Kim Dotcom's new alliance with Mana is an unquantifiable presence as yet!

This election is shaping up to be an unusual one, given some of the 'players.' In  the background to the new 'boys and girls ' on the block we have the spectre of the big German guy with an allegedly 'questionable past.' Other wannabe politicians have had to weather the storm when skeletons have come out of the closet, so he too needs to face that challenge. What is different about his situation is the manner in which the Government and its 'departments' have attacked him. His fight against the 'injustices' have resonated with some NZers, but who knows just how this will play out in the upcoming election, one in which he can not stand because he is not a NZ citizen.

Next we had Hone Harawira  dancing a strange pre-nuptial Tango with KDC and the emergence of an old (well not so old but very experienced) player from the Alliance days in politics, the party of that definitely old veteran, Jim Anderton. For a week or so we were left to goes and project who the partner for Hone would be and what that would mean. Laila Harre emerged, a choice that bemused some and confused others, me included. I have always admired this woman as a fine politician; one who without a doubt, talented, experienced and possessing a strong social conscience. I would have placed her firmly in  the Mana Party field of politics or even the Greens, but not with KDC, in  any form.

Now, I have to reassess my position, but I will do so with great care, because I find it so hard to move beyond some of the unanswered questions re KDC. The issue of him spending millions worries me about the influence he will exert in the background; a concern that is only partly lessened by the fact that Laila  is not in the pocket of any group or individual. Perhaps it comes down to perception, but the next few months will be critical in my view. I shall listen to what I hope is informed debate and expect a whole lot of the usual platitudes from others opposed to her and I shall try to sort through those 'predictable' utterances.

The political geography of New Zealand has either had a new 'bit player' added or a force to be reckoned with,  but one that needs to project some 'truths.' If the latter happens, then watchout Key and cohorts.

Let us drive you, tourists or pass a driving test! NO more deaths.

Is it time to seriously concider putting some restrictions of foreign tourists driving on NZ roads? The tragic death of yet another tourist, probably unfamiliar with NZ driving conditions, which may be a combination of driving on the 'wrong side'  of the road or not managing our narrow country roads.
We do not want to see any more deaths, either of the tourists or NZers who needlessly die because  the visitor has crossed to the other side of the road.
No doubt the hirers of rental cars and campervans will object to a tightening up re foreign drivers, but there is another way of looking at this: see an opportunity! Perhaps a whole new employment venture could arise for good 'Kiwi' drivers, escorting tourists or giving  driving lessons to those who insist on 'self-guided' tours. Either way the carnage must not continue. We do not wish to welcome people here, only to have them kill themselves --or us--on roads that do not suit the driving habits of our visitors.
 

Border Control finds several Kilos of 'precursors for 'P' (methamphetamine) manufacturing--the scourge continues.

The NZ customs department is very active in finding the precursors for 'P' manufacturing as the criminals try to bring it in to NZ, much of it unfortunately from China. These people attempt many ways to achieve their aims and no doubt a great deal still gets through. The low life people behind the trade, both in New Zealand and China will go to great effort to hide the red pellets that are necessary for the process. New Zealand Chinese officials cooperate to try to minimise the trade, but we would be foolish to assume that that we are even close to stopping it completely. Those caught in China face extremely harsh punishment and it would not be difficult to find New Zealanders who would agree with that 'ultimate price.' Whilst I can't quite go that far in my thinking, I do abhor the activities of these criminals who destroy so many lives in NZ.
In New Zealand, those 'precursors' are used to 'cook' the final product that then sells for a huge profit for those who are engaged at different levels of the illicit trade. There would not be a suburb, town or area in New Zealand where one of these 'P' labs could not be found. They could be next door, in in the flat you rent out as an investment or even in upmarket penthouse apartments; no where is free from this evil scourge.
For those who enter this dark world, life changes, sometimes for ever. The users put the family business, their actual families and relationships at risks. The desire to get that 'fix' takes over their lives; nothing else matters. That their children can be left without a parent matters little as they sink to new depths.
Read about such an experience in my book, ROSKILL.
It is now live on Amazon, both in EBook format and hard copy. For those buying the hard copy, the Kindle download (or other reading App) is FREE!
Go to my website www.authorneilcoleman.com
or to the link  http://www.amazon.com/dp/047325655X
Enjoy and please pass on the links and share with your circles.

Stoning to death and sentencing a mother to die---in the name of religion!

No one can convince me that it is the ‘correct’ thing to do---to stone a women to death in Pakistan (While the police stand by and do nothing!) and to sentence a young mother to death, once she has ‘nursed her child for two years, because she married a man from another faith; this is Sudan-----nothing and no one will bring me to the conclusion that such practices belong anywhere. What can we do as individuals or a nation to change such a sad state of affairs? Does our Government remain silent? Does the world community carry on delivering aid to these countries that allow inhumane ‘religious’ practices?

Sure many voices around the world and even within those countries cry out in indignation, but still, there are deaths. Sometimes they are called ‘honour killings,’ and in others an interpretation of a ‘book,’ is put up as justification, with bearded men standing by encouraging the ‘murders, usually of women!

The UN is a toothless organization n if it allows these abhorrent actions to continue. It has it within its power to cut off all humanitarian aid, to withhold all forms of developmental assistance, until there is a change.

