BBQ I attended in the weekend. There were about 15 present and the kids did what kids do---they checked each other out and had a ball.

Here’s the recipe for the simplest ‘take to the party dessert’ you could possibly make.

Crumble a cheap Xmas cake (I got mine from the supermarket---to for NZ$8) into the bottom of a dish. Pour on some store brought custard then top with berries. I was lucky enough to have some growing. If you wanted to tart it up a bit, spread some whipped cream (Not sure what you call that in the USA---NO it’s not cream that I am punishing!) over that, of course the berries would then go on top of that. Finally to be really decadent, break up some chocolate flake and sprinkle on the top. There were so many other desserts, so I didn’t have to do that. Yummy and filled our tummies. I couldn’t take a picture because they ate it before I could.