David Cunliffe looked and sounded like a PM in waiting last night. Key?------- well----

The ‘great debate’ last night had all the markings of a ‘turning of the tide,’ for David Cunliffe. Despite the fact that the text-in’ voting broke down, he did well. The dial they had registering ‘agree or disagree,’ consistently had David in the lead. It hardly varied in its favourable response for him. DC sounded great and looked the part, even though at times he did display that slight tendency to patronise Key or to over-speak him. That wasn’t hard to do though, because Key spent most of his time, looking like a’ possum trapped in the oncoming beams of a fast approaching bus!’ I was surprised that the ‘Dirty Politics,’ issue that has dominated the scene for the last few weeks, didn’t really get a look in. For a change, we actually had sensible debate about the issues and the ‘one liners’ chucked out there, by DC seemed to paralyze Key re any sensible response, or get him to move away from the same old, same old responses. For DC this debate was most definitely a ‘make or break’ time. If he had not done well, he may as well have thrown in the towel and we would have seen the Labour Party dawdling to the finishing posts, in the knowledge that they were on a hiding to nothing. That now is not the way it is going to be. The so-called polls have had it wrong many times I the past and this time the gap between reported results and the actual ‘feelings’ on the ground are indeed wide. This election is shaping up to be far closer than many pundits would have us believe. We are going to see more debates and I suspect Key will be going to his ‘people’ to see what he can do to curb the newly found confidence of David Cunliffe. Expect some ‘more dirt to emerge from the side-lines. Maybe that will not actually help DC in a direct manner, but it could well confuse enough National voters to keep a few of them at home, just like Labour ones did in the last election. We all know that elections are not won---they are lost! www.authorneilcoleman.com

An old lady chose to take her life---brave, sad or bad?

The news from Canada that an old lady (85) suffering from dementia, took her life in the last day or so, brings to the fore the question of---‘do we have the right to take our own lives?’The ending of a life, one taken by a lady in Canada raises some questions. My heart is saddened as I read this news; about her full life, about her contribution to society, about the fullness of her life and that she should chose to write this thought provoking letter, one that points to the lucidity of her mind, that is when it was not taxed by the steady downfall that IS dementia. I suspect that most of us think from time to time about the nature of our death, how we will die and possibly when we will die. For many, death comes out of the blue, in an accident, or via a sudden catastrophic health event, a failure as it were of one of our vital functions. In a sense this is ‘kind’ of nature to take us so, but when there is a gradual decline from a long lasting health issues (there are many!) or through the slow degradation of brain function, then it is a decidedly sad affair. That we KNOW this is happening can be a blessing or a curse. Think of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia and everything becomes a bit cloudier. Now take the question of, ‘do we have the right to end it all, rather than go through the inevitable failing of our senses and bodily functions?’ There is no one answer and the law varies around the world as to the stance officialdom takes. Unless one is on such a position, then it is hard to understand why the lady mentioned at the start of this article and no doubt people will make a judgement, based on their own beliefs, from both a spiritual and personal stance. This lady most definitely had a plan and I suspect that we may hear more about how the couple discussed this, right from the start of her ‘troubles,’ if not well before. That her partner was there for her right at the end and did not try any acts of ‘heroism’, speaks for itself about the strength of their relationship. As I age, I sometimes wonder what I would do, if such a pathway opened for me. As of this moment, I am unsure----possibly confused, but most definitely not judgmental about the decisions taken by this lady and her loving husband. I do not mean to be morbid or to express a fear of the ‘inevitable,’ but if I do have a choice between the actuality of death, then I think I would choose ---‘not to know’ the where, when and how.’ That of course may change. The experience of this couple makes one THINK! NOW---live for the day in the best way you can! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Ireland---I always wanted you to 'read me.'

Ireland, now that you have started, please don't stop. I love that fact tht you have doscoverd my world of blogging and books. There is such a strong link between both parts of Ireland and New Zealand, with mnay people claiming Irish heretagae, but then agian, what country couldn't do that? I suspect that the lonk goes via mnay aspects; inclding our shared humour love of singing and of course the----well the less said about that the better---good old fashioned boozing! If that doesn't get a resposnse from the PC brigade, then I don't know what will! I would love to hear from you and better stil, I want some feedback on my book, ROSKILL. GO look it up on my website --- www.authorneilcoleman.com and follow the links to either download it or but it via Amazon. Hearing from you soon. Neil

'It's the final countdown. It's true I really mean it'---said Key!

