BBC broadcasts from North Korea---under supervsison!

Today I watched a BBC 'clip' from a large military parade in North Korea, once which was closely supervised by the stooges of the Dear Leader. The commentary was noticeably 'laboured,' as if the reader was doing his utmost not to laugh. It was a dark comedy in a sense----well it would be, if it was not for the ramifications of a dangerously armed and led nation, that North Korea has become. One has to wonder what was going through the deluded mind of the short leader form the 'Hermit Kingdom,' whether he really is in touch with reality. His delusions are the rest of the worlds nightmare in the making. That he is in charge of a military machine that is increasingly capable of delivering cha0os o the region and beyond. That a high ranking Chinese Governmental figure was at the 'dear leader's side, is also worrying; perhaps the redeeming feature could be that China too is playing a dangerous game with its crazy neighbour. After all, China has to live with this 'infected' needle, always ready to jab at supposed enemies. What is also sad, is that so much of North Korea's economy is tied to the military machine, differing only from the USA in that its economy is 'sick. The later has a much bigger capacity to hide the effect of its military spending by somewhat smoothing the 'sufferings' (albeit it increasingly less generously) through a welfare system. North Korea's people do not have the backup of an economy that produces most of the goods and services that constitute basic needs. Take a look at the 'shots' coming from Pyongyang and observe closely the 'body language' of the leader. What is he thinking? Who does he imagine his enemies are--those from beyond the borders of his kingdom, or those within--those ready to step into his footsteps. They better move incredibly quickly or they will succumb to the fate of all the other imaginary enemies of the dear leader. Meanwhile, the 'parade' goes on--to show the world that North Korea and the boss are on track to 'rule the world.' Thank God, I can turn the TV off and forget about the images from the North!

Roskill burning and Australia 'iced over!'

What the hell is he going on about this time, you say. Maybe you used even stronger language. That's OK, I do---regularly. How are those two 'trends' even remotely linked? By radio reports of course. You see, I was driving sedately along the South west motorway, having spent a most satisfying day re some of my wonderful 'supervisee' clients. Perdy was in the car, as she had spent the day bat doggie care; hopefully she was not intent on repeating last night's fiasco! her 'escapology' skills must firmly remain in the past!!!! The radio was set on talkback and eventually the drivel gave way to the news. Firstly there was an item about a 'vegetation fire on Mt Roskill, barely a kl from where I live. I searched the horizon, but there was no sign of any conflagration. I assumed the 'services' had doused the said flames so there was no need for me to evacuate, unlike some of my country-persons in the far south, who had endured some nasty winds and scrub fires, threatening their homes. So we headed n home but before we arrived, we were alerted to another event--this time form our 'cousins' in Australia. It seems that a prominent Northern Territory politician was having problems with his son--whom he had evicted from the family home, because of the son's use of 'ice,' the substance we call 'P' in New Zealand. Just like in NZ, families are torn asunder by this insidious substance. Businesses are ruined and lives put on hold, while the battle to return to normality rages, if one chooses, that is. Therein there is an issue. Just like NZ, the will to put in the resources to fight this blight on society, is sadly missing the mark. Many of the programmes available are expensive and not publicly funded. The extent of the problem is huge. Hardly a town is free of 'P' or 'Ice.' It is my drive to find solutions that drove me to write ROSKILL, a story set in NZ, but replicated in both countries; a story of hope replacing hopelessness. We can do something, we can fight it, but we must invest in programmes to get our citizens off this terrible evil. Click on the kink below, which will take you directly to the Amazon download for the eBook version of ROSKILL. You can download the hard copy from my website, but it is expensive if you live outside the USA. For a cheaper deal, go to my email address and request a hardcopy for $22, posted anywhere in NZ. neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com http://amazon.com/dp/047325655X www.authorneilcoleman.com

Op Shop tour---one we won't miss!

Yes, I am embarking on an Op Shop tour today, with my mate Doug. Look out Waikato! You may wave from your windows, front porches and the well-lined streets as we swoop past. If we stop for a bargain, then please don't get in our way. We are going to replenish our China cabinets with delights from the past; not just beautiful china to look at, but to use. Oh yes, we shall be looking for trios and any other colourful offerings that 'jump out at us.' Yes, there will be very well laid tables, ready for high teas. Bring back the glories of the past. We should never have 'let them go!' Rule Britannia---except for the RWC of course.

Frankfurt, Germany----Roskill is coming!

Yeah I know I slagged VW for their 'indiscretion about pollution levels, but hey---I am sure you won't be alone in that particular issue. hardly a month goes by whereby a major recall occurs, be it from an Asian, European or American auto maker. I guess India and China will joint the list before long. BUT, my friends and readers in Germany---don't let that stop you going to the Frankfurt Book Fair to check out ROSKILL---the story that is replicated in every country. All countries have issues re the use of damaging substances, legal or mainstream---they break families and destroy lives. So---do go along and check out ROSKILL. Post a picture of you holding ROSKILL---a story that offers hope when there appears to be none.

How many car manufacturers are pulling the sliders over our eyes?

So you go and check out all the 'specifications' for a new car and arrive at that place that allows you to make a sensible decision about buying one that ticks all the 'boxes.' It has all the power you want, the looks, and above all---it has fantastically green qualities.' You go ahead with the deal, and trade in your old 'stinker,' in the knowledge that you are saving the planet. Then comes the news that a 'reputable manufacturer, indeed the worlds most successful one, in terms of total sales, gets caught telling a 'porky.' NO I m not talking about David Cameron's unusual past-times! I find it a bit much to believe that other manufacturers are not also complicit in distorting the details re their latest releases.Expect VW to cry out in indignation that they are not the only ones doing this. I would be extremely surprised if they were. OK, the complete fabrication of the truth was on a massive scale and others may be at the other end of the 'lies continuum,' but tales and exposes are going to be the stuff of our news media. There will be back-stabbing, accusations and shock and horror stories. Imagine what will come out about some of the 'new boys on the block.' The are are also going to be some damned good deals going as some of the companies try to 'knock off' so-called 'dirty cars.' Maybe the events we are witnessing will be good reason for the alternate energy cars to come massively into the new game! Bring it on!!!

'Climate refugee.' Yes they are coming our way.

Every day we are seeing more and more people, flowing into the EU, mainly Germany. The sad sight of exhausted mothers and young children has torn at the heart strings of many people. Thousands of young men have also poured across the borders of Eastern Europe, looking for 'safety and a better life. There are those who claim that Europe is inviting a 'time-bomb' to enter the nation states that make up this continent. There are others who point out that the rich Islamic nations of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States in particular, that have not opened their borders. That is not to say that they have not given huge amounts of money. Where this will end, if ever, is anyone's guess, but history has seen the mass movement of people before, be it from a colonial act, or the result of wars. There is another genre of refugee and there is a discussion re the action of New Zealand, refusing a 'Climate Change,' refugee to stay in the country. He has NZ born children and support is gathering for him to be allowed to stay in NZ.A petition has been launched and meetings held to put pressure on the relevant minister of the Crown to let him stay. Time is running out, for him and for the nation he comes from. The low lying nations in the Pacific are 'going under,' in a climactic manner. They are hardly above sea-level and any rise is making their nations perilous places to live. Water and crops are threatened and if the process accelerates, as many scientists claim, then we are going to see another mass movement of people from the affected areas. We have to face the probability that Island nations, around the world, those that have little high ground, are going to cease to exist. Other countries will have their shape change considerably as the low-lying land submits to the encroaching sea. NZ needs to look to its Pacific neighbours. It is these people who we need to accommodate, along with other nations in the region. I have much sympathy for the people in Syria, Northern Africa and other worn-torn countries in the area, but it is to the nations who share the huge ocean that NZ sits so comfortably in, that we need to help first. It is also a question of numbers. We cannot accommodate millions or even hundreds of thousands from the Northern Hemisphere, but we can make a real difference in our own region. Let the father from Kiribati STAY!

Ex Kiwis---Kwassies, or whatever you wish to be----read and share my blogs!

This is a call to all Kiwis, ex-Kiwis or whatever name you choose------I need you. I need you to spread my blog, my website and links to my books. Heck---there are enough of you there, although I hear many of you are coming back to your roots, back here in NZ! If you have been reading my blogs, you will no doubt have connected with some, agreed with a few and downright wanted to 'sort me out' re some of them. I'd like to say, I never meant to offend, but in some cases that would be a big lie, beyond the legendary black stump, a step too far. NZ and Aussie share much, many attitudes but there are some great dividers, not all related to sports. So---keep reading, sharing my blogs, downloading the eBooks and better still pushing my books. Just go to my website. I need this in order to write some more. I am 'do it yourself' publisher of my works, so it I need all the people power on my side, particularly Kiwis in Aussie. Cheers! www.authorneilcoleman.com