If you call in the 'carpet layers, National, you may have do do some sanding first!

Just when National was looking like cruising to the finishing post in the September election, the course suddenly got a lot bumpier. Labour has not fared well in the polls, seemingly unable to crack though to any real level of support, apart from the usual stalwarts. Cunliffe was looking lacklustre and there even seemed to be grumbling in the caucus. Now, after a few weeks of Collins and the ‘China Affair,’ we have had Williamson dropping his bundle and Collins coming back for a second, third and God knows how many more servings. Throughout the saga, Key has thrown his weight when he can but even his magic touch (in his eyes!) cannot hold off the inevitable crashing of his two MPs.

For Labour, it has to be a game changer, because if it isn’t then they too will be looking at a continuation of their lacklustre performance. Finally we see David Cunliffe with a glint in his eye and his speeches around the country are looking more like those we expect form a leader. If he and his party can hold it together while the National Party staggers towards the election, then there is hope---for Labour and its ‘friends.’ But, and this is a big one; now is the time for discipline and not everybody in the Labour Caucus going off at the deep end, all in the hope of garnering personal support for their individual campaigns, This is the time for a careful, united plan, in which the boot is put in, but in a consistent manner. If they don’t, then they too will have chucked any chance they may have for success later in the year. To those party members out there, who love to cry out and claim their place in the sun---back off and let the leaders and senior members do their job. You owe it to New Zealand to hold together and head into the election ready and able to take charge.  New Zealand also wants to hear policies, just like we did last week. Keep that up and the goal will be achievable. Go don silly side tracts and the swamp awaits you.

I did warn you, Now I declare all out war!

I have tried to be humane and you threw my efforts back in my face. I was going to 'relocate' you; not into some 'Gulag,' far away in cruel climes and away for the culture you so love. How did you repay me?----You simply carried on your clandestine ways and continued to abuse my undoubted hospitality. It's not so much your presence on an occasional basis; I could have lived with that. I mean---it's not  about money or resources. Your everyday presence disturbed me. Yes, you are unhygienic. That's a bit rich coming from me; someone who is not exactly 'house proud' or one who chases every molecule of dust. Hey what's a duster? I don't know one. It is also about the noises you make when I am trying to sleep. Sometimes I can hear you scuttering about the pantry or other parts of the house, dropping your little poops and trying to break into food that is not yours. Perdy is also annoyed at your nocturnal escapades. She is frustrated and when you invited your girlfriend to 'spend the night,' and just assumed that meant, bringing the outcome of your union into my home, she looked to me to provide an answer to our problem. Yes, you raised a family and things went from bad to--well---more bad! I gave a you a chance to immigrate and to find a nice park or home down the road; one with kids who may well have kept you as their little secret. This has gone on for far too long  and yes, I know I have 'dealt' to three of you over the last month, but you did not get the hint! You have even circumvented my efforts re the traps. Yes, I heard them going off in the night, three times and the evidence was there in the morning, upon which I dispatched your 'remains' down the gurgler. But still---you persisted and entered into some sort of multi-partner arrangement. You took advantage of my kindness and if I allow this to continue---well it will come down to--'-you or me and guess what my furry little rodents--It's gonna be you because as from today I am bringing in the big guns. Luckily you cannot read my declaration of war, because if you could, you would leave immediately. Within the next few days---you are going to leave, not unfortunately for you, by 'choice,' but with a very unhealthy, for you, dose of 'poison.' I am deeply sorry that it came down to this drastic 'all-out' war but you brought it on yourself. Goodbye and please take your poops with you!

China---just for you!

It seems that China is rapidly moving up the board re the readership of my blogs. (You are now third for the month) I can only hope that this is mirrored in the figures for downloads of my book, ROSKILL, which the production team tells me will go live in download form and hard copy in the next week or so. For those who buy the hard-copy from Amazon (I think k it will sell for $US15) you will also get a free download to your Kindle or other reading AP. China, I am hoping that you take an interest in this uniquely NZ story, but one that happens in every country. The problem with families being destroyed by the actions of a family member who is either involved in the production of these elicit drugs or partakes in them is immense. The book is somewhat therapeutic in nature, but it is also a good 'yarn' as we say in NZ. It is often funny; it it will also have you in tears. It is a book that exudes hope, as the love within a family is challenged.  Keep a watch on this site, my Chinese readers and please give me feedback; on the book and the blogs.

Ukraine---more questions than answers!

The situation in Ukraine is throwing p more questions than answers. Is the Government in Kiev 'legal?' It is described as an 'interim Government. There will be elections, but how 'free' will they be from both the forces allied to the EU and those supported by or allied to Russia? What part is Putin playing in the border regions of Russia and how far is he prepared to go to meet the plans of his henchmen and his own views re the fattier of Ukraine and other areas of the former Soviet Union? What right does the USA have to support eh 'interim Government in Kiev? What part are the right wing Nationalists in Kiev playing in the present 'dispute and who is funding them? Will all people in Ukraine have a say in the future of their country and its eventual borders? Will Putin allow Ukraine to follow an independent foreign policy and to determine who it has economic relationships with? Can the UN play a part in overseeing elections or referendums re the future of Ukraine? Do the huge majority of ordinary Ukrainians, whatever language they speak actually care what country they end up living in, be it Russia, Ukraine or some sort of half-way semi-autonomous region or do they care more about actually making a living and getting on with life? Is Russia afraid that a referendum will deliver a result that they do not want to accept? Does the EU and the USA feel the same if things don't go their way? What do Ukrainians WANT and how do we determine what that is?
While these questions and issues are 'debated,' Ukraine is heading towards that terrible label of being a 'failed state.'
We cannot believe the presentations of RT, CNN, BBC Aljazeera or any of the local TV stations and newspapers. Who really controls the direction, resources and political power in Ukraine? All we see, night after night is a headlong plunge into chaos. Fear now rules as various anarchic, some Nazi, others under the control of Moscow, stamp their marks.
The only way forward is for Moscow, Washington, the EU and the Ukrainian people to have real dialogue but I suspect that the aforementioned powers will not let that happen as Ukraine has become nothing more than a 'proxy war' for whatever has replaced the old Colds War.' What do we have--a Junta in Kiev, a collective of Russian stooges in the cities of the east and south and the people of Ukraine stuck in the middle, trying to make sense of their dilemma, fed  by propaganda from the above sources. Will the sun ever rise again over a 'unified nation that we can call Ukraine?

Autumn, my favourite time of the year---one of beauty, promise and reward.

The warm days and cool nights of autumn are just that so right for me; I can sleep better, feel great during the day as I take my favourite walks with Perdy and cook the produce from the farms and seas of New Zealand, drink the wine from last years vintage, or older and get ready for the blustery days of the next season. Yes, winter may just be around the corner but for now, I enjoy all that the 'golden season' offers.
Those warm afternoons, that invite you to walk under a sky kissed by fluffy clouds, a sun not bright but just right; by a breeze that cools but doesn't yet chill and a welcoming dew, sometimes punctuated by mushrooms, if you know the secret location.
Take your walks in this bounteous season, forget the sadness from overseas battlefields of sorrow and rejoice in the knowledge that we are far away, down at the bottom of the South Pacific. Yes, just for today, take in the peace before the reality of what life can be like, for so many, scattered in so many places of unhappiness and suffering; man made or nature impelled. You can 'pinch' yourself on the 'morrow.'
www.authorneilcoleman.com
 

China and Taiwan

Since the rise of The new China, the possibility of tension between the China and Taiwan has been a constant presence.  In recent years the links between the two have brought the possibility of a reunion (China has never recognised the breakaway nation) between the two economic 'powerhouses.' No doubt these moves towards reconciliation will one day, in the not too distant future become a reality.
Unfortunately we have on the sidelines the presence of the USA, a 'super-power' that holds on to its desire to control events way beyond it's borders, using the pretext if 'freedom' for the people of Taiwan. Given the track record of the USA and its protection of freedom-loving people, in other countries and the inconsistency of such a stance, one would suspect that the real reason is to maintain USA's hegemony of as much of the world as it can maintain.
That position has been the realm of other nations in the past; take the British Empire during Victorian times or the empires of Russia, then the Soviet Union and now Russia again, so why would we treat the Chinese differently in our  understanding of regional politics and economic rivalry?
Perhaps the economic ties between Taiwan and China, along with the massively important links between the USA and  China will lead to a peaceful resolution of the former issue. No country would gain from a 'shooting war,' or for that matter an 'economic war. The events in Ukraine and the tension  between Russia and the EU will show us the futility of such dangerous pathways.
I do however feel a level of discomfort re the bullying tactics, of the larger superpowers and their allies as they try to forge a world that suits the needs of themselves or to be more accurate, the forces within those nations that have always existed---the industrial/financial and military complexes that transcend borders and nationhood.
Let peace break out and the smaller nations of the world have a bigger say.

Fine Wine Company and walking the dog--is there a link?

Where's he going with this, you may be thinking. Well, there is a link. What better combination is there than being able to walk your dog at a beautiful place and then on the way home call into a reputable wine  (and other products) company to peruse a huge range of quality wines at good prices? I had heard the adverts for ages, re The Fine Wine Company and when I woke up to a beautiful autumn day, I thought, how could I combine the two---take Perdy for a walk and come back with some nice wine?
Now, let me take back to the days when Chardonnays were big and buttery with lovely underlying complex fruit tastes, possibly with a touch of oak. My memory may have lapsed into the area that has possibly combined a few other wine experiences so I could not be sure that capturing the past was going to be possible, but after hearing a description of a Chardonnay that possessed some of these qualities, I felt I had to give it a try, hence my quest to the East.
I took Perdy (my Jack Russell) to  a foreshore walk in Pt. England, next to the sports fields that were busy with kids and their families playing whatever it was. I think it was the 'round ball game!'
We put Perdy on a long lead and off we went. What a beautiful walk along the estuary, with good paths and possibly OK for off the leash. I didn't risk that tough, because there were Pukekos in the fields and I noticed Perdy eyeing them up and the last thing I wanted was a repeat of the experience when Perdy decided to take on  one of those feisty birds a few days ago, down at the Onehunga Bay, ending up near the motorway, with me causing the police to stop and take  a close look at me.
Perdy seemed quite happy to stay on the lead and her reward was to be released on the beach and after a few quick dunkings in the sea, bringing back a stick a few times, she submitted to her lead again and we headed towards Lunn Ave and The Fine Wine Company.
What a professional, unobtrusive welcome. Combine passion, knowledge and damned good personal skills and that gives you a picture of what it is like to visit this huge shop. I came away with two examples of the wine I described at the top of this blog. Costly---well maybe a bit more than I spend at the supermarket, but hey, the new me is into 'less is more;' that goes for my food and my beverages. Is it not better to experience something 'good' or 'special,' and in the long run not actually spend any more than in the days when I went for quantity over quality?
I was struck with the way I was 'looked after,' and left The Fine Wine Company with two bottle of wine, knowing that I can peruse their stock from home online, and either order on the phone or via the Net. I won't be doing that, because I shall be taking Perdy back to the 'estuary or to the Park that is a little closer by the golf course.
What better combination is there for a Jack Russell walker?' Thank you for the great help, Fine Wine Company. I shall be back.
www.authorneilcoleman.com