Odds on that's what we will hear later today as Judith Collins has yet another melt-down! Maybe she associated just too closely with John Key and she has caught his 'deficiency' of memory. It’s either that or ‘at the end of the day’ she is covering up for the closeness in her relationship with Slater. Those three along with a few of their hangers on make for quite a little powerhouse of lies, lies, misinformation and dammed more of the same, whilst pretending to care about new Zealand. Does John Key wake up every morning and take a long look at a picture of Hawaii and wish that he was there, soaking the sun in an effort to rid himself of ‘what he has forgotten?’ Maybe he wishes he was back in the days of making money, speculating with other peoples’ money whilst getting really rich himself. Oh---isn’t that what he’s still doing? Maybe that’s a bit unfair so let’s rephrase that: He’s setting us up so that New Zealand is for sale to the highest bidder---bet his eye is on Air New Zealand. I wonder which ‘mate’ he has let know about that little bucket of gold! And he retains his followers! That is what gets me. New Zealanders are so gullible as to believe that he has ‘our best interest at heart.’ When are those are same people going to wake up and smell the ‘aviation fuel’ of our leaders plans!? It will be too late by then. Oh well, the latest blurb ‘out there’ is that ‘Paula Benefit’ will take u the reins when he departs our shores. Won’t that be a rosy picture for New Zealand? It seems out pain never ends.

Key---the 'final, final and yet another final ' warning to you know who----

Here we go again. Ms Collins has been forced ti backtrack on yet another of her stupid lies. Even the NZ Herald is reporting her latest ‘truth burp.’ Has John Key had enough yet? Are we there yet—are we there yet, Mr Key? Are you going to rid yourself of this ‘iconic spinner of political Slaterisms?’ I think not, because Mr Key is between a rock and a hard place. Whatever he does makes his and the national party look---well like a bunch of lying cretins. Yes, they rule our country and you get a chance to have your say on September 20th. Expect some real nasty stuff to come out from those on the sinking ship, because desperation breeds something really low in humans---the fight to survive will transcend anything decent left in the National Party. How can its members justify the events of the last month or so? ---actually those ‘events’ were happening for quite a few years. It has only been the ‘expose’ from Hager that has shone the light upon the lowdown manner in which our leader and co. have treated us. Will National Party people just shut their eyes and blindly carry on in the hope that this will all go away? History tells us that most will do just that, but if enough of them face up to the truth about their leader and those surrounding him, then that will be enough for them to look to a different future for their party---that means ridding themselves of those who would support such actions as we have witnessed of late. Tome for a ‘back to the drawing board folks. But---- Something tells me that it will all be repeated, because wealth can go hand in hand with the subterfuge we have seen. Ms Collins---you need to stop now! Just resign and get it over with!

India---I see you are reading this blog in ever increasing numbers. Maybe you are catching up China!

I have been pleasantly surprised that China has rushed up the reading board for my blogs. They have overtaken the UK and if those numbers equated to book sales re ROSKILL, I would indeed be most happy. Of course I need you to download from Amazon for either hard-copy version of Roskill or the EBook version. Please note that if you buy the hard copy pone, you get a free download of the EBook. Now, I see that India is hitting my blog in increasing numbers. Why should I be surprised though? There are many more English speakers in India than any other nation on earth! India is also the home country for one of the biggest groups of people coming to live in NZ and given that---perhaps they are seeking information about ‘life in NZ.’ ROSKILL, of course represents a side of NZ that is not one we are proud of. The drug ‘P’ (Methamphetamine) is a scourge on NZ society, reaching into families, destroying relationships, jobs and finances. I wrote this book after hearing many stories from clients and reading about the havoc that this drug causes in our land. This issue is not limited to NZ---it is a world-wide problem! ROLSKILL is a story of hope, where none existed. It is a message of love and what a family can achieve when they get the right help. It is a story that all parents should read and teenagers too, because they need to know that help is available. ROSKILL features in the September issue of MiNDFOOD, a popular magazine that is mainly distributed in NZ and Australia but is available online. Look at pages 44 and 45 and read about my ‘other story’---my own journey with ‘obesity.’ AS always---go to www.authorneilcoleman.com to see more about ROSKILL and follow the links. Thanks India--- please share this with your friend and circles. Neil

Armenia---how did you find me?

My friends are sometimes quite cynical about the numbers of ocuntries reading my blog and when a nation like Armenia hits the scene and I sort of understand why. Is this as a result of a search engine and I have just 'come up,' or is it via some other random method? Either way, Armeneia you are most welcome along with other nations in the general region, like Belarus. I welcome feedback re my blog and of course encourage you to follow the links to my website and my books. Better still, download ROSKILL, my book about the drug 'P' as we call it in New Zealand and how it affects the life of a family. This could be in your country, in any city or town in the world. It is a book that every teenager should read and all parents. It bis a book about 'hope whne everything seems hopeless Go to the link www.authorneilcoleman.com and click on the links. Please share with your friends and circles.