The Grand Slam

The Grand Slam - England defeated and mission accomplished. Not the greatest of games however a win is a win. The England backs look terrible. Wales beat Oz which shows that they are in reasonable shape.

Don't talk about the cricket versus Oz. We are just pathetic. We make 200 odd where no team has made less than 400 for years!!

Crime - according to Radio NZ about one third of Periodic Detention crimanals don't turn up. Sentence them to have a ball and chain attached. The do gooders will say if there is a fire at home they will probably die. Tough!!

Some statistics from a letter to the Sunday StarTimes from John Minto :

Maori - Pakeha child abuse deaths were about on a par until 1987.

1978 - 97 children killed per 100,000 Non Maori 0.92 Maori 1.05

1991-2000 Non Maori 0.67 (it went down) Maori 2.40.

He blames the unemployment rate and low income (poverty).

I wonder - during the Great Depression did we kill and abuse our children??

Pacific Islanders income levels are the lowest but are they torturing their kids?

Sorry but I don't buy it. I see the Curtis boys father said

" It is the Maori way and I am proud of my boys" The man is mad!!

Is this me???

I found a website (courtesy of the bookofjoe.com blog) http://www.typealyzer.com which is supposed to analyse the personality of an author of a blog. Putting mine in I got -

Analysis indicates that the author of http://www.wayneswritings.blogspot.com is of the type:

The Doers

The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities. The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

Not too bad.

Politics and the horror of our country

With the election over and the new Government now formally sworn in, a few comments.

Again MMP shows what a great system the proportional voting method is. Still some, who don't seem to have a clue, criticise it. On talkback one idiot said it is terrible and "we should go back to FPP like the rest of the world".

As anybody with half a brain knows the proportional system is what 97% of all democracies use. I can only think of 3 major democracies that use FPP - UK, Canada and USA with the USA using the most undemocratic system imaginable. In real terms the Republicans were not that much behind Obama in the popular vote - but in the Electoral College Obama got nearly twice as many votes. Nuts.

The John Key cabinet seems satisfactory with him adopting the Ministers out of Cabinet model designed by Helen Clark. I also understand he also used the Helen Clark Coalition template.

It will be interesting to see how things develop with the Maori Party - not so much in the first 3 years, but in the second term, when things normally start to fall apart. I see only about 50% of Maori are on the Maori Roll - and then only 55% of those on that roll vote!!. I wonder how that affects our total voting on the General Roll. I would guess that the overall vote is down by 3-4% because of the lower turnout by Maori on the General Roll. Notwithstanding all the hype about a larger voter turnout, it was down again.

As for those who don't vote. Although they annoy me - the non-voters are probably the dumb and stupid which is good in the long run.

Probably still political was the horror of the Nia Glassie case.

Michael Pearson, Oriwa Kemp, Lisa Kuka, Wiremu Curtis and Michael Curtis.

The trial over the violent death of Nia Glassie ended with murder convictions for brothers Wiremu and Michael Curtis. Wiremu Curtis, 19, and Michael Curtis, 22, were found guilty in Rotorua High Court over what the Crown described as horrific ongoing abuse and beatings which equated to torture and eventually led to the three-year-old's death.

Nia's mother, Lisa Kuka, 35, was found guilty on two manslaughter charges and failure to seek medical help for her critically injured daughter. Kuka was Wiremu Curtis's partner at the time of the abuse.

Nia died of brain injuries in Starship Hospital two weeks after suffering what the Crown said were fatal kicks to the head by the brothers.

Nia's death did not just shock New Zealand, it was being reported widely around the world.

In the months leading up to her death the toddler had suffered horrific abuse while being brought up in an environment where she was often surrounded by several people. Nia's cousin Michael Pearson, 20, and Michael Curtis' partner Oriwa Kemp, 18, were found not guilty of manslaughter in relation to the death but were found guilty along with the Curtis brothers specifically relating to swinging Nia on a clothesline, and also on general ill-treatment charges. The brothers and Pearson were also found guilty of charges relating to putting Nia in a tumble drier.

Again we have heard for the billionth time all the outcryings from various groups and the politicians. But as we all know - we have heard it all before.

What is it about the Maori that they torture and kill children.

Why is it that these useless 30 plus age women shack up with teenagers half their age ?? - the Kahui's were the same.

Why don't people report the abuse??

Why weren't the neighbours not charged for not reporting it. ??

Why was the mother not charged with murder to let the Jury decide her fate.??

Something more pleasant - Munster 16 AB's 18. It was close.

Audie Murphy

Listening to Radio NZ today and they had a piece on America's most decorated combat soldier of WW II - Audie Murphy. I knew of his background and also saw the film of his life story - To Hell and Back - many years ago but what grabbed my attention was that as well as an actor he was a best selling song writer. Looking it up on Google I found he co-wrote the C & W hit "Shutters and Boards".

In June 1942, shortly after his 16th birthday (his sister adjusted his birth date so he appeared to be 18 and legally allowed to enlist) Murphy was accepted into the US Army . He was turned down by the the Marines and Paratroopers for being too short (5'5"/1.65 m) and of slight build.

But once in action he was incredible. He spent 29 months overseas and just under two years in combat with the 3rd Infantry Division, all before he turned 21 winning the following medals-

List of Decorations

	Medal of Honor
	Distinguished Service Cross
	Silver Star (with oak leaf cluster)
	Legion of Merit
	Bronze Star (with oak leaf cluster and V device)
	Purple Heart (with two oak leaf clusters)

U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (with First Oak Leaf Cluster), American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France)), World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany Clasp), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honor - Grade of Chevalier, French Croix de Guerre (with Silver Star), French Croix de Guerre (with Palm), Medal of Liberated France, Belgian Croix de Guerre (with 1940 Palm).

Additionally, Murphy was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, and Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar.

I never realised that he was a song writer. You learn something new everyday.

Quiz - lousy result last night. We have been joined by two of Sarah & Joe's friends for the last couple of weeks but even then we had a dismal showing - about 11th out of 15.

Its Over - thank heaven

It's all over. A real win to John Key and it would seem no real coalition problems with Act and Unted Future tagging along and maybe the Maori Party.

What surprises are hiding - especially within the economic outlook. Also I wonder (or rather I hope) if they will backtrack on their plan to take away the tax relief for research.

On the internet front I can only hope that Maurice Williamson is given the axe. Clark and Cullen going so quickly was a surprise. I think they have both done a good job but time in the job was getting against them - the electorate gets bored and the politicians start making mistakes.

NZ First gone - although the system that an elected MPP brings in their Party Vote if under the 5% needs looking at. I have never favoured that. Even though 5% is considered high I would leave it at that level.

Most people liked the Greens bilboards but I liked the Maori Party one that was in Taita that had all their MP's dressed in suits and ties and looking very upmarket. It gave an excellent impression.

In our local electorate National's Paul Quinn stood against Trevor Mallrd - which produced this billboard. Paul lost.

Back to more important things - The All Blacks did Scotland relatively easily although the Scots did have their moments and look quite good but just lacked finishing.

Found another music site that enabled me to get another song - by Ferlin Husky ?? - that I never thought I would hear again.

Oh - bama !! From around the world

Typical of Fox News (which I see as an arm of the Republican Party) that it reveals AFTER the election that they had an interview with Sarah Palin where she said Africa was a country - not understanding it was a Continent. It does not seem possible that anybody can be that dumb.

I watched President-elect Obama's first Press Conference today. What a change to hear a man who can string more than 5 words together in a intelligent and lucid manner.

Election Day (and the AB's - Scotland)

Election Day has dawned bright and fine after some initial rain. Finally made up my mind - will vote tatically and split my vote as usual - right or wrong - as I believe National will take it. We shall see.

The beauty of MMP - being able to split vote - to vote for the best local candidate and also be able to vote for the party of my choice or just to give some overall support as a coalition partner to another party.

Scotland for the so called All Blacks C (well so say some Scots). Again we shall see.

Attended a SeniorNet Tutors morning yesterday which was interesting.Saw an incredible animation program which I will have a look at - www.anim8tor.com.

It is Barak Power

This sums it up.

The nightmare is over. At long last the American people have voted the right way.

The top line reads

Millions flood streets in joyous jubilation singing "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead"

With three states yet to be decided, the electoral vote count was 349 for Obama and 147 for McCain. G W Bush, by contrast, won with just 271 electoral votes in 2000 and 286 in 2004. However in the usual quirk of the First Past the Post system the popular vote margin was not that large - to date around 52% versus 46% - Obama, 62.98 million votes nationwide and Senator McCain, 55.78 million. But this is the first time since 1976 that a winner has had more than 50% of the vote.

Elections

Well the Yanks have started voting and we can only hope that they vote sensibly this time. What I find hard to understand is how the polls say Obama is only a few points ahead. He should have a 30- 40% lead at the very least because of the failed policies of the Republicans.

From an article in the Guardian(UK) that probably sums it up -

" How did it happen? How did politics in the US come to be dominated by people who make a virtue out of ignorance? Was it charity that has permitted mankind's closest living relative to spend two terms as president? How did Sarah Palin, Dan Quayle and other such gibbering numbskulls get to where they are? How could Republican rallies in 2008 be drowned out by screaming ignoramuses insisting that Barack Obama was a Muslim and a terrorist?"

I cannot understand that one of the leading countries in the world can almost worship stupidity. A woman on the news the other day said she liked Sarah Palin, because she was just like her - her being dumb.

So what is the educational background of the candidates:

Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester. North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism.

Education isn't everything, but .............

What if........................ what if things were switched around?

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama not only became addicted to pain killers but also stole them through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes - and was never given a command position.

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

And so on.

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the poll numbers would be as close as they are?

Recount: On a plane in South America one of the films was 'Recount' - an account of the Florida 2000 Presidential Election starring Kevin Spacey. Unfortunately the film was interrupted half way through by the end of the flight!!

Anyway upon my return I saw it was on TV so I recorded it and have now watched it. What an eye opener. They are not a Democracy , in fact I think they are really called a Federal Republic. The vote totals varied every time they were counted and they did not have to balance them. What a farce.

At least it is goodbye to what is the worst President they have ever had.

Is this the worlds most frightening thought?

Locally - An item from the Dom-Post said that a man had been charged with robbing a pharmacy with an imitation gun - it was his 135th offence. Why is he still out??