‘But, you are hurting those who need the help most, you say! Yes, I agree that in the short term this may be so, but this has been happening, along with the corrupt practices of the leaders of many countries that practice abuse of human rights---it has always been so. BUT---at what point do we draw a line in the sand and say—‘until you bring about change, then you are on your own.’

I have a great deal of difficulty in coming to the above conclusion, given that there will be a continuation of suffering while the UN enters into endless rounds of negation, while the major ‘players’ use the debate to push their own agendas, while rich industrialists and business men compete for contracts, creating yet more tensions.

 It feels like we have not gone beyond the early days of the League of Nations and then the UN and its lofty ideals---it seems that nothing has changed. Why is it that human greed and political rivalries always gets in the way of real change; ones that benefit the majority of people and nation states?

Is it that base human behaviours underline all political actions but on a much larger scale than between small groups of individuals? Can we ever transcend this given human trait---to compete, to divide and to take over?

In the meantime the Pakistans and Sudans of this world will continue to ‘murder’ their citizens, sometimes via the political ‘machine’ and at others using a ‘book,’ to justify their actions.

Reach for the ---sky!

OK, dramatic exaggeration of the facts but that's how it feels when I come home everyday, to witness yet more progress on my little office in the garden; my future and also a damned nice space. What can I say other than---bring it on, my wonderful neighbour. Great job.

You are doing a superb job, John!

Destiny Church to open City of God while Anglicans self destruct over gay marriage issue.

Times are indeed tumultuous in the ‘spiritual world’’ with the Anglicans splitting into two groups; those willing to adjust to the ‘new world’ and those wishing to stick with a more ‘as they see,’ literal interpretation of the Bible. Then  we have the spectre of the ‘glitz and glam’ of the good old Destiny Church led by that ‘icon’ Brian Tamaki, as he launches a huge venture named, ‘The City of God,’ paid for by his dwindling number (According to the Herald) of followers.

The comparison could not be starker. On the one hand we have the traditional, some would say, ‘founding church of NZ,’ struggling with this dilemma---‘what to do about the gay issue?’ The latter is a genuine debate, casing a great deal of angst, both amongst the hierarchy of the church and the congregations. It seems that in the bigger cities, the more liberal the interpretation, but once you hit the suburbs and smaller cities and towns, things go the other way. In the meantime the membership bleeds. An answer will be fund and the church may look a little slimmer re the numbers, further enhancing the position of the ever growing Catholic faith. Perhaps that church is being well served by the ministrations and views of the new Pope and some would say, a little unkindly, the views re contraception, as always espoused.

Destiny has always been controversial; some labelling it as little more than a modern-day cult. It tried to enter politics but the public would not have a bar of that. It has launched various social programmes that I cynically label as nothing more than attempts to ’grow the church.’ It has also had to close many ‘branches’ as finances an internal splits surface. In a last ditch attempt to regain the fold, Tamaki is about to celebrate 30 years of ministry, by opening his ‘City of God.’ Time will tell if he can manage to save his empire, by spending up large (much of the money coming from his ‘poor’ followers,’ who he demands pay $1000 from each family; the very people who cannot afford such amounts.

So while the Anglicans beat their cheats about gays, Destiny launches an Orwellian community, aimed at providing spiritual control and power to one man! (Not God)  Yes, a stark difference indeed.

Mana and KDC---'With this ring, KDC, I thee wed,' said Hone.

Many pundits will be speculating on whether the new alliance between KDC and the Mana Party will gain any traction at the election in September. In many ways we are entering into new territory. Without a doubt the big man has an ‘allure,’ (as that lady on Miranda says so often!) but to who? If one believes what the more optimistic of his supporters purport, then he should see his ‘minions’ ensconced in Parliament in numbers only dreamed of by other struggling fringe parties.

Perhaps they are missing an important point; those so-called supporters may only exist in the ‘cloud’ that is the internet. Maybe I am making the mistake of assuming that the typical supporter of the KDC party is a nerdy backroom or bedroom enthusiast who spends his (mainly ‘his’) time on the net and interacts with the world via avatars and fictitious characters when he is not trying to hack into an American arms network be involved or some other spurious online activity. OK, that is a terrible exaggeration, but it was fun to make. That’s my point: How serious are these ‘supporters’ and how much effort are they going to put in to the actual campaign and getting people out to vote in the real world.

Wow, I expect at least some sort of reaction to my burble and I suspect that once people start to realize that now Hone Harawira has the money behind him in the form of KDC (Who himself cannot stand as he does not qualify under the rules) things may take a turn for the more traditional pathway for the candidates. IF KDC can attract real voters and get the ball rolling and all the indications are there that he is going to throw money at the battle, then we are in for one of the most ‘interesting’ campaigns in NZ’s political history.

Of course there will be and has been casualties, the most obvious -----Sue Bradford, who is well known for her straight talking and honest political demeanour. She will not be the last as others within Mana find the marriage of political convenience is one that just does not stand up to their heart-felt values systems. In the long run the alliance is one that will not stand the test of time and once a ‘divide’ is felt, it will gather momentum, leaving both parties stranded in the political ‘bad lands,’ as voters struggle to make sense of this unholy union. Watch this space, as it may be filled with intrigue and backroom battles as the two main protagonists try to smooth over the cracks that have already appeared. A war is not won by one battle.

www.authorneilcoleman.com