Onehunga foreshore finally happening. Watch this space.

Yes, the big machinery is there, frightenning the hell out of Perdy as it bites into the soil. She is most reluctant to go anywhere near the fence and the area of the park where they are going to build a bridge over the motorway to allow easy access to the foreshore ---yeah the bit where the Council is spending $28 million but can't guarantee that we will be able to swim there--- another example of 'NZ not 100% pure.' Oh well, I suppose it is hard to make such claims when the motorway and thousands of vehicles every hour pass close by and illegal outflows probably still dump their nasty waste into the harbour. If that statement pisses anyone off---good---- we need to get together as a comunity and demand that this project is going to be more than just a 'pretty face,' with an ugly substructure.

THE WORK BEGINS.

Perdy had the last laugh lasdt week. She sneeked under the fence (in the picture attached) and ran around like a demented---oh hang on---shenis a Jack Russell, afterall, and crapped in the grass. Damn---How was I going  to pick it up in my little blue bag. There's no way I can climb that fence for a  piece of s--- you get the picture.

Neon's mum faces a terrible dilema.

What mother would want to stand by and see her son suffer? The mother of Neon ran away in order to prevent a round of Radiography. She did not want to see her son suffer from the effects of this treatment. Neon may die sooner rather than later if he does not receive this treatment, but other medical professionals say there are other options.

I do not know who is correct in the claims and counter claims, but I feel for Neon and his mum. Who is going to decide whether Neon receives this treatment; the UK equivalent of CYFS in New Zealand? One would hope not. Perhaps the courts will but even then; how do they take into account the feelings of Neon’s mum (and dad)?

How soon does this decision need to be made? If it is a matter of days or weeks, can there not be an allowance made from other options to be explored? Surely for the sake of Neon and his mum’s feelings, a breathing space can be allowed so that ALL options can be explored. Who in the end will decide what is best for Neon?

Obama has recognised the Syrian Opposition Council

President Obama has recognised the Syrian Opposition Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Is this a good or sensible move? I really wonder, given the makeup of the body. I have expressed my concerns before about the outcome of the present struggle in Syria. Some components of this ‘Council’ pose a threat to the future of Syria.

It is all very well to combine the opposition to the current despot into a recognizable opposition, but is there not a possibility that we will see a Trojan horse from some sections of this council. Without a doubt the more extreme members of this council are willing to bide their time and because they are well organised, they will gradually take over, because they have been planning for years.

History has taught us that minority groups have risen to power in past struggles, simply because they have prepared and organized themselves prior to the ‘main event.’ Take the Bolsheviks in Russia; they had their members in positions of influence and simply rolled the more moderate opposition. That is how it is going to be in Syria, Egypt and increasingly other ‘Arab Spring’ nations.

Keep your eyes on the news and watch as the Muslim Brotherhood and it allies move to take control after the final demise of the current regime. That President Obama has backed this body causes concern. One does not have to look very far to see other stupid and dangerous actions on the part of the USA Government, no matter which ‘party’ controls the Whitehouse.

China---what are you going to do about your nut case neighbour?

The USA, Japan, South Korea and other nations have been concerned about North Korea’s launch of a ‘satellite bearing rocket.’  Anyone with half a brain knows that this is bullshit, and is nothing more than a thinly disguised testing of a long range missile rocket.

So China is perplexed and bewildered!  Big deal and welcome to the real world; one that the rest of us have been inhabiting for many years. A rogue nation starves its people and at the same time spends precious money that could have alleviated the position so many of the citizens on North Korea face.

It is time China ‘lean’ on its protégé neighbour and force them to stand down with their development of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them. China can no longer exist without the rest of the world trading and buying its goods. If they wish to be part of the world trading system then they need to come to the party and accept that action is needed against North Korea, Iran and possibly others.

The world needs peace but it can no longer tolerate these crazy despotic nations holding us all to ransom. Get off your butt China and back any move that prevents further development of weapons that one day may bring the world to its knees and the destruction to your very borders. We don’t need any Mayan prediction to work that one out. China---we need you to act and be part of a safer world.

Schools over --now six weeks holiday.

Yeah, now Perdy will be happy. She won't be left at home, waiting patiently by the fron gate, tail wagging as soon as I return. It will be morning wlaks and runs and another in the afternoon. I tryo to think what I used to do, before she came along and 'took over.'
Well, I guess I shall just have to come up with new places to take her in Auckland, preferably where she can run off the lead. I shall like it even more if there is water. I often wonder what it would be like, living where there are rivers and lakes. Oh well, Auckland has its treasures, so I shall just go and find them. Beats doing Xmas shopping eh!

Egypt on a knife edge---another Syria! It's not 2012 we should worry about.

The Middle East, indeed the world is about to witness another nation slip into bedlam and civil war. The only group in hits ancient country that can stop this is the military and unfortunately that in itself is not a healthy situation for a country that had so much hope a year or so ago.

The Muslim Brotherhood and their Prime Minister are set on making Egypt an Islamic Republic. That will never work for the simple reason that Egypt is far more diverse than other Middle Eastern nations. The Coptic Christians for example, rightly fear for their safety in under the proposed constitution. Other more moderate Islamic groups also have reason not to trust PM Morsi. Yes, the PM has pulled out some of the more controversial parts of the proposed constitution but that is merely a delaying strategy for his more sinister plans.

We have seen terrible slaughter in Syria and it seems almost inevitable that Egypt will follow suit unless more level headed thinking prevails. The USA is taking a strange stance on this developing crisis. It has been suggested that the USA would rather have Morsi and his cronies in power than an even more stridently Islamic Government. Why are we surprised at this position, given some of the crazy foreign policy actions we have seen in the past.

Similarly, Russia will no doubt take an opposite position, simply because that is what they do. As for China and the EU---well they will just line up as they usually do, not taking into account the real deep seated issues of the region, but one that suits their alliances or trade needs.

In the meantime, the opposing forces in Egypt will flex their muscles and propel their nation towards an abyss that will be almost impossible to step back from.  That in turn will endanger other delicate balances in the Middle East. 2013 is not going to be a good year. Hell, we may well get over the Mayan 2012 prophecy, but next year looks   like the stars are badly aligned.

The journey begins---first the bank loan.

This Thursday (the day after tomorrow) I shall have first appointment with my Bariatric surgeon. I have to pay for this operation because the health system doesn’t do that for old buggers like me. That is of course false economy because if I didn’t have the operation, the State would have to pay for all the complications related to my ‘condition.’ Oh well, at least my insurance will pick up 33% of the bill.

I just rang the bank and they agreed to loan me the money. Well, that part is over, so now I shall go to my first appointment on Thursday with the knowledge that I can finance the procedure.

I spoke to a guy I have known through my work for the past ten years and he had the operation (the sleeve) 14 months ago. He has no regrets and he had me laughing. He said he has disobeyed the surgeon on a few occasions and paid the price in a most dramatic way. If one eats the wrong food or too much, there is a tendency for you to become a bit of a floorshow. There is an immediate response from your body in the form of projectile vomit. MM—I think my days of chucking up are well and truly over so I shall be an obedient patient. TMI---- well, I did say I would be honest. Look out for my next episode of ‘Neil gets skinny!’