If you had to invent an ending for Trumpian America, what would it be? I think it would be impeachment – which, in my view, would be a good ending. I would love to see him retired, let’s put it that way. The bad ending would be that he gets a third term and takes things over completely. It’s a horror story either way. Trump is a horror story, isn’t he?Read More →
‘Somewhere over the Atlantic,’ wrote Robert, ‘there is a giant glass curtain through which Americans view the Middle East, which utterly distorts their vision.’ Embedded in that view is an arrogant colonial attitude that only the West and Europeans truly appreciate democracy. The West offered the Middle East democracy in the form of military operations – overt or covert, either directly or with the help of its regional allies – but no one should expect the people in these countries to fully understand or value democracy because they were not Europeans. Fisk, Robert. Night of Power: The Betrayal of the Middle East (p. 537).Read More →
It is so hard to see the people we elect as leaders . The American FBI has now formally established an office in Wellington. Our leaders show they understand the art of vagueness. Winston Peters said the new office was “a really serious utility added to our crime fighting capacity in the Pacific, and crime and drug dealing and narcotics is an awful scourge, and we’ve got to get on top of it, so it’s great news”. He said the subject of China had not been raised in their meeting. “We never raised that issue, we talked about the Pacific, what we could do toRead More →
I watched the film Oceans and like the film producers and researchers I marvelled at the sea, the sea life there and its future or lack of future??????? I also marvelled in disgust at the way we trawl or bulldoze the bottom of the oceans with chains to fuck it up for our children. I read this Radio NZ item and marvelled too at the ignorance and arrogance of our leading politicians who obviously have a clear vision of self-preservation, but not one for New Zealand. Shane Jones is one politician. But there are others. Some talk. Many remain silent. A silent guilt. For theRead More →
I have just read this in The Spinoff, a NZ media outlet. Just a couple of days ago I was writing about shoplifting and the law. Obviously this shoplifter needs help. Her jail penalty is going to cost you and me around $600,000. This coalition government talks big time about money, money, money!!!!!! It needs to extend the money dialogue on how the money is used. It does know how to thump a person with a big stick. Will it bother itself to become wiser and to spend more money to try and get inside the head of Misty and help her? Is ” intensiveRead More →
I am not a criminal. Too old to risk it. I don’t want to commit a crime, but I do believe the coalition which talks about safety and cutting crime and boosting the economy needs to think about the future of NZ, not just the future of their own egos and arses. If I steal from a retail store this may happen to me … a maximum prison sentence of one year for thefts valued around $2000 or less, and up to seven years if the stolen goods exceed $2000 in value. Including police, courts and prison costs it is already approaching $200,000 a yearRead More →
I’m a fan of Shakespeare. His thoughts and words have been inside me for many years. I understand part of him. I’ll die without knowing the writing of the whole man. But, no worry. Until my last minutes I hope to keep exploring his head and heart. Frequently I think, is there a way to reach into the head of a child with the Bard? Because, if that is possible then the Sweet Swan of Avon may become a lifelong friend and companion to the child as he/she grows. What a gift!. But, things go wrong, eh! Politicians want to force him down our throats.Read More →
I have been reading a little modern history today from the US Brown University Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs . It notes that US led wars resulted in in 940,000 deaths since 2001 in conflict zones. This ignores other indirect deaths such as war related diseases, US military deaths and those linked to them, such as the tasks of contractors. DT says today ‘CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, ITS’ TIME FOR PEACE. A friend of the US, the Israel Culture Minister Miki Zohar says, ”….what we’re facing – a regime that is trying to kill innocent people. When you are dealing with evil, this is aRead More →
…would surely be welcome. The President says his Director of Intelligence has got it wrong about Iran. Where does the DT get his information from? Trump secret files and social media $$$$$$. Awful, Angry, Airy Intelligence. Any intelligence at all? And let’s dare not talk about care and concern and humanity!!!! Here in NZ, like the rest of the world we are sadly impacted by this DT man. He admires Israel. Please give him citizenship, an air ticket and a house. Now!!!!! His talk about waiting for two weeks on an Iran War decision may be yet another message of false intelligence. Read